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6HICA60.
The original picturE — a copy of "which is given Dn the
oppositE page — was prESEntedj through thE propriEtors of thE
LnNEDN (England G-RAPHIC, to t±LE City of Chicago, ZlftEr
thE immEdiatE nECESsitiES of thE snffErErs by thE firE of
IB 71 had tiEEn allEviatEd, and it was annonncEd that no
morE nionEy from abroad would de nEEdEd, thErE rEmahiEd
a largE sum in thE hands of thE propriEtors of thE LDNHDN
Graphic, Being unablE to rEturn thE monEy to thE donors,
it was dEtErminEd to use thE saniE towards thE purchasE of
this picture for thE City of Chicago, Mr, Ed 5rmitagB is
the artist,
•URBS INCIKERATA.
HISTORY
OF
CHICAGO.
FROM THE
Earliest Period to the Present Time.
IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOLUME II. — FROM 1857 UNTIL THE FIRE OF 1S71.
BY A. T. ANDREAS.
CHICAGO :
THE A. T, ANDREAS COMPANY, PUBLISHERS.
1885,
R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS,
PRINTERS,
THE LAKESIDE TRESS.
A. J. COX & CO.,
BINDERS,
144 MONROE STREET.
Copyright Secured, 18S5.
THE A. T. ANDREAS COMPANY,
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
BLOMGREN BROS. & CO.,
ELECTROTYI'ERS,
162 A 164 CLARK STREET.
HUGHES & JOHNSON,
LITHOGRAVURES,
253 KINZIE STREET.
PREFACE.
OF the general plan of the History and its specific treatment of subjects, it is requisite that
something explanatory should be said. It has already been stated, in the anterior volume,
why it was found absolutely needful to make topical essays of the various matters under consideration,
and this mode has been continued in the present volume. By this method, chronology and the
presentation of facts can be more easily conserved — which is the province of the historian, — and the
drawing of inferences avoided — which is the realm of the essayist. In furtherance of this aim, and
heeding the line of demarcation between history and essay, it has been the principle of the collaborator
to present compendia of incidents, in the particular dissertation, as they transpired, rather than a
general account of the event toward which the incidents tended. It is sufficiently easy to realize that
a certain number of acres were devastated by the Chicago fire, but without the aid of the historian
it would be difficult to acquire any knowledge of the various causes which rendered such destruction
not only practicable, but easy.
For the same reason, there are given the biographies of many of Chicago's citizens. These
give the history of the men and women who performed the actions that have made history ; their
lives and their deeds are the kevs to the marvellous progress and achievement that have made the
name of Chicago a household word throughout the habitable globe. If further advocacy were needed
for the presentation of the deeds of " common - place, every -day men" — who are those with whom we
deal in in common - place, every -day life — it would be found in these words of the historiographer,
Charles Knight : " The history of manners, of common life, is essentially dependent upon the civil,
the military, the religious history of a nation. Public events act upon the condition of a people,
and the condition of a people interchangeably acts upon public events." Hence, the biography of
an individual acts as a plane mirror in reflecting the macrocosm around it, or as the facet of a
diamond refracts the beauty of the sun. " History is philosophy teaching by example," and the
precedents of our merchants, our professional men and our artisans is worthy of all emulation — such
examples being rendered possible by the magnitude of our city's transactions and the splendor of her
commercial prosperity.
In procuring matter for the various topics of which chapters have been made, manifold courtesies
and valuable information were received from large numbers of our citizens, among them the publishers
are especially indebted to Hons. John Wentworth, William Bross, Henry Booth, and Messrs.
Joseph Medill, Joseph O. Rutter, John H. Dunham, John R. Walsh, John G. Shortall, J. Adams
Allen, William J. Onahan, Samuel H. Kerfoot, Robert Fergus, Charles C. Bonney, Elias Colbert,
Joseph P. Ross, Gil. W. Barnard, C. C. P. Holden and George P. Upton. The resources of the
Public Library and of the Chicago Historical Society have been heavily taxed by the collaborators,
but both of these Institutions, as well as their respective directors, William F. Poole and Albert D.
Hager, have furnished vast quantities of most valuable information The Press, without exception,
has been most courteous and painstaking, and from the large fund of its varied experience and
cosmopolitan knowledge has given copiously. That there are so many reproductions of ante -fire
edifices and views of parts of the city is principally ascribable to the kindness of Messrs. P. B. Greene,
Lovejoy & Foster, A. I. W. Copelin, A. Hesler and John E. Woodhead ; while to Joshua Smith the
publishers are indebted for permission to reproduce his copyrighted view of the ruins of Chicago.
In brief, whenever an individual or family, a corporation or society, was applied to for data it was
unhesitatingly furnished.
PREFACE.
During the process of compilation it was found expedient to abolish any attempt at an
historical resume of the subject-matter of the preceding volume. Two reasons made the serial story
precedent an undesirable one to follow : first, that such a syllabus would be too brief to be valuable,
or even comprehensibly accurate, and second, that there is not a page to spare in the entire second
volume. This latter fact renders needful a quasi -apology for this work — happily the only condonation
required.
In making a synthesis of the various topics prepared by the collaborators, it was ascertained
that several matters that might have been elaborated in this volume, and whose treatment pertains to
this epoch, would have to be excluded, because their introduction and satisfactory recital would amplify
the book beyond reasonable dimensions and render it unwieldy. A dilemma was then instituted, in
the query as to what should be ignored or excised ? The narrative of the War could neither be
curtailed nor syncopated from the work, for the story of Chicago's heroism and patriotic devotion to
the Union and her soldiers constitutes one of the grandest pages in her wonderful history. The
recital of the burning of the city could not be abscinded, as that is the grand climacteric of the
volume and the apotheosis of the trials and sufferings of our people. And the introduction of these
two topics being conceded to be necessary, a review of the space they occupv will render
comprehensible the need for curtailment elsewhere. This elision, however, is only an elision from
epochal dissertation, as in the ensuing volume all the missing historical fibers will be taken up and
interwoven into a complete and harmonious termination. In fact, experience has shown that in a
number of instances continuous narration is more expedient than an interrupted recital.
In perusing this volume, some cursory idea may be formed of the enormous quantity of labor
that has been bestowed upon its authorship ; the expenditure of such work is an index to the
amount that was utilized in the construction and improvement of the city up to October 8, 187 1.
Step by step have the compilers followed the citizens of Chicago during the erection of their
habitations and commerce ; as their pencils recorded the vast amount of progress in all branches of
the arts and sciences, in mechanics and agriculture, in trade and manufacture, they realized the
unparalleled advance of the Garden City from 1S57 to 1871, and as their records were examined for
this work, it was apparent that the principal difficulty in recording it was not what to write, but
what not to write. Only fourteen years of a city's existence, and a folio volume of eight hundred
pages is inadequate to fully record it. Mirabile dictu !
Relative to the accuracy of the statements made, it is pertinent to remark that neither time,
labor nor money have been spared in gathering the material, which, after its compilation, was submitted
to competent judges of its verity ; and upon their dicta were excisions, additions or changes made.
It is not considered that perfection has been attained, but every precaution and care has been utilized
to insure accuracy. The publishers are cognizant of the fidelity and scrupulous pains that have been
taken in every process of making this book, and give it to the citizens of Chicago, confident that
everything possible has been done to make it worthy of the city of which it is the history.
THE A. T. ANDREAS COMPANY.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CORPORATE HISTORY.
The Corporation : Municipal changes ; Wards. .49 — Elections
-.49 — Rosters, 1S58 to 1872. .49-50 — Statistics. .52.-49-56
Board of Public Works: Commissioners, 1S61 to 1872. .56 —
Street improvements; Statistics- -56-59 — Bridge building;
Statistics_.6o-62 — Bridges destroyed in "great fire"_.62 —
River tunnels. -63-65 — Sewerage system; Statistics. -65-66 —
City Hall -.66 — Water system: The Water Works; The
Lake tunnel ; Statistics- -66-70 .- ..56-70
River, Harbor and .Marine : Harbor and River improvements ;
Statistics- .70-72 — Dockage_-72 — The Marine; Statistics--
73-74 — The " Skjoldmoen". .74 — Ship building- -74 — Not-
able marine disasters. -74-77 — Vessels destroyed in 1871.-77
— Lake, etc., transportation companies. .80-82 70-S2
Police Department : Changes in organization. -83 — Uniforms
--S3-S4 — Badges-.S3-84 — Police Commissioners, 1S61 to
1S70..S4 — Precincts and Stations. -S4-S6 — The Detective
Force. .87 ..- --- 83-90
Fire Department : Last of the Volunteers.. 90 — Paid Fire De-
partment- _go — Fire Commissioners. -91 — Fire limits in 1871
-.91 — Fire Companies in iS7i-_gi-g2 — Telegraph- -g2-g4
— Insurance Patrol. -94 — Benevolent Association. .94-95 —
Company Sketches. -95-99 — Notable fires, 1863 to 1S72--
gg-102- go-102
Public Schools : Changes in organization. . 102-103 — City Board
of Education ; Presidents and Members of.. 102-104 — ^ta~
tistics..l03 — Music, Drawing, and German introduced-- 106-
107 — Special funds. . 107-108 — Statistics. - 108 — Histories of
Schools. -108-1 14 — School buildings destroyed in 1871-.114-
115 — Teachers' Institute. -115 102-115
Private Schools : Location, etc., from 1857 to 1872 115-117
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION.
Omnibus Routes, 1858 to 1864 118-119
City Railways: Chicago City Railway. -119-121 — "Wabash
Horse Railroad Swindle "..120-121 — North Chicago Railway
_.I2I — ChicagoWest Division Railway. .121 II9-121
ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL.
History of, from 1S58 to 18S4 : Trustees, 1858 to 1871--123 —
Commissioners, 1S71 to 1884--123-124 — Tolls received,
1857 to 1SS3--124 123-124
TELEGRAPH AND EXPRESS.
Telegraph Companies, 1858 to 1871 125
Express Companies, 1845 to 1S71 -.125-126
RAILROADS.
Histories of : Illinois Central; Statistics. . 128-133 — Chicago &
• North-Western . - 133-140 — Chicago & Alton . - 140-143 — Chi-
cago, Burlington & Quincy ; Statistics- . 143-146 — Pittsburgh,
Fort Wayne & Chicago -.146-147 — Chicago, Milwaukee &
St. Paul.. 147 — Union Depots. . 148-153 — Chicago, Rock
Island & Pacific-148-151 — Chicago & Southwestern.. 151 —
Lake Shore & Michigan Southern. .153-155 — Michigan Cen-
tral. _ 1 55-1 56 — Chicago & Eastern Illinois. _ 156 — Pittsburgh,
Cincinnati & St. Louis.- 156-157 — Chicago & Iowa.-i57 —
General Summary-- 157 — Railroad legislation._i57 — Pull-
man's Palace Car Co.-- 157 — Railroad traffic. -1 57-1 5S — First
regular time-table.- 158 12S-158
MILITARY HISTORY.
Awakening of the War Spirit : First War meeting- -I5g, 160
— Second War meeting. . 160 — The clergy preach patriotism
--160 — Governor Yates calls for six regiments of militia.- 160
— Metropolitan Hall rally..i6o — General Orders (State)
Nos. I and 2.. 160 i5g-i6o
War Material in Chicago: 60th Regiment, I. S. M...i6i —
Washington Independent Regiment. No. 1..161 — Chicago
Light Dragoons.. 161 — Chicago Light Guard. . 161 — Emmet
Guards. -161 — Shields' Guards..i6i — United States Zouave
Cadets..i6i — Chicago Light Artillery. . 161 — Washington
Light Cavalry. . 162 — Washington Rifles. . 162 — Washington
Grenadiers.. 162 — Black Jaeger Rifles.- 162 — Independent
Zouaves -.162 1 60-1 62
Re-organization ok Regiments: Zouave_-i62 — Washington
Independent-. 162 — Taylor's Light Artillery--i62.----.-i62
Action of the Citizens: War meetings.. 162-163 — Cairo gar-
risoned.-163 - - 162-163
Recruiting in Chicago : The " Irish Brigade"--i63 — Swedish
company- -163 — "The Home Guard ".. 164 — Fourteen Chi-
cago companies received for service in the State-- 164 — Ten
Chicago companies drilling — 164 — 163-164
Acceptance of Soldiers: The "Ten-regiment bill"-- 164 —
Distribution of Chicago companies.- 164, 165 — " State-at-
large" Regiment -.164, 165 — "Hecker Jreger Regiment"..
165, 166— Sturges Rifle Corps.. 165 — The " Yates Phalanx "
__i6s — The " Irish Brigade "..165 — The Zouave Regiment
..166 — Chicago Dragoons. -166 — Washington Light Cav-
alry--i66 — Cos. "A" and " B," Chicago Light Artillery..
166 164-166
Aid by the Citizens: War Finance committee 165-166
Chicago's Performance of its Duty: Relief Associations..
166, 167 — Union Defense Committee.. 167 166-167
The Draft of 1864 : Cook County quota. . 167, 168 — Men fur-
nished; Tables; Amounts paid as bounties and as relief.. 16S
Chicago Regiments, Histories of : 12th Illinois Infantry. -i6g
— igth Illinois Infantry-- 179 — Ellsworth's Chicago Zouaves
--IS7 — 23d Illinois Infantry. .190— 24th Illinois Infantry..
195 — 371I1 Illinois Infantry. . 199 — 3gth Illinois Infantry..
203 — 42d Illinois Infantry. .208 — 51st Illinois Infantry. .
213 — 57th Illinois Infantry.. 21S— 58th Illinois Infantry..
221 — 65th Illinois Infantry__225— Three-months Regiments
of 1S62 227 — 72d Illinois Infantry- -227 — 82d Illinois In-
fantry..231 — 88th Illinois Infantry. .235 — 89th Illinois In-
fantry-.244— 90th Illinois Infantry.. 24g — 113th Illinois
Infantry--252— 127th Illinois Infantry_.257 — One Hundred-
Day Regiments of 1864.-258 — Sturges Rifles..258 — Cav-
alry Regiments. .258 — 8th Illinois Cavalry. .259 — 9th Illi-
nois Cavalry. -261 — 12th Illinois Cavalry. .263 — 13th Illinois
Cavalrv-.265 — 16th Illinois Cavalry. .267 — 17th Illinois
Cavalry- .268 — Artillery : Old Batterv "A," Chicago Light
Artillery. -269 — Old Battery "B," Chicago Light Artillery..
271 — Battery "B," 1st Illinois Light Artillery. .274 — Co.
"I," 1st Illinois Artillery- . 275 — Colvin's Battery--276 —
Co. "L," 2d Illinois Light Arti!lery_-276 — Co. " M," 2d
Illinois Light Artillery- -277 — Chicago Board-of-Trade Bat-
tery. .278 — Chicago Mercantile Battery.. 282 169-287
Tabular Record of Chicago Officers 2SS-2gg
Camp D0UGLAS--300 — The Chicago Conspiracy. .307. ..300-310
Soldiers' Homes: Chicago_-3io — Cairo.-3i3 3IO_3i4
Relief Work in Chicago: The First Nurses-_3i4 — Inception
and Organization of Chicago Sanitary Commission. .314-31 5
— Active Work of the Commission.. 315 — Early Difficulties
-.315 — Field Work. -316 — Depot at Paducah.. 316 — Con-
tributions to the Work- -31 7 — Labors of Nurses_-3I7 — The
Woman's Council. .318 — Work in the Front. .318 — First
Chicago Sanitarv Fair. .320 — Change in Officers. .321 — Sec-
ond Sanitary Fair. .322 — Last Work of the Commission- .323
— Northwestern Branch of Christian Commission. -323 —
Camp Douglas Aid Society. .324— Ladies' Relief Society..
324 — Ladies' Loyal League.-324 - 3M~324
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
Introductory. -325— The Year iSjS-jg : Inspection of Wheat..
325 — Telegraphic reports. .325 — First Stock Transactions. .
325 — Reciprocity Treaty. . 326 — Charter of Board.. 326 —
The Year iSjQ-60 : Repair of the North Pier.. 333 — New
Rooms occupied- -333— The Year iSbo-bi : Sustentation of
Reciprocity Treaty- -336 — The Year 1861-62 : The War Pe-
riod-.336— The Board-of-Trade flag.. 336 — War Finances
..336 — Depreciation of Securities.. 337 — News of First Vic-
tory..337 — Reproving Southern Sympathizers. -33S — 7 he
Year 1862-63 : Grain Inspection. .342 — Alleged Warehouse
frauds. -343 — Further War Annals. . 343 — Oath of Allegi-
ance.-343 — Raising of Troops. .345 — Still-hunt for Trai-
tors. .346 — Arrival of the " Sleipner "-.347 — Miscellaneous
War \York-_347 — The Mercantile Association.. 34S — Cur-
rencv reforms. .34S — The Ship CanaL-349 — The Year 1863-
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
bi: The War record -.351 — Recruiting Agency.-35i — The
Chamber of Commerce- - 35 2 — /'tie )'e,ir 1864-65 : Currency
s ion.-354 — Close of the War Period-. 355 — The Year
/SPi-00 : The Chamber of Commerce. .357 — The Year 1866-
V Law against Short selling--359 — The Year 1S67-6S :
The Warehouse Bill.. 360 — Convention. .361 — The Year/868-
60 .• Soldiers' Monument- -362 — The Year 1869-70 : Cornerin
Corn. -365 — The Elevator difficulty. -366 — The Year iSyo-
7/. .366 — The Year 187 t-J2 : National Board of Trade- -367
— The Warehouse Law. .367 — The Munn & Scott difficul-
ties -367— The Kire.-36S — List of Officers, etc., 1858 to
-- -369 325-373
ELEVATORS: Destroyed and Remaining in 1S7I--373 — Estab-
lished. 1856 to [872.-374-376 — Cram Warehousing- .376 —
Warehouse Law.. 377 — Grain-weighing- -378 373-379
Pork-Packing: The first summer packing .379
Board of Trade Statistics 379-382
FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS.
Military Division of the Missouri : Its Organization and
Change of territory 383
JUDICIARY : Change of Districts -3S4
SECRET Service : Chicago Branch -3S4
CUSTOM House: History of__3S5 — Collectors and Deputies. _
385-86 — Statistics- -385-S7 — The Appraiser's Office. -3S7 —
Special Agents of the Treasury. -3S7 _ 3S5— 387
The Internal Revenue Department: Collectors, Assesssors
and Statistics 3S7-3S8
The Pension Agency ..388
The United States Sub-Treasury : Receiving and disbursing
officers _ --.388-389
The Post-office: Sketch of, 1857101873.-389 — Postmasters
--3S9-90 — Locations of office. .389-90 — Chicago as a distri-
buting center.. 3S9 — Burning of. .3S9 — The letter-carrier sys-
tem. -3S9-90 — Statistics- .390 — Routes. .390-91 - . -3S9-391
Harbor Improvements: North Pier.-3gi-92 — Light-house. .
391-92 — Federal appropriations. .392 — U. S. Engineers in
charge, 1S33 to 1874.-391-92 — Light-house Keepers, 1833 to
I--I--392 -- --- 39r-392
Life-Saving Service: Sketch of _ 392
UNITED States Marine Hospital: History of 392-394
Diplomatic Relations: History of Consulates at Chicago, 1864
toiSS5--394 — Consuls, Vice-Consuls, and Consular Agents
-394-95 394-39°
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
Catholic Church: Diocesan History, iSjj to /<?7/_ -397-98 — Rt.
Rev. James Duggan.-397-gS — Rt. Rev. Thomas Foley--3g8
— Society of Jesus -.397 — Franciscan Order.. 397 — Redemp-
torist Fathers.-397 — Benedictine Fathers__3g7 — Ladies of
the Sacred Heart- 397 397-398
Churches, Sketches of: St. Mary's.-3g8 — St. Louis'.-399 — Notre
Dame.. 400 — St. Patrick's. .400 — St. PeterV-400 — St.
James' -400 — Holy Family.. 401 — Holy Name 404 — St.
Michael's. -405 — St. John's. .405 — Immaculate Conception
..406 — St. Joseph's. -406 — 'St. Boniface- .406 — St. Paul's
..406 — St. Francis Xavier's Academy. .407 398-407
Protestant Episcopal Church : Diocesan History, 1852 to 1874
-407-8 — Rt. Rev. II. J. Whitehouse. .407-9 407-409
Churches, Sketches of: Atonement, Church of the. .408 — St.
James. .409 — Grace.-4lo — St. John's. .411 — Holy Com-
munion. .411 — Ascension- -411 — Christ. .412 — Trinity. .41 5
— St. Stephen's- .416 — St. Mark's. -416 408-416
I ; i.RiAN CHURCH: First. 416 — Second. .417 — Third. -
41- — South. .419 — Central. 420 — North.. 420 — First
•<h.-42o — Calvary. .421 — Associate Reform. .421 — First
United -421 — Edwards. .422 — Seventh.-422 — Westminis-
ter. .422 — F:ighth..422 — Fifth. -422 — Thirty-first Street. .
422 416-422
METHODIS1 CHURCH: First --423 — Trinity.-424 — Clark-street
M ission .424 — Grace . . 424 — Park-avenue . . 426 — Wabash-
avenue. .426 — Haisted-street .426 — Ada-street- .426 — West-
ern-avenue. .426 — Indiana-avenue 427 — Langley-avenue. .
427 — Oakland. 427 — Portland-Avenue German 428 —
Tyng Mission. .428 423-428
Congregational Church : First .428 — New England 429 —
Plymouth 429 — South.. 430 — Edwards 431 — Union Park
.431 — Tabernacle -.43 1 — Bethany. 431 428-431
Oil' \<,', I HEOLOGICAL Seminary: Condensed history of. .432 —
Proposed union with Oberlin College.. 432 — The Seminary's
funds. .432 — Endowments- .432 432-433
Baptisi Church: first 434 — North Star Mission. .435 — Sec-
ond-. 435 — I diversity Place .436 — Wabash-avenue. .436 —
Hen Will 438 414-438
■•> Baiii 1 Theological Seminary 138 \y>
Unitarian Church : First. -439 — Unity.. 439 439-440
UNIVERSALIS'!' CHURCH : First--440 — Second. .441 140-442
Evangelical Churches: F'irst German Emanuel. -442 — Second
..442 — German United Zion's Church.. 442 — Third German
Salem's Church._442 — Fourth German St. Peter's Church- -
443 — Salem's Church of the Evangelical Association. .443 —
St. Ansgarius'. -443 — Our Savior's Norwegian Lutheran
Church: Knud Iverson's drowning. .444 — Railroad Chapel. .
445— The Bethel.. 445 142-445
Chicago Bible Society : History 1S58-71..445 — General work
and Statistics. .446 _ 445-446
Jewish Congregations: Early Congregations. .446 — Kehilath-
Anshe Maarab._446 — Sinai Congregation. .446 446-447
Miscellaneous: Western Hebrew Christian Brotherhood. .447 —
The Brethren of the United Faith__447 — The International
Church- - 447 — The Spiritualists. -44S 147-448
CHICAGO CEMETERIES.
Introduction- .448 — RosehilL -449 — Graceland. .449 — Oakwoods
. -449 — Forest Home. .449 — Waldheim.-450 — Wonder. .450
— St. Boniface- .450 — Calvary. .450 — Hebrew. 450 — Kehi-
lath Anshe Maarev.-446 446; 448-450
THE BENCH AND BAR.
Introduction _ .-- 451
United States Courts: Circuit. -451 — District.. 452 — Location
-.453 — Officers. -453 451-453
State Courts : Circuit.-454 — Superior.-456 — Recorder's- -457
— County- -458 454-45S
Miscellanea: Lincoln's last case.-458 — Rock Island Bridge
case. .458 — First decision of the legal-tender question. 45S
— Government licenses-_45g — The Stamp Act.-45g — The
City Cemetery case_-45g — Bar dinner.. 459 — Application of
Statutes _- 459 — Case extraordinary .. 459 45S-460
Chicago Law Institute. 4fj°
Union College of Law 460-461
State's Attorneys 461
The Bar: Sketches of prominent lawyers 461-483
THE LITERATURE OF CHICAGO.
Introductory: Publishers-. 483, 485, 4S6 — Authors--4S4 —
Printers, book-binders, etc.--485-4go — Statistics of Trade
--49° --■ - 483-49°
History of the Press : Leading newspapers in 185S--490 —
Evening Journal.. 4gi — Tribune.. 4g2 — Times. .495 — Re-
publican. .497 — Illinois Staats-Zeitung. -499 490-500
Western Associated Press: Organization of 500
Western News Company... 500
hotel history.
Prominent Hotels: Tremont.-5oi — Sherman--502 — Clifton
503 — Matteson.-504 — Massasoit._505 — Cleveland- .505 —
Revere.-505 — Hatch's.-505 — Barnes__505 — Metropolitan
..506 — Richmond. .506 — Orient- .506 — Hamilton -.506 —
Boardman.-5o6 — City. .506 — Briggs. .507 — Bigelow.-507
Wright's- - 508 — Burlington . . 508 — Central. . 508 — Anderson
..508 — St. James.-5o8 — Minor hotels, 1860-71-.508 —
Michigan-Avenue Hotel. .508 — Palmer--5og — Grand Pacific
--5°9 ■ 5°i-5°9
Restaurants 509, 510
SOCIAL PROGRESS.
Introductory 510
Societies: Young Men's Christian Association. .511 — Farwell
Hall. .511 — Young Men's Association. .513 — Historical So-
ciety.-5i3 — Academy of Sciences.. 514 — Astronomical So-
ciety. -515 — Old Settlers' Society- -5 17 — First Golden Wed-
ding..517 510-52°
MEDICAL HISTORY.
Prefatory 521
Colleges: Rush Medical ; Faculty, students and graduates, 1S44
to 187I-- 521-22 — Chicago ; Faculty, students and graduates,
1859 to 1 87 1 . -531-32 — Academy of Medical Science._538 — ■
College of Pharmacy- 53S 521-^32; 538
HOSPITALS, ETC.: Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary- -535 — City
..535=— Cook County.-536 — Small-pox. -536 — St. Joseph's
. .536 — Mercy. .537 — Jewish.. 537 — Alexian Brothers'- .537
— St. Luke's.. 538 — Brainard Free Dispensary. .539 — Pro-
testant Deaconess' -539 — Hospital for Women and Children
--547 535-539 1 547
Chicago Medical Society 53S
Medical Relief 539-540
HOMEOPATHY: Resume of its history in Chicago .540 — Hahne-
mann College ; Faculty, students and graduates, i860 to 1872
. 541 — Homeopathic Medical Society 545 Homeopathic
Dispensaries ?J5 ' 54°-545
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
7
Dentistry: Dental Society -. 545-546
Women as Physicians : Dispensary for Women and Children..
546 — Hospital for Women and Children.. 547. 546-548
Eclectic Medicine: Bennett Medical College 548-549
Electro-Medical School 549
Sanitary History : Unsanitary condition of the city from 1858
to i860. .549 — Police Board created.-549 — Health officer
appointed- -549 — The Small-pox epidemic. .549 — Systematic
scavengering provided, and steps taken to clean the river and
city. .550 — Chicago Medical Society names a consulting board
of physicians- .550 — Cholera epidemic of 1866. .550 — Sta-
tistics.-55l-52 — Board of Health re-created- -552 — Drain-
age and Sewerage- 553 — Statistics.-553 — Cleaning the
River.. 553-54 — Vital Statistics, 1867 to 1871-.554 — Mor-
tality Statistics, 1843 to 1871.-555 — Boards of Health, 1834
to 1871-- 555-56 549-556
ART AND ARCHITECTURE.
Art: First Art Exposition.-556 — Art Union-. 557 — Academy
of Design.. 557 — Crosby Opera House Drawing.-558 — Art
Journal. -559 _. 556-562
Architecture: Resume for 1858-71--562 — Notable ante-fire
buildings- .563 _ .562-567
REAL ESTATE INTERESTS.
Real Estate Investments: Past and current considered- .567
— Early real-estate dealers, 1854 to 1871.-568 — Resume of
real-estate values, 1858 to 1871 ; Statistics. .571-73 — South
Branch Dock Company-. 582 567-586
The Abstract Business : The " Chicago System " and its expo-
nents 5S6-5S9
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Music : Opera in Chicago, until 1871.-590 — Musical Societies..
591 — Composers and Musicians.. 591 — Musical Instrument
Manufacturers.. 595 _ 590-596
The Drama: Rice's Theater.-5g6 — McVicker's Theater-_5g7
— Crosby's Opera House. -601 — Wood's Museum-.6o7 —
Kingsbury Hall-_6og — Bryan Hall. -609 — Hooley's Thea-
ter- -609 — North's Amphitheater- -610 — Varieties. -611 —
Aiken's Theater. -611 — Dearborn Theater. -61 1 — Smith &
Nixon's Hall-.6ii — Metropolitan Hall. .611 — Academy of
Music. -612 — ■ Staats and Globe Theaters- -612 596-612
Bill Posting _ 612-613
athletic amusements.
Chronological History, 1S36 to 1S71 .613-616
BANKING HISTORY.
Resume of History, prior to 1858. .616 — Wisconsin Marine and
Fire Insurance Company.-6i6 — Panic of 1857 • >ts effect on
Illinois Banks .618 — " Wild-cat "and " Stump-tail " currency
..618 — Appreciated cost of Eastern exchange in 1857-58..
6iS.... . 616-618
General History for 1858-71 : Bank-bills discredited.. 619 —
Southern securities and currency depreciated- -619, 622, 623 — -
Currency values fixed by circulation -securities. -619 — The
Democrat scores the "wild-cat'' and "stump-tail" bankers. -619
-21 — Board of Trade reproves The Democrat- -620 — Marine
Bank difficulties. -620 — Chicago Marine and Fire Insurance
Company. .620 — Exhibit of Southern and Northern securities
and specie owned by Illinois banks. -62 1 — Solvent and sus.
pended banks in November, 1862. .621 — List of failed banks
(93) and value of bills.. 621 — Bank Commissioners call on
certain banks to increase their securities.. 622 — Notes thrown
out. -623 — State Banking Law of 1861..623 — Chicago re-
demption agents. -623 — Circulation of Illinois banks existing
at end of 1861.-623 — Union State Bank Act of 1862.-623 —
Eastern currency takes the place of Illinois bills. -624 — Na-
tional Bank Act of March 25, 1863. -624 — United States
treasury notes and National Bank bills the currency standard ..
624 — Board of Trade manifesto in favor of "legal tender"
notes..624 — Banking failures during fall of 1864.-625 — Na-
tional Banks organized in Chicago__625 __ .. 619-625
Banks, Banking Institutions and Bankers: Sketches of. -626-
633 — Banking statistics, 1 865. -632 — Chicago Clearing House
organized- -632 — Chicago Building and Loan Association. -
632 — Banking Statistics, 1S69, 1S70--632-633 — Banking in-
stitutions and Bankers, 1852-71. .633 626-633
INSURANCE.
Prefatory: First foreign company's agency. -635 — First local
company chartered.. 635 — First insurance agent .. 635 —
Agents, 1S36 to 1S71--635, 636, 637, 639, 642, 643, 645, 650 —
Chicago companies- -635, 636, 637, 638, 640, 641, 644, 646,
647, 648, 649, 650 — -Foreign companies, 1836 to 1850. 635
637 — First table of rates. .639 — Number of agents and of
companies, 18.54 to 1871.-639 — Boards of Underwriters.. 639,
642, 643, 650 — Table of short-time rates. -640 — First salvage
corps.-640 — Board of Underwriters incorporated.. 644 — In-
surance law of 1849 648 — Chicago companies in 1871..650
— Foreign companies in 1S71..651 — First "great fire ' loss
paid--653 — "Great fire" statistics. -653-54 635-654
MASONIC HISTORY.
INTRODUCTORY--654 — Lodges, local history 654-59 — Chapters,
local history. -660-62 — Illinois Grand Chapter organized 660
— Councils, local history. -662 — Knights Templar, local his-
tory..662-64 — Illinois Grand Commandery._662 — Grand
Encampment of the United States. 662, 663 — Ancient and
Accepted Scottish Rite, local history. -664 — Rite of Memphis,
local history- .666 654-666
Relief Measures after "great fire" 658,660, 664
Adoptive Masonry, Local history of 666
ODD FELLOWS.
Grand Lodge of the United States meets in Chicago 666
Lodges: Local history of 666
Encampments: Local history of 666
Order of Rebekah in 1871 _ .667
Relief Measures after "great fire " 667
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
Knights of Pythias: Local Lodges__667 — Relief measures
after "great fire ".-667 667
Sons of Malta : Grand and Local Lodges 667
Red Men : Local Tribes _ -667-66S
Good Templars : Local Lodges _ .668
Temples of Honor : Local Temples 668
Sons of Temperance : Local Divisions .._ 668
American Protestant Association : Local Lodges 668
Harugari: Local Lodges - ... 668
Strong Band (Patriotic association) : Headquarters and State
Officers, and Local Encampment .- 668
United Americans : Local Chapters. 668
Good Fellows : Local Lodges 66S
Druids : Local Groves (alias Heins) 668
Chaldeans: Local Lodges 668
Sons of Hermann : Local Lodges _-_668
Labor Societies in 1871 ._ 668
Chicago Mutual Improvement Association 668
Early-Closing Association 668
German Societies, 1854 to 1871 669
Sundry Societies .. 669
St. George's Benevolent Association .669
Illinois St. Andrew's Society 669
St. Patrick's Society... 669
German Society ..669
B'nai B'rith 670
Chicago Relief and Aid Society -.670
Chicago Home for the Friendless 671
Old Ladies' Home 671
Chicago Nursery and Half-Orphan Asylum 672
trade and manufactures.
The Coal Supply : Introductory. -673 — Statistics, 1852 to 1871
--673 ■'--- - 673-674
The Iron Industry: Resume, 1857 to 18S0. .674 — Manufacturing
Statistics, 1860.-674 — First Rolling-Mill__674 — First steel
rail rolled.-674 — North Chicago Rolling-Mill. -674 — Union
Steel Works. -677 — Foundries: The first erected. -677 —
Statistics.. 67S — First boiler-maker. -67S — First stove
foundry..679 — Statistics. -6S1 — First wholesale hardware
house 682 — Chicago Iron Manufacturing Statistics for 1870
-.684 — The McCormick Reaping Machine.. 6S4-85. . 674-6S5
The Lumber Interest: Apology. -6S9 — Early transactions.. 689
First lumber merchant. .689 — First cargo of lumber. .689 —
First lumber raft..6Sq — Early saw-mills. .689 — Early deal-
ers.. 6S9-92 — Statistics. .692-93 6Sg-6g3
Dry Goods Merchants -694-696
Boots and Shoes .696-698
Sundry Industries _ 698-700
BURNING OF CHICAGO.
Introductory': Cause of the fire.-7oi — Locale._7oi, 707 —
Water and Gas supply. .701 — Fire Department apparatus. -
702 — Police Force.. 702 — Science of the fire. .702 — Rain-
fall- .703 — Architectural and other defects. .703 — Fire-limits
1S71.-703 — Fires of previous week.-704 — October 7 fire. .
704-7 - 70I-JO7
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The Great CONFLAGRATION : The starting; point. -707 — Investi-
gation ; Testimony of Mrs. O'I.eary and others.-7o8-7i3 —
Origin and outbreak. .70S-11, 713-16 — Fire Department
action- -71 1-13 — Progress of fire -.7 17-20 — Crosses to South
Side. .719-20 — Expansion of the lire. . 720 — Burning; of Post-
office and Custom-house -.72 1 -24 — Burning of Court House..
724 — Spreading of the fire. .725 — Varied scenes on the South
Side 728-30, 731—38 — The fire as seen from the South.-73i
— The West Side during the fire.-730-3I — Stoppage of the
fire on South Side.-73S-4o — The fire reaches the North Side,
its Progress there__740-54 — Scenes and Incidents.-754-5g
— Incendiarism- .757-5? — Oases of Unburned Buildings. -
759 — First book about the fire.. 759 — Temporary Water sup-
ply-759 — Gas Supply -.760 — Boundaries of the Burned Dis-
trict -.760 — Area of the Burned District- .760 — Losses by the
fire. .760-61 — Immediate Relief Measures. .761-72 — Official
action.-773-So-. 707-780
Narratives: Of Henrv H. Xash.. 721-23 — Of Alonzo Hannis..
723, 757 — Of Mrs. Alfred Hebard.. 727-28 — Of H. W. S.
Cleveland._73l-32 — Of Hon. William Bross._732-34 — Of
Horace White. .734-35 — Of Hon. Alexander Frear.. 735-37
— Of Hon. Thomas Hoyne. -737-3S — Of Hon. Lambert Tree
-.742-45 — Of Arthur M. Kinzie. .745-46 — Of George Pay-
son.-746 — Of Hon. Isaac N. Arnold. .748-49 — Of Patrick
\Vebb.-749 — Of Mrs. Mary Fales.. 750 — Of George M. Hig-
ginson.. 750-54 — Of C. C. P. Holden.. 761-72 721-772
C. C. P. Holden s Narrative : Introductory. . 761-62 — Establishment
of Relief Headquarters. .762 — Police measures. .763 — Ad-
ditional measures taken. .763 — Water Supply._763 — Other
important measures. .764 — Arrival of the Mayor. .764 —
Relief Committee organized. .764 — Specific organization in-
stituted-.764 — Arrival of supplies. .765 — Alleviation of suf-
fering. .765 — Tuesday morning__765 — Indianapolis assist-
ance._765 — St. Louis sympathy. .765 — Other arrivals.. 765
— Action of delegations. .766 — Further organizations at the
Church 766 — General Relief work. .766 — Money contribu-
tions.-767 — Exodus from the City 767 — More help prom-
ised.. 767 — Scenes among the sufferers.. 767 — Work done by
the Committee. -76S — Organization by the Churches. .768 —
Committees continue to arrive.. 768 — More thorough systemi-
zation of the Committee. -76S — The New York train.-768 —
Thursday's work 769 — Work transferred to Relief and Aid
Society. .769 — Cincinnati's action for our sufferers. -7 70 —
What St. Louis did. .770 — Louisville's Committee. .771 —
Resume of work. .771 — The Water Supply resumed. .771
— Unrecorded gifts.. 771 761—773
SPECIAL INDEX.
Aarhaus, Lewis K 65S
Abbey, Frederick J 189,200, 290
Abbott, Abial R. 47&
Abbott. Charles II. 49, 643
Abbott, James E 49
Abbott, "James L 55b
Abbott, Wade 476
Abel, Jonathan - 3(14
Abel, Sidney - 39°
Abrahams, Frederick... 290
Ackerman, William lv... 12S, 132, 657
AckhofT, Henry 50
Ackley, J. B. - 641
Ackley (John P.) & Co 643
Adair, William K.. 295
Adam, A. B 696
Adams, Abbott L 279, 2S2, 299
Adams, A. W 158
Adams, Benjamin --333. 3&9, 37°
Adams, B. & Co 333, 334
Adams, Benjamin F. 103, 439
Adams, Cyrus 507
Adams, Cyrus H _ 363
Adams, F. Granger..l63, 626, 631, 632, 633
Adams, Francis --49, 54
Adams, George E. — 470
Adams, Gustavus P 334, 625
Adams, Uev. Henry — _. 412
Adams, Henry W 257, 295
Adams, Hugh L 352, 363, 370, 371
Adams, James 333, 334
Adams, James F 633
Adams, J. McGregor — 670
Adams, John.. - . 660
Adams, John M .. ._ 657
Adams, Joseph _ 6S9
Adams, Robert - --I91, 2S9
Adams, Robert D 218, 291
Adams, T. W 658
Addison, Robert A _ 657
Addy, Edward 655
Adler, Alexander ._ 116
Adler, Dankmar _ 566
Adler, Rev. I.iebman 116, 446
Adolphus, Philip.-. 553
Adsit, Charles C 634
Adsit, James M 512, 625, 632, 633, 634
Adsit, J. M. Jr... 634
Affeld Brothers... 650
Agnew, Francis 94, 95
Ahearn, G. E 666
Aiken, Edmund .345,515,625, 62S
Aiken, Frank E 609, 611
Aiken, Gerritt V. S 1S9
Aiken, S. Norton. 633
Ainsworth, I.. II 506
Akin, Andrew 164
Albaugh, William 54s
Albee, C. P 656
Albert, Ed 649
Albrecht, Rev. Philip __ 406
Aldrich, B. F 408
Aldrich, Clarence. 264, 297
Aldrich J. H _ 641
Aldrich, William 661
Aleckner, David _ 49
Alexander, L. E 511, 633
Allan, Mrs. R. I 59S
Allen David R 612
Allen, H. C _ 541
Allen, James P 690-691, 693
Allen (J. P.)& Co 690
Allen, R. J.. 59S
Allen, Stewart S 2S9
Allen, William T 646
Allerton, Samuel W 341, 342, 628, 704
Allen, J. Adams 522, 524, 537, 539
Allison, Alexander... 489
Allison, Gardner 22S, 292
Allport, W. W 545
Almini, P. M -657, 661
Alston, John 49
Alstrup, J. F. 774. 775
Amberg, Adam 634
Ambrose, Rev. J. E 517
Ambrose G. H_. 692
Amerman, George K 535, 536, 53S
A met Charles L. 263, 297
Amick, Hiram 91, 95
Amick, Pleasant 763
Amick, Mrs. Pleasant 766
Anderson, Miss Ann 536
Anderson, Charles .' 709
Anderson, C. K 612, 691
Anderson, Edward 199, 201, 290, 421
Anderson, Rev. Galusha 460
Anderson, George 164, 669
Anderson, Isaac 459
Anderson, John 4S9, 661
Anderson, Patrick -370, 665
Anderson, Thomas W._ 661
Anderson, W. D. S --. 93
Andrews, Mrs. C. W 312, 313
Andrews, Edmund, 29S, 514, 515, 522, 526,
53i> 532, 539. 549, 550, 733-
Andrews, James — 555. 691
Andrews, Joseph H. 5S2
Andrews (P. B.) & Co 678, 679
Andrews, R. H 666
Andrews, Wesley P 20S
Anthony, Elliott 49, 159, 471, 552
Anton Philip L 282
Antrobus, John. 557
Appell, Fred. 65S
Arbuckle, William 164
Archer, George A 609
Arion, C. P. J 632
Armour, George, 163, 346, 349, 369, 370, 374,
375, 445, 511, 617, 626, 641, 644.
Armour, Dole & Co 341, 373, 375, 624
Armour, Philip D 331
Armstrong, Charles M 341
Armstrong, E. R. T 159
Armstrong, George Buchanan. 390, 391, 559
Armstrong, John M 19, 554
Armstrong, Thomas II 514
Armstrong, W. W 661
Arnold, Rev A. N 43S
Arnold, Arthur 748
Arnold, David 221
Arnold, Isaac N. 159, 160, 163, 193, 315, 458,
4S4, 495, 513, 514, 626, 627, 670, 735,
74S.
Arrington, Alfred W 462, 465
Arrington, Alfred W., Mrs 323
Arthur, William R ...163, 352
Artingstall, Samuel George 62
Asay, Edward G 470, 495
Ash, Isaac N 371
Ashley, Augustus G . 364
Atchison W. D 54S
Atkins, Arthur Rollin Heber..655, 660, 663
Atkinson, Edward M 295
Atkinson, Manning F 200
At water, J 116
Atwater, Merritt A 213, 291
Atwater, Samuel T. 340, 369, 370, 625, 639,
642, 643, 644. 645, 646.
Atwood L. L 506
Augenstine, Rev. C 442
9
Page
Augustine, Henry 218
Austin, Henry A -. 664
Austin, Henry Seymour 473
Austin J. 15 .. 657
Austrian, Joseph __ ..81, 82
Averell, Albert J -449, 575. 57b, 752
Avery, Charles E - 689
Avery, D. J 659
Avery T. M. 104, 369, 429, 511, 554, 646,
670, 763.
Avery, William 677
Avery, William H 678
Ayer, Benjamin Franklin 132
Ayer, John V 352
Aykroyd, George M 655
Ayres, Enos. 577
Avres, Marshall 629, 644
Babbitt, John W 221
Babcock, Charles Ferdinand 113
Babcock, Franklin .. 650
Babcock, Miss Jane A 314
Babcock, Miss Mary E _ 314
Babcock W. S 692
Babst, Frederick 293
Bachelor, Merritt P 228
Bachmann, C 666
Bacon, Ebenezer 163, 170, 228, 2S8, 292
Bacon, Moses S 368, 370, 371, 631
Badger, Alpheus C 625, 632, 633
Baedeker, Adolphus 660
Baerlin, Louis 394
Bagley, Charles 193
Bailev, Bennett 517
Bailey, F. H 56
Bailey. John C. W ..668, 669
Bailey, Jonathan B 370
Bailey, Jonathan N. 327, 390
Bailey, Joseph 327
Bailey, Michael B 50
Bailey R -. 698
Bailhache, Preston H 180. 181
Baine, Alexander 116, 511
Baird, Azariah M 253, 254, 294
Baird, Lvman 574, 640
Baker, C. H 650
Baker (George) & Co.. 645
Baker, Hiram _ 568
Baker, Rev. Samuel 436
Baker, Theodore E 279
Baker, William. 512
Baker, William D ._ 489
Baker, William T 370, 661
Balatka, Hans.. 591, 593, 609
Balck, Otto 234, 293
Balding, Thomas E 350
Baldwin, C. W. 505
Baldwin Herbert L 692
Baldwin, John -691, 692
Baldwin, John A 162, iSg, 506
Baldwin, Silas D 165, 21S, 219, 221, 291
Ball, George C 364
Ball, James M 363
Ball, Mrs. R. S 313
Ballantyne, James F 104, 497
Ballard^ Ad'dison 374
Ballard, Dr. E. A 541
Ballard, Joshua S 235,237. 293, 351
Ballingall, Patrick 54, 669
Balshan, W. H 658
Baltzwell, W. II. 535
Bangs, Edward W 364
Bangs, George H._ 8S
Bangs, George S 391
Bangs, J. S 164
Bangs, Lester G 187
SPECIA1 INDEX.
Page
Banker Brothers tv Greene - 650
Rannard, Lyman & Co • 634
Banta, J. \V. 74
Banyon, Augustus H 77''
Baragwanath, William 1 1. 669
Barber, Edwin L 242, 293
Barber, Jabez 6S9, 690, 691
Barclay, Daniel 662
Barclay, Joseph C - t8g
Barker, Mrs. Alice 116
Barker, Charles \V 161, 164, 265, 667
Barker, John Clarke 481
Joseph N... . 104
Barlow, J. \V 392
Barnard, Paniel E 236,242, 294
Barnard, Gilbert Wordsworth 655, 660, 663
664, 666.
Barnes, David M... 505
Barnes, Gilbert L 20S
Barnes, Henry 22S, 292
Barnes. J. S 657
Barnes. Royal B - 505
Barnet, Alexander 421, 657, 65S
Barnet, George _ 617
Barnett, James . 421
Barnev, Albert M 3S7
Barney, Mrs. W. J ---323, 533
Barr, Joseph W 2S6, 299
Barrell, James 375
Barrell, Joshua 503, 509
Barrett, Jared , 555
Barrett, John P. 91, 93, 95
Barrett, Oscar W 127, 642, 643, 647, 650
Barrett, Samuel E...271, 272, 273, 274, 2gS
Barrett. Stephen 49, 50
Barrett, Rev. Stephen M. A... 400
Barron, William T 159, 45S
Barrows, Rev. John H 416
Barry, Rev. A. Constantine 441
Barry, Garrett 116
Barry, George 295
Barry, Joseph H 295
Barry, Thomas 94, 95, 96, 100
Barry, Wallace 657
Barry, Rev. William 513, 514, 535, 550
Barry. William E 252, 294
Barstow, Gardner S 655, 661
Bartlett, A. C. 6S3
Bartlett, J A 666
Bartlett, John 547
Bartlett, M. B 627
Bartlett, N. Gray 539
Bartlett, Rev. Samuel C..429. 431, 432, 433
Bartlett, Rev. William Alvin -430, 431
Barton, Rev. John O. 40S, 411
Bascom, Rev. Flavel _ 690
..'>, A. D - 666
Bass, 1'erkins 103
Bassett, E. J 636
' ieorge . 517
Bassett Henry D 696, 697
Batchelor, Merritt P 189, 292
Bateham, William B. 50, 655, 656, 710, 717,
71-. 7*3, 7f<4. 766, 767, 771.
\ J 44S
Bates, Eli 309i370,439, '
George C 611
L. . 650
J. P. 'fi-
liates, William S 041
W. W 666
all, Frank H 295
Batter man, William 50
Vugust
Bauer, George '. 234, 293
Bauer, Herman ...
Bauer, Julius 59;, 737
Bauer, Julius, Jr
Bauer, Richard 595
Bauer, William 595
Baogb, Rev. J. M _•_._ (22
Raumann. Edward.
Bauraann. Frederick I
123, 424
Baumer, Gustav II..
Page
Bausenbach, Charles G. -- - 267
Baxter. Albert F 27S, 299, 345
Baxter, Dr. A. T. - --- 765
Baxter, Daniel F 340, 342
Baxter, Henry J _ 27S, 345
Baxter, Morris A 661
Baxter, William G 49S
Bay. Mrs. Clara 536
Bay. (ieorge B 536
Bavley, William E 296
Bayliss, Rev. J. H 424, 426
Bean, Edwin 656
Beardsley, I.. S _ 632
Beary, John F 34S, 365, 369, 538
Beatty, Thomas M 1S7, 288
Beaubien, Alexander 517
Beaubien, Mrs. A. M. 314, 320
Beaubien, Jean Baptiste 327, 570
Beaubien, Madore. 327
Beaubien, Mark 327,392, 574
Beaufort, Francis 26S, 298
Beaumont, C. E. 170
Bechstein, Frederick 232, 293
Becker, C. S 661
Becker, Eliza 116
Becker, Leopold - 196, 289
Beckers, Oscar E 166, 272
Beckwith, Corydon 464,465, 763
Beckwith, J. I... 650
Bedford, Meredith & Co 625
Beebe, Gaylord D 540, 541
Beebe, George T 5°
Beebe, L. A.. 658
Beebe, Thomas H. -325, 333, 369,632,
641.
Beecham, Horace King 663
Beecher, A. D -- 562
Beecher, Jerome 121, 330, 449, 702
Beecher, Mrs. Jerome 311
Beecher, M.J 661
Beeks, James C - 572
Beem, Martin 476
Beers, Cyrenius 407, 408, 517. 641
Beers, Rev. H. W 412
Behrend, William iSg
Beidler, J 691
Beiersdorf, Robert 65S
Belcke & Fisk 116
Belden, J. S.— - 652
Belden, Oliver W._ 6S2
Belke, C. J "6
Bell, Alexander 350
Bell, B. Bradford 187
Bell, Charles A 265, 266
Bell, DigbyV .159, 164
Bell, George R. I9g, 200, 290
Bell, John B 5=9
Bell, Joseph Warren 265,266, 297
Bell, William W. . 267,297, 388
Bellamy, Meeker & Co 673
Bellinger, Richard 759
Bellows, George L 213, 215, 291
Belomy, Robert J 296
Bender, George A 294, 775
Bendixen * >l e _ _ 775
Bendley, Ileinrich 159
Benedict, Amzi.. 349, 626, 643
Benedict, Mallorv & Farnham 696
Benedict, R - 4'2
Bengley, A - 50
Benbam, John - 697
Benjamin, Schuyler s — 503
Benner, Mathias 91, 709
Bennett, A - 4-'
l;- nm tt, Ammi Merchant. 370, 371, 657, 65S,
(.'.2, 663, 664.
Henry F 276. 278, 2S1, 299
Bi am m, Robert J.- 699
1, William.. - 296
Benoit, Adiion 302
Bensley, George F. 332
Uensley, John Russell 332, 37"
Bei on KYancisF.- 440
. 1 W 661
-dam - 128
Bentley, Cyrus 159, 31S, 321. 323, 511, 513.
535- 643-
Bentley, Orr & Warnock 691
Bentley, Rev. Robert 426
Berdell, Charles.. 519
Berg, Adolph... 658
Berry, H.C... 664
Berger, Louis A. 50
Bergh, Oscar Julius 293
Berry, L. D. ... - 657
Berteau, Felix G 116
Berry, Joseph S 292
Best, W. E.. 657
Betts, Josiah T. - 555
Belts, Nathaniel B 213
Bevan, Thomas . 531,536,538, 547
Beveridge, John L.-.259, 260, 268, 269, 296
Beye, William 54
Bice, Augustus A. _ 162, 1S9
Bickerkike, George . 576
Bickerdyke, Mrs. Mary, 316, 317, 318, 320,
322.
Bickford, C. D 628
Bickford, Frederick B 2S2, 2gg
Bigelow, A — - isg
Bigelow, Daniel F.. 536, 561
Bigelow, Edward A 372
Bigelow, Gilbert F ---235, 2g3
Bigelow, James L. 372
Bigelow, John C - — 295
Bigelow, Liberty 119
Biggs, Charles 6;6
Bill, W. A 6g7
Billings, A. M _ 702
Bingham, Charles B 127
Bingham, Henry W 23S, 2g4
Bingham. R. H 661
Bingham, Rev. S. R --. 422
Binz, August 65S
Binz, Francis X. 2g5
Bird, A. T 660, 661
Bird, H. G 612
Bird, J. Herman 654. 655
Bise, William R. 275
Bishop, Albro E. 53g
Bishop, Edward F 244, 247, 2g4
Bishop, Rev. H.N 443
Bishop, William 274, 288
Bissell, Charles H - 504
Bissell, George F 645
Bissell, K. M 431
Bitter, August igS, 2go
Bixby, C. S 657
Bixby, Edward 50
Black, William P. 200, 201, 203
Blackmail, Carlos H 34g
Blackman, Chester S 34g, 350
Blackman, E. 104
Blackman, Orlando.. 106
Blackman, R. J... 164
Blackman, Willis L 349
Blackstone, John. 327, 328
Blackstone, Timothy B 141
Blackwell, Robert S. - 46 1
Blaikie, Andrew. 420
Blaikie, Elizabeth A. Miss,3I2, 313, 320, 420
Blain, Mrs. W. D 313
Blair, Chauncey B. 625,630,633, 6S2
Blair, Chauncev T 371
Blair, Edward T 682
Blair, Fergus M... 656,657
Blair, John 323
Blair, Lyman --353, 360,369,370, 682
Blair, William, 370, 449, 630, 641, 671. 682,
683, 684, 702.
Blackall, A. II.. 700
Blackall, E. S 700
Blackburn, Martin.. 657
Blackman Edwin 626
Blackstone, T. B 646
Blackwelder, I. S 652
Blaisdell, Timothy M 273, 29S
Blake, Charles V.. 230
Blake E. Nelson ... n>. 371, 4i9
Blake, Herbert M.. 244,246,249, 294
SPECIAL INDEX.
Page
Blake. Samuel C. 180, 204, 288, 290, 535, 536,
53s, 547. 55°-
Blakely, A. W 658
Ulakelv, C. II --- 49s
Blakely, David 3SS, 49S
Blakie, A 549. 55&
Blanchard, Francis G 56S
Blaney, Tames V. Z 449, 513, 514, 515, 522,
523. 538, 539. 552, 655, 656, 660, 662.
Blanke. H. K. W -.-196, 198, 2S9
Blatchford, Eliphalet W. 315, 320, 321, 322,
449. 5ii. 514, 515, 644.
Blatchford, Mrs. Eliphalet W. .. .315, 322
Blatherwick, Edward G. . - 291
Blattner, Henry. 65S
P.Iayney, Thomas W 650
Winn, 'Odelia 547
Bliss, A. II - 125
Bliss, Philip Paul.. 594
Bliss. Sylvesters 53S
Bliss, -Mrs. Sylvester S 743
Bliss, William 723
Block, Otto \V._ 196
Blodgett, Edward A 203, 294
Blodgett, Henry W 452
Blodgett, Wells H 199,200,290
Blood, Henrv S 21S, 291
Blood, I. W. 658
Bloodgood, James 53S
Bloom, A 625
Bloom, James W.. ._ .278,345
Bloomer, William H._ .208, 290
Blount, Fred M 721
Bluthardt, Theodore J 295, 533
Boal, Charles T 235, 294, 6S0
Boardman, Henry K. W 541, 545
Boardman, J. W 506
Bodman, Albert II.. 50, 499
Boesenberg, H. H 666
Boettiger A... 666
Bogardus, Charles D 614
Bogue, George Marquis __ 449. 578
Bogue, Hamilton B 573
Bogue, Roswell G. 180, 181, 187, 2S8, 536,
533.
Boise, J. R 438, 484
Bolderwick, L. H 601
Bolles, Matthew 644
Bolter, Andrew 679
Bomard, M 1 16
Bomemanus, E _ 159
Bond, Heman 327, 32S
Bond, Kelsey _ 292
Bond, Lester Legrand.-49, 5°. I04. 477. 7&2
Bond, Thomas N. 362
Bond, Thomas S 53r
Bonfield, John S6
Bonfield, Joseph 104
Bonney, Charles Carroll .471, 513, 663, 680
Boomer, Lucius Bolles. 656
Boomer, Lucius S. _ .. 677
Boomer, W. H ..661
Boone, Levi 11. 163 449, 527, 555
Boone, Samuel S 1S9, 28S
Boore, Harry _ 49S
Booth, Daniel -. 505
Booth, Mrs. Elizabeth W. 339
Booth, Heman D 339
Booth, Henry.. 40S, 455, 460, 461
Booth, Louis F. _. 296
Booth, Mary McVicker 599
Booth, R. N. 127
Booth, William Sidney.. 345
Borcherdt, Albert 669
Borden, John ._ 5S7
Borden, J. U _ 656
Boring, E. M. 424, 671
Bormann, George __ 670
Bornemann, Edward 290, 655
Borner, William __ 656
Boss, Daniel W 164, 667
Botkin, Alexander -. _ 497
Botsford, Benjamin B 1 89
Botsford, Bennett B. . 631
Botsford. Henrv 370
Botsford, Jabez K., 49, 159, 321, 630, 63T,
641, 650.
Botslord, Mrs. Jabez K ... 311
Botsford, John R. .270,271
Botsford, Minerva 671
Boudreaux, Rev. Florentine J. 402
Bouton, William H . 276, 299
Bouton, Edward 275. 276, 299
Bouton, Nathaniel S..235, 293, 512, 670, 6S1
Bowen, Chauncey T 50, 604, 645
Bowen, E. R... _ 647
Bowen, George S -5J3. 547, 646
Bowen, Ira 746
Bowen, James H 167, 625. 629, 647
Bower, R. A 4S7
Bowers, George 279
Bowers, John H 661
Bowers, J. N. 65S, 666
liowker, Andrew G 666
Bowler, Brookhouse 611
Bowles, Mrs. Samuel . 732
Bowman. Justin 057
Boyce, A. D. ._ 666
Boyd, James 625, 633
Boyd, James S. 213, 291
Bovd, Rev. Robert 436
Boyd, W. H 531
Boyden, James W 3SS
Boyden. Mrs. James W 765, 766
Boyer, Valentine A _ 526
Boyington, William W...509, 512, 516, 564,
601, 632, 644.
Boynton, Amasa J 392
Boynton, Charles H 392
Boynton, Charles W. _ 370
Boynton, Mrs. Emily _. 392
Brackett, Mrs. E. S 313
Bradbury, Charles W. B 641
Bradish, Alvah _ 55S
Bradley, A. D -159, 160, 600, 609
Bradlev, A F 555
Bradley, Cyrus Barker.. 84, 86, 94, 150, 161,
271, 555. 667.
Bradley, David C... --225, 637
Bradley, Francis 575, 640
Bradley, Luther P...2IO, 213, 214, 217, 21S,
291.
Bradley, Timothy 460
Bradley, William IIenry__i2I, 164 445, 453,
513, 591, 645. 701.
Bradwell, Miss Ada 312
Bradwell, James B 313, 321, 322, 323,454,
45S. '
Bradwell, Mrs. Myra 312, 313, 321, 323
Brady, S. P __ 327, 32S
Bragg, F. A _ 5S3
Brainard, Daniel 159, 163, 393, 522,535,
554. 555. 556. 557-
Brainard, Ezra L. . 213, 291
Brainard, William N 367, 369, 370,371,
625.
Braisted, E. E 625,628, 632
Brand, Alexander 669
Brand. Edwin I .162, 1S9, 213
Brandt, Henry.. 641, 642
Brass, Rogers J 669
Brayman, Mrs. J. O 312, 313
Bravman, M 513
Breakev, Benjamin A 683
Breck, J. Jr 637
Bredberg, Jacob .408,443, 444
Bremner, David F. _.iSo 1S6, 1S7, 28S
Brenan, Thomas 195, 2S9
Brennan, C. H. — 659
Brennan, J 252, 400
Brentano, Lorenz 104, 109, 159, 499
Brewer, Alexander T. H 208
Brewster, Edward W 103
Brewster, Theron D 623
Brewster, W. F 647
Bridge, Norman 531
Bridges, J. B 517, 612
Bridges, Lyman, 1S0, 1S2, 274, 275, 279,
29S, 438.
Bridges, T. B. 536, 556
Brierly, Mrs. J. F
Briggs, Clinton, 336, 337, 34S, 352, 369,
371, 604.
Briggs, Jeremiah B _
Briggs, Samuel A. 104, 1 10, 625, 628,
630, 646, 649.
Briggs, William
Brine, George ] 332, 353, 360, 370,
Brine, William _
Brinkerhoff, John _ _.
Bristol, Mrs. H. L 312,313,
Bristol, R. C .568, 636,637,
Broadway, Albert S. ._ _
Broadway, Charles H
Broadway, Daniel H
Broadway, J. H. ...
Broadway, Morris D
Broderick, Rev. A
Brodie, John
Bronson, Stephen 263,
Bronson, Tracy J. 345, 353, 369, 370,
628.
Brooks, A. L 418, 422,
Brooks, C. W
Brooks, J
Brooks, James C.
Brooks, John W
Brooks, Joseph P -103, 637,
Brooks, Orson .
Brooks, William
Bross, Miss Jessie _
Bross, John A. 159, 235, 237, 243, 293,
464, 493-
Bross, Richard --732,
Bross, William 49, 159,447, 44S, 491,
512, 513, 515, 557, 616, 625, 630,
693. 733-
Brosseau, Zenophile P.
Brother Alex
Brother Bonaventura
Brower, Charles Homan -647, 662,
Brower, Daniel Roberts 525,
Brown, Andrew J
Brown, A. L
Brown, B. I
Brown, Charles E _. .
Brown, Charles T 94,
Brown, Daniel G
Brown, David C 263,
Brown, Edward H 20S,
Brown, Edwin Lee
Brown, Francis C
Brown, Frank 252,
Brown, Frederick T
Brown, Henry
Brown, Henry H 644, 645,
Brown, J.
Brown, Jeduthan
Brown, John
Brown, Rev. John H
Brown, Joseph E.
Brown, Lorenzo 235,
Brown, Maurice B
Brown, Rufus 327,
Brown, Samuel 655,
Brown, S. L. . —
Brown, Theodore ¥ 213,
Brown, Thomas B 84, 710, 764
Brown, W. C._ __
Brown, William II.. . 110,159, 513. 5T4.
555, 568, 625, 630, 645, 670, 678.
Brown, William J
Browning, I). M .665,
Bruce, Elijah K...360, 361, 369, 370,
625. 650.
Bruce, J. H
Bruce, Thaddeus W. .Il6,
Bruhn, Anton 232. 234.
Brundage, Mrs. D. M
Pruning, Augustus -• .232,
Brtins, \V. H.
Bryan, Frederick Augustus .. 5 3 s , 555,
Bryan, Thomas Barbour, 159, 163, 167,
312, 321, 322, 323, 44>, 477. ;r2
517. 587. 59L 609. 644. 753
507
371
353
555
323
642
613
613
613
612
612
399
369
264
374.
43i
661
558
692
583
642
660
388
733
295.
734
492,
645,
345
537
537
664
537
424
548
763
645
95
370
297
290
513
49
294
420
555
650
624
506
289
423
641
293
623
328
660
517
291
780
535
535,
371.
657
5"
293
314
293
159
663
310,
SPECIAL INDEX.
Page
Bryant, James M 334
Buchanan, Iohn_ 419
Buchanan, M. D. 627, 632
Buchanan, T 627
Bucher, Charles Ambler 230, 52S
Buck, Dudley 593
Buck, George 53S
Buck, Henry A 215, 2gi
Buck. Ira A. W 656
Buck, lonas L. 26S, 29S
Bucket, Miss C. A _ 546
Buckie, John, Jr 490
Buckingham, Alvah 374, 634
Buckingham, C. P — 374
Buckingham, Ebenezer 368, 374, 629, 646
Buckingham, John 374
Buckingham, J. & E 373,374
Buckley, George ._ 494
Buckley, Thomas H 94,643
Buckley. William S7
Buckner, Simon B. 494
Buehler, John. 50, 52, 450, 666, 763, 764,
771.
Buel, Ira W 49, 641
Bugbee, L. H 316, 424. 425
Buhrle, Lucas 655, 65S
Bulbony, Francis -327, 328
Bulhvinkle. Benjamin F - 94, 704
Bunce, Joseph A 655
Burch, L H --315, 513. 626, 636, 671
Burch, Thomas R 639
Burchett, John C -657, 661
Burchward, W 2^7
Burcky, Frederick . 517
Burden, F. 1 65S
Burdock, \V."A..__ 656
Burg, Werner W 295
Burgess, William 4S9
Burgie, Mrs. Anna M .. 680
Burgie, Henry C 679, 6S0
Burger, H. A 632
Burke, Rev. Thomas 398
Burkhardt, Adolph 228, 292
Burley, A. G 655
Burley, Augustus H. - 56, 94, 167, 439, 4S8,
626, 627, 631.
Burling, Edward 358, 512, 564
Burlingham, E. P.. 640
Burnam, Ambrose 555, 556
Burnham, Edwin 349
Kurnham, Mrs. M. A 312, 313
Burns, James 2S9
Burns, Jennie 116
Burns. Robert Ferrier 421
Burr, Ionathan..io8, 449,514,626,627, 641,
"671, 672.
Burroughs, Adoniram J 257
Burroughs, J. C...323, 435, 436, 515, 517,
666.
Burrows, Mrs. M. E 612
Burt, A. S 369
-eph G -- 222
Burt. J. R 650
fames K. -701, 702
Burton, John _ 569
Burton, Styles 506, 507
Burwell, Henry 657
Busack, Charles 658
Busby, Charles 427
Busch, Julius _ 632
Buschwah, M.. 658
Bush, Hiram 187
545
Bushnell, William II 485
Bushnell, Winslow 631
I ritz 218, 220, 291
' iustav A 1 29] , 771
1 harles II 297
Butler, Kev. I) I .j
Butler, Erastus G 261, 262
I. W . 615
Butler, Mrs. Joseph I ,' l{ ,
Patrick T 399, 406
II 376, 377
ThaddeusJ. 191,289,397,398, 406
Butler, Walter
Butler, William M -
Butterfield, J. A
Butterfield, Justin
Butterfield, *M. D
Butterfield, W
Buttolph Albert C
Button, Peter
Button. Mrs. T
Butts, Jesse D
Butz, Casper 162,
Buxton, F.S
Byford, William H..522, 531, 532, 536,
Byrne, James P
Byron, James _..
Caberey, Henry R 656,
Cable, Ransom R._
Cadv, C. M
Caldwell, Billy
Caldwell, Peter .
Calhoun, William A. 1S7,
Calkins, Allen C .50,412,
Calla, Charles. _.
Callahan, J
Callow, Edward .
Cammack, John
Cameron, Charles S.
Cameron, Daniel 495,
Cameron, Daniel Tr 225, 226,
Campbell, Ann M'cGill
Campbell, A. H._. 644,
Campbell, Benjamin
Campbell, Frank W
Campbell, James B
Campbell, James L.--50, 164, 583,757,
771-
Campbell, John ,
Campion, John
Campbell, John B
Campbell, J. F _
Can field, Edmund
Canfield, W
Caniffe, Hyacinthe
Canman, Leo -
Cannon, R. M
Carey, H. G
Carbine, Thomas
Carlstadt, Charles
Carney, Thomas
Carpenter, Benjamin --49>
Carpenter, George Benjamin . .
Carpenter, John H 50, 261,
Carpenter, Pb.ilo.-I03, 104, 108, 113,
430 432, 433, 517, 535, 555, 620,
Carpenter, William R 263,
Carqueville, Edward
Carr, E. S -
Carr, John D. M
Carr, Watson -408,
Carrey, Edmond
Carroll, Rev. John _
Carson, George W
Carter, Asher
Carter, Artemus 49, 690,
Carter, A. II
Carter, James
Carter, R. M 164,
Carter, S. P 370,
Carter, T. B..
Carter, William II.. 50, 56,
(artwright, J._
Carver, Benjamin F. .. 163, 513,550,626,
64 T.
Carver, David 327,
Carver, Thomas G
Cary, Eugene.
Case, Charles
Case, Charles II.
I ase, 1,. W
Case, S. M
Casey, Peter 190, 250,
1 'asi-y. Zadoc
(.'ashman, I). A 657,658,
Cass, I.. W
Cassclman, Christian
420
517
594
745
517
517
699
660
313
208
555
598
539
669
657
658
151
59i
327
292
288
533
614
612
657
689
261
669
656
116
645
616
583
568
763,
666
711
633
!59
646
738
288
658
37o
657
666
116
50
56
33°.
670
296
489
522
664
641
395
407
666
626
716
535
617
624
624
159
104
164
633.
689
412
652
292
650
522
699
294
623
666
650
49
Page
Casselman, C.J 50
Cassidy, D. E 508
Castle, Edward Herrick 580
Catlin, Seth 333,336,348, 369
Caton, J. D.. 125,574, 717
Caulfield, Bernard G 495, 669
Cella, Giovanni L. 304, 395
Chadbourne, Alexander S. 235, 237, 238, 293
Chadburn, Benjamin 11 218, 291
Chadwick, William P 669
Chaffee, Charles W. 658
Chaksfield, George _ 330
Chalmers, Thomas. . 666
Chamberlain, I. S. 660
Chamberlain, I.eander T. -429, 445
Chamberlin, E. P 701, 728, 755
Chambers, Bennett B 421
Chambers, H. O 342
Champion, Annie. 610
Champion, Patrick 250, 252, 294
Chandler, Alphonse B. 634
Chandler, Charles 644
Chandler, Edward Bruce 91, 93, 711
Chandler, Frank R 634
Chandler, George . 235, 293
Chandler, George B 345
Chandler, George W. 235, 236, 237, 242, 243,
244. 293.
Chandler, Henry B -278, 495, 496
Chandler, Peyton R 632
Chandler, William ... 299
Chapin, Charles H 91
Chapin, John P 555, 568, 636, 641
Chapin & Foss 705, 718
Chapin 6c Marsh 691
Chapman, Charles 330
Chapman, Charles H 568
Chapman, Earl H 264, 296
Chapman, George H . 568
Chapman, Henry 641
Chappell, D. N 517
Chard, Thomas S 645
Charles, Oscar.. __ 297
Charles, William 650
Charlton, James 143
Chase, Charles C 103, 5S9
Chase, Charles E 663
Chase, C. T 31S, 320
Chase, David F 271
Chase, Dudley 407, 4°S
Chase, Horace G 589
Chase, Samuel B 585, 5S9
Chase, Brothers & Co 5S5, 5S9
Chatel, Louis 598
Cheesebrough, Henry T._ 295
Cheetham, E 658
Cheney, C. C._ 641
Cheney, Charles E. 40S, 409, 412, 413, 414,
415.
Cheney, Lucian P 556, 660
Chenoweth, W. H .. 679
Cherrie, Miss Eliza 765, 766
Chesbrough, Ellis S. 56, 65, 67, 553, 554,
681.
Chesbrough, H. F. 522
Chester, Dean R 235, 236, 23S, 242, 293
Chester, Edward 76
Chester, Henry W. 228, 292
Chetlain, August L. 169, 170, 172, 173, 175,
630, 645.
Chicago Relief and Aid Society 760, 769
Chickering, John W..-I59, 164, 235, 238,
242, 293.
Chidester, William M 296
Childs, Shubael Davis 4S8, 658
Chipman, John L 495
Chisholm, Henry 77
Chisholm, James 492
Chisholm, William 677
Chittenden, George R 664
Chladek, A. B 650
Chrimes, John 656
Christian, George C 549
Christy, Byron... 609
Christy, W. A 609
SPECIAL INDEX.
'3
Page
Chrom, Thomas^ 655
Cfironiger, Cliarles B 199, 290
Chumasero, John T. 694
Church, Elijah S 208
Church, Goodman & Donnelley. 484,485, 4S7
Church, J. E 655, 659, 660, 661
Church, I.. H. 643
Church, Thomas 555, 641, 683
Church, Mrs. Thomas 313
Church, William L 517
Churchill, H. P.._ 627
Claflin, H._ - 650
Clague, John E 660
Clancy, Thomas D 666
Clapp, HenryC 538
Clapp, O. W -. 624
Clark, A. A _ 661
Clark, Alson E 350
Clark, Anson L S4S, S49
Clark, BelaP .. 208
Clark, Charles M 204, 290
Clark, Mrs. Charles M 313
Clark, C. W. 159
Clark, Darius- __ 691
Clark, D. W„ Jr. _ _ 762, 763
Clark, Mrs. D. W., Jr ._. 766
Clark, G. C 438
Clark, H. A. 643
Clark, Jonathan 512, 55S
Clark, J. F 650
Clark, John K 327
Clark, [ohn L . 733
Clark, John S _ 525
Clark, Rev. John W 410
Clark, Lincoln 420
Clark, Michael M._ 252, 294
Clark, Robert 50, 104
Clark, William 555
Clark, William H _ 439
Clark, Mrs. William H _ 311
Clarke, George C.-.77, 104,632, 645,646,
650.
Clarke, George R. ._. ___252, 253, 254, 294
Clarke, H. W 637
Clarke, James C. .- _ 128, 131
Clarke, John V 370, 632
Clarke, L. H 154
Clarke, N'orman 568
Clarke, Robert ._ 746
Clarke, Thomas Cordis 657
Clarke, Rev. William B 429
Clarke, William Edwin 529
Clarke, William H _ 752, 753
Clarke, William M 50
Clarkson, J. J. __ 667
Clarkson, James T _ 632
Clarkson, Robert H. 409, 410, 443, 513
Clarkson Thaddeus S 265, 267, 297
Clary, Stephen, 332, 333, 336, 344, 352, 369,
370, 650.
Claussenius, Henry 394, 395, 396, 635
Cleaves, Benjamin I .. 460
Clement, Stephen 370,675,676
Cleveland, A 505
Cleveland, II. W. S _ 731
Cleveland, Ralph 731, 732
Cleveland, Reuben.. 259, 296, 655, 660. 664
Cleveland, S. E._ 50
Cleveland, W. C 615
Cliff, Thomas _ 195, 2S9
Closser, J. A 650
Cloud, G.J 522
Clowry, Jeremiah _ 50
Clowry, R. C 126
Cluett, J. C 662
Clybourn, Archibald 327, 32S
Clybourn, James A 162, 189
Clybourn, John H... 162, 163, 164,165, 180,
189, 190, 263, 264, 296, 658, 661.
Clyde, John W 655
Coan, Cyrus 614
Coates, Al bert L _ 293
Coates, Edwin M _ 189
Coats, Henry H 666
Coatsworth, George 235, 237, 293
Coatsvvorth, Mrs. George
Cobb, James W.
Cobb, Silas B 164, 330,
Coburn, Edwin 195,
Cochran, Peter 657,
Cochrane, John Crombie 558,
Coe, Albert L 159, 213, 291, 575,
Coe, M. E
Coe, William
Coey, David
Cogger, B. F._ __
Cogswell, W _
Cohen, Charles 654,
Cohen, G M
Cohen, Isaac R _
Cohen, Peter ,.327,
Colbert, Elias._i67, 168,485, 494, 517,
702, 703, 719, 750, 752, 756.
Colburn, Mrs Levi
Colburn, Luke.. _
Colburn, K. J
Colby, Charles A 1S0,
Colby, Enoch 271, 273,
Colby, George W 228,
Colby, John F
Colby, William .49, 641,
Cole, David D 518, 762, 763,
Cole, Frederick W 292, 297,
Cole, Henry _ _
Cole Rev.'H. H
Cole, Josiah D. Jr. ..361, 369, 370, 371,
Cole, Lewis B 235, 23S,
Colgate, Josiah S
Coleman, Henry V _ 712,
Collier, Robert Laird 126. 439, 445,670,
Collins, Mrs. Harriet A
Collins, James A _
Collins, James L 679,
Collins, John
Collins (S. B.) & Co.. .568,
Collins, William R.
Collins & Burgie -679,
Collis, George S __
Collyer, Robert 166, 315, 336, 439,
445. 435. 513. 630, 670, 672, 759.
Colton, D. Alphonso
Colver, Nathaniel 435, 436,
Colvin, Harvey D 127, 159, 167,
Colvin, John H 276,
Colwell, E. E._
Comiskey, John.. 49, 50, 190, 554, 669,
762.
Comley, E. L
Commerell, John A
Compton, James _
Comstock, Charles --629,
Comstock, E. F. . -
Conant, Augustus H 1S0,
Cone, Pinckney S. . 282, 2S6, 2S7,
Condon, Charles B. _.
Condon, Maurice S. -
Congdon, I. W
Conlan, James..- _
Conley. William J.
Conly, Philip. .-49, 163, 190, 191, 3S5,
Connell, C. J ._
Connelly, Philip _. _.
Conner, Freeman 164,
Conn o van, Morris
Conover Charles H
Conrad, Jacob G -625, 633,
Conroe, Isaac 296,
Converse, Rev. James M.
Conway, E. S
Conway, J. _
Conway, James J 252, 254,
Conway. Michael W 95, 711,
Conway, Rev, Patrick
Conway, Rev. P. J 400,
Cook, Burton C
Cook, B. F :
Cook, Charles W _ 631,
Cook, Edward _.
Cook, Ezra A
Cook, George C 318, 348, 69S,
Page
316
40
517
289
661
566
591
164
662
50
125
553
657
446
116
568
701,
538
164
661
292
657
656
765
657
657
412
374
293
656
718
768
6S0
666
680
487
636
680
680
556
440,
541
438
646
299
661
715,
666
290
291
646
477
288
299
372
116
659
49
295
388
630
506
1S9
715
683
650
689
402
595
624
294
712
399
401
137
670
644
656
431
700
Pap
Cook, Isaac 149, 3S9, 390, 495, 505, 733
Cook, J. F. . 548, 549
Cook, John H 156
Cook, Melvina _ 116
Cook, Thomas 689
Cook, William .. 641
Cooke, Alexander Hardy _ 531
Cooke, David B 127, 485, 4S6
Cooke, Elias.-. 669
Cooke, George T. 661
Cooke, Nicholas F 541, 543, 656, 657
Coolbaugh, William F. . 352, 370, 554, 604,
615, 625, 630, 632, 647, 738 777.
Cooley, Charles G...2S2, 299, 34S, 350, 370,
371-
Cooley, F. B 626, 627
Cooley, George B. 290
Cooper, William II 412
Corbett, John 700
Corbett, Michael J _ 402
Corcoran, J 661
Corcoran, John T 505
Cornell, Paul -457, 478, 479
Cornell, W. B _ 648
Corning, J. L. 429
Corse, John M --387, 388
Corwith, Nathan 630
Cosgrove, James F -I91, 2S9
Costion, David 2S9
Couch, Ira ._ 501
Couch, James --501, 502, 517
Coughlin, Dennis 49
Counselman, Charles 371
Courtwright, Henry II. 142
Coventry, Alexander C 84, gi, 552
Coveny, Rev. John .. 402
Cowan, John F _ 421
Cowdery, Asa A 295
Cowdery, Hiram C. W -655, 656, 660
Cowles, Alfred 491, 492
Cowles, Edward _ 733
Cowles, T. Z 615
Cowper, George 655, 656, 660
Cox, A.J .487, 488
Cox, D 555
Cox, Rev. Henry _ _ 426
Cox, William 50, 505
Cracraft, Rev. J. W ._ 411
Cragin & Co 624
Cram, C. H 696
Cram, T. J._ 392
Crandall, Edwin J 282
Crane. Albert _ 414
Crane, Charles S 6S0, 681
Crane, Richard T 670 6S0, 681, 759
Crane Bros.' Manufacturing Co 680, 694
Crane, Samuel 508
Craven, Thomas ._ 426
Cravens, William. 657
Crawford, John A 79, 657
Crawford, Peter _ 691
Crawford, R 661
Crawford, William __ 77
Cregar, John. 513
Cregier, D. C. 59, 656, 65S, 659, 666, 742,
759'
Crego, David R.__ 282,299, °01
Creighton, John 447
Crerar, Adams & Co. . 639
Crerar, John 141, 639
Crews, Hooper 427
Cribben, Henry 680
Cribben, Sexton & Co 6S0
Cribben, W. H 6S0
Crighton, lohn 334
Crilly, D. F 661
Critchell, R. S 650
Crittenden, George R 625
Crocker, George F. 49
Crocker, Mrs. L. V _. 666
Crocker, O. W._ 658
Crocker, W. H _ 666
Crockett, P. L 658
Croft, Edward 164
Cromlish, T 658
M
SPECIAL INDEX.
Page
Cronkhite, 0 627, 650
Crosby, Albert 607
: . I". II. 163, 370, 556, 557, 559, 601,
602, 604, 605, 606, 614.
Crowley, Daniel _ 161, 2S9
Crurubaugh, F._ .- 646
Cudney, Albert -276, 299
Culbertson, C. McClay 335, 369, 370
Culbertson, James M 202
Cullerton. Edward F 50
Culver, Allan M 763
Culver, Belden F. - 656
Culver, Benjamin F. 369, 370, 371, 515. 536,
538.
Culver, Charles E 334, 367, 3C9, 370, 371
Culver, Mrs. Charles E 766
Culver & Co — 335, 624
Culver. George N 335
Culver. H. Z. 762
Culver, Mrs. H. Z 766
Culver, John -- 650
Culver, Page & Hovne 4SS
Culver, W. I. . - 47S
Cumins, Soion 370
Cumming, Gilbert W. .-.213, 214, 21S, 291
Cummings (E. A.) & Co 641
Cummings, George D __ 672
Cummings, Joseph 460
Cummings, P. D ._ 666
Cunningham, A 661
Cunningham, D. A 1S0, 182
Cunningham, James - 277, 299
Cunningham, J. C 164
Cunningham, Rev. T. M. 419
Curran, O. P - 640, 650
Currier, Amos B. .. 506
Currier, Charles L 646
Currier, JuliusH _. 646
Curtis, Charles __ 614
Curtis, Charles H — 159, 337, 369, 370
Curtis, George D. 20S
Curtis, George M _ _ 230
Curtis, Harvey.- 416, 445
Curtis, Henrv - - 660
Curtis, William B 28S
Curtiss, Frank S. 257
Curtiss, James _ 555
Curtiss, Jacob S _22S, 292
Cushing, Edward F .- 681
Cashing, Mrs. E. H _. .311, 312
Cushing, G. II. - 545
Cushing, Henry H 235, 242, 293
Cushing, X. S._ 517
Cushman, Hardin & Bro 633
Custer, Jacob K. 47S
Cutler, Alonzo - 644
Cutler, Asa E 655, 658
Cutler, Joseph A 204, 290
Cutler, 'William II 162, 189
Cuyler, Edward J 140
Cuyler, J. W. ._ _ 392
Dagenhardt, Mrs. L 312, 313
Daggett, William E.. - .394, 395
Daggy, Peter ... 50, 128, 132,66s, 771
Da e, William M. 539, 548, 669
Dalliba, James E j_. .. 655
Dalton, Mrs. Catharine i^m.. . 714
Dalton, James 691, 714
Dalton, James E __ 713, 714
Dalton, James E. jr. 714
fames F. X... 714
'.nits -j 263, 261. 2')t>
D.dv. Maurice S 616
Daly, M. C. 609
Damen, Rev. Arnold 397, 4<)f, 402, 405
Dana, Charles A 4.(7
611
W. C. 424
Danenhower, W. W 1 , I, I
Danforth, Kcyes 207, l'm;
1, Willis 541, 548
era, Antonio 213, 291. 662
M 657
Daniels, S. 658
Daniels, William G5S
Page
Daniels, W. H _ 424
Danks, Albert W 295
Danks, Harvey 164, 637
Danks, William N -.162. 189
Danolds, D. II 506
Danolds, S. A... 506
Darby, Thomas 661
Darcey, John R 244, 247
Darlington, Herbert __ 646
Dart, John H __ 660
Dater, Philip W 366, 367, 369, 371
Davenport, Edward A _. 263
Davenport, Ullman & Co 633
Davies, Dr. John 545
Davies, John E. _ 531
Davis, Ambrose D 650
Davis, Charles G _ 530
Davis, Charles J._ 369, 370, 371
Davis, Charles W. 213, 214, 215. 216, 218,
291.
Davis, David 451, 495
Davis, Edwin S._ 250, 251, 294
Davis, George _. 694
Davis, George R 637, 655
Davis, Hasbrouck 50, 263, 264, 265, 296
Davis, Lewis H. -641, 650
Davis, Myra D _ 116
Davis, Nathan S. 163, 461, 513, 514, 522,
523. 531. 537. 53S, 539. 540, 549. 55°,
670, 768.
Davis. Pope & Co 62 s
Davis, S. N 666
Davis, William A. -_ 390
Davis, W. H. _ 549
Davison, Benjamin F. __ 7S
Davison, Benjamin F , Jr 78
Dawe, Joseph 625
Dawson, John R.__ 294
Dawson, T. II. _ 182
Day, Edward.. _ 550
Day, Henry M 206
Day, Isaac C. - 647
Day, J. G 667
Dean, J. C 545
Dean, M. S 545
Dean, Philip., 555
Deane, Frederick G 279
DeBlieck, John 402
Decatur, C. F 662
De Clancey, Mrs. E 598
De Clercq. G. 763, 767
De Clercq, Julia C 766
Deering, G. W 655, 656, 660, 662, 664
Dehez, Miss Rosalie 592
Dehrend, William 162
Deitzel, Hermann 234
DeKoven, John — 449,630, 632
DeKoven, Mrs. John 627
Delear, John E: 218, 221
Deluce, Eugene F 655
Demers, James 65S
Dempster. Daniel 296
Dennis, J. S -- 440
Dennison, A.I 370
Dennison, William . 449
Denniston William Scott 538
Denslow, VanBuren 460, 497
Densmore, E II 641
Densmore, Eleazer W 359. 369 370
Dent, Thomas _ 465
Denton, Darius II 371
Denton, Solomon F 282
Dergeron, A. L _. 400
Dethmann, A. 666
Develin, J. 707
Deven, J, G 412
DeVille, Titus 531
Devillers, Charles A. 189, igo
Devine, M. A 50,764, 766
Devine, P. 657
Dewey, E. M. 656
Dewey, II. O 661
D I R 650
DeWitt, James W 162, 189
D'Wolf, William 274,410, 479
Page
DeWolf, Calvin 50, 330, 427, 4S2
DeWolf, Henrv 133
DeWolf, William F 479
Dexter, Wirt- .472, 495, 554, 670, 769, 770,
77i. 777-
Dickerson, John Oscar 663
Dickey, Hugh T 569, 641, 645, 701, 733
Dickey, J. 513
Dickinson, Albert _. 356
Dickinson, Albert F 356
Dickinson, Charles 356
Dickinson, Charles E 295
Dickinson. Mrs. C. P 312, 322
Dickinson, E. F. 671
Dickinson, Mrs. E. F 312
Dickinson, G. D 625
Dickinson, Mrs. G. F 313
Dickinson, J. R. _ 626
Dickinson & Son 623
Dickinson, Nathan 356
Diehl, Conrad ._ 558
Diehl, C. H 449
Diehl, C. L. 159
Dietrichson, Gustav F 444
Dill, James H 244, 245, 294, 430
Diller, Alexander W 225
Diller, J. R 644
Dillon, Matthew --398, 404
Dillon, Patrick 405
Dixon, Arthur 50
Dixon, Joseph H 87
Dixon, Romeyn A 295
Doane, John W 627
Dobbins, Thomas J 631
Dobson (I. F.)& Co... 641, 645, 646
Dobsori, W. H._ ..654, 6; 7
Dochez, Louis A... 595
Dockrell, William 425, 612
Dodge, Clark E. 275, 298
Dodge, Isaac C 200, 290
Dodge, John C. -555, 636, 637, 639, 642, 643
Dodge, Lewis 666
Dodge, Martin 502
Dodge, William C, Jr 658
Doggett, J. B 661
Doggett, Theodore M 21S, 219, 291
Doggett. William E 34S, 370, 513, 515,
626, 627, 644, 646, 670, 696, 697.
Doggett, Mrs. William E 321
Dolan, James C 292
Dole, Charles S. ... 369, 370, 376, 377
Dole, George W 50, 326,327, 390, 535,
55°. 555. 56S, 636, 637, 641, 670.
Dole, James Henry 341, 370, 371
Dole, lulia 671
Dole (J. H)& Co. 341, 624
Dole, Rumsey & Co 326, 328
Dominick, William F._ 6S2
Donahue, William 401
Donaldson, Robert 661
Donaldson, S. H 661
Doney, Jacob 517
Donnellan, Patrick M 50
Donnelley, Cassette & I.oyd _ 4S7
Donnelley, Richard Robert 4S6
Donnelley (R. R.) & Sons 487
Donnelly, John 93
Donnelly,). M S3
Donnersberger, Joseph 586
Donniker, J. B. 661
Do'olittle, Edgar Man tlebury 663
Doolittle, Harvey 623,625,632, 633
Doolittle, L. A._ _ 517
Dorchester, John 645
Dorchester, William H 268
Dore, Charles .. 505
Dore, John C...103. 106, 113, 167, 352, 357,
359. 369. 370, 371, 513. 554. 604, 620,
625, 628, 644.
Dorman.O.M 6S4
Dorney, John. - 401
Dorr, E. P 636
Dorselen, J. P. V 395
Dorset, C. P 4"s. 4"
Dorsey, E. W 658
SPECIAL INDEX.
'5
Page
Doty, Theodoras. 164, 330, 507
Dougall, Margaret no
Douglas, Charles 392
Douglas, Sholto. 678
Douglas, Stephen Arnold.. ... 303, 398, 559
Douglas, Mrs. Stephen A 735
Douglas, William S7
Douglass, John M 128, 131, 167, 370
Dox.A. J 65S
Dow, Asa. -339, 342, 352, 369, 370, 371, 630
Dow, J. C. 339
Dow & Moran 340
Dow, Quirk & Co 339
Downal, Stephen 327, 3
Downing, Benjamin F _- 633
Downs, Hyler A 1S7
Downs, James B 263, 298
Downs, Samuel Hopkins 657
Dox, Hamilton 1! 264, 295, 296, 626 632
Doyle, James M. — 289
Doyle, Rev. Joseph II -400, 404
Drake, Carlton 655, 657
Drake, F 625
Drake, J _ . 639
Drake. John B. 141. 502, 509, 614, 646, 736
Draper (J. F.) & Co 506
Dreier, Emil 104, 394, 395
Drew, Charles W 647
Drew, Frank 611
Drew Rev. J. B 43S
Drew, Stephen 7SO
Drexel, J. W. 633
Dreyer, E. S 449
Driscoll, Daniel D 50, 459
Drummond, Frank- 297
Drummond, Thomas 163, 164, 167, 384,
452, 458.
Drury, John H. _ 560
Ducat, Arthur Charles.- 163, 170, 172, 179,
2SS, 638, 639, 640, 643, 644, 650.
Duffy, David. 250,251, 294
DuFoe, Nathaniel H 208
Duggan, Rt. Rev. James 397, 3gS. 399,
400, 402, 405, "557.
Dun, Joseph.. _ 615
Duncan, Robert 505
Duncan. Thomas C --543, 545
Dunham, Henry - __ 535
Dunham, John H. -554, 626, 627, 670
Dunham, Ransom W 345, 371, 637, 655
Dunham, W. N ._ . 656
Dunlap, Geo. L.-135, 13S, 513, 554, 597, 656
Dunlap, Mrs. George L 597
Dunlap, John 49
Dunlop. Hugh 690, 691
Dunn, Hugh 505
Dunn, John -2S9, 395
Dunn, R. 43S
Dunn, William __ 715
Dunne, Rev. Dennis 249, 252. 397, 400,
402, 404, 405.
Dupee, Charles A 471
Dupee, Cyrus _ 33S
Dupee, John, Jr ._ 342
Dupee, judah& Willard ._ 471
Dupries, Frederick __ 279
Durham, Benjamin, Jr ..22S, 292
Durand, Calvin 27S, 2S2, 699
Durand, Calvin, Jr. 345
Durand, C. E _ 69S
Durand, H. C. ..698, 699
Durand, John M 698, 699
Durant, j. T 517
Dushek, Joseph. 714
Dutch, James I! 271, 298
Djitcher, Gilbert . 505
Duval!, Harry __ 659
Dwight, John H 370, 371
Dwight, Mary A._ _ 116
Dwyer, E. P _ 604
Dyas, Dr. \V. Godfrey.. .537, 538, 546, 547
Dyer, C. H .' ... .. 77=;
Dyer, C. S _ 642
Dyer, Charles V 121, 449, ,17, 535,550,
555. 64i-
Dyer, Thomas.. 4Sg, 555, 56S, 636, 67S,
Dyer, Mrs. Thomas _
Dyhrenfurth, Julius 116,591,
Dyhrenfurth, Robert G. - 267, 26S, 297.
Eames, H. K
Eames, M. C 159,
Eames, Oliver E 187,
Easson, James B 271,
Eastman, Francis A. 104, 3S9, 390, 497,
Eastman, Zebina 49S,
Ebbert, John
Ebert, Albert E. ._
Eckardt, Thomas _.
Edbrooke, Willoughby J
Eddv, Albert . .
Eddy, R. H
Eddy, T. M
Edwards, Alfred
Edwards, Arthur 427,640,
Edwards, Edward N 657, 661,
Edwards, Edward W 309,
Edwards, F
Edwards, John T -. 49, 94,
Edwards, Richard
Edwards, Rev. William .. 404,
Egan, Wiley M. 360, 369, 370, 371, 640,
655, 657, 65S, 659, 660, 661, 662,
Egan, William B 449, 504, 555,
Eichhold, Abraham --360,
Eisendrath, Nathan
Eiterman, L. H.
Eldred, D. W.
F2Idredge, George C
Eldridge, Daniel G
Eldridge, Hamilton N 257,
Eldridge, Isaac.
Elkins, Henry K. 362,
ElIeson(W. P.) & Bros
Ellinwood, Charles N. ._
Elliott, G. T
Elliott, Horace M.
Elliott, William H
Elliott, W. S
Ellis, j. A.__ 604, 625,
Ellis, j. Ward 545, 664, 666,
Ellis, Samuel 327, 328,
Ellis, Samuel A. ._ 244,
Ellis, Rev. Sumner _.. ..
Ellison, George
Ellsworth, Elmer E 187, 189,
Ellsworth, L. C. ... 642,
Elson, T. J
Ely, David J. 410, 515, 517,
Emden, Solomon P
Emerson, Darius F
Emerson, J. P. ..
Emery, S. Hopkins
Emmons, Francis A. 295,
Enderis, Henry 394,
Endicott, William F
Engel, Benjamin
Engel, Robert
Engel, Samuel ..
Engelstedt, Emanuel
Engle, C. S.
Engstrom, Frederick E °57,
Ennis, Charles
Ennis, James
Ennis, William . ._
Ennis, W. II
Enzenbacher, Andrew.
Erbe, Arthur 196, 198,
Erby, William
Erickson, Christian 234,
Ernst, Joseph II _
Erskine, Albert 266,
Erskine, Ebenezer
Eschenburg, J. William ..
Esctienburg, X.
Eschenburg, W. S
Esher, Rev. J. G .. -442,
Esterbrook, J. S ..
Etheridge, James Henry 522,
Evan, John 159, 449,
Evans, Albert S
702
410
592
298
777
666
666
660
755
636
158
539
510
566
422
C>47
424
643
641
663
534
624
641
632
406
643,
663
568
624
634
442
647
372
295
258
661
369
508
292
625
87
658
651
629
667
658
294
44i
625
190
643
657
645
297
508
691
429
533
442
628
657
5°
65S
295
657
661
631
4S2
1 So
631
49
290
657
293
449
297
422
656
Pag.
Evans, John 522, 661
Evans, Mrs. Mary 314
Everest, James G 288
Everett, Charles W 271, 272
Everingham, Lyman 356
Everingham (L.) & Co 356
Everts, Charles E 658
Everts, William Wallace. .434, 438, 515, 672
Ewell, Marshall D 461
Excern, Maria 671
Fairbank, Nathaniel K._ 337 33S, 347, 350,
352, 354, 365, 368, 369, 370, 371, 614,
670, 764, 766, 769.
Fairbank, Mrs. Nathaniel K 538
F'airs, Rev. W. W .. 422
Fake, Frederick L 244, 294
Falch, Charles H 657
Fales, David 750
Fales, H. D 697
Fales, Mrs. Mary 750
Falk.JamesA ._ 116
Fallis, Sylvanus W _ 489
Fanning, Rev. John. _ 399
Fargo, C. E _.. 697
Fargo. Mrs. C. G 312, 321
Fargo, Charles H _. 697
Fargo, James C 127, C04. 646
Fargo, S. M 697
Farlin, J. Whitney 419
Farmer, George T ..651
Farmer, J.. 644
Farnham, Henry 626, 627, 670
Farnsworth, John F. 259, 268
Farnum, Henry 513
Farovid, J. A. 645
Earquhar, John M...244, 245, 247, 240, 294
Farr, M. A _. 677
Farr, R. F. _ 661
Farrer, Henry W 491
Farrington, S. P 324. 672
Farwell, Charles B.-.159, 458 6r5, 616, 641,
647, 663, 694, 705.
Farwell, John V.. .227, 322, 323, 324,346,
343."353. 369. 370. 445. 497- 5". 512.
547, 554. 63°. 63S, "44- 647. 67Q, 694.
Farwell, Simeon 490, 694
Farwell, William W. 159, 369, 455, 461, 513
Farwell, Mrs. W. W . 766
Faulkner, James R ._ .1S0, 28S
Faulkner, Samuel 700
Faulkner, S. W. . 700
Fauntleroy, Henry -- 420
Favor, Otis S. — 294
Faxon, Albert E.._ 695, 696
Fay, A. S 164
Fay, Ezra E. 374
Fay, Martin 117
Feeney, Patrick 250, 251, 294
Feindt, Wilhelm H 658
Feldkamp, John 659
Felsenthal, Rev. B 4,6, 447
Felsenthal, II. _ 104
Felsenthal, Michael... 635
F'elton, Charles H 2gq
Felton, J. O. 164
Felton, W. if 164
Fenn, C. T.._ _ 522
Fergus Brothers 483
Fergus, George H 189
Fergus, Robert 485
Ferguson, Alexander 615
Ferguson, Charles H _. 636
Ferguson, Daniel 252,253, 294
Ferguson, Duncan __ _ 658
Ferguson, Nicholas P 208
Ferguson, W. G 645
F'enno, A. W _ 602
Ferns, John Porter 633, 665
Ferrier, Alexander.. _. 422
Eerrill, William 657
Ferry, W. M 691
Few, John 297
Fichter, Frederic 290
Fick, Lewis Wesley 716
Field, C. R 313
1 6
SPECIAL INDEX.
Page
Field, George, 362, 370
Field. Marshall 370, 371, 513, 694, 695
Field. Leiter & Co --639, 695, 734, 771
Fielding, William 666
Finerty, James ...:. 666
Fink, Rev. Louis Maria 406
Finley, Henry C..-.. — 294
Finley, James W 369,370, 374
Finney, Thomas J - 639
Finacane, James — - 2S9
Finucane, M. -- -- 50
Firman. L. B - 93
Fischer. F 666, 700
Fischer. George Henry 116
Fischer, Guslav 460
Fischer, H - 116
Fischer, Rev. Peter - 400
Fish. S. H 369
Fisher, A 539, 547
Fisher, E. P.. 639
Fisher, Frank P - 650
Fisher, Fred. P 642, 645
Fisher, James K 370, 371
Fisher, Philip E - 263
Fisher, William 170
Fisk, D. B 656, 695
Fisk, Franklin \V.__416, 430, 431, 433, 672
Fitch, Calvin M 526
Fitch, Charles H 65S
Fitch, Giles. -_ - 164
Fitch, Graham N 522
Fitch. Thomas D., 527. 53°, 538. 540, 547,
666.
Fitch, T. L 611
Fitzgeraid, James 191, 194, 289
Fitzpatrick, J. H -- 609
Flanders, F. L .- 313
Flannagan, Rev. P. M 400, 404
Flannigan, Timothy 401
Fleetwood, Stanley H 569, 62S
Fleishman, S. M 657
Flint, Austin 522
Flint, T. f. S 352, 375, 641
Flint, Odell & Co 375
Flood, A. L 666
Flood, E. F. _ 705
Floto, Jenne A 4S9
Floyd, John 507
Foglesberg, A 632
Foley, Patrick 2S9
Foley, Rt. Rev. Thomas 398, 404, 536
Foley, Thomas 614
Follansbee, Charles 159, 412, 555, 644
Follansbee, Mrs. Charles 313
Follansbee, Merrill- __ 159
F"olsom, — -- 316, 317, 318
Foot, D. A 666
Foole, Erastus 752
Foote, Rev. II 432
Foote, Henry G - 641
Forbes. Albert M 277
Ford, David M.. 66S
Ford. Delevan 230
Ford, Mrs. Frances M n6
Ford, II. (,'..- ---557, 558
Ford, Seth I 279
Ford, S. A 164
Ford IS. A.) & Co - 374
Fordham, O. C... 4-1
Forman, John 548
Forrest, Joseph K. C 488, 497, 498
Forrest, Thomas L 517, 633, 746
Forrester, \V C 598
r. Mrs. W. C 59S
Forsyth. George A.. 259, 260, 296
Forsyth. I< 677
Forsythe, John 419, 550,645
Fosk'ett, Alice 1 666
' W 625
j'obert II 49, 660, 67-.
Foster, Addison Howard 533
Mrs. Ambrose 310, 311, 312, 313
\mo- I; 327
Charles II - 142
Foster & Holt 691
Page
Foster, John H. 103, 104, 107, no, 513, 535,
550', 626, 627, 679, 705, 754.
Foster, John W 315
Foster, Joseph W 208
Foster, Marcus P 25S
Foster, Miss Mary E. M __ 314
Foster, R. N _ 541
Foster, Robert J _ 296
F"oster, Rev. W. C - 431
Fowler, C. H 424, 426, 427, 445
F'owler, Emily. __ 766
Fowler, William 508
Fox, William 536
Fox & Howard _. 74
Frahm, H 666
Frake. James 460
Frank, A 446
Frank, Mayer A 232, 293
Franklin, Angrean _ 276
Franklin, Mrs. Sarah 538
Franklin, Mrs. W. E 320
Franks, C. J. _ 659
Frantzen, Fritz 83
F'ranzen, Martz 162
Franzen, Mathias 49, 50
Franzoni, John - 116
Fraser, John 421
Fraser, Roderick . _ 65S
Fraser, William 615
Fraunberg, F. W 657
Frazer, Andrew H 213
Frazer, D. R _. 678
Frazer, Isaac 242, 293
Frazer, James 691
Frazer, W. 0 661
Frazier. Walter S 625
Frear, Alexander 735, 736, 737
Freeman, Andrew W 546
Freeman, Charles E. .. 66S
Freeman, John 315, 320, 426
Freeman, Robert 330
Freeman, William 65S
Freer, James W._ 514, 515
Freer, Joseph Warren 522, 535, 536, 550
Freer, Lemuel C. P 159, 164, 473, 644
French, George H. - - 507
French, Hayes C. — _ 548
French, Henry D 228, 292, 666
French, S - 650
Frey, Emil 196, 232, 234, 293
Fricke, Henry 116
Fricke, William C 116
Fricks, N 116
Friedlander, Rev. Solomon 446
Friedrich, J. H 65S
Frink, George M 513
F'risbie, A. 650
Frisbie, Henry M. 199, 200, 290
Fritsch, Julius - 196
Fritz, Charles 198, 290
Frost, Jacob..- 657
Fruin, George W... 189
Fry, Jacob 385
Fullaber, Oscar 116
Fuller, A. M 699
Fuller, Alexander N 555
Fuller, C. W. 658
Fuller, D. W 741
Fuller, George A - 164
Fuller, George F2 93
Fuller, Henry 119, 392, 517, 587, 670
Fuller, Henry W 511, 538
Fuller, fohn C 545, 663
Fuller, Mrs. J. S 313, 323
Fuller, Melville W .413,414,465, 513
Fuller, Oliver F - 515
Fuller, Samuel W 462, 741
Fuller, Sidney 1 289
Fullerton, Alexander N. 569, 690
Fulton, Kev. William 412
Furber, Henry J - 482
Furnald, Hcrrick G 228
Gabriel, August 679
Gackley, Rev. Amos 443
Gage, A, L, 506
Page
Gage, Albert S.- (></>
Gage Bros. & Drake 159, 502
Gage, David A. -.49, 50, 119, 125, 459, 502,
5°3. 5°5, 614, 615, 616, 76S.
Gage, E. B 696
Gage, George W. 49, 50, 160, 161, 163, 502,
505, 513, 644, 670.
Gage, Lyman J 628, 632
Gage, S.T 327, 330
Gale, George H 657
Gale, J 163
Gale, Stephen F --488, 518
Gale, William H 664
Gallagher, Mrs. Joseph-. 666
Gallagher, William B._ 228, 292
Galloway, A. J 668
Gallup, Benjamin E. 49, 5S4
Gamble, J. E 658
Gardner, Freeland B. 164, 547, 549, 554
Gardner, George.. 663
Gardner, G. W. 637
Gardner, Isaac N 213, 292
Gardner, P. G __ 658
Gardner, S. S 50
Garfield, MaryR.. _ 116
Garlock, Grant E. 159
Garrett, Augustus 555, 56S, 636
Garrett, James 76
Garrett & Seaman 636
Garrick, John 717, 718
Garrigue, R. H 642
Garrison, C. K 702
Garrison, George 735
Garrison, Harod D 548, 549
Garwood, M. S 624
Gary, Joseph E 456
Gasman, Rev. J. G.- 443
Gassf.tte, Norman T 4S7, 662
Gastrield, William .. 49, 50, 666
Gatchell, H. P 541
Gates, James L 656
Gates P. W._ 554, 627, 67S
Gault, JohnC - 759. 765
Gauske, William 116
Gavin, Charles H 399, 400
Gavin, Rev. Edward ... 399
Gavin, John - 450
Gebhardt, F'erdinand 116
Geddes, Peter 619
Gehr, Samuel 53S, 576
Geib, Clark 762'
Geiger Henry - 530
Geis, Ignatz _ 100
George, Erastus B 505
George, Henry P 658
Gentry, William 702
Gephart, J. T. B 536
Gerard, John B 592
Gerber, John L 94, 666
Gerbing, F. C .. 65S
Gerhardt, August _ 19C
Gerhardt, Hugo 19S, 290
Germain, J- V 665
Gerstley, M. M 651
Gest, Joshua II. ---655, 651., 660
Gettman, Joseph N -..2oS, 290
Geudtner, F... 656
Gherkin, Henry - 44^
Gibbs, Albert G - 159, 22S, 292
Gibbs, Anna M -- 671
Gibbs, George -. - 568
(libbs, Mrs. George 3IG
Gibbs, George A 370, 374
Gibbs, O. C. - - 670
Gibson, George H 371, 655, 658, 663
Gibson, John C. 392
Gibson, John T. D 235, 293
Gierlow, Rev. John. 4»
Gilbert, Ashley... -- 86
Gilbert, Charles J. .-353, 368, 370,629, 646
Gilbert, Harry... 609
Gilbert, N 106
Gile, David II 295
(liles, William.- 553, 556
Gill, B. G 50, 766, 771
SPECIAL INDEX.
Gill, S. H 508
Gillespie, J. J 94, 95
Gillespie, T _ 421
Gillette, James F 371, 646
Gilman, D 352
Gilman, John 289
Gilman, Mary 116
Gilman, M. D --641, 644
Gilman, Margaret M 671
Gilmore, Ephraim M 263
Gilmore, Hugh J 661
Gilmore, Robert A 290, 389, 390
Gilpin, Henry D._ 514
Gindele, John G. _ 56
Gladding, Charles 228, 292
Glade, Herman O 50
Glassner, George 222
Gleason, Michael l6r, 164, 190, 191, 290
Gleason, M. K. __ .. 535
Glennow, P. F 400
Glickauf, Samuel 65S
Glover, Samuel J -. 513
Goddard, Ira 655, 660
Goddard, L. O _ _ 146
Godman, William 661
Goldschmidt, Tobias 657
Goldwaite, William . 615
Goll, Bruno Henry -709, 716
Goodale, Ed.. 657
Goodenow, Nathan C. -- 26S, 29S
Gooding, William. 56, 554
Goodman, Thomas _. ._. 646, 650
Goodnow, William H. 370, 371, 632
Goodrich, A. E. So
Goodrich, Daniel A._ .... 360
Goodrich, Grant 160, 167, 330, 456, 460,
517, 522, 569, 626, 690.
Goodrich, William S 504
Goodsell, C. M 670
Goodsell, James 497
Goodsmith, William 317, 318, 320, 323
Goodspeed, Rev. E. J.- __.•.. .435, 436
Goodwin, Daniel __ 747
Goodwin, E. O 642
Goodwin, Edward P 428, 432. 763, 768
Goodwin, Mrs. E. P 766
Goodwin, Frederick C 235, 293
Goodwin, John W. 656
Goodwin, Jonathan 636
Goodwin, Stephen A __ 159
Goody, Peter A _ 658
Goodyear, C. B. 360, 365, 366, 369, 370, 439
Gookins, J. B 164
Gookins, J. F 558, 561
Goold, Nathaniel -.517, 519,656
Gonzales, Charles Beach 612
Gore, Joel R 295,536, 538
Gorin, Jerome R 662
Gotthel f , Joseph . 268, 297
Gottig, Cord H 566
Gould, F. N 424
Gould, Tohn S 417, 657
Gould, W. R 370
Gow, Joseph. 449
Graff, Peter 517
Graham, Andrew J 82
Graham, James D 392, 514
Graham, J. N 53S
Graham, R. M. 43S
Graham, Susan F. __ 116
Graham, W. M 666
Granger, Alvin P __ 259
Granger, Andrew H. _ 20S, 290
Granger, Elihu '. _ _ 564
Grannis, Amos ._ _ 161, 512
Grannis, W. D. C 412, 449, 630
Grant, Erastus C.._ ._ 506
Grant, Misses E. and B 116
Grant, Orville _ 723
Grantham, Isabel __ 116
Grants, M. 164
Gratton, E. O _. __ 230
Graver, A.J 598
Graves, Amherst F. _ 297
Graves, Dexter 327, 328
Page
Graves, Mrs. E. B 314
Graves, Rev. F. W 421
Graves, Miss Louisa _ 627
Gray, Charles 74;
Gray; Charles F 625
Gray, Charles M 154, 512, 555, 684, 6S8
Gray, F. D 370
Gray, Mrs. F. D. 671
Gray, George M. ... 154, 163, 683
Gray, John 517
Gray, John V — — 661
Gray, Joseph Arend 656
Gray, S. H 670
Gray, William B. H 517, 555
Grebenstein, Valentine 26S, 297
Greeley, Samuel S.--439, 656, 670, 681, 731,
753-
Greeley, Mrs. S. S -- 753
Green, David 723
Green, Frank G -- 654, 657
Green, F. M.. 657
Green, Henry - 613
Green, John H 657, 661
Green, O. B --- 74
Green, Russell 691
Green, Sanford 661
Green, S. S 661
Greene, Edwin 65S
Greene, Frank G 661
Greene, J. S 159
Greene, Rev. William 411
Greenebaum, A. C -- 650
Greenebaum, Elias 447, 578, 670
Greenebaum, Henry 447, 537, 587, 625,
632, 633, 657.
Greenebaum, Michael 447, 657
Gregg, Miss C. A. 116
Greenfield, Horace K. --244, 249, 294
Greenhut, Joseph B -- - 232,293
Greensfelder, Isaac -- --447, 537, 697, 6gS
Greenslelder, Mrs. Isaac. 311
Greenwood, William H. - 213
Greer, Robert 645 , 651
Greer, S. S 661
Gregg, Richard .- 631
Gregory, Charles A - 656, 747
Gregory, J. F. . 661
Gregory, Michael A 656
Greise, Frederick .. 116
Grey, Charles F. 630
Grey, John _ 159
Griffin, A. L 677
Griffin, E.W.. 374
Griffin, Henry C. 238, 242, 293
Griffin, Thomas D. 221
Griffin, Trumbull D 27S, 2S1, 282, 299
Griffiths, Harry 499
Griggs, Samuel C 101,483,484,485, 4S6,
647, 733.
Grimm, Charles 263, 296
Groesbeck, Abram 529, 537
Grogan, John H. 399, 404
Grossenheider, Julius 297
Grosvenor, Edward P. 268, 298
Grosvenor, Oliver . 264, 296
Grosvenor, Thomas W. 263, 264, 296, 776,
777. 778, 780.
Grover, Zuinglius 116,417, 559
Groves, William A \g, 639
Guenther, George 196, 2Sg
Guenther, George A.. 196, 199, 2S9
Guerdon, H. 666
Guerin, Rev. E. J. 404
Guerin, John 528
Gullich, Thomas F. W... 235, 236, 293
Gulliver, Rev. John P - 429
Guild, Frederick 84,86, 710
Gunn, Moses 522, 525, 537, 539
Gunn, Robert A... 548, 549
Gunzenhauser, John 5S1
Gurley, Jason 611
Gurley, Joel 656
Gurnee, Walter S.--352, 513, 517, 518, 555
Gurney, Denton - 733
Gurney, George .... 668
Gurney, Theodore T 370, 371, 431, 655,
^57. &59. 6°°. 662, 664.
Guthmann, Raphael --587, 634
Guthrie, J. C .. . 367,370, 371
Guthrie, James V...162, 1S0, 187, 190, 2SS
Guthrie, Presley N 162, 180,187, 190
Haase, Emil R 440.
Haase, Ferd 449
Hack, Hubert 116
Hackett, " Beau" . 4gg
Hadduck, Benjamin F 164, 632
Hadduck, Mrs. Benjamin F _. 538
Hadduck, Edward H...159, 163, 570, 627,
641, 672, 678.
Hadduck, Mrs. Edward H 672
Iladley, Aaron S _ 292
lladley, Miss Elizabeth --316, 320
Iladley, E. W . 269, 545
Hagen, Anthony 392
Hager, Albert D. 701, 717
Hagerman, F. C 555
Haggard, Edmund D. 221
Hague, Rev. William.. 436
Hahn, Casper 649
Hahn, Rev. Charles 405
Halm, 11. S. 536, 556
Hahn, James A 49, 50, 556, 667
Hahn, Norman E 213, 218, 292
Haines, Emma F 671
Haines, George F 655
Haines, John C. 49, 50, 121, 159, 513, 549,
554. 5-5°. 628, 670, 681.
Haines, Thomas C 538
Hale, D. R 658
Hale, Daniel W _ 502
Hale, Edwin M 541, 544
Hale, George W. 657
Hale, Thomas — 642
Haley, ]. Y. 657
Halix, C 666
Hall, Amos T -604, 629, 645
Hall, Duncan J 244, 245, 247
Hall. Elbridge G. 604, 62S, 644, 646, 6S2,
683.
Hail, Harry H. 1S9
Hall, Henry W 213, 216, 2g2
Hall, Joseph B 371
Hall, L. C 63g, 640, 642, 645
Hall, Philip A 13S
Hall, Robert 666
Hall, Samuel 102
Hall, S. Chester 297
Hall, T. D 642
Hall, Wallace H 384
Hall, William H 125
Halle, E. G 642
Haller, W. J. 632
Halligan, Rev. Thomas 398
Halsey, C. S. 485
Halsey, Rev. L. J 419
Ham, Charles H. 3S7, 633
Hambleton, Chalkley J. 104
Hamblin, L. A 663
Hambright, George M __ 539
Hamill. Charles D... 353
Hamill, Ernest A 372
Hamill, Miss Julia 312
Hamill, R.C.... 536, 538
Hamilton, David G 577
Hamilton, Edward — 21S, 2g2
Hamilton, George 26S, 297
Hamilton, H. E - 65S
Hamilton, J. G. - . 164
Hamilton, "Mrs. J. G 313
Hamilton, Polemus D 577
Hamilton, Richard J 327, 506
Hamilton, Thomas E 577
Hamlin, Timothy 164
Hammel, Jacob 658
Hammer, D. Harry 480
Hammerick, S. Peter 290
Hammond, A. J _ 627
Hammond. Charles G 144, 145, 163, 322,
430, 432, 449, 554, 646.
Hammond, David 367
[8
SPECIAL INDEX.
Hammond, H. L - 432
Hammond, Mrs. H. L 766
Hanchett, David -- 59s
Hanchett, Seth F 262
Hancock, John L..-163, 227, 331, 336, 342,
346, 347. 35°. 353. 36S, 369, 370, 554,
646.
Hand, Louis R 162, 1S9, 279, 299
Hand, Peter. 196, 198, 290
Handy, Henry H 5S7, 5SS, 5S9
Hanemann, A. B. C 656
Hanks. N. A --- 5°5
Hannah, Richard C 675, 677, 75S
Hannahs, James M 5J7
Hannis, Alonzo 721, 723, 724, 757
Hansen, George P.-- 159. 512, 555
Hanson, Peter 232, 293
Harding, A. C --- 647
Harding, Charles 517, 657
Harding, Frederick.- 159, 162, 163, 164, 165,
1S0, 238.
Harding, George F._ 646, 647
Hardv, Agnes -- 116
Hardy. Cyrus A. 642
Harkness, Larned B . 568
Harless, Thomas ...120, 352, 370, 631, 644
Harman, William 80
Harman, William, Jr 80
Harmon, Charles L 34S, 513, 555
Harmon, Elijah D. 327
Harmon. Isaac - -- 327
Harmon, John K — 694
Harpel, Charles 668, 756
Harper, George — 700
Harper, John C --699, 700
Harriman, Ira 65S
Harrington, F -- 59S
Harrington, John C. 250, 294
Harrington, Scott W. 268, 298
Harris, A. J 545
Harris, B - -- .- 327
Harris, Jacob 49, 392
Harris, Robert 615
Harris, Solomon - 657
Harris, U. P 91, 94, IOO
Harris, W. H - 612
Harrison, Carter H 506, 652, 655
Harrison, II. II 624
Harrison, Rev. James 431, 432
Hart, Abraham 657
Hart. Levi W -271. 273, 298
Hartley, Calvin S - -- 65S
Hartmann, Rev 442, 443
Hartmann, Theobald 265, 266, 297
Hartmever, A. . 666
Hartsell. Thomas - 327
Hartwell, Rev. J 426
Harvey, Alonzo 49
Harvey, George M - 649
Harvey, Horace Acmon -_ 657
Harvey, Mrs. J. M - 313
Harvey, John I' 263, 296
Harvey, J. S 370
Harvey, S. A 646
Harvey. T. W 670
Harvey, William 658
Harvie, Andrew. 164,464, 669
Harwood, Elvis 644
Haskell, L. H 545
Haskins. Allen C 292
Hastie, Thomas 517
Hatch, Albert li 162, 189
Hatch, Heman 505
Hatch, Ira. 538
Hatch, Rufus 391
Hatch, Thomas C 50, 661
Hatfield, Isaac P 656, 657, 660
Hatfield, Robert M. 426, 445, 670
Hathaway, Amos \V 87, 66l, 662
Hathaway, William G. 116
Hatheway, Franklin 579
nn, Edward 295
Haven, Mrs. Aaron 538
Haven, Carlos 461
Haven, Rev. Joseph 431, 432, 433 447
Haven, Luther. .103, 104, 112, 159, 385,
535. 626, 721.
Haven, Samuel R .-
Hawes, F. M -
Hawk, Samuel 503,
Hay, Walter 538, 539, 540,
I layden, Edward
Hayden, Edwin
Hayden, Francis Asbury
Hayden, James R.--162, 163, 164, 165,
187, 189, 190, 2S8.
Hayden, M. M
Hayden, Richard N 263,
Hayes, Justin —
Hayes, S. J
Hayes, Samuel S. 103, 104, 105, 113, 159,
670, 762, 763, 764, 765.
Haynie, J. H._
Hay ward, John
Hazeltine, Charles P -
Ilazelton, George H 641,
Hazlitt, George K 655,
Heacock, Russel E
Heafford, George H — 228,
Heald, A. H
Heald, A. J._ 549,
Healey, Rev. J. W _
Healy, George P. A 199, 449, 556,
55S, 559. 753-
Healy, James T _
Healy, John J.
Healv, Robert W 221, 222, 224,
Heap, D. P
Ilearroon, William
Heartt, Abraham . .
Heartt, D. B
Heath, Monroe .. 50,601,
Heath, Sarah A
Hebard, Mrs. Alfred
Hecker, F. K. F 165, 196, 231, 232,
234, 289.
Hedges, Samuel P ... 541, 544,
Hedstrom, E. L 445,
Hefferman, James J
Hefter, Nathan
Heideman, George F.
Heidsmith, August
Height, Mrs. A. B
Heiland, E
Heilig, Charles A .-
Ileilman, Rev. A. S
Helmer, C. D... 431,
Helmuth, Charles A 393,
Helshire, F. E .
Ileminway, Francis D. _
Hempel, C. J
Hempstead, Edward 348, 373, 374, 644,
Hemstreet, William J 648,
Heinriehs, Miss C. L
Heinrichs, George
Ileinzman, George 232, 234,
Heissler, Jacob
Henderson, A. W 105, 265,
Henderson, Archibald ..
Henderson, C. M 511, 641,
Henderson, R. M
Hendrick, August —
Ilendrie, William A .656,
Hengerland, E. .
Hennersheets, James 657,
Hennessy, I)
Hennessy, M D
Henoch, J II
Henrotin, Charles --395.
Henrotin, Fernand 522,
Henrotin, Henry 273,
Henrotin, Joseph F 394, 395,
Henry, R. W 418,
Henshaw, Henry -
Hcnshaw, J. li
Henshaw, Mrs. Sarah E
Hepburn, Alexander
Hepp, Eugene 232, 234,
Herbert, George 164,
Ilerfurth, Frederick 268,
Page
Herrick, Elijah W . 503
Herrick, William B.-393, 449, 522, 524, 655
llerting, John --50, 764, 766
Hervey, Robert - 159, 467, 630, 669
Ilerzog, Anton 657
Herzog, Ignatz _. -657
Hesing, Anthony C 159, 165, 499
Hesing, Washington 499
Heydock, M. O 531, 538
Heyl, Rev. Michael 442
Hibbard, Homer N 453, 49S, 657
Hibbard, Spencer & Co .. 683
Hibbard, Thomas M 37°. 559
Hibbard, William G. 538, 646, 6S3
Hickey, John. - 140, 766
Hickey, P. J 50
Hickling, William 518
Hickox, S. V. R -. 499
Hielscher, Theodore 116
Higer, Lazarus 657
Higgie, James L 78
Higgins, Mrs. E 311, 313
Higgins, I. Newton 497, 499
Higgins, John 263
Higgins, J. M 615
Higgins, Levi 370, 371,625
Higgins, Louis H 225
Higgins, Milton H._. 301
Higgins, Patrick 191, 289
Higgins, Samuel B. H 667
Higgins, Van Hollis 159, 164,-167, 449,
456, 465, 495, 513, 644.
Higgins, W. S 598
Higginson, George M 101, 639, 642, 670,
690, 691, 701, 750, 752, 753.
Higginson, S. C 643, 644
High, George M 417
High, John, Jr 513, 626, 627
Highwood, C. - 560
Hildreth, James H -.50, 279, 725, 762
Hildreth, J. M 661
Hildreth, Joseph S ---531, 535, 536
Hill, Charles H --- 292
Hill, Edward f. 655, 659
Hill, Francis H.. 450
Hill, Joseph G 350
Hill, Leopold 658
Hill, Robert 504
Hillard, Charles W 677
Hillborg, John - --232, 293
Hilliard, Hiram -.26S, 29S
Hilliard, Lorin P.--159, 163, 369, 370, 517,
641. 6S9.
Ilillier, Edward G 277, 299
Hills, Charles H 292
Hills, D. Hobart 696, 697
Hills, Newberry C 338
Hilson A 657
Hilton, John C -352, 632
Himmel, Rev. Jacob 442
Himrod, George -- 49, 65S
Himrod, William, Jr 657
Hinckley, Charles. .370, 371
Hingeley, Thomas - 657
Hinkel, Freidrich 395
Hinman, B. P 647
Hinsdale, H. W 346, 348, 644, 646
Hinsdale. Mrs. H. W 211, 53S
Ilintze, Rev. Henry 442
Ilinz, Herman H - 196
Hirsch, Adolph M 62, 164
Hirsch, Meyer 447
llirschberg, Herman. - 658
Hitchcock, Alfred Wells 654, 657, 660
Hitchcock, Charles 120, 462, 513
Hitchcock, H 535, 55°
Hitchcock, Rev. Luke 426
Hitt, Mrs. Isaac R - .. 313
Hitt, John 386
1 llawin, Frank 650
lloagland, Andrew J 350, 370, 624
Hoagland, Martin 221
Hoard, Louis de Villers 587, 588
Hoard, Samuel. 103, 163, 389 390, 539, 553,
554. 555. 55D, 642, 647.
SPECIAL INDEX.
19
Hobbs, James B 364, 370, 371
Hodges, Rev. J. S. B 411
Hoes, James A - - 159
Hodman, Francis A. 1.69, 604, 623, 632
643, 644, 645.
Hoffman & Gelpcke 470, 620, 633
Hoffman, John 268, 297
Hoffmann, Michael __ . 519
Hogan, John S. C. _ 326, 327, 32S 390
Hoge, A. H - 320, 420
Hoge, Mrs. A. H..-310, 314, 315. 316, 31S,
319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324
Hoge, George B ---252, 253, 254, 294
Hoge, Jane C 671
Holberg, Louis 657
Holbrook, William B .-.228, 292
Holcomb, Hiram F 655. 659, 661, 663,
664, 666.
Holden, Charles C. P. -49, 50, 554, 612, 647,
701, 710, 711, 718, 719, 760, 761, 764,
76S, 769, 772, 773.
Holden, Mrs. C. C. P 766
Holden, Charles N 49,94, 103, 104, 108,
113, 439, 637, 638, 639, 641, 642, 643,
644, 645, 691.
Holden, Mrs. Charles N. 323
Holden, Levi P 235, 242, 293
Holden, Thomas K 657
Holland, Benjamin 116
Holland, C ... ..-. 646
Hollingsworth, James 512
Hollister, J. H." 431, 511, 522
Holmes, Albert A. .. ._ 504
Holmes, Charles B .. ... 650, 651
Holmes, Edward L. .522, 535, 53S, 547 553
Holmes, Ira ..616, 625, 629, 632, 647
Holmes, William G - -419, 420
Holt, D. R. -625, 626, 627, 691
Holt, J. G. - 65S
Holt, John T. 660
Holzers, Rev. L 405
llolyland, Charles 279
Honore, Henry H. 506
Honsinger, Emanuel. 546
Hooke, E. G. 159
Hooley, Richard M _ 609, 610
Hopkins, John L . 127
Hopkins, M. L 495
Hopkins, Maria. 116
Horner, Charles 69S
Horner, Henry 69S
Horner, Isaac N. 69S
Horner, Maurice 6gS
Horton, James M 6S2
Horton, Myron II 332
Horton, Oliver II 460, 469, 632, 670
1 Iosmer, Charles 15 \6j, 644
Hosmer, Charles H._ 162, 189
Hosmer, E. D 467
Hosmer, Harvey P 253, 254, 294
Hosmer, Mrs. O. E. . 166, 167, 310, 312,
3'3. 315, 320, 322,- 348.
Hosmer, Rockwood 645
Hosmer, R. W. 650
Hosmer, S. .. 162
Hoss, James H 52S
Hoswell, William B ._ 628
Hotaling, George W. - 65S
Hotchkiss, Charles T 50, 244, 245, 248,
249, 294, 359, 388, 761, 762, 763. 764,
765, 766, 76S, 771.
Hotchkiss, Mrs. C. T 766
Hottenstein, John II 208, 210
Hottinger, Anton _ _. ..lg, 50
Hough, Albert J _ 338, 339
Hough, Charles H 338, 339
Hough, Mrs. Lottie 59S
Hough, Oramel S 338, 339, 371, 641
Hough, Rosell M ..163, 167, 227, 261, 292,
29°. 338, 353. 354, 554, 631, 646.
Hough, Walter C. . 338. 339
Houghtaling, William D. 337, 338, 349, 352,
37°, 371. 554. 625.
Houghton, G. N 657, 658
Houston, D. C — 3g2
Houston , Robert 213
Page
Hovey, A. H 323
How, George M 360, 36g, 370, 624, 661
Howard, C. Bronson — 601
Howard, Charles M. 4ig, 420
Howard, Frank 5g4
Howard, G. D. 646
Howard, John A. 27S
Howard, S. G. D... _ 62S
Howard, Rev. W. G 434
Howe, Allen 625
Howe, James L 505
Howe, Oscar 201
Howe, R 511
Howe, Samuel ...369, 370, 374, 626
Howe, Mrs. Samuel 672
Howe & Robbins 374, 625
Howell, John C. 54
Howell, Mrs. John C. 666
Howell, Lewis" 624
Howells, W. B ... - 733
Howes, Allen --37°. 37T
llowison, George .- 658
Howland, George 10S
Howland, Henry 2TS, 292, 511
Howland, L. A._ . . ..*.. 145
Hoxie, John R. — -. — 632, 66:
Hoyne, Philip A 452, 453, 459, 667, 737
Hoyne, Temple S 541, 544, 545
Hoyne, Thomas.. 164, 167, 452, 453, 463,
5T3. 515. 517. 556, 557.630, 737-
Hoyne, Thomas M. 469, 737
Hoyt, Henry W. 578
Iloyt, Henry W. B 252, 254, 294
Hoyt, [esse - 374
Iloyt, I. F 388
Hoyt, J. Q 49, T59. 644
Hoyt, J. W 514
Hoyt, W. H 348
Hoyt, W. M 5S4, 699
Hubbard, C. T -- 642
Hubbard, Edward C. 633
Hubbard, Elijah K 624, 635
Hubbard, Gilbert ---227, 439, 645, 646, 670
Hubbard, Gurdon S. 49, 163, 235, 293, 327,
33°. 336, 338, 37°. 37i. 412, 5*7. 535,
550. 559. 56S, 5S1, 635, 636, 637, 639,
72S, 735-
Hubbard & Hunt . .-624, 636, 639, 643, 645
Hubbard, Louis I). 29s
Hubbard, William G 56S
Huber, Henry S 555
Hubert, H 116
Duck, John A 49, 759
Hudson, A. S --- 522
Hudson. Francis 655, 669
Hudson, H. S. 639
Huffman, Hoxie L * 2gS
Hughes, John 358, 601
Hughes, William H 614
Hughes, W. S 503
Hughitt, Marvin 135
Hughson, Marshall B 295
Hugunin, Hiram 555
Hugunin, James R..163, 164, 170, 173, 28S,
517-
Hugunin, Leonard C. 56S
Hulanski, Thaddeus C 277, 2gg
Ilulburd, Charles H 335
Hulbert, J. S 639
Hume, James.. 2S9
Hume, Wallace - 601
Humeston, Luther F igg, 200, 290, 53S
Humphrey, J. O 164
Humphrey, Z. M. 416, 422, 670
Humphrey, Mrs. Z. M - 323
Humphreys, David 636, 637
Humphreys, John W 505
Huncke, Carl 642
Hunt, Andrew L. — . 295
Hunt, Charles H 49, 636
Hunt, J. B. - - 5T7
Hunt, William C 213, 218, 2g2, 655, 661
Hunter, David 326,330, 569, 635, 689
Hunter, Edward E 327
Hunter, John.. - - 74<J
Hunter, John A 460
Page
Hunter, J. Garnis 420
Hunter, N. D. 419
Huntington, A - 164
Huntington, L. C. .- ''41
Huntley, Nathan W... 49, 50, 655, 657 658,
660, 662.
Ilunton, K. A 661, 662
Huntoon, Charles 717
lluntsinger, John — 276
Hurd, EbenC .. 655
llurd, Harvey B 460,461, 470
Ilurlbut, Edwin F , 681
Hurlbut, Frederick J 218, 291, 689
Ilurlbut, Horace A... 120, 348, .511, 644, 646
Ilurlbut, Horatio Nelson 525, 656, 661
Ilurlbut, John E 549
Ilurlbut, Vincent Lombard 662, 664, 665
Hutchings, William - 164
Hutchins, C. S 362
Hutchinson, Benjamin P 331, 360, 362,
368, 369, 370, 371, 624, 628, 646.
Hutchinson, C. L 646
Hutchinson, C. N. A 747
Hutchinson, William A 294
Hyde, Charles E. ._ __ 657
Hyde, Rev. James T 433
Hyde, Mary 116
Ilyer, Henry F. - 297
Hyland, David M 94,711, 713, 718
Hynes, Dennis J.... 259,260,268,296, 298
Hynes, John A. 191, 268, 289, 298
Ide, George B 439
Iglehart, Nicholas P 576, 641
Ingals, Ephraim 522, 538
Ingals, Ephraim F 522
Ingals, Mrs. E. F. 313
Ingalls, George A -- 159
Ingalls, William A 164
Ingersoll, George M. 661
Ingersoll, Lincoln 3S7
Inness, A. G 66g
Inness, William- 162, 164, 165, 189, 190, 288
Irish, William R 505
Irwin, David W. 368, 370, 371
Irwin, L. I) 370
Irwin, S. A 159, 3S7, 3S8
Isham, Edward S — 469
Isham, Ralph N...315, 317, 321, 393, 531,
550.
Isham, Mrs. Ralph N ... 315
Isham, Warren S 76, 4g5, 496
Isreal, M. - 657
Iverson, Knud - -- 444
Iverson, Thomas II - -- 77
Ives, E. L. 657
Ives, George A 632
Jack, Albert 655
Jackson, A. B 43S
Jackson, Abraham R 525
Jackson, Francis ... 268, 298
Jackson, James A 244, 24g, 2g4
Jackson, J. B 43°
Jackson, Obadiah 746
Jackson, Samuel 330, 555
Jackson, S. A -- 535
Jackson, W. C 421
Jackson, William F. B - 414
Jackson, W. W .- 654
"jacobi, Andreas 196, 198, 289
Jacobs, B. F 323, 324. 44S, 511, 57S
Jacobs, Daniel D 282
Jaeger, E 656
Jaeger, Joseph - 634
Jaehne, Julius 267, 268, 297
Jahnson, C 774. 775
James, Alfred 642, 644, 645, (5°
James, Charles C -- 295
James, Edward A -277, 299
James, Frederick T 651
James, John .. 647
James, Josiah L. --- 57°
James, Louis I -.162, 189
"James Nelson _ 282
"fames, William 91, 164, 669
James. William, Jr. .. . 22S, 229. 230. 292
Jameson, John A -- 4'3. 457
SPECIAL INDEX.
Page
Janes, John J 640, 641
Jansen, Egbert L 245, 449, 4S4, 4S6, 733
Jansen, Henry. 263,296, 297
Jarrett, E. M'. 662
J a v. I . Milton - 549
Jefferson, Rev. Reuben 43S
Jekelfalusy, Alexander 196
Jenkins, Daniel .. 625
Jenkins, Ebenezer . — 421
Jenkins, J. I - 642
Jenkins. Julius - 116
Jenkins, W. A. 503, 50S
Jenkins, W. H 661
[enkinson, William. 65S
Jenks, C. L 666
Jenks, Howard - 667
Jennings, J W -.- 607, 704
Jennison, H. F. 651
Jevne St Alraini- 35S, 55S, 559, 601
Jewell, James Stewart 531, 533
Jewett, S A. W._ - 424, 427
Johns, Henry - 290
Johnson, Alfred O.. - 211, 290
Johnson. Augustus - 651
Johnson, A. N... 593
Johnson, B. F .. - -- 644
Johnson, David - 65S
Johnson, E. 362, 642
Johnson, E, Jr. .. 550
Johnson, Mrs. E. S - 314
Johnson, Henry A 263, 656
Johnson, Mrs. H. A 315
Johnson, Hosmer A. 513, 514, 515, 522, 531,
532. 535. 536. 539. 552. 55&. 576, 660.
662, 664, 670, 769.
Johnson, Insley D — 657
Johnson, J 164
Johnson, James H 663
Johnson, Jesse 291
Johnson, J. M 679
Johnson, Mrs. Louis 323
Johnson, Orrin S .. 213
Johnson, Samuel M. .. --352, 369, 370
Johnson, Sanford 512
Johnson, \V. E 705
Johnson, W. P .. 154
Johnston, Anthony 666
Johnston, James B. 170, 2SS
Johnston, J. M 94
Johnston, Shepherd 102
Johnston, William M 475
Jones, Benjamin 570
Jones, Daniel A. .-.338, 345, 371, 630, 646
Jones, Mrs. D. A 312
Jones, E -- - 666
Jones, Eliphaz W -656, 662
Jones, Fernando 49, 588, 738
Jones, H. R 598
Jones, H. W 291, 536, 547, 553
Jones, J. M. W 489, 591, 629
Jones, J. Russell .- 121, 122
Jones, Miss M W 546
Jones, Nathaniels 372
Jones &: Patrick 633
Jones. Philander 693
[ones & Raymond 338, 345
Jones, R. R 677
Jones, Samuel _ 116
Jones. Samuel J 528, 531
Jones ic Sellers 586, 588, 589
Jones, Rev. S. Russell 408, 412
Jones, Tarlton 641, 691
Jones, William 535, 555, 573
Tones, William E 536, 568
Jordan, C. II - 450
Jordan, R. II 645, 651, 666
Joseph, Moses -- 657
Joy, Hiram - .. 49
Todd, Adaline R 671
Judd, Charles M 276, 299
Judd, Norman B...160, 385, 388, 449, 4'»2,
Judd. S. Corning 472
Judson, Edwin 517
Judson, Philo P 298, 449
Page
Juergens, D. L 763
Junge, Carl F. W. 312, 62S, 629, 647
Jussen, Edmund --- 387,38s, 474
jutkins, A. J.. . 425
Kafka, Edward 232, 293
Kalisch, Louis .. — 65S
Kalvelage. Rev. Ferdinand. 407
Kane, John O. ...-. 224, 292
Kann, Constantine — 49, 50
Karstens, Fritz . 649
Kaufeld, Charles .. 116, 656
Kaufman, K. D._ — 658
Kauffman, Henry A 87,657, 65S
Kaufmann, Moritz 290
Kay, William V._ --37'. 644
Kean, Samuel A 670
Keating, Thomas L .._ 399
Kedzie, A.S.. - 432, 433
Kedzie, John H. _ 412, 642, 669
Keeler, Leaveans J. ._ .- 180
Keeky, Michael.. 50
Keen, Joseph, Jr 702
Keen, William B. 159. 483, 702
Keep, Albert 135
Keep, Henry 559. 566
Keeton, William C 294
Kehbe, Edward 50
Keith, Abijah 357
Keith, Cyrus E 1S7
Keith, Dodge W _ 412
Keith, Edson 695, 696
Keith, Elbridge G. 454, 695, 696
Keith, John S. -.214, 291
Keith, Osborn R... --643, 695, 696
Kelley, E. J 645
Kelley, N. C -- 65S
Kelley, Richard C 250, 294
Kelley, Thomas F - --250, 294
Kellogg, A. B 519
Kellogg, A. W 697
Kellogg, C. P 639
Kellogg, Edgar H 643
Kellogg, I. H 666
Kellogg, j. L 541
Kellogg, Joseph 163, 164, 170, 228
Kellogg, Mrs. J. S .- 314
Kellogg, S. N . -- 694
Kelly, Charles V. ... 412, 415
Kelly, Henry 162
Kellv, James — - -- 625, 630
Kelly, J. H 667
Kelly, Patrick 161
Kelly, Thomas F. 401
Kelly, William S._ 268
Kendall, Charles B 296
Kendall, O 49, 159, 164, 643
Kendig, John A. }. . . 4So
Kennedy, George 669
Kennedy, James 506, 658
Kennedy, J . M 49. 612
Kennedy, S. M - 668
Kennedy, W. W 84
Kennicott, Amasa — 204
Kennicott, Jonathan A. .512, 545, 657, 66S
Kennicott, Mrs. Marie Antoinette 560
Kennicott, Ransom 189, 199, 200, 202,
203, 290.
Kennicott, Robert .514. 5*5
Kenson, James A. 615
Kent, Albert E. 163, 331, 336, 337, 338,
369, 370, 643.
Kent, Mrs. Albert E. 3'3
Kent, Sidney A 370, 371, 632
Kenyon, D.B 218, 291, 712
Kercheval, Gholson 327, 568
Kerfoot, Samuel 1 1. .550, 556, 557, 569, 573,
577. 589. 640.
Kerfoot, William D 577
Kern, Joseph 1 658
Kerr, William 661,681
Keymcr, Henry - 297
Kidder, N. B 625, 628, 671
Kidder. N. 1 263
Kilmorc, Uavid II 655, 659
Kimball, Abel 152
Page
Kimball, Mark. 631, 645, 655, 672
Kimball, O. E 661
Kimball, Spencer S 271, 298
Kimball, Walter 164
Kimball, William W. 595
Kimbark, D. A 591
Kimbark, George M. 513, 647
Kimbark, Seneca D. 646, 683
Kimberley, 1 ohn E 267
Kimberly, E S. 555, 694
King, Henry W...348, 349, 449, 644, 646,
670.
King, John B _. 5S9
King, John Lyle 49, 159, 160
King, R. S -. 641, 646
King, Rufus .. 474
King, Simeon W. 651
King, Tuthill 324, 517, 733
King, William H 104. 466
King, William W 440
King, Willis 690
Kingman, H. M 628
Kinney, Henry C 409
Kinney, Joel A - 95, 96, 164
Kinney, William H. 244, 249. 294
Kinsella, Thomas J. 163, 190, 191, 385
Kinsley, Herbert M 509
Kinzie, Arthur M 262, 745
Kinzie, George 746
Kinzie, Hunter & Co. 330,568
Kinzie, James 327, 51S, 568
Kinzie, John H..-159, 164, 327,393, 449,
5!3. 535. 56S, 626, 639, 642, 643, 670,
689, 745.
Kinzie, Mrs J. H. 484
Kinzie, Robert A 327, 328, 745, 746
Kirby, Abner _ _ 506
Kirchner, Frank 232, 234, 293
Kirk, James A. 699
Kirk, James S . 699
Kirk, John B 699
Kirkman, Marshall M 135, 139
Kittell, Charles .'. _ 222
Kittredge, Abbott E 418, 419, 763, 765
Klein, H 267
Kleist, William 290
Kletsch, Dominicus 232, 293
Klokke, Ernst F. C 196, 289, 658
Knapp, Christian 116
Knapp, Cyrus F 290
Knapp, J. H .. 419
Knapp, M. I 522
Knapp, (N. H.) & Co. 643
Knapp, S. L. 609
Knickerbocker, A. V 647
Knickerbocker, Charles 558
Knickerbocker, John J 50
Knickerbocker, Joshua C 50
Knight, C. A 370
Knight, Frank 282
Knight, John B 575
Knight & Marshall 575
Knight, William M 282
Knight, W. T. . 624
Knights, Darius. .94, 161, 271, 517
Knisely, Abraham 662
Knobelsdorf, Charles 165, 290, 632
Knowles, Rev. J. H 408
Knox, Edward B 187, 1S9, 190
Knox, George G 288
Knox, Joseph. 461
Knox, Joseph H 261, 296
Koch, Charles R. E 231
Koehler, Rev. R. 443, 447
Kohn, Abraham 49, 446, 645, 657
Kohn, H. A 632
Kohn, Morris 657
Kolar, Anton 717
Koneman, William A 678
Koon, H. II. 651
Kovats, Augustus -196, 197, 2S9
Kozminski, Charles 633, 635, 657
Kramer, Nathan 657
Kranz, G -- 116
Kreigh, C. W 370, 371
SPECIAL INDEX.
Page
Kreigh, David 352, 369, 370,641, 646
Kreismann, H . 49
Kretschmar, Ernest 658
Kroger, J. H 658
Krohn, Rev. J. J 444
Krorschall, Julius 645
Krueger, Carl W 297
Krukenberg, Barthold 293
Kuhl, Jacob 290
Kuhn.'M 666
Kuhnen, George 658
Kulhn, Rev. John B 405
Kune. Julian 196, 289, 340, 625
Kunreuther, Rev. Ignatz 446
Kurth, Frederick 222
Kurth, Julius 222
Kurz, Louis 489, 558
Kurz, M 489
Lackey, Robert M -.522, 553
Ladd, Merrill 348, 408, 647
Laflin, H. Dwight 189, 667
Laflin, L 667
Laflin, Matthew 159, 459, 517, 644
LaFramboise, Claude 327
Laimbeer, John W. _ 199, 200, 290
Lake, Albert B 279
Lake, David J --625, 630, 671
Lamb, Mrs. C. A. -321, 324
Lamberson, Cornelius B 187
Lamberson, D. \V _ 159
Lambrecht, Rev. Gotthelf 443
Lambrite, J. C . 651
Lamon & Cornish 705
Landis, E. M ._ 537
Lane, Albert G 108, 763, 767
Lane, Charles H 235, 238, 293
Lane, E 128
Lane, Elisha B 517
Lane, James 517
Lane, James H 161, 191, 2S9
Lanergan, T. W. 608
Lanfer, Charles 116
Lang, Thomas 196
Lange, O. L. 517
Langenfeld, Francis - 290
Langholz, Andrew H. 263, 296
Lanphere, George C. 662
Lansing, William N 276
Lantry, Michael 193
Lanzendorfer, Charles 232
Lapham, William 657, 666
Larglands, John 656
Larimore, Rev. J. W 422
Larminie, Samuel H. 372
Larned, Edwin C-159, 167, 463, 554, 638,
645, 670, 768.
Larrabee, Charles 591
Larrabee. Charles R 682
Larrabee, Lucius S 162, 189
Larrabee, William M 439, 550, 641
Larrabee, William R 513
Larsen, Tobias ._ __ 116
LaSalle, Jacob. 232, 293
Latham, Andrew J __ 371
Lathrop, Bryan _ __ 449
Lathrop, Edward B 629
Lathrop, Rev. S. G. 426, 427
Latshaw, John T 505
Lauer, Nicholas A 584
Lauer, Peter 293
Laughton, Bernardus H 327
Laux, C, Jr 658
Laverty, Thomas 218, 291
Lavigne, James W 267
Law, Robert _ 49, 159, 163, 630
Law, William, Jr 661
Lawler, Frank 609
Lawlor, Rev. Michael J . .402, 403
Lawrence, Edward F 370, 371, 644
Lawrence. James 292
Lawrence, J. F 489
Lawrence, J. W. 657
Lawrence, Lawman C 275, 299
Lawrence, Luella __ 766
Lawrence, M. A.. 370
Lawrence, Theodore F
Lawrence, William 2S3
Lawrence, Mrs
Laws, Calvin A
Lawson, Iver ... 49, 50, 83,
Laycock, Frederick 218,
Leake, Joseph B 202,
Leary, Michael
Leavitt, M. W
Lebrecht, Rev. Isidore
Lechler, Rev. G. W 442,
Leckie, A. C. .__
LeClair, Francis 26S,
Lederer, Joseph _
LeDuc, Mrs. A
Ledyard, Glen C _. 22S,
Lee, George F
Lee, George P 408,
Lee, George S
Lee, H. H
Lee, John C... _
Lee, William ...714, 715,
Lee, William K _
Lee, William L
LeGendre, Prof
Legg, Mathew . ..
Lehrkamp, Frederick _ .
Leighton, Tames . 208,
Leiter, Levi Z 639, 694,
Leland, Windsor
LeMoyne, John V. 474, 591,
Lenert, Peter _
Lengacher, Jacob - _.
Leonard, C. E 657,
Leonard, James .-
Leonard, Rev. J. H
Leonard, Matthew 250,
Leopold, Henry . . _
Leopold, Samuel F Si,
Lepelt, Albert T
Leslie, J. _
Lester, John T 332, 342,
Lester, Thomas T --213, 216,
Lester, William
LeSuer, Charles -
Lettman, Julius ._ 208, 210,
Letz, Frederick 56, 94, 163, 358, 679,
Letz, George F 661, 662, 663,
Letz, Jacob . .
Letz, Robert
Levy. N _._
Lewis, Edwin C.
Lewis, Erastus
Lewis, Henry F
Lewis, W. C. _
Lewis, W. G. ..
Lewitt, William _
Levdon, Rev. T
.164, 203, 204
bby & Harlow
berman, A.
ebenstein, Isaac
ght, Austin
ljencrantz, G. A. M
ncoln, David H 333, 370, 371,
ncoln, James M. __
ncoln, Robert T
nd, Sylvester 164, 580, 690, 691,
ndbergh, Moses O
nder, Usher F 159,
nk, John
nn, M. G
pe, Clark 762, 763, 764,
pman, Philip
ppert, Eugene W. ._
ppert, Henry E
ppert, Lothar 265, 266, 290,
ppert, Paul H._ 199,
ster, Walter
tchfield, H. G
ttle, Charles F
ttle, J. Z 600,
ttle, William
ttler, John J
vermore, Mary A. 310, 314, 315, 316,
320, 321, 322, 323, 441, 557.
Page
489
293
322
295
554
291
285
370
104
446
443
5"
538
292
702
538
661
662
282
71S
299
5"
76
327
65S
211
f'95
369
694
116
50
664
691
-445
294
657
82
116
421
364
2']I
6S9
279
29O
68l
679
679
94
657
651
641
449
657
646
522
405
508
657
657
290
656
657
661
469
692
234
463
661
371
765
658
289
420
297
289
576
643
187
609
522
225
318,
Page
Livermore, D. P 441
Livingston, N.J 657
Livingston, Robert 422
Livingston, Simon 658
Lloyd, Henry D 493
Loberg, N. P 661
Lobstein, John 392
Lochner, J 666
Locke, B. B. W 661
Locke, Christian n6
Locke, Clinton 410, 414, 538, 670
Locke, Mrs. Clinton 323, 538
Locke, Sidney E 662
Lockwood, S. T 651
Loeb, Adolph 159, 5S1
Loeb, William.. 234, 5S1
Loeber, Rev. Christian A 428
I.oewenthal, Joseph 633
Loewenthal, Julius 633
Logan, Hugh 661
Logan, John A 168
Logan, Joseph -263, 296
Logan, Thomas _ -263, 296
Lombard, Benjamin 625, 628, 629, 632,
644, 672.
Lombard, Isaac G 629, 644
Lombard, Josiah --625, 629, 632, 644
Lonergan, John C. 222
Lonergan, Thomas 384
Lonergan, Thomas --I59, 641
Long, E. C 626
Long, Mrs. E. C 321
Long, D 658
Long, James _ 49, 392
Long, Mrs. James.. 312, 313
Long, John... 159
Long, John C -.162, 1S0, 1S9, 2SS, 295
Longley, A. W 505
Longley. Hiram 502, 505, 507
Loomis, Clark E . 294
Loomis, E. B 163
Loomis. Horatio G 330, 513. 515, 518
Loomis, John Mason 670
Loomis, John M. ... --213, 290
Loomis, Mrs. John M 312, 313
Loomis & Ludington 693
Loomis, Mason B 475
Lord, Rev. Daniel 418, 421
Lord, F. A. 541, 545
Lord, James F 692
Lord, John S 254, 294
Lord, Moses S _ 218, 291
Lord, Willis 418, 420
Loring, S. E. _ 558
Lossburg, Henry 264
Lott, E R 658
Lotz, Carl _ 234, 293
Louis, Abraham 657
Lounsbury, C. W 666
Lounsbury. W. B 637, 639,642, 643
Lovell, Ogden 208
Low, Charles H _ _. .. 651
Low, William H.. 369, 370, 371
Lowe, Joseph Porter 660
Lowe, Samuel A 295
Lowell, Wallace A 647
Lowenthal, Berthold --447. 632, 633
Lowrie, William W _ 298
Loy, John G. 299
Loyd, Alexander 555, 692
Loyd, A. T 487
Lucas, R. G - 657
Luce, Frank M 139
Ludington, Nelson 369, 629,646, 692
Ludlam, E. M. P 545
Ludlam, James D 250,261, 296
Ludlam, J. W 449
Ludlam, Reuben 541, 542, 545, 765
Ludlam, Mrs. Reuben 312
Ludwig, John 487
I.udwig, O. C. -._ 658
Ludwig, Roscoe F. 546
Luff, Edmund 297
Luff, William M 263, 264, 296
Lull, O. R. W..633, 634, 637, 641, 693, 705
SPECIAL INDEX.
Page
■ Lumbard, Frank 106, 594, 611
Lumbard, J. G 591, 612
Lumbard, Jules _ 609
Lunt John 2S2
Lunt, Orrington 163, 373, 374, 449, 641,
644.
Lunt, Stephen P 374
Lunt, W. H 370, 374
Luse, A. P 4S7
Lusk. Peter C - 655
Luxton, Edward D .. 295
Lyke, John W. __ 375
Lyman, George W. 252
Lyman, Henry M --522. 536, 53S, 553
Lyman, William C. - 553
Lynn, I. P 522, 555
Lyon, George M 63S
Lyon & Healy _ 596
Lvon, John B..332, 353, 36S, 370, 371, 625,
646.
Lyon, Nicholas 536
Lyons (Joseph M.) & Co 633
Lvons, Rev. Michael 404
Lytle, Robert T. 467
Lytle, William H 237
McAdams, James G 162
McAfee, John 193
McAllister, William K...i5g, 455, 45S, 459
McAndrus, P.. 661
McArthur, A. L. 531
McArthur, James M 172, 28S
McArthur. John-56, 162, 163, 169, 170, 172,
173. *79. 2SS, DD9. 7°3-
McAssey, John.- 250, 252, 294
McAvov, John H 50, 764, 766, 771
MoBean, C 658
McBean, G._ 65S
McBerney, J. 661
McCabe, R. ,. 704
McCaffrey, John 50
McCagg, Ezra B 314, 31S, 321, 322, 410,
467.478. 5li> 513. 514, 515.517.535.
550, 556, 557, 553. 559. 645, 670, 691,
752.
McCagg, George 298
McCaila, Mrs. Thomas __ 312
McCampbell, Amos G 334
McCann, H. M _ 66S
McCarthy, Benjamin F 91
McCarthy, John 263, 264, 296
McCarthy, J. J 632
McCarthy, Lawrence S -250, 252, 294
McCartney, Joseph A. .... 276
McCauley, James. 56, 771
McCauley, John 91
McChesney, R _ 337, 370
McChesney, Simon 426
McChesney, Waters W __ 189, 25S, 295
McCleavy, Smith 49, 250, 294
McClellan. George B. _ ... 669
McClellan, George R 655, 659, 666
McClellan, James 0 292
McClure, Andrew 450
McClurg, Alexander C 235, 243, 294, 4S6
McComas, E. W _ 405
McConnell, Edward 581
M<< onnell, George 581
McConnell, John 581
McConnell, Rev. William 422
McCormick, Adams & Co 363
McCormick Bros. & Kindlay 649
McCormick, Cyrus Hall.. 363, 494, 495, 511,
62'. 688, 689,
McCormick, Cyrus II.. (r 688
McCormick, [zander [. 685
lick, William S 684, 689
nuel 50, 762, 763, 766, 77 r
William J 27r, 29.S
, Samuel 1 1. -344, 362, 365, [I
3°9. 37". 37'. 646.
McCredie, William 145
McCullough, [oseph I: 49S
McDermott, Michael 708, 709
McDermott. M. M
399
MclJcvitt, John 61-
Page
McDonald, Alexander. 225
McDonald, George W __ 250, 294
McDonald, Homer C. 236, 294
McDonald, Malcolm 49, 190
MacDonakl, P. S 538
McDonald, Thomas 251
McDonnell, Charles 4S7, 517, 669
McDonough, J. E. _ 600
McDougal, J. A 669
McElroy, Daniel 190
McElrov, Solon 632, 633
McElroy, W. C 385
McElwain, George 159, 655, 661
McEnery, Thomas 669
McEvan, P _ 421
McEwen, John _ 512
McFarland, Charles 663
McFarland, J. S. 662
McGennis, John W __ 50, 449, 512
McGeoch, Everingham & Co 332
McGirr, Thomas 195, 2S9
McGivern, Rev. T. F 404
McGrath, James _. 669
McGrath, James J 50, 763, 771
McGrath, Justice C. 271
McGregor, John P. . _ 629
McGregor, William __ 65S
Mclienry, William E --35°. 366
Mcllroy, Daniel 103, 461
Mclntyre, J. S 657
McKay, J. H. 661
McKay, James R 374, 375, 692
McKay, John .._ 693
McKay, Samuel 164, 658
McKee, David -. 327, 328
McKeever, J. L _, 585
McKenzie, William L. 193
McKeon, Rev. F 39S
McKindley, J. G. -._ 651
McKindley, William 644
McKubbin, Charles N 449
McLaren, John - 655
McLaren, Malcolm. 65S
McLaren & Warren 340
McLaughlin, Mrs. Catharine .. 709, 714, 718
McLean, Duncan --T7°, 172, 173, 288
McLean, James E 385, 721, 723
McLean, John --45I, 522
McLean, R. P._ 164
McLeish, Rev. 422
McLennan, Hugh.. 352, 353, 369, 379, 320,
646.
McMillan, John B 116
McMorrine, J. _ 661
McMullen, James C 141, 142, 615, 632
McMullen, John 397, 398, 399, 404, 406
McMurray, Francis 164, 190, 191, 289
McMurtry, Alexander C235, 238, 242, 293
McNally, A 487, 658
McNally, James. 487
McNally, John 612
.McVickar, Brockholst. . .292, 310, 393, 394,
535. 55o, 553. 555, 7nS.
McVickar, B. L 608
McVicker, James II. .162, 314, 459, 597, 59S,
600, 601, 610, 612, 664.
McVicker, Mrs. J. H 597
McWilllams, David 629
McWilliams, James 657
McWilliams, John G 213,291, 695
McWilliams, Samuel A. -.531, 534, 664, 666
Maas, Phillip _ 450
Mabie, John S._ . .. _ . 292
Macallister, Hugh 669
Macalistcr, John 50, 104, 553, 669
Macarthy, Harry 609
Macauley, G 658
Macbeth, Isaac N 657
Mack, Alonzo W 41)7
Mack, Mrs. !•'.. S 116
Mack, R 116
Mackay, F. I'' 600
Macken, Rev. John 399
Mackenzie, A 392
Mackenzie, Rev. Robert 420
Page
Mackie, Rev. G. W 423
Maddy, Thomas 313
Maes, Rev. Ignatius 402
Magan, Rev. John 400
Magee, Guy 498
Mager, Rev. J. B ._ 400
Magie, Arthur 743
Magie, Haines H. -.569, 626, 642, 644, 743
Magie, Mrs. H. H 743
Magill, Charles J 7S, 370
Magill, Rev. G. J 408
Magill, Jacob C. 585
Magill, Julian 369, 370
Magill, W. C 643
Maher, Hugh 503, 555
Mahia, F 531, 53S, 549, 554, 556
Mahoney, C 661
Mahoney, Jeremiah log, 113
Mahoney, Timothy 294, 661
Main, Edwin M... 296
Maitland, John 369
Maitland & Scanton 625
Majerus, Rev. Theodore 405
Major, Laban S 548
Malley, William 658
Mallony, William H 633
Malmborg, Oscar 208, 291
Maloney, David F. 292
Maloney, Rev. P 400
Mandel, Leon 657
Mandeville, C. E. 427
Manierre, George — 159, 160, 163, 167, 454,
513, 514
Mann, Mrs. Eliza 598
Mann, John 327, 6S9
Mann, Orrin L. 203, 204, 205, 206, 290,
387, 388. 762, 763, 765, 766.
Mannheimer, M 553
Mansur, George B. 50
Maple (J.) &Co 625
Maple, Thomas.. 348, 357, 369, 370
Marble, Andrew J 49, 328
Marcus, A. 657
Marcus, Louis 658
Marcuse, Theo 657
Marder, John 487
Marguerat, E 538, 547
Marks, Isaac 657
Marks, James 645
Marot, j. P 369
Marquis, D. C 422, 447
Marquis, Leopold.- 658
Marschner. Berthold 164, 267
Marsh, C. B. - _ 657
Marsh, C, Carroll 289
Marsh, Gustavus 264
Marsh, Joshua L 667
Marsh, Sutton -.. 555
Marsh, Sylvester 164, 334, 338, 666
Marsh, W. R. 553
Marshall Frank B 204, 290
Marshall, G. C 657
Marshall, James A 517, 56S, 651, 654
Marshall, James M (9, 330, 575
Marshall, Samuel 77
Marshall. Thomas A. 623
Marten, R.I! .- 487
Martin, Anna 59S
Martin, Edward 218, 291
Martin, J 598
Martin, Lewis H 221
Martin, William 533
Marx, FelixC - 297
Marx, John 1'' 267, 26S, 297
Marx, Matthew .162, 232, 267, 293
Mason, Andrew B - 655
Mason, Carlile 179
Mason, Edward G 4S5
Mason & McArthur. 179
Mason, George 2S8
Mason, Harvey 1 257, 295
Mason R. I!. 50, 51, 56, 119, 228. 292, 554,
556, 582, 639.' f,7o, 725, 740, 762, 764,
766, 767, 769, 773, 775, 776, 77S, 779,
780.
SPECIAL INDEX.
23
Page
Mason, R. II 725
Mason, Richard -- 689
Mather, Hiram F 159, 163, 417
Malher, Clary & Co 332
Mather, W. T 369
Matteson, Mrs. Cassie - 591
Matteson, Andre 496, 497
Matteson, Fred 165, 292
Matson, Lewis E 430
Matson, Newell 698
Mattern, F. W 666
Matthei, Phillip H 526
Matthews & Ball _ 364
Mattison, Henry C 187
Mattocks, John 472
Mattocks & Mason 472
Matz, Otto H. ---565, 6n
Mauff, August 196, 2S9
Maulton, John H 50S
Maurer, Allen D 297
Maurer, Cass F 655
Maurer, David T 295
Maxwell, Philip 327,328, 555
May, Charles R 291
Mayer, Aloys 196
Mayer, Frank .. 632
Mayer, Leopold .. 159, 447, 625, 633, 634
Mayer, Samuel 65S
Maynard, E 632
Maynard, P. C 632
Mavnard, William J 394
Maypole, J. J 65S
Maxell, William 200
Meacham, Florus D. 2S7, 299
Meacham, Frank , 297
Meacham, Silas 392
Mead, Aaron B. ... 575
Mead, William G. 228, 292
Meadowcroft Brothers 633
Mears, Charles _. 691, 692
Mears, Charles H . 692
Mears, Nathan_36g, 370, 439, 646, 691, 692
Medill, Elinor 766
Medill, Joseph 50, 51, 491, 492, 500, 557,
765. 7&3. 771, 777.
Medill, Mrs. Joseph 310, 313, 766, 771
Medill, Kate 763, 766
Medill, S. J 615
Medill, William H 259, 260, 261, 296
Meech, George A.. .. 49, 159, 481
Meeker, A. B .. 631,673
Meeker, Joseph (22, 423, 517
Meeker, George W. __ 453, 454
Meier, F ._ 395
Meister, C 666
Mellen, W. S 139
Melville, William R 663
Mendson, E 271
Mengel, August . 290
Mercereau, T. W. P 53S
Meredith, F. A 668
Merki, John ._ 649
Merki, Louis. 649
Merrell, B _ 657
Merriam, Joseph W 472
Merrick, Charles C 291
Merrick, Richard T 461
Merrill (C. R.) & Co 693
Merrill, George W S55
Merrill, W. E 392
Merriman, Daniel 295
Meserve, Curtis C 104, III, 658
Meserve, W. F. P 50S, 509
Messer, Erwin B 200, 203
Messner, Rev. George 442
Mest.iyer, L 610
Metlar, William 295
Metz, Seward C 295
MetZijer, Jacob L. _ 506
Metzger, William 658
Metzke, F. 658
Meyer, C. B 627
Meyers, Leo. 713
Michaelis, A 116
Middleton, John 657
Page
Midgely, J. W 615
Mihalotzy, Geza 162, 163, 164, 196, 199, 289
Miles, James II 659, 660, 662, 664
Miles, Nelson A 734
Miles, Samuel 164
Millar, J. Morton 370, 371
Millard," A. C 664
Millard, B. F 160
Millard, Norman A 431
Miller, MissAdaline 314
Miller, A. M 392
Miller, Anna 611
Miller, Benjamin S. 536
Miller, C. H 667
Miller, Chauncey _i8o, 189, 288, 297
Miller, De Laskie 522,535.538, 539
Miller & Drew .647,651
Miller, George 657
Miller, George M ---653, 762
Miller, Henry G. 103, 477, 725
Miller & Hood .. 74
Miller, James R. 647
Miller, Rev. John 442, 443
Miller, John C _ — 464
Miller, Leonard ... 392
Miller, Mathias 550
Miller, Orson C 235,237, 294
Miller, Samuel 327
Miller, Thomas E 657, 661, 663
Miller, T. L. _ 639,643, 644, 651
Miller, Truman W 394, 553
Miller, Warren. - _. 159
Miller, William 713
Miller, William M 657
Miller & Wilmarth 624, 645
Milligan, Henry J. 295
Milliken, Isaac L 555
Mills (J. R.) & Co ---159, 580
Mills, J. W 661
Mills, L. L _. . .. 763
Mills, Royal A. B 159, 412, 580, 657
Milne, Robert -617, 690
Milne, William B ...660
Milward, Henry 350, 352, 353, 370, 371
Miner, A. B _ 631
Minor, C. E 666
Minot, Jesse — 661
Mitchell, Arthur 417, 445
Mitchell, C. E. 43S
Mitchell, E. W. ._ 624
Mitchell, Francis M _ 624
Mitchell, J. S. 541
Mitchell, Lewis B 299
Mitchell, R. M __ 369
Mitchell, Samuel 4S9
Mitchell, Wiliiam L 475
Mitchell, William M. 664
Mitchell, W. W -.325, 369, 660, 662
Mix, Tames 623
Mix, S. C 661
Mixer, A. H 515, 517
Mixer, Charles H. S 370, 371
Moeller, Carl C. 371
Mohr, Samuel. - 655
Mohrmann, William 22S, 292
Monroe, Henry S. 469
Montandon, James E. -213, 29T
Montgomery, Joseph A .50, 662
Montgomery, George W._ 643
Montgomery, P. A 649
Moody, D. L...182, 183, 323, 324, 445, 511,
670.
Moody, Otis 213, 291
Moore, Avery 50, 104
Moore, Charles E.. 161, 190, 191, 289
Moore, Edmund 296
Moore, Jabez II 271
Moore, Mrs. J. H — 313
Moore, J. M 640
Moore, John A. 271
Moore, Jonas 657
Moore, Joseph H. 164, 640, 641
Moore, Rev. J. W 442
Moore, Orren'E. 761, 764, 765, 766, 768,
769, 771-
Page
Moore, Mrs. Orren E 766
Moore, R. E _ 558
Moore, Silas M. 419, 420, 575, 640, 641,
645, 658.
Moore, Thomas 289, 290
Moore, William T. 290
Moores, D. B 641
Moran, James _. 669
Moran, Patrick 339, 340
Moral, John 162
Moref ord Bros 633
Moretta, Peter 101
Morey, Henry C 576
Morrit, J. C 522
Morford, Robert H 449
Morgan, Adaline C 671
Morgan, Elisha 22S
Morgan, Francis M 270
Morgan, George W 602
Morgan, Jacob 517
Morgan, John R 257
Morgan, R.J 641
Morgan, T. J 438
Morgan, Thomas L 657
Morgan, T. S. 636
Morrell, Henry H 411
Morris. B. B 164
Morris, Benjamin P. . 633
Morris, Buckner S. 309, 467, 555, 641
Morris, J. F.. . 763
Morris, Nelson _ 657
Morris, M 657
Morrison, Alexander 690
Morrison, J. C 609
Morrison, Martin. 289
Morrison, Orsemus 570
Morrow, W. T 657
Morse, Albert 345, 370, 624
Morse, F. E 615
Morse, J. C 677
Morse, J. E 645
Morse, Charles T. 547
Morse, D. A 522
Morse, Robert B 218, 291
Mortimore, Michael 704
Morton, A. P 117
Morton, George C. 6qi
Morton, Quin ... . 191, 289
Moseley, Flavel-103, 104, 107, 535, 555, 671
Moses, Hiram P 679
Moses, Rev. Marx 446
Moulton, Byron P 629
Moulton, Joseph T 657, 661
Mourning, Samuel.. _ 297
Mowry, A. L. 681
Mowry, Henry C. . 22S, 229, 292
Moynihan, Humphrey J. 297
Mozart, T- M - 667
Mueller, "A. H... 670
Mueller, Charles L - 293
Mueller, George H 657
Mueller, Johh 658
Mugridge, Daniel S ..-- 341, 624
Muhlke, Tohn H --4S2, 550
Muir, W.T 655,656,657, 660
Muirhead, James 651
Mul finger, George L. 428
Mullen, John T. 612
Muller, Rev. Joseph 405
Muller, W. H 538
Mulligan, James A.-163, 165, 190, 195, 289,
3°i. 484-
Mulvey, F. P 657
Munchrodt, Simon 658
Munger, AlbertA - 374
M linger, Charles E. 662
Munger, Wesley 321, 369, 373, 374, 375,
554, 624, 630.
Munn, Benjamin. M. 465
Munn, Ira T. 319, 321, 338, 345, 347, 348,
349, 354, 36?, 369, 370, 371, 375, 497,
554, 604, 646, 647, 762.
Munn & Scott 368, 373, 374, 375, 624
Munro, William 625
Munroe, F. A - 598
24
SPECIAL INDEX.
Page
Munson, Parnell -- - 121
Murphey. B. F 366, 370, 371
Murphev. C. F _ 369
Murphev. Robert P 371
Murphy, J. K - 645, 651
Murphy, lohn -.2so, 251, 252, 292, 294
Murphy, P. J. R - 401
Murray & Brand - 617
Murray, Charles - 139
Murray, Edward 191, 2S9
M array, John \V _ 22S, 292
Murray & Gold 35S
Murray i Schwartz 342
Murray, William H 342
Murray & Winne 601
Musham, William 91, 96, 100, 709, 711
Musselmann, Elias .. 342
Mussou, James W _ 667
Myers, Eugene B. 485, 662, 664
Myers, J _. 657
Myers. Leo 95, 98
Myers, Max .. 159
Myers. R. R 125
Myers, Samuel. 49, 599, 600
Myers, Sidney.- __ 62S
Myrick, W. F 613, 614
Naghten, John 640
Xaghten, M. J 640
Nash, Ebenezer O 164
Nash, Henry H. 388, 721, 724, 761
Nash & Wright _ 339
Nason, William 370
Nathans, Samuel T 162, 189
Nazro, Charles A _ 290
Nealy, J. W. ... 670
Neeley, Albert E 625
Xeeley, John C 276, 630
Nellegar, R. 159
Nelson, Andrew 449
Xelson, C. B _.. 6S2
Xelson, Daniel T. 531, 533
Xelson, John 84, 606
Xelson, L. S. - 116
Xelson, Murry -- 125, 348, 370, 375, 513,
670, 771.
Xelson (Murry) & Co 362, 365, 625
Xelson, William B _ 658
Xcuberger, Philip 446
Xeumeister. C. 666
Xew. J. E. 661
Newbarger, Emil 265, 297
Xewbern, J. W 666
Newberry, Edwin O 657
Newberry, I.. 374
Newberry, Oliver 327, 328, 330, 6S9
Newberry & Dole, 326. 327. 32S, 330, 673, 6S9
Newberry, Walter L. .. 103, 104, 107, 513,
5M.' 535. 550, 555. 556, 557, 568, 571,
626. 627.
Newby, A. J _ 651
Newell, John 153
Xewhouse, J. L 84, 91, 459
Newman, Augustus 141, 143
Newman, Benjamin ..505, 506
Newman, Benjamin 1 505, 506
Newman, Harvey R _ 505, 506
Newman, John — --731. 732
Newton, M. 612
('.. K 547
Nichols, Erastus A .. 299
Nichols, George W 295
Nichols, John A 159, 641
Nichols, Luther 164, 517
Nichols, Melville S 370,625
Nichols, Rev. Starr H. 429, 431
Nichols, Thomas 661
Nichols. Washington A 433
Nickerson, Samuel M 353, 370, 624,
704.
Nicolai, James J .... 116
Nicolai, John 1 116
NiehofT, Conrad I 633, 634
Nieman. Anton 164, 199, 200, .
rlcorn, Dominic 402
Nieuwenkamp. !.. J. J 395
Page
Nisbet, Archibald 421
Nissen, Lawrence J. J 263, 264
Niven, John 666
Noble, John 327, 328, 568
Xoble, Mark 327, 328, 568, 576
Xoble, W. T 559
Xoburg, Niles 65S
Xolan, J. H 651
Noonan, Patrick M 400
Xorcum, F. B 535
N orris, J. W 657
Xorth. Curtis L 431, 641
North, Levi J 49, 610
North, Robert L 682
Northwestern Manufacturing Co. . . 680, 759
Xorthrup, Charles 208, 209
Xorthrup, G. W._ 436 43S
Norton, David W. 208, 290
Norton, E. M 656
Xorton, H. & Co 673, 690, 691
Xorton, Jesse O 464
Norton, Lemuel D 370, 371, 644, 646
Norton, L. J 69S
Norton, Nelson R 689
Norton, W - 625
Norton, A. & G. L 691
Norton & Co ... .. 738
Nourse, Francis 651
Nowlin, L. 159
Noyes, Edward H 364
Noyes, John, Jr 170, 28S
Nye, James W 683
Nyman, John C 641, 642
O'Brien, Martin - 559
O'Brien, Thomas 101
O'Brien, Rossell G 295
O'Conner, Michael 289
O'Connor, L. H 669
O'Connor, Patrick 161
O'Donoghue, Tohn J. W 669
O'Donohue, M. D 669
O'Hara, Edson L 535, 53S
O'Heron, Owen - - 289
0 Leary, Catherine Mrs 701, 70S, 709
O'Leary, Patrick- -707, 709
O'Meara, Timothy ... 249, 250
O'Neill, Edward 295
O'Neill, J 657
O'Regan, Rev. Anthony -397, 401
O'Rorke, Mrs. Mary 714
O'Sullivan, Eugene 164, 517
O'Sullivan, James J 49, 50
O'Sullivan, Michael 50
O'Sullivan, Rev. S '. 400
Oakley, Maurice -402, 403
Oberle, Francis 405
Ockerby, Thomas 666
Odell, James W 370, 375, 630, 646
Odell, Mrs. James W 597
Oertal, Albert C 633
Oertel (T. D.)&Co 625
Officer, Alexander 645, 691
Ogden, Mahlon D...50, 513, 550, 557, 568.
569, 626, 627, 645, 737, 745, 746, 747.
752, 753, 754, 759-
Ogden, Mrs. Mary Jane . .... 666
Ogden, William B .121, 135, 163, 449. 488,
489, 513, 514, 515, 519, 550, 555, 557,
568, 569, 626 627, 633, 651, 672, 678,
684, 704. 748.
Ohlmeyer, W 666
Olcott. H 657
Olcott, J. B 43S
Olcott, 'Mills 643, 645
Olcott, Orville 74
Olcott. William 651
1 »li ott, William M ..162, 1S9, 279
01cott& Boyd 640
Oldershaw, Captain ■ 614
Oliphant, William B 291
Oliver, |ohn A _ 517
I, A. 116
Oliver, John, Jr 716
Olmstead, Lucius D... 432, 574, 633, 639,
640. 641, 643, 644, 645.
Page
Onahan, William J 53, 104, 397, 669
Orcutt, W. F _ 506
Oriental F'louring Mills 738
Ortell, W 228
Ortmayer, Andrew 656
Osband, F^mbury D 271, 295
Osborn, William 164
Osborne, David 609
Osborne, Rev. J. W 412
Osborne, L. K 657
Osborne, Thomas O 164, 203, 204, 206,
290. 390.
Osby, David 174
Osgood, Rev. S. M 435
Osterman, H. 775
Otis, E. A __ _ 477
Otis, James 421
Otis, Joseph E 50, 52, 583
Otis, Lucius B. 413, 414, 509, 538
Ott, Rev. Christian 4.13
Ott, J. ... 666
Ouillmette, Antoine. . . 327
Overocker, Charles G 264, 296
Ovington, Wiliiam, H 121
Owen, IraH 79
Owen, L. D 658
Owen, Thomas J. V 327
Paddock, James H 661, 664
Padelford, W 657
Page, Benjamin V 513 629, 645
Page, D. W.._ .408, 53S, 646
Page, James P. 361
Page, Orville 646
Page, Peter 388, 644
Page, William W 587
Pagus, J 666
Paine, J. D. 538
Paine, Rev. Samuel-- 426
Paine, Seth 517
Palmer, A. B 555
Palmer, C. D 646
Palmer, Dennis 263
Palmer, H. R 594
Palmer, John M 773
Palmer, Percy W 637
Palmer, Potter. 352, 509, 513, 615, 632, 695
Palmer, William D 116
Paoli, Gerhard C 528, 538, 555, 556
Paramore, LaFayette 228, 292
Pardee, Frank 636
Pardee, Harry T 636
Pardee, Rev. Luther - . 636
Pardee, Theron 56S 635, 636, 637-
Park, George H ._ 692
Park, George K 225
Park, William A 632
Parker, George G 372
Parker, Henry 514, 535, 538
Parker, Henry M 295
Parker, Isaac 661
Parker, J. Mason 587
Parker, Mrs. N. H 312, 313
Parker, O. 1 661
Parker, Thomas 353, 369, 370
Parker, T. L. 691
Parkes, Charles T._ 522, 537
Parkes, John C 676
Parkhurst, Matthew M 425, 426
Parkins, George B _ 666
Parks, C. C... 625, 633
Parmelee, Franklin 11S, 119, 459
Parmelee, J. W 719
Parsons, 11. C 666
Parsons, J. B . 412
Parsons, J. E 511
Parsons, John 162
Parsons, Justin 642
Parsons, L. V. 369
Parsons, Myron C 655
Pasco, Henry L 636
Pasdeloup, Francis 5S7
Pashley, [ohnS. 291
Passavant, W, A 539
Patch, A. 658
Patten, A. W 427
SPECIAL INDEX.
25
Page
Patterson, A. L 495
Patterson, Mrs. J. L. 313
Patterson, R. J 531
Patterson, Robert \V 417, 418, 419, 422,
513-
Patterson, T, E 449
Patterson, Theodore Henry --539. 661
Patton, Rev. Francis L 41S, 423
Patton, Robert W 763
Patton, W. W..315, 317, 320, 321, 322, 428,
445-
Patton. Mrs. W. W. 323
Patrick, Benjamin F 655, 662,664
Paun, Julius 196, 2S9
Payne, Eli 661
Payne, Eugene B. 200, 201, 203
Payson, George.. __ 541, 746
Payson, J. R. __ 645, 652
Peabody, Francis B 5S4, 644
Peabody, James B 341, 345
Peacock, Charles D 49
Pearce, J. Irving 503, 504, 647, 777
Pearce, Willard 65S
Pearce, W. L 503, 504, 506
Pearson, Hiram -327, 568
Pearson, J. H 763
Pearson, John M 662
Pease, Benjamin Lovering 586
Pease, Henry 194, 2S9
Peaslee, W. A 203
Pebbles, Frank M __. 560
Peck, Azel A 512, 555
Peck, Charles ._ 557, 558
Peck, Charles E 488
Peck, Ebenezer 449, 550, 557
Peck, Ferd W. _ ._ 460
Peck, James 374, 641, 690
Peck, John H. 199, 200, 290, 295
Peck & Noyes ... 364
Peck, Philip F. \V. 327, 328, 56S, 733
Peck, William W 667
Peet, Rev. Stephen ._ 432
Peironnet, James S. .- - 353
Peironnet, William F 353
Peltzer, Otto... 606
Pendleton, C. H 625
Penfield, H. D 511, 651
Pentield, William P 295
Perkins, David W 228, 292
Perkins, George W 640
Perkins, Gurdon 49
Perkins, Jenks D. 140
Perkins, J. R 662
Perrett, Joseph C. 663
Perrin, Mrs. Sarah G 610
Perry, Charles S 549, 5^0
Perry, Rev. H. M 666
Perry, J. O 666
Perry, Oliver Hazard 492
Perry, Theodore.. 374
Perry, Thomas W 661
Peters, Henry M. 267, 297, 655, 658
Peters, Joseph G 279
Peters, William 716
Peterson, Charles E. B 658
Peterson, Peter 604
Peterson, William 275
Peterson, W. F 651
Petitt, Charles _ 612
Petrie, Charles S. - 91, 97, 713
Pettee, Charles 655
Pettee, George W. _ 662
Pettibone, J. F. _ 666
Pettitt, R. W .370, 371
Pfeiffer, Charles 651
Pfiaum, M 657, 658
Pfund, John 657
Phelps, George S 263, 296
Phelps, Joseph B 370
Phelps, S. D 765
Phillio, Addison 661
Phillips, Bezaleel _ 633
Phillips, B. W...628, 642, 644, 645, 646, 647
Phillips, Charles B _ ng
Phillips, Charles C -189, 20S, 290, 257
Phillips, D. L 644
Phillips, F. B 414
Phillips, F. L 666
Phillips, George S 499
Phillips, George W., Jr 353
Phillips, John.. 561
Phillips, John C. 164, 190, 191, 277, 278,
289, 290.
Phillips, N. A 140
Phillips, T. F. .._ 639, 642. 645
Phillips, William 646, 647
Phillips, William B 646
Pick, Albert 395
Pickard, Josiah H 114
Pickering, Aquilla H . 371
Pierce, Asahel _. 517, 519
Pierce, Celia _ . . 116
Pierce. Rev. Edward A. --42I, 422
Pierce, F. A 766
Pierce, L. A 661
Pierce, Reuben P 295
Pine, Theodore _ 55S
Pingree, William. 657
Pinkerton, Allen _ S7
Pinkham, H. B 657
Plankington & Armour 331
Plaum, Isaac . 295
Plimpton. Homer A 206
Pinta, S. E 632
Pitkin, Alfred H 656
Pitkin, S. G 567
Plamondon , Ambrose 663
Plate, C. J 625
Piatt, John R. 601
Plowman, J. H 662
Poiner, Charles T 658
Pollard, J. K 353, 517
Pollig, Matthew 537
Pomeroy, Richard 22S, 292
Pomeroy, S. B _ 369
Pomeroy, W. H 660
Pool, J. W 517
Pope, Charles .. 602
Pope, Charles B 360, 370
Portch, E. M 657
Porter, Anthony B - __ 295
Porter, Edward C 410
Porter, Mrs. Eliza C 315, 318
Porter, Mrs. Elizabeth__3l6, 317, 320, 322,
323-
Porter, E. Payson 108, 125
Porter, H. A.'. .._ 487
Porter, Henry H 137, 677
Porter, Hi bbard 517
Porter, H. T. __ 660, 692
Poller, Jeremiah 327, 431, 559
Porter, William 65S
Porter, William A 103, 457, 763
Potter, Alphonso W. 275, 299
Potter, D."S 641
Potter, E. C- 675
Potter, Horace S 294
Potter, Orrin W 670, 675, 676
Potter, Thomas J. 145
Potter, W. L. 675
Potter, W. T 661, 691
Pottle. J. W 370
Poull, Jacob __ 196
Poulsen, T. E 669
Poulson, William E. . .... ._ 637
Powell, Edwin -.208, 228, 230, 231, 290, 292,
522, 535, 536, 547, 553, 655, 659.
Powell, George 50
Powell, M. W 95, 663
Powell, William 661
Powell, William S ---50, 661
Powers, Heman G 554, 630, 646
Powers, H. G... 698
Powers, Rev. H. N 445
Powers, J. P 116
Powers, O. W 116
Pratt, Rev. James 671
Pratt, Leonard 541
Pratt, Silas 370
Pratt, Silas G 594
Pratt, William M. _
Preble, E. C
Prendergast, Rev. G
Prentice, N. F. 541
Prescott, H. S
Prescott, Joel 94
Preston, Isaac.
Preston, josiah W... 341, 362, 367, 369,
371, 374, 625, 633, 757, 762, 763
Preston & McHenry
Preus, Rev. A. C _
Price, Cornelius
Price, Jeremiah
Price, Samuel H 261
Price, Thomas B
Price, William 3S9
Prickett, George W
Priestly, Howard 360, 362, 364,
370, 371-
Prince, William H. -
Prindiville, John 74, 77
Prindiville, Redmond 49, 56, 104,
365. 367. 37°, 37', 632, 651.
Prior, Edwin C 22S,
Proudfoot, John J. A 420,
Proudfoot, L
Trussing, Charles G. E.
Prussing, Ernst 159,
Prussing, George F. _.
Pugh, Oliver M -..263,
Pulling H. G
Pullis, Washington B.' 224,
Pullman, Charles M _
Pullman, George M 615, 670,
Purdv, Warren G - ..
Purdy, W. H. ..
Purington, D. V .
Purington. George E 417,
Purinton, George L
Putnam, Joseph R
Putnam, S. P
Puzner, Joseph
Quales, Niles Theodore .. 536,
Quarter, Rt. Rev. William 399,
Queal, Robert F
Quigg, David
Quinby, Benjamin F 159,
Quine, W. E
Quinlan, Charles H. _
Quinlan, Mrs. J. D
Quinlan, S
Quinn, J. B
Quinn, John S. -
Quirk, Bartholomew
Quirk, Daniel 164, 190, 191, 195
Quirk. Daniel L. 369,
Quirk, Daniel W 191, 289,
Quirk, James 161, 164, 191, 193,
Raber, John
Rae, Noah W
Rae, Robert _
Raefsnider, William T
Raffen, Alexander W 162, 164, 165,
1S7, 2S8
Raffen, James W --1S7,
Raffertv, Patrick --49. 50,
Ragatz, J. H
Ramage, William J
Rand, William H 4S5, 487,
Rand, McNally & Co 485,
Randall, George B.
Randall, G. P 661,
Randall, Thomas D .
Randolph, Charles. .337, 350 352, 357,
360, 362, 367, 369, 370, 371, 624, 77
Randolph, Mary A
Randolph, William _. 279,
R anker, Charles
Rankin, A. A -
Rankin, James C
Rankin, John
Rankin, R. C
Rann, Charles H - —
Rannev, Henrv Collings 370, 662,
664, 665, '666.
678
400
662
651
95
666
370,
777
350
444
512
555
296
332
390
5i8
369.
271
752
163,
292
421
50
641
643
512
296
506
292
385
681
152
657
670
670
271
581
550
716
556
407
104
474
633
538
636
313
657
392
658
289
289
370
706
2S9
5°
238
475
°55
1 80,
669
647
182
657
487
292
662
661
358,
7-
116
282
116
625
225
669
125
392
66v
a6
SPECIAL INDEX.
Page
Rnnney, Mrs. O. D - 313
Ranny, J. E.. 125
Ranny, Robert 20S
Ransom, Benjamin — 505
Ransom. Porter A.. 22S, 292
Raplev. Miss M 116
Rapp,' T. H 666
Raschd'au, M 395
Ramussen Niels — 65S
Raster, Herman. 3S7, 3SS
Rattle, Thomas Stuart - -- 140
Rauch, John H.--522, 53S, 539, 549, 550,
552. 553, 556, 765, 76S.
Rawson, E 369. 370, 545
Rawson, S. \V. _. 627, 62S, 633
Ray. A. J _ -- 649
Rav, Charles H.--I23, 159, 3S7, 491, 492,
493. 513-
Ray. William A 763, 766
Raymond, B. F 321
Raymond, Benjamin W.. .159, 164,448,449,
' 513. 555. 56S, 636, 637. 639, 641, 645,
672, 67S.
Raymond, Charles L 33S, 345
Raymond, Lewis 213, 21S
Raymond, Samuel B. 213, 215, 218, 291
Raynolds, \V. F 392
Rea, R L .522, 535
Reading, G. X - 164
Real, Peter ... 250, 294
Reans, Henry L. 263
Redheld, George S .. 630
Redfield. Joseph B. .135, 139
Redheld. William B 1S2
Reece, Alonzo X. 294
Reed, Alanson 595, 596
Reed, Alanson H 595, 596
Reed, Alanson L 596
Reed, Asa D._ _ 631
Reed, C. F. - 541
Reed, Charles H 461, 513, 778
Reed, George W... ---277, 278, 279
Reed, Henry J. 196
Reed, Horatio 352
Reed, John 53S
Reed, J. H. -.--637, 643
Reed, Judson W 292
Reed, J. Warner 596
Reed, J. Warner, Jr _ 596
Reed, S. K ... 66S
Rees, James II 121, 164, 449, 550, 56S,
573, 577. 536, 589. 641.
Reeves, Isaac T 242, 2g3
Rehm, Jacob.. S3, S4, 606
Reid, Charles 32S
Reid, James 65S
Reid, John 22S, 292,487, 553, 766
Reid, Robert 617,625,626, 645
Reid, William H 656, 657
Reid, Murdoch & Fischer 700
Reillv, Frank W. 291, 553
Reiners, E. D 658
Reiser, Bernard _ 655
Reissig, Charles 678, 679
Reno, C. A. 49
Requa. S. F 645
Reynolds, A. B 553, 556
Reynolds, Birdie 766
Reynolds. Harman G .. 658
Reynolds, J. 1 324, 670
Reynolds, loseph S 104, 585, 586, 763,
765. 766.
Rhimes, James 293
Rhines, Henry 6l6
Rhodes, C. W 651
Rhodes. J. C. 658
Rhor, George W 291
Rice, Byron 628
Rice, C. II 50;
Rice, Daniel B 235, 294
Rice, Henry W 431
Rice, John A 503
Rice, John Blake 50, 164, 519, 551, 553,
Rice, Mrs. John li 596, 597
Rice, MaryE. S - -- 112
Rice, N. L 535
Rice, Oliver 22S, 292
Rice, William H 49, 159, 244, 245, 247,
249, 294, 597, 633.
Rich, M. Byron 412, 414
Richards, Jared W 208
Richards, John J. 163, 360, 369, 370, 624
Richards, T. M 343, 353, 365, 369, 615
Richards. R. P 362
Richardson, John H 657
Richardson, William 626
Richardson, W. D. - 646
Richardson, W. F 370, 371
Richberg, John C 104
Richman, Jacob 661
Richmond, C. T -- 370
Richmond & Hancock — _. 625
Richmond, Thomas 370, 506, 641, 642
Riddell, George W _ 612
Riddle, Hugh 151
Riedel, Ernst F 267, 297
Riegel, Rev. John 442
Riegert, Joseph.. 232, 234, 293
Rielzniger, Haver. - - 658
Rietz, Charles 670
Riggle, Urias R 658
Rigney, James M 244, 249, 294
Riley, Richard -.715, 718
Ring, E. H 639
Ring, PauIB 637
Riordan, Patrick W 401
Ripley, E. P. 146
Ripley, Mrs. William 765, 766
Riske, Emile 604
Ritchie, Hugh . . 669
Ritey, M. K - 615
Rittig, A. -. 267
Ritzmann, H 116
Robb, James 141, 559
Robb, Mrs 317
Robb, T. P -.. - 318
Robbins, B. F 660
Robbins, E 657
Robbins, Enos V 361, 369, 370, 374
Roberts, E. P .637, 638
Roberts, George R 691
Roberts, George W... ..208, 209, 210, 212,
290, 464.
Roberts, Harrison 271, 29S
Roberts, James H - 49
Roberts, John W. 601
Roberts, Porteus B - 503
Roberts, R. Biddle 460
Roberts, Theodore P 271, 29S
Robertson, Hugh - 65S
Robertson John P - 116
Robertson, Robert 65S
Robinson, Alexander 327
Robinson, A. D. . 5°
Robinson, A. II 661
Robinson, Mrs. F. W 311, 313
Robinson, George F 244, 249, 294
Robinson, George 1 278, 2S1, 299, 346
Robinson, R 369
Rochester, John 642
Rockwell, A. F 641
Rockwell, C. B. - 641
Rockwell, Charles F 633
Rockwood, Frank B. - — 279
Rockwell, F. M 670
Rodemeyer, I 267
Roden, Charles 263,264, 296
Rodgers, Henry A. 276, 299
Rodgers, J. Kearney -..639, 640, 642
Rodgers, S. I - 661
Roe, Charles T - 225
Roe, Henry 286,287, 299
Roehl, Nicholas. 658
Roesch, Rev. George 4°5
Rogan, Dennis 709
Rogers, B. Frank - 189
Rogers, Charles A 369, 625
Rogers, E. C 538
Rogers, Edward K 439, 626, 641, 673
Page
Rogers, Edward K, Jr 673
Rogers, E. R 449
Rogers, Frank 162
Rogers, Henry W., Jr 350
Rogers, James C -- 359
Rogers, John C -. 159
Rogers, J. F 637
Rogers, John Gorin 455, 666, 667, 763
Rogers, Patrick T. 658
Rogers, Samuel S - 626
Rogers, William B 633
Rogers, W. H 374
Rogerson, Joseph 450
Roland, Charles H 180, 213, 274, 288
Roler, E. O. F. 208, 290, 531, 553
Roles, Joseph P.. _ 399, 404
Rolli, John G 267, 297
Rollin, Arthur -. 663
Rollins, C. E 635, 650
Rollins, C. E 652
Rollo, William Egbert ... 640, 643, 644, 645,
651.
Rolshausen, Ferdinand H 196, 231, 232,
234, 290, 293.
Roman, Louis 658
Roman, Morris - 658
Ronavne, E 116, 659
Roof Albert E 682
Roos, B. L.._ 658
Root, Daniel S 536
Root & Cady -.159,484, 593, 594
Root, Ebenezer Towner --593, 612
Root, F. W. 594
Root, George F 484, 592, 593, 612
Root & Sons M usic Co 593
Rose, Augustus - 116, 658
Rose, Orrin J 56
Rose, Rufus --.213, 291
Rose, W. H -.-. 651
Roseberry, Isaac S 657
Rosenbauer, Rev. Charles 405
Rosenthal, Isidor... 658
Rosenthal, Julius.. 159, 460, 670
Rosenthal, Rudolph 697
Rosicky, John 651
Ross, Daniel E 669
Ross, George A 66 1
Ross, Henry H 370
Ross, J. L - 651
Ross, John S — 669
Ross, loseph P 522, 535, 536, 538, 550
Ross, "Robert D 189
Ross, William M - 352
Rossiter, Newton - 689
Roth, James 327
Rothermel, S. A 646
Rounds, Ruel G 292
Rounds, Sterling P -- 4S7
Rountree, John M. 480
Rourke, John.. - 193
Rowell, Henry L 244, 247, 249, 294
Rowell, Lyman S. 26S, 298
Rowland, E. S 334
Roy, Rev. Joseph E. 429
Rubowitz, Edward- 657
Ruby, Jacob J 297
Rucker, Edward A 586
Rucker, Edward L 88
Rucker, Henry L 464
Rucker, Louis H 296
Rue, J. C 517
R uh, Valentine 49. 5°
Rumsey Bros. & Co 326, 328, 624
Rumsey, George Dole 330, 741
Rumsey, George F.--32S, 330, 353, 369, 513,
550, 6.;6.
Rumsey, Israel P. -.271, 273, 274, 29S, 370,
37i-
Rumsey, John W 270, 271, 298
Rumsev, lulian S. 49, 160, 163, 325, 328,
330, 337. 347. 352, 354. 366, 369. 370,
374, 377. 4io, 550, 554, 632, 725, 740,
741, 765.
Rundell, Lewis B 43$. 641
Rundell, R. 1 5"
SPECIAL INDEX.
27
Page
Runnion, David _ 651
Runyan, Eben F — 104, 762, 764, 765
Runyan, W. C 677
Rusch, Julius -.- 632
Russ, Rupert 196
Russell, B. F 50
Russell, Elisha S - 276
Russell, Frederick C. 385
Russell , George D 370
Russell, II. C. 370
Russell, Jacob.. 385, 393, 502
Russell, J. B. F 568, 573, 636, 637, 694
Russell, John Rniffin 660
Russell, John S 657
Russell, Martin J. _ 2S9
Russell, S. I. ... _ 50
Rutger, Francis 170
Rutherford, Robert 2S8
Rutledge, A. M 661
Rutter, David 531
Rutter, Endicott & Co 625
Rutter, Endicott & Whitehouse 631, 633
Rutter, Joseph 0 62S, 631, 632
Ryan, E. E ---645, 651
Ryan, Frank J .- 666
Rvan, Patrick J. 191, 194, 195, 289
Rvas, William B 661
Ryan, William M. D 426
Ryder, C. E .__ 447
Ryder, William H...104, 440, 441, 547, 599,
670, 672.
Ryerson, Joseph T 670, 753
Ryerson, Mrs. J. T. 753
Ryerson, Martin 554, 646, 680, 696
Rylance, J. H. -.410, 670
St. Cyr, John M. 1 567
St. John, Everett 152
St. John, T. E 442
St. John, W. L 150
Sabin, Albert Robbins. . in
Sackett, G. A 412
Safford, Truman Henry — 517
Sales, Frances de 115
Salisbury, Alvin _ 50
Salisbury, J. C 65S
Salisbury, Menzo H 279, 282, 299
Salomon, A 625
Salomon, Edward S 49, 159, 231, 232, 233,
234, 235, 293, 663.
Salter, Bradley D 218, 291
Samberneau, Paul __ 327
Sammons, C. B 517
Sampson, Frederick A. 282
Sampson, Guy C. _ 670
Sampson, William A. 244, 249, 294
Sampson, William H 56S, 576
Samuels, J. P 668
Sanderson, William 658
Sanford. Charles .__ 624
Sanford, Mrs. C. W 313
Sanford, Myron S 27S
Sanger, Mrs. A. V 117
Sanger, William D.__ __ 291
Sankey, Ira D 425, 512
Sapieha, Louis ._ 633
Sargent, E. H 53S, 539
Sargent, Homer Earle 155, 163, 511, 629,
646
Sass, Henry 293
Satterlee, M. L 641, 700
Saunders, Catharine __ 116
Saunders, Eliza J _ 117
Sawin, George 221
Sawyer, Alonzo J. 662
Sawyer, Charles B 629, 646
Sawyer, Mrs. Charles B... 313, 766
Sawyer, E. W __ 545
Sawyer, Sidney --33°, 449, 517
Savior, John 661
Sayrs, Mrs. Henry 310, 312, 313, 323,
324-
Sayrs, Miss M. L. - 313
Sayrs, Mrs. S. C _ 313
Scammon, Charles T 262, 296, 775
Scammon, Franklin 513, 514, 538, 641
Scammon, Jonathan Young-. 354, 439, 449,
460, 467, 469, 47S, 497, 513, 514, 515,
516, 517, 541, 547, 554, 556, 557, 558,
559, 617, 623, 625, 626, 629, 630, 633,
641, 645, 672, 696, 733.
Scanlan, John F 292 358
Scannell, M. F 640
Scates, Walter B 385, 459, 467
Schaefer, Mathias... 709, 711, 712, 718, 724
Schaeffer, Rev. Albert 405
Schaffner, Herman 633
Schaffner, Louis .- 50, 65S, 663
Schall, Andrew 49
Scharenberg, Herman .- 268
Schaumbeck, Frederick.. 162, 164, 267, 26S,
297.
Scheik, William J 360
Schenck, Noah H __ ._ 412
Schimmels, Christian 712, 718
Schintz, Theodore- .50, 104, 394, 479, 716,
771-
Schippel, A. . 666
Schlaeger, E _ 159, 162
Schloesser, R 632
Schloetzer, George.-232, 293, 535, 539, 553,
556.
Schlund, Fidel . --.162,292
Schmerr, Rev. Leander __ 406
Schmidt, August ._ 117
Schmidt, C. A -_. _. 658
Schmidt, Ernst 531, 538, 539, 540
Schmidt, John 162
Schmidt, K. G 50
Schmidt, Michael 50, 655
Schmidt, Michael 2S7
Schmidt, \V. A. _ 116
Schmitz, P. L _ 117
Schneider, George. - 159, 167, 387, 3S8, 449,
499, 554, 62S, 643, 67c.
Schneider, Mrs. George _ 313
Schniedewend, Paul 489
Schnoekel, William.. 291
Schnur, Peter 96
Schoellkopf, C. E. 700
Schoellkopf, Henry 700
Schoeneman, B 447
Schoenfeld. Wolf 117
Schoenewald, Francis 655
Schoeninger, Adolph 670
Schrader, Frederick 584
Schrader, William L 5S4
Schriber, Charles 296
Schroeder, Hugo 293
Schroeder, J. M __ 666
Schuler, Max 50
Schultz, Anton 65S
Schultz, Rev. John 402
Schultz, L. 666
Schultz, Otto A. ... . 65S
Schumacher, Charles F., Jr 584, 64S, 649
Schumacher & Lauer 5S4
Schuttler, Peter 616
Schuyler, W. H. 49S
Schwank, L. 666
Schwartz, Charles .. ..342,450
Schweinfurth, Frank --I96, 2S9
Schweisthal, M. 632
Scobey, Madison C 332
Scofield, David _. 487
Scott, Charles, Jr. -- 1S9
Scott, Douglas W. -.268, 29S
Scott, George L 345, 374, 763
Scott, Mrs. G. L 766
Scott, G. Wentworth 369
Scott, John W . 20S
Scott, Joseph R. ...162, 165, 166, 180, 184,
187, 189, igo, 270, 288.
Scott, Seth _. 327
Scott, Stephen 1 327
Scott, W. D 617
Scott, Willard.. 327
Scovel, Harry M 495, 496
Scoville, Charles Burton 627
Scoville, George 4S1
Scoville & Harvey 576
Page
Scoville, Hiram Henry, Jr. 656, 678
Scoville, Hiram H., Sr 678
Scoville, Ives 666
Scoville, James W _. 627
Scoville, William H _ 678
Scranton, Abner R. 124, 511
Scanton, Don Carlo 360,369, 370
Scripps, John Locke.. 228, 3S9, 390, 491,
492, 493, 627.
Scuitti, Agostino 396
Searing, George _. 290
Sears, John . 645
Sears, Joseph _ 295
Seborn, Franklin.. -.274, 275, 298
Secor, J. W. ... 666
See, William 327
Seeberger, Anthony F. 683
Seeberger, Charles D. 6S3, 684
Seeger, John E 608
Seeley, J. P 65 1
Seeley, Thaddeus Pomeroy 529, 553
Seelye, H. E 315, 320
Seiler, Fritz 649
Sellers, Alfred H 5S8, 5S9
Sells, Joseph . 612
Semmes, Raphaels.- 309
Setters, Rev. John 402
Sewell, Alfred L -.323, 424, 759
Sewell, Thomas.. : _ 257, 295
Sexton, James A. 228, 230, 231, 292, 680
Sexton, Sylvester ._ 416
Sexton, Thomas S.. 295, 6S0
Seymour, Rev. F 420
Seymour, Mrs. John 117
Seymour, Stephen 545
Seymour, Thomas H 370, 371, 624, 644
Shackford, Samuel .50, 104, 370
Shackford, Mrs. Samuel _ 312, 313
Shaller, John 534
Shandrew & Dean 65 1
Shank, John 658
Shanley, Timothy L 191
Shapley, Morgan L ._ 330
Sharp, Daniel 644
Sharp, William 292, 666
Sharpe, George W 632
Shattuck, Charles H 655
Shaw, Caleb 164
Shaw, Elijah . . .. 666
Shaw, Orrin T _ 116
Shaw, T. A. 631
Shay, Maurice W 97, 711, 712
Sheahan, James W. 103, 104, 159, 485, 492,
494, 495, 497, 606, 669, 701, 724, 729,
73S
Shearer, George W -263, 264, 265, 296
Shearer, W. T 699
Shedd, Charles B 633
Shedd, Joshua R 679
Sheef, G. 267
Sheldon, D. Henry -439, 582
Sheldon, Edwin H.--410, 449, 514, 554, 569
Sheldon, Nathaniel E. 258
Shepard, B. S --369, 641
Shepard, Daniel 670
Shepard, Henrv M. 513
Shepard, J. B __ _. 508
Shepley, Charles H ..180, 189, 288
Shepley, Mrs. J. C 312, 313
Sheppard, Robert B 427
Sherard, Thomas 421
Sheridan, George A 235, 238, 293
Sheridan, Mark 49, 50 84, 554, 7 10
Sheridan, Phillip H. ---34, 35. 51, 3S3, 615,
630, 734. 735. 737." 774. 775. 776, 777,
778, 779. 780.
Sheridan, Redmond 49, 250, 251
Sheridan, W.N 666
Sherlock, James 296
Sherlock, Patrick T. 485
Sherman, Alson S 512, 517, 51S
Sherman, Andrew T,. 449, 606
Sherman, E. B 666, 667
Sherman, Francis C. ,49, 502, 503, 554, 555,
628.
SPECIAL INDEX.
Page
Sherman. Francis T. .. 235. 237, 239. 242,
! j, 293, 3S9, 390, 503, 518, 775, 778.
Sherman, Howard-.. 679
Sherman, John B 6l6, 628
Sherman, J. 1>. 696
Sherman, Julian S. — 531
Sherman, N.. Jr. - 666
Sherman. Oren 512, 5t7. 5'8, 5'9
Sherman. Pennoyer L - 657
Sherman. Silas W .. 570
Sherman, Wells .. S4, 65S, 7(12
Sherman. \V. G.- 5*8
Sherry, John — 32S
Sherwin, Joseph 49, 50
Sherwood. George W 50
Sherwood, Henry M 5S5
Sherwood, M. W 545
Sherwood, Thomas J 656
Sherwood, S. I -- 555
Shiel. P. B.._" 50
66 1
550
633
747
f>57
55-
655
656
58S
40S
49
651
716
491
65S
663
282
Shields, Moses 263, 264, 657, 65S,
Shimp, Peter 49, ;o,
Shipherd, Jacob R. . .
Shipman. George E 541, 543, 545,
Shire, Adolph _
Shirlaw, Walter 557,
Shirley, Thomas l6l, 480,
Shortall, lohn G. ..-5S6, 587, 5S8, 591,
Shortall & Hoard .5S6, 5S7,
Shufeldt, H. H. ..
Shufeldt, William T._
Shugart, Joseph
Shults, Frank
Shuman, Andrew 322,
Shumway, Charles
Shurley, Edmund R. P.
Sickles, Thomas N
Sidway, L. B. 370, 371, 62S, 644
Sigmund, C. H. _ 666
Silsby, J. H 507
Silva, Charles P 294
Silverman, Lazarus 633, 69S
Simmons, Charles E. 139
Simons, Rev. George H. 428
Simons, Samuel _ 490
Simpson, George _ 599
Sinclair, Catharine .- . . 763, 766
Sinclair, Charles E 295
Sinclair, Eva 763
Sinclair, George G. 657
Sinclair, Horatio G 657
Sinclair, Ida 763
Sinclair, James C 287, 299
Singer & Ball 364
Singleton, James W 624
Sinks, Adolphus _ ___ 117
Sister Frances Mulholland ._ 407
Sister Mary Agatha O'Brien 407
Mary Paula Ruth 407
Sister Mary Schf.lastica Drum 407
Sister Mary Vincent McGirr 407
.s, L. 392
Sitts, B. F .666
orgc H .49, 263. 297, 377, 666
. ,. W. 681
Skeers, John D. .. 534
Slcelly, D.C 161
Skelton, John 426
Skelton, lohn I i,\-
Skelton, Rev. W. U 426
Skidmore, Jamea 21S
Skinner, Benjamin II 506, 507, 632
Skinner, Mark. .1 12. 314, 315, 319, 321, 322,
4<r'. 417. 5'3. 535. 557, 641. ' >4!
671, -
Skinner. Nathan A s 156
Slade, Jonathan 261,
Slaughter, A. < ) 633
Slaughter, William li 164, 203, 204, 200
Maymaker, Mis L. B 314
., William I;
Sleeper, F. II 666
Sieightly, Miss Annette 314
II. S 541
Sloan, Thomas J 160, 204
Slosson, Enos
Smale, William
Small, Alvan Edmund 541, 542,
Small, Edwin 22S,
Smarms, Cornelius F (02,
Smith. Albert 164,
Smith, Alfred
Smith, Calvin S
Smith, Miss Caroline
Smith, Charles C 162, 189,
Smith, Charles Gilman 533, 536, 538,
Smith, C. H -. -
Smith, CM
Smith, Mrs. C. M
Smith, Charles W. -
Smith, Cvrus 26S,
Smith, D". D
Smith, David Sheppard 541, 555,
Smith, Edward A 244, 245,
Smith, Edward S
Smith, Elijah 423,
Smith, Frank B
Smith, F. C
Smith, Frederick A
Smith, Frederick B
Smith, Gean ..
Smith, George.. 568, 616, 617, 626, 631,
637, 671, 689, 690, 694, 702, 734.
Smith, George C. .. 146, 211, 290, 625,
632, 633, 657, 659.
Smith, George T. __
Smith, George W 235, 236, 237, 238,
242, 293, 470.
Smith, Gilbert R 655, 656, 660,
Smith, Henry __ _
Smith, Mrs. H. D
Smith, Henry M 497, 498,
Smith, Hiram B
Smith, Tames 161, 163, 164, 269, 270,
662.
Smith, Rev. J. A 164. 416,
Smith, J. C '..'."__
Smith, James A
Smith, James M 22S,
Smith, jedutlian
Smith, Miss Jennie A. _
Smith, John-
Smith, M. B.
Smith, Orson 369, 555,
Smith, Mrs. Orson.
Smith. Owen E
Smith, O. M
Smith, Perry H ■_ 135, 136,646,
Smith, Perry H. , Jr.
Smith, R. J
Smith, Robert _.
Smith, Robert Jordan
Smith, Robert W 268, 297,
Smith, Russell ..
Smith, Samuel C
Smith, Solomon A. . 625,626, 627, 630,
644, 646.
Smith, S. H.
Smith, Rev. S.S.
Smith, Samuel S 271,
Smith, Sidney 159, 458,
Smith, Rev. Thomas
Smith, Thomas J. _
Smith, Uzziel P
Smith, William August
Smith, W. B
Smith, W. I) 640, 642, 657,
Smith, \V. W.... _
Snell, William O, -
Snider, Alonzo 651, 763,
Snider, Mrs. Alonzo
Snow, George W 327, 6S9,
Snow, I
no* , ' Irville II
ii'-'., Porter H
Snow, Sarah
Snow, William li. II.
Snowhook, Patrick W._
Snowhook, William li
Snydacker, Alfred M
403
420
624
647
671
541
547
666
753
752
1S9
298
657
644
294
259
517
2 99
146
460
4S6
562
636,
626,
356
241,
664
449
324
509
641
271,
438
667
517
292
327
117
658
517
632
597
28S
615
737,
694
651
623
646
588
656
655
632,
661
416
273
554
411
296
299
424
162
66i
517
519
768
766
690
125
"7
651
Page
Snydacker, Mrs. Bertha 634
Snydacker, Godfrey 446, 447, 633, 634
Snyder, Mrs. A 313
Snyder, A. W 513
Snyder, E. B 424
Snyder, Henry N 165, 292
Snyder & Lee 576
Sollitt, John 512
Somers, Richard 50, 459, 506, 507
Sonders, Robert ..268, 298
Soule, Charles B 647
Spafford, H. G _. 531
Spafford, J. I 666
Spaids, Commodore C 296
Spalding, F. S 689
Spalding, Jesse 646, 649
Spalding, W. P 661
Sparling, Joseph W _ 426
Sparrestrom, Frederick 299
Spaulding, H. J 148
Spaulding, Joel J 235, 294
Spear, E. \V. 667
Spears, H. S. 269
Speer, Isaac .512, 517, 555
Speer, James B. .. 164
Speer, Thomas 517
Spencer, Albert T 82, 625
Spencer, Charles F. A 82
Spencer, C. H 641
Spencer, D. D._ _ 633
Spencer, Franklin F. . 683
Spencer, Thomas _. 522
Spiegel, Joseph. ._ 657
Spink, John W 244, 247, 249, 294
Spofford. George W 716
Sporre, Johann 232
Sprague, A. A 670
Sprague, H. 370
Sprague, W 615
Sprague, Warner & Co 639
Spriggs. T. G 422
Spring, Charles A., Jr.. 689
Spring, Charles A., Sr 420, 569
Springer, George A -159, 164, 576
Springer & Morey _ 576
Sprout, J. M 661
Spruauce, Harmon 341, 374, 644
Spruance, Preston & Co -341, 362, 373,
374, 624.
Spry, John _ 663
Stager, Anson 125. 126, 774, 775, 778
Stalbrand, Charles J 163, 299
Stampoffski, Bernard F.. 261
Standau, Julius 196, 289
Stanelan, Julius 117
Stanford, George W 473, 762, 763, 765
Stanley, J. W 763
Stanley, Sarah E 766
Stanley, W. M 666
Stanton, Miss Ellen 613
Staples, John N -•.. 587
Stark, James L 554, 651
Stark & Isham 469
Starkweather, Charles Robert -662, 664
Starrett, D. A 661
Starring, Frederick A 228, 230, 291, 292,
299.
Start, John 661
Staunton, William B. ._. 408
Stearns, Charles -. - 704
Stearns, H. B 159
Stearns, John K 575, 670
Stearns, Marcus C.--345, 347, 349, 352, 369,
370, 449, 630, 641, 735.
Stebbins, S. N 636
Steel, George. .345, 349, 369, 370, 374, 568,
64 1.
Steele, George 617, 636, 627
Steele, Henry T 103, 104, 620
Steele, James 164, 258
Steele, Mrs. J. W 312
Steele, Truman Warren 663
Steele, Valentine 278, 345
Steele, William J 263, 264. 296
Steffens, August 196, 198
SPECIAL INDEX.
29
Page
Steiner, Henry - 634
Sten, Anthony ._ 164, 165, 196, 2S9
Stinson, William E. 682
Stephens, A. W 545
Stephens, Charles 661
Stephens, Jonathan B 104
Stevens, Edward 661
Stevens, Elizabeth P. 117
Stevens, Enoch B.--339, 348, 368, 369, 374,
376. 655. 660, 661.
Stevens, George 557, 559
Stevens, James 616
Stevens, Levi F - - 644
Stevens, Mary - 117
Stevens, Silas C. 278, 345
Stevens, Sylvanus H...278, 279, 2S0, 282,
299. 345-
Stevens, Mrs. Sylvanus H. _ 282
Stevens, Walter A. 657,659, 664
Stevens & Willard - 504
Stevens, William M 392
Stevens & Brown 361
Stevenson, Alexander F. 208, 290
Stevenson, Louis G. - - 292
Stevenson, W. C. G. L --277, 278, 299
Stewart, Dugald --657, 669
Stewart, George -37°, 371
Stewart, Graeme .. 699
Stewart, Hart L ...390, 508, 641
Stewart, John _ 669
Stewart, Royal 569
Stewart, Shaw 658
Stewart, William ... 657, 658, 669
Stewart, Rev. William F 426
Stewart, William S 225, 226, 292, 369
Stickney, Clifford .228, 292
Stickney, Edward S. -._ 632
Sticknev, William H - 467
Stiles, B. B 467
Stiles, Israel N 50
Stiles, Josiah 368, 371
Stimpson, William 515
Stock, Carl 196, 289
Stockton, Joseph ..228, 229, 230, 292
Stoddard, Albert M. 505
Stoelks, J. C 117
Stokes, James H 278, 279, 280, 299
Stolbrand, Charles J. 657
Stone, Andros B. 677
Stone, Boomer & Co. 681
Stone, Bradford 164
Stone, Horatio O 574, 738
Stone, James W 644
Stone, Leander. 104
Stone, Melville E -454, 762, 763, 772
Stone, Rensselaer ._ 370, 371, 655
Stone, R. B 50
Stone, Samuel 164,513, 514, 535
Stone, T 658
Stone, W. G. M -. 438
Storck, Charles 265,297, 530
Storey, Wilbur -F 490, 495, 496, 58S, 606
Storrs, Emery A 466
Stoughton, Charles H 43 r
Stoughton, Mrs. Charles H 313
Stoughton, Rev. J. C. 425
Stout, A. H... 568
Stout, Thomas _ 50
Stow, H. M 677
Stow, William H.&Co 677
Stow, William M 677
Stowe, George R. 297
Strachan, Patrick 616, 617
Straining, John 100
Straus, Samuel _ 578
Street, Rev. G. C 408, 669
Street, R. J. 628
Streeter, J. W. 541
Strobridge, Rev. T 426
Strode, James M 588
Strong, Albert Bliss _. 538
Strong, Cephas 263, 264, 296
Strong, Howard 556, 557
Strong, James E. _ 310
Strother, Bolton F 385, 464
Strube, Joseph -.228, 292
Stryker, J. M 651
Stuart. Alexander 263, 296
Stuart, David 208, 290, 291, 667
Stuart, Owen 250, 251, 294
Stuart, William 390
Stuber, John 297
Studwell, J. A 651
Stueven, Charles E 232, 234, 293
Stuff, G. L. S -.208
Stupp, Henry 162
Sturges, Albert & Co 374
Sturges, B. -625, 629
Sturges & Buckingham 374
Sturges & Co. — 704
Sturges, George 369, 374, 629
Sturges, Solomon - 164, 374
Sturges, Shelton — 629
Sturges, Solomon & Son 171,625, 634
Sturges (Solomon's) Sons 633
Sturges, S. B. 629
Sturges, William N . 345
Sturtevant, Austin D. 103, 108, 199
Suddard, Thomas J 658
Sullivan, Dennis 708, 715
Sullivan, J. E. — 719
Sullivan, Louis H 566
Sullivan, Michael 49
Sumpp, Frederick _ 65S
Sunter, Charles 657
Super, Miss C S39
Sutherland, D. W 661
Sutherland, S. F 692, 693
Sutor, W. A 63 1
Sutterly, Clement 189
Sutton, John 657
Sutton, J. B 669
Sutton, Thomas 629
Svanoe, P. 395
Swain, Benjamin J.. 310
Swain, Edgar Denman 20S,
Swain, Frederick 125, 253
Swallow, W. K 505
Swan, James H 2S2, 299
Swan, Theodore F 388
Swan, William G 655
Swan, William S 218, 219, 291
Swartout, Edward D 20S, 290
Swazey, Arthur 418,419, 422
Sweeney, Augustus B 213
Sweet, Alanson 327, 555
Sweet, Benjamin J 303, 310, 3SS
Sweet, E. D. L 125, 126, 448. 511
Sweet, Henry 50, 657, 716
Sweet, R. F 413
Swenie, Denis J 90, 92, 94, 98, 713
Swett, Leonard 165,630, 647
Swift, R. K 159, 161, 163, 270, 449, 514,
592. 677.
Swing, David 418, 423, 599, 670
Switzer, Martin .. .. 714
Sykes, James W 334, 370, 629
Symond, Henry B 630
Symonds, H. R. 62S
Taber & Hawk 506
Taft, Levi B. ..49, 103, 104, 159, 449, 620,
625, 630.
Talbot, Hall P 265, 297
Talcott, E. B. _ ---56, 554
Talcott, Mancel 49, 50, 54, 671
Talcott, Mrs. Mary H. (Otis) 442, 672
Tallmadge, Samuel H 2S2
Tallman, Thomas P 631
Tappan, JohnW 651
Tappen, H. H 408
Tapper, George 657
Tarbell, Emmons & Co 625
Tarrant, Mrs. Sarah 666
Tart, Stephen 276
Tayler, Reuben 164, 535, 660
Taylor, Anson H. 327
Taylor, Augustine D 327, 517, 6S9
Taylor, Benjamin F 159, 485, 491, 492,
598, 609.
Taylor. Charles 327
Page
Taylor, E. D 581, 641
Taylor, Edward G. 436
Taylor, Ezra. .161, 164,269, 270, 271, 272,
273, 298.
Taylor, George 52, 764, 768
Taylor, Isaac 374
Taylor, J 59S
Taylor, James B 162, 189, 190, 625
Taylor, James P . 631
Taylor, Mary C 690
Taylor, Matthew 655, 656
Taylor, M. K 531
Taylor, Orville A. 658
Taylor, R. J. 651
Taylor, S. Staats 623
Taylor, Thomas B 352
Taylor, W. W. .. __ _ 555
Teahon, Joseph 250
Teall, Edward M 642, 643, 645, 651
Teegarden, M. R 548
Tegtmeyer, Christopher 442
Teigler, Conrad — 442
Teisbow, Mrs. Amelia M 117
Temple, Charles H 297
Temple, Morris D 274, 275, 299
Temple, Peter... 568
Tenney, Ralph A — 294
Terney, John 613
Terry, Rev. Patrick 400
Tett, Walter .. 666
Thayer, George H 139
Thayer, Moses A 295, 658, 661
Thayer, Nathaniel 676
Thayer, Rev. Oscar B 409
Thielemann, Christian 267, 268, 297
Thielemann, Milo 267, 268, 297
Thorn, J. H 507
Thomas, Barnard 431
Thomas, Benjamin Morris 464
Thomas, Benjamin W 228, 292, 369, 517,
581, 666, 692.
Thomas, Calvin H _. 217
Thomas, Charles B _ 439
Thomas, Edward J 282
Thomas, Rev H. W 426, 630
Thomas, James 431
Thomas, Rev. Jesse B 436
Thomas, Joseph C. 242
Thomas, Sidney -. 468
Thomas, William 566
Thompson, Albert 221
Thompson, A. M 657, 659
Thompson, Charles E -164, 228, 292
Thompson, Daniel.. 375, 449, 515. 614, 630
Thompson, George W. 413, 414, 459
Thompson, Harvey M 50
Thompson, Hugh Miller 410
Thompson, James 658
Thompson, J. B 625
Thompson, J. F'illmore 546
Thompson, J. K 666
Thompson, John L _ 468
Thompson, Mary Harris 546, 547
Thompson, Somerville 419
Thomson, Frank M 388
Thrall, William Austin 138, 655
Throop, A. G... 50, 159, 691
Throop, Amos J 318, 320, 321
Throop, C. B .. 661
Throop, Charles R — -- 296
Throop, George ..282, 286, 299
Thurber, Philip 637
Thurston, Ebenezer H 534
Thurston, George L 291
Thwing, William U 661
Tibbitts, William 288
Tidd, W. 1 666
Tiedermann, P. T 666
Tiernan, Michael .*. 103
Tiffany, J, H. 369
Tiffany, Lysander 225, 2Sg
Tiffanv, O. H..-3I5, 316, 358, 424, 425,
445, 672.
Tiffany, Mrs. O. II 323
Tillotson, Deidamia M 117
SPECIAL INDEX.
Page
Tillotson. M. D 632
Tilton, Albert M 213, 215, 216, 217
Tinkham, A. W. 56, 104, log
Tinkham, Edward I 159, 163, 513, 514,
535. 547. 55°. 591. 625. 626, 62g, 632,
634, 670. 745. 757.
Tinkham, Mrs. Edward I ... 324
Tinkham. Mrs. bmith--.l67, 311, 313, 323,
34S.
Tinsley, Thomas 2 7g
Titsworth, A. D 49, S4
Titsworth, Sylvester 235, 23S, 293
Tobey, Charles 629
Tobev, Edgar P. 270, 271, 339
Tobey. Orville H 339
Tobias, Herman ._ 509
Tomboeken, Henry. 529, 539
Tooker, Robert Newton 544
Tope, J. W. 536
Torkilson, Andrew 163
Tourtellotte, Frederick W 257
Tousey, Rev. A. W._ 43S
Towle, Henry A 460
Towne, Edward P 159, 464
Towne, Joseph W._ . . 506, 507
Towner, Henry A. -32S, 330, 334, 369, 370,
3/1-
Towner, Horatio X. ._ 271, 299
Townsend, Charles D 3S4
Townsend, William R 208
Tracey, John F 646
Tracey, William .. . 50
Tracy, John F 150, 151, 352
Tracy, S. P -276, 277, 299, 556, 557
Trautman, Frank 741, 742
Treat, Theodore X. 776, 777, 778, 780
Tree, Arthur 743
Tree, Lambert. 455, 470, 719, 724, 735, 740,
742.
Trego, Charles T. 342, 371
Treyser, George A 612, 613
Trimble, t>. B.. _ 553
Trimble, John J. _ 657
Tripp. Ezekiel 502
Troost. Gustavus 634
Trowbridge, Tames H. 421
Truax. \V B."_ _. 422
True, Ira G. 162, 1S9
Truesdell, C. G 427
Trussell, George 614
Truyens, Rev. C. 402
Tschieder, Peter - 402
Tubbs, F. H. ..125, 126
Tucker, D. Mills 538
Tucker, E. X 660
Tucker, Frank B 661
Tucker, Henry 439
Tucker, Hiram A. .. 449, 641
Tucker, Horace 132
Tucker, Joseph Francis - .. 147
Tucker, Joseph H...161, 167, 227, 301, 369,
625.
Tucker, Lansing B. 227, 292
Tucker, William F 507, 632
Tuley, MurryF 466
Tully, John . 190
Tully, John D. 104
Tunniclifl. Charles ._ 655, 660
TunniclifT. W. II (,(,1
Turchin, John li. ...166, 180, 181, 197, 2S,-i
Turnald, Merrick G . 292
Turner, Henry 657, 66l, 663
Turner, James 669
Turner, John 517
Turner. John Bice. .121, 133, 136, 352, 488,
630. 678, 741.
Turner, John M 517, 693
TurneT, Matthew 715, 718
Turner, Thomas J 624
Turner, Volentine C 121
Turner, William 449, 649
Turner, William II (40, 662
Turpin, Virginius A 353, 365, 360, 307,
370. 371, 646.
Turtle, William 84
Tuttle, E. B 412,
Tuttle, Frederick S4, 159, 34S, 449,
683.
Tuttle, Herman B 244, 249,
Tuttle, Tames II 141,
Tuttle, 'Mrs J. M 312
Tuttle, Nelson. 163,34s, 349, 644,
Twyeffort, Louis P _223,
Tyler, Charles M.
Tyler, James D. _
Tyler, James E
Tyler, Joseph K
Tyrell, John. 349, 627, 644,
Tyrrell, Charles T
Tyrrell, JohnA...
Tyrrell, Patrick D
Uhl, J. B
Ullbrich, Francis J _
Ullman, Joseph 50S,
Ulrich, Julius 545,
Underhill, L. J. W.._
Underbill, Samuel E
Underwood, Benjamin W 22S,
Underwood, John M 555, 645, 690,
Underwood, Mrs. J. M
Underwood, J. W
Underwood, Phineas L...163, 324, 353,
359. 369 37o. 646.
Underwood, Xoyes & Co. .
Updike & Sollitt _
Upton, George P. — ... 484, 491,
Urlsen, Miss M. Louise
Valentine John R._.
Vallette, Henry Franklin
Van Agt, Michael
Van Annan, Hiram M
Van Arman, John _ 159, 167, 257, 295,
Van Arman, John, Jr. 257,
Van Buren, Augustus
Van Buren, A. A. --640,
Van Buren, Evert 159, 295,
Van Buren, Smith B
Van Buren, T. G 642,
Van Campen, Charles
Vanderburg, Abraham
Vandercook, C. R _.
Van den Eycken, Mauritius
Vandervoort, Freegif t
Van Doozer, Benjamin Rel
Van Emstede, P'rancis
Van Etta, James
Van Horn, Washington 170,
Van Inwagen, James
Van Noorden, E
Van Xortwick, John
Van Osdel, John M 164, 436, 502,
517. 5"4-
Van Osdel, Mrs. John M
Van Wagenen, R. 1)
Van Wagener, R. D
Van Winkle, R.
Van Zandt, George
VanZant, Rev. B
Varden, George
Vargas, Joaquin A ..
Varges, Charles 162, 292,
Vasseur, Edward 263,
Vaughan, P. W. T
Vaughan, S. O. ... -
Vaughan, David 164,
Velter, Rev. George
Venn, Clement
Verdier, T. T
Verdin, John S
Vernard, Charles
Vibert, John G
\ i' tor, lingo
\ in* rni, 11. B
Vincent, Rev. John II
Vincent, J. R
Vincent, Nelson & Co 373, 375, 705,
Vinton, Emma O,
Vocke, William 198, 289, 478, 513,030,
Vocgtlin, William
Vogel, Charles II 292,
443
506,
294
-II-
323
6S3
292
430
5°
439
657
646
575
575
3S4
598
49
509
655
661
655
292
691
.323
626
354.
364
50:
494
320
669
4S1
402
221
468
295
47')
642
457
189
643
661
221
679
404
295
534
40^
6i.4
288
340
447
554
5i2>
312
645
538
615
627
421
208
395
295
264
661
661
203
442
406
50
402
C,(.T
Page
Vogell, H. Eugene 641
Vogler, H. 656
Voice, John.. 657
Volk, Leonard Wells. 514, 556, 557, 558, "559
Volkmann, Lewis 221
Von Freeden , Enoch _ 442
Von Hallen, George _. 49, 556
Von Horn, John 49, 104, 196, 199, 2S9
Von Look, L 267
Voorhees, Abraham 431
Vorpahl, C 159
Voss, Arno. 263,264, 265, 296
Voss, Charles F 264, 296
Voss, Edward 159
Vowden, Thomas A 644
Waddell, Rev. Benjamin _ 422
Wade, G. G _ 657
Wade, Henry S 162, 189
Wade, John 379
Wadsworth, Elisha S 164,420, 56S, 636,
733-
Wadsworth, Mrs. Elisha S 310, 323, 420
Wadsworth, Francis L 522, 537
Wadsworth, Mrs. Henry 310
Wadsworth, James 657
Wadsworth, Julius ... -.56S, 636
Wadsworth, Philip.. 213, 370, 388, 513, 656
Wadsworth, Samuel W 164. 288
Wadsworth, T. W. . . 14S, 637, 639, 643
Wager, Henry B 170, 2S8
Waggener, Robert G - 673
Wagner, John 290
Wagner, Louis 288
Wagner, William 196, 2S9, 536, 552, 556
Wahl, Christian 49, 103, 104
Wait, Fraderick H 587
Wait, Horatio Loomis 462
Wait, J. F ._ 555
Waite, Charles C 502, 503
Waite, D. D. _ 538
Waite, George Washington 657
Waite, Daniel Tyler . 657
Waite, William E...163, 170, 173, 174, 288
Waite, W. H 625, 626
Walch, C. R. 164
Waldron, John 399, 405
Walker, Charles 554
Walker, Charles H...159, 337, 345. 352, 369,
374. 641.
Walker, Edwin 358, 669
Walker, E. H. 346
Walker, Frederick 296
Walker, George C 371, 374, 449, 515
Walker, George E _. 518
Walker, George H. 327
Walker, Gilbert C._ isg
Walker, H... 370
Walker, Henry H 582
Walker, James M. 144, 145
Walker, MO 504
Walker, Samuel B ...118, 5S2, 666
Walker, Sidney P _ 189
Walker, S. W 539
Walker, W. F. 442, 655
Walker, William S 719, 720, 727
Wallace, I. P. 345
Wallace, Martin 191, 194, 2S9
Wallace, Martin R. M 25S, 295, 3S8, 670
Waller, Henry 477
Waller, J. B. 369
Waller, Rev. Maurice 420
Wallis, William H 161, 261, 296
Wallwork, Tohn . 49, so, 661
Walpole, W. R . 658
Walsh, Charles 308, 309
Walsh, David... 49, 50, 104, 771
Walsh, James 50
Walsh, John R. 498, 500, 501
Walsh, M 392
Walsh, William So
Walter, George A. 296
Walter, Joel C 164, 370, 517
Walters, Horace 503
Walworth, Nathan H.--208, 209, 210, 212,
631.
SPECIAL INDEX.
3'
Wampold, Louis 657
Wanzer, Hiram 53S
Ward, Cyrus J 66S
Ward, Dennis 663
Ward, Ephraim 550
Ward, George F 263
Ward, George L. 696
Ward, Henry A 22S, 292
Ward, fames-. 102, 103, 104, 106, 315, 32I:
517. 620.
Ward, James H. 473
Ward, James L - 345
Ward, Jasper D. 49
Ward, Samuel D 388, 513, 514
Wardner, Horace 2SS, 531, 532
Wardner, Philip J 294, 670
Warkowski, Carl 443
Warner, Abraham J 263, 264, 296
Warner, Christopher 715
Warner, Ezra J. _- 639
Warner, E. R .- 657
Warner, George F - 259, 296
Warner, P. I... 512
Warner, S. I1 159
Warner, William 232, 267
Warner, W. H 642
Warrack, James 395
Warren, Charles C 376
Warren, Cyrus T. 376
Warren, Rev. G. W 43S
Warren, John B. 78
Warren, Nathan Henry 375, 376
Warren, Robert --340, 371
Warren, William 600, 639, 651, 658, 659,
660.
Warren, W. H _ 661
Warren, William Henry B. 660
Warschauer, Max. 65S
Wasalik, Joseph 716
Wasalik, "Wensl 716
Wasy, George E 49
Washburn, ]. H 63S
Washburn, W. J 666
Washburn, W. \V 661
Washburne, Elihu B. 617
Washburne, Elmer 384
Waterhouse, Allen C. 298
Waterman, Arba N _ 476, 763
Waterman, George I. 213, 217, 291
Waterman, R. C. 511
Waters, Edwin S. _ 117
Watkins, Elias T 646
Watkins, G. D. 370
Watkins, John 327
Watrous, Christopher 699
Watson, George. 336, 337, 369, 439
Watson, Rev. George 402
Watson, J. S _ 65S
Watson, William _ 677
Waughop, J. W 159, 549, 556
Way, Hamilton M. 20S
Wayman, Samuel 517
Wayman, William S4, 218, 517, 669
Waj'ne, Thomas D., Jr. . .. 339
Weare, Port us B 350
Webb, X. F. _ 641
Webb, Patrick 794
Webb, Thomas 573
Webb, William A 208, 290, 301
Webber, Ambrose C. 254, 294
Webber, Edwin A 263, 265, 297
Webster, Mrs. C. C. ._ 320
Webster, George 340, 342, 369, 370
Webster, Joseph D.-159, 298, 3S8, 391, 392,
393. 493. 513. 514.670, 721, 722.
Webster, J. P. 594
Webster, L. D ._ 722
Webster, Thomas H 641
Webster, Timothy SS
Weed, J. Warner 595
Weeks, G. H 348
VVehrli, Rudolph-- 159, 584
Weid, Iver Alexander 232, 293
Weigle, F 705
Weiler, T 162
Page
Weinberg, Alexander 658
Weir, John B _ -. 517
Weisswange, Charles _. 656
Welch, Rodney 541
Weiler, F. Montrose 530
Wells, Edwin S 511, 513, 611, 7110
Wells, E. W 651
Wells, V 658
Wells, Isaac 645
Wells, Joseph B 449
Wells, Theodore B 431
Wells, William H ...102, 112, 515, 517, 651
Welmaker, John 327
Wendell, Ann E. - 117
Wendheim, Henry.. _ 442
Wendt, Henry 49, 196, 289
Wenigtfr, Benedict- 267, 268, 297
Wentworth, C. E 264
Wentworth, Charles P __ 657
Wentworth, C. R. P --37o, 661
Wentworth, C. W.-- 661
Wentworth. Daniel S _ 104, 109
Wentworth, Klijah _ _ 327
Wentworth, John 49, S3, 84, 91, 104, 160,
i"3. 393. 454. 4S5, 49i. 512, 517. 555.
584, 594, 620, 626, 681, 694, 746, 755.
Wentworth. X. C. 615
Wentworth, William F .50, 507, 615
Wenlz, George 11 _. 213, 291
Werther, W 267
Wescott, Henry F 213, 214, 291
West, Byron D 649
West Samuel.. ... 116
Westergren, Andrew T. 444
Westergren, Nels O 444
Westfall, P. R - 62S, 631
Western Xews Company 484, 500
Westhrach, Joel _ 392
Weston, Allyn 656
Weston, John M 608
Weston, U. W. .... 656
Westover, Rev 445
Wetherell, J. B __. 56S
Wetherell, Robert W 180, 187, 189, 190,
2S8.
Whalen, Robert 401
Whaling, Mrs Julia Cone - 54S
Whaling William T.-- - -- 64S
Wharton, Clifton T 1S0, 1S1, 1S7, 2SS
Wharton, Rev. Robert K. .. 420
Wheaton, Tames A 257, 295
Wheeler, A. B. _ 517
Wheeler, Bacon 554, 627
Wheeler, Calvin T..-342, 350, 352, 369, 370,
375. 630, 632, 641.
Wheeler, Charles C 135, 13S
Wheeler, Charles W 36S, 374, 375
Wheeler, Fred A 664
Wheeler, George. _ 568
Wheeler, George Henry- 374, 375
Wheeler, George M 647
Wheeler, Gilbert 531
Wheeler, Hiram ...352, 369, 370, 374, 449,
637, 641, 642.
Wheeler, J. B 392
Wheeler, Toltnan . 746
Wheeler, William 164
Wheeler, Mrs. W 313
Wheeler, W. E. 661, 664
Wheelock, Joseph 610
Wheelock, Joseph F __ 607
Wheelock, Otis Leonard 565
Whilt, J 657
Whipple, Henry B 411,426, 443
Whipple, Samuel L - 715
Whistler, John 32S
Whitaker, George S 50
Whitaker, James A -. 699
Whitaker, Mary A 117
Whitaker, Oliver 644
Whitall, James D. W 299
Whitbeck, II 555
Whitcomb, Lot 568
White, Alexander [63
White, G. Q 162
Page
White, Horace.. 159, 492, 493, 500, 536, 636,
701, 732, 733, 734, 777.
White, John S 662
While, Julius.. 199, 200, 201, 203, 290, 385,
636. 637. u39. 642. 043. 644. 721.
White, Lyman A. 274, 275, 298
While, Michael 517
White, Patrick H. 271, 273, 283, 286, 2S7,
29S, 299.
White, S. F 657
White, W. G 49
White, W. Hanford 541
White, William P 657
White, William R 661
Whitehead, Edward J. 295, 661
Whitehead, (Father) Henry. 427
Whitehouse, Henry John.. 407, 408, 409,
411, 412, 413, '414, 415, 444, 557, 559.
Whitehouse, William F __ 472
Whitfield, Thomas 271, 539
Whitford, Henry K 548, 549
Whiting, David V 395, 396
Whiting, Fred G. ._ _. 83
Whiting, J. T 636
Whiting, Mary E 117
Whiting, Webster A.. . 235, 293
Whitley, John 661, 663
Whitlock, James _ 641
Whitman, M 651
Whitney, A. M 657
Whitney, E. H 422
Whitney, George C 633
Whitney, J. T 568
Whitney, X. K 370
Whitnev, R. P 624
Whitney, S. F 117
Whitney, Thomas -370, 371
Whitney, W 658
Whitney, Warren P 282
Whitson, Charles B 213
Whitson, John T 213
Whittemore, E. E 106
Whittier, Mrs. M 313
Whittle, Daniel W 22S, 292, 431
Whittle, James F 271
Wiard, Xorman 641
Wicker, Charles G 50, 163, 167, 348, 625
Wicker, J. Collins. .. 104
Wicker, Joel H 499,625, 630
Wickersham, Swayne 538
Wiedinger, B 117
Wiedman, Anthony 117
Wight, J. Ambrose 436, 531
Wight, L. B. 671
Wilber, Henry Lyon 660
Wilbur, C. A -541, 545
Wilce, Thomas 50, 52, 762, 769, 771
Wilce, Mrs. Thomas . 766
Wilcox, Albert B 692
Wilcox, Edward P '-271, 273, 298, 692
Wilcox, Erastus 990
Wilcox, II. M 651, 655
Wild, Theodore 289
Wilcox, Theodore B 645
Wild, Thomas _. 763
Wilder, Charles J 290
Wilder, E. C 641
Wiley, Samuel 658
Wilhelm, A. P 117
Wilken, E 666
Wilkie, Franc B 4S4, 496, 615, 701
Wilkins, J. R 662, 666
Wilkins, S. G 662
Wilkinson, Rev. John 411
Wilkinson. Lorenzo D __ 464
Willard, Charles M 270, 27:, 298, 464
Willard, Flisha 626
Willard, E. W 167, 626, 67S
Willard, II. F 505
Willard, J 517
Willard, O - B43
Willard, O. A. 651
Willard, P. H 647
Willentzlci, Tranoff 225
Williams, A 643, 651
SPECIAL INDEX.
Page
Williams, A. C 624
Williams, Albert P 295
Williams, Asa S7
Williams, Charles D. C. 1S0, 274, 2SS
Williams, C. K 4S7
Williams, E. B 3S8, 6S9, 702
Williams, E. F 431
Williams, Edward H. 40S
Williams, Erastus Smith . 415, 420, 45,4, 513.
670.
Williams, Frank Benton 113
Williams, George F._ 625, 661
Williams, Henry G -- 667
Williams, Henry M 267, 294
Williams, Isaac S7
Williams, Isaiah H.. -227, 22S, 2SS, 292, 346,
667.
Williams, John C 319, 655
Williams, J. F._ 658
Williams,!. II 661,667
Williams, J. M 624
Williams, John S 257, 295
Williams, Norman, Tt". ■ 159, 513, 645
Williams, N. 0 631
Williams, Robert A.. .91, 92, 94, 712,713,
762.
Williams, Sandford 641
Williams, William,- 666
Williams, William D 20S, 290
Williamson, Samuel S 370, 644
Williamson, Mrs. Samuel S. . .. 313
Willige, August W. 292
Willing, Henry J. _. 417
Willis, Thomas _ 661
Willmarth, H. B..-63S, 639, 642, 643, 644,
651.
Willmarth, H. M 50, 601
Wills, Joseph P 657
Willson, Solomon A. — 599
Willson, Solomon M 160, 464, 641
Wilmarth. T. W _. 666
Wilson, Charles L 323, 491, 777
Wilson D. F — --535, 660
Wilson, Franklin 660
Wilson, Frank C 2S2, 299
Wilson, Henry 51S
Wilson, John 666, 66S
Wilson, J. C. ... 38S
Wilson, J. D 661
Wilson, James Grant 297
Wilson, John A._ 295
Wilson, John L 330,491, 59)
Wilson, [ohn M. 163, 164, 167, 456,460,
513-
Wilson, Joseph - ... 79
Wilson, T. J. S. -_ 125, 126, 763
Wilson, 'Mrs. O. B 323
Wilson, Richard L _ -39", 41)1
Wilson, Robert 254, 2,(4
Wilson, Roberts... 457
Wilson, W. C 666
Witt, Charles 101
Windett, Arthur W. 463
Windoes, W 159
Windsor. J. H 662
Winer, William D.--I9I, 289, 301, 310, 553
Wing, Henry 531
Wing, Malcolm II. 259
Winne, Killian 505, 506
Winship, James 658
Winslow, Ferdinand S. 632, 633
Winslow, William 632
Winston, Frederick II -472, 646
Winter, C. II. S 670
Winter, W. W 657
Wirt , ' >eorge - 66 1
Wirt, W. 0 661
Wisdom, William 419
'. . - 632
' . --org': C - 277, 299
Wissel, F 40:
loseph 405
Wiswall, John C 431
Witbeck, Henry 50
Witnrow, Thomas F 152
Wolcott, Alexander
Wolcott, Edward A
Wolcott, Mrs. Ellen.-
Wolcott, E. G... .336, 337, 345, 369,
Wolcott, George H . -
Wolf, Bernhardt _
Wolf, Gabriel _
Wolf, Jacob
Wolff, Arnold, ..
Wolff, George
Wolff, Ludwig _
Woolley, J. D
Wonder, Henry
Wood, A. M.
Wood, A. W
Wood, Eli 657, 65S,
Wood, Eliphalet 163,
Wood, E. L
Wood, George S, .
Wood, Rev. Glen _ _ _
Wood, George W. ... 657^
Wood, John 162,
Wood, J. H. 608,
Wood, M. L _
Wood, Orlando S
Wood, Peter P. 94, 270, 271,
Wood, Washington L ....
Woodard, Willard 49, 106, 109, 762,
771.
Woodbridge, John
Woodbridge, John, Jr
Woodhouse C. —
Woodland, George _
Woodman, Charles L. 49, 50,
Woodman, John . -557,
Woodruff, Tohn G 252, 254,
Woodruff, W. N 370,
Woodson, W. T -
Woodward, A. W._
Woodward, Frank J. . 257,
Woodward, George W _.
Woodward, James L _
Woodworth, James H 164, 515, 516,
626, 632, 644.
Woodworth, Mrs. J. H 311,
Woodworth, Tohn M -531, 53S,
Woodyat, W. H.
Woolworth, C. D
Wooster, Julius _-
Wooster, J. A
Worcester, Edward _
Work, Henrv Clay -4S4,
Worley, R. H.
Worster, John.. _.
Worth, Daniel
Wren, Rev. George L
Wright, Abner M 332,
Wright, Alfred .-
Wright, Andrew
Wright, Andrew T —
Wright, Charles."
Wright, Frederick
Wright, George P
Wright, James — -
Wright, John ...
Wright, Rev. J. A . 493,
Wright, John D
Wright. John S 567,568,
Wright, Joseph C.-.227, 228, 229, 292,
346, 351-
Wright, Levi P
Wright, Lucy A
Wright, Matilda
Wright, Nathaniel T
Wright, RobertC, Jr...
Wright, Robert C, Sr. 575,
Wright, Timothy (93,
Wright, Truman G
Wright, William B .
Wright, William II
Wright, W. M .
he, < 'harles -
\\ ler, Henry
Wusrum, J. G -
Wyman, J. H
765
339
575
576
61) 1
569
430
508
662
I'M
116
M,i
IM I
Page
\arwood, M. S 370
Yates, B. F. 162
Yates, Frank E 189
Yates, Horace H 164, 505, 614
Yates, Lucius H. --252, 294
Yawkey, Samuel W 660
Yoe, Peter L. .-.94, 164, 167, 554, 644, 733
Yondorf, Charles 635
Yonker, Rev. Alexander 426. 427
Young, Caryl ... 631, 633
Young, Frederick W. 29S
Young George H 661
Young, G. M 442
Young, H.G. 576
Young, John .. 180, 187
Young, J. H _ 666
Young, N. H 549
Young, W. B _ 656
Younglove, Ira S --34I, 646, 655
Zengler, Frederick _. 199
Ziegfeld, Florence 592
Ziegler, Isaac 446
Zimmer, Rev. Peter 405, 536
Zimmer, Miss Teresa. 314
Zimmerman, H. W 641
Autographs.
Allen, J. Adams _ 522
Bain, George 765
Baldwin, Silas D 219
Barrell, Joshua 503
Barrett, John P _ 93
Bateham, W. B 717
Bell, Joseph Warren _ 265
Benjamin, S. S 503
Beveridge, John L 268
Blackwelder, I. S - 652
Blaney, Jas. V. Z 523
Blow, Henry T 769
Boardman, J. W 506
Bolton, William H 277
Boone, L. D 527
Booth, Henry ._ 456
Bouton, Edward 275
Boyden, James W 765
Bradley, Luther P 213
Bridges, Lyman 274
Bross, John A . 237
Brown, Joseph.- 771
Brown, Mrs. P. R . 770
Brown, T. B. 764
Buehler, John 763
Burch, T.R 653
Burns, R. F. 421
Butterfield, Lewis 119
Cameron, Daniel _ 225
Carpenter, Philo 104
Cherrie, (Miss) E. 765
Church, William L 88
Clarke, James C 12S
Collyer, Robert 440
Colvin, Harvey D. 127
Colvin, John.H 276
Comiskey, John 715
Cooke, Nicho. Francis 543
Cooley, Charles G 282
Couzins, (Miss) Phrebe W 766
Cregier, Dewitt Clinton .. 60
Culver, Allen M 771
Cumming, Gilbert W 213
Davis, N. S . .. 524
lie Wolf, Calvin 4S2
Dore, John C 103
Duggan, Rt. Rev. James 297
Dunn, John 12S
Dyhrenfurth, J - -- 592
Egan, W. M. <•??
F.hlridge, Hamilton N 258
Ellsworth, Elmer E 190
F'ergus, Robert - 4S5
Field, Marshall. 695
F'ollansbee, A 517
Forrest, Jos. K. C 497
FYeer, I.. C. I'aine 474
F'rink, John 118
SPECIAL INDEX.
33
Autographs.
Gamble, William 259
Goll, Bruno Henry 716
Haines, John C. 50
Hammer, D. Harry 481
Harmon, Isaac 327
Harrison, Carter H 55
Hayes, Justin 548
Hayes, Samuel Snowden 105
Heafford, George H 228
Heath, Monroe 601
Hecker, Frederick 196
Hill, Horatio - 491
Hoard, Samuel 103
H olden, Charles C. P 764
Holden, (Mrs.) Sarah J. .. 766
Hotchkiss, Charles Truman 244, 761, 767
Hough, Rosell M. 227
Humphrey, Rev. Z. M 416
Hunter, Edward E 327
Jameson, John A 482
Jeffery, E. T 130
Johnson, H. A 532
Judd, N. B 462
Juergens, D. L 763
Keck, Josiah Lawrence 767
Kimbark, S. D 6S3
King, Byram 517
Kingston, Chas. H. 659
Kinney, Joel A 90
Livermore, Mary A 311
Logan, John A 169
Lord, M. N..__ . 517
Ludlam, R 542
Lynch, William F 222
McArthur, John 170
McCormick, C. H., Jr 688
McCrea, Samuel Harkness 344
McVickar, B 393
Mann, Orrin L. - 206
Mason, Roswell B 51
Mason, R. B 764
Medill, Joseph 52
Medill, William H 259
Mihalotzy, Geza -- 196
Mitchell, Arthur - 416
Moore, Orren E 761
Morgan, Geo. H 770
Morris, Wm. W 770
Mulligan, James A _ 191
Newell, John 153
Nichols, Washington A 431
O'Meara, Timothy - 250
Orcutt, W. F._ 506
Osborne, Thomas D 204
Payton, Lucien 568
Pearce, J. Irving 503
Perkins, Samuel C 659
Phillips, John C. - 277
Pierce, Asahel 568
Prescott, Eli S 508
Ray, C H. 491
Reynolds, (Miss) Birdie . 766
Reynolds, Joseph S _ 766
Rice, J. B 597
Richmond, Thomas 506
Robinson, George I - _ 278
Rollo, Wm. E 643
Runyan, E. F 762
Salomon, Edward S 232
Schaumbeck, Frederick 267
Schintz, Theodore 771
Scott, Joseph R 1S0
Scripps, John 1 389
Seeley, T. P 529
Sherman, Francis T 235
Shipman. Geo. E _ 543
Shortall & Hoard 587
Sinclair, Catherine J -- 763
Smith, James.. 270
Snider, Alonzo - 7°3
Stanard, E. 0 765
Stanford, G. W 763
Stansbury, Chas. F 659
Starring, Frederick A - 228
Autographs.
Stockton, Joseph 228
Stokes, James H 27S
Stone, Melville E 772
Storey, W. F 495
Swing, David 423
Tayler, Reuben 660
Taylor, Ezra 271
Taylor, Geo 764
Thieleman, Christian 269
Tomlin, Mary . 491
Tucker, Horace 130
Tucker, Joseph H 227
Turchin, John B 181
Van Arman , John.- 257
Voss, Arno 263
Wadsworth, E. S 148
Wadsworth, Julius 148
Walker, M. O 118
Wallace, Martin R. M 258
Washburne, E. B 617
Waterman, A. N 763
Waters, J. Linton 130
Waters, O. P 659
Watkins, Thomas 105
Webb, William A 208
Wehrli, Rudolph 584
Wentworth, G. W 521
Wentworth, John 84
Whaling, Wm. J 648
Wilce, Thos 769
Willard, S in
Wilson, Charles L 491
Wilson, John L 491
Winne, Killian 503
Wynkoop, H. A 517
Biographical Mention.
Abel, Jonathan 364
Abbott, Abial R 476
Abbott, Wade 476
Ackerman, William K. 132
Adams, B. & Co 333
Adams, Cyrus H .- 363
Adams, Francis 54
Adams, George E 470
Adler, Rev. Liebman 446
Adler, Dankmar _ 566
Adsit, J. M. 634
Allen, Jonathan Adams 524
Allerton, Samuel W. 341
Anderson, John 489
Andrews, Edmund 526
Andrews, Joseph H. 582
Anthony, Elliott 471
Armour, Philip D _ 331
Armstrong, Charles M.. 341
Armstrong, George Buchanan 391
Arrington, Alfred W. 462
Artingstall, Samuel George 62
Asay, Edward G 470
Ashley, Augustus G 364
Austin, Henry Seymour ... 473
Austrian, Joseph 87
Averill, Albert J. 575
Ayer, Benjamin Franklin 132
Ayres, Enos . 577
Babcock, Charles Ferdinand 113
Baird & Bradlev 574
Baker, William' D 489
Balatka, Hans 593
Balding, Thomas E._ 350
Baldwin, Silas D 221
Ball, George C 364
Ball, James M 363
Ballantyne, James F. 497
Bangs, Edward W 364
Barker, Jabez - — 690
Barker, John Clarke 4S1
Barnard, Gilbert Wordsworth 655
Barrell, James 375
Barrett, John P 93
Barrett, Oscar W 642
Barron, William T 458
Barry, Thomas .- 96
Page
Biographical Mention.
Bassett, H. D 697
Bauer, August 565
Bauer, Julius 595
Baumann, Edward - 566
Baxter, Daniel F 340
Beckers, Oscar E 272
Beckwith, Corydon 465
Beecher, A. D 562
Beem, Martin 476
Belden, J. S 652
Bell, Alexander 350
Bell, Charles A 266
Bell, John H 529
Bell, Joseph Warren 266
Bell, William W 267
Bennett, Robert J 699
Bensley, John Russell 332
Berdell, Charles. 519
Beveridge, John L 269
Beye, William -- 54
Bickerdike, George 576
Bigelow, Daniel F 561
Bigelow, Edward A.. 372
Bigelow, James L 372
Black, William P 203
Blackall, A. H 700
Blackman, Carlos H 349
Blackman, Chester S 350
Blackman, Willis L. 349
Blackstone, Timothy B 141
Blackwelder, I.S 652
Blackwell, Robert S 461
Blair, Edward T 682
Blair, William 682
Blake, E. Nelson 371
Blakely, David 498
Blaney, James Van Zandt 523
Bliss, Philip Paul 594
Blodgett, Henry W 452
Bluthardt, Theodore J. 533
Boardman, J. W. ... 506
Bogue, George Marquis 578
Bolter, Andrew 679
Bond, Lester Legrand 477
Bonfield, John 86
Bonney, Charles Carroll 471
Boone, Levi D. _ 527
Booth, Henry 455
Booth, Mary McVicker 599
Bouton, Nathaniels 681
Boyer, Valentine A 526
Boyington, W. W 564
Bradley, Cyrus Parker 86
Bradley, Luther P 21S
Bradley, William Henry 453
Bradwell, James B 458
Bradwell, Mrs. Myra 313
Bragg, F. A. 583
Breakey, Benjamin A 683
Brenan, Thomas .. 195
Brine, George J 353
Broadway, Morris D 612
Brooks, John W 583
Bross, John A 243
Bross, William 492
Brosseau, Zenophile P 345
Brower, Daniel Roberts 525
Brown, Henry H 644
Bryan, Thomas B 477
Bryant. James M 334
Bucher, Charles Ambler 528
Buck, Dudley 593
Buckie, John, Jr 490
Buckingham, Ebenezer 374
Buckley, William 87
Bulhvinkle, Benjamin B 94
Burch, Thomas R 639
Burgess, William - 489
Burgie, Henry C 680
Burling. Edward 564
Burnam, Ambrose 556
Burns, Rev. Robert Ferrier 421
Buttolph. Albert C 699
Bvford, William Heath 532
34
SPECIAL INDEX.
Page
Biographical Mention.
Cable, Ransom R 151
Cameron, Daniel 226
Campbell, Frank W 583
Campbell, Tames L 583
Carroll, Rev. John 407
Cary, Eugene - 652
Castle, Edward Herrick 5S0
Chandler, Edward Bruce 93
Chandler, George W 243
Chandler, Peyton R 634
Chard, Thomas Septimus 645
Charlton, James - 143
Chase, Charles Carroll - 589
Chase, Samuel Blanchard 589
Cheney, Rev. Charles Edward 415
Chesbrough, Ellis S 65
Childs. Shubael D 488
Chisholm, James -. 492
Church, Thomas 641
Clark, John S 525
Clarke, George C. 645
Clarke, George R. 254
Clarke, James C - 131
Clarke, L. H 154
Clarke, William Edwin 529
Clarkson, Thaddeus S. . 267
Clary, Stephen - - . 332
Claussenius, Henry . 396
Clement, Stephen 676
Cobb, Silas B. 517
Cochrane, John Crombie .- 566
Coe, Albert L 575
Colbert, Elias 494
Collins, James L._ 680
Collins, "William R 680
Collyer, Rev. Robert 440
Comstock, E. F 477
Congdon, Charles B. 372
Conway, E. S - 595
Conway, M. W 95
Cook, Burton C 137
Cook, George Churchill _ 698
Cook, John H 156
Cooke, Alexander Hardy 531
Cooke, David Brainard 486
Cooke, Nicholas Francis _ 543
Cornell, Paul 478
Cornell, W. B 648
Couch, Ira - 501
Couch, James 502
Counselman, Charles 371
Courtwright, Henrv H. 142
Cox, A.J 1 488
Crane, R'ichard T _ 680
Crawford. John A 79
Cregier, Dewitt Clinton .. 59
Cribben, Henry 680
Cribben, William H 680
Crighton, John 334
Crosby, Uranus H. boi
Culbertson, C. McCIay 335
Culver, Charles E 334
Culver, Washington Irving 478
Cumming, Gilbert W 218
Custer, Jacob R 478
Cuyler, Edward J 140
Daggy, Peter 132
Dale, William M 539
Damen, Rev. Arnold 402
Dana, Charles Anderson 497
Danforth, Keyes .. 267
Davenport, Edward A 263
Davis, Charles Gilbert 530
Davis, Charles W 218
Davis, David .. 451
Davis, Hasbrouck ... 265
Davis, Nathan Smith 523
Davison, Benjamin F 78
Davison, Benjamin F., Jr. 78
Dent, Thomas 465
Devillers, Charles A 190
DeWolf, Calvin 482
DeWolf, Henry 133
D'Wolf, William 274
Page
Biographical Mention.
DeWolf, William Frederick 479
Dexter, Wirt 472
Dickinson, Albert 356
Dickinson, Albert F 356
Dickinson, Charles 356
Dickinson, Nathan - 356
Doggett, William E 697
Dole, James Henry 341
Donne'lley, Richard Robert 486
Donnersberger, Joseph 586
Dore, John Clark 106
Dougall, Margaret no
Douglas, Stephen Arnold. - 303
Douglass, John M 131
Dow, Asa 339
Drummond, Thomas .. 452
Drury, John F 560
Ducat, ArthurCharles 179
Duggan, Rev. James 398
Duncan, ThomasCation 543
Dunham, Ramson W. 345
Dunlap, George L 138
Dunne, Rev. Dennis 400
Dupee, Charles A 47 1
Dupee, John, Jr — 342
Durand, Calvin 699
Durand, H. C 699
Dyhrenfurth, Julius 591
Dyrenfurth, Robert C 267
Eastman, Zebina -. 498
Eckardt, Thomas 510
Edbrooke, Willoughby J 566
Edwards, Rev. Arthur 427
Edwards, Edward W 534
Egan, Wiley Michael 661
Eldridge, Hamilton N 258
Ellsworth, Elmer E 190
Ennis, James 482
Etheridge, James Henry 524
Everingham, Lyman 356
Everts, Rev. William Wallace 434
Fallis, Sylvanus W 489
Farr, M. A 677
Farwell, Charles B 694
Farwell, John V.- 694
Farwell, William Washington 455
Fargo, Charles H 697
Faulkner, Samuel ._ 700
Fergus, Robert. 485
Ferns, John Porter .- 665
Ferguson, Charles H 636
Ferguson, W. G 645
Fick, Lewis Wesley 16
Field, Marshall 694
Fisher, Lucius G 520
Fisk, D. B 695
Fisk, Rev. Franklin Woodburv 433
Fitch, Calvin M '. 526
Fitch, Thomas Davis 527
Foley, Rev. Thomas 398
Forbes, Albert M 277
Forrest, Joseph K. C 498
Foster, Addison Howard 533
Foster, Charles H 142
Foster, John H 104
Frantzen, Fritz 83
Freeman, Andrew W 546
Freer, L. C. Paine 473
Fuller, Alonzo M 699
Fuller, Henry. 587
Fuller, Melville W. 465
Fuller, Samuel W. . 462
Fullerton, Alexander N... 690
Furber. Henry J 482
Gage, A. S 696
Gale, Stephen F 488
Gary, Joseph E 456
Cassette, Norman Theodore 662
Gehr, Samuel 576
Geiger, Henry 530
Gherkin, Henry 448
Goddard, L. 0 146
Goll, Bruno Henry 716
Goold, Nathaniel 519
Page
Biographical Mention.
Gookins, T. F 561
Gottig, Cord. H 566
Graham, Andrew J 82
Gray, Charles M 154
Gray, George M. 154
Greenebaum, Elias 578
Greensfelder, Isaac 698
Groesbeck, Abram 529
Grosvenor, Thomas W. 777
Guerin, John 528
Gund, Frederick 86
Gunn, Moses 525
Gunzenhauser, John 581
Gurney, Theodore Tuthill 664
Hadduck, Mrs Edward H _ 672
Haines, John C 50
Hale, Edwin M 544
Hall, Duncan J 249
Hall, Phillip A 138
Hall, Wallace H 384
Hamill, Charles D 353
Hamill, Ernest A 372
Hamilton, David G. . 577
Hamilton, Polemus D. 577
Hammer, D. Harry 480
Hammond, Charles Goodrich 145
Hanchett, Selh F 262
Hancock, John L 331
Hannah, Richard C. 677
Harman, William 80
Harman, William, Jr. 80
Harper, George 700
Harper, John C -_ 699
Harris, Tacob 392
Harris, U. P. ... 91
Hartmann, Theobald 266
Harvey, George M 649
Hathaway, Amos W 87
Hatheway, Franklin 579
Haven, Carlos 461
Haven, Luther 104
Haven, Samuel R .. 526
Hayden, James R 190
Hayes, Justin 549
Hayes, Samuel Snowden 105
Healy, George P. A 559
Heartt, D. B 517
Hecker, Friedrich Karl Franz 234
Hedges, Samuel Parker - . 544
Hemstreet, William J. 648
Henderson, Abner Wells 105
Henrotin, Charles _. 395
Henrotin, Fernand 528
Henrotin, Joseph Fortunat 395, 528
Herrick, William B 524
Hervey, Robert 467
Hesing, Anthony C. 499
Hibbard, Homer Nash 453
Hibbard. William G. 684
Hickey , John _ _ 140
Hickling, William 518
Higgie, James L 78
Higgins, Van Hollis 456
Higginbotham, H. N 695
Highwood, C -- 560
Hill, Francis H.. 450
Hill, Robert 504
Hillard, Charles W 677
Hills, D. Hobart 697
Hinkel, Friedrich 395
Hitchcock, Charles 462
Hoagland, Andrew J 350
Hoard, Louis de Villers 588
Hoffman, Francis A 469
Hoffmann, Michael 519
Hoge, George B. 252
Holcomb, Hiram Francis 663
Holden, Charles C. P 772
Honsinger, Emanuel 546
Hooley, R. M 610
Horner, Henry 698
Horton, James M 682
Horton, Oliver Harvey 469
Hosmcr, Charles B 467
SPECIAL INDEX.
35
Page
Biographical Mention.
Hosmer, Edward D 467
Hosmer, Rockwood W. 645
Hotchkiss, Charles Truman 249
Howland, George 108
Howland, Henry 218
Howland, L. A 145
Hoyne, Philip Augustus. 453
Hoyne, Temple Stoughton 544
Hoyne, Thomas 463
Hoyne, Thomas Maclay 469
Hoyt, W. M 699
Hoyt, William M 584
Hughitt, Marvin -- 135
Hurd, Harvey B 470
Hurlbut, Horatio Nelson 525
Hurlbut, Vincent Lombard 665
Hutchinson, Benjamin P 331
Hyland, David M._ 94
Isham, Edward S. 469
Jackson, Abraham Reeves. 525
Jacobs, Benjamin Franklin 578
Jameson, John Alexander 457
Janes, John J 641
Jansen, Egbert L 486
Jewell, James Stewart. 533
Johnson, Hosmer Allen 532
Johnson, W. P 154
Johnston, William M.. 475
Jones, Fernando - e88
Jones, J. M.W. 489
Jones, J. Russell 122
Jones, Nathaniel Strong 372
Jones, R. R 677
Jones, Samuel J - 528
Jones, William 573
Jordan, C H. 450
Jordan, Norman B 462
Jussen, Edmund 474
Kalvelage, Rev. Ferdinand 407
Keep, Albert. - 135
Keith, Abijah 357
Keith, Edson 696
Kellogg, A. B 519
Kendig, John A. J 480
Kennicott, Jonathan A. 545
Kennicott, Mrs. Marie Antoinette. 560
Kennicott, Robert .. 514
Kerfoot, William D. 577
Kimball, Abel 152
Kimball, William Wallace 595
Kimbark, Seneca D 6S3
Kimberley, John E - 267
King, Ru'fus 474
King, William H 466
Kinney, Joel A 96
Kinsley, Herbert M 509
Kirk, James S 699
Kirkman, Marshall M 139
Kittredge, Rev. Abbott Eliot 419
Knight, John B 575
Knox, Joseph — 461
Koch. Charles Rudolph Edward 231
Kozminski (Charles) & Co. 635
Kozminski, Charles - 635
Kozminski, Maurice 635
Kune, Julian - 34°
Kurz, Louis . 489
Lambrecht Rev. Gotthelf 443
Lane, Albert G 108
Larmine, Samuel H -- 372
Larned, Edwin Channing 463
Larrabee, Charles R 68
Lawlor, Rev. Michael J 4°3
Lauer, Nicholas A - 584
Lawrence, J. F -. 489
Le Moyne, John V 474
Leopold, Samuel F 81
Letz, Frederick - 679
Lincoln, David H.. 333
Lincoln, Robert T 4°9
Lind, Sylvester - 580
Linder, Usher F 4°3
Lippert, Lothar 266
Lister, Walter 576
Page
Biographical Mention.
Loeb, Adolphe _ 581
Loeber, Rev. Christian A 428
Logan, John A 16S
Longley, Hiram. 505
Loomis, Mason B 475
Lord, James F 692
Lowell, Wallace A 647
Lowenthal, Berthold 633
Luce, Frank M 139
Ludlam, James D 261
Ludlam, Reuben 542
Ludwig, Roscoe F 546
Lumbard. Frank 594
Lyke, John W. 373
Lyon, George M 63S
Lyon, John B. 332
McAllister, William K 458
McArthur, John 179
McCagg, Ezra Butler 467
McClurg, Alexander C 243
McConnell, Brothers 581
McConnell, Edward 581
McConnell, George 581
McCormick, Cyrus Hall 685
McCormick, C H. Jr 688
McCrea, Samuel Harkness 344
McCredie, William 145
McDonnell, Charles 4S7
McHenry, William E 350
Mcllroy, Daniel 461
McKay, James R - 375
McKeever, J. L 585
McLean, John 451
McMullen, Rt. Rev. John 399
McMullin, James C. '.. 142
McVickar, Brockholst 394
McVicker, James Hubert 597
McWilliams, John G. 695
McWilliams, Samuel Anderson 534
Mack, Alonzo W 497
Magee, Guv 498
Magill, Charles J .- 78
Magill, Jacob C 585
Maher, Hugh 503
Manierre, George 454
Mann, Orrin L. 206
Marshall, James Augustus 654
Marshall, James Monroe 575
Martin, William 533
Mason, Roswell B. 51
Matson, Newell 698
Matteson, Andre 496
Matthei, Philip H 526
Mattocks, John 47-
Matz, Otto H. 565
Maynard, William J - 394
Mead, Aaron B 575
Mears, Charles 692
Mears, Nathan - 692
Medill, Joseph 51
Medill, Wiiliam H 261
Meech, George A 481
Meeker, Arthur Burr 673
Mellen, W. S 139
Merriam, Joseph W. 472
Merrick, Richard T 461
Mihalotzy, Geza 199
Miller, Henry G-. 477
Miller, Truman Washington 394
Mills, Royal Alexander Blaine 580
Mitchell, William L 475
Monroe, Henry S 469
Montgomery, George W 646
Moody, Dwight Lyman .. .. 511
Moore, James H 641
Moore, Silas Milton - - 640
Morey, Henry C... 57^
Moran, Patrick 339
Morse, Albert 345
Moseley, Flavel 104
Mugridge, Daniel S 341
Muhlke, John H 482
Mulfinger, Rev. George I, .- 42S
Mulligan, James A 195
Page
Biographical Mention.
Munger, Albert A - 374
Munn, Benjamin M 465
Murphy, John 252
Murray, Charles 139
Musham, William 96
Myers, Leo - 98
Naghlen, John 640
Nelson, Daniel T 533
Newell, John 153
Newman, Augustus 143
Newman, Benjamin 506
Newman, Benjamin L 506
Newman, Harvey R 506
Niehoff, Conrad L 634
North, Robert L 682
Norton, Jesse o 464
Noyes, Edward H - 364
Oakley, Maurice 403
Ogden, Sheldon & Co 579
Olmsted, L. D 640
Onahan, William J 53
Otis, E. A 477
Owen, Ira H .- 79
Otis, Joseph E. 383
Paoli, Gerhard Christian 528
Pardee. Theron 635
Parker, George G 372
Parkes, John C. - 676
Parkhurst, Rev. Matthew M 425
Parmelee, Franklin 118
Patterson, Rev. Robert W ... 418
Patterson, Theodore Henry 539
Peabody, Francis B 584
Pease, Benjamin Lovering 586
Pebbles, Frank M 560
Perkins, Jenks D -. 140
Perry, Oliver Hazard 492
Petrie, Charles S 97
Phillips, George W., Jr 353
Phillips, John 561
Phillips, N. A -- 140
Pinkerton, Allan 87
Porter, Henry H 137
Porter, William A _ 457
Potter, Orrin W 676
Potter, Thomas J 145
Poulson, William E - 637
Powell, Edwin 231
Preston, Josiah W 34'
Price, Samuel H - 261
Prindiville. John 77
Purdy, Warren G 152
Quales, Niles Theodore -. - 536
Quigg, David 474
Quirk, Daniel 195
Rae, Robert _ 475
Rand, William H. -. 487
Ranney, Henry Collings -- 665
Rattle, Thomas Stuart 140
Ray, Charles H 493
Raymond, Charles L 345
Raymond, Lewis 21S
Raymond, Samuel B. 218
Redlield. Joseph B 139
Reed, Alanson 596
Reed, Alanson H, 596
Reed, Charles. 461
Reed, J. Warner 596
Reissig, Charles 678
Reynolds, Joseph Smith 585
Rice, John Blake 597
Rice, Marv Eleanor Spencer 112
Riddle, Hugh.. 151
Riedel, Ernst F 2(17
Riordan, Rev. Patrick W 401
Riplev, E. P 146
Roberts, E. P 638
Roberts, George W 212
Rogers, Edward K 673
Rogers, Edward K., Jr 673
Rogers, Henry W., Jr 350
Rogers John Gorin 455
Rogerson, Joseph 450
Roles, Rev. Joseph P 404
3<i
SPECIAL INDEX.
Page
Biographical Mention.
Rollo, William E - 642
Ross, Joseph P 53°
Roof, Albert E 682
Root, George F 593
Rountree, Tohn M 48°
Ryder, Rev. William Henry - 441
Sabin, Albert Robbins. 11 1
St. John, Everette 152
St. John, W. L - 150
Salomon, Edward S. ... 235
Sargent, E. H 539
Sargent, Homer Earle 155
Schintz, Theodore -- 479
Schneider, George — 499
Schneidewend, Paul 489
Schnur, Peter 90
Schoellkopf, Henry 700
Schraeder, Frederick 584
Schraeder, William L 584
Schumacher, Charles F 648
Schumacher, Charles F., Jr. 584
Schwartz, Charles 342
Scott. Joseph R 187, 190
Scovel, Harry M -- 496
Scoville, George 4S1
Scoville, Hiram H., Sr 678
Scoville, Hiram H., Jr. 678
Scripps. John Locke 493
Scuitti, Agostino 396
Seeberger, Anthony F. 083
Seeberger, Charles D 684
Seelev, Thaddeus Pomeroy 529
Sellers, Alfred H. - 589
Sexton, James A 231
Shaller, John 534
Shay, Maurice W. 97
Sheahan, James Washington .. 494
Sheldon, D. Henry 582
Sheridan, Philip Henry. 383
Sherman, Francis Cornwall - 503
Sherman, Francis T._ 242
Sherman, Oren . . .. 517
Sherwood, Henry M 585
Shipman, George E. 543
Shirley, Thomas 480
Shortall, John G 5S7
Shuman, Andrew 491
Simmons, Charles E. 139
Simons Samuel .. 490
Skeer, John D 534
Skinner, Nathan A 156
Slosson, Enos .. 581
Small, Alvan Edmund 542
Smarius, Rev. Cornelius F. 403
Smith, Charles Gilman 533
Smith, F.C 146
Smith, Gean 562
Smith, George C 146
Smith, George T 356
Smith, George W 470
Smith, Henry Martyn 498
Smith, Perry H 136
Smith, Sidney 468
Snowhook, Patrick W 478
Snydacker, Godfrey 634
Somers, Richard 507
Spencer, Albert T. . 82
Spencer, Charles !•'. A 82
Spencer, Franklin F 683
Spring, Charles A., Jr.. 689
Stager, Anson 126
Stanford, George W 473
Starkweather, Charles Robert ... . 662
Stevens, Enoch P. 339
Stickney, William If 467
Stockton, Joseph 230
Stone, Horatio O. 574
Storck, Charles 530
Storey, Wilbur F 495
Storrs, Emery A 466
Strauss, Samuel 578
Strong, Albert Bliss 538
Strong, James I'. 310
Sullivan, Louis If. 566
Page
Biographical Mention.
Swain, Edgar Denman 545
Swazey, Rev. Arthur 419
Sweet, Benjamin J 310
Swenie, Denis J 9S
Swett, Leonard. 465
Swing, Rev. David 423
Sykes, James W 334
Talcott, Mancel 54
Talcott, Mary H 442
Tallman, Thomas P 631
Tayler, Reuben 660
Taylor, Ezra 520
Terry, Rev. Patrick. 400
Thayer, George H. 139
Thayer, Nathaniel -- 676
Thomas, Benjamin W 561
Thomas, B. W 692
Thomas, Sidney 468
Thomas, William .- 566
Thompson, J. Fillmore 546
Thompson, John L 468
Thompson, Mary Harris 547
Thrall, Edward M 642
Thrall, William Austin 138
Thurston, Ebenezer H. .- 534
Tobey, Orville H 339
Tomboeken, Henry 529
Tooker, Robert Newton.. 544
Towner, Henry Augustus 334
Trego, Charles T. - 342
Treyser, George A -- 613
Tucker, Horace - 132
Tucker, Toseph Francis 147
Tuley, Murry F 466
Turchin, John B 180
Turner, John Bice . 136
Turner, Voluntine C 121
Tyrrell, John A. .- 575
Upton, George Putman 494
Vallette, Henry Franklin 481
Van Arman, John 468
Van Buren, Augustus 479
Van Buren, Evert 457
Van Doozer, Benjamin Rel 534
Van Inwagen, James. - - 340
Van Osdel, John M 564
Vocke, William 478
Volk, Leonard Wells - 559
Voss, Arno 265
Wade, John 379
Wadsworth, Francis L 537
Wadsworth, T. W. _ 148
Waggener, Robert G 673
Wait, Horatio Loomis 462
Waldron, Rev. John 405
Walker, Henry H 582
Walker, James ?.T 145
Walker, Samuel B 118
Walker, Samuel J.. 582
Wallace, I. P. .'. 345
Wallace, Martin R. M 258
Waller, Henry 477
Walsh, John R 401
Walsh, William So
Walworth, Nathan H 212
Ward, Eber B 675
Ward, James 100
Ward, James H 473
Ward, James L 345
Warren, John B 78
Warren, Nathan Henry. 375
Warren, Robert 340
Waterman, Arba N 476
Webb, William A 20S
Webster, George 342
Webster, Joseph D 21
Wehrli, Rudolph 584
Weller, F. Montrose . 530
Werther, W 267
West, Byron D f>49
Westergren, Rev. Andrew T . 444
Wcstcrgren, Rev. Nels 0 444
Whaling, Mrs. Julia Cone 548
Whaling. William J 648
Page
Biographical Mention.
Wheeler, Charles C. 138
Wheeler, Charles W 375
Wheeler, George Henry 375
Wheeler, Hiram 374
Wheelock, Otis Leonard 565
White, Horace 493
White, Julius 203, 636
Whitehead, Rev. Henry... . 427
Whitehouse, Rev. Henry John 400
Whitehouse, William Fitzhugh 472
Whiting, David V 396
Whiting, Fred. G. 83
Wilcox, Erastus 690
Wilcox, Theo. B 645
Wilkie, Franc B 496
Williams, Erastus Smith 454
Williams, F'rank Benton 113
Williams, Robert A 92
Wilson, Charles L 491
Wilson, John M. 456
Wilson, Joseph 79
Wilson, Robert S 457
Windett, Arthur W. 463
Winston, Frederick Hampden 472
Withrow, Thomas F 152
Woodard, Willard 106
Woodward, A. W 545
Work, Henry Clay 593
Wright, Abner M 332
Wright, George P 450
Wright, James. 450
Wright, Nathaniel T 339
Wright, R. C 575
Wright, Robert C, Jr... 576
Wright, John Stephen 573
Younglove, Ira S 341
Ziegfeld, Florence 592
First Things.
Art exposition.. -. 556
Art periodical 559
Art Union exhibition.. 557
Annual dinner at Tremont House
1858 614
Base -ball tournament, 1867 615
Base-ball Club (" Union") 613
Beef shipment - 328
Billiard contest for championship. . 614,
616.
Billiard Hall, 1836 613
Billiard-match, 1858 614
Billiard tournament.. 614
Board of Public Works 56
Board of Underwriters (incorporated) 644
Boiler-maker 678
Blast furnace.. . — 673
Bridge across main channel 689
Chicago soldier killed 166
" Clarissa" sloop 577
Coal, receipt of -. 330
Commission sales 328
Elevator, floating 374
European vessel, arrival of 347
Fire insurance agent 535
Grain dryer 334
Grain elevator 564
Grain shipment 330
Grave-digger 44S
Health officer 549
Insurance company, foreign 635
Insurance Co., local, chartered ... 635
Insurance table of rates 639
Iron foundry --- 677
Lake tunnel 66
Life policy - - 636
Loss paid, great fire of 1871 653
Lumber cargo 689
Lumber raft 689
Lumber merchant 6S9
Marine underwriter . 636
Music teacher in public schools 106
Ocean steamship agency 82
Orchestra 591
Ordinance fixing street grade 50
SPECIAL INDEX.
37
Page
First Things.
Paid Fire Department, organized.- 90
Paved street 681
Pig-iron merchant -. 673
Pleasure-boat, 1845 613
Pleasure-boat for hire, 1855 613
Pork-packing in summer 379
Pork shipment 328
Race-course, 1S44 - 613
Railroad time-table _ 15S
Railroad train for seaboard 146
Regatta, 1S57 -- 614
Rolling-mill 674
Rosehill Cemetery, first interment .. 449
Rowing regatta 614
Sailing regatta 614
Salvage corps — . . 640
Scotch iron, direct importer of 673
Ship-building 330
Ship-smith 80
Steel rail rolled in America 674
Stock sales on 'Change 325
Stove foundry .. .. 679
Street grade established 59, 6S1
Street railway 119
Superintendent of Public Schools .. 115
Telegraph fire alarm 100
The " Skjoldmoen " — smallest vessel
that crossed the Atlantic 74
Tunnel under River - 64
Undertaker . 44S
U nderwriters, Board of 636
Viaduct - 57
War company organized 162
Wholesale hardware house . 682
Military.
Preliminary Measures.
First War meeting, Jan. 5, iS6i... 159
Second War meeting . 160
Firing on Sumter 160
Clergy preach patriotism 160
" Six Regiment" call 160
Metropolitan Hall rally 160
Special Session of Legislature 160
General Orders, Nos. I and 2 160
Ante- War Organizations.
Black Jaeger Rifles 162
Chicago Hussars 269
Chicago Light Artillery -_l6l, 269
Chicago Light Dragoons 16
Chicago Light Guard 16
Emmett Guards 16
Highland Guards 16
Independent Zouaves 162
Montgomery Guards 16
Shields' Guards 16
60th Regiment. I. S. M._ 16
United States Zouave Cadets 16
Washington Grenadiers .- 162
Washington Independent Regiment 161
Washington Light Cavalry 162
Washington Rifles - 162
War Companies.
Anderson Rifles 213
Barker's Dragoons, or " Sturges
Sharpshooters " . 25S
Board-of-Trade Battery 167, 278
Bolton's Battery 276
Bouton's Battery 275
Bridges' Battery 167, 274
Bryan Light Guard 213
Chicago Citizen Corps 213
Chicago Dragoons .. .164, 166, 265
Chicago Guards __ 164
Chicago Light Artillery, Battery A. 164,
166, 269.
Chicago Light Artillery, Battery B. 164,
166, 271.
Chicago Light Guard. -- 164, 213
Chicago Light Infantry 164
Chicago Mercantile Battery. .167, 282,
348.
Chicago Tigers -- 164
Colvin's Battery 276
Page
Military.
War Companies.
Corcordia Guards 231
Crosby Guards 235
Doggett Guards 282
Drummond Guards 208
Ellsworth Zouaves . 213
Emmet Guards 164
Forsyth Guards 244
Fremont Fencibles 213
Galena & Chicago Union 244
Garden City Guard __ 213
Glengarry Guards- 225
Hancock Guards 227
Havelock Guards. 228
Higgins's Light Guard 213
Highland Guards 164
Hoffman's Dragoons 267
Holden Guards 235
"Home Guard" muster-roll 164
Hubbard Guards 235
Illinois Rangers 164
Invincible Guards 235
Jackson Guards 164, 191
Kimbark Guards 235
Lincoln Rifles 164, 195
McClellan Dragoons 265
Manierre Rifles 199
Mathew Light Guard 213
Milwaukee Railroad 244
Montgomery Guards 164, 191
Mulligan Battery 193
Mystic Rifles 208
Nelson Guards - 235
O'Mahony Rifles 164, 191
Phillips's Battery 277
Roberts' Guards - 20S
Robbins' Rifles 208
Rourke's Battery 167, 193
Rumsey Guards 164
Scammon Light Infantry 213, 244
Scripps's Guards 228
Shepherd Guards 22S
Shields' Guards 164, 191
Sturges Rifle Corps .. 164, 165, 213, 25S
Thielmann's Dragoons.- 267
Tourtellotte Guards.. - 257
Tucker Light Guards — 213
Turner Rifles .- -- 199
Underwood Guards 228
Union Cadets 164, 195
Union Railroad Guard - 213
Union Rifles . 164
Washington Grenadiers 164
Washington Light Cavalry, 164, 166, 267
Wentworth Light Infantry 213
W. R. Arthur Guards 235
Woodworth Rifles 257
Yates Light Guard 213
Yates Phalanx 164, 165
Zouaves, Cos. "A" to " H " 164
War Regiments.
Ellsworth's Chicago Zouaves 187
United States Zouave Cadets. 1S7
12th Illinois Infantry - 169
19th Illinois Infantry, or "State-at-
Large" 164, 166, 179
23d Illinois Infantry, or " Irish Bri-
gade" 165, 166, 190
24th Illinois Infantry, or " Hecker
J;eger" 165, 166, 195
37th Illinois Infantrv, or " Fremont
Rifles" -- ...166, 199
39th Illinois Infantry, or "Yates
Phalanx" --- 203
42d Illinois Infantry, 1st Regiment
Douglas Brigade 166, 20S
51st Illinois Infantry, or "2d Regi-
ment Douglas Brigade " 213
57th Illinois Infantry, or" National
Guards" -- 218
58th Illinois Infantry, or " McClel-
lan Brigade" _ 221
65th Illinois Infantry, or the "Scotch
Regiment " 225
Page
Military.
ll'nr Regiments.
67th Illinois Infantry (3 months) 227
69th Illinois Infantry (3 months) 227
72d Illinois Infantry, or " First
Board-of-Trade " 227
82d Illinois Infantry, or " Second
Hecker" 231
88th Illinois Infantry, or " Second
Board-of-Trade " 235
89th Illinois Infantry, or "Railroad,"
----. ■- 244
90th Illinois Infantry, or " Irish Le-
gion " 249
113th Illinois Infantry, or "Third
Board-of-Trade " - 252
127th Illinois Infantry 257
I32d Illinois Infantry (100-day regi-
ment) - -. 258
134th Illinois Infantry (100-day regi-
ment) 258
8th Illinois Cavalry 259
gth Illinois Cavalry . 261
1 2th Illinois Cavalry 263
13th Illinois Cavalry 265
16th Illinois Cavalry 267
17th Illinois Cavalry 268
1st Illinois Light Artillery 269
Battles and Skirmishes.
Adairsville 275
Aldie Gap 264
Alexandria 264
Allatoona ...178,220, 268
Alpine Station, Va 204
Antietam 259
Arkadelphia, Ark 266
Arkansas Post..252, 257, 271, 273, 283
Atlanta 177, 212, 225, 251, 257, 268,
275, 281.
Averysboro', N. C. 234
Barbour's Cross Roads .. 260
Bailey's Creek, Va 206
Bald Knob 250
Barnesville - -- 259
Battery Gregg, S. C. 205
Bayou Cache 265
Bayou Metre 266
Belmont, Mo 271
Benton 277
Bentonville, N. C 221, 234, 250, 257
Berkeley Springs, Va. — — 204
Bermuda Hundred, Va. 206
Beverly, Va --- 265
Beverly Ford 260, 264
Big Black 283
Black Water, Va 205
Blountsville 278
Blue Springs 278
Boonsboro' 259, 260
Brazos Santiago 202
Brice's Cross Roads 254
Brownsville 206
Buckhannon 265
Bunker Hill, Va - 263
Burnt Hickory — . .- 268
Buzzard's Roost 186, 199, 239
Camden, Ark -- 266
Campbellville, Terin 262
Canton, Miss 277
Carter's Station 278
Cave Spring — 221
Cedar Creek 194
Cemetery Hill ... 232
Chalk Bluffs 202
Champion Hill 228, 257, 283
Chapin's Farm, Va 206
Chaplin Hills 197
Chattanooga 182,315
Cherokee 219
Chester Gap 260
Chickamauga --1S5, 187, 198, 215, 246,
274-
Chickasaw Bayou 252,257, 271, 273
Clarkson, Mo 228
Clinton. Miss 277
38
SPECIAL INDEX.
Military.
Battles and Skirmishes.
Coldwater, Miss. 250, 262
Columbia 24s, 275
Corinth 174, 219
Crawfish Springs 280
Dallas 176, 250, 257, 271, 273, 280
Dalton, Ga. 199, 268
Dandridge, Tenn .- 261
Darbytown Road, Va 206
Darkesville, Va 263, 277
Davis's Cross Roads -1S5, 1S7
Decatur - 280
Deep Bottom Creek, Va. 206
Drurv's Bluff, Va. 205
Duck River _.-..226, 240, 26S
Dug Gap 198, 274
Dumfries' Station — 264
Eastport, Miss — . 254
Elkhorn Tavern - 201
Elk River, Tenn 280
Ezra Church 177, 226, 251
Fairburn 281
Fairmount 193
Fair Oaks - - 259
Falling Waters 260, 264
Farmington, Miss 209, 213, 280
Fayetteville, Ark 201
Fayetteville, N. C 257
Fisher's Hill 194
Folly Island, S. C 205
Fort Anderson, N. C - 226
Fort Blakely, Ala.. 202, 225, 230
Fort DeRussy.. 223
Fort Donelson..l66, 172, 218, 222, 270,
272.
Fort Gregg, Va 194, 195, 206
Fort McAllister, Ga 251
Fort Wayne, S. C 205
Franklin, Tenn 212, 217, 226, 229,
241, 248, 262, 275.
Franklin, Va. 205
Fredericksburg, Va. 232
Fredericktown 271
Funktown 260
Gadsden _. 251
Gaines's Mill 259
Gettysburg, Penn 232, 260, 264
Gladesville, Va 278
Gleasonville 277
Gordon's Mills 237
Grand Coteau 286
Greenland Gap . - 193
Grenada, Miss 262
Guntown, Miss 262
Harper's Ferry 225
Harrison, Mo. 268
Hatcher's Run 194
Hoover's Gap 198
Horn Lake Creek 228
Hurricane Creek 262
Island No. 10 ._. 208
Jackson, Miss 277
Jenkins's Ferry 266
jonesboro. Ga...240, 251, 268, 278, 281
Jonesville 268
Kenesaw Mountain. .176, 199, 211, 216,
239,248, 257, 268, 271,273,275,
280.
Kernstown _ 194
Knoxville, Tenn. -225, 278
LaFayette 274
Lake Chicot 224
Lawrenceburg 244
Leetown, Ark 200
Lexington, Mo 192
Liberty, Miss 264
Liberty Gap 245
Little Missouri River 266
Little Washington 260
Lost Mountain 233
Lovejoy's Station 240, 281
Luray Valley, Va 204
McMinnville 280
Magno' in Church 283
Malvern Hill. Va 205, 259
Military.
Battles ami Skirmishes.
Mansfield --223, 2S6
"March to the Sea" ---234, 257
Marietta 268
Martinsburg, Va 259
Mayfield, Ky -. 223
Mechanicsville 259
Meridian, (Miss.) raid 223
Mission Ridge -1S6, 199, 211, 215, 233,
235, 247, 250, 257, 271, 273, 274, 276
Monocacy Church 259
Moorefieid. 194
Moscow, Tenn 262
Mount Ivy, Miss 262
Murfreesboro'..i67, 184, 198, 209, 214,
236, 279
Nashville, Tenn. ---212, 224, 226, 230,
248, 262, 275, 276, 279.
Natchez, Miss. 229
New Hope Church.. 211, 216, 233, 248,
275.
New Market 259
Nickajack Creek 273
Noses Creek _. 225, 233
Ogeechee River, Ga - -- 251
Okaloma, Miss 262, 266
Old Town Creek 262
Olley's Creek .. 226
Opequan Creek 194
Orchard Knob. .211, 233, 238, 247, 274
Oxford raid 224, 262
Pea Ridge 200
Peach Tree Creek... 217, 233, 240, 248,
268, 275.
Pensacola, Fla -. 202
Perryville, Ky. — 236, 279
Petersburg 194
Phillippi, Va 193, 265
Philomonte 260
Pilot Knob, Mo
Pine Mountain 233,275, 280
Pittsburg Landing. .166, 172, 218, 222,
276.
Poney Mountain .- 260
Poolville- 259
Port Republic, Va. 205
Prairie du Anne 266
Prairie Grove, Ark. 201
Pumpkin Vine Creek 233
Raccoon Ford 260
Rapidan 264
Rappahannock 260
Resaca 175, 187, 199, 211, 216, 220,
233, 239, 248, 250, 257, 268, 271, 273,
280.
Rich Mountain ... 265
Rocky Face - ..211, 215, 239, 24S, 275
Rome Cross Roads 175, 220
Russell's Gap — 232
Russel's House 273, 276
Sabine Cross Roads 223, 2S6
Sandy River - 225
Salem, Miss 262
Selma, Ala 281
Seven Pines 259
Shiloh 166, 218, 270, 272
Shoal Creek 262
South Mountain 259
Spanish F'ort 224, 230
Spring Hill, Tenn 212, 215, 275
Stevensburg 264
Stevens's Gap 210
Stewart's Plantation.- 262
Stone River 167, 184, 210, 245
Strasburg, Va 194, 204
Sugar Loaf Mountain 259
Sunflower - 253
Tiptonville 213
Town Creek 219
Tunnel Hill 250
Tunstall Station 264
Tupelo, Miss 224, 262
Tuscumbja Bridge 209
Union City, Tenn.. 223
Uniontown - 260
Page
Military.
Battles and Skirmishes.
Upperville 260
Utoy Creek 226
Varnell's Station, Ga -- - 268
Vicksburg, 202, 220, 253, 257, 271, 273,
277. 283.
Waddell's Plantation 262
Wauhatchie 232
Westminster 260
West Point ._ 262
Wier Bottom Church, Va. __ 205
Williamsport .. 260,264
Wooldridge's Hill, Va _ 205
Wyatt, Miss-- _ 262
Yazoo 202
Yellow Bayou 224
Zollicoffer 278
Zurich, Va - 205
Dead.
Adams, Charles S 297
Adams, Robert D 291
Anderson, Matthew .. 186
Arnold, D. E 210
Babst, Frederick 293
Bacon, Ebenezer __ 22S, 292
Bacon, Matthew ._ 229
Ballard, Joshua S 237, 293, 351
Barr, Joseph W 286
Beaufort, Francis 298
Bechstein, Frederick 293
Beckers, Oscar E. 166
Beidelman, Alexander. 273
Bellows, George L __ 215, 291
Benson, O. M 210
Berry, Joseph H 295
Bingham, Henry W --23S, 294
Bishop, William ...274, 288
Blaisdell, Timothy M 273, 29S
Blake, Charles B 277
Blake, Herbert M. 246, 249, 294
Blood, Henry S 291
Bowen, T. C. 210
Bradley, Luther P 217
Brastem, Charles M 181
Briedert, Charles 195
Broesch, Joseph 198
Brook, Henry J 238
Bross, John A 243, 295
Brown, Edward H 290
Browne, George L. 229
Brownell, Seely 294
Buck, Henry A 215, 291
Burt, C.T _ 210
Calling, Charles H 181
Carpenter, G.J - 210
Carson, Eli 210
Carter, Gale 260
Carver, Augustus H 279
Chalmers, John 273
Chandler, George W 242, 244, 293
Chapman, C. P 210
Clark, Leroy 170
Clenerwesck, Desire 186
Cliff, Thomas 195, 289
Coatsworth, George --237, 293
Conlee, Edward 192
Connant, Augustus H 288
Conway, James J. 254, 294
Cool, Benjamin S 236
Correll, S. S 236
Crane, George 282
Cummings, F. ._ 192
Curran, Frank 192
Darr, John 236
■ Davis, Nathan E 290
Davis, William H 236
DeCosta, Charles W 282
Derby, Levi 230
D'Wolf, William 274, 410
Dielman, Jacob - 273
Dill, James II 245, 294
Dodd, Samuel 282
Doggett, Theodore M 219, 291
Drenlaney John 192
Duplany.B 236
SPECIAL INDEX.
39
Military.
Dead.
Earl, John 273
Eisenhart, William 229
Emory, William E 210
Everett, Charles W. 272
Fellows, Albert W 206
Fields, Edward C. 2S2
Figu, Michael -- 229
Finnerty, James 229
Finney, Andrew - 279
Fitzgerald, Patrick 192
French, Henry D 292
Frome, Frank M 410
Gallagher, John 192
Garrett, C. G - - - 229
Gibson, John P. D 293
Gordon, James - 229
Gould, George 186
Grenahan, Michael 192
Griffin, Daniel W 185
Griswald, Joseph P 186
Gullich, Thomas F. W 236, 293
Haddock, Samuel .-. 273
Hall, Duncan J 247, 249, 294
Hall, Henry W 216, 291
Hall, J - 210
Hall, John A 211
Handt, Peter 198
Hanley, T 182
Harding, Scepter T 229
Harrington, Charles L. _ 273
Harrison, C. N._ _ 210
Hartman, Frederick .- 198
Harvey, John P 296
Helm, George 236
Henrotin, Henry 273
Hill, Andrew 192
Holmes, Devillo L 185
Holton, Fred. M 236
Hopkins, Albert - 229
Hosmer, Charles H 410
Hoyt, Abraham - 229
Hubbard, Louis DeKoven 410
Humbert, M. W 229
Hurlbut, Frederick J 291
Jackson, John - - 236
James Edward A 277, 299
Jeffrey, A _. 210
Johnson, Alfred O -2ii, 290
Johnson, Frederick 273
Johnson, John 236
Jones, William, Jr 277
Joubert, D 282
Kane, Edwin A. 229
Keith, John S 214, 291
Kelley, James 186
Kelley, Masten 181
Kingsley, George A 273
Kins. nan, Charles.- ... 273
Kinzie, John Harris. 410
Kirthner, Carl _ 198
Kurrash, John ... 229
Lane, Charles H 238, 293
Larrabee, Lucius Sherman 410
Leabock, Stephen C. 181
Leighton, James . _ 211
Lester, ThomasT.. 216, 291
Lettman, Julius 210, 290
Lippert, Lothar 266, 297
Logan, Hugh T 236
Lovell, Christopher 229
Lyford. Eugene A 236
Lytle, William H. 217
McBride, Ora 273
McCarthy, _ 192
McCormick, Archibald L. 216
McCracken, Robert- 185
McDonald, James .- 186
Mclntry, David 192
McMurray, Francis 191, 2S9
Maager, Charles 224
Malloy, Thomas 225
Mansfield, Matthew ._ 214
Martin, George D — 214
Mattocks, M 210
Military.
Dead.
Mauss, Louis 290
Medill, William H 260, 261, 296
Metcalf, KrederickW 186
Mick, Samuel H 236
Mihalotzy, Geza 289
Millering, Henry 236
Minnick, John .. 210
Montgomery, Ezra A 211
Moody, Otis 291
Moore, H . W. P 229
Moore, Thomas A 185
Mowry, Henry C. 229, 292
Mulligan, James A. 194, 289
Mulligan, William ... _- 192
Mustard, John _ 273
Naugle, William 229
Nelson, P. J _ 229
Newell, Douglas K. 273
Noble, David 181
Noel, Joseph 193
Northrup, A. J 210
Norton, David W 290
Nugent, James 289
O'Connor, James 236
O'Dwyer, Edward 195
O'Meara, Timothy - 250
O'Sullivan, Timothy 186
Odell -- 229
Orchard, Thomas 410
Owens, William F 236
Patterson, William 186
Pease, Ira A. 185
Pemberton, Thomas 186
Peters, John 236
Pettit, Charles 229
Pfeif, Louis W. 222
Pomeroy, Richard- 292
Price, Samuel H. 296
Prior, Edwin C _. . 292
Putnam, Israel 193
Raffen, Alexander W... 288
Ransom, Porter A 292
Reynolds, W. _ 210
Rice, William H -247, 249, 294
Roberts, George W. 210, 212, 290
Roman, John -- 236
Roth, Adam 229
Rowell, Henry L. 247, 249, 294
Rudd. O. F 206
Russell, Edward Hanson 410
Russell, Thomas __ 229
Rutishauser, Karl A 222
Sauer, Hermann 236
Schaumbeck, Frederick 268, 297
Scott, Joseph R 1S4
Seborn, Franklin 275, 298
Shepley, Charles H 288
Silex, William R 23S
Simmons, Albert C 215
Sinclair, George 246
Skinner, Richard 410
Slayton, John H 214
Small, Edwin 292
Smirnoff, Alexander 1S6
Smith, A 210
Smith, George C.i- 211, 290
Snow, Martin V. B _. 2S2
Spink, John W --247, 249, 294
Stagg, John S 279
Stark, Ferdinand .. 253
Steffens, August 198
Stephens, William 230
Strang, Stephen 186
Stranberg, John 273
Sturtevant, 'George 214
Swain, Frederick 253
Taber, John .- 186
Temple, Daniel 229
Thersan, John 210
Thomas. Calvin H 217
Thompson, Frederick 273
Throop, George _ 286
Tiffany. T.vsander 289
Tilton, Albert M 217
Page
Military.
Dead.
Titskey, Frederick 210
Tole, tlrias 229
Tracy, Simon P 277
Tucker, Lansing B 292
Wager, Henry B 170, 288
Walker, A. A 229
Walker, j. D. 205
Wallace, James S 282
Warner, Benjamin B. 273
Warner, Charles J 186
Waterman, George I. 217
Watson, Thomas 229
Weaver, Abram 236
Webb, William A. 208, 290
White, George T. 282
Wightman, James 205
Wilder, Charles J 290
Wiley, William H 279
Wittern, Benjamin 192
Wood, Peter Preston 410
Woodruff, Joseph 205
Works, W. W 229
Wright, Joseph C --229, 292, 351
Wygant, Thomas 2S2
Aid Associations, etc.
Anti-scorbutics, shipments of . 319
Board of Trade 166, 317, 336, 337,
34°.
Camp Douglas Hospital Aid Society, 324
Christian Commission 166
Christian Commission, Northwes-
tern Branch. 322, 323
Common Council 317
Council of Women from Northwes-
tern States .. 320
Female Army Nurses 314
Ladles' loyal League 324
Ladies' Relief Society 324
Ladies' Sewing hall 314
Ladies' War Committee 167
Ladies' War Fund Association 167
Loyal Leagues 167
Mercantile Association 166, 346, 348
Protestant Female Nurse Associ-
ation 315
Relief Associations 165, 166
Relief Work 314
Sanitary Commission- . 166, 315, 321, 323
Sanitary Fair, First 320, 323
Sanitary Fair, Second -322, 323
Sanitary Fair __ 557
Soldiers' Home.. 166, 167, 310, 311, 322
Soldiers' Rest 167, 312
Soldiers' Monument 362
Soup-houses 167, 324
Steamer " City of Memphis" 316
Steamer " Louisiana " 317
Steamer " Patton " _ 317
Steamer "Ruth" 319
Steamer "Silver Wave" 319
Steamer " Tigress" 317
Union Defense Committee 167, 315
War Fund Committee 167
Woman's Central Association, Chi-
cago Branch 314
Woman's Council 318
Young Men's Association 167
Young Men's Christian Association 166,
336, 34S.
Various Items.
Cairo garrisoned 163, 170
Cook County's money contributions 168
Cook County's soldiers 168
Citizens arm and equip volunteers -.162
Chicago companies, assignment of,
under first three-year call 164
Chicago companies join Missouri and
Kansas reinforcements 165
Draft of 1S64 167, 168
Douglas Brigade 166
President calls for 42.032 three-year
Yolunteers 164
" Ten-Regiment Bill" .. 164
War Finance Committee 165
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Page
Chicago . .Frontispiece.
Map of City Limits 49
Dearborn and Madison streets 53
John R. Walsh'sstore 53
Clark and South Water streets 57
Wolf Point in 1S70 - 59
Rush-street bridge ... 61
Clark-street bridge — 62
Randolph and Lake-street bridges 63
Washington-street tunnel 64
State-street bridge 64
Court House in 1S71 65
Court House, interior, ruin 66
Court House, exterior, ruin 67
Crib, being built-- - 6S
Waterworks Building-- 69
Chicago Harbor, 1S70 72
Light-house 81
Sign-Board Raid ... 85
Michigan Avenue and Lake Front 86
Haven School 107
Franklin School, ruins no
Dearborn Park 117
Chicago City Railway Co.'s ticket 120
LaSalle Street, from Court House 122
Barracks and Lake House 124
Wigwam Building 126
Illinois Central depot-grounds 128
"Rocket" locomotive.. - 131
Old Galena Depot. ._ 133
Old Locomotive 13S
Old Locomotive 142
Old Locomotive J43
Old Locomotive 147
Lake Shore Depot 153
Pullman's offices and ruins. 157
Time-table, Galena R. R 158
Newspapers, reproduction of Army 171
Newspapers, reproduction of Army 183
Newspapers, reproduction of Army 207
Newspapers, reproduction of Army 255
Newspapers, reproduction of Army 256
Newspapers, reproduction of Army 285
Newspapers, reproduction of Army 286
Armory and Gas-Works - 2S7
Camp Douglas 300
Camp Douglas 301
Soldiers' Home 311
Philo Carpenter's residence 324
First Shipment of Grain 329
South Water Street 333
Clark and Randolph streets 351
Clark and Randolph streets, ruins 352
Chamber of Commerce -- 358
Chamber of Commerce, ruins 368
Chamber of Commerce, ruins 369
Post-office 385
Post-office, exterior, ruins of 387
Post-office, interior, ruins of 388
Post-office after Fire 389
Marine Hospital 393
Holy Family. Church of. 401
Holy Family, Parochial School of 40?
Cathedral Holy Name 404
Cathedral Holy Name, ruins of 404
St. Michael's Cathedral 405
St. Michael's Cathedral, ruins 405
St. Joseph's Church, ruins 406
St. James Episcopal Church 409
St. James Episcopal Church, ruins 410
Page
Grace Episcopal Church 411
First Presbyterian Church 416
Second Presbyterian Church and ruins.. 417
North Presbyterian Church, ruins 419
Methodist Church Block 423
Methodist Church Block, ruins 424
Grace Methodist Church, ruins 425
New England Church 429
New England Church, ruins 429
Plymouth Church, site of 430
First Baptist Church 435
Second Baptist Church .. 437
Unity Church and ruins - 440
St. Paul's Univ. Church and ruins 441
Bookseller's Row and ruins 484
Lakeside Building, ruins - 486
Culver, Page & Hoyne's building 487
Tribune Building and ruins 492
Sherman House .- 502
Adams House 504
Adams House, ruins 504
Bigelow Hotel, ruins 507
Palmer's Hotel. 509
Grand Pacific Hotel, ruins 509
Historical Society, ruins 514
The Great Telescope 516
Observatory, Chic. Astronomical Soc 516
Rush Medical College 521
Rush Medical College, ruins 522
Chicago Medical College 531
Mercy Hospital- 537
Hahnemann College - 541
Lincoln Mask 557
Academy of Design. 558
Field, Leiter & Co 's Building 563
Honore Building 564
Honore Building, ruins 565
Drake Block and ruins 574
Young America Hotel and Rice's Thea-
ter 596
McVicker's Theater 598
Crosby's Opera House . 603
Crosby's Opera House, ruins 607
Aiken's Museum and ruins 608
Dearborn Theater 611
Exchange Bank . 619
Union National Bank Building 620
First National Bank and ruins. 626
" Bee Hive " Bank 628
Second National Bank, ruins 629
Fifth National Bank, ruins 630
Marine Bank, ruins 632
Republic Life Building 637
Republic Life Building, ruins 638
Republic Life Building, ruins 642
Insurance Building, ruins 651
Phenix Insurance Receipt 653
Blaney Hall 656
Trinity Episcopal Church 670
Trinity Episcopal Church, ruins. .. 671
Collins & Burgie, works, 1857. 680
Collins & Burgie, works, 1885 681
McCormick's First Reaper 685
McCormick Improved Reaper 685
McCormick's Works 687
Map of Burned District 706
O'I.eary's Barn 708
Map of boundary of fire 714
Lamp, found after fire 715
Map of original site of fire. 717
Page
Clark and Washington streets, ruins 720
Lake and State streets 722
Lake and State streets, ruins 723
View on Michigan Avenue 724
Lake and Clark streets, ruins 726
D. B. Fisk's ruins 727
Terrace Row 738
Tremont House, after fire 739
Wright's Livery Stable. 740
Rumsey's residence 740
Rumsey's residence, ruins. 741
Waterworks Tower 742
Lill & Diversy's brewery, ruins 743
State and Indiana streets, ruins 744
M. D. Ogden's residence 745
McCormick's residence, ruins . 747
Clark-street bridge, looking north 749
Map of City and Burned District 751
E. B. McCagg's residence and ruins 752
Lind Block 753
Bronze statue, remains of 758
Chicago after the great conflagration . .
758-59
Safes on Dearborn street 759
Certificate 761
First Congregational Church 762
Police Badge _ 763
Proclamation, fac simile of 764
Railroad Pass, fac simile 767
Magdalene Hospital, ruins 773
Church of New Jerusalem, ruins 774
PORTRAITS.
J. V. Z. Blaney 523
L. D. Boone 527
William Bross 493
William H. Byford 525
Rev. A. Damen .-• 403
N. S. Davis 524
J. Dyhrenfurth 592
G. W. Dole 327
S. A. Douglas 304
Bishop Duggan 398
Rev. D. Dunne 340
E. E. Ellsworth igo
Robert Fergus.. 485
Justin Hayes 548
L. D. Hoard 588
Thomas Hoyne 463
Samuel T- Jones 552
William "H. King 480
John A. Logan 169
Reuben Ludlam . 542
George Manierre . . 454
C. H. McCormick 687
J. H. McVicker 597
Colonel Mulligan and Staff 191
Rev. William Quarter 399
J. B. Rice 597
J. P. Ross 536
Julian S. Rumsey 328
D. S. Smith-.. 541
Geo. Smith 617
Perry H. Smith 136
F. F. Spencer - 683
Rev. Luther Stone 434
J. B. Turchin 1S1
James H. Ward 473
J. D.Webster 721
History of Chicago
CORPORATE HISTORY.
THE CORPORATION.
MUNICIPAL CHANGES.— From 1857 to 187 1,
inclusive, occurred several important changes
in the municipal government. In February, 1861, by an
amendatory act of the charter, the office of City Mar-
shal was abolished after March 4, 1862, and the Board
of Public Works created. The latter body was to
assume all the functions heretofore pertaining to the
Water, Street and Sewerage Commissioners. At the
same time was established the Board of Police, to con-
sist of three commissioners chosen from the three
divisions of the city. The first commissioner of the
board was to be chosen at the general municipal elec-
tion in 1863.
The city was divided into sixteen wards by the
revised charter of February, 1863, and its limits made
to include Bridgeport and Holstein, the line being car-
ried one mile further south. At the same time, all of
that territory north of the Chicago River and east of
the North Branch was constituted the North Division
of the city; all south of the main river and south and
east of the South Branch, and of the Illinois and
Michigan Canal, the South Division; while the district
lying west of the North and South branches of the
river, and of the canal was made the West Division.
The South Division included six wards, the West Divi-
sion, nine, and the North Division, five. By acts of
February 27 and March 10, 1869, the present city limits
were fixed, the territory added to that of 1863, being
the district on the west, including the tract lying north
of the canal, east of Crawford Avenue and south of
North Avenue. . The city limits now embrace an area
of thirty-five square miles.
The map on opposite page will give a clear idea of
the growth of the corporate territory.
In March, 1869, trie time for holding the municipal
election was changed from April to November. In
April, 1875, the City of Chicago was newly incorpo-
rated, under the general law, and molded into its
present shape. -
Roster from 185S TO 1872. — 1S5S — Mayor, John C. Haines;
City Clerk, H. Kreismann; City Attorney, Elliott Anthony; City
Treasurer, Charles N. Holden; Aldermen, by wards: (1) James
Long, William Bross; (2) Charles H. Abbott, O. Kendall (Smith
McClevey elected to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Mr. Ken-
dall); (3) Levi J. North, Hiram Joy; (4) Samuel Myers, J. M.
Kennedy; (5) Jasper D. Ward, Artemus Carter; (6) John Von
Horn, George Sitts; (7) Henry Wendt, John Dunlap; (S) Andrew-
Wright, Christian Wahl; (9) Benjamin Carpenter, Philip Conley;
(10) Andrew Enzenbacher, Dennis Coughlin.
1859 — Mayor, John C. Haines; City Clerk, H. Kreismann;
City Attorney, George F.Crocker; City Treasurer, Alonzo Harvey;
Aldermen, by wards: (1) J, K. Botsford, James Lorig; (2) Jacob
4 40
Harris, Charles II. Abbott; (3) Fernando Jones, Levi J. North;
(4) J. M. Kennedy, Samuel Myers; (5) L. B. Taft, Jasper D.
Ward; (6) C. A. Reno, John Von Horn; 17) John Alston, Henry
Wendt; (S) C. Wahl, Andrew Wright; (9) J. A. Huck, Benjamin
Carpenter; (10) John Comiskey, Andrew Enzenbacher.
i860 — Mayor, John Wentworth; City Clerk, Abraham Kohn;
City Attorney, John Lyle King; City Treasurer, Alonzo Harvey
(Charles H. Hunt appointed, December 24, to fill vacancy caused
by Mr. Harvey's resignation); Aldermen, by wards: (1) William
Colby, J. K. Botsford; (2) James M. Marshall, Jacob Harris; (3)
Hiram Joy, Fernando Jones; (4) Samuel Myers, J. M. Kennedy;
(5) Robert H. Foss, L. B. Taft; (6) James W. Cobb, C. A. Reno;
(7) Gurdon S. Hubbard, John Alston; (8) Redmond Prindiville, C.
Wahl; (9) Gurdon Perkins, J. A. Iluck; (10) Malcolm McDonald,
John Comiskey.
1861 — Mayor, Julian S. Rumsey; City Clerk, A. J. Marble;
City Attorney, Ira W. Buel; City Treasurer, W. H. Rice; Alder-
men, by wards: (1) J. K. Botsford, William Colby; (2) J. Q. Hoyt,
James M. Marshall; (3) A. D. Titsworth, Hiram Joy; (4) William
Baragwanath; Samuel Myers; (5) C. C. I'. Holden, Robert H.
Foss; (6) Edward S. Salomon, James W. Cobb; (7) Alonzo Har-
vey (Andrew Harvey was first declared elected, but the Council
afterwards reconsidered their action and Alonzo Harvey was
declared chosen June 17), Gurdon S. Hubbard; (S| W. G. White,
Redmond Prindiville; (9) Robert Law, Gurdon Perkins; (10) John
Comiskey, Malcolm McDonald.
1862 — Mayor, F. C. Sherman; City Clerk, A. J. Marble: City
Attorney, George A. Meech; City Treasurer, William H. Rice (F.
II. Cutting elected, but failed to qualify, and new bond filed by
Mr. Rice, in possession of the office); Aldermen, bv wards: (1)
John T. Edwards, J. K. Botsford; (2) Peter Shimp, J. Q. Hoyt;
(3) James A. Hahn, A. D. Titsworth; (4) Andrew Schall, William
Baragwanath; (5) William A. Groves, C. C. P. Holden; (6) Francis
C. Brown, Edward S.Salomon; (7) James Conlan, Alonzo Ilarvev;
(8) Charles L. Woodman, W. G. White; (9) William T. Shufeldt,
Robert Law; (10) Redmond Sheridan, John Comiskey.
1863 — Mayor, F. C. Sherman ; City Clerk, H. W. Zimmer-
man ; City Attorney, Francis Adams ; City Treasurer, David A.
Gage ; Aldermen, by Wards: (1) James A. Hahn, Andrew Schall ;
(2) A. D. Titsworth, Peter Shimp ; (3) James H. Roberts, Stephen
Barrett ; (4) Benjamin E. Gallup, John T. Edwards ; (5) Constan-
tine Kann, Mark Sheridan ; (6) David Walsh, Malcolm McDonald;
(7) James E. Abbott, John Comiskey; (8) Richard Clark, Redmond
Sheridan, (Francis J. Ullbrich elected to fill vacancy caused by Mr.
Sheridan's resignation); (9) Mancel Talcott, Francis C. Brown ;
(10) George Himrod, C. C. P. Holden ; (n) George Von Hollen,
L. L. Bond; (12) William Gastfield, Christian Casselman ; (13)
John M. Armstrong, David Aleckner ; 14) Valentine Ruh, Anton
Hottinger : (15) Michael Sullivan, James Conlan ; (16) William T.
Shufeldt, C. L. Woodman.
1864 — Mayor, F. C. Sherman ; City Clerk, Henry W. Zim-
merman ; City Attorney, Francis Adams ; City Treasurer, David
A. Gage ; Aldermen, by Wards: (1) George W. Gage, Charles D.
Peacock ; (2) Peter Shimp, A. D. Titsworth : (3) Stephen Barrett,
James H. Roberts; 14) Samuel McRoy, Benjamin E. Gallup; (5)
Mark Sheridan, Constantine Kann ; (6) John Wallwork, David
Walsh ; (7) Joseph Sherwin, John Comiskev, (8) Patrick Rafferty,
Richard Clark ; (9) Willard Woodard, Mancel Talcott ; (10) C. C.
P. Holden, George Himrod; (11) Lester L. Bond, George Von
Hollen; (12) Nathaniel W. Huntley, William Gastfield; (13)
Mathias Franzen, John M. Armstrong ; (14I A. Hottinger, Valen-
tine Ruh; (15) Iv'er Lawson, Michael Sullivan; (16) Charles L.
Woodman, lames I. O'Sullivan.
5°
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
1S65 — Mayor, John B. Rice ; City Clerk, Albert H. Rodman ;
City Attorney, Daniel D, Driscoll ; City Treasurer, A. G. Throop ;
Aldermen, by Wards : (1) Joshua C. Knickerbocker, George \V.
Gage ; (2) William II. Carter, Peter Shimp ; (3) Charles G. Wicker;
Stephen Barrett ; 14) H. M. Willmarth, Samuel McRoy ; (5) Con-
stantine Kann, Mark Sheridan ; (6) Thomas C. Hatch, John Wall-
work ; (7) Avery Moore, Joseph Sherwin ; (8) M. L. Frisbee,
Patrick Raffertv ; (9) Mancel Talcott, Willard Woodard ; (10)
Edward Bixbv.'C. C. P. Holden ; (11) S. I. Russell, Lester L.
Bond ; (12) William Gastfield, Nathaniel W. Huntley ; (13) L.
Proudfoot, Mathias Franzen ; (14) Valentine Ruh, A. Hottinger ;
(151 Samuel Shackford, Iver Lawson ; (16) Robert Clark, Charles
L. Woodman.
1S66 — Mayor, John B. Rice ; City Clerk, A. H. Bodman ;
City Attorney, D. D. Driscoll ; City Treasurer, A. G. Throop ;
Aldermen, by Wards: (1) William Cox, J. C. Knickerbocker ; (2)
Calvin DeWolf, William H. Carter ; (3) Stephen Barrett, Charles
G. Wicker ; (4) Allen C. Calkins, H. M. Willmarth ; (5) M. Finu-
can, Constantine Kann ; (6) John Wallwork, Thomas C. Hatch ;
(7) Max Schuler, Avery Moore ; (S) Patrick Rafferty, M. L. Fris-
bee ; (9) Willard Woodard, Mancel Talcott ; (10) C. C. P. Holden,
Edward Bixby ; (11) Henry Ackhoff, S. I Russell; (12) N. W.
Huntley, William Gastfield ; (13) M. Franzen, L. Proudfoot ; (14)
Robert Engel, Valentine Ruh ; (15) Iver Lawson ; Samuel Shack-
ford ; (16) J. J. O'Sullivan (Michael O'Sullivan elected to fill
vacancy caused by the resignation of ]. J. O'Sullivan), Robert
Clark.
1S67 — Mayor, John B. Rice ; City Clerk, A. H. Bodman ;
' City Attorney, Hasbrouck Davis ; City Treasurer. William F.
Wentworth ; Aldermen, by Wards : (1) Joshua C. Knickerbocker,
Wiiliam Cox ; (2) Arthur Dixon, Calvin DeWolf ; (3) Charles G.
Wicker, Stephen Barrett ; (4) Samuel McRoy, Allen C. Calkins ; (5)
John Raber. M. Finucan ; (6) David Walsh, John Wallwork ; (7)
John MacAIlister, Max Schuler ; (S) John Comiskey, Patrick Raf-
ferty ; (9) John II. Carpenter, Willard Woodard ; (to) Edmund
Bixby (died December 5, 1867); C. C. P. Holden ; (11) S. I Rus-
sell, Henry Ackhoff; (12) C. J. Casselman, N. W. Huntley (John
Buehler elected to fill vacancy caused by Mr. Huntley's resigna-
tion); (13) George T. Beebe, M. Franzen ; (14) Theodore Schintz,
Robert Engel (resigned December 2); (15) Samuel Shackford, Iver
Lawson ; (16) George B. Mansur, M. O'Sullivan.
1S6S— Mayor, John B. Rice ; City Clerk, A. H. Bodman ;
City Attorney, Hasbrouck Davis ; City Treasurer, W. F. Went-
worth ; Aldermen, by Wards : (1) William Cox, Joshua C. Knick-
erbocker ; (2) P. M. Donnellan, Arthur Dixon ; (3) Stephen
Barrett (Mr. Barrett died May 21 and James A. Hahn elected to
fill vacancy) ; Charles G. Wicker ; (4) A C. Calkins, Samuel
McRoy; (5) Mark Sheridan, John Raber; (6) Michael Keeley,
David Walsh ; (7) James H. Hildreth, John MacAIlister ; (8)
Patrick Rafferty, John Comiskey ; (g) Willard Woodard. John H.
Carpenter ; (10) C. C. P. Holden, Alvin Salisbury ; (11) B. F.
Russell, S. I. Russell ; (12) John Buehler, C. J. Casselman ; (13)
K. G. Schmidt, George T. Beebe ; (14) Louis A. Berger, Theodore
Schintz ; (15) John Herting, Samuel Shackford ; (16) Edward
Kehoe, George B. Mansur.
1869— Mayor, John B. Rice ; City Clerk, A. H. Bodman ;
City Attorney, Hasbrouck Davis; City Treasurer, W. F. Went-
worth; Aldermen, by Wards: (1) William Cox, Joshua C. Knick-
erbocker ; (2) Patrick M. Donnellan, Arthur Dixon ; (3) James A.
Hahn, Charles G. Wicker ; (4) A. C. Calkins, Samuel McRoy ; (5)
Mark Sheridan, John Raber; (6) Michael Keeley, David Walsh;
(7) James II. Hildreth, John MacAIlister; (8) Patrick Rafferty,
John Comiskey ; (9) Willard Woodard, John H.
Carpenter ; (10) C. C. P. Holden, Alvin Salis-
bury ; (11) l:. F. Russell, S. I. Russell; (12)
John liuehler, C. J. Casselman ; (13) K. G.
Schmidt, George T. Beebe ; (14) Louis A. Ber-
ger, Theodore Schintz; (15) John Herting,
Samuel Shackford ; (id) Edward Kehoe, George
I). Mansur. (On March 10, 1869, the city was
divided into twenty wards, and the time for the
city election changed from April to November.
The persons then in office were continued until the first Monday
r:,ber of that year.)
l86g 70— (Eld tion in November, [869) — Mayor, R. B. Mason;
City Clerk, Charles T. Ilotchkiss ; City Attorney, Israel N. Stiles;
City Treasurer, David A. Gage ; Aldermen, by Wards: (1) Richard
Somen, William Cox; (i) Arthur Dixon, P. M. Donnellan; (3)
Joseph A. Montgomery, James A. Hahn; (4) John II. McAvoy,
A. C. Calkin- : (5) George s. Whitaker, Peter Daggy ; (6) William
Tracey, Mark Sheridan (Daniel Heenan elected to fill vacancy
caused by Mr. Sheridan's resignation) ; (7) William Batterman, P.
J, Hickey ; (8) William S. Powell, James II. Hildreth ; (0) George
Powell, John Comiskey; (10) Thomas Wilce, C. C. P. Holden;
(ID James Walsh, li. I . Russell ; (12; Samuel McCotter, Willard
Woodard ; (13) James L. Campbell, A. D. Robinson ; (14) P. B.
Shiel, B. G. Gill; (15) James J. McGrath, John Buehler; (16)
James D. Tyler, K. G. Schmidt ; (17) Theodore Schintz, Louis A.
Berger; (18) Thomas Carney, A. Bengley ; (19) James McCauley,
John Herting; (20) M. A. Devine, Edward Kehoe.
1870-71 — Mayor, R. B. Mason ; City Clerk, Charles T. Hotch-
kiss ; City Attorney, I. N. Stiles ; City Treasurer, David A. Gage ;
Aldermen, by Wards : (1) John J. Knickerbocker, Richard Somers ;
(2) Joseph E. Otis, Arthur Dixon ; (3) D. Coey, Joseph A. Mont-
gomery ; (4) Harvey M. Thompson, John H. McAvoy ; (5) Peter
Daggy, George S. Whitaker ; (6) Michael Schmitz, William Tra-
cey ; (7) P. J. Mickey, William Batterman ; (8) Michael B. Bailey,
William S. Powell ; (9) William B. Bateham, George Powell ; (10)
C. C. P. Holden. Thomas Wilce; (n) Herman O. Glade. James
Walsh ; (12) Henry Witbeck, Samuel McCotter ; (13) S. S. Gard-
ner, James L. Campbell ; (14) B. G. Gill, P. B. Sheil ; (15) John
Buehler, James J. McGrath ; (16) K. G. Schmidt. James D. Tyler ;
(17) Louis Schaffner, Theodore Schintz ; (18) John McCaffrey,
Thomas Carney; (19) William M. Clarke, James McCauley; (20'
Gustavus A. Busse, M. A. Devine.
1871-72 — Mayor Joseph Medill ; City Clerk, Charles T.
Hotchkiss ; City Attorney, I. N. Stiles ; City Treasurer, David A.
Gage ; Aldermen, by Wards: (1) Chauncey T. Bowen, John J.-
Knickerbocker ; (2) Arthur Dixon, Joseph E. Otis ; (3) John W.
McGenniss, David Coey; (4) John 11. McAvoy, Harvey M.
Thompson ; (5) R. B^ Stone, Peter Daggy ; (6) William Tracey,
Michael Schmitz ; (7) Edward F. Cullerton, P. J. Hickey ; (8)
Jeremiah Clowry, M. B. Bailey ; (9) George Powell, William B.
Bateham ; (10) Lester L. Bond, C. C. P. Holden ; (11) Henry
Sweet, H. O. Glade (T. T. Verdier elected in place of Mr. Glade,
resigned) ; (12) Monroe Heath, Henry Witbeck ; (13) George W.
Sherwood, S. S. Gardner; (14) S. E. Cleveland. B. G. Gill; (15)
James J. McGrath, John Buehler ; (16) Thomas Stout, K. G.
Schmidt; (17) Jacob Lengacher, Louis Schaffner; (18) Thomas
Carney, John McCaffrey; (19) Mahlon D. Ogden, William M.
Clarke ; (20) Charles L. Woodman, G. A. Busse.
John C. Haines served for two terms as mayor of Chicago,
from March 2, 1858, to March 6, 1S60, having for many previous
years been closely identified with the business and public interests
of the city. His character is that of the man who makes sure that
every forward step in his life is taken upon solid ground. Born in
Deerfield, N. V., on May 26, 1818, he came to Chicago in 1835,
worked energetically at various commercial pursuits for a period of
eleven years, when he had so established himself in the confidence
of the community and accumulated so comfortable a capital, that he
decided to extend his scope of activity into a broader field. In
1846, therefore, he entered into a partnership with Jared Gage, and
the new firm purchased the Chicago Flour Mills. This was among
the pioneer manufactories of the kind in the city, and success was
an apparent fact from the first. Mr. Haines' ability was so mani-
fest in the conduct of his own affairs, that he was called upon by
his fellow-citizens to serve them, being, in 1S48, elected a member of
the City Council. In this position he continued for six successive
years, and when the city decided to discard the old hydraulic water
works for the more metropolitan system, he was called upon to
assist, officially, in carrying on the different enterprises. In 1853 he
was elected one of the three water commissioners for a term of
three years, his co-workers being J. H. Wondworth and George
W. Dole. In February, 1S54, the supply of water for the city
commenced, so that Air. Haines has the satisfaction of being
one of the founders of Chicago's waterworks system, and of living
to see the folly of those outcries against the broad views which he
%riL^i :- yf^^v-
and his brother commissioners entertained, regarding the nature of
public works to be established. At the end of his term he was
re-elected for the ensuing three years in the same capacity. In the
meantime he had severed his connection with Mr. Gage and become
interested in various financial institutions, among others, the Illi-
nois Savings Institution, of which he was chosen president in 1S59.
As previously stated, he had commenced his term of service as
mayor during the preceding year, being the unanimous choice of
the Republican Convention. For several years, after he had com-
pleted his second term, he devoted himself to the care of his exten-
sive interests, but took so leading a part in everything which
concerned the public welfare thai in [86g he was chosen a member
of the Constitutional Convention, He was among the most earnest
THE CORPORATION.
5'
and effective workers, among the many able men who attended
that convention, who placed the people of Illinois and her constitu-
tion of 1870 as uncompromisingly opposed to special legislation
and jobbery. In 1874 he was elected to the State Senate, repre-
senting the first district, during the twenty-ninth and thirtieth
general assemblies. For the past few years Mr. Haines has with-
drawn from active political life — in fact, he never has been obtru-
sive, but whatever of honor has come to him has been quite
unsolicited. For many years he has been largely interested in
several branches of the manufacturing interests of Chicago, and
connected with the leading savings banks of the city. For some
years past he has resided in Waukegan.
Rosyvell B. Mason served as mayor of Chicago from No-
vember 2, 1S69, to November 7, 1S71. He was, therefore, at the
head of municipal affairs when that calamity occurred which, for
years to come, will be the point from which to date the deeds and
lives of the men and women of this city. It was well, truly, that
a man of such rugged common sense and brave character had con-
trol of the city government. Responses to his energetic calls for
relief came from all over the civilized world, and before he went
out of office he had the courage to intrust all moneys, and supplies
received by him on behalf of the people of Chicago, to the Relief
and Aid Society, instead of to the City Council. Being advised,
furthermore, that criminals of all classes were pouring toward
Chicago, thinking to be benefited by the confusion then reigning,
he earned the approval of all good citizens by calling upon the
government of the Uni'ed States for protection, and General P. II.
Sheridan placed the city under martial law. During his entire
administration, in short, he showed an independent and fearless
spirit, seeming to remember that he had been called to the chair
by the votes of the Republicans and Democrats alike. Previous
to his election as mayor, Mr. Mason's life had been spent in the
unceasing toil of his profession as a civil engineer, the greater por-
tion of his career having been devoted to the surveying and con-
struction of railroads. As the architect alone (if the word may be
allowed) of the grand system known as the Illinois Central Rail-
road, Mr. Mason is entitled to a high place among the benefactors
not only of the city, but of the state ; and his previous training
evidently fitted him for just such an undertaking. Born at New
Hartford, Oneida Co., N. Y., September 19, 1805, he spent his
early years as do most farmer's boys. In his seventeenth year, he
assisted his father to fill a contract which he had taken, of furnish-
ing stone for the locks of the Erie Canal, and thus the boy formed
the acquaintance of Edward F. Gay, an assistant engineer in
charge of construction. In the spring of 1S22, he became a rod-
man under Mr. Gay, and afterward accompanied the surveying
party to the Schuylkill Canal ; but in August, 1S24, he was obliged
to return home on account of sickness. He next connected him-
self with the survey of a canal from Lake Champlain to the St.
Lawrence River, at Ogdensburgh, and in the spring of 1825 took
a position with Major Beech and Mr. Gay on the Morris Canal, in
New Jersey. Mr. Gay resigned his position as first assistant
engineer, soon afterward, when Mr. Mason was given the place,
and retained it until he was made chief engineer and superinten-
dent, during the latter portion of his six years' connection with the
work. For the succeeding two years he held an important position
in the construction of the Pennsylvania Canal, and after that was
superintendent of Morris Canal. In the spring of 1837, work was
begun on the Housatonic Railroad, extending from Bridgeport,
Conn., to the north line of the state. This was one of the pioneer
railroads of the country, and Mr. Mason its chief engineer ; remain-
ing with the road in that capacity for ten years, subsequently acting
as its superintendent. As chief engineer and superintendent of
the New York and New Haven Railroad, and engineer in charge
of the construction of the Yermont Yalley line, Mr. Mason had
further opportunities for extending his broad practical experience,
previous to entering the western field. In the spring of 1851, he
came to Illinois to take charge of the construction of the Illinois
Central road, completing it in October, 1856. The details of the
progress of this splendid feat of engineering skill will be found in
the first volume of this history, the salient facts being given by
Mr. Mason himself. After several unsuccessful ventures as a
grading contractor, in 1S60 he became superintendent of the
Chicago and Alton Railroad, was appointed comptroller of the
land department of the Illinois Central Railroad company in 1S61,
and retained the latter position until August, 1S67. In the mean-
time (1S65) he had been appointed by the State Legislature one of
the members of the Chicago Board of Public Works, to superin-
tend the lowering of the summit of the Illinois and Michigan
Canal. In 1S68, while acting in this capacity, he also constructed
the Dunleith and Dubuque bridge In November. 1S69, he
resigned as a member of the Board of Public Works to assume the
responsible duties of mayor. After serving two years, he returned
to the care of his large business interests. From 1873 to 1SS3,
inclusive, Mr. Mason served as one of the trustees of the Illinois
Industrial University. This is the only public position he has
filled since being mayor ol the city; but as president "I thi Chi
cago South Branch Dock Company, with many other bl
duties and social and church demands upon his time, his days are
still filled with works. Mr. Mason was one of the founders of the
Presbyterian Theological Seminary of the Northwest, which was
organized in 1857, and has held the office of director and trustee
almost continuously up to the present time. He is a leading mem-
ber of the Fourth Presbyterian Church, being one of its elders.
Mr. Mason was married September 6, 1831, to Miss Harriet 1..
Hopkins, daughter of Royal Hopkins, of Parsippany, N. J.
George Arnold Mason, one of their sons, was killed in a railroad
accident, in the year 1855, The remaining family of four sons and
three daughters are living, while Mr. Mason himself, at the ad-
vanced age of nearly eighty years, appears never to have asked the
question, " Is life worth living?"
^u>^ tfMafr^
Joseph Medill, mayor of the city of Chicago during the
two trying years succeeding the fire, and since November, 1874,
editor-in-chief of the Tribune, is the son of Irish parents who
immigrated to America in 1S19. He was born April 6, 1823, in
New Brunswick, in the vicinity of St. John's. When he was
eight years of age his parents removed to Stark County, Ohio, in
which state he resided for twenty-three years, spending his boy-
hood days on a farm near Massillon. After obtaining an academic
education at this town, and teaching at times, he decided, when he
had reached his majority, to engage in the study of law. Mr.
Medill studied this profession in the offices of Hiram Griswold and
Seymour Belden, was admitted to the Bar in November, 1S46, and
commenced to practice in New Philadelphia, Ohio, in partnership
with George W. Mcllvaine, since chief justice of the Supreme
Court of Ohio. But the tastes and the ambitions of the young
man tended toward a different career, than one within the limits of
the legal profession, and therefore he dissolved the partnership
with Mr. Mcllvaine in the fall of 1849, soon thereafter establish-
ing the Coshocton Republican. This was published as a free-soil
Whig paper until the winter of 1851-52, when he sold it and
removing to Cleveland, established the Daily Forest City. He
supported General Scott as a presidential candidate, but after his
disastrous defeat, concluding that the Whig party had outlived its
usefulness, advocated the formation of that grand organization of
which, for over thirty years he has been a corner-stone. The new
party was founded upon anti-slavery principles, composed of
Seward Whigs, Chase Free-soilers and Wilmot-proviso Democrats
and was christened, in 1S54, National Republican. In 1853 Mr.
Medill merged his paper with the True Democrat, owned and
edited by John C. Yaughan, and the Cleveland Leader was born
into American journalism. In the winter of 1S53— 54, then but
thirty years of age, he met his co-workers at Cleveland, as one of
the chief organizers of the Republican party and during the
succeeding winter sold his interest in the Leader, came to Chicago
and, with Mr. Yaughan, and Dr. C. H. Ray, of Galena, purchased
the Tribune. From April, 1855, until the great fire. Mr. Medill bent
all his energies toward the development of the journal which he
found an infant, and transformed into a giant in the formation of
public opinion. During the war the Chicago Tribune was ah
incalculable power in the work of steadfastly upholding National
Union sentiment at home and abroad. It was this journal, more
than any other in the country, which brought forward Abraham
Lincoln from comparative obscurity and elected him President of
the United States. It was more Mr. Medill's individual exertions
which brought about the great reform which so much conduced to
the firm establishment of Union principles in all the cities of the
North, viz.: that by which all soldiers serving in the field were
allowed to vote. Through his instrumentality Governors Ramsay.
of Minnesota, and Solomon, of Wisconsin, called extra sessions
of the state legislatures for the purpose of providing the necessary
legislation, and other states whose constitutions permitted, followed
their example. He not only agitated the subject in the Tribune,
but corresponded with the leading public men of the country until
the great importance of the propuscd measure was rn ugni t ■] and
a strong public sentiment created, which swept all opposition before
it. The soldier vote thus cast elected Lincoln in 1S64, and saved
Congress to the Republicans. Mr. Medill was also instrumental
in organizing the Union American League of America, which was
a most useful auxiliary to the Northern cause. Luring the first
ten years of his connection with this journal, he was not only
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
managing editor but the business head of the establishment ; he
not only triumphantly directed its political but its financial policy,
until he had built up the Tribune into one of the most prosperous,
as well as powerful, journals in America. In 1S69 Mr. Medill was
elected to the Constitutional Convention, and through his influence
and efforts, among many useful and important provisions were
those incorporated into the body politic giving representation to
minorities in the legislature and chartered companies. He was
appointed by President Grant a member of the civil service com-
mission in 1S71, and in November of that year was elected mayor
of the city, being carried to that office on one of the most irresisti
ble waves of public enthusiasm which ever swept over the city.
Mayor Medill assumed control of municipal affairs at a time when
the finances of the city, in fact all of its departments, were in a
state of great confusion caused, as is well known, by the disorgan-
izing effects of the great fire. But he placed his shoulders under
the load of difficulties and lifted the shattered city out of many of
its troubles. In September, 1S73, a few weeks before the expira-
tion of his term of office, with his health somewhat broken by the
strain which so long had been placed upon his mind and body, he
resigned the mayoralty and departed upon a European tour for rest
and recreation. Upon his return to Chicago in November, 1874,
he purchased a controlling interest in the Tribune and as editor-in-
chief assumed the general management of its affairs. This posi-
tion he still holds, guiding its policy with a steady hand and being
still recognized as one of the great powers of the Republican
party.
Financial Statistics. — From 1838 to 1856, in-
clusive, the city debt was compiled from the annual
statements of the Finance Committee, as submitted to
the Common Council; from 185710 1871, inclusive,
from the annual statements of the City Comptroller.
Following is a table showing the population of Chicago,
when taken by a regular city, state or United States
census, with the total valuation of real estate and per-
sonal property, tax and bonded indebtedness :
1857
1858
1859
1 860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869
1-70
1871
Popula
*93,ooo
*go,ooo
*95,ooo
109,206
*I20,000
138,186
*l6o,ooo
160,353
178,492
200,418
*220,0O0
252,054
273.043
306,605
334.27°
Total Valuatu
$36,335,281
35,991.732
36,553,380
37,053.512
35.352,3S°
37,139,845
42,667,324
48,732,782
64,709,177
85.953,250
195.026,844
230,247,000
266,024,880
275,986,550
289,746,470
$572,046
430,190
513,614
373,315
550,968
564,038
853,346
974,655
1,294,183
1,719,064
2,518,472
3.223,457
3.990.373
4,139.798
2,897,464
$535,000
i.SSs.ooo
2,336,000
2,362,000
3,028,000
3,422,500
3,544,000
3,701,000
4,369.500
4.757,500
6,484,500
7,882,500
11,041,000
14,103,000
At a regular meeting of the Council, held October
30, 187 1, the Committee on Finance made the follow-
ing report :
"To the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Chicago, in Common
Council assembled :
" Your Committee on Finance herewith submit the statement
to the Tax Commissioners of the appraised value of all the real
and personal property in the city of Chicago for the municipal
year A. I;. 1-71. Your committee have carefully considered the
necessities of the city for the remaining half of the fiscal year, and
have come to the conclusion that a tax levy of ten mills on the dol-
lar will be sufficient to pay the expenditures during the past six
years already incurred, and produce also sufficient for an economi-
cal running of the city government for the balance of the fiscal
year ending April 1, 1872. In this tax levy your committee have
not attempted to interfere with the annual appropriation bill, passed
in June last, as they have no authority so to do ; but the same re-
mains as passed. It is hoped that the Legislature will give the
Council power to revise the annual appropriation bill, and it will
then be for the Council to decide in what way it shall be revised.
This levy of ten mills will be upon the whole city, the burnt as well
as the unburnt district ; but it is hoped that- the Legislature, which
will meet the 15th of November next, will confer the power upon
the city authorities to rebate the taxes upon all property destroyed,
in whole or in part, and that we thus will be able to afford the nec-
essary relief to the property lying within the burnt portions of the
city. Your committee, in view of the great calamity which has
befallen our city, have deemed it advisable that every expenditure
of money which .could be deferred should not now be made, and
we have labored to cut the tax levies down to the lowest possible
rate consistent with the duty of paying expenditures for the fiscal
year already made, and of the carrying on of the city government
until the close of the present fiscal year. Ten mills, with the
reduction which will be made for the property destroyed, will, with
great economy, we believe, be sufficient ; and not a dollar beyond
what is absolutely necessary should be raised at the present time,
for it will be with the greatest difficulty that persons owning prop-
erty in the burnt district will be able to pay the reduced levy,
having in many cases lost all their personal property, and are
struggling to rebuild. Your committee will, therefore, respectfully
ask the passage of the ordinance accompanying this report.
(Signed) Thomas Wilce,
J. E. Otis,
J. BUEHLER,
Committee on Finance"
The valuation referred to was as follows : Real
Estate — South Division, $110,665,190; West Division,
$87,631,930 ; North Division, $38,591,280. Total, $236,-
888,400. Personal Property — South Division, $38,017,-
180; West Division, $8,850,420; North Division,
$4,800,000. Total, $51,670,600.
The ordinance referred to, which was passed, pro-
vided for the levying of the following taxes : For the
municipal year 1871 : Contingent expenses, 1 T8¥2^ mills
on the dollar ; interest on bonded debt, -gfo mills ;
police expenses, -f^o mil's ', permanent improvements,
j'U'j- mills ; school purposes, -f^ mills ; sewerage pur-
poses, 1 j6¥8¥ mills ; for lighting the streets, 1 ^J^ mills ;
cleaning and repairing the streets, 1 TyL mills ; water
works, 1 mill.
At a special meeting of the Common Council held
November 9, 187 1, George Taylor, City Comptroller,
presented a report covering the period from April 1 to
September 1, of that year. During that period the
receipts had been $5,336,308 and the expenditures
$3,678,942, leaving a balance of $1,657,366 in the treas-
ury, just subsequent to the fire.
William J. Onahan, City Collector of Chicago, was born in
Leighlin Bridge, County Carlow, Ireland. He first removed to
Dublin, and, in 1845, he located in Liverpool and started for
America in the year 1851. Landing at New York, March 17 of
that year (St. Patrick's day), he commenced his life in the new
country as an office boy, graduating to the position of assistant
book-keeper in a large clothing house. Being induced to come
West and try his fortunes in Chicago, he arrived here September 24,
1854. Mr. Onahan early identified himself with religious, and
charitable work in this city and has continued untiringly in labors
of this kind. In 1857 he was chosen secretary of the Catholic
Institute and subsequently became president of the Society of St.
Vincent de Paul, with which charitable organization he has ever
since been actively identified. At the beginning of the civil war,
Mr. Onahan was active in the work of organizing the Twenty-
third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, commanded by the lamented
Colonel James A. Mulligan, and afterward celebrated as the " Irish
Brigade." He was now approaching the public period in his
career, filled so full with honors. His literary tastes and attain-
ments early brought him to the notice of all educational patrons,
being appointed a member of the Board of Education in 1863, and
a director of the Public Library in 1873 for a term of eight years,
serving in 1881 as president of that organization. Mr. Onahan
founded the St. Patrick's Society in 1864 and acted as its first
president, being elected to the same position in 1878, and each
Subsequent year, hi 1869 Mr. Onahan was elected City Collector,
OLD AND NEW SITE OF REYNOLDS* BLOCK ; SOUTHWEST CORNER OF DEARBORN AND MADISON STREETS.
John R. Walsh's store stood on the corner of Madison Street and Custom House Place— so named by Mr. Walsh. The front of his
store, on the Place, was thirty-six feet from the wall as shown in cut ; the front line of Reynolds' Block was fifty feet from the same
wall.
54
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
at which time the entire revenue of the city, derived from taxes,
special assessment, and licenses, amounting to upwards of seven
million of dollars annually, passed through his hands. He was the
first to institute needed reforms, and to systematize and reduce to
exact order the method of keeping the office and tax accounts. In
consequence of changes in the city charter, the office of collector
was made appointive ; and, in 1S79, Mr. Onahan was again called
to his former position by Mayor Harrison, being unanimously con-
firmed bv the Citv Council. He has since been twice re -appointed
and confirmed in like manner, to the universal satisfaction of the
tax-payers. He was one of the principal organizers of the Second
Regiment of the National Guards in 1S75, it being incorporated as
a portion of the State Militia. He remained president of the asso-
ciation until 1S79, having assumed a debt of $15,000 in behalf of
the regiment, and seen it liquidated. Upon his resignation he was
justly and happily complimented by Governor Cullom upon the
part which he had taken in the organization and maintenance of
that body. The work with which Mr. Onahan has been more par-
ticularly identified of late years, is the Irish Catholic Colonization
Association of the United States ; whose object is to promote the
settlement of Irish immigrants and citizens on lands in the West.
He was also one of the founders of the Charity Organization Soci-
ety and was elected its first vice-president ; being furthermore a
director of St. Mary's Training School. Twice president of the
Union Catholic Library Association, he has delivered before it
many interesting lectures, chiefly on historical subjects. He has
also lectured in other cities, and although his regular official duties
would be sufficient for a man of ordinary energy, Mr. Onahan is a
prolific and valued contributor to the literature of the day. In
1S76 Notre Dame University conferred upon him the degree of
Doctor of Law, although he rarely, if ever, employs this honorable
affix to his name. He is also a corresponding member of the Chicago
Historical Society. Mr. Onahan was married July 8, i860, to
Miss Margaret G. Duffy. They have had six children, only one of
whom is living. It is but just to the invaluable service performed
by this gentleman, in furnishing the compilers of this history with
large quantities of comprehensive data, to here acknowledge such
service ; and to additionally state that, were it not for the informa-
tion furnished by Mr. Onahan, the history of Catholic organizations
and procedures would be fatally defective.
William Beye, for twelve years deputy county treasurer of
Cook County and now engaged in the grain commission business,
is a native of the dukedom of Brunswick, Prussia. He was born
on May 12, 1841, and came to America in 1856. He had a brother
in the western part of Cook County, 111., to whom he went, but
remained with him only a week when he struck out for himself and
engaged in agricultural pursuits in summer, attending school dur-
ing the winter months, until the war, when he enlisted in the army.
He joined Farnsworth's Sth Illinois Cavalry at St. Charles on
September i3, 1S61, and followed its fortunes during the war. He
fought in the battles of Williamsburg, Seven Pines, or Fair Oaks,
Malvern Hill, Va., Antietam, Md., Fredericksburg, Chancellors-
ville and Gettysburg, besides being in many other smaller engage-
ments and skirmishes. In 1865 his regiment was sent to St. Louis,
on the way to the plains for frontier service, but thinking their
term of enlistment had expired, they asked to be discharged and
were mustered out on July 17, 1865. Returning to Klk Grove, he
entered the academy at Elgin the following fall, and after six
months' attendance took a term in Bryant & Stratton's Business
College in Chicago. He concluded his business course in the
spring of 1867, when he obtained a situation as clerk in the office
of the County Treasurer, J M. Allen. His faithfulness and
ability secured him a position for four years as clerk and then his
promotion as deputy for twelve years. During the first years of
his occupancy of the position as deputy treasurer, the great Chi-
cago fire of 1871 occurred and the ensuing Thursday the safe was
dug out from the ruins while the debris was yet warm ; the books
and accounts although charred were in a condition of perfect leg-
ible preservation, and so accurate were the papers, so carefully had
the entries been made by Mr. Beye, and so thoroughly in ordar
were all the data, that the following Monday Mr. Beye and Mr.
Heber S. Rexford, then county treasurer, went to Springfield and
settled the accounts of the state, very much to the surprise of the
state officials, who complimented Mr. Beye highly for the accuracy
and care which had rendered such a settlement possible. In May,
formed a co-partnership with James 11. Heald under the
style and name of William Beye & Co., and in January, 1884,
they too: i ' Ho ell into partnership, so that the firm is now
!'. ;.' 8 ( ". On April 23, 187S, Mr. Beye was married to
Miss Nellie C. Lombard, a Boston lady, daughter of C. S. Lom-
bard, by whom he has four children : Hannah C, Marion, William
and CudWOTth. He is a member of Unity Church of Chicago.
He is a Royal Arch Mason, and member of Palatine lodge, No.
314. He is also a member of the Union Club, Union Veteran
League Club and the Charming Club.
Mancei. Tai.cott, whose long and industrious life was spent
in Chicago, was born in Rome, Oneida Co., N. V , October
12, 1817, the son of Mancei and Betsy Talcott. He early
attended the common schools of his native state, and, in 1834,
came to Chicago, walking from Detroit to this city. On his
arrival he naturally turned his attention to farming as the only
avenue through whieh he could obtain immediate employment.
He accordingly settled at Park Ridge where he remained from
1S41 to 1850, when, attracted to the Pacific coast by the gold dis-
coveries, he went there March 25, 1S50, and returned November
25, 1851 ; at the end of that time, and having succeeded in accu-
mulating a considerable fortune, he formed a partnership with
Horace M. Singer in 1854. and the Singer & Talcott Stone Com-
pany was established. Mr. Talcott was a member of the firm
until shortly prior to his death, which occurred June 5, 1878. He
was married October 25, 1841, to Miss Mary H. Otis, of Park
Ridge. Mr. Talcott was elected alderman in 1863, serving one
year. In 1S65 he was again elected to the City Council, serving a
term of two years. In November, 1871, he was chosen a member
of the Board of County Commissioners, and resigned his position
upon being elected police commissioner, to fill the place of T. B.
Brown, who had resigned. He was for many years a member of
the Police Board, resigning the position of president of that body
in December, 1872. He was one of the founders of the First
National Bank of Chicago, of which he was a director until the
time of his death. He was also for a number of years president
of the Union Stock Yards National Bank, and president of the
Excelsior Stone Company. His life is most distinguished, how-
ever, by his benevolence to public charities and religious societies.
His many gifts have not all found record, but exist in the memory
of those who knew him best.
Francis Adams, for so many years corporation counsel, and
assistant to that official, was born in Enniskillen, North of Ireland,
March 26, 1S29, being the eldest of a family of twelve children.
He obtained his early education at the village and grammar schools
of his native place, having previous to his thirteenth year laid a
good foundation for future intellectual operations. When he was
twelve years of age, his father, who had been a merchant, desiring
to place within the reach of his children the manifold advantages
of this country, decided to emigrate to the United States. In the
spring of 1S41, he, therefore, started for New Orleans with his
family, landing at that port and settling in Logan County, Ky., in
the month of April. There he purchased a farm, upon which
young Adams worked for two years, being next employed in a dry
goods store at Clarksville, and subsequently with his father, at the
same place and in the same business. But mercantile pursuits
were not congenial to the active mind of the youth, and he there-
fore proceeded to prepare for a collegiate course in a private school
at Clarksville. Entering the sophomore class of the Masonic Col-
lege, at that place, he graduated, in 1851, with the highest honors
of his class. As his means were limited, he partially paid his ex-
penses, while in college, by acting as a tutor. After graduating,
he taught school for one year in Christian County, Ky., having
also commenced the reading of law. This course he persistently
continued, at the same time supporting himself as a record writer
in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court at Clarksville.
Finally Mr. Adams entered the law department of the Cumberland
Presbyterian University, at Lebanon, Term., which was conducted
by Judge Green, for many years Chancellor of the State, and A. B.
Caruthers, distinguished as one of the best common-law judges in
Tennessee. In the spring of 1854, he was admitted to the practice
of law in that state, and was at once offered a partnership with
Robert W. Humphreys, of Clarksville. This offer was declined,
however, and Mr. Adams removed to Kaufmann, Kaufmann Co.,
Tex., where, between practicing his profession and teaching school,
he more than supported himself. Not liking the country, however,
and with a prospect of bettering himself, in the spring of 1855 he
removed to Russellville, Ky. , where his mother resided, his father
having died in 1S52. But the fame of Chicago reached him before
he had long been there, and accordingly he started for the growing,
ambitious young city, which he reached on the 5th of October,
1855. He opened an office in the old frame building, opposite the
Sherman House, occupied by the Chicago Tribune. Mr. Adams
continued to practice alone until during the summer of 1856, when
he formed a partnership with Patrick Ballingall, who had been city
attorney, and was one of Chicago's most noted criminal lawyers.
The partnership continued until 1858, when it wras dissolved, Mr.
Adams forming a connection with S. A. Irvin, formerly corpora-
tion counsel. Having spent a short time in Memphis, Tenn. , and
Peoria, 111., being absent about nine months, in the spring of 1861,
Mr. Adams returned to Chicago, where, after successfully practic-
ing his profession for two years, he was elected city attorney.
After his term expired, he resumed private practice, and thus con-
tinued until August, 1S74, when he was employed by Mayor Colvin
and Comptroller Hayes to assist the corporation counsel in con-
THE CORPORATION.
55
ducting litigation relating to taxes. The corporation having failed
to collect the taxes for the years 1873 and 1S74, levied under the
"City Tax Act," which the Supreme Court had declared uncon-
stitutional, Mr. Adams prepared an act, which was passed by the
Legislature of 1877, providing for the collection of the taxes of
those and prior years. The application for judgment under this
act was vigorously opposed on the ground of the alleged uncon-
stitutionality of the act, but the city was successful in the County,
Appellate and Supreme courts, and collected over $750,000 of back
taxes under the act, subsequently. Application for judgment in the
County Court was made in 1878, and he, having previously re-
signed, was specially employed to conduct the litigation on the part
of the city. In May, iS7g, he was appointed corporation counsel
by Mayor Harrison, so that when the case reached the Supreme
Court, Mr. Adams appeared again for the city. He resigned his
position in December, 1883, and took a vacation of several months
for rest and recreation. As an evidence of the estimation in which
Mr. Adams is held by the public, and especially by those who have
been officially intimate with him, the following extract is taken
from a letter addressed to him by Mayor Harrison, alluding to Mr.
Adams's resignation, which had been tendered him ; he says : " I
regret the necessity more than any one else. When difficult legal
questions have come up, I have always felt myself safe in being
guided by your opinion. When important matters of municipal
interest have been in court, I have felt, with your attending to such
matters, the city was safe. There is no one else I can get to fill
vour place in whom I can put this trust. There are many good
lawyers, but those who have had long experience will not abandon
private practice to go into a position subject to the vicissitudes
attending municipal elections. Therefore, in losing you I feel your
loss cannot be made good."
In October, 1S84, Mr. Adams resumed private practice, and
is now so engaged.
In addition to the fine service which Mr. Adams has rendered
the city in the matter of permanently settling its litigation in regard
to taxes, he has been engaged in a number of the most important
cases which, within the past few years, have come up for adjudi-
cation. In April, 1875, it will be remembered that an election was
held for the incorporation of the city under the act of 1S72 and
that upon application of certain citizens the Circuit Court issued an
injunction restraining the members of the Common Council from
canvassing the returns. Being advised by T. Lyle Dickey, cor-
poration counsel, and Mr. Adams, his assistant, that the Circuit
Court had no jurisdiction over their action in the matter, the can-
vass proceeded, and the result was declared ; whereupon the alder-
men and their counsel were fined for contempt, but the case being
appealed to the Supreme Court, the city was sustained in every
point. Mr Adams's oral argument in the contempt case before
Judge Williams, of the Circuit Court, attracted general attention,
being set down as a masterly effort.
The Chicago Times of May 27, 1S75, thus commented on it :
" The conclusion of the argument of Mr. Francis Adams in
the important contempt case was certainly one of the finest exam-
ples of unpretentious forensic eloquence that has lately been heard
in this city. It was the expression, moreover, of sentiments and
doctrine that deserve from all seekers after truth the warmest
praise. The consistency which some men profess to worship, and
which consists in clinging blindly to error, if supported by the
authority of tradition, rather than reject what they have once
accepted for truth, is the consistency of the bigot, the Bourbon
and the fool. No more eloquent rebuke of such medievalism,
whether manifest in politics, in theology or in jurisprudence, has
been uttered than will be found in the concluding passages of Mr.
Adams' address to the court."
That all may have an opportunity of judging whether this praise
was deserved or not, that portion of Mr. Adams's address to which
reference is made is here inserted. It should be stated, however,
that the speech was in reply to a charge of inconsistency made by
the opposing counsel, in that Mr. Adams had advised the Common
Council just before the meeting of that body next after the injunc-
tion was issued, not to canvass the returns: "At that time," he
said, " I did not consider the question of jurisdiction or authority
to issue the writ. The only question which I then had to consider
was how, in view of all the circumstances, should the Common
Council act that evening? 1 thought it prudent and cautious that
they should proceed slowly, and that line should be given for an
investigation of the questions, they being "i great importance.
That is my explanation and that is the explanation which 1 have
put on the record, lint, if your honor please, 1 am not disposed to
shirk or avoid, in the least degree, the consequences of any act of
mine. I acceptthe canon of interpretation that you must gather
one's meaning from the language which he uses, and if that opin-
ion, taken in its ordinary sense, means that the law requires obedi-
ence to a writ unauthorized by law, then, if your honor please,
following the illustrious example of the Supreme Court of this
state and the Appellate Courts of all the states, I here and now
overrule that opinion. It may be said that I am inconsistent.
Perhaps, indeed, I am open to that charge, as some deem consist-
ency. If consistency means adherence to an erroneous opinion
after you shall have discovered your error, then perish consistency
for me ; I will have none of it. If that is the consistency of which
it is said it is a 'jewel,' I seek no such jewels for my personal
adornment. But if a sincere, earnest effort to walk in the straight
and narrow way of truth, and having, through ignorance, accident
or weakness diverged from it to the right hand or the left, to delib-
erately retrace your steps until you shall have found it, and, having
found it, to walk in it humbly, yet firmly and fearlessly, if this be con-
sistency then I desire not, indeed, to be esteemed consistent, but to
be so ; in the words of the noble motto of the celebrated Danish as-
tronomer, Tycho Brahe, — Essenon haberi. It may be said that I have
changed my opinion. If I have, I have but illustrated in my indi-
vidual life a constant phase in the history of human progress. Had
not the opinions of mankind changed, the inductive system of phil-
osophy, the key to all knowledge of the physical sciences,
a system which an American author has happily denom-
inated experimental interrogation of nature, and which
modern scientists agree in recognizing as the only true
system of philosophy, would have perished with Aristotle.
" Had not the opinions of mankind changed, the
'^-^7J absurd geocentric theory in Astronomy advanced by the
^^ Ancients, advocated by the Fathers of the early Church,
enforced even to torture and death by the mediaeval eccle-
siastics, would still be adhered to ; we would yet believe
the earth to stand still, and to be a wide extended plain
with towering mountains on every hand supporting the
dome of the skv, and the celestial orbs flaming in the blue
vault above but to give light to this little planet.
" We should still witness such scenes as the persecution of a
Copernicus, the incarceration of a Galileo, the burning of a Bruno,
or some modern Calvin gloating over the expiring agonies of a
Serverus infinitely his superior in knowledge and power ; and,
worse than all, we would witness all Christendom exalting ignor-
ance as the mother of devotion. But the opinions of mankind have
changed, and what are the results ? Volumes would fail to describe
them all. We have a theology engaged in the constant effort to
co-ordinate itself with reason ; a general advance along the whole
line of human progress ; the majestic march of intellect, to use the
eloquent language of Croly, the human mind ever approximating
yet never attaining the exceeding excellence and glory of that ever
living, eternal, unchangeable Majesty, by whom, and for whom all
things were made. In view of this contrast shall we of the Nine-
teenth Century proclaim our infallibility? Shall we venerate error
because of its antiquity? Shall we ally ourselves with that Bour-
bonic herd which never learns and never forgets ? or shall we rather
join that advancing column whose banner borne full high in air,
and glorious in the splendor of intellectual light, has emblazoned on
its ample folds the word ' Excelsior.' For myself I equally abjure
and deplore the darkness, the stagnation, and the senseless traditions
of the past. I identify myself with the civilization of the century.
Gladly, gratefully accepting the light there is, I devoutly desire
more, and hope for changes in public opinion commensurate with
such increasing light, the resultant of which will always be in the
direction of absolute truth."
The cases of the City of Chicago v. Rumsey, and the same V.
Munger, involved the question whether the owners of property on
La Salle Street between Randolph and Lake streets could recover
damages on account of the obstruction of that thoroughfare by the
approach to the tunnel. Through the efforts of Mr. Adams their
claims lor damages were defeated in the Supreme Court, Mr. Rum-
sey having recovered a judgment in the lower court. He is also to
be credited with the success of the city in its case against lagan,
which involved an assessment of over St .ooo.ooo, for the extension
of Dearborn Street. This was in October, 1876. Mr. Ail. mis also
appeared for the city in its suit against City Treasurer Gage, and
the sureties on his bond, recovering $507,700, the largest amount
ever obtained in such a suit in this state. Opposed to him were
some of the most eminent counsel of the Commonwealth. These
56
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
are but a few of the important cases in which he lias successfully
prosecuted municipal claims. In fact, on legal questions involving
the interests of the city his opinions are regarded by the citizens,
the Bar and municipal officers as tjwisi judicial — as instance his
opinion, delivered in the summer of 1SS3, in relation to the respect-
ive rights of the city and the street railways. The facts in this lat-
ter case are as follows : A number of the ordinances passed in
1S5S, and subsequent thereto, granted to the railway companies the
right to construct their lines in certain streets ahd maintain and
operate them for twenty-five years. They also contained a pro-
vision that, at the expiration of that period, the city, if it elected so
to do, might purchase the tracks, rolling stock, etc., of the roads,
the property to be appraised as provided in the ordinance. The
time limited by the ordinance expired in 1SS3, and the question was
presented whether the city could purchase the property. This
question necessarilv involved an examination and construction of all
the acts of the State Legislature and the ordinances of the city in rela-
tion to the companies ; also the question of the control, respectively,
of the State and the city over the public streets of the corporation.
It was contended by many, and strenuously urged by the Citizens'
Association, that the provision in the ordinance for the purchase of
the roads by the city was valid ; that the right to purchase was part
of the contracts between the city, and the companies, and that cer-
tain legislation of the State, which had extended the privileges of
the companies as to the streets mentioned in the ordinances was
unconstitutional as impairing the obligations of the contracts. The
questions involved were presented to Mr. Adams for his opinion,
and upon that opinion was based an ordinance extending the privi-
lege of the companies for a period of twenty years, but providing
that the companies should pay the city, annually, in quarterly
installments, a license fee of fifty dollars for each car used, thirteen
round trips to be deemed one day's use. Mr. Adams is a Mason
and formerly connected with Waubansia Lodge, and is at present
an unaffiliated member of that body. He is a member of the Pro-
testant Episcopal Church. His brother, the Right Rev. William
F. Adams, formerly Bishop of New Mexico and Arizona, is now a
rector of a leading parish at Vicksburg, Miss. Dr. William C.
Adams, of Nashotah, Wis., his father's cousin, is one of the most
erudite scholars in the Church, being considered almost infallible
in all matters relating to ecclesiastical law.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
This department of the city government was estab-
lished May 6, 1861, under the legislative act revising
the charter of the city. The duties of the board com-
prised all those performed by the Water Commissioners,
Sewerage Commissioners, Street Commissioners, City
Superintendent and Special Commissioners for making
assessments, and controlled all public improvements
then going on or to be undertaken. The names of the
members from the date of organization in 1861 to 1871,
are given below, the names of the mayors, who were
ex-officio members, being omitted :
Commissioners — 1861-63 — Benjamin Carpenter, president;
Frederick Letz, treasurer ; John G. Gindele. 1863-67 — John G.
Gindele, president ; Frederick Letz, treasurer ; Orrin J. Rose.
1864-67 — William Gooding and Roswell B. Mason, " acting mem-
bers on matters pertaining to the cleansing of the river." 1867-
70 — A. H. Hurley, president; John McArthur, treasurer; W. II.
Carter. 1867-69 — William Gooding and R. B. Mason members
acting with the board in cleansing the river. 1869-71 — William
Gooding and E. B. Talcott, members acting in the same capacity,
term expiring May 1, 1871. 1S70-72 — John McArthur, president;
W. II. Carter, treasurer; Redmond Prindiville.
E. S. Chesbrough was City Engineer from 1861 to 1871. A.
W. Kinkham acted as secretary until December, 1870, when he
resigned and was succeeded by F, II . Bailey.
Street Improvements. — Permanent improvement
upon the streets of Chicago did not commence until
1855. The Nicholson pavement had been gradually
growing in favor, until, by the time the Board of Pub-
lic Works was organized, the city had about decided
that wooden pavement, if not Nicholson, was preferable
to any other. It was found that although six or seven
years of usage had the effect of wearing the blocks
down, the pine, being soft, tough and elastic, retained a
coating of fine gravel and made a hard surface, at the
same time spreading so much as to close up the inter-
stices and form the pavement into a solid body. Boul-
der pavement, as on Lake Street, when not properly
laid, or composed of soft and marly stone, did not last,
on an average, longer than five years ; while, to care-
fully select the stones would make this pavement almost
expensive as Nicholson. South Water, Randolph and
other business thoroughfares were the victims of the
boulder-stone policy. From 1857 up to the time of the
organization of the Board of Public Works, the city
expended $234,000 in cleaning and repairing streets.
But up to this time there does not seem to have been
any concerted action looking to a well-defined system
of improvement. In 1861, however, the resolve was
formed of first improving the business streets of the
city, and gradually extending the work to less traveled
territory. This policy was closely adhered to for a
number of years. By 1863 nearly four hundred miles
of streets had been improved in various ways, about
twenty-two miles having been macadamized or graveled.
Before the enlargement of the city limits by the charter
of 1863, the streets were 363^2 miles in length, divided
by divisions as follows: South Division, 77^ miles;
West Division, 207}^ miles ; North Division, 78^4
miles. Under this charter a most important reform
was accomplished, by which special assessments were
made for the improvement of streets and alleys.
Under the old charter, also, the board had no right to
build sidewalks or repair them, but expenditures only
were made when their condition threatened life and
limb, and the city treasury. But, under the charter of
1863, action by the city authorities was made summary,
when sidewalks were in a dangerous condition. To
the general disappointment of those who advocated the
"special assessment " feature of the new charter, the
Superior Court of Chicago decided that its provisions
were unconstitutional, and in 1864 the city was left
without any law by which improvements could be car-
ried on. Accordingly it was necessary to let a large
amount of work lie over until 1865. The decision was
not sustained by the Supreme Court, and consequently
the special assessments for 1865 were unusually heavy.
The report of the Board of Public Works for the year
ending ending April 1 of that year, contains the
following :
" The appropriations for street repairs and cleaning are alto-
gether too limited. In 1857 and 1858. about as much money was
spent for these purposes as now, and as prices then were only half
what they are now, and the city was only about half as large, it
follows that about three or four times as much in proportion was
appropriated then as now. The Council has, for instance, appro-
priated this year, for the South Division, $24,000. This sum of
money is expected to keep clean all the improved streets and alleys
of the South Division, and to do more or less repairing on them ;
to build, and keep in repair, all the culverts, aprons and cross-
walks of more than one hundred miles of its streets and alleys ; to
keep the earthen streets thrown up in shape, and their ditches in
order ; and, finally, to pay the expenses for inspecting the side-
walks, and for enforcing the orders of the Board, requiring owners
to build or repair their sidewalks. On one-third or one-fourth of
a mile of a street paved by special assessment, property owners are
required to pay more than the annual appropriation, made by the
city, for the repairs and cleaning of the streets and alleys, and for
the culverts, aprons, street-crossings and sidewalks of the whole
South Division."
During the year 1866, the scavenger system was
adopted by the Police Board, which greatly assisted the
Board of Public Works in cleaning the streets. A de-
cision of great importance to the city was also made by
the Superior Court, and affirmed by the Supreme Court,
to the effect that railroad companies, in common with
other parties whose property is benefited, are subject
to assessment for their share of the benefits resulting
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
57
from the paving, or otherwise improving, of such streets.
Nicholson pavement was advancing in public favor, so
much so that it was the evident conviction of Mr.
Nicholson himself, that the city felt it was too expen-
sive a proceeding to continue paying him a royalty on
his patent. A species of pavement was laid by the
city, differing from his only in that the strip, or picket,
between the rows of blocks was omitted. In April,
1867, a writ of injunction was served on the city by the
United States District Court, at the instance of parties
representing Samuel Nicholson, restraining the laying
of any wooden pavement in which his patent was used.
The difficulty was subsequently compromised.
In September, 1867, the Board of Public Works first
adopted the policy of cleaning the streets by contract.
After trying the experiment for a year with Messrs.
McDonald & Hamlen, one was entered into with John
T. Salter for a period of three years.
By March, 1868, the sidewalks laid in the different
divisions of the city were as follows : North Division,
ninety-one miles ; South Division, one hundred and
twenty-two miles ; West Division, two hundred and
twenty miles ; making a total of four hundred and
thirty-three miles laid throughout the city.
By 1S69 all the pavements being laid were of wood,
as had been the practice for several previous years, the
Boyington patent coming particularly into use. The
peculiarity of this patent was that one-half the rows of
three-inch blocks were seven inches deep (instead of
six), resting on ordinary flooring of inch boards, while
the alternate rows of the usual depth of six inches
rested on the center of strips of inch boards, five
inches wide, placed crosswise of the flooring. These
strips touched against the seven-inch rows, and were
nailed to the flooring. There were thus formed be-
tween the six and seven-inch rows, cells six inches deep
and one inch wide, extending across the street. Re-
specting the gravel in the cells and on the surface, and
the use of tar in the pavement, there was no difference
from the ordinary mode.
There were, then, in 1869, four kinds of wooden
pavements, the "Converse " patent being the one which
came into use latest. In the Converse pavement the
spaces between the blocks were filled with strips of the
same height as the blocks. In 1870, various processes
were patented and applied, for the preservation of
wooden pavements. The North American Wood Pre-
serving Company impregnated some blocks with cop-
peras and lime (their process^ and a section of pavement
was laid on South Park Avenue, between Twenty-second
and Twenty-ninth streets.
Noticeable among the street improvements of 1870-
71, was the construction of the viaducts at Halsted,
West Indiana and West Adams streets. The one at
Halsted and Sixteenth streets was the first built.
During the year nineteen and a half miles of wooden
pavement were laid, making over fifty-six miles, mostly
in good condition, excepting Clark Street from the
river to Polk Street, and Lake Street from the river to
Clark Street, where the pavement had been laid about
nine years. About eighty-seven of the five hundred
and thirty-three miles of street were improved, and
over this section three-fourths of the travel of the city
passed.
For the year ending March 31, 187 1, there were
also laid about five hundred and sixty-one miles of
CLARK. AND SOUTH WATER STREETS.
5S
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
sidewalk, nearly all of pine — over forty-one miles
having been built during that period.
Paging of Streets. — The following is a complete
record of street improvements from 1857 to 1871, the
arrangement being made, alphabetically, by streets :
Aberdeen Street from Madison to Harrison, wooden block
pavement, 1S70.
Adams Street from Michigan Avenue to State Street, wooden
block, 1S6S ; State to Market, the same, 1S69; Adams-street
bridge to Halsted, the same, 1S69 ; Halsted to Ashland Avenue,
the "same, 1S69 ; Ashland Avenue to Robey Street, the same,
1S71.
Archer Avenue — State Street to Canal Slip, wooden block
pavement. 1S69-70 ; Canal Slip to Halsted Street, the same, 1S70;
Reuben Street to Western Avenue, cindering, 1S67.
Blue Island Avenue — Twelfth to Twenty-second Street, mac-
adamizing, 1S6S ; Harrison Street to Twelfth, wooden block pave-
ment, 1S6S.
Calhoun Place — Clark Street to Block 56 (original town),
wooden block pavement, 1S66 ; Clark Street to Dearborn, the
same, 1S6S.
Calumet Avenue — Twenty-fourth Street to Cottage Grove
Avenue, wooden block pavement. 1S70 ; Twenty-first Street to
Twentv-fourth, the same, 1870 ; Cottage Grove Avenue to Twen-
tv-ninth Street, the same, 1S71.
Canal Street — Lake Street to Madison, wooden block pave-
ment, 1S67 ; Madison Street to Twelfth, the same, 1S69 ; Twelfth
Street to Sixteenth, the same, 1S69; Sixteenth Street to Eighteenth,
the same, 1S70 : Lake Street to Fulton, macadamizing, 1S63.
Canalport Avenue— Canal Street to Halsted, wooden block
pavement, 1S70: Halsted Street to Morgan, the same, 1S71.
Central Avenue — From seventy-two feet south of Lake Street
to Randolph, wooden block pavement, 1S70; South Water Street
to four hundred and fifty-eight feet south of South Water Street,
the same, 1S70.
Chicago Avenue — Chicago River to North Clark Street, mac-
adamizing. 1S67 ; North Clark Street to east line of Pine Street,
wooden block pavement, 1S70 ; Milwaukee Avenue to Chicago
River, the same, 1S71.
Clark Street — Chicago River to Randolph Street, boulder
stones, 1S58 ; Randolph Street to Polk, wooden block pavement,
1859 ; Polk Street to Twelfth, the same, 1867 ; Chicago River to
Chicago Avenue, the same, 1S67 ; Chicago Avenue to Division
Street, the same, 1868 ; Division Street to North Avenue, the
same, 1S69.
Clinton Street — West Madison Street to West Lake, wooden
block pavement, 1867 ; West Madison Street to West VanBuren,
the same, 1869; West Lake Street to West Kinzie, the same,
1869.
Clybourn Avenue — Division Street to North Avenue, wooden
block pavement, 1S70 : North Avenue to Clybourn Place, cinder-
ing, 1S70 ; Clybourn Place to Fullerton Avenue, the same, 1S70.
Clybourn Place — Clybourn Avenue to Elston Avenue, cinder-
ing, 1870.
Custom House Place — Monroe Street to Dearborn, wooden
block pavement, 1865.
Dearborn Street — Lake Street to Randolph, wooden block
pavement, 1871 ; Madison Street to Monroe, the same. 1865 ;
Monroe Street to Jackson, the same, 1870 ; North Water Street to
Chicago Avenue, the same, 1S69 ; Chicago Avenue to Division
Street, the same, l86g ; Division Street to North Avenue, the
same. 1869.
Dearborn Place — Randolph Street to Washington, wooden
block pavement, 1869.
DePuyster Street — Desplaines Street to Halsted wooden block
pavement, 1871.
Desplaines Street — VanBuren Street to Fourth, wooden block
pavement, 1869 ; VanBuren Street to Harrison, the same, 1870.
Division Street — Clark Street to Clybourn Avenue, wooden
block pavement. 1869 ; Clybourn Avenue to Halsted Street, the
same. 1S71; North Branch Canal to North Branch Chicago River,
cindering, 1871.
,'!as Place — South I'ark Avenue to Illinois Central Rail-
road, wooden block pavement, 1871.
F.lston Avenue — West Clybourn Place to West Fullerton
Avenue, cindering, 1871.
Eighteenth Street — Wabash Avenue to South liranch Chieago
River, wooden block pavement. 1869.
Erie Street — Chicago River to I'ine Street, wooden block
pavement. 1-70,
Fourteenth Street — Michigan Avenue to State Street, wooden
block pavement, 1870.
Franklin Street — South Water Street to Lake, wooden block
pavement, 180S ; Randolph Street to Lake, boulder stones, 1857 ;
Randolph Street to Madison, wooden block pavement, 1868.
Green Street — West Madison Street to Fulton, wooden block
pavement, 1871 ; West Madison Street to Harrison, the same,
1S71.
Griswold Street — Van Buren Street to Taylor, wooden block
pavement, 1866 ; Jackson Street to Van Buren, the same, 1870.
Haddock Place — State Street to Wabash Avenue, wooden
block pavement, 1S66.
Halsted Street — Thirty-first Street to Egan Avenue, macadam-
ized, 1S67 ; Archer Avenue to Thirty-first Street, the same, 1867 ;
Lake Street to Harrison, wooden block pavement, 1S67 ; Harrison
Street to Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad crossing, the
same, 1S68 ; Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad crossing to
Archer Avenue, the same. 1869 ; Lake Street to Indiana, the same,
1870; Milwaukee Avenue to North Branch Chicago River, the
same, 1S71.
Harmon Court — State Street to Michigan Avenue, wooden
block pavement, 1S68.
Harrison Street — State Street to Wells, wooden block pave-
ment, 1870; Canal Street to Halsted, the same, 1870; Halsted
Street to Centre Avenue, the same, 1871.
Hawthorn Avenue — Larrabee Street to Halsted, macadamiz-
ing, 1S71.
Huron Street — Clark Street to State, wooden block pavement,
1S69.
Illinois Street — Wells Street to State, wooden block pavement,
1870 ; State Street to St. Clair, the same, 1S71.
Indiana Street — St. Clair Street to Clark, wooden block pave-
ment, 1870 ; Clark Street to Indiana-street bridge, the same. 1S71;
Indiana-street bridge to Rucker Street, the same, 1871 ; Rucker
Street to Noble, the same, 1871.
Indiana Avenue — Sixteenth Street to Twenty-second, wooden
block pavement, 1867.
Jackson Street — State Street to Market, wooden block pave-
ment, 1S70; Canal Street to Halsted. the same, 1S71.
Jefferson Street — Fulton Street to north line alley, Block 10
(original town), macadamizing, 1S67-6S ; Randolph Street to Van
Buren, the same, 1869 ; Randolph Street to Fulton, the same, 1S68.
Kinzie Street — Clark Street to Rush, boulder stones, 1862 ;
Clark Street to Kinzie-street bridge, wooden block pavement, 1S67;
Kinzie-street bridge to Halsted Street, the same, 1869.
Lake Street — Clark Street to Wabash Avenue, wooden block
pavement, 1S70; Clark Street to Chicago River, the same, 1871 ;
Wabash Avenue to Central Avenue, the same, 1S62; Chicago River
to Halsted Street, the same, 1S64 ; Halsted Street to Reuben, the
same, 1S69 ; Reuben Street to Western Avenue, the same, 1870.
Larrabee Street — Chicago Avenue to Clybourn, wooden block
pavement, 1S71 ; Clybourn Avenue to North, the same, 1S71.
LaSalle Street — South Water to Lake, wooden block pave-
ment, 1S71; Randolph Street to Washington, block stone, 1S57 ;
Washington Street to Madison, wooden block pavement, 1S67 ;
Madison Street to Jackson, the same. 1S67 ; Jackson Street to Van
Buren, the same, 1S6S ; Randolph Street to Lake, the same, 1S71;
Chicago Avenue to Division Street, the same, 1S70 ; Division
Street to North Clark, the same, 1S71.
Loomis Street — West Madison Street to West Van Buren,
wooden block pavement, 1S71.
Madison Street — Chicago River to Halsted Street, wooden
block pavement, 1S66 ; Halsted Street to Centre Avenue, the same,
1S69 ; Centre Avenue to Robey Street, the same, 1870 ; Robey
Street to Western Avenue, the same, 1S71 ; State Street to Chicago
River, the same, 1869.
Market Street — Kinzie Street to Chicago Avenue, wooden
block pavement, 1S70; Chicago Avenue to Division Street, the
same, 1S71 ; Randolph Street to Lake, the same, 1871 ; Randolph
Street to Madison, graveling, 1871 ; Madison Street to Van Buren,
macadamizing, 1867.
Michigan Street — North Clark Street to Cass, wooden block
pavement, 1865 ; North Clark Street to Kingsbury, the same, 186S;
Cass Street to St. Clair, the same, 1S71.
Michigan Avenue — Randolph Street to Park Place, graveling,
1S66 ; Park Place to Twelfth Street, the same, 1S67-6S ; Twenty-
second to Twenty-ninth, the same, 1870; Twenty-ninth Street to
Egan Avenue, the same, 1S71 ; Randolph Street to South Water,
wooden block pavement, 1S6S ; South Water Street to River, the
same, 1 87 1.
Milwaukee Avenue — Division Street to North Avenue, mac-
adamizing, 1S64 ; Desplaines Street to Elston Avenue, wooden
block pavement, 1867; Elston Avenue to Division Street, the same,
1S71.
Monroe Street — State Street to Michigan Avenue, wooden
block pavement, 1S67; Clark Street to Market, the same, 1S69 ;
State Street to Clark, the same, 1870; Canal Street to Halsted, the
same, 1871 ; Halsted Street to Aberdeen, the same, 1871.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
59
Noble Street — North Avenue to Milwaukee Avenue, cinder-
ing, 1S67.
North Avenue — Chicago River to North Wells Street, wooden
block pavement, 1870; North Wells Street to North Dearborn,
the same, 1S71.
Ohio Street— St. Clair Street to North Clark, wooden block
pavement, 1S69 ; North Clark Street to Kingsbury, the same,
1870.
Ontario Street— North Clark Street to North Dearborn,
wooden block pavement, 1 S7 r.
Park Avenue— Reuben Street to Leavitt, wooden block pave-
ment, 1S70.
Pearson Street — Rush Street to east line Sub Lot 7, Lot 10,
Block 20, Section 3, wooden block pavement, 1871.
Pine Street — Michigan Street to Chicago Avenue, wooden
block pavement, 1S69; Chicago Avenue to Whitney Street, the
same, 1871.
1869; Halsted street to Twelfth-street bridge, the same, 1870;
Halsted Street toCentre Avenue, the same, 1^71 ; Ashland Avenue
to Southwestern Avenue, macadamizing, 1-7".
Twentieth Street— stale Street to Illinois Central railroad,
graveling, 1S71.
Twenty-first Street— Slate Street to Calumel Avenue, wooden
block pavement, [87I.
Twenty-second Street — State Street to South Park Avenue,
wooden block pavement, 1868; Wentworth Avenue to Chicago
River, the same, 1871.
Twenty-fourth Street— Wabash Avenue to Calumet, wooden
block pavement, 1S71.
Twenty-sixth Street — Wabash Avenue to South Park Avenue,
wooden block pavement, 1871.
Twenty-seventh Street — Johnson Avenue to South Park Ave-
nue, wooden block pavement, 1S71.
Twenty-eighth Street— Wabash Avenue to Michigan, wooden
WOLF POINT IN 1S70.
Polk Street — State Street to Chicago River, wooden block
pavement, 1S69; Polk-street bridge to Halsted Street, the same,
1870.
Prairie Avenue — Sixteenth Street to Twenty-second, graveling,
186*) ; Twenty-second Street to Cottage Grove Avenue, the same.
1868; Cottage Grove Avenue to Thirtieth Street, wooden block
pavement, 1871.
Quincy Street — State Street to Clark, wooden block pavement,
1870 ; LaSalle Street to Fifth Avenue, the same, 1871.
Randolph Street — Michigan Avenue to Chicago River, wooden
block pavement, 1S69; Randolph-street bridge to Halsted Street,
the same, 1S66 ; Halsted Street to Union Park, the same, 1871.
Rush Street — Kinzie Street to Chicago Avenue, graveling,
1S67.
Sangamon Street — Van Buren Street to Fulton, wooden block
pavement, 1869 ; Fulton Street to Milwaukee Avenue, the same,
1870.
Sedgwick Street — Chicago Avenue to Division Street, wooden
block pavement, 1871 ; Division Street to North Avenue, the same,
1871.
Sheldon Street— West Madison Street to West Randolph,
wooden block pavement, 1871.
Sherman Street — Van Buren Street to Harrison, wooden block
pavement, 1S66 ; Harrison Street to Taylor, the same, 1869-70;
Jackson Street to Van Buren, the same, 1870.
Sixteenth Street — Michigan Avenue to Prairie, graveling,
•1866; Michigan Avenue to State Street, wooden block pavement,
1S71.
South Park Avenue — Twenty-second Street to Twenty-ninth,
wooden block pavement, 1S69 ; Twenty-ninth Street to Douglas
Place, the same, 1S71.
Southwestern Avenue — West Twelfth Street to western city
limits, graveling, 1871.
State Street — Chicago River to Twelfth Street, boulder stones,
1858 ; Kinzie Street to Michigan Street, wooden block pavement,
1S65 ; Michigan Street to Chicago Avenue, the same. [867.
Superior Street — Pine Street to St. Clair, wooden block pave-
ment, 1871.
Taylor Street — Clark Street to Wells, wooden block pavement,
1871.
Twelfth Street — Michigan Avenue to State Street, wooden
block pavement, 1S69 ; State Street to Chicago River, the same,
block pavement, 1S71 ; Wabash Avenue to State Street, the same,
1871.
Union Street — Madison Street to Milwaukee avenue, wooden
block pavement, 1870.
Vanliuren Street — State Street to Michigan Avenue, wooden
block pavement, 1S66 ; State Street to Chicago River, the same,
1866; Canal Street to South Branch Chicago River, the same,
1S70 ; Canal Street to Halsted, the same, 186S ; Halsted Street to
Loomis, the same, 1870.
Wabash Avenue — Randolph Street to Twenty-second, wooden
block pavement, i860 ; South Water Street to Randolph, the
same, 1S67 ; Twenty-second Street to Twenty-ninth, the same,
1S69.
South Water Street — Michigan Avenue to Wabash, wooden
block pavement, 1865 ; Clark Street to Franklin, the same, 1S65-
06; Michigan Avenue to Central Avenue, wooden block pavement,
1870.
Washington Street — State Street to Michigan Avenue, wooden
block pavement, 1S66 ; State Street to Market, the same. 1S70;
West Water Street to Elizabeth, the same, 1S69 ; Elizabeth Street
to Union Park, the same, 1S69 ; Ashland Avenue to Leavitt Street,
the same, 1S71.
Warren Avenue — Ashland Avenue to Leavitt Street, wooden
block pavement, 1S71.
Wells Street — VanBuren Street to Madison, wooden block
pavement, 1S65 ; Vanliuren Street lo Taylor, the same. [866;
Lake Street to South Water, the same. 1866 ; Pake Street to Ran-
dolph, the same, 1S67 ; Wells-street bridge to Chicago Avenue,
wooden block pavement 1869 ; Chicago Avenue to Division
Street, the same, 1S69 ; Division Street to North Clark, the same,
1870.
Western Avenue — Steele Street to Illinois & Michigan Canal,
cindering. [871.
The first ordinance establishing a grade for the
streets was passed in March, 1855. This made the
grade of Lake Street 8.62 feet above the level of low-
water of the Chicago River, as fixed by the (anal
Commissioners in 1847.
DeWitt Clinton Cregier, who for thirty wars has been
connected with the Public Works of Chicago; having tilled the
6o
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
position of chief and designing- engineer of the Water Works for
twenty-five years ; city engineer for three years and having entered
upon his fourth year as commissioner of Public Works, was born
in the city of New York, June I, 1829. He is the son of John
L. and Ann E. (LeFort) Cregier, his mother being the daughter
of a well-known French ship-master who was, for many years,
prominently identified with the merchant marine of New York.
She was also a cousin of Henry Inman, the famous portrait
painter, and nearly related by marriage to Daniel Tompkins, at
one time vice-president of the United States. When Mr. Cregier
was four years of age his father died, his mother surviving but
few years, and he being left an orphan at thirteen years of age.
Until he was in his sixteenth year he lived with relatives, attend-
ing the public schools of New York City, and conducting himself
as an industrious, ambitious, sensible lad should. He next tried a
clerkship for a time, but mercantile pursuits being evidently dis-
tasteful to him, he connected himself with the engineer's depart-
ment of the steamer "Oregon," running on Long Island Sound,
in which position he remained until 1S47. Next he entered the
machinerv department of what subsequently became the famous
-Morgan Iron Works of New York. Before he abandoned this
vocation he had thoroughly mastered the principles of mechanical
engineering, and, in 1851, he connected himself with the engineer
corps of the United States mail steamers plying between New
York, Havana and New Orleans. During the summer of 1853,
Mr. Cregier came to Chicago to superintend the erection of the
first pumping machinery for the water works, and has had active
or general charge of them ever since. During his term of service
he superintended the erection of all the machinery now in use at
the North-side works, including the magnificent double pumping-
engine which has no superior in the world. Since his connection
with the water w-orks there has never been an accident which inter-
fered seriously with their operation, with the exception, of course,
of the stoppage occasioned by that grand "set back" to all city
departments, the great fire of 1871. Mr. Cregier is of a very
inventive turn of mind, and is the patentee of a large number of
well-known and valued appliances used in connection with the
public works. All of the fire hydrants used in the city are of his
design. For these, and other improvements, he holds patents
which the city uses free of charge. It is certain that few officials
in the country can boast of a larger or a more meritorious connec-
tion with public works than Commissioner Cregier. Mr Cregier
was married August 2, 1S53, to Miss Mary S. Foggin, of New
York City. The same day the young couple started for Chicago,
where they arrived on the 6th of the same month. They have had
ten children, of whom six sons and one daughter are living, viz. :
Mary Florence, Nathaniel Banks, DeVVitt Clinton, Washington
Rogers, Edward LeFort, Charles Knap and Frederick Quintard.
As a Mason, Mr. Cregier is of high standing. His first service
was with Blaney Lodge, in 1S60. Shortly after he joined it he
was elected Senior Warden, which office he held for one year,
when he was elected to preside over that body, which he continued
to do for six years. He was elected to the office of Senior Grand
Warden of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, held the office for one
term and was afterward elected Deputy Grand Master for two con-
secutive terms. In 1870, the fraternity conferred the highest
honors in their power to bestow, by electing him Grand Master of
the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois. At the annual commu-
nication held in Chicago, in 1871, the Brotherhood further evinced
their appreciation of his worth by unanimously re-electing him.
lie was also a member of the Triennial Committee of the Conclave
of Knights Templar in 1880. He is at present a life member and
Master of Blaney Lodge, member of LaFayette Chapter, Siloam
Council, Apollo Commandery and Oriental Consistory, and an
honorary member of twelve other lodges and commanderies. In
many of these he has held the highest official positions. He
is also a member of the Supreme Council — 330 A. A. S. Rite — for
the .Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States and of
the Royal Order of Scotland. In addition he is representative of
the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, Michigan, Missis-
sippi, Connecticut and Indiana near the Grand Lodge of Illinois,
and of the Grand Chapter of the State of New York near the
Grand Chapter of Illinois. He is also president of the Illinois
Masonic Benevolent Society, president of the Western Society of
Engineers, and a member of the American Society for the Encour-
agement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. Soon after the
great tire Mr. Cregier, as Grand Master of the State, took charge
of the relief fund amounting to over $90,000, in conjunction with
the committee organized to distribute the money and supplies.
The subsequent report of the auditing commission, composed of
Grand Masters from Pennsylvania, Iowa and the District of
Columbia, in connection with the disbursement of the relief fund,
was a just tribute to the faithfulness and ability with which the
committee, at whose head was Mr. Cregier, administered the trust
i to them by the Fraternity abroad. In fact, both as a
public official and as a broad-minded, broad-hearted man, Mr.
Cregier has been continually honored and has steadfastly retained
the general confidence in his ability and honesty.
Bridge Building. — In 1857 the Madison-street
bridge, South Branch, was built by Gaylord & Co. It
was of iron, one hundred and fifty-five feet long, and
cost $42,000. The Clark-street bridge was constructed
in 1858. In i860 a structure was thrown across the
river at South Halsted Street, by Fox & Howard, con-
tractors. The bridge was one hundred and fifty feet
long, composed of wooden braces and iron chords,
costing $8,500. A bridge similar to the one at South
Halsted was built, in 1862, at Clybourn Avenue, North
Branch, by the same parties, and also one at Wells
Street, over the main river. In November, 1863, the
iron bridge at Rush Street, built in 1856, was accident-
ally destroyed. A drove of cattle were crossing it, when
the structure was crushed down on one side, and fell
into the river, two of the turn-table wheels being broken
and three trusses thrown down laterally. The cost
of the ruined bridge, with piers and abutments, was
$50,000. Another bridge at this point was commenced
in November, 1863, and completed in January, 1864,
by Messrs. Fox & Howard. It was what is known as
the wooden-truss bridge, and was two hundred and
eleven feet in length. During 1864, also, the State-
street bridge was finished. The city had a right of
way on the South Side to the river front, but did not
obtain the land to extend Wolcott Street (North State)
until May, 1864. It was then purchased of the Galena
& Chicago Union Railroad Company, and the work of
constructing the bridge was placed in the hands of Fox
& Howard. The city accepted the bridge in January,
1865. It was one hundred and eighty-four feet in
length, and cost $32,000, and was composed of wooden
braces and chords. The piers and abutments were after-
ward built, and the line of communication between the
North and South sides opened for traffic. The via-
ducts over the railroad formed, with the bridge, one of
the most useful improvements of the time. In 1S65,
the following bridges were built : North Avenue, North
Branch, by N. Chapin & Co. ; Fuller Street by the same
contractors ; Randolph Street, South Branch, by L. B.
Boomer & Co. The latter was opened for traffic in
July. A continuation of the bridge building by years,
up to and including 1871, is as follows :
1866 — North Halsted Street, North Branch, wooden braces
and chords, Fox & Howard, 140 feet, $7,000 ; Clark Street, Main
River, wooden braces and iron chords, Thomas Mackin, 1S0 feet,
$13,800.
1S67 — Chicago Avenue, North Branch, wooden braces and
iron chords, Fox & Howard, 175 feet, $26,700; Yan Buren Street,
South Branch, wooden braces and iron chords, Fox & Howard,
163 feet, $18,270.
1868 — Lake Street, South Branch, wooden braces and iron
chords, Fox & Howard, 1S5 feet, $11,450; Twelfth Street, South
Branch, wooden braces and iron chords, Fox & Howard, 202 feet,
$44,949.40 ; Eighteenth Street, South Branch, wooden braces and
iron chords, Fox & Howard, 175 feet, $28,500; Main Street,
South Branch, wooden braces and iron chords, Fox & Howard, 152
feet, $12,450.
1869-70 — Division Street, North Branch, wooden braces and
iron chords, Fox & Howard, 176 feet, $15,794.84 ; Indiana Street,
North Branch, wooden braces and iron chords, Fox & Howard,
163 feet, $48,800; Polk Street, wooden braces and iron chords,
Fox & Howard, 154 feet, $29,450; Western Avenue, West Fork
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
of South Branch, wooden braces and iron chords. F. E. Canda,
125 feet. $13,000 ; Throop-street bridge, Fox & Howard, $12,649.
The Wells-street viaduct was constructed during this year.
1S70 — Rinzie Street. North Branch, wooden braces and chords,
Fox & Howard, 170 feet, $15,850; Adams Street, South Branch,
wooden braces and iron chords. Fox & Howard, 160 feet, $37,S6o;
Archer Avenue, South Branch, wooden braces and iron chords,
Fox & Howard. 152 feet, $11,500.
1S71 — Erie Street, North Branch, wooden braces and iron
chords. Fox & Howard. 200 feet, $30,000 (not then in use) ;
Twenty-second Street, South Branch, wooden braces and iron
chords, Fox & Howard, 210 feet, $26,900 ; Reuben Street, West
Fork of South Branch, wooden braces and chords, Fox & Howard,
152 feet, $11,500. Total original cost, $511,154.84.
CLARK STREET BRIDGE.
The great fire destroyed the bridges across the main
river at Rush, State, Clark and Wells streets, across the
North Branch at Chicago Avenue, and across the South
Branch at Adams, Van Buren and Polk streets ; also
the viaducts over the railway tracks at Wells and
State streets. The Adams-street viaduct was partially
destroyed. The damage to bridges and viaducts, includ-
ing abutments, center-piers and protections, is estimated
at ¥204,310.
Contracts were at once entered into to rebuild the
bridges destroyed. '1 he following table gives a clear
idea of the stupendous work undertaken by the city in
the matter of the construction of bridges alone, the
date of the report being July r, 1872 :
Samuel George Artingstall, acting engineer of the city
of Chicago, was born on November 26, 1846, in Manchester,
England. His parents were John and Ellen (Hall) Artingstall,
his father being an architect and civil engineer in high standing.
When the son was nineteen years of age Mr. Artingstall died, and he
was thrown completely upon his own resources. But even at this
early period of his life, his ability was recognized by the appoint-
ment which he received of general superintendent of the viaduct,
then being built over the canal and London & Northwestern Rail-
road, at St. Helen's, near Liverpool. The engineer of the work-
was William Fairburn, and the contractors, Robert Neil & Sons,
of Manchester. Mr. Artingstall was in the service of the latter
firm, with whom he remained for a number of years, having in
charge, during that period, such important enterprises as the con-
struction of the bridge at Manchester, and the building of the
Bolton Cotton Mills, situated in the same county. In 1S69, he
left Manchester, and came to Chicago, obtaining employment at
once as a draughtsman in the city sewerage department. After the
fire, he was actively engaged in designing plans for the bridges,
especially of those first constructed, such as at North Halsted,
Madison, and Randolph streets. The engine and station houses
for the accommodation of the Fire and Police departments were
also erected from his plans, and under his immediate supervision.
William Bryson, who had been connected with the Department of
Public Wrorks for nineteen years, and who had the active superin-
tendence in the construction of the tunnels, under City Engineer
Chesbrough. died in October, 1S75. He had also drawn plans for
the West-side pumping-works, from whose drawings they had been
but partially constructed at the time of his death. 1 he work thus
left uncompleted was taken up by Mr. Artingstall, and he has since,
in reality, been the acting engineer for the public works of the citv.
His formal appointment, however, dates from Februarv, 1S82.
With the exception of Max Hjortsborough, chief engineer of the
Chicago, Burlington & Qujncy Railroad, who was run over and
killed near Rensington, town of Hyde Park, in 1SS1, Mr. Arting-
stall is the only member of the Institution of Civil Engineers
(London) who has ever lived in Chicago. Since coming to this
country, and since the formation of the association in 1S69, he
has also been connected with the Western Society of Engineers.
Mr. Artingstall was married November 1. 1873. to Susan Archer,
formerly a resident of Milwaukee. They have five living children,
one son and four daughters.
A. M. Hiksch, principal assistant engineer, and one of the
oldest officials of continuous service connected with any depart-
ment of public works, was born February 6, 1S27, in W7ormdit.
near Rcenigsberg, East Prussia. He received his early education
at the gymnasium of Ronitz, his design from the first being to
prepare himself as a royal officer in the engineering corps of the
Prussian government. After graduating from the gymnasium at
Ronitz, he studied surveying, and, in 1S47, successfully passed his
examination as a royal surveyor. He was then employed by the
government in building railroads, macadamizing highways and
constructing water-works. In 1S50, he entered the Architectural
Academy at Berlin, where he remained two years and a half. Early
in 1S53, he passed his examination, having, during this period,
served as a volunteer in the Prussian army, and immediately after-
ward emigrated to New York City. For a short time he found
remunerative employment among the architects and surveyors of
that city, but, meeting some friends from the Old Country who
were on their way to the ambitious city of the West, he was
induced to join them and pass on to Chicago. More fortunate
than some of his comrades, he immediately obtained a situation
Clark Street
Van Buren Street.
Chicago Avenue
S. Halsted Street
Rush Street. . .
Polk Street
Adams Street.. . .
State Street
Wells Street.
('lark Street.
Wells Street.
\ Superstructure
/ Substructure
Superstructure
* Substructure
/ Superstructure
Superstructure
iteel ion
' Superstructure
1 Substrui ture
I Superstructure
j Substructure
( Superstructure
\ Substructure
( Substrui I
ucture
Viaduct
Approach
Wood & Iron
Stone
Wood .V Iri. u
Stone
Wood & Iron
Iron
Pile work
Iron
Stone
Iron
Stone
Iron
Stone
Iron
Stone
Iron
Iron
Iron
Iron
Fox lV Howard
Fox <.V Howard
E. Sweet, Jr., & Co
Fox \ Howard
Fox & Howard
Ring Iron Brdg.& Mnfg.Co
O. II. Green
Detroit Bridge & Iron Wks
E. Sweet. Jr., & Co
King Iron Brdg.&Mnfg.Co
Fox & I toward.
Keystone Bridge Co
Fox ,v I loward
Keystone Bridge Co
Fox & Howard
Fox & I loward
Keystone Bridge I !o
t Keystone Bridge 1 0
1 Robert Stuart
Keystone Bridge Co
Date of Contrac
Oct.
25,
1S71
Oct.
25,
1871
Oct.
25,
1871
Nov.
27.
!87I
Nov.
27,
1S71
Nov.
27.
1871
Nov.
29,
1871
1 lee
26,
1S71
Dec.
26,
1871
1 tec.
26,
1S71
I )cc.
26,
1871
Jan.
1,
1872
Feb.
10.
.872
Feb.
Q,
1872
Feb.
S,
1872
Feb.
°.
1872
Feb.
q.
1872
1 1 1 1 n-
s.
1S72
May
3.
1872
Feb
9.
1872
$32,000 00
13,200 00
20,850 00
15,900 00
5,860 00
15,600 00
23,970 00
12,625 00
30,274 26
14,880 00
22,500 00
29,840 00
12,300 00
When Completed.
January 9. 1S72.
January 12, 1872.
June 15, 1872.
Nearly completed.
Februarv I, 1S72.
May '17, 1872.
June I, 1872.
June 17. 1S72.
June iS, 1872.
In progress.
In progress.
In progress.
1 11 progress.
In progress.
In progress.
Nearly completed.
HOARD OF PUBLIC: WORKS.
63
under Roswell B. Mason, chief engineer in charge of the construc-
tion of the Illinois Central Railroad. A few months thereafter,
he received an appointment as engineer under Colonel J. D. Graham,
United States Topographical Engineer, in charge of the Lake
Michigan harbor improvements. In this capacity he remained
until the spring of 1856, when he entered the service of the city
of Chicago as assistant engineer in the street department, lie
had the honor of drawing the first cross section of a Chicago
street, and among other radical improvements which he introduced
in early times, was the substitution of the old proportion of grades
in bridge approaches (1:10) to the modern and accepted figures of
1:40. For many years Mr. Hirsch has had the active management
of this important branch of the Department of Public Works, his
official title now being Principal Assistant Engineer. He is one of
the very few now living who resided in old Fort Dearborn, he
lived there during the years 1854-55. He married Miss Matilda
Hildebrand, of Kiel, Germany. They have three children living
— Alfred A., James H. and Clara S. Alfred A (now traveling
salesman for J. V. Farwell & Co.) married Miss Matilda Schaefer,
of St. Louis (her father, Colonel Schaefer, was killed at the Battle
of Murfreesboro, Ky., during the late civil war). Theyhaveone
child, a daughter, Cora. James H. (now with Clement, Bane & Co.)
married Miss Anna Fox, of New York City; her father, Charles
F"ox, was superintendent of the Singer Manufacturing Company,
at South Bend, Ind , and died of consumption at Denver, Col.
They have one child, a daughter, Verna Mae.
River Tunnels. — If he is interested in the bridge
question, the general reader will remember how sectional
jealousies entered into, and raged around the question
of locating the early bridges of the city. But by 1S57-
58 the marine interests of Chicago had increased so
prodigiously, that all locai feelings in the breasts of
landsmen had been thrown aside ; and all the pugnacity
of the city was divided in the fierce warfare which
raged between river navigators and those persons who
were obliged to use the thoroughfares. What consti-
tuted the respective rights of land travelers and water
travelers, and what was their relative importance in the
community ? — this was the question which vexed the
RANDOLPH AND LAKE STREET BRIDGES.
public for many a long and weary month. So far as it
related to the question of the conveniences of land travel,
the problem was to be partially solved by the construc-
tion of the two river tunnels. City Engineer Ches-
brough made the following statement, showing what
early" attempts were made to bring the reform about :
The first bridges across the river were floating structures, and,
of course, when closed could not allow the passage of vessels of
any kind. The next kind of bridges wen- similar to the present
ones, turning on their centers, but placed so low as scarcely to
allow a canal boat to pass under them, and had to be opened for
every tug or larger vessel. As the population and commerce
increased, the crossing of the river was more and more frequently
obstructed by the passage of vessels ; but the rights of navigation
were considered paramount to all others on the river, and vessels
could not be detained at all by the bridge, no matter what number
of vehicles or individuals might be prevented from crossing. The
first interference with the absolute rights of navigation was in
requiring the tugs to lower their smoke slacks when passing under
the bridges that had been placed high enough. There was quite a
rebellion against it by the tug masters for a day or two, but it soon
ended, and there has been none since, against so reasonable a reg-
ulation. This reduced the necessity of opening the bridges so
often, and consequently afforded much relief. As the business of
the city increased, the obstruction to the land travel in crossing the
river was greatly increased, notwithstanding the raising of the most
important bridges. ***** Early efforts were made to
set on foot projects for constructing tunnels under the river, and
thus avoiding the inconvenience of waiting at the bridges for the
passage of vessels. In 1853, a company for the purpose having
been formed, with the Hon. William B. Ogden at its head, plans
were proposed for such a work, both in masonry and iron. Among
these plans were those of Messrs. William Gooding, E. F. Tracy,
and Thomas C. Clarke. Had the company consttucted the work,
it was their intention to adopt Mr. Clarke's plan, which was for a
wrought iron tunnel ; because its estimated cost was less than that
of a tunnel in masonry, and it could have been constructed without
much interference with navigation. Owing to the more general
adoption of turn-bridges about this time, the great necessity for
tunnels was removed, and the probability of their yielding a satis-
factory income much diminished.
For the general benefit of the public, red and green
signals were introduced under the ordinance of June 4,
i860, and, under the law of October 7, 1861, bells were
placed on Rush, Clark, Wells, Lake, Randolph and
Madison-street bridges. But still the bridge-tender
was an unruly member of the municipal body. He had
the people under his thumb, as it were, and previous to
1868 the city had no control over him. On April 22,
1867, the ten-minute ordinance was passed, and busi-
ness on the land once more moved along with some
regularity, during the busy season of navigation on the
lakes and rivers. The vessel men, however, were now
delayed quite materially, and consequently they brought
the question before the Illinois Supreme Court, to test
its legality. The action of the Council was sustained.
In April, 1868, the friends of the tug men and vessel
owners in the Common Council attempted to repeal the
ordinance of 1867, but were unsuccessful in their efforts.
This celebrated ordinance, which may be called the
ground work of all subsequent bridge legislation, pro-
vided that vessel owners, bridge-tenders, or officers,
found guilty of a violation of its provisions should be
liable to a fine of $100, and to imprisonment in the tily
bridewell for three months.
Although this legislation had its effect in bringing a
certain amount of relief, various tunnel projects, which
were advanced, and some of them which were almost
brought to a conclusion previous to 1868, indicated that
the public were convinced in what direction lay the
most permanent solution of the difficulty.
As early as April, 1S64, the Chicago Tunnel Com-
pany petitioned for the passage of an ordinance author-
izing it to construct tunnels under the Chicago River at
Franklin and Lake streets. Pending the action of the
Council on this ordinance, the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne
& Chicago Railroad Company petitioned for the con-
struction of a free tunnel at Adams Street, offering to
subscribe $25,000 toward it, or $15,000 for any other
street as far north as Washington, provided that Adams
Street between Canal Street and the river should be
vacated. On the 14th of November, a petition was
presented for the passage of an ordinance appropriating
64
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
§100,000 to construct a tunnel at Washington Street.
In January, 1865, the ordinance was passed to issue
$100,000 in city bonds, provided §100,000 could be
WASHINGTON-STREET TUNNEL.
raised by subscription. Plans for it had been approved,
bids received, and the contract was about to be awarded
for its construction, in June, when it was discovered
that there was no legal authority for building it at all.
These difficulties were obviated by the passage of the
legalizing ordinance, and the contract was awarded to
Jarrjes H. Moore. By March, 1866, however, it became
evident that the subscription of §100,000 had failed of
being raised, and the City Council therefore fell back
upon the Adams-street tunnel, the railroad offer being
still open.
State, Franklin and Clark streets were next favored
with the attention of the city fathers, but in July they
returned to their first plan, and requested the Board of
Public Works to proceed as soon as possible with the
construction of the tunnel on Washington Street. Bids
were again received, the contract being awarded, in
August, 1S66, to Messrs. Stewart, Ludlam & Co., for
§271,646. The contractors broke ground west of the
river October 2 and east of the river October 1 1. They
excavated to a depth of thirty-seven feet just east of
the river and removed a large portion of the earth as far
as Market Street. West of the river they removed the
earth from the upper portion of the cut between Clinton
and West Water streets. They also accomplished other
work, but, on account of an insufficient supply of funds,
which were, at last, completely cut off, it was entirely
abandoned in May, 1867. The excavation then caved
in, and after the city had expended over §20,000 upon
the enterprise, everything was as if it never had been.
New plans and specifications were prepared, and in July,
1867, the contract was awarded to J. K. Lake for §328,-
500. Operations were commenced July 25, the found-
ation of the main archway, east entrance, being begun
on the 13th of August, and the key-stone put in < )< lobes
31. The masonry on the main arch east of the river was
carried to near the middle <>f Market Street, when, owing
to the severity of the weather, work was suspended f < >r
the winter. Operations were continued during 1867,
with slight interruptions, Mr. Clark withdrawing from
the contracting firm, and A. A. McDowell being admit-
ted. In the spring of 1868, the contractors having
prepared improved machinery, prosecuted the work
night and day, until it was completed. Yielding of
braces, leaks in the coffer-dams, and other drawbacks,
which often accompany such undertakings, delayed the
final completion of the tunnel until January 1, 1869.
The day was celebrated by the contractors taking the
Mayor, City Council, Board of Public Works, Fire
Department and other public officials through it. Much
pains had been taken to prevent leakage through the
roof of this tunnel, by the use of asphaltum, and through
other portions of the arch by a composition of coal tar,
lime, etc.
The tunnel is located with its center line in the
middle of Washington Street. The eastern approach
commences in the center of Franklin Street, and the
western terminates in the center of Clinton Street,
thirteen and a half feet above low water line. The
bottom of the tunnel below the center of the river bed is
32.4 feet below the line. There are three passage ways,
the south one for foot passengers and the other two for
horses and vehicles. On each side of the river, two
hundred feet apart, was a wall of rubble masonry, built
to provide for the prospective widening of that stream.
At the eastern and western ends of the covered passage
way there was the face-wall extending up to the surface
of the street. The surface drainage of the tunnel was
carried through pipes into several wells, the one at the
east end under the river section being carried up to the
street grade, in the form of a shaft enclosed in the stone
abutment. Through this shaft the water that collects
in the well is pumped by machinery into the chamber
above, which is built for that purpose. The total cost of
Washington - street tunnel is placed at §517,000. Its
length is 1605 feet. In the preparation of plans and es-
timates for the tunnel E. S. Chesbrough was assisted by
William Thomas, architect. In November, 1866, Wil-
liam Bryson was appointed resident engineer.
LaSalle-street Tunnel. — In 1869, the plans for the
LaSalle-street tunnel were prepared by William Bryson,
and the contract for its construction awarded to R. E.
Moss, George Chambers and A. J. McBean; the two
STATE STREET, LOOKING north fRQM LAKE, street,
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
65
THE COURT-HOUSE BEFORE THE FIRE.
latter gentlemen fulfilling the contract. Work was
begun November 3, 1869, on the north coffer-dam and
by the last day of March, 1870, the masonry was
completed from the center of the river to a point fifty
feet north of the north dock line. With the exception
of a change in grade from 1 in 16 to 1 in 20, the
liberal use of asphaltum for the brick beds, and a head-
way two feet higher, this subterranean passage varies
little from the Washington-street tunnel. The LaSalle.-
street tunnel was opened to the public July 4, 187 1.
Its length is 1890 feet and its cost was $566,000. The
fire of October warped the railing around the open
approaches to the tunnel, as it did that of the east
approach of the one on Washington Street, rendering a
considerable portion of it unfit for anything but scrap
iron. The stone coping was also somewhat damaged.
Ellis S. Chesbrough, as the constructor of the two lake
tunnels, stands among the world's great civil engineers. Previous
to coming to Chicago, most of his professional life was passed
upon eastern railroads. He was the son of Isaac M. and Phrania
(Jones) Chesbrough, and on account of his father's failure in busi-
ness, Ellis lost much schooling which otherwise would have been
given him, working for various mercantile establishments in the
city of Baltimore, where he was born, and where he spent his days
up to his seventeenth year. At the age of fifteen his father became
one of a company of engineers employed by the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad Company, and, through his influence, the son also ob-
tained employment in the same line and with the same corpora-
tion. Ellis remained with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Com-
pany until 1830, when he entered the service of the State of
Pennsylvania, in the survey for the projected Allegheny Portage
Railroad. During the succeeding eleven years he was employed
on the Patterson & Hudson, the Boston & Providence, the Taun-
ton Branch, and the Louisville, Charleston & Cincinnati railroads,
being a member of the engineering corps of Captain, afterward
General, William Gibbs McNeill. In 1840, Mr Chesbrough was
appointed superintendent of construction of the last named rail-
road, and held that position until the line was completed to Co-
lumbia, S. C. He then went to Providence, R. I., where his
father resided, and, after spending a few months in the shops of
the Stonington Railroad Company, was thrown out of employ-
ment by stress of hard times, tried farming and failed, and finally,
in 1844, returned to his profession. In 1S46, he was appointed
engineer of the Water Commissioners of Boston, and upon com-
pleting the structures along the line of the Cochituate aqueduct,
was elected Water Commissioner, and subsequently City Engineer.
Having been appointed chief engineer of the Board of Sewerage
Commissioners of Chicago in December, 1S55, Mr. Chesbrough
presented a plan for a sewerage system of the city, which was
adopted by the municipal authorities, and fixed his reputation as
an expert in that specialty throughout the country. The next
year he went to Europe to obtain information relative to the
drainage of cities, and his report was published by the Board, and
has been considered standard authority on the subject ever since.
In 1S61, when the sewerage and water systems of the city had
become so cumbersome as to require a larger governing organiza-
tion, a regular board of public works was established, Mr. Ches-
brough being chosen chief engineer, and subsequently city
engineer. The latter position he retained until succeeded by
Devvitt C. Cregier, four years ago. The wonders which he
accomplished for Chicago during that period, are detailed in that
portion of the corporate history devoted to the grand march of
public improvements from 1S61 to 1S82. For the past few years
Mr. Chesbrough has retired from the active duties of his profes-
sion. His wife, formerly Miss Elizabeth A. Freyer, of Baltimore,
Md., whom he married in 1S37, is still living.
Sewerage System. — Previous to the organization
of the Board of Public Works, about 54.5 miles of
sewerage had been constructed — 6.02 miles in 1856;
4.86 miles in 1857; 19.29 miles in 1858; 10.45 miles in
1859; 13.07 miles in i860 ; and .53 miles in 1861.
Although but 2,826 feet were constructed in 1861,
three fourths of this amount was built by private, and
interested parties. The board had no resources from
which to draw, and suit was commenced against the
Sewerage Commissioners for $58,882 84, on orders
which the Marine Bank refused to pay at par, and for
$107,746.53 against S. Lund, treasurer of the late
board. In 1862, about three miles of sewers were con-
structed, principally of brick. The balance of the
account due from S. Lund, now found to amount to
$108,696.53, had not been obtained. After the year
1863, when the finances of the city were somewhat
embarrassed, the construction of sewers and the growth
66
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
of the system progressed favorably. Following is a
table covering the period, commencing with the time
the Board of Public Works assumed charge, up to and
including 1S71. the figures for 1861 being the number
of feet constructed up to that year, with cost :
Year.
1S61
1S62
1863
1S64
1S65
1S66
Feet Built. Cost.
_ 283,586 §665,18846
2,856 3,617 31
15,676 57,264 51
39.605 169,299 29
25,021 S7.22I 4S
29,94s 137,643 02
1S67 4S.I27 225,56453
1S6S Sg,66i 416,730 51
1869 47.S4I - 197.152 92
1570 139705 654.141 26
1571 78.166 258,66470
Totals 800,192 ft. $2,872,48799
or 151 2SS-52Sths miles.
The damage to the sewerage system, by the great
fire, was comparatively light, consisting of injury to
man-hole and catch-basin covers, and in the extra
expense occasioned in cleansing sewers and basins,
caused by the deposits of lime and debris from burnt
buildings. The loss in this department is estimated at
§42,000.
The City Hall. — The joint building which had
been completed in 1853 by- the city and county for
their municipal purposes, after a few years was found to
be entirely inadequate to the public wants; and in 1869
the Board of County Commissioners and the Common
Council of the city agreed upon an enlargement. Two
wings and an additional story were added to it, and
these were completed during the year 1870. The west
half of the court house as it stood, was purchased
outright by the city from the county, and entirely
remodeled. 'I his, with the additions, gave room for
all the city officers, except those of the Board of
Education. The cost to the city of its portion of the
addition, including the purchase money for the half
bought from the county, together with the cost of
remodeling and furnishing, was $467,000. The orig-
inal building was of marble, from the Lockport quarries
of New York. The additions were built of the stone
from the well-known Lemont quarries of Cook County.
The Water System. — The Lake Tunnel. —
The early settlers of Chicago were ever gazing toward
Lake Michigan as the source from which, as a
people, they were eventually to be saved from the
vileness of their then water " privileges." Up to
1858 they had not gone more than a few rods from
the shore ; nor did they make the attempt for some
years thereafter. It seemed to slowly dawn upon the
municipal authorities that, as servants of the public,
they were called upon to look to the quality as well as
the quantity of the drinking supply. Two new reser-
voirs, each having a capacity of half a million gallons,
were erected in 1858, one being placed in the North
and one in the West Division of the city. During that
year the average daily supply was three million gallons.
For several years the operations of the old works were
uniform and satisfactory, except at periods during the
coldest weather, when vast quantities of fish and ice
collected at the mouth of the inlet pipe and threatened
to cut off the supply entirely. The Board of Water
Commissioners having met the immediate wants of the
community as to quantity, now began seriously to con-
sider the question of purity of the water supply.
Surveys and estimates of various improvements were
made.
During i860 five plans were submitted to the
Council for attaining the requisite purity. First, by
extending a pipe one mile out into the lake ; second,
by building a tunnel one mile under the lake ;
third, locating the pumping works at Winnetka ;
fourth, by the construction of filter beds ; fifth,
by the erection of a subsiding reservoir. The
suggestions did not receive much attention, but
the people continued to cry for the purest water
which could be obtained. The next year (1861)
E. S. Chesbrough, as the newly appointed city
engineer, submitted to noted chemists a number
of samples of water, taken from the lake and
river. One fact was ascertained which, at first,
gave rise to some surprise, viz., that water taken
from near Clark-street bridge, in the spring, was
found purer than that taken from the lake, one
mile from Cleaverville. This was afterward ex-
plained, on the ground of " freshets." The in-
vestigation continued from early in the spring to
late in the fall, and the fact was demonstrated
that the water of Lake Michigan, some distance
from the shore, was superior in every respect to
that used by any other city, and could not be
excelled.
In 1862 Mr. Chesbrough made an elaborate
report to the Common Council in regard to
B obtaining a better water supply, and then for the
£iSr first time forcibly pointed out the benefits of the
|fe tunnel system, which he subsequently carried to
a splendid engineering triumph. Meanwhile the
water supply had increased from about three
million of gallons daily, in 1S5S, to 6,400,000
gallons in 1863. The tunnel plan having been
adopted in June of that year, an exploration of the
lake bottom was commenced by Mr. Chesbrough,
about twenty feet from shore. It was ascertained
that the underlying stratum was a thick bed of blue
clay, for some distance to the eastward. At about
three-quafters of a mile from the shore, a boring
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
67
was made through the upper layer of sand and the
thirty feet of blue clay, the water at thai point being
twenty feet deep. Two miles and a half east of the
Water Works, at a point where is located the present
crib, the strata revealed no change of consequence.
The water in this locality was thirty feet deep, and
as clear and cold as if flowing from living springs.
At a depth of thirty-six feet the water was 5154° in
temperature, while it reached 60° on the surface.
The revised city charter of February, 1863, had au-
thorized the extension of aqueducts and inlet pipes
into the lake and provided for their protection. Mr.
Chesbrough's plan was formally adopted by the city,
in September of that year. Proposals for construct-
ing the tunnel were received on the ninth of that
month. The contract was awarded to Messrs. Dull &
Gowan, of Harrisburgh, Perm., their bid being $315,139.
That firm assumed all risks, incident to such works.
The tunnel was to be completed November 1, 1865.
The inaugural ceremonies attending the breaking
of ground for the tunnel took place March 17, 1864.
Mayor Sherman, after addressing the people present,
took a pick and, breaking the ground, declared the
great work commenced. The majority of the Common
Council, Messrs. Letz and Rose of the Board of Pub-
lic Works, City Engineer Chesbrough, Comptroller S.
S. Hayes, Dewitt C. Cregier, chief engineer of the
water works ; Colonel James Gowan and James J. Dull,
contractors ; U. P. Harris, chief engineer of the Fire
Department, and others, were present. Each public
official took a shovelful of earth and, placing it in a
wheelbarrow, transferred that vehicle to Messrs. Dull &:
Gowan, the contractors, thus symbolizing the fact that
the undertaking had been placed in their hands. After
breaking ground the shore shaft was sunk. It was
originally intended to construct the shaft wholly of
brick, running it down from the surface of the ground
to a depth of fifteen feet below the level of the lake ;
but the fact that a shifting quicksand had to be passed
through, compelled them to abandon that plan of opera-
tion. The contractors were, therefore, authorized to
run down an iron cylinder, of the same dimensions as
the center of the crib, to a depth of twenty-six feet,
and to the bottom of the sand bed. This inlet cylinder
was nine feet in inside diameter. It was put down in
four sections of about nine feet in length. From the
shore shaft the tunnel extended two miles out in a
straight line, at right angles with the shore. Excava-
tions were commenced immediately after the ground
was broken. In July, 1865, the giant crib* for the east
end of the tunnel was launched, in the presence of
Governor Oglesby and a large concourse of citizens.
After being towed out in safety, two miles from the
shore, it was there sunk. With regard to the character
of the work, the material met with in the process of
excavation was stiff blue clay throughout, so that the
anticipation of the contractors in this respect was ful-
filled. The soil was found to be so uniform, that only
one leakage of water through the tunnel ever occurred,
and that only coming at the rate of a bucketful in five
minutes. This occurred in September, 1865. From
that time no accident of any importance transpired.
There were two or three slight escapes of gas. The
first brick was laid at the crib end on the 23d of De-
cember, 1865, and on the last day of the year the work-
men began to excavate from that end, at which time
they had already 4,825 feet done from the shore. From
> feet of lumber and 200 tons of
that time the work progressed steadily and with few
interruptions.
In the early part of November, 1866, when within
a few feet of meeting, the workmen, for the fust
EXTERIOR VIEW OF COURT-HOUSE RUINS.
time, discovered sand pockets, which caused leakage,
and delayed the final blow until December 6, 1866,
when the last stone was placed by Mayor J. B.
Rice. A large flag floated from the cupola of the old
ante-fire Court House, in which building the Board of
Public Works had their office. It was in honor of the
final closing up of the tunnel arch at the point where
the crib and shore sections met. The Board of Public
Works had previously extended invitations to the Com-
mon Council, Board of Education, and many other
prominent citizens, to witness the ceremonies.
At the time fixed, about two hundred of the guests
were on the spot, awaiting anxiously the rare adventure
before them. The invitations stated that a number of the
guests were to make a tour of the tunnel from the shore
shaft to the crib, and return by the lake, on board tug-
boats, while others went out to the crib first, and
returned by the tunnel railroad. Thousands of people
were on the spot who had not received invitations, and
who, of course, could not make the interesting voyage.
The Board of Public Works had managed to have two
trains of cars pass through the tunnel, from the shore
to the crib, one leaving the shore shaft at ten o'clock,
and the other at half-past twelve ; also to have a tug-
boat leave State-street bridge at corresponding hours for
the crib. Twenty-one earth-cars were put in readiness
for the tunnel, or subaqueous, trip, and the tug-boat " S.
N. Crawford " was chartered for service for the super-
marine voyage. The hour for starting was ten o'clock,
at which time the entire party were on hand, full of
eager expectation. When the hour arrived, J. B. Rice,
then mayor, the general members of the Board of Pub-
lic Works, the Common Council, and as many of the
guests as could ride in the first train, were lowered into
the shore shaft, where they entered the cars. The
Mayor took the first car, and the other members of the
party arranged themselves in the train, four persons
occupying a car, one sitting in each corner. As the
memorial stone was to be inserted upon the south side,
the passengers were seated so as to face that point of
the compass. The motive power of the train was a
mule, which could be dimly discerned in the gloom
ahead. When all was in order, the train started off
through the tube-like passage, the mule cantering along
68
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
at a rapid pace. At the distance of a mile and a half
from shore, the exact point where the two tunneling
parties met, the train stopped. The Mayor and mem-
bers of the Board of Public Works left their seats and
advanced to the spot. Mr. Kroschell, the city in-
spector, said :
" Mr. Mayor, and Members of the Common Council : You
have arrived at the spot where the two ends of the work are to be
closed up. It only remains for you, Mr. Mayor, to place the last
stone in position in this work, and we are going to help you to do
it."
Mayor Rice then came forward, and, amid the cheers
of the guests, spoke as follows :
" Members of the Board of Public Works, of the Board of
Aldermen, Gentlemen, Contractors, and Fellow Citizens : At the
commencement of this important work, the Mayor of the city, be-
ing its chief officer, and supposed to represent the sentiments of all
our citizens, was appointed to remove the first shovelful of earth,
therebv introducing the work, and showing the world that the great
undertaking should be done. Now that this portion of it is com-
pleted, I have the great pleasure and the honor, as Mayor of the
city, in like capacity to put the last finishing stroke upon this
work, which is intended, as I understand, to show the world that
the citizens of Chicago, through me, give this great enterprise their
approval."
His Honor then took the trowel and the stone, a
perfectly white block of marble one foot long by six
inches wide, inscribed with the words, " Closed De-
cember 6, 1866," and deposited the key-stone in its
final resting place, remarking further, as he did so -.
" Now, gentlemen, in behalf of the City of Chicago, I place
the last stone in this great tunnel — the wonder of America and the
world."
A number of pieces of American coins were deposited
inside the stone by the guests, when the Mayor con-
tinued :
" Gentlemen, I announce to you all that the last stone in this
great tunnel is laid, and that the work is completed."
It was now eleven o'clock, and the party, re-entering
the cars, were soon at the crib shaft, appearing some-
what blinded by the light as they ascended from beneath
the lake. The party who came by the tug were already
there, and many were the congratulations exchanged.
In a short time the second train from the shore arrived,
'I'll: BEING I'.UILT.
and the passengers were also elevated to the large room
in the crib. At this juncture the cannons boomed,
being fired simultaneously from the crib and shore.
Some little time was spent in examining the wonderful
structure, and then the regular order of exercises pro-
ceeded. J. G. Gindele, then president of the Board of
Public Works, addressed the visitors in a brief speech.
In response, Mayor Rice said :
" Members of the Board of Public Works, Aldermen of the
City of Chicago, and Fellow Citizens, one and all : The remarks
last made by the President of the Board of Public Works render it
unnecessary for the Mayor of Chicago to speak a word ; but, as I
am here, I would gladly testify with such weak words as I can use,
my appreciation of the wonderful work of which I have seen the
completion to-day ; and with heartfelt joy I stand here among you
to-day — this day of gladness, — made doubly glad by the genius of
man. This great work is completed. We have seen it. It is now a
means of furnishing every inhabitant of the city of Chicago with
pure, sweet water; and a supply in excess of the demand, sufficient
for a million of inhabitants more. All honor and thanks to the
men who conceived, and to the men who executed this great work.
And I would congratulate the citizens of Chicago, here, that they
have the healthy winds of our boundless prairies, that they have the
life sustaining bread of our perfectly cultivated fields, that they
have the pure refreshing water of our mighty lake, all of which
tend to make Chicago the most favored of cities. I do not intend
to enter into statistics as to when the tunnel was commenced, how
it has progressed, how difficulties have been met with at every
turn, how these difficulties have been surmounted, how men
doubted at its commencement, how these doubts are forever set at
rest ; but I will unite with you all in saying : Hail ! Chicago,
metropolis of the great West, vast in her resources, fortunate in
her citizens, whose genius, industry and integrity secure to us the
use of all those advantages and blessings which are vouchsafed to
us by the Creator and Dispenser of all the things which we have."
Addresses were also made by Aldermen Holden and
Clark, and D. D. Driscoll, the corporation attorney.
Mr. Chesbrough likewise made a short speech, in which
he claimed that great credit and praise were due Messrs.
Dull & Gowan, the contractors, upon whom the respon-
sibility of the work rested. After partaking of a fine
collation, prepared in the kitchen of the crib, the party
who came by the tug started for the shore, via the
tunnel railroad, and the Mayor, aldermen, etc., took
passage on the tug.
The total cost of the tunnel to the city was $464,-
866.05.
The Water Works. — The grounds upon which
were erected the buildings of the water works of 1867,
were bounded by Chicago Avenue, Pine and Pearson
streets, and the lake.* They had a frontage of two
hundred and eighteen feet on Pine Street, and extended
from the lake westward a distance of five hundred and
seventy-one feet. When, in 1863, it became evident
that additional machinery would be required, in order
to embrace the tunnel system, and otherwise extend the
operations of the water works, it was found that the
dimensions of the old building, pump-well and founda-
tions would not admit of any such extension. Plans
and specifications for a new engine, boiler, etc., were
prepared early in 1864, and in July the contract was
awarded to George W. Quintard, proprietor of the
Morgan Iron Works, New York City. Various plans
were suggested by which the new buildings required
for the more extensive system could be erected, with-
out disturbing the supply of water furnished the city by
the old works. In pursuance of the plan finally
adopted, the preliminary work of removing the north
boiler and brick smoke-chimney, the wall of the main
building, the boiler house and a portion of the water-
tower of the old works, was commenced in March,
* Most of the facts in regard to the construction of the water-works build-
ings arc from the official reports of Dewitt C. Cregier, engineer under E. S.
Chesbrough.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
69
1866. Upon the site thus prepared a pump-well was
sunk to the depth of twenty-one feet, being completed
in March, 1867. The structure was located within a
dozen feet of one of the engines then in use, and on
account of the yielding nature of the soil, the work was
proceeded with cautiously but successfully.
On March 25, 1S67, water was first let into the tun-
nel. On that day the new water works were formally
inaugurated by the laying of the corner-stone of a new
tower, situated half a block west of the old one, and
subsequently completed to a height of one hundred and
thirty feet. Within this tower was to be constructed
an iron column, three feet in internal diameter, to the
top of which the water would be forced from the tunnel
by the powerful machinery then being built. The wa-
ter was thence forced by its own pressure through the
mains, and to the tops of the highest buildings in the city.
In consequence of the delay in completing the north
wing of the main building, and the unfinished condi-
tion of the connection of the tunnel with the new pump-
well, as well as the laying of the connecting mains
between the engines and new water-tower, the engine
was not used for some time after it was completed. On
the 20th of July, 1867, the work alluded to had so far
progressed as to admit water to the new pump-well, and
the engines were put in operation.
The first stone for the engine foundations was set
October 6, 1866, and the work completed during the
following month. A new engine was now being built,
in addition to the two then in use, it being constructed
by George W. Quintard, proprietor of the Morgan Iron
Works, New York City. The entire cost was $112,350.
It was first brought into play in July, 1867, and had a
capacity of eighteen million gallons daily.
In the fall of 1867, the city commenced to erect a
machine shop for the manufacturing of hydrants, stop
valves, and for doing other work connected with the
water system. The building was completed in Feb-
ruary, 1868. It was two stories high, built of brick.
During the early part of 1869, the building for the
new pumping works, and the beautiful water-tower,
were completed. The former was erected upon the site
of the old works, and owing to the care necessary to
guard against accident to the water supply, operations
had naturally been conducted slowly. The style of
architecture was castellated Gothic, with heavy battle-
mented corners, executed with solid rock-faced ashlar
stone and cut-stone trimmings, all the details being of
a massive and permanent character. The dimensions
of the engine-room were one hundred and forty-two
feet long, sixty feet wide, and thirty-six feet in the
clear. The central portion of the main front was
divided into two stories, the upper part being devoted
to draughting rooms and sleeping apartments for the
engineers. The lower part was divided by the main
entrance. A large reception room, engineers' offices,
etc., comprised the ground floor. The roof of the
main building was constructed of massive timbers, cov-
ered with slate and pierced with the necessary venti-
lators. Midway between the floor and ceiling, and
extending around the entire interior space of the build-
ing, was a handsome gallery, from which could be
viewed the operations of the engines. Below the main
floor of the principal building there was a space extend-
ing over the whole area, nine feet high, in which were
located the pumps, delivery mains, etc., and from which
the pump-wells, connected with the lake tunnel, de-
scended. The boiler rooms were placed nineteen feet
apart, and were situated in the rear of the main build-
ing. Between the boiler rooms was the smoke-stack,
WATER-WORKS T.UILUINO.
which rose to a height of one hundred and thirty feet
from the ground.
About one hundred feet to the west of the main
building was the imposing water-tower. The exterior
of the shaft was octagonal and rose one hundred and
fifty-four feet from the ground to the top of the stone
work, which terminate in a battlemented cornice. The
whole was surmounted by an iron cupola, pierced with
numerous windows, from which might be obtained a
magnificent view of the lake, the city and surrounding
country. The exterior of the tower was divided into
five sections. The first section was forty feet square
and surrounded the base of the shaft. The floor and
roof of this portion was of massive stone, the latter
forming a balcony. The bottom of the interior was
hexagonal. Here the base-piece of the stand pipe a
casting weighing six tons) was placed, having six open-
ings, supplying thirty-inch gates, to which the water
mains were connected. From this base a thirty-six
inch wrought iron stand-pipe ascended to a height of
one hundred and thirty-eight feet. Around this pipe
was an easy and substantial iron stairway, leading to
the cupola on the top, and lighted throughout with alter-
nating windows. The whole structure was looked upon
as thoroughly fire-proof, being composed wholly of
stone, brick and iron. Much credit was justly accorded
to W. W. Boyington, the architect of the buildings, for
the professional skill, taste and judgment displayed in
the work entrusted to him.
The year 1869, then, marks the virtual establishment
of the second system of Water Works, although it has
since been extended to such magnificent proportions, to
keep pace with the wonderful growth of the city, that
the fine accomplishments of the past are lost sight of in
the splendid achievements of the later period. Up to
March 31, 1869, the cost of the water system, including
all expenditures for works then in progress had been
$3,146,383.14; this expenditure having been met by the
issuing of over two million and a half in bonds, and by
water rents. During the year 1S6S-69 thirty and a half
miles of water pipe were laid, making over two hundred
and eight miles then in use. Even then the extent of
pipes laid exceeded that of any cities except New York,
Brooklyn and Philadelphia. One important improve-
7o
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
ment suggested at this time, and subsequently carried
out, in order to meet an insufficient supply of water,
was an extension of the system of two-feet mains around
the three divisions of the city, making, in fact, a contin-
uous main of about thirteen miles in length.
In October, 1S69, the plans and estimates for the
establishment of the West-side water works, on the
corner of Twenty-second Street and Ashland Avenue,
were submitted to the City Council. But as they were
not completed until six years thereafter, a history of this
important extension of the water service must be defer-
red to the third volume.
During 1870-71, the tunnels under the canal and
river at Division Street, and under the river at Chicago
Avenue, and at Adams Street, to accommodate the
water mains passing to the West Division of the city, at
these points, and the tunnel under the South Fork of
the South Branch at Archer Avenue, for the water main
passing to the southwestern portion of the city, were all
completed and put in use. The grounds at the water
works were fenced and preparations made to beautify
them. A fourth engine, constructed in Pittsburgh, of
thirty-six million gallons daily capacity, was also in
place at the works and nearly ready for use. It was
designed to increase the combined capacity to seventy-
one million gallons.
•The great fire of 187 1 swept away most of the build-
ings connected with the pumping works, damaging the
machinery so badly that the water supply (and there-
fore all means of checking the conflagration) was cut
off. The loss on buildings and machinery was about
$75,000. The machine shop connected with the works,
including much valuable machinery was almost a total
loss, while the damage to the North and South Side
reservoirs was some $20,000, and nearly three miles of
water-service pipe were melted or otherwise injured.
The total damage to the water works system was
$248,910.
While the three engines were disabled, a partial sup-
ply of water was furnished some sections of the city by
pumping into the pipes from the river, at different
points, and by making connections with wells at the
corner of Western and Chicago avenues, at Wahl's glue
factory, at the Northwestern Distillery and at Lincoln
Park. Many of the inhabitants living in the vicinity of
Union and Jefferson parks obtained their supply from
the artificial lakes, thus preventing much threatened dis-
tress. The damage to the engine house was repaired,
the machine shop reconstructed upon the old founda-
tion, and the engines so promptly put in working order
that the one of 1867 was running October 17, 1871 ;
that of 1857 on November 10, and that of 1853 on the
30th of November.
The following table shows the amount of assess-
ments for the maintenance of the water system made
by the Board of Public Works since it was created, in
1861, up to the time of the fire — the fiscal periods
end with April 1 for the years specified :
1862 $42,635 49
'863 4f>,493 67
■•''4 389.169 31
- I03.576 35
- 802,574 56
1867 317,206 18
1868 1,354,436 48
'-' 1 2,395,68303
1870 2,836,852 48
1871 2,359,835 89
Total $10,648,463 44
The following table will show the great strides
which Chicago has made in the development of her
water system from 1858 to 187 1, inclusive, the period
covered bv this volume :
Estimate
Year.
Daily Supply.
Gallons.
made in 1851,
based on 35
gals, per in-
habitant.
Capacity of
Works.
Revenue.
Miles
of pipe
laid.
Miles
of pipe
1S5S
2,99L4I3
2,340,000
20,000,000
$102,179
72.4
1S59
3. 877.119
2,520,000
20,000,000
I22,94S
12.7
85.1
i860
4.703,525
2,700,000
20,000,000
131,162
5-9
91.0
1861
4,841,520
2,8So,OO0
20,000,000
150,290
4-3
95-3
1862
6,074,739
3,060,000
20,000,000
150,920
96
104.9
1863
6,400,29s
3,240,000
20,000,000
190,886
10.5
115. 4
1864
6,913,259
3,420,000
20,000,000
224,246
11. 9
127.3
1S65
7,6io,a59
3,600,000
20.000,000
252,441
13.9
141. 2
1866
8,681,536
3,780,000
20,000 OOO
301,124
11. 0
152.2
1867
11,562,273
3,960,000
20,000,000
337.46S
22.6
1748
1868
14,724,999
4,140,000
3S, 000,000
420,656
33.8
208.6
1869
iS, 633, 278
4,320,000
38,000,000
476,96s
31-3
239-9
1870
21,766,260
4,536,000
3S, OOO, OOO
539.313
32.5
272.4
1871
23.464.S77
4,752,000
3S, OOO, OOO
446,265
15.3
2S7.7
RIVER, HARBOR AND MARINE.
Harbor and River Improvements. — The location
of the streets of the city, the course of the river and
the condition of the sand-bars at the beginning of 1858,
varied but little from descriptions given in the first
volume of this history. The charts made between
1854 and 1S58 by S. S. Greely show the former posi-
tion of Fort Dearborn, the ancient river bed, the sand-
bar at its mouth and the grounds and the buildings of
the Illinois Central Railroad Company. The distance
from the east line of Michigan Avenue, at Randolph
Street, to the shore of Lake Michigan (according to the
plat of the Fort Dearborn Addition to Chicago i is given
at about seventy-five feet. The distance from the same
point to the shore line, as laid down by Surveyor John
Wall, in 182 1, was one hundred and seventy-five feet,
continuing northeasterly to a point at the intersection
of St. Clair and Illinois streets. In 1836 the west line
of the sand-bar was one hundred and fifty feet east of
the line of 182 1. In the map of 1858 a large area of
" made land" is shown on the lake side of the sand-bar.
West of " Slip A " was the Illinois Central freight
house. Between this building and the old channel of
the river was the Michigan Central freight house, and
west of it was a second structure of a like character.
South of the latter freight house was the passenger
depot belonging to the Illinois Central Railroad Com-
pany, while, standing on the southeast corner of Mich-
igan Avenue and River Street, was the old United
States Marine Hospital, sold in 1864. Diagonally across
from the Marine Hospital was the block house and
two small buildings belonging to Fort Dearborn. The
south building, or officers' quarters, stood on what is
now River Street, nearly at the foot of Rush-street
bridge - while the north building stood on land, which
was subsequently excavated, and now forms the south
channel at that point. The light-house stood on the
river bank, just west of Rush-street bridge. The above
particulars are given that the general reader may obtain
an idea of the appearance of the harbor, the river's
mouth, and the surrounding country in the year 1858.
The Government seemed still loath to recognize
Chicago's importance as a commercial emporium, even
by so much as making a modest appropriation by which
her decaying harbor piers could be kept in repair.
The city herself therefore took up the matter, trusting
to the future for re-imbursement. In the fall of 1859 a
RIVER, HARBOR AND MARINE.
7i
small sum was raised by the Board of Trade to pre-
serve a portion of the North Pier, which was fast
rotting and falling into the lake. In 1861 and 1862
the repairs undertaken by the city were just sufficient
to prevent the harbor improvements from becoming
utterly useless, the municipal authorities and public-
spirited citizens still hoping for justice, if not an out-
burst of generosity, from the General Government. As
the city failed to obtain an appropriation from Congress,
in 1863 she undertook the work of dredging the mouth
of the river, in order to obtain a channel fourteen feet
deep, between the north and the south piers, and across
the bar. This effort to effect even a temporary im-
provement was quite abortive, and it was not until
August, 1864, that the mouth of the river was relieved,
to a marked extent, of its troublesome accumulations.
Messrs. Fox & Howard, who had contracted with the
city to do the work, had opened a passage which would
admit craft drawing from twelve to twelve and a half
feet of water. The channel was, however, too narrow,
and vessels were in danger of being stranded during a
high wind. During the years 1864-65 the channel was
dredged through the bar to a depth of fourteen feet.
The north pier was extended four hundred and fifty
feet, at a cost, to the city, of $75,000.
At this time it was felt more keenly than ever that the
outlay should be made by the United States Govern-
ment rather than by the city, and it was hoped that what-
ever amount was expended would be refunded from
the national treasury, especially as the work was being
done under the direction of a United States engineer.
A map of the harbor made during August, 1865, shows
a channel of thirteen or fourteen feet deep at the
mouth of the river, and a sand-bar covered by six feet
of water for a distance of one thousand feet in a south-
erly direction, and having a width of one hundred and
fifty feet, at a point twelve hundred feet from the North
Pier. During this year the outer end of the pier work
was completed, and the dock lines along the Chicago
River and its branches were surveyed. The pier was
further extended, the channel dredged, and Goose
Island, at the confluence of the North and South
branches was removed during 1865-66. A channel,
fifty feet wide and ten feet deep below low water, was
also made in the upper part of the South Branch.
During the year ending August, 1866, the formation of
another sand-bar across the entrance to the harbor was
in its incipient stages, the water shoaling from three to
six feet.
The General Government at last had become cog-
nizant of the errors of the past, and made an appro-
priation of $88,000, which enabled the contractors to
extend the pier six hundred feet further to the east-
ward. While Lieutenant-Colonel J. 1). Graham was in
charge of the harbor improvements, the War Depart-
ment granted permission to the Chicago Dock and
Canal Company to mike an opening through the
United States North Pier; so as to allow a communica-
tion between the harbor, and the ship-basins and canals,
which that company had been authorized to build. In
1867, to provide for the required three hundred feet of
opening in the pier, the United States commenced to
extend the pier, beginning from a point three hundred
feet from the shore terminus. The extension was
therefore carried out nine hundred feet, to a depth of
twenty-four feet of water. During the year ending
June 30, 1868, the Chicago Dock and Canal Company,
in conjunction with the United States Government, was
feebly prosecuting the harbor improvements. Owing
to the delay caused by the inclosing of the ship-basin
by the Dock Company, the bar at the mouth of the
harbor continually increased, and the United States
engineer in charge of the works granted the contract-
ors an extension of one year's time. The appropria-
tion made in 186S by Congress amounted to $35,000,
followed by one of $29,700 in 1869. Early during the
latter year the channel of the North Branch was
dredged to a uniform depth of eleven and one-half
feet. At this time the width of the river, at various
points, was as follows: At Lake Street, 200 feet;
Randolph, 170 feet; Washington, 165 feet; Madison,
155 feet; Monroe (North side), 163 feet; Monroe
(South side), 133 feet; Adams, 127 feet; Jackson, 133
feet; Van Buren, 200 feet; Tyler, 130 feet; Harrison,
127 feet; Polk, 115 feet; Taylor, 130 feet; Twelfth
(North side), 155 feet; Maxwell, 142 feet; Mitchell,
139 feet; Sixteenth, 143 feet; Seventeenth, 135 feet;
Eighteenth, 118 feet. When the proposition was made
to give the main river a uniform width of two hundred
and fifty feet, and the branches a uniform width of two
hundred feet, the measurements given above were
ascertained. It was necessary to widen the main river
only below Rush-street bridge.
In 186S, opposite Randolph and Monroe streets, in
twelve-feet soundings, the bar had reached a width of
1,050 feet, while from the pier, southward, its length
was 3,900 feet. The continued extension of the pier
up to 1868 divided the sand current further east, and a
new bar was then in process of formation in a southerly
direction from the end of the pier, with its center six
hundred and fifty feet distant. This new bar formed
an angle of between sixty and seventy degrees with the
old one, and in 1868 the water was shoaling near the
pier, so that it was dangerous for vessels of heavy
draught to attempt to enter without a tug-boat. Of the
appropriations made by the General Government, during
the previous three years, the sum of more than $66,000
was available in 1869. During the early part of this
year the North Pier was fully completed. The greater
portion of the six hundred feet of the South Pier was
also completed in 1869. The total length of the Illi-
nois Central breakwater was now nearly seventeen
thousand feet, the water line of the crib works, south
.of Randolph Street, being six hundred feet east of the
east side of Michigan Avenue. The area then enclosed
amounted to about thirty-three acres, and upon a por-
tion of that area the Illinois Central Railroad depot
was built. It was during the season of 1869 that the
land between the mouth of the river and Twelfth Street
to the south, and Chicago Avenue to the north, was
dredged away, and the channel also completed through
the South Fork from the canal locks to the rolling mills.
This year was one which proved great, not only in un-
dertakings, but in accomplishments. Among other
enterprises, the Chicago Canal & Dock Company
inaugurated the system of outside docks, on the north
side of the North Pier extension. During July and
August, 1869, a survey of the harbor entrance and lake
front was made, under the direction of Major Wheeler,
who recommended an extension of the South Pier until
it equalled the North, the building of a breakwater at
right angles, extending four thousand feet in a southerly
direction, and the connection of this breakwater to the
shore by a pier. These improvements were to form an
outer harbor, and relieve the overcrowded condition of
the Chicago River. If future necessities required an
enlargement of this basin, the breakwater could be ex-
tended. Major Wheeler estimated the cost of the
improvements at $897,095.73. In January, 1S70, the
Board of United States Engineers, consisting of Colonel
72
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
CHICAGO
vt-Sa.sTO.i to.b/^.'/to m>.6 (Q.a to.s'-.u.s »s -.
TO ! TO.^V'^..3 \3 3 « 5 99 \i 3 8 }.»■-''
bSo a Cv0-kj::fcJ.£Hu.» "> ■» ,Q "6 " 3 «" >
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.3 .■ B.6\!.3 :-5;:"£ •.^•*.*.'.'^-:6 ::: 9.3 TO.3;V2.3n \! ^ ""
X
CHICAGO HARBOR IN 1870.
J. N. Macomb, Colonel W. F. Reynolds, Major J. B.
Wheeler and Major \V. McFarland, agreed upon the
necessity for carrying out Major Wheeler's plan, sug-
gesting, however, that the construction of the closing
pier be deferred until the effect upon the bottom be
observed from the building of the breakwater. In July,
Congress appropriated $100,000 to the carrying forward
of this improvement. Messrs. Fox and Howard com-
menced work in September, and one thousand four
hundred and fifty feet of breakwater were constructed
during the year. In May, 187 1, a contract was entered
into with the Illinois Central Railroad Company for
continuing the work, the expense to be met by the
appropriation of $100,000 made by Congress in March,
1871.
The expenditures for harbor and improvements by the city from
1861 to 1871 were as follows : 1861, $291.25 ; 1862-63, $507.99 ;
1863-64, $30,255.67; 1864-65; $52,097.51; 1865-66, $115,840.95;
1866-67, $25,351.58 ; 1867-68. $23,830.58; 1868-69, $82,405.63;
1869-1870, $65,485 12 ; 1870-71, $120,265.08.
The engineers on duty at Chicago from 1857 to 1871 were :
Colonel J. D. Graham, who took charge of the harbor in April,
nd continued in charge until April 20, 1864. Colonel
Graham had been commissioner of the survey of the northeastern
boundary and was connected with the survey of the Mexican
frontier, being distinguished for mathematical and astronomical
abilities. Colonel Thomas |. Cram was in charge of the harbor
improvements from October, 1S64, to August, 1865, and was suc-
ceeded by Major J. B. Wheeler, who remained on duty until
February 21, 1870, when Major William E. Merrill took temporary
charge. Major D. C. Houston, U.S.E., was appointed engineer
in charge of the harbor May 3, 1870, and served until June 26,
1874, when Major G. L. Gillespie, U.S.E., was appointed.
Dockage. — In early times the navigation up the
North Branch was accomplished as far as Chicago
Avenue and up the South Branch to Eighteenth Street.
With the construction of the canal the South Branch
was improved a mile and a half beyond Eighteenth
Street. Next, the North Branch was deepened and the
dockage extended. Then, as has been already noticed,
came the demand for a uniform width of the river, so
that the dock lines, which had heretofore followed the
curvature of the banks, were straightened. By 1869,
when this latter improvement was progressing, the
wharfage of the city amounted to nearly twelve miles.
The dock system had been especially extended in the
West Division along the South Branch. In 1870-71 the
improvement carried on at the mouth of the harbor
by the Government, the Chicago Dock Company and
the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and which has
been previously commented upon, added greatly to the
pier and wharfing facilities of Chicago.
RIVER, HARBOR AND MARINK.
73
The Marine. — The narrow muddy inlet called the
Chicago River, has made Chicago one of the largest
ports of entry in the United States. When the naviga-
tion of the great lakes was primarily instituted, it was
the only place from St. Joseph River, in Michigan, to
Milwaukee, a distance of more than two hundred and fifty
miles, where a vessel could be loaded or unloaded or find
shelter in a storm. It was the only accessible port, and
hence destined to become the commercial center of the
vast Northwest. The early growth of the marine is de-
tailed in the first volume, and the improvements of the
harbor are given elsewhere in the present volume.
With those improvements, the shipping interests of
Chicago continued to grow yearly, until, before the year
187 1, there were annually entered at this port a greater
number of vessels than at the ports of New York, Phila-
delphia, Baltimore, San Francisco, Charleston and Mo-
bile combined. And this, notwithstanding the fact that
the harbor of Chicago is closed for at least three months
of the year.
We here present some tables which illustrate the
growth and vast extent of Chicago's lake commerce;
and, although such details are necessarily unattractive,
they will well repay a study by the admirer of historical
statistics.
The lake tonnage enrolled at the port of Chicago in
1858 amounted to 8,151 tons in steam vessels and
58,771 tons in sail vessels. Estimating the value of
the steam vessels, completed and rigged and equipped
for active service, at $35 per ton, the value of these two
classes of tonnage amounts to the sum of $2,383,025.
In addition to these there was the canal tonnage,
amounting to 152 canal boats of about 15,000 tons.
Estimating the canal boats at $1,000 a piece, the value
of the whole would be —
Lake tonnage $2,383,025
Canal tonnage 152,000
$2,535,025
The number of vessels owned in Chicago in 1!
Steamers 61
Sail vessels 687
Canal boats 152
Tonnage 8,151
58,77I
15,000
900 Si, 921
The arrivals and clearances at the port of Chicago
for 1858 were :
Arrivals 6,882
Clearances 6,768
Tonnage _ — 1,644,060
1,640,643
The value of the lake commerce for 1858 was as
follows :
Imports - $27,194,144 24
Exports 21,261,074 73
$4S,455,2iS 97
Some further statistics of receipts and shipments of
the principal articles of commerce will be presented in
the table for the year 1S71. The figures for 1858 and
1 87 1 we present as fully as they can be obtained, in
order that the commerce of the first and last year,
comprised within this volume, may be contrasted.
The following tables, obtained from the United
States Custom House and from the Board of Trade of
Chicago, show the constant and rapid growth of the
lake commerce.
Owing to the destruction of records in the great
fire, the arrivals and clearances for 1859, i860, and 1861
are not obtainable. Those for the years here given
present very compactly the increasing activity of the
Chicago marine.
Arrivals.
Clearances.
Years.
Vess Is.
Tonnage,
V, SSI Is
Tonnagi
1858
1862
1S63
1S64
1S65
1S66
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
6,882
7,417
8,678
8,938
10,112
11,084
12,230
13,174
13,730
12,739
12,330
1,644,060
1,931,692
2,172,611
2,172.866
2,106,859
2,258,572
2,588,527
2,984,591
3,123,400
3,049,265
3,096,101
6,768
7,270
8,457
8,824
10,067
IT, 115
12,140
13.225
13,872
12,433
12,312
[,640,643
1,915,554
2, l6l, 221
2,166,904
2,092,276
2,361,520
2,512,671,
3,020,812
3,149,946
2,983,942
3.082,235
The registered, enrolled and licensed tonnage, at
the port of Chicago, was as follows for the years men-
tioned :
1858,67,001.23; 1859, 68,123.39; tSoo, 78,81605; 1861,
85,743.66; 1862, 108,357.42; 1863, 126,684.40; 1864, 160,-
241.07; 1865, 75,444.41; 1866, 86.6S5.33; 1867, 95,330-05;
1868, 100,753.71; 1869, 104.314.3S ; 1870, 93,625.49; 1S71,
93,918.9V.
The following are the imports and exports, as exhib-
ited by the records of the Custom House, for the years
specified :
Years.
185S $222,930 $1,713,077
1S59 93,588 1,269,385
i860 60,214 1,165,183
1861 77,34S 3.522,343
1862 62,129 2.303,275
1863 134,204 3,544,085
1864 - 322,352 3,529.034
1865 3".455 --- 4.590,350
1S66 1,095,585 2.644,475
1867 - 355.790 1,824,371
1868 _._ 1,454,682 5,052,062
1869 1,215,003 3,742,256
1870 1,687,841 2,613.072
1871 2,042,499 5,5So,i74
The number of vessels owned in Chicago in 1871
was as follows :
Steam
Sail. --
Canal boats
S4
333
Tonnage
6,846.30
.. 64.S14.26
233
•• 23,735.39
Estimating their value upon the same basis as those
for 1858 are estimated —
The value of this tonnage would be $3,775,351
Tonnage of 1S5S 2,535,025
Increase $1,240,326
This indicates a growth of one-third in thirteen
years ; not at all comparable to the mighty extension
of railroad transportation in the same time, but never-
theless a very constant and substantial growth.
The following table illustrates more strikingly the
vast growth of Chicago's lake commerce. It gives the
receipts and shipments of the principal articles of com-
merce for the years 1858 and 187 1 :
Flour, bbls. .
Wheat, bush.
Oats, bush
*Beef, bbls. --
2.354
4,458
90,631
unt of beef packed for i
I87I.
47,673
77.54"
1,750
50
74
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
receitts — Continued.
1S58. 1S71.
*Pork, bbls 127
Butter, lbs 1, 093,795
Hides, lbs 53.820 203, 6S0
Tallow, lbs. .-- 9.700
Wool, lbs S,6oo 194.100
Fotatoes, bush. -.. - 31.153
Lumber, ft - 278,943,506 984,758,000
Shingles, No.. - 127,565,000 401,346,000
Lath, pieces 44,559,150 102,487,000
Salt. bbls. -. - 334.997 66S,4io
Coal, tons... - 76.571 515.253
SHIPMENTS.
1S58. 1871.
Flour, bbls 377,177 4SS.705
Wheat, bush 8,716,734 12,120,923
Corn, bush 7,590,364 34,200,876
Oats, bush 1,315,226 8,797,599
Rye, bush - 7,569 1,047,262
Barley bush 139,862 1,397,048
Beef.'bbls 5.603
Pork, bbls 34.207
Lard, lbs 384,550
Cured meats, lbs 155,600
Butter, lbs. 528,330
Hides, lbs 6,510,561 1,783,240
Tallow, lbs 206,765
Wool, lbs 598.264 174,700
Broom corn, lbs.- 963.S50
Salt, bbls 10,550 4,778
Potatoes, bush 5.271
Lumber, ft 5,993,000
The following shows the dates of the opening of
navigation at the Straits of Mackinac for the years speci-
fied : 1858, April 6; 1859, April 4; i860, April 26 ;
1861, April 25 ; 1862, April 18 ; 1863, April 17 ; 1864,
April 23 ; 1865, April 21 ; 1866, April 29; 1867, April
23; 1S6S, April 19 ; 1869, April 23 ; 1S70, April 18 ;
1871, April 3.
Marine insurances are made from April to Novem-
ber, including both months.
The Skjoldmoen. — On the 16th of July, 1863, one
of the smallest crafts that ever crossed the Atlantic, the
sloop " Skjoldmoen," commanded by Captain L. We-
senberg, arrived at the port of Chicago, from Bergen,
Norway, which latter port she left on the 12th of April,
arriving at Quebec on the 2d of July, and reaching
Chicago on the afternoon of the 16th of July, occupy-
ing ninety-four days in the voyage. She had a rough
and stormy passage, but made good sailing time. She
was a vessel of 55 tons burden, sixty feet long and for-
ty-eight feet keel, and was said to be the smallest ves-
sel that ever crossed the Atlantic. She certainly was
the smallest vessel that ever crossed the Atlantic and
arrived safely at the port of Chicago. She brought to
a Chicago firm a cargo of herrings, stock fish, ancho-
vies, and Norwegian cod liver oil.
On the 31st of July following, she cleared this port
for Christiania, Norway, with a cargo of flour, pork,
bides, hams, tobacco and kerosene lamps. Although
the freight was of this varied character, the amount of
each was small.
Shu- building lias never been an extensive industry
in Chicago, for the reason that owing to the high prices
of labor and materials vessels could be more cheaply
built elsewhere. There have been, however, a number
of ship-yards more or less nourishing, and some very
fine vessels have been built. The following are among
the prominent firms engaged in the business from 1S58
to 1871: Akhurst & Douglas, Doolittle & Miller, Miller
.- flood, Miller Brothers, J. W. Banta, Miller, Freder-
pocked. At this time Chicago wan first in beef packing and
third in hog». Cincinnati and Louiiville respectively first and second.
ickson & Burns, Orville Olcott, Fox & Howard and O.
B. Green.
The tug "George B. McClellan," named in honor
of the future General, then the vice-president of the
Illinois Central Railroad, was launched from the ship-
yard of Martin, Green & Co., June 20, 1S60.
The " Union," the largest tug in the harbor except
the " McQueen," was launched from the yard of Miller
& Hood. She was built for Messrs. Redmond and
John Prindiville, and blew up in 1862 in the lake near
the entrance to the river, killing Thomas Daly, the cap-
tain, Thomas Boyd, the harbor master, and the fireman.
Captain John Prindiville was on board of her but es-
caped unhurt. The tug "J. Prindiville," one of the
largest and most powerful tugs afloat, was built at the
yard of Miller & Hood for Captains John and Red-
mond Prindiville, Captain Joseph Nicholson, and Mr.
John Ebbert, and launched May 8, 1862. She was com-
manded by Captain Nicholson, and was employed in
towing vessels between Lakes Erie and Huron; and
also in wrecking during the summer and in the fall in
rendering assistance to vessels in distress near this
port. The propeller " Lady Franklin " was built at the
yard of J. W. Banta for J. T. & E. M. Edwards, and
was launched March 11, 1861.
A complete list of the vessels built at our ship-
yards prior to the great fire is now unattainable, but
since 1873 the Board of Trade reports contain a list of
the vessels annually built and documented at the port
of Chicago. They show an average of about twelve
vessels of various classes. It is more than probable
that the average for the years prior to 1871 was larger
than this.
Disasters. — The perils of " those who go down to
the sea in ships " are amply complemented by the
perils of those who sail upon the waters of the great
lakes. The long list of lake disasters tells a frightful
story of hardship and danger and loss of life. Of
vessels owned in Chicago alone, from fifteen to twenty
are lost annually, with many lives.
We here give a brief account of some of the great-
est of these disasters:
The propeller "Troy," commanded by Captain By-
ron, and owned in Chicago by A. H. Covert and John
B. Warren, carrying a cargo of wheat to Buffalo, was
wrecked on Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, opposite
Goderich, October 19, 1859. In a storm, a heavy sea
struck her and broke in her gangway, and she foundered
in a short time. The crew and passengers, including
the wife of the captain, got safely off in the boats but
all foundered in the heavy sea. No one was saved but
two deck hands, who were swept across to Goderich on
pieces of the wreck, and these made the shore.
The Loss of the Lady Elgin. — The most terrible
disaster that ever occurred on the great lakes was the
loss of the steamer " Lady Elgin," on the 8th of Sep-
tember, i860.
The " Lady Elgin," one of the largest vessels of
her class, was a Canadian built boat and was launched
in 185 1. She was three hundred feet in length, of one
thousand tons burden, and had a reputation for speed
that made her a great favorite with the traveling public
and excursion parties. Before the completion of the
(.rand Trunk Railway of Canada, she carried the Cana-
dian mails along the lakes, but after the completion of
that road she was sold to Gurdon S. Hubbard & Co., of
Chicago, ami employed by them in the Lake Superior
and Michigan trade. She carried the mails, freight and
passengers to points on the lakes between Chicago and
Bayfield, Wis. The captain of the steamer was John
RIVER, HARBOR AND MARINE.
75
Wilson, of Chicago, who commanded her from the
time she changed ownership. He had an extensive
experience in lake navigation, and was a popular and
favorite master.
On Thursday the 6th of September, i860, on her
voyage from Milwaukee to Chicago, she took on board
a large party of excursionists at the former place, who
intended to make a trip to Chicago and return. Among
them were some of the most prominent Irish citizens of
Milwaukee, several public officers, and a large number
of the members of the military companies of that city.
On Friday, near midnight, the steamer left the Chicago
dock for her northern destination, taking with her the
Milwaukee excursionists and a number of other
passengers. Including the crew, three hundred and
ninety-three persons were on board when she started;
as the vessel steamed swiftly northward, music and danc-
ing ruled the hour, and all was mirth and gaiety in the
salon cabins.
At two o'clock in the morning, the vessel was off
Waukegan, about ten miles from shore, and the pas-
sengers were at the height of their merriment. With-
out, the night was threatening, rain was falling and the
wind blew freshly from the north. Another vessel was
also nearing the same point ; it was the schooner
" Augusta," laden with lumber and bound for Chicago,
she sailing south by east under all sail, except the gaff
top-sail, and was making eleven knots an hour. The
steamer had all her lights set, the schooner had none.
The watch of the schooner saw the lights of the
steamer for at least half an hour as the vessels were
rapidly rushing towards each other. The officers of
the steamer were totally unconscious of the schooner's
presence, for it could not be seen from the deck. For
twenty minutes the captain and crew of the schooner
actually gazed at the vessel they were about to run
down without making one effort to avoid it. The rule
of navigation was, that vessels going north should pass
vessels steering south to the larboard side ; but the
captain of the " Augusta " seemed determined to pass
the " Lady Elgin " on the starboard side, and with the
full view of the steamer before him it was not until
within three, to five minutes of the collision that he
ordered the helm "hard up." Whether the order was
obeyed, or whether the vessel steered so badly that she
would not answer her helm on such short notice, is
uncertain, but her course remained unaltered, and
coming straight on she struck the steamer on the
larboard side, knocked a great hole in her, and then
glided swiftly off into the darkness, five minutes after
the collision being totally lost to sight. At this moment
the wind grew into a gale and the waves commenced
running high. The hole was below the water line, and,
though everything was done by the captain that could
be done, nothing could stop the rush of water into the
hold. After the crash of the collision the music and
dancing ceased of course, but though the lamps were
extinguished by the concussion no cry nor shriek was
heard. The women stood in the cabins, pale, motion-
less and silent. No sound was heard but the escaping
steam, and the surging of the waves. As the vessel
settled, the passengers mounted to the hurricane deck.
There were several boats, but only a few succeeded in
getting off in them without oars. There was an abund-
ant supply of life-preservers, it is said, but no one seems
to have thought of using them. Within a half hour
after the collision, the engine fell through the bottom
of the vessel, and the hull went down immediately
after, leaving the hurricane deck, with its vast living
freight, floating like a raft. A number of the passen-
gers jumped from this, thinking ;t would sink. And
now, drifting before the wind and tossed by the waves,
the deck commenced to break up, and finally separated
into live pieces, to each <>f which, half submerged, many
of the passengers desperately clung, but many, as their
strength gave out, sank amid the tossing waves. One
portion of the deck, on which the captain was, held
twenty-five persons. He was the only one who stirred
from the recumbent position, which was necessary to
keep a secure hold on the precarious support. Ik-
carried a child, which he found in the arms of an
exhausted and submerged woman, to an elevated posi-
tion of the raft, and left it in charge of another woman,
but she could not long care for it and it was washed
away. He constantly exhorted all to keep silent, and
to refrain from moving, and thus save their strength.
Clinging to their frail support in silent terror, day broke
upon them and found them drifting southward, nearly
off Winnetka. The lake seemed covered with floating
pieces of the wreck, on many of which one or more
persons were still desperately making a fight for life.
Soon it became known on shore that a great vessel had
been wrecked, and that hundreds of persons were still
struggling in the water. Relief parties hurried to the
scene from Evanston, from Winnetka and along the
shore. At this point there is not much beach and the
shore rises abruptly for more than one hundred feet.
The surf ran high, but the bolder spirits of the relief
parties, with ropes tied around them, dashed through
the surf and rescued many who, nearly exhausted, came
dritting near the shore. Among those who distin-
guished themselves in this way was Edward W. Spen-
cer, now of Rock Island, 111., but at that time a student
in the Garrett Biblical Institute of Evanston. He saved
some fifteen persons. The saving of John Eviston
and wife of Milwaukee created great excitement. The
gallant fellow was seen some distance out on the wheel-
house, on which he firmly held his wife. As he reached
the shore the surf capsized his raft, and for sev-
eral seconds both were submerged. When they rose
again to view, the wife was at some distance from the
wheel-house, to which Mr. Eviston was still holding.
Seeing his wife he swam out to her, and again suc-
ceeded in regaining the wheel-house with her. Again
the rolling waves carried them toward the shore,
and at last the wheel-house grounded. Taking his
wife in his arms, the gallant fellow now attempted to
wade to the land, but after a step or two sank exhausted
in the water. At this moment he was caught by the
brave Spencer, and they were safely brought to shore.
From the raft on which Captain Wilson was, not
more than seven or eight persons were saved. It. too,
capsized in the surf as it neared the shore, but a few
regained their hold. The captain, who throughout had
behaved with the greatest heroism, succeeded in getting
one of the ladies back on it, but a great sea washed
them off again, and both were drowned when within a
few rods of the shore. Of the twenty-five persons on this
portion of the deck when it broke up, eight only were
saved. They had been in the water for more than ten
hours. It was considerably past noon of that fatal <Sth
of September when the last struggling survivor was
pulled ashore. Of the three hundred and ninety-three
persons who had sailed the previous night, two hundred
and ninety-seven were lost.
The "Augusta " was a schooner of three hundred
and fifty tons burden, was owned by George W. Bissell,
of Detroit, and commanded by Captain I>. M. Malott,
of the same city. After the disaster, her name was
changed to "Colonel Cook." The community cast the
;o
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
blame for the catastrophe upon the captain of the
schooner, but in the investigation that followed he was
exonerated.
Among the lost were Colonel Lumsden, of the New
Orleans Picayune, and his family, who were traveling
in the north for pleasure. Another distinguished per-
son was Herbert Ingram, an English gentleman, a
member of Parliament, and proprietor of the London
Illustrated News. He was traveling through the United
States, with his son, a lad of fifteen years. His original
plan was to cross the prairies of Illinois, and descend
the Mississippi to New Orleans. Reaching Chicago,
he concluded to first visit Lake Superior, and took
passage on the " Lady Elgin " on her fatal voyage.
His body was washed ashore near Winnetka on the
afternoon of the 8th, just as one of his friends, from whom
he had parted the night before, Mr. Hayward, of Chi-
cago, reached the spot. It was supposed that life was
not extinct, but all efforts at resuscitation failed. His
remains were carried back to England.
It was many weeks before the lake gave up all the
victims of this great calamity, but it is believed that all
were ultimately recovered.
But the great mourning was in Milwaukee, some of
whose best and most prominent citizens were lost. Of
all the gay excursionists who had taken passage on the
" Lady Elgin " two days before, only about seventy-five
returned alive.
Captain Malott, with all hands, was lost in the wreck
of the bark " Major," in Lake Michigan, two or three
years after the " Lady Elgin " disaster.
Captain Wilson left a wife and two children, a son
and daughter. His son was drowned at Cleveland a
few years afterward, at the age of fifteen.
November 6, i86i,the propeller " Hunter," Captain
Dickson, having been chartered for Buffalo went up the
South Branch to the Union Elevator of Sturgis & Co.
At three o'clock the next morning the hands came on
board intoxicated, and went to the steerage. A moment
later the watchman saw smoke coming from the hold
near the stack. When the captain, clerk and some of
the hands rushed on deck, they found that two of the
deck hands who had gone below were not to be found.
The flames spread so rapidly that these two could not
escape, and were burned to death. The vessel was
entirely destroyed, the loss being $40,000.
The Wreck of the Sunbeam. — The passenger
steamer " Sunbeam " was built in the winter of 1862 by
Albert E. Goodrich, of Chicago. She was about four
hundred tons burden, was elegantly furnished, and was
a great favorite with the traveling public. She was
used in the lakes Michigan and Superior trade, but in
the summer of 1863 plied between Superior City and
Portage Lake. On her fourth trip, she left Superior
City on Monday night, the 23d of August, 1863, and
reached Ontonagon a little before noon on Thursday,
where she remained until half-past six in the afternoon.
When she started from Ontonagon the wind was blow-
ing freshly from the north, and about ten o'clock grew
to a ^ale. The steamer rode the storm successfully
until morning, when she became unmanageable. Her
machinery would not work, nor could anything be done
with the sail. The crew consisted of twenty-one per-
sons, and the passengers numbered five or six. They
now took to the boats, except the pilot, Charles Frazer,
who when the vessel careened was still in the pilot
house. He got out, and as the vessel went down was
left floating on a portion of the hurricane deck. A few
moments after, as Frazer was floating on the waves, he
saw both boats capsize. Frazer was on his raft from
eight o'clock Friday morning until two o'clock Satur-
day afternoon, without any nourishment except a demi-
john of port wine he had caught floating near him. He
finally reached the shore, and was the only survivor of
the wreck.
Among the lost was W. J. Isham, one of the edito-
rial staff of the Chicago Times. Mr. Isham was the
brother of the first wife of W. F. Storey, proprietor of
the Times. At the time he took passage on the "Sun-
beam " he was returning from his summer vacation.
His body was never recovered.
The Burning of the Sea Bird. — The " Sea
Bird," Captain John Morrison, of Chicago, was a side-
wheel steamer belonging to Albert E. Goodrich, after-
ward president of the Goodrich Transportation Com-
pany. She was of about five hundred tons burden, and
was built at Marine City, on the St. Clair River, in
1 86 1, for E. B. Ward, of Detroit, and was bought by
Captain Goodrich. She was employed in the Lake
Michigan trade, stopping at various points along the
western shore of Lake Michigan from Chicago to Two
Rivers.
In the spring of 1868 she made her first trip of the
season, from Chicago to Two Rivers, in the first days
of April, and on her return, when off Lake Forest,
twenty miles north of Chicago, was totally consumed
by fire, on the morning of the 9th of April. Of seventy
persons on board at the time, including the crew and
passengers, only three escaped.
How the fire originated was never known, but it
was supposed to have been through the carelessness of
one of the porters, who was observed by one of the
survivors to throw a scuttle of coal and ashes over-
board, and a very short time afterward the fire broke
out in the aft part of the vessel, near the place where
the porter had stood. It was a little before seven
o'clock in'the morning when the fire was discovered, as
the passengers were rising for breakfast. The steamer
was immediately headed for shore, but the wind was
blowing heavily from the northeast, and drove the
flames forward, soon stopping the machinery. Rapidly
the fire drove the passengers toward the bew, and then
over it into the lake. No boats seem to have been
lowered nor any effort made by the officers to save life.
If there were life-preservers on board, and there pre-
sumably were, none were used. Panic seems to have
seized officers, crew and passengers alike. Before
noon the vessel was burned to the water's edge. The
survivors were A. C. Chamberlin and Mr. Hennebury,
of Sheboygan, Wis., and James H. Leonard, of Mani-
towoc.
Loss of the Iron Life-Boat Little Western. —
In June, 1868, Captain James Garrett, Professor
LeGendre, and Edward Chester, all of Chicago, com-
pleted the building of an iron life boat, in which they
declared their intention to make a voyage from Chicago
to Liverpool. The vessel was twenty feet long, two feet
six inches breadth of beam, and length of keel eighteen
feet. The cabin was six feet long and four feet six
inches high, furnished with two bunks, underneath
which were two tanks for fresh water. The keel was of
wrought iron and weighed three hundred and fifty
pounds. The center board was of boiler-plate iron and
weighed two hundred pounds. The forecastle was
water tight, and used as a store room. The cost com-
puted was $1,500.
On Sunday morning, June 21, in the presence of a
great crowd that lined the shore of the lake, the " Little
Western " made what appeared to be a very successful
trial trip, sailing from the North Pier out into the lake
RIVER, HARBOR AND MARINE.
77
about six miles and return. The wind was high and
the waves rolled quite heavily, but she answered every
movement of her helm, and seemed to give great satis-
faction to her owners.
In the afternoon another trip was made toward the
Douglas monument. There were on board Captain Gar-
rett, Professor LeGendre, Edward Chester, George At-
kins, foreman of the Times newspaper, Henry Chisholm,
a reporter of the Times, and a little boy. They left the
North Pier at two o'clock, sailing southward. When off
the Chicago University, the wind stiffened considerably,
and it was thought advisable to stand on the other tack,
and make for shore. After sailing shoreward about ten
minutes, a sudden squall struck the boat and turned her
completely over. Just before the squall struck her, all
the passengers were on deck, except Mr. Chisholm, who
had retired to the cabin and was reclining on one of the
bunks. All were thrown into the water except Mr. Chis-
holm, but secured themselves on the vessel, which they
attempted to right, in which effort they succeeded for a
moment, but an adverse wind again striking her, she
fell over again. An effort was made to rescue Mr.
Chisholm from the cabin but it proved unsuccessful
The captain and Mr. Atkins clung to the mast, while
the rest held on to the bottom of the vessel. Succor
immediately put out from shore, and a tug also steamed
to their help. When aid arrived, Captain Garrett was
observed to become exhausted, and he died the moment
he was hauled on board the tug. He and Mr. Chis-
holm were the only victims of the disaster.
The Wreck of the Arrow. ^On Tuesday the 16th
day of November, 1869, one of the greatest storms of
wind, rain and snow came down upon Lake Michigan,
and the great lakes generally, that has ever been known.
Hundreds of vessels were driven ashore and many lives
were lost.
On Wednesday morning the schooner "Arrow," a
vessel of two hundred and eighty tons, owned by
Michael Brandt, of Chicago, was discovered wrecked off
Grosse Point. The vessel was sunk, but the top of her
cabin was out of the water, and on this the crew, con-
sisting of eight persons, were discovered. The waves
ran high, and no boat could be launched in such a surf
as rolled up on the beach. Word was sent to Chicago,
and a tug with a life-boat and volunteer crew hastened
to the scene of the wreck, where they arrived Wednes-
day afternoon. The sea still ran high, but the life-
boat was launched, and attempt made to reach the
wreck. Scarcely had a half-dozen strokes been made
before the boat was stove in, and the crew were thrown
into the water. They reached the shore with great dif-
ficulty. No other boat could be procured, and nothing
further could be done. Fires were built on the shore,
to encourage the shipwrecked crew to believe that
efforts would still be made, and the tug steamed back to
Chicago for further aid.
Volunteers were now called for, and the following
party was organized Thursday morning : Captain Wil-
liam Crawford, Captain Freer, Captain George C. Clark,
Samuel Marshall, a mate, Mr. Evans, a pilot, and
Thomas H. Iverson, a steward of the tug " G. W. Wood."
A regular life-boat could not be obtained, but Captain
Freer tendered the use of the yawl of the propeller
" East Saginaw," and with this the adventurers steamed
north, on the tug " G. W. Wood," and reached the place
at eight o'clock in the evening. The storm had abated
its force, through the waves were still running. The
wrecked crew were observed to be still safe on the
cabin of the schooner.
Launching the yawl in safety, with great difficulty
they got to the leeward side of the wreck. A line was
cast on board, and soon every one of the almost per-
ishing seamen were on board the yawl. The word was
given, and the oarsmen were about to give way, when
a huge wave raised the bow of the boat, tipped it over
backward, and threw savers and saved into the water.
The crew of the schooner, benumbed with cold and
weakened by starvation, were incapable of making the
least effort to save themselves, and sank like stones.
Four of the yawl's crew, by great efforts, succeeded in
getting on the wreck, thus finding themselves in the
same position of the crew they had come to save. Mar-
shall succeeded in getting on the capsized yawl, and
finally drifted ashore. Iverson, who had shown great
gallantry throughout the whole adventure, and who was
a fearless swimmer, started to swim to the shore, but
the undertow was too strong for him, and he was car-
ried out into the lake and lost.
Those who were on the wreck were obliged to
remain there throughout the night, but the next morn-
ing, the waves having abated, an old yawl was manned
from the shore and the heroic party was saved. Their
sufferings through the night had been terrible, but no
permanent injury was received by any of them.
Losses of Vessels in the Great Fire. — A num-
ber Of vessels in the Chicago River, at the time of the
fire, escaped by being towed up the North Branch, but
the following were destroyed :
Loss.
Propeller " Navarino,". $50,000
Schooner " N. C. Ford," 6,000
Schooner " Stampede," 11,000
Schooner " Ellington," 3,000
Schooner "Eclipse," 7, 000
Bark ". Fontenelle," 12,000
Bark " Glen Beulah," 27,000
Bark "Valetta," 17,000
Barge " Green Bay,". 40,000
Total $173,000
John Prindiville. — There is no name better known or more
highly esteemed on all our inland seas and among the old settlers
of Chicago than that of Captain John Prindiville, familiarly called
the "Storm King" in insurance, marine and yachting circles.
He was born in Ireland in 1S25, and at the age of eight came to
America with his parents; who were in comfortable circumstances.
His uncle was a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin. His father,
Maurice Prindiville, was about to enter that university but, being
of a roving disposition, left school and went to India, where he re-
mained for several years. At the age of twenty-five he returned to
Ireland, married, and determined to live quietly at home for the
remainder of his life, but the old adventurous, roving spirit was
not to be quenched, and he then concluded that America was the
country wherein he should live He accordingly came hither with
his family. After their arrival, they remained in Buffalo for some
time and afterwards lived in Detroit for about two years. Mr.
Prindiville, having been educated to no trade or business, speedily
got rid of the greater portion of the money he had brought with him
from Ireland, and to retrieve his fortunes determined upon coming
to Chicago, the then promised land, where he and his family
arrived on August 23, 1836. John Prindiville commenced attend-
ing the public school on Kinzie Street, between Dearborn and
Wolcott streets, then taught by Edward Murphy ; it was after-
ward removed east on Kinzie Street, between Wolcott and Cass
streets ; his teachers being Messrs. Dunbar, Calvin DeYVolf and
A. G. Wilder. He also attended school in the room under the old
St. James Church, on Cass Street, between Michigan and Illinois
streets, — which was also taught by Mr. DeWolf, — finally ter-
minating his educational course at St. Mary's College of this city.
He commenced sailing on the lakes when quite young, advancing
step by step, until he was promoted to the position of captain. I It-
commanded the schooner "Liberty" in 1845 and, in the fall of
1850, the brigantine " Minnesota," the first American vessel ever
allowed to go through the river St. Lawrence. She was loaded
with copper ore at the Bruce Mines on Lake Huron, to be tran-
shipped to Swansea in Wales. The position of commander of this
vessel was considered, at that time a very important one, involving
a larger amount of responsibility than would ordinarily be entrusted
to one so young. Captain Prindiville continued sailing until 1855,
73
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
but later, at intervals, commanded several steamers, the last of
which was the "Adriatic," in 1S72. He became connected with
the insurance business in 1S66. For many years he has represented
the St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, of St. Paul,
Minn., and the Continental, of New York. His continued and
diversified experience has made him replete with valuable informa-
tion, which he uses for the benefit of his clients. He has also a large
vessel agencv and is a prominent official of the Chicago Yacht
Club. He was married in 1S45 to Miss Margaret Kahlor who
died in 1S65 after a long and painful illness ; they had a family of
six children : three of whom are living. In 1S6S he was married
to Miss Margaret Prendergast, a native of Yermont ; they have
six children, all living.
John B. Warren, the son of Truman A. and Margaret
(Bazine) Warren, was born at Mackinac, October 15, 1S21. His
father was a native of Yermont, his mother of French extraction.
Young Warren spent his early days on the island, hunting, fishing,
sailing, and obtained such schooling as the frontier afforded at that
earlv day. His natural taste was for a sailor's life, which not
meeting the entire approval of his parents, when he was seventeen
the young man took his own destiny in his hands, by saying good-
bv to school one day without his parents' consent, and slyly going
on board the schooner "Jacob Barker," then discharging at the
pier. Unseen, the young fellow found a bunk forward under
the windlass, and when the vessel got under way, at daylight
the next morning, was roused out and assigned to duty as fore-
castle bov, during the passage to Grand Haven. There he shipped
on board the sloop " Ranger" as chief cook. This was in June,
- - ind from that time until 1S67. nearly thirty years, he con-
tinued in various capacities to sail the great lakes. Having a
special aptitude for the business, he rapidly advanced, soon becom-
ing mate and then captain. The first vessel he commanded was
the schooner " Crook." in 1S42. In 1S54, he became part owner
of the propeller " Troy," but never had very good fortune with
that ill-fated vessel. He commanded her from 1S54 until 1S58, in
the trade between Chicago and Buffalo. In 1S59, he gave up the
command, and turned her over to Captain Byron, under whom she
was lost in Saginaw Bay. as related in this chapter. Captain
Warren commanded various other vessels in the Chicago, Grand
Haven and Buffalo trade, until 1S67, when he was appointed
United States Inspector of Hulls at the port of Chicago, which
position he still holds. He resided at Grand Haven until 1858,
when he removed to Chicago. Captain Warren has been twice
married — first at Grand Haven in 1S4S. His wife dying, he
married a second time, in 1867. By the last marriage there have
been two children, only one of whom, a son, is now living.
The following are sketches of a few of the typical
mariners of the port of Chicago :
Captain James L. Higgie was born in Fifeshire, Scotland,
March 23. 1S34. the son of John and Jane (Mitchell) Higgie.
There were nine children in the family, and the parents died when
the son of whom we write was only four years of age. Young
Higgie came to the United States in 1847 and settled in Kenosha,
Wis., and was educated at Racine and Kenosha in the common
schools. He worked in the country about two miles from Kenosha
in the summer, and attended school in the winter. In the spring of
184S he shipped aboard the schooner "Mary Ann Leonard" as
cook, returning to Kenosha in the winter. He spent two years of
his life as cook, part of the time on the " L. C. Erwin." In 1S50
he went before the mast on the " Erwin," and during the next
year he was captain and sailed her two years ; then he went as
captain of the schooner " Whirlwind," sailing her for two years.
In 1855 he sailed the schooner " William Jones," and remained on
her until 1856. In 1857 he bought the schooner " Pilgrim," pay-
ing *'. 000 cash and earning the balance out of the vessel. He
was her captain seven years. In 1863 he came to Chicago, and
during 1864 remained on shore, and engaged in the commission
business, forming a partnership with Mr. Halsted, the firm being
Higgie \ Halsted. During his partnership, in 1865, he purchased
the barque " William Sturges." In 1866 the partnership was dis-
solved and he retired from the firm in order to give his undivided
attention to his personal affairs, intending, as he did. to increase
the number of his vessels. In 1867 he purchased the schooner
" William Shook," making three vessels sailing in his interest. In
1868 he purchased the schooner " City of Chicago," and in 1869
he lost the " William Shook " on Lake Huron and sold the schooner
" Pilgrim." In [870 he purchased the schooner "John Miner."
The year of 1871 was an eventful one to those having marine in-
terests, for it was this year that the tug owners raised the tariff so
high as to almost prohibit business, in consequence of which the
owners combined, raising a capital stock company called the
' Owners' 'lowing Company, electing Captain Iliggie presi-
dent, after which he .vent to Buffalo and contracted for five new
tugs and then returned to Chicago. When the tugs were ready to
deliver to the company he again went to Buffalo and equipped
them, and they arrived in Chicago about one month prior to the
great fire of 1871, since which time the company have added six
tugs, making eleven in their service. Captain Higgie has con-
tinued as president of the Yessel Owners' Towing Company since
its organization, and has continued also to operate vessels of his
own, and has handled a large quantity of real estate in the mean-
time. The first boat under his command was the " Lewis C.
Erwin," and the last that he sailed was the " Pilgrim," in 1863.
Captain Higgie was married in Racine, Wis , in 1867, to Miss
Mary J. Kirkham, and they have seven children living — James L.,
Mary L., Noble K., Arthur M., Archie, Imogene and George K.
Tames L. Higgie is one of the prominent men who is closely
identified with marine matters in Chicago, and his name is famil-
iarly known over the whole extent of the lakes, and is a synonym
for honorable dealing and commercial equity. During his thirty
years' of active life, Captain Higgie has made, a multitude of close
and earnest friends, whose number is increased each day of his
life. He has been a Mason since 1S62, and is a member of Cleve-
land Lodge, No 211, A. F. & A. SI.; of Washington Chapter, No.
43, R. A. M.; and of Chicago Commandery, No. 19, K. T.
Captain Charles J. Magill, now the oldest vessel agent
in Chicago, is a native of Placentia, Newfoundland, where he was
born October 29, 1818. At the age of thirteen years he went to
sea, and followed a seafaring life thereafter for eleven years, being
commander of a vessel during one year of his service. In 1S42,
he left sailing on the ocean, and, in July of that year, went to
Buffalo, N. Y., and commenced sailing upon the great lakes. He
first made the port of Chicago in August, 1S42, and took up his
place of residence here in 1853. He was in command of lake ves-
sels several years, but on settling in Chicago, gave up the hazard-
ous business which he fad followed for twenty-two years. In
April, 1S53, he became a member of the Board of Trade, and
engaged in the lake transportation business. He was, in 1S53-54,
agent of the New York and Lake Erie line, and, in 1S55, became
the general western agent of the Collingwood line of steamers.
Ever since his arrival in Chicago he has followed the vessel and
transportation business, acting as agent for the chartering of
vessels and steamships seeking freight in this port. His high
standing and popularity as a business man are evinced by his
being chosen to serve on the Board of Trade Committee of Ap-
peals, the duties of which require integrity and business acumen of
the highest order. He was married in September, 1846, at Guil-
ford, New Haven Co., Conn., to Miss Esther Chalker. Sir. and
Mrs. Magill have eight children, five sons and three daughters.
Captain Benjamin F. Davison, deceased, was born in Nor-
wich, Chenango Co., N. Y., Slay 3, 1810. In 1S31 he went as
deck hand on a steamer. In 1832 he was emploved on the
schooner " Detroit." He was married in 1839 at Buffalo, N. Y.,
to Sliss Armenia Phelps Sawyer, who died in 1S51. In 1S39, he
sailed the " John C. Spencer" from Chicago to Buffalo, and in
the fall he sailed and owned the schooner " Edwin Jenny," which
was wrecked in the fall of 1S45, when he was badly frozen. From
1846 to 1854 he was with Fox & Bruce, engaged in fitting out
vessels and in wrecking. In 1852 he superintended the building
of the steamer " Golden Gate," of Buffalo, and in 1S53 sailed the
steamer "Charter." In 1852 he married, at Buffalo, Sliss Sarah
Thorne, and in 1854 was sent to Chicago by the underwriters to
perform the duties of marine inspector, during which time he
entered into partnership in the ship-chandlery business, associat-
ing with him Levi J. Colburn, which partnership continued until
1S66, when Sir. Colburn retired, and Captain Davison associated
with him his two sons, Benjamin F. jr. and Edwin C. Davison ;
which firm remained until 1871, and was then dissolved by the
great fire. In 1872 he formed a partnership with John F. SlcCor-
mick, and they remained together until October, 1S76, when the
store was destroyed by fire. In the spring of 1S77, Captain Da-
vison was taken sick, and died Slay 1, of the same year, leaving a
wife and three sons; Edwin C. and Benjamin F. jr., by the first
wife, and John I.. T. by tie second. He was a member of the
Slasonic fraternity for many years, having joined in Buffalo, and
affiliated with Cleveland Lodge, No. 211, A. F. & A. SI., of
this city.
BENJAMIN F. Davison, Jr., son of Captain Benjamin F.
Davison, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1S42. He came to Chi-
cago in 1854 and was employed with his father, assisting him in
inspecting vessels, until 1S57. He then engaged with Sanford Hall
>V Co., agents of the People's Line of propellers, remaining with
them until i860. He was for two years as office-clerk, and was check
clerk during the balance of the time. In 1 862 he enlisted in the army,
going in the Slarine Artillery Battery, and was afterward transferred
to Co. "G," 3d New York Artillery. He returned to Chicago in
1863, and, in 1864, entered the service of Colburn & Davison,
ship chandlers, being their bookkeeper for three years. In 1867
he was employed by Jesse Cox, collecting tug boat bills. In the
RIVER. HARP.OR AND MARINE.
79
same year he went into partnership with his father under the style
of B. F. Davison & Sons, remaining until the lire of 1S71. From
1872 to 1S78 he was employed as a tug boat collector; he then
went into vessel brokerage and insurance business, and formed a
partnership with Mr. Holmes, the firm being Davison iV Holmes.
lie was married December, 1866, in Chicago, to Miss Martha
Simpson, and has two children, Benjamin F. and William Simpson
Davison. He is a member of Covenant Lodge No. 526, A. F. &
A. M.; of Corinthian Chapter, No. 69, R. A. M.; and of Chicago
Commandery, No. 19, K. T. He is also a member of Post 28,
<;. A. R., and of Chicago Lodge, No. 91, A. O. U. W.
Captain Joseph Wilson was born in Cork, Ireland, in the
year 1S34, and lived with his parents and attended school until he
was about eleven years of age; when, like so many boys, he
longed for a seaman's life and ran away and went into the English
Navy, where he served two years as naval apprentice on the school
ship " Crocodile"; then going on the brig " Dolphin " in search of
slavers, remaining on her for eighteen months, when he was trans-
ferred to the frigate "Indefatigable," the lirst fifty-gun ship the
English Navy ever built, and remained there during the balance of
his time. He then returned to England and, after being paid off,
joined the steamship " Hague," cruising in the English channel;
after being about two weeks on board, he ran away and joined an
English barque "Orromocto," a merchant ship from St. John's,
N. B., going from there to Wales and arriving in New Orleans in
1850. He left her at that city and joined the American ship "Old
England," of Bath, sailing from New Orleans to Havre, France,
in which vessel he made two voyages; he then shipped aboard the
American ship, " Trenton of Bath," in the fall of 1851, being
second mate the first two years, and the last year being promoted
to mate. In 1S54 he left the ocean and came directly to Chicago,
landing in May, and in a few days after his arrival, he shipped
before the mast on schooner "A. G. Gray," but remained only a
short time; then shipped on the barque "Ocean Wave," for Grand
Traverse Bay, leaving her there with several of the crew, on
account of having to do Sunday work. He then worked his way
to Grand River on a propeller, and came back to Chicago on the
schooner "Mary;" of which boat he was soon made mate, and,
after serving as mate two months, was made captain and sailed
her for two years. In 1857 he went to New Orleans and shipped
again on the "Trenton," on the ocean, and was eighteen months
aboard her, coming back to Chicago in 1S59. For a short time
he sailed the scow " Storm " on the lakes, and in the fall shipped
as second mate of barque "Major Anderson." In 1861 he was
second mate of barque "American Union," going as mate in brig
"Pilgrim," in 1S62, and, in 1S63, as mate on the barque "Nu-
cleus" for a season. In 1864 he sailed the brig "Montezuma,"
continuing on her one year, when for nearly three years after he
was captain of the " John F.Warner." For the next five years
he was captain of the " Two Fannies" and two years on the "City
of Milwaukee," that foundered on Lake Huron in two hundred
and forty feet of water, going down a total wreck; all hands were
saved, however, by the schooner " Mary L. Higgie " about three
hours after. He then returned to Chicago and sailed the ' ' Two
Fannies " another year, going as mate the next season, and as
master for two years after on the " Lizzie Law," when he changed
to the " Ellen Spry," which he sailed up to the spring of 1SS4,
remaining on shore during the remainder of that year in the em-
ploy of Miller Brothers. Captain Wilson was married in Chicago
in 1S62, to Miss Tillie Poison.
Captain John A. Crawford is a native of New York State
and was born in Cohoes, Albany County, in 1S30. His father,
James Crawford, was killed in Lockport, N. V., in 1S40. in widen-
ing the canal in that place. After his father's death, John went to
West Troy, N. V., with his mother, where he lived two years, and
when twelve years old went to work for a farmer in Watervliet,
working for two years for his board and clothes ; he then went to
West Troy and commenced work in Roy's butt factory, remaining
there for six months, and then shipped as cook on the sloop
"Clinton," getting $4.00 a month, remaining on her until he
became her commander. During the winter of 1S45, and until
1S47, he worked for the Government at the arsenal at Watervliet,
N. V., making ammunition ; and in the spring of 1S47 he was
seriously injured bv an explosion. After his recovery he shipped
on the sloop " Mechanic," afterward going on board the " High-
lander," buying a half interest in her. In the winter of 1S4S, and
for two years following, he was on the ocean, aboard the " John
Silliman," which was commanded by Captain Ross, who had his
wife and sister-in-law with him. It was there that Captain Craw-
ford obtained his knowledge of books, and it was through the
kindness of Captain Ross's wife and sister that he had the oppor-
tunity ; they manifesting an interest in their student. In 1S52 he
commenced steamboating on the Hudson River, and went on board
the "Washington Hunt" as pilot, and, in 1853, served as pdot of
the steamer "John S. Ide," occupying the same position the next
year on the steamer " Annie," one of the " Swift-shore Line,"
and, in 1S55, went as mate on the tug-boal "Commerce," belong-
ing to the same line. Sailing until the winter, he went to Philadel-
phia at '.he request of some friends, and superintended the building
of a tug, preparatory to coming I' 1 Chil agi >. 1 1 is uncle made him
a one-third owner, ami he sailed from Philadelphia on the new tuc;
called the "Andrew luster" in April, arriving in Chicago June
10, 1S56. On his arrival at Chicago he at once commenced tow 111:4
vessels. That year was a prosperous oik- for shipping agents,
vessels getting twenty-live cents a bushel for carrying grain to
Buffalo and New York. In 185(1 he went to Two Rivers for the
purpose of towing down two canal boats, but soon after starting
on the return trip, the wind rose from the southeast and he was
obliged to make a harbor, putting in to Manitowoc, where he-
arrived in safety through the assistance of the captain of the
"Gertrude." This was said to be the first steamboat ever inside
that harbor, at that time. In 1S57 the panic began, and, during
that year and a part of 1858, the shipping interests were severe-
sufferers, as many as fifty vessels lying in port during the entire-
season. April 1, 1857, was the date of the severest gale in this
locality, in the memory of Captain Crawford; the brig "David
Smart" foundering outside the North Pier while anchored, and,
with one exception, all hands on board were lost. A volunteer
crew, which started to the rescue, were capsized and lost. From
1856 to 1863 he was continuously in service on the lakes in the tug
service, and on the close of the season of 1S62 gave up his posit i,,n
on the "Foster" to take charge of a large wrecking tug, the
" George W.Wood." Since 1S63 he has been interested in a tug
line, and during the first season built the tug " Crawford," whose
boiler exploded about two weeks after, in Chicago harbor, killing
all the hands but one. Captain Crawford was married to Mrs.
Kate Vance, a widow, daughter of Captain John Mcl-'adden.
Three children are living, Samuel A., Jane Belle, and the younger,
a girl, who, through her own persistence, was christened ' 'John "
Ellen, and who is regularly called by that name.
Captain Ira H. Owen, one of the early citizens of Ohio,
was born in Conneaut, in that State, in 1823, at which place he
remained until 1837, when he shipped on the schooner "Savan-
nah," commencing in the capacity of cook the first year; the fol-
lowing three years he went before the mast, and at the end of that
time he was promoted mate of the " Alps," where he remained for
about two years; and continued as mate of different vessels until
1845. He was part owner of the "Wm. L. Marcy," which was
lost in November, 1844, when all hands on board went down,
Captain Joseph Perry having command of the vessel during the
absence of Captain Owen, which was caused by sickness. When
able for duty again, he sailed the schooner " General Harrison,"
plving between Chicago and St. Joseph, Mich., carrying stone to
build the pier at the latter place. He spent about a year in travel,
and went into business at Sault Ste. Marie, and in 1847 was mate
of the steamer "Sam Ward," E. B. Ward, commander. From
1848 to 1852 he was mate, and afterward captain of the propeller
" Pocahontas," and was mate and master of the propeller " May-
flower" for two seasons, and then master of the " M. D. Spauld-
ing," the "Buffalo," the " Evergreen City," and the " Fountain
City," leaving the lakes in 1S60 on account of sickness. In 1867
he built the steam barge " St. Clair," in which he carried lumber
east from different points, receiving therefor the liberal remunera-
tion of $S per thousand. From 1S70 to 1875 he was in the ore
trade, and. during that time, built the tow-barges "AgnesL.
Potter "and "Jessie Lynn," the steam-barges "S.C.Baldwin"
and " Ira H. Owen," these boats belonging to the Escanaba and
Lake Michigan Transportation Company. The boats were sold to
the Inter-Ocean Transportation Company, leaving the charters
intact; the Escanaba Company bought the propellers " Inter-
Ocean " and her consort, the "Argonaut," Captain Owen being
then elected treasurer, in which office he has remained from 1S77.
The company has since transformed the "Argonaut" into a
steamer, and has built the steamer "Escanaba," of about 1,000
tons, and the " Rhoda Emily," of about 500 tons, having in all
four steamers. Captain Owen is at present interested in and
president of the Delta Transportation Company and the Escanaba
Towing and Wrecking Company, the first company owning the
steamers " Minnie M." and "Lady Washington." and the latter
company the tugs "Owen" and "Delta." The Escanaba Com-
pany being chartered under the laws of Michigan, was made-
plaintiff in the celebrated case contesting the rights of the city to
close the bridges, and, after a desperate contest, was defeated.
Captain Owen first landed in Chicago in 1S39. and came here per-
manently in the spring of 1S71, just previous to the great lire, lie
married Miss Electa Bunker, of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1847, ami has
two sons living, named William R. and Ira D. Although ai
in years, he bears his age gracefully, and carefully attends to
the details of his business, being promptly identified with tin-
shipping interests of this port, and having perhaps as extensive an
8o
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
acquaintance among marine men as any one living here at this
time.
Captain William Walsh was born near New Ross, County
Wexford, Ireland, in 1829. He graduated at the public schools at
the age of thirteen, and then took a commercial course of six
months. He afterwards studied navigation, and, in 1S43, shipped
as cabin-bov from New Ross on the schooner " Victoria of Wex-
ford," going to ports in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales,
and the Baltic and Black seas. In March, 1S44, he bound himself
as apprentice to Mr. Hewlett of New Ross, who had several vessels
trading in different parts of the world. He first joined an expedi-
tion for the release of the barque " Clarinda," on shore at the Isle
of Skye, Scotland, loaded with deals from Nova Scotia. She was
taken off the beach and towed to Dublin, Ireland, where she
underwent repairs, was fitted out, and sailed for St. John's, N.B.,
about November 1, 1S44 ; and after several attempts abandoned
her voyage and put in at Newport, Wales, where she was loaded
with coals for Wexford, Ireland, and was finally driven by con-
trary winds to Liverpool, where she was sold. He was then trans-
ferred to the barque " John Bell," owned by the same proprietors,
and sailed to Baltimore, Md., from whence he returned on the
" John Bell " to Waterford, where he arrived safely, and again
sailed for Quebec, Canada, and on return trip brought a load of
square timber for Cardiff, Wales. He shipped next on the barque
" William Stewart Hamilton," in January, 1846, loaded at Liver-
pool with a cargo of general merchandise for Calcutta, and returned
to London in 1S47. He next joined the ship " Margaret Pember-
ton." same line, sailing from London, England for New Ross, to
take a load of passengers to Quebec, Canada. Owing to the pre-
valence of ship fever at Quebec, nearly half the list of passengers
died, either from ship-cholera or ship-fever. Captain Walsh was
taken down with the disease on his arrival, and sent to the Marine
Hospital, where he recovered, and finding that his ship had sailed,
he shipped aboard a new vessel named the " Plantagenet " for
Liverpool, and found the "Margaret Pemberton " fitting out for
New Orleans. He joined the "Pemberton" and sailed in her
about October, 1847. She was dis-masted during the trip, about
four hundred miles southwest of Cape Clear, and put into Milford
Haven, Wales, and repaired. He accompanied the vessel to Car-
diff. She abandoned the trip first contemplated and loaded with
coal and merchandise at that place for Valparaiso, S.A. They en-
countered a gale of wind in the Bay of Biscay, which caused the
" Pemberton " to spring a leak, and they put in to the Island of
Teneriffe, where, on account of lack of place to repair, they lay
nearly five months, and the vessel and cargo were condemned and
sold. He sailed on a Spanish brig to New Ross, via London, and
again joined the barque " William S. Hamilton," going to Quebec,
, loaded with passengers and returning with timber, and February 1,
184S. his apprenticeship ended. He then shipped on the brig
" George Ramsey " in the coasting trade, took a load of passengers
to Quebec, Canada, and on May 1, the vessel was sold. He
worked towing timber until September, and joined an English ship,
for Cork, Ireland. He then went to Liverpool and shipped on
the " Scotland" of Belfast, and sailed for Mobile, Ala. In 1850
he loaded with cotton for Liverpool, and arrived in July of the same
year. He next shipped on the barque " Unknown" for Nova Scotia,
where she loaded with deals for Liverpool. He joined a brig at
Liverpool, in the coasting trade between that point, Cardiff and
Waterford. He shipped on the barque " John Bell," in 1851, with
passengers for Quebec, Canada, where he left her, and engaged again
in towing timber. In November of the same year he shipped on the
"Julia," bound for Liverpool, and on arriving there shipped
aboard the " James Wright " bringing passengers to New York
City. He joined a barque there, bound for Savannah, Ga. , and
afterward made another voyage from New York City to Charleston,
S C. and back, where he joined the steamship " Lady Franklin "
as quartermaster, bound for Havre, France. He remained with
her until fall, and shipped for Mobile, Ala., on the " Moses
Taylor." He then went steamboating on the Alabama and Tom-
bigbee rivers, where he remained until the spring of 1853, when he
shipped for Philadelphia, going to New York City by rail ; at
which time he married. He afterward joined a packet at Portland,
trading between Philadelphia and eastern ports, and in the fall
joined a steamboat as wheelsman, going to New Orleans. Leaving
her there he went to Mobile, Ala., and was employed in a cotton
yard that winter, going to Boston on a Providence boat, and by
rail to New York City, where he was engaged in rigging work
until 185;, when he embarked in the grocery business. lie sold
out his business at a loss and went to Buffalo, N.Y., and at that
port shipped on the barque " John Sweeney," then considered a
large vessel, loaded with coal for Chicago, landing here in May,
185;. lie then joined the schooner " Ashtabula," and finally, in
September, came to Chicago permanently. He next sailed in the
schooner " Palmetto" as mate, and in the winter went again to
Mobile, Ala., coming back in the spring. He afterward was mate
on the schooner " E. G. Gray," then made a trip in the barque
" Cherubusco," another in the " Pilgrim," and spent the next
winter in Mobile, Ala.; remaining South, going to Cuba, and re-
turning to Chicago in 185S. He was mate of the schooner " Abi-
gail," and became master of the " H. N. Gates" and sailed her
the season of 1S59 on the lakes. He bought one-third interest in
the schooner " Barney Eaton" in i860, and sailed her until 1862,
when he sold his interest and bought the scow "Union" and
sailed her during 1862 ; sold her, and bought the schooner " Fal-
con " in the spring of 1S63, and afterward the schooner " Peoria ";
and in the years of 1865-66 remained ashore looking after his
vessel interest. He sailed the schooner "Peoria" during the
season from 1S67 to 1871, and sold her in 1872, and he afterward
bought the schooner " Albrecht " and sailed her until 1879, when
he sold her to Hackley & McGordon, taking the tug "J. H. Hack-
ley." He later took an interest in two vessels with the Ford River
Lumber Company, and superintended them, carrying lumber from
their mills at Ford River to Chicago. He superintended the build-
ing of the schooners " Ford River" and " Resumption," at Wolf
& Davidson's ship-yard at Milwaukee, Wis., in 1879-80. He
sailed the " Ford River " the season of 1S80, and gave up sailing
in the spring of 1SS1. He bought a half-interest in a new tug,
building at Wolf & Davidson's yard, fitted her out and brought
her to Chicago. She was named after W. H. Wolf her builder,
and is running on the Chicago River under his control. He still
holds an interest in the schooners "Resumption" and "Ford
River" and the tug " Hackley." Captain Walsh was married in
New York City April 23, 1853, to Miss Mary Barron, a native
of County Wexford, Ireland ; they have a family of four sons and
four daughters now living.
William Harman, the first shipsmith to establish him-
self in Chicago, was born in Hull, Yorkshire, England, in Septem-
ber, 1804. After learning his trade he went to Paris, France,
where for six years he was employed in the Charronton Iron
Works. While a resident of the capital, in 1824, he married
Phcebe Spencer, an old acquaintance and also a native of Hull. In
1830 Mr. Harman emigrated to America and, settling in New
York City, worked at the West Point Foundry for a number of
years, but, on account of his wife's health, decided to come West.
Arriving at Chicago, in June, 1S35, he started his shop in which
were manufactured heavy forgings for vessels. He continued in
this business until the spring of 1853, when he removed to Oregon
and for twenty-three years resided at the Dalles. Portland, being a
great portion of this period foreman of the shops of the Oregon
Steamship Navigation Company. He has paid Chicago several
visits and at this time (June, 1883) is with his son (William Har-
man,jof the Union Tug Line), but is making preparations to return
to Oregon and active work. Mr. Harman is still hale and hearty.
In 1840 he was a convert to the Washingtonian temperance move-
ment, and for the past forty-five years has been an ardent advocate
of the principles to which he then subscribed.
William Harman, Jr., was born in New York City, in
March, 1834, coming to Chicago, as an infant, in June of the next
year. He served his time, as an apprentice, with Philetus W.
Gates, who then, in partnership with Hiram H. Scoville, and after-
ward with A. H. Hoge, ran a foundry and machine shop on the
corner of Washington and West Water streets. From 1S50 to
1858 he remained in Mr. Gates's employ, and subsequently became
chief engineer on the Prindiville & Sturges line of tugs. When
Captain Prindiville sold out in 1863, Mr. Harman bought the
"Sturges" and " Rumsey," but a few days thereafter they were
seized by the United States Government for service on the Mis-
sissippi River. The "Sturges" exploded in running the Vicks-
burg blockade, and the " Rumsey" is said to be still in service at
Memphis, Tenn. Mr. Harman has been engaged in the business
ever since, owning at the present time four of the nine tugs which
compose the Union Line. He was married August 1, 1S60, to
Miss Nora Everett, of Chicago. They have had twelve children,
six of whom are living, four boys and two girls. Mr. Harman's
eldest son is associated with him in the tug business.
In connection with the marine interests of this city,
it is proper to make mention of the transportation com-
panies which have done so much toward amplifying
Chicago's commercial and maritime relations. The
most prominent, as well as among the oldest of these, is
probably that of Captain A. E. Goodrich. Another
firm, however, which is well and thoroughly known, is
that of Leopold & Austrian, commission and transpor-
tation agents, which was established originally in 1847,
at Eagle River, Mich., under the style of Leopold Bros.
& Co., general merchants, the firm being composed at
that time of Samuel F., Aaron F. and Henry F. Leo-
RIVER, HARBOR AND MARINE.
81
pold, and Joseph Austrian. They built up an extensive
trade in that region, and were largely engaged in hand-
ling copper ore and other products from the mines.
About 1S64, Samuel F. Leopold and Joseph Austrian
came to Chicago, and established the house here under
the style of Leopold & Austrian, the present title, with
a branch house at Milwaukee conducted by Aaron F.
Leopold Henry Leopold retired from the concern in
1875, and Aaron Leopold in January, 1X85, the busi-
ness being now carried on by Samuel F. Leopold and
Joseph Austrian. They do a very large commission
business in grain, produce and copper, and are also
agents of the Lake Michigan and Lake Superior Trans-
portation Company. Both partners have been mem-
bers of the Board of Trade for the past fifteen years.
Samuel F. Leopold, of the firm of Leopold & Austrian, was
born in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, in 1S25, and was
educated at his home, attending the high school, and finishing his
studies by acquiring a knowledge of the French language. At the
close of his schooldays he went into the employment of a leading
dry goods house, where he remained from the age of fifteen to
twenty-one In 1S46 he concluded to come to America, and dur-
ing that year arrived at Mackinaw, Mich., where his brother Louis
was then in the business of general merchandising. He at once
went into his brother's employ, and was with him for several years.
He next went to Green Bay, Wis , opened a general store, in com-
pany with his brother Henry, and remained there until 1851, after
which he concluded to try the Lake Superior region, and went into
the mining supply trade, there being at that time but two promi-
nent mines on the lake— the " Cliff " mine at Eagle River, and the
" Minnesota" at Rockland, a small place near Ontonagon. His
intuition and business sagacity led him to believe that this was to
become a great mining region, and to supply those mines would be
a trade well worth looking after. He accordingly commenced that
business in a small way, with his brothers Henry and Aaron, and
was joined the second year by Joseph Austrian, under the firm
name of Leopold Bros. & Co , after which, with increased capital
and facilities, they extended their business, opening a new store at
Eagle Harbor, which was managed by his brother, and one at Han-
cock, which was the first store building in that place. By perse-
verance and industry he was enabled to see the business increase,
and he, in 1867, came to Chicago and joined his brother here.
One item will show the business methods of the Leopold Brothers.
The copper ore was sent to Boston and New York, there smelted,
and after being manufactured into wares a large portion of it was
returned to Chicago. He made up his mind that Chicago was the
place to ship to direct, and that it was entirely unnecessary to send
the copper east. He at once commenced the trade here, and it is
largely due to his determination and that of his partner, Joseph
Austrian, that the West was so readily supplied, and through them
were saved large sums, especially in transportation, for it was soon
discovered that the price of copper was the same here as in New
York. Mr. Leopold was early identified with the People's Line of
Transportation, carrying passengers and freight to and from the
Lake Superior region. The interests of this line were constantly
increased, and it was finally merged into the Lake Michigan and
Lake Superior Transportation Company in 1S79, when this or-
ganization was perfected, and regularly chartered by the State of
Illinois. At the first election of officers Mr. Leopold was made
president, and at each succeeding election has been re-elected,
which position he holds at present. After remaining in America
ten vears he returned to Germany, and at Stuttgart, in 1S56, mar-
ried'Miss Babetta Goodman. He has six children living— Helen,
Nathan, Alfred, Rachael, Hulda and Celia.
Joseph Acstkian, a member of the well known firm of Leo-
pold.*: Austrian, and general manager of the Lake Michigan and
Lake Superior Transportation Company, is the son of Abram I.
and Malia Austrian, of Witkelshofen, Bavaria, Germany, and was
born September 15, 1033. He received a liberal education in the
public schools of his native city, and, after completing special
studies under private instruction, he assisted his father in agricul-
tural pursuits until he was seventeen years of age. After a year s
stay with relatives at Feuchtwangen, he concluded to try his for-
tunes in the New World. Accompanied by his sister, Ida, he em-
barked on the sailing vessel " Robert Kelly." and after a perilous
voyage of nearly a month's duration, he arrived at New \ ork.
Leaving his sister in care of an uncle, he immediately departed for
Mackinaw, Mich., where he had relatives Upon reaching De-
troit he found, to his consternation, that navigation to his destina
tion had closed for the season, and that he would be compelled to
remain there all winter. His position was trying in the extreme,
6
as he was a stranger in a strange land, unfamiliar with Ihi 1
and language "i the people, ami almost penniless, lie was, how-
ever, equal to the emergency, ami managed to earn an
living, and wisely employed his evenings in making himsell
of the English language, On the 28th of March, 1S51.I1. took
passage lor Mackinaw on board the propeller " Republic," ami
reached that city mi the i -i ol April. Alter remaining with his
sister and brother-in-law one month, he went to LaPointe, then a
small village on .Madeleine Island, one of the Apostle group, and
entered the employ of his brother Julius, who was engaged in gi D-
eral merchandising and in the fish business, making himself gen-
erally useful in the store and assisting him on the fishing-ground.
At that time the inhabitants of l.al'ointe and MadeleilK I
LIGHT HOUSE.
were Indians and half-breeds, and about half a dozen white peo-
ple. During his stay at LaPointe, he experienced many adven-
tures and narrow escapes On one occasion, while attending to
his duties on the fishing-ground, his boat was capsized by a sud-
den squall, and only through the greatest exertion was he enabled
to save his life. At another time he set out to visit a distant habi-
tation, and was obliged to pass through a den'e forest. Night
coming on, he lost his way and wandered into a swamp, where he
was compelled to remain until the following day before he con], I
make his way out. There were at that time but few vessels on
Lake Superior, as the Sault Ste. Marie Ship Canal had nol been
constructed. The only two steam vessels on that lake were the
small propellers " Napoleon " anil " Independence," which had
been drawn over the portage. 1 hese vi ss< Is, with a few si hooners,
constituted the entire fleet. In the spring of 185 1 the propeller
" Monticello," was transported over the portage and was added to
the tonnage already there. It took the propeller " Napoleon " a
week to make her trip from l.al'ointe to Sault Ste. Marie. In the
winter of 1851-52 he was engaged in the logging camps, and when
the snow left in the spring he was employed in a saw-mill, tin-
power of which was obtained from a small stream, now called Pike's
Creek. In the fall of [851, also of the following year, he coasted
between l.al'ointe and Ontonagon, a distance ol ninety miles, for
the purpose of obtaining provisions and merchandise. These trips
were often dangerous on account ol perverse winds and violent
storms. His cargo from LaPointe consisted ol fish, furs, etc.,
which he traded for groceries and othel necessaries. During these
voyages il was 1 ustomarj to camp out al night on the lake shore,
and on one occasion the snow fell during the night to such a depth
that he had great difficulty in extricating himself. Late in the
year ol [852 he went t" Eagle River and entered the em|
Henry F. Leopold, who was engaged there in general merchandis-
ing, with whom he remained until the fall ol [853, as salesman
and bookkeeper, when Mr. 1 eopold disposed ol his business. He
then went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he met his mother and the
rest of the family, who had left their Bavai II homi ipon the
death of his father. In the following spring he returned I
kiver, .md as partner of the firm of II. 1 I Co., re-
opened the store at that point and began business on a larger
82
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
scale. He remained at Eagle River during the next ten years,
and. through his energy and ability, increased their business from
an insignificant amount to the most gratifying proportions. In
1S63 he went to Hancock, Mich., where his firm were among the
first to erect a large store and warehouses, the erection of which he
directed and superintended. His firm also operated a branch store
at Eagle Harbor during that year. He disposed of his business
interests in 1S64. and, coming to Chicago, entered upon the enter-
prise of establishing a transportation line between this city and
Lake Superior. Associating himself with Messrs. L. F., H. F.,
S. F. and A F. Leopold, under the firm name of Leopold & Aus-
trian, thev organized the " People's Line." Their first vessel was
the propeller *' Ontonagon," which was soon found inadequate to
meet the demands of their rapidly increasing business, and during
the next vear they put in another boat, the propeller " Norman."
These vessels made weekly trips to Sault Ste. Marie, and were the
means of dive-ting to Chicago the bulk of northwestern shipments,
which had previously been sent to Detroit and Cleveland.
Although the 'People's Line" was busily engaged their boats
were not of the class calculated to attract the attention of great
shippers, and, to supply the deficiency, Mr. Austrian contracted in
Cleveland for the building of a first-class freight and passenger
vessel, which would in all respects meet the demands of their busi-
ness. He returned to Chicago a day prior to the great fire. After
the holocaust, he correctly divined that the future held brilliant
business prospects, and gave orders for the immediate completion
of their new vessel. In July, 1S72, the " Peerless " came from the
ways, and was pronounced the finest craft of the lake marine. The
,: Ontonagon" was sold and replaced bv the "Joseph L. Hurd,"
which was thoroughly refitted, and supplied with a handsome and
commodious passenger cabin. Upon the consolidation of the
Lake Michigan and People's lines, under the name of the Lake
Michigan and Lake Superior Transportation Company, he was
elected general manager of the company, which position he now
fills Through the combination of these two companies, other
vessels were added to the line, which afford unequaled facilities
to both the shipping and traveling public for all points between
Chicago and Lake Superior. Mr. Austrian was married in Feb-
ruary, 1S69. to Miss Mary Mann, daughter of S. Mann, Esq., of
Cleveland, Ohio, a graduate of the high school of that city, and a
lady of unusual musical accomplishments "" They have now four
children : Belle, Florence, Stella and Alice, having lost their only-
son, Alfred, in 1SS0.
The Lake Michigan and Lake Superior Transporta-
tion Company, whose office is located at the corner of Washing-
ton and Market streets, was first organized in 1879, and regularly
chartered by the State of Illinois. At its organization. S. F.
Leopold was elected president ; A. T. Spencer, vice-president ; C.
F. A Spencer, secretary and treasurer ; Joseph Austrian, general
manager. The election of officers is held every three years, and
each time since the organization have the original officers been
chosen. The company was established for the purpose of forming
a line of passenger and freight boats, plying between Chicago and
Lake Superior, and several steamers, used privately by some of the
members of the company, were placed in the line, among which
were the steamers "Peerless," " City of Duluth," " City of Fre-
mont," and "J.L. Hurd." They afterward added the steam barge
"J. R. Whiting" and its consort " Guiding Star," and in 18S4 the
"jay Gould."
Captain Albert T. Spencer was born in Westfield, Chau-
tauqua Co., X. V , in 1S22, where he remained until about eight
years of age, when he removed with his parents to Erie County,
Penn. After residing there about three years, he moved to Erie,
Penn., in 1836, where he remained until 1846, attending in the
mean time the academy in the winter, and in the summer spending
his time on the steamboats. He commenced his first trip in 1836,
on a steamer called the " Thomas Jefferson," plying between Chi-
cago and liuffalo. In 1838 the steamer " Buffalo" was finished,
and he served on her ; in 1S39, he went on the new steamer "Wis-
consin," and remained with her until 1S40. when he transferred
his services to the " Missouri." The last new boat added to the
line, which belonged to Charles M. Reed, of Erie, in whose ser-
vice he had been from the first, was the " Keystone State." He
went on this vessel and remained until 1851, when he gave up
Steamboating. lor year^ he had been engaged as steward and
purchasing agent, which latter office included the filling orders for
Western merchants in Eastern markets In 1836, when he first
came to Chicago, there was but one landing in the city, located at
the north end of the present Kush-street bridge, and in front of a
hotel then building, called the Lake House, and also opposite old
Fort Dearborn. This dock was used until 1S39, when the prop-
erty easl t, called the Reservation, was sold, Charles
M. Reed, of Erie, Penn . bought at that sale all ol the property
on the south side, from the foot of Male .-street to Wabash Avenue,
a portion of which he still owns, and on which he built di
his boats, which regularly landed there until sidewheel steamers
were superseded by propellers. In 1S55, it was determined to run
a line of sidewheel boats between Chicago and Collingwood, to
be called the Collingwood Line, which included the " Queen City,"
" Niagara," " Louisiana," and " Keystone State," connecting with
what was then known as the Ontario, Simcoe & Huron Railroad,
now called the Northern Railroad of Canada, under the manage-
ment of the Grand Trunk Railroad. Captain Spencer acted as
agent of this company for nearly twenty-five years. During 1855,
the Sault St. Marie Canal was completed, and he commenced run-
ning to ports on Lake Superior, having formerly run to the Sault
and connected with the steamers above. This was the first line
between Chicago and Lake Superior. He came to Chicago to
reside permanently in the spring of 1S47, and has been ever since
either steamboating or as part owner of steamboats. In 1879, ne
was elected vice president of the newlv consolidated line of the
Lake Michigan and Lake Superior Transportation Companv, and
has held this office up to the present time, being three times re-
elected. Captain Spencer has lived to see Chicago grow from
almost a wilderness to a city of the first rank, and has reared a
family in whom he has a pardonable pride. He was married in
Chicago, in 1845, to Miss Lucia E. Howe, daughter of F. A.
Howe, Esq , and has three children living, Charles F. A, Mrs. W.
H. Dodge, of Waukegan, 111 , and Louis V.
Charles F. A. Spencer, a son of Captain A. T. Spencer,
was born in Chicago, at the corner of Dearborn and Washington
streets, on September 13, 1846. He commenced his studies in
Chicago and completed them in Waukegan, 111 , where his father
afterward lived. In i860 he entered at Chicago the office of
his father, who had charge of the business of the Collingwood
Line of steamers, and remained with him until 1S66. when he
went to Milwaukee. He there took charge of the office of the
steamers of the Grand Trunk Railroad, plying between Chicago,
Milwaukee and Sarnia, Canada, and the Chicago, Milwaukee
and Lake Superior Line of steamers, plying between Chicago
and points on the upper lakes, this line being a competitor of
the People's Line, which was afterwards consolidated with it.
In the winter of 1866-67 ne managed the business of the Blue
Line, a fast railroad express for freights, and in 1S67 came to
Chicago and took charge of the Chicago, Milwaukee & Lake
Superior Line of steamers, also doing a commission business
with merchants and mines on the lakes. When the two lines of
Lake Superior steamers consolidated under the name of Lake
Michigan and Lake Superior Transportation Company, he was
chosen secretary and treasurer at the first election of officers in
1S79, and has been re-appointed to the same positions at each suc-
cessive election. Mr. Spencer was married in Chicago, in 1S72, to
Mrs. A. J. Wonnacott, who died in 1S83, leaving two children —
May H. and Albert L.
Ocean Marine. — As an adjunct to the marine
interests may, with propriety, be mentioned some of
the individuals who have been important factors in
building up the immigration business here.
Andrew J. Graham, who, since the retirement of John M.
Graham, the pioneer Catholic bookseller, has had charge of his
father's business, also claims the distinction of operating the oldest
established ocean-steamship agency in Chicago. When Mr. Gra-
ham, sr., left the firm after the fire, its management fell to Joseph
L. Mrs. John M., and Andrew J. Graham. The former died in
January, 1885, and Andrew J. Graham became the active man-
ager of the business, which is the oldest and largest of its kind in
the city. The establishment at No. 113 Desplaines Street is the
most extensive west of New York and does a large business in
general and church goods, besides being the general headquarters
for all books and goods employed by the clergy. In connection
with the book business, Mr. Graham operates an agency for the
Cunard and other large ocean steamship lines. The agency ,was
established in 1S66 by his father, who was the first agent of the
Black Ball Line. The books of the establishment show the sales
of tickets, to be used on the sailing vessels of this line, which
date back nearly to the time of the war, when money was selling
at thirteen dollars for the pound sterling. Since then the firm
has done much to encourage and promote immigration, Mr. Gra-
ham booking seven hundred and fifty passengers from the old
country in less than five months of 1885. The establishment has
become known prominently here and in Ireland, and the utmost
rare is given to protecting the interests of emigrants consigned to
1 he Graham agency. Mr. Graham was burn February 5. 1801. in
Chicago, and was married on November 10, 1SS4, to Miss Minnie
Padden of this city. He is the youngest man in his line in the
city, but he has conducted the establishment, founded in the fifties,
with credit and success. Mr Graham is associated with all
progressive church and social movements of importance in the
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
83
community where he resides, and the increase of the business he
controls is due largely to his ability and enterprise.
Fred G. Whiting, the general western agent for the Cunard
Ocean Steamship Line, has been a resident of Chicago for thirty-
two years; in the employ of the company he now represents since
1871, and connected with the line in a managerial capacity since
1883. The position occupied by Mr. Whiting is one of respon-
sibility and importance, representing as it does the entire western
interests of the oldest ocean line of steamers in existence, the
Cunard Company having been formed in 1S40. Since his first
connection with the company, Mr. Whiting lias witnessed its mar-
velous growth, and has been one of its trusted auxiliaries in
bringing about that result. The integrity and honor of his office,
a post under direct authorization from John Burns, chairman of
the corporation, in Liverpool, can not be fully estimated without a
knowledge of the wonderful prosperity of the same, and the
extensive element it comprises in trans-Atlantic traffic. The Cunard
was first known as the British and North American Royal Mail
Steam Packet Company, with headquarters in Liverpool. It com-
menced business with four paddle-wheel steamships, with an
aggregate of four thousand six hundred and two tonnage. This
has increased, from year to year, until there are now some sixty
vessels afloat, many of which are the fastest and most magnificent
ships yet constructed, some with a tonnage of eight thousand, and
with fourteen thousand five hundred horse-power, and a grand
total aggregate of one hundred and fifty thousand tonnage. In
the last forty-five years the steamers of this line have made five
thousand trips, and carried three million passengers, and have
never lost a life nor a letter from the mails entrusted to their
charge. Mr. Whiting, to whom the western business of this large
company is confided, entered the service of the same under P. H.
Du Vernet, an old and '.rusted servant of the company, who estab-
lished its first agency here in 1S71, at its first office location,
No. 72 Market Street, and its present quarters, under the Sherman
House, where the agency has been for over ten years. Mr. Whiting
filled every position in the province of employment, from a subor-
dinate clerkship to chief bookkeeper. His attachment personally
to the retired agent, is quite as sincere as his fidelity to the company,
which recognized the ability of an ambitious young man, deter-
mined to reach the top of the ladder through industry and integrity.
When Mr. Du Vernet was called to take charge of the Boston
office of the company, in July, 18S3, Mr. Whiting was appointed
his successor. Since that date, the flattering success of the first
agent in increasing the business of the company, seems to have
followed his successor, until the Cunard maintains the lead in its
line, throughout all the numerous agencies under control of the
Chicago office. Mr. Whiting's career has been closely identified
with the history of the city. Born at Cheltenham, England. June
g, 1852, the son of Ezra and Sarah Whiting, he came with his
parents to Chicago the following year. The senior Whiting was
an expert in the art of architectural construction, and was prom-
inently known as a builder among the old settlers, having erected
the old Adams House, the Rock Island car-shops, and other large
structures. The present steamship manager spent most of his
youth in Chicago, and received his early education at the Jones
School, on Harrison Street. During the oil excitement, his father
removed to Canada, and the son completed his education at the
Upper Canadian College, at Toronto. He returned to Chicago
three years later. In 1878 Mr. Whiting was married to Minnie,
daughter of Edwin Walker, the stone contractor and builder of
the court house. They have one child, named Edwin W. The
prosperity that has attended the efforts of Mr. Whiting, are no
more pleasing to himself and his friends, than the realization that,
though the youngest of the steamship agents in Chicago, he
holds one of the most important positions in that service, and
has employed his honors only to serve the line he so ably repre-
sents, and to conduce to the progress of the community of which
he is an esteemed member.
Fritz Frantzen, one of the earliest foreign steamship agents
in Chicago, was born in Jutland, near Horsens, Denmark, in [835,
his father's name being Jens J., and that of his mother, Anna.
His father was a school teacher, and was greatly honored and
esteemed by all for his strict integrity of character. After gradu-
ating from the Horsens' College in 1S50, he served a practical
apprenticeship as millwright, securing a theoretical experience at
the industrial schools of Copenhagen. In l36l, he was appointed
assistant to the chief engineer of railroad construction at Copen-
hagen, in which capacity he served until 1S63, when the wai
between Germany and Denmark broke out. Mr. Frantzen entered
the army and was promoted to a lieutenancy in May, 1S64. After
the battle of Diippel, where he had a narrow escape from death,
and from which engagement one regiment marched home deci
mated and with every important officer killed. Schleswig-Holstein
was ceded to the Germans, peace proclaimed, and Mr. Frantzen set
sail for America, intending to offer his services in the war of the
Rebellion, lie arrived in Chicago in the spring ol 1865, to find
the country at peace, anil for two years engaged in the millwright
business with George 1 Hson, the pioneer Dane, who has lived fort)
veils in this city. I n 1867 he opened a steamship agencj and
foreign exchange office, at No. 43 Wesl Kinzie Street for the Allan
Line, operating under the local managemenl "f its principal repre-
sentative at this point. In 1X70, he moved to No 83, on the same
thoroughfare, and in 1875 to No. 98 Milwaukee Avenue, purchas-
ing the property and remaining there, and at No. 92, until i""f
when he bought his present place of business al No. 296 Milwau-
kee Avenue. Immediately after the great fire, Mr. frantzen was
almost the only agent in shape (or the transaction of business, and
he enjoyed a transient monopoly of the ocean steamship trade, lie
was one of the first notaries public in the division of the city
where he resides. He has returned to Europe several times, 011
one occasion to arrange for the importation of foreign publications.
He was married in 1S67, to Miss Helena Michelsen. They have
four children: Arthur, George, Henry and Walter.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
From 1858 until the spring of r.861, the police of
the city continued to act under the direction of the
Mayor or the City Marshal. By ordinance of May 17.
i85t,the City Marshal was constituted the acting chief-
of-police, but the Mayor, by virtue of his office, was
the head of the force. He made the appointments
and could direct their action, and, during the two
terms of the mayoralty held by Mr. Wentworth, in
1857 and in i860, the Mayor was a very important fac-
tor of the force. One of the notable acts of his first
term was his raid upon street and sidewalk obstruc-
tions, on the night of June 18, 1857. There was an
ordinance prohibiting the obstruction of sidewalks by
signs, awnings, posts, merchandise or other things, but
as it had never been enforced, it was looked upon gen-
erally as a dead letter. Not so, however, thought the
Mayor, and finding that warnings and notices were of
no avail, on the night mentioned he gathered a force
of his policemen with drays and wagons, and took
down every sign or other obstruction to the sidewalk
on the principal streets, and before morning had them
all deposited in a pile on State Street, at the north end
of Market Hall. There they remained until reclaimed
by their owners, the reclamation being invariably ac-
companied by a fine for violating the ordinance.
At other times Mr. Wentworth accompanied a force
on special "raids," and at all times was the" active ami
real chief of police.
Under Mayor Wentworth the police wore leather
badges, but had no other distinctive mark or uniform.
In 1858, under Mayor Haines, a* uniform for the
police was adopted. It consisted of a short blue frock-
coat, which got the nickname of the "copper" stock
coat, and a blue navy cap with gold band. A plain
brass star took the place of the leather badge. When
Mr. Wentworth came in again in 1 S60, he replaced the
star with his leather badges, but made no change in
uniform.
During these years, from 1 S 5 S to [86 1, each divis-
ion of the city constituted a police district, with a sta-
tion at the different market halls. The force consisted
of a captain, six lieutenants, three sergeants, and
between fifty and sixty patrolmen. About half the
latter, under the captain, two lieutenants ami a ser-
geant, were stationed in the South Division, the rest
being divided between the North and West divisions.
There were also two polii e magistrates. The following
were the last City Marshals who were at the head of
the polite department: 1858, J. M. Donnelly; 1859,
Jacob Rehm; 1S60, Iver Lawson,
On the 15th of February, 1861, the Legislature of
Illinois passed an act to establish a Hoard of Police
84
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Commissioners in the City of Chicago. The board
was to consist of three commissioners, one to be chosen
from each division of the city. The Governor of the
State was authorized to appoint the members of the
first board, who were to hold their offices for two, four
and six years respectively, from and after the next gen-
eral municipal election. The respective terms of the
first commissioners were to be decided by their draw-
ing lots. It was further provided that at the general
municipal election in 1863, and biennially thereafter,
there should be elected a commissioner to succeed the
one whose term then expired.
Under this law Governor Yates, on the 22d of
February, 1S61, appointed Frederick Tuttle from the
South Division, William Wayman from the West Divis-
ion, and Alexander C. Coventry from the North Divis-
ion, as the Board of Police.
The commissioners organized and elected Mr. Cov-
entry president, and Mr. Wayman, treasurer of the
board. In drawing lots for their terms of office, Mr.
Coventry drew the long term, Mr. Wayman the inter-
mediate term and Mr. Tuttle the short term.
By the law it was made the duty of the board to
organize the police force by appointing a superintend-
ent and deputy superintendent, captains, sergeants and
patrolmen. While they were in the midst of the per-
formance of this duty, but before they had made any
appointments, Mayor Wentworth, whose term of office
was drawing near its close, startled them into action in
a very surprising way. About one o'clock in the morn-
ing of the 26th of March, 1861, he assembled the
entire police force before him at his office in the City
Hall, and discharged them, leaving only a custodian at
each station. The reason he gave for this sensational
stroke was that the Board of Commissioners should
have a chance to start fair in their work of appoint-
ment. It certainly had the effect of causing the board
to make a beginning. Jacob Rehm was at once ap-
pointed deputy superintendent, and before the close of
the day several officers and some twenty-five patrolmen
were appointed and sworn in. The city had been
without a police force for about twelve hours. In a few
weeks the force was thoroughly organized under Cyrus
P. Bradley as superintendent, and Jacob Rehm, deputy.
One of the first things the new board did was to
adopt a new and complete uniform for t'he members of
the force. It consisted of a blue frock-coat and gray
pantaloons with blue stripe. The badge was a silver
shield.
This was the first full uniforming of the police in
In February, 1863, the Legislature revised
the city charter, and in so doing made a change in the
constitution of board of police. The term of office
was reduced to three years, one commissioner to be
elected every year, and the mayor was made a member
of the board ex officio.
In 1S63 Mr. '['uttlc's term expired, and J. L. New-
house was elected as his successor, the board being
composed of A. C. Coventry, William Wayman, and J.
I.. Newbouse. Jacob Rehm was appointed superin-
tendent, and the captains were John Nelson, William
Turtle, and Frederick Gund. The city was divided
into three police precincts, each division of the city
constituting one, with stations and sub-stations.
The First Precinct Station was the Armory Building
on the corner of Franklin and Adams streets, with a
sub-station at the corner of Twenty- sixth and State
streets. A captain, three sergeants and thirty-six patrol-
men formed the force in the first precinct.
The Second Precinct Station was at the west end of
West Market Hall, Randolph Street, with a captain,
two sergeants and twenty patrolmen.
The Third Precinct Station was at the north end of
North Market Hall, Michigan Street east of Clark, and
had a captain, two sergeants and eighteen patrolmen.
During 1864 the force remained unchanged except
that Thomas B. Brown was elected member of the
board from the West Division, and William Turtle was
appointed superintendent. In 1865 the Legislature
again amended the law with respect to the Police Board.
By the act of February 16, 1865, the term of the Police
Commissioners was extended to six years, one to be
elected every two years, and it was provided that the
police force should consist of a general superintendent,
one deputy superintendent, three captains, sergeants of
police not exceeding twelve, and patrolmen not exceed-
ing two hundred.
The board in 1865 was composed of Alexander C.
Coventry, president ; John Wentworth and Thomas B.
Brown, with William Turtle as superintendent. The
stations remained the same as during the previous year,
but the patrolmen were increased to one hundred and
twenty-five
In 1866 the members of the board were Thomas B.
Brown, A. D. Titsworth and Frederick Gund. Jacob
Rehm was appointed superintendent, and the number of
patrolmen was increased to one hundred and fifty five.
There were also sub-stations at the corner of Archer
Road and Halsted Street, at Lake and Paulina streets,
and at North Avenue and Larrabee Street.
In 1867 the Legislature again amended the police
law, mainly in respect to salaries. The Board of Com-
missioners were required to devote their entire time, if
requisite, to the duties of their office, and were each to
receive an annual salary of not less than $2,500 ; the
amount, however, was to be fixed by the Common
Council.
The other salaries were as follows : The superin-
tendent not less than $3,000 ; deputy of superintendent
not less than $2,500 ; each captain not less than $1,500 ;
each sergeant not less than $1,200, and each patrolman
not less than $800 nor more than $1,000.
By a later act of the Legislature in March, 1869, the
salary of each commissioner was fixed at $3,000, each
captain's at $2,000 and each sergeant's at $1,500.
In 1S67 the patrolmen were increased to one hun-
dred and seventy-three, but no other change, either in
board, officers, or stations, occurred. In 186S there was
no change except that Wells Sherman was appointed
deputy superintendent in the place of John Nelson.
In 1869 the board was unchanged, but W. W. Ken-
nedy was appointed superintendent. The stations were
the same with the addition of sub-stations on Cottage
Grove Avenue, between Twenty- fifth and Twenty-sixth
streets, on the corner of Twelfth and Johnson streets
and on Chicago, near Milwaukee Avenue.
In 1870 the precincts and stations remained the same.
Two hundred and seventy-four patrolmen were employed
under W. W. Kennedy, superintendent. The commis-
sioners were Thomas 1!. Brown, Mark Sheridan and
Frederick Gund. In 1871 the Board of Commissioners
86
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
and officers remained the same as during the previous
year, the patrolmen being increased to three hundred
and ten men. Three additional stations were estab-
lished ; called the South Branch sub-station, the North
Branch sub-station and the Webster Avenue sub-station.
CvRl'S Parker Bradley was one of the most energetic and
able men ever connected with the fire and police service in Chi-
cago ; in fact, for many years he was considered one of its most
practical and useful citizens, doing much to bring an orderly and
efficient municipal government out of the changes and struggles
for excellence of these early times. Mr. Bradley was born at Con-
cord, N. H., November 14, 1S19, locating in Chicago when in his
eighteenth year. For a number of years he remained in the em-
ploy of H Norton, Walters & Co., owners of a large warehouse
located near old Fort Dearborn. In 1S43. he was married in
Chicago to Martha Ann Hodgson, eldest daughter of John H.
Hodgson, formerly of London, England. They have had five
children, two sons and three daughters. In 1849, Mr. Bradley
was appointed collector of taxes for the town of South Chicago.
It was while thus serving that the great flood occurred, so disas-
trous to the shipping interests of the city, and which destroyed so
much municipal property He was then one of the most vigorous
and brave young men in Chicago, and upon this particular occasion
made quite a hero of himself in detaching vessels from the ice
MICHIGAN AVENUE AND THE LAKE FRONT
gorge, and otherwise breaking up the "jam." Long ere this, Mr.
Bradley had connected himself with Pioneer Engine Company,
No. 1, of which he afterward became one of the first foremen In
1S50, he succeeded Ashley Gilbert as Fire Marshal, serving for two
terms. He was also one of the organizers of the Firemen's
Benevolent Association, and acted as its secretary in 1855. In
June of that year, under Mayor Boone's administration, the Police
Department was created, and Mr. Bradley became the first Chief
of Police, having, during the previous two years, served as sheriff
of the county. He was Chief of Police for one year, and remained
connected with the department until 1S60, when he was appointed
.Superintendent of Police. From the spring of 1856 to the spring
of 1858, Mr. Bradley, in connection with Bartholomew C. Yates,
I. II. Williams and Charles Noyes, conducted a detective and
collecting police agency, which was an invaluable adjunct to the
regular city police department, and placed him in. the front rank of
the skillful and brave detectives of the country. In 1S58, Mr.
Bradley bought his partners' interests in the firm, and, for some
time, conducted the agency alone. During this period, he was also
an active member of the Chicago Light Artillery, which served in
the war a, old batteries A and B, under Colonel Ezra Taylor.
I- rorn 1856 to 1860, Mr. Bradley acted as sergeant and third lieu-
tenant. When the war broke out, he was holding the position of
superintendent ol police, and, as provost marshal, accomplished
invaluable work for the l.'nion cause, by placing an iron-bound
embargo upon the cowardly fugitives from the operations of the
draft. Policemen wire placed at the depots of all eastern railroads
and on board all vessels in the harbor, and every one, subject to
draft, was required to show that he was not leaving the state to
avoid service ; that he had legitimate business, and that he would
return to answer to a draft, should one Ik- made. Agents of rail-
road, and boats wtte not permitted to sell tickets to persons liable
to draft, unless they had a pass from Mr. Bradley, except at depots
where an officer was stationed to examine all applicants for tickets.
Other rules were made, showing the superintendent's determination
to uphold the Union cause at home. Mr. Bradley resigned his
office in 1862, and was soon afterward elected secretary to the
Board of Police, continuing to serve in that capacity until the fall
of 1864. From that date until his death, he was connected with
the Government Detective Force as special agent of the Treasury
Department. In this position he acquired special prominence for
his success in the detection of counterfeiters and the capture of
their outfits As he gave his personal attention toeach case placed
by the Government in his hands, and did not trust to his subordi-
nates, the draft upon his strength was too much The last piece
of detective work which he did consisted in the breaking up of a
nest of counterfeiters in St. Louis. Untiring labors and exposures
brought on an attack of erysipelas, which resulted in his death at
Chicago, on March 6, 1865. His funeral was attended by the
officers of the city government and his many and warm friends, his
decease being universally regarded as a great public loss Mr.
Bradley left, besides a multitude of warm personal friends, a wife
and five children to mourn his loss. The eldest daughter, Martha
Louise, is Mrs. George H. Heafford ; Anna Maria is the wife of
Joseph G. Peters ; Henry C. Bradley and Charles H. Bradley are
too well known in political and county circles to require more than
a mention here ; Emeline E. Bradley, the youngest daughter, is
now the wife of Dr. W. H Morgan.
Frederick Gund was born in Planckstadt, Baden, Germany,
on December I, 1S23. From the
age of seventeen until he was
twenty-three he attended the noted
military school at Mannheim. This
city being close to the French
frontier, it contained an arsenal,
barracks and military school, being
in fact the center of military oper-
ations during the wars between
France and Germany. Although
it was also an extensive manufac-
turing point, its attractions were
not sufficient to hold the young
man, and, in 1846, he embarked
for America where he could exist
under a republican form of gov-
ernment. After his arrival here he
engaged in the manufacture of
cigars for a short time at Troy, N.
Y., in company with an experi-
enced cigarmaker, and then came
to Chicago, obtaining his first view
of its then muddy and unattractive
streets in April, 1847. Here he
continued in the cigar business
alone, subsequently taking into
partnership his brother, John A Gund, to whom he sold out his
interests about 1855, having accumulated a comfortable fortune.
In 1854 Mr. Gund joined the police force under the mayoralty
of Isaac L. Milliken, and was promoted to the rank of second
lieutenant of the third district in 1856, and that of first lieutenant
in 1859. In I8°3 he was chosen captain of the fourth precinct,
it having been changed to the North Side. In November, 1S65,
he was appointed police commissioner, his term expiring in No-
vember, 1871. In the spring of 1872 he was appointed captain
of the fourth precinct, which position he occupied until August
1 of the same year, when he resigned. Mr. Gund married his
present wife, Adelheid Wertbeim, in Chicago, during the fall of
1848. They have three living children — Frederick W., an em-
ploye of the City Telegraph Service; Mary, wife of J. T. Casper;
and Frank A., a clerk in the post-office. Since his residence in
Chicago Mr Gund has been an influential and prominent member
of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
JOHN Bonfiei.d, now captain of the third precinct, has been
a resident of Chicago for over forty years He was born in
Bathurst, New Brunswick, on April 26, 1S36, being the son of
Michael and Mary (Julien) Bonfield. His father was a farmer,
and when the boy was six years of age his parents removed to
a point near Buffalo, N. Y. Remaining there two years, they
settled at Chicago, in July, 1844, where young Bonfield laid the
foundation of a primary education in the public schools of this
city, principally at District No. 4, then in charge of A. G. Wilder.
When he was about nineteen years of age he commenced to learn
the machinist's trade, running a stationary engine for a number of
years, both in the packing house of R. M. Hough and in Wahl
Brothers' glue factory. In 1S57 he secured a position as engineer
of a locomotive on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, and there
remained for about ten years. His next ventures, which were
both unsuccessful, were in the grocery business, and as a proprietor,
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
«7
with his brother, in a fertilizing establishment at the Stock Yards.
He failed in the former, and his fertilizing establishmenl ».!■.
burned to the ground. In 1S71 Captain Boniield became inspi r
of customs, retaining that position for three years, and soon after
resigning his office. In January, 1878, he was appointed patrol-
man on the police force and detailed at the Twenty-second-street
station. William J. McGarigle placed him on the detective force,
his headquarters being at the Central station. He was next
appointed lieutenant in command of the Twenty-second-street
station, and, in the summer of 1879, was transferred to the
Madison-streel district. Subsequently he became lieutenant of the
West Twelfth-street station, was placed in command of the detect-
ives at the Central station, and on December 14, iSSo, was
appointed captain of the third precinct, with headquarters at the
Desplaines-street station. Captain Bonfield is a Mason in good
standing, being a member of Richard Cole Lodge, No. 697,
A.F. & A. M., and Washington Chapter, No. 43, R. A. M. Ik-
was married to his first wife, Catharine Slattery, in July, 1S56, bv
whom he had three daughters, who are all living. She died in the
year 1865, and two years later he married Miss Flora N. Turner,
his present wife.
William Buckley, captain of the fifth police precinct, is, in
point of service, one of the oldest officials connected with the
department He was born in the County of Waterford, Ireland,
fune g, 1832. After having received a fair education, at the age
of sixteen, he emigrated to America, his first occupation being
employed as a farm hand by Colonel George D Coles, of Glen
Cove, Queens Co.. N. Y. For five years he also worked on a
farm in Warren County, Ohio, coming to Chicago July 7, 1856.
During the first three years of his residence in this city he was
employed by Colonel Richard J. Hamilton and Law"& Strother,
in the coal business, and had a taste of the trials accompanying a
car driver and conductor. He pushed bravely and successfully
through all difficulties, however, and, in April, 1S65, joined the
police force and began that career in his life which has been marked
with such success, rising through the grades of roundsman, station-
keeper and sergeant to his present position — all within eight years.
On July 14, 1873, he succeeded Captain Michael C. Hickey,
resigned, receiving the unanimous confirmation of the Council, as
captain of the first precinct. In April, 18S4, he was transferred
to his present position, Fred. Ebersold succeeding him at the Har-
rison-street station. As is natural, engaged as he has been for the
past twenty years, Captain Buckley has had many narrow escapes
from death, but he seems to have had a charmed life. He has
been for many years a member of the Police Benevolent Associa-
tion, holding the office of treasurer from 1S68 to 1877, inclusive.
Captain Buckley was married in September, 185S. to Miss Catha-
rine Cashin. Four children were born to them ; of these Thomas
and Mary are deceased. The loving mother and wife died on
January 12, 1882, leaving the family and a large circle of friends
to deeply mourn her loss. Richard W. Buckley, a promising son,
is a bookkeeper for E J. Lehman ; Catharine, Captain Buckley's
only living daughter, was married on February 21, 1SS4, to Daniel
F. Burke, of the firm of Burke Brothers.
Amos W. Hathaway, captain of the fourth precinct station,
headquarters on West Chicago Avenue, has, with the exception of
a few months, been in the continual service of the police depart-
ment for over twenty years. He first became a patrolman in the
fall of 1S64, being assigned to the old North Market Hall. Con-
tinuing in this position for three years, he resigned to engage in
more remunerative occupations, but his love for his old life return-
ing, he joined the force again in 1868, as sergeant of the Huron-
street station. Under Superintendent Washburne's administration
a change was made in the name of the office, and Sergeant Hath-
away became Lieutenant Hathaway of the Huron-street station.
He continued thus to act until August 1, 1S79, when he was pro-
moted to the captaincy of the fourth precinct, whose headquarters
were then at the North Chicago-avenue station. On April 22,
1S84, he was transferred to his present position, the number of his
former precinct being retained, but the headquarters and district
being changed. Captain Hathaway was married in 1S62 to Miss
Rosalie R. Russell. They have had nine children, of whom four
girls and three boys are living. Captain Hathaway's early life was
one of unremitting hardship, and one eminently calculated to build
up a rugged character. Born on May 29, 1839, at Providence, R.
I., his mother died when he was only five months of age, when his
grandmother took him to her farm near Oswego, N. Y., where he-
remained for some eight years. She then removed to Jefferson
county in the same State, where the boy lived and worked until he
was eleven years of age. Young as he was, he then made up his
mind that if he was to work in this world it was far preferable i"
be his own master, and determined to return to Oswego. But rat-
fare was not easily obtained, and so " pitching into" a huckleberry
swamp near home he earned enough money to carry him to the
city, where he quickly found employment with Smith & Kind,
machinists. For three years he labored with them at thi
and then for a time operated a stationary engine for W. II.
Wheeler. The facl that In- was quite proficient in his trade
enabled him to obtain a position as a sailor on the v< ssrl " I-.. \\ .
Cr..ss." plying between Oswego ami Chicago He followed the
lakes until' the fall of 1855, when he determined to settle in Chi-
cago. But first hi took a trip south and worked for some time on
a farm near l.aSalle, III , and also found employment in driving a
team. Then the western fever smirk him. and a portion of i>j;
and 1S5S he spent in and around Lawrence, Kas , being a com-
panion of Colonel James Lane, and a witness of many of the
exciting episodes of those days. Returning to Chicago, he
became employed on a farm in Palatine, and located permanently
in this city during the year [860. He tirst obtained a position as
foreman of the Mechanical Bakery, corner of Clinton and Lake
streets, and whose proprietor. Henry C. Childs, obtained a large
contract for supplying the army with " hard-tack." At one pel iod
he manufactured as high as one hundred barrels of flour every
twenty-four hours, the bakery being run night and day to meet the
demand. Mr. Hathaway remained in this position for three - ars,
but his health becoming impaired, in 1S63 he relinquished active
business and spent a number of months in sailing the lakes, to
regain it. As stated, during the fall of 1864 he joined the police
department and entered into the life-work which he has made such
a marked success.
The Detective Force. — The Board of Police
Commissioners instituted the first organized force of
detectives in 1861. Prior to that time the City Mar-
shals had occasionally detailed one or more of the regu-
lar force for special detective service.
The following officers were among the first who
were regularly engaged in detective work : Asa Wil-
liams, Isaac Williams, Henry A. Kauffman, Joseph H.
Dixon, William Douglas and Horace M. Elliott.
As a fitting termination to this mention of the secret
service department an account of a man of cosmopoli-
tan reputation is given.
Allan PlNKERTON was a man by nature filled for the profes-
sion to which he devoted his life, and in which he achieved a fame
bounded only by the limitation of the habitable globe. In the
grandeur of his work he made himself of such value to the law and
order interests, that the whole country can, and does, justly claim
. him as the greatest representative of the best interests of a com-
monwealth, of either ancient or modern times. But the fact that
he was a citizen of Chicago for over forty years, and that it was
here that he laid the foundation of his subsequent splendid career,
entitles him to a prominent place in the pages of her history and
among those of her citizens whom it is her duty, as well as her
delight, to pay this slight tribute of respect. It is no idle remark
that a history of Chicago would not be complete without a mention
of Allan Pinkerton and trje work he accomplished during his long
and eventful life ; while the story simply told will interest even the
most casual reader of these pages He was born in Muirhead
Street, Ruglen Loan, in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, on the 25th
day of August, 1S19. His parents were in humble circumstances,
his father, William Pinkerton being employed as a police sergeant
by the municipality. When Allan was but a small boy, In- fathei
died from the effects of injuries received at the hands of a prisoner
whom he was arresting, and the family were thus deprived oi their
means of support. Notwithstanding his extreme youth, being
then scarcely nine years of age, he sought and obtained employ-
ment with a prominent print maker, Neil Murphy, win. is still
living in Glasgow. After serving with Mr. Murphy for several
years, he was apprenticed to John McCauley, with whom he learned
the trade of a cooper. Before attaining his majority he became
imbued with the sentiments of independence and reform, which
were advocated by those who put forth tin People's < barter in
Great Britain, and he soon became identified with the celebrated
Chartist movement of the disaffected people. '1 he Government re-
solved to crush this revolutionary uprising, and several of the lead-
ers were arrested and transported. Fearful for his own safety,
Allan Pinkerton resolved to leave the countrj and seek a refuge in
America. He therefore, in 1S42, after being married to Mi
Carfrae, sailed the following day. with his wife, for America, land-
ing at Quebec after a perilous voyage, wherein their vessel was
wrecked and the suffering passengers pi. ked up by a passing vessel
and carried to that port From Quebei Mr. Pinkerton and his
young wife made theii ' IgO by the lakes. The young
couple, owing I., their misfortunes, were nearly destitute, but with
a stout heart he applied himself to securing employment. Meeting
George Anderson, win. was then engaged in the tobacco business,
he enlisted the services of that gentleman in his behalf, and soon
ss
HISTORY OF CHICAGO
succeeded in obtaining employment at his trade, that of a cooper, at
Lilt's brewery, for meager wages, which, however, enabled him to
live in a small house near to the present location of Rush-street
bridge. He remained in Chicago but a short time, and then jour-
neved to Dundee, in Kane County, where he began business for
himself. He prospered rapidly, and his establishment increased to
such a degree that he resolved to settle permanently in that local-
itv. but circumstances interfered and opened up to him the possi-
bilities of a new career which by nature and inclination he was so
well qualified to adorn. Mr. Pinkerton will be pleasantly remem-
bered bv manv of the old residents of Dundee now living. While
emploved in his business as a cooper he had frequent occasion to
visit some of the islands in Fox River, to procure materials for his
stock, and while on one of these, he discovered the existence of a
gang of counterfeiters, who made the island their retreat and there
established their headquarters. Having a natural love for adven-
ture, and being a stranger to fear, he determined to thoroughly in-
vestigate the entire operations of these counterfeiters, which he
eventually succeeded in doing, effectually breaking up the existence
of the gang and securing the arrest and conviction of John Craig,
the leader and prime mover, together with the most prominent and
dangerous of his associates. This exploit gained for the young
cooper considerable renown, and shortly afterward he was appointed
a deputy sheriff of Kane County ; the duties of which position he
filled in such an efficient manner that numerous bands of horse
thieves and counterfeiters were either captured and punished or
forced to leave the country, while wrongdoers were inspired with a
wholesome fear of his vigilance and relentless pursuit. The repu-
tation which he gained in this capacity soon spread to Chicago,
and attracted the attention of William L Church, who was then
sheriff of Cook County. This gentleman immediately offered Mr.
Pinkerton the appointment of deputy sheriff, with increased powers
of usefulness and added remuneration, which he at once accepted.
He continued in this position during the term of Mr. Church, and
also under his successor in office, Sheriff C. P. Bradley. When
Mr. Boone was elected mayor of Chicago he appointed Allan Pink-
erton as a detective of the city force. This was the first appoint-
ment of a detective in Chicago, and was the initial step in the career
of this greatest detective of the age. In the year 1S52 Mr. Pink- .
erton became impressed with the importance of establishing a
detective agencv which would be independent of political influence,
and by whose efforts the criminal could be punished without fear
or personal favor. He accordingly associated with him Edward L.
Rucker, an attorney-at-law, and securing the patronage of several
railroad companies', then in their infancy, they started the " Pink-
erton Detective Agency," the first institution of its kind in the
United States. Mr. Rucker continued with him only about a year,
when Mr. Pinkerton undertook the entire management of the con-
stantly increasing business. When the agency was first estab-
lished, they employed some four or five men ; among the most
prominent being George H. Bangs, afterward general superinten-
dent, who remained with Mr. Pinkerton until his death, which
occurred in 1SS4, and Timothy Webster, who, while in his employ,
was taken as a Union spy, and executed at Richmond, Va. , during
the war of the Rebellion. From that small beginning, the detect
ive force, under Mr. Pinkerton's orders, increased steadily, until
it now numbers nearly three hundred men. Mr. Pinkerton, from
his boyhood, was an ardent lover of freedom and free institutions,
and on coming to America was impressed with a deep-seated hatred
of slavery. When the fugitive slave law was enacted, his opposi-
tion to this barbarous measure was aroused, and he resolved to use
his utmost efforts to defeat its operation. He immediately associ-
ated himself with those old patriots, John Brown, James H.Collins,
the Lovejoy brothers, and other prominent abolitionists, and ren-
dered most heroic and important service in running what was then
called the "underground railroad." By his efforts and energv.
many a famished and hunted neg^o, who, guided only by the glim-
mering light of the north star, had broken away from the bonds
of slavery, and made his way to Chicago, on his terrible journey
to the welcoming borders of Canada, has been fed and clothed and
passed safely on his way, many times under the very eyes of the
officers of the law who were ready and anxious to send him back
to servitude and punishment. In those clays, it was not an uncom-
mon thing to see Mr. Pinkerton's hows.-, which was then on Adams
Street, besieged by numbers of prayerful negroes, seeking his aid
in behalf of some trembling and hunted fugitive, whom the law was_
about to consign to a physical punishment worse than death ; and"
it is needless to say that these appeals were never made in vain,
in the year 1S60, Mr. Pinkerton increased his business by adding
to it an important feature, consisting of a corps of night-watch-
men, or Merchants' Police. This force, which was started with
only six men, now numbers more than two hundred able-bodied
watchmen. The first captain was Paul H. Dennis, and the next
was the late James Fitzgerald. Mr. Pinkerton's detective business
soon grew to gigantic proportions, and his reputation extended to
all the leading cities of the East Among the first notable and
important cases which came to him, was that of the robbery of the
Adams Express Company at Montgomery, Ala., by one Nathan
Maroney, the agent of the company at that point. Mr Pinkerton
was engaged for this investigation by the late E. S. Sanford, vice-
president of the Adams Express Company. At the time the rob-
bery occurred, Mr Sanford was in New York, and he at once
applied to Robert Boyer, an expert detective in that city. Mr. Boyer,
on learning the particulars of the case, at once informed Mr. San-
ford that there was only one man in the country who was possessed
of the detective ability, the natural firmness and dogged persever-
ance for the task. Mr. Sanford listened incredulously to these
statements, and regarded with ridicule the idea of sending to Chi-
cago for a detective, while New York City was full of them.
However, he took the advice as offered, and placed the case in Mr.
Pinkerton's hands. The result proved the wisdom of Mr. Boyer's
recommendations, and although the operation extended over several
months, and the suspected parties were followed from Alabama to
New Jersey, thev were finally arrested, and nearly the entire amount
of the money taken by the thieves — some S40,ooo — was secured,
most of it in the original packages. This money was unearthed
from a cellar in a frame house, and over a thousand miles from the
scene of the robbery. A handsomely engrossed testimonial was
presented to Mr. Pinkerton, by the company, for this exploit, and
now adorns the walls of the office of the Chicago Agency. The
success of this operation at once established Mr. Pinkerton's repu-
tation with the various express companies throughout the country,
and when the car on the New Haven Railroad was robbed, some
time afterward, bya gang of the most expert and desperate thieves,
Andy and William Roberts, and others, Mr. Pinkerton was again
sent for, and in an incredibly short space of time the entire money
— $30,000 — was recaptured, and the burglars in jail, waiting their
trial. In 1861, being employed by Mr. Felton, and other officials
of the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad, to look out
for incendiaries on their road, Mr. Pinkerton discovered, in Balti-
more, a plot to assassinate President Lincoln, on the journey from
his home to Washington to be inaugurated as president. Mr.
Pinkerton at once took charge of affairs, and carried Mr. Lincoln
safelv through Baltimore and the waiting conspirators, and deliv-
ered him to his friends at Washington. When the war of the Re-
bellion broke out, President Lincoln sent for Mr. Pinkerton to come
to Washington, and authorized him to organize the secret-service
division of the army, the first Government police force ever organ-
ized in this country. This was done with Mr. Pinkerton at the
head, under the nam deplume of E. J. Allen. In this capacity he
served the country during the war, leaving his Chicago office in
the charge of capable people, and, at the close of the war, came
oack to take charge thereof himself. His first important case, on
resuming his former duties, was the robbery of the Adams Express
Company, near Baltimore, by throwing the safes from the train while
it was in motion, and getting away with over $100,000. This case,
with other cases of the same nature, was a success, the thieves, six
in number, being arrested, tried and convicted, and the money all
recovered. Some time later came the robbery of the Harnden
Express Company, in Baltimore, by which $20,000 was secured.
The thieves in this case were also convicted, and the money recov-
ered. The next important case was the robbery of the Carbondale
Bank, at Carbondale, Penn. , in which case the thieves were arrested,
and the money — $40,000 — recovered. Following these came the
robbery of the Adams Express Company on the New York & New-
Haven Railroad, on January 6, 1S66. the thieves, six in number,
including the brakeman, entered the express car by wrenching off
the lock, and then bursting the safe. They secured about $700.-
000 in this exploit. Through the efforts of Mr. Pinkerton and Mr.
Frank Warner (the latter being, at the time, the superintendent of
the New York office), the thieves were convicted, and the money
all recovered but about $12,000, the most of which was afterward
returned through a Catholic priest. The arrest and conviction of
the robbers of Mylart's Bank, at Scranton, Penn., next followed,
and about this time — 1S66 — Mr. Pinkerton determined to enlarge
Ins business, and establish an office in New York, which he did
that year, and afterward instituted another one in Philadelphia,
both under competent superintendents. The next case of impor-
tance- of which Mr. Pinkerton had charge, was the robbery, by
Morton anil Thompson, of the express car of the Merchants' Union
Express Company, on the Hudson River Railroad, whereby they
secured $300,000. These men were tracked to Canada, and there
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
89
arrested, and, in spite of all that man could do and the help winch
they received from corrupt government officials, they were extra-
dited to White Plains, New York. They afterward broke from
prison, raided the Boylston Bank in Boston, and then fled to Eu-
rope. In the same year came the death of the Reno brothers and
Anderson, of Seymour, Indiana. These men were desperadoes "I
the most pronounced type. They robbed stores ami express trains
burglarized safes, and their very names became a terror along the
railroad lines in that section of the country. Entire discontinuance
of express service was seriously thought of by the companies. In
1S6S, near Osgood Station, Indiana, they robbed the Adams Ex-
press Company of $97,000, by boarding the train, throwing the
messenger from the car, opening the safes, anil deliberately appro-
priating their contents. This case was given to Mr. Pinkerton,
and Simeon and Bill Reno were arrested by him at Indianapolis;
Erank Reno and Charles Anderson fled to Canada, were pursued
to Windsor, Ontario, and extradited, after a long siege of more
than three months During the trial which followed, another por-
tion of the gang, for the purpose of diverting suspicion from them,
attempted another express robbery ; but of this Mr. Pinkerton was
fullv advised, and prepared for them. After one of the men had
been shot, the rest were captured ; but while awaiting the action
of the law, the indignant and outraged populace of the country
took them out, and hung them within full view of the jail. When
Erank Reno and Charles Anderson were returned to the United
States, they were put into jail at Xew Albany, Indiana, in company
with Simeon and Pill Reno. About three weeks after their arrival
there, one hundred masked men marched to the jail, having come
in on the north-bound train, overpowered the sheriff and jailer,
and hung the three Renos and Anderson, and that ended the ban-
ditti in Southern Indiana. On May 7, iS6g, Mr. Pinkerton was
stricken down with a severe stroke of paralysis, from which he
never fully recovered, and since that time, has never been actively
employed in his business, leaving the management of it to his two
sons and other superintendents. One of the last cases he man-
aged, was the work of breaking up the Molly Maguires in Penn-
sylvania. By working his operatives into their secret organizations,
and having them admitted to a full knowledge of their mysteries
and plans, Mr. Pinkerton was enabled to, at least, bring their
schemes to a full exposure, and to stop, effectually, their course of
robbery and murder. Twenty-four of them were hung, after due
trial, and more than fifty were sent to the penitentiary for long
terms of imprisonment. Mr. Pinkerton was the author of fifteen
volumes of detective experiences, which have had an extensive cir-
culation throughout the country, and left several volumes in manu-
script behind him, which will probably be given to the press at an
early date. His last published volume, " Thirty Years a Detec-
tive," recounts, with all the original force of his strong mind, the
various devices resorted to, by criminals of every class, to effect
success in their several branches of crime. Mr. Pinkerton's ruling
idea, in the publication of these works, has been to show to the
public how surely and inevitably detection and punishment follow
the commission of crime. However skillful the criminal may be,
however careful he may have planned to escape suspicion or pur-
suit, and notwithstanding the precautions he may have taken, the
cool, intelligent and skiliful detective will follow him relentlessly,
until escape is impossible and arrest and punishment overtake
him. The moral invariably sought to be inculcated by these works
is, the beneficial enlightenment of society and the installation of
a wholesome fear of the law, which will deter those tempted to crime
from taking the fatal step which leads to dishonor and the prison
cell. Mr. Pinkerton was a man of strong physique, which enabled
him to rally several times when his physicians despaired of his re-
covery. He was ever noted for his iron will and indomitable per-
severance, and was remarkably strong in his affections and hatreds;
his friends were tied to him with " hooks of steel," and his enemies
were made to feel the full force of his anger when he was aroused.
Of late years he took great pride in his stock farm at Onarga,
Iroquois Co., 111., called " Larch Farm" which is said to lie one
of the handsomest places in the country, and upon which Mr. Pin-
kerton has expended many thousands of dollars. In prosecuting
his business Mr. Pinkerton made it his inflexible rule never to
operate for rewards, or on payments contingent upon success, and
would never allow any of his operatives to receive any reward or
gratuity for his services. He paid his employes liberally, and
worked for those who engaged him at certain fixed per diem, which
was all that was ever received. Another notable and praiseworthy
feature of his immense business, and one of the strictest rules "1
his institution was, that he never, under any circumstances, 1 ould be
induced to operate in a divorce case or where family matters were
in dispute. In following out this line of conduct he flatly refused
many thousand dollars annually. It was also a principle of Mr.
Pinkerton that the old maxim o'f " setting a thief t.. catch a thief "
was morally wrong and unwise in action, and that taking two men
of the same mental caliber, the one guilty and the other innocent,
tin' latter would invariably prevail over the mental and moral 1
of tin- former. Mr, Pinkerton leave- a widow. Mr-. Joan Pinker-
Ion, the devoted wile who followed her young husband in his
voluntary exile to America, and who has been I"- constant com-
panion and wise counsellor through the many years and changing
fortunes of their wedded life. To them were born eight children,
only three oi whom are living: — William A., the eldest, in charge
of the Chicago office and the western division; while Robert A
is the general superintendent, and has, immediate charge, ol the
Eastern office. Mr. Pinkerton has also a daughter living, who is
now the wife of William J. Chalmers, of the firm ol I 1
Chalmers, in Chicago Mr. Pinkerton ha- acquired a handsome
competency, having an elegant home and much valuable real
estate in the city, besides one of the most magnificent farms in the
state. The following just analysis ol in- character and tribute
to his worlii was spoken by Luther l.allin Mills, at the funeral
services held over his remains in this city. July 3, i^"4:
" When the intelligence of the death of Allan Pinkerton was
sent throughout America ami across the sea, there was felt in every
part of this continent and remote countries as well, a profound
sorrow. From San Francisco to the busy river Clyde, from the
Mexican Gulf to London, the hearts of thousands were made sad.
The patriot soldiers of the Nation, whose comrade he had been,
the freedmen whom he had helped to rescue from their slavery,
and millions in many lands whom for a generation he had aided to
guard in his battle against crime, were thrilled by the conscious-
ness of their loss. And so, to-day, Chicago mourns him, and to
his loved ones hand a laurel and a flower of grief to be placed upon
his grave. How can a few words tell again the history of his life,
so crowded with character and incidents. The school-boys know
it by heart. Full of truth, it reads like a romance or a dream.
The birth, amid surroundings of poverty, in the heart of Scotland;
the child's brave struggle; the youth's fidelity to the rights of man
in the historic agitation for suffrage and the recognition of equality
in his native country ; the early journey across the sea; and the
long, brave fight against circumstances he here conducted, until
recognition rewarded him with better opportunities — of these facts
we need no reminding. His thousands of successful assaults
against organized and determined crime, in many countries; his
patriotic deeds for this nation ; his work for the slave; and his
myriad broad humanities, are facts familiar. But now they may
constitute a foundation for a fair and just estimate of his life and
the man's real character. Allan Pinkerton was shaped to a larger
model than most men. Physically, he was provided by nature
with strong flesh and blood, made stronger by his youthful
toils. There was no storm at sea, there was no winter on the
shore, too severe for this man's endurance No privations Were
too great for his bodily resistance, until, at last, his Scottish
strength, like the tree on Loch Leven's bank, yielded to the
storms of time, and fell heavy with years." ****■• His
courage was unwavering, as his will was indomitable. lie was
never afraid. In his presence the outlaw was a coward, and before
his eve the robber grew pale. In the old war-days, how Allan
Pinkerton carried his life in his hands, and, with a few brave men
around him, entered the lines of the enemy, the historian hereafter
will gladly and fairly record. Allan Pinkerton's love of men was
the deep and real inspiration of his greatest acts." * * * "Ik-
was an intimate friend of John Brown, and not long before that
martyr met his fate at Harper's Ferry, Allan Pinkerton protected
him and his companions in this very city on their journey. There
life to-day hundreds wdio owe their freedom from slavery to this
man. The tears of the slave pay free tribute now to his fidelity
to libertv. When rebellion threatened the Nation's life, and a
mob stood between Lincoln and the Capital. Allan Pinkerton con-
ducted him in safety to his inauguration. The country may well
thank his fidelity ; his service was a pivotal (ait for its future.
At Washington, conducting the secret service, he was an intimate
friend of the President ami his cabinet, especiall) Stanton all. I
Chase. For the great secretary of war. he was a right arm." * *
" Strong, determined, brave, anion- hi- loved ones ami those who
could enter the circle of his closer friendship he was gentle asa
child. In his later years of rest his thoughts clustered round his
home as always he had loved it. The fireside was his joy. lie
loved nature ;' his favorite song was the sea, whit h seemed fitted to
his broad and powerful spirit, lie sought the country, and of late
found comfort in the fields. He took broad acres and made for
himself and family a farm ; like the classic hero he found solace in
the soil. There he saw the grain growing and breathed the balsam
of the tiers ; ami placing himself thus close to nature's heart the
great man felt and knew the power and goodness of God. How
meagre are the word- ol man to -peak the worth of Allan Pinker-
ton.' ' When that the poor have cried,' this man hath mad
answer to their need; when I lie wronged sought help against power
he bravebj bared his arm in theit defense; he reco(
Unctions of society save those of merit among men ; he despised
9°
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
all fraud and false pretense ; he fought for the good and against
the bad ; he was not content with moral suasion, but met the social
enemy with weapons. He was tender; he was strong; he was
brave ; he was true. Take his mortality to-day, from faithful wife
and loving children, and ten thousand friends and the millions who
knew him; wrap him in your bosom, great Illinois — you can not
claim him as your own. He belongs to his generation and the
future ; no one state can claim him ; his memory is the right of
countries, not of states. Hero and friend, farewell ! "
THE PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Last of the Volunteers. — In the preceding
volume it has been narrated how Northern Liberty
Engine Company No. 15, Northern Hose Company
No. 7, and Union Hose Company No. 8 were the last
of the volunteer organizations. The engine company
disbanded in the spring of 1862, and the hose com-
panies were in service until the same year. The first
foreman of Northern Liberty was Conrad Foiz. and its
members A. Nieman, J. Schmidt, C. Folz, J. Berger,
F. Gerbing, J. Rheinwald, J. Heinrich, J. Brunk, J.
Williams, C. Sheime, J. H. Heller, O. Heine, E. Rasse-
berg and J. Brosche. The Northern Hose Company
was stationed on Clybourn Avenue, corner of Larrabee
Street, its members being C. Charleston, A. Gabriel,
O. Probst, Shiegler, C. Hettinger, foreman ; W.
Shartz, T. Mixner, T. Reiser, J. Reiser, H. Mabus,
T. Shirer, William Bowing, C. Glassner, S. Wolf,
B. Lozier, M. Engle and E. Bitz. The foreman of
Union Hose, Peter Weber, was most active in its organ-
ization, its members being as follows : P. Weber,
A. Roehrick, N. J. Gauer, William Dewald, J. Voght,
N. Zimmer, John Weinand, John Gauer, P. Rlein, J. N.
Weinand, M. Wachter, N. Conrad, Henry Brick,
H. Hunneman, J. Long, N. Hand, N. Masson and
John Mara. With the disbanding of the above organ-
izations the last of the old Volunteer Department
disappeared. There was no company, however, in
which the boys took deeper pride, and for which they
mourned more sincerely, when it died, than " Hope
Hose." The following extract from the Press-Tribune
of January 6, i860, is apropos :
"A Long Farewell to Hope. — The boys of Hope Hose
Company, in the palmy days of our Volunteer Fire Department,
were a crack corps, and as fine a set of young men as ever handled
a spanner or turned out to a lire. Their superb Philadelphia hose
carriage, originally costing $5,000. was one of the finest pieces of
workmanship in the United States, and at the New York Crystal Pal-
ace drew warm encomiums. But the steam fire engine has tardily done
to the volunteer force what the locomotive did to the stage coach.
Firemen ride to fires now, and fire machines thunder through our
streets to the scene of conflagration at the heels of steeds urged to
a furious gailop. Human muscle, ever so gallant and willing,
must toil far behind. The boys of Hope Hose Company, at a late
meeting, voted to disband, and, in so doing, thev marked the era
of the close of their gallant career with a deed of generosity fully
in keeping with their fame, and the truth that
1 The bravest are the tenderest ;
The loving are the daring.1
" They arc to secure as early a sale as possible of their beautiful
silver-mounted carriage, and all the accoutrements of the late corps,
and devote the proceeds to the ' Home of the Friendless.' Well
done, ' Hope.' "
The Firs'] 01 rHE Paid Department. — After
the great fire of October 17, 1857, the agitation for the
establishment of a Paid Department < ommenced with
vigor. In November of that year the Common Council
ordered a steam engine, and, on February 5, 1858, the
" Long John " arrived. D. J. Swenie had been elected
chief of the department ; I,. Walters, first assistant,
and M. W. Powell, second assistant, during the previous
month, their election marking the entry of the Paid
Department. The new engine was first tested on Feb-
ruary 10. Since its arrival, the "Long John" had
been left in the open air, and consequently there was
some difficulty in getting it to work. All in all, how-
ever, the test was satisfactory, steam being got up in
ten minutes and two streams being thrown to a height
of seventy feet, and horizontally over two hundred feet.
In March, " Long John" was tested with one of Latta's
Cincinnati engines, which had been constructed for the
city of St. Louis. It had been named "John B. Weimer,"
in honor of the then mayor of that city, but when it
came in competition with "Long John" its inferiority
was at once evident. The trial was conducted under
the direction of Chief Engineer Swenie and the Board
of Underwriters. Mr. Latta was present, as was also
Miles Greenwood, chief engineer of Cincinnati, Ohio.
"Long John" was put into active service about the
1st of May, being located at the old Armory Building,
corner of Adams and Franklin streets. The horses
were hired of Messrs. Ring & Barry, their barn being
at first about a mile from the engine house. Nine
persons were burned to death on the 19th of May, at
the fire on South Wells Street, and so much delay was
caused in getting the horses to their engine, that it was
resolved to build a barn at the rear of the house. This
reform in the workings of the department was there-
fore brought about. " Long John " fulfilled its early
promise, throwing two good streams, being manned by
the volunteer hose companies, and by Joel A. Prescott,
engineer, and William Horner, assistant engineer, paid
members of the department. The volunteers were
Thomas Barry, John McLean, Alexander McMonagle
and Thomas O'Brien. The hose carriage was hitched
behind the engine, with two men at the tongue, but
most of the time it was drawn by John Brinnock, a
drayman, living near the engine house.
The ordinance providing for the Paid Fire Depart-
ment was passed in June, 1858 The chief and assistant
engineers were to have full charge of the department,
its general supervision and "rule-making" power resid-
ing in the Board of Control, consisting of the Mayor,
Chairman of the Committee on Fire and Water, the
Chief Engineer, and one Water Commissioner chosen
by themselves. When approved, the rules made by the
board were to have the force of ordinances. Except
engineers, all members of the department were to be
nominated by the board and confirmed by the Council.
By section "four," the salaries were fixed as follows:
Captains, $200 per annum; lieutenants, $100; engineers,
$600 ; pipemen, drivers and stokers, $1 per day ; all
others $25 per month. Every fireman, when on duty,
was required to wear a badge, and no engine was to be
used except such as belonged to the city. Rules were
laid down as to the number of men apportioned to
each steam engine, hand engine and hook and ladder
and hose company. Consequently, after July, all the
men of " Long John " engine company were paid, and,
in December, a full company was commissioned and
moved into their new quarters on LaSalle Street ; the
company being commissioned on the 25th of that
month. Their engine house was near the corner of
LaSalle and Washington streets. The first members of
" Long John " were as follows : Joel A. Rinney, fore-
THE PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT.
9'
man; Alexander McMonagle, John McLean, Thomas
Barry, Thomas O'Brien, William Mullin, James Quirk,
pipemen ; Joel A. Prescott, engineer ; Robert Ethridge,
assistant engineer ; Alvin C. King and 1 tennis O'Connor,
drivers ; John Farrell, watchman.
In September, 1858, there was a trial of three steam
engines at the foot of Washington Street, on the lake
shore. The "Enterprise" was already owned by the
city, and Messrs. Silsby & Wyndhurst, its builders,
were anxious that the " Atlantic " and " Island Queen "
should also be purchased. They were accordingly
tested and subsequently became city property. By
February, 1S60, the " U. P. Harris " and " Little Giant"
were added to the list. Besides the above, the Depart-
ment was now composed of Hand Engine No. 9, located
at Carville; No. 13, on Third Street, near Milwaukee
Avenue; No. 15, on North Avenue, corner of LaSalle;
Hose Cart No. 7, Larrabee Street, near Clybourn
Avenue; Hose Cart No. 8, Oak Street, near Wolcott;
also having a hook and ladder and supply hose carriage.
A change had also been made in the Chief of the
Department. In February, 1859, great excitement and
some alarm was occasioned in the minds of large prop-
erty owners by the nomination of Silas McBride as
Chief Engineer. He was not considered entirely com-
petent, and was, moreover, opposed to any reform
looking to the crowding out of the small hand engines.
The progressive party was, therefore, alarmed, and the
extent of the feeling may be inferred from the fact that
immediately upon the nomination of Mr. McBride by
the Firemen's Convention, a petition appeared in the
Tribune, signed (but the names not published) by over
three thousand citizens, among them being a majority
of the old and experienced firemen, asking U. P. Har-
ris to allow the use of his name for chief, with Darius
Knights as first assistant and James J. Langdon as
second assistant. Mr. Harris was triumphantly elected.
U. P. Harris, one of the most popular chiefs of the Fire
Department, died at noon on the 2d of June, 1871. In his last
moments he was attended by Dr. J. S. Beach and other warm
friends. His decease was occasioned by congestion of the brain,
brought about by the severe labors which he bore while engaged in
the discharge of his duties in former years. It was greatly due to
Mr. Harris's energy and ability that, before his death, he was able
to see the Fire Department brought to a state of efficiency placing
it in the very front rank. He was born in New York City, Janu-
ary 1, 1818, and was therefore only fifty-three years of age at the
time of his death. Even while a boy of sixteen he evinced a de-
cided bent of his disposition by becoming a member of the Volun-
teer Fire Department of that city, and showing so much spirit anil
judgment that he had hundreds of admirers who always knew him
as the " Boy Fireman." Mr. Harris moved to the West when
twenty-three years old, and finally to Chicago in 1845. He at once
engaged in the clothing business, forming a partnership with a
Mr. Ladd. His accommodating spirit, which worked his ruin, in-
duced him to indorse the note of a friend for a much larger amount
than all cautious dictates would warrant. His friend failed, and
Mr. Harris failed himself. As a business man, his reckless gene-
rosity ever stood in his way; but as a public man, as a man of the
people, as a leader of men where the flames ranged and danger
was at its height, he was — U. P. Harris — which is all that is neces-
sary to say. His earliest work as a fireman was done with Engine
Company No 3. He was elected Chief Engineer of the Depart-
ment in 1852-53, serving also as City Treasurer during the latter
year. In March, 1859. he commenced to serve his third term, as
chief, and continued thus to act for a number of years, bringing
the Department into splendid shape. In fact, if the boys ever had
an idol to whom they bowed down and whom they worshiped,
that idol was U. P. Harris. One secret of his popularity was his
personal magnetism, by which he gained many friends and which
he seemed to instil into the natures of those under him, so that,
when his eye was upon them, they fought the flames like valiant
soldiers. Although requiring faithful and unflinching servin from
his men, while they were on duty, when he set out to amuse them
he was a boy among them. Many of them will still look back with the
pleasantest memories upon those " New Years" when Chief Hams
kept open house and distributed oysters, turkey, beef and other
"fixings" to liis friends, dispensing his feast with thai [enial
heartiness which gave it an additional richness and savor. Mr.
Harris was a simple man with a brave heart. Ill l868, bruised in
body and shattered in health, he retired from active service to
engage in some light business which would give him some employ-
ment without fatigue, lie siill haunted the old engine hour's,
however, and talked over the early times with the pioneers oi tin
Department, but he was nol destined to retain that privilege toi
longtime. As stated, his death occurred in June, 1871. The pall
bearers at his funeral were D.oius Knights, C. x. Holden, Silas
McBride, D. J. Swenie, William Mullin, fohn McLane, George
1. foster. M. YV. Powell. Adam Ambcrg, I. A. Kinney, A.
McMonagle and John C.Schmidt. His remains were buried in
Rosehill Cemetery, being escorted by members of the Paid and
Volunteer Departments, Common Council and Hoard of Public-
Works.
February 16, 1865, by the amended Charter the Fire
Department was placed in the hands of a board of po-
lice and fire commissioners. Under this ail, on Octo-
ber 23, the Council passed an amended ordinance
defining new fire limits and adopting regulations for
the service. The Fire Commissioners appointed by
the Council were: A. C. Coventry, John S. Newhouse
and John Wentworth. In 1867, the underwriters of the
city secured an amendment to the ordinance giving
them a representation in the Board, and, under this
amendment, in that year, William James was appointed
Fire Commissioner, representing that interest.
By 1866, the Department consisted of eleven steam-
ers, two hand engines, thirteen hose carts, one hook
and ladder truck, one hundred and twenty paid mem-
bers, one hundred and twenty-five volunteers and fifty-
three horses. Within the next five years the hand-en-
gines had disappeared, the steam engines had increased
to seventeen, the hose carts to twenty-three, the paid
members to one hundred and ninety-four and the horses
to ninety-one. The condition of the Department pre-
vious to the great fire is set forth in the following ex-
tracts:
In 1871, the Fire Department was officered as fol-
lows: Robert A. Williams, chief fire marshal; Mathias
Benner, first assistant; Charles S. Petrie, second assist-
ant; William Musham, third assistant; Hiram Amick,
clerk; John McCauley, fire warden North Division;
Benjamin F. McCarthy, fire warden South Division;
Charles H. Chapin, fire warden West Division; E. B.
Chandler, superintendent of fire alarm and police tele-
graph; J. P. Barrett, chief operator.
The fire limits of the city were as follows: Begin-
ning at Thirty-ninth Street, west to State, north to
Twenty-sixth, thence west to the Pittsburgh, Fort
Wayne & Chicago Railway tracks; then to Twenty-
second Street; thence west to South Jefferson, north to
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Compa-
ny's tracks, then west to Throop Street, then north to
Twelfth, then west to Ashland Avenue, then north to
Van Buren, west to Western Avenue, north to West
Lake, east to Ashland Avenue, then north to West In-
diana, east to North Carpenter, north to Chicago Ave-
nue, east to North Wells, north to the intersection of
North Wells Street with Lincoln Avenue, northwesterly
to Fullerton Avenue, east to Lake Michigan; south,
bounded by Lake Michigan.
At the time of the great fire the following compa-
nies were in service: Steamers — " Long John " No. 1,
A. McMonagle, foreman; "Waubansia" No. -\ M. Sul-
livan, foreman; "Jacob Rehm " No. 4, (i. Charleon,
foreman; "Chicago" No. 5. < '. s« liimmals, foreman;
"Little Giant" No. 6, James Enright, foreman;
" Economy" No. 8, N. Dubach, foreman: " Prank Sher-
man" No. 9, Joel A. Kinney, foreman; "J. P. Rice"
No. 10, J. J. Walsh, foreman; "A. C. Coventry" No.
92
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
ii, L. J. Walsh, foreman; "T. B. Brown" No. 12, F.
W. Taplin, foreman; "Fred Gund " No. 14, Denis J.
Swenie, foreman; "A. D. Titsworth" No. 13, Maurice
W. Sliay, foreman; "Illinois" No. 15, William Mullen,
foreman; "Winnebago" No. 16, John Dreher, fore-
man; " R. A. Williams" No. 17, C. T. Brown, fore-
man. It will be remembered that " Liberty " No. 7
and "William James" No. 3 were destroyed in the re-
pair shop, at the time of the fire, which accounts for
their non-appearance in this list.
The following additional apparatus was also engaged
in fighting the flames: Hook and Ladder Companies
— No. 2, M. Schuli, foreman; No. 3, J. H. Greene;
No. 4, George Ernst. Hose Elevators — Nos. 1 and 2.
Supply Hose Carts — No 1, Leo Myers; No. 2, John
Horsey; No. 3, Matthew Schuh; No. 4, J. C. Schmidt;
No. 5, J. J. Grant; No. 6, Thomas Barry.
For full particulars as to the most prodigious con-
flagration of modern times, the reader is referred to
that portion of the history wherein it is treated as a
separate topic.
Robert A. Williams, chief marshal at the time of the
great fire, was born on the Chateaugay River, thirty miles west of
Montreal City, Canada, June 14, 1S2S. While a boy he learned the
trade of blacksmith, after which he came to Chicago in March,
1S43. In August. 1S49. he joined the Volunteer Fire Department,
becoming a member of Engine Company No. 6. Mr. Williams
served as foreman for five or six years, and then was appointed to
the same position in the first steam engine company on the West
Side, serving as captain until 1S60, when he went to Pike's Peak
for his health. During all this time Mr. Williams had worked in-
dustriously at his trade, serving in the Fire Department purely
from love of a fireman's life. The next fall he returned from
Pike's Peak and became foreman of a wagon factory, a position he
filled for fifteen years. Mr. Williams next served in the Depart-
ment as first assistant under U. P. Harris, and upon his resigna-
tion in 1363, was appointed Chief of the Department. This posi-
tion he held until 1S73, that responsibility resting upon him during
the great fire of 1871.
Fire Alarm Telegraph. — The Fire Alarm and
Police Telegraph system which is now a portion of
Chicago's wonderful municipal machinery, first origi-
nated at the " Hub." Dr. Channing, of Boston, in
June, 1845, when the science of electricity was in its
infancy, published a general statement of his views
upon applying the newly discovered agency to the pro-
tection of his city from fires and crimes. From his
suggestions, sprung the present wonderful plan which
is now in vogue in the larger cities of the country.
Hon. Josiah Quincy, Jr., mayor of Boston, seized upon
the suggestions with enthusiasm, and, in 1848, recom-
mended that the system be then adopted. At this time,
Moses G. Farmer, telegraph engineer of Boston, also
directed his attention to the subject, and to him, together
with John X. (lame well and Dr. Channing, is princi-
pally due the perfection of the system of fire alarm and
police telegraphy, as it is now known. In 1851, Dr.
Channing submitted a detailed plan to the corporation
'.f Boston, and in April, 1852, the suggestion was put
into practical operation In 1852, the seven fire bells
of New York city were connected by an electric wire.
This crude connection was subsequently replaced by
the American lire Alarm and Police Telegraph. The
system was put into operation in Philadelphia, April 19,
1856; St. Louis, Baltimore, New Orleans, Charleston,
Montreal, and Chicago, subsequently adopting the re-
form. Mr. Gamewell constructed the apparatus in St.
Louis, New Orleans, Charleston, and other places. In
fact, if Dr. Channing maybe (ailed the father of the
system, Mr. Gamewell may justly be accorded the honor
of being its master builder. In May, 1858, he exhibited
his apparatus to the aldermen of this city, it being
placed in the council chamber, and thrown open to
public inspection during certain hours of the day. He
had just completed his telegraph in St. Louis, where it
worked admirably. At this time, D. J. Swenie was
Chief of the Department, and urged the immediate
adoption of the system as something which the grow-
ing, if not the immediate, demands of the city war-
ranted. But many citizens, believing that " the time
was not yet," threw doubts upon the propriety of estab-
lishing it, and nothing definite was accomplished until
1863. At a meeting of the Common Council, held
May 18, 1863, a resolution passed, providing for the
appointment of a committee of three (one from each
division of the city) whose duty it should be to ascer-
tain the cost of constructing a telegraph. In the spring
of 1864, the authorities took hold of the subject with
such earnestness that the contract was awarded to W.
H. Mendell, of the firm of John F. Kinnard & Co ,
who had been interested with Mr. Gamewell in the con-
struction of the system in other cities, and who were,
a\ that time, the owners of sixteen patents connected
with it. The contract price was $70,000, the system
embracing the following apparatus ; One hundred and
twenty-five miles of wire, one hundred and six boxes,
fourteen engine-house gongs, six bell-strikers, six dial
instruments for police purposes, and the necessary cen-
tral-office fixtures. On the 2d of June, 1865, the sys-
tem was formally turned over to the city, and pro-
nounced to be in perfect working order. Its inaugura-
tion took place in the presence of the Mayor and
Common Council, Board of Police Commissioners,
Board of Public Works, and members of the Press.
The committee appointed to test the working of the
apparatus consisted of Alderman Shimp for the South,
Alderman Bond for the West, and Alderman Clark for
the North Division. After a short time of preparation
had elapsed, the call was sounded from Box No. 5,
located at the corner of Lake Street and Michigan
Avenue. Mr. Mendell, instantly, on noting the number
of the box, turned to the repeater, and placed the
pointer on the dial over the figure "5." The alarm
bells and engine-house gongs instantly pealed forth the
number of the box, and in less than one minute, the
different engines were seen hurrying toward the spot
indicated. At precisely eleven minutes after four
o'clock, the first signal was given, and four minutes
thereafter, the first engine arrived on the spot. The
engines reached the ground in the following order :
"Atlantic," in four minutes; "Long John," in six;
" Island Queen," in eight ; " Tempest " (hose"), in nine ;
" U. P. Harris," in thirteen ; " Economy," in thirteen
— from a distance of a mile and a half ; "American "
and "Little Giant,'' hose companies, in sixteen minutes;
" Little Giant," steamer, also in sixteen ; " Northern
Star" (hose), in nineteen minutes — from a distance of
two miles and a half. The committee also tested several
other signal boxes. In every case, the signal was
promptly received by the operator, and the whole
apparatus worked to perfection. Some of the engines
failed to appear on the spot indicated, and, not fully
understanding the working of the telegraph on the first
trial, reported at the Court House.
Since the introduction of the system, many improve
ments in the apparatus have taken place.* At first, tin-
street boxes were of the style known as " cranks," and
were about as clumsy contrivances, compared with what
now are used, as were the gongs then in use. In 187 1,
these were replaced by improved apparatus, although
the rest of the machinery, being of a better character,
l'a Journal,
THE PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT.
v.;
was continued for many years later, and some of it is
still in service.
The central office was located, originally, in tin-
dome of the old Court-house cupola. ( )ld citizens and
firemen can remember the network of wires that radi-
ated thence to the tops of the buildings that sur-
rounded the Court-house square. The operating force
consisted of E. B. Chandler, superintendent ; John P.
y^\r^o^w~^\^
Barrett ('present superintendent , William J. Kirkman
(afterward murdered in Texas, while agent of the
Freedmen's Bureau , Alfred Ranous, operators, and
Nathaniel W. Gray, repairer. Later, the force included
John Donnelly, a well-known telegrapher ; W. D. S.
Anderson, known by railroad and telegraph men
from the lakes to the Gulf ; L. B. Firman, general
manager of the American District Telegraph and Tele-
phone Exchange of this city ; George E. Fuller, killed
in 1873, on Engine No. 6, while responding to an alarm
of fire ; William J. Brown, John Kennedy, and William
R. Myers. Mr. Chandler, after managing the system
with signal ability for eleven years, resigned the super-
intendency, to take the general western agencv of
Gamewell & Co., in the spring of 1876, and was suc-
ceeded by John P. Barrett.
At the time of the great fire the headquarters were
located in the old Court House, and it is needless to
say that they were suddenly abandoned on the morning
of October 9th. The system suffered severely, losing
sixty boxes, sixteen gongs, three bell- strikers, eight
police dials, about forty miles of wire, and the entire
central office apparatus. Nevertheless, the telegraph
corps, under the direction of Superintendent Chandler,
displayed such energy that, on the evening of the sec-
ond day, with instruments borrowed and altered to suit
their needs, the West Division lines, embracing nearly
one-half of the entire system, were ready for service,
and by the end of the week connection was completed
with such of the system as had escaped the fire in the
South 'Division. Everything was destroyed in the
North Division, except two street boxes, and about a
mile of wire, and no attempt was made to connect them
for several weeks.
The Fire Alarm Telegraph consists, primarily, of
two parts, the signal apparatus and wires by which the
presence of a fire or other cause of alarm is telegraphed
to the central office, and the alarm apparatus by which
the bells in different parts of the city are struck from
the central office, by the operator there stationed. Dis-
tributed over the city are signal boxes. These are
cottage-shaped, of heavy cast-iron, and fastened to the
side of a house, or post, being communicated by insu-
lated wires with the signal circuit overhead, while a
conductor conveys atmospheric electricity collected by
the wires to the earth. At first all the boxes were pro-
vided with signs stating where the keys could be found.
Within the past few years, the Tooker Keyless Door
has come more or less into use, which does away with
the delay heretofore occasioned in times of fire, caused
by the looking up of the key and properly using it.
The handle or knob of the alarm protrudes so that it
can be easily turned. The terrific noise which imme-
diately ensues, however, is a sufficient guard against
any undue meddling with the machine. Supposing the
knob to have been turned, and the hook inside the box
pulled, the number ol the box is registered at the cen-
tral station. Ilie duty of the operator then is to release
the mechanism of a repeater, and communicate the
alarm to every bell in the city. The striking apparatus
of the bells is under the action of an electro- magnet,
and the number and frequency of the strokes are regu-
lated at will by the operator at the central office. It is
also in his power, when he considers it advis-
able, to only signal a portion of the department.
This is done by means of switches, whii li discon-
nect any of the alarm circuits, and on these dis-
connected circuits the bells will remain silent.
By this means the direct location of the conflagra-
tion can be given from every bell in the c itv
within a few seconds after its discovery.
EDWARD Bri I 1 Ch IND1 ER, first superintendent of the Kire
Alarm Telegraph of Chicago, and, at present, the general agent of
the Gamewell System fur the west and southwest, was horn in
Hartford, Washington Co., N. Y., January 30, 1838. When lie
was in his eighth year he removed with his parents to Romeo, Ma-
comb Co , Mich., where he received a good primary education in
the public schools. At sixteen years of age he entered Ann Arbor
University, and graduated in the Literary Department in the sum-
mer of 1S5S. His long career of usefulness and success in his
chosen profession, dates from his arrival in Chicago on the 31st of
January, 1859. He at once commenced to learn telegraphy under
E. D. L Sweet, superintendent of the Western Division of the
Illinois & Mississippi Company. Mr. Chandler was soon placed
in service; first at Bureau Junction, then at Peru, Amboy, and
Rock Island, 111., where he acquitted himself so creditably that
during a ponion of the war period he was transferred to a more
important point and post, being manager of the Springfield office.
Returning to Chicago in May, 1S64, he was employed as a tele-
graph operator and clerk in the office of the general superintend-
ent of the Illinois Central Railroad Company. The Kire Alarm
Telegraph System of Chicago had been finally completed, in the
spring of 1S65, by John 1- . Kennard. the partner of John X.
Gamewell in the construction of lines in the northern cities, and, on
the 15th of April, Mr. Chandler was appointed superintendent.
One of his brightest, most persevering operators at that time, was
John P. Barrett, his successor as superintendent. The system
went into operation June 2. 1SG5. and Mr. Chandler continued to
manage it with marked ability for a period of eleven years. On
the 1st of May, 1S76, he resigned the position to assume his
present one. In 1SS2, he, in connection with others, established
the Police Signal and Telephone Company, of which he was
elected president, and still holds that office. Since 1S74. when it
was organized, he has also been treasurer of the American Elec-
trical Association. Mr. Chandler is a prominent Mason, being a
member of Home Lodge, No. 50S, A. ]•'. \ A. M.J I
Chapter, No. 127. R. A. M.; and Chevalier Bayard Commandery,
No. 52, K. T. He was married in Princeton. III., Januarj [9,
1S72, to Miss Emily C. Moseley, the youngest daughter of Roland
Moseley, one of the earliest settlers of Bureau County. They
have two children.
John P. Barrett, superintendent of the Kire Alarm Tele-
graph, was born in Auburn, N.V. While still a child his parents
emigrated to Chicago, where the boy received a good common
school education, and " ran " with " Niagara " No. 3. In 1853, he
took to the sea, and while off the coast of South America, in the
Pacific Ocean fell from the mast-head ami broke his arm and leg.
In August, 1S62. he returned to Chicago and was appointed a
member of the Kire Department, serving as watchman for No. 8
and No. 3. In 1S64, he was given charge of the City-hall bell.
which position he held until 1865, when the city adopted the Kire
Alarm Telegraph System. Under E. B. Chandler, superintendent,
Mr. Barrett became aw efficient operator, and upon the retirement
of Mr. Chandler in May. 1876, became superintendent himself.
Mr. Barrett has not rested satisfied with having acquired .1 well
deserved reputation as an executive officer, but since he has been
at the head of this Department has accomplished many important
reforms and become quite an inventor. With his instrument called
the " joker." the alarm is received in each engine-house the moment
the box is pulled, thereby doing awaj with waiting for the alarm to
strike on the gong from the general office. lb- was
nator of the Polio' Patrol Sei ■ ■■
throughout the United States. Mr. Barrett was married Vpril 20,
1868, .old has had nine children, seven of whom are living. Ib-
is t life member of the Paid Fire Department Benevolent Associa-
tion.
9-i
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
DAVID M. Hvland, chief operator of the department of the
Fire Alarm and Police Telegraph, is a native of Massachusetts,
being born in Lowell thirty-five years ago, a son of Matthew W.
Hvl.md. His parents removing to Channahon, 111., when he was
about six years of age, he naturally followed them. Remaining
there two years they came to Chicago in 1S50., and here cheir son
received his education in the Kinzie school. In 1862, he went to
South Bend, Ind., to attend Notre Dame University for three
years, and in 1S67 managed to come to Chicago and learn the mys-
teries of telegraphing. In 1S71, being then twenty-one years of
age, he entered the office of Edward B. Chandler, superintendent
of the Fire Alarm Telegraph system from its establishment in June,
1865. By dint of hard work, untiring perseverance and decided
ability in his profession, Mr. Hvland has risen from the humblest
position to one only second to the superintendence', now held by
John P. Barrett. He has been chief operator in the department
since the centennial year.
The Fire Insurance Patrol was organized a few
days before the great fire, and under the superintend-
ency of Benjamin B. Bulhvinkle has rendered valuable
service in the saving of property. As it is not under
corporate control, however, and is no portion of the
Fire Department, the details of its organization and
work will be given in the chapter on Fire Insurance in
the ensuing volume.
Benjamin B. Bcllwinkle, superintendent of the Fire Insur-
ance Patrol, has become known throughout the country for the
perfection to which he has brougnt this annex to the F'ire Depart-
ment of Chicago. The appliances and improvements of the system
which have been introduced, not only in the United States but in
foreign lands, are many of them the children of Captain Bullwin-
kle's fertile brain. Especially is this true with regard to the elec-
trical automatic contrivances which render easy, safe and rapid the
movements of men and horses when an alarm is sounded. The
exhibition given in honor of ex-President and Mrs. Hayes, on
September 12, 1S78, illustrates the efficiency and wonderful rapid-
ity which mark the workings of the system under the superintend-
ent's masterly management. At that time, to their unbounded
astonishment, a large company of ladies and gentlemen saw the
whole working force of men and horses in their places and out
upon the street ready for business in just one and a half seconds
from the sounding of the alarm. As reported by a local paper :
" Mrs. Hayes good naturedly requested the superintendent to have
it done slowar, so that she and the President could see how it was
done, but Captain Ben gracefully declined, saying that while he
and his men were willing to repeat the performance as often as
desired, they should rather do it in a little less than in any longer
time." The history of such a man must be of interest to any
American, especially to one who is struggling to rise by hatd,
honest work. He was born in New York City, March 18, 1S47,
being the son of Charles T. and Eliza (Laughlin) Bulhvinkle. His
mother died in 1S54, and soon afterward his father came to Chi-
cago, where he, too. died in 1857. Benjamin, the oldest of three
children, was thus left with a younger brother and sister, without
money or relatives. Notwithstanding this responsibility, he bravely
refused assistance from eastern relatives, and actually set to work
to support his " little family " upon his earnings as an errand boy.
Other openings presented themselves to the brave lad, as his
friends commenced to take a hearly interest in his manly disposi-
tion, and as the other children grew older all contributed to the
household exchequer. Mr. Bulhvinkle thus continued to be the
" father to his sister" until she was married, and the guardian of
his brother until he learned the trade of jeweler and was able to
shift for himself. When about fifteen years of age Mr. Bulhvinkle
obtained a situation in the office of the American Express Com-
pany, but soon afterward drifted into the charmed circle of the
Fire Hepartment as driver of the chief's wagon. At this time, as
the chief was expected to be present at all the fires himself, the
fortunate driver had the advantage of having a living example
Til, and was not slow to improve the opportunities afforded
him of learning how to " light lire" himself. He soon mastered
every branch of his profession and came into such general notice-
that just before the great lire, when the insurance companies
decided to organize a tin- patrol, as New York, Boston anil Phila
dclphia had already done, they selected Captain Bullwinkle as the
proper person to be placed at its head. Under the auspices of a
committee of th impleted the organization on the 2d of
1 -71. and although several eastern gentlemen wen urged
for the position endent, his undisputed qualifications
gained the day. The great lire annihilated so many of tin insur-
ance companies who had supported the enterprise that it seemed
probable that the patrol system would fall with them. But Cap-
tain Bullwinkle kept his men together and temporary quarters
were found for them on Blue Island Avenue until a frame build-
ing could be erected on Michigan Avenue near Jackson, on the
present site of the Exposition Building. After it was found that
Chicago was by no means ruined, but that the destruction of her
fire traps had taught her a lesson by which insurance companies
were in future to profit, many of these organizations entered
enthusiastically into the work of placing the patrol upon a more
substantial basis. In April, 1S72, Captain Bullwinkle's force
moved into a spacious brick building at No. 113 Franklin Street,
built expressly for it by the Chicago Board of Underwriters. In
1877-78, the brick building No. 176 Monroe Street was erected by
L. Z. Leiter, but its interior was entirely finished by the members
of the patrol under the direction of the superintendent. The
building was formally opened by " Patrol No. 1 " on February 16,
1S78. " Patrol No. 2" was organized on August 3, 1875, with a
captain and four men, for duty on the West Side a brick building
having been erected expressly for it on Peoria Street near Con-
gress. On January 26, 1SS2, after the stock-yards fire the pack-
ers furnished a building and entire equipment for a patrol, paying
one-half the expense of maintaining the same. Both this patrol
and No. 2 are under the personal supervision of Superintendent
Bullwinkle, who seems omnipresent and is certainly omnipotent in
his particular province. That his services are fully appreciated is
evident from the comfortable and even elegant quarters which have
been furnished him and his men. He has had many marks of per-
sonal favor, such as the presentation by his employes, in December,
1S75, of a gold badge costing $450, and a magnificent gold watch,
chain and badge from the Underwriters, which testimonial was
valued at $525, and received by the superintendent with unfeigned
pride, in February, 187S. Among the Masons, Captain Bullwinkle
is held in high esteem, and he is an officer in Apollo Commandery,
No. 1, Knights Templar. He is a member of the Third Presby-
terian Church. On November 5, 1S73, Mr. Bulhvinkle was mar-
ried to Miss Angelica J. Moody, and has one son.
Firemen's Benevolent Association. — The first
act to incorporate the Firemen's Benevolent Associa-
tion of the Volunteer Department was approved by
Governor French, June 21, 1852. The association had,
however, previously been organized in 1847. From
1858, up to and including 187 1, the officers were as
follows :
Presidents.— John T. Edwards, 1858-64; U. P. Harris,
1864-66 ; Peter L. Yoe, 1866-70 ; John L. Gerber, 1870-71.
Vice-Presidents. — Darius Knights, 1S5S ; Cyrus P. Bradley,
1858-62; Frederick Letz, 1862-63; Robert Letz, 1863-65; Robert
A. Williams, 1S65-69; John L. Gerber, 1869-70 ; J, M. Johnston,
1870-71.
Secretaries. — P. P. Wood, 1858-62 ; Augustus H. Burley,
1862-65; Thomas H. Buckley, 1865-70; D. J. Swenie, 1870-71.
_ Treasurer. — Charles N. Holden, 1S58-71.
The Benevolent Association of the Paid Depart-
ment was organized in the fall of 1863. In answer to
a call issued to all the companies in the Paid Fire De-
partment, a meeting was held, September 12, 1863, at
the engine house of the " Long John " Engine Com-
pany, on LaSalle Street, near the old Chamber of
Commerce. D. J. Swenie was chosen president of the
meeting and Joel Prescott secretary. A committee
was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws,
which were adopted October 14th, and an association
organized with the following officers : Francis Agnew,
president ; Charles T. Brown, vice-president ; Thomas
Barry, secretary; Joel Prescott, treasurer; J. J. Gilles-
pie, D. J. Swenie and L. J. Walsh, finance committee.
The initiation fee was fixed at $r and the annual dues
at $5. Many who desired to be members were so con-
fident that these fees would not be sufficient to maintain
the association and also pay $8 per week for sick bene-
fits and other expenses, that they refused to join the
organization. But they were wrong in their prognosti-
cations, as the subsequent prosperity of the association
sufficiently indicated. For the first year of its exist-
ence, the balance in the treasury was $486.83. At the
time ( > f the great lire there was over $5,000 in the
treasury.
From the organization of the association, up to and
THE PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT.
95
including the time of the great fire, the officers were as
follows :
President, Frank Agnew, 1S64-71 ; Vice-Presidents, Charles
T. Brown, 1864 ; J. J. Gillespie, 1864-67 ; M. W. Powell, [867
bS ; 1. P. Barrett, 1868-71 ; Secretaries, Theodore Barry, [864
66; Leo Myers, 1866-69; Hiram Amick (Recording), l86q 71 .
Joel A. Kinney (Financial), 1S69-71 ; Treasurer, |oe] Prescott,
1863-71.
Company Sketches. — The following sketches of
steam fire engine companies include those organized
previous to 1871 :
"Long John" Engine Company No. 1. As lias
been stated, this company was first put under full pay in
December, 1858, with Joel A. Kinney as its foreman.
He held the position but a few months, being succeeded
the next year by Thomas Barry. Mr. Barry remained
in this position for two years, when he was transferred
to Engine Company No 8. In 1868, Alexander
McMonagle was appointed foreman of the company,
the " Long John " engine having made its last appear-
ance during the early portion of the year. On the
28th of January, 1868, occurred the Lake-street fire,
which was its final work, the steamer soon afterward
going into the " scrap-heap." " Long John the Second"
arrived from the Silsby works, on the 20th of June, and
was immediately put into service. It remained intact,
however, for only about eighteen months ; for, on Jan-
uary 17, 1870, while going down the approach to Wash-
ington-street tunnel, on its way to a South Canal-street
fire, and indulging in a contest of speed with the
"A. D. Titsworth " No. 13, it was overturned, and
brought up, at the mouth of the tunnel, a total wreck.
James Enright, engineer, now engineer of No. 16, was
seriously injured. The third " Long John " arrived
January 30, 1870, and was put into service on the 2d
of February. Mr. McMonagle continued to act as
foreman until after 1S71.
" Enterprise " Engine Company No 2 was organ-
ized December 26, 185S, and was located in the quar-
ters vacated by the " Long John " in the old Armory
Building, corner of Adams and Franklin streets. The
first members were : Delos N. Chappel, foreman ; John
Sloan, Maurice Walsh, Alexander Ross, John Lewis,
Patrick Guilfoil, John Agnew, pipemen ; George
Roberts, engineer ; Harry Roberts, assistant engineer ;
John Heber and George Delemater, drivers ; Michael
Powers, watchman. Mr. Chappel remained as foreman
until the summer of 1859, when he was succeeded by
P. P. Wood. Mr. Wood joined " Battery A," in 1862,
and became captain because of meritorious service.
James J. Walsh "Ginger") succeeded Captain Wood.
Mr. Walsh is now captain of Engine Company No. 22,
located at No. 460 Webster Avenue, and is the oldest
foreman, of continuous service, in the department. He
remained as acting foreman until No. 2 was reorgan-
ized, as "J.B.Rice" No. 10, in February. 18O6, and
the engine transferred to Bridgeport. Joel A. Kinney
became foreman of No. 2 in April, 1866, remaining one
year. Mathias Benner succeeded him in April, 1867,
continuing thus to act until May 4, 1868.
"Atlantic " Engine Company No. 3, the first com-
pany put into commission under full pay, was prganized
October 23, 1858, and was located on the North Side.
No. 225 Michigan Street, where No. 8 now is. The
following were the first members: George McCagg,
foreman; L. T. Walsh, John O'Neil, William loner.
Frank Agnew, Martin Dollard, James Maxwell, pipe-
men; George Roberts, engineer; Harry Roberts, assist
ant engineer; William Dexter and Francis T. Swenie,
drivers: Robert Williams, watchman. Mr. McCagg was
foreman until 1861, when Mr. Walsh succeeded him
ami remained in that position until after 1871,
"Island Queen" Engine Company No. 4 was or]
ized January 5, 1859, and located at tin- comer ol
Clinton and Washington streets. Afterwards its head-
quarters were in No. 6's house, on West Lake Street.
The original members of " Island Queen " were as fol-
lows: Robert A. Williams, foreman; Leo Myers. Peter
Schimmels, Adolph Wilkie, Nicholas Eckhardt, John
Hocksfear, Anton Lawson aid Henry McBride, pipe-
men; Fred Monday, engineer: William Johnson, assist-
ant engineer; Patrick Garrity and Joseph Smith,
drivers; John Myer, watchman. Mr. Williams remained
foreman until the spring of i860, being succeeded, for
a short time, by John Mel.ane. In 1861, came Charles
T. Brown, who served until after the fire.
" U. P. Harris" Engine Company No. 5 was put in
commission January 26, i860, and was stationed on
West Jackson Street, between Clinton and Jefferson
streets. The original members were: Alfred F, Stod-
dart, foreman; Leo Myers, John Harrington, John
Drehr and John Scanlon, pipemen; Robert Etheridge,
engineer; Frank Sowersby, assistant engineer; John
Windheim and Charles Nolan, drivers; Michael Powers,
watchman. Mr. Myers remained foreman until he was
appointed first assistant of the Department in 1863.
William Sodem served from 1863 until 1868, and Chris-
tian Schimmels from that year until after the fire.
M. W. CoNWAY, chief of the Third Battalion, was born in
Ireland .in 1S42, settling in the city of Brooklyn, X. V, with bis
parents when he was six years of age. Coming to Chicago in 1855,
he obtained a good education, joining the "Garden City'* Hose
Company No. 6, the next year, when fourteen years of age. He
remained a member of the company until it disbanded in 1S59, and
soon afterwards moved to Memphis. Term., where he remained
until the breaking out of the war. He then returned to Chicago,
and enlisted in Mulligan's llrigade (23d Illinois). At the conclu-
sion of the war he again became a ci'.uen of Chicago and, in De-
cember, 186S, was appointed pipenKin of Engine Company No. 5,
which position he held during the great tire of 1S71. His engine
put the first water on the front of the fire. In 1S72. he was trans-
ferred to Tempest Hose Company, which was replaced in 1875
the first chemical engine ever in service in Chicago, lie was cap-
tain of No. 17, in 1S73, and of No. 7 during the following year,
receiving the commendation of the Board of Police and lire Com-
missioners for the courage he displayed in the fire of July, 1-74.
Mr. Conway was promoted to the position of Chief of the Sev-
enth Battalion in September. 1875, his headquarters being at No.
ij's house; and in April, 1S77. was transferred to the Fourth, be-
ing stationed at the house of Engine Company No. 12. In May,
1SS0, he assumed command of the Fifth Battalion, being- trans-
ferred to Hook and Ladder No. 5. on West Twelfth Street. In
April, 1SS2, he was given charge of the Third Battalion, with
headquarters at No. So West Erie Street.
"Little Giant" Engine Company No. 6 was organ-
ized on the 13th of February, i860, and stationed at
No. 98 Dearborn Street. The original members were:
Fred A. Bragg, foreman; William R. Hoisington,
Samuel Cunningham, Nelson Edson, and Richard
Stringer, pipemen; Samuel Furlong, engineer: William
V. Durfee. assistant -engineer; John Callahan and
William L Moore, drivers; J. R. George, watchman
Upon the date of organization, given above, the engine
arrived, via the Grand Trunk and Michigan Central
Railroad, from the Amoskeag works. It was one of
the three ordered by the city, weighed six thousand five
hundred pounds, cost $3,500. and was located at the
engine house of old "Fire Kin-" No. 1. Hie "Little
Giant" was reorganized in 1S64. its headquarti rs
on Maxwell Street, near Canal. John Harrington was
the first foreman, being succeeded by Richard Brown,
who held the position until 1868. William Mustaam
then became foreman, serving until after the fire.
96
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
William Mi/sham, first assistant fire marshal, was born in
Chicago, February 9, 1S39. Having obtained a good common
school education and learned the carot liter's trade, he joined the
" Philadelphia " Hose Company when only sixteen years of age.
Next he became a member of "Phoenix" Company No. S, which
was then located at the present site of No. n's house. When
Engine Company No. S was disbanded, in 1S5S, to give place to
paid coniDany "Atlantic" No. 3, he left the Department and had
no connection with it until 1S61, when he was appointed pipeman
on " Little Giant " Engine Company No. o. In 1S65, he attended
the grand firemen's review in Philadelphia, remaining in that city
and becoming a member of the famous "Fairmount" Engine
Companv. The next year he returned to Chicago connecting him-
self with " T. B. Brown" Engine Company No. 12. In the fall
of 1S6S, he left the company to become foreman of " Little Giant"
No. 6. Whenthe great fire occurred Mr. Musham was acting as
captain of the company, which did such noble service under him
that, in March. 1S72, the Board of Fire Commissioners promoted
him to the position of third assistant marshal, having charge of the
entire West Division. In April, 1S77, he was transferred from the
Fourth to the Second Battalion, his old comrades showing their
sorrow at his departure by presenting him with a silver tea-set and
an elegant fireman's hat. In May, 1880, Mr. Musham became
first assistant fire marshal and inspector of the Department, which
position he still fills in every good sense of the word. His early
experience as a carpenter has served him well, as for the past
quarter of a century he has had charge of all repairs and rebuilding
of engine houses. Mr. Musham was married in September, 1873,
to Miss Kate McFadden, daughter of Michael McFadden, who
came to Chicago in 1S40 They have a family of six children.
William Musham, his father, came to Chicago in 1S35 and resided
here until his death, in 1S44. He was captain of one of the first
vessels that came to Chicago, and had been a sailor from boyhood.
" Liberty" Engine Company No. 7 was put in com-
mission April 27,1861, and located at No. 180 Dearborn
Avenue. Its original members were : D. J. ijwenie,
foreman ; John O'Neil, Frank Agnew, and William
Toner, pipemen ; William Horner, engineer; Frank
Sowersby, assistant engineer ; Horace Ward and Wil-
liam Mullen, drivers; John Farrell, watchman. Mr.
Swenie was the first and only foreman, serving until
No. 7's successor, " Fred. Gund " No. 14, was organ-
ized, in 1867.
Peter Schnur, marshal and chief of the Sixth Battalion,
was born in the city of New York, September 2S, 1S42. When
six months of age, his parents came to Chicago, where he received
his education, and was apprenticed to a tinsmith. He never learned
his trade, however, on account of the breaking out of the war.
Mr. Schnur first enlisted in Taylor's Battery, passing through some
of the bloodiest battles of the war, and receiving an honorable dis-
charge July 24, 1864. Returning to Chicago, he commenced work-
ing as a substitute in Engine Company No. 8, the captain of which
was the late Thomas Barry. After serving three weeks, he was
appointed a member, and given the position of driver of " Liberty"
Company No. 7, under the command of Captain D. f. Swenie.
In 1872, he was promoted to be assistant foreman of Engine Com-
pany No. 13. serving as such until December 31, 1872, when he
became captain of Hook and Ladder No. 2. There he remained
until October, 1873, when he was transferred as captain to his old
company I No. 14), succeeding Mr. Swenie, who had been made
first assistant marshal. On the 21st of January, 1878. Mr. Schnur
was appointed marshal and chief of the Third Battalion. In
March, 1S82, he was placed in charge of the Sixth Battalion, his
headquarters being at No. 322 East Twenty-second Street Mar-
shal Schnur was married in January, 1878, to Miss Margaret 1*2.
Fearon, a daughter of Bartholomew Fearon, an early settler of
0 mty. lie ii a member of the Benevolent Association of
the Paid Fire Department, both city and state; also, of Court
Benevolent Lodge, No. 38, I. O. F.
"Economy" Engine Company No. 8 was organ-
ized November 2. 1861, and was located at No. 265
Eighteenth Street, the following being the original list
of members : Thomas Barry, foreman ; John Teahan,
I', k. Jiurns, John Agnew, pipemen; Thomas Cooper,
engineer; I-; S. Hammond, assistant engineer ; Edward
Baggot and John Windheim, drivers ; John I'. Barrett,
watchman. In September, 1871, Mr. Barry was trans-
ferred to "Douglas" Hose No. 6, Nicholas Dubach
being appointed foreman of No. 8.
Thomas Barrv, ex-assistant fire marshal and chief of Sixth
Battalion, was born in Ireland March 3, 1S32. When eleven years
of age he emigrated to America, settling first in the city of Brook-
lyn, N. V. For three years previous to 1S50, he, although but a
boy, did good service with the Department, learning the trade of
boiler maker. In the latter part of 1850, when he was eighteen
years of age, he arrived in Chicago, resuming his trade, and, after
resting five years, becoming a member of " Red Jacket" Engine
Company No. 4. Mr. Barry remained with the company until the
Paid Department was organized. He was appointed " Long
John's" first pipeman, and in 1859 commenced to serve as its
foreman In November, 1861, he was transferred to "Economy"'
No. 8, as foreman; and remained in charge until June, 1865, when
he was injured by the falling of a brick wall on South Water
Street. His limbs were fractured in eleven different places, and
he was picked up for dead, but skillful care, combined with his vig-
orous constitution, brought him out of the shadow of death and
made a hardy man of him. After his recovery he became watch-
man of No. 6 for about a year, being again elected captain of the
" Economy " in June, 1S67. In July he was again injured, and in
January, 1871, at Armour's packing house. In September of that
year he was transferred to the " Douglas " Hose No. 6, where he
he served during the fire of October. In the following November,
he took charge of Engine No. 19, and in November, 1874, he
was promoted to the position which he held at the time of his
death.
" Frank Sherman " Engine Company No. 9 was
organized March 15, 1864, with headquarters at No. 97
Dearborn Street. The original members were: John
J. Gillespie, foreman ; M. W. Shay, John R. George
and Samuel Cunningham, pipemen; William Donlan,
engineer; John Holm, assistant engineer; William J.
Moore and Richard Stringer, drivers; John P. Fearns,
watchman. Mr. Shay became foreman in 1865, Mr.
Gillespie having been promoted to the assistant mar-
shalship. In 1867, Joel A. Kinney became foreman of
the Company, holding that position at the time of the
great fire in 187 1. The headquarters of No. 9 were
changed from Dearborn Street to No. 2527 Cottage
Grove Avenue.
Joel A. Kinney, assistant fire marshal and chief of the
Fourth Battalion, is a native of Cattaraugus Co. , N Y. , where he was
born July ig, 182S, being the son of Joel and Pamelia Kinney.
In 1S33, he removed with his parents to Hamilton, Upper Canada,
coming to Wheeling, Cook Co., 111., in 1S37. On the 28th of No-
vember, 1840, he settled in Chicago. Soon afterward the lad
received his first baptism by fire; for while plaxing among the ruins
of a conflagration on the southwest corner of Lake and LaSalle
streets, he was so badly burned as to be nearly crippled for life.
When fourteen years of age he entered the printing office of the
Democrat, and two years later became one of the original compos-
itors on the Journal. Young Kinney was also one of the " crew "
of two boys who carried that paper to its few patrons in 1S44. In
addition to his other duties he acted as roller boy — in fact, was a
youth of all work. During this year, in May, he commenced his
long term of service as a fireman by joining "Neptune" Bucket
Company No. 1, which in November, 1846, was reorganized as
Engine Company No. 4 In 1S52, Mr. Kinney joined Engine
Company No. I, becoming first assistant engineer of the Depart-
ment in 1S55 and foreman of " Long John " Steam Engine Com-
pany No. I, in December, 1858. Colorado and silver bonanzas
claimed his attention in the spring of i860, he departing for the
west in April of that year. On October 1, 1S62, he joined the
Independent Battery of Colorado, being promoted to the second
lieutenancy, May 24, 1865. Lieutenant Kinney saw considerable
service up to the summer of 1864, being stationed a portion of the
time at Fort Earned, western Kansas, and participating in the closing
scenes of the war in Missouri. When he returned to Chicago, in
the fall of 1865, he found it virtually impossible to avoid service in
the Fire Department; since not only was he warmly urged to enter
it, but all his leanings were that way. In April, 1866, he was
appointed foreman of Engine Company No. 2. and a year later
was transferred to the reorganized "Frank Sherman" Engine
Company No. 9. Mr. Kinney and his company passed through
the great lire with very much credit to all concerned. In February,
1874, IVr. Kinney was promoted to his present position. He is a
prominent member of the old Fireman's Benevolent Association;
also of the Benevolent Association of the Paid Department, being
its financial secretary for a number of years.
"J. B.Rice" Engine Company No. 10 was organ-
THE PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT.
97
ized February 19, 1866, and located at No. 338 State
Street. Following are the original members: fames
J. Walsh, foreman; Jacob Held, Nicholas Barth, Thomas
Dunigan, pipemen; George Roberts, engineer; Fred
Allen, assistant engineer; Samuel Ripley, Archy Martin,
drivers; Jacob Reis, watchman. The "J. I!. Rice"
engine was first publicly tested in the Court-house
square, September 26, 1865. Among the spectators
were Enoch McGrue, chief engineer of the Cincinnati
Fire Department ; A. B. Taylor, chief engineer of the
Fond du Lac Department; J. F. Kinnard, patentee and
proprietor of the Fire Alarm and Police Telegraph;
and Commissioners John Wentworth and Brown.
The engine was stationed at the northeast corner of the
square, taking water from the fountain basin. At five
o'clock the wood was ignited, and in eight minutes and
a quarter the steamer began to throw water. With less
than fifty pounds of steam, through a one and a quarter
inch nozzle, a stream was thrown one hundred and
seventy-five feet high. This was never before accom-
plished in this city, except by the ''Neptune" in 1S58,
when, through a nozzle of the same size, it threw a
stream to an altitude of over two hundred feet. The
horizontal stream, through four sections of hose, one
and a quarter inch nozzle, " Siamese " connection, was
thrown to a distance of two hundred and thirty feet.
The " Neptune" threw a stream two hundred and sixty
feet, but it must be remembered that this engine weighed
four times as much as the " Rice." The " J. 15. Rice "
was built at the Amoskeag works at Manchester, N. H ,
being similar to the " Frank Sherman." Mr. Walsh
remained foreman of the "Rice" until 1872.
Charles S. Petrie, assistant fire marshal, secretary of the
Fire Department and superintendent of repair-shop, was born in
Chicago, September 25, 1S40. He obtained his early education at
St. Joseph's Catholic School in this city, and afterward at South
Bend, Ind. When ir. his sixteenth year he both entered the employ
of the McCormick Reaper Company and joined the Volunteer Fire
Department as a runner. In 1S56, he was accepted as a regular
member of Engine Company No. n. Between 185S and 1S62, Mr.
Petrie was steamboat ing between New Orleans and Nashville, in
" scrambling " for gold, for a short time, at Pike's Peak, Col., and
in acting as assistant engineer on the Mississippi and Missouri
rivers. On the 30th of January, 1S62, he returned to Chicago, and
took charge of the tug boat " Union." He held the position of
assistant of " Atlantic" Engine Company No. 3 for two years and a
half from September 16, 1S62, and then returned to the McCormick
Reaper Works. On Friday, February 1, 1S66, he was appointed to
the position of assistant engineer of the "J. B. Rice" No. 10, and
remained in that position until Edwin Roberts, the engineer, died.
Mr. Petrie was promoted to the vacant position July 2, 1867.
When the "William James" No. 3 was organized during the fol-
lowing November, he was transferred to it as engineer. The
steamer was destroyed at the repair-shop during the great fire of
1871, but Captain John McLean. R. J. Harmon, Harry Anderson
and Mr. Petrie did such excellent service as pipemen in the south-
west lumber district that they were presented with a purse of $400
by the business men of the community. On Friday, February 14,
1872, he was promoted to the position of third assistant fire mar-
shal in charge of the West Division, having his headquarters at
Engine House No. 17. He became second assistant fire marshal,
on Friday, March 1, being assigned to the North Division, with
headquarters at Supply House No. 3. Marshal Petrie acquitted
himself with his usual judgment and bravery at the fire of 1S74,
being found, bv a friend, during the height of the excitement, with
his boots burned completely from his feet. To return to his
"lucky day." On Friday. April 11, 1877, he accepted the posi-
tion of superintendent of the repair-shop, at the same time going
to all fires upon second alarm, and taking the place of the marshals
when the latter were absent. At the time of the burning of tin
Academy of Music, on Halsted Street, October 12. 1880, Marshal
Petrie had an extremely narrow escape from death. With other
firemen he was on the roof when it suddenly gave way. carrying
them all into a cauldron of fire. He received several bad bruises
and a terrible shock. Mr. Petrie's position at extensive conflagra-
tions is generally the one of the greatest danger, as he is consigned
to direct operations from the roofs. Since Marshal Petrie has held
the position of superintendent of the repair-shops he has invented
7
the heaters used in the Department, also the stand-pipe and water-
tower combined, and numerous smallei devices attached t*> the
apparatus, which an- generally admitted to l»- of great v. due. He
has been secretary ol thi lit. Department since the death of Hans
II. Kiting, January i-, [88i. lie is a great favorite among the
men, and is much interested in benevolent and social objects. 11
has held the office of president of tin- Mutual Aid Association "l
the Paid Fire Department, and was treasurer for three years of the
Benevolent Association. He joined the 1 "tut Garden < it\. No. 1.
Order of Foresters. February -. 1876, and, with several
organized ('our! Benevolence, No. 30, January 27, [880. From
this Courl he was elected a represi ntativi to the High Court, which
position he still holds. He served one term as high chief i.'ii
and to his untiring efforts is greatly due the present prosperous
condition of the order. He served as one of the delegates ol thi
world, at London, in I S 79. lie was one of the originators of Illinois
Council No. 615, Royal Arcanum, chartered September 7, 1S81,
holding the offices of regent, past regent, and treasurer. Marshal
Petrie became a member of I). C. Cregier lodge, No. 043, A. V. \
A. M., in September, 1879 ; Corinthian Chapter, No. 69, K. A M.,
February. tSio ; St. Bernard Commandery, No. 35, K. T., Novem-
ber, 18S1. He is a charter member of Teutonia Maennerchor, and
has been president of the N. W. B. Social Club lor two years. Mr.
Petrie was married to Miss Martha A. Morton, of Nashville, Tenn.,
on January 30, 1862, shortly after his return to Chicago from his
river service between that city and New Orleans.
"A. C. Coventry " Engine Company No. 1 1 was
organized in January, 1866, and was located at No. 225
Michigan Street, the following being the original mem-
bers: Lawrence J. Walsh, foreman; George L.Taylor,
Thomas Maxwell, Fred Williams, pipemen ; James
Furlong, engineer; Bart. Hardy, assistant engineer; Eu-
gene Sullivan, John Kennedy, drivers; William Mcln-
tyre, watchman. Mr. Walsh continued to act as fore-
man of the company until 1872.
" T. B. Brown" Engine Company No. 12 was organ-
ized on February 19, 1866, and was located at No. 80
West Lake Street, with the following roll of members:
Charles T. Brown, foreman; Fred Taplen, Nicholas
Eckhardt, Adolph Wilke, Charles Gagenheimer, pipe-
men; Charles Noble, engineer; Thaddeus Haley, stoker;
John Windheim and Jacob Ross, drivers; Daniel O'Con-^
nell, watchman. Mr. Brown remained foreman of the
company, and its successor, the " R. A. Williams " No.
17, until after the great fire.
"A. D. Titsworth " Engine Company No. 13 was
organized in January, 1867, and located at No. 97 Dear-
born Street, with the following members: Maurice W.
Shay, foreman; James E. Furlong, T Mognahan, S.
Paine, A. Barber, John Fitzgerald, Chris. Goodwin. J. M.
Reis, Charles Kramer, T. Sanderson. Mr. Shay
remained foreman until October, 1873, when he was
promoted to the position of assistant marshal.
Maurice W. Shay, assistant lire marshal and chief of the
First Battalion, was born in Nova Scotia, March 22, 1832. \\ hi "
six years of age he removed with his parents to Fastport, Me.,
where, in 1839, he witnessed the great lire in that city. The
casualty left a deep impression on his boyish mind, and prompted
him to adopt the arduous and meritorious life of a fireman. In
1S40, he removed to Charlestown, Mass., where he was reared, and
seven years later, being then but .1 lad of fifteen, commenced running
with "Warren" Engine Company No. 4, of the Volunteer Fire
Department. On visiting thai city, in 1.SS4, he was made a member
of the Volunteer Veteran Association ol Charlestown, Mass. He
removed to Cleveland in 1849, and the next year joined " Phoenix"
Engine Company No. 4. In 1852, Pittsburgh, Penn., claimed him
as an efficient, brave an. I aspiring fireman, serving for three months
as a member of "Eagle" Company. He returned to his former
companv-the "Phcenix," of Cleveland — in 1855; he was elected
second assistant foreman of the company, and the next )
advanced to the position of assistant engineer of the Fire Depart-
ment. Mr. Shay came to Chicago in October, 1856 appearing
first as a pipein.in of " 1 ibertj " Hose No o, in 1857. < in
later he was elected assistant foreman, remaining in this position
until the company was disbanded and the Paid Fire Department
organized. In September, 1861, aftei being out ol the service for
two years, he was appointed truckman on Hook and Ladder Com-
pany No. r While mi assist. ,m of llosi- Company No. 6, in
9S
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
October, 1S57. at a large fire on Lake Street, he was working on
the top of a" wall and fell down with it, many firemen being killed,
among others being his gallant foreman, John 1!. Dickey. Mr. Shay
had a narrow escape himself. Transferred to "Little Giant" Engine
Company No. (•. in 1862, two years later he was promoted to be
foreman, and given charge of " Frank Sherman" Engine Company
No. 1). which was organized in March, 1S04. In January, 1867,
the "A. D. Titsworth" Engine Company No. 13 was organized,
and Mr. Shay was transferred from the "Frank Sherman" to
oecome its first foreman. No. 13 ever stood in the front rank of
the crack engine companies of Chicago, and Mr. Shay was mainly
instrumental in bringing it to its splendid position. Although a
strict disciplinarian, he was, and is, a great favorite with his men.
As one evidence of this warm feeling of respect and admiration,
it may be remarked that in February. 1S09, his personal friends in
the department presented him with an elegant gold watch. In the
great fire his company did noble service, taking position on Jeffer-
son Street and stubbornly contesting the progress of the flames
westward. On October 3, 1S73, Mr. Shay was promoted to be
assistant lire marshal, having been detailed as such while foreman
of his old company. His headquarters were, at first, the house
of Hook and Ladder Company No. 4, on East Twenty-second
Street, but when he was transferred to the First Battalion in
November. 1S74. his headquarters were at Hook and Ladder No. 6,
on Franklin Street, and subsequently at No. 13's house on Dearborn
Street. Here he still is stationed, an efficient, faithful, and popu-
lar officer of the Department. Notwithstanding which, Mr. Shay
was never married — except in the columns of the daily press. On
account of iii-health he was obliged to relinquish active duty in the
department, but his services were demanded, and therefore was
appointed inspector of the Fire Department, and since then has
held that position. Three years ago he was invited by the Board
of Fire Commissioners of St. Paul, Minn., to visit that city, and
was tendered the position of chief of the Fire Department of that
city : this honor he declined — preferring Chicago and his old
associations.
" Fred Gund " Engine Company No. 14 was organ-
ized on April 7, 1867, and was stationed at No. 180
North Dearborn Street. The following were the orig-
inal members: Denis J. Swenie, foreman; J. Enright,
J. Green, E. O'Xeil, pipemen; William Horner, engin-
eer; J. Berry, assistant engineer; P. Schnur and D.
Daley, drivers; John Farrell, watchman. Mr. Swenie
was foreman at the time of the fire.
D. J. Swenie, the first and last chief of the Paid Fire Depart-
ment of Chicago, was born in Glasgow, July 29, 1834. He is
therefore in his fifty-first year, a vigorous man in every sense of the
word; and the position which he has held for five years — the head
of one of the grandest tire departments in the world — is but the
logical result of thirty-live years of arduous and faithful service.
Mr. Swenie came to Chicago in July, 1S49, an honest industrious
boy of fifteen, and engaged in the manufacture of leather hose,
fire hats, etc., with C. F^. Peck, whose house was on Lake Street.
In this way he became acquainted with the volunteer firemen, and
before he was a year older had joined No. 3 Hose Company. Next
he became a member of " Niagara" Company No. 3, and, in 1852,
when only eighteen years of age, was elected assistant foreman of
"Red Jacket" F^ngine Company No. 4. In September, 1854,
after the disbandment of the " Red Jackets," he returned to No.
3, where he remained until 1S56, when he was elected first assist-
ant engineer of the Department. In March, 1858, he was chosen
chief engineer, organizing the Paid Steam Fire Department. The
opposition shown to him by the element of the volunteer service,
would have can rageous man than Chief Swenie to have
withdrawn from a life which brought so many hardships and per-
plexities. In 1 , ' r Harris wa nominated for chief
1 or two years he ran with "Ai-
II'.-" Company No 3, as an exempt member. In 1861,
enie was appointed foreman of "Liberty" Engine No. 7.
67, the engine another house, and he
Fred Gund" No, 1 1, still re-
taining his old members and holding his position as foreman. On
the tenth anniversary of his appointment as foreman, his many
n the department gave a banquet in honor of the '.• 1 a lion
at "No . lich was a grand affair. C, N. Ilolden pre-
sented him with a gold watch and chain, with a miniature fire-hal
and trumpet, a : pon the resignation of Chief Harris
in February. 1868, P. A.Williams was appointed by the Fire Com-
missioners to fill the va< incy. Mr. Swenie was tendered the posi-
tion of first assistant, but preferring, forth 1 retain hi
old position, ; • discharge th' ning there-
to until ' ■ ipp linted firsl assi tanl fire
marshal unde' I At the great fire he was the means
of saving four squares on the North Side, bounded by Michigan
and Market streets and the river. Mayor Harrison appointed him
acting-chief July 3, 1S79, and upon the retirement of Mr Benner
in November, he became the head of the Department, being con-
firmed on the 10th of that month.
"Illinois" Engine Company No. 15 was organized
in December, 1867, its headquarters being on the cor-
ner of May and Twenty-second streets. Its original
members were: William Mullin, foreman; FVancis
Berry, engineer; James Kingswell, stoker; Norman T.
Ormsby and Mathias Shafer, drivers; Eugene Vallie
and Hugh Ward, pipemen. Mr. Mullin continued as
foreman up to the time of the fire.
"Winnebago" Engine Company No. 16, with four
call members, was organized at the same time as No.
15, and located on the corner of State and Thirty-first
streets. The following were its first members: John
Dreher, foreman; James Enright, engineer; Patrick
Crowley, stoker; Thomas Byrhes, driver; Oilman Pal-
mer, watchman; Francis Butterfield, Frank Howard
and Thomas McAuliffe, pipemen. Mr. Dreher contin-
ued to act as foreman until after the fire.
" R. A. Williams " Engine Company No. 1 7, the last
engine company organized before the fire, was put in
commission on the 16th of February, 1870, and was
located at No. 80 West Lake Street. The original
members were as follows : Charles T. Brown, foreman;
John Cook, S. H. Scadin, A. J. Calder, and David Hy-
land, pipemen ; John E. Ferguson, engineer ; Charles
Schroeder, stoker; Adam S. Barber and Patrick Lamey,
drivers; Daniel O'Connell, watchman. Mr. Brown was
foreman at the time of the fire.
" Pioneer " Hook and Ladder No. 1, organized
August 13, 1859, was located at No. 121 LaSalle Street.
George Ernst was its first foreman ; Charles T. Brown,
William Kelch, Edward Fingerhutt and Aaron J. Slo-
man, truckmen; John P. Ferns, driver. Mr. Ernst was
succeeded by F. T. Swenie, who served from June, 1871,
to April, 1872.
" Protection " Hook and Ladder No. 2 was or-
ganized in October, 1868, and was located at No. 83
West Jackson Street, with the following list of mem-
bers: James J. Grant, foreman ; Hugo Franzen, Fred.
Reis, J. A. Cooke and Lewis Fiene, truckmen ; N. T.
Ormsby, driver. Mr. Grant remained foreman until
after the fire.
" Rescue" Hook and Ladder No. 3 was organized
January 24, 1871, being located at No. 36 Chicago
Avenue. Its original members were John H. Green,
foreman; William Friese, Thomas Maxwell, Charles M.
Duffy and James Duff, truckmen ; Norman N. Holt,
driver. Mr. Green continued as foreman until April
10, 1877, when he was promoted to be assistant mar-
shal, and was succeeded by Mr. Holt.
Hook and Ladder Company No. 4, the last created
before the fire of October, was organized on the nth of
October, 187 1, and located on Sanger Street, near Mc-
Gregor. The members were: George Ernst, foreman;
Joseph O'Donohue, H. H. Breternetz and Francis
Flanagan, truckmen; G. W. Weller, driver. Mr. Ernst
was foreman at the time of the great fire.
Hose Company No. 1 was organized September 15,
1859, and was located on the corner of Clinton and
Washington streets; Engine Company No. 4 removing'
to No. 80 West Lake Street to accommodate the new
organization. Following are the first members : Ed-
ward Mendson, foreman; Frank Lily and John Fowler,
pipemen; Charles Anderson, driver. Peter Schummels,
.Matthew Schuh and I.eo Myers were successively fore-
men of the company, until the close of 1871.
THE PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT.
99
Leo Myers was born in Chicago June 26, 1334, being the
first child of French parents who had this city for his birthplace.
Commencing, in 1847, as a torch-boy in Bucket Company No. 1.
he helped, later, to organize the " Lawrence Engine Company
No. 7, becoming a pipeman. He next joined the " Niagara "
Engine Company No. 8, where he remained until the Paid Depart-
ment was organized. In 1S59 he was chosen pipeman on the
"Island Queen," was promoted to foreman of " U. 1'. Harris"
No. 5, and, in 1863, to assistant fire marshal. Holding that posi-
tion for one year he resigned, afterward serving as foreman of "Sup-
ply " Hose No. 1, until 1872, after which he traveled for the
Babcock Manufacturing Company for two years, and then returned
to the Department. First, he acted for a short 'time as captain of
No. 10, being transferred, in 1S74, to No. 23. He was promoted
to the assistant marshalship in April. 1877, in charge of the Sev-
enth Battalion. His territory covers the lumber district, one of the
most dangerous localities in the city, and the selection of Mr.
Myers for this position showed the high estimation in which he was
held, and which he has merited.
"American " Hose Compart}' No. 2 was organized
in November, 1859, and located at No. 31 Blue Island
Avenue. The list of first members was as follows:
Edward Baggot, foreman; Frank Powell, pipeman;
and John Kennedy, driver. Mr. Baggot was succeeded
by John Dorsey, who was foreman at the time of the
fire.
"North Star" Hose Company No. 3 was organized
during the month of October, 1863, and was stationed
in the North Division, corner of Larrabee Street and
North Avenue. John Reinwald, Matthew Mathias and
John E. Schmidt were the first members. In 1864, this
company was merged into " Island Queen " No. 4.
"John A. Huck " Hose Company No. 3 was or-
ganized in June, 1867, and located at the corner of Oak
and Rush streets, with the following list of members:
Foreman, Matthew Schuh; pipeman, Nicholas Wen-
mand; driver, Peter Lawson.
" Lincoln " Hose Company No. 4 was organized
in July, 1870, and stationed at No. 454 Webster Ave-
nue, with the following roll of members: John C.
Schmidt, foreman; Edward Varges, hoseman; John
Hardell, driver.
In August, 1S70, a new apparatus, called a " Hose
Elevator," was added to the Department, located at the
corner of Washington and Franklin streets; and in Jan-
uary, 1871, another machine for the same purpose (ele-
vating hose to the top stories of high buildings), but of
the Skinner patent, was put in use. Although seem-
ingly unwieldly and impracticable, yet, when the fire-
men became accustomed to its use, it proved very
efficient, and saved vast amounts of property, which
nothing but a similar apparatus could have accom-
plished.
In September, 1871, Hose Companies " Washing-
ton " No. 5 and " Douglas " No. 6 were organized.
No. 5 was located at No. 1004 West Madison Street,
with the following members: J. J. Grant, foreman;
James Young, hoseman; R. A. Bunnell, driver. No. 6
was located at No. 603 Cottage Grove Avenue, with
the following members: Thomas Barry, foreman;
George H. Idell, hoseman; Eugene Sullivan, driver.
Engine No. 14 was temporarily stationed at No. 39
Rawson Street, at quarters built for Hose No. 7 after
the fire.
Losses by Fire. — From the time the Paid Depart-
ment was fairly organized, and the last of the volunteer
companies were disbanded — from 1863 up to and in-
cluding the year 187 1, but excluding the damage done
by the great fire — the total loss above insurance in the
city of Chicago, amounted to $13,779,848; the insurance
$10,851,952. Below will be found a short account of
the most notable fires which occurred during the period
covered by this volume.
Because of a delaj ioned by the s ding of a
wrong alarm. January 26, 1858, when tin- Fire Depart-
ment reached the lumber yard of Messrs. Holt & Ma-
son, on Market Street, the flames had gained the
mastery. The half square between Vdams and Monroe
streets presented a grand spectacle, as it was a
with lumber and other combustible material, upon whii h
the lire was feeding, and rearing itself into the air to a
height of fifty or sixty feet. Aboul m\ o'clock in the
morning the flames crossed Market Street, and lapped
up a row of wooden buildings in the rear of the gas
works. Much alarm was felt lest the latter should
suffer ami the supply of gas be cut off, or a terrible
explosion occur. A number of vessels also narrowly
escaped destruction. The entire loss was $100,000,
which, in those days, constituted a serious < onflagration.
Many suspicious circumstances, brought up at the time,
pointed to this fire as of incendiary origin, and a
fireman, who enjoyed the soubriquet of •• Beast " Brown,
was arrested for the crime and subsequently sentenced
to the penitentiary. His confession was to the effect
that Messrs. Holt & Mason refused to subscribe to a
Firemen's ball, given by Company No. 4. In August,
i860, one of the rogues whom Brown claimed as his
confederates, was arrested in the interior of the State by
Captain Bradley's detectives. This man Mike Kirbv,
alias '" Shasky") was employed at the (las Company's
yard, at the time of the fire, and throws the blame of
the whole affair upon "Beast" Brown. One ferry
McCormick assisted him. They failed twice in their
attempt, but succeeded the third time. Kirby was held
for trial, in $2,000 bail. McCormick was never cap-
tured.
A fire which broke out on the west side of South
Wells Street, between Jackson and VanBuren, on May
18, 1858, early in the morning, was not noteworthy
because of great loss of property, but because three
women, two men and four children perished in the flames.
A row of four two-story wooden tenements was here
situated, the lower portion being taken up with stores
and the upper story with sleeping rooms. The inmates
burned were taken unawares, the flames spreading
rapidly, owing to the combustible nature of the material.
On September 15, 1859, a fire broke out in a frame
stable on Canal Street, near the corner of Lake, owned
and occupied by F. Mehring & Co., ice dealers. At the
time, a few minutes before nine o'clock,.! high wind was
blowing from the southeast, and the tire was swept
into the middle of the block, which was covered with
lumber yards, wooden buildings, sheds, outhouses, work
shops, etc. The flames were driven north and west,
sweeping along Lake and Canal streets. First came a
collection of two-story stores, saloons etc; next the
Cleveland House, built of Milwaukee brick, and the
Clifton House, on the corner; then the Cochran Housi .
a magnificent six-story marble structure, owned by J.
W. Cochran, but unoccupied, being ahead of the
requirements of the times. All these structures were
destroyed, the Hydraulic Mills were gutted, and E. W.
Blatchford's lead works, the largest of the kind in the
west, were also a total loss. The entire square, bounded
by West Lake, North Jefferson, Fulton and Clinton
streets, was burned over, except that portion from
former Engine No. 6, on Lake Street, to the corner of
North Jefferson; also on North Jefferson to Fulton, and
on Fulton Street to the lead works, including Phillips'
Packing house. "Hope" Hose Company ol Philadel-
phia was present during the fire, being in attendani e at
the State fair, and tlid splendid service. About four
blocks were swept over, the total loss being .^500,000.
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
The district was substantially bounded by Canal Street
on the east. Carroll on the north. Jefferson to Fulton
and Clinton to Lake, except Blatch ford's lead works.
The buildings of the Illinois Central Railroad Com-
pany, consisted of a magnificent stone round-house,
with a huge dome and cupola, and a large machine shop,
seventy by one hundred and sixty feet, three stories in
height! The blacksmith shop was one story high.
Unfortunately, when a tire broke out, April 17, i860,
the buildings were so situated that the engines could
not take suction from the lake, but were obliged to
make long lines ami take water, through four- inch
mains, on Wabash Avenue. " Little Giant " No. 6
•• Island Queen " No. 4. and hand-engine No. 9 I " Car-
ville " performed good service, but could not save the
property from ruin. The large shops and round-house
were burned, and such locomotives as could be saved
were dragged out by hand and by a passenger locomo-
tive, which was. fortunately, obtained. The total damage
occasioned by this conflagration was $130,000.
On the 1st of May. i860, the wholesale five-story
warehouse of Messrs. Barrett, King & Co., on Lake
Street, was burned, as to the two upper stories, and
deluged with water as to the lower floors.
During the remainder of 1S60, fires occurred as
-: October 18, i860, the ice house of Messrs. Joy
\- Frisbie, at Crystal Lake. Three houses, owned by
the same firm, on the North Branch, were burned some
weeks previously. Lill & Diversey's malt house, ad-
joining the Water Works, was partially destroyed, on
the 27th of October. On November 8th, the propeller
"Hunter'' was burned, and two lives lost.
On the 15th of March, 1862, the temporary depot of
the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad Com-
pany, on Canal, near Madison Street, was struck by
lightning and destroyed by fire. The great Union
Depot was then in course of construction.
On the 2d of June, 1865, a fire broke out in the
agricultural warehouse of Stoddard & Cook, near the
corner of Lake and Clinton streets, within the district
of the great conflagration of September, 1859. The
building was situated in the center of the block, and the
flames rapidly spread to the manufactory of John Hol-
Hngsworth & Co. and also to the warehouse of Furst,
Bradley & Co. The immense lumber yard of T. M.
Avery also succumbed. Total damage, $325,000. The
fir»t telegraph alarm 'sent through the new system,
summoned the Department to this fire.
\ . ,,,] |i ,ss of life is to be recorded at the fire of June
;, which was located in Zea iV Zimmerman's and
& Kenly's, on South Water Street. The
flames spread to minor buildings. Several firemen were
killed or seriously injured by falling walls. The unfor-
L •/ Geis, of the steamer " Frank Sher-
man," and John Straining, of No. 5, killed; John Agnewj
Thomas Barry and Christian Goodwin, of the steamer
■I. nomy, " injured: Augustus Hurr, assistant fire
marshal of the South Division, badly injured', and
William Musham, of the steamer "Frank Sherman,"
slightly injured.
fire which broke oul on January 9, 1866. in the
cellar occupied by Michalson & A pope w, as the sales-
room of the National TobaCCO Works, on Randolph
was, undoubtedly, the work of an incendiary.
On the ground floor *as a saloon, while the upper stories
comprised the* rendi nes broke out
early in the morning, many of the inmates of tin- house
.. means of ropes and other
paraphernalia. I 'w- total loss was $140,000.
On June 7, 1866, while dashing to I ceneol a fire
in the Metropolitan Block, on LaSalle Street, the steam
engine" Economy" came into collision with a locomo-
tive. The engine was overturned; the driver, Daniel
Heartt, was pitched to the ground with such violence
as to receive fatal injuries.
Flames were discovered issuing from the basement
of the large building corner of Franklin and Market
streets, occupied by the Pennsylvania Oil Company,
June 9, 1 866. Four floors of the building were occupied
by Kussel Brothers, wholesale grocers, and their stock
destroyed was valued at $100,000. The building was
owned by B. F. Sherman, cost $20,000. The loss to
the Pennsylvania Company was $60,000. The inside of
Hall, Kimbark & Co.'s hardware establishment also
caved in, making the total damage by the fire aggregate
$207,400.
What were known as Ward's Rolling Mills, situated
on the North Branch, were burned June 21, 1866,
entailing a loss upon the owners of fully $200,000. The
property was owned by a company, of which the princi-
pal stockholder was Captain E. B. Ward, of Detroit.
It was with great difficulty that the new works, then
just completed, were saved.
The conflagration of July 16, 1866, rendered sixty
or seventy families homeless, and the suffering caused
thereby developed a kindness which extended all over
that part of the city. The fire commenced at the rear
of a building on State Street, near Polk, and swept over
to the east side of that thoroughfare, where thirty small
buildings were burned to the ground. The district
burned over extended from the alley between State
Street and Third Avenue to the alley at the rear of
Wabash Avenue. Everything was laid in ruins. " Long
John" No. 1 was first at the scene of the fire; and in
half an hour every steamer in the city was there. The
fierceness of the flames is shown in the destruction of
two large ice houses, owned, respectively, by Sanborn &
Giles and Otto Schroeder. J. H. McVicker's residence
narrowly escaped, his family having disposed of their
goods in the most condensed form, looking to a speedy
departure. When the extent of the casualty to the
poor people of the district became known, every saloon
was thrown open to them and many private residences,
while from the corner of Third Avenue and Polk Street,
a number of ladies dispensed lemonade and other re-
freshments to the firemen and the sufferers. While the
fire was at its height, a man was discovered in the
upper portion of a carpenter shop, a few doors north of
Polk Street, deliberately attempting to fire the building.
The scoundrel offered the policeman $50 for his liberty,
but his pleadings and his attempt at bribery were with-
out effect, and he was taken to the Armory, where he
did not attempt to deny the fact that he was taken with
a box of matches in his hand. No casualty, which
brought loss of life, occurred, but a number of firemen
were sun-struck and one severely injured. The total
damage was $140,000.
On the 19th of August, 1866, a fire occurred on
South Water Street, near Michigan Avenue, which
destroyed property amounting to neatly one-half million
of dollars. The tobacco factory of Van Horn, Murray
& Coy, the wholesale grocery of G. & C. W. Church &
( ady, and the wholesale drug-store of Tolman, Pinkham
& Co., suffered more or less from the flames. The
wholesale dry-goods store of Carson, Pirie & Co. nar-
rowly escaped burning, the iron shutters being warped
and twisted by the intense heat.
At the lire in I). Lowenthal's tobacco warehouse,
which occurred I Ictober 9, 1866, Chief Harris was badly
burned by ;ui explosion which greeted him when he first
THE PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT.
entered the building-. The factory, with its contents,
was destroyed, and a heavy stock of liquor in Mont-
gomery & Blair's refinery, next door, was much dam-
aged. A small panic took place among the guests of
the Massasoit House, across the way, and at one time
the Great Central Depot was considered to he in danger.
The total loss was $100,000, upon which there was
about twenty-five per cent, insurance.
November 18, 1866, the tobacco warehouse of D.
Bunker & Co., on South Water Street, was burned, and
before the flames were extinguished they had swept
away the entire center of the block extending on Lake
from Wells to Franklin Street. Explosions were fre-
quently heard, and many narrow escapes are recorded
from falling walls. The property destroyed amounted
in the aggregate to half a million dollars, the principal
sufferers being as follows : On South Water Street :
McMurphy, Boyle & Clark, Minchrod & Daniels, and
Swazey, Smith & Co., commission merchants ; William
B. Ogden, owner of several buildings ; and J. L. Booth,
Rochester, N. Y., agricultural implements. On Lake
Street : Sickels, Preston & Co., Rainbold & Magnus,
and E. Ashley Mears, hardware ; Charles J. L. Meyer,
sash, door and blinds ; Wheeler, Pierce & Co., commis-
sion merchants ; Martin & Bros., show-case manufactur-
ers ; John Sink estate, owner of building. The total
loss occasioned by this fire was $450,000, upon which
there was an insurance oi $300,000.
The five-story brick structure on Lake Street, in
which were W. B. Keen & Co., Dean & Ottaway, Rufus
Blanchard and J. W. Goodspeed & Co., all engaged in
the publishing or printing business, was the scene of a
conflagration April 12, 1867.
James S. Kirk & Co.'s soap and candle manufactory
was burned May 7, 1867, with a loss of $105,000.
On June 4, 1867, the Garden City fire-works factory,
on Bremen Street, was the scene of a terrible explosion,
which was the means of burning it to the ground and
destroying half a dozen other buildings. It was owned
by Charles Morris. Fortunately no lives were lost.
David Henry, a wholesale liquor dealer, occupied
all of a large store on State Street, except the base-
ment, and his stock, and the building owned by the
Butterfield estate, were burned August 30, 1867; loss
$100,000.
The main portion of the magnificent structure,
known as Farwell Hall, was destroyed by fire January
7, 1868. It had been completed only a few months.
By almost superhuman exertions the two wings of the
building were saved.
On January 16, 1868, the five-story building on Lake
Street, occupied by Starratt & Beatty with a heavy
stock of hardware, the structure being owned by Samuel
Thomas and John B. Rice, succumbed to Chicago's
persistent enemy, suffering a damage of $200,000.
A very destructive fire was that of January 28, 1868,
which raged over the eastern terminus of Lake Street
and vicinity. S. C. Griggs & Co.'s splendid publishing
establishment was destroyed, the event being considered
almost in the light of a public calamity. Telegrams
of condolence were received by the firm from Harper
& Brother, J. B. Lippincott, Ticknor & Fields, George
W. Childs, Appleton & Co., and others. J. V. Farwell
& Co., Fisk, Kirtland & Co., and R. G. Dun & Co.,
suffered, while the stock of McDougal, Nicholas & Co.,
dealers in boots and shoes, was a total loss. L. Schoen-
feld & Co., and Rosenfeld Bros., in the same line of
business, suffered a total loss. The building destroyed
on the corner of Lake Street and Wabash Avenue
entailed a loss upon J. H. Burch, its owner, of $400,000.
The second fire, which became a portion of the same
great conflagration, originated in the basement of Cai
son, Pirie & Co.'s, on Lake Street, spreading to the
west and east and leaping across the alley and laying
the block (Nos. 4-14 in ruins. Xos. 16-22 was a five-
Story marble block, owned by Henry B. Dixon, which
was burned to the ground, the building being occupied
by Burnhams& Van Schaack, wholesale druggists; Whit-
ney Bros. & Yundt, boots and shoes; and Seymour,
Carter &: Co., hosiery, gloves, etc. The block from
No. 10 to No. 14 was owned by H. A. kolm & Bros.,
and leased to Keith, Wood i\: Co., dry goods ami
notions, and to Fitch, Williams & Co., hats and caps.
Nos. 4-8 was a building owned by C. H. McCormick &
Brother, and occupied by C. M. Henderson & Co., boots
and shoes, and S. Harris, wholesale clothier. No. 20
was owned by W. Butterfield; No r8, occupied by
Foreman, Harris, Nahm & Co., wholesale clothing mer-
chants; No. 24 by Carson, Pirie & Co., dry goods
dealers, Merrill & Hopkins, crockery, and M. W. Welsh,
wholesale dealer in gloves. The damage occasioned
by this conflagration was over $2,000,000; insurance,
$1,486,000.
February 24, 1868, the Northwestern Hotel, formerly
the Eagle, one of Chicago's landmarks, was destroyed
by fire. It was erected by E. Moore, in 1858.
March 29, 1868, Gould Brothers' linseed oil works,
on Canal, between Van Buren and Harrison streets, at
the rear of the Alton & St. Louis freight house, was
burned; loss, $400,000.
The old North Side Market Hall was burned April
18, 1868.
Two immense freight houses of the Milwaukee
division of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad
Company were burned September 13, 1868. They ex-
tended from the corner of Indiana and Jefferson streets
to the northwest, beyond the corner of Fourth and
Desplaines streets, about four hundred feet of the
larger house being laid in ashes before water was turned
on. The cost of the property destroyed, comprising
valuable freight, reached $100,000.
S. I. Russell's planing mill, on Fulton Street, was
destroyed by fire December 11, 1868.
The Union Park Congregational Church was burned
February 22, 1869.
At the Canal-street fire, which occurred March 5,
Thomas O'Brien, Peter Moretta, George Bergh anil
Charles Wilt, firemen, were smothered to death. The
fire originated on the corner of Washington and Canal
streets.
By the destruction of Burkhart, Van Slyck & Schot-
sal's wood-cutting machine manufactory, on West Water
Street, near the Excelsior Iron Works, on May 19,
nearly $150,000 went up in fire and smoke.
The great oil, paint and glass establishment of
Messrs. Heath & Milligan, Xos. 170-2 East Randolph
Street, was burned to the ground August 12, 1870.
Many firemen narrowly escaped injury when the huge
wall of the building fell in Court Place.
The most destructive fire of this period, however,
with the exception, of the great conflagration, occurred
September 4, 1870. In the spring of 1870, a massive
building, seven stories high, was completed, and known
as the Drake Block. It was situated on the southeast
corner of Wabash Avenue and Washington Street, and
at the time was one of the most imposing buildings of
the kind in the United States. At about five o'clock in
the afternoon, smoke was seen issuing from the sixth
story. The structure was capped by a finely orna-
mented and highly combustible Mansard roof, which,
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
when the flames commenced the attack, could not be
reached by the firemen. Between five o'clock p.m. and
midnight this magnificent block was transformed into a
mass of ruins, and nearly three million dollars' worth of
property had vanished into air. The fire is supposed
to have originated in Laflin, Butler & Co.'s paper store,
on the east side of Wabash Avenue, between Washing-
ton and Madison streets. It was still the custom of the
•• boys," when called upon to throw a stream to a great
height, to have their pipemen raised in "buckets" by
the machine hose elevators , from which vantage ground
they sometimes successfully accomplished their work.
But at the Drake-block fire, as at others, the "bucket
machine " would not work, hence the helplessness of
the Department. Even in three-quarters of an hour
after the fire was discovered, two buildings were de-
stroyed, and only three streams of water had been
brought to play upon the burning mass. Within less
than two hours the entire block was ablaze, and the St.
Mary's Catholic Church, corner of Madison, was
threatened with destruction. As fast as goods were
removed from the burning building they were carried
across the street to the old Presbyterian Church. The
principal sufferers were J. V. Farwell & Co., who lost
$1,500,000, and J. V. Farwell, individually, who owned
his building, valued at $165,000 ; Laflin, Butler & Co.,
$225,000 ; Kirkland. Ordway & Co., boots and shoes,
$150,000 ; John B. Drake, $160,000 ; and Field, Leiter
..Y Co., who occupied the third and fourth floors of the
Drake Building, $180,000. The total insurance upon
the property destroyed was $1,554,500.
Armour & Co.'s packing house, corner of Salt
Street and Archer Avenue, was burned January 14,
[871. In pens adjoining were four thousand live hogs,
which narrowly escaped being roasted and being made
edible according to Charles Lamb's recipe. They were
driven out before being singed, however, so that the
- as confined to the packing house. It was the
■ in the city, one hundred and forty by two hun-
dred feet, two stories in height, and the loss on building
and stock was $125,000; insurance, $85,000.
On January 13, 187 1, the cutlery establishment of
Messrs Simons & Ruble, on Ewing Street, between
Halsted and Blue Island Avenue, was burned. It was
the only establishment of the kind in the Wrest. The
proprietors suffered a damage of $100,000; insurance,
>'"-■■
On the 30th of September, 1871, the Burlington
wareho ■ 1 — «r "A" . on sixteenth Street, near the corner
of State, was discovered to be in flames and was de-
stroyed. It was constructed of brick, being one hun-
dred and sixty-five feet on Sixteenth Street and running
one hundred and thirty-three feet to the Chicago,
Burlington iv. Quincy tracks. The warehouse was built
by R. McCabe in 1864, and purchased from him by
1. for a wool and general warehouse. In
1 by Samuel Nickerson, president of
the First National Bank, who owned it at the time of
the fire. Large quantities of whiskies, highwines,
syrups, empty barrels, etc., wen: stored in the base-
ment; the first floor being given up to sugars, machine-
ry, groceries and general goods; the second being
'. with broom com, machinery, agricultural imple-
ments, empt) old goods; and the
third with sto 1 tings. Warehouse "B," sepa-
rated from the doomed building by only an eight-inch
tire-wall, had a narrow e cape from burning, In it
itored over $2,000,000 worth 0 offees, su-
etc. The damage to rt i" amounted
: insurant • -
As will be remembered, the Department became
■• thoroughly " Paid by about the year 1863. Since that
time upto and including 1871-72, the losses and number
of fires have been as below, the figures for the latter
year, however, not including the conflagration of Octo-
ber, 1S7 1 :
YEARS.
No. OF
Fires.
Amount of
1nsi:ran'CE.
Total Loss.
1S63-64 .
1S64-65 .
1865-66
1866-67
1S67-6S
1S6S-69
1869-70
1S70-71 .-_ -.
186
193
243
315
515
5°5
600
660
480
S 272 500
585,3O0
941,602
1.643 445
3 4I7.2S8
463,24s
600,061
2,183,49s
745,000
S 355.560
651,798
1,216,466
2 487t973
4 215,332
560,169
871,905
2,447,845
1871-72
972,800
Total
3 697
$10 851,942
$13 779.848
THE SCHOOLS.
General Changes in School Organization. —
By act of February 16, 1857, the Board of School In-
spectors, which, since its organization, had consisted of
seven members, was increased to fifteen. The office of
School Trustees was also abolished by this act. The
fifteen inspectors were denominated the Board of Edu-
cation, and divided into three classes. They were to
be elected by the Board of Aldermen, for terms of one,
two and three years. In February, 1858, the power to
fix the boundaries of school districts was delegated by
the Common Council to the Board of School Inspectors.
During the same month the school buildings, heretofore
designated by numbers, were named at follows: School
No. 1, "Dearborn"; School No. 2, " Jones "; School
No. 3, " Scammon "; School No. 4, " Kinzie "; School
No. 5, "Franklin"; School No. 6, "Washington";
School No. 7, "Moseley"; School No. 8, "Brown";
School No. 9, "Foster"; School No. 10, " Ogden." In
April, the Common Council ordered that all bills against
the School Tax Fund, for improvements, repairs and
school supplies, should pass under the supervision of
the Board. During the year 1859, a clerk was first em-
ployed in the office of the Superintendent of Schools,
and Samuel Hall served in this capacity until February,
i860, when he was succeeded by Shepherd Johnston,
the present incumbent. In the winter of 1S67, provision
was made by the Legislature for a regular clerk, and,
on April 2, Mr. Johnston was elected to the position.
March 6, 1861, the Board of Education adopted a
graded course of instruction which had been prepared
by Superintendent William H. Wells. Chicago was a
pioneer, as usual, among the western cities in taking
this step, and the material features of the course were
extensively copied by other cities. The City Charter,
adopted February 13, 1863, contained a provision for
the establishment of a separate school for colored child-
ren, and in March the Common Council took the
necessary steps to carry it out. This school was opened
June 15, 1863, in a rented building, located corner of
Fourth Avenue and Taylor Street, and was continued
until April, 1865, when it was closed — the provision
having been repealed by the City Charter of that year,
in di ference to the prevailing sentiment of the country.
The office of Building and Supply Agent was established
during the summer of 1863, and James Ward, who had
served as a member of the Board of Education since
THE SCHOOLS.
i°3
1857, was appointed to the position, and held it up
to the time of his death in July, 1881. In February,
1865, an act of the Legislature made the minimum age
at which children would be received into the public
schools six years instead of five. Also by legislative
enactment, the Board was made to consist of sixteen
members, who were divided into four classes. The
same act made provision for the appointment of a school
agent by the Board — the appointment, up to the year
i860, having been made by the Common Council.
From i860 to 1865, the city comptroller was, ex officio,
School Agent. In May of the latter year, Charles C.
Chase, the comptroller's chief clerk, who had been at-
tending to the business connected with the School
Fund, was elected school agent, and has since dis-
charged the duties of the position. By legislative act
of February, 15, 1865, $100,000 of "school construc-
tion " bonds were authorized to be issued. Within the
next two years the Council, by ordinance, ordered
$75, 000 of this amount issued In June, 1866, the
Council authorized a loan of not exceeding $So,ooo to
be used. Previous to 1865, the money for erecting
school-houses came from the School Tax Fund. Even
the Charter amendments, approved that year, allowed
no higher school tax than three mills on a dollar,
to meet the expenses of purchasing grounds for school-
houses, erecting and repairing buildings and supporting
the schools. Appreciating the wants of the city, the
Legislature passed the act of 1867, authorizing the
Council to issue a half million dollars of bonds. For
this liberal provision the Board of Education was chiefly
indebted to Moses W. Leavitt, deceased, then a member
of the Lower House of the Legislature, and whose
efforts were ably seconded by Lester L. Bond in the
senate. An act of March 10, 1869, made provision for
the issue of $700,000 additional bonds. The bonds
authorized by the acts of 1867 and 1869, were issued
and negotiated by the city comptroller, in compliance
with ordinances passed by the Council, upon the re-
quest of the Board of Education — $350,000 in 1867;
$150,000 in 1868; $200,000 in 1869; and $500,000 in
1870.
Presidents of the Board. — The first annual re-
port of the superintendent of public schools of Chicago
was made by John C. Dore, for the year ending Decern-
*~^^- ^. Q^i.
ber, 1854. Flavel Moseley was chairman of the Board
of School Inspectors from that time until 1857, when
that body became transmuted into the Board of Edu-
cation. This change was made by the amended city
charter of February 16, 1857, which also increased the
members from seven to fifteen. Under the new organ-
ization, Luther Haven became president, and continued
in that position for three years In i860, John C. Dore
was chosen president, serving until the close of the
year ending February 1, 1861. Dr. John H. Foster
served from that time to December 31, 1861, when he
was succeeded by Mr. Haven, who held the position
for the next year, and was followed by Walter L. New-
berry, in 1863. C. N. Holden acted as president from
January 1, 1864, to September 1, 1866 ; George C.
Clarke, for the succeeding year ; L. Brentano, for the
year ending July, 1868 ; John Wentworth, for 1869 ;
William H. King, 1870; and Eben F. Runyan, for the
year 1871. Mr. Runyan held the position at the time
of the great fire. From 1857 until [862, the office ol
the Board of Education was at No. 119 South Clark
Street, up-stairs, anil from that time until May, 1871,
at No. 76 LaSalle Street, opposite the Court House.
In May, 1871, the Hoard removed into its new quarters,
on the southwest corner of Randolph and LaSalle
streets, occupying a portion of the second and third
floors of the building, where they remained until the
great fire.
Statistical. — The School Report for the year
ending February 1, 1858, shows that the estimated
value of real estate belonging to the School Fund,
within the city limits, was $900,000 ; outside country
property, at $25,000. The High, " Scammon," "Jones"
and "Franklin" school-buildings were situated upon
lots belong to the School Fund. These lots could not
be used by the city for school purposes, except upon the
payment of ground rent, the same as paid by private
individuals, as the avails of the School Fund could not
be diverted to any other purpose than the payment of
teachers. The income of the School Fund for the
year, including the dividend of interest on the State
Fund, was $36,144.10. The expenditures for the sup-
port of the schools amounted to $62,701. For the next
year, the income was $37,341.44 ; expenditures, $70,-
341.10. The report for the year ending December 31,
1861, exhibits the following:
Real estate belonging to the fund, $1,006,180; income, $45,-
834.72 ; expenditures, $106,486.78. By the end of the following
year, the income had increased to $38,328.68, and the expenditures
to $1 12,110.32. By the year ending September I, 1S66, the re-
ceipts had increased to $182,311, and expenditures, $176,966. For
the year ending July 3, 1S68, the financial situation was as follows:
Expenditures from school building-fund — the proceeds of bonds
previously alluded to — S2g7.19S.05; receipts from school fund,
$275,234.20, and expenditures, $273,307.34 ; real estate belonging
to the fund inside the city, $651,206.67 ; two-mill tax levied, $387,-
4S6.og.
Members of the Board. — The following were
the members of the Board of Education from 1857-58
to 1S71-72, inclusive:
*iS57— 58 — Flavel Moseley, president ; Luther Haven, John
H. Foster, George M. Higginson, Philo Carpenter, Samuel Hoard,
John C. Dore, Frederick Baumann, Michael Tiernan, Joseph P.
Brooks, Henry G. Miller, Daniel Mcllroy, Edward \Y. Brewster,
James Ward and Perkins Bass.
*i8s8-59 — Luther Haven, president ; Flavel Moseley. John
H. Foster. George M. Higginson. Philo Carpenter, Samuel Hoard,
John C. Dore, Frederick Baumann, Benjamin F. Adams, Joseph
P. Brooks, William A. Porter. Samuel S. Hayes, Levi B. Taft.
James Ward and Perkins Bass.
*l85g-6o — Luther Haven, president ; Flavel Moseley, John
H. Foster, George M . Higginson, Philo Carpenter, William A.
Porter, Samuel S. Hayes, Levi B. rati, Janus Ward. Perkins
Bass, John C. Dore, Samuel Hoard, Walter L. Newberry, James
\V. Sheahan, Austin D. Sturtevant.
*l86o-6i — John C. Dore. president; Henry T. Steele, Samuel
S. Hayes, Levi B. Taft. James Ward. Perkins Bass, Samuel
Hoard, Walter L. Newberry, Janus W. Sheahan, Austin 1 1.
Sturtevant, Luther Haven, Flavel Moseley, John II. Foster,
George M. Higginson and Philo Carpenter.
J1S60-61 — John II. Foster, president; John C. Dore. Charles
X. Plolden, Walter I.. Newberry. James W. Sheahan. Austin 1 1.
Sturtevant. Luther Haven, Flavel Moseley, George M. Higginson,
Philo Carpenter, Henry T. Steele, John Wentworth, Levi B. Taft,
James Ward and Christian Wahl.
nding February.
t V.
ending December ji
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
*i?o2 — Luther Haven, president; Flavel Moseley, John II.
J. Coiiins Wicker. Philo Carpenter. Henry T. Steele, John
Wentworth, Levi B. Taft, lames Ward, Christian Wahl, William
H. K\,kr. Charles N. Holden. Walter L. Newberry, James W.
Sheahan and R. PrindiviUe.
•1863 — Walter L. Newberry, president ; Philo Carpenter,
lames W. Sheahan, Lorenz Brentano, John H. Foster, Charles N.
1, Henry T. Steele, William J. Onahan, R. PrindiviUe. J.
Collins Wicker. Levi B. l'.ift. John Wentworth, Flavel Moseley,
am II. Rvder and Christian Wahl.
tl864-65— Charles X. Holden. president; J. H. Foster, vice-
president ; foseph Bonfield, L). S. Wentworth, Henry T. Steele,
>. S. Haves' E. Blackm.m, M. W. Leavitt, R. M. Guilford, John
11. Foster, W. H. Rvder. L. Brentano, George C.Clarke, David
H. Felsenthai. A. W. Tinkham and J. F. Ballantyne.
*is6;-66 — Charles N. Holden, president; G. C. Clarke,
vice-president ; E. Blackman. M. W. Leavitt, R. M. Guilford, John
11. Foster. W. H. Rvder. L. Brentano, David Walsh, lohn VanHorn,
A W. Tinkham. J. F. Ballantyne, Joseph F. Bonfield, D. S. Went-
worth, S. A. Briggs, and E F. Runyan.
{1866-67 — George C. Clarke, president: Samuel A. Briggs,
vice-president ; Tohn H. Foster, W. H. Ryder, L. Brentano,
David Walsh, Emil Dreier, A. W. Tinkham,' J. F. Ballantyne,
F. Bonfield, L. L. Bond, E. F. Runyan, M. W. Leavitt,
R. M. Guilford, T. M. Avery, and F. A. Eastman.
S 1867-68 — L. Brentano, president; Samuel A. Briggs,
vice-president; David Walsh, Emil Dreier. A. W. Tinkham, T-
F. Ballantyne, J. F. Bonfield, L L. Bond, E F. Runyan, W. H.
Carter, R. M. Guilford, T. M. Avery, F. A. Eastman, John
Wentworth, W. H. King and C. C. Meserve.
.; i-6s-6ij — S. A. Briggs, president; Ransom M. Guilford,
vice-president ; John Wentworth, William H. Carter, William H.
King. Joseph F. Bonfield, James T. Healy, John D. Tully,
David Walsh, John Macalister, Charles N. Holden, Lester L.
Bond, Jeremiah B. Briggs, Eben F. Runyan, Charles Wuensche,
Curtis C. Meserve, Theodore Schintz, Robert Clark, Samuel Shack-
ford, and Chalkley J. Hambleton.
i ; -'y)-~o — William H. King, president ; Eben F. Runyan,
vice-president; John Wentworth, William H. Carter Joseph N.
Barker, Leander Stone, Jonathan B. Stephens, John D. Tully,
David Walsh, John Macalister, Charles N. Holden, John C. Rich-
- :miah B. Briggs, Avery Moore, Charles Wuensche, Curtis
C. Meserve. Theodore Schintz, Robert Clark, Samuel Shackford,
and Chalkley J. Hambleton.
§1870—71 — Eben T. Runyan, president; John Macalister,
vice-president ; John Wentworth, Robert F. Queal, William H.
King, Joseph N. Barker. Leander Stone, Jonathan B. Stephens,
John D. Tully. David Walsh, Joseph S. Reynolds, John C. Rich-
berg. Jeremiah I'.. Briggs, Avery Moore. Charles Wuensche, Curtis
rve, Theodore schintz, Robert Clark, Samuel Shackford,
and Chalkley J. Hambleton.
John II. FOSTER, deceased, one of Chicago's most prominent
educational patrons, was born in the town of Hillsborough, N.H.,
March s, 17'/) ; being the second son of Aaron and Mehetable
(Nichols) Foster, who were simple, Christian and steadfast per-
sons. Work upon the farm in summer and study in the district
school in winter, occupied his time until he had reached the age of
(teen, when he entered Kimball Union Academy at Meriden,
N.H. / Foster taught hi in 1 chool at Schoharie,
brother, Rev. Aaron I oster, of Charlemont,
hing. Tor a time he continui d to assist his father
- studies in the autumn and teaching during
the win' ■. Hampshire villages. UK mother, who
■ f more than common intellectual ability, died in
ter studied medicine at Dartmouth College from
1 by 1S32 had accumulated some thousand
on and by the strictest economy.
led his money in Morgan County, 111., lands,
home. While here he was appointed
a (orgeon in the army and served during the Black Hawk War.
lie had . lieutenant in the army
■ad bad been I ned ;it Tort Dearborn. Lieutenant
Foster pari of the original town lots of Chicago, but
•Year rmim^ U
t January t, 1
■ K i.t 31, iV/j.
I Year ending July.
was afterward ordered to Fort Howard, Wis., and while there was
shot and killed by an insubordinate soldier, whom he had repri-
manded for drunkenness. This occurred in 1832, and Dr. Foster
came to Chicago, as one of the heirs, to look after the estate.
Having confidence in the future of the unprepossessing town, he
boughT the interests of the others, and thus laid the foundation for
the considerable fortune which he accumulated. Dr. Foster re-
mained in Chicago until 1S36, when he left his property, then a
drug upon the market, in the hands of his attorney, and spent
some two years in New England. On September 21, 1S40, Dr.
Foster married Miss Nancy Smith, of Peterborough, N.H. They
immediately removed to Chicago, where their real estate was again
assuming a positive value. Three daughters were born to them, to
whom in iS6cjhegave nearly one-half of his entire real property, with
the design of lightening his shoulders of many business cares. This
wise step no doubt would have had the desired effect of lengthen-
ing his life many years, had it not been for the unfortunate accident
which caused his death. On Saturday, May 9, 1S74, he was
violently thrown from his carriage, in consequence of a sudden
start of his horse. He was immediately taken home, and, after a
short season of insensibility, his wonderful constitution seemed to
rally and confident hopes of his recovery were entertained; but on Sun-
day, the 17th, fatal symptoms suddenly appeared, and on Monday,
the iSth, he fell asleep so quietly that those about him hardly knew
the moment of his departure. His funeral took place on Wednesday,
the 20th, from Unity Church, of which he had been for many years
a quiet and unassuming member. The sermon, preached by Rev.
Robert Collyer, was a touching tribute to the great heart and wise
mind of the departed. As a public man, Dr. Foster was best
known in the departments of the city and state education, and the
Chicago Board of Education justly placed him beside those other
corner stones in the upbuilding of the system, Flavel Moseley and
Luther Haven. Resolutions in memory of the deceased were not
only passed by this Board, but the Half-Orphan Asylum and Hu-
mane Society added the mite of their contribution to the general
offering which was placed upon his grand character by the whole
city. Dr. Foster left a wife and three daughters, Mrs Perkins
Bass, Mrs. E. C. Porter and Mrs. George E. Adams.
Luther Haven, deceased, never brought his ability and
energy more effectively to bear, than while he was identified with
the public schools of Chicago. He has left his impress upon her
system and his name to adorn one of her most magnificent insti-
tutions. Born upon a farm, near Framingham Mass., in 1807, he
obtained sufficient schooling, by the time he was seventeen years of
age, to be able to teach. From 1S31 to 1S34 he spent in a private
academy at Ellington, Conn., after which he was engaged as a
teacher in the English and mathematical department of the Leices
ter Academy, then one of the leading institutions of learning in
the United States. He afterward was principal of the department
for eleven years. The four years following he spent in various
mercantile pursuits in Massachusetts, coming to Chicago in 1849.
Shortly after his arrival, he engaged in the manufacture of linseed
oil with Dr. F. Scammon, brother of J. Young Scammon, and a
year later formed a partnership with B. F. Adams, the father of
George E. Adams, in the real estate business. For a number of
years the firm was among the most prominent in the city. In
various capacities Mr. Haven was connected with the public school
system of Chicago for ten years, or, to be more particular, from
January, 1853, to October, 1863. During the last four years he
was president of the Board of Education, and made for himself a
name which, as stated in the resolutions of that body, passed at
the time of his death, " will be handed down to posterity as one
of the fathers and founders of our liberal system of education."
When John Wentworth ran for mayor, in 1S60, Mr. Haven was
named as city comptroller, but he declined the honor. In October,
1861, he was appointed by President Lincoln as collector of the
port and, ex officio, United States depositary. He was re-appointed
by President Johnson in February, 1S66, and unanimously con-
firmed by the senate, being an incumbent of this position at the
lime of his death on March 9th of that year. After an illness of
five weeks, superinduced by congestion of the lungs, he breathed
his last, a public man and private citizen of sterling honesty and
faithfulness, a prudent counsellor, a generous friend and a devoted
husband and father. He left at his death four children and a
widow. Mrs. Haven was formerly Ann Elizabeth Wheaton, the
eldest daughter of John R. Wheaton, of Warren, R. I. Mr.
Haven's death was the occasion of special action by the Board of
on, the Board of Trade and the officers of the Custom
11 ■•: . his funeral being attended by the substantial and public-
spirited citizens of Chicago, all of whom mourned him as one of the
besl citizens of Chicago.
FLAVEL MOSELEY was born in the year 1798. In company
with Jason Met lord, whom he had met in Cincinnati, and with
whom he formed a partnership, Mr. Moseley came to Chicago in
1834, and opened a general country store, near the corner of Wells
THE SCHOOLS.
'OS
and South Water streets. The partnership was dissolved about
1S50, Mr. Moseley retiring, having in the meantime made judicious
investments in real estate, lie thus continued to actively employ
himself until failing health, three years before his death, forced
him to withdraw from business. From the time of the first organ-
ization of the public school system of Chicago, until the winter of
1862-63, Mr. Moseley labored for its welfare, as no man ever did
before, or has since. He served on the Hoard of Education a
greater length of time than any other citizen. He was the first to
contribute §1,000 for an " Indigent Children's Fund," and also
gave the High School, then struggling into life, liberal assistance.
Never having married, Mr. Moseley seems to have devoted his
warmest affections to the cause of public education in his adopted
city, and the high standard reached by the common school is largely,
if not mostly, the result of his labors. As stated, he resigned in
the winter of 1S62-63, and sailed for Cuba, in a vain effort to up-
build his failing health. He spent three winters in that milder
clime, but during the fall of 1S65, realizing that he could not sur-
vive a fourth season even there, he started for Chicago ; but he
never reached the city alive, expiring on the 30th of October, at
Williamsburg, X. V. His estate was valued at about $200,000,
and, as was to have been expected, in his will he remembered the
public schools of Chicago in a liberal way, giving them $10, °°° in
addition to the previous donation of Si ,000 to assist the poor children
of the city to obtain an education. This has since been known as the
" Moseley Public School Book Fund " Mr. Moseley was a faith-
ful member of the Second Presbyterian Church, and upon his death
$50,000 went toward establishing and maintaining its Sabbath
School ; $10,000 to the Home Missionary Society of Xew York
City (Congregational I; $10,000 to the Chicago Home for the
Friendless, and a like amount to the Orphan Asylum. The de-
ceased has a sister living in North Windham, Conn., and one at
Hampton, in the same county, and a half-brother. Edward Mose-
ley, at Ellington, Conn. Two brothers, Elnathan and Anson C,
reside in Penobscot Co , Me ; Eben is a resident of Palos, Miami
Co., Ind., and Harvey, of Columbus, Ga.
Samuel Snowden Hayes, deceased, was born at Nashville,
Tenn., December 25, 1820, and is a son of Dr R. P. Haves and
Mary C. (Snowden) Hayes, whose father was an influential Pres-
byterian minister and one of the founders of Princeton College.
Dr. Hayes and his wife had removed to Nashville soon after the
close of the war of 1S12, during which he had been a surgeon of
a New York regiment. In 1S2S, his wife died, and, in 1S37, Dr.
Hayes followed her. Having obtained a good academic and class-
ical education, Mr. Hayes learned the drug business, and, in Au-
gust, 1S38, bought a stock and settled in Shawneetown, 111. After
carrying on the business two vears, he sold out and began the study
of law in the office of Henry Eddy. He was admitted to the bar
in 1S42, and at once settled at Mount Vernon, 111. After a brief
residence there, he removed to Carmi, White County, where he
remained in the practice of his profession until the winter of
1850-51, when he removed to Chicago. This was soon after his
marriage to Lizzie J., eldest daughter of Colonel E D. Taylor,
then of Michigan City, afterward one of the prominent men of
the city and state. Before removing to Chicago, Mr. Hayes
had acquired quite a position as a political leader, being a ready
speaker and a stalwart Democrat from youth. In 1845, he was a
delegate to the Memphis Convention, called to promote western
and southern commercial interests and internal improvements and,
in 1846, was elected to the State Legislature by a handsome majority
over the Whig candidate. In the spring of 1S47, he raised a com-
pany for the Mexican War, being the first to volun-
teer; but owing to the distance from the seat of
government, the muster-rolls were not received there
until the quota of the state had been filled. The
same season, also, he served as a delegate to a con-
vention for the revision of the constitution, taking
a prominent part in its deliberations as chairman of
the Committee on Law Reform. In the autumn of
1848, he was a successful candidate for Presidential
Elector on the Cass-Butler ticket; also for reelection
to the State Legislature. During the session of
the Legislature for 1S4S-49, he acted as chairman
of the Committee on Education. Soon after his removal to
Chicago he was employed by the city authorities as counsellor
and city solicitor. Although a warm personal friend of Senator
Douglas, when that gentleman supported the repeal of the Mis-
souri Compromise he found one of his strongest opponents in Mr.
Hayes. He did not abandon the Democratic party, however,
believing in its distinctive principles. In, 1856, he supported
Buchanan, but sided with Senator Douglas in opposing his course
in attempting to bring Kansas into the Union as a slave state, con-
tinuing to be his warm friend, as he had ever been, and his firm
ally until his death. Although at times severely criticizing the
acts of the administration, Mr. Hayes was uniformly in favor of
crushing the Rebellion by force of arms; realizing at the same time,
as few did at the commencement of the war, the grave nature of
the opposition to be encountered, lie did not, in short, believe
that the existence <>i the Democratic party was dependent upon
the institution of shivery. Mr. Hayes was often honored by the
public, being several times elected to a seat in national conven-
tions and acted once as president of a state convention. In 1S62,
he was called to assume the responsible office of city comptroller.
Among his other acts to raise and sustain the public credit, was
the creation of a sinking fund for the liquidation of the bonded
debt of the city by procuring an act of the Legislature requiring
an annual tax of one mill on all its taxable property. For two
terms he was member of the Boarel of Education, and made so
enviable a record for himself that the public school building on
Leavitt Street was named in his honor. He resigned his position
as comptroller in May, 1S65, and soon afterward was appointed
one of the three members of the United States Revenue Commis-
sion, to inquire into the sources of national revenue and revise and
recommend improvements in the tax system of the United States.
The choice for the Democratic Commissioner lay between George
H. Pendleton and Mr. Hayes. The report which he made was
especially original and comprehensive, bringing him into national
prominence. In February, 1S67, the law was passed for the estab-
lishment of the State Industrial University, and Governor Oglesby
appointed Mr. Hayes a member of the Board of Trustees. He
served until the expiration of his term in 1S73. He was a promi-
nent member of the Constitutional Convention of 1S70-71, and
during the great fire in Chicago took an active part in the work of
relief. He became city comptroller again, under Mayor Colvin,
in 1873, and at a time when the city's finances were under the
cloud which darkened the country. His management of this re-
sponsible trust was all that could be desired. And not only did
Mr. Hayes show his great ability in the management of public
trusts, but also of his own affairs. He was a large land owner in
and around Chicago, and annually expended large sums of money
in the erection of buildings and the improvement of real estate.
Abner Wells Henderson was born in Bridgewater, Oneida
Co., N. Y., in the year 1S12. He was the son of Solomon and
Eliza (Wellsl Henderson. Almost from childhood he won the
reputation, which he held to old age, of being an earnest student
and an accurate scholar. At the very early age of thirteen he was
prepared to enter Union College, Schenectady. There he held
foremost rank in his studies, and graduated when seventeen years
old, under President Nott, with whom he was a special favorite.
Later he pursued theological studies, and entered the Presbyterian
ministry. He married, in 1S42, Miss Helen Eddy, daughter of
Seth Eddy, a wealthy and widely known merchant of Stillwater,
Saratoga Co., N. Y. In all their after life Mrs. Henderson was a
faithful, efficient and helpful co-worker in his labors, both for the
cause of the church and education. Owing to a throat disease, Mr.
Flenderson was forced to abandon preaching temporarily, and
devoted his time to teaching. At an early day he lei t his home in
Utica, N. Y., and removed to Chicago in 1843, and in that year
opened the first seminary for young ladies. The daughters of
prominent men among the'early settlers who were then his pupils,
and who now grace homes of their own, refer often to the lasting
influence of Mr. and Mrs. Henderson, not only in their educational
attainments, but in the molding and strengthening of their charac-
ters as well. When health was restored, he immediately resumed
his pastoral duties, having charge of a church in Morris, and lat-
terly in Elgin, 111 He was the first to suggest and establish the
daily noon service in the Chicago Bridewell. After the commence-
ment of the war he accepted, in 1S61, the appointment of Chaplain
to the 13th Illinois Cavalry. He discharged his duties in the
camp, the field and the hospitals with such spc.'ial fidelity as to
io6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
win the approbation of officers and men of every class and charac-
ter. For more than three years he persevered in these arduous
labors, not even taking a furlough, until ordered north by his phy-
sicians to save his life. He suffered a long illness, from which he
was never fully restored. For the benefit of his health he spent
four years traveling with his family in Europe and the Holy Land.
He returned to Chicago in 1S69, and immediately resumed work
in the interests of the church. A return of his disease was the
cause of his death, which occurred in Chicago, October tS. 1S72.
He left surviving him a wife, son and daughter. He is described
by those who were his co-workers and knew him intimately, to have
been one of the best scholars in the Chicago Presbytery
John Clark Dork, son of Ezekiel and Abigail Dore, was
born" in Ossipee, Carroll Co., X. H.. March 22, 1S22. Early in
life, he showed such aptness as a scholar that he was, on examina-
tion, deemed well qualified to teach when seventeen years of age.
By teaching he was enabled to pursue his studies, and to enter
Dartmouth College when twenty-one, from which he graduated
with honor in 1847. Just before graduating, Mr. Dore received an
appointment as assistant teacher in a public school in Boston, and
- - :i after elected principal of the Boylston school. His suc-
cess as a teacher and organizer in Boston became known to the
Board of Education of Chicago, and in March, 1S54, he was
elected first superintendent of the public schools of Chicago. He
entered immediately upon the duties of his office, and classified the
pupils in all the schools upon the Boston plan. The present
public school system of Chicago was inaugurated by him. Mr.
Dore resigned his office of superintendent in the spring of 1856,
having served two years, to engage in mercantile pursuits, but was
soon after elected a member of the Board of Education. He con-
tinued a member of the Board for several years, and was at one
time its president. In recognition of the valuable services of Mr.
Dore in the cause of public education in Chicago, one of the largest
school buildings of the city was named the Dore School. As a
merchant, Mr. Dore was successful, and honored by his associates
in trade. He was made vice-president of the Board of Trade in
1865, and president in 1S66. Mr. Dore was president of the
Commercial Insurance Companv for several years, and, in 1S69,
was president of the local Board of Underwriters. He was also
elected president of the State Savings Institution soon after the
great fire, but resigned and sold out his stock in 1S73, leaving the
bank not only solvent but with a large surplus (over a quarter of a
million of dollars), as an examination of the books of the bank
clearly showed, after the failure of the bank under a far different
management, in 1S77, four years later. Mr. Dore was State Sen-
ator four years, from 1S68 to 1S73, during which time he drew the
bills for the Humane Laws of the State, and for the charter for the
Illinois Humane Society, procuring their passage by the General
Assembly. The Illinois Humane Society was organized through
his instrumentality. He was president of the Society for several
years, and still continues (1S84) a director. In politics, Mr. Dore
is a Republican. He was formerly president of the Newsboys'
and Bootblacks' Home. The deed of the lot on which the Home
stands is now (1S84) in his name. Mr. Dore was married January
to Mi" Annie I'.. Moulton, daughter of Dr. Alvah Moul-
ton, a distinguished physician of Ossipee, N. H. Their only
child, a son, died in infancy,
WlIXARD WoODARD was born in Sandwich, Mass., Decem-
ber 12. 1924, and when only six weeks old his parents, Joseph and
Esther (Pike) Woodard, moved to Ilopkinton, Mass., where they
made their permanent home. It was at the latter-named place
that he received his education, spending the summer on the farm
with his parents, and attending the public school, and finally the
He regularly learned the trade of boot-maker, working
in the summer at his trade, while in the winter he taught school,
sometimes teaching through the entire year. When he was twenty-
five years of I into merchandising, opening a drug,
book and jewelry store af Ilopkinton, and in 1856 he came Chi-
lle was employed here as the prim ipal ol the Jones Si hool,
-it that time at the corner of '.'lark and Harrison streets,
which v. th school of the city, taking all the scholars
south of Harrison Street, on the South Side. Flavel Moseley was
then president of the School Board. At a Teachers' Institute, the
first one Mr. "■ nded, forty.-seven teachers win- pres-
ent, thai being the entire number then employed, the president of
the Board having informed the teachers that absence from m
institute, without excuse, would be regarded as a resignation,
Mr. Woe* • lit year-,, and resigned
with George Sherwood in the publication of
school bool nected with this house. In
from the old Ninth Ward,
Republican ward in the city at that time, to the Council, and held
the position until 1871, 'hen he was elected to thi
a member during the first session after the new constitu-
tion was adopted. He was a member of he first City Library
Board, appointed during the Medill administration, and was ap-
pointed by Governor Cullom a member of the West Park Commis-
sioners, and was president of the Board three years. Mr. Wood-
aid was married in Ilopkinton, Mass., in 1851, to Miss Levina J.
Ellery, and has three children — Charles Sumner; Flora A., wife
of William H. Garrison, an attorney of the city, and Jennie E ,
wife of Edward Dicker, of the firm of Mathews & Ticker, attor-
neys, also of Chicago.
James Ward, deceased, building and supply agent for eight-
een years, was born near Antrim, North Ireland, August 1, 1814.
When twenty years of age, he left home, settling first at Auburn,
N. V., where he managed a farm and stone quarryuntil 1S41, when
he decided to emigrate to the West. His destination was Dubuque,
Iowa, but arriving in Chicago, he concluded to remain here. He
soon made the acquaintance of Philo Carpenter, and removed from
the business portion of the city out into the country, to the south-
east corner of Sangamon and Randolph streets, where he pur-
chased a one-third block from his new-found friend. Having
engaged in the grain and pork business, he soon was able to build
a residence, which was done, being the fourth house erected upon
Carpenter's Addition. About this time, he and his brother Hugh
commenced to obtain a wide reputation a: builders, which resulted
in their erecting many substantial edifices between Halsted Street
and the river. After continuing a successful partnership for eight
years, his brother died. Mr. Ward served as a member of the
Board of Education from 1S57 until 1S63, when he retired, and
was appointed building and supply agent, which office he held
until the time of his death, July 6, 1S81 In appreciation of his
valuable services rendered to the cause of education in Chicago,
the "Ward School," located on Shields Avenue and Twenty-
seventh Street-, was named after him. Mr. Ward was three times
married, his first, wife being Mary E. Hickson, of Auburn N. Y.
She died in Chicago in 1855. He next married Orchestra Pier, of
Syracuse, N. Y., who lived only about two years after the mar-
riage. His third wife was Mary E Smith, of Chicago. He had
nine children — Sarah Agnes (wife of William A. Amberg, of Chi-
cago) and Mary Etta (wife of Edward J. Gannon, of Dallas,
Texas), daughters of his first wife ; Frank Carpenter, Albert James,
Anna Rebecca, Charles Stewart, Walter Moses, Klla C, and James
Amberg, children by his last wife.
Music, Drawing and German. — At a meeting of
the Inspectors and Trustees of Common Schools held
December 10, 1S41, at the office of William Jones, it
was agreed to introduce vocal music into the public
school system. N. Gilbert, the first teacher, was soon
afterward employed. After the first quarter in the year
1843, vocal music was discontinued, but was re-intro-
duced in the fall of 1846, although not as a permanent
branch. In January, 1848, Frank Lumbard was ap-
pointed teacher of vocal music, continuing in that
position until December, 1853, when he was succeeded
by Christopher Plagge, who resigned in March, 1854,
being succeeded by J. L. Slayton, who served until
July, 1856. In September of that year William Tilling-
hast was elected teacher of vocal music, serving until
the middle of October, i860, when the board deemed it
inexpedient to continue this branch of instruction.
Charles Ansorge served from November, 1863, to Janu-
ary, 1865, as teacher of music in the High School, and
Orlando Blackman was appointed teacher for the gram-
mar and primary schools in November, 1863, and still
continues his connection with the schools in this capac-
ity. E. E. Whittemore was appointed, in 1867, as
additional teacher of vocal music. Messrs. Whittemore
and blackman graded the instruction in vocal music
and brought the system into its present shape.
In 1865, the attention of the Board of Education
was first called to the importance of teaching drawing
in the primary grades. A trial was first made in the
Brown School, and in 1867, Miss A. E. Trimingham,
teacher of drawing in the High School, commenced to
give instruction to teachers at the Teachers' Institute.
The superintendent, in his report for that year, pointed
out the importance of employing a teacher for the
grammar and primary schools. In 1869, Bartholomew's
Drawing liooks were adopted as text books, but in
THE SCHOOLS.
107
November, 1870, the study of drawing as now taught in
the public schools was discontinued. In December,
however, Misses Clara F. Currier and Mary Starr were
employed to give two lessons a week in each of the first
six grades, the time and length of the lessons to be reg-
ulated by a programme to be drawn up under the direc-
tion of the principals of the several schools. They
continued in these positions until the summer of 1872.
attendance during the session being one hundred and
fifty. In January, 1863, a school was opened in the
Dearborn Building, and continued until March, the
average attendance of both sexes being two hundred
and twenty. The school was re-opened in November,
1863, and remained in session until March, 1864. An
appropriation of $5,000, made during the fiscal Year
1864-65, enabled the Hoard of Education to enlarge the
\YI N-SCHOOL BUILDING.
The first experiment of introducing German into the
public schools below the High School, was made in the
Washington School, West Division, in October, 1865.
A class was then formed, under the charge of Mrs. Pau-
line M. Reed. In April, 1866, she was transferred to
the High School, and was succeeded by Mrs. Caroline
McFee. In July, 1866, so successful had been the
experiment, that the board resolved to introduce the
study into the Franklin and Newberry schools, for the
benefit of scholars in the North Division ; into the
Moseley School, for the South Division; and the Wells
School, for the West. By the close of the year, seven
hundred pupils were pursuing the study. It was intro-
duced into the Cottage Grove School in May, 1868 ;
into the Kinzie School in September, 1868; Carpenter
School, January, 1869 ; LaSalle-street Primary School,
January, 1870; into the Haven School in May, 1870;
the Skinner School in September, 1870; the Scammon
School, October, 1870 ; the Lincoln School, January,
187 1 ; and into the Ogden School in September, 187 1.
At the time of the great fire, which caused a suspension
of the study until the following January, there were over
four thousand pupils studying German in the district
schools.
Evening Schools. — The main facts in regard to
the evening schools of Chicago are gathered from the
historical sketch prepared by Shepherd Johnston in
1880. The first experiment of organizing free evening
schools was made during the winter of 1856, the sessions
being held in West Market-Hall, on West Randolph
Street, between Desplaines and Union streets, three
evenings each week, under charge of Daniel S. Went-
worth. The use of the hall was furnished by the city,
and the services of the teachers were gratuitous. The
school was opened with sixty scholars, the average
system of public evening schools, and in the fall of 1864
institutions of this character were opened in the Frank-
lin school-building, in the North Division ; in the Dear-
born and Haven school-buildings, in the South Division ;
and in the Washington and Foster school-buildings in
the West Division. The evening schools were contin-
ued each year from 1863 to 187 1, when owing to the
great fire they were broken up, and no appropriation
was made by the Council until 1873.
Special Funds. — The condition of the special
funds in the summer of 187 1, with an account of their
formation, is thus given in the report for the year end-
ing June of that year :
Moseley Book Fund. — In 1856, a fund of §1.000 was
established by the late Flavel Moseley. the interest of
which is expended in purchasing text books for indigent
children attending the public schools. During the year
1867, a bequest of $10,000 made by Mr. Moseley, less a
revenue tax of $600, was added to this fund, so that
the total fund now amounts to $10,400.
Foster Medal Fund.— In 1857, Dr. John H. Foster
established a fund of $1,000, the avails of which are
expended in procuring medals and other awards of
merit for the most deserving pupils attending the gram-
mar departments of the district schools.
Jones Fund. — In 1858, William Jones established a
fund of $1,000, the interest of whii h is applied for the
benefit of the Jones School, in procuring text books
for indigent children, books of reference, maps,
globes, etc.
Newberry Fund. — In 1862. Walter I.. Newberry
established a fund of $1,000, the interest of which is
applied for the benefit of the Newberry School, in
procuring text books for indigent children, school
apparatus, books for reference, etc.
lo8
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Porter Telegraph College Scholarship.— -In 1867, E.
Payson Porter donated one life-scholarship to the grad-
uating; class of each department of the High School,
annually for the period of ten years, to be awarded
to the pupil in each class whose average for the year is
the highest among those who have been neither absent
nor tardy during the year.
tenter Fund. — In 1S0S. Philo Carpenter estab-
lished a fund of Si. 000. the interest of which is to be
applied for the benefit of the Carpenter School.
Holden Fund.— In 1868, Charles N. Holden placed
in the hands of the secretary $100, with instructions to
draw on him annually for a similar amount, until $1,000
are placed at the disposal of the Board, to be expended
for the benefit of the Holden School as follows: Eight-
tenths of the amount to be used in the purchase of text
books, for deserving and needy children attending the
school who are not able to supply themselves; the
remaining two-tenths, together with all not expended
for text books for needy children, to be used in the
purchase of books for prizes.
Burr Fund. — In 1868, Jonathan Burr, in his last
will and testament, proved in Probate Court February
25, 1869, after certain specific bequests to various rela-
tives and public institutions, bequeathed one-eleventh of
the balance of his property and estate to the City of
Chicago, in trust, the annual income of the same to be
paid over to the Board of Education, to be expended
in procuring books of reference, maps, charts, illus-
trative apparatus and works of taste and art; and in
case the City of Chicago fails to provide the necessary
text books and slates for indigent children attending
the public schools of the city, then the Board of Edu-
cation is authorized and directed, at its discretion, to
use and expend the whole or any part of said income
for such purpose.
School Finances. — The following comparative
tables show the status of school finances for the years
ending June, 1S71, and June, 1872 :
From School Tax Fund ...$366,024 89 $303,802 53
From State Fund 41 ,758 19 30,484 "17
From kcnts and Interest 69,299 22 61,002 71
The following table explains itself :
$477,082 30 $395, 2Sg 41
EXPENDITURES,
From School Tax Fund :
1870-71.
F'or Salaries of Teachers $444,634 53.
For Rents of Buildings 9.9H 1"
For Janitors, Fuel an>:
... 102,827 i\ .
rmanent Improve-
ments 39. '"4 53-
16,388 25
lilding Fund :
• 70 .973 ^4.
Build-
tag* - 154.036
187.-72.
-$359,588 07
- 6,157 9°
. 101,072 15
- 12.531 77
$479,349 95
-$ 78, <xx) 00
16 386 79
Total
No.
Paid for
Current
Ending
Enrollment.
•teachers.
Tuition.
Expenses.
Feb. I,
1S5S..
IC7S6
Si
$ 36,079 OO
$ 45,701 OO
Feb. 1,
1S59--
12,873
lOI
43,009 89
^S.686 80
Feb. 1,
1S60..
M.I99
123
49.612 43
69,630 53
Feb. 1,
1861..
16,547
139
60,994 46
8i,533 75
Dec. 31,
1861..
16,441
160
6S,6o7 97
S6.755 32
Dec. 31,
1862- .
17.521
IS7
75.326 18
92,378 86
Dec. 31,
1S63..
21,188
212
SS.III 56
113,305 24
Aug. 31,
1S65*-
29,080
24O
131,034 91
176,003 12
Aug. 31,
1866..
24,851
265
162 383 79
219,198 66
Aug. 31,
1867..
27,260
319
227,524 97
296,672 89
July 1,
1868..
29,954
401
278,133 06
352,001 80
July 1,
1869..
34.740
4S1
350,515 43
446,786 50
July 1,
1870.
3S.939
557
414,655 70
527,741 60
July 1,
1871-
40.832
572
444,634 53
547,461 74
$225,01., 1- -174,886 79
Albert G. Lane, county superintendent of schools, was born
March 15, 1841, in Galewood, Jefferson Township, Cook Co., 111.,
his parents being Elisha B. and Amanda (Grannis) Lane. His
father went to that locality in 1S36, but moved to Chicago soon
after the birth of his son, where he established himself as a car-
penter. Previous to his death in February, 18S4, he was connected
for seventeen years with the Department of Public Buildings of
the city government. Albert G. Lane received his primary educa-
tion at the Scammon School (District No. 3) and afterward as a
member of the first high school class. In November, 1858, he
commenced his long and successful career as an educator by becom-
ing a teacher in the Franklin School, whose territory then embraced
one of the largest districts in the city. In December. 1S69, he was
elected superintendent of schools of the county, which position he
held four years. Being defeated for reelection he took charge of
Preston, Kean & Co.'s West Side Bank for four years, when, in
November, 1877, he was chosen to the position which he now
holds, and admirably fills. On July 18, 1878, Mr. Lane was mar-
ried to Miss Frances Smallwood, an accomplished lady who had
been a teacher, for ten years, in the Central High School. They
have two daughters.
George Howland, present superintendent of schools, is a
native of Conway, F>anklin Co., Mass. He is the son of William
Avery Howland. His mother's maiden name was Hannah Mor-
ton. Both of his parents were natives of New England. George
Flowland spent his boyJiood upon his father's farm, devoting his
leisure to such studies as were within his reach. In course of time
he entered Williston Seminary, East Hampton, and afterward
Amherst College, from which he was graduated in 1S50. Two
years after receiving his degree as Bachelor of Arts, he returned to
Amherst, and was connected with the college for five years — first as
tutor and then as instructor in Latin and French. In December.
1857, he arrived in Chicago, and the following January was elected
a teacher in the High School, which position he held until July,
i860, when he was elected principal. After twentv years of work,
his faithfulness and ability were openly rewarded by his election to
the position of superintendent of schools, in July, 1S80. During
the previous year he had been elected trustee of Amherst College,
and was reelected in 1884. In 1881, he was appointed a member
of the Illinois State Board of Education, and elected president
thereof in 1883.
Histories of the Public Schools. — Dearborn
School. — The first permanent building for public educa-
tional purposes was erected in the spring of 1845, on
the ground now occupied by the Crystal Block and
Hershey Music Hall, opposite McVicker's Theater. It
was known as "School No. 1" until its name was
changed to the Dearborn School, in February, 1858.
" Upon the opening of the building," says Mr. Johnston,
" districts Nos. I ami 2 were consolidated into one, and were accom-
hhh1.ii, ,1 in this building; and from this time until the opening of
tli' new I, nil, lint; on Block No. 1 13, School-section Addition, after-
ward known as the Jones School, the reports are headed Districts
1 and 2. ( Ine year after the opening of the building there were
enrolled in the school live hundred and forty-three pupils; at the
end of the second year six hundred and sixty pupils; and at the
end of the third year, eight hundred and sixty-four pupils. The
lirst teachers in the school were Austin D. Sturtevant, principal,
• Eighteen months.
THE SCHOOLS.
log
who had been in the employ of the city in districts Nos. 3 and 2,
since October, 1S40, and Misses Lucia A. Garvin and Martha
Uurant. Mr. Sturtevant remained in charge until August, 184(1,
when he resigned, and was succeeded by A. W. Ingalls, who
remained in charge until his death in April. 1S50. F. A. Benham
was the next appointee, being followed by J. P. Brooks, who
served from April, 1S54, to February, 1S55; l'erkins Bass from
February, 1S55, to May, 1S56; O. B. Hewitt from May, 1S56, to
April, 1S57; George D. Broomell until November, 1S63; Albert K.
Sabin to July, 1865, George D. Broomell to July, 1866; Daniel S.
Wentworth to July, 1867; Leslie Lewis to October, 1869; Andrew
M. Brooks to January, 1S70; and Alfred P. Burbank from March,
1870, to July, 1871. The Dearborn-school building was used for
school purposes till the close of the school year, in June, 1S71,
when the lot was leased by the Common Council to Rand, McNally
& Co.; and a building known as Johnson Hall, located on Wabash
Avenue, near Monroe Street, was rented for the accommodation of
the school at a rental of $3,600 per annum. The Dearborn-school
building was torn down during the summer of 1871. The school
was continued after the summer vacation of 1871 in Johnson Hall,
under the charge of Miss Alice L. Barnard, as principal, until the
great fire swept over the while territory of the Dearborn-school
district, when the organization of the Dearborn School became
extinct."
Kinzie School. — In March, 1845, tne question of
erecting a permanent building in District No. 4, North
Division, was agitated, recommended by the Committee
on Schools in June, and the structure completed in
January, 1S46. The site was on the corner of LaSalle
Avenue and Ohio Street, being purchased by William
B. Ogden. The size of the building was forty-five by
seventy feet, two stories high. Its first principal was
A. G. Wilder, who had been in charge of the school of
this district since 1843, and retained his position for
a period of fourteen years. In 1857, Philip Atkinson
succeeded him, serving until the fall of 1858. The
next principal was Benjamin D. Slocum, who served
until 1862, when William J. Armstrong was chosen to
the position. After remaining about four months he
was succeeded by Jeremiah Slocum, who served until
May, 1864, when lie was transferred to the Moseley
School. Ira S. Baker was Mr. Slooum's successor and
remained in charge of the school until the fall of 1868.
F. Hanford was principal during the school year 1868-69,
and was followed by James Hannan, who continued thus
to act up to the time the main building and branch were
destroyed by the fire of 187 1.
The branch building of the Kinzie School was
authorized to be erected by the Common Council in
May, 1862, and was completed during that year.
Scammon School. — The question of erecting a per-
manent building for the West Division was considered
during the early portion of 1846. It was completed
during the year, the structure being of brick and two
stories in height; its location being on land belonging
to the School Fund on Madison Street, east of Halsted.
In October, 1861, a four-room frame buiiding was
ordered erected on what was then known as the Scam-
mon-school lot, and completed in 1862, at a cost of about
$2,800. A. D. Sturtevant, its first principal, was suc-
ceeded, in 1854, by Daniel S. Wentworth. Mr. Went-
worth served until January, 1863, when he was followed
by A. H. Vanzwoll, who continued in the position until
after the fire.
Jones School. — In November, 1846, an order was
passed by the School Inspectors to employ a teacher in
the southern portion of the First and Second districts,
which was the beginning of the Jones School. Miss
Alice L. Barnard taught the school in a small rented
building on the northwest corner of Wabash Avenue
and Twelfth Street. In September, 184S, this lot was
purchased at a sale of canal lands, and the building was
occupied for school purposes until the Haven scl I-
house was built in the fall of 1862, this school being
taught during this period by Miss Barnard. Upon the
opening of the Haven School, this building was removed
to the corner of Clark and Harrison streets.
In November, 1849, the Jones District was made t<>
include all the territory lying south of a line drawn east
and west through the center of the blocks between
Monroe and Adams streets. A building for this new
district was completed during the second week in March,
1850, at a cost of $6,795. The first principal was II.
McChesney, who served until October, 185 1, when he
was succeeded by Isaac Claflin. He continued to act as
principal until the spring of 1856, and Willard VVoodard
then resigned, his successor, I.eander Stone, serving
for about a year and a half. M. Ingalls became the
next principal, and H. Belfield took charge of the school
during the fall of 1865. The latter held the position
until he was transferred to the new Dore School, in
December, 1867. Morton Culver, the next incumbent,
gave place to Norton W. Boomer in the fall of 1870.
Mr. Boomer held the position at the time of the great
fire, which swept the Jones from the list of public
schools. The building was then valued at $13,170, and
the present fine structure, located on the corner of Har-
rison Street and Third Avenue, was not erected until
1873.
Washington School. — In April, 185 1, the city pur-
chased a lot on the corner of West Indiana and San-
gamon streets. A building was erected during that
year, a two-story brick structure, and the school was
opened in January, 1852. This was then the Sixth
School District. In 1862, a wooden structure was
erected to accommodate the requirements of that region.
In October, 1855, A. D. Sturtevant, the first principal,
was succeeded by George A. Low, who served during
the school year 1857-58. In December, 1858, Benjamin
R. Cutter became principal, and so acted up to the time
of his death, June 15, 1875. A new building was
erected for the Washington School in the summer of
1 87 1, on Morgan Street, between Erie and Ohio. This
structure, four stories high, built of brick, was one of
the most imposing school buildings in the city.
Sangamon-street School. — LTpon the removal of the
Washington School to its new quarters on Morgan
Street, the old building was occupied by the Sangamon-
street School, having primary grades only. Mrs Laura
D. Ayres remained as principal until the time of the
fire.
Franklin School. — This house (District No. 5) was
opened in January, 1852, being located on the corner
of Division and Sedgwick streets. D. C. Ferguson, its
first principal, served until March, 1855, after which
Charles A. Dupee acted for one year, when he was
elected principal of the High School, at its opening.
William Drake followed him, being succeeded by Albert
G. Lane in the fall of 1858. Mr. Lane was one of the
first High School graduates, and continued principal of
the Franklin School until November, 1869, when he was
elected to the office he now holds — the superintendency
of schools of Cook County.
The new Franklin building was ready for occupancy
January 4, 1869, dedicatory services being held on the
8th of that month; which included addresses by A. W.
Tinkham. secretary of the Board of Public Works; L.
Brentano, president of the Board of Education; Judge
J. A. Jameson, Elliott Anthony: J. L. Pickard, superin-
tendent of schools; and a poem by J. Mahoney. The
building was similar in construction to the Hayes School,
each being four stories high, with four rooms in each
story, except in the upper in which there were two class-
rooms and an assembly hall. The Franklin was erected
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
on a lot belonging to the School Fund, on the corner of
Division and Sedgwick streets. In the fall of 1869, F.
Hanford became principal of the Franklin School, and
remained in that position until elected assistant super-
intendent of schools, and was followed, in October, 1870,
. rt R. Sabin.
The branch building was erected on the same lot in
tad was destroyed with the main structure in
the great lire. The value of the property was then
$77,195-
MARGARET DOUGALL, principal of the Oak-street public
school, was horn in Montreal, and came with her parents, Thomas
and Elizabeth (Cameron! Dougall, to Chicago, when a mere
child. She received her preliminary education in the Ogden School,
there winning the first scholarship medal for general excellence, and
graduated from the High School in the class of 1S64. Subsequent
to her graduation, she began to teach at the Franklin School, and
continued there until the fire of 1S7 [ burned the building, and then
went to the Lincoln School to finish the remainder of the year,
with the late Mr. Hanford as principal. After the re-building of
he Franklin School and at its opening, in November, 1S72, Miss
returned as head assistant for two years, and in September,
in Si hool, and became its principal.
In September. fsv.. she was transferred to the Oak-street School,
which she organized and put in working order.
■// School. — In December, 1853, an order was
to purchase a si hool site on Warren Avenue,
Wood streets. The purchase was
ide, and, in February, 1855, proposals were received
for the ere tion of a two-story wooden school-house
lot, which was soon afterward completed.
OOm brick building was opened during
irly portioti id was the first school
am in the city. The structure
high, and cost $25,000. The
d been used sin< e 1855, was
npletion of the new build
ing to the Wells ot, then known as School, No.
'. •■!, ie and ' lornelia Street, .1
Vfterl ie ere< tion of the per-
manent b '.ii [866, it was
again removi ■ cornel ol Ashland
and Wab 1 istant, n maining
in this location until after the fire. v. February,
1S58, the Board of Education commenced to designate
the schools by names instead of by numbers, District
No. 8 was called the " Brown School," in honor of
William H. Brown, school agent and trustee of the
School Fund for thirteen years, and who so unselfishly
labored to establish the system of public education
when it was weak and in need of fostering care. Henry
M. Keith served as principal, until the close of the
school year in 1859, having five assistants. Samuel H.
White served from that time until September, 1868,
when he was succeeded by John K. Merrill, who con-
tinued in charge until after 187 1.
Foster School. — In 1855, a wooden school-house, two
stories high, was erected on Union Street, between
O'Brien and Dussold streets, for District No. 9, which
was then but sparsely settled. Two years thereafter a
brick structure was erected, to accommodate the rapidly
increasing school population, the building being of
brick, three stories high, and costing $28,000. A small
branch building (wood) was erected in 1862. George
W. Spofford remained principal for the Foster School,
as it was called in 1S58, until the fall of 1870, when he
was succeeded by Orville T. Bright, who served until
after 1871. The Foster School was named after Dr.
John H. Foster, for many years intimately connected
with the public schools of Chicago, an able, benevolent
and liberal gentleman. The main building of the Fos-
ter School was erected, as stated, in 1857, on Union
Street near Twelfth. There still remained on the lot,
the old building of 1855, in addition to the four-room
structure erected in 1S62. In 1864, the city purchased
a frame building at the corner of Halsted and Twelfth
streets, which was used for some time as a branch.
Ogden School — In the spring of 1856, a lot was pur-
chased on Chestnut Street, north of Chicago Avenue,
and a building erected thereon during the same year.
It was composed of brick, three stories high. Apple-
ton H. Fitch acted as principal from the opening of the
school until the fall of 1858, when George W. Dow was
appointed. F. S. Heywood was principal from the fall
of 1861 to the fall of 1870, at which time George W.
Heath accepted the position. The great fire destroyed
the building.
Moseley School. — The first Moseley-school building
was erected in 1856, corner of Michigan Avenue and
Twenty- fourth Street. It was built of brick, three
stories high. Bradford Y. Averill was the first princi-
pal of the school, being succeeded in the fall of 1859
by Francis A. Benham. Samuel A. Briggs commenced
his term of service in the winter of 1861, and continued
as principal until May, 1864, when he was succeeded
by Jeremiah Slocum. When, in June, 1870, Mr. Slo-
cum was appointed an assistant in the High School,
Samuel N. Griffith was chosen principal, and held the
position at the time of the fire.
Central High School. — As has been stated in the
first volume of this history, the Central High School
building was completed in the fall of 1856. The school
was in charge of Charles A. Dupee, who was succeeded,
in September, i860, by George Howland, his former
assistant and the present superintendent of schools.
Provision was made for a classical course of three
years, and a normal course of two years. The com-
bined classical and English high courses could be com-
pleted in four years. In i860, both the classical and
English courses were extended to four years and all
pupils were required to take at least one language dur-
ing the course. A special classical course of three
years was provided in 1X68 for those in preparation for
college. The normal department was organized as an
THE SCHOOLS.
independent school in 1871, and so continued until
1876, when it was again made a department of the
High School. Ira Moore was principal of the normal
school from October, 1856, to July, 1857, and Edward
C. Delano from September, 1857, until the suspension,
in June, 1877. The age required for admission pre-
vious to 1870 was thirteen years, when it was reduced
to twelve years.
Branch High Schools. — In September, 1869, branch
high schools or classes were formed in each division
of the city : In the Franklin School, North Division,
Haven School, South Division, and two in the
West Division — one in the Foster-school building,
and the other in the Hayes-school building. The
\^upCy
studies of the first year of the high school course were
taken up in these classes, after which, if they desired to
continue the course, the pupils attended the central
building. This arrangement continued until 1875,
when the Division High Schools were established, with a
two years' course.
The Newberry-school building was erected in 1858.
It is located at the corner of Orchard and Willow
streets, on ground purchased of Walter L. Newberry.
It contains twenty-three rooms, including an assembly
hall, and has sittings for one thousand four hundred
and forty pupils. The immediate predecessor of the
Newberry School was known as the " Branch of School
No. 5," or " Branch of the Franklin." This was located
in a mission-church building on Larrabee Street near
North Avenue, and closed in December, 1858, with one
hundred and eighteen pupils. Miss Hooke is at pres-
ent the head-assistant of the Newberry School, having
been -appointed to this position in 1862. The New-
berry School was organized in January, 1859, by Miss
Emma Hooke, assisted by Misses Ellen J. Stevens and
Ellen V. Lamb. After the first two or three days,
John Atwater engaged in the school as a substitute for
the principal, who was detained by the death of a son.
After about one week, the first principal, Curtis C.
Meserve, of Rochester, N. Y., assumed charge, and
continued in this relation until July, 1865. He after-
ward engaged in the real estate business, and was a
member of the Board of Education from 1868 to 1872.
In September, 1865, the second principal, Albert R.
Sabin, began his work, which remained in his charge
until October, 1870, when he became principal of the
Franklin School. In October, 1S70, the third and
present principal, Corydon G. Stowell, was transferred
to this school from what was then known as the Larra-
bee-street School, and later as the Lincoln School, of
which he was appointed the first principal in Septem-
ber, 1870. The sessions of the Newberry School were
interrupted by the great fire of October 8 and 9, 187 1.
The membership at the close of September, 187 1, was
nine hundred and seventy-one pupils. On Tuesday,
October 10, the school building, situated on the very
border of the fire limits on the northwest, was opened
as a hospital and supply depot for sufferers by the fire,
with the principal in charge. About six hundred per-
sons were sheltered there on the night of October 10,
and for several days following thousands were furnished
with provisions, supplied through the Chicago Relief
and Aid Society. On October 13, about four hundred
and twenty-five persons were lodged in the building.
The North Chicago Free Dispensary was opened in the
school-house during its use for relief purposes. The
number of occupants gradually diminished, so that in
the second week in November those remaining were
removed to the relief barracks, erected near the corner
of North Avenue and North Halsted Street. One
birth and one death occurred in the school building
during its use as a hospital. On November 13, the
school was re-opened with five hundred and seventy-
five pupils. Many who had saved their text books
from the fire donated such as they did not need to the
Newberry Fund Library, for the use of the pupils who
needed them. Complete school records were not re-
sumed until December, 1871, at the close of which
month there were one thousand and sixty-six in attend-
ance. Since that time the greatest membership has
been one thousand five hundred and twenty-two, in
October, 1872, and the least one thousand one hundred
and fifteen, in December, 1875. The " Newberry
Fund " of one thousand dollars was given to the city
for the benefit of this school, April 7, 1862, by Walter
L. Newberry, Esq. The income from the investment
of this fund has been applied to the purchase of text
books, maps, charts, apparatus, and a general library.
The latter now contains two hundred and ninety-one
volumes. The Newberry Magazine Club was organ-
ized by the teachers in 1872, to provide such magazines
and papers as seemed desirable for professional and
juvenile reading. They still sustain this undertaking,
and their efforts have been supplemented by limited
appropriations from the Newberry Fund. The build-
ing was heated by stoves until 1873, when steam-heat-
ing apparatus was provided. Evening schools were
conducted at the Newberry building during the greater
part of the fall terms of 1873-75 and 1877-78. The
Nickersonville Branch of the Newberry was opened in
September, 1867, in charge of Miss Mary A. C. Smith.
When the Lincoln School was opened in September,
1S70, this became a branch of that school. Of the
twenty-seven teachers now connected with the New-
berry (two absent on leave), one has been in this school
twenty years; one, thirteen; two, nine; two, eight; one,
seven; two, six; three, five; one, four; two, three; six,
two; two, one; and four less than one year — the average
time being nearly four and three-fourths years. From
the organization of this school to June, 1879, inclusive,
there were one hundred and twenty-nine different teach-
ers, and two hundred and twenty-eight pupils admitted
from its highest grade to the high school.
Albert Robbins Sabin, principal of the Franklin public
school, son of E. S. and Sophia (Hall) Sabin, was born at
Saxton's River, Windham Co, N't., September 30, 1S37. He was
educated at Middlebury College, Yt., and finished his studies in
1S62, taking the honorary degrees of A. B. and A. M. In Sep-
tember, 1S62, he came to Chicago, and on November 9, 1863, com-
menced to teach at the old Dearborn School (then opposite McVick-
er's Theatre) where he remained two years. He next held the position
of principal of the Newberry School for five years, and was ap-
pointed to the Franklin School in 1S69. In the fire of 1871, the
school building was burned, and for the remainder of the scholastic
year Mr. Sabin taught in the Douglas School. During the follow-
ing two years he was teacher of classics in the High School under
Mr. Howland, the present superintendent of city schools, and for
the next five years was principal of the Lake Forest Academy, a
preparatory school for boys. During the following two years, Mr.
Sabin was professor at Lake Forest University, was then super-
intendent of schools in Lake County for four years, and at the
expiration of that time he returned to Chicago and became prin-
cipal of the Kinzie School, succeeding James Ilannan After the
death of Norton W. lioomer, Mr. Sabin was transferred to his
present position. Mr. Sabin was married in Vermont, July II,
[862, '." Miss Mary Barber, of Middlebury. Yt. He has one son,
Stuart 13 , who is preparing to enter the Williams College next fall.
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
In the summer of i562,Mr. Sabin patriotically responded to the
call for volunteers in defense of the Union, by raising a company
in Addison Co., Vt., which became a part of the gth Vermont
Infantry Volunteers. The regiment was captured at Harper's
Ferrv under Colonel Miles, and. the whole garrison being paroled,
was sent to Annapolis. Md.. and from there ordered to Kansas to
gainst the Indians, who were on the war path. The regi-
ment came to Chicago and was there mustered out. as the Indians
- iued, and at Camp Douglas Mr. Sabin resigned his com-
as captain and returned to private life, settling in Chicago.
Mr. Sabin belongs to the Masonic Order, and is a member of the
and State Teachers' associations and of the Chicago In-
stitute of Education.
Sfo/ir/sr School. — In 1859, a brick structure, four
stories in height, with wing, was erected at the corner
of Aberdeen and Jackson streets. It was named in
honor of Hon. Mark Skinner, and was built upon the
same plan as the Newberry. A. N. Merriman served
as principal until the fall of 1869, when he was suc-
ceeded by Ira S. Baker, who continued until after the
fire.
Haven School. — This building, named in honor of
Luther Haven, was dedicated September 20, 1862.
Rev. VV. H. Ryder presided at the dedicatory exercises,
addresses being delivered by Mr. Haven, James Ward,
chairman of the Committee on Buildings and Grounds;
S. S. Hayes, city comptroller; Newton Bateman, super-
intendent of public .instruction; James J. Noble, prin-
cipal of the school; and City Superintendent Wells.
The building, on Wabash Avenue, south of Twelfth,
was three stories high, with basement and attic, heated
bv steam and furnished with modern improvements.
Mr. Noble was succeeded by George D. Broomell
in the fall of 1866. Mr. Broomell, whose name has
been previously mentioned in connection with the Dear-
born School, served until September, 1869, when he
was elected the virtual first assistant-superintendent of
public schools, although the office had not yet been
legally created. Leslie Lewis, who had followed Mr.
Broomell as principal of the Dearborn School, now
succeeded him as principal of the Haven School, and
continued in that position until after 187 1.
School Number Twelve. — This building, situated on
the corner of Reuben and Cornelia streets, was re-
moved from the Brown-school (District No. 8) lot,
upon the opening of the new building, was a wooden
structure, two stories high, and contained two rooms.
st principal was Eugene I.. Aiken. Two branches
in the vicinity were opened previous to the erection of
the present imposing structure known as the Wells
School. Morton Culver succeeded Mr. Aiken. Re-
becca C. Gosselin was principal of the Reuben-street
branch. Upon the opening of the new sixteen-room
building erected on this lot, the frame building was
again removed still further north, to the Burr-s-hool
(first known as the Rolling Mill School lot, corner of
Ashland and Waubansia avenues.
Wells School. — The ground for this building, named
after William II. Wells, for eight years the faithful and
iperintendent of Public Schools, was broken Au-
and the building dedicated with appropri-
ptember 14. 1866. h stood in the
center of a plat of ground of forty-five thousand square
feet in extent, fronting east on Reuben Street, now
known as Ashland Avenue, and extending south on Cor-
nelia. I fo 1 stories high, exclusive of
basement, and built of brick, at a cost of §37,000. At
the dedicatory exi occupied bv the
president of the Hoard of E ' I. Holden
J. G. Gindele, ol the Hoard of Publii Works, delivered
the keys to Mayor kite who, in turn, transferred them
C. N. Holden. They passed from Mr. Holden's hands
to those of Jeremiah Mahoney, principal of the school.
Addresses were also delivered by John C. Dore, first su-
perintendent of public schools ; William H. Wells, the
second, and J. L. Pickard, the then incumbent; also by
CAPTAIN WILLIAM WELLS.
Willard Woodard, chairman of the Committee on Schools
of the Common Council ; C. C. P. Holden, chairman of
the Finance Committee ; ex-City Comptroller S. S.
Hayes; and Dr. W. H. Ryder, chairman of Committee
on Dedication. Mr. Mahoney continued to act as prin-
cipal during all the period covered by this volume.
South Chicago School. — By legislative enactment of
February 13, 1863, the limits of the city were extended
so as to take in the South Chicago, Bridgeport and Hol-
stein schools, the number of pupils enrolled in these
schools, at this time, being three hundred and ninety-
seven. The South Chicago school occupied a small
frame building, located on Douglas Avenue, near South
Park Avenue Upon the opening of the Cottage Grove-
school building, in 1867, it was removed to Twenty-sixth
Street, near Wentworth Avenue, and served as a branch
of the Moseley School till the opening of the Ward-
school building in 1875, when the building was sold. Rod-
ney Welch acted as principal until the fall of 1865, when
he was succeeded by J. H. Broomell, who took charge of
the Cottage Grove School upon the opening in January,
1867. The South Chicago School was merged into the
latter.
Cottage Grove School. — This building, located on
Douglas Avenue, near Cottage Grove, was erected in the
fall of 1866, being first occupied January 2, 1867. It
was pleasantly situated in the center of extensive
grounds, shaded by native forest trees. The building
was of wood, costing about $24,000. James H. Broo-
mell was its first principal, and so remained until the
spring of 1S77.
Holstcin School. — By the extension of the city limits in
1863, the Holstein School, on Cortland Street nearHen-
shaw, became one of the public schools. One room was
added in 1867. Mary E. Lyon, Miriam S. Sherman, and
Eliza Lundergreen were successively principals of the
school.
The Elizabeth-street Primary School was opened Jan-
uary 2, 1867, and located on Lake Street, corner of
Elizabeth. Sarah E. Osgood was principal until the
fall of 1869, when Hattie N. Winchell assumed the re-
sponsibilities. She is still principal.
Pearson-street Primary School. — This school was
opened January 2, 1S67, and located at the corner of
Pearson and Market streets. The building was destroyed
in the great fire of 1871, the property being then valued
at over $16,000. Flora J. Parish served as principal up
to the fall of 1869, and Mary J. Synon up to the time
the school was swept away.
The Walsh-street Primary School, of the same size
and internal arrangement as the Cottage Grove, was
opened May 6, 1867. It was located on Twentieth
Street, corner of Johnson. Frank B. Williams, its first
principal, was succeeded in the fall of 1868 by Mary F.
S. Brown, who served until after 1871.
\i \i;\ Eleanor Spencer Brown Rick, principal of the
Walsh Public School, was born in Stephentown, Rensselaer Co.,
THE SCHOOLS.
113
N. Y., April S, 1S43, and is the daughter of Roswell Darling and
Eleanor (Carr) Brown. Her father's ancestors came from Scot-
land in the middle of the eighteenth century, and settled in New
York, and her mother's from England in the first half of the seven-
teenth century, locating in Massachusetts. In 1845, her parents
removed to Joliet, 111., where she was educated. After a thorough
training in all departments of the schools of that city, she gradu-
ated from the High School in July, 1859, and began teaching
during the same year, in the graded schools of that place, holding
responsible positions in the primary and grammar departments for
about eight years. In 1867, she went to Warsaw, 111., and taught
one year in the High School there. She came to Chicago in Octo-
ber, 186S, and was appointed assistant at the Walsh (then a gram-
mar school), and in the January following, became principal of the
same. In April, 1S69, at the general examination of grammar
schools, the Walsh ranked first in the city, the class winning the
honor, being the one Mrs. Rice had taught exclusively for seven
months. In the spring examination of 1870, this school stood
No. 4. At the examination for papers to be sent to the Vienna
Exposition in 1873, it ranked second in the city. After the fire of
October, 1S71, Mrs. Rice was the only principal who generously
gave up her position to a principal of a burned-out school ; but as
soon as a vacancy occurred, she was recalled to her former place.
When Mrs. Rice was first placed at the head of the Walsh School,
it consisted of a two-story wooden structure and a branch, having
ten divisions and eleven teachers, including herself ; now there are
two twelve-room buildings and twenty-seven teachers, including
the principal. Mrs. Rice was married in Joliet, May 29, 1882, to
Dr. N. B. Rice, of Chicago.
The Dore School. — This building, on Harrison Street,
near Halsted, was named after John C. Dore, first city
superintendent of schools. It was constructed upon
the plan of the Wells and Holden school-houses, being
of brick, four stories high. The structure was com-
pleted in December, 1867, and dedicated January 4,
1868. President Clarke presided, and various ad-
dresses were delivered, among others one by Mr. Dore
himself. Jeremiah Mahoney, principal of the Wells
School, also read an ode address to public school teach-
ers, one verse of which is here produced, as being
peculiarly charged with good sense : —
" Three trades are game for every critic fool :
Religion, politics, and teaching school.
All other callings are by calm behest
Explained by those who understand them best ;
But every wordy, theoretic leech
Can show you how to vote and preach and teach."
H. H. Belfield remained principal of the Dore until
after 1871, having been transferred from the Jones
School.
Rolling Mill Primary. — During the year 1867, the
original No. Twelve-school building was moved from
the corner of Reuben Street and Waubansia Avenue.
This structure first did service on the prairies west of
Union Park in 1855, upon ground occupied by the
Brown School. A wooden addition was made the next
year; Sarah O. Babcock was principal until 1871.
Both buildings were subsequently removed to the
Wicker Park-school lot.
Elm-street Primary School was built in 1868, on the
corner of Rush and Elm streets, and opened on the 5th
of September. It was of wood, two stories high, built
upon the same plan as the Cottage Grove-school house,
and cost nearly $20,000. Lizzie C. Rust, Annie E.
Young and Sarah N. Smith were the principals during
the succeeding three years. The building was destroyed
in the great fire.
Bridgeport School. — As previously stated, the Bridge-
port School was one of those absorbed by the city upon
the extension of its corporate limits in 1863, and was
situated on the corner of Archer Avenue and Fuller
Street. This building was enlarged during the fall of
that year by the addition of two rooms on what is now
the front of the building. In the summer of 1864 it
was again increased in size by the addition of two rooms
S
in the rear of the building. Charles F. Babcock was
principal.
The Holden School, located on Deering Street, corner
of Thirty-first, was erected in 1868, being dedicated on
May 2 of that year. It was named in honor of Charles
N. Holden. The building was a four-story brick struc-
ture and cost over $70,000. Charles F. Babcock, its
principal, served until after the fire.
Charles Ferdinand Babcock, the principal of the Holden
School, was born in Sherborn, Mass., September 8, 1836, and is
the son of Malachi and Sarah Babcock. He received his primary
education at the academy in Leicester, Mass., and then attended
Captain Alden Partridge's military school, at Brandywine Springs,
Del. Having finished his course of study there, he was employed
on a branch, of the Chicago & Alton Railroad until December,
1S55, when he moved to the great West and became an assistant
engineer on the Racine & Mississippi Railway, where he remained
for some time, next becoming connected in the same capacity with
the Joliet & Chicago Railroad Company. He began teaching in
the public schools of Chicago in 1S62, having been appointed at
that time to the position which he now so meritoriously fills. Mr.
Babcock was married in i860, to Miss Helen Marr, of Chicago.
He is a member of Richard Cole Lodge, No. 697, A. F. & A. M.,
and of Washington Chapter, No. 43, R. A. M.
The Hayes School, so called in honor of Samuel S.
Hayes, was built in 1868, at a cost of over $70,000, and
was situated on Leavitt Street, between Walnut and
Fulton. The building, a brick structure, was four stories
high, and modeled after the Holden-school house. A.
N. Merriman, the present incumbent, was principal,
being transferred from the Skinner School. The dedi-
catory services occurred on September 25, addresses
being delivered by General J. McArthur, of the Board of
Public Works; S. A. Briggs, vice-president of the Board
of Education; Alderman C. C. P. Holden, Rev. Robert
Collyer, S. S. Hayes and Alderman Willard Woodard.
The Carpenter School, named after Philo Carpenter,
and erected in 1868, was four stories' in height, and, in
the money of those times, cost over $75,000. The lot
had a frontage of two hundred and thirteen feet on
Centre Avenue, and ran back on Second Street for a
distance of two hundred and five feet. Alfred Kirk
was the first principal of the school and remained in
that position until after 187 1.
Wentworth-avenne Primary School was opened Sep-
tember 5, 1868, the building being a two-story structure
erected at a cost of nearly $20,000. Mary E. Reed
acted as principal for several years after its establish-
ment.
Cicero Primary School was opened in 1S69, when the
corporate limits were extended west. Its principals,
while it was under city control, were Lydia C. Avery
and Nancy A. Helm. The building was located on
Warren Avenue, fronting the railroad track, and the
school was closed in December, 1870. Its pupils were
transferred to the Hayes School.
The Clarke School was completed January 1, 1S69,
and opened on the 17th of January. Addresses were
delivered by R. M. Guilford, a member of the Board
and of the Committee on Schools; Alderman Woodard;
W. H. Carter, of the Board of Public Works; E. F.
Runyan; J. L. Pickard, superintendent of schools; and
by George C. Clarke; and a dedicatory poem was read
by George Howland, principal of the High School.
Frank B. Williams, its first principal, continued to act
in such capacity until after the fire. He is now princi-
pal of the Marquette School.
Frank Benton Willi VMS, principal of the Marquette School,
was born in Chelsea, Yt.. on his grandfather's farm (the well-known
Eli<ha Williams' place, on the East Hill), February 3, 1837 ; and
is the son of David I'. an, I Dolly (Alexander) Williams. When
twelve years of age his father died, and the family moved to Tun-
bridge, Vt., where Frank continued to work on a farm during the
"4
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
summer, and attended school in the winter. When about four-
teen, he was bound out to a brother-in-law, until he should become
of age, but being a proud-spirited boy he concluded henceforth to
depend on himself, so broke his bonds and started out in life. He
continued to work on a farm and attend school until eighteen, when
he began to teach a school in Tunbridge. The following three
years he was a student in the Thetford and Chelsea academies. He
then went to the Kimball Union Academy at Meriden, N. H., and
graduated in iSjo. Having resolved to go west and read law, he
changed his mind, went to Greenfield, in Southern Missouri, and
opened an academy, which he taught for three years with success,
and was then offered a school in Palmyra, Walworth Co., Wis.,
which he accepted and taught for two years. Thence he went to
Madison. Wis., organized and conducted the high school for one
year, during which time he wrote a history of the Madison schools.
In 1S66, he came to Chicago to accept the principalship of the
Walsh School, and, having succeeded as an instructor and discip-
linarian, the Board of Education took cognizance of his qualifica-
tions and transferred him to the Clarke School, one of the best in
the city. Here he taught for twelve years, raising it to a high stand-
ard of excellence, in fact, it was the models chool of the city. After
teaching so long, he intimated to the Board of Education a desire
to see the old world, for the purpose of recreation and to study the
educational systems of the different schools in the countries he
might visit. He was relieved from the Clarke, and engaged to or-
ganize the Marquette School, then in course of construction, virtu-
ally being retained in the employ of the Board while granted a leave
of absence. He traveled in Ireland, Scotland, England, and on the
continent, visiting the schools and laying up a fund of information
of which he has since made practical use. After an absence of five
months, he returned and organized the Marquette School, and now
has its management. This is also a model school, and the pride of
the West Side. To his ideas, well and faithfully executed, under
his skillful direction, is due the marked success of this school. Mr.
Williams was the prime mover in organizing the society of the
Sons of Vermont in Chicago, and has been among the foremost in
making the association a success, acting as secretary and in other
official positions.
North Branch Primary School was opened January
4, 1869, in the building known as the North Star Mis-
sion, on Division Street, corner of Sedgwick. In 1870,
the location was changed to Vedder Street, east of Hal-
sted, and the next year it was swept away by the great
fire. F. Emma Coss had charge of the school at the
time of its destruction.
The West Fourteenth-street School, formerly known
as the Mitchell-street Primary, was opened in Novem-
ber, 1869, being located on Mitchell Street, between
Union and Jefferson streets. Its principal was Miss
Tammie E. Flowers, who previously had charge of the
DeKoven-street Primary. She continued at the head
of the West Fourteenth-street School until after the
period covered by this volume.
LaSalle-street Primary School was located on Clark
Street, near North Avenue, and opened in November,
1869. Elizabeth C. Rust acted as principal until the
building was destroyed by the great fire. Its value was
then placed at $32,650.
The Third-avenue Primary School was organized
February 28, 1870. The building was located on
Third Avenue, near Twelfth Street. Mary T. Dewey,
the first principal, still continues in charge of the school!
The Lincoln-school building was erected in Septem-
ber, 1870, on Lincoln Street, between lielden and Full-
erton avenues. The structure was of brick, three
stories high, eighty-two by seventy-six feet, with a wing
sixty by fifty-two feet. Corydon G. Stowell was princi-
pal of the * hool about one month, when he was trans-
ferrer! to tin; Newberry School. Miss Maria H. Haven,
his successor, held the position until after the fire.
11 ' The building was erected in 1870,
being located on the corner of Forest Avenue and
Thirty-second Street, The structure was of brick,
three stories in height, eighty-two by seventy-six feet,
with wing sixty by fifty-two feet. Its first principal, N.
C. Twining, served until June, 1871, when he was suc-
ceeded by Alfred P. Burbank, the famous elocutionist.
Mr. Burbank held the position until 1873, when he re-
signed, to pursue his specialty.
Deaf Mute School. — In September, 1870, the first
step was taken toward the establishment of a school for
the instruction of deaf mutes in the city, at which time
the use of a room in the LaSalle-street Primary-school
building on North Clark Street, opposite Lincoln Park,
was obtained for this purpose. This class was after-
ward removed to the new Franklin-school building, and
then to a room occupied as one of the offices of the
Board of Education, where it remained until the great
fire of 1871.
The Great Fire destroyed ten school buildings
owned by the city, one in the South Division (Jones),
and nine in the North Division, leaving but two struct-
ures devoted to public education in the latter section —
the Newberry and Lincoln. The following figures show
the extent of the calamity, setting forth the value of
property destroyed : " Jones," corner Clark and Har-
rison streets, $13,170 ; " Kinzie," corner of Ohio and
LaSalle streets, $21,390 ; " Franklin," corner Division
and Sedgwick streets, $77,195; "Ogden," Chestnut
Street, between State and Dearborn streets, $39,675 ;
Pearson-street Primary, corner of State and Elm streets,
$16,750 ; LaSalle-street Primary, Clark Street near
North Avenue, $32,650 ; North Branch Primary, Ved-
der Street near Halsted, $32,000. Total, $249,780.
The schools were closed for two weeks after the fire,
re-opening October 23; and inasmuch as the number of
teachers employed was largely in excess of the rooms to
which to assign them, they were divided into four
classes : First, those who were burned out and were
homeless ; second, those who had parents or younger
members of the family dependent upon them for sup-
port ; third, those who had to depend upon their own
earnings for a livelihood ; and fourth, those who had
friends or relatives who could provide for them for the
present.
Josiah H. Pickard, superintendent of schools, who
succeeded Mr. Wells in September, 1864, gives the fol-
lowing account of the fire as it affected the workings of
his department :
" Upon the evening of Saturday, October 7, 1S71, the key to
the office of the Board of Education was turned as usual, and
rooms, admirably adapted to the several uses of the Board, newly
and neatly fitted up, were locked against intruders. These rooms
contained a full supply of blanks for the year ; a large number of
class books and registers ; nearly two thousand copies of our
Course of Instruction ; full files of state and city reports upon
education, gathered during many years ; a good supply of copies of
the several reports of our own schools ; the nucleus of a school
library for which provision had just been made ; manuscript records
of the proceedings of the Board of Education from its origin ;
minute records of examination of teachers for seven years preced-
ing, and partial records of other examinations covering a period of
fifteen years ; all the papers written by teachers and pupils at the
regular examinations, except those for admission to the High
School ; files of all questions used for examination of both teach-
ers and pupils ; files of an extensive correspondence ; copies of
monthly and annual reports from the several schools of the city ;
and a few copies of the report for 1870-71, to the preparation of
which the long vacation had been devoted. At the usual time for
opening the schools on Monday morning, nothing of all these re-
mained save a mass of smoking ruins and one safe, in which were
preserved, in recognizable form, the records of the proceedings of
the Board. The same intruder, against whose entrance locks and
bolts availed nothing, had sought at the bindery the full edition of our
annual report, and the printed account of our year's work was en-
tirely destroyed, with the exception of a very few copies that had
been taken home by members of the Board and the principals of the
schools who were at the rooms upon Saturday afternoon. Before ten
o'clock of Monday evening, fifteen buildings used for school pur-
poses, with reference books, and all the books belonging to the
children, had been consumed. Of these buildings, ten were owned
PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
"5
by the city and five were rented. Of the buildings owned by the
city, five were comparatively new, two were erected about thirteen
years before, and three were among the oldest school structures of
the city. The fourteen school buildings furnished accommoda-
tions for about ten thousand pupils, nearly one-third of our entire
enrollment. One hundred and thirty-five teachers were employed
in the buildings destroyed. During the afternoon of Monday,
while one hundred thousand people were fleeing before the devour-
ing element, many of them without hope of shelter even, the
president of the Board of Education promptly ordered the opening
of all the school-houses of the city, and thousands of people upon
the prairies about the city were visited, and invited to take shelter
therein. During almost the entire Monday, some of our lady
teachers, with their friends, sought safety, from the clouds of hot
smoke filled with burning cinders, in the waters of the lake.
Standing in the water, and using a covering of wet waterproofs,
they saved their persons and the clothing they wore from destruc-
tion. Tuesday morning dawned upon the most perfect desolation.
The school buildings were thronged with homeless, and well-nigh
hopeless, people. In the school-rooms, the corridors and dressing-
rooms, families had settled themselves with what little had been
saved from the fire. One house furnished quarters for more than
six hundred people; several others, for scarcely less numbers. For
a little time, we were stupified ; but the conviction that the things
which remained must be strengthened, and that, if possible, the
city must be spared the demoralization which would follow even a
temporary closing of our schools, together with the thought that
now, more than ever, parents needed such aid in the care of their
children as the schools could furnish, urged upon us the necessity
of immediate action. Temporary quarters were secured for the
use of the Board, and the teachers were called together upon the
afternoon of Thursday. Bank vaults were as yet too deeply buried
in hot debris to reveal the condition of the city deposits. Whether
a single dollar remained for public purposes was not yet deter-
mined. In the midst of this uncertainty, the teachers nobly ten-
dered their services to the city for such pay as the city might find
herself able to give. Since all could not be employed, many cheer-
fully relinquished their claims to positions in favor of others who
might be more unfortunate than themselves. Immediately upon
this action of the teachers, the Board of Education resolved to open
the schools at the earliest practicable moment."
Teachers' Institute. — In December, 1850, the
Common Council passed an ordinance making it the
duty of the teachers of the public schools to meet on
Saturdays and hold a teachers' institute, under the di-
rection of the school inspectors, and by a rule of the
Board they were required to meet on the first, second
and third Saturdays in each month, and remain in ses-
sion not less than two hours at each meeting. In Octo-
ber, 1852, it was resolved to hold the meetings on the
first and third Saturdays of each month, and, in 1856,
they were reduced to one a month. At first the meetings
of the institute were held in school No. 1, opposite the
present site of McVicker's Theatre, and, as stated, un-
der the direction of the Board of School Inspectors. In
May, 1854, John C. Dore, Chicago's first superintendent
of public schools, took charge of it, and, when the high
school was completed in the summer of 1856, the place
of meeting was transferred to that building. Mr. Dore
had, in the meantime, resigned his position, and William
H. Wells was chosen his successor. The exercises at
the teachers' institute consisted of instruction in the
branches of education taught in the public schools, dis-
cussions and exhibitions of model classes of pupils,
taken alternately from the primary and grammar schools.
These meetings were not only productive of mutual im-
provement, but afforded an opportunity for the superin-
tendent to communicate freely with the teachers on all
matters of general educational interest. The teachers
themselves became better acquainted with one another,
and, all in all, the institute has been the means of weld-
ing into more compact shape the public school system
of Chicago. By 1862, the teachers had so increased in
numbers, that Superintendent Wells adopted the plan of
having general exercises, which would benefit all, during
the first of the forenoon, and dividing the institute into
five sections, during the last hour, for drill exercises, and
discussions adapted to the wants of the several grade
teachers ; and although the management of the insti
tute had always been left by the Board in his hands, it
was his uniform practice to invite a committee of the
teachers to aid him in arranging the successive pro-
grammes of exercises, and thus giving to the institute,
except in the matter of attendance, much of the freedom
of a voluntary association. To give an idea of the in-
crease in the attendance of the institute for the twelve
years, during which it had already been in existence, it
may be stated that when first organized, in 1 S50, the mem-
bership was twenty-four, while at this time it was over
one hundred and seventy-five, with an attendance of
about one hundred. In 1867, the attendance had increased
to one hundred and seventy-five. Different topics were
taken up and treated, the teachers gathering in sections
corresponding in number to the number of grades. In
1868, the average attendance at every institute was two
hundred and thirty-nine, and the meetings had become
so instructive and popular that it was found necessary
to hold gatherings at other localities. During the year
1869, five institutes were held at Crosby Music Hall.
In 1870, the lack of a suitable hall was felt more than
ever, and for three months of the school year the teach-
ers met in their respective divisions of the city. During
the winter a series of lectures were given at Farwell Hall
by Edmund Andrews, M.D., Col. J. W. Foster, J. V. X.
Blaney, M.D., W. H. Ryder, D.D., Rev. David Swing,
and Major J. W. Powell, for the benefit of the institute.
The condition of this valuable annex to the public
school system, in June, 1871, is thus described by josiah
L. Pickard, then superintendent of schools :
" At no time since the organization of this institute, until the
past year, have we failed to bring together, for at least half the ses-
sions, all the teachers of the city. Having no hall large enough to
accommodate all, we have during the past year met in different parts
of the city. The teachers of the West Division have met at the Skin-
ner-school building. Those of the North and South divisions have
met alternately at the Haven and the Franklin school buildings, No
outside help, with one or two exceptions, has been called in, but ihe
exercises have been conducted within ourselves."
The number present at every institute was four hun-
dred and one teachers.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
The following list of private schools and teachers
in Chicago, during the years 1857-71, has been pre-
pared with much care, and is believed to be both com-
plete and accurate. Recourse has been had to the
directories of the period, and the information obtained
from them supplemented and in some instances cor-
rected by that derived from private sources. Great
pains has been taken to avoid duplication of any school
under another name, and changes in title have been
noticed under that of the earliest date. In the majority
of cases, the names of teachers could not be obtained ;
and in many instances where the names have been given,
the name published may not be the one most familiar
to some reader who may have attended any given
school "in the days of his youth." Not a few of the
residents of Chicago, however, may here find informa-
tion which will awaken pleasant reminiscences of school-
boy days that have long slumbered.
TRIVATE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS IN CHICAGO, FROM 1S57-/I.
Academy of St. Agatha, Michigan Avenue, between Twenty-
fifth and Twenty-sixth streets. 1871 ; Academy of St. Francis
Xavier (Sisters of Mercy), Mother Frances de Sale
No. 135 Wabash Avenue, [861-1871 : Academy of the Christian
Brothers, No. 99 VanBuren Street. 1S69-1S71 ; Academy .if the
Holy Name, Nos. 295 and 297 Huron Street (Sisters of Charity),
n6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
[858-1871 : Academy of the Sacred Heart, West Taylor Street,
corner Lytle, 1869-1871; Adler, Liebman, corner Adams and Wells
streets. 1 J65 : Adler, Alex., No. 191 Wells Street. 1S04 ; Atwater,
J.. No. IOO State Street, 1S59 (evening school).
Bain, Alexander, North Carpenter Street, near Holland, 1S59-
1S60 : Barker. Mrs. Alice, No. S19 Prairie Avenue, 1S6S (afterward
Prairie Avenue Seminary); Barry, Garrett, No. 10S North Clark
Street. 1S60 : Barn-, G. and W., No. 16S North Clark Street,
1861—1865 ; Becker. Eliza. Chicago Avenue, corner Sedgwick
Street. 1S61 ; Belcke, C. J., Nos. 23 and 25 Morgan Block, Clark-
Street. isoS. No. 144 White Street, 1S71 ; Belcke and Fisk, Uh-
lich's Block. North Clark Street, 1S67: Berteau, Felix G., No. 108
-- Street, 1S62: Bethany Mission School (Swedish), conducted
by Union Bark Congregational Church, between Paulina Street
and Ashland Avenue. 1S0S-1S71 ; Bethel Seminary, Erie Street,
between North Wells and Franklin streets, 1S61 ; Bohemian Cath-
olic School, rear of St. Wenthurst's Church, 186S-1S71 ; Brierly,
Mrs. J. F., No. 311 North Wells Street, 1S64-1S65 ; Bruce, Thad-
deus W. , No. $2 VanBuren Street. 1S60-1S62 ; Burns, Jennie, No.
100 State Street. 1S50. ; Burr's Industrial Schools, Miss M. Rapley,
principal. No. 3S9 Third Avenue, 1S69-1S70; Mrs. E. S. Mack,
principal. No. 335 Third Avenue, 1S71.
Campbell, Ann McGill, No. 152 West Adams Street, 1865-
1868, No. 4 South May Street, 1S69, 170 Eighteenth Stceet, 1S71;
Carlstadt. Charles. No. 85 Chicago Avenue, 1S71; Catholic Industrial
School, Nos. 703 to 707 Archer Avenue, 1S6S; Chicago Academy,
No. 21? Wabash Avenue, 1S62-1S69, No. 11 Eighteenth Street,
1S71; Chicago Seminary for Young Ladies, No. 1S0 Cass Street,
1S63, No. 112 Cass Street, 1S64-1S66; Cohen, Rev. Dr. Isaac R.,
No. 147 South Wells Street, 1S59; Condon, Maurice S., Sherman
Street, near Polk, 1860-1S62; Convent of the Sisters of the Holy
Cross. Cass Street, near Chicago Avenue, 1S58; Cook, Melvina,
S8 Third Avenue, 1S61; Cottage Grove Seminary, No. 180
Cass Street, 1S61-1S62; Indiana Avenue, between Ringgold Place
and Palo Alto Street, 1S63-1S65.
Daggett, Gertrude, No. 136 North Carpenter Street, 1S62;
Dancer, Emeline, Clinton Street, between Harrison and Van Buren
streets, 1S64-1S65; Davis, Myra D., West Van Buren Street, cor-
ner Peoria, 1S61, Taylor Street, between Clark and Buffalo, 1S62;
Dearborn Seminary, Z. Grover, principal, Nos. 79 and 81 Wabash
Avenue. 1S60-1S71; Dwight, Mary A., Wabash Avenue, corner
Harrison Street, 1S61 ; Dyhrenfurth Classical College and Young
Ladies' Seminary, Julius Dyhrenfurth, principal, Nos. 120 to 124
Randolph Street, 1S70; Dyhrenfurth Commercial College, Nos.
116 and 11S Randolph Street, 1870; Dyhrenfurth Educational and
High School, Nos. 122 and 124 Randolph Street, 1871; Dyhren-
furth. Julius, Nos. 116 and 11S Randolph Street, 1S68.
English and German Private School, No. 102 and 104 Van
Buren Street, 1S09; English and German School, Miss Rein
Bianca. principal. No. Soo North Wells Street, 1S71; Evangelical
German Lutheran School, Kossuth Street, corner Hanover, 1871;
Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's School, Christian Locke, principal,
- ■ Noble Street. 1867; Evangelical Lutheran School of North
Chicago, Halsted Street, near Burling, 1861.
First German Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel School, West
Taylor Street, corner Brown, 1S69-1871; First Reform German
School, Desplaines Street, between Harrison and Van Buren streets,
1869-1871; Fischer, George Henry (German), No. 127 Indiana
Street, 1864-1865; Fisher's School, Superior Street, corner Frank-
- Ford, Mrs. Frances M., Asylum Place, between Hurl-
but and Sedgwick streets, 1871; Fricke, Henry, Union Street,
southwest corner Carroll, 1867-1870.
Garfield, Mary R., No. 16 Wahpanseh Avenue, 1871; Gauske,
William, corner Paulina and Twenty-first streets, 1871; Gebhardt,
Ferdinand, Willow Street, near North Halsted, 1862; German and
English Select School, No. 248 Cottage Grove Avenue, 1S67; Ger-
man and English School, William C. Fricke, principal, No. 511
Clybourn Avenue, 1871; German and English School, No. 84 North
Jnion Street, 1871; German and Evangelical Lutheran Schools,
under charge of kev. Henry Wunder: First School (St. Paul's),
rch, Superior Street, corner Franklin, H. Fischer,
r-1871;* Seen.] School (St. John's), Christian
Locke, principal. Noble Street, between Chicago Avenue and Car-
ool (St. Jacob's). Charles Lan-
ier, principal. Willow Street, corner Burling, 1869-1871;! German
Evangelical Lutheran School (parochial school of St. John's
Church). Fulton Street, corner Hoyne, 1871; German Lutheran
fr*001' ' corner Union, 1868; German Lutheran
School, corner Willow and Burling streets, 1868-1869; German
Methodist D :,. t, teacher, No. 51 Clybourn
Avenue, r».67; German School, Main Street, Bridgeport, 1868;
Mr. Fivhcraia private school.
Im ui private school, under the name of
. -,ical Lutheran St. Haul
I ltuhnx nWi and 1869, Ihufcbool wa» known as the German Lutheran
German School, II. Hubert, principal, No. 227 West Twenty-
first Street, 1S69-1S70; afterward known as Koch's German and
English School, 1871. German United Evangelical Lutheran St.
Paul's Schools: First School (parochial), Ohio Street, corner La-
Salle, James A. Falk, principal, 1S69-1S71; Second School (adjoin-
ing Zion Church), G. Kranz, principal, Union Street, northwest
corner Mitchell, 1S69-1871; Third School (Salem Church parochi-
al),W. A. Schmidt, principal, Twenty-first street, near Archer Av-
enue, 1S69-1871; Fourth School (adjoining St. Peter's Church),
H. Ritzmann, principal, Chicago Avenue, corner Noble Street,
1S69-1S71; St. Paul's Second School, N. Fricks, principal, Larrabee
Street near Clybourn Avenue, 1S69-1S71; St. Paul's Third School,
R. Mack, principal, Fourth Avenue, near Twelfth Street, 1869-
1S71; Graham Seminary, Miss Susan Wood, principal. No. 354
Michigan Avenue, iS6S-iS6g; Graham, Susan F., Peck Court,
near Wabash Avenue, 1S60-1S63; Grant, Misses E. & B., No. 232
North Dearborn Street, 1871; Grantham, Isabel, No. 46 North
Halsted Street, 1S60; Gilman, Mary, No. 300 Erie Street, corner
North State; Greise, Frederick, No 217 Washington Street, 1865;
Gregg Miss C. A., Nos. 34S to 354 West Randolph Street, 1S65;
Gyles, Sarah, No. 296 West Washington Street. 1870.
Hack, Hubert, South Street, between LaSalle Street and Archer
Place, 1861-1862 ; Haebernell, Henry, No. 137 Griswold Street,
1864 ; Hardy, Agnes, No. 2S1 West Madison Street, 1868 ; Hath-
away, William G., No. 168 South Clark Street, 1859-1864 ; Hath-
away's Academy, No. 172 Clark Street, 1S65-1S6S ; Heath, Sarah
A., Jackson Street, corner Edina Place, 1S61-1S64 ; Hielscher,
Theodore, No. 10 South Clinton Street, 1S64 ; Holy Family (for
boys), Elizabeth Street, between Austin and May Streets, 1S61-
1864, South Morgan Street, near Twelfth, 1865-1871 ; Holy Fam-
ily (for girls), West Taylor Street, corner Lytle, 1868-1871 ; Holy
Name School, North State Street, corner Huron, 1S6S-1871 ; Hop-
kins, Maria, Robey Street, corner West Washington, 1S6S ; Hyde,
Emma, No. 49 South Carpenter Street, 1S71 ; Hyde, Mar)', No. 112
Mather Street, 1S61-1863, No. 233 South Jefferson Street, 1864.
Industrial School, No. no Bremer Street, 1861 ; Italian
School, John Franzoni, director, Meyer Block, 1869-1871.
Jones, Samuel, Nos. 30 and 31 McCormick Building, 1863.
Kadlowska. Agatha, No. 73 Third Avenue, 1871 ; Kaufeld,
Charles, No. 76 West Lake Street, 1S59 I Clinton Street, near Ran-
dolph, 1S61 ; Keeler, Elizabeth, West Lake Street, corner Paulina,
1862 ; Keeler, Miss E. D., No. 118 Eighteenth Street, 1871 ;
Keefe Bridget, No. 63S Archer Avenue, 1S6S ; Kindergarten
School, Miss C. L. Heinrichs, principal, Maple Street, corner
Hills, 1871 ; Knapp, Christian, basement St. Paul's Church, 1S60 ;
Koch's German and English School, No. 227 West Twenty-first
Street, 1871.
Lane & Baker, No. 218 Wabash Avenue, 1861 ; Langdon,
Euretta, Ringgold Place, near Michigan Avenue, 1861 ; Langdon,
Mrs. Kittie, Halsted Street, corner Harrison, 1S67 ; Larsen, To-
bias, No. 150 West Indiana Street, 1862 ; Leinitz School, No. 929
Wells Street, 1868 ; Lenert, Peter, No. 329 South Wells Street,
1S67, No. 278 State Street, 1871 ; Lepelt, Albert T., No. 457
State Street, 1860-1861 ; Loretto Academy, West Adams Street,
near Desplaines, 1S71 ; Lutheran School, No. 79 Burling Street,
1869.
McMillan, John B., No. 143 Desplaines Street, 186S ; Max-
well Select School for Girls (Sisters of Charity), address not given,
1868-1871 ; Michaelis A., No. 77 North Green Street, 1871 ; Mor-
gan, Mrs. Charles H. and the Misses, No. 55 South Curtis Street,
1869 ; Mrs. Charles H. Morgan, No. 55 South Curtis Street, 1870.
Nelson L. S.,No. 143 South Green Street, 1S62; Nicolaijohn L.
and James J., No. 70 North Wells Street, 1S59; James Nicolai, 1S62;
John L. Nicolai, No. 293 Clark Street, 1863 ; Normal Academy
of Music, No. S5 Clark Street, 1868 ; Northwest Normal Institute
for Physical Education, O. W. and J. P. Powers, conductors, Nos.
116 and 1 IS Randolph Street, 1S66; Norwegian Lutheran School (pa-
rochial school of Our Saviour Church), Benjamin Holland and Julius
Jenkins, teachers, corner North May and Third streets, 1869-1871.
Ollendorf, Rev. A., No. 141 Illinois Street, 1868.
Palmer, William D., No. 213 State Street, 1862-1864 ; Pal-
mer's Academy, No. 329 Wabash Avenue, 1865-1871 ; Pierce,
Celia, No. 191 Adams Street, 1865-1875 ; Prairie Avenue Semi-
nary, Oscar F'ullaber, principal, Nos. 819 and S21 Prairie Avenue,
1870-1871.
Quackenbos' Collegiate Institute, Nos. ioS and no Cass
streets, 1867-1871.
Randolph, Mary A., St. John's Place between Lake and Ful-
ton streets, 1865; Ranker, Charles, Clinton Street, corner Mather,
1861; Robertson, John P., No. 40 North Franklin, 1871; Roniayne,
Edward, No. 194 Bremer Street, 1871; Rose, A., No. 767 Fulton
Street, 1871.
St Agatha's (Sisters of Mercy), Calumet Avenue, corner Rio
Grande Street, 1859; St. Boniface, M. Bomard. teacher. Carroll
Avenue, northwest corner Noble Street, 1867-1871; St. Bridget's
PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
117
Catholic School, Mrs. and Miss Rogers, No. 663 Archer Avenue,
1871; St. Coleman's Private School, Paulina Street corner Indiana,
1869; St. Columbian's, Paulina Street, corner Owen, 1861-1871;
St. Francis' Boys' School (Sisters of St. Francis), Newberry Street,
corner Twelfth, 186S-1S71; St. Francis' Girls' School (Sisters of
Charity), Newberry Street, corner Twelfth, 186S-1S71; St. Francis
Xavier, No. 131 Wabash Avenue, 1861; St. James (Sisters of
Mercy), parochial school of St. James' Church, Carville Street,
186S-1871; St. John's School, First Street, corner Bickerdyke, 1869;
St. John's Boys' School, Clark Street, between Seventeenth and
Eighteenth, 1S6S-1S71; St. John's Girl's School, Fourth Avenue,
between Eighteenth and Nineteenth, 1868-1871; St. Joseph's, Chi-
cago Avenue, corner Cass, 1861-1S71; St. Joseph's Catholic School,
Sister Antonio, mistress, address unknown, 1S6S; St. Mary's, No.
44 Madison Street, 1S61; St. Mary's of the Lake, Cass Street, near
Chicago Avenue, 1S61-1S71; St. Mary's School for Girls (Sisters
of Mercy), under St. Mary's Church, Nos. 131 and 133 Wabash
Avenue, 1S6S-1S71; St. Michael's German School for Boys, North
Avenue, corner Church Street, 1S68-1S71; St. Michael's German
School for Girls (Sisters of Notre Dame), North Avenue, corner
Church Street, 186S-1871; St. Patrick's School for Boys, Brother
William, director. No. 139 Desplaines Street, 1S6S-1S71; St.
Patrick's School for Girls (Sisters of Loretto), Desplaines Street,
near Adams, 1S6S-1871; St. Paul's Catholic School (Sisters of
Loretto), Clinton Street, corner Mather, 1S68-1S71; St. Peter's,
August Schmidt, principal, corner Chicago Avenue and Noble
Street, 1S67-1S71; St. Peter's (parochial school), Clark Street, cor-
ner Polk, 1861-1871; St. Stanislaus and Aloysius (Sisters of Char-
ity B. V.), No. 71 Evans Street, corner Johnson, 186S-1871.
Sanger, Mrs. A. V., No. 700 West Washington Street, 1868;
Saunders, Catharine, No. 296 Chicago Avenue, i860; Saunders,
Eliza J., No. 296 Chicago Avenue, 1S61-1865; Schmitz, P. L.,
Clybourn Avenue, near Division Street, 1861; Schoenfeld, Wolf,
No. 82 Quincy Street, 1864; School of the Holy Angels (parochial
school of the Church of the Nativity), Emerald Street, northwest
corner Egan, 1870-1871; School of the Immaculate Conception
(Dominican Sisters), No. 497 North Franklin, 1S70-1S71 ;
School of Trade, Julius Dyhrenfurth, principal, No. 162 Lake
Street, corner LaSalle, 1861-1S64; Second German Evangelical
Lutheran Immanuel School, Union Street, cornel Sou
1871; Seymour Mrs. John, No. 269 South Clinton Street, 1867;
Shaw, Orrin T„ No. 275 Huron Street. [859; Sinks, Adolphus,
No. 156 Clark Street, 1866; Sisters of Charii\ (se< Academy of
the Holy Name); Smith, Miss Jennie A., No. 300 Erie Strei
Snow, Orville II.. No. 20 Harrison Street, i860; Snow. Sarah, No.
162 North Sangamon Street, i860; Stanelen, Julius, No. 11;
Ohio Street, 1S60, No. 14S In. liana Street, [862; Stevens, Eliza-
beth P. and Mary, No. 63 Edina Place, 1S62-1863, No. 22 Wash-
ington Street, 1864-1865; Stoelke, J. C, No 17; Butterfield
1871; Swedish Lutheran School, A. P. Morton, principal, No. io-'
Sedgwick Street, 1S71; Swedish Lutheran Religious School, No.
190 Superior Street, 1S69.
Teisbow, Mrs. Amelia M., No. 351 North LaSalle Street,
1871; Tillotson. Deidamia M., No. 385 West Lake Street, i860;
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran School, Farwell Street, between Ar-
cher Avenue and Hickory Street, 1S69-1871; Try and Win School,
Adams Street, corner Sangamon, 1871.
Union Stock Yards Washington Branch, No. 152 West Indi-
ana Street, 1868.
Vinton, Emma O., North Street, between State Street and
Wabash Avenue, 1863.
Warren Music School and Normal Academy of Music. No. 88
Clark Street, 1861; Waters, Edwin S., No. 374 Chicago Avenue.
1871; Wendell, Ann E., Twelfth Street, near State, 1S60; Wiedin-
ger, B. (German School), Nos. 146 and 14S Indiana Street, [864;
Whiting, Mary E., No. 3S6 Ontario Street, 1S6S; Whitney, S. 1-.,
Indiana Street, corner Wolcott, 1S61; Wiedman, Anthony, No. .,-
Fourth Street, i860; Wilhelm, A. P.. No. 135 fackson Street.
1860-1861, No. 329 Wells Street, 1S62-1864; Whitaker, Mary A..
No. 126 Harrison Street, 1862-1863; Wright, Lucy A., Dearborn
Street, corner Ohio, 1S61, No. 273 Huron Street, 1862, Dearborn
Street, corner Ontario, 1863; Wright, Matilda, Polk Street, corner
Edina Place, 1S61-1862.
Young Ladies' Collegiate Institute, Rev. Martin Fay, prin-
cipal, No. 763 Wabash Avenue, 1866; Young Ladies' High School,
No. 63 Edina Place, 1S61.
Zion School, Clinton Street, corner Wilson, 1S61; Zion School
(Hebrew), No. 60 Desplaines Street, 1S69.
DEARBORN PARK, MICHIGAN AVENUE.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION.
Omnibus Routes. — From 1S5S to 1864, a number
of omnibus routes were maintained by F. Parmelee &
Co., and M. O. & S. B. Walker. As the lines of street
railways were extended, the omnibuses were gradually
driven from the field, until, in 1864, the Walkers, who
were the last to withdraw, sold out their entire stock of
horses to the West Division Railway Company. After
this time, there were one or two spasmodic attempts to
establish an omnibus opposition to the street cars on
particular routes, but they resulted in nothing definite
The omnibus routes extended as follows, for the years
mentioned :
■ — Lake Street and Blue Island Avenue ; from the corner
of Madison and Dearborn streets to Hastings Street and Blue Island
Avenue, every half hour.
Canal >treet; from the corner of Madison and Dearborn to
South Canal and Meagher streets, every half hour.
South Clark Street; on Clark to South, or Twelfth, Street,
even,' ten minutes.
/Sjq-6o. — Lake Street and Blue Island Avenue; from City
Hotel to Twelfth Street, on Blue Island Avenue, every hour.
East and West Randolph streets; on Randolph to Robey
Street, every fifteen minutes.
South Clark Street, to the corner of Twelfth and Clark, every
ten minutes.
iSbi-62. — Lake and Randolph streets ; on Randolph to Robey
Street, every fifteen minutes.
East and West Lake streets ; from City Hotel to corner of
Robey and Lake streets, every half hour.
Canal Street; from Post-office Exchange to Meagher Street,
every half hour.
Madison Street; from Garrett Block to Union Park House,
every thirty minutes-
South Clark Street, to the corner of Twelfth and Clark, every
ten minutes.
North Clark Street; from Post-office Exchange to Mr. Bucher's.
every hour.
1863. — Lake and Blue Island Avenue, to Hastings Street,
every half hour.
Canal Street ; from Post-office Exchange to South Branch,
even- half hour.
South Clark Street, to Twelfth Street, every ten minutes.
The year 1864 saw still greater diminution in, and
before the end of the year the last of, the omnibus
routes. In that year, the only lines maintained were
those on Canal Street and on South Clark Street.
Before the close of the year, these were abandoned,
and from that time the street cars have formed the
ordinary means for getting about the city.
-•avium. I!. Wai.KER is an old and highly respected resident
irions with the business affairs of the city
e«tcnding over a period of more than two-store years. Late in
the fall of 1841, Mr. Walker, accompanied by his mother, a sister.
rother, came to Chicago from Whiting, Vt., bringing with
him a stock of dry goods and groceries, lie rented the building
at No. 144 Lake Street, and began business, carrying 1 general
nd continued for three years. At the end of that lime he
merchandise, and in company with his brother,
d the livery stable of J. V. Sanger, near the old Matteson
House, the firm name being S: B. & M. O. Walker. It was soon
^^^h^^^
after, that the firM omnibus line was started in Chicago by the
brother*, running from Randolph Street to Twelfth Street. Not
long after, a line of vehicles was placed on North Clark Street,
then on Lake Street as far west as Peoria, followed by the Blue
Island Avenue line, running by the way of Canal and Harrison
streets, and the Canal Street line as far south as Eighteenth Street.
In 1S57, the livery business was abandoned, and the same year an
omnibus barn was built on the corner of Desplaines and Pierce
streets. The line of omnibuses was successfully continued up to
1S64, when the entire stock of horses was sold to the West Division
Railway Company, and also a number of conveyances, the balance
of the vehicles being disposed of to hotels throughout the sur-
rounding country. After selling the omnibus line, Mr. Walker
engaged in the cigar and tobacco business on Randolph Street,
between State and Dearborn, the firm name being Walker, Hart &
Rice. In this enterprise Mr. Walker was not as successful as he
had anticipated, and after three years of existence the partnership
was dissolved. He next became associated with E. N. Blake, and
.together they bought the Dake Bakery, November 14, 1S69, pur-
chasing the property from the administrator of the Dake estate,
the firm being Blake, Walker & Co. The business was carried on
in the rear of McVicker's theatre until the great fire destroyed the
plant. After the fire, the firm resumed business on Clinton Street,
continuing until January 21, 1S79, when a sale was effected to
Blake, Shaw & Co., since which time Mr. Walker has retired from
active participation in commercial business. Mr. Walker was born
in Whiting, Addison Co., Vt. , February 21, 1S07, the son of
Samuel B. and Patty (Bent) Walker. His father was a miller, a
lumber-merchant and a farmer, and during a part of nis life had
also kept a general store in the state of Vermont. He followed
his family to Chicago in 1842, and died in this city on October
16th of that year, at the age of fifty-seven years. His mother,
/&st^
who came with him to this city in 1841, died August 7, 1S57, at
the age of seventy-two years. Until he had attained his seventh
year, Mr. Walker received very little schooling, and at that time
moved with his family to Hubbardton, Rutland County, ten miles
distant, where he became a pupil at the schools of that town, until
he arrived at the age of nineteen He then apprenticed himself to
learn the trade of a wool carder and dyer, serving a term of three
years. At the end of that time he opened a business for himself,
working at his trade during the summer and farming during the
winter. In 1838, he closed out his business to a brother, and
returning to Whiting, opened a store, carrying a stock of general
merchandise This he continued until 1841, when he brought his
stock to Chicago, and in November of that year, established him-
self in business in this city. Mr. Walker was married March 5,
1S28, to Miss Jennette Hamlin, of Rupert, Vt., who died February
3, 1SS5, at the advanced age of seventy-five years. There are
three daughters, Chastina B. Walker, Mrs. John Dupee and Mrs.
Henry T. Whitimore. Mr. Walker is an honored member of Ex-
celsior Lodge, No. 22, I. O.O F., and formany years has held a high
position in the Chicago Encampment, No. 12, of that order, sur-
rendering his membership in January, 1885, on account of his
inability to attend to the duties of his office. He has always lived
an upright life, and belongs among those whose sterling virtues
have helped to make Chicago what it is.
FRANKLIN PARMELEE, the head of the great transfer system
which bears his name, was born in Byron, N. V., August II, 1S16,
being the son of Edward and Mercy (Hopkins) Parmelee. His
father, one of the pioneer farmers of Genesee Valley, had removed
to ibis place from the State of Vermont. Voting Parmelee's educa-
tion was scant, so to speak, as before he was twelve years of age he
was obliged to leave his school days behind him, and going to Avon
Springs, engaged himself as a driver. After being employed for a
time in a public house, he entered a stage office in Bat a via, where he
remained five years. He next settled in Erie, Penn., where heserved
for the same length of time under General Reed, the famous stage
proprietor of that region, and owner of various steamers. Mr.
Parmelee's first visit to Chicago was due to his intimacy with Gen-
eral Reed. Through him he obtained a position as clerk on the
CITY RAILWAYS.
119
steamer "James Madison," which, in 1S37, was running between
Buffalo and Chicago. He thus continued as clerk on various steam-
ers until 1S50, when he settled in Will County, to engage in mer-
cantile pursuits. After three years of this life, he decided to come
to Chicago and conduct his operations in a larger field. In the
spring of 1S53, ne arrived in this city and started the Chicago Om-
nibus Line, the first one in this city. His outfit consisted of six
omnibuses and wagons. In addition to furnishing facilities for de-
pot travel, in 1S54, Mr. Parmelee established a line of omnibuses
on Madison Street, which ran as far west as " Bull's Head," or the
present Union Park. A four-horse omnibus was put on in 1855,
and extended to Cottage Grove, by way of State Street, to Twelfth
then the outskirts of this city. This line he maintained until 1S5S,
when the right-of-way was granted to the Chicago City Railway
Company, to lay tracks on State Street and Cottage Grove Avenue,
on Archer Avenue, and on Madison Street to the city limits. The
*Sa>*Z-&C&-<<J
permission to construct the tracks was granted to Henry Fuller,
Franklin Parmelee and Liberty Bigelow. In 1856-57, Mr. Parme-
lee placed another line on Clark Street. M. O. & S. B. Walker
put on an opposition line, and Mr. Parmelee withdrew from the
field. Since 1S63, when the horse-railway charter, covering the
west side lines, was sold, he has devoted himself exclusively to the
transportation and transfer business. His splendid slate-roofed
building, corner of State and Randolph streets, in which this was
transacted, was destroyed by the great fire. At that time Liberty
Bigelow was his partner. In eleven weeks from the destruction of
his property by the fire, the commodious brick structure, one hun-
dred by one hundred and fifty-three feet, now occupied by him, was
erected. In 1SS1, an addition of eighty-eight by one hundred and
fifty-three feet was made to the original building. Mr. Parmelee
now occupies nearly one-half a square block, between Franklin
Street and Fifth Avenue. He has contracts for the transfer busi-
ness with all the railroads centering in Chicago, and something of
the immensity of his transactions may be inferred from the fact
that he has in his employ seventy-five omnibuses and seventy-five
wagons, two hundred and fifty horses and one hundred and thirty
men. Mr. Parmelee was married in September, 1S40, to Miss Ade-
line Whitney, of Hindsburg, Orleans Co., N. V., who died in Jan-
uary, 1S64, leaving one daughter and three sons. In October, 1S6S,
he married Miss Roxana W. Smith, of Kenosha, Wis. Mr. Par-
melee's sons are with their father in business, although they are not
interested with him as partners.
CITY RAILWAYS.
The Chicago City Railway Company. — -The first
ordinance regarding horse-railways was passed March
4, 1856, and granted to Roswell B. Mason and Charles
B. Phillips, the privilege of laying a track or tracks
from the corner of State and Randolph streets, along
the former, to the southern city limits, and from the
corner of Dearborn Street and Kinzie, and the corner
of Kinzie and Franklin streets, to the northern city
limits, with various connecting sections; the principal
one being the line extending from the corner of State
Street and Archer Avenue, along the latter thoroughfare,
to the southern city limits. Colonel Mason was at this
time actively engaged in the construction of the Illinois
Central Railroad, and therefore left the prosecution of
the horse-railway enterprise principally to Mr. Phillips.
A short section of track was laid on the North Side, as
a legal compliance with the ordinance, but the panic of
1857, and the preceding and succeeding instability of
business, made of this first "enterprise" a very dead
one indeed. Colonel Mason sold out his interest, for a
nominal sum, to his associate, Mr. Phillips, who after-
ward unavailingly sought to establish the validity of a
title by legal proceedings.
Matters lay dormant until August 16, 1858, when
the Common Council passed an ordinance, granting
permission to Henry Fuller, Franklin Parmelee and
Liberty Bigelow to lay tracks on State Street and Cot
tage Grove Avenue, on Archer Avenue and cm Madi-
son Street, to the city limits. It was required that the
construction of one of these lines should be com-
menced on or before November 1, 1858; that the State-
street line should be completed to Ringgold Place
(Twenty-second street), by October 15, 1859; the Mad-
ison-street line by October 15, i860; and the Cottage
Cxrove-avenue line by January 1, 1861. Ground was
broken for the State-street line November 1, 1858, in
front of Garrett Block, near Randolph Street. As a
portion of the appropriate ceremonies which there took
place, Henry Fuller wielded the spade and ex-Gover-
nor Bross drove the first spike. A section of track was
first laid between Randolph and Madison streets, and
two cars that had been brought from Troy, N. Y., were
placed on this brief initial line and run back and forth,
greatly to the amusement of the people. There were
not lacking, however, property owners on State Street,
who did not join in this good-natured greeting, but
were preparing to fight the enterprise. Its projectors
obtained from the Legislature a confirmation of their
rights by an act, approved February 14, 1859, which
incorporated Franklin Parmelee, Liberty Bigelow,
Henry Fuller and David A. Gage, in the order named,
as the " Chicago City Railway Company," for a term of
twenty-five years, to operate street lines "within the
present or future limits of the South and West divisions."
Section 8 of this act recited, that " Nothing herein con-
tained shall authorize the construction of more than a
single track with the necessary turnouts, which shall
only be at street crossings upon State Street between
Madison and Twelfth streets, by the consent of the
owners of two-thirds of the property, in lineal measure-
ment, lying upon said State Street between Madison
and Twelfth." State Street to Twelfth — beyond which
the city limits had but recently been moved southward
— was then a busy thoroughfare, in transformation from
residence to business property; and the feeling of oppo-
sition to the railway, among many property owners, was
such that their consent had to be bought on private
terms. Harmony being restored, the line was opened
to Twelfth Street on April 25, 1859. State Street was
then paved with cobblestones to Twelfth, and beyond
was a plank road to the Cottage Grove suburb, since
better known as Camp Douglas, and the scene of stir-
ring war incidents. The entire line, from Randolph
Street south, as first laid, was a single track, with turn-
outs at street crossings, somewhat similar to the present
Indiana-avenue line.
Of the projectors of this second, and now successful,
street railway enterprise, Messrs. Parmelee, Bigelow and
Gage constituted the firm of F. Parmelee & Co., own-
ing street omnibuses and depot transfer wagons, and
Mr. Fuller was a large owner of real estate. Street
travel in Chicago was then a thing of vexation to man
and of weariness to beast. Even a paved street (with
cobblestones! like State Street had little to boast of,
and the most aristocratic plank road was too often a
delusion and a snare. Street railways were thus already
a public necessity, and were certain to become more and
more so. It is a reminder of those days, however, and
has been true of many an enterprise of greater moment,
that stock subscriptions to the Chicago City Railway
Company did not open with a rush, in 1859: and as
human nature ever repeats itself, so it must be written
that rights to stock subscription were afterward claimed
by some who had at first refused to come in.
On the 25th of April, 1S59, as stated, cars were
running along State to Twelfth Street and in June to
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
the city limits. By May i. a single track had been com-
pleted from Madison to Twenty-second Street, on State,
and two horse cars were run every twelve minutes.
In the summer, the track was extended, on Twenty-
second Street and Cottage Grove Avenue, to Thirty-first
Street, and. by fall, cars were running every six minutes
as tar as Twenty-second Street. A state fair was to be
held at Cottage Grove in the autumn of 1859, and in
order to be ready for it the company spiked down the
rails on the planking as it lay.
An ordinance of the City Council, passed May 23,
1859, specified additional streets on which lines might
might be laid in the West and South divisions, — on
feits have been unhesitatingly accepted in trade. This
issue of what may be called "the emergency tickets of
1861," amounted to about $150,000, and because of
counterfeits they were, as soon as possible, called in for
redemption in other tickets of more elaborate prepara-
tion. The second issue was readily divisible into de-
nominations of twenty-five, fifteen and ten cents, to the
greater convenience of the people ; and until the postal
currency of the United States came into circulation, in
the summer of 1862, the issues of the Chicago City
Railway were the most acceptable small change Chicago
had or could furnish. Long after their use as currency
had ceased, Mr. Fuller, the treasurer, continued to
Lake. Randolph and Van Buren streets, in the South
and West, and on Milwaukee and Blue Island avenues
in the West. This ordinance prescribed the time when
each of these lines should be commenced and opened;
but as Clark Street was then occupied by the Michigan
Southern Railroad, below Harrison Street, and property
owners were themselves fighting for a thoroughfare, it
was agreed that the street railway company should defer
action, as to Clark Street, for ten years; and in pursu-
ance of that purpose an ordinance of the Council,
February 13, i860, extended the rights of the company
in that thoroughfare to cover the proposed period of
delay. The Madison-street line, built under the origi-
nal charter, was opened to Halsted Street on May 20,
1859, and reached Robey Street August 8 of the same
year. The Randolph-street line began to come into
use on July 15, 1859. Meanwhile the State-street line
• neglected.
In 1 86 1, the financial medium was first vitiated.
The daily varying quotations of "stump-tail " made its
iften glad to be rid of it on any terms. The
city railway company was of necessity made the re-
cipient of much of this poor paper. Up to this time the
company hail not issued " punch tickets " for fares, and
so long as silver change held out, it had not thought of
jing so. When, however, silver disappeared, and
had to postage stamps as the readiest ex-
pedient, the Chicago City Railroad Company may be
said to have come to the rescue of the people. Their
earliest issue of tickets, hastily flung from a job press
and as hastily stamped, were hailed as a public boon.
An uncancelled ten-ride ti< ket was good in the city or
vicinity, and unquestioned for its face value of fifty
cents. It would pass in almost anytransat tion; indeed,
anywhere in preference to a greasy little envelope of
e stamps that were certain to be damaged if they
were not short in the count. It is even related that
church contributions brought in no small ston oi them,
Though redeemable only in rides, so much wen the)
in demand as a circulating medium that they were
counterfeit^, and it is a tradition that known counter-
receive these tickets, by letter, from distant points.
Many have doubtless been retained as souvenirs of an
eventful time.
In 1863, a comprehensive scheme was carried
through the Legislature, under the title of the " Wabash
Railway Company," which gave to the incorporators —
Thomas Harless, Horace A. Hurlbut, and Charles
Hitchcock, and to their associates, etc. — the right to
occupy Wabash and Michigan avenues, and other prin-
cipal streets in all directions from the center, and to
extend their lines into indefinite suburbs. The act
passed the Senate on January 22. Being reported by
a senator from southern Illinois, and read only by its
title, it went through under a misapprehension. The
Legislature took a recess from February 14 to June 2,
and upon its re-assembling the fact for the first time
dawned upon Chicago that a vast franchise was hidden
under a misleading title. The bill passed the House on
June 8, and not until then were its provisions publicly
known. It was at a time of intense excitement, in a
critical period of the war, and the Legislature was not
in harmony with the administration on war measures.
On Wednesday, June 10, Governor Yates prorogued
the two houses, and the incident was perhaps the most
exciting ever known in the legislative history of the
State. The Tribune of June 11 said:
" We were to have seen a peace commission instituted, peace
measures set on foot, and a deep and deadly stab inflicted upon the
loyal history of our State. * * * But huge above all, the roc's
egg of this whole affair, looms up the Wabash Horse Railroad
swindle."
A public meeting in Metropolitan Hall, on the even-
ing of June 11, indorsed the Governor's action and
denounced the Wabash bill. The Common Council, by
resolution, requested the Governor to veto it. The
veto, dated June 19, says:
" The fact that over three months intervened between its pas-
sage in the Senate and in the House, and that during this long inter-
val, the citizens of Chicago were not even apprised of its existence,
i . evidence that those having control of it were unwilling to have it
submitted to the test of public scrutiny."
CITY RAILWAYS.
The Chicago City Railway Company continued to
extend its line in the South Division. During the
month of October, 1864, a branch track was laid upon
the Archer road from State Street to Stewart Avenue,
and completed to Bridgeport, during the ensuing year.
At the end of 1869, the company was operating seven-
teen and one-quarter miles of track.
In the early part of 1871, the running timetable was
as follows: "Cars leave corner State and Randolph, via
State, to Twenty-second, every minute, and to Cottage
Grove Avenue and Douglas Place every four minutes;
leave southern limits every four minutes for Twenty-
second, Twenty-second every minute, and Archer road
every eight minutes for corner of State and Randolph
streets."
The North Chicago Railway Company. — The
same act of the Legislature of February 14, 1859, which
incorporated the Chicago City Railway Company, con-
ferred like immunities and privileges upon William B.
Ogden, John B. Turner, Charles V. Dyer, James H.
Rees and Yoluntine C. Turner, by the name of the
North Chicago Railway Company, for the North Divis-
ion of the city of Chicago.
On the 23d of May, 1859, the Common Council,
by ordinance, authorized the company to construct a
horse railway in the North Division, on the following
streets:
1. On Clark Street, from North Water Street to
Green Bay road, and then to present and future city
limits.
2. From Clark Street west, on Division, to Clybourn
Avenue, and thence on Clybourn Avenue to city limits.
3. From Clark Street east, on Michigan, to Rush,
thence north on Rush to Chicago Avenue.
4. Commencing on Wells Street at North Water,
thence north to Division Street, west to Sedgwick and
north on Sedgwick to Green Bay road.
5. West on Chicago Avenue, from Rush Street to
the North Branch of the Chicago River.
At this time Clark Street was planked, and the first
railway was laid, by spiking the rails to the planks, an
additional thickness of plank being placed in the horse-
path. The track was laid double to Division Street;
beyond that, a single track to Fullerton Avenue. Eaton,
Gilbert & Co., of Troy, N. Y., furnished the first
car.
The Clark-street line to city limits, the Clybourn
Avenue and the Chicago-avenue lines were completed
in 1859 ; the Sedgwick-street line in 1861, and a line to
Graceland, with a steam dummy, in 1864. The Michi-
gan and Rush-street lines were never built, and the
rights thereon were forfeited.
In 1864, the company was authorized to connect
their tracks with those of the Chicago City Railway,
thereby making continuous lines of horse railway be-
tween the different divisions of the city.
The same year, also, permission was granted to lay
a single, or double, track on Larrabee Street, from Chi-
cago Avenue to Little Fort road, and on Little Fort
road to present or future city limits. This branch was
completed the same year. The lines were gradually
extended on the streets, and in the directions specified,
until, in 187 1, the company was operating about twelve
miles of road.
By the great fire, the company lost $350,000, their
stables, rolling stock and tracks being entirely con-
sumed. Their vigorous and energetic recovery from
the great disaster, and the complete re-habilitation of
their system will be recounted in the third volume of
this history.
Voluntine C. Turner, president of the North Division
Horse Railway Company, was born in Malta, Saratoga Co., N. Y ,
February 25, 1823. Previous to preparing for college, he received
a good primary education, and also was employed by his father,
while engaged upon the construction of the Erie Railroad and the
Genesee Valley Canal. Young Turner prepared for college at the
Troy and Oxford academies, New York, graduating at Williams
College, Williamstown, Mass., in the year 1846. In the fall, he
removed to Chicago, and soon afterward commenced the practice
of law, which he continued for a period of twelve years. From
1848 to 1S58, he was in partnership with 11. A. Clarke, and from
that year until i860, with the exception of a short time, during
which he was in partnership with B. F. Ayer, Mr. Turner engaged
alone in the general practice of his profession. In February, 1859,
he first became connected with the North Side Railway Company,
as its secretary and treasurer, continuing thus to act until July.
1865. From that date until January, 1867, he was vice-president of
the company, and has been president from that time up to date.
During all this period, he has been general manager of the road —
in fact, being its active and untiring superintendent, and confining
himself to the upbuilding of its interests. He has never held a
public office, and never aspired to one. Mr. Turner was married
to Eliza Smith, daughter of Colonel Henry Smith, the old partner
of William B. Ogden, on the 20th of May, 1851. For twenty-live
years they were prominent members of the St. James (Episcopal)
Church. At present, however, they are members of Professor
Swing's congregation.
The Chicago West Division Railway Company.
— On the 21st of February, 1861, the Legislature of
Illinois enacted, that Edward P. Ward, William K. Mc-
Allister, Samuel B. Walker, James L. Wilson, Charles
B. Brown, Nathaniel P. Wilder, and their successors, be
created and constituted a body corporate and politic,
by the name of " The Chicago West Division Railway
Company," for the term of twenty-five years.
This company was authorized to acquire any of the
powers, franchises, privileges, or immunities conferred
upon the Chicago City Railway Company by the act of
February 14, 1859, as may by contract between the said
railway corporations be agreed upon. Nothing seems to
have been done by this company, under their charter, until
the summer of 1863. At that time, the gentlemen com-
posing the company sold out their stock to J. Russell
Jones, John C. Haines, Jerome Beecher, W. Ff. Brad-
ley, Parnell Munson, and William H. Ovington, of
Chicago, and E. B. Washburne, Nathan Corwith, and
Benjamin Campbell, of Galena. The new company
organized with J. Russell Jones as president and super-
intendent, and William H. Ovington as secretary and
treasurer.
On the 30th of July, 1863, a sale was made to this
company by the Chicago City Railway, of their road
and franchises in the West Division, for the sum of
$200,000, cash. The deed of transfer was dated the
1st of August, 1863, and had a border of United States
revenue stamps amounting to $580.
The tracks laid at that time were on Randolph and
Madison streets, extending to Union Park.
The new company entered vigorously upon the work
of extending the lines. A track was laid upon Blue Is-
land Avenue, and cars were running to Twelfth Street
by December 22, 1863. In June, 1864, the Milwaukee
line was opened, and in October, the Clinton and Jef-
ferson-street lines. Year after year the lines were ex-
tended, until, in 1871, the company owned and operated
over twenty miles of track. By the charters of Febru-
ary 14, 1859, and February 21, 1861, passed by the Leg-
islature, incorporating the foregoing horse railway com-
panies, the franchises and privileges were granted for a
term of twenty-five years. On the 6th of February,
1865, the legislature passed, over the Governor's veto,
an act amending the charters in respect to time, and
granting terms of ninety-nine years instead of twenty-
five.
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
J Rissfli Jones, president of the Chicago West Division
Railway Company, is descended from an old and noted English
family. Colonel John Jones, one of his ancestors, married the sec-
ond sister of Oliver Cromwell, in 1023. and was put to death Octo-
; nHJo, upon the restoration of Charles the II. The son,
Honorable William Jones, came to this country with his father-in-
law. Honorable rheophilus Eaton, first Governor of the colony of
New Haven and Connecticut. Mr. Jones acted as deputy governor
rs, and died October 17, 1700. Samuel, the grandfather of J.
Russell [ones, was -in officer under George I I.,and served with credit in
the French and Indian and theRevolutionary wars. His parents were
Joel and Maria 1 Dan 1 Jones, J. Russell being the youngest of four
children. He was born at Conneaut, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, February
J23. When he was thirteen vears of age, his mother, who had
been left a widow, removed to Rockton, Winnebago Co., 111. The
young boy was left at home to support himself, and when, in 1S3S,
he announced his determination to join the family in the Far West,
he had so established himself in the confidence and love of the
community, that the members of the Conneaut Presbvterian Church
offered to educate him for the ministry if he would remain with
them. But even at this early age, to determine was to act, and he
accordingly took passage for Illinois, in the schooner "J. G.
King," and arrived at Chicago August 19, 1S3S. After some diffi-
cult v he reached his new home in Winnebago County, where he
faithfully assisted his family for about two years. In June, 1S40,
with one dollar in his pocket, but with a hardy constitution and an
iron will, he removed to Galena. First going into a retail store, he
soon after went into the employ of Benjamin H. Campbell, a lead-
ing merchant of that flourishing town, and subsequently became a
partner in the firm. Until 1856, the business transacted was on a
scale commensurate with the importance of Galena as the leading
commercial emporium of the Northwest. The partnership was
then dissolved. Ten years previous to this date, Mr. Jones had
been appointed secretary and treasurer of the Galena and Minne-
sota Packet Company, which position he retained until 1861. In
1S60, he was elected to represent Jo Daviess and Carroll counties in
the Twenty-second General Assembly, and the next year was ap-
pointed United States Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois,
commencing his term of service in April. In the fall of that year
he removed to Chicago, and, in 1863, organized and was
elected president of the Chicago West Division Railway Company,
retaining that position until June, 1869, when he was appointed
minister to Belgium by President Grant. He was also re-appointed
United States Marshal in 1S65. Upon his return from abroad, in
1875, he was tendered the position of Secretary of the Interior, but
declined and was appointed Collector of the Port of Chicago, and
was again elected president of the Railway Company, which posi-
tion he now holds. Mr. Jones was married, in 184S, to Elizabeth
Ann, daughter of the late Judge Andrew Scott, of Arkansas. They
have had three sons and three daughters.
LA SALLE STREET [ROM THE COURT HOUSE.
ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL
In the first volume of this history, record has been
made of the so-called "unlawful funding of canal indebt-
edness," and Ex-Governor Matteson's connection with
it. This concluded the chief events of the period up to
the latter portion of 1857. By that year the complete
success of the "canal scheme" was assured. As yet
its channel was " shallow-cut " ; but soon the original
intention of a "deep-cut," which poverty only pre-
vented from being carried out, was to be realized. An
impetus to this inclination was given by the threatened
digging of a ditch from the Calumet River, the prin-
cipal feeder of the canal, to Lake Michigan, in order to
drain a valuable tract of swamp land in Indiana. Its
effect would have been to almost destroy the usefulness
of the Calumet feeder, but in 1S59, to guard against any
such danger, in the future, two steam engines were
added to the hydraulic works and other improvements
made, so that the canal would not be obliged to depend
so much upon that feeder for supplying the summit
level. In later years, they were also made to serve the
purpose of flushing the Chicago River. The sanitary
safety of the city also forced the deepening of the
canal; which work was finally accomplished in July,
187 1. The great War Convention, held in Chicago,
June 2, 1863, was the first decisive movement toward
the accomplishment of this -end. Five thousand dele-
gates attended from the states of the North, it being
the design to transform the canal into a national water-
way, which might float the largest gun-boats on their
passage from the great lakes to the Mississippi River
However, the various plans proposed fell through, and
in February, 1865, a legislative act was passed, and
approved by Governor Oglesby, authorizing the City of
Chicago to enter into arrangements with the Canal
Board of Trustees, with a view to the speedy accom-
plishment of the work on the deep-cut plan. An
agreement entered into by the city and the board during
this year was, in 1868, extended for an additional period
of three years. The contract by which the summit was
to be cut down so that twenty-four thousand feet of
water a minute could be drawn from the lake at its
lowest stage, was let September 26, 1865. The con-
tractors having abandoned or forfeited their contracts,
the work was re-let in July, 1867. The work proceeded,
with the interruptions incident to such enterprises,
until, in pursuance with law, on May 1, 187 1, the Board
of Trustees turned over the canal to the following
Board of Commissioners : Joseph Utley, president ;
Virgil Hickox, treasurer; and Robert Milne, secretary.
No change was made in the general officers of the
canal, and the work of cutting down the summit, or
deepening the canal, went on.
There were few changes, in fact, in its officers from
1857 to 187 1, when the Board of Trustees had performed
the duties imposed upon them and turned the canal,
with all its improvements, over to the Canal Commis-
sioners. In 1858, the trustees were as follows: William
H. Smith, of Boston, president; David Leavitt, of New
York, treasurer; Charles H. Ray, State trustee, Chi-
cago. The secretary of the board was William Good-
ing, the general superintendent John B. Preston, the
agent for the sale of canal lands E. S. Prescott, and
the auditor of accounts Joel Manning. In May, 1859,
Henry Grinnell was elected in place of David Leavitt,
and in January, 1861, Martin II. Cassel, of Jackson-
ville,was appointed State trustee, to succeed Charles 11.
Ray. In October, 1864, John B. Preston, who had
been general superintendent of the canal nearly ten years,
resigned his position, and was succeeded by William A.
Gooding, who, for four years, had been assistant super-
intendent in charge of the eastern division. Sheridan
Wait was appointed State trustee in February, 1865.
Joel Manning, who had been connected with the canal
management almost continuously since 1836, died in
January, 1869, holding, at the time of his death, the
position of auditor of accounts. In December, 1868,
William Gooding became general superintendent tem-
porarily) of the canal, and was appointed permanentlv
to the position in Januar)', 1869. During that year,
also, Robert Rowett was appointed State trustee by the
Governor
To continue the narrative where it was left when the
old Board of Trustees turned the canal over to the new
Commissioners, nearly completed: — The superintendent
of the canal was ordered, in pursuance of a notice given
by the Chicago Board of Public Works that their work
was completed and that they wished to remove the locks,
to close the navigation of the canal for one month from
the 15th of June, 187 1. The canal was closed, how-
ever, on June 26, and kept closed until July 18, the
labor of removing the locks being greater than was an-
ticipated. On the morning of the 18th of July, the
level was full, and the Chicago River, with all its filth,
had taken the place of the heretofore clear water at
Lockport, the people of Chicago rejoicing in the great
relief furnished by the deep-cut, which caused the
South Branch of the river to run "up stream." Within
three or four days, the water from Lake Michigan filled
the canal at Lockport and was thrown off there, over
the rocks, almost as clear and blue as the waters at the
Falls of Niagara. Navigation was at once resumed, but
as the banks had not been trimmed and refuse was still
lying along the edge of the canal, and even in its prism,
the Commissioners finished the work according to con-
tract, and the city paid for it. On the 16th of August
the Canal Commissioners certified to the correctness of
all accounts, and, on the 19th of that month, the release
deed of the canal was transmitted to the Governor. In
May, 1873, there was a change in the Board of Canal
Commissioners. Mr. Utley was re-elected president,
but H. G. Anderson was chosen treasurer, and W. N.
Brainard, secretary. The board and the duties of its
members remained unchanged until May, 1877, when
it was reorganized by the election of J. O. Grover, presi-
dent; Martin Kingman, treasurer; and B. F. Shaw, sec-
retary. William Thomas was continued as general su-
perintendent, Daniel C. Jenne as chief engineer, and
William Milne as chief clerk.
The subject of cleansing the river continued to be
agitated by Chicago sanitarians, and it was decided by
the city to construct pumping works at the junction of
the canal and the South Branch. The works were
i-4
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
completed in August. 1883, at a total cost of about
- - soo. They are located across the old channel of
the canal, west of the South Branch.
The various improvements accomplished during late
years at Copperas Creek in the Illinois River, and at
various points along the line of the canal, have not been
noticed, because, since the stupendous development of
railroads, they have become of comparatively small
local interest. The canal has also greatly declined in
importance as a state highway of travel.
From 1S57 up to 1866, the tolls of the canal gradu-
ally increased from S197.000 to §302,000: although
there was a falling off during some of the years, notice-
ablv in 1S64, when they amounted to only $156,000.
The vear 1S66 was the most prosperous in the history
of the canal, but, with the close of the War, railroad
traffic was again untrammeled and the railway system,
especially in Illinois, commenced its marvelous growth.
Consequently, the canal fell away from its former posi-
tion of great prominence as a highway of travel and
commerce. Speaking in general terms, its tolls had
gradually declined in amount until, in 1882-83, tnev
amounted to only $S6,ooo.
At the last meeting of the Commissioners, held
October 9, and October 10, 1884, it was stated that the
receipts would be $8,000 more than during the previous
year, notwithstanding tolls had been reduced fifty per
cent. During the year, eleven of the ninety miles had
been supplied with rip-rap work as a protection against
the wash created by steam craft. By the canal has
been carried most of the lumber transported from
Chicago to Peoria and river points. During the year
1883-84, the Commissioners constructed fourteen hun-
dred feet of dockage from Ashland Avenue to the river,
and also a new dock of four hundred feet around
Armour's elevator, Chicago. The Commissioners have
also voted to build a dock of six hundred feet at
Peoria.
The present management of the canal, who took
charge in April, 1883, is as follows: Charles Bent, pres-
ident of the Board of Commissioners, Morrison; George
F. Brown, secretary, Morris ; D. J. Calligan, treasurer,
Peoria ; William Thomas, general superintendent, and
William Milne, chief clerk, Lockport.
VIEW OF OLD BARRACKS AND LAKE HOUSE
TELEGRAPH AND EXPRESS.
Telegraph Companies. — In 1858, there were but
two telegraph companies doing business in the city of
Chicago, — The Illinois and Mississippi and The Western
Union. The history of The Western Union, since that
year until 187 1, would include almost all that could be
written of the other companies, for each in turn has
been organized only to be absorbed by that corpora-
tion.
A few years before the first mentioned date, the wires
of The Western Union had been brought into the city
with great display of enthusiasm, a brass band playing
gaily as the laborers reeled off the connecting wire. No
city ordinance was then required before work could be
begun within the city limits, permission of the Board of
Public Works alone being necessary. No trouble was
experienced, however, as the new organization, by an
arrangement with the Illinois and Mississippi Company,
brought its wires into the city upon the latter's poles.
The two companies were in no sense rivals, since their
lines covered different territory, and they maintained
friendly relations under what was known as the " Seven
Company Contract," whereby the principal telegraph
companies then existing in the United States pooled
their earnings according to an equitable plan, and thus
secured continuous and connecting lines. In 1858, the
offices of both companies were at No. 1 1 LaSalle Street,
and, though they were operated as one, a separate
organization was maintained by each — E. D. L. Sweet
being superintendent, and George D. Sheldon, manager,
of the Illinois and Mississippi Company; and Emory
Cobb, superintendent, and R. C. Rankin, manager, of
The Western Union.
In i860, their offices were removed to Lake Street,
at the southeast corner of Clark. In 1861, F. H. Tubbs
became manager of the Illinois and Mississippi Company.
In 1864, the United States Company, after a severe
struggle with The Western Union, succeeded in estab-
lishing itself here, having offices at No. 66 Clark Street;
E. P. Porter being manager.
In 1866, William H. Hall took Mr. Tubbs's place in
the Illinois and Mississippi Company, to be succeeded
the next year by J. E. Ranny. There were also changes
in the Western Union, Mr. Cobb retiring, and being
succeeded as superintendent by Mr. Rankin, whose
place as manager was filled by Fred. Swain.
In April, 1866, the United States Company was
absorbed by the Western Union, and in the following
July, the Illinois and Mississippi was merged into the
same corporation, under a perpetual lease, and all the
offices of those companies were moved to Nos. 32-33
Chamber of Commerce. In 1869, they were again
moved to the northwest corner of Washington and
LaSalle streets. In that year, a new rival appeared, in
the shape of the Great Western Company, and a little
later a local company, known as the Metropolitan,
began doing business at No. 126 Washington Street.
In 1870, the following named companies were doing
business here: Western LTnion, corner LaSalle and
Washington streets; William Orton, president; O. H.
Palmer, secretary; Anson Stager, general superin-
tendent; J. J. S. Wilson, district superintendent; and R.
C. Rankin, Chicago manager. Metropolitan, Room 19,
Merchants' Insurance Building; Murry Nelson, presi-
dent; S. G. Lynch, secretary; and L. B. Firman, super-
intendent. Great Western, No. 84 LaSalle Street;
David A. Gage, president; J. Snow, secretary; A. H.
Bliss, general superintendent. Atlantic and Pacific, a
powerful rival of the Western Union, and which the
latter had succeeded in keeping out of the city for some
months, No. 128 Washington Street and corner of
Wabash Avenue and South Water Street; M. I.. Ward,
general superintendent; C. A. Harper, secretary; B. F.
Cogger, manager.
In 187 1, first appeared the Pacific and Atlantic Com-
pany, with offices at No. 91 Clark Street; R. R. Myers,
manager. During that year, the Western Union secured
control of all the companies except the Atlantic and
Pacific, the Great Western, and the Pacific and Atlantic.
For a long time a determined effort had been made by
the city to compel the various companies to make con-
cessions to it, for allowing the lines to be operated
within the city limits, but the companies successfully
resisted all such attempts; and it was not until the com-
pletion of the first tunnel under the river, when the
companies found that they could lay their wires in it to
much greater advantage than to maintain cables, that
they yielded, and agreed to do a certain amount of busi-
ness for the city free of expense. The amount fixed
upon as the Western Union Company's share was $600
per annum. During the war period, great difficulty was
experienced in securing enough operators to handle the
increased business, and the pay of a first class operator
sprang from $55 to $85 per month. In 1858, six oper-
ators handled all the business of the two companies
(Illinois and Mississippi, and Western Union); in 1871,
the latter company alone employed between seventy-
five and one hundred operators, besides a proportionate
increase in the number of clerks, messengers and other
employes In 1863, the Western Union handled one
hundred and sixty-six thousand nine hundred and eighty-
three messages, at a cost of ninety-one cents per message,
and in 187 1, five hundred and fifty-two thousand eight
hundred and forty-eight messages, costing an average
of forty-eight cents each. Chicago has long been the
second city in the United States in point of telegraphic
importance, New York alone surpassing her in volume
of business.
And here have lived many who have occupied most
prominent positions, either as officers, superintendents
or managers in the various organizations, and to whose
energy and ability is due the rapid progress made in
telegraphy throughout the country. Perhaps more than
to any other man in this connection, honor is due to
Judge J. D. Caton; for, by his industry, courage and
perseverance, the Illinois and Mississippi Company was
made a profitable investment.
Well advanced in years before he became interested
in telegraph matters, he mastered the intricacies of the
subject and was able to make himself one of the fore-
most presidents of his time, only retiring after he had
succeeded in transferring his company, advantageously,
to the Western Union. As assistants in this great work,
126
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
he had such men as Colonel J. J. S. Wilson,* E. D. L.
Sweet. Colonel R. C. Clowry, and F. H. Tubbs. To
Hiram Sibley belongs the credit of having first con-
ceived, and, almost single-handed, by indomitable
strength of will and untiring energy, brought to comple-
tion the trans-continental line. And the list would
indeed be incomplete if the name of General Anson
Stager were omitted, since it is to the force of his
logic and his practical knowledge of the subject, that
the railroad companies owe their present intimate con-
headquarters at Washington. Until November, 1861, he remained
in charge of the latter, when he was commissioned Captain and As-
sistant Quartermaster, and appointed chief of the military
telegraphs throughout the United States. He was subsequently
commissioned Colonel and Aide-de-Camp, assigned to duty in the
War Department, and also placed in charge of the cypher corre-
spondence of the Secretary of War, the peculiar cryptography of
which was his own invention. Colonel Stager remained in the ser-
vice until September, 1865, and was breveted Brigadier-General for
valuable and meritorious services. Soon after the war closed the
Southwestern and American Telegraph consolidated with the West-
ern Union, and the general superintendency was offered to him, but
WIGWAM BUILDINI
nection with all telegraph systems, and were shown the
importance of being able to direct the movements of
their trains by telegraph.
IGER, deceased, for nearly a quarter of a century
general superintendent of the central division of the Western Union
ih Company, was a native of the Empire State, having
I bora in Ontario County, April 20, 1S25. His father, Henry
W. Stager, was a manufacturer of edge tools, at Rochester, N. Y.,
in 1843, while his mother, Almira (Anson) Stager, lived
TJ. being, at the time of her death, in her eighty-third yeir.
Asa boy, Anson learned the printing business with Henry O'Reilly.
afterward among the first builders and operators of telegraph lines
lr, ta ;ei - "inmenced his career as a tele-
graph operator in Philadelphia, and subsequently worked in Pitts-
burgh as the pioneer of his trade or profession, From 1 348 to 1852, he
foperatorof the " national lines," at Cincin-
nati, and during the latter year became superintendent of the lines "I
the \li--i- ippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company, his supervision
soon extending over tl Vork. Mr. Stager was prom-
inent in organizing the variou olidated with the Western
Union Telegraph Company, and when that company was founded
was call' eral superintendency. The system of
railroad tl ol his brains and hands. When
Sumter was (ir- - 1 on, the telegraph lines of Ohio. Illinois and In-
diana were placed in his hands by the governors of these states,
I during the entire pe-
riod of the war. lie 1 cm o] li. Id ti le-
graphs for General '•!<' lellan, and the military telegraph, with
*l Wil*on wa* '
the Wijfwam to Abraham I nomination to thi pri idency.
he declined the flattering offer, preferring to live in the west ;
whereupon the system was divided into the central, eastern and
south grand divisions, and General Stager assumed charge of the
first named, with headquarters at Cleveland. In 1869, the transfer
of the center of business westward made it necessary to change the
headquarters to Chicago, and he therefore became one of our citi-
zens. What he has done in the development of Chicago and the
Northwest, is best told in the part which has been taken by the
Western Union in such a grand progress. In fact, there were few
men in the country who possessed a more far-seeing, executive abil-
ity than General Anson Stager. In addition to his connection
with this wonderful corporation, he was president of the Western
Electric Manufacturing Company, of Chicago, the largest manufac-
tory of the kind in the United States. He was also president of
the American Electrical Society and vice-president of the Babcock
Manufacturing Company. General Stager was married, November
14, 1847, to Miss Rebecca Sprague, daughter of the late William
Sprague, of Buffalo. His wife died November 22, 1883, and his
death occurred on March 26, 1885. He left three daughters, one
the wife of Frank S. Gorten, president of the Chicago F'orging
Company; the second married to Ralph W. Hickox; and the third,
Miss Ellen Sprague Stager. General Stager's funeral took place at
his residence, corner of Michigan Avenue and Eighteenth Street,
his remains being borne to Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland. The
newspapers describe in full the impressive ceremonies attendant
upon his obsequies, which were participated in by a vast con-
course of Chicago's eminent citizens, who assembled to show their
sorrow for their peer.
Express Companies. — The first express west of
Buffalo was commenced in April, 1845, uv Messrs.
TELEGRAPH AND EXPRESS.
127
Wells, Fargo &: Dunning, under the firm name of Wells
& Co. The next year, they began to run their four-
horse express wagons once a week, from Detroit to
Chicago and Milwaukee. The trip by rail and by ex-
press wagons between Buffalo and Chicago occupied
just one week, the charges being $3 for one hundred
pounds, on all ordinary packages of over fifty and
under two hundred pounds. As the freight was $3
between Buffalo and New York, the total charge be-
tween the eastern and western points was $6. The
same rate was charged to Milwaukee as to Chicago. At
that time, the agents here were A. H & C. Burley, who
relinquished a few shelves in their book-store to the
business of the company. In 1847, the company passed
into the hands of William G. Fargo and William A.
Livingston, who continued it under the firm name of
Livingston & Fargo until March 18, 1850, when it was
consolidated with the interests of Wells & Co. and
Butterfield, Wasson & Co. The three concerns, when
united, were called the American Express Company.
*&-&.{?*
In May, 1851, Harvey D. Colvin was appointed agent
of the company, and continued to hold the position un-
til the organization of the United Express Company,
just three years thereafter.
The company had now so outstripped the mails that
the newspapers of Chicago often had occasion to thank
them for receiving papers from St. Louis and the west
in advance of Uncle Sam's conveyances. In 1855, it
began to run four messengers daily from Louisville to
Chicago ; also using the passenger trains from Michi-
gan City to Chicago and those on the New Albany &
Lake Michigan Railroad. The company was incorpo-
rated by the Illinois Legislature in 1859, with a capital
of $1,000,000, with power to increase it to $2,000,000.
In the year i860, a reorganization was effected under this
act as follows : Manager of the Western Division, W. G.
Fargo, Buffalo; Assistant Manager, James C. Fargo,
Chicago ; Agent, D. B. Cooke, Chicago ; Superintend-
ent of Illinois Division, Edwin Hayden, Chicago.
Mr. Fargo continued agent until 1866, when he be-
came general superintendent and O. W. Barrett, the
present incumbent, agent. By 1863, however, the busi-
ness of the company had so increased that its office was
removed from No. 20 Dearborn Street to the corner of
Lake and Dearborn streets. In 1864, as remarked by an
authority on the subject, "the number of hands had in-
creased to one hundred and forty, as is proven by the
number of turkeys called for last Christmas."
Adams Express. — Adams & Co.'s California Ex-
press, established in 1849, was succeeded in 1S55 by
that of Freeman & Co. In 1854, Adams & Co., the
Harnden Express (then owned by Thompson & Liv-
ingstone), Kinsley &; Co. and Hoey & Co., were con-
solidated in a joint stuck company, afterwards famous
as the Adams Express Company. The office of the
company in Chicago was at the corner of Lake and
Dearborn streets, and John L. Hopkins was the agi nl
during the period covered by this volume.
Merchants Despatch. — This was a fast freight
line, originally established, in 1850, as Kasson's Ex-
press, and afterward owned and operated by the Ameri-
can Express Company. The agents for the American
Express Company were agents for this line; hence their
routes were the same as those of the American, and they
forwarded freight at regular railroad rates. On Decem-
ber 1, 1863, the company occupied the building at the
foot of South Water Street.
United States Express Company. — This com-
pany was organized in New York, and a branch office
opened in Chicago at the same time — May 1, 1854. The
local office was at Nos. 12-14 Dearborn Street, being in
charge of Harvey D. Colvin, who still holds the position.
At first the line was from the Mississippi River to New
York City, by way of the Chicago, Rock Island &
Pacific and the Michigan Southern railroads The busi-
ness at this point increased so rapidly that, in 1862, the
company removed to more commodious quarters on the
northwest corner of Clark and Lake streets. Thirty-six
drivers, messengers and clerks were then employed in
the transaction of its business. Its routes were then,
also, covering a great portion of the western country
from Chicago to Fort Kearney, making a continuous
route from New York of over two thousand miles, and
the amount of freight handled at this office had increased
from ten to forty tons, daily, in 1864. Its officers, who
remained the same up to and including the year 1871,
were: D. N. Barney and A. H. Barney, president and
vice-president, New York City; Henry Kip, general
superintendent, Buffalo. Its capital was $1,000,000,
and its business had increased at a rate commensurate
with the growth of the Great West, whose patronage it
had been striving for with such marked success.
Union Despatch Company. — This company was
incorporated March 20, 1859, under the laws of Illinois,
their charter extending for one hundred years ; author-
ized capital, $1,000,000, of which $So,ooo were sub-
scribed by four hundred stockholders. At first, the home
office was at No. 60 South Dearborn. After remaining
there five years, the company removed to Nos. 54-S8
Randolph Street, under the management of Charles B.
Bingham, president, R. N. Booth, secretary, and about
three hundred local agents in the principal towns and
cities of the United States, from Bangor. Me., to St.
Louis, Mo. The company was in the habit of trans-
porting to market, selling and collecting for producers,
shippers and manufacturers, charging regular railroad
rates for transportation.
RAILROAD HISTORY.
Illinois Central Railroad Company. — In the
first volume of this history have been detailed the
successful efforts of the people of Illinois, assisted
by Eastern capitalists, to build a great central rail-
road through the then developed portions of the
state. In 1852, when the company received permission
to lay their tracks along the lake-front, and which were
originally placed on piles, almost the entire area, now
devoted to the park, the railroad tracks, the Exposition
building and Illinois Central and Michigan Central de-
pots, was submerged. The land was gradually reclaimed,
at great expense, and in 1869 that portion between Park
Row and a continuation of Monroe Street was con-
veyed to the city, and the submerged land, east of the
four hundred feet limit, to the Illinois Central Com-
pany. The title of the state to the lake-front, between
Monroe and Randolph streets and Michigan Avenue
and the Illinois Central track, was granted to this com-
pany, also to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and
the Michigan Central companies, by an act, passed in
1869, for depot accommodations, in consideration of
the payment of $800,000 to the city of Chicago. In
1873, the act of 1869 was repealed, although it is
claimed that the repeal did not affect the grant just
mentioned.
Returning to 1857, it is found that by the comple-
tion of the section between Mattoon and H. L. Junc-
tion in September, 1856, there were seven hundred and
four miles of road in operation, and, up to January 1,
over $25,940,000 had been expended upon the road.
The earnings for the year show an increase of about
sixty per cent, over those of the previous year. On the
1st of January, 1857, the Chicago branch was opened
between Mattoon and Centralia. By March of that
year, forty miles of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad had
been completed, and thirty-nine miles of the Mineral
Point road, which joined the Illinois Central at Warren,
were in operation. The western connection with the
Peoria & Oquawka road had been made. The utmost
exertions of the Illinois Central Company were next
directed toward the development of the mineral resour-
ces of southern Wisconsin and the coal trade of south-
ern and eastern Illinois and the adjacent country. In
May, 1857, connections were established at Pana,
Christian County, with the Terre Haute, Alton & St.
Louis road, and an exchange of business was arranged
with the Ohio &: Mississippi road at Sandoval, Marion
County. At that time the officers of the company were
as follows: \V. H. Osborn, president; E. Lane, resident
director; J. N. Perkins, treasurer; W. K. Ackerman,
secretary; George B. McClellan, engineer-in-chief; J. C.
Clarke, master of transportation; S. J. Hayes, master
of machinery; J. C. Jacobs, superintendent north divis-
ion; Silas Bent, superintendent of Chicago division;
George Ackerman, assistant treasurer; Joseph Kirk-
man, auditor. The officers of the land department
were: John Wilson, commissioner; P. Daggy, secre-
tary; George M. Reed, cashier; J. B. Austin, registrar;
John M. Douglas and David Stuart, solicitors.
Previous to 1857, the main line north of Centralia
was without a direct connection with Chicago. In
March of that year, arrangements were made with the
Peoria & Oquawka Railroad Company to enable them
to complete their road between the main line and the
branch. This was done, the road crossing the main
line one hundred and fifty-four miles north of Centralia
and one hundred and eighty-nine miles south of Dun-
leith, and intersecting the branch eighty-one miles south
of Chicago and one hundred and seventy-one miles
north of Centralia. The year 1857 is marked by the
completion of the extensive basin opening into the
Illinois River at LaSalle, and the branch track from the
Illinois Central to that point, which was the head of
navigation of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. The new
levee at Cairo, washed away in December, 1857, was
finished during the spring of 1858. In April, an im-
portant change in the working of the company was
made, by which all construction and repairs, except of
rolling equipment, were placed in a separate depart-
ment, under the chief engineer. The road was divided
into four divisions, each in charge of a resident division
engineer, who also acted as road-master. The first line
extended from Cairo to Wapella, two hundred and
thirty miles ; the second, from Wapella to Dunleith,
two hundred and twenty-five miles ; the third, from the
junction to the main line with the Chicago branch to
Kankakee, one hundred and ninety-four miles ; the
fourth, from Kankakee to Chicago, fifty-six miles. The
divisions were separated into sub-divisions, varying from
forty to fifty miles, and the sub-divisions into sections
of from three to six miles each. At that time, about
one-half of the original grant of land 2,595,000 acres)
remained unsold. The financial crisis of 1857, followed
by the successive failures of two crops, told severely
upon the prosperity of the road, which looked to the
farmers for support. During 1857, in fact, the company
was obliged to make an assignment of its property.
The settlers themselves had cause for despondency in
1858, as many of them had made advance payments of
interest on their tracts of land, expending the balance
of the money they had brought with them in erecting
their houses, fencing their farms, and purchasing stock.
The farmers depended solely upon their crops to meet
accruing payments to the company, and when these
failed, ruin stared them in the face. The company see-
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
ing. that to press the farmers was to drive them away,
and embarrass the future, in many instances wisely ex-
tended the contracts : notwithstanding this, twenty-
three thousand four hundred and sixty-eight acres,
representing $375,000 purchase money, reverted to
/L<z.se^
the company. This amount, however, did not represent
a wide-spread disaffection and an alarming exodus ;
for the cancellations included the contracts of two
individual speculations amounting to over twenty thou-
sand acres, which sold for $330,000. But the times
were dark for those who remained upon their lands,
many of the farmers actually suffering for the necessi-
ties of life : immigration was almost checked, and the
prospect was, indeed, gloomy for the Illinois Central
Company, which had seemed about to advance along
such a bright career. The alarm spread to the foreign
shareholders, and a committee was appointed in London
to visit Chicago and New York, and look over the books
of the company. Principally through the good offices
and sound judgment of Richard Cobden, who was
largely interested in the road, the foreign investors
were placated, and brighter times brought complete
satisfaction with their investment in the enterprise.
After the harvest of 1859 had been garnered and sent
to market, the business of the road showed a marked
and encouraging increase — the Indian-corn crop being
especially prolific. By the commencement of i860,
connection with Memphis and New Orleans had been
completed ; the Grand Trunk line, constructed to De-
troit, had given the Illinois Central an outlet to the
Great East, and the extension of the Dubuque & Pacific
into Iowa was creating an important Western outlet and
feeder. In that year, the increase in passenger traffic
from the South, and in heavy river freights, was very
great, and gladdened the hearts of the managers.
The coal trade was also increasing, the company was
striving for the cotton trade, and it was expected that
trains would be running between Chicago and New
Orleans, over the Mississippi Central, in February, 1861.
The Mobile & Ohio line was rapidly approaching com-
pletion. In fact, the Illinois Central seemed destined,
before the conclusion of the year 1861, to become the
great connecting link between the Northeast and the
Southwest, and an important factor in the Middle West-
ern system. In April, i860, the company met with a
severe loss in the burning of the extensive car-shops at
Chicago. In February, 1861, President Osborn an-
nounced that the company was relieved from its floating
debt, and that its funded debt and its capital stock were
each over $15,000,000. But the Illinois Central was
destined to pass through another season of financial
depression, for, with the opening of the war, its increas-
ing passenger and freight traffic from the South was
suspended, and many of the most important of the
grain markets were closed to the farmers. In April,
1 861, the Government placed a force of troops in Cairo
and from that time until the close of the war, over two
hundred and fifty miles of the Illinois Central road,
south of the Terre Haute line, were mainly used for the
transportation of men and military stores. With the very
abundant harvest of wheat and corn, the local traf-
fic of the line north of the points named, would
have supported the entire road, with ordinary
market prices for the products of the country; but
the surplus crops of the Northwest were thrown
on to the lakes. The supply of vessels and canal
boats was inadequate to the sudden and unex-
ampled demand for transportation, whose rates con-
sequently rose rapidly and reduced the net price of
products to the Illinois farmer to so low a point
as to leave no margin for profit. And the with-
drawal of $12,000,000 of the State-bank currency,
based largely upon the securities of the Southern
States, was another reason why the company had cause
for uneasiness. At the close of the year 1861, although
the company had been transporting troops at less than
one-fifth of a cent per mile above the actual cost, the
War Department still was indebted to it in the sum of
$207,000. No complaints were made, for the Illinois
Central was noted throughout the war for its patriotism
and the number of brave men whom it sent to the
front ; but this point is merely noticed to impress upon
the general reader the fact that this corporation was
making a brave fight for existence.
The next two years showed an increase in passen-
ger traffic. During 1863, the Mississippi River was
hn
opened to trade, which led to profitable traffic upon the
main line, good markets for the farmers and renewed
immigration. Although the local traffic was interfered
with by the requirements of the Government in sending
forage and supplies for the armies in the Southwest, the
general business was increasing and the rolling stock
of the company assuming large proportions. The prop-
erty consisted of seven hundred and six miles of rail-
way, one hundred and thirty-three engines and three
thousand five hundred cars. The machine shops were
well furnished and the depots and station-buildings in
excellent shape. The property of the company was
valued at $50,000 per mile, and a dividend of five per
cent, had been declared during the year. In 1865,
arrangements were entered into with the American and
the Adams Express Companies for the carrying of
money and parcels after May 1. For the year ending
December 31, there was an increase of $850,000 in
gross earnings over the amount received in 1864. The
Southern trade promised to be again restored; the equip-
ment was increased by twenty-two new locomotives;
over $1,200,000 had been expended upon the repairing
of the tracks; the debt had been reduced $7,200,000
during the past seven years; and, altogether, the out-
look for the Illinois Central Railroad Company, at the
close of 1865, was encouraging in every aspect. The
next year's exhibit was less promising, as there was no
transportation of troops and supplies and little travel
came from the shattered South. There was an increase
of local freight business, but the net earnings of the
RAILROAD HISTORY.
131
road were about the same. For the years 1867 and
1868, the net earnings were about $2,400,000, and the
management continued to re-lay the road. In Novem-
ber of the former year, the Illinois Central had leased
the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad, one hundred and
forty-two miles in length. On the 1st of January,
1869, the bridge across the Mississippi, between Dun-
leith and Dubuque, was opened. The funded debt
had been reduced to $9,377,000 and 1,124,446 acres of
land sold, leaving 526,690 acres still on the market
when the year closed. In August, forty-eight miles of
the Iowa Falls & Sioux City Railroad had been
leased, and in December twenty-five more miles were
acquired by the same legal process. By October, 1870,
one hundred and fifty-nine miles of this road had been
leased and were in operation ; within the state of Iowa
there were four hundred and two miles in operation;
and the Illinois Central was now enabled to compete
for the trade of Dakota and the Northwest. Arrange-
ments had also been perfected with the Belleville &
Southern Illinois Railroad, by which through passenger
and freight trains were to run between St. Louis and
Cairo ; and negotiations were pending for the con-
struction of the road between Cairo and the Mobile &
Ohio Railroad. The ambition of the Illinois Central,
so rudely dashed by the Rebellion nearly ten years
previously, was soon to be realized. In 1870 and 187 1,
the State produced large harvests of corn, while other
cereal crops were fair ; the consequent increase of
freight traffic in Illinois, however, but just met the
decrease in Iowa, caused by the partial failure of crops
in that state. Then came the Chicago fire, in which
the company lost its passenger and freight depots, land
office, several small buildings and twenty-six freight
cars. Except the land office, the property was all
insured. Elevator A, on the station grounds, owned
by private parties, was also destroyed, seriously crip-
pling the grain receipts. The grand total of the sys-
tem operated at that
time by the Illinois
Central Company was
over one thousand one
hundred miles. The
rolling stock consisted
of one hundred and
ninety- three locomo-
tives, one hundred and
sixty - two passenger
coaches, and four thou-
sand three hundred and
forty-four freight cars.
The number of acres
of land sold in 1871
was 48,927, yielding
$459,404. The aggre-
gate amount of land
sold was 2,215,790
acres, leaving 379,210
acres at the disposal of
the company, not inclu-
ding right of way and
depot grounds.
The following table
shows the amount of
gross earnings of the
Illinois Central Railroad, from all sources, since its
completion, in March, 1855, up to December 31, 1S71,
with the amount of tax on its Illinois earnings, paid
into the State Treasury in accordance with its charter
provisions :
Years. Gross Earnings. Statf. Tax.
1855 $1,532,118 8l $ 29,751 59
1856 2,476,035 27 77,631 66
1857 2,357,203 06 145.645 84
1858 1,976,578 52 132.005 53
1859 2,114,44s 9S 132,104 46
i860 2,721,590 94 177,557 22
1861 2,S99,6i2 64 177.257 81
1862 3,445,S26 88 212,174 6°
1863 4,571,02s 38 300,394 58
1864 6,329,447 20 405,514 04
1S65 7,181,20s 37 496,489 S4
1866 6,546,741 47 427.075 75
1867 7,160,991 83 444,007 74
1868 7,817,629 24 428,397 48
1869 8,823,482 20 464,933 31
1870 8,678,95s 22 464,584 52
1S71 8,401.141 Si 463,512 91
Total.
55,034,043 82 $4.979. 03S
THE " ROCKET LOCOMOTIVE.
John M. Douglas, one of the oldest of the railroad men of
Chicago, was born at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., N. Y., August 22,
iSig. His maternal grandfather, Elijah Weaver, was second lieu-
tenant in the Revolutionary War, and his father, Congdon Douglas,
served in the War of 1S12, and fought at the Battle of Plattsburg.
At the age of seventeen, he entered the law office of Sweatland &
Beckwith, at Plattsburg, and read law for three years. He then
came west and settled in Galena. 111. After examination by the
Supreme Court of the State, he was admitted to the Bar, at Spring-
field, in 1S41, and opened a law office in Galena. In 1856, hecame
to Chicago, and, in 1S57,
was appointed general solic-
itor for the Illinois Central
Railroad. He was after-
ward elected vice-president,
and served in both offices
until elected president of the
company in 1865. In 1S71,
he retired from the service
of the company, but was re-
elected in 1S73 and served
until 1876, when he retired
permanently from active
management of the company
and from business life. In
1S81, he was appointed by
Judge Drummond receiver
ot the Ohio & Mississippi
Railway. Mr. Douglas was
a sufferer, in common with
thousands of others, by the
great fire, losing his elegant
mansion on Erie Street, with
all its valuable contents. He
is a Democrat in politics,
but is not inclined to active
political life. Mr. Douglas
was united in marriage to
Miss Amanda Marshall, of
Plattsburg, N. V., and has
had three children; Helen,
the wife of James Charnley,
the lumber dealer ; Anna,
the wife of Walter Neef, the
western manager of the As-
sociated Press ; and John
Marshall Douglas.
I ames C. Clarke, pres-
ident of the Illinois Central
Railroad Company, has been
pronounced by competent
authorities one of the must
practical and discriminating
railroad men in the country.
He was born in 1S26, in
Montgomery County, did.,
and commenced his long and
successful career, when only
eighteen years of age, in the
employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. For ten
years he remained in the employ of this corporation in various
subordinate positions, and, in 1854, became superintendent of
the Central Ohio Railroad, and in 1S55. came west to Chicago
as superintendent of the northern division of the Illinois Central
Railroad. In 1856, he assumed the general superintended)' of the
13-
H IS TORY OF CHICAGO.
same road, which position he continued to hold for three years,
thus carrying the enterprise through the most trying period ol its
existence. In 1S50. he severed his connection with the Illinois
Central, to become superintendent of the Northern Central Rail-
road. He discharged the duties of this important trust with his
usual energy and success until 1S62, when he withdrew from the
- . tield for some years and devoted himself to private busi-
ness [87 1872, he was president of the Chesapeake &
'anal Company, and from 1S72 to 1S74 vice president and
general manager of the Erie Railroad. In September. 1S74, he
assumed the management of the Illinois Central Railroad Com-
pany, and continued as general manager of the road until January,
I . From January. 1577. to August. 1 S S _; . Mr. Clarke was
resident and general manager of the Illinois Central and
Chicago. St. Louis & New Orleans railroads. In August, 1SS3,
he was chosen to his present position, at the head of the great
Illinois Central system of railroads.
Peter Daggy, land commissioner of the Illinois Central Rail-
road Company, was born October 25, 1S19, on a farm about two
miles west of the village of Mount Solon, Augusta Co., Va. His
parents. Michael and Sybil Daggy, were of remote German de-
scent, but of American birth. The son, Peter, worked on his
father's farm during his boyhood, and obtained his education by
attending the country school during the winter terms. The parents
resided there until Peter was sixteen years old, and then they came
west, locating at Frankfort, Ind, The senior Daggy had been
brought up to the trade of stonemason and bricklayer, but after his
marriage he betook himself to farming, which occupation he fol-
lowed the rest of his davs. The family resided in Frankfort about
a vear. and while there Peter wrote in the County Recorder's office.
In 1S37. his father purchased a farm near Greencastle, and Peter
went with him; but he was discontented with farm work, and he
persuaded his father to let him learn the printing business. He
went to work on an agricultural paper at Greencastle, and was
there for several years. He was afterward employed in a dry
goods store for a short time, and then entered the Asbury Uni-
versity, at Greencastle, where he remained about a year. His
education remained uncompleted, owing to his means being ex-
hausted, and he went to working in the office of the Clerk of the
Circuit Court, where he remained for several years. During this
time he studied law and was admitted to the Bar. During his
fifteen years' residence in Indiana, he was elected Presiding Justice
of the County Court, and resigned the office in January, 1850, to
accept a clerkship in the government land office, at Washington, D.
C. He remained there until Tune 30, 1853, and at the time of his
removal he was at the head of the swamp land division in the land
department. In the latter part of 1S55, he came to Chicago to
accept a position as clerk in the land department of the Illinois
Central Railroad. He was a clerk fcr about two weeks, and on Jan-
uary 10, 1S56, was made secretary of the department, which office he
held until March 4, 1871, and was then elected commissioner of the
land department. This position he now occupies, and in all his
various connections with the Illinois Central has performed his
duties with the utmost satisfaction. In December, 1S69, Mr.
Daggy was elected alderman in this city, and served until Decem-
ber, i?72. During his term of office, the court house and city hall
building was erected, and just completed prior to the fire of 1871.
Mr. Daggy was married at Danville, Ind., April 23, 1843, to Miss
Nancy lane Matlock. She died in the city of Washington, Janu-
ary 26, 1851, leaving two sons, Henry Clay Daggy and Charles.
The former enlisted in Company " D," 19th Regiment of Illinois
Infantry Volunteers, at the age of seventeen, and at the battle of
Stone River, Tenn., received his death wound. The son Charles
died in this city November, 1864, at the age of eighteen. On De-
cember 4, 1851, Mr. Daggy was married to Miss Julia Lunt, of
Washington, D. C. They had six children, but only one is now
living. This is a son, John Julian Daggy, Mr. Daggy was
admitted to the Masonic Order at Greencastle, Ind., where he was
made a member of Temple Lodge, No. 47, in April, 1843. Me is
a member of Landmark Lodge, No. 422, A. 1'. & A. M.; of Fair-
view Chapter, No. 161, R. A. M.; of Temple Council, No. 65, R.
& S. M.. and of Apollo Commandery, No. 1, K. T., of this city.
He has passed all the chairs of subordinate lodge, chapter and
council. Mr. Daggy has always been a Whig-Republican, and did
a great deal of hard work for the cause during the rebellious times.
Hoi ••■• 1. I VI Ki.k, general freight agent of the Illinois Central
Railroad, was born May 20, 1842, in Salem, Mass. Mr. Tucker,
during his boyhood, attended the common schools of his native town,
and when a youth was employed in a croi kerj store in Salem. He
remained in that employment for about six years, and when he was
twenty years of age, he 1 ame west " to make his fortune." Although
he has had hard work in the railroad service he has doubtless satis-
fied his ambition to make a success in life, at least the public so
consider his experience, for certainly no western man stands higher
in the estimation of the shipping public than Horace Tucker, lie
has always been in the service of the Illinois Central Railroad,
commencing with that corporation January S, 1S62, as ticket agent
in the Central Depot, Chicago. He held that post until January
1, 1S70, and was then made cashier in the treasurer's office. He
retained that position for nearly four years, during which time he
gained a considerable knowledge of the proper management of the
affairs of a railroad. He concluded to identify himself with a
department of the Illinois Central, and September 15, 1S74, took
a clerkship in the freight office, and, during his short term of em-
ployment in that capacity, mastered the details of the freight
business. Three months after his appointment as clerk, or on
January 1, 1S75, he was made general freight agent of the Iowa
and Illinois Division of the Illinois Central, and he occupies that
prominent and responsible office at the present time. Mr.
Tucker is an agreeable, courteous official, and has won the esteem
of all who have had business relations with him. lie was married
at Salem, Mass., September II, i860, to Miss Carrie P. Rowell;
they have three children — Fred, Bessie and Sadie.
William K. Ackerman, ex-president of the Illinois Central
Railroad, dates his connection with this corporation from May 28,
1S52. Actual work upon the line was commenced May 14,
1S51, and the very first train that entered Chicago over the Illinois
Central Company's track was on May 21, 1S52. So it is readily
seen that Mr. Ackerman was in the service of the company almost
from the date of its inception. The main office of the corporation
was then, as it is now, located in New York. Mr. Ackerman, who
was born in that city on January 29, 1832, took a position with the
Illinois Central Railroad Company when he was twenty years of
age, shortly after completing his education in the male high school
of Gotham. From May 28. 1852, to November 21, 1855, he was
assistant secretary and transfer clerk, and from the latter date was
the secretary up to the time of his removing west, September 10,
i860. Upon coming to Chicago, he was appointed local treasurer,
and held that office until April 14. 1871; then he took the treasurer-
ship of the corporation, and handled its finances till January 28,
1875. On May 29, 1872, he was elected a director of the company,
and so continued up to the time of his withdrawal from active ser-
vice. In January, 1875, having been appointed general auditor of
the road, he assumed the duties of his new position, introduced a
new system of accounts, and directed the work of that office until
July 17, 1876, when he became vice-president. He was elected
president October 17, 1S77, and filled that chair until August 15,
18S3, and then returned to the vice-presidency, which he held un-
til his retirement from the road, January 1. 1884. During his
thirty-two years connection with this company, Mr. Ackerman has
undoubtedly done as much toward bringing the Illinois Central up
to its present high standard as any other one man. Energetic in
developing its facilities, consistent in forming new plans for the
benefit of the road and the public, and always endeavoring to im-
prove its system, he retired from the management and connection
with a most creditable record. It was largely owing to his efforts
that the splendid suburban system of the Illinois Central Company
was introduced. At the present time, Mr. Ackerman is connected
with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, in an advisory position in
the management of its western affairs, with headquarters in this
city. He was married, November 30, 1858, to Miss Alida Rey-
nolds Lewis, at Cortland, N. Y. They have two daughters, Mrs.
George W. Meeker, of this city, and Miss Gertrude McKindtey
Ackerman. Mr. Ackerman is an active member of the Chicago
Historical Society, and has always taken an interest in all matters
relating to the history of this State. He is the author of a valuable
work, entitled " Early Railroads of Illinois," and has also con-
tributed a large number of articles on the subject of railways and
their management to the North American Review and other peri-
odicals, as well as to the daily press. He is regarded an authority
on railway questions, and his opinions are given the credit which
they well deserve.
Benjamin Franklin Ayer, general solicitor of the Illinois
Central Railroad, was born in Kingston, Rockingham Co., N. H.,
April 22, 1S25. His family is one of the oldest in New England,
he having descended, in the eighth generation, from John Ayer, of
England, who settled in Haverhill, Mass., in 1645. After prepar-
ing himself at the Albany (New York) Academy, Mr. Ayer entered
Dartmouth College, where he graduated in the year 1846. On
completing his literary studies he determined to make the law his
profession, and spent three years in perfecting himself, part of the
time attending the Dana Law School of Harvard College. He
was admited to the liar in July, 1849, and then went to Manchester,
N. II., to practice his profession. Having received a splendid
education, both general and legal, and being endowed with natural
abilities for the profession, he soon made a high reputation; and so
won the confidence and esteem of the people of Manchester, that
he was sent to the Legislature in 1853. In 1854, he was appointed
prosecuting attorney for Hillsborough County, N. II., and held
that office until the dale of his removal to Chicago, in 1857. He
RAILROAD HISTORY.
•33
was admitted to the Bar of this State on May 15 of that year, and
he as rapidly rose in the regard of our people and of the profession
as he had in his Eastern home. In [861, he was appointed corpor-
ation counsel, and served as such live years, during which time In-
prepared the revised charter of the city, in is<>;. I le ivas afterward
of the law linn of Beckwith, Aver \ Kales, and in 1S75 of tin- turn
of Aver & Kales. In December, 1 -^ t ' ■ . he was tendered the office
of general solicitor of the Illinois Central Railroad Company.
l'rior to this he had devoted his attention to corporation ami railroad
law, and had distinguished himself in this class of legal practice,
lie accepted the offer of the Illinois ( 'cut nil Company, gave up all
other practice, and since 1S76 has devoted himself to the legal de-
partment of that corporation. For the past lour or live years, he
has been president of the Western Association. He is a member
of the Chicago Club. Chicago Literary Club, and Kenwood Club,
Mr. Aver was married in 1S0S, to Miss Jennie A , daughter of
fudge Hopkins, of Madison, Wis <-They have three children,
Walter, Mary Louise and Janet. The family have resided in
Hyde Park since 1S73, and they are attendants of St. Paul's Epis-
copal Church, of which Mr. Aver is a vestryman.
HENRY DeWOLF, assistant treasurer of the Illinois Central
Railroad Company, is the son of William !•'. DeWolf, an old
Janesville, fifty-two miles. This road, sold undei for<
closure in June, 1 S 5 9 , became the- basis of the Chicago
.\ North-Western Railway Company.
Returning to the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad
Company, at the point in 1S57 where it was left in the
first volume of this work, il is found thai al lite annual
meeting of the directors, chosen in June of that year,
the following offii ers were elected: John Bice Turner,
president; William H. Brown, vice-president; William
J, McAlpine, chief engineer. The additional officers
were: Secretary, William M. Larrabee; treasurer, Hen-
ry A.Tucker; auditor, George M. Wheeler. Inning
the next six months the whole of the second track
between Chicago and Turner, thirty miles, was comple-
ted and used. Over nine millions dollars had already
been expended on the line. By the year 1S5.X, the Ga-
lena & Chicago Union Railroad had been constructed
from Chicago to Freeport (main line), one nun-
THE OLD GALENA DEPOT.
and honored resident of Chicago and a law practitioner of long
standing. He was born in Alton, 111., in 1S46, and came to
Chicago, with his parents, four years later. Mr. DeWolf received
his education in this city, and graduated from one of the high
schools. In 186S, he went into the land department of the Illinois
Central Company, where he remained for about four years. He first
held the position of clerk, then private secretary to Commissioner
John C. Calhoun, and at the lime of his leaving that office he held
the position of cashier. On January 1, 1872, he was promoted to
private secretary to the president of the road, John Newell, now of
the Michigan Central. Mr. DeWolf was in the president's office
until January, 1874, when he took the post of cashier in the treas-
urer's office. He was made assistant treasurer, upon the promo-
tion of J. C. Welling to the office of general auditor, and has had
charge of the Illinois Central's local financial business for the past
nine years. Mr. DeWolf is a member of the Union League Club
of this city, and is held in high esteem by his personal associates.
His business relations with the company have effectually demon-
strated the perfect confidence in which he is held for his business
and personal integrity.
Chicago & North-Western Railway Company.
—The Illinois and Wisconsin Railway Company was
organized December 30, 185 1, and the road built from
Chicago to Gary, a distance of thirty-eight miles, in
1854. In March, 1855, it was consolidated with the
Rock River Valley Union Railroad Company, which,
during the previous year, had constructed its road from
Minnesota Junction to Fond du Lac, a distance of
twenty-nine miles. The new company was called the
Chicago, St. Paul & Font! tlu Lac Railroad Company,
and during 1855 it extended its line from Gary to
dred and twenty-one miles; Belvidere to Magno-
lia (Beloit and Madison branch1, one hundred and
eighteen miles; Junction to Fulton (Dixon and
Iowa Central branch), one hundred and thirty-six
miles. The entire equipment consisted of sixteen
locomotives, forty-one first-class passenger cars, twen-
ty-two second-class and baggage cars, eight hundred
and sixty covered freight cars, one hundred and fifty
platform and one hundred and one burden freight cars,
one hundred and twenty-two hand repairing cars, one
hundred and thirty-four small gravel cars, one pay-
master's and one wrecking car. At that time, also, the
company owned real estate as follows: Near Harlem
Station, nine miles west of Chicago, three thousand
three hundred acres; main line and Beloit branch, in-
cluding sixty-two acres in Chicago, one hundred and
sixty-five acres; one hundred and sixteen acres on the
Chicago, Fulton & Iowa line; sixty-eight acres of gravel
pits; miscellaneous, three thousand four hundred and
ninety-one acres; total, eight thousand and eighty
acres. The miscellaneous item included " wooded
land," which, when cleared, was re-sold by the railroad
company. Contracts were in force with the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy Railroad, requiring the compa-
ny to transport all business to and from Chicago over
that portion of the Galena & Chicago Union east of
the Junction, and prohibiting them from competing for
business on the Illinois Central north of Amboy. A
!34
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
joint contract was in force with the Mineral Point and
Illinois Central companies, providing that the former
should send all its business, the destination of which it
could control, for twenty years, over the Galena &
Chicago Union Railroad. The Fox River Valley Rail-
road Company was to send all its business over the
Galena & Chicago Union, die latter to allow fifteen per
cent, of its earnings over the road more than two miles
north of Elgin. For the use of the Beloit & Madison,
the Galena & Chicago Union was to pay ten per cent.
of its earnings on the road more than six miles north
of Beloit, passing over the main line between Belvidere
and Chicago, when it should be put in operation be-
tween Beloit and Madison. Besides the above con-
tracts, a running arrangement was in force with the
Illinois Central, by which the roads from Chicago to
Dunleith were worked as a complete line. By Decem-
ber 31, 1858, there was no floating debt, the funded
indebtedness of the company being $3,783,015. Con-
nection had been formed at Bass Creek, Wis., between
the line of the Beloit & Madison Railroad, operated by
the Galena & Chicago Union and the southern Wiscon-
sin branch of the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad
Company, so that cars were running to Janesville, Wis.,
May 17. 1S5S. In November of that year, the Fox
River Valley Railroad Company reorganized under the
name of the Elgin & State Line Railroad Company,
and a contract was made with the Galena & Chicago
Union, to run for five years.
The hard times of 1S57 were havingtheir effect upon
the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Railroad Com-
pany, making it impossible to meet the interest on its
bonds. An act was passed by the Legislature, February
19, 1859, authorizing the sale of the road, and on the
14th of March another was passed to facilitate the for-
mation of a corporation which should operate it. By
agreement of the bondholders and stockholders, Samuel
J. Tilden and Ossian D. Ashley were appointed their
agents to attend and supervise the sale. This took
place on the 2d of June, when William B. Ogden, James
V. I). Lanier, William A. Booth and James Winslow,
trustees of the road, turned over all the property to
these parties. Five days later, the Chicago & North
Western Railway Company was formed by the purchas-
ers, the road extending from Chicago to Oshkosh, Wis ,
one hundred and ninety-three miles, and from Oshkosh
to Appleton, twenty-eight miles. Its officers were as
follows: William B. Ogden, president; Perry H. Smith,
vice-president ; George L. Dunlap, superintendent ;
I'. Lee, treasurer; James R. Young, secretary;
I. I' Witt Robinson, general ticket agent; and N. Gup-
till, general freight agent. The plan adopted for the
etion of the line to Oshkosh provided for a fund
- 0,000, to pay for right of way, construction, de-
ind other buildings. The Hue was put in opera-
tion during the year [860, at an additional expenditure
of le^s than §550,000. This was less than $9,000 per
mile, the uncompleted section being sixty-three miles.
In order to obtain the land granted by Congress to the
Chicago, St. Paul ,V Pond du Lac road.it was necessary
■id the line some three mile-, beyond Oshkosh.
The total expenditure up to January 1, i860, on the line
:n Janesville and LaCrosse now Minnesota Junc-
tion, was $536,086, and from April 1, i860, to January r,
1861, from Chicago to Oshkosh, §87,487. Vdd to this
the amount previously laid out, and nearly §700,000 is
to have been expended on |l ins. Up
to January 1, 1861, over §134,000 had been expended
on new equipment, the total debt of the road, except
funded, being §33 1,491 .01. The funded debt now
amounted to $3,524,200; the capital stock of the com-
pany to §6,028,300 ; the net surplus to §335,212 ; and
length of its track to three hundred and thirty-five
miles. Since the organization of the Chicago & North-
Western Railway Company in June, 1859, the equip-
ment of the road had been increased by the addition of
fifteen locomotives, three passenger cars, one baggage
car, two hundred and fifty six box cars, and seventy-five
platform cars, making twenty-nine first class locomotive
engines, nineteen first class passenger cars, — in all
over seven hundred cars. By act, approved by the
Wisconsin State Legislature in April, 1861, the Chicago
& North-Western Railway Company was authorized to
locate a line of its road, or a branch, by way of Fort
Howard or Green Bay, Wis., to the north line of the
State, at the Menominee River. It was not built until
in the fall of 1862, as at that time (the spring of 1861)
the road was unable to meet the interest on its first
mortgage bonds, and on April n, 1861, the bondholders
held a meeting in New York City. The committee then
appointed visited Chicago, to look over the valuable
grounds of the company in this city, to report upon the
best way out of the financial embarrassment, and to as-
certain whether it was expedient to extend the road
from Appleton to Green Bay and west from Neenah to
Waupaca, Wis. As was to be expected, although the
extension was looked upon as important, and as a
necessary development of the system soon to be made,
the committee, after visiting the towns and attending
enthusiastic meetings, "withheld their recommenda-
tion." In December, 1861, the Chicago & North-Wes-
tern Company proposed to Brown County to exchange
$49,500 of its stock for an equivalent in county bonds,
and the proposition was accepted in the next month.
The road was formerly opened to the public on Novem-
ber 13, 1862. Congress had granted eighty acres of
land for depot purposes from the military reservation,
and the line was already stretching toward Marquette.
In Chicago, arrangements had been made with Munn &
Scott for the erection of a large grain elevator on the
depot grounds, this firm being already the owners of
another elevator connected with the company. One
was also to be erected at Green Bay.
In the meantime (in January, 1862), forty miles of
the Cedar Rapids & Missouri River Railroad had been
completed and leased to the Galena & Chicago Union.
The lease dated from July, so that in the summer of
1862 the Galena & Chicago Union Company controlled
a direct line from Chicago to Marshalltown, Iowa, one
hundred and fifty-one miles west of the Mississippi
River. A partition of land held jointly by the Galena
& Chicago Union, the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne &
Chicago and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy rail-
road companies, on the South Branch of the Chicago
River, was made during that year. The latter com-
pany was then constructing a new line of road into
Chicago from Aurora, to be used in lieu of the thirty
miles of the Galena & Chicago Union line. Notice had'
been given of a discontinuance of the use of this line
after May, 1864. By the opening of the Chicago, Iowa
& Nebraska Railroad, which was leased to the com-
pany in July, 1862, the Galena & Chicago LTnion
operated a continuous line from Chicago to Cedar
Rapids, via Clinton. During the year, also, the passen-
ger depot of the company at Chicago, which had been
built before the completion of the Freeport line, was
enlarged SO as to 'j,wc an additional story and bring
together under one roof all the ijeneral offices.
The Dixon, Rockford & Kenosha Railroad Com-
pany, whose line was built from Chicago to Rockford,
RAILROAD HISTORY.
■35
seventy-two miles, was consolidated with the Chicago
& North- Western Railway Company, January 19, 1864.
On the 2d of June, 1864, the two corporations
whose history has been traced, in a general way, up to
this time — the Galena & Chicago Union and the Chi-
cago & North-Western companies — were consolidated.
At the time of the consolidation, the system controlled
by the new corporation was as follows: From Chicago
via Janesville, Fond du Lac, Oshkosh and Appleton,
to Green Bay, two hundred and forty-two miles; Ke-
nosha to Rockford, the junction of the old Galena road
on Rock River, seventy-three miles; the Galena &
Chicago Union lines, both owned and leased, five hun-
dred and twenty-one miles; the Peninsula Railroad,
seventy miles; total, nine hundred and six miles. The
new company assumed the name, " Chicago & North-
western Railway," because the outlet to the Mississippi
River, by way of Galena, had long since passed under
the control of the Illinois Central road. The Dixon
Air Line, built west from the Junction to the Missis-
sippi River, at Fulton, had been put in operation to
meet this demand. All the roads brandling out from
Chicago now controlled by this company run in a gene-
ral northerly or westerly direction — hence the name. The
adoption, of the name also involved no change of books
or blanks from those used by the old Chicago & North-
western Railway Company.
At the time of the absorption of the Galena & Chi-
cago Union Railroad Company, its officers were: William
H. Brown, president; Edward B.Talcott, general superin-
tendent; Augustine W. Adams, general freight agent;
George M. Wheeler, auditor; Willard S. Pope, engi-
neer; Elliott Anthony, attorney; W. M. Larrabee,
secretary; Henry A. Tucker, treasurer.
The officers of the Chicago & North-Western Railway
Company in June, 1864, were as follows: William B. Og-
den, president; Perry H. Smith, vice-president; George
L. Dunlap, superintendent; George P. Lee, treasurer;
James R. Young, secretary; B. F. Patrick, general
ticket agent; Charles S. Tappen, general freight agent.
Since the lease of the Cedar Rapids & Missouri River
road to the Galena & Chicago Union, in 1862, the line
had been extended to Boonesboro', two hundred and
four miles west of the Mississippi River, leaving about
one,hundred and thirty miles of road to complete to the
Union Pacific at Omaha, so that this has been added
to the North-Western system. Just previous to the con-
solidation, the Galena road had commenced the con-
struction of a bridge across the Mississippi at Clinton,
and during the year 1864 it was completed by the Chi-
cago & North-Western. The Peninsular Railroad Com-
pany, of Michigan, operating a line sixty-two miles in
length from Escanaba to Negaunee, was consolidated
with this voracious corporation in October of that year.
In June, 1865, Joseph B. Redfield, now auditor of the
road, became assistant secretary.
No changes of importance were made among the
officers from June, 1865, until June, 1867, when they
were as follows : William B. Ogden, president ; Perry
H. Smith, vice-president ; M. L. Sykes, Jr., second vice-
president ; James R. Young, secretary ; Albert L.
Pritchard, treasurer ; George L. Dunlap, general super-
intendent ; James H. Howe, general solicitor ; William
H. Ferry, acting director of the Galena Division ;
George P. Lee, local treasurer; Charles S. Tappen,
general freight agent ; B. F. Patrick, general passenger
agent. The company now held the stock of the Green
Bay Transit Company, transacting business between
Fort Howard and Escanaba, the terminus of the Penin-
sula Railroad, now "Division." It also controlled the
Chicago & Milwaukee Railway Company, eighty-five
miles.
Up to this time, the entire amount expended upon
the Chicago & North-Western Railway system was, in
round numbers, $49,232,000. Since the consolidation,
$2,777,000 has been laid out upon it. In June, 1870,
John F. Tracy became president of the road, while the
other officers were as follows : M. L. Sykes, Jr., vice-
president ; Albert L. Pritchard, secretary and treasurer;
James H. Howe, general solicitor ; George L. Dunlap,
general manager ; John C. Gault, general superintend-
ent ; J. B. Redfield, auditor ; C. C. Wheeler, general
freight agent ; and H. P. Stanwood, general passenger
agent. The year 1870 marks the completion and con-
nection of the road with the Winona & St. Peter line,
making one hundred and twenty-one miles included in
its Minnesota Division. By June, 187 1, the Chicago &
North-Western Railway Company operated one thou-
sand two hundred and twenty-six miles of road, having
during the previous January absorbed the Beloit &
Madison Railroad Company. Its rolling stock, since
the date of the Galena & Chicago Union consolidation,
had increased from two thousand four hundred and
twenty cars to six thousand four hundred and sixty,
and over $54,000,000 had been expended upon the
entire system during the past twenty-five years. Its
common stock amounted to $14,720,000, its preferred
to $20,415,000, and its funded debt to $12,800,000.
In June, 187 1, at which time this history of the road
closes in this volume, the Chicago & North-Western
Railway Company was officered as follows : John F.
Tracy, president ; M. L. Sykes, Jr., vice-president ;
Albert L. Pritchard, secretary and treasurer; James H.
Howe, manager; John C. Gault, superintendent; E. H.
Johnson, chief engineer ; B. C. Cook, solicitor ; M. M.
Kirkman, treasurer ; Joseph B. Redfield, assistant sec-
retary and auditor ; R. W. Hamer, purchasing agent ;
C. C. Wheeler, freight agent; and H. P. Stanwood,
ticket agent.
Albert Keep, president of the Chicago & North-Western Rail-
way system, was born in Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y., in 1S26,
and received his education at the common school and the academy
of his birthplace. From 1S41 to 1S46, he was a clerk in a general
country store in his native town. In 1846, he came west and
located at Whitewater, Wis., immediately engaging in mercantile
pursuits. He remained thus employed at that town until 1S51,
when he came to Chicago and entered the wholesale dry goods
business as a member of the firm of Peck, Keep& Co., which com-
prised Philander Peck, Albert Keep, and the latter's brother, Henry
Keep. The business house was No. 211 South Water Street, and
Mr. Keep remained therein until 1857, when he closed out the in-
terests of the firm and sold to their successors, Harmon, Aiken &
Gale. Mr. Keep then invested largely in real estate, and erected
numbers of buildings, which he rented or sold as the real estate
market proffered advantages for doing. When the fire of October,
1S71, swept over the city, it destroyed his office and a number
of his buildings. He immediately erected others, and contin-
ued in real estate and building enterprises until June, 1S73,
when he was proffered the position he at present occupies. Mr.
Keep was also a director of the Lake Shore S: Michigan Southern
Railroad from 1S65 until 1SS2.
Marvin Hughitt, second vice-president and general mana-
ger of the Chicago & North-Western Railway, and president of
the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway and of the
Sioux City & Pacific, and Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley
Railroad companies, was born in August, 1837. He commenced
his business life as a telegraph operator, was one of the first opera-
tors connected with the service in the west, and left the telegraph
business proper to take service with the Chicago & Alton Railroad
in 1856, with which he was employed as telegraph operator, super-
intendent of telegraph, and chief train-despatcher. He entered
the service of the Illinois Central Railroad in 1S62, and was suc-
cessively superintendent of telegraph, train master, assistant gene-
ral superintendent and general superintendent. In 1S71, he be-
came assistant general manager of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
Paul Railway, and in the autumn of 1S71 was appointed general
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
superintendent of the Pullman Palace Sleeping Car Company.
In February 1S72. he became connected with the Chicago &
North-Western Railway; was general superintendent until June,
1570. when he was also appointed general manager, and in 1SS0
was elected one of its vice-presidents. Since that date, he has been
its second vice-president and general manager. In December,
[88s le was elected president of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minnea-
- i miaha Railway, and in July, 1S84. he was elected presi-
dent of the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad and of the Fremont,
Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad, and at present occupies those
positions.
Perry H. Smith, who in his lifetime was one of Chicago's
prominent and most influential citizens, was a man possessing rare
qualities of both mind and heart. He was born, March 2S, 1S2S,
at Augusta. Oneida Co., X. V.; his father was Timothy Smith, an
influential business man of Augusta, his mother was Lucy Avery,
a descendant of a well-known family of that name in Connecticut,
and was in everv way a worthy and estimable lady. When thir-
teen vears of age. Perry entered Hamilton College, where, five years
later, during one of which he was confined at home by illness from
overwork, he graduated with high honors, standing second in his
class. He then entered, as a student, the law office of N. S. Ben-
ton, a prominent attorney at Little Falls, N. V., and on March
. the day on which he attained his majority, was admitted
to the Bar by Judge Peckham, at Albany, N. Y. In October of
that year, he came west and after looking over Kenosha and Mil-
waukee, established himself at Appleton, in the practice of his pro-
fession, and almost from the time of his arrival took a prominent
part in developing what then was a village of two houses and a
part of Brown County. In 1S51, he was elected the first county
judge of Outagamie County, over Professor James M. Phinney,
serving a fractional term and declining a re-election. In 1854^ he
was elected to the Assembly from the district composed of Outa-
gamie, Oconto and Waupaca counties, and at once became one of
its most influential members. In 1S55, he was elected to the State
Senate. He was both able and influential in that body. In 1S57
and 1858, he was elected to the Assembly. The last year, a very
bitter and acrimonious contest, partially of a personal nature, was
waged upon him and upon the Democratic ticket, and he felt so
sore over it that he determined to, and did in 1S56, remove from
Appleton to Chicago. In 1S56, a special session was held for dis-
position of the immense land grants made by the National Govern-
ment to Wisconsin, to aid in the construction of railroads. Mr. Smith
succeeded in maintaining legislation so that the " Superior *' grant
to aid the building of a road from Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, and Ap-
pleton to Lake Superior, was transferred to a new company, which,
Utended, was soon consolidated with the Chicago, St. Paul
& Fond du Lac Railroad Company. Mr. Smith became vice-presi-
dent of the company, and when, some time later, it was reorganized
as the Chicago i North-Western, he took the same position with
the latter. Milwaukee having opposed him in everything, in and
out of the Legislature, Mr Smith resolved to "get even" with its
citizens. In that day, the " Milwaukee scheme " was to leave Nee-
nah, Menasha and Appleton out of the line of road, and to strike
northwardly from Oshkosh. Mr. Smith stood by the Lower Fox
River region, and thus carried out his threat ; for through the dis-
position of the grant, which he was chiefly instrumental in effecting,
and the consequent extension of the Chicago road, a great deal of
trade, naturally tributary to Milwaukee, was diverted to Chicago.
After he waselected vice-president of the North-Western, he gained
the confidence of William B. I >gden to such an extent that he was
virtually the actual manager of the road and shaped its policy. It
thai during all the time he was a successful railroad mana-
ger he never forgot his hostility to Milwaukee. While living
at Appleton, he made investments in lands anil lead and iron mines,
and these, together with his railroad connections, made him wealthy.
. Mr. Smith removed to this city, ami for two years lived on
I and Erie streets He then bought a
r of Pine and Huron streets, and occupied it
until it the great fire of 1S71. After that event he
built the magnificent the same site, and which is still
occupied by the f.imil;. - ■ md was furnished
with great elegance, and, in 1^74, when it was finished, was re-
:' the finest residences in the city. In 1868, here-
tired fromthe management of the North-Western Railway, and set
about ei !rh he had accumulated. He made everal
trip* to Europe, and traveled extensively in this country. The re-
linquishmcnt of owever, acted unfavorably upon him,
nind began to fail him. This affection tead-
ily grew worse unti ii 1883, when it became necessary to have a
Conservator after his affairs. His wife
this trust under the appointment of the court, but later relinquished
its responsible dutii • 1 son. 'I he affection of Mr.
Smith's mind showed itself chiefly in loss of memory. Up to
a few weeks of his death he could converse rationally on almost any
subject. His ideas and intentions on politics and current events
were clear and logical, and his conversation as entertaining as ever.
His memory, however, was so treacherous that he often failed ut-
terly to recall one day what he had said or done the day before.
His malady, however, was of an incurable nature, and in March,
1SS5, had reached a stage extremely critical. His illness terminated
in his death, which occurred on the 29th of that month, at the age
of fifty-seven years and eleven days. At his death, Mr. Smith left
a wife and four children, all of whom were comfortably provided
for out of the handsome estate he had accumulated during the years
of his active business life Mr. Smith was married, in 1851, to Miss
Emma A. Smith, daughter of Rev. Reeder Smith, of Appleton,
Wis. The children, already mentioned, are Perry H., Jr. ; Ernest
F. ; Emma, now the wife of F. A. Sawyer, of Boston, Mass., and
William D. Thus briefly have been sketched the life and charac-
ter of Mr. Smith, and though little or no attempt has been made at
laudatory comment, yet the simple facts as they have been stated
show his worth and ability, and that in every sense of the word he
was a self-made man. He was always industrious, brave and seif-
reliant ; it was not his nature to ask favors of anyone, although no
man prized true friendship higher than he. He won his way in
the world by the force of his own genius and will, and being pos-
sessed of a fine education, comprehensive views, excellent judg-
ment, great energy and geniality, these qualities brought to him
not only his success, but a very large circle of warm and apprecia-
tive friends.
John Bice Turner, for many years one of the most able, pub-
lic-spirited and trustworthy of Chicago's early citizens, stands as a
corner-stone of the great Chicago & North-Western Railway system.
William B. Ogden and himself are to day recognized as having
been the most powerful agents in the establishment of the Galena
& Chicago Union Railroad Company, which may be called the
foundation of its giant successor. It is full of interest as well as
instruction to trace the life of such a man along the rugged path-
way by which he reached his ultimate success. His record as a
railroad pioneer commences as early as 1835, in the state of New
York. Having not yet recovered from the business reverses sus-
tained a few years previously, in April, 1S35 being then a young man
of thirty-four, he set to work, under contract, to build seven miles
of the Ransom & Saratoga Railroad. This being accomplished,
he was placed in charge of the entire road and had the honor of
putting in service the " Champlain," a locomotive engine of five
tons weight, and the second of its kind to appear in the northern
states. Most of the " trains " were drawn by horses, of which the
company purchased thirty, and Mr. Turner built a barn every ten
miles along the road, for their accommodation. In November, 1S35,
ground was broken by himself and his partner, as contractors, for the
construction of the Delaware division of the New York & Erie Rail-
road Company. The financial crash of April, 1S37, however, carried
that corporation with it and caused the temporary ruin of the young
contractor and his partners. Subsequently, the company resumed
operations, and the $16,000, which it was feared had been perma-
nently lost, was recovered. His next venture was in partnership
with his brother-in-law, John Yernam, in the building of the Ge-
nesee Valley Canal. When, in 1S40, the State suspended work
upon it, Mr. Turner himself received another set-back. The en-
terprise was resumed, however, and finished, also a section of the
Troy & Schenectady road, by the spring of 1843. This placed Mr.
Turner in more comfortable circumstances, and he resolved to lo-
cate in the west. In company with his wife, he made a journey of
observation as far west as the Mississippi River. Determining to
settle in Chicago, he returned to Troy for his two younger children,
leaving his oldest boy in Williamstown College. He arrived in the
Garden City on October 15, 1S43, boarding, with his family, at the
old Tremont House Early in the spring, Mr. Turner purchased
one thousand acres of prairie land lying south of Blue Island and
put upon it an immense flock of sheep which he had brought from
Ohio. He was now in such comfortable circumstances that he was
enabled to devote his active mind to larger projects connected with
the improvement of the new country which he had made his home.
A railroad from Chicago to the Fox River was the all-absorbing
topic among the active and broad-minded men of the state and the
city. The Galena & Chicago Union Railroad Company had been
inaugurated several years previously, and a small section of the road
constructed, when the funds gave out and work was suspended.
In 1847, ten years after the building of this crude excuse fora rail-
road, Messrs. Ogden and Turner resuscitated the enterprise, and on
the 5th of April, 1847, the former was elected president and Mr.
Turner acting director of the road. Soon afterward, Richard P.
Morgan made a survey of the line, and the two enthusiastic and able
offii i ils traveled through the country soliciting subscriptions.
Winn Mr. Turner was elected president of the company, in De-
cember, 1850, the line had been extended from Chicago to beyond
Elgin, and by September, 1852, it had reached l'reeport, where it
connected with the Illinois Central. Under his administration, the
RAILROAD HISTORY.
'37
Dixon Air line was completed to Fulton, and during that period the
line across the state of Iowa was partially finished. lie resigned
the presidency in 1S5S, after having been, with the exception, per-
haps, of William B. Ogden, the most efficient laborer in laying the
foundation of one of the greatest railway systems in the world. In
1S53, he had organized, also, the Beloit & Madison Railroad Com-
pany, and continued inactive connection with the Galena & Chicago
Union Company and its successor up to the time of his death. When
the consolidation of the Galena & Chicago Union and the Chicago &
North-Western was effected in June, 1S64, Mr. Turner was chairman
of the managing committee. He subsequently served as a directorand
member of the executive committee of the new road, bringing to
bear the same energy, ability and probity which he evinced in his
younger days. One illustration of the confidence which he had
gained, not only of his immediate circle, but even throughout the
country, is here given. During the war, while Fremont had com-
mand in Missouri, and suspicions were abroad that the railways
were swindling the Government, he made an investigation of the
matter and the National Commissioners adopted his figures without
alteration. In fact, the nature of his public enterprises since his
settlement in Chicago had brought him into contact with capital-
ists and professional men scattered throughout the land, and the
name of John Bice Turner had become a synonym for all that was
honest and reliable. In addition to his other manifold labors, Mr.
Turner's name appears as one of the directors of the North Side
Street Railway Company, which was incorporated in February, 1859.
V. C. Turner, his son, and now president, then became manager.
Mr. Turner was born at Colchester, Delaware Co., N. Y., Jan-
uary 14, 1799. His father died when he was two years of age and
his mother when he was fourteen, he having been adopted by a
Mr. Powers soon after the death of his father. In a tan-yard and
upon a farm, with an occasional term of schooling, the boy passed
the early years of his life, and so well did he improve his oppor-
tunities that he was able, in iSig, to unite himself in marriage to
Miss Martha Voluntine, of Malta, Saratoga Co., N. Y. In 1824,
he sold the interest he had obtained in the farm to his brother-in-
law, bought a mill and built a distillery, which, with a store, he
operated at Mattaville, in the same county. Six years thereafter,
business reverses came upon him, which at length induced him to
embark in those railroad enterprises which brought him fame and
fortune. While acting as an official, however, Mr. Turner stu-
diously and conscientiously avoided the rock of speculation — a
marked trait of his upright character being his often expressed fear,
that some one would suspect him of abusing his position for the pur-
pose of increasing his fortune through such means. In March, 1853,
Mr. Turner lost his first wife by death. In 1S55, he was married to
Miss Adeline Williams, of Columbus, Ga. Six children were born to
him, three of whom were daughters. Up to the day of his death, which
occurred on February 26, 1871, he seemed hale and hearty. He died
peacefully and quietly — a fitting end forone whose life was so filled
with good and earnest works. His demise was the occasion for
wide-spread grief — his railroad associates, especially, looking upon
his loss as irreparable. As gracefully and feelingly announced by
General Manager Dunlap, of the Chicago & North-Western road,
its general offices and shops were closed in profound respect for the
memory of this "judicious and faithful counsellor, genial com-
panion, considerate friend and Christian gentleman. His devo-
tion to the material interests of the country was excelled only by
the patriotism which never lost sight of the highest duties of citizen-
ship. His great works live after him, and will keep his memory
green forever."
Henry H. Porter, the president of the Union Steel Com-
pany of this city, is a native of Maine, born in Machias, Wash-
ington Co., in 1837. His father, Rufus King Porter, was a lawyer
and a man of considerable prominence in that profession. His
mother, Lucy Hedge Porter, was a most estimable woman, and
belonged to one of the oldest and best of New England families.
Henry H. Porter was given a fair English education in the com-
mon schools of that dav, besides enjoying the advantages of a
short term in an academy at Andover, Mass. At fifteen years of
age, he began clerking in a store in Eastport, Me., but a year later,
having determined upon trying his fortune in the West, he, in 1853,
came to this city and entered the offices of the old Galena & Chi-
cago Union Railroad as a clerk, under the superintendency of John
Bice Turner. Mr. Porter relates that, at that time, his salary was
but four hundred dollars a year, and that the road, which is now
one of the main divisions of the North-Western system, was then
only seventy-five miles long, and the track for thirty miles out of
Chicago was laid with the old strap iron, which had been previously
used on what is now the New York Central Railroad, between
Rochester and Niagara Falls, of the kind used in the days "I
primitive railroading. He remained with this road, filling various
positions, until, in 1S60, he was appointed station agent in this
city for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway and a little
later became the general freight agent for the same corporation.
In 1S63. he was made general superintendent of this line, which
position he held until 1S65. In the following year, in c pan)
with Jesse Spalding and others, he embarked extensively in the
lumber trade, on the upper peninsula of Michigan, handling on an
average nearly sixty million feet of lumber per annum. In 1 S67-
68, he became a director of the first National Bank of this city,
and also of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, 1
and of the Chicago & North-Western Railway, in 1870. He was
connected for a time with the directory of the Union Pacific road,
and about 1S74, became the general manager of the Chicago • ■
North-Western, continuing as such fora period of about two years.
In 1875, he, with certain associates, purchased the old Western
Wisconsin Railroad, and re-organizing it as the St. Paul, Minne-
apolis & Omaha, operated it until 1882, when its control was pur-
chased by the North-Western road; since which time, Mr. Porter,
beyond being in the directory of certain railways, has no active
association with their interests. In 1S84, he, with several other
gentlemen, obtained control of the affairs of the old Union Iron
and Steel Company, which under a reorganization is now known as
the Union Steel Company, a sketch of which appears in another
part of this work.
Honorable Burton C. Cook, general solicitor of the Chi-
cago & Northwestern Railway, was born in Rochester, N. Y., on
May ir, 1819. He was educated at Rochester Collegiate Institute
— since Rochester University — and graduated therefrom in 1S34.
He immediately commenced the study of the law, with the deter-
mination to make it his profession. In 1835, he came to this state,
and passing through Chicago, went to Ottawa, and there was ad-
mitted to the Bar, and commenced practicing law. The career of
Mr. Cook in that city is a part of the history of the state ; he was
State's Attorney of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, for eight years ;
member of the State Senate for eight years, and was a member of
the Peace Congress in 1S61. About 1859, he was the attorney for
the Chicago & Rock Island Railway, and retained that position
until 1864, when, being elected to Congress from the Sixth — now
a part of the Seventh — Congressional District, he resigned his
attorneyship and went to Congress. He was re-elected to Congress
in 1S66, again in 1S68, and again in 1870, resigning his seat in
1S71 to accept the general solicitorship he at present occupies, and
which was proffered him by James F. Tracy, then president of the
Chicago & North-Western road, who had been president of the Rock-
island while Mr. Cook was its attorney, and consequently knew
his eligibility and fitness for the position. Mr. Cook was married,
in 1S4S, to Miss Elizabeth Hart, daughter of Judge Orris Hart, of
Oswego, N. Y.; this lady died on February n, 1879, leaving
one daughter, Ellen E., the wife of Charles H. Lawrence, a prac-
ticing attorney of this city. Some of the important measures in
which Mr. Cook participated during his public service, may lie
briefly stated, as follows : In 1855, John M. Palmer, Norman B.
Judd and Burton C. Cook seceded from the Democratic party, on
the question of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and suc-
ceeded in effecting an organization hostile thereto ; on account of
this action, Messrs. Judd and Cook were deposed from the Judiciary
Committee. On January 15, 1856, these gentlemen — being at that
time members of the State Senate — and Messrs. Baker and Allen,
of the House, supported the nomination of Lvman Trumbull for
the United States Senate, he, likewise, being an opponent of the
repeal of the Compromise, this measure being taken upon the ad-
vice of Abraham Lincoln. On February S, 185(1, Mr. Palmer
nominated Lyman Trumbull, the amendment was concurred in,
and Mr. Trumbull elected. The first ballot, however, onlj gave
five votes for Mr. Trumbull, they being those of Messrs. Judd,
Cook and Palmer, of the Senate, and Messrs. Allen and Baker, of
the House. The tenth ballot gave Mr. Trumbull the nomination,
fifty-one votes being cast for, and forty-eight against, him. No
resolutions were adopted instructing senators to vote for the restora-
tion of the Missouri Compromise, but the members in favor of it
constantly put the question t" vote, thereby placing the members
on record. As an evidence of the part taken by Mr. Cook during
the crises of the Republican party, as well as by his confrere, Mr.
Judd, it may be mentioned thai the latter was the first chairman,
and the nominator of Mr. Lincoln in i860, at the Chicago Con-
vention ; while Mr. Cook, who was chairman of the Republican
State Committee in 1864, appointed by the State Convention,
placed Mr. Lincoln in nomination that year at Baltimore. Some
of the general measures taken by Mr. Cook in the furtherance of
public interests, were his opposition to the resolutions adopted at
the Peace Conference, when he and one other member prol
against their adoption going on record, lie reported the bill
which favored free schools ; he assisted to draft, and subsequently
introduced, the first bill which gave married women the right to
hold property in their own names : he drafted and introduced the
bill, which was adopted, fixing the basis of Congressional repre-
sentation, and he reported a polygamy bill, such as was pi 1.
adopted after he left Congress. During his service there, he was
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
twice a member of the District of Columbia Commission ; he was
a member and chairman of the Election Committee ; twice a mem-
ber of the Judiciary Committee; and was chairman of the Com-
mittee on Railroads and Canals. From this brief statement of
some of the positions occupied by Mr. Cook, it is sufficiently easy
to form a correct estimate of the cogency of his influence during
his long and honorable career before the public.
PHILLIP A. Hall is one of the oldest railroad men now resid-
ing in Chicago. He is a native of Genesee County, N. Y.. where
he was born October 10, 1S1S. In May, 1S36, he left Batavia, N. Y.,
and came to Chicago, where he obtained employment in the whole-
sale grocery store of Hall & Monroe, one of the partners being his
brother. About 1S4S, he became connected with the Aurora branch
of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy road, as secretary and treas-
urer, and after the line was completed took the active management
of the train service. He even went so far, at one time, as to run a
gravel train himself, it being necessary to forward it to its destina-
tion without delay. Mr. Hall continued on the Chicago & Aurora
line until 1S52, being assistant superintendent under President
John B. Turner. In 1S54, he was appointed superintendent, as he
had been, in fact, for some years. When Mr. Turner resigned as
president of the road, Mr. Hall also relinquished the office of super-
intendent, which occurred in 1S58. During the war, he was sum-
EARLY LOCOMOTIVE.
moned to St. Louis as an expert witness by the National Commis-
sioners who were examining into the charges that, during Fremont's
command in Missouri, the Government had been swindled. His
testimony was principally regarding the prices which reasonably
should be charged for the transportation of material and troops over
what were termed " Land Grant Railroads, ' it being claimed in
some quarters that such service ought to be free on the part of
roads which had obtained Covernment land grants. In the spring
of 1865, he returned to Chicago and was appointed assistant super-
intendent of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific road, and so con-
tinued until 1871. Since that year he has retired from active railroad
business and been engaged in a variety of financial pursuits.
CHARLES C. WHEELER, general superintendent of the Chicago
& North-Western Railway, commenced his railroad experience as
clerk and agent at Yergennes, Vt., in 1850, on the Rutland Rail-
road. He has successively been general freight agent of the*
Chicago & Alton Railroad ; general superintendent of the Chicago
& Milwaukee Railroad, until its consolidation with the Chicago &
North- Western Railway, when he was made general freight agent;
general freight agent of the Michigan Central Railway; assistant
general superintendent of the Chicago & North-Western Railway,
and, in June. 18S0, was made assistant general manager of that
road, remaining in that position until July, 188 J, when he accepted
the appointment of general manager of the Atchison, Topeka iV
Santa Ic Railway. He remained there until 1 li tobi 1, [883, when
he returned to Chicago, and, December, 1883, was appointed to
his present position.
.!. I.. Di 1 ■.!■, son '.f John and Mary (Robinson) Dun-
lap, was born in Brunswick, Me., in [828. Having acquired a
amon school education, he took an academic course in
mathematics and engineering at Gorhatn Academy; subsequently
ng his prepai on foi hi chosen profession, by
a thorough course of practical training in active field work. In
ered the 1 tnploy "i the Boston
& Maine Railroad Company, where he remained until 1851, at
which time he engaged with the New York & Erie Railroad,
where he remained until January I, 1855. At this date, he first
became identified with railroading in the west, accepting the posi-
tion of assistant engineer of the Chicago & North-Western Rail-
way Company — then the Galena & Chicago Union — which he held
nearly four years. In October, 185S, he became the general super-
intendent of the road, filling that responsible position with unques-
tioned ability for fourteen years thereafter (until 1872). He then
became connected with the Montreal & Quebec Railway, then pro-
jected. He spent eighteen months in London in the interest of
the enterprise, and had charge of the construction of the road to
its completion. In 1S79, he renewed his labors in the west, com-
pleting the Wabash Railroad during that year, and building, in
1S80, the road between Chicago and Strawn, 111. In 1881, he
built the Wabash Grain Elevator, located on the South Branch of
the Chicago River, near its intersection with Thirty-second Street.
This elevator has a storage capacity of one million five hundred
thousand bushels, and is the largest in the city, with one excep-
tion. Its cost was $400,000. Mr. Dunlap became a member :>f
the Chicago Board of Trade in 1881 Thirty years of arduous
and faithful labor and responsibility have brought him the well-
earned recompense of an ample fortune, which he enjoys to the
full extent possible to an American not yet retired from the active
duties of business life. As proprietor of the Wa-
bash Elevator he is one of the most prominent of
Chicago's commercial gentlemen. In addition to
his residence in Chicago, he owns a fine farm in
Walworth Co., Wis., near Lake Geneva, which is
his summer home. Mr. Dunlap is a master ma-
son, a member of Blaney Lodge, No. 271, A. F.
& A. M., of Chicago. In politics he is a pro-
nounced Democrat, and a member of the Iroquois
Club. He has, however, never entered political
life. He married, in 1858, Miss Ellen M. Pond,
who left, at her death, two daughters, both of
whom are now married — Mrs. A. L. Hopkins of
New York, and Mrs. Dr. F. W. Payne of Boston.
In July, 1872, he married Miss Emma Blanche
Rice, daughter of Hon. John B. Rice, of Chicago.
William Austin Thrall, general ticket
agent of the Chicago & North-Western Railway,
was born in Sharon, Schoharie Co., N. Y., on
August 3, 1834, the son of William and Eleanor
E. (Huddleston) Thrall. He received his educa-
tion at the common schools, and the academy of
Schoharie County ; and first engaged in business
as an employe in a hotel at Guilderland, Albany
Co., N. Y. He then was for a year in a store at
Schoharie Court House, and also engaged in va-
rious other commercial duties until about 1851,
when he went to New York City, and there held several clerical po-
sitions until the fall of 1S54. From New York City, Mr. Thrall came
to Chicago, and entered the freight depot of the Galena & Chicago
Union Railroad, as check clerk, and there remained until the fall of
1855, when he was given a position in the general ticket office of
that road. In 1856, he was appointed general ticket agent, and re-
mained in that office until 1858, when he accepted a position on the
Illinois Central Railroad. From the fall of 185S until January 1,
1S73, Mr. Thrall was with the Illinois Central Company, as assist-
ant general passenger agent, and on the latter date received the ap-
pointment on the North-Western Railway which he at present
holds ; and, as a memento of his long acquaintance with the North-
Western, has a passenger tariff rate compiled by him for the old
Galena & Chicago Union road, thirty years since. It seems ri-
diculous, to any one acquainted with the railroad service in this
city, to utter any eulogium on Mr. Thrall, so well is he known and
so thoroughly is his aptitude for the position acknowledged ; but as
there exists many persons who only know him by the signature
on their tickets, a few words of description of this gentleman may
not be inapt. His gentlemanly, genial, yet decisive manner; his
comprehensive acquaintance with the innumerable minutia; of his
duties ; and his accurate knowledge of the various needs and mu-
tations of the passenger service, have rendered him, in conjunction
with the extended experience he has acquired, a conceded authority,
and a most valuable official of the road. Mr. Thrall is a life mem-
ber of Oriental Lodge, No. 33, A. F. & A. M., and received the
third degree in June, 1S58, and is also a past master of that lodge ;
he likewise held several offices in Lafayette Chapter, the highest of
which was Scribe ; hedemitted from that chapter in January, 1878 ;
and is an ex-member of Chicago Council, No. 4. Mr. Thrall is a
life member of Apollo Commandery, No. 1, K. T., having been
one of the first Sir Knights to achieve that distinction, and is also a
life member of Oriental Consistory, 32°, S. P. R. S , and the sub-
ordinate bodies, having paid dues therein for over twenty years. He
was married, in 1859, to Miss Elmira Boyce, of Belvidere, 111. ;
they have two children, Samuel E. and William A. jr.
RAILROAD HISTORY.
■39
Marshall M. Kirkman, comptroller of the Chicago &
North-Western Railway, was born near the city of Springfield, [II.,
in 1842, and received his education at a common school and through
private instructors. In February, 1S56, he entered the employment
of the North-Western (Galena) road, at Fulton, 111., and remained
there, and in that vicinity, until March, 1S57, when he came to Chi-
cago, and occupied various positions under the administration here.
In 1S60, he was placed at the head of the freight accounting de-
partment, and, in 1864, he became assistant general accounting of-
ficer, which position he retained until 1868. In 1S6S, he was gen-
eral accounting officer and local treasurer, the titles being subse-
quently consolidated. He was then promoted to the position of
general accounting officer, which he at present holds, the official
designation having been changed to comptroller in 1S81.
Joseph B. Redfield, assistant secretary and auditor of the
Chicago & North- Western Railway, came from New York to this
city in 1855, and entered the service of the road, with which he has
been connected ever since, receiving the appointment to his present
position in June, 1865.
W. S. Mellen, general freight agent of the Chicago &
North- Western Railway, was born in Crete, 111 , on February 26,
1846, the son of Reuben and Marian B. (Davis) Mellen, his mother
being the daughter of Aaron and Rebecca Davis. Very shortly
after his birth his parents moved to this city, arriving here in 1S46,
and here he obtained his education in the graded schools, his class
in the high school being taught by George P. Wells, the present
principal of the West Division High School. No academic or col-
legiate facilities were afforded Mr. Mellen, his experience having
been one of hard work and his reward that which awaits industry,
perseverance and unflagging attention to the interests committed to
his charge. He first engaged in business as a bookkeeper for
Bevans & Morey, a commission firm on South Water Street, in
1562, very shortly after the close of his school career, in 1861. He
remained with Messrs. Bevans & Morey until 1864, when he be-
came receiving clerk at the Chicago office of the Western Union
Telegraph Company, and while there acquired a knowledge of
telegraph operating. On December 21, 1S65, Mr. Mellen first
entered the employment of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway,
as telegraph operator at Milton Junction, Wis., and was afterward
at Barrington, 111., until June, 1866. He was then transferred to
Kenosha, Wis., where he was also telegraph operator until March,
1867, on which date he was made agent at Racine, Wis., and there
remained until September, 1S71. At the latter date, he was made
agent at Green Bay, Wis., and continued there until January, 1S73,
when he accepted the appointment of general freight and passenger
and ticket agent of the Green Bay & Lake Pepin Railroad. On
October I, 1S74, he was appointed general agent of the Chicago &
North-Western Railway in Minnesota and Dakota, with head-
quarters in Winona, and on October 1, 1875, he received the ap-
pointment of assistant general freight agent of the same road, at
Chicago, where he remained until December, 188 1, when he
accepted the position of assistant general superintendent in charge
of the operating department of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
Railroad. The latter position Mr. Mellen retained until November
I, 1882, when he accepted that of general freight agent of the
Chicago & North-Western Railway, with headquarters at Chicago,
and this position he still occupies. He is a member of Covenant
Lodge, No. 526, A. F. & A. M.; Corinthian Chapter, No. 69, R.
A. M ; St. Bernard Commandery, No. 35, K. T.; and Oriental
Consistory, S. P. R. S. 32°, having been a member of the Scottish
Rite bodies about seven years. He is also a member of Excelsior
Lodge, No. 32, 1.45. O. F. Mr. Mellen is chairman of the Joint
Western Classification Committee, which office he has held for one
and a half years, his occupancy of this responsible place sufficiently
demonstrating the perspicacity of the North-Western officials in his
selection. He was married in 1870 to Miss Gertrude Fratt, of
Racine, Wis. They have two children, Gertrude and Henry
Wicker.
Charles E. Simmons, land commissioner of the Chicago &
North-Western Railway, was born in Lake County, 111., near
the town of Waukegan, on December 25, 1845, the son of Icha-
bod and Adelia (Frey) Simmons. He received his education at
the common schools in the vicinity of his birthplace, and when he
was sixteen years of age became a clerk in the office of the County
Clerk of Lake Countv, 111-, and there remained until April,
1563. He then engaged in the war-claim business, in partnership
with Homer Cook, at Chicago, and there remained until he enlisted
in the army in January, 1865. He was then elected 2d Lieuten-
ant of Company " H," 153d Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and
mustered into service as such, at Camp Fry, in February ; and, on
March 7, 1865, the regiment left for the South and experienced
some campaigning in Tennessee. On September 2, 1S65, the regi-
ment was mustered out, and then Mr. Simmons re-entered the
office of the County Clerk of Lake County, and there continued
until October, 1868, when he entered the abstract office of Messrs.
Jones & Sellers, of this city, as clerk. He remained in the same
capacity with that firm until the time of the fire, and was then chiei
clerk for the combined abstract firms. On December 1, 1872, the
three firms of Jones lV Sellers, Short all & Hoard and 1 base Broth-
ers leased their books to Handy, Simmons >\ Co., and of tin- firm
of lessees Mr. Simmons was a partner. In September, 1876, he
was proffered, and accepted, the position of assistant land
commissioner of the Chicago & North-Western Railway ; still
retaining, however, his interest in the firm of Handy, Simmons &
Co. On July I, 1878, he was promoted to the position of land
commissioner of the road ; and on that date he withdrew from the
abstract firm, in order to give his whole attention to the important
duties of his office, for which his long experience has so evidently
fitted him. Mr. Simmons is a member and past master of Lincoln
Park Lodge, No. 611, A.F.& A.M.; and a member of Lincoln
Park Chapter, No. 177, R.A.M., and of Siloam Commandery, No.
59, K.T. He was married on May 14, t866, to Miss Lucy J.
Cleveland, of Rockford, 111., daughter of Rev. Festus P. Cleve-
land. They have one son, Howard L.
George H. Thayer, superintendent of telegraph, Chicago a
North-Western Railway, was born in Perkinsville, Vt , in 1*43, the
son of Henry A. and Marcia A. (Spafford) Thayer. When he was
about nine years of age, he came to Chicago with his parents, and
received his education in this city at the common and high schools.
In 1S58, he first engaged in business as a messenger for the Illinois
& Mississippi Telegraph Company, and remained in that position
for two years, during which time he gained a good knowledge of
telegraph operating. In 1861, he received an appointment as tele-
graph operator on the line of the North-Western, and occupied that
situation until 1873, when he was promoted to the superintendency
he now holds. Mr. Thayer was married in 1865 to Miss Addie C.
Miller, of Chicago. They have four children — George I... Wil-
liam J., Frederick and Mabel.
Frank M. Luce, general car accountant of the Chicago &
North-Western Railway, is a gentleman whose proficiency in the
details of those duties, and ability in their exercise, is not only re-
cognized by the management of the road in his appointment and
maintenance in his position, but is also well-known to railroad men
throughout the United States. He is the author of Luce's System
of Car Accounts, and of Luce's Book of Equipment Lists which
are indispensible for car accountants on all the principal lines in
the United States and Canada, and which have produced order out
of the chaos to which such accounts were heretofore subject. The
system was invented by Mr. Luce in 1863, and has grown into
such great appreciation that it is now (1S84) used by one hundred
and eighty-two railroads and fast freight lines, and has received
from them the highest eulogiums. Mr. Luce has received from
railroad men the sobriquet of "the father of the car-accountant
business." He was born in Marion, Plymouth Co., Mass., in 1S46,
the son of Elisha C. and Lucretia (Clark) Luce. He was educated
at the Pierce Academy, Middleboro, Mass., and graduated from
that institution. He first entered the railroad business in 1S63, as
an employe of the Cleveland tV Toledo Railroad Company, .and was
speedily made car-mileage clerk, which position he retained until
1866, when he became car accountant of the Toledo, Wabash iV
Western Railroad. He remained with that road until 1S71. when
he was made general car accountant for the Chicago & North-
Western. In 1869 he married Miss Emma S. McLean, of Cleve-
land. They have two children; Alfred M., and Frank M., jr.
Mr. Luce is a member of Home Lodge, No. 50S, A.F. & A.M.; ol
Chicago Chapter, No. 127, R.A.M.; of Apollo Commandery, No.
I, K.T., and of Oriental Consistory, S.P.R.S. 32°, and of Medina!)
Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S.
Charles Murray, superintendent of the Galena Division of
the Chicago & North-Western Railway, was born in Wheeler,
Steuben Co., N.Y., on January 21, 1S33, the son of William Mur-
ray, of Schoharie County, and of Abigail lllickoxl Murray, of
Oneida County. William Murray was a prominent woolen manu-
facturer, not only in New York State, but also in Joliet, III., where
he was employed in the management of that branch of business undi I
the late Governor Joel A. Matteson. He received but little education
in the common schools, but his natural desire for knowledge and
his studious characteristics more than atoned for his lack of edu-
cational advantages, and his ripe culture and thorough acquain-
tance with the affairs of the world proclaim that, if Mr. Murray is
a self-made man, no care has been withheld and no study ignored
during his progress to his present status. At the age of twelve, he
removed with his parents to Joliet, 111., traveling across the country
in wagons and sleighs; at which place his father died. I111S47,
the family removed to Elgin, 111., where Mr. Murray entered upon
his first business experience in the employ of the Elgin woolen
factory, where he remained for about one year; he thru entered the
mercantile business as clerk and continued in that line unti
when he removed to Freeport, 111., and engaged in mercantile busi-
ness on his own account, remaining there about one year; when he
140
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
returned to Elgin,* and was again engaged in mercantile pursuits
for about one year; and on March .'4, 1855, he came to Chicago
and entered the service of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad
Companv as clerk in the treight department office, at the foot of
Dearborn Street. He occupied that position until March 5, 1S61,
when he was appointed agent of the same company at Dixon, 111.,
where he remained until November 13. 1S73. During his residence
in Dixon, he became identified with the city government and was a
member of the City Council and also a member of the Board of
Education, as well' as its president at the time he left Dixon.
On November 11. 1S73, he was appointed local freight agent of
the company at Chicago, which place he occupied until December
ti. (876, when he was appointed superintendent of the Galena
Division, which position he now fills. His thirty years of con-
tinuous service piace him among the oldest employes of the com-
panv. Mr. Murray was married on December 14, 1S57, at Musca-
tine. Iowa, to Miss' Cordelia F. Cox, of New York City; they have
two daughters, Carrie and Kittie.
Ei>\vard I. CUYLER was born in Essex County, N. Y., in
i52g. the son of Edward S. and Emily E. (Parkhill) Cuyler. His
education was obtained chiefly in New York City, although the
advantages enjoyed by him were not great. At the age of seven-
teen, he became clerk in the Deadwater Iron Works, in Essex
County, and was in the iron business for three years in that county.
In iSJg. he went to New York City as agent for a transportation
line, and there remained until 1S55, in which year he came to Chi-
cago as construction paymaster for the Chicago & North-Western
Railway, and retained that position until the road was completed
to Janesville, Wis., a period of about three years. He was then
a sort of pioneer station-agent for the road, being assigned to the
various defined termini, as rapidly as the road was completed to
such established stations ; the first of which was YVatertown, Wis.,
and the last, Oshkosh, Wis. He remained at Oshkosh until 1S64,
and then was made assistant superintendent of the Galena Division
of the Chicago & North- Western Railway, with his headquarters
at Chicago — the position being given him after the purchase of the
the road by the North-Western. He remained in that capacity
until 1S76, and was transferred to his present position, as superin-
tendent of the Wisconsin division. Mr. Cuyler was married, in
185s, to Miss Josephine Quill, of Janesville, Wis., who died in
1S69 Mr. Cuyler had two children, who also died.
Thomas Stcart Rattle, contract and freight agent of the
Chicago & North-Western Railway, was born in Chicago, in
1 ~54. the son of Samuel and Anna M. (Dobbins) Rattle. Samuel
Rattle was an old settler of this city, and was a descendant of
English ancestry ; his arrival in this city occurred about 1849, and
he afterward resided in Harlem, now Oak Park, where his son was
educated. T. S. Rattle first entered upon his business career, as
an office-boy, in the employment of the North-Western road, in
1868, and by dint of hard work and attention to the duties devolv-
ing upon him, he rose, step by step, to the position of assistant
contract and freight agent, to which he was appointed in Novem-
ber. 1S77. He retained that position until August, iS8o, when he
was promoted to his present office, which is conceded to be a just
recognition of his perseverance and strict attention to the interests
of the road. He was married, in 1877, to Miss Sarah Adele
Archdeacon, of this city ; they have one child, Paul Stuart.
JENKS D. PERKINS, trainmaster of the Chicago it North-
Western Railway, was born in the village of Oriskany, Oneida Co.,
N. Y.. of which village his parents were among the first settlers.
.■:T was David Perkins, and his mother Elmira (Stacy) Per-
kins, and the date of his birth was February 17, 1823. He received
his education at the common schools of his native village, and then
commenced his business experience by driving piles along the Sus-
quehanna River for the old Erie Railroad Company; this was in
1-41. In the spring of I S42, commenced a three years' appren-
ticeship as bridge-builder, joiner, and railroad carpenter, serving one
Brothers, and during the balance of the period
with his father. In 1845, he worked for the state of New York for
one year, and in the spring of 1- |'j ... nt to work for the old Syra-
cuse & L'lica Railroad, of which John Wilkerson was president. He
remained with that road until May. 1851, when he came on a fur-
lough to Chicago, and was solicited by the: Galena & Chicago Union
Railroad to <:;jO:r its employment; this he did, after securing the
permission of the Syracuse & Utica Railroad, the consent of this
road being mai pan "I the contract with 'he Galena
making it a part of the agreement tliat Mr.
Perkins should return to his employ whenever he desired to do so,
as he was th-; b ■ r had in that capacity. Mr I'd kins
then went to work foi ro id, and laid the first T rail on
June 9, [851, thai ■ of the lakes, at the Fox River
switch, the junction of the old Fox River road, two miles east of
Elgin and the ' I nion Railroad. This was the
first work he performed for the road, and to achieve it he had to
• Hi* nWbrr died at that citv il
make all his own tools for the T rail laying, as none were to be
found in this country. He whittled out the models, and the com-
pany's blacksmith forged them under his supervision. For two
years he was in charge of the tracks, and then, in 1S53, was placed
in charge of the road's docks and the tracks inside the city. He
remained in that position until 1854, and was then transferred to
the West -side lumber yards as freight agent for West Chicago, and
there remained until 1864, when he was made trainmaster. In
1861, he took a trip of two weeks to the East, his sole holiday in
fifteen years. Mr. Perkins has been in constant employment ever
since his entry into the service in May, 1S51, and it is a matter of
just pride with him, and commendation from the officials of the
road, that he has never omitted signing the monthly roll. When
the new depot was built on North Wells Street, Mr. Perkins took
charge of all the training, and still acts as general superintendent of
that service, except the handling of freight trains, and to this mat-
ter gives his personal and unremittent supervision. Notwithstand-
ing his sixty-one years, he is as active and hale as a young athlete,
and is a splendid specimen of energetic manhood, never employing
medical aid for himself. He is a master mason, and a life member
of Cleveland Lodge, No. 211. He was married, on April 22, 1844,
to Miss Phcebe Jane Wiggins, of Oriskany. N. Y. ; they have two
children living, William Francis, now an engineer of the Chicago
& North-Western Railway, and Martha Maria.
John Hickey, superintendent of bridges of the Galena Di-
vision of the Chicago & North-Western Railway, was born in Wa-
terford County, Ireland, in 1S32, the son of James and Kate (Walsh)
Hickey. He came to the United States in 1851, prior to which he
had received a little education at primary and night schools, the ed-
ucational advantages in those years, and in that country, being of
the most primitive character. This lack of tuition, however, Mr.
Hickey has supplanted by study and an extensive course of read-
ing in his later years. From 1851 until 1855, he remained in New
York working at such things as presented themselves; and, in July
of the latter year came to Chicago. About August 15, 1S55, he
commer .ed working for the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad,
under the supervision of George Bassett, who was at that time the
superintendent of bridges and buildings on the Galena Division.
Mr. Bassett succeeded Major Flunter, who was the first incumbent
of that position, and who built the first railroad bridge over the
Chicago River. This bridge was constructed for the Galena &
Chicago Union Railroad, and was an excellent arrangement at
high water, but when there was any great subsidence of the water it
would not swing. It occupied nearly the same position that the
present railroad bridge, near Kinzie Street, does. But the days of
1855, and antecedent thereto, were days of primitive arrangements;
Mr. Hickey has frequently filled the locomotive tank by bailing
out the ditches by the roadbed; and often when the engine arrived
at a water station, the tank would be found empty and the attend-
ant slumbering, when the engineer or fireman would pump water
into the water-tank, and thence let it run into the locomotive tank.
And this was no unusual occurrence, but an every-day happening.
After working for fifteen years in that department, Mr. Hickey was,
in 1S70, appointed superintendent of bridges of the Galena Divis-
ion, and has since retained that position. He has never lost any-
time since his employment on the road, save a few days from sick-
ness, and has so assiduously attended to his duties that he has not
even taken a vacation He was married, in 1S66, to Miss Elizabeth
McCarthy, of Chicago. They have four children: Kate, Gertrude,
Walter and Mary.
N. A. Phillips, general baggage agent of the Chicago &
North-Western Railway Company, was born in West Bloomfield,
Ontario Co., N. Y.. on December 10, 1S36; being the son of Hu-
bert R. and Lydia (Douglas) Phillips. After receiving a common
school education, he went into the hotel and passenger transporta-
tion business, and in May, 1851, located in Chicago. In 1854.
Mr. Phillips first became connected with the railway service as a
train baggageman. He also acted as freight and passenger con-
ductor and passenger agent, previous to his appointment to his
present position in December, 1874. Mr Phillips was married,
January 12, 1857, to Annie M. Walters.
The Chicago & Alton Railroad Company. —
The charter of the Alton & Sangamon Railroad was
granted February 27, 1847, and was completed from
Alton to Springfield in 1853. This road was the first
section of the present system opened to the public.
The Chicago & Mississippi Railroad Company was
chartered June 19, 1852. It was finished from Spring-
field to Bloomington in 1854, and from Bloomington to
foliet in 1856. In the spring of 1857, the Joliet &
Chicago Railroad Company, chartered by the Legisla-
ture of 1854-55, obtained the right of way into Chicago,
RAILROAD HISTORY.
141
and was finished at that time. By act of February,
1855, the name of the Chicago & Mississippi Railroad
Company had been changed to the Chicago, Alton &
St. Louis Company; the intent of the new corporation
was to build a railroad from Alton to Joliet and to a
point on the eastern bank of the Mississippi, opposite
St. Louis. The line was mortgaged, and the company
became so embarrassed that, in August, 1855, a lease
was made to Hamilton Spencer, of Bloomington, to
run twenty years. Mr. Spencer was to advance certain
sums of money and pay the interest on the income
bonds of the company; to operate the road and pay the
expenses. This was done, and he made an assignment
of the lease to Brown, Brost & Co. It passed into the
hands of Governor Joel A. Matteson and E. C. Litch-
field, in December, 1857. Up to that time, the line had
been completed from Springfield to Joliet at a cost of
nine and a half million of dollars. This, with the Joliet
& Chicago Company, formed a continuous line from
Springfield to Chicago. In the spring of 1858, a bill
was filed complaining that the property of the St. Louis,
Alton & Chicago had been perverted from its original
purpose. All allegations, however, terminated in No-
vember, 1859, and the road was placed in the hands of
James Robb and Charles Congdon, receivers, they to
operate it under the direction of the court. By an in-
corporating act, approved February 18, 1861, James
Robb, Charles Moran, Adrian Iselin, Nathan Peck,
Louis Von Hoffman, Lewis H. Meyer, Septimus
Crookes, William B. Ogden, Jacob Bunn, J. J. Mitchell,
Joseph B. White and E. M. Gilbert were constituted
the commissioners to organize the Chicago & Alton
Railroad Company. On the 7th of August, 1S62, a de-
cree was entered in the United States Court, by which
all claims against the road were brought before it. The
property was directed sold, and was purchased by the
above parties. On the 16th of October, an organization
was effected as follows: James Robb, president; Joseph
Price, secretary and treasurer; C. N. Allen, superin-
tendent; Robert P. Tansey, general freight agent;
Thomas Warnock, general purchasing agent; Fred.
Hudson, auditor. The directors for the year ending
December 31, 1863, were: James Robb, John B. Drake
and John Crerar, Chicago; George A. Robbins and
Albert Havemeyer, New York. The first annual re-
port for that year shows the capital of the company to
have been $8,290,939; receipts from all sources, $2,-
021,770; operating expenses, $971,840. On the 1st of
January, 1864, the Joliet & Chicago line was leased.
The Alton & St. Louis Company, which had been or-
ganized six years previously, commenced the line be-
tween these two places in May, 1864, and the road was
opened to the public January 1, 1865, being leased to
the Chicago &: Alton Railroad Company. During the
year 1864, there had been a change in the management
of the road, T. B. Blackstone, the present incumbent,
being elected president; W. M. Larrabee, secretary and
treasurer; Robert Hale, general superintendent; O.
Chanute, chief engineer; H. C. Wicker, general freight
agent; Augustus Newman, general ticket agent; C. N.
Pratt, general passenger agent; and A. W. Church, attor-
ney. The St. Louis, Jacksonville & Chicago Company,
although incorporated in 1851, did not complete its line
to Petersburgh until January 1, 1866. In September,
1867, a connection was made with the Chicago & Alton
line at Bloomington, and the road was leased by that
corporation in April, 1868. Having obtained control
of this connection, the Chicago & Alton Company had
virtually no competitors for the traffic between Chicago
and St. Louis. The passenger business greatly in-
creased and the coal trade was a growing item in the
freight traffic. The latter had grown from six thousand
tons, in 1865, to over one hundred and sixty-six thou-
sand tons, in 1868, being more than half of the whole
amount of bituminous coal received by rail in Chii ago
during that year. Its financial status for the year end-
ing December 31, 1868, was as follows: earnings,
$4,508,642 97; expenses, $2,463,182.64; net earnings,
$2,045,460.33. Its income account showed receipts of
$2,969,812.61, and its disbursements were $1,985,145.24.
In September of that year, J. C. McMullin was ap-
pointed general superintendent of the road, to succeed
Robert Hale, who resigned in December, 1867. K. 1''.
Booth, the chief engineer, had succeeded Mr. Chanute
in 1866, and James Smith, general freight agent, fol-
lowed Mr. Wicker. The year 1S69 witnessed no change
in the officers of the road, but there was a large increase
in freight and passenger traffic. At the commencement
of 1870, the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company opera-
ted four hundred and thirty-one miles of road — Chicago
& Joliet (leased i, thirty-eight miles; Joliet to East St.
Louis, (owned), two hundred and forty-two miles;
Bloomington to Godfrey, a few miles above Alton,
where it connected with the main line — being the St.
Louis, Jacksonville & Chicago (leased — one hundred
and fifty-one miles. During 1870, there was acquired
the section from Dwight to Wenona, by purchase in
March, thirty-five miles; from Wenona to Washington
and from Varna to Lacon, forty-five miles, completed
in December. So that, on January 1, 187 1, there were
five hundred and eleven miles in operation, owned or
leased by the company. Desiring another outlet to the
Mississippi River, the company made a contract with
the St. Louis, Jacksonville & Chicago road, for the use
of its franchises in the construction of a line from
Roodhouse west to Louisiana. A contract was also
entered into with the Louisiana &: Missouri River Rail-
road for the completion of the line from Louisiana to
Mexico, Mo. An agreement was also made between
the Chicago & Alton Company and lines in northern
Missouri, by which a through line for passengers
and freight was to be operated between Chicago,
Alton and Kansas City, as soon as the line should
be constructed to Mexico. These contracts were
still in force at the time of the great fire, the
Roodhouse line being finished. By this casualty, the
company lost $100,000 above the insurance* upon its
property, about one hundred and thirteen of its cars
being destroyed. By the end of the year, the company
operated five hundred and ninety-five miles of road, the
line to Mexico being opened October 30, 187 1.
At first, this road occupied the Michigan Southern
Depot, on Van Buren Street, bur. after 1858 used the
Union Depot for its passenger business. Its freight
depot was on Charles Street, corner of Van Buren, and
its round-house on Stewart Avenue, between Wilson
and Twelfth streets.
Timothy B. Blackstone, president of the Chicago & Alton
Railroad, is one of the most practical, clear-headed and successful
railroad men of our country. He is a typical American, a son of
sturdy and self-reliant parents, and from his infancy there were in-
stilled into his nature determination and energy. These attributes,
now so seldom found, are what made Mr. Blackstone the successful
man of to-day. He is a native of Branford, Conn., born March
2S, 1S29. He received what little education he could obtain during
his boyhood in the common schools of Branford, and took a course
in an academy. At the age of eighteen, he commenced to take care
of himself, and engaged as rodman of the engineer corps of the
New York & New Haven Railroad, thus commencing at the very
lowest round of the ladder he was destined to climb. Such beginnings
in life represent the truest type of an American — the lower down they
commence, the higher their ultimate attainments. Of course, the
14-^
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
subject of this sketch knew not what was in store for him, but
when he went to work it was with a determination to make his
way ; and, being ambitious, he succeeded in securing gradual pro-
motion in the engineering service, until, at the end of a year, he
was appointed to the post of assistant engineer on the Stockbridge
& Pittsrield Raiiroad. He occupied this position until December,
1849, in the meanwhile devoting himself assiduously to the study
of the science of engineering. He was then offered a similar po-
sition on the Vermont Valley Railroad, which he accepted and occu-
pied until the following April. In May, 1S51, Mr. Blackstone rec-
ognizing the grand possibilities of the West, decided to remove to
Illinois, and he came here to take the position of engineer of sur-
vevs. location and construction of the Illinois Central Railroad.
Work was then being done on the main line, and his division was
from Bloomington to Dixon, with headquarters at LaSalle. In De-
cember, 1S55, the work was completed, and the main line of the
Illinois Central was ready for the transportation of traffic, the gen-
eral supervision of survey, location and construction of the road
having been in charge of Roswell B. Mason, chief engineer. In
1S56, Mr. Blackstone connected himself with the Joliet & Chicago
Railroad, took the position of chief engineer, and became finan-
cially interested in the building of the road. He supervised the lo-
cation, construction and maintenance of the road, and five years
later was elected president of the company. For three years there-
after he remained at the head of this corporation, and in January,
1S61, resigned and severed his connection with it, owing to his
having been elected a director of the Chicago & Alton Railroad.
He became heavily interested and strongly identified with the man-
agement of its affairs, and three months later was elevated to the
presidency of this corporation — now one of the largest and most
successful companies of the West. For twenty-one years he has
been at the head of the Chicago & Alton, and to his management
is undoubtedly due its chief success. One-half of his life was
spent in reaching a goal of honor, and he now enjoys the fruits of
hi; labors. This is one of the instances where men are self-made;
and when all young men look to such an example of energy, deter-
mination and persistent devotion to duty, there will be fewer fail-
ures and better results in business life.
"OLD IRONSIDES," 1832.
Jamf.-; C. McMULLIN, vice-president of the Chicago &
Alton Railroad, was born in Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y.,
November 13. 1836. While a lad, he attended the country schools!
and later, was a student at the Jefferson County Institute. When
nineteen years old, he went to Danville, Livingstone Co., and
commenced working in a drug store, with the intention of study-
ing pharmacy and making it his profession. He remained there
rears, however, at the end of that time deciding to come
' Hi May 27, 1357, he commenced work in the depot of the
Great Western Railroad, at Decatur, III., as freight and ticket
clerk, and from that time to the present, has always been identified
with railroads. He remained with that road until March 30, i860,
then became connected with the Chicago & Alton Railroad,
with which corporation he has be n a XX iated for twenty-five years.
He first occupied the position of freight agent al Springfield, which
he held until January I, 1863; then he came to Chicago
in a similar capacity, and so acted until September 1, 1864, when
he was made division niperintendenf of the northern division,
from Bloomington to Ch ago He served in that capacity until
' 1867 and tant general superintend-
ent. In September, 1S68, he was elected general superintendent
N'otk.— For the views of the Karly Locomotives presented in this chapter,
the publwher* are indebted to the courtesy of H. k. Hobart. 1 <lit-.r and propri
etor of the Railway Axr.
of the road, and he filled that important and responsible office for
ten years. On May 9, 187S, he was made general manager, which
position he occupied until May 28, 1883, when he was made vice-
president of the road, and he has held the office up to the present
time. Thus, from the date of his entrance into the railway ser-
vice, Mr. McMullin has steadily won promotion, until he has
attained a position and prominence of which any man may well
feel proud. Mr. McMullin was married in Decatur, 111., March
27, i860, to Miss Ettie A. Mason. They have two children,
Frank R. and Louie E.
Charles H. Foster, secretary and treasurer of the Chicago
& Alton Railroad, was born in Rochester, N. Y., April 14, 1S35.
During his boyhood, he attended the Wadsworth School and
Dewey's High School of Rochester, and at the age of seventeen
went to Albany, N. Y., taking the position of agent of the Mer-
cantile Canal-boat Line. Although but a youth, he proved capable
of attending to his duties, and he retained this position for three
years. In 1854, he went to New York City, and engaged in the
forwarding business on his own account, for a year being occupied
in the transportation of coal and lumber from New York to Phila-
delphia for the Rochester market, and in the summer of 1855, he
went out of business. On July 11, of that year, he came
west, and took a position with the Galena & Chicago Union Rail-
road. He first commenced checking goods in the freight depart-
ment of that road in this city, and was promoted from time to time.
For one year and a half he was check and bill clerk in the local
freight office. In January, 1857, he was made assistant cashier in
the same office; in 1858, was chief clerk in the general freight
office; in 1859, chief clerk in the general ticket office; and from
January, i860, to January II, 1863, was general bookkeeper in the
secretary's office. He was with the Galena & Chicago Union road
until the spring of 1S63. During 1S63 and 1864, he was employed
as chief clerk in the office of Samuel T. Atwater, agent of the
Buffalo Mutual Insurance Company, and on January II, 1865, was
tendered the position of general accountant under W. M. Larra-
bee, secretary and treasurer of the Chicago & Alton Railroad.
Mr. Foster had been with Mr. Larrabee for over twenty years, five
of which were with the Galena & Chicago Union, and, recognizing
Mr. Foster's superior abilities and experience, the latter offered
him the position with the Chicago & Alton road. Mr. Foster
commenced his work with Mr. Larrabee, and was under him until
1879. For some time prior to the latter year, Mr. Larrabee's
health was very poor, and the duties of secretary and treasurer
fell upon the shoulders of the chief clerk, Mr. Foster, who was
made secretary pro tern. In May, 1879, the health of Mr. Larra-
bee continuing to fail, Mr. Foster was elected to the office, and he
has since held this responsible position. Mr. Foster is also secre-
tary of the Joliet & Chicago Railroad Company; secretary and
treasurer of the Mississippi River Bridge Company, whose bridges
are located at Pike, Mo. ; and is also secretary and treasurer of the
Louisiana & Missouri River Railroad — the above corporations
being auxiliaries of the Chicago & Alton Railroad. Mr. Foster
was married in this city to Miss Caroline Van Inwagen, daughter
of Anthony Van Inwagen, on December 11, 1864. Her death
occurred November 7, 1884. Three children survive the mother,
their names being Gertrude, Harry C. and Eugene.
Henry H. Courtwright, general freight agent of the Chi-
cago & Alton Railroad, was born in Wyoming Valley, Penn., in
1837. He attended the common schools until he was sixteen years
old. In 1856, he came west and commenced business life by enter-
ing the railway service. In July of that year, he was appointed
station agent at Dement, on the line of the Galena & Chicago
Union Railroad, and afterward was sent to Morrison as agent.
He was with that road three years, and in January, i860, was ap-
pointed station agent at Lincoln, III., on the line of the Chicago,
Alton & St. Louis Railroad, which position he occupied until July
31, i860. In August of that year, he took the position of local
agent of the Hannibal & St. Joe Railroad, at Hannibal, and later
was local agent at Quincy, 111., for the same road. He was local
agent for four years, and for about one year was acting division
superintendent of the eastern division of the Hannibal line. In
August, 1S65, he was made general freight agent of the road, with
headquarters in Kansas City. In December, 1873, he was general
freight agent of the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Railway,
and at the end of that time was re-appointed to his former position
on the Hannibal & St. Joe road. He was with the latter, in the
capacity of general freight agent, for about ten years, and at one
time was acting superintendent for a brief period. In March,
1878, Mr. Courtwright was offered the position of commercial
agent of the Missouri Pacific line and the St. Louis, Kansas City
& Northern Railway, with headquarters at Kansas City. He ac-
cepted the trust and served the companies until he received the
appointment of general agent of the Southwestern Railway Asso-
ciation, lie remained as general agent until March, 1879, when
he received the appointment of general western freight agent of the
RAILROAD HISTORY.
*43
Chicago & Alton road, with headquarters at Kansas City and St.
Louis. His ability as a manager was of such a high character as
to be quickly recognized by the Chicago & Alton Company, and he
was called to the office of general freight agent, with headquarters
at Chicago, in September, iSSl. This position he now maintains.
Mr. Courtwright's experience as a railroad man is varied and ex-
tensive, and he is possessed of complete knowledge of the minute
details of a business which is almost gigantic. Mr. Courtwright
was married at Morrison, 111., in 1S60, to Miss Nettie M. Burton.
Augustus Newman, assistant general freight agent of the
Chicago & Alton Railroad, was born in New York City, December
I, 1840. During his boyhood, he attended the common schools
of his native city, but at the early age of thirteen he commenced to
earn his own living, and went into the employment of Moran
Brothers, foreign bankers. He took the position of bank messen-
- rM^
RAILROAD LOCOMOTIVE.
ger, and by prompt and careful attention to his work was rewarded
with a promotion to assistant bookkeeper and correspondent,
remaining with this firm from March 21, 1S54, to April, 1862.
He then came west, and on May r, 1S62, entered the railway ser-
vice. He took a clerkship in the treasurer's office of the Chicago,
Alton & St. Louis Railroad in this city, and by devoting the same
careful attention to his work as in his past business experience, he
won the favor of his superior officers, and was gradually promoted
until he obtained the position he now holds. From clerk in the
treasurer's office, he was elevated to the post of military freight
and passenger accountant, and also to that of general bookkeeper.
Krom January, 1S65, to June, 1871, he was the general ticket
agent of the company in this city, and then received the appoint-
ment of assistant general freight agent. Mr. Newman has worked
steadily and faithfully for the Chicago & Alton Railroad for
twenty-three years, and his persistency and devotion to his duties
make a fitting example which the young men of to-day may well
follow. Mr. Newman was married to Miss Chanley, of Buffalo,
N. Y. , in 1S7S. They have two daughters living, named Ada and
Stella; the eldest daughter, Margie, died June 1, 1884.
James Charlton, who for the past fourteen years has held
the position of general passenger and ticket agent of the Chicago
& Alton Railroad, is one of the oldest officials in point of service
of any of the representatives of lines leading to this city. Mr
Charlton is an Englishman by birth, having been born at Bothal,
Northumberland, May 15, 1832. He received his school training
in the public institutions of his native town, but at the age of
fifteen commenced to earn his own living by entering the railway
service. In- April, 1847, he took a position as junior clerk on the
Newcastle & Carlisle Railway, at Newcastle-on-Tyne. He was
in the service of that road for ten years, and from the inferior
position of clerk was elevated to the chief clerkship of the freight
department, and afterward to cashier of the road. In the early
spring of 1857, Mr. Charlton emigrated to America, took up his
abode in Canada, and obtained the post of assistant to the chief
clerk of the auditing department, and was given charge of the
statistics and freight accounts of the Great Western Railway of
Canada, at Montreal. During his eleven years of service with
this, Canada's greatest railway corporation, Mr. Charlton was pro-
moted to the higher positions which his ability and energy easily
won for him. As the routine promotions occurred, he ascended to
the rank of chief clerk of the auditing department, then was made
auditor, and, at the time of his resignation, held the office of gen-
eral passenger agent. He then came to the United States, and
two years later re-entered active service, taking the position "i
general ticket and passenger agent for the North Missouri Rail-
road. He held that place from March 22, 1870, to July 13, 1871,
and then was called to take charge of the general passenger depart-
ment of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, with headquarters in this
city. Mr. Charlton, who has passed more than one-third of his
life in the railway service, has lost none of his youthful energy
and activity, but gives the business of his department his constant
and active supervision. He has for a number of years had a valu-
able assistant in his son, James Charlton, Jr., who now holds the
office of assistant passenger agent, and who possesses in a high
degree the diversity of talents required in the management of the
passenger traffic.
The Chicago, Bur-
lino ton & QUINCY
Railroad Company was
formerly known as the
Aurora Branch road. At
the time of declaring its
first semi - annual divi-
dend, in June, 1854, when
the Aurora Branch (and
by change of name to
Chicago & Aurora; line
had been completed to
Mendota, the earnings
amounted to $60,700.
This point was at the
junction of the Illinois
Central and the connec-
tion with the Central Mil-
itary Tract road, eighty-
three miles west of Chi-
cago. The dividend of
$3 per share was paid in
July. The Central Mili-
tary Tract road was completed to Galesburg in De-
cember, 1S54, and in July, 1855, trains commenced to
run to Burlington, Iowa. It had been the intention of
the Peoria & Oquawka Company to construct the road
from Peoria to Burlington, but it became embarrassed,
and entered into an agreement with the Chicago, Bur-
lington & Quincy and the Central Military Tract roads,
by which the section between Galesburg and Burling-
ton was completed by the latter corporation. A condi-
tional agreement was also entered into by which the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, the Central Military
Tract and the Northern Cross roads also completed the
latter (at about the same time), from Galesburg one
hundred miles west to Quincy. In the meantime, by
act of the Legislature, passed February 14, 1855, the
name of the Chicago & Aurora was changed to the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, and
on July 9, 1856, that corporation and the Central Mili-
tary Tract were consolidated, under the former name.
The Northern Cross and the Peoria & Oquawka com-
panies were purchased after several proceedings
against them, culminating in foreclosure by the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, which now
operated two hundred and ten miles of road, including
the thirty miles from Chicago to the Junction, used in
common with the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad
Company. The depot of that company was also used
by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad.
In 1856, ten acres of land were purchased of the
Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Company, on the
South Branch, adjoining North Street and Stewart Ave-
nue, for the accommodation of the grain elevator busi-
ness and of a rapidly increasing lumber trade, and a
contract was entered into with the Illinois Central for
144
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
the use of their grounds for the passenger traffic. The
large increase of business had made it necessary to pur-
chase land adjoining the lumber grounds on the South
Branch, the tract extending westerly along North
Street, about two thousand feet, and comprising the
south half of blocks 48, 49 and 50. Before the consoli-
dation there had been expended upon the Central Mili-
tary Tract and the parent road §1,294,668. By June,
le whole amount expended upon the entire sys-
tem was over eight million dollars. The officers of the
company for 1S57-5S were : John Van Nortwick, presi-
dent : Chas. G. Hammond, superintendent ; Amos T.
Hall, secretary and treasurer ; Samuel Powell, ticket
agent ; and William Martin, general freight agent.
During the next year the company purchased the Bur-
lington ferry boats, to run between Quincy and Hanni-
bal, in connection with the Hannibal & St. Joe Rail-
road. In the spring of 1861, Messrs. M linger. Armour
& Dole finished the largest elevator in the city, with a
capacity of eight hundred thousand bushels. It was
leased by the company for ten years. A slip was also
built into the depot grounds, that the grain might be
elevated from vessels directly irfto the warehouses.
It was during this year, that James H. Stipp, repre-
senting the Jacksonville & Savannah Railroad, and
Judge Henry L. Bryant, acting for the Peoria & Hanni-
bal Railroad, entered into a contract with James F Joy
and J. W. Brooks, in behalf of the Chicago, Burlington
& Quincy Company, giving them a perpetual lease of
that portion of both roads upon which labor was ex-
pended, on condition that the purchasers should com-
plete and equip the road; which was accordingly done,
to Lewiston, in June, 1862. By June, 1863, the con-
struction and equipment account had amounted to
§12.373,000; capital stock, §5,738,000 ; funded debt,
§1 [,841,000. The great increase in business during that
year made the addition of sixteen locomotives necessary ;
also of many cars to replace a number taken for gov-
ernment use, on a requisition from Major-General U. S.
Grant. The depot grounds were enlarged by the pur-
chase of the south one-half of block 47, and fifteen hun-
dred feet further west on North, now Sixteenth, Street.
In July, 1862, the extensive new freight and transfer
houses were occupied, and between that time and the
spring of 1863, a second huge elevator was constructed
by Messrs. Armour, Dole & Co. In October of this
year 1863 that portion of the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy road, between Peoria and Burlington, was sold
under foreclosure of the mortgage held by Messrs.
Harding, the contractors, and purchased by the
trustees of this company In the fall of 1862, another
purchase of land was made, near the Peoria & Burling-
ton line, and in June, 1864, a consolidation was effected
with that company. The system then included the line
from Chicago to Burlington, via Galesburg, the
1 .V Aurora line, being in course of completion,
amounting to two hundred and four miles , Galesburg
to Quincy, one hundred miles; Galesburg to Peoria,
fifty-three miles ; and Yates City to Lewiston, thirty
miles. The total number of miles then in operation was
four hundred, and the outlay, up to April 30, 1864, ex-
ceeded $15,000,000. The company then owned all the
land I) -In: Galena & Chicago Union road,
the river and Sixti et, formerly North Street.
Including the ground which it hid recently purchased
for stock yards, on Western Avenue, just within the city
limits, and near the Chicago cV Aurora track, the com-
pany owned seventy-five acres in the city It also owned
a water front of three thousand and two hundred feet.
During the year, the new line from Chicago to Aurora
was entirely completed, and the ten miles of double
track to Lyons finished. A new set of officers also was
elected : James F Joy, president ; Robert Harris, su-
perintendent; Amos T. Hall, secretary and treasurer;
Henry Martin, general freight agent ; and Samuel Pow-
ell, general ticket agent. In June, 1865, a contract was
entered into with the Burlington & Missouri Companv,
to extend the road fifty-six miles west, to a point one
hundred and thirty-two miles west of Burlington. Dur-
ing the year 1866-67, an agreement was entered into
with the Hannibal & St. Joe Company, by which the Chi-
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company should
become purchasers of its securities for ten years, con-
vertible into preferred stock, at §120,000 per year.
The first pile under the east abutment of the Bur-
lington bridge, was driven January 30, 1867. High
water drove off the workmen, but in March, 1868, the
last stone was placed in the main structure. Its total
cost was §1,227,000. The first train passed over the
bridge August 13, 1868. In June, 1869, the bridge at
Kansas City, the western terminus of the Hannibal &
St. Joe Company, opened the connection from Chicago to
all the Kansas roads. The Burlington & Missouri line
was being rapidly completed to Omaha. The bridge at
Quincy, which was completed soon after, was built by a
bridge company, and did not interfere with the finances
of the Chicago, Burlington &: Quincy road. The road
from Lewiston to Rushville was opened to the public
July 18, 1869, at an additional cost of §340,000 to the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy ; the Keokuk & St. Paul,
bought by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, was com-
pleted to Burlington, October 27, 1869, at a cost to the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy of §562,000 ; Dixon,
Peoria & Hannibal Railroad, from Buda to Elmwood,
February 1, 1870, at a cost of §895,000. During 1869-
70, about one hundred and twenty-five miles of road
were built, making over six hundred miles in operation.
In June, 1870, the St Louis division of the road,
which had been constructed as the Rockford, Rock Is-
land & St. Louis Railroad, was thrown open to traffic
from Beardstown to Bushnell, the money for its con-
struction being raised principally by the citizens of Ful-
ton County. The road was not purchased by the Chi-
cago, Burlington & Quincy until six years thereafter.
During the succeeding year the Quincy & Warsaw line
was constructed from Quincy to Carthage ; the Ottawa,
Oswego & Fox River Valley Road from Aurora to
Streator, January 15, 1871, and from Aurora to Geneva,
May 1, 187 1, there connecting with the Chicago & North-
western ; and the Illinois & Grand Trunk, from Men-
dota to Prophetstown. On May 14, 187 1, the system in
operation embraced seven hundred and sixty-one and
one-half miles of road, the local traffic was maintained,
and the through business was rapidly increased.
That year is marked by a change in the manage-
ment of the company, James M. Walker succeeding Mr.
Joy as president.
The following table, bearing upon the business of the
road, is self-explanatory.
Year. Gross Earnings. Expenditures.
1S5S Si, 505, 166 71 ... $ 694.399 66
1859 1044,57363 .... 541. S05 76
i860 L383.957 65 67S.I59 43
1861 1.732,08469 .... 752.597 47
1862 1,825,13025 73103020
1863 3.037.372 54 i.072,gSS 7S
[864 4,039,92281 1.573.395 00
1865 5,581,85222 2436,147 10
1866 6.175,553 35 3,020,164 7S
H<'7 6,083,138 05 3.°93.574 07
1868 6,154,647 25 ... 3,067.165 55
1869 6,812,809 l8 --- 3,390,111 19
1870 6,621,773 12 .... 3.754.555 36
1871 7,2o7,6S5 20 4,202,977 76
RAILROAD HISTORY.
145
Up to April 30, 1871, the construction and equip-
ment of the road amounted to $21,585,635.25.
Charles Goodrich Hammond, deceased, the son of Chester
and Fannie (Goodrich) Hammond, was born at Bolton, Conn., June
4, 1804. At the age of four years, his father removed to Smyrna,
Chenango Co., N.V., where young Hammond attended the Dis-
trict School and the Academy at Whitesboro', of which latter
institution he subsequently became principal. Mr. Hammond's
parents intended him for the ministry, but failing health induced
him to decide upon a less sedentary occupation, and he therefore
established himself in Canandaigua as a merchant. As a business
man he met with no great success, and in his mercantile career he
removed to Detroit, in 1S34, and to Union City, Branch Co., Mich ,
in 1S36. The bent of his mind was quite intellectual as well as
executive, and it was soon seen by his fellow citizens that he was
fitted to conduct public affairs and to manage large interests. In
1S313, he was sent to the Legislature where he soon became a lead-
ing member of the Judiciary Committee. He became auditor
general, under Governor Barry, and did much to reform the tax
and financial systems of the state. During President Polk's ad-
ministration, he served as deputy-collector at Detroit, and in
May, 1852, he brought the Michigan Central Railroad into
Chicago, removing to this city and taking charge of the freight
department of the road. As this was the first line opened from the
east, it required a man of great energy and executive ability to
systematize its business. Air. Hammond was equal to the task,
however, and made such a reputation for himself within the next
three years, that when the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad was
opened between the first two points, in March, 1855, he was chosen
to become its superintendent. Under his management, the road be-
came one of the most prosperous in the West, the superintendent
inspiring his energy and fairness of dealing into the actions of his
humblest subordinates. His great labors, however, had so worn
upon him that he was obliged to resign his position and take a trip
to Europe for his health. Restored in strength, his activities did
not long languish, for, in the fall of 1S69, he was chosen to the
general superintendency of the Union Pacific road. After putting
it into good working order, at the expense of a second shattering
of heallh, he was forced to resign, and soon afterward accepted the
vice-presidency of Pullman's Palace Car Company, a position not
so arduous in its labors. At the re-organization of the Relief and
Aid Society, soon after the great fire, Mr. Pullman was elected
treasurer. The actual burden of the labors fell upon Colonel
Hammond, who there showed his usual foresight, ability and kind-
liness of heart. In 1871, also, he was elected one of the inspectors
of the House of Correction. From early manhood. Colonel Ham-
mond had been marked by his faithful, religious and benevolent
work. He was one of the committee which, in May, 1S53, drafted
articles of faith, covenant and rules for the establishment of the
New England Congregational Church, and was ever an earnest
supporter of that denomination and organization. He was one
of the founders of the Chicago Theological Seminary, and, in
1858, when that noble institution was threatened with financial
ruin, he, with a few other generous citizens, rescued it from its
peril. Colonel Hammond also served as president of the Home for
the Friendless for a number of years previous to his death. The
following account of Colonel Hammond's death is taken substan-
tially from the Chicago Tribune of April 16, 1SS4: — " Colonel C.
G. Hammond died suddenly yesterday afternoon, in the eightieth
year of his age. Entering Marshall Field's retail establishment,
accompanied by his daughter, Mrs. Max Hjortsberg, he sat down
on the bench near the entrance, to wait until she completed her
shopping. He was approached by two acquaintances, and they
began chatting, Colonel Hammond repeating a formerly expressed
opinion, that it was better to give to charitable objects during life
than to wait until one drew up his will. He then mentioned the
name of a friend who had died recently, and his head suddenly
dropped on his breast. His companions took it for a sign of grief,
but the next moment saw that the aged gentleman had fainted.
Assistance was called for, and in five minutes the stupor had
deepened into death, notwithstanding all that medical skill could do.
The body was laid out on the counter, and shortly afterward was
removed to the house of the deceased. The funeral services took place
from the New England Congregational Church, which Colonel Ham-
mond had been so instrumental in establishing more than thirty
years previously." At Whitesboro', N.Y., while principal of the
academy, the deceased met his wife, Charlotte B. Doolittle, daughter
of General Doolittle of revolutionary fame, a highly accomplished
lady, who, with two daughters, Mrs. Hjortsberg, of Chicago, and
Mrs. J. R. Nichols, of Salt Lake City, survive him.
Thomas J. Potter, vice-president and general manager of
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, was born in Carroll
County. Ohio, August 16, 1S40, the son of John and Nancy Pot-
ter. He received his education at the common schools of that
county, and, in July, 1862, entered the employment of the Burling-
ton & Missouri River Railroad, as lineman in the engineer's corps,
where he remained for six months. In January, isi>6, he entered
the service of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, as station
agent at Albia, Iowa, from which position he was advanced to that
of fuel and claim agent of the same road, at Burlington, Iowa,
occupying that position until January, 1S73, when he was made
general agent at Creston, Iowa. In August, 1873, he became
assistant superintendent of the Iowa Division of the Chicago, Bur-
lington & Quincv Railroad, with headquarters at the same place,
and retained that situation until February, 1875, when he was pro-
moted to the superintendency of that division, comprising the
various lines operating in Iowa. In June, 1S78, Mr. Potter
became general superintendent of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
Railroad, with his headquarters at Burlington, Iowa, and, in
December. 1879, was made assistant general manager, with his
headquarters in Chicago. In November, 1880, he was made gen-
eral manager, and, in November, iSSr, was also made third vice-
president, and, in September, 1SS4, was made first vice-president
and general manager as above. Mr. Potter is likewise vice-presi-
dent and general manager of the following railroads: St. Louis,
Keokuk & Northwestern; Kansas City, St. Joe & Council Bluffs;
Chicago, Burlington & Kansas City; Chicago & Iowa; and is vice-
president of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad. Mr. Potter was
married on May 21, 1S63, to Miss Urdilla J. Wood, of Ottumwa,
Iowa; they have three children, William T. S., Fannie H., and
Mary.
William McCredie, freight auditor of the Chicago, Burling-
ton & Quincy Railroad, was born in Wigtownshire, Scotland, in
1832, the son of William and Margaret (McKinnon) McCredie.
He received a country school education during his very early years,
but at the age of thirteen hired out as a farmer's boy, and worked
during the summer and attended school in winter, and thus acquired
the most of his scholastic training. In 1S48, he left his native
shiFe and went to Glasgow, where he made his entry into the rail-
road business, as an office-boy of the Edinburgh & Glasgow Rail-
way. He remained there nine years, with the exception of one
year, when he was an employe of the Caledonian Railway, of Scot-
land. During this period, also, Mr. McCredie was gaining addi-
tional learning, as for five years he attended to his office duties
during the day, and studied at night-school after office hours. It
is, therefore, easy to comprehend how he rose from office-boy.
through the various gradations, to the position of senior clerk. On
April S„ 1S57, he left Scotland and came to the United States,
landing in New York; from whence he went to London, Canada,
and stayed for a month; after which he came to Chicago, and
immediately entered the employment of the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy Railway, as clerk in the general freight office, being pro-
moted to various positions until, in 1S65, he was appointed to his
present position. Mr. McCredie was married, in 1869, to Miss
Jeanie Logan Stewart, of Aurora, Kane Co., 111. They have had
two sons, who died, in 18S1, of scarlet fever, aged seven and eight
years respectively, and the sudden loss of whom caused the one
great agony of their parents' lives. One daughter, Jeanie, still
remains to them.
L. A. Howland, assistant superintendent of the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy Railroad, was born in October, 1834, at
Barre, Vt., the son of Arnold and Harriet (Wright) Howland. He
received a partial education at the common schools of Burlington,
Vt , and commenced his first permanent employment as passenger
brakeman on the Rutland & Burlington Railroad, where he
remained three years, and then went as baggageman on the Boston
& Burlington Railroad, where he continued for two and one-half
years. In the winter of 1S56-57. he came to Chicago, and became
a freight conductor on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad,
continuing in that capacity two and a half years, and, in the fall
of 1859. was made passenger conductor, which situation he retained
until February 17, 1S79, when he was appointed trainmaster, at
Chicago, in charge of the passenger service. On November 15,
1S80, he was further promoted to the assistant superintendency of
the Galesburg division, with headquarters at Galesburg, remaining
there for seven months, when he was made assistant superintendent
of the passenger service, at Chicago, and was transferred here June
20, 1SS1, since which time he has remained in that position. He
took Masonic degrees in Alpha Lodge, No. 55, A. F. & A. M..
and in the chapter and commandery, at Galesburg ; subsequently
demitting from the commandery, and affiliating with Apollo Com-
mandery, No 1, K. T., of this city. He was married on January
15, 1S60, to Miss Ellen Jane Keyes, of Bellows Falls, Vt.
James M. Walker was born in Claremont, N. H., February
14", TS20. While still quite young, he removed, with his father, to
Farmington, Mich. Entering the University of Michigan as a
sophomore, he graduated with unusual honors in 1S49. His pros-
pects were of the mo^t brilliant nature, and when he was admitted
to the Bar, at Ann Arbor, he at once took his place among its
1 46
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
leader*. In .1 comparatively short period of time, he was made
Washtenaw County. He became also local
attorney for the Michigan Central Railroad. So successful was he
in his practice that the railway looked for a larger and more im-
portant held for the lawyer who promised to be of so great service
to them. In 1S53, he came to Chicago, as the attorney for that
road in this city. Very shortly after settling here, he was appointed
: for the company From the inception of the rail-
iw known as the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy— he
became its general solicitor, and so continued to the day of his
lie was elected president of the company in the year 1871.
lie was also president and legal adviser of the Union Stock Yards
■in the time they began business, and bore the same
Chicago & Wilmington Coal Company. During
the years 1J70--J. he was president, as well, of the Leavenworth,
Lawrence & Galveston Railroad, and managing director of all the
so-calk s,"in Kansas. It was as early as 1855, that Wirt
Dexter entered Mr. Walker's office as a student, soon to become a
junior partner and the life-long friend of his instructor. From
that time, their names were constantly associated, even after Mr.
\\ '.. ker had retired from the active pursuit of his profession.
Identified for years with so many great corporations, he became a
complete master of the complicated law which governs their being,
and which he had been largely instrumental in creating. It was
the willing tribute of the profession and the country that, in cor-
poration law, his opinion was final and his authority unexcelled.
Coming suddenly. January 22, 1SS1, his death was a sad blow to
the hundreds of loving friends his sterling traits had won and a
loss to the community he had honored.
L. O. GODDARD, assistant solicitor of the Chicago, Burling-
ton i Quincy Railroad, was born in 1 S 4 5 , in Wayne Co., N. V.,
the son of Lester O and Mabel (Robinson) Goddard. In 1S54, he
was brought to Lenawee County, Mich., and there received his pri-
mary education in the common schools. He subsequently attended
Adrian College for one year, and then matriculated at the Uni-
versity of Michigan, from whence he graduated, with the degree of
B.A., in 1867. He then accepted the appointment of superintend-
ent of public schools in the city of Monroe, Mich., in 1S6S, and
remained there until January. 1^70, when he went to the University
of Michigan again, and attended the law school. In March, 1S70,
he came to Chicago, and entered the employ of the Chicago, Bur-
lington iS; Quincy Railroad, as assistant to James M. Walker,
who was then general solicitor. He, however, neglected to be
admitted to the Chicago Bar until March. 1881; and in 1SS2 was
made assistant secretary of the road. Mr. Goddard has never
sought political office or preferment. He is retiring in disposi-
tion, carefully avoids newspaper notoriety or comment, and makes
the conscientious performance of his duties, and their. successful
culmination in the interests of the road, his one aim and object.
Hence, he daily becomes more valuable as an official and more
thorough as a lawyer. Mr. Goddard was married in 1S71 to Miss
Martha E. Sterling, daughter of Joseph M. Sterling, of Monroe,
Mich. They have two children, Joseph Sterling and Emma.
s\n til. chief engineer of the Chicago, Burlington
& Quincy Railroad, was born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., N.
V , on December 31. 1 s 3 7 . the son of Justus and Fanny (Chipman)
Smith. He received the principal part of his early education in
ax. although he attended school in Burlington, Vt., whither
he removed, with his mother, in 1S54, his father having died in 1851.
His curriculum comprised the common and high school studies,
and his first entry into business was as an apprenticed machinist,
at Burlington, Vt., in 054, and as an advanced apprentice, at
, in 1855. He came from that city to Chicago in
! worked here as a machinist, afterward occupying the
same position on the Indianapolis tV St. Louis Railroad, then
1 errc Haute, Indianapolis iV St. Louis Railroad.
■iiti, went to Aurora and worked for the Chicago,
>, worked as machinist
-orth-Western Railway, continuing in its
In the early part of that year, he enlisted
Volunteer Infantry, recruiting at
.;. he was elected orderly sergeant.
He in the battli Wo., Fori
many minor engagements and
tment of Vicksburg. About fune,
1861, be ■ ccond lieutenant of his company, and
was mbwquc oi the same company. In the
commence! commission,
and, af" - 1 lilway as
Machinist foi do, where he remained
three year*, re; ur;,;,: . and again working
at his trade. In Ij rki •! for the 1
Burling' ent, where
po itions of
assistant engine- .-, 1 lines in Illinois
from t88l until 1SS2, and being appointed to his present position
iu January, 1S84. During this period in the engineer department,
however, he acted for about five months as purchasing agent. He
was married on March 16, 1871, to Miss Amelia Richburg, of
Chicago.
F. C. Smith, cashier of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
Railroad, was born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., N. V., in 1S34,
the son of Justus and Fanny (Chipman) Smith. His father was a
merchant of Potsdam, and a man of prominence, not only in that
town, but in the country surrounding. Mr. Smith received his
education in St. Lawrence Academy. Potsdam, and, when he was
eighteen years old, went to Boston, and became an employe of the
firm of Pierce & Bacon, general commission merchants and cotton
dealers, where he remained for about three years, and then came
to Chicago. At that time, he had two brothers in this city, J. H.
and S. C. Smith, who were engaged in the grain and commission
business, under the firm name of J. H. Smith & Co , and with this
firm Mr. Smith engaged ; but upon the death of one of his broth-
ers, in 1857. the firm was dissolved, and, in July of that year, he
entered the employment of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy road,
as general accountant in the treasurer's department, in this city —
Amos T. Hall being, at that time, treasurer. Mr. Smith occupied
that position until about 1864, when he was made receiving cashier
in the same office, and held that situation until 1S72, when he was
made cashier, which position he has since retained without inter-
mission. Mr. Smith was married, in 1862, to Miss Martha L.
Parks, of Whitehall, N. V., the daughter of an old settler of that
region. They have two children, William Parke and Clarence
Warren.
E. P. Ripley, general freight agent of the Chicago, Burling-
ton & Quincy Railroad, was born in Boston, Mass., in 1845, the
son of Charles P. and Ann R. (Payson) Ripley, both of whom were
residents of Boston. In that city, young Ripley received his edu-
cation at the renowned common and high schools ; and there, also,
made his entry into commercial life as a dry goods clerk, in 1863.
This business, however, was not congenial to him, and, therefore,
after giving it a thorough trial, he entered into the railroad busi-
ness as contracting agent of the Union Line at Boston, his office
being located in that city. This was in 1S66, and he remained in
that position two years, after which he became clerk in the
office of the general eastern agent of the Chicago, Burlington
& Quincy Railroad, at Boston, and remained there about
two years, after which he was appointed New England
agent of the same road at Boston, and occupied that situation
until 1876, when he was appointed general eastern agent of the
road at Boston and New York, and there remained until 1S7S, in
June of which year he was appointed to his present position, and
came to this city. Mr. Ripley was married, in 1S70, to Miss
Frances E. Harding, of Boston. They have four children, Alice
II., Frances P., Robert H. and Fred. C. Mr. Ripley is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to Union Lodge, of Dor-
chester, Mass.
The Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Rail-
road (operated by the Pennsylvania Company was
originally chartered as the Fort Wayne & Chicago Rail-
road, in 1852, and consolidated with the Pittsburgh
Division, in November, 1856, under the title of the
Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad Company.
The line was opened to Pittsburgh, four hundred and
sixty-seven miles, on Christmas morning of the year
1858. The first train of cars which left the West Side
for the seaboard, started at 7:20 a. m. on that day, from
the Rock Island Depot, on Van Buren Street, corner of
Sherman, carrying the United States mail for Philadel-
phia. A salute of thirteen guns was fired in honor of
the occasion.
Although terminating in Chicago this line is not con-
sidered peculiarly a home institution, its general offices
being in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. After passing
through a struggling existence for a number of years,
the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, with
William B. Ogden as receiver, was reorganized under
special enactments of the Legislatures of Pennyslvania,
Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. On the 24th of October,
1861, the road was sold at auction, at Cleveland, by
John Ferguson and Thomas E. Walker, trustees and
master commissioners. The sale took place at the south
door of the ( ourt-l louse, there being four bids ; $60,-
000, $75,000, $80,000 and $2,000,000. The purchaser
RAILROAD HISTORY.
147
was J. F. D. Lanier, of Winslow, Lanier & Co., New
York, in behalf of himself, Samuel J. Tilden, John Ed-
gar Thompson (who had been president of the old road),
Samuel Hanna and L. H. Meyer. The Ohio & Penn-
sylvania, Ohio & Indiana and the Fort Wayne & Chi-
cago companies' first-mortgage bonds, with accrued in-
EARLY LOCOMOTIVE.
terest, were merged into a new issue of $5,350,000 sink-
ing-fund bonds, secured by a first mortgage over the
whole road. A second mortgage of like amount, se-
cured bonds to be awarded to the holders of the second-
mortgage bonds of the old companies, and a third mort-
gage of $2,000,000 secured the interest on bonds to be
given to the holders of the old real-estate bonds and
other classes of old indebtedness. Stock for $6,000,000
drew six per cent, dividend, the balance of the net earn-
ings.
In 1871, the main line from Chicago to Pittsburgh
was four hundred and sixty-eight miles in length, which,
with thirty-two miles of connecting roads, made up a
system of five hundred miles. The officers of the road
that year were: Thomas A. Scott, president; William
Thaw, vice-president; J. N. McCulloch, general mana-
ger: F. R. Myers, general passenger and ticket agent;
W. P. Shum, general agent; W. Stewart, general freight
agent.
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Com
pany. — The Milwaukee & Mississippi Company was
formed in the Cream City, in 1849, with Edward D.
Holton as president. Seven and a half years from the
time ground was first broken in Milwaukee, in April,
1857, the road was completed to Prairie du Chien. In
1859-60, the company being unable to pay its interest,
a mortgage sale was advertised. To take advantage of
this forced sale, a new company was chartered by the
Legislature on April 14, i860, under the name of the
Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien Railway Company, and
its members were Lewis H. Meyer, William P. Lynde,
Allen Campbell, William Schall, John Wilkinson, John
Catlin, Hercules L. Dousman and N. A. Cowdrey.. The
purchase was effected January 21, 1861, and the road
to Prairie du Chien was managed by them until it was
absorbed by the present corporation (then called the
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company) in 1866. By-
ron Kilbourn was president of the line to Prairie du
Chien from 1849 to 1851; John Catlin, 1852-56; E. H.
Brodhead, 1857; John Catlin, 1858-59; L. H. Meyer,
1860-65; Alexander Mitchell, 1866. The Milwaukee &
Watertown Railroad, now the LaCrosse Division of the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, was incorpo-
rated in March, 185 1, and the preliminary survey made
in 1853. By the latter part of 1856, trains were running
from Milwaukee to Columbus. After going through a
variety of changes, the road became the Milwaukee &
St. Paul Railroad in 1863, and the LaCrosse Division of
the present company in 1S66. In April, 1852, the La-
Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad Company was incorpo-
rated; and in June, 1853, by a consolidation of two other
railroad charters, the Milwaukee, Fond du Lac & Green
Bay Railroad Company was formed and work begun on
a line from Milwaukee toward Fond du Lac. In 1854,
the LaCrosse & Milwaukee was consolidated with the
Milwaukee, Fond du Lac & Green Bay road ; assuming
the name of the latter, and pushing on toward LaCrosse,
the work begun by the former in the direction of Fond
du Lac. In December, 1856, the line was completed
to Horicon, fifty-one miles from Milwaukee. The
financial crash of 1857 brought along series of litiga-
tions, and the road was in the hands of two rival sets of
officers in 1859, having been opened to LaCrosse in
1858. In i860, it was operated by Hans Crocker, who
was appointed receiver by the Court. He continued re-
ceiver of the line until 1863, when the Milwaukee & St.
Paul Company obtained possession, by purchase, of that
portion lying between Portage and LaCrosse. In 1867,
the same company secured possession of the balance of
the line, or that lying between Portage and Milwaukee.
It still remains a part of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
Paul Railway line, designated as its LaCrosse Division.
In 1852, the Milwaukee & Horicon road was chartered,
and was built from Horicon to Berlin in 1856 and 1857.
Remaining in the hands of a receiver, Lindsey Ward,
for some time, it was sold to the Milwaukee & St. Paul
Company in 1S63, and now forms a part of the Northern
Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul lines.
The present Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail-
way Company grew out of the organization formed
May 5, 1863, for the purpose of purchasing all the
roads thus far described. That organization consisted
of Isaac Seymour, N. A. Cowdrey, Horace Galpen, D.
M. Hughes, William Gould, F. P. James and George
Smith, of New York; Asahel Finch and William N.
White, Milwaukee. They received authority for the
purchase of all these lines; but the word "Chicago"
was not prefixed until February, 1874, the line between
the two cities having been constructed during the pre-
vious year. D. M. Hughes was president of the road
in 1863 and 1864, and Alexander Mitchell has filled that
position since, including 1865. The vice-presidents of
the road, up to 1872, were, G. W. Rogers, 1863-64 ;
Russell Sage, 1865 ; Walter S. Gurnee, 1866-67 ; and
Russell Sage for seven years thereafter. Russell Sage,
Jr., was secretary for the first two years ; A. Cary from
from 1865 to 186S, inclusive; and R. D. Jennings from
that year until long after 1871. The treasurers have
been A. Cary, 1863 to 1867, inclusive; succeeded by R.
D. Jennings. E. H. Goodrich was general manager
for the first two years, and S. S. Merrill from that time
to date, with the exception of 1873, when John C.
Gault held the position.
Joseph Francis Tucker, assistant general manager of the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, is perhaps better known
to the shippers, and western people generally than any other rail-
road man in the west. His long connection with the Illinois Cen-
tral Railroad, covering a period of over twenty-eight years, has
served to make his name most familiar with those who have been
at all concerned in railroad matters. Mr. Tucker was born in the
i4S
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Pine Tree State, the place of nativity being Saco, Me The date
of his birth is Septembei 29, 1835, and he passed his boyhood in
his native town. When Mr. Tucker became of age he was a resi-
dent of Illinois, and on September 15, 1S56, he entered the railroad
service. From 1 S=;r- to 1861, he was ticket agent, and during the
following two years he was secretary to the president of the road.
• 1 he was appointed general freight agent of the company,
and held that position for ten consecutive years. In 1S73. he was
made general superintendent, and he vacated that office, to take the
important post of traffic manager, in 187b Mr. Tucker remained
in that capacity for a little over seven years, and then terminated
his connection with the Illinois Central Railroad. In October,
iS>4. he was selected as arbitrator of the Trans-Continental Traffic
.111 and California, Colorada and Utah Pool. In 1SS5,
having been tendered the position of assistant general manager of
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road, he resigned his office
as arbitrator, and again entered into active service as a railroad
manager.
T. YV. Wadsworth, general agent of the passenger depart-
ment of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, was born in
New Hartford, Conn., December 2S, 1S28. His father was Ter-
tius Wadsworth, who died in Hartford, in 1S72. The subject of
this sketch passed his bovhood in Connecticut until he was eighteen
years of age, and received his education at the common schools of
his native state. In 1S47, he decided to come to Chicago, where
his brother, Elisha S. Wadsworth, had located in 1S36. Upon
arriving here, he first engaged in the employ of Wadsworth, Dyer
& Chapin, and afterward in the insurance business, remaining in
that about three years, when he went into the wholesale boot and
shoe trade with George M. Wells, now a resident of Massachusetts.
The firm of Wadsworth & Wells continued successfully for a
number of years, and then Mr. Wadsworth became interested in an
omnibus company which did business between the South and West
sides. In June 1S62, C. F. Loomis, W. R. Loomis and Mr.
Wadsworth, under the firm name of C. F. Loomis & Co., opened
the Cottage Grove Stock Yards. They continued until the estab-
lishment of the Union Stock Yards a short time later, when all the
small yards of the city closed up. Mr. Wadsworth was actively
engaged up to this time in business, and during his connection
with the enterprise in which he was interested, he came in contact
with the leading business men of the country, and his character as
a man of integrity and ability was recognized as of the very highest
standard. During the past ten years, he has been connected with
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, of which corporation
his brother, Julius Wadsworth, is now vice-president. He was
contracting agent in this city for the company, and later was made
II general agent of the passenger department. In April,
was appointed general agent, which office he holds at the
time. On June \(>, [885, Mr. Wadsworth was elected a
director of the largo .\: Southern Railway, of which corporation
he has been secretary and treasurer since 1882 He is also a direc-
tor in the Chicago & Evanston Railway, and has held the offices of
secretary and treasurer for some years past. In the early days
when the property owners of Chicago were the chief components
of the fire department, Mr. Wadsworth was among those who be-
tmpany and "ran -with the machine." lie was a
memljer of Engine Company No. 3 for aboul ten years, and was
one of n, most active members, participating in every lire that his
lage 233, vol, 1). lie was secretary of
the Firemen's Hen volenl Association in 1853-4, •'""' is still a
member of that bodj 230 Vol. n Mr. Wadsworth
was married J i I 1 B. Ellsworth, of Chi-
amton, N. Y. They have two daughtei Helen
C. and Georgians li mu l be a great source ol pleasure to such
men as Mr. Wadsworth, when they can look back upon a life de-
. the pursuits of a business which ha brought its rewards
— rewards not on f in a I ipeti ice, but rich in the
thoughts of achievemei triumphs over
hardships which may I en ragei 1 to the
younger generation which fol
Union Depot. — In July, 1858, specifications were
drawn up for a new union depot, to accommodate the
Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne cS; Chicago, the Chicago, St.
Paul & Fond du Lac, the Chicago & Milwaukee and
the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis railroad companies. It
was to be the largest depot in the west, 'eighty feet
wider than the Central depot, at the foot of Lake Street,
and about the same length. This depot, however, got
no further than the plans. There was so much rivalry
between the West and North divisions of the city for
the location, that ground was not broken on Canal
Street, near Madison, until 1861. A temporary struc-
ture was erected during the latter part of that year, and
in March, 1862, it was struck by lightning and burned.
The fire occured shortly after one o'clock a. m., and
Captain H. J. Spaulding, formerly connected with the
Michigan Central Company, then depot master, had a
very narrow escape from death. At first he saved the
tickets and office effects, and then returned for books
and papers. A current of air closed the door, and Cap-
tain Spaulding would have been suffocated had he not
been rescued by the watchman. He was seriously burn-
ed about the head and shouldets. A large amount of
baggage was destroyed, as well as the entire eastern
mail and about $10,000 worth of other property. The
damage to the depot was at once repaired, and served
the public, after a fashion, for many years— in fact, with
additions and slight improvements, until the present
magnificent brick structure was erected, in 1881.
During the fall of 1862, the Fort Wayne Company
extended the new freight house several hundred feet
south, and, finally, from Madison Street, along the river
bank, to Adams Street.
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway
Company. — The original charter in Illinois was granted
February 27, 1847, to the Rock Island & LaSalle
Railroad Company. This road was chartered for fifty
years, the line to extend from Rock Island to " the
Illinois River, at the termination of the Illinois & Mich-
igan Canal. '' The capital stock was $300,000, and the
commissioners appointed to receive subscriptions were
Joseph Knox, F. R. Burnet, N. B. Buford, William Van-
dever and Nathaniel Belcher, of Rock Island County;
Joshua Harper and James G. Bolmer, of Henry County;
Cyrus Bryant, Justus Stephens and R. T. Templeton, of
Bureau County; John V. A. Hoes and William H. W.
Cushman, of LaSalle County. Although nothing was
done under this charter, in the way of actual railroad
construction, public attention was called to the feasibil-
ity of a line stretching toward the Pacific. The project
had been almost slumbering since its inception in 1830,
when William C. Redfield, of New York, a traveler in the
West, published a report, in which he proposed a route
nearly identical with the one finally adopted by the suc-
cessor of the Rock Island & LaSalle Company; while the
feasibility of bridging the Mississippi River at Rock Is-
land had been recognized ever since the first explorers
and travelers wandered over to its western banks The
charter of 1847 revived the grandeur of the enterprise,
the meetings held in Chicago in favor of "a railroad to
the Pacific " being especially enthusiastic, the voice of
the " Little Giant " being often heard as an inspiration
tu the public spirited men of Illinois to " push on. "
In those days, however, although the spirit was willing
indeed, the pocket-book was too weak to sustain it in
the accomplishment of so great a work But the men
of the State gifted with the powers of persuasion and
foresight, headed by William A. Ogden, were equal to
iIk occasion. In 1850, during the market revival in
railroad matters, occasioned by the Illinois Central land-
RAILROAD HISTORY.
149
grant, Henry Farnam came to Chicago from New
Haven, upon Mr. Ogden's invitation, to assist in the
construction of the Galena & Chicago Union road.
While here he examined the Rock Island route, and
was so impressed with its advantages that he wrote to
his friend, Joseph E. Sheffield, a rich capitalist of New
Haven, to come to Chicago and also look over the
proposed route. This resulted in obtaining a charter
and building a road, but not before the charter was so
amended as to authorize the construction of the line to
Chicago. This amendment was granted February 7,
185 1, the name of the road being at the same time
changed to the " Chicago & Rock Island. " Additional
subscriptions of $300,000 were also required and the
and the number of directors increased. Certain tolls
were to be paid to the Illinois and Michigan Canal,
upon condition that the trustees should grant to the
railroad the right of way through the canal lands by the
first Monday in June, 185 1. By the 13th of February,
the requisite amount of new stock had been taken, and
by April the surveys, which had been progressing since
December, 1850, were nearly completed. During April,
185 1, the company was reorganized with John 1>. Jervis,
of New York, president, and William Jervis, chief
engineer. On account of high water, the survey was
not entirely completed until August. During that
month, all surveys and estimates of the line had been
made, and on the 25th the executive committee met
Messrs. Farnam and Sheffield in New York City, and
concluded a contract with them for the construction of
the road. They agreed to build and equip the line
from Chicago to the Mississippi River for $3,987,688,
or nearly $22,000 per mile, to be paid as follows: seven
per cent, first mortgage bonds at par, $2,000,000; cash,
at the rate of $25,000 per month, $500,000; certificates
of full stock at par, bearing interest at ten per cent, and
payable in stock when the road was finished, $1,487,688.
This contract was approved by the board of directors,
who met at Rock Island, on September 17.
The directors and officers of the road, chosen
December 22, 185 1, were as follows: John B. Jervis,
president, New York; James Grant, vice-president,
Davenport, Iowa; Elisha C. Litchfield, Detroit; John
Stryker, New York; Isaac Cook, assistant treasurer,
Chicago ; George Bliss, Springfield, Mass. ; Lemuel
Andrews, Rock Island; N. D. Elwood, secretary, Joliet;
T. D. Brewster, Peru ; John Stevens, Indiantown ;
Charles Atkinson, Moline ; P. A. Whittaker, Rock
Island; Ebenezer Cook, Davenport, Iowa — all the above
being directors ; Azariah C. Flagg, treasurer, New
York; William Jervis, chief engineer.
Work was finally begun on the line from Chicago to
the Mississippi River, April 10, 1852, underthe super-
intendency of Mr. Farnam ; and in October of that
year, the first passenger train passed over the road to
Joliet, forty miles. The line was opened to Morris,
sixty-two miles, January 5, 1853 ; to Ottawa, eighty-
four miles, February 14; to Peru, one hundred miles,
March 21 ; to Tiskilwa, one hundred and twenty-one
miles, September 12 ; to Sheffield, one hundred and
thirty-seven miles, October 12; to Geneseo, one hun-
dred and fifty-nine miles, December 19; and to Rock
Island, one hundred and eighty-one miles, February
22, 1854. The original estimate of the cost of the road,
including right of way, fencing, and interest on stock
to the time of completion, was $4,289,436. On account,
however, of the phenomenal success of the enterprise
from the start, it was found that the equipment of the
road would have to be increased to meet a constantly
growing business, and extra locomotives and cars were
therefore ordered from Messrs. Farnam and Sheffield,
contractors. For other extra work not provided for in
the contract or original estimates, they were allowed
$291,000. These sums, with the increased cosl of
right of way and station grounds, and interest on stoi k
issued during the construction of the road, swelled the
cost to four and a half million dollars, before the road
was finally turned over to the company, July 10, 1854.
This was eighteen months earlier than specified in the
contract — a rare and commendable instance of energy,
ability and good fortune in the history of railroad build-
ing. In December, 1854, Henry Farnam, who had
been the superintending power in its construction, be-
came president of the road. For the past two years
there had been no change in the general officers. The
bridge across the Mississippi River at Rock Island was
completed April 21, 1855, and on the 6th of May,
fifteen days after, trains commenced crossing. One
span of two hundred and fifty feet was destroyed by
the burning of the steamer " Effie Afton," but, by fall,
the damage was repaired. The bridge was placed
under the joint control of the Chicago & Rock Island
and the Mississippi & Missouri Railroad companies,
having been constructed by the issue of the bonds guar-
anteed by them, and further secured by a deed of trust,
executed to A C. Flagg, treasurer of both corpora-
tions.
In the meantime, the first section of the Mississippi
& Missouri line, which was afterward to be consolidated
with the system east of the river, had been surveyed
and the road built. Early in the fall of 1852, parties
who wished to put a western extension through Iowa,
placed engineers in the field, under Mr. Farnam's direc-
tion. Three routes were surveyed, Davenport being
the starting-point. The general result having been
reported at a meeting held at Davenport, on December
22, 1852, an association was formed, under the general
laws of Iowa, its articles being filed February 1, 1853.
The route named in the articles of association was from
the eastern line of the state of Iowa, at or near Daven-
port, to the western line of the state, in the vicinity of
Council Bluffs. In June of that year, the subscription
books were opened, and $500,000 received. A com-
mittee, consisting of William B. Ogden, William Wol-
cott, and Ebenezer Cook, directors, and Henry Far-
nam, chief engineer, went to Iowa to obtain the
necessary rights of way. Upon consultation with
citizens of Davenport, Muscatine, Iowa City, and
Cedar Rapids, the articles were so amended as to
authorize the extension of the line, via Muscatine, to
the southern or western boundary of the state, and in
a northwesterly direction by way of Cedar Rapids;
thus organizing a system of railroads for Central Iowa,
whose eastern terminus was the bridge at Rock Island.
The first section, that from Davenport to Iowa City,
fifty-five miles, and from the junction to Muscatine,
twelve miles, was put under contract, August 16, 1853,
and completed January 6, 1856. Upon that day, Gen-
eral John A. Dix, of New York, president of the com-
panv, delivered speeches at the principal cities inter-
ested, and there was general rejoii ing by the people all
along the line. During the following summer, the land
granted by Congress, to aid in the construction of the
road, was accepted, in trust, by the state, upon condi-
tion that the Mississippi & Missouri line be completed
by December 1, 1865.
It will thus be perceived, from this general sum-
mary, how a continuous line of road, now a portion of
the great Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific system, was
completed by the first portion of 1856, and it is neces-
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
sary to return to a specific narrative of the Chicago &
Rock Island road. During 1855. according to the
instructions of the stockholders, a grain-house, or ele-
vator, was erected in Chicago, at a cost of $125,000,
capable oi containing over seven hundred thousand
bushels of grain. On the 1st of July, 1S56 the time
of holding the annual meeting having been changed',
the general officers of the road were : Henry Farnam,
president ; A. C. Flagg, treasurer ; Francis H. Tows,
secretary : John F. Tracy, superintendent ; James L.
Elwood, cashier; John P. Babcock, general freight
agent : W. I.. St. John, general ticket agent. For the
first two vears. the company's business exhibited as fol-
lows : From July. 1854, "to July, 1855— passengers,
§750.600.51: freight, $473,205.68; mails, $19,000;
total, $1,242,906.19. In 1S55-56 —passengers, $742,-
722.88: freight, $652,296.86 ; mails, $21,284.34 ; total,
$1,416,304.08. For the year ending July, 1857, the
receipts from all sources increased over $400,000. The
only change among the general officers was, that Frank
D. Sherman became cashier in place of James L.
Elwood, who took Mr. Babcock's place as general
freight agent. In July, 1858. E. W. Dunham was
elected treasurer, in place of Mr. Flagg. The gold
excitement of the next spring induced the company to
make extra exertions to obtain its share of the great
emigration westward. In March, 1859, therefore, in
connection with the Mississippi & Missouri road and
the Western Stage Company, it sent passengers through
from Chicago to Pike's Peak for the sum of $100, fur-
nishing meals beyond the Missouri River. This, con-
sidering the length of the route and the country through
which it ran, was so cheap that hundreds, who were pre-
paring wagons and teams for the trip, went by rail and
stage instead. About this time, the opposition which
the people of St. Louis had shown to the existence of
the railroad bridge, which they claimed impeded the
navigation of the river, upon which the city depended
for the bulk of its business, broke forth into open acts
of violence. Various crafts were wrecked, intention-
ally, it is supposed, and suits for damages were brought
against the company. Finally, in June, 1859, the
watchman of the bridge found, on the sidewalk and
track, a quantity of powder and sulphur, oakum, salt-
petre, camphene, brimstone, lath, etc.; in fact, all the
paraphernalia of a professional incendiary. It is not
known who was t lie guilty party. The St. Louis Cham-
ber of Commerce embodied the respectable elements of
the opposition, employing attorneys to prosecute the
bridge company, where navigators brought their suits
for damage^ and wen- willing to swear that the wrecks
which their crafts suffered resulted entirely from the
presence of the bridge and were not caused by their
The principal attorney thus employed in
the "legal removal of the Rock Island bridge," was
Josiah N. Bissell. In August, i860, he and his assist-
ant, a Mr. Chadwick, were arrested, through the detect-
' is l'. Bradley, of Chicago, charged
with conspiring to burn the bridge. The arrest was
made upon the- testimony of Captain Bradley, supported
by that of Jo in 1-. Tracy, superintendent of the road ;
John I'. ' : apin, VV. H. Bradley, a reporter in the United
States Court, 1 id others, who had been allowed, through
a slit in a very thin partition, both to see and hear a
number of interviews between Messrs. Bissell, Chad-
nick, and Capi in Bradley, "the conspirators." Ac-
cording to the ■ ted by the prosecution, an
attempt was to have been made to burn the bridge in
September, by one of Mi. Bradley's men, thai gentle-
man undertaking the job in consideration of $10,000,
promised by said Bissell. On the 8th of August, how-
ever, Mr. Bradley having played into Mr. Bissell's
hands long enough to obtain what he supposed was
conclusive testimony, the tatter was arrested in Chicago,
Mr. Chadwick was brought a captive from Rock Island,
and the defendants were bound over for trial. Their
cases were called in December, but they — especially Mr.
Bissell — were given such good characters by Derrick A.
January, president of the St. Louis Chamber of Com-
merce, and others, that on the 13th of December, i860,
a jury agreed upon a verdict of "not guilty." Although
the verdict caused considerable surprise, the cases dis-
appeared from the courts, and gradually from notice.
In April, 1864, the early completion of the Missis-
sippi &r Missouri Railroad to the point where it con-
nects with the Union Pacific being assured, and the
line being considered of special importance to the in-
terests of the company, the directors entered into a
twenty-year contract for a business connection, agree-
ing, for this privilege, to advance the road $500,000 to
aid in its construction. In October, the Mississippi &
Missouri Company agreed to transfer its property, with
clear title, to any organization which the Chicago &
Rock Island might incorporate and designate by De-
cember 1, 1865 — the road to be purchased for
$5,500,000, and completed to DesMoines. The con-
solidated company was to issue bonds in the sum of
$9,000,000, and create a'sinking fund sufficient to retire
them. In case the consolidation could not be effected,
the company to be incorporated by the Chicago, Rock
Island & Pacific Railway Company was to issue
$7,000,000 in bonds. It was further agreed that the
Chicago & Rock Island should operate the road after
December 1, 1865, and that unless the mortgages upon
the property of the Mississippi & Missouri should be
foreclosed by December 1, 1866, and everything done
so that a clear title of the road could be given, the con-
tract should be null and void, unless the Chicago, Rock
Island & Pacific Railway Company should agree to
extend the time for such sale.
The election of officers, held April 1, 1865, resulted
as follows : Charles W. Durant, president ; John F.
Tracy, vice-president ; E. W. Dunham, treasurer ;
Francis H. Tows, secretary ; W. L. St. John, superin-
tendent.
By the death of W. L. St. John, on the 15th of August,
1865, the Chicago & Rock Island road lost one of the most prom-
ising young men ever connected with the railroad business. Al-
though but thirty-three years of age, he had acquired a name
throughout the country for rare executive ability. The deceased
was a native of Connecticut, and came to Chicago in 1S5;. first
entering business as a clerk in the general ticket department of the
road. He soon gave such marked evidence of his ability that he
became general ticket agent, then general freight and ticket agent,
and, in 1864, general superintendent. Mr. St. John was unmar-
ried, but left a mother and one sister to mourn his death.
The articles of association of the Chicago, Rock
Island & Pacific Railway Company, of Iowa, were
formed May 28, 1866. Charles \V. Durant and Francis
H. Tows, of New York ; John F. Tracy, of Chicago,
and Ebenezer Cook, of Davenport, were the parties
who formed themselves into an association, in order to
purchase the road built by the Mississippi & Missouri
Railroad Company also to acquire the lands granted
by Congress, May 15, 1856. The capital stock of the
corporation was $12,000,000; and the first Board of
Directors consisted of Ebenezer Cook. John F. Tracy,
David Dows, Thomas T. Sturges, and Oliver Charlick,
who were empowered to lease the railroad to any com-
pany they might designate. The Chicago, Rock
Island & Pacific and the Chicago & Rock Island com-
RAILROAD HISTORY.
'5>
panies were consolidated August 20, 1S66, the new
association being called the Chicago, Rock. Island &
Pacific Railroad Company, its board of directors made
to consist of thirteen members, and its capital stock
the aggregate amount of both roads. The increase,
however, was only $100,000, that being the amount
required to be issued by the Iowa company.
For the year ending April 1, 1867, the president
and general superintendent of the Chicago, Rock
Island & Pacific was John F. Tracy ; treasurer, E. W.
Dunham; secretary, Francis H. Tows; assistant gen-
eral superintendent, P. A. Hall. W. F. Coolbaugh suc-
ceeded Mr. Dunham as treasurer the next year, and
Ebenezer Cook followed Mr. Tows as secretary.
During the year 1867-68, several important im-
provements were made The road was extended to
Des Moines, and opened for business on the 9th of
September, 1867. New shops were erected also on the
thirty acres of land situated about four and a half miles
south of its passenger depot. The machine shop was
336 x 112 feet in dimensions ; the blacksmith and boiler
shop, 344x80 feet; car shop, 253x80 feet, with a wing of
200x80 feet; the round-house had a diameter of 278
feet, with stalls for forty engines. On the 17th of
March, 186S, a tornado passed over the new buildings,
unroofing a large portion of the machine shop, de-
stroying about three hundred feet of main wall, and
demolishing the blacksmith and boiler shops. The
damage was so far repaired that the shops were again
occupied during the winter of 186S-69.
In 1870, the officers of the road were as follows:
John F. Tracy, president ; Hugh Riddle, general super-
intendent ; Francis H. Tows, secretary and treasurer ;
and P. A. Hall, assistant general superintendent.
During the year 1869, a contract was entered into
between the company and the United States Govern-
ment for the construction of a bridge over the Missis-
sippi River between Rock Island and Davenport, with
a view of changing the location across the island of
Rock Island, to accommodate the government works.
The proportion to be paid by the railroad company was
about $600,000, of which $300,000 was required that
year. The bonds of the Railroad Bridge Company
were also guaranteed to the amount of $400,000.
They were to mature January 1, 1870, and the first
mortgage bonds of the Chicago & Rock Island Com-
pany, amounting to $1,397,000, on the 10th of July,
1870.
The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific road was
opened for business to the Missouri River, at Council
Bluffs, June 7, 1869. November 1, 1869, Hugh Riddle
was made general superintendent of the road. By this
time, also, the land grants made by Congress and the
state of Iowa to the Mississippi & Missouri Railroad
Company had been adjusted, except in one land dis-
trict of Iowa, so that the Chicago, Rock Island & Pa-
cific Company had received, by legislation and purchase,
five hundred and fifty-two thousand six hundred and
forty-nine acres. A new set of by-laws was adopted,
June 4, 1870, and the following officers were elected:
John F. Tracy, president; Ebenezer Cook, vice-presi-
dent; Francis H. Tows, secretary and treasurer; F. D.
Sherman, assistant treasurer; Corn Exchange Bank, of
New York, register of stock; Hugh Riddle, general
superintendent; P. A. Hall, assistant superintendent;
George C. Campbell, solicitor.
The year ending April 1, 1871, was an important
one in the history of the company. The receipts of
the road were $6,028,287.29, and the expenditures
$3,405,459.06. On account of construction and equip-
ment, the company expended $1,718,184.51; adding six
locomotives to the rolling stock. At this time the
equipment of the company consisted of two thousand
eight hundred and fifty freight cars, one hundred and
forty-live locomotives, fifty-three day coaches and ten
sleeping coaches. Over four thousand men were em-
ployed. During the year, 1,828,690,104 pounds of
freight, and more than 708,000 passengers were trans-
ported over the road.
The new bridge, being built by the Government and
the railroad company, was not yet completed, although
the work being done by the latter to approach the main
structure was well advanced. Good progress had been
made in the construction of the Chicago & Southwest-
ern Railway, from Washington, Iowa, to Leavenworth,
Kas., one hundred and forty-live miles being in opera-
tion from the first named point to Princeton. During
the year the Land Department had received certificates
from the Interior Department for one hundred and
sixty thousand three hundred and seventy-three acres,
under the act of Congress of June, 1864. The sales
amounted to twenty-eight thousand and twenty-two
acres, for the sum of $213,575.
The division of the road known as the Chicago &
Southwestern was opened October 9, 1871. The
branches begun or completed in 1871 equaled in dis-
tance two hundred and thirty-nine miles, which includes
the road between Centerville, Iowa, and Cameron, Mo.,
and the connections with the new bridge at Leaven-
worth, Kas. The system, then actually operated by the
road, was as follows: Chicago to Davenport, one hun-
dred and eighty-three miles; Davenport to Council
Bluffs, three hundred and ten miles; Washington, Iowa,
to Leavenworth, Kas., two hundred and seventy-three
miles; DeMoines, Indianola & Winterset line, forty-
seven miles; Bureau Junction & Peoria, forty-six
miles; Washington & Sigourney, Iowa, twenty-nine
miles; Atchison branch, twenty-nine miles; from Cen-
terville, Mo., to Cameron, Iowa, one hundred and twen-
ty-nine miles. Total, one thousand and forty-six
miles.
Ransom R. Cable, president of the Chicago, Rock Island &
Pacific Railway, was born in Athens County, Ohio, in 1S34, the
son of Hiram and Rachel (Henry) Cable. During his early life he
received but sparse educational advantages, the tuition imparted at
the common schools of Athens County being all that he obtained.
But a desire for liberal attainments, and a determination to acquire
them, united to a rare faculty for study and the retention of the
valuable part of the study pursued, matured the intellect of the
student, and more than supplied the early want of an imparted
course of science and literature. Hence, at the age of seventeen,
he is found engaged as a partner in the lumber business, superin-
tending the work in the forests, and actively participating in the
general management. These supervisory duties he retained until
1856; and came west, in 1857, to Rock Island, and from thence
went to Valley City, nine miles north of Davenport, where he
remained as the proprietor of a flouring mill, until 1859. lie then
became engaged in the coal and railroad business at Rock Island,
111., and subsequently accepted the position of president of the
Rock Island & Peoria Railroad, which he retained until 1SS0. In
connection with these olfices, he was also manager of the old Rock-
ford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad, for the four years from
1S71 until 1S74. His extensive railroad experience and manifest
capability in the management of railroad business, led to the proffer
of the position to Mr. Cable, in [880, that he now occupies, and
which he. in that year, accepted. During 1S80, also, Mr. Cable
removed to this city, of which he has since been a permanent and
valuable resilient, prominent chiefly by his unostentatious perform-
ance of all the duties, official, social and political, which have
devolved upon him. and becoming honored and esteemed by all
with whom those duties have brought him in contact. Mi.
was married twice; the second una to Miss lam- Buford, of Rock
Island; and has four children. Hiram S., Josephine. Fanny and
Benjamin.
Huiat RIDDLE is one of the oldest railway men in the western
country, and commenced his experience in the engineering depart-
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
mem on the construction of the New York & Eric Railway, in
1J40, and remained in that connection until the completion of the
road. In iSft. he was appointed resident engineer of the Silver
Creek and State Line Division of the Buffalo & State Line Rail-
road, and occupied that position until the road was completed to
the Pennsylvania state line, when, in 1852, he entered the _ engi-
neering department of the Canandaigua & Niagara Falls Railroad.
In is~;, he returned to the Erie Railway, to accept the position of
: engineer, which he retained until he was made division
superintendent, in 1S55. In 1S05, Mr. Riddle was made general
superintendent of the same road, which position he resigned in
[869, and. on November 1, accepted the position of superintendent
of the Chicago. Rock Island lV Pacific Railway. Mr. Riddle sub-
sequentlv occupied the positions of vice-president and president,
resigning the latter position in June, 1SS3. He is still a member
of the directorate of the road, and also a member of the Western
Trunk Line Committee of Arbitration.
ABEL Kimball, vice-president and general superintendent of
the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, is a native of New
Hampshire, and his boyhood and the early years of manhood were
passed in the New England States. Mr. Kimball is one of the old-
est railroad men in the west, having been connected with different
corporations all through his life. When a young man, he went into
service on the Connecticut River Railroad, remaining there for a
short time. He next engaged with the Cocheco (New Hampshirel
Railroad, and subsequently was connected with the Newburyport
(Massachusetts) Railroad. In 1856, realizing the grand opportun-
ities presented to energetic and ambitious young men in the Great
West, he concluded to cast his lines among the stirring people of
Iowa. In that year he went into the employ of the Mississippi &
Missouri Railroad Company, which operated a railway from Daven-
port to Iowa City. He took the position of master mechanic, and
held the same for two years. In 1S5S, he was promoted to the su-
perintendence- of the same line, and filled that office for eight years.
In 1 366, the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific commenced its rapid
stride forward as a successful railroad, and the demand for men of
superior ability and tried experience, to take its management, be-
came necessary. The excellent reputation which Mr. Kimball had
won during his ten years' residence in the West, was well known to
the Rock Island people, and, in 1866, he was tendered the position
of superintendent of one of the divisions of the road. He ac-
cepted, and for a number of years filled the office. Subsequently,
he was made assistant general superintendent of the road, and, in
April, 1877, was elected general superintendent. He has filled that
office up to the present time; and his iare executive ability, com-
bined with his sterling character, as an upright man, and his ener-
getic labors in behalf of the great Rock Island road, have made
him recognized and esteemed by the directors as is no other official
of that corporation. In June, 1882, Mr. Kimball was elevated to
the office of vice-president, and in conjunction therewith performs
the duties of general superintendent. In a work of this kind, rep-
resenting the leading and most prominent officers and managers of
railroads, it would be a serious error to omit the well known and
highly esteemed name of Abel Kimball. To him, as much, per-
haps, as any other man, is due the credit and honor of making the
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific route what it now is.
I ■ . 1 1 St. John, general passenger and ticket agent of the
Chicago. Rock Island & Pacific Railway, was born in Litchfield Co.,
Conn., February 4, 1*44. He resided there until he was sixteen
years of age but he did not enjoy the advantages usually allotted
to the youth of this day. During his boyhood, he was employed
in a store and the post-office of his native town, and although he
was unable to obtain the education he so much desired, his young
business experience deeply impressed upon his mind the principles
which have been conspicuous in his manhood. His parents were
endants of one of the oldest families of New England,
and the) e sturdy virtues which were characteristic of
the natives of I try. The son found it nec-
e should "work out" in order to assist in the support
of his family, and he nobly applied himself to the discharge of this
duty. When he was about eighteen years of age, he came west
and was offered a position as clerk in the general ticket office of
the Qui Railroad, al Quincy, III. This was in 1862,
and during that year the Great Western Railroad of Illinois suc-
- |. oration, and Mr. St. John went into
tment of the new company. On July 4,
ered a more lucrative position in the ticket
department of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, he
came to this city, where he has since resided and has been COnnei ted
with the same road up to the present date He lirst took a posi-
tion as clerk at a salary of forty dollars a month, but within two
years had. by and faithful work, won the post of
chief clerk, th< lotion ember r, 1864.
This position he held for five years, and was then given entire
charge of the general ticket office. The title of general ticket
agent was not conferred until September, 1S69, although he virtu-
ally held that office. He so continued up to January 1, 1S79,
when he was made general passenger and ticket agent of the line,
which office he holds at the present time. No man has had more
to do with the great passenger traffic of Chicago than Mr. St.
John; and his twenty-three years of service in this department has
not been without its rewards, for he has gained a handsome com-
petence, won the highest esteem of his co-laborers, and enjoys to
the fullest extent the regard and confidence of all who know him.
Mr. St. John was married at North Brookfield, Mass., to Miss
Emiline B. Lamson, of Andover. He has for many years been a
member of the Masonic Order, is a past master of Waubansia
Lodge, No. 160, A., F. & A. M., was a member of Apollo Com-
mandery, No. 1, K. T., and is at present a member of Montjoie
Commandery, No. 53, K. T. Mr. St. John is a member of the
Union League Club, and personally is a most genial and courteous
gentleman. In the midst of his responsibilities and the urgent
duties of his office he is at all times approachable ; seemingly with
more demands upon his time than time will allow', he yet finds
time to listen to the requests of all. On July 1, 1885, he was
appointed assistant to the general manager.
Warren G. Purdy, local treasurer of the Chicago, Rock
Island & Pacific Railway, was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1843 ;
the son of John H. and Louisa A. Purdy. He received his educa-
tion at the public schools of his birthplace, graduating from the
high school in 1S59. In that year, he came to Chicago, and, on
August I, became a clerk for the Illinois Central Railroad Com-
pany, with which he remained until February, 1S63. He then went
to St. Louis, as chief clerk of the machinery department of the Ohio
& Mississippi Railroad. In 1S64, he returned to Chicago and ac-
cepted the position of chief clerk in the Quartermaster's Depart-
ment at Camp Douglas, with Captain Charles Goodman, A Q.M.
After three years of service with the Quartermaster's Department
at Chicago and on the frontier of Texas, he re-entered the railroad
service in January, 1S67. as general bookkeeper for the Rock
Island road. This situation he occupied until December 1, 1S67,
when he received the appointment of cashier, and, on April 1,
1S77, was further advanced to the position he has since retained.
Mr. Purdy is one of the oldest members, and a past master, of
Landmark Lodge, No. 422, A.F. & A.M.; a member of Fairview
Chapter, No. 161, R.A.M.; has taken the Council Degrees; is a
member, and was the first Eminent Commander, of Montjoie Com-
mandery, No. 53. K.T.; was First Lieutenant of the Consistory
for six years, and is now a member of Oriental Consistory,
S.P.R.S., and received the honorary 33° A. & A.S.R. in 1870. He
was married in 1S65, and has four children — two sons and two
daughters. Fie resides at Kenwood, and is a member of the Ken-
wood Club and also of the Union League Club in this city.
Thomas F. With row, the general solicitor of the Chicago, Rock
Island & Pacific Railway, was born in what is now Western Vir-
ginia, in 1832. While he was quite young, his parents emigrated
to Indiana and afterward to Ohio. When he attained his majority
he was editor of the Republican, a newspaper published in Mount
Vernon, O. In 1S55, he became a citizen of Wisconsin, and was
connected editorially with the Janesville Free Press during the
presidental campaign of 1S56. While engaged in editorial work
he also studied law. In September, 1857, he completed his prelim-
inary study in the office of Miller & Beck, at Fort Madison, Iowa,
and was admitted to the bar. In November in the same year, he
settled in Des Moines which had just become the capital of the
state. During the entire administration of Governor Ralph P.
Lowe, and a portion of that of Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood, he
was private secretary in the executive office. In October, 1S59, he
was married in Hamilton, Madison Co., N.V., to Miss Jennie F\
Goodwin, of that place In i860, he was appointed by the
Supreme Court of Iowa the official reporter of its decisions. Dur-
ing his term of seven years, he published thirteen volumes of Iowa
Reports. In 1863, he was chairman of the Republican State Cen-
tral Committee of Iowa. In 1S66, he became the local attorney of
the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company, which was
then constructing its line through Central Iowa. In 1S6S, he was
prominent in the struggle between the Tracy directory of that
company, and a syndicate which embraced nearly all of the operators
in Wall Street. The Tracy party proposed to extend the railroad
from Des Moines to Council Bluffs, and the Wall Street syndicate
attempted, by numerous injunctions, to prevent such extension, with
a view to applying the moneys which had been provided for that
work tothe paying of large dividends to the stockholders. After
the success of the Tracy party, Mr. Wilhrow became the division
solicitor of the company, in charge of the litigation on the central
and western Iowa divisions, extending from Brooklyn to Council
Bluffs. These duties he performed in connection with his general
practice as a lawyer in the Federal and State Courts of Iowa. In
1872, he became the principal law officer of the Rock Island Com-
pany, and removed to Chicago, where he still resides.
RAILROAD HISTORY.
'53
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Rail-
way.— The Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana,
the Erie & Northeast, and the Buffalo & State Line
railroads were consolidated as the Buffalo & Erie,
June 28, 1867. The Cleveland, Painesville & Ashta-
bula Railroad Company was chartered in 1.S4S, opened
in 1S52, leased to the Cleveland & Toledo Railroad
Company, October S, 1867, and its name changed to
the Lake Shore Railroad Company, June 22, 1868.
The two roads were consolidated, April 6, 1869. The
present road was formed by these consolidations, May
27, 1869, and of the Buffalo & Erie on August 10.
The authorized stock in 187 1 was $50,000,000, of
which amount, shares equal to $35,000,000 were issued
to consolidating companies. The directors were em-
powered to dispose of the $15,000,000 remaining and,
on October 7, 1871, the holders of common stock pur-
chased the entire offer at 331 3 per cent.
The presidents of the Michigan Southern &
Northern Indiana Railroad Company, from 1855 to
1869 — the year of its consolidation with the. Lake
Shore — were as follows : John Wilkinson, April, 1855,
to April, 1857; Edwin C. Litchfield, April, 1857, to
August, 1857; Jonathan H. Ransom, August, 1857, to
September, 1857; John B. Jervis, September, 1857, to
April, 1858; George Bliss, April, 1858, to April, i860;
Elisha M. Gilbert, April, 1S60, to June, 1863; Martin
L. Sykes, Jr., April, 1864, to August, 1865; Elijah B.
Phillips, October, 1, 1865, to consolidation in April,
1869. Mr. Phillips remained president of the newly
organized Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway
Company until May, 1870, when he was succeeded by
Horace F. Clark, who served up to the time of his
death, June 19, 1873.
The general superintendents of the road were as
follows : James Moore, April, 1855, to May, 1856;
Sam. Brown, May, 1856, to July, 1858; John D. Camp-
bell, August, 1858, to August, 1863, the time of his
death; Henry H. Porter, November, 1863, to October,
1865; Charles F. Hatch, October, 1865, to March, 1S72.
John H. Devereaux, vice-president of the road, was
also general manager from May, 1S70, to June, 1873.
Union Depot Building. — In April, 1866, the
buildings for the depots of the Michigan Southern and
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific companies were com-
menced, between Jackson and Van Buren streets, with
Sherman street on the west and Griswold on the east.
The depot building proper, built of Joliet stone, was
not entirely completed until the next spring. It was an
imposing three story structure, with mansard roof, hav-
ing three towers, the central one being higher and
more elaborate in design than the others. The passen-
ger room for the joint accommodation of the two roads,
was spacious and convenient, the office portion of the
depot being divided between the companies by. a wide
hall. On the second floor were the principal general
offices; on the third, quarters for the subordinates;
while above them were the attic, store rooms and sev-
eral private apartments. The entire cost of the struct-
ure was about $225,000. The car-shed was five hun-
dred and forty-two feet in length, being over sixty feet
from the ground to the top of the arched roof. Dormer
windows gave the necessary light. The designs for the
buildings were drawn by W. W. Boyington.
In addition to the above, the Michigan Southern
Company, during the fall of 1866, constructed a freight
depot from Harrison Street, six hundred feet south to
Polk, capable of storing two thousand tons.
John NEWELL, president of the Lake Shore & Michigan
Southern Railway, is a gentleman who has arrived at his present
position through no favoritism or undue financial influence, bul
simply by earnest application to the various ill. lies he was called
upon to perform in his long and diversified railroad expi
Mr. Newell is Ouis an exemplar of the position to which a n
attain from small beginnings, :» a recognition of his fitness for it.
In 1S46, he first entered upon his railroad experience as rodman in
the engineering department of the Cheshire (N. ll.i Railroad,
where he remained for one and one-half years He then became
an employe of the Vermont Central Railroad, as assistant engineer
in charge of the construction o the division extending from Mont-
pelier to Northfield Afterward, he had supervision of the 1 omple
tion of the terminal section of this road, with headquarters at Tur-
lington, Vt., and remained in such position until it was finished, in
1S50. Mr. Newell then went on the extension of the Champlain
& St. Lawrence Railroad, in course of construction from near
LaPrairie to Montreal, Canada, remaining there for one year. On
the completion of that duty, he went to Kentucky, to make surveys
for the railroad from Louisville to Cincinnati, and was there in
1S52-53 ; and subsequently, in 1S53-54, was engaged in making
surveys for the Saratoga &: Sackett's Harbor .Railroad. On the
completion of his duties on that road, Mr. Newell went to Cairo,
111., as engineer for the old Cairo City Company, and remained
with that corporation one year ; after which, in 1S56, he accepted
a position with the Illinois Central Railroad, as engineer, in
charge of the maintenance of way for the northern section of the
line, from Wapella to Dunleith — now East Dubuque — and occupied
that situation until 1S63. In the same year, Mr. Newell superin-
tended the construction of the Winona & St. Peter Railroad, in
Minnesota, and continued that duty until the spring of 1S65, when
the road was opened to Rochester. Minn. He then went to Cleve-
land, Ohio, as president of the Cleveland A: Toledo Railroad, oc-
cupying that official station until 1S6S ; he was also engineer and
superintendent of the New York Central Railroad, during that
year. In 1S69, he returned to the Illinois Central Railroad, as
vice-president, and remained in that position until 1S71, when he
was elected president of the road, and continued as president until
1S75. Following his retirement from the Illinois Central, Mr. New-
ell was, for about six months, in general charge of the affairs of
the St. Louis Bridge Company. In 1875, he accepted the posi-
tion of general manager of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern
Railway, holding the tille of manager until May, 18S3, when he
was elected to his present position of president — a culmination
which is the result of years of preparation, study, and toil, be-
stowed upon the railroad business. Mr. Newell was born in Wet
Newbury, Essex Co., Mass., in 1S30 ; the son of Moses and Sally
(Moody) Newell. His father was occupied a great deal with the
LAKE SHORE a MICHIGAN SOUTHERN RAILWAY DEPOT.
'54
HISTORY OF CHICAC.O.
duties of the various offices to which lie was successively elected by
his fellow citizens, in the Legislature and elsewhere He was a
man of good education, sterling probity and worth. Necessarily,
the performance of public duties took Moses Xeweil away from the
home-farm a great deal, and Tohn Xeweil was left in charge of it.
He also attended the schools of Essex County until his entry into
business in i5ao: and, during his experience in actual business,
his scholastic education was augmented and made fruitful. Mr.
Newell has never had any ambition to enter public life, or, per-
haps it would be more correct to say, he is such a firm believer in
the necessity of doing one thing well, that he has never found time
to spare from his railroad duties, to devote to a political career.
This fact is the secret of his success ; and those young men who
deplore their inability to " get on " in the world may tind a pana-
cea for their complaint, in emulating the example of John New-
ell. He was married, in 1S57, to Miss Judith P. Hills, of the
town of West Newbury. Mass. They have four children — Anna,
John E., Helen, and Ashbel Barney.
CHARLES M. GRAY, assistant general freight agent of the
Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway, was born in Chenango
County. X. V., in i$07. He received his education in Ontario
County, at the common schools, and went to Philadelphia, at the
age of nineteen, and engaged in the building business until 1S32.
In that year, he went to New York State, and staid until the spring
ot 1^33, when he came to this city, arriving here on June 12 of
that year. Since becoming a resident of Chicago, Mr. Gray has
been thoroughly identified with the progress and interests of the
city, and his name is frequently found in the first volume of this
history. Shortly after his arrival, he became a building contractor,
and erected Sherwood's and James A. Smith's stores. During the
construction of the latter, he was injured, from which hurt he con-
tracted sciatic rheumatism. This necessitated his seeking some
occupation where a large amount of activity would not be requisite,
and the out-going street commissioner. McClintock, helped Mr.
1 Iray to secure that office, which he held for three years, until 1S40.
During his tenure of office, he built the first bridge on Randolph
>treet, over the river, from which any benefit was derived ; he
bought the timber of Augustin Deodat Taylor, and ripped out
plsnk with a whipsaw to make the floating pieces. In 1S40, he
carried on the manufacture of grain cradles, and continued it until
is47. when he went into the reaper business with Cyrus H. Mc-
Cormick (see page 569, vol. 1). Mr. Gray built the factory on the
pier, having purchased the property from William B. Ogden, and
sold out his interest in the factory and business to Mr. Ogden, in
1 -4-. In March of that year, also, Mr. Gray was elected first
if the City Fire Department, and was, for some time
subsequently, prominently connected with that branch of the civic
interests (vide page 22;, vol. 1). In 1S43, he went to California,
and remained there until the following year, when he returned to
Chicago and went into business with A. T. Spencer, as agents for
Charles M. Reid's line of side-wheel steamers, that plied between
Buffalo and this port; their wharf was at the foot of State Street.
Mr. Gray remained in that business until 1852, when he sold his
interest to Mr. Spencer, and remained out of active mercantile
pursuits for a brief time, being mayor of the city in 1853, elected
on the Democratic ticket. In 1854. he entered the freight depart-
ment of the old Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Railroad,
and, except for about one and one-half years, has been with the
road since that date, through its consolidation and various admin-
istrations. In connection with the long and faithful service of this
gentleman in the freight department, too much credit can not be
attributed to Mr Gray for the successful working of the present
system, always realizing that he was the servant of the people as
' the corporation which he represented. From the time
the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Railroad entered this
City, George M. Gray, the brother of Mr. Cray, was connected
with the road; he is now with the Pullman Company. As nar-
• 1 - of the preceding volume, Mr Gray was one "f
rporators of the Mechanics' Institute, and was an earnest
worker in its behalf. He has always resided in the city, and has
terest il mat elous growth and development, and
- an opportunity has occurred wherein its interests could
nostentatious but effective work and
ace, Mr. Gray has always lent his as tana thereto. He
■, Miss Mary V Haim 3, of Philadelphia.
Daring the early years of Odd Fellowship in this city. Mr. Gray
ii 1 in the
ler for many years.
Geoi enjoys two di 1 onnection with
nong the oldest living
settlers; the of one of the oldesi railroad men.
1 I <>.. N. Y., in 1 - 1 -
of Alfred and V I) Gray. At the age of twi
entered a store in Monro ' ounty, N. Y.,whi ned until
1834, when he came to Chicago— his parents, with the remainder
of the family, having arrived here during the preceding vear. Since
coming here, Mr. Gray has fought the battle of life, as was inev-
itable with the early residents of Chicago, and now enjoys the
position he occupies, with the Pullman Palace Car Company, as a
reward for his earnest labor in the interests of the railroads with
which he has been associated and as a deserved recognition of the
aptitude and knowledge acquired by such experience. Shortly
after his arrival, Mr. Gray became a clerk for Gurdon S. Hubbard,
at that time a general storage and commission merchant as well as
a mercantile dealer in the various provisions, breadstuffs, etc.,
needed in a frontier settlement. With Mr. Hubbard he remained
two years, and then was employed by " Uncle" Peter Cohen, a
merchant, for about one year; after which he was with O. H.
Thompson, for about the same period. Business then became de-
pressed, and he did anything that would result in achieving a live-
lihood ; and, in adverting to this epoch of his residence, Mr. Gray
remarks : ' ' That the inhabitants of the Chicago of to-day can not
understand the straits and makeshifts that had to be resorted to by
the early settlers of the city, and what a large amount of persist-
ence and dogged determination was needed to adhere to the for-
tunes of our city, despite the numberless actual and prospective
discouragements of its early growth." But he, with the other
members of that little phalanx, stuck to the "cradled infant," be-
ing always employed, in various capacities, during his long resi-
dence, and now rejoices in its magnificent maturity. In 1S4S, he
engaged as a traveling agent with the McCormick Harvester Man-
ufacturing Company, performing the duties necessary during the
winter, while during the continuance of navigation, he ran the
" Illinois," a packet-boat on the Illinois and Michigan Canal.
These two business engagements he continued until 1S51, when he
became connected with the Michigan Southern & Northern Indi-
ana Railroad, the embryo of the Lake Shore & Michigan South-
ern, whose office was then under the Tremont House. As a
matter of correlative history, it may be stated that at that time a
line of stages was run from the termination of the road, twenty
miles; then the railroad again connected with Michigan City; then
omnibuses were ran for twelve miles, over a plank road, to La-
Porte, Ind., from which point the railroad was complete to Toledo,
O. , a large portion being laid with strap rail; and from Toledo it
ran to the Maumee Swamp, where stages were again employed.
Thus, three interregnums of staging occurred between Chicago and
Buffalo, and in these stage lines Mr. Gray was actively and finan-
cially interested. On February 22. 1852, the through line to Chi-
cago was opened, being the first uninterrupted railway communi-
cation between New York and this city. The technical designa-
tion of Mr. Gray's office, with the Michigan Southern lV Northern
Indiana and the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroads, was
general western agent, which he retained until 1S62, when he
resigned. One incident of his trials, in connection with this office,
was the prevalence, in early days, of the ' Wild Cat Currency,"
which was a constant source of anxiety and worry to him ; as a
bank arose and fell so rapidly, that what was quoted as good
money in the morning might be worthless by the evening ; and
Mr Gray was annoyed by the apprehension that such depreciation
might transpire, at any moment, in the large amounts of money he
handled on the company's account. In 1S65, he resumed his asso-
ciation with the Lake Shore road, being made general western
agent of the through line to Buffalo, which he retained until his
resignation in 1S67. In that year, he became general agent of the
Pullman Palace Car Company, at Chicago, and occupied that situ-
ation until his appointment, in 1873, to the one he at present occu-
pies, that of general ticket agent. In 1S54. Mr. Gray was one of
the founders of the present hardware house of Hibbard, Spencer,
Bartlett & Co. then inaugurated as Tuttle, Hibbard & Co., and
comprising Nelson Tuttle, Fred. Tuttle, H. G. Hibbard, and
George M. Gray; Mr. Gray remaining as a silent partner until
1S64. He was married, in 1839, to Miss Maria Louisa Johnson,
of Brownsville, Me. Mr. Gray has for many years been an Odd
Fellow, having taken all the degrees in that organization.
W. P. Johnson, general passenger agent of the Lake Shore
& Michigan Southern Railway, was born on June 22, 1834, at
Whitehall, N. Y. At seventeen years of age, he entered the service
of the Bennington & Rutland Railway (then the Western Vermont
Railroad), as office boy in the general office at Rutland, Yt. In
August, 1854, Mr. Johnson came to Chicago and entered the em-
ployment of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad (then the
Chicago & Aurora Railroad), as clerk in charge of ticket reports and
fit kits. 1 le retained this position until 1855, when he entered the
service of the Illinois Central Railroad, as bookkeeper for the
passenger department, and the same year was appointed general
passenger agent of that road. He retained this position until
June I, 18S0, when he resigned, for the purpose of accepting the
position he at present occupies.
I.. II. CLARKE, chief engineer of the Lake Shore & Michigan
Southern Railway, was born in Becket, Mass., in 1S30, the son of
RAILROAD HISTORY.
'55
Abijah and Judith (Hayward) Clarke. Hi; received his education at
the common schools of his native place and subsequently at the Lee
Academy. His first business experience was precisely that of so
many of the Eastern boys — clerk in a general country store; which
position he only retained for a few months, however. He then,
about iS4q, commenced his railroad experience as rodman on the
Vermont & Massachusetts Railroad, from Fitchburg, Mass., to
Brattleboro', Vt., and remained there for about six months ; after
which he occupied the same position on the Vermont Valley Kail-
road, from which he was promoted to leveler, and remained with
that road about eighteen months. In the spring of 1 85 1 , Mr. Clarke
came to Illinois, and entered the employof the Illinois Central Kail-
road as assistant to the division engineer, whose division comprised
the line, from about thirty-five miles south of the Illinois River, in
the vicinity of Minonk station, to Decatur. He remained there
two years, and then received the appointment of chief engineer of
the Racine & Mississippi Railroad, where he remained for about
eighteen months, until the road became bankrupt. He then, in
the spring of 1S55, returned to the Illinois Central, and was divis-
ion engineer in charge of the completion of the line from Mattoon
to Centralia. After the finishing of this last section, in the fall of
1856 — it was opened for traffic about January 1, 1857 — Mr Clarke
became division engineer in charge of the maintenance of the road
— track, bridges and buildings — between Kankakee and Centralia,
and occupied that position until eariy in 1859, when he was ap-
pointed chief engineer of the entire line. This appointment Mr.
Clarke retained until May 1, 1S77, when he accepted his present
office, which he has retained since. Mr. Clarke was married, in
1S53, at Bloomington, III., to Miss Rosan Brown, of Geneva, 111.;
they have one daughter, Mary Judith, now Mrs. C. II. Babcock, of
this city. About 1S62, Mr. Clarke became a member of Oriental
Lodge, No 33, A.F. &AM.
Michigan Central ^Railway Company. — In the
first volume of this history, the building of the main
line by the State of Michigan and the Michigan Central,
from Detroit to Kensington — then called Calumet —
fourteen miles south of Chicago, has been stated.
Upon its completion, in May, 1852, running arrange-
ments were made with the Illinois Central for the use
of its track from Kensington. The only road operated
in Illinois by the Michigan Central Company is the
Joliet & Northern Indiana, from Joliet, east twenty-
nine miles, to the state line at Lake, where it connects
with the Michigan Central, and is operated under per-
petual lease, $89,000 annual rental being paid. It com-
menced operation in 1854. The roads owned and
operated by the Michigan Central Railway Company
in 187 1 were: Chicago & Detroit, two hundred and
eighty-four miles; Jackson & Niles, or the Air Line,
one hundred and three miles; Grand River Valley, Jack-
son to Grand Rapids, ninety-seven miles; Jackson, Lan-
sing & Saginaw, one hundred and forty-four miles;
Kalamazoo & South Haven, thirty-two miles; Niles &
South Bend, ten miles; Joliet & Northern Indiana, forty-
four miles — all aggregating seven hundred and fourteen
miles. The company had, in addition to the lines men-
tioned, the use of the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore
road to Pentwater, a distance of one hundred and fifty
miles, which brought the mileage of roads actually
operated up to eight hundred and sixty-four miles. The
construction of second tracks betwen Lake Station and
Niles and Ypsilanti and Detroit, was begun in 1871,
and the introduction of steel rails marked the history
of the road during the same year. Under the Illinois
State act of 1869, the Michigan Central, Illinois Cen-
tral and Chicago, Burlington ec Quincy companies were,
in 1871, using the same grounds for depot purposes in
Chicago, the land lying between the main river and
Randolph Street, east of Michigan Avenue. The prin-
cipal officers of the company in that year were: James
F. Joy, president; N. Thayer, vice-president; Isaac
Livermore, treasurer; H. E. Sargent, superintendent;
Joshua Crane, assistant treasurer and secretary; and
William Boott, auditor.
Homer Earle Sargent, capitalist and president of the
Fargo & Southern Railway, was born in Leicester, Mass., and re-
ceived his education at the academy in that town. When Mr.
Sargent became of age, he decided I' 1 enter into the railroad service,
ami in 1845 he took his hrst position. It isageneral rule, where a
man commences a trade or profession in early life, is unfaltering
in the prosecution of his calling, and never loses sight of his original
intentions, that that man is the one who will most surely be success-
ful. Mr. Sargent is no exception to this rule, for he has devoted
forty years of his life to his first adopted vocation. He entered
into the service of the Boston & Wotcester Railroad as station agent,
in 1845, at Millbury, Mass. Later he was transferred to the office
at Worcester ; and afterward, for eight years, was general freight
agent of the company at Boston, lie was connected with this
company for thirteen years; and while general agent personally
prepared the first through freight tariff ever inaugurated, by which
merchandise was shipped across the country from Boston to
St. Louis. The maiden venture of Mr. Sargent, from which has
grown a through traliic business unequaled in any other
country of the world, made an indelible impression upon
his mind. The first shipment was a consignment of boots
and shoes for North & Scott, of St. Louis. In making
the tariff, Mr. Sargent visited the offices of the New York
Central, at Albany, the Great Western Railroad of Canada, the
Michigan Central of Detroit and Chicago, and Chicago & Alton,
also in Chicago. He conferred personally with Mr. Druland,
since deceased, of the New York Central ; C. J. Brydges, general
manager of the Great Western, who is now the chief factor of the
Hudson Bay Company, at Montreal; with Superintendent Rice, of
the Michigan Central, at Detroit, who is now a resident of Con-
cord. Mass ; and then with Governor Matteson, who was president
of the Chicago & Alton road, and who also controlled the interest
of the steamboat line from Alton to St. Louis, the place of desti-
nation of the goods. Thus the above named gentlemen formed
the first tariff sheet, through and by the exertions of Mr. Sargent.
The business, of course, was not thoroughly systematized, and it
was agreed by the representatives of the different roads that a
special mark should be placed upon the packages so they could be
easily identified. The tariff amounted to about a combination of
the different local rates. It was two dollars and forty-five cents
for one hundred pounds from Boston to St. Louis, the same goods
now being shipped for fifty cents, or less, a hundred, and is an
every-day occurrence. From this shipment, originated by Mr.
Sargent, has grown the through bill-of-lading system which is now
generally in vogue. In 1858, Mr. ^argent was called by the Michi-
gan Central Railroad Company to take the office of general freight
agent at Chicago. He held that position for eight years, and was
then made general superintendent and general manager, which
position he held for the same length of time, his service with the
Michigan Central road covering a period of sixteen years. An-
other event occurred in Mr. Sargent's career, while with this road,
which served to place his name prominent among the energetic
and enterprising railroad managers of that time. While acting
as general manager of the Michigan Central, George M. Pullman
had put his sleepers on the Chicago & Alton line. When the
third rail was laid on the Great Western Railroad, Mr. Sargent—
who was one of the incorporators of the Pullman's Palace Car Com-
pany and for many years afterward a director — was largely instru-
mental in securing the first Pullman sleeping-car service eastward
from Chicago over his road, Mr. Pullman running his cars over
that line, the Great Western and New York Central, to Rochester,
New York. This was considered a marked event. The friendsof
Mr. Sargent count among the many prominent efforts of his life
none greater than the origination of the Union Slock Yard- of this
city, The success of which was entirely due to his initial labor.
Chicago, up to 1864, had several very extensive stock yards, owned
by different corporations, but these were so badly located and in-
accessible that it was deemed necessary that something should be
done to concentrate this growing traffic. It was thought advisa-
ble, in order to secure the very best advantages, to establish union
yards, where the location and space would be all that was required
for years to come. Mr. Sargent, with keen perception of what was
necessary and essential to the success of such a scheme, decided
that no better location could be found for the union yards than
where they are now situated. The land was then far awaj from
the outskirts of the city, but midway between the in-coming an. I
out-going stock-carrying roads, and ii was adjacent to the p
interests then located on tin South Branch of the Chicago River.
The Union Stock Yards and Transit Company was organized in
1S64, and the stock of the corporation was almost all irami
subscribed by the leading railroads of Chicago. Mr. Sargent was
1 hairman of a committee of three who purchased the present lot .1-
tion of John Wentworth for £100,000 for a half-section ol land
It is now worth a scored millions, the center of a great popula-
tion, and the largest interest ol the kind in the world. II. II.
Porter, now one of the leading railroad men of the west, and who
IS6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
was then general freight agent of the Lake Shore & Michigan
Southern Railroad, and John Houston, then the representative of
the Pittsburgh. Fort Wayne ..V Chicago line were the other mem-
bers of this committee. The purchase of this land was made prior
to the organization of the company, which received a special charter
from the State Legislature on February 13, 1S05. Mr. Sargent was
made one of the directors and was a prime mover in the manage-
ment of the stock yards until a few years ago, when he gave way to
younger men. It took several years for the originators to complete
the stock-yard system, but Mr. Sargent may look back with the
greatest degree of pride to what he did toward the establishment of
an interest, now grown to magnificent proportions, and which is a cri-
terion and model for further enterprises of a like nature. After leav-
ing the Michigan Central, Mr. Sargent was offered the general man-
agement of the Northern Pacific Railroad. This was in 1S77. He
at first declined, but later in the year he was prevailed upon to accept
the position, in which he continued until May, iSSi, just previous
to the completion of the road. He tendered his resignation upon
the retirement of C. 11. Wright, president of the road, who was
succeeded by Frederick Billings. In September, 1883, Mr. Sar-
gent became interested in the projected railroad which was destined
to run from Fargo, Dakota, to Ortonville, Minnesota. This road,
which is one hundred and twenty miles in length, is owned by a
syndicate of less than a dozen persons, residents of New York and
Chicago. Mr. Sargent is president of the company; and at the
lime he became identified with the Fargo & Southern th:re had
been but thirty-five miles graded. In less than ten months, or on
July 3, 1S54, the entire line was completed and ready for opera-
tion. The road connects at Ortonville with the Hastings and
Dakota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway,
thus making a through line between Fargo, Minneapolis, St. Paul
and Chicago. Through passenger trains were put on this line
August 17, 1SS4, and the business of the road has constantly and
rapidly increased since its inception. It has been of great value
to Fargo ; and the Argus of that city, speaking of Mr. Sargent and
his connection with the Fargo iS: Southern Railway, says :— The
people of North Dakota know Mr. Sargent well. The people of
Fargo have a right to claim him as one of her greatest benefactors
and somewhat of a citizen, because he has always had a warm
spot in his heart for the city, and spends much of his time here
now, as president of the Fargo & Southern railway system, in
which he takes great pride. The Fargo & Southern, although
originated by Fargo men, owes its great success to Mr. Sargent
taking hold and engineering its financial operations and securing
its completion. Besides his heavy railroad interests in Dakota
and Minnesota, this gentleman is identified largely in this city, in
several corporations. Mr Sargent was first married at Worcester,
Mass, to Maria, daughter of Thomas Bottomly, Esq., in 1848.
Her death occurred in 1S52. On December 2, 1861, Mr. Sargent
was again married, his wife being Rebecca E. Wheaton, of War-
ren. R. I. They have four children, the eldest of whom, Fred
erick Sargent, is now in the lumber trade at Necedah, Wis. and
1 graduate of the I'. S. Naval Academy, of Annapolis, Md ;
the second sun, John Sargent, is attending the Sheffield Scientific
School of Vale College ; and the other two children, William and
Homer E., Jr., are at home.
NATHAN A. SKINNER, commercial agent of the Nickel Plate
Line of the New York, Chicago iV St. I ,ouis Railway, was born
in Ontario County, N. Y., March 22, 1829. Mr. Skinner was
brought up at home until he attained his majority, receiving his
education at the schools of his native town. About 1S51, Mr.
Skinner began business life by taking a position with the Rochester
nation Company, shippers of freight by canal between
Rochester and New York City. He clerked in their office until
■ n he went to Suspension Bridge, New York, as agent of
the Union Express Company, the first organized fast freight line
in America. A circular issued by that company, in August, 1S55,
states that they were ready to make contracts for delivering freight
direct from Detroit, without change of cars, to points on the Chi-
■on ,v St. Louis and Illinois Central railroads; that it was
the only messenger freight express between New York or Boston
and the West. Goods shipped on those days, even by the so-called
1 igi I to be transferred several times before
r destination. The capital stock of the Union Ex-
ompany was $150,000, and the rates on first class freight,
from New Vo ., were Si. 71 a hundred. Among the
names of agen in this circular — there were only ihir-
that of N. A. Skinnet ten m Bridge. Mr. Skinner
nl of this company foi iboi ' three v :irs. and then took a
pK/sition with a banking house at Suspension Bridge, with which
he remained until Decern , 1861. In that month, he cami to
Chicago vork as bill clerk for the Michigan Central
Railroad. II- held that time, and was then pro-
moted to .-. chief clerkship in one of the departments, which he
h>dd for about two years. Mr. Skinner then received an appoint-
ment as contracting agent for the Blue Line Fast Freight, an
auxiliary of the Michigan Central, with headquarters in this city.
He remained in that office for some years, and was then made
freight agent in this city for the Great Western Railway, in whose
service he remained until the opening of the Nickel Plate Line,
in October, 1SS2. He was appointed commercial agent of that
line, now controlled by the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Rail-
road, and has held the position up to date. Mr. Skinner is a most
affable, genial and obliging railroad man, and has always stood in
the highest estimation of his employers and co-laborers. During
his fifteen years' connection with the Michigan Central Railway,
he won hosts of friends, who took occasion, on the first day of Jan-
uary, 1871, to express their admiration for him by the presentation
of a very handsome gold watch and chain as a slight token of the
high regard in which he was held by the donors.
John H. Cook, now general northweste:n freight agent of
the St. Louis & San Francisco Railway, is among the oldest rail-
road men in Chicago, having been in service nearly thirty-six years.
Mr. Cook was born in Otsego County, N. Y., on June 25, 1830.
In 1849, he went to work with the Michigan Central Railway,
when that company's line was only completed to Kalamazoo, and
he commenced on the construction of the road running west from
the above mentioned point. He was so employed until the Michi-
gan Central line was completed to New Buffalo, and then was
given a freight conductor's position, which he held until 1857. He
was then made assistant train manager on the division between
Marshall and Chicago, the line having been completed to this city
early in 1S52. He acted in that capacity for about two years, and
was then given charge of a passenger train which he ran until the
breaking out of the war in 1861. The Michigan Central, at that
time, leased the northern division of the Louisville, New Albany &
Chicago road, and for three years Mr. Cook was their representa-
tive in the south, southeast and southwest territory, with his head-
quarters at Indianapolis. In 1865, he took the position of joint
western passenger agent for the Michigan Central and the line
then known as the Indianapolis iS: Cincinnati Line, with headquar-
ters in Chicago, which office he held for about two years, at which
time the line was abandoned. He then connected himself with
the Pennsylvania Company, and acted as their ticket agent in this
city, with his office under the old Tremont House up to the time of
the fire of 1871. His office was then removed to the temporary
Tremont House, on Michigan Avenue. When the burned district
was being rebuilt, a little brick building was erected on the corner
of Madison and Canal streets, and Mr. Cook moved his office
thereto, selling the first ticket from that building himself, as well
as the very last, when the house was torn down to make greater
improvements. He was with the Pennsylvania line until 1S75, and
then took the position of general agent for what was then known
as the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad. The Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy Railroad ultimately obtained possession of
the Rockford line, and Mr. Cook was sent to St. Louis as their
general southern agent, and remained there three years In 1S80,
he returned to Chicago to accept the office of general northwestern
freight agent of the 'Frisco Line, and he holds that position up
to the present date. Mr. Cook resides at Hinsdale, and is a mem-
ber and treasurer of the Royal Arcanum Lodge, No 785. He
was married at Summerville, Cass Co., Mich., June 3, 1S52, to
Miss Hannah Moore. They have a son, John II. Cook, Jr., an
artistic painter by profession, and a resident of California, and one
daughter, Hattie Cook.
The Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad was
first organized and constructed as the Chicago, Dan-
ville & Vincennes. It was chartered, February 16,
1865, and the main line from Chicago to Terre Haute
was put in operation in the fall of 1872. In 187 1, the
road was completed to the Terre Haute and Chicago rail-
road junction, one hundred and forty miles, giving the
block-coal region of Illinois and Indiana direct connec-
tion with Chicago. The total number of miles operated
by the company, in that year, was two hundred and five.
The officers of the road were: W. D. Judson, president;
Amos Tenney, treasurer; F. E. Irwin, secretary; J. E.
Young, manager; C. K. Mansfield, ticket agent; Charles
Greenwood, freight agent; C. E. Charlesworth, super-
intendent; W. L. Robbins, chief engineer.
The Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Rail-
way has its origin in the Chicago & Cincinnati Air
Line, afterward the Chicago & Creat Eastern Railroad
Company. Up to c 866, the former organization used
the Chicago, Pittsburgh & Ft. Wayne track from Val-
RAILROAD HISTORY.
157
paraiso to this city. During that year, the track
from Richmond, Ind., to Chicago, two hundred and
twenty-four miles, was completed, trains running
into the Chicago & North-Western depot, on Wells
street. In 1867, the Chicago & Cincinnati Air Line,
and the Columbus, Chicago & Indiana Central (for-
merly the Chicago & Great Eastern Railroad) were
consolidated. In 187 1, the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati
& St. Louis Railway Com-
pany operated the Colum-
bus, Chicago & Indiana
Central road, embracing
the Pittsburgh & Colum-
bus, one hundred and nine-
ty-three miles; the Colum-
bus & Cincinnati, one hun-
dred and twenty miles; the
Columbus & Indianapolis,
Richmond & Logansport,
Logansport State Line and
Bradford >S: Chicago roads,
five hundred and eighty-
eight miles; and the Jeffer-
sonville, Madison &: In-
dianapolis Railroad, three
hundred and ten miles ;
total, one thousand two
hundred and eleven miles.
The Chicago & Iowa
Railroad Company was
chartered in March, 1869,
and consolidated with the
Ogle & Carroll County
Railroad in June, 1870.
In December of that year,
the first train ran to Ro-
chelle, and on April 1,
187 1, regular trains passed
over the road to a point
opposite Oregon, on the Rock River. When, in May,
1872, the main line was put in operation from Aurora
to Forreston, eighty miles, a connection was sought
with the Illinois Central, and a route thus opened from
Chicago to Sioux City. An attempt was made to run
trains into Chicago over the tracks of the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy and the Northern Division of the
Illinois Central. But before this plan could be carried
out, the Chicago & North-Western Railway Company
served an injunction which was in force in 1871, and
which rendered inoperative the proposed arrangement.
General Summary. — In the year 1871, when the
period covered by this volume closes, over ten thou-
sand seven hundred miles of road centered in, and was
directly tributary to, Chicago. Seventy-five trains
were leaving the city daily. The aggregate earnings
of all the railroad companies were $82,776,984, of which
sum, $29,175,119 represented the net profits.
The roads projected into Chicago in 187 1, but not
built, were as follows: Chicago, Decatur & St. Louis,
one hundred and thirty-five miles; Chicago & Paducah,
two hundred and fifty miles; Chicago, Pekin & South-
western, seventy miles; Chicago, Omaha & St. Joseph,
four hundred miles; Chicago & Canada Southern, two
hundred and twenty-five miles; Chicago & Pacific, one
hundred and forty miles; Baltimore & Ohio, two hun-
dred and sixty miles; Chicago & Illinois, three hun-
dred miles; Chicago & LaSalle, two hundred and fifty
miles; Wisconsin Midland Chicago & Portage), one
hundred miles; Continental, three hundred miles; Chi-
cago, Danville & Vincenncs (extension), one hundred
^mk^
PUI LMAN OFFICES AND RUINS.
and seventy - five miles;
total, two thousand six
hundred and five miles.
Before closing, a brief
reference must be made
to the railroad legislation
of a general character, en-
acted previous to 1871.
The most important was
that undertaken
pursuant to the
Constitution of
1 870, which made
provision for the
regulation of
railroad traffic by
the State. In
July, 187 1, an act was passed establishing the rates
for freight and passenger traffic. At the same time
authority was given to the Governor of Illinois to
appoint three railroad commissioners, who were to
annually receive the certified reports of the different
companies. The legislation caused much commo-
tion and not a little indignation among the railroad
companies, and although they made their reports to
the commissioners, it was under protest, and with the
expressed determination to appeal the constitutionality
of the law to the Supreme Court. A presentation of
this interesting question, which became one of national
importance, will be treated in the next volume.
Pullman's Palace Car Company. — In order that
the narrative of this corporation may be presented in
complete form, its publication is deferred until the third
volume.
Railroad Traffic. — Until the railroad and ware-
house commission was established, in the summer of
1871, there was absolutely no official source from which
to obtain statistics exhibiting the traffic, by freight and
passengers, which passed over the roads centering in
Chicago. The panic in 1857 seriously crippled the
operation of the railroads, so that for several years
thereafter their earnings show a marked decrease. In
1857, speaking in round numbers, the passenger earn-
ings amounted to eight million dollars, and t he freight
to eight and three-quarter millions. By the next year,
the passenger earnings had fallen off nearly a million
of dollars ami the freight nearly two millions. In
1S59, the passenger earnings were $5,900,000, and the
I J 58
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
freight $S.ooo.ooo: while in i860 the items were: for
passenger traffic, $5,800,000 ; for freight, $10,800,000.
The period of the war is no criterion by which to judge
of the normal and permanent increase of railroad
traffic : but. by 1S69. the passenger earnings amounted
to Si 1.967.730, and the total dividends of the roads
$13,967,735, thus showing that their freight business
about paid all operating expenses. For the year end-
ing June 30, TS71, the passenger earnings were
$14,655,000, and the freight $35,024,000.
First Regular Time Table. — As a matter of
interest in this topic, an account is inserted of the first
regular time table issued in Chicago. The Galena &
Chicago Union line was completed to Elgin on January
j j. 1850. At that time, four locomotives and about
fortv freight cars were "running on the road." John
Ebliert. the first engineer on the line, who is still living,
had been giving verbal directions for the running of
trains: and A. W. Adams, now in the ticket auditing
department of the Chicago & North-Western Railway,
is quite positive that previous to 1850 he prepared a
rough time table, to- apply as far as St. Charles. But
the combined efforts of the ''management," consisting
principally of the employes and clerks stationed at the
depot, and Mr. Ebbert, the engineer, resulted in the
first general time table ever issued by a Chicago rail-
road. By the common consent of those now living,
who are conversant with the facts in the case, the credit
of making the perfected draft of the table is given to
Norman K. Turner, now of Ypsilanti, Mich., his co-
laborers in its preparation being Mr. Adams, Charles
Wade, now a bookkeeper at Norton's Mills, and C. D.
Smith, also a resident of Chicago. The original docu-
ment long afterward passed into Mr. Ebbert's posses-
sion, who in turn presented it to Phillip A. Hall,
assistant superintendent of the Galena & Chicago
Union road under President Turner. In 1884, Mr.
Hall deposited it with the Chicago Historical Society,
and thus it has fallen to the publishers of this history
to reproduce this fac-simile.
T1
<?/<n^-^0
vf<^»
}n*.c
f ?H
l£i<&£*-C- C-'C-
g-g-g^
°s
TIME TABLE GALENA RAILROAD.
MILITARY HISTORY.
AWAKENING OF THE WAR SPIRIT.
During the last week of 1S60, the smouldering fire
of indignation and wrath, kept burning in the hearts of
patriotic Union men by the pusillanimous and aggra-
vating conduct of national affairs, was kindled into a
flame that burned clear and bright, until the necessity
for its duration was terminated by the surrender of
General Lee. In that week, the heroic Anderson aban-
doned Fort Moultrie, and, loyal to his country and his
flag, took possession of the ocean fortress, Sumter ; for
this act, receiving the censure of the President of the
United States. In that week, the Palmetto flag was
hoisted over Fort Moultrie and Castle Pinckney, and
the United States Arsenal, at Charleston, with seventy-
three thousand stand of government arms, passed into
the hands of the insurgents. During that week. South
Carolina held her first Treason Convention, absolved
United States officers from their oath of allegiance to
the Constitution, and lowered the Old Flag from the
Custom House and Post-office, at Charleston — the col-
lector of customs announcing to the Convention there
sitting, that he and his subordinates had commenced
receiving duties under the authority of South Carolina,
and granting clearances to vessels in the name of the
same State. During that week, John B. Floyd resigned
his seat in the cabinet, as Secretary of War, enraged
that he was not strong enough to remove Major Ander-
son from Fort Sumter and remand its garrison to Fort
Moultrie. The citizens of Chicago, eager to define
their position before the country, and to publicly avow
their loyalty, called a meeting, to be held at Bryan
Hall, on Saturday evening, January 5, 1861, for the
purpose of expressing their views in relation to this
crisis in National affairs. The meeting was called with-
out distinction of party, and had the cordial indorse-
ment of men of all shades of political faith, but who
were united in favor of sustaining the Union and the
Constitution, and enforcing the laws of the United
States.
The call was signed by the following citizens : C. H.
Ray, Benjamin F. Taylor, William Bross, L. C. P.
Freer, E. I. Tinkham, O. Kendall, George A. Ingalls,
E. R. T. Armstrong, D. W Lamberson, M. C. Eames,
Edward Voss, J. Q. Hoyt. W. B. Keen, A. Bigelow, L.
P. Hilliard, J. F. Campbell, C. B. Farwell, A. Gibbs,
John Grey, William T. Barron, A L. Coe, C. Follans-
bee. William H. Rice, George A. Springer, Merrill Fol-
lansbee, L, B. Taft, Norman Williams, Jr., W. Windoes,
F. D. Owens, Sidney Smith, William W. Farwell, John
Evan, L. Nowlin, Fred. Tuttle, Charles Walker, B. W.
Raymond, W. W. Danenhower, Luther Haven, J. L.
Marsh, Gilbert C. Walker, Dr. Daniel Brainard, J. S.
Greene, Charles H. Curtis, E. H. Hadduck, B. B. Stiles,
Fred. Harding, Van H. Higgins, J. W. Chickering, A.
C. Hesing, Henry Wendt, Dr. Max Myers, Joseph D.
Webster, N. Eschenburg, Robert Law, W. H. Bruns, C.
Vorpahl, R. Wehrli, R. K. Swift, Julius Rosenthal,
Gage Brother & Drake, William H. Brown, George A.
Meech, James A. Hoes, S. S. Hayes, Grant E. Garlock,
J. K. Botsford, Hooker & Jones, H. D. Colvin, Horace
White, S. A. Irwin, Thomas B. Bryan, George P. Han-
sen, John A. Bross, T. B. Carter, Mathew Laflin, D. V.
Bell, "A. G. Throop, H. B. Stearns, R. A. Mills & Co.,
E. G. Hook, H. F. Mather, Benjamin F. Quimby, John
H. Kinzie, John A. Nichols, Thomas Lonergan, J. W.
Waughop, George McElvaine, Elliott Anthony, Robert
Hervey, S. P. Warner, John Long, J. R. Mills & Co.,
John VanArnam, John Nutt, Warren Miller, E. 1'.
Towne, Root & Cady, C. Bently, S. A. Goodwin, E. C.
Larned. I. N. Arnold, E. VanBuren, George Manierre,
John C. Haines, C. W. Clark, E. Salomon, L. Brentano,
C. L. Diehl, Leopold Mayer, Ernst Prussing, E. Borne-
manus, George Schneider, Heinrich Bendly, R. Nelle-
gar, E. Schlaeger, Adolph Loeb.
The meeting was one of the largest ever assembled
in the city. All trades, professions, and business inter-
ests, as well as antagonistic political parties and opin-
ions, were represented at this, the first Union meeting
in Chicago, but all were united on the question of abid-
ing firmly by the Constitution and the Union. S. S.
Hayes, Esq., a prominent Democrat of the city and
state, officiated as chairman. The members of the Com-
mittee on ResoIutions,were S. A. Goodwin, W. K. McAl-
lister, J. Lyle King, J. W. Sheahan, E. VanBuren, John
C. Rogers, E. C. Larned, ]. VanArnam and Digby V.
Bell.
While the committee were preparing resolutions,
speeches were made by General R. K. Swift, and by
William Bross, of the Chicago Tribune. General
Swift also offered a resolution indorsing the course of
Major Anderson, which was received with the most tu-
multuous enthusiasm. A few short and radical resolu-
tions were presented by A. D. Bradley, one of which
contained the following sentence :
" We have neither compromise nor concession to offer dis-
unionists arrayed in open rebellion to the Government, or their
aiders and abettors."
Among the resolutions presented by the committee,
were the following :
"Sesohed,Thai in view of what is now transpiring in South Car-
olina, and other of the Southern States, and of the threats to pre-
vent the inauguration of a President constitutionally elected, it is
incumbent upon the loyal people of the several States to be pre-
pared to render all the aid, military and otherwise, to the enforce-
ment of the Federal laws, which may be necessary when thereunto
constitutionally required.
" Resolved, That as long as men in any part of the country are
plotting the destruction of the Government, or engaged in lawless
outrages upon the public property — while the flag of the nation is
insulted, and its public defenses seized upon — while the authority
of the laws is denied and resisted, we will ignore all political dis-
tinctions and divisions, and, forgetful whether we are Democrats or
Republicans, remember only that we are citizens and stand shoul-
der to shoulder in defense of the Constitution, the Union and the
laws.
"/iVjv/rr,/, That while we freely and fearlessly express our opin-
ion as to what is the duty of citizens and States, in case of an ille-
gal and unnecessary disruption of the Union, we most distinctly
declare that in our judgment there should be an exhaustion of
peaceful measures before the sword shall be drawn, and, therefore,
we are in favor of any just, honorable and constitutional settlement
of the entire question of African slavery, that Congress shall adopl
and the people 'ratify."
Resolutions followed, approving and indorsing the
i6o
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
course of Major Anderson, and of all loyal men at the
South, and also one which caused much debate and dif-
ference of opinion. It was as follows:
•' We regard none of the alleged grievances, of which either
section complain, as any sufficient ground for a dissolution of the
Union. We believe that all these mutual subjects of difference
can be better settled in the Union than out of it. That all such
difficulties should be considered and arranged in a spirit of mutual
forbearance and good will. That whatever these difficulties may
be. they will only be aggravated by a dissolution of the Union,
and that men of all political parties, in both sections of the country.
should be ready to make great concessions to restore peace and
harmony between the different sections of the country."
The expression, " make great concessions," caused
the last resolution to be vehemently opposed by many
present, and the resolution of Mr. Bradley, ending with
••no compromise to offer disunionists," was received
with renewed applause when again offered to the assem-
bly. The discussion that followed was warm and earn-
est, but the report of the committee was finally adopted,
although against the protest of many Union men
present.
After the excitement of the Bryan Hall meeting had
partially subsided, many who had finally voted for the
disputed resolution, began even more seriously to con-
sider what " Great Concessions " might mean to the
great mass of people, to whom this meeting would voice
the sentiment of Chicago. The Tribune, while giving
full credit for sincerity and purity of purpose to all
Union men, both those who drew up and those who
voted for the resolution, condemned the resolution
itself, in strong terms, as liable to abuse and miscon-
struction, and as committing all its avowed supporters
to its meaning, as construed according to the ordinary
interpretation of the language in which it was clothed.
The feeling on the subject strengthened daily, culmi-
nating January 10, in a call for another meeting, signed
bv many of the citizens whose names were affixed to the
former call, and also by others who had had no partici-
pation in it. This was headed " The Constitution as it
is," and read as follows:
" The undersigned, citizens of the United States, being op-
posed to sending forth to the people of the Union as the sentiments
of the people of the city of Chicago, and the Northwest, the reso-
lutions passed at the so-called " Union Meeting," held Saturday
last January 5, at liryan Hall, would ask those citizens opposed to
granting " Great Concessions," where no usurpations of powers or
rights are acknowledged, to meet at Metropolitan Hall, on Monday
evening, the 14th instant, and give to the world their views and sen-
timents concerning the dangers now besetting our country."
lion. George Manierre presided at this meeting,
which was a most enthusiastic one. It was entirely
under the control of the most radical and decided
Union men of the city — and the resolutions were radi-
cal accordingly. The speeches of the evening were by
Judge Manierre, John Lyle King, Grant Goodrich, A.
I). Bradley and John Wentworth, of Chicago.
April 13, 186 1, terminated all uncertainty as to the
ty for preparations for war. At noon on that
day, the Union flag was lowered from the walls of Sum-
ter at the summons of traitors, and Major Anderson and
his little command forced i" surrender the crumbling
fort.
On Saturday evening, April 13, telegraphic dis-
patches announced the bombardment of tin- fort. The
following d to be long remembered in Chi-
of those beautiful, cloudless spring
days that so rarely visit the west, and in the sweet April
air floated the 0 d flag from spire and bah ony, office and
warehouse, mast and dwelling. From early mor g until
late at night, the usually quiet Sunday sheets were
thronged with an eager, indignant, troubli 'I people, all
intent on one subject, and swayed by a common feeling.
Men of all parties talked only of the indignity done the
flag of the country, and the necessity of preserving its
honor as a priceless heritage. The dispatches of the
evening before had wrought every one up to a state of
most intense excitement, and how it was faring with be-
lt agured Sumter was the all-absorbing topic of interest.
Governor Yates was in the city, and his headquarters at
the 'Fremont House were besieged by crowds of citi-
zens, anxious to know what the State would do in this
crisis. Even thus early, he was tendered the services of
several Chicago companies. The Germans congregated
in their halls and saloons,'and gave full expression to
that patriotism and zeal for their adopted country,
which they later proved by heroic conduct on the
field. Dr. Patton, at the First Congregational Church,
told his congregation that the crisis had arrived in which
every Christian might rise from his knees and shoulder
his rifle, and that Sumter, if taken by the foe like Bunker
Hill, so, like Bunker Hill, it must be retaken. Robert
Collyer, at the Second Unitarian, Rev. Mr. Corning, at
the Plymouth Congregational, and, indeed, the preach-
ers at nearly every church in the city, spoke only of
"war and rumors of war."
On Monday, the 15th, Governor Yates was called
upon for six regiments of militia for immediate service.
A grand rally of the people at Metropolitan Hall was
called for the evening of the 16th. After the exciting
events of the last two days, no hall in the city could
hold the thronging multitudes, and a double meeting
was held — the second assemblage gathering on Ran-
dolph Street. Hon. Norman B. Judd was president of
the Metropolitan Hall meeting. The enthusiasm of the
people knew no bounds — speeches, songs, resolutions,
were received with cheers, such as the building never
heard before. Hon. Owen Lovejoy made the grand
speech of the evening. He was followed by Hon. I. N.
Arnold, then Representative in Congress from the Chi-
cago District ; by Julian S. Rumsey, republican candi-
date for mayor ; and by Messrs. T. J. Sloan, A. D.
Bradley, B. F. Millard, George W. Gage, S. M. Wilson,
and Hon. U. F. Finder. The new song, by George F.
Root, "The First Gun is Fired ! May God Protect the
Right," was sung by Messrs. Lumbard, and was re-
ceived with redoubled cheers. On April 15, the day
upon which Governor Yates was called upon for six
regiments as the quota assigned to Illinois, he issued a
proclamation, calling a special session of the Legisla-
ture, members to convene on the 23d of April, for the
purpose of enacting laws and adopting measures —
" For the more perfect organization and equipment of the militia
of the State, and placing the same upon the best footing to render
efficient assistance to the General Government in preserving the
Union, enforcing the laws, and protecting the property and rights
of the people ; and, also, to raise such money or other means as
may be required to carry out the foregoing objects."
General Order No. 1 was issued on the same day,
from headquarters at Springfield, directing all com-
mandants of divisions, brigades, regiments, and com-
panies to hold themselves in readiness for actual ser-
vice. On the 16th, General Order No. 2 was issued,
calling for the immediate organization of six regiments,
lo he mustered into the service of the United States on
the 19th.
War Material in Chicago. — At the opening of
the vear i.Xfii, the various companies of citizen soldiery,
which, in the "piping times of peace," had gaily pa-
raded the streets of Chicago, or, as dashing Zouaves,
won prizes and praises in other cities, had ceased to
actively exist. As the shadow of the rising cloud of
AWAKENING OF THE WAR SPIRIT.
war in the East reached westward, it was time to look
about and see what military material was still left in the
city.
The old military companies had been enrolled in
two regiments — the 6oth Regiment, I. S. M., and the
Washington Independent Regiment, No. i.
The 6oth Regiment was now commanded by
Colonel Joseph H. Tucker, Colonel Ezra Taylor having
resigned. The balance of the field and staff offices
were vacant. The companies composing it were the
Chicago Light Dragoons, Chicago Light Guard, Emmet
Guards, Montgomery Guards, Shields' Guards, U. S.
Zouave Cadets, and Chicago Light Artillery. The
boundaries of the 6oth Regimental District were as fol-
lows : Beginning at the northeast corner of fractional
Section 33, 40, 14, on the shore of Lake Michigan, and
running west along north line of Sections 33, 32, and
31, to the north branch of Chicago River ; thence north-
erly up said river to west line of Township 40, 14, and
Township 39, 14 ; thence south to southwest corner of
Township 39, 14 ; thence east along south line of said
Township 39, 14, to Lake Michigan ; thence northerly
along said lake to place of beginning.
The Washington Independent Regiment was
commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Shirley, its
colonelcy being vacant by the death of Colonel William
H. Davis. Its Major was W. H. Wallis, and there were
no other regimental officers. Its companies were the
Highland Guards, Washington Light Cavalry, Wash-
ington Rifles, Washington Grenadiers, and Black Yager
Rifles.
These two regiments formed the Second Brigade of
the Sixth Division, Illinois State Militia, commanded
by Brigadier-General R. K. Swift, who had three aides
with rank of major. These were William S. Johnson,
Jr., John Ross and E. W. Griffin. Major Charles B.
Brown was quartermaster.
In January, 1861, the status of these several com-
panies, formerly the pride and glory of Chicago, was
anything but satisfactory. The old militia system had
borne heavily on both the time and finances of men and
officers, and as the belief had been forced upon all that
the showy glories of parade and drill did not com-
pensate for a depleted purse or the possible neglect of
more important duties, the military spirit had gradually
died out, and the drill room had been abandoned.
The Chicago Light Dragoons, organized by
Captain Charles W. Barker, in April, 1856, and still
commanded by him, had rapidly risen in favor and
popularity. With their scarlet hussar pelisses and gay
accoutrements, they formed a brilliant feature in a holi-
day parade, and the strict discipline and thorough
training of Captain Barker had made them proficient in
each feature of company drill. The money pressure
had proved too much for them, however, and now their
equipments were seldom taken from the racks where
they lay in the old Armory Building, on the corner of
Monroe and LaSalle streets, in which had been the drill
room of nearly every city company. The arms of the
dragoons — pistols and sabres — belonged to the State,
the latter being in good condition, the former worth-
less.
The Chicago Light Guard, organized by Cap-
tain J. B. Wyman, in February, 1854, was par excellence,
for years the crack corps of the Northwest. In
the old Armory Light Guard Hall, in Couch's building,
the company formerly drilled, and to be a guardsman
then was to be envied by all less favored mortals. Now
the few left, who were faithful to the tradition of their
former greatness, occasionally drilled at the Armory
Building, under the leadership of Lieutenant George W.
Gage. Forty -two Minie muskets, well kept and in good
condition, a gallant prestige and unblemished name,
were all the Light Guards could now bring to the ser-
vice of the country.
The Emmet Guards, organized May, 1854, by
Captain Patrick O'Connor, and commanded as late as
1858 by Captain D. C. Skelly, as a corps was extinct.
Dust and devouring rust had brought their forty
altered-over muskets to a state more formidable to
friend than foe, and they were allowed to keep ward
and watch over the vacated room in the upper floors of
the block on the corner of Randolph and Wells streets,
where their owners once drilled with Irish energy. In
the same room was another case of forty equally
valuable muskets, carried for many years by the Mont-
gomery Guards — the longest established company in
the city, its existence dating back to the spring of 1842,
when it was organized by Captain Patrick Kelly. Un-
der Captain Michael Gleason, it had maintained its
reputation as one of the best Irish companies in the
Northwest, from 1850 until three years before the
breaking out of the war, when it succumbed to the
pressure of hard times, and was now practically among
the things of the past.
The Shields Guards, a company composed mostly
of mechanics, and organized November 25, 1854, under
Captain Charles E. Moore, was still alive, officered and
keeping up its drill. Thirty-six names were on its roll, and
its officers were: Captain, James Quirk; First Lieuten-
ant, D. Crowley; Second Lieutenant, James H. Lane.
Their armory and drill room was in North Market Hall,
and their arms fifty old-style muskets, worth about the
value of their weight in old iron. The Shields Guards
was the first Chicago Company that took measures to
offer its services to the Government. This was done
in accordance with resolutions passed at their Armory
on the evening of January 14, 1861, while the excite-
ment in regard to the treasonable proceedings at Charles-
ton was at its height. Their fourth resolution was:
" Resolved, That we, the Shields Guards of the City of Chicago,
laying aside for the present our individual political predilections, and
having in view only the interest and demands of our common country,
tender our services as citizen soldiers, to the Commander-in-Chief
of the Army of the United States, to be by him placed in whatever
position our country calls upon us to fill."
The United States Zouave Cadets had dis-
banded soon after their return from their Eastern tour,
and their arms had passed from their possession.
The Chicago Light Artillery, one of the oldest
and best of the city military companies, organized in
1854, with James Smith as captain, was alive and in
good shape for duty ; its officers being — Captain, Ezra
Taylor; First Lieutenant, Amos Grannis; Second Lieu-
tenant, Darius Knights ; Third Lieutenant, Cyrus P.
Bradley. Fifty men were enrolled, and at their rooms
at the Armory, corner Franklin and Cedar streets, were
four brass six-pounders, with caissons and harness
complete, all in excellent order. This company was
made up of reliable material, and was conceded
to be one of the best organizations of the kind in that
branch of military service. The companies described
constituted the 60th Regiment. But one company —
the Artillery — had both men and arms fit for immediate
service. The Light Guard had arms, but no men ; the
Shields Guards had men, but worthless arms; and
the remaining fpur companies were, to all outward
appearance, extinct as organizations.
Of the companies constituting the Washington In-
dependent Regiment, the Highland Guards, organized
l62
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
May io, 1855, still retained a military organization, its
officers being — John McArthur, captain; Alexander W.
Ratten, first lieutenant: John Wood, second lieutenant.
Captain McArthur was an excellent officer, and the
Highland Guards had ranked among the best of the
city military companies. It was now reduced to thirty-
five members, who still kept up their drill at their Ar-
mory in Lind's Block. South LaSalle Street, where
they had a neatly furnished reading room and a well-
selected library. The company offered their services
"for the preservation of the Union and the enforce-
ment of the laws" a few days after the Shields Guards,
and immediately commenced extra drill, and took
measures to fill their ranks. This company had no arms
fit for service.
The Washington Light Cavalry, a German
company, commanded by Captain Frederick Schambeck,
with Henry Stupp as first lieutenant, was composed of
forty mounted men, each armed with carbine, sabre and
pistol.
The Washington Rifles, Washington Grenadiers and
Black Yager Rifles were also German companies. The
Washington Rifles, commanded by Captain Fred. Mat-
tern, with John Morat as first lieutenant, mustered
twenty-five men, armed with United States rifles.
Twenty men were on the roll of the Grenadiers, their
officers being — Captain, T. Weiler ; First Lieutenant,
John Schmidt; and Second Lieutenant, Martz Franzen.
The Black Yagers numbered twenty-two men, also
armed with United States muskets. They were com-
manded by Captain M. Marx.
In addition to the companies comprised in the two
regiments, an independent company of Zouaves had
been organized in the city, of which James R. Hayden
was captain ; S. Hosmer, first lieutenant ; and B. F.
Yates, second lieutenant. This corps was organized
on the ruins of the Zouave Cadets, the drill and uniform
being the same. The Minie muskets and a brass
mounted howitzer, originally borrowed from Missouri
for the drill of the Cadets, were now in the possession
of the new company of Zouaves.
Probably the united military organizations of the
city, at the opening of 1861, could not muster over
one hundred and fifty men, fully equipped according to
their regulations. Four brass six-pounders, one moun-
tain howitzer, about fifty good muskets, and as many
inferior rifles, constituted the arms ready for immediate
service.
Reorganization of Rkgiments. — On the receipt
of the news from South Carolina, the military spirit be-
came freshly aroused. Old companies revived, and
new ones sprung into life. During the first week of
February, a meeting of citizens was held for the purpose
of procuring arms from the State, and measures origin-
ated, in order to place the Highland Guards in proper
condition for active service, if required. The first new
military company formed was that of Captain Frederick
Harding, which received the silk flag promised by J. H.
McVicker to the "first company organized in Chicago
for the support of the Government," he, at the same
time, pledging himself to "make one of twenty who
will clc - npany during the war."
The Zoua 0 revived, the old members
uniting with the already existing company of Independ-
ent Zouaves rder Captain Hayden. Measures were
let afoot for the formation of a Zouave regiment, and
a call issued for th< reorganization -of the corps for
sterner duties than had hitherto fallen to its lot. fol-
lowing are the name of tin- old Zouaves who signed
this call, among them those who proved through ilic
coming years of strife that they were no Carpet
Knights, but earnest, loyal and brave men, and that
the discipline to which they had been subjected was
such as would stand the test of war : James V. Guthrie,
Presly N. Guthrie, William Dehrend, Henry S. Wade,
Charles H. Hosmer, James W. Dewitt, A. A. Bice, G.
True, Samuel I. Nathans, Charles C. Smith, R. R. W.
Lock, W. M. Olcott, Frank Rogers, W. B. Smith, L. B.
Hand, William H Cutler, John A. Baldwin, Albert B.
Hatch, Edwin L. Brand, I. B. Taylor, G. Q. White,
L. L. James, William Inness, John C. Long, Cha.'les
Varges, John H. Clybourn, James A. Clybourn, Henry
Kelly, William N. Danks, John Parsons, James G.
McAdams and Lucius Larrabee.
On the evening of January 8, 1861, the Germans
held their first war meeting in Chicago, in their hall on
the corner of Indiana and North Wells streets. They
organized by appointing Fidel Schund as chairman
and W. S. Eschenburg as secretary. Casper Butz and
E. Schlaeger addressed the meeting in German, and
patriotic resolutions were drawn up and adopted with
true Teutonic fervor. They emphatically announced
to Chicago and the world that they had " no conces-
sions to make," and expressed their approval and-
admiration of the course of Major Anderson, not alone
by resolution, but by voting him the gift of an elegant
sword.
On the 1 st of February, the Hungarians, Bohe-
mians and other Sclavic nationalities organized them-
selzes into a rifle company, under the lead of Geza
Mihalotzy, who afterward followed the flag of his
adopted country from Missouri to Georgia, and finally
laid down his life in its defense while leading a charge
at Tunnel Hill. The old companies drilled diligently,
and filled up their ranks during the early months of the
year, fearing, yet hardly believing, that war would
come in earnest.
When Sumter was fired on, and Governor Yates
issued his proclamation, on April 15, calling for volun-
teer troops to aid in preserving the Union, Chicago
lost no time in responding to the call. On the 16th,
the infantry company of Captain Fred. Harding, and
the Chicago Dragoons, Captain Charles R. Barker,
offered their services to the Governor, and were ac-
cepted. A day or two later the Washington Independ-
ent Regiment was tendered entire. The ranks of the
Zouaves rapidly filled ; companies " A " and " B " were
already ready for service, under Captains Hayden and
Clybourn, and, by the 18th, sufficient names had been
offered to commence the formation of a Zouave regi-
ment, which was to be organized under their old com-
mander, Captain Joseph R. Scott. Captain Ezra
Taylor's company of Light Artillery, which had during
the winter added two howitzers to its four brass field-
pieces, and was acknowledged to be one of the best
drilled companies in the Northwest, formally tendered
its services to the President for the defense of Wash-
ington. New companies were rapidly formed, recruit-
ing offices were thronged with men, ready and anxious
to enroll their names among the defenders of the old
flag, and only fearful lest the requisite number would
be made up and their names left out.
Action of the Citizens. — War meetings, crowded
with patriotic, excited multitudes, were held in the
various city halls. On the evening of April 18th, a
double meeting, for the purpose of taking measures to
arm and equip the Chicago volunteers, was held at
Bryan and .Metropolitan halls. Committees, represent-
ing the various interests of the city, vied with each
other in the magnitude and liberality of their offerings.
AWAKENING OF THE WAR SPIRIT
163
The Chicago Bench was represented by Judges Thomas
Drummond, J. M. Wilson, and George Manierre ; the
banks, by Lieutenant Governor Hoffman, B. F. Carver,
and E. I. Tinkham ; the railroads, by William R.
Arthur, George M. Gray, and C. G. Hammond ; the
citizens, by William B. Ogden, Samuel Hoard, and E.
H. Hadduck ; the surgeons, by l)rs. Daniel Brainard,
N. S. Davis, and Levi D. Boone. The committee rep-
resenting the Board of Trade was composed of one
hundred of the most influential members of that body
The two halls were densely packed, with earnest, loyal
men, ready, and more than willing, to do their utmost
for their country and all who helped to defend it.
Judge Drummond presided at the meeting held at
Bryan Hall. After patriotic speeches, made by Rev.
Mr. Corning, S. S. Hayes, John Wentworth, I. N.
Arnold, George W. Gage, and others, the regular busi-
ness of the meeting commenced. About $9,000 were
subscribed within a few minutes, which was increased
to $36,000 in the next twenty-four hours. The banks
of Chicago, through their committees, made a tender of
§500,000 to the Governor, that the State might be
enabled to respond to the requisition from Washington
in advance of the assembling of the Legislature. A
Military Finance Committee was appointed, in whose
charge the city fund was to be placed, and whose
special duty was the equipment of volunteers and the
care and support of their families. This first War
Finance Committee was composed of the following gen-
tlemen : Julian S. Rumsey, E. H. Hadduck, Thomas
B. Bryan, L. P. Hilliard, Orrington Lunt, B. F. Carver,
Philip Conley, Fred. Letz, P. L. Underwood, George
Armour, J. J. Richards, Hiram E. Mathers, F. G.
Adams, J. L. Hancock, E. B. Loomis, Robert Law,
George W. Gage, Alexander White, C. G. Wicker,
Redmond Prindiville, G. S. Hubbard, Samuel Hoard,
E. I. Tinkham, T. J. Kinsella, R. M. Hough, Eliphalet
Wood, Nelson Tuttle, H. E. Sargent, J. Gale, U. H.
Crosby. The Finance Committee elected E. H. Had-
duck, H. F. Mather, Samuel Hoard, J. S. Rumsey, A.
E. Kent, Thomas B. Bryan, L. P. Hilliard> and O.
Lunt as their executive committee.
On the 19th, Governor Yates was ordered by the
Secretary of War, to send immediately to Cairo a brig-
adier-general and four regiments of militia. This
place, at the extreme southern point of free territory
and commanding the navigation of the Ohio and Miss-
issippi rivers, was subject to hostile invasion from either
Missouri, Kentucky or Tennessee. It was necessary
that it should be occupied by loyal troops, and it was
imperatively the duty of Illinois to protect her own
border.
The following dispatch was accordingly sent to Brig-
adier-General Swift at Chicago:
"Springfield, April 19, 1S61.
"General Swift.
"As quick as possible have as strong a force as you can raise,
armed and equipped with ammunition and accoutrements, and a com-
pany of artillery, ready to march at a moment's warning. A mes-
senger will start to Chicago to-night.
"Richard Yates,
"Commander-in-Chief."
At noon on the 21st, only forty-eight hours after this
dispatch was delivered, General Swift left Chicago with
a force of five hundred and ninety-five men and four
six-pounder pieces of artillery, his command consisting
of the following companies: Co. " A," Chicago Zou-
aves, Captain James R. Hayden ; Co. "I!," Chicago
Zouaves, Captain John H. Clybourn; Chicago Light In-
fantry, Captain Frederick Harding; Turner Union Ca-
dets, Captain Kowald; Lincoln Rifles, Captain Geza
Mihalotzy; Co. " A," Chicago Light Artillery, Captain
James Smith
In spite of the efforts of citizens and friends, these
companies left the city in poor shape for active service.
No arms could be procured, except such as could be
hastily gathered from stores and shops in Chicago, and
the battery was only provided with slugs, and a small
quantity of canister manufactured for the emergency by
Miller Brothers, hardware merchants on State Street.
The boys had the best that could be found, however, and
left Chicago in good spirits, sure that better would
come. The expedition arrived at Big Muddy Bridge,
on the Illinois Central Railroad, at fiveo'clock on the
morning of the 22d, and detaching there Captain I lay-
den's company and a section of Chicago Artillery to
guard the bridge, reached Cairo at eight o'clock the
following morning. A day latter the force was joined
by three additional batteries: Captain Houghtaling's, of
Ottawa, Captain Hawley's of Plainfield, and Captain
Carr's, of Sandwich — all of Illinois.
Recruiting in Chicago: — The work of recruiting
in Chicago progressed rapidly Captain Joseph Kel-
logg opened a recruiting office, on the corner of Clark
and Randolph streets, on the 1 8th of April, and on the
20th offered his filled company to the Governor, which
was accepted ; James R. Hugunin also raised a com-
pany, which was accepted — these two being the only
Chicago companies in the first six regiments organized
under the first call from the Government. They were
mustered into the service of the United States at Spring-
field, May 2d; Captain Kellogg's company being desig-
nated Co. "A," and Captain Hugunin's, Co. " K," of
the 12th Illinois Regiment, Colonel John McArthur.
On the 10th of May, the regiment, forming a part of the
First Brigade, Colonel Benjamin M. Prentiss command-
ing, was ordered to Cajro.
The officers of Co. " A " at the time it was mustered
into service were: Captain, Joseph Kellogg; F'irst
Lieutenant, John Noyes; Second Lieutenant, J. B. Row-
land. On May nth, Arthur C. Ducat was mustered in
as second lieutenant in place of J. B. Rowland.
The officers of Co. "K" were : Captain, James
R. Hugunin ; First Lieutenant, William E. Waite ;
Second Lieutenant, Eben Bacon.
The companies of Captains Harding, Hayden, and
Clvbourn returned from Cairo to Springfield on the
2d of May, with the expectation of joining this regi-
ment, but were too late ; and were mustered out of the
State service, with allowance of one month's pay, under
a special act of the Legislature, then in session.
On the 20th of April, the loyal Irishmen of Chi-
cago commenced the formation of the celebrated Irish
Brigade, the already organized Irish companies in the
city forming its nucleus. With the brave and devoted
James A. Mulligan as leader, it took but little time to
organize the regiment that made the name of Lexing-
ton famous anew in the war annals of the United
States.
On April 20th, the Scandinavians, too, organized,
tinder the leadership of C. J. Stoltrand, who had served
in the Swedish army, as artilleryman, many years.
Swedish Consul Rundell was untiring in Ins efforts to
make this company an honor to his own and to his
adopted country. Another Swedish company was
organized, somewhat later, in Chicago, under Captain
Andrew Torkilson, and became, as Co. " A," a
part of the celebrated Scandinavian Brigade raided in
Wisconsin. Not only were military companies formed
for active service abroad, but those exempted from such
164
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
dutv. bv age or other circumstances, formed themselves
into home companies, and drilled as diligently and
faithfully as their sons or younger neighbors.
One of these organizations, composed of citizens
over forty-five years of age. and called " The Old
Guard." or " The Home Guard." was formed on the
20th of April, and the following names signed to the
muster-roll on the same day. at the meeting of the Board
of Trade : Van H. Higgins, lames H. Rees, Daniel
H. Boss. G. Herbert, H. N. Heald, F. B. Gardner, Wil-
liam Arbuckle, L. C. P. Freer. L. Doyle, George Ander-
son. Fdward Croft. William Osborn, J. G. Hamilton,
R. P. McLean. J. P.. Gookins, J. S. Bangs, William H.
Bradlev. J. O. Humphrey, Reuben Tayler, Benjamin
F. Hadduck, Walter Kimball, J. W. Chickering, Joseph
H. Moore, Joel A. Kinney, Giles Fitch, Samuel Stone,
G. A. Springer, A. Huntington. O. Kendall. J. W. Van-
Osdel, John B. Rice. Samuel McKay, T. Drummond,
James Campbell, J. Johnson, Samuel Miles, H. H.Yates,
S. A. Ford, Bradford Stone, R. M. Carter, P. L. Yoe,
T. H. Woodworth, William Tames, Caleb Shaw, Alfred
Dutch. William A. Ingalls, W. Hutchings, Albert Smith,
C. E. Thompson, Andrew Akin, J. C. Cunningham, W.
L. Felton, Ebenezer O. Nash, Luke Colburn, Luther
Nichols, I. C. Walter, E. S. Wadsworth, G. N. Read-
ing, E. O" Sullivan, A. S. Fay, C. Rees, S. Marsh, M. E.
Coe, J. Speer, Harvey Danks, Timothy Hamlin, M.
Grants, Joseph McPherson, Sylvester Lind, J. Cart-
wright. T. Doty. The officers of this organization,
elected April 22, were : Captain, Charles E. Thomp-
son ; First Lieutenant, William Hutchings ; Second
Lieutenant, D. V. Bell; Third Lieutenant, B. B. Morris;
First Sergeant. H. W. Zimmerman ; Second Sergeant,
H. H. Yates; Third Sergeant, J. B. Rice; Fourth Ser-
geant, Luther Nichols ; First Corporal, J. W. Chicker-
ing; Second Corporal, Thomas Hoyne; Third Corporal,
Andrew Harvie ; Fourth Corporal, John H. Kinzie ;
secretary, H. W. Zimmerman ; treasurer, J. H. Wood-
worth; executive committee, J. A. Smith, J. M. Wilson,
R. T. Blackburn, J. B. Rice, S. B. Cobb; finance com-
mittee. J. H. Woodworth, William Wheeler, B. B. Morris,
Joseph H. Moore and B. W. Raymond.
The Home Guard increased until it numbered some
twelve companies, in different sections of the city, com-
prising many of the best and most solid citizens
found amid the judges, lawyers, bankers, merchants,
and mechanics.
During April, the formation of an Engineer, Sap-
per and Miner Corps, was commenced by Arthur C.
Ducat, Adolph M. Hirsch, and Anton Nieman, which
was soon filled with the best class of mechanics in the
city. The Sturges Rifles, a company of sharp-shooters,
many of whom were members of the Audubon Club,
was organized through the liberality and loyalty of
Solomon Sturges, Esq., who offered to arm, equip, and
defray the whole expense of their outfit, drill and trans-
<n to any point to which they might be ordered.
The Nates Phalanx was formed, and fast filled up; the
Chicago Tigers, the Chicago Guards, the old Light
Guard, and the German companies, were drilling and
lengthening their muster-rolls day by day. The few
companies alive in the city, at the opening of the year,
so multiplied, that on the first day of May, 1861, Chi-
cago had thirteen companies in actual service — Govern-
ment or State — and a reserve corps of twenty-five full
companies, exclusive of the Home Guard, 'In- compa-
nies of the 60th Regiment, and the nucleus of a regi
ment 127th of which Colonel Van Arnam was then
laying the foundation. Of these companies, enrolling
over thirty-five hundred strong, active young men,
fourteen had responded to the first call of Governor
Yates, and were in the service of the State, at Cairo,
Springfield, and Alton. These companies were Co.
" A," Chicago Light Artillery, Captain James Smith ;
Chicago Dragoons, Captain Charles R. Barker ;
Chicago Light Infantry, Captain Fred. Harding; Rum-
sey Guards, Captain Joseph Kellogg ; Infantry com-
pany of Captain James Hugunin ; Union Cadets Ger-
man), Captain Kowald ; Lincoln Rifles (Hungarian),
Captain Geza Mihalotzy ; Washington Light Cavalry,
Captain Frederick Schamberg ; Highland "Guards,
Co. " A," Captain Alexander Raffen. Zouaves : Co.
" A," Captain James R. Hayden ; Co. " B," Captain
John H. Clybourn ; Co. "C," Captain Freeman Con-
ner; Co. "H," Captain William Inness ; Union Rifles
(German1, two companies, Captains Anthony Sten
and Lothar Lippert.
The following companies, filled and ready to march
at short notice, were drilling and equipping in Chicago,
several having been already accepted by the War De-
partment : the Emmet Guards, Captain C. R. Walch ;
O'Mahony Rifles, Captain J. C. Phillips ; Shields's
Guards (two companies), Captains James and Daniel
Quirk ; Jackson Guards, Captain Francis McMurray ;
Montgomery Guards, Captain Michael Gleason. These
seven companies belonged to the Irish Brigade.
Five companies of the original * " Yates Phalanx "
were full : Co. "B," Captain T. O. Osborn ; Co. " E,"
Captain Light ; Co. " F," Captain J. O. Felton ; Co.
"G," Captain W. B. Slaughter ; Co. "H," Captain Da-
vid Vaughn. Also the Washington Grenadiers, Captain
Marschner ; Union Cadets, Captain Large ; Chicago
Light Artillery, Co. " B," Captain Ezra Taylor ;
Illinois Rangers, Captain G. A. Fuller ; Sturges Rifles,
Captain James Steele; Highland Guards, Co. "B";
and companies " D," " E," "F," " G," " H," of the
Zouave regiment, under Captains Bell, Scott, Wade,
McAdams and Travers, respectively. These were all
Chicago companies, waiting and eager to be called into
active service as early as the first day of May, 1861.
Acceptance of Soldiers. — At the special session
of the Legislature, in April, in addition to the act pro-
viding for the organization of the six regiments assigned
to the State as its quota, another, called the " Ten Regi-
ment Bill," was adopted. This authorized the accept-
ance for State service — with the provision that, if called
upon, they should tender their services to the General
Government — of ten regiments of infantry, one regi-
ment of cavalry, and one battalion of light artillery.
One regiment was to be raised from each of the nine
existing congressional districts, and one from the volun-
teer companies, still in camp at Springfield. This act
took effect May 2. On the following day, the Presi-
dent issued his proclamation, calling for 42,032 volun-
teers, to serve for three years, or during the war. The
waiting companies in Chicago, with multitudes of others
from all parts of the State, hastened to offer their serv-
ices to the Governor, and by May 6, the regiments
from the various congressional districts were filled and
ordered into camp, and the companies to constitute the
regiment of the State-at-large, were selected and as-
signed. In the regiment of the Second Congressional
District, Chicago had one company — that of Captain
Samuel Wadsworth. Of the regiment of the State-at-
large, made up from companies then waiting at Camp
Yates, as originally organized, eight were from Chicago,
viz.: Co. "A," Highland Guard, Captain A. W.
* The Vales Phalanx, not being accepted under the "Ten Regiment I'.ill."
disbanded, and when reorganized many of the Chicago companies had joined
..ih. r organizationa.
AWAKENING OF THE WAR SPIRIT.
i65
Raffen ; Chicago Light Infantry, Captain Fred. Hard-
ing ; the infantry company of Captain Fred. Mattern,
and the Zouave companies of Captains Hayden, Cly-
bourn, Inness, Sten and Connor.
Officers were elected for the regiment on the 8th of
May, as follows : Joseph R. Scott, colonel ; Frederick
Harding, lieutenant-colonel ; Silas D. Baldwin, major.
The regiment was tendered to the Government for three
years' service, on May 17th, ordered into camp at Chi-
cago, June 13th, and its original organization essentially
changed in the course of a few weeks.
On the nth of May, the formation of the " Hecker
Jreger Regiment " was commenced by Captain Charles
Knobelsdorf, four companies enlisting for the war that
day. It was intended to make this a Hungarian regi-
ment, commanded by officers of that nationality who
had served in European campaigns. Knobelsdorf, an
old officer of the Prussian army, who had served in the
Schleswig-Holstein army during the revolutions of
1848-51, with Mayor Rumsey, I. N. Arnold, Lieutenant-
Governor Hoffman, A. C. Hesing, and others, were in-
strumental in its formation. Frederick Hecker, also a
veteran officer, was finally elected colonel, and the regi-
ment was soon ready for service.
The Illinois troops, authorized by the Legislature,
were tendered to the General Government on the 2d of
May. The cavalry was immediately and peremptorily
declined. On the 15th of the same month, a dispatch
from the War Department announced that only six
regiments of infantry had been assigned to the State
as its quota under the second call of the President
for three years' troops, and only that number could
be accepted.
On the 21st of May, the following six, out of the
ten, regiments organized under the " ten regiment bill,"
were selected to be immediately mustered into service :
First Congressional District Regiment, Colonel Thomas
J. Turner; Second, Colonel John B. Wyman; Fourth,
Colonel Leonard F. Ross; Fifth, Colonel Robert F.
Smith; Sixth, Colonel John M. Palmer; Ninth, Colonel
Michael Lawler. This action, by throwing out the
regiment of the State-at-large, composed mainly of
Chicago companies, left the city with but two compa-
nies of three-months men in the 12th regiment, and
a single company in the Second Congressional District
Regiment, to be mustered into United States service
under the two calls of the Government. The refusal
of the Secretary of War to authorize Governor Yates to
accept more troops caused many companies to disband,
and leave the State to enlist elsewhere, principally in Mis-
souri and Kansas. H. N. Snyder's Chicago company
of Sappers and Miners, by order of General Hunter, was
attached to the 9th Missouri, and Captain McGin-
ness's company — entirely Chicago men — was attached
to the 6th Missouri. Many military organizations,
filled, armed and equipped, tendered their services
directly to the War Department, and were accepted as
independent companies.
On the 6th of May, the Sturges Rifle Corps was thus
accepted, to serve during the war, and on the 9th went
into camp just south of the University buildings on
Cottage Grove Avenue. The Yates Phalanx tendered
its services directly to the Government, through the
medium of W. S. Peaslee, who had been elected its
Colonel, and was accepted, contingent upon the Stur-
ges Rifles forming the tenth company of the regiment,
when it would be composed exclusively of Chicago com-
panies. This was not accomplished, and after many
vexations, delays and disappointments, this regiment
was finally accepted on the day following the Bull Run
disaster, when nearly all its companies had disbanded
and scattered.
The Irish Brigade, on receiving the intelligence that
it could not be mustered into service under the second
call of the President, held a meeting, at which the entire
force was present. After several patriotic speeches
were made, a vote was taken as to whether the brigade
should disband. Only four, out of eight hundred and
sixty-four, men voted aye; the rest determining to
retain their organization, continue their drill and per-
fect their equipment. Colonel James A. Mulligan visited
Washington to urge the claims of his command, and on
the 17th of May it was accepted by the President, as an
independent regiment for the war.
Aid by the Citizens. — The following statement
of the War Finance Committee, published in the Chi-
cago Tribune, May 17, 1861, shows what Chicago had
done for the soldiers up to this time:
" When our citizens reflect that the State law, organizing the
ten regiments now in camp, has not made any provision for uni-
forming or clothing the soldiers, and that the compensation for
services is only at the mere pittance' of eleven dollars per month,
out of which they must support their families, uniform and clothe
themselves while drilling and preparing for efficient service in the
army, they will see, at once, that the people of Chicago must
come to their aid, promptly and largely, if they expect to render the
condition of our patriotic soldiers and their families at all com-
fortable.
" Of the ten regiments called for by the State, one (19th) is
composed almost wholly of men from Chicago, a large portion of
whom, at the instance of the Governor, proceeded to Cairo nearly a
month since, and took possession of that important point most
opportunely. This gallant achievement was accomplished when
the State was destitute of any military organization, without arms
of any kind, without munitions of war, without camp equipments, or
any provisions to render their condition comfortable, by the patri-
otic young men of Chicago who were fitted out almost at a day's
notice by the generous contributions and active energies of our
citizens. To Chicago alone is due the credit and honor of this
strategetic movement, now acknowledged by the National Govern-
ment to be one of the most important steps that could have been
taken to secure a successful prosecution of the present war.
" The men from Chicago who were first in the field — whose
hardships were the greatest, and who, it would be supposed, would
have been the first mustered into the United States service, were
rejected in the formation of the six regiments, and all now, after
having spent an entire month in active duty, are almost destitute
of clothing, their citizens' dress having been worn out in the hard-
ships they have endured at Cairo and vicinity. The committee
have determined that such of the Chicago soldiers, as have not
been mustered into the United States Army, shall be uniformed
from the funds contributed by our citizens for war purposes ; and
they felt this to be a duty imperative upon them in consequence of
the neglect of the State Legislature to make necessary provisions
for them. * * * * * It will be seen that the entire amount of sub-
scriptions for war purposes and support of families is 836,466. 12.
Of this sum $25,917.12 has been paid into the hands of the
committee, leaving uncollected the sum of $10,449. The amount
specially subscribed for family support is $2,950, which has been
donated in many instances by gentlemen who have contributed
liberally to the general fund also.
"There has been disbursed, to arm, equip and support the men
sent to Cairo, before they were mustered into the United States
serviie — for their Quartermaster's department — $19,407 83, and
for the Commissary Department for Cairo, $157.34. All, or most
of what we expended, will be refunded to us by the State.
" Thsre has been expended, thus far, to aid companies while
procuring enlistments, and for music, sustenance of soldiers,
expenses of the meeting at National Hall, telegraphing and other
incidental expenses, the sum of 84.17S.55. and the further sum of
$746.50 for the support of families, making a total expenditure of
$24,490.22. The committee contracted for five hundred and fifty
uniforms at an early day. designed for Captain Smith's Artillery,
for two companies Chicago Zouaves, and for Captain Harding's
company, which have been delayed longer than was expected —
these are now expected daily. They also contracted for one thou-
sand one hundred shirts, which have arrived and a part of them
are delivered. They have contracted for uniforms — in addition to
the five hundred and fifty — enough to supply all the companies in
Colonel Scott's regiment. These uniforms are all unpaid for, and
will cost probably about $10,000.
1 66
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
•' In addition to what has been done by the committee, it is
understood that individuals have raised enough to uniform Captain
YVadsworth's company (13th Illinois Infantry) at Camp Dement,
and that about Si. 500 have been given to equip a company of light
artillery ; in addition to which a very considerable amount has
been raised to aid the Irish Brigade, which, with the outlay for the
Sturges Rifles, will swell the contributions of Chicago to nearly
$50,000."
Through the influence of Governor Yates, Senator
Trumbulland Hon. Isaac N. Arnold, the following
order was obtained from the War Department, May 30,
1S61 :
'" The four regiments of troops organized under the authority
of the Illinois Legislature, and commanded respectively by Colonels
Scott, Coode, Marsh, and Dougherty (the latter of the Belle-
ville District), and the Independent Regiment, at or near Chicago,
111., and commanded by Colonel Hecker, or any one or more of
said regiments, may report to Major-General McClellan, and by
him, or under his order, be mustered and received into what is
commonly called the three years' service of the United States.
"General McClellan may, also, in his discretion, receive and
attach to the same service any artillery and cavalry companies in
Illinois, not exceeding rive in number, which are at this date in
actual organization, ready for service, and seeking to enter it; pro-
vided this does not authorize the raising of new companies, or the
calling out of dormant ones under old organizations.
" By special order of the President.
"Simon Cameron,
" Secretary of War."
Under the provisions of this order, the so-called
" Chicago, or Zouave, Regiment," hitherto commanded
by Colonel Joseph R. Scott, was mustered into service
as the 19th Illinois Infantry, on the 17th of the follow-
ing June (Colonel Scott resigning in favor of Colonel
John B. Turchin), and the Hecker Regiment on the 8th
of July. The Chicago Dragoons, on duty at Cairo ;
the Washington Light Cavalry, at Camp Yates ; and
Companies "A" and " B," Chicago Light Artillery, at
Cairo, also came within the provisions of the order, and
were soon mustered into the service of the United
States.
All of the companies above mentioned, except a
part of those in the Hecker Regiment, were tendered
the Government under both the first and second calls.
Chicago's Performance of its Duty. — From
the opening of the summer of 1861, it would be impos-
sible to follow in detail the progress of the work done
in the city to aid in carrying on the war. It was con-
tinuous, faithful, and nobly generous. The special work
of the Board of Trade, Mercantile Association, Young
Men's Christian Association, Christian Commission,
Soldiers' Home, and other associations, public and pri-
vate, instrumental in carrying on the immense labor of
the war, is described in the sketches of these several
organizations, and need be but briefly mentioned here.
Fremont's campaign in Missouri, during the summer
of 1861, made the first loud appeal to the sympathies
of the people of Chicago in behalf of her soldiers in
active service. The 23d Irish Brigade), 37th (Fremont
Rifles, 42d one of the regiments of the "Douglas
Brigade" , were all in Missouri, and in each of these
Chicago felt a special interest. After the battle of
Lexington, Mo., in September, 1861, in which the 23d
1 heavily, and where it won its first laurels, a large
deputation of Sisters of Mercy, assisted by the city,
'led to the scene of the battle, to ran- for the
wounded and sick left in the hospitals. Robert Collyer,
Mr-, i) 1. Hosmer, and others, visited the hospitals
along the route of Fremont's disastrous man. lies, bring-
ing back a piteous tale of suffering, which stimulated
the citizens to fresh exertions, and made that field the
especial care of the Chi< ago Commission until the pre-
valent misery was, at least partially, alleviated. The
care of our soldiers at Cairo, Paducah, Mound City, in
camps and hospitals, many of whom were suffering
from the ordinary diseases incident to camp life, in
addition to the work of organizing, equipping and fill-
ing out new regiments, had kept men, women, and even
children, active ; but it was not until blood was actually
shed on the battle-field, and the citizens knew that their
wounded heroes were suffering from neglect and lack
of the comforts required by sick and disabled men, that
they were fully aroused to the magnitude of the home
work to be performed. As winter came on, soldiers'
wives and children needed more help. With the estab-
lishment of Camp Douglas, came an immense amount
of sickness among the troops there quartered, and to
alleviate their suffering, various aid societies were
organized ; men and women of Chicago visiting, day-
after day and month after month, the hospitals of the
camp, to carry medicines and delicacies which Govern-
ment was unable to provide. The Chicago Sanitary
Commission was organized late in the fall of 1861 ;
which, although reaching out to the whole Northwest,
eventually, made its earliest and most pressing appeals
to "the people of Chicago and vicinity." Headquar-
ters being established in the city, it inevitably fol-
lowed that a large share of the responsibility and labor
connected with the organization centered here, and
that, in every crisis of the war, the people of the city
were expected to rally to its support, as they ever did
most generously.
The first decisive battle of the Western Army,
on February 14-15, at Fort Donelson, will not soon be
forgotten in Chicago. The people had grown very
weary with waiting, and every nerve was strained to its
utmost tension with anxiety. When the wires flashed
back the joyful tidings that the Fort was really ours,
for a brief time the cost of the prize was unthought of.
" Fort Donelson is taken ! Fort Donelson is taken ! " —
the shout was echoed and re-echoed from one division
of the city to another. Business was suspended. The
Board of Trade resolved itself into a war meeting.
Men shook each other by the hand, and rushed around
the next corner to shake again. Children screamed for
joy, not knowing why they were glad; women joined
in the general jubilee, even while they said, under their
breath, "Who are killed and wounded?" Fortunately
for Chicago, she was not called upon to mourn for
many of her citizens. But one was killed, Oscar Becker,
a soldier of Taylor's Battery; and the list of wounded
was not large. For the relief of the wounded at Fort
Donelson, .a large number of nurses and surgeons, with
liberal supplies, were sent to the field from the city; the
Board of Trade and private citizens joined with the
Sanitary Commission in the work of providing and for-
warding such. These supplies arrived with the first
voluntary contributions that reached the battle-field.
After this battle, a large number of Confederate prison-
ers were sent to Camp Douglas, which then first as-
sumed the aspect of a military prison, it having been
occupied, prior to that time, as a rendezvous and school
of instruction for Federal recruits. The battle of
Shiloh, or Pittsburg Landing, followed close on that of
Fort Donelson. Too many of Chicago's sons were
stricken down there, to make the victory a glad one;
but she worked all the more steadfastly to carry help to
the wounded, while she mourned for the dead; ami, as
ai Fort Donelson, her supplies were among the first to
reach the field. In April, 1862, when this battle was
fought, the regiments in which the city was most largely
represented were located as follows: — The 12th, 57th
and 58th Infantry, with Batteries "A," "B" and "I,"
THE DRAFT.
167
were at Pittsburg Landing and engaged in the battles
of the 6th and 7th of April; 19th and 24th, in camp
with Mitchel's division, in Kentucky; 37th, in .Missouri;
23d, reorganizing at Camp Douglas; 39th, on the
Potomac; 42d and 51st, with Pope's Army of the Mis-
sissippi. The 8th Cavalry, in which there were two
Chicago companies, was with the Army of the Potomac.
Before the close of 1862, and ere the fearful struggle at
Stone River, the following regiments, — all in part, some
wholly, recruited in the city — were in the field : 72th
82c!, 88th, 89th, 90th, 113th and the 127th Infantry;
the 9th, 12th and 13th Cavalry, and the Chicago Board-
of-Trade, Chicago Mercantile and Rourke's Batteries.
The 19th, 24th, 42d, 51st and 89th Infantry,
Board-of-Trade and Bridge's Battery were engaged in
the battle of Murfreesboro"; the 7 2d, 90th, 113th and
127th Infantry were with Sherman on the Mississippi,
as were Batteries " A," " B," " I," " L," and the Mer-
cantile. The other regiments in which the city was most
interested were at Corinth, on the Potomac and in Mis-
souri. After the battle of Murfreesboro', tfie Board
of Trade sent a delegation to look especially to the
wants of the Second Board-of-Trade Regiment (88th)
and the Board-of-Trade Battery. In September, 1862,
the " Ladies' War Committee " had been organized,
which undertook, under the auspices of the Board of
Trade, to make garments and otherwise provide for the
regiments under the patronage of that body — the ladies
doing the work, and the Board furnishing the material.
The sewing rooms were superintended by Mrs. O. E.
Hosmer. This lady and Mrs. Smith Tinkham were
sent by the Board to the field, after the battle of Mur-
freesboro', to attend personally to the wants of the
wounded of the 88th Infantry and Board-of-Trade
Battery, and report their condition. They left Chicago,
January 6, 1863, and proceeded, via Louisville and
Nashville, to their destination, remaining at Murfrees-
boro' about two months, employed in their work of kind-
ness and mercy. During the first year of its existence,
the Ladies' War Fund Association made eight thousand
ami thirty-four garments for the soldiers, supplying
three regiments and a battery.
Relief societies, for the care of soldiers' families.
Loyal Leagues, Soup Houses, a Soldiers' Home and
Rest, societies and innumerable other agencies for the
amelioration of suffering at home, on the field, and in
camp and hospital, were established, supported and car-
ried on by the men and women of the city. After every
battle, during any long and exhaustive encampment. Chi-
cago was on the field, with her hand outstretched, filled
with blessings. Wherever her boys went, she followed;
and when they returned, she stood waiting to receive
them, generously and gratefully.
The names of the first " War Finance Committee,"
elected on the evening of April iS, 1861, at Bryan Hall,
in whose charge the city fund subscription fund), for
the equipment of volunteers, and the support of their
families, was first placed, have been already given, also
their statement of May 17th, a month later. On August
10, 1861, the "War Finance Committee" was merged
into the " Union Defense Committee," the members of
the former being relieved, at their own earnest request,
with a unanimous vote of thanks for the faithful man-
ner in which they had performed their duties.
The Union Defense Committee was composed of the
following gentlemen : Judge John M. Wilson. Judge
Grant Goodrich, Judge Van H. Higgins, Judge Thomas
Drummond, Judge George Manierre, E. W. Willard, J.
M. Douglas, Thomas Hovne, Thomas B. Bryan, A. H.
Burley, E. C. Larned, J. H. Bowen, J. C. Dore, H. D.
Colvin, John Van Arnam, George Schneider, Eliphalet
Wood, Rosell M. Hough, I'. S. Vbe, ( ',. G. Wicker and
Colonel Joseph II. Tucker. Some time later, a " War
Fund Committee " was appointed, to disburse funds
raised for war purposes by county and city tax as well
as by public and private contributions. From the fund
thus raised, by tax, by Board of Trade, Mercantile As-
sociation, Young Men's Association, Young Men's
Christian Association, and other public institutions, as
well as by private contributions, over fifteen hundred
soldiers' families, averaging four in a family, derived
aid during the continuance of the war. Up to Septem-
ber, 1865, the city and county paid for relief of sol-
diers' families, $256,000. The Board of Trade dis-
bursed, in the same space of time, for the same purpose,
$220,000. In December, 1865, the War Fund Commit-
tee passed over to the County Agent the sum still re-
maining in their hands, he assuming the responsibility
of affording such relief to their families as should be
thereafter needed.
THE DRAFT.
From Colbert's History of Chicago is quoted the
following sketch of the enforcement of the draft in
Cook County, in 1864.
The Draft. — On July 4, 1864, President Lincoln issued a
call for five hundred thousand men. The quota of Illinois was
fixed at 16,182 — of which number Cook County was ordered to
raise 4,250. It became evident that this excessive quota was de-
duced from a false basis, purging the enrollment lists of the names
of those not liable to military duty. At the same time the legiti-
mate credits of the county were accurately determined. The fact
having been demonstrated that the district had been unjustly as-
sessed, a reduction of fifty per cent, was ordered by the Provost-
Marshal General. By September 1, the quota of the county had
been reduced to 1,818 — the sub-district quotas and enrollments be-
ing as follows :
District. Quota. Enrolled.
Barrington 15 1S6
Palatine --- 22 234
Wheeling - 31 - 250
Northfield 22 ... 17S
Evanston 11 194
Hanover - 10 133
Schaumburg 18 — 116
Elk Grove. 14 '35
Maine 23 .. 204
Niles -- --- 22 209
Leyden 26 166
Jefferson 22 217
Proviso - 30 237
Cicero 18 202
Lvons - 34 272
Lake 23 15S
Lemont 33 293
Palos 11 99
Worth 21 242
Calumet 29 254
Orland --- - 16 153
1 !rr nun - --- 22 1 98
Thornton - 26 225
Rich --- 22 149
Bloom... -- 15 -- 14°
First Ward - 55 4.545
Second Ward 104 2,890
Third Ward 107 2,553
Fourth Ward 17 '-4^2
Fifth Ward 6S 1,839
Sixth Ward 122 (,8l6
Seventh Ward. S7 2,067
Eighth Ward S7 1.227
Ninth Ward.- 91 I,4°4
Tenth Ward... 92 2,204
Eleventh Ward 108 -.-. 2,712
Twelfth Ward -- - 92 1,461
Thirteenth Ward 78 989
Fourteenth Ward 53 1.241
Fifteenth Ward 55 2.155
Sixteenth Ward.. 19 3.°65
Lake View 19 161
New Trier. 15 M°
Hyde Park iS 120
i6S
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
On September 5, the Board of Supervisors passed an ordin-
ance authorizing the issue of county script, to the amount of
$300,000, and providing that each recruit thereafter sworn into ser-
vice and credited to Cook County should receive a bounty of $300.
In the city, a Board was organized under the title of " The Citizens'
Enrollment Committee." This heartily co-operated with the Su-
pervisors, and a joint dispatch to Provost-Marshal General Fry
secured the consolidation of the sub-districts of the county on Sep-
tember 16. Drafting was inaugurated on September 26, at which
time Cook Countv was in arrears to the extent of 1,650 men. Al-
though the drawings were spasmodically continued, 1,550 volun-
teers were obtained in three weeks — leaving a margin of 59
conscripts held to service. On October 22, the district was offi-
cially declared free from the draft. The last call, issued in Decem-
ber. 1^(14, for 300,000 men, found Chicago in trouble. Cook
Countv had already furnished, under previous calls, 19,477 men,
towards the 197, 300 called for from the whole State, being nearly one-
tenth of the whole number, whereas her population was only about
one-twelfth of the whole. On the last call, she was assigned 5,200
men as her quota, in reality fifty per cent, more than she was justly
entitled to furnish. It is well known that the enrollment in Cook
County, and especially in the city — on which basis the quotas were
assigned — had been in every case excessive, owing to the fact that
aliens, and persons otherwise disqualified from service, were en-
rolled in common with those liable to military service. This error
has frequently been pointed out, and the people called upon to come
forward individually, and purge the enrollment list of all spurious
names, but the exempts exhibited little inclination to do so; partly
from the indisposition to avail themselves of the very limited facilities
furnished for doing so, and partially because they did not wish to
expose themselves unnecessarily to the sneers of some who had
raised an outer)' — they preferred to risk their chances of draft, and
procure exemption after the drawing, if needed. Many meetings
of the citizens were held, and committees appointed to visit Spring-
field and Washington to procure a remission of the tax so unjustly
levied. But their labors were of little avail, save in procuring a
tacit suspension of one-half of the claim, on condition that the
other half were raised speedily. Meanwhile recruiting had gone
on slowly: the assessment was so enormous that people generally
despaired of being able to fill it without a draft, and thought it useless
to saddle themselves with additional debts in the vain attempt to
avoid the dreaded conscription. Nevertheless, spasmodic efforts were
made to fill the quota, and, availing itseif of the provisions of an act
passed at the recent session of the General Assembly, the Board of
Supervisors of this county met in special session on the 7th of Feb-
ruary, and voted a bounty of four hundred dollars to each recruit,
to apply on the quota — up to that date (February 8,) five hundred
and twenty-eight men had been furnished. Recruiting was no'»
stimulated somewhat. It was not till March 2, that the Common
Council considered the propriety of offering an additional city
bounty, and then the subject was laid over. The quota would
have been filled without any great difficulty, had it not been for
the wholesale carrying off of recruits to the credit of other localities
by the flesh-brokers, most of whom operated through the naval
rendezvous. They averaged an abstraction of fully forty men per
day from the city, many of whom would have enlisted to the credit
of this county, but were allured by higher bounties to swear falsely
and be credited elsewhere. Under the stimulus of high bounties,
the "jumping" business raged in full force, and patrols were made
nightly, for the arrest of bounty-jumpers, two of whom were shot
near Camp Fry, on the night of March 13. Recruiting gradually
became more vigorous under the constant threat of the draft, and
brokers were kept busy in procuring substitutes. The Soldiers'
Rest, as well as the County Jail, were used as places of rendezvous
for recruits, and the former place was prepared for the turn of the
"wheel" in the office of the Provost Marshal. The quota was
not filled in spite of all efforts, and the box of fate, used instead of
the wheel, was ordered to turn, when the fall of Petersburg gave a
temporary cessation. There was no official order to stop, but
everybody felt that the end of the rebellion was near, and the
quickly succeeding fall of Richmond, on the 2d of April, put an
effectual bar on the draft. The order to stop was not, however,
sent, and the bounties were still paid to large number of recruits,
who pressed forward all the more numerously as the chances of
fighting diminished. On the I2th of April, the Hoard of Super-
visors ordered that the payment of bounties should cease, and the
next day came the news that no more recruits would be insisted on.
Cook County sent in all 22,532 men to the Union ranks, with only
one partial draft, and for all, except fifty of those then drafted,
substitutes were procured by the draft committees before the
time of departure arrived ; and of those drafted men, seven were
relieved at Springfield. The unjust enrollment fell with especial
hardship on the towns in the country, in some of which one soldier
was called for out of every five men enrolled, and they had previously
furnished nearly the same proportion but a few months before. To
their credit be it said, they never complained of the manifest hard-
ship, but went to work manfully and raised the men. By liberal
subscription among themselves, and hearty working, the majority
of the towns cleared themselves of the draft, while the people in-
side the city were talking about it.
Men Furnished. — The number of men furnished
from the county was:
Previous to the establishment of the Provost Mar-
shal's office, end of October, 1S63 16,660
November 1st, 1863, to December, 1864 1,817
On call of December, 1S64 3,572
Total furnished - 22,532
Of those furnished under the call of December,
1864, nearly, or quite, all were enlisted during 1865.
The following table shows the men enlisted under
the eighteen months' regime of the Provost Marshal:
White volunteer recruits 4.527
Colored volunteer recruits 116
Representative recruits 44
Substitutes for enrolled men 655
Drafted men forwarded 59
Substituted for drafted men 42S
Recruits for veteran reserve corps — 43
TotaJ - 5.872
To which we may add, that 794 deserters were
arrested and returned to their regiments, and that Cook
County probably furnished one thousand unaccredited
men to the navy.
The following is Mr. Colbert's estimate of the money
actually expended by Cook County for the war, outside
the cost of the Provost Marshal's department ($77,089):
Paid by city for bounties, from October, 1863 $ 119,742
Paid by county, from October, 1863 - 2,571,172
Paid by towns and wards, from October, 1S63. 734.453
Paid by representatives and substitutes .. .- 56,350
Paid by county to families.-- - 166.034
Paid by city to families go.Sog
Paid by Board of Trade to families 220.000
Paid by Mercantile Association to families.- _ 75,000
Total - $4,027,560
This was the estimated cost to the county, outside its
share in the actual cost of the war to the General Gov-
ernment, that being in round numbers §3,350,000,000,
and Cook County's share of payment into the Fed-
eral Treasury being, in 1865, in the proportion of 58
to 3,350, gives $58,000,000 as its share in the Govern-
ment expense, making a total of §62,000,000 borne,
or assumed, by Cook County for the suppression of the
Rebellion.
The following regiments, .in which Chicago was
largely represented in either officers or men, or in both,
and many of which were under the especial care of city
organizations, were mustered into United States ser-
vice, and left for the field at the dates mentioned.
The particulars of their organization, and their war
record, is given in the sketches of the several regi-
ments. As a preface to the recital of regimental
prowess, it is but justice to one of our "Boys in Blue"
that he should receive a mention — the more especially
as his name is one cherished in the heart of every
soldier and honored by the State and Nation.
John A. Logan, it is needless to say, is one of those national
characters firmly established in the hearts and confidence of the
people. He is a rare combination of the plain, blunt soldier, and
the straightforward, able and successful statesman, whom men
delight to honor, for affection and judgment work hand in hand to
perpetuate his fame. Before the conclusion of the war, he acquired
the proud distinction of being promoted to a major-generalship of
volunteers, and this honor will be the more appreciated when it is
remembered that, previous to the war, General Logan had little
TWELFTH ILLINOIS IXFAXTRY.
169
*4.&r
<XyP^
military experience or instruction, but had been educated in the
law, in which profession it was his design to make his record.
Senator Logan was born in Jackson County, 111., February 9, 1S26,
his father, Dr. John Logan, having emigrated from Ireland previ-
ous to his son's birth. Dr. Logan was a man of education, and
believed in thoroughly drilling the mind as well as the body; con-
sequently, he instructed his son so as to enable him to enter, at an
early day, Louisville University, whence he subsequently graduated.
At the breaking out of the Mexican War, John A. Logan's mili-
tary instincts were aroused, and he enlisted as a private in the 1st
Illinois Infantry Volunteers, but was chosen lieutenant of one of
the companies. Even at that early age, and without previous in-
struction, a novice in the art of war, he attracted general attention
by his bravery and ability, and soon rose to a place on the regi-
mental staff, and to the positions of quartermaster and adjutant.
Entering the office of his uncle, Governor Alexander M. Jenkins,
in 1S49, he commenced the study of law, and was admitted to the
Bar in 1S52. In 1S49, while still pursuing his studies, he was
elected county clerk of Jackson County, and, in 1S52 was chosen
prosecuting attorney of the Third Judicial District, holding the
position for five years. Commencing with that year, he was elected
to the Legislature for three successive terms, being chosen a presi-
dential elector, on the Democratic ticket, in 1856, and a member
of Congress in 1858. At that time, in connection with his uncle,
he had acquired an extensive law practice, and was among the most
popular public men in Southern Illinois. When the war broke
out, he still held his seat in Congress, but had boldly abandoned
his former associates, many of whom were in full sympathy with
secession, and stood up firmly and eloquently for the Union. It is
due as much to his bravery upon the floors of Congress as to any
other cause, that the people of Southern Illinois held unflinchingly
to the support of the Union. But this was not the sort of warfare
that Senator Logan proposed to wage against secession, and, con-
sequently, in the summer of 1S61, he fought at Bull Run, in the
ranks. After fighting at Bull Run, he returned to Congress ; but
still feeling that sturdy arms were needed at the front more press-
ingly than brave words at Washington, he entered the service
as colonel of the 31st Illinois Infantry Volunteers. On September
18, 1861, he was mustered into the service by Captain T. (;. Pitcher,
U. S. A., his regiment being assigned to the brigade of General
John A. McClernand. In November, the 31st Regiment was en-
gaged in the battle of Belmont, Colonel Logan's horse being shot
from under him. He shared in the sufferings from cold and ex-
posure of the winter campaign in Kentucky, and, in February,
1862, embarked with his command for Fort Henry. That strung-
hold was occupied on the Oth of the month — Colonel Logan evinc-
ing the same gallantry in action, which made him so prominent a
mark for rebel bullets, a week later, at Fori Donelson. There he-
shared in General Grant's honors, being severely wounded while
leading an assault. On March 21, 1S62, he was promoted to the
rank of brigadier-general, commanding the First Brigade, First
Division. Reserve Army of the Tennessee, his old regiment still
being under the general command. In the fall of 1862, during the
Mississippi campaign, General Logan was placed in command of
the Third Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, his corps com-
mander being General J. B. McPherson. During the latter por-
tion of the year, the troops remained in camp on the Tallahatchie
River. At Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, and Champion Hill,
up to the siege of Vicksburg, from May 19 to July 4, 1863, Gen-
eral Logan increased the reputation for bravery and ability which
already had made his name dear to the entire Army of the Ten-
nessee. Upon the latter day, his column was the first to enter
Vicksburg, and he himself was made military governor of the city.
In November, 1863, he succeeded General Sherman in the com-
mand of the Fifteenth Army Corps, leading the advance at Resaca,
repulsing Hardee at Dallas, and dislodging the enemy at Kencsaw
Mountain. In July, 1S64, when General McPherson fell at Atlanta,
General Logan took command of the Army of the Tennessee.
With Sherman, during the remainder of the war. General Logan
led his troops and shared in the glory of the grand and effectual
movements, and his farewell address to the Army of the Tennes-
see will long be remembered by war-scarred veterans as a model of
eloquence and manly pathos. In 1S66, 1S68 and 1S70, having
been mustered out of the service with a record which stands high-
est in the list of volunteer generals, General Logan was elected to
Congress by the Republican party, and commenced again to up-
build that reputation for statesmanship which had been temporarily
eclipsed by his military renown. Before he had taken his seat in
the Forty-second Congress, however, he was elected to the United
Slates Senate, where he has since been among its most prominent
figures. As the Republican nominee for the vice-presidency, his
canvass during the Fall of 1SS4 will go into history as an exhibi-
tion of dignity, both in uncertainty and defeat, which has more
than ever raised him in the estimation of the Nation; and his elec-
tion to the Senatorship in 1S85, after the protracted contest in the
Legislature, but added to the National honor accorded him. Sen-
ator Logan was married, in 1855, to Miss Mary Cunningham,
daughter of Captain Cunningham, of Marion, 111., an officer of
the Mexican War. In every sense of the word, Mrs. Logan has
been a helpmate to her husband, there being few women in this,
or any other, country, whose opinion on public affairs and public
men is more valued, or who has been more actively engaged as an
actual manager of political events, momentous to the country's
interests. They have two children, a daughter and a son.
TWELFTH ILLIXOIS IXFAXTRY.
The Twelfth Illinois was organized as a three
months' regiment in accordance with General Order Xo.
2, issued at a special session of the Illinois Legislature,
April, 1S61, providing for the immediate organization of
six regiments of Infantry; that being the quota assigned
to the State under the first call of President Lincoln for
seventy-five thousand troops to serve one hundred days.
These regiments were speedily raised, and, as the
Illinois regiments formerly serving in the Mexican War
were designated by numbers up to seven, these, although
the earliest that entered the United States service from
the State at the breaking out of the Rebellion, were
called the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, nth and 12th Infantry,
composing the " First Brigade, Illinois Volunteers,"
commanded by Colonel B F. Prentiss.
The 12th Illinois, while not distinctively a Chicago
regiment, was the first mustered into service, in which
the city was represented, consisting of two companies,
" A " and " K " and most of the field and staff offi-
cers. The regiment was mustered-in at Springfield,
111., May 2, 1861. Following is the original roster of
officers:
Colonel, John McArthur, Chicago; Lieutenant - Colonel,
August L. Chetlain, Galena; Major, William D. Williams. Rock
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Island. Company "A," Captain. Joseph Kellogg, Chicago; First
Lieutenant. John Noyes, Jr.. Chicago; Second Lieutenant, Arthur
C Ducat, Chicago. Company " K, " Captain, James R. Hugunin,
Chicago: First Lieutenant, William E. Waite, Chicago; Second
Lieutenant. Eben Bacon, Chicago.
The uth left camp at Springfield, May 10, and pro-
ceeded with the First Brigade to Cairo, where Colonel
Prentiss relieved General Swift in command of the post.
The services of the troops at Cairo and in its vicinity
were peculiarly disheartening. An unhealthy climate,
bad water, unsuitable food, and poor shelter, combined
to make their first experience of military life a trying
one. The ranks of the sick in the hospitals rapidly
filled up, the lines grew thin," and in the absence of the
excitement attendant upon hostilities, it seemed as if
they were suffering to no purpose. Therefore, when on
the 28th of the month, an arrangement was made by
the War Department, whereby the regiment might re-
enlist immediately for three years, provided four-fifths
were willing, the proposition was declined. By the lat-
ter part of July, however, before its term of service had
expired, the necessity for soldiers was plainly seen, and
the 1 2th offered its services. The offer was accepted,
and the regiment was mustered-in accordingly at Cairo,
111., on August 1, for three years; the field and staff
officers, and officers of Companies " A " and " K "
(Chicago , being
Colonel, John McArthur, promoted brigadier-general, March
21, 1862; Lieutenant-Colonel, A. L Chetlain. promoted colonel,
April 1. 1S62; Major, William I). Williams; Adjutant, J. Bates
Dickson; Quartermaster, S. R. Wetmore; Surgeon, Horace Ward-
ner, promoted brigade-surgeon; First Assistant Surgeon, James H.
Farris: Chaplain. Joel Grant.
Co. " A": Captain, Arthur C. Ducat, promoted major and
lieutenant-colonel; First Lieutenant. William Fisher, promoted
captain; Second Lieutenant, Duncan McLean, promoted first lieu-
tenant and regimental quartermaster, and to captain; Second Lieu-
tenant. Washington Van Horn, promoted first lieutenant; Second
Lieutenant. James B. Johnston.
Co. " K": Captain, James R. Hugunin, promoted major and
brevet brigadier-general; First Lieutenant, William E. Waite, pro-
moted captain; Second Lieutenant, Eben'Bacon, resigned Novem-
ber, 1861; .second Lieutenant, C. E. Beaumont, promoted first
lieutenant; Second Lieutenant. Henry B. Wager, promoted first
lieutenant; Second Lieutenant, Leroy Clark, died August, 1862;
Second Lieutenant. Francis Rutger.
The regiment remained at Cairo until September 5,
when, with the 9th Illinois Infantry, Colonel E. A.
Paine, it was sent to occupy Paducah. The invasion of
the sacred soil of Kentucky by " Lincoln's hirelings"
was a highly improper proceeding, from the stand-point
of some of the residents of that town, and the necessity
they were under of hauling down various ensigns of re
bellion was not at all to their liking. The camp of the
12th was on the left bank of the Ohio River, about half
a mile west of the United States Marine Hospital, be
tween which and the camp lay a gently undulating,
grassy tract, -■■■.• forty acres in extent, On this plot
were held reviews and exercises in arms; it was the prac-
round of Battery "A," Chicago Light Artillery,
which here acquired that profit ieni y in drill which was
one of its charai teristil - throughout u long ,||,, 1 splendid
• .-ireer. The regiment was armed with smooth-bore
muskets (calibre 69J which bore the government stamp
• Harper's Perry," and were known by this name.
The uniform at this time consisted of a short-
skirted gray jacket, light blue trousers, and gray felt
hats with leather visor, the rim, back of the visor, being
fastened by buttons at the side. Overcoats of regula-
tion pattern were supplied in due time. On the 24th
of September, a detachment of the 12th (four com-
panies!, under Lieutenant-Colonel Chetlain, was sent
by General C. F. Smith, then commanding at Paducah,
to occupy Smithland, a quiet old town at the junction
of the Cumberland and Ohio rivers, in Kentucky.
Taking position on the heights commanding the rivers
and all avenues leading to the town, it erected batteries,
and made the point a rendezvous for the Union men of
the surrounding country.
On the morning of the 5th of November, that por-
tion of the regiment remaining in Paducah was ordered
to prepare three days' rations and be ready to march at
an hour's notice. At half-past ten the following day,
General Paine received orders from General Smith to
report at headquarters at two o'clock p. m., with the
9th, 12th, 40th and 41st Illinois Infantry, four pieces of
Buell's Battery, and Thieleman's Cavalry, in marching
condition. Reporting at the designated time, General
Paine was ordered to take the troops, march to Melvin,
thence to Blandville, and thence, through Loudenville,
back to Paducah, not avoiding the enemy, but in no
case to engage unless attacked in corresponding force.
That evening the command marched fifteen miles;
and the following morning, when approaching Melvin,
heard the roar of the conflict at Belmont. General
Paine changed the direction of his march toward
Columbus, which was opposite Belmont and thirty-four
miles distant. When he reached Milburn, thirteen
miles northeast of Columbus, he was met by scouts,
who reported the battle ended; and, it being then too
late to be of service, the command returned to Paducah,
arriving the following day. The following account of
this march, from unpublished papers of an old member
of the regiment, may be interesting :
" Early one morning in November, the camp was thrown into
great excitement by marching orders. All sorts of rumors were
afloat. The ' greenhorns ' packed their knapsacks till the straps
would hardly buckle over them — three days' rations and forty
rounds of ammunition were served out. Those unlucky fellows
who were obliged to remain as camp guards looked wofully at the
busy preparations and bewailed their fate. No glory for them!
Early in the afternoon of November 6, General Laine's brigade
filed past General Smith's headquarters on the road leading south.
A southwesterly direction was held till about fifteen miles had been
paced off, when the troops bivouacked for the night.
" The march was resumed in the morning and kept up without
any unusual circumstance till about the middle of the afternoon,
when the sound of cannon was plainly heard * Who can forget it?
The first sound of battle! We were headed toward Columbus; we
were marching to the support of our comrades! Should we be
there in time? An altered demeanor was visible at once, chaffing
and frivolity gave place to earnest conversation and eager conjec-
ture. The men drew together in close order. The step was
quickened, and mile after mile was paced off without a halt The
great guns were at it still. The sounds were plainly nearer and
more distinct. 'How far to Columbus?' we demanded from a
Kentuckian, who gazed stolidly at us from behind a rail fence.
' About fourteen miles, I reckon,' was the reply. It sounded like
a long distance to men who had already marched since daylight;
and still as the question was repeated, from time to time came back
the same answer from others further on, 'about fourteen miles,' or
' fourteen miles and a right smart.'
" We must have marched five miles, during which the same
aggravating replies were made. Night was falling and the roar of
the guns had ceased when the troops halted for the night.
"It had been a trying day for men unaccustomed to the
march, and sleep was sweet. Although stiff and footsore, they
were, when morning dawned, still eager for the fray. What was
their disappointment and chagrin when, a few hours after, they
faced about and took up their line of march for the camp they had
TWELFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
171
m 1 m
^3 Lrl iTJ
OP
liLl
THE AEMY
BAIL*
THE WEST
IlililL
"juasa— jus cjhjm ipjs o-iKPjf— tbb smie an gam? &ttd aw cihs dmwb.
VOL 1
CAKP AT 0TTEBVILI2 WEDNESDAY JAJTUASY 1 1S65
WO 2
Q$e par (&sn,lt,
- AN!)—
CAMP JOURNAL.
lastioi
Semi-Occasionally-
ttBV
N SHUMATE,
[CLipl»in !>lh Miismtii Ecs
ED1TOK.
■rmt]
C. B
. Jftusafl
Sconce
, a.. c.gthUu )
n.Co.IJ. •• •■ (
Pubtsacr-.
TEKMS,
FIVE BUSTS I'El
COl'Y.
TKS COUNTERSIGN.
Mad the weary huura pus slaw.
Tho night is very tlnrk nutl still,
And in the marshes far below
I hear llic L;.\r<.la'l; Srli i | ■ -por»r-»rili;
I seiir'e can sco a yard ahead,
Uj cars restrained to catch each round—
L hear the leaves about me shed,
Alid the spriugs bubbling thru' tan ground
Along tl:e hoatca path I pace,
Where white flags mark my sentry's track ;
la formless, sbrulffl I tecra to trace
The foe man's fi>ini, with binding back.
ILhitklfcc him crouching law—
I Step and list— I sloop and peer,
Until the neighboring hillocks grow.
To groups of soldiers far and near.
Witll ready piece I wait iind watch,
Vntit ruy e3'cs, familiar grown.
Detect each Larmier earthen notch.
And turn gucrillias in to stone; -
Jndjher. Uniid the Ipuely gloom.
Beneath tho tall old chestnut treca,
My silent "marches I resume,
Acd thiuk of other times than these.
"Halt! who goc: C.kti:?" icy challenge cry,
It rings along tb; watchful line;
"Relief I^_ 1 henr r. voice reply —
"Advance, and give the countersign;"
•With bayonet at tho_ch;rg: I wait—
Tha corporal gives the mystic word;
With'arois aport 1 change my niato.
Then onward pass, and all is well .
Eat in tho tent that night awake,
loik, if in tho frny I fall,
Gml.tho mystic answer moke
TV ben the angelic sentries call?
And pray. that Heaven may sn ordain,
Where'er I go, what fate bo mine.
Whether in pleasure or in pain,
\ etilt may have the countersign.
gg?~ Notwithstanding ti^ belligerent tone
of the Canadian press there fa orders ia
Chicago from Canada for 73-10 per cent.
Treasury rotes. Solomon Sturgi?9 ft £?o
sold several thousand1 dollars' north o,5 pur
to Canadians ia one jjt.
A UVODSVGBVSTION.
Wo take the following extract lt*om the
Correspondence of the Cincinnati Commer-
cial in thefftb IndUnaRp^imsntnowcaiup.
ed on Green River] in Kentucky, Ilia sug-
gestions wo' think arc very goou, ana" we
call tlie attcutioa to "tho powers tha.fi bn" to
the fact:
We arc now pretty .well through the "pnc.
try" of military life. I apprehend the fn-
tare will be a very common article Of prose.
■ h:\r-
Indiana Troops in Missouri.
OtimmImrT.&eneral Stone, who lias been in Mo.
i ihopurpgEcuf looking alter the welfare of.tho
idlu'ua troops in ihWiStrtSerand to brih* honft
icbicmilfamcoias tinmen desired me-nd t; their
unties end friends. Bjuorla n great deal bf'aKk-
»a in all ihe regiments. He says there are [from
ght ti ten deaths * day, and that none of t!i? ro-
etlts bate over 750 of 890,000 fit for duly. Tho
;alth, however,' is iniproviug, and'wnCQ thowin-
r <:"uartcrs arc completed it will continue to ira-
the next theme for tho Sketch Club of j l'u,
Cincinnati is "Hard Times." If one of [^
those artists cams for fume, let h:m picture i C(1°|
a bc.tly soldier sitting on a stone trying to! Si
cat one of those Ante- diluvian army cm
erg. I suggest that Government couatr
a largo Fori from some of these crach
and put every rebel thej catch into it, uc
sentence that ihey never get out until t
eat their way out. This would aecur
perpetual peace. Furthermore let an
plication bo made for erecting a monument ' Rjk
of those samo crackers over the grave of av-
ery soldier iu the army, to tell to comiDg
generations the wondrous valor and won-
derful teeth of the "Iloroce" ofJ61.w Such
a monument would defy the ravages of the
'gnawing tooth of timo' 'or any other maa.J aa& dis
Tub Etcffif Nets.— "You caii't do any
thing with thorn Southern fellows," said a
"peace" man, in New York, "if they get
whipped, tbry'.l retreat into them Southern
swamps and bayous, along with the fishes
and crocodilos.. You bavn't got the fish nets
made that will catch them."
"Look here old gentleman," slid a vol-
unteer, who happened to be standing by,
"We have got juet the nsts for traitors in
the bayous or anywhere else."
"What kind o£ nets, I should liko to co:
know V" asked the old man. ' "Why
Old Jiatwns.— A letter from tho McLean
"To-day tho Colonel ordered an inspec-
tion of some hard bread or army crackers,
which resulted in condemning forty-sis
barrels out of fifty. The crackers wo cat
arc stamped K1310,M and tho boys say they
have seen several marked :'B. C."
A Mistake. — ".'Sir," said a so',
utlcr of tho regiment, qi
;you must have mad-j a mistake
dier to tho
"Bay'o-netzl" replied the volu
lassod on.
Officer— How loDg
iog, Captain R
Cant.— Fonnvoelie.
OScer — What success.
Capt. — First rato.
havcyoL been recruit-
Officer— Ho
i.nrrr i
Capt— One private and fifteen officers.
C^Native Americans Torm the majority
in more than three-quarters of tho regiments
la sis regiments out a hundred tho Germans
or? in a majority, and in five regiments the
majority aro Triah. Nino-tenths, of allure
oii'aone, and tbrcu-fourths of oil are single
'Bocaase I can pay it, and have money
left.'
Out t)f GS.000 lotto™ sent off by the I3th
.Massachusetts regiment in Maryland sinco
Its ileparturo from home. 20,000 were ad-
dressed "Mies," and "21,000 "Mrs." So
saye a lettor-writer, who adds : "Tho fig.
•ire show that the females received much tho
btrgcSi share of a/tendon, -and tbisisjosS as
it should be. It is rather significant nf
tho material of tho 13th that <MisV receives
so large a share of its letter writing patron-
{jS^Everycoinmissiened officer id the 7th
Iowa Vuiunteers was killed or woucded iu
thobattlo at fielmoot.
A GOOD AaNSCDOTE.
Capt. Lytic, of the twentieth Indian-are-
m en t, * Writing from Ilattcrnn, cives the fol-
lowing account of taking a prize :
A'sail was seen approaehiog the Pnlet
showing no colors. Capt. Gordon "smell"
ing a rat." ran up tho sceesl: rrolors in tho
fort, and the schooner immediately did lb«
same. She camo boldly up to tho bar, tho
tug boat "Ceres" ran out to tow h r in. —
The captain of tho tng immediately board-
ed bcr, shook hands with tho aeceshes and
said,
"I (naught when T saw yon coming down
that I had a prize."
"No, indcod," daid he pointing to the
doomed rag", "uodcr that flag I will die."
"Well," said our brave hero, "you have
bad good luck getting io."
"Yes," said the sccosh, "but 1 suppose
if tho Yankees want to come down her*
you can shy'i^.'ffo very d— 1 out of them."
"Yes," said our Yankee, "we can shell
thj very t! — 1 out of them."
"Well, that's good, I hopg wo may bo
able to tako to tako every Yankee on
the coast."
"Yes," was the reply, "W: aro taking
about one sail a day, aud scms a-Q prettv
fat on-:s too."
By this time they had" raised the through
the Inlet into tbe Sound. Turning to Mr.
Secesh he ^aid-
"Do you see that big gun-boat to sea-
ward? well she belongs to u?, it is the Stars
and Stripes, tho pride of the Southern
Yankee Hectj and we took lief."
"Did you?" said the latter, intcrrapting
our Yaokec hero, "Well that's too — good.'
"Yes we fetched her in you see," 6aid O'^r
Yankee turning to Mr. secesh. "Aboat the
28th of August, tiio Yankees come
down here and shelled out of these
forts, uud all theso gun-boats. 6ince thot
time, have been here to tow in boats. I nnt
one of your Yankees ! Icammand that
gun-boat, and you arc, I am happy to soy,
fjHTWhy arc fte Home Guards liko Cov
Duel Dak ar ? Beer . -;e tho last thing he di.'d
was to c.io for his country, and that is lite
last thing they intend to do.
CSTAgoodc
^Uof a Quaker
^bo-
irgii
ii,b.
Coming io pretty close qj rters with n reS
el, he remarked, "Friend. it'» nnfortonat^,
but thco standi just where I'm going :-
shoot," arid bloziBg away, dowo camo "s»-
cceh."
FAC S1MILK OF ARMY PAPER.
1/2
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
so recently quitted with such martial ardor. On the afternoon of
the third day the brigade reached their old quarters in Paducah.
"The return march had not been altogether orderly; great num-
bers had fallen behind, to favor aching joints and blistered feet,
and it is not surprising that there was an active demand for such
refreshments as the country afforded. These were appropriated, as
the exigencies of the service seemed to require, by the various
stragglers, and loud and long complaints at General Smith's head-
quarters by the aggrieved countrymen, was the result. The 41st
seemed to have been settled upon as the prime depredators,
and there was some talk of a stoppage of pay, but nothing came
of it.
"Not long after, the regiment was visited by a delegation of the
Scotch citizens of Chicago, and presented with a stand of colors.
This was not only a graceful and patriotic act, but distinctively a
recognition of the influence which their fellow countryman. Colo-
nel McArthur, and other members of the old Highland Guards, of
Chicago, had exercised in the formation of the regiment.
"About the middle of January, a demonstration in force upon
Forts Henry and Heiman, on the Tennessee River, was made by
the troops from Paducah, under Brigadier-General C. F Smith.
This march (to Callowav Landing and return) was made under great
difficulties, by reason of the terrible condition of the roads and
the great length of the wagon-train, and has some significance as
having so soon preceded the more general forward movement
which resulted in the destruction of these forts and capture of Fort
Donelson. It was on the night following the return from this
march, that one of the camp guards, a soldier of Co. 'A,'
was fired on from the bush, a few yards from his beat. The shot
was well aimed, and only failed of its purpose from the fact that
the sentry was at the moment carrying his piece diagonally across
his body. The ball struck the musket-barrel and glanced off,
wounding the fingers of one hand in its course. Whoever
perpetrated the deed, escaped under cover of the darkness."
On the 25th of January, 1862, Lieutenant-Colonel
Chetlain rejoined the portion of the regiment at Padu-
cah. Colonel McArthur had been assigned to the com-
mand of a brigade in General Smith's division, and
Chetlain was in command of the regiment, when, on the
5th of February, it embarked on the Tennessee, and
proceeded toward Fort Henry. Arriving within four
miles of the fort, the troops landed, and in the midst of
a violent thunderstorm, with the rain pouring in tor-
rents, encamped for the night. In the morning, the Sec-
ond Division moved up the west bank of the river, and
occupied Fort Heiman, on the high ground opposite
Fort Henry — Foote, with his gun boats, having forced
the rebels to evacuate both. The regiment remained at
Fort Heiman until the 12th, and on the morning of that
day, with the 9th and 41st Illinois Infantry — constitut-
ing McArthur's brigade — crossed the Tennessee and
marched for Fort Donelson, being in the rear of the
troops that proceeded from Fort Henry. The brigade
encamped that night about a mile and a half from the
battle-field of Fort Donelson. On the morning of the
13th. it was detached temporarily from General C. F.
Smith's division, and ordered to support the batteries of
Major Cavendor Callender? , then in position against
the center of the enemy's works.
I -ate in the afternoon, the 12th was moved toward
the left of General McClernand's division, and nearer
the enemy's lines, where it threw up, during the night,
all earth-works on a hill in front of its camp, in
which were planted two field-pieces, which, however,
were never used. The other regiments of the brigade
.were moved to another point, and the 12th occupied
this position twenty-four hours, remaining under arms
all night in the midst of a driving snow storm. Just
before nightfall on the following day, the entire brigade
was moved, in compliance with the order of General
-nand, to the extreme right of the Union line,
where it arrived about seven o'clock in the evening.
The 1 2th, which had at that time six hundred and
twelve effect; camped that
night within four or five hundred yards of Indian < reek.
From the position occupied by the regiment could be
seen the dome of the Court House in Dover, a village
within the rebel lines, and about a mile higher up the
river. On the right of the 12th was the 9th Illinois —
in column by companies; between the two ran the road
which led into Dover. On this road, and at this point,
was first felt the fury of the rebel attack, which was made
in the gray light of the morning of the 15th of Febru-
ary. Nothing could have been more sudden or startling.
The men, who were trying to keep life in their benumbed
limbs by the dying embers of the camp fires, leaped to
their feet and grasped their arms. " Left half wheel !
Forward into line ! " shouted the colonel of the 9th
Illinois. To gain time for formation, two companies of
the 12th — " A," Captain William Fisher, and "B," Cap-
tain John T. Hale: — were deployed forward. The ma-
neuver was executed, and the object accomplished, but
at a dreadful loss of life in proportion to the number
engaged. Captain Hale, a valuable and highly esteemed
officer, was among the slain. The troops to right and
left were soon engaged, and the battle in McClernand's
front became general.
What follows is already history. This portion of
the line bore the brunt of the deadly struggle. A few
only of the enemy escaped, and most of them who
were left alive were driven within the defenses, to be
surrendered as prisoners of war. In the afternoon of
the same day fthe 15th';, the brigade ( McArthurV was
ordered to rejoin its own division on the left, where the
remaining brigade, under General C. F. Smith, had
already rendered such splendid service that, taken in
connection with the event of the battle on the right, the
enemy was forced to surrender. Among those especially
commended for gallant conduct in this engagement,
were Major Ducat, Lieutenant James N. McArthur, of
Co. " G," and Lieutenant Duncan McLean, of Co.
" A" — all of whom displayed wonderful bravery and
efficiency, and whose record was alike honorable to
themselves and the city which sent them to the field.
Co. " A " lost nearly half its men, killed or wounded,
during the struggle on the morning of the 15th.
The total loss of the regiment was one officer, Cap-
tain John Tyler Hale, and eighteen enlisted men killed;
one officer and sixty-one enlisted men wounded, and
eight enlisted men missing. On Sunday morning, Feb-
ruary 16, 1862, Colonel McArthur marched his brig-
ade into Fort Donelson, where the 12th was em-
ployed for a week in guarding prisoners and stores.
On the 22d of February, it was moved, with other
troops of General Grant's command, up the river to
Nashville, but, without leaving the steamer, returned to
Clarksville, Tenn., where it occupied Fort Sevier until
March 6, at which time it embarked for Pittsburg
Landing.
On the way up the Tennessee, the steamer " Glen-
dale," which bore the 12th, was in the advance, if we
except the black and sullen gunboats which, with open
ports, convoyed the fleet. In due time the fleet
arrived at Pittsburg Landing, where the troops disem-
barked and went into camp, the position of General
Smith's division being about one mile west of the Land-
ing. Several weeks of inaction followed, during which
the force was increased by the arrival of new troops,
many of whom were to experience, for the first time,
war's alarms and terrors, with scant preparation and
on uncommonly short notice. The morning of Sun-
day. April 6, 1862, broke brightly upon the camp at
Pittsburg Landing. After morning-calls and breakfast,
the regiment paraded for the regular Sunday inspec-
tion. It could hardly have been earlier than eight
o'clock, and the battle, unknown to the troops near the
TWELFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
i73
Landing, had been in progress for hours. If any firing
had been heard in the regimental camp, it had, up to
this time, been so distant and fitful, as to attract no
attention; but now, questioning looks were exchanged,
and while all were wondering what the threatening
sounds might portend, the summons came. From the
parade ground, where it had assembled in all the prom-
ise of another pleasant, uneventful day, the regiment
marched to battle. While the division (then com-
manded by General W. H. L. Wallace) was on the way
to the front, Colonel David Stuart, whose brigade occu-
pied the extreme left of the Union line, sent to General
Wallace for reinforcements. McArthur's brigade was
ordered to his support. Thus again it happened, as at
Fort Donelson, that untoward circumstances prevented
united action on the part of the brigades of this divis-
ion. On reaching Colonel Stuart's position, McAr-
thur's brigade formed in line with that officer's com-
mand. The ground on McArthur's right, for a space
equal to a regimental front, was open, and to prevent
undue exposure, the 9th Illinois, which occupied this
part of the line, was advanced to the cover of timber,
which skirted the space in front. The 12th Illinois
formed the right of what remained of McArthur's brig-
ade. In front, the ground fell rapidly away for two or
three hundred yards, then rose again — the opposite
elevation, as well as most of the intervening space, be-
ing well wooded. The trees, however, had not put
forth their leaves, or the enemy could have masked his
movements beyond all discernment. The firing had
not as yet extended so far to the Union left, and there
was time to note that, although it was continuous, it
was not regular, but rose in volume at intervals of time
and space, in such a way as plainly to indicate rapid
and heavy concentrations. Indeed, the enemy could
occasionally be seen, as on the opposite side of a fenced
field, moving by the flank, in double-quick time. An
attack would follow such a movement, so vigorous and
persistent, that the Union line, hastily formed, as it had
been, and with no provision for adequate support,
almost invariably, if not inevitably, gave way, sometimes
hopelessly shattered, generally to re-form, and with
diminished numbers to continue the struggle. Not-
withstanding all that has yet been written of this battle,
few realize the determined, protracted and bloody
resistance offered by some of the troops engaged ; not
otherwise could the rebel host have been held at bay
throughout those long hours, till the death of their gal-
lant leader brought some respite. Gradually the firing
extended toward McArthur's brigade. It was proba-
bly between nine and ten o'clock a. m. The troops to
the right and front were all engaged. The din of battle
was terrible. The frightened hares sprang from the
thicket, and crouched bewildered at the feet of the
waiting men. The wounded began to stream back
from the 9th. On the right of the 9th was a battery,
which had been well served ; now its firing grew more
rapid and nervous. All eyes were strained to catch the
first glimpse of the foe. A bit of color first caught the
eye. It yielded to the breeze. There they were, the
" Stars and Bars." As quickly as the intervening space
could be traversed, the enemy broke cover, and the
storm of battle fell.
The whole division was speedily engaged in one of
the most bloody conflicts of that eventful day. Gen-
eral Wallace, after holding the enemy in check during
four successful charges on his line, gave the order to
retire about four o'clock in the afternoon, after his
support, both on right and left, had given way. Just
as he gave the order, and with cool, collected bravery
was animating and encouraging his men, he fell, mortal-
ly wounded, and was borne from the field. General
McArthur also being wounded, the command of the
division devolved on Colonel J. M. Tuttle, of the Iowa
brigade, as the ranking officer. He rallied what was
left of his own regiment, and with the 12th and 9th
Illinois, the 13th Iowa, and fragments of other regi-
ments, formed in line on the road down which the
rebels were advancing toward the Landing, and held
them in check until the line was formed that success-
fully resisted the last charge of the enemy just before
dark. The 12th may justly claim the proud dis-
tinction of being one of those regiments that held their
ground amid the general break of the Union lines on
that dismal Sunday afternoon. On Monday, the 7th of
April, Lieutenant-Colonel Chetlain being ill, Major
Hugunin [formerly Captain Hugunin, Company " K"j
took command of the regiment, which then formed a
part of the reserve force of General Buell ; in the
course of whose attack the 12th occupied nearly the
same position as on Sunday morning. On Tuesday,
the regiment was on duty all day, and not until after
dark was ordered to camp. The loss of the 12th in the
engagements at Shiloh was one hundred and nine men
killed ana wounded, and seven missing. Among the
killed was Lieutenant Wright Seamen, of Co.
"C," and Captain Frank B. Ferris, of Co. " L."
Captains Duncan McLean, of Co. " A," and Wil-
liam E. Waite, of Co. " K," both of Chicago, were
wounded. Among the rebel dead nearest the last line
held by the Federals, were some of a singularly foreign
aspect — clear-skinned, dark-complexioned, oval-faced
young fellows. They evidently were of one race, and that
unlike any in the Northern army. They wore Zouave
jackets, dark blue in color, as were also the trousers,
well-made shoes that laced above the ankles, and wool-
en underclothing of a red and white check. They were
evidently from Louisiana, as the waist-belt plate bore
the arms of that State, — a pelican feeding her young.
After the battle, Brigadier-General Thomas A.
Davies succeeded General Wallace in the command of
the division. The following incident, which occurred
during the advance on Corinth, will serve to illustrate
the character of the man, who, throughout the remainder
of the war, commanded the brigade to which the 12th
belonged, oftener and for longer periods than any other
officer. This was Colonel Aug. Mersey, of the 9th
Illinois Infantry. The division was in line of battle at
the time, a lively fire was going on among the skirmish-
ers, and the wounded were dropping in considerable
numbers to the rear. At this stage of the war, a wound,
however slight, was very likely to result in a furlough,
if the soldier asked it, and he could go home and be
sure of a warm welcome and many flattering attentions.
The temptation to risk a slight wound was consequent-
ly great. The 9th was on the right of the 12th, and,
as the firing increased, Colonel Mersey was seen to
move to the front of his regiment, where officers and
men were standing, watchful and expectant. He had
not been there long before he sent for his Assistant
Surgeon. This officer came, provided with appliances
for dressing slight wounds, and as the wounded ap-
proached, some with well -assumed ruefulness, the
Colonel hailed them in his well-known accent, and pro-
ceeded with the assistance of " saw-bones " to find out
just how badly wounded they were. If the case was at
all serious, the soldier was directed to the hospital ;
but, if otherwise, plaster or bandage was applied on the
spot, and the unlucky candidate for honors was direct-
ed to shoulder his gun and report at the front, and try to
174
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
give some fellow on the other side a chance for a fur-
lough.
Alter the evacuation of Corinth, which was an-
nounced by loud and frequent explosions, and the
smoke of burning stores, pursuit was begun, but soon
abandoned, and Davies's division went into camp on the
line of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, about two miles
south of the town. During the preceding months the
men had been so often under fire, or in such proximity
to the enemy, that a strain upon the nervous system
was inevitable. They were glad of an opportunity to
make themselves comfortable once more. Five months
of such campaigning take the edge off the keenest ap-
petite for war. General Davies, however, was not dis-
posed to let his command rest upon their laurels, much
less allow their arms to rust in idleness. His standard
of militarv efficiency was high, and he was impatient of
anv shortcomings. Regulations were strictly enforced,
and the utmost circumspection was required of all
officers and men while on duty. Guard-mount and
dress-parade became impressive affairs, while drill, by
company and regiment, was as much a daily duty as
attendance at roll-call. The General from time to time
manoeuvered his command in person, interspersing his
exercises with inspections and grand reviews, when the
divisiou appeared in all its glory. As a result there
was a marked improvement in the dress and bearing of
the men. On one occasion, the camp guard of the 12th
having turned out to salute General Rosecrans, that
officer slopped, and having inquired to whose com-
mand the guard belonged, made some very compliment-
ary remarks on the neat appearance of the camp and
the soldierly bearing of the men on duty. A company
officer, in a private letter, written about this time, speaks
of his comrades as follows :
" I have never seen a regiment which could execute the manual
of arms as well as we can, and only one that can perform the evo-
lutions better, and that one is the gth Illinois, with which we
have been so continuously associated."
Notwithstanding the attention paid to the police of
the camp and to other conditions of health, there was
much sickness The climate was so enervating that
few had vitality enough to resist its influence, in the
•• of any incentive to exertion. The appetite
tailed, and men became listless, low-spirited and home-
sick. Imprudence in diet was apt to result in diseases to
which, in their apathetic state, men rapidly succumbed.
The hostilities of an active campaign seem hardly to
reduce the effective strength of an army more rapidly
than camp life under such conditions. But more stir-
ring times were at hand. On September 17, the division
broke camp on short notice and marched with other
troops from Corinth, in the direction of Iuka, distant
southeast about twenty miles. General K. ( ). ('. Ord,
who was ia command, expected to co-operate with
- in an attack upon General Sterling
at that place; but Price, becoming alarmed,
attacked Rosecrans before the junci could be made,
and succeeded m effecting his escape. In the dispo-
sition of the Hoops after this battle, the 12th was left
ille, a station on the railroad
between I ika and Corinth.
0 themorning [, the day of the opening
of the battle of 1 orinth, ' I u rived at that
place, from 1 of the 1 Zth
Illinois, the other four being ordered to move at ross
the country as I lard to the baggage tram. At nine
o'clock the regimi led its brigade, and moved out
to t'ne old Confedi 1 ■< ie of breastworks, north of the
village, where Rosecrans' line of battle was formed,
Davies's division holding the center. Oglesby's bri-
gade, to which the 12th belonged, formed the right of
the division, supporting Richardson's 1st Missouri Bat-
tery. In the attack of the Confederate army that morn-
ing, McArthur's brigade, to the left of Davies's division,
was first struck by the Confederate troops, and after
hard fighting forced back, leaving Davies's left flank
exposed. Upon this division a heavy front and flank
attack was made, and it also, after a long and obstinate
resistance, fell back about a thousand yards, with the
loss of two heavy guns. The command continued con-
testing against tremendous odds, and receded from one
position only to defend another until night. Every
brigade commander was either killed or wounded,
General Oglesby among the latter. The loss in the
1 2th was ninety killed and wounded. The strength of
the regiment, as reported for duty at the close of the
first day's engagement, was two hundred and fifty-she
men and sixteen line officers. In the formation of
General Rosecrans's line on the morning of October 4,
General Davies's division still held the center. On the
right of the division, and in rear of Fort Powell an un-
finished redoubt ), the 12th was posted. This redoubt,
and the fort on the left, known as Battery Robinet,
were the salient points of General Rosecrans's line.
Upon these, therefore, after desultory firing during the
early morning, the serious attacks of the enemy were
directed. A temporary advantage was gained in the
assault on Fort Powell. At. the crisis of the action,
and before infantry supports could be pushed into the
redoubt, the gunners decided that the time had come to
save their pieces if they could, the enemy being at the
embrasures. One of them had already been felled with
a hand-spike, when the order to limber up was given.
It could only partially be obeyed, for the horses were
in a high state of excitement. They were with difficulty
restrained, and, finally, becoming unmanageable, they
dashed through the ranks of the 12th, and threw the
right and center of the regiment into confusion. Be-
fore it could rally and re-form, the front line had been
driven back and the battery captured. While the scat-
tered portions of the regiment were re-forming, the
left, under Captain Guy C. Ward, rushed forward, and
the 52c! and 55th Illinois coming up to his support, the
enemy was driven from the battery at the point of the
bayonet, the regimental colors planted on the redan,
the guns manned, and, with the help of the artillerists,
turned upon the rebels, now in full retreat. A portion
of the 1 2th pushed forward in pursuit, and Private
David Osby, of Co. "K" (Chicago1, captured the color-
bearer and flag of a Louisiana regiment. Captain
William E. Waite, of Co. " K," was one of the first men in
the redan, and assisted in working the battery. Captain
Ward was killed while rallying his men to the charge
for the recapture of the battery. With Battery Powell
again in its possession, the whole line advanced, and the
rebels, foiled at all points, gave up the contest and com-
menced their retreat toward the Hatchie.
()n October 21, Colonel Chetlain was placed in
command of the post of Corinth, where the regiment
remained, with occasional expeditions into the sur-
rounding country, until June, 1863. It then moved to
Pocahontas, Term., where it guarded a line of railroad
until the 29th of October, moving thence, with a por-
tion of the Sixteenth Army Corps, under General G. M.
Dodge, to Pulaski, Tenn., where it arrived November
1 1. During November, the 12th was ordered to Rich-
land Station, on the Nashville & Decatur Railroad,
where it remained two months, guarding a portion of
TWELFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
'75
that road. In December, Colonel Chetlain was ap-
pointed brigadier-general.
In January, 1864, three hundred and eleven men
and twenty-four officers of the regiment, after re-enlist-
ing, returned to Illinois on veteran furlough, the
remainder — about ninety men — remaining at Pulaski,
under command of Captain J. D. Towner. The regi-
ment remained in Illinois on furlough until March 1,
when, having reorganized at Camp Fry, Chicago, with
Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Van Tellar, formerly Captain
of Co. " E," in command, it rejoined its division at
Pulaski, March 3 ; and, on the 28th of April proceeded
to Chattanooga to engage in the Atlanta Campaign. It
was there assigned to the Second Brigade (Colonel P.
E. Burke;; Second Division (Brigadier-General Thomas
W. Sweeney); Sixteenth Army Corps (Major-General
G. M. Dodge), forming a part of the Army of Ten-
nessee, under McPherson.
In the forward movement toward the enemy, Mc-
Pherson's command formed the extreme right of Sher-
man's Army, and moved from headquarters at Lee and
Gordon's Mills on May 4, under orders to pass through
Ship Gap, in Taylor's Ridge, march, via Villanow, to
and through Snake Creek Gap, seize the railroad in
rear of Dalton, where Johnston had concentrated his
army, and, finally, move upon and hold Resaca, farther
south ; thus flanking his position, which, guarded in
front by Rocky Face, with its single narrow pass —
Buzzard Roost — strengthened by batteries and defended
by the veterans of the Confederate Army, was impreg-
nable to direct assault. Snake Creek Gap, about fifteen
miles south of Buzzard Roost, is a narrow picturesque
defile, nearly five miles in length, through the Chat-
tanooga Mountains. Its sides, high, rugged and densely
wooded, shut out the sun from the wagon track at their
base, save at mid-day. Snake Creek, running through
the gap, enters the Oostenaula River below Resaca.
On Monday, May 9, McPherson reached the western
entrance of the pass, and, the following day, Sweeney's
division leading the advance, with the 9th Illinois
Mounted Infantry deployed in front as skirmishers,
moved through the gap, meeting with no resistance. In
the battle before Resaca, May 14-15, Sweeney's divis-
ion took no part, having been sent, on the morning of
the 14th, to Lay's ferry on the Oostenaula, below Res-
aca, to cover the laying of a pontoon bridge. The
opposite bank of the river was lined with the enemy's
skirmishers, who watched every movement and threat-
ened ever}' avenue of approach. As soon as the pon-
toons were ready, the division moved rapidly from
under cover to the brink of the river, and silenced the
riflemen on the other side, compelling them to " lie
low " till the bridge was laid. The crossing commenced
immediately, and the troops to the right and left of the
bridge were ordered back, too soon it proved, for the
enemy — except at the bridge and for a short distance
above and below — was unaware of the crossing and in
ignorance of his own danger, but still awaiting his
opportunity to strike. This was the situation in front
of the 1 2th. As soon, therefore, as the regiment faced
to the right about, to withdraw, the enemy rose and com-
menced fighting. It is doubtful whether the regiment
ever gave a better proof of its steadiness, than it did
in marching out of the range of that fire without a
break in its ranks. Brief as was the time required,
there was the inevitable loss of life. One of these
vengeful shots it was which caused the death, soon after,
of Lieutenant Charles Farr, of Co. "F." "Tell the
Colonel," sa;d this gallant young officer, a few hours
before his death, "tell the Colonel I'll be back in three
weeks." The loss to the regiment in this affair was
two killed and twenty-one wounded.
The enemy had evidently intended to hold the line
of this river, and was greatly annoyed at their failure to
prevent a crossing. The 12th had scarcely joined its
comrades on the other side when a considerable body
of rebel infantry came in sight. Unfortunately for
them, they exposed themselves to the fire of artil-
lery, which had been concentrated in view of such a
contingency, and they retired in undignified and amus-
ing haste — " skedaddled, ' in fact, and abandoned all
turther attempts at this point. Toward noon of the
16th, the division started toward Calhoun- the other
division the Fourth of the Sixteenth Corps being con-
siderably in the rear. At about one o'clock, the ad-
vance became engaged, and, at about the same time,
General Dodge reached the front, having ridden all the
way from Resaca. The division had now reached a
point known as Rome Cross Roads, where the Calhoun
road, running toward the southeast, crosses another
leading southwest to Rome. A little in rear of the
Rome road, above its intersection with the Calhoun,
was passing a heavy train of the enemy's wagons, and
Cleburne's and Walker's divisions, detailed for that
duty, were posted along the Rome road in a strong po-
sition to protect the train.
Advancing down the Calhoun road, as it converged
toward the position of the enemy, Sweeney formed his
line, with Burke's brigade holding the right, Bane's the
center, and Rice's the left. General McPherson, who,
also had arrived at the front, gave orders that an en-
gagement should not be risked against so heavy a force
until more of his command came up. After about two
hours, the skirmishers on the right advanced, and drove
a portion of the rebel line from the Rome road, losing
in the charge Captain George A. Taylor, of the 66th
Illinois. Several companies of the 81st Ohio were sent
forward to support this advanced line, and Colonel
Burke went forward in person to reconnoiter. Finding
that an attack was coming upon the advanced line,
held by his own brigade, orders were given for its dis-
position. The following account of the battle is as
cited in the Rebellion Record, vol. XL:
"The 66th Illinois was scattered along a mile of skir-
mish line; the 81st Ohio was divided into three battalions,
under Lieutenant-Colonel Adams, Major Evans and Captain Hill
— each battalion separated from the others. The I2th Illinois
still on the left of the Sist Ohio, was almost entire, only one
or two companies out skirmishing. A change of front, by the
battalions of the Sist, was ordered, so as to face upon the
Rome road. Hardly was this done, when the rebels advanced in
force on the right battalion of the Sist Ohio*, under Captain
Hill, and were pressing it hard, when the center battalion,
under Lieutenant-Colonel Adams, joined it, and checked the ad-
vance. The 12th Illinois was hurried forward to till the gap
now made between Colonel Adams and Major Evans, who, with
the left battalion of the Sist, was ordered to hold that valley
until further orders. Before the 12th got into position, the
rebel line had so overlapped the right of the Sist Ohio, that
it was forced to fall back a short distance, which was done in good
order, and a new position taken. By this time. Major Evans per-
ceived a line advancing upon him, and, relying on the tried gal-
lantry of his command, without stopping to think how many were
in his front, he ordered a charge. With a cheer the line moved
forward like one man. stopping for no obstacles. Volley after vol-
ley went rattling and thundering through the rebel ranks, as the
line kept advancing. By this time, the 12th got in position on
our right, and a volley from them told the rebel generals that our
commanders understood their business. Back, back, fell the
rebels, and on sped the gallant Second Brigade. Even when the
rebel line was passed, and their right overlapped our left, there
was no pause; but two companies, quickly changing front, having
advantage of position, drove them like sheep before them. * * As
it was now late, and the Second Brigade had driven the enemy in
confusion, the order was given to withdraw it, and relieve the
i ;6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
whole division with the Fourth Division (General Watch), which
had iust come up. * * Colonel Burke was in the front from the
beginning. Early in the engagement a ball struck his left leg,
shattering the bone. The Colonel rode up to Lieutenant-Colonel
Adams. Si st Ohio, and quietly remarking that he was wounded,
turned over the command to him, and rode away. His leg had to
be anipu:
From the effects of this wound Colonel Burke
died. He was a warm-hearted man, a gallant soldier,
an approved and trusted commander, and was colonel
of the 66th Illinois Infantry, and senior officer of the
brigade.
The loss of the brigade at Rome Cross Roads was
seventy-five — comparatively light, by reason of the ene-
my's lire being too high. After the engagement of
the 16th of May. the pursuit of Johnston's army was
resumed, the 12th, with its command, passing over the
barren country toward Adairsville and Kingston, on
roads diverging toward the west from the direct line
pursued by the center, reaching the latter point on the
19th. On the 22d, McPherson's command — the
right of Sherman's army —crossed the Etowah, and
marched for Dallas by the Van Wert road. On the
24th, the command encamped at Van Wert, twenty
miles southwest of Kingston. There the line of march
was changed to the southeast, pointing toward Dallas,
the county seat of Paulding County, about thirty miies
northwest of Atlanta.
"At Dallas." says one who knew, " the enemy was encoun-
tered in such force that careful preparation was made to resist an
onslaught, if such should be attempted. The army was formed
in two lines, nearly parallel, each commanding, by its elevation
and angles, every avenue of approach. The space between
the lines, which varied as the distance from one crest to another
increased or diminished, had been cleared of underbrush and
the smaller trees, so that the view was uninterrupted. Intrench-
ments breast-high were thrown up. and artillery posted in sections
at proper intervals. Skirmishers were in our immediate front, and
the firing all along the line was vicious and incessant. Between
the Fifteenth Corps on the right, and the Twentieth Corps to its
left, was posted General Dodge's command (the Second and Fourth
divisions of the Sixteenth Corps). Our brigade, comprising the
12th and 66th Illinois, and the 81st Ohio, was in reserve when or-
ders were received to move to the front. It was about two o'clock
in the afternoon of the 29th of May, 1S64. It was rumored that
there was to be a reconnoissance in force. We were ' to feel the
enemy.' The 66th Illinois led the way; they were famous as
sharpshooters, and armed with repeating rifles, as they were, no
equal number of the enemy could withstand their advance. We
passed through an opening in the second line, the 66th deployed
as skirmishers at short intervals, went over the breastworks, halted
inside the skirmish line, and awaited orders. The Sist Ohio, fol-
lowed in line of battle. The 12th Illinois formed double column
at half distance in rear of the 8isl. The -formation made the
commanders of the right and left companies of the I2th the rear-
most men of the column. Close by one of them stood a large
tree, about the trunk of which were heaped the knapsacks and
haversacks of which the men had disburdened themselves, and
near the tree stood three officers, whose movements were anxiously
awaited. They were Colonel August Mersey, of the oth Illinois,
Brigadier-General Thomas W. Sweeney, and Major General G. M.
respectively brigade, division and corps commanders.
The line was somewhat curved at this point. The brigade was in
plain view of two armies, and the eyes of thousands were fixed
" The enemy's works were on the crest of the opposite hills,
only a few hundred yards distant. Our advance would be detected
at once, and would be obstinately resisted. The commanding offi-
cer was grave and rcvjlute. as became a man, a word from whom,
a wave of whose hand, would bring about instant and bloody con-
flict. The 66th alone was ordered forward, and they went with a
rush, the crack of their rifles being heard in quick succession; the
rebel skirmishers were driven inside their works, and we awaited
the order to charge. At this moment, the tall form of an officer of
the'/,-: ;<: rear. ' Who is that?' called out
tenant L'lrich,' was 'he reply. An exclama-
tion of deep regret • lonel ■■•■ thi loss of so highly es-
teemed as 'ling the imminent peril of so many
others. While we yet awaited the order which would have been
almov a relief to this e, the musketry far off to our
right swelled in volume, till it became a continuous and awful roar.
An engagement had been precipitated at another part of the line,
which seemed to preclude further demonstration by us. Our
advance was recalled, and we lay on our arms to abide the event.
As the afternoon wore away, the firing gradually slackened, and
rumors reached us of an assault of the enemy on the Fifteenth
Corps, which had been gallantly withstood. We were not long
left in doubt. There came a mighty shout, which was borne nearer
and nearer, and with it came the sound of bounding hoofs and
clattering sabres, and, on a noble steed with flashing eyes and
steaming nostrils, McPherson, hat in hand, his staff trying in vain
to rival the speed of their chief, dashed toward us from the midst
of conflict, his face ablaze with victory."
All through the 29th, heavy skirmishing was kept
up; the Second Brigade, now commanded by Colonel
August Mersey, forming Sweeney's first line of battle.
At about eleven o'clock that night the enemy again at-
tacked Sweeney's position.
" The bright flash of a musket to the right, and in front of
our line, told of approaching danger. Almost instantly the whole
picket line in front of Mersey's brigade was ablaze, and retiring
before the advancing column. Scarcely had the pickets reached
the works, before ever)' man of the long sinuous line, which a
moment before seemed wrapped in slumber, was up to his place,
and the next moment the Sist Ohio and 12th Illinois poured a vol-
ley of death into the approaching column. A flash and a whiz
was the reply. Our men now loaded and fired as rapidly as possi-
ble, while Welker poured an almost ceaseless fire from his four
guns.
The night was dark, and a heavy air seemed to
weigh down the sulphurous smoke, until the darkness was changed
to grey, in which the dark figures of the men became visible — a
sort of demon-looking set, engaged in a ghastly play with death.
But it could not last long. The earth-works, together with the
wild aiming of the rebels, gave us complete protection, while they
were without any shield. Soon they renewed their attack at an-
other place, then on Mersey again, and again to the right, until at
three o'clock, when they recoiled from their last attack, they had
made seven attempts to break our lines."*
In the gradual movement of Sherman's lines toward
Allatoona, Mersey's brigade moved toward the left, on
the night of May 31, relieving Davies's division. The
following day all the line to the right was withdrawn,
leaving Mersey's brigade as rear-guard for McPherson's
whole command. The Confederates moved again into
Dallas the same day, and their cavalry succeeded in
gaining position in Mersey's rear ; but, bending back
his right, with the 12th Illinois, deployed on his left as
skirmishers, he succeeded in withdrawing his isolated
brigade, receiving the congratulations of his comman-
der for the skillful movement.
By the ist of June, McPherson's whole command
had moved to its left five miles, and occupied General
Thomas's former position in front of New Hope Church.
On the 4th, Johnston evacuated his position and re-
tired to Kenesaw Mountain, where he successfully
resisted assault; and active operations, other than con-
stant skirmishing, were necessarily deferred for several
weeks on account of the condition of the roads, which
were nearly impassable from heavy rains.
In the attack on Little Kenesaw, June 27, the
1 2th was but slightly engaged, having but three
men wounded. On the ist of July, McPherson was
ordered to advance toward the Chattahoochee River,
and threaten Nickajack Creek and Turner's Ferry.
The movement commenced on the following day, and
the enemy immediately abandoned his works around
Kenesaw, and retreated to the Chattahoochee, intrench-
ing himself on the line of Nickajack Creek.
On the 4th, the 1 2th, with its corps, moved from
Marietta, by the Sandtown road, to the Chattahoochee
River, on the opposite bank of which batteries had been
erected to oppose a crossing. Finding this impractic-
able, McPherson made a strong demonstration upon
tin riiniiy's left, ami, shortly after nightfall, the lines
• Rebellion Record, vol. IX.
TWELFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
177
came into collision. The artillery practice at short
range, to which a portion of the regiment was treated
on the light of July 4, 1864, will not be forgotten by
the survivors. A single shell caused a loss in Co. "A"
of four men. Our generals had wisely abandoned the
reckless policy of forcing the fighting where the enemy
had, in this campaign, carefully prepared intrenchments
in his favor, consequently it became necessary at times
to keep his attention engaged, while the blow should be
struck at a distant and unguarded point. Before day-
break, on the morning of July 5, the main body of
McPherson's command was withdrawn from the enemy's
front and put in motion for Roswell, a village on the
Chattahoochee River about twelve miles east of Marietta.
This march to Roswell, via Marietta, tried the endur-
ance of McPherson's troops to the utmost. It was
made with all the speed possible. The day was hot, the
dust was stifling, but the men stood it pretty well till
one or two o'clock in the afternoon, when they began
to succumb. The pace was kept up without intermis-
sion, the ranks being thinned by exhaustion more and
more rapidly, till, when the grateful waters of the river
appeared in sight at Roswell, regiments had dwindled
to companies.
No time was to be lost, the opposite bank was to
be gained, and the men waded into the wide but shal-
low stream, — floundering and falling among the moss-
covered bowlders, the hard-won crossing was made, and
the men formed into line as fast as they arrived.
Before the long twilight had closed, nearly all the
stragglers had crossed, and, from the commanding
officer down, all breathed more freely that the impor-
tant movement had been successfully completed. The
enemy abandoned the line of the Chattahoochee, and re-
tired to Atlanta. On the 13th, the remainder of the
Army of the Tennessee joined the Sixteenth Corps at
Roswell, where the troops enjoyed a few days of much
needed rest.
On the 16th, the command marched from Roswell,
and readied Decatur on the 19th, whence the advance
to the works before Atlanta was continued on the line
of the Decatur railroad, — General Dodge on its right,
and Logan and Blair on its left. As the army closed
in around the city, the gradual shortening of the lines
threw Dodge a little in reserve; and at noon of the 2 2d
he was ordered from his position, at the right of
McPherson's line, to his extreme left, to occupy a hill
to the southeast of Atlanta, which had been captured
by Blair the evening before, and which gave the left a
commanding position, overlooking the heart of the city.
To reach this hill, the command was obliged to move
diagonally, by a narrow wagon track, leading from the
Decatur road through the woods toward the southwest.
The division had halted, and the men were resting at
ease, when, with scarcely a moment's warning, they were
rushed into the midst of the battle of the 22d of July.
The rebel commander, on the preceding night, had
evacuated an extended line of works, north and east of
Atlanta, and, with a portion of his force, had occupied
an interior and more strongly fortified line, leaving
available for the attack which he meditated two corps,
viz., his old command, still known as Hood's Corps,
and Hardee's Corps. The latter, by a night march, had
gained a position in rear of McPherson's left, and, by
attacking simultaneously with Hood's Corps in front,
was to envelop and overwhelm McPherson's command
before Sherman could reinforce this wing. The plan
was a bold one, and, but for the fact that General
Dodge's command was at that moment, by a fortunate
combination of circumstances, in the best possible
position to repel this most unexpected attack upon our
rear, it might have been successful. Hardee's men
were evidently taken aback by the presence of so strong
a force ; they expected little, if any, organized resist-
ance, but at their very first onset encountered a line
which had apparently been formed in anticipation of
such an event. There was a fight, in which the Second
Division, under the eyes of McPherson himself and his
assembled generals, won its brightest laurels — the last
fight, indeed, upon which McPherson ever looked, for,
having seen the attack at this point repelled, he rode
straight to his untimely death.
The line of the Fifteenth Corps having been broken
at the intersection of the railroad leading from the east
into Atlanta, General Logan sent for reinforcements.
The messenger encountered General Sweeney, who, in
General Dodge's absence, assumed the responsibility of
detaching a portion of his division to General Logan's
assistance Colonel Mersey's brigade accordingly,
under General Logan's personal guidance, moved
rapidly from the scene of its recent conflict in a north-
westerly direction, until the line of the railroad just
mentioned was struck; then westwardly until within
two hundred and fifty or three hundred yards of the
works, then in possession of the enemy, when, by filing
to the right, the brigade was brought into line, and with
a rush it re-took the works. This timely success re-
stored confidence and order; and when this eventful day
drew to a close, the Army of the Tennessee was intact
and the enemy foiled at every point. Colonel Mersey's
brigade re-joined its division late that night, and when
morning dawned, the 12th Illinois found itself occupy-
ing an angle of the works which projected boldly to-
ward the city from the southeast. This position was
held until it became clear that the advantages of
position were too greatly in favor of the enemy to war-
rant further extension of our line in this direction.
On the night of the 26th, the Army of the Tennes-
see, General Logan commanding, abandoned its works,
and made the circuit of the armies of Generals Thomas
and Schofield, coming in on the right flank, where, on
the 28th, near Ezra Church, it was again furiously
assailed, with far less effect, however, than on the 2 2d.
The Macon railroad was finally seized and destroyed
some days later, near Jonesboro', by temporarily aban-
doning the works in front of Atlanta and compelling
the enemy to come out to defend his line of communi-
cations. Hood was again defeated, and the hard-
fought campaign came to a close with the fall of
Atlanta.
With its command, the 12th then went into camp at
East Point, where, by order of General Howard, now
commanding the Army of the Tennessee, it was trans-
ferred, September 26, 1864, Captain Robert Koehler, of
Co. " D," commanding the regiment, to the Fourth
(Adams's) Brigade. The Sixteenth Corps, consolidated
with the Fifteenth, was placed under the command of
General Osterhaus. General John M. Corse succeeded
Sweeney in the command of the Second Division; and,
it having been found that Hood was crossing the
Chattahoochee, he was ordered to move to Rome with
Adams's and Rice's brigades, there joining his Third
Brigade (Rowett's), which formed the garrison of that
post, and with his united force be ready to strike in
whatever direction circumstances might demand. Gen-
eral Corse assumed command at Rome on the 29th of
September. On the same day, a telegram was received
from Sherman, intimating that Hood was crossing the
Chattahoochee in the direction of Blue Mountain, and
directing General Corse to watch for his appearance in,
i78
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
or about. Cedartown, a few miles south of Rome. Dur-
ing the first days of October, the cavalry of the enemy
destroyed the railroad near Big Shanty, captured a
train near Ackworth, tore up the track three miles south
of Allatoona, and was threatening Dalton. On the 4th
of October, Sherman signaled to Corse, from Kenesaw,
that Hood was moving on Allatoona. thence to Rome.
From the Allatoona heights, large fires could be seen
along the track toward Big Shanty, showing that Hood's
army was near the line of the railroad north of Kene-
saw. A second signal from Sherman directed Corse to
move to Allatoona with his whole division. Not having
sufficient transportation, Corse was obliged to send to
Kingston for extra cars. These were thrown from the
track in moving to Rome, and on the evening of the
4th. Corse was able to get but twenty-seven cars ready
for his command. At half-past eight, he set out for
Allatoona with a portion of the 12th, under Captain
Koehler, and portions of four regiments of Howett's
brigade. The force arrived at Allatoona at one o'clock
on the morning of the 5th, and the train was immedi-
ately sent back to Rome for more troops; which, how-
ever, owing to an accident on the road, did not arrive
until nine o'clock in the evening. The garrison of
Allatoona consisted of the 4th Minnesota, 93d Illinois,
a part of the iSth Wisconsin, and the 12th Wisconsin
Battery — in all eight hundred and ninety men, com-
manded by Lieutenant-Colonel Tourtelotte. General
Corse took with him, from Rome, detachments from the
39th Iowa, Lieutenant-Colonel Redfield ; 7th Illinois,
Lieutenant-Colonel Pewin ; 12th Illinois, Captain Koeh-
ler ; 50th Illinois, Lieutenant-Colonel Hanna ; and 47th
Illinois, Captain Vansteenburg — in all, one thousand
and fifty-four men; making the total Union force at
Allatoona, one thousand nine hundred and forty-four.
The outposts were attacked by the enemy soon after the
arrival of the reinforcements under Corse. At day-
break, the troops were withdrawn from the town, and
posted on the ridge divided by the railroad cut ; the
1 2th Illinois, with the 4th Minnesota and 50th Illinois,
being stationed east of the cut and in the rear of a re-
doubt commanding the railroad, which was held by
troops under Lieutenant-Colonel Tourtelotte. On the
opposite, or west, side of the railroad cut, stationed on
the hills that covered the redoubt on that side, were the
7th Illinois and 39th Iowa. These troops were early
attacked by Young's Texan Brigade, which advanced
from the west, and were also threatened on the north
by (ieneral Sears, who was rapidly driving in the Union
skirmishers from that direction. Captain Koehler re-
ceived orders to form his detachment of the 12th Illi-
nois on the crest of the railroad cut, facing west, and
to direct his fire upon the hill and ravine north of the
opposite fort, where the 93d Illinois was posted, and
which General Sears was driving from that position.
The 1 2th occupied the position ordered for about thirty
minutes, and by its fire broke Sears's attack on the force
fighting on the west spur, on which he had charged
after sweeping away the companies of the 93d Illinois.
The 1 2th, while fighting on the east side of the cut, lost
one officer and five men wounded. Receiving orders
to throw his regiment across the railroad to the support
of the troops holding the west fort, which was now
assailed by the rebels, Captain Koehler moved into the
cut and up the opposite hill, under a heavy and severe
fire, which killed and wounded several of his men. On
reaching the summit, he found the fort and rifle-pits so
thickly occupied by other troops, that he was obliged to
form his men without other shelter than that afforded by
a small building used as quarters for a section of artil-
lery. The men were cruelly exposed there; but soon
after succeeded in gaining possession of the rifle-pits in
front of the fort, this being now almost empty, as the
other troops who had occupied it had sought shelter
within the redoubt, where, also, a small portion of the
1 2th were placed for lack of room in the rifle-pits. The
artillery of the little redoubt was silent, for want of
ammunition, and it was now surrounded on north, south,
and west — the enemy drawing nearer and nearer, filling
every hollow of the rough ground, and, from the shel-
ter of logs and stumps, pouring in a murderous fire
within musket range of the fort. The engagement
lasted until about four o'clock p. m. Every part of the
poorly constructed rifle-pits was enfiladed by the inces-
sant fire of the enemy, but the men of the 12th re-
mained there until the rebels were repulsed, fighting
with coolness, braver)' and determination.
Officers and men alike executed all orders with
prompt decision, regardless of danger and exposure.
Five, out of seven, company officers were wounded, but
remained at their posts, and, in spite of their suffering,
encouraged and cheered on the men until the enemy
finally fled in confusion, leaving the little band at the
fort masters of the field, and Allatoona safe. The regi-
ment lost ten killed and forty-seven wounded. At the
close of the engagement the men left the rifle-pits, and
that night bivouacked on the battle-field in front of the
fort. It remained at Allatoona until the 7th of October,
being assigned to the Third Brigade, until it could re-
join its own.
After the battle of Allatoona, the 12th returned to
Rome, where it remained with its division until Novem-
ber 10, 1864. While at Rome, General Corse had the
surplus stores, and the sick that had accumulated, re-
moved to Nashville and Chattanooga, and on the 10th,
having first destroyed the public storehouses, he evac-
uated the place, and with his command reached Atlanta
on the evening of the 14th, for the march to the sea.
For the purpose of making this great march, Sherman's
army was divided into four wings; the right commanded
by Major-General O. O. Howard, the left by Major-
General H. W. Slocum. The 12th, with Corse's di-
vision of the Fifteenth Corps (General Osterhaus, which
formed the right hand column of the right wing), marched
from Whitehall on the 15th of November, and, to-
gether with its division, reached Savannah on the 12th
of December, participating in the various engagements
on the route. On the 17th, the regiment was detailed
to guard the prisoners taken at Fort McAllister, by
General Hazen's division of the Fifteenth Corps, and to
take them to Hilton Head. On the night of the 20th,
Hardee evacuated Savannah, and it was occupied imme-
diately by Union troops. The 12th Illinois returned
from Hilton Head to Savannah on the 10th of January,
1865, and on the 28th, started with the Fifteenth Corps,
now commanded by Major-General John A. Logan, on
the march for Goldsboro', N. C, a distance of over six
hundred miles. Corse's division reached Goldsboro'
March 24th, where it remained until April 10th, when
Sherman started in pursuit of Johnston. The regiment
entered Raleigh on the 14th of April, and the following
day was stationed at Morrisville, where it remained un-
til Johnston's surrender, April 26th. On the 29th, with
Howard's corps, it marched northward by Lewisburg,
Warrenton, Lawrenceville and Petersburg to Rich-
mond, and thence to Washington, where it participated in
the grand review, on the 24th of May. It left Washing-
ton June 6th, and proceeded to Louisville, Ky., where
it was mustered out, July 10, 1865, and received its
final discharge, on July 18th, at Camp BuUer, 111.
NINETEENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
'79
John McArthur, general manager of the Chicago & Vert
Island Stone Company, was born in the county of Renfrew, Scot-
land, November 17, 1826, and is the son of John and Isabella
(Nelson) McArthur. Being a bright and intelligent boy, and
quickly mastering the branches of education taught in the schools
of his native village, the parish minister desired to educate him for
his own calling, but the boy preferred a more active career. Con-
sequently, when he was fourteen years of age, he learned the trade
of a blacksmith in his father's shop, and there worked until 1849,
when he came to Chicago and engaged in business with Carlile
Mason, his brother-in-law, as a machinist and blacksmith, under
the firm name of Mason & McArthur. From the first period of
his residence in this city, Mr. McArthur took an engrossing inter-
est in military matters, particularly in the local military companies.
When the Chicago Highland Guards were organized, by Captain
John McKay, in August, 1855, Mr. McArthur was chosen third
lieutenant ; the following year, he was made first lieutenant ;
and, in 1S58, was elected captain, which position he held
until the outbreak of the Rebellion — the company being one
of the best in Chicago. In 1S58, the firm of Mason & McArthur
was dissolved, Mr. McArthur then commencing the manufacture
of steam boilers, which business he continued for about three
years In 1861, he was elected lieutenant-colonel of the Wash-
ington Independent Regiment, of which the Highland Guards
formed a part. At the formation of the 12th Illinois Infantry, in
April, 1861, he was elected its colonel, and was with the regiment
during its three months' campaign at Cairo and Caseyville ; was
again made colonel when the regiment re-enlisted for three years,
and was soon after stationed at Paducah, Ky. , with General E. A.
Paine's command. During the latter part of 1861, he was acting
as brigadier-general, and soon after the battle of Fort Donelson
received his commission as brigadier-general, this distinction being
for meritorious service in action. He was wounded in the first
day's battle at Shiloh, a ball passing through his foot, which
wound disabled him for more than a month. At Corinth, on
October 3, 1862, his brigade was in the advance, and bore a most
honorable part in the battle of the day. For meritorious service
at the battle of Nashville, Tenn., he received his brevet as major-
general, on the recommendation of General George H. Thomas,
"for conspicuous gallantry and efficiency during the battle of
December 15-16, 1S64, before Nashville, Tenn." As such officer
he was in command of a division in the Army of the Tennessee ;
and in this position, and in those which he had held prior thereto,
he gained an enviable name and reputation, for personal bravery
and his many admirable soldierly qualities. He was mustered out
of service in September, 1S65, when he returned to Chicago. He
was Commissioner of Public Works from i860 to 1872 ; after
which he engaged in the foundry business on the North Side for
several years. In December, 1872, he was appointed Postmaster
of Chicago which position he retained until March 10, 1877 ;
when he engaged in the commission business, and remained there-
in until 1882. He then organized the Chicago & Vert Island
Stone Company, which was incorporated in the spring of 1883.
Mr. McArthur was married, in May, 184S, to Miss Christina Cuth-
bertson, of Scotland. They have seven children — John, Cuthbert,
Bessie, Ada, Arthur W., James N. and Walter S.
Arthur Charles Ducat is one of the few military charac-
ters in Chicago who has ever kept alive his love for the profession,
and has, up to a comparatively recent date, been actively engaged in
the service of his country and his adopted State. He was born
in Dublin, Ireland, February 24, 1830, being the youngest son of
Mungo and Dorcas (Atkinson) Ducat. Early showing a special
aptitude for scientific pursuits, he received a thorough education
in the theoretical and practical details of his chosen profession —
that of a civil engineer. In 1851, he came to Chicago, and read-
ily found employment on several important railroads and public
works. In 1857, as secretary and chief surveyor of the Board of
Underwriters, he commenced the long and eminently successful
career as an insurance man, .which is properly detailed in the chap-
ter devoted to that topic. In this position, he did good service in
protecting the first fire engines of the city against the threatened
attacks of many reckless members of the volunteer department,
and was chiefly instrumental in drafting and passing the ordinance
for the establishment of the paid fire department. For several
years previous to the breaking out of the war, he fad been study-
ing, with ardor and perseverance, the principles of military science,
mastering many of the leading works, and preparing himself for
the conflict which all thoughtful men realized must come. Upon
the firing on Fort Sumter, Mr. Ducat threw himself, heart and soul,
into the service of his adopted country, and his previous training
and forethought had peculiarly fitted him for playing a leading
part. At first, he raised a corps of engineer soldiers, sappers and
miners, whose services, however, were not accepted. Resigning
his position on the Board of Underwriters, in April, 1S61, he en-
listed as a private in the 12th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but was
shortly afterward promoted to the rank of lieutenant and adjutant,
and subsequently to the captaincy of Co. "A." Accompany-
ing General Charles F. Smith to Paducah, Ky., he was promoted
to the rank of major. In recognition of merit and gallantry, ex-
hibited in the battles of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, he was
advanced to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He afterward partic-
ipated in all the battles of General Grant's campaign, displaying
rare ability, and distinguishing himself for brilliant and gallant
conduct. In August, 1862, he was assigned to duty as senior of-
ficer on the staff of Major-General Ord, and participated in the
battle of Iuka, and served as picket and outpost officer of the Army
of the Tennessee. Upon General Rosecrans assuming command
of the army, Lieutenant-Colonel Ducat became his inspector-gen-
eral, in which capacity he served at the battle of Corinth. He also
served at this time as senior aide-de-camp and chief of the grand
guards and outposts, invariably winning the highest opinions for
conspicuous bravery and ability. Later, when General Rosecrans
took command of the Army of the Cumberland, he became his act-
ing chief-of-staff and acting inspector-general, and subsequently
was appointed inspector-general of the Army and Department of the
Cumberland. It was while serving in this capacity that he formed
and established the famous system of grand guard, outpost and
picket duty, adopted by the Army of the Cumberland, and was au-
thor, also, of the bureau of the inspector-general's department,
which systems, with very slight alterations, were adopted by the
War Department at Washington, for the United States Army, and
in the organization of the signal corps for the Army of the Cumber-
land, at Nashville. During the advance of the army from Bowl-
ing Green to Nashville, and the raising of the siege of the latter
place, and the famous reorganization of the Fourteenth Army
Corps, he acted as chief-of-staff as well as inspector-general, and
was relieved as chief-of-staff by the lamented Garreshe, who was
killed at the battle of Stone River ; subsequently, the late Presi-
dent Garfield was appointed to the position, Ducat being appointed
inspector-general of the army, it being the military bureau and a
position which he seemed to court. General Ducat continued to
hold his office of inspector-general, until his incapacity for duty,
by disease, contracted in the service, required his resignation and
withdrawal from the service. This enforced retirement drew forth
many expressions of regret from the general officers, and others,
who appreciated the genius and ability displayed in his efficient
management of his several commands and of the inspector-gen-
eral's department, and in the other important positions which he
had filled in the service. He was then offered the position of
brigadier-general in the Invalid Corps, but preferred to leave the
service if he could not serve in the field. Some of the testimonials
he received from generals like Grant, Thomas and Rosecrans, are
especially noteworthy and distinguishing. In the spring of 1863,
General Ducat was appointed inspector-general of the Army of
the Cumberland, on the staff of Major-General Rosecrans, but
failing health, on account of overwork and exposure, forced him
to resign his position, which fact called forth the most unqualified
official praise of his services from Generals Rosecrans, Thomas and
Grant. Passing over his successful career in the insurance busi-
ness during the succeeding eleven years, for the reason already re-
ferred to, it is found that, in June, 1875, General Ducat was en-
trusted by the Governor with the duty of reorganizing the State
Militia, and the result was the basis of the present effective organi-
zation of regiments and battalions. The bill for the development
of a State national guard, which passed in 1877, was also the pro-
duct of his mind and labors, and Governor Cullom very properly
appointed him major-general of the division, comprising three
brigades. During the railroad riots of that year, General Ducat
rendered the city invaluable service in suppressing those unlawful
elements which threatened to make of Chicago a second Pitts-
burgh— handling his little army with such skill, all over the State,
that no riot was permitted to gain headway, everywhere in the
State the rioters were met by the troops, and General Ducat proved
himself as able an administrator as a general. In June, 1869, he
resigned his position as major-general, and in July the Legislature
abolished the office, leaving the brigade commanders to report
direct to the adjutant-general of the State. Since then, General
Ducat has devoted himself strictly to that business with which he
has been prominently identified for so many years.
NINETEENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
This was one of the ten regiments organized under
the act of the State Legislature, passed at a special ses-
sion, in April, 1861, and was known as the regiment
from the State-at-large ; it having been made up of
companies from different parts of the state, which had
been accepted by the Governor over and above the
number necessary to complete the first six regiments
i So
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
called for by the President. Although this was the
case, and from its number and date of organization it
would seem to have been a regiment organized on the
second call, and the different companies only get a rec-
ord from that date, still it is a fact that some of the
companies possess a record antedating any company in
the first six regiments, or in the whole Grand Volunteer
Army of the Union. Co. " E " ( Chicago Highland
Guards was an organized company in the State's ser-
vice, dating its organization back to 1855. This com-
panv. on the fourteenth day of January, 1861, tendered
its services to the Governor and to the State authorities,
three months before Sumter was fired on ; it was
accepted, and on the 21st of April, 1861, was ordered
to assemble in its armory, and it remained there under
orders till the 23d, when it was ordered to Springfield.*
Cos. "A," "K" Chicago Zouaves\ and " D," were
also organized before the call of the President (Co
"A," on March 23d, and were sent, on the 21st of
April, by order of Governor Yates, to Cairo with the
expedition under the command of General R. K. Swift,
to secure that important point. While these companies
were performing the duties assigned them, the first six
regiments were organized at Camp Yates, but they were
not enrolled in any of them. The 19th was mustered
into the State service May 4, 1861, and remained at
Camp Yates, Springfield, until June ; when it was sent
to Chicago, reorganized, and on the 17th of June, 1861,
was mustered into the United States service for three
years. On the 22d of the same month, John B. Tur-
'chin was appointed colonel of the regiment, the regi-
mental roster being as follows:
Field and Staff: Colonel, John B. Turchin ; Lieu-
tenant-Colonel, Joseph R. Scott ; Major, Frederick
Harding ; Adjutant, Chauncey Miller ; Quartermaster,
Robert W. Wetherell ; Surgeon, Samuel C. Blake (who
resigned in a few months, and was succeeded by Ros-
well G. BogueN; First Assistant- Surgeon, Preston H.
Bailhache; Chaplain, Augustus H. Conant. Colonel
Turchin was promoted brigadier-general July 17, 1862,
and Lieutenant-Colonel Scott was promoted colonel,
August 7, 1862. Alexander W. Raffen, Co. " E," was
promoted lieutenant-colonel July 22, 1862, and James
V. Guthrie, of Co. " C," was promoted major Septem-
ber 6, 1862, vice Frederick Harding, resigned.
Line Officers: Co. "A" ^Chicago Zouaves), Cap-
tain, James K. Hayden ; First Lieutenant, Clifton T.
Wharton ; Second Lieutenant, John C. Long, trans-
ferred to the Regular Army in 1862. Co. " B " (Elmira
Rifles, Stark County,, Captain, Charles A. Stewart ;
first Lieutenant, Stephen M. Hill ; Second Lieutenant,
Alexander Murchison, Jr. Co. "C" (Chicago Zou-
Captain, James V. Guthrie; First Lieutenant,
William Lnnis : Second Lieutenant, Leaveans J. Kee-
ler. Co. "D" (Chicago Light Infantry , , Captain,
Charles A. ( olby ; I :r^t Lieutenant, James R. Faulk-
ner ; S< tenant, D. A. Cunningham. Co. "E "
(Highland Guards , Captain, Alexander W. Raffen ;
First Lieutenant, David F. Bremner ; Second Lieuten-
» Thi« history ' DM hubmitled to, and approved by, the
Vrterar ' -nent.
ant, John Young. Co. " F " ( Cass County Guards),
Captain, Luther L. Allard ; First Lieutenant, Knowlton
S. Chandler ; Second Lieutenant, James G. Campbell.
Co. " G," Captain, Charles D. C. Williams ; First Lieu-
tenant, Lyman Bridges ; Second Lieutenant, Charles
H. Roland. Co. " H " (Moline Rifles', Captain, Peach
A. Garriot ; First Lieutenant, DeWitt C. Marshall ;
Second Lieutenant, Alvah Mansur. Co. " I " ' Anti-
Beauregards, Galena), Captain, Bushrod B. Howard ;
First Lieutenant, Thaddeus G. Drum ; Second Lieu-
tenant, John R. Madison. Co. " K," (Chicago Zou-
aves'), Captain, John H. Clybourn ; First Lieutenant,
Presly N. Guthrie ; Second Lieutenant, Charles H.
Shepley.
Colonel John B. Turchin (Ivan B. Turchinenoff ), of the
Nineteenth Regiment, was a Russian by birth, and became a stu-
dent in the military school, at St. Petersburg, in his youth. After
a thorough training there, he was made a lieutenant in the Russian
Army, remaining in that position until promoted to the rank of
captain. Being then selected as one of the etat-major, or staff,
he was sent back to school, where he remained three years longer.
After perfecting himself theoretically in all branches of military
art, he graduated with honor, and, on the opening of the Crimean
war, was made first assistant to the engineer of the Grand Duke,
afterward, Emperor Alexander. The defenses of the Finland
coast were planned by him, and adopted by his government. Dur-
ing the war, he became disgusted with the tyranny and despotism
of government as exercised in the army, and, having become some-
what democratic in his views, he obtained leave of absence for the
purpose of visiting Germany. From Germany he came to Amer-
ica ; adopted engineering as his profession, and at the time of his
election to the colonelship of the 19th, was in the engineer depar-
ment of the Illinois Central Railroad.
The 19th was especially and particularly a Chi-
cago regiment, although some of the companies were
from other parts of the State; and when, on the 12th
of July, it became known that the regiment was
ordered to move to the front, the camp was thronged
with friends of the boys, anxious to bid them good-bye.
At four o'clock p. m., tents were struck, bag-
gage and camp equipage packed, and at
seven o'clock the regiment was drawn up in
line, ready to march. At eight, led by Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Scott, it wheeled into the
densely crowded avenue and marched to the
Lake Shore depot, where thousands were
waiting to say the last farewell. It arrived
at Quincy, 111., on the 13th, and on the
14th, three companies, "F," "G," and "I," were
moved to Quincy, under command of Major Harding.
Co. " E " was detailed to guard the railroad bridge
over Fabius River; Co. "C," the bridge over North
River; the rest of the companies — "A," " B," "D,"
"H" and "K" — were sent to Hannibal, Mo., and
thence to Palmyra, within forty-eight hours after
leaving camp at Chicago. The regiment remained in
that portion of Missouri, guarding railroads, scouting,
and doing good service until the 27th of July, when it
was ordered to St. Louis, and thence with General Fre-
mont's expedition down the Mississippi River, landing
at Bird's Point, Mo., opposite Cairo. It was immedi-
ately detailed for outpost duty, and moved to Norfolk,
six miles down the river, the most advanced post of the
Union Army. The duty required of the regiment there
was very arduous, and was well done. It was there
visited by Messrs. Hurd, Long and Hoyne, of Chicago,
who, as a committee in behalf of the citizens, presented
it with a stand of colors. It remained at Norfolk until
the 14th, when it was withdrawn and sent to Pilot
Knob, Mo., where it remained until the 29th of August,
when it moved, with General Prentiss's column, against
the rebels near Dallas. When near that point, the 19th
NINETEENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
was put in the advance, and entered Dallas, but found
no enemy. The march was continued to Jackson, where
the troops halted. It remained there until the 8th of
September, when it moved to Cape Girardeau, and
thence by boat to Cairo, and encamped at Fort Holt,
on the Kentucky shore, where it remained until the 16th
of September, when it was ordered to Washington.
This closed its connection with the armies in Missouri
and on the Mississippi. During the two months
it served in the Department, it traveled a distance of
over two thousand miles, having been almost contin-
uously on the move, either as a regiment or in detach-
ments. On the 17th of September, the regiment took
cars at Sandoval, on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad,
en route for Washington, but it was destined not to reach
that point, as one of the trains, containing companies
" E," " F," " G," and " I," broke through a bridge (No.
48), near Huron, Ind., killing Captain B. Howard, of
Co. " I," and twenty-four enlisted men, and wounding
Lieutenant Clifton F Wharton, of Co. " A," and one
hundred and five enlisted men, seven of whom died.
Fortunately, Drs. Bogue and Bailhache, the regimental
surgeons, and a staff-officer, were in the last car, and,
escaping without injury, attended to the wounded.
Captain Howard was for many years postmaster at
Galena, a soldier in the Mexican War, and a most
efficient and popular officer. The following is the list
of the killed:
Masten Kelley, Co. " E," private; J. W. S. Babitt, Co. " F,"
corporal; Charles H. Valentine, Co. " F," musician; David Noble,
Co. " G," private; Stephen C. Leabock, Charles M. Brastem and
Charles H. Calling, Co. "G," privates; Bushrod B. Howard,
captain, Co. " I "; Samuel J. Clark, Jerry Ingraham and Albert II.
Painter, Co. " I," corporals; Henry Bauas, Robert Bruce, Laurence
Carroll, N. Connelly, William Frost, William Harwich, Jacob
Coleman, John Brown, Henry Conner, John Douglas, Peter M.
Fowler, William Ringer and Joseph Smith, privates, and Anton
Raffner, musician, of Co. " I."
The engine was sent forward for assistance, and
the first train, containing the remaining companies of
the regiment, which had safely passed the bridge a few
minutes before, was stopped about twelve miles beyond
Huron, and sent back to the scene of the disaster.
With Colonel Turchin, was his heroic and helpful wife,
and the two were equal to a host in efficiency and use-
fulness. All through the night, the work of rescuing
those yet alive from the wreck went on. Shortly before
noon of the following day, a special train, containing
one hundred and fifteen wounded, was started for Cin-
cinnati. On arriving in that city, they were removed
to the Marine Hospital, where every attention and care
was bestowed upon them. The bodies of twenty-five
killed were also taken to Cincinnati, and placed in
vaults in Spring Grove Cemetery, whence they were
taken to their former homes by their friends.
Colonel Turchin, in writing of the catastrophe and
the criminal carelessness of the railroad companies, in
allowing such frail structures to be used as caused the
accident to his own command, said
"Our regiment, after the disaster on the night of the 17th of
September, 1S61, on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, at ' bridge
No. 4S,' was entirely broken. Out of three companies that suf-
fered most, hardly one company could be formed. One-third of
the arms of those companies were entirely ruined, and knapsacks,
blankets and accoutrements greatly damaged. One captain and
twenty-four men were killed, and over one hundred men, including
one lieutenant, wounded — of whom, perhaps, thirty or forty will
not be fit for service. Out of three companies, one hundred and
thirty men have left the ranks — a number hardly possible to be lost
in the most severe battle. I am an old soldier, but never in my
life have I felt so wretched as when I saw, by moonlight, my dear
comrades on the miserable pile of rubbish, below agglomerated
cars, and heard the groans of agony from the wounded."
Robert Brand, Esq., mayor of Galena, in a report
to a meeting of the citizens of that city, relative to the
accident, paid the following tribute to Colonel and
Madame Turchin:
" This report would be incorrect were I to omit the names of
Colonel Turchin and his heroic wife; to thank the colonel for his
care and attention in providing for his soldiers, and the facilities
he extended for the performance of my sad duties to the dead.
To hear the wounded men speak of the heroic conduct of the brave
Mrs. Turchin when the accident occurred; how, when the dead,
dying and mutilated laid in one mass of ruin; when the bravest
heart was appalled, and all was dismay, this brave woman was in
the water, rescuing the mangled and wounded from a watery grave,
and tearing from her person every available piece of clothing to
use as bandages for the wounded, proves, beyond all question,
that she is not only the right woman in the right place, but a fit
consort for the brave Turchin in leading the gallant sons of Illinois
to battle."
Her devotion to her husband's soldiers in their peril
was such as is described above, and subsequently, dur-
ing their long hours of suffering in the hospital, her
care for the wounded men was that of a tender mother
for her sons.
The regiment, on arriving at Cincinnati, was ordered
into camp at Camp Dennison, to await orders, and, on
the 23d, took boat for Louisville, where it arrived on
the 25th, and was, on the same day, sent to Lebanon
Junction, where it remained, guarding the Louisville &
Nashville Railroad and Lebanon Branch Railroad, until
October 2 2d, when it was moved to Elizabethtown.
While in camp there, the regiment was thoroughly
drilled, and became distinguished for its fine military
iSi
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
discipline. It also found leisure to devote itself some-
what to literature, a regimental paper, styled the
" Zouave Gazette." being published during the months
of October and November, 1S61, in the office of the
defunct "Elizabethtown Democrat." Several numbers
of this paper are now in the possession of the Chicago
Historical Societv. October 30, 1S61, was its first issue,
and it notes that Dwight L. Moody visited the camp,
on invitation of Chaplain A. H. Conant; the resigna-
tion of Lieutenant Cunningham, Co. " D," and Lieu-
tenant Drum, Co. " I," on account of ill-health; and
the promotion of First Lieutenant Charles H. Shepley
to the captaincy of Co. " I."
The editors' of the Gazette were William B. Red-
field, formerly of the Chicago Evening Journal, and
Lieutenant Lyman Bridges; publisher, Lieutenant Wil-
liam Quinton; printers, William J. Ramage, Co. "C";
J. H. Haynie, Co. " D "; T. H. Dawson, Co. "E"; and
E. Archibald, Co. "H "; pressman, Charles H.Wright;
and William H. Christian, printer's devil. In No. 3, is
an acknowledgment of the reception of a splendid set
of guide colors, presented to the regiment by Mrs. and
the Misses Carney, of Chicago; also an account of an
expedition to Big Springs, by a command under Major
Harding, then provost marshal of Elizabethtown, and
the capture of certain secessionists, arms, etc.
After the accident at " Bridge No. 48," Captain
Hayden. of Co. "A," and Lieutenant Bridges, of Co.
" G." returned to Chicago, and recruited to fill the
ranks of the 19th.
From Elizabethtown, the regiment moved to Bacon
Creek, Kv., where it was brigaded with the 18th Ohio,
the 24th Illinois, and 37th Indiana, under command of
Colonel Turchin. General Mitchel having been placed
in command of the troops at Bacon Creek, there organ-
ized his famous Second Division, of which the Eighth
Brigade was always the advance, and the 19th the ad-
vance of the brigade. The regiment remained there
until the 10th of February, 1862, when the division
moved to Green River, halting there until the 13th,
when the order to move to Bowling Green was given,
and the column moved forward, the 19th in the advance.
It arrived in front of Bowling Green at three p. m., on
the 14th. in time to exchange a few shots with the rear
guard of the rebels, but too late to save the bridge
across the Big Barren River, so that the troops could
not cross at once. The men were allowed a few hours'
re->t, after which they were again in line. General
Mitchel having determined to occupy the city that
night, established a ferry some few miles below the
town, to which point the troops were marched. The
19th was first to cross, and the first Union regiment in
that stronghold of the confederacy. It remained at
Bowling Green, as rear guard, and then moved on to
Nashville, where it arrived on the 4th of March. Re-
mained there until the 1 8th, and then moved to Mur-
'<> , moving thence, April 5th, and arriving on the
6th at Shelbyville, and on the 9th at Fayetteville. On
the 10th, it moved toward Huntsville, which it reached
it six o'clock a. m. The expedition was a com-
plete several rebel officers were captured at
the hotels, and a large number of locomotives and cars
were also taken by the victors.
There the regiment had one day's rest; when it was
pushed w<;^t along the railroad to Decatur, which point
the rebels evacuated on its approach. There Lieuten-
ant-Colon<:i Scott resumed the command; and from
thence it mover! to Tuscumbia, Ala., using the cars to
transport them to within fifteen miles of the town, and
marching the rest of the way. The Eighth Brigade
halted about two miles from town ; the 19th pushed
on, and occupied it the same night, put out pickets,
and bivouacked. On the night of the 21st, one of the
picket-posts, held by Co. "C," under command of Cap-
tain James V. Guthrie, was attacked, and the outpost
on the Iuka road, commanded by Sergeant A. Burns,
driven in. The reserves made a stout defense, and held
their ground until Colonel Scott arrived from town
with reinforcements, and drove off the enemy. Co.
"C's" loss was one man killed and two wounded.
While the regiment was at Tuscumbia, two compa-
nies, " E " and " F," under command of Captain Alex-
ander W. Raffen, were left to guard some bridges on
the railroad at, and near, Hillsboro' Station. Captain
Raffen held Hillsboro' with Co. " E," with an outpost of
twelve men of that company, under command of Lieu-
tenant James G. Campbell, of Co. " F," at a railroad
bridge two miles west of the station. On the night of
the 21st, this outpost was attacked by a force of the
enemy, some four hundred strong, and, after a brisk
fight, was compelled to fall back toward Hillsboro'.
The rebels fired the bridge; and would have destroyed
it, had not Captain Raffen, hearing the firing, hastened
to the aid of the guard with the rest of Co. " E." He
arrived in time, drove off the rebels, and succeeded in
extinguishing the fire and saving the bridge.
After remaining a week at Tuscumbia, the country
around Decatur being evacuated, the regiment fell
back toward Decatur. During this movement, an at-
tack was made by a large force of rebel cavalry, who
captured part of the wagon-train and some prisoners.
The regiment then returned to Huntsville where it
remained until the 13th of April. On that date, the 19th
and 24th Illinois and the 37th Indiana were ordered to
reinforce troops at Athens that had been attacked.
Again the 19th was the advance guard, as it al-
ways was when a fight was anticipated. The column
reached the town early next morning; but as the rebels
had fallen back, it remained there as a part of the gar-
rison until the 26th of May, when it was ordered to
Fayetteville, Tenn., where it remained till the 2d of
June. An expedition planned against Chattanooga,
under command of General Negley — Turchin's Brigade
having been appointed as a part of the force — left Fay-
etteville on the 2d of June, 1862. The 19th took no im-
portant part in the expedition until the 6th, when it was
detached from the column, and sent across the moun-
tains to Chattanooga, in front of which place it arrived
at four p. m., having driven in all the enemy's scouts and
pickets, capturing some of them. The regiment took
a position about three-quarters of a mile from town,
put out pickets, and prepared to hold the position. The
rest of the forces were still some fifteen miles distant,
and could not be up till noon of the next day, so that
the position of the 19th was none of the safest.
The next day, General Negley arrived, and prepared
to open the action. Two companies of the 19th, "A"
and " G," commanded by Captains P. N. Guthrie and
Lyman Bridges, were deployed as skirmishers in front
of the water-batteries of the enemy, being supported by
Cos. " E " and "D," under command of Lieutenants
I). Ff Bremner and W. A. Calhoun. About three
o'clock p. m., the enemy opened fire on the skirmishers,
keeping it up for nearly three hours, when the enemy's
guns were silenced; the firing of the skirmishers being
so correct that the rebel gunners dared not remain at
their posts. At about seven o'clock, the line was re-
called. The casualties of the 19th Illinois in this ac-
tion were Corporal T. Hanley, of Co. "A," mortally
wounded, and Sergeant T. M. Beatty and Theodore
NINETEENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
183
THE
„.„;nP„„i,.
; JWCcIJ, ef
Smitlhvooii & Irwin,
ZOUAVE ^ST GAZETTE.
OF THE NINETEENTH REGIMENT ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS.
JAMES
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FAC SIMILE OF ARMY PAPER OF THE NINETEENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
1S4
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Cole, severely wounded. Subsequently, July zi, the
regiment was ordered to Huntsville, from which place
the various companies were distributed along the Mem-
phis & Charleston and the Tennessee & Alabama rail-
roads, as guards. It performed this duty until the
26th of August, when it was ordered to Nashville,
General Buell having decided to evacuate north Ala-
bama. A part of the regiment arrived at Nashville on
the 27th. The remainder were not relieved so soon,
and were further delayed by the burning of two bridges
by guerrillas, who made an attempt to capture one of the
trains on which Cos. "A," ''B," and details from other
companies were being transported. The attack was
made at Richland Creek by a strong force under
Colonel Biffle, a noted guerrilla leader, who, to insure
success, had burned the bridge in front and rear of the
train and pulled the spikes out of some of the rails, so
as to throw the train from the track, and then concealed
themselves in a cornfield to await its arrival. They
were successful so far as throwing the train from the
track was concerned, but its capture was quite another
thing. The instant the train ran off, the concealed
rebels poured a volley into the cars, killing one and
wounding seven or eight of the men, hoping thus to
throw them into confusion. In this they did not suc-
ceed; for the boys, as soon as they found out what was
the matter, and almost before an officer could give an
order, were out of the cars, in line, and advancing on
the rebels. This turn of things was unlooked for, and,
although the enemy greatly outnumbered the boys, they
ran into the woods and escaped, leaving two prisoners
and some horses and equipments in the hands of the
victors. Under direction of their officers, the men soon
had the cars on the track again, but the bridges being
burned, they could get no farther. On the next day,
companies "C," " D," " F" and " I," of the 19th, and
General Xegley, with troops from Columbia, arrived.
The bridges were soon repaired, and on the 30th the
whole force arrived at Nashville. About the same time
a large force appeared in front of the stockade held by
Co. " K," a few miles farther on the road to Nashville,
and demanded its surrender. Lieutenant Bell, who
was in command, refused to do so, and informed the
rebels that if they wanted his post, to come and take
it; which invitation they did not accept. On the 31st
of August, the regiment was on the road for Murfrees-
boro', where it arrived September 1; and on the 5th of
September was again at Nashville, where it remained,
forming a part of the garrison, under the command of
General Negley. Of constant hard duty, short rations,
and short and sharp skirmishing, a full share fell to the
19th Illinois.
The army having returned to Nashville, and Gen-
eral Rosecrans having assumed command under the
new organization, General Negley's division, to which
the 19th belonged, was assigned to the center of the army,
under command of General Thomas. On the 10th of
ler, it moved from Nashville and camped on
the Iranklin pike, about eight miles from Nashville.
'I here, until the 26th of December, the time was passed
in drilling and perfecting the men, and on that date,
the whole army moved against the enemy at Murfrees-
boro', and on the night of the 29th, was in front of the
rebel position. On the morning of the 30th of Decem-
ber, the regiment was deployed as skirmishers, and en-
tered the cedars, to develop the position of the enemy.
They ■■:■ md, and driven back across the Wil-
kinson pike, some di tani <- into the woods ; but a force
still held a strong position in a brick kiln, close to the
pike, and annoyed the regiment very much. These
Colonel Scott determined to dislodge, and, with the
reserve of the regiment, attacked the position and took
it. The right of the skirmish line being too far ad-
vanced, it fell back to the pike, and held that line until
relieved by McCook's troops, which came up and
took position on the right of Negley. The 19th,
being withdrawn from the skirmish line, returned to its
position in the line, and was not engaged during the
rest of the day.
On the morning of the 31st, the troops were early
under arms, and Negley's division was about to advance,
when all on the right was confusion and disorder. Mc-
Cook had been attacked in flank, and was rapidly driven
back towards Murfreesboro' pike, thus exposing the right
flank of the center to the enemy. Negley's division
quickly changed front, and for a while succeeded in
checking the advance of the enemy ; but, finally, over-
powered, had to fall back to the edge of the cedars.
They here made a brave stand, but again were forced
to retire. There, the 19th Illinois performed an act of
bravery and daring that should give it a high position
in history. General Rosecrans had brought up the re-
serves, and, while forming them on the open ground
between the pike and the cedars, it was necessary that
the rebels should be checked, until his lines could be
completed. The 19th Illinois, alone and single handed,
remained in the cedars ; and not only did they hold their
position, but the gallant Scott advanced them still far-
ther into the woods, where they remained almost half
an hour, with the rebels in front and on both flanks.
There, Captain Murchison was wounded, and Lieutenant
Hunter, of Co. '' B," Captain Garriot, of Co. " H,"
Lieutenant Bell, of Co. " K," and a host of brave
men, fell, dead or wounded. Still they held their
ground until General Rosecrans's lines were formed,
and then retired in good order behind the new line of
battle, leaving in dead and wounded one hundred
and ten men — nearly thirty-three per cent, of the men
engaged, Negley being held in reserve.
The 19th Illinois was not engaged again until the
afternoon of the 2d of January, 1863, when, an attack
on the left being anticipated, the division moved from
the right, where it had been supporting McCook. At
about three o'clock p. m., the rebels, under General
Breckinridge, made a desperate assault on the left of
the line, and, after a sharp fight, broke it, driving it
back across Stone River, and for a few minutes, all
seemed lost. Then the famous question, " Who will
save the left ? " was asked and answered ; and bravely
did the 19th do its part. Rosecrans ordered Negley's
division to restore the line; at it they went, the 19th
Illinois leading, and checked the rebels on the bank of
the river. The 19th plunged into the river, crossed,
re-formed, and, without waiting for the other regiments
to cross, charged a rebel battery that was doing great
mischief to our lines. On they went, and, under a
withering fire, broke the rebel line, capturing four guns
and a rebel flag. This check to the rebel assault de-
cided the battle of Stone River; and to no regiment in
the army was due more credit and honor than to the
19th Illinois. The regiment lost heavily in officers and
men. The gallant Colonel Scott fell, mortally wound-
ed, leading the final charge. Always impetuous and
fearless, he was in advance of the line, a conspicuous
mark for the enemy. The regiment had another brave
officer to take his place — Lieutenant-Colonel Raffen ;
who immediately assumed command, and led on the
regiment to final victory. Captain Chandler, of Co.
" F," a brave and faithful officer, fell, shot through
the head, immediately after crossing the river. Lieu-
NINETEENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
i85
tenant Wellington Wood, of Co. " H," also went down,
mortally wounded, at the same time.
The following is a list of the killed and wounded :
Killed. — Ira A. Pease, corporal; Devillo L. Holmes and
Thomas A. Moore, privates, Co. "A"; George Ryerson, corporal;
Isaac L. Kenyon, Charles M. Leason, and J. C. Imes, privates,
Co. "B"; Robert McCracken, corporal, Co. " D"; Knowlton F.
Chandler, captain, and Samuel Griffin, private, Co. " F"'; Jesse
Maxwell, private, Co. "H"; John Triteau, private, Co. "I";
Daniel \V. Griffin, corporal, Co. " K."
Wounded. — Joseph R. Scott, colonel; James V. Guthrie, major.
R. G. Sylvester, William H. Wildey, sergeants; Charles Kerr, cor-
poral; R. P. Blanchard, J. H. Edgell. M. C. Kennedy, Chris. A.
Mulvey, Joseph H. Slagle, Charles H. Tuthill, George Uttz, and
Samuel Warden, privates, Co. " A"; Alexander Murchison, cap-
tain; John H. Hunter, second lieutenant; Thomas Robison,
sergeant; J. L, Kennedy and H. B. Worth, corporals; George
Pugan, Thomas Turnbull, George T. Sharrer, T. W. Ozziah,
Columbus Morgan, William Douglass, J. M. Leacox, and Walter
Clark, privates, Co. "B"; Washington L. Wood, first lieutenant;
Henry Sweezy and Delevan Craft, corporals; John Ivis, Webster
Daniels, Peter Bourkwort, Charles Idair, Wilkins M. Battis, Frank
Sequin and Edward McKeebe, privates, Co. "C"; Jonas Gold-
smith, sergeant; Robert McCracken, Henry Clay Daggy, and
William B. Taylor, corporals; John Tansey, Thomas Williard.
Henry E. Carter, Jacob Bolls, Joseph Smith, Samuel Madden,
James H. Haynie, Murray W. Smith, privates, Co. "D"; Peter
F. Guthrie, Joseph C. Huntingdon, and Alexander McL. Frazier,
corporals; John E. A. Stephens, David McArthur, John Hays,
John G. P. Noble, Thomas C. Welsh, Thomas King, George Joel;
Daniel McVeoy, and William Pattison, privates, Co. "E"; Abra-
ham Hess, Christopher Moore, William Afland, and John Cole-
man, privates, Co. " F"; Peachy A. Garriott, captain; Wellington
Wood, second lieutenant; Volney C. Johnson, sergeant; Sumner
Harrington, William Hagerty, Lloyd B. Thomas, and John H.
Snyder, corporals; Henri E. Wells, George F. Fleming, George B.
Sickels, James W. Carson, John Benham, James F. Coleman,
Josiah Suter, Metellus Stoughton, Charles G. Bates, and George
Kerns, privates, Co. " H"; Henry Harms, Frank Hogan, Richard
Doring, Joseph Matt, and Lyman M. Jones, privates. Co. "I";
V. Bradford Bell, second lieutenant; Sutherland H. Scadin, ser-
geant; J. Frank Russell, corporal; James C. Fullerton, Edgar M.
Bullen, P. Smith, Robert Periolet, James A. Dwyer, Thomas
Johnson, and Charles Kent, privates, Co. " K."
After the battle of Stone River, the regiment re-
mained at Murfreesboro' with the army, doing picket
duty and drilling; and to such perfection was it brought
that it was acknowledged to be the best drilled regi-
ment in the Army of the Cumberland. As a proof of
this, the following incident may be related. At the
close of a review and inspection of General Negley's
division by General Rosecrans, General Negley ordered
the 19th Illinois to move from the line, take position in
front of the general commanding, and go through the
manual of arms and bayonet drill. The men executed
the various movements with the precision of clock-
work ; all the muskets moved as one, and all the hands
rose and fell as if one will controlled them. Next came
the bayonet drill ; which they executed with so much
perfection that General Rosecrans (who, during the
manual of arms, had been riding up and down the line)
dismounted, and walked along in front of the regiment,
clapping his hands, and saying : " Good ! good !
Splendid ! splendid ! With fifty thousand such men, I
could cut my way anywhere." After the drill was
over, he complimented each company commander on
the efficiency of his men. The general inspector, also,
in his report, mentioned the 19th Illinois for their
efficiency, cleanliness, and soldierly appearance, as an
example for the army.
The regiment took part in the campaign against
Tullahoma, and followed Bragg's retreating army to
the foot of the mountains, but was not engaged, except
in slight skirmishes, and suffered no loss, except the
capture of one or two prisoners. The pursuit being
over, it went into camp at Dechard, Tenn., where it
remained some time; marched thence to Cowen Station,
thence over the mountains into the camp at Cave
Springs, near Stevenson, Ala., where it remained until
September 1, when it moved across the Tennessee
River with the army, toward Chattanooga. Crossing
the Raccoon or Sand Ridge into Lookout Valley, it
marched, up and over Lookout Mountain, into McLa-
more's Cove, where it had a brisk skirmish with the
enemy, but drove them off, and occupied the ground on
the 10th of September. The whole division being over
the mountain, it marched in the direction of LaFavette,
Ga., advancing about three miles, when indications of
the enemy caused a halt and formation in line of battle.
The troops bivouacked that night in line of battle, no
fires being allowed. Brisk skirmishing took place on
the following day, in which the regiment participated.
At about one o'clock, the whole line was withdrawn to
David Cross Roads and formed a new line — Cos.
'•A" and "K" being advanced as skirmishers, and
Co. " K. " posted behind a stone wall, where it did
splendid work in protecting the retreat of the old
skirmish line, which had been left out to cover the
withdrawal As the skirmishers neared the wall, the
boys of Co. " K " cried out to them to lie down, and
they did so. On came the rebels, thinking to capture
them. They were allowed to come almost up to the
wall, when a volley from behind it scattered and drove
them back. This position was held for a time, and
then the whole force fell back to Baily's Cross Roads,
where it remained until joined by General McCook's
troops, when it moved towards Chattanooga, and on
the night of the 18th was at Crawfish Springs. On the
19th, the battle of Chickamauga opened, and at about
four o'clock, p. m., the 19th Illinois got into action, and
continued under fire until night. On the morning of
the 20th, skirmishing began at daybreak. About eight
o'clock a. m., Stanley's brigade was withdrawn from the
line and moved to the left, at which point the battle was
already raging. It reached its new position about ten
o'clock a. m., just in time to meet a charge of the
enemy, which it checked, and then, charging in turn,
drove the Confederates in great disorder through the
woods about half a mile, capturing General Adams and
staff and a large number of prisoners ; but not being
supported they were unable to push their advantage
farther. The enemy, being reinforced and supported
by a battery, then forced the brigade back. It retired
in good order, bringing all its prisoners and most of its
wounded.
It was then placed in position, by General Thomas,
on the ridge in the rear of its former position. In this
charge, the 19th Illinois lost heavily in killed and
wounded. It was about one o'clock p. m. when the
brigade took its last position on the ridge.
Until this time, our army had been beaten and
forced back at every point ; but the Fourteenth Corps
was now re-formed and posted along the ridge, to hold
which was necessary for the safety of the army. Each
man seemed to understand this, and all were resolved
to die at their posts, but to never retreat therefrom.
The first position assigned to the 19th Illinois was near
some log-houses on the ridge. A breastwork of rails
was quickly arranged, and behind this it awaited the
onset. Nor did it wait long. On came the enemy,
covering their advance with a shower of bullets; but to
no purpose. They were hurled back. While the fight
was the hottest, the log-houses look fire, and, being dry
and very combustible, threw out such an intense heat
as to scorch the clothing on the men at the works.
But still they kept their place, and did not move until
1 86
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
the rebels were driven back. The regiment was then
moved about one hundred yards farther to the right,
where it remained for the rest of the day.
The rebels made several more desperate charges,
but were each time driven off with great loss. -At
about four or five o'clock, they made their last assault;
and at one time the flag of the enemy was planted on
a portion of the works, about in front of Co. " K,"
which, however, still held its position, with its left
exposed to a flank fire, and kept the enemy in check
until a force was rallied strong enough to drive off the
enemy. This was done by Captain D. F. Bremner, of
Co. " E " of the 19th Illinois, and Lieutenant Carlin, of
the 1 8th Ohio. Twice the regiment exhausted its am-
munition, which was supplied the last time from the
boxes of the killed, wounded, and prisoners. When
the rebels fell back, there were but three cartridges to
each man in the regiment. At about eight o'clock p. m.,
the 19th, with the rest of the army, fell back to Ross-
ville, and bivouacked. On the 21st, the brigade was
posted in Rapville Gap, and held it against several
attempts of the rebels to take possession of it, until
about eleven p. m., when it fell back to Chattanooga.
Following is the list of killed and wounded at
Chickamauga :
Co. " A": (killed) Privates Frederick W. Metcalf, Desire Clen-
erwesck and Charles J. Warner; (missing) Joseph B. Clark, Wil-
liam H. Gilbert and Samuel Worden; (wounded) Henry Anderson.
Co. "B": (wounded) Privates James G. Boardman and Charles
Blackwell; (killed) Millard Jordan, Urban Coon and Arnold W.
Kempen ; (wounded) Sergeant Robert A. Turnbull. Co. " C ":
(killed) Sergeant Alexander Smirnoff, and Privates John Taber and
James Kelley; (missing) Augustus Topp and Miles Martin;
(wounded) Sergeant Hiram D. Kellogg, and Corporal Joseph D.
Dabue ; Privates John Maude and Frank Pratt. Co. " D" :
(wounded! Corporal Charles K. Forbes; (missing) Privates Lewis
Sandler, William Clifford and Elijah Tenvelleger. Co. " E ": (mor-
tally wounded) Privates Matthew Anderson, Stephen Strang and
Timothy O. Sullivan; (missing) James Christian; Joseph P. Gris-
wald, died at Andersonville prison. Co. " F ": (killed) Corporal An
drew I. Boyner; (wounded) Sergeant John G. Russell; Privates
James Myers, John Lindrey, William Walsh and Thomas A. Hamil-
ton. Co. "H": (killed) Private Charles Lawrence; Sergeant John W.
Deviney, Geo. Mead; Corporals John H. Snyder, John Mercer and
John McKinzie; (wounded) Henry C. Maxham, Alonzo A. Heb-
bard and Calvin G. Brewster; (missing) Charles H. Wyckoff. Co.
" I ": (killed) Corporal John R. Barton; (wounded) William Gallo-
way, Theodore Craige and Ruh Doering; (missing) Isaac Hewett.
Co. " K ": (killed) Thomas Pemberton; (wounded) Sergeants Jo-
seph C. Johnson, John Stephens and Joseph D. McConnell;
(wounded) John Gayer and Theodore Ferrars; (missing) Corporal
Frank P. Sheppard, Henry Higginson, Theodore Anderson and
Samuel H. Tinnerholm.
The whole army w9s put in position around Chatta-
nooga, fortifications were thrown up, and every prepara-
tion made for defense. The army being reorganized,
the regiment was assigned to King's brigade (Second),
Johnson's division First, Fourteenth Army Corps,
General Palmer commanding, and, in common with the
rest of the army, was busily engaged in throwing up earth-
works and strengthening the defenses of the town, doing
its share of picket and outpost duty until November
22d, when it left its camp for a position in front of Fort
. , where it remained till the 25th, when it took its
place in the line of battle, and moved forward to the as-
sault of Mission Ridge.
In the battle fought on the 25th of November, 1863,
one of the most glorious and decisive of the war, the
19th took a prominent part and earned an undying fame.
The order to advance being given, the "Army of the
Cumberland " moved out of the woods, in which they
were formed, in line, and on, across the open field be-
tween the wood and the ridge. It was the sight of a
lifetime — once seen, never to be forgotten. Away to
the left stretched a long line of blue, with glistening
muskets and waving flags, moving onward, steady and
irresistible, sweeping everything before it. The mus-
ketry of the Rebels at the foot of the ridge, the steady
and unceasing fire of the artillery on the summit, had no
ability to check or stop the line. Over the rifle-pits at
the foot, up the side of the mountain, and over the ram-
part that crowned it, swept the triumphant army. The
brave Corporal Patterson, of Co. " E," carrying one of
the flags of the regiment goes down, shot through the
brain; but the flag hardly reaches the ground, for
another fearless soldier, Patrick McDonald, of Co. " K,"
seizes it, and waves it again in the face of the enemy.
Almost at the same time, Sergeant George Steel, with
the other flag, goes down, shot in two places (face and
wrist), but John Brosnahan, of Co. " K," grasps it from
the wounded sergeant, and rushes forward up the ridge.
Soon Patrick McDonald goes down, shot in the thigh,
when Captain D. F. Bremner takes the flag, bears it to
the summit, and plants it — the first flag on the ridge on
the right of Bragg's headquarters — receiving fourteen
bullet holes through his clothing and having the flagstaff
shot in two in his hand. He, together with Corporal
Thomas G. Lawler, David Mc Arthur, of Co. " E," John
McCarthy, of Co. " K," Lieutenant D. Morehouse and
Sergeant Rhea, of Co. " I," Sergeant Stanger, of Co.
" D," and some other brave men of the 19th Illinois
were the first Union soldiers on the summit of Mission
Ridge from the line before mentioned. Joseph Schlayte
carried the colors of another regiment (the color-bearer
being shot), to the top of the ridge, and was severely
wounded in the foot and had the flag staff shattered in
his hands. The regiment also captured one piece of ar-
tillery, which afterwards was taken off by a regiment of
Sheridan's division. The loss of the 19th Illinois in
this battle was twenty-five killed and wounded, as fol-
lows:
Killed. — Corporal William Patterson, color-bearer, Co. " E";
and private Stephen Babit, Co. " I."
Wounded. — Captain D. F. Bremner and Lieutenant James W.
Raffen, Co. " E " (slightly); Captain James G. Campbell, Co. " I "
(severely); Lieutenant Lester G. Bangs, adjutant (right knee ampu-
tated); Alonzo J. Stickney, John L. Slagle, Henry Anderson,
Springer Galley, George Miller, John McConchie and James Mer-
rill, Co. "A" (seriously); George Gould and James McDonald, Co.
"C" (mortally); Thomas Mahoney and John Reawik, Co. " D";
Sergeant George Slue, color-bearer; W. C. Fuller and John Man,
Co. "E"; John Van Brunt, Ensley D. Babbitt and James F. Re-
gan, Co. " I " (mortally); John P. Clay, Co. "H "; Leopold Hen-
neger, Co. " I" and Patrick McDonald, Co. " K."
The regiment bivouacked on the field, and next day
took part in the pursuit of the rebel army, arriving that
night at Grayville, Ga., near which place it assisted in
the capture of three pieces of artillery and some wagons
and prisoners. In the morning it was again on the
road, and, on its arrival at Ringgold, formed part of the
line to be used in the support of the troops who were
assaulting the rebels on Taylor Ridge, but did not parti-
cipate in the action. The pursuit being abandoned,
it returned to its camp at Chattanooga, where it passed
the winter months, doing ordinary camp and guard
duty until February 22, 1864, when a reconnoissance
toward Dalton, Ga., again called the 19th Illinois to
active duty. On the 23d, it was engaged in skirmish-
ing at Tunnel Hill, where it lost one man killed — First
Sergeant Jackson, of Co. " B," a brave and energetic
soldier. On the afternoon of the 25th, the brigade was
ordered to relieve General Morgan, who had been
sharply engaged with the rebels in Buzzard-Roost Gap.
The 19th Illinois and three battalions of regulars, under
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Raffen of the 19th,
formed the first line. The regiment was in line all
ELLSWORTH'S CHICAGO ZOUAVES.
187
night, and at day-break the rebels opened a brisk fire,
and during the day made repeated, but vain, attempts
to drive it from its position. At night, the line was
withdrawn, and the regiment moved to Tyner Station.
Thence it moved to Grayville, Ga., where it remained
until May 3, 1864, when it was transferred to the First
Brigade, Third Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, Brig-
adier-General Turchin, commanding. Thus after two
years it was again under command of its first colonel and
first brigade commander.
On the 7th of May, it moved from its camp to do its
part in the grand advance to Atlanta. It participated
in the battle of Resaca, but lost no men in this action,
nor in any of the subsequent movements. It performed
faithfully all the duties assigned to it, advancing as far
as Acksworth Station, Ga., from whence it was, on June
8, 1864, ordered to Chicago to be mustered out, its
term of service being about to expire. It arrived in
Chicago, June 17, and was, on July 9th, mustered out
of service. It left Chicago July 12, 1861, over one
thousand strong, and received, during its term of ser-
vice, a large number of recruits ; it returned, June 17,
with less than five hundred men. How the regiment
was regarded by its different brigade commanders is
best told by one of them, Colonel Stanley, who in a let-
ter to Governor Yates, paid the following high tribute
to the bravery and efficiency of its officers and men.
He says:
"At Stone River, at Chickamauga, in the short but severe en-
gagement at Davis's Cross Roads, Ga., September 11 — in all these,
as in all other places where vigilance, courage and fortitude have
been required — the 19th has done its whole duty. On September
20, in that terrible slaughter on the field of Chickamauga, first in
that fearful charge, when with three small regiments (about eight
hundred men in all) we drove and routed Adams's brigade of
eleven hundred veterans and one of the best Confederate batteries,
wounding and capturing their brigadier-general and covering the
field with his slain, and then retired, unsupported and in order;
afterward in the afternoon of the same day in the brilliant and suc-
cessful defense of the hill from noon until night, repulsing succes-
sive charges of overwhelming numbers of the enemy, my brigade
won again an imperishable fame. The 19th has done its whole
duty — has borne its share of danger and toil, and come off the field
with honor, if with lessened ranks. Quick and prompt in all their
movements; readv, at the word of command; there is one thing in
which few equal them, and that is. that in all their charges and
defenses they remain intact — do not separate, but act all together,
and hence efficiently.
" I desire, in this connection, especially to commend to your
Excellency the commanding officer — Lieutenant-Colonel Raffen.
Previous to his taking command, the regiment had been first led
by the brave and accomplished Turchin; afterward by the no less
brave and gallant Scott; hence his was a third place to fill, and it
may be sufficient to say that he has sustained himself well. I have
never seen his equal before the enemy. He or his regiment have
never turned their backs on the foe without orders — have never in
any case run away from the enemy.
Alwavs when a charge has been ordered in which the 19th
took part, the enemy have given way. " In the camp, on the
march, on picket, skirmishing, fighting, they can be relied on."
Nineteenth Muster-out Roster. — Lieutenant-
Colonel, Alexander W. Raffen ; Major, James V. Guth-
rie ; Surgeon, Roswell G. Bogue ; Assistant Surgeon,
Charles F. Little ; Adjutant, Lester G. Bangs ; Regi-
mental-Quartermaster, Robert W. Wetherell ; Sergeant-
Major, McDowell ; Quartermaster-Sergeant, Hyler A.
Downs ; Commissary-Sergeant, Hiram Bush ; Hospital-
Steward, Henry C. Mattison.
Co. "A": Captain, James R. Hayden ; First Lieu-
tenant, Clifton T. Wharton ; Second Lieutenant, Thomas
M. Beatty. Co. "B": Captain, Alexander Murchison ;
First Lieutenant, William Jackson ; Second Lieutenant,
John T. Thornton. Co." "C": Second Lieutenant,
Cyrus E. Keith. Co. "D": Captain, William A. Cal-
houn ; First Lieutenant, Oliver E. Fames. Co. "E":
Captain, David F. Bremner ; First Lieutenant, John
Young ; Second Lieutenant, James W Raffen. Co.
" F ": Captain, James G. Campbell ; First Lieutenant,
Samuel L. Hamilton. Co. "H": First Lieutenant.
John Dedrick. Co. "I": Captain, John Longhorn ;
First Lieutenant, William Quinton ; Second Lieutenant,
Dickinson B. Moorehouse. Co. "K": Captain, Pres-
ly N. Guthrie ; First Lieutenant, Cornelius B. Lam-
berson ; Second Lieutenant, B. Bradford Bell.
Colonel Joseph R. Scott was elected colonel of the 19th
Illinois Infantry, at the organization of the regiment, at Springfield,
in May, 1861. Resigning in favor of Colonel John B. Turchin,
he was elected lieutenant-colonel, and served in that position until
Colonel Turchin's promotion to brigadier-general, July 17, 1862,
when he was promoted colonel of the regiment, and commanded it
until he received a fatal wound at the battle of Murfreesboro',
January 2, 1863. He was born in Canada, but became a resident
of Chicago while yet a youth. Through his own exertions and
resolute perseverance, he acquired a more than ordinarily good edu-
cation, with little aid from teachers or school. From his youth, he de-
veloped a peculiar fondness and capacity for military studies, which
he brought into practical use, in Chicago, by organizing, in 1856 —
at which time he was a young clerk of about twenty years — a
company of young men called the National Cadets. Two years
latter, this company was reorganized, by Colonel E. E. Ellsworth,
as the United States Zouave Cadets, of which Ellsworth was the
first commander and Scott the first lieutenant. When the Zouave
Companies were reorganized in the spring of 1S61, at the breaking
out of the war, Scott was one of the first to offer his services to
the Government, and at the formation of the Zouave regiment in
Chicago, he was elected its commander. He accompanied the
troops that composed General Swift's Cairo expedition, and with a
company of his Zouaves, boarded two rebel steamers at that place,
and seized a large quantity of arms and munitions of war. He led
the 19th, as its colonel, in the advance on Bowling Green; the ex-
pedition under General Mitchell when, as a part of Turchin's
brigade, it was the first to enter Huntsville, Decatur and Tuscum-
bia; in the expedition under General Negley to Chattanooga; par-
ticipated in all the marches and hardships of the regiment during
the summer and fall of 1S62; and finally led it through the bloody
battle of Murfreesboro', and across Stone River on the 2d of
January, 1863, to victory, but also to his death.
ELLSWORTH'S CHICAGO ZOUAVES.
United States Zouave Cadets was also the name
of this organization, the germ of which was a company
of young men, organized in Chicago, March 19, 1856, by
Joseph R. Scott, and called the National Guard Cadets.*
The original officers were : Captain, Joseph R. Scott ;
First Lieutenant, W. W. Lawton; Second Lieutenant,
W. B. Smith ; Third Lieutenant and Ensign, N. G.
Vail. For some time this company had the reputation of
beingthebest in the State; which is saying but very little,
when it is considered to what perfection it attained,
under the masterly command of Colonel Ellsworth.
By the spring of 1859, however, the crude discipline
maintained among the National Guard Cadets had so
relaxed, that the organization was threatened with dis-
solution, having only about twenty members. Their
uniforms were shabby, the company was deeply in debt,
and in a demoralized condition generally. On the 27th
of April, 1859, this relic of the National Guard Cadets
was reorganized by Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth, Assis-
tant Paymaster-General of Illinois. He was then a
young man, scarcely twenty-two years of age, full of
military ardor and tenacity of purpose — brave, dashing,
handsome and able. As is known to all Americans, he
afterward became a National character, being the first
commissioned officer of the United States to fall in de-
fense of his country in the late war.
The debts of the old company were assumed; strin-
gent rules were created, prohibiting members from
* The principal facts embodied in this sketch are taken from an address
delivered by Colonel E. B. Knox, at a re-union of the Cadets.
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
entering drinking saloons or disreputable places while
in uniform, under penalty of expulsion. A new uniform
was adopted : consisting of light blue pants with buff
stripe, dark blue frock coat with buff trimmings, cap of
dark blue with red, white and blue pompon, and white
cross-belts. A knapsack, with red blanket neatly rolled
and strapped on top, completed the outfit of the " in-
fantry uniform." The name of the company was
changed to the " Cadets of the 6oth Regiment." The
armory was exchanged for more commodious quarters
in Garrett Block, where Central Music Hall now stands.
Three drills a week were instituted, and that earnest
and persistent discipline commenced, which made
the company the model Zouave organization of the
United States, and one of the finest in the world. In
less than a month, over fifty recruits were added to the
membership. On the following 4th of July, after parad-
ing the streets, they gave an exhibition drill on Lake
Street, in front of the Tremont House. This was the
first introduction to a Chicago public of the Zouave
drill, or, more properly speaking, the bayonet exercise
movements in " double time," and the skirmish drill.
The exhibition made a decided sensation and stirred
the enthusiasm of the company to such a high pitch that
they voted to change the name to the " United States
Zouave Cadets," and adopt a new uniform. This con-
sisted of a bright red chasseur cap with gold braid;
light blue shirt with moire antique facings ; dark blue
jacket with orange and red trimmings ; brass bell but-
tons, placed as close together as it was possible to put
them, and within an inch of the border on both sides
and around the neck; a red sash and loose red trousers;
russet leather leggings, buttoned over the trousers,
reaching from ankle half-way to knee; and white waist
belt. The jacket did not button, was cut low in the
neck, without collar. Easy fitting, high-laced shoes,
with thick, broad soles were worn, all made after the
same pattern.
The National Agricultural Association, which held
its annual fair in Chicago, in September of that year,
offered a prize of a beautiful stand of colors to the best
drilled company in the country. Drills were resumed,
notwithstanding the warm weather; and on the day
fixed for the contest (September 15), the Zouaves en-
tered the lists with sixty men, going through about the
same evolutions as on the 4th of July previously, and
were awarded the prize, as the "Champions of the
United States." But one other contesting company,
the " Highland Guards of Chicago," appeared on the
ground, owing to the'hort notice given, and to its being
the season of the year when drills were generally sus-
pended. The honor, thus so easily won, was a ques-
tionable one, and therefore, five days later, a challenge
was issued to any company of the militia or regular
army of the United States or Canada — the company
agreeing to pay the expenses of any successful com-
petitor who should wish to make the contest in Chicago
and also to make a tour of the United States in order
to give other companies a chance to contest for the
stand of colors. On the 10th of October, the Zouaves
participated in the opening of the Chicago & North-
1 Railway, as guests of the company. At Fond
do I. a- , by -\>'< lal request they gave an exhibition drill.
On the return train, the Zouaves were presented with a
■ • composed of over three hundred pieces of rib-
bon, clipped from the hats ol tin lady excursionists, as
a memento of the 'rip. It was afterward mounted on
a silver pedestal and occupied a conspicuous place in
the Armory. A '-return excursion" by the people of
nsin was undertaken, and extensive arrangements
were made by the citizens and Zouaves for their re-
ception and entertainment in Chicago ; but all these
plans were frustrated by a terrible accident which
happened to the excursion train when near Watertown,
Wis., in which eleven persons were killed and twenty-
eight wounded. Of course, all thoughts of continuing
the excursion were abandoned.
During the next three months the company added a
gymnasium to the other attractions of the armory, and
which occupied the north end of their commodious drill
hall. By January, i860, they had so increased in
efficiency and strength, that Governor William H. Bissell
appointed them the " Governor's Guard of Illinois "; and,
sad to say, on the 14th of the following March they
were called to Springfield and assigned the " post of
honor" at his funeral. About this time (January, i860),
the Zouaves adopted the "Golden Resolutions," as they
were called by a Chicago paper, which added so much
to their fame throughout the country. They bound the
members, upon pain of expulsion, and publication of
offense and offender's name, to keep away from gam-
bling, drinking or billiard saloons and nouses of ill-
fame. Under the earnestness and firmness of Colonel
Ellsworth, all opposition to the rules melted away, and
each member promised to maintain them, and the
United States Zouave Cadets soon became known from
Maine to Georgia as a company of strictly disciplined,
bright, hardy, temperate and moral gentlemen.
On February 2, i860, active preparations for the
contemplated summer tour of the United States com-
menced. So enthusiastic were the young men that they
resolved to sacrifice all evening calls upon friends, all
parties, visits to the theatre, etc., until June 20, and
drill every night, except Sunday, from seven to eleven
o'clock. If the boys were well enough to be out of bed,
and imperative business did not prevent, they were re-
quired to be at the Armory, or run the risk of being
arrested and brought there in disgrace. A system of
fines for inattention or carelessness during drill was
adopted. The slightest error or irregularity seldom
escaped the vigilant eye of the commander, and woe to
the delinquent when detected ; for the fine was gene-
rally accompanied by a reprimand, couched in language
more forcible than elegant. Occasionally the culprit
was ordered to the wall, and there, facing it, compelled
to exercise himself in the manual of arms for half an
hour or so. Those unable to drill were required to seat
themselves on a settee provided for the purpose, and
pay strict attention to the movements of the others.
When the company rested, they were allowed to talk ;
when they "broke ranks" they were permitted to leave
their seats, but were required to resume them again
when the command " Fall in " was given. The occu-
pants of this settee were dubbed "The Sore-toe Squad,"
and were the unhappy victims of many a joke from the
wags of the company. Many a poor sick fellow has
been known to drag himself through three hours of
hard drill rather than occupy the " pillory," as the settee
was called. After drilling an hour and a half, arms
were stacked, and the company marched to the supper-
room, where hot coffee and sandwiches were served.
At nine o'clock, drill was resumed, and continued until
10:30 p. m. At all drills the fatigue uniform and knap-
sack were worn. To insure the greatest uniformity
possible, the men's hair was cut alike, and mustaches
and goatees allowed to grow. Some half-a-dozen, who
were unable to comply fully with this regulation, were
placed in the rear rank, and many jokes were cracked
at their expense. A part of the drill also consisted in
jumping horizontal bars, climbing ladders hand over
ELLSWORTH'S CHICAGO ZOUAVES.
hand, etc. Subscriptions toward defraying the expenses
of the eastern tour came in slowlv, and, in consequence
of this, and the death of Colonel Ellsworth's brother,
the date fixed for leaving Chicago was changed from
June 20 to July 2. In fact, it required all the tact and
persuasive powers of Ellsworth to keep the men from
giving up entirely. During the entire month of June,
the men slept in the Armory — first on camp-cots and
then on the floor.
At length the long looked-for day of departure, July
2, arrived. No one was allowed to take any citizen's
clothing. Before leaving the Armory for the cars,
Ellsworth formed the company in a circle, and, standing
in the center, delivered a stirring speech, concluding
with these words :
"By the Eternal! The first man who violates his pledge
while on the tour shall be expelled forthwith, stripped of his uni-
form, and sent back to Chicago in disgrace. So help me God! "
This resolve he had occasion very soon to put into
execution. The company, numbering fifty-one officers
and men, the " Light Guard " band (fifteen men", and
five servants, made a street parade through several of
the business thoroughfares, escorted by the " Light
Guard " and " Highland Guards," to the depot, and
amid the cheers of the military and citizens, and the
booming of artillery, they entered the cars, and the
journey was begun. The names of those who made the
tour were : Captain, Elmer E. Ellsworth ; Second Lieu-
tenant, H. Dwight Laflin; Surgeon, Charles A. DeVil-
lers; Commissary, Joseph R. Scott ; Paymaster, James
B. Taylor; First Sergeant, James R. Hayden; Second
Sergeant, Edward B. Knox; Quartermaster-Sergeant,
Robert W. Wetherell ; Color-Sergeant, Benjamin B.
Botsford; Privates, Fred J. Abby, Gerritt V. S. Aiken,
Merritt P. Batchelor, John A. Baldwin, William Behrend,
Augustus A. Bice, Samuel S. Boone, Edwin L. Brand,
Joseph C. Barclay, James A. Clybourn, Harry H. Hall,
George W. Fruin, Louis B. Hand, Charles H. Hosmer,
William Inness, Louis L. James, Ransom Kennicott,
Lucius S. Larrabee, John C. Long, Waters W. McChes-
ney, Samuel J. Nathans, William M. Olcott, Charles C.
Phillips, Robert D. Ross, B. Frank Rogers, Clement
Sutterly, Charles Scott, Jr., Charles W. Smith, Charles
C. Smith, Edwin M. Coates, Freeman Conner, William
H. Cutler, William N. Danks, James M. DeWitt,
George H. Fergus, Charles H. Shepley, Ira G. True,
Smith B. VanBuren, Harry S. Wade, Sidney P. Walker
and Frank E. Yates.
From lack of space, a narrative in detail can not
here be given of the eastern tour, during which the
Zouaves visited Adrian and Detroit, Mich., Cleveland,
Ohio, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, Troy,
Albany, West Point, N. Y., New York City, Boston,
Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, St.
Louis, Mo., Springfield, 111., Washington, D. C, Salem
and Charlestown, Mass. At all these places, especially
at the National metropolis, they were feted and praised
in the most unstinted terms, so that when they left
Springfield, 111., for Chicago, on August 14, they were
the most prominent and popular military organization
in the United States. During the tour they had receiv-
ed many presents, such as fatigue-caps, epaulets,
swords, plumes, cartridge-boxes, badges, buttons,
ladies' gloves, handkerchiefs, ribbons, fans, and even
jewelry. Before leaving Springfield, these articles were
taken from the baggage, and fastened to the knapsacks
and uniforms, giving the company a very singular ap-
pearance. It resembled nothing more than a travel-
ing variety store or bedecked Christmas tree.
Arriving at Chicago, the victors were awarded a
grand ovation, which was participated in by all the
local militia, the political torchlight clubs, and the Fire
Department. Their reception at the " Wigwam " was
warm. With enthusiastic pride, Mayor Wentworth de-
livered the congratulatory speech. In behalf of his com-
mand, Colonel Ellsworth fitly responded to these public
marks of favor, after which the company executed a
few of their famous movements, and proceeded to the
Briggs House to partake of the elegant banquet there
spread for them. This terminated the tour of nearly
four thousand miles, extending over a period of forty-
three days, the longest ever made, before or since, by
any militia organization in this country. Not only had
the precision, strength and grace of their movements
won for them a national reputation, but their uniform
had so captivated the public taste that, while in aesthetic
Boston, an enterprising dress-maker had captured one
of the Zouaves long enough to take a pattern of his
jacket. This she fashioned into a lady's Zouave jacket,
which became very fashionable among the elite.
Shortly after their return to Chicago, at the earnest
request of her citizens, the Zouaves gave an exhibition
drill at the " Wigwam," for the benefit of the Home for
the Friendless. This was their last appearance as an
organization.
In October, i860, the company disbanded, and a
" skeleton regiment," called the First Regiment Light
Infantry, was formed, as had previously been proposed
by Colonel Ellsworth. His plan, which was to have
a full complement of field, staff and line officers for a
regiment of ten companies, was only partially carried
out, owing to his frequent absences, in the pursuit of his
law studies with Abraham Lincoln, at Springfield.
Early in the spring of 1861, Co. "A," Chicago
Zouaves, consisting of members of the old Zouave
Cadets, was organized by James R. Hayden, its
organization being completed March 21, with the fol-
lowing officers :
Captain, James R. Hayden ; First Lieutenant, John H. Cly-
bourn ; Orderly Sergeant. Robert \V. Wetherell ; Second Sergeant.
James M. DeWitt ; Third Sergeant, Charles H. Hosmer ; Fourth
Sergeant, Robert D. Ross; President, Chauncey Miller; Secretary,
Ira G. True ; Treasurer, A. B. Hatch.
The company, when organized, numbered seventy,
and the exciting events soon following, caused the
ranks of the Zouaves to rapidly fill up. By the middle
of April, they had three hundred names enrolled, and
other companies formed, of which Co. " B " was under
the command of Captain John H. Clybourn, and all
under Captain Joseph R. Scott.
These companies offered their services to Gov-
ernment at the breaking out of the war, and accompa-
nied General Swift, on his Cairo expedition, April 21,
1861. On arriving at Big Muddy bridge, a long wooden
structure over the Big Muddy River, on the Illinois
Central Railroad, at Carbondale, fifty-seven miles north-
east of Cairo, where secession influence was reported to
be strong, Captain Hayden, of Co. " A," and Lieuten-
ant Guthrie, of Co. " B," with their commands, and a
section of artillery, under Lieutenant Willard, were de-
tailed to remain and guard the bridge. The remainder
of General Swift's command proceeded to Cairo, where
the Zouaves remained, doing good service, until May 2.
when Cos. "A" and " B " returned to Springfield, to
join a regiment organizing there.
While in Cairo, the Zouaves, commanded by Cap-
tain Scott, and a section of Chicago Light Artillery,
under Captain Smith, boarded the secession steamers,
"C. E. Hillman " and " John D. Perry," as they neared
190
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Cairo, carrying arms and ammunition from St. Louis to
Memphis, and confiscated their cargo. The boats were
run ashore at Bird's Point, opposite Cairo, deserted by
officers and crew, and brought by Captain Scott to
Cairo. The companies of Captains Hayden and Cly-
bourn arrived at Springfield too late to join either of
the regiments formed under the first call of Govern-
ment, and were mustered out of service, receiving one
month's pay from the State. A regiment was formed
the following month, under the "ten-regiment bill,"
called the " Regiment of the State-at-large," and some-
times the " Chicago Regiment." This afterward be-
came the 19th Illinois Infantry, but, under the original
organization at Springfield, in May, 1861, Joseph R.
was elected colonel of the regiment. It had,
when ordered into camp, at Camp Long (named in
honor of ex-Alderman James Long , on Cottage Grove
Avenue, four Zouave companies, as follows:
Co. " A," Captain James K. Hayden; Co. " 15," Captain John
I ," Captain W'illiam Innis; Co. " D," Cap-
tain James V. Guthrie.
in J. II. Clybourn's company was changed to
Co. •• K." He resigned his command in June, for the
purpose of raising a Zouave regiment, to be called the
" Lyon Zo laves," in honor of General Nathaniel Lyon,
killed at Wilson's 'reek, Mo. Captain Clybourn was
succeed by Presly N.Guthrie. The further history of
these Zc panies is included in that of the 19th
Illinois Infantry.
.ncl Ellsworth, who was in Washington when
the first call for troops was made, hastened to New
York City, and organized a regiment from the Fire De-
partment, of which he was appointed colonel — the nth
New York Infantry. Six of his old company joined
him there, and were appointed first lieutenants; seven
held office in the 19th Illinois Volunteers ; five in the
44th New York State Volunteers, and six in the United
States Army. Nearly every member of the " Old Zou-
aves " held commissions during the war, and were scat-
tered through the regiments of a dozen States. Two
were in the Confederate army. Members of the com-
pany, during the war, served as officers in three bat-
teries of artillery, four regiments of cavalry, twenty-six
regiments of infantry, and in the Quartermaster's De-
partment and Signal Corps.
In conclusion, it may be of interest to briefly trace
the career of the principal officers of the company who
participated in the eastern tour:
Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth, soon after his return to
Chicago, went to Springfield, to study law with Mr. Lincoln and
to secure his co-operation in carrying out the great idea, which he
hoped to spend a life-time in perfecting into a system, viz., the
founding of a National Militia Bureau. Then and there began
that warm friendship, unfortunately of short duration, so unaffect-
edly evinced by President Lincoln upon the occasion of the young
officer's sad and untimely death. After having taken part in the
presidential canvass with vigor and ability, he accompanied the
President-elect and his party to Washington, being charged with
his safe conduct. Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion, he
went to New York City, where he organized the nth New York
Volunteers (Fire Zouaves). He and his command were mustered
into service at Washington, May 7, 1S61, the first regiment sworn
in for the war. On May 24, they were transported by two
steamers to Alexandria, Va. There, as is well known, Colonel
Ellsworth was shot while attempting to haul down a rebel flag.
Surgeon Charles A. Devillers, formerly an assistant sur-
geon of the French army service, in Algiers, a Frenchman and an
accomplished swordsman, had done much to perfect young Ells-
worth in the manly use of his favorite arms. He was subsequently
appointed colonel of an Ohio regiment.
Joseph R. Scott, who served during the trip as commissary,
was afterward elected colonel of the igth Illinois Infantry, resigned
in favor of Colonel Turchin, and accepted the lieutenant-colonelcy.
After the promotion of the latter, he became colonel. He was
killed at the battle of Stone River, January 2, 1863.
Paymaster James B. Taylor afterward became connected
with the nth Massachusetts Regiment.
First Sergeant James R. Hayden became captain of Co.
"A," 19th Illinois Infantry, and is now in the government service,
at Olympia, W. T.
Second Sergeant Edward B. Knox became first lieutenant
of Ellsworth's Fire Zouaves, accompanied the regiment to Alex-
andria, served with credit through the war, and has been a resident
of this city since 1870.
Quartermaster Sergeant Robert W. Wetherell served
in the same capacity in the 19th Illinois Infantry.
TWENTY-THIRD ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
Irish Brigade. — On April 20, iS6i, the following
call was published in the Chicago newspapers:
" Rally! All Irishmen in favor of forming a regiment of Irish
volunteers to sustain the Government of the United States in and
through the present war.will rally at North Market Hall, this even-
ing (April 20th), at seven and one-half o'clock. Come all. For
the honor of the Old Land, Rally! Rally for the defense of the
New! (Signed), James A. Mulligan, Aldermen Comiskey and M.
C. McDonald; Captains M. Gleason, C. Moore, J. C. Phillips,
Daniel Quirk, F. McMurray, Peter Casey; Citizens, Daniel McEl-
roy, John 'fully, Philip Conley, T. J. Kinsella."
There were already several organized Irish compa-
nies in Chicago — the Montgomery Guards, Emmet
Guards and Shields' Guards — and the patriotic Irish
citizens of Chicago did indeed rally at the call.
The meeting on the 20th was addressed by Colonel
Mulligan and others, and the enrollment list was then
opened. In an hour and a half three hundred and
twenty-five names were signed, recruiting officers ap-
''■■:•""'%** .
* * • • * W
TWENTY-THIRD ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
191
pointed, and T. J. Kinsella, P. Conley and D. Quirk
appointed a committee to procure equipments. Reports
of the meeting speedily reached neighboring towns,
offers of companies from abroad were as speedily re-
turned, and in a week twelve hundred Irishmen had
tendered their services to the country as enrolled mem-
bers of the "Irish Brigade."
When it was found that the regiment could not be
accepted under the first or second calls of Government
for troops, a meeting was held, at which nearly every
member of the organization was present, and it was
resolved not to disband, but to go on and perfect the
equipment and drill of the regiment, and offer it to the
War Department, as an independent regiment, for the
war. Colonel Mulligan was sent to Washington to
urge its claims to acceptance, and accomplished his
mission on the 17th of May, the "Irish Brigade" being
the first independent Illinois regiment accepted by the
War Department.
On the return of Colonel Mulligan from Washing-
ton, a brick structure on Polk Street, known as " Kane's
Brewery," was secured and occupied as barracks by the
regiment, under the name of " Fontenoy Barracks."
The " Irish Brigade " was mustered into the United
States service by Captain T. G. Pitcher, U. S. A., as
the 23d Illinois Infantry, June 15, 1861, under the fol-
lowing officers :
Field and Staff (All of Chicago). — Colonel. James A. Mul-
ligan; Lieutenant-Colonel, James Quirk; Major, Charles E. Moore;
Adjutant. James F. Cosgrove; Quartermaster, Quin Morton; Sur-
geon, William D. Winer; Chaplain, Thaddeus J. Butler.*
Line Officers. — Co. " A " (Detroit Jackson Guards): Captain,
John McDermott; First Lieutenant, Patrick J. McDermott; Sec-
ond Lieutenant, John H. Daley. Co. "B" (Montgomery
Guards, Chicago): Captain, Michael Gleason; First Lieutenant,
Daniel W. Quirk; Second Lieutenant, Edward Murray. Co.
"C" (Chicago Jackson Guards): Captain, Francis McMurray;
First Lieutenant, Patrick Higgins; Second Lieutenant, Robert Ad-
ams. Co. " D " (Earl Rifles, Earlville): Captain, Samuel Simi-
son; First Lieutenant, Thomas McClure; Second Lieutenant,
James E. Hudson. Co. " E " (Ogden Rifles, Morris): Captain,
Franklin K. Hulburd; First Lieutenant, George D. Kellogg; Sec-
ond Lieutenant, Henry Pease. Co." F" (Douglas Guards, La-
Salle County): Captain, David P. Moriarty; First Lieutenant, Law-
rence Collins; Second Lieutenant, Patrick O'Kane. Co "G"
(O'Mahoney Rifles, Chicago): Captain, John C. Phillips; First
Lieutenant, John A. Hines; Second Lieutenant, Martin Wallace.
Co. " H " (Ottawa City Guards): Captain, Charles Coffee; First
Lieutenant, Thomas Hickey; Second Lieutenant, Thomas J. Ray.
Co. "I " (Shields' Guards ("A"), Chicago): Captain, James Fitz-
gerald; First Lieutenant, Timothy L. Shanley; Second Lieutenant,
Patrick J. Ryan. Co. " K " (Shields' Guards (" B "), Chicago):
Captain, Daniel Quirk; First Lieutenant, James H. Lane; Second
Lieutenant, Owen Cunningham.
On July 14, the regiment received orders to report
at St. Louis, and left Chicago that day to proceed to its
destination, via Quincy, 111.
It then mustered nine hundred and thirty-seven
men, of whose appearance, as they left the city, the
♦Now parish priest at Rockford. 111.
Chicago Tribune, of that date, indignantly remarks
that
" Hard usage had made their single military suit look quite
unlike freshness," and that " although in material the men are a
credit to any section they are in outfit a disgrace to Chicago, as a
city; Cook, as a county, and Illinois, as a state."
On arriving at St. Louis, the regiment was thor-
oughly armed and equipped, at the Arsenal, and on the
23d of July, it was ordered to Jefferson City, Mo., to
protect the Legislature, then in session.
Francis McMurray, captain of Co. "C" (Chicago
Jackson Guards), died at Jefferson City, August 2,
1861, and Second Lieutenant Robert Adams, of Chi-
cago, was promoted captain in his place. Captain Mc-
Murray was an experienced officer, who had served in
the Mexican War. He abandoned a lucrative law prac-
tice in Chicago to serve his country, and, for several
weeks, from his private means, subsisted the company
which he raised.
The " Irish Brigade " remained at Jefferson City
until the last of August, its ranks increasing by daily
enlistments, until at that time it numbered one thou-
sand one hundred and thirty-five infantry, one hundred
and thirty-three cavalry, and seventy-six artillerists. A
Jefferson City correspondent of the Missouri Demo-
crat thus describes the brigade, and its surroundings,
at that time :
"Stationed on a commanding breezy hill, with the town and
the country at the will of their field-guns, and surrounded by broad,
smooth parade grounds, are the gleaming tents of the gallant ' Irish
Brigade,' under Colonel Mulligan.
" They present a beautiful appearance, with the stars and the
green flag waving over the white encampment. It is a regiment of
bold, disciplined and willing men, who, upon occasion, will make
themselves rivals of the famed 69th. Their officers are gentlemen
of large experience, education and courage. * * The brigade
seems to be the favorite of the town, and its officers are courted by
the first circles. Well they may be, for one rarely meets such gal-
lant gentlemen as Captains Moriarty, Phillips, Quirk, Simison and
Pease. Adjutant Cosgrove's breast blazes with medals — for all the
leading Crimean engagements. Lieutenant-Colonel Quirk is an
accomplished tactician, and Major Moore his worthy rival in the art.
The Colonel, who has gathered about him this capital display of
art and arms, is a young, cool, daring officer, possessing the respect
and confidence of his men in an unusual degree."
On the last day of August, the " Irish Brigade " was
ordered by General Fremont to proceed to Lexington,
one hundred and sixty miles up the Missouri River, to
reinforce the troops already stationed at that place
under Colonel Peabody, which consisted of several hun-
dred Home Guards, a portion of the 13th Missouri
Infantry, and six hundred of the 1st Illinois Cavalry,
Colonel T. M. Marshall. Colonel Mulligan reached
Lexington with his command on September 9, and, as
senior officer, assumed command of the post. Lexing-
ton was one of the most important points in Missouri,
and the Confederate leaders of the State were deter-
mined to possess it.
Driven from the town only the preceding week by
the approach of the Federal troops, Claiborne Jackson
had been obliged to adjourn, sine die, the Confederate
Legislature then in session, and turn his steps south-
ward, leaving $Soo,ooo in gold, and the State seal in
possession of Colonel Peabody. In the meantime, the
Confederate force, under Price and his subordinates, was
marching rapidly toward the north, and was between
Warrensburg and Lexington, when Mulligan assumed
command at the latter place.
The town of Lexington, situated on the south bank
of the Missouri River, was divided into Old and New
Lexington — the latter, which was the principal village,
being about a mile west of the other almost deserted
1 9-'
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
village, with which it was connected, along the river
road, by a scattered settlement. Midway between the
two villages, on a slight acclivity, was a large brick
structure known as the " Masonic College," which, on
the arrival of Colonel Mulligan, was occupied by Pea-
body's troops, and which they had strengthened by a
slight breastwork. This building became Mulligan's
headquarters, and around it he concentrated all the
Union force. The breastwork was extended so as to
enclose the building, and the troops set about the con-
struction of an outer earth-work, ten feet in height,
with a ditch, eight feet in width, running back to the
river bluff and inclosing an area capable of containing
a force of ten thousand men. The hospital was located
just outside the intrenchments, to the west, or toward
New Lexington.
On the ioth of September — the day after his arrival
at Lexington — Colonel Mulligan sent Lieutenant Ryan,
of Co. " I," with a squad of twelve men, on the steamer
" Sunshine," back to Jefferson City, to urge the necessity
for reinforcements. Forty miles below Lexington, the
" Sunshine " was captured by the Confederates, and
Ryan and his men taken prisoners. Mulligan well
knew the critical position of the Union force, and
anxiously waited for reinforcements, but none came.
The men labored steadily on the intrenchments until
the 1 2th, when the advanced pickets, under Captain
Quirk, were driven in, reporting the near approach of
the enemy. By noon, Price had surrounded the Union
force and posted his troops at both Old and New Lex-
ington. An attack was made, that afternoon, on the
angle of the intrenchments held by Captains Fitzgerald,
Quirk and Phillips, which was repulsed with consid-
erable loss. The rebels finding shelter behind the few
buildings still remaining at Old Lexington, our troops
succeeded in shelling and destroying most of their shel-
ter in the course of a few days. The siege was kept up
by Price day after day, and day by day the situation of
the little garrison grew more desperate. The supply of
water was cut off, and food was almost entirely ex-
hausted; still, the brave Mulligan replied to the sum-
mons to surrender and to fight no more on Missouri soil,
" The Irish Brigade makes no compromise." On the
18th, at nine o'clock in the morning, the enemy made
another attack on the works. The force of Price had
been increased to twenty-eight thousand men and thir-
teen pieces of artillery, and stationing his guns at every
available point, he opened a terrific fire, which he kept
up until seven in the evening. About noon, the rebels
captured the hospital, which Colonel Mulligan had not
fortified, believing the white flag floating from its walls
would be held sacred by any foe. It was taken, how-
ever, and from its balcony and roof the sharpshooters
of the enemy poured a deadly storm of bullets within
the intrenchments. In the hospital were one hundred
and twenty wounded men, Rev. Father Butler, chaplain
of the regiment, and Surgeon Winer. It could not be
left in rebel hands, but it was not easy to find a com-
pany bi igh to face the leaden storm outside the
intrenchments. Two companies attempted the task, and
failed. Fo ir companies of the Missouri Infantry, led
by Captain George B. Hoge, of that regiment, for-
merly of Chicago, fought well, but wen- driven back,
with their leader a prisoner. The Chicago Montgom-
ery Guards d forward. The distance was
eight hundred yards. Giving his men a brief exhorta-
tion to be brave and do their duty. Captain Gleason
ordered a charge, and with the words, " Come on, my
brave boys," led them a< ross the open space, up the
slope, and to the hospital door; when, driving the enemy
down the hill behind, what were left of the Montgomery
Guards took possession of the hospital. Thirty, of the
eighty, that started, were killed or wounded. Captain
Gleason was shot through the cheek and arm.
On the 19th, the rebels renewed the attack on the
intrenchments, sheltered behind breastworks made of
hemp bales saturated with water, which they rolled for-
ward as they advanced. On the afternoon of the 19th,
the enemy charged over the intrenchments at the point
where the Missouri Home-Guards were stationed, and
planted their flag on the top of the intrenchment. The
Irish Brigade was ordered to leave its position on the
opposite side of the works, and re-take the position. The
heaviest charge of the day followed, the flag being cap-
tured and the rebels driven back. Colonel Mulligan
was wounded at this time. On the 20th, the white flag
was raised by the commander of the Home-Guards, on
that part of the fortifications assigned to them. It was
taken down, and they retreated within the inner line of
breastworks and refused to fight. One more charge
was made on the enemy on the afternoon of the 20th,
led by Colonel White, of the 8th Missouri, in which
that brave officer was mortally wounded.
A council of officers was held that evening, and it
was decided that further resistance was useless, and
that Mulligan must surrender. Major Moore, of the
brigade, was sent to General Price, at his headquarters
at New Lexington, to learn the terms of capitulation.
They were unconditional surrender — the officers to be
retained as prisoners-of-war, the men to be released on
parole, surrendering arms and accoutrements. At four
o'clock on the afternoon of the 21st, the Federal forces
were marched out of the intrenchments, taking with
them only their personal effects. ■ The officers were re-
tained at Lexington, and the privates, about fifteen hun-
dred in number, were taken across the Missouri River,
and marched that night to Richmond, and thence to
Hannibal, the following day, where they were released.
They were met at Hannibal by General Prentiss, and
arrived at Quincy on the 23d, where they were received
with the kindness their faithfulness and courage had
merited. General Price treated Colonel Mulligan with
marked courtesy, and refused to accept the surrender
of his sword. The green flag was torn in shreds by the
men of the regiment, and each man took a piece — thus
the flag was not captured.
The total loss of the " Irish Brigade," at Lexington,
was one hundred and seven, of which the following is
the best list that can be obtained:
Co. "A," commanded by Captain John McDermott:
Kilted — Patrick Carey, John W. Smith, J. J. Armstrong. Wounded
— John Kelley, John Hoffman, John Foley, Alexander Campbell,
William Floyd, Alexander Donohoe, Thomas Jarvis, Thomas
White. Co. " B," commanded by Captain Michael Gleason: Killed
— Michael Grenahan, Frank Curran, William Mulligan, F. Cum-
mings, Patrick Fitzgerald, Edward Conlee, McCarthy, John
Drenlaney, John Gallagher. Wounded — Captain Gleason, Lieu-
tenant Edward Murray, Corporal Keefe, George Bennan, H.
K. Grover, James Noonan, Timothy Buckley, Stephen Conners,
John Traner and William Ward. Co. " F," commanded by Cap-
tain David P. Moriarity: Wounded — Sergeants Chapman and
Cramer; Privates E. Hanlon, David Shay, Abram Dunning, Philip
Gorman, B. B. Hayes, Edward Cady, Jeremiah Keed, Anthony
McBriarty, McLaughlin, O'Mara. Co. "G," com-
manded by Lieutenant Martin Wallace: Killed — David Mc-
Intry, Benjamin Wittern. Wounded — Robert Boardman, Joseph
Fullas, John McCoy, James Roch, C. M. Gedney, Patrick Mc-
Mahon, Timothy Pomeroy, McCalkins, Murray, Eugene
Blanchard, Richard Scott, Garret Walsh, John McKey, Thomas
Coleman, David Fit/.morey, Robert Armstrong and Patrick Grif-
fin. Co. " C," commanded by Captain Robert Adams: Killed
— Andrew Hill. Wounded — John Bennett, James Conway,
John Hughes, Kinley Gunner, Patrick Mooney and Reuben Rock-
well. Co. " D," commanded by Captain Samuel Simison:
TWENTY-THIRD ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
'93
Wounded — W. Winslow, Callahan. Co. " E," commanded
by Captain F. K. Hulburd: Killed— Charles Chase, Hugh Kelley,
William H. Cochran, John lnglesby, Owen Hugen, John
Sevilles, William Watson. Co. " H," commanded by Captain
Charles Coffee: Killed — James Bennett, James Greenlie, Isa-
dore Willett. Wounded — Lieutenant Thomas Hickey; Privates
James McClure, John Terrer. William Myers, Michael Coleman,
James Sheridan and John Fribbs. Co. " I," commanded by
Captain James Fitzgerald: Killed — Israel Putnam. Wounded —
Captain Fitzgerald, Orderly Sergeant Mathew Higgins; Privates
Thomas Conry, A. C. Parks, Joseph Hingle, John Corbit, John
Dorson, and Coleman. Co. " K," commanded by Cap-
tain Daniel Quirk: Killed — Joseph Noel. Wounded — Lieu-
tenant Owen Cunningham; Privates Thomas Noel, John Harli-
han, James McCarthy, Dennis Reardon, James McNamara. Total
killed, twenty-four; wounded, eighty-one.
The following joint resolutions, presented by Hon.
Isaac N. Arnold, were adopted by Congress, December
20, 1861:
"Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives, That
the thanks of Congress be presented to Colonel James A. Mulligan
and the gallant officers and soldiers under his command, who
bravely stood by him against a greatly superior force, in his heroic
defense of LeNington, Mo.
"Resolved, That the 23d Regiment of Illinois Volunteers — the
Irish Brigade — in testimony of their gallantry on that occasion, are
authorized to bear upon their colors the word ' Lexington.'
"Resolved, That the Secretary of War be requested to commu-
nicate these resolutions to Colonel Mulligan and his officers and
soldiers."
On October 8, 1861, the 23d Illinois was mustered
out of service, at St. Louis, by order of Major-General
Fremont.
Colonel Mulligan was still a prisoner in the hands of
Price, having refused to accept a parole. He was soon
after exchanged, and returned to Chicago. Enthusias-
tic crowds greeted him all along his route from St.
Louis; and his welcome at Chicago, November 8, was
simply a general ovation, in which all classes joined.
Refusing the more formal reception tendered him, on
the plea that time was too precious to be thus spent, he
hastened to Washington, to petition the President for
the restoration of the " Irish Brigade " to United States
service. He was successful in his mission, and, on De-
cember 10, 1 86 1, it was restored, by order of Major-
General McClellan, and ordered to fill its ranks to the
maximum. Recruiting headquarters were established
at Camp Douglas, Chicago, the regiment was soon filled,
and was then employed in guarding prisoners at the
camp, until June, 1862.
While the regiment was stationed at Chicago, Cap-
tain Franklin K. Hulburd, of Co. " E," died of diph-
theria, on May 5. The " Mulligan Battery," or
" Rourke's Battery," officially known as Battery " L,"
1st Illinois Light Artillery, was recruited and attached
to the regiment, while it was at Camp Douglas. Its of-
ficers were; John Rourke, captain; John McAfee, senior
first lieutenant ; Charles Bagley, junior first lieutenant ;
William L. McKenzie, senior second lieutenant; Michael
Lantry, junior second lieutenant, most of whom were
of the " Oconto (Wisconsin) Irish Guards." The battery
accompanied the command to Virginia, and did good
service in the Shenandoah Valley campaigns, being
chiefly used in sections in different parts of the
country.
On June 14, 1862, the regiment was ordered to An-
napolis, via Harper's Ferry. On arriving at the latter
place, it was detained a few days, that point being
threatened by the enemy, and was thence ordered to
New Creek, Virginia, in the military department of
Major-General Wool. A large depot of government
stores was situated at New Creek, which Mulligan's
command was ordered to protect against a threatened
attack of General Ewell. For the defense of this post,
13
Fort Fuller was constructed, by Captain Coffey Co.
" H," Irish Brigade, and which the regiment garrisoned
until September 1, when it moved toward Clarksburg, —
menaced by the enemy at that time, — and, by rapid
movements, saved both that town and Parkersburg
from an attack. In October, an expedition under Lieu-
tenant Colonel Quirk, with Companies " A," " C " and
" D," of the 23d, a small cavalry force, and a section of
Rourke's Battery, was sent out to Greenland Gap, on the
Ridgeville road, to intercept a force of Stuart's cavalry,
which was advancing towards Petersburg with supplies
for the enemy. This force was reached when within
about five miles of Petersburg, and a charge made upon
the camp, which resulted in routing the squadron, with
a loss of three killed, sixteen taken prisoners, and a
large number of horses and cattle captured. On No-
vember 10, Mulligan was ordered to attack a rebel
force, which, under Imboden, was raiding the valley.
Companies " B," " D " and " K," of the " Brigade,"
under command of Major Moore, attacked the rebel
camp, on the south fork of the Potomac, that night,
capturing forty prisoners and a large quantity of army
supplies.
On the 26th of December, Colonel Mulligan having
been assigned to the command of a brigade, Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Quirk commanded the regiment, under
whom it moved, on January 3, 1863, to the relief of
Colonel Washburne, at Moorefield, Va.; arriving, after
a forced march of forty miles in nineteen hours, to find
that the rebels had fallen back, on hearing of the ap-
proach of reinforcements. The command returned to
"Camp Fuller," on New Creek, where, on April 3,
1863, it was assigned to the Fifth Brigade, Colonel Mul-
ligan commanding, First Division, Eighth Army Corps —
Lieutenant-Colonel James Quirk having command of
the regiment.
On the 25th of April, the command moved to Graf-
ton, and, on the same day, Co. " G," Captain Wallace,
stationed at Greenland Gap, was attacked by General
Jones, with some three thousand cavalry. Greenland
Gap is a pass through the Knobley Mountains, only
wide enough for the road and a small mountain stream.
Captain Wallace was left with a detachment of his own
company, and a few men of Co. " H," 13th Virginia
Infantry, under Captain Smith, to guard the western
entrance to the pass. Wallace occupied a wooden
church commanding the mouth of the gap, and Smith
a log house near by.
General Jones could not enter the pass without
dislodging them, and made three successive charges on
the little force, which maintained its position stoutly
for five hours. After dark, the rebels succeeded in
firing the church, and just as the roof was falling upon
him, Captain Wallace, ordering his men to throw their
arms into the burning building, surrendered his com-
mand. The prisoners were sent to Richmond, and
some months later were exchanged and re-joined their
regiment. The killed and wounded of the rebels in
this affair were more in number than the entire Union
force. Five out of the eight rebel officers engaged
were either killed or wounded.
The 23d Illinois was engaged in the battle with
Imboden's forces at Phillippi, April 26, and three days
later with the enemy under General Jones, at Fair-
mount.
On the 6th of July, Colonel Mulligan moved, with
his brigade and some additional troops, to Hancock,
Md.; where it was believed the rebel army, under Lee,
would attempt to cross the Potomac in the retreat from
Gettysburg. Colonel Mulligan was placed in command
194
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
of all the Federal troops at this point, and advanced his
command to near Hedgeville, on the opposite side of
the Potomac, where he met and had a slight engage-
ment with a portion of Lee's cavalry under Hampton
Not receiving reinforcements from Mead, Mulligan
was compelled to re-cross the Potomac, and was then
ordered to move with his brigade to Petersburg, Va.,
which place he reached on August 16, and before the
close of the month had well fortified and strengthened
it. by constructing Fort Mulligan. On the 4th of Sep-
tember, the regiment had an engagement with Imboden
and his " Rangers," in the gap of Petersburg, in which
the latter were routed. On September n, an expedi-
tion under command of Captains Fitzgerald and Wal-
lace, was dispatched from Petersburg, which attacked a
rebel force under McNeal, near Moorefield, Va., and
completely scattered it — the guerrillas flying to the
mountains.
On October 25, 1863, the Second Division of the
Department of West Virginia was organized, and
Mulligan assigned to its command, with orders to make
New Creek his headquarters after November 8. The
23d, under Colonel Quirk, was assigned to the Sec-
ond Brigade, Colonel Thoburn, Second Division,
with headquarters at Petersburg, where it remained
until December 10, when the brigade moved as sup-
port to Averill's cavalry on an expedition to cut the
Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. In this expedition,
which was successful, the forces of the Confederate
leaders, Jackson, Early and Echols, were met and defeat-
ed, and the brigade returned to Petersburg, where
Colonel Thoburn was commandant.
On January 30, 1864, Colonel Thoburn, finding that
Early was about to attack him in force, evacuated his
position and retreated to Ridgeville, where he joined a
detachment of Mulligan's forces from New Creek, and
moved, with him, to attack Early near Moorefield.
Reaching the south branch of the Potomac, at McNeil's
Ford, Mulligan found the passage disputed by a portion
of Early's force, under Rosser; but, by the aid of his
artillery, he crossed the river, and marched toward
Moorefield, where Early was stationed with his main
command. A skirmish fight was kept up until he
reached the town, where the rebels made stubborn
resistance. A fight of about three hours ensued, when
the enemy was driven into and through Moorefield,
falling back toward Harrisonburg, and finally into the
Shenandoah Valley. During the fight, Captain Michael
Gleason, of Co. " B," was taken prisoner, but was re-cap-
tured. After pursuing Early's troops six miles, Mulli-
gan returned to New Creek, leaving the 23d to guard
Greenland Gap, near Petersburg. On the 23d of April,
1864, the 23d returned to Chicago for the purpose of
re-enlisting as veterans, and for a veteran furlough. Its
numbers, now reduced from eight hundred to three
mndred and fifty fit for service, told of the hard cam-
paign through which it had passed in Virginia.
On the expiration of furlough, the regiment returned
to Virginia, where it again formed a part of the First
Infantry Division 'Colonel Mulligan , Twenty-Fourth
Corps General ''rook, Army of West Virginia. The
divison was ordered to move to the support of General
Hunter, then between Staunton and Lynchburg, Va.;
but on the di f( ' of that General, the order was rescind-
ed, and Mulligan's command was ordered to occupy
I. ■ -own.
In July. 1 onfederate force, under Early,
advanced north learly to Washington, threatening that
city, keinfo were hurried to the support of
General Auger, commanding the defenses, and Early
was compelled to retreat across the Potomac. Supposing
that he had continued his retreat toward southern
Virginia, General Crook, with his small corps, moved
from Harper's Ferry, with the intention of occupying
Winchester, but soon found that Early was in his path.
On the 23d of July, his cavalry advance was attacked
at Kernstown, and Mulligan's division, which was then
at Stone Mills, was ordered forward to its support.
The cavalry was forced back on the 23d, but, on the
following day, Early renewed the attack. Crook's
advanced brigade having been driven back, the engage-
ment became general along his line, of which Mulligan's
division formed the center. Too late, General Crook
found that he was fighting Early's whole command of
thirty thousand men with his two small divisions.
During the severe struggle on the 24th, the 23d and
Mulligan's whole division fought bravely to hold back
the enemy, at least long enough to save the trains, and
in this were successful, but at a fearful cost to the little
command. Colonel Mulligan was killed while in the
advance leading his men, beseeching the 23d Illinois,
with his last breath, not to lose the colors of the " Irish
Brigade." " Lay me down, and save the flag," were his
last words — fit words for the brave young commander.
After Colonel Mulligan's death, the First Division was
assigned to the command of Colonel J. Thoburn, under
whom the 23d Illinois participated in Sheridan's cam-
paign in western Virginia. August 4, 1864, Sheridan
assumed command of the Army in the Shenandoah
Valley, the First Division then being encamped in the
vicinity of Frederick City. On arriving at, or near,
Charleston, Va., in the first movement of Sheridan
against Early, the 23d Illinois, by command of Major-
General Crook, being reduced in numbers through con-
stant service, was consolidated, August 29, into five
companies:
Co. " B," Captain Harry Pease; Co. " D," Captain Samuel
Simison; Co. " G," Captain Martin Wallace; Co. " K," Lieu-
tenant Patrick Ryan; Detachment " F," Lieutenant Stewart S.
Allen. The organization was thereafter officially known as Bat-
talion 23d Illinois Veteran Infantry.
In September, 1S64, Captains Patrick McDermott, of
Co. "A," and James J. Fitzgerald, of Co. "I," with
such other line officers as did not enlist as veterans,
were mustered out of service at Chicago. Under the
new organization, the battalion participated in the
engagements at Opequan Creek, Strasburg, and Fish-
er's Hill, in September, and at Cedar Creek, which
closed the campaign in the valley, in October. General
Thoburn, the division commander of the 23d, was killed
at Cedar Creek.
After the overthrow of Early in the Shenandoah
Valley, the command of General Crook was ordered to
join the Army of the James, commanded by General
Ord, and proceeded to the vicinity of Richmond.
In the latter part of March, the command was
ordered from Richmond, to take part in the attack on
Petersburg. On the 1st of April, Foster's division, in
which was the 23d Illinois, arrived in front of the outer
line of defenses, assaulting them in the vicinity of
Hatcher's Run. After the outer line was carried, the
troops advanced and took position before Fort Gregg,
on the south side of the city. This redoubt, one of the
strongest in the main line of fortifications around
Petersburg, and which was held by Harris's Mississippi
Brigade, was assaulted and carried by storm on the
7th — the 23d participating in the attack. The follow-
ing extract from a letter of an officer of the Irish Bri-
gade, dated I'.urksville, Va., April 7, 1865, and published
TWENTY-FOURTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
195
in a Chicago newspaper, gives the names of the killed
and wounded:
" Richmond and Petersburg have at last fallen, and the old
Irish Brigade colors were the first inside of the fort that Lee called
the key of Petersburg, namely Fort Gregg. The 23d and 3gth
Illinois regiments fought, side by side, at the taking of the fort,
and were the only two Illinois regiments in the armies of the
Potomac and James."
Killed and wounded in the 23d, Captain P. M. Ryan, com-
manding, at the storming of Fort Gregg : Sergeant-Major George
B. Sexton, severely wounded. Co. "A" (Old Montgomery Guards),
Lieutenant James M. Doyle, commanding: Wounded — Color-
corporal Peter Mechan, Corporal Lovekin; Privates Richard
Burns, Edward Downey, Patrick O'Brien, John Martin, Benjamin
Thompson. Co. " B," Lieutenant James Burns, commanding :
Killed — Private Edward O'Dwyer; Wounded- — Sergeant John Bis-
by, Color-corporal John Creed ; Privates Boyd D. Simpson, Peter
Church, John Connors, Ira Wade. Co. "C," Lieutenant Patrick
Foley, commanding: Killed — First Sergeant Thomas Cliff.
Wounded — Corporal Henry Nott, Sergeant Richard Crowley ; Pri-
vates James Fighe, Henry Welch. Co. " D," Lieutenant D.
Coston, commanding: Wounded — Sergeant Thomas O'Donnell,
Privates Michael Lowry, Michael McDonnell, Thomas Quinn,
John P. Cavin, Michael Regan. Co. "E," Lieutenant Edwin
Coburn, commanding: Killed — Private Charles Briedert. Wounded
— Sergeants Florence and Sullivan ; Privates William Riordan and
Martin Crehan.
After the surrender of Lee, the 23d was ordered
back to Richmond, and was on duty near that city
until July, 1865, when it was mustered out, and returned
to Chicago.
In Richmond, on the 27th of April, 1865, five addi-
tional companies were added to the 23d Illinois, raising
it to a full regiment, the acting field and staff officers
after that date being as follows : Colonel, Samuel
Simison ; Lieutenant-Colonel, Patrick M. Ryan ; Major,
Edwin Coburn ; Adjutant, Boyd D. Simpson ; Quarter-
master, Thomas McGirr ; Surgeon, John S. Taylor.
Colonel James A. Mulligan was bom in Utica, N. Y., in
1830. He was of Irish parentage, and, although American born,
his sympathies and interests from boyhood were warmly enlisted in
behalf of the nationality and religious faith of his parents. He
came to Chicago, with his family, when he was but six years old,
and was here educated at the University of St. Mary's of the Lake,
of which he was the first graduate, receiving, in 1850, the degree
of Master of Arts. After leaving college, he accompanied John
L. Stevens, the noted traveler, subsequently president of the Pan-
ama Railroad, on his last trip to South America, and on his return
read law in the office of Arnold, Larned & Lay. In 1854, he
edited for a short time the Western Tablet, a Catholic weekly
paper ; in 1855, was admitted to the Bar, and commenced the
practice of law. At the organization of the Shields' Guards, in
1854, young Mulligan was elected first lieutenant ; in 1858, he was
corresponding secretary, and in 1860-61, was captain of the com-
pany. In 1857-58, he was appointed by President Buchanan to a
clerkship in the Interior Department, and spent the winter in
Washington; on his return to Chicago continuing his law practice
as partner of Henry S. Fitch, United States Attorney for the Chi-
cago District. In October, 1S59. Mr. Mulligan was married, by
Rt. Rev. Bishop Duggan, to Marian Nugent, daughter of Michael
and Alice (Grant) Nugent, of Chicago, who proved, during the
coming years of trial, a true and heroic wife, following the for-
tunes of her husband in his campaigns from Missouri to Virginia,
and compelling the respect of not only her husband's command,
but of his enemies, by her patient dignity, and courageous endur-
ance of dangers and sorrows. At the breaking out of the Rebel-
lion, Mulligan, with other patriotic citizens of Chicago, raised the
23d Illinois Volunteers, of which he was elected colonel. It was
offered to the Government, but not accepted tinder the first or sec-
ond calls for volunteers, .the great number of regiments offered
Governor Yates causing the rejection of that, with many others.
Not being willing to disband the regiment, Mr. Mulligan visited
Washington, and offered it to the War Department as an independ-
ent organization, and as such it was accepted May 17, 1861. Al-
though tendered a brigade while in Washington, Mulligan refused
to accept the command, as his regiment could not form a part of it.
At the battle of Kernstown, near Winchester, Va., fought Sun-
day, July 24, 1864, Colonel Mulligan received three wounds, any
one of which might have proved fatal. His conspicuous bravery,
as he led his men in person to the front, rendered him a mark for
the enemy's sharpshooters. As he fell from his horse, his staff
and his old regiment rallied round him, determined to bear him
from the field. The enemy, perceiving the movement, concen-
trated their fire on the little group above which waved the colors
of the Irish Brigade. These colors becoming endangered in the
struggle, Colonel Mulligan gave his last command: "Lay me
down, and save the flag." Lieutenant James H. Nugent, his nine-
teen-year-old brother-in-law, obeyed, was wounded slightly, but
resumed his place in the little band which surrounded the Colonel,
but a second bullet was fatal in its effect, and the lieutenant fell
dead. Colonel Mulligan was carried to a farm-house in the vicinity,
but died July 26, 1864. Mrs. Mulligan learned the sad news at Cum-
berland, Md., formerly her husband's headquarters, and started
immediately for the field. She brought the remains of her hus-
band from Winchester, Va., to Chicago, where the last honors that
the city could render its brave son, were sadly paid, and all that
was left of him on earth, was tearfully laid away to rest in Cal-
vary Cemetery. The family of Colonel Mulligan consists of his
widow and three daughters. Colonel Mulligan, aside from his
qualities as a soldier, was an accomplished gentleman. Well edu-
cated, he was gifted with a mind capable of making that education
of practical use to himself and to his country. He was an able
writer, clear, bold, concise, yet thorough ; his literary productions
are remarkable for their eloquence, fearlessness and energy. As an
orator, he had few superiors. Of a commanding presence, excel-
lent voice, and unbroken flow of language, he never failed to win
the attention and deserve the admiration of his listeners. In all
relations of life he was a conscientious, upright man, and a Chris-
tian gentleman.
Captain Daniel Quirk was born in Kerry, Ireland, and
when a mere boy, emigrated with his parents to America, and made
his home in Chicago. He early became a member of the
" Shields' Guards," and was elected captain of Co. " B " of the
Guards, which was mustered into service as Co. " K " of the 23d,
and participated with that famous regiment in its campaigns in
Missouri and Virginia, under the lamented Mulligan. At the close
of the war, with his brother James, lieutenant-colonel of the regi-
ment, he returned to the city and engaged in commercial pursuits.
He was also for a time a valued employe of the post-office, but
was obliged to resign, about 1881, on account of ill health. He
then visited Ireland, but did not entirely recover, and died in Chi-
cago, in July, 1883.
Thomas Brenan, assistant county treasurer, and one of the
old residents of Chicago, is a native of Nova Scotia. His father
paid his first visit to this city in 183S, but afterward returned to
his home at Marimichi, New Brunswick, and subsequently removed
to Prince Edward's Island, where he had a farm. There young
Brenan spent his early days, coming to Chicago in 1S49, with his
parents, three brothers and four sisters. Going into business at
first as a clerk in a hardware establishment, he subsequently moved
to Peoria, where he clerked in a hotel for a season. He next ac-
cepted a position as cashier and paymaster in the construction of
the Bureau Valley Railroad. He continued in that position until
the completion of the line, and from 1855 up to the opening of
the war, engaged in commercial pursuits. Until the fall of 1S64,
he followed the fortunes of the 23d Illinois Regiment (Mulligan's
brigade) as division quartermaster. Returning to Chicago, after
engaging in pursuits of a commercial nature, he was appointed
cashier in the city collector's office in iS6g. He retained that
position about four years and, in 1873, became cashier in the city
treasurer's office. In 1878, Mr. Brenan was elected assessor of the
West Town, which position he resigned to accept the assistant city
treasurership under W. C. Seipp, with whom he remained for two
yea's. He was then for two years with Mr. Seipp's successor,
Rudolph Brand, resigning his position with Mr. Brand, to accept
the position of assistant county treasurer, which was proffered him
by County Treasurer William C. Seipp, on his election to the
office. Mr. Brenan has been a member of the Board of Education
since 187S, and in recognition of his varied and effective service
rendered to the cause of education, the " Brenan School," in the
Fifth Ward, was named in his honor by the Board of Education of
1SS4. He is a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Confraternity
and many other benevolent organizations, Mr. Brenan having been
as intimately identified with philanthropical enterprises as he has
been with the care of the civic financial interests, and was a charter
member, and is at present one of the Board of Directors, of the
St. Mary's Training School for Boys, at Feehanville, in Cook
County.
TWENTY-FOURTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
The Twenth-fourth Illinois, or the original
"Hecker Jaeger Regiment," was composed exclusively
of German companies, two of which, the Union Cadets
and Lincoln Rifles, were organized for the three-months'
196
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
service, and were among those troops, who, on the 19th
of April. 1S61, left Chicago for Cairo. There they did
service until in June, 1861, when they joined the remain-
ing eight companies. Of these, six were recruited in
Chicago, one in Ottawa, and the other in Blooming-
ton. After its formation, the regiment occupied " Camp
Robert Blum," on Cottage Grove Avenue. While there,
some changes were made in its organization, and
Frederick Hecker. the heroic leader of the German re-
volution of 184S, of St. Clair County, who was then
serving as a private in Sigel's 3d Missouri Infantry, in
which he had enlisted at the outbreak of the war, was
elected colonel, June 15. Geza Mihalotzy, then at
Cairo with his Rifle Company, was elected, at the same
time, lieutenant-colonel.
On the iSth of June, the regiment was presented
with a superb stand of silk colors, exquisitely mounted,
the presentation address being made in German by
Otto Ludwig, Esq. Colonel Hecker received the
flag, and turning to his soldiers, said in their native
tongue:
" Soldiers j Comrades ' It is now twelve years ago, that I
stood opposed in strife to the despotisms of Europe, and took up
arms against them in behalf of freedom and independence. I now
take a solemn oath to here defend the same. If we shall come to
any engagement with the traitors to liberty, I will be your leader.
I, on foot, will ask you to follow me; and if I fall, I only ask you
to bring me back from the field, having avenged me. My hair is
gray, the last hours of my life are not far off, but the arms I have
taken up for our dear adopted country shall only be laid down with
life. I will lead you to victory. Will you follow this flag?"
The 24th was mustered into service at Chicago, July
8, 1861, by Captain T. G. Pitcher, U.S.A., under the
following officers: *
Field and Staff. — Colonel, Frederick Hecker ; Lieutenant-
Colonel, Geza Mihalotzy ; Major, Julian Kune ; Adjutant, Julius
Paun ; Quartermaster, Henry Wendt ; Surgeon, William Wagner;
Assistant Surgeon, Carl Stock.
Line Officers. — Co. "A": Captain, Thomas Lang; First Lieu-
tenant, August Gerhardi ; Second Lieutenant, Jacos Poull. Co.
" B"; Captain, George Heinrichs; First Lieutenant, Julius Fritsch;
Second Lieutenant, Otto W. Block. Co. "C": Captain, Anthony
ten; First Lieutenant, Emil Frey ; Second Lieutenant, H. F. W.
Blanke. I o. "D": Captain, Leopold Hecker; First Lieutenant,
Aloys Mayer; Second Lieutenant, Rupert Russ. Co. "E": Cap-
tain, August Mauff ; First Lieutenant, Gustav A. Busse ; Second
Lieutenant. Krnst F. C. Klokke. Co. " F": Captain, Augustus
; First Lieutenant, Alexander Jekelfalusy; Second Lieu-
tenant, Andres Jacobi. Co. "G": Captain, Julius Standan; First
Lieutenant. George A. Guenther; Second Lieutenant, Peter Hand.
Co. " H": I aptain, John Van Horn; First Lieutenant, H. F. W.
Blanke ; Second Lieutenant, Arthur Erbe. Co. " 1 ": Captain,
Henry J. I< I; first Lieutenant, George W. Fuchs; Second Lieu-
tenant, Herman II. Ilinz. Co. "K": Captain, Ferdinand H.
Kolshausen; First Lieutenant, August Steffens; Second Lieutenant,
Frank Schweinfurth.
Many of the members of the regiment had been in
active service in the German and Austrian armies, and,
on the whole, the entire command was made up of ex-
cellent fighting material. It soon transpired, however,
that some of the officers in the 24th regiment, as well as
in other volunteer-regiments raised in the beginning of
the war, had, in the excitement of the hour, been
elected without special reference to their qualifications,
and finding the military service not quite agreeable to
their comfort, gradually dropped out, to make room for
better material from the ranks.
The regiment left Chicago early in July,
under orders to report at Alton, 111., whence it
moved to St. Charles, Mo., and thence to Mex-
ico, Mo. It remained at Mexico until the 28th
of July, when it was ordered to Ironton, Mo.,
where it joined General Prentiss's brigade. On
the 3d of August, a detachment of the 24th, under
Lieutenant-Colonel Mihalotzy, was thrown for-
ward to Centreville, where secession troops had gathered
in force, threatening communication with St. Louis.
The regiment moved to Pilot Knob, Mo., where General
Grant was then in command, on the 8th of August, and
was sent, by him, to Fredericktown, on the 14th, with
instructions to effect a junction with the Union troops
at Cape Girardeau. The command reached Cape
Girardeau, and moved thence to Cairo, early in Septem-
ber, and on the 15th of the month received orders to
join the army of the Potomac at Washington. Arriving
at Cincinnati, it was detained by the railroad accident
which disabled the 19th Illinois, also en route for Wash-
ington. Meanwhile, however, the Confederate General
Buckner had taken possession of Muldraugh Hill, about
thirty-five miles south of Louisville, on the Louisville &
Nashville Railroad, and threatened the capture of that
city. The regiment therefore received counter-orders,
and left Cincinnati, on the 29th of September, for Louis-
ville. It was the first command of Union troops that
trod the soil of Kentucky during the earlier days of the
Rebellion, and upon its arrival in Louisville, the loyal
people there accorded the regiment a most hospitable
and brilliant reception. After a few hours' rest, the
command proceeded to Colesburg, and from there, on
the next day, part of it took possession of Muldraugh
Hill, a few miles further south, General Buckner having
seen fit to fall back on Green River. There it remained
until November 30th, when it was assigned to Tur-
chin's (Eighth) Brigade, Mitchel's (Third) Division, of
the Army of the Ohio, and went into camp near Eliza-
bethtown, Ky., where the 19th Illinois also was stationed.
During the campaign, a serious misunderstanding
arose between Colonel Hecker and some of the Chicago
officers, which finally culminated in the resignation of
the former, together with Major Kune, Captains Lang
and Reed, and First Lieutenants Gerhardi and Busse.
Colonel Hecker subsequently organized and com-
manded the 82d regiment. Geza Mihalotzy was pro-
moted colonel; John Van Horn, lieutenant-colonel;
Julius Standan. major; George A. Guenther, captain,
and E. F. C. Klokke, first lieutenant of Co. "A";
George Guenther, first lieutenant of Co. " E " — all those
so promoted being Chicago men.
On the 22d, Turchin's brigade marched to Bacon's
Creek, where it remained until Fefjruary 10, 1862; when
intelligence having been received of the surrender of
Fort Henry, the movement on Bowling Green and Nash-
ville commenced. Mitchel's division left camp on the
10th, Turchin's brigade leading the column of infantry.
After a march of forty miles over a frozen, rocky road,
obstructed by trees felled by the enemy in their retreat,
the Big Barren River was reached, and as soon as an
old ferry boat could be repaired, the infantry, in the
TWENTY-FOURTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
•97
dead of night, crossed in parties of fifty — all that the
boat would hold at one time. The 24th was the first
regiment that crossed, and, with the 19th, pushed on
toward Bowling Green choosing to face the possible
enemy yet lingering there, rather than the bitter cold of
that winter night. The town was reached and found to
have the greater part in flames, the rebels having set
fire to their stores and the railroad buildings.
Leaving Bowling Green on the 24th of the month,
the regiment arrived at Edgefield, opposite Nashville,
which place General Johnston had previously occupied
as headquarters, on the 27th. Nashville was surren-
dered the following day, and the troops crossed the
river, and went into camp. Mitchel's division having
been assigned the task of penetrating the enemy's
country to Huntsville, Ala., and, by occupying that
place, severing the main line of communication between
the rebel armies in the east and in the west, the command
moved to Murfreesboro', remaining there until April 4th,
building bridges, repairing roads and making ready for
the coming campaign. Huntsville, Ala, was a railroad
center of vital importance to the enemy, and it was re-
ported that it would be defended to the last. The war
was to be carried into the enemy's country and it was
to be success, or annihilation, to the Union force. On
the date specified, Mitchel's division marched to Shelby -
ville, twenty-six miles from Murfreesboro', and on the
7th advanced to Fayetteville, fifteen miles north of the
state line of Alabama.
On arriving at Fayetteville, General Turchin soli-
cited, and obtained, permission from General Mitchel
to advance with his brigade, and, if possible, surprise
and capture Huntsville, before the enemy was prepared
for defense.
On the morning of the 10th, the expedition marched
from Fayetteville. Turchin's brigade, which consisted
of the 19th and 24th Illinois, 18th Ohio, 37th Indiana,
4th Ohio Cavalry and Simonson's battery, was followed
by the other two brigades of the division at a little
distance. Their progress was slow and exceedingly
laborious, owing to the terrible condition of the roads,
which led through swamps and forests or over high
and precipitous hills, up which the mules could hardly
drag the wagons. The men bivouacked at night
around their fires, without shelter and before daylight
of the nth re-commenced their march.
About six o'clock in the morning, Kennett's cavalry,
which was in the advance, came in sight of the town.
A section of Simonson's battery was placed in position
on the Meridianville road, which, while the infantry
was coming up, by a few well directed shots succeeded
in capturing a locomotive which, with train attached,
was steaming out of Huntsville, toward Stevenson, car-
rying one hundred and fifty Confederate soldiers, who
then became prisoners. As the infantry came up,
Colonel Mihalotzy sent a detachment of the 24th to tear
up the track and prevent the escape of any trains.
The cavalry in the mean time entered Huntsville,
taking the town completely by surprise, and capturing,
without a blow, all the rebel soldiers that garrisoned the
place, besides seventeen locomotives, one hundred and
fifty cars, and an immense amount of railroad and war
material. On the same day Huntsville was occupied,
the 24th and two companies of the 19th Illinois, with
one section of Simonson's battery, moved to Decatur
on the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, and captured,
in the fortifications built there for the protection of the
Decatur bridge, five hundred bales of cotton, and on the
opposite side of the bridge the full equipage of a Con-
federate regiment. Turchin's brigade pushed on from
Decatur to Tuscumbia, in western Alabama, and some
sixty miles from Huntsville. This point was seized and
occupied, thus extending Mitchel's line from Stevenson
on the east, along the railroad, to Tuscumbia on the
west, about one hundred and twenty miles. With the
small force at his command, so long a line could not be
held, and Turchin's brigade, after occupying Tuscumbia
until April 22, was obliged to fall back to Huntsville. The
command reached Jonesboro' on the 24th, crossed the
Tennessee at Decatur, on the 26th, and reached Hunts-
ville on the 30th. On May 1, the brigade was sent to
Athens, from which Colonel Stanley had just been
driven by the enemy's cavalry, with orders to occupy
and hold the place. The brigade was stationed there
nearly a month, during which time accusations deroga-
tory to the character and discipline of General Turchin
and a portion of his command, were preferred by officers
presumably jealous of both commander and command.
The culmination of the charges was the trial by court-
martial of General Turchin, and, although the final re-
sult was a signal vindication of his fair fame, the imme-
diate result was the transfer of the troops that he had
drilled so long and faithfully to another commander.
On May 26, the 24th Illinois marched to join Gene-
ral Negley's forces a: Fayetteville, Term., and with
them, on the 1st of June, set out on an expedition to
Chattanooga, to disperse a force of cavalry, concen-
trated at that point. On the 4th of June, the command
encamped at the foot of the Cumberland Mountains,
crossed Waldron's Ridge on the 5th, and, driving back
General Adams's cavalry across the valley, arrived
opposite Chattanooga, on June 7. A portion of the
enemy's cavalry was found on the north bank of the
Tennessee, on the arrival of Negley's command. He
formed his line, with the 24th deployed as skirmishers,
and moved forward, the cavalry re-crossing the river
on their advance. Batteries were placed in position
commanding the town, the enemy's guns were silenced,
and the Union troops remained on the north bank of
the river until the 7th, when, being unable to procure
supplies, General Negley was obliged to abandon the
attempt to occupy Chattanooga, and withdrew. The
regiment arrived at Stevenson on June 11, and marched
thence to Jasper, Tenn. While at Jasper, Captain
Kovats and Lieutenant Gerhardt of Co. " F," when on
a scouting expedition with a small party, along the Ten-
nessee River on June 21, encountered the Confederate
pickets and a skirmish ensued, in which Captain Kovats
was severely and Lieutenant Gerhardt slightly wounded.
Captain Kovats returned to Chicago, and a few months
later resigned his command.
From Jasper, the regiment moved to Battle Creek,
and thence, on July n, to Tullahoma, remaining on the
Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, employed in guard-
ing various stations, until September 7, when, Bragg
having commenced his march into Kentucky, it pro-
ceeded with General Buell's Army to Nashville. It
was there assigned to Starkweather's (Twenty-eighth)
brigade, Rousseau's division, McCook's corps, and, with
the rest of Buell's Army, marched to Louisville, where
it arrived on the 28th of September.
On October 1, it marched from Louisville in pursuit
of Bragg, and on the evening of the 7th, encamped
with the brigade near Mackville. On the morning of
the 8th, after marching about twelve miles, the com-
mand reached Chaplin Hills, near Perryville,
and formed on the extreme left of Rousseau's
division. The ranks of the 24th had been sadly
thinned, ere this, by disease and hardships. Colonel
Mihalotzy was left behind at Louisville, severely sick,
198
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
as were also Lieutenants Schweinfurth, Borneman
and Poull, all of Chicago. The field-officers were all
sick, and only seven commissioned officers were left to
the ten companies, fit for duty. Captains acted as field-
officers, and lieutenants and sergeants as captains com-
manding companies. The men who acted as field-
officers in this battle, the first one in which the regiment
was actively engaged, were Captain August Mauff and
Captain George A. Guenther ; and the companies
were commanded as follows :
Co. " A." bv Sergeant Charles Fritze, afterward its second
lieutenant; Co. " B," by First Lieutenant Andrew Jacobi, after-
ward transferred to another regiment, and promoted ; Co. "C," by
First Lieutenant William Blanke, afterward captain; Co. "D," by
Sergeant-Major William Vocke, afterward second lieutenant, adju-
tant of the regiment, aud finally captain of Co. " D "; Co. " E," by
First Lieutenant, Arthur Erbe, subsequently captain of Co. " H ";
Co. " F," by Second Lieutenant Hugo Gerhardt. afterward first
lieutenant; Co. "G," by First Lieutenant Peter Hand, afterward
captain of Co. " G"; Co. " H," by Captain Frederick Hartman,
fatally wounded ; Co. " I," by Captain August Steffens ; Co.
" K.," by Sergeant August Bitter, afterward second and first lieu-
tenant of Co. " G."
The regiment occupied the height of a wooded hill
at the left of Rousseau's line, with a portion of the 33d
Ohio deployed as skirmishers in the woods at its foot.
As General Jackson's and General Terrill's troops in
front were first attacked by the enemy, and driven back,
panic stricken and demoralized, passing to the rear of
Rousseau's division, the enemy pressed forward and
heavily attacked his left, held by Starkweather. The 2d
Ohio and 24th Illinois were ordered forward, to support
the skirmishers. The 2d Ohio was driven back, but
the 24th Illinois, personally led by General Rousseau,
who on many occasions praised the regiment as among
the best under his command, reached the position and
went into action on the left of the 33d Ohio. With the
first fierce charge of the rebels, the regiments to the
right and left, both made up of new recruits, broke, and
could not be rallied. The 24th was ordered to charge
bayonets; this the}7 did, and then, clubbing their mus-
kets, a hand-to-hand conflict ensued, and the rebels
were finally driven from the front of the regiment.
Captain Fred. Hartman, of Co. " H," received a fatal
wound, his death occurring on November 10. Captain
August Steffens, of Co. '' I," Lieutenant Peter Hand, of
Co. "G" 'Chicago German Turners , Joseph Broesch,
the brave color-bearer, and Carl Kirchner, color-ser-
geant, were killed ; in short, about one-third of the
entire command were stricken down, but the regiment
rallied around its colors, and fought until the enemy
was routed. Generals McCook and Rousseau ac-
corded to Starkweather's brigade, and especially to
this regiment, the honor of having saved the left of the
army. At one crisis of the battle, the artillery horses
at the left were all killed, or had become unmanage-
able. The 24th Illinois and 79th Pennsylvania were or-
dered to hold the enemy in check while the guns were
drawn from the field by hand by the 1st Wisconsin, and
the order was successfully carried out.
With the brigade, the 24th participated in the pursuit
of Bragg to Crab Orchard, and returned to Mitchells-
ville, where it was employed in guard and provost duty
for a short time.
On December 7, it marched toward Nashville, and
went into camp at Stewartsboro', near that city, on the
9th. In the organization of the Army of the Cumber-
land, under Rosei rans, Starkweather's brigade was still
designated the Twenty-eighth, Rousseau's (Third di-
vision, but formed a pari of the center, under Thomas.
The command left camp, on the morning of the
26th of DecemL'.r, and moved toward Murfreesboro',
on the Nashville and Murfreesboro' turnpike, arriving,
on the 30th, at the crossing of the Stone River, on the
Jefferson pike, about nine miles below Murfreesboro'.
There the brigade, which formed the extreme left of
Rousseau's division, was detached, and, with Stone's
battery, left to cover the pike and guard the trains.
During the day, it was attacked by Wheeler's cavalry in
force, but succeeded in routing it with a loss of eighty
killed, wounded and prisoners. The next morning the
brigade reported to General Rousseau, and was formed
in line of battle on the left of the division, in the dense
cedar wood which Rousseau's command occupied. As
this division was held as reserve, the brigade suffered
comparatively little from the enemy, but much from
hunger and cold. General Rousseau says, in his report
of the battle :
"The rain on the night of the 31st, which continued at inter-
vals until the Saturday night following, rendered the ground occu-
pied by my command exceedingly sloppy and muddy, and during
much of the time my men had neither shelter, food nor fire." (The
horse of Lieutenant Starkweather was killed by a cannon ball on
the 1st of January, and so famished were the men that steaks cut
from it were broiled and eaten on the field.) " Day and night in
the cold, wet and mud, my men suffered severely, but during the
whole time I did not hear one single murmur at their hardships,
but all were cheerful and ever ready to stand by their arms and
fight. Such endurance I never saw."
After the battle, the regiment went into camp near
Murfreesboro'. At the reorganization of the army, on
the 9th of January, the designation of Starkweather's
brigade was changed, becoming the Second Brigade,
First Division (General Baird), of Thomas's Fourteenth
Army Corps.
On June 24th, with the brigade, the 24th ad-
vanced toward the enemy, posted at Tullahoma amid
the fastnesses of the Cumberland Mountains. After
driving Bragg's advance from Hoover's Gap, turning
his position at Tullahoma, and expelling his army from
middle Tennessee, Rosecrans pressed on toward Chat-
tanooga.
On the 4th of September, Baird's division crossed
the Tennessee River at Bridgeport, and, on the 9th,
crossed the Lookout Mountains, and encamped in the
vicinity of Trenton, Ga. The following day the divis-
ion was ordered forward to the support of Negley, who
had advanced across McLemore's Cove to Dug Gap,
and there encountered the enemy in force. On the
falling back of Negley to Stevens's Gap, Starkweather's
brigade acted as rear guard to the Union troops. On
the 17th, Baird moved from Stevens's Gap to Owen's
Gap, the next day to Crawfish Springs, and, on the 19th,
with Thomas's corps, moved to the left and formed
line-of-battle at Chickamauga Creek. Thomas's line
was formed on the LaFayette road, facing Reid's and
Alexander's bridges, where the enemy had crossed in
force the evening before.
At about ten o'clock a. m., Croxton's brigade of
Brannan's division, became engaged. Brannan's divis-
ion formed the left of Thomas's line; Baird joined him
on the right. Croxton's brigade, as stated, became en-
gaged at about ten o'clock on the morning of the 19th,
and had nearly exhausted its ammunition when Baird
advanced to its support, Starkweather's brigade in re-
serve. The enemy was driven back, Croxton's brigade
moved to the rear to replenish their ammunition boxes,
and General Baird halted his command to re-adjust his
line. Before this could be completed, his right and
front were attacked by an overwhelming force, and
Scribner's and King's brigades driven back, in disorder,
through Starkweather's reserve brigade. The 79th
Pennsylvania, which was in front, was likewise thrown
THIRTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
'99
back in dismay, leaving Ruch's battery wholly exposed,
with the 24th Illinois, a few steps away, in the rear.
There now ensued a desperate struggle for the posses-
sion of the battery, many of its men having fled or
been killed. The loss sustained by the regiment, in
this encounter, was even greater than that suffered at
Perryville. Colonel Mihalotzy was shot through the
hand while waving his sword and urging his men on to
save the battery; Major George A. Guenther was se-
verely wounded in the shoulder, while other officers,
and many men, were stricken down and disabled. For
a time, the regiment stood alone against an overpower-
ing force of the enemy, until finally Johnson's division
came to their relief, and, driving the enemy before it,
aided in saving the battery. At noon of that day, when
the engagement was over, the division commander,
General Baird, rode past the brigade, when Colonel
Starkweather, its commander, took occasion to say to
him in loud tones of praise, pointing to the 24th regi-
ment: " General Baird, the boys of the 24th are bully
boys. They saved my battery this morning. I'll never
forget it." The brigade bivouacked that night in the
open field, and on the morning of the 20th were early
placed in line of battle, somewhat protected by barri-
cades thrown up during the night. When the retreat
was ordered, toward sunset, the brigade retired to a line
of defense near Mission Ridge, and, on the 22d, fell
back with the army to Chattanooga.
In the assault on Mission Ridge, November 25, the
brigade formed a part of the reserve, taking no part in
the active engagement. It joined in the pursuit of the
enemy as far as Stevens's Gap, and then returned to
camp at Chattanooga, where it remained until February,
1864, when it accompanied the Fourteenth Corps in the
flight on Dalton, by way of Tunnel Hill.
On the afternoon of the 24th of February, the regi-
ment participated in a sharp little engagement to the
right of Dalton, when, toward six o'clock in the evening,
it was advanced as an outpost into Buzzard Roost Gap,
a deep, narrow pass traversed by Mill Creek, and situ-
ated between an impassable mountain range on the left,
known as Rocky Face Ridge, and a high and imposing
peak on the right, called Buzzard Roost. The regiment
was advanced far into the gap, and took possession of
a wooded hill, from which there was a steep rise toward
the Roost, with the creek on the other side, above which
towered abruptly and almost perpendicularly the Rocky
Face. The sky was clouded, and the air damp and
chilly. Two companies were stationed on the crest as
pickets, while the reserve remained at a short distance
in the rear. At nightfall, the rebels were seen march-
ing up in large numbers to the right of the regiment,
on the slope of the Roost, where they kindled their
camp-fires, to rest for the night. A few of the pickets,
therefore, returned to the regiment with the report that
they were face to face with the enemy's outposts, which
had been advanced later in the evening. A few isolated
shots fell, from time to time, from the rebel lines, which
showed plainly that the enemy was only a few feet from
the pickets, and the utmost quiet had to be observed to
prevent a discovery of the regiment's position. At
about midnight, Colonel Mihalotzy went to the front
for the purpose of making a personal inspection of the
picket-line, when a shot was fired. Not another sound
was heard, but the Colonel returned in a few minutes,
and it was found that he was dangerously wounded, a
ball having penetrated the right side of his body. The
regiment maintained its position until daybreak, when
it withdrew a few hundred yards, and there held the
front of the line the entire day. During the ensuing
night, all the troops who had participated in the expe-
dition returned toward Chattanooga, where Colonel
Mihalotzy died of his wounds, March 11, 1S64, and
was interred at the National Cemetery there.
Upon the death of Colonel Mihalotzy, the command
of the regiment devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel John
Van Horn, who, however, owing to old age, resigned
his position on the 21st of March, 1864; whereupon
Major George A. Guenther assumed command, and con-
tinued therein until the term of service of the regiment
expired.
After the expedition to Dalton and Buzzard Roost,
the regiment was encamped, first at Tyner Station and
next at Grayville, Ga. On the 2d of May, 1864, the
command started, with the army under Sherman, on the
Atlanta campaign. During the march, it participated
in a number of engagements, chief of which were the
battles of Resaca (May 14, 1864), and of Kenesaw
Mountain (June 22-28, 1864). Its term of service hav-
ing expired, it was returned to the rear, during the lat-
ter part of July, 1864, and on the 6th of the following
August, was mustered out of the service of the United
States, at Chicago. A fraction of the regiment, com-
posed of men who had joined it after it had been mus-
tered into the service, and whose term of three years
had, therefore, not been fully completed, was formed
into one company, known as Co. "A," under command
of First Lieutenant Frederick Zengler and Second
Lieutenant Paul Lippert. It remained attached to the
Third Brigade, First Division 1 General R. W. Johnson),
Fourteenth Army Corps, and was finally discharged
from the service at Camp Butler, on August 1, 1865.
Colonel Geza Mihalotzy was a native of Hungary, a
trained soldier, and an active participant in the Magyar struggle
to throw off the yoke of Austria. On the failure of that revolu-
tion, in 184S, he came to Chicago, and was for some years engaged
in business in the city. As related in the foregoing pages, he
entered the service of his adopted country at the beginning of the
war, and faithfully performed all his duties until his death. The
men in his command ever held him in the highest regard on account
of his many soldierly and manly qualities, and mourned his death
as that of a personal friend.
THIRTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
This regiment was organized in Chicago, in the
summer of 1861, as the " Fremont Rifle Regiment," by
Julius White, for many years a member of the Chicago
Board of Trade, and, at the time, collector of customs
of the port of Chicago. Three of its companies — the
Manierre Rifles, Captain John W. Laimbeer ; Turner
Rifles, Captain Henry N. Frisbie, and the company of
Captain Ransom Kennicott, were recruited in the city.
The regiment went into camp at Wright's Grove, North
Side, and was mustered into the Linked States service
September 18, 1861. While in camp, a fine banner,
painted by G. P. A. Healv, was presented the regi-
ment by the Board of Trade. It was of blue silk ; on
one side, being a portrait of General Fremont, and on
the reverse, representations of three of the chief events
of his life. Colonel White was presented with a splen-
did black charger by the merchants of Chicago, and
Lieutenant George R. Bell, of Co. " G," a sash and
sword by the members of the Chicago Bar.
Besides the officers above mentioned, there were,
from Chicago, Captain, subsequently Major and Lieu-
tenant-Colonel, Henry X. Frisbie; Adjutants Anton Nie-
man and Charles B. Chroniger, Quartermaster John H.
Peck, Surgeon Luther F. Humeston. Chaplain Edward
Anderson, First Lieutenant Wells H. Blodgett, of Co.
" D," subsequently colonel of a regiment of Missouri
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Infantrv ; and First Lieutenant Isaac C. Dodge, of
Co. •• I."
Following is the regimental roster at date of muster :
Field and Staff. — Colonel, Julius White ; Lieutenant-Colonel,
Mvron S. Barnes ; Major, Tohn Charles Black ; Adjutant, Anton
Ni'eman : Quartermaster, John H. Peck ; Surgeon, Luther F.
Humeston ; Assistant Surgeon, E. A. Clark ; Chaplain, Edward
Anderson.
Lin,- Officers. — Co. "A": Captain, John A. Jordan; First
Lieutenant, Henry Curtis. Jr. ; Second Lieutenant, Charies W.
Hawes. Co. " B": Captain", Charles V. Dickinson; First Lieu-
tenant, Cassimer P. Jackson ; Second Lieutenant, Francis A.
Tones. Co. "C": Captain, Eugene B. Payne ; First Lieutenant,
Jndson I. Huntley ; Second Lieutenant, Chauncey C. Morse. Co.
" D" (Chicago) " Manierre Rifles": Captain, JohnW. Laimbeer;
First Lieutenant, Wells H. Blodgett ; Second Lieutenant, William
Mazell. Co. "E": Captain, Phineas B. Rust; First Lieutenant,
Orville R. Powers : Second Lieutenant, Charles W. Day. Co.
"F": Captain, Erwin B. Messer ; First Lieutenant, Andreas
Greve ; Second Lieutenant, Gallio H. Fairman. Co. "G"
(Chicago) " Turner Rifles": Captain, Henry N. Frisbie ; First
Lieutenant. George R. Bell (promoted captain, June 9, 1S62) ;
Second Lieutenant, Manning F. Atkinson (promoted First Lieu-
tenant, Tune 9, 1S62). Co. "H": Captain, John B. Frick ; First
Lieutenant, Herman Wolford ; Second Lieutenant, Joseph Eaton.
Co. "I" (Chicago): Captain, Ransom Kennicott ; First Lieuten-
ant, Frederick Abbey ; Second Lieutenant, Isaac C. Dodge. Co.
" K ": Captain, William P. Black ; First Lieutenant, William H.
Fithian ; Second Lieutenant, William M. Bandy.
The usual order of arranging companies did not
prevail in the 37th. The companies were arranged in
regular order, from right to left, and thus Co " K "
held the left flank on all occasions.
The 37th left Chicago for St. Louis, Mo., Septem-
ber 19, 1 861. On the 30th of the same month, it was
assigned to General Pope's division, and ordered to
Booneville, Mo. While stationed at that post, difficul-
ties arose between the Booneville Home Guards and an
officer of Pope's staff, which threatened for a time to
become serious. Lieutenant-Colonel Barnes, of the
37th. was appointed commander of the post, and
brought order out of disorder in a short space of time.
In October, the regiment was ordered to Otterville,
and formed a part of Fremont's expedition into South-
western Missouri, leaving that place, October 29, 1861.
On reaching Houmansville, November 2, orders were re -
to march with all haste to Springfield. Colonel
White drew up the regiment the next morning, and re
quested all those unable to make the forced march to
remain behind, and accompany the train, which was
nder command of Captain Peck. One hundred and
sixty remained behind, and the balance, without equip-
ments, set out on the sixty-three-mile march.
Upon this occasion, when the regiment was within
a few miles of Springfield, occurred a singular circum-
Stance, and which uperstitious, was quite
startling. The regiment had been drawn up on the
plain, not having learned of the order placing General
Curtis in command of the Department, and under
which General I remont was then en route. A boister-
ous prairie wind was sweeping along, and rudely play-
ing with the , ors „f the regiment, when Gen-
eral Fremont rode toward the command. As lie ap-
proached, the bearer raised the banner to salute his
superior, in the behalf of the " Fremont Rifles," when,
with a sharp report, the beautiful standard was rent
from fringe to fringe, straight across the noble figure
of the General himself.
The regiment reached Springfield on the 4th,
remaining four days, and on the evacuation of
that city, marched thence to Syracuse, Mo. The
regiment then marched to the Lamine River,
where it was ordered to go into winter quarters;
but had hardly commenced building its log huts,
when it was ordered to Sedalia, and thence back
to Otterville, where it remained through a part of
the winter of 1861-62, in Camp Lamine, on the
Lamine River, where the regiment suffered ex-
tremely from sickness caused by cold and miasma.
In December, 1861, Colonel Wrhite having been as-
signed to the command of the Second Brigade, Third
Division, Army of the Southwest, consisting of the 37th
Illinois, 59th Illinois, and Davidson's Peoria battery, the
command of the regiment devolved upon Lieutenant-
Colonel Barnes. Under him, it moved with the Third
Division, General Jeff. C. Davis, on the 25th of Jan-
uary, 1862, to Lebanon, Mo., where it joined the forces
of General Curtis, and participated on the 7th of
March in the hard fought battle of Pea Ridge,
Ark.
On the 7th of March, the line of General Curtis
stretched nearly three miles; from Sugar Creek on the
left, held by Sigel and Asboth, to Elkhorn Tavern on
the right, where Colonel Carr confronted Price. The
center, near the little village of Leetown, was held by
Davis'* division. On the afternoon of the 7th, the di-
vision was ordered forward to support Osterhaus's di-
vision at its left, the Second Brigade forming the left of
the division. The brigade took position on the Fayette-
ville road, with the Peoria battery so posted as to com-
mand the valley of Sugar Creek. The command, con-
sisting of about nine hundred and fifty men, was here
attacked by a heavy force under Major- Generals Ben
McCulloch and Mcintosh, supported by a body of
Cherokees under John Ross. This force formed in a
dense thicket to the right of Colonel Wrhite's brigade,
and the two lines advanced, without a gun being fired,
until they were separated by a space of only about
seventy yards. A bloody contest was here waged for
three-quarters of an hour. The 37th Regiment, in com-
mand of Major Black, was left without support on its
right, the lines there being broken by the enemy's ad-
vance and the whole fury of the attack being borne by
the single line of this regiment with its supporting bat-
tery. In clear ground the result would have been simply
annihilation, but sheltered by the thick woods that hid
their weakness, and armed on the flanks with the Colt's
revolving rifles, that seemed to pour a ceaseless fire, the
regiment withstood the attack, forming its broken lines
five times within a space of one hundred yards. Here
it was that, out of about four hundred and fifty men
present for action, one hundred and thirty-four were
killed and wounded. In front of the devastating fire of
the rifles and the enormous Belgian "72 "and "69"
caliber guns, with which the 37th were armed, the enemy
were piled up in great heaps. During the fifth forma-
tion of the line, the Peoria battery was carried by a des-
perate rebel charge, but was at once re-captured by the
brave soldiers of the 37th. The First Brigade took
position to the right, the lines were again moved for-
ward, the center was saved, and fighting was over there
for the day. The weight of the attack had at first fallen
on the right wing, and then had rolled to the left, when
it was checked and finally driven back. Dickinson,
Payne, Hawes, Blodgett and Messrs. Kennicott and W.
THIRTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
P. Black are especially remembered among the officers
of the line, for their gallantry.
The 37th followed the enemy about a mile beyond
the battle-field, and then, after resting two hours,
inarched to a position on the main road, in the direction
of Cassville, where it bivouacked for the night. In this
engagement, First Lieutenant Orville R. Powers, of Co.
" E," of this regiment, was mortally wounded, surviving
only long enough to be advised of the victory that
crowned the second day's engagement. Major John C.
Black, after having his horse shot under him, was
severely wounded early in the battle; but remained on
the field, with wounds undressed, until the fifth formation
and until peremptorily ordered by his brigade com-
mander and the surgeon to leave. Captain VV. P. Black
was also wounded, but remained on the field and in
command of his company through the two days' battle;
and the same is true as to Capt. E. B. Payne. The
total loss of the regiment on the afternoon of the 7th,
was twenty-one killed and one hundred and thirteen
wounded.
On the morning of the 8th, the 37th, with its brigade,
was ordered to a position in front of the enemy, who had
taken a strong position at Elkhorn Tavern. The
command was first formed in open field with Davidson's
(Peoria) battery at the extreme right. After holding this
position about half an hour, exposed to the fire of the
enemy's guns both in front and on one flank, the troops
were ordered to fall back to the shelter of the woods,
out of range of the rebel artillery. The Peoria battery
was established in a new position, and, supported by
the Second Brigade, by its well directed fire did fearful
damage to the enemy. As Sigel came up on the left of
the Third Division, the Second Brigade was withdrawn
from the support of the Peoria Battery, and with the re-
mainder of the division, joined in the advance on the
enemy. Before Elkhorn Tavern was reached, the rout
of the rebels was complete, and the 37th Illinois halted
at that point, which was about a mile and a half in ad-
vance of the position it occupied in the morning. The
loss of the regiment on the 8th was six wounded, none
killed. Chaplain Edward Anderson of Chicago received
most honorable mention, in the reports of Colonel Julius
White, for his efficient conduct on the battle-field, car-
ing for the wounded at all hazards, and doing all in his
power to relieve their suffering. Oscar Howe, the little
drummer-boy of the regiment, although severely
wounded, would not leave the field, but carried ammuni-
tion to the men for seven hours, in the midst of shot and
shell. On the return of the regiment to Chicago, he was
made an honorary member of the Board of Trade, and,
later, was sent to the Naval Academy by the President.
After the battle of Pea Ridge, the regiment was
stationed at Cassville, Mo., under command of Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Black, Colonel White having been pro-
moted brigadier-general for services at that battle. It
was fifty-five miles from any support, and, with the
1st Arkansas Cavalry, 1st Battery (Hubbard's), 1st Mis-
souri Cavalry and a section of the Peoria battery,
for four months kept the frontier of the southwest in
complete subjection for a distance of over one hundred
miles. During the period, two successful expeditions
were made, one to Neosho and one to Berryville. The
regiment moved thence to Springfield, Mo., where it ar-
rived June 29, 1862. On the 30th of the same month,
Colonel White, having been made a brigadier-general,
was transferred to Fremont's Department of the Shen-
andoah Valley. Lieutenant-Colonel Barnes, of Rock
Island, was elected colonel, Major Black was promoted
to the lieutenant-colonelcy, and Captain H. N. Frisbie,
of Chicago, was made major of the regiment. On the
route from Cassville to Springfield, the army trains were
fired on, and privates Miesner and King killed. The
regiment was next ordered to Ozark, Mo., and Colonel
Barnes placed in command of the post. While there,
Cos. " A " and " K," with a force of cavalry, all
under Colonel Barnes, made an expedition to Forsythe,
Mo., on the 15th of August, to break up a band of guer-
rillas under the notorious Dick Campbell. About this
time Colonel Barnes severed his connection with the
regiment. In the latter part of the same month, the
command, under Lieutenant-Colonel Black, marched to
Springfield, where it was transferred to General Scho-
field's Department and assigned to the Second Division,
Colonel Houston, Army of the Frontier.
On September 29, 1862, the regiment marched from
Springfield to Newtonia, and, after taking part in that
battle, marched, via Pea Ridge and Osage Springs, to
Fayetteville, Ark., where it again met the enemy. It
soon after returned to Camp Lyon, twenty-five miles
south of Springfield.
On the 4th of December, the Second and Third Di-
visions of the Army of the Frontier, under General F.
J. Herron, moved from their camps, in the vicinity of
Springfield, Mo., for the purpose of relieving General
Blount, who lay to the southwest, at Cane Hill, Ark.,
where he was threatened with an overwhelming force of
the enemy, under General Hindman, who had flanked
his position at that point, and was now moving to cut
off the reinforcements for which Blount had tele-
graphed to Herron.
The 37th Illinois, Lieutenant-Colonel Black com-
manding, and the 26th Indiana, Colonel Clark, formed
the right of the Second Division, which was commanded
by Colonel Houston. After marching one hundred and
five miles, this division arrived at the battle-field of
Prairie Grove, about noon of the 7th, and found that
the cavalry advance had been routed, with the capture
of their wagons. Hindman's force consisted of about
twenty-four thousand men, in four divisions, under Gen-
erals Parsons, Marmaduke, Frost and Rains. It was
posted, with an artillery force of twenty-two guns, along
a wooded ridge which skirted a prairie of about three-
quarters of a mile in width, some twelve miles south of
Fayetteville. General Herron, after sending forward
the 1st Arkansas Cavalry as an advance (which was
captured), had only six regiments of infantry, three
batteries, and some five hundred cavalry — about thirty-
five hundred men. Blount, on the right, had perhaps
seven thousand five hundred additional troops, supplied
with a vastly superior artillery force.
Soon after the Second Division reached the battle-
ground, Herron's left, held by the 20th Wisconsin and
19th Iowa, was hard pressed by the enemy, and these
regiments were ordered to charge a battery which was
in position on the ridge in front.
The charge was a magnificent one, and the National
colors were successfully planted on the battery ; but,
advancing still farther over the hill, they were met by a
force of the enemy, that hurled them back, broken,
bleeding and shattered. The 37th Illinois and 26th
Indiana, were moved from the extreme right of the
Second Division, to renew the charge. Led by Colonel
Houston in person, — the 37th being under the
command of, and led by, Lieutenant-Colonel Black
— the two regiments moved across the prairie to the
foot of the hill, on the crest of which was the
battery they were ordered to charge. They moved
straight up the hill in the face of a most terrific
fire, gained the summit, drove back for a brief space
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
the rebel line, and then, first the Indiana, and finally
the Illinois regiment, was compelled to fall back,
with Lieutenant-Colonel Black wounded and disabled.
The regimental loss was seventy-eight killed and wound-
ed out of a total force of less than three hundred and
fifty men and officers.
The regiment was re-formed by the officers at a
point designated by Colonel Black, who halted the col-
ors, and established the new lines, about four hundred
and fifty yards from its former position on the hill, and
was attacked here by the rebels, who charged across
the prairie, but were driven back through the woods
and over the brow of the hill.
Under command of Major Frisbie, the 37th partici-
pated in the pursuit of Hindman to VanBuren,on White
River, Ark., leaving camp at Prairie Grove, on the 27th
of December, and returning on the 31st, having marched
one hundred and twenty miles in five days. After leav-
ing Prairie Grove, the regiment was stationed for a brief
period at Raleigh, and afterward, under Colonel Black,
who was still all but disabled by wounds, participated in
the engagement at Chalk Bluffs, near Cape Girardeau,
where Lieutenant Joseph Eaton, of Co. " H," was
killed. Early in June, it returned to St. Louis, where
it embarked with Herron's division, of which it now
formed a part, and proceeded down the Mississippi to
Young's Point, crossed the Peninsula to Warrenton, be-
low Yicksburg, on the 12th, and on the 15th joined
Grant in front of Yicksburg, where Herron's command
was assigned position on the extreme left of the Fed-
eral line, and was employed in picket duty and work
on the intrenchments, until the capitulation of
the city. The labors and fighting here were of the
most extreme description ; there was no cessation ; the
men were in the trenches day and night, the hours of duty
numbering thirty-six out of every forty-eight. During
the siege, and until the close of the war, Colonel Black
was in every action in command of the regiment. Af-
ter the surrender, it remained without the fortifications
until the 12th of July, when Herron was ordered to re-
inforce X. P. Banks, at Port Hudson ; but news being
received of the surrender of the post, he was ordered
on an expedition up the Yazoo River. In connection
with the gun-boats he ascended the Yazoo River to Ya-
zoo City, where he remained until the 23d, when the
division returned to Port Hudson, and thence proceeded
down the Mississippi to Carrollton, near New Orleans,
where it went into camp. The only regiment under fire
in the fight at Yazoo was the 37th, and it captured
the only prisoners taken in action.
In Of tuber, the division of General Herron was
transferred to the Thirteenth Army Corps, and as the
Second Division of that corps embarked with Banks's
expedition to the Rio Grande. The 37th, with the
command, landed at Brazos Santiago, where a small
force of the enemy was scattered, and on the 9th of
November went into camp at Brownsville, on the Rio
Grande, opposite the Mexican city of Matamoras. It
remained in Brownsville, at Fort Brown, engaged in
garrison duty until the 10th of February, 1864, when
the three hundred and twenty-seven men, remaining of
the one thousand anfl thirty-five who left Chicago in
1861, re-enlisted as veterans, and the following March
1864 returned to Chicago on veteran furlough, where
the remainder of the regiment received a public wel-
come from the Board of Trade, to which it delivered
its battle-worn flag, and received in return a new stand
of colors. On the 26th of April, it again started for the
front, reaching Memphis on the 29th. from Memphis,
the regiment set out with General Sturgis's expedition
into western Tennessee and northern Mississippi, par-
ticipating in several skirmishes with Forrest's cavalry.
In May, the regiment joined its command at Simsport,
La., and, with the troops in General Canby's depart-
ment, took part in various expeditions in the southwest
during the succeeding months. In February, 1865, it
was ordered to Pensacola, Florida, and thence to Mo-
bile, where it arrived on April 2. The following day it
took its position in the line of investment around Fort
Blakely and, by the side of the 20th Iowa, joined in
the charge upon the works on the 9th.
Justice has never been done to this, the last great
engagement of the war; for be it remembered that Lee
surrendered at ten o'clock a. m., and this contest took
place at 5:50 p. m. of April 9, 1865. The fortifications
around Blakely comprised a vast system of redoubts
and connecting curtains, that stretched along the left
bank of the Tensas (Alabama) River like a crescent,
with its horns withdrawn and resting on the banks. It
was manned by three thousand four hundred troops,
had some forty great guns in position, was protected by
ravines and abattis in front and an elaborate system of
torpedoes, which covered the whole plain with their un-
seen dangers — the entire defense being supported by
the gunboats that had, up to this time, escaped Farra-
gut's fleet. The 37th Illinois, under command of
Colonel Black, was on the extreme left of the assaulting
lines. Next in order was the 20th Iowa, Lieutenant-
Colonel J. B. Leake, afterward general, commanding.
The necessary orders having been given, the various
brigades and regiments, at five o'clock, took position in
the trenches and awaited the signal for attack, which
was given by six shotted guns, fired at 5 :$o p. m. on the
right. Immediately ten thousand men were in motion,
driving straight for the front. Their onset was greeted
by every gun, small and great, on the rebel side, the
right of the lines being most fiercely opposed. The
center and left reached the earth-works simultaneously,
and, in ten minutes from the firing of the signal, they
"held the fort." Every gun, all the battle-flags, an
immense amount of war material, a mile of fortifica-
tions, three thousand prisoners of war, and the city of
Mobile were the immediate fruits of the victory. But
all this was not accomplished until six hundred of our
men had been killed and wounded; yet during the cen
minutes from the time the signal gun was fired until the
last hostile flag went down, not the slightest wavering
took place. At home, the people were so absorbed in
the affairs around Richmond that this, as bloody, dash-
ing and successful an episode as any in the war, was
scarcely spoken of ; and thousands do not know of it
to-day.
The flag of the 37th Regiment was among the first
over the walls. The second in command, Major Ran-
som Kennicott, since lieutenant-colonel, ably seconded
his superior. Private James M. Culbertson, son of C.
M. Culbertson, of Chicago, was the first man of the
regiment on the works.
Very eulogistic mention was made, in official reports,
of the 37th Illinois and its officers. Colonel Black was
brevetted brigadier-general for " gallant and meritori-
ous conduct in the assault on Blakely batteries." Other
promotions and distinction followed. But the end of
the war was reached. The 37th was, however, so much
of a favorite that it was detained by the War Depart-
ment until May 15, 1866, during which interval it was
commanded by Colonel Kennicott, Colonel Black
having resigned August 15, 1865. The regiment then
was constituted a part of the corps of occupation in
Texas, performing post and garrison duty at Galveston,
THIRTY-NINTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
203
Sabine City, Beaumont, Columbus, Houston and other
points. It was then (May 15, 1866) mustered out, and
sent home. The 37th was in thirteen battles, sieges
and skirmishes. It lost more than two hundred men in
action and only had some ten prisoners captured. It
was under fire fifty different days, marched on foot
three thousand five hundred miles, traveled by rail and
boat about twelve thousand miles, and campaigned in
every Western and Southern State that was in hostility
to the Government. It furnished one brevet major-
general and one brevet brigadier-general to the Fede-
ral roster, and a number of officers to the regular army,
also officering a number of regiments from its subal-
terns and its rank and file. The men who were once
connected with it, and who are now respected and be-
loved citizens, may be counted by the score. As resi-
dents of Chicago may be mentioned Major E. A
Blodgett, of the Chicago West Division Street Railway
Company; William P. Black, of Dent, Black & Cratty
Bros., lawyers; General Julius White, real estate:
Colonel E. B. Payne, lawyer; Colonel E. B. Messer; and
Colonel Ransom Kennicott, in the United States Reve-
nue Service. A marked peculiarity of the organization
of this regiment was the youth of its officers, who were
rarely over thirty years of age, and generally under
twenty-five.
Julius White is a native of New York, and was born in
Cazenovia on the 29th of September, 1S16. He first came to Chi-
cago in 1S36. Shortly after the inauguration of Abraham Lin-
coln, Mr. White received the appointment of collector of customs
for the port of Chicago. But the civil war broke out, and he de-
termined to enter the army, and the day of the first battle of Bull
Run, he applied to the Secretary of War and obtained authority to
raise a regiment of infantry. The regiment was mustered into the
service of the United States as the 37th Illinois Regiment, on the
iSth of September, 1S61, and, under the command of Colonel
White, who resigned the collectorship of customs, was assigned to
service in Missouri, under Genera; Fremont. In the campaign
that followed, Colonel White commanded a brigade, and was
wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge. For his services in this bat-
tle, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, in June,
1S62, and assigned to the Army of Virginia, under General Pope.
He served under Colonel D. S. Miles at the defense of Harper's
Ferrv, in September, 1S62, having been ordered there two days be-
fore the surrender, and was commended by the military commis-
sion which investigated the subject, as a " capable and courageous
officer." Colonel D. Si Miles, who commanded the post, was obliged
to surrender to the rebels, and General White became a prisoner
of war. As soon as he was exchanged, he applied for immediate
orders, and was assigned to the command of the Eastern District
of Kentucky, a mountainous region overrun with guerrillas. Dur-
ing his command of this district he was engaged in several battles.
Upon the organization of the Twenty-third Corps, in 1863, he was
assigned to the command of the Second Division, and conducted
the right wing of General Burnside's Army of the Ohio into East
Tennessee, participating in the battles of Loudon and Knoxville.
Returning home on sick leave, in the spring of 1S64, he was, on
his recovery, stationed at Springfield, then the rendezvous for
drafted men and volunteers for the State of Illinois, where he re-
mained until June, 1S64, when he joined the Army of the Potomac,
under General Meade. He was assigned to the Ninth Army
Corps, and served for a time as chief-of-staff to General Burnside,
and afterward as commander of the First Division of the Corps.
He participated in a number of battles and engagements through
the summer and fall of 1864, until he was prostrated by severe and
protracted illness. This finally compelled his resignation, and he
returned to private life. General White, during his military career,
received the official commendation of every officer under whom he
served, viz., Generals Meade, Burnside, Warren, Curtis, Pope and
Jefferson C. Davis; was entrusted with a major-general's command
during the whole of the last two years of his service, and was bre-
vetted to that grade "for gallant and meritorious services during
the war." In 1872, he was appointed, by President Grant, Minis-
ter-resident of the United Stales to the Argentine Republic. On
his return from there, he resumed business in Chicago, where he
has since resided, with the respect of the community, devoting
much of his time to the relief of unemployed or disabled soldiers.
William P. Black was born in Woodford County, Ky.,
November n, 1842, His ancestry were Scotch-Irish, and for
several generations, on the paternal side, they were prominent
Presbyterian ministers Dr. John Black, his father, passed much
of his life in the South, but closed his short and brilliant career, at
the age of thirty-seven, in Allegheny City. Pa. In 1S47. during
the year of her husband's death, Mrs. Black removed to Danville,
111., with her family of four children, William, the second son,
being then less than five years of age. In 1S50, she married Dr.
William Fithian, an eminent and worthy gentleman, and a public
character. In the fall of i860, young Black entered Wabash Col-
lege, Crawfordsville, Ind., pursuing his studies with energy and
success, making and sustaining a reputation as a clear, brilliant
and powerful speaker, his design being at that time to enter t he-
ministry. But the outbreak of the war changed his plans and
career. On April 15, 1861, Mr. Black enlisted with about forty
other students of the college, including his only brother, as a private
soldier in Co. "I." nth Indiana Infantry Zouaves, commanded
by Colonel (afterward General) Lew Wallace. At the end of the
three months' campaign he was mustered out as corporal, and at
once engaged in the work of recruiting a company in Vermilion
County, 111., for the three years' service. As captain of this or-
ganization (Co. K), he was mustered into the service, in Chicago,
September 18, 1861. being assigned to the 37th Illinois Infantry,
then known as the " Fremont Rifles." He received his commission
as captain on the first of the month being then less than nineteen
years of age. This position he filled faithfully for over three years,
sharing with his regiment its toilsome marches, brisk skirmishes,
and bloody battles, chief among which may be mentioned Pea
Ridge and Prairie Grove, Ark. (where one-third of the Federal
forces were killed and wounded), the siege of Vicksburg (in the
latter part of which Captain Black held the most responsible and
dangerous position of brigade picket officer, in permanent charge
of the brigade rifle-pits), and the occupation of Texas. The young
officer was mustered out with a well-deserved reputation for faith-
fulness and bravery. Instead of pursuing his theological studies, he
decided to follow the legal profession, and, in the fall of 1S65, com-
menced his studies in the office of Arrington & Dent, Chicago. In
about sixteen months, he was admitted to practice, and returned
to Danville. He remained there but a year, however, and
Judge Arrington having died, December 31, 1867.. Mr. Black
became a partner with Thomas Dent during the succeeding
March. His career since that time, in his chosen profession,
has been one continuous march of progress. His ability and
courtesy have gained him hosts of clients, admirers and friends ;
and although his steps were diverted from the task of formally pro-
mulgating the Gospel, his character, as a business man, is a con-
tinual proof that he would not have chosen amiss. As a member
for years, and an Elder for a time, of the First Presbyterian Church,
of Chicago, he was always active in religious work, and, both then
and since, has given much time to evangelical labors. Mr. Black
never has been a politician, but during the summer of 1872, upon
moral ground, he opposed the Republican party and supported
Greeley. As a man of letters, also, Mr. Black stands high ; his
contributions to the literature of the day being noted for a finish
and brilliancy, which would make him a marked man, had he not
given his time and best energies to his chosen profession. In re-
cognition of his services as a lawyer and a litterateur, in 1S74, Wa-
bash College conferred upon Captain Black, the degree of M.A.
Mr. Black was married May 2S, 1S69, to Miss Hortensia M. Mac-
Greal of Galveston, Texas, a Christian lady of strong intellect, ripe
culture, and deep enthusiasm, of religious experience. She is the
eldest daughter of the late Peter MacGreal, who was one of the
leading lawyers of that commonwealth.
THIRTY-NINTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
Yates Phalanx. — The 39th Illinois, as origin-
ally organized, was distinctively a Chicago regi-
ment, but failing to secure acceptance under either the
'six-regiment bill" or "ten regiment bill," finally dis-
banded— several of the Chicago companies becoming
identified with other regiments. In the original organ-
zation there were Chicago companies, commanded by
Captains W. A. Peaslee, T. O. Osborne, O. L. Mann,
J. C. Felton, H. Snyder, W. B. Slaughter 'formerly pas-
tor of the Wabash Avenue M. E. Church , Austin Light,
W. H. Ranstead and D. Vaughn. On April 24, Cap-
tain W. A. Peaslee was elected colonel, and other offi-
cers were chosen. The regiment, then numbering one
thousand men, was quartered in the old Wigwam, near
Lake-street bridge. After being refused acceptance in
May, as stated, wearied with repeated delays, the men
SQ4
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
became discouraged, and a part of the companies dis-
banded or joined other regiments. The officers
retained a skeleton organization, believing that more
regiments must soon be needed, and some of the Chi-
cago companies — companies made up of solid men —
mostly mechanics in good circumstances, waited for the
organization of their chosen regiment. The defeat at
Manassas, which occurred while Captain Orrin L. Mann
was at Washington, urging the acceptance of the regi-
ment, gave Illinois the privilege of raising more troops.
The 39th was accepted, the work of recruiting and re-
organizing resumed with vigor, and it was finally mus-
tered into United States service in August, 1861, all of
its field and staff officers, and some of the line officers,
being from Chicago.
Thomas O. Osborne was unanimously elected
colonel, but resigned in favor of Captain Austin Light,
late a sergeant in the regular cavalry, who had served
in the Florida and Mexican wars, and who proved a
most excellent drill-master for the regiment
The field and staff officers were: Colonel, Austin Light;
Lieutenant-Colonel, Thomas O. Osborne; Major, Orrin L. Mann;
Adjutant. Frank B. Marshall; Quartermaster, Joseph A. Cutler;
Surgeon, Samuel C. Blake; First Assistant- Surgeon, Charles M.
Clark.
Companies " F " and " G" were largely officered in Chicago,
Co. " F" being commanded by Captain Amasa Kennicott, and
Co. "G" by Captain W. B. Slaughter.
On October 11, the regiment left Chicago for St.
Louis, and on the 27th, left Benton Barracks for Wil-
liamsburg, Md., where it was attached to General Kel-
ley's command, which formed a part of General Banks's
corps. While at this point, Colonel Light was dis-
missed from service, on charges connected with his
former army experiences, and Lieutenant-Colonel Os-
borne succeeded to the command of the regiment. On
December 14, the 39th was armed with Springfield rifled
muskets, and on the 18th moved to Hancock to rein-
force (jeneral Kelley, who was threatened with an
attack by Stonewall Jackson. On December 22, the
regiment was sent across the Potomac into Morgan
County, Ya., where it remained until January 2, 1862,
engaged in scouting and guarding portions of the Bal-
timore & Ohio Railroad. At that date (January 2),
three companies were at Alpine Station, on the Balti-
more & Ohio Railroad, opposite Hancock; two at Sir
John's Run, three miles distant, also guarding railroad;
one at Little Cacapon, and three under Major Mann,
with a section of Muhlenburg's artillery, were stationed
at Berkeley Springs, six miles south of Alpine Station.
On the 3d, Major Mann, with forty men, while out on
a scout, toward Winchester, was discovered by Stone-
wall Jackson's advance brigade-, that general having
Commenced his movement toward Hancock with his
entire command In the skirmish which ensued, one
of Major Mann's men was killed and eight wounded.
The remainder succeeded in escaping to Berkeley
Springs, where, with the aid of the artillery the three
companies under Major Mann, held the whole Con-
federate force in 'heck thirty-six hours — long enough
to allow the remainder of the troops to cross the Poto-
mac to Hancock, when the detachment at Berkeley fell
back to Sir John's Run, where it forded the river to
Hancock through water four feet deep — the ice fring-
ing both shores. The loss of the command was one
killed, two wounded and fourteen prisoners.
On the day preceding Jackson's advance, several
regiments had been withdrawn from Hancock to
strengthen other points, which fact was duly reported
by Confederate scouts; hence the advance in force
toward Hancock to break up the railroad, capture the
stores at Alpine Station and drive Kelley from his posi-
tion at Hancock. The station was vigorously defended
and the advance of the Confederates was practically a
failure, they being forced to fall back without accom-
plishing the object of their expedition, except in de-
stroying several railroad bridges. After the retreat of
Jackson, the regiment again guarded railroads until
March 13.
In February, 1862, General Banks, then hold-
ing the Shenandoah Valley, was ordered by
McClellan to move the Fifth Corps to Manassas,
and thence repair and hold the Manassas Gap
Railroad to Strasburg, thus re-opening commu-
nication between the valley and Washington.
At this time Stonewall Jackson, with his division
of about twelve thousand men, was posted at
Winchester, whither he had retired on the evacuation of
Manassas. On the advance of Banks, he retired from
that place, and, pursued by Shields's division, to which
the 39th was then attached, fell back twenty miles south
of Strasburg, while Shields returned to Winchester.
During this movement, Banks had withdrawn the re-
mainder of his troops from the valley, and Jackson,
informed of the fact, retraced his steps, and on the 23d,
attacked Shields near Winchester.
At the opening of the battle, Sullivan's brigade (the
left of Shields's line), of which the 39th formed a part,
was posted three miles out from the town, on the Stras-
burg road, as reserve to Kimball's division, covering the
approaches in the direction of Strasburg. The first
attack was by the enemy's right, Ashby's cavalry first
charging the left of the line The 39th Illinois, with
part of the 8th Ohio and four pieces of artillery, all
under command of Colonel Osborne, were sent to the
support of the advance, and the enemy was there repuls-
ed at all points, after which he made no further attempt
upon the left during the day. The whole force of the
Confederates, under Jackson, was transferred to the
right of the Federal line, and a part of Sullivan's brigade
was detached and sent to the support of that part of the
field. After the defeat of Stonewall Jackson at Win-
chester, he was pursued again to Strasburg, whence he
made his way southward, and Banks, with his troops,
remained in the Shenandoah Valley, making Strasburg
his headquarters
From this time, the 39th was in charge of Lieutenant-
Colonel Mann. With the 39th, two companies of the
1st Vermont Cavalry, and four pieces of artillery, he
crossed the Massanuten ridge of mountains into the
Luray Valley, and engaged the enemy at two different
crossings of the Shenandoah River, capturing thirty-five
prisoners and a fair-sized baggage train Major D. W.
Munn, now of Joliet, particularly distinguished himself
in this engagement. Soon afterward, the 39th, with
Shields's division, was detached from the Department
of the Shenandoah, and assigned to the Department of
the Rappahannock, commanded by General McDowell,
who was then at Fredericksburg with an entire army
corps, waiting to advance overland and attack Rich-
mond, in co-operation with the Army of the Potomac,
advancing by way of the peninsula. The 39th Illinois,
13th Indiana, 62c! Ohio, and 67th Ohio, then composed
THIRTY-NINTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
205
the Second Brigade of Shiekls's division, under com-
mand of General O. S. Ferry, of Connecticut. The
division joined McDowell's command at Fredericks-
burg, and, on the 26th of May, that general moved from
the place, to join McClellan at' Hanover Court House,
but had proceeded only a few miles when Shields's
division was detached and ordered again to the Shenan-
doah Valley, to co-operate with Banks and Fremont
against Jackson, who had made another irruption into
the valley, threatening to attack and destroy their di-
vided forces in detail. Before Shields could effect a
junction with Banks, Fort Royal had been surrendered,
and the Federal forces had been driven from Winches-
ter, followed by Jackson, nearly to Harper's Ferry.
"To head off Jackson " was now the important matter,
and Shields hastened toward Strasburg, hoping thereby
to unite with Fremont, advancing from the west, and
thus prevent the skillful commander's escape. On the
31st of May, just as they were about effecting a junc-
ture, Jackson slipped between the two, and retreated up
the valley. Then followed another long and fruitless
pursuit. Shields's division advanced by the Luray Val-
ley, and met Jackson at the crossing of the Shenandoah
at Port Republic, where the Federal advance, under
General Carroll, was repulsed, and Jackson continued
his retreat toward Richmond, to reinforce Lee. Gen-
eral Ferry was subsequently assigned to the command
of Shields's old division, and under him the 39th, on
June 29, was sent up the James River, to reinforce
McClellan, arriving during the engagement at Malvern
Hill. It was immediately ordered to the front, and re-
mained there until McClellan retreated, returning to Suf-
folk early in September. It there remained in camp
until January, 1863, sharing in skirmishes at Black
Water, Zurich and Franklin.
In January, 1863, the regiment proceeded, with Gen-
eral Foster's corps, to Newbern, N. C, to join Hun-
ter's expedition against the defenses of Charleston Har-
bor. From Newbern, it was ordered to Hilton Head,
S. C, and, on April 1, again embarked with Gilmore's
expedition for the reduction of Fort Wagner. General
Osborne then commanded the First Brigade of General
Alfred H. Terry's (First) division, Gilmore's (Tenth)
corps. Lieutenant-Colonel O. L. Mann commanded
the regiment, which went into camp on Folly Island,
April 2, 1863, after driving off the enemy's pickets, and
remained there until July. On July 10, General Gil-
more landed his troops on Morris Island, and imme-
diately commenced operations for the reduction of
Forts Sumter and Wagner and Battery Gregg. Fire
was opened on Fort Sumter, August 17, and after sev-
eral days' bombardment it was substantially silenced,
but the siege of Wagner went on. The ground occu-
pied by Gilmore's army, on Morris Island, was a stretch
of low sand hills along the southern extremity of the
island, opposite Fort Wagner. No tree, shrub or weed
grew there, and the only shelter of the troops was light
tents without floors, which were torn from the pins
that held them during every gale. Fort Wagner was
a strong inclosed work on the northern part of the is-
land, Battery Gregg being on the extreme northern
point. Fort Wagner mounted fifteen or twenty guns,
which commanded the narrow approach from the south,
over which, in rough weather, the sea swept from shore
to shore, submerging batteries, and delaying the work
of the sappers and miners. Between this portion of
the approach and the fort, the ground was filled with
torpedo mines. After the unsuccessful attack of the 18th
of July, the men were continuously under a rain of fire
and shells; and, under that fire, in the midst of clouds
of burning sand, that fairly lacerated the flesh, they ad-
vanced their parallels until, on the 20th of August, a
portion of Terry's division was ordered to carry the
ridge, about two hundred and fifty yards from the fort,
at the point of the bayonet, and to hold it. This was
successfully done, the Confederate sharpshooters retir-
ing to the fort. September 5, the bombardment of Wag-
ner commenced, and was continued forty-two hours,
when an assault was ordered, in which the 39th, led by
Lieutenant-Colonel Mann, displayed most conspicuous
courage and gallantry. The fort was captured, and the
39th was in possession, as a trophy, of the gun from
which was fired the first shot on Sumter. Sixty prison-
ers were captured in the works. Captain Joseph Wood-
ruff, Co. " K," and several men, were killed in Fort
Gregg, while on duty, by the explosion of a shell, fired
from a rebel battery.
On December 7, the regiment returned to Hilton
Head, where the men re-enlisted as veterans (being the
first in the Department of the South that so re-enlisted),
and returned home on furlough and to recruit. On
March 19, 1864, they started again for the front, joining
the Army of the James, at Yorktown, and moving
thence up the James to Bermuda Hundred, where they
landed on May 5, — this point of debarkation being a
narrow neck of land between the James and Appomattox
rivers — ten miles north of Petersburg, and twenty miles
south of Richmond. A defensive front across the neck of
land was immediately thrown up, and Butler's line formed,
with his right resting on the James, and his left Gil-
more's corps) on the Appomattox. Between the army
and Richmond, were lines of Confederate intrench-
ments, batteries and forts ; one of the strongest fortifi-
cations being at Dairy's Bluff, on the south bank of the
James. On the morning of the 12th, General Butler
made a general advance toward Richmond. Gilmore's
corps, on his left, was ordered to attack the right of the
enemy's outer line of defenses, on Wooldridge's Hill,
which it succeeded in turning, and holding the position ;
which, however, only revealed an interior line, extending
on the Confederate left to Drury's Bluff, and on their
right beyond any point visible. The position gained by
Gilmore, too, was so commanded by their works as to
be useless.
An attack on the inner works was ordered for the
morning of the 16th, but during the night of the 15th,
Beaureguard, taking advantage of a dense fog, and an
unfortunate break in the picket line of the Union
forces, made a savage attack on Butler's position — com-
mencing an assault upon the right, held by Smith's
corps, quickly followed by repeated attacks upon Gil-
more's line, of which Osborne's brigade formed the ex-
treme left. As the right was gradually pressed back,
Terry's division was ordered to Smith's support, and
was there engaged in a hot and fierce contest, until the
whole army was ordered back within the intrench-
ments at Bermuda Hundred. Captain James Wight-
man and Adjutant J. D. Walker were killed while cheer-
ing on their men, and General Osborne, Major S. S.
Linton, Captain H. M. Phillips, Lieutenant A. W.
Wheeler, Lieutenant Kidder and Lieutenant Kingsbury
were severely wounded. The total number killed,
wounded and missing in the regiment, was two hun-
dred.
On May 20, the rifle-pits in front of Terry's divis-
ion were captured by the enemy, and a bloody fight en-
sued for their re-capture ; forty being killed and
wounded in the 39th. In this engagement, which oc-
curred near Wier Bottom Church, the regiment captured
a large number of prisoners, among whom was Briga-
206
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
dier-General Walker. Lieutenant-Colonel Mann, who
commanded the 59th. was seriously wounded in the fight,
leaving the regiment without a field officer. On June
2, the regiment was again engaged in front of the lines
at Bermuda Hundred, losing a large number in killed,
wounded and missing. Lieutenant Albert W. Fellows
was among the killed, and Lieutenant A. C. Sweetzer
lost a leg." Again, on the morning of the i6thof June,
having then been moved forward to the Petersburg &
Richmond Railroad, the 39th met the enemy under
Longstreet. and in the encounter which ensued, lost
about thirty-five men; Captain O. F. Rudd, a most ac-
complished and brave officer, there receiving a mortal
wound. During the several engagements at Bermuda
Hundred, from May 20 to June 19, the total loss of
the 39th was twenty-three killed, one hundred and
thirty wounded, and thirteen missing.
On August 14, it crossed the river, and on the 15 th
and 1 6th was engaged with the Tenth Corps in the
battles at Deep Bottom, or Bailey's, Creek, on the north
bank of the James River ; the expedition being com-
manded by General Hancock of the Second Corps.
Terry's division made a direct attack on the enemy's
left flank on the morning of the 16th, and succeeded
in carrying the line, capturing three colors and two or
three hundred prisoners, the 39th losing twenty-six
killed, seventy-seven wounded and eight missing. On
October 7, it met the enemy near Chapin's Farm, and
held its hastily constructed works against three charges;
and again, on the 13th of October, took part in a charge
on the Confederate works on the Darbytown Road,
seven miles from Richmond. Out of two hundred
and fifty men who went into this charge, seventy-two
fell ; fifteen killed, fifty-seven wounded. During the
winter of 1864-65, it was engaged in frequent skirm-
ishes but no regular engagements. During March,
1865, it received about one hundred recruits, and on
the 27th of that month, with the First Brigade (Colonel
Osborne , First Division General Foster), General Gib-
bon's corps, to which it has been transferred, took
position on the left of the Army of the Potomac for
operations against Petersburg.
Captain Homer A. Plimpton commanded the regi-
ment. After the assault and forcing of the enemy's
intrenchments at Hatcher's Run, Foster's division was
thrown forward to assault Forts Gregg and Alexander,
1' losed works, the most salient and com-
manding south of Petersburg. The former, Fort Gregg,
which was stormed by Osborne's brigade, was held by
Harris's Mississippi Brigade, and was defended with
the utmost bravery and intrepidity. In the assault
against this stronghold, the 39th Illinois and the 13th
Indiana fought side by side, and both fought gallantly
and well. The charge of the 39th was made across
an open swamp, with a heavy fire from front and sides
ploughing through the ranks. Just at the base of the
fort was a ditch twelve feet wide and ten feet deep,
with steep, slippery sides. Into this the men rushed,
and climbing the opposite side, by digging footholds in
the bank with their bayonets, joined the fort, and, after
a hand-to-hand struggle of half an hour, triumphantly
planted their flag on the parapet.
As a testimonial to the exceptional bravery dis-
played, a magnificent brazen eagle, cast for the purpose,
was presented to the regiment, for its color-staff ; Col-
onel Osborne was made a brigadier-general, and the
color-sergeant, Henry M. Day, who was severely
wounded while planting the colors on the fort, was
presented with a medal-of-honor by the War Depart-
ment for gallantry on the field. General Osborne's
brigade led the advance of the army in the pursuit of
Lee, and by a prompt movement succeeded in gaining
the Lynchburg road, and preventing the escape of his
forces — that being his only line of
retreat. After witnessing the sur-
render, the 39th was sent to Rich-
mond, where it remained until Au-
gust, thence to Norfolk, where it
was mustered out of service, De-
cember 6, 1865, and immediately
started for Illinois, arriving at Camp
Butler, Springfield, on the 12th of the same month,
where it received final pay and discharge. The
39th was a " Lone Star " wherever it served, but main-
tained the splendid reputation that its State had for
good soldiery. The records show that it had more
men killed and wounded than any other regiment from
the State. The 20th Illinois, however, had a larger num-
ber actually killed.
Orrin L. Mann was born in Chardon, Geauga Co., Ohio,
November 25, 1833. Removing with his parents to Michigan,
while still in infancy, his youth and early manhood was spent in
that State. First working on a farm, then as a blacksmith, and
finally devoting two years to study at Albion Seminary, Mich.,
he struggled along until 1S53, when he came to Chicago and com-
menced teaching, in order to acquire the means for still further
continuing his studies. In 1S56, he entered college at Ann Arbor,
but was compelled, by reason of ill health, to abandon his studies
in his junior year, when he again returned to Chicago. At the
breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, all his energy and en-
thusiasm were aroused in the Union cause. As early as the latter
part of April, the work of recruiting for the " Yates Phalanx " com-
menced. Mr. Mann first enlisted as a private, and soon raised a
company for this regiment. His war record is included in that of
the 39th Illinois Infantry. Elected major at the reorganization of
the regiment, he was promoted lieutenant-colonel after his gallant
defense of his position, near Bath, Va. , and, Colonel Osborne be-
ing in charge of a brigade, he led the regiment in several severe
engagements in the Shenandoah and Luray valleys, and at Morris
Island, in the siege of Forts Wagner and Gregg, commanded the
brigade which stormed and captured the former. Part of the winter
of 1S63-64, he spent in Chicago, recruiting for the 3gth. Return-
ing with his command to the East, in the spring of 1864, it was
assigned to the Army of the James, General B. F. Butler. Pro-
ceeding up the James to Bermuda Hundred, Lieutenant-Colonel
Mann engaged in the severe battle before Drury Bluffs, in which
Colonel Osborne was seriously wounded, and many other field and
line officers were either killed or wounded. The command de-
volved on Lieutenant-Colonel Mann, and in the gallant charge at
Wier Bottom Church, May 20, 1S64, to regain possession of a line
of rifle-pits, captured by Longstreet's troops, he led the charge
with his regiment, capturing a large number of prisoners, and
driving the Confederates from the position in front of our intrench-
ments. He received at this time a severe wound, which confined
him to the hospital until autumn. For gallantry in this action, he
was brevetted brigadier-general. During the early winter of 1864,
he served on a court-martial at Fortress Monroe, and on January
1, 1865, was assigned to staff duty under Major-General Ord, and
served as provost marshal of the District of Eastern Virginia, with
headquarters at Norfolk. After the fall of Richmond, General
Mann received his commission as colonel, with orders to join his
regiment at that point, but the civil authorities proving inadequate
to the task of governing Norfolk, he was assigned to the full com-
mand of the Southeastern District, with headquarters at that place.
Again assuming the office of provost marshal, with power accord-
ing to his brevet rank, he organized a military commission, and
soon succeeded in reducing to quiet the turbulent elements of the
still hall-rebellious district. General Mann remained at Norfolk
until December, 1865. when here-turned to Illinois, to be mustered
out of service with his regiment. Soon after the close of his mili-
tary career, he received an appointment as collector of internal
THIRTY-NINTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
-'-'7
NATCHITOCHES UN10
P<a"£vto±iit;ooli©s, La., .aL^x-ll 4tla., 1834.
NATCHITOCHES UNION.
Lt. TOGS. HUGUES Editoe
Bai. H.-R. CRENSHAW, k Co.,
Paopni&ron&
Terms- 1 0 ant, a, rmbtck,
2,.'i0 Zer.nl Shiitfkjttr
Published afcGov'Ll'riuting Office.
OUR TICKET.
FOK PRESIDENT,
ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
or Illinois.
ron vjcb i'!!rsiDc.\T,
ANDREW JOHNSON.
Ambitious, designing men, who were
willing to-sacrlfice the happiness ol
their country, who hesitated at lin
Lilians ol gratifying- the ci.ivings ..I
1 lit.- i i- Bclfish ambition, h iv.- plunged
von in tlie-voites of * civil wn'r, ami
brought nuin und-miscryonyonr heads.
"Tho warrior lias dipt Id's sword in
blood, and wrote his uaiucfiu Beldaaiul
cities desolate.*'
Your beautiful homes have been laid
waste, sorrow and mourning have beeti
brought to every fireside; some of your
beat biood has been spilt — your coin-
raercc has been destroyed, and you
have been slaves to a "Keign of Terror"
scarcely less horrible than that which
existed in Franco during the blo.dy
lievolution. Your sons, your husbands
and your fathers have "been torn from
your anas, and compelled to shed their
bl od in a tvraut's cause. Hundreds
of your citizens— unwilling to take up
anus against the United Stales Gov-
eru-nent— have been hunted down bv
negro hounds, and bv men— scarcely
less fiewo and blood-'thirs; v tlian tin
brutes themselves— and incrcilesslv
avu been "des
f home, of all
Otm Sanctorum. — Wc are wondcr-
fuliyannoycd by oihetrsand 'soldiers
••vaiking.iutoom- sanctum Falictorura
without an invitation. A hint to the
wiicissuliieicnt
The K«
The Yankees ba
Kra.
Id-'
wealth, db»cd -with innumerable villas,
«.mr try mansions and beautiful plunta
lions, nature and art vying in theii
aderumrut, each plantation a village
in itscli'--akind of independent sovcr-
i-ignty, of -which the planter, "nssnarch"
of all he surveyed," was the prince
comfort, elegance and refinement dial:
act"i x< d your homes, and all that heart
soitd wish was yours.
Your resources were developed, yonr
trade ahd commerce protected by a
most beneficent goucrnment, whoso ex-
ecutive was sworn to protect y
your interests, in al"
which your State Legislature bad en-
acted, or should enact under the Con-
stitution of the United States and the
National Congress, in which you had a
arge representation.
What mere could yon could avy peo-
ple ask? laving under the protective
bids of the flag.. f the best government
toder the sun, -you bid fair to rival the
ndies in wealth, andyuu were a happy,
ftrosperous people.
Pot a mighty change ha* taken place.
■ local la
ravs. It is as inevitable as the de-
a of Fate, that our arms, wielded in
so just a cause, aunt be victorious, and
and the chain of your thi-all.lo n will be
broken. And you can hasten the day.
Thousands of your people have been
only waiting for an opportunity to re-
new their allegiance In the -V'-d Flag,"
and that opportunity has now come- —
2Vbw is the time to strike.
Ofe»- thing you may bnortow, that
we shall never cease to fight till from
tic gna- Northern Slut's' to the Gnlf
of Mexico- -from the Atlantic In the
Pacific— there is lint ant 'Profit, o.-tc
Fuc, ONE GOVERNMENT!
Escaped Union Prisoner*.
As the advance guard of tho 3d
Divission of the 13th Army Corps
were marching on Natchitoches, they
were approached by two men, who
from their appearance, were at Grst
supposed to be rebel deserters, but
upon a more intimate acquaintance
they proved to bo E. Ri'snro n and
J. JI. Tows, of Co. B, lOih It g't
towa rolunlecrs. Wo euui up their
history as follows :
They wcro captured on Ihe 29th of
September lost. near Morganzia, l.a.,
and wcro taken to Tyler. Texas, where
they remained a short lime, and then
were marched to Shrcvespnrt.on Rod
river, whero.they remained through
the winter, suJTericg for tho want of
clothing and blankets, having been
robbed of nil tl eir possessions by the
ihicving devils who captured them.
I'hey were kept a short lime at O reen
wood, a small town some three miles
from the Texas line, where they made
their escape on the night ol the 2Uih
ult. The rebels becoming alarmed ai
lite near approach of Slecle's eavalrv
had ordered that all the Union nrti-
oners be hurried off again to Tiler.
They thought that they had traveled
rarcnuugh at Confederate expense
and would try to walk about a little
on their own hook. To attempt to
escape in such a country, .s i Tar from
the anion lines required, a goo.] deal
of courage, but they were equal to Ihe
task. The manner adopted to curry
ont their purpose was rather a novel
one, indeed. They dug a hole in the
ground largo enough to' hold then:,
did crawled in and wcro covered u
by a comrade win did not feel strong
enough to attempt to c.-capc with
them, llcrethevrmnaiuel until the
butternuts hud left the place, when
thev came out of their hiding place
and' started for Alexandria where
thev supposed thev would rind oui
army. Hut thev 'were saved much
■', and tit
of liberl
j Corps
Progress of Union Sentiment
A our advancing and victorious
Union army enters and takes undi='
puted possession. of the smart Utile
towns along its line of Inarch, it is
truly interesting to" witness the grad
ual declino of Souihercn prcdjudice
against the 'Yankee nation,' as dctel-
cped by the peculiar manner of the
ladies towards the Fold e s Wh'u lb-
soldiers first enter the town and com;
menco to promenade the streets, they
sco nothing butebsed doors and close
ly curtained windows, that gives to
every houso a complete gone away
from home appearance, and would lead
ono not acquainted with their-"sly
tricks'' to suppose that he had entered
the silent ciiy of tlie dead. At Un-
did of the second .hour the smallest
possiblo corner ol the curtain is seen
to rise slightly and a small poi-tinn of
tho '"human face divine" is seen to
dart suddenly lack from the light and
the curtain falls again to it place a-
before. At the end of the third hour
one half of tho curtain is drawn aside,
and a solemn though pretty face is
seen in very, near proximity to the
glass, while tho body is hidden by the
folds o£ the drapery that cows the
other half id the window ' Al the
end of the fourth hour both curtains
arc drawn aside and the dear creature
stands courageously exposing her love-
ly form to the admiring gaze of the
vulaar Yankees astliov pass. At the
end ol the lit'ih hour the door is seen
to open a lew inches and a female pro-
file is seen protruding through tho
slight opening, and a nic2 little gaiter
advances jis far as the outer edge of
the dour sill, and taper fingers steals
out and plays with the knob of the
door. At the end of the. sixth hour,
tllcddnf is thrown back against the
wall, ami its place supplied In- the
nntpled're s of u lull dressed Southern
belle, anil the passing soldier he.ire a
lew tidies of the ■'Bonny Biue.Flag;'
-iwg in;- soft and low. At ihe end
if lb" seventh hour she actuary ^en'
lures to sand upon the verandah
-tops and even smile upon the 'vandals'
•in the side-walk. At the cud of the
eighth hour siie has discovered that
Yankees have no horns, and ventures
down to the gate, and plaiiag both
hands up,,,, the picket*, bends her
head forward and looks first up and
l hen down the street, and laughs
heartily at the pranks ofsome officers
fractious horse, and exclaims '-Oh My!
he will surely be hurl." As the ninth
hour approaches its close she stands
nil one side of the gate and chats
freely with a; real living Yankee on
ihe other,' while both their hands play
with tho lateh At the mid lie of the
teuih horn- the gate is opened and
both have disappeared, but where
they have gone is nobodys business,
but the ''U.vion as it is to de," is
restored, as lar as they arc concerned
■it least. Iti3 thus that tho Union
cutinicnt is restored wherever the
army goes.
r..i.
Impressions.
Wq beg to assure our citizens that
■II Yankees look very much like other
American people, and that there are
a -tiling our s .Id era no Ur ffins or mis.
sliapen beings, a> has been represented.
To some it may seem superfluous to
■nuke this statement, but w- ire led to
it by overhearing a lady ask asoldier
if it was true that some, four troops
■lad but one eye, and that in the middle
.1 the folehead. as sh had I li told by
ijoniclerate soidn-rs The wicked sol
Hit gravely informed Iter lint it wag
not too true; that there was a regimen,
.r them, mid that they dressed in an
fasten. Costume, wearing very brood
r d frowsers, and that many of them,
wen- Amazons The good woman de-
clared she would walch und wait, that
sh ightseu them when they came
Such misrepresentations only Ion d
damage the rebel cause.
FAC SIMILE OF OLD ARMV NEWSPAPER.
»o8
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
revenue for the First District of Illinois, and later entered into
the business of brick making, in which he was still engaged at the
time of the great tire of 1S71 , from the effects of which he
lost he... g from this disaster, he embarked in the real
OSUiess. in which he is still engaged, the firm now being
Mann & Congdon. General Mann has served a term in the State
Legislature (1874-76); was coroner of Cook County from 1S7S to
rod from November 1SS0. to November 1SS2, held the office
of sheriff of Cook County. He was married at Ann Arbor, Mich.,
August. tso2, to Adelia A. Sawyer, their children being May,
June and Maud.
FORTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
The Forty-second Regiment was organized at
Chicago, July 22, 1601. as the 1st Regiment, Douglas
Brigade, by Colonel William A. Webb. In August, the
. :it went into camp at Cottage Grove, the 2d and
3d regiments of the " Brigade " afterward the 51st and
55th Illinois being also in camp at the same time.
There the regiment was thoroughly drilled by Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Malmborg, an excellent Swedish military
scholar and disciplinarian, who had left the Land De-
partment of the Illinois Central Railroad to occupy
that position. At the time of its organization, the 43d
had four Chicago companies — " Robbins Rifles," Cap-
tain George Yardan ; " Mystic Rifles," Captain W. H.
Boomer; " Drummond Guards," Captain Charles C.
Phillips ; and " Roberts Guards," Captain Joseph N.
Gettman. Various changes were made before the regi-
ment was mustered into service, but its companies, be-
sides those mentioned, were mainly recruited in Cook
County. It was mustered into service September 17-,
1S61, one thousand and fifty-one strong, under the
following officers:
Field and Staff (all of Chicago except Chaplain). — Colonel,
William A. Webb; Lieutenant-Colonel, David Stewart ; Major,
George W, Roberts; Adjutant, Edward H. Brown; Quartermaster,
Edward D. Swartout ; Surgeon, Edwin Powell ; First Assistant
Surgeon. E. < I. E. Koler; Chaplain. G. L. S. Stuff, of Rockford.
lint Officers. — Co. "A": Captain, Charles Northrup ; First
Lieutenant, Hamilton M. Way; Second Lieutenant, Elijah S.
Church. Co. "H": Captain, George Varden; First Lieutenant,
Alexander F. Stevenson; Second Lieutenant, Julius Lettman. Co.
"C": Captain. Nathan H. Walworth; First Lieutenant, James
Leighton; Second Lieutenant, Nicholas P. Ferguson. Co. "D":
!' ( lark; first Lieutenant, Robert Ranny; Second
Lieutenant. Jared W. Richards. Co. "E": Captain, David W.
Norton; First Lieutenant. William R. Townsend; Second Lieu-
tenant. Nathaniel H. DuFoe. Co " F ": Captain. Charles C.
Phillips; 1 - i r-,t Lieutenant, William D. Williams; Second Lieu-
it. Andrew H. Granger. Co. "C": Captain, William H.
Boomer; First Lieutenant, Joseph N. Gettman; Second Lieutenant,
" II ": Captain, John II 1 lottenstein; First
Lieutenant George D. Curtis ; Second Lieutenant, Alexander J.
II. Bri - ' >. I Edgar I). Swain; First Lieu-
;. P. Andrews ; Second Lieutenant, Ggden Lovell.
ptain, le^se D. Putts; First Lieutenant, Joseph W.
id Lieutenant, Gilbert L. Barnes.
12'! Illinois was thoroughly equipped by the
go War Committee, and left the city for St. Louis
on September 20. On the i8th of October, by order of
tl Fremont, it joined General Hunter at Tipton,
Mo., and ■■■- signed to General John M. Palmer's
brigai! I oned at Warsaw, Mo. It reached
Warsaw, < >< tober 25, and went into camp, remaining until
• '. a - ordered to move to Spring-
field, which Hunter and Pope had occupied tince the
removal of I r< mont. The regiment was obliged to
leave Warsaw on an hour's notu e, and, being destitute
of means of transportation, had to leave its tents behind
— marching the distance of ninety-seven miles in sixty-
two hours. After remaining in Springfield from the
night of the 4th until the 9th, on the evacuation of the
city by the Union forces, it returned to Warsaw, and
thence moved to Smithton, Mo., where it went into
winter quarters, December 13. The regiment suffered
terribly from the effects of this forced and unnecessary
march to Springfield and teturn. For fifteen days it
was entirely without shelter. The men, wrapping their
blankets around them, would lie down to sleep in the
chilly air, with only the sky for a roof, and, tired and ex-
hausted, in the morning would begin again the fatiguing
march. It was a new experience thus early in the war,
and brought inevitable sickness in its train. Colonel
Webb, acting Lieutenant-Colonel Roberts (promoted
in place of David Stuart, resigned), and many of the
men were prostrated before the regiment reached Smith-
ton. Colonel Webb never rallied. He died at Smithton,
December 24, 1861, of typhoid fever.
William A. Webb was a native of Maine. He was a gradu-
ate of West Point, and, in 1853, received the commission of
brevet second lieutenant, in the 4th U. S. Infantry, being sub-
sequently commissioned first lieutenant in the 5th Infantry. At
the breaking out of the war, he received a commission dated May
14, 1861, as captain in the 16th Infantry. He subsequently ac-
cepted the position of mustering officer and of commissary of sub-
sistence, at Chicago, and, under his superintendence, many of the
regiments which left the city, were organized. At the time of the
organization of the Douglas Brigade, Captain Webb took an
especial interest in its formation, and so largely gained the affec-
tions of the men that he was unanimously elected colonel of the
first regiment of the brigade ; a position which he accepted, with
the permission of the War Department. After conducting the
regiment to Missouri, he returned to Chicago to settle the affairs
of his office, and then, leaving it in charge of Lieutenant John
Christopher, re-joined his command at Tipton, and after a brief
period of active service, succumbed to the united influence of ex-
posure and fatigue. Young, brave and handsome, he was almost
an idol with his soldiers, and was beloved and respected by all. He
was buried at Chicago, with military honors, December 28, 1861.
On the death of Colonel Webb, Lieutenant-Colonel
Roberts was promoted colonel, and the regiment re-
mained in camp at Smithton, until February 3, 1862,
when it proceeded, via St. Charles, Mo., to Fort Holt,
Ky., which it occupied until March 4, and thence
moved to Columbus. It left the latter place, on the
15th, for Island No. 10, where it remained in active
service until the surrender of the post, on April 11.
On the night of April 1, an expedition, under Colonel
Roberts, was sent to the upper, or No. 10, Fort, which
succeeded in spiking the guns of the rebel battery, and
returned unscathed. The expedition embarked at mid-
night in boats, fitted out with men from the 42d regi-
ment and seamen belonging to the squadron, and in
the midst of a terrible thunder storm, set out for its
destination. Colonel Roberts had previously ascertain-
ed accurately the locality of the battery, but owing to
the dense darkness, and, the violence of the storm, the
bend in the river, where it was situated, was passed
without the members of the expedition discerning it,
until a flash of lightning showed that they were within
a few rods of its face. The lightning also revealed to
the sentinels the approach of the boats, and without
waiting to look further, they fired wildly, and fled. The
soldiers landed, silently climbed up the earthworks,
swung over the parapet, and quickly the six guns were
spiked, two sixty-four pounders, three eighty pound-
ers, and one nine-inch pivot gun with cushion lock.
After the surrender of the Island, the 42d joined Gen-
eral Pope's forces, and with them proceeded down the
Mississippi toward Fort Pillow, where, on the 14th of
April, Pope's command was ordered to join Halleck's
FORTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
209
forces, then moving toward Corinth. Embarking on
transports, the troops steamed up the Tennessee, and
reached Hamburg, landing April 22. There, on the
24th, Pope's command was partially reorganized, the
42d, 22d, 27th and 51st Illinois regiments, with Hough-
taling's battery, constituting the First Brigade (General
John M. Palmer), First Division (General E. A. Paine),
Army of the Mississippi. Pope's command left camp
at Hamburg, April 27th, and, on the 30th, established a
new camp some eight miles north of Farmington, Miss.,
which place was held as an advance post by the Con-
federates. On May 3, Paine's division was detailed
for a reconnoissance in force. Proceeding some five
miles toward Farmington, the enemy's pickets were
encountered, and driven back to their reserves, which,
from behind barricades of fallen trees, kept up a sharp
fire on the approaching column. The 42d Illinois,
10th and 14th Michigan, and Houghtaling's battery, all
under Colonel Roberts, were there detached from the
division, and ordered to the right, taking the road lead-
ing to Nichols's Ford, where they arrived and remained
until five o'clock in the afternoon, guarding the ford, to
prevent a movement of the Confederates on Paine's
right flank. They then joined the main force a little
north of Farmington. This movement had driven the
enemy through the swamp north of the town, while its
participators repaired the bridge over Seven Mile
Creek, and finally pressed the rebels until they retreated
through Farmington toward Corinth, leaving the town
in possession of the Union forces. Pickets were ad-
vanced to the south of Farmington, and a telegraphic
station established there. On the morning of the 9th,
the advanced pickets were attacked by a heavy force
of the enemy, and driven back to their reserves. Pal-
mer's brigade was ordered to the front, to their relief,
and a hot engagement ensued — the brigade and ad-
vanced guard becoming engaged with the troops of
Bragg, Van Dorn and Hardee, who had moved out
from Corinth, to drive Pope back toward the Tennessee.
The battle was fiercely contested for nearly five hours,
when, the enemy threatening to outflank Palmer, he
withdrew, in accordance with orders, to the main force
south of Seven Mile Creek. The enemy did not pur-
sue, but retired through Farmington to Corinth. The
42d Illinois lost two killed and twelve wounded in the
engagement.
On the 17th, the regiment, with its brigade, marched
to Farmington, where intrenchments were thrown up,
and the Army of the Mississippi remained until the
29th. On the 28th, General Rosecrans assumed com-
mand of the right wing, Army of the Mississippi,
(Paine's and Stanley's divisions) and, on the 29th, the
advance toward Corinth re-commenced. On the night
of the 30th, Beauregard evacuated the city, and Palmer's
brigade, marching by the direct road from Farmington,
was among the first troops to enter the captured works,
and the flag of the 42c! Illinois one of the first that
floated in the town. At five o'clock in the afternoon,
the regiment, with Paine's column, moved in pursuit of
the enemy, taking the advance at the crossing of Tus-
cumbia Bridge on the evening of the 31st. The enemy
disputing the passage of this bridge with artillery
planted on the opposite bank, Colonel Roberts, with the
42d, blazed a road to a point three-quarters of a mile
above, where a foot-bridge was constructed of fallen
trees, over which his command passed, and the following
morning took possession of Danville, from which the
enemy retreated. The following day, the First Brigade,
Colonel Roberts commanding, reached Booneville, and
encamped, remaining until the 4th, when it was again
ordered forward as support to a force of cavalry and ar-
tillery under General Gordon Granger. With Granger,
the command continued the pursuit nearly to Baldwin,
Miss., where it was discontinued and the regiment re-
turned to camp at Booneville. General Granger says,
in his report,
" Too much praise can not be awarded to Colonel Roberts and
his splendid brigade for their promptitude and eagerness to follow
the enemy."
On June 5, the regiment made a reconnoissance on
the Blackhead Road; but no enemy being discovered,
returned to camp, and remained until the nth, when
the brigade moved back to camp at Big Spring, near
Corinth.
On June 10, Buell left Corinth with the Army of
the Ohio, to follow up Bragg; and, June 27, Pope was
assigned to the Army of the Potomac. In the reor-
ganization of the Army of the Mississippi, at Corinth,
Colonel Palmer was placed in command of the First
Division, and Colonel Roberts succeeded him in com-
mand of the First Brigade, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles
Northrup succeeding in command of the 42d Illinois.
On July 20, the division left camp at Big Spring, it
having been assigned to guard the line of the Memphis
and Charleston Railroad. The 42d was ordered to Tus-
cumbia and thence sent to Courtland, Ala., where it was
stationed from July 25 to September 3, 1862, doing good
service in the warfare against the guerrilla bands that
infested the region, constantly threatening the Federal
lines of communication. On September 3, with Pal-
mer's division, the regiment commenced its march
toward Nashville, Bragg having crossed the Tennessee
on his raid into the North. The division reached Nash
ville September 13, after a harassing and difficult
march and some skirmishes with the enemy, in one of
which, at Columbia, Tenn., September 9, one man of
the 42d was killed. Lieutenant-Colonel Northrup
resigned on September 7, and Major N. H. Walworth
assumed command.
With Negley's division, the command of General
Palmer garrisoned Nashville from the time of Buell's
departure, September 15, until the arrival of Rosecrans,
November ro. Communication with the North being
completely cut off during that time, and the two
divisions entirely isolated from any other portion of the
Federal Army, they were obliged to live "from hand to
mouth " as best they could. Railroad communication
was opened with Louisville a few days later. On the
6th of November, the 42d assisted in repelling an attack
of the Confederate cavalry, under Morgan and Forrest,
on Nashville, and a little later surprised and captured
Captain Portch, with a squad of Morgan's men, bringing
in their arms and horses.
In the organization of the Army of the Cumberland,
December 10, the 421I Illinois, Lieutenant-Colonel
Nathan H. Walworth commanding, was assigned, with
Roberts's brigade, to Sheridan's (Third division, Right
Wing, General McCook. The division, which consisted
of Roberts's, Shaeffer's and Sill's brigades, left Camp
Sheridan, on the Nolensville pike, near Nashville, on
the 26th of December, 1862, to meet Bragg's army at
Murfreesboro'. On the 30th, the division, then the
advance column of the right wing, arrived at a point
about three miles from Murfreesboro', where the
enemy's infantry pickets were encountered and driven
back nearly a mile, when the resistance became so
strong that Sheridan formed line of battle — Roberts on
the left, Sill on the right, Shaeffer in reserve— and
placed his artillery in position. His line was formed to
the right of the Wilkinson pike, and, at two o'clock
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
p. m. the whole line advanced, the skirmishers clearing
the line in front. At sundown, position was taken for
the coming conflict — Davis's division of McCook's
corps joining Sheridan s right, but thrown back so as
to form nearly a right angle with it. Xegley's division
joined Sheridan's on the left. Early on the morning of
the 31st, Sill's brigade was attacked, and, after a severe
struggle, drove the enemy back to his intrenchments;
but General Sill, a brave and much beloved officer, was
killed during the conflict. As the right of McCook's
corns fell back in disorder, the attack was renewed on
Sheridan's right, whicli was now exposed to fire from
the enemy in front and rear. Sill's brigade, and the
reserve brigade which had been sent to its support, were
withdrawn, and Roberts was ordered to charge the
enemy with his brigade, while the other troops were
being re-formed. This was, in Sheridan's words, " very
gallantly done," the brigade capturing one piece of
artillery, and holding the enemy in check until a new
line was formed, to which Roberts's brigade then fell
back. In this position, the division fought until its right
was again turned, when it was ordered to move to the
left and form on Xegley's right, Roberts's brigade being
placed at right angles to Negley's line, facing south, and
the other two brigades at right angles to Roberts's,
facing west. In the latter angle thus formed, known as
the " bloody angle,"* sections of Hescock's and Bush's
batteries were placed. General Sheridan says of the
engagement at this crisis :
•' In this position I was immediately attacked, when one of
the bitterest and most sanguinary contests of the whole day
occurred. General Cheatam's division advanced on Roberts's
brigade, and heavy masses of the enemy, with three batteries of
artillery, advanced over the open ground which I had occupied in
the previous part of the engagement, at the same time the enemy
opening from their intrenchments in the direction of Murfreesboro'.
The contest then became terrible. The enemy made three attacks
and were three times repulsed, the artillery range of the respective
batteries being not over two hundred yards. In these attacks
Roberts's brigade lost its gallant commander, who was killed.
There was no sign of faltering with the men; the only cry being
for more ammunition, which, unfortunately, could not be supplied
on account of the discomfiture of the troops on the right of our
wing, which allowed the enemy to come in and capture our train."
The division held its ground until the ammunition
was almost utterly exhausted, and until Lieutenant
Taliaferro, commanding a section of the battery at the
angle formed by Roberts's and Shaeffer's brigades, was
killed and his horses shot, and the other batteries were
disabled or captured. Shaeffer's brigade, entirely out
of ammunition, was then ordered to fix bayonets and
await the enemy. Roberts's brigade was ordered to fall
back fighting. This it did, passing through the cedars
in the rear unbroken, and was put again into action on
the Murfreesboro' pike, where the enemy threatened
to break Rosecrans's communications. The brigade,
although it had but three or four rounds of ammunition,
" cheerfully went into action, gallantly charged the
enemy,routin;r them, re-capturing two pieces of artil-
lery, and taking forty prisoners."
At night, the whole division was placed in position
on the Murfreesboro' pike, where the above-mentioned
action took place, remaining until the 6th, when it
to camp on Stone River, three miles south of
Murfreesboro', on tin: Shelbyville pike. Every brigade
commander in Sheridan's division was killed in the bat-
tle of the 31st of December, and the ranking officer —
Colonel Herrington, of the 27th Illinois Infantry— in
the Third Brigade, bring wounded and a prisoner,
Colonel Luther I'. Bradley, of the 51st Illinois, suc-
ceeded Colonel Roberts in command. Lieutenant-
*S« HUtorr of ;nt Illinois.
Colonel Walworth was promoted colonel of the 42d
Illinois, with rank to date from January 1, 1863. The
42d lost at Murfreesboro' twenty-two killed, one hundred
and sixteen wounded and eighty-five prisoners. Among
the killed were the following:
Co. "A": Privates Eli Carson and John Minneck. Co. "B":
Lieutenant Julius Lettman, of Chicago; Private F. Titskey. Co.
"C": Private C. T. Burt, William E. Emory, W. Reynolds.
Co. " E ": Sergeant J. Hall; Privates D. E. Arnold, A. J. North-
rup. Co. " H" : Sergeant C. P. Chapman; Corporals M. Mattocks
and C. N. Harrison; Private A. Jeffrey. Co. "I": Corporal A.
Smith; Privates G. J. Carpenter and John Therson. Co. " K" :
Sergeant T. C. Bowen, Corporal O. M. Benson.
In the reorganization of the army after the battle of
Stone River, McCook's right wing of the army became
the Twentieth Army Corps. The 42d still remained in
the Third Brigade (Bradley's), Third Division (Sheri-
dan's). In March, it took part in the expedition toward
Franklin in pursuit of Van Dorn, as far as Columbia,
returning to camp at Murfreesboro', March 14. With
Rosecrans's army it entered upon the Tullahoma cam-
paign, June 24, reaching that stronghold on July 1.
Bragg having evacuated it on the night before, the 42d
joined in his pursuit, crossing the Tennessee. River on
September 2, and on the 5th arrived at Trenton, Ga.
On the nth, the Twentieth Corps reached Alpina,
Ga., the extreme right of Rosecrans's army, and on the
14th, commenced the return march up Lookout Valley,
to join Thomas. On the 17th, Sheridan arrived at
Stevens's Gap in Lookout Mountain, and on the 19th
at Gordon's Mills, where he was posted at the right
of Crittenden's corps. The other division of McCook's
corps had been sent to the assistance of General Thomas,
Sheridan's being the only one of the Twentieth Corps
left at the right, to hold the position at Gordon's Mills.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, Bradley's brigade was
sent to the relief of Wood's division at the Widow Glenn
house. Colonel Bradley being wounded by the first
volley, Colonel Walworth assumed command of the bri-
gade, and Lieutenant-Colonel Hottenstein of the 42d.
The brigade succeeded in driving the enemy from the
front of that division and across the Chattanooga and
LaFayette road, re-capturing the 8th Indiana Battery
and taking a large number of prisoners from Hood's
division of Longstreet's corps. General Wood person-
ally thanked Colonel Walworth for recovering his bat-
tery on the field. During the night of the 19th,
McCook was ordered to so post his command as to
form the right of the new line of battle for the succeed-
ing day. In compliance with this order, Bradley's and
Lytle's brigades were posted on the extreme right of the
Union line, Wilder's mounted-infantry being placed in
position to protect their right flank the following morn-
ing. At ten o'clock on the morning of the 20th, these
two brigades were ordered to the left to support Thomas,
and Sheridan's Third Brigade (Laibold's) was sent to
the support of Davis's division.
While these movements were in progress, Wood's
whole division (joining Davis on the left), through some
misunderstanding of orders, was withdrawn from the
front line of battle, leaving a wide gap between Davis
and Reynolds; which the former, with his small force,
vainly endeavored to fill. The enemy was quick to see
this unguarded point, and Longstreet's troops poured
through the gap in overwhelming numbers, separating
Sheridan's and Davis's divisions from the rest of the
army. Sheridan had recalled his two brigades, which
had been ordered to the left, and they met the onset of
the enemy as they were moving to position. They made
a gallant resistance, but the odds were too great; Lytle
FORTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
was killed, and with the remainder of the division, Brad-
leys's brigade was obliged to fall back to Mission Ridge,
and at night to Rossville. The 43d lost in the battles
of the 19th and 20th, twenty-eight killed, one hundred
and twenty- eight wounded, and twenty-eight prisoners.
Major James Leighton, Lieutenant Ezra A. Montgomery and
John A. Hall were killed. Among the wounded were Captains
Joseph W. Foster, William H. Boomer and F. A. Atwater; Lieu-
tenants G. A. Parshall, Orville Powell, M. C. Bryant, Edward
Hurson, Stephen Reynolds, M. J, Simonds; Sergeants Sherwin
W. Kink, M. Kennedy. Severely wounded and prisoners: Ser-
geants L. H. Needham and A. B. Bemis. Missing: Sergeants
William E. Harlock, James H. Dehue; Corporal James Stiller;
Privates George Wright, J. P. Restrap and Benjamin Wright.
On the 2 2d, the regiment with the Twentieth Corps
fell back to Chattanooga, where it was engaged in work
on the fortifications until the reorganization of the
army. On October 30, McCook's and Crittenden's
corps (Twentieth and Twenty-first), were consolidated,
and the Fourth Corps organized under command of
General Gordon Granger, to which Sheridan's division
was assigned as the Second Division. The regiment
remained in Chattanooga, suffering with the rest of the
army from exposure and lack of provisions and proper
shelter, until the 23d of November, when, with the
division, it advanced from Fort Wood to the first line
of rebel works at Orchard Knob, which were carried
and occupied by the Union troops, Grant and Sherman
establishing headquarters at the Knob.
On the 25th, it took part in the battle of Mission
Ridge, the regiment forming a part of Sheridan's skir-
mish line. Its loss was five killed and forty wounded.
Lieutenants George C. Smith, of Co. " E," and Alfred
O. Johnson, of Co. "G," both of Chicago, died in the
following December of wounds received in the battle.
The regiment was ordered, on the 27th, to proceed with
Granger's corps to Knoxville, to relieve Burnside, the
city being besieged by Longstreet's forces. The siege
having been raised before the arrival of Granger, his
troops remained in the vicinity of Knoxville, in camp
at Stone's Mill; where, on the 1st of January, 1864,
the regiment re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer organi-
zation, and, on the 15th, marched to Dandridge, Tenn.,
to meet Longstreet. After an engagement on the 16th,
the Fourth Corps retired to Knoxville, and thence to
Loudon, Tenn., where the 42d went into camp, and
enjoyed the first full rations it had received for six
months. The troops suffered fearfully during that cold
stormy winter in Tennessee, both from cold and hunger.
Being entirely without tents, the command lived in
sheds made of poles and covered with rubber-blankets
and evergreen boughs, before which fires were kept
burning at night.
On January 21, the 42d started for Chattanooga,
arriving February 2, and leaving for Chicago on veteran
furlough on the 21st. At the expiration of furlough, it
re-joined its command at Chattanooga, where it arrived
April 27.
In the reorganization of the Army of the Cumber-
land for the Atlanta campaign, the Fourth Corps was
placed under General O. O. Howard. General Sheridan
having been assigned to the Cavalry Department in the
Eastern Army, Major-General John Newton, succeeded
him in command of the Second Division. The 42d
Illinois remained in the Third Brigade, then commanded
by General Harker. The regiment joined the Fourth
Corps at Cleveland, Tenn., whence it moved with the
Army of the Cumberland on the Atlanta campaign, on
May 3. Newton's division arrived in front of Rocky
Face Ridge, on the route to Dalton, on May 8, and
Harker's brigade was thrown to the summit of the pre-
cipitous bluff, driving the enemy back along the ridge
some three miles, when its further advance was success-
fully withstood by the rebels, who had fortified a deep
gorge, which they held until the ridge, and the pass
through it (Buzzard Roost) were evacuated, on the 13th.
The principal loss in Newton's division at Rocky Face
occurred in Harker's brigade.
On the 13th, Newton's division passed through
Snake Creek Gap, and joined the rest of the Fourth
Corps before Resaca on the 14th, the corps being on
the extreme left of the Federal line, facing Hardee's
Confederate corps. With its brigade, the regiment
participated in the battle at Resaca, and in the pursuit
of Johnston's army, through Calhoun and Adairsville,
to the Etowah River at Cassville. At New Hope
Church, near Dallas, the command was under fire from
the 26th of May until June 4, when it advanced to Pine
Top Mountain. The enemy evacuated this position on
June 14, falling back to his main works, toward Kene-
saw. On the 15th, the 42d and 51st Illinois, led by
Colonel Bradley of the latter, made a gallant and suc-
cessful attack on the advanced works, of the Confeder-
ates driving the occupants back to their reserves and
taking possession of the ridge which they had occupied,
the whole division advancing to the position at night,
and throwing up strong fortifications.
Howard's corps advanced to, and besieged, the
enemy's works on Kenesaw, June 19. Skirmishing was
constant until June 27, when an assault was ordered,
Newton's division being chosen to make the attack
upon the left center of the rebel works. Harker's
brigade formed the right of Newton's column. The
rebel batteries were on a wooded ridge, which was pro-
tected at its base with palisades and abattis, and they
swept the entire ground in front of Harker's, Wagner's
and Kimball's assaulting brigades.
The assault was made in column of regimental di-
visions— two companies in width, thirty lines deep.
Colonel Opdycke's 125th Ohio led the column. An
army correspondent, in his account of the engagement,
says of the charge of Harker's brigade:*
" When the bugle pealed forth the clarion note for the ad-
vance, the brigade sprung into line, and marched boldly from their
trenches, sweeping over the enemy's scattered pickets, and gaining
the rifle-pits where his skirmishers were posted. The enemy opened
a terrible fire of musketry, grape and canister, but our boys poured
into the ravine equi-distant from the hostile trenches, and began
to ascend the slope beyond, fast becoming slippery with blood. At
this moment a battery opened on their right, enfilading the column
and disordering its lines, without, however, lessening the impetu-
osity of the lads. Many swarmed to the rebel works, and after
vainly endeavoring to scale the works, took lodgment at their base,
fighting desperately, within reach of each other, over the parapet;
so close that several of an advance regiment were dragged over by
the hair, and captured.
" The struggle lasted one hour and twenty minutes — regiment
after regiment planting its colors on the ramparts only to be driven
back. Harker, the fearless and beloved commander, upon whose
shoulder the star had rested but a brief month, fell mortally
wounded at the head of his column, and died two hours after. No
one who saw his cheerfulness when going into the fight, and his
glorious bearing during the action, to the moment he was hit.
would have dreamed that, a few hours before, he had quietly handed
a packet to a comrade not selected for the assault, asking him to
send it home. ' I shall be killed,' said he, in conclusion. * * *
The noble brigade at last fell back, bringing their dying chief with
them, but leaving a fifth of their number, killed and wounded, on
the field."
General Harker was killed when within only about
fifteen yards of the rebel works. After Johnston had
evacuated his position at Kenesaw, and our army occu-
pied Marietta, the works which Newton's division had
charged were examined, and found to be most thorough
* Rebellion Record, vol. XI, page 228.
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
fortifications, and impregnable to assault except at
enormous loss. Sherman entered Marietta on July 2.
Johnston's army advanced to the Chattahoochee
River, where it once more intrenched a position, from
which it was again routed. On July 0, Newton's divis-
ion marched to Roswell, to cover the crossing of
cavalry, returning to the north side of the river, and
re-joining the corps on the 13th. On the 20th, it crossed
Peach Tree Creek, and took up its position on the south
f the stream, in front of the advanced line of
rebel works around Atlanta, and about seven miles from
that city. When the Fourth Corps formed its line of
battle, an interval of about three miles intervened be-
tween Newton and Wood on his left, which the former
was obliged to hold with a thin line of skirmishers. At
noon of the 20th, Newton's division moved from the
bank of Peach Tree Creek, a strong skirmish line being
sent forward to drive the rebel sharpshooters from the
rifle pits, which they occupied in advance of their main
works.
Newton's skirmishers comprised six regiments — four
from Kimball's and two from Wagner's brigade (the
latter under command of Colonel Blake), and were com-
manded by Colonel Barrett, 44th Illinois. The men
slowly forced their way up the ridge, driving the sharp-
shooters; and in half an hour had forced them back to
their main works, three hundred and fifty yards further
back. Blake and Kimball immediately occupied the
ridge, and set the men to throwing up a rail barricade
in their front. Bradley's brigade (formerly Harker's)
was formed along the Buckhead and Atlanta road, in
the rear, facing to the left; Kimball's brigade was
formed to the right of the road, Blake's to the left.
While the regiments in the front were still engaged in
constructing their barricades, the division was attacked
by Walker's and Bate's rebel divisions, which suddenly
emerged from the woods beyond the open fields at the
top of the ridge. Immediately after the assault com-
menced upon Newton's front, at about half-past three
p. m., Colonel Bradley sent the 42d Illinois and 64th
Ohio to the support of Colonel Blake, where they, with
every regiment in the division, did most glorious fight-
ing, not one brigade yielding an inch of ground. On
the 22d, the division moved to Atlanta, and took up a
position with the corps in front of the defenses ; which
it retained with slight change until the night of the
25th of August, when it left the trenches, to accompany
the army in the movement to the right and rear of At-
lanta. Striking the Macon Railroad on September 1,
it was engaged in destroying the track through the
day, and then moved to Jonesboro'. After pursuing
the forces of Hood from Jonesboro' to Lovejoy station,
returned to camp near Atlanta on the 8th, at the
f the campaign. The total loss of the regiment
ince the opening of the campaign, was twenty killed
eighty-nine wounded and seven prisoners.
The army was reorganized at Atlanta, in prepara-
tion for Sherman's "march to the sea " and the occupa-
tion of Nashville by Thomas. Major-General D. S.
Stan!'; Howard in command of the Fourth
and General Wagner succeeded Newton in com-
mand of the Second Division. On September 25, with
Wagner's division, the 42CJ left Atlanta for Chatta-
where it arrived October 19, and thence moved
iski, Tenn., where troops were concentrating to
join Thomas at Nashville. On November 22, with
Scbofield's and Stanley's corps, it commenced the re-
treat to Nashville, participating in the engagements at
Spring Hill and Franklin, November 29 and 30, at the
latter terrible battle being posted some distance in
front of the defenses as advance guards, and in the at-
tack by Hood losing twenty-four killed, ninety-five
wounded and thirty prisoners.
The Fourth Corps, Wagner's brigade, forming the
rear guard, reached Nashville December 1, and the
42d participated in the battles before that place, De-
cember 15 and 16, losing two killed and eleven
wounded. It then joined in the pursuit of Hood to
Lexington, Ala., a distance of eighty-two miles, over the
most horrible roads and in the most severe and stormy
weather. On the arrival of the brigade at Lexington,
December 31, Hood had crossed the Tennessee, and
the pursuit was abandoned. On January 1, 1865, the
regiment, with the Fourth Corps (commanded by Gene-
ral T. J. Wood, after General Stanley was wounded at
Franklin), moved from Lexington, arriving at Decatur,
Ala., via Huntsville, January 6, and there remaining, as
part of the garrison, until April 1, when it proceeded
to Nashville. From Nashville, it was ordered, June 15,
to New Orleans, en route for Texas, to garrison some
still uncertain posts. It embarked at New Orleans July
18, disembarked at Port Lavacca, Texas, July 23, and
proceeded to Camp Irwin, returning to Lavacca, Au-
gust 17, where it remained on garrison duty until again
ordered to Indianola, to be mustered out, on the 16th
of December, 1865. The regiment left Indianola on
the 20th, New Orleans on the 24th, and returned to
Camp Butler, Springfield, 111., for final payment and
discharge, which it received January 10, 1866.
Colonel George W. Roberts, son of Pratt and Ann (Wil-
son) Roberts, was born in East Goshen, Chester Co., Penn. He
received his common school and academic education at Westchester,
Penn., and Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and, after a collegiate course, grad-
uated with high honors from Yale, in June, 1S57. After prepara-
tory law studies in Westchester, Penn., he was admitted to the Bar,
January S, 1858, and in the spring of 1S60 removed to Chicago,
and practiced law in the office of E. S. Smith until June, 1861,
when, with William A. Webb, he commenced recruiting for the
42d Illinois Infantry, freely devoting both time and money to the
advancement of its interests. On its organization, he received a
commission as major, on September 17 was elected lieutenant-
colonel, and with the regiment left Chicago for the seat of war in
Missouri. After a short campaign in that State, under General
Fremont, Colonel Webb, died from the consequences of over-
fatigue, and, on December 24, Lieutenant-Colonel Roberts was
promoted colonel of the regiment, which remained under him as
regimental or brigade commander until his death at Stone River.
Colonel Roberts remained in personal command of the 42d until
after the battle of Farmington, in May, 1S62, on the advance to
Corinth. He then took command of General Palmer's brigade, the
latter returning to the North on sick leave, and from that time was
acting brigade commander until he was formally assigned to the
Third Brigade of Sheridan's division, before the battle of Mur-
freesboro'. In that terrible struggle, on Wednesday, December 31,
1S62, he fell, mortally wounded, while leading his men to a charge.
Colonel Roberts was conspicuous among the crowd of young
heroes developed by the National struggle, for manly courage,
high aspirations and lofty aims, as well as for his keen, mental
grasp of military science, and his calm, quiet self-possession in the
most critical and dangerous situations.
Colonel N. H. Walworth, senior member of the firm of
Walworth & Reed, was born in Oneida County, N. Y., in 1S32.
His father was Elisha Walworth, a very active business man of
that county, who carried on a mercantile and a milling establish-
ment. Elisha Walworth died in 187S, at the age of eighty-three.
Colonel N. H. Walworth's mother was Sallie (Halbert) Walworth,
who was born in 1794, and who died in 1875, dying, as did Elisha
Walworth, in the house to which they moved when they were mar-
ried. The education of Colonel Walworth was obtained at Rome
Academy and Cazenovia Seminary. He moved to Illinois in 1S55,
and, upon the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, entered
the Union Army as captain of Co. " C," 42d Illinois Infantry
Volunteers. In December, 1861, he was promoted to the rank of
major ; in October, 1862, to lieutenant-colonel ; and on February
15, 1863, to colonel of the regiment. From his promotion to
major, until May 15, 1864, when he resigned, he was in command
of the regiment ; and in the battle of Chickamauga and Mission
Ridge he was in command of a brigade in Sheridan's division.
1 1 is business career since returning from the war is contained in
FIFTY-FIRST ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
213
the sketch of the lumber firm of Walworth & Reed. Colonel Wal-
worth was married, in 1S55, to Miss Adelia E. Cornish, of Oneida
County, N. Y. Her father was Hosea Cornish, who was born
within a few miles of Plymouth Rock, and some of whose family-
are still in that locality. The maiden name of Mrs. Walworth's
mother was Emily Ward, who was a daughter of Dr. Ward, of
Oneida County, N. Y. Both Hosea and Mrs. Emily Cornish are
still living in that county, he at the age of eighty, she at the age
of seventy-three.
FIFTY-FIRST ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
During August, 1861, it was proposed that the va-
rious home companies of Chicago, which, as a part of
the reserve corps, had been drilling for months past,
should be organized under the new militia law, as the
1st Regiment, Illinois State Militia. These companies
were the Chicago Light Guard, Captain P. Wadsworth ;
Anderson Rifles, Captain Samuel B. Raymond ; Gar-
den City Guard, Captain John M. Loomis ; Scammon
Light Infantry, Captain John Baldwin ; Bryan Light
Guard, Captain George Letz ; Chicago Citizen Corps,
Captain S. B. Perry ; Wentworth Light Infantry, Cap-
tain N. E. Hahn ; Ellsworth Zouaves, Captain Brand ;
Fremont Fencibles, Captain Rufus Rose; and the com-
panies of Captains Chadbourne and Luther P. Bradley.
The call for volunteers for United States service soon
became so urgent that this idea was abandoned. Cap-
tain Loomis was appointed colonel of the 26th Illinois
during the month ; some of the companies joined regi-
ments organizing in the city, and others underwent va-
rious company changes. It was finally decided to or-
ganize the existing home companies into a Chicago reg-
iment, to be called the " Chicago Legion." The fol-
lowing is a copy of the official order issued by Adju-
tant-General Mather, September 20, 1861, providing for
the organization of the regiment :
"General Order No. 197.
" It is ordered by the Commander-in-Chief that the Union Rail-
road Guard, Captain H. F. Westcott; Sturges Light Guard, Cap-
tain J. G. McWilliams; Bryan Light Guard, Captain Heffernon;
Fremont Fencibles, Captain Rufus Rose; Yates Light Guard, Cap-
tain William F. White; Scammon Light Infantry, Captain Brown;
Anderson Rifles, Captain A. L. Hale; Higgins's Light Guard, Cap-
tain Wentz (George H.); Tucker Light Guard, Captain Gardner
(Isaac N.); Mathew Light Guard, Captain C. H. Roland, shall
compose the Fifty-first Regiment (Chicago Legion) Illinois Volun-
teers.
" There may be attached to said Regiment one company of Cav-
alry and one company of Light Artillery — said companies to be
raised by voluntary enlistment for said purpose, and not to be se-
lected from any of the companies of cavalry or artillery heretofore
reported and accepted by the State.
" The Commander-in-Chief of the State forces, or the proper
officers of the U. S. Army, may, at any time, detach the said com-
panies, or either of them, and detail them for any separate ser-
vice, to be assigned in the discretion of said officers."
Governor Yates appointed as colonel of the regi-
ment, Gilbert W. Cumming, a well known lawyer of
Chicago; for lieutenant-colonel, Luther P. Bradley; and
for major, Samuel B. Raymond — both old citizens of
Chicago ; the latter for a long time connected with the
famous Chicago Fire Brigade.* On October 8, the reg-
iment, numbering over nine hundred men, went into
camp (having at that time a company of cavalry, after-
ward detached), and was mustered into the United States
service, at Camp Douglas, December 24, 1861, the orig-
inal roster being as follows :
Field and Staff. — Colonel, Gilbert W. Cumming; Lieutenant-
Colonel, Luther P. Bradley; Major, Samuel B. Raymond; Adju-
tant, Charles W. Davis; Quartermaster, Henry Howland; Surgeon,
William C. Hunt; Chaplain, Lewis Raymond.
Line Officers. — Co. "A": Captain, Henry F. Wescott; First
Lieutenant, James E. Montandon; Second Lieutenant, Antonio
DeAnguera. Co. "B": Captain, Isaac N. Gardner; First Lieu-
tenant, Henry W. Hall; Second Lieutenant, George I. Waterman.
Co. " C ": Captain, Nathaniel B. Petts; First Lieutenant, Albert M.
Tilton; Second Lieutenant, Albert Eads. Co. " D ": Captain,
Ezra L. Brainard; First Lieutenant, Theodore F. Brown; Second
Lieutenant, James S. Boyd. Co. " E "; Captain, John G. McWil-
liams; First Lieutenant, Thomas T. Lester; Second Lieutenant,
Augustus B. Sweeney. Co. " F" : Captain, George L. Bellows;
First Lieutenant, Robert Houston; Second Lieutenant, Andrew
H. Frazer. Co. " G "; Captain, George H. Wentz; First Lieu-
tenant, Merritt B. Atwater; Second Lieutenant, Orrin S. Johnson.
Co. "II"; Captain, John T. Whitson; First Lieutenant, William
H. Greenwood; Second Lieutenant, Charles B. Whitson. Co.
" K ": Captain, Rufus Rose; First Lieutenant. Otis Moody;
Second Lieutenant, Albert L. Coe.
The 51st remained at Camp Douglas until February
14, 1862, when it left Chicago for Cairo, where it was
assigned to General E. A. Paine's division, and re-
mained until the 27th. It then crossed the Ohio River,
and, on March 4, moved to Bertrand, Mo., and, on the
10th, it joined General Pope's army at New Madrid.
There, with the 22d Illinois, constituting Paine's Second
Brigade, Colonel Cumming commanding, it partici-
pated in the movements of the army under Pope; which
resulted in the evacuation of New Madrid by Major-
General McCown, during the night of the 14th, aban-
doning all his guns, ammunition, supplies, etc., without
an effort to destroy them. The regiment, with its com-
mand, occupied the works at New Madrid until April
7; when, Island No. 10 having fallen, General Pope
crossed the Mississippi River to the Tennessee shore, —
Cumming's and Morgan's brigades of Paine's division
in advance, — marched on Tiptonville, where General
Mackall and six thousand retreating Confederates from
Island No. 10 were captured, besides more than one
hundred cannon, munitions and supplies of all kinds.
On the 10th, the regiment, with its command, re-
turned to New Madrid, and with Pope's forces de-
scended the Mississippi in transports to Fort Pillow,
at which point Pope was ordered to join General Hal-
leck's army at Hamburg, Tenn., to participate in the
movement on Corinth The troops reached Hamburg,
landing April 22; and in the reorganization of Pope's
command on the 24th, the 51st, 22d, 27th and 42d Illi-
nois regiments, with Houghtaling's battery (soon after
changed to Hescock's', were designated the First Bri-
gade (known as the " Illinois Brigade," Colonel John M.
Palmer, commanding), First Division (General Paine),
Army of the Mississippi. On April 27, the division
moved from camp at Hamburg, and arrived near Farm-
ington, Miss., on the route to Corinth, April 30, and
after a reconnoissance to the south of the town May ,;,
remained in camp north of Seven Mile Creek until the
9th. On May 8, a line of skirmishers was advanced to
the south of Farmington, supported by a bri-
gade of Stanley's division, south of the creek.
s On the morning of the 9th, this advanced
_» _ guard was heavily attacked, and Palmer's bri-
—f gade was ordered immediately to the front, to
'For full list uf Chicago offic
1 table at close of Military chapter.
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
its relief. The engagement speedily assumed the
dimensions of a serious battle — three Confederate
divisions having moved out from Corinth, under
igg, Van Dora and Hardee, their united forces
amounting to twenty thousand, with thirty pieces of
artillery, with intent to intercept the forward move-
ment of the Federal troops. After an engagement of
several hours, the Federal forces were withdrawn to
the north of Seven Mile Creek. June 17, the division
marched into Farmington. and remained there until the
29th. On the jSth, General \V. S. Rosecrans assumed
command of the right wing of the Army of the Mis-
sissippi Paine's and Stanley's divisions^, and the ad-
vance recommenced the following day. On the 30th,
Beauregard evacuated Corinth, and Palmer's brigade
was one of the first that entered the city. On the even-
ing of the same day, under command of Colonel
Roberts, of the -pd Illinois, the brigade joined in the
pursuit of the retreating enemy, reaching Booneville on
the 2d of June, where it went into camp; afterward,
removed to Big Springs, near Corinth, on the 14th.
Five new divisions being organized by General
Rosecrans, one of them was assigned to the command
of General John M. Palmer, the command of his bri-
gade devolving upon Colonel George W. Roberts. The
51st moved from camp at Big Springs, with Palmer's
division, on the 28th of July, and marched to Tus-
cumbia, Ala., and then moved, via Athens, Ala., to
Nashville, Tenn., where it arrived, September 12, after
a most fatiguing and harassing march.
On arriving at Nashville, General Palmer's com-
mand went into camp on College Hill; and from that
time until the 6th of November, when the rebel cavalry
under Morgan and Forrest was driven from before the
city, the troops, while constantly engaged in labor on
the fortifications, subsisted on half rations. On Sep-
tember 20, Colonel Cumming having resigned, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Bradley was commissioned colonel of
the 51st. On the 16th of November, Rosecrans arrived
at Nashville, having succeeded Buell in command of
the Army of the Ohio, which he reorganized, in Decem-
ber, as the Army of the Cumberland. General Palmer,
in the reorganization, was assigned to the command of
a division in Crittenden's corps, and his old brigade,
under command of Colonel Roberts, was transferred to
the Third Division General Philip H. Sheridani, Right
Wing General McCook of the Army of the Cumber-
land. The brigade was designated the Third. On the
14th. the division marched to Camp Sheridan, seven
miles out from Nashville on the Nolensville pike, where
it remained until the 26th, when the movement against
at Murfreesboro', was commenced. On the 30th,
Sheridan's division had the advance of McCook's
corps, Roberts's brigade leading the division. During
the 30th, there was severe skirmishing with the enemy,
ere steadily driven toward Murfreesboro', and at
night the division was formed in line of battle on the
right of the Wilkinson pike, and was in view of the
enemy's position. Roberts's brigade, which formed the
left of the division, rested on tin; pike, and joined Neg-
ley's right brigade, on the opposite side. The troops
rested on their arms through the night of the 30th; and
on the morning of the 31st, the extreme right of the
corp> having been driven back in confusion, about day-
break, the attack reached the right of Sheridan's
division, held by Sill's brigade, about seven o'clock
a. m., and soon extended to the left, the whole division
fighting most gallantly, until every brigade commander
and many of the regimental commanders were killed,
and it was obliged to fall back for lack of ammunition to
prolong the struggle.
General Sill was killed early in the morning, while
leading his men in a charge; and directly after this mis-
fortune, Johnson's and Davis's divisions, to the right of
Sheridan, having been driven to the left and rear, the
exultant foe followed in pursuit, and completely turned
Sheridan's right, and exposed his line to an enfilading
fire. Withdrawing Sill's brigade and the supporting
regiments to a new line, Sheridan ordered Colonel
Roberts to charge the enemy in the timber to the right,
which was successfully accomplished. An extract from
General Sheridan's report of this battle is as follows :
" In this position I was immediately attacked, when one of
the bitterest and most sanguinary contests of the whole day
occurred. General Cheatam's division advanced on Roberts's
brigade, and heavy masses of the enemy, with three batteries of
artillery, advanced over the open ground which I had occupied in
the previous part of the engagement, at the same time the enemy
opening from their intrenchments in the direction of Murfrees-
boro'. The contest then became terrible. The enemy made three
attacks and were three times repulsed, the artillery range of the
respective batteries being not over two hundred yards. In these
attacks, Roberts's brigade lost its gallant commander, who was
killed."
The most desperate fighting was done at the angle*
formed by the brigades of the division. Captain
Houghtaling, after exhausting all his ammunition,
attempted to have his battery drawn off by hand, the
horses all being shot, but had to abandon it. Lieutenant
Taliaferro, commanding a section of Hescock's battery,
at the same angle, was killed, and his pieces were drawn
off by his men. Two pieces of Bush's battery were
captured. At eleven o'clock a. m., Colonel Roberts
was killed, and Colonel Harrington, of the 27th Illinois,
the ranking officer of the brigade, being wounded and
a prisoner, its command devolved on Colonel Luther P.
Bradley, of the 51st. Major Charles W. Davis took
command of the regiment, and after he was also
wounded and disabled, it was commanded by Captain
H. F. Wescott, of Co. " A," until the close of the
battle. The division fell back to the Murfreesboro'
pike, Roberts's brigade fighting as it retreated, and on
arriving at the pike was again engaged in repelling an
attack by the enemy. Fifteen officers were killed in
Sheridan's division, in the battle before Murfreesboro'.
Not a colonel, except Bradley, was left in Roberts's
brigade. The 51st lost fifty-seven killed, wounded and
prisoners. Charles Mansfield, the color-bearer, and
another, who took his place, were killed, and the regi-
mental flag torn to atoms. Lieutenant John S. Keith,
of Co. "A," was killed; Major Davis, Captain James S.
Boyd, Co. "B," and Lieutenant H. A. Buck, of Co. " K,"
the first two of Chicago, were wounded. Captain Whit-
son, Lieutenant A. L. McCormick and Corporal John
D. Jones were among the wounded. Among the pri-
vates killed were George D. Martin and John H. Slay-
ton, of Co. " B "; and George Sturtevant, of Co. "H."
On the 6th, the brigade moved to camp, three miles
south of Murfreesboro'.
In the reorganization of the Army of the Cumber-
land, January 10, after the battle of Stone River, the
designation of the organizations known as Center, and
Right, and Left Wing, were changed to Fourteenth,
Twentieth and Twenty-first corps, the Twentieth Corps
remaining under the command of General McCook.
On March 4, with Bradley's brigade, the 51st, com-
manded by Captain John G. McWilliams, moved from
camp at Murfreesboro', with Sheridan's division, toward
**• Bloody Angle" ; vide History of 42c! Illinois.
FIFTY-FIRST ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
215
Spring Hill, in pursuit of the enemy under Van Dorn
and Forrest, with whom they had an encounter on the
8th, and succeeded in driving them from the field. On
June 24, with Rosecrans's army, the regiment set out on
the Tullahoma campaign, and, after a rest in camp on
the heights of the Cumberland, near the site of the
" University of the South," the command moved down
the mountains into the Tennessee Valley, reaching
Bridgeport, Ala., on July 30. There the division re-
mained until September 2, when it crossed the Tennes-
see and moved to the foot of Sand Mountain. On the
nth, McCook's corps reached Alpine, Ga., a point
thirty miles to the right of Thomas at Stevens's Gap.
On the 14th, having received orders to move to the left
and join Thomas, the corps marched up Lookout Val-
ley, and, on the 19th, reached the Chickamauga Valley,
and formed on the extreme right of the Federal line.
Sheridan's whole division was at first posted at Gor-
don's Mills, but at noon Bradley's and Laibold's bii-
gades were sent to the support of Davis's division, at
Widow Glenn's house, near the center of the line. At
four o'clock, Bradley's brigade was thrown to the front
to relieve Davis's division, and, in the words of the
corps commander, " gallantly drove " the enemy from
the open ground and across the Chattanooga and La-
Fayette road, after a sanguinary engagement, re-captur-
ing the Eighth Indiana battery, which had previously
been taken by the enemy, and capturing also a large
number of prisoners belonging to Hood's division of
Longstreet's corps. During the brief time that it took
to accomplish this, the 51st, commanded by Lieutenant-
Colonel Raymond, lost ninety men out of two hundred
and nine engaged; among whom were, Lieutenants
Albert C. Simmons, of Co. "G,"a'nd Henry A. Buck,
of Co. " K," the latter a young lawyer from Michigan,
who enlisted at Chicago, and was shot while bravely
leading his company in the charge.
During the night of the 19th, the men erected bar-
ricades, and on the morning of the 20th were again
placed in position on the extreme right of Rosecrans's
new line, and a little to the right and rear of Widow
Glenn's house. Wilder's mounted-infantry was posted,
on the morning of the 20th, at the right of Bradley.
At ten o'clock, Bradley's and Lytle's brigades were dis-
patched to the support of Thomas, and Laibold's to the
support of Davis's division. While this movement was
in progress, and while Davis was vainly endeavoring
to fill, with his thin ranks, a gap at his left (caused by
the withdrawal of Wood's division from the front line
of battle, through a misunderstanding of orders), the
enemy made a fierce attack, and Hood's and Buckner's
charging columns, piercing the fatal gap in Rosecrans's
line, separated the Twentieth Corps from the rest of the
army. Bradley's and Lytle's brigades met the on-
slaught of Longstreet's troops as they were endeavor-
ing to re-join their division, to assist in repulsing the
attack. Forming on the Chattanooga road, they strug-
gled well and bravely, but, with the rest of the corps at
the right, were forced back to Mission Ridge. In the
evening, the brigade reached Rossville, where it bivou-
acked for the night, and the following morning returned
to the front, threw up barricades, and occupied them
until the 2 2d, when it marched to Chattanooga, where
it was employed on the fortifications, and in guard and
fatigue duty, until the middle of October. On October
10, the Twentieth and Twenty-first corps were' consol-
idated, and the Fourth Corps, under Major-General
Gordon Granger, was organized The 51st was as-
signed to the Third Brigade, Colonel (C. G. Harker),
Second Division (Major-General Sheridan;, Fourth
Corps.
On Monday, November 23, the advanced works of
Bragg before Chattanooga were captured, and Orchard
Knob was occupied by Generals Grant and Thomas as
headquarters; Sheridan's division occupied the cap-
tured works to the right of the Knob.
On the 25th, Mission Ridge was stormed. This
was the " soldier's battle," and bravely they won it —
the Confederates, according to their own reports, sus-
taining " the most ignominious defeat of the whole war
— a defeat for which there was but little excuse or pal-
liation." At Mission Ridge, the 51st lost thirty out of
one hundred and fifty men engaged. Captain George
L. Bellows, Co. "F," of Chicago, was among the killed,
and Lieutenant-Colonel Davis was again wounded.
Lieutenant-Colonel Raymond having resigned on Octo-
ber 6, Major Charles W. Davis was promoted lieuten-
ant-colonel, and as the commanding officer led the
regiment in the attack on Mission Ridge.
On November 28, the Fourth Corps marched from
Chattanooga to the relief of Burnside, besieged at
Knoxville by Longstreet, arriving December 9. Before,
however, Knoxville was reached, Longstreet had been
repulsed, and had retreated to the valley of the Hols-
ton, near Morriston. The 51st went into camp in the
vicinity of Knoxville, in December, where it was joined
by Colonel Bradley. In January, 1864, it returned to
Chattanooga, where, on February 10, the men re-en-
listed as veterans, and returned home on furlough,
reaching Chicago, February 17. At the expiration of
furlough, the regiment returned to the front, leaving
Chicago, March 28, by rail, for Nashville, whence it
marched to Chattanooga, and joined the Fourth Corps
at Cleveland, Tenn.
In the reorganization of the Army for the Atlanta
campaign, General Oliver O. Howard was assigned to
the command of the Fourth Corps of the Army of the
Cumberland, General John Newton succeeded Sheri-
dan in command of the Second Division, the latter be-
ing transferred to the Cavalry Department in Virginia.
The Third Brigade, of which the 51st formed a part,
remained in command of Brigadier-General C. G.
Harker. The Atlanta campaign was opened May 3,
on which day the regiment, with the Fourth Corps,
advanced from Cleveland to Catoosa Springs, in the
movement upon Dalton, Ga., where Johnston's army
was intrenched, beyond the almost impregnable barrier
of Rocky Face Ridge, through a gorge in which ran
the railroad and wagon road to the town. Both crest
and pass were strongly fortified, and occupied by
Johnston as his advanced position. On the Sth, New-
ton's division reached the northern end of Rocky
Face, and Harker's brigade was detailed to scale its
precipitous sides, secure a footing on the crest, and
drive the enemy along the ridge, while other forces
should push him back into the mouth of the gorge.
The brigade reached the top of Rocky Face, and
moved south along the crest, driving back the Confede-
rate outposts and skirmishers a distance of two or three
miles, and, until the reserves were encountered in force
in a strongly intrenched position, crossing the narrow
summit of the ridge and protected by a deep gorge in
front. On May 9, the whole of Newton's division was
thrown to the top of Rocky Face, but the gorge in
Harker's front could not be carried, and no advance was
made, although five separate assaults were made upon
the enemy's lines. On the night of the 12th, Johnston
evacuated his position at Dalton.it having been flanked
2l6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
bv the passage of Sherman's troops through Snake
Creek Gap. Newton's division passed down the west-
ern slope of Rocky Face, and inarched through Snake
Creek Gap with Schofield's corps, re-joining the Fourth
- at Resaca, to which place the Confederate army
had fallen back and again intrenched itself — two lines
of works extending from northeast to southwest in front
of the town.
The attack on the enemy's position at Resaca was
commenced on the morning of the 14th, Newton's di-
vision having joined Cox's, of Schofield's corps. The first
assault on the works was made by Schofield, who suc-
ceeded in gaining the portion of advanced rifle-pits in
his front, but, his ammunition failing, he could not hold
them, and was relieved, brigade by brigade, by Newton.
Harker's brigade relieved Manson's, of Cox's division,
and held thepits, but with severe loss. Captain Thomas
1". Lester, of Co. "K," was killed here, and twenty of
the 51st were wounded. General Harker was injured
during the movement, by the explosion of a shell.
Joining with the brigade in pursuit of the enemy,
on "the 16th, the regiment passed through Calhoun,
Adairsville and Kingston, Hardee's rear guard being
driven into Cassville on the 19th. The next day the
Confederates crossed the Etowah, burning the railroad
bridge behind them, and took up position at Allatoona
Pass.
At the Etowah River, the Federal army rested till
the 22d of May, when it moved toward Dallas, Ga.
On the morning of the 25th, Hooker's Corps met, and
had an engagement, with the enemy at New Hope
Church, near Dallas. Newton's division came up to his
support at six in the afternoon, forming on his left.
There, intrenchments were thrown up, and the troops
remained until Allatoona was flanked by the gradual
movement of Sherman's troops to the left, and Johnston
was forced to evacuate his position at New Hope Church
and retire farther to the south, on the night of June 4.
Although not in any serious engagement during these
eleven days, the brigade was constantly exposed to the
fire of the enemy, the opposing lines being so near each
other that Confederate sharpshooters, ensconsed in their
well protected lunettes, a little in advance of their main
works, could pick off the Federal soldiers if they ven-
tured outside the intrenchments. One officer and eleven
men of the 51st were thus wounded.
The Fourth Corps moved from its position at New
I hurch on the 5th of June, and, on the 7th, was
in camp at, and near, Ackworth, about ten miles below
the Etowah River. There the army remained three
days, and then moved, on the 10th, to near Pine Moun-
tain, where the enemy had taken position and intrenched.
1 ith, the first train passed over the new Etowah
bridge, and arrived at Big Shanty, once more bringing
plentiful supplies to the Federal army.
During the night of the 14th, the Federal line hav-
ing advanced toward the left of Pine Knob, the posi-
tion was abandoned by the enemy, who fell back to his
main line, a little distance south of the Marietta and
Burnt Hi' kory road. A signal station was established
on the Knob, ami communication opened with Scho-
field to the right and McPherson to the left, and, on
the afternoon of tin: 15th, the forward movement of the
Fourth Tor])-, again commenced; Newton's division
leading the movement, Harker's brigade in advance,
and the 51st and 42d Illinois deployed as skirmishers
under command of Colonel Bradley. The Confederate
pickets wen- intered, and driven back about
half a mile to thi ir advam ed work-, which were com-
posed of railway ties and situated on the west of a small
ridge. There they took refuge, but were again driven
from their shelter by the determined advance of the two
regiments, which were ordered to secure, and hold, the
works. Other regiments were thrown forward as skirm-
ishers, the line advancing to within about a hundred
yards of the enemy's main works, where a line of rifle-
pits had been thrown up. From this position, the Fed-
eral skirmishers were withdrawn to the ridge held by
Bradlev, which was deemed so valuable that the whole
line was advanced to, and occupied, it during the night,
throwing up strong fortifications. The main line was
not engaged on the 15th ; the skirmishers, however,
by their courage and gallantry, won high praise, the
ridge being held by them despite a heavy fire from the
enemy's artillery. Captain Albert M. Tilton, of Co.
" C," 51st Illinois, was wounded in the engagement —
the total loss of the regiment being thirteen, killed and
wounded.
On June 17, the enemy again withdrew from the
front of the corps, and concentrated around his last
stronghold, north of Marietta — Kenesaw. There Sher-
man's army confronted Johnston's during two weeks;
but it appeared futile to merely oppose the enemy, and
it was determined to assault his works on Monday, the
27th of June. The attack on the left center was as-
signed to Newton's division ; Harker's brigade formed
the right of the storming column, Wagner's the left, and
Kimball's the reserve.
The position to be carried was a ridge, on the crest
of which were heavy fortifications, built in conformity
with the most approved style of engineering, and in
their front were the customary rifle-pits, filled with
sharpshooters. The brigade charged across the inter-
vening space, and, scattering the rebel soldiers from
their advanced pits, rushed on to the foot of the ridge.
There a battery opened on its right, enfilading its ranks
and mowing down the men by the scores ; but, without
wavering, the storming column moved up the slope,
where many of the men, after endeavoring vainly to
scale the works, took lodgment at their base, fighting
desperately over the parapet. Driven back, bleed-
ing and mangled by the terrible fire encountered on the
crest of the ridge, General Harker gathered the rem-
nant of his brigade for a last and desperate charge.
The assault was made ; but the brave leader, and many
of his equally brave soldiers, fell at the foot of the
works they valiantly, but vainly, strove to gain.
The 51st Illinois was one of the regiments conspicu-
ous for its bravery in the attack, and its losses were
severe. Among the killed, was the young and accom-
plished Adjutant, Henry YV. Hall, of Chicago, who fell
within a few rods of the intrenchments, while leading
the regiment to the assault. So conspicuous was his
courage and manly bearing that even the rebel officers
and soldiers were forced to admire, and afterward ex-
pressed their regret at the necessity of firing on so
brave a foe. Lieutenant Archibald L. McCormick, of
Co. " E," was also killed, and two other officers were
wounded. The total loss of the regiment was fifty-
eight, killed and wounded.
Colonel Bradley succeeded General Harker in com-
mand of the Third Brigade, and was promoted briga-
dier-general on the 30th of the following month, when
the command of the 51st devolved upon .Lieutenant-
Colonel Charles W. Davis, of Chicago.
On July 5, the Fourth Corps reached the Chatta-
hoochee River, and on the 9th, Newton's division
marched to Roswell, and crossed the river, to cover the
(Tossing of cavalry. On the 13th, it re-joined the corps
on the Buckhead road, and, on the 20th, crossed Peach
FIFTY-FIRST ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
217
Tree Creek, and took position on its southern bank,
before the enemy's advanced line of defenses, in front
of Atlanta. Howard had sent two of his divisions to
the left the preceding day, in anticipation of an attack
on that flank; and when the army had taken position
south of Peach Tree Creek, there was an interval of
about three miles between Newton and Schofield on his
left. This gap Newton covered with pickets from his
division, which lessened his force in front by three or
four regiments. The left of his line covered the bridge
over Peach Tree Creek, and the road on which the
army trains of the Fourth Corps were gathered. About
noon, on the 20th, the division advanced from the bank
of the creek, deploying six regiments as skirmishers.
In front of the division was a wooded ridge, upon the
top of which was the first line of Confederate rifle-pits,
their principal works being in the woods beyond. The
Federal skirmishers speedily drove the occupants of the
rifle-pits back upon their reserves, and Newton ad-
vanced his division to the ridge, which was within three
hundred and fifty yards of the main rebel works.
Line-of-battle was immediately formed, the formation
taking the form of a " T " — the perpendicular stroke
representing the Atlanta road, along which Bradley's
brigade was formed, facing to the left ; the right half
of the horizontal line, the position of Kimball's brigade,
to the right of the road ; the left half, Blake's brigade.
A section of artillery was in position on Bradley's left.
As soon as the ridge was occupied, Blake's and
Kimball's brigades threw up a barricade of logs and
earth in front of their lines. A fresh line of skirmish-
ers was deployed in front of the division ; and at about
half-past three, just as it was ordered to advance, the
heavy columns of the enemy emerged from the woods
in front, and bore down upon Newton's front. The
enemy did not wait to send forward a skirmish line, but
charged in solid lines of battle, two and three deep. The
skirmishers were driven in in disorder, rushing over
the hastily constructed works, and for an instant — but
only for an instant — throwing the right of Newton's
line into confusion. Immediately after the rebel assault
commenced, three regiments were sent from Bradley's
brigade to the support of those in front, his remaining
force forming in line-of-battle along the Atlanta and
Buckhead road. Almost as soon as Walker's division
struck Newton's front, a portion of Bate's division,
penetrating the gap already mentioned at the left, con-
fronted Bradley's command, with the design of gaining
the bridge over Peach Tree Creek. This column of
the enemy was routed and captured by Bradley's bri-
gade, assisted by an extemporized regiment of non-com-
batants and stragglers, commanded by Ceneral Thomas
in person, who had been watching the progress of the
fight from a position in rear of Newton. Everywhere
the Confederates were repulsed ; and at nightfall, after
repeated charges, they were driven back to their bar-
ricades, so shattered that they made no attempt to
resist the advance of our troops on the following day.
The 5 1st, with its division, reached the rebel defenses
in front of Atlanta on the 2 2d, and remained in the
trenches it first occupied, with slight changes, until the
movement to the west and rear of the city was commenced.
On July 27, General D. 3. Stanley took command of
the Fourth Corps, with which the 51st participated in
the movement on the Macon Railroad and Jonesboro'.
The regiment also joined in the pursuit of the Confed-
erate forces to Lovejoy's Station, after which the regi-
ment returned to Atlanta, and went into camp, near
that city, on September 8.
At Chattanooga, on October 18, one hundred and
ninety-two drafted men joined the regiment, and, after
a brief expedition to Alpine, Ga., the regiment, with
Stanley's corps, joined Schofield's forces at Pulaski,
Tenn., whence the united force fell back to Columbia
on November 24. The Confederate army under Hood
having advanced, Stanley was ordered forward to pro-
tect his trains, and Wagner's division, forming his
advance, reached the town just as Forrest's cavalry was
on the point of moving upon it. The cavalry was
driven back, but the command was assailed soon after
by a much stronger force of both cavalry and infantry.
The Third Brigade lost one hundred and fifty killed
and wounded, including General Bradley and Captain
George I. Waterman, A.A.A.G. Fighting was kept up
until dark, but the road was held until night, when the
army trains and divisions of the Fourth and Twenty-
third corps were on their way to Franklin, with Wag-
ner's division acting as rear guard. At noon, the
division reached Franklin, before which Cox's division
of the Twenty-third Corps had already thrown up a
line of slight intrenchments.
At about half-past three, Hood's whole army ap-
peared in front of this little advanced force. Stewart's,
Cheatham's, Lee's and Forrest's corps swept down the
pikes in magnificent array, their lines reaching almost
as far as the eye could reach. At this crisis, through
some strange fatality or misapprehension, the two
advanced brigades, which were to retire within the
defenses if the enemy appeared in force, were ordered
" Forward." Of course they were hurled back, and
driven, routed, through the center of the main line. It
could not be otherwise — the panic reached the regi-
ments to the right and left of the Columbia pike,
behind the defenses; and as they fell back, the Confed-
erate host poured in, planted their flag on the breast-
works, and attempted to form on the inside. How
what seemed irremediable disaster was turned to victory
by the heroic charge of Wagner's First Brigade, led by
the fearless Opdycke, has often been told. The ad-
vantage that Hood had gained he soon lost, and the
Federal lines were not again broken. Although the
Federal loss was great, the loss of the Confederates
was vastly greater, Hood reporting it at four thousand
five hundred, including one major-general and four
brigadier-generals killed, and as many wounded. The
loss in Bradley's brigade was very severe — the 51st,
alone, losing Lieutenant Calvin H. Thomas, Co. " H,"
killed; Captain Albert M. Tilton, of Co. "C"; and
Lieutenants Jesse Johnson, Co. " A," and Charles F.
Hills, Co. " K," both of Chicago, wounded ; fifty-two
privates killed and wounded, and ninety-eight missing,
mostly prisoners. General Stanley was severely wounded,
and General T. J. Wood took command of the Fourth
Corps. The battle raged furiously until late in the
evening, when Hood withdrew ; and, at midnight, Scho-
field's little army also withdrew from the defenses at
Franklin, crossed the Harpeth, and, about noon on the
following day, reached Nashville.
The 51st was engaged in the battles before Nash-
ville, December 15-16, but escaped with light loss. On
the 17th, it joined in the pursuit of the defeated rebels
through Brentwood Pass, and southward to Lexing-
ton, where it was learned that Hood had crossed the
Tennessee at Bainbridge; but, on December 8, pursuit
was discontinued and Wood's corps (Fourth) was sent
to Huntsville to garrison that post, where it remained
until spring.
On March 31, 1865, the 51st, with its division,
moved to Greenville, East Tennessee. It was there
joined by Co. " I," which had been mustered into ser-
»i8
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
vice at Camp Butler. March 28, under Captain Henry
Augustine. On April 15. the 51st moved to Nashville,
where, on June 15. Co. "F," Lieutenant James Skid-
more, commanding, was mustered out of service. On
June 10. the regiment moved from Nashville, under or-
ders to report at New Orleans, and was sent thence to
Texas, embarking July 2S, and disembarking at Port
Lavacca on the 31st. After remaining a brief time at
Camp Placidor, it moved to Camp Irwin, where it was
mustered out of service. September 25, 1865, and left
Texas for home, arriving at Camp Butler, Springfield,
III., where it received final payment and discharge,
October 15. 1S65.
Colonel Gilbert W. Cumming was born in Stanford, Dela-
ware Co. X. V. In early life he entered the ranks of the New
York State Militia as a private, and because cf his energy and
talent was promoted to the colonelcy of his regiment, holding the
office for six years. In 1S5S, he removed to Chicago and engaged
in the practice of law. wherein he continued until he was made
colonel of the 51st. He was a thorough disciplinarian and tac-
tician and a very popular officer. Ill health obliged him to resign
his command in the fall of 1S62, when Lieutenant-Colonel Bradley
succeeded to the command of the regiment.
General Luther P. Bradlev was born in New Haven,
Conn., and in his early manhood held various offices in the militia
of his native State. In 1S55, he settled in Chicago and for several
years was connected with the firm of Munson & Bradley, as book-
keeper. His early military proficiency becoming known to his
friends, they solicited him to accept a captain's commission in Co.
'* D," 1st Illinois State Militia. This he did, and from that posi-
tion was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the "Chicago
Legion," when it was organized. On the resignation of Colonel
Cumming September 30, 1862, he was promoted colonel of his
regiment, and after the battle of Stone River was acting com-
mander of the Third Brigade, Sheridan's division, receiving his
commission as brigadier July 30, 1864. During the preceding
campaign with Sheridan, and through the Atlanta campaign, under
General John Newton, both General Bradley and the brigade he so
ably led were conspicuous for bravery and faithful service in what-
ever position the fortune of war might place them.
Major Samuel B. Raymond was born in Otsego County,
N. Y., and came to Chicago in 1S48. He was for a time a printer
in the Western Citizen office, and subsequently became engaged
in mercantile pursuits ; and, still later, was associated with
Huobard & Hunt in the insurance business. He held the office of
captain of the Citizens' tire Brigade two years. Upon the fall of
Sumter, he organized the "Anderson Rifles," which he brought to
a remarkable condition of efficiency. He was elected lieutenant-
colonel of the 1st Regiment of State Militia, from which he was
transferred to the position of major of the 51st. On September
2, he was promoted lieutenant-colonel, resigning therefrom
October (,. 1 863.
ADJUTANT Ciiari.es W. Davis was a native of Concord,
coming to Chicago in 1S54, and remaining with S. C.
Griggs & Co. (publishers) for five years. Adjutant Davis was
major September 30, 1862, lieutenant-colonel October 6,
ad colonel, May 11, 1865.
CHAPLAIN Lewis RAYMOND was born in Walton, Delaware
Co., N. V. He had two sons in the 51st; one, Major Samuel B.
kaymond, another a private in Co. " R." Rev. Mr. Raymond
came to the West in 1S53, being for five years pastor of a Baptist
Church in Milwaukee, and also pastor of the Tabernacle Church,
Chicago. He remained with the 51st. sharing its dangers and
hardships, until November 6, 1864, when he resigned at Chatta-
nooga.
VRTERMASTER HENRY Howi.AND was born in Conway,
L He had been a resident of Chicago several years, engaged
in the lumber business He was a good business man and a prom-
inent member of the Young Men's Association. He was promoted
brigade quartermaster June 9, 1862.
FIFTY SEVENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
I e organization of the 57th Illinois Infantry was
commenced in Chicago by Colonel Silas I). Baldwin,
formerly Inspector of First Brigade, at Cairo, [11., on
.September 2}, 1861. This regiment, known in the city
'■ National Guards," was mustered into service
December z6, 1 $61, the following officers being resi-
dents of Chicago;
Field and Staff. — Colonel, Silas D. Baldwin; Lieutenant-
Coionel, Frederick J. Hurlbut; Adjutant, Norman E. Hahn;
Quartermaster, Edward Hamilton; F'irst Assistant-Surgeon, Henry
S. Blood.
Line Officers. — Co. " C" : Captain, William S. Swan; First
Lieutenant, Robert B. Morse; Second Lieutenants, Moses S. Lord
and Frederick I.aycock. Co. " E" : Captain, Robert D. Adams;
First Lieutenants, Bradley D. Salter, David Kenyon, Edward
Martin and John E. Delear; Second Lieutenants, William Wayman
and Thomas Laverty. Co. "G ": Captain, Gustav A. Busse; First
Lieutenant, F'ritz Busse, Co. " I:" Captain, Benjamin H. Chad-
burn; First Lieutenant, Theodore M. Doggett.
The regiment, armed with French Minie rifles, and
with a pioneer force attached, which was equipped by
the colonel at his own expense, left Chicago for Cairo
on February 8, 1862, numbering, at that time, nine
hundred and seventy-five men. From Cairo, the regi-
ment was hurried forward to Fort Donelson, where it
was attached to Colonel John M. Thayer's (Third)
brigade, General Lew Wallace's (Third) division, and
under that officer, participated in the three days' battle
before that stronghold.
On the capitulation of Fort Donelson, it marched
back to Fort Henry, and encamped about a month;
when it embarked with General C. F. Smith's division
for Pittsburg Landing, having been assigned to
Sweeny's (Thirdj brigade, Second Division, Army of
the Tennessee, which occupied the center of the line-
of-battle at Pittsburg Landing. With the Second
Division, commanded by General W. H. L. Wallace,
General Smith being extremely ill, the 57th participated
in the battle of Shiloh. At half-past eight, on the
morning of April 6, 1862, the division moved from
its camp, on the plateau between the Tennessee and
Briar Creek, to the support of Prentiss's division, which
had already been driven back through its camp, with
the loss of nearly all its artillery, and had again formed
along an old sunken road, extending from Briar Creek
on the left nearly to the Corinth road on the right.
The Second Division was formed on Prentiss's right,
and extended from the Corinth road northwesterly, be-
hind a clear field, to the head of a deep ravine, or gorge,
filled with a tangled impenetrable thicket. Sweeny's
brigade formed the right of Wallace's line, its right
resting on the ravine mentioned, which ran far to the
rear of the brigade. Along the edge of this gorge,
which the Confederates called the " Hornet's Nest,"
General Wallace posted a line of sharpshooters. All
through the day, from morning until half-past four in
the afternoon, the Confederates made vain attempts to
advance up the slope of this deadly ravine. Gladden's,
A. P. Stewart's, Gibson's and Hindman's brigades were
successively hurled down the slope by the fearful fire of
musketry and artillery along the line of Wallace's di-
vision. Finally, the concentric fire of eleven Confede-
rate batteries was directed on the one remaining battery
of Prentiss, which was posted at the right of the Corinth
road where his line joined Wallace's, and it had to be
withdrawn. At about the same time, Hurlbut, at the
left of Prentiss, gave way, and the enemy, under Bragg,
following the advantage, passed to his rear; another
division poured through the gap left on Wallace's right
by the withdrawal of McClernand, and passed to the
plateau between him and his camp, while another. force
under Polk was hurled against the front of the two
divisions.
Thus encircled, General Wallace ordered his com-
mand to cut its way, through the enemy in the rear, to
the landing. Colonel Sweeny had been wounded, and
Colonel Baldwin, of the 57th, was in command of the
right brigade. The 50th and 57th Illinois, with Colonel
Baldwin, faced the lire in their rear, and escaped to the
FIFTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
219
landing. The 58th Illinois and 8th Iowa, of the same
brigade, were captured. General Wallace fell mortally
wounded, and his body could not be brought from the
field. The 57th Illinois lost in the engagement one
hundred and eighty-seven officers and men, killed,
wounded and missing, among whom were Major
Norman B. Page, Captain Robert D. Adams, Co. " U,"
and Lieutenant Theodore M. Doggett, Co. "I," killed;
and Lieutenant William Kendricks, Co. " I," taken
prisoner while ministering to his dying friend. Captain
William S. Swan was seriously wounded, and returned,
after the battle, to Chicago, re-joining his regiment as
soon as his wounds permitted.
The 57th, with other regiments and detachments
that succeeded in reaching the vicinity of the landing,
formed a new line under General Hurlbut, in support
of Colonel Webster's artillery, which was posted on a
commanding position about half a mile from the river.
This last position was attacked by Withers's and Chal-
mers's Confederate commands, which were speedily
drawn back, and the contest for the day was ended.
On Monday, April 7, the 57th, with other regiments
of Wallace's division, commanded by Colonel J. M.
Tuttle, of the 7th Iowa, acted as support to Nelson's
division of Buell's army.
On the reorganization of the army by Halleck,
Brigadier-General T. A. Davies was assigned to the
command of the Second Division of the Army of the
Tennessee. Colonel Baldwin remained in command of
the Third Brigade, consisting of the 7th, 50th, and 57th
Illinois regiments. The regiment afterward participated
in the laborious advance to Corinth, and there went
into camp near the town, until the following October.
On September 28, 1862, General Van Dorn, having
concentrated his forces at Ripley, Miss., moved north-
east, to attack Rosecrans at Corinth. On the night of
October 2, he bivouacked at Chewalla, and early the
following morning arrived before the old Confederate
line of defenses around Corinth. During the night of
October 2, Rosecrans issued his orders for the forma-
tion of his line of defense. His divisions were directed
to move forward and take position in advance of his
inner line of redoubts, which were within a short dis-
tance of the town — Hamilton's division on the right
Davies's in the center, and McKean's (Sixth) on the
left — on the Chewalla road, with three regiments of
Oliver's brigade advanced to the outer line of works.
About nine o'clock, Van Dorn, advancing from Chewalla,
attacked McKean's outposts, and he sent to General
Davies an urgent demand for reinforcements. The
Third Brigade, Colonel Baldwin, was detached from
the Second Division, and moved to the support of
Colonel Oliver, who was posted on a hill near the inter-
section of the Memphis Railroad with the outer line of
works. A severe contest took place on his outer line,
Lovell's Confederate division attacking McKean's
regiments, and finally outflanking them on the right,
penetrating between them and Davies.
The Third Brigade, with the rest of the advance
troops, was compelled to retire; and, with McArthur's
brigade, it formed a new line south of the Memphis
Railroad, in rear of Battery" F," about three miles from
Corinth. In this position the Third Brigade was on the
right of McKean's line. At about two o'clock p. m.,
Davies's division had been forced back, leaving a gap
upon McKean's right, of which the enemy took advan-
tage, gaining the camps of McArthur's brigade and
threatening to outflank the entire division. Baldwin's
brigade, and the 17th Wisconsin of McArthur's brigade,
were ordered to charge. Advancing rapidly, they drove
a Mississippi brigade from, and a half mile beyond, the
Federal camps, and re-captured several sections of
artillery. The Confederates again advanced in force,
and the brigade was ordered to fall back to division
line; after which it fell still farther back, to the vicinity
of Battery Phillips, southwest of Corinth. During the
night, the brigade re-joined its division, and moved to
the north of the town where Davies's division was
formed, with its right resting on Battery Powell, its left
on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. The Third Brigade,
then reduced to about nine hundred men, occupied a
position somewhat advanced, in the center of Davies's
line. At about nine o'clock on October 4, the Confed-
erates, under General Green, advanced, from the woods,
north to Corinth, directing the weight of their attack on
the right of Davies and Battery Powell, which latter was
soonjn their possession. The division was ordered to
fall back, as the battery, if turned upon them, would
enfilade the entire works. Baldwin's brigade fell back
about two hundred and fifty yards, and there re-formed,
maintaining that position and keeping up a steady fire,
until the troops at the right had re- captured the battery
and turned its guns on the enemy, when it moved for-
ward and occupied its first line. The attack of Maury's
troops on Davies's left reached the Third Brigade. The
Confederates were driven back, followed by the brigade
on a counter-charge, until it found itself under the fire
of its own batteries. The loss of the 57th in the two
days' engagements was forty-two, killed and wounded,
Colonel Baldwin being among the latter.
The next day after the battle, Captain Swan was
placed in command of the prison, and, with a detach-
ment from the 57th regiment, guarded the prisoners
until they were exchanged at Vicksburg, on the iSth of
the month. These numbered about eleven hundred
men. About the 15th, the balance of the regiment
escorted the remaining prisoners to Guntown, Miss.,
where they were also exchanged.
The brigade pursued the enemy as far as Ruckers-
ville, Miss., returning to camp at Corinth, October 12. On
December 18, it went on a scout to Lexington, Tenn.,
marched thence to Henderson Station, on the Mobile &
Ohio Railroad, and afterward returned to Corinth, form-
ing a part of its garrison during the year.
Colonel Moses M. Bane, of the 50th Illinois, wounded
at Shiloh, having returned to the field, assumed com-
mand as ranking officer of the Third Brigade, which
was enlarged by the addition of the 39th Iowa and
1 8th Missouri regiments. On April 15, 1863, the bri-
gade, under General G. M. Dodge, moved toward Tus-
cumbia, Ala., and marched through Iuka, Glendale and
Burnsville to Bear Creek, on the Alabama line, arriving
on the evening of the 1 6th. On the 17th, a bridge,
made from the timbers of a log house in the vicinity,
under the supervision of Colonel Rowett, was con-
structed across the stream at Town Creek, over which a
line of skirmishers and artillery was thrown, and the
enemy dislodged from the opposite bank. The com-
mand then moved forward to Cherokee, where it had a
sharp skirmish with a portion of Forrest's cavalry. On
the 25th, Dodge connected with Streight's command at
Tuseumbia, which moved the following day on its ill-
fated expedition into Georgia. The 57th, with Dodge's
troops, moved, on the 27th, to Town Creek, where, after
nearly a day's skirmishing, it gained possession of the
railroad bridge, effected a crossing, and drove the enemy
HISTORY OF CHICAGO
three miles. On the 20th, the command returned to
Tuseumbia. and thence to Corinth, arriving" on May 3.
The regiment remained in camp at Corinth until
November 4. when, with Dodge's entire command, it
moved eastward, arriving at Pulaski, Tenn., November
11. It was then assigned to outpost duty at Linnville,
on the Nashville & Decatur Railroad, twelve miles from
Pulaski, where, on January 17. 1S63, all of the regiment,
except Co. "C," which remained in Tennessee, re-enlisted
for a further term of three years, and the following day
it proceeded, via Nashville, to Chicago on veteran fur-
lough, arriving on the 27th.
Among the changes in the regiment, which returned
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel F. J. Hurl-
hut, were the following: Lieutenant W. F. Conkey, Co.
•• A." had been appointed general superintendent of con-
trabands in Tennessee; Lieutenant J. W. Harris, Co.
•• F," superintendent of contraband camp at Pulaski,
Tenn.; Lieutenant F. Busse, Co. " G," to situation in
navy- yard at Memphis; Lieutenant J. Weyrick, Co.
" H," quartermaster of Third Brigade, Third Division.
The regiment left again for the field on March 9, hav-
ing received two hundred and fifty new recruits while at
Chicago, raising its number to four hundred and ninety.
On the 15th, it reached Athens, Ala., and was garrisoned
there until May 1, when it joined Sherman's army at
Chattanooga, and moved with Bane's (Third) brigade,
Sweeny's Second division, Sixteenth Corps (General
Dodge , on the Atlanta campaign.
The Second Division, with the Army of the Ten-
nessee, moved to the range of hills overlooking Resaca,
Ga., from which the enemy was dislodged by the divis-
ion. On the evacuation of Resaca by Johnston, May
15. Sweeny's division was ordered to lay a pontoon
bridge across the Oostenaula River at Lay's Ferry, and
throw out a column on the main road toward Calhoun,
to harass and retard the retreat of the Confederates.
The bridge was laid, and the division started toward
Calhoun in pursuit, encountering the enemy at Rome
Cross Roads, where an engagement occurred, which
lasted until nearly night. The enemy were driven by
the Second Division, which then marched to Kingston,
and thence to Rome, where, on May 22, it captured
many prisoners. Bane's brigade garrisoned Rome
until October.
In the reorganization of the army, at the conclusion
of the sie^e of Atlanta, the Sixteenth was consolidated
with the Fifteenth Corps, under the latter designation.
The Second Division of the Sixteenth Corps was
! in the Fourth Division, under General J. M.
; the 57th then being in the Third Brigade,
Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps. On Septem-
ber 29, 1H64, General Corse reached Rome with the
balance of his division, and assumed command of the
post. The same day, he received a telegram from Gen-
- .erman, intimating that Hood was crossing
the Chattahoochee in the direction of Blue Moun-
tain, and directing him to watch for the appearance
of the enemy in the neighborhood of Cedar-
town. Spies and scouts were sent out from Rome
in every direction ; the 9th Illinois Mounted-In-
fantry made frequent reconnoissances, but nothing
definite was learned until the 2d of October, when it
ertained that Wheeler's cavalry had destroyed
the railroad near Big Shanty, and had moved to assault
Dalton. The same day, the Confederates captured a
train near Ackworth, and tore up the railroad at a
point three miles south of Allatoona. On the 4th,
d Sherman signalled from Rein-saw, 10 Corse at
Rome, that Hood was moving to Allatoona; and
ordered him to move at once, with his whole force,
to reinforce the garrison at that point, which consisted
of a small force under Colonel Tourtelotte. On the
same evening, October 4, General Corse, with the 39th
Iowa, Lieutenant-Colonel Redfield commanding ; 7th
Illinois, Lieutenant-Colonel Rowett commanding ; 15th
Illinois, Lieutenant-Colonel Hanna commanding ; Cos.
"A " and " B," 57th Illinois, Major Eric Forsse com-
manding— all of the Third Brigade, Colonel Rowett —
started for Allatoona, where the command arrived at
one a m. on the morning of the 5th, and immediately
started the train back to Rome for the remainder of the
brigade. On its return, a break in the road, caused by
the heavy rains, delayed the train, and the remaining
companies of the 57th, under Lieutenant-Colonel Hurl-
but, did not arrive at Allatoona until about eight o'clock
p. m. of the 5th.
Soon after the arrival of General Corse with rein-
forcements, Colonel Tourtelotte's pickets were driven
in. At daybreak, the two companies of the 57th Illinois,
under Captain Vansteinburg, of Co. " B," with some
companies of the 39th Iowa, were sent forward by
Colonel Rowett to the skirmish line, on the right of the
railroad. General Corse moved his troops, under cover
of the skirmishers, from the town to the summit of the
ridge, east and west of the cut, where two small re-
doubts had been constructed, one on either side of the
cut. He formed line-of-battle with the 39th Iowa and
7th Illinois, under Colonel Rowett (later reinforced
by detachments of the 12th, 15th and 93d Illi-
nois), on the west ridge, Colonel Tourtelotte's com-
mand holding the east redoubt. At about nine o'clock,
the skirmishers were driven in, and took position in the
rifle-pits surrounding the redoubt. French's Confeder-
ate division, under Generals Young and Sears, moved
immediately on Corse's position, their line extending
from the railroad on the south, in a half-circle around
to the west, and to a considerable distance over, and
beyond, the railroad on the north. General French,
after thus surrounding the little force, called upon Gen-
eral Corse to surrender, "to avoid a needless effusion of
blood," giving him five minutes to decide. The brave
commander quickly replied that his command was " pre-
pared for the needless effusion of blood,'' and continued
his preparations for the terrible contest that he knew
was at hand.
The fighting for the next two hours, in the words of
General Corse, "was of a most extraordinary character."
Young's Texas brigade attacked from the south and
west; Sears and Cockeral from the west and north ;
thesveight of the assault falling on the right of Corse's
line. By eleven o'clock a. m., the ranks of the Con-
federates were so broken that they were obliged to re-
form for a regular assault on the fort ; to which, and
to the trenches surrounding it, Corse's command was
by that time withdrawn. There the contest was re-
newed and continued without cessation until nearly four
o'clock p. m., when the enemy was finally repulsed,
after one of the most heroic struggles of the war. Cos.
"A" and "B," 57th Illinois, fought in the west re-
doubt, after being driven back from the skirmish-line,
and met the following losses:
Co. "A": killed, Thomas Ward, Phillip Bohaler; wound-
ed, Thomas Minza; missing, William Duell. Co. "B": killed,
Michael White ; wounded. Lieutenant G. N. Barr, Corporal
Hiram Lewis, Privates John James, John W. Clark, Granville
Garo, George II. Guler.
Colonel Richard Rowett, commanding the Third
Brigade, was seriously wounded, and the command
thereof devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel F. J. Hurl-
FIFTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
but, 57th Illinois, who reached Allatoona with the
balance of the regiment on the evening of the 5th — a
break in the railroad, as above narrated, preventing his
earlier arrival. During the night of the 5th, that part
of the regiment which had recently arrived was em-
ployed in digging rifle-pits; and on the morning of the
6th, there being no signs of the enemy, details were
sent out to bury the dead and bring in the wounded.
On the 7th, the brigade marched to Cartersville, and
the next day to Kingston, where one company of the
57th was left in charge of prisoners captured at Alla-
toona. The rest of the regiment, with the Third Bri-
gade, arrived at Rome on the 9th, and went into camp.
On October 13, it moved with the brigade six miles
out from Rome, on the Cave Spring Road, and met the
enemy, who was on his northward march, driving him
several miles, with a loss to the regiment of seven men,
killed and wounded.
On November 10, with General Corse's division, it
commenced the march from Rome to Atlanta, and thence,
with Sherman's army, move/I, on the 15th, toward Savan-
nah, arriving in front of that city December 10. On Jan-
uary 27, 1865, it marched north with its division, and was
engaged, on the 19th, 20th and 21st of February, at Ben-
tonville, reaching Goldsboro', on the 24th. It moved
on the 10th of April to Raleigh, and, after Johnston's
surrender, to Richmond and Washington, where it par-
ticipated in the grand review, on May 24, and in June
moved to Louisville, Ky. It there remained with the
Fifteenth Corps until July, when it returned to Chicago,
arriving on the evening of the 8th, via the Chicago, New
Albany & Louisville Railroad.
The boys disembarked at the crossing near Camp
Douglas, and immediately marched to barracks pro-
vided for them in the eastern part of the enclosure, be-
ing shortly thereafter mustered out.
Following is a partial roster of its officers at the
time of the regiment's return :
Field and Staff. — Lieutenant-Colonel, Frederick A. Battey;
Major, Charles Rattery; Surgeon, James R. Zearing; Assistant
Surgeon, I. N. Bishop; Chaplain, N. G. Collins; Adjutant John
E. Youngberg; Quartermaster, John Harford; Sergeant-Major,
C. K. Cobb; Quartermaster-Sergeant, Augustus Abele; Commis-
sary-Sergeant, Joseph S. Beatty; Musicians, George F. Walker
and W. W. Cluett; Hospital Steward, Joseph M. Stetson.
Line Officers. — Co. "A": Captain, William F. Conkey; First
Lieutenant, Ely Barnum. Co. "B": Captain, George N. Barr,
First Lieutenant, George B. Shurtz. Co. " D " : Captain, Peter M.
Wickstrum; First Lieutenant, Erick Berglund Co. "E": Cap-
tain, Albert Thompson; First Lieutenant, John E. Delera. Co.
"F": First Lieutenant, Joseph W. Harris. Co. "G": Captain,
David Arnold; First Lieutenant, Lewis Volkman. Co. " H ":
Captain, William Gale; First Lieutenant, Alexander B. Hanna.
Co. "I": Captain, Edmund D. Haggard; First Lieutenant, Mar-
tin Hoagland. Co. "K": Captain, Edward Gallagher; First
Lieutenant, William C. Allen.
Silas D. Baldwin was born in New Haven, Conn., January
15, 1821; a son of Ammi and Martha (Smith) Baldwin. His father
was a farmer, and a brave soldier of the war of 1812. Silas at-
tended the district schools, and when only eight years of age raised
a company of his comrades — fifty strong. He was afterward, for
some three or four years, a member of the New Haven cadets. In
fact, from boyhood he evinced that military capacity which was his
dominant characteristic in after life. When he was only eighteen
years of age, he went South, located in Franklin, La., and opened
a large general store at that place, where he remained for five years,
receiving, in 1S41, his first baptism as a military man. During
that year, Governor Roman appointed him a captain and military
instructor in St. Mary's Parish. The Comanche Indians were
then giving the early settlers much trouble, and Captain Baldwin, as
a bright, dashing young officer, played no unimportant part in
several celebrated rescues, notably the "Bob Walker" affair. In
the fall of 1839, just previous to his departure for Louisiana, Cap-
tain Baldwin had married Miss Lucy Ann Hill, a native of Guil-
ford, Conn. On September 8, 1843, he had the misfortune to lose
his young wife, who was buried at Bayou Atchafalaya. In that
locality, Captain Baldwin attempted to establish a plantation. His
inexperience, especially in Southern agricultural matters, caused
him to fail in this undertaking, and, in 1S45, he returned in New
Haven, removing soon afterward to Bridgeport. At these two
cities he engaged in the boot and shoe business, and was proprietor,
at the latter city, of the Tremont House, among the best known
railroad hotels in the State. Mr. Baldwin remained in Bridgeport
from 1846 to 1857, marrying his second and his present wile, the
year succeeding his settlement there, Miss Mary C. Hall. While a
resident of Bridgeport, he organized the Eagle Guards, subsequently
changed to Washington Light Guards, a military organization
famous throughout that part of the country. Of the sixty mem-
bers of the company who received instruction from him, forty-two
became commissioned officers in the War of the Rebellion, lie be-
came its commander, and then was appointed lieutenant-colonel
and colonel of the 8th Connecticut Regiment. At the time Colonel
Baldwin decided to come West, in 1857, he resigned his military
office. Locating in Milwaukee, Wis., he engaged in the manu-
facture of gas machines, governors and other apparatus, having ob-
tained patents on many important improvements. From that time
until the present he has followed this line of business, and now is in
receipt of a very comfortable royalty from his patents, especially as
regards improvements in gas and gasoline machines and burners.
In Milwaukee, he also continued his career as a military man, be-
coming connected with the Light Guards, one of the finest organiza-
tions in the State, and acting for a portion of the time as its in-
structor. Coming to Chicago in the fall of 1S60, he remained in
this city for about a year. In the winter of 1S61, he went to New
York, with the idea of establishing himself in that city. In April,
however, when Fort Sumter was fired upon, he returned to Chicago,
and, although a staunch Democrat, entered heart, body and soul
into the Union cause, being among those who most strenuously in-
sisted upon the possession of Cairo as a strategic point for the
Federal cause. He therefore assisted in organizing the first ex-
pedition that left Chicago for that place, having charge of the
troops and train, in his position of brigade inspector and military
instructor. Smith's battery was also with this expedition. While
stationed at this point, his principal duties were confined to stop-
ping boats coming down the river and preventing express offices
from sending packages across the river into Kentucky, the neutral
State. General Baldwin had the honor of firing upon a steamer
belonging to Kentucky, the first boat which was brought to by a
Union shell, and for his temerity a demand was made upon General
Prentiss, the commander at Cairo, for "the man that fired the shot,"
but he refused on the grounds that he was not responsible to any
one but his Government. General Baldwin was mustered out of the
three-months service, and returned to Chicago, where he raised the
57th Illinois Infantry. Returning to Chicago at the close of the
war, he continued to engage in the improvement and manufacture
of gas apparatus. In February 1S79, the city government re-
cognized his ability in this line by appointing him gas inspector.
General Baldwin joined the Masonic Order as early as 1S52,
becoming a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 3. He still takes a
decided stand with the patriotic element of the Democratic party,
being one of the founders of the National Veteran Association,
organized in the spring of 1884. Five children have been born
to him, — only one, Robert Hall Baldwin, who was born February
8, 1S67, is now living.
FIFTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
The Fifty-eighth Regiment, or " McClellan
Brigade," was organized at Camp Douglas, Chicago,
December 25, 1861, and there mustered into United
States service, January 25, 1862. It was then com-
posed of nine companies, the remaining company
("H ") not being mustered in until February 7, 1862.
Of the field and staff officers, Adjutant Lewis H. Mar-
tin, Quartermaster George Sawin and Assistant Surgeon
George F. Heideman were Chicago men. Cos. " B,"
" D " and " F " were raised, and mainly officered, in
Chicago ; Cos. " A," " C," " E " and " H " partially so.
Following is the original roster of the regiment:
Field and Staff. — Colonel, William F. Lynch ; Lieutenant-
Colonel, Isaac Rut'ishauser ; Major, Thomas Newlan ; Adjutant,
Lewis H. Martin; Quartermaster, George Sawin ; Surgeon, Henry
M. Crawford ; Chaplain, Patrick J. R. Murphy.
Line Officers.— Co. "A": Captain, Robert W. Healy; First
Lieutenant, Eugene Lynch ; Second Lieutenant, Hiram M. Van
Arman Co. "B"; Captain, Thomas D. Griffin; First Lieuten-
ant, Abraham Vanderburgh; Second Lieutenant, John W. Bab-
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
bitt. Co. "C": Captain, George W. Kittell; First Lieutenant,
Sanford W. Smith ; Second Lieutenant. Joseph G. Burt. Co.
"D": Captain, Nicklaus Nicklaus; First Lieutenant, George
Glassner; Second Lieutenant, GuStav C. Kothe. Co. "E": Cap-
tain. Karl A. Rutishauser; First Lieutenant, Charles Kittell; Sec-
ond Lieutenant, loseph Staufler. Co. "F": Captain, Frederick
Kurth : First Lieutenant, Julius Kurth: Second Lieutenant, Louis
W. Pfeif. Co. "G" Captain. Limes A Bewley; First Lieuten-
ant. Loring P. Fuller; Second 'Lieutenant. Robert H. Winslow.
Co. " II ".Captain, Lawrence Collins; First Lieutenant. John C.
»an; Second Lieutenant. Danforth L. Scott. Co. "I":
Captain Philip R Heelan . First Lieutenant. David J. Lynch ;
Second Lieutenant. lobMoxom. Co . " K ". Captain, Patrick
First Lieutenant, John Tobin ; Second Lieutenant, John
\V. Gregg.
The 58th Illinois was composed of the best mate-
rial : itsVtfticers were educated men, and many of them,
being men of means, contributed largely to the support
of the regiment while in camp.
Colonel Lynch was educated at the University of
*yy^4^ — ~Jl*-
Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind., as was Captain Robert
\V. Healv, of Chicago. Captain Gregg, Co. " K," was
a graduate of the Royal College of Surgery, Dublin ;
Captain Kittell, Co. " C," a graduate of Rush Medical
College, Chicago ; Lieutenant McArthur, a student of
Oberlin College ; and Lieutenants (afterward captains)
Fuller and Winslow were clergymen. Lieutenant Joseph
G. Burt, of Chicago, afterward adjutant, raised Co. "C,"
of which he was elected lieutenant. He received four
wounds at the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and
at the latter battle was captured. After months of im-
prisonment, he was released on parole, and reached
Chicago in company with General Prentiss, Colonel
Lynch and others. He soon had a return of an illness
contracted during his captivity, and died at his home in
Chicago. November 9, 1862.
On February 11, 1862, before the regiment was thor-
oughly organized, virtually without arms, and with only
a few weeks' drill or discipline, it was ordered to the
front. Reaching Cairo on the 12th, it reported to Gen-
eral E. A. Paine, was assigned to the Third Brigade
Colonel J. M. Thayer , Third Division (General Lew
Wallace), and immediately embarked on the steamer
" Fanny Bullitt," for Fort Donelson ; where it arrived
at midnight of the 13th. On the following morning, it
was temporarily assigned to Lauman's brigade, Second
on, General C. F. Smith, and a portion of the
regiment was detailed for skirmish duty during the day.
On the 15th, it joined its own brigade, with which it
participated in the attack on the enemy's left, in which
all the ground previously lost by McClernand was
recovered, and the brigade advanced to within one
hundred and fifty yards of the intrenchments, holding
the position until the capitulation. The regiment suf-
fered at Fort Donelson more than others which had
been longer in service. The boys were unprovided
with haversacks, and fell short of rations ; their arms
were worthless ; and, in common with the rest, they
were without tents or fires. The weather, which had
been mild am 1 hanged during the battle to a
'.old, sleety storm, with a northwest wind, which rend-
ered the suffering not yet inured to camp
life almost unbearable; yet the new regiment bore
these hardships with courage and cheerfulness. Fort
pitulated on the morning of the 16th, and
the 58th, with its command, after remaining there until
the 1 8th, moved to Fort Henry, arriving at noon on the
19th.
With Colonel Thayer's brigade, it embarked at
Fort Henry, on the transport " Boston," and ascended
the Tennessee to Crump's Landing, about four miles
above Savannah, where the division of Lew Wallace
disembarked, and, on March 12. was marched to Purdy,
some twelve miles southwest, where it destroyed the
railroad, and the same evening returned to the trans-
ports. The following morning, it went into camp
about a half-mile from Crump's Landing, where it
remained until the 29th, when it proceeded to Pitts-
burg Landing, to join the division of General W. H.
L. Wallace (commanding in place of General C. F.
Smith, who was, at that time, sick, and soon after died).
It was assigned to the Third Brigade, Colonel T. W.
Sweeny, and went into camp near the Landing, where
it received new arms, and remained until the 6th,
engaged in perfecting its organization and in drill.
On the morning of the 6th, the 58th was ordered to
move forward on the main road from the Landing, and
take up a position there with the 7th Illinois, in support
of a battery. This position they held, with some slight
changes, until four o'clock in the afternoon. The bat-
tery was once charged, and retreated, leaving one gun
on the field, which the two regiments took possession
of, and held. As the forces gave way to the right and
left, the regiment took possession of a log-house, to its
left, and, shielded by that and a pile of cotton bales,
again made a stand. This position was held some
fifteen minutes, when it was flanked, both on right and
left, with large forces of the enemy in the rear. Orders
were given by Colonel Lynch to the regiment to cut its
way through, but only enough to form three companies
succeeded in the attempt. The rest were wounded or
taken prisoners.
Two officers and twenty-five privates were killed,
and two hundred and twenty-three of the regiment,
including the colonel, lieutenant-colonel, major and
adjutant, were captured. Eight officers were wounded,
as were a large proportion of the privates, who were
taken prisoners. Among the officers killed were Lieu-
tenant Louis W. Pfeif, Co. " F," Chicago, and Captain
James A. Bewley, Co. "G," of Dement. Captain Karl
Rutishauser, Co. " E," and Lieutenant John C. Loner-
gan, Co. " H," died of wounds, received in the engage-
ment, soon afterward. The captured men were confined
in various rebel prisons at Mobile, Selma, Montgomery,
and other points, in Alabama, and at Macon, Griffin
and Madison, Ga., for about seven months, their num-
ber being reduced in that time, in consequence of
privation and cruel treatment, to one hundred and
thirty.
On the 17th of October, 1862, these were gathered
in Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., where they were
paroled and sent to Annapolis. They returned to Illi-
nois in December, reaching Camp Butler, Springfield,
on the 23d. The officers were paroled on October 15,
1862. That portion of the regiment not captured at
Shiloh, with fragments of the 8th, 12th and 44th Iowa,
all of Wallace's division, were formed into the " Union
Brigade"; the detachment of the 58th being under
command of Captain Robert W. Healey, Co. "A," the
ranking officer remaining to the regiment. Under him
the command participated in the siege of Corinth, and
in the pursuit of Beauregard's forces as far as Jones-
ville, Miss.
One company of the 58th was engaged at Iuka,
losing seventeen in wounded and prisoners, and it
FIFTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
223
also participated in the battle of Corinth, October 3
and 4.
The regiment was re-united at Camp Butler, in De-
cember, 1862, where it remained until June 28, 1863,
Colonel Lynch being in command of the post. During
this time its ranks were again filled, and it was thor-
oughly organized and drilled. During the remainder
of the year, portions of the regiment garrisoned Cairo,
Mound City, Paducah, and Mayfield, Ky. Cos. "A"
and "B," stationed at Mayfield, on November 9,
had a sharp skirmish with a party of guerrillas, pursu-
ing them to a point on Obion River, four miles from
Union City, Tenn., where, in attempting to cross the
river, the rebels were routed with a loss of eleven killed
and fifty-three captured. In December, the same com-
panies had another encounter, in aid of the loyal citi-
zens of Mayfield, in which another gang of guerrillas,
which had been prowling about the neighborhood, com-
mitting depredations on the property of Unionists, and
threatening their lives, was routed and driven from the
neighborhood, the detachment losing several of its
number in killed, wounded and captured; of the latter,
five captives belonged to Co. " B " (Chicago), and were
all recovered the following day.
January 1, 1864, the regiment concentrated at Cairo,
where the men re-enlisted as veterans. Colonel Lynch
was promoted to be commander of the First Brigade,
Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, the 58th being
commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Rutishauser. On
January 21, the regiment proceeded to Vicksburg, where
it joined General Sherman's forces, and, on February 3,
with Smith's division, left Vicksburg on the famous
raid through Mississippi, known as the " Meridian raid,"
reaching Meridian on the morning of the 15th, having
marched, in the eleven days, about one hundred and
sixty miles, passing through Clinton, Jackson, Brandon,
Hillsboro' and Decatur, and routing the enemy in vari-
ous skirmishes. At Meridian, the arsenal, railroad
buildings and commissary stores were destroyed, and,
on the 20th, the expedition started on its return to
Vicksburg, reaching there on March 2. During the re-
turn march, some five thousand contrabands joined the
army, who were sent in advance of the troops.
On March 10, the 58th, with General Smith's forces,
embarked for General Banks's Red River expedition.
Proceeding up the Red River and the Atchafalaya, the
troops reached Simsport, La., on the 12th, where they
disembarked, and the next morning the regiment
marched up the Atchafalaya River, to the embouchure
of the Bayou Glaize (Yellow Bayou). At Simsport, it
was decided that the forces under General Smith should
march overland to Fort DeRussy, thirty-five miles dis-
tant, while the gunboats proceeded up the Red River to
co-operate with them at that point. The column started
at night of the 13th, and reached the fort at three o'clock
the following afternoon — re-building a bridge and repel-
ling several threatened attacks of the enemy's cavalry
during the march.
Fort De Russy, which consisted of two distinct and
formidable earth-works, connected by a covered way,
and mounting two field and two siege guns at the time
of its capture, was situated about a quarter of a mile
from the bank of the Red River on the slope of a ridge,
and had a casemated battery of three guns commanding
the river. As General Smith's column approached the
fort, it opened with its four guns, all it had at command
— firing shells and shrapnel. The cannonading was
answered by the Federal column, and after it had con-
tinued two hours, a line of skirmishers was sent forward.
In the midst of the heavy fusillade that followed, the
58th Illinois and 8th Wisconsin were ordered to lead a
charge on the works. Just as the two regiments reached
the ditch, the garrison surrendered, and the colors of the
58th were the first planted on the works. The gun-
boats came up just as the fort surrendered, and hence
were not needed in the engagement. The main force
of the enemy, under General Walker, made their escape
from the fort before the engagement, leaving only three
hundred men to defend the works. These, with eight
heavy guns, two field-pieces, and a large quantity of
munitions of war, fell into the hands of the victors.
Immediately after the surrender of the fort, the regi-
ment embarked with the Third Division, and proceeded
to Alexandria, arriving March 16, 1864, and remaining
at that point several days, awaiting the arrival of Gen-
eral Banks. The forces of General Smith then moved
twenty miles up the river to Grand Ecore, La., and
there remained until the 7th of April, when they marched
toward Shreveport, the Thirteenth and Nineteenth
Corps having preceded them two days. Under General
A. J. Smith's command were two divisions of the Six-
teenth Corps, his own (Third) and General Mower's
(First). The First Brigade of the Third Division was
commanded by Colonel Moore; the Second by Colonel
Lynch, of the 58th Illinois; the Third by Colonel Shaw,
of the 14th Iowa.
On the Sth, at sundown. Smith's command reached
Pleasant Hill, having been delayed five hours on the
road by the wagon-trains of the advance. During the
same day, General Banks had met the enemy at Mans-
field, or Sabine Cross Roads, sixteen miles in advance
of General Smith, and had been thoroughly whipped,
with very heavy loss, and were driven back in disorder
to Pleasant Hill, where the Federal troops were again
attacked the next day. The following in regard to the
part performed by the 58th Illinois in the engagement
of the 9th, is from Colonel Lynch's report of the battle :
" In accordance with orders received, we marched from Grand
Ecore, La., on the morning of the 7th. After proceeding some
fifteen miles on the Shreveport road, we went into camp for the
night. On the morning of the Sth, we were detained somewhat, in
waiting for the Second and Third Brigades to pass. We started
at eight o'clock a. m., and arrived near Fleasant Hill at dark,
having marched twenty-one miles that day. During the afternoon,
heavy cannonading was heard in our front, denoting an engage-
ment between our advance (Thirteenth and Nineteenth Corps) and
the enemy. At two o'clock a. m of the 9th, we were in line-of-
battle, awaiting the approach of the enemy, who had defeated the
Thirteenth and Nineteenth Corps. We remained on our arms
until ten a. m. , when we mewed forward about one mile, and formed
in the following order in the east center of the field, namely, the
89th Indiana Infantry in front, the 9th Indiana Battery in its rear,
and the jSth and 119th Illinois Infantry in rear of the battery.
We remained in this position until 12 m., when the 58th and 119th
Illinois were moved by the left flank to a point about three hundred
yards to the left, and formed on a ridge in the woods, facing out-
ward. From this point, the 58th Illinois was moved about half a
mile to the front, and left, of the original position. Here this
regiment was halted, and a breastwork of fallen timber thrown up,
behind which the men took shelter. After these arrangements
were made, skirmishers were thrown out from this regiment and
the ngth Illinois. The Sgth Indiana was then moved a little
distance to the left, to support the 3d Indiana Battery on the
right and the 1st Vermont Battery on the left. The 9th Indiana
Battery was placed in position on the right of the 3d Indiana Bat-
tery, and about two hundred yards therefrom, there being a New
York regiment between. In this position we remained until four
p. m., when musketry in our front admonished us that the fight
had begun. Soon the enemy advanced from the woods, driving
before them a brigade of Eastern troops, which had occupied a
a position in a ravine or ditch on the opposite side of the field.
Pursuing this brigade, and flushed with victory, the rebels con-
tinued to advance with yells that carried terror to many a stout
heart. Still pressing on, they drove our troops back, and even had
possession of one of our batteries (Battery " L," First United States
Artillery), when, on a sudden, the 5Sth Illinois Infantry, which had
been advanced to the left, and front, appeared in the edge of the
"4
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
woods on the enemy's right flank. The order was given to charge,
and with unearthly yells, and with lightning-like rapidity, they
were on the enemy. Fierce was the struggle, and nobly did the
brave =Sth do their work, driving the before victorious enemy be-
fore them. They halted not until they drove the rebels into the
ditch in front. Here we captured about four hundred prisoners,
whom I sent to the rear, in charge of an officer, with instructions
to report them to Brigadier-General Mower, but who delivered
them to a staff officer, belonging, I have since understood, to the
Nineteenth Army Corps. The 58th Illinois claim to have captured
more prisoners than they have men in the regiment. Certain it is,
that their furious attack completely turned the flank of the enemy,
and decided in a great measure the fate of the day At this point,
the battle was most fierce ; success seemed first to favor one and
then the other. Twice were our boys driven back between the
guns of the abandoned Battery " L," United States Artillery, and
as often did they rally and repulse the enemy. At last the enemy
were driven into the woods in confusion, and three pieces of
artillery captured by the sSth Illinois. * * * The 58th, after
entering the woods, became separated, a portion following the
colors, and the remainder accompanying myself. After coming into
the woods. I found the men in the greatest confusion, but knowing
our situation was most precarious, I ordered all to push forward.
With a rush the men obeyed, the color-bearers to the front. Close-
ly we pressed the rebels, driving them to the left through the
woods, and up the road for a distance of over three miles. Never
did a man flinch, although the enemy outnumbered us six to one —
the number of colors with us probably deceiving them as to our
real strength. In the pursuit, so close were we to the rebels that
our men seized them by the collars, bayoneting some, and capturing
others, while in the very act of firing their pieces. Six caissons,
and a large number of very fine horses were taken by us during
this charge. Having pursued the enemy three miles, I found him
forming beyond an open field in considerable force. Hastily form-
ing my broken column, I found myself opposed to about three
thousand rebels, while my force did not exceed as many hundred.
I directed the men to open fire, which was done at once, causing
the rebels to break in confusion. Being so far from any support,
I found it necessary to re-join our main force, and at once ordered
a return, in which we were unmolested. It being quite dark, and
being burdened with our wounded, which we brought with us, I
was compelled to leave the caissons, though I, at the time, sup-
posed we were to bring them off in the morning. Having moved
back to the open field, we joined the other regiments of the brigade,
and after obtaining a supply of ammunition, moved out with the
brigade about a mile upon the road over which we had driven the
rebels, there formed line of battle, and remained during the night.
At this time, the sSth Illinois was detached, and moved to its
original position behind the fortifications upon the left of the open
field." *
Captain John Tobin, commanding Co. " K," was
shot through the heart while leading his men in this
charge. The total loss of the regiment is not officially
reported.
On April 10, Banks's forces fell back toward
Grand Ecore.f where they remained until the 23d, and
thence retreated to Alexandria, which point was
reached on the 29th. As soon as Admiral Porter had
his gunboats over the falls J above Alexandria, about
May 1.5, that place was evacuated by the army, which
marched thence to Simsport, meeting the enemy at
Marksville Prairie on the 16th, and on the 18th at
Yellow Bayou, which empties into the Atchafalaya a
few miles above Simsport. g In the latter engagement,
the 58th lost heavily. The advance, with the trains
and stores, and also a large portion of the main force,
• ll may he remarked that the manner in which the Confederates were
whipped by Genera] A. J. Smith at Pleasant Hill was a pocent consolation to
had been >., unmercifully thrashed under Banks at Mansfield.
military title is made purposely ; had the
Oovernment pretermitted 11, in a similar manner, very many lives and thousands
■vorth of property might not have been sacrificed. The reputation
which Banks had as the " Rebel's Commissary" is too well-known to need
repetition.
" lo eighteen hundred and sixty-four, root Ball ! says I;
la eighteen hundred and sixiy-r . Hall! tys I;
In eighteen hundred and sixty-tour, we all skedaddled from Grand Ecore,
And we II all drink stone. blind; |ohnny. fill up the bowl."
iffineerine necessary to raise the
falls v. that the gunboat* could j
rhe writer saw a • ., this engagement lying on the
irior 10 the,r bur 1 ,,,;.. ;i|] wwe Bn0, j„
the head, showing the closerie*.,.,,,'! fatalil aim.
had crossed the bayou, when the enemy, under com-
mand of Major-General Polignac, attacked Smith's
forces, which formed the rear. A bloody though brief
engagement followed, in which the Confederates were
routed with the loss of about three hundred prisoners.
Colonel Lynch was wounded during the engagement;
and the 58th Illinois, which, with the 6th Massachusetts,
and 14th New York and 3d Maryland Cavalry, bore the
brunt of the fighting, suffered severely. Lieutenants
James E. Moss, Co. ''E," and Charles Maager, Co.
" D," the latter of Chicago, were killed. Nine color-
bearers were shot, one of whom — Fred. Mink — refused
to yield the colors to another until he was wounded in
both arms.
The regiment, with its division, arrived at the cross-
ing of the Atchafalaya on the 19th, where a bridge was
constructed, and on the 20th, the river was crossed and
the army again entered Simsport, when General Canby
superseded General Banks. From Simsport, the 58th,
with Smith's command, returned to Vicksburg, which
point was reached May 24. The rebels having at-
tempted to blockade the Mississippi, at Columbia,
Ark., the division moved up the Mississippi, and, in an
engagement near Lake Chicot, drove him toward the
west. After a pursuit of several miles, it marched to
Columbia, and thence moved up the river to Memphis,
where, on the 10th of June, the veterans received a
thirty days' furlough and returned to Illinois, the non-
veterans being sent to LaGrange, Tenn., from which
place, in July, they moved, with General Smith's corps,
to Tupelo, Miss., and participated in the engagements
with Forrest's cavalry near that place, returning to
Memphis after a march of two hundred and sixty
miles. The veterans there re-joined the regiment, August
6, and the following day the regiment marched with
General Smith's forces into Mississippi, on the " Oxford
raid," returning on the 29th. September 5, if moved
on a campaign against General Price, who was raiding
Missouri. After pursuing Price through southern
Missouri, General Smith's force returned to St. Louis,
September 29, and thence moved to Jefferson City, on
the Missouri River, and west to Lexington and Inde-
pendence, in pursuit of Price, who was then moving to-
ward the south, raiding eastern Kansas as he went.
Price's forces having been defeated by General Blount,
in Kansas, the troops returned to Jefferson Barracks,
St. Louis, arriving November 18, and after resting for
a few days, and refitting for another expedition, pro-
ceeded with the Sixteenth (Smith's) Corps up the Ohio
and Cumberland rivers to reinforce General Thomas,
at Nashville, arriving December 1, and taking position
in the defensive works on the right of the line. The
regiment participated in the battles of the 15th and 16th,
and joined in the pursuit of Hood's army as far as
Clifton, Tenn., where it encamped, January 2, 1865,
and, with the Sixteenth Corps, was thence taken in
transports down the Tennessee to Eastport, Miss. At
that point, the non-veterans, whose term expired Feb-
ruary 7, 1865, left, to return to Illinois. On January
23, the veterans and recruits were consolidated into
four companies, under the designation of Battalion 58th
Illinois Infantry, Major R. W. Healy, of Chicago, com-
manding battalion, Washington B. Pullis, of the same
city, retained in service as captain of Co. "A," and
John O. Kane, as captain of Co. " D." On February
9, the battalion left Eastport, proceeded to Cairo, and
thence to New Orleans, where, in March, it joined Gene-
ral Canby's forces, and on the 5th, moved to Dauphine
Island, to take part in the operations against Mobile.
On the 25th, the command arrived before Spanish
SIXTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
225
Fort, where it remained until April 3, employed in
picket and other duty, and where Lieutenant Thomas
Malloy was killed. It then moved to Fort Blakeley,
and remained in front of the works until the 9th, when
it participated in the final charge on the works, and,
after the surrender, went into camp near Mobile. At
Mobile, it was joined by six companies, raising it to a
full regiment, when it marched one hundred and eighty
miles to Montgomery, Ala., where it remained employed
in garrison duty until April 1, 1866, when it was mus-
tered out of service, and returned to Camp Butler,
Springfield, for final payment and discharge.
SIXTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
The Sixty-Fifth Illinois, known as the "Scotch
Regiment," was recruited early in 1862, the first recruits
being placed in Camp Douglas on January 30, of that
year. It was organized at that post by Colonel Daniel
Cameron, and mustered into United States service May
5, 1862, its colonel and other field-officers being from
Chicago. Co. " H," " The Glengarry Guards," was re-
cruited and officered in the city; Co. "G," in Cook
County.
The Field and Staff officers, and the officers of the Companies
mentioned were: Colonel, Daniel Cameron. Jr ; Lieutenant-
/^2tc*^c-^g
&~^?-J--i^C^O~^^?
Colonel, William S. Stewart; Major, John Wood; Adjutant, David
C. Bradlev; Quartermaster, James C. Rankin; Surgeon. George
K. Park; Chaplain, Charles T. Roe. Co. " G": Captain, Iranoff
Willentzki; First Lieutenant, Alexander W. Diller; Second Lieu-
tenant, Louis H Higgins. Co. " H ": Captain, Alexander
McDonald; First Lieutenant, Lysander Tiffany; Second Lieuten-
ant, John J. Littler.
The regiment remained at Camp Douglas until June
21, 1862, when it was ordered to the East, to participate
in the defense of Washington. It was stationed at
Martinsburg, Va., during a part of the summer, Colonel
Cameron being placed in command of the district, and
then, with other troops, under the command of Colonel
Miles, was sent to garrison Harper's Ferry, upon the
surrender of which post the regiment was captured. It
was paroled the following day, September 16, and sent
to Camp Douglas, Chicago, where it remained until
April, 1863, when it was exchanged, and all, except two
companies, were sent to join General Julius White's
command, in Kentucky.
During June, the regiment made a successful ex-
pedition up the Sandy River, against the Confeder-
ate General Candill. It remained in eastern Kentucky
until August, when it returned to Camp Nelson, Lex-
ington, Ky., to move with Burnside's army over the
Cumberland Mountain to Knoxville. The regiment
was in the Second Brigade (Colonel Cameron com-
manding\ Third Division (General J. D. Cox), Twenty-
third Corps (Major-General George L. Hartsuff). The
Twenty-third Corps, forming Burnside's right, moved,
by way of Tompkinsville, Somerset and Chitwood's, to
Montgomery, where it was joined by the left wing,
under the personal command of Ambrose E. Burnside,
and the united force moved on Kingston, thus turning
Cumberland Gap. During September, the Ninth Corps
joined the Twenty-third, and the latter was advanced
thirty miles beyond Knoxville, to Loudon, retiring to
Knoxville on the approach of Longstreet.
J5
The 65th was joined at Knoxville by the two com-
panies which had remained behind at Camp Douglas,
and, with Cameron's brigade, was assigned to the
defense of the South Side Heights, taking part in the
engagements of the 25th and 29th of November. The
army remained in winter quarters in East Tennessee
through the winter, with the exception of a brief expe-
dition to Dandridge, in January, 1864.
The army suffered extremely during the winter.
General Cox says * that the troops endured the
extremest want until the beginning of March. The
cattle that had been collected at Knoxville before the
siege, grew so thin for lack of forage, that, by January
those turned over to the troops for beef could scarcely
stand from weakness. It was the custom of the commis-
saries to drive the poor creatures over a little ridge in
the field where they were corralled, and kill only those
too weak to get over — only those that must soon die
anyway, keeping the others a little longer for future
use. Bread was made of corn ground into meal, cobs
and all. The troops foraged diligently but could pro-
cure but very little from the exhausted country.
With January, 1864, came a terrible storm from the
northwest, covering the ground with ice and sleet. The
half-naked soldiers hovered around their camp-fires,
some without coats, some without pantaloons, some with
tattered blankets tied like petticoats about their waists.
An officer, passing among them with words of sympathy
and encouragement, was greeted with the cheery re-
sponse, " It's pretty rough, General, but we'll see it
through." Even during that fearful time, cheers were
heard ringing out from one and another of the regi-
mental camps, indicating that the regiment had " veter-
anized," as it was then called when a majority of the
rank and file had re-enlisted for another three years, or
during the war. The only inducement the Government
offered was that those re-enlisting should, in their turn
and as rapidly as it was safe, have a furlough of thirty
days at home. The 65th was one of the regiments that
thus veteranized, and in March it returned, with over
four hundred men, to Illinois on furlough.
At the expiration of a month it returned to the field,
and joined Sherman's army, for the Atlanta campaign,
twenty-five miles below Kingston, Ga. The Twenty-
third Corps then occupied the extreme right of Sherman's
line — Cox's (Third) division in the advance. Cameron's
(Second) brigade consisted of the 65th Illinois, 24th Ken-
tucky, 103d Ohio and 65th Indiana. On the morning of
the 15th of June, a general advance of the Union line was
ordered. The 65th was brought into a sharp engage-
ment at this time, the Confederate line being carried, and
Johnston's troops driven back to Gilgal Church. The
65th occupied the abandoned works the following day,
and was engaged continuously in skirmishing until the
20th, when the head of Schofield's column reached the
crossing of Noses Creek on the Sandtown Road, and
Cameron's brigade was ordered to make a serious effort
to cross. The creek was deep and unfordable, the
stream being so high as to cover the bottom-land skirt-
ing its banks. The planking of the only bridge was
torn up, and the enemy's cavalry, with artillery, disputed
the passage. Yolunteers were called for, and about
fifty men of the 65th stepped forward and, with a few
others, under command of Colonel Casement, of the
103d Ohio, charged across the bridge, drove back the
enemy and held the bridge-road until the remainder of
the brigade crossed on the timbers and string-pieces.
The regiment, with its division, occupied successive
positions at Cheney's House and Culp's Farm, drove
* Campaigns of the Civil War, "Atlanta."
226
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
the enemy from the south hank of Olley's Creek on the
■7th, and intrenched a position south of Marietta, in the
\ .
On the Sth of July, Cameron's brigade crossed the
Chattahoochee near Soap Creek, the crossing being a
complete surprise to the enemy. During the advance
from the Chattahoochee to Atlanta, and while intrenched
before that city, the regiment was engaged in numerous
skirmishes. On the 29th of July it was in the severe
engagement at Ezra Church, in rear of Atlanta, and
on the 6th of August, in another at the crossing
of Utoy Creek. On the 1 Sth, Captain James Duquid,
\." with four companies of the 65th, drove the
enemy from near the crossing of the East Point and
Campbelltown roads, and, on the 26th, with Casement's
.formerly Cameron's brigade, it engaged in the move-
ment on the Macon Railroad south of Atlanta, reaching
" Rough and Ready " Station on the 30th, destroying the
road at that point, and advancing thence to Jonesboro',
where it participated in the battle of September 1. The
Atlanta campaign being then ended, the Twenty-third
Corps went into camp at Decatur on September 9th,
remaining until October 5, when it marched, in pursuit
of Hood, to Allatoona and Rome, and thence, through
Kingston, to Resaca, Summerville, and Gaylesville,
Ala., arriving at the latter place on the 20th. Remain-
ing seven days, the regiment, with Schofield's command,
then returned to Dalton, where it arrived on the 29th,
and thence moved by rail to Nashville, arriving No-
vember 7. From Nashville it moved to Pulaski, Tenn.
Finding that the enemy was likely to get in his rear,
and prevent his junction with Thomas, at Nashville,
Schofield abandoned Pulaski on the 22d of November,
and commenced his retreat, reaching Columbia on the
24th. where he made a stand at the crossing of Duck
River. On the 25th, Casement's brigade, Third Divis-
ion (General J. D. Cox , of which the 65th formed a part,
was ordered, with other troops, to the north side of the
river, to cover the pontoon bridge at the ford and hold
the crossing. The position was strengthened the fol-
lowing day, and stubbornly held against Hood's at-
tempts to cross, the 65th losing three officers and fifty
men, killed and wounded. At night on the 29th, the
division marched to Spring Hill and thence to Frank-
lin, arriving on the morning of the 30th. Intrenchments
were hastily thrown up in front of the village, the Colum-
bia pike, on which Hood was advancing, being left open
to enable the artillery and wagons to pass to the rear.
The opening was commanded by an intrenchment cross-
ing the road a little in the rear. The 65th occupied a
position behind the breastworks lying to the left of
the Columbia pike, and near the railway and Harpeth
River.
The attack of the Confederates was made about four
in the afternoon; the attack on Casement's line being
made by parts of Loring's and Walthall's divisions.
The Second Brigade occupied a slight knoll, well in-
trenched. General John Adams, leadingthe first charge
on the position, leaped the ditch and mounted the para-
pet, where his horse was killed, and he was thrown
inside the Federal lines, mortally wounded. Generals
Quarles and Scott were both wounded in leading as-
saults on this portion of the line, a captain being the
ranking officer in Walthall's division at the close of the
battle. The 65th captured the colors of the 15th Mis-
sissippi Infantry, Adams's brigade, which made the first
charge ; and at the close of the contest more than two
hundred dead and I onfederates covered the
ground in its front, attesting tin: desperation with which
it defended its position. I he battle raged until long
after dark, when Hood withdrew and the Federal forces
crossed the Harpeth, and, on the morning of December
1, joined the army of General Thomas at Nashville.
On December 15-16, the 65th participated in the
battle of Nashville, and afterward joined in the pursuit
of Hood to Clifton, Tenn., where the regiment remained
until January 15, 1865. On January 14, General Scho-
field received orders to move with the Twenty-third
Corps from Clifton, and with that and the Tenth Corps,
Major-General Alfred H. Terry, operate against Wil-
mington, N. C. The 65th, with other portions of the
corps, moved by boat to Cincinnati, thence by rail to
Washington and Annapolis, where it embarked Feb-
ruary 2, for Wilmington, landing at Fort Fisher on the
7th. Until the 15th, Cox's division was engaged in the
attempt to cross Myrtle Sound by means of pontoons ;
when they were forced to Smithville, crossed Cape Fear
River on the 16th, and commenced the advance on Fort
Anderson. The division succeeded in turning the fort
on the 18th, and during that night it was abandoned by
the enemy, and, with ten pieces of heavy ordnance, fell
into the hands of the division. The Confederate Gen-
eral Hoke retreated to Town, or Smithtown, Creek,
eight miles above the fort, and took refuge in another
strongly fortified work at that point, from which he was
routed on the afternoon of the 20th, Casement's bri-
gade having waded through the marsh in front of the
works, and, with Sterl's brigade, charged upon the posi-
tion. The fort was defended by Hapgood's brigade,
temporarily commanded by Colonel Simonson. The
troops made a brave resistance, but were broken by the
assault, and finally routed with the loss of the colonel
and three hundred and seventy-five of the brigade cap-
tured, besides three pieces of artillery. Wilmington
was evacuated on the night of the 21st, and the 65th,
with the other troops, had the gratification of cele-
brating Washington's birthday in the captured city.
On February 26, 1865, the regiment, with Cox's divis-
ion, embarked for Newberne, which it reached on the
last day of the month. On March 6, it moved to Kins-
ton, whence five companies, except veterans, were sent
to Chicago, under Captain Duquid, of Co. "A," to be
mustered out, their term having expired.
On the 21st of March, the railroad having been
repaired, the Third Division, with the remainder of the
Twenty-third Corps, entered Goldsboro', and was there
joined in a day or two by Sherman. The 65th marched
from Goldsboro' for Raleigh on April 10, where it
remained until the surrender of General Johnston's
army. From Raleigh, the additional non -veterans,
Major Kennedy commanding, were ordered home for
muster-out. The remaining veterans moved to Greens-
boro', N. C, and went into permanent camp, being
consolidated under the company letters " H " and " K."
Co. "B" was filled to the maximum with drafted men, and
four new companies were assigned to the regiment, on
May 1. In June, four officers and two hundred and
fifty men were assigned to the regiment from the 93d
Illinois, two officers and one hundred and twenty men
from the 112th Illinois, and twenty-five men from the
107th Illinois. Lieutenant-Colonel William S. Stewart
was mustered as colonel, with rank dating from July
31, 1864. On July 13, 1865, the regiment was mus-
tered out, and departed for Illinois, arriving at Chicago
July 22, where it received final payment and discharge,
July 26, 1865.
GENERAL DANTEL Cameron was born in Berwick-upon-
Tweed, April 13, 1828, and was a descendant of the Camerons who
lost their all under Lochiel, at Culloden, in 1746. His father was a
publisher, who numbered among his friends some of the most
SEVENTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
227
talented men of the country, such as John Mackey Wilson, Robert
Gilfillan, Allan Cunningham, Carr, and others. Daniel Cameron
removed to America in 1S51, and settled in Cook County, near
Chicago. In the spring of 1S54, with Messrs. Cook and Patterson,
he bought the Chicago Current, which was merged in the Young
America soon after. During the same year, Messrs. Cook, Cam-
eron and Sheahan established the Chicago Times, issuing the first
number on August 20. Mr. Cameron became one of the editors
of the paper the following fall, and remained joint-editor and pro-
prietor until 1S58, when he retired from the firm on account of
ill-health. In 1S59, he returned and took part in the direction of
the paper until 1861. After the death of Hon. Stephen A. Doug-
las, of whom he was a warm personal and political friend, and
the subsequent disruption of the Democratic party on war issues,
Mr. Cameron raised the 65th Illinois Infantry, known as the
11 Scotch Regiment." Of this he was chosen colonel. He remained
at Camp Douglas with his regiment, being in command of the
camp for a brief time, from the early spring of 1862 until June,
when he was ordered to join the Army of the Potomac and partici-
pate in the defense of Washington. He was assigned to the com-
mand of the District of Martinsburg, and, with his command,
afterward formed a part of the garrison of Harper's Ferry sur-
rendered by Colonel Miles in September, 1S62. After being
exchanged, he was sent, with his command, to Eastern Kentucky,
and on the departure of Burnside to occupy Knoxville, was
appointed to the command of the Second Brigade, Third Division,
Twenty-third Corps, accompanied the Army of the Ohio in its
march over the Cumberland Mountains to Knoxville, and partici-
pated in the subsequent defense of the city against the assaults of
Longstreet's forces. For his brave and successful defense of the
South Side Heights — the position assigned to him — he received the
congratulations of General Burnside, and was placed in temporary
command of the Third Division. During the Atlanta campaign,
he commanded his old brigade, having received a commission as
brigadier-general, and at the close of that campaign retired from
active service. He was afterward engaged in politics — acting with
the conservative branch of the Democratic party. He supported
Horace Greeley for the presidency, and soon after the close of that
campaign retired to his farm, seventeen miles northwest of Chicago,
where he died. He was married, in 1S50, to Mary Ann Ward, of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, and has had a family of twelve children, of
whom several are still living.
THREE MONTHS REGIMENTS OF 1S62.
In the latter part of May, 1862, when the main por-
tion of the Army of the Potomac was confronting the
Confederate forces on the line of the Chickahominy,
and McDowell's corps, relieved from the defense of
Washington, was marching to reinforce it, Stonewall
Jackson made his bold irruption into the Shenandoah
Valley, pushing back the army of General Banks to
'Winchester, whence it retired, May 25, to the north of
the Potomac, and Jackson continued his advance almost
to Harper's Ferry, capturing prisoners, and devastating
the country as he moved.
Great alarm was felt in Washington for the safety
of the capital, and, in addition to the concentration of
all available forces already in the field for its protec-
tion, orders were issued by the War Department,
demanding of Governor Yates that all the volunteer
and militia force in the State be organized and for-
warded immediately. Although this order was revoked
two days later, five regiments — 67th to 71st inclusive —
were organized for three-months' service, and in two
weeks were in camp. All of these, with the exception
of the 71st, remained on guard duty in the State, there-
by releasing veteran troops and allowing them to pro-
ceed to the field.
Of the infantry regiments thus organized, the 67th
and 69th were partially recruited and officered* in
Chicago, both being organized at Camp Douglas, and
remaining there in charge of prisoners-of-war during
their entire term of service.
The 67th Illinois was commanded by Colonel Rosell
M. Hough, formerly major in the 9th Illinois Cavalry,
* See Table oC Chicago Officers, at close of Military chapter.
and the 69th by Colonel Joseph H. Tucker, long con-
nected with the military organizations of the city, and,
at the breaking out of the Rebellion, colonel of the 60th
Regiment, I. S. M. One of the companies which joined
the 69th regiment was composed almost entirely of
students from the Chicago University, under the com-
mand of Captain Lansing R Tucker. The " Univer-
/WlM/faJ
sity Cadets " became Co. " C," of the 67th Infantry,
and, with the regiment, went into camp at Camp Doug-
las. The young captain was taken ill of camp fever
before the summer had passed, and, after two weeks of
suffering, died August 18, 1862, then but eighteen years
and three months of age. He gave his all — a patriot's
life — upon the altar of our country's freedom.
SEVENTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
First Chicago Board -of -Trade Regiment. —
The 72d Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, was raised, in
response to President Lincoln's call on July 6, 1862,
for three hundred thousand volunteers, to serve for
three years. On July 21, an enthusiastic meeting of
the Chicago Board of Trade was held, when that
organization determined to raise and support a battery
of light artillery, and one company of infantry to sup-
port it. On the evening of the 23d, John L. Hancock,
president of the Board, announced that the battery was
recruited full, and had been tendered to the President,
and it was then resolved to raise a regiment of infantry,
which should be especially under the care and patron-
age of the Board, which would guarantee to each mem-
ber a bounty of $60, in addition to that ordinarily paid.
The Board-of-Trade War Committee also offered a
premium of $100 for the first full company raised for
the regiment, and Gilbert Hubbard & Co. proffered a
magnificent stand of colors and $70 additional. The
same evening, Isaiah H. Williams offered a company
which he was raising, and it was accepted, becoming
Co. " F " of the regiment. The Board asked the co-
operation of the Young Men's Christian Association,
which had contemplated, and commenced, raising a
regiment, and that body immediately authorized its
committee — J. V. Farwell and J. C. Wright — to convey
its acceptance of the proposition, pledging itself to raise
five companies. The Young Men's Association had
offered the command of the five companies to the
Board, " the tender to be unencumbered by any expres-
sion of preference."
On the evening of the 23d, the "Hancock Guards,"
which had been raised as a support to the Board-of-
Trade Battery, within the last forty-eight hours, was
offered to the Board, and became Co. "A," of the 7 2d
Illinois.
198
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
George H. Heafford was the first man that enrolled
Second Lieutenant, John W. Abbott (St. Augustine, 111.). Co.
"K": Captains, John Reid, Elisha Morgan; First Lieutenants,
Charles Gladding, Gardner Allison, LaFayette Paramore; Second
Lieutenants, Edwin Small, Gardner Allison.
Frederick A. Starring, colonel of the 72d, was a
himself as a member of the Hancock Guards, and Jo-
seph Stockton the second.
In less than two days enough companies were offered
to make it certain that a regiment could easily be raised,
and on August 2$. just one month after recruiting com-
menced, the regiment was complete. Co. " E," Captain
William B. Holbrook, one of the companies raised by
the Young Men's Christian Association, gained the
premium for being the first filled to the maximum, and
in camp.
The 7 2d was almost exclusively a Chicago regi-
ment, its field and staff officers, every captain but one,
and nearly every other line-officer, being Chicago men.
Among the companies were the " Scripps* Guards,"
composed of clerks and other employes of the post-
office, which, as Co. " C," was the regimental color-
company. The " Havelock Guards " (" B ") was one of
the companies raised by the Young Men's Christian
Association; the " Underwood Guards " (" D ") was re-
cruited by Messrs. Underwood & Co. and J. A. Sexton,
first lieutenant 67th Illinois Infantry, who was trans-
ferred to the 72d; and the "Shepherd Guards" (" F')
was offered by Isaiah H. Williams, formerly lieutenant
of Co. " I," 13th Illinois.
The following is the full regimental roster of Chi-
cago officers:
Field and Staff. — Colonel, Frederick A. Starring; Lieutenant-
Colonels, Joseph C. Wright, Joseph Stockton; Majors, Henry W.
Chester. Joseph Stockton, William James, Jr.; Adjutants, Ebe-
nezer Bacon, Benjamin W. Underwood, George H. Heafford;
'Quartermasters, Benjamin \V. Thomas, Albert G. Gibbs; Surgeon,
Edwin Powell; First Assistant-Surgeon, Benjamin Durham, Jr.;
Second Assistant-Surgeon, Edwin A. Beers, McHenry County;
Chaplain, Henry Ban
Li>u Officers. — Co. "A" (Hancock Guards): Captains, Joseph
Stockton, William B. Gallaher, Merritt P. Batchelor, Roswell 11.
Mason, William Mohrmann; First Lieutenants, George B. Ran-
dall, Merritt P. P.atchelor, Roswell H. Mason, William Mohrmann,
Henry A. Ward; Second Lieutenants, William B. Gallaher, Wil-
liam Mohrmann, James M. Smith, Henry A. Ward, Oliver Rice.
' o. "I;": Captain, Jacob S. Curtiss; F'irst Lieutenants, David
W. Perkins, Daniel W. Whittle; Second Lieutenant, Daniel W.
Whittle. Co. "C": Captains, William James, Jr., Glen C. Led-
yard; First Lieutenants, Glen C. Ledyard, Clifford Stickney; Sec-
ond Lieutenant, Clifford Stickney. Co. " I) ": Captain, James A.
Sexton; First Lieutenants, Benjamin W. Underwood, Nathan C.
Underwood, William G. Mead; Second Lieutenants, Nathan C.
■ A, William (,. Mead, Louis P. Twyeffort. Co. "E":
Captain, William P.. Holbrook; First Lieutenants, Henry C.
Mowry, Porter A. Ransom, Joseph Strube; Second Lieutenants,
Porter A. Ransom, Elisha Mo in, I i [jIi Strube. Co. " F":
Captain, Isaiah II. Williams; First Lieutenants, George W.
I Lieutenants, Richard Pomeroy,
Herritk G. Furnald, W. Ortcll. Co. "G": Captains, Henry D.
French, Daniel W. Whittle; First Lieutenant, fames II Smith;
Second Lieutenant, James A. fiingham. Co. "H": Captains,
Edwin C. Prior, Charles E. Thompson; First Lieutenants, John
W. Murray. ' Idolph B rkhardt; Second
Lieutenants, Hezel ;iah Stoul (Brooklyn, 111.), Charles E. Thorn-
ion, Adoipfa Burkhardl. Co "I ": Captain , Abner E. Barnes,
James W. Harvey (Evanston); James \l. Smith (Chicago); first
Lieutenants, Abner E ,. James M. Sm h " hicago):
• Named in boaoroi John Locke - ripp», formerly of the < In- ago Tribuni .
native of Buffalo, N. Y., but had been for several years
a resident of Chicago. Although but twenty-eight
years of age, he had had experience in frontier warfare,
having previously graduated at a military school. Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Wright, a leading member of the Chicago
Board of Trade, was also a graduate of a military
academy.
The regiment was mustered into the service of the
United States, August 23, 1862, and left Chicago for
Cairo the same day, where it remained until September
6. From the 6th to the 17th, it was stationed at Padu-
cah, Ky., and was then ordered to Columbus, remaining
at the latter post, as part of the command of Briga-
dier-General Davies, until November 21. While at
Columbus, Captain Isaiah H. Williams was appointed
provost marshal of the place, and inaugurated many
needed improvements. He established a Soldiers'
Home for the care of the sick, a substantial market,
a public school and Sunday-school, and in various ways
placed military and civil affairs upon a higher and a
better basis.
The regiment was subjected to a thorough course of
drill and military discipline, and acquired those soldierly
habits which afterward enabled it to pass through its
first battle with the coolness and nerve of a veteran
organization. On October 6, the 7 2d took part in an
expedition to Clarkson, Mo., where a rebel camp was
attacked, its occupants dispersed, and several prisoners
taken. On November 21, it was ordered to join
General Quimby's (Seventh) division, McPherson's
(Seventeenth) army corps, at Moscow, Miss. With this
command it accompanied Grant's army on his Missis-
sippi campaign as far as the Yaconapatafa River, when,
on December 20, the disaster occurred at Holly Springs,
thirty miles north of Grant's headquarters, by which the
immense stores there accumulated were destroyed by
Van Dorn. This village had been made the principal
depot of supplies for Grant's army, while the railroad
farther south was being repaired, and, through the cow-
ardice and incapacity of the commanding officer, the
whole, estimated to be worth $4,000,000, fell into the
hands of the enemy, the pusillanimous commander not
striking a blow in its defense. By reason of the loss of
his stores, Grant was forced to fall back toward Mem-
phis, and the 7 2d Illinois was detailed as guard to the
wagon-train on the route. On arriving at Memphis, it
went in camp near the city, on the line of the Memphis
cc Charleston Railroad, where it remained until January
19, 1863, when it was ordered into the city for provost
duty, in which it was employed until March 1, in the
meantime making an expedition to Horn Lake Creek,
where it dispersed a band of Blythe's guerrillas.
On January 22, 1863, Adjutant Ebenezer Bacon
died in hospital at Memphis, and was succeeded by
First Lieutenant Benjamin W. Underwood, of Co.
"D." In the spring of 1863, an effort was made to
flank the defenses north of Vicksburg, reaching Haines's
Bluff by way of the Yazoo pass, and Coldwater, Talla-
hatchie and Yazoo rivers. On March 1, Quimby's divis-
ion was sent from Memphis to the relief of an expedi-
SEVENTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
229
tion under General Ross, which had penetrated these
rivers nearly to the junction of the Tallahatchie and
Yazoo, where Fort Pemberton, strongly garrisoned by
the Confederates, under Major-General Loring, had
arrested his progress, and forced him to abandon the
enterprise. On March 21, General Quimby, with his
command, reached the retreating forces, assumed
command, and returned to Fort Pemberton, where,
on the 23d, he received an order from Grant to with-
draw, a new line of operations having been decided upon,
looking to the turning of Vicksburg on the south. In
pursuance of this design, the Army of the Tennessee
was concentrated at Milliken's Bend, twenty miles
above Vicksburg, early in April, the 7jd then being in
Ransom's (Second) brigade, Sixth Division (Brigadier-
General John McArthur commanding), the regiment
arriving at the point of concentration on April 23.
Ransom's brigade was detached from the division, to
guard-points between Milliken's Bend and New Car-
thage, Colonel Starring, with the 7 2d, remaining en-
camped at Richmond, La., from April 25 until May
10, when it moved down the west bank of the Missis-
sippi, crossed at Grand Gulf, on the 12th, and marched
to join McPherson's corps at Jackson, Miss. The
brigade reached Raymond on the 16th, while the battle
of Champion Hill was in progress, and, although it was
immediately hurried forward, it did not arrive on the
battle-field until the engagement was nearly over. The
brigade was ordered forward in pursuit, and marched
until midnight, renewing the pursuit on the morning of
the 17th, and reaching the vicinity of Black River
Bridge, in the rear of Vicksburg, soon after the capture
of that position.
On the 18th, Ransom's brigade marched to Vicks-
burg, and advanced to a position on the right of the
Jackson road, and within half a mile of the rebel forti-
fications, the brigade being on the extreme right of
McPherson's corps, joining Giles Smith's brigade of
Sherman's corps on the left. The following day, an
assault was made on the enemy's works by McPher-
son's corps, in which the brigade gained a position in
the ravines south of the Graveyard road, within eighty
rods of the fortifications, and spent the 20th and 21st
in skirmishing and constructing rifle-pits. In the as-
sault upon the enemy's works, May 22, Ransom's
brigade won a noble name for bravery and discipline.
The brigade was formed in a ravine in front of the for-
tifications, the 95th Illinois, in advance, followed by the
72d and nth Illinois and the 14th and 17th Wisconsin.
The story of that charge has been often told: how, at a
signal, the men sprung forward to the assault with a
cheer, but had hardly advanced twenty steps, when they
were met by such a pitiless storm of grape and canis-
ter from the rebel batteries, that the column wavered an
instant, with the colonel and color-bearer of the advance
stricken down, Colonel Nevins, of the nth Illinois,
killed, and Lieutenant-Colonel Wright, commanding
the 72d, mortally wounded. After bravely holding
their ground for some time, General Ransom ordered
the brigade to retire, one regiment at a time, and in
order, the 7 2d Illinois to move first, and the 17th Wis-
consin to remain to cover the movement. The brigade
slowly and steadily fell back to the cover of the ravine
they had occupied before the charge, every regiment
moving without confusion, and with the precision of a
parade drill. The loss of the 7 2d in the engagements
in the rear of Vicksburg was about one hundred and
thirty.
Among the officers, were Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph C.
Wright, who died in Chicago, July 6, 1863, of wounds received at
Vicksburg, on May 22, and Lieutenant Henry C. Mowry, Co.
" E," and James A. Bingham, Co. " G," both of Chicago, killed on
tin- field. Captain John Reid, Co. " K," Lieutenants Daniel W.
Whittle and Clen C. Ledyard, Cos. " I!" and " C," Sergeant S. D.
Barnes and Corporal II. F. Iloyt, were seriously wounded. The
following are the names of the privates reported killed: Co. "A,"
P. J. Nelson, Scepter T. Harding and Thomas Russell Co. " B,"
William Naugle, James Gordon, C G. Garrett, Adam Roth and
James Finnerty. Co. " C," M. W. Humbert and Matthew Bacon.
Co. "D," Sergeant A. A Walker, Edwin A, Kane, Corporal W.
W. Works, Privates Odell, Hopkins and Tole. Co. " E," 11. \V.
P. Moore, George L. Browne and William Eisenhart. Co. " I."
Michael Figu. Co. " G," John Kurrash. Co. "II," Charles
Peftit and Thomas Watson. Co. " I, Abraham Hoyt and Christo-
pher Lovell. Co. "K," Daniel Temple and Corpora! Bloomlield.
After the assault of the 22d, the 72d Illinois, with
the other forces around Vicksburg, was employed in the
operations of the siege, constructing approaches, etc.,
until the 4th of July, when, Pemberton having capitu-
lated, the brigade of General Ransom entered the city,
following General Logan's division — those being the
first troops to enter the captured stronghold. On the
following day, the 7 2d, with its brigade, went into camp
within the old line of works, where it remained a day
or two, when it embarked for Natchez, Miss., of which
place General Ransom took possession, capturing a
large number of prisoners, a quantity of rebel stores,
and six thousand head of cattle intended for Johnson's
army. The regiment remained at Natchez until
October 17, employed in provost and guard duty, when
it moved, with the brigade, to Vicksburg, Miss., and re-
mained at that post until October 30, 1864, participating,
during that time, in an expedition to Benton, Miss., on
May 7, 1864, and in the Grand Gulf expedition on July
18, 1864. On October 30, 1864, the regiment was
ordered to report to Major-General O. O. Howard, who,
on the death of McPherson, had succeeded to the com-
mand of the Army of the Tennessee. Arriving at
Nashville on November 13, too late to join Howard,
who was with Sherman's army, it was ordered to join
Schofield's command at Columbia, Term., which it did
on November 21, the same day that Hood moved his
forces north of the Tennessee River, with intent to
capture Nashville. General Schofield's command evac-
uated Columbia on the evening of the 29th, and fell
back through Spring Hill to Franklin, where it arrived
on the morning of the 30th, and immediately com-
menced throwing, up a line of defenses around the south
and west of the town — the north and east being pro-
tected by the Harpeth River.
The 72d Illinois, with Schofield's Second division, was
posted west of the Columbia pike, which passed direct-
ly through the center of the Federal line, facing south.
At four o'clock in the afternoon, Hood, with his entire
army, moved to the attack, his center charging down ■
the Columbia pike, hurling the advanced Federal line
back over the breastworks, through the center of the
reserves, and, pressing his own exultant troops into the
gap, turning back the regiments to the right and left of
the pike, and planting his flag on the breastworks.
The 72d was still working on the breastworks when the
enemy appeared in sight; and when the advanced guard
thus swarmed over the parapet, and the troops to the
left, next the pike, were hurled back, it retreated to the
second line, where it rallied, and, returning to the front,
held the line until dark. In attempting to repulse the
first onset of the enemy, Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph
Stockton and Major William James, both of Chicago,
were severely wounded, and the command of the regi-
ment devolved upon Captain James A. Sexton, of this
city. The entire loss of the regiment, in killed and
wounded, was nine officers and one hundred and fifty-
two men.
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
After the repulse of Hood, the Federal forces left
the defense at Franklin, and the following; day joined
Thomas at Nashville, where the 7 2d was assigned to
the corps of General A. J. Smith, which arrived the
same day from Missouri, and was placed in position on
the right of the Union line surrounding; the city. With
that command, it participated in the engagements of
December 15-16, and in the pursuit of Hood's flying
forces that succeeded. Hood escaping across the Ten-
nessee, the pursuit was discontinued, at Lexington, on
the 24th. and Smith's corps was taken, in preparation
for a campaign in Mississippi, by boat from Clifton to
Eastport, Miss., the head of steamboat navigation on
the lower Tennessee, arriving at the latter place January
13. 1S65. On February 9, with Smith's (Sixteenth)
corps, the regiment moved toward New Orleans to join
General E. R. S. Canby's forces, arriving February 21,
and remaining encamped eight miles below the city
until March 12, when active operations against Mobile
were inaugurated by the transportation of Smith's corps
across the Gulf of Mexico, and up Mobile Bay, to Fish
River, Alabama. The 7 2d, with the First Brigade, ar-
rived on Dauphine Island, at the mouth of the Bay, on
March 17. and the following day, crossed to Cedar
Point, on the western shore of the mainland, where its
landing was protected by a heavy fire from the gun-
boats. It remained a few days, making a feint of an
attack on the city, and then re-joined the corps on the
eastern side of the Bay, near Smith's Mills, which point
was ten miles up Fish River.
The advance on Mobile was resumed on the 26th,
and on the 27 th the troops arrived in front of Spanish
Fort, the strongest fortification on the east of Mobile.
Lines were established at distances of from three
hundred to four hundred yards, and the siege pressed
vigorously until April 3, when the troops had built an
earth-work and mounted siege-guns within two hundred
yards of the fort. On the evening of the 8th, the men
were ordered into the pits, and the attack commenced.
By midnight, the enemy's guns were silenced, when the
First and Third brigades of Smith's corps charged and
carried the works. The following morning, the 72d,
with the First Brigade, moved to Fort Blakely, where
the division was held as support for the divisions of the
Thirteenth Corps, which were engaged in the charge on
the fort. On April 9, the works were captured, and
Mobile won. The 72d remained in camp there until the
14th. when it marched to Montgomery, Ala. — two
hundred miles — arriving on the 25th. After encamping
there until May 23, it moved to Union Springs, Ala.,
forty-five miles distant, and there remained, engaged in
post duty until July 19, when it repaired to Vicksburg,
where it was mustered out of the service August 6,
1865, and thence came directly to Chicago, arriving
with twenty-two officers and three hundred and ten
men. On its return route, the regiment was attacked,
at Verger's Landing, by a gang of drunken rebels, and
Levi Derby, of Co. "E," was killed, and Ser-
geant-Major Charles V. Make seriously wounded.
The " First Board-of-Trade Regiment" met with a
warm welcome at Chicago, on its return on August 12,
1865. It was greeted by a salute of thirty-six guns, and
received at the depot by a committee of the Board of
Trade and a large delegation of citizens, who escorted
it, through the streets, to Bryan Hall. There the regi-
ment stacked arms in the upper-hall, and descended to
enjoy the magnificent banquet prepared in its honor.
The formal ceremonies of welcome were then inaugu-
rated by C. Randolph, presidentof the Hoard of Trade,
who was followed by the many enthusiastic friends of
the returned soldiers.
The 7 2d was mustered into service with thirty-seven
officers and nine hundred and thirty men ; total, nine
hundred and sixty-seven. Its strength when mustered
out was twenty-two officers and three hundred and ten
men; total, three hundred and thirty-two. Seven of its
officers and seventy-eight privates were killed in action;
three officers and one hundred and thirty men died of
disease; three officers and seventy-six men were taken
prisoners. During its term of service it received four
hundred and fifty recruits, of whom two hundred and
seventy were transferred to the 33d Illinois Veteran
Regiment, at Meridian, Miss., on the return of the 7 2d.
Following is the return roster of the field and staff
officers :
Colonel, F. A. Starring; Lieutenant-Colonel (Brevet Brigadier-
General), Joseph Stockton; Major, William James, Jr.; Adjutant,
George H. Heafford; Surgeon, Edwin Powell; Assistant-Surgeon,
Charles A. Bucher; Sergeant-Major, Charles V. Blake; Quarter-
master-Sergeant, D. Ford; Commissary -Sergeant, George M.
Curtis; Hospital Steward, E. O. Gratton.
Colonel Joseph Stockton, senior member of the transport-
ation firm of Joseph Stockton & Co., and agent for the Empire
Transportation Line, Chicago, 111., was born in Pittsburgh, Penn.,
August 10, 1834. He came to Chicago in March. 1852, and went
to work for George A. Gibbs & Co., commission and forwarding
merchants, on South Water, near Wells Street. He stayed with
them for several years and mastered the general features of the
business. He then went into the American Transportation Com-
pany's office as clerk, and from there to the freight office of the
Fort Wayne Railway, where he remained until he enlisted in July
23, 1S62, in the First Board-of-Trade Regiment. He was mustered
in on August 21, as first lieutenant of Co. "A," was afterward
promoted to captain of the company, and on the resignation of
Major Chester was promoted major of the regiment. The regi-
ment was assigned to the Seventeenth Army Corps. The history
of that army corps is the history of the western army until the close
of the Rebellion. In April, 1S63, two companies of his regiment
were detailed as General Grant's body guard, and he was offered
command of them, with the position of provost marshal on General
Grant's staff; but he declined, preferring to remain with his regi-
ment. He served with Grant's army through the campaign in the
West, ending with the capture of Vicksburg. On the death of
Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph C. Wright, who was mortally wounded
at the assault on the enemy's works on May 22, Major Stockton
was promoted to his place. After the fall of Vicksburg, Colonel
F. A. Starring was put on detached service, and Lieutenant-Colonel
Stockton took command of the regiment, and retained it until the
close of the war. At the battle of Franklin, Tenn., November 30,
1S64, he was wounded, and came home on a furlough; he was ab-
sent, however, from his command but a month. The other in-
cidents of Colonel Stockton's military career can be read in the
history of the regiment, except that he was brevetted colonel and
brigadier-general for meritorious services in the field. In his civil
life, it may be mentioned that, in 1858, he commenced the transfer
business, in company with John Burnett, with five drays and horses,
and, after twenty years, the firm now employ one hundred horses
with everything they require to do business. The firm is now
composed of General Stockton, his brother John and S. J. Glover.
In politics, Mr. Stockton is an ardent Republican, and has taken
an active part in all the presidential campaigns. He has been a
Lincoln Park Commissioner for over thirteen years, and the public
owe to his energy and perseverance many of the most important
improvements of that beautiful resort. On February 7, 1S65,
General Stockton was married to Miss Kate E. Denniston, of
Pittsburgh, a companion of his childhood. She bore him two
children, John T. and Josephine, and died in November, 1S6S.
On June 28, 1876, he married Miss Anne E. Brien, by whom he
had one daughter, Annie, born in November, 1S79. General
Stockton is a member of the Citizens' Association, a director of the
Illinois Humane Society, and secretary of the Half-Orphan
Asylum. He is a member of the Illinois Commandery of the Loyal
Legion, also of the Union Veteran Club and of the Union Veteran
League. He belongs to Waubansia Lodge, No. 160, A.F. &
A.M., and has been an active member of the St. James' Episcopal
Church ever since coming to Chicago.
Edwin POWELL, a physician and surgeon of thirty years'
standing in Chicago, was born in Jefferson County, N. V., October
12, 1S37. He is the son of John and Evelyn (Brainard) Powell.
After acquiring such an education as he could at home and in the
high school, at Theresa, N. Y., he decided to go West. Having
paid a visit to his maternal uncle, Dr. Daniel Brainard, of Chicago,
he decided to adopt the medical profession. In the fall of 1S51,
he entered Knox College, and passed through the preparatory
EIGHTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
231
department. He matriculated at Williams College in 1S52, and,
graduating in 1856, obtained his degree of A.B., standing we'll in
a class of seventy-six members. Immediately after leaving college
he entered the office of his uncle, where he continued his medical
studies and became interne physician at the United States Marine
Hospital. This position Dr. Powell held for about seven years.
From the fall of 1S56 to the summer of 1861. he also acted as
demonstrator of anatomy in Rush Medical College. In July of
that year he entered the United States service as surgeon, and in
the following year was assigned to the 72d Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, participating in all the engagements in and around Vicks-
burg. During the siege he had charge of the hospital of the
Seventeenth Army Corps; and after Vicksburg surrendered, the
Third Army Corps having consolidated with the Seventeenth, he
had the superintendency of all medical matters, and conducted the
McPherson General Hospital with marked ability and professional
skill. The hospital was one of the largest established by the ser-
vice, and Surgeon Powell's services were so thoroughly appreciated
that, during the siege of Vicksburg, he was made brevet lieuten-
ant-colonel and afterward colonel, besides receiving a gold medal
from his corps. He was also present during the siege of Mobile,
and was promoted to be surgeon-in-chief of General Carr's divis-
ion, following the army through Alabama and other Southern
States. Dr. Powell retired from the service in 1865, and returned
to Chicago to practice his profession. He has resided here since,
recognized by the profession and the public as a leading physician
and surgeon, having been adjunct professor of surgery at Rush
Medical College, and, at a later date, professor of military surgery
and surgical anatomy. He was also, for a time, one of the sur-
geons of the Cook County Hospital, and is especially noted for
operations for lithotomy and ovariotomy, and also possesses an
enviable reputation as a teacher of clinical surgery. In 1877, Dr.
Powell traveled through Europe for the purpose of making observ-
ations relative to the medical profession and practice, and gave,
while there, especial attention to anti-septic surgery, as exemplified
by the celebrated Professor Lister, of King's College Hospital,
London, Eng.
J. A. Sexton was born in Chicago in 1843. His parents were
Stephen Sexton and Ann (Gaughan) Sexton, of Rochester, N. Y.,
who settled in Chicago in 1834. At the age of nine, he commenced
his business life, being thus early thrown upon his own resources.
In 1S61, at the breaking out of the war, he enlisted in Co. "I,"
19th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in the three months' service ;
re-enlisted in the 67th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was made
first lieutenant of Co. "E" of same regiment; was then trans-
ferred to the 72d Illinois Infantry, and promoted to captain of Co.
" D." He commanded the regiment through the battles of Co-
lumbia, Duck River, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville, Tenn.,
and through the Nashville campaign. In 1S65, he was assigned to
duty on the staff of General A. J. Smith, Sixteenth Army Corps,
and served until the close of the war. While in the service, he
purchased a plantation in Lowndes County, Ala. In 1867, he came
to Chicago, and established the firm now known as Cribben, Sex-
ton & Co., at the same time carrying on his plantation in Alabama
until i86g. Mr. Sexton married Laura L. Woods, daughter of
William Woods, an early settler of Chicago. She died in 1S76,
leaving four sons — William S., George W., Ira J. and Franklin C.
His second wife was Augusta Lowe, of Chicago ; they have two
children — Laura A. and Mabel N.
Charles Rudolph Edward Koch is the son of Augustus
and Josephine (Von Lutz) Koch, and was born in Birnbaum, in
Polish Prussia, April 24, 1S42. While he was quite young, his
parents came to America and settled in Manitowoc, Wis., where he
received a partial education at the common schools. When he was
fourteen it became necessary for him to assist his father in his busi-
ness, and, in 1859, young Koch came to Chicago in search of his
fortune. He then obtained work on a farm in the vicinity of this
city, and subsequently became a pupil of Dr. Kennicott, in the
study of dentistry, with whom he remained until August, 1S62.
when he enlisted in the 72d Illinois Infantry. He served with this
regiment until May, 1S63; was present throughout the Northern
Mississippi campaign and the Yazoo Pass expedition, also partici-
pating with his regiment in the sanguinary battles of the Vicksburg
campaign, including the siege at that place. While at Natchez,
Miss., he was detailed as chief clerk at General Ransom's head-
quarters, and in November, 1863, he was appointed captain in the
49th United States Colored Infantry, and was then detailed for
several months on the staff of the Adjutant-General of the United
States Army, Lorenzo Thomas, who was at that time organizing
colored troops in the Southwest. He remained on this duty until
February, 1S64, when he was relieved, pursuant to his own re-
quest, and joined his command, at that time stationed in Louisiana,
with which he served until May, 1S65. At that date he was made
provost marshal at Yazoo City, Miss., and remained in that office
until August, when he was promoted to be provost marshal of the
western district of Mississippi, with headquarters at Vicksburg, and
retained this position until he was mustered out in March, 1866.
In October, 1865, the war being over, he tendered his resignation,
upon which, Genera] Force, the district commander, in approving
the application, said: "Captain Koch is a faithful and valuable
officer, but by the time his resignation can be accepted, his services
as military provost marshal may be spared." Ceneral Slocum, the
commander of the Department of the Mississippi forwarded " Ap-
prove'1 " to General P. II. Sheridan, commanding the Military Di-
vision of the Gulf, at New Orleans, and he returned it "Disapproved
The services of faithful and valuable officers can not be dispensed
with at this time," much to the chagrin of the applicant. His
career in the military service is indicative of the man ; entering the
service as a private, by his own merit he was advanced to that of
corporal, first-sergeant and captain. Coming to Chicago a poor boy
with but a partial education, he has worked himself to a position
among the foremost in his profession. In 1866, after the termina-
tion of his military service, he returned to Chicago, and again
entered the office of Dr. Kennicott ; subsequently being associated
with him in business, which association continued until 1871. In
that year he commenced business for himself, and has since pursued
the practice of his profession alone. In 1869, he was elected secre-
tary of the Chicago Dental Society, and in 1875, became its presi-
dent; from 1S71 until 1875 he was the secretary of the Illinois
State Dental Society, and while occupying that office edited its
annual publications. Dr. Koch was president of the Illinois State
Dental Society in 1S77, and is at present chairman of its standing
committee on Science and Literature. He has also been a fre-
quent and valued contributor to professional and current literature,
and devotes a large quantity of the time not occupied by his profes-
sional duties to literary studies. During the labor riots in 1877,
he united with a number of veterans in forming a company to be
utilized in the maintenance of law and order ; of this company he
was chosen captain. This company performed efficient service
during the entire week, until the ordinary police authorities were
enabled to preserve the peace. After the labor riots, he organized
a company for the First Infantry, I.N.G., and served as its captain
during one term of three years, but declined to receive a new com-
mission for a second term. Dr. Koch always retained a strong
attachment for military matters, and preserved great interest in any-
thing pertaining to veteran organizations. He was one of the
originators of the Union Veteran Club in 1S7S, and, as vice-presi-
dent, presided over its first meetings. He was adjutant-general
of the Grand Army of the Republic of Illinois, and was largely in-
strumental in re-planting this organization in the State of Indiana,
where it had died out, and where to-day it is in a most flourishing
condition. He has also been commander of his Post in this Order,
and inspector-general on the Department Staff. He is a member
of the Illinois Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal
Legion of the United States. He was married in 1S68 to Mrs.
Sylvia Bigelow, daughter of the late Hon. Otis Adams, of Grafton,
Mass., by whom he has three daughters living ; Josephine Maud,
Alice Blanche and Mabelle Grace.
EIGHTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
The Eighty-second Infantry, named " Second
Hecker Regiment " in honor of Colonel Frederick
Hecker, its first colonel, and formerly colonel of the
24th Illinois Infantry Volunteers, was, like the latter,
almost exclusively composed of German members, and
a Chicago organization.. One company — " C," the
"Concordia Guards"- — was an Israelitish company
(the Israelites of Chicago collecting, within three days,
$10,000 among themselves for its benefit), and Co. "I "
was composed of Scandinavians.
The-regiment was organized at Camp Butler, Spring-
field, 111., September 26, 1862; and was mustered into
the United States service at the same place October 23,
1862, the following being the original roster :
Field and Staff. — Colonel, Frederick Hecker; Lieutenant-
Colonel, Edward S. Salomon; Major, Ferdinand Rolshauson;
Adjutant, Eugene F. Weigel; Quartermaster, Hermann Panse;
Surgeon, George Schloetzer; Chaplain, Emanuel Julius Richhelm.
Line Officers. — Co. "A": Captain, Anton Bruhn; First Lieu-
tenant, Edward Kafka; Second Lieutenant, Charles E. Stueven.
Co. "B": Captain. Augustus Pruning; First Lieutenant, George
Heinzman; Second Lieutenant, Charles I.anzendorfer. Co. "C":
Captain, Jacob LaSalle; First Lieutenant, Mayer A. Frank; Sec-
ond Lieutenant, Frederick Bechstein. Co. " D ": Captain,
Mathew Marx; First Lieutenant, William Warner; Second Lieu-
tenant, Frank Kirchner. Co. " E ": Captain, Robert Lender;
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
nt. Rudolph Mueller: Second Lieutenant, John
Co. "F": Captain. Frederick I. Weber; First
Firs! Lieutenant.
Brech Culler. Co. "F ": Capta
Lieutenant. Erich Hoppe; Second Lieutenant. Lorenz Spoeneman.
. ': Captain. William Neussel; First Lieutenant, Joseph
Gottlob: Second Lieutenant. Conrad Schonder. Co. " H ": Cap-
tain, Emil Frev: First Lieutenant. Johann Spfirre; Second Lieu-
tenant. Joseph Kicijert. "Co. "I": Captain. Iver Alexander
WeiJ: First Lieutenant. John llillborg: Second Lieutenant, Peter
Co. " K. ": Captain. Joseph B. C.reenhut; First Lieu-
tenant. Ceorge W Fuchs; Second Lieutenant, Dominicus Kletsch
On November 3, 1S62, the Sad left Camp Butler,
nine hundred strong, under orders to join the Army of
the Potomac. It arrived at Arlington Heights, Novem-
ber 9: was attached to General Franz Sigel's division,
and marched to Fairfax Court House, November 19.
On December 11. it moved to Stafford Court House,
where it was assigned to the First Brigade Colonel
Schimmelfennig . Third Division (General Carl Schurz\
Eleventh Army Corps (General StahP; and, with that
command went into camp near Acquia Creek, Va.,
December 19, where the regiment remained until Janu-
ary 20, 1S63, a part of the corps only participating in
Burnside's attack on the heights of Fredericksburg.
On January 20, a forward movement of the army was
ordered, which was commenced, but abandoned on the
23d, a severe storm having rendered the roads abso-
lutely impassable. Wagons, ambulances, batteries, cais-
sons, were mired in every gully, almost beyond the
possibility of extrication, and the troops returned to
winter quarters as speedily as possible. In this move-
ment, which was known as the " Mud Campaign," the
82d participated, advancing to Hartwood Church, where
it encamped until February 6, and then moved again to
Stafford Court House. With Howard's command, the
82d moved from Stafford Court House, April 27, and
marched toward Chancellorsville. Arriving at Kelley's
Ford on the Rappahannock, it crossed on the evening
of the 28th, and, after a few hours' rest on the southern
side, moved to the Rapidan River, near Germania Mills,
crossing that ford to Locust Grove, and forming line-of-
battle along the Fredericksburg pike on the morning of
the 30th. On the morning of May 1, small rifle-pits
were dug and barricades made. At noon, May 2, the
regiment was placed in position, facing south, in the
second line-of-battle, with the 157th New York. About
five o'clock, the enemy attacked the First Division, hold-
ing the right, routed and drove it to the rear, attacking
the first line of the Third Division, which, after brief
resistance, gave way. The second line, comprising the
82d Illinois and the New York regiment, held the enemy
in check until a new line was formed in their rear, when
it fell back about fifteen yards, leaving seventy killed
and wounded on the ground it had occupied. While
forming and rallying his men. Colonel Hecker was
wounded, and fell from his horse while riding to the
rear. Major Rolshauson, in going to his aid, was also
wounded, when the regiment retired in good order.
The loss of the 82d, before it re-joined the brigade, was
one hundred and fifty-six killed or wounded, including
seven commissioned officers. Lieutenant-Colonel Salo-
mon was not with the regiment, being ill in Chicago at
the time.
The 82d participated in the engagement on May 4,
and then returned to camp at Stafford Court House,
where it had a much needed rest until June 12, when it
moved on the Gettysburg campaign, liefore it could reach
Gettysburg, General Reynolds was killed, but his brave
and sorely pr< ssed <! 1- ons -til] held their position near
the Theological Seminary, above the town. At noon,
General Howard arrived on the field, and assumed
command of the troops, the immediate command of the
Eleventh Corps devolving on Carl Schurz. This corps
was thrown into position to the right of the First, and
received, soon after, the weight of the first attack of
Swell's fresh troops, which forced it back to the village
of Gettysburg, where the officers, to save their men
from the terrible fire through the main streets, at-
tempted to march them diagonally by cross streets
through the town, the attempt resulting in confusion,
degenerating into a panic. General Schimmelfennig, an
old Prussian officer, commanding the First Division,
was cut off from his command, but concealed himself,
and finally escaped to the Union lines.
General Howard instantly selected Cemetery Hill,
south of Gettysburg, as his line of defense, to which
point the troops were withdrawn and re-formed, the
First Brigade of the Third Division acting as rear guard
— the 82c! Illinois guarding the rear of the brigade in
the retreat to the new position. The Eleventh Corps, in
the line of battle of the following days, held the center
— the crest of Cemetery Hill and the declivity in its
front. The Third Division occupied the right of How-
ard's line, joining Slocum's Twelfth Corps on their left.
Toward evening, on Thursday, the 2d of July, Ewell's
Confederate corps, by a sudden rush on our right, car-
ried a portion of the line of rifle-pits, which had been
constructed, during the day, in front of Slocum's and
Schurz's line, and which were protected by only a
single brigade — the right having been weakened to sup-
port Sickles, on the left, against the terrific assault of
Longstreet's forces. On Friday morning, the battle
raged in the woods in front of Schurz. The rebels
were still in the rifle-pits, and the infantry were fight-
ing them where our gunners could give no aid, for fear
of killing friend as well as foe. From early morning
until past eleven — seven hours — the men fought to re-
gain those rifle-pits, when Ewell's corps was finally
repulsed, and the Union line advanced to its former
position. Colonel Salomon, with the 82d, made a
fQ jL/qJ?iJ-z^<^ri^
charge upon the pits in his front, driving the Confede-
rates back, with the loss of more prisoners than the
number of his command. During the three days' fight-
ing, Colonel Salomon had two horses shot under him,
while leading his regiment, which was especially com-
plimented by Generals Howard and Schurz, for its
bravery and efficiency during the struggle. Its losses
were one hundred and thirty-one killed, wounded and
missing. Captain Emil Frey and Lieutenant Eugene
Hepp, Co. " H," were taken prisoners. The 82d then
joined in the pursuit of Lee, through Virginia, and then,
on September 25, marched to Manassas Junction, en
route for Tennessee. On October 19, Colonel Hecker
was assigned to the command of the Third Brigade of
Schurz's division, and the 82d regiment was transferred
to that brigade.
On October 19, Hecker's brigade was advanced to
Russell's Gap, a gorge in Raccoon Mountain, which it
held and defended while Hooker's forces passed
through the gap into Lookout Valley, and thence to
Wauhatchie, at the foot of Lookout Mountain, where
they arrived October 28. On that night, the 82d had
EIGHTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
233
an engagement with Law's division of Longstreet's
corps, and afterward joined the main army in Lookout
Valley.
The 82d, with the Eleventh Corps, remained in
Lookout Valley until November 22, when it joined
Grant's forces at Chattanooga, and participated, on the
23d, in the attack on the enemy, near Orchard Knob.
On the 25th, Schurz's division participated in the
attack on Mission Ridge, and the following day re-
ported to General Sherman, and took part in the pur-
suit of Bragg's forces. The Eleventh Corps arrived at
Cleveland, Term., November 29, and thence marched to
Charleston, where orders were received to move to the
relief of Burnside, at Knoxville. When this order was
received, the troops under Sherman's command had no
provisions nor a change of clothing; their shoes were
almost worn out, and there was but a single blanket to a
man, from Sherman down to the privates. A march of
eighty-four miles was before them, through a moun-
tainous country, in the middle of winter, and with the
prospect of a battle at the end of the march.
This was all borne with the courage peculiar to the
Union soldiers who felt, with Sherman, that " Twelve
thousand fellow soldiers were beleaguered in the moun-
tain town of Knoxville, that they needed relief, and
must have it in three days. This was enough." The
command reached Loudon, December 2, and then
marched to Marysville, where intelligence was received
of Longstreet's retreat, and the Eleventh Corps was
ordered to return to Athens, and thence to Charleston
and Chattanooga. At Chattanooga, the corps was re-
turned to Hooker's command December 17, and again
went into camp in Lookout Valley, moving to White-
side, Tenn., in January, 1864.
In the reorganization of the army by Sherman for
the Atlanta Campaign, the Eleventh and Twelfth corps,
Army of the Potomac, were consolidated as the Twen-
tieth Corps, Army of the Cumberland, under command
of General Joseph Hooker. General Hecker resigned
March 4, 1864, and the 82d, under Colonel Salomon, was
assigned to the Third Brigade (Colonel J. S. Robinson),
First Division (General Alpheus S. Williams), of the
Twentieth Corps. The regiment left Whiteside on May
3, 1864, joined the corps at Triune on the 7th, and
marched, by way of Snake Creek Gap, to Resaca, arriv-
ing there on the 13th. On the afternoon of the 14th,
the enemy attacked our' left. The troops resisted for a
few moments; then wavered; and finally fell back,
through the woods and over the barricades, toward and
beyond Major Simonson's famous 5th Indiana Battery.
A few stopped, after passing the barricade, to support
the guns; but the Confederates charging the second
time with terrible yells, the remnant of the brigade were
put to flight, and nothing but Major Simonson, with his
six guns, and his few brave men that manned them,
seemed to stand between the army and disaster. Just
then, a cheer was heard, and down the gorge came
Robinson's brigade on the double-quick, and, charging
across the field, drove the enemy back to the woods,
and saved the battery and the left of the army. Every
man of the brigade won the highest praise for gallantry.
The 82d occupied the field for the night, and on the
following day was again engaged in an assault on the
enemy's main line. On the morning of the 16th, the
Confederates retreated from their works, and before
daylight evacuated Resaca, and retreated across the
Oostenaula River, the regiment joining in the pursuit.
On May 25, the 82d, with the First Division (General
Williams), which was leading Hooker's column, became
engaged with the enemy soon after crossing the bridge
over Pumpkin Vine Creek, about half-way between
Burnt Hickory and Dallas. The First Division was first
brought into action, and was some time opposed alone
to the attack of the whole Confederate force, but gained
and held the advanced ground before the enemy's main
line at New Hope Church, until reinforcements arrived.
For their action in this affair, General Thomas publicly
complimented the men on their bravery. Johnston's
main line could not be carried; and on the 26th, the
troops threw up intrenchments, which they occupied
until the Confederates, under Johnston, evacuated their
works on June 6. The loss of the 82d Illinois on the
25th, in the advance toward Dallas, was eleven killed
and sixty-nine wounded, out of a total of two hundred
and forty-five in the ranks. In the forward movement
of Sherman's army, June 5, the 82d took part in the
various skirmishes which finally dislodged the enemy
from his position on Lost Mountain, west of Marietta.
On June 15, the 82d participated in an assault on
the enemy's main line of works near Pine Mountain,
there losing five killed; and, again, on the 17th, it lost
one killed and three wounded in an attack on the
enemy's intrenched position, south of Noses Creek.
By June 23, Hooker had advanced toward Kenesaw,
remaining near there until July 3, when, the Confederates
having abandoned their works on Kenesaw Mountain,
the First Division commenced the forward movement
toward the Chattahoochee River. In the battle at Peach
Tree Creek, Williams's division held the right of
Harker's line, Geary's held the center, and Butterfield's
(commanded by General Ward) the left. Robinson's
brigade held the left of Williams's division. To the
right of Hooker was General Palmer with the Four-
teenth Corps, to the left was Newton's division of
Howard's Fourth Corps. The following account of
the battle, and particularly of that portion engaged in
by Robinson's brigade, is from the pen of an officer of
the First Division who participated in the engagement.*
"On the 19th instant, the Army of the Cumberland arrived
in position south of the Chattahoochee and to the north of Atlanta.
The Fourteenth Corps occupied the right wing the Fourth the
left, and the Twentieth the center. The line extended along the
north bank of Peach Tree Creek and in a direction perpendic-
ular to the line of rebel works bordering the Chattahoochee. ■)■
The position thus adopted compelled the enemy to change his
front, and assume a new line of defense. In the meantime, the
armies of the Tennessee and the Ohio were expected shortly to
sever the Georgia Railroad, near Stone Mountain, and to march
toward Atlanta, in a direction threatening the right flank and rear
of the rebel army.
" On the 20th instant, a general advance in the direction
of Atlanta, was begun. By ten o'clock a. m., the Twentieth
Corps had arrived in position on the heights skirting Peach Tree
Creek on its south bank. The First Division joined the Four-
teenth Corps on the right, the Second Division held the center,
and the Third joined Newton's division of the Fourth Corps, on
the extreme left. A heavy picket was thrown out, and was consid-
ered a sufficient precaution against any hostile demonstration of
the enemy, since nothing was thought of but an advance against
his position. The troops were permitted to rest quietly in the
shade, and were not troubled with building the usual breastworks
deemed necessary at each change of the line of battle. Temporary
barricades of rails were thought a sufficient strengthening of the
line for all necessary purposes.
" Thus the day wore away until two o'clock p. m. Compara-
tively little firing had followed the movements of the troops — just
enough to reveal the presence and position of the enemy. The
developments anxiously hoped for in the movements of McPher-
son and Schofield seemed to be awaited as the signal for active
demonstrations by the Army of the Cumberland. But the enemy,
appreciating the desperate condition to which he was being rapidly
brought, bethought himself to make one bold, dashing, determined
* " Rebellion Record," vol. XI., pp. 253-54.
t Peach Tree Creek here runs nearly west, entering the Chattahoochee at
the railroad bridge, and forming nearly a right angle with that river. Within
the angle lies Atlanta, the Chattahoochee on the west, Peach Tree Creek on
the north.
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
effort to thwart our designs. Accordingly, early in the afternoon a
tierce, rapid tire broke out along our picket lines, which quickly
grew into a volley-roll of musketry in front of Ward's and Geary's
divisions. The storm soon extended along the line toward the
right, where Williams's division lay grouped along the crest of a
rather high and densely-wooded hill. Between Williams's and
Geary's divisions lay a deep hollow, down which, marked by the
timber, the enemy was now advancing in heavy masses. General
Williams, with that sudden inspiration which characterizes true
military genius, saw, at a glance, the arrangement of his troops
which, according to the nature of the ground and the unexpected
exigencies of the moment, was best adapted to meet this unlooked-
for demonstration of the enemy. He hurried his brigades into
position on the double-quick, and although they moved with all
possible celeritv, was unable to get them in their proper places ere
they received a terrific fire from the enemy.
" Robinson's brigade hastened along the crest of the hill,
then, facing by the left flank, marched down the slope to receive
the swarming masses of the over-confident and defiant foe. The
fire of the enemv was so murderous, and his advance so impetu-
ous, that it seemed for a time as if Robinson's line must surely
vield. It was an awful moment. The combatants were mingled
with each other, and fighting hand to hand. The safety of the
corps, and, indeed, of the entire army, seemed to depend upon the
courage and determination of those devoted men. Should they give
way, the enemy would gain possession of the hill, command the
rear, break the center, capture hundreds of prisoners, all our artil-
lerv, and drive the remnant of our troops back to the creek, and,
perhaps, to the Chattahoochee. But not one inch would those
intrepid veterans yield. Though their ranks were fearfully thinned,
and the tangled forest became strewn with bleeding forms as with
autumn leaves, yet they determinedly maintained their position and
compelled the enemv to withdraw, leaving his dead and wounded
mingled with the brave heroes who had fought and fallen beneath
the starry folds of the flag of the Union."
Another writer says:
" The rebel attack rolled toward the left until General Wil-
liams's fine division was fully engaged. It had advanced, to close
up on Geary, General Knipe's brigade in the center, General
Ruger's on the right and Colonel Robinson's on the left. It fought
from four o'clock until long after dark, in a dense forest, without
Welding a foot. It was a fair stand-up fight, in which Williams's
division lost more heavily than any other in the engagement.
When the enemy first advanced against Colonel Robinson's brigade
the rebels held up their hands, as if to surrender, upon which, see-
ing our lads hesitate, they instantly poured a volley into them.
These wretched and cowardly tactics were practiced on other por-
tions of the line. * * * I have seen most of the battle-fields in
the southwest, but nowhere have I seen traces of more deadly
work than is visible in the dense woods in which Geary's right
(and Williams's left) were found. Thickets were literally cradled
by bullets, and on the large trees, for twenty feet on the trunk, hardly
a square inch of bark remained. Many were torn and splintered
with shell and round shot, the enemy in his attack on Geary and
Williams using artillery, which they did not bring into action on
other portions of the line."
The 82d Illinois performed its part worthily with
the rest, each man firing from one hundred and thirty-
five to one hundred and forty rounds of ammunition
during the three hours' engagement.
On the 22<1, the Twentieth Corps moved to Atlanta,
where the 82d, with its brigade, remained until the
movement to Atlanta was commenced on the 27th. At
this time, the Twentieth Corps was commanded by
General Williams. At the Chattahoochee, General H.
W. Slcx urn joined, and took command of the division,
which, on September 2, entered and occupied Atlanta,
Robinson's brigade joining the division and encamping
near the city September 4, having marched that day
from Montgomery Ferry on the Chattahoochee. From
September 12, until October 4, the <S2d guarded
Confederate prisoners, and was then employed on the
•id Atlanta until the 15th, when it formed
part of extensive foraging expeditions.
1 1 . the 15th of November, with the Third Brigade
[Colonel Robinson , First Division 'General X. J. Jack-
son,, Twentieth Co General A. S. Williams , Left
Winx, Army of Georgia, General II. W. Slocum, the
82d Illinois moved from Atlanta on the famous "march
to the sea." The brigade moved out by the Decatur
road on the 16th, and was then assigned as rear guard
of the corps, and reached Milledgeville November 22.
It then was made advance guard of the division and
corps, .and moved to the defenses around Savannah.
On the 2Sth, the regiment marched with the army
through South Carolina, reaching Chesterfield March 1.
On March 16, it was on the front line at Averysboro',
being under fire from noon until dark, and losing about
fifteen men. Again, on March 19, at Bentonville, the
brigade was thrown to the front, and, being flanked,
fell back and re-formed about a quarter of a mile in the
rear, throwing down a rail fence for a barricade. There
it maintained its position, the enemy charging several
times, and being repulsed with great loss. In this action
the 82d lost twenty -five men. On March 24, the
command reached Goldsboro', where, after their march
of sixty-five days, a permanent camp was formed, the
men received new, and much needed, clothing, and rev-
elled in the luxury of once again receiving full rations.
On April 10, camp was broken, and the men arrived at
Raleigh, N. C, on the 1 6th, when, after marching eighteen
miles farther in pursuit of the Confederates, news was
received of Johnston's surrender, and the 82d, with its
corps, returned to Raleigh and went into camp.
On April 20th, they started for Washington, arriving
at Alexandria, May 20, and, after participating in the
grand review at Washington, on the 24th, the 82d was
mustered out of service, at the same place, June 9, and
returned to Chicago, arriving June 16; having marched,
during its term of service, two thousand five hundred
and three miles, and participated in many severe en-
gagements, with honor to itself and the city which sent
it to the field. The regiment returned with three hun-
dred and ten men, under the following officers :
Colonel, Edward S. Saloman, brevet brigadier-general ; Lieu-
tenant-Colonel, Ferdinand Rolshauson ; Adjutant, Otto Balk ;
Quartermaster, Hermann Panse : Surgeon, Charles E. Boerner ;
Assistant-Surgeon, Hermann Deitzel. Co. "A": Captain, Anton
Bruhn; First Lieutenant, Charles E. Stueven. Co "B": Captain,
George Heinzmann; First Lieutenant, Eugene Hepp. Co. "C":
Captain, Frank Kirchner; First Lieutenant, William Loeb. Co.
"D": Captain, Rudolph Mueller. Co. "E": First Lieutenant,
Moses O. Lindbergh. Co. "F": Captain, Eugene F. Weigel ;
First Lieutenant, Frederick Thomas. Co. "G": First Lieutenant,
Carl Lotz. Co. "II": Captain, Emil Frey; First Lieutenant,
Joseph Riegert. Co. " I": Captain, Joseph Gottlob: First Lieu-
tenant, Christian Erickson. Co. " K ": Second Lieutenant, George
Bauer.
The regiment was greeted at the depot by crowds of
friends, and escorted to the Turner Hall, where it was
welcomed by William Rapp, Esq., of the Staats Zeitung,
Colonel Hecker, its old commander, and others; Colonel
Salomon replying, in behalf of the regiment, to the
numerous congratulatory speeches. On the 19th, it was
tendered a public reception, at the great Sanitary Fair,
then in progress, returning thereafter to Camp Douglas,
where it received its final pay and discharge a few days
later.
Friederich Karl Franz Hecker was born in Eichtersheim
Grand Duchy of Baden, September 2S, 181 1. His father was a
man of influence and culture, the fiscal agent of the celebrated
I'rince Primas of Dalberg, who bestowed on him the title of Aulic
Councilor. Friederich was carefully educated, and, in 1S30,
entered the University of Heidelberg, afterward continuing his
studies at Munich, where he passed a successful examination and
was created Doctor of Laws. After practicing for a time at Karls-
ruhe, he went to Paris where he spent a year in the study of French
law, and on his return to Germany married and settled at Mannheim,
Baden, where he devoted himself to the practice of his profession.
In 1833-34, he was drawn into politics and became one of the leaders
of the movement in opposition to the existing government and in
favor of a complete German union and free institutions. In 1S42,
he was elected a member of the Second Chamber of Deputies, and
EIGHTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
235
so strongly urged a representation of the people in the t lerman
Bundestag or Diet, which then was simply a permanent convention
of the representatives of princes, that he was pronounced revolu-
tionary and dangerous; but refusing all overtures from the Govern-
ment he threw up his commission as representative, and sought rest
and relief abroad. After his return to Baden, he was again elected
representative, again became leader of the opposition, and was in
that position at the time of the downfall of the Orleans dynasty in
France (February 24, 1848) and the outbreak of the German revo-
lution of the same year. After the failure of the people to establish
a national government and the formation of a provisional regency
of the empire, many of Hecker's former colleagues became sup-
porters of the new government, despairing of the success of the
national constitution formed at Frankfort. He, however, remained
true to the principles he had so long advocated, and roused the
standard of revolt in the Duohy of Baden, proclaiming Germany a
republic. The Government sent an army, under General Von Ga-
gern, against the insurgents, and they were obliged to disband.
Hecker withdrew to Switzerland, thence to France, and embarked
at Havre for America. In May, l84g, a second insurrection broke
out in Bavaria, Wurtemberg and Baden, in which the regular army
joined the insurgents. Messengers were sent to New York to recall
Hecker; but before he reached France this insurrection also had been
quelled in a brief campaign, by the Prussian Army, and the National
parliament at Stuttgart had been forcibly dissolved by Government.
Hecker accordingly returned to America, and made himself a home
near Lebanon, St. Clair Co., 111. He purchased a farm, upon
which he quietly resided until the outbreak of the Rebellion, when
he was solicited to take command of the 24th Illinois Infantry, and
accepted the command June 17, 1861. In December of the same
year, he resigned and accepted the same position in the S2d Illinois.
After the battle of Chancellorsville, in which he was severely
wounded, he was placed in command of a brigade, and, with
Hooker's corps, joined the Army of the Cumberland at Chattanooga.
In March 1864, he resigned, and retired to his farm. He once
visited his native land, in 1S73, where he was received with the
honors due his distinguished services and sacrifices in its behalf.
Colonel Hecker died on March 25, 1SS1. His funeral was attended
by delegations of distinguished citizens from many of the large
western cities. Colonel Hecker was one of the grandest characters
which the revolution of 184S produced. A man of great influence
and wealth, a lawyer of uncommon ability and wonderful eloquence,
he sacrificed all his worldly possessions, honors and position to a
true and unselfish patriotism, and became the acknowledged leader
of the people's cause. The revolution of 1S4S having failed, as
stated, he fled to the United States, and established himself as a
farmer in St. Clair County. There he became one of the staunchest
anti-slavery agitators, and in all political campaigns before the out-
break of the Rebellion proved himself the most eloquent German
speaker in the ranks of the Free Soilers. In the city of Cincinnati,
as well as in St. Louis, the German population have erected to his
memory an enduring and costly monument in one of the public
squares. Colonel Hecker was married October 24, 1S39. One of
his children, Arthur, is farming on the old estate; Malvina, married
to Rudolph Mueller, is living in Chicago, her husband being a
merchant; Erwin, a farmer, lives near Summerfield, 111.; and Alfred
and Alexander, merchants, are residents of St. Louis.
General Edward S. Salomon was born in Schleswig Hol-
stein, December 25, 1836. He received a liberal education in his
native city, adding the study of military science to the general
branche she had hitherto pursued, when the revolution of 184s and
the war against Denmark aroused fresh interest in those studies
among the German youth. At the close of the war, he went to
Hamburg, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1S54,
when he emigrated from his fatherland, and made
his home in America. He arrived in Chicago the
following year, and for a short time was employed
as a clerk in a small store in the North Division, and
subsequently as bookkeeper in a hat and cap store.
He commenced the study of law in 1858 with
Davis & Buell, was admitted to the Bar the follow-
ing year, and later became a member of the firm
of Peck & Buell. In i860, he was chosen alderman from the
Sixth Ward, and occupied that position until the commence-
ment of the war, when he gave up his law business, and entered
the service as second lieutenant in tlie 24th Illinois Infantry.
At the close of 1861, when Hecker resigned his position as colonel
of the 24th regiment, Salomon, who had been successively pro-
moted first lieutenant, captain and major, also resigned, and
was instrumental in raising the S2d, or "Second Hecker Regi-
ment," of which he was appointed lieutenant-colonel. At the time
of the battle of Chancellorsville, the first serious battle in which the
regiment was engaged, Lieutenant-Colonel Salomon was sick in
Chicago, and consequently did not participate in the engagement,
but joined his regiment in Virginia as soon as able, and com-
manded it during the three days' struggle al Gettysburg, receiving
the encomiums of his division commander for his coolness and
determination in repulsing the attack of Ewell on the right of the
Union line on July 22. Colonel Hecker, who had been absent
from his regiment on account of a wound received at Chancellors-
ville, returned to the field after Gettysburg. Lieutenant Colonel
Salomon was appointed provost marshal general on General
Howard's staff, and served in that capacity during the remainder of
the summer. In September, Howard's corps was ordered to Chatta-
nooga, to join the Army of the Cumberland. General Hecker was
promoted brigadier-general, and assigned to the command of
the brigade, and Lieutenant-Colonel Salomon succeeded him in
the command of the 82d Illinois. With his regiment, he partici-
pated in the battle of Mission Ridge, the inarch to the relief of
Burnside, and in the many and severe engagements of the Atlanta
Campaign, during the summer of 1864, from May until September,
including Resaca, Dallas, Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain,
Peach Tree Creek, and the siege and capture of the city of Atlanta.
After the capture of Atlanta, Colonel Salomon was sent to Nash-
ville with orders, and, not being able to re-join his regiment before
it set out on the march through Georgia, remained with General
Thomas, and was assigned to the command of a brigade during the
battles before Nashville in December. He then left, in command
of some troops, for Savannah, where he re-joined his regiment, and
participated in Sherman's march through South and North Caro-
lina, taking quite a prominent part in the battles of Averysboro'
and Bentonviile. At the close of the war, he was appointed brevet
brigadier-general, to date from March 13, 1865, for distinguished
gallantry and meritorious services, and with his regiment returned
to Chicago the following June. In the fall of 1S65, he was elected
bv the Republicans as county clerk of Cook County, and held the
office until November, 1869.
EIGHTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
Second Chicago Board-of-Trade Regiment. —
The 88th Illinois, the second regiment recruited under
the auspices of the Chicago Board of Trade, was
mustered into service at Chicago on August 27, 1862,
the following being its original roster :
Fichi and Staff. — Colonel, Francis T. Sherman, Chicago; Lieu-
tenant-Colonel, Alexander S. Chadbourne, Chicago; Major, George
W. Chandler, Chicago; Adjutant, Joshua S. Ballard, Chicago;
Quartermaster, Nathaniel S. Bouton, Chicago; Surgeon, George
Coatsworth, Chicago; First Assistant-Surgeon, Andrew C. Rankin,
Loda; Chaplain, Joseph C. Thomas, Cazenovia.
Line Officers. — Co. "D" (Invincible Guards (A), Chicago):
Captain, John A. Bross; First Lieutenant, John T. D. Gibson;
Second Lieutenant, Lewis B. Cole. Co. "A" (W. R. Arthur
Guards (B), Chicago): Captain, George W. Smith; First Lieuten-
ant, George Chandler; Second Lieutenant, Gilbert F. Bigelow.
Co. "B" (Nelson Guards (C), Chicago): Captain, Webster A.
Whiting; First Lieutenant, Henry H. Cushing; Second Lieuten-
ant, Charles H. Lane. Co. "C" (Kimbark Guards (D), Chicago):
Captain, George A. Sheridan ; First Lieutenant, Thomas F. W.
Gullich; Second Lieutenant, Alexander C. McMurtry. [This was
the order of these four companies as fixed by the Adjutant General
of Illinois before the muster. They were, however, after the mus-
ter, assigned and borne upon all the Government rolls throughout
their service, as follows: Co. "A," Captain Smith; Co. " B," Cap-
tain Whiting; Co. "C," Captain Sheridan; Co. "D," Captain Bross.
Co. " A " was the right, and Co. " B " the left company of the regi-
ment.] Co. " E " (Holden Guards, Chicago): Captain, Levi T.
Holden; First Lieutenant, Sylvester Titsworth; Second Lieuten-
ant, Lorenzo Brown. Co. " F " (Chicago): Captain, John W.
Chickering; First Lieutenant, James A S. Hanford; Second Lieu-
tenant, James Watts. Co. "G" (Hubbard Guards, Chicago):
Captain, Gurdon S. Hubbard; First Lieutenant, Frederick C. Good-
win; Second Lieutenant, Dean R. Chester. Co. "H" (Crosby
Guards, Chicago): Captain, Alexander C. McClurg; First Lieu-
tenant, Charles T. Boal; Second Lieutenant, Daniel B. Rice. Co.
"I" (Chicago): Captain Joel J. Spaulding; First Lieutenant,
Orson C. Miller; Second Lieutenant, Jesse Ball. Co. " K " (Chi-
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Captain, Daniel E. Barnard; First Lieutenant, Homer C.
McDonald: Second Lieutenant, Edward E. fucker.
The 88th Illinois left Chicago September 4, 1862,
under orders to report at Louisville, K.y. In the excited
state of public feeling incident upon Bragg's invasion
of Kentucky, and the necessity of hurrying Union forces
to the front, this, like many other regiments, left for
active service without arms or proper equipments, but
on reaching Jeffersonville, two days later, received the
needed supplies and immediately marched to Coving-
ton, opposite Cincinnati, which was threatened by a
rebel force under Kirby Smith. Returning to Louis-
ville, it was there assigned to the Thirty-seventh Bri-
gade Colonel Nicholas Greusel), Eleventh Division
(General Philip H. Sheridan), Army of the Ohio (Gen-
eral Buell). On the 1st of October, it moved with the
command from Louisville in pursuit of Bragg, and on
the Sth, just a month from leaving home, took a brave
and honorable part in the bloody battle of Perryville,
in which battle Sheridan's division occupied the left of
the Federal line. At about three o'clock in the after-
noon, Greusel's brigade was ordered to the front, the
88th being detailed to the relief of the 36th Illinois, in
support of a battery which occupied a commanding
position in front of the enemy's right. This position it
held, repulsing several attacks, until the rebels retreated
— their right being the first to break — when, with the
brigade, it followed in pursuit until the enemy were out
of range. The regiment, both officers and men, were
publicly complimented by the brigade commander, for
their coolness and efficiency in this their first battle.
The casualties reported were as follows :
Co. " A ": Killed, John Johnson; mortally wounded, John
Jackson; wounded, Thomas J. Hoge, Frank W. Gordon, William
Kemp, Samuel Underhill. Co. "B": Mortally wounded, S. S.
Correll; wounded. Corporal C. H. Sheldon, John Lynn, George A.
Kilson Co. "C": Wounded, David Ilinchman. Co. "D":
Mortally wounded, Corporal William Stephens, private Hermann
Sauer; wounded, Charles Strube, Peter Shimp, Jacob Norton,
Charles A. Johnson, George Logan. Co. "E": Wounded, An-
drew J. Merrill John Lewis William Best. Co. "F": Killed, B.
Duplany; wounded, George Martin, James Burgher, A Kneiss.
Co. "G": Wounded, Jasper N. Evans, John Carter, John Dod-
son. Co. " H ": Killed, Benjamin S. Cool, James O'Connor;
wounded. Alfred Atkins.* Co. " I "; Wounded, Henry Ellis,
David R Kean. Co. "K": Wounded, Corporal Alfred Sevan,
privates George W. Foster, Patrick Hanlan, John McLaughlin,
Thomas Tant, Philip Flood, William Seabury.
The regiment joined in the pursuit of the rebel force
to Crab Orchard, which point was reached on the 15th.
There the pursuit was abandoned, and the command
marched thence through Lebanon and Bowling Green
to Edgefield, opposite Nashville, arriving at that place
November 7. On the 17th of November, it crossed the
Cumberland, and went into camp six miles south of
Nashville, on the Nolensville pike.
In the reorganization of the army under Rosecrans,
on .November 20, Sheridan's division was assigned to Mc-
Cook's corps, which formed the right wing of the Army
of trie Cumberland. The 88th Illinois still remained
with Sheridan, forming a part of Sill's brigade, offi-
cially known as First Brigade, Third Division, Right
Wing. With its division, the regiment moved from
camp near Nashville, on the 26th of December, march-
ing on the Nolensville pike toward Murfreesboro', where
Bragg's army was concentrated. On the ,30th, the com-
mand arrived before Murfreesboro', Sheridan's division
forming the left of McCook's line-of-battle, Davis's the
center, and Johnson's the right. The right of Sheri-
dan's division was held by Sill's brigade, the 88th Illi-
nois in first line-of-battle. On the morning of Dei em-
• General Mi ' irg lata thai there were cither three, or five, wounded in
his rompany, but he can not remember their names.
ber30, the brigade moved down the Wilkinson turnpike
toward Murfreesboro', until the head of the column en-
countered the rebel pickets, who, after a sharp skirmish,
were driven back and the command again advanced to
a position about two and a quarter miles from the town,
when General Sill formed line-of-battle to the right of
the road down which he had advanced. In front of his
position, beyond some open cotton-fields, was a heavy
belt of timber occupied by the enemy's skirmishers.
Artillery also was posted in this timber, but was dis-
lodged during the day by Bush's battery, supported by
the 88th Illinois and other regiments on the skirmish
line, the rebel pickets being driven' back to their main
line. Major George W. Chandler, while leading the
skirmishers, received a slight wound in the face, and his
horse was killed by a misdirected shot from the brigade
battery in the rear. Toward night, the brigade advanced
over the cotton-field in its front, as far as Harding's
house, where, throwing out pickets, the troops lay on
their arms, without fires, through that bitterly cold win-
ter night. Across the narrow valley in front of Sheri-
dan's division the enemy had massed a heavy force,
under shelter of a thick cedar wood, the narrowest point
in the valley being directly in front of Sill's brigade, of
which the 88th Illinois was the advanced regiment on
the left. At day-break on the morning of the 31st, the
enemy attacked the Right Wing. Johnson's division
and the right of Davis's were driven back, and the exult-
ant Confederates then concentrated their attacks on the
left of Davis's line, held by Woodruff's brigade, and
the right of Sheridan's, held by Sill's. They were
bravely repulsed again and again, only to renew the as-
sault. General Sill was killed while gallantly leading
his men in a charge, after which his brigade retired
slowly to its original position, and was formed in a line
at right angles to the first, in support of its battery.
Sheridan's division fought until its ammunition was
exhausted and all of its brigade commanders killed.
After six hours of the hardest fighting of the day, he
ordered it to fall back — his men dragging all but eight
of his guns through the cedars, in his rear, to the Mur-
freesboro' pike, where he re-formed his command.
Among the killed in the 88th Illinois at Stone River
were :
Co. "B": Privates Abram Weaver and Henry Millering.
Co. "C"; Corporals William T. Owens, and Samuel H. Mick.
Co. " D": Lieutenant Thomas F. W. Gullich, Privates Hugh T.
Logan and William H. Davis. Co."H"; Private John Darr. Co.
" I"; Sergeant Eugene A. Lyford and Corporal Fred M. Holton.
Co. " K": Privates John Roman, George Helm and John Peters.
Major Chandler was wounded in the battle, but
remained on the field. Captain George W. Smith, Co.
"A," was severely wounded, and was taken to a house
on the field, which was captured by the enemy, when he
was made prisoner. After remaining some four days in
the hands of the rebels, he made his escape into the
Union lines, on an old horse with a rope halter, without
saddle, and which a negro helped him to mount, and
was sent to Nashville, whence he returned to Chicago,
and remained at his home until his wound permitted
him to re-join his command, just at the beginning of the
middle Tennessee campaign. Lieutenants Homer C.
McDonald and Dean R. Chester, of Chicago, were
among the wounded.
The especial part taken in the battle by the S8th is
thus described by a participant: *
" The morning of the 31st of December, 1862, broke cold and
cheerless. The men were stiff with the cold, having lain without
fires, in a muddy cotton field, in front of Harding's house during
the night. The position of the regiment was on the left of the
• " Patriotism of Illinois," p. 348.
EIGHTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
237
brigade, and in the first line of battle. Day had scarcely dawned
before the pickets opened fire all along the lines, and ere the sun
had risen, the rebels advanced in force on the right wing under
General McCook.
" Four regiments of the enemy marched directly on the position
held by the SSth. Colonel Sherman gave orders that not a gun
should be fired until he gave the word, and was obeyed. A brigade
of four regiments in column were coming steadily on with their
battle flags displayed. The regiment waited until the first line was
within seventy-five yards of where it lay. With a yell, the enemy
took the double-quick for the charge, and then our colonel gave the
order to ' Fire, and fire low ' A simultaneous discharge of all the
muskets in his command answered, and as that volley went tearing
through the rebel ranks, it shook them as if an earthquake was
rumbling beneath their feet. So unexpected was the volley, that
the whole column came to a dead halt, giving the SSth time to re-
load. Again the rebel officers succeeded in getting the column to
advance; and again another volley, more terrible than the first,
swept through their ranks, from the heavy guns with which the
regiment was armed. This they could not face, and the remnant
of the brigade sank to the ground to find shelter. The colonel
now ordered file-firing upon them as they lay, and soon drove them
from our front in utter confusion.
" For six hours we were under heavy fire without cessation,
and with empty cartridge boxes were forced from the field where
Sheridan's division fought so nobly against overpowering numbers
and saved the day. One hundred and fifty-one men, out of four
hundred and sixteen, which was the effective force of the regiment
in the morning, lay on the field at night or in the hands of the
enemy."
Dr. George Coatsworth, the faithful and devoted -sur-
geon of the regiment, died at Murfreesboro', January 9,
1863, of pneumonia, contracted on the field while faith-
fully laboring for the relief of the wounded. He had
been like a tender brother and friend, both to the offi-
cers and ''the boys" under his charge, and they alike
deeply mourned his loss.
Lieutenant Joshua S. Ballard, of Chicago, — a young
man only twenty-three years old, and the pride of the
regiment, died in the hospital at Murfreesboro', April 9,
1863. He had just been appointed acting assistant-
adjutant on Colonel Sherman's staff. After the battle
of Stone River, Colonel Greusel, who succeeded General
Sill, resigned, and Colonel Sherman was assigned to the
command of the First Brigade, which he held until
April 21, when he was relieved by General William H.
Lytle, of Chicago. Lieutenant- Colonel Chadbourne
being ill, Major George W. Chandler took command of
the regiment, which he led, except during a brief inter-
val, until his death at Kenesaw.
The SSth remained in camp at Murfreesboro' until
June 24. During this period, the Army of the Cumber-
land was reorganized for the coming campaign, the
88th Illinois, however, remaining in the First Brigade
(General Lytle), Third Division (General Sheridan),
Twentieth Army Corps (General McCook). Leaving
Murfreesboro' on June 24, Sheridan's division reached
Tullahoma on the 1st of July, and thence proceeded to
Bridgeport, Ala., where, on the 2d of September, it
crossed the Tennessee River, moved over the mountains
to Trenton, and thence marched over Sand Mountain
and up Wills' Valley to Alpine, Ga., where McCook's
corps formed the extreme right of Rosecrans's army —
about thirty miles from Thomas at Stevens's Gap, on its
left. Rosecrans, finding that the enemy had evacuated
Chattanooga and concentrated at LaFayette, twenty
miles south of that point, ordered the immediate return
of McCook's corps, and the concentration of all his
forces along the east side of Chickamauga Creek. The
roads were terrible, the weather was stormy, and rations
were short, but the troops re-traced their steps as rapidly
as possible, General Lytle's command, consisting of
three brigades, forming the rear guard. Colonel Silas
Miller commanded Lytle's brigade during the march to
Chickamauga Creek; General Sherman was sick in
Chicago, and the 88th was commanded by Lieutenant-
Colonel Chadbourne.
On Saturday, September 19, the command overtook
the remainder of the corps near Crawfish Springs, the
extreme right of the line. During the day, two of Mc-
Cook's divisions were ordered to report to Thomas at
the left, and Sheridan to move to, and hold, Gordon's
Mills. This was accomplished, and during the after-
noon of the same day, two brigades of Sheridan's divis-
ion were also withdrawn for the support of Thomas,
leaving only Lytle's brigade to hold the position at
Gordon's Mills. The brigade remained on the east
bank of the creek during the day, and fell back about
two hundred paces, to bivouac for the night, but be-
fore morning was ordered to close up on the center,
and shorten the line of battle. Again, on the 20th,
McCook was ordered to send two of Sheridan's brigades,
" with all possible dispatch," to support the left. Lytle's
and Walworth's (Bradley's) were hurried from the ex-
treme right, and rushing down the Chattanooga road on
the double quick, formed in rear of the Widow Glenn's
house, — Rosecrans's headquarters. They had scarcely
taken position when the center and right of the Federal
line was fiercely assaulted, and they were ordered to
change front and return to assist in repelling the
onslaught. Longstreet's troops were now pouring
through the fatal gap in the Union line, caused by the
withdrawal of Wood's division. Davis, to the left, was
driven back by the advancing enemy, taking with him
Laibold's brigade of Sheridan's division. Then Lytle,
in whose first line was the 88th Illinois, was struck by
the yelling and exultant host. The command struggled
bravely, fighting for half an hour against utterly hope-
less odds, but, finally, out-flanked and subjected to a
murderous front and flank fire, was compelled to with-
draw, to escape annihilation or capture. The gallant
Lytle, brigade commander, was shot at this point, and
the SSth lost very heavily — about one hundred men out
of the three hundred with which it went into action.
After the death of General Lytle, Colonel Miller took
command of the brigade, and under him it marched to
Rossville, and bivouacked for the night.
The war correspondent of the Chicago Tribune wrote
of this regiment as among the bravest, saying that if he
were to particularize all who distinguished themselves,
he would have to send almost the entire roster. He
mentions, however, the gallantry of Lieutenant-Colonel
Chadbourne, who, although suffering from the pain of
a severe contusion of the thigh, still retained command ;
Major Chandler, " urbane and pleasant, yet brave as a
lion," whose voice rang cheerily out, above the din and
tumult and roar of battle, crying, " Come on, boys ; I
won't ask you to go where I am afraid to lead " ; Adju-
tant Orson C. Miller, "quiet and self-centered, yet full
of daring and endurance " ; Captain George W. Smith,
then senior line officer, who, acting for a time as a field
officer, " was in all places where the battle raged fiercest";
and Captain John A. Bross, who, his company being on
& , '&tXS.
picket at the time of the enemy's attack, not only extri-
cated his men with consummate skill, but fought his
way back, step by step, that his regiment might have
more time to prepare for the shock.
»3«
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
The list of casualties is incomplete. The regiment
lost eight killed, three mortally wounded, twenty-seven
seriously and twenty-six slightly wounded, seventeen
missing.
Among the killed, were Henry J. Brook and William R. Silex.
Among the wounded were Lieutenant-Colonel Chadbourne ; Cap-
tains I. W. Chickering and George A Sheridan ; Lieutenants
Alexander C McMurtry, William Lawrence, Henry C. Griffin,
Henry W. Bingham, Noah W. Rae ; Corporal M. I. Metcalf; Pri-
i I. Haves. John M. Holly, Andrew German, Jacob Wright,
Patrick Reynolds. Thomas O'Xeil, Brice Worley, H.'H. Hoff. and
W. Best.
The regiment threw up intrenchments near Rossville,
which it occupied until noon of the 22d, when it
marched to Chattanooga, and was there employed on the
fortifications until the reorganization of the army and
the assignment of General Thomas, on October 16, to
the command of the Army of the Cumberland. In the
reorganization, the Twentieth and Twenty-first corps of
McCook and Crittenden were discontinued, and the
Fourth Corps, General Granger, was organized. The
S8th Illinois was assigned to the First Brigade (Colonel
Francis T. Sherman;, Second Division (General Phil. H.
Sheridan), Fourth Corps. On the 23d of November,
Sheridan's and Wood's divisions captured " Orchard
Knob," the most advanced of the enemy's works before
Chattanooga, and it became thereafter the headquarters
of Grant and Thomas. On the 25th, the assault on
.Mission Ridge was made, Sheridan's division forming
the right center of the charging column. At about half
past three in the afternoon, the signal — six guns fired
in rapid succession from Bridge's battery, on Orchard
Knob — was given, and eager troops set forward. Three
lines of rifle-pits were to be captured — the first near the
foot of the ridge, the second about half way up, and the
third on the crest, where the heavy breastworks were
protected by some fifty pieces of artillery. Lieutenant-
Colonel Chandler, commanding the 88th at Mission
Ridge, said, in his report of thebattle :
" The regiment on the 23d (November) was on picket in front
of Fort Negley, when the movement of the army was begun. We
were relieved on the morning of the 24th, and ordered to join our
brigade, which had moved to the left during the night. At eleven
o'clock, on the 25th, under the direction of Colonel Sherman, I
took position behind the breastworks on the picket line to the left
of the road leading out from the left of Fort Negley. At two
o'clock in the afternoon, the regiment, with the brigade, advanced
to the rise of ground on which had been the enemy's picket line,
where it was halted. The regiment occupied the right of the
second line, and, at three o'clock, under the immediate direction of
Colonel Miller, who had the direction of the second line, moved to
the assault of the enemy's works on Mission Ridge.
" We advanced in quick time, until we reached the edge of the
timber, when we took the ' double-quick ' across the plain, a dis-
tance of half a mile, to the first line of works, the enemy firing into
our ranks from the first line, and pouring grape and canister from
the batteries on the crest of the ridge. Here, under the little shel-
ter afforded by this first line of works, the men sank from exhaus-
tion. We remained here only a few minutes, and advanced to the
second line, driving the enemy in confusion before us. The men
were now so completely exhausted, and there was kept up such a
galling fire from the enemy, that a farther advance seemed out of
the question. A few moments of rest, however, and they followed
the colors, which were ordered forward. The advance was slow, but
sure, having to contend not only with the direct fire, but enfilading
fire from the right. When near the upper works of the enemy, we
halted, wailing for the troops on our right to move forward and
draw from us the fire which enfiladed our line of advance. This
fire not in any way diminishing. I ordered the colors lorward on the
hich a moment afterward were carried, and the ' Stars and
Stripes ' waved triumphantly on Mission Ridge, the enemy being in
full retreat in great confusion. The distance from where the charge
was begun to the top <<f the ridge was at least one and a half
miles across a .vide, open plain, and up a long steep hill, protected
by three lines of rifle-pits— one at the foot, the second about half
way up, and a third on the en Ige, with artillery at the
top. The time occupied was about one and a half hours. The
regiment rested on the ridge until about one o'clock the next morn
ing, when, with the brigade, we moved to the front, a mile and a
half, and halted until about ten o'clock, when we moved forward
to Chickamauga Creek. In the afternoon we returned to camp.
"I desire to make honorable mention of the officers of this
regiment, all of whom did their duty most gallantly. Captain
George W. Smith, of Co. " A," acting field officer, was conspicuous
for his bravery while urging on the almost exhausted men, until,
about two-thirds of the way up the hill, he fell, severely wounded.
First Lieutenant Dean R. Chester, commanding Co. "G," was
shot through the leg while crossing the plain, but gallantly led his
company to the second line of works.
"Second Lieutenant Henry L. Bingham, commanding Co.
" H," was killed just before reaching the second line, but proved
himself entirely worthy the straps he had so recently mounted.
First Lieutenant Edward E. Tucker, commanding Co. " D," was
conspicuous for his daring, moving among the men and urging
them forward. Sergeant Richard Realf was everywhere, urging on
those who fell behind from other regiments, as well as those of our
own. It affords me great satisfaction to mention our brave color-
bearer, Sergeant John Cheever, who gallantly carried our banner,
planting it always in the advance, for the regiment to rally on;
never letting it trail in the dust, but waving it encouragingly to
those behind and defiantly to the enemy before him; never faltering
until he waved it over the top of Missionary Ridge. It is difficult
to select any one from the ranks, and give him special mention,
where all behaved so well ; but I must mention Corporal Thomas
Lacy, of Co. " K," and private William Isbester, of Co. "C,"
who seemed to vie with the colors for the advance."
In the charge on Mission Ridge, Lieutenants Charles H.
Lane, Co. "C," and Henry L. Bingham, Co. " H," both of Chi-
cago, were killed. Among the wounded were First Lieutenants
Sylvester Titsmouth and William Lawrence, and Second Lieu-
tenant Lewis B. Cole, all of Chicago.
On the return of the 88th to camp at Chattanooga,
it was ordered, with its division, to prepare for a forced
march to Knoxville to relieve Burnside, there besieged
by Longstreet.
After a march of one hundred and thirty miles the
command reached Knoxville on the 7th of December,
just in time to join in the pursuit of Longstreet, who,
on learning of the advance of the Union forces, raised
the siege, December 4, and retreated toward Virginia.
General Sherman returned to Chattanooga with his own
corps, leaving Granger's corps to strengthen the Army
of the Ohio in East Tennessee; and, after the pursuit of
Longstreet was ended, it was stationed in the vicinity
of Knoxville, at Blain's Cross Roads for the remainder
of the winter. The campaign in East Tennessee was an
uneventful one, the 88th meeting the enemy but once;
when, in January, 1864, Longstreet temporarily left his
winter quarters near Morristown and marched to Dan-
dridge, about forty-five miles from Knoxville, where he
was met by Granger's corps, and a slight engagement
ensued. The men during that winter fought a much
harder battle than that with the enemy. Hard marches
over execrable roads, short rations, and scanty clothing
and shelter, tried patience and endurance sorely. The
weather was bitterly cold, the new year opening with a
gale from the northwest, which reduced the temperature
below zero; yet, through it all, the soldiers kept up
their courage and spirits, and, hovering round their
camp fires, some without coats, some without pantaloons,
some with tattered blankets tied like petticoats about
their waists, greeted with hearty cheers each new an-
nouncement that another regiment had veteranized.
In the early spring of 1864, Granger was relieved of
the command of the Fourth Corps, and Major-General
Howard took his place. In the reorganization of the
army for the Atlanta campaign, Colonel Sherman
continued in command of the brigade, the 88th Illi-
nois was assigned thereto, in Newton's division,
Howard's (Fourth) corps, which was ordered to con-
centrate at Cleveland, Term., in preparation for the
forward movement. On May 3, it broke camp at Cleve-
EIGHTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
239
land, and moved to Catoosa Springs, near Ringgold,
Ga., where Howard formed his line of battle, Newton's
division forming the left, Stanley's the center, and
Wood's the right. On the 7th, Newton's division, con-
sisting of Sherman's, Wagner's and Harker's brigades,
arrived at the foot of " Rocky Face," an almost inac-
cessible ridge, rising some five hundred feet above the
level of the surrounding country, the crest of which was
a sheer precipice of solid rock, in height from twenty
to sixty feet. Mill Creek Gap, a narrow gorge through
Rocky Face, commonly called Buzzard's Roost, was
traversed by the Atlantic & Western Railway, and by
the direct wagon road to Dalton, where Johnston's
army was concentrated. The enemy had strengthened
this pass with artillery, and taken up position there, on
being driven from Tunnel Hill. On the 8th, Harker's
brigade, of Newton's division, was thrown up the steep
northern face of the ridge, driving back the enemy
about three miles, along its crest. The following day
Sherman's and Wagner's brigades were advanced to the
same position, but were unable to proceed farther, the
enemy holding a strongly fortified gorge in front, upon
which five separate assaults were vainly made. On the
1 2th, Johnston's forces evacuated Buzzard's Roost, the
position having been turned, and fled, through Dalton,
southward to Resaca. The 88th, with Newton's divis-
ion, joining in the pursuit, marched down the western
side of Rocky Face, and passed through Snake Creek
Gap to Dalton, joining the other divisions of the corps
at Resaca the following day.
On the 14th, it participated in the battle of Resaca,
its position being on the left of the Federal line. The
brigade was ordered to advance and relieve a brigade
in front, that had carried, but could not hold, a portion
of the enemy's outer defenses. To reach this position,
the troops had to cross Camp Creek, and move across
an open field, under a severe fire of artillery and mus-
ketry. After the intrenchments were reached, a des-
perate struggle ensued for their possession, but the
enemy was finally forced back, and established anew
line several hundred yards in rear. On the 15th, the 88th,
with Newton's division, was moved toward the right of the
line, and, on the evacuation of the town by the enemy,
was given the advance in the pursuit, crossing the
Oostenaula River at Resaca, and moving down the
direct road toward Calhoun and Adairsville. As the
division reached the latter place, the enemy's rearguard
were met in strong force, having taken a position and
thrown up barricades, behind which they succeeded in
resisting, for a short time, the advance of the column.
On the 19th, Hardee's rear guard was driven into
Cassville ; on the 20th. Johnston's army crossed the
Etowah, and the Federal army went into camp for a
few days' rest. On the 23d of May, Newton's division
crossed the Etowah, and on the 25th was ordered to
the support of Hooker, who was engaged with Hood's
corps at New Hope Church. After the evacuation of
Dallas, June 5th, the Fourth Corps moved to Ackworth,
leaving Kimball's brigade to guard the hospitals until
the wounded could be safely removed. A force of
rebel cavalry attempted to take these shelters of
wounded men, and succeeded in capturing a few muti-
lated prisoners In the advance of the army, Kenesaw
Mountain was reached on the 20th ; and, on the 24th,
the Fourth Corps, Newton's division holding the center,
was ordered to attack and, if possible, carry an advanced
line of the enemy's fortifications. The assault was
made in the forenoon. The rebel skirmishers in front
of Newton were driven from their rifle-pits, and the com-
mand advanced to the foot of the ridge, on the crest of
which was a strong line of works ; but they were there
stopped, and forceil to fall back to the line of intrench-
ments just vacated by the enemy. These they took, and
held possession of; and so near were they to the enemy's
lines that the skirmishers who occupied them could easily
converse with the skirmishers of the enemy. On the
24th, Sherman ordered an assault to be made on the
enemy's works on the 27th. Of the three storming
columns, Newton's division was selected to assault the
enemy's left center, to the southward of Kenesaw.
On the morning of the 27th, preparations for the
assault commenced, and at half-past eight the signal for
the charge was given. It is thus described in the letter
of an army correspondent:
" The ground in front of Newton is open and rolling. The
rebel main works occupy a light ridge covered with timber, and his
batteries sweep the whole space between the lines. Harker's bri-
gade, on the right, was formed in column of divisions, left in front,
and Wagner in the same order on the left. Kimball's brigade re-
tired on Wagner's left, with orders to guard the flank, and support
whichever of the brigades seemed the weakest, and was formed in
column of divisions, right in front. Marker, debouching from the
forest, is met by a withering fire of artillery and musketry, but still
holds straight forward toward the rebel works. Finding that Wag-
ner and he are moving in such close proximity as to create confu-
sion, should he desire to deploy, Marker obliqued to the right, moved
off again slowly under a very destructive fire, and Wagner hastened
forward to a depression where his men might be sheltered somewhat
from the seething fire of grape and canister that swept through and
tore his ranks. Think of columns, at the distance of six hundred
yards from artillery, having a continuous storm of grape and
canister, and you have the ordeal through which these brave
fellows passed.
" Wagner was still exposed to enfilading fire from artillery,
and soon from the flank fire of infantry that the enemy sent out to
effect his dislodgement. During the advance, Wagner's troops were
struck so heavily at the very first shot, that a good portion crum-
bled off and drifted to the rear. Enfiladed, and unused to such
formations for battle, it required all the firmness and sternness at
command to keep the men to the work.
" Now and then a little sift from the line, like the premonitory
snow-slides that warn of the avalanche, drifted back; and Kimball
was ordered up to Wagner's relief — to pass over him, and, if
possible, to enter the rebel works. The rebels perceiving the
movement, sallied out, and, forming on Kimball's left, annoyed him
very much. An order came to ' Form in column of battalion,' and
at once the lines took a shape in which the troops were more readily
handled ; it was a return to the ' good old style,' as the boys said;
and then the battle raged furiously. * * * Kimball and Wag-
ner battle on, essay again and again to advance, and at last push
up to the very works, when a terrible volley sweeps through the
line, cutting down many of their bravest, trustiest officers. Kim-
ball loses the brilliant Chandler, the light of whose intellect seemed
to illumine every difficult subject and adjust it with the wisdom of
a sage."
The 88th Illinois, now commanded by Major George
W. Smith, entered Marietta with its command, which
marched thence to Roswell on the Chattahoochee River,
crossed the river on 9th of July, and 'fortified the hills
on the southern bank. On July 9, while north of the
Chattahoochee River, Colonel Sherman, then chief of
Howard's staff, was riding out, unattended except by an
orderly, and passed over a portion of the road which
our pickets had occupied the preceding day, but from
which they had been withdrawn without his knowledge.
Intent upon the purpose of his reconnoissance, before
he was aware, he was in the midst of rebel pickets, who
took him without firing a shot, and carried him prisoner
to headquarters on the south side of the river, calling
out, in triumph, to our pickets that they had "Got old
Sherman," believing that they had captured the com-
mander-in-chief of the army. Colonel Sherman was
kept a prisoner three months, when he was exchanged,
and returned to Chicago.
Newton's division re-joined its corps at Phillip's
Ferry, arriving on the 13th. On the 20th, it crossed
-4°
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Teach Tree Creek on the Buckhead road bridge, the
other divisions of Howard's corps being two miles to the
left. About noon, the order tor the advance on Atlanta
was given, and the column moved forward about half a
mile south of the creek, driving the rebel sharpshooters
back through the woods, and formed on a ridge covering
the road to Collier's Mill, Kimball's brigade on the
right, Make's on the left, and Bradley's in reserve on
the road leading to the bridge to the rear.
Fresh skirmishers were thrown forward, and the
advanced brigades commenced throwing up a barricade
of rails and logs in front of their position. Before their
task was completed, Watkins's and Bate's divisions of
Hardee's corps appeared moving down from the forest
in front, "their columns seeming to be endless." Our
skirmishers were driven back to the frail defenses, and
Walker came swooping down on the brigades in front,
while Bate aimed for the road leading to the bridge
across Peach Tree Creek. As the long line charged
down on Newton's troops, far outflanking Kimball on
the right, Goodspeed's guns opened as they reached a
point about seventy-five yards from the barricade, and
every musket in the front was blazing. The line
wavered; and the guns of a Michigan battery, hastily
brought into action on Kimball's right, added to their
demoralization. In twenty minutes, they were com-
pletely routed, and Newton's troops, " their lines so thin
that they looked like skirmish deployments," so much
territory had he to hold, were masters of the field.
Could Newton's left be turned, the army would be di-
vided and Atlanta saved; and Hood did not rest satis-
fied with his first attempt, although it was repulsed
along the whole line from left to right. Toward night,
he again attacked Newton's position; but batteries were
placed so as to sweep the valley of Clear Creek, on
which the left rested, and the enemy was again driven
back, leaving two hundred dead in front and to the left
of Newton's line. Hood's forces withdrew from their
intrenchments south of Peach Tree Creek, on the night of
the 20th, and the following morning the Federal army
closed in on Atlanta. The division of which the 88th
Illinois formed a part did not participate in the battle
before Atlanta, July 22, the Fourth Corps forming the
extreme right. On the 27th, Howard relinquished com-
mand of his old corps, to assume command of the Army
of the Tennessee, rendered vacant by the death of Major-
General McPherson on the 22d. The command of the
Fourth Corps was assigned to Major-General D. S.
Stanley.
Under Stanley, the division took part in the siege
of Atlanta, and during the gradual investment of the
city was ordered to destroy the Macon Railroad, the
enemy's last line of communication, and then attack
Hardee at Jonesboro'. The Macon railway was reached
September 1, and Newton's and Kimball's divisions tore
up and destroyed every rail from Rough and Ready
to within two miles of Jonesboro', and then line-of-bat-
tle was formed with Opdycke's brigade, holding the
center of Newton's division. The rebel skirmishers
had taken position and thrown up barricades in front of
their main fortifications, which they defended stubbornly,
but were driven back upon the reserves, leaving many
prisoners. I)uring the night, Hardee evacuated Jones-
boro', and retreated toward the south, the command fol-
lowing, in pursuit, v> Lovejoy's Station, sixteen miles
southeast of Atlanta, on the Macon Railroad, where the
enemy was found strongly intrenched, with an advanced
line of skirmishers in rifle-pits. The pits were cap-
tured, and the command remained at Lovejoy, the
advance holding the rifle-pits, until the 5th of Septem-
ber, when orders were received announcing that the
campaign had ended, and that the army would fall back
to Atlanta, rest one month, and " prepare for a winter's
campaign." At the termination of the Atlanta cam-
paign, Brigadier-General D. S. Wagner succeeded Ma-
jor-General Newton in the command of the Second
Division, Fourth Corps.
The 88th Illinois was assigned to Colonel Emerson,
Opdvcke's brigade, Wagner's division, with which it-
proceeded to Chattanooga, in the latter part of Septem-
ber, to strengthen the garrison at that place. On the
26th of October, the remainder of the Fourth Corps
was detached, and proceeded to Chattanooga, with
orders to report to Thomas, at Nashville, for the coming
campaign. When it was known that Hood had crossed
the Tennessee, and concentrated his army on its north-
ern bank, at Tuscumbia and Florence, in pursuance of
his design to march on Nashville, General Thomas
ordered Stanley to move, with his command, to Pulaski,
on the railroad connecting Nashville and Decatur, but
practically the southern terminus of railroad communi-
cation from Nashville, owing to the destruction of the
railroad bridges between it and Decatur. On November
3, the Fourth Corps reached Pulaski, where it was
joined on the nth by General Schofield, who assumed
command of all the forces concentrated there, consisting
of Stanley's corps and Cox's division of the Twenty-
third Corps. By November 15, when Sherman took his
departure from Atlanta on his famous march through
Georgia to the sea, Forrest's cavalry had joined Hood,
and the Confederate leaders were hurrying their prepa-
rations for a march, in the hope of placing their army
between Schofield and Nashville, before he could re-
inforce Thomas at that place. The advance of the
enemy was begun on the 20th, and Schofield, sending
his surplus stores from Pulaski, retreated to Columbia,
Wagner's division covering the rear. During the night
of the 27th, the whole of Schofield's army moved to the
north side of Duck River, at Columbia, destroying the
pontoon and railroad bridges, to prevent the passage of
Hood's forces, which were close behind. From this
point, the wagon trains were sent forward to Spring
Hill, and Wagner's division, Opdycke's brigade in the
advance, was ordered to the same place, for their pro-
tection. Before reaching Spring Hill, news was received
that Forrest had crossed Duck River during the night,
and was moving on the town. The troops were hurried
forward on the double-quick, and arrived at almost the
same moment with Forrest.
Opdycke's and Lane's brigades were posted in a
position to cover the approach to the village and to
protect the army trains and the railroad. Without a
moment's halt, the 88th, now consolidated with the 74th
Illinois, was deployed as a skirmish line, and soon suc-
ceeded in driving the enemy from its front. Bradley's
brigade of the same division, posted in a somewhat
isolated position to the east of the turnpike, was attacked
by a heavy force of the enemy under Cleburne, and
was obliged to fall back, General Bradley being severely
wounded. Captain Lyman Bridges, of Chicago, did
good service with his batteries, his effective fire leading
the rebels to believe that the whole army was at Spring
Hill. During the night of the 29th, Wagner's division
remained in the position it had occupied during the day,
waiting for the remainder of the army to come up.
Early in the morning, as soon as troops were in move-
ment toward Franklin, Opdycke's brigade was again
designated as rear guard for the army, the 88th Illinois
still forming the rear skirmish line. The regiment
arrived at Franklin about noon on the 30th, having
EIGHTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
241
several sharp skirmishes with the rebel cavalry on the
route. Before its arrival, a line of intrenchments had
been thrown up at the southern edge of the village by
the advance troops. These were on both sides of the
Columbia turnpike, the width of the road being open to
enable the trains and artillery to pass. When Opdycke's
brigade reached Franklin, it was placed as reserve on
the west of the Columbia turnpike, two or three hundred
yards in rear of the main line of intrenchments, and the
other two brigades of Wagner's division were posted on
the same road, about half-a-mile in front of the main
line, with directions to retire within the intrenchments
and join Opdycke's brigade, as reserves, when Hood
should advance in force.
At about half past three o'clock, Hood's forces ap-
peared before Franklin, the center moving down the
Columbia turnpike. " Along a mile and a half of front,
the imposing array of the Confederate army could be
seen, advancing at quick-step, with trailed arms, the ar-
tillery in the intervals galloping forward, unlimbering
and firing as soon as they were within range." Just at
this juncture, through some mistake, Wagner's two ad-
vanced brigades unfortunately received an order to fire,
instead of to fall back to the reserves; and as the
immense rebel host rushed on them with a cheer and a
yell, they were swiftly driven back, broken and demoral-
ized, seeking to gain the shelter of the breastworks in
their rear. As they swarmed over the works, followed
closely by the charging columns of the enemy, the bri-
gades of the Twenty-third Corps, occupying the works
near the turnpike, were trampled down and carried back
by the panic-stricken, disorganized mass, leaving a space
the length of a regiment unoccupied on each side of the
road. Over the parapet rushed the rebels, and had just
captured four guns, when the reserves, headed by
Opdycke, were upon them. Says a soldier of the S8th,
who participated in the struggle :
" Rebel yells of triumph rang in our ears, and we all knew
that unless on our part there was instant fighting, as furious and des-
perate as last hope could make it, nothing but irretrievable disaster
could possibly result. In the twinkling of an eye, therefore, our
brigade was under arms. There was no time to form brigade front;
we charged by regiments, the consolidated SSth leading and
clearing the way. Colonel Smith, Major Holden and Adjutant
Realf were on horseback; there was indeed no time to dismount had
we desired to do so. In all my life I never saw, in all my readings
I never read of, a more knightly scene than when Colonel Smith, at
the head of the charging column, cap in hand, dashed hither and
thither in the white heat of the fray, nerving the brave, shaming
the coward — an unconscious hero every inch of him. Presently his
horse was shot; presently, the major's — the adjutant's escaped
being hit. Well, an awful time, for a while, we had of it. I never
saw hand-to-hand fighting before. Captain Barnard shot two
rebels with his revolver ; Corporal Newman, of Company ' G,'
nearly severed a rebel captain's head with an ax; somebody actually
pinned a rebel soldier to the breastworks by the stroke of a pick-ax.
I saw a rebel color-bearer knocked flat with the butt-end of a
musket, and there were bayonetings without number. But, thank
God, we stayed the rebel tide. Then, when we had things safe, we
got up the stragglers, and by and by affairs assumed shape and
order. But Hood was not content; again and again, until the
eleventh time, he charged us with desperate frenzy. The slaughter
was horrible; the ground was actually slippery with blood and
gore."
The account is not too highly drawn. Probably there
was no more terrible fighting during the war than at
Franklin; and to Colonel Opdycke and his brave men is
universally accorded the credit of saving the army there.
Confederate officers were slain on the parapet, lead-
ing their command to the assault, and their men lay
piled in heaps around them. Cleburne's division, which
met the charge of Opdycke's brigade, left a thousand
officers and men, besides its leader, on the field. In
Quarles's" brigade, a captain was the ranking officer at
16
the close of the battle. Quarles, Adams, Strahl and
Stafford were only four of the distinguished rebel offi-
cers that met their death in the deadly assaults of that
day. Twelve Confederate generals and a long list of
colonels were among their slain.
At midnight, Schofield's army withdrew to the north-
side of the Harpeth River, Opdycke's brigade, of which
the SSth Illinois formed the rear guard, bearing from
the field, as trophies of its valor, ten battle flags of the
enemy; of which the 88th captured one division and
four regimental. On the morning of December 1, the
troops arrived at Nashville, where the Fourth Corps
(temporarily commanded by General Wood, General
Stanley being disabled by a wound received at Frank-
lin) was assigned the center of General Thomas's line
of defenses around the city. While in camp at that
place, Generals Thomas, Wood and Wagner paid the
regiment a visit, and publicly thanked it for the import-
ant services it had performed at Franklin, saying, that
with the exception only of Colonel Opdycke, command-
ing the brigade — with whom he shared the honor—
"to the special gallantry and exertions of Colonel Smith, more
than to those of any other man, was due the repulse of the rebel
column, the safety of the army and the victory of the day."
Major Smith, who, after the death of Lieutenant-
Colonel Chandler, had been promoted lieutenant-
colonel, and had been acting colonel of the 8Sth, was
brevetted colonel after the battle of Franklin.
The command of the Second (Wagner's) Division
was assigned to General Elliott at Nashville, and, in the
battle of the 15th of December, it formed the right of
the Fourth Corps, storming and entering the enemy's
works before the city, just after the assault on Mont-
gomery Hill. The division took three pieces of artillery
and many prisoners. After resting awhile in the cap-
tured works, it marched in pursuit of Hood's army,
toward the Franklin pike. Darkness coming on before
the command reached the pike, the troops bivouacked
that cold December night on the field, with orders to
advance at daylight the following morning; if the
enemy was in front to attack him; if he had retreated,
to pursue him till found. At daylight, the command
again advanced toward the enemy, Elliott's division
leading. Driving the enemy's skirmishers steadily
back, it gained the Franklin pike, and pushed forward
until within about a half-mile of the enemy's main line
of defense in the Brentwood Hills. The division was
not engaged in the bloody assault upon Overton Hill,
but, on the repulse of the brave column thrown forward
to carry that position, moved forward to the assault of
the works in its front, which were carried and many
prisoners captured. The division bivouacked at night
within a mile of the Brentwood Pass — the point where
the pike from Nashville to Franklin passes through the
Brentwood Hills — and the following morning continued
the pursuit over a road strewn with arms, accoutre-
ments, blankets, and everything the enemy could divest
himself of in his retreat. On the iSth, the head of the
column reached Rutherford Creek, a rapid stream,
which the heavy rains of the last day had swollen to a
torrent. The enemy had destroyed all the bridges as
he retreated, and on the southern bank of this stream
had posted artillery and infantry to contest its passage.
It could not be forded, and rafts were unmanageable,
being carried away by the force of the torrent as soon
as launched. Forest trees were felled, in the hope that
some might be found high and strong enough to span
the river, but all expedients were futile. The pontoon
train was not yet up, and, until the enemy could be
24J
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
driven from the opposite bank, a bridge could not be
constructed.
Late in the afternoon a small body of troops suc-
ceeded in crossing on the ruins of a railroad bridge be-
low, and drove the enemy from the southern bank.
The following day. Opdycke's brigade constructed a
bridge, over which the infantry passed, and marched
that night to the northern bank of Duck River. The
Fourth Corps continued the pursuit to Lexington, Ala.,
where, by order of General Thomas, it was discon-
tinued. This pursuit, the commanding general said,
was without a parallel in the war. It was continued for
more than a hundred miles, at the most inclement sea-
son of the year, over a road, the whole of which was
bad. and thirty miles of which were wretched almost
beyond description. From Pulaski to Lexington the
depth of mud was unfathomable. Nearly all the artil-
lery had to be left at the former place, that extra horses
might be attached to the few pieces taken forward, and
but a small amount of ammunition or supplies of any
kind could be taken beyond Pulaski. The pursuit
being discontinued, the command marched to Hunts-
ville, Ala. where the SSth, with its brigade, went into
camp January 5, 1865, and remained until March, 1865.
During March, the regiment participated in an expedi-
tion to Bull's Gap, East Tennessee, and in May moved
to Nashville, where it was mustered out of service June
9. On June 12, it arrived in Chicago, and was quar-
tered at Camp Douglas for the night. The following
day, with the 89th Illinois (Railroad Regiment),, it
received a public welcome at the Chamber of Commerce,
from the Board of Trade and from the Railroad com-
panies of Chicago. The 8Sth left Chicago with nine
hundred names on its rolls ; it returned with two hun-
dred and nine, all told — the remainder having fallen
victims to the casualties of war. Its worn and tattered
flags, inscribed with the names of Perryville, Stone
River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Peach Tree
Creek, Franklin, were brought triumphantly home ; and
the old flag, which they bore with them from Chicago,
was returned — a bunch of shreds — to the Board of
Trade, who had presented it.
This sketch of the SSth Illinois is fittingly closed in
the words of Colonel Smith, at the reception of his regi-
ment, in Chicago, by the Board of Trade. After a brief
account of the services of the command, he says :
"As I remember the time that we went out from here — nine
hundred strong, — and think now that we have come back, bring-
ing with us, of these men, only two hundred and nine, I think of the
men we have left buried in their simple graves, all the way through
Kentucky and to below Atlanta. There they lie, an honor to their
country and an honor to you all. We have lost by battle, by the
casualties of the service and by sickness, the balance of our num-
ber. We have never been recruited, with the exception of some
fifteen or twenty men.
" I can not refrain, gentlemen, as I am standing here, from
saying a word in behalf of the memory of one whom you all loved,
and of whom you all have often heard — to whom, as much as to
any other man, the discipline, the drill and the efficiency of the
iith regiment is due. A braver, truer, nobler man never
breathed; we lost him in the assault, last June, on Kenesaw Moun-
tain— Lieutenant-Colonel George W. Chandler. I might mention
other officers, from their positions less conspicuous, equally gallant
and brave; and if I had the names, I could read to you, from the
ranks, an array of men who have fallen bravely fighting; good,
true, honest, earnest men — men who went out and attacked their
enemies with a purpose, and died nobly maintaining that purpose."
The roster of the 88th, on its return, was as follows:
Brevet Colonel commanding, George W. Smith; Major, Levi
I'. H olden; Adjutant. Richard Kealf; Acting Adjutant, A. C. Mc-
Murtry; Quartermaster, Edward G.Tucker; Surgeon, William I'.
Pierce, Assistant Surj Chaplain fa 1 I
Thomas. Co."A"; Captain, [ohn II. Merrill; Firsl Lieutenant,
Albion G. Burnap. Co. " I; Captain, Henry II. Cushing; First
Lieutenant, Robert O. Crawford. Co." C ": Captain, Charles O.
Wentz; First Lieutenant, Henry C. Griffin. Co. "D"; Captain,
Edwin L. Barber; First Lieutenant, William Jones. Co. " E ";
Captain, Edwin A. Stolp; First Lieutenant, Isaac T. Reeves. Co.
" F": Captain, John W. Chickering; First Lieutenant, Nathan P.
Jackson. Co. "G"; Captain, Dean R. Chester; First Lieutenant,
Isaac Frazer. Co. "H": Captain, Alex. C. McMurtry. Co. "I":
Captain, Thomas Brown; First Lieutenant, John H. Calef. Co.
" K": Captain, Daniel E. Barnard.
Francis T. Sherman, who has been a citizen of Chicago
for the past fifty years, is a native of Connecticut, born in New-
town, December 31, 1825. His father was Hon. Francis C. Sher-
man, who, with his family, came to Chicago in 1834, and engaged
in the manufacture of brick, erecting, also, the first brick business
house built in Chicago. He subsequently built a great number of
buildings here, notable among which is the Sherman House, which
is now one of the oldest hotels in the city. The mother of Francis
T. Sherman was Electra Trowbridge, daughter of Reuben Trow-
bridge, of Danbury, Conn., and a woman noted for her force of
character, strong intellectuality, blended harmoniously with all
those traits that form the highest type of true womanhood. Fran-
cis T. grew up in what was then the frontier town of Chicago ;
and, when not in school, was engaged in helping his father to earn
the family livelihood. Their first brick-yards were located out on
the prairie ; which then meant that portion of the city bounded by
Adams Street on the south, Madison on the north, and the river
on the west ; and here the son used to work, driving an ox-cart,
hauling clay, filling the pits, and doing all sorts of rough labor
about the yards. From the age of eighteen until he was twenty-
four, he was employed, successively, as clerk in a grocery store,
in the Chicago post-office, and as secretary to the Board of Ap-
praisers of Canal Lands. Ill health compelling him to resign the
latter position, he went to California in the spring of 1849, and
there remained until November, 1850. On his return to Chicago,
he engaged in business, which he continued until the summer of
1861. In October, of that year, he entered the Union army, as
lieutenant-colonel of the 57th Illinois Infantry Volunteers, an
organization known as the Mechanics' Fusileers. This regiment
was soon disbanded, being mustered out of service in February,
1862. On March S, following, he was again mustered into service,
as senior major of the 12th Illinois Cavalry Volunteers, which po-
sition he held until August, when he was appointed, by Governor
Yates, to the command of the Second Board-of-Trade Regiment,
the SSth Illinois Infantry Volunteers. Colonel Sherman partici-
pated in the battle of Perrysville, which was fought on October 8,
and in the battle of Stone River, December 31, in which engage-
ment his regiment took an active part. While the Union forces
were still lying in front of Nashville, after the battle of Stone River,
Colonel Sherman was assigned to the command of the First Brigade,
Second Division, Twentieth Army Corps ; and commanded that
brigade through all the events of the campaign, resulting in the
capture of Chattanooga. On the reorganization of the Army of
the Cumberland, by which General George H. Thomas suc-
ceeded General Rosecrans in the command, Colonel Sherman
was assigned to the command of the First Brigade, Second Divis-
ion of the Fourth Army Corps, serving, as such during the siege
of Chattanooga, until it was raised by General Hooker, and par-
ticipating in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge,
the latter fought on November 25, 1S63, and resulting in the defeat
of General Bragg and his entire army ; also, taking part in the
siege of Knoxville, where his brigade remained untd in the spring
of 1864, when the Fourth Army Corps joined the Atlanta cam-
paign. At that time he was appointed chief-of-staff to General
O. O. Howard, and accompanied the Fourth Army Corps through
the campaign, until it reached the bank of the Chattahoochee
River. There, while on a reconnoissance, on July 7, 1S63, accom-
panied only by an orderly, he inadvertently ventured within the
enemy's lines, and was captured. He was taken to Atlanta, thence
to Macon, and finally sent to Charleston, as Sherman closed around
Atlanta. On the journey to Charleston, over the Savannah and
Charleston Railroad, Colonel Sherman, with a number of other
Union officers, jumped from the train, during the night, and at-
tempted to escape. The greater number were re-captured imme-
diately, but the colonel and a few others eluded their pursuers,
and concealed themselves in the woods until the second midnight,
when they were re-captured by blood-hounds. They were thrown
into the city prison, at Charleston, and thence transferred to the
workhouse, which was commanded by the guns at Fort Wagner.
In September, Colonel Sherman was sent to Richmond for ex-
change, which was effected October 7, when he returned to Chica-
go, and soon after was directed, by order of the Secretary of War.
to report for duty to General Phil. H. Sheridan, commanding the
Middle Military Division, with headquarters at Winchester, \'a.
Colonel Sherman was appointed assistant inspector-general, on Gen-
eral Sheridan's staff, and served in that capacity until after Lee's
surrender, participating in the cavalry raid of that dashing Union
EIGHTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
243
officer, through the valley of Virginia ; the battle of Waynesboro',
which destroyed the remnant of jubal Early's command ; the de-
struction of the James River Canal ; and other engagements favor-
able to the Union arms. He fought in the battles of Dinwiddie
Court House, Five Forks, Sailor's Creek, etc., and witnessed the
surrender of Lee, at Appomattox Court House. The papers of
this surrender were signed in the house of one Wilbur McLane,
who, singularly enough, was the owner of a goodly portion of the
ground on which was fought the first battle of Bull Run. March
13, 1865, Colonel Sherman was brevetted brigadier-general, and
was subsequently promoted to that rank by regular appointment.
He accompanied General Sheridan to New Orleans, in May of that
year, and was appointed provost marshal general of the Military
Division of the Gulf, which position he held at the date of his
muster-out, in February, 1S66. He afterward returned to the
South, where he made heavy investments in a Louisiana sugar
plantation ; which venture, however, proved a failure. In 1867, he
returned, with his family, to Chicago, and, after the great fire of
1S71, engaged in various mercantile pursuits. In 1879, he embark-
ed in his present business, as the senior member of the firm of
Sherman & Marsh, the manufacturers of barbed wire. General
Sherman was married October 8, 185 1, in the town of Northfield,
Cook County, to Miss Eleanor N. Vedder. They have four children;
the eldest, Ella, is the wife of Eben J. Marsh ; Lulu, the second
daughter, is the wife of J. Frank Aldrich ; Francis C. and Eaton
G. , the two sons, are attending school.
Alexander C. McClurg was born in Philadelphia, Penn.
He received his education at Pittsburgh and at Miami University,
Oxford, Ohio. After graduating, he entered upon the study of the
law, with Hon. Walter H. Lowrie, chief-justice of Pennsylvania.
Enthusiastic devotion to study soon broke down his health, and
the law was reluctantly abandoned. In quest of health and occu-
pation, he arrived in Chicago, in 1S59, and entered the house of
S. C. Griggs & Co., booksellers, as a junior clerk. In this busi-
ness he rapidly rose to a position of trust. At the beginning of the
civil war in 1861, he enlisted as a private in a company which was
offered to the Government, but as the State's quota was already full,
the company was not accepted, and the young patriots returned
again to their civil pursuits; later, however, upon a further call for
troops, Mr. McClurg united with others, and raised a company,
called the " Crosby Guards," and with them, he was mustered into
the United States service as a private soldier, on August 15, 1862.
A few days later, he was unexpectedly, and without any
agency of his own, elected captain of the company, which
went into the field at once, as a part of the 88th Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel F. T. Sherman. Cincin-
nati and Louisville were both, at that time, threatened by the
forces under Bragg and Kirby Smith, and the new regiment was
hurried to the defense, first of one and then of the other of these
cities. Moving south under Buell, the regiment was heavily en-
gaged in the battle of Perryville, where the company of Captain
McClurg lost severely in killed and wounded. After the final
retreat of Bragg at Nashville, Captain McClurg was detailed as
judge-advocate of a general court-martial, where his industry and
ability attracted the attention of General McCook, who detailed
him for duty as acting assistant adjutant-general of the corps staff.
In this position he served with zeal and ability throughout the
arduous campaign which culminated at Chickamauga. When, after
this engagement, the army was reorganized, Captain McClurg was
assigned to duty as adjutant-general of a division under General
Baird, and was soon after invited by General Philip H. Sheridan
to take a position on his staff. After General Sheridan was assigned
to duty in the eastern army, and began his brilliant career in
Virginia, the flattering invitation was again renewed by letter, but
Captain McClurg felt it his duty to remain with the command,
where he was already in a responsible position, familiar with his
duties, and in a way to be useful. As adjutant-general of Baird's
division, he served with distinction through the siege of Chatta-
nooga and the battles around that city. In the battle of Mission
Ridge, his horse was twice shot under him in the charge upon the
ridsre, and his gallantry in the action was specially mentioned in the
official reports. Shortly after this, and while Sherman's great
army was preparing for the Atlanta campaign, Captain McClurg
was called from division headquarters to corps headquarters,
and was assigned to duty as adjutant-general of the Fourteenth
Army Corps, one of the largest and finest corps in the army, until
shortly before that time under the command of Major-General
George H. Thomas, the corps then being commanded by General
John M. Palmer. In this position, Captain McClurg soon became
widely known as one of the most capable industrious, and zealous
staff officers in the western army; untiring in his activity, he parti-
cipated in nearly every skirmish and battle of this long and arduous
campaign. A month before the fall of Atlanta, General Palmer
was relieved, and Major-General Jeff. C. Davis was appointed to
the command of the corps. He at once wrote to the Secretary of
War, asking for the promotion of Captain McClurg to the rank of
lieutenant-colonel, and based his application upon his long and
efficient service, and especially on his distinguished gallantry and
valuable services in the battle of Jonesboro', which had just occurred.
The promotion was promptly made; and very soon after General
Davis created Colonel McClurg chief-of-staff, as a further recog-
nition of his merits and services. In this position he continued
until the close of the war, being promoted successively to the brevet
rank of colonel and brigadier-general. He received the encourage-
ment of Major-Generals Sherman, Thomas, Davis and others, to
apply for a position in the regular army, for which it was thought
his qualities peculiarly fitted him; but like so many others, who
had rendered valuable services in the field, he preferred to return
at once to civil life, carrying with him, as his most valuable pos-
session, a sword inscribed with the names of Perryville, Stone
River, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge,
Ringgold, Adairsville, Big Shanty, Chattahoochee River, Peach
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro', March to the Sea, Savannah,
Averysboro' and Dentonville — in all of which he had borne an
honorable part. Although, like most soldiers, on return to civil
life he was without capital, he was offered and accepted a partner-
ship in the old house of S. C. Griggs & Co., in which he remained
until, upon the division of that firm, he entered the present well
known firm of Jansen, McClurg & Co. His only connection with
military affairs since the war has been as the first colonel of the
First Regiment Infantry, Illinois National Guards, in the building
up, equipping and disciplining of which he rendered several years
of good service to this city and State. Under his tutorship, that
organization first reached the high degree of efficiency which it has
since so handsomely maintained.
Lieutenant-Colonel John A. Bross, fifth son of Deacon
Moses Bross, was born at Milford, Pike Co., Penn., February
21, 1826. After completing a thorough academical ccurse at
Chester Academy, Orange Co., N. Y., then taught by his brother
William, afterward lieutenant-governor of Illinois, he commenced
the study of law at Goshen, N. Y. In 134S, he removed to Chi-
cago, concluded his studies in the office of Hon. Grant Goodrich,
and, after serving a short time as assistant United States marshal,
devoted himself to the practice of his profession, in which he soon
won an honorable position. When recruiting was difficult, and the
call of the President for three hundred thousand more volunteers, in
July, 1S62, seemed to appeal to a deeper feeling than even the first
fervor of patriotic impulse, he determined that duty called him, and
he raised and offered a company to the Chicago Board of Trade,
then recruiting a regiment, which was accepted and became Co.
" A," 88th Illinois Infantry. With that regiment he participated
in the battles of Perryville, Murfreesboro' and Chickamauga, and
the many hard marches and sharp skirmishes of the Murfreesboro',
Tullahoma and Chattanooga campaigns. On Governor Yates's
call for the recruiting of a colored regiment in Illinois, he entered
upon the work with his whole heart, resigning his command in the
SSth to assume the formation and discipline of the 2gth U. S. Col-
ored troops. Establishing headquarters at Quincy, he entered upon
this work, which, under his able management, became a success so
far as the proficiency of the men in all soldierly duties was con-
cerned. Owing to the late call for colored troops in the State,
many had enlisted elsewhere, and but six companies could be
raised. Of these he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel, April
7, 1864, and ordered to join Burnside's (Ninth) corps at Annapolis.
The corps having moved toward Petersburg on his arrival, he was
ordered to Camp Casey, near Washington, and placed in command
of a brigade; with which he moved to the front in June, reaching
the army and taking his place in the trenches before Petersburg,
June 19. When it was known that the colored division was to make
a charge on the works, after the explosion of the mine beneath the
principal fort, the 29th Illinois was selected to lead the column,
and, with Colonel Bross at their head, gallantly led it. Five color-
bearers were shot down, and then the Colonel, seizing the flag, car-
ried it to the top of the works, and planted it on the parapet.
When, too late, it was found that all was of no avail and that
advance was hopeless, the order was given to retire, and while
striving to extricate his faithful and heroic men, who had gallantly
followed their beloved leader to the "jaws of death," he was
stricken down by a ball, and died without a groan, leaving behind
an unsullied name and a record of which his relatives and friends
are deservedly proud.
Lieutenant-Colonel George W. Chandler was born in
the parish of St. Armand East, Missisquoi Co., Canada East, Au-
gust 27, 1832. He received a good common school education
in his native parish, and completed his studies in Vermont, the na-
tive State of his mother. He came to Chicago in September, 1S55,
and entered the banking house of George Smith, where he re-
mained four years, accepting, in 1S59, a clerkship in the city
comptroller's office, which position he held until the summer of
1862. When President Lincoln, in July, 1862, called for three
^44
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
hundred thousand volunteers, to serve three years, he solicited and
obtained from Governor Yates authority to raise a company for one
of the regiments then being recruited by the Board of Trade.
With the aid of George A. Sheridan, he Finally recruited two com-
panies, and upon their organization was elected captain of the
' Kimbark Guards"— SO named in honor of George M. Kimbark,
the friend and patron of the company. The company became Co.
"C," oi the SSth Regiment, and upon the promotion of its tirst
captain. George A. Sheridan was chosen to succeed him. On the
ition of the regiment, Captain Chandler was unanimously
elected major, and was' commissioned as such November S, to rank
September" 4, 1S02. Major Chandler shared the fortunes of the
SSth in camp and on the march, in bivouac and battle; always
brave, cheerful and faithful, knowing well how to obey and how
to command; winning the respect of his superiors and the love of
his subordinates; cool and fearless in action; thoughtful and con-
siderate of his soldiers; a brave, tender, noble man and soldier ever
until the last. His appointment by General Rosecrans as the com-
mander of the " Brigade of Honor," which he designed to form
after the battle of Stone River, was a compliment well merited, —
no less a compliment because the design was not carried out.
From Murfreesboro' to Chickamauga, Major Chandler had almost
continuous command of the SSlh. both the colonel and lieutenant-
colonel of the regiment being absent from the field on detached
service or from illness. At Chickamauga, he was in the hottest of
the fight, and after that battle was promoted lieutenant-colonel.
He led the regiment at the storming of Mission Ridge, and es-
caped unhurt; but, he says, " Had I been killed — and I little
expected when near the top of the ridge to escape with my life — I
should have died, as I would wish were I to be killed in battle, on
the field of duty, fighting for the best Government God ever gave
to man." During the coming Atlanta campaign he died, "as he
would wish, on the field of duty." During that campaign the
Fourth Corps was almost continually in the advance; and the
division, heretofore led by Sheridan, did the same good work under
Newton. For the charge on the Confederate works at Kenesaw,
June 27, 1864, the Fourth Corps was ordered to furnish three bri-
gades. One of these was Kimball's, in which was the SSth Illinois.
Lieutenant-Colonel Chandler was shot through the body, while
leading his regiment to the charge, and died almost instantly on
the field, as he desired. His remains were brought to Chicago,
and laid in Bryan Hall, where crowds of sorrowful friends and
citizens gathered in honor and remembrance of the true-hearted,
brave young man, who had fought his last battle for freedom and
for them. The Board of Trade, Mercantile Association, Young
Men's Association, and Young Men's Christian Association united
in the soiemn funeral services on July 7, after which " all that was
mortal of him " was taken to Canada for burial with his kindred.
EIGHTY-NINTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
The Eighty-ninth Illinois, or " Railroad,"
Regiment, was organized at Chicago, under the direc-
tion and superintendence of the various railroad compa-
nies of Illinois, in August 1862, and was composed prin-
cipally of railroad employes — its organization being
under the especial care and supervision of Robert
Forsyth, of the Illinois Central Railroad, and W. D.
Manchester, of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern
Raikoad. Besides these, the following gentlemen were
active and earnest in their exertions, in behalf of the
organization : Colonel C. G. Hammond, of the Chica-
go. Burlington & Quincy Railroad ; Joseph H. Morse,
Pittsburgh (V Fort Wayne ; A. Bigelow, Michigan Cen-
tral ; Charles S. Tappan, Chicago & North-Western :
W. L. St. John, Chicago & Rock Island ; S. C. Bald-
win, Chicago & Milwaukee ; C. C. Wheeler, Chicago,
Alton .v St. Louis ; E. Anthony, Galena & Chicago
Union.
Of its officers, as first organized, the following were
Chicago men:
Lieutenant-Colonel Charles T. Hotchkiss, formerly lieutenant
in National <,uar'ls, Chicago, captain in nth Illinois, and adju-
tant-general to I lernand, in the Army of the
Tennessee ; Maj'.r Duncan |. Hall. Adjutant Edward F. Bishop,
Quartermaster Frederick 1.. Fake, Second Assistant-Surgeon Her-
man I;. Tattle, Chaplain [ami II. Dill, Captain Duncan |. Hall,
First I.' ird A. Smith and Second Lieutenant Wil-
liam H. kice, of Co. " A "; Captain I bury I.. Rowell, First Lieu-
tenant Samuel A. Ellis and Second Lieutenant John R. Darcey. of
Co. "C"; Captain lohn W. Spink and First Lieutenant George
F. Robinson, of Co. " D "; Captain Herbert M. Blake, First
Lieutenant William A. Samson and Second Lieutenant James A.
Jackson, of Co. " K."
Co. " E " was raised at Aurora, Co. "F" at Rock
Island, and the other companies in various town of the
State.
The following is the regimental roster, as mustered
into United States' service, September 4, 1862 :
Field and Staff. — Colonel, Captain John Christopher, U. S.
A. ; Lieutenant-Colonel, Charles T. Hotchkiss ; Major, Duncan
J. Hall ; Surgeon, S. F. Vance ; Assistant-Surgeon, H. B.
Tuttle ; Adjutant, Edward F. Bishop ; Quartermaster, Fred. L.
Fake ; Chaplain, Rev. J. H. Dill.
Line Officers. — Co. "A" (Scammon Light Infantry): Cap-
tain, Edward A. Smith ; First Lieutenant, William H. Rice ;
Second Lieutenant, Jacob N. Hopper. Co. "B" (DuQuoin
Company) : Captain, Travis O. Spencer (John M. Farquhar,
Chicago, promoted captain February, 1863); First Lieutenant,
Henry W. Smith ; Second Lieutenant, Horace W. Adams. Co.
" C " (Milwaukee Railroad Company); Captain, Henry L. Row-
ell, (James M. Rigney, Chicago, promoted captain December 3,
T863); First Lieutenants, Samuel A. Ellis, John R. Darcey,
Chicago, William H. Kinney, Chicago ; Second Lieutenant,
John R. Darcey. Co. " D": (Forsyth Guards): Captain, John W.
Spink (George F. Robinson, Chicago, promoted captain,
September 19, 1863); First Lieutenant, George F. Robinson ;
Second Lieutenant, William D. Clark. Co. "E" (Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy): Captain, Bruce II. Kidder; First Lieuten-
ant, John B. Watkins ; Second Lieutenant, George W. White.
Co. " F ": Captain, William D. Williams; First Lieutenant,
Ebenezer T. Wells ; Second Lieutenant, Laertes F. Dimick. Co.
" G ": Captain, Thomas Whiting; First Lieutenant, Isaac
Copley; Second Lieutenant, William H. Howell. Co. "H"
(Kendall Guards): Captain, Henry S. Willett ; First Lieutenant,
Franklin M. Hobbs ; Second Lieutenant, William Harkness. Co.
"I" (Amboy Guards): Captain, Samuel C. Comstock ; First
Lieutenant, William H. Phelps ; Second Lieutenant, Jesse Hale.
Co. "K" (Galena & Chicago Union): Captain, Herbert M.
Blake (William A. Sampson, Chicago, promoted captain August
25, 1862); First Lieutenants, William A. Sampson and James A.
Jackson (Chicago); Second Lieutenants, James A. Jackson and
Horace K. Greenfield (Chicago).
The 89th receiving orders to report to Louisville,
Ky., left Camp E. H. Williams, Chicago, on September
4, and arrived at its destination September 7. General
Bragg had then invaded the State, his army being con-
centrated at Bardstown, with the force of Kirby Smith
occupying Lexington. The secession element was
jubilant, and the Union people were trembling. Major-
General William Nelson had been repulsed at Rich-
mond, and had fallen back to Louisville.
Three days after the arrival of the 89th, Kirby
Smith's forces reached Latona Springs, only seven
miles from Cincinnati, threatening the invasion of Ohio
and Indiana. The regiment, with General Buell's
army, moved from Louisville and encamped on the west
side of the Kentucky River, opposite Frankfort, on the
evening of October 6, arrived at Lawrenceburg on the
morning of the 8th, and drove a force of rebel cavalry
from the place, and pursued them to "Dog Walk,"
where, the following morning, it was attacked by a por-
tion of Kirby Smith's force. The 89th was commanded
by Lieutenant-Colonel Hotchkiss, Colonel Christopher
never having joined the regiment, of which he resigned
the command soon after. On the nth, the Second Di-
EIGHTY-NINTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
245
vision joined in the pursuit of Bragg to Crab Orchard,
and then returned to Bowling Green, arriving on the
31st of October. At that place, Co. " F," Captain Wil-
liam D. Williams, joined the regiment, and a few days
later the Second Division moved toward Nashville;
there, the 89th was detached from the command, and,
with a section of Goodspeed's battery, stationed at Tyre
Springs, on the railroad route, where it remained two
weeks, re-joining its brigade on November 17, near
Nashville.
On the morning of December 26, 1862, Rosecrans's
movement upon Murfreesboro' was commenced. The
89th, with Johnson's division, moved from Nashville,
and, on the 27th, reached Triune. On the morning
of the 29th, the brigades of Generals Kirk and
Willich moved towards Murfreesboro', by the Bole
Jack road, and on the 30th the line of battle was
formed for the anticipated struggle. The brigades of
Kirk and Willich formed the extreme right of the
Union line — Kirk's facing to the south, and Willich's
in a line nearly perpendicular to it, facing east, with
Edgarton's battery at the angle formed by the two bri-
gades. The dawn of the morning of the 31st saw the
overwhelming attack of the enemy on the right, the
brave defense of Kirk, his sad repulse, the capture of
the Union batteries, and the general disaster that befell
McCook's corps.
Willich's picket-line was attacked early in the morn-
ing, while he was absent; and as he was hurrying back
to his brigade, his horse was shot, he was made pris-
oner, and his command left without either brigade or
division commander. When the pioket-line was at-
tacked, the 39th Indiana rushed forward to its support,
but, with the other advanced regiments and Good-
speed's battery, was driven back in confusion, leaving
the 49th Ohio and 89th Illinois exposed to a direct
cross fire from the advancing enemy. The 89th fell
back about four hundred yards, when the companies of
Captains Willett, Whiting and Comstock, with Co. " F,"
under command of Lieutenant Wells, were re-formed
and posted in a lane, where they made a brief stand,
and were then ordered by Colonel Hotchkiss about five
hundred yards farther to the left, where they joined
Captains Rowell's and Blake's companies, which were
posted in the woods bordering a small creek. There
they made another stand, and succeeded in temporarily
checking the rebel advance in their immediate front.
Captain Henry S. Willett, of Co. " H," was there killed.
The regiment soon after was joined by other portions
of the brigade, and all, under command of Colonel
Hotchkiss, took a position in the woods near the Wil-
kinson turnpike, and for a time checked the advance of
the rebels over the open field in its front. Colonel
Wallace, of the 15th Ohio, as senior officer, assumed
command of the brigade at this juncture ; and in obedi-
ence to his order, Colonel Hotchkiss still further retired
his regiment to Rousseau's reserve division. On the
night of Friday, under command of Captain Williams,
of Co. "F," it served as infantry support to Stoke's
(Chicago Board-of-Trade) battery, guarding the ford
over Stone River, while Negley's troops charged Breck-
enridge, in the closing engagement of the battle. Ser-
geant-Major John M. Farquhar, of Chicago, and First
Sergeant Erastus O. Young, Co. "A," were both pro-
moted for bravery manifested during this engagement.
Among the killed were Corporal William H. Litsey, Co. " H ";
privates James Nichols, Co. " E"; Moses Beaver and Elijah Yon-
lin, Co. "F"; Dewitt C. Scndder, George W. Murray. David H.
Bester, Co. " G "; Henry Muggins, Co. " H "; William Holden, Co.
" I." Fifty-five of the regiment were wounded. Major Hall was
captured and taken to Fortress Monroe, where he remained until
spring, when he was exchanged and returned to the regiment.
Total loss in killed, wounded and missing, one hundred and forty-
nine.
After this battle, the 89th Illinois and the 32d Indi-
ana were placed in the front line of Willich's brigade,
and with it went into camp on the Shelbyville turnpike,
south of Murfreesboro'.
On the 7th of January 1863, Colonel Christopher
resigned, and Lieutenant-Colonel Hotchkiss was pro-
moted colonel. The enlisted men of the regiment
(which Colonel Gibson, brigade commander during
General Willich's imprisonment, pronounced, '' by all
odds, the best for its age in the service,") presented
Colonel Hotchkiss an elegant sword, through Bryan
O'Connor, as a mark of their appreciation and esteem.
Major Duncan J. Hall, who was taken prisoner at Mur-
freesboro', was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and
Captain William D. Williams, of Co. " F," to be major.
Rev. James H. Dill of Chicago, chaplain of the
regiment, formerly pastor of the South Congregational
Church, and the " Puritan " correspondent of the New
York Independent, died January 14, 1863, on board the
" Lady Franklin " while on hjs way back from Chicago
to re-join his regiment, which he had been obliged to
temporarily leav.e on account of sickness. On learning
that his " boys " had been engaged in action, he started
for the front before he was able, and died of typhoid
fever before he could reach them. Captain Travis O.
Spencer, of Co. " B," accepted the chaplaincy. John
M. Farquhar, of Chicago, was promoted captain of
Co. " B," and William H. Rice, of Chicago, was pro-
moted captain of Co. " A," in place of Captain E. A.
Smith, resigned.
After the capture of General Willich at Stone River,
the First Brigade was temporarily under the command
of General William H. Gibson. General Willich was
liberated, and re-joined his command April 14, 1863.
The advance of Rosecrans's army from Murfrees-
boro'toward Tullahoma commenced on June 24. Gen-
eral Johnson's division, Willich's brigade leading the
column, marched from Murfreesboro' by the Shelbyville
pike, and turned toward Old Millersburg to the left,
reaching that place about noon. Colonel T. J. Har-
rison, of the 39th Indiana, with a force of mounted-in-
fantry was thrown forward toward the cannon in the
front, to reconnoitre, and on his reporting a strong force
of the enemy posted in front of Liberty Gap, General
Willich's brigade was ordered forward to his support.
The 15th Ohio, supported by the 89th Illinois, was de-
ployed to the right, and the 49th Ohio, supported by the
32d Indiana, to the left of the road, with Goodspeed's
battery in reserve. In this order the brigade advanced,
the rebel skirmishers falling back upon their main force,
which was posted along the crest of hills forming the
northern entrance to the gap. As it would almost cer-
tainly involve a terrible sacrifice of life to attempt to
carry those heights by direct attack, General Johnson
determined to flank the position, and ordered forward a
portion of John F. Miller's brigade to support Willich.
The command then moved forward, the line so extended
as to outflank the position of the enemy, and, firing, as
it advanced, with coolness and deliberation, ascended
the heights and completely routed the rebels from their
chosen position, before the arrival of the reserve regi-
ments. These were now advanced to the gap, and
the enemy pursued about a mile, after which the ad-
vanced brigades were relieved by other troops of the
division, and before night the Federal picket-line
was established at the southern entrance of the gap.
246
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
All through this day, and through the night, the rain
poured continuously, but the men were so exhausted
after the march and struggle for the entrance of the
gap that they slept on the wet ground, rolled in their
blankets, till "the morning of the 25th brought renewal
of the strife. On that morning. Willich's brigade was
again ordered to the front, to relieve Baldwin's at the
picket line. In the new line, the 89th Illinois formed
the right and the j;d Indiana the left, with the 15th
and 49th Ohio in reserve. About noon, a strong line of
rebel skirmishers descended the hill, crossed the creek,
and advanced to the foot of the hill on which the 89th
Illinois and 33d Indiana were posted, but were driven
back, after a sharp contest of about half an hour, to the
shelter of the timber along the edge of the creek. In
less than an hour, the whole rebel left, heavily rein-
forced, with supporting companies and a line of reserves,
and supported also by a battery on the hill, charged
across the valley and up the hill, to within about twenty
yards of the position of the two Union regiments, which
quietly prepared to receive the shock. The weight of
the rebel onset was directed against the center of the
line, comprising the left of the 89th Illinois and the
right of the 33d Indiana. .
The regiments bravely held their position. The
supporting companies rallied to their assistance, and for
about twenty minutes a fierce and cruel contest was
waged, the rebels being determined to force the Union
line and occupy its position on the hill. That position
was the key to the southern entrance to the gap, and,
once in the enemy's possession, the Federal force could be
driven back through the defile. To this end, repeated
attacks were made on the position, but each time the
rebels were driven back with heavy loss. To support
the Union regiments, Goodspeed's and an Ohio battery
were hurried forward. The enemy, also, received rein-
forcements and added batteries, and their attacks grew
more and more furious and stubborn. At this juncture,
Captain Bruce H. Kidder, of Co. " E," 89th Illinois,
discovered two rebel infantry companies moving toward
the right of his regiment, with the apparent intention of
attacking it on that flank. He immediately moved his
command, under cover of the crest of the hill, still
farther to the right, and to a position about two hun •
dred yards in advance of the main line of battle. There,
sheltered by a fence, he awaited the approach of the
rebels, until they were within forty yards of his ambush.
when he gave the order to fire. The advancing com
panies recoiled before the well-aimed and fatal volleys,
and fled wildly to the shelter of the wooded hills behind
them, leaving eight dead and thirty wounded of their
attacking party. As the ammunition of the two brave
regiments, so long and hotly engaged, began to fail, the
15th Ohio was ordered to their support. With the aid
of this regiment, one more determined effort of the
enemy to plant his flag on the hill was repulsed with
the most heroic bravery. During this last struggle,
Captain Herbert Blake, of Co. " E," a citizen of Chi-
cago, and a brave and Christian officer, fell, mortally
d. George Sinclair, Chicago, of Co. " C," was
also killed there.
A charge on the rebel position was finally made by
the reserve regiment of the brigade, under command of
I Gibson, and Miller's brigade was ordered to
the front to relieve the regiments which had, since
morning, borne the brunt of the conflict. As the 89th
Illinois was withdrawing, the enemy, construing it into
a retreat, attempted once more to seize the position, but
the regiment faced about, dashed down the hill, and,
with their last remaining cartridges, charged the advanc-
ing rebels and drove them back across the field.
The charge of the Federal troops was successful,
and the enemy was finally driven from the hill which he
had fortified, and retreated toward Bellbuckle. Henry
M. Cist, in his history of the Army of the Cumberland,
says the fighting at Liberty Gap was the " most severe
of the Tullahoma campaign," and among the brave and
determined regiments that so worthily bore their part in
that struggle, none had a fairer, or more heroic, record
than the 89th Illinois.
The regiment remained at Liberty Gap until the
27th, when it marched to Manchester, and remained
there until July 1, when it moved to Tullahoma, and
remained until August 16, and then it marched to, and
encamped at, the foot of Lookout Mountain, on Sep-
tember 2. On the 10th, McCook's troops crossed the
mountains to Alpine, Ga., the extreme right of the
Union line. On the 12th, McCook was ordered to join
General Thomas at once. On the night of the 17th, he
closed up on Thomas's right, at Chickamauga Creek,
Johnson's division being the right of McCook's corps,
which was still the extreme right of the Federal line.
On the morning of the 19th, McCook was ordered
to send Johnson's and Davis's divisions to the left, to
support Thomas. Brannon, of Thomas's corps, had
been driven back, and Baird, to his right, was giving way,
when Johnson's division moved to his support. It
formed on Baird's right, with Willich's brigade holding
the center, Dodge's brigade the right, and Baldwin's the
left. Willich's brigade formed in two lines, the 89th
Illinois on the right of the second line, in support of the
32d Indiana.
Baldwin's brigade, to the left, was first engaged, and
then the center held by Willich. He had sent forward
a line of skirmishers, who soon needed the reinforcement
of their reserve companies in order to hold the advanced
line. Willich moved his brigade forward in line-of-bat-
tle, and prepared to receive the onset of the advancing
rebels. Their repeated charges were bravely and suc-
cessfully repulsed, when they succeeded in planting a
battery in front of the brigade, and, at close range,
threw grape and canister into its ranks. A section of
Goodspeed's battery, which was attached to the brigade,
opened upon the enemy's guns, which the 89th Illinois
and the 32d Indiana were ordered to charge.
Rushing forward at the call of the bugle, with a
cheer, the regiments drove back the rebels about a hun-
dred yards, who then faced about and rallied round their
battery, determined to hold it to the last extremity.
Moving steadily forward until they could almost touch
their foes, the two regiments stood there and fought
until the rebels were forced to fall back. Then making
a headlong bayonet charge they captured all of the bat-
tery except one gun, which the enemy succeeded in
drawing off by hand. A portion of the 89th, in their
zeal to capture this gun also, pressed forward to a dan-
gerous distance in advance of the brigade ; but the line
being re-formed, the whole command advanced about
thirty yards, which position the division held about two
hours. The division then occupied an advanced posi-
tion at the extreme left of the line, with no support on
either flank — Turchin's brigade on the right being
three-quarters of a mile distant. So isolated and
advanced a position could not be held through the
night, and at the expiration of two hours, or at about sun-
down, not receiving reinforcements, orders were given
for the command to fall back. Just at this time, the
enemy, reinforced with fresh troops, made his second
EIGHTY-NINTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY
247
attack, striking, as before, the left of the division first,
and attacking in quick succession Baldwin, Willieh and
Dodge. Willich's brigade received the rebels, as they
struck its columns in their first furious charge, with a
volley that sent them reeling back, but only to renew
the attack with increased numbers and increased vio-
lence. The men of the brigade fought bravely, and the
officers encouraged them by word and example, but the
weight of numbers was too great, and it was forced
back, leaving its dead and wounded in the hands of
the enemy. It re-formed once more in rear of its former
position, and, aided by the guns of its battery, finally
caused the enemy to retire for the night.
During the night of the 19th, Rosecrans's army fell
back to a new position. In this, Johnson's division was
the third from the left, joining Baird on the left and
Palmer on the right. During the night the men erected
a rude breastwork in front of their line, which greatly
sheltered the troops the following day. As the rebels
were forcing back the troops to the left, the 89th Illi-
nois was detached from the brigade to support Good-
speed's battery, one brigade of the division having pre-
viously been sent to support Baird. As this division
fell back, the enemy rushed upon the flank and rear of
the few troops of Johnson's division, but was held in
check by them, aided by the well-directed fire of the
battery, which was most ably supported by the 89th,
until other troops, re-formed from Baird's command,
rallied to their assistance, and the rebels were first driven
back, and then, by a determined charge, completely
routed. This attack on the extreme Union left was made
by Siddell's division, which was finally driven by Turchin
far beyond Baird's position. Willich's and King's bri-
gades, afterward joined byTurchin's, were posted on the
La Fayette road, on the withdrawal of the Federal
troops to Rossville, to cover the movement, Willich's
brigade acting as rear guard of the army. As Johnson's
division was withdrawing, the 89th, still supporting
Goodspeed's battery, was attacked by a force under L. E.
Polk. The regiment fought bravely in support of its bat-
tery, but, before it was safe, Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan
J. Hall, of Chicago, formerly Captain of Co. " A" of the
89th, and a young, brave and promising officer, had
given his life in its defense, with his last breath urging
his regiment to stand true to their country and their
flag. Captains William H. Rice, of Co. "' A," son of
ex-Mayor John B. Rice, of Chicago ; John W. Spink,
of Co. " D"; and Thomas Whiting, of Co. " G," were
killed at Chickamauga, and Lieutenant Amory P. Eliis,
of Co. "B," was mortally wounded ; Adjutant E. A.
Bishop, Captain J. M. Farquhar, and Lieutenants J. W.
Warren and John R. Darcey, were wounded, and Lieu-
tenant H. W. Adams was taken prisoner. Willich's
brigade was the last body of organized Federal troops
to leave the field.
On the 22d of September, the army reached Chat-
tanooga, and was at once set to work throwing up for-
tifications, which were so far completed early in Octo-
ber as to allow a brief rest to the troops.
The army of the Cumberland was reorganized
October 20, and Willich's brigade, consolidated with
Martin's, formerly of Davis's division, was designated
the First Brigade, Third Division | Brigadier-General T.
J. Wood), Fourth Army Corps, and was stationed on the
left of Granger's line, resting against Fort Wood, and
fronting Orchard Knob and Mission Ridge. Orchard
Knob was a low fortified hill, about three-fourths of a
mile beyond the Federal intrenchments, and formed the
enemy's first line of defense.
The first aggressive movement of our army at Chat-
tanooga, was an attack on this position, by Wood's and
Sheridan's divisions, on the afternoon of November 23.
The division moved out on the plain in front of the
breastworks, about two o'clock p. m., and, with Willich's
brigade advanced as a skirmish line, moved forward.
Advancing rapidly across the open field, in plain sight
of the rebel army on Lookout and Missionary Ridge,
the skirmish-line drove the pickets to their intrench-
ments, and the divisions coming up, they were driven to
their second line of rifle-pits, and finally sent in full
retreat to the rear, leaving two hundred prisoners behind.
Temporary breastworks were thrown up that night,
and a larger force sent forward to maintain the position
gained. It was then occupied by Bridge's (Chicago)
battery; and Grant and Thomas established headquar-
ters there, with a signal station, by which they could
communicate with every portion of the army.
The 89th, with the brigade, remained at. Orchard
Knob until November 25, when the order was given for
the attack upon Mission Ridge. The movement com-
menced at three o'clock p. m., at a signal of six guns,
fired, in rapid succession, from Bridge's battery, at
Orchard Knob. Wood's division was formed directly
in front of the Knob, with Baird on the left and Sher-
idan on the right. Willich's brigade occupied the cen-
ter of the division. In front of the lines was, first,
a broken country, covered with dense woods ; then an
abrupt rise of ground, terminated by a narrow plateau,
on which the enemy had located his camp. Beyond
this rose Mission Ridge, its summit bristling with bat-
teries, and strengthened with breastworks. Lines of
rifle-pits were to be carried, before its summit could be
gained. At the signal, the troops swept forward, advanc-
ing steadily through the woods, and across the open field
in front of the enemy's intrenchments at the foot of the
ridge, each command striving to first reach the
enemy. The first line was captured at the point of the
bayonet, and the routed rebels thrown back on their
reserves, killed or taken prisoners. Hardly stopping to
re-form, or for an order, the Union troops grimly
charged up the steep and rugged ascent, and, without
wavering or halting, at last, with loud hurrahs, gained
the crest, and routed the enemy from his last position.
Willich's brigade charged up the hill at a point where
the ridge was formed like a horseshoe, the Federal
troops occupying the interior. Batteries to the right
and left, and in front, poured upon them a terrific fire ;
but, with Hazen's brigade to the right, and Beatty's to
the left, it reached the top with the foremost, and plant-
ed its colors on the crest. The enemy held their ground
at this point, until the brigade was less than a dozen
yards from their breastworks, when they broke, in wild
confusion, and fled, in panic, down the opposite slope
of the ridge.
A portion of the brigade pursued them for nearly a
mile, capturing, and hauling back, several pieces of ar-
tillery which they were trying to carry off. Among
those of the 89th Illinois killed at Mission Ridge were
Lieutenant E. D. Young, of Co. '"A," and Captain
Henry L. Rowell, of Co. " C," both brave and gallant
officers, the latter from Chicago.
Willich's brigade occupied the summit of Mission
Ridge until the 26. h, when it went to Chattanooga,
where it remained until it moved to Knoxville, arriving
there December 7.
In the Atlanta campaign, the 89th Illinois formed
a part of the First Brigade commanded by Willieh),
Third division (General Wood), Fourth Army Corps
(General Howard'. The division occupied Tunnel Hill
on May 7, and was ordered, with the First Division, to
»4$
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
make a demonstration against Rocky Face Ridge on the
following morning. They succeeded in gaining the
summit of the ridge, and afterward joined in the pur-
suit of Johnston's army to Resaca, where it arrived on
the 14th. In the operations against Resaca, General
Willich was seriously wounded by a rebel sharpshooter,
and was unable to re-join his brigade, during the cam-
paign, the command of which devolved on Colonel
William H. Gibson, of the 49th Ohio. During the night
of the 15th, Johnston evacuated Resaca, and retreated
south of the Oostenaula.
The Sgth joined in the pursuit and in the subsequent
engagement near New Hope Church, where it was
engaged in the attack. The attacking column moved
forward at half-past four. Hazen's brigade fought in
front of the enemy's works nearly an hour, and until its
ammunition was exhausted, when the First Brigade was
ordered to its relief. The brigade rushed forward to
the attack, gaining a position so near the breastworks
that the men fell within ten feet of them. The 89th
Illinois, 15th Wisconsin, and 49th Ohio, fought there
two and one-half hours, renewing the assault four
times, but were at last forced to retire to shelter from
the enfilading fire of three batteries, which cut them
down in the trenches they had so boldly carried. The
Third Brigade was then ordered forward, not to renew
the assault, but simply to hold the ground, that the
dead and wounded might be recovered. The conflict
raged furiously from the first attack, at half-past four,
until seven, and did not cease until ten at night. The
loss was terrible. The 89th Illinois lost one hundred
and fifty-six officers and men ; Willich's entire brigade
(commanded by Gibson), one thousand and eighty-three;
Hazen's, eight hundred and ten ; Beatty's (commanded
by Knefler:, four hundred and one. Among the officers
wounded in the 89th Illinois were Captain Dimick and
Lieutenant Arenschild, of Co. " F " ; Captain Samuel
Comstock, of Co. " I " ; and Lieutenant H. C. Wood, of
Co. "C."
During the night of the 27th, the First Brigade
intrenched itself about three hundred yards from the
enemy's works, and occupied that position until the
works were evacuated, on the night of June 4. On
June 6, the division moved, with the rest of the Fourth
Corps, to the neighborhood of Mount Morris Church,
where it remained in camp until the 10th, when it
moved to Pine Top Knob, which position was evacu-
ated by the enemy on the 14th, who, on the 16th, fell
back toward Kenesaw Mountain. Wood's division
reached Kenesaw June 19. On the 21st, in an attack
on an advanced position of the enemy, in which a part
of Gibson's brigade was engaged, Captain William
Harkness, of Co. " A " (formerly Lieutenant of Co.
" 11 " was killed, and Lieutenant O. C. Pease, of Co.
'■ E," wounded. Johnston evacuated his fortifications
at Kenesaw, on the night of the 2d of July, and the fol-
lowing day the pursuit was renewed. On the 12th, the
brigade crossed the Chattahoochee River, at Pace's
Ferry, and went into camp on the south bank, where it
remained until the 17th, when, with the rest of the
on, it marched three miles down the river, to cover
the laying of a bridge, for the passage of the Fourteenth
Corps, returning to camp at night. On the 18th, it
advam.eo to Buckhead, and, with the Third Brigade,
made a reconnoissance to Peach Tree Creek the follow-
ing 'lay, when it was found that the enemy had burned
the bridge over the stream, and was intrenched on the
southern bank. The two brigades effected the crossing
of the creek, in the face of the enemy, on the 20th, and
intrenched on the southern side. Lieutenant Nathaniel
Street, of Co. " D," 89th Illinois, received a fatal wound
during the passage. On July 22, the division reached
Atlanta, and intrenched a position within five hundred
yards of the enemy's main works; which it occupied
until the 25th of August, when, with the other troops, it
withdrew to participate in the flank movement, eventu-
ating in the evacuation of the city by Hood. On the
29th, the regiment took part in the destruction of the
West Point Railroad, and, on the rst of September,
arrived before Jonesboro', in time to join in the pursuit
of the enemy the following day. The Atlanta cam-
paign ended on the 2d of September, and, on the 5th,
the 89th Illinois, with its division, went into camp,
about four miles from Atlanta, where it remained until
October. From the 24th of August, when Colonel
Gibson's term of service expired, until the close of the
Atlanta campaign, the First Brigade was under the
command of Colonel Hotchkiss.
Leaving Atlanta, October 2d, with the Fourth Corps,
commanded by General Stanley, the 89th moved north
in pursuit of Hood, who was retreating toward the Ten-
nessee River.
The First Brigade, again commanded by Colonel
John A. Martin, of the 8th Kansas, reached Kenesaw
just in time to see the smoke of the conflict at Alla-
toona, and thence, passing over the mountains and
through Kingston, Rome, and Resaca, reached Rocky
Face on the 15th. On the 30th, the command reached
Chattanooga, and thence moved to Pulaski, Tenn.;
where Colonel A. D. Streight took command of the
brigade. The 89th Illinois then participated in the
engagements at Columbia and Franklin, on the route
to Nashville, which it reached on December 1. On
December 15, Streight's brigade moved into line, and,
in conjunction with the Second (Colonel P. S. Post),
was ordered to make an assault on Montgomery Hill, a
strong position, about three hundred yards from the
advanced Union line. The charge was made and the
works captured, the brigade commander reporting that
"the only unsettled question, for the time, seemed to
be who, among our officers, should reach the works
first."
On the 1 6th, an advance on the main works of the
rebels was made by Post's brigade, which, supported
by Streight's, charged Overton Hill, the enemy being
driven toward Brentwood. In the engagements before
Nashville, the 89th lost thirty-nine in killed and
wounded. Lieutenant P. G. Taite, of Co. "G," was
killed, Major B. H. Kidder and Lieutenant E. P. Walker,
of Co. "A," were wounded.
The regiment participated in the pursuit of Hood's
army to the Tennessee, and thence marched to Hunts-
ville, Ala., where it remained in camp until February,
1865, when, with Colonel Hotchkiss still in command,
it again returned to East Tennessee, and remained in
that section until Lee's surrender. It then proceeded
to Nashville, where it was mustered out of United States
service June 10, 1S65, and left that city, the same day,
for Chicago. It arrived in the latter city June 12, and
the following day received a public reception, with the
88th Illinois, by the Board of Trade and Railroad com-
panies of the city. Colonel Hotchkiss, in response to
congratulatory speeches, briefly said:
" The 89th left Chicago at the same time as the 8Sth, or three
years ago, nine hundred strong. It has been recruited up to one
thousand four hundred; that is, that number have been enrolled
under its banner. It has lost by casualties very largely, and we
return now with three hundred men, two hundred others being in
the held (transferred to the 5gth Illinois). The balance have been
lost. Among the lost is one lieutenant-colonel, seven captains, four
lieutenants and over seven hundred men. Our history is written
NINETIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
249
on the head-boards of rudely-made graves, from Stone River to
Atlanta. Such a record we feel proud of."
Following is the return roster of the regiment, and
the names of officers killed in action:
Return Roster. — Colonel, Charles T. Hotchkiss, brevet
brigadier-general; Lieutenant-Colonel, William D. Williams;
Major, John M. Farquhar; Surgeon, Herman B. Tuttle; Assistant
Surgeon, Pembroke R. Thombs ; Adjutant, Jere. M. Urosh ;
Quartermaster, George W. Deering; Sergeant-Major, A. E. Burne-
son.
Co. "A": Captain, Edwin P. Walker; First Lieutenant, Bryan
O'Connor. Co. "B": Captain, Hardin C. Wood. Co. "C";
Captain, James M. Rigney; First Lieutenant, William II. Kinney.
Co. " D" : Captain, George F. Robinson; First Lieutenant,
Alexander Beecher. Co. " E ": Captain, John W. Warren; First
Lieutenant, Robert Miller; Second Lieutenant, Oscar C. Pease.
Co. "F": Captain, James F. Copp; First Lieutenant, Charles J.
Arenschild. Co. "G": Captain, William H. Howell; First Lieu-
tenant, John W. Sweckard. Co. " H ": Captain, John A. Beeman;
First Lieutenant, Aaron H. Boomer. Co. "I": Captain, William
H. Phelps; First Lieutenant, Charles M. Carnahan. Co. "K":
Captain, William A. Sampson ; First Lieutenant, James A. Jack-
son; Second Lieutenant, Horace G. Greenfield.
The following officers of the 8gth Illinois were either killed
in, or died of -wounds received in, action : Lieutenant-Colonel
Duncan J. Hall, killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863 ;
Captain Henry S. Willett, Co. " H," at Stone River, December 31,
1862; Captain Herbert M. Blake, Co. " K," at Liberty Gap,
January 25, 1863 ; Captains William H. Rice, Co. "A," John W.
Spink, Co. " D," and Thomas Whiting, Co. "G," at Chickamauga,
September 19-20, 1S63; Captain Henry L. Rowell, Co. "C," died
December 3, 1S63, of wounds received at Mission Ridge November
25, 1863; Captain William Darkness, Co. "A," killed in action at
Kenasaw, June 21, 1S64 ; Lieutenant Amory T. Ellis, Co. " B,"
died October 6, 1S63, of wounds received at Chickamauga, Septem-
ber 19, 1S63; Lieutenant Erastus O. Young, Co. "A," killed at
Mission Ridge November 25, 1S63 ; Lieutenant Nathan Street,
Co. "D," killed at Atlanta August 6, 1S64 ; Lieutenant Peter G.
Taite, Co. " G," killed at Nashville December 16, 1S64.
General Charles Truman Hotchkiss is a native of the
State of New York, born in the town of Virgil, Cortland Co., May
3, 1832. He is the eldest son of Sylvester Wolcott and Mercy
(Comfort) Hotchkiss, who, in 1834, removed to the territory of
Michigan, settling on a farm in Calhoun County, near the present
village of Homer. There Charles was reared, receiving an
academic education at the Albion Seminary, until he had reached
his sixteenth year. At that time, instead of entering college, as
had been planned, he conceived the idea of studying telegraphy,
and went to Wisconsin for that purpose; and, in 1850, came to
Chicago, following that occupation here for some three years. In
1S53, he entered the service of the old Galena & Chicago Union
Railroad, when its western terminus was at Rockford, 111., and
subsequently became the freight agent for the road at this city. In
1857, he resigned this position to engage in business for himself,
contracting and building bridges, docks, dredging and harbor
work, and also in the lumber trade with his father, under the firm
name of S. W. Hotchkiss & Son. He was thus employed until the
breaking out of the Rebellion, in 1S61. Under President Lincoln's
first call for seventy-five thousand troops, issued in April of that
year, Mr. Hotchkiss entered the three months' service, as first
lieutenant and regimental adjutant of the nth Illinois Volunteers,
commanded by Colonel W. H. L. Wallace. At the re-enlistment
of that regiment for the three years' service, in July, 1861, Lieu-
tenant Hotchkiss was made a captain, and assigned to duty as
assistant adjutant-general of the brigade commanded by Colonel
Wallace, and participated in the battle of Belmont, Mo., the cap-
ture of Fort Henry, and the battle and capture of Fort Donelson.
In April, 1862, he was assigned to duty as assistant adjutant-gen-
eral on the staff of Brigadier-General W. H. L. Wallace, who
commanded the Second Division of General Grant's army at the
battle of Shiloh, in which memorable conflict he also lost his life.
Following the death of General Wallace, Captain Hotchkiss was
transferred to the staff of Major-General John A. McClernand,
and assigned to duty as adjutant-general of the Reserve Corps, in
General Halleck's command, consisting of the armies of the Ten-
nessee, under Grant, the Ohio, under Buell, and the Mississippi,
the latter under command of General Pope, and was with their
forces in the advance on Corinth from Pittsburg Landing. In Sep-
tember, 1862, he was called from the front and appointed lieuten
ant-colonel, placed in command of, and took to the field, the 89th
Illinois Infantry. On assuming command, he at once joined Gen-
eral Buell's army, at Louisville, Ky., and in January, 1S63, was
promoted to the colonelcy, commanding the 89th in all the battles
fought by the Army of the Cumberland, with the exception of ten
months, (luring which he commanded the Firs! Brigade, Third
Division, Fourth Amy Corps, of that army, to which his regiment
also belonged. During that time he participated in the battles of
Perrvsville, Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Orchard
Knob, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, the campaign in Fast
Tennessee, during the winter of 1863-64, and in all of the engage-
ments of the one hundred and twenty days of the Atlanta cam-
paign, from Chattanooga, beginning with the action at Rocky Face-
Ridge, May 9 and 12, and closing with the battle of Jonesboro',
fought September I, and the occupation of Atlanta, September 8,
1864. He was also in the skirmish of Spring Hill, November 25,
the battle of Franklin, November 30, and the battle of Nashville,
December 15-16, 1864, the defeat of General Hood's army, and
the final overthrow of the Rebellion in the West. March 13, 1865,
Colonel Hotchkiss was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general,
United States Volunteers, by brevet, " for gallant and meritorious
services rendered during the war," which rank he still held at the
date of his being mustered out of the service, June 10 of that
year. Returning to his home in this city, General Hotchkiss
again entered into business life, but, in August, 1866, was
appointed to the position of United States Pension Agent at Chi-
cago, which office he held until May I, 1869. In the fall of that
year, he became prominently identified with the citizens' reform
movement, on which ticket he was elected city clerk, holding the
position two terms, being re-elected on the famous fire-proof ticket
which was placed in the field after the fire of 1871. Retiring, in
1S73, from an office, the duties of which he had discharged to the
entire satisfaction of the people of Chicago, General Hotchkiss
engaged in the contracting business until 1S80, when he became
the proprietor of St. Caroline's Court Hotel, which he still con-
ducts. General Hotchkiss married, December 10, 1855. Miss
Frances E. Dye, daughter of Nathan Dye, an old and well known
citizen of Chicago. They have one son, their only child, William
D. Hotchkiss, who is now a civil engineer, and employed in the
engineering department of the city of Chicago.
Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan J. Hall, son of Amos T.
Hall, of Chicago, was born in Detroit, Mich., September 15, 1838.
He was educated at Urbana University, Champaign Co., Ohio, and
came to Chicago with his father's family in 1855. After reading
law in the office of Walker, Van Arman & Dexter, he was admitted
to the Bar in 1861. He exhibited a peculiar aptitude and fondness
for legal studies, which, joined to his remarkable industry and
perseverance, would undoubtedly have secured to him a high rank
in his profession had not his patriotic feelings induced him to enter
the army. Early in 1861 he joined the Scammon Guards, to learn
military tactics; and when the proclamation for three hundred
thousand volunteers was published, he enlisted in a company then
forming, and was elected its captain. On the incorporation of his
company with the Sgth Illinois, he was ejected major of the regi-
ment, and from the time it entered active service until December,
1863, was acting lieutenant-colonel. At the battle of Murfrees-
boro', he was taken prisoner and carried to Atlanta, where he re-
mained ten weeks, and was thence removed to Libby prison, and
remained until April, 1S63, when he was exchanged, and re-joined
his regiment at Murfreesboro'. He was then promoted lieuten-
ant-colonel, his commission dating January 7, 1863. He partici-
pated with the regiment in the engagement at Liberty Gap, and in
the two days' battle at Chickamauga, being killed as the Federal
forces were withdrawing from the field on the 20th of September,
1S63. He lived only about two hours after he was wounded, dying
on the field of battle.
NINETIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
The Ninetieth Illinois was organized at a
meeting held at St. Patrick's Church, August 8, 1862,
of which Reverend Father Dunne was chairman and
James W. Sheahan secretary. During the preceding
months, Father Dunne had conspicuously exerted him-
self in raising the regiment, and, at this meeting, he was,
by acclamation, elected its temporary colonel, the regi-
ment being long known as Father Dunne's Regiment.
It was christened the" Irish Legion," and mustered
into service September 22, 1862, under the following
officers:
Field an,! Staff. — Colonel, Timothy O'Meara; Lieutenant-
Colonel, Smith McCleavy; Major, Owen Stuart; Adjutant, Edwin
S. Davis; Quartermaster, Redmond Sheridan; Surgeon, Henry
Strong; First Assistant Surgeon, John B. Davidson; Chaplain,
Thomas F. Kelley.
Line Officers. — Co. "A": Captain, Patrick Flvnn; First Lieu-
tenant, James Conway; Second Lieutenant, Daniel Corcoran. Co.
-5°
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
■«B": Captain. Michael W. Murphy; First Lieutenant. Thomas
Gray; Second Lieutenant. Charles Biilingale. Co. " C " : Captain
Patrick O'Marah; First Lieutenant. John C. Harrington; Second
Lieutenant, Thomas Murray. Co. " D" : Captain, David O'Con-
ner: First Lieutenant, lohn W. Kelley; Second Lieutenant,
Feter O'Brine. Co. "E ': Captain. Matthew Leonard; First
Lieutenant, lohn McAssev; Second Lieutenant. Lawrence S. Mc-
Carthy. Co". '• F" : Captain. Richard C. Kelley; First Lieutenant,
Patrick Feenev: Second Lieutenant, William White. Co. "G":
Captain. John Murphv: First Lieutenant, David Duffy; Second
Lieutenant, Patrick Campion. Co. " H " : Captain, Peter Lasev;
First Lieutenant, Andrew Liddle; Second Lieutenant, George W .
McDonald. Co. "I": Captain, William Cunningham; First
Lieutenant, Joseph Teahon; Second Lieutenant, John J. O'Leary.
Co. "K": Captain, Thomas K. Barrett; First Lieutenant, Peter
Real; Second Lieutenant, John Larkin.
On September 27, the " Irish Legion" left Camp
Douglas, nine hundred and eighty strong, for LaGrange,
Tenn.. whence it was sent, after four days' stay, to garri-
son Cold water, Miss. There it had a skirmish, December
20, with Van Dorn's cavalry, in which the latter was
repulsed. The 90th was then withdrawn to LaGrange,
where, on March 3, 1863, it was assigned to Colonel
John M. Loomis's brigade, which was composed of the
26th and 90th Illinois and the 12th and 100th Indiana.
On March 8, the brigade marched to Colliersville,
Tenn., and then, on June 7, left for Memphis. On the
following day, the brigade embarked for Haines's Bluff,
on the Yazoo; there joined Sherman's forces, and re-
mained in the vicinity of Yicksburg until its surrender.
On July 4, the 90th, with Ewing's division, pursued
Tohnston's retreating forces toward Jackson, returning
from there to Yicksburg, where it embarked for Mem-
phis. It then left Memphis, October 11, and took part
in the defense of Colliersville.
In the attack on Tunnel Hill, near Mission Ridge,
November 25, Loomis's brigade occupied the extreme
right of the line, fighting its way along the western base of
Mission Ridge, until it reached the railroad tunnel and
embankment. Two brigades sent to its support were
outflanked and driven back, but this, which formed the
main attacking column on the western side, kept
straight on in the face of the concentrated fire of artil-
lery and musketry from the ridge in front, and drove
the enemy to the shelter of the ravine beyond. In
General Sherman's words, the brigade " engaged in a
close struggle all day, persistently, stubbornly and well."
At about four o'clock, some of the guns which had been
concentrated at the north end of the ridge, were with-
drawn, or turned in an opposite direction against the
boys of the Cumberland, who were now assaulting the
center of Mission Ridge, and before night Tunnel Hill
was entirely abandoned by the Confederates. In the
assault on this position, Colonel Timothy O'Meara, of
^^m^hf
#or£)
the 90th Illinois, was killed, Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart
was so badly wounded that for months his life hung by
a thread, and Major Patrick Flynn was seriously
wounded. The total loss of the regiment was one hun-
dred and forty-three, killed, wounded and missing.
On the 26th, the regiment, with Sherman's forces,
started in pursuit of Bragg, following him through the
Chickamauga Valley, and, via Greysville, to Charleston,
on the Hiawassee River, where the division was ordered
to pro« «:•-! to Knoxville to relieve Burnside. Knoxville
was eighty four miles distant, and the soldiers were
half-clad, their shoes worn out, they were without ra-
tions, and the weather was cold and stormy. Still they
cheerfully pressed on, moving from Charleston, on De-
cember 2, and reaching Marysville on the 5th, where
tidings were received of Longstreet's retreat, and
Ewing's division was ordered to return to Athens,
whence it marched to Chattanooga, by way of Cleve-
land. General Sherman, speaking of the troops accom-
panying him from the Mississippi to Chattanooga, and
especially of the Fifteenth Corps, says:
" In reviewing the facts, I must do justice to my command for
the patience, cheerfulness and courage which officers and men have
displayed throughout, in battle, on the march, and in camp. For
long periods, without regular rations or supplies of any kind, they
have marched through mud and over rocks, sometimes barefooted,
without a murmur, without a moment's rest. After a march of
over four thousand miles, without a stop for three successive
nights, we crossed the Tennessee, fought our part of the battle of
Chattanooga, pursued the enemy out of Tennessee, and then
turned more than one hundred miles north, and compelled Long-
street to raise the siege of Knoxville, which gave so much anxiety
to the whole country. * * * I can not speak of the Fifteenth
Army Corps without a seeming vanity, but, as I am no longer its
commander, I assert that there is no better body of soldiers in
America than it, or who have done more or better service."
The regiment went into winter quarters at Scotts-
boro', Ala., and in the reorganization of the army for the
Atlanta campaign, in the spring of 1864, was assigned
to the First Brigade (Colonel Reuben Williams), Fourth
Division (General William Harrow), Fifteenth Army
Corps (Major-General John A. Logan, and, with the
Army of the Tennessee, moved from near Lee and Gor-
don's Mills, May 4, in the advance toward Johnston's
position, at Dalton, Ga., where the Confederate army
had concentrated. The 90th then moved to the vicinity
of Resaca, and participated in the engagement at Bald
Knob. Of Williams's brigade and the " Irish Legion,"
at Bald Knob, an eye witness says:
"Shortly after three o'clock, Colonel Williams's brigade, of
Harrow's division, emerged from the wooded hill to the left of the
road, and swinging round to the left of the Knob, entered the fight.
His right is in open field, but his left is somewhat sheltered by the
forest. From the time the brigade entered into action until five
o'clock in the evening, it battles and bleeds, and at night-fall bears
away five wounded officers, one killed, eighty-two wounded
soldiers and fourteen killed. The figures speak, for the gallantry
of the brigade, every regiment of which fought with all the bravery
and tenacity that the occasion demanded. To this brigade the
famous Irish regiment (the 90th Illinois) belongs. It is, indeed,
a proud spectacle to see America's adopted sons from the
Emerald Isle baring their breasts in battle, with the colors of the
Union and the green flag of Ireland floating side by side."
At night, Colonel Walcott's brigade relieved Colonel
WTilliams's, which was, however, engaged the following
day. The losses in the 90th Illinois, at Resaca, were
nineteen, killed, wounded and missing. Johnston
evacuated Resaca on the night of the 15th, and the
90th joined in the pursuit, arriving at Dallas on the
26th. On the 28th, a furious attack was made on the
Fifteenth Corps by Hardee, who afterward retreated
with terrible loss. The only loss of the 90th was four
men wounded on the skirmish line.
The following night, the Confederates made another
attack on the right of Sherman's line, but were again
repulsed. On June 15, Colonel Williams's brigade suc-
ceeded in gaining the enemy's flank, and W;alcott's
brigade, of the same division, attacked the position —
which was the crest of a steep and wooded hill, held by
Alabama troops — in front. The charge was bravely
made, the men carrying the works that crowned the
crest of the hill, and taking portions of the 31st and
40th Alabama prisoners, to the number of more than
three hundred. Harrow lost but forty-five killed and
wounded. The division was not engaged in the assault
at Kencsaw Mountain, on the 27th. Following up the
NINETIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
251
pursuit of Johnston's army, the division moved to
Decatur, where it arrived on the 19th, and the follow-
ing morning moved to the front of Atlanta. The corps,
which had advanced directly on the railroad from
Decatur, formed on each side of it ; General M. L.
Smith's division in the center and on the line of the
road, General Wood's on the right, and General Har-
row's on the left, or south, of the road. Where the
line crossed the railroad, there was a deep cut, which
was left open and uncovered by cross-fire. After the
violence of the battle on the extreme left of the line
was over, on the afternoon of the 2 2d, Hood made a
second attack, this time on the Fifteenth Corps. The
charge was made by Cheatham's corps, which advanced
along the line of the railroad, drove back the advance
regiments of the corps, and charged down the gorge,
or railroad cut, with the greatest fury — a portion reach-
ing quite to the rear of the Fifteenth Corps, where it
separated, a part scaling the bank to the left, the other
to the right, where they poured a destructive fire
directly on the flanks of the regiments next the road.
As these fell back from the breastworks, other regi-
ments poured up from the cut and over the works, form-
ing a solid column, and charging along the inside of the
Federal intrenchments. The center was totally dis-
lodged from its position, and fell back, through the
woods, to the right, where it re-formed, and, strength-
ened by the First Division, on the right, drove the
Confederates in turn over the works.
The rebel regiments which climbed the bank south
of the railroad where Harrow's brigades and the left
of the Second Division held the works, did not have as
good success. Although the enfilading fire drove the
men back from the breastworks twice, they rallied as
often, repulsed the Confederates, and held their ground.
It was a desperate struggle — the men fought over the
works hand to hand, with bayonets and with breech,
but they held their ground, and drove the enemy back
to his works before the city. The loss of the 90th was
thirty-five, killed, wounded and missing.
Harrow's division remained in its position, south of
the railroad and east of the city, until the 26th of July,
when it was transferred, with the Army of the Ten-
nessee, to the right of Sherman's line, at Ezra Church,
west of Atlanta. There, on the 2Sth, the 90th partici-
pated in an engagement with the enemy, under General
S. D. Lee, who moved out from his intrenchments to
attack the Fifteenth Corps. Lee was repulsed, after a
hard-fought battle, in which the 90th lost twenty-two,
killed and wounded. Some four hundred yards in
front of the position of the corps at Ezra Church, the
Confederates had a long line of rifle-pits, from which
their skirmishers kept up a constant and harassing fire
on Logan's troops. On August 3, Logan ordered a
charge on these troublesome pits; which were taken, in
the morning, with little resistance, and held about two
hours, at which time the enemy issued in force from
his main works, to re-take them. Preparations not
having been completed to defend them against so large
a force, the men were re-called to their reserves, and, in
the afternoon, details were again made from Harrow's
and Lightburn's divisions to re-capture and hold the pits.
Portions of three regiments from Harrow's division
— including half of the 90th, — led by Major Brown, of
the 70th Ohio, advanced at about four o'clock in the
afternoon, this time in the face of a heavy artillery and
musketry fire from the enemy's works, and again cap-
tured the long line of rifle-pits, with fifty additional
prisoners. Major Brown, leading the detail, was killed
at the head of his men. The 90th lost seven men,
killed and wounded.
It was again engaged, at Jonesboro', Ga., August
31, 1864, at which place the division fought Cleburne's
division, of Hardee's corps ; the 90th losing sixteen
men, killed, wounded and missing. It was also in the
final engagement of the campaign, at Lovejoy Station,
September 2, from whence it returned to East Point,
and went into camp.
In the organization of the army, at Atlanta, for the
" march to the sea," the 90th Illinois was transferred to
Colonel Oliver's brigade, Hazen's (Second) division, of
the Fifteenth Army Corps, General Osterhaus com-
manding. On October 4, the command broke camp at
East Point, Ga., and, crossing the Chattahoochee,
marched, via Allatoona, to Rome, and thence passing
through Resaca, Snake Creek Gap, Villanow, and La
Fayette, went into camp on Little River, near Gavles-
ville, on the 21st. On the 25th, it was engaged in a
skirmish at Gadsden, and on the 29th commenced the
return march to Atlanta, arriving at Smyrna Camp
Ground, near the Chattahoochee, November 5. On the
15th, it started for Savannah, and reached Summertown
on the 30th. Crossing the Ogeechee on the 7th of
December, it drove the enemy from the bank, and, on
the 1 2th, re-crossed at King's Bridge, and moved down
its right bank toward Fort McAllister.
On the 13th the division marched to within about
a mile of the fort, and, at fifteen minutes to five o'clock
p. m., had completely invested it. The bugle then
sounded, and the 90th, with eight other regiments de-
ployed for the charge, rushed forward — over the line of
torpedoes which had been laid outside the works; over
and under and through abattis, ditches and breastworks;
fighting until the enemy was driven to the last extremity
and surrendered. The 90th lost three men killed and
fourteen wounded, and was one of the first regiments to
reach the works.
With Hazen's division, the 90th moved from Savan-
nah to Beaufort, S.C., in January, 1865, and thence, in
February, marched to Columbia, which was reached on
the 1 6th. The division was engaged in the skirmish
line at Bentonville, N. C, March 21, and went into
camp at Goldsboro' on the 25th, where, on the 6th of
April, news was received of the fall of Richmond. On
April 12, Sherman's army moved from Goldsboro' against
Johnston; Hazen's division pushing on through Raleigh
and Hillsboro'; and, after the capitulation of Johnston,
to Richmond, and thence to Washington, where the 90th
participated in the grand review on May 24. June 6, it
was mustered out of service, and immediately started for
home, arriving at Chicago, June 10, 1865. On its re-
turn the regiment numbered only two hundred and fifty,
of whom forty-one were crippled beyond carrying a
musket. Three hundred of its number had been lost in
battle, and the remainder by the various casualties of
war. The following was the return roster of the regi-
ment:
Colonel, Owen Stuart; Lieutenant-Colonel, (vacant); Major.
Patrick Flynn; Adjutant, Edward S. Davis; Quartermaster, Red-
mond Sheridan ; Surgeon, Charles A. Thompson ; Assistant-Sur-
geon, John H. Scott; Sergeant-Major, Thomas McDonald; Quarter-
master-Sergeant, John F. Hoben; Commissary-Sergeant, Lawrence
Bracken; Musicians, P. II. Sloan and Charles Dunn. Co. "A":
Captain, Daniel Corcoran; First Lieutenant, Andrew Phinney.
Co. "B": Captain, Michael \V. Murphy; First Lieutenant, Thomas
Gray. Co. "C": Captain. James Dunne; First Lieutenant, James E.
Casey. Co. " D " Captain, Daniel O'Conner; First Lieutenant,
John W. Kelley. Co. " E ": Captain, David H. Duffy; First Lieu-
tenant, William Brice. Co. " F ": Captain, Patrick Feeney; First
Lieutenant, William White. Co. "G"; Captain, John Murphy;
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
First Lieutenant, Patrick Campion. Co. " H ": Captain, Michael
M.Clark: First Lieutenant, Lawrence S. McCarthy. Co. "I":
Captain, Thomas Murray : First Lieutenant, Timothy Mahoney.
Co. "K": Captain. John McAssey; First Lieutenant, Jeremiah F.
Riordan.
On Monday, June 12, the regiment was escorted
from Camp Fry, through the streets of the city to the
Sanitary Fair, by General John M. Loomis, and those of
his old command in Chicago, where it was welcomed by
Hon. Richard Yates in a complimentary speech, and
afterward marched to the residence of Rt. Rev. Dr.
Dunne. South Desplaines Street, forming in front of the
house and giving three hearty cheers for the " Father of
the Regiment." It then marched to the school-house
connected with St. Patrick's Church, where Father
Dunne affectionately welcomed his boys to their home,
and Rev. Dr. Brennan read resolutions of congratulation
and respect to the Irish Legion passed at a meeting of
the Catholic Irish citizens of Chicago. The regiment
then marched back to Camp Fry, where it was paid and
received its final discharge a few days later.
Major John Murphy was born in County Wexford, Ireland,
June 22, 1S41, the son of James and Mary (Bent) Murphy. He
attended the common schools until he was fifteen years of age,
when he left his native country, to make for himself a name and a
fortune. He arrived in Chicago, in April, 1S56, and was employed
by Murphy & Savage in the Marine Engine Works. There he
became a proficient machinist, and was with the firm nearly six
ycir*. At the end of that time he left this city for Pike's Peak,
and remained in Colorado for about two years, returning to Chi-
cago to purchase mining machinery for the Colorado mines.
Instead, however, he raised a company for the 67th Illinois, under
Colonel Hough. He was immediately commissioned second lieu-
tenant, in which capacity he served for four months, doing duty at
Camp Douglas guarding the prisoners of war. He then organized
a company for the goth Illinois, recruiting it in this city, and was
made its captain, being assigned to General Denver's division. In
the battle of Mission Ridge, Captain Murphy distinguished him-
self in advancing the skirmish line, and, as a reward for his
bravery, received what few men were ever honored with, a general
order from the brigade, division, corps and department, compli-
menting him on his efficient services as an officer. Soon after the
fall of Atlanta, Sherman's army moved on to the sea, and with it
all that was left of the gallant goth Illinois. Major Murphy,
having passed through twenty-nine battles, came from the army
wearing the proudest laurels of a soldier — the consciousness of
having rendered his country service in her time of need, and of
defending the flag which he had chosen from all the world as his
standard of free thought and liberty. He was mustered out at
Chicago, in June, 1865, and, returning to civil life, opened a small
store, at the corner of Pearson and Wells streets, and maintained
it successfully until the great fire swept it away. Soon after the
fire, he established another grocery business, on West Indiana
Street, remaining there temporarily until 1S72, when he moved his
stock back to the North Side. The next year he was elected col-
lector of the North Town, and gave up the grocery business to
establish a livery, which he did in company with Simon Stafford,
the partnership continuing until the present time. He was first
married, in 1S65, to Miss Hannah C. Geary, of Chicago, by which
marriage he has one son, James P. He was married the second
time to Mi-s Mary O'Byrne, of Chicago. Mr. Murphy is a
staunch Republican, having served the North Division of the city
as supervisor, in 1876, and as alderman from the Seventeenth
Ward, in [881-82. At the time of the organization of the 2d
Regiment of the Illinois National Guards, he served in the
capacity of major and lieutenant-colonel.
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEENTH ILLI-
NOIS INFANTRY.
"The Third Board-of-Trade Regiment" was
the last military organization perfected under the aus-
' that body. It was formed under the call of July,
1862, for three hundred thousand volunteers, and was
filled up by consolidating four Cook County companies
with three from Iroquois and three from Kankakee coun-
ties, the organization being effected on the 1 6th of Sep-
tember. On October I, the regiment was mustered into
United States service, the following being the original
roster :
Field and Staff. — Colonel, Geo. B. Hoge; Lieutenant-Colonel,
John W. Paddock; Major, Lucius H. Yates; Adjutant, Daniel S.
Parker; Quartermaster, William A. McLean; Surgeon, Joel M.
Mack; First Assistant-Surgeon, Lucien B. Brown; Chaplain, Adam
L. Rankin.
Line Officers. — Co. " A" (Chicago): Captain, George R.
Clarke (promoted major); First Lieutenant, Henry W. B. Hoyt
(promoted captain); Second Lieutenant, Daniel Ferguson (pro-
moted first lieutenant). Co. " B ": Captain, Cephas Williams;
First Lieutenant, Andrew Beckett; Second Lieutenant, John Jeff-
coat. Co. "C " (Chicago): Captain, George W. Lyman; First
Lieutenant, William E. Barry; Second Lieutenant, Harvey T. Hos-
mer (promoted captain). Co. "D ": Captain, Robert B. Lucas;
First Lieutenant, David H. Metzgar; Second Lieutenant, George
B. Fickle. Co. " E ": Captain, Mason Southerland; First Lieu-
tenant, U. R. Burlingham; Second Lieutenant, Charles D. Trum-
bull. Co. "F": Captain, William J. Bridges; First Lieutenant,
Joseph Rogers; Second Lieutenant, William German. Co. "G"
(Chicago): Captain, John G. Woodruff; First Lieutenant, Frank
Brown; Second Lieutenant, James J. Conway. Co. " H ": Captain,
Bliss Sutherland; First Lieutenant, Harrison Daniels; Second
Lieutenant, Aquilla C. Cowgill. Co. " I ": Captain, George
West; First Lieutenant. Anderson Tyler; Second Lieutenant,
Aaron F. Kane Co. " K ": Captain, Silas J. Garrett; First Lieu-
tenant, Levi Sargent; Second Lieutenant, Charles Squires.
During October, the 113th was employed in guard-
ing rebel prisoners at Camp Douglas, leaving Chicago
November 6, 1862, for Memphis, where it was assigned
to the Second Brigade (Colonel Giles A. Smith\ Fourth
Division (General Morgan L. Smith), Sherman's (Fif-
teenth) corps, and remained encamped at Memphis until
November 26, when it marched with the corps on the
so-called Tallahatchie Expedition, the force under Sher-
man moving to the Tallahatchie River, and joining
Grant's expedition against Vicksburg, at Oxford, Miss.
After its return from this expedition, December 12, it
remained encamped at Memphis until December 24,
when it embarked, with its division, at Memphis, disem-
barked at Milliken's Bend, twenty miles above Vicks-
burg, the following day, and marched fifteen miles west
into Louisiana, to destroy a portion of the still uncom-
pleted Vicksburg & Shreveport Railroad. After suc-
cessfully accomplishing this task, it marched to join
Sherman's army on the Yazoo River. The brigade was
in reserve in the battles at Chickasaw Bayou, on the
27th and 28th, losing only two men wounded. Gen-
eral Morgan L. Smith, division commander, was wounded
in the first day's engagement, and the Fourth Divis-
ion was then temporarily commanded by General David
Stuart.
On January 2, 1863, the troops proceeded to Milli-
ken's Bend, and moved up White River fifteen miles,
thence by the " cut off " across eight miles to the Arkan-
sas, and up that river to Fort Hindman, or the Post of
Arkansas, which was a strong fortification, thirty-five
miles up the river, completely commanding its navi-
gation. The parapet of the works there erected
was eighteen feet across, with a ditch twenty-five
feet wide by eight deep, with strong casemates, a
banquette for infantry, and a strong line of rifle-pits.
On January 10, the land forces debarked three miles
below the fort, Stuart's division advancing by the road
running near the river to within half a mile of the
works. In this advance, Co. "A," 113th, was detailed
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY,
253
as the support for two sections of Silversparre's battery.
After driving the enemy from their rifle-pits, the regiment
had to cross an open swamp, commanded by the guns
of the fort. There Lieutenant Daniel Ferguson, Co.
•' A," Chicago, lost his leg by the explosion of a shell.
The men laid on their arms that night, without fires or
tents, and at half-past ten Sunday morning were in line
of battle, ready to storm the works. General Stuart's
division occupied the right center.
At one o'clock the gunboats opened fire, and half
an hour later Giles M. Smith's brigade charged up to
within short musket range of the enemy's line, where it
found partial shelter in a ravine until three o'clock,
when, the guns of the fort having been silenced by the
fire from the gunboats, a general assault was ordered.
The intrenchments in front of Smith's brigade were
stormed by his command, and, after the surrender of the
fort, the prisoners and all the defenses outside the fort
proper were given into the charge of General Stuart, by
General Sherman. One of the Chicago boys of the
113th, writing of the battle, says of the regiment :
" There was not a man that wavered or fell back; and if their
old, treacherous guns did not snap the cap the first time, they tried
them again and again, till they would go, and when one of their
comrades fell who had a good gun, those who had poor would ex-
change, and go into them again."
At Arkansas Post the regiment lost five killed and
twenty-two wounded. After the battle, Cos. " C," " D,"
" F," "I" and "K" were detailed to take prisoners to
Camp Butler, and remained at Springfield, as guard,
until March, 1864. One of these companies — "C,"
Captain George W. Lyman — was from Chicago. The
remaining companies of the regiment went, with Sher-
man's corps, to Young's Point, nine miles above Vicks-
burg, on the western bank of the Mississippi, reaching
that place on the 22d of January, 1863. There Colonel
Hoge was appointed provost marshal for the Fifteenth
Army Corps, holding that position until General Grant,
in the spring, abandoned his design of turning Vicks-
burg on the north, and the army concentrated at
Milliken's Bend for a new line of operations. On March
17, while yet at Young's Point, Colonel Hoge with
his battalion, forming a portion of the troops under
direct command of General Sherman, moved to the
relief of Admiral Porter at Black Bayou.
This expedition is thus described in Greeley's
"American Conflict":
"Admiral Porter, having reconnoitered the country directly
eastward of the Mississippi from Steele's Bayou, just aDove
Milliken's Bend, and listened to the testimony of friendly negroes,
informed General Grant that a devious route, practicable at that
stage of water for lighter iron-clads, might be found or opened
thence into the Sunflower, and so into the Yazoo below Yazoo City,
but above Haines's Bluff; whereupon, Grant decided to attempt it,
ascending with Porter in the ram Price, pioneered by several other
iron-clads through Steele's Bayou to Black Fork or bayou, which
makes across from Steele's into Deer Creek. Grant, finding their
way constantly impeded bv overhanging trees, hurried back to
Young's Point for a pioneer corps, but was soon advised by Porter
that there was more serious work ahead ; when Sherman was sent
with a division, most of which was debarked at Eagle Bend on the
Mississippi and thence marched across to Steele's Bayou — here but
a mile from the river — much of the distance being now under water,
and requiring to be bridged or corduroyed before it could be passed.
And such was the height of the water in the bayousand streams that
our boats could with difficulty be forced through the branches of
the trees which thickly overlaced those narrow water-courses, so that
they were severally scraped clean of everything above their decks
when they had been wearily driven and warped up the bayou and
across Little Black Fork into Deer Creek, up that stream to Rolling
Fork, and across into the Sunflower ; down which they floated
almost to the Yazoo, where their progress was finally arrested, and
vessels and men obliged to retrace their toilsome, devious way to
the Mississippi."
The portion of the division sent to Porter's relief,
commanded by Sherman in person, and of which the
113th formed a part, did not reach the gunboats at
Steele's Bayou ; but marched twenty-three miles across
the swampy country in mud, ankle-deep, from Black
Bayou to the Sunflower, where, on the 21st, they had
a skirmish with the enemy, who had erected batteries
at the junction of the Sunflower and Rolling Fork, and
was preparing to pass in the rear of the gunboats and
cut off Porter's entire force. The troops under Sher-
man arrived just in time to prevent this, the rebels
retreating after a slight engagement. During five days
Sherman's command was without a change of clothing,
and marched, slept and fought in mud and water —
their general leading them on foot and sharing every
hardship and privation with the men in the ranks. The
troops returned to Young's Point on the 27th, and re-
mained until the first of May, when Blair's division, to
which the 113th belonged, was sent to temporarily gar-
rison Milliken's Bend, leaving on the 8th to join in the
movement of the corps to the south of Vicksburg.
Marching down the west bank of the Mississippi, it
crossed at Grand Gulf, and thence escorted a train of
five hundred wagons to Clinton, Miss. With the divis-
ion, the regiment crossed the Big Black, at Bridgeport,
on the 1 6th, and, on the morning of the iSth, reached
the Benton road, between Vicksburg and the Yazoo, Sher-
man's corps forming the right of Grant's line-of-battle
in rear of the city, his right resting on the Mississippi,
and his left, held by Blair's division, on the Benton
road; Giles Smith's brigade on the right of the road.
An assault was ordered at two o'clock p. m. of the 19th.
Between the brigade and the enemy's works was a
space of about four hundred yards, cut up by deep
ravines, filled with standing and fallen timber, and ex-
ceedingly difficult to pass. Giles Smith's brigade was
the first in the division to reach the works, the men
gaining a position close up to the parapet, where
they held their ground until night, but without being
able to carry the works. Colonel Hoge was wounded
in the head in the assault, and, after remaining in camp
in the rear until June, was obliged to obtain leave of
absence and return to the North to recuperate. In the
assault of the 22d, Giles Smith's brigade charged the
works, in connection with General Ransom s brigade of
McPherson's corps to the left, charging up a steep hill
to the very foot of the parapet and fighting with the
most devoted bravery; but, as on the 19th, failing be-
cause success was impossible. In these two assaults
two color-bearers of the 113th were killed and two
wounded — one mortally. But four companies of the
battalion were engaged, the list of casualties being re-
ported as follows:
Co. "A": Seriously wounded, Lieutenant A. N. Baird ; Cor-
porals Henry Kemp, Levi James and John McGillick. Co. " B" :
Killed, Francis Huston, B. F. Fender; Orderly Sergeant A. J.
Joslyn. Co. "G": Killed, Corporals William Anderson and G.
C. Kidder ; Privates Ferdinand Stack and Fred. Swain. Co. — :
Killed, Morris Bird, Noah Kramer, Nicholas Dohl.
After the capitulation of the city, the battalion was
detailed for provost duty at Chickasaw Bayou, north of
Vicksburg, a region of swamps and sloughs, where the
battalion lost ten per cent, of its number, and where
nearly every officer and man was on the sick list, dur-
ing the time it remained there. From Chickasaw
Bayou, Major George R. Clarke was sent to Camp
Butler, Springfield, to take command of the detachment
there, and, in August, the battalion, under command of
Colonel Hoge, was ordered to Corinth, Miss., where,
October 1, Colonel Hoge was placed in command of
-54
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
the post. In February, 1S64, the battalion returned to
Memphis, and was there joined, on the nth of March,
by the detachment from Springfield, and was assigned
to the Second Brigade (Colonel Hoge commanding),
First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps.
On April 10. the regiment, under General S. D.
Sturgis, marched to Bolivar. Miss., in pursuit of For-
rest ; but without any result, except marching two hun-
dred and fifty miles to no purpose. On June 1, a second
expedition, under General Sturgis, was dispatched
from Memphis, and was composed of three infantry
brigades, and twelve pieces of artillery, under Colonel
W. L. McMillen, and General Grierson's division of
cavalry, with four pieces of artillery. The Second
Infantry Brigade, commanded by Colonel Hoge, of the
113th Illinois, was composed of the 81st, 95th, ioSth,
113th, and 120th Illinois regiments, and Battery " B,"
2d Illinois Light Artillery.
The troops moved from Memphis, on June 1, and
marched through western Tennessee and northern Mis-
sissippi, to Ripley, before reaching which, on June
9, four hundred of the men had succumbed to the
fatigue of the march, and been sent back to Memphis.
On the morning of the 10th, the infantry column,
Hoge*s brigade in advance, again moved forward to the
Hatchie River, and received repeated and urgent or-
ders, to move up as quickly as possible, as the enemy
was developing a large force and driving the cavalry
back. The 113th reached Brice's Cross Roads, be-
tween one and two p. m., and those who could stand
immediately went into action, relieving a portion of the
cavalry. Many of the men were so exhausted that
they were compelled, from faintness and vertigo, to lie
down by the roadside, before the regiment arrived at
the front. As fast as the regiments arrived, they were
formed in line-of-battle, the brigade withstanding, for
half an hour, a furious attack of the enemy, before the
First Brigade arrived and could be brought into action.
The First Brigade, also, held the Confederates at bay,
for a time ; but soon, both right and left were out-
flanked, and finally driven back, forming another line,
some distance to the rear. The Third Brigade (colored),
which had been disposed along the train, as guard, was
thrown to the front, as fast as the men could be assem-
bled, and held the enemy at bay, while a portion of the
artillery and train was moved out, toward the Hatchie,
when it also was flanked, and joined in the retreat.
The narrow road was blocked by the train ; the enemy
was in full pursuit ; and the exhausted troops, without
a place of shelter ; without the possibility of reinforce-
ments, became panic-stricken, beyond the possibility of
rallying, and retreated rapidly toward Ripley ; the ar-
tillery, and what was left of the train, being abandoned
in the Hatchie swamp. Soon after daylight, on the
1 ith, the forces reached Ripley, thirty miles from the
battle-field, where the command was partially reorgan-
ized.
At seven in the morning, a portion had moved from
the plar e, when the Confederates, following up the pur-
suit, made a furious attack on the place, gained posses-
sion of the Salem road, on which the troops were mov-
ing out, and cut the command in two, Hoge's brigade
being left in the town. The men fought there nearly two
hours, the residents also firing upon them, from their
doors and windows. Lieutenant James J. Conway,
Co. "G," 113th regiment, was killed at Ripley; as was
Colonel Thomas \V. Humphrey, 95th Illinois, also
of the Second Brigade. Colonel George \V. McKeaig,
of the 120th Illinois, was seriously — it was supposed,
mortally — wounded. The total loss of the 113th, was
five officers and one hundred and thirty-five men,
killed, wounded, and prisoners, in the two engagements.
The troops reached Memphis, via Salisbury and
Colliersville, making the whole distance of one hundred
and thirty miles, in seventy hours, arriving on the 13th,
with blistered feet, and nearly famished. Lieutenant
H. P. Hosmer, of Chicago, is mentioned in the reports
of the unfortunate expedition, as displaying especial
courage and coolness during its progress.
After its return to Memphis, the regiment was em-
ployed in picket duty until October, when it moved up
the Tennessee River with the expedition of General C.
C. Washburn, and participated in the battle at East-
port, Miss., losing two officers and fourteen men. It
then returned to Memphis, where it was employed on
provost and picket duty until it was mustered out of
service, June 20, 1865. It arrived in Chicago June 22,
where it was received by a committee of the Board-of-
Trade, escorted to Metropolitan Hall, and welcomed by
the officers and members of the Board. The regiment
left Chicago with eight hundred and forty men, rank
and file. It returned with two hundred and seventy-
two, including twenty-eight officers. Two hundred
and forty-two were left at Memphis, and it had recruited
four hundred and ninety-two since its organization, giv-
ing a total loss of eight hundred and forty-six men.
The return roster was as follows :
Colonel, George B. Hoge; Lieutenant-Colonel, George R.
Clarke; Major, Cephas Williams; Adjutant, John S. Lord; Quarter-
master, John H. Taylor; Surgeon, L. B. Brown; Chaplain, A. L.
Rankin. Co. "A": Captain, H. \V. B. Hoyt; First Lieutenant,
A. M. Baird. Co. " B ": Captain, A. W. Beckett; First Lieuten-
ant, John Jeffcoat. Co. "C": Captain, Harvey P. Hosmer; First
Lieutenant, Robert Wilson; Second Lieutenant, A. C. Webber.
Co. "D": Captain, R. B. Lucas; First Lieutenant, D. H. Metz-
ger; Second Lieutenant, H. L. Frisbie. Co. "E": Captain, J.
G. Day; First Lieutenant, C. A. Chatfield. Co, "F": Captain,
George E. King; First Lieutenant, Alfred Fletcher; Second Lieu-
tenant, William Bain. Co. "G": Captain, John G. Woodruff:
First Lieutenant, George E. Kidder. Co. "H": Captain, B.
Sutherland; First Lieutenant, H. Daniels. Co. " I": Captain, A.
F. Kane; First Lieutenant, A. Tyler; Second Lieutenant, W. C.
Shortridge. Co. *"K": Captain, W. R. Hitt; First Lieutenant,
V. W. Dashiel; Second Lieutenant, Edward Hall.
Colonel George R. Clarke is one of the oldest real-estate
dealers in this city, and has handled some of the most eligible
property that has been placed on the market. He was born at
Unadilla Forks, N. Y., on February 22, 1S27. His father. Dr.
Henry Clarke, came to Chicago in 1S36 and engaged in the practice
of medicine, removing his family to this city in May, 1S3S, from
Otsego County, N. Y. On June 15, 1S39, George R. first came
hither and commenced his education; then entered the Beloit Col-
lege, Wisconsin, where he completed his junior year. He then
was principal of the Monroe Seminary for eighteen months, taught
one term at Milton Academy, then was superintendent of schools
and edited the Sauk County Standard for eighteen months. In
1S53 he removed to Chicago, and was admitted to the Bar; after
which he practiced one year, and inaugurated the real-estate busi-
ness which he has since maintained. In 1S60, he spent two years
in mining in Colorado, and in 1862 helped to recruit the 113th Illi-
nois Volunteer Infantry; was made Captain of Co. "A," and from
that rank promoted successively to that of major and lieutenant-
colonel. In January, 1S73, he married Sarah Dunn, who was born
in Cayuga County, N. Y. He has one daughter by a former mar-
riage, Nellie A., now Mrs. John Black. Colonel Clarke has taken
thirty-two degrees of Masonry, and was a member of Chicago Con-
sistory. In the year 1869, he laid out Morgan Park. But all these
positions and occupations are the merest incidents in the Colonel's
career compared with the work of his life, the founding and mainte-
nance of the Pacific Garden Mission. This place, which was one of
the worst places in Chicago, Mr. Clarke purchased and transformed
into a mission, where the poorest and vilest can go and find a
friend and comforter. The amount of good done by Colonel and
Mrs. Clarke— for in all his missionary work she is his earnest coad-
jutor— is simply incalculable; they go into the highways and byways
to seek those who are lost, and their ministrations are made to that
class whom the churches seldom, if ever, reach.
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
255
KK\Vi.IBF,R1A,PAT}ISH OP ST.
'■*M 5KIDRDAY, OCTOTIKK U, I3S
BV TOE RIEir
faster of tffira 01 fiB TSIl
Hl.n i?
J««c ir W» nor. I.B»lcauitCi»»»V b
' J..u, 11 ll-.iJ- M.'inr; cemr.iAUillns 1HU.
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lanes Ti, IStiiiM
W. U. Jonoc Irf 1
John P. Pr-neel! Cspial'V.
II. Vi.ihip-. W l.«u'.nt:.t,
John Haidtkk. t'l •*
JoVn .1 R. P..lri If. CnptaTS,
'Pull i- e!-h. 1-1 I ioiletdnilJ;
J. V. Uolctifil, 2i "
3a»R. W« r«ni.i».
Cl'llS. ('rare. M l.ic.l.ii.m.
Joi.cK.llaiiXtM •'
John W. W^IIS f>rfa<m
B. S. T.vlr. 1,1 Li ownaril.
\T,J. Silii.aj
j. w vrkv. » n;
A. S. Marl,:,, f 1 '«
Raster of BSfcjrs S'luj 37U>. 111ft
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The 97t:i lili.n-ilic .oitticfeera.
Tufa E-gimcnt k» trgnura ft .ri Camp
Hoikruntoffife. aid wiiawed lira
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fciseyialacoiitiiiii C.wCimiuinTim.;; Jnai
ii'fj KainmcaiidCalhiiuir. EFnonsfiiflltei
(CrilcoiliISlittli!aii:i;fiCyoacahaail^J(.i.i
Hrooinriib active" tferrice, o oil ill" tusim-y;
l»Sct tat It ia Jias jiaxtribfltfti licc/i eveiit,
rui.
W/ TCC^Tli'eiT jnitTeitinir *5raiM.»ni lejr
J stop Built- UcwL.T 3 1 lata s .mil pn .
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ttigMre (ill il,,: idili o Ojtf.; nieirfinarcbeil
fiti lids luiiiiiiii ._.t K.i-]iiL[fii_c: iiyelu-d
S!,:i,.il.ui.vi:i5 .i'boiii j..,a huHilcea nitlei
from the Olii... tlii 29(11 nl Sla.m7i.uli ; t, .
Ermined (turn until the- ixtlriir &ir , leJlPH
m Wilts tut in motion lot (..oniavilh,
niiiriMra atfiveil lis 15 li. nnd pa ifm
1 711 -iiliUli-lal Ln Urnii.liis., Ultilr.il a
ifemiittQ I««i.v. Slitli wi«l tffiu fas caiDp
Ffc'C 2*1 il ^.tl^vlcxi aA^SLaaLi^saCESU
ulUlfiFlBD! ll<'«iK'ifil In npcrauil n^ainsi:
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»uil lieu imiriniiK lUMclied Iii Tire lialll'-
fieM ; WE! D'aQKiI on Ihc righc— Sl..'fl
oiiArl r-r "kicaiijlmj frilli liie uncinjr tliu
ffigalic fito diiyifjlmi'lii',.-. svJicil ...ir lo»
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Pfciiiirt ,Alk;tnA;ra Cuaj ira3 linA
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lie cWfj uTIHe aEOuii. Wigii l»i wera nt-
ercd lit llii friTti/, Hit i RQat iiiljjintliiy
« Ite ci.^i./i wji.ta »l!li liir. 1 liiynmaa
i-l,iir. Ill- C.rt KlrTOBl -1 TJto aJii't Hi...
Ii'i flij;| tfgunett^ u u n-jf*i.inm;.ly LfiT'i
vii, itCjbia i.-::mi-_-iii. ted o*i iii., itaina
ui« 19THX.V. li™ li.-i I ; w !cl. lv,j
J^Uboiii! AnivjiJ llii-ru i.mlm LOili
aiJiatfUiiIiiiijixL^nii'intiiiuiig (l-|.icrj a
iiii'juiiltatwii mi Uij mill u'iietuu
rilJ5B«iKiel'ii:^..ujti^aS1ir.TCi.1i-»,ii.j cinni
:\l,St. X.f us a>t u it .1 j-.v i;s u>.>. L*mnu
MKjnsuvjf„ii.»f.i,r.ui3 wij pxmRimsjttiintfr'
ll'ft Mill.iK.i's
Jim i
sr i
ul! a( VrcVsliurj ; iha
S haC t
/H tlui
fit'*hi'!i'^UultllOi<i w-m Wi-rc nut .tl.mi;
riOiW ant tEjlt III,, iiiiny Mli'I ..I utSif
mg lliul uii^li bi tiD'.lifiil/j iuM,
Ojlu tltnilh Iif ««l nt.l'iok.liiir- anil
»a upr.tiu |A<J llw GulJ Arrive ot^Nyw
0,fc.,u sb1 K".iin.i Minn nl CarMlni,.
Antf 27lli i Uy lh;rc until Oil. 4 Hi j p.
Hi Sr.i.lifUt Cuy. fi^-Niy nillM ; marcli
frnni tlierc lit thin Eljtco, (abnill simy
ruilutn t'nim B99jtoiuIlie aUii lini beau
-ti-Kciilialml liy acOTtl]. tliAuane mill enUBal-
iiii'«.l.nlil iihc now muali'rii (lift 59.7, nil
I")<1 11:11. (villi litis icHiil ir, aa n part ot
'In- rSliitntl l.-al: 1 to Clio: WL-jtwiM. nc
will tjn witli our gytntnauJcc' wlicreT.c;
l.i'jra-oaiiin.
I lum
. La.Ocl. Stlh. 1803.
Ilnolt VuluatMrs.
TSIE isotli
Ms Emtou uc iuk iiiuxr
Slti-ll havin
I'l-rn iifvilcJ Iff furrtliilo a llunury (if III
ltc-»itmuit, Will try ia tbta Lest Li my hl.i
uy rr. ciiiifli- jsillt jda mpieju Jit I
iuturf I e.-UI etna rid EBV.11 tuiil EiTnTfTg i
' l''""i""iy i> » ' i - ■■ ■ .-. ■' ;, mih-i
lutli, C'uilt Cnniv, l.y .1. W.'1X)|1S
l.'.iri.t, w (j. iVul ,ut Liuul.; nunin-is
ilnt'ii CI Lictit.
Ilu buiivh CvtnpntiTcl ware orjranizf-1
~r ti.n-i- y...in. iiiile3s.on.in.Tr]irteliareeil
...l....i,;i„Ml.> U,u nail, Regiment, l.y
JilKSenSR-lliT; .nJUnnntereil into tho
OI MBI Hie D»IBa Sl.i.-k at Ce.mp B.i:.
er.liliw.i-, mi Ibe 2i.li .l.y Oct, 1802.
UcXilUJ J SSISUi I "H IF S A
Tlie n-Riiuein teeeii-mi mureli mB -1AS.T*
r.« SlenipliTn r. 1 1 il, ,l,,y „[ N„, , i ufia
at wludi place w.t trriverl on lli.i r.Iirlit
..! III... 17ll, : .va» UMigneil in I1,e 16ii
Army Oiirpjl eimiman.l..- i l.y Gen ll.irlb.it.
I'l.e lleBii.ienn reioaii.cil ill Port Piek-r-
ins; ocar lli't nil)- lllilij ;be 2T:li .lay of
slircli. 1803.9oiins wliidi liin-i Urn R---
in.ent .li.l L'rovnildi.iyi.i tlieci y n-ur!y
inoino,,lii«.tlinehto(lio aatia&elii.n ol
rti.citizeus On Ike STlh day i.f March
we enibnrk.Vd on Ibe tleamer J. C. S-.v.in;
r,,r Millikeli'a Bind t:%„ wliero era worn
isnizlMBl to llni 21 I!ri«,ide, Kill, Pieiaioo
311, Amy.Cutrjs.comman.led by O.-neral
J'.lin A. Jlcriernnnd. Tim R-gi-.,u-.u r. -
iciued on .Inly from tho time ofo.lt nrrU
al at Millikeu'd Bend, which trait the 31<C
day of March until llic 15th day of April,
■we: rcccifcd marcliinj orders foe
Vieksburjf. Wo crmtseii the Mia^iaaippI
ieet al Rrnnehlmrg on1 the mornio; of
ba lit of ?lnyj Marcbed jinmedit.ir!y
r,„ Port Qtbiun) ohere our force" warn
fed afftfl llie. enemy , arriving in
o tee the Oleic ol Iho battle. Tbia
ia lire, nod ll,,;y Wood il like veleraasj
imeu^ Svith. me army ll,r.,it^l
:i 5 K.19 Tit Iho battle* Sf C'taina
tumtmtmn'^i 5t uumL'.i.oii)*fertJsi*
be uTrepirill tannpairy blHceca the Htii^ej tilitil lint aitrreuiler t.l Vi-kj-
trrnita folntetLty al iu- Lrrir^. tm Hie jlhdny of July; Oti flti.Siaj
ior.51, ni tlitit frjiniili. jj.c Il.y sllet (lis mitteiider. the .1 ith A:<
jranTCTnyA was urj-anijia in iTfe [nwiT ,„_v Corpa: rvaa itnl.lcd to Jaek.nn, Mta»..
•f W.-nctbio, Muifiwl'.uuie-, Clt the 22 I I „]..,,- it rem. lined ,!,irii," Oic aei^e at.d
f.T,.if4),».JlSifJ.b;,-Vyili.!;.,,.p.C„|,l..l„uiij ,|,c By„ce»,ietl of that pl.co by
Ft»T.T.Gtvi-c<..iiJ=l
Lc.i,...- la: t.tc;irat
#.H..i,U.
»'« "..I til. b.lllo.
Hi J.:!.V, y
.y In t, i,:i-. .: w
,i.E.I, '
... i.i wIl.ii. .Ii.-r -.
V ■•'.. ■■;■'
I;',';;^";;^",
Iffirat ...v
W. It Millet La. laicin., nnd C-T- Mul
iun2l Lwjih
I7..nrnjrrfy If, una nrgajfTztSl tn.Cnni
B niecl Siats^jnrct .Giuiliy, on flu.-1 2UH
T.ry CU Aug, fgffi!. by llni ul.eli in r.r \\:„,
P.IScoTl IX.Ul . Pa il I l'icllefll Ul Licit.
n.J J. M'. PiniNvtl 2.1 t.iciif
.CiiinfliWy Ij": wan urg.iui7...-d in the t-i't
or Cairo. Alejt.-mo-ci' Ljiui-.ty. oil the Eli
day J ft-DTa ItS. by J. IL, Rnliiitaori,
I.T.if L. W. taK3, Hi Lkt. und F. 1'atke.
2 I [.iefit.s
^l.lmol^ly, !>. waa otg.liozi ilin Riueivlb
1,'hriatlaii Uiimtiy mi lint 1 lib tliyj.rAitg
1SI1S. by P. U.C.,.,,;.. Oifil . A. M ly Jji
f.ie'll.. nnd J. K. II .'f.itd 2 I Lic'.t
. ll„.,.li-..„„ty..,,l,.:lll, ,1 ,;,■„,• A,
I. l.y J. 11. field O.i |-l , W ,\i C .1
I. ...Land .1 B II. eli SI 1.1.
J..:-ii
nil B.eitlt.-itriilgn.
mpliahetl, ftud John.:
.f V lekabiug, and
irl.
1, .:;,
i.l.:,:,
milted to do so. On. lira iatb day of Aug.
18-3. after tine irou.ilni rest, marching
lintera came fcr KtJX Otleana, tran.ftr-
oiii n.< lo l.!„t Depauicent oltlm 0,.« in
«,,j. Gen, Bnnka! command. The llegt.
arrived tit Carrolllnn La.; on. the S8lh
day of ..\n.r. 1 163. Oar atay at lltil
ell .
,nl i
illlc'i a..J liolti oi icu ftoaclcd. Ill lilt
,iH,i,.::.y„fA„e •; b;"vu
l»|.|, ft. S.Taylot| !!,:,, ,, , ;, ,„..,,
Olt
imvigtt-oa
on
1 lb;
ba
u l!
e f
ien.la ,.f in
any
II
ve fallen
cad
will
1)0
■Ul
al
tbc xctcy oi tho.
FAC SIMILE OK OLD ARMY NEWSPAPER.
2S6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
I II IMII.K OK BACK OF NKWSI'APEK " U. S. GRANT.
On account of the scarcity of paper in the Confederacy, wall-paper was taken from the walls of houses, and
used as print-paper ; the newspaper herewith presented is a specimen of this method.
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
257
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVENTH
ILLINOIS INFANTRY.
This regiment was organized at Camp Douglas, Chi-
cago, and mustered into United States service Septem-
ber 6, 1862. Its Colonel, John Van Arman, was then,
as now, a well-known and respected lawyer of Chicago,
and also a skillful disciplinarian and tactician. Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Hamilton N. Eldridge, also a lawyer,
Majors F. W. Tourtellotte and F. S. Curtiss, Adjutant
John Van Arman, Jr., and other field officers were Chi-
cago citizens.
Co. "B" (Woodworth Rifles, Chicago) was com-
manded by Captain Adoniram J. Burroughs, brother of
President Burroughs of the Chicago University; and, by
special arrangement of Governor Yates, was armed with
rifles, to act as sharpshooters. Of this company Frank
J. Woodward was afterward captain, acting generally on
the engineer corps, and John R. Morgan and Harvey L.
Mason, first lieutenants.
Co. "G " (Tourtellotte Guards) had, during its term
of service, the following officers from the city: Captains,
John S. Williams, Thomas Sewell; First Lieutenants,
Thomas Sewell, Henry \V. Adams; Second Lieuten-
ants, Thomas Sewell, James A. Wheaton.
The regiment started for the field November 9, 1862,
mustering at that time eight hundred and eighty-seven
officers and men. Reporting to General Sherman at
Memphis, it took part with his forces in the Talla-
hatchie campaign, from which it returned to Memphis
December 13. It was there assigned to General Mor-
gan L. Smith's division, and on the 20th of November
embarked, with its command, for the Yazoo River, to
participate in Sherman's attack on the defenses north of
Vicksburg, at the Chickasaw Bayou. In the engage-
ments at that place, the regiment lost twenty-four killed
and wounded. General Smith was wounded; and, on
the retreat of the forces, his division was assigned to
the command of General David Stuart, of Chicago,
under whom the 127th, with McClernand's forces,
steamed up the Arkansas and took a conspicuous part
in the capture of Arkansas Post, being the first regiment
to break the enemy's lines and plant its colors in their
rifle-pits.
Returning with the expedition to Young's Point,
opposite Vicksburg, where Grant concentrated his whole
army for operations against Vicksburg, it remained in
camp, working on the canal, which was in progress of
construction, and in other duties, until March 10, 1863,
when it was sent, with other forces, up Steele's Bayou
and Deer Creek to relieve Commodore Porter's gun-
boats, which had proceeded up to Black Bayou, where
they were in imminent danger of capture by the Con-
federates. The object of the expedition being success-
fully accomplished, the troops returned to Young's
Point, and the 127th, with Giles A. Smith's brigade,
Blair's division, to which it now belonged, after pro-
ceeding up the Yazoo to take part in the feint on
Haines's Bluff, started, on the 7th of May, to join Grant's
army below Vicksburg.
After participating in the battle of Champion Hill,
it moved to the rear of Vicksburg, with the Fifteenth
Corps, and took position on the left of Sherman's line-
of-battle, the left of Giles A. Smith's brigade joining
the right of Ransom's brigade of McArthur's division.
17
The regiment was then commanded by Colonel Hamil-
ton N. Eldridge, Colonel Van Arman resigning on ac-
count of ill-health.
The 127th participated in the assaults on the fortifi-
cations of Vicksburg, May 19 and 22, in the latter action
losing heavily. After several color-bearers had success-
ively fallen, the standard was then seized by Lieutenant-
Colonel Eldridge, who led his regiment up to the works,
upon which he planted its colors with his own hands.
Lieutenant Thomas Sewell, Co. "G,"an old employe in
the Chicago Tribune office, there received a severe
wound. The total loss was sixty-five men, killed and
wounded. After the surrender of the city, July 4, 1863,
the regiment marched with its division to Jackson,
taking part in the various engagements resulting in the
capture of that place; and upon its evacuation by John-
ston, returned to the Big Black River, southeast of
Vicksburg, where it remained encamped with the Fif-
teenth Corps until Sherman was ordered to move with
his command to Chattanooga, to reinforce the Army of
the Cumberland.
During this campaign, the regiment, with Giles A.
Smith's brigade, Morgan L. Smith's division, partici-
pated in the long march to Chattanooga, the attack on
the northern extremity of Mission Ridge, and the labo-
rious and fatiguing march to the relief of Burnside at
Knoxville, after which it returned to Larkinsville, and
went into winter quarters. During the Atlanta cam-
paign, it formed part of Logan's Fifteenth Corps, Army
of the Tennessee, General McPherson. Smith's bri-
gade, which consisted of the 6th Missouri, 111th, 116th
and 127th Illinois, and 57th Ohio, was conspicuously
brave and efficient throughout the campaign. At Re-
saca, May 14-15, the regiment, led by Colonel Frank S.
Curtiss, took part with its brigade in a successful charge
on a commanding portion of the enemy's works, which
it captured and held against repeated assaults for its
recovery. From this opening engagement until the
close of the campaign, it took an honorable part in the
many battles of the summer; at Dallas, Kenesaw Moun-
tain, the Chattahoochee, Decatur and Atlanta. From
Peach Tree Creek to Atlanta, the division had the ad-
vance of the Fifteenth Corps, and was prominently
engaged at Atlanta and in the engagements incident to
Sherman's progress around the city to Jonesboro'.
At the conclusion of the campaign, the regiment
went into camp near Atlanta, and, on the 4th of Octo-
ber, started on "the march through Georgia." After
the capture of Savannah, it again moved north, on the
Carolina campaign, and was engaged at Fayetteville
and Bentonville, March 11 and 19, 1S65, losing heavily
at both places.
Upon the surrender of Johnston's army, it pro-
ceeded with the Fifteenth Corps to Washington, and,
after participating in the grand review, in May,
returned to Illinois for final payment and discharge,
reaching Chicago, June 10, 1865, while the great North-
western Sanitary Fair was in progress, at which it re-
ceived a public and cordial welcome.
Of the eight hundred and eighty-seven men who
left Chicago with the 127th, in 1862, but two hundred
and thirty returned.
During its time of service, it marched over three
thousand miles, and participated in more than one hun-
dred engagements.
As a reminiscence of the regiment is what is known
as the 127th Illinois Veteran Infantry Association. It
was organized in September, 1S69. The present
officers of the association are J. F. Richmond, presi-
dent ; George H. Knott, secretary.
2sS
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Colonel Hamilton N. Eldridge, son of Colonel Reuben
Eldridge. -in officer in the Mexican War, was born, in 1S31, in
South Williamstown, Berkshire Co., Mass. After acquiring a
preliminary education at East Hampton, Mass., he entered Wil-
liams College, Williamstown, Mass., in 1S52, from which institu-
tion he graduated four years later, and, in 1S57, from the law
school at the same place. Upon graduating from the law school,
he removed to Chicago, where, in 185S, he formed a partnership
with F. W. Tourtellotte, an old friend and classmate, under the
firm name of Eldridge i Tourtellotte, which business association
continued until his death. At the organization of the 127th Illi
nois Infantry. September, 1S62, he was elected lieutenant-colonel
of the regiment, and, on the resignation of Colonel Van Arman,
within a year, was promoted colonel. He led his command
efficiently and gallantly; and after the assault on the defenses of
Yicksburg, May 22, 1S63, in which he displayed signal bravery,
was promoted brigadier-general for his services on the field. At
the close of the war, he resumed his law practice in Chicago, in
which he was engaged until his death, which occurred November
582. He left a widow, now residing in Chicago.
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SECOND AND
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FOURTH.
Although not composed to any great extent of Chi-
cago men, the 133d Infantry was organized at Camp
Fry, and partially commanded by officers from this city.
The command was organized by Colonel Thomas J.
Pickett, of Moline, 111., and was mustered into service
for one hundred days from June 1, 1S64. It moved for
Columbus, Ky., on the 6th of June, and two days later
arrived at that point, to report to Brigadier-General
Henry Prince. On the 1 5th of June, the regiment arrived
at Paducah, reporting to Colonel S. G. Hicks, and
remained on duty there up to the date of its muster-out,
October 1 7, 1S64.
The One Hundred and Thirty-fourth In-
fantry Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, was organized
at Camp Fry, by Colonel Waters W. McChesney, of this
city, and mustered into the service May 31, 1864, for
one hundred days. A few days thereafter it was assigned
to garrison duty at Columbus, Ky., and mustered out of
service October 25, 1864. Both privates and officers
were principally from Chicago; but the uneventful mili-
tary experience of this regiment requires nothing more
than a passing comment, annotating its incursion and
excursion, in Chicago war annals.
THE STURGES RIFLES.
It has been mentioned that this company was raised
and equipped through the liberality of Solomon Stur-
ges, of Chicago. It went into camp on Cottage
Grov<; Avenue, at Camp Sturges, where it remained
until June 20, 1861 ; when, pursuant to an order from
McClellan, to report at Marietta, Ohio, it broke
encampment, and, escorted by a vast crowd of friends,
took the cars at the West Side Union Depot for its
destination.
The following is the original roster of the company :
Captain, James Steele; First Lieutenant, Nathaniel E. Shel-
don; Second Lieutenant, Marcus P. Forster; First Sergeant,
Gustav Jericho; Second Sergeant, Richard liingie; Third Sergeant,
Sylvanus I). Gault; Fourth Sergeant, William ',. Fuller; Fifth
Sergeant. Spencer Smith; First Corporal. George Durell; Second
orporal, Samuel M. liurnham;
Fourth Corporal, Charles W. Vickery.
With Barker's Dragoons, they were attached to the
headquarters of General McClellan, forming his escort.
They accompanied him on his Virginia campaign, par-
ticipating in the battles of Philippi, Rich Mountain and
Beverly. At Rich Mountain they fought dismounted,
as sharpshooters, and were thereafter called the
" Sturges Sharpshooters." Major Denison, of this com-
pany, had charge of the prisoners taken at Beverly,
among them Colonel Pegram. Their term of enlistment
was completed July 24, 1861.
CAVALRY.
Chicago was not largely represented in the cavalry
companies recruited during the early portion of the war
epoch. In the 1st, 2d and 3d Illinois Cavalry are no
Chicago names. In the 4th Cavalry was Major Martin
R. M. Wallace, promoted lieutenant-colonel December
5, 1862, and colonel June 3, 1863. Adjutant H. B.
Dox also served for a brief time in the regiment. Co.
"A" was raised by Captain Embury D. Osband, for-
merly captain of the "Lincoln Rangers," a local military
company. Captain Osband was promoted major of the
4th Cavalry in February, 1863, and a year later was
mustered out and appointed colonel of the 1st Missis-
sippi Cavalry. Captain Charles C. James, Co. " C," was
also a citizen of Chicago, but the regiment was mainly
recruited and officered from other sections of the State.
Martin R. M. Wallace was born at Urbana, Champaign
Co., Ohio, on September 29, 1829. His father, John Wallace,
moved with his large family to Illinois in 1834 and settled on a farm
in Lasalle County. Young Wallace received his preliminary edu-
cation in country schools and at the Rock River Seminary, of which
his father was president of the board of trustees for a number of
years. His fatherdied September 29, 1S50, the day Martin attained
his majority. There was thus thrown upon his hands a large
family to support and a complicated estate to settle; but he was fully
equal to the emergency. Having chosen the law as his future pro-
fession, he entered the office of Dickey & Wallace, at Ottawa, 111.,
as a student. The firm was composed of T. Lyle Dickey, after-
ward colonel of the 4th Illinois Cavalry, well known in the legal,
political and military circles of the State, and W. H. L. Wallace,
his brother, colonel of the nth Illinois Infantry and afterward
brigadier-general, who fell at the battle of Shiloh, on April 6, 1S62.
Mr. Wallace was admitted to the Bar in January, 1856, and re-
Pu , s£, tu< Phx^c&f&c^—
moved to Chicago, where he engaged in active practice, in partner-
ship with Thomas Dent. At the breaking out of the war, he as-
sisted in recruiting and organizing the 4th Illinois Cavalry, and in
October, 1861, received a commission as major of that regiment.
Fie commanded one of the battalions through the battles of Fort
Henry, Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and in December, 1S62, upon
the death of Lieutenant-Colonel William McCullough, assumed
command of the regiment. This position he retained throughout
the war, being promoted in 1862 to the lieutenant-colonelcy, and to
the colonelcy in 1863. At the close of his military career he was
brevetted brigadier-general. In August, 1S66, General Wallace
was appointed assessor for the Chicago district, serving in that
capacity until May, 1869. In December of the latter year he was
elected county judge, continuing in that position until December,
1877. From January, 1878, to December, 1880, he was county
attorney, while from that time until the winter of 1SS4, he held no
public office but gave himself entirely to private practice. In
F'ebruary, 1884, he was appointed prosecuting attorney for the
city, and continues to serve the corporation in that capacity, besides
having a good general practice. Judge Wallace is a member of
Lost No. 28, G. A. R., and is president of the National Veteran
Association. General Wallace was married on September 2, 1803,
to Emma R. Gilson. They have had six children, five of whom
are alive — one son and four daughters. The son is at Williams
College, Williamstown, Mass.
EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
259
EIGHTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
Though the 8th Cavalry can not be claimed as espe-
cially a Chicago regiment, the city, and Evanston, its
suburb, contributed most valuable material toward its
formation. Among its field-officers were Colonel Wil-
liam Gamble, and Majors John L. Beveridge, William
H. Medill, George A. Forsyth and James D. Ludlam.
Of its companies, "F" and "G" were recruited in
Chicago, the officers being as follows :
Co. "F": Captain, Reuben Cleveland; First Lieutenant,
Edward S. Smith; Second Lieutenant, Alvin P. Granger.
Co. "G": Captain, William H. Medill; First Lieutenant,
George A. Forsyth; Second Lieutenant, Dennis J. Hynes. On the
promotion of Captain Medill to major, and First Lieutenant For-
syth to the captaincy of Co. "A," Dennis J. Hynes was promoted
captain of Co. " G," Malcolm H. Wing, first lieutenant, and
George F. Warner, second lieutenant.
The regiment was organized at Camp Kane, St.
Charles, 111., byHon. John F.Farnsworth, its first colonel.
On the 18th of September, 1861, it was mustered into
United States service, by Captain Webb, U. S. A., and
on the 14th of October, one thousand one hundred and
eighty-four strong, fully mounted and equipped, except
as to arms, the command left for the seat of war, arriv-
ing at Washington on the iSth. It was ordered to
camp on Meridian Hill, and marching up Pennsylvania
Avenue paused in front of the White House to give
three cheers for President Lincoln, who, while viewing
its well filled ranks, called it, in his quaint language,
" Farnsworth's Big Abolition Regiment," a name which
clung to the 8th throughout its career. While in camp
at Meridian Hill, the 8th was brigaded with the 1st
Michigan and 4th Pennsylvania cavalry, forming the
first full cavalry brigade in the United States Army.
On December 13, having been supplied with arms,
it crossed the Potomac on Long Bridge, and joined
General Sumner's division, to which it had been assigned
— its camp being near the Centerville road, about three
miles west of Alexandria, Va. The 8th occupied
"Camp California " until January 24, 1862, suffering
greatly from the severe weather and continuous rains of
the season. During the short time it remained there,
the Sth lost thirty-five men by death. It thence removed
to Alexandria, where it was quartered until spring.
On March 19, 1862, it joined in the advance on
Manassas, returning to Alexandria April 10. On April
24, with Richardson's division, Sumner's corps, it em-
barked to join McClellan's army, at Fortress Monroe,
for the ill-fated Peninsula campaign. From June 13,
when the 8th reached the White House, three days in
advance of McClellan and staff, until the 24th, when the
advance reached Mechanicsville, on the north side of
the Chickahominy, five miles from Richmond, that por-
tion of the Sth under the immediate command of Colonel
Farnsworth, was almost constantly in the advance. One
squadron of the regiment (Cos. " D " and " F ")
was detached from the command on May 10, under
orders to report to General Keys, commander of the
Fourth Corps. This portion of the regiment, under
Major Beveridge, who joined it that day, participated
in the battles of Seven Pines and Fair Oaks, on May 31,
and June 1, mostly employed in orderly and aide duty.
The battle of Mechanicsville, the first of the Seven
Days' bloody fights, occurred on June 26. The pickets
were attacked early in the morning. Captain R. M.
Hooker, Co. " H," who had ventured out on a recon-
noissance, was shot and fatally wounded by the advance
guard of the enemy. The advance of the Confederates
was so rapid, that it was impossible to bring the wounded
man within the Federal lines, and he died, a few days
later, in the hands of their opponents. The Sth fell back
toward Mechanicsville slowly, holding back the enemy
as long as possible, and on the arrival of the infantry at
the front, retired to support a battery, remaining until
the whole command was forced across Beaver Dam
Creek. At Gaines's Mill, on June 27, the Sth was posted
as support to batteries, and afterward as a guard across
the rear of the battle-field. During the retreat to the
James River, the Sth took the advance, reaching Har-
rison's Landing on July 1. There, Major Beveridge and
detached squadron re-joined the regiment, which was
employed in picket duty and scouting. Captain Reuben
Cleveland, Co. " F," of Chicago, resigned on July 16,
much to the regret of his command.
During the latter part of July and the first of
August, Majors Beveridge and Clendennin made sev-
eral scouts toward Malvern Hill, with detached squad-
rons, and, on the 3d of August, the regiment, under
Lieutenant-Colonel Gamble, took part in the move-
ment, in force, on that position, by the divisions of
Hooker, Sedgwick, and others. In the attempt to cap-
ture the rear guard of the retreating Confederates,
Lieutenant-Colonel Gamble was shot in the chest and
severely wounded; two privates were killed and five were
wounded. On the retreat from Harrison's Landing to
Yorktown, the Sth Illinois Cavalry acted as rear guard
to the army, Major Beveridge and his battalion in the
extreme rear. On August 30, it embarked at York-
town, and reached Alexandria, September 1 and 2.
On arriving at Alexandria, the regiment was immedi-
ately ordered into Maryland, to assist in repelling the
invasion of Lee. Crossing the Potomac on the 4th of
September, it marched to Darnstown, Md., where
Colonel Farnsworth, who re-joined the regiment at
Alexandria, was placed in command of the cavalry
brigade, and Major Medill took command of the regi-
ment, all his ranking officers being sick or on detached
duty. After skirmishes at Poolville and Barnesville, on
the Sth and 9th (the regiment defeating the Confederate
cavalry, under Lieutenant Stuart, at those places), it was
again engaged, on the following day, at New Market,
and soon after at Monocacy Church, where it captured
the colors of the 12th Virginia Cavalry. It was engaged
at Sugar Loaf Mountain, and, on the 15th, at Boons-
boro'; at the latter place, defeating two Confederate
regiments, under Fitz Hugh Lee, which retreated,
abandoning two guns and leaving nearly two hundred
killed, wounded, and prisoners, in the hands of the
victors. The regiment lost Sergeant Robert McArthur,
killed, and twenty-three wounded. One squadron of
the Sth, with a part of the 3d Indiana, in the meantime
had successfully met the enemy near South Mountain.
On the 17th, the regiment participated in the battle of
Antietam, supporting the artillery, and, on the retreat
of the enemy, joined in the pursuit. On October 2,
General Farnsworth's brigade made a reconnoissance
to Martinsburg, Va., capturing prisoners and supplies,
and rescuing Union prisoners. As the brigade left the
town, its rear was struck by a large Confederate cav-
alry force, under Fitz Hugh Lee, and a running fight
j6o
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
was kept up some little distance. The 8th Illinois,
with a battery of living artillery, formed the rear guard
of the Union cavalry. Major Medill, leaving one gun
with the rear squadron, sent the other pieces forward,
to a commanding position, and had them masked and
trained to sweep the road. The Confederates and the
rear guard, in the meantime, skirmished vigorously, the
former pressing close up, in the attempt to capture the
gun. As they arrived within a couple of hundred
yards of the masked battery, Major Medill's men
cleared the road, and the battery then opened with
grape, canister, and shell upon the Confederate column,
throwing it into utter confusion, when the men, riding
into the fields on either flank poured in a volley, which
completed the rout. The Confederate loss was one
hundred and fifty men, including prisoners. The 8th
lost but sixteen men.
The regiment remained in camp, near Sharpsburg,
until October n, and then took part in the famous pur-
suit of Stuart's cavalry across the Potomac — the 8th
making a distance of eighty-six miles in twenty-six
hours, returning to Sharpsburg on the 13th. The fol-
lowing day, Major Beveridge relieved Major Medill in
command, the Sth being then encamped at Knoxville,
Md. In the movement toward Fredericksburg, the
regiment was engaged with the enemy's cavalry, at
Philomonte, Uniontown, Upperville, Barbour's Cross
Roads, Little Washington, etc., arriving at Falmouth,
on November 23, 1862. At Barbour's Cross Roads,
Companies " A " and " B," under Captains Forsyth
and Smith, charged upon a Confederate regiment and
drove it from its guns ; but, being unsupported, were
compelled, after a sharp contest, to fall back, with the
loss of two killed and five wounded. The regiment
reached Falmouth, near Fredericksburg, November 23,
and remained en Stafford Heights until after the battle
of Fredericksburg, but taking no active part in the
engagement.
The ensuing winter was spent in scouting, and
picket duty, in the peninsula between the Potomac and
Rappahannock rivers. In the spring, it was divided
into three battalions, under Majors Beveridge, Medill,
and Clendennin, and made a ten days' scout down the
Peninsula, gathering supplies of all sorts, breaking up
guerrilla bands, and confiscating "contrabands," of
whom it brought back to camp some fifteen hundred.
During the movement on Chancellorsville, in April and
May. 1S63, the 8th was attached to Averill's cavalry
division, and took no part in the battle. In the early
days of June, 1863, Lee commenced his march into
Pennsylvania, and the Sth, temporarily attached to
Davis's brigade, Devens's division, was constantly
engaged in skirmishing with the enemy's pickets and
skirmishers. On June 9, a severe cavalry fight took
place at Beverly Ford, near Warrenton Junction, in
which Captain John G. Smith, Co. " B," and Major
Alpheus Clark, were mortally, and Captain George A.
Forsyth and Captain D. J. Hynes seriously, wounded.
In this battle, Major Beveridge being sick, and all the
senior officers sick or on detached service, the 8th was
commanded by Major Clark. He was wounded in the
left hand, and the command of the regiment then
devolved upon Captain Forsyth, and after he, too, was
wound' iptain Farnsworth, The wound of
Major Clark proved fatal, from blood-poisoning ensuing,
causing his death, at the Seminary Hospital, George-
town, D.C., on July 5, 1863. Captain John G. Smith,
after suffering amputation of the left leg, died at the
same place, on June [6, 1863. The total loss was two
killed and thirty-two wounded.
In the battle at Upperville, June 21, near Aldie
Gap in the Blue Ridge, the 8th was the charging
column, supported by the 12th Illinois. During the
early part of the fight, Lieutenant-Colonel Clendennin
commanded, and on his retiring from the field, the com-
mand devolved on Major William H. Medill, who led
the regiment in successive charges on the enemy, rout-
ing and scattering three Confederate cavalry regiments
— the loss in the Sth being but forty men, killed and
wounded, while that of the Confederates was two
hundred and fifty, besides one hundred taken prisoners,
among whom were the lieutenant-colonel of the 9th and
the major of the nth Virginia Cavalry.
On June 25, Lieutenant-Colonel Clendennin was
ordered to Alexandria, and Major Beveridge having re-
joined his regiment, took command of the 8th, which
reached Gettysburg June 30th. Early on the following
morning, Cos. " F," " G, ' " I "and '' K " were driven back
from the picket-line on to Buford's command, followed
by the enemy in force. For about three hours, Buford's
force held the Confederates at bay, falling back slowly
and fighting along the Chambersburg Road, and toward
the Seminary Ridge, until General Reynolds's infantry
corps arrived. After Reynolds arrived, the 8th with its
brigade, was ordered to the left of the line to guard that
flank, and so well performed its duty that it-was publicly
thanked by General Doubleday for saving his division
from annihilation, when the combined forces of Hill and
Ewell poured down on his brave but exhausted men.
On July 2, Buford's command marched to Westminster,
and, after the termination of the battle, joined in the
pursuit of Lee's army to the Potomac, reaching Williams-
port on July 6, where it had a skirmish with the enemy
under General Imboden, who were found in considerable
force engaged in building a bridge over the river to
facilitate their escape. In the attempt to seize this
bridge, Major Medill was killed, while leading forward
a portion of the Sth, dismounted as skirmishers. Ser-
geant Richard C. Vinson and Alfred C. Bailey were
mortally wounded, and Private Gale Carter, Co. " G,"
was killed. At Boonsboro', the regiment again met and
drove the Confederates, losing one man killed and
several wounded.
During the pursuit to the Rapidan, the Sth was con-
stantly skirmishing at Funktown, Falling Water, Chester
Gap, the Rappahannock River, Poney Mountain, Rac-
coon Ford across the Rapidan, and various other points.
On September 23, the regiment went into camp at
Stevensburg, where it remained until October 10, when
the retreat to Manassas commenced. On October 18,
the Sth followed in pursuit of Lee, and then went into
winter quarters at Culpepper.
On November 4, Major Beveridge left the 8th, to
take command of the 17th Illinois Cavalry — a loss to
the 8th most sincerely regretted by officers and men.
In December, Colonel Gamble, who had been absent on.
'leave, returned and took command of the First Bri-
gade, Lieutenant-Colonel Clendennin commanding the
Sth. In January, 1864, three-fourths of the regiment
"veteranized," and returned to Illinois on furlough,
being the first regiment to enjoy this privilege, leaving
Culpepper on the nth, and reaching Chicago on the
18th. They received a hearty welcome at Bryan Hall,
and then proceeded to camp at St. Charles, 111., where
recruiting was actively carried on. On February 18,
before its furlough had expired, the 8th left for Wash-
ington, reaching that city February 25 ; and being joined
the following month by detachments of recruits, and
some of the sick who had not been able to move in Feb-
ruary. During March and April, the regiment was em-
NINTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
261
ployed in camp and patrol duty at Washington. In
May, Brevet Brigadier-General Gamble was assigned to
the command of Camp Stoneman, near Giesboro'; Col-
onel Clendennin, with five companies of the 8th, went
to Belle Plain, to guard communication between the
Rapidan and Grant's army ; Companies " C " and " F "
were sent to Acquia Creek ; Co. " D " was sent to Alex-
andria; and four companies remained at Washington.
Major Forsyth reported to General Sheridan at the
front, and served on his staff during the remainder of
the war.
Thus broken into detachments, the regiment per-
formed duty within the Department of Washington and
elsewhere until July, when a portion marched from
Washington, under Colonel Clendennin, to intercept
Mosby, and effecting a junction with the remainder of the
regiment, it performed excellent service. It then, July
13, followed in the pursuit of Early, and afterward
went to Muddy Branch, on the upper Potomac, where
a part remained scouting and a part was detached and
sent to Port Tobacco, to guard the Potomac in that
vicinity. In November, the regiment was united, and
went into winter quarters at Fairfax Court House,
where — with the exception of a brief expedition to Mary-
land, in April, 1865, after the assassination of President
Lincoln, when the regiment took part in the search for
Booth, — it remained until June 19, when it left for
Missouri, reporting at St. Louis June 27 and 28. On
July 17, the 8th was mustered out of service at Benton
Barracks, and ordered to Chicago for final payment
and discharge, which it received July 21, 1865.
William H. Medill was born in Massillon, Ohio, Novem-
ber 5, 1835. In 1838, the family removed to Stark County, Ohio,
where he remained on his father's farm until 1850, when he went
to Coshocton, in the same State, to learn printing in his brother's
office. From April, 1S52, until the fall of 1855, he was employed
on the Leader, published by his brother, Joseph Medill, in Cleve-
land, removing at the latter date from that city to Chicago. From
1S55 until lS6r, he was engaged with his brother James in the
publication of the Prairie Farmer; in the establishment and publi-
cation of the Stark County Republican, at Canton, Ohio; and from
the spring of 1859 to the spring of 1861, as compositor on the
Daily Tribune, of which his brother Joseph was then the managing
editor and part proprietor. On the 18th of April, 1861, he joined
Barker's Dragoons, and with it proceeded to Cairo, remaining at
Camp Defiance until the dragoons, having been selected by Gen-
eral McCIellan six weeks iater as his body-guard, left to join him
at Clarksburg. Va., in June. With the dragoons, young Medill
participated in the engagements at Buckhannon, Rich Mountain
and Beverly, in July, and in August returned with them to Chicago,
his term of service having expired. The dragoons were mustered
out on the 20th of August, and on the 24th, Mr. Medill applied to
General J. F. Farnsworth, at St. Charles, 111., for permission to
recruit a company for the 8th Cavalry, then in process of forma-
tion. Receiving permission, he recruited the " Fremont Dra-
goons" to the maximum in less than two weeks, and it became Co.
" G, " 8th Illinois Cavalry. He was unanimously elected captain
of the company. General George Forsyth, now of the regular
army, and Colonel D. J. Hynes were elected first and second lieu-
tenants of the same company. In March, 1S62, Captain Medill,
with his company, joined in the advance on Manassas, and in the
pursuit of the retreating enemy to the Rappahannock he had com-
mand of the leading squadron. Captain Medill was not patient
with the inaction and want of energy displayed in the army. On
June 25, 1862, he writes: " We have wasted a month here in inac-
tion. Our army is doing two things — ditch-digging and dying.
The sicknessand mortality this hot weather, in these marshes, are ter-
rible. * * * I am disgusted at the way this fine army is employed.
One part is ditch-digging, and another stands guard over the planta-
tions and property of slaveholders, whose sons are in Lee's army
fighting us." On June 26, Captain Medill was engaged at Me-
chanicsville, and also at Gaines's Mill and Malvern Hill. He
commanded the extreme rear-guard squadron during the retreat
from the Chickahominy, and on reaching Vorktown took command
of the regiment. On September 10, Captain Medill was commis-
sioned major, and commanded the 8th through the ensuing cam-
paign in Maryland, meeting and defeating the Confederate cavalry
at Damascus, New Market and Boonsboro', at the latter place
charging successfully two regiments of Stuart's cavalry, capturing
two guns and nearly two hundred prisoners, the Confederates
leaving sixty-seven killed and wounded on the field in their precip-
itate flight. At Antietam he commanded the regiment; and after
the enemy's retreat, the 8th led the cavalry in their pursuit. On
January 1, 1863, Major Medill celebrated that day and the emanci-
pation proclamation, by visiting, with a battalion of his cavalry,
the surrounding plantations, and bringing into camp nearly one
thousand " contrabands." Early in May, the regiment was
divided into three battalions, one of which Major Medill com-
manded in the famous raid down the Peninsula. He also led the
8th Illinois at the Aldie Gap fight, greatly distinguishing himself
in that engagement, capturing a Confederate lieutenant-colonel in
single combat, in presence of his regiment. At Gettysburg he held
a whole division of the enemy in check three hours at the opening
of the battle and until reinforcements came up. In the pursuit of
Lee's army, on July 6, 1863, Major Medill lost his life, while at
the front, leading his regiment in an attempt to seize a bridge
which the Confederates were throwing over the Potomac in the vi-
cinity of Williamsport. He was struck by a Minic; ball in the
breast, which inflicted a mortal wound, and the following day was
taken to the hospital at Frederick City, where he expired a week
later, regretting only that he must die before he saw his country
safe. He bitterly condemned the inaction of General Meade,
whereby Lee's army escaped capture. He died July 16, 1S63, and
his remains were brought by hi? bi other Joseph to Chicago, and
interred with military honors in Graceland Cemetery. No braver
man served or fell in the Union army, or one more devoted to his
country's cause.
Major James D. Ludlam, second son of Dr. Jacob W. Lud-
lam, was born in Cumberland County, N. J., June 22, 1833. He was
educated a farmer, which occupation he followed until his removal
to Chicago, in 1854. He engaged in mercantile pursuits in this
city, in which he continued until the summer of 1861, when, with
John L. Beveridge, he signed the muster roll of the 8th Illinois
Cavalry, which was then being organized by Hon. John F. Farns-
worth. When Co." F" was organized, he was chosen first lieutenant;
on the completion of the regimental organization, was appointed
adjutant; and on the resignation of Captain Cleveland, was com-
missioned captain of Co. " F," his commission dating August 4,
1862. The same day, he was placed in command of a squadron,
and participated therealter in all skirmishes, battles, and marches
of the 8th, until the Gettysburg campaign, when he was sick
in hospital, at Georgetown. He re-enlisted, January, 1864, and,
on March 4, was appointed major, and, in that position, shared the
fortunes of the regiment, until his resignation in January, 1865.
NINTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
The Ninth Cavalry was organized at Camp
Douglas, Chicago, in September, 1861, by Colonel
Albert G. Brackett, of Rock Island, 111., and was mus-
tered into service on November 30. Among its field
officers from Chicago, were Major Rosell M. Hough,
formerly aide to General Hunter, with whom he had
served in Missouri, and, later, colonel of the 67th In-
fantry ; Major, William J. Wallis ; Adjutant, John H.
Carpenter ; and Quartermaster, Samuel H. Price.
Mr. Price was a native of Virginia, but received his educa-
tion in the North, graduating from Amherst College, and after-
ward practicing law in Windsor, Vt. He removed to Chicago in
1S54, and engaged in mercantile pursuits until the opening of the
war, when he offered his services to Governor Yates, and was given
the position of Quartermaster of the 9th Cavalry.
Co. " F " was recruited in Chicago, by Captain
Bernard F. Stampoffski, an old and well known
citizen, who had formerly served in the Florida War, for
eight months, and as a member of Co. " F," Second
U. S. Dragoons, was engaged in the battles of Palo
Alto and Resaca de la Palma, in May, 1846. Lieuten-
ant Erastus G. Butler, of the same company, served
in Co. " E," 3d U. S. Artillery, in the Mexican War,
and was at the battles of Monterey and Buena Vista.
The officers of this company were exclusively Chi-
cagoans during its whole term of service. Captain
Charles S. Cameron, of Co. " K," abandoned a large
and lucrative law business to enter the army. First
Lieutenant Joseph H. Knox, Co. " K," son of Hon.
:6;
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Toseph Knox, was a graduate of 'Williams College, and
had just been admitted to the Bar when he joined the
regiment. He served with the 9th until April 5, 1862,
when he resigned, and was afterward appointed to a
position on General Crittenden's staff, rendering valua-
ble service at St^ne River. First Lieutenant Charles
T. Scammon, son of Hon. J. Y. Scammon, had just
graduated from the Chicago University, when he joined
the 9th Cavalry, and was elected lieutenant of Co. " L,"
serving in that capacity until promoted captain of Co.
BH," January 15, 1S63. During this time he also
served on the staff of General Steele in Arkansas. Lieu-
tenant Arthur M. Kinzie served with Co. "B " until the
expiration of his term, September 30, 1864.
The 9th Illinois Cavalry left Chicago on February
17. 1 So j. and moved to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, and
thence to Pilot Knob, where it commenced its long cam-
paign in Missouri and Arkansas, as a part of the Third
Brigade of General Frank Steele's division. With that
command, it joined General Curtis's army at Jackson-
port, Ark., on May 23, and, during June, participated
in two serious skirmishes in the vicinity of the camp
— losing twelve wounded and one missing at Waddell's
Plantation, on June 12; and, on June 27, at Stewart's
Plantation, two killed, and thirty-five wounded, Colonel
Brackett being among the latter. On June 26, the
Ninth, with Steele's division, commenced the march
to Helena, Ark., arriving July 14. The troops suffered
extremely during the march, from lack of water and
rations, five men of the 9th dying from the hardships
and privation endured. At Helena, the regiment was
assigned to the Third Brigade, Fourth Division (Hovey's)
of Steele's Arkansas Army. Two twelve-pounder
mountain howitzers were assigned the regiment on
September 15, which, under command of Lieutenant
F. G. Butler, did good service during the expedition of
General Washburn into Mississippi, of which the regi-
ment formed a part. On January 9, 1863, it embarked
with General Gorman at Helena, and proceeded up the
White River to Duval's Bluff, which was found evac-
uated, and the expedition returned to Helena, arriving
January 23. On April 7, the 9th moved to Memphis,
and thence, on April 12, to Germantown, Tenn., where,
with Colonel McCrillis's brigade, it was employed in
scouting and skirmishing in Southern Tennessee and
Northern Mississippi through the entire summer, being
engaged at Coldwater on July 28, at Granada August
a ilem October 8, and at Wyatt October 13. In
November, the regiment marched from LaGrange to
Colliersville, Tenn., where it was assigned to Grierson's
cavalry division, and on December 4, took an honorable
and conspicuous part in the battle at Moscow, Tenn.
On February n, it marched with Generals Grierson
and Smith into Mississippi, and was engaged on Feb-
ruary 20 at West Point, February 21 at Okolona, and
on the 23d at Mount Ivy. The following day it went
into camp at Germantown, Tenn., where, on March 16,
it re-enlisted as a veteran organization. On the 17th it
marched to Memphis, and immediately returned to Illi-
.cteran furlough.
On April 27, the regiment returned to Memphis, and,
in June, a detachment, with Grierson's cavalry, accom-
panied General Sturt,ds 011 his disastrous expedition to
Guntown, Miss., acting as rear guard on the retreat of
his forces. During the 1 icpedition, the 9th lost five
killed, twenty-three wounded and twelve captured, out
of one hundred and sixty engaged. It also formed a
part of the for": of General Grierson in his expedition
with General A. J. Smith, to Tupelo, Miss. The 9th,
forming the cavalry advance, had a severe engagement
at Pontotoc, Miss., and was engaged July 14-15, at
Tupelo and Old Town Creek, Miss. During August it
accompanied General Giles A. Smith's expedition to the
Tallahatchie, meeting the enemy on August 11, at Ox-
ford, and, August 13, at Hurricane Creek, in the latter
engagement losing four killed and several wounded.
On September 4, it returned to camp at Memphis, and
remained until September 30. Under Captain Black-
burn, Co. "A," it then moved with General Hatch's
division to Clifton, Tenn., where it crossed the Ten-
nessee, and thence returned to near Florence, Ala., to
meet the advance of Hood's army. On November 9,
the regiment drove the enemy from a ford on Shoal
Creek, which it was ordered to cross on the nth, and
strike the enemy in the rear. At the same time the
brigade was to dislodge the enemy and cross at a lower
ford. The command failed to dislodge the Confederates,
who held the lower ford in force, but the 9th, by a sudden
and unexpected attack on their rear, caused them to re-
tire from their position sufficiently to allow the regiment
to pass through their lines to the creek, which they
re-crossed, and joined the brigade. On November 19,
the brigade was ordered to advance from Shoal Creek
to Bailey Springs. It crossed the creek and advanced a
short distance, when it encountered General Buford's
Confederate cavalry, which attacked and nearly sur-
rounded it. The command, however, succeeded in re-
crossing at another ford, and on the following day the
retreat towards Nashville commenced. The 9th was
engaged, November 24, at Campbellville, Tenn., in pro-
tecting the army train, and participated in the battles at
Franklin and in front of Nashville. It then joined in
the pursuit of Hood's army to the Tennessee River, and,
at its discontinuance, moved to Huntsville, Ala., to
Eastportvand finally to Gravelly Springs near Florence,
Ala., where it went into camp January 10, 1865. On
February 9, it again moved to Eastport, Miss., and
remained in camp at that point until June 23, when it
moved to Iuka, Miss.; thence, on July 4, to Decatur,
Ala., and thence to Montgomery, Selma, and to Gaines-
ville, Ala., arriving at the latter place August 20.
On October 31, 1865, it was mustered out of service
at Selma, Ala., and ordered to Springfield, 111., for final
payment, arriving on November 8.
The 9th Illinois Cavalry marched twenty thousand
miles, and was never employed in garrison duty after
leaving Springfield in February, 1862.
Seth F. Hanchett, sheriff of Cook County, has been a res-
ident of Chicago for over twenty- seven years, most of which time
he has held official positions of various kinds. After having
served bravely and faithfully in the war, and leaving his left arm
before Petersburg, Mr. Hanchett returned to Chicago in June,
1865, having just been discharged from the hospital at Washing-
ton. He was then employed for one year in the commission busi-
ness, after which he was made superintendent of the Soldier's
Home, but resigned in July, 1867, to accept the position of deputy
sheriff under General John L. Beveridge. He was first bailiff in
the County Court under Judges Bradwell and Wallace, and served
as deputy sheriff under different administrations, until November,
1876, when Charles Kern was elected sheriff. From that time, for
about a year, he, with W. H. Gleason, his present chief clerk, car-
ried on a collection agency. Upon being elected clerk of the Pro-
bate Court, he retired from this business and gave himself to the
duties of his new position until chosen, in the fall of 18S0, to the
more responsible office of sheriff. Mr. Hanchett is a member of
the Grand Army of the Republic, the Union Veteran Club, and
has been treasurer of the Union Veteran League since its organi-
zation. Sheriff Hanchett was born near Mayville, Chautauqua
Co., N. Y., April 30, 1842, his parents being Joseph C. and Sabrina
(Howard) Hanchett. His mother dying when he was nine years of
age, he was left to the care of an uncle, occupying himself until
fourteen years of age by working on the farm and laying up a mod-
est educational store at the district schools. In the latter part of
August, 1856, he reached Chicago, having determined to seek his
TWELFTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
263
fortune in what was then the "Far West." But realizing the value
of an education, young as he was, he took advantage of the pres-
ence of a relative at Marengo, 111., and obtained another year's
schooling at that place. After searching a few months for a loca-
tion, he finally settled permanently in Chicago. He was employed
by the North Chicago City Railway Company up to the breaking
out of the war, when he joined the 9th Illinois Cavalry, as a pri-
vate. He served with his command in the Southwest, until Novem-
ber, 1862, when he was seized with a Southern fever, and sent to
the St. Louis hospital, his case being considered hopeless. But his
strong constitution enabled him to withstand a fierce siege of sick-
ness of about ten months' duration, and, during the latter part of
1863, he hastened to his old home, to join the 15th New York Cav-
alry, lie served in the regiment under Generals Franz Sigel and
Hunter, and was with Custer's division under General Sheridan, in
1864, in the Shenandoah Valley. He was also engaged in all the
engagements before Petersburg, ending with the battle of Five
Forks, April 1, 1S65. In this last engagement, while charging the
rebel lines, he was struck by the fragment of a shell and maimed
for life, his left arm being subsequently amputated. In this, the
third, last and triumphant charge, the rebel lines were broken, and
the day saved for the Union forces. On June 27, 1867, he mar-
ried Miss Lizzie L. Atkins, daughter of Robert J. Atkins. They
have three children — Frank S., Seth R. and Bessie L.
Edward A. Davenport was born in New York City, April
11, 1834, the son of Charles W. and Mary E. ( Fitch) Davenport.
On his father's side, he is a descendant of Rev. John Davenport, of
Radcliff, England, who came to this country in the 16th century.
On his mother's side, his great grandfather was commissioned Gov-
ernor of Connecticut by royal appointment in 1754, and held
his place for twelve years, until 1760, when the first Federal gov-
ernment was elected. His family moved to the State of Illinois,
and settled in Henry County in 1S37, where an investment in real
estate was made. He received his early education in the schools
of Henry County, and afterward attended school at Knoxville, III.,
and from there went to Rock Island, where he graduated, at the
age of eighteen, and soon after opened a dry-goods store as a part-
ner with his brother, whose interest he bought two years later, and
continued the business alone until 1S61, when he enlisted, at Cam-
bridge, 111., in Co. "C," gth Illinois Cavalry. He remained in
the service from September 10, 1S61, until November 25, 1S65. and
for efficient military service was promoted, through the different
ranks, to that of regimental commissary, with the rank of first
lieutenant. He received his last commission on May 23, 1863, and
remained with his regiment until November, 1S64, when he was
appointed on the staff of General Coon, as brigade commissary.
He was an occupant of this position but a short time, when he was
again promoted to division commissary under Major-General Edward
Hatch, and remained with him until August, 1S65. when he
returned to his regiment, and was mustered out October 31, 1S65.
In 1S66, he came to Chicago, and became connected with the
Board of Trade, and held his membership for about ten years, and
has been connected with the grain and commission business to the
present time. He was married February 15, 1S66, to Miss Elenora
A. Soule, of Cambridge, 111. They have three children — Edward
A., Soule F. and Paul D.
TWELFTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
The Twelfth Illinois Cavalry was partially
organized at Camp Douglas in September, 1861, and
remained at that place until February 26, 1862, engaged
in recruiting, drilling and perfecting its organization.
At that time its rolls embraced nearly five hundred
men — of whom nearly two-thirds were recruited in Chi-
cago. The field officers, and nearly all the officers of
Cos. " A," " B," " C," " D," " E " and " G " were from
this city, as were those of Cos. "H " and "I," the old
" McClellan Dragoons," originally " Barker's Dragoons,"
which was assigned to the 12th Cavalry, December
25, 1862. Co. •' K," also from Chicago, was assigned
to the 12th late in December, 1863.
Following is the original roster — including Cos. " F,"
"H,""I"and"K":
Field Officers. — Colonel, Arno Voss; Lieutenant-Colonel, Has-
brouck Davis; Majors, Francis T. Sherman, John G. Fonda; Adju-
tants, James Daly, William R. Carpenter; Battalion Adjutants,
Jonathan Slade, Alexander Stewart: Quartermaster, Lawrence J. J.
Nissen; Surgeon, John Higgins; Assistant Surgeon, John Mc-
Carthy; Chaplain, Abraham J. Warner; Commissaries, Moses
Shields, Henry A. Johnson.
Line Officers. — Co. "A": Captain, Thomas YV. Grosvenor ;
First Lieutenant, Philip E. Fisher ; Second Lieutenant, William
M. Luff. Co. " B": Captain, Andrew II. Langholz; First Lieu-
tenant, Henry Jansen; Second Lieutenant, Charles Grimm. Co.
" C ": Captain, Stephen Bronson ; First Lieutenant, William J.
Steele; Second Lieutenant, George F. Ward. Co. "D"; Captain,
Richard N. Hayden ; First Lieutenant, Charles Roden ; Second
Lieutenant, N. J. Kidder. Co. "E"; Captain, John P. Harvey;
First Lieutenant, Cephas Strong; Second Lieutenant, Edward
Vasseur. Co. "F": Captain, P^phraim M. Gilmore; First Lieu-
tenant, Henly L. Reans; Second Lieutenant, Dennis ralmer. Co.
"G"; Captain, Thomas Logan; First Lieutenant, John H. Cly-
bourn (promoted captain) ; Second Lieutenant, Joseph Logan.
Co " H ": Captain George W. Shears; First Lieutenant, George
S. Phelps; Second Lieutenant, Oliver M. Pugh. Co. " I "; Cap-
tain, David C. Brown ; First Lieutenant, Edwin A. Webber; Sec-
ond Lieutenant, George H. Sitts. Co. " K " ; Captain, Henry
Jansen ; First Lieutenant, Edmund Luff ; Second Lieutenant,
Charles L. Amet.
The regiment was formally organized and mustered
into United States service at Camp Butler, Springfield,
in February, 1862, and was then mounted and drilled
until June 25, when it was sent to Martinsburg, Va.,
where its commander, Colonel Voss, was made post
commander. The garrison consisted of the 12th Illi-
nois Cavalry, the 65th (Scotch) Illinois Infantry, Captain
Phillips's battery, of Chicago, and the 52d New York
Infantry.
Lieutenant-Colonel Davis, with a small force, was
placed in command of one of the outposts on the Mar-
tinsburg and Winchester pike, about five miles from the
camp of the regiment, and while on a scout, September
5, encountered and routed a superior force of the Con-
federate cavalry, at Bunker Hill, killing and capturing
a considerable number. At daybreak on the 7th, the
enemy, strongly reinforced, made an attempt to sur-
round and capture Lieutenant-Colonel Davis and his
command. The latter sent to Colonel Voss for rein-
forcements, who instantly put himself at the head of his
cavalry, then in camp, a section of Captain Phillips's
battery and a battalion of the 65th Infantry under
command of Major Wood, of Chicago, and hurried to
the succor of his sorely pressed outposts. On the ar-
rival of Co. "A," Captain Thomas W. Grosvenor, the
detachment led by Lieutenant-Colonel Davis, advanced
at once to meet the Confederate cavalry. Several
squads were driven from the woods and roadsides, fall-
ing back to the main body at Darkesville, followed
closely by Captain Grosvenor's small detachment.
At Darkesville a severe skirmish took place, in
which Captain Grosvenor was severely wounded. His
valiant " forty " men continued the conflict, under com-
mand of Lieutenant-Colonel Davis, until the re-
mainder of the regiment came up and the Con-
federates were driven from the field, retreating to
Winchester, to which place they were closely followed
by a detachment, under the command of Captain Bron-
son, sent in pursuit by Colonel Voss. Twenty-five of
their number, including Lieutenant Carroll, of the
Maryland battalion, a grandson of Charles Carroll, of
Carrollton, were buried on the field, fifty were captured,
with horses and equipments. Several of the 12th
were mortally wounded, but none were killed. The
regiment remained in Martinsburg until its evacuation,
and then fell back to Harper's Ferry, on September 12.
On the night of the 14th, the place being s lrruunded
264
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
by the enemy, the cavalry received permission to cut its
way through, and make an attempt to reach the Army
of the Potomac. The column, under the command of
Colonel Voss, left Harper's Ferry at 8 o'clock p. m.,
followed the line of the Potomac to near Williamsport,
Md., captured a train of one hundred and twelve
wagons and a large drove of cattle belonging to Long-
street's command, and finally joined McClellan's army
at Jones's Cross Roads. The regiment was then made an
integer of the Fifth Brigade, Colonel Voss command-
ing. At Williamsport, the brigade remained until De-
cember 8. 1S62, moving thence to Dumfries Station,
Va., where it remained until January, 1863, making a
successful stand under Lieutenant-Colonel Davis against
a cavalry raid on the town by General Stuart, on De-
cember 28, 1862.
On the reorganization of the cavalry, Army of the
Potomac, the 12th was assigned to the Second Brigade,
Third Division Cavalry Corps, and Colonel Voss ap-
pointed brigade commander. In April, 1S63, General
Hooker organized the cavalry into two divisions, one of
which was commanded by General Stoneman, and in
which was the 12th Illinois, under Lieutenant-Colonel
Davis. This organization participated in the cavalry
raid which followed, and at Thompson's Cross Roads,
on May 3, it was detached from the command of General
Stoneman for an independent expedition. It marched
on that day from the bank of the South Anna, penetrated
a region never before occupied by Federal troops,
burned railroad bridges, destroyed telegraphic com-
munication, and reached the Virginia Central Railroad,
at Hanover Station, on the 5th, and destroyed the rail-
road buildings and stores at that point. About thirty
officers and men were captured and paroled at Hanover.
Lieutenant-Colonel Davis says in his report of this
expedition:
" At Tunstall Station (near the White House on the Richmond
and Yorktown Railroad), a train of cars, filled with infantry and a
battery of three guns, was run out to oppose us. I thought it best
to make an effort to break through, before the men could be got out
of the cars or the battery in position. I therefore brought up my
two foremost squadrons, and ordered a charge, which was executed
by them. Captain Roden with Cos. " D " and " G " taking the lead,
and followed by Captain Shears with Cos. " H " and "I." This
charge was made most gallantly. The infantry filled the embank-
ment of the railway, and poured upon us a severe fire, but mv men
dashed up to the embankment in splendid style, and with carbines
and pistols, responded to the fire with equal effect. It was, how-
ever, impossible to break through. There were formidable rifle-
pits to the left of the road, and the enemy soon filled them, and we
were forced to retire, with a loss of two killed and several wounded;
among the latter, Lieutenant Marsh, who was among the foremost
in the charge, and who received so severe a wound in the right
arm that we were obliged to leave him in one of the neighboring
houses. * * Our total loss in this expedition has been two
commissioned officers, and thirty-three enlisted men. We brought
with us one hundred mules and seventy-five horses, captured from
the enemy. We captured, in the course of our march, a much
larger number, which we could not bring on. The amount of
property destroyed is estimated at over one million dollars."
After the arrival of the regiment at Gloucester Point,
it was engaged in a raid to within twelve miles of Rich-
mond, and to Urbana, on the Rappahannock, and then
re-joined General Hooker's army. While the regiment
was in earn], at Belle Plain in Virginia, Cos. "H" and
"I" formerly McClellan Dragoons; were assigned to
the command. After the battle ,,f Beverly Ford, on
June 9, the 12th was assigned to Buford's First)
division. Gamble's First brigade, Pleasanton's cavalry
corps, and partii ipated in the engagement at Aldie ( tap;
and then proceeded to Gettysburg, where it arrived
June 30, and occupied the place, after driving out two
Confederate regiments.
After Gettysburg, the regiment was divided; one
detachment being under General Kilpatrick, and join-
ing in the pursuit of Lee's army. The detachment
reached Williamsport July 6, where the Confederates
were building a bridge across the river. The brigade
charged on the enemy's pickets, drove them back, and
pursuing them, participated in the many cavalry skirm-
ishes and engagements which ensued, acquitting itself
with bravery at Falling Waters, the Rapidan and at Stev-
ensburg. It was then ordered to Washington, and, on
November 20, 1863, was relieved from duty with the
Army of the Potomac, was given thirty days' furlough,
and ordered to Illinois to reorganize as a veteran regi-
ment— this distinguished privilege being awarded to
the 1 2th by the Secretary of War for "brilliant services
in the field." It was the first cavalry regiment in the
United States service permitted to return home to re-
enlist.
The regiment reached Chicago on the evening of
November 28, and had a grand reception at Bryan Hall,
where patriotic and enthusiastic speeches were made,
and a welcome awarded the 12th which showed that its
course had been watched and warmly approved by the
city and State. Adjutant-General Fuller was sent from
Springfield, to thank the regiment in the name of the
State for its services.
Following is the return roster, nearly all of whom
are Chicago citizens :
Lieutenant-Colonel, Hasbrouck Davis; First Major, Thomas
W. Grosvenor; Second Major, Stephen Bronson; Adjutant, James
Daly; Quartermaster, L. J. J. Nissen; Surgeon, John McCarthy;
Assistant-Surgeon, C. E. Wentworth; Commissary, Moses Shields;
Chaplain, A. J. Warner.
Co." A": First Lieutenant, William M. Luff. Co. " B ": Sec-
ond Lieutenant, Henry Lossburg. Co. "C": Captain William J.
Steele commanding. Co. "D": First Lieutenant, Oliver Grosvenor
commanding Co. "E": First Lieutenant, Edward Vasseur. Co.
"G": Captain, John H. Clybourn. Co. " H ": First Lieutenant,
Earl H. Chapman. Co. "I ": Second Lieutenant, Clarence Aldrich.
After a brief rest, the regiment, which had been
recruited to the maximum number of 1,256 officers
and men, re-assembled at Camp Fry, and there re-
mained until February 9, 1864, when it moved to St.
Louis. From there, in March, it went to New Or-
leans, and thence up the Red River, to reinforce Gen-
eral Banks, participating, with considerable loss, in the
engagements which marked his retreat from Alexan-
dria. After returning to New Orleans, it went to Napo-
leonville, on the Bayou Lafourche, and, in September,
joined General Lee's cavalry division at Baton Rouge.
In November, with the 2d Illinois Cavalry, under the
command of Colonel Davis, the regiment went on an ex-
pedition, with the division, to Liberty, Miss , where it was
engaged in a severe action, in which the enemy was
routed with loss. It subsequently participated in Gen-
eral Davidson's expedition against Mobile, and returned
to Baton Rouge.
On January 7, 1865, it proceeded to Memphis, and
joined General Osborne's division, where, by order,
dated March 2, 1865, it was consolidated into an eight-
company organization. The officers whose term had
expired, or who were in excess of the number required,
were mustered out of service, among which were the
following from Chicago: Major Cephas Strong, First
Lieutenant and Regimental Commissary Moses Shields,
Captains William M. Luff, William F. Steele, and Charles
G. Overocker, Lieutenant Charles F. Voss.
March 13, Colonel Davis was made brevet briga-
dier-general, having been acting brigadier for several
months previously. The regiment was thenceforth
under command of Colonel Hamilton B. Dox. In the
THIRTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
265
latter part of January, 1S65, with Osborne's division, it
made a raid through Southeastern Arkansas, and on its
return to Memphis, remained on duty in the vicinity
until June, when it was ordered to join General Cus-
ter's cavalry division, at Alexandria, La. With that
command it marched to Texas, and reported at Hous-
ton to Major-General Mower, commanding the Eastern
District, where it remained until it was mustered out
of service on May 29, 1866.
Colonel Arno Voss was born in Prussia, on April 16, 1S21.
After his immigration to this country lie resided for some years in
Ohio, and was there admitted to the Bar. In 1848, he removed to
Chicago, and, in December of that year, became editor of the Illi-
nois Staats-Zeitung. He was succeeded as editor, during 1S49, by
Herman Kriege, and thenceforth devoted himself to the practice
of his profession, building up a large and lucrative business before
the opening of the Civil War. In 1S52, Mr. Voss was elected city
attorney, and was re-elected in 1S53. In the meantime he had
identified himself with the German citizen soldiery of Chicago,
having been elected adjutant of the " Chicago German Odd Bat-
talion," in 1850, when that organization was a part of the 6oth Reg-
iment, Illinois State Militia. In 1854, he was made adjutant of
the newly organized "Washington Independent Regiment,"
which offered its services entire to the Government at the opening
of the war. This command being accepted only in part, Colonel
Voss, in the month of July, 1S61, became connected with the 6th
Illinois Cavalry as its major, and, somewhat later, assisted in the
formation of the 12th Cavalry Regiment, giving up his law prac-
tice, and devoting himself entirely to the service of his adopted
country. On the organization of the 12th, at Camp Douglas, he
was chosen its colonel, and commanded that regiment dur-
ing its first campaign in Virginia, during the summer and fall of
1862. On the morning of the 12th of September, 1S62, Colonel
Voss's regiment, with other forces attached to General Julius
White's command, fell back to Harper's Ferry, from Martinsburg,
their late headquarters. The same night the place was surprised,
and nearly all its garrison, under command of Colonel Miles, was
captured, but Colonel Voss, having received permission to attempt
to cut his way through the enemy's lines, with a force of about two
thousand cavalrv, including his own regiment, successfully accom-
plished the hazardous undertaking, arriving at Greencastle, Penn.,
with a loss of but one hundred and seventy-eight men, and finally
joining McClellan at headquarters in Sharpsburg. Colonel Voss
was obliged to leave the service at the opening of 1S64, on account
of ill health, and for a few years thereafter resided on his farm in
Will County, 111. In 1S69, he returned to Chicago and resumed
the practice of law, and is now one of the masters of chancery of
the Circuit Court of Cook County, to which position he was
appointed on December r, 1SS0. He was elected a member of
the Legislature from the Sixth Senatorial District, in 1876, and
declined a re-nomination to the same position in 1S78.
General Hasbrouck Davis, son of Hon. John Davis,
United States Senator and Governor of Massachusetts, was born
in Worcester, Mass., April 23, 1827. In 1855, he came to Chicago
and commenced the practice of law, which he continued until the
summer of 1S61, when he joined with Colonel Arno Voss in rais-
ing the 12th Illinois Cavalry, and upon its organization was elected
lieutenant-colonel. On the resignation of Colonel Voss, August II,
1S63, he was promoted colonel, and commanded the regiment, both
before and after his promotion, in its most important actions. On
March 13, 1S65, he received his commission as brevet brigadier-
general, and remained in active service until August, 1865, when
he resigned. His military record is that of a brave, honorable and
sagacious officer. After leaving the army, he became connected
with the Chicago Evening Post, as editor, and subsequently
removed to Massachusetts.
The Chicago Dragoons. — The Chicago Dragoons
were organized in 1856, by Captain Charles W. Barker.
The company became a popular one in Chicago, but the
expenses of keeping it up were so great that, just before
1861, it existed only in name. When Fort Sumter, was
fired upon, however, the company revived, and was one
of the first to offer its services to Governor Yates. It
was accepted, reported at Camp Yates, and at the pas-
sage of the act on May 16, 1861, authorizing the forma-
tion of a cavalry regiment, was mustered into State
service. The squadron was ordered to Camp Defiance,
Cairo, and on its arrival was assigned to picket duty,
which it performed for six weeks. It then re-enlisted in
the United States service, and was transferred from
Cairo to Western Virginia, where it served as escort to
General McClellan, participating in the battles of
Philippi, Buckannon, Rich Mountain and Beverly. After
remaining in the East, in service about three months, the
dragoons returned to Chicago where they were mustered
out of service August 20, and immediately consolidated
with another company, under Captain Shearer, and re-
organized as the McClellan Dragoons. The officers
under the new organization were Charles W. Barker,
captain; Thomas Braken, first lieutenant; Edwin A.
Webber, second lieutenant; George W. Shearer, third
lieutenant. They were mustered into service August
21, forty old members re-enlisting. After being for a
short time attached to a regiment of regular troops, they
were finally assigned to the 12th Illinois Cavalry,
Colonel Arno Voss commanding, and thereafter served
with that famous regiment.
THIRTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
The Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry was organized
in the fall of 1861, at Camp Douglas, Chicago, by
Colonel J. Warren Bell, under authority of the War De-
partment of October 15, 1861, with the concurrence of
Governor Yates of Illinois.
The roster of field and staff officers was as follows:
Colonel, Joseph W.Bell; Lieutenant-Colonel, Theobald Hart-
'-<?^£j
mann; Major, Lothar Lippert ; Second Major, Charles A. Bell ;
Adjutant, Thaddeus S. Clarkson; Quartermaster, Emil Neuberger;
Surgeon, Charles Storck ; Chaplain, Abner W. Henderson ; Com-
missary, Hall P. Talbot. These officers were all from Chicago.
The regiment remained at Camp Douglas until
February, 1862, when it moved to Benton Barracks,
near St. Louis, where it was armed and equipped. It
immediately marched into Southeastern Missouri, and
was engaged in scouting and fighting guerrillas there
and in Northeastern Arkansas until June. The head-
quarters of the command were at Pilot Knob, Colonel
Bell commanding both regiment and post. The dif-
ferent companies were at times widely separated; four,
under Lieutenant-Colonel Hartmann, were near the Ar-
kansas State line ; one company was at Cape Girardeau,
one at Ironton, garrisoning the fort, and the rest were at
Pilot Knob. In June, the regiment joined General
Curtis's army at Jacksonport, and was assigned to the
Third Brigade, Brigadier-General W. P. Benton com-
manding, and First Division, Major-General Fred.
Steele commanding.
The command formed the advance of General Cur-
tis's army on its march through Arkansas, during which,
the expedition with supplies having met with disaster,
the army was almost on the verge of starvation. The
command was then turned toward the Mississippi River,
and, on the 7th of July, the Confederates were encount-
ered at Bayou Cache or Cache River. Colonel Bell
succeeded Colonel Hovey in command of the forces
engaged, which, besides the infantry, consisted of the
5th and 13th Illinois Cavalry and two batteries of artil-
lery. Brigadier-General W. P. Benton subsequently
arrived and assumed command. Of this battle, John
S. C. Abbott, the historian, says (Harper's Magazine,
vol. 33, page 587 : " But few have heard of the battle
of Bayou Cache; and yet there was exhibited there mil-
;66
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
itary discipline and bravery which could not have been
surpassed on the world-renowned arenas of Austerlitz
and Waterloo."
The enemy consisted of six regiments of Texas cav-
alrv. who were totally routed, with a loss of over one
hundred killed, besides the wounded and prisoners.
The ground was strewn with the lead for over three
miles. The enemy retreated, a running fight being kept
up by the cavalry until night and bad roads prevented
further pursuit.
The 13th Cavalry arrived at Helena July 13, and
there remained until fall, when it returned to Missouri,
and was engaged in active service during the following
winter, succeeding in driving the Confederates from the
State.
In May, 1863, the eight companies of the 13th were
consolidated into three, under command of Major Lip-
pert; but subsequently nine new companies were added,
making a strong regiment of nearly twelve hundred
men.
The 13th, with General Davidson's cavalry, left He-
lena in July, 1863, and proceeded west to Brownsville,
where General Marmaduke was met and defeated Au-
gust 24-25. The enemy was again defeated at Bayou
Metre. August 27-2S. There were also engagements at
Austin, August 31, and at Bayou Metre, September 4.
The 13th joined in the pursuit and reached Little Rock
on the 10th, at the head of the army, being the first reg-
iment to enter the captured city. The regiment partic-
ipated in the pursuit of Price to the Red River and in
various raids into Northwestern Arkansas, returning to
Little Rock in the middle of October, where Major Lip-
pert died on the iSth of that month.
The regiment then moved to Pine Bluff, fifty miles
below Little Rock. Ai: that time, new companies joined
the regiment, and Major Albert Erskine, who had shared
the fortunes of the old 13th from the first, was promoted
to the rank of colonel, and assumed command of the
regiment. During the remainder of the winter of 1864,
the regiment remained at Pine Bluff. On the 23d day
of March, 1864, General Steele evacuated Little Rock,
and commenced his famous race with Price for the pos-
session of Camden, Ark. The 13th participated in the
engagements of Arkadelphia, April 1; Okolona, April
4; Little Missouri River, April 6; and at Prairie du
Anne on the 10th April — the last battle being a severe
one, the cavalry repulsing an attack by Marmaduke. It
was also engaged at Camden and Jenkins's Ferry during
the last of April.
The regiment left Camden April 27, and returned to
Little Rock, and during the following summer was sta-
tioned at Pine Bluff. The 13th was assigned to post
duty at Pine Bluff, whence detachments were sent to
take possession of Monticello, Camden and Washington.
The regiment remained in Arkansas until August 31,
1865, when it was mustered out of service and returned
to Springfield, III., for final pay and discharge, arriving
September 13, 1865. The regiment numbered at that
time twenty-four officers and four hundred and ninety-
eight men. There were on the muster rolls of the reg-
iment, from its organization until its final discharge, the
names of over twenty-one hundred officers and enlisted
men.
The following sketches of the best known Chicago
officers make an interesting addendum to the above:
Brevei Brigadier-General Joseph Warren Bell was
born in G .. Tenn., December 25, 1814. He removed
to Sparta when about twenty-one years old, studied law, was admit-
ted to the bar, and practised hi, profession there, lie removed to
Nashville, in 1844, and can n October, 1855. Here
he was engaged in the banking business in 1856-57, when he
resumed his law practice. In 1857, he was appointed by Governor
William H. Bissell, major and paymaster on the staff of Major-
General John B. Beaubien, commanding the Sixth Division, Illi-
nois State Militia. A few months later, he was promoted to the
rank of lieutenant-colonel, and in August, 1S5S, became quarter-
master of the division, with the rank of colonel. October 15,
1S61, he received authority from the War Department to organize
a cavalry regiment, of which he was to be the colonel commanding.
He established his headquarters in Chicago, proceeded to raise his
regiment, and, December 7, 1861, was commissioned colonel of
the 13th Illinois Cavalry. The regiment was organized at Camp
Douglas, near Chicago, the camp being at that time commanded by
Colonel I. H. Tucker, who was relieved about December, 1S61.
Colonel A. G. Brackett, gth Illinois Cavalry, being the senior col-
onel present, succeeded to the command. The 9th Cavalry left in
January, 1862, and Colonel Bell succeeded to the command of the
camp and post. February 13, 1862, he was ordered by Governor
Yates to proceed to St. Louis with his regiment, and report to
Major-General Halleck, commanding the Department of the Mis-
souri. Colonel Bell proceeded to Benton Barracks, then marched
to Pilot Knob, assuming command of the post, and continued thus
to act trom March to June, 1862. In June, he joined General Cur-
tis's army, and was with that command" in its famous march through
the wilds of Arkansas. At the battle of Bayou Cache, or Cache
River, July 7, 1862, Colonel Bell succeeded Colonel Hovey in com-
mand of all the United States forces, until the arrival of Brigadier-
General Benton. Subsequently, he was in command of the Third
Brigade, First Division. He ascended the Mississippi River to
Missouri with his regiment, in the latter part of 1862; was with
General Davidson in that campaign, engaging in the battles and
skirmishes; and finally succeeded in driving General Marmaduke
and his rebels from the State. At the close of the war, Colonel
Bell was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general by brevet, for
"gallant and meritorious services during the war." In 1S64-65,
General Bell was solicitor of the Department of the Missouri. In
1867-69, he was Special Agent of the United States Treasury
Department, under Secretaries McCullough and Boutwell. He then
resumed the practice of law, having many cases before the Court of
Claims and in the Supreme Court of the United States. After
the war, his residence, for the greater part of the time, was in
Washington, D. C, where he died, in January, 1879.
Lieutenant-Colonel Theobald Hartmann was born in
Bernheim, Germany, and was thirty-five years of age when the 13th
left for St. Louis. He was attached to the Bavarian cavalry in
184S, and, during the revolution of 1849, was taken prisoner and
kept in close captivity for six hundred and twenty-three days. He
then made his escape, and, with other refugees, came to this coun-
try. When the Rebellion broke out, in company with Colonel
Knoblesdorf, he raised the 44th Illinois Volunteers, in which he
held the rank of captain. Before that regiment left, he received
authority to raise a battalion of cavalry, which was long and favor-
ably known as " Hartmann's Dragoons." He was a most thor-
ough officer, having had the advantage of a long experience in the
cavalry service.
Major Charles A. Bell, a son of the General, was one of
the original Ellsworth Zouaves, the nth New York Infantry. He
was a first lieutenant, and in July, 1861, was a captain in the 3d
Pennsylvania Cavalry, being present in several skirmishes upon the
Potomac. In February, he was promoted to the rank of major of
the 13th Illinois Cavalry, and served with his regiment in the cam-
paigns in Missouri and Arkansas.
Brevet Brigadier-General Albert Erskine was born in
Bristol, Maine, June 27, 1832. He became a resident of Chicago
before the war, and, on the organization of the 51st Illinois In-
fantry, enlisted as a private, August 20, 1861. On the 13th of
November, following, he was elected first lieutenant of Co. " E,"
13th Cavalry, and on August 8 1S62, was promoted captain. He
was promoted Major of the regiment On October 18, 1863, on the
death of major Lippert, and, on the reorganization of the 13th at
Pine Bluffs, Ark., on April 11, 1S64, was promoted colonel. On
March 13, 1865, he was brevetted brigadier-general for gallant and
meritorious services, having been mustered out of service at the dis-
continuation of the cavalry division, in January, 1865. On his
return to Illinois, he was employed for a time in the Adjutant-
General's office, and, later, was appointed chief clerk in the United
States Assessor's office in Chicago. He died in Chicago, in 1876.
MAJOR Lothar Litpert was born in 1831, near Wurtzburg,
Bavaria. At the age of seventeen, he voluntarily entered the army
as a private, and served until 1859, when he resigned as first lieu-
tenant, 5th Battalion of Sharpshooters, Bavarian army, and emi-
grated to the United States. He located immediately in Chicago,
and engaged in mercantile business until the outbreak of the Re-
bellion, when he left his business and raised a company of infantry
for the three-months' service. Not securing its acceptance by the
Government, he joined with Colonel Charles Knoblesdorf in raising
the 44th Illinois Infantry, and at its organization was elected cap-
SIXTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
267
tain of Co. " E," which he commanded during the campaign of
1S61 in Missouri. Soon after the 13th Illinois Cavalry was or-
ganized, he was commissioned first major of the regiment through
the instrumentality of Lieutenant-Colonel Hartmann, and joined the
regiment in March, 1S62, taking command of the First Battalion,
then in Southeastern Missouri. His superior military ability
attracted the attention of General J. \V. Davidson, commanding
the district of Southeastern Missouri, who appointed him assistant
inspector-general on his staff, which position he occupied through
the campaign of 1S62-63, re-joining his regiment in the spring of
1863. He was severely wounded near Patterson, Mo., being dis-
abled for some months. As soon as he could mount his horse he
joined his command, and participated in the various cavalry fights
which occurred during the advance of Steele's army on Little Rock.
His health was undermined by his incessant activity and persist-
ency in remaining at his post when suffering from illness, and.
during a severe and protracted raid after the capture of Little Rock,
it utterly failed, and he was taken back, in an ambulance, to that
city, where he died on the iSth of October, 1863.
Adjutant Thaddeus S. Clarkson was a native of Pennsyl-
vania, and received his education in Maryland. He was an old
resident of Chicago, having previously enlisted as a private in
the Chicago Light Artillery. At the time of his departure he was
twenty-two years of age. He was a brother of Rev. R. H. Clark-
son, formerly rector of St. James Church, Chicago.
Adjutant W. Werther was born in Poland, in 1S34, and
received his education at a military academy. He served three
years in the Prussian army as a commissioned officer. When
the Rebellion broke out, he gave up a profitable business, and
enlisted.
Captain John E. Kimberly, commanding Co. "A," is well
known in Chicago. He served with distinction in the Mexican
War, and was with his company of the 13th Cavalry in all its battles
and marches until he resigned. After the war he returned to
Chicago and obtained a responsible position in the post-office,
which he still holds.
Captain Henry M. Peters, commanding Co. " B," served
with credit until the fall of 1S62, when he resigned, and has since
lived in Chicago. He is well known in political circles, and was
for several years Warden of the Cook County Poor-House.
Captain Ernst F. Riedel, of Co. " C," after serving faith-
fully with his company, returned to Chicago and engaged in
business. He died about 1882.
Brevet Major William W. Bell, captain commanding Co.
" D," a son of General Bell, was nineteen years old when the war
commenced. He recruited his company for the 13th Cavalry, and
was with the regiment in its battles and marches in the campaigns
of General Curtis in Missouri and Arkansas. Captain Bell was
promoted to the rank of major, by brevet, at the close of the war,
his commission from the president reading, " for gallant and meri-
torious services in the battle of Cache River." At the close of the
war he was, for several years, chief deputy collector of internal
revenue in Chicago, and afterward was engaged in the banking
business.
Brevet Major Robert G. Dyhrenfurth, first lieutenant
of Co. " D," was promoted to the rank of captain, and after being
mustered out, at the consolidation of the regiment, raised a com-
pany for the 17th Illinois Cavalry, of which he was captain. He
subsequently was promoted major by brevet " for gallant and
meritorious services during the war." In 1S65, he went to Europe
and graduated at the University of Heidelberg, where he received the
degree of Doctor of Laws. He then returned to the United States,
obtained a clerkship at Washington, and rose, by competitive exam-
inations and upon merit alone, from an ordinary clerkship to be
examiner, principal examiner, and examiner-in-chief in the United
States Patent Office, and is now assistant commissioner of patents.
Keyes Danforth was a corporal in Co. " F." In 1865, he was
captain of Co. " K," and was detailed as aide-de-camp on the staff
of Brigadier-General Powell Clayton. When General Clayton
became Governor of Arkansas, after the war, he appointed Captain
Danforth Adjutant-General of the State, with the rank of briga-
dier general. In 1876, General Danforth removed to Colorado,
and was appointed Clerk of the Supreme Court of that State. He
died there about 1881.
SIXTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
The nucleus of the 16th Cavalry were two
German companies, organized in Chicago ; one
(the Washington Light Cavalry) on July 19, 1858,
by Captain Frederick Schaumbeck ; the other
(Thielemann's Dragoons1, early in the spring of 1S61.
Captain Schaumbeck's company was one of the first
offered to Governor Yates after his call for volunteers,
reporting at Camp Yates prior to the passage of the
special act of the State Legislature, passed May 3,
186 r, and authorizing a cavalry regiment. Upon the
passage of the act, the regiment was immediately mus-
tered into State service — forming one of the battalions
of five companies accepted during the month. Lieu-
tenant-Governor Hoffman taking a special pride in
the interest of the company, it adopted the name of
" Hoffman's Dragoons," in his honor. Mr. Hoffman
presented it with an elegant stand of colors at the
time, which was received, in behalf of the company,
by Arno Voss, formerly a member of the Washington
Independent Cavalry. At the time of its entering the
service, the company numbered ninety-five men, includ-
ing officers, of whom sixty-five fall residents of Chicago)
had been in military service in Europe.
Following is the original company roster :
Captain, Frederick Schaumbeck; First Lieutenant, A. Rittig;
Second Lieutenant, William Warner; Third Lieutenant, John ii.
Rolli; First Sergeant, Julius Jaehne; Second Sergeant, F. Marx;
Third Sergeant, G. Sheef; Fourth Sergeant, L. Rodemeyer; First
Corporal, Benedict Weinger; Second Corporal, H. Klein; Third
Corporal, L. Von Look; Surgeon, W. Burchevard.
The company was accepted by the Secretary of War
for three years' service, on June 21, and was nominally
assigned to the 1st Illinois Cavalry. The dragoons had
neither been armed nor paid for the time they had been
in State service, and refused to take the oath mustering
them into United States service, until arrears due had
been paid and they could be suitably equipped, saying,
properly enough, that the consequences of sending un-
armed companies among enemies had been seen at
Baltimore, and that they had had too active service in
Mexico and Europe to believe it possible to fight with
stones. On receiving their pay, and a promise of arms,
they willingly took the oath, and were mustered into
service for three years.
Thielemann's Cavalry company was organized in
Chicago in the early summer of 1861. The following
was the original roster of officers:
Captain, Christian Thielemann ; First Lieutenant, Berthold
Marschner; Second Lieutenant, Matthew Marx; Orderly Sergeant,
James W. Lavigne; Quartermaster, Milo Thielemann; Sergeants,
V. Gravenstein, Matthias Thielemann, Charles G. Bausenbach,
Henry Williams.
The company was accepted by the Governor on July
2, and immediately ordered to Paducah, where it re-
mained until the fall. On November 1, Captain Thiele-
mann was commissioned major, with command of a
battalion composed of his own company of dragoons,
then commanded by Captain Berthold Marschner, and
a company recruited and commanded by Captain Mat-
thew Marx. Captain Schaumbeck's company was sub-
sequently added to Thielemann's command, which, as
"Thielemann's Cavalry," participated in the earlier
campaigns of the army of the Tennessee.
In September, 1862, the War Department authorized
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
the extension of the battalion — then in camp at Spring-
neld — to a regiment. The new companies were re-
cruited during the winter of iS62-63,and the organiza-
tion completed the subsequent June, — the following
being the roster :
Field Officers. — Colonel. Christian Thielemann ; Lieutenant-
Colonel. Robert W. Smith: Majors, Frederick Schaumbeck, Milo
Thielemann; Adjutant Joseph Gotthelf.
Line 0 'ficers'. — Co "A": Captain, William H. Dorchester; First
Lieutenant, Valentine Grebenstein. Co. "13": Captain, Milo
Thielemann; First Lieutenant, George Hamilton ; Second Lieu-
tenant. William S. Kelly. Co. " C " : Captain, Julius Jaehne ;
First Lieutenant. John F. Marx ; Second Lieutenant, Herman
Scharenburg. Co. " D " : Captain, Benedict Weinger ; First
Lieutenant, John Hoffmann ; Second Lieutenant, Frederick Her-
furth Co. " I ": Captain, Francis Jackson. Co. "K": Captain,
Nathan C. Goodenow. Co. "L": Captain, Edward A. Wolcott.
In October, 1863, the 16th Cavalry was ordered to
Knoxville. Tenn. On its arrival, a detachment, under
Colonel Thielemann, was dispatched to garrison and
hold the post at Cumberland Gap; a battalion, under
Major C. H. Beers, was sent up Powell's Valley toward
Tonesville, Va.; and the remainder, under the command
of Lieutenant-Colonel R. W. Smith, formed a portion of
Burnside's force, participating in the defense of the city
in November and December. On Longstreet's retreat
from Knoxville, he attacked Major Beers's command
near Tonesville, January 3, 1864, which, after holding its
ground for ten hours against three brigades, and losing
heavily in killed and wounded, was compelled to sur-
render. The battalion numbered three hundred and
fifty-six men and fifty-six officers, less than two-thirds
of whom survived the horrors of their long captivity at
Andersonville, while those who lived to be exchanged
reached home in a condition almost as bad as death.
Second Lieutenant Samuel Osgood, Co. "L," was killed
in the engagement at Jonesville.
At the conclusion of the campaign in East Tennes-
see, the regiment was ordered to re-cross the Cumber-
land Mountains and report at Camp Nelson, near
Nicholasviile, Ky., where it was re-mounted, and, as a
part of General Stoneman's cavalry corps, left to join
Sherman in Georgia, during the latter part of April.
It arrived at Red Clay, Ga., May 10, and on the 12th
was engaged in the battle of Varnell's Station, where
Lieutenant Herfurth and twelve men were wounded
and captured. It participated in the entire Atlanta
campaign after May 10, taking part in the battles before
Resaca, Dalton, Marietta, Kenesaw Mountain, Burnt
Hickory, Peach Tree Creek, Allatoona Pass, Atlanta
and Jonesboro'. Major Frederick Schaumbeck, of Chi-
cago, the first officer of the regiment to enlist in the
service of Government, was killed in action, August
3, near Atlanta. At the conclusion of the campaign, the
regiment returned to Decatur, Ga., where it remained
until September 14, and was then ordered to Nicholas-
viile, Ky On its return, it was ordered to Waynesboro',
near the Tennessee River, and a few days later fell
back to Columbia, reaching that place November 24,
after a running fight of three days with the advance of
Hood's pursuing army. On arriving at Columbia, it
was found that the enemy was attempting to cross Duck
River at fords above the town, and the 16th, with small
detachments from the 8th Michigan and 8th Iowa, under
command of Colonel K. W. Smith, was sent to defend
the crossing, which was successfully done, the position
being held six hours against a vastly superior force.
After its r turn to camp at Pulaski, on the termination
of the pursuit, it was engaged in scouting duty until
March, 1865, ami, from that time until June, was suc-
cessively at Spring Hill, Franklin, Columbia and Pu-
laski, Tenn., and at Holton, Ala., with detachments at
Courtland and Decatur. On June 18, it concentrated
at Pulaski, and on July 2, was ordered to Franklin,
where it remained, employed in scouting and guard duty,
until ordered to Nashville, where it was mustered out of
service August 19, 1865. It arrived at Chicago August
23, for final payment and discharge, the Chicago offi-
cers at that time being Colonel Robert W. Smith, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Nathan C. Goodenow, Second Major
Francis Jackson, Captain Frederick Herfurth, Co. " D."
The original force of the 16th was twelve hundred
men. It received one hundred recruits, and at its dis-
charge could muster only two hundred and eighty-three
men — its casualties amounting to nearly one thousand.
During its term of service the regiment marched about
five thousand miles and engaged in thirty-one battles
and numerous skirmishes.
SEVENTEENTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
In the fall of 1863, General John F. P'arnsworth
obtained permission from the War Department to raise
the 17th Cavalry Regiment in Illinois, and at his invita-
tion, and by the consent of Governor Yates, Major
John L. Beveridge, of Evanston, undertook the recruit-
ing and organization of the same, resigning his position
in the 8th Cavalry for the purpose, on November 2,
1863. The 17th regiment was organized at St. Charles,
111., nine companies being mustered into service on
January 22, 1864, and the remaining three on February
12, 1864.
The following officers of the 17th were residents of
Chicago or Cook County :
Colonel, John L. Beveridge; Lieutenant-Colonel, Dennis J.
o^. '^ie^*^»€^< '-^p'C
Hynes; Major, Hiram Hilliard; Adjutant, John A. Hynes. Co.
" A ": Captains, Francis Beaufort, Francis LeClair, and Scott W.
Harrington; Lieutenants, Lyman S. Rowell and James B. Downs.
Co. " B '": Captain, Samuel H. B. McReynolds; First Lieutenants,
Jonas L. Buck and Cyrus Smith; Second Lieutenant, Douglas W.
Scott. Co. "K": Captain, Edward V. Grosvenor; First Lieuten-
ant, Robert Sonders. Co. "L": Captain, Robert G. Dyhren-
furth.
The regiment moved from St. Charles to Alton,
where it was employed, while awaiting its equipments, in
guarding Confederate prisoners. Soon after the arrival
of the regiment at Alton, the first and second battalions,
under Majors Hilliard and Matlack, were ordered to
Missouri, — the former to Weston, the latter to Glas-
gow. The third battalion remained at Alton, with reg-
imental headquarters, until September, 1864, when it
moved to Jefferson City, Mo., where it was joined by
Major Matlack's detachment and one squadron of
Major Hilliard's. The regiment, Colonel Beveridge
commanding, reported to General John McNeil, at Rolla,
Mo., to take part in the defense of Missouri and Kansas
against the great raid just inaugurated by General Price.
On September 27, General Ewing was attacked by two
divisions of Price's army at Pilot Knob, and after
defending the position from daylight until night, evacu-
ated Fort Davidson, not being in sufficient force to
hold the lines of retreat, and fell back toward Rolla,
Mo., intrenching himself at Harrison on the 29th, where
his command was attacked by the pursuing Confederates.
ARTILLERY.
269
To save General Ewing from capture, and check the
enemy, Colonel Beveridge moved from Rolla with the
17th and relieved the beleaguered garrison. The delay
of Price's northward march at Harrison, enabled the
military commanders in Missouri and Kansas to make
preparations for still further arresting and foiling his
movements, and much credit was due the 17th for its
share in this result, the Legislature of Missouri publicly
thanking Colonel Beveridge and his command. On
October 11, the enemy was encountered at Booneville,
and his skirmishers driven in, the cavalry then resting
in line of battle until morning. On the morning of the
1 2th, Colonel Beveridge's brigade opened the attack,
and afterward covered the backward movement of the
division, guarding the bridge over which it was obliged
to pass until the last troops were over. At the reor-
ganization for the continuation of the campaign, Major-
General Pleasanton having general command, the 1 7th,
Colonel Beveridge commanding, was in McNeil's bri-
gade. On the morning of the 19th, General Blunt,
with Kansas troops, was attacked at Lexington, and
the following day fell back to Independence, where
another engagement took place, in which the cavalry
attacked Price's rear guard, captured several pieces
of artillery, and routed the Confederates. They were
again defeated on the morning of the 25th, at the
crossing of Mine Creek, Kas., the two divisions of Mar-
maduke and Fagan forming the right and left wings,
and the whole under the personal command of General
Price. Generals Curtis and Blunt, with their com-
mands, aided by Pleasanton's troopers, swept the whole
Confederate force back to the south bank of the creek,
and again toward the Osage, with the loss of Major-
General Marmaduke and Brigadier-Generals Cabell,
Slemmon and Graham, besides a large number of regi-
mental officers, eight hundred privates and nine guns.
On the 28th, the command reached Newtonia, and then
returned to Springfield, Mo., thence to Cassville, and
then back to Rolla, which point was reached November
15, the regiment having marched, during the campaign of
forty-three days, over one thousand miles, and suffered
the loss of six hundred horses.
In the early winter of 1865, Colonel Beveridge was
brevetted brigadier-general, and placed in command of
a military district in the Department of Missouri, with
headquarters at Cape Girardeau. Lieutenant-Colonel
Dennis J. Hynes, chief of cavalry of the North Mis-
souri District, of General C. B. Fisk's staff, was relieved
and returned to the regiment, for a time being in com-
mand of a military sub-district, with headquarters at
Pilot Knob, Mo. Major Hiram Hilliard was placed in
command of the regiment, and Major L. C. Matlack
detailed, by order of General Dodge, as provost mar-
shal of the District of St. Louis. Major Philip E.
Fisher was made chief of cavalry for the District of
Rolla.
The 17th, having been re-mounted, was ordered, un-
der command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hynes, to Cape
Girardeau, Mo., in April, 1865, and in May, served as
escort to Captain J. F. Bennett, and Lieutenant-Colonel
Davis, on their embassy to Jonesboro', Ark., to arrange
terms with Jeff. Thompson for the surrender of his
forces. The negotiation was concluded at Jacksonport,
Ark., on June 5. The following month, the regiment
was ordered to Kansas, the second battalion under
Major Matlack being detached for service against the
guerrillas of Central Missouri, with headquarters at
Glasgow, Howard Co., Mo. After two months' service
the detachment moved to Kansas, where the regiment
had occupied posts along the plains through the sum-
mer, and the united command was mustered out of ser-
vice at Leavenworth in November and December, 1865.
By order of the Secretary of War, Colonel Beve-
ridge was retained in the service as president of a mili-
tary commission, and was mustered out on February
6, 1866.
Ex-Governor John L. Beveridge was born in the town of
Greenwich, Washington Co., N. Y., July 6, 1S24, a son of George
and Ann Beveridge. He was reared upon a farm ; in the winter
attending the district school, where he mastered the common
branches and obtained a taste of the higher studies. In the spring
of 1S42, when in his eighteenth year, his father's family moved to
DeKalb County, 111. During the next three years, by great persist-
ency, he managed to obtain a year and a half of solid schooling —
his academic education — at Granville (Putnam County) Academy
and at Rock River Seminary, located at Mt. Morris, Ogle County.
In the fall of 1S45 he started out to make a place for himself in the
world. His first experience was in teaching school in various coun-
ties in Tennessee. Next, he commenced to read law, and was ad-
mitted to the Bar. In the fall of 1849, through the mismanage-
ment of his associate, he lost what little he had accumulated, and
was left in debt. Two years later, having paid his creditors, he,
with his wife and two children, went back to his father's house in
DeKalb County, and soon afterward made arrangements to enter a
law office in Sycamore. In the spring of 1854, he removed t j Evans-
ton, then just planted. Dr. Judson, his father-in-law, was the
financial agent of the Northwestern University, and during Mr.
Beveridge's first year's residence in Evanston, he occupied himself
with business connected with that institution. In the spring of
1855, he opened a law office in Chicago, and continued his profes-
sion until the summer of 1861, slowly improving his condition and
laying the foundation for a successful and remunerative practice.
The war record of Governor Beveridge commences with his en-
listment, August 27, 1S61. He recruited Co. " F," Sth Illinois
Cavalry, which several of the citizens of Evanston joined, and in
September was unanimously chosen captain of the company. The
next day he was selected by the line officers as one of the
majors of the regiment. In October, the regiment was ordered to
Washington, participating afterward in all the battles fought by
the Army of the Potomac. Under General Stoneman he was in
the advance upon Richmond. Upon the retreat of the army from
the James River, his regiment was in the rear of the retreating forces,
and his battalion the extreme rear guard. The Sth Regiment was
the only cavalry force which crossed the river at Fredericksburg,
and Major Beveridge led the force at Gettysburg, Williamsport,
Boonsboro', Funkstown, Falling Waters, and between the Rappa-
hannock and Culpepper. He resigned his commission in November.
1863, for the purpose of organizing the 17th Illinois Cavalry, cf
which he was commissioned colonel in January, 1S64. He
remained in command of it until October, 1865, when he was
ordered to St. Louis to preside over a military commission for the
trial of military offenders, and was finally mustered out of service
February 6, 1866. Colonel Beveridge was brevetted brigadier-
general for gallant and meritorious conduct on March 7, 1865. On
his return to civil life he resumed the practice of his profession,
and in the summer of 1866 he was elected by the Republicans to
the office of sheriff of Cook County. He served the two years'
term, then resumed the practice of law, and in November, 1S70.
was elected State senator from the Twenty-fifth District. He
served during the winter of 1S71 and at the special sessions of
May and October. Receiving the nomination of his party for Con-
gressman-at-large, he resigned his senatorship, and was elected to
Congress in November, 1871. In November, 1S72, he was elected
lieutenant-governor, and in January, 1S73, resigned as Congress-
man to enter upon the duties of his new position. On the 10th of
January, 1873, he took the oath of office, and upon the resign ition
of General Oglesby as governor, who had been elected United
States Senator, General Beveridge became governor of the State.
ARTILLERY.
Old Battery "A," Chicago Light Artillery.
— As early as May, 1854, a company, called the Chicago
Light Artillery, was organized in the city by James
Smith, first lieutenant of Captain Swift's "Chicago Hus-
sars and Light Artillery," at the organization of that
company in 1847. The first officers of the Chicago
Light Artillery, elected May 5, 1854, were: James
Smith, captain ; Ezra Taylor, first lieutenant ; E. W.
Hadley, second lieutenant; H. S. Spears, commissary.*
•For full roster, see vol. I, page 285.
-7°
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
In the spring of 1861, Colonel Ezra Taylor, of the
Sixtieth Regiment. I. S. M., reorganized the Chicago
Light Artillery, or recruited a second company to be
attached to it — the two being thereafter known as Bat-
teries " A " and " B." On April 19, 1861, the day that
the first Union troops were fired upon in the streets of
Baltimore, Governor Yates, of Illinois, was ordered by
(y^t^^J^^^Hj
the Secretary of War to send troops to Cairo to hold
that important point. General R. K. Swift, of Chicago,
in turn, was ordered by the Governor to arm and equip
as quickly as possible, as strong a force as he could
raise, also a company of artillery, " ready to march at a
moment's warning."
In three hours after this order was received in Chi-
cago, Co. "A" was recruited to full strength — about
one hundred and thirty men — and ready to march under
the command of the following officers : Captain, Tames
Smith ; First Lieutenant, Charles M. Willard; Second
Lieutenant, Francis M. Morgan ; Third Lieutenant,
John R. Botsford.
At ii o'clock on the 21st, forty-eight hours after re-
ceiving the dispatch, General Swift left Chicago with a
force of four hundred and forty-six infantry (Chicago
Zouaves, and Chicago companies of Captains Harding,
Kowald and Mihalotzy , Co. "A," Chicago Light Artil-
lery— four six-pounder guns and one hundred and thirty
men. The battery was unprovided with shell or canis-
ter, but well provided with slugs, which it was able to
use with good effect. On arriving at Big Muddy Bridge,
on the Illinois Central Railroad, about 4 o'clock on the
afternoon of the 22d, one section of the battery, under
Lieutenant Willard, was detached and, with Captain
Harding's Zouave company, was left to guard the bridge
and vicinity. The remainder of the battery proceeded
to Cairo, where its services were called into requisition
on the 24th, to prevent traffic in contraband property
between St. Louis and the rebellious States below Cairo.
On the morning of the 24th, the steamers "C. E. Hill-
man " and " John D. Perry " left St. Louis, laden with
arm-, and munitions for southern secessionists. Colonel
B. M. Prentiss, who arrived at Cairo and took command
of the forces there the same morning, was ordered by
the Governor to stop these boats at Cairo and seize all
goods that were contraband of war. He delegated the
duty to Captain Smith, of the battery, and to Captain
Joseph R. Scott, of the Chicago Zouaves, and these two
young officers, with their companies, gladly performed
it, boarding the vessels when they neared Cairo and
confiscating large quantities of arms and ammunition.
This act was approved by the War Department, and
further shipments to ports hostile to the government
were forbidden.
Battery " A " was mustered into United States ser-
vice for three months, at Cairo, under a special act of
the State Legislature, passed May 2, and during that
term of service remained at Camp Smith, on the Mis-
»i River, about three miles above Cairo, where the
company was thoroughly drilled, and won an enviable
reputation for discipline and soldierly conduct. The
surroundings at Cairo were uncomfortable at best. One
of the company dismally writes that they " not only live
through the day in mud and water, but sleep in it."
Cairo proper, where Camp Defiance was located, is de-
scribed, May 22, 1861, as a
11 Narrow peninsula or long point, sunken ten to twenty feet
below the level of the rivers which meet at this point, and only pre-
served from inundation by a narrow wall, or levee, of mud. Along
the inner bank of the levee, from the point at the junction of the
two rivers (Mississippi and Ohio), and extending back a half-mile
or more on the Mississippi shore, near Camp Defiance, are the
principal barracks for the infantry and artillery. The camp of the
Chicago Dragoons was up the river, from the point about two miles.
Another mile up was Camp Smith, and that of the Lincoln Rifles
close beside it. Here, several acres were cleared for drill ground,
and the men were well employed, and consequently enjoyed better
health than some of the companies nearer the point."
Captain Smith, being obliged to resign the command
of the battery on account of ill-health, was succeeded
by First Lieutenant Charles M. Willard, under whom it
was reorganized and mustered into United States ser-
vice for three years, July 16, 1861. Following is the
original roster :
Captain, Charles M. Willard, promoted major ; Senior First
Lieutenant, Francis Morgan, promoted captain; Junior First Lieu-
tenant, Peter,P. Wood, promoted captain; Senior Second Lieuten-
ant, Edgar P. Tobey; Junior Second Lieutenant, John W. Rum-
sey, promoted senior first lieutenant.
On September 5, the battery left Cairo, with General
Grant's forces, for Paducah, where it arrived on the
morning of the 6th, and took possession of the place
without firing a shot, the Confederate troops leaving by
railroad as Grant entered the town. The battery
remained at Paducah, with the forces under General C.
F. Smith, until in February, 1862. It was supplied by
General Fremont with two additional pieces, at General
Grant's request. It then moved to Fort Henry, forming
a part of the expedition under Grant and Foote for the
reduction of that fort. After the surrender of the fort,
it occupied Fort Heiman, on the opposite side of the
Tennessee, until February 13, when it moved, under
command of Lieutenant P. T. Wood, with Grant's
forces, toward Fort Donelson, before which stronghold
it arrived on the 15th.
On the 16th, the battery, still attached to General
Lew Wallace's division, was by him ordered to take
position between the retiring forces of General McCler-
nand and the enemy, pressing fast upon their rear, and
hold the road against the advance of the Confederates.
The regiments of Thayer's brigade were posted in the
woods to the right and left. Scarcely had Lieutenant
Wood placed his guns in position, when the rebels
charged straight up the road and through the woods on
either side — Battery "A " and the 1st Nebraska, on its
right, being the principal points of attack. As to the
manner in which this charge was repelled, General Lew
Wallace says : " They met this storm, no man flinching,
and their fire was terrible. To say they did well, is not
enough — their conduct was splendid. They alone re-
pelled the charge." Colonel Thayer, in his report of
the battle, also gives the entire credit of driving back
the enemy, and saving the retreating forces of McCler-
nand, to Battery " A," the 1st Nebraska Volunteers, and
to one company of Illinois Volunteers on the left of the
battery. This was the last attack of the Confederates
upon the Union line.
Honorable mention of the services of the battery at
Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862, is made in the report of Major
Ezra Taylor, chief of artillery on Sherman's staff. In
the fight on Sunday, the battery was so disabled as to be
able to work but- three guns, although it lost none.
One-third of its members and one-half of its horses
were disabled.
After the battle of Shiloh, Battery " A " was for a
time in the reserve corps of General McClernand, and
ARTILLERY.
271
was then, with General Wallace, sent across the country
to Memphis, where it became permanently attached to
the command of General W. T. Sherman, being assigned
to his Second Division, commanded by General Morgan
L. Smith. With the Fifteenth Corps, it took part in the
battle at Chickasaw Bayou, December 27-28, 1862, and
rendered effective service in the capture of the enemy's
works at Arkansas Post, January 11, 1863. It accom-
panied Sherman in his feint on Haines's Bluff, April 30,
and joined the Fifteenth Corps, at Bridgeport, on the Big
Black, south of Vicksburg, on May 16. It then, on the
18th, was placed in position on a hill back of the city
of Vicksburg, whence it kept up a destructive fire dur-
ing the siege. While at Vicksburg, Battery " A "
received, by order of General Sherman, a new armament
of five Napoleons — twelve-pounder brass pieces — and a
ten-pounder Parrott. Up to this time they had been
using the old guns they had carried from Chicago to
Cairo, in April, 1861, and fifty-eight of the men who
then left the city with Captain Smith, were still con-
nected with the battery, under command of Captain
Peter P. Wood.
On July 5, the battery moved to Jackson, Miss., and,
after the capture of that place, returned again to the
Big Black, about twenty miles east of Vicksburg, where
it remained encamped until, in September, Sherman's
Corps was ordered to reinforce the Army of the Cum-
berland, at Chattanooga. On November 23, the bat-
tery, with the division to which it was attached, moved
rapidly to, and took position at, the northern extremity
of Missionary Ridge, near Tunnel Hill, where it sup-
ported the assaulting column of General M. L. Smith.
The battery then joined in the pursuit of Bragg's
army, returned to Chattanooga, marched thence to
Larkensville, Ala., and returned to the vicinity of Chat-
tanooga, in May, 1864.
On May 7, Captain Wood was obliged to leave the
field on account of severe illness, the battery then being
in the vicinity of Rocky Face Ridge, and Lieutenant
John W. Rumsey took command. In the engagement
of May 13, before Resaca, Lieutenant Rumsey was
severely wounded by a shell. He was a brave and intel-
ligent officer, highly esteemed by men and officers, and
the loss of his services at the opening of the campaign
was greatly regretted. The battery participated in the
engagements at Dallas and Kenesaw Mountain, and, on
July 12, 1864, its veteran members were consolidated
with the veterans of Battery " B," under the designation
Battery "A," First Illinois Light Artillery. The con-
solidated battery was commanded temporarily by Cap-
tain Samuel S. Smith, formerly lieutenant of Battery
"F," First Illinois Light Artillery. Captain Smith was
taken prisoner in front of Atlanta, and Senior First
Lieutenant Robb was killed. E. P. Wilcox, of Battery
" B," was appointed senior first lieutenant ; Harrison
Roberts, of Battery "A," junior first lieutenant, and
Enoch Colby and James B. Dutch, second lieu-
tenants. Lieutenant Wilcox was subsequently promoted
captain, and Spencer S. Kimball appointed junior first
lieutenant. When the army was reorganized at Atlanta,
the battery was assigned to the command of General
Thomas, and participated in the battles before Nash-
ville, in December, 1864, those being its last engage-
ments. Itarrived in Chicago July 2, 1865, when it was
mustered out and received final pay and discharge.
Old Battery " B," Chicago Light Artillery.
— Early in the spring of 1 861, the Chicago Light Artil-
lery, then consisting of one company, organized in
1854, by Captain James Smith, and commanded by him
until i860, was under the command of Captain Ezra
Taylor, who had resigned the colonelcy of the 60th
Regiment, I. S. M., to accept the position. Fifty men
were on the rolls of the company ; its equipments were
four brass six-pounders, caissons and harness complete,
and its drill room was on the lower floor of the old
armory, on Adams street.
The officers of the company were
Ezra Taylor, commander; Cyrus P. Bradley, first lieutenant;
Darius Knights, second lieutenant; Charles M. Willard, third
lieutenant; J. K. Botsford, first sergeant; E. D. Osband, second
sergeant; Edgar P. Tobey, third sergeant; E. Mendson, fourth
sergeant.
Immediately upon the call for troops, in April, the
Light Artillery was reorganized by Captain Taylor.
Co. " A " left for Cairo, under Captain Smith. Co. " B "
was organized, offered to the Governor, accepted under
the provisions of the "Ten Regiment Bill," — passed
May 2, — and was mustered into service under the fol-
lowing officers :
Captain, Ezra Taylor; Senior First Lieutenant, Samuel E.
Barrett; Junior First Lieutenant, Levi W. Hart; Senior Second
Lieutenant, Patrick H. White. Each of the above commanded a
section of pieces. Junior Second Lieutenant, Israel P. Rumsey,
was chief of line of caissons.
Non-Commissioned Officers. — Orderly Sergeant, Charles W.
Everett; Quartermaster-Sergeant, Theodore P. Roberts; Chiefs-of-
Pieces, with rank of Sergeant, John G. Loy, D. F. Chase, H. F.
Towner, J. H. Moore, G. L. Purington, S. C. P. Bogue ; Gun-
ners, with rank of Corporals, Abraham Heartt, C. H. Root, G. S.
Blout. F. Wright, W. H. Prince, J. F. Whittle, William J. Mc-
Coy; Chiefs-of-Caissons, F. Whitfield, J. A. Moore, G. P. Clarke,
J. C. McGrath, J. B. Easson, Thomas George.
The armament consisted of four six-pounder field-
pieces, and two twelve-pounder howitzers ; while the
side arms were Colt's revolvers, caliber 45, and sabres.
The battery remained in Chicago, until June 1,
when it proceeded to Cairo, and was there joined by
Captain Taylor, who had been absent in St. Louis pro-
curing arms for the artillery organizations of the State.
In July, Battery "B " crossed the Mississippi River to
Bird's Point, Mo., whence one section, under Lieuten-
ant White, proceeded to Fredericktown, and took part
in the engagement at that point, on October 21st.
At the battle of Belmont, Mo., November 7, 1861,
the battery, under the personal command of Captain
Taylor, did good service, it being the only artillery with
Grant in that, his first, engagement. A member of
the battery, — presumably young DeWolf, of Chicago,
from the signature, — writes to the Chicago Tribune in
regard to the section under Lieutenant White, which
received the highest commendation from superior offi-
cers for bravery and efficiency :
" The trees were so thick, and underbrush so matted, that a
path had to be cut through to allow' the guns to pass, and only the
heavy firing showed the men in which direction to move. Around
the little village of Belmont was a ' clearing.' In the woods, at its
edge, the enemy had posted a masked battery, which opened on
the section of Taylor's Battery under Lieutenant White, when
within three hundred yards. After about an hour's heavy firing,
the enemy withdrew their battery to a position further back, and
Lieutenant White advanced his pieces to the place it had occupied.
At this time, George White, of Chicago, was wounded, from the
heated piece discharging its contents while he was ramming down
the cartridge. * * After about fifteen minutes firing, the rebel
battery was again forced back, this time taking their guns to the river
bank, where they abandoned them, and took refuge on the steamer
which lay in the river, ready to take them to Columbus. Lieuten-
ant White then advanced his battery to the top of a little knoll,
which commanded the enemy's camp, and after shelling it for a
time, the camp was abandoned, and the whole force fled to the
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
steamers. The battery was next ordered to advance to the bank
of the river, and open upon the boats, which were crossing the
river below with reinforcements from Columbus. By this time
the men were nearly exhausted, and there were only four men able
to do duty at working the gun. Sergeant D. F. Chase dismounted
from his pad, and took the place of McCoy, the gunner, who was
completely exhausted. While here, the men were exposed to a fire
from the rebel sharpshooters, until the tents in which they were
concealed were discovered and destroyed. Both canister and shell
were used up. and several of the horses were shot. Sergeant
Chase had his arm wounded, so that he was unable to do duty,
and of the three remaining gunners, one loaded, while the other
sighted and fired. The last position occupied was exposed to the
fire of the artillery across the river in Columbus, but it did little
damage. The order being given to return to the boats, the battery
was taken off the field in good order, having captured two guns
and enough horses to more than replace those that were shot."
Charles W. Everett, orderly sergeant of the battery,
was mortally wounded in this engagement. He enlisted
from the office of the Illinois Central Land Depart-
ment, giving up a lucrative position to join the com-
pany. His remains were brought to Chicago for burial.
Five of the battery were wounded, among whom was
William DeWolf, of Chicago.
In the advance on Fort Henry, Taylor's battery was
attached to Colonel \V. H. L. Wallace's brigade, Mc-
Clernand's division, and entered the fort on February 6.
On the afternoon of the nth, Taylor's battery, with
the same brigade and division, moved from Fort Henry
on the telegraph, or direct, road to Fort Donelson. At
night, the battery, with the Second Brigade, took posi-
tion on a hill to the west of the enemy's works, where
it rested until morning. Taylor's battery, at this time,
consisted of one hundred and twenty men, four six-
pounder field-guns, two twelve-pounder howitzers, and
ninety-two horses, with one thousand seven hundred
and thirty rounds of fixed ammunition.
Its guns were first brought into action Thursday
morning, February 13, opposite the strong redoubt in
the center of the rebel works, and at a distance of eight
hundred yards. It afterward moved on the road lead-
ing to Dover, taking successive positions as it moved
forward, until, at about 12 o'clock, the right and left
sections took up a position within two hundred yards
of the enemy's left wing, under a most galling fire of
rifles and musketry from the Confederate intrenchments.
There, Private Beckers, of Chicago, was killed by a
sharpshooter.
Oscar E. Beckers was the only Chicago man killed at Fort
Donelson. He was a native of Aix-la-Chapelle, Rhenish Prussia,
who came to America in 1854, and settled in Chicago as a worker
in marble. After a residence of a few years, he moved to New
Orleans and thence to Arkansas. He was obliged to leave Arkan-
sas at the breaking out of the war, on account of his avowed and
outspoken Union sentiments, and returned to Chicago and enlisted
in Taylor's battery, serving with it from its organization until his
death at Fort Donelson. His last words were: "Go back, boys,
and man the guns; I die for Liberty !"
The battery maintained its position, and, after half
an hour, succeeded in silencing the opposing batteries.
The brigade commander commended both the officers
and men of these sections, in his report, for their cool-
ness and daring. On Saturday morning, it became en-
gaged, the enemy opening fire from six batteries, and
charging, with heavy masses of infantry, upon the 17th
ois, which was supporting the batteries. Colonel J.
D. Webster related an incident of the Saturday's strug-
gle. A desperate charge was made on one of the guns
of the battery served by Lieutenant Levi W. Hart, of
Chicago, and the boys being surrounded by the Con-
federates, and their horses in the rear, they dragged the
piece off by means of a rope, and cut their way
through the enemy. Another member of the battery
walked a mile to the hospital to have a ball extracted
from his leg, begging the privilege of returning to his
piece after the operation.
. The right wing of Wallace's brigade being driven
back later in the day, the battery, in compliance with
orders, retired to the top of the next hill, where two
pieces only were brought into action, the ammunition
being nearly exhausted. This was the last position
taken, the enemy being soon in full retreat.
The brigade commander says of the battery and its
commander, in his report of the battle :
"The conduct of Captain Ezra Taylor, commanding Light
Battery " B," during the whole series of engagements, was such as
to distinguish him as a daring, yet cool and sagacious officer.
Pushing his guns into positions that were swept by the enemy's
shot, he, in person, directed the posting of his sections, and in
many instances himself sighted the guns. Such conduct found its
natural reflection in the perfect order and bravery that characterized
his entire command. His battery of six pieces fired seventeen
hundred rounds of ammunition during the engagement, being an
average of about two hundred and eighty-four rounds to the gun.''
Captain Taylor's whole loss in killed and wounded
was as follows :
Killed, Private Oscar E. Beckers. Wounded severely, Sergeant
James F. Whittle; Corporal B. Franklin Lilly; Privates Tyler A.
Mason and Charles H. Meacham. Slightly wounded. Corporal
William H. Prince; Privates William W. Lowrie, F'rancis N.
Marion and Charles W. Pierce.
On April 1, 1862, Captain Taylor was promoted
senior major of the 1st Illinois Light Artillery, and the
command of Battery " B " devolved upon Captain
Samuel E. Barrett. On April 4, Major Taylor was ap-
pointed chief of artillery in General Sherman's division,
with orders to report to that commander at Shiloh.
Battery " B " participated in the battles of the 6th and
7th of April. The following account, condensed from
Major Taylor's report, gives the detail of its move-
ments :
By instructions from the General commanding the
division, Battery " B," commanded by Captain Barrett,
was posted on the morning of Sunday, April 6, on the
rising ground in front of Shiloh Church, on the road to
Corinth. To the left of the battery was Hildebrand's
Ohio brigade, which, with the battery of Captain Water-
house, and the 4th Illinois Cavalry, formed the left of
Sherman's division, the 77th Ohio being next to Tay-
lor's old battery, the 53d Ohio forming the extreme left.
The left of the division was first attacked by a large
force of the enemy under General Hindman, and driven
back. They then appeared directly in front of the
position occupied by Waterhouse's battery <vwhich was
now supported by three Illinois regiments, sent forward
by General McClernand), throwing, at the same time
large masses of troops into the woods at his (Water-
house's) left, whence the 53d Ohio had been driven
back. In the meantime, the brigade of General Ander-
son, with Hodgson's battery, had attacked the position
held by the 77th and the 57th Ohio regiments and Tay-
lor's battery. The rebel battery was posted on the high
ground across Oak Creek, and the infantry, descending
into the miry, tangled ravine, charged up the opposite
slope, only to be repeatedly repulsed and to renew the
assault, the Ohio troops, supported by the battery, main-
taining their ground three hours against four times their
number. Major Taylor, in his report, says of the battle
at this point:
" I went to the position occupied by Taylor's battery, Captain
Barrett commanding, and ordered him to open fire with shell;
which was done promptly, causing the enemy to take shelter in the
timber, under cover of which he advanced to within one hundred
and fifty yards of their guns, when they opened a tremendous fire
of musketry, accompanied with terrific yells, showing their evident
intent to intimidate our men. The only effect it had was to cause
ARTILLERY,
273
them promptly to obey tlie order given by me, to move their guns
by hand to the point, and pour in a shower of canister, causing
both the yelling and the firing of the enemy to cease for a time. In
the meantime, the enemy was pushing our forces on the left of both
the batteries — Waterhouse's and Taylor's. Seeing Waterhouse's
battery limbering to the rear, and fearing the result of a hasty re-
treat, I hastened to their position, and finding them resting, I at
once ordered them to unlimber, and contest every foot of ground,
while I sent a messenger to find another battery to come to their
assistance. My order was promptly obeyed, and they were soon
throwing canister among the enemy. But their bravery alone could
not drive back the masses, who now swarmed on their left, pushing
back the infantry on the left, and opening a flank fire of musketry
from a battery they had succeeded in planting in the timber. They
were compelled to retire under a galling fire, leaving their guns and
entire camp and garrison equipage on the field. * * * Some
time after this battery had retired, and the infantry support on the
left of Taylor's battery had fallen back, and the enemy had planted
his flag on the ground occupied by Waterhouse's battery, I deemed
it prudent to order Captain Barrett to limber to the rear, and retire
in good order to a new position, which was accomplished without
confusion, but owing to a number of his horses being shot, he was
obliged to leave two of his caissons on the field, one of which he
has recovered. "
Major Taylor then instructed Captain Barrett to
take up a new position near the left of the First Brigade
in the First Division (General McClernand's); which he
did, moving his battery back by the Corinth road, and
acting with that division, in connection with Sherman's,
through the remainder of the engagement. The losses
in the battery were two killed and eight wounded.
With the 70th and 72d Ohio, under General Denver,
it participated in the attack on the Confederates at the
" Russell House," on the route to Corinth, and after that
engagement was attached to Morgan L.Smith's brigade,
with which it entered the first redoubt of the Confeder-
ates before that city, May 30. When the pursuit of
Beauregard's forces was ended, it moved to Memphis,
and after the failure of Grant's Mississippi expedition,
left that point, with Smith's division, to take part in
Sherman's attack on the defenses north of Vicksburg,
at Chickasaw Bayou, in December, 1862. After the
failure of that attempt, it moved with Sherman's corps
to Fort Hindman, or Arkansas Post, and dragging the
battery through the almost impassable swamps on the
shore of the Arkansas River, participated in the assault
on the Post on January 9, 1863.
General Smith receiving a severe wound at Chicka-
saw Bayou, the division to which the battery was at-
tached was commanded temporarily by General David
Stuart. After the return from Arkansas Post, it was as-
signed to Blair's division, Captain Samuel Barrett being
promoted chief of artillery on General Blair's staff, and
Israel P. Rumsey promoted captain of Battery " B."
Under him the battery, with Blair's division, took part
in the feint on Haines's Bluff, north of Vicksburg, April
30, and on May 16, joined the balance of Sherman's
corps on the Big Black. Crossing the river at Bridge-
port, after dislodging the enemy from the opposite bank,
it moved to the north and east of Vicksburg, and was
placed in position on one of the hills in rear of the city,
whence its guns fired the first shots at the enemy's
works. After the assaults of the 19th and 2 2d of May,
it was in the front, at the left of the division, protecting
the sappers and miners of Giles A. Smith's and General
Ransom's brigades, in their approaches to the fortifica-
tions, its position being in front of the central fort,
known as Fort Hill, which stood on the brow of a hill,
thirty feet above the approach below. While in the rear
of Vicksburg, Henry Henrotin, son of Dr. Henrotin,
who was then Belgian Consul at Chicago, a young man
only twenty-two, who enlisted at the organization of the
battery and fought at Belmont, Donelson, Shiloh and
iS
Arkansas Post, was killed. Douglas K. Newell was
also killed at Vicksburg, on May 20.
The battery accompanied General Blair's expedition
to Mechanicsburg and Richmond, La., and was posted,
on its return, on the west bank of the Mississippi, op-
posite Vicksburg, where it was exposed to a terrible fire
from the enemy's water batteries. After the surrender
of the city, it was sent to Lake Providence, and subse-
quently joined Sherman at his camp on the Big Black,
east of Vicksburg, where it remained until the Fifteenth
Corps was ordered to Chattanooga to reinforce the
Army of the Cumberland. It took part in Sherman's
attack on the northern point of Missionary Ridge, No-
vember 24; in the pursuit of Bragg's army; and in the
expedition to Knoxville for the relief of Burnside's be-
leaguered forces. Returning to Chattanooga, it moved
to Larkinsville, Term., and went into winter quarters.
There, on January 1, 1864, the men received a new
battery of Napoleon guns, ordered at Vicksburg, and in
May, 1864, joined Logan's corps, Army of the Tennes-
see, for the Atlanta campaign.
Captain I. P. Rumsey served as chief of artillery,
Second Division, during the campaign. The battery
took part in the engagements before Resaca May 14-
15, 1864, and in those before Dallas and at Kenesaw
Mountain in June. In July, it participated in its last
engagement at Nickajack Creek, driving a battery of
four guns from the rebel works with two guns posted in
the open field.
On the 1 2th, it was ordered back to Springfield, III.,
that the men whose term had expired might be mustered
out of service; those enlisting in 1862 being consoli-
dated with the same class from Battery " A," First
Illinois Artillery, q. v. The roster of the battery was :
Captain, Samuel S. Smith ; First Lieutenant, Edward
P. Wilcox ; Second Lieutenant, Enoch Colby.
The casualties of the battery were: One officer died
of disease; seven men killed or died of wounds; thirteen
men died of disease; twenty-one discharged for disa-
bility, eight for wounds, twenty-three for promotion.
Following are the names, with places of death, of
those of Batteries " A " and " B " who were buried at
Rosehill, Chicago, January 7, 1866, on the occasion of
the military funeral of soldiers of Batteries " A " and
" B " and the Board-of-Trade Battery. Most of them
were killed, or had died, after the consolidation of the
batteries :
Battery " A." — Killed at Atlanta, July 22, 1864, John Earl.
Battery " B." — Died at Vicksburg, 1864, Benjamin B. Warner,
Jacob Dielman ; killed at Atlanta, July 20, Samuel Haddock ; at
Vicksburg, May 22, 1863, Frederick Thompson; died at Millgrove,
Ga., July 5, 1864, First Lieutenant Timothy M. Blaisdell; at Love-
joy'sStation, Tenn., Jane 25, 1864, Charles L. Harrington; at Mem-
phis, May 23, 1S64, Ora McBride; at Vicksburg, April 21, 1864,
John Mustard. Besides those mentioned, John Chalmers, Alexan-
der Beidelman and John Stranberg were killed at Atlanta, July 22,
1S64; George A. Kingsley died at Cairo, February 21, 1862; Fred-
erick Johnson at Memphis, December 26, 1862; Charles Kinsman
at Iuka, October 28, 1S63.
Those who were killed at Atlanta were buried in
one grave, north of the city, by members of the Board-
of-Trade Battery. In the latter part of 1865, Taylor's
Battery Association elected Major Barrett, Captain
Wilcox and H. W. Dudley a committee to proceed to
Atlanta and recover the bodies of their comrades from
a southern grave. The bodies were brought to Chicago,
and re-buried, January 7, 1866, with military honors, at
Rosehill.
The following were the promotions in the battery:
Captain F./.ra Taylor was promoted to major of First Illinois
Artillery ; to colonel ; to chief of artillery of the Department of
'74
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
the Tennessee: and to brevet brigadier-general. Samuel E. Bar-
rett was made captain, then major and chief of artillery, Second
Division. Levi \V. Hart was ' made captain of Battery "H"
. and P. H. White was made captain of the
Chicago Mercantile Battery. I. P. Rumsey was promoted to the
captaincy of Battery " B," and was chief of artillery of the Second
Division, during the Atlanta campaign.
LIEUTENANT William D'WOLF, son of Hon. William F.
D'Wolf of Chicago, enlisted in May. 1S61, in Co. " B," 1st Regi-
ment Illinois Light Artillery, and was wounded in the battle at
Bird's Point on November 7, the section of the battery to which
he was attached capturing two guns, and receiving the commenda-
tion of Captain Taylor for bravery and efficiency. He was again
engaged at Fort Donelson, and after serving with his battery for
nearly a year, was promoted to a lieutenancy in the regular army
" for gallant and meritorious conduct," General McClellan, by let-
ter to'the Secretarv of War, personally requesting his appointment
as one eminently proper to be made. On the 4th of April, 1862,
he joined his regiment — the 3d Regiment of Artillery, Captain,
afterward Genera], Gibson commanding, and, accompanying the
Armv of the Potomac to the Peninsula, was thrown into the battle
of Williamsburg on the 4th of May. where his bravery and enthu-
siasm won the admiration, not only of his own superior officers,
but of the disinterested observers. First wounded by a shell which
killed his horse, he seized and mounted another, going forward
with his guns to the front. Again wounded and disabled in both
iegs, he refused to leave the field until the battery was withdrawn.
After the battle was over, he was conveyed to Fortress Monroe,
and thence to Washington, D. C, where, in the home of the patri-
otic representative from the Chicago District, the late Isaac N.
Arnold, he received the kindest and most tender care, but gradually
failed, and. on the 2d of June, with his mother by his side, the
brave and talented young man, breathed his last. The funeral of
young D'Wolf took place at St. James Church, Chicago, a touch-
ing sermon being preached on the occasion by the late Rev. Dr.
Clarkson.
Battery " B," First Illinois Light Artillery.
(Bridges 's Battery.) — This well known and popular
Chicago military organization was originally recruited
and mustered into United States service at Camp Doug-
las, Chicago, as Co. "G," 19th Illinois Infantry, under
the following officers : Captain, Charles D. C. Williams;
First Lieutenant, Lvman Bridges; Second Lieutenant,
Charles R. Roland.'
Under these officers the company participated, with
its regiment, in the Missouri campaign under Fremont,
being stationed at Palmyra, Ironton, Frederickton, Jack-
son, Cape Girardeau, Bird's Point and Norfolk. In
the accident near Huron, Ind., September 17,* of the
twenty-seven persons killed, four belonged to Co. " G."
In October, Captain Williams having been transferred.
to the L'nited Stated marine service, First Lieutenant
Bridges was appointed captain, William Bishop first
lieutenant, and Morris D. Temple second lieutenant.
L'nder these officers, the company participated in
Mitchel's campaign of 1862. At Winchester, Term.,
in June, 1862, Co. " G" was assigned to duty as provost
guard and Captain Bridges as provost marshal of the
place. In July, the command returned, via Bridgeport,
itsville, Ala., and was assigned to guard the rail-
road bridge at Mill Creek, where it remained until, upon
- invasion of Kentucky, Buell's army was hurried
north, when the 19th Regiment was sent to Nashville as
a part of the garrison, General Negley commanding
the post.
On arriving at Nashville, Captain Bridges was
ordered by General Negley to in up a light ; battery
from captured guns then in the Ordnance Department
at that post, man it with his company, and place it in
•Scerliit'/T)- : f.mtry.
position near the city hospital, as part of the defense
of the city. Captain Bridges was assigned to duty as
assistant engineer to Captain James St. Clair Morton,
Engineer Corps U. S. A., and under him assisted in
placing in position the heavy ordnance for the defense
of the city. On November 13, 1862, by order of Gen-
eral Rosecrans, Co. " G " was detached from the regi-
ment for duty as an artillery company, and sent to Gal-
latin with eleven hundred prisoners, to construct Fort
Thomas, upon the completion of which the battery was
assigned to, and remained at, the post until Decem-
ber 20.
It was then ordered to turn over its guns to an Indi-
ana battery which had lost its own in an engagement at
Hortonville, a short time before, and to re-join the 19th
Illinois Infantry, which it did on the battle-field of Stone
River, on the night of January 2, 1863. With its old
regiment, the company went into camp at Murfreesboro',
after the close of the engagement, and on January 14,
1863, by order of the War Department, was permanently
transferred from the 19th Illinois Infantry to a battery
of light artillery of six guns — an entire new equipment
being secured at Nashville during the month — and the
battery was assigned to the Pioneer Brigade, Department
of the Cumberland. Sergeants Lyman A. White and
Franklin Seborn were promoted lieutenants, and the
battery, with Rosecrans's army, marched, in June, on
the Tullahoma campaign. On August 1, the batten-
was transferred to the First Brigade, Second Division,
Fourteenth Army Corps — General Negley commanding
the division, General Thomas the corps, — with which
command it descended the Cumberland Mountains,
crossed the Tennessee at Culverton's Ferry, on Sep-
tember 2, and encamped at the foot of Sand Mountain,
in Lookout Valley, on the 4th. On the 8th and 9th, it
crossed Lookout Mountain and moved forward to Dug
Gap, where the enemy had thrown a large force, to hold
the pass and secure their position at LaFayette. After
a skirmish at this point, the command fell back to Ste-
vens's Gap, and, on the 19th, took position on the west
side of Chickamauga road, with the Second Division,
on the right of Thomas's line at Owen's Ford.
On the 20th, the division was moved to the left to
the support of Thomas, and during that day the battery-
was constantly engaged, losing twenty-six men — six
killed, sixteen wounded, and four captured. Second
Lieutenant William Bishop was killed at his guns,
repulsing a charge on them by the enemy.
On the retirement of the army to Chattanooga, the
battery was placed in position at Fort Negley, near the
Rossville pike, remaining in this position until the re-
organization of the Army of the Cumberland, when it
was assigned, October 12, 1863, to the Third Division
(General T. J. Wood), Fourth Army Corps (General
Gordon Granger), and placed in position at Fort Wood,
which was situated on an eminence about half a mile
out of Chattanooga, in a southeasterly direction. From
this position, the battery exchanged occasional shots
with the artillery on the ridge, until the 23d of Novem-
ber, when the enemy was driven by the Fourth Corps
from a line of advanced rifle-pits, extending north and
south from Orchard Knob, a steep, craggy knoll, strongly
fortified, and about midway between Fort Wood and
Mission Ridge. Bridges's battery was advanced to, and
placed in position on, the Knob, which became the
headquarters of the commanding generals. On the 25th,
the battery, by order of General Grant, fired the signal
of six guns for the attack on Mission Ridge, retaining
its position on the Knob, and supporting our troops in
the assault until the victory was won. With the Fourth
ARTILLERY.
275
Corps, it marched to Knoxville to Burnside's relief, and
remained through the severe campaign of the winter
among the mountains of Eastern Tennessee, re-joining
the corps at Cleveland in April, 1S64.
On May 2, with Wood's division of the Fourth Corps,
then commanded by Major-General O. O. Howard, it
joined Sherman's grand army at Catoosa Springs, for
the advance toward Atlanta. On May 7, Wood's divis-
ion occupied Tunnel Hill, and the following day the
battery was engaged in the demonstration against
Rocky Face Ridge, Johnston's impregnable position
covering Dalton. The battery, with the division, re-
mained in front of the ridge until the 12th, when, the
position of the enemy having been turned by McPher-
son's command, the enemy evacuated Buzzard's Roost
Pass through Rocky Face, and the battery, on the 13th,
entered Dalton. It marched to Resaca the following
day, and was in reserve before that place on the 14th
and 15th. In the pursuit of Johnston's forces, the
division reached Adairsville on the 17th, where the bat-
tery was brought into action, and a strong force of the
enemy driven from the eastern side of Othkaluga Creek,
where they occupied a strongly fortified position.
South of Kingston, and near Cassville, the enemy was
again encountered, and forced to evacuate intrenched
positions, the works at Cassville being abandoned on
the night of the 19th.
The command rested in camp near Cassville until
the 22d of May, preparing for a further advance ; and
while there Captain Bridges was appointed chief of ar-
tillery of the Fourth Corps, his battery being placed
under the command of Lieutenant Morris D. Temple.
On the 23d, it crossed the Etowah, and traversing the Al-
latoona Range, reached Johnston's intrenched position
at New Hope Church on the 26th, where it remained
until June 6, occasionally engaged with the opposing
batteries, losing one man killed and several wounded.
On June 6, the battery, with its division, moved
eastward to the neighborhood of Mount Morris Church,
near Ackworth, Ga., where it remained in camp until
the 10th. While there, Lieutenant Morris D. Temple
commanding, and Lieutenant William R. Bise, with all
the non-veterans, were mustered out of service and left
for Chicago. The command of the battery devolved
on First Lieutenant Lyman A. White. Second Lieu-
tenant Franklin Seborn was promoted first lieutenant,
and Sergeants Clark E. Dodge and Lawman C. Law-
rence received commissions as second lieutenants.
Under these officers, the battery was engaged before
Pine Mountain from June 10 to 14, when the enemy
retreated to an intrenched line at Black Jack Hills, half
a mile further south. The battery was advanced in
front of this position and remained there until the 19th,
when the enemy swung back to Kenesaw Mountain.
From Sunday, June 19, to July 2, the artillery was en-
gaged at frequent intervals, Lieutenant Franklin
Seborn being mortally wounded while at his post work-
ing his guns.
With Wood's division, the battery participated in
the movements and engagements prior to the battle at
Peach Tree Creek, where it took position upon a knob
one-half mile in advance of the line of battle, and, sup-
ported by two regiments of infantry, resisted the move-
ment of a body of troops marching to attack the right.
On July 22, it was placed in position before the main
line of works northeast of Atlanta. There, works were
constructed for the guns, and, after obtaining exact
range, the battery opened and kept up constant fire
upon the city and fortifications. On July 30, the artil-
lery was consolidated into a corps organization, Captain
Bridges commanding the artillery brigade of the
Fourth Corps. Bridges's battery, as part of the- brigade
marched, August 25, to Proctor's Creek and Mt. Gilead
Church, from which points it moved with Wood's divis-
ion to Rough and Ready, Jonesboro' and Lovejoy's
Station, where, after skirmishing three days, the cam-
paign was ended.
On September 4, with the artillery brigade, it started
for Atlanta, which it reached on the 7th, and, with the
command, went into camp. It again moved in Octo-
ber, with the Fourth Corps, to Chattanooga, Tenn., and
thence to Huntsville and Athens, Ala., in pursuit of
Hood. The battery participated in the engagements
at Columbia, Spring Hill and Franklin, November 28-
30, being warmly engaged at the two latter places. It
then marched with the artillery brigade to Nashville,
and took part in the battle there, on December 15-16.
On December 21, 1864, the battery was transferred
to 1st Regiment Illinois Light Artillery, as Co. "B";
Captain Bridges was promoted major of the regiment;
the battery being officered as follows, on January 1,
1865: Captain, Lyman A. White ; First Lieutenant,
Clark E. Dodge; Junior First Lieutenant, Lawman
C. Lawrence ; Second Lieutenant, Alphonso W. Potter ;
Junior Second Lieutenant, William Peterson; First
Sergeant, John Bartholomew ; Quartermaster, William
H. Clark.
Bridges's battery left Nashville June 24, arriving at
Chicago in the early morning of June 27, 1865, and
marched directly to Camp Douglas. The following
day, a formal welcome was tendered it in Floral Hall of
the Sanitary Fair building, Cyrus Bentley making the
welcoming speech, after a few brief but cordial words
from W. W. Boyington, Esq., president of the Bridges's
Battery Association. At the close of the reception, the
battery was tendered a banquet by the association, at
which Mayor Rice presided, assisted by Colonel James
H. Bowen, of the Governor's staff. Upon this occasion,
the Mayor delivered an eloquent address to the bat-
tery, eulogizing them for their gallant bravery, their
many daring feats and their fortitude in enduring
great hardships. Addresses were also made by Colonel
Bowen, Messrs. Boyington, Bentley, Holden, etc. The
battery was mustered out of service at Chicago, on
July 6, 1865.
During the last two years of service, it had been
materially assisted by the Bridges' Battery Association,
organized February, 1864, with W. W. Boyington, pres-
ident ; O. H. Salisbury, vice-president ; Joseph W.
Merriam, secretary; and C. N. Holden, treasurer. The
association was formed to attend to the general inter-
ests of members of the battery and their families, keep
the battery full to the maximum, secure to their families
pensions and back-pay in case of death, attend to sani-
tary demands, and to erect a monument to the mem-
ory of those who might fall; all of which was done
under the supervision of the Association — the last
requisite being performed, with appropriate ceremon-
es, at Rose Hill Cemetery.
Company "I," First Illinois Artillery ("Bou-
ton's Chicago Battery';. — Battery "I," was organ-
fc£
tf-^tyficr*^
ized in Chicago by Captain Edward Bouton, a resident
of the city, and was mustered into service at Camp
Douglas on February 10, 1862, under the following
officers:
.76
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Captain, Edward Bout on; Senior First Lieutenant. Henry A.
Rogers; lunior First Lieutenant. Albert Cudney ; Senior Second
Lieutenant, William N. Lansing; Junior Second Lieutenant, John
C. Neeiv.
On March i. the battery was ordered to St. Louis,
where it remained until April 2, when it embarked for
Pittsburg Landing, arriving on the 4th. It was assigned
to Sherman's division, and was engaged both on the 6th
and 7th. On the former day it was posted by Colonel
Ezra Taylor in a good position near General Wallace's
division, where, lie says, it "did some excellent service
in driving the enemy from a very commanding position
— both officers and men behaving like veterans." On
the 7th. one section, under Captain Ronton, was moved
to the support of the brigade of Colonel William H.
Gibson, who awarded it high praise for so promptly and
skillfullv silencing the batter}' which had been harassing
his left. In the advance on Corinth, the battery par-
ticipated in the engagement at the Russell House, May
21; and after the termination of the siege, and the
evacuation of Corinth, it moved to Memphis with Sher-
man, arriving in July. On September 25, one section
was sent with an expedition up the Mississippi River to
Fort Randolph; and, in November, it accompanied the
46th Ohio on an expedition into Arkansas, where a
band of guerrillas was broken up and Confederate
property destroyed. During the same month, the
battery was engaged with the enemy's cavalry in Missis-
sippi; after which it returned to Memphis, and re-
mained in camp until November 28, 1862, moving thence
to LaGrange, and accompanying General Grant's army
on the Tallahatchie campaign.
After the disaster at Holly Springs, it returned to
LaGrange, and thence moved with the division of
General J. W. Denver to Moscow, Tenn., and encamped,
remaining until June 6, 1S63. It then returned to
Memphis, and, with Loomis's brigade, General W. S.
Smith's division, embarked for Vicksburg, arriving at
Snyder's Bluff, on the Yazoo, June 11. On the sur-
render of Yicksburg, it joined Sherman's forces, moving
to attack Johnston, at Richmond; and after the evacua-
tion of that city, returned to the Big Black, and went
into camp, where it remained until Sherman was
ordered to reinforce the Army of the Cumberland at
Chattanooga. With the Fifteenth Corps, it was trans-
ported to Memphis, and thence set out on the march
to Chattanooga, arriving in time to participate in the
battle of Mission Ridge, November 25, 1863. After the
battle, the battery, joining in the pursuit of Bragg,
moved to Ringgold, and thence returned to Chattanooga,
and remained encamped through the winter of 1863-64
at Bridgeport and Scottsboro', Ala.
On March 17, 1S64, the battery — now about eighty
strong — re-enlisted, and returned to Chicago on fur-
lough, also for the purpose of recruiting the battery to
the maximum.
In June, the ranks being again filled, it returned to
Nashville, where the men were mounted, and it was as-
signed to Hatch's cavalry division. With that division,
it participated in the battles before Nashville, Decem-
ber 15-16, being posted on the extreme right of General
Thomas's line, guarding that flank. It took part in
General Hatch's movement to flank Hood's left, which,
under the protection of the well-handled artillery, proved
completely successful, and, finally, the battery, joining
in pursuit, followed Hood's flying forces to Florence,
Ala., where the pro abandoned, and the battery,
with the cavalry division, moved to hast port. Miss.,
remaining at that post until it returned to Chicago,
where it was mustered out of service on July 26, 1865.
The following were its officers at the time:
Captain, John C. Neely; Senior First Lieutenant, Joseph A.
McCartney; Junior First Lieutenant, Elisha S. Russell; Senior
Second Lieutenant, Stephen Tart ; Junior Second Lieutenant,
Henry Bennett.
Colvin's Battery. — This battery was organized at
Shawneetown, 111., and mustered into service January
9, 1862, with Angrean Franklin as captain. Its first
year's service consisted in guerrilla warfare, chiefly
waged about Perryville, Ky. It was then ordered to
Louisville, protecting the city until Burnside's Tennes-
see expedition was fitted out, when it joined in that
movement, being attached to the First Cavalry Division.
It was in the advance upon the capture of Knoxville,
and also served with General Stoneman in Virginia.
The losses of the battery by battle were not large, but
sickness greatly decimated its ranks. John H. Colvin,
^^v/
of Chicago, formerly of Battery " M," became captain
of the command in October, 1863, and Charles M.
Judd its first lieutenant during the following February.
In pursuance of orders from the Adjutant General's
office, dated March 23, 1865, Colvin's battery was trans-
ferred and assigned as Battery " K," 1st Regiment Illi-
nois Light Artillery, upon the consolidation of Cos.
"E " and "K," 1st Artillery. A portion of its mem-
bers, including Captain Colvin, were mustered out
at Springfield, June 11, 1865. The balance, about
eighty men, arrived in Chicago direct from Knoxville,
one month later, being under command of Junior First
Lieutenant John Huntsinger. The Senior First Lieu-
tenant, Charles M. Judd, was absent at the time on
detached duty. The balance of the command were
mustered out of the service at Camp Douglas, Chicago.
Co. "L," Second Illinois Light Artillery.
(Bolton's Battery). — Battery " L " was organized at
Chicago by Captain Bolton, its acceptance by the War
Department being secured through the instrumentality
of Isaac N. Arnold. It was mustered into the United
States service February 28, 1862, under the following
officers, of whom the captain, junior first and senior
second lieutenants were residents of Chicago :
Captain, William H. Bolton; Senior First Lieutenant, Jabez
H. Moore; Junior First Lieutenant, Edward A. James ; Senior
Second Lieutenant, Simon P. Tracy; Junior Second Lieutenant,
Julius D. Roberts.
The battery left Chicago March 11, 1862, for St.
Louis, where it remained until April 9, and then em-
barked for Pittsburg Landing, arriving on the 12th It
was there assigned to the Fourth Division, Army of the
Tennessee, General S. A. Hurlbut, and participated in
the advance on Corinth, Miss., and then moved to Mem-
phis, Tenn., arriving in July. Six of the men of Bol-
ton's battery died on the march from Corinth to Memphis,
and forty-one were sent to the hospital, sick, between
Shiloh and Memphis. During the month of August,
the battery, with a force of infantry and cavalry, under
ARTILLERY.
277
General Veatch, was sent to Mooney Creek, ten miles
from Memphis, to disperse a band of guerrillas; which
duty was accomplished.
The battery then went, with Hurlbut's division, to
Bolivar, Miss., and remained there until after the battle
of Corinth, October 3-4, when it marched from Bolivar,
on the 4th. The following morning the enemy's ad-
vance was encountered and driven back before the Tal-
lanatchie was reached. After driving in the enemy's
outposts, the battery advanced a mile, when it was again
placed in position and ordered to open on the enemy s
batteries, one of which was silenced and captured by
Bolton's and a Missouri battery. During the hottest of
the artillery firing, Charles S. Adams, of Chicago, while
sponging out one of the guns of the battery, was acci-
dentally wounded by the premature discharge of the
piece, and died two days later at Bolivar from the
wound. After advancing to the river and guarding the
passage of the infantry, the battery was ordered across
the river to take position on a hill, whence it opened
on a Confederate brigade, which abandoned two stands
of colors and fled from the field. These colors were pre-
sented to the battery, on the 12th of October, by General
Hurlbut, in the presence of the artillery of the division,
and were by the latter sent to Chicago and presented to
the Mercantile Association. Besides young Adams,
there were wounded in this engagement, Daniel French,
William Tanner, Thomas McGuire and Corydon N.
Johnson. Lieutenant Edward A. James, son of William
James, was taken very ill from exposure and over
exertion soon after the engagement, and returned to
Chicago, where he died at the residence of his father,
November 2, 1862. Simon P. Tracy, of Chicago, was
promoted junior first lieutenant, and Orlando S. Wood,
senior second lieutenant.
November 26, 1862, the battery was transferred
from the Fourth to the Third Division, Seventeenth
Corps, commanded by General John A. Logan, and
participated in the Mississippi campaign of General
Grant, advancing, by way of LaGrange, Holly Springs
and the Tallahatchie, to Oxford, Miss., in December,
1862. It afterward, in February, 1863, moved to Lake
Providence, and from there joined Grant's forces at
Milliken's Bend for the movement on Vicksburg; after
arriving at which place, it performed effective service
during the siege. It participated in Sherman's expedi-
tion to Jackson, Miss., after the surrender of Vicks-
burg, having an engagement with the enemy on July 7
at Canton, in which, supported by the nth Illinois, it
successfully repulsed the charges of the cavalry. On
its return, it marched into Louisiana in pursuit of Gen-
eral McCullough, returning to Vicksburg in the fall.
In November, 1863, Captain Bolton returned to
Chicago, bringing with him the bodies of Lieutenant
Simon P. Tracy and Corporal Charles B. Blake, both
of whom died on September 9, and that of William
Jones, Jr., who died on June 30.
On his return, by order of Major-General McPher-
son, the battery was supplied with new steel guns. In
June, 1864, it fought under McArthur at Benton and
Gleesonville, and the following month, under Major-
General Slocum, at Clinton and Jackson, Miss.; when
it returned to Vicksburg, and was assigned to the de-
fenses of that post, in which duty it was employed until
May, 1865, when the guns were dismounted and the
men drew sabres and revolvers, and were mounted and
performed orderly duty at headquarters, until they were
mustered out August 9, 1865, under the following
officers:
Captain, Thaddeus C. Hulanski, Chicago; Senior First
Lieutenant, Daniel II. Pierce, I'lainlield ; Junior First Lieutenant,
George C. Wise, Chicago; Senior Second Lieutenant, Levi B.
Wightman, Joliet ; Junior Second Lieutenant, James Cunningham,
Chicago.
Albert M. Forbes was born in Keeseville, New York, June
20, 1840, the son of Albert G. and Hannah (Finch) Forbes. He
attended the Institute at Fort Edward, New York, and at the age
of seventeen came to Chicago and entered the Chicago University.
Three years later he enlisted in the 2d Illinois Light Artillery, un-
der Captain William H. Bolton. With that command, he partici-
pated in the battles of Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, the battle of
Hatchie River, Holly Springs, Memphis and Vicksburg. Histerm
of service expired, and he was mustered out of service in the fall
of 1S64. He did not, however, leave the army, but accompanied
General Sherman through to the sea, and passed the grand review
at Washington in 1S65. He returned to Chicago, and for two
years was a member of the Board of Trade. In 1867, he began
teaming in a small way, purchasing one horse and an express
wagon with which to make his start. His business has steadily
increased, until at the present time he owns one hundred and twen-
ty-live Norman horses, valued at $250 each, and has forty-seven
teams in daily use doing the freighting for some of the principal
wholesale houses in the city. He was married in 1865, to Miss
Ella Finch of Keeseville, New York. They have live children ;
Carrie, Fred, Mabel, Grace and Ruth. Mr. Forbes is a member
of Hesperia Lodge, No. 411, A.F. & A.M., of the Chapter, and of
Chicago Commandery, No. 19, K. T.
Company "M," Second Illinois Light Artillery
(Phillips's Battery). — This battery was organized at
Camp Douglas, Chicago, by Captain John C. Phillips,
in May, 1862. On the 2 2d of that month, it was ordered
to Camp Butler, Springfield, where, on the 6th of June,
it was mustered into Linked States service, under the
following officers, all of Chicago:
Captain, John C. Phillips ; Senior First Lieutenant, Edward
G. Hillier ; Junior First Lieutenant, George W. Reed ; Senior
SeconJ Lieutenant, W. C. G. L. Stevenson.
At Camp Butler the company received equipments,
and, on the 16th of July, left to join General Wool's
corps of the Army of Virginia, arriving at Martinsburg,
Va., on the 24th, where it was attached, soon after, to
General Julius White's command, General White being
post commander. On the 24th of August, Ashby's
cavalry, which had been making raids upon White's
outposts, was attacked at Darkesville, by two sections
of Phillips's battery, supported by two companies of the
1 2th Illinois Cavalry, and routed with the loss of twenty-
five killed, fifty wounded, and forty-one prisoners. The
battery remained at Martinsburg until September 12,
when the place was evacuated on the approach of Stone-
wall Jackson, and the command retired to Harper's
Ferry, the battery being stationed at Bolivar Heights.
On the surrender of Harper's Ferry by Colonel Miles,
September 15, the men of the battery were paroled and
sent to Camp Douglas, Chicago, arriving on the 27th.
There the battery was refitted, and remained until
May 12, 1863, when it was ordered to report to General
Burnside, at Cincinnati, and left that day, under Captain
Phillips, for the field, with one hundred effective men,
ninety of whom were original members of the battery.
2/S
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
George W. Reed was promoted senior first lieutenant,
and W. C. G. L. Stevenson, junior first lieutenant.
Arriving at Cincinnati, the battery was ordered to join
General White's command in Eastern Kentucky, and
reported to him at Louisa on June 4. On the 14th, it
moved, with White's troops, up the Big Sandy Valley to
Beaver Creek, arriving on the 21st, and thence one
section moved, with a detachment of cavalry under
Major Brown of the 10th Kentucky Cavalry, to Glades-
ville. Ya.: which place was_ stormed on July 6, and
Colonel Cordell. with nineteen other officers and one
hundred men were captured.
The expedition then returned to camp at Louisa,
arriving on the 22d; on August 4, moved to Covington;
and on the 8th, reporting to General Burnside at Camp
Nelson, was attached to'the Reserve Artillery, Twenty-
third Army Corps, and went into camp at Danville, Ky.
The batte'ry moved with General Burnside's corps
August 1 7,' to occupy Eastern Tennessee, arriving at
Knoxville, on September 15. On September 17, it was
assigned to Carter's brigade of the cavalry division, and
during the month, was engaged at Jonesboro', Carter's
Station, and Zollicoffer. During October, it was en-
gaged with the cavalry division at Blue Springs, Tenn.,
on the 5th and 10th, and on the 13th at Blountsville.
After the latter engagement, the command pursued the
enemy through Carter's Station, Zollicoffer and Bristol,
to near Abington, Ya., where the pursuit was discon-
tinued, and the command went into camp at Rogerville,
on the 19th.
On November 5, Captain Phillips was ordered to
Nashville, leaving Lieutenant Stevenson in command of
the battery. The following morning, the command
Carter's brigade and battery attached) was attacked by
three Confederate brigades, under General Jones. After
defending its position three hours without support, with
the loss of four men killed and thirty-five captured, a
retreat was ordered. The guns were spiked and
abandoned, and the remainder of the battery, — eighty-
six men — fell back to Morristown. After the siege of
Knoxville, the battery was ordered to re-cross the Cum-
berland Mountain, and report at Camp Nelson, Ky.,
where it was consolidated with other batteries of the
division. On April 11, 1864, Captain Phillips and Lieu-
tenants Reed, Stevenson and Wheeler, were mustered
out of service, and the battery, as a separate organiza-
tion, ceased to exist.
Chicago Board- of -Trade Battery. — In the
summer of 1862, the people of the North were quite
generally depressed, over the failure of McClellan's
Peninsular Campaign and the apparent impotency of
the Union arms; and yet there were found strong
characters in every community throughout the coun-
try, who were capable not only of sustaining a
noble courage within themselves, but of inspiring
enthusiasm in the despondent natures of those around
them. The Chicago Board-of-Trade Battery owes its
origin to this crisis in national affairs and to the invig-
orating presence and labors of just such men. S. H.
Stevens, — warmly supported by Tracy J. Bronson, and
Charles H. Walker, Jr. — was the prime mover in its
organization, formulating, and presenting to the persons
whose names appear, the following request:
C. T. WHEELER, President of the Board of Trade of the City of
Chicago:
We, the undersigned members, request you to call, at an early
day, a general meeting of the Board, to pledge ourselves to use our
influence and money to recruit and support a battery, to be known
as the Board-of-Trade Battery,
George Steel, G. L. Scott,
William Sturges, T. J. Bronson,
E. Akin, C. H. Walker, Jr.,
M. C. Stearns, E. G. Wolcott,
I. Y. Munn, Flint & Thompson.
In pursuance with this request, President Wheeler
called a meeting of the Board for July 21, 1862. The
attendance was large, the meeting being called to order
by John L. Hancock, second vice-president of the
Board. On motion of Charles H. Walker, Jr., it was re-
solved that the Board of Trade raise a company of
mounted artillery for the war, and that they appropriate
ten thousand dollars for that purpose. It was further
resolved to pay a bounty of sixty dollars to each
recruit, in addition to the Government bounty, and that
each member of the Board pledge himself to receive
back into his service, on his return, any employe who
would join the company. The resolutions were received
and passed with the wildest enthusiasm, and subscrip-
tions were then called for. The firm of Walker, Bron-
son & Co. headed the list with $100, and, in a few
minutes eighty-one names were added, and the sum
raised to $5,121. The roll was then opened, and signed
by S. H. Stevens, S. C. Stevens, J. W. Bloom, Calvin
Durand, Valentine Steele, H. B. Chandler, A. F. Bax-
ter, H. J. Baxter, and J. A. Howard. In this man-
ner was the movement commenced which resulted in
one battery of artillery and three regiments of infantry
taking the field under the auspices of the Board of
Trade, having that name as a military designation.
On July 23, $15,210 had been subscribed, and the
company was full, and filled with the very best material.
From all classes of mercantile and commercial life
recruits enlisted in the battery, and with such rapidity
that many who desired to join the company could not
obtain a place, because its ranks were full. On July
23, just forty-eight hours after the roll was opened, a
dispatch was sent to President Lincoln, offering the
battery to the War Department, and asking that orders
be given for the necessary subsistence, arms, uniforms,
etc.; also stating that a regiment of infantry was being
raised by the members of the Board to support the
battery. On July 28, James H. Stokes was elected
captain of the company by acclamation; on August 1,
it was sworn into the United States service by Captain
Christopher, and the same day elected its remaining
officers and went into camp near Camp Douglas, one
hundred and fifty-six strong, the original roster being
Captain, James II. Stokes; Senior First Lieutenant, George
I. Robinson; junior First Lieutenant, A. F. Baxter; Senior Second
Lieutenant, Trumbull D. Griffin ; Junior Second Lieutenant,
Henry Bennett; Orderly Sergeant, Sylvanus H. Stevens; Quarter-
master Sergeant, M. S. Sanford ; Ordnance Sergeant, Calvin
ARTILLERY.
279
Durand; Second Sergeant. F. G. Deane: Third Sergeant, Louis
B. Hand; Fourth Sergeant. William Randolph; Fifth Sergeant,
Abbott L. Adams; Sixth Sergeant, George Dowers; Seventh
Sergeant, Menzo H. Salisbury; Corporals, W. M. Olcott, f. H.
Hildreth, T. E Baker, Thomas Tinsley, F. B. Rockwood, (';. H.
Wolcott, S. L. Ford, A. B. Lake, Fred. Dupries, Charles LeSuer,
Charles Holyland, J. G. Peters.
Captain Stokes was a veteran artillerist, having
received his commission from General Jackson. He
had been instructor- of artillery tactics at West Point, and
served as captain several years in the Florida war.
Under his drill and discipline, the battery rapidly
acquired skill and proficiency, and by September was
ready for active service. On the 9th of that month, it
left Chicago for Louisville, Ky., where it joined Buell's
army.
In the campaign terminating in the battle of Perry-
ville, it moved under General Dumont, on the left wing
of the army, as far as Crab Orchard. Early in Novem-
ber, the command advanced with the army to Bowling
Green, and thence to Nashville, where it joined the
army there concentrated, about December 1, and went
into camp near the city. On December 14, a squad of
the battery, under Lieutenant Stevens, went out on a
foraging expedition in the vicinity of Nashville, and
while loading supplies into their wagons, were attacked
by a mounted force of rebels. Homer Baker, John B.
Sleaman, J. N. Williams, J. H. Buckingham, F. R. Rich
mond and Thomas Tinsley were captured, and J. J.
Carroll, formerly of the Chicago Journal office, was
wounded. Although his men had surrendered, Lieu-
tenant Stevens advanced, with revolver in hand, on the
immediate front of sixteen mounted rebels, who poured
in a concentric fire. After the first volley, seeing him
still in his saddle, as with one voice the cry was,
"Surrender." He answered with his revolver; and
on the instant followed another fusillade, and still
he did not go down, and only turned to the rear when
surrounded. His horse was shot under him. He fired
eleven times and escaped, after having been the target
of fifty shots at short range. At the solicitation of Ser-
geant Durand, the 19th Illinois came up on the double-
quick, but too late to render much assistance.
At Nashville, the battery was attached to the Pio-
neer Brigade of the Army of the Cumberland, which
consisted of three battalions of infantry and the battery,
all under command of Captain James St. Clair Morton,
one of the most distinguished engineers in the army.
On the march from Nashville to Murfreesboro',
December 26-30, 1862, the brigade, protected by the
battery, constructed two bridges over Stewart's Creek,
arriving at the battle-field on the 30th. On the morn-
ing of the 31st, it was engaged in improving the fords
of Stone River, on the left of the line, under fire of
rebel cavalry, and soon afterward was ordered by Gen-
eral Rosecrans, in person, to take position in line-of-
battle. The Board-of-Trade battery was stationed
upon the highest point in the battle-field, on the ridge
between the pike and the railroad — the First Battalion,
Pioneer Brigade, Lyman Bridges commanding, being
formed upon the left of the battery. The enemy
poured in a heavy fire of grape, canister and musketry
on the battalion, but an advance was made, notwith-
standing. At 12 m., the enemy (General McCown's
division) came down on the double-quick, in splendid
order, with their standards flying. They were allowed
to come within three hundred yards, when the musketry
of the entire brigade, and the battery, with grape and
canister, opened a most deadly fire, which the enemy
returned as earnestly. The attacking column, how-
ever, reeled and fell back in disorder, the rebel colors
being struck down and barely rescued. Many of the
wounded reached the LInion lines during the day and
night, all declaring that the 12 o*clock charge was
simply terrific. The nth and 14th Texas regiments
were principally engaged in this assault.
The enemy rallied his forces again at 5 o'clock p. m.,
advancing upon Bridges's left flank through a border
of the woods. Lieutenant Stevens, of the Board-of-
Trade battery, and Bridges's battalion, opened fire sim-
ultaneously, driving the Confederates back to the woods
in disorder. Early on New Year's morning, the enemy
again appeared on the left, when the brigade changed
front, Captain Stokes moving his battery on the right
of Bridges. In the meantime, through the bravery and
skill of Lieutenant Stevens, a gun which had been
abandoned by our men was seized by him and carried
in triumph to the Board-of-Trade battery, and, until
after the battle of Chickamauga, the battery retained
its seven guns. On the new formation, the enemy
advanced and opened fire, as he supposed, on our flank,
but the return fire soon undeceived him, and in half an
hour he fell back behind his intrenchments.
On the afternoon of the 2d, the artillery of the en-
tire left wing of the lTnion forces, together with the
batteries belonging to Negley's division and Stokes's
battery, making fifty-eight guns in position, were
massed on the left bank of Stone River. As soon as
Breckinridge's command entered the open ground to
his front, pressing on toward Van Cleve's division, this
park of artillery opened a heavy and accurate fire.
The havoc made in the advancing ranks was fearful,
but the Confederate command swept on and drove their
enemy across the river ; where, with the assistance of
the artillery fire, which continued to enfilade their
ranks, they were swept back, and driven into their line
of intrenchments, by Negley's division. The part which
the artillery took in this day's battle was simply stupen-
dous, and no small portion of the honor gained by this
branch of the service was due to the Board-of-Trade
battery. Captain Morton eulogized the conduct of the
artillerymen in the highest manner. They also won
high encomiums from Rosecrans, under whose eye they
fought. Captain Morton says :
" As the commanding general was everywhere present on the
field with his staff, he can not but have remarked the good service
done by Captain Stokes, who manifested the greatest zeal, and
managed his battery with the utmost decision and success."
General Negley also, under whose orders the battery
temporarily acted, says:
" The promptness displayed by Captain Stokes in bringing his
battery into action by my orders, and the efficient manner in which
it was served, affords additional evidence of his marked ability and
bravery as an officer and patriot."
The First Battalion of the Pioneer Brigade, support-
ing the battery, was commanded, at Stone River, by
Captain Lyman Bridges, of the 19th Illinois, who was
wounded on the 31st of December, but remained in
command of the battalion through the battle.
The loss of the battery during the engagements be-
fore Murfreesboro' was one officer wounded, three men
killed and nine men wounded.
Corporal A. II. Carver died in Nashville, during the last
week of March, 1S63, of wounds received at Stone River. He had
been for many years a resident of Chicago, employed in the job de-
partment of the Tribune office. His remains were brought to the
city, and buried from the Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Andrew Finney, formerly in the employ of the Michigan Cen-
tral Railroad Company, J. S. Stagg and \V. H. Wiley, the killed
of the battery, were buried at Rosehill, Chicago, March 22, public
funeral services being held at Bryan Hall, and a sermon in memory
of William H. Wiley being preached at the Swedenborgian Church,
on the same day.
jSo
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Lieutenant Trumbull D. Griffin, Sergeants A. 1.. Adams and J.
\V. Kloom were seriously wounded; Corporal John A. Howard and
Privates W. H. S. Odell, J. C. Camburg and J. D. Toomey were
wounded.
The battery went into camp near Murfreesboro',
after the battle of Stone River, and, in March, Captain
Stokes was in command of the First Battalion of the Pio-
neer Brigade, his connection with the battery remaining
the same. In April, the battery was changed from foot
to horse artillery, and its complement augmented to
one hundred and eighty-six men. It was also detached
from the brigade, and assigned to the Second Division
of Cavalry, General George Crook commanding. With
the Second Division it marched on the Tullahoma cam-
paign June 24, taking part in the skirmish with Wheel-
er's cavalry at the crossing of Elk River, Term. The
battery then moved to Winchester, remaining until the
latter part of August, when it crossed the Tennessee,
September 2, and, with the Second Cavalry Division, as-
cended Sand Mountain, and took the advance in
McCook's movement down Will's Valley, to Alpine, Ga.
It then moved to Crawfish Springs, September 19, and
the following day one section was thrown into action on
the extreme right. R. N. Pearsall was the only member
of the battery wounded. On the 22d, the battery fell
back to Chattanooga, and then moved forty miles up
the north bank of the Tennessee, to guard the fords in
that vicinity against an anticipated raid of a large force
of Confederate cavalry. In spite of the precautions
taken, General Wheeler crossed four divisions on the
morning of September 30, and moved up the river. As
soon as General Crook discovered this, he ordered a
pursuit of Wheeler. The battery, with the Second Bri-
gade, Crook's advance, followed Wheeler's forces, and,
on October 3, Miller's brigade, then in advance, met and
routed the enemy near McMinnville. On the 5th, the
command advanced to Murfreesboro', rested one night,
and started again, on the 7th, in pursuit of Wheeler. A
few miles from town the Confederates were encountered,
and their rear guard was driven for about six miles, when
the Second Brigade encountered Wharton's division,
which immediately advanced upon the command, which
was somewhat disorganized from the hurried pursuit
Quickly forming line, the brigade opened fire, when
'•just when he was needed more than any other man,
Captain Stokes galloped up with his battery, opened
fire rapidly and drove the enemy again in retreat."
Half a mile before reaching Farmington (about five
miles from where the last-mentioned engagement took
place} the advance commenced firing on a rebel line of
skirmishers. Long's Second) brigade was ordered to
the front, and halted on arriving there. Directly before
it, the I.ewisburg pike formed a straight cut through
a very dense cedar glade. On the right and left, cedars,
large and small, filled every space, and it was impos
sible for a horse to pierce the thicket. The enemy
Opened with his artillery — his battery being in position
in the main street of the town, which was simply the
lation of the pike. To the right, and a little to
the rear, of the position reached by the Board-of-Trade
battery, was an open field of four acres, the cedars
forming a hedge around it. The guns of the battery
were unlimbered and dragged by the boys into position
on the pike, at one 1 ornei ol the field, and the Second
Brigade was formed in column of battalions within the
■ ■ 1 re.
Meantime, Miller's command had dismounted,
deployed in line 01, the right and left of the road, and
advanced into the 1 edars. After a moment of suspense,
the enemy's artillery opened a terrible fire upon the
Second Brigade. The battery was posted in the cedar
thicket, some four hundred yards distant from the Union
troops, and poured into their ranks a heavy fire of grape,
canister and shell, the infantry making one or two
charges, at the same time attempting to turn both of
General Crook's flanks. The Board-of-Trade Battery
was ordered forward ; but position could only be found
for one piece, which was in full view of the enemy, and
not over three hundred and fifty yards distant. This
one gun was commanded by Lieutenant Stevens ; and in
three shots he disabled one of the enemy's pieces, blow-
ing up a caisson, and throwing their ranks into confu-
sion. Lieutenant Stevens's gun finally being disabled,
and every man wounded, it was taken to the rear by
hand, the narrow space not allowing any movement of
horses. In the same manner, another piece was brought
into position, and its rapid and vigorous firing soon
silenced the opposing battery. At this moment, the
Second Brigade, ordered to charge, broke through the
enemy's line, scattering them to the right and left, and
capturing four guns, some wagons, and several prison-
ers. The enemy being in an open country, a sabre
charge was ordered, but the roads had been barricaded
so as to render this impossible. The command went
into camp for the night at Farmington, the captured
guns being turned over to the Board-of-Trade Battery
as trophies, to which it was certainly entitled. The pur-
suit was continued to Rogerville, where the battery,
with Long's brigade, arrived October 9, and, Wheeler
having re-crossed the Tennessee, it moved soon after
to Maysville, near Huntsville, Ala., where it remained
encamped through the winter of 1863-64.
In the spring, the battery returned to Nashville to
reorganize and refit, receiving, in March, new Parrott
guns from General Thomas, with the statement that "if
any company had earned them, they had." It there
joined Sherman's command, to take part in the Atlanta
campaign. During this campaign, the Second Cavalry
Division, to which the battery remained attached, was
commanded by General Garrard, and moved with Mc-
Pherson's Army of the Tennessee, guarding its right
flank. With that command, it passed through Snake
Creek Gap, and, after the battle of Resaca, crossed the
Oostenaula May 15, at Lay's Ferry, and moved toward
Calhoun, Ga., in pursuit of Johnston's army. It moved
with the cavalry, guarding the right of the army line,
until McPherson had passed through Calhoun and
Kingston ; fought the left wing of Johnston's army at
Dallas, on the 28th of May, and when Sherman had
flanked his position at Allatoona ; then, with Garrard's
cavalry, it moved to the left, toward the railroad.
Colonel Long's brigade, to which one section of the
battery was attached, joined the command at Ackworth,
June 8, during this movement. The command then
moved as guard to the left flank during the assaults at
Pine and Kenesaw mountains, and, on July 1, relieved
McPherson before the latter, when he commenced his
movement toward the Chattahoochee. The Second
Cavalry Division and the battery arrived at Roswell, on
the north bank of the Chattahoochee, July 8; destroyed
the factories there, which had been manufacturing can-
vas for the Confederate army, and secured and held
the ford until relieved by infantry. It crossed at Ros-
well on the 9th, and remained encamped on the south
bank until the 17th, when the advance to Atlanta was
resumed. On the 18th, the Cavalry Division, forming
the advance, reached and destroyed a portion of the
Augusta railroad, seven miles east of Decatur ; the fol-
lowing day drove the rebel cavalry from Decatur and
entered that town, and, on the 21st, reached the works
before Atlanta.
ARTILLERY.
281
The same day, General Sherman ordered the com-
mand to Covington, forty-two miles east of Atlanta, to
destroy railroad bridges across the Yellow and Ulco-
fauhatchee rivers, on the Augusta railroad ; which was
accomplished successfully, a large quantity of cotton,
and two hundred prisoners being captured. In the
movement of the cavalry upon the Macon Railroad, in
August, two sections of the Board-of-Trade Battery,
under Lieutenant George I. Robinson, participated.
The forces which took part in the expedition were,
the Third Division of Cavalry (Kilpatrick's:, and Long's
and Minty's brigades of the Second, all under General
Judson Kilpatrick. Starting from Sandtown, north of
Atlanta, on the 19th of August, they made a complete
circuit of the Confederate army in the space of four
days, fighting almost constantly with Ross's and Jack-
son's Confederate cavalry. They damaged the Macon
road at Jonesboro', and at Lovejoy's Station captured
a four-gun battery and a large number of prisoners,
returning to Decatur on the 22d. The first assault on
the column was made just as it reached the West Point
Railroad, near Fairburn, where it was struck by the
enemy, under Ross, with artillery and dismounted
cavalry. The Confederates were driven from their
position, and retreated across Flint River, destroying
the bridge ; from the eastern bank, disputing the cross-
ing with artillery. At this point, their guns were
silenced by Lieutenant Henry Bennett's section of the
Board-of-Trade Battery. His men then rushed to the
bank of the river, and dislodged the sharpshooters from
the opposite bank, when the column crossed and ad-
vanced to Jonesboro'. The Confederate cavalry taking
shelter in the buildings of this town, the artillery was
advanced for the purpose of shelling them, when they
mounted their horses and retreated, leaving Jonesboro'
in Kilpatrick's possession. Three miles of the railroad
and much public property was destroyed, and the
column marched toward Lovejoy's Station, tearing up
a portion of the Macon Railroad as it advanced. At
Lovejoy's Station the column had a severe engagement
with a whole cavalry division under Jackson, in which
the brigades of the Second Division, with the help of
the two sections of the battery, captured a battery of
four guns, three stands of colors and many prisoners.
During this expedition, General Eli Long, commanding
the Second Brigade, was promoted to the command of
the Second Division of Cavalry, to which the Board-of-
Trade Battery remained attached.
With the division, the battery returned to Nashville,
as a portion of General Thomas's command, soon after
the termination of the Atlanta campaign; participating
in the battles before that city, December 15-16, 1864
After the pursuit of Hood was ended, it was sent with
the cavalry to Eastport, Miss., remaining encamped at
that point until the spring of 1865, whence it moved to
Chickasaw, Ala., and, on March 22, set out with Wilson's
expedition for Selma and Macon. On April 1, the
battery arrived at Plantersville, Ala. On the morning
of April 2, Long's division arrived in front of Selma,
Ala., which was held by a heavy force under Forrest.
The works surrounding the place were exceedingly
strong, consisting of a heavy line of earthworks, eight
to twelve feet high, and fifteen thick at the base, with a
ditch in front, four feet wide and five deep, partly filled
with water, and, still in front of that, a stockade of
heavy posts, five feet high, and sharpened at the top.
Four forts covered the ground over which the assaulting
column must advance — the ground being rough, and
broken by a deep ravine. The works were charged and
captured by a part of the Second Division, aided by the
effective fire of the artillery. Two thousand prisoners
and twenty pieces of artillery were captured. Captain
George I. Robinson, commanding the Board-of-Trade
Battery, makes the following statement in regard to the
movements of his command, at and after the engage-
ment at Selma :
" On the morning of April 2, at half-past seven o'clock, I
again moved my battery in connection with the division, as per
order of the division commander, on the road to Selma, Ala., in
front of which I arrived about three o'clock p. m., and took up
a position about two miles from the city, on the Summerfield road,
awaiting further orders from the division commander. My position
at this time was about fourteen hundred yards from the strong
works of the enemy, behind which he was posted. At about half-
past four o'clock, at an interview with the division commander,
I was notified that the line was about to make the assault upon the
works of the enemy, who had already commenced the use of his
artillery upon our line. I was directed to conform the movements
of my battery, as much as I could, to the movements and advance
of our line, and to direct my fire so as to produce the most effect
upon the enemy and to render the most assistance to the advance
of the line making the assault. I therefore decided, that, as the
line advanced, to advance one section of my battery as close
to the enemy's works as the nature of the ground would permit,
that my fire might be directed with more precision and effect.
Noticing movements in the line on my right, which I supposed to
be an advance, I moved one section forward about four hundred
yards, thus exposing both its flanks to an almost direct fire from
the enemy's artillery, while he was using it upon me, also, directly
in my front. As I was thus in an advanced and very exposed
situation, and having mistaken the movement of the line for an
immediate advance, I withdrew this section to my first position,
and kept up my firing from that point, until the line moved forward
to the assault, when I moved my whole battery forward to the
advance position referred to, replying rapidly to the fire of the
enemy's artillery, until it was silenced by the close approach of our
men to the works, which, in a moment more, were in our possession.
From this advanced position, I was able, partially, to enfilade a
long line of the enemy's works on my left, which was also enfiladed
by the fire of our forces that had carried the works to my right and
front, causing the enemy to seek shelter outside of the breastworks,
and between them and the palisades, under the protection of which
he was endeavoring to escape. Noticing this, I directed the fire of
two of my guns down this line, and with good effect. At the same
time, I ordered one section, under Lieutenant Griffin, to advance
inside the works, now in our possession, for the purpose of enga-
ging the rebel artillery that had now opened upon our line from
works close up to town, riding forward myself to select the position
for the section. The road was now being rapidly filled by an
advancing column of mounted troops, which prevented this section
from getting up as promptly as I desired; but I soon had it in
position, closely followed by the balance of my battery, and opened
upon the inner line of works, which, like the first, was soon in the
possession of our troops, rendering further firing unnecessary.
" Receiving no further orders, and having learned that the
brigadier-general commanding had been wounded early in the
engagement, I held my batterv, awaiting orders from his successor
which I received from Colonel Robert H. G. Minty, late in the
evening, to go into camp I have no losses to report during this
engagement.
"On the morning of April 3, by direction of the colonel
commanding division, I proceeded to destroy the captured ordnance
along the line of works. * * * The guns were spiked, the
trunnions knocked off of most of them, rendering them entirely use-
less until re-cast. The carriages and limbers, with field caissons,
were burned. I also caused to be destroyed about four thousand
and three hundred rounds of ammunition. On the evening of
April 5th, I received orders from the colonel commanding, to have
a section in readiness, at midnight, to accompany an expedition
that was to be sent out. This section was furnished under com-
mand of Lieutenant Griffin, returning to Selma after an absence of
twenty-four hours, having marched about forty miles. On the
afternoon of April 8th, I crossed the Alabama River with my bat-
tery, and encamped, with the division, on the road leading to
Montgomery, and five miles from Selma. On the evening of the
9th, I proceeded with one section of my battery to the Alabama
River, at a point some six miles above Selma, with instructions to
watch for and prevent any boats passing down the river. On the
morning of the loth, I was ordered back to my encampment, not
having occasion to use my guns, and shortly afterward resumed
the march, in connection with the division, toward Montgomery,
encountering very bad roads, and camping at eight o'clock p. m.
near Benton. Resuming the march on the nth, we found the
roads, at times, almost impassable, requiring much labor of a
z8a
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
pioneer character, keeping the command up, and on the road, all
that nig t. Continued the march during the 1 2th, and camped at
Catoraa Creek. On the morning of the 13th, I marched my bat-
tery, in connection with the division, through Montgomery, camp-
ing seven miles east of it On the 14th, the march was resumed
toward Columbus, Ga., at which place the command arrived on the
17th. and from thence to Macon, Ga , where it arrived on the
evening of April 20. * * *
" It will be observed that this battery has marched, in twenty-
one days, upwards of six hundred miles, varying from twenty-two
to forty-nine miles each day, or an average of about thirty miles;
which, in consideration of the very bad condition of the roads for a
large portion of the distance, I consider almost unprecedented in
the movements of artillery "
Macon was taken without opposition. There, official
information was received of the armistice between Gen-
erals Sherman and Johnston, and no further important
military movement being made in the Central Division
of the army, the battery returned to Nashville, and
thence, in June, to Chicago, arriving at two o'clock on
the morning of the 27th. The battery was met at
Michigan City by a delegation of the members of the
Board of Trade, which escorted it to the city, where it
was greeted by a National salute of thirteen guns. At
noon it was tendered a hearty welcome by the Board of
Trade, where, on motion of P. L. Underwood, it was
unanimously
" Resolved, That all surviving members of the battery, who
have been in active service with it, be constituted honorary life mem-
bers of the Board of Trade."
On the evening of the 27th, the Board of Trade
gave a magnificent banquet at Metropolitan Hall, in
honor of the return of the company from which they
had expected so much, and which had never disap-
pointed their expectations. The Chicago Tribune, in
noting the return of the battery, and the eagerness of
the citizens to do it honor, said truly, that it left Chicago
for the field,
" in all respects a picked and chosen company, setting a brave
example to their yet unwilling and hesitating fellow citizens. Like
the gallant 7th of New York, they were the flower, and proved
themselves the chivalry, of their city. It was, thenceforth, cowardly
and infamous in any to hold back from the service, with such an
example before their eyes. To the question, ' Who will go up
to fight the Philistines?' every one of the eligible young men be-
longing to the Board of Trade had replied, ' I will.' And so
eager were they of the honor of fighting in this commission for
their country, that many of them offered to those who had already
enlisted, large sums of money if they would resign in their favor.
On that account — on account of the principle which animated them
— because they needed no golden spur to urge them to the fight,
the highest praise and honor was accorded to the battery."
The battery returned to Chicago one hundred and
sixty-five strong, — officers and men, — the following
being the return roster:
Captain. George I. Robinson; Senior First Lieutenant, Sylva-
nus 11. Stevens; Junior First Lieutenant, Trumbull D. Griffin;
Orderly Sergeant, Menzo H. Salisbury; Quartermaster Sergeant,
Calvin Durand; First Sergeant, William Randolph; Second Ser-
geant, Abbott L. Adams; Third Sergeant, Frank Knight; Fourth
Sergeant, P. L. Anton; Hospital Steward, D. D. Jacobs.
The battery was mustered out of service at Chicago,
June 30, 1865, its losses having been eleven killed, thir-
teen disabled by wounds or disease, five died of disease,
seventeen discharged from ranks for promotion, four
transferred to other branches of service, five captured
and incarcerated in Andersonville.
This sket( h would be incomplete without some men-
tion of Mrs S. H. Stevens, and this is best done by re-
repeating tin; words spoken concerning her by Rev. Dr.
Tiffany, on th on of funeral services hereinafter
mentioned. He said:
"There was one who took the place of Florence Nightingale,
who went out with the battery, remained with the battery, and
returned but two day-, before the battery; tireless in devotion to the
sick and wounded, cheering despondent ones with a glad smile,
soothing the anguish of pain and the restlessness of slow recovery,
closing the eyes and folding the cold hands of the dead, the pres-
ence of one who has been called ' the Angel of the Battery ' was a
perpetual benediction."
On the 5th of July, 1865, the battery held a re-union
at Bryan Hall, and, as a mark of their gratitude and
love, presented her with a magnificent silver tea service.
Sergeant William Randolph made the presentation
speech, and Lieutenant Stevens, in the name of his wife,
accepted the' elegant and deserved tribute.
On January 7, 1866, the public funeral services in
memory of deceased members of this and other batteries,
were held at Crosby's Opera House, in Chicago; after
which the bodies were interred with military honors at
Rosehill Cemetery.
Those from the Board-of-Trade Baltery buried at this time
were: Charles W. DeCosta, who died at the general hospital,
Nashville, February 2, 1863; James S. Wallace, at McMinville,
Tenn., August 9, 1863; Samuel. Dodd, at Murfreesboro', March 3,
1S63; J. Jouberts, from wounds received at Kenesaw Mountain,
died August 2, 1S64; Edward C. Fields, from wounds received at De-
catur, Ga., August 4, 1864; Thomas Wygant, at Lovejoy's Station,
Ga., August 20, 1864; George T. White, from wounds received at
Lovejoy's Station, died at Vining's Station, Ga., August 2S. 1864;
M. V. B. Snow died at Wilmington, March iS, 1864; George
Crane, killed near Pulaski, Tenn., December 24, 1864.
Chicago Mercantile Battery. — On July 29,
1862, the Mercantile Association of Chicago, voted that
the rooms of the association should be opened to recruit
an infantry company, to be called the Doggett Guards,
which should be under its own special patronage and
care. Finding that an artillery company, if raised,
could be furnished with Carr's union repeating guns,
the original intention of recruiting infantry was aban-
doned, and the muster rolls of the Mercantile Battery
were opened at the rooms of the association on
August 5. On August 8, the ranks were full, and fifty
applicants had been refused. On August 13, the bat-
tery went into camp near Camp Douglas, and on the
29th of the same month was mustered into service under
the following officers:
Captain, Charles G. Cooley; Senior First Lieutenant, Frank
C. Wilson; Junior First Lieutenant, James H. Swan; Senior Sec-
ond Lieutenant, David R. Crego ; Junior Second Lieutenant,
Frederick B. Bickford: Sergeant-Major, Pinckney S. Cone; Quar-
termaster-Sergeant Edwin J. Crandall; Sergeants: Samuel H.
Tallmadge, Thomas N. Sickles, George Throop, Warren Y. Whit-
ney, Edward J. Thomas, William K. Knight; Gunners, with
rank of corporals: Fred. A. Sampson, John Lunt, Solomon F.
Denton, Charles P. Hazeltine, Nelson James, John C. Lee.
The battery remained at Camp Douglas, waiting for
horses and equipments and greater proficiency in artil-
lery drill and practice, until November 8, 1862, when
it moved, in obedience to orders, to Memphis, Tenn.,
starting from Chicago one hundred and fifty-two strong.
Arriving at Memphis, it moved, on the 24th, with Gene-
ral Sherman, for the Tallahatchie, arriving at College
Hill, near Oxford, Miss., on December 5. On Decem-
ber 9, the movement on Vicksburg by the Yazoo River,
being determined upon, the battery returned to Mem-
phis to prepare for it — arriving there on the 12th.
< )n General Sherman's return to Memphis, he reorgan-
ized a portion of the forces there into two divisions,
ARTILLERY.
283
under Generals A. J. Smith and G. W. Morgan, to
the former of which the Chicago Mercantile Battery
was attached.
On December 21, the battery embarked with Sher-
man's army for an expedition against the northern de-
fenses of Vicksburg, and reached Milliken's Bend on
the 24th, and the following day, with Smith's division,
marched twenty-five miles west, into Louisiana, to
destroy a section of the Shreveport Railroad, which was
struck at Dallas. The command then returned to
Milliken's Bend, and joined Sherman on the Yazoo,
near Chickasaw Bayou, on the 27th
The next morning, the division advanced along the
main road to Vicksburg to within a mile of the bluffs.
The battery occupied various positions to cover the
movements of the division, until the attack was aban-
doned, December 31, 1862, when, at midnight, one sec-
tion ot the battery, with the 108th Illinois Infantry,
covered the retreat of the boats down the Yazoo. On
the return of the troops to Milliken's Bend, General
McClernand assumed command of the army, styling it
the Army of the Mississippi, and organizing it into two
corps — Thirteenth and Fifteenth — commanded by Gene-
rals Morgan and Sherman respectively. The Chicago
Mercantile Battery remained attached to General
A. J. Smith's division, which was designated the Tenth
Division, Thirteenth Army Corps.
On the 5th of January, 1863, the battery, with
Smith's division, embarked at Milliken's Bend for an
expedition fifty miles up the Arkansas River, against
Fort Hindman, or Arkansas Post. In this movement,
the battery was temporarily attached to the Ninth Di-
vision, General Osterhaus. On January 11, the gun-
boats moved up the river and opened fire, followed by
the field artillery. On the left, Colonel Sheldon, under
General Osterhaus's direction, ordered the sections of
the Mercantile Battery under, his command to a posi-
tion within two hundred yards of the enemy's defenses,
to cover the assault of the infantry on the eastern face
of the fort. The section under Lieutenant Wilson, on
the opposite shore, opened into the enemy's line of
rifle-pits, and did good execution. The battery received
public thanks from General Osterhaus for the efficient
service it rendered in its first engagement, and for the
" excellent and gallant conduct of both officers and men."
The command of the captured post was assigned to
General A. J. Smith, as a token of the conspicuous
merit displayed by himself and command during the en-
gagement.
The command re-embarked at Arkansas Post on
the 17th, and moved down the Mississippi to Young's
Point, nearly opposite Vicksburg, where the battery
went into camp on the 25th. General Grant assumed
personal command of the movements against Vicksburg
on the 30th, and General McClernand took command
of the Thirteenth Corps. Most of the officers were sick
at this time, and Lieutenant Swan was appointed to
command the battery ; which remained at Young's
Point until March, when it moved, with the division, to
Milliken's Bend, fifteen miles above Vicksburg, and
again encamped until the middle of April. The
change from the malarial swamps and poisonous water
of Young's Point to the beautiful location at Milliken's
Bend, was a grateful one to the boys; and once settled
in their "shebangs" among the oaks and magnolias,*
with roses, and jasmine making fragrant the soft April
air, good rations and improving health made the ter-
rible winter, just passed, seem like a fearful dream.
* The members of the battery will remember how the practical jokes of
" Tom " Egan also enlivened the camp.
On April 15, the battery broke 'amp at Milliken's
Bend, and marched with the division, as a part of
Grant's army, on the famous expedition against Vicks-
burg, by way of the Big Black River, arriving on the
morning of May 1, near Magnolia Church, about three
miles west of Port Gibson, Miss. There the enemy
was encountered, and the battery heavily engaged , the
Confederates being driven back to Fort Gibson, which
they evacuated during the night.
From May 3-6, the battery, with its division, was
near Willow Springs, waiting for supplies, and after
leaving there reached the neighborhood of Raymond
on the 15th. On the 1 6th, it advanced —Smith's divis-
ion forming the left of McClernand's corps — on the
direct Raymond road toward Edward's Station, meet-
ing the enemy at Champion Hill, some eight miles
out of Raymond. At Champion Hill, the fighting in
Smith's division was confined to the artillery and
skirmishers, the Mercantile Battery having a severe
engagement, at short range, with a rebel eight-gun
battery, in covering the advance of the left. At day-
light, on the 17th, the battery joined in the pursuit of
the enemy to the Big Black bridge, the Thirteenth
Corps arriving at about eight o'clock a. m., and driv-
ing the Confederates from the position, with the loss
of eighteen pieces of artillery and nearly two thousand
prisoners.
. The command crossed the Big Black May 18, and
marched to within four miles of Vicksburg. On the
19th, it formed on the right of the Baldwin Ferry road,
behind the crest of a hill overlooking Two Mile Creek,
in plain view of the enemy's defenses a mile west. The
battery opened fire from the summit of the hill, and, as
soon as the enemy's skirmishers were driven back, ad-
vanced across the creek to the hill on the opposite side,
covering the infantry in the assault of that day. On
the 2 2d, a section of the battery was moved by hand to
a position within twenty-five feet of the fortifications,
which position it held through the day, covering Law-
ler's and Landrum's brigades in their heroic, but disas-
trous, assault on the fortifications near the Baldwin
road. General McClernand remarked of this episode,
that " Captain White carried one of his pieces quite to
the ditch, and, double shotting it, forced it into an em-
brasure, disabling a gun in it ready to be discharged,
and scattering the rebel cannoniers." Although the
defenses of this point were carried, and the Union col-
ors planted on the parapet, where they remained nine
hours, it was a barren triumph — the Confederates fall-
ing back a little distance to an inner work, on higher
ground which commanded the interior of that carried,
and prevented its occupation — all but one of those who
gained the interior being killed. The assailants re-
mained in the ditch outside until nearly dark, when the
attack was abandoned and the battery and infantry
withdrawn.
At the close of the siege, the battery, then with
General E. O. C. Ord, who succeeded McClernand in
command of the Thirteenth Corps on June 18, took
part in General Sherman's movement against Jackson,
Miss, entering that city on Johnston's evacuation, July 17.
After remaining until the 21st, engaged in the destruc-
tion of portions of the lines of railroad centering there
and other Confederate property, the command returned
to Vicksburg, and encamped a short time, until the
Thirteenth Army Corps was transferred to the Depart-
ment of the Gulf. On August 6, the battery, with that
corps, proceeded to New Orleans, and thence to camp
at Brashear City, where the designation of the Tenth
division was changed to the Fourth, of which General
284
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Camp Rap, TVcr
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AGrandCELEBRATION!
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III. I. 01 PAPER ISSUED IN CAMP TYLER PRISON; PRINTED UY PEN AND INK.
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
285
OLD F~ 1_ /=^ r^.
LIST OF PRISONERS.
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FAC-S1MILE OF PAPER ISSUED IN CAMP TYLER PRISON; PRINTED BY PEN AND INK.
2S6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Burbridge was the commander, and General Ord com-
manded the corps. In October, the battery, with a
part of its division, moved from camp at Brashear City
to Opelousas. and thence to Barras Landing, near
Bayou Teche, where it encamped until November i.
It then marched, with one brigade of Burbridge's com-
mand, down the Teche to Muddy Bayou, and on the
3d participated in the battle of Grand Coteau, wherein
Major-Genera] Washburn commanded the Federal
forces, comprising the Third and part of the Fourth
divisions.
On the return of the expedition, the Fourth Division
went into camp at New Iberia, where it remained until
December 19, when it moved to Algiers, and was as-
signed to duty as part of the Texas expedition, under
General Washburn. Leaving Algiers, on January 5,
1S64. it disembarked at DuCroix, near the mouth of the
Rio Grande, on the 12th. There the command remained
until the 20th of February, employed in guard and gar-
rison duty, after which it returned to Algiers, landing
there on the 24th, an 1 moving thence by rail to Berwick
City, on the 5th of .March. There, the Fourth Division
of the Thirteenth Army Corps, commanded by General
Landrum, and the Third Division, General Cameron,
were placed under command of General T. E. G. Ran-
som, under whom the)' started with General Banks's
miserable Red River fiasco.
Leaving Berwick City, on the 13th, the battery, with
the division, marched by way of Opelousas, through
Holmesville, to Alexandria, where it arrived on the 26th,
and thence marched to Natchitoches, where General
Banks's army concentrated for his contemplated move-
ment on Shreveport, the head of steamboat navigation
on the Red River. General Banks's forces consisted of
a part of the Nineteenth Corps (composed of Eastern
troops formerly commanded by himself, and at that
time by General Franklin\ the Third and Fourth divis-
ions of the Thirteenth Corps 'commanded by General
Ransom , the Cavalry Division (commanded by General
Lee *, and detachments of the Sixteenth and Seven-
teenth corps (under General A. J. Smith).
On the 6th of April, the whole force, with the excep-
tion of General Smith's command, moved from Natchi-
toches, and, on the evening of the 7th, encamped at
1'ieasant Hill, a little settlement in the pine woods,
thirty miles distant. On the morning of the 8th, the
march was resumed — the Fourth Division, to which the
Mercantile Battery was attached, leading the infantry
The cavalry advance, supported by Emerson's brigade
of the Fourth Division, after severe skirmishing with
the enemy, t finally reached an opening in the pine
forest, some fifteen miles beyond Pleasant Hill, termed
Sabine Cross Roads, and three miles southeast of Mans-
field, where the Confederates, under General Kirby
Smith, were encountered in force, and its further ad-
vance totally checked. The remainder of the Fourth
Division, commanded by General Ransom in person,
was hurried forward in support, arriving at about half-
past two o'clock p. m., and immediately formed in line-
of-battle, at the rear of a large open field of irregular
shape, through which the road to Mansfield passed in a
northwesterly direction. A narrow belt of timber
divided the field on the right of the road.
One regiment of the Fourth Division was placed on
the left of the road to support Nim's Massachusetts bat-
tery, Dudley's cavalry brigade also guarding the left
rard >.ne of the proprietors of the NewOrleana Republii an.
t When the cavalry skirmishing i General Banks, accompanied
by his ■• p..: .- ■ ■ r.d by the marching column, and, in reply to
the cheer* of the men, he jubilantly boasted that " We'll drive these rebels
back to their lairi" ; which he did not do.
flank. The remainder of the Fourth Division was
formed in rear of the belt of timber on the right, the
Chicago Mercantile Battery occupying a position in the
center of the field. Nim's battery was then advanced
to the extreme front; three pieces on the left of the
road, one in the road, and two on the right. The Con-
federates occupied a strong position on rising ground
in the edge of the woods, on the farther side of the
"clearing," their line, through which ran the road,
curving around toward the Union right. At about
half-past four, the Fourth Division moved forward
through the belt of timber in its front, and immediately
engaged in heavy skirmishing with the Confederates.
Ransom's skirmishers were driven back, and the enemy
immediately moved in heavy columns from the woods,
and advanced, across the clearing in his front, upon the
Union right and center, which held its ground bravely,
and, after severe fighting, checked and, finally, partial-
ly repulsed the enemy. The Confederates moved from
their flank with such rapidity, and the troops in the front
were so long delayed by the non-receipt of orders to re-
tire, that Federals and Confederates were charging
across the field in a jumble of blue and gray, and were
equally the recipients of the steady fire from the bat-
teries; the Federals, in addition, receiving some desul-
tory shots from the " Johnnies," with whom they were
thus intimately and unpleasantly associated. Before the
right had accomplished this, however, the Confederates
had attacked the left. General Ransom attempted to
withdraw his division and form a new line on a ridge in
the woods, a little in the rear; and, while engaged with
Captain White in an effort to retire the Mercantile Bat-
tery to the desired position, was shot through the knee,
and carried to the rear just in time to escape capture.*
The effort to retire the Fourth Division was utterly
futile, the Confederates rushing in overwhelming force
on the left, scattering the cavalry, which fled in utter
confusion, capturing Nim's battery and pushing the in-
fantry back through the woods in complete disorder.
The only road — a narrow pass through the pine woods
— was completely blocked by the baggage train. f The
Third Division, hurrying to the front, was pushed back
in the general rout ; the Mercantile Battery could not
be taken from the field, but in the attempt to save it, or
render it worthless, Captain White was wounded and
captured, Lieutenants George Throop and Joseph W.
Barr killed, Lieutenant Cone captured, one non-com-
missioned officer and one private killed, nine privates
wounded and eighteen captured. Among the captured
were Sergeants I. L. Day, Henry C. Brackett, George
E. Bryant, and Privates William Munn, of Chicago, and
J. W. Arnold and Sanford L. Parker, of Rockford. They
were held in captivity, subjected to the hardships of
prison life, fourteen months, being exchanged during
the Red River parole, May 20, 1865.
After this battle, the battery was ordered back to
New Orleans, where it went into camp to recruit and
procure new guns. In May, 1864, the battery was
furnished with infantry arms and equipments, and
details were required from the command for fatigue
and guard duty on the fortifications. Through some
unfortunate misunderstanding of the duties to which
they were liable while temporarily serving as infantry,
the battery, commanded by Lieutenant Henry Roe, so
* General Ransom subsequently died from the effects of this wound— one
of the bravest soldiers and finest men whose life was sacrificed during the war.
t The military genius which thus had the baggage train up with the ad-
vance of tin- army, is too apparent in its idiocy to need comment. The fact
that Kirhy Smith's attack in force was an utter surprise to Hanks, proves how
well the latter had the country scouted. The Confederates had kept skirmishing
with the Federal troops, and falling back before them, until the latter, under the
masterly inefficiency of Hanks, were drawn into the disastrous rout at Sabine
Cross Roads.
ARTILLERY.
287
replied to this order as to cause the arrest of Lieuten-
ant Roe and other officers, for alleged disobedience of
orders, by Lieutenant-Colonel Viall, commanding the
post. Lieutenant Roe being exonerated and released,
the dismounted battery was provided, in August, 1864,
with horses, equipments and guns, and attached to a
cavalry division, under General Davidson, under whom
it started on an expedition to destroy the Mobile and
Ohio Railroad. After proceeding to Baton Rouge, it
was ordered to Pascagoula, and, on May 8, 1865,
returned to New Orleans, and there it remained in camp
until June, when it was ordered to Chicago, where it
arrived July 3, and was mustered out of service July
10. On its return, the battery numbered one hundred
and thirty men, of whom only thirty-five were original
members of the company.
The officers, on its return, were
Captain. P. II. White; Senior First Lieutenant, P. S. Cone;
Junior First Lieutenant, F. D. Meacham; Senior Second Lieuten-
ant, Henry Roe; Junior Second Lieutenant, James C. Lincoln.
In closing this brief itinerary of the movements of
this battery, it is a matter of simple justice to the mem-
bers and their many relatives and friends in this city, to
state that no body of men could have fought more
bravely or determinedly, than did the Chicago Mercan-
tile Battery at the battle of Sabine Cross Roads ; and
there is no doubt but that the boys would have got their
guns off the field, if that incomprehensible N. P. Banks
had not conveniently massed the baggage wagons in the
road. But they were there, and that settled the fate of
the guns. The writer of this annotation was present
at that battle, and deems that, with the single exception
of the battle of Manassas, the battle of Sabine Cross
Roads stands alone — sui generis — a monument to
Nathaniel P. Banks, and one which no Union soldier
who ever participated in the disgraceful " skedaddle"
can either condone, forget or forgive. Had it not been
for General A. J. Smith, who checked the triumphant
onslaught of the Confederates, the entire Union army
would have been marched to Camp Tyler prison.
g^^|:®pSl
^fif^t^ri^:;T'^
THE ARMORY AND GAS WORKS. ADAMS STREET.
TABULAR RECORD OF CHICAGO SOLDIERS
WHO ATTAINED TO THE RANK OF COMMISSIONED OFFICERS DURING THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
TABLE A. INFANTRY.
No. of
Regi-
uienl.
Com-
pany.
rati
12th
! A
j
12th
12th
A
A
12th
< K
'( ....
rail
K
12th
K
12th
12th
K
J A
12th
12th
1 A
12th
A
12th
A
12th
A
12th
A
12th
G
12th
K
13th
D
13th
I
13th
I
13th
I
13th
I
13th
I
19th
19th
19lh
j E
19th
19lh
S 0.
19th
19th
19th
19th
19th
19th
19th
"a
A
19th
A
19th
A
19th
A
19th
C
19th
C
19th
D
19th
D
19th
19th
I)
D
19th
K
19th
E
19th
0
19th
0
'9th
0
19th
I
Rank and line
Date of ciose of service
or of Transfer.
REMARKS.
John McArthur.
ArthurC. Ducat
Joseph Kellogg
John Noyes. Jr
James R. Hugunin
William E. Waile
William Tibbits
Eben Bacon
Duncan McLean
George Mason
Horace Wardner
Owen E. Smith
Washington Van Horn.
Louis Wagner
James B.Johnson
James M. McArthur
Henry B. Wager
George G. Knox.
Samuel W. Wadsworth
James G. Everest
Isaac H. Williams
Hyacinthe Canine
Robert Rutherford ....
John B. Turcbin
Joseph R. Scott
Alexander W. Raffen..
Frederick Harding
James V. Guthrie
Chaoncey Miller
Robert W. Wetherell..
Samuel <:. Blake
Roswell i;. Kogue
AUIUttM H. c.rmaht .
ana K Hayd-n
Cllflon T. Wharton
■ tig
William B. Curtis.
Thomas M. Beatty
William Innei
Washington L. »'«»1 .
Charles A '
William A Calhoun. .
James p. Faulkner
I'.oone
David Y. Bremer ...
James W. Raffen
Charles I>. c. Williams
William Bl.hop
Charles H. Roland
Charles H. Mhepley ..
Colonel
( 2d Lieutenant
i Captain
Major
Lieut.-Colonel.
Captain
1st Lieutenant
Captain
Major
\ 1st Lieutenant.
(Captain
1st Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant .
1st Lieutenant
Quartermaster
Captain
Adjutant
Surgeon
\ 1st Lieutenant.
l Captain
1st Lieutenant....
2d Lieutenant —
\ 1st Lieutenant....
) Captain.
) 2d Lieutenant
( 1st Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
Captain
\ 1st Lieutenant....
' Captain
2d Lieutenant
\ 2d Lieutenant ...
'( 1st Lieutenant....
2d Lieutenant
Colonel
t Lieut. Colonel....
' Colonel
Captain
Lieut. Colonel
Major
Captain.
Major
Adjutant
Quartermaster..
Surgeon
Smgeon
Chaplain
Captain
1st Lieutenant. ..
2d Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
t 1st Lleutenaut...
i Captain
1st Lieutenant...
Captain
^ 2d Lieutenant ...
1st Lieutenant ..
' Captain
1 -.1 Lieutenant. . .
□tenant....
j 1st Lieutenant.. .
I Captain
2d Lieutenant ....
Captain
j 2d Lieutenant....
' 1st Lieutenant...
ad Lieutenant...
j First Lieutenant
: Captain
May 3. 1861 ...
May 11. 18b 1 .
August 1, 1861 .
Sept 24, 1861. .
April 1 1862 ...
April 27, 1861 .
April 27, 1861 .
October 21, 1S64..
October 15. 1861.
.lune 16. 1862.. ..
Sept. 3. 1862
May 22. 1862
July 16.1861
August 1. 1864...
June 2. 1865
August 1. 1861..
October 4. 1862
April 1. 1862 ...
July 14, 1862...
May 3. 1861
March 17. 1863
Max 23. 1861 .
March 17, 1863.
June 22. 1861...
June 22.1861
August 7. 1862
July 30, 1861
July 22. 1862
June 03. 1861
July 30. 1861
September 6. 1862 .
August 10, 1861....
August 10, 1861.
June 25. 1861
August 5, 1861
July 31. 1862
May 6. 1861
May 4. 1861
May 4. 1861
August 6. 1861
August 17. 1862....
July 30. 1861
September 6, 1862 .
September 6, 1862 .
July 30, 1861
October 20, 1861...
February 1. 1KH3..
February 7, 1863...
July 30. 1861
October 31. 1861...
July30, 1861
July 22, 1862
July 22, 1862
July 3D. 1861
September 18. 1861
January 1. 1862...
July 80, 1861
July 3 ', 1861 .. ..
October 18. 1861 ...
288
Resigned Feb. 9. 1864.
Resigned July 12. 1864....
Term expired Aug. 1,1864
Mustered out July.10,1865
Resigned Nov. 24, 1861...
Must'il out April 13, 1865
Resigned July 28. 1864...
Promoted to brig, surgeon
Mustered out July 10.1865
Term expired Aug. 1,18
Mustered out July 10.1865
Resigned Aug. 3. 1864
Resigned Dec. 14. 1862....
Promoted to 1st lieuten-
ant 1st Artillery, March
6, 1862. Resigned April
15, 1865.
Resigned March 17. 1863.
Term expired June 22.
1864
Resigned March 31. 1862
Honorably diseb'd, March
11. 1865
Term expired June 22
1864
Resigned as colonel Aug.
6, 1862
Term expired July 9. 1864
Resigned. July 12. 1862...
Promoted by the Presi-
1 dent. May 5. 1864
Transferred
Term expired July 9, 1864
Term expired July 9. 1864
Term expired July 9. 1N64
Transferred to U. S. Ar-
my. Aug. 6. 1861.
Resigned Aug. 17. 1862...
Term expired July 9, 18
On detached service
muster-out of regime
Resigned Dec. 1, 18
Resigned Feb. 7, 18
Enlisted in three months' service,
j and re-entered the three years'
I service. Promoted brigadier-
i general March 21. 1862.
s Enlisted for three months', re-en-
/ listed for three years' service.
Mustered in May 10. 1861.
Mustered in May 10. 1861.
Enlisted tor three mouths', re-en-
I listed for three years' service.
. IsivveteU brig. -general March 13,
In 12th Inf., Co. K. re-enlisted
a veteran Jan. 1,1864. Promoted
to sergeant, then 1st lieutenant.
Enlisted for three mouths, re-en-
listed for three years.
Enlisted as private in Co. A, Apri!
17. 1861. re-enlisted for three
years, corporal, Aug. 1. 1861. re-
enlisted as a veteran Jan. 1, 1864.
Promoted. — Commission as 2d
lieutenaut returned and canceled.
Enlisted as private in Co. A. April
17. 1861, re-enlisted. 1st sergeant,
Aug. 1. 1861. Promoted.
Enlisted as private :n Co. A. Aug.
7. 1861. re-enlisted as a veteran
Jan. 1. 1864. Promoted.
Enlisted as a private in Co. A.
Aug. 7. 1861. promoted to quarter-
master sergeant, and 2d lieutenant.
K Aug. 1 1861.
sergeant. Promoted.
Mustered in May 24. 1861.
Enlisted May 24. 1861. sergeant
Died February 8. 1863.
\ Enlisted June 17. 1861. as ser-
> geant-inajor. Promoted.
< Enlisted as a private, June 17.
[ Enlisted June 17, 1861. as sergeant
1 in Co. C Discharged fordisal.il
I Ity, July 31. 1862. Afterward
commissioned 1st lieutenant.
Term expired July 9. 1864
Term expired July 9. 1864
Term expired July 9, 1864
Died March 23. 1862.
MILITARY HISTORY.
Table A. Infantry. — Continued.
NAMES.
No. of r
ReBi- J
meat p
any.
Rank and Line
.if
Promotion.
Date of Commission.
Date of Close of Service
or of Transfer.
REMARKS.
20th
20th
23d
23d
23d
23d
■zm j
23d
23d
23d
23d
23d
23d
\23d
J 23d*
23d*
23d
23d
23d
23d
23d
23d
J23d
i 23d*
23d
J 23d
}23d«
23d
23d
23d
23d
23d
23d
|23d
'. 23d«
23d
23d
j 23d
1 23d«
23d« j
23d*
23d*
23d*
23d'
23d'
23d«
23d«
23d«
23d*
23d*
23d
24th
24th
24th |
24th
24th {
24th \
24th
24th
24th
24th
24th
24th
24th j
24th
24th
24th j
24th
?4th j
24th
'.4th
24th
24th
24th
24th \
24th
A
B
B
B
B
A
A
C
C
C
C
C
0
E
A
E
G
C
6
G
G
H
H
I
I
D
K
K
K
D
E
A
A
B
B
0
C
C
D
D
E
H
G
'g
A
E
A
A
B
F
B
C
0
H
C
D
D
D
E
E
K
E
F
Colonel
Quartermaster
May 14, 1861
September 1. 1862 ...
June 15, 1861
Resigned April 22, 1863 ..
Musteredout July 16, 1865
Killed lu action July 24. 1864.
Term expired In 1864
\ Term expired June 18.
Junel5, 1861
November 1, 1861
\ Term expired Sept. 14,
Quartermaster
September 10, 1861...
i Resigned Feb. 6, 1862,
with a view of promotion
[ to lieutenant-colonel 23d
Missouri Volunteer In-
Resignc.l Dec. 4. 1662
Resigned .March 11. 1863.
\ Honorably discharge)]
(June 19. 1864
Resigned March 5, 1863 . .
Term expired Oct. 10, 1864
June 15. 1861
March 5, 1863
September 1 1864
September 1. 1864 ....
March 25, 1865
ie.msoii.late.il as see. mil lieuten-
! ant; promoted to first lieutenant,
I but commission declined and can-
l celed.
James M. Doyle...
Francis Mc Murray
\ 2d Lieutenant
X Captain
( Mustered out of service
(July 24, 1865
June 15. 1861
Augusts, 1861
June 15 1861
August 5. 1861
Term expired in 1864
\ Dishonorably dismissed
(Captain
Resigned May 31, 1862....
'( 1st Lieutenant
S 2d Lieutenant
Tames NiiffPi
May 9, 1862
Killed July 24, 1864.
2d Lieutenant
Captain
2d Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
Captain
t Term expired Sept. 14.
i 1864
Mustered out Oct. 31, 1861
( Mustered out September
June 15, 1861
. Transferred, as captain of Co. D.
to captain of Co. A, 23d Regiment
June 15. 1861
April 8, 1862
Mustered out Feb. 27, 1865
Resigned April 13, 1862..
Term expired in 1864
Resigned Feb. 14, 1863....
C Transferred, as captain of Co. D,
< to captain of Co. C, 23d Regiment
( (consolidated;.
John A. Hines
\ 2d Lieutenant
J 1st Lieutenant
s 2d Lieutenant
February 14. 1863....
August 10, 1861
January 26. 1862
January 26. 1862 ....
Resigned Sept. 2, 1862....
S Term expired September
Mustered not as captain
J of Co. D, 23d Regiment
1 (consolidated), July 24.
[ Second and first lieutenant of Co. I,
23.1 Regiment; transferred March
( 1st Lieutenant
I Captain
March 1, 1862
September 1, 1864...
May23. 1865
| 1. 1862. to Co. D, and promoted
[September 1, 1864.
Term expired in 1864. ..
Term expired Jan. 16,1865
Mustered out July 24.1865
Mustered out July 24.1865
Mustered out July 24 1865
Musteredout July 24,1865
Mustered out July24, 1865
Mustered out July 24.1865
Mustered out July 24,1865
( Honorably discharged
{ March 16, 1865
1st Lieutenant
December 1. 1861
January 1. 1862
September 1. 1864 ...
2d Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
2(1 Lieutenant.. .
J 1st Lieutenant
March 25, 1865
March 2'5, 1865
September 6, 1864 ...
March 25, 1865
September 6. 1864 . .
March 25, 1865
September 6, 1864
March 25. 1865
October 15, 1862
March 25. 1865
September 1. 1864 ....
March 25. 1865 ....
February 9. 1862
June 17. 1861
June 17, 1861
December 23. 1861....
"(1st Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
Killed in action April 2, 1865.
Mustered out July 24,1865
Mustered out July 24.1865
Discharged Jan. 20. 1S65
Resigned Dec. 23, 1861...
Resigned March 21. 1864.
Resigned Oct. 31, 1861....
Resigned July 3, 1862....
Term expired Aug. 6. 1864
Resigned Dec. 16. 1863. ...
Term expired Aug. 6. 1864
Term expired Aug. 6. 1864
Resigned March 3. 1862.
Term expired Aug. 6. 1864
Term expired Aug. 6. 1864
S Mustered out as second
1 lieutenant July 31, 1865.
Term expired Aug. 6. 1864
1 Promoted capt. 2d Regl-
i ment, A. D
Resigned July 10, 1862...
Term expired Aug. 6, 1864
RtsguedMay 14. 1863....
Term expired Aug. 6. 1864
Tei in expired Aug. 6. 1S64
Term expire.! Aug 6. 1SB4
Resigned June 17. 1862...
\ Ho n orabl y discharged
Stewart S. Allen
t Lieut.-Colonel
Lient.-Colonel
Major . .
December 23, 1861....
July 8, 1861
December 23. 1861.. .
Major
December 1, 1861.. .
July 3. 1862
November 1. 1861 ....
June 16. 1861
November 7, 1863
Surgeon
1st Asst. -Surgeon
2(1 Asst.-Surgeou
2d Lieutenant
( 2d Lieutenant
November 16, 1868....
June 5, 1861
January 1, 1862
September 20. 1863...
September 30. 1864....
\ Resigned as second lieutenant of
( Co. E. Oct. 31. 1861.
. Received c.iinin issimi September
■20 1863. as second lieutenant of
( Co. B; assigned to Co. A.
t 2d Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
Captain
September 20. 1863....
Andreas Jacobi
June 17, 1861
June 17, 1861
December 1. 1861.. .
1st Lieutenant.
s 2(1 Lieutenant
August 18. 1862
September 3, 1862 .
June 5. 1861
January 1, 1862
January 1. 1862.
Frank Sch weinfurth
June 22, 1861
Resigned Jan. 19. 1863....
*23d Infantry (consolidated).
290
HISTORY OF CHICAGO
Table A. Infantry. — Continued.
Hugo Gerhardt
Edward Korneujiuii..
August Bitter
Peter Haud
No. of
Regi-
ment.
Arthur Erbe .
Moritz Kanfiuanu
S. Peter Hatnmerick
Francis Langelfeld
Ferdinand H. Rolshausen.
Robert A. Gilmore .
Ransom Kennicott .
24th
34th
34th
34th
24th
24th
•24th
24th
24th
24th
26th
Henry N. Frisbie 37th
37th
37th
37th
37th
37th
JohnH. Peck
Luther F. Humestou.
Edward Anderson
John \\\ Laimbeer
Wells H. Blodgett... .
George R. Bell
Frederick Abbey
Isaac C. Dodge
Austin Light
Thomas O. Lisbon)
Orrin L. Mann
Frank It. Marshall..
Joseph A. Cutler....
Samuel C. Blake....
Charles M. Clark
Cyrus F. Knapp
William T. Moore
Nathan E. Davis
Thomas Moore
William B. Slaughter.
Charles J. Wilder
George Seari ug
EmlleGuntz
William A. Webb
(;r„rg- w. Roberts....
David Stuart
David w. Norton
Edward H. Brown...
Edward n. Bwartoot ..
Edwin Powell
E. O. F. Boler
Alexander F. Stevenson
Julius Lettnian
Charles c. Phillips
Andrew II. Granger
William D Will
George C smith
'4 11 I in.»r
J<,,. ,,,, N Bettman
Alfred O. Johnson
Be n
I c. Feldeamp.,
Henry John
Vredrta Flehter
Aagust Mengel
William Kiei,t
Charles Koobeladorf . .
Lotbar Llppert
J'.hn A. Comroerell
Jacob Kuhi
Frederick Abraham*.
Oeorge B. Cooley
37th
3? til
37th
37th
37th
39th
39th
39th
39th
39th
39th
39th
39th
39th
39th
39th
39th
42d
42d
42d
43d
42d
13d
42d
43d
43d
43d
43d
43d'
4*1 •
43d"
nth
I4th
I lib
llll,
14th
Rank and Line
i 3d Lieutenant ...
< 1st Lieutenant...
\ 2d Lieutenant...
1st Lieutenant...
' Captain
* 3d Lieutenant ...
I 1st Lieutenant...
* 3d Lieutenant
' 1st Lieutenant...
Captain
y 2d Lieutenant ...
; 1st Lieutenant . .
' Captain
* 2d Lieutenant
■ 1st Lieutenant...
j 2d Lieutenant
' 1st Lieutenant...
2d Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
Captain
2d Lieutenant
Colonel
^ Major
■j Lieut.-Colonel
' Colonel
Quartermaster ...
Colonel
Captain
Major
Lieut.-Colonel ..
Colonel
Captain
Major
Lieut.-Colonel
Adjutant
Adjutant
Quartermaster ...
sui genu
Chaplain
Captain ..
\ 1st Lieutenant
' Captain
i 1st Lieutenant.. .
/ captain
1st Lieutenant
j 3d Lieutenant
i 1st Lieutenant ...
Colonel
Lieut.-Colonel
Colonel
Major
' Lieut.-Colonel
' Colonel
Adjutant
Quartermaster
Surgeon
v 1st Asst. Surgeon..
' Surgeon
1st Lieutenant..
2d Lieutenant ..
2d Lieutenant..
Captain
2d Lieutenant
Colonel
i Major
' Colonel
Lieut.-Colonel
Captain
Major
Adjutant
Quartermaster
Surgeon
1st Asst. Surgeon .
i 1st Lieutenant
■ captain
2d Lieutenant
Cat, tain
i 2d Lieutenant
I Captain
1st Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
Captain
1st Lieutenant
. 3d Lieutenant
' 1st Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
Captain
j 3d Lieutenant. ..
1st Lieutenant
[Captain
1st Lieutenant
| 3d Lieutenant ....
' 1st Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
3d Lieutenant
3d Lieutenant
I tl Lieutenant
2<i Lieutenant
(Colonel
Captain
1st Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant.
3d Lieutenant ...
• 3d Lieutenant,...
i 1 si Lieutenant...
March 3. 1S62
July 3. 1S62
January 1. 1862
June 29. 1862...-
Noveinher 16, 1863.
June 29, 1862
November 16, 1S63.
Julys, 1861
December 1, 1861...
June 29. 1862
January 1. 1862
July 10. 1862
December S. 1863...
January 1, 1862
December 8. lSti:i..
March 1, 1862
November 1(1, 1863.
January 1, 1862
rably disch'd Marel
Term expired Aug.6, 18
xpired Aug.6, 1864
expired Aug. 15,
Term expired Aug.6, 1864
Term expired Aug.6, 1864
Term expired Aug.6. 1864
Dismissed Feb. 23. lst',3
Resigned June 39. 1863...
Hon. diseh'd Mch. 12. 1865
Resigned April 3D. 1864.
(Mustered out as lieut-
I colonel Oct. 27. 1864,
Resigned June 18, li
(Promoted to brigadicr-
< general June 9 1862
{ Honorably mustered out
■ ills lieut. -colonel Aon
' lit 1866 .
, Resigned Oct. 17, 1863
' for promotion in tin
! Corps d'Afrique
Resigned March 34. 1863
Mustered nut Ma\' 15,1866
Resigned Jan. 4. 1864
Mustered out Oct. 4, 18h4
Resigned April 25, 1862..
Discharged Jan. 1 1863...
Promoted by President . . .
Resigned July 7, 1864
R'-sig I Feb. 38. 1863....
Term expired Sept. 22
1864 ...
Dismissed Nov. 25. 1861
( Promoted brig.-general
June 17. 1862
Augusts. 1861
August 29. 1861....
October 7. 1862
April 30. 1864
August 29, 1861 ..
July 16. 1861
August 1. 1861
October 19. 1863 ...
September 9 1864 ..
August 28, 1865
August 1. 1861 ... ,
June 9. 1862
November 20. 1S62.
August 15. 1861
October 17. 1864 ....
August 5. 1861
August 15. 1861
September 18. 1861.
August 1, 1861
August 1. 1861
January 1, 1868
August. 8. 1861 ....
June 9. 1862
August 1 1861
August 1. 1861
February 28, 1863 ,.
August 5. 1861
July 22. 1861
December 1, 1861. . ' volunteers May 11. 1865
August 13, 1 si, 1 , Mustered out as Unit. -co I
December 1. 1861 -Dec. 6. 1865. I'.vt. brig
June 6, 1865 ' general March 13, 1S65
August 5. 1861 ...
July 22, 1861 ....
August 5, 1861...
August 5. 1861 ...
June 3 1862
September 4, 1863
January 13, 1863.
April 29. 1865
July 1, 1864
October 4, 1865
August 5, 1861
March 34. 1862
July 11, 1862
October 4, 1865
July 22, 1861
July 22. 1861
December 24, 1861...
July 22, 1861
July 22, 1861
September 2, 1863 ..
July 22. 1861
July 22, 1861
July 28, 1861
Resigned Julv 15. 1863..
Resigned .To, i,, ]o. ]Mio
Resigned June :>_,, 1863..
Mustered out as sergea
- .Mustered out as serge, i
i Dec. 6. 1865
Resigned July 30 18(13.
July28, 1861
July 22. 1861 ....
September 18, 1862
July 22, 1861
July 32, 1861
July 22, 1861
October 11. 18(12....
July 22, 1861
October 27. 18(12 ...
July 22, 1861
July 22. 1861
April 8, 1862
January 14, 1863 ..
December 16. 1865.
September 1. 1861..
September 1, 1861 ,
May 1. 1862
Mav 31. 1862
September 1, 1861 .,
March 8, 18
Nov
aber 14, 1864.
November 14, 1864.
November 14, 1864.
November 11. 1864
April 29. 1865
April 29. 1865
August 14, 1861.
Resigned Oct. 18. 1861 ...
Resigned Jan. 11. 1862....
i Promoted to Surgeon 55th
Died of wounds Dec. 28. 1864
Killed in battle, Oct, 13. 1864.
Died December 24, 1861.
( Killed at battle of Stone
' Dec. 31, 1862.
Regiment
Resigned Nov. 5, 1863.
llvt. -colonel March 13, '65
Resigned Oct. 11, 1862!
Resigned Sept. 9, 1863 .
Resigned Oct. 27, 1862.,
i expired Sept, 16, '64
i Mustered out as sergeant
1 Dec. 16, 1865
August 14. 1861
August 14. 1861....
February 33. 186.!..
February 9. 1863...
June 7. 1862
December 18, 1862.
Resigned Oct. 7, 1864....
Resigned April :!(>, ] S63
Transferred to Co. B, a
consolidated. Resigned
April 7,1865
Transferred to Co. B, as
consolidated. Mustered
out Nov. 30, 1865
Mustered out Nov. till, '65
Dismissed Aug. 15. 1862.
Di.sabilily removed Dec.
31. '63; never reinstated..
, Resigned lor promotion
I I'd). 9. 1862
Resigned I 27. 1861....
Resigned Feb. 1(), 1865...
Resigned April 9, 1863....
Resigned June 20, 1864...
Died of wounds, Dec. 8, 1863.
Died April 7, 1862
i-'ei infanti ; (consolidated).
MILITARY HISTORY.
Table A. Infantry. — Continued.
William Sclinoeckel....
Frank \v. Reilly
George W. Woodward .
Frederick A. Starring..
Gilbert W. Camming...
Luther P. Bradley
James S. Boyd
Samuel B. Raymond —
Charles W.Davis
Rufus Rose
John G. Mc Williams ..
James E. Montaudon ..
Henry W. Hall
Henry Howland
Albert C. Coe
William U. Hunt
Johns. Pashley
Henry F. Wescott
Jesse Johnson
Edward G. Blathemick,
Antonio DeAnguera —
John S. Keith
Isaac K. Gardner
George I. Waterman...
George H. Wentz
Charles C. Merrick
Ezra L. Brainard
Theodore F. Brown..
Thomas T. Lester
George L. Bellows
William B. Oliphant....
Merritt A. Atwater
Otis Moody
Charles H. Hills
Henry A. Buck
Charles H. Hill
George W. Rhor
James Compton
John Boylau
Charles R. May
David Stuart
Oscar Malmborg
William D. Sanger
James J. Heflerman —
George L. Thurston . . .
Henry W. Jones
Silas D. Baldwin
Frederick J. Hurlbut...
Norman E. Halm
Edward Hamilton
Williams. Swan
Robert B. Morse
Moses S. Lord
Frederick Lavcock
Robert D. Adams
Bradley D. Salter
David Kenyon
Edward Martin
Henry S. Blood
Thomas Lavery
Gustav A. Busse
Fritz Busse
Benjamin H. Chadburn
Theodore M. Doggett. ..
Robert W. Healy
51st
51st
51st
51st
51st
51st
51st
51st
51st
51st
51st
51st
51st
51st
51st
51st
51st
51st
52d
53d
53d
52d
53d
55th
55th
55th
55th
55th
55th
57th
57th
57th
5.7th
57th
57th
57lh
57th
57th
57th
57th
57th
57th
57th
,57th
58th
58th'
Rank ami Lin
\ 2d Lieutenant
1 1st Lieutenant
1st Asst.-Surgeon.
Chaplain
Major
Colonel
* Lieutenant-Colonel
( Colonel
3d Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
Captain
Major
Lieutenant-Colonel
Colonel
Major
Lieutenant-Colonel
I Adjutant
! Major
1 Lieutenant-Colonel
{ Colonel
Captain
Major
Captain
Major
1st Lieuteuant
Captain
Major
1st Lieutenant
Captain
Adjutaut
Quartermaster
2d Lieutenant
Quartermaster
Captain
Surgeon
1st Assl. -Surgeon .
Captain
. 3d Lieutenant
< 1st Lieuteuant
( Captain
2d Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
2d Lieuteuant
2d Lieuteuant
Captain
2d Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
Captain
Captain ,
\ 2d Lieutenant
( Captain
Captain
\ 1st Lieutenant
( Captain
1st Lieutenant
Captain
Captaiu
1st Lieutenant
i 1st Lieutenant
(Captain
1st Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
Adjutaut
t 2d Asst.-Surgeou...
'( Surgeon
I 1st Lieutenant
( Captain
\ 2d Lieutenant
( Captain
2d Lieutenant
Colonel
i Lieutenant-Colonel
'( Colonel
\ Major
t Lieutenant-Colonel
Captain
Major
Lieutenant-Colonel
Adjutant
Captaiu
Quartermaster
Colonel
( Lieutenant-Colonel
( Colonel
Adjutant
Quartermaster... .
Captain
1st Lieutenant
\ 2d Lieuteuant
i 1st Lieutenant
2d Lieuteuant
Captain
( 1st Lieutenant
\ Captaiu
\ 1st Lieutenant
t Captain
s 3d Lieutenant
| 1 si Lieutenant
1st Asst.-Surgeou..
3d Lieutenant
captain
> 1st Lieutenant ....
i Captain
Captain
1st Lieutenant
Captain
Major
, Major
■] Lieutenant-Colonel
( Colonel
Date of Commission.
January 16. 1862.. .
August 2U. 1862
March 21, 1862
January 1, 1862
September 12. 1S61
September 2d. lstil .
September 20. 1861 .
September 30. 1862.
December 24. lstil ..
July 8.1862
September 30. 1862.
July 3. 1865
July 31. 1865
September 24, 1865.
September 20, 1861 .
September 311. 1862.
October 15, 1861 ....
September 30, 186.'.
October 6, 1863
May 11. 1365
December 24, 1861..
October 6, 1863
December 34. 1861..
March 24, 1864
December 24. 1861..
April 16, 1863
July 31, 1865
December 24. 1861..
June 28. 1862
September 30, 1862.
September 20. 1861.
December 24, 1861..
June 9, 1862
June 14, 1864
October 21, 1861
October 28. 1861
December 24, 1861..
December 31. 1862..
March 28, 1865
September 20. 1865.
'.I. IS
April 16, 1863
December 24. 1861..
June 13. 18«2
December 34. 1861..
January 17. 1862...
June 28, 1862
August 6, 1864
December 24, lo61..
June 28, 1862
September 11, 1862
March 1, 1862
March 1, 1862
July 8. 1862
December 24, 1861.
October 6, 1863
July 18, 1562
March 24, 1864
December 24. 1861..
September 12. 1863.
December 24, 1861..
September 19, 1863.
April 16. 1863
April 23. 1864
March 4, 1862
April 7. 1862
January 12. 1863 —
November 19. 1864..
February 1, 1862....
October 31, 1861 ....
October 31. 1861....
December 19. 1862..
October 31, 1861. ...
December 19. 1862..
October 31. 1861 ....
December 19, 1862..
July 3, 1864
October 31. 1861 ....
March 1, 1862
October 31, 1661
December 26, 1861
December 26. 1861..
March 12. 1863
October 1, 1861
October 1, 1861
December 311. 1S6I .
December 3D. 1861 .
December 30, 1861..
June 7, 1862
Novembers. 1862...
December 26, 1861.
December 26. 1861..
April 7, 1862
April 7, 1863
March 13, 1863
April 7. 1863
March 13. 1863
December 26. 1861.
July 8, 1865
December 26. 1861..
I ember 26. 1861
June 23. 1864
December 26. 1861.
December 26, 1861.
December 24. 1861.
August 20. 1864....
August 'JO, 1864
March 27, 1865
September 5. 1865 .
Resigned April 1. 1863...
Promoted surg. 2lith Regl
Resigned Jan. 38. 1863...
Resigned
Resigned Sepl, 30, 1863..
l'n .united briguiliei-geii-
cr.il, July 30. 1864
Resigned October 6. 1863
( Uimiiralii v discharged as
( lieut-col., June 30. 1865
I March 6. 1865.
* Mustered out as 1st lieut.
j Co. H. September 25. 1S65
Resigned April 14. 1862..
Resigned Nov. Hi. 1862..
, Dismissed (court-martial
(April 16. 1863
Resigned June 28. 1863.
Honorably discharged
May 15. 1865
H onora b 1 v (lis, barge, I
October 28. 1863
Resigned Sept. 13, 1863
Mustered out July 8, 1863
( Honorably discharge,!
( May 15, 1865
, Honorably discharged a
< 1st sergeant. May 311. 186;
v Mustered out Septi-mbc
/35 1865
Mustered outjulj'6. 1865.
Mustered out July 6. 1865.
Term expired Dec.18,1864
Promoted brig. -genera I.
( Term expired Septenibe
' 2(1. 1864
Resigned Sepl. :>,, 1862....
Promoted by the Presi-
dent
Cashiered March 13, 18b;).
Re-appointed May 31.
1863. but not reinstated...
Resigned Sepl. 29. 1862...
Resigned Sept. 36. 1862.
.Mustered,, lit Dec. 29. 1864
Resigned June 7. 1862....
Resigned Sept, 26. 1862...
Resigned Feb. 28. 1863....
Resigned Oct. 29, 1864....
Term expired Dec.25. 1864
. Mustered out as sergeant,
[July 7.1865
Resigned June 23, 1864...
* II iilio rab I v discharged
I December 14. 1864
Resigned Sept. 2. 1862...
( Mustered out April
■' 1866. Brevet brigadl
( general. Feb. 13. 1866.
Killed atKenesaw, June 27, 1864.
Killed December 31, 1862.
v Killed at Resaca, as 1st lieutenant
i of Co. E.. May 14, 1864.
; Killed at Mission Ridge, Novem-
I her 25, 1863.
i Killed at Chickamauga. Sept. 19.
Commission as lieut.-col. declined
Commission as lieut.-col. declined
Drowned, May 8. 1865.
Killed in battle of Shiloll.
Killed ,i( battle of Sliiloh.
•Consolidated.
29-
HISTORY OF CHICAGO
Table A. Infantry. — Continued.
Rank and Lin
REMARKS
Washington B. Pullis
John o. Kane
Louis G. Stevenson..
James C. Dolan
Henry N. Snyder
Allen C. Haskius
.Tames Lawrence .. .
Frederick Mattern..
Williams. Stewart...
Rosell ML Hough
Brook McYickar.
John F. Seanlau
Peter Caldwell
David F. Maluney...
Joseph S. Berry
Judson \V. Reed
Frederick W. Cole...
William Sharp
Chas. A. Heilig
James A. Sexton
Charles H. Vogel —
Rnel G. Rounds
Kelsey Bond
John Murphv
Lansing B. Tucker...
James O. McClellan.
John S. Mabie
Charles Case
Fidel Schlund
Charles Varges .
August W. Willige
"" lley...
Starr
Joseph C. Wright
Joseph Stockton
Henry W. Chester
Wm. James. Jr
Ebenezer Bacon
Benjamin W. Underwood.
Benjamin W. Thomas
Albert G. Gibbs
Edwin Powell
Benjamin Durham. Jr
Henry Barnes
William B. Gallagher
Merritt P. Batcheior
Roswell H. Mason
William Mohrmann
George B. Randall
Henry A. Ward
Oliver Rice
Jacob S. Curtis
Daviil W. Perkins
Daniel W. Whittle
GienC. Ledyard
( llttordStlckney. . . ..
James A. Sexton..
William G. Mead
Louts P. Twyeff ort
William B. Holbrook
Henry c. Mowry
Porter A. Ransom
Joseph Strube
Isaiah H. Williams
George W. Colby
Herrlck G. Turnald.. ..
Henry D. French ....
Richard PomerOT..... .
Edwin C Prior
Charles E. Thompson.
John w Murray
Adolph Kurkhardt
James M. Smith
John Reld
Charles Gladding.
Gardner Allison..
Anton N'leman
Charles X. Blllnwood.
58th-
58th*
58th-
58th«
59th
61st
61st
61st
65th"
67tht
67tht
67tht
67tbt
BTtht
BTtht
BTtht
BTtht
BTtht
BTtht
BTtht
BTtht
BTtht
BTtht
BTtht
B9tht
69tht
B9tht
69tlit
6Htll+
BStht
Tlstt
72d
72d
72d
72(1
72d
72d
72d
72d
72d
72d
72d
72d
72d
72d
72(1
72d
72(1
72(1
72d
72d
72d
73d
324
T2d
72d
TSd
Tlth
74th
( G
Captain
Major
s 1st Lieutenant..
■ Captain
2d Lieutenant. .
* 2d Lieutenant . .
/ 1st Lieutenant..
Captain
1st Lieutenant..
Adjutant
Captain..
* 2d Lieutenant. .
. captain
1st Lieutenant..
. Lieut-Colonel..
' Colonel
Colonel
Surgeon
Capt tin
1st Lieutenant..
2d Lieutenant.,
2d Lieutenant..
Captain
1st Lieutenant..
2d Lieutenant..
Captain..
1st Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant .
Captain
captain
2d Lieutenant.,
captain
* 2d Lieutenant..
' 1st Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant..
Captaii
1st Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant . .
1st Lieutenant.
Colonel
Major
Lieut. -Colonel.
.Major
Captain
Mai-r
Adjutant.
1st Lieutenant.
Adjutant
Quartermaster.
Quartermaster..
July 3. 1862.
February B. 1SB5...
February 2. 1863. .
March 30, 1865
February 2T. 1 Stiti. .
September 6. 1SB1 .
May 1, 1863
February 25. 1864 .
May 5, 1S65
March T. 1862
March 28. 18B2
March 28. 1862
May 5. 1864
.July 31,1864
June 13, 1862
June 4. 1862
June 13, 18B2
June 13. 1862
June 13, 18B2
June 13, 1862
June 13. 1862
June 13. 1862
June 13. 1862
June 13, 18B2
June 13, 1862
June 13, 1862
Ji 13, 1862
.Tune 13, 1862 .
June 14. 1862. .
June 14, 1862 ..
August 18. 1862 .
June 14. 1862 ...
August IS, 1S62
August IS. 1S62,
June 14, 1865
June 14, 1862
June 14. 1862
July 22, 1862
August 21,1862
August 21, 1862
August 21. 1862
February 14. 1S63 ..
JulyT. 1863
August 21,1862 ... .
August 21. 1862
July 7. 1863
August 21, 1862
August 21. 1862
January IB. 1863....
July 31, 1862
February 16, 1S63 ..
August 22, 1862
i 2d Lieutenant August 21. 1862.
' Captain
\ 1st Lieutenant
' Captain
\ 2d Lieutenant.
\ 1st Lieutenant
' Captain
1st Lieutenant
* 2d Lieutenant
I 1st Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
Captain
1st Lieutenant
i 2d Lieutenant. ...
1 1st Lieutenant
captain.
v 2d Lieutenant .
- 1st Lieutenant.
Captain
\ 2d Lieutenant..
' 1st Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant .,
Captain..
1st Lieutenant..
2d Lieutenant..
- 1st Lieutenant ,
. 2d Lieutenant.
' 1st Lieutenant.
Captain
' Captain
1st Lieutenant
I 2d Lieutenant
1 1st Lieutenant, ...
2d Lieutenant
■ 1st Lieutenant
' Captain
Captain
1st Lieutenant....
I 2d Lieutenant
' 1st Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
idjutanf
Surgeon
February 14 1863 .
January 19. 18B3...
June 8. 1863
June 8, 1863
October 36. 1864....
Junes. 1863
October 36. 1864....
June 12. 1865
August 31, 1863....
May 19, 1865
June 12, 1865
June 12, 1865
August 21. 1863....
August 21, 1862....
August 21. 1862 ....
January 38. 1863....
May 4. 1863
August, 21. 1862
July 7, 1863
August 21, 1862
April 4, 1864
August 21. 1862
January 16. 1863 ...
September 27. 1864 .
September 27. 1864.
August 21, 1862....
August 21. 18B2
August 21, 1862
.May 22, 1863
July 13, 1864
July 11, 1865
August 21, 1862.
August 21, 1862..
February 15, 1864
May 7. 1864
July 11, 1865
August 21. 1862 ..
August 21. 1862 .
August 21. 1862 ..
Junes, 1S63
August 23. 1863
\ Mustered out April
1 18BB
\ Mustered out April
1 1866 ...
Mustered out June 24. '65
* Mustered out April
(1866
1 Term expired Sept.
(1864
Mustered out Sept. 8. 1865
Resigned Feb. 25. 1864...
Resigned July 8. 1862....
. Mustered out July 13,
(1S65 ,
Mustered out Oct. 6. 1S62.
Mustered out Sent. 1862..
Mustered out Sept. 1S62
Mustered out Sept. 1S62.
Mustered out Sept, 1S62.
Mustered out Sept, 1S62
Mustered out Sept. 1S62.
Mustered out Sept. 1S62.
Mustered out Sept. 1862.
.Mustered out Se|)t. 1862.
Mustered out Sept. 1S63.
Mustered out Sept. 1S62.
Mustered out Sept. 1862
Mustered out Sept. 1863.
Mustered out Sept. 1S62.
December 18. 1S64 ...
August 21. 1862
\ugust23, 1863
December IK. 1864...
October 26, 1864
May 19. 1865.
July 11, 1865
August 21, 1862
August 21. 1862
January 4, 1863
September 15, 1863...
July 14, 1864
August 21, 1862
September 10, 1862...
September 28, 1862...
Commissioned by governor of
Missouri. Regiment formerly
known as the 9th Missouri.
Died August, 1862.
Mustered out .
Mustered out .
Mustered out .
Mustered out
Mustered out .
Mustered out .
Mustered out .
Mustered out
-general, March
Mustered out Aug. 7. 1865
Died January 16, 1863.
Resigned April 1, 1864,
Resigned Feb. 16. 1863,
Mustered out Aug, T. 1S65
Mustered out Aug. T. 1865
Promoted asst. surg. vol
Resigned June 20. 1863.
. Piesigned as 2d lieutenant
!Ju
• s. IS
Resigned Oct. 26, 1864.
Resigned June 1, 1865.
\ Mustered out as 1st lie
'( tenant Aug. 1865
Resigned .Ian. 19, 1863....
* Mustered out as 2d lieu-
1 tenant Aug. 7, 1865
\ Mustered out as sergeant
"(Aug. 7. 1865
.Mustered out June 17. '65
Resigned Jan. 28, 1863....
j Mustered out Aug. 7.
Resigned Sept. 8, 1864....
Mustered out Aug. 7. 1865
Mustered out Aug T. 1865
Mustered out Aug. 7, 1865
v Mustered out June 17.
( 1865
j Mustered out as 2d lieu-
' tenant, Aug. 7, 1865
1 On detached service at
•""Ster-outof regiment at
I Vicksburg, Aug. 7, 1865
Resigned July 13. 1864...
* Mustered out as 2d lieu
(tenant, Aug. 7, 1865
Mustered out Aug. 7. 1
\ Mustered out as 1st lleu-
'< tenant Aug. 7. 1865
Resigned Feb. 15. 1K6J..
Resigned Sept. 15. 1S63,
Honorably disrh'd Jan. 7,
1865
Mustered out June 10. '65
Killed at Vicksburg, May 22. 1863.
Died May 4, 1863.
Killed May 7. 1864.
Died of wounds Dec. 16. 1864.
( Died at Columbus, Ky., January
' Consolidated.
t Three Months Infantry.
MILITARY HISTORY.
Table A. Infantry. — Continued.
293
kiliik anil Line
or
Promotion.
Date of Commission.
Albert L. Coates
Edward S. Salomon .
Ferdinand Rolshauson.
Eiuil Frey
Otto Balck
George Schloetzer.. .
Oscar Julius Bergli.
Anton Rrulin
Edward Kafka
Charles E. Stueven .
Peter Lauer
Eugene Hepi>
Henry Sass
Augustus Bruiting..
George Heinzmaun
Joseph Riegert
Earl Lotz
Hugo Seliroeder. .
Ivar Alexander Weid..
Frederick Babst
Jacob Lasalle
Mayer A. Frank
Frank Kircbner
Charles L. Mueller
Matthew Marx
Barthold Krukenberg.
John Hillborg
Frederick Bechsteiu. . .
Christian Erichson
Peter Hanson
Joseph B. Greeuhut...
Dominicus Klutsch
George Beaur —
Francis T. Shern
Alexander S. Chadbourne
George \V. Chandler.
George W. Smith .
Levi P. Holden
Joshuas. Ballard ...
Nathaniel S. Boutou
George Ooatswortti..
John A. Bross
John P. D. Gibson
Edwin L. Barber
Lewis B. Cole
George Chandler
Gilbert F. Bigeluu . .
Webster A. Whiting.
Henry H. Gashing....
Charles H. Lane
George A. Sheridan
Thomas F. W. Guillen...
Alexander C. McMurtry.
Henry C. Griff en.
James Rhimes...
Sylvester Titsworth..
Isaac Reeves ...
Lorenzo Browu
John W. Chickering..
Dean R. Chester
Frederick C. Goodwi:
Isaac Fraizer
r in,
83(1
82d
82d
82d
82(1
82d
82d
82d
82d
82d
82d
82d
82d
82d
82d
82d
82d
82d
82d
82d
82d
82d
82d
82d
88th
88th
88th
88th
« s c 1 1
88th
88th
88th
88th
88th
88th
ssth
88th
88th
88th
88H1
88th
88th
88th
88th
88th
88th
88th
88th
1st Asst. -Surgeon,
Major
\ 2d Lieutenant
( 1st Lieutenant
Adjutant
Surgeon
2d. Asst. -Surgeon.
1st Asst.-Surgenn
Captain
1st Lieutenant
'id Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
Captain
1st Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant..
Capta
1st Lieutenant..
M'aplain
1st Lieutenant..
captain
s 2d Lieutenant...
I 1st Lieutenant..
2d Lieutenant. . .
Captain
2d Lieutenant...
Captain..
1st Lieutenant..
Captain
2d Lieutenant...
1st Lieutenant..
Captain
2d Lieutenant...
Captain
2d Lieutenant...
* 1st Lieutenant..
1 Captain
1st Lieutenant..
\ 2d Lieutenant..
1 1st Lieutenant. .
2d Lieutenant...
Captain
(2d Lif
t 1st Lieutenant. .
1st Lieutenant..
Lieutenant-Colonel.
V Major
1 Lieutenant-Colonel .
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Captain
Major
Adjutant
ijuartertnaster .
Surgeon
Captain..
n 2d Lieutenant. .
/ 1st Lieutenant, .
1st Lieutenant..
2d Lieutenant...
Captain
\ 1st Lieutenant.
1 Captain
> 2d Lieutenant..
1 1st Lieutenant.
Captain
2d Lieutenant .
1st Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant..
1st Lieutenant. .
1st Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant...
Captain
1st Lieutenant..
Captain
. 2d Lieutenant...
' 1st Lieutenant,.
I Captain
1st Lieutenant.
November 29. lsii-i..
September 26. 1862..
April 11. 1865
September 20. 1862 .
June 8. 1865
January 11. 1863 —
May 38, 1863
August 3. 1863
September 26, 1862..
October 11. 1862 ....
January 12. 1S64.. .
September 26. 1811'.'
September 26. 1862 .
September 26, 1862
February 14. 1863.
June 8, 1865
June 8, 1865
June 8. 1865
August 15, 1862....
August 15. 1862....
.March 12. 1863
April 22. 1863
Junes, 1S65
May 3. 1863
September3, 1863..
April 22. 1863
August 30. 1862....
March 12. 1863 ...
August 16. 1862....
August 16. 1862....
May 28, 1863
August 2S. 1862....
May 20, 1863
April 11, 1865
June8. 1865
August 28, 1862
May 20, 1863
August 30, 1863
January 11, 1863
January 11. 1863....
December 10, 1862..
May 38. 1863
August 30. 1862
October 23. 1863
October 33, 1862 ....
May 17, 1863
April 11, 1865
March 8, 1862..
August 27. 1862....
August 27. 1862....
September 4. 1862 .
October 14. 1863...
September 4. 1862.
October 14. 1863.
June 22, 1864
September 4, 1862..
June 22. 1864
September 4, 1862
August 27. 1862 ...
September 4, 1862 .
September 4. 1862 .
Septembers 1862...
April 6, 1864
May 5. 18H4
Mav 5, 1864
September 4, 1862...
April 6. 1864
September 4, 1862...
September 4. 1862...
September 4. 1862.
September 4, 1863.
September 12. 1863
September 4. 1S62. .
September 12. 1863
September 4. 1862
September 4. 1S62 .
September 4. 1862 .
January 1, 1863
September 13. 1861
January 23 186:;
March 23. 1S64
June 22. 1864..
September 4. 18
id Lb
tianl..
/ 1st Lieutenant.
September 4, 18
February 1, 1863
September 4, 1862 .
September 4, 1862 .
February 21. 1863..
December 29. ISO:)
September 4. 1862 .
March 1. 1863
December 29, 1863.
Mustered outjune 10.1866
I Mustered (Oil as lleuleli-
! ant-colonel, June 9. 1865.
' Brevet brigadier-general.
I March 13,1865
, .Mustered out as
(June 9. 1865..
(January 16, 1863 .
Mustered out June 9. 1865
Resigned Feb. 13, 1863...
\ Mustered out as 1st lieu-
I tenant Co. A. June 9, 1865.
i Mustered out as sergeant
(June 9. 1865
, Assigned lo and 111 listen li
•; out as 1st lieutenant, Co.
I B.June 9. 1865 ...
, Mustered out as sergeanl
I major, June 9. 1865
Resigned March 12, 1863
Mustered out June 9, 1865
. Mustered out as 1st In
I tenant, Co. H.June 9. 1865.
Mustered out June 9. 1865
\ Uonurabl v dlsrhaig, ..
f May 15. 1865
Resigned Jan. 11. 1863....
Resigned May 35. 1863..
Resigned Feb. 29, 1864..
June 9, 1865..
Konu r at) 1 y discharge
October 7. 1863
Died August3. 18
Discharged No
Resigned May 30, 1863...
Resigned Feb. 24. 18b4..
Resigned March 29. 1864
Mustered out June 9. 1865
Mustered out of cavalix
for promotion (colone
| ssth Hegimeiit. Infanlrj i.
; November 17. 1863.
.Mustered out of ser
I J line 9. 1865: brevet brig-
I adier general Mar.13. 1865
Resigned Oct. 14. 1863.
Mustered out as li1
l ant-colonel, June 9. 1865
I Brevet colonel of
I teers and brevet
I dier-general. Mar. 13.1865
Mustered out June 9. 1865
Resigned October 6, 1863
(S. C, April 6. 1864..
•din battle, July 30, 1864.
Killed in battle. June 27. 1864.
Died April 9. 1863.
Died January 16. 1863.
Mustered outjune 9. 1865
It-signed as 2d lieutenant.
May 4. 1864
Resi-.-ned net, .tier 13. 186::
Resigned Feu. 13. 186:1
Resigned Sept. 13, 1863..
Mustered out June 9, 1865
Resigned October 2s. 1864
Mustered outjune 9, 1865
Mustered out June 9, 1865
Resigned as 1st lieuteii
ant. October 37. 1864
Resigned March 23. 1S61
Killed in battle, Nov. 25. 1863.
Killed in battle, Dec. 31. 1862.
lion. August 26. 1864...
Resigned Dec. 29. 1863
Mustered out June 9. 1865
Resigned Feb. 21, 1863....
Mustered out June 9. 1865
294
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Table A. Infantry. — Continued.
William A. Hutchinson.
Alexander C. McClurg. .
Charles T. Boal
Dauiel B. Kice
Heurv \v. Bingham
Joel J. Spalding
Orson C. Miller
Daniel E. Barnard
Homer C McDonald
Charles T. Hotehkiss.
Duncan J. Hall
James M. Farquhar..
Edward F. Bishop...
Frederict L- Fake...
Herman B. Turtle....
James H. Dili
Edward A. Smith —
William H. Rice..
Samuel A. Ellis
John R. Dawsey
William H. Kinney....
John W. Spink
George F. Robinson. ..
Berber! M. Blake
William A. Sampson..
James A. Jackson
Horace K. Greenfield.
Owen Stuart
Smith McCleavy
Edwin S. Davis
Thomas F. Kelley —
John C. Harrington
Matthew Leonard...
David Duffy
John McAssey
Timothy Mahoney
Lawrence S. McCarthy.
George W. McDonald...
Michael M. Clark
Richard C. Kelley
Patrick Feeney
John Murphy
Patrick Champion
PeterCasey
Peter Real
Edward A. Blodgett....
OtisS. Favor
Horace S. Potter
George A. Bender.
George B. Hoge
George R. Clark.
Henry W. Ji. Hoyt. ..
Azarlah M. Balrd....
rgvson
Bean M. Williams..
Charles P. BUM
Harvey P. Hosmer...
William V.. Barry...
Roljert v.
William C. Keeton,
Prank Brown
James J. Conway...
Henry C Plnley. ..
Clark P.. Loomlt..
Philip .1. Wardner.
8eeljr Biownell
Thomas J. Sloan . . .
Aionzo > Beeee
Ralph A. Tenner- . . .
SSth
SSth
SSth
SSth
SSth
Ssth
SSth
SSth
SSth
S9th
89th
S9th
SSth
SSth
89lh
S9th
S9th
S9th
S9th
89th
89th
89th
89th
89th
89th
90th
Uiitli
90th
90th
90th
90th
90th
90th
90th
90th
90th
90th
90th
90th
90th
90th
96th
104th
105th
105th
113th
118 th
113th
113th
113th
113th
nstii
1 13th
113th
i laih
113th
116th
l-.MIth
120th
124th
124th
124th
Rank and Line
of
Promotion.
2d Lieutenant..
Captain
1st Lieutenant..
■2d Lieutenant..
2d Lieutenant . .
Captain
1st Lieutenant..
Captain
1st Lieutenant.,
i Lieut. -Colonel..
| Colonel
Captain
\ Lieut. -Colonel —
Captain
Major
Adjutant
Quartermaster...
2d Asst. Surgeon.
' Surgeon
Chaplain
1st Lieutenant
t Captain
2d Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant —
( Captain
Captain
Captain
1st Lieutenant —
2d Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
Captaii
1st Lieutenant..
( Captain
Captain
* 1st Lieutenant.
/ captain
* 2d Lieutenant..
1 1st Lieutenant..
2d Lieutenant..
Majo
, Lieut.-*,
(Colonel..
Lieut.-Colonel..
Adjutant
Chaplain
* 1st Lieutenant..
i Captain
Captain
Lieut.-Colonel.
2d Lieutenant —
1st Lieutenant.. .
2d Lieutenant....
1st Lieutenant...
2d Lieutenant
s 2d Lieutenant...
i Captain
Captain
v 1st Lieutenant...
i Captain
Captain
. 2d Lieutenant.. .
< 1st Lieutenant...
Captain
\ 1st Lieutenant...
i Captain
Adjutant
\ 2d Lieutenant
'/ 1st Lieutenant...
Surgeon
i 1st Lieutenant.. .
\ Captain
Captain
v Major
I Lieut.-Colonel.
-Major
' Captain
N 2d Lieutenant..
\ 1st Lieutenant..
' Captain..
v 2d Lieutenant .
2d Lieutenant...
( 2d Lieutenant..
lsi Lieutenant..
' Captain
1st Lieutenant..
* 2d Lieutenant..
- 1st Lieutenant .
M Lieutenant..,
2d Lieutenant..
Captain
* 1st Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
1st Asst. Surgeon.
1 I A - t. Surgeon
2d Asst. Surgeon
Colonel
Siiarx-rmaster....
aptali
Date of Commission.
Juue8, 1865
September 4. 1862...
September 4, 1862...
September 4, 1S62...
December 1, 1862 —
September 4, 186 1....
September 4. 1862....
September 4, 1862....
September 4, 1862 ...
August 25, 1862
January 7, 1863
August25. 1862
September 4. 1862 ..
January 7. 1863
January 15. 1863
April 25, 1865
August 35, 1862
August 25, 1862
August 25. 1862
March 2W. 1863
August 25. 1862:
August 25. 1862
September 4, 1862...
August 25, 1862
September 4. 1862...
December 2, 1862....
August 25, 1862
December 3, 1863...
August 25, 1862
August 25, 1862
October 20. 1862 ...
March 17, 1864
August 25. 1862... .
August 25. 1862
September 19. 1863.
August 25, 1862.
August 25. 1862
June 26. 1863
August 25. 1862
Juue26, 1863
June 26. 1863
September 23, 1862.
March 6. 1863
November 25. 1863..
November 23. 1N62..
September 23. 1862.
September 23. 1S62,
August 28. 1862
June 15, 1864
September 5. 1862...
September 6. 1862...
March 27. 1863
September 5. 1862..
April 7, 1865
February 1. 1863...
April 7. 1865
September 5. 1862..
April 28, 1863
September 15, 1862.
MarcbS, 1863
April 7, 1865
September 6. 1862...
September 6. 1862...
March 7, 1863
September 6, 1862. .
September 6. 1862...
March 27. 1863
September 15, 1862.
November 22. 1862..
June 10. 1863
August 14, 1862
August 27, 1862
February 28. lull:)...
September 5. 1862 ..
December 17, 1862..
August 25. 1864
October 1, 1862 ..
October 1. 1862 ..
January 22, 1 sc.'t
August 2li. 1863..
October 1, 1862 .....
January 22. 1863 ...
January 22. 1863 ...
September 3, 1863
May 27, 1865
October 1. 1862
January 22. 1863....
May 27. 1865
May27, 1865
October 1. 1862
February 18. 1863..
July 1,1864
October 1, 1862
August 11, 1663
July 1. 1864
February 18. 1863...
July 1. 1864
October 1, 1862
October 1, 1862
October 1. 1862
January 13, 1863....
June 12,1865
August 17, 1864 ...
November 6. 1862...
November 12, 1862.
September 20, 1862.
September 1. 1862 .
September 10, 1862.
Resigned Dec. 1, 1862....
Mustered out Junefl. 1S6S.
Resigned Sept. 1. 18
N Mustered out June 10. '65.
■ Bvt. brigadier - general
March 13, 1865..
i Mustered out as cap
i June 111. 1865
. Honorably disch'g'd Dec.
Resigned Oct. 6. 1863..
Mustered out June 10,
1865
ResiguedDec. 2, 1862...
Mustered out June 10, '65
S Honorably disch'g'd Oct.
(211. 1862
■ Resigned as 2d lieutenant
, March 17. 1864
Mustered out June 10, '65
Killed in battle Nov. 25. 18
Killed in battle Sept. 20, 1863.
Died Jan. 15, 1863.
Killed in action Sept. 20. 1863.
i Died Dec. 3, 1863. of wounds re-
ceived at battle of Mission Ridge,
I Nov. 25, 1863.
Mustered out June 10,
1865
Mustered out
1865
Promoted 1st lieutenant
Co. B, 59th Regiment..
Mustered out as lieuten-
ant-colonel June 6. 1865.
Resigned March 6. 1863...
Mustered out June 6. '65.
Resigned July 23. 1863..
Resigned as 1st lieutenant
Sept. 8. 1864
Dismissed March 26, IS
Killed in battle of Liberty Gap.
6,
\ 1865
■ M usiered out June
■ 1865
. Mustered out June
' lSbJ
Resigned March 5. 1863.
i Mustered out June 6
l 1865
Resigned Fell. 1, 1863. ..
Dismissed Feb. 5. 1864.
i Honorably disch'g'd Nov.
Resigned July 23. 1864.
Killed in battle June 2, '64
i Honorably diseb'd March
1 18. 1865
, Mustered out June 20,
■ 1865. Bvi. brigadier.
ieral March 14, 1865..
i Mustered out June 20,
'( 1865
Resigned Jan. 22, 1863
15. 1865.
Mustered out June 20,
1865..
Honorably discli'g'd Sept.
3. 1863
Mustered out June 20, '65.
Mustered out as sergeant
June 20. 1865
Mustered out June S
1865
Resigned Feb. 18, 1863..
H i ably discharged as
2d lieutenant May 15.'65.
Discharged Aug. 11. 181,3
Mustered out June 211. '65.
Mustered out June 2(1. '65.
Resigned Jan. 13, 1863..
, Muslereil out as sergeant
'June 20. 1865
Mustered out .lime 11, '65.
designed Aug. 11, 186
I Dismissed 'bee. 'is! 1868—
\ court martial.
Muslereil out Aug. 15, '65.
Resigned July 9, 1863-.
Not mustered as 1st lieutenant.
Killed in battle June 12. 1864.
Died May 19, 1364.
MILITARY HISTORY.
Table A. Infantry. — Continued.
295
NAMES.
No. of
Regi-
ment.
Com-
pany.
K:iul> and Line
Of
Promotion.
Date of Commission.
Date of Close of Service
or of Transfer,
REMARKS.
124th
127th
127th
127th
127tli
127th
127th
127th
127th
127th
127th
132d>
132d*
132U*
132d«
132d*
132(1*
132(1*
132d«
134th-
134th-
134th-
134th-
134th-
134th-
134th*
134th'
134th-
134th-
134th-
134th-
134th-
134th*
134111*
134tli«
134th"
134th*
134th*
134th*
134th-
134th-
134th-
134th*
134th-
143d-
143d*
142d*
147tht
147tht
147tht
147tht
147tht
147tht
153dt
1471ht
147tht
147tht
149tht
153dt
153dt
156111*
, 29lli ;
U.S.
1 Ii.fy.
D
\ "(i
'( ...
B
B
G
G
G
H
"b
B
1
K
K
' A
A
A
C
11
D
D
E
E
E
F
G
I
1
I
K
K
K
A
A
1
H
F
s ■■■■
September 10, 1862,..
September 6, 1862...
September b\ 1862 . ..
March 10, 1863.
September 6. 1862, ,
Septembers, 1862.. .,
October 31, 1862
October31. 1862
•July 27, 1863
Oeioher23. 1862
October 23. 1862
March 10. 1863...
December 26, 1-63
December 26. 1863.. .
October 23, 1862
Resigned July 24, 1863....
Resigned Fen. 23, 1863....
Resigned March 10. 1863.
Resigned Nov. 9, 1864,
Mustered out June 5. 1865
Mustered out May 29.1865
Mustered out June 5, 1865
Resigned Dec. 26. 1863.. .
Mustered out June 5, 1865
Mustered out June 5. 1865
John Van Aruiau, Jr
\ 2d Lieutenant
Mustered out Oct. 17. 1864
Mustered nut Oct. 17. 1K64
Mustered out Oct. 17. 1S64
Mustered out Oct. 17, 1864
Mustered out Oct. 17, 1864
Mustered out Oct. 17. 186-4
Mustered out Oct. 17, 186-1
Musteredout Oct. 17, 1864
Mustered out Oct. 25. 1864
Musteredout (Jet. 25. 1864
Mustered out Oct. 25. 1864
Mustered out Oct. 25, 1N64
MusteieU out Oct. 25. 1864
Mustered out Oct. 25, 1864
Mustered out Oct. 25. IS64
Mustered out Oct. 25, 1H64
Mustered out Oct. 25. 1K64
Mustered out Oct. 25, 1S64
Mustered nut Oct. 25, 1864
Mustered out Oct. 25. 18(14
Mustered out Oct. 25. 1*64
Mustered out Oct. 25. 1S64
Mustered out Oct. 25. 1864
Mustered out Oct. 25, 1861
Mustered out Oct. 25, 1864
Mustered out Oct. 25. 1864
Mustered out Oct. 25, 1864
Mustered out Oct. 25. 1864
Mustered out Oct. 25. 1S64
Mustered out Oct. 25, 1864
Mustered out Oct. 25, 1864
Mustered out Oct. 25. 1864
Mustered out Oct. 25. 1SH4
Mustered out Oct. 27. 1864
Mustered out Oct. 27. 1864
Mustered out Oct. 27. 1864
s Dishonorably dismissed,
"(June 2. 1865
Mustered out Jan. 20. 1866
Reigned Sept. 12. 1865..
Resigned Sept. 7, 1865....
Mustered out Jan. 20, 1866
Mustered out Sept 21,1865
Musteredout Jan. 20, 1866
\ Mustered out as hospital
i steward. .Ian. 20, 1866
Musteredout Jan. 2<i 1866
Musteredout Jan. 27, 1866
( Mustered out as major,
J September 21. 1865 ..
Musteredout Sept 21.1865
Mustered out Sept. 20. 1865
William K. Allan-
1st Asst.-Surgeon
June 1, 1864
June 1. 1864
May 31. 1864
May 31, 1864
May 31. 1864
Waters W. MeChesuey
Jollll C. Bigelow
John A. Wilson
Colonel
Lieutenant-Colonel. .
Major
George Barry
2d Lieutenant
Captain
May 31. 1864
May 31. 1864
Captain
May 31. 1864
Captain
May 31, 1864
Edward M. Atkinson
Edward J. Whitehead
1st Lieutenant
Captain
1st Lieutenant
May 31, 1864
Mav31, 1864
June 18. 1864
Lieutenant-Colonel . . .
Werner W. Burg
February 21. 1865 ...
February 1, 1865
January 30. 1865..
February 16, 1865
February 21, 1865. .
December 5, 1865, . , .
January 30. 1865
February 17, 1865.
January 20, 1866.. .
February 19. 1865....
February 16, 18-.5 ....
February 18, 1*65 .. -
February 27, 1865
September8. 1865 ....
Februarv 18. 1865....
March 3,'1S65
*, 2d Asst. -Surgeon
1st Asst. -Surgeon
1st Asst. -Surgeon.. .
2d Asst. -Surgeon
William R. Adair j
Daniel G. Eldridge
1st Lieutenant
Henry T. Chesebrough
r Lieutenant-Colonel . .
1st Asst. -Surgeon
1st Asst.-Surgeon
Lieutenant-Colonel . . .
S Killed July 30. 1864, at Peter3-
TABLE B. CAVALRY.
Henry M. Parker ,
Theodore J. Blutbardt
Louis D. Hubbard
Martin R. M. Wallace..
Charles C. James
Embury D. Osband
Hamilton B. Dox
David H. Gile
Samuel A. Lowe
No. of
Regi-
Com-
pany.
1st
1st
3d5
4th
4th
5 n
4th
< A
4th
4th
A
4th
A
Rank and Line
Surgeon
1st Asst.-Surgeon..
Major
, Major
Lieutenant- Colonel
( Colonel
Captain
.Major
Captaiu
Major
Adjutant
t 1st Lieutenant
i Captain
\ 1st Lieutenant
i Captain
July 5. 1861
July 26, 1861
October 31, 1864. ..
October 4. 1861 ....
December 5. 1S62..
February 16. 1863..
August 23. 1861....
October 3. 1861 ....
August 23. 1861....
February 16, 1863..
October 13. 1861....
August 33. 1861
February 16, 1863 .
Februarv 16, 1863 .
February 29. 1864
Mustered out.lulv 14, 1S62
lli-sigiied April 5. 1862.
with view of promotion as
surgeon 23d .Missouri Vol-
unteers
Honorably discharge]
May 15. 1865
Term expired Nov. 3. 1864
Resigned May 5. 1862
Mustered out as captain
:, nil appointed, by tit-neral
Thomas, colonel of the lsl
Mississippi Cavalry. A. D..
Februarv 29. 1864
Resigned May 3. 1862
Resigned
Dismissed Oct. 81, 1864...
REMARKS.
•100 days Infantry. tone year Infantry. tColored. {Consolidated.
296
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Table B. Cavalry. — Continued.
Commodore C. Spaids.
Edwin M. Main
George A. Walter
Edmund Moore
Charles B. Throop
Charles B. Kendall
Arno Voss
John L. Beveridge
William H. Medill
George A. Forsyth
James D. Ludlam
Reuben Cleveland....
Dennis J. Hynes
George F. Warner . . .
Louis H. Rucker
Charles Schriuer...
Rosell M. Hough
William J. Wallis
John H. Carpenter
Samuel H. Price
Charles T. Scammon..
William M. Chidester..
Joseph II. Knox
Louis F. Booth ...
William E. Bayley.....
Robert J. Belomy
William Bennett
Daniel Dempster.
Arno Voss
Hasbrouck Davis
Thomas W. Grosvenor.
Hamilton B. Dox.
Cephas Strong
John H. Clyhourn.,
James Daley
Andrew H. Langholz.
Robert J. Foster
William R. Carpenter.
Jonathan Slade
Alexander Stewart
John McCarthy
Abraham J. Warner...
William M. Luff
Rank and Line
1st Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
> 2d Asst. Surgeon..
1 1st Asst. Surgeon
Major
Major
Captain
Major
1st Lieutenant
Captain
Major
Captain '
Major
Captain
y 2d Lieutenant
< 1st Lieutenant
( Captain
^ 2d Lieutenant
( 1st Lieutenant
( Captain
* 3d Lieutenant;
1 1st Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
Major
Captain
Date of Commission.
i mil
lUth
Will t
12th
12th"
12th
12th
12th
'( 12th'
) 12th
<12ih-
I 13th
t 1211c
12th
12th
12lh
12th
12th
Adjutant
Captain
Quartermaster...
1st Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
Captain.
\ 1st Lieutenant ."
t Captain
1st Lieutenant ."
Captain
2d Lieutenant .'
\ 2d Lieutenant
l 1st Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant '.
2d Lieutenant
Colonel
Lieuteuant-Colonel
Colonel
Captain
December 16, 1862..
Augustas. 1861 ....
August 23. 1861
September 23. 1862..
May 7. 1363
June 24, 1865
Septembers 1861 ...
September 18, 1861..
September 18. 1861 .
September 10, 186a..
September 18, 1861 .
February 12, 1862...
July 6, 1863
August 4, 1862
March 1, 1864
September 18, 1861..
September 18. 1861 ..
February la. 1862..
September 111. 1862
September 10. 1862..
January 23. 1864.. ..
December 28. 1864...
January 23. 1864
November 25. 186-1.
May 8. 1865
September 10, 1861..'
September 26. 1S61 ..
February 18. 1862.
October 1. 1862.
March 27. 1865
Sept. 14. '61: Oct. 1,'62
1; 'lixrl .liiii; ;, I8f3
' .Mustered out for promo
I tion Jan. 1, 1864
> Promoted in 3d Kegii'mull
(CoI'dCaVy. Feb. 211. 1S6-I
Resigned Sept. 3. 1862....
Resigned Feb. 23. 1862
lenn exp'd .March 14. 'tw!
- Mustered out October 27,
No meutiou of muster.
, „ ■,-,•••■; i.'.'.'Ii'Ji Resigned, and re-entered service
1 Honorably disch'g'd Nov.' as colonel 12th Cavalry.
; lion
l. i
' diei -general
j I'erm expired January's'
I isigln 1 Jul;, 31 1862
v Discharged fur prom, , tion
<25,]864.r:lValry'Ja""ary
Mustered out July 17, '65,
Resigned April 21. 1865..
•Mustered „„t July 17. 'ho.
Resigned April 33. 1863..
Died of wounds, July 16, 18
Resigned Jan. 3,1863
i Discharged Sept. 29. 1864.
(Muster. 11 Oct. 31. 1865
AoriVfTiSRfc""' '• °~l Musteml »•" April 7, '62.
N?v',nb3?n,i8fl ■ - Dred April 8. 1863.
Mustered out
• ■H7i°-'ably uiseliarg\i ibe't!
Resigiicd'Ap'ril'o,' 1862"
leiniexplied Nov. 11. '64
Resigned Feb. 9. 1863...
Honorably disch'g'd No
Majo
Lieutenant-Colo
Lieuleiiaut-Colo
Colonel
1st Lieutenant..
I'.ipiaiu
Major \
1st Lieutenant..
' ' 'aptain
Majo
12th
12th
Charles Roden
Charles F. Voss
Benrj Jansen ....
' Cumin
William J. Steele I 12th
Richard H. Hayden 12th
Oliver Grosvenor \{ l2ln
John P. Harvey
Charles Vernard
Thomas Logan
Joseph Logan
Charles y.. Orerocker,
George V,
Karl II. Chapman
O-.rg. g, Phelps
Isaac Conroe
12th-
121b
12th
lath
12th
lath
12th
lath
lath
lath
iatic
Oliver M. l-ugh i2t|,
Thomas J. .Smith |i !2fh
• lane
' Consolidated.
Adjutant
1st Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
< 'aptain
Major ;;"'■
Major ]'.]
2d Asst. Surgeon
2d Asst. Surgeon...
Adjutant
Battalion Adjutant.
Battalion Adjutant
j 1st Asst.-Surgeoii .
I Surgeon
Chaplain
, 2d Lieutenant....".']
< 1st Lieutenant
( Captain
1st Lieutenant
Captain
] 2d Lieutenant.....'.'."
1st Lieutenant ...
(Captain
1st Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant...
j 1st Lieutenant
Captain
Captain
. 2.1 Lieutenant
I 1st Lieutenant...
Captain
Captain
Captain '"
* 2d Lieutenant .'
i 1st Lieutenant
Captain
(2d Lieutenant....' "
I lsl Lieutenant
i 2d Lieutenant .
1st Lieutenant.. . '"
'Captain
Captain
i 1st Lieutenant. ,.""
Captain....
1st Lieutenant..!;'.'."
I 2d Lieutenant
' lsl Lieutenant
' lsl Lieutenant
'Captain
ad Lieutenant..
2d Lieutenant ...
ad Lieutenant.. .
January 15. 1863.
October 33. 1861. .
November 17, 1861
December 3, 1,861
November 11, 1861
November 11, 1861
September 4. 1863
May 31. 1863
November 25, 1861
May 31. 1863
February 1, 1862 ..
February 1, 1862...
August 11, 1863....
February 28, 1862.
September 4. 1862
August 11. 1863 ...
January 4, 1864.
August 3. 1864
August 3, 1864
October 13, 1865...
February 13. 1863.
April 26, 1862..
Februaiy 15. 1.861.
Februaiy 3 1. 1863 .
November 15. 1863.
March 3, 1864
December 15, 1862 .
February 1, 1864....
February 1. 1864.. .
February 28. 1862...
December 7. 1864
December 7. 1864
January 6, 1864
January 6. 1864 ....
February 1, 1864....
March 8, 1862
March 8, 1862
March 1, 1862
January 16, 1865
Junel, 1862
February 28. 1862. ..
September 4. 1863 ..
January 27, 1864
Jehruary 21. 1862
October 8, 1862 ...
February 11, 1863...
I"cbruary31. 1863...
April 21, 1864
February 12. 1863 .
February 28. 1864. ..
January 1. 1862
November 17, 1862...
February 24, 1862....
Octobers, 1862
July 10. 1863
February 1, 1864. ...
February 1, 1864
February 28, 1862
Musiered out Nov 32~ '1
Resigned Aug. 11. 1863
Resigned Aug. 1, 1,865.
I. level hriguilicr-gcner:
March 13, 1865..... ..
Resigned Aug. 3, 1864..
1 tered out May 29,
i Term expired March 2,
January 2. 1864
February 21, 1864 ..
March 21, 1862
March 21. 1862
November 15, 1862.
November 15. 1862..
March 22. 1863
March 3, 1864
November 1. 1861...
July 14, 1862
March 2, 1864
November 1, 1861...
November 21. 18112.
Mustered out Feb. 28, '65.
j Mustered out March 17,
> ,',' ,: ...v'-'-'J' Hsoh'g'd Ncv
t Mustered "out May 29,''66!
Resigned June 9. 1865....
- Honorably disch'g'd Jan.
' l 4. 1865
Mustered out in 1862
Musiered out in 1862
) .Mustered out as assistant
i surgeon
Dismissed Oct. 31, 1863"!'
J Term expired March 2,
Resigned April 21, 1864
j Term as 1st lieutenant
i expired March 2, 1865.
Resigned Feb. 3 1. 181.3
Resigned Feb. 11. 1863 .
) '':j.l" expired March 2,
jl ; vrj ly rlRiolrg'i jU|;
Mustered out
Term expired ' March" i
Musiered ou't'for' p'romo-
(22. 1863
) IBB™ <"tpired March 2,
jo ,u en y, JM64
March 2, 1864 | Mustered
I Du',i,'!ml °Ut May 29
Resigned Nov."24,'l862'.'.
i as captain canceled.
Mafias Camp B,ltler- I11- April
MILITARY HISTORY.
Table B. Cavalry. — Continued.
297
Rank mid Lin
of
Promotion.
Date of Commission.
David C. Brown
Edwin A. Webber
George II. Sitts
Clarence Aidricb
Amherst F.Graves
Henry Jansen
Edmund Luff
Charles L. Amet
Oscar Charles
Samuel Mourning
Allen D. Maurer
Frank Meacham
George K. Stowe
Humphrey J. Moynihai
Solomon P. Emden
Charles H. Bussom
John Few
Henry F. Hyer
Joseph W. Bell
Theobald Hartnian
Lothar Lippert
Thaddeus S. Clarkson..
Emil Newbarger
Charles Storch
Abner \V. Henderson ..
Hall P. Talbot
Julius Grossenhelder...
John Stuber
Henrv Kevmer
Henry M. Peters.
Felix C. Marx
Carl W. Krueger
Ernst Riedel
George Wolff
William W. Bell
Robert G. Dyhrenfurth.
S. Chester Hall
Frederick F. Clifton....
Albert Erskine .
Michael Schmidt
Frederick W. Cole
Frank Drumiuond
Keys Danf orth
Charles H. Temple
Chauncey Miller
Jacob J. Ruby
James Grant Wilson
Christian Thielemann.
Robert W. Smith
Frederick Schaumbeck
Milo Thielemann
Joseph Gotthelf
Valentine Grebenstein
George Hamilton
Julius Jaehne
JohnG. Rolli
John F. Marx
Benedict Weniger
Frederick Herfurt
John Hoffmann
I2th
12th
12th
12th
12th
12th
\ 12th
I 12th*
^ 12th
I 12th*
12th*
12th
12th*
12th*
12th*
12th*
12th*
12th*
13th
* 13th
I 13th*
t 13th
I 13th'
[13th*
S 13th
1 13th-
1 13th
/ 13th-
\ 13th
13th
13th
13th
13th
13th
13th
13th
13th*
13th>
13th'
14th
l-ll li
15th
loth
lHth
16th
loth
16th
Captain
1st Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant .
2d Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant..
* 1st Lieutenant..
1 Captain
Captain
\ 2d Lieutenant .
t 1st Lieutenant..
1st Lieutenant..
2d Lieutenant...
2d Lieutenant.
* 1st Lieutenant..
(Captain
2d Lieutenant..
* 2d Lieutenant...
1 1st Lieutenant..
1st Lieutenant. .
* 2d Lieutenant ..
t 1st Lieutenant..
N 2(1 Lieutenant . .
] 1st Lieutenant .
( Captain
1st Lieutenant .
2d Lieutenant...
Colonel
[ Lieut.-Colonel..
1 Major
: Adjutant
Quartermaster..
1st Lieutenant..
Quartermaster
Quartermaster .
Captain
- Surgeon
[ Chaplain
i
Commissary —
1st Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant ..
1st Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant..
Captain
. 2d Lieutenant,.
1st Lieutenant..
'Captain
2d Lieutenant.
1st Lieutenant..
\ 2d Lieutenant ..
I 1st Lieutenant,.
Captain
\ 1st Lieutenant..
( Captain..
id Lieutenant..
2d Lieutenant ..
1st Lieutenant.,
Captain
Captain
Major
Colonel
2d Lieutenaut..
Adjutant
i Captain
. 2d Lieutenant
: First Lieutenant.
f Captain
Adjutant
Captain
Major
2d Lieutenant
Major
* M;i jor. .
(Colonel
* Lieut, -Colonel .
( Colonel
Captain
Major
* 1st Lieutenant.
1 Captain
Major
Adjutant
\ 2d Lieutenant .
1 1st Lieutenant..
1 2d Lieutenant..
1st Lieutenant,.
' Captain
^ \M laeineiiaiir..
1st Lieutenant.
' Captain
1st Lieutenant,
\ 2d Lieutenant. ,
'( 1st. Lieutenant, .
2d Lieutenant. .
Capta
i 2d Lieutenant. .
1st Lieutenant..
'Captain
> 1st Lieutenant. .
' Captain
Major
November 1, 1861...
November 1. 1861...
November 1. 1861...
November 9. 1862.
February 21. 1864
December 3. 1863...
December 30. 1863
January 25. 1864....
j July 2, 1864
January 25, 1864....
; July 2. 1864
May 15. 1866
March 22. 1863 ... .
May 10. 1865
August 21. 1865. ...
May 15, 1866
August21, 1865....
Februarj 15,1866...
May 10, 1865
July 14. 1865
December 19. 1865..
May 31. 1865
August 21, 1865
April 16, 1866
April 16. 1866
May 29, 1866
December 7, 1861 ...
December 31.1861..
January 27, 1862....
December 31, 1861..
December 31, 1861..
May 29. 1862
October 1, 1862
October 1, 1862
July 14, 1864
March 3. 1862
October 1, 1862
October 25, 1862 ....
December 31. 1861..
December 31. 1861..
May 4, 1862
May 19. 1862
December 31, 1861..
June 7. 1862
October 1, 1862
January 6, 1863
December 31, 1861 .
December ;-. 1, 1861
i October 1, 1862
(January 10. 186S....
February 28. 1862..
February 20. 1862. .
Octobers, 1862
April 18. 1862
December 10, 1862.-
December 31. 1861 .
\ August 9, 1862
October 19, 1863....
April 11, 1864
January 10. 1863 ...
Septenihei 30. 1864,
October 28. 1S64
May 20. 1864
.Iuiie22. 1865
May 17. 1864
December 31, 1864..
September 5. 1865 ..
September 21, 1863 .
June 27.1865
July 18. 1865
January 7. 1863
December 25. 1862..
November 1. 1861...
June 11,1863
June 11. 1863
August 9. 1864
July 6 1861
April 17. 1863
November 1. 1861...
January 25. 1862..-.
August 1. 1863
May 22, 1863
January 30. 1863.. .
May 18. 1863
November 1, 1861...
January 25. 1862
August 1. 1863
July 6. 1861
December 15. 1862..
April 17, 1863
July 6. 1861
April 21, 1863
April 17. 1863
December 15, 1862..
April IS. 1863
April 18. 1863
March 16, 1864
August 7. 1865
April 18. 1863
March 16. 1864
July 21, 1865
II o no 1 -ably discharged
February 24. 1864
Resigned Nov. 15, 1861..
Resigned .May 3. 1862.
Resigned Januar\ 29.186 1
Term expired Mar. 17. 180".
Dishoiiorahlv dismissed
July 2. 1864
Resigned Oct. 2, 1865..
Must'd out May 29. 1866.
Mustered 0111 as sergeant.
May 29, 1866
Resigned Feb. 19, 1864..
Resigned January 17.18'- ,
Mustered out as sergeant,
May 29. 1866
Must'd out May 29. 1866.
Must'd out as 1st lieuten-
ant, .May 29, 1866
Mustered out as sergeant,
Discharged June 1. 186 1
.Mustered out April, 1
1862. Dishonorably dl:
missed as fpiarterinaster,
December 28, 1864
Resigned June 26. 1863.
Honorably discharged
November 18. 1864 ...
Resigned for good of :
Resigned January 10,1863
Resigned January 13.1863
Resigned January 6. 1863
Mustered out May 20. 1863
Resigned Mm 3. 1862.
Resigned May 3. 1862.
Mustered out May 20, 1863
Discharged (ill health)
Octobers. 1862
Mustered out May 20, 1863
Resigned Dec. 10, 1862..
Mustered out .May 211. 1863
Term expired Sept. 2, 1864
Mustered out Nov. 25,1864
in-missed July 11. 1864
Resigned Dec. 15. 1862..
Term expired July 16,
1864
I itsrharged f,,r promotion
April 11. 1863
Resigned March 16. 1864.
Mustered out as 1st lieu-
tenant, Aug. 19. 1865
Mustered out Aug. 19.1865
Died October 18, 1863.
Mustered out (term e
pired) January 5. 1865.
Mustered out May 20, 1863
Milsleredout Aug, 31. 865
Mustered out Aug. 31.1865
Mustered out Aug. 31,1869
Resigned January 8. 1861
Promoted colonel 1st Cav-
alry, A. D. C
Discharged August 9, 1864
Mustered out as lieuten-
ant-colonel, Aug. 19. 1865
Killed in action, August 3, 1864.
'Consolidated.
29S
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Table B. Cavalry. — Continued.
Kanlv and Line
of
Promotion.
Date of Commission.
REMARKS.
Francis Jackson
Nathan C. Goodenow
Dennis J. Hynes
Hiram Hilliard
John A. Hynes
Philo P. Judsou
Francis Beaufort
Francis LeClair
Scott W. Harrington
Lyman S. Rowell
James B. Downs
Samuel H. B. McReynolds.
Jonas L. Buck
Cyrus Smith
Douglas W. Scott
Edward P. Grosvenor
Robert Sonders
Robert G. Dyhrenfurth
16th
16th
17tli
lTtli
17th
lTtli
lTtli
17th
17th
17th
17th
17ili
17ili
Captain
Major
< Captain
} Lieutenant-Colonel
Lieutenant-Colonel
Captain
Major
Lieutenant-Colonel
Adjutant
Quartermaster
\ 1st Lieutenant
1 Captain
. 2d Lieutenant
! 1st Lieutenant
' Captain
, 2d Lieutenant,
, 1st Lieutenant
/ Captain....
\ 2d Lieutenant
}, 1st Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
Captain
1st Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
\ 1st Lieutenant
t Captain
\ 2d Lieutenant
} 1st Lieutenant
j 1st. Lieutenant
( Captain
January 21. 1863
January 12. 1864....
August 7, 1865
June 8. 1863
July 21. 1865
January 24. 1864
De. ember 1. 1863...
January 23. 1864. .
October 30. 1865
June 12, 1865
December 2, 1863....
December 1, 1863...
January 23 1864...
February !S. 1S64 .
January 23. 1864...
May H. 1864
July 8, 1864
November 17, 1864..
July 11. 1865
July 11. 1865
December 5, 1865...
December 5, 1865.. .
December 3. 1863...
December 3. 1863. .
March 13, 1865
May 10, 1865
February 19. 1864 .
June 29. 1865
February 18. 1864..
June 29. 1865
January 26. 1864....
December 10, 1864..
Cashiered Nov. 14, 1863..
Mustered out Aug.19, 1865
On detached service as
captain at muster-out of
regiment
Resigned October 24. 1865
Mustered out Dec. 15. 1865
Mustered out Dec. 5, 1865
Appointed commissary of
subsistence, April 23, 1864
Li-signed June 12. 1865...
Resigned October 2, 1865
Mustered out Dec. 15, 1865
Mustered out as commis-
sary sergeant. Dec.15.1865
Resig 1 Nov. 17, 1864...
Resigned October 1, 1864
Mustered out Dec. 22, 1865
Mustered out Dec. 22, 1865
Mustered out Dec. 20, 1865
Died May 6. 1864.
TABLE C. ARTILLERY.
R : i lik and Line
of
Promotion.
Date of Commission.
REMARKS.
Joseph D. Webster —
Ezra Taylor
Allen C. Waterhouse . .
Charles M. Willard....
Samuel E. Barrett
Lyman Bridges
Edmund Andrews. ..
Peter P. Wood
John W. Rumsey
George McCagg
Frederick W. Young .
Hoxie L. Huffman
William M. Pratt
Edward P. Wilcox....
Han is.-n Roberta
Enoch Colby
James B. Dutch
Spencer s. Kimball...
Israel P. Rumsey —
Levi W. Hart
IlUOdOre P. Roberts .
Timothy M. Blaisdell.
William W. Lowrle...
Patrick 11. White
William .1
Lyman A. White.
Franklin geborn
Clark v.. Dodge
I 19th*
Colonel
Captain
Major
Colonet
Captain
Major
Lieutenant-Colonel
Captain
Major
\ 1st Lieutenant
'( Captain
Major
\ 1st Lieutenant
{Captain
Captain
Major
Surgeon
. 1st Lieutenant
\ Sen. 1st Lieutenant .
I Captain
1 2d Lieutenant
: Sen. 2d Lieutenant
I Jun. 1st Lieutenant
I Sen. 1st Lieutenant
( 2d Lieuteuant
{ Sen. 2d Lieutenant
( Jun. 1st Lieutenant
j 2d Lieutenant
( Sen. 2d Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
\ 1st Lieutenant
) Captain
1st Lieutenant
I 2d Lieutenant
) 1st Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
: 2d Lieutenant.
' Sen. 2d Lieutenant
'Captain
\ 1st Lieutenant
1 Sen. 1st Lieutenant
Captaii
i 2d Lieutenant
* Sen. 1st Lieutenant
. ] at Lieutenant
1 Sen. 1st Lieutenant
, 2d Lieutenant
1 1st Lieutenant
. 2d Lieutenant
' .Inn. 1st Lieutenant
. 2d Lieutenant
. Ben. 2d Lieutenant.
. 2d Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
' Captain
( lrtLleutenan".*"!
M Lieutenant.. ..
/ Sen. 1st Lieutenant
February 1. 1862....
May 15, 1861
October 23, 1861 ....
Mac 6, 1863
December 19, 1861..
May6 1863
November 2. 1864 . .
September 27. 1861.
March 1. 1862
May 15.1861..
October 23, 1861....
February 25. 1863 -
July 30. 1861.
January 1, 1862
January 1, 1862 ....
December 21. 1864..
April 3, 1862
September 27. 1861 .
March 1, 1862
May 24, 1862 . ...
September 27. 1861..
February 3. 1862....
March 1, 1862
May24, 1862
February 3. 1862...
March 1. 1862
May24. 1862
March 1, 1862
May 24, 1862
May 24, 1862
January 17, 1863....
July 23. 1864
April 29. 1865
July 23. 1864
July 23, 1864..
April 29, 1865
July 23. 1864
April 29, 1865
May 15. 1861
October S3, 1861 ....
February 25. 1863..
May 15, 1861
October 23. 1861 ...
February 22. 1863..
March 1, 1862
February 22. 1863...
February 24. 1863. .
August 20. 1863 ...
February 25. 1863 ..
August 20. 1863
)ber20. 1863..
t2, 1864
t2. 1864
ber21. 1864..
Resigned May 6, 1863.
Resigned Aug. 20, 1864.-
( Honorably discharged
August 23. 1865. Brevet
(colonel May 30, 1865
Resigned January 16,1863
Resigned Feb. 13, 1864.
Mustered out as captai
declined commission
lajor. Term expired
Resigned Jan. 18, 1863...
Term expired July 23,
expired July 23,
expired July 23,
Resigned January 17.1873
t Term expired July
11884
Mustered out July 1U.1K65
Mustered out July 10. 1865
Mustered out July 10.1865
Term expired July 23
Resigned August 20. 1863
S Term expired July 23
1864.
I't oinoteil captain of Mer-
cantile Battery
Term expired July 23
Mustered out July 6, 1865.
Mustered out July 6, 1865
Mustered into service as first
lieutenant 19th Regiment Illinois
Volunteer Infantry.
Died July 5. 1864.
, Enlisted as sergeant of Co. G. 19th
1 Infantry. Transferred 10 Bridge's
/ Battery.
\5~
( ferred to Bridge's Battery.
•Infantry. 'Formerly Bridge's Battery. (Consolidated,
MILITARY HISTORY.
Table C. Artillery. — Continued.
299
Bank and Line
Date of Connnissiu
REMARKS.
Lawman C. Lawrence..
Alphouso W. Potter...
Henry A. Rodgers
Uzziel P. Smith
William Chaudler
Lewis B. Mitchell
Morris D. Temple
Edward Bouton.
Albert Cudney...
John H.Colvin.
Bela H. Flusky
William H. Boltou.
Charles J. Stalbrand..
Horatio N. Towner.
Frederick Sparrestrom .
Erastus A. Nichols
ThaddeusC. Hulaniski
Edward A. James
Simon P. Tracy
Charles H. Felton
George C. Wise
Orlando S. Wood....
James Cunningham
John C. Phillips
Edward G. Hillier...
George W Keed
W. C. G. L. Stevenson...
James S. Stokes
George I. Robinson
Albert F.Baxter
bylvanus H. Stevens
Trumbull D. Griffin
Henry Bennett
Lewis B. Hand
Abbott L. Adams
Menzo H. Salisbury
CharlesG. Cooley
Patrick H. White
Frank C. Wilson
James H. Swan
George Throop
Pickney S. Cone
Henry Roe
David R. Crego..
. Win 1
C. B.
C. B.
C. B.
C. B.
C. B.
C.B.
C. M.
C. M.
CM.
C. M.
C. M
C. M
Florua D. Meacham CM.
James C Sinclair C. M.
O. T.t
O. T.t
O. T.{
(J. T.t
O.l.t
(>. T.t
O. T.t
O. T.t
O. T.t
2d Lieutenant
,)uii. 1st Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
Captain
2d Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
Sen. 1st Lieutenant.
1st Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
Sen. 1st Lieutenant..
Captain
1st Lieutenant
Sen. 1st Lieutenant..
( Captain
1st Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant
\ 2d Lieutenant.
1 1st Lieutenant.
Captain
* Major
Major
Major
1st Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
* 2d Lieutenant
( 1st Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant .
1st Lieutenant
s 1st Lieutenant
t Captain
v 2d Lieutenant
■] 1st Lieutenant
t Captain
. 2d Lieutenant.
Seu. 1st Lieutenant.
(Captain
1st Lieutenant
( 2d Lieutenant
'( Jun. 1st Lieutenant
(2d Lieutenant
(Jun. 1st Lieutenant
\ 2d Lieutenant.
( Sen. 1st Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
Captain
1st Lieutenant
( 1st Lieutenant.
(Sen. 1st Lieutenant..
\ 2d Lieutenant
1 Jun. 1st Lieutenant.
Captain
\ 1st Lieutenant
t Captain
1st Lieutenant
1st Lieutenant
( 2d Lieutenant
'( Sen. 1st Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant..
2d Lieutenant..
1st Lieutenant..
Jun. 1st Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
2d Lieutenant
December 21. 1864.
February 1. 1862...
May 5. 1862
wigust 16, 1861....
December 19, 1861.
February 25. 1863
May 6. 1863
•bruary 1. 1862....
January 1, 1862
July 1, 1863
September 30. 1863 .
February 10. 1862...
February 1, 1862....
May 5. 1862
June 16. 1863
February 2S, 1S64. ..
May 5. 1865
September 23. 1862 ..
October 10. 1863
February 28. 1862.
September 21, 1864..
July 24, 1865
October 4, 1861
December 31, 1861...
January 30. 1862
April 28. 1862
February 22. 1862.
March 1. 1862
December 29. 1863 ..
Augusts. 1861
March 28. 1862
September 16. 1861...
December 31. 1861...
February 1. 1864
May 28. 1864
March 28. 1865
March 5. 1864
March 13. 1865
June 12. 1865
February 1. 1862
February 28, 1862...
November 2, 1862...
May 28. 1864
March 28. 1865
May 19. 1865
June 12, 1865
September 8, 1862 .
June 12. 1865
June 6, 18b2
June 6, 1862
June 6 1862
November 19, 1862..
June 6. 1862
November 19, 1862..
July 31, 1862
July31, 1862
August 22. 1864
July 31, 1862 .
iber IS, 1S62 .
July 31, 1862
August 22, 1864
July 31, 1862
August 22, 1864
June 22, 1865
June 22. 1865
August 29, 1862.
February 24. 1863. .
August 29 1862
August 29 1862
February 6, 1863....
February 22, 1863 .
February 22, 1863 . .
April 8, 1864
August 29. 1862
August 29, 1862
February 6. 1863...
April 8, 1864
April 8. 1864
Mustered out July 6, 1865
Mustered out July 6, 1865
Resigned March 4, 186:
(Term expired Decembei
1 29. 1864
Resigned April 14. 1865
Termexpired Aug. 2. ISI',1
Promoted colonel 2d Ten-
( nessee (Colored) Regt
ilisted as private In Co. G, 19th
. fantry. Transferred to Bridges'*
I Battery.
Killed May 29, 1863.
Mustered into service as 2d lieu-
tenant, 19th Regiment. Infantry,
Co. G.
Resigned Feb. 10. 1864....
Honorably discharged as
1 captain of new eouipain
] iColvin's Battery) Juni
I 11. 1865 :.
Mnsleredout July24,lS6:
Promoted brigadier-gen
eral. .
t, Feb
\ Promoted colonel of ?2d
i Infantry
Dropped from roll
1 Honorably discharged
senior 2d lf--">— »• ■>
( 22. 1865.
Resigned Feb. 25. 1862...
Resigned Jan. 23. 1863...
Resigned August 22, 1864
Resigned June 3, 1865 .
Mustered out Aug. 9, 1865
Resigned May 23, 1865
Mustered out Aug. 9, 1865
Mustered out
Mustered out Aug. 9. 1865
Mustered out Apr. 1 1,186 1
( Honorably discharged
J Nov. 19, 1862
Must'd out April 11. 1864
Mustered out June 30.1865
Mustered out June 30 186.'
Resigned Feb. 18. 1865...
Resigned Feb. 18. 1865....
^ Mnsleredout as sergeant
30. 1865.
, Mustered out as sergeant
.June 30. 1865
Kesig 1 Feb. 24. 1363...
Mnsleredout ,lul\ 1II.1S65
Resigned Feb. 22, 1863.
Resigned Feb. 6. 1863..
Mustered out July 10,1865
Mustered out July 10.1865
Resigned Feb. 6. 1863.
Resigned Feb. 22, 1863
Assigned to Co. C. by order of
Died November 2. 1862.
Died September 9, 1863.
ilnds. April 8. 18
Killed in battle. April 8, 1864.
"Bridges's Battery.
tNew Company (Colv
tChicago Board of Trade Battery.
SChicago Mercantile Battery.
__ ^_
MILITARY HISTORY.
301
CAMP DOUGLAS.
In the latter part of the summer of 1861, the coun-
ties of Cook, Lake, McHenry, Bonne, Winnebago,
Stephenson, Jo Davies, Carroll, Ogle, DeKalb, DuPage,
Will, Kendall, LaSalle, Lee, Bureau, Whiteside, Rock
Island, Henry, Grundy, Kankakee, Putnam, Iroquois,
and Livingston were designated by Governor Yates to
constitute a new military district, known as the Northern
Military District of Illinois. By the same order, a mili-
tary camp for the new district was located at Chicago,
to be used for the rendezvous and instruction of volun-
teers— all the affairs of the camp, organization of regi-
ments, etc., to be under the general supervision of the
Governor, as at Camp Butler, at Springfield. Colonel
Joseph H. Tucker, of Chicago, was appointed com-
mandant of district and camp ; Milton H. Higgins, of
the same city, was appointed adjutant ; subsistence of
troops was placed in charge of Colonel William Webb,
U. S. A. ; and Harry M. Spaulding, of Rockford, was
appointed quartermaster.
After a careful canvass of competing claims and
localities, Adjutant-General Fuller decided, in Septem-
ber, 1861, that the camp should be located east of what
was known as the old " United States Fair Grounds,"
on land belonging to the Douglas estate, situated on the
west side of Cottage Grove Avenue, and just north of
the Chicago University grounds. In 1878, after much
painstaking labor, Hon. W'illiam Bross determined the
exact boundaries of the camp, as shown upon the fol-
lowing plat :
Thirty Kh'm ~ sti.-et
— n
Li
street
,.
\ \ \
-J -
Thirty Gerund street r-
i I
! 1
15
1°
fl
Thirty^secona
'Thirty Third
I , 1
1 I.
I I
I !
*
1
I 1 ! 1 1 - 1
I gfomgreti Broaj, Eii'ir'*, Cfticiiyo.|
PLAN OF CAMP DOUGLAS.
None of the streets were laid out at the time the
camp was located, all was wide, open prairie in that
region, the University building being about eighteen or
twenty rods south of the camp- fence, and overlooking
the entire grounds, which contained about sixty acres.
The residence of Henry Graves was the only house on
the site. When Camp Douglas was established, there
were several Illinois regiments in the city, quartered at
different local camps. Of these, the 39th Infantry
(Yates Phalanx), Colonel Austin Light ; 55th Infantry,
(Second Regiment of the Douglas Brigade\ Colonel
Oscar Malmborg ; Mechanics' Fusileers, Colonel Wil-
son ; 51st Infantry Chicago Legion), Colonel Gilbert
W. Gumming; 9th Illinois Cavalry, Colonel Albert G.
Brackett, were immediately concentrated at the new
camp, and their quarters established there, practically,
at the same time. The camp of Brackett's cavalry was
within the limits of the new camp prior to its estab-
lishment, and the 42d ami other regiments had been
encamped in the vicinity.
Colonel Tucker proposed a system of drainage im-
mediately on assuming command, which, had it been
adopted, would have averted much of the sickness so
prevalent afterward. For this neglect of sanitary pre--
cautions a fearful penalty was paid. Soon after the
camp was located, the original design of making it a
State camp of instruction was abandoned, and it was
made, instead, a United States military camp. Colonel
Tucker constructed the barracks as ordered, the ex-
penses being assumed by Captain John Christopher,
who succeeded Colonel William Webb as United States
mustering officer at Chicago.
The camp was used for Illinois volunteers until
after the battle of Fort Donelson, in February, 1862;
when, by command of General Halleck, Colonel Tucker
prepared it for the reception of prisoners taken in that
engagement and at Island No. 10. The regiments in
camp at its establishment, and also the 45th, 55th, 57th,
and 58th, organized later, had all been ordered to the
field by February 11, 1862, leaving the camp nearly
vacant.' As constructed by Colonel Tucker, the bar-
racks were intended to accommodate about eight thou-
sand troops, with mess-halls and quarters
for field, staff and company officers.
Stabling was prepared for two thousand
horses, and the necessary quarters for
hospital, quartermaster and commissary
departments. After the battle of Fort
Donelson, between eight and nine thou-
sand Confederate soldiers arrived, and
were placed in these barracks. Affairs
had not, at that early period, been suffi-
ciently systematized to enable the author-
ities at once to adapt themselves to the
new condition of things. A camp of sick,
ragged, wretched prisoners was a very
different affair from one of vigorous re-
cruits. Public sympathy was awakened
and, soon after their arrival, a meeting
was held in Bryan Hall, of which Rev.
E. B. Tuttle was chairman and T. B.
Bryan was treasurer, where liberal contri-
butions were made for the benefit of the
prisoners. Collections were taken in the
churches, and medicines were sent to the
camp by the wagon-load. A " Relief Com-
mittee of Citizens " was organized, and
apothecaries were employed to aid Dr.
William D. Winer, the post - surgeon.
Early in March, 1862, Colonel Tucker
was ordered by General Halleck to Springfield, and
Colonel James A. Mulligan was placed in command
at Camp Douglas, with orders to reorganize there
the 23d Infantry (Irish Brigade'. He remained in
charge until June, when he departed with his regi-
ment for the field. In the meantime, several one-
hundred - day regiments had been raised for guard
duty, that the three-year troops might leave for the
front. Of the former the 67th and 69th were organized at
Camp Douglas, in June, 1862; Colonel Tucker being
again made post commandant. During that summer
3°2
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
and fall about eight thousand paroled Federal troops,
captured at Harper's Ferry and other places, arrived.
General Tyler was placed in charge of this class on the
last day of September, while Colonel Tucker remained
in command of the Illinois volunteers and the prisoners
of war.
The rule of General Tyler was exceedingly unpop-
ular; and the paroled men, not knowing exactly how
far they were amenable to military discipline under
these new conditions, became almost ungovernable —
their dissatisfaction culminating in attempts to burn
the barracks and to escape. With the termination of
General Tyler's rule, came the end of all mutinous
efforts of this kind. Colonel Daniel Cameron, of the
65th Illinois, had charge of the paroled troops for some
time after General Tyler's departure.
During the summer of 1862, quarters became over-
crowded at the camp. Prisoners of war, paroled Federal
soldiers, two three-months regiments (the 67th and 69th
Illinois), which remained as guard until discharged,
more than filled the original barracks; and as the Board
of-Trade regiments, and Board-of-Trade and Mercantile
batteries were organized in July, August and Septem-
ber, they were obliged to encamp on the prairie in the
vicinity. So also, did the 89th, the 90th, and others,
organized a little later. Temporary barracks were built
on the old United States Fair Grounds, immediately
west of the camp proper, for the use of a portion of the
paroled troops. These were occupied by the 9th Ver-
mont and the 127th New York, through the winter of
1862-63. The Federal regiments and batteries were all
ordered to the field during the fall and winter of 1862,
and on Tanuary 1, 1863, Colonel Tucker resigned, and
Brigadier-General Ammon was assigned to the com-
mand of the camp. Almost simultaneously with the
departure of the last Union troops, came a large assign-
ment of Confederate prisoners, among whom were many
of Morgan's and Hood's famous troopers. They were
provided with good and abundant rations and skilled
medical attendance; but the sudden change of climate
in a most inclement season, and the defective sanitary
arrangements, wrought a fatal work. Pneumonia and
camp-fever carried off many victims, the deaths among
the prisoners averaging about six a day. They were
buried at the old cemetery on the lake shore,* about six
miles from camp. By March or April, 1863, all the
Confederate prisoners had been removed, except a few
too ill to leave ; most of the paroled troops had been
discharged, and with their departure the camp was again
nearly emptied, only the 9th Vermont and Cos. " F " and
" H " of the 65th regiment paroled troops) remaining.
It has been estimated that about thirty thousand
troops had been recruited, drilled and equipped at Camp
Douglas, up to 1863. Prior to its establishment, the
19th Infantry had encamped and been mustered into
sen-ice at Camp Long, Cottage Grove, the 23d at
"Fontenoy Barracks" Kane's Brewery), the 24th at
Camp Robert lilum, Cottage Grove, the 37th at Wright's
Grove, North Side, the 44th at Camp Ellsworth, and
the Sturges Rifles at their camp, also on Cottage Grove
Avenue. Several regiments, as before stated, were con-
centrated at the new camp, immediately on its organiza-
tion, but the 42(1 Illinois, was the first infantry regiment
mustered into service there, September 17, 1861. Suc-
ceeding this, were the 9th Cavalry Brackett's, the first
Cavalry regiment), ( >< tober 26, 1861 ; Waterhouse's ("E,"
1st Illinois Light Artillery, the first battery,, December
19, 1861.
• In the po**c*»i''n of thi I n i< .»] Society is a complete list of the
Confederates who died at Camp Jjouglas.
The following are the Illinois military organizations
mustered into service at Camp Douglas, given in the
order of their muster : 42d Infantry, 9th Cavalry, 55th,
39th, 45th and 51st Infantry, Waterhouse's battery, the
57th and 58th Infantry (all mustered-in before the close
of 1S61). Bouton's, Bolton's and Silversparre's bat-
teries, 23d Infantry (reorganized), Rourke's battery,
1 2th Cavalry, 13th Cavalry, Phillips's battery, 65th, 67th,
69th, 71st and 7 2d Infantry, Board-of-Trade Battery,
88th and 89th Infantry, Mercantile and Cogswell's
batteries, 90th, 93d, 105th, 113th, 126th and 127th
Infantry. The 126th, the last to leave the camp, de-
parted for the field November 21, 1862.
Besides serving as a rendezvous and camp of in-
struction for these Illinois troops. Camp Douglas, had,
as related, served as a military prison for about
seventeen thousand Confederate prisoners, and fur-
nished barracks for nearly eight thousand paroled
Federal troops. In the summer of 1863, Brigadier-
General Ammon was assigned to duty at Springfield,
and Colonel C. V. DeLand of the 1st Michigan Sharp-
shooters, whose regiment had been recently quartered
at the camp, succeeded him as post commandant, and
proved a most popular and efficient officer. At about
the commencement of his administration, the camp was
again filled with Confederate prisoners. These he set
to work on the premises. A fence was built around the
entire camp, and, before the close of the year, pipes and
sewers were laid, many new buildings erected, hospital
accommodations increased, and various other improve-
ments made. The fence was about twelve feet high,
with a narrow platform, some four feet from the top, for
the use of the sentries. During the year, the long
line of barracks on the north of the camp was destroyed
by fire, and new barracks for nine hundred men erected.
Dr. Arvin F. Whelan of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters
served as post surgeon, and it was under his direct
supervision that the hospitals were improved during
that year.
It was in the latter part of 1863 (November) that
the "gophers" engaged in their extensive operations.
This name was applied to the Confederate prisoners
who attempted to escape by burrowing out. Their
method of procedure was to remove the boards of the
floor in their barracks, dig down a few feet, and burrow
along under the fence until they reached the outside.
Generally ten or twenty shared the secret. When the
tunnel was completed, a number would crawl in, and
when the first reached the outer extremity he would
raise his head, gopher-like, and watch for the sentinel.
As soon as the sentinel passed the spot, the first would
crawl out and run, then another and another would
follow, until the guard again appeared. During Novem-
ber, 1863, some seventy prisoners made their escape in
this way— the tunnel through which they crawled was
over fifty feet in length — about fifty of whom were re-
captured the same month. On December 25, 1863,
Brigadier-General William W. Orme, formerly colonel
of the 94th Illinois, was appointed post commandant.
Colonel DeLand remained, however, in actual charge of
the camp for some time after General Orme's appoint-
ment. During December, the 9th Vermont was ordered
to Newbern, N. C, and the two companies of the 65th
Illinois received orders to join the balance of their
regiment at Knoxville, Tenn. Lieutenant-Colonel O.
L. Mann was ordered to Camp Douglas, with the 39th
Illinois, on recruiting service, remaining until the fol-
lowing spring.
During the latter part of the year, the 8th and 15th
regiments of the Veteran Reserve Corps, each four
CAMP DOUGLAS.
3°3
companies strong, under Colonels B. J. Sweet and J- C.
Strong, were ordered to the camp as a portion of its gar-
rison, and these, with the Michigan Sharpshooters,
constituted the entire garrison at the close of the year,
about one thousand eight hundred in all. The number
of prisoners was then five thousand six hundred and
sixty. When General Orme was appointed command-
ant, Captain Hudson Burr was assigned to duty as
assistant adjutant-general, and Colonel Clarke to the
charge of the new commissary department, from which
supplies were furnished direct by Government* instead
of by contractors as before. General Orme remained
in command of Camp Douglas until May 2, 1864, when
he resigned and was succeeded by Colonel Benjamin J.
Sweet of the 8th Veteran Reserve Corps. Captain
Joseph M. Barr, of Co. "B," 8th Regiment, V. R. C,
was appointed post adjutant-general. Until July,
Colonel Sweet had his headquarters in the city; Colonel
James C. Strong, of the 15th V. R. C, being acting post
commandant. During June the prisoners' barracks
were raised four feet from the ground, and arranged in
streets, to prevent the escape of prisoners by tunnel-
ing. Late in the year, the " Prison Square," covering
about twenty acres, was inclosed by a high board fence
like that around the camp, the parapet for the sentinels
being on the outside, about three feet from the top.
There were in this inclosure some forty or fifty bar-
racks. The garrison occupied "Yankee Barracks" in
" Garrison Square." Several buildings were moved
from the west side of the parade grounds to the south-
east corner, near headquarters, and fitted up for officers'
quarters. In July, Colonel Sweet removed his head-
quarters to the camp and assumed personal command.
Many improvements were made at headquarters, and
the company barracks were largely increased in num-
ber. Warehouses were erected in various parts of the
grounds for the use of the quartermaster, commissary
and other departments. Additional hospitals were
built, guard-houses increased in number, and the camp
placed in as good a condition as possible. During the
year, about seven thousand five hundred prisoners were
added to the five thousand six hundred and sixty in
camp at its opening. Small-pox and other diseases
made serious ravages in their ranks — one thousand one
hundred and fifty-six dying during 1864.
From the time of the departure of the Michigan
Sharpshooters, early in 1864, until August of the same
year, Camp Douglas was guarded by ten or twelve
companies of the 8th and 15th regiments of the Vet-
eran Reserve Corps — numbering in all a little over one
thousand men. In August the garrison was reinforced
by the 106th Pennsylvania Infantry and the 24th Ohio
Battery. The Pennsylvania Infantry left camp in Octo-
ber, its term of service having expired, and during the
following month, the excitement in regard to the so-
called Chicago Conspiracy culminated. This conspiracy,
of which a more detailed account is elsewhere given,
it was believed, was for the purpose of liberating the
prisoners at Camp Douglas and raising an insurrection
in the States of Illinois and Indiana against the Gov-
ernment of the United States. The whole number of
prisoners in the camp at that time was eight thousand
three hundred and fifty-two ; the total strength of the
garrison, including the 24th Ohio Battery, was seven
hundred and ninety-six men and the guns of that single
battery.
The cost of buildings erected in camp during 1864
was estimated at $375,000— of which the rebuilding of
barracks was $52,000; fences, sewers, etc., $182,000;
improvements in Prison Square, $61,000 ; new build-
ings, SXo.ooo. The daily expenses of camp, aside from
officers' and soldiers' pay, were $8,540.
Of the Federal troops, four thousand seven hundred
and ninety-three were treated in the various hospitals
during the year; total number of deaths sixty-five; on
sick list at close of year, one thousand four hundred.
Total'number of garrison, two thousand one hundred
and thirty-f<uir.
Of the prisoners, one hundred and sixty-five had
been released on taking the oath of allegiance and for
other causes; one thousand one hundred and fifty-six
had died; twenty-one thousand and thirty-seven cases
of disease had been treated in hospital. At the open-
ing of 1865, there still remained in the camp eleven
thousand seven hundred and eighty prisoners.
The fall of Richmond, in the spring of 1865, and
the subsequent collapse of the Rebellion, although not
immediately causing the evacuation of Camp Douglas
as a military post, abolished the necessity for its exist-
ence. In a very short time after peace had been estab-
lished, the return of Confederate regiments to their
homes commenced. In February, one hundred and
seventy-eight were released, on taking the oath of alle-
giance. Soon after, Mrs. Sarah B. Walker, a Southern
lady, was appointed agent by friends of the prison-
ers for distributing goods to those in camp. All those
prisoners who applied to take the oath of allegiance
before the fall of Richmond, were released on the sur-
render of Lee. These were nearly all forwarded to
their homes during May. In June, five thousand were
released on taking the oath, and by the beginning of
August all had left, except about two hundred, many
of whom were too ill to be removed. Colonel Sweet
resigned in the early summer; and the 8th and 15th reg-
iments V. R. C, 48th Missouri, and the 24th Ohio
Battery departed soon after June. Captain Edward
R. P. Shurly, of the 8th V. R. C, was placed in com-
mand of the camp; a few members of the Reserve
Corps remaining to guard the Government property.
The grounds served for a few months longer as a ren-
dezvous for regiments of Union troops returning from
the field, and was then almost utterly deserted. Cap-
tain Shurly remained in command until October, when
he was ordered to Detroit, as acting inspector-general
of the Department of the Ohio, and Captain E. C. Phet-
teplace then took charge until the property was sold,
during the following month. The sale commenced on
November 24, and continued until all the Govern-
ment property was disposed of. The old City Hospital,
which had been used by Government, was taken posses-
sion of by County authorities, to be used again as a City
Hospital; the barracks were pulled down and the lum-
ber sold; the Soldier's Rest and all buildings at Camp
Douglas, one hundred and fifty-eight in all, including
headquarters, officers' quarters, offices, hospitals, guard
houses, quartermaster's and commissary's warehouses,
etc., were all disposed of to the highest bidder; the
fences were also sold for what the lumber would bring;
and Camp Douglas thenceforth ceased to exist, except
as a memory, and that is now fast fading from the minds
of the citizens of Chicago.
Stephen Arnold Douglas. — This statesman, whose name
is indissolubly linked with the history of Illinois, was born in
Brandon, Vt. , on April 23, 1S13. His ancestry sprang from the
Puritan stock, which has furnished, through so many generations,
many of the noblest names which have illumined the pages of our
national history. His father had removed to Brandon from Cen-
tral New York, and died within two months after young Douglas's
birth, leaving the mother in circumstances so straitened that it was
impossible for her to keep her children together. Stephen took up
his residence with his maternal uncle. His first wish was to obtain
3°4
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
a collegiate education; but, after attending- the district schools of his
native village until he had reached the age of fifteen years, he found
it impossible to pursue his studies further, owing to the limited
resources of his uncle. The acquisition of a mechanical trade
being the onlv apparent alternative resource open to him, he was
apprenticed to a cabinetmaker.
STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS.
Owing to failing health, confinement at the bench proved too
severe a strain upon his constitution, and Douglas resumed his
studies. He had already mastered the somewhat limited course
afforded by the New England district schools of those early days,
and on quitting the shop he entered Brandon Academy, in which
he remained a pupil for one year. At the expiration of that period,
his mother having re-married, he removed with her to Canandaigua,
N. V There he resumed his academic studies, and having chosen
the profession of the law as his vocation, he at the same time
entered the office of Hubbell Brothers as a clerk.
In 1S33, when not yet twenty-one years old, he decided that
the West offered the broadest field for the exercise of his talents,
and accordingly started on a tour in quest of a location. Passing
through Cleveland and Cincinnati, he crossed the State line of
Illinois, and found himself in the obscure village of Winchester, rich
in the courage that springs from undaunted energv, but poor in purse.
His entire capital, at that time, consisted of his somewhat scanty
wardrobe and thirty-seven and one-half cents in cash. Necessity
compelled him to seek employment of some sort, however tempor-
ary. He entered upon the career, whose termination neither he
nor his employer could foresee, as an auctioneer's clerk, at a rate
of compensation almost nominal. The educational facilities of
Winchester being of the most limited description, it occurred to
.Mr. Douglas that a private school, well conducted, might prove
not only a source of benefit to the citizens, but of profit to himself.
Acting upon the idea, he opened a school, and the income derived
from this source enabled him to prosecute his legal studies to com-
pletion, and, in 1834. he obtained from the Supreme Court the cov-
eted certificate, entitling him to practice.
In 1835, at the age of twenty-two, with a professional expe-
rience of barely one year, his talents and perseverance secured pub-
lic recognition in his election, by the Legislature, to the office of
attorney-general Finding the fascination of an active political
life stronger than the al tractions of professional pursuits, he re-
signed the office of attorney-genera), and, in 1136, was elected to
a seat in the Legislature. In 1837, he was appointed, by President
VanBuren, Register of the I .an. I Office, al Springfield. In 1838,
he made his first cii'' 0 Congress, lie received
a majority of the votes cast, but the canvassing board, displaying a
familiarity with partisan devices hardly to be expected in those days,
discovered that a number of ballots bearing his name were incor-
rectly spelled, sufficient to justify them in reversing his (apparent)
majority, and they gave their certificate to his opponent.
In 1840, he was appointed Secretary of State of Illinois, and
in 1S41, was elected judge of the Supreme Court. But Judge
Douglas soon wearied of the routine duties that attach to judicial
honors. In 1843, he resigned his seat upon the bench, and, after
a heated contest, was elected to Congress by a majority of four hun-
dred votes, which even the ingenuity of a politically hostile board of
canvassers could not overturn. In 1844, he secured a re-election
by a majority of one thousand nine hundred, and, in 1S46, was
triumphantly returned by a majority of three thousand.
On the floor of Congress he found an ample, as well as a con-
genial, field for the exercise of his abilities, both oratorical and
polemic. At the outset of his first term, he was recognized as an
earnest and able champion of the doctrine of State supremacy in
local affairs, as opposed to National intervention. His first speech
was delivered on December 19, 1843, and was devoted to a discus-
sion of the bill appropriating money for the improvement of west-
ern lakes and rivers. He denied the right of the Federal Govern-
ment to interfere in such matters, and advocated a svstem of ton-
nage charges, to be levied by the States, who, he claimed, should
also have charge of the disbursement of the revenue arising there-
from. Among the more prominent acts of his early Congressional
career, may be mentioned his advocacy of the law extending the
admiralty jurisdiction of the United States courts over the great
northern lakes, and it is not too much to say that he was mainly
instrumental in securing its passage. He was always a warm ad-
mirer of and devoted adherent to General Jackson. It will not be
forgotten that, previous to Judge Douglas's election to Congress,
that body imposed a fine upon the old hero of the war of 1S12 for
his declaration of martial law in New Orleans In 1S44, a bill was
introduced in Congress providing for the refunding of the fine and
a brilliant forensic effort by Judge Douglas, in its support, was
one of the noteworthy features of the debate upon its passage. Gen-
eral Jackson was so pleased with the speech, that he left with his
literary executor, a printed copy, bearing this indorsement :
"This speech constitutes mv defense; I lay it aside as an inherit-
ance for my grandchildren." The measure was finally passed; the
vote in the Senate standing twenty-eight to twenty-two (a strictly
party vote), but in the House the record showed one hundred
and fifty-eight to twenty-eight in favor of the refunding. The
original fine imposed had been $1,000; the amount returned to
General Jackson — which, of course, included interest on the orig-
inal payment by him — reached nearly $2,700.
As regards the foreign policy of the government, Judge
Douglas's views were inclined to be aggressively American ; his
opposition to any compromise of the Oregon boundary question
being as pronounced as was his support of the Mexican war.
Before the meeting of Congress in 1846, to which body he had
been elected representative by so decided a majority, he was chosen
United States Senator, and took his seat in the Senate in March,
1847, remaining a member of that body until his death.
On April 7 of that year, he was married to Miss Martha D.
Martin, of Rockingham County, N. C. Two sons and one
daughter were the issue of this marriage. His daughter died
in infancy, and his wife followed her on June 6, 1S53. On Novem-
ber 20, 1856, Senator Douglas married again, his second wife be-
ing Miss Adele Cutts, of Washington, D. C, the daughter of J.
N. Cutts, then second comptroller of the Treasury. She bore him
a daughter, who only lived but a short time.
One of his first prominent acts as senator was the introduction
of a bill granting to the State of Illinois the right of way through
public lands, with the title to alternate sections of the same along
the route of railroads actually constructed. The passage of this
measure — out of which grew the Illinois Central Railroad — was
due mainly to his eloquent championship and skillful management.
His attitude toward slavery, and the various measures intro-
duced in Congress for its extension or regulation, particularly the
Missouri Compromise and the Fugitive Slave Law, excited much
hostile criticism from a very large section of his constituents. At
a public meeting held in Chicago, resolutions denouncing his course
were adopted, while the City Council formally directed the police
not to obey the law commanding the return of fugitive slaves. On
the return of Senator Douglas to Chicago, in 1850, he immediately
called a public meeting, at which he defended his course with such
courage and ability, that resolutions were adopted indorsing him,
and condemning the action of the Council. But he was destined
once more to arouse the hostility of Chicago. In 1S54, his advo-
cacy of the measure known as the Nebraska bill, drew down upon
him the denunciations of the Tribune, Democrat, Journal, and
Press. Once more did Senator Douglas return to this city, hoping
again to obtain a reversal of the popular judgment. On his arrival,
he attempted to deliver an address in front of North Market Hall,
CAMP DOUGLAS.
3°5
but his critics were present in force, and after a struggle between
his friends and his opponents, lasting nearly four hours, he was com-
pelled to retire without being able to make himself heard.
Senator Douglas's political enemies, however, were not all
found among the anti-slavery ranks. He had aroused the ani-
mosity of President Buchanan, by opposition to certain measures in
which the President was deeply interested, and in 1S58, a coalition
was made between the friends of Buchanan and the abolitionists,
the object of which, was, to defeat Senator Douglas's re-election,
and return Abraham Lincoln as his successor to the Senate. The
struggle was fierce and exciting, but in the end the coalition proved
fruitless, and Douglas was re-elected by a majority of eight.
In 1S5S, speaking from his place on the floor of the Senate,
Douglas denounced, in scathing terms, the Harper's Ferry insur-
rection, and charged the Republican party with having abetted, if
not instigated it. This was his last public utterance of sympathy
with his old pro-slavery allies. When the cloud of secession first
appeared on the political horizon, Senator Douglas was one of the
first to see and prepare to avert the coming storm. With the same
fearlessness with which he had, from conviction, espoused the cause
of the legal rights of the slaveholders, he now came to the support
of the Government, allegiance to which he declared to be para-
mount. From the moment when boomed the first gun that consum-
mated South Carolina's treason, to the hour of his premature death,
he gave to the Federal Government all that he had, of time, of
strength, and of devotion. His support of the administration was
hearty and sincere, and Abraham Lincoln, his old time antagonist
on so many political and forensic fields, soon learned to trust, as a
friend and counselor, the man whom he had long since learned to
respect as a foe.
Of the efforts of Douglas's admirers and friends to elevate him
to the presidency, little need be said. He first appeared as a can-
didate for the Democratic nomination in 1S52, receiving ninety-two
votes in the national convention of that year. In 1S56, his name
was again presented, and his vote reached one hundred and twenty-
one; but he having declined to make further contest, his name was
withdrawn, and the nomination given to Buchanan. In 1S60,
during the stormy scenes of the Charleston convention, he was
again a prominent candidate, and, after that body had become
divided, through internal dissensions, the faction which re-assembled
in Baltimore nominated Douglas on the second ballot, he having
received one hundred and eighty and one-half votes out of one
hundred and ninety-four and one-half votes cast. His vote in the
electoral college of that year was insignificant, but his popular vote
was 'second only to that of Mr. Lincoln.
On May 1, 1S61. he returned from Washington to Chicago,
which city he was destined never again to leave. His patriotic
devotion to the Union and the Government had obliterated from the
minds of men, the memories of their past differences, and all parties
united in making his return the occasion of an ovation. A com-
mittee met him at Joliet, and an immense throng greeted him on
his arrival in this city. A salute of thirty-four guns was fired as
he was escorted to the old Wigwam, which had been re-christened
National Hall, where he addressed an audience numbering over
ten thousand, on the issues of the day. This was his last public
address. The malady from which he had long been suffering —
acute rheumatism — shortly thereafter assumed a typhoid type ;
blood poisoning ensued ; and at ten minutes past nine o'clock, on
the morning of June 3, 1S61, the spirit of Stephen A. Douglas took
its flight.
His suffering had been great, although during the latter part
of his illness he was almost constantly delirious. At one time,
when his mind was unclouded, his wife, tearfully bending over
him, asked if he had any message for his sons; his answer was,
" Tell my children to obey the laws and uphold the Constitution."
On the day following his death, his body was removed to
Bryan Hall, where it lay in state, in care of a Masonic guard of
honor, until the day of the funeral. More than fifty thousand
people visited the remains of the dead statesman during the days
that intervened; and on the evening preceding the funeral, the
solemn rites of the Masonic fraternity were performed.
It had been the original wish of Mrs. Douglas, that her hus-
band should be buried in the Congressional Cemetery at Washing-
ton, and an appropriation of $2,000 had been made by the Common
Council to defray the attendant expense. Subsequently, however,
the Council, with committees of the citizens of Chicago and of the
whole State, united in requesting Mrs. Douglas to allow her hus-
band's body to find its last resting place within the State on whose
name he had shed new lustre. Her consent having been obtained,
preparations were made to inter the remains of the late senator in
a temporary tomb upon his former estate at Cottage Grove.
The entire city mourned, and emblems of grief were profusely
displayed. The Mayor, by proclamation, requested the general
suspension of business on the day of the funeral, and a similar re-
quest was formally adopted by the Board of Trade and other
prominent organizations. At ten o'clock, on the morning of J une 7,
the body was carried through the doorway of Bryan Hall, and
placed upon the funeral car which had been prepared for it. The
streets through which the procession passed, were thronged with
people, many of whom wore badges of crape. The route of the
cortege was through Lake Street, Michigan Avenue, Ringgold
Place and Cottage Grov; Avenue, the distance traversed being
about three miles. During its progress, the bells of the churches
were tolled, and deep-voiced cannon boomed at Dearborn Park
and at the station of the Illinois Central Railroad. The procession
moved in ten divisions. The chief marshal was Colonel J. II.
Tucker, who was assisted by the following staff: Major G. E.
Stanton, David A. Gage, J. M. W. Jones and James Clapp.
Major E. W. Hadley was marshal of the bands. The marshals
of the various divisions were Colonel H. D. Booth, John H.
Kinzie, S. A. Goodwin, Colonel G. S. Hubbard, J. H. Bowen,
C. N. Holden, David Walsh, W. T. Shufeldt, Colonel William S.
Johnson, A. H. Burley. The military escort was under command
of General R. K. Swift, and consisted of the following companies:
Hecker Ja;ger Regiment, Irish Brigade; Co. "C," 60th Regiment,
I. V. M.; Hoffman Dragoons ; German Rifles ; Bryan Light
Guard; Youths' Zouave Corps; Ogden Light Infantry; Home
Guards ; Anderson Rifles ; Scammon Light Infantry; First Ward
Home Guards; Cos. "A," "B" and "D" of the Chicago
Zouaves; and the Sturges Rifles. Following the military com-
panies, but preceded by the clergy and attendant physicians, came
the funeral car, by the side of which walked the pall-bearers, with
the Chicago Light Guard as a guard of honor. The car was fol-
lowed by United States Senators and Representatives, the gov-
ernors of Illinois and other States, State officers of Illinois and
other States, members of state legislatures, members of the county
and city governments, judges of United States and State courts,
members of the Bar, representatives of foreign governments,
United States officials, members of the county and city gov-
ernments, representatives of the learned professions, delegations
from other States and cities, various benevolent, religious and civil
societies, and citizens and strangers, generally, walking twelve
abreast and wearing badges of mourning.
A vast concourse had assembled near the place of interment —
a grave dug on the spot which had once been chosen by Senator
Douglas as a site for his future home. Around the grave was
a guard of honor selected from among the students of the
University, whose warm friend and liberal benefactor he had been
in life.
No religious services were held at the tomb, but a eulogy was
pronounced by Rt. Rev. James Duggan, Catholic Bishop of the
diocese of Chicago, one of the dead senator's warmest personal
friends.
An area of sixteen feet square around the grave was enclosed
by a rough board fence, which was afterward replaced by one erect-
ed by the City Council. The tomb, however, received no public
care, nor was any step taken in this direction until the following
October, when the first meeting of citizens to devise a method of
erecting a suitable monument was held in the parlors of the Tre-
mont House. At this gathering it was resolved to solicit subscrip-
tions, not exceeding one dollar, to an amount not less than $100,000
nor more than $150,000. Committees were appointed, and the work
of solicitation was begun. In November, a permanent organiza-
tion was effected under the name of the Douglas Monument Asso-
ciation, the government being in the hands of a board of eighteen
trustees. In February, 1S63, the association was legally incorpo-
rated by act of the Legislature. The work of collecting funds pro-
gressed but slowly, and it was not until January, 1S64, that the
board of trustees felt justified in advertising for designs for the
proposed monument. The limit which .they placed upon its cost
was §50,000, and the honorarium to competitors was $75. The
successful competitor was Leonard W. Volk, the sculptor, who
brought to his work, not only the skill which had even then gained
him fame, but the living interest which sprang from a long and
warm friendship for Douglas, whose connection, through marriage,
he was. The trustees had, in 1S63, petitioned the Legislature for
an appropriation of $25,000, for the purchase of land, and $50,000
toward the completion of the monument. Eventually, the entire
cost of both ground and monument ($96,350) was borne by the
State, with the exception of $3,925, contributed by private indi-
viduals, and $3,000, derived from the sale of two lots donated to
the association by the mother and sister of Senator Douglas. The
land around the monument was purchased from Mrs. Douglas for
$28,000, the $3,000 received from the senator's mother and sister
being included in this amount. The boundaries of this land are as
follows : On the north, two hundred and sixty feet, Woodlawn
Park; on the east, three hundred feet, Illinois Central Railroad and
Lake Michigan; on the south, four hundred and two feet, Doug-
las Avenue (or Thirty-fifth Street) ; on the west, two hundred and
sixty-six feet, an alley.
io6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
On September 6, 1S66, the corner stone of the monument was
laid. President Johnson. Secretaries Seward and Welles, Gen-
erals Grant and Meade. Admirals Farragut and Radford, and
many other distinguished guests arrived the preceding day to assist
in the ceremonies, which were conducted by the Masonic fraternity.
It was estimated that between seventy-five thousand and one hun-
dred thousand strangers were in the city. The public offices,
Board of Trade, banks and wholesale houses generally were closed.
The procession, composed of the city authorities, military and civil
organizations, invited guests and citizens generally, in carriages
and on foot, formed in six divisions on Clark and Lake streets, and
proceeded to the monument grounds. After the conclusion of the
Masonic ceremonies, prayer was offered by the Rev. William H,
Milburn, after which the orator of the day, General John A. Dix,
addressed the assemblage. Brief speeches were made by President
Johnson and Secretary Seward; General Grant and Admiral Farra-
gut were introduced and warmlv greeted, and the exercises were at
an end. At each corner of the grave had been placed a column,
twelve feet high, from which sprang arches, thirty-four feet high,
crossing in the center. The space within was strewn with wild
flowers, and the columns and arches draped in mourning, with fes-
toons of flags. At the head of the grave were placed, on pedestals,
a bust of Douglas and a model of the monument.
On June 3, 1S6S, the seventh anniversary of his death, the
body of Douglas was taken from the grave and deposited in the
marble sarcophagus in the center of the tomb. The students of
the University acted as a guard of honor. The ceremonies attend-
ing the removal were appropriate, though not elaborate. For a few
days, the public were permitted to view the once more familiar
face of the dead leader through the glass cover of the casket. The
features were lifelike — " decay's effacing fingers" had not marred
their lines of rugged symmetry, and their expression was that of
peaceful rest It was not until July 17, 1878, however, that the
Douglas monument was informally unvailed, with no other cere-
mony than a brief address by Judge J. D. Caton, president of the
Association.
In Volume I. was published an article, which appeared in the
Chicago Times of August ig, 1S77, purporting to be a correct
account of the exciting scene at North Market Hall, on the occasion
of Senator Douglas's return to Chicago, in the autumn of 1854, to
which allusion is made in the foregoing sketch.
As there has been much discussion as to what actually occurred,
the conflicting accounts being either colored by the sympathies
or distorted by the prejudices of the narrators, it is deemed simple
justice to publish in full another version of the affair, contained in
an article written by ex-Lieutenant Governor Bross, which ap-
peared in the Chicago Tribune of August 25, 1877. Governor
Bross was,' in 1S54, one of the editors of the Chicago Democratic
Press, and though bitterly opposed to Douglas's course on the
question of the extension and perpetuation of slavery, he was ex-
ceedingly desirous that the senator should have ample opportunity
to give his views to the public.
" Mayor Milliken, who presided at the meeting, — it was pub-
lished on Monday, Sept. 4, — said to us that the efforts we had
made to allay excitement, to preserve the peace of the city, and to
save its reputation from the disgrace of mobocracy, met his unquali-
fied approbation, and that of all the papers of the city no one was
so deserving of the approbation of the law-and-order loving citi-
zens, as the Democratic Press.
" When Senator Douglas came home, sometime in August, his
few faithful friends rallied around him, and, after much caucusing,
the time for his great speech was fixed for the evening of the 1st of
September, at the North Market Hall. Three or four days before
the meeting I called upon him at the Tremont House, and re-
quested him to write out a copy of his speech for me, and I would
publish it in full. Though the press had persistently opposed, and
perhaps denounced him bitterly at times, he received me with great
ness, — he was too good a politician and too
thoroughly a gentleman to do otherwise. — thanked me for my offer,
but said he never wrote out his speeches before delivery. He let the
reporters write them out, and then corrected them where necessary.
" On Tuesday morning before the meeting f published astate-
ment of the programme of the Democracy, and told our liberty-
tizens how to prevent its accomplishment. It was deter-
mined by the Democracy to till North Market Hall at an early
hour with the rabble, thus preventing other people from gaining
admittan Itions strongly indorsing the repeal of the
' Compromise and Senator Douglas, and have that go out
as the opinion of the peopl' '.I I bicago. The substantial and
order-loving people were urged to turn out early, and thus defeat
the schemes of the political tricksters. Mr. Douglas's friends,
knowing that this advice would be strictly followed, changed their
plan, and built a platform in front of the south door of the North
Market Hall. The meeting was an immense one, perhaps the
largest up to that evening ever held in the city. We then had no
shorthand reporters here, and, unwilling to trust any one else, — as
only anxious to give as correct a version of the speech as possible,
— I went there myself to report it, I was at once invited upon the
stage, perhaps by Mayor Milliken, who presided, and, receiving a
pleasant greeting from Senator Douglas, I sat down and composed
myself for the work before me. The very first sentence he uttered
was considered an insult to the people and the press of the city.
He charged them with not understanding so plain a proposition as
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and the press with persist-
ently misrepresenting and maligning him. The statement was
received with groans and hisses, and for perhaps two or three min-
utes nothing else could be heard. When comparative quiet was
restored, he spoke for perhaps eight or ten minutes, and then
the laughing and hooting were repeated. This thoroughly enraged
the senator, and his language and manner became exceedingly of-
fensive. Finding no use for my pencil during the uproar, I slipped
down from the stage and circulated among the people, to see in
what temper they were. This I did several times, and always
found them happy and in the best possible humor. Never before
or since have I seen a larger proportion of our solid, substantial,
leading citizens at a public meeting. I knew as well as I could
know without being toid it, there were more than a thousand revol-
vers in the crowd. All would laughingly tell me, ' Bross, we shall
haye no mob.' And yet I feared it, for had some Democrat told
one of our respectable citizens he lied, he would have been instantly
knocked down; and when once a fuss began the pistols would have
done their work fearfully. I knew that the human mind is so con-
stituted that the change from the best of humor to the most intense
anger requires but an instant. Little did I suppose that I was so
soon to illustrate this principle myself, for on returning from one of
my short visits through the crowd, and while the hooting and yell-
ing were loud and long, Judge Douglas turned round, and paused
for a moment. Knowing he could not and would not be heard,
with the best of motives and the politest and most pleasant lan-
guage I could command, I said, 'Judge, would it not be best to
print your speech ? You can not be heard, allow me to suggest that
you retire.' With all the force and power he could command, he
said : ' Mr. Bross, you see that your efforts in the Democratic
Press to get up an armed mob to put me down have been entirely
successful ' In an instant, I sprang to my feet and with very em-
phatic gesture, said : ' Judge Douglas, that's false — every word of
it false, sir ! ' ' It will do very well, sir,' he replied, ' for you with
your armed mob about you to make an assertion like that.' ' It's
false, sir — not a word of truth in it,' I replied;, and, a little quiet
being restored, he turned to address the people.
' ' I have often wondered at myself for the part I acted in this
little drama. There was not more than one or two besides my-
self on the stage who were not the warm personal friends of Judge
Douglas, and to hurl the word 'false' at him might have cost me
my life; but I knew I had done all I could to give him a quiet
hearing, and I took not a moment's thought, and repelled the
charge on the spot. After continuing his efforts to be heard per-
haps for half an hour longer, with no success, his friends put him
in a carriage, and he rode away amid the jeers of the crowd.
" The question recurs, Was there a mob on the evening of the
1st of September, 1854, to prevent Judge Douglas from making a
speech on his Kansas-Nebraska bill — otherwise, his repeal of the
Missouri Compromise? If you define a mob to be an angry crowd
of men, who use missiles, or destroy property, maim and injure
their opponents, perhaps kill them, then I assert positively that
there was no mob in Chicago on that evening, and thousands of
our citizens who were there, will cordially indorse what I say on
the subject. There was not a rotten egg, a rotten apple, or any-
thing else whatever, thrown at any one on the stage during the en-
tire meeting. I was there during the whole time till Douglas left,
except a minute or two, as above stated, when I was circulating
among the people to see if they were in good humor. Had any
missiles been thrown, I certainly would have known it. The truth
is, 1 don't believe there was an angry man there from the com-
mencement to the close of the meeting, except Judge Douglas, a
few of his friends, and myself, when we had the little tilt, which I
have described precisely as it occurred. These being the facts, I
submit, as I then stated again and again in the columns of the
Democratic Press, that Chicago did not mob Judge Douglas; that
the people were noisy and refused to hear him, thereby resenting
the imputations he cast upon them, nobody ever denied. Mr.
Douglas was more to blame for what occurred than any and all
others. He had, as great men often do, lost his balance, and for-
got that he was the representative of the people. After referring
to this, I published an article on Monday, from which the follow-
ing sentences are taken :
" ' Mr. Douglas came before his constituents — those who had
made him ; who had entrusted to him the execution of certain
duties — rather as a master than a servant. The spirit of a dictator
CAMP DOUGLAS.
3°7
flashed out from his eyes, curled upon his lip, and mingled its cold
irony in every tone of his voice and every gesture of his body.
His manner, as well as his language, furnished a practical illustra-
tion of the possibility of reversing the natural order of master and
servant, of representative and constituent, in a free government.
The Czar of Russia could not have exhibited a more domineering
and intolerant spirit than he.'
" Perhaps I may be pardoned for adding, in this connection,
that Judge Douglas and I did not speak to each other for some
four years, though we often met at parties and celebrations. For
my part, I bore him no personal grudge, but I did not know how
any advances on my part would be received. But he was in the
end himself forced to break with the Southern wing of the Demo-
cratic party, who were determined, at all hazards, to force slavery
upon Kansas. He made his great speech on the Lecompton Con-
stitution— one of the grandest efforts of his life, for he was then
fighting boldly and bravely for the right of the people to govern
themselves — on the 22d of March, 185S. The Democratic Press
published considerable portions of it, and commended him highly
for the gallant fight and the grand patriotic sentiments it con-
tained. When he came home in the fall, we met at the celebration
of the native Pennsylvanians. I was standing in the lobby of the
Tremont House talking to three or four friends, not knowing that
Senator Douglas was in the house. Coming up from behind me,
he called me by name, and we greeted each other most cordially,
neither of us referring to the past; and ever after we were personal
friends. Of course he remained a Democrat and I a Republican,
but that did not interfere with the pleasant relations that existed
between us. When he made his patriotic speech in Springfield, in
1S61, wherein he declared that, in the contest then raging, there
could be but two parties, patriots and traitors, from my heart I
thought the nation ought to forgive him for all the errors of the
past — I certainly did.
" Subsequently he arrived in Chicago on the evening of the 1st
of May, and was accorded a grand reception from our citizens by
all parties. He was welcomed on the part of the people by the
Hon. Thomas B. Bryan, and, in response, repeated the substance
of his Springfield speech. The following is a part of his exact
language :
" ' But this is no time for a detail of causes Armies have been
raised, war is levied, to accomplish it. There are only two sides to
the question. Everyman must be for the United States or against
it. There can be no neutrals in this war, — only patriots or traitors.
Thank God, Illinois is not divided on this question.'
" Now, as to the so-called mob and my relations with the late
Senator Douglas. When Mr. Scripps and I established the Dem-
ocratic Press, issuing the first number September 16, 1852, it was
generally supposed that Judge Douglas had either loaned us money
or had an interest in the concern. Neither was true. But both
our principles, and as we thought our interest, led us to side with
the conservative wing of the Democratic party. John Wentworth's
Democrat affected strong Abolition tendencies, and we were there-
fore right, certainly as a business venture, in the course we adopted.
As far as a thoroughly independent journal properly could do so,
we favored the policy and the measures of Judge Douglas, quoting
his speeches and keeping his name prominently before the people.
In the session of 1853-54, he brought in a bill for the repeal of the
Missouri Compromise. We then thought it the mistake of his life,
and I still believe that so history will record it. His speech on the
bill convinced us that the Democratic Press and Senator Douglas
must part company, and, after considering the matter for a week or
two, Mr. Scripps wrote a scorching article, condemning the repeal,
quoting Judge Douglas in 1S4S against the senator in 1854. The
article created a great sensation, and, coming from a paper that
had been his strong supporter, probably did him more harm than
all the denunciations of the opposition. As a reason for my using
the personal pronoun frequently in what follows, it should be stated
that the canvass became very active and exacting, and, as a conse-
quence, the health of Mr. Scripps, never a strong man, gave way
in the latter part of July or early in August, and he did not write a
line for the paper, and was scarcely ever at the office, till some
weeks after the election, in November. Of course I had the entire
charge of the paper.
"In the summer of 1S54, the ' Know-Nothing' excitement
raged throughout the city and country, and it was pitted against
Judge Douglas and other leading Democratic politicians, as deriv-
ing their strength and support largely from our foreign-born popu-
lation. The Know-Nothings were composed mainly of the very
best portions of our American-born people, and were not the men
to take the law into their own hands, unless to defend themselves
from the attacks of the rabble. Mr. Scripps and myself were not
Know-Nothings. During the early weeks of Mr. Scripps's sickness,
I wrote two or three articles, which, without attacking them by
name, showed the fallacy of their principles, and really took the
foundation stones out of their entire structure. Our friends in the
Order said to me, ' You are now on the record; this thing we know-
can not last; but you will find it to your interest to let it grow and
die in its own good time'; and we did so. They told us all that it
was necessary for us to know in regard to their movements, and, as
Mr. 1 louglas's meeting approached, they assured us there would be
no mob. In the meantime, the Democratic Press used all the influ-
ence it could command to prevent one. On the morning of the
meeting we said :
" ' By some means or other the impression has been created
abroad that some indignity would be offered to Judge Douglas in
the event of his attempting to speak here. We have branded the
prediction as a slander upon the good name of our citizens, and we
call upon them to vindicate us in that matter by their conduct to-
night. Any attempt to interrupt the prescribed course of the meet-
ing would injure the cause it might be designed to promote, as
well as leave an indelible stigma upon our city which many long
years could not eradicate.'
" My last interview with Judge Douglas affords me one of the
most pleasant memories of my life, though mingled with a deep
tiuge of sadness. For some reason, I could not attend and hear his
speech on the evening of the 1st. The next day was most beauti-
ful, and, when at home at noon for lunch, I read a most interesting
article on the Contrabandista of Spain. On my way to the office,
passing McNally's news room, on Dearborn Street, I saw in
the window a very striking picture of the Contrabandista, all
mounted on mules, with paniers and gay trappings, and the men
dressed in bright, gaudy colors — the whole caravan winding up the
trail on one of the sea-coast mountains of Spain. It attracted my
attention, and I stood for some time gazing at it. Presently 1 was
startled from my reverie by a pleasant pat upon the shoulder, with
the remark, ' See here, old fellow, you better not turn your back-
on me.' ' Beg your pardon, Judge Douglas, I did not know you
were within a mile of me,' I replied. We had a most pleasant
chat, for perhaps four or five minutes, when he and his friend,
Dan Mclllroy, passed in, and I went on to the office, musing sadly,
for I was sure, from his appearance and what he told me of the
state of his health, that his days were numbered.
"He died on the 3d of June, 1861.
"The legislative session of 1865 will ever be memorable in the
history of the State. Among other notable acts, the ratification of
the Constitutional Amendment abolishing slavery in all the States
and Territories of the Union, was adopted Feb. 1, placing Illinois
at the head of all the States. On the 4th of February, the infamous
black-laws — a foul disgrace to the State and to humanity — were re-
pealed. And a bill was passed and approved Feb. 16, appropri-
ating $25,000 to purchase the ground for the State where rest the
honored remains of one of her noblest and greatest sons — Stephen
A. Douglas. Surely the man who helped to pass, and signed
these and many other most important bills, during that session,
should feel grateful to the people who gave him that privilege. I
certainly know one who does so with all the intensity of his nature.
As that Legislature was largely Republican, and the State officers
were elected by more than 30,000 majority, their purchase of the
grounds for the resting place of the departed statesman shows that
Illinois knows how to honor true greatness, and the action of the
last Legislature, in appropriating S;o,ooo to complete the monu-
ment, is a fitting supplement to that of the Legislature of 1S65.
There, on the banks of Lake Michigan, almost in the shadow of the
University which his wisdom and his liberality founded, age after
age will the patriot and statesman — those who visit the great me-
tropolis of the Northwest — repair and linger, to honor the memory
of Stephen A. Douglas."
The Chicago Conspiracy. — [The following state-
ments in regard to the so-called " Chicago Conspiracy"
are taken from the official report of General B. J. Sweet,
dated at Camp Douglas, November 23, 1864 ; from his
testimony given before the military commission in Cin-
cinnati in February, 1865; and from the history of Camp
Douglas by William Bross, A. M.]
In May, or June, 1S64, Jacob Thompson, of Missis-
sippi, Secretary of the Interior during the administra-
tion of President Buchanan, went to Windsor, Canada,
under the assumed name of Captain Carson, and, hav-
ing been supplied by the Confederate government with
large sums of money for the purpose, there commenced
organizing an expedition to release prisoners of war at
different United States military camps in the Northwest.
He also inaugurated measures to aid the "Sons of
Liberty"* with arms and money, and raise an insurrection
of the 1 irder of American Knights, a secret
^ the war. and was believed to seek the sub-
of the Federal Government. The Sons of Liberty in Chicago at first
held their meetings in a building on the corner of South Clark and Monroe
* The first, or Temple, Deg
organization that flourished d
3°S
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
— having its starting point in Chicago— against the
United States Government. On the 29th of August
was to occur the Chicago Democratic Convention, and
the first attempt of the conspirators to put their plans
in active operations was fixed for that time. As early
as the 24th of the month, rebel sympathizers, soldiers
and escaped prisoners, assembled at Toronto, Canada,
and, under Jacob Thompson's supervision, were organ-
ized, under command of Captain Thomas H. Hines,
formerly of Morgan's command, for the expedition.
It was believed that, under the guise of visitors to the
convention, a large number of armed men might be
introduced into the city, and there perfect plans with-
out detection. Accordingly, arms were furnished them
at Toronto, and, in citizen's dress, the members of the
expedition came by different routes to Chicago, making
the Richmond House their general rendezvous on their
arrival. Among the more noted of the command were
Colonel G. St. Leger Grenfell, at one time Morgan's
chief-of-staff, and afterward inspector-general on Gen-
eral Bragg's staff; Colonel Vincent Marmaduke, of
Missouri ; Colonel Ben Anderson, of Kentucky; and
Captains Castleman and Cantrill, formerly of Morgan's
command.* Besides those who arrived from Canada,
large numbers of the Sons of Liberty, and other mem-
bers of the order of " Knights of the Golden Circle,"
with crowds of irresponsible, discontented, ignorant
disunionists, gathered in the city, ready for whatever
evil scheme should be devised. The Sons of Liberty
and their confederates were to be under the immediate
command of Brigadier-General Charles Walshf of the
Sons of Liberty. The plot for liberating the prison-
ers, if plot there was, amounted to nothing at that time,
as the presence of the conspirators was suspected and
their designs frustrated. Among those who assisted
Colonel Sweet in procuring information were Dr. S. W.
Aver and Robert Alexander, of Chicago ; he being also
aided in discovering the designs of the secessionists in
Canada by Maurice Langhorn and John T. Shanks,
prisoners who had taken the oath of allegiance to the
United States Government. Colonel Sweet telegraphed
for reinforcements, and, before the time of the session
of the Democratic Convention, the 196th Pennsylvania
Infantry, numbering seven hundred and fifty, with four
companies of another regiment, and the 24th Ohio
Battery, one thousand two hundred in all, were sent to
his assistance. During the session of the Convention,
Colonel Sweet had small details posted at various points,
to act in case of need. Two companies were stationed
near the University building, under orders to occupy it
if the camp were attacked. He said, in his testimony
before the Military Commission, " One hundred men,
or even fifty men, stationed in that building, would
command Camp Douglas, and almost make it unten-
able to any force."
After the Convention was over, no disturbance what-
ever having arisen, its members dispersed to their re-
spective homes, and the reinforcements were withdrawn
from the camp at the expiration of their term of ser-
vice, sometime in October. The Ohio Battery, which
was supplied with Parrott guns, was left as a reserve in
case of emergency.
Before the reinforcements were withdrawn in Octo-
streets ; later, and at the time of the Conspiracy, in the fifth story of McCor-
mick's Block, on the corner of Randolph and Dearborn streets. There were
about two thousand members of the organization in Chicago in 1864, James A.
Wilkenson being Grand Seignior.
•Many of the priv/nersat Camp Douglas were formerly under Morgan, and
were among the bitterest of -
tCharlea Walsh was an I 1 bicago, at one time the Democratic
candidate for sheriff of Cook County. Early in the war he was active in the
T.'mon cause, but later became discontented, and a leader among the Sons of
Liberty.
ber, the prisoners had made an attempt to escape ; the
attempt being thus described in a letter from Captain
E. R. P. Shurly, post adjutant, to Hon. William Bross :
" In October, 1S64, one of the prisoners requested an interview
with the commandant of the post, General Sweet. I ordered the
prisoner sent to my office. He told me that, for some time, there
had been an organization among the prisoners of war to break
out of the prison square, and that one hundred men had taken an
obligation to lead the way, to break the fence, attack the guard in
rear of camp, and in the confusion that would ensue, the eleven
thousand prisoners then in charge would escape. He said that at
eight that evening was the time appointed ; this was about six p.
m. that the interview mentioned took place. It was a cloudy
evening and dark, looking like rain. After dismissing the pris-
oner, I started for the prison square. The officer in charge told
me there seemed to be an unusual activity among the prisoners —
advised me not to go round without a guard. This I knew would
attract attention, if not suspicion. At this time, the barracks occu-
pied by the prisoners were in rows, raised on posts, and each bar-
rack contained from one hundred and fifty to two hundred men. I
noticed that there was an unusual stir among the prisoners in the
barracks. After completing the tour, I returned to headquarters,
satisfied that there might be truth in the statement of my ' spy.'
I at once sent an order to the commanding officer of the 8th
regiment to take post on the south and west of the camp. I ordered
the Pennsylvania regiment on the rear of that and around it. I
had notified the officer in command of the guard of what might be
expected, at the same time had strengthened the guard by turning
out the other two reliefs. The rain began to fall, and it seemed to
me that the camp was unusually quiet. The disposition of the
troops had been made so quietly that the prisoners had not sus-
pected it. I greatly regretted the absence of General Sweet ; he
had been summoned to Wisconsin; but I carried out his plan to
the best of my ability. Eight o'clock had scarcely sounded, when
crash went some of the planks from the rear fence, and the one
hundred men rushed for the opening. One volley from the guard,
who were prepared for them, and the prisoners' recoiled, gave up,
and retreated to their barracks. Eighteen of the most determined
got out, but in less time than I can relate it, quiet was restored. I
had the Pennsylvania regiment gradually close in from the outer
circle of the race-course to the camp, and re-captured all of those
that had escaped. I think eight or ten were wounded, but they
gradually recovered."
About the ist of November, another expedition, of
the same character as that of the August preceding, was
organized in Canada, to be commanded again by Cap-
tain Hines. It was composed of the same elements as
before, and to be put in execution on the day of the
Presidential election, November 8. According to the
confessions of rebel officers and others, the design was
" To attack Camp Douglas, to release the prisoners there, with
them to seize the polls, allowing none but the Copperhead ticket to
be voted, and stuff the boxes sufficiently to secure the city, county
and State for McClellan and Pendleton; then to utterly sack the
city, burning and destroying every description of property, except
what they could appropriate for their own use and that of their
Southern brethren — to lay the city waste and carry off its money
and stores to Jeff. Davis's dominions."
Colonel Sweet says in his report :
" During the canvass which preceded the election, the ' Sons
of Liberty,' a secret organization, within, but beyond all doubt
unknown to, the better portion and majority of the Democratic
party, had caused it to be widely proclaimed and believed that
there was an intention on the part of the Government, and great
danger that such intention would be carried into effect, to interfere,
by military force, at the polls against the Democratic party, as an
excuse under which to arm themselves as individuals They
had also obtained and concealed at different places in this city
(Chicago) arms and ammunition for themsi'lves and the rebel pris-
oners of war when they should be released.
" On the evening of the fifth day of November, it was reported
that a large number of persons of suspicious character had arrived
in the city from Fayette and Christian counties, in Illinois, and
that more were coming. On Sunday, the sixth day of November,
late in the afternoon, it became evident that the city was filling up
with suspicious characters, some of whom were prisoners of war
and soldiers of the rebel army; that Captain Hines, Colonel Gren-
fell and Colonel Marmaduke were here to lead, and that Brigadier-
General Walsh, of the ' Sons of Liberty,' had ordered large num-
bers of members of that Order from the southern portion of Illinois
to co-operate with them.
CAMP DOUGLAS.
309
"Adopting measures, which proved effective, to detect the
presence and identify the persons of the officers and leaders, and
ascertain their plans, it was manifest that they had the means of
gathering a force considerably larger than the little garrison then
guarding between eight and nine thousand prisoners of war at Camp
Douglas, and that, taking advantage of the excitement and the
large numbers of persons who would ordinarily till the streets on
election night, they intended to make a night attack on and sur-
prise the camp, release and arm the prisoners of war, cut the tele-
graph wires, burn the railroad depots, seize the banks and stores
containing arms and ammunition, take possession of the city, and
commence a campaign for the release of other prisoners of war in
the States of Illinois and Indiana, thus organizing an army to
effect and give success to the general uprising so long contem-
plated by the ' Sons of Liberty.' "
The whole number of troops for duty at Camp
Douglas, on the 6th, was seven hundred and ninety-six,
as follows: 8th Regiment, V. R. C, Lieutenant-Colonel
L. C. Skinner commanding; 15th Regiment, V. R. C,
Lieutenant-Colonel Martin Flood commanding — in all
six hundred and fifty infantry; 24th Ohio Battery,
Lieutenant James W. Gamble commanding, one hun-
dred and forty-six men. Of this force, about sixty men
were on duty in Chicago, acting as provost guard, leav-
ing seven hundred and thirty-six men to guard eight
thousand three hundred and fifty-two prisoners of war
confined in the garrison square of the camp by a fence
constructed of inch boards, twelve feet high. Becom-
ing convinced that to delay until the night before elec-
tion would be dangerous, Colonel Sweet ordered to be
arrested, by Lieutenant-Colonel Skinner and a detach-
ment of troops, on the night of the 6th, the following:
Colonel G. St. Leger Grenfell, and J. T. Shanks, an
escaped prisoner of war, at the Richmond House;
Colonel Vincent Marmaduke, at the house of Dr. E. W.
Edwards, No. 70 Adams Street; Brigadier-General
Walsh, of the " Sons of Liberty," Captain George Can-
britt, of Morgan's command, and Charles T. Daniels,
at the house of General Walsh, about a quarter of a
mile from camp. Judge Buckner S. Morris, treasurer
of the "Sons of Liberty," was arrested at his house,
No. 6 Washington street, by members of the police.
Both Judge Morris and his wife were Southern people,
and in camp were many soldiers for whom they doubt-
less felt great sympathy. Mrs. Morris had charge of
the distribution of clothing sent the prisoners from their
friends in the South, knew many of them personally,
and felt interested in their welfare — probably aided
some to escape. Judge Morris was an ardent Demo-
crat, and a member of the "Sons of Liberty," but a
man of honor and integrity, kind heart and generous
impulses. He was fully acquitted of treasonable de-
signs against the Government by the verdict of public
opinion, as by that of the Commission before which he
was tried, and, though the accusation was the sorrow
of his life and a blow from which he never recovered,
he retained the friendship and respect of his associates,
professional and business, until his death, which
occurred December 16, 1879.* Captain Shurly, the
commandant of Camp Douglas after Colonel Sweet,
says " History should do justice to Judge Buckner S.
Morris. He was entirely innocent, although arrested
and held in camp."
On the night of November 6, there were captured
in Walsh's house a large quantity of arms and ammuni-
tion, shot-guns, revolvers, muskets, etc., loaded and
capped. The prisoners arrested were confined at Camp
Douglas On the morning of Monday, the 7th,
Colonel R. M. Hough organized a force of mounted
militia, which was assigned to duty, and patrolled the
streets of the city until the morning of the gth. In the
* See u Bench and Bar,'' p. 426, vol. 1.
meantime, the provost marshal, Captain Bjerg, the city
police and other authorities, with detachments from
the garrison of Camp Douglas, under various officers,
arrested, during the day and night of the 7th, one hun-
dred and six men of the rank and file of the conspira-
tors; twenty-seven at the " Fort Donelson House," an-
other gang on North Water Street, and in various
places, such as cellars, saloons, etc. These were all
prisoners at Camp Douglas before the morning of elec-
tion day. Among the captured on the 7th, were a large
number of the so-called Klingman's band, principally
from Christian and Fayette counties, Illinois. The
band was chiefly made up of deserters from the Fede-
ral army and those who ran away from the draft, and
was intended to resist the draft and all operations of
the provost-marshal and General Government in the
prosecution of the war. Captain Sears, Lieutenant
Garland, and the principal men of this gang were
arrested. Early in January, 1865, by order of Major-
General Joseph Hooker, commanding the Northwestern
Department and Department of the Ohio, a military
commission assembled in Cincinnati, military headquar-
ters of the Department, to try by court martial the offi-
cers and leaders in this alleged conspiracy.
The commission, which formally assembled on
January 9, and continued its sessions until the middle
of April, was constituted as follows:
President, Colonel Charles T. Murray, 89th Indiana Infantrv;
Colonel M. M. Wisewell, 6th V. R. C; Colonel Ben. Spooner, 83d
Indiana Infantry; Colonel R. H. DeHart, i3Sth Indiana Infantry;
Lieutenant-Colonel P. Van Radowitz, A. D. C, U. S. A.; Lieu-
tenant-Colonel S. H. Lathrop, A. I. G., U. S. V. ; Lieutenant-
Colonel Allen Heath, 100th Indiana Infantry; Major S. R. Lee,
6th V. R. Corps; Judge-Advocate, Colonel H. S. Burnett; Re-
corder, Benn Pittman. On January iS, the prisoners, Buckner S.
Morris, of Chicago; Charles Walsh, Chicago; Colonel George St.
Leger Grenfell, C. S. A., London, England; Colonel Vincent Mar-
maduke, C. S. A., Saline County. Mo ; Raphael S. Semmes, Chi-
cago; Charles Travis (Daniels), Missouri; Benjamin Anderson
St. Louis, and George Cantrill, of Missouri, were arraigned on the
following charges:
Charge First — "Conspiring, in violation of the laws of war, to
release the rebel prisoners confined by authority of the United
States at Camp Douglas, near Chicago."
Charge Second — "Conspiring, in violation of the laws of war,
to lay waste and destroy the City of Chicago, Illinois."
The cases for the Government and the defendents
were concluded about the middle of April, and the
sealed findings of the Court transmitted to General
Hooker for approval. They were approved without
exception, and were, in effect, as follows:
Charles Walsh, brigadier-general of the Sons of Liberty —
Guilty, and sentenced to three years' imprisonment with hard labor
in the Ohio State penitentiary. Buckner S. Morris — Not guilty.
Vincent Marmaduke — Not guilty. G. St. Leger Grenfell — Guilty
of both charges and specifications, and sentenced to the extremest
penaltv — death. Raphael S. Semmes — Guilty, and sentenced to
two years' imprisonment.
The prisoner Anderson, on the 19th of February,
committed suicide by shooting himself, while confined
in McLean Barracks, and, on the 16th of the same
month, Travis, alias Daniels, escaped from the custody
of a careless guard, during a momentary recess of the
Court in the Court House.
None of the above sentences were carried into effect.
The sentence of Grenfell was commuted from death to
imprisonment for life at the Dry Tortugas, and the
others were pardoned and allowed to return to their
homes, after an absence of nearly nine months.
The following is the roster of the regiments consti-
tuting the garrison of Camp Douglas, in the spring of
1865, at the time of the fall of Richmond:
3ID
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Eighth Regiment, V. R. C— Field and Staff.— Colonel Ben-
jamin I. Sweet : Lieutenant-Colonel, Lewis C. Skinner ; Acting
Post-Adjutant, Captain E. R. P. Shurly ; Major, Aquilla Wiley ;
Quartermaster. Edward Bacon ; Adjutant, Isaiah S. Taylor ; Post
Surgeon, Major J. C. Whitehill, U. S. A.; Post Chaplain, E. B.
Tuttle. „ _ .
Line Officers. — Co. "A": Captain, Emil Munch; First Lieu-
tenant. Morris Briggs. Co. " B ": Captain, Joseph M. Barr;
First Lieutenant, Joseph A. Green ; Second Lieutenant, Edward
L. Deane. Co. "C": Captain, Elhanan C. Phetteplace: First
Lieutenant, George W. Debevoise. Co. " D": Captain, Edward
R. T. Shurly; First Lieutenant, Amos S. Collins; Second Lieu-
tenant. Washington L. Wood. Co. "E": Captain, Warner
Young; First Lieutenant, Edward Bacon. Co. " F ": Cap-
tain James M. Tracv : First Lieutenant, Isaiah S. Taylor ;
Second Lieutenant, Jesse B. Clinton. Co. "G": Captain, W. S.
Schoonmaker; First" Lieutenant, Henry V. Morris; Second Lieu-
tenant. John Stewart. Co. " H": Captain, S. Vanderhorck; First
Lieutenant, S. O. Burnham; Second Lieutenant, Henry H. Kuhn.
Co. "K": Captain, Louis A. Phillipoteaux; Second Lieutenant, A.
B Sweeney.
Fifteenth Regiment, V. R. C. — Field and Staff. — Colonel,
James C. Strong : Lieutenant-Colonel, Martin Flood ; Major,
James E. Cornelius; Adjutant, Isaiah S. Taylor; Quartermaster,
Joseph K. Bvers.
Line Officers. — Co. "A"; Captain, Wells Sponable. Co. "B":
Captain, Joshua H. Hastings; Second Lieutenant, Stephen W.
Groesbeck. Co. "C": Captain, Edward Miller; First Lieutenant,
John H. Buckley. Co. "D": Captain, Jerry N. Hill: Second
"Lieutenant, William Palmer. Co. "E": Captain, Samuel C. Gold;
Second Lieutenant, Samuel K. Morton Co. "F": Captain, John
Greelish; Second Lieutenant, Samuel McDonald. Co. "G"; First
Lieutenant, Nathan Cole; Second Lieutenant, William P. Haga-
dorn. Co. " H ": First Lieutenant, Colin L. Downs. Co. " K ":
Second Lieutenant. William L. McDaniel.
Twenty-Fourth Ohio Battery. — Captain, J. L. Hill;
Senior First Lieutenant, J. J. Brown; Junior First Lieutenant,
Fred. YV. Poor; Senior Second Lieutenant, William March; Junior
Second Lieutenant, Samuel Lyle, Jr.
The following were post surgeons during the occu-
pation of Camp Douglas :
William D. Winer, M. D., surgeon of 23d Infantry, from
March, 1S62, to June, 1S62. Dr. Brock McVickar, of Chicago,
from Tune 23, 1S62. to November of same year. Dr. George
H. Park, surgeon of 65th Illinois Infantry, from November, 1S62,
to November, 1863. Dr. Ira Brown, 65th Illinois; Dr. Whelan,
Michigan Sharpshooters ; Dr. J. S. Grove, Pennsylvania Infantry;
and Dr. A. M. Seigmund, Pennsylvania Infantry, in 1864. Dr. J.
C. Whitehill (also medical director and surgeon in charge at
Chicago) in 1865.
Benjamin J. Sweet, son of Rev. James and Charlotte
(Newell) Sweet, was born in Kirkland, Oneida Co., N.Y., April
24. 1-32. With his father's family he removed from New York to
Wisconsin in 1S4S, and, after residing a brief time in Sheboygan
County, settled on a farm in Stockbridge, Calumet County, where
he assisted his father in home work, at the same time devoting his
leisure hours to study, until he was prepared to enter Appleton
College. After taking a partial course in that institution, he re-
turned to Stockbridge, and for a time taught school in a neighbor-
ing village. In May, 1851, he was married to Miss Lovisa L.
Denslow, also a native of Kirkland, N.Y., and soon after com-
menced the study of law. In 1859, he was elected to the Senate of
Wisconsin, and in the spring of 1S61, was among the earliest to
offer his services to Government, to aid in the suppression of the
Rebellion. On the organization of the 6th Wisconsin Volunteer
Infantry, in July, 1861, he was commissioned major of the regi-
ment, and with it proceeded to Washington in August. The
regiment was assigned to King's brigade (Iron Brigade), and re-
mained encamped at Arlington Heights during the winter. In the
summer of 1562, Major Sweet resigned his commission, and re-
turned to Wisconsin, where he assisted in recruiting, and perfected
the organization of the 21st Wisconsin, of which he was com-
missioned colonel. The regiment left the State for the field in
September, 1862. On the Sth of October, il was engaged in the
battle of Perryvillei where it was erroneously placed in position,
about a hundred yards in front of the left of Rousseau's
division, and suffered most severe loss. Colonel Sweet was
wounded early in th<: morning, by a spent pistol-shot which injured
his neck, and, at night, after the conclusion of the battle, astray
bullet pierced the elbow of his right arm, and lodged in his
shoulder, inflicting a severe and dangerous wound. For several
weeks the surgeons were unable to extract the ball, and his wound
remained unhealed for over a year, during the latter part of
which, however, he was in command at Gallatin, Tenn., which
Rosecrans had fortified, and occupied as a military post. In
the fall of 1S63, Colonel Sweet was placed in command of the
Sth Regiment, V.R.C., and ordered to Camp Douglas, where
he remained until the close of the war, his services as commandant
being included in the history of the post. After the war, he pur-
chased a home at Lombard, 111. He was appointed by President
Grant, United States Pension Agent at Chicago in 1869, and, in
1871, Supervisor of Internal Revenue for Illinois. In January,
1872, he was appointed Deputy-Commissioner of Internal Revenue, at
Washington, and served two years. He died January 1, 1874,
leaving a widow and four children. General Sweet's widow was
killed by a railroad accident, August 14, 1878. His eldest daughter,
Ada C, is United States Pension Agent at Chicago, and the office
has the reputation throughout the country, of being conducted
most ably and economically. The second daughter, Minnie,
married C. F. Weber, and resides in Chicago The two younger
children, Martha Winnifred and Benjamin }., live with their sister
Ada, in Chicago, the boy attending the Ogden School, being but
thirteen years of age.
Colonel James C. Strong was born in New York, and bred
to the legal profession. On the breaking out of the war he raised a
company for the 21st New York Volunteer Infantry, of which he was
chosen captain May 7, 1861. He was transferred, during the year,
to the 3Sth New York Infantry, of which he was promoted lieuten-
ant-colonel on December 17, 1S61, and colonel on October 10, 1862.
He received a severe wound at Williamsburg, Va. , while serving
under McClellan in the Peninsula Campaign, being shot in his
right hand, and crippled for life in his right hip. On the expiration
of his term of service he was discharged, and on September 29,
1863, was appointed colonel of the 15th Regiment, V.R.C., and
his command assigned to Camp Douglas as a portion of its garrison.
He was afterward detailed for duty in Philadelphia, and was at
that point at the close of the war ; Lieutenant-Colonel Martin
Flood taking command of the regiment at Camp Douglas.
CHICAGO SOLDIERS' HOME.
This most valuable institution was the outgrowth of
the knowledge, on the part of our citizens, that many
soldiers en route to or from their commands, suffered
for the necessities of life and for medical care. This
deprivation was no sooner fully realized, than loyal men
and women hastened to obviate any recurrence of such
misfortunes to our soldiers. The credit of the first
direct movement in their behalf is due to the Young
Men's Christian Association, which held a meeting
early in June for the purpose of devising means of
securing and providing for a temporary home for sol-
diers in transit. On June 6, another large meeting was
held in the Scotch Presbyterian Church, of which Rev.
Robert Patterson was pastor, when it was proposed
that the Young Men's Christian Association and the
Chicago Sanitary Commission should unite in the move-
ment— managers to be selected equally from each or-
ganization.
An adjourned meeting was held at Bryan Hall, on
June g, at which plans were considered; and it was
finally decided that a temporary home, "to provide for
sick, wounded and destitute soldiers, and to furnish all
with refreshments and temporary lodging gratuitously,"
should be established — its inauguration, management
and support to be committed to the hands of the "loyal
women of Chicago" — the organization to be uncon-
nected with either of the others named. A committee,
of which Hon. T. B. Bryan was chairman, was ap-
pointed to perfect a plan of organization, on the
acceptance of which the following officers were chosen:
President, Thomas B. Bryan ; Vice-Presidents, Mrs
Ambrose Foster, Mrs. E. S. Wadsworth (Mrs. Wads-
worth resigned July 10, and Mrs. O. E. Hosmer was
elected in her place); Secretary, Mrs. George Gibbs
fMrs. Gibbs resigned, and Mrs. Henry Sayrs was
elected secretary!; Assistant Secretary, Mrs. Joseph
Medill ; Treasurer, Mrs. Henry Wadsworth; Exec-
utive Committee, Mrs. A. H. Hoge, Mrs. D. P. Liver-
CHICAGO SOLDIERS' HOME.
311
more, Mrs. J. H. Woodworth, Mrs. E. Higgins, Mrs.
F. W. Robinson, Mrs. A. Foster, Mrs. Hesing, Mrs. E.
H. Cushing, Mrs. I. Greensfelder, Mrs. Rorke, Mrs.
Jerome Beecher, Mrs. H. W. Hinsdale, Mrs. W. H.
Clark and Mrs. Boyd. Mrs. Smith Tinkham and Mrs.
^O-c^y $r^
Bowen were subsequently appointed members of the
committee in place of Mesdames Hinsdale and Clark,
resigned. The Board of Directors was composed of
one lady from each of the churches of the city. Citi-
zens contributed liberally to the enterprise, making, not
only immediate donations, but pledging themselves for
the future. The ladies also held a strawberry festival
during June, which netted them $950, and, by July,
they had raised $5,000. In the meantime they had
secured a suitable location — the old Mansion House,
No. 45 Randolph Street — at. an annual rent of $800,
which they completely renovated, making it clean,
pleasant and wholesome. On July 4, it was formally
opened with a grand dinner served to the soldiers of
Camp Douglas and of the various city hospitals. Om-
nibuses were dispatched to bring in the sick and
wounded ; those that were able came on foot and in the
horse-cars; and as they all filed into the dining-room
and seated themselves at the bountifully-spread table,
laden with real " home victuals, such as thev did not
often get now-a-days," just then a dispatch was
received and read announcing Meade's success at Get-
tysburg. All felt that it was indeed an auspicious house-
warming. From the very first, the Home proved its
right to existence, by the immense amount of good it
accomplished. The little building was always crowded,
and the labor required of the faithful women,
who not only superintended its affairs, but put
their own hands to the work of providing meals for the
well and caring for the wants of the sick, can never be
rightly estimateJ or told. They worked untiringly and
ungrudgingly to supply the wants of any and all sol-
diers who needed rest, food, or shelter; and as the
number of these constantly and rapidly increased,
demanding more time, more strength, more constant
effort, the demand was met with increased consecra-
tion, fidelity and self-sacrifice.
Gradually, women from abroad joined the women
of Chicago, as co-workers. In September, an Hon-
orary Board of Directors, including all these, some of
whom were residents of Wisconsin, some of Michigan,
was formed, and during the same month Mrs. J. K.
Botsford was elected a member of the Chicago Board.
In the latter part of 1863, wounded soldiers from
the battle-fields of Chickamauga and Mission Ridge,
paroled prisoners, and recruits on their way to help fill
the thinned ranks of the army, filled the Home to over-
flowing, and even by entertaining regiments, as they
arrived, in the basement of Bryan Hall, it was seen
that the old building could no longer answer the pur-
pose for which it was hired. On November 20, the
ladies held a meeting and resolved to establish a
CHICAGO SOLDIERS HOME.
312
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
" Permanent Soldiers' Home" for the use of disabled
soldiers. A building to serve as a rest for regiments
or single soldiers passing through the city, and requir-
ing temporary accommodations, was erected by the
post quartermaster on the lake shore, near Dearborn
Park, the Rest to be under the management of the
ladies of the Soldiers* Home, and being really a part of
the establishment, forming an extra dining-room, kitchen
and sleeping apartments.
Up to this time the Home had been supported by
voluntary contributions, and it had required careful
financiering to keep the resources of the establishment
equal to the constant and increasing demand. At the
Sanitary Fair held in October, 1863, Mr. Bryan, the
president and liberal benefactor of the Home, had
purchased the original draft of Abraham Lincoln's
Emancipation Proclamation, for the* sum of $3,000,
which amount was appropriated to the Home by the
Executive Committee of the Fair. This precious docu-
ment was donated by Mr. Bryan to the Home, to be
held in trust, and used for the benefit of disabled
soldiers. From it the Home realized, directly and
indirectly, inclusive of the proceeds of the original
sale, over $10,000, which amount was invested in the
purchase of grounds and buildings for a Permanent
Soldiers' Home. The purchase was made in March,
1864, and included several buildings and two lots,
known as the " Baldwin property," at Fair View. This
property was soon after sold, and the Langley estate at
Cottage Grove, on the lake shore, near the projected
Douglas monument, was secured. Upon this, a plain
brick structure, designed as the wing of a more imposing
edifice was erected at a cost of about $15,000, and was
opened as a Permanent Home on May 13, 1864.
In the meantime, the " Soldiers' Rest " was com-
pleted and opened on January 22, 1864. The building
was two hundred feet long by fifty wide, divided into
four large rooms — one dining-room, and three sleeping
apartments fitted up with rows of bunks. At the north
end of the Rest was a large kitchen, furnished with
cooking apparatus. The dining-room contained twenty
tables, each capable of seating twenty men, and here
many regiments were fed, until the end of the war
At a meeting held December 4, Mr. Bryan was
elected president of the Permanent Home, and J. H.
Wadsworth treasurer. Otherwise, the business and
management of both Home and Rest were entrusted
entirely to the Board of Managers, consisting exclu-
sively of ladies. A monthly committee from the Board
was appointed for the Home, under whose general
direction the superintendent and matron controlled its
internal affairs, and the Rest was personally superin-
tended by a committee from the Board, appointed from
week to week. To add to the fund for the erection of
the new Home, dollar subscriptions were solicited, the
work being commenced immediately after the meeting of
December 4, 1863, when the enterprise was undertaken.
A committee for districting the city was appointed,
with headquarters in the South Division at the house of
Mrs. J. C. Shepley ; North Division, Mrs. E. Wadsworth;
West Idvision, Mrs. E. B. Tuttle. The work being laid
out, ladies were assigned to limited districts, and armed
with their little subscription books, countersigned by
President liryan, and stamped with the seal of the Sol-
diers' Home ; also armed with determination, zeal and
energy — they s.rt out on their task. Among the most
active and persevering of these ladies were Mesdames
Henry .Sayrs, C. <i. Fargo, J. < :. Shepley, Myra Brad-
well, H. C. Bristol, C. P. Dickinson, Thomas M< ■( 'alia,
D. A. Jones, J. M. Van Osdell, Ambrose Foster, J. M.
Tuttle, J. M. Loomis, J. Long, C. \V. Andrews, L.
Dagenhardt, M. A. Burnham, Reuben Ludlam, and
Miss Ada Bradwell. Soon after the organization of
the Permanent Home, Mrs. Henry Sayrs, Mrs. J. M.
Loomis, Mrs. Myra Bradwell, Mrs. J. W. Steele, Mrs.
N. H. Parker, Miss Ada Bradwell, and Miss Julia Hamill
were elected members of the Board of Directors — to all
of whom, and in an especial manner to Mrs. Sayrs and
Mrs. Bradwell, the Home was indebted for the success-
ful prosecution and accomplishment of its work.
At the first annual meeting, June 17, 1864, sixty-two
Chicago ladies were engaged in the work of the Home
and Rest, and about twenty from abroad were honorary
members of the Board. During the year there had
been 46,384 arrivals, 96,909 meals and 16,481 lodgings
provided, and 2,557 patients medically treated — the
money value of the outlay being estimated at $47,162.
Besides entertaining regiments at all hours of day or
night, whenever they happened to arrive, and caring
for the sick and disabled at the Home, the ladies had
also attended to the wants of sick soldiers at private
dwellings, and sent convalescent, as well as deceased,
soldiers to their respective homes and friends. The
officers elected in June, 1864, were:
President, Hon. T. B. Bryan ; First Vice-President, Mrs. O.
E. Hosmer; Second Vice-President, Mrs. C. P. Dickinson; Secre-
tary, Mrs. Henry Sayrs (Mrs. J. O. Brayman elected secretary in
place of Mrs. Sayrs, resigned); Treasurer, Carl F. W. Junge; As-
sistant Treasurer, Mrs. E. H. Cushing; Auditing Committee,
Miss Elizabeth Blakie, Mrs. J. M. Loomis, Mrs. Shackford.
Early in 1864, it was determined to hold a fair in
connection with the Sanitary Commission — the time
first appointed being from February 22, to March 4.
In consequence of the magnitude of the preparations,
the time of opening was postponed to the 31st of May,
at which date the fair commenced, and continued three
weeks. * To the untiring labors of the managers of
the Soldiers' Home, the success of the undertaking was
largely due, and its outcome was an addition to their
treasury of $83,500. Of this amount, $10,000 was ap-
propriated to pay the debts due at the close of the fiscal
year ending June, 1865; some $5,000 reserved for cur-
rent expenses; and the remainder invested in Govern-
ment securities, as a fund for the erection of the main
portion of the Soldiers' Home building.
At the annual meeting, held during the progress of
the fair, and when the labors of the ladies at the Rest
were drawing toward a close, Mr. Bryan paid the follow-
ing richly merited tribute to the faithfulness of their
work in the past:
"Never in any city or in any clime have more earnest, unin-
termitting or untiring labors in behalf of the soldiers been perform-
ed than those which it has been the pleasure and the pride of the
ladies of this institution to render. Ladies, many of them in afflu-
ent circumstances, have persistently, for two years, worked with
their own hands in the hospital, the dining-room, and even in the
kitchen of the Soldiers' Home and Rest, performing an amount of
actual drudgery at which their own hired domestics at home would
have rebelled. Nor have these arduous labors been confined to
the daytime, to fair weather, or to occasions of public or conspic-
uous display. On the contrary, they have embraced all kinds — the
intensest heat of summer and the most inclement winter weather;
and I can, of my own knowledge, bear testimony to the fact of
entire nights being spent by them in entertaining regiments — all
the rest of the city asleep, while these self-sacrificing and devoted
women were industriously employed in feeding the soldiers and
cheering them on their march to, and return from, the war."
The following officers were elected at this meeting—
the last "war officers" of the Home:
President, Thomas B. Bryan ; First Vice-President, Mrs. E.
F. Dickinson; Second Vice-President, Mrs. Henry Sayrs; Secre-
tary, Mrs. J. O. Brayman; Treasurer, Carl F. W. Junge; Assist-
ant Treasurer, Miss E. Blakie; Auditing Committee, Mrs. J. C.
*Sce Sanitary Fair.
CHICAGO SOLDIERS' HOME.
513
Shepley, Mrs. Dr. Ingals, Mrs. C. W. Andrews. Mrs. Myra
Bradwell was elected assistant treasurer on June 23, in place of
Miss Elizabeth Blakie, resigned.
The arrivals at the Rest during the past year were
reported as 60,100; meals prepared, 167,253. At the
Home, five hundred and seventy-seven sick and dis-
abled soldiers had been cared for. The receipts had
been $33,081; expenditures, $35,850.
During 1865 and the early months of 1866, the
main building of the Soldiers' Home was erected, at a
cost of about $30,000. It was of the same height as the
wing previously erected — four stories — with a frontage
of sixty-five feet on Douglas Place, the location being
where is now the junction of Thirty-fifth Street and Lake
Avenue. Its depth was sixty-five feet, and the building,
when completed, could accommodate about one hundred
and twenty-five soldiers. At the opening of the new
building, May 10, 1S66, there were ninety-nine inmates;
of whom fifteen were blind veterans; twenty, disabled
soldiers, who were studying at the Commercial College,
to fit themselves for positions wherein they could earn
a living; and the rest crippled or otherwise disabled.
Among the directresses of the Soldiers' Home were :
MesdamesC. W. Andrews, E. Higgins, R. S. Ball, Dr. Ingals,
E. S. Brackett, A. E. Kent, H. L.Bristol, J. M. Loomis, W. D.
Blain, J. Long, Thomas Church, J. H. Moore, L. Dagenhardt,
W. L. Myrick, Ambrose Foster, J. Medill, N. H. Parker, J. S.
Fuller, J. L. Patterson, C. Follansbee, J. D. Quinlan, J. M. "Har-
vey, O. D. Ranney, J. G. Hamilton, F. W. Robinson, Df.
Hamill, C. W. Sanford, Ambrose Burnam, S. Shackford, O. E.
Hosmer, C. H. Stoughton, Isaac R. Hitt, George Schneider, J. C.
Shipley, A. Snyder, S. Tinkham, W. Wheeler, T. Button, J. H.
Woodworth, C. B. Sawyer, S. C. Sayrs, Myra Bradwell, E. W.
Brayman, G. F. Dickinson, S. S. Williamson, M. Whittier and the
Misses M. L. Sayrs and Elizabeth Blakie.
Advisory Committee, 1865-66, J. H. Dunham, B. F. Jacobs,
J. Y. Scammon, J. B. Bradwell, Van H. Higgins.
The Soldiers' Home was incorporated as a chari-
table institution, by act of the General Assembly of the
State of Illinois, approved February 28, 1867, the sum
of $24,000 being appropriated for its benefit by the
same act, Judge and Mrs. Bradwell having been
appointed a special committee to go to Springfield to
obtain an appropriation.
In June, 1867, at the first annual meeting held after
the passage of this act, the following were elected
officers of the corporation :
President, Hon. J. B. Bradwell; First Vice-President, Mrs. O.
D. Ranney; Second Vice-President, Mrs. C. W. Andrews; Secre-
tary, Mrs. E. W. Brayman; Treasurer, C. R. Field, Assistant
Treasurer. Mrs. Myra Bradwell; Auditing Committee, Mrs. J. M.
Harvey and Mrs. C. M. Clark ; Committee on Appeals, Mrs.
C. B. Sawyer, Mrs. H. L. Bristol, Mrs. J. M. Loomis, Mrs. J. C.
Shipley, Mrs. Henry Sayrs; Superintendent, Dr. F. L. Flanders.
The appropriation was received by the corporation
in 1869. The expenses of the Home for that year
being $10,875, and the number of inmates but forty-
one, preparations were made for closing the institution,
in accordance with recommendations of a joint resolu-
tion of the Senate and House of Representatives,
passed March 10, 1869, transferring the inmates to the
National Homes established by Congress. A part of
the disabled soldiers at the Home were thus transferred
during the year, but many being unqualified to enter
there under the provisions of the act, the corporation
was unable to close the Home at that time. To reduce
expenses, it sold, on June 3, 1870, the building and
grounds on Douglas Place, for $50,000 in cash. The
buildings are now (1885) owned and occupied by the
Catholics as St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum.
With a portion of the fund thus obtained, a block of
ground, located on the lake shore, in South Evanston.
was purchased, and upon it a brick structure was
erected, which was opened as a Soldiers' Home Febru-
ary 22, 1871, the whole number of inmates then being
twenty-six.
This Home was kept open, and thus used by the
corporation, until the fall of 1877, when, owing to finan-
cial reverses, it was deemed proper to permanently
close it, and the inmates, sixteen in number, were senf
to the National Homes at Milwaukee. Wis., and Dayton,
Ohio. The Home at Evanston was then rented to the
Illinois Industrial School for Girls, and is still (1885)
so rented — that institution having added a large wooden
structure to the original brick building used by the
soldiers, and holding the property with the pledge of
receiving and caring for such children and orphans
of soldiers as the corporation should desire to have
admitted.
Cairo Soldiers' Home. — This valuable accessory
to the relief work was established and maintained by
Chicago people, Rev. E. Folsom, a missionary from the
Second Presbyterian Church of this city, being the first
agent there, in October, 1861. On March 23, 1882,
Thomas and Mrs. Maddy were sent to Cairo as super-
intendent and matron, respectively, of the Home. In
the winter of 1863-64, a new Home was erected, at a
cost to the Government of $10,000, the Chicago Com-
mission furnishing it, at an expense of $2,200. Mr. and
Mrs. Maddy were in charge of the old Home until
October, 1863, and were succeeded by Miss O. L.
Ostram as matron, and by C. N. Shipman as superin-
tendent. When the new Home was opened, Mrs. A. F.
Grant became matron — a lady whose tender care,
remarkable ability and unflinching faithfulness have
made her renowned in war annals.
The Home was closed on October 1, 1865 ; the sum
of $22,271.54 having been spent thereon by the Chicago
Branch, the name of which had been changed to the
Northwestern Commission. Of this amount, however,
$14,196.41 was saved by the sale of the rations of the
inmates of the Home. During the year 1864, there
were admitted to the Home 98,075 men; and from the
1st of February, 1865, when the Rest was established,
and, after which, only sick, wounded or discharged
soldiers were entertained at the Home, there were
48,356 of these before it was closed.
Myra Bradwell, editor of The Chicago Legal News, was
born February 12, 1831, in Manchester, Vt., the daughter of Eben
and Abigail (Willey) Colby, both natives of New Hampshire.
Mrs. Myra Bradwell taught her first school at Elk Grove, Cook
County, in a country district near her father's home, and continued
her teaching at Elgin and other places for a short time, when she
married Tames B. Bradwell. Thereafter, her life would become
incorporated with that of her husband's in the ordinary course of
events, but she had an ambition to open a new field of practical
employment for her sex, in contra-distinction to the women's rights
demanded from the platform; she therefore chose and thoroughly
prepared herself for her profession, before asking admission to its
practice. She commenced the study of law in her husband's office,
dividing her time between the office and her home and children,
until she believed herself competent to pass an examination for a
certificate to practice the legal profession. At this point she met
obstacles it took time to remove. After complying with all the
rules of the Supreme Court, she received from the Board of
Examiners the required certificate of qualification for admission to
the Bar, but the Supreme Court refused to grant her a license to
practice, first on the sole ground that she was a married woman;
and, after being driven from this position by an able argument pre-
sented by Mrs. Bradwell, they refused it on the ground that she was
a woman. She carried her case, by writ of error, to the Supreme
Court of the United States at Washington, where Hon. Matt. 11.
Carpenter made an able argument in favor of Mrs. Bradwell, but the
highest court of the Nation affirmed the judgment of the Supreme
Court of Illinois, Chief Justice (.'base, the ablest jurist on the Bench,
dissenting. She was the first woman in the United States to ask
permission to practice law. Alta M. Hulett, an unmarried lady of
3H
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
the City of Rockford was the next applicant for admission to the
Bar: her request was denied on the ground of her sex. Mrs. Brad-
well assisted in. and Miss Hulett secured, the passage of a law de-
claring that no person should be debarred from any occupation
(except military) on account of sex. Gradually, the professions
and fields of labor have opened and broadened to womanhood, in
a great measure under the efforts of Mrs Bradwell and her husband.
This is not the only field in which site has become celebrated. In
the establishment and success of The Chicago Legal News, she
has now an enviable reputation among the journalists of this
country and Europe. This weekly legal journal favorably com-
pares with any legal journal in the world, and has received the
highest praise from eminent lawyers and jurists. Its cases are se-
lected and reported with care, its information is varied and its news
is gathered from all quarters of the globe. Mrs. Bradwell was an
indefatigable worker in the interests of our soldiers during the war,
and of this part of her life's work she and her husband are justly
proud. She has twice visited England — first in 1S7S, and again in
1883, with the Apollo Commandery. She has had four children;
the oldest and youngest are deceased, while Thomas and Bessie
have grown to manhood and womanhood. Thomas is married, and
is devoting his time to the study of law. Bessie graduated from
the Chicago High School, was the valedictorian of her class, and
afterward took a four years' classical course and graduated from the
Northwestern University. After a two years' course she graduated
with the highest honors from the Union College of Law, being se-
lected by a class of fifty-four to be their valedictorian. She is now
a member of the Chicago Bar. Mrs. Myra Bradwell is one of those
true " Women's-rights women " who live their creed instead of
talking it, and the good she has done to woman in this manner is
yet unknown. Earnest, tender, homelike, and full of that poetic
inspiration which is so commonly but mistakenly considered the
exclusive prerogative of youth, she is a woman who lives beautifully,
will never grow old, and to whom death will be but "the grand final
development of life."
RELIEF WORK IN CHICAGO.
The First Nurses. — On the evening of April 18,
1 86 1, the people of Chicago held an immense meeting
at Metropolitan Hall, to devise means whereby to meet
the appalling crisis in National affairs. The State had
been called upon for six regiments of volunteers, and
companies of citizen soldiery were already filling up
their ranks and drilling, in preparation for the field.
They must be armed and equipped; and one object
of the meeting was to make such arrangements as
might be necessary for effecting that result.* Even as
early as that evening, two ladies present at that meeting
publicly tendered their services to the war committee
as nurses, to be sent wherever their services might
be needed. These two — Miss Jane A. Babcock and
Miss Mary E. M. Foster — were the first women in Chi-
cago who volunteered to accompany the troops as
nurses; and one of them at least, Miss Babcock, was at
work in the hospitals at Cairo, almost as soon as the
first regiment reached there from Springfield, and, later,
rendered efficient service in the hospitals at Memphis.
On April 21, the Chicago companies, under General
Swift, left for Cairo. Dr. Sim, of Chicago, accompa-
nied them as a member of General Swift's staff, and at
Cairo, under his supervision, a small but well-arranged
hospital was immediately constructed. This was, in
a large measure, sustained through the efforts of the
women of Chicago, and was the main reliance of the
troops at Cairo during the following summer.
On April 20. Mrs. I). M. Brundage, whose four sons
had already enlisted, offered her services to General
Swift to ai company any volunteers as nurse; and, at
a public meeting held .1' the liriggs House on April 22,
Rev. Robert Collyer presiding, her application for such
position, and also those of Mrs. lames J. S. Kellogg,
Mary Evans, A. M Beaubien, E. S. Johnson, E. B.
• 1 >lilhe
ancc in the compilation oi
: indebted for much valuable assisi-
Graves and Miss Annette Sleightly were formally pre-
sented to the war committee.
In the meantime, the women of Chicago, with their
sisters all over the land, organized for home work;
church sewing-circles, ladies' benevolent societies, young
folks' and children's clubs, all laid aside their special
work and united in the labor of scraping old linen into
lint and tearing old cotton into bandages. It is almost
ludicrously pathetic to read in the city papers of the
early summer of 1 861, of the pathetic and enthusiastic
efforts of the women to do something for the soldiers,
and the equally patriotic endeavors of the men to en-
courage them to continue the work which both began
to see was not the best, while yet they could not clearly
see what the best was Through the liberality of J. H.
McVicker, they were furnished with a room in the South
Division of the city,' which they fitted up with thirty
sewing-machines, and occupied as a general workroom
for the manufacture of garments for the soldiers. The
" Ladies' Sewing Hall " did a large work in providing
for the regiments at Cairo and Bird's Point; and to the
untiring labors of the women of Chicago the hospitals,
both at these and other points, were indebted for many
of their comforts during the summer of 1861.
But this work was necessarily in the beginning more
or less spasmodic and of lessened value, because often
unsuited to existing necessities. There was need of a
medium between the worker and the soldier, to advise
what was most needed, enforce regular methods of col-
lection and transmission, and to put to the best use
possible the supplies gathered. This the Commission
undertook, and this it did throughout the war. It in-
vested great labor, good judgment and continued
patience. In the beginning, the supplies gathered in
each locality were, as a rule, intended for the volunteers
who had gone from it — if not for a particular person or
persons, at least for the company or regiment made up
from that neighborhood. It was not without oft re-
peated explanations of its necessity, that mothers and
sisters with sons and brothers in the field could be taught
to consent that their own handiwork should go into a
common stock, to be distributed as the Commission
thought best.
Miss Dorothea L. Dix was appointed by Secretary
Cameron superintendent of female nurses and matron-
general of army hospitals, and she appointed Mrs. A.
H. Hoge and Mrs. D. P. Livermore her agents for the
West. Early in June, 1861, Mrs. P. E. Yates, of Chi-
cago, was appointed presiding matron of the military
hospitals at Cairo; and she selected Misses Jane A.
Babcock, L. B. Slaymaker, Mary E. Babcock, Adaline
Miller and Teresa Zimmer, of Chicago; Mrs. S. M.
Hamilton, of Monmouth; and Mrs. A. O. Millington,
of Springfield, her corps of assistants. The selections
were approved by Miss Dix — two of the ladies, Miss
J. A. Babcock and Miss Slaymaker, being already em-
ployed at Cairo; and, on June 6, Mrs. Yates left Chicago
for her post.
Inception of the Sanitary Commission. — At
an early stage of the war, the Medical Bureau was organ-
ized, but it soon became inadequate to the demands
made upon it. The Woman's Central Association of
Relief, the germ of the Sanitary Commission, was
organized in New York April 25, and, under the title
of the United States Sanitary Commission, was ordered
by the Secretary of War and approved by the President,
on June 9, 1861. Rev. Henry W. Bellows was placed at its
head, and Judge Mark Skinner and E. B. McCagg
were members of the Commission and presidents of the
ARMY RELIEF WORK IN CHICAGO.
3i5
Chicago Branch. In September, 1861, Dr. J. S. Newberry,
was elected secretary of the Western Department of the
Commission, having supervision of all its work in the
valley of the Mississippi, and visited St. Louis and Chi-
cago in the interest of the Commission. At his sugges-
tion, leading citizens of the various Western States were
elected associate members of the Commission — those
from Chicago being Hon. Isaac N. Arnold, Colonel
John W. Foster, Drs. R. N. Isham and H. A. Johnson,
and E. W. Blatchford.
Before the arrival of Dr. Newberry at Chicago, Rev.
Robert Collyer had visited, as an agent of the United
States Sanitary Commission, the hospitals in Missouri,
and found horrible suffering among the Illinois soldiers.
His report aroused the citizens of Chicago to the
necessity of more systematic, concentrated work, and
the visit of Dr. Newberry found them ready for action.
Organization of Chicago Sanitary Commis-
sion.— At a meeting held at the Tremont House, Octo-
ber 17, 1861, of which William H. Brown was chairman,
and H. E. Seelye secretary, on motion of Hon. William H.
Brown a committee of seven, to constitute the Sanitary
Commission of Chicago, was chosen, its members being
Hon. Mark Skinner, Dr. Ralph N. Isham, Rev. O. H.
Tiffany, Rev. W. W. Patton, Colonel John W. Foster,
E. W. Blatchford and James Ward.
Organization was perfected by the election of Hon.
Mark Skinner president; Rev. O. H. Tiffany vice
president ; H. E. Seelye recording secretary and treas-
urer; E. W. Blatchford corresponding secretary. Mr.
Blatchford was soon after appointed assistant treasurer,
and performed all the duties of the office during the
existence of the Commission. To his industry and
wonderful executive ability is due, as much as to any
other person, the wonderful success of the Commission.
Rooms for the reception and preparation of supplies
were given for the use of the Commission, by I. H.
Burch, at No. 41 Wabash Avenue; Mrs. Eliza C. Porter
was made superintendent, and John Freeman, who served
the Commission until the close of its work, was engaged
as clerk; and, on November 4, 1861, the Depot of the
Chicago Sanitary Commission opened its doors to the
public.
The Chicago Commission received its first donations
from the liberal-hearted men and women of the city.
Over twelve hundred dollars were placed in its treasury
by a few leading citizens; the women of the city hastened
to pour in their contributions, followed, after a very
brief time, by those from the surrounding country, while
various Aid Societies applied for recognition as auxilia-
ries, and rapidly poured in supplies. The first work of
the Commission was performed in the camps and hos-
pitals at Chicago and Springfield. In order to work
understandingly from the start, Drs. Isham and Patton
were sent, within a week after the organization of the
Commission, to inspect the camps and hospitals at Cairo,
Bird's Point, Mound City and Paducah; and on their
return, the Commission issued its first appeal to the
public. The work of the Commission was thus defined:
First. To furnish information to all persons who wish to
render aid to our troops, with reference (First), To the existing
wants; (Secondi, The most destitute points; (Third), The most
desirable and useful method of supply
Second To afford facilities for forwarding supplies, so that
(First), They may reach their destination, and (Second) Be applied
according to the design of the donors.
Active Work of the Commission. — Before the
close of the year, Dr. Tiffany and Mr. Blatchford visited
the hospitals at St. Louis, Jefferson City, Tipton, Syra-
cuse, Otterville, Smithton," Sedalia, Rol'la and Ironton,
still filled with sick and wounded from the late cam-
paign in Missouri. The Sisters of Mercy, aided by the
Union Defense Committee, had sent twenty nurses to
Jefferson City, immediately after the battle of Lexington,
to care for the wounded, many of whom belonged to
the Chicago Irish Brigade. In many of the Missouri
camps and hospitals the troops were suffering fearfully.
The tents and huts which they occupied for winter
quarters were cold, damp and unhealthful. Deserted
houses and empty stores, unwarmed, unclean, ventilated
only by draughts of cold air from open doors, were used
for hospitals. Small-pox, measles and pneumonia were
doing their fatal work among the inexperienced young
soldiers of the West. Every effort was made to relieve
their distress. The Chicago Branch sent immediately,
to Tipton, thirty-three boxes of supplies, and, during the
three months following its organization, distributed two
hundred and seven boxes of sanitary stores along the
route of the disastrous marches of the late campaign.
Mrs. O. E. Hosmer, one of the most efficient sanitary
workers in Chicago, also visited the hospitals in Mis-
souri during this period, and by her energetic efforts
secured, to the more remote points, large hospital stores
from the Western Department at St. Louis. The large
military hospital at Mound City, at that period under
the supervision of a corps of the Sisters of Mercy, with
Mother Angela at their head, was thoroughly renovated,
and many sanitary reforms were inaugurated. Kansas,
too, received supplies, and the hospitals at Cairo con-
stantly received contributions from the Commission from
the time of its organization. Before the close of 1861,
many Aid Societies, tributary to the Chicago Branch,
had been organized, and contributions were flowing in
from Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota, as well
as from Illinois. The working staff of the Commission,
consisting, at first, of six inspectors, had been increased
to fifteen. The financial statement shows that during
the two months it received over $28,000 in cash, of
which about $18,000 had been expended in hospital sup-
plies, traveling expenses, salaries of nurses, inspectors,
etc., etc. The last week of December, 1861, showed
contributions from fifty-four different aid societies in
the Northwest.
First Festival. — During the month of December,
the first festival for the benefit of soldiers, was held in
Chicago, commencing on December 16, and continuing
several days. Although this enterprise of the Chicago
women was so overshadowed by their later work in the
same direction that it is scarcely remembered, it was
the beginning of a series of self-sacrificing efforts on
their part to benefit the soldiers, and as such deserves
especial record. The managers of this festival were
Mesdames A. H. Hoge, O. E. Hosmer and D. P. Liver-
more — ladies, whose labors in behalf of the soldiers
never relaxed, until they ceased with the necessity
which called them into activity. The sum raised at
this early festival was $675.17 — small in comparison
with the proceeds of later and larger undertakings, but
a prophecy of what was to be. The money was placed
by the managers at the disposal of the Chicago Com-
mission, for the benefit, especially, of the Western
hospitals, the following modest note accompanying the
donation:
" To the Chicago Sanitary Commissioners :
" Accept this as our Christmas gift. We regret that it is not
larger. We shall condense into a permanent organization for
active hospital service, and hope to aid you, in a small way, through
the war."
Early Difficulties. — Soon after this, the Chicago
Protestant Female Nurse Association was formed, which
tl i
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
acted for and with the Commission in procuring the
services of suitable nurses for the hospitals of the
West. Mrs. Sarah E. Henshaw * says of its early diffi-
culties and encouragements :
" Early in its history a difficulty made itself apparent, and
one which required much skill to meet. Almost every box arriving
at the Chicago depot of the Commission was designed for some
spec; tic military organization.
•• The Commission seemed to be mistaken for a general army
forwarding house, and was supposed to be able to reach any speci-
tnpany or regiment, under almost any combination of cir-
cumstances. I; was natural, on the one hand, that, in contributing
to the wants of soldiers, thought and effort should be first directed
to the volunteers belonging to the contributing locality. Much
delicacy and tenderness were required to temper the inevitable dis-
appointment arising from the discovery that stores could not, in
many cases, be so forwarded.
"On the other hand, the Commission, keeping itself, through
its agents, acquainted with the wants of camps and hospitals and
with the movements of troops, was often aware that the specified
regiment had been ordered away from the point to which the box
had been, by its donors, directed ; or that there was abundance in
such locality, and destitution elsewhere. To this was added the
larger view of its work taken by the Commission, a view that could
not embrace the possibility of assisting the volunteers of one sec-
tion more than those of another ; of sending its agents into a hos-
pital to select specified soldiers for its ministrations, where all were
alike suffering for their country ; or seeming, in short, to sink
patriotism into a mere partiality for a particular State. This matter,
therefore, required much and oft-repeated explanation, and forms
the burden of the Commission's correspondence during this period.
* * * As an auxiliary of the United States Sanitary Commis-
sion, the Chicago Branch possessed all the advantages of govern-
mental countenance and support conferred on the Central organ-
ization. The agents of the United States Sanitary Commission
were the medium through which the Chicago Branch conducted its
operations within the army lines, but its own special agents were
recognized in the army as possessing official authority, and as much
governmental transportation was allowed its accredited messengers
and its stores, as could be spared from the pressing necessities of
the Government itself.
" But aside from this, upon the request of the Commission,
the railroads of the West met its wants in a spirit of unsurpassed
generosity. All those centering in Chicago agreed to transport its
stores free of charge, and continued to do so as long as the war lasted.
The importance and value of this precedent, in enabling the Com-
mission to secure from other western railroads similar advantages,
can not be over-estimated. The records of the Commission show a
gift of one hundred dollars, presented it in its infancy by the pres-
ident of the Rock Island Railroad, Mr. Henry Farnum. The
president of the Illinois Central Railroad, Mr William H. Osborne,
was, from first to last, its earnest, indefatigable friend, giving to its
labors, not only his influence and countenance, as president of his
important railway, but adding also to these his personal sugges-
tions, sympathy and assistance. It would be difficult, indeed, to
overrate the generosity ever exhibited toward the soldier, and
toward the Commission as his representative, by the officers of the
Illinois Central Railroad The zeal and good will of all the rail-
road companies, indeed, were so abounding that, in a little more
than a month after its establishment, the Commission found it nec-
essary to address to them a circular, urging them to grant no
requests preferred in the name of the Commission, unless indorsed
or countersigned by some one of its members.
" The eastern telegraph companies, from an early day, rivaled
in generosity the railroad authorities. Somewhat later in the history
of the war, the western lines also remitted all charges on the com-
munication-, of tin- Commission.
"The express companies carried its packages for half their
usual prices.
" The press of the city was also generous beyond precedent.
The principal editor of Tribune, Dr. Charles II. Ray,
in a double-leaded leader, made a strong and stirring appeal for the
support of the Commission, avouching the character and responsi-
bility of its members, and characterizing, in the most emphatic
terms, the necessity and sacredness of its object. The Journal
^avc forth similar utterances.
"The far-reaching power of the press never had more striking
illustrations than in the immediate effect of these articles. No
ere they read and digested than donations began to flow,
auxiliaries to organize, and the way of the Commission to be made
plain."
Field WokK. — With the spring of 1862 came the ne-
cessity for redoubled exe rtion. On February 14-15, 1862,
* History of the Northwestern Sanitary Commission.
was fought the battle of Fort Donelson, which filled the
hospitals at Paducah, Mound City and Cairo with wound-
ed soldiers. Prior thereto, at the suggestion of Dr. G.
Agnew, resident camp-inspector for the United States
Sanitary Commission at Cairo, General Grant had ordered
the large military steamer "City of Memphis," to be fitted
up as a floating hospital transport. On the receipt of
the telegram announcing the opening of the battle at
Fort Donelson, this steamer was fitted up by the Chicago
Branch at Cairo, the Commission here having forwarded
surgeons and nurses. Seventeen surgeons left this city
on the first train for the field, accompanied by a citi-
zens' committee, with three thousand dollars' worth of
supplies for the wounded. With Dr. Agnew, of Cairo,
and large delegations from all parts of the State, they
proceeded, on the " City of Memphis," to the battle-
field, arriving two days in advance of any other boat.
The floating hospital was under the charge of Surgeon
W. D. Turner, U. S. A., assisted by his wife and Miss
Hadley, of Chicago. The delegation, with the wife of
Dr. George Coatsworth, who accompanied the expedi-
tion from Cairo, were the first that arrived on the field,
and worked faithfully in the distribution of stores, in
consoling and comforting those beyond the reach of
mortal aid, and in caring for those removed to the boat.
Through the day and long into the night, the work of
removing the wounded and dying went on, and at early
morning the steamer departed for Paducah.
Early in the spring of 1862, Mrs. Elizabeth Porter
resigned her position, as superintendent of the rooms of
the Chicago Branch, for service in the hospitals and at
the front. Joining her husband at Cairo, to which
point she took a corps of nurses from Chicago, she im-
mediately threw herself, heart and soul, into the work
of ministering to the sick and wounded, and became
known throughout the country as one of the most ten-
der, devoted and faithful workers in the sanitary cause.
Soon after the departure of Mrs. Porter,* Mesdames
Hoge and Livermore, at the request of the Chicago
Commission, visited the hospitals at Cairo and Mound
City, still filled with the wounded of Fort Donelson, and
into which, according to rumor, various sanitary abuses
had crept. They became satisfied that the comforts
provided for the soldiers through the munificence of
the loyal people of the land, were faithfully and consci-
entiously applied, according to the needs of the soldiers;
and the clear discrimination evinced in their report
proved their eminent fitness for the responsible posi-
tions they afterward occupied. Before their return, the
battle of Pittsburg Landing filled anew the hospitals of
the West with wounded and dying and its homes with
mourners.
Depot at Paducah. — In the latter part of March,
Dr. Tiffany had been on a special mission to Paducah,
Ky., to make arrangements, if possible, for establish-
ing a new depot nearer the scene of the battle now
daily anticipated at Pittsburg Landing. He was ac-
companied from Cairo to Paducah by Mr. Folsom and
Rev. Mr. Bugbee, of Chicago. A supply of stores sent
by the Chicago Commission was taken by Mr. Folsom
to Savannah, and left there in charge of Mrs. Mary
Bickerdyke, already established at that place, in charge
of the hospitals connected with the 21st Indiana Infan-
try. Mrs. Bickerdyke, who, from that time, was con-
nected with the Chicago Branch as one of its " Agents
in the Field," had taken possession of a small house,
which she had fitted up with some simple cooking
apparatus, and in it she cared for seventy wounded
men and eight officers of the 21st Indiana, after the
♦See biography of Mrs. Jeremiah Porter, in vol. I.
ARMY RELIEF WORK IN CHICAGO.
3*7
battle of Shiloh, besides cooking for and distributing
stores to the wounded of other regiments. Mr. Fol-
som left his supplies with her, one week before the
battle. On April 6-7, the days of the engagement, no
other sanitary stores had arrived, and the value of
these, distributed by the faithful hands of Mrs. Bicker-
dyke, can scarcely be estimated. Anticipating this bat-
tle, as before stated, the Chicago Branch had, to be
ready for the emergency, accumulated nearly a thou-
sand packages of sanitary stores at Cairo, and, when
tidings of it reached that city, they were at once placed
on board the steamer " Patton," and taken to the Land-
ing in charge of William Goodsmith, an agent of the
Commission, who was accompanied by a corps of
nurses. On the evening of the 9th of April, a large
number of surgeons and nurses from Chicago started
for the battle-field. Drs. Patton and Isham, of the
Commission, accompanied them, carrying large and
valuable stores donated by the city, the Board of Trade
and private individuals. Arriving at Cairo, the party
was transferred to the hospital steamer "Louisiana,"
and reached the Landing two hours before the " Pat-
ton," which left Cairo nearly twelve hours in advance.
The two steamers arrived on the afternoon of the nth,
four days after the close of the battle, and yet these
sanitary stores from Chicago were the first that reached
the field — the first voluntary assistance received by the
wounded, aside from that furnished through Mrs. Bick-
erdyke. It was impossible to land the goods, as the vast
encampment was almost floating in an ocean of mud and
mire. It was cold, and the rain was pouring down
upon wounded soldiers, still lying on the field or mov-
ing wearily to the boats on which they were to be
transferred to hospitals. The stores from the "Pat-
ton " were transferred temporarily, by permission of
General Grant, to the " Tigress," his own floating head-
quarters, but as soon as tents could be procured, the
supplies brought by both steamers were placed in them
for distribution, every surgeon in Grant's army being
notified of their arrival.
Dr. Isham wrote to the Chicago Commission on the
1 2th :
"When you know there are no stores here but ours, so far as
we can learn, and that we are the first upon the ground, and the
only volunteers here, you will see how much work there is for us.
There is not a bandage, rag or sponge, or any chloroform (except
as Dr. Grinsted tells me he has three pounds) to be had now. We
have given out all our rags and bandages, and God knows what
we shall do without those articles to dress wounds. I worked
until one o'clock last night, after we distributed our stores, assist-
ing in dressing wounds. Disabled men are still being brought
aboard the boats, and many are yet in tents, upon the wet straw,
for you must know that it rains, and has rained steadily since
Sunday."
Besides the distribution of stores on the field, four
steamers, filled with wounded for northern hospitals,
were supplied from the stores sent by the Chicago
Commission, and surgeons and nurses detailed to
accompany them.
Contributions to the Work. — After Shiloh, as
after every battle, the depot and treasury of the Com-
mission was drained of everything ; but, as before,
contributions flowed in so rapidly that the want was
supplied before it was felt. The Common Council of
Chicago voted $10,000 to its treasury; the Board of
Trade contributed largely ; private donations were
abundant and liberal; and the Aid Societies, stimulated
to renewed exertions, poured in their bountiful sup-
plies. For three months, one distributing agent was
employed at Pittsburg Landing or Savannah, and
another to move with the army in its approach to
Corinth, and co-operate with the agents of the United
States Sanitary Commission. Five steamers employed
in moving the wounded of Shiloh to the North, were
furnished with surgeons, nurses, and a portion of their
supplies by the Chicago Branch, and two steamers were
fitted out for the purpose of bringing home wounded
Illinois soldiers. The money for the purchase of med-
ical stores for these steamers— two thousand dollars —
was contributed by the Chicago Board of Trade, as
well as hospital clothing and supplies. A complete
outfit for a steamer sent by the Wisconsin authorities
for removing Wisconsin soldiers, was furnished by the
Chicago Commission.
Labors of the Nurses. — Mrs. Porter, after helping
to distribute the stores at Cairo, hastened to Mound
City to assist in the reception of a boat-load of wounded.
Those who survived transportation having been placed in
the hospital, she returned to Cairo and conducted six
nurses thence to the Central Hospital at Paducah, to
which point they had been sent from Chicago by the
Commission. She then proceeded to Pittsburg Landing,
where she procured from the Medical Director an order
for several female nurses for the hospitals at Savannah.
Returning to Chicago, she secured them through the
Sanitary Commission, and, accompanying them to
Tennessee, placed them under the charge of Mrs. Mary
Bickerdyke, with whom she was intimately associated in
hospital labor from that time.
At the head of the nurses sent to Paducah, and oc-
cupying the position of matron, was Mrs. Egerton, for
several years the efficient nurse at the Chicago Home
for the Friendless. Among them was Elmira Fifield, a
young and devoted girl, who had received a thorough
medical education in an Eastern institution, and whose
remarkable skill, ability and faithfulness as an attend-
ant soon caused the surgeon in charge of the hospital
to assign her to a ward of severely wounded patients.
She toiled a year without respite, when her robust health
succumbed to the united influence of the malarious
atmosphere, over-exertion and want of rest ; and all
that was mortal of the brave girl was brought back to
Chicago in a burial casket.
Such, too, was the fate of the Robb sisters. Three
were successively examined and approved by the Nurse
Association connected with the Sanitary Commission,
and left Chicago for their field of labor in the Southern
hospitals — all strong, healthy, and fully consecrated to
the work. Their widowed mother, a brave, pious little
Scotchwoman, might have been seen, day after day and
month after month following their departure, trudging
through the streets of Chicago with her basket of deli-
cacies for the sick soldiers at Camp Douglas and various
city hospitals, her constant answer to the inquiry why
she did not leave her lonely home and go to reside with
her friends, being, " Na, na ; as long as there is a sick
soldier here, I will stay and do what I can for him."
Before a year had passed, two of her daughters were
driven home to Chicago, only the shadow of their for-
mer selves — worn, pallid and feeble. The third re-
mained with the regiment to which she was attached,
until it was too late to return ; she died at her post, and
was buried at Milliken's Bend, in sight of the camp
where her holy labors were performed.
Laxity of Effort. — During the summer of 1862,
when sickness was fast decimating the ranks of our
Western army, and the necessity for systematic, patient
effort was more than ever necessary to fill the depots of
the Commission, there was, instead, an appalling falling
off of supplies. Aid Societies, once enthusiastic and
zealous, became cold and indifferent, and a general
3i8
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
feeling of discouragement prevailed. Says Mrs. Hen-
shaw, in explanation of this deplorable state of affairs, —
" The distance of the receding; conflict, the reaction from the
excitement of the spring battles, the season, and the general dis-
couragement, operated to diminish consignments. Systematic
assaults began, also, to be made upon the Commission by oppo-
nents of the administration, who, now unreserved in their condem-
nation of everything helping to sustain the army, pronounced its
labors unnecessary, and its management inefficient. More painful
than all. the soldiers themselves, who were fast returning home on
sick leave and short furloughs, made, in many instances, loud com-
plaint, which was reiterated by their friends, that little benefit ac-
crued to the soldier from the work of the Sanitary Commission,
but that sanitary supplies were, in most cases, appropriated by hos-
pital stewards, nurses and surgeons. Some of the Aid Societies
labored on nobly and intelligently through all these discourage-
ments : but many became irresolute and disheartened, and a few
ceased working altogether. A burden of explanation, remonstrance,
reasoning, exhortation and entreaty fell upon the Commission, that
in the absence of all personal motives to inspire patience, seems
most difficult of endurance. * * * The accusations of returned
soldiers, who could not be suspected .of desiring to injure an or-
ganization devoted to their welfare, deserved and obtained serious
attention. While it was not maintained that supplies were never
misappropriated, it was found that ignorance of sanitary methods
was the basis of much misapprehension. Very few soldiers knew
the difference between governmental and sanitary stores, nor what
was peculiar to either. Such peculiarities could not easily be dis-
tinguished, because articles at one time furnished exclusively by the
Commission, were, at another, adopted and issued by the Govern-
ment, causing continual change. Sutlers sold many delicacies in-
cluded in the stores of the Commission ; and soldiers, distrustful
of their officers, did not always stop to discover whether given arti-
cles were purchased from the former or purloined from the latter."
"The Commission had, at this time, agents in the field of
proved reliability, who formed a chain of communication from Chi-
cago to the front. Dr. II. A. YVarriner, an inspector of the United
States Sanitary Commission, a gentleman of cultivation, position
and responsibility, took chief supervision of its stores. Establish-
ing his headquarters at Columbus, he watched over the condition
and management of hospitals from there to the seat of war, giving
himself no rest from journeyings, perils and fatigues. Mr. Wil-
liam Goodsmith, whose judgment and fidelity were so remarkable
as to create a desire for his continued services wherever their value
had been experienced, was stationed at Corinth ; Mr. T. P. Robb,
afterward, for his intelligence and energy, appointed by Governor
Yates State Sanitary Agent of Illinois, represented the Chicago
Commission at Jackson. Enthusiastic testimonials were forwarded
from different points respecting the fidelity in distributing the stores
of the Commission evinced by Mrs. Eliza C. Porter, already men-
tioned, who had been performing arduous labors at the front since
the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and to Mrs. Mary A. Bickerdyke,
whose devotion to the soldiers has made her name among them a
synonym for motherly kindness. But under the unusual pressure
of doubt and misapprehension, it was thought best to employ an
agent extraordinary, whose especial mission it should be to visit
the hospitals and camps in the southwest, and, while inspecting
their general condition, make observations with particular refer-
ence to the question of misappropriation. Mr. C. T. Chase was
the gentleman entrusted with this errand. He performed it intel-
ligently and thoroughly, visiting the hospitals at Corinth, La-
Grange, Bolivar, Jackson, Columbus and intermediate places. *
1 Mr. Chase found the agents of the Commission untiring
in their fidelity. They formed a chain from Chicago to the front.
From Chicago, the goods passed to Mr. Folsom, at Cairo. Mr.
Folsom sent them to Dr. Warriner, at Columbus, Ky., and this
gentleman superintended their further progress. Mr. Goodsmith
gave earnest care to those designed for the hospitals at Corinth.
Mr. Robb sought to obtain positive proof of fidelity in their dis-
tribution at Jackson, by establishing over the hospitals there a sys-
tem of private police. Mrs. Porter took great pains to make the
soldiers understand the source from which came the goods that she
dispensed, and numerous testimonials were the result, expressive of
gratitude to the Commission."
Although the Chicago Commission labored under
discouragements through the summer and fall of 1862,
it still accomplished much. Goods were sent regularly
to its agents ; the battle-field of Perryville was visited
by a delegation of its members carrying sanitary sup-
plies, where, as at Pittsburg Landing, the condition
of the wounded was exceedingly distressing, the only
supplies outside of the ordinary army ration, for days
and days, being those furnished by the Commission ;
the Home at Cairo was also supported, and relief was
extended to colored refugees.
The Woman's Council. — In November, 1862, Mrs.
Hoge and Mrs. Livermore, who had been actively
interested and identified with the work of the Commis-
sion from the first, attended, as representatives of the
Chicago Branch, the first " Woman's Council " of the
United States Sanitary Commission. This Council,
which was held in Washington, was composed of repre-
sentative women from the various branches and aid
societies of the Central Commission, and its chief
objects were to devise means whereby supplies might
be obtained regularly, and bestowed on United States
troops, irrespective of special regiments or particular
States. The Chicago Commission entrusted the organi-
tion and superintendence of this work to their represent-
atives at the Woman's Council, who, on their return
from Washington, became permanently connected
with the Commission as associate managers, entering
upon the work assigned them December 8, 1862. On
the 1 6th of the same month, Messrs. George C. Cook,
Amos J Throop, Cyrus Bentley and Ezra B. McCagg
were elected members of the Commission.
The Commission again Flourishes. — With the
opening of 1863, the discouragements under which the
Chicago Branch had hitherto labored, vanished.
Various reasons contributed to this result. The people
of the Northwest had learned, through many bitter ex-
periences, that if the Commission had not always the
power to take their contributions surely and swiftly to
the identical point designated by the donors, and keep
careful watch over them after they reached their destina-
tion, lest some dishonest officer or greedy nurse should
appropriate choice dainties ; neither could their own
agents and committees provide against every possible
mistake and misappropriation, even if they were fortu-
nate enough to penetrate the army lines, which was
very uncertain. If the facilities of the Commission
were not entirely adequate, their own were almost
worthless, and from this time were seldom tried. The
churches too, all over the Northwest, joined in the work
with a new spirit and fervor ; pastors urged the claims
of the Commission, and their congregations responded
heartily. Active warfare was renewed. The wounded
of Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, and Murfreesboro'
needed help. The members of the Commission, gave
their whole time, strength and energy to the work of
stimulating supplies. By letters, by visits, by eloquent
appeals, by the magnetism of their presence, by the in-
fluence of their example, they aroused the indifferent,
quickened the sluggish, and directed the energies of
the auxiliary societies now rapidly increasing all over
the Northwest. They visited the army, and returned
to their homes to carry the story of what they saw of
want, or sickness, or neglect, or heroism, or self-sacri-
fice to the women on the prairies, in the cities, on the
farms, in the luxurious mansions of Illinois and Wis-
consin, Minnesota and Iowa, and everywhere to organ-
ize aid societies, if possible. The result was a constant,
gradually increasing store of supplies in the depots of
the Commission, until supplies were no longer needed.
Work in the Front. — Immediately after the battle
of Murfreesboro', which ended on January 2, 1863, the
Commission raised in Chicago, by personal appeal,
$3, 000. This was expended in sanitary supplies for the
wounded on that field and at Vicksburg. Delegations
of nurses were forwarded every day from the Chicago
Branch to both points, each delegation taking forward
large shipments of stores. Although both the depot
ARMY RELIEF WORK IN CHICAGO.
3i9
and the treasury were nearly empty at the close of 1862,
during the opening week of 1863, one hundred and
seventy-six packages were forwarded to Murfreesboro',
and four hundred to Vicksburg — the latter augmented
by the addition of six hundred from the depot at Cairo.
The work of the Commission at Chicago soon became
of such magnitude that, to relieve the pressure, county
societies were formed, the principal town in each county
becoming a center, to which the smaller reported, and
acting as a medium between its auxiliaries and the Com-
mission at Chicago.
During the early part of 1863, five delegations were
sent to Vicksburg, to learn by personal observation the
exact needs and condition of the army, so as to be able to
report accurately on their return. The first delegation,
which left Chicago in January, consisted of Mrs. Hoge,
Mrs. H. L. Colt, secretary of the Milwaukee Aid Society,
and John C. Williams, of Chicago. This party embarked
at Cairo on the steamer " Ruth." This was seized at
Columbus as a transport of war by General C. B. Fisk,
and the delegates were taken with the expedition of
General Gorman up White River, to Duvall's Bluff, Ark.
In February, Mrs. Hoge, W. Reynolds, president of
the Peoria Branch of Christian Commission, Ira W.
Munn and Mr. Willard, of the Chicago Board of Trade,
visited General Grant's army at Young's Point, carrying
a large amount of supplies of all kinds. Being detained
at Memphis, the delegation visited and examined the
hospitals at that point ; of the condition and manage-
ment of which a most admirable account was written by
Mrs. Hoge. The visit to the camps and hospitals at
Young's Point revealed the presence of incipient scurvy,
that fearful scourge of the army. Sickness and destitu-
tion prevailed among the soldiers to an alarming extent.
Twelve thousand men, about thirty-three and one-third
per cent, of the whole number, were on the sick list, and
the unhealthful location, unfavorable surroundings, lack
of good water and nutritious food, threatened to swell
the list. The sanitary stores taken by the delegation
were transferred to the "Silver Wave," which had been
assigned by General Grant as a depot for the stores of
the United States Sanitary Commission, and distributed
from its store-rooms to the sick. Besides the relief
carried to camps and hospitals, the result of this visit
was the institution of permanent sanitary reforms in the
Western army, and the donation of a large amount of
cotton to the Commission, some of which was made into
comforts for the soldiers, and enough shipped to the East
to bring $1,700 to the treasury of the Chicago Branch.
On the return of this delegation, the work of gather-
ing fresh vegetables and other anti-scorbutics, to ward
off scurvy from the troops, was commenced, and vigor-
ously prosecuted until spring, when the danger seemed
to have, at least temporarily, passed. The following
description of the methods employed in gathering these
articles, gives an accurate idea of the labor involved :
" Early in March the Chicago Commission issued an appeal to
the Northwest for anti-scorbutics, to be used in the army of General
Grant. It was dated March 4, 1863, was short and very urgent.
In addition to this little circular, which was scattered throughout
the Northwest, and to articles inserted in the Chicago daily journ-
als, the Commission telegraphed concerning the emergency to many
of its larger auxiliaries. The following are specimens of dispatches
thus forwarded :
" ' Rush forward anti-scorbutics for General Grant's Army.
Mark Skinner.'
" 'General Grant's army in danger of scurvy. Rush forward
anti-scorbutics. Mark Skinner.'
" These telegrams were sent to Milwaukee, Detroit, Aurora,
Ottawa, Mendota, Rock Island, Beloit, Belvidere, Kenosha, Madi-
son, Racine, Freeport, Sheyboygan, Whitewater, Ann Arbor,
Adrian, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, Galesburg, Jackson, Kala-
mazoo, and many other places.
"Then ensued a passage in the history of the Northwest that
was cinc of the most remarkable of the varied experiences of the aid
societies. It was March, the month ol I In- until equinox. \ igor-
ous rains had taken the place of the cloudy, sullen weather of
winter. The rich, black soil of the Northwest, saturated, and
more than ever adhesive, offered an almost impassable barrier to
locomotion. But neither rain nor mud was heeded. Wherever Ihe
telegrams were sent, wherever the circulars were directed, wherever
the newspapers were read, there immediately went abroad commit-
tees begging anti-scorbutics for the soldiers.
"The towns were divided into districts, and every house was
visited; a central depot of deposit was appointed, to which humble
and rich were alike invited to send contributions. In the country,
committees went in wagons, begging as they went, and taking pos-
session of what was given as they labored from house to house.
This was done, day after day, lirst in one direction and then in
another, through rain and mud, by men and women. These col-
lections were made by the delicate lady, who could ill bear the
exposure; by the farmer's wife, who could ill spare the time; by the
tradesman, who could ill neglect his business; by the clergyman,
who could ill forego his strength. To remarks depreciating such
effort, the answer was, ' Our soldiers do not stop for the weather;
neither must we.' There were but small quantities of these articles
in the Northwest, compared to the usual abundance; for what had
escaped a destructive drought, which prevailed the preceding sum-
mer, had been in a great measure destroyed by the rot of the
wet winter just closing. Illinois had but few of the desired vegeta-
bles; in some localities, not enough for planting; in others, none at
all. Michigan was a little better off; Wisconsin was still more for-
tunate; and so was Iowa. But, whatever the supply, whether
great or small, it was cheerfully divided with the soldier. In quan-
tities descending from bushels to pecks, from pecks to quarts, from
quarts, in some instances, to a handful, the precious stores were
gathered. The same causes which had destroyed the onion crop,
had diminished also the articles used for pickles; and these were
gathered in a similar manner. Cabbage pits were opened, explored
and rifled; horseradish was dug and added to the collection.
" From Wisconsin, and those localities which had not suffered
from the causes mentioned, the consignments came rushing forward.
They filled the depot; they overflowed upon the sidewalk; they en-
croached even upon the street in front of the Commission rooms.
As fast as they arrived they were forwarded, and their places occu-
pied by others. Milwaukee. Racine, and Whitewater, each lartfe
shipping points, hurried to Chicago car-load after car-load of the
precious homely vegetables, more valuable now than gold. A few
farmers of the little towns of Windsor, Bristol and Spring Prairie,
Wisconsin, volunteered and forwarded two hundred and twenty-
eight bushels. The shipment from Whitewater was the largest
and most remarkable.
" The aid societies gave themselves up to the occasion. Regu-
lar meetings, extra meetings, and canvassing expeditions, tilled up
the time. Begging committees were ordered to report on certain
days, and the whole society, in its anxiety, came together to hear of
the result. These gatherings were, with ready tact, seized and made
useful for the packing and forwarding of the onions and potatoes,
and for the preparation of the sour-krout and horseradish. ' Pick-
ling meetings,' as they were called, became the reigning re-unions
of the aid societies. Barrels and kegs were begged and purchased,
sour-krout cutters were borrowed or hired; men were employed
to use them in reducing the cabbage to the requisite fineness, the
' aids ' packed it with layers of salt between, and vinegar was
poured over the whole. Meanwhile, the ' grating committee,'
amid much rallying, and with many tears, was courageously working
at the horseradish. Besides the large quantities of anti-scorbutics
so freely given, the Commission purchased all that could be found
in Chicago. This resource exhausted, aid societies and agents
were employed to buy in the surrounding country. On this, and
on several similar occasions, the Commission thus swept the
market, and sensibly affected prices.
"As rapidly as possible, during the month of March, 1863,
were shipped from Chicago, to the army of General Grant, all the
anti-scorbutics that could thus be collected by free-will offering and
by purchase. All through the month, potatoes and onions, sour-krout
and pickles, rolled across the Central Railroad, and sailed down the
Mississippi. A line of vegetables connected Chicago and Vicks-
burg. Not less than a hundred barrels a day were shipped, and
the average was more. In two days, in the middle of the month,
were forwarded three hundred and forty-four packages, of which
three hundred and fourteen were vegetables. The average of veg-
table shipments was a thousand barrels a week, and other sanitary
supplies were not sensibly abated. One delegation alone, from the
Chicago Branch to Vicksburg, took with it, during this month,
thirty tons of supplies.
" This movement is more striking from the fact that the Gov-
ernment had endeavored to obtain these articles, and failed. But
for the Sanitary Commission, the army would have gone without
3ao
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
them. General and medical officers, present with the troops at
Vicksburg, bore testimony to these facts, and to the incalculable
value of the shipments made by the Chicago Branch at this time."
On March 10, 1863, the Commission sent a delega-
tion, consisting of Mrs. Livermore, Mrs. Colt, of Mil-
waukee. Mr. Lewis and Mr. Throop, to visit the army
encamped at Young's Point and Milliken's Bend. Be-
tween tour and live hundred boxes, of every variety of
hospital supplies, were distributed by them among the
sick of the army. During March, Dr. Patton visited the
army, leaving sanitary stores along the Mississippi posts,
and sending a boat-load to the Yazoo Pass. He ob-
tained, during this visit. General Grant's order for the
establishment of a sanitary boat on the Mississippi, for
the conveyance of the stores of the United States Com-
mission to sick and wounded — the same order forbid-
ding the free transportation of any goods but those of
the Sanitary Commission.
"The same struggle that had been instituted, during March,
against scurvy in the Army of the Mississippi, commenced in April,
on behalf of the Army of the Cumberland. Beginning on April
iSth, the Chicago Commission sent a car-load, or about one hun-
dred and twenty-five barrels, daily, for several successive days, to
the army of General Rosecrans. Two car-loads were sent on two
successive nights to Louisville, for the hospital in charge of Dr.
Woodward, near Mnrfreesboro'. For a time, the great press of veg-
etable shipments for Murfreesboro' crowded out all other supplies.
* * * From January to July, 1S63, the Chicago Branch shipped
eighteen thousand four hundred and sixty-eight bushels of vegeta-
bles. Of other anti-scorbutics, it forwarded in that time sixty one
thousand and fifty-six pounds dried fruit, three thousand six hun-
dred and fifty-eight cans of fruit, and three hundred and eighty-
seven packages of pickles. In the month of June alone, it shipped
two thousand nine hundred and thirty-seven packages, of which
two thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine were for the army in-
vesting Vicksburg, leaving sixty-eight packages for other localities.
One of these shipments filled eight cars. In the first six months of
the same year, viz., January to July, 1863, the Commission re-
ceived into its treasury contributions amounting to $42,158."
After the assaults of May 19 and 22 on the defenses
of Yicksburg, Mr. Seelye took to the troops large quan-
tities of sanitary supplies, by the steamer " Jacob Stra-
der," and as soon as those wounded at Vicksburg could
be taken to Memphis, the Chicago Branch forwarded to
them both nurses and supplies. On June 2, eight hun-
dred and sixty-nine packages were sent for the relief of
the Vicksburg sufferers.
By the end of June, the treasury had received, during
1863, $42,158. The Commission had permanently rented
commodious rooms under McVicker's theatre, No. 66
Madison Street, and had established a sewing room, for
the manufacture of hospital garments. Mr. Blatchford
was treasurer of the Commission, Mr. Freeman shipping
clerk, Mr. ( roodsmith office clerk. During this summer
the shipment of ice was commenced. There were
eleven thousand sick and wounded men at Memphis,
one thousand five hundred at Helena, and in the various
hospitals of the Southwest some 50,000. The labors of
the Chicago Branch were incessant. During the sum-
mer, Mrs. Colonel Sloan, Mrs. C. C. Webster, Mrs.
n, Miss f Culver, Miss Elizabeth Hawley, Miss
Elizabeth Blakie, A. H. Hoge, C. T. Chase, and others,
assisted in office labors.
The autumn brought the battles at Chickamauga
and Mission Ridge; the early winter, Knoxville. After
the battle of Chickamauga, Dr. Patton went to Nash-
ville, to which" place all the wounded who could bear
the journey had been sent. Sanitary stores could not
immediately be taken further south, on account of the
scarcity of transportation, but as soon as possible they
were forwarded to Chattanooga, and there dispensed by
the faithful agents of the Commission, Mrs. liickerdyke
and Mrs. Porter, who had followed General Sherman, at
his own desire, from Vicksburg, to that place. Mrs.
Bickerdyke was the first woman on the ground after the
battle of Mission Ridge, and she was soon joined by
Mrs. Porter. Together, they worked through the terri-
ble winter, and, together, followed Sherman's army to
Atlanta, improvising hospitals and kitchens, where hosts
of wounded were cared for, and hosts of famished fed.
No more devoted women served any association than
these, and well may the Chicago Commission cherish
the remembrance of their fidelity and heroic self-abne-
gation.
First Chicago Sanitary Fair. — In July, 1863,
Mesdames Hoge and Livermore laid before the Com-
mission a formal proposition for a Sanitary Fair in its
behalf, to be participated in by all the aid societies in
the Northwest. The expenses of the year had been
heavy. The armies of the Tennessee and Cumberland
had filled the hospitals all over the West, and large
accessions of money and supplies were needed by the
Commission. They believed they might raise $25,000
by a united effort of the Northwestern women, and also
enlist, and utilize, for the benefit of the soldiers, a new
element hitherto unappropriated. Thus far, there had
been little amusement — little that appealed to the
pleasure-loving portion of the community in the work
of the Sanitary Commission; and all must be reached.
Thousands of people could make or buy some pretty
trifle, who could not give the needed time and strength
to the regular work of the Commission to make their
labor profitable. The gentlemen of the Commission
encouraged the undertaking, while yet a little doubtful
as to its success. A mass meeting of the ladies of
Chicago was held, at which a delegation of sixteen
ladies was appointed to make preliminary arrangements,
the initial step in the programme being the issuing of a
circular calling a " Council of Women from the North-
western States," at Bryan Hall, on September 1, 1863.
One hundred and fifty delegates from the various aid
societies connected with the Chicago Branch were
present at the opening of the council, and their num-
ber was doubled during its session. Mrs. A. H. Hoge
was made president of the council ; and her simple
words, " The soldiers must be cared for ; remember
the wounded of Belmont, Donelson, Shiloh, Perryville
and Murfreesboro '," struck the right chord. The vice-
presidents were Mrs. Governor Harvey, Madison, Wis.;
Mrs. Judge Hubbell, Milwaukee ; Mrs. J. A. Rice,
Adrian, Mich. ; Miss V. Campbell, Detroit, Mich. ;
Mrs. S. M. Langworthy, Dubuque, Iowa ; secretaries,
Miss M. Louise Urlson and Miss Jennie E. McLaren,
Chicago. An executive committee was appointed, of
which Mrs. D. P. Livermore was chairman ; E. W.
Blatchford, treasurer of the Chicago Sanitary Commis-
sion, was elected treasurer ; and Mrs. Hoge and Mrs.
Livermore managers of the Fair, which was to be
opened the last week of October and continued two
weeks. The following programme was arranged, and
carried out :
Bryan Hall was fitted up as a grand bazaar for the
sale of fancy and useful articles of all varieties.
Lower Bryan Hall was arranged as a dining hall,
where hot dinners for one thousand and five hundred
persons were daily served. This department was under
the superintendence of Mesdames O. E. Hosmer and
W. E. Franklin.
Manufacturers' Hall (a temporary building in rear
of Bryan Hall), was used for the display and sale of
heavy manufactures.
Rooms in McVicker's theatre were arranged as an
Art Gallery, under the supervision of Mrs. H. L.
ARMY RELIEF WORK IN CHICAGO.
321
Colt, of Milwaukee, Wis., and Mrs. E. C. Henshaw,
of Ottawa, 111.
The Supervisors' hall, in the Court House, was filled
with rare and valuable relics and trophies, and presided
over by Judge James B. Bradwell and wife, Mrs. W. E.
Doggett, of Chicago, and Mrs. Dr. Carr, of Madison.
Metropolitan Hall was reserved for evening enter-
tainments, which were supplied by the unfailing genius
of Mrs. Livermore.
To perfect all these arrangements required tact,
time, and an immense amount of labor. The women
of the city and of the Northwest plunged into the work
of preparation with zeal commensurate with the de-
mands of the great occasion. This was the pioneer
sanitary fair; it was planned by women; was to be exe-
cuted by them ; and it must not fail. " Vigorous cor-
respondence was opened with statesmen, military men,
clergymen and aid societies. Circulars, with an earnest
written line attached, were scattered like the forest
leaves in autumn." On one day, sixteen bushels of mail
matter were sent from the rooms of the Commission.
Mesdames Hoge and Livermore visited Eastern cities,
and aroused enthusiasm for the success of the enter-
prise among their sanitary workers. New York, Phila-
delphia, Boston, Connecticut, Pittsburg, sent large and
valuable gifts. Farmers and merchants donated their
best and rarest ; the press gave unstinted space and
praise ; the pulpit urged on its hearers to help.
Of the opening ceremonies, the pageant of October
28, the Tribune says:
" Memorable it will remain, both as history and as patriotism.
Such a sight was never before seen in the West on any occasion,
and we doubt whether a more magnificent spectacle was ever pre-
sented in the streets of the Empire City itself, than the vast pro-
cession of chariots and horsemen, country wagons and vehicles,
civic orders and military companies, both horse and foot, which
converted Chicago, for the time, into a vast theatre of wonders.
From the earliest dawn of the day, the heart of the mighty city was
awake, and long before eight o'clock, the streets were thronged
with people. Citizens hurried excitedly to and fro, and country
women, with their children, came in early in the morning, with
colors tied to their bridles, and minature flags tied to their horses'
heads. From house tops, from the tops of public buildings, was
displayed the glorious flag of liberty. Drums beat in all parts of
the city, summoning the various processions or accompanying them
to the great central rendezvous. Bands of music, playing patriotic
tunes — bands of young men and women, singing patriotic songs
— enlivened the streets."
A striking feature of the procession, was the " Lake
County Delegation " — the generous farmers of that
county, with one hundred wagons loaded to overflow-
ing, the staid old horses decorated with red, white and
blue, and the leading wagon bearing a flag with this
inscription, " The gift of Lake County to our brave
boys in the hospitals, through the Great Northwestern
Fair."
" Every wagon was filled to overflowing, with great heaps of
potatoes and silver-skinned onions, mammoth squashes, huge
beets, and monster cabbages, barrels of cider, and rosy apples, load
after load, with many a gray-haired farmer driving, face weather-
beaten, frame rugged, hands bronzed, and eyes sparkling with the
excitement of the project his big heart conceived; and back of the
farmer, mounted on the vegetables, were the boys, filled to repletion
with fun."
On the arrival of the procession at the Court House,
an address was delivered by Hon. Thomas B. Bryan,
after which the farmers took their laden wagons to the
store-houses of the Sanitary Commission, which were
more than filled with their generous and wholesome
gifts.
It is needless to describe the Fair; suffice it to say, that
it was eminently a success from the opening to the close.
The most valuable and valued gift was that of the original
draft of the Proclamation of Emancipation, written and
corrected by the hand of the beloved President, so soon
to be taken from the people and the land that could so
illy spare him, and by him donated to the Fair, with an
audiograph letter, ending with the following simple ex-
pression of his sympathy with the movement: "I had
some desire to retain the paper, but if it shall contribute
to the relief or comfort of the soldiers, that will be better."
The document, soon to be doubly precious, was pur-
chased by Hon. T. B. Bryan, for the sum of $3,000, and
by him donated to the Soldiers' Home, of which he was
then the president.
On the last day of the Fair, all the wounded and
maimed soldiers from the hospitals, that could possibly
be taken to the dining hall, were gathered there, and
made to remember with grateful hearts, that the women
of the Northwest "delighted to do them honor." Anna
Dickinson, in eloquent words, spoke to them of their
services, and the love and gratitude they had earned;
and then, with cheers for the living heroes and a dirge
for the dead, the public exercises of the Fair were
closed.
The net proceeds of this First Great Sanitary Fair
were $86,000, more than triple the amount expected by
the ladies, at the commencement of the undertaking.
Soon after its close, the name of the organization, here-
tofore known as the " Chicago Sanitary Commission,"
was changed to " Northwestern Sanitary Commission,"
in accordance with a resolution passed by the assembled
ladies at the close of the Fair, reading thus:
"Resolved: That in view of the unanimity with which the
Northwestern States have combined in this Fair, we request that
the name of the Chicago Sanitary Commission shall now, and
henceforth, be Northwestern Sanitary Branch of the United States
Sanitary Commission."
At the time of this Fair, the associate members of
the Sanitary Commission were, Mrs. A. H. Hoge and
Mrs. D. P. Livermore, Chicago; Mrs. H. L. Colt, Mil-
waukee; Mrs. E. C. Henshaw, Ottawa. Mrs. J. C. Fargo,
Mrs. E. C. Long, and Mrs. C. A. Lamb, were secretaries
of the Fair, and Messrs. Fargo and Long, cashiers.
Change in Officers. — With the opening of 1864,
some changes were made in the officers and personnel
of the Commission. The health of Judge Skinner had
become so seriously impaired by the continued strain
demanded by his duties as president, that he was obliged
to resign his office, much to the regret of his associates,
and E. B. McCagg, who for two years or more had
been corresponding secretary, was elected to fill the
position. Dr. Isham and Messrs. Throop and Ward
also resigned about the same time. A sketch of this
kind is necessarily a statement of agencies employed,
and of results reached at different points. It fails to
give, because that can not be set down in words, the
work done at the home office in Chicago, in the direc-
tion and care of so enormous a charity as was this Com-
mission. The labor imposed upon its responsible head,
and the staff at home, and by them well and faithfully
done, must be measured by what was accomplished as
set down in these pages.
The reorganized board consisted of the following
gentlemen ; President, E. B. McCagg; Vice-President,
Rev. W. W. Patton; Corresponding Secretary, Cyrus
Bentley; Treasurer, E. W. Blatchford; B. F. Raymond,
Ira Y. Munn, Wesley Munger and Jabez K. Botsford.
Demands on Resources. — The first call upon the
resources of the Commission in 1864, came from Chat-
tanooga, quickly followed by one from Knoxville. To
these points there were sent, in January, two hundred
and fifty packages; in February, two thousand three
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
hundred; in March, one thousand eight hundred. In
April, an average of ten tons daily were shipped from
Chicago to those two places. Mrs. Bickerdyke and
Mrs. Porter were in the South, with headquarters at
Huntsville, Ala., to receive and distribute stores to the
portions of Sherman's army most in need, and Dr. Pat-
ton went to Knoxville, to attend to the suffering at that
point. In May and June. Messrs. McCagg and Blatch-
ford also visited the front, following Sherman's route
to Kingston, Ga.; and in October, 1S64, Mr. McCagg,
in company with the general secretary of the United
States Sanitary Commission, made a tour of inspection
of the stations and sanitary work at City Point and Ber-
muda Hundred.
With the close of the Atlanta campaign the demands
upon funds and supplies of the Northwestern Commis-
sion became so great as to lead to a fear that they
might be exhausted. So much money and material had
been brought into its treasury by the Fair, that the
necessity of continued and persistent labor by the aid
societies was not fully realized — and the consequence
was, that another extraordinary effort soon became
necessary, in order that it might assuredly be in a con-
dition to meet the demands of the sick and wounded.
Second Sanitary Fair. — On Saturday, October
22, 1864, the managers of the Soldiers' Home, Chicago,
held a special meeting to consider the best means to be
adopted for the conduct of a proposed Fair for the
benefit of that institution. At that meeting it was sug-
gested by a member of the Sanitary Commission that
the two organizations unite in a joint Fair for the
benefit of both. The suggestion was adopted — the
basis of union being that $25,000 of the proceeds should
be given to the Home — the balance to the Commission.
It was decided to open the Fair on February 22, Wash-
ington's birthday, and to close on March 4, Presidential
inauguration-day. An executive committee, consisting
of Mrs. O. E. Hosmer, Mrs. C. P. Dickinson and
Thomas B. Bryan for the Home, and Mrs. A. H. Hoge,
Mrs. E. W. Blatchford, and Mrs. Lawrence for the
Commission, was appointed. On the Tuesday follow-
ing, the executive committee held a meeting at the office
of Hon. T. B. Bryan, for the purpose of arranging plans
and details for the task before them. There it was
resolved to make a public appeal, and a call was issued
for a grand mass meeting in Bryan Hall on October 27.
At this meeting, over which Colonel C. G. Hammond
presided, the attendance was large, nearly every church
in the city being represented. The executive committee
reported a plan of operations, and recommended the
appointment of the following officers: President, Hon.
Mark Skinner; Vice-Presidents, Colonel C. G. Ham-
mond, E. B. McCagg, T. B. Bryan; Secretary and
Treasurer, E. W. Blatchford; Corresponding Secre-
taries, Mesdames A. H. Hoge, D. P. Livermore, C. P.
Dickinson.
The work progressed rapidly. On Saturday, the
29th, the ladies again assembled at Metropolitan Hall,
when it was determined to introduce the denominational
feature in the arrangements, and thus more heartily
enlist the churches of the city and country in the enter-
prise. After the lapse of several weeks, the committees
found that the work was of far greater magnitude than
at first conceived. It had outgrown the limits of Illi-
nois, or the Northwest even, and now seemed likely to
become in reality a National Fair. The time allotted
for preparation was altogether insufficient for the con-
summation of the enlarged plans, and, at a meeting held
January 16, /H65, the time of opening was postponed
until Tuesday, May 30. This new arrangement ren-
dered almost an entire reorganization necessary. Major-
General Joseph Hooker was chosen honorary president
of the Fair ; an honorary committee was appointed,
embracing prominent names from all over the country;
Hon. Thomas B. Bryan was chosen chairman of the exec-
utive committee, E. B. McCagg vice-president, E. W.
Blatchford treasurer, and Mrs. O. E. Hosmer was added
to the former list of corresponding secretaries.
Committees of business men, representing every
branch of industry, were appointed, with sub-committees
innumerable, and the vast machine^ was speedily set
in good working order. Mrs. Hoge and Mrs. Liver-
more, also several gentlemen, visited the East in the
interests of the Fair, the ladies on a special mission to
invite President and Mrs. Lincoln to attend the exer-
cises. In April, the "Voice of the Fair," a paper
edited by Andrew Shuman, of the Chicago Journal, and
devoted to the interests of the Fair, was started, and
proved a most valuable auxiliary to its success. In the
early part of the month of May the proposition was
made by the Northwestern Branch of the Christian
Commission, of which John V. Farwell was president,
to unite with the Sanitary Commission and Soldiers'
Home, and share the labor and benefits of the Fair. A
basis of union was finally decided upon, by virtue of
which, the Christian Commission was to receive $50,000
of the net proceeds, the balance to be equally divided
between the Sanitary Commission and Soldiers' Home.
The expectations of the managers of the Fair, and
of the thousands working in its behalf, fell somewhat,
when, with the fall of Richmond, and the collapse of
the Rebellion, the national conditions under which the
work was projected were so changed, that the " begin-
ning of the end " of sanitary labors in the army could
be seen. To many, it seemed that the actual end had
come.
The day appointed for the laying of the corner-stone
of the Fair building brought the tidings of the assassi-
nation of President Lincoln. The work was to have
been inaugurated with the usual parades and proces-
sions. All these were abandoned. " Ichabod " was
written on the projected walls of the splendid struct-
ure ; and with heavy hearts and hands the work was be-
gun. This feeling of depression could not soon pass
away, and the prosecution of the labor, although brave
and vigorous, thereafter lacked the joyous enthusiasm
which marked its inception.
On the opening day, however, the gigantic prepara-
tions were nearly completed. The Fair building was
an immense structure, consisting of a central edifice
and two parallel wings. Union Hall, the central por-
tion, consisting of a main hall with a minor or sub-hall
on each side, was sixty feet wide, about four hundred
long, and enclosed by a Gothic arch fifty-five feet high.
The wings, of the same depth as the main building,
were forty-five feet wide. The structure covered Dear-
born Park, and inclosed an acre of ground. The main
entrance was on Washington Street, fronting Lake
Michigan. The Soldiers' Rest, near by, was connected
with Union Hall by bridges, and served for a dining
hall. Besides the main building, was the Hall of Arms
and Trophies, under the superintendence of Judge
James B. Bradwell, in Bryan Hall ; the Art Gallery, in
a building in the rear of Bryan Hall ; Monitor Hall, on
the lake shore, north of the Soldiers' Rest; Horticultural
Hall, covering the whole of Michigan Avenue from
Washington to Randolph streets ; the New England
Farm House, in the north end of the Soldiers' Rest ;
and various other departments, too numerous to men-
tion. The denominational and fancy booths, with those
ARMY RELIEF WORK IN CHICAGO.
323
representing various States, classes of goods, and manu-
factures, were located in Union Hall.
The "Army of the American Eagle," which, through
the skill and tact of Alfred L. Sewell, of Chicago,
brought to the treasury $16,308.93 — nearly one-tenth
of its entire profits — must not be forgotten. His de-
vice was to enlist an army of children — they becoming
members or officers of the army by selling a greater or
less number of the pictures of " Old Abe," the famous
eagle of the 8th Wisconsin Infantry, for the benefit of
the Fair. How zealously he and they worked is shown
by the result noted above.
The inaugural ceremonies were opened by Hon. T.
B. Bryan. Buchanan Reed recited a poem written for
the occasion ; there was an original hymn by O. W.
Holmes, and a speech by Governor R. J. Oglesby.
Generals Grant and Sherman and Hooker (the latter
honorary president of the Fair), besides scores of officers
of lesser military rank, were present, during the progress
of the Fair.
Among those prominent in carrying on the work
may be mentioned the following, who officiated as
superintendents of various departments and booths :
Foreign, Charles L. Wilson, Mrs. W. J. Barney; New Eng-
land Farm-House, Cyrus Bentley, Mrs. O. B. Wilson ; Bryan
Hall, Arms and Trophies, Judge J. B. Bradwell and wife ; Michi-
gan, Miss Valeria Campbell ; Wisconsin. Mrs. T. B. Miller; Phila-
delphia, Mrs. T. P. James ; Norwegian, Mrs. Louis Johnson ;
Horticultural Hall, A. H. Hovey, John Blair; Colleges and Semi-
naries, Dr Burroughs, of the Chicago University ; Roman Catholic,
Mrs. General \V. T. Sherman, Mrs. Judge Arrington ; Presbyterian,
Mrs. Z. M. Humphrey, Mrs. E. S. Wadworth ; Unitarian, Mrs.
Henry Sayrs, Mrs. S. Tinkham ; Universalist, Mrs. D. P. Livermore,
Mrs. J. H. Tuttle ; Methodist, Mrs. O. H. Tiffany; Episcopal,
Mrs. "Clinton Locke, Mrs. Frank ; Congregational, Mrs. W. W.
Patton; Baptist, Mrs. C. N. Holden ; New Jerusalem, Mrs. J. M.
Underwood ; Spiritualists, Mrs. J. S. Fuller ; Miscellaneous, Mrs.
H. L. Bristol.
The German ladies also contributed, through their
department, largely to the proceeds.
The fair lasted three weeks. The net receipts
amounted to $240,813 of which the Northwestern Com-
mission received $84,364.
Last Work of the Commission. — At the end of
July, 1865, the official connection of Mrs. Hoge and
Mrs. Livermore with the Commission ceased, the work
of the office being thenceforward done chiefly by Mr.
Goodsmith. Mrs. Porter was still in the field, being
employed through the summer in the hospitals at Louis-
ville and Huntsville. On her return to Chicago in the
fall, the Commission held a meeting (October 7) and
voted to send supplies under her charge to the soldiers
still on the Mexican frontier to which locality she and
her husband immediately proceeded, and remained until
June, 1866, Mrs. Porter being the last as well as the
first agent of the Northwestern Commission in the field.
On October 1, 1865, the Home at Cairo was closed; and
on November 30, the Commission held its last meeting,
and the office in Chicago was also closed. The follow-
ing summary of the work accomplished by the North-
western Branch of the United States Sanitary Commis-
sion is taken from the pages of its published history :
"In the four years of its existence the Northwestern Com-
mission disbursed seventy-seven thousand six hundred and sixty-six
packages from its storehouse and $405,792.66 from its treasury.
It received thirty-one thousand nine hundred and sixty-nine of
these packages from its tributaries, and the remainder it purchased.
" The First Sanitary Fair brought to this Branch the sum of
$72,645, and the Dubuque Fair, $50,348, which are included in the
above estimate. The Second Sanitary Fair brought it the sum of
$84,364.67. From other sources, $74,665.51. Whole money re-
ceipts of Branch, $411,027.35.
"The value of the whole disbursements amounted to
$1,056,192. * * * This Branch did, also, the work of the Union
and of the Freedman's Commission, before either of these organi-
zations found existence. This is a part of its unrecorded labor
which has never had an accurate estimate. But so much is on
record, viz., that it furnished transportation for the supplies raised
on behalf of these interests, and disbursed for them, in money and
goods, over $50,000. For the Northwestern Christian Commission,
it furnished largely the transportation and traveling passes needed
by its supplies and agents. And from the proceeds of the last
Sanitary Fair, it voted to give the Christian Commission the sum of
$50,000, and faithfully executed the agreement."
Northwestern Branch of Christian Commis-
sion.— The United States Christian Commission was
formed November 16, 186 1, at a convention of the dele-
gates from the Young Men's Christian Associations, its
object being " to promote the spiritual and temporal
welfare of the officers and men of the United States
army and navy, in co-operation with chaplains and oth-
ers." At the head of the organization, as president of
the executive committee, was George H. Stewart, Esq.,
of Philadelphia, who gave the Commission rooms for its
central office and storehouse, the services of clerks,
porters, etc., and his own time and labor, free of charge,
and faithfully worked, from first to last, in its interests.
Agencies or branches were established in the principal
cities of the Union, the president of the Chicago Branch
being John V. Farwell, who was also a member of the
Central organization. The other members of the Chi-
cago Branch were Tuthill King, B. F. Jacobs and D. L.
Moody.
The Commission had two general divisions of labor:
that in camps and hospitals at a distance from the field
being under the charge of the Young Men's Christian
Association, if practicable, and that at the seat of war
under the charge of the Commission proper — the latter
division comprising the care and relief of the wounded
during and after battle, and supplementing the labor of
the army chaplains. During the year 1862, the Chicago
Commission sent out twenty-six men and four women
as commissioned delegates, who visited camps, battle-
fields and hospitals all over the Western Department,
distributing stores and relieving distress, both physical
and mental, wherever it could be reached. A chapel
was built by the Branch, at Camp Douglas, that would
hold over one thousand persons, in which daily meet-
ings were held. These were attended, not only by
Federal soldiers, but by the Confederate prisoners, and
were believed to be productive of much good. Just
before the departure of the 113th Illinois Infantry for
the seat of war, a soldiers' Communion was held, in
which over two hundred participated. The depart-
ments of Missouri and Tennessee fell especially within
the field of labor of the Chicago Branch, and much good
work was done by it during Grant's long campaign on
the Mississippi, in the camps at Young's Point and
Vicksburg, and in the various hospitals at Memphis,
Helena and Corinth.
With the opening of 1S63, the work of the Commis-
sion commenced with the sending of delegates and sup-
plies to Murfreesboro'. The report of the year states
that, during 1863, forty-eight delegates were sent to the
field, who visited the battle-fields, camps and hospitals
at Louisville, Nashville, Murfreesboro', Cowan Station,
Bridgeport, Stevenson, Chattanooga, Tullahoma, Chick-
amauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Cairo, Co-
rinth, Memphis, Vicksburg, Natchez, Helena, Little
Rock, New Orleans, and other places, spending an ag-
gregate of sixty-five months, holding thousands of
meetings and distributing to many thousand soldiers
religious publications, as well as stores for their temp-
oral necessities.
The receipt of money during the year is reported at
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
$8,182.29, ot~ which $5>8o6.i4 was expended on the
field, and $2,003.37 remitted to Philadelphia for relief
of Richmond prisoners: 275,200 copies of the Bible
and religions books and papers were distributed, be-
sides an immense number of tracts. The local work of
the Chicago Branch was in Camp Douglas, Camp
Wright, the City, Marine and Camp Douglas hospitals,
and the Soldier's Home, of the city.
The officers of the Northwestern, or Chicago Branch,
of the United States Christian Commission, in 1864,
were : John V. Farwell. president ; B. F. Jacobs, sec-
retary: S. P. Farrington, treasurer ; D. L. Moody, J. L.
Reynolds, P L. Underwood, executive committee.
In addition to places visited during the preceding
year, delegates were sent to Bridgeport, Huntsville,
"Fredericksburg, the battle-fields of the Wilderness and
Shenandoah Valley, and various other points. These
delegates gave their time (their traveling expenses,
except meals, were free), so that nearly everything
contributed could be used for the benefit of the soldiers.
At the close of 1S64, the following report of operations,
since the opening of the war, was made:
Contributed from June I, 1861, to Dec.
30, 1S63 ".. $ 20,127 89
Contributed during 1S64 83,iSg 93
$103,317 82
Disbursed from June 1, 1S61, to Dec. 30, 1863 $ 19,679 52
Expenses 44S 37
Disbursed during 1S64 77, 090 96
Expenses, 1S64 2.7S6 83
$100,005 68
Throughout the war, the Commission was ready to
co-operate with other organizations for the relief of the
soldiers, and, in the summer of 1865, joined with the
Northwestern Sanitary Commission and Soldiers' Home
of Chicago in holding an immense fair, the Christian
Commission receiving $50,000 of the net proceeds. At
that time, the army work of the organization was draw-
ing to a close, and the fund thus established was turned
into other channels when the soldiers needed it no
longer.
Camp Douglas Hospital Aid Society. — This
benevolent society was founded, December 18, 1861, by
a few leading ladies of the South Division of the city,
who desired to do something for the welfare of sick sol-
diers at Camp Douglas. The ladies first engaged were
mostly members of Grace Episcopal Church. These
were gradually joined by other ladies from various
churches, and the benefactions of the society were
extended beyond Camp Douglas to other hospitals,
finally reaching to soldiers' families. When the City
Hospital passed into the hands of the United States,
the society assumed the charge of furnishing for it the
comforts which could not be expected from Govern-
ment, but which are so grateful to the sick. In the
spring of 1863, the ladies opened a repository at No.
5 1 State Street, for the purpose of procuring work for
the wives of soldiers and for other poor women, and of
selling any articles they might make. On the forma-
tion of the Ladies' Relief Society, in the winter of
1863, and the consolidation of various benevolent socie-
ties for home work at that time the Camp Douglas
Aid Society directed their labors into another channel
— the establishment of a free hospital for the sick poor
of the city. A small building, No. 539 State Street,
was procured, and the hospital was opened with accom-
modations for but six patients. About this time, St.
Luke's Hospital was established, and these patients
were transferred to that institution.
The Ladies' Relief Society was organized on
December 12, 1863, as auxiliary to the Young Men's
Christian Association, and had for its especial object the
relief of soldiers' families, providing fuel, food and
work, if possible. Its officers were : President, Mrs. A.
H. Hoge; Vice-President, Mrs. E. I. Tinkham; Secre-
tary, Mrs. C. A. Lamb ; Treasurer, Mrs. H. D. Smith.
The Ladies' Loyal League was formed in May,
1863, as a secret organization, but becoming convinced
that more good could be accomplished by another
course, the ladies reorganized as an open league the
following October. Of this society, Mrs. Henry Sayrs
was president, and Mrs. Paul Mondon secretary. All
needy persons shared the benefits of the League. In
the winter of 1863, the ladies established a Soup-House
on Washington Street, D. L. Moody furnishing them a
room for the purpose, and during that winter a daily
warm meal was furnished to the poor of the city.
PHILO CARPENTERS OLD RESIDENCE, CORNER OK RANDOLPH AND MORGAN STREETS.
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
Introductory. — The history of the Board of
Trade, in the first volume of this work, does not show
that it was on a stable or paying basis, such as could
guarantee a continued and useful existence, until 1857.
At that time it had so far developed as a regulating and
fostering power in conducting the growing trade and
commerce of the city, as to be recognized as the most
important agency for carrying on the business of its
rapidly increasing list of members, which comprised
representatives from nearly every leading commercial
firm in Chicago. With the exception of some crude
by-laws, regulating the business conduct of its members
and the gathering and publication of statistics, also the
public interest it had shown through its various resolu-
tions and acts on questions concerning the prosperity
of Chicago, the Board had done little practical or
efficient commercial work ; and that little carried small
weight outside the circle of its own members, except so
far as it commanded respect for the apparent merits of
its acts and for the influential and respectable standing of
the body, as fairly representing the business sentiment
of the city. The most important measures it had inau-
gurated prior to 185 8 were : The suggestion, first
promulgated by the Board in 1854, which resulted in
the substitution of weights, instead of measures, in
measuring grain, seeds, and other commodities; and the
first attempts, in 1856, to designate wheat by standard
grades. These two reforms marked the beginning of
the present system of handling, measuring and inspect-
ing grain now generally adopted in the principal grain
marts of the world.
During the period treated in this volume, the Board
became the chief exponent of mercantile power and
the great medium through which business in grain,
breadstuffs and provisions was transacted — having a
controlling influence over methods of doing business
and in the establishment of prices, not only throughout
the West and Northwest, but in Eastern markets and
those across the sea. In 1S5 7, there were no western
grades of wheat known, and, of the seven and one-half
million bushels exported to England in that year, it is
doubtful whether a single bushel was known in the
English markets as Chicago wheat, or whether many
buyers even knew of the existence of such an organiza-
tion as the Board of Trade of Chicago. In 1S71, nearly
twenty-three million bushels of American wheat were
sold in London and Liverpool, of which probably three-
fourths was raised west of Lake Michigan ; and wheat
known and sold by the grades established in Chicago
then became familiar to the English buyer, while
prices on the Chicago Board were telegraphed to the
produce exchanges and English grain dealers, as im-
portant factors in the settlement of the market prices
of the day.
The story of the growth of the Board of Trade,
from the days of small things to the influential posi-
tion it came to occupy among kindred institutions
throughout the world, is so interlaced with the growth
of western commerce and western business methods —
being little less than their complete history in all the
different phases of development — that it may command
an interest not restricted to those engaged in com-
mercial pursuits.
THE YEAR 1858-59.
The tenth annual election of the Board was held
April 5, 1858. Officials for the ensuing year were
elected as follows: Julian S. Rumsey, president; T. H.
Beebe, vice-president ; W. W. Mitchell, secretary and
treasurer. The members numbered, at the beginning
of the year, four hundred and sixty-one, which was in-
creased at the annual meeting by the accession of
twenty-nine, and in October by the addition of thirty.
The treasurer's report showed the fiscal affairs to be in
a solvent condition. At this meeting, the first move
was made for the restriction of the business transacted
on 'Change to members of the Board, by the passage
of an amendment to the by-laws, providing that none
but actual residents engaged in business in Chicago,
should be admitted to membership, and forbidding the
buying or selling of provisions, grain, flour or lumber,
the chartering of vessels, or the contracting for freights,
on 'Change, by any person not a member of the Board.
The question of an entire revision of the constitution
and by-laws was discussed, resulting in several changes
during the year, and a complete revision during the fol-
lowing year.
Inspection of Wheat. — A most important im-
provement in the inspection and grading of wheat was
inaugurated during the year, which, with the co-opera-
tion of warehousemen, was put into effect. An inspector
of grain was appointed, grades of wheat established,
and each grade definitely described, as never before,
specifying required weight, condition, etc. The inspect-
or had full control of the assistant inspectors at eleva-
tors receiving grain from the several railroads, with the
consent of the proprietors of the leading elevators,
which was cheerfully accorded. Thus began the great
reform in the handling of grain, which was the basis of
the present system, the perfection and reliability of
which are recognized throughout the world, wherever
American wheat is bought.*
Telegraphic Reports. — Daily telegraphic market
reports were first regularly received by the Board, for
the benefit of its members, during 1858. The cost of
obtaining such reports was not defrayed from the gene-
ral treasury, but was raised by subscription, the amount
subscribed being $500. It was at first determined to
receive reports from New York, Montreal, Buffalo and
Oswego, at that time the most important markets to
which Chicago products were shipped; but the outlay
required having been found to exceed the sum subscribed,
dispatches from New York only were received. The
cost of the dispatches for the year was $435.25, paid to
the telegraph company ; the balance — $64.75 — was re~
mitted to Mr. Trafton, of New York, as compensation
for securing and forwarding the reports from that city
First Stock Traxsac noxs. — In October, Messrs.
Lee & Armstrong were, by vote of the Board, permit-
ted to sell stocks on 'Change, by auction, after the
close of the regular sessions, on two days of each week.
How long the sales, thus authorized, were continued is
not recorded. This was one of the earliest, if not the
first, attempt made in Chicago, to sell stocks and securi-
326
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
ties in a manner similar to that of Stock Exchanges in
Eastern cities. It has never developed into sufficient
magnitude to be recognized as an important element
even of the speculative trade of the city.
Reciprocity Treaty. — During the fall, the atten-
tion of the Board was for a time engrossed in what
were then considered very important questions, grow-
ing out of the commercial treaty in force with Canada,
known as the "Reciprocity Treaty." The questions
first brought to notice by a communication from the
New York Chamber of Commerce, were: Under the
existing treatv. can flour manufactured in Canada from
wheat grown in the United States be admitted into our
ports free of dutv ? and, Can shaved shingles be admitted
free of duty ? The subject was submitted to a committee,
which, after due deliberation, reported that in their
opinion not only both articles named, but also flour
made from corn, oats, or other grain, should be admit-
ted free.
Charter of the Board. — In February, 1859, the
functions of the Board of Trade were defined and en-
larged by a special article of incorporation passed by
the General Assembly. It read as follows:
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the
General Assembly:
Section i. That the persons now composing the Board of
Trade of the City of Chicago, are hereby created a body politic and
corporate, under the name and style of the " Board of Trade of
the City of Chicago," and by that name may sue and be sued,
implead and be impleaded, receive and hold property and effects,
real and personal, by gift, devise or purchase, and dispose of the
same by sale, lease or otherwise, said property so held not to exceed
at any time the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ; may have a
common seal, and alter the same from time to time, and make such
rules, regulations and by-laws from time to time as they may think
proper or necessary for the government of the corporation hereby
created, not contrary to the laws of the land.
Section* 2. That the rules, regulations and by-laws of the
said existing Board of Trade shall be the rules and by-laws of the
corporation hereby created, until the same shall be regularly re-
pealed or altered; and that the present officers of said Association,
known as the " Board of Trade of the City of Chicago," shall be the
officers of the corporation hereby created, until their respective
offices shall regularly expire, or be vacated, or until the election of.
new officers according to the provisions hereof.
Section 3. The officers shall consist of a president, one or
more vice-presidents, and such other officers as may be determined
upon bv the rules, regulations or by-laws of said corporation ; all
of said officers shall respectively hold their offices for the length of
time fixed upon by the rules and regulations of said corporation
hereby created, and until their successors are elected and qualified.
- 1 (ON 4. The said corporation is hereby authorized to es-
tablish such rules, regulations and by-laws, for the management of
their business, and the mode in which it shall be transacted, as they
may think proper.
Section 5. The time and manner of holding elections and
making appointments of such officers as are not elected, shall be es-
tablished by the rules, regulations or by-laws of said corporation.
Section 6. Said corporation shall have the right to admit or
expel such persons as they may see fit, in manner to be prescribed
by the rules, regulations or by-laws thereof.
SECTION 7. Said corporation may constitute and appoint
committees of reference and arbitrations, and committees of appeals,
who shall be governed by such rules and regulations as may be pre-
scribed in the rules, regulations or by-laws for the settlement of
such matters of difference as may be voluntarily submitted for arbi-
tration, by members of the association, or by other persons not
members thereof; the acting chairman of either of said committees,
when sitting as arbitrators, may administer oaths to the parties and
i, and issue subpoenas and attachments compelling the at-
tendance of witnesses, the same as justices of the peace, and, in
like manner, directed to any constable to execute.
SECI ION -. When any submission shall have been made in
writing, and a final award shall have been rendered, and no appeal
taken within the time fixed by the rules or by-Jaws, then, on filing
such award and submission with the clerk of the Circuit Court, an
execution may issue upon such award as if it were a judgment ren-
dered in the Circuit Court, and such award shall thenceforth have
the force and effect of such a judgment, and shall be entered upon
the judgment docket of said Court.
Section g. It shall be lawful for said corporation, when they
shall think proper, to receive and require of and from their officers,
whether elected or appointed, good and sufficient bonds for the
faithful discharge of their duties and trusts, and the president or
secretary is hereby authorized to administer such oaths of office as
may be prescribed in the by-laws or rules of said corporation ; said
bonds shall be made payable and conditioned as prescribed by the
rules or by-laws of said corporation, and may be sued, and the
moneys collected and held for the use of the party injured, or such
other use as may be determined upon by said corporation.
Section 10. Said corporation shall have power to appoint
one or more persons, as they may see fit, to examine, measure,
weigh, gauge or inspect flour, grain, provisions, liquor, lumber, or
any other articles of produce or traffic commonly dealt in bv the
members of said corporation, and the certificate of such person or
inspector, as to the quality or quantity of any such article, or their
brand or mark upon it, or upon any package containing such arti-
cle shall be evidence between buyer and seller, of the quantity,
grade or quality of the same, and shall be binding upon the mem-
bers of said corporation, or others interested, and requiring or
assenting to the employment of such weighers, measurers, gaugers
or inspectors; nothing herein contained, however, shall compel the
employment, by any one, of any such appointee.
Section ii. Said corporation may inflict fines upon any of
its members, and collect the same, for breach of its rules, regula-
tions or by-laws, but no fine shall exceed five dollars; such fines
may be collected, by action of debt, before a justice of the peace,
in the name of the corporation.
Section 12. Said corporation shall have no power or author-
ity to do or carry on any business, excepting such as is usual in the
managements of Boards of Trade, or Chambers of Commerce, or
as provided in the foregoing sections of this bill.
WM. R. MORRISON,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
JOHN WOOD,
Speaker of the Senate.
Approved February 18th, 1859.
WM. H. BISSELL, Governor.
By the provisions of the new charter, Dowers were
conferred upon the Board which greatly increased its
authority and efficiency. Theretofore it had no legal
right to compel the settlement of disputes arising among
its members through arbitration, or to enforce the
awards made by the committee of reference, even
when the cases decided had been voluntarily submitted
by the contestants. It thus happened that the cases
submitted were unimportant, and the decisions made
had little effect in the promotion of fair dealing or in
the prevention of litigation in the courts. The charter
gave to the committees of arbitration power to admin-
ister oaths, compel the attendance of witnesses, the
same as justices of the peace, and gave force to its
final awards, on which judgments might issue if no
appeals were taken, as if the same judgments had been
obtained in the Circuit Court. The tribunal thus
became invested with the legal authority of an inferior
court over the business transactions of its members.
The charter also, for the first time, conferred on the
Board the power to appoint weighers, gaugers, meas-
urers and inspectors, and made the brands or certificates
of such appointees of the Board evidence between
buyers and sellers who employed them, as to quality
and quantity of property inspected, measured or
weighed.
The Board, soon after its special charter was
granted, adopted a more comprehensive code of by-
laws, under which the new powers conferred upon it
could be brought into practical use.
Many of the individual operators and firms of
brokers who became members of the Board in these
early years, have continued to be prominently identified
with its subsequent growth and prosperity, and they are
entitled to something more than passing mention.
Rumsey Bro. & Co. — John S. C. Hogan, 1S28 to 1831; New-
berry & Dole, 1831 to 1847; G. W. Dole, 1847 to 1S48 ; Dole,
Rumsey & Co., 184S to 1854; Rumsey Bro. & Co., since January
I, I854.
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
327
Oliver Newberry, of Detroit, brother of the late Walter L.
Newberry, of Chicago, was one of the earliest and most energetic
pioneers on the Western lakes. Among his vessels were the
schooners "Napoleon," " Austerlitz," "Lagrange," "Marshal
Ney," "Marengo," "Prince Eugene," "Jena," "Detroit" and
"A. V. Knickerbocker," the brig " Manhattan," and the steam-
boats "Michigan," "Illinois," "Nile," "Michigan 2d" and
" Illinois 2d." The names of these vessels are given because they,
as well as their owner, being pioneers, did much toward populat-
ing Chicago and the Northwest, and because many will remember
them with much pleasure. Oliver Newberry controlled the sutlei-
ship of Fort Dearborn, and, in 182S, sent John S. C. Hogan to
Chicago to attend to its duties, which he did until 1831 G. W.
Dole came to Chicago in May, 1S31, to succeed Mr. Hogan, and
GEORGE W. DOLE
as a partner of Mr. Newberry. Still continuing the sutlership, he
established a storage, forwarding and commission business, under
the firm name of Newberry & Dole. Mr. Newberry resided in
Detroit until his death, as did Mr. Dole in Chicago, the latter
dying April 13, 1S60. On the 2d of July, 1847, Thurlow Weed,
while on board the steamboat " Empire," on his way to the Chicago
River and Harbor Convention, said of Mr. Newberry: " Early
this morning we passed the steamer ' Illinois,' Commander Blake.
She is owned by my old friend, Oliver Newberry, whose intelli-
gence and enterprise are associated with all the improvements of
this new world." Of Mr. Dole it is only necessary to say that, from
the time of his selection as first lieutenant by the early settlers for
defense against the Indians at the breaking out of the Black Hawk-
War in 1832, and his election as one of the town trustees and as town
treasurer at the incorporation of Chicago, in 1833, to the time of
his death, he was almost constantly in some place of public trust,
being sought after to settle differences of his neighbors, and known
by them to be an honest man. On the first page of one of their
day-books, still in existence, labelled " Blotter B," under date of
April 11, 1S31, are charges against Lieutenant David Hunter, now
major-general in the United States Army (retired), Joseph LaFram-
boise, Mrs. Ellen Wolcott, "per Mrs Helm" — the first being the
wife of Dr. Wolcott, original proprietor of Wolcott's Addition, the
other, one of the few whose lives were spared at the massacre in
Chicago in 1812 ; also against R. A. Kinzie, who entered Kinzie's
Addition at the Government Land Office, at $1.25 per acre; John
K. Clark, A. Clybourn, Stephen I. Scott, David McKee, J. B.
Beaiibien, Lieutenant Amos B. Foster, brother of the late Dr. J.
H Foster — all prominent for various reasons in early Chicago. To
the end of the second and only remaining book, to June 15. 1S33,
frequently occur the following names : J. II. Kinzie, Mark Beaii-
bien, J. S. C. Hogan, James Kinzie, Samuel Miller, John Mann,
Madore Beaubien, Antoine Ouillmette, Elijah Wentworth, G. S.
Hubbard, R. E. Heacock, Alexander Robinson, Billy Caldwell
(the last two Indian chiefs), R. [. Hamilton (general office-holder),
Joseph Bailey, T. J. V. Owen! E. E. Hunter, J. N. Bailey, Wil-
liam See, J. Porter, S. Forbes, Rufus Brown, Gholson Kercheval,
Thomas Hartsell (former owner of Newberry's Addition), J. Roth,
P. F. W. Peck, Dexter Graves, John and Mark Noble, John
Blackstone (Blackstone's Grove), John Welmaker, S. Ellis, Jc-du-
than Smith, A. D. Taylor, Heman Bond, B. Harris, Seth Scott.
Claude LaFramboise. Francis Bulbony (Bulbony's Grove), Joseph
Naper (Naperville), Charles Taylor, N. Bolvin, John Naper,
Matthew Legg, S. P. Brady, George II. Walker, E. D. Harmon,
Anson H. Taylor, Hiram Pearson, G. W. Snow, Paul Samberneau,
I. Harmon, Willard Scott, Alanson Sweet, Peter Cohen, John
tt^^K^t^
Watkins, Dr. P. Maxwell, David Carver, S. Downer (Downer's
Grove), S. T. Gage and B. H. Laughton. The above named
persons, and others also, while all here before the incorporation of
the town in 1S33, were not necessarily voters on that occasion.
Many were officers in the army, others had settled in the surround-
ing country, some had not been here long enough to entitle them
to vote, others were Canadian French, Courtiers da Bois, half-
breeds, etc Entries are also made against the American Fur
Company, the Indian Department and the Quartermaster's Depart-
ment The troops must have left Fort Dearborn about the 1st of
June, as charges against them cease about that time: and, on the
Sth of June, 1831, are sent to N. Goodell, at Green Bay, for collec-
tion, notes against Co. " A" for $1,155 §7. and also against Co.
" I " for $i,og6, both companies being of the 5th Regiment of In-
fantry. On April iS, Lieutenant Hunter is charged as fol-
lows : " To 1 letter to Mrs. J. H. Kinzie, 25 cts"; and on the 20th,
" To amount postage account up to March 31, $12.50." Other
officers are charged with different sums for postage. The sutler's
store seems to have comprised a post-office, hardware, dry goods,
crockery, arms, groceries, provisions, liquors, lumber, leather,
horses, whisky, and Indian goods generally. Banking was quite an
important feature also, as many of the individuals named above are
charged, at different times with cash borrowed, in sums varying
from $1 to $1,000, and even larger on one or two occasions, as well
as with an endless variety of articles, including guns, powder, shot,
lead, caps, flints, knives, and even daggers, fish-lines, hooks, etc.
Whisky was sold at 40 cents and at 50 cents a gallon, corn meal
at $1, and dried apples at $1.62 J£ per bushel. Flour is charged
at $6 and apples at $3.50 a barrel. Many Spanish cigars were
sold at 25 cents a dozen. Much liquor was sold in small quanti-
ties; and just before New Year's day there were made twenty-three
charges for small quantities of whisky, gin, twine, shrub, etc.; Mr.
Dole charging himself with " 1 bottle, etc.. $1."
Other prices charged in those days, were: 1 pair brogans, $2;
13 yards domestic plaid, at 18J4' cts.; \i yard linen cambric, at
$3-5°; 5 lbs. hard bread, at .12'A', 1 lb. raisins, .25; 2 lbs. shot,
.\iy2\ 1 qt. wine, .75; 1 qt. brandy, .50; 1 qt. sherry, 56^4'; 1 pair
Russia duck pantaloons, $1.25; 50 percussion caps, .I2j£; garden
seeds, .62^; 100 lbs. 6d. nails, .12 j£; 1 gal. cider, .1834; 1 pair
pumps, $1.62^; 2 pairs socks, at .62 J£ and .50; 1 dozen Spanish
cigars, .25; 1 pair colored kid gloves, .50; i'/z lbs. black paint, .50;
1 set cups and saucers, .75; 1 bbl. S. F flour, $9.
On October 12, Oliver Newberry, of Detroit, was charged with
" 3 boxes specie, $3,000, shipped by schooner 'Marengo.'" It
has ceased to be necessary to ship money East by sail vessel. In
January, 1832, T. J. V. Owen is credited " By three months' board,
per Dole, at $10 — $30." D. Graves, " By II wolf skins, .25, and
1 fox skin, .75." James Kinzie is charged " To 6 bush, oats, at
■ &TA." In April, R.J. Hamilton is charged " To 1 bbl. flour.
$8.00." A. Robinson is credited " By 42 'coon skins, at .37K; 2°
'coon skins, at .20, and 4 mink skins, at .25; 150 muskrat skins,
at .20; 1 otter, $.1.50; 13 deer skins, at .50; 1 otter, $5.50; 40
muskrats, at .20; ami 4 dry hides." In May, Oliver Newberry is
charged as follows: "Pr. Schooner 'Marshal Nev,' To 1033
'coon skins, 2577 rat skins, 11S deer skins, 66 wolf, 30 wild cat,
13 red fox, 4 gray fox, 67 mink, S otter, 6 badger, 10 fawn, 4Sdry
328
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
hides. 3 calf skins — and also cash and check, $400.04. In Tune,
■- ._- the Indian Department is charged ' To I bbl. pork, $14; 10
bbls. of flour, at $6; and also 5 bbls. pork, at §12.50"; and the
American Fur Co. " To 1 blank book, $1.75 " About this time the
fort was re-garrisoned, as appears from the names of Major Whist-
ler. Captain McKay. Captain J. B. Brown, Lieutenant Smith (of
Captain Backus's Company), Lieutenant Kingsbury, Captain
Boardman, Lieutenant Penrose, Dr DeCamp, Captain Johnson,
Lieutenant Long, Lieutenant Day and Dr. P. Maxwell. In July,
R. Brown was charged "To 1 bush, dried apples, $2.00. " Indian
Department, " To 2 bbls. prime pork, at $12.50." Maior Whist-
ler. " To 1 bbl. pork, one hog, $15; I bush, corn, $1. Quarter-
master Kingsbury, " To 90 feet of boards, $i.So." D. McKee,
"To 273 ft. boards, $546." August Runyan, " To 1 bbl. salt,
$3." Lieutenant Smith (Captain Backus's Company), " To 1 bbl.
crackers, $6.50: 33 lbs. ham. . I2"^."
On August 23, John Sherry was charged " To cash advanced,
$100, on 4S bbls. of flour left in store to sell at $6; 10 kegs of but-
ter, containing 397 lbs., to sell at .12^; 10 kegs of lard, con-
taining 501 lbs., to sell at 10 cts.; 12 bush, meal at .fi.25 per
bush." (This, doubtless, is the first commission business trans-
acted in Chicago.) In September, Major Whistler was charged
"To 12 bush, corn at $1." Captain Johnson, " Per daughter, to I
pair thin shoes, $1." J. Sherry is credited " By 114 bush, oats at
.43; by 39 bbls. flour, to clear $6; by 1 keg lard (50 lbs.) at 10;"
and was charged " To 65. 70 bbls. salt at $3, and 1 umbrella, $1.50."
Charles Reid is charged with 11,210 bbls. of salt at $3.00; 1
pair of boots. S4.00. Lieutenant Penrose is charged " To 1 blue
blanket, $6." John Noble " To 1 cook stove, $45." Willard Scott,
"To 1 cook stove, $40." Mark Noble, "To 1 pair pants, $4."
Rev. Mr. Walker, " To 1 blanket coat, $14." And P. F. W. Peck
" To 4S lights-sash," no price given, and " I pair pants, $6.50."
On November 1, Charles Reid is charged "To cash, $S20." Rob-
ert Kinzie, "To 1 horse, $30." Indian Department, "To amount
paid Tope-ne-be, $100." S. P. Brady, " To i6}i lbs. sole leather,
$4.95." Stephen Downal was credited " By plastering store and
building chimney, S19 " — probably in the new warehouse on the
corner of South Water and Dearborn streets. John Bates was
charged " To transportation on goods, 19 bbls. bulk, from Detroit,
at $1; to cash advanced by O. Newberry, at Detroit, charges on
goods, $29.34; commission on above, $2.60, and 1 cap (Alcove)
$9." Samuel Eilis was credited " By one cord dry wood, $2.00."
Dexter Graves was charged with " 734 feet lumber at $.24, $14 68."
J. S. C. Hogan, with 250 brick, no price given; and J. B. Cheva-
lier (per Ouillmette) with 25 bu. of corn, $1, and three barrels of
flour, $7. On November 11, O. Newberry was charged " To
cash, for beef, 9200 lbs., at S2.75. Paid Charles Reed for beef,
50.949 lbs., at $2.75. To 287 bbls. beef, 14 bbls. tallow, 152 dry
hides and 2 bbls. beeswax, shipped per schooner ' Napoleon,'
Captain John Stewart, to O. Newberry, April 17, 1S33." (This was
probably the first beef ever shipped from Chicago.) On December
28. Mr. Newberry is charged " To paid John Blackstone for 328
hogs, 58.140 lbs, at $3. Shipped by schooner 'Austerlitz,' between
April 20 and May 2, 1S33, to O. Newberry. 200 bbls pork, 12
bbls. lard, and 48 dry hides." (This was the first pork ever shipped
from Chicago.) There appears to have been a scarcity of provision
barrels for packing above meats, but during the winter of 1832-33,
credited on the books, mostly to A. Clybourn, are about 140 barrels
at .87 '/i each. Others may have been bought for cash, and so do
not appear on the books at hand, or may have been brought up on
the " Marengo," in the spring. Following are some articles sold
during the months named: May: Eggs, 14 cents; bacon, 10 cents;
candles, 19 cents; nails, 12 l/2 cents; crackers. I2J^ cents; cheese,
I2J4 cents; loaf sugar, 25 cents; watch crystals, ; buttons, 19
cents; brooms, 25 cents September: Buttons, 12^ cents; coffee,
25 cents; lime. $1.25 per bbl. December: Cloth, from $1.25 to
$5.50 per yard; bar soap, 12^ cents per lb.; rice, b'/2 cents; sugar,
I2j^ cents. January: Moccasins, 50 cents per pair. In January,
1833, Ileman Bond was charged " To storage on wheat, 13 cts."
(This was probably for seed, and is the only mention of wheat.) On
March 11, Francis Bulbony is credited " By five hundred muskrat
skins, at 22 cents; 57 'coon skins, at 33 cents; 8 mink skins, at
37 '/i cents; 4 deer skins, at 50 cents; and 6 otter skins, at $6.00."
On April 1, Stephen Downal is credited by 1092 feet of timber
(probably used for new warehouse, corner of South Water and
Dearborn str<:<:' -1 $43.68. < hampagne is charged at $1.50 per
bottle: butter at 16 cents per pound; iron at %% and 9 cents per
pound; shot at $2.25 per bag; powder at $8 per keg; lead at I2J^
cents per pound: beans at $1.50 per bush.; sperm candles at 35
cts. per pound; oats at from 40 to 75 cents per bushel; horses at
from 830 to $45; while town lots were tak'-n at from $41 to $55.
There were no loaded vessels of any considi rabli size entering
the harbor until 1836. In that year, Newberry iV I >ole moved from
their warehouse and store, on the southeast corner of South Water
and Dearborn -.treets, to their new warehouse on the north side of
the river, east of Rush Street and opposite Fort Dearborn. Mr.
Dole's nephews, George F. and Julian S. Rumsey, came to Chicago
under his auspices, and became members of his family. George F.
JULIAN S. RUMSEY.
came in 1836, and at once entered the employ of the firm. Julian
S., although he came the year before, was too young to begin his
business experience with shipping until 1838.
From the time vessels and steamboats began to enter the Chi-
cago River, the business increased rapidly. There was soon a line
of splendid steamers running between Buffalo and Chicago, bringing
full loads of passengers with their household goods and merchan-
dise, not only for Chicago merchants, but also for those of interior
places, including Galena, Springfield, Danville, Ottawa, Joliet, and
the various Fox and Rock River towns. In some cases, merchants
of those places sent teams for their goods, and in other cases the
goods were forwarded by teams procured in Chicago. Nor did the
steamboats go back light; as the boats that brought large quantities
of leather and great piles of brooms, would return loaded with hides,
broom-corn, provisions, flour and grain in bags, which gave them
all the return cargo required. It became fashionable for Southern-
ers to make the trip of the lakes; and when some favorite boat
left, frequently there were on board from one to two hundred who
had come up the rivers to Peru and by stage from there to Chicago.
For several years, the arrival and departure of a steamboat were
important events. Steamers and vessels landed on the north side
of the river below State Street. The officers constructing the har-
bor had a very tall flag-staff erected, and when a vessel from the
lower lakes was sighted, they raised a flag; and when a steamer was
seen six flags were raised, one above the other, and then people
turned out in great numbers, to be at the wharf when the boat
arrived.
Mr. Newberry retired from the firm in 1847, and, in 184S the
Rumseys were admitted to partnership, the firm becoming Dole,
Rumsey & Co. Mr. Dole being appointed postmaster, and called
upon to perform various other public duties, withdrew from active
business, to which he had given but little attention for some years.
In 1S54, the firm became Rumsey Bro. S: Co., as it still remains.
The opening of the Illinois & Michigan Canal in 1S4S. the building
of railroads, and the consequent rapid development of the country,
soon changed the character of the business of the firm. The
storage and forwarding branches were dropped, the commission de-
partment only being continued. In 1857, H. A. Towner, who had
been for some years in the employ of the firm, was admitted to
partnership and is still a member; and in 1866 A. J. Marble, who
likewise had been with the firm some years, was admitted to part-
nership, retiring in 1878 with the best wishes of those with whom
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
he had been associated. George Dole Rumsey. son of Julian S.
Rumsey, became a partner in the beginning of 1S70. and still re-
mains in the tirm. In iSSl, George F. Rumsey died; since which
time the lira has consisted of Julian S. Rumsey. Henry A. Towner
and George Dole Rumsey.
First Grain. — From their warehouse on the North
Side was shipped, in September. 1S39, the first cargo of grain from
Chicago. It consisted of about twenty-nine hundred bushels of
wheat, per brig " Osceola," Captain Billings, consigned to Kingman
.V Durfee, Black Rock. X. Y. I: was all weighed, and partly ear-
ned on board in boxes, by Rumsey Brothers. The wheat had been
- I by them of farmers who hauled it to Chicago in bulk in
-. some of it from a distance ol one hundred and fifty miles.
The price paid was from fifty to sixty cents a bushel. The freight
to Black Rock was prohably'about twelve or fifteen cents a bushel;
the next Year it reached twenty-eight cents to Buffalo. The
a " was capable of carrying about five thousand bushels.
At the time this wheat was handled no provision had been made
for such business. Most of the farmers were too poor to own bags.
but spread sheets or blankets in their wagon-boxes, and filled in the
wheat in bulk. The warehouse furnished bags to be filled, and
then thev were hoisted to the upper floor— at first by hand, but
subsequentlv by horse-power. The bags were then carried back
and emptied into the bins, which were only as deep as between the
floors. The next problem was, how to get the wheat on board the
vessels when the time came to ship it. On the occasion of loading
the first cargo of wheat to be shipped in bulk, a spout about one
foot square (one a quarter of the size would have answered as well),
with a much larger opening at the upper end, was erected, extend-
ing from the third story toward the vessel ; but the wharf was so
wide that the grain would only run to within about twelve feet of
the edge. There was a slide at the end of the spout, to close off the
grain at will. Scales were placed under the lower end of the spout,
and several boxes were provided, with handles nailed along the sides
for two men to grasp, each end of a box being like a wheelbarrow.
Standing upon the scale, the boxes were filled with six bushels of
wheat, which it was soon ascertained was too heavy a load for two
men to carry up the gang plank, and new boxes were provided,
each containing onlv four bushels. From these boxes, the wheat
was emptied into the hold of the vessel. Two lines of men passed
the wheat, in pails, from the bins in the warehouse, and emptied it
into the upper end of the spout. While this was the first cargo
shipment of grain from Chicago to the East, the same firm had,
during several preceding years, shipped grain in bags to various
ports on Lake Michigan.
First Receipt of Coal. — Another incident connected with this
firm is interesting The first shipment of coal to Chicago was dis-
charged on their dock, in 1S41, from the schooner "General
Harrison," which, with the coal, belonged to Captain E. B. Ward.
The coal was bituminous, came from Cleveland or Erie, and con-
sisted of about eighty tons. It took the firm nearly two years to
dispose of it. Wood was then the only fuel used, and was sold
at about $2 50 a cord; and it was not until grates, on legs — to put
in the fire-places — were cast, for the special purpose of burning
this coal that it could be sold.
The Old Cannon. — Still another episode pertaining to the his-
tory of this firm is of interest. This was in reference to the brass
cannon raised, in 1S37 or 1338, by the pile-driver from the Chicago
River, near the present Rush-street bridge (where it is supposed a
second one still rests) This cannon had been a part of the arma-
ment of Fort Dearborn, and was thrown into the river at the time
of the evacuation and the massacre in 1812. It was a six-pound
brass piece, and there was considerable excitement throughout the
city on account of its recovery. For some time it was a question
as to who were its rightful owners, the city claiming it; but Samuel
Jackson, Morgan I.. Shapley and others engaged in dredging and
pile-driving for the Government, finding it, claimed and kept it.
The General Government, however, never made any attempt to
assrrt its ownership, and the matter was compromised by the city
building a carriage for it. upon which it was mounted and used for
celebrations, etc. In 1838, Oliver Newberry brought out the
magnificent steamer " Illinois," the name being given in compli-
ment to the State, and on this account the citizens presented her
with a set of colors. The steamer was commanded by Captain
Blake, and made a trip, every sixteen to eighteen days, between
Buffalo and Chicago. As further acknowledgment of the compli-
ment to the State in naming the steamer, the cannon was permitted
by all concerned to be pi iced on board the " Illinois." It was car-
ried on her deck during part of the sailing season of 1S40; and
when the steamer was leaving or arriving at this port, a salute was
fired from the cannon. Uuring the presidential campaign of 1840
ret known in this country, — the Whigs
planned an exi ' hicago, under the leadership of the
present Major-General Hunter, to attend the great convention at
Springfield. They desired to take this cannon with them, to assist
in stimulating the enthusiasm for Harrison, the Whig candidate
for president. The Democrats were determined that this part of
the Whig programme should not be carried out, holding that it was
not proper to use such a national and historic relic for partisan pur-
poses. Newberry & Dole had possession of the cannon, inasmuch
as it was on board the " Illinois," and to prevent its capture by
the Democrats and to save it for the Whig excursion, Julian S.
Rumsey and his brother George F., assisted by their warehouse-
men, got the cannon tothe warehouse, hoisted it into the third story,
and sunk it in a bin of wheat. This proved to be a secure hiding
place; and although a writ of replevin was obtained, the cannon
could not be found, and hence attempts to take it into custody, to
prevent its use by the Whigs, were at length abandoned. The
Whigs themselves gave up the plan of taking it with them to
Springfield, on account of the trouble of transportation. They
did, however, take a band of music, a full rigged brig, a canal-boat
on wheels, and a large number of baggage wagons. They had no
ardent spirits except several barrels of hard cider, this being what
was called the " Hard Cider Campaign." The delegates went in
covered two-horse wagons. Among those still living who went
with the crowd are James A. Marshall, S. B. Cobb, S. F. Gale,
Grant Goodrich, Robert Freeman, Gurdon S. Hubbard, H. G.
Loomis, Theodorus Doty, George Chaksfield, Calvin DeWolf, Philo
Carpenter, Jerome Beecher, Sidney Sawyer and John L. Wilson.
Breaking a Corner in Flour. — When Julian S. Rumsey came
to Chicago in 1835, Newberry & Dole's warehouse was on the
southeast corner of South Water and Dearborn streets, their dock
being on the north side of South Water Street. An incident occur-
ring that year is worthy of perpetuation. They had shipped to
them a cargo of flour for their regular trade. Late in the fall the
vessel arrived and anchored outside the bar, vessels not being able
to enter the river at that time. There were in the place only about
twenty or thirty barrels of flour, with no hope of anv more arriv-
ing until the following spring, and this was owned by Charles
Chapman, who was asking for it $20 a barrel. Certain parties
offered Messrs. Newberry & Dole S15 a barrel for the entire cargo
on board the vessel, taking the risk of shipwreck before and during
its discharge. The firm declined the offer, the flour was loaded
into bateaux, towed by yawl boats to their dock, and sold to private
families, boarding-houses and hotels in the town and vicinity,
according to the probable necessities of each for the coming winter,
at $8.50 a barrel. This incident is still remembered to the credit
of the firm by recipients of the flour as well as other citizens.
Early Ship-building, - This firm was the first, or among the first,
manufacturers of and dealers in lumber. They participated in the
building of the steamers " James Allen " and " George W. Dole "
in 1838 — the first ship-building done in Chicago, with the exception
of one small vessel (the " Clarissa"), and assisted in the building of,
or purchased, the brigs " Minnesota" and " Sultan," the schoon-
ers " Ocean," "Wave," " Ark," " Michigan " and " Huron," and
were agents for a large fleet of steamers and vessels belonging to
other parties. They were also among the first to place boats upon
the Illinois & Michigan Canal at its completion.
They assisted in establishing the Board of Trade in 1S4S, and
subsequently in obtaining the present charter and framing a new
set of rules; also in establishing its present system of statistics and
grain inspection. During the war they were largely engaged in
buying grain for the use of the army, partly on direct orders from
the Government. Railroad transportation being at times inade-
quate, they at one time shipped very large quantities in canal boats,
by the Illinois & Michigan Canal, and the Illinois. Mississippi,
Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, to Nashville, Tenn., and
Muscle Shoals, Ala. One great satisfaction in doing this business
was, that grain from Chicago was always approved in regard to
quality, while it was seldom that any other was. The Government
officials finally advertised that grain delivered on contracts must
equal Chicago Board of Trade inspection. The location of this
firm's business was originally at Fort Dearborn, then, as has been
said, on the southeast corner of South Water and Dearborn
streets. In 1S36, they removed to North Water, east of Rush
Street; and, in 1841, they increased their facilities by renting the
warehouse and wharf next east of them, which had been previously
occupied by Kinzie, Hunter & Co. In 1845, they erected a ware-
house on South Water Street, west of and adjoining Clark-street
bridge, where they remained over twenty years, or until 1S67 In
the meantime, they erected large sheds for unloading steamers and
vessels on North Water Street, at the fool of Dearborn Avenue,
using them in connection with their warehouse for many years;
finally selling them and going out of this branch of business. In
1867, they moved from the corner of South Water and Clark streets
to No. 116 LaSalle Strict, opposite the Board of Trade, where
they remained until the fire of 1871; since which time their office
has been located in or in close proximity to the Board of Trade
building. At present the firm is located at No. 10 Pacific Ave-
nue. Their business is in grain, seed and provisions on commission.
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
33i
On the Board of Trade of Chicago, there are two
very different types of operators who have amassed
fortunes. The first is the true speculator — the man who
looks about him — the man of foresight, who sees
the great tide of coming events and their influence
upon the markets of the world, and suits his operations
to them. Anyone can tell the effect of an event after
it has happened; but to foresee the event, and tell what
the effect will be before it has happened, is the province
of the great speculator. The other type is the man who
can accurately measure the current of opinion from
hout to hour ; who can watch the swaying moods of
the great crowd of buyers and sellers, and take instant
successful advantage of them. To the first class be-
long men like Philip D. Armour ; to the second, men
like B. P. Hutchinson.
Philip D. Armour was born on a farm in northern New
York in 1830. He received a common school education, and then
was indentured to a farmer. He grew to be a stout, broad-
shouldered young fellow, with an ambition to strike out in the
world for himself. Accordingly, when he was twenty, he sought
and gained a release from his apprenticeship. The California gold
fever was then at its height, and Phil, started with an overland
company for El Dorado. Reaching the promised land, he met
with some sickness, and many hardships ; but pluck and hard
work overcame every obstacle, and in four or five years he turned
eastward again, having accumulated some money. He then
established himself in Milwaukee, and engaged in the grain-re-
ceiving and warehouse business, which he conducted successfully
for a number of years. He next formed a partnership with Tohn
Plankinton in the pork-packing business, under the firm name of
Plankinton & Armour. Just before the close of the war, in the
spring of 1865, pork was selling at $40 a barrel, and the New
York operators thinking it would go to $60, were buying it right
and left. Mr. Armour thought that the Rebellion was on the eve
of collapse, and that if the war should suddenly end, pork, in-
stead of being worth $40 a barrel, would not be worth $20. Mr.
Plankinton was of the same opinion. Carefully arranging his
plans, Mr. Armour hurried to New York, and commenced selling
pork short. His advent caused a sensation in the New York
markets, but the provision men bought from him all he would sell.
The market soon commenced to break. Then came the news of
the fall of Petersburg, of Richmond, and the surrender of the Con-
federate army, and Armour bought in his pork, which he had sold at
$40 and down, at $iS. This, his first great operation as a specu-
lator, made him a millionaire. He enlarged the scope of his busi-
ness by establishing packing houses in Chicago and in Kansas
City, and then removed to Chicago. He now has agencies in all
the larger cities of the South, and at the principal markets of
Europe. His employe's number more than ten thousand, and the
product he manufactures is valued at $50,000,000 annually. With
such vast interests to protect, it may be well supposed that he
needs to be assiduous, watchful and alert. He is the most inde-
fatigable of workers, and no clerk in his employ numbers the
hours of labor that he does. From 7 a. m. until 6 p. m. he is
engaged at his office, and during that time nothing but business
employs his thoughts. When at home, his business cares do not
pursue him, and he enjoys the comforts and repose of a truly happy
domestic life. In 1878, operators on the Board of Trade, large
and small, thought it a good year to sell pork. Men who had
scarcely even seen a barrel of pork, much less owned one, com-
menced to sell short the product that Mr Armour and his firms
were manufacturing on a larger scale than ever. Other packing
houses also joined with the crowd. Mr. Armour was forced to
support the market, and for many months at a great loss. It cost
him more than a million dollars ; but he foresaw that the tide must
change, and took all the pork that was offered. In 1879, the tide
did change, and he recovered his losses with an added profit of
many millions of dollars. He has conducted several operations
in wheat with great success, and is a bold and daring speculator of
great foresight. He is a constant friend, an uncompromising foe,
upright and honorable in all the varied relations of life. He is
very charitable, giving to every deserving cause without stint. He
attends Plymouth Congregational Church, of which his wife is an
active and devoted member.
Benjamin P. Hutchinson was born near Danvers, Mass., in
1828. Born on a farm, he early learned to dislike the plow and
the sickle, and, before he reached man's estate, he turned his back
on country life and sought the avenues of trade. He went to Lynn,
and there became employed in the shoe-making business, for which
that city is famous. He learned to cut leather to advantage, and
soon became a successful manufacturer. The revulsion of 1S57
found him with his lines too much extended. His customers
failed, he followed their example, and was obliged to leave I.vnn.
Although he left it heavily in debt, it was not many years before he
had paid up all his indebtedness. He looked out over the great
West for a new field, and first tried Milwaukee, where he remained a
short time. Perceiving the greater opportunities of Chicago, he
removed to this city in 1S59. He paid $5, and became a member
of the Board of Trade. He had not allowed his failure at Lynn to
entirely cripple him, knowing right well that, without capital, he
could neither successfully earn money to pay his creditors nor
support himself and family. With the capital he brought, he was
enabled to at once commence operations on the Board of Trade,
in buying and selling grain. He had the genius of a careful spec-
ulator, but was not a daring one. He understood fully, and acted
upon, the first half of Ricardo's great maxim, "Cut short your
losses." He had no pride of opinion, but could change with the
varying tide of the market. He was at one time a bull, and at
another time a bear, and often both by turns, within the compass of
an hour. No man ever had a keener perception of what the crowd
was doing, as well as what particular operators were doing. No
man on 'Change, who dealt largely, could long hide his schemes
from " Old Hutch," as the boys soon began to familiarly call him.
Many a time he has escaped but narrowly being a victim to the
great operators, but he has always escaped. Whenever he scented
danger, he ran. In the early days he would run small "con-
cerns " himself, but they were little affairs, for options, at the
longest, run scarcely longer than a week, and the main business
was done in cash grain. But " corners " were not to his taste, his
great principle of speculation being to get in and out of the market
quietly, and before the " tailers " could perceive what he had been
doing He may be called, without exaggeration, the Prince of
Scalpers. Between 1S59 and 1S63, he had amassed money enough
to pay all his Lynn debts, and to have a fortune estimated at
$150,000. By that time, too, he had also entered upon the busi-
ness of pork packing, which he foresaw was to become one of
Chicago's great industries. Although ignorant of the business, he
had brains and ingenuity. He introduced new methods in cutting
and in various details of the business, and at once became very suc-
cessful. In 1863, he made large gains on whisky and high wines,
in anticipation of the revenue tax. He was one of the promoters
and first stockholders of the First National Bank; but the Corn
Exchange, soon afterward started, was his own child. Long the
president of it, it is known far and wide as " Old Hutch's " bank.
His packing establishment became the largest one at the yards,
and a few years later was consolidated with that of A. E. Kent &
Co., under the name of the Chicago Packing Company. Mr.
Hutchinson has always been an untiring worker, early and late,
but he has also devoted time to intellectual pursuits. He is a
great reader of the best literature, and is at all times an amusing
and interesting companion. He is one of the best types of Chica-
go's successful business men. He is close in small matters and
liberal in great ones. He will help a friend to $100,000, but will
watch the smallest unnecessary outlay in any branch of his busi-
ness. His cardinal business maxim is to own no unproductive
property. If he finds himself in possession of property that brings
him no income, he disposes of it at once for what it will bring.
He has dealt largely in real estate, and is an extensive owner of
houses and lands. He is a tall, florid, well preserved gentleman,
with a nose such as Napoleon would have admired. He has long
been married, and has two sons and two daughters. His wealth is
estimated at $5,000,000.
John L. ■ Hancock was born in Buxton, York Co., Maine,
March 16, 1S12. He was the youngest child of John Lane Han-
cock and Hannah (Prescott) Hancock. His educational advan-
tages were such as the common schools of New England at that
time afforded. He lived in Buxton, the place of his birth, until
1828, when he removed, with his father's family, to Hiram, Oxford
Co., Maine, and later to Westbrook, Cumberland County, in the
same State. At the latter place he engaged in the slaughtering
and packing business with good success, taking such a leading
position as to gain the full confidence of Cragin & Co., of New-
York City, with whom he entered into a connection in 1S54, and
came to Chicago during that year to establish a packing business
at this point, then the extreme western limit of the business. On
page 562 of the first volume of this work, the arrival of young
Hancock is announced. He immediately built what was then the
largest packing house in the West, and, as the representative of
Cragin & Co., was, for many years after, the leading packer and
dealer in provisions at Chicago. He became a member of the Board
of Trade, and early was identified with it as a leading member,
serving in nearly every capacity of trust. He was vice-president
in 1S62-63, and was chosen president in 1863, and re-elected in
1864, being the first president who was complimented by a re-elec-
tion. He was one of the pioneers in the provision trade, and did
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
as much as any other man to brine: it to its present perfection in
the mechanical means of slaughtering and packing and reliable
standard of inspection. Mr. Hancock was. during the last year of
the war. ordered to take charge of Camp Fry. then the rendezvous
Under his command, the 147th, 153d and 156th
s were raised, and many companies were recruited to fill
.^iments still in the field. The sudden close of the
war left in thehands of Colonel Hancock a large amount of bounty
none; not ye: paid to recruits, besides some $23,000 left by desert-
ers who failed to report. This large sum was paid over to the
State Treasurer, at the close of his administration.
John Russell Bensley was born May 1, 1S33 in Spring-
ville, Erie Co., N. V., the son of Eaton and Sophia (Russell)
Bensley. He received but a superficial education, although it was
given at an academv in Springville. The education that fitted
Mr Bensley for the prominent position in the mercantile world he
occupies was not obtained at schools, but was inherent and culti-
vated bv the assiduous care of his parents, being integrity, perse-
verance and untiring industry. These were alike his distinguish-
ing characteristics in his first entry into the commercial world as a
clerk in a general store at Springville, when he was eighteen years
of age, as when he was president of the Board of Trade, in 1S76.
In 1851, he was clerk, as stated; in 1S54. he bought out the stock
and good-will of this store: in 1S57, he left the East, and removed
to Dul'age County, Illinois; and in 1S5S, removed to Chicago, es-
tablishing himself in the commission business at No. 247 Kinzie
Street, and becoming a member of the Board of Trade, of which he
is one of the oldest members, holding certificate of membership
No. 1. In his connection with the Board, his career has been full of
earnest labor in its interest, andofficial positions have resulted from
a recognition thereof bv its members. In 1S6S, he was made a
member of the Committee of Arbitration; in 1S72-73, he was a
member of the Board of Directors; in 1874, he was second vice-
president; in 1S75, vice-president; and in 1S76, president. In 1S73,
he was appointed by Governor Beveridge a member of the State
Committee of Appeals on Grain Inspection, and, in 1877, was
a member of the Committee of Appeals by the Board of
Trade, serving during 1877—78. In 1SS0, he was prominent as a
promoter of the erection of the new Board of Trade building, at
its present location; and, in 1SS1, was elected manager of the real
estate interests of the Board in connection therewith. While act-
ing in this capacity, he procured the vacation of the ground by the
Common Council — as the building closes up LaSalle Street — and
purchased the property, on behalf of the Board, for a quarter of a
million dollars. Mr. Bensley was elected presidenl of the Call
Board, in 1SS1, and re-elected in 18S2. He has been as enterpris-
ing and thrifty in his personal business, which has grown from his
individual commission merchantship, in 1S5S, to the firms of Bens-
ley Brothers — John R. and George E. Bensley — commission mer-
chants in grain, flour, etc.; and Bensley Bros. & Co. — John R.,
George E. Bensley and Madison C. Scobey — live stock commission
merchants. In 1868, the operations of Bensley Bros, were ex-
tended into the live-stock interests. During the same year, he
removed his residence to Hyde Park, and in that village, which cov-
ers thirty-eight square miles of territory, his abilities were recognized
by his election as trustee in 1875, and re-election in 1S76-77; during
the latter two years, he was also elected by the trustees president
of their Board. He then declined any further political honors, al-
though he has always maintained his interest in politics and his
working Republicanism, being at the present time (1SS5) president
of the Oakland Republican Club. In the conservation of the inter-
ests of those for whom he acts, Mr. Bensley is alike energetic and
untiring; as an e%idence of which it is only requisite to adduce his
receivership in the matter of McGeoch, Everingham & Co. In
June. ."S53 he was appointed receiver by the Court, and although
the affairs of that firm were in apparently hopeless confusion, and
there were twelve suits pending in five different States, he settled
up their affairs in thirty-two days, collecting and disbursing
I f>, thus enabling the firm to resume in three months after
their suspension. In his personal life, Mr. Bensley is kind, genial
s and generous, and makes his home the haven toward
which he looks after the tiring and exhaustive labors of his daily
■ areer. He was married the second time, in 1863, to Miss
1 F. Fuller, daughter of Elijah Fuller, of Wyoming Co.,
ley have two children, Martha S. and |ohn R , Jr.
STEPHEN Clary, the tenth president of the Board of Trade,
was born in Johnston 1 o , N.Y., September 25, 1814,
and, in 1824, removed 10 Geneva in that State, where he remained
until i-.i'i, receiving such education as the district schools afforded.
At that time he entered the office of the Geneva Gazette, and re-
mained there, as an apprentice in the printing office, until 1S31.
Being at that time an orphan, he accepted the invitation of relatives
then living in Ohio to go to them, and accordingly threw up his
situation, abandoned his chosen trade, and moved to Milan. Ohio,
where he entered the extensive mercantile establishment ot Standart
& Hamilton. There he remained for six years, learning most
thoroughly all the details of mercantile business. In 1S37, he re-
moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and engaged in the ship chandlery
business until 1S52, at which time he came to Chicago, as the
manager of the Ogdensburg Propeller Line, afterward the Northern
Transportation Company. In 1853, he became a member of the
shipping firm of Mather, Clary & Co. The firm commenced the
building of a line of canal-boats, vessels, and steamers, and, in
1S62, when the war had closed the navigation of the lower Missis-
sippi, they were prepared to do an extensive business in the trans-
portation, by way of Chicago, of flour and other produce from St.
Louis, seeking an eastern outlet Mr. Clary became a member of
the Board of Trade in 1S53. As the organization grew in impor-
tance, he became one of its active and efficient members, and was
also identified with nearly every effort for systematizing its work
ami laying the foundation of what has grown to be the most influ-
ential and powerful commercial association in the country. On
the passage of the law which placed the inspection of grain and the
warehouse business under State control, in 1S71, Mr. Clary was
appointed to the office of State Registrar of Grain Receipts. This
office he occupied until the fall of 1873, when he resigned. During
Mr. Clary's membership in the Board of Trade, he filled nearly
every office of responsibility within its gift. He served as a
director and vice-president in 1859-60, and in 1861, was elected
president, holding that office at the breaking out of the war, and
doing, wiihout faltering, the full duties of a patriot, in the arduous
and difficult position in which he was called to act. Mr. Clary is
still a resident of Chicago, connected with the large wholesale
stationery and printing warehouse of Brown, Pettibone & Kelly,
and is active in the prosecution of his business duties in the city
where he has spent the best years of a wonderfully energetic, efficient
and useful life. Mr. Clary's surviving family consists of two
daughters — Mrs. T. H. Brown, Jr., of Chicago, and Mrs. T. W.
Ward, of Norfolk, Neb.
John B. Lyon, one of the oldest members of the Chicago
Board of Trade, came to Chicago in August, 1S5S, and in that
year purchased his membership for Si 5- He was born in Canan-
daigua, N. Y., on April 16, 1S29, and when he was but two years
old his parents moved to Ashtabula County, Ohio, where he
received his education in the common schools. When about four-
teen he left school for a clerkship in a store, and, at the age of
seventeen, he opened a general storage and commission business at
Conneaut, Ohio. After becoming established in business on the
Board of Trade here, he took a partner, in 1S62, Mr. William Mur-
ray, with whom he operated for a year or two under the firm name
of Lyon & Murray. In 1S71 a co-partnership was formed between
J. B. I. von, George J. Brine and Thomas B. Price, with the firm
name of J. B. Lyon & Co., but as the business association was not
successful it dissolved in the fall of 1S72, Mr. Brine*\vithdrawing.
A new partnership was formed in the spring of 1S74, John T.
Lester taking the place of Mr. Brine and the style of the firm
being changed to Lyon, Lester & Co. In iS7g, Mr. Lester with-
drew, and the other partners continued under the style of Lyon &
Co. to the present time.
Abnf.r M. Wright, founder and senior member of the firm
of A. M. Wright & Co., was born in Waterford, Caledonia Co.,
Vt., January 23, 1S28. He received the advantages of the com-
mon schools of his native State and of Newbury Seminary; and
emigrated to Ohio in 1848. He began business life for himself as
teacher of mathematics in the Painesville Academy, and after a
year's service became the principal, which position he held for two
years. His ambition desiring a wider scope, he abandoned the
profession. During the presidential campaign of 1S52. he estab-
lished a campaign paper at Painesville, in the interests of the Whig
candidate. General Scott. At the same time he was telegraph
operator for the O'Reilly Telegraph Company in that city. At the
close of 1852, he moved to Cleveland, and kept books for two years
for French & Co.. the leading wholesale and retail dry goods house
there. In 1854, he went to Freeport, 111., and engaged in the
Stephenson County Bank as bookkeeper, where he remained until
he came to Chicago, in 1S56. Here he obtained a situation, first as
teller in J. M. Adsit's bank, where he remained three years. In
1859, he formed a partnership with J H. Miles, in the grain com-
mission business, and they soon after took Rollin Sherman into the
company. In 1861, Dr. Jared Basset became a member of the
firm, and soon after Mr. Miles withdrew. This company was dis-
solved in 1S63, and a new business relationship established by Mr.
Wright with Horace Burton, which existed, under contract, one
year. June 20, i860, Mr. Wright married Miss Helen S. Hick-
cox, the daughter of P. Hickcox. and in 1S65 he entered into a
co-partnership with his father-in-law, which, under the firm name
of A. M. Wright & Co., has lasted to the present time. Mr.
Wright is a prominent member of the Episcopal Church, and was
a member of the vestry of Bishop Whipple's church, the Church
of the Holy Communion; afterward a vestryman of the Church of
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
333
the Epiphany ; and when the Reform movement was begun, he
sided with Bishop Cheney and helped to organize the Reformed
Episcopal Church of St Paul's, Bishop Fallows, rector, of which
he is a vestryman and senior warden. He was made a mason in
Freeport in 1S57, and is now a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 33.
Having been a member in good standing for twenty-five years, he
is now, according to their rules, an honorary member for life. He
is a member of the Citizens' Association, and of the Illinois Club.
He has been a Republican in politics for many years. In 1879, he
was unanimously nominated — by acclamation — in convention, for
mayor, but was defeated by Carter H. Harrison, by four thousand
majority. Mr. Wright has three living children — Hallie, Charles
H., and James N.
David H. Lincoln was born at Amesbury, Mass., on
February 20, 1834, but when quite young was brought West by
his parents, who settled in Racine County, Wis., where, until
1855, he attended school. He then came to Chicago, entering
upon his business career, as a clerk in a grain commission house,
and remained in that capacity for two and one half years; after
which he started in the grain commission business for himself, be-
coming a member of the Board of Trade in 185S. During his busi-
ness career here, he has been on all the different committees of the
Board and has also been a member of Directory. He has also
held the office of the first, and second vice-president, and in 1S77,
was elected president of the Board, which position he filled one
term. Mr. Lincoln is a member of Covenant Lodge, No. 526. A.
F. & A. M.
delivered by the president, Julian S. Rumsey. He
gave a most interesting account of the early strug-
gles of the Board, furnishing detailed statements of the
many ways in which the organization had, in the past,
defended and advanced the interests and promoted the
prosperity of the city.
The main room of the new chamber was ninety-
five feet long, forty-seven feet wide, and eighteen
feet in height, to which there were two entrances,
one at each end of the hall. The ceiling was sup-
ported by girders, thereby obviating the use of
columns. Convenient ante-rooms, two at each end,
opened off of the main hall, fitted up for telegraph
office, wash-room, secretary's office, anil reading-room.
Tables were arranged about the sides of the main hall,
for the display of samples of grain, flour, seeds and
other commodities offered for sale. The walls were
frescoed, as the Chicago Tribune stated, " in a style
and on a scale which entirely placed in the shade all
other institutions of the kind in the United States."
The various devices were emblematical of the different
branches of trade ; such as a reaper, a loom, a phoenix
THE YEAR 1859-60.
The eleventh annual meeting was held
at the beginning of the twelfth fiscal year,
in April, 1859. The officers elected
were: Julian S. Rumsey, president; T.
H. Beebe and Stephen Clary, first and
second vice-presidents; Seth Catlin, sec-
retary. A proposition was made to the
directors by John S. Newhouse, to lease
the second story of a new brick block,
then being built by him on the north
side of South Water Street, to the Board
of Trade, for the term of ten years, at an
annual rental of $1,250. The proposition
was accepted, and during the year the
hall and apartments were completed, and
occupied by the Board. The number of
members reported by the secretary was
five hundred and twenty,* over one hun-
dred new members having been admitted
during the year.
Repair of the North Pier. — The
most important outside work in which the
Board was engaged during the ensuing
year, was the repairing of the north pier,
which had been reported by a committee
appointed by the Board "to be in such
dilapidated condition that unless some
action was speedily taken, the pier would
be totally destroyed and the harbor shut
up." The committee recommended the raising of suf-
ficient funds to make the necessary repairs, by indi-
vidual subscription, and that the work be done imme-
diately. The suggestions of the committee were at
once carried out ; $800 were raised, and $700 were
expended in repairs deemed necessary to save the
harbor from destruction.
New Rooms Occupied. — On Wednesday evening,
February 29, i860, the Board took formal possession of
its new rooms. Nearly five hundred persons were
present at the ceremonies. The inaugural address was
* The number of names appearing on the list of members in the secretary's
annual report published February 3, 1859, was three hundred and seventy-three.
A note at the bottom of the list says : " In giving the foregoing list of members,
we have to apologize to those whose names are omitted. There are so many
names in the books of the Board of persons who have died, left the city, etc.,
that until arrearages are paid, we do not know who wish to retain their member-
ship."
flliiilSii
l'REET, EAbl FROM DFARBOR
a canal-boat, a cattle scene, a propeller, etc. A highly
colored eagle watched over the proceedings from his
perch above the carved oak, semi-circular desk of the
president, which stood on an elevated platform in the
north side of the hali.
Among the older firms who participated in the
business transacted in these new rooms, were the
following :
B. Adams & Co. — In 1S52, the firm of B. & J. Adams was
formed, and the Adams Mills were erected between the river and
North Water Street, and _ about eighty feet west of Dearborn
Avenue. The buildings consisted of a four-story brick building,
sixty by ninety feet in size, with an addition of sixty by eighty
feet, in the rear. The mills were in close proximity to the track
and the grain elevators of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad.
Their river front afforded equal advantages for receiving or ship-
ping ; the firm, in fact, besides being extensive manufacturers,
334
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
were large shippers of flour and wheat to New York and Boston.
S54 they were grinding one hundred and fifty thousand
- - .['wheat and the thousand of era, and had passed the
jo Mills (1 ge & Haines) in the strife for supremacy. The
:■ run of burrs, but afterward three more run
were added. In 1S50, lames Adams died, and soon afterward
Benjamin Adams received G. P. Adams into partnership, the firm
name being changed to B. Adams & Co. In 1859, J- Q- Adams
nitted to partnership, G. P. Adams retiring in 1S70. Until
within a few years preceding the great tire, the Adams Mills con-
tinued to manufacture more flour than any other establishment of
the kind in Chicago. When that wide-spread calamity came upon
them, these, with five other mills, were swept away, the firm losing
$50,000 above insurance. During the last year of their existence,
the Adams Mills manufactured 30,473 barrels of flour. The great
fire was the means of dissolving the old firm of B. Adams & Co.,
which had stood staunch for so many years, each member of which
- - e 1S71, conducted a grain and provision business on his
own account. About 1S52, the Adams brothers became members
of the Board of Trade, and are therefore among the oldest in that
body. Previous to the fire, the grain and provision trade had been
in, to some extent, by B. Adams & Co., J. Q. Adams also
dealing somewhat extensively in real estate. Soon after the fire
thev took an office at No. 156 Washington Street, remaining there
until I>Sl, when they removed to their present location. In their
later individual business efforts, as in their former combined ven-
tures, thev have been uniformly successful, and stand to-day, after
so manv years of trial, among the most substantial members of the
Board of Trade. They are from Hopkinton, Middlesex Co.,
M.i-s. B. and J. Adams were in a general jobbing business at
Galena, 111., before coming to Chicago, and J. Q. Adams came
directlv to this city after leaving his native place.
[AMES M. Bryant, the head of the commission house of
Bryant. McCampbell & Co., has been a successful businessman all
his life, and still continues in active work at the age of sixty-two.
The house here is the main one of six connected institutions, deal-
ing in stocks, grain, cotton, petroleum, provisions and coffee. At
le, Kv., the house is known as Bryant & Co., A. G. Mc-
Campbell, managing partner ; at Kansas City, it is the same, with
L. Stockton resident partner ; at New Orleans, it is Bryant, Dud-
ley ..v. Co., William S. Dudley at the head ; in St. Louis, it is
Bryant Commission Co., with S. P. Cromie managing partner; at
Galveston, Texas, it is S. S. Floyd & Co., with S. S. Floyd at the
head. The house here is composed of James M. Bryant, Amos G.
McCampbell and E. S. Rowland, who is an active partner on
'Change and a very capable business man. Some idea of the
extent of its joint business may be gathered from the fact that in
one year, July, 1S53-54, their operations aggregated $3°o,ooo,ooo.
Mr. Bryant is a native of Lancaster, Garrard Co., Ky., born on
January' 1, 1S23. He was educated at the Lancaster Seminary;
left school at the age of seventeen and entered the house of Henry
Bell ..Y. Co., wholesale and retail dry goods dealers at Lexington,
as salesman. He remained with them until 1S46, when he
returned to Lancaster, and entered into business with William
H. Kinnaird. They dealt in general dry goods, under the firm
name of Bryant & Kinnaird, until 1852, and then dissolved. He
came to Chicago in 1S54. From 1854 to 1857, he was engaged in
loaning money and doing a general brokerage business, in the old
Ma>onic building on Dearborn Street, with Robert A. Watts, under
the firm name of Bryant i: Watts. In 1858, he established a
wholesale dry goods jobbing house at Louisville, Ky., under the
name of Bryant, Harris & Barbee. This prospered until broken
up by the Rebellion in 1S61 ; after which he became associated with
Moses Brown, under the firm name of Brown '& Co., doing business
good securities, etc., until 1865. Returning to Chicago in 1865,
he built the Bryant lilock, and managed it up to 1868. In 1876,
the present firm was formed here, and it has continued to do
i on the Hoard of Trade up to this time. Mr. Bryant has
been married twice. On July 1, 1845, at Lancaster, Ky., he was
united in marriage to Miss Sarah W. Leavett, who died at Louis-
ville in 1865, leaving four children, three of whom are still living.
. ict 1. [866, he married Miss Roberta S. Edwards, by
whom he has had four children — all living.
A. G. Mi I ■.mi-iu.i.i. is a man of about thirty-seven years of
age. He has ini career, based upon experi-
ence in various lines of commen • . I le makes his home at Louis-
ville, Ky., where he manages the business of Bryant & Co. He
resided 1 ■-' -7-, and is a member of the Board
ofTrade. lien Louisville, Mr. McCampbell is regard-
ed as an able m : the leaders* in his present calling. The
success of the Chicago business is largely due to his experience and
energy.
lit ■•( . ince 1857 a member of the
commission and for ' arding house of Rumsey Bro. & Co., now the
oldest house on '< 'hange, was born in Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y.,
Tune 14, 1S32. He comes of old New England parentage, his
father, Benjamin Franklin Towner, being a native of Connecticut,
and his mother, Eliza Moore, a native of Pittsfield, Mass. He
left school at the age of fourteen, and spent about five and a half
years in the store of his uncle, Samuel C. Holden, coming West in
the spring of 1852. On the first of May, 1852, he obtained em-
ployment in the commission house of Dole, Rumsey & Co., which,
upon the retirement of Mr. Dole, became Rumsey Bro. & Co. In
1S57, he became partner, and still remains an active member of the
house. In 1856, Mr. Towner became a member of the Board of
Trade. In 1S66, he was elected director, serving two terms; and
in iS6g, was vice-president for one term. Before the great fire, he
served four years as director of the Chicago Relief and Aid Society,
but resigned when that great calamity compelled him to devote his
entire time to his own affairs. He is a member of St. James Epis-
copal Church, and has been a vestryman and warden for nineteen
years. On the 25th of January, 1S58, Mr. Towner was married to
Miss Theodora A. Turner, the daughter of John B. Turner. They
have had four children — Elizabeth, Martha, Henry A., Jr., and
John DeKoven.
John Crighton was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1824,
where he received his education, and became imbued with the prin-
ciples of undeviating rectitude which have distinguished his after
life. He was married on May 12, 1849, to Miss Jessie Butters, at
Edinburgh, and on May 17 of that year, he left the " land o' the
leal" with his young bride, making their wedding tour to this city,
where they arrived August 3, 1849. Mr. Crighton shortly after be-
came a clerk for Rumsey, Dole & Co., with whom he remained
fourteen years. He was, in April, 1S62, elected flour inspector for
the 'Board of Trade, which position he filled for seventeen years;
and has been a member of the Board of Trade for twenty-six
years. The firm of John Crighton & Co., of which he is the senior
member, was formed in March, 18S1, his partner being Sanford A.
Scribner. This firm succeeded the well known firm of Low Bros.
& Co. Mr. Crighton resided in Chicago until May, 1SS1, when he
removed to Elgin, where he has since lived, and where his wife
died, on August 21, 1SS3. Mr. Crighton ha,s the following chil-
dren: Belle A., William J., Alice M., Helen J., and Jessie A.
First Grain Dryer. — In 1859, Sylvester Marsh and James W.
Sykes erected the first grain dryer ever built in Chicago, on the
site then known as the Carpenter packing house, and now occu-
pied by James S. Kirk & Co.'s soap manufactory. The partner-
ship ended within a year. Mr. Marsh is now president of the
White Mountain Railroad, New Hampshire. In iSsg, James W.
Sykes established his present business at No. 142 South Water
Street, under the firm name of J. W. Sykes & Co., which it has
since maintained. While at No. 122 LaSalle Street, the great
fire made a clean sweep of Mr. Sykes's property, and he was unfor-
tunate enough to be among those who recovered no insurance.
He resided, at that time, at No. 275 West Jackson Street, and
there he at once re-established his office. As soon as the Oriental
buildings, No. 122 LaSalle Street, were completed, he took office-
room there. From there, he removed to the store, Nos. 191-93
Washington Street, and, in 1873, he removed to Nos. 108-12
Quincy Street, and probably would have been there yet, had not
the rise in values, occasioned by the erection of the new Board of
Trade building in the vicinity necessitated a change. Another re
moval, and the last, was made to the present location. Mr. Sykes
has seen the seed business grow from its infancy into a great East-
ern consumption and a large foreign trade.
James W. Sykes was born at Great Falls, Strafford Co., N.
H., May I, 1833. His father, Richard Sykes, was a woolen man-
ufacturer. James W. received his education at Worcester High
School and Leicester Academy. About 1851, he went to Boston,
and clerked in a flour, grain and seed store. There he remained
until ill health brought him to Chicago in 1859, where, as has
already been told, he founded the business of which he is still the
head. While he claims no keen foresight as to Chicago's future
greatness, he has abundant reasons to be satisfied with the choice
he has made. For eleven years Mr. Sykes was a member of the
New England Congregational Church, but since 1871 has been a
member of the First Congregational Church, and for eleven years
has been its clerk. He was married December 4, i860, in New-
ton, Mass., to Sarah Jane, daughter of William H. Clark. They
have four children : Mabel, Marion, Florence Winnie and Walter
James.
Charles E. Culver was born August 13, 1S31, in Hopkin-
ton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. His parents were of New England
birth and of Welsh-English descent. He received his rudimentary
instruction in the public and private schools of his native village
and from the private tuition of a clergyman. He early acquired
habits of industry, from being required, when not attending school,
to work on his father's farm and assist in the business of a country
store. After completing the higher studies at the St. Lawrence
Academy, in Potsdam, N. Y., he decided not to enter collegeand
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
335
prepare for professional life, as his parents had desired, but to fit
himself for a mercantile career. Accordingly, in 1S50, he entered
the service of Edward Lambert & Co., a wholesale silk and dry-
goods house in New York City, and later, accepted a clerkship
with Golding, Leete & Co., in Potsdam, with whom he remained
two years — receiving, during the last twelve months, the highest
salary paid by those extensive dealers to any clerk in their employ
at that or any previous time, viz., $20 a month and board. In Oc-
tober, 1853, with the salary of the previous year at his command,
young Culver started for Springfield, 111., where he had friends.
He arrived at Chicago; but his endeavors to find employment here
being futile, he went to St Charles, 111. He there engaged with
an old schoolmate in the purchase of grain. This business
resulted, in the course of a few months, in his return to Chicago,
where, in 1854, he founded, with his brother, B. F. Culver, the
house of Culver & Co., which still exists. At the formation of the
firm, Charles E. was resident partner at Chicago, doing all the busi-
ness of the house at this point unassisted, and B. F. purchased and
consigned grain from Princeton, III., to which point the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy Railroad had been recently opened. At pres-
ent (1S85), the firm consists of Charles E. Culver, his brother,
George N. Culver, and nephew, Charles H. Hurlburd. the house
being widely known for the extent and honorable character of its
business operations As a noteworthy fact, showing alike the
growth of the grain trade of Chicago and of this particular firm, it
may be mentioned that Culver & Co. have recently, in a single day,
bought and sold more grain than were the total shipments from
Chicago during the entire year of 1854 — the year of the establish-
ment of this house. Mr. Culver was elected a member of theCom-
mittee of Appeals — the highest tribunal of arbitration of the Board
of Trade — while comparatively a new member of that body. In
1S61-62 and 1S73 he served as a director, and in 1S71-72 as vice-
president ; being, also, during the latter year, a member of the
Committee on Finance. From the vice-presidency, he was unani-
mously— less two dissenting votes — promoted to the presidency,
serving one year from January. 1S73. On retiring from the presi-
dency, he received a complimentary vote that again made him a
member of the Board of Appeals during 1875. At the first
meeting held in the Exchange rooms, in the Chamber of Commerce
Building, October q, 1S72, the celebration of the rebuilding and
occupation of the new Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Culver, as first
vice-president, presided in the absence of the president, Mr. Pres-
ton. On that occasion, Mr. Culver's response to the brief address
by Daniel A. Jones, president of the Chamber of Commerce, giv-
ing to the Board of Trade formal possession of the new and beau-
tiful hall, was a valuable contribution to the annals of the Board
of Trade, both as to the past of the Association, and as marking
an important step in the reconstruction of the " New Chicago."
During the administration of Mr. Culver occurred the great finan-
cial panic that succeeded the failure of Jay Cooke & Co.; and it
was, in part at least, owing to his good judgment and action that
Chicago escaped the effects thereof, as did no other large city in
this country. In view of the suspension of the New York banks,
the closing of the Eastern Stock and Produce Exchanges, as well
as the impossibility of the Chicago banks obtaining remittances for
balances then due from New York, certain bankers of this city,
and prominent members, urged a discontinuance of the sessions of
the Board of Trade and an indefinite cessation of business on
'Change. President Culver vigorously opposed the proposition,
and argued that to discontinue legitimate trading in grain would
intensify the feelings of distrust, and would cause the suspension
of every Chicago bank, while, by keeping open the avenues of trade,
Chicago would soon receive, daily, hundreds of thousands of dol-
lars for investment in grain and provisions, and that the banks
would be strengthened thereby. On the day of the greatest excite-
ment, a resolution for adjournment was prepared, and the presi-
dent was requested to submit it immediately to the Association for
its action. Fortunately, he secured a delay until a meeting of the
directors could be held. At this meeting, it was agreed to recom-
mend the Association to suspend the rules of the Board, and to
adopt the following resolution (which was so adopted September
26, 1873, and rescinded by resolution, adopted October 1): "That
all rules of this Board authorizing the Board of Directors to con-
sider and act on complaints for violation of contract, be suspended,
so far as such complaints are based on contracts for the delivery of
property in future, made between the passage of this resolution and
the further order of the Association; and further, that the Board
shall not entertain complaints for the violation of contracts claimed
to have been closed during the time above indicated, by reason of a
non-deposit of a margin; provided, that this resolution shall in no
case be held to apply to any trades made in settlement of existing
contracts." The prediction of Mr Culver was fully realized; for,
during the next few days, the receipts of currency by express, at
the banks of the city, exceeded $4,000,000, most of which was for
investment in property dealt in on 'Change. At the conclusion of
his term of office, President Culver closed the customary annual re-
port of the Directors to the Association, in the following language:
" The events of the year have not only proved the stability of our
corporation, and tested the strength of our banks, merchants and
manufacturers, but have also established the trade supremacy of
our city. Notwithstanding the interruption of business incident to
a period of general financial distress, the trade of Chicago, for the
past twelve months, greatly exceeds that of any former year. The
recent financial panic, entirely unexpected in its coming and in its
severity, overtook the business men of this city in the height of the
busiest season, and when, as a matter of course, they were most
extended. The effect of the money crisis under such circumstances
could not have been otherwise than serious. All cities and all in-
terests suffered alike, but not equally. Whilst many an association
similar in character to our own, was forced to succumb to the
pressure of the panic, and was obliged to temporarily suspend busi-
ness, this Board of Trade suffered no adjournment of its regular
business session, and not one of its members was reported to have
failed by reason of the panic. The certain and continued increase
in the membership of our association, is but an illustration of the
marked growth and prosperity of those interests that make up what
constitutes the business, trade and commerce of the city in which
we live." No member of the Board of Trade has labored more ef-
fectively than Mr. Culver in seeking to promote the high commer-
cial character of that institution, and no member more fully enjoys
the respect and esteem of his associates on the Board. Although
he has filled many places of trust and responsibility, Mr. Culver
has resolutely declined to be a candidate for political office.
C. McClay Culbertson was born at Big Creek, Jefferson
Co., Ind., August 5, 1819. He received his early education at
the district schools, and when fourteen years of age went to New-
port, Yermillion Co., Ind.. where he completed his studies, and
entered the store of his brother-in-law, J. Wilkinson, as a clerk.
Subsequently, in 1S38, Mr. Wilkinson's business being closed by
his death, which occurred in 1S36, he engaged with Daniel A. Jones
as a clerk, and three years after became his partner. The partner-
ship continued twenty-three years. In 1856, Mr. Culbertson re-
moved to Muscatine, Iowa, where, with his partner, Mr. Jones, he
carried on the packing business for one year. He came to Chicago
in 1857, and immediately commenced the packing business on a
most extensive scale. The firm of Culbertson, Blair & Co. was
established in 1864, and for ten years was the leading packing-house
west of Cincinnati. At the time of opening his establishment in
this city, the whole business was in the crudest state. There was
no defined standard for the cutting of hogs or cattle, and a barrel
of pork or beef, whether branded prime, mess, or otherwise, meant
little more than that there purported to be two hundred pounds of
beef or pork in the barrel. The difficulties of devising standards
and grades that would be accepted by the packers and acknowl-
edged by the trade in Eastern and foreign markets, were well nigh
insurmountable, as it covered the ground, not only of defining the
grades, but directing as to how hogs and cattle should be cut
to insure inspection. Mr. Culbertson was one of the earliest Chi-
cago packers to attempt to bring order out of confusion in his line
of business, and was the first to introduce resolutions on the Board
of Trade for the adoption of a code, or set of rules, for the regula-
tion of the packing, curing, and inspection of provisions. His reso-
lutions were adopted. A committee was appointed, of which he
was a member, to report a plan for the inspection of provisions.
Their report was adopted, and is, to-day, with such amendments
as experience and the changes in the trade have made necessary,
the basis of a system of packing and a standard of povision inspec-
tion known and accepted wherever American provisions are sold.
Mr. Culbertson became a member of the Board of Trade in 1857.
He served as a director in 1864-65-66, and during his time of ser-
vice, was the chairman of the committee on the inspection of pro-
visions. He is still a member of the Board in uninterrupted good
standing. He bought the nucleus of his present farm at the United
States Land office, at Danville, 111., in 1S53, but continued actively
engaged in the packing business until 1877, since which year he has
devoted his attention to the raising of stock, having become known
as one of the leading raisers of reliable blooded stock in the coun-
try. Mr. Culbertson was married December I, 1842, to Miss
Rhoda A. Rilliams, of Newport. Ind. They have six surviving
children — two sons and four daughters.
THE YEAR 1860-61.
The twelfth annual meeting was held in the new
rooms in April, i860. At this time the members
numbered six hundred and twenty-five, showing an in-
crease of sixty five during the month since the Board
had taken possession of its new rooms. The election
SSBB&SSSSSSS-*
KANKAKEE
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
resulted in the following officers for the ensuing year :
Ira V". Munn. president : Eli Bates and J. V. Fanvell,
first and second vice-presidents; Seth Catlin, secretary;
and George Watson, treasurer.
- STENTATION Ob' RECIPROCITY TREATY. — III the
early part of the year, strong exertions were made by
parties whose interests would be somewhat advanced by
the abrogation of the existing reciprocity treaty with
Canada, to influence the authorities at Washington so
as to accomplish the desired end Under the treaty a
most profitable trade in grain, flour and provisions had
grown up between Chicago and other lake cities and
the Canadas. Its proposed abrogation was deemed a
direct blow at the prosperity of the West, and the
Board took strong and vigorous grounds against it.
A protest was drawn up by a committee, which was
numerously signed by the members, and presented to
the United States Senate by Hon. S. A. Douglas, and
to the House of Representatives by Hon. J. F. Farns-
worth. Copies of the protest were also sent to the
Boards of Trade of other Western cities, where they
were signed, and sent to Washington. The influence
of this action was of sufficient weight to postpone the
proposed rescinding to a later day ; when it was de-
clared abrogated for National reasons which were, at
the time, considered sufficient to preclude any opposi-
tion on the part of the intensely patriotic Board.
Action was also taken favoring the construction of the
Iowa Central Railroad, between Cedar Rapids and the
Missouri River.
Charitable and Hospitable Action. — Large
sums of money were raised, and provisions and clothing
donated for the relief of the sufferers by the great tor-
nado which swept through parts of Iowa and Illinois
about the ist of June, destroying the crops, and render-
ing many homeless and destitute. Rev. Robert Collyer
was chosen as the bearer of these contributions.
During the year, the Board showed that generous
hospitality, which came naturally with its increasing
prosperity and the more pretentious habitation which it
had recently occupied. It entertained the delegates of
the Xaticmal Republican Convention, held in Chicago
in May, and, during the summer and fall, delegations of
merchants from Philadelphia, Montreal, and Quebec.
Its hospitalities to the Philadelphians resulted in
enlarged business connections between that city and
Chicago. The friendships thus inaugurated were con-
firmed by an invitation to the Board to visit Philadel-
phia. The invitation was accepted, and, on January,
21, 1861, a large delegation of influential members of
the Board, and other prominent citizens, set out to re-
turn the visit. These visits marked the beginning of
business connections between the two markets, which
have remained unbroken to this day.
THE YEAR 1S61-62.
The thirteenth annual meeting was held in April,
The members had increased to seven hundred
and twenty-five. The treasurer's report showed a sur-
plus on hand more than sufficient to meet the probable
current expenses, and it was resolved to invest $4,000
in Chicago City or Illinois State bonds. The report of
the inspector showed the inspection, during the year, of
five hundred and eighty-one cargoes of grain, compris-
ing 8,255,466 bushels.
I e officers elected for the ensuing year, were:
Stephen Clary, president; Clinton Briggs and E. G.
Wolcott, fir.it and second vice-presidents ; Seth Catlin,
secretary ; and George Watson, treasurer. At this
meeting it was resolved that a committee be appointed
to take the necessary measures to have the bar at the
entrance of the harbor sufficiently dredged out to afford
not less than fourteen feet of water.
The War Period {April, 1861, to April, 1865). —
The history of the Board of Trade has thus far shown
in its characteristic development no exciting phases.
The work it had performed had been done in the peace-
ful by-ways of trade and commerce, with only an occa-
sional episode sufficiently removed from the daily duties
of its existence to show that its members represented
the higher virtues of charity when called upon to act.
Profound peace had reigned for a generation, and
patriotism had taken a latent form, which gave but faint
indication of the tremendous force it was to become
when fairly aroused to action. The amor patria of the
Board of Trade had been, through the preceding years
of its life, circumscribed by the interests of trade. It
had even eschewed local politics, and its interest in the
country seemed, so far as its action indicated, limited
by the horizon which bounded the commercial and mer-
cantile prosperity of Chicago.
That the men of the Chicago Board of Trade were
capable of bounteous and disinterested charity, had
been proven. No appeal for the alleviation of suffer-
ing had ever failed to meet a generous response. But
its patriotism was now to be tested, and its heretofore
hidden virtues tried by the severest ordeal through
which an association of its kind could be called to pass.
Nearly every member was at that time a voter ; and
each had his own ideas as to the policy of the Govern-
ment. The Board had no leading political bias, so far
as was evinced, either in the individual transactions of
its members or by its corporate acts. It had already
established a profitable trade in corn and provisions with
most important southern points from Baltimore to New
Orleans. The sudden breaking up of this rapidly-
increasing trade, it was believed, would prove a serious
blow to the business interests of the members of the
Board.
The attack upon Fort Sumter and its abandonment
to the Southern forces, April 14, 186 1, broke the delu-
sive spell under which the people of the North had
hitherto been bound, and brought them to the sudden
realization that threatened treason had at last culmi-
nated in open rebellion, and that a war for the destruc-
tion of the Republic had actually begun. From the
hour the news reached the Board, until peace came
again — through every vicissitude of the desperate con-
flict— it stood, the undaunted, unswerving and ready
champion of the Union cause, giving without stint of
men and money, and upholding the flag with unfalter-
ing hand until the danger was passed.
The Board-of-Trade Flag. — On Wednesday,
April 18, 1861, a most patriotic scene took place at the
Board of Trade rooms. The following resolution was
passed by unanimous and loud acclamation :
"Resolved, That the board of directors be requested to purchase
an American flag, and cause the same to be hung from the rooms of
the Board of Trade, as an emblem of our devotion to the glorious
stars and stripes."
Captain Akhurst, of the firm of Akhurst & Douglas
presented to the Board a flag-staff, from which the flag
waved its defiance to treason until the war was ended.
War Finances. — At a mass-meeting, held at Bryan
Hall, Wednesday evening, April 17, the Union Defense
Committee was appointed, composed of A. E. Kent,
Gurdon S. Hubbard, C. G. Walker, J. L. Hancock and
p. (duly — all members of the Board of Trade, with the
exception of Mr. Conly.
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
337
On Friday, the subscription list was presented on
'Change, and subscriptions to the amount of $5,000
obtained from members of the Board. A member
moved that the Board subscribe $500, to be paid from
the treasury. A discussion arose as to the legality of
such subscription under the provisions of the charter,
which was brought to a somewhat unexpected close by
Charles H. Walker, Jr., who moved that the motion
be amended so as to increase the subscription to
$5, 000. The amendment was passed amid such
uproarious applause as to completely annihilate all
further objections as to the technical legality of the
measure. The total amount raised at this meeting was
$ 10,000. This was the first of the many munificent
donations of the Board which followed, increasing in
amount with every new emergency that presented itself,
until the war was ended.
Depreciation of Securities. — With the additional
task which the Board had cheerfully assumed, of doing
its full part in sustaining the Government, and in which
it then early took the lead, it did not abate its watchful-
ness and solicitude for the business interests of the city.
The first outbreak was followed by a decline in all
Southern State securities, many of which were owned
by the Illinois banks, and held by the State treasurer as
collateral security for the redemption of their bills.
The banks holding a large proportion of such securities
soon found them inadequate, under the constant de-
cline, for the security of their outstanding circulation.
While the bank issues, based on United States or
Northern States bonds, remained at par, and were cir-
culated at full value, those based on Southern stocks
depreciated as the stocks declined from day to day.
The currency soon became so completely deranged, as
to threaten a general demoralization of business. The
bills of the sound banks rapidly disappeared from cir-
culation, while those which were distrusted were passed
from one anxious holder to another, imperfectly per-
forming the functions of money; not exactly discredited,
as the State authorities were reluctant to risk the con-
sequences of a peremptory call upon the unfortunate
banks to make the sudden and unexpected deprecia-
tion in their securities good, but under a cloud of dis-
trust, which showed in the premium required to convert
them into gold or exchange on the East. This varied
with the value of the various securities on which the bills
were based, and the probable ability of the several
banks to make them good. The banks published daily
bulletins of the constantly changing values of the
various State-bank issues, and the rates at which they
would be taken on deposit or on payment for the day.
The notes based on Northern stocks, were known as the
"short list," those doing business on Southern stocks,
as the " long list." " Short list " bills would buy New
York exchange at from ten to fifteen per cent, premium;
" long list " bills were from fifteen to seventy per cent,
discount. The railroad companies, the Merchants'
Association, and the lumbermen had also their private
lists, all differing from that of the banks, and each dif-
fering from the other. The confusion which ensued
was so serious an obstruction to business, as to call for
some concerted action to avert the general suspension
of business, which was imminent. The Board of Trade,
as had become its wont in all emergencies, took the in-
itiative steps toward bringing such order as was possi-
ble out of the confusion.
On Thursday morning, May 17, a full meeting was
held at the Board of Trade rooms, to adopt some uni-
form policy, concerning the currency. A resolution,
offered by Mayor Rumsey, was passed, to invite a con-
ference with committees, consisting of ten each, repre-
senting the following interests : the city banks, the
country banks, the Board of Trade, the Merchants'
Association, the railroads, and the lumber trade. The
committee appointed on the part of the Board, were:
J. S. Rumsey, Wolcott, Briggs, Fairbank, Houghtehng,
Kent, Randolph, Watson, McChesney, and Curtiss. A
resolution was adopted, recommending that all advances
heretofore made on produce should be settled in cur-
rency on the basis of the price of New York exchange on
the day on which the money was paid. Another resolu-
tion, recommending that coin be adopted as the basis of
future transactions, was voted down, on the ground that
it would forestall the decisions of the conference com-
mittees before mentioned. The various committees
met the following afternoon, and agreed upon a list of
banks which should be taken at par, and another list
which should be taken as currency, so soon as the banks
therein named should make their securities in Northern
and United States stocks equal to ninety cents. The
result of the conference was reported at a meeting at
the Board of Trade on the same evening, when, after
long speeches from W. B. Ogden, Wirt Dexter, Hon.
N. P. Banks, John C. Haines, and Stephen Clary, the
report was adopted. Although the inconvenience aris-
ing from a depreciated currency continued until the
bills were withdrawn, or driven from circulation, the
action inaugurated by the Board, which resulted in a
uniform valuation of the currency afloat, by the diverse
business interests of the city, as well as the banks, re-
stored confidence, and enabled business to be again
conducted with comparative safety.
The pressing necessities for large sums of money to
prosecute the war had, meantime, completely absorbed
the resources of the Eastern banks and forced the Gov-
ernment to adopt what, at the time, was a measure new in
the financial experiences of the country, and directly in
opposition to the traditions and prejudices of the leading
capitalists and bankers at the money centers. A bill
was introduced in Congress, and passed, after much dis-
cussion and several amendments, which provided for the
issue of $200,000,000 in bonds bearing 7.3 per cent, in-
terest, and also $50,000,000 of demand-notes, in small
denominations, bearing no interest, which should be a
full legal tender throughout the United States for all
debts, both public or private. The Board of Trade in-
dorsed by resolution the proposed issue of treasury
notes, and telegraphed to the Illinois representatives in
Congress, recommending that a bill should pass im-
mediately making such notes legal tender. The Board
also passed resolutions condemnatory of the act passed
by the State Legislature entitled, " An act to establish a
general system of banking upon a specie basis." The
ground of its objection to the act, as stated, was that it
tended to the aggrandizement of the commissioners and
their friends in preference to the general welfare of the
people.
The Board evinced its continued solicitude for the
Canadian Reciprocity treaty by presenting to Congress
the following memorial:
" The Board of Trade of the City of Chicago, Illinois, would
respectfully remonstrate against any action suspending or repealing
that treaty between the United States and Great Britain, known as
the reciprocity treaty, believing that its repeal or abrogation would
materially affect the producing interests of the Northwest."
It also sent a committee to Washington, bearing
petitions and a memorial to Congress, praying for the
enlargement of the Illinois and Michigan Canal.
News of First Victory. — On February 17, 1862,
the news of the first great victory of the war, the cap-
33S
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
ture of Fort Donelson, was announced on 'Change, at
the opening of the noon session. No business was at-
tempted. The whole Board was resolved into a war
meeting, and the doors thrown open to every rejoicing
patriot who could crowd into the hall. The Board was
called to order for business — war business only. It is
unnecessary to portray the scene of uproarous confusion
amidst which it managed that day to do its patriotic and
efficient work.
The first, as recorded, was the passage, amid deaf-
ening and long continued cheers, of the following reso-
lutions:
' Resolved, That this Board hears, with pride and heartfelt
thanks, the glorious news of the success of our troops in the capture
of the rebel stronghold. Fort Donelson. That we tender the thanks
of this Board, also of all loyal citizens of our city, to the command-
ing officers and their commands, for their triumphant efforts to
plant the stars and stripes over the same, and that we do particularly
thank our gallant battery, Co. " B," Chicago Light Artillery,
for their daring and successful courage, displayed on the fields of
Frederickton, Belmont and Fort Donelson
" Resolved, That the president of this Board be requested to
forward these resolutions to the commanding officers of the expedi-
tion, and a copv to Captain Ezra Taylor, Chicago Light Artillery,
Co. "B."
E. W. Blatchford gave the history of the struggles
and trials of the loyal merchants of St. Louis, where the
disloyal element had for a time held almost entire con-
trol of the business interests of the city, and announced
the formation there of the Union Merchant's Exchange
of St. Louis, every member of which had subscribed to
an unconditional oath of allegiance to the Federal
Union, and pledged himself " to discourage and
forever oppose secession, rebellion, and disintegration
of the Federal Union." The right hand of fellowship
was extended to the stout-hearted merchants of St.
Louis, who were thus faithful in the very den of seces-
sion, in suitable resolutions, which were presented by
Mr Blatchford at the close of his speech, and unani-
mously passed.
Following this, a committee of four was appointed to
act in concert with the people and the Sanitary Com-
mission, as a Relief Committee, which was constituted
as follows: X K. Fairbank, A. E. Kent, N. D. Hough-
teling, and Gurdon S. Hubbard; and $675 were paid
on the spot for the purpose above indicated.
Reproving Southern Sympathizers.— Many of
the prisoners taken at the capture of Fort Donelson were
sent to Springfield and Chicago, to await exchange. The
first installment reached Chicago on the 18th. Among
the officers were several from Southern cities who,
previous to the war, had had business relations with
Chicago and were well known in social circles Instead
of being treated with the proper spirit which their re-
creancy would seem to merit from all loyal people, these
officers were being cordially received, hospitably enter-
tained, and otherwise lionized by some of their former
friends. These rumors were peculiarly exasperating to
Chicagoans who mourned, as the price of victory, many
a gallant father, son or brother who would never more
return to them. The indignation of the members of the
Hoard found expression in a set of resolutions, passed
at its session on the 20th of the month, presented by Ira
V. Munn. They were as follows:
"WHEREAS, Our Government has been pleased to place among
us a large number of prisoners belonging to the rebel government,
it is our duiy. and we doubt not the wish of the citizens of Chicago,
to see that ihey are well fed and cared for; but we can not but feel
that in view of the dead, of the suffering wounded, of the broken
and crushed hearts among our own people, caused by the late
battle, grown out of this unholy Rebellion, it is earnestly our duty
— a duty we owe to ourselves as well as to our Government — that
the officers, as well as the privates now prisoners among us, should
receive such attention at our hands as humanity alone would dic-
tate. Therefore,
"Resolved, That this Board frowns upon and condemns any at-
tempt to make 'lions' and 'distinguished visitors' of any of the
prisoners now among us.
"Resohtd, That we recommend to the citizens of Chicago to
abstain from offering to any of the prisoners now here, or who may
hereafter arrive, those polite and marked attentions that make
them heroes in their own eyes, to the manifest degradation of our-
selves.
"Resolved, That we believe many of the privates among our
prisoners are honest and true men, but have been deceived by their
designing and contemptible leaders. To all such who will give
evidence of honesty and loyalty, we will extend the right hand of
brotherhood."
Thus the staunch-hearted merchants maintained
their Union principles and resolved not to allow even
the appearance of sympathy for the Rebellion to exist in
their midst.
It is now necessary to glance at the personnel of
some of the men who were so ably sustaining the Union
cause, Federal credit and Chicago's commerce during
this crucial epoch of our national history.
One of the oldest firms in the city, doing business
on the Board, is that of
Hough & Co., which is lineally descended from the firm of
R. M. & O. S. Hough. In 1839, Oramel S and Rosell M. Hough
were with Sylvester Marsh, and the directory for 1845 states that
O. S. Hough was a butcher, and R. M. Hough foreman at Wads-
worth, Dyer & Chapin's packing-house. In 1848-49, Oramel S.
Hough was foreman at Wadsworth, Dyer& Chapin's; and the beef
packed by him and exported to England met with such a favorable
sale, that, in 1850, O. S. &,R. M. Hough built a packing-house,
and commenced the business on their own account. This firm ob-
tained a large contract for supplying beef to the English troops in
the Crimea during the Russian war. They were very successful,
and met with no reverses until their packing-house was destroyed
by fire in 1856; they, however, rebuilt it the following year near
Halsted-street bridge. In 1856, R. M. Hough sold out his inter-
est to C. J. Renshaw and Charles Seaverns, and the firm name
was Hough & Co.; Rosell M. Hough being at this time a member
of the firm of Hough, Hills & Co., soap and candle manufacturers,
Newberry C. Hills being the other partner. In 1857, the directory
gives Oramel S. Hough as the packer; and in 1S58, the firm again
became R. M. & O. S. Hough, continuing under that designation
until 1862, when the packing-house was known as the Chicago
packing-house, and the Chicago firm Worster, Hough & Co. —
comprising John Worster and Cyrus Dupee, of Boston, Mass., A.
Worster and R. M. and O. S. Hough — and the corresponding firm
in Boston being Worster, Dupee & Co. , and in New York, Cyrus
Dupee & Co. This association continued until 1S05, when the
old firm of R. M. & O. S. Hough was reinstituted, continuing
until 1S67. In the year 1S66, Albert J. Hough was bookkeeper and
Charles J. Hough clerk for the firm, and the packing-house was
located on the west side of Lime, near Halsted Street. In 1867.
the firm became Jones, Hough & Co., comprising Daniel A. Jones,
R. M. Hough, Oramel S. Hough and Charles L. Raymond; the
Houghs also being interested in the lumber firm of Hilliard, Pierce
& Co., composed of Laurin P. Hilliard, L. H. Pierce, Oramel S.
Hough and Daniel A. Jones, and of which lumber firm Walter C.
Hough was bookkeeper In 1S68, the packing firm remained
the same, except that R. M. Hough retired. In the same year,
Mr. Jones retired from the lumber firm. In 1869, D. A. Jones
and C. L. Raymond retired from the packing firm, and started the
firm of Jones & Raymond. In 1S69, the lumber firm was named
Hilliard, Pierce & Co., and comprised L. P. Hilliard, L. H.
Pierce, O. S. Hough and S. A. Hilliard. In 1870, the lumber
firm continued as in the preceding year, but the packing firm was
changed to O. S. Hough & Sons, and comprised the senior partner
and Albert J., Charles H. and Walter C. Hough. In 1871, the
lumber firm was Hilliard, Churchill & Co., and comprised L. P.
and S. A. Hilliard, Oramel S. Hough and W. L. Churchill; and
the following year Mr. Hough withdrew from the lumber business.
The firm of O. S. Hough & Sons continued until 1872, when the
packing-house was torn down, and an elevator, called the Chicago
& St. Louis Elevator, built on its site; and the firm operating it
were R. M. & O. S. Hough & Co., the company being Albert J.
and Charles H. Hough. O. S Hough & Sons were also the com-
pany in the packing-house of Lees, Hendricks & Co., and re-estab-
lished the packing business on their own account — Albert J. and
Charles H. being the sons. During 1874, the firm of O. S. Hough
& Sons comprised the senior partner and Charles H. and Walter
C. Hough; Albert J. Hough being a member of the firm of Barter
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
339
& Co. (Thomas O. Barter and Albert J. Hough) ham-curers. In
1S75, the firm name was changed to O. S. Hough & Son (Charles
H. Hough), Albert J. Hough being a provision dealer, and Walter
C. Hough a broker. In 1S76, Oramel S. Hough died, and, in 1S78,
the present firm of Hough & Co. was inaugurated — Albert J. being
the principal partner, and his brothers, Charles II. and Walter C,
the company. This company is still in existence, and is the pro-
prietor of an excellent reputation for energy, business enterprise
and fair dealing that has made it widely known and that is a fitting
and honorable characteristic of a house of such long standing.
The present members of the firm were all born in Chicago.
Tobey & Booth. — The oldest, as well as one of the largest,
packing-houses in this city, is that of Tobey & Booth, which was
established, in 1S52, by Orville H. Tobey and Heman D. Booth.
At that time there were only four other packing-houses in Chicago.
In the spring of 1S46, Orville H. Tobey arrived in Chicago. In
1851, he commenced packing beef. In the following year he formed
a partnership with Heman D. Booth, and commenced business at the
corner of what is now known as Eighteenth and Grove streets, but
which was then out on the p-airie, and away from the business
portion of the city. The first packing-house was cheaply put up,
as the proprietors thought that the authorities would not let them
remain in so close proximity to the business part of the town,
owing to the obnoxious odors unavoidable about slaughtering houses.
The building was a frame structure, 40 by 130 feet. They handled
nothing but cattle for a number of years, and packed only in the
winter seasons, until the summer of 1857. They employed forty
men, and slaughtered one hundred and fifty cattle a day. The pro-
duct found a ready sale in the domestic market, and the business
gradually increased, until it became necessary to erect more sub-
stantial and larger quarters. In 1S57, they tore down the old
building, and put up a much better structure on the same spot, 30
by 130 feet in size, with an " L," fifty feet in width. Upon the
completion of this, they commenced slaughtering hogs and curing
meats in the summer season. They discontinued handling beef
and commenced packing pork for the foreign markets. In 1S62,
they enlarged their packing-house to its present dimensions, 260
feet frontage on Grove Street and 150 feet on Eighteenth. Upon
the completion of the enlarged quarters, they were only enabled to
handle one hundred and fifty hogs a day during the summer sea-
son, but now that they have their work so systematically arranged,
in addition to modern conveniences, that they have a capacity for
handling one thousand t,wo hundred hogs a day, and in winter two
thousand In 1S63, they erected a brick building on the northeast
corner of Grove and Eighteenth streets, opposite the packing-house,
which is ninety feet wide and two hundred feet long. This was
used for several weeks after the great fire of 1S71, as a distributing
depot of the provisions and supplies sent in from abroad for Chica-
go's homeless and destitute people. It is now the jobbing and
retail department of Tobey & Booth, and a portion is used for
making all kinds of minced meats. The arrangements in and
about their packing-house are complete in every particular. The
firm makes a specialty of preparing meats for export, and has
handled three hundred and seventy-one thousand hogs annually.
The firm is composed of Orville H. Tobey and Mrs. Elizabeth W.
Booth, relict of Heman D. Booth, who died in 1S72. E. P. Tobey,
a son of the senior member of the firm, has been superintendent of
the packing department since 1861.
Orville H. Tobey is one of the oldest business men of
Chicago, and has been in the packing business for thirty-four con-
secutive years. He was born at the town of Sharon, Lycoming
Co., Conn., March 13, 1814. He resided in his native town and
attended school until he was seventeen years of age. He then
went to New York City, and engaged in the mercantile trade, where
he remained until 1846, when he came to Chicago. During the
first year or two after coming here, he worked by the day in a
packing-house. He afterward opened a meat market on Randolph
Street, a few doors east of Clark Street ; and upon the completion
of the Market Building on State, between Randolph and Lake
streets, moved thereto, and kept a meat-stall for some time. In the
fall of 1850, he took charge of the packing-house of Wadsworth,
Dyer & Chapin, and worked for them during that season. In 1851
he commenced packing beef on his own account, and his packing-
house was located at Twelfth-street Slip. In 1S52, he associated
with him Heman D. Booth, and they commenced the packing busi-
ness at the corner of Grove and Eighteenth streets. Mr. Tobey is
still active in the management of the business. Mr. Tobey was
married in New York City, in 1S35, to Miss Mary Williams. Their
children are Mrs. Elizabeth W. Booth, of Chicago ; Mrs. Abbie C.
Rood, of New York City ; Edgar P. Tobey, of Chicago ; John A.,
William W. and Frank H.. who are residents of New York City.
Mr. Tobey has for many years been a member of the Calumet
Club, and also belongs to the Washington Park Driving Club.
Asa Dow was born in Hopkinton, Merrimac Co., N. H.,
September 20, 1823. With his father, Amos Dow, he moved to
Cass County, Mich., in 1831, where, in 1847, he began business in
general merchandising, with his brother, S. E. Dow. In 1849. he
crossed the plains to California, where for six months he followed
mining pursuits, and then once more entered the mercantile field,
and, continued therein twenty-two months. He returned to Michi-
gan, where he followed merchandising in connection with the grain
and provision trade. In 1855, he located in Joliet, 111., where he
followed the grain and provision business, until April 1, 1S58 ;
when he came to Chicago, and at that time became a member of
the Board of Trade. Mr. Dow has, during this period of twenty-
six years, been prominently identified with the grain and provision
trade. For the first two years, he was a member of the firm of
Dow, Hurd & Co., and, from i860 to 1873, of the well-known firm
of Dow, Quirk & Co., since which latter year he has operated
entirely on his own account. He was also for three years con-
nected with the extensive packing firm of B. F. Murphey & Co.
Mr. Dow has always taken an active interest in the management of
the Board of Trade, was a member of the Committee of Appeals,
several terms, also a member of the Board of Directors; was vice-
president for one term, and, in 1S79, was elected president, serving
his term until 1880, with credit to himself and the Board of which
he has so long been a member.
Enoch B. Stevens was born in Livermore, Androscoggin
Co., Me., March 23, 1830. He came to Illinois in 1843, settling
first in Quincy, where he received his education, and learned tele-
graphy, and afterwards was, for four years, the manager of the
Cornell Line. He came to Chicago in 1850, and became a member
of the Board in 1854, at which time he embarked in the grain busi-
ness. He subsequently became largely interested in warehousing,
and was, from 1866 to 1SS1, a member of the well known firm of
Vincent & Co. The grain commission firm of E. B. Stevens & Co.,
still in existence, was organized in 1859, and has done business un-
interruptedly since that time, being now one of the oldest grain
firms in the city. As a member of the Board of Trade, Mr. Ste-
vens has been honored with many positions of trust and responsi-
bility. He has served as a director, and as a member of both the
Committees of Arbitration and of Appeals. He is an enthusiastic
member of the Masonic fraternity, having honorably attained to the
highest degrees that can be conferred in America. He was first
made a master mason in the Oriental Lodge, No. 33, A. F. and A.
M., in April, 1S51, of which he is still a member, and of which he
was worshipful master in 1856-57. He became a member of La-
fayette Chapter, No. 2, in 1854, of which he was high priest in
1861. In 1854, he also became a knight templar, and a member of
Apollo Commandery, No. I. In the encampment he has filled
every office up to, and including, that of Generalissimo. He has
received all the Scottish Rite degrees, the 33° being conferred in
Boston, in April, 1866. Mr. Stevens was married in Chicago, in
1854, to Elizabeth, daugter of Charles Larmine, who settled in
Chicago, in 1849. They have seven children.
Nathaniel T. Wright was born in Oneida Co., N Y., in
October, 1S35, and came West with his father, Thomas G. Wright,
in 1837. They passed through Chicago and located in Kendall
County, 111., where Nathaniel was reared on a farm. In iS56hewent
to St Paul, Minn., and in the fall of 1858 came to Chicago. In
April, 1859, with G. T. Beebe, he established the firm of Wright
& Beebe, and carried on a large commission business for over
fourteen years. Mr. Wright subsequently became connected with
the Northwestern Malt Company, with which he served three years
as president, when he sold out his interest. On November 1,
1879, he joined Charles T. Nash, and formed the firm of Nash &
Wright, which, in 1883, changed to Nash, Wright & Co., the
company being Thomas D. Wayne, jr., and which firm is virtu-
ally the successor of the old firm of Wright & Beebe. Mr. Wright
has been a member of the Board of Trade since early in 1859, pur-
chasing at that time a membership for $5. He has. on several
occasions, refused to accept a nomination for an office in the man-
agement of the affairs of the Board, but in 18S3, was prevailed
upon to accept, and was elected a member of the Committee of
Appeals.
P. Moran is a native of West Ireland, where he was born in
1833. He was for about two years before emigrating to America
engaged in the grocery and bakerv business. He arrived in
America, in June, 1S53, and in August, of that year moved to Ohio,
and entering the employ of J. C. Dow, of Hudson, learned the
business of making butter and cheese. He was frequently sent by
the dairymen and dealers of the place to points farther west to sell
their products, and as their agent, visited and opened a dairy trade at
Toledo, Detroit, Chicago and at points on the Mississippi River as
far north as St. Paul. In the interest of the dairymen and dealers
of the Western Reserve, he removed to Chicago in 1857, and
opened a small commission house on South Water Street, exclu-
sively for the sale and purchase of butter and cheese. He received
most liberal patronage in Chicago, and built up an extensive trade
throughout the West. In 1S5S, his former employer, J. C. Dow,
came to Chicago and entered into a partnership with him in the
business he had established. Besides Mr. Dow, Mr. Moran con-
540
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
nected himself in the business with M. A. Devineand I. H. Wanzer
and started two cheese factories and creameries — the first in the
West: and this firm may therefore claim the distinction of being
the pioneers in the business which has now grown to be one of the
most extensive and important in the great Northwest. The style
of the firm was Dow. Moran & Co. The business of the firm
increased rapidity, much of the Western Reserve dairy business
being transferred to Chicago and to the house of Dow & Moran.
At the time of the fire theirs was the leading dairy house in the
Northwest. Their orders came from as far East as Boston and as
far South as New Orleans, while their consignors embraced leading
dairymen and manufacturers in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. The
great disaster swept away the property, stocks, books and accounts
of the firm. Insured in home companies, which went down in the
general ruin, the calamity left little for Mr. Moran but his real
estate, covered with ashes, and his integrity and pluck, unimpaired.
The story of his recuperation is as honorable as it is short. He
refused the offer of his creditors to accept a dividend of fifty per
cent, on their claims, and, within three years after the fire had paid
them all in full, with ten per cent, interest. Mr. Moran may well
be proud of the record here made; that, through all the vicissitudes
of trade, he has kept his faith on every contract he has ever made,
and that the cloud of bankruptcy or repudiation throws no shadow
over his business career. In 1S76, Mr. Dow sold out his interest
to Mr. Moran. and shortly after the style of the firm became P.
Moran & Co. His present partners are A. E. Woodhull and I. R.
Lang. After a life of over a quarter of a century, this is one of the
solid firms of America in the business with which it has been so
long identified. In 1S79 ■' na<^ branch houses in Liverpool, Eng-
land, and in New York, but since that year has found an ample
outlet for its trade in orders received from all parts of the country
at their central point in Chicago. Mr. Moran has been a member
of the Board since 185S.
Robert Warren was born in Ireland, and early in life emi-
grated to Canada, from whence, in 1S57, he came to Chicago. In
i5;~. he entered the employ of Hugh McLennan, and remained
seven years. He then formed a co-partnership with W. P. Mc-
Laren, under the firm name of McLaren & Warren, maintaining
offices in both Chicago and Milwaukee, Mr. Warren being in Mil-
waukee and Mr. McLaren in Chicago. In 1868, this partnership
was dissolved, since which time Mr. Warren has conducted his
business alone, under the name of Robert Warren & Co. The
office of the company was in the Board of Trade Building until
1S69: it was then in the Mercantile Building until the fire of 1S71;
was after that removed to a small room on the West Side ; and
upon the completion of the Farwell Building, on Market Street,
moved into that building. At the end of one year it was moved to
its present location. Mr. Warren has been for the most part
engaged in exporting flour and grain, and was, from 1869 to 1S81,
one of the largest, if not the largest, exporters of these products
doing business in Chicago, having shipped as much as two million
bushels of grain in a month from different cities in the United
States to Europe. He is also largely interested in the provision
trade. Mr. Warren has experienced the day of small things in his
mercantile career, and therefrom, by his industry, perseverance, and
integrity, has built up an immense business, and an individual repu-
tation that is one of the best among the commercial magnates of our
city. He is vice-president of the International Packing Company,
and is owner and manager of the old packing business of Davies,
Atkinson & Co. He has been a member of the Board for the past
twenty years, and has filled such positions as director and member
of the Committees of Appeals and of Arbitration.
James Van INWAGEN was born in Fairville, N. Y., June 1,
1837, and came to Chicago in 1854, and became junior partner in
the commission house of Van Inwagen & Co. in 1856, his father,
now deceased, being the senior member of the firm. He was asso-
ciated with Samuel T. Atwater in the insurance business from 1857
until ten years later, during which time they organized the Traders'
Insurance Company of this city; they also represented a number of
Eastern insurance companies. In 1867, Mr. Atwater retired and
Mr. Van Inwagen carried on the insurance business alone. He also
succeeded to the secretaryship of the Traders' Insurance Company,
which was subsequently merged into the Merchants' Insurance
Company, an older local company. Mr. Van Inwagen continued
the insurance business until the great fire, which ruined
the companies he was representing. In 1S72, he resumed his
former grain commission business on the Board of Trade. The
firm of Van Inwagen & Hamill was established in 1S75, and did a
very large commission business for several years — Mr. Van Inwa-
gen retiring therefrom in 10S2, but continuing identified with the
grain trade. He has been a continuous member of the Board since
1862, and has also served as a director, retiring from that position
January I. 1884. He has been prominent in the promotion of
local musical art, and . ol the Apollo Musical Clubfor
several years. He is now (1884) director of the Calumet Club,
Washington Park Club, Central Music Hall Company, and the
Chicago Musical Festival Association.
Daniel F. Baxter was born in Quincy, Mass., in T830.
He removed to Boston in 1S42, and engaged, during the succeed-
ing two years, in the retail grocery business. In 18S4, he entered
the employ of Pulser & Co., an extensive packing firm, having
their leading business in Boston, with branch establishments in
the West. In 1S49, he took the superintendency of their branch
house at Vincennes, Ind., and thereafter, for five years, spent six
months of each year, during the packing season, at that point.
In 1S54, he severed his connection with that firm ; in November of
that year, came to Chicago, and, early in 1S55, became a member
of the Board of Trade, for several months engaging in local busi-
ness upon the Board. In the fall of 1855, he formed a partnership
with George Webster, under the firm name of Webster & Baxter,
for carrying on a commission business in grain and provisions.
They built up an extensive trade in dressed hogs, and during the
last two years of the war did an enormous business in supplying
forage to the Government. The firm became extensively known
throughout the country as one of the largest and most reliable in
their line of business, shipping as high as twenty-two cargoes of
grain a day. In the fire of 1S71 they were burned out, Mr.
Baxter losing upwards of 8150,000. Shortly after the fire he re-
commenced business, dealing almost exclusively in rye, which he
has continued up to the present time, increasing it from year to
year, until it has reached the enormous proportions of 12,000,000
bushels of rye per annum, cash and options. He was for two
years a member of the Committee of Arbitration of the Board, and
served two years on the Committee of Appeals.
Julian Kune is a member of the Board who has quite a
romantic history. He was born on July 10, 1S3T, in Bellenyes, Hun-
gary, and received a collegiate education, attending the university
at Szarvas. When the Hungarian rebellion broke out, he enlisted
in the Honved army, and served through the war. His company
left Hungary in July, 1S49, by way of Rothenthurm. After a
severe battle between the garrison of that post and the Russians,
under Lueders, they had to lay down their arms to the Turkish
garrison stationed at the Wallachian frontier town, opposite
Rothenthurm. The Russians surrounded their camp and insisted
upon leading them away as prisoners of war, but the firmness of
their Turkish protectors saved them. They were afterward marched
under guard through Wallachia to Kalafat, opposite Widdin ; at
the latter place they met Kossuth and thousands of other refugees,
who had escaped, after the memorable surrender at Vilagos, into
Turkish territory. After spending some time in Widdin and
Schumla, they were transported, some with Kossuth to Kutayah,
Asia Minor, and others, including Kune, to Aleppo in Syria, with
General Bern at their head. There they were nominally enrolled
into the Turkish army with full pay as officers, according to their
rank, but in fact they were political prisoners under the surveillance
of the Ottoman government, and, by the joint agreement between
the leading European powers, were allowed full liberty to go and
come wherever they pleased within the boundaries of the city.
While there, the great Christian massacre took place at Damascus
and throughout Syria. They were all confined for over two weeks
in the barracks, until aid came, and over two thousand Arabs and
Bedouins were slain by the Turkish army. While in Aleppo, Mr.
Kune was sent by the governor, under escort, to Damascus on a
mission to the governor of Syria. The journey across the desert
lasted about two weeks and was very dangerous on account of the
many hostile Bedouin tribes they had to pass. Mr. Kune left
Syria in November, 1851, for Egypt, thence to Algiers, Morocco,
Gibraltar, Malta and England, where he arrived in February, 1852.
Arriving at New York in the clipper "Cornelius Grinnell," May 1,
1852, he immediately went to work in an ammunition factory or
arsenal, and was there five weeks when the factory had to close on
account of lack of funds. He next found work in a clock factory
at Bristol, Conn., remaining there until the latter part of 1S53,
when he removed to Hartford and engaged in teaching French and
German, both in private families and at the Normal School in
New Britain. He also had classes in Springfield, Mass., and at
Chicopee, Mass. In the fall of 1S55, he came to Chicago, and went
into the law office of Scammon & McCagg. A few weeks later, he
entered the employ of the Marine Bank, and staid there until 1S60,
when, at the solicitation of the State and United States campaign
committees, he slumped the States of Illinois, Indiana and Michi-
gan for Abraham Lincoln. After the election of Lincoln, he was
elected assistant enrolling and engrossing clerk of the Senate.
When the call was made for troops, after the firing on Fort Sumter,
he was offered a commission in the regular army, but as he was
engaged in organizing a regiment in Chicago he declined the offer.
After the acceptance of the regiment by the Government, he was
elected its major. Unfortunately, dissensions and secret plottings
on the pari of some of the officers caused him to resign in 1862;
and although Governor Yates offered him the command of another
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
34'
regiment, the state of his health, which had been impaired in
former campaigns, decided him to give up the path to glory, and
enter the one leading to wealth. So, in 1S62, he became a mem-
ber of the Chicago Board of Trade, where he has since continued
to be, with the exception of about four years while he was travel-
ing in Europe. During part of the interval alluded to he was
South Side City Assessor in 1S68. He also visited Europe several
times between 1S69 and 1S73. While in Hungary, on a visit in
1S70, the Franco-Prussian War broke out. Horace White, chief
editor of the Chicago Tribune, sent him a cablegram asking him
to follow the Prussian Army as the Tribune war correspondent.
He accepted, and went through the campaign until the fall of Paris,
when he returned to Chicago and resumed his business on the
Board of Trade as receiver of grain. His specialty has been the
barley trade, in which he is still engaged. He has an elevator and
warehouse on the corner of Eighteenth Street and Stewart Avenue
and handles from three hundred and fifty thousand to four hundred
thousand bushels of barley, during the season, shipping it to all
parts of the United States. He also deals largely in oats, corn and
mill-stuffs. Mr. Kune was married on June 23, 1861, to Miss
Galloway, of Chicago, and has three children.
Josiah W. Preston was born at Warsaw, Genesee Co., N.
Y., August 31, 1833. In 1836, his father, Isaac Preston, moved,
with his family, to Kane County, 111., where Joseph W. passed his
boyhood, and received his education. After leaving school, he fol-
lowed mercantile pursuits, in various places in Illinois, until 1852.
when he went to Oregon, and remained three years, employed on
the United States General Survey, in that and Washington Terri-
tory. Returning to Illinois, in 1S56, he embarked in mercantile
and grain business, at Alton, in partnership with Harmon Spru-
ance, the firm being Spruance & Preston. In August, 1S61, the
firm moved to Chicago, and, until 1S64, carried on business under
the old name, when it was changed to Spruance, Preston & Co.;
the latter partnership being dissolved in July, 1876. From 1S77 to
1SS1, Mr. Preston was in partnership with E. H. Lahee, and has
been, since that time, with O. H. Roche. He became a member
of the Board in i36i, and was elected president of that body in
April, 1871, performing the duties of the position, which, during
the year of the fire, were especially responsible, with such efficiency
and faithfulness that he was re-elected, in the spring of 1872. Mr.
Preston was one of the directors of the Board, in 1S6S-69, and in
1869-70, was on the Committees of Membership and of Cemeteries.
He was married in Alton, 111., to Miss Anna Clawson and has
three children.
Samuel W. Allerton, one of Chicago's millionaires, com-
menced life as a farmer's boy, in Northern New York. That rather
rugged region had few charms for him, and before he was twenty,
he began to look upon the Great West as the land in which he
would try his fortune. In 1853, when he was scarcely twenty, he
settled in Southern Illinois, and engaged in buying and shipping
hogs. In this he had varying success, but at last his untiring in-
dustry began to tell, and he commenced to accumulate money. In
i860, he enlarged operations, by making Chicago his headquarters,
and here at the stock-yards he could be found, early and late. Year
by year he added to business operations, becoming interested and a
large owner in the cattle-yards at East Liberty, near Pittsburgh,
and in those at Jersey City. He also has a packing-house at Chi-
cago, a ranche in Nebraska, and a farm in Southern Illinois. Mr.
Allerton is a man full of charitable deeds and kindnesses, is easily
approached, and never turns a deaf ear to the worthy.
Ira S. Younglove was born in Vernon, Vt., November 10,
1835, the son of Ira and Feronia (Johnson) Younglove. He at-
tended the common schools of Vernon during his earlier years, and
afterward became a pupil in the schools of Fitchburg, Mass.,
whither his family had moved at the time he was seven years of
age. He left school at eighteen, and for three years worked at the
carpenter's trade, and also at chairmaking. In 1856, he came to
Chicago, and for one year was a clerk for A. G. Garfield, a hard-
ware merchant. In 1S58, he went to Mobile, Ala., and was em-
ployed as a bookkeeper until 1S61, when he was obliged to journey
northward, on account of the hostilities occasioned by the civil
war. Returning to Chicago, he again entered the employ of A.
G. Garfield, and remained with him until August, 1862, when he
was engaged by A. E. Kent & Co., and four years later was made
a member of the firm. This partnership continued until 1S72,
when the Chicago Packing and Provision Company was formed.
For three years, Mr. Younglove was assistant secretary of this com-
pany, and, in 1875, was elected secretary, and, in 18S0, president,
which position he has held until the present time. He was mar-
ried first, in 1S66, to Miss Mary E. Piatt, of Chicago, by which
marriage he has one son, Ira P. He was married a second time,
on June 20, 1S77, to Miss Lizzie Quirk, of Ypsilanti, Mich. They
have three children — Rov S. , Bessie K. and J. Madge. Mr. Young-
love is a member of William B. Warren Lodge, No. 209, A. F. *S;
A M.; Lafayette Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M.; Apollo Commandery
No. 1, K. T. ; and of Oriental Consistory, 32d degree, S. P. K. S.
For one year he was acting master of William B. Warren Lodge,
and was elected master (or two years. lie has been associated
with the Board since 1862, and became a member a few years later.
He served on the Committee of Arbitration, and also was a direc-
tor, resigning the latter office after occupying it for one year.
D. S. Mugridge is a native of Portsmouth, N. H., where
he was born July 31, 1836. He was educated in the school near
his birthplace, and, in his youth, removed to Boston, where he was
employed for several years in a wholesale dry goods house, there
learning thoroughly the details of mercantile business. In 1857,
he came West, and first lived in Fulton, 111., where he engaged in
buying and shipping grain. He removed to Chicago in July,
i860, and immediately commenced business as a commission mer-
chant in grain and provisions, continuing it alone until 1871; at
which time he entered into a copartnership with James B. Peabody,
under the firm name of Mugridge & Peabody. In 1876, the firm
was dissolved, and since then he has continued alone the business
he so long ago established. He has been a member of the Board
since 1861, and was one of the organizers of the Open Board of
Trade, in 1877, of which he was vice-president that year. Mr.
Mugridge married Cornelia G. Pennock, of Marlborough, Stark
Co., Ohio, in 1S69. They have one son, Harry P.
James Henry Dole was born in Bloomfield, Oakland Co ,
Mich., July 6, 1824, the son of Sydney and Eliza (Swan) Dole.
He received a common school education, and, at an early age,
left his native town and came to Chicago. He was one of the
men who ran on the first train on the first road which was built
from Chicago, the old Galena & Chicago Union. He immediately
commenced in the grain business, and, in 1S71, had amassed a
snug fortune ; but, on the night of the memorable gth of October,
his house, all his art treasures, and the greater portion of his posses-
sions, were swept away. While the fire was burning, he found a
location in a machine shop, in an unburned portion of the city, and
soon the sign of " J. H. Dole & Co., commission merchants," was
swinging in the breeze. This sign, an old trunk for a vault, a pen,
a bottle of ink and a few- sheets of foolscap paper, formed a nucleus
for the commencement of a new business in the same line. He
has long been a member of the Board, and for years has been one
of its directors — having held every position in it except that of
president, the duties of which he could not find time to discharge,
and therefore would not accept — and has aided in shaping its
affairs, so that that body is now an important factor in the
world's commerce. He was the twelfth member who paid $5
for his membership He was president, and is now vice-presi-
dent, of the Industrial Exposition. J. II. Dole & Co. have forty-
five elevators on the Chicago, Burlington ci: Quincy Railway and
its branches throughout the country, and Mr. Dole is also con-
nected with the firm of Armour, Dole & Co., extensive elevator
owners of this city.
Charles M. Armstrong, the business manager and active
man of the commission house of J. H. Dole & Co., and a rising
man on the Board of Trade, is the second son of the late Colonel
George B. Armstrong, the famous founder of the railway mail
service. He is of Scotch descent; and the first of his family who
came to America was James H. Armstrong, who settled in Virginia
in 1812. He is a second cousin of ex-president James Buchanan,
through whom the line can be traced as far back as 1630. Colonel
George B. Armstrong was a resident of Virginia, but moved to
Baltimore at an early day, where his son Charles was born, Octo-
ber 18, 1S49. Colonel Armstrong was in the commission business,
and came to Chicago with his family, April 12, 1854 He opened
the same business here, but subsequently became assistant post-
master until he resigned, to accept the position of superintendent
of the railway mail service — a Bureau which was made during
General Grant's administration, and to which Colonel Armstrong
was called. Charles M. Armstrong was educated in the Ogden
School, and when sixteen years of age, his father's connection with
the postal service, secured him a position as clerk in the Aurora
post-office. After one year he became chief clerk; but feeling that
such a position offered no scope to any proper ambition, he re-
signed after three months, and returned to the city. Here he first
found employment with A. H. Miller, wholesale jeweler, but. after
six months he became dissatisfied, and, being offered a position
with J. H. Dole & Co., accepted, and has remained with them ever
since. He began in the humble position of messenger boy, and, by
sheer force of character, and superior ability, he has rendered him-
self of great value to his house. The house does a net annual
business of not less than $12,000,000, and sometimes received two
hundred and thirty cars of grain a day, all of which Mr. Armstrong
has cared for without assistance. On October 9, 1S79, Mr. Arm-
strong married Miss Nettie E. Southard, daughter of Charles E.
Southard, and grand-daughter of Samuel L. Southard, secretarv
of the navy under the administrations of James Monroe and John
Quincy Adams.
34*
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Schwartz i Dupes. — In the recital of men whose energy
and business talent have been the pillars upon which the transac-
tions of the Board of Trade rested, the firm of Schwartz & Dupee
must be prominently mentioned. It is composed of Charles
Schwartz and John Dupee, Jr., and the names of these men have
long stood as emblems of enterprise and integrity. Not alone are
these characteristics of the gentlemen individually, but also in the
transactions made for their customers these qualities are prominent.
One case in point is sufficient testimony as to their method of doing
business. Finding the magnitude of their transactions, and the
interests of their clients, required other telegraphic service than
that obtainable from the general office, they procured private wires
to furnish the requisite exclusive means of communication.
John DupiC. Jr., was born in Bangor, Me., in 1S42, moved to
Boston in 1S44, and attended school until he was sixteen years of
age. He then served an apprenticeship of about four years in the
wholesale grocery business in that city, and also served as a mem-
ber of the old 6th Massachusetts Regiment during its first term of
service in the Rebellion ; and came to Chicago in 1S62. Immedi-
ately upon his arrival in Chicago, he went into the commission
business, and has been since actively engaged in it. He became a
member of the Board of Trade in 1863. He was married, in 1S65,
to Miss Evelyn M. Walker, daughter of S. B. Walker, of Chicago;
thev have two children, Eleanor W. and Walter H.
Charles Sch-wartz, of the firm of Schwartz & Dupee, com-
menced business in 1S71, in this city, as a member of the firm of
(William H.) Murray & Schwartz, commission merchants. This
firm continued until 1S73, when Mr. Schwartz went into business
on his own account, remaining alone until 1S76, when he formed a
partnership with H. O. Chambers, under the firm name of Cham-
bers & Schwartz. This firm continued for a year, and then Mr.
Schwartz again did business on his own account until 1SS1, when
he entered into partnership with John T. Lester and Samuel W.
Allerton. under the firm name of John T. Lester & Co. This firm
continued until Mr. Schwartz entered into partnership with Mr.
Dupee. Mr. Schwartz was born in Albany, N. Y. He became a
member of the Board of Trade in 1S71, and has served on various
important committees.
George Webster was born in Gilsum. Cheshire Co., N.H., on
August 24, 1S24, and received his education in the schools of that
county and at the High School of Thetford, Vt, He taught school,
subsequently, from the age of eighteen to twenty-one. Upon attain-
ing his majority, he entered into the general merchandise business, at
Alstead, X. H. Three years later, he was burned out, and ceased
business. About 1S49, he went to Boston, where, for a period of
six months, he was engaged as a clerk in a wholesale dry goods
house, after which he engaged in the retail dry goods business,
carrying it on until 1853, when he sold out and moved to Toledo,
Ohio. At Toledo, he engaged in the business of contracting for
the construction and building of railroads, and took a large con-
tract for the construction of a portion of the Lake Shore and Mich-
igan Southern, during the prosecution of which Mr. Webster
introduced the first steam-shovel ever brought into the western
country. In the fall of 1S55, he sold out his interest in Ohio and
came to Chicago, and entered into partnership with Mr. D. F.
Baxter, in the grain and provision business, under the firm name of
Webster &: Baxter. They built up a very large trade in dressed
hogs, and during the last two years of the war did an enormous
business in supplying forage lo the United States Government, and
their firm name became known all over the country as one of the
largest and most reliable operators on the Board of Trade, shipping,
at times, as many as twenty-two vessel-loads of grain in a day.
During the fire of 1 S 7 r , Mr. Webster again was burned out, and
lost some twenty dwellings, etc., which, with the losses in his busi-
ness, made a net loss, above insurance, of $200,000. Since the
fire, Mr. Webster has been trading on the Board in his individual
interest, and has built up a large and increasing business in that
branch of commercial investment. Mr. Webster has been a mem-
ber of the Board of Trade since his arrival in this city, and in 1S60-
61, was a member of the Board of Directors of that institution He
has always been identified with, and prominent in, the financial
and commercial interests of Chicago, and was for several years a
.I the Board of Directors of the First National and of the
Union -tort: Yards National Bank.
CHARLES T. TREGO has been in the grain commission busi-
ness on the Board of Trade, since 1862, and, during the twenty-
two years in business in this city, has at various periods been con-
nected with the committees and the directory of the Board, and was
for two terms vice-president of the Call Board. Mr. Trego was
born near Philadelphia, IVnn.. December 16, 1837, but came west
with his parents who si ttled near Rock Island, this State, in 1842.
He remained at school there until 1849. He then returned to
Philadelphia where he remained at school until 1855. He then
came west to Galena, 111., where he began his business career as
clerk in a dry goods store, and later was engaged in a hardware
store until January, 1862, when he came to Chicago. On May 14,
1S63, he was married, in Galena, lo Miss Medora Harris. They
have four children, two boys and two girls living — Charles H.,
Estelle, Frank H., and Alleen.
THE YEAR 1862-63.
The fourteenth annual meeting was held Tuesday,
April S, 1862. The number of members reported by
the secretary was nine hundted and twenty-four — an
increase of one hundred and ninety-nine during the
year. The election resulted in the choice of the fol-
lowing officers for the coming year : C. T. Wheeler,
president ; Asa Dow and J. L. Hancock, first and
second vice-presidents. The director's report showed
the total receipts for the past year to have amounted to
$25,000, of which sum $5,000 had been disbursed for
war purposes. Through all the stirring vicissitudes of
war, among all the responsibilities it assumed, and not-
withstanding the arduous and absorbing labors it per-
formed, the Board of Trade kept its business conscious-
ness undisturbed, and wove, with patient care, the
thread of trade into its historic fabric. The war only
brought to light new capabilities, and developed its
efficiency in a new line of duty. It took up cheerfully
the burden which the Nation's needs imposed, but
threw down none it had carried before. It went
through the war carrying a double load, well balanced.
Working, as it did, in this dual capacity, the attempt to
put an account of its labors in chronological order
must of necessity result in a narrative wherein the
threads of business and war appear alternately upper-
most, as the web of its history is woven.
Grain Inspection. — During the year just passed,
many abuses had become apparent in the modes and
methods of inspecting and handling grain under the
system in vogue. The grades, especially of wheat,
although nominally kept up to the standard prescribed,
had gradually so deteriorated — as it was shipped in
cargoes from the Chicago warehouses — as to seriously
impair the reputation of all Chicago wheat in Eastern
markets. Consequently, prices were not only depressed
in Chicago, to the great disadvantage and loss of
shippers and growers who were forced to seek this
market, but much trade was diverted to other markets,
where the grades were more reliable. Much of the
wheat of the crop of 1861 came to market in bad con-
dition— damp, sprouted or musty — caused by heavy
rains during harvest time. Such as could not pass in-
spection, would be bagged out, and, after being blown,
dried, scoured, mixed with other wheat, or otherwise
doctored, would, it was alleged, be smuggled into the
various warehouses, and disappear. It was difficult to
place the responsibility on any particular class engaged
in the wheat trade, although the warehousemen, being
the last to handle the grain before it left, had to bear
the brunt of the complaints. Open charges of fraud,
against warehouses in particular, and wheat doctors and
inspectors in general, at last became so common in the
newspapers and among the grain receivers, as to cause
the Board to take action. Some time in August, 1861,
it appointed a committee to investigate and report as
to the facts, suggesting such remedies for the existing
evil as should be deemed practicable. The whole sub-
ject came up for consideration at the annual meetings,
at which time it received mention in the official reports
of the directors and the inspectors, and was treated at
length in the report of the investigation committee,
which was at that time submitted.
Henry Cogger, chief inspector of grain, reported the
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
343
inspection, during the year, of 90,149 car-loadsand 2,436
canal-boat loads of grain, amounting in round numbers
to 40,000,000 bushels. Three hundred and sixty-two
cargoes, amounting to over 20,000,000 bushels, had
been inspected on board vessels. His report con-
demned the practice of receiving bagged wheat of an
uncertain grade into the elevators, to which he
attributed much of the trouble which had existed with
the grain inspection, and further stated that this prac-
tice had been abandoned. It was recommended that
the inspection should be a straight one, from the car or
canal-boat to its place of destination. It was due to the
farmers who had submitted to the inspection for the
purpose of improving the reputation of Chicago wheat
in Eastern markets, that the integrity of the grades
should be strictly adhered to; so that New York quota-
tions for Chicago wheat might be given with reference
to the true standard of Chicago inspection. " We
know," said Mr. Cogger in closing, "that such is not
now the case, as our best grades are now sold there for
Milwaukee or Racine club — leaving only the poor
grades to represent Chicago spring — thereby detracting
from the reputation of our wheat, and inflicting a
serious injury to those shipping to our market ; giving
also a false and undeserved importance to Milwaukee
and other ports, which justly belongs to Chicago."
Alleged Warehouse Frauds. — The directors, in
their annual report, also considered briefly the subject
of the alleged warehouse frauds, in which the ware-
housemen were denominated " a much abused class of
our fellow citizens," but recommended the report of the
investigation committee as likely to meet the wants of
the Board. With regard to loaning grain, the report
stated that the practice could not be wholly abandoned,
where so large an amount of grain as fifty millions of
bushels was shipped annually. Some member, opposed
to loaning of receipts by warehousemen, moved to re-
ject the report, but his motion was lost. After it had
been fully explained to the recalcitrant members, that
to accept and place on file the report was not its adop-
tion, or in any way an expression of the sentiments of
the Board, it was so accepted and placed on file.
Mr. Wright, chairman of the special committee ap-
pointed on the 25th of October, to investigate the
alleged frauds in the grain trade, presented a report, in
which it was stated that the committee had conferred
with the various railroad officials, warehousemen, and the
Board of Directors, and that all parties seemed desirous
of adopting efficient means for the suppression of the
evils complained of. The committee recommended
that all grain that was bagged on the track, should be
refused by the warehousemen; that the parties having
the matter in charge did not deem it either practicable
or necessary to have an inspector appointed at each
warehouse, but would recommend that regular inspect-
ors should reject all grain out of condition; and that,
when any frauds in the trade should be discovered, the
full facts, together with the names of the guilty parties,
should be posted upon the bulletin board of the Board
of Trade. The Board adopted the report. Mr. Wright
did not submit the evidence taken by the committee
with the report. There seemed to be a tacit under-
standing on all sides that it should be suppressed.
On April 25, the directors passed such resolutions as
were required to give force to the previous action of
the Board; also, one rendering null and void a resolu-
tion passed by the Board in June, 1861, which enabled
warehousemen to deliver heated corn or spring wheat,
if they had any such in their houses, on old receipts.
The warehousemen gave full assent, and pledged
themselves to the observance of the new rules. There
the matter would have ended, but for a parting shut at
the warehousemen, which was given by the Tribune
after the war was over and the treaty ratified. The
Tribune intimated that the evidence suppressed by the
committee was of a damaging nature to many of the
warehousemen. The latter replied in a communication
to the Board, in which they demanded a complete in-
vestigation; the Tribune's comments were denounced
as injurious to the grain trade of the city, and it was
demanded that the files of the paper in question be ex-
cluded from the reading-room, and the expulsion of Trib-
une representatives from the Board rooms was asked.
This communication was signed by Munn & Scott, Hi-
ram Wheeler, Flint & Thompson, Armour, Dole & Co.,
Munger & Armour, Sturges, Smith & Co., George Stur-
ges & Co., Charles W. Wheeler & Co., Sturges, Buck-
ingham & Co.
The communication was considered at a special
meeting, held on the evening of May 2. The reading
of the letter was followed by a long and animated dis-
cussion. It was at first moved to refer the whole
matter to the board of directors. An amendment was
made, offered by Mr. Hough, an elevator man, that the
evidence on which the committee had based their report
should be read; but, in spite of the passage of a vote to
that effect, the chairman of the committee, who pos-
sessed the only authentic copy, refused to produce the
record, as he deemed it would be divulging testimony
given under the pledge of secrecy. So the world was
never enlightened as to the evidence on which the
Tribune had based its articles or the committee its
report.
Further War Annals. — News of the battle of
Pittsburg Landing, which occurred on April 6-7, was
received on the 8th. There were no such joyous
demonstrations as followed the surrender of Fort Don-
elson. The Board passed no resolutions, but gave
renewed proof of its unfailing capacity to act for the
cause. On the 10th, a dispatch was read from General
Strong, commandant at Cairo, asking for surgeons,
nurses, and medical stores to be sent immediately for
the wounded soldiers in Tennessee. The members
raised by private subscription, on the spot, nearly $500,
and voted a donation of $2,000 from the treasury, to be
placed in the hands of the Sanitary Commission. The
amount in cash not being in the hands of Mr. Watson,
the treasurer, that gentleman promptly offered to
advance the required sum.
Oath of Allegiance. — On May 3, a memorial was
presented to the Board, signed by seventy-one members,
calling for the adoption of a resolution requiring every
member or applicant for membership to subscribe to
the oath of allegiance to the United States, before he
should be considered eligible to membership or admis-
sion. Pursuant to this petition, a meeting was held on
Friday evening, May 16. The petition and resolution
were read. A motion was made, and, seconded, that the
communication and resolution be laid upon the table.
The motion was strongly opposed by J. M. Richards,
Mr. Handley and others. In the course of his speech
Mr. Richards said:
" If there be any man on this Board that is disloyal, he should
be exposed and cast out. I remember when Fort Sumter fell, and
the President issued his proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers.
It was a dark and gloomy Sunday night. I remember that the
next morning I came to this room and proposed to raise the
American flag upon this building. Members opposed it, because
this was a place of business— that fealty to the flag was not a sub-
ject which came under the jurisdiction of this Board. And to this
day, these dark traitors come here — men who keep their pictures of
344
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Jeff. Davis. Beauregard, and other like enemies of the best Govern-
ment upon the face" of the earth, within the sanctuary of their own
dwellings. I would put these men to the test. If they be traitors
let us know it."
The vote being taken on the motion, the president
declared it carried. An appeal was taken from the
decision, and on a division of the house it was declared
that the motion was not carried.
Another long period of discussion ensued, in which
several valid objections were offered to
the passage of the resolution, by mem-
bers whose loyalty was undoubted. The
excitement calmed down as the discus-
sion proceeded. The president did not
think the Board had any power to act,
and other members quoted from the
bv-laws in confirmation of that position. One member,
although willing himself to take the oath, deprecated
the bringing of politics or theology into discussion on
the Board, which was organized for purely business pur-
poses. After the re-reading of the resolutions, Stephen
Clary proposed the adoption of the following resolu-
tions, as a substitute for those before the meeting:
" Whereas, This meeting was called for the purpose of adopt-
ing resolutions proposed in the call for the meeting; and
" Whereas, Such resolutions can not be adopted without an
infringement of the rules and regulations, which prescribe a differ-
ent mode of procedure; Therefore,
"Resolved, That this Board has given indubitable proof of its
lovaltv in the giving of money freely for the purpose of sustaining
the war and for the support of the families of the soldiers battling
for the Constitution and the Union.
"Resolved, That while our rules and regulations prescribe no
such requisite as requiring its members to take the oath of allegi-
ance, we do again aver, thus publicly, our fealty to the Constitution
and the Union.
"Resolved. That the Board of Directors be requested to refuse
admission to the membership of this Board of any citizen of the
United States against whom suspicions of disloyalty to the General
Government are known to exist, until such suspicions are proved,
to their satisfaction, to be unfounded."
After another season of discussion, entirely in favor
of upholding the Constitution and the Union, the mo-
tion for the adoption of the original resolutions was
withdrawn, and those offered by Mr. Clary adopted.
Rates of Commission established. — On July 2,
at a special meeting, the Board adopted an amendment
to the by-laws, which made it the duty of the directors
to establish such rates of commission for the purchase
and sale of property by the members of the association,
as in their judgment should be deemed proper and rea-
sonable; and any member violating such rates, either in
over or under charging, was made liable to expulsion.
Members were also required to subscribe to an oath
that they would not, directly or indirectly, deviate from
such rules as should be established by the Board of
Trade. A resolution was also adopted unanimously, that
the board of directors should not approve any one as a
member of the Board of Trade who was not a resident
of, or doing business in, the city. A committee of ten
members was chosen to confer with the directors in
establishing the rates. The meeting adjourned to the
12th of July; and at the adjourned meeting the subject-
matter above given was reported in the form of resolu-
tions, all of which were adopted and became incorpor-
ated in the by-laws.
During this period a large number of energetic men
became members of the Hoard of Trade, and afterward
were prominently identified with the commercial inter-
ests of the city.
5AM0KL HaRKNESS McCREA, the sixteenth president of the
Board of Trade, is of Scotch-Irish descent. He is the son of
William and Abigail (Harkness) McCrea. His parents emigrated
from Belfast to America in 1S20, and settled on a farm in Goshen.
Orange Co., N. V. There Samuel was born, August 16, iS26-
He was reared on the farm of his father and there received the best
educational advantages that the common schools afforded. In 1839
he removed, with his father's family, to Rochester, N. Y., and
remained seven years, during which time he learned the tinner's
trade, which, however, he never followed. In 1S46, he went to
Canada, where he was employed as collecting agent for Kelley &
Co , nurserymen and florists, until 1849. On the discovery of gold
in California, he emigrated there, and remained three years. During
the winter of 1S49-50, he engaged in the lumber-carrying trade
along the coast of San Francisco Bay. In 1S50-51, he was a miner
in what is now Calaveras County, where he was successful, and
returned to the States in 1S52. He next went to New Orleans, and
engaged in the enterprise of railroad building. He had charge of
the construction of the New Orleans and Opelousas railroad, now
known as the Morgan Railroad. His headquarters were at Bayou
de la Fourche, in the heart of the sugar region, and one of the
most unhealthful localities in the South. His robust health, good
habits and indomitable will-power enabled him to do what his pre-
decessors had failed to accomplish ; he brought the road so nearly
to completion that its establishment was assured. In 1854, after
two years of railroad building in Louisiana, he removed to Rock-
ford, 111. He also did business at Sterling for a short time, and,
in 1855, permanently established business at Morrison, 111., then
the terminus of the Dixon Air Line Railroad, now included in the
Chicago & North-Western Railroad. From that point he forwarded
the first wheat shipped by rail to Chicago. He became one of the
leading shippers of grain on the road, his principal points being at
Sterling and Morrison, where he did the bulk of the grain and
lumber business for the succeeding seven years. In 1S62, his
Chicago business had grown to such magnitude that he removed to
this city to attend personally to the sales of his immense shipments.
He held his business connections with the country houses for some
years thereafter, selling out his interests in Sterling in 1871, and
in Morrison in 1874.
On his establishment in Chicago, he immediately took rank as
one of the largest and most influential receivers, and as a member
of the Board of Trade, which he joined in 1862. He was a most
reliable and staunch exponent of the interest of the country and
commission interest, as against the local interests represented by the
Chicago warehousemen and the speculators of the Board. The
history of the Board of Trade and the warehousing business shows
the important influence he exerted in working for the reform of
abuses as they became apparent. He served as a member of the
Board of Directors in 1867-68-69; was elected first vice-president in
1S69, and in April, 1S70, was chosen president, representing the
conservative element of the Board. During his administration, the
inspection of grain and the warehousing and storage of grain were
subject to a most radical change, by which the whole business of
grain inspection, storage, and shipment was taken from the control
of the Board of Trade and the warehousemen, and placed under the
surveillance of State officials acting under statutory law. It is not
relevant here to repeat the history of the contest between the con-
flicting interests, which resulted in the sweeping change. Mr. Mc-
Crea who had, from the beginning, advocated the open registration
of receipts to avoid over-issues; and, failing in gaining its voluntary-
adoption by warehousemen, he used his influence to bring the whole
business under State control. He was the efficient advocate of the
registry and inspection law, passed just at the close of his admin-
istration, and which has been, with such amendments as experi-
ence has dictated, the basis on which the vast inspection and ware-
house business of Chicago has been safely conducted. Mr. McCrea
has filled many offices of honor and trust not above enumer-
ated. As will be seen by the roster of committees of the Board of
Trade, he has served on nearly every committee of importance.
Although a staunch Republican ever since the party was formed,
he has not engaged in politics beyond the exercise of his franchise
and the advocacy of the tenets of his party. He was elected as
alderman of the 12th Ward, in 1876, not less on account of his po-
litical affiliations than his personal popularity. The city at that
period was in a bad condition financially. In that year he was
made chairman of the Finance Committee, with a depleted city
treasury, several millions of certificates of indebtedness outstand-
ing, and the firemen and policemen unpaid. But he put money in
the treasury, and established the credit of the city on an excellent
financial basis by the redemption of its obligations, in which labor
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
345
he was ably assisted by the Finance Committee He refused a re-
election, because he was nominated as county treasurer by the- con-
vention of 1S77, and elected by some seven thousand majority in
the fall of that year, serving two years. During his administration,
he collected taxes to the amount of ninety-five per cent, of the
whole assessment — something that had not been done for a long
time. In the spring of 1877, he was appointed, by Governor Cul-
lom, park commissioner for West Chicago, and at the expiration of
his term, in March, 1S79, he was re-appointed. He served as park
commissioner for six years, and was twice president of the beard.
He resigned in August, 1S83, on account of the pressure of private
business, after a most successful administration. Mr. McCrea was
married, June 28, 1S56, to Miss Coralinn I. Johnson, daughter of
Daniel H. Johnson, of Cook County. The family came from
Grafton, Vt., where Mrs. McCrea was born. They have three
sons — Willey S.. Charles M. and Samuel H., Jr. At the present
time (1SS5) Mr. McCrea is the head of the firm "of S. H. McCrea &
Co., and controls a large receiving business over the western exten-
sion of the road where he began business over a quarter of a cen-
tury ago. In 1SS4, he went with his family to Europe, to enjoy
his first surcease from the cares of business since he took them
up as a poor boy, in Canada, forty years ago.
Albert Morse was born in Middlesex County, Mass., Jan-
uary, 1S31, and was educated in that locality, where he engaged in
mercantile pursuits until the spring of 1S54, at which time he came
to Chicago, and was employed in merchandising until 1S56. In
January of that year he became a member of the Board, and com-
menced business under the firm name of Morse & Co., Silas Wil-
lard being his partner. In 1S5S, the firm was dissolved, and Mr.
Morse became a partner in the firm of How, Eckley & Co. The
firm continued until 1S60, when its style was changed to Albert
Morse & Co. In the fall of 1S69. the firm name was again changed
to Morse, Ward & Co. They do a large business as receivers and
shippers, and rank as one of the leading and solid commission
firms on 'Change. Mr. Morse was a member of the Committee of
Arbitration in 1S63, served one term on the Committee of Appeals,
and, in 1865-66, was a member of the Board of Directors.
James L. Ward, of the firm of Morse, Ward & Co., was
born at Tremont, Tazewell Co., 111., August 14, 1841. His father
was one of the earliest settlers of that county. He received his
education in the common schools near his place of birth, came to
Chicago in March, 1857, and entered the employ of the warehous-
ing firm of Flint, Thompson & Co., where he remained twelve
years, during a part of his term of service being their chief clerk.
In the fall of 1S69, he became a member of his present firm.
Zenophile P. Brosseau was born at LaPrairie, near Montreal,
Canada, October, 1S40, and there received his early education. At
the age of fifteen he went to Malone, Franklin Co., N. V., where
he was employed in mercantile pursuits. In 1S60, he came to Chi-
cago, and for a few months was employed in the dry goods business.
In September, 1S61, he became a member of the Board of Trade,
and at that time entered the employ of McDonald & Winslow,
commission merchants. About two years later Mr. Winslow died,
and Mr. Brosseau carried on the business for a few months in com-
pany with Mr. McDonald. He then embarked in business alone.
In the great fire, both his home and office were destroyed, at a loss
of $30,000, although insured for $25,000. In 1881 he admitted
W. S. Booth, and the style was then, for three years, Brosseau,
Booth & Co., since which period Mr. Brosseau has done business
under the name of Brosseau & Co. He ranks among the oldest
members of the Board, and has never been known to fail to meet
his obligations, besides being widely and favorably known to the
trade. He is an enterprising man, and by his energy and expe-
rience has built up a large and successful business, which is strictly
commission. He takes an active part in several of the charitable
institutions of the city, and has for twenty-four years been a mem-
ber of, and active worker in, the Cathedral of the Holy Name.
I. P. Wallace was born in New Hampshire, in 1S25, and
came to Chicago in June, 1859. He entered into business in the
grain and general commission trade, with E. L. Pomeroy, James
B. Peabody and John G. Law, at different times, under the firm
name of I. P. Wallace & Co., and with George A. Wheeler under
the firm name of Wheeler, Wallace & Co. He is at present con-
nected with the house of David Dows & Co., one of the largest
commission and forwarding houses in the world ; and his connec-
tion therewith is sufficient testimony to his business talent and
integrity.
Charles L. Raymond was born on June 6, 1840, in Boston,
Mass., and was educated at that city and at Cambridge, coming to
Chicago when he was twenty-one years old. He immediately went to
work for R. M, & O. S. Hough as bookkeeper, and remained in
that position until 1S65, when he was admitted as a partner under
the firm name of R. M. & O. S. Hough & Co. In 1S67, the firm
name was changed to Jones. Hough & Co. (Daniel A. Jones), and
in 1870 the name was again changed to Jones & Raymond, which
is still in existence. Mr. Raymond became a member of the Board
of Trade in 1863, and has been secretary and treasurer of the
Chamber of Commerce Association since 1864, and was superin-
tendent of the building after the fire. Mr. Raymond was married
in 1S69, to Miss Florenne Merriam, of Greenfield, Mass., and has
the following children: Jessie Alvord, Edward Franklin, Charles
Merriam, Abbie Fisk and John Dwight. He is a member of the
Chicago and Calumet Clubs; and during his long association with
the Board has become noted for the strict integrity of his transac-
tions, his scrupulous fidelity to the trusts reposed in him, and his
exactitude in the performance of his contracts. He is a model busi-
ness man, a firm friend, a kindly host and an indulgent husband
and father.
Ransom W. Dunham was born at Savoy, Berkshire Co.,
Mass, March 21, 183S. His early education was received at the
common school, and his later education at the high school at Spring-
field, Mass. From August, 1855, to August, i860, he was engaged
in the office of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company,
in the meantime removing from Springfield to Chicago, April 1,
1857. Since i860, he has been a grain and provision commission
merchant and on December 2, 1S71, he became a member of the
firm of William Young & Co. In 1S65, he joined the Board of
Trade and was one of the Board of Directors for three years : was
second vice-president in 1880, first vice-president in iSSi.and was
president in 18S2 Mr. Dunham was elected to the F'orty-eighth
Congress as a Republican in 18S2, by a majority of over one thou-
sand over John W. Doane, Democratic candidate for the same posi-
tion, and was re-elected in 1884.
Raising of Troops — At a meeting held July 18,
1862, the first direct move was made by the Board to
have its membership personally represented on the field.
The following communication marks the beginning:
We the undersigned members, request you to call, at an early
day, a general meeting of the members of this Board, to pledge our-
selves to use our influence and money to recruit and support a bat-
tery, to be known as the Board-of-Trade Battery.
M. C. Stearns, C. H. Walker, Jr., William Sturges,
I. Y. Munn, Flint & Thompson, E. Aiken,
G. L. Scott, George Steel, E. G. Wolcott,
T. J. Bronson.
A special meeting was called for the next Monday.
The meeting was one of the most enthusiastic held dur-
ing the war period. Resolutions were passed, pledging
the Board to immediately recruit and tender to the
Government a company of mounted artillery, to be
called the Board-of-Trade Battery, to serve three years
unless sooner discharged; and $10,000 were appropriated
for the raising and equipment of recruits, which sum
was to be raised so far as possible by voluntary sub-
scriptions, the deficiency, if any should appear at the
end of one week, to be made up by levying an assess-
ment of $10 on each member who had not subscribed
that amount or more. A bounty of $60 was to be paid
to each recruit, in addition to any which might be paid
by the Government. The members also pledged them-
selves that, should any of their employes join the bat-
tery, on their return they should be re-instated in the
places they had left. It was resolved that the names of
all members refusing to pay the war tax of $10 should
be posted in a conspicuous place during the continuance
of the war, with the proviso that the directors be per-
mitted to exempt from such posting the name of any
member who should make it appear to the directors that
he was absolutely unable to pay such tax without injury
to his family.
Following the passage of the resolutions, $5,121 were
subscribed. A muster-roll was placed on the table and
signed by nine young men. The names of the first re-
cruits were: S. H. Stevens, S. C. Stevens, J. W. Bloom,
Calvin Durand, Jr., Valentine Steele, George B. Chand-
ler, A. F. Baxter, H. J. Baxter and J. A. Howard.
The meeting adjourned, to meet every night until
the battery should be raised.*
*Detailed accounts of the Board-of-Trade Battery and the three Board-of-
Trade regiments subsequently raised, with a history of their brilliant ;
the field, appear in the Military History, in this volume.
346
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Rooms, \
■ 23, 1S62. J
At the noon session of the following day. a committee
ipointed to disburse the war fund of the Board,
consisting of the following members: J. L. Hancock, H.
W. Hinsdale. E. H. Walker. George Armour, and S. H.
Stevens. The fund before the close of the session had
increased to (11,125. At the evening meeting, it was
still further increased to $11,550, and the roll of recruits
numbered sixty-three names. At the noon session of
Wednesday the third day after the work was begun:,
the fund was swelled to $15,210 and one hundred and
six new names were added to the muster-roll.
The Board of Trade rooms were again filled to over-
flowing in the evening. The meeting was called to
order by J. L. Hancock, who announced that the Board-
of-Trade Battery was full, and that measures had been
taken to insure its immediate acceptance by Govern-
ment. He read to the enthusiastic assembly the follow-
ing dispatch which had been sent to President Lincoln
by the committee:
Board of Trade R(
Chicago, July :
Abraham LINCOLN, President of tie United States:
The Board of Trade of this city have, within the last forty-
eight hours, raised S15.000 bounty money, and have recruited a
full company of artillery. Will they be accepted, and will orders
be given at once for the subsistence, arms, uniforms, etc.? We are
trying to raise a regiment of infantrv to support the battery.
Following the applause which greeted the reading of
the dispatch, Mr. Walker offered the following resolu-
tion :
" Resolved, That the Board of Trade be requested to recruit a
company of Infantry, and that we guarantee to each member en-
listed a bounty, either from the county fund or our own, of sixty
dollars."
The resolution was carried unanimously, and on the
announcement that the committee of the Board of Su-
pervisors had agreed to appropriate, $200,000, the
resolution was amended to read " regiment," instead of
" company."
Isaac Williams, who, it was announced, had already
raised forty men, and would soon have his company full,
tendered it as the first company of the regiment. The
offer was unanimously accepted.
The Young Men's Christian Association was invited
to co-operate with the Board in raising the regiment.
At a subsequent stage of the proceedings, the Associa-
tion returned answer, through a committee consisting
of J. C. Wright and J. V. Farwell, that the invitation
was accepted, and it would pledge itself to furnish five
companies. At this juncture, some rash individual
braved the prevailing sentiment by ejaculating, " Hum-
bug extraordinary." The intruder, amidst cries of
" Put him out," " Hang him," etc., was seized, lifted
along over the heads of the crowd, hurried down the
stairs and deposited in the street. Patriotic fervor,
at this period, had control of the entire membership.
Prior to the tender of five companies by the Young
Men's Christian Association, George I. Robinson had
tendered a company, which had been accepted. His
was t ompany offered.
A committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions
to the Board of Trade war fund from citizens. Dur-
ing the evening, §2,000 were added to the fund, mak-
ing a totai amount of §17,090 raised in three days.
The meeting adjourned with its enthusiasm at white
heat. From that time there was no abatement of ardor
or labor until the crisis passed. Trade- went on, but it
was so overrun, for the time, by the warlike spirit which
had centered in the Board, asto move only as an under-
current. The rooms of the Board became the grand
recruiting rendezvous, and its committee the most effi-
cient executive agency, in the exigency which the for-
tunes of war had forced upon all. Each noon session
resolved itself into a war meeting, and each evening
saw the rooms lighted and open for the enrollment of
soldiers, for the dispatching of business pertaining to
the work in hand, for reports of progress, or for con-
sultation with committees of the Mercantile Association,
the Young Men's Christian Association, and other or-
ganizations, which, inspired with a like zeal, were work-
ing with the Board to the same patriotic end. A " Home
Guard " was organized, of members not liable to mili-
tary duty. It would be impossible to give even meagre
reports of the numerous meetings that followed.
On Thursday evening, July 24, the war-fund was
§20,675 ; on Friday noon, §21,285 ; and at the close of
the evening meeting of the same day, §28,190. The
subscriptions on Saturday swelled the amount to
$33>67 1. On AVednesday, July 29, the war committee
of the Board was increased by the addition of two mem-
bers from the Mercantile Association, one from the
Young Men's Christian Association, and one from the
Union Defense Committee. Thereafter, the work of
these associations, and that of the Board of Trade, was
more co-operative than before. It was at this time de-
cided to raise a brigade of three regiments, to be
recruited under the auspices of the Board and these
associations, all of which should share equally in the
benefits of the war-fund. The amount of the war fund
at the last named date, was §39,170 ; the following day
it was increased to $41,565 ; and on Friday, to
§43,979. Before the work was finished, it amounted to
over §55,000.
Board-of-Trade Regiments. — The attempt was
made to raise what the Board of Trade and its allied
associations were pleased to term, " a brigade of three
regiments." The three regiments were raised and mus-
tered into service, although never forming a brigade, or
serving in the same brigade during the term of their
service. They were known at home as the Board-of-
Trade regiments, and were mustered into service as the
7 2d, 88th. and 113th Illinois Infantry Volunteers.
The 72d was mustered into the service of the United
States, August 23, just one month from the time re-
cruiting began, leaving the same day for Cairo. Its
strength was thirty-seven officers and nine hundred and
thirty men. The 88th was mustered in on September
4, and immediately dispatched to Louisville, Ky. The
113th was mustered in early in November, and left for
Memphis, Tenn., on the 6th of that month. The work
of raising the regiments was thus completed, and the
three regiments placed in the field in seventy days from
the time it was begun.
On August 1, the Board-of Trade Battery was
mustered into the service of the United States, afte*
which they marched to the Board of Trade rooms,
where they were formally received, and listened to
patriotic speeches from J. L. Hancock, J. C. Wright
and others. The battery, numbering one hundred and
fifty-six men, went into camp that afternoon, where
they were paid their bounty by the Board of Trade
committee, and their glorious war record was begun.
Still-Hunt for Traitors. — Early in August, the
Board of Trade varied the monotony of raising funds
and recruiting soldiers by instituting a "still-hunt"
after traitors. It had been rumored that Colonel
Tucker, the commandant at Camp Douglas, knew of
many dangerous but secret sympathizers with the
South, who were residents of Chicago. A committee
was appointed to investigate the matter and report.
THE ROARD OF TRADE.
347
The result of their labors proved unsatisfactory to all
but the obnoxious persons in covert, if any such there
were. The committee reported as follows :
Your committee, appointed to visit Camp Douglas and ask
Colonel Tucker for the names of citizens supposed to be rebels or
sympathizers with rebels ( which information it was understood he
could give), have attended to that duty, and beg leave to report, that,
after a long interview with Colonel Tucker, we have not been able
to obtain any information that is tangible enough to work upon.
Colonel Tucker informs us that he has no information criminating
individuals, but has no doubt that there are citizens of our city
who are hovering around Camp Douglas with a view of assisting
the prisoners to escape, or otherwise to aid them. Still, he (in his
opinion) has not evidence enough to take the responsibility of
causing their arrest, or of furnishing their names to your com-
mittee. Julian S. Rumsey.
I. Y. jMunn.
M. C. Stearns.
Arrival of the "Sleipner." — Direct trade be-
tween Norwegian ports and Chicago was first opened
by the arrival of the little brig "Sleipner," direct from
the Norwegian port of Bergen, on Saturday evening,
August 2, 1862. The brig was under the command of
Captain Waage and his first mate Hardier. It was of
three hundred and fifty tons burden, and brought over
one hundred and fifty Swedish passengers and one
American, who was born on Lake Erie. The entire
passage from port to port was made, including a stop
of four days in Quebec, in seventy-one days. As a
part of her cargo she brought two hundred barrels of
herring, consigned to Swana & Synestvedt, then doing
business at No. 115 Kinzie Street. She was the first
European vessel which had ever reached this port direct,
with emigrants and consignments, and her arrival was
celebrated with considerable enthusiasm. On the
Tuesday following his arrival, Captain Waage was ten-
dered the hospitalities of the Board, at which time he
was presented with an address congratulating him on
being the first to inaugurate direct trade between Chi-
cago and Norway.
Internal Dissension. — During the terrible strug-
gles and reverses of 1862-63, even in the most loyal
parts of the North, there was a minority of citizens,
more or less strong, whom, if not in sympathy with
those in rebellion, took no pains to suppress their disap-
proval of the war itself, and lost no opportunity to con-
demn the manner in which it was prosecuted, or to
throw distrust upon the efforts of those engaged in
the almost hopeless task of conquering the rebel-
lious States. 'This element of discontent and discour-
agement found nowhere in the North a more able, bold
and uncompromising exponent of its views than the
Chicago Times. It did not at that time seek that
popularity which comes from espousing the popular
side in the momentous issues then pending; but from
the virulent and defiant manner in which it opposed
the war, and the Administration which was carrying it
■on, seemed to court rather than fear the inevitable and
bitter hatred of all who espoused the popular cause.
It had its friends among the members of the Board of
Trade, but they were not sufficiently numerous or out-
spoken to be a controlling, or even obstructive, element
in the war policy which the Board had chosen to adopt,
and which it had so vigorously carried out. It was,
therefore, quite natural that the war element should
take offense at the continued derision and contempt
expressed by the Times for what was deemed the most
sacred work in which patriots could engage. Matters
came to a crisis on December 31, at which time the fol-
lowing resolutions were adopted :
"Whereas, The articles appearing almost daily in the Chi-
cago Times newspaper are calculated to give aid and comfort to
traitors engaged in a most unholy war upon the Covernment; and,
" Whereas, In publishing such matter as charging upon the
Administration — in its efforts to put down the Rebellion — the
'murder of the fathers, sons and brothers of ,the North,' as
well as almost every other crime in the category, said paper is
doing what lies in its power to create discord and dissension at
the North, leading to the loss of the Constitution and the ruin ..f
the Union ; and,
" Whereas, The said paper is in the practice of making the
most outrageous and uncalled-for attacks upon the private char-
acter and standing of our most respectable citizens, thereby caus-
ing it to be deserving of unmeasured reprobation ; Therefore,
" Resolved, By this Board of Trade, while disclaiming all
partisan feeling, and being actuated by no other motive than the
public welfare and the fair fame of our city, that the Chicago
Times is unworthy of countenance or support, and that the
directors are hereby requested to exclude it from the reading-
room of the Board.
" Resolved, That this Board knows of no objection to the com-
mercial editor of the Chicago Times, personally, but inasmuch as
his presence on 'Change, to a certain extent, tolerates the paper,
he is hereby excluded from the rooms, as a reporter for said
paper."
In answer to this expression of feeling on the part
of the Board, the Times charged that the resolutions
were introduced clandestinely and forced hastily
through, after a majority of the members had left
'Change, and that they did not fairly represent the
sentiments of a majority of the members of the Roard.
At twelve o'clock of the noon session of the Saturday
following, the matter was again brought up. N. K.
Fairbank, the original mover of the resolutions, arose
and stated that, inasmuch as the Times had charged
that the resolutions had been introduced clandestinely
and smuggled through by fraud, as there was a full
representation of the membership of the Board now
present, he desired to have another expression, about
which there could be no doubt. He therefore moved a
reconsideration of the vote by which the resolutions
were adopted. The motion was seconded, and a
motion to lay upon the table the motion to reconsider,
having been voted down, the original resolutions passed
by an overwhelming vote. For a time this action of
the Board engendered not a little dissension among the
members, it being viewed by not only the friends of the
Times, but others, as a species of persecution on polit-
ical as well as patriotic grounds, which was entirely
foreign and antagonistic to the legitimate objects of
the association. The most earnest protesters took
measures for the organization of a new Board, where
politics should not obtrude, nor persecution for opin-
ion's sake be possible. A room was engaged and a
charter obtained, under which a primary organization
was effected. Better counsels, however, prevailed, and
the old Board suffered no material damage from the
temporary disaffection; on the contrary, as will appear,
the charter then obtained became the organic act under
which the Board was afterward enabled to provide itself
with a permanent location and rooms more adequate to
its growing needs than, under the restrictions of its own
charter, would have been possible.
Miscellaneous War Work. — From January 1,
1863, to the close of the fiscal year, war matters did
not so largely engross the attention of the Roard. One
war meeting was, however, held, which is deemed worthy
of mention, as showing how the Roard cared for its
soldiers after they took the field. It was held Satur-
day evening, February 21, at which time J. L. Ham nek,
chairman of the War Fund Committee, presented an
elaborate report of the moneys and goods received and
disbursed for war purposes, since the committee was
first called to act. Following is a summary of its labors,
as then presented :
The total receipts up to February 14, were $50,375.38 ; total
343
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
disbursements up to the same date, $2g,Sio.4i ; balance on hand,
-- 5 4-97-
The items of expenditure were : Paid to one hundred and
ninety families of soldiers of the Board-of-Trade Battery and
regiments. $5,292 ; paid bounty to members of the battery, $9,360;
advanced on allotments to families, $797; sent goods, exclusive of
money and goods raised by contributions on 'Change, $4,52046;
paid for recruiting, $2,415.62. Total expenditures up to October
15. [S62, $22,601.48. Disbursements from October 15 to Feb-
ruary 14. 1S03, $7,208.93. Total disbursements, S29.S10.41.
The report was approved; following which a resolu-
tion, offered bv Murry Nelson, was adopted, authorizing
the committee to offer bounties to recruits for the bat-
tery and the 88th Infantry, which had been decimated
by sickness and by their participation in the recent
bloody battle of Stone River.
Reports were read from the various visiting com-
mittees which had been sent to visit the battery and
regiments.
January 4, G. H. Weeks was sent with packages of
goods and supplies to the battery, then at Bowling
Green, and the SSth, then at Nashville. On the 24th, E.
B. Stevens visited these two organizations, and distrib-
uted large amounts of goods, clothing and supplies for
the sick and wounded, made up by the Ladies' War
Committee, under the supervision of the Board. Med-
icines, stores and rubber blankets were sent to them by
T. Maple. Immediately after the battle of Murfrees-
boro', Mrs. E. O. Hosmer and Mrs. Smith Tinkham
were sent to the hospitals at Nashville and Murfreesboro'
by the Board. They were accompanied by Mr. Adams
and others. W. H. Hoyt was sent with supplies to the
72d, at Memphis, and to the 113th, at Vicksburg.
Among the supplies distributed by Mr. Hoyt, were five
hundred rubber blankets to each regiment.
Soon after this meeting, the attention of the Board
was called to the condition of the Board-of-Trade regi-
ments, then in the field, by Ira Y. Munn, who had re-
cently visited them. He detailed, in a graphic and
most affecting manner, their sufferings from privation,
and told of the sickness then prevailingamong the boys,
more especially those of the 113th, at Vicksburg. His
stirring appeal aroused the sympathies of the Board, and
resulted in the raising of a special fund for their benefit,
independent of the war fund — the work being put into
the hands of a separate committee, leaving them free to
disburse what might be given, without any of the re-
strictions that governed the disbursement of the war
fund, which was in a manner pledged to the continuous
work of supporting soldiers' families, and was not, there-
fore, available for the many urgent calls from the soldiers
in the field. The new movement was started at once, by
the appointment of the Board of Trade Relief Commit-
tee, Murry Nelson, chairman; and $1,000 were subscribed
on the spot. Circulars were distributed throughout the
city and State, calling for donations of fruits and vege-
tables, then much needed, as well as money. Mr. Nel-
son's store became a depot of supplies, to which the
numerous donations were sent, and from which they
were forwarded, as fast as received, to the suffering sol-
diers at the front. Mr. Nelson, on March 27, one
month after the movement was begun, reported as al-
ready received, from Chicago and all parts of the State,
$3,080 in money, and nearly as much more in value,
consisting of vegetables, clothing and sanitary stores.
The labor of this new war agency was continuous there-
after.
Death of Secretary Catlin. — On Sunday, January 18,
•h Catlin, the secretary of the Board, died, after a linger-
ing illness of several months. He had been the statistician of the
Board from the institution 01' its system of publishing annual sta-
tistical reports up to the time of his death, and had won high rank
in his profession, by the fullness and accuracy of his work. Mr.
Catlin was among the earliest settlers in Chicago, arriving in 1836.
After being in business some time, with Houghteling & Shepherd,
in this city, he took charge of their business at LaSalle, where he
was agent for their line of boats, and managed all their financial
affairs at that place. After his return to Chicago, he filled several
positions of trust in leading banking and commercial houses, until
he was elected secretary of the Board of Trade. He inaugurated
the popular system of keeping their books and the publication of
their model Annual Review. Mr. Catlin was a native of Massa-
chusetts, and fifty years of age at the time of his demise.
His death was announced on 'Change, which had
been the scene of his faithful and unassuming labors for
so many years, on the Monday following, at which time
the appreciation and affectionate remembrance in which
he was held by the members of the Board was publicly
expressed in appropriate resolutions. The Board also
erected a handsome monument over the deceased secre-
tary's final resting-place, at Rosehill.
February 26, John F. Beaty was elected secretary,
to fill the vacancy occasioned by Mr. Catlin's death.
The Chicago Mercantile Association. — During
the latter portion of i860, the business men of Chicago
became convinced that something must be done at once
to purify the commercial atmosphere of the community,
and especially to establish the currency upon a sound
basis. Organization naturally followed, the first de-
cided step in that direction being the appearance of
a call on the 1st of December of that year, signed by
one hundred and fifty of the leading merchants and
firms representing the great commercial interests of the
city. A short time thereafter, a meeting was held to
get an expression of sentiment relative to the banking
laws of the State. The Supreme Court had lately de-
cided that the Legislature had the right to amend the
law, and this enthusiastic meeting, held on December 7,
was designed to influence the action of that body, which
was soon to assemble. Before the end of the month
the Mercantile Association had been formed, with the
following organization: President, G. C. Cook; Vice-
Presidents, Fred Tuttle, W. E. Doggett, C. L. Harmon
and J. V. Farwell; Secretary, Merrill Ladd; Treasurer,
H. W. Hinsdale; Executive Committee, C. G. Wicker,
J. V. Farwell, Nelson Tuttle, E. Hempstead, Clinton
Briggs, H. A. Hurlbut and H. W. King. This body,
when the War of the Rebellion fairly opened, co-oper-
ated with the Board of Trade in all patriotic objects,
and a committee was appointed from these two bodies,
the Young Men's Christian Association and the Union
Defense Committee, to raise a regiment. The muster-
rolls were opened August 5, and in about three weeks
one hundred and fifty-six had joined the company. The
leading subscriber for the association was William E.
Doggett, and the company was at first named the
" Doggett Guards." In the meantime, however, it had
been ascertained that the War Department was willing
to furnish union repeating guns, and consequently the
organization went into Camp Douglas as the Doggett
Guard Battery, and afterward was best known as the
Mercantile Battery; On August 26, the officers were
elected, with Charles G. Cooley as captain, and on the
8th of November the battery left Chicago, as fine a
military company as was ever raised in this city. Its
subsequent brilliant career is traced in the war history.
Currencv and oi'her Reforms. — But the Asso-
ciation firmly held to its original purpose of " cor-
recting" the currency, and even taking up such other
unsavory subjects as the "condition of the Chicago
River." Mr. Doggett succeeded Mr. Cook as presi-
dent, in 1862, but the secretary and the treasurer
remained the same. In January, 1863, the election
resulted in the choice of J. V. Farwell for president.
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
349
Principally through the persistent exertions of the
Mercantile Association and the Board of Trade, which
crystallized the public sentiment of the city and State,
the obnoxious ''wild-cat" currency was driven from
Illinois. The ship canal and public measures, generally,
were vigorously and ably supported. John Tyrell
succeeded Mr. Farwell as president, in January, 1864,
and the next month the Association opened its new and
spacious rooms in the third story of Dickey's building,
opposite the Tremont House. Under President Tyr-
ell's administration, the war against the "stump-tail,"
"wild-cat " currency was continued with renewed vigor.
In April, 1864, the merchants of Chicago held a great
meeting, formally adopting greenbacks as the standard
currency, and calling upon the bankers to do the same.
A month later, although decided opposition was mani-
fested, a majority of the money-changers adopted
United States and National bank notes as legal tender.
Thus it was that the continued efforts of the Association
at last bore fruit. Edwin Burnham became its presi-
dent, in 1865, and Henry W. King in 1866. Mr. King
served nearly two years. The Association gradually
declined, and finally ceased to hold meetings.
The Ship Canal Project. — The subject of enlarg-
ing the Illinois and Michigan Canal sufficiently, in
connection with a proposed enlargement of the Cana-
dian canals, to make a continuous waterway for the
largest lake craft, via the St. Lawrence River, from the
upper Mississippi to the Atlantic, began to be discussed
early in November. The commercial value of such
means of communication to the Northwest, and espe-
cially to Chicago as the lake terminus, could not be
overestimated. Its advantages to the Nation in quel-
ling domestic insurrection was most forcibly brought to
notice, and the need of it made most painfully appar-
ent by the war in which the country was then engaged. It
was believed that the time was propitious for influencing
Congress to undertake the work, both as a war measure
and as an internal improvement for the advancement of
the commercial interests of the great Northwest for all
time to come. On November 15, a committee was
appointed, consisting of eight members, five of whom
represented the Board of Trade, the remaining three
being members of the Mercantile Association. It was
composed as follows : Board of Trade, George Steel,
George Armour, M. C. Stearns, W. D. Houghteling,
and Ira Y. Munn ; Mercantile Association, Nelson
Tuttle, A. Benedict, and John Tyrell. The joint com-
mittee commenced its work at once by sending a strong
delegation to Washington to urge the favorable consid-
eration of the project upon members of Congress, and,
if possible, secure the passage of a bill providing for
the immediate prosecution of the work as a National
undertaking. Owing to the diverse interests and per-
haps local jealousies existing among the representatives
of the various States, it was found impossible to get
Congress to favor the project; and the commission
returned to Chicago, crestfallen but not discouraged,
to report the failure of their mission.
February 24, 1863, a large meeting of the business
men of Chicago assembled at Metropolitan Hall, at
which the joint committee made a most elaborate and
able report and speeches were made by Colonel Foster,
a member of the Washington delegation, and others.
The committee submitted with the report, a series of
resolutions embodying in proper form for action of the
meeting the recommendations contained therein, which,
after a season of effective speech-making, were adopted
by acclamation.
The labors of the delegation sent to Washington
did not prove futile. Though they failed in their pri-
mary object, they succeeded in enlisting the warmest
interest of many influential members, who, on March 2,
issued at Washington a call for a mass convention of
citizens from all the Northern States, to convene in
Chicago on the first Tuesday of the following June,
and inviting the co-operation and aid of all the Boards
of Trade, agricultural societies, and business associa-
tions of the country. The call was signed by Hon.
Edward Bates, attorney-general of the United States,
fourteen members of the United States Senate and
seventy-eight members of the House of Represent-
atives.
Discipline. — The immense volume of trade, and
numerous intricacies of the transactions involved, occa-
sionally developed cases of unmercantile conduct, dis-
honesty, or sharp practice, which were calculated to
bring disrepute upon the Board. Under the then ex-
isting rules, it was necessary to bring complaints before
the full Board for a hearing ; and on the question of
expulsion of any offending member, it was difficult, on
evidence such as could be presented, to get a vote
sufficiently large to expel.
On March 27, two complaints were brought before
the Board. The first alleged that the member named
in the complaint, had attempted to insure a vessel after
he had received positive information that the said vessel
was lost. The plea set up in defense was that the
application to the underwriters was only intended as a
joke. In this case, the motion to expel the offending
member was carried. The second complaint was against
a leading firm, who, having suspicions that some grain
delivered to them by a broker was the property of a
dealer then owing them, gave a check for the grain in
order to get it into their possession, and immediately
after stopped payment on the check, in order to collect
the debt. The broker appeared as the complainant,
claiming that he had been defrauded of his property by
this sharp practice. In this case, the motion for expul-
sion was not sustained. At the close of the proceed-
ings, an amendment to the by-laws, which brought all
complaints for breach of contract under the jurisdiction
of the directors was offered, with the understanding that
it should lay over until the annual meeting.
Some of the firms and individuals who became
members of the Board, about this time are herewith
presented.
Blackman Bros, are commission and brokerage merchants,
and among the oldest and most prominent members of the Board.
They do an extensive business, reaching all over the Northwest,
amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. The firm
consists of three brothers, Carlos H., Willis L., and Chester S.,
natives of Chittenden County, Vermont. Their father moved
West in 1857, and settled at' Marengo, 111., and two years later
moved to Harvard, 111., where he engaged in mercantile business.
Carlos H. Blackmail was born in 1S41, and received the prin-
cipal part of his education in Vermont, completing it after coming
to Illinois. He remained at home, assisting his father in the store,
until twenty-two years of age. He came to Chicago in 1S63, and
entered the commission business, becoming a member of the firm
of Linsley, Hanchett & Co. Two years later the firm changed,
and was known by the name and style of Linsley, Blackman & Co.,
which existed until 1S69, when the firm of Blackman Bros, was
formed. Mr. Blackman became a member of the Board of Trade
in 1863. He has been a member of the Committees of Arbitration
and Appeals, and was a member of the Board of Directors one term.
He is also a member of the Chicago Stock Exchange. He was
married in 186S, to Miss Flora Littlefield, of Rockford, 111.
Willis L. Blackmail was born in 1S45, and received his edu-
cation in the public schools of Marengo and Harvard, 111., and
spent his earlv days, and received his business training, in his
father's store. In 1865, he came to this city, associated himself
with his brother in the commission business, and became a member
of the Board the same year. He was married in this city, in 1869,
to Miss Carrie Linsley. They have three children.
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Chester S. BLnkman, the junior member of the firm, was
born in 1S4J. His early days were spent at home, in school, and
assisting his father in his store. In 1S70, when twenty-two years
of age. "he came to Chicago, ami entered his brother's commission
and one year later became a member of the firm, also a
member of the Board of Trade the same year. He was married to
Miss Jennie Diggins, of Harvard, 111., in 1S77.
A: FXAMiEK Bell, foreign commission merchant and dealer
in flour, oatmeal and provisions, is of a mingled Scotch and En-
glish descent, and has marked characteristics of these races in his
sturdy phvsique. On the father's side he is descended from the
Scotch covenanters, who fled from Scotland to escape persecution
in the reign of Charles II.. and took refuge in the north of Ireland.
His great" grandfather was the Thomas Bell mentioned in the ency-
clopaedias as among those liberty-loving seceders from the established
kirk, who left Avrshire, Scotland, and settled in Belfast, Ireland.
On his mother's side, he comes from that Savers family who were
famous in Northumberland, North of England, for their physical
size and prowess. The family moved to Belfast about the same
time that the Bells came from Scotland, and they became intimate
and fast friends, their children intermarrying. Clement Bell — the
father of Alexander — was a butter and provision merchant in Bel-
fast for forty years, bringing up his son to the business. Alexan-
der was born in Belfast on February 2S, 1822, and came to America
in 1 547. He first settled in Cincinnati, where he packed pork for
three vears; but after moving to Racine, Wis., in March, TS50, he
went into the soap and candle business. Afterward he added the
manufacture of potash, pearlash and saleratus| but, business in
that line declining, he began again, in 1S60, to pack pork. In this
he succeeded and moved to Chicago in 1S62, to enlarge his busi-
ness facilities. Henry Milward, a Chicago broker, became a
silent partner, and they did business for one year on Archer Road
as Alexander Bell & Co. In 1863, he built a packing-house on
Archer Road and Wallace Street, which he sold, in 1864, to B. T.
Murphey & Co. In the fall of that year he began to supply Wis-
consin flouring mills with wheat, buying back their flour at a fixed
price; which business he continued for two seasons only. In the
meantime he had built another pork-packing house on Quarry
Street and the Chicago & Alton Railroad, where he packed the
pork crop of that year. He subsequently rented his establishment,
and, in 1876, established his lines of foreign commission in Eng-
land, Ireland and Scotland; and has done a fairly prosperous
business to date. He is particularly fortunate in being able to send
to Ireland and Scotland large shipments of a very superior quality
of oatmeal, so largely consumed in those countries This is manu-
factured expressly for his trade in Iowa, and is fully equal, if not
superior, to the best foreign makes. While living at Cincinnati,
on November 13, 1849, Mr. Bell was married to Miss Jane Ireland.
They have three daughters and two sons, Clement and John. Mr.
Bell is a member of the Fifth Presbyterian Church of this city.
He has never taken part in American politics, and has never been
naturalized; yet, during the war, he stood his chances in three
drafts without a murmur of protest.
ANDREW J. Hoagland was born in Hunterdon County, N.
J., in 1831, and spent his early years on a farm. At fifteen years
of age he became employed in a general store at Flemington, in
the same county, and for eighteen months previous to coming West
was employed in mercantile pursuits in the city of New York. He
came to Chicago August 5, 1850, and entered the employ of R. D.
Jones & Son, dry goods merchants, with whom he remained seven
years. In 1857, he became a member of the Board of Trade, and,
■•mbarked in the provision business, on South Water Street,
buying his meats in St. Louis. In 1S62, he closed out his store,
and engaged exclusively in the commission provision trade. He
built up a large business during the war, and, from 1866 to 1868,
did an immense trade in flour as a commission merchant and for-
warder. He subsequently gave up the flour business, and confined
himself entirely to the provision and grain commission trade. On
I [871, he became associated with A. E. Clarke, under
the firm name of Hoagland & Clarke. The firm did a large and
1 business up to October, 1883, when it was succeeded by
S liil! (J. G. Hill). This firm continues to do a very
large shipping and commission business. He was for twenty-one
years treasurer of the Second Universalist Church (Church of the
• r), and has ever been one of its staunchest and most con-
sistent m
III . . '■'. . RoGl ! , If., tli'- son of Dr. G. A. Rogers, was
born in Bath, Steuben Co., N. V., March 27. 1832 At the age
of twelve years, he went to reside with an uncle in Buffalo. There
he spent the years of his youth and early manhood, received his
school education, and learned most thoroughly the principles and
executive details of mercantile business. For thirteen years he was
engaged in the ship chandlery business, and, in 1800, emigrated to
the West, first settling in Clinton, Iowa, engaging in mercantile
business with his father. He came to Chicago April 17, 1863,
became a member of the E if 1 rade soon after his arrival, and
established himself in the commission trade, under the firm name
of H. W. Rogers, Jr. & Co., his partner being P. B. Weare. Un-
der this firm name he conducted business for some years, subse-
quently forming a copartnership with his brother, James C, when
the name was changed to H. W. Rogers, Jr. & Brother, which has
continued to the present time. Mr. Rogers has been an active and
valuable member of the Board since he became identified with its
work. He has served on many important committees, among
which was the Committee of Arbitration, and has held nearly every
office of honor or trust within its gift. He was first a director; second
vice-president in 1879; first vice-president in 1S80; and president,
iniSSl. During his administration, the project of building the
new Chamber of Commerce was brought into the practical shape
that has resulted in the present magnificent structure. He was a
member of the committee which performed the first efficient work
toward its erection, selecting and securing the site on which the
edifice is built, and adopting the plans and methods for the build-
ing. He was, by virtue of his office as president, the first chairman
of the real estate managers. As a citizen, he has been accorded a
high rank, as is evinced from the fact that he is a member of the
Executive Committee of the Citizen's League, and was, in the
summer of 1883, appointed a director of the Chicago Public
Library. The mere enumeration of the positions held by any
true American citizen gives but faint hints of the sterling worth
which is evinced in the faithful performance of the duties devolving
upon them. These are known to their contemporaries, and go to
make up the true character; and on this true test of worth the sub-
ject of this sketch has built up a most enviable and lasting
reputation.
William E. McHenry was born in Westfield, Chautauqua
Co., N. Y., September 13, 1844, and came to the West with his
parents in 1849, who settled, in 1850, in Racine, Wis. There he
received his education and engaged in mercantile pursuits until
1863. at which time he came to Chicago, where he first entered the
employ of Wiley M. Egan. He subsequently was with C. B.
Goodyear eight years, being for three years a partner. In 1872, he
engaged in the grain commission trade alone, which business he
followed until 1877. In December, he entered into a co-partner-
ship with Charles G. Cooley, under the firm name of Cooley &
McHenry. The firm dissolved in 1878. Mr. McHenry continued
business alone until 1S81, when he became a member of the firm of
Preston & McHenry. This continued but a few months. Febru-
ary 1, 1882, he formed a business connection with F. P. Rush &
Co., under the firm name of McHenry, Rush & Co, February 1,
1883, he became a member of the present firm of McHenry &
Balding, his partner being Thomas E. Balding, formerly of Mil-
waukee, and the junior member of the firm of Charles Ray & Co.
Mr. McHenry has been a member of the Board of Trade of Chica-
go since 1863. He was a director in 1878-79-S0; second vice-
president in 1881; and first vice-president in 1S82. During his
term of membership, he has served on many important committees
and held many responsible positions not above enumerated. He
has been a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 38, A. F. & A. M.,
since 1875, and served as its Worshipful Master in 1877-79. He
is also a member of Washington Chapter, No. 43, R. A. M.;
Apollo Commandery, No. 1, K. T.; and of Oriental Consistory,
32s, S. P. R. S.
T. E. Balding was born in London, England, in 1837, came
to America and settled in Milwaukee in 1849, where he received his
education in the schools and business houses of that city. He en-
listed as a private in the war, and came out, after his full term of
service, as captain of his company and the rank of brevet major, be-
stowed for bravery and meritorious services in the field. He has
been an active member of the Milwaukee Board of Trade for
twenty years, and left his connection with one of the leading firms
of that city to join Mr. McHenry in their present business.
THE YEAR 1S63-64.
The fifteenth annual meeting was held April 6, 1863.
The membership was reported at nine hundred and sev-
enty-eight— an increase of fifty-four during the past
year. The officers elected were: John L. Hancock,
president; N. K. Fairbank and Charles Randolph, first
and second vice presidents.
The report of C. T. Wheeler, the retiring president,
gave the following summary of the fiscal affairs of the
organization: Total amount received into the treasury,
exclusive of the war fund, $33,836.37; total expendi-
tures, $31,832.03. In addition, the Board had collected
$5' ,3r,5-99. ancl paid out on orders of the war fund
committee, for war purposes, $36,566.12, leaving in the
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
35'
hands of the Board, subject to the order of the com-
mittee, $14,799.87. The president called attention to
the rapid growth of the association, which had already
outgrown the capacity of the rooms, and recommended
that the Board take steps to procure a suitable location,
and erect, during the coming year, a Board of Trade
building. He called the attention of the members to
the numerous charges which had been made against
members for sharp practice and dishonorable dealing,
and recommended the adoption of more stringent rules,
whereby, when charges of that nature had been proven
against a member, he might be expelled in a more sum-
mary manner than was possible under the existing
rules. He announced the annual dues from members,
for the ensuing year, to be fixed at ten dollars.
New Rule for Suspension. — In accordance with
the recommendation of the president, the amendment
in regard to the suspension of members, which had been
presented to the Board, on March 27, was taken up,
and, after due consideration, adopted. The amend-
ment reads as follows:
"Any member of the association making contracts, either
written or verbal, and failing to comply with the terms of such con-
tract, shall, upon representation of an aggrieved member to the
Board of Directors, accompanied with satisfactory evidence of the
facts, be suspended by them from all privileges of membership in
the association until such contract is equitably or satisfactorily
arranged and settled. And it shall be the duty of the Board of
Directors to cause to be publicly announced to the association,
the suspension or restoration of any member suspended under
this rule."
The War Record. — During the earlier months of
the year, the Board continued to perform the work of
aiding soldiers in the field and their families at
home, with the same munificence and promptness
which had characterized its work since the war
began. To sustain the country and aid her de-
fenders had been accepted as a duty to be per-
formed without question and without delay, for
months and years to come, if necessary.
On April 16, the death of Lieutenant J. S.
Ballard, or the Second Board-of-Trade Regiment
was announced. Appropriate eulogies were enun-
ciated and resolutions adopted. His funeral, which
was observed on the day following, was attended
by the members of the Board in a body.
On June 1, State Adjutant-General Allen C.
Fuller addressed the Board concerning the urgent
necessities of the Sanitary Commission, which, at
that time, was the great agency for the systematic
distribution of supplies to the sick and disabled
soldiers. General Fuller gave a clear account of
its plan of work, and of the vast field in which it
was engaged. He closed with a most eloquent
appeal for aid. The ordinary and sure response
of the Board was forthcoming. The association,
in its corporate capacity, gave $2,500, to which
sum the members added $5,560, by individual
subscriptions.
The death of Lieutenant - Colonel Joseph C.
Wright, of the First Board-of-Trade Regiment,
was announced on 'Change, July 6. He died
from a wound received in the arm at the attack
on Vicksburg, May 22. Fitting eulogies were pro-
nounced by his old friends, I. Y. Munn, Charles
Randolph and Murry Nelson, which brought tears to
many eyes. Resolutions of condolence and sympathy
were passed. Colonel Wright had been eloquent in
defense of his country from the first, and was among
the earliest to affirm the sincerity of his speech by
his acts. He took an active part in enlisting the regi-
ment of which he was afterward lieutenant-colonel.
He was pressed to accept the colonelcy, which he
firmly declined, for what he deemed patriotic reasons,
and through that distrust of his own abilities which
is so often found in exalted souls. He was well fitted
for the position he finally accepted by a thorough
training at the military school at Norwich, Vt. His
funeral was largely attended by members of the Board
and citizens generally; after which his remains were
borne, under military escort, to the railway depot, for
transportation to Oswego, N. Y., his former home.
On the day of the opening of the first Sanitary
Fair (q. v.), the business of the Board was suspended.
On October 18, President Lincoln issued another
call for three hundred thousand men, to be furnished
by volunteers, until January 5, 1864, on which date
drafting would commence in all districts where the
quota had not been filled. The quota of Chicago
under this new call was estimated at about three
thousand. To fill this requisition, without resort to
a draft, was the most arduous task that the necessities
of the war had yet imposed upon the citizens. It was
rendered peculiarly difficult, since the call came at a
time when laborers were scarce and found more profit-
able employment than at any season of the year
Soon after the call had been made, Adjutant-General
Fuller visited Chicago, and addressed the Board of
Trade in regard to the pressing necessities of the
country, and the importance, if possible, of furnishing
the quota of Chicago without resort to a draft. He an
nounced that permission would be given to responsible
parties to establish recruiting agencies and appoint
RANDOLPH
LOOKIM
IND CLARK STREET;
SOUTH.
recruiting agents. This intimation to the Board that
its services were required as a recruiting agency met a
ready response.
Recruiting Agency established. — On Novem-
ber 19, S. S. Green and Joseph C. Riddle were
appointed recruiting agents, and an office opened at
«»
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
No. 4 Clark Street. It was resolved, first to fill the
Board-of-Trade regiments, after which, the recruiting
should be continued until the quota of the city should
be filled. The Government bounties offered were as
follows : For new recruits, $3°- — $75 in advance, $50
the first pay day following two months after), and $50
every six months thereafter, until the full bounty should
be paid. A veteran nine-months man received
$402. payable in the same manner as that of the
raw recruit. In case of death, any unpaid install-
ment of the bounty was secured to the heirs of the
deceased. In addition to this, the Board added
special inducements to such as enlisted in the
Board-of-Trade organizations then in the field.
There was but little enthusiasm among the
people for many weeks after recruiting was begun,
and but few men were obtained. As the time ap-
pointed for the draft approached, anxiety at the
small number of recruits offering became intense.
It was plain that some vigorous methods were
needed on the parts of the county and city author-
ities as well as the citizens. Accordingly, mass
meetings were held each evening, from December
16 to 21; the first being held in Bryan Hall, and
those subsequent at the Board of Trade rooms.
Owing to the difficulties of obtaining a correct
enrollment, and efforts to obtain at Washington
an abatement of the State quota, the draft was
postponed until late in the spring, and the quota
was finally filled. The success was doubtless
more largely attributable to the well - directed
efforts of the members of the Board of Trade
than to any other single cause.
The Chamber of Commerce. — So rapid had
been the increase in membership that the rooms
which had been leased for ten years, and first
occupied in February, i860, had, in less than
two years from that date, become so crowded
as to necessitate an addition of forty feet on the
east end of the hall. In his annual report, January
1, 1862, Secretary Catlin congratulated the Board on
the commodious rooms, the enlarged dimensions being,
" including the secretary's office, grain inspector's
office, reading-room, sales room, etc., one hundred
and sixty feet long by about fifty feet wide." Early
in 1863 it became certain that the Board must obtain
larger rooms or restrict its membership, and the ques-
tion of a new hall began to be seriously discussed.
The Board first took action on the matter by the ap-
pointment of a building committee, which was to
consider and report some plan for building or other-
wise securing suitable rooms. The members of the
committee were X. K. Fairbank, Charles Randolph,
J. C. Dore, Julian S. Rumsey, Stephen Clary, W.
I). Hmghteling and C. T. Wheeler. The committee,
ultimately, May 21. reported an act for the organiza-
tion of the Hoard of Trade Building Association, with
a capital stock of §300,000 ; the building not to be
commenced until §100,000 had been subscribed.
The committee at the outset had believed it feasible
for the Board to effect a building organization under
its own charter, but, on further examination, found it
btful legality and of very questionable expedi-
ency. It therefore proposed that a joint-stock com-
pany be formed und< r the 1 darter of the Chamber of
Commerce of Chicago, the provisions of which were
fully adapted to the purposes of the Hoard. After dis-
cussion, the proposition was ace epted, and the subscrip-
tion books were immediately opened. Seventeen
subscriptions ach, were obtained before the
meeting adjourned, and the whole amount required was
subscribed by the members of the Board and the cor-
poration within the ten days following.
The Chamber of Commerce was incorporated by
act of the State Legislature, April 14, 1863, and had
effected an organization, although it had not assumed
any of the active functions authorized by the charter.
RUINS, CLARK AND RANDOLPH STREETS.
The incorporators were : John C. Hilton, T. J. S.
Flint, Charles H. Walker, Thomas Harless, Asa Dow,
Clinton Briggs, Henry Milward, Thomas B. Taylor, S.
M. Johnson, Hugh McLennan, M. C. Stearns, V. A.
Turpin, Hugh Adams, Hiram Wheeler, W. F. Cool-
baugh, Walter S. Gurnee, Marcus D. Oilman, Myron
H. Horton, Potter Palmer, William M. Ross, William
R. Arthur, John B. Turner, John F. Tracy, John V.
Ayer, David Kreigh, Horatio Reed, of the City of Chi-
cago; F. W. Leonard, John Mclntire, of Pekin ; J. M.
Rollins, of Quincy ; G. B. Stiles, of Dixon ; Tobias S.
Bradley, of Peoria ; N. H. Ridgely, of Springfield ; and
George Woodruff, of Joliet.
It had authority to conduct commercial affairs, the
powers conferred being similar to those granted in the
charter of the Board of Trade, and expressed in similar
language. To Section 5, concerning the admission
and expulsion of members, was added the following
proviso, not appearing in the Board of Trade charter:
"Provided, no person shall ever be rejected or expelled for re-
ligious or political tenets; and no member shall be expelled or any
penalty inflicted upon said member for any offense against said
corporation, except upon conviction, after due notice, and a fair
trial and hearing in the presence of the accused (unless said mem-
ber has absconded), who shall be permitted to examine and
cross-examine witnesses upon said trial. The testimony taken at
said trial, if requested by either party, shall be taken in writing
and accessible to either, for reading, copying, or publishing the
same."
The first election of officers of the Chamber of
Commerce, after its interests became merged with those
of the Board of Trade, was held March 1, 1864, at
which time the following officers were chosen : Presi-
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
353
dent, R. M. Hough ; Vice-President, V. A. Turpin ;
Treasurer, J. V. Farwell ; Directors, John L. Hancock,
T. J. 'Branson, P. L. Underwood, H. Milward, Lyman
Blair, D. Thompson, J. M. Richards, Hugh McLennan,
George F. Ramsey, S. M. Nickerson, J. K. Pollard.
After various propositions were considered, it was
determined to buy of the First Baptist Church, the lot
on the southeast corner of Washington and LaSalle
streets for $65,000. At a meeting held February 26, it
was decided that the rental should be determined by a
committee of six persons, all to be members of both
associations, and, in case of a failure to agree, three
referees were to be added to the said committee, not
members of either association. The decision as to the
rental was to be based on an annual return of ten per
cent, on the cost of such part of the building as should
be occupied by the Board. The president and direct-
ors were also empowered to enter into an agreement,
binding the Board to lease the rooms, when ready for
occupancy, for a term of ninety-nine years, at such an-
nual rental as should be determined by the above men-
tioned committee. The rental finally decided upon was
$20,000 per annum.
All preliminaries being at last arranged, the total
stock was announced at $500,000, and early in the
spring the work of building was begun.
Minor Topics. — ■ The mention of many minor
occurrences during the year have been omitted, as
having no important bearing on the continued growth
of the association in influence or importance. In May,
it appointed a committee to make a survey and estimate
of the cost of improving the harbor. It also did its
full share of work in making the great Canal Conven-
tion, which convened in Chicago in June, a success.
Through the Board of Trade committee, it was fur-
nished with most elaborate statistics of the trade and
commerce, not only of Chicago, but of the whole North-
west ; and the Board freely extended its hospitalities to
the members of the convention throughout the session.
In August, many members, in response to an invitation
from the Board of Trade of Portland, Me., visited that
city, in company with delegates from the Boards of
Trade of Detroit and Milwaukee. A special train
over the Grand Trunk Railway conveyed the excur-
sionists from Detroit to Portland. Short stops were
made at various stations in Canada, where speeches of
welcome were made and every token of good will
evinced. At Montreal, they were entertained for a day
and a night by the large-hearted merchants of that city.
The hospitalities extended by the citizens of Por.land
far transcended every anticipation of the visitors.
Following are personal mentions of some of the
gentlemen who became members of the Board during
the epoch just treated, and whose subsequent career has
been alike honorable to the city, its mercantile interests
and themselves.
Charles D. Hamill is senior member of the firm of Hamill
& Brine; of which George J. Brine, is the junior partner. It was
instituted on January 1, 1884. Mr. Hamill was born in Blooming-
ton, Ind., in 1839, and came to Chicago in 1852. He joined the
Board of Trade in 1864, and has served on various important com-
mittees since that date, as well as having been a director for three
years. From 1875 to 1882, he was a member of the firm of Van
Inwagen & Hamill. Mr. Hamill is vice-president of the Chicago
Club, one of the trustees of the Chicago University, a director of
the Art Institute, and has always taken an active interest in all
movements instituted for the purpose of advancing culture in our
city.
George J. Brine is a native of Newfoundland, and was born at
St. John's on December 9, 1839. He received his early education at
the common schools of his native town, and, after making a voyage
or two as supercargo, and engaging in some mercantile ventures, he
23
determined to seek his fortune in the West. In October, 1859,
when not twenty years of age, he came to Chicago, and entered the
employment of his uncle, William Brine, one of the early members
of the Board of Trade. Very shortly after his entry into this depart-
ment of commerce, the young man was found to be very useful,
from his previous knowledge and adaptability to the requirements
of his position, and his uncle accordingly took him into partner-
ship, under the firm name of William Urine & Co.. which existed
until 1S66. In 1863, William Brine went to New York, and there
opened a branch house of the Chicago establishment, leaving
George J. Brine to operate the main house in this city. After the
dissolution of this partnership, Mr. Brine conducted a commission
business alone for three years, and then entered into partnership
with John B. Lyon and Thomas B. Rice, under the firm name of
J. B. Lyon & Co., which was dissolved in the fall of 1S72. Until
1S79 Mr. Brine did business alone, but, during that year, he be-
came an employe of Armour & Co., with whom he remained five
years. On January I, 1884, he entered into his present business
association with Charles D. Hamill, under the firm name of Hamill
& Brine, and which occupies a deservedly prominent position on
the Board of Trade and in commercial circles. Although a for-
eigner by birth, and not even a naturalized citizen until after the
war, Mr. Brine did his duty to his adopted country in the day of
its trouble, and sent a substitute to the ranks, at a cost to himself
of $600. He is a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 33, A. F. &
A. M.; also of the Union Club; and is connected with Professor
Swing's congregation.
James S. and William F. Peironnet are natives of Bing-
hamton, N. Y. They came to Chicago at the age of twenty and
twenty-three years, respectively, and in September, 1864, estab-
lished the firm of J. S. Peironnet & Co., forwarding and commis-
sion merchants. Being conservative, competent, and in other respects
well qualified for the business, they for years transacted one of the
largest and most successful businesses on 'Change. Through the
many vicissitudes of trade, they are one of the few firms who have
always stood unchanged, with reputation, responsibility and credit
unimpaired. Their patrons, friends and acquaintances acknowledge
them to be of unusual business ability, and justly entitled to the
prominence they have attained,
George W. Phillips, Jr., is a native of Cincinnati, where
he was born, in 1828. He engaged in the provision business with
his father, George W. Phillips, in 1848, at Chillicothe, Ohio. In
1849, they moved to Madison, Ind., and established the firm of
George W. Phillips & Son, packers of pork. This concern did a
large business, and built up an enviable reputation. Six years later,
George W., Jr. . returned to Cincinnati, and began business as a
provision broker. He was for about a year a member of the firm
of Phillips, Sledge & Co., after which he carried on business alone.
He built up an enormous trade, and was the leading man in the
provision market for a number of years. During the war he estab-
lished the Phillips Provision Exchange, and carried it on success-
fully for a considerable time. Mr. Phillips came to Chicago, in
October, 1864, and established the commission firm of George W.
Phillips & Co. In 1S80, he became associated with O. A. Fitch
(who died in March, 1SS1), and organized the firm of Fitch & Phil-
lips, commission merchants. Mr. Phillips has been a member of
the Board since his arrival in this city, and since January, 1SS4, has
been a member of its Committee of Arbitration. He is an active,
enterprising business man, and one of the oldest and most expe-
rienced provision dealers on 'Change.
THE YEAR 1S64-65.
The sixteenth annual meeting was held on Monday,
April 4, 1864. The number of members reported was
one thousand two hundred and fifty-seven — an increase
of two hundred and seventy-nine during the year. The
election resulted in the choice of the following officers:
John L. Hancock, president (re-elected); Thomas Par-
ker and C. J. Gilbert, vice-presidents. The president's
annual report of the fiscal affairs of the Board gives the
following items :
Total receipts for the year $45.9oS 2I
Total expenditures 4I.9°9 S2
Balance in hands of the Treasurer - - - - 3.99s 39
Balance unexpended in the hands of War F'und
Committee ■-- 5.129 79
The report also gave a review of the work of the
association during the past year, making allusion to the
various subjects on which it had acted, which have been
adverted to in the foregoing pages.
S54
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
National vs. State-Bank Currency. — At the
beginning of the war, the depreciation in Southern
stocks nearly annihilated a majority of the Illinois and
other Western banks, whose circulation was based on
them. The subsequent establishment of National banks,
and the issue of legal tender notes by the Government,
with the tax imposed on State banks, resulted in closing
up most of the Western banks that had survived the first
shock. There was no profit in issuing bills for home
circulation where constant redemption in greenbacks
was required. The Eastern banks, however, found a
profitable business in loaning their bills for circulation
in the West, where they often remained for months be-
fore returning, to be immediately sent West again on
their tour of profit. The volume of State-bank bills
gradually increased. At the beginning of the war, it
was but $150,000,000 in all the loyal States ; in 1864, it
had increased to over $400,000,000, and was fast driv-
ing out of circulation the legal tender money of the
Government. Chicago was flooded with it; the banks
received and paid it out, holding the reserve in their
vaults, so far as possible, in greenbacks. The public,
made wary by past sad experiences with State-bank
money, became suspicious and fearful of a collapse
which would bring renewed business disaster. A few
of the leading members of the Board of Trade deter-
mined to take the initiative in forcing the retirement
from circulation of all bills not convertible into legal
tender notes in Chicago, without loss or delay. The
work was inaugurated at the annual meeting. I. Y.
Munn called the attention of the Board to the miscel-
laneous currency with which the West was flooded. He
believed that there were now " greenbacks " and Na-
tional bank notes enough in circulation for the legiti-
mate business wants of the country, and deprecated the
further recognition of the State-bank bills, which he
styled " wild-cat currency." He believed the Board of
Trade, as the most important commercial body in the
West, should take the initiative steps toward driving
them from circulation. He offered the following reso-
lutions :
"Resolved, That on and after the first of May next, all transac-
tions by members of this Board shall be for United States legal
tender notes and National bank notes or their equivalent.
"Resolved, That this Board hereby request the banks of the city
to aid them in this effort to make treasury and national bank notes
the basis of all money transactions."
P. L. Underwood moved an amendment that a com-
mittee be appointed to confer with the merchants and
bankers in relation to the substitution of National
currency in place of the miscellaneous currency with
which the country was flooded, and that the committee
report the next Monday.
W. D. Houghteling also moved an amendment that
all the resolutions, except that in relation to the ap-
pointment of a committee of conference, be laid on
the table, and that the committee be requested to report
on Monday night.
The motions of Messrs. Underwood and Houghtel-
ing were both carried, and a committee appointed,
composed of I. Y. Munn, P. L. Underwood, R. M.
Hough, and the chairman, to confer with the bankers
in accordance with the resolutions.
A public meeting was held at the Board of Trade
roorn^ on Friday evening, April 8, to get a more gen-
eral expression of sentiment on the subject. It was
largely attended by merchants, bankers and business
men. The feeling expressed was almost unanimously
in favor of the move inaugurated by the Board, among
the bankers as well as other classes of business men
represented. The only difference expressed was as to
the time when the measure should take effect. A ma-
jority of the bankers who took part in the discussion
thought the first of May (the date set by the Board of
Trade resolutions for making legal tenders the basis of
currency circulation), would not give sufficient time for
banking or business generally to adapt itself to the
proposed change without serious disarrangement. The
meeting finally passed a resolution requesting the bank-
ers, acting in concert, to name such time as they might
deem it expedient to establish treasury notes as a basis
of business, and to report such time agreed upon to the
Board of Trade committee, at the meeting to be held
on the following Monday evening.
At the meeting on Monday, the chairman of the
committee Mr. Munn, submitted a report which closed
as follows:
" No person doubts the solvency of the New York banks, their
securities being ample, always convertible in New York at 1-4 per
cent, discount; and so of the New England banks, redeemable in
Boston, and at that point equal to treasurv notes. Your committee
are pleased to state that some of our leading bankers have published
a card, in which they decline to receive the bank noies of Pennsyl-
vania, Maryland, New Jersey, Michigan and all except the State
Banks of Ohio and Indiana, and believe this step will accomplish
much if not all the Board had in view in the commencement of this
project; and fully believe that the day is not far distant when our
currency will be in a measure purified. If Congress had compelled
the National banks to redeem their issues at central points, then
we should have found no difficulty; and as there has recently been
introduced a bill in Congress relating to banks, that may contain this
feature, your committee recommend that all further action be post-
poned until we learn the action of the present Congress on this
question."
The discussion which followed showed, beyond
question, that the members of the Board were deter-
mined against a postponement as recommended, and
that the motion for the adoption of the report would, if
put to vote, be defeated by a large majority. Mr. Munn
therefore, in behalf of the committee, asked permission
to withdraw the report, and offered, as a substitute, the
following resolution:
"Resolved, That on and after the 15th of May next, all our
transactions shall be based on United States treasury notes or their
equivalents."
This resolution was carried with great unanimity ;
and the Board of Trade thus took the first step toward
the desired financial reform without the full cooperation
of the banks which had generally favored the indefinite
postponement of further action on the part of the Board,
as had been first recommended by the committee.
As the time approached when the resolution would
go into force, the bankers showed increased uneasiness
as to its probable effect; and the more timid business
men had become so wrought up by the prophecies of
dire disaster that would follow, that strong efforts were
made to induce the Board to rescind or modify the res-
olution. At the noon session of April 20, resolutions
were offered extending the time until July 1.
The consideration of the resolution was postponed
until the evening of April 21, at which time a very large
meeting was held. Following the reading of the reso-
lution, a lengthy and earnest discussion ensued, which
was participated in by R. M. Hough, N. K. Fairbank,
Julian S. Rumsey, I. Y. Munn, and J. Young Scammon.
Mr. Scammon, at the close of a lengthy speech, offered
the following resolutions:
"Resolved, That each and every member of this Board of
Trade pledge himself to make no business transactions except upon
the basis of legal tender treasury notes, or their equivalent; and
that he will keep no account with any banker, broker or banking
house, except in legal tender treasury notes, or their equivalent ;
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
355
and that he will not pay out nor circulate, at par, any money or
bank notes which are not equivalent to legal tender treasury notes.
"jRcsotoed, That all bank notes which are redeemed at par in
Boston, New York or Chicago, shall be deemed equivalent to legal
tender treasury notes.
%t Resolved, That these resolutions shall take effect and be in
force on the day of May, next."
The blank in the third resolution was filled to read
the " fifteenth," as in the original resolution; and the
second resolution amended, by striking out " in Boston
and New York," thus leaving Chicago the only place of
redemption. As amended, the resolutions were passed,
the Board thus reiterating its uncompromising determi-
nation to stand by its former decision.
Action of the Banks — -The banks did not yet
give up the hope that the Board and the public would
ultimately see the danger they apprehended, and extend
the time of redemption to avert it. At a meeting of
bankers, held May 8, it was unanimously decided that
on and after Monday, May.9, the rate of exchange on
New York should be one-half per cent, premium for
miscellaneous currency. It was further resolved, that
on and after the 1st of July, the bankers of Chicago
would receive and pay out, as par funds, United States
notes, National bank notes, and such other notes as
were redeemed in legal tender notes in the city of Chi-
cago, only, and that hereafter, for the present, solvent
New England bank notes, and the notes of such other
solvent banks as were redeemed at par in New York,
should be taken at one-fourth per cent, discount; Ohio,
Indiana, Iowa and New York state-bank notes, and the
notes of such Illinois banks as were not redeemed at
par in Chicago, should be subject to one-half per cent,
discount ; and that after the date above mentioned,
nothing but United States notes, National bank notes,
and such other as were at par in Chicago, should be
paid on checks, or in settlement of balances between
banks and brokers
This tardy action of the bankers, and their inde-
pendent manifesto as to when and how they proposed
to meet the question, did not have the effect to induce
the Board to re-open the subject. So soon as the de-
termination of the bankers to delay the assumption of
the legal standard basis until July 1, the following was
published, signed by one hundred and fourteen of the
leading firms and members of the Board:
"Chicago, May 9, 1864.
"We, the undersigned, members of the Board of Trade, agree,
on and after the 15th, to base all transactions, either buying or sell-
ing, on legal tender treasury notes, or their equivalent."
The united and determined resolution on the part of
its members to sustain the action of the Board, and the
known popularity of the measure in all business circles,
outside the banks, forced them to a reluctant acquies-
cence in the measure, as appears by the following, which
was published on the 12th of May:
"The undersigned, banks and bankers of the city of Chicago,
hereby agree that, on and after Monday, May 16, 1S64, we will re-
ceive on deposit at par, and pay out at par, only legal tender notes,
National bank notes, and the notes of such other banks as redeem
at par in the city of Chicago.
"It being understood that all the checks dated prior to May 16,
may be paid in the present currency, and all balances due between
banks and bankers, on Monday morning, are to be settled on the
same basis."
This was signed by twenty-six of the leading public
and private bankers.
The railroad and express companies also signified
their intention to adopt the same rule. On May 16,
the city of Chicago, for the first time in its history, con-
ducted its business on the basis of a National currency.
The Board of Trade, in thus inaugurating the movement
and carrying it to a successful issue against the combined
money-lending power of the city, demonstrated, as never
before, that it had become the chief agency in control-
ling and directing the methods and conduct of the busi-
ness of Chicago.
Action on Extraneous Subjects. — On May 24,
at a meeting of a joint committee of members of the
Chicago Board of Trade and the Milwaukee Chamber
of Commerce, uniform rates of commission and broker-
age, for the purchase and sale of all commodities dealt
in by the members of either association were adopted.
On January 6, 1865, the Board passed resolutions
favoring the project of a ship canal around Niagara
Falls on the American side.
February 8, a resolution was passed relative to the
purification of the Chicago River by means of the
enlargement of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, and
recommending such legislation as would enable the city
of Chicago to undertake the desired improvements in
concert with the board of trustees of the canal. In
accordance with these resolutions an act was passed and
approved February 16, under which the city appointed
a board of commissioners, who were empowered to bor-
row money and enabled to ultimately complete the
desired work.
During February, the Board passed a series of res-
olutions condemning the ninety-nine-year street rail-
way franchise and the Chicago and Evanston Railroad
charter, which were extremely obnoxious to a majority
of the citizens. Notwithstanding the general opposition,
the joint measure was passed; was returned by the
governor with his objections thereto; again passed over
his veto; and became a law February 6.
Close of the War Period. — The Board continued
its incessant labors in support of the Union cause as in
former years. These unremitting efforts for the relief
of sick and disabled soldiers flowed largely through the
channel of the Sanitary Commission, and its work in
recruiting was extensively done by individual members.
It held a series of war meetings in May, to promote
enlistments for the call for one-hundred-day troops, and
proved itself, as before, the great source from which
came ever- renewed enthusiasm and courage for the
faltering or faint-hearted. The continued calls for
new men at last overtook even the enthusiasm of the
Board, and brought the citizens face to face, with the
last resort — a draft. Drafting commenced September
26, at which time the city was in arrears one thousand
two hundred and thirty-five men. The deficit was
distributed throughout the different wards, none being
entirely exempt. Under these circumstances the energy
of the Board could not be exerted as a body, each
member being most seriously exercised in getting his
own ward free from the draft.
The drafting went on intermittently for about three
weeks, during which time substitutes were furnished
nearly as fast as conscripts were drawn — each town or
ward having, through local committees, the work of
furnishing substitutes for its own conscripts.
The close of the fiscal year saw the end of the long
and bloody struggle in which the Board had so effectively
borne its loyal part. The news of the fall of Richmond
was received on Monday, April 2. The victory, so
long delayed, had come at last. The heavy burdens
which patriotic duty had imposed, dropped from the
tired shoulders that had carried them with the utmost
patriotism and patience. It is needless to repeat the
oft-told story of the tumultuous rejoicing that followed.
Business was suspended, and all through the long,
bright day, and far into the night, the hall resounded
356
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
with congratulatory speeches and the responsive shouts
of applause of the exultant crowds.
Thus closes the record of the most memorable period
in the annals of the Board of Trade. Throughout the
struggles of those weary years it had never faltered in
its work nor lost hope in the final victory. Underneath
its turbulent waves of speculation and trade, burned,
with never-failing and fervid heat, the fires of patriotism,
until, emerging from the conflict, it took the place in
historv accorded only to those who had stood, with fear-
less and uncompromising spirit, the staunch friends of
the Nation through every vicissitude of uncertainty,
doubt and discouragement, even to the end.
One of the oldest houses doing business in the city,
and one which has attained commercial prominence, is
that of Albert Dickinson.
Albert Dickinson's Seed House was originally started by
the father. Albert F. Dickinson, in 1854, and in 1S72 was changed
to the name of the eldest son. The three brothers are working to-
gether in the business.
Albert F. Dickinson was born June 28, 1809, at Hawley,
Franklin Co., .Mass , and received a common school education in
his native country. He became a teacher in Savoy and Adams,
Mas*., and was afterwards clerk in a dry goods store at Adams.
He then went to Curtisville, Mass., and became agent for two
cotton factories located at that place, going to New York to pur-
chase the raw cotton for the mills and sell the manufactured goods.
In 1S40, he visited the West, and came to Chicago and continued his
journe up i n to Wisconsin, but afterward returned to Massachusetts
and purchased a grist-mill at Curtisville, Berkshire County. He
was elected justice of the peace, selectman, and to other town offi-
ces, and was appointed postmaster. In 1848, he was elected by the
Democratic party a member of the State Legislature. In 1852, he
moved to Albany, N. Y., and engaged in the flour and commission
business, but shortly afterward disposed of the business and moved
to Buffalo, N. Y. He there formed a partnership with Chester
Hitchcock, which was terminated in 1S55. In 1854, he came to Chi-
cago, his family following him in September, 1855. He soon com
menced the seed and grain business, in which he continued until
1872, when, on account of failing health he transferred his business
to his oldest son, Albert Dickinson. In the early days of the
Board of Trade he became one of its members, when a membership
cost only five dollars. At his death in 1881, the Board passed the
following resolutions of respect: "Resolved, That in the death of
Mr. Albert F. Dickinson this association has lost a member, who,
in his long intercourse with us as a business man always com-
manded our sincerest respect as a man of an exceptionally high
sense of commercial honor, and whose integrity was never ques-
tioned in the many transactions in which he was engaged during
his residence in the city." He was married in Adams, Mass., in
1836, to Miss Ann Eliza Anthony, daughter of Humphrey and
Hannah Anthony; and there are six children living, viz., — Hannah
(now Mrs. Charles C. Boyles), Melissa, Albert, Nathan, Fannie
and Charles.
Albert Dickinson was born in Curtisville, Mass., in 1841,
and came to Chicago, in 1855, with his parents. For a short time
after school, he assisted his father in business. In 1861, he
enlisted in the army, as a private in Taylor's Battery, and re-
mained for three years. He was in the battles of Donelson, Vicks-
burg. Shiloh, and other engagements. He then returned to civil
life, and commenced business at Durant, Iowa; from there he was
called to Chicago on account of his father's failing health, and at
once took the responsibilities of the business upon himself, and
actively commenced the duties of manager. He has since asso-
ciated his two younger brothers with him.
Charles Dickinson was born in Chicago in 1858, and was
educated in the schools of this city. He began trading on the
Hoard in his seventeenth year. He traveled in Europe in 1880,
rope and Africa in 1883-84.
Nathan Dickinson was born in Curtisville, Mass., in 1848, and
was educated in Chicago. After attending the High School for a
short time, he was needed in the business, and commenced under
his father's instruction. He has remained continuously in the estab-
lishment since.
GEORGE T. Smith, one of the vice-presidents of the Board of
Trade, was born in Providence, K. I., in 1849, and received his
education there and at Lockport, this State. He came to Chicago,
iri [865, and commenced his business career, — which has been so
replete with energy and fortuitous results, — as a clerk for Spruance,
I'reston St Co. He remained with them eight years, subsequent to
which he started in the commission business for himself and con-
ducted it two years. He then went into partnership with Henry
G. Gaylord, under the firm name of Smith & Gaylord, continu-
ing therein for two years; after which he withdrew, and has since
conducted a general business. In 1880, Mr. Smith took a tour
around the world, which occupied one year in transit, visiting
Europe, India, China, Turkey, and, in fact, the notable places of
historic interest and memorable occurrences. During the last year
he became identified with the United States Storage Company, and
was elected its president. In 1875, Mr. Smith married Miss Fran-
ces Gaylord, and has one daughter, Annie D., who was born in
18S3. Although Mr. Smith has received no educational advantages
beyond those of a common school, his travels and observation have
given him the finished aplomb of the cultivated gentleman, and he
is a splendid evidence of what natural ability and self-culture can
accomplish. He has been a member of the Board of Trade for
twelve years; was a member of the Committee of Arbitration for
two years and of the Committee of Appeals for 1880-81, and was
elected vice-president in January, 1884.
Lyman Evekingham, the principal of the house of L. Ever-
ingham & Co., commission merchants, is the son of J. S. Evering-
ham, a Baptist minister, and Jane Maria Cowles, his wife, formerly
of Geneva, Ontario Co., N. Y., where he was born on September
9, 1831. His youth was spent at various points in the State of
New York, as the ministerial duties of his father necessitated his
presence at those places. He is the eldest of eight children, four
brothers and four sisters, all of whom are still living. At the age
of twenty, he left school to take a place in the office of the Buffalo,
Corning & New York Railroad, under J. A. Redfield, superin-
tendent. He felt conscious of possessing ability, and was eager to
begin life for himself, so he seized the first opportunity that offered
itself, which, in this case, was handling a truck and loading freight
into cars at $20 a month. That his self-reliance was not the
result of vanity, but arose from a just estimate of his powers, is
proved from the fact, that, within two years, he was promoted to
the position of paymaster and chief clerk, or what is now known as
auditor. Nothing but merit, and that of an uncommon character,
could have accomplished this result. Desiring a larger field for the
exercise of his powers, he resigned his position at Corning, and
came West in March. 1S56, to take the position of chief clerk in
the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway freight office, at
Chicago; and immediately identified himself, as an active member
and worker, with the First Baptist Church, then situated at the cor-
ner of La Salle and Washington streets. In October, of the same
year, a better position was offered him as freight agent of the old
LaCrosse & Milwaukee Railway, with his office at Milwaukee,
Wis. After the consolidation of that road with the Milwaukee
& St. Paul, he took charge of the freight offices of both divisions,
until May, 1865, when he resigned to engage in the commission
business. E. P. Bacon, general freight agent of the Milwaukee
& Prairie du Chien Railroad, resigned at the same time, and they
entered into partnership under the name and style of Bacon &
Everingham. In 1874, E. P. Bacon retired from the concern, and
Mr. Everingham continued the business under the name of L.
Everingham & Co., until 1S80, when Mr. Bacon re-entered the
firm, doing business at Milwaukee under the style of E. P. Bacon
& Co. Mr. Everingham then came to Chicago, and opened a com-
mission house, under the name of L. Everingham & Co., leaving
the Milwaukee business in charge of E. P. Bacon. This arrange-
ment was very satisfactory; but, in 1883, the partnership was
again dissolved, Mr. Bacon taking the Milwaukee business and Mr.
Everingham that in Chicago, which he has since conducted alone.
During all this period, while subject to so many changes, and now
(1884) passing through the third period of serious and universal
business depression since its establishment, this house has never
had a cloud upon its record nor a single reverse, and is steadily
advancing in the confidence of the business world. For solid
worth and integrity it has a reputation second to none in the coun-
try. Mr. Everingham was married, on December 23, 1S57, to
Marv M. Dickinson, of Oswego County, N. Y., by whom he has
five living children, two sons named Edward and Henry Dickinson,
and three daughters named Julia, Belle and May. He is a member
of the First Baptist Church of Chicago, of which he is a deacon.
He is one of the trustees of Chicago University, and a member of
the executive board. He is the superintendent of the First Baptist
Church Sunday-school, and has had an extensive experience as
superintendent at Milwaukee and Evanston, 111. At the former
place he had charge, for some time, of the home school of the
First Baptist Church, and, for two years, had charge of the Sharon
Mission of the same Church. At Evanston, he was, for two years,
superintendent of the Sunday-school of the First Baptist Church.
Mr. Everingham is very active in all Christian and benevolent
work, and takes an earnest interest therein; which extends not alone
to personal effort but also to financial aid, as he has, on several
occasions, by prompt and generous impulse, been instrumental in
saving Church property when seriously embarrassed financially.
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
357
Abijah Keith is a member of the firm of Keith & Crocker,
commission merchants, in flour, on the Hoard. Their business, as a
firm, was established in 1878, and is now quite large, receiving
flour from some of the best mills in Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan,
Wisconsin, Iowa, Dakota, Kansas and Colorado. Mr. Keith was
born in Barre, Vt., in January, 1821, a son of Willis and Dorcas
(Clark) Keith. He was educated in Vermont, and in 1839 went to
Boston, where he was with J. S. Gould & Co as bookkeeper, until
1S48. He then went to California, via Cape Horn. In San Fran-
cisco, he was a member of the firm of Plummer, Keith & Co.,
wholesale grocers and flour dealers, during 1S49-50. They im-
ported large quantities of flour for their trade, from Chili, South
America; no wheat at that time had been raised in California. He
returned to Vermont in 1S51, and, on August 17, 1852, was married
to Sarah, daughter of the late Colonel J. P. and Sarah (Arms)
Miller, of Montpelier, Vt. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Keith, ac-
companied by his wife, visited Europe, and after his return, repre-
sented Montpelier in the Vermont Legislature in 1854. He was
engaged in the flour and lumber trade in Montpelier for a few years.
At the commencement of the war of the Rebellion, Mr. Keith was
senior aide to Governor Erastus Fairbanks, with rank of colonel.
He assisted in the organization of the 1st Vermont Regiment, and
afterward went to Washington, and served on the staff of Major-
General H. G. Wright, during 1861-62, in the Department of the
South and Army of the Potomac. He came to Chicago in 1S64,
and became a member of the firm of Savage, Keith & Wood ; and
of the firm of D. W. & A. Keith & Co., from about 186S until 1S73.
Mr. Keith is a director of the Chicago Relief and Aid Society, and
after the great fire of 1871 gave considerable time, for several
months, to the work of that organization.
THE YEAR 1865-66.
The seventeenth annual meeting was held April 10,
1865. The number of members reported was one
thousand four hundred and sixty-two — an increase of
two hundred and five. The officers elected for the en-
suing year were: Charles Randolph, president; Thomas
Maple and John C. Dore, vice-presidents. The fiscal
report showed :
Total receipts for the year $59,999 '5
Balance on hand at beginning 59,79^ 58
Disbursements for war fund _ 12,427 57
The assets of the association had been decreased during the
year by $3,789.82.
The president in his report announced that the war
fund was now exhausted, and that the war committee
had become dependent on the Board of Trade for funds
to disburse to the soldiers' families and other war pur-
poses to which it was pledged. To meet these require-
ments, and the prospective increase in current expenses
which would arise from the occupancy of the new rooms,
then in process of construction, the directors had ad-
vanced the annual assessment from ten to twenty-five
dollars. In regard to the business of the past year he
said :
" In the early part of the past season, large profits were realized
from nearly all classes of trade, but, later, business became embar-
rassed, in consequence of greater fluctuations having occurred in
prices of the leading articles of merchandise than ever before, the
rates of premium on gold having declined from 192 to 47 per cent.,
within the past eight months, rendering many investments unprofit-
able. And yet, a greater amount of business has been transacted
on the Board than in any previous year since its organization. In
view of lower prices prevailing, and with the present prospect of
an early and permanent peace, many of our merchants have made
great sacrifices, in order to reduce stock and prepare themselves
for any emergency that may arise. And, yet, nearly every member
has met his obligations promptly, and no important failures have
transpired during the season."
The Secretary said :
"It is true that speculation has been too much the order of the
day, and buyers and sellers of 'long' and 'short' and 'spot' have
passed through all the gradations of fortune, from the lower to
the higher round, and in many instances have returned to the start-
ing point, if not a step lower; but it is to be hoped, that, with the
return of peace, this fever of speculation wiil abate, and trade will
be conducted on a more thoroughly legitimate basis."
A new code of general rules was adopted by the
Board, at a special meeting held October 14. The by-
laws were slightly amended at the same meeting. The
new rules defined more specifically the duties of officers,
and the rights of parties on time contracts and the
manner and conditions for calling for margins on the
same. The duties and powers of the Arbitration Com-
mittee were enlarged. Under the new rules, the deal-
ing in " futures " was recognized as a legitimate feature
of trade, and full and complete rules established for its
unrestricted prosecution, if carried on according to the
rules then adopted. Under the new rules, the deals
in " privileges," or what were then termed " puts " and
" calls," were discredited. The new rules repudiated
the practice in the following language :
" The privileges, bought or sold, to deliver or call for grain or
other property by members of the association, shall not be recog-
nized as a business transaction by the Directors or Committee of
Arbitration."
During the year, representatives of the Board made
several commercial visits. In June, delegates from this
and other Western Boards of Trade visited Boston,
being magnificently entertained by the Boston Board of
Trade and the city government. In July, a large dele-
gation attended the National Commercial Convention
at Detroit.
Two memorials were addressed to Congress during
the year — one, in January, 1866, relative to the necessity
of protection to the shipping interests on the great
inland lakes ; the other, in March, praying for the
passage of the National Bankrupt Act, then pending.
On April 2, the Board appointed a commercial com-
mittee, consisting of twenty-one members, representing
as many different departments of trade and manufac-
ture, to whom was to be referred, thereafter, all gen-
eral questions pertaining to the interests and prosperity
of the city.
The Chamber of Commerce Building. — The
corner-stone of the new Chamber of Commerce was
laid Sunday, September 11, 1864, with Masonic cere-
monies. It was the occasion of the largest public
Masonic parade theretofore witnessed in the city. The
stone was in laid in due form, in the presence of a
dense crowd, which filled the Court-house square and
covered the roofs of the surrounding buildings, and
every point from which the ceremonies could be wit-
nessed. Within the stone were deposited various
documents, newspapers, coins, etc. The stone was
lowered into position, and the customary Masonic cere-
monies were performed, under the auspices of the Most
Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of
Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of
Illinois, Hon. Thomas J. Turner.
The building thus begun was completed in August
of the following year, and the rooms designed for the
Board of Trade were first occupied by that body on
August 13. The festivities and ceremonies for the
inauguration of the new rooms, were on a scale com-
mensurate with the importance of the occasion. The
jubilee began on August 30, and lasted three days.
The programme, as carried out, was essentially as
follows: Wednesday — Inaugural ceremonies in the
new hall; concert at Crosby's Opera House in the even-
ing. Thursday — Excursion on the lake, on the steamer
" Planet "; grand banquet at the Chamber of Commerce
in the evening. Friday — Delegates, escorted by com-
mittees, visited the Stock-Yards and other notable
features of the city ; grand ball at the Chamber of
Commerce in the evening.
Delegations came from Portland, Boston, New York,
35S
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleve-
land. Toledo, Detroit, Albany, Troy, Oswego, Buffalo,
Canada, Milwaukee, Louisville, St. Louis, Indianapolis,
New Orleans, Memphis, Natchez and Cairo — the
aggregate number of invited guests entertained exceed-
ing six hundred. The columns of the newspapers of
the day were crowded with the accounts of the magnifi-
cent reception, inaugural ceremonies, ball, concert,
excursion and banquet. It was the most prolonged
and successful season of festivities ever seen in the
West
At eleven o'clock, the assemblage was called to order
by Charles Randolph, the president of the Board of
Trade. The gentlemen chosen to respond for the
various States were invited to seats on the rostrum,
after which the ceremonies were opened by a prayer
offered by Rev. O. H. Tiffany. The order of exercises
which followed is given below :
Inaugural address, by Charles Randolph, president of the
Board of Trade. Responsive addresses for the several States rep-
resented, in the following; order:
Maine, S. T. Anderson, of Portland ; Massachusetts, J. S.
Roper, of Boston ; Ohio, \V. T. Perkins, of Cincinnati ; New York,
D. G- Fort, of Oswego ; Pennsylvania, J. B. Bankson, of Philadel-
phia : Michigan, G. V. N. Lathrop, of Detroit ; Canada, Adam
Brown, of Hamilton; Kentucky, Judge Habbison, of Louisville;
Missouri, Mr. Abel, of St. Louis ; Indiana, E. B. Martindale, of
Indianapolis ; Louisiana, John W. Norris, of New Orleans ; Ten-
nessee, A. J. Smith, of Memphis; and New York, A. L. Pease, of
Trov.
CHAMliER OF COMMERCE.
The Chamber of Commerce was located on the south-
east corner of Washington and LaSalle streets. The
building was completed August 28, 1865. It was of
cut stone (Athens marble) on the three sides fronting
north, east, and west, and of brick on the south side,
which faced Calhoun Place. The facade on Washing-
reet had a frontage of ninety-three feet; the depth,
on LaSalle Street and Exchange Plai e, was one hundred
and eighty feet. The main entrance on Washington
Street opened upon a corridor on the ground floor, six-
teen feet in width, running through the center of the
building from north to south, from which opined, on
either side, entrances to various business offices which
occupied the fir-d story. Underneath the ground floor
was a high and well-lighted basement also fitted up for
offices, with street entrances on the sides of the building.
The facade above the first story was divided into three
parts by large quoins projecting boldly from the wall
line. The middle space was a circular-topped triple
window of plate glass, thirty feet high and twelve feet
wide, with architraves and an ornamented keystone, and
the side spaces had each two windows similar in style of
ornamentation but of smaller dimensions. There were
also side entrances to the building from LaSalle Street
and Exchange Place, which led to the main corridor
and to the stairways of the second story. The whole
building was surmounted by a Mansard roof, the ex-
treme height of which was twenty-three feet above the
cornice and ninety-nine feet from the basement floor.
The cornice was ninety-nine feet from the basement floor.
The design was not strictly in accordance with any known
style of architecture, the aesthetic element in art being
kept in subservience to the practical uses for which the
building was planned, and restricted by the economical
limitations to the cost of the proposed structure. It
was, however, when finished, with one exception, the
most pretentious and substantial edifice in the city, and,
although severely plain in its outward adornments, was
symmetric in its proportions, massive in style and an or-
nament to the growing city.
The quarters of the Board of Trade were in the
second story, which was reached by two iron stairways,
five feet wide, at the north end, and another seven feet
wide at the south end. Ample offices were fitted up, which
occupied a space of thirty-five feet across the south end of
the building. The hall was one hundred and forty-three
feet long, eighty-seven feet wide, and forty-five feet high
from floor to ceiling. The president's desk, was in the
center of a dais at the north end of the hall, and across
the south end was a gallery or balcony, from which
spectators could look down upon the throng below, and
from which the secretary was wont to proclaim the mar-
kets and make his other official announcements. The
hall was well lighted by ten windows on either side and
five at the north end, and the walls and ceiling were
adorned with frescoes in designs illustrative of the
various departments of industry — agriculture, manu-
factures, commerce, etc. The edifice was heated by
steam, and at evening sessions illuminated by ten large
reflectors from the ceiling. The total cost of the build-
ing, including the lot, was not far from $490,000. The
rental paid by the Board was $20,000, and that received
for other offices in the building nearly $30,000, per
annum.
The several contractors on the work were: Archi-
tect, Edward Burling ; Draughtsman, E. Baumann ;
Carpenters, Warwick & Cassidy ; Masons, Carter
Brothers ; Plasterers, Doyle & Johnson ; Painters, Mil-
ligan & Heath ; Heaters, Murray & Gold ; Decorators,
Jevne & Almini ; Iron Work, F. Letz ; Gas Fitter, J.
Scanlan ; Plumber, John Hughes ; Roofer, W. Clark ;
Stone Cutters, Wenthe & Moessinger, E. Walker, J. L.
Brainard & Co.
The Last War Pledges redeemed. — Although
the war had ended at the beginning of the year, the
battery and the three Board-of-Trade regiments were
not out of the service, and the pledges of support made
to the soldiers' families were still to be carried out until
the last surviving soldier had been welcomed home.
The 88th was the first to return, and arrived June
13, accompanied by the 89th. Both regiments were
publicly received and welcomed at the Chamber of
Commerce. Murry Nelson, of the committee of re-
ception, announced their presence and welcomed their
return in a short, eloquent speech. Sergeant John
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
359
Cheevers, with the flag that first floated from Mission
Ridge, was received with a wild and enthusiastic burst
of applause. Colonel Charles T. Hotchkiss responded
for the 89th. Speeches followed by Governor Oglesby
and Senator Yates, after which the two regiments were
entertained by banquets — the 88th at Metropolitan
Hall, under the charge of a Board of Trade committee ;
the 89th at the Soldiers' Rest, as guests of the railroad
men, who had raised the regiment three years before.
The 113th reached Chicago June 22, at one o'clock
p. m., too late to be received on 'Change. It marched
under escort of the reception committee to Metropolitan
Hall, where, after partaking of refreshments, welcoming
speeches and responses were made by Murry Nelson,
President Randolph, Nelson T. Maple, J. C. Dore, Rev.
C. H. Fowler, Colonel John L. Hancock, Judge J. B,
Bradwell and others.
The Board-of-Trade Battery arrived in Chicago,
Tuesday, June 28. It was met by the reception com-
mittee of the Board of Trade at Michigan City, and
welcomed home at three o'clock a. m., with cannon and
music, and shouts from thousands of people, who had
patiently waited its coming nearly all night. The
formal reception on 'Change occurred at noon. The
veterans bore with them their battle-flag, glorious with
the record of their valiant service. On it, were emblaz-
oned, " Stone River," " Elk River," " Chickamauga,"
" Farrnington," " Dallas," " Noon Day Creek," " Kene-
saw Mountain," " Atlanta," " Nashville," " Salem " and
" Macon." Addresses of welcome were made by Presi-
dent Randolph and Colonel John L. Hancock, to which
there were short responses by Captain George I. Rob-
inson, Lieutenants J. H. Stephens and T. D. Griffin,
Sergeants Durand and Adams and Privates Odell and
McClellan.
The reception closed by the election, on motion of
P. L. Underwood, of " all the boys who had honorably
served in the battery, as honorary members of the
Board of Trade of Chicago." In the evening, the
members of the battery were again welcomed and
entertained at Metropolitan Hall, by a grand dinner,
given by the Board. The memorable feast was lavish,
brilliant and sumptuous beyond precedent in affairs of
the kind.
The 7 2d was the last to return. It arrived on
Saturday, August 12, at one o'clock p. m. The soldiers
were honored with a reception and banquet given by
the Board at Bryan Hall, which was on a scale of
magnificence fully equal to the reception given the
battery.
During the closing months of the year, the members
of the Board finished their glorious and patriotic work,
by bearing from distant Southern graves, the remains
of those of the battery who had fallen in the strife, and
placing them in a common resting-place at Rosehill
THE YEAR 1866-67.
The eighteenth annual meeting was held April 2,
t866. The membership reported was one thousand
four hundred and one — a decrease of sixty-one during
the past year, which was attributable in part to the
increased assessment. The officers elected for the
current year were: John C. Dore, president; P. L. Un-
derwood and E. VV. Densmore, vice-presidents. Owing
to the extraordinary expenses incurred in opening and
furnishing the new hall, and the continued war ex-
penses, the treasury, for the first time since the Board
was fairly established, showed a serious deficit, as ap-
pears in the following summary of the directors' annual
fiscal report:
Total receipts from all sources $74,121; 30.
Total expenditures 76,035 86
Liabilities outstanding were :
Due the Treasurer for advances -..$2,569 75
Due Chamber of Commerce, one quar-
ter's rent, to April 1, 5.000 00
Due proportion of heating expenses to
April I, 1,20000
$8,769 75
Cash in hands of secretary 663 28
Net deficit $8,106 47
The principal items of extraordinary expense which
had brought the Board in arrears were:
Expenses incurred on account of regiments
and battery $3,692 75
Reception of regiments and battery 2,427 50
Expenses of bringing home, and funeral of,
members of the battery .. 2,349 96
Curbing and improving cemetery lot i."33 00
Total war expense - $9,503 21
Furniture for new hall and offices _- 7,915 67
Expenses of opening new hall . _.$ig. S07 45
Less collected from tickets and
subscriptions 15,566 00
4.241 45
Expenses attending ceremonies of respect to
the late President Lincoln, draping hall, etc., 217 25
On August 27, the Board evinced its interest in ex-
traneous commercial projects by appropriating $500
toward the expense of the survey of a canal route from
the Illinois & Michigan Canal to the Mississippi River,
at Rock Island.
In December, an effort was made, which was quite
generally supported by the Boards of Trade throughout
the country, to establish the cental system for the
measurement of grain. By the old method, unhappily
still in practice, the bushel was the unit of measure in
all purchases of grain, although the weight required for
a bushel varied not only on different varieties of grain,
but on the same variety, as established by custom or
law in the different States. The advantages of the new
system proposed, if once established, were obvious, as
it would not only simplify the process of computation,
but bring it in harmony with the system of measure-
ment adopted at Liverpool, as well as the decimal sys-
tem of monetary computation of the United States.
The Boards of Trade in Milwaukee, Detroit, St. Louis,
and Cincinnati, all passed resolutions agreeing to
adopt the new system on January 1, 1867. The
Chicago Board passed a like resolution on December 10.
Owing to a want of co-operation in New York and
other Eastern markets, the proposed reform was not
effected.
On December 20, the Board passed resolutions
against the too rapid contraction of the volume of cur-
rency, as it involved so great and sudden a depreciation
in the value of commodities as to threaten widespread
business disaster.
A Law against Short Selling. — During the
session of the Legislature, a bill, known as the Ware-
house Act, was introduced and subsequently passed,
which, during the months of January and February,
was the chief topic of discussion on 'Change. It pro-
vided for the proper storage of grain in the warehouses,
forbade discrimination in receiving from different roads,
and otherwise put the whole business more directly
within the purview of the law than before.
36°
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
THE YEAR 1S67-6S.
The nineteenth annual meeting was held April 1,
1S67. The membership reported was one thousand
two hundred and fifty-nine — a decrease of one hundred
and forty-three during the year. The annual assess-
ment for the ensuing year was fixed by the directors
at S35- The officers elected were: Wiley M. Egan,
president ; Lyman Blair and C. B. Goodyear, vice-pres-
idents. The following is the summary of the annual
fiscal report :
Actual inde itedness at the beginning of the
year - $9,212 16
Total receipts 94,86469
Total disbursement, including payment of the
old deficit .. 96,693 74
Xetdeticit l,S2g 05
The president reported that the commercial com-
mittee, appointed the year before, had thus far failed
of its object, as. owing to the large number of its mem-
bers twenty-one) selected to represent as many import-
ant interests, and their being widely scattered, it had
been difficult to get a quorum together for the transac-
tion of business. It was, therefore, recommended that
the number constituting the committee remain the
same, but that five instead of eleven should constitute
a quorum. It was accordingly so voted by the Board.
The Obnoxious Warehouse Bill. — At the annual
meeting, the obnoxious features of the warehouse bill,
which defined the selling of grain for future delivery,
unless it was at the time actually owned by the seller
or his agent, as gambling, came up for consideration.
The species of trading thus made a misdemeanor, and
punishable by what was deemed an excessive fine, con-
stituted more than half the business daily transacted on
'Change. This attempt to eliminate an acknowedged
and growing evil from the legitimate trade, threatened
to go far towards destroying the trade itself. More-
over, the Board had, so far as it possessed the power,
distinctly recognized short selling as one of the legiti-
mate forms of trade, by laying down specific rules as to
margins, penalties for non-fulfillment, etc. The law, to
say the least, was an innovation on all former commer-
cial usage, and calculated to bring the business of the
Board, as then conducted, into disrepute. It was not
deemed either wise or consistent with the dignity of the
Board to openly defy the law until its validity had
been tested in the courts, certainly not without legal
advice. It was, therefore, voted to obtain the written
opinion of Messrs Arrington & Dent, counselors at
law, as to the constitutionality of the various sections
of the bill, as a preliminary to further action Awaiting
the opinion, the members of the Board did considera-
ble trading in defiance of the law, without molestation.
In June, Messrs. Arrington & Dent, after long and
careful consideration, gave, as their opinion, that the
section made to prohibit gambling sales was unconsti-
tutional and void, as to business on the Board. Their
argument, on which they based the opinion, was elab-
orate, and carried conviction to the minds of the mem-
bers, with whose preconceived opinions the result of
their examination so exactly accorded. Thus fortified,
the law was, without further action on the part of the
Board, treated as a dead letter by the members, and
short selling, the putting up of margins, and the bring-
ing of delinquents before tin- Hoard of Arbitration, went
on as though no statute had designated the business as
"gambling." The reward (half the fine) offered to any
person prosecuting and convicting offenders, however,
at last developed a champion, who undertook its vindi-
cation, it was charged, as a business venture.
Whatever his motive, he was sufficiently earnest in
his convictions to open a most vigorous and unex-
pected onslaught on the dealers in option contracts
and margins in the face of the forbidding statute. The
name of the self-appointed vindicator was Daniel A.
Goodrich. Little can be ascertained as to his ante-
cedents— nothing that would be to his prejudice, or
lead to the belief that he was not up to the average
standard as to morality, respectability and ability. He
had been at one time a lawyer, and was at this time the
senior partner of the firm of Goodrich & Moulton.
The name of Mr. Goodrich did not appear on the records
as a member of the Board of Trade, but he procured
a visitor's ticket, which gave him admission to the
rooms. The result of his observations, while thus a
favored guest, were developed on the following Satur-
day, August 10.
On this date, a constable appeared on the floor of
the Chamber, with warrants for the arrest of nine mem-
bers of the Board, on the charge of gambling. When
the object of his mission was made known, B. P. Hutch-
inson suggested an easy way of making the arrests. He
said, if the constable would but read out the names, he
would call the parties together. By this time nearly all
the attendants on the Board had grouped themselves
around the constable, who proceeded to call the accused
parties into the ring. Seven of them answered to the
call. These were Charles B. Pope. B. P. Hutchinson,
John J. Richards, William J. Scheik, Howard Priestly,
A. Eichhold and Don Carlo Scranton. Amid many ten-
der adieux they parted from their fellow members ;
not, however, until these had escorted them to hacks
employed to convey them to the North Side. Those
who were left behind cheered them on their way ; and,
in a few minutes, the whole party, accompanied by
several of their friends, found themselves in the office
of a justice of the peace. When it was learned that
the complainant was none other than the young lawyer,
Goodrich, the members indulged in a great many sar-
castic observations at his expense. Mr. Goodrich, who
was present, made no reply to the miscellaneous abuse
heaped upon him, but sturdily maintained that his only
object in causing the arrests to be made was to vindi-
cate the law.
After the preliminary examinations had been made,
the defendants signed each other's bonds, and the case
went over to the Recorder's Court. The party then re-
turned to the Chamber of Commerce, where they were
received with cheers. Later in the day E. K. Bruce, C.
B. Goodyear, George J. Brine and George M. How were
also arrested and taken before the justice, where they
furnished bonds to appear before the Recorder's Court.
At the request of George J. Brine, Mr. Goodrich, the
complainant, was also held in bonds of $3,000 to com-
pel his attendance in court as a witness for the prose-
cution.
On August 14, a special meeting of the Board was
held to take such action in regard to the recent arrests
as the case might seem to demand. The result of the
deliberations appears in resolutions, offered by Mr.
Charles Randolph, and adopted, after discussion and
amendment, by the Board. The resolutions declared
that the members could see no wrong in, and recog-
nized no moral difference between, transactions on
'Change and other transactions where property was
delivered at the time of sale ; and that the Board would,
in future, as in the past, stamp with its condemnation
and disapproval any and all acts of its members not in
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
361
accordance with the recognized principles of commer-
cial integrity. The directors were requested to procure
counsel to defend members charged with violating the
obnoxious provisions of the Warehouse Act.
The cases against the members never came to trial.
The prosecution broke down, not on the merits of the
case, but from the stress of impecuniosity, the com-
plainant being unable to furnish the bonds required
for his appearance as prosecutor and witness in the
Recorder's Court, to which the cases were sent for
trial.
There was no further attempt made to prosecute
violators of the law ; and, although it was decided by
the courts to be constitutional, it was tacitly understood
to be unmercantile in its spirit and scope, and was ac-
cordingly treated as a nullity until the convening of the
next Legislature, when the obnoxious sections were re-
pealed.
Power to Suspend Members affirmed by the
Court. — On May 14, 1867, James P. Page sold to
Stevers & Brown a quantity of corn, deliverable at the
option of the seller, at any time thereafter during the
month, both parties to the transaction being members
of the Board 0/ Trade. On the 21st of the month,
corn having materially advanced in price, Page offered
to settle the contract by the payment of $500, which
offer having been accepted, he paid to Stevers & Brown
$100 in money and gave his note, payable on demand,
for $400, in settlement. Page failing to pay the note
when demanded, Stevers & Brown made a complaint to
the Board of Directors, before whom Page made answer,
admitting the indebtedness, but stating his inability to
pay. Thereupon the Board made an order in accord-
ance with the fifth by-law, suspending him from the
privileges of the Board.
Page made application to the Circuit Court of Cook
County for a mandamus, to compel the Board to annul
the order suspending him, and restore him to full uiem-
bership ; affirming in his petition that he had no corn
at the time he contracted to deliver it to Stevers &
Brown, and that the trade being illegal and void, under
the provisions of the Warehouse Act, the Board could
not legally recognize it by prescribing a penalty for
non-fulfillment. The petition was dismissed, and went
to the Supreme Court on an appeal. Opinion was ren-
dered May 12, affirming the judgment of the lower
court, which had sustained the Board in its act of sus-
pension, but giving no decision, as had been expected,
on the constitutionality of the Warehouse Act.
National Commercial Convention. — Pursuant
to a call from the Boston Board of Trade, a National
Commercial Convention was held in Boston, on Febru-
ary 5, 1868. The growing importance of the trade
organizations at the various commercial centers, as gath-
erers and disseminators of facts on which to base legis-
lation, had come to be widely felt ; and this convention
had been called with a view of inaugurating a system of
concerted action among the commercial bodies of the
country. The convention was attended by delegations
of Boards of Trade and commercial associations from
every important city in the country. The Chicago Board
of Trade sent a representative delegation. The topics
considered were:
First, The improvement of inland transportation, including
rivers and canals.
Second, The restoration of our foreign trade and shipping in-
terests, including the organization and subsidy of ocean steamship
lines
Third, The relief of our manufacturing and other great pro-
ducing interests by reducing the burden of taxation.
Fourth, The adjustment of the National tinancesand currency
upon a basis more favorable to stability in values and the free
movement of capital.
Fifth, The adoption of the cental, or some other uniform sys-
tem, for the measurement of grain.
Sixth, The speedy construction of the North Pacific Railroad.
Seventh, The organization of a National Board of Trade.
To the above was added, by a special resolution of the conven-
tion,
Eighth, The agriculture and manufactures of the country, and
the promotion and the protection of these great national interests.
The subjects above named were thoroughly dis-
cussed and reports adopted, and memorials drawn for
presentation to Congress, giving the result of the delib-
erations on such subjects as required national legislation.
It was decided to organize a National Board of Trade,
and the Commercial Convention adjourned, to report to
a delegate convention to be held the following year, at
Philadelphia.
THE YEAR 1S68-69.
The twentieth annual meeting was held Monday
April 6, 186S. The membership was reported at one
thousand two hundred and twenty-four — a decrease of
thirty-five during the year.* The polls were open for
the election of officers from 10 o'clock a. m. to 4 p. m.
It was one of the liveliest elections ever held. In addi-
tion to the two leading tickets in the field, headed by
E. V. Robbins and J. M. Richards, there were a dozen in-
dependent tickets, got up to enliven the occasion.
Among the outside tickets, one creating great amuse-
ment was termed the "anti-gong" ticket. Among the
operators who were daily " gonged " out of the hall at
the close of business hours the ticket found many sup-
porters.
The election resulted in the choice of E. V. Robbins
as president, by a vote of three hundred and seventy-six
as against three hundred and sixty-one votes cast for J.
M. Richards. The vice-presidents chosen were E. K.
Bruce and J. G. Cole. The election throughout was
characterized by great spirit and general good nature.
The report of the directors summarized the financial
affairs as follows:
Total receipts for the year .. $102,260 18
Total disbursements, including payment of
deficit of year before 86,97460
Balance on hand -. $15,285 58
The amount received for grain inspection was
$49,592.20 ; expenses of inspection, $42,053.64 ; profit
derived from inspection, $7,538.56. Among the minor
items of expenditure, was $1,000, paid to the " Widow's
and Orphan's Fund."
With the deficit of the past two years extinguished,
and a large surplus in the treasury, the directors deemed
it good policy to reduce the annual assessment from $35
to $30.
The directors were authorized to nominate to the full
Board twice the number of delegates to which the Board
was entitled in the National Board of Trade, from which
the members were to choose the requisite number.
Action on Short-weight Cargoes. — Serious dis-
satisfaction had arisen on the part of shippers and vessel
owners, on account of the discrepancy in weight on
cargoes of wheat, as shipped from Chicago elevators
and as received at the Eastern ports of destination. At
a convention of ship-owners, held in Cleveland, it was
recommended as a remedy for the evil, that all Boards
of Trade and similar organizations, at all shipping
points, be requested to appoint weighers of cargoes,
♦The directors erroneously reported an increase of twenty-three members
during the year. They had based the income of the year before on a member-
ship of 1,200, but the actual number reported was 1,259.
362
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
whose duty it should be to weigh all cargoes of grain in
and out of the vessels carrying the same. With a view
to bringing the proposition before the Chicago Board at
the annual meeting, on motion of Murry Nelson, a
committee of fifteen was appointed to consider the mat-
ter and report at a future meeting. The committee
was to consist of three shippers, three elevator owners,
three bankers, three carriers, and three grain receivers,
and should they report favorably on the project, the di-
rectors were to nominate suitable persons for the new
position, who were to be appointed by the president.
The committee, at a business meeting, held April
14. submitted majority and minority reports. The
minority report was signed by H. K. Elkins and R. P.
Richards, and recommended the appointment of weigh-
masters for the purposes named, in order, if possible, to
protect shippers thoroughly as to quantity received, as
they were by the system of inspection as to quality.
The majority report was signed by B. P. Hutchinson,
Charles Randolph, C. S. Hutchins, J. W. Preston, S. H.
McCrea, Ira Y. Munn and T. N. Bond. It reported, as
the sense of the committee, that it would be inexpedi-
ent for the Board of Trade to assume the appointment
of weighers of grain in the elevators of the city; but
earnestly recommended to the vessel interests of the
city the appointment, under their own auspices, of com-
petent men at each elevator of receiving and delivery,
whose duty it should be to fully understand the con-
struction of the elevators to which they were severally
assigned, and attend personally to the weighing and
delivery and receiving of all cargoes of grain. It further
reported a resolution, that
" If any elevators in the city are so constructed that grain,
after being weighed for the vessel, can, by any possibility, be
returned to the house, the proprietors of such elevators be requested
to so alter their houses, in this regard, that the several weighmen
may know positively that when grain is once weighed for the vessel
it must certainly go on board."
The minority report was laid on the table, and so
much of the majority report as is above summarized
was adopted.
The Soldiers' Monument. — The question of
erecting a soldiers' monument was revived at the
annual meeting, and it was
"Resolved, That the board of directors be requested to set apart
from the funds now in the treasury, the sum of $5, 000, to be paid
over to a committee to be appointed, two from this Board and three
from the citizens or other organizations, when other subscriptions
to at least the same amount are collected by said committee. The
said committee of five to be empowered to appropriate such funds
to the completion of a monument upon the grounds indicated by
the proposition of the Rosehill Cemetery Company, to the Board,
on the 4th of November, 1S63 ; provided, that no money shall be
expended by such committees for personal services of themselves
in connection with the erection of said monument."
The resolution was adopted, with but one dissenting
voice. This action of the Hoard involved the creation
of a new Committee on Cemetery. The members were
announced at a subsequent meeting. They were J. W.
Preston, George Field and S. H. McCrea.
Sp» ulation had, under the excitement of the war,
the derangement of values, and the constantly recur-
ring fluctuations, become a prominent factor in the
businc-s of the Hoard. The bulk of the sales of grain
were made with no expectation, on the part of settlers,
to make an actual delivery of the property sold, and
with a-, little idea on the part of buyers of receiving it.
e few dealers in grain who could
liquidate, by actual receipt and delivery, the volume of
their transactions for a single day. This year is mem-
orable as the year of corners. It, for the first time
since the war closed, brought all tho 1 ngaged in the
business to a realizing sense of the truth, that there was
an actual basis of property underneath every trade ;
and that to sell what one did not possess was fraught
with as much danger as to buy what one could not pay
for. In 1S67, as has been recounted, the evil of short-
selling had culminated in a statute, defining it as
gambling, which, although not yet repealed, was a dead
letter in the statute book. This year the grievance to
the trade was not so apparent in short selling as in long
buying ; for, under skillful management, the market
had been successfully cornered, and prices unnaturally
forced above their natural level, much to the disgust
and pecuniary embarrassment of the short sellers, who
numerically were in the ascendant on the Board.
Scarcely a month had elapsed, since New Year's day,
without a corner on 'Change. Three on wheat, two on
corn, one on oats, and one attempted on rye, and the
year threatened to go out with a tremendous corner on
the products of hog-packing — technically known as
provisions. It is unnecessary, in this connection, to
give a specific account of the various corners alluded
to. Wheat was successfully cornered in June. The
price started at $1.77 per bushel, and culminated at
three p. m., June 30, at $2.20. The price in New York,
on the same day, was $2.02, and fell in Chicago, imme-
diately after the corner collapsed, to $1.85 ; and con-
tinued to rule below that price for weeks thereafter.
The other corners during the summer were not so
severely felt by the bears, nor so disastrous to them in
their results, but were getting so inconveniently fre-
quent as to call for action on the part of the Board.
Accordingly, October 13, the Board of Trade adopted
resolutions providing for the expulsion of members
engaging in corners, under Rule V, which designated
what were considered improper and fraudulent trans-
actions.
Soon after the passage of this resolution, another
corner was run on No. 1 corn. At the beginning of
November, the price was 77 cents per bushel; it gradu-
ally advanced in price to 95 cents, on the 21st of the
month, when it was discovered that the market was
cornered, and that the corn was virtually in the posses-
sion of a single firm and a syndicate of their friends.
The syndicate ran the price up to $1.08, on the last
day of the month. The price in New York on that day
was $1.14, and on the succeeding day fell to 80 cents
in Chicago.
Many leading firms of undoubted credit and untar-
nished business reputation were caught in the corner ;
but, contrary to expectation, refused to settle their
deals at the price demanded. Among the firms who
rebelled against the extortion, were Murry Nelson &:
Co., W. H. Lunt, Eli Johnson & Co., Spruance, Preston
& Co., and others. It was determined by them to sub-
mit a test case to the Board of Arbitrators, the delin-
quents depending on the resolution recently passed for
a vindication. The case was brought by Priestly &
Co., who had engineered the corner, against Murry
Nelson & Co.
The case, as presented, was, that Nelson & Co. sold,
on the 1 6th of November, for delivery during the
month, to Priestly & Co., five thousand bushels of No.
1 corn, at 78 cents a bushel. On the last day of the
month, they found it impossible to purchase the said
corn, except from Priestly & Co., or parties acting in
concert with them, and the nominal price for settlement
had been set by them at $t.o.S per bushel. Nelson &
Co. offered to settle the contract on the basis of ninety
cents, which offer was refused, and the difference was
brought before the Board.
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
363
That it was, under the rules, a technical default of
contract, was a fact not in dispute by the litigants; but
it was claimed that the contract had been vitiated by
act of the purchasers in forcing the price to an extor-
tionate figure, contrary to the resolution so recently
passed condemnatory of such transactions. After a full
hearing of the case, and arguments, it was decided
against Nelson & Co.; and they were, on December 15,
notified that, unless, within ten days, they should effect
a settlement with Priestly & Co., of the difference
awarded, they would, in accordance with the by-laws,
be suspended from the privileges of the Board.
On or before the expiration of the ten days, Messrs.
Nelson & Co. obtained from the Circuit Court an in-
junction upon the Board, its president and secretary,
forbidding them from carrying out the threatened
expulsion. The case was thus carried into the courts,
and, pending a decision, held in abeyance by the Board.
It was finally decided that the resolution did not amend
the rule, under which the Board had a right to expel
any member who, for violation of contract or other
cause therein named, might be subject to such disci-
pline.
The year ended in a most successful corner on pork
and lard. It could not, perhaps, be strictly termed a
corner, so much as a general concentration of the entire
product in strong hands, that controlled the price there-
after for the season. Unlike the corners in grain, there
was no culmination at the close of any month which was
followed by such marked decline as to show that the
deal was engineered for local speculative purposes,
although short sellers of provisions suffered no less than
had their unfortunate brethren in the grain trade. The
packing season opened under discouraging conditions.
There was no speculative demand for provisions in any
form, and the whole market was lifeless. It seemed to
the best observers, that only lower prices could put any
life into the trade. The packers themselves took that
view, and sold largely short on their prospective pro-
ducts, at quite low figures. They were joined by many
short sellers having like views of the situation. The
result was, that during November, and the early part of
December, the market became alarmingly short; the
shortage being stated at 30,000 bbls. of mess pork, on
December 12, at an average of $24 a bbl. Lard had
been also largely sold ahead, at from 13^ and 14 cents.
The packers already short found an unexpected de-
mand for their products in December, at prices above
the average of the short sales they had made, and
became bidders in the open market for their own pro-
ducts. It thus happened that prices were rapidly
advanced during the latter part of December — on mess
pork $3 a bbl. and on lard 3 cents a pound. The lard
and pork was, at the close of the year, in the control of
one or two packing firms, and held by them until finally
disposed of, there being no serious break in prices
below the figures at which the shorts were forced to
settle, until the season was over. It could not, there-
fore, be termed a speculative corner, gotten up for local
profit, so much as a combination of packers to protect
their own legitimate products from what they deemed
an unnatural depression. The average price of the
short sales of mess pork made in November, and early
in December, was not above $23.50, and the settlements
were made at an average of $28.50, on January 1, 1869.
During the succeeding months, prices never fell off ;
reaching $33 a bbl. in January, $33.25 in February, and
$32.25 in March. Lard was sold short in November
and December at 13 and 14 cents, and settled in Jan-
uary at 17 and 18 cents. The range thereafter was
for January, February and March, 18 and 20^ cents.
In the eyes of the short sellers who had suffered, how-
ever, the deal on pork was out of the legitimate range
of trade, and was classed with the many corners on
grain that had resulted so much to their discomfiture
during the year. The result was, that the Board, in the
revision of the by-laws at the close of the fiscal year,
enacted a specific rule calculated to protect adverse
interests against corners. It reads as follows:
Rub XIII. — Whenever any member of this Board shall claim
that the fulfillment of his contract is interfered with by the exist-
ence of a "corner," the President of the Board shall, upon the
application of any party to such contract, appoint a committee of
three disinterested members of the Board, who shall decide as to
the existence of a "corner." and if they find that a "corner"
existed at the time of the maturity of the contract, such contract
shall be settled on the basis of actual value as compared with other
property of the same kind, but of a different grade in this market,
and with property of the same grade in other markets — such value
to be ascertained, as near as may be, and the price to be fixed, by a
majority of such committee.
Pending the test suit of Priestly & Co. vs. Murry
Nelson & Co., the Board had evidently settled itself in
the conviction that both extremes of speculation — over-
selling and over-buying — were subjects to be regulated,
since the roots were too deep to 'be eradicated. The
by-laws at that time in force recognized short selling as
legitimate, by providing for the putting up of margins
on such sales, and for the discipline of such short sellers
as should default on the settlement of their contracts.
The buyers of property were free to buy up to the point
where Rule XIII could be enforced.
While these events were in progress new members
continued to join the Board. Among the number were
those whose sketches are herewith presented.
Cyrus H. Adams, son of Hugh and Amanda J. Adams, and
nephew of Cyrus H. McCormick, was born at Kerr's Creek, Rock-
bridge Co., Va., February 21, 1S49, ancl moved to Chicago with
his father's family in 1857. After studying at the University of
Chicago, he entered the office of the grain commission firm of C.
H. McCormick & Co., in 1S67. This firm was established in
1859, by Cyrus H. McCormick and Hugh Adams. Cyrus H.
Adams was admitted to the firm as partner, and the name was
changed to McCormick, Adams & Co., in 1872. Hugh Adams
was a native of Virginia — a successful merchant there and in
Chicago a man of the highest integrity, of unblemished character;
who died respected by all who knew him, in March, 18S0, leaving a
widow and a family of eight children, of whom Cyrus H. was the
third. After his death, the firm was continued by Cyrus H.
McCormick and Cyrus H. Adams, under the same firm name, until
the death of Cyrus H. McCormick, in May, 1SS4. The business
was then succeeded by the present firm of Cyrus H. Adams ..V Co.,
composed of Cyrus H. Adams, Hugh L. Adams and Edward S.
Adams, brothers. Cyrus H. has been a member of the Board of
Trade since 1S69, and for seven successive years, during that time,
served the Board of Trade in official capacities ; first, as a mem-
ber of the Arbitration Committee; second, as director; and, third,
as member of Committee of Appeals. He has twice, since retiring
from the Committee of Appeals, been urged to accept candidacy
for office of president of the Board, but declined on account of
pressure of private business. He is the author of many of the
most important rules governing the intricate and vast business of
the Board, and has perhaps done as much toward simplifying and
perfecting its system of trading, and rules governing same, as any
other member. The firm, of which he is now senior member,
is one of the largest established houses in the trade, and is well re-
garded. Cvrus H. Adams was married to Miss Emma J. Blair,
daughter of Lyman Blair, on September 26, 1S7S; they have one
child, a boy, who bears the name of his father.
Tames M. Ball was born in Sheffield, England, in 1S45. Eight
years later his parents emigrated to America, and he was reared at
Dixon, III. After leaving school he was, for a short time, employed as
a clerk in a general store. In the summer of 1862, when but seven-
teen vears of age, he enlisted in Battery " F," 1st Illinois Volun-
teer infantry. In June, 1864, he was promoted to second lieu-
tenant, 3d United "States Colored Artillery; in February, 1S65,
promoted to first lieutenant, made captain in the following July,
and early in 1866 was breveted major serving until mustered out,
June 30, 1S66. Mr. Ball recuperated for a short time at his home
}64
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
in Dixon, and on the first day of January, 1S67. came to Chicago
and entered the employ of VVinans, Matthews & Co., commission
merchants. In 1S0S, tiie oncern changed to Matthews. Zollars &
Co., he being admitted as a partner, and in 1S69, to Matthews
& Ball. This firm did a large and successful business and was
well and favorably known to the trade. In May, 1SS3, they dis-
solved, and Mr. Ball established the present firm of J, M. Hall &
Co. The subject of this sketch has been a member of the Board
of Trade since i$b>. and has been largely interested in the manage-
ment of its affairs. He was a member of the Committee of Arbi-
tration during' 1S70-S0, a member of the Committee of Appeals
during 1881-82. and was one of the Board of Directors from
January, iSS; to 1SJ5. Mr. Ball is also a member of the Chicago
Stock Exchange, and one of the governing" committee of that
institution. He is one of the directors of the Board of Trade
Telegraph Company, and was for two years its treasurer. He is
also a member of the Union League Club, and for a year was one
of its membership committee.
George C. Ball, grain commission merchant, is a native of
Sheffield, England, born on February 2S, 1847. He came to
America with his parents, Joseph and Caroline (Carnel) Ball, in
1 >? :, and, after stopping a couple of years in the city of New York,
settled in Dixon, 111., where his mother died in September, 1870,
and his father in April, 1S71. At the tender age of eight, he
entered the stationery store of James Mead, in Dixon, and subse-
quently that of J. B. Pomeroy, where he remained until December,
1S62. Although but thirteen years old, he then enlisted as a bugler
in Co. " D," 1st Illinois Light Artillery — McAllister's Battery — but
was very soon detailed as private orderly for General Frank P.
Blair, and followed his fortunes until honorably discharged in June,
1S64. He then came to Chicago, and entered Eastman's business
college, completing the course, and receiving his diploma, in the
incredibly short period of six weeks. Such was his proficiency,
that he was at once engaged as teacher of the First Theory De-
partment, but subsequently took charge of the stationery and
advertising, in which he was engaged when he was offered the posi-
tion of cashier of the Rockford Insurance Company, at Rockford.
III. He accepted this offer, and remained with that company until
1870, ^-hen he entered the office of Matthews & Ball (J. M. Ball, his
brother), on the Board of Trade. He subsequently took charge of
the books of the registry department of the Board, which he resigned
to take a place in the office of C. H. McCormick & Co. In 1875,
he started an independent commission house, with N. B. Ream as
partner. The name and style of the firm was George C. Ball &
Co., and continued until 1878, when Mr. Ream withdrew, and C.
J. Singer took his place, changing the firm to Singer & Ball. After
about eight months they dissolved, and Mr. Ball has followed the
commission business alone, to the present time. He has been a
member of the Board of Trade since 1871, and served on the Com-
mittee of Arbitration two years. He is a member of Oriental
Lodge, Xo. 33, A. F. & A. M. He is a Republican in politics, and
a member of the Young Men's Republican Club; also a member of
the Chicago Club. He was married January 27, 1875, to Carrie
Woodruff, the daughter of Jackson Woodruff, of Chicago, and
has had two children, Woodruff and Marie.
Jonathan Abel is president of the Phcenix Distilling Com-
pany, and for seventeen years has been an honored member of the
Board of Trade. Mr. Abel was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y.,
December 4, 1832, and received his education and early business
training in his native place. In 1857, he caught the western fever,
came to Illinois, settled at Sandwich, and engaged in the lumber
business ; which he successfully carried on for two years, when he
disposed of his interests in that line, and entered the drug trade in
the same village, in which he remained eight years. While
a resident of Sandwich, he became a member of Meteor Lodge,
No. 283, A. F. .V A. M., and Sandwich Chapter, No. 107, R A.
M. In 1868, he came to Chicago, and purchased Colonel
Wheeler's interest in the firm oi Dickinson, Leach & Co., distillers.
The great fire of 1S71 swept away their distdlery on Indiana
Street, on the North Side, and their rectifying house on Wells
Street. After the fire, the firm bought the distilling interests of
Thomas Hollihan & Co , which constitutes the present business of
the company. George T. Burroughs now vice-president, was at
that time, admitted into the firm. Two years after Wilson Ames
and I!. W. Kendall bought the interest of E. C. Leach, and a
ornv-d, under the name of the Phoenix Distil-
ling Company, of which Mr. Kendall is the present secretary, and
Wilson Ames treasurer. The company own a large distillery and
warehouse at Clybourn-street bridge. The magnitude of their
business places them in the front rank of their line in the city. In
1884, their transactions amounted to over two and one-half millions
Mr. Abel 1 member of the Board of Trade in
.iding certificate No. 4, and has been connected with it
ever since.
member of the well-known firm of
John T. Lester & Co., was born near the city of Rochester, N. Y.,
on January 9, 1844. He left school at the age of fifteen, and
entered his brother's store in Bangor, Me. In 1S61, when seven-
teen years old, he enlisted in the 3d New York Cavalry, com-
manded by Colonel Simon Mix. He was sent to Washington, and
fought with his regiment at Shenandoah, North Carolina, New
Orleans and Fort Hudson. He accompanied General Nathaniel
P. Banks on the miserable fiasco entitled the Red River Expedi-
tion, and he was finally mustered out on April 25, 1S65. On oeing
discharged, he went to Waterville, Me., and engaged in the flour
business with his brother for about one year. He reached Chicago
in the spring of 1S6S, and went into the commission business with
J. B. Hobbs, under the firm name of J. B. Hobbs & Co. This
lasted for four years, and was dissolved by mutual consent in 1872.
In 1875, he began business for himself and 1880, found him on
the wrong side, and retired him, somewhat financially the worse for
wear. He, however, went to work for John T. Lester & Co., and
served them faithfully for three years — in the meantime paving up
every dollar of his debts. In February, 1SS4, he was taken into
partnership, and is now a very active member of the firm. He has
been a member of the Board of Trade since 1869. Mr. Bangs was
married on October 22, 1870, to Miss Louisa Bodfish, and has one
son, Edward.
Edward H. Noyes was born in Brattleboro', Vt., September
18, 1844, and came to Chicago in the spring of 1864, and entered
the employment of Sherman, Hall & Pope, with whom he remained
for two and one-half years. He subsequently entered the employ-
ment of P. S. Sinkey & Co. , with whom he also staid for two years and
a half. He then, in 1869, embarked in business on his own account
as junior partner in the firm of Chandler, Pomeroy & Noyes, stay-
ing with that firm for a little over two years, and then selling out
his interest therein The firm of Chandler, Pomeroy & Co. suc-
ceeded the firm of which Mr. Noyes was a member, and about six
months after he left, in the year 1872, it failed. Meantime he had
been conducting a successful business on his own individual account,
and. in 1S75, became junior partner in the firm of Peck & Noyes.
In 1878, he was a member of Underwood, Noyes & Co., and in Au-
gust, 1879, established the firm of E. H. Noyes & Co. ; he has contin-
ued that firm in the grain shipping business since that time. Not
alone, however, in this firm, but throughout all his business con-
nection and association, Mr. Noyes has maintained an enviable re-
cord for integrity and scrupulous observance of all contracts made
by him. Strict attention to business, and honesty in its conduct,
has resulted in an excellent connection, and one which is constantly
increasing. Mr. Noyes was married, on August 8, 1870, to Mary
Cornelia Hamilton, and has three children — Edward Hamilton,
William Horatio, and Albert Chandler. He has never held any
office on the Board of Trade, but has been a member since 1S69.
A. G Ashley, the senior member of the hay and grain com-
mission house of Ashley & Co , is a son of a farmer, Hiram Ash-
ley, who settled in Richmond, N. Y , and married Polly Gilbert, of
that place. He is the second son of a family of four boys and two
girls, and was born in Richmond. Ontario Co., N. Y., April 15,
1S32, whither his father removed when he was but four years old.
His father was one of the solid farmers of Western New York,
and a man of note among his neighbors. He was sent to the State
Legislature in 1849, and served a term in Congress in 1S54. Au-
gustus G. Ashley, besides the early advantages of the public
schools, received all the assistance that could be rendered by private
institutions of a higher grade; and after spending one year at Pal-
myra, one at Canandaigua, and two at Lima College, graduated at
the latter institution when nineteen years of age. On leaving col-
lege, he bought a half interest in a drug store in Nunda, Living-
ston Co., N. Y , on the Genesee Valley Canal. There he mar-
ried, on January 24, 1858, Miss A. L. Spencer, sister of Charles L
Spencer, his present partner; and there he spent fourteen years in
the drug business. Two of his children were born there — two sons;
and his two daughters were born respectively at Belvidere and
Chicago. It was not till failing health admonished him that the
atmosphere of a drug store was slowly undermining his constitu-
tion, that he sold out his business and came West. For a single
year — from the fall of 1S62, when he first came West, to the fall
of 1863 — he ran a drug store in Belvidere, III., where he first set-
tled. But his health still failing, he abandoned the business per-
manently, and came to Chicago in 1863. At that time, there was
but one hay-ptess doing business in the city, and most of the hay
consumed here was delivered in bulk from farmers' wagons. He
at once engaged in the hay and grain commission business, put up
a warehouse and hay-press on West Madison Street, at the corner of
Morgan, — which was at that time away out of town, — and took an
office at No. 4 Market Street. He shortly afterward erected a large
warehouse on the river, just below Rush-street bridge. He was at
once in possession of a nourishing business, and soon had all he
could do, lie placed hay presses in various parts of the country
tributary to Chicago, and at one time bought every ton of hay pro-
curable in this region. He had an undeniable corner on hay; and
consumers at the Stock-Yards had to pay $36 a ton for hay which
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
365
cost him but S13. Since then, he has kept the lead in his line, and
has shipped hay to California, Liverpool, London, South America,
Cuba, and all parts of the Southern States, besides furnishing the
copper and lumber regions of Lake Superior large quantities for
many years His home trade has grown from three car-loads of
pressed hay a day to thirty. He lost heavily in the great fire, get-
ting only $73 on policies covering $17,000, all in home companies.
Two years ago (1SS2) he was one of the pioneers in the organiza-
tion of the Gurney Cab Co., L. 15. and M. S. Starkweather, with
himself, forming the company. On Christmas of that year, they
put five cabs on the street; now they have forty-six running, and
one hundred and eighteen horses at work. Mr. Ashley is a mem-
ber of Dr. Kittredge's Church, and belongs to the Presbyterian
Union Club. He has been a member of the Board of Trade since
1860, and has served on the Arbitration Committee for one term.
THE YEAR 1869-70.
The twenty-first annual meeting and election was
held Monday, April 5, 1S69. The membership reported
was one thousand two hundred and eighty-seven — an in-
crease of sixty-three members during the year. The
election resulted in the choice of J. M. Richards as
president, and S. H. McCrea for first vice-president.
None of the candidates for second vice-president re-
ceived a majority of the votes cast; there was conse-
quently no choice.
Following is a summary of the annual fiscal report :
Total receipts from all sources 895,502 73
Total disbursements 95,271 66
Surplusassets 17,213 35
Among the items of expenditure were: For repairs
on the hall, $7,628.80; assessment on account of the
National Board of Trade, $1,648.92 ; legal expenses,
$456.50; for appropriation to the Packers' Association,
part expenses incurred in investigating the Texas cattle
disease and in procuring State legislation on the same,
$750; also the expenses of a banquet given to members
of the Wisconsin and Minnesota boards. The cost of
grain inspection for the year was $46,147.89; the receipts
from the same amounted to $47,370.56.
Colonel Beaty having resigned as secretary, Charles
Randolph was selected to succeed him.
Rule XVI was so amended as to raise the initiation
fee for membership to $25.
The directors, in the annual report, made reference
to their success in settling all cases coming before them
for adjudication, except that of Priestly & Co. vs. Nel-
son & Co. In reference to this case, the report was as
follows:
" Your directors regret feeling obliged to enforce contracts of
that nature, yet we find no rules or by-laws of the association that
will release a member on his contract, even when caught in a 'cor-
ner'; and we recommend the continued prosecutions of this case,
not, however, in a spirit of persecution, but for the purpose of test-
ing the rights of our institution to compel its members to conform
to its rules and by-laws. "
Corner in Corn. — The work of this year was
largely of the routine character pertaining to trade.
There were, however, several cases which, in their pro-
secution and decision, brought the powers of the Board
more definitely under law, and are worthy of mention
as experimental steps in the progress of the organiza-
tion. The efficiency of Rule XIII, made to provide for
corners, was tested for the first time. During the month
of May, the market got so largely oversold on No. 1
corn, that the price was — compared to the price of No.
2 — extortionate. On the 15th of May the difference in
the price of the two grades was not above 3 cents a
bushel. At the close of the month, No. 1 corn had ad-
vanced to 10 cents a bushel above No. 2. Sales were
made of 47,000 bushels of No. 1 at 68 cents. No. 2
sold at 58 cents. C. P. Goodyear, being a sufferer on
the short side, declined to settle a trade for 15,000
bushels for May, sold to Anderson, who had been prin-
cipal buyer, and appealed for relief to the Hoard, affirm-
ing that a corner existed. The committee heard the
evidence, and reported that, considering all the evidence
anil facts elicited, no corner existed. Goodyear settled
up his May deals in accordance with the decision. He
was still a bear on the corn market, and sold largely of
No. 2 corn, for delivery in July. A large proportion of
his sales were made at buyer's option, as they brought
a much higher price, on a weak market, than seller's
option or cash. In July, it happened that the corn in
store became quite generally out of condition, and, un-
der the rules, was so posted by the various elevators,
under notification of the inspectors. By the middle of
July it was plain that unless warehouse receipts of No.
2 corn could be delivered on short sales, regardless of
any subsequent change in quality arising from heating
since put in store, that the deliveries could not be made,
and that a corner existed. It was so believed by the
majority of 'short sellers, and another attempt was made
by them to enforce Rule XIII. On July 15, the fol-
lowing communication was presented to the acting-presi-
dent, the president being absent:
S. H. McCrea, Vice-President oj 'the Board of. Trade:
The undersigned, interested in corn contracts for delivery dur-
ing this month, claim that, by reason of the corn now in store under
grade No. 2, being largely declared to be out of condition, and
therefore not deliverable on such contracts, creates a corner, within
the meaningof Rule XIII of the general rules of the Board, and, in
order to properly adjust unfulfilled contracts equitably, request that
you will appoint a committee of three disinterested members of the
Board to determine upon a proper price at which unfulfilled con-
tracts may be settled, whether such contracts be buyer's or seller's
option for July. \V. L. Brainard, A. Dow,
C. P. Goodyear, B. F. Murphey & Co.
J. K. Fisher & Co. Howard Priestly,
R. McChesney, Charles G. Cooley.
V. A.Turpin, N. K. Fairbank and R. Prindiville were
appointed as the committee to act under the rule. The
case was heard July 19. Mr. Cooley, one of the peti-
tioners, desired to have his name erased from the call.
He stated that he had settled the bulk of his sales at 78
cents a bushel, and did not think that a corner existed.
The question whether a corner existed, hinged on
the condition of the corn then in store, and whether
sales made while the corn was in good condition were
valid after the basis on which the sales had been made
had been changed. The chief inspector testified to the
condition of the No. 2 corn then in store. It was out
of condition in all but two elevators in the city — more so
than at any time for three years. F. M. Mitchell, How-
ard Priestly, J. K. Adams, and others, testified that they
had repeatedly tendered warehouse receipts for No. 2
corn, in houses outside the North Side and Central ele-
vators, and had been unable to deliver such receipts on
their matured contracts. E. K. Bruce and others testi-
fied that business was not blocked by hot corn; that
they bought, sold and shipped as usual. The evidence
was profuse on all sides; and, after due consideration,
the committee reported, on the 20th, that,
"Owing to the large sales and the bad condition of the corn, as
reported by the inspectors, a ' corner ' existed, and submitted, as a
basis of settlement of outstanding contracts: 'On corn sold at sell-
er's option, on which receipts have been tendered and refused, since
II o'clock a. m., July 16, 7S cents per bushel ; on seller's options
for July, not yet tendered, if tendered before the close of July 21,
7S cents per bushel; on buyer's options, called before July 20, where
receipts tendered had been refused, 80 cents per bushel'; but on
buyer's options not yet called, the committee did not deem it with-
in their province to consider or report."
On the basis of this report most of the options were
settled, except a line of buyer's options, put out by
366
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Goodyear & Co.. which had not matured, and which
were not called until the end of the month, at which
time No. 2 corn was as effectually cornered as ever.
Goodyear tendered the corn due on the last day of the
month, in receipts which had been condemned as 'hot.'
They were refused, whereupon he offered to settle on
the basis of So cents per bushel, as had been provided
for buyer's options called early in the month. The prin-
cipal buyer. J. T. Lester, refused to settle on those
terms, brought the case before the arbitrators, and was
awarded the difference claimed. Goodyear & Co. re-
fused to abide by the decision, and commenced a suit to
recover damages in the courts. The directors reported
that the firm failed to fulfill a contract after it was duly
awarded, and, on September 13, reported the firm as
suspended under the rules. Their action was confirmed
by vote of the Board. At this time, Goodyear & Co.
stood as one of the leading firms on the Board, both for
financial ability and uprightness of character. Mr.
Goodyear had served, in 1867, as vice-president of the
Board, and his partner, Mr. McHenry, was personally
one of the most popular young men on the Board.
Under the rules, the directors had no discretion. The
firm was liable to suspension, and was therefore sus-
pended. The feeling of regret was general, and, on
September 20, the matter was again brought before the
full Board. The following resolution was passed:
"Resolved, That the president and directors of the Board of
Trade be, and are hereby, requested to reinstate C. B. Goodyear and
\V. H. McHenry to membership of this Board."
The resolution, if carried out, would have been in
direct violation of the rules of the Board. The direc-
tors met, and adopted resolutions pledging themselves
to resign if their action was not sustained. An ad-
journed meeting of the Board of Trade was then held,
and the re-instatement of Messrs. Goodyear & Co. stated
to be the wish of the Board. Therefore, the resigna-
tion of the officers became operative. A meeting of the
Board was then called, and Dr. Turpin offered the fol-
lowing resolutions:
"Resolved, That the Board of Trade has received notice of the
resignation of its officers with profound regret.
"Resolved, That the action of the adjourned meeting of the full
Board, on the evening of the 20th instant, is not the sentiment of
this Board.
"Resolved, That the officers of this Board be respectfully re-
quested to withdraw their resignation."
On the following day these resolutions were unani-
mously adopted, and the officers withdrew their
resignation.
The Eli.vator Difficulty. — The elevators, dur-
ing this year, became more antagonistic than ever
before to the grain interest, which was mainly repre-
sented through the Board of Trade, of which nearly all
the receivers, shippers and dealers in grain were mem-
bers. Their grievances were most fully set forth in the
press, and their cause found champions therein. There
had been a constant series of troubles between the ele-
vators, the inspectors, the receivers and shippers all
through the previous year. The trouble appears to
have been that there were many conflicting interests in-
volved, and that the business was carried on without
any controlling supervision of law. A conflict was in-
evitable, however, before the trouble could be adjusted,
and it culminated in the appointment of a committee
by the Board of Trade, to consider the alleged irregu-
larity in the issuance of warehouse receipts, and other
evils in the warehouse system, and to report thereon.
The committee, on Friday, January 21, 1870, presented
a report containing recommendations intended to form
a basis for compromising the differences. The report
was adopted on the following Monday. On February
1, a plan, in accordance with the resolutions, for the
registration of receipts and the prevention of over-
issues, was presented to the warehousemen for approval.
On February 7, the proprietors of the principal ele-
vators replied, and declined the proposition ; when the
Board again submitted a basis of compromise, which
was again rejected, and the year closed with the Board
of Trade and the elevators in distinct variance, and with
little chance for any satisfactory settlement of their dif-
ferences. The time had arrived, however, when the
immense and constantly-increasing interests of general
trade could no longer be left unprotected by positive
law. The quarrels between the conflicting interests,
which were found to be incapable of settlement, proved
to the great commercial public that the time had come
to put under the paternal care of the State these great
interests which had outgrown the control of all private
integrity, and were fast consolidating into a monopoly
which would only be measured in its degree of extor-
tion, honesty or beneficence to trade, by the honesty
or cupidity of the men who held control of the vast
interests involved in the handling of all the surplus
grain of the great Northwest.
THE YEAR 1870-71.
The twenty-second annual meeting was held Tues-
day April 5, 1870. The membership reported was one
thousand, three hundred and forty-two — an increase of
fifty-five during the year. The election resulted in the
choice of the following officers : S. H. McCrea, presi-
dent : B. F. Murphey and P. W. Dater, vice-presidents.
A summary of the fiscal report gives the follow-
ing:
Total receipts $93,434 55
Total expenditures 94,635 72
Excess of expenditures .- - $ 1,201 17
Assets in bonds and cash $13,945 43
During the year, the receipts from inspection were
$40,267.20, and the expenses, $46,036 50 — a deficit in
that item of $5,769.30 ; $3,500 was also paid on the
soldiers' monument ; repairs made in the hall, and legal
expenses in defending suits against the Board, amounted
to $3,688.43 ; and the assessments of the National
Board of Trade, with expenses of delegates attending
its annual session, were $1,092. Considering these
extraordinary items of expense, the fiscal report was
deemed satisfactory.
The initiation fees were raised to $50, by vote of the
Board. The breach between the warehousemen and
the Board of Trade had been made the issue at the
election, in so far as to have resulted in a warehouse
and anti-warehouse ticket. The candidate put forward
by the elevator interest was Julian S. Rumsey, who,
from his personal popularity, his acknowledged business
ability and fitness for the position, was, perhaps, the
strongest opposition candidate that could have been
selected. He received three hundred and eighty-one
votes against four hundred and eighty-nine for the suc-
cessful candidate. A resolution was adopted to enforce
the Warehouse law for the delivery of grain, as the
owner or consignee may elect. Another resolution was
also passed, providing for a thorough revision of the
existing rules regulating the packing and inspection of
provisions, and all matters relating to their sale or pur-
chase, through a joint committee, consisting of three
members each of the Board of Trade and the Pork
Packers' Association, and three buyers of provisions —
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
367
the committee to submit the new rules to the full Board
for adoption.
The business of the Board for the year was chiefly
confined to buying and selling — little of historic interest
occurring, beyond what appeared in the statistics show-
ing the enormous volume of business done under the
control and supervision of the Board. A revision of the
by-laws was effected, and the inspection of provisions,
under well defined rules, inaugurated. The difficulties
between the warehousemen and the owners of property
consigned to their charge continued a source of trouble
and discussion during the year; and when the Legisla-
ture convened in January, 1871, one of the first subjects
which engaged its attention, was a bill regulating public
warehouses and the inspection of grain; which, after
amendments, was passed. The fiscal year closed while
the bill was still pending.
THE YEAR 1S71-72.
The twenty-third annual meeting was held Monday,
April 3, 1871. The membership reported was one
thousand two hundred and seventy-two — a decrease of
seventy during the year. The falling off was attributed
to the large accessions just prior to the close of the
previous year, and in anticipation of the increase in the
•admission fee; which gave an unusually large member-
ship at the close of the year, leaving the accessions this
year not sufficient to offset the losses. The officers
chosen for the ensuing year were: J. W. Preston, presi-
dent; C. E. Culver and W. N. Brainard, vice-presidents.
The fiscal report of the Board of Directors showed
the following :
Total receipts from all sources $106,804 00
Total disbursements - 104,347 00
Balance of assets on hand $ 16,402 00
The receipts for inspection for the year were $49,668,
the expenses, $39,369 — net income from this source
$9,299. The expenses of the National Board of Trade
were $736. The last item of war expenses appeared in
this report, it being the payment of the balance due on
the soldiers' monument, amounting to $1,931. The
annual assessment was fixed at $30. The directors re-
ported a revenue of $3,000 from visitors' tickets, the
issuance of which had been first authorized in July,
1870.
From the directors' report the following extracts are
given, as of historic value :
"The subject of the transportation and handling of grain, which
has more or less been a subject of discussion for several years past,
has engaged the attention of your directors ; and, as the newly-
adopted Constitution of the State seemed to call for some legisla-
tion on those subjects, they, in conjunction with the commission
appointed to revise the statutes, had prepared two bills for submis-
sion to the Legislature, the one having reference to the duties of
railroads as carriers of grain, and the other with reference to thn
duties of those engaged in storing the same. The former is pend-
ing in the Legislature, with the approval of the Committee on Rail-
roads, without essential modification, and it is believed, will become
a law, before the adjournment of that body; the latter, amended by
the committee to whom it was referred, and with some alterations,
concurred in by the directors of this Board, has passed the House,
and will no doubt meet the approval of the Senate at an early day.
The modifications in the original draft of the bill, are not, in the
judgment of your directors, improvements, but it is hoped that they
may not seriously injure or inconvenience the trade of this city.
By the provisions of the bill, as amended, the inspection of grain
is to be controlled by the State, and this Board, will, if the bill be-
comes a law before the vacation of the Legislature, be relieved of this
care and responsibility on the 1st of July, next.* If this branch of
business be as well done as heretofore, we shall be well satisfied.
* The bill passed March 15, and was approved April 25.
The responsibility in this regard has been very great, and no sub-
ject has engaged the attention of the officers of the Board more
carefully and vigilantly than this. That entire satisfaction could
be given was not to be expected; that the best efforts of the Board
have been given to perfect the system, none will deny."
The delegates to the National Board of Trade sub-
mitted their report of the proceedings of the annual
session, held in Buffalo, from December 7 to 12, 1870.
The delegates were : P. W. Dater, V. A. Turpin, J. G.
Guthrie, R. Prindiville and Charles Randolph. The
subjects discussed and approved were :
1. Giving of " clean" bills of lading for grain in bulk- by rail-
roads.
2. Approving and recommending the cental system of weights
and measures.
3. The selling of cotton in bale by actual tare.
4. The abolition of all laws, State and Municipal, that restrict
inter-State commerce.
5. The establishment of a Department of Commerce by the
General Government.
6. The immediate and unconditional repeal of the franking
privilege.
7. A revision of the tariff, and a reduction of the duties to a
revenue standard.
8. Civil service reform.
9. Direct importation to inland cities of the country.
10. Postal steam service.
11. Early return to specie payments.
12. Abolition of all usury laws.
13. Improvement of river navigation by General Government.
The Warehouse law, as enacted, provided for the ap-
pointment of a registrar, having powers that made him
something of an autocrat in the eyes of the warehouse-
men ; who, although working under corporate author-
ity conferred by the laws of the State, could not ignore
their individual rights to control their own business.
They, therefore, chose to rebel against the law, to the
extent of applying to the courts for relief. The Board
of Trade also determined, before taking measures to
enforce the law, to have legal advice. The whole law
was submitted to Messrs. Hitchcock, Dupee & Evarts,
counselors-at-la\v, for their opinion as to its constitu-
tionality Their opinion, given June 21, substantially sus-
tained the legal validity of the entire railroad and ware-
house legislation. The warehousemen having been led to
believe, by their legal advisers, that the fixing of the rates
of storage, and other points in the law, affecting their
business, were arbitrary and unconstitutional, refused to
receive grain except by request or consent of the owner
until the question should be settled in the courts. Con-
siderable confusion ensued, but nothing to seriously ob-
struct the course of trade. The registrar's authority
was not fully acknowledged for the time being, and it
was not until the court decided as to the validity of the
law, and disclosures were made of gross attempts at
fraud on the part of individuals identified with the
elevator business, that the law was put into full and
unimpeded effect.
On September 20, resolutions were passed favoring
the construction of an international ship canal at Niag-
ara, and the directors were authorized to appoint dele-
gates to a canal convention, to be held at an early day
at Detroit. During the same month, the by-laws were
amended and the rules revised, particularly as to op-
tion sales for future delivery, margins, and the inspec-
tion of provisions before delivery on sales.
The Munn & Scott Difficulties. — The first
warehouse commissioners appointed under the Ware-
house law were, David Hammond, of Chicago, and
Colonel Morgan, of Bloomington. The inspection and
registration offices were opened August 1, 1871; but as
the warehousemen almost entirely ignored the law, but
little effort was made prior to October, 187 1, to get an
568
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
account of the grain on hand in the elevators. The
registrar kept an account of all receipts issued, as they
could with difficulty be negotiated without this certifi-
cate. During 1872. it was regarded as important and
necessary that the quantity of grain in store
should be ascertained, in order that an amount
of receipts and shipments might be accurately
kept by the registrar, as contemplated by the
law. Members of the Board of Trade who had
interests at stake were anxious to "weigh up,"
and while some of the warehousemen were will-
ing, others declined, among the latter being
Munn & Scott. Later in the season, however,
when all the others had weighed and given the
registrar an account of all grain in store, Munn
..Y Scott announced that their report would be
forthcoming as soon as they could get it ready.
When the inspector examined the Munn & Scott
elevator, the Northwestern, he carefully calcu-
lated the capacity of the bins when full, the
same as in the case of other elevators, and he
thus knew the actual capacity by measurement.
The report of the inspector was copied on the
registrars books, and the general impression
prevailed that from this beginning, the public,
in future, would know something of the opera-
tions of the warehousemen. Suspicions were
rife on the Board, however, that there was not
so much wheat in store as was claimed. The
registrar was finally directed to investigate the
Northwestern elevator, and he directed assistant
inspector Kennedy to carefully examine into the
matter. His efforts were speedily rewarded by
the discovery, through an employe of Munn &
Scott, that several of their bins had been floored
over near the top, and a covering of wheat placed upon
the boards to give the bins the appearance of being
full. There was great excitement and indignation on
the Board at this disclosure, and it led to a more
complete and satisfactory observance of the law, the
better class of warehousemen having become satisfied
it was the only way to protect themselves.
Grain Received on October 9, 1871. — The
receipts of grain in Chicago, on Monday, October 9,
187 1, were the largest in a single day in the history of
the city, comprising 11,863,937 bushels of the crop of
187 1 ; 6,818,314 of 1870, and 6,246,042 of 1869. The
fire did not stop the receipts and shipments of grain, a
great deal of which had already been consigned and
was on the way. During the week succeeding the fire,
the receipts aggregated 1,635 cars> a"d the shipments
220,460 bushels.
Burning of the Chamber of Commerce. — The
Chamber of Commerce was destroyed between one and
lock a. m., the morning of October 9. At about
1:20 a. m., a great billow of flames rolled over LaSalle
Street, and broke in the windows of the Chamber of
Commerce on the west side, near the south end of the
building, and at the same time seized upon the roof and
1 into the overhanging cornices. So swift was
the lir>: in its progress, that the building was gutted and
apart of the walls melted away in a few minutes. The
ted Press operator, in the Meichant's Building,
diagonally opposite on Washington Street, who was
sending out an account of the fate of the Chamber of
Commerce, was compelled to break off in the middle of
a word and flee for safety. The Court House, a fitting
companion to this magnificent building, caught fire in
the cupola, and at 2:05 o'clock a. m., the great Court-
house bell pitched from its fastenings down through the
crumbling ruins, clanging out a close to operations on
the old Board and a knell for the perished greatness of
the queenly city. The loss on the Chamber of Com-
merce was estimated at $284,000.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
LARMON BLOCK IN DISTANCE ON
CLARK STREET.
The day after the fire the Journal extra contained
an announcement that the Board of Trade would meet
at Nos. 51-53 Canal Street, and that there would be an
immediate meeting of the Board of Directors. Messrs.
B. P. Hutchinson, N. K. Fairbank, John L. Hancock
and others, representing more especially the provision
trade, leased Standard Hall, and invited the South Side
members to meet there as a matter of convenience. On
Wednesday, the directors of the Chamber of Commerce
decided to re-build at once. It was announced that
about $100,000 of the insurance of $225,000 on the
building destroyed would probably be recovered. On
Friday, the following resolution was unanimously
adopted at a meeting of the Board on Canal Street:
"Resolved, That the Board of Trade notify the directors of the
Chamber of Commerce that it holds lo and will comply with Ihe
provisions of its lease, and requires said Corporation to re-build
at once, as we wish to re-occupy the building at the earliest possible
day."
The following committee was appointed to remove
damaged grain, and dispose of the same "for account
of whom it may concern ": North Side Elevator, J. B.
Lyon, S. H. McCrea, C. W. Wheeler ; Central Elevator
" A," E. Buckingham, M. S. Bacon, Josiah Stiles ;
National Elevator, C. J. Gilbert, E. B. Stevens, D. W.
Irwin
The inconveniences of having two places of meet-
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
369
ing soon became evident, and efforts were made to com-
promise on the erection of a temporary structure, near
the entrance of Washington-street tunnel. The pro-
vision brokers and packers resolved to meet at Stand-
ard Hall from 7:30 to 9:30 o'clock in the evening.
They organized by electing B. P. Hutchinson, presi-
dent; Colonel Richardson and C. M. Culbertson, vice-
presidents ; J. P. Marot, secretary; and A. S. Burt,
treasurer.
An agreement was finally reached as to a temporary
location, until the Chamber of Commerce should be re-
built; and on Monday, two weeks after the fire, the
Board moved into a hall at the southwest corner of
Washington and Franklin streets, and business was
formally resumed. The main entrance was a stairway
on Washington Street, and, although the rooms were
small, they were well lighted, and if the rough pine
benches and tables were not rich enough to invite in-
dolence, they were at least serviceable. Aside from
being compelled, during the thaws of the succeeding
winter months, to wade across a miniature river in
Market Street, the members got along very comfortably,
and fully appreciated the kindness of Judge Farwell,
who had given them the use of the rooms rent free, for
so long a time as they might desire to occupy them.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, FROM CORNER WASHI
AND I.A SALLE STREETS.
LIST OF OFFICERS FROM 1858-72.
YEAR.
1858-59-
1859-60
1860-61 .
1861-62 .
1862-63 ■
1863-64 .
1S64-65 .
1865-66
1866-67.
1867-68 .
3-69.
1869-70 .
1S70-71 .
1871-72
Julian S. Rumsey.
Julian S. Rumsey,
I. Y. Munn,
Stephen Clary,
C. T. Wheeler,
John L. Hancock,
John L. Hancock,
Charles Randolph,
John C. Dore,
Wiley M. Egan,
E. V. Robbins,
J. M. Richards,
S. H. McCrea,
J. W. Preston,
Thomas H. Beebe,
Thos. H. Beebe (1st),
Stephen Clary (2d),
Eli Bates (1st),
John V. Farwell (2d),
Clinton Briggs (ist),
E. G. Wolcott (2d),
W. H. Low (1st),
John L. Hancock (2d).
N. K. Fairbank (ist),
Chas. Randolph (2d),
Thomas Parker (1st),
C. J. Gilbert (2d),
T. Maple (1st).
John C. Dore (2d),
P. L. Underwood (1st),
E. W. Densmore (2d),
Lyman Blair (1st),
C. B. Goodyear (2d),
E. K. Bruce (ist),
J. D. Cole, Jr. (2d),
S. H. McCrea (ist),
H. A. Towner (2d),
B. F. Murphey (ist),
P W. Dater (2d),
Chas. E. Culver (ist),
Wm. N. Brainard (2d),
W. W. Mitchell,
Seth Catlin, *
Seth Catlin,
Seth Catlin,
Seth Catlin,
Seth Catlin, J
John F. Beaty,
John F. Beaty,
John F. Beaty,
John F. Beaty,
John F. Beaty,
John F. Beaty,
Charles Randolph,
Charles Randolph,
Charles Randolph,
W. W. Mitchell.
George Watson.
George Watson.
George Watson.
George Watson.
George F. Rumsey.
George F. Rumsey.
George F. Rumsey.
George F. Rumsey.
George F. Rumsey.
George F. Rumsey.
L. V. Parsons.
George Sturges.
Orson Smith.
* The duties of the office of superintendent were merged with
latter office. The duties of treasurer were at the same time detached fn
t Seth Catlin died January 19, 1864. Colonel John F. Beaty w;
59, and Seth Catlin, the former super
about the 26th of January.
ndent, was elected to the
DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES, 1858-72.
1858-39-— Directors : R. M. Mitchell, H. K. Elkins, I. Y.
Munn, George Armour, N. Ludington, J. Magill, B. F. Culver,
C. T. Wheeler, D. Kreigh and M. C. Stearns. First Committee
of Reference : W. T. Mather, J. V. Farwell, S. B. Pomeroy.
B. S. Shepard and T. M. Avery. Second Committee of Refer-
ence : E. W. Densmore, S. H. Fish, R. Robinson, Samuel Howe
and Nathan Mears. Standing Committee : George M. How,
Eli Bates, J. J. Richards, W. S. Stewart, B. W. Thomas, Clinton
Briggs and G. Wentworth Scott.
1859-60. — Directors: E. W. Densmore, George Steel, A.
Dow, W. Munger, J. H. Tucker, E. B. Stevens, George M.
How, L. P. Hilliard, A. S. Burt and Hiram Wheeler. Commit-
tee of Arbitration (for first six months) : J. J. Richards, C. H.
Curtis, N. Ludington, R. Robinson and Thomas Parker ; (for
24
second six months) : D. L. Quirk, H. McLennan, J. H. Tiffany,
B. F. Culver and J. B. Waller. Committee of Appeals : M. C.
Stearns, C. T. Wheeler, B. Adams, H. K. Elkins, C. H. Walker,
D. C. Scranton, E. Rawson, J. V. Farwell and George Watson.
Sub-Committees of the Board of Directors : On Finance,
Stephen Clary, W. Munger, L. P. Hilliard. On Grain Inspection,
Hiram Wheeler, E. B. Stevens, A Dow. On Inspection other than
Grain, Thomas A. P.eebe, George Steel, E. W. Densmore. On
Admission of Members, J. H. Tucker, George M. How, A. S. Burt.
1860-61. — Directors : J. W. Finlev, George Webster, E.
G. Wolcott, Clinton Briggs,' A. E. Kent, C. H. Curtis, B. P.
Hutchinson, Charles S. Dole. D. L. Quirk. Julian Magill.
COMMITTEE OF ARBl i k.\ i [ON (for first six months) : John Brodie,
Windsor Leland, S. T. Atwater, Howard Priestly, C. A. Rogers ;
(for second six months) : Tracy J. Bronson, Samuel M. Johnson,
John Maitland, William H. Low, C. J. Davis. Committee of
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Appeals: P. Anderson, M. C. Stearns, Hiram Wheeler, Gurdon
S. Hubbard, Charles H. Walker, Hugh .McLennan, Thomas
Harless, L. P. Hilliard, Joel C Walter. Sub-Committees OF THE
Boarp OF Directors : On Finance, John V. Farwell, Clinton
Briggs, D. L. Quirk. On Grain Inspection, A. E. Kent, E. G.
Wolcott. I. W. Finley. On Inspection other than Grain, Julian
Magill, C. S. Dole. B. P. Hutchinson. On Admission of Members,
George Webster, Eli Bates, C. H. Curtis.
1861-62. — Directors: J. V. Clark, Charles E. Culver, V. A.
Turpin (*) .Charles Hinckley, T L. Hancock (*), Samuel Shackford
(*). C. J. Davis, Charles H.' Walker (*), Hugh Adams, C H.Cur-
tis (*). Committee of Arbitration (for first six months) : Silas
Pratt. J. D. Bailie. Thomas Parker, William D. Houghteling, C.
V. Richmond; (for second six months): L. D. Norton, W. N.
Brainard. S. A. Kent. T. T. Gurney, J. K. Fisher. Committee
of Appeals : S. T. Atwater, E. Rawson, George Steel, Samuel
Howe, F. D. Gray, William H. Low, Asa Dow, George Armour,
Hugh .McLennan. Sub-Committees of the Board of Direc-
tors : On Finance, Clinton Briggs, J. V. Clark, V. A. Turpin.
Oa Grain Inspection ,S. Shackford, Charles Hinckley, C. T- Davis.
On Flour Inspection, Y. A. Turpin, E. G. Wolcott, W. H. Low.
On Inspection other than Grain and Flour, Charles H. Walker, J.E.
Hancock, Hugh Adams. On Admission of Members, E. G. Wol-
cott, Charles E. Culver, C. H. Curtis. On Telegraph Messages, V.
A. Turpin, E. G. Wolcott, J. L. Hancock.
1862-63.— Directors : T. Maple (*), Charles E. Culver (*),
Charles Hinckley (*), Charles J. Davis (*), Hugh Adams(*), Lem-
uel D. Norton. B. P. Hutchinson, E. W. Densmore, N. K. Whit-
ney, Thomas Parker. Committee of Arbitration (for first six
months): R. McChesney, D. C. Scranton, H. C. Ranney, S. P.
Carter, S. M. Johnson ; (for second six months) : Albert Morse,
Henry Milward, Wiley M. Egan, N. K. Fairbank, E. W. Densmore.
Committee of Appeals : B. Adams, George Armour, C. R. P.
Wentworth, W. D. Houghteling, C. J. Magill, H. H. Ross, Clin-
ton Briggs, Samuel Howe, V. A. Turpin.
1863-64. — Directors: Lemuel D. Norton (*), B. P. Hutch-
inson)*), E. W. Densmore (*), N. K. Whitney (*), Thomas Parker
(*), Samuel Howe, J. C. Dore, E. G. Wolcott, Murry Nelson, S.
P. Carter. Committee of Arbitration (for first six months): S.
T. Atwater, A. Handy, W. N. Brainard, S. Pratt, George D. Rus-
sell; (for second six months): S. Shackford, M. S Nichols, P. L.
Underwood, J. D. Cole, Jr., A. J. Dennison. Committee of
Appeals: Ira V. Munn. C T. Wheeler, George Steel, William H.
Low, Julian S. Rumsey, George A. Gibbs, Stephen Clary, Thomas
Richmond, E Rawson. Committee on Finance : N. K. Fair-
bank, Samuel Howe, J. C. Dore. Committee on Grain Inspec-
tion: E. G. Wolcott, Charles Randolph, Murry Nelson. Com-
mittee on Flour Inspection: L. D. Norton, E. W. Densmore,
B. P. Hutchinson. Committee on other Inspection: Thomas
Parker, J. C Dore, N. K. Whitney. Committee on Member-
ship: N. K. Fairbank, Samuel Howe, S. P. Carter. Committee
on Telegraph: S. P. Carter.
1864-65.— Directors: Samuel Howe(*), E.G. Wolcott (*), T.
C. Dore (*), Murry Nelson (*), S. P. Carter (*), William Nason, J. S.
Harvey, Albert Morse. W. N. Brainard, C. M. Culbertson. Com-
mittee of Arbitration (for first six months): C. Y. Richmond,
E. Y. Robbins, T. J. Bronson, U. H. Crosby, T. M. Hibbard; (for
second six months) : E. K. Bruce, B. P. Hutchinson, T. H. Sey-
mour, W. N. Woodruff, f. W. Preston. Committee of Appeals:
Ira Y. Munn. J. W. l-iniay, S. Clary, C J. Davis, C T. Wheeler,
Solon Cumins, George M How, S. T. Atwater, D. L. Quirk.
Commitek on Finance: Samuel Howe J. C. Dore, S. P Carter.
COMMITTEE on Grain Inspection: Samuel Howe, Albert Morse,
Murry Nelson. Committee on Flour Inspection: William
Nason, C. J. Gilbert, J. S. Harvey. Committee on other In-
spection: C. M. Culbertson. J. C Dore, W. N. Brainard. Com-
mittee on Membership: Thomas Parker, Murry Nelson, E. G.
Wolcott. Committee on Telegraph: S.P.Carter.
1865-66. — Directors: William Nason (*), J. S. Harvey (*),
Albert Morsel*). W. N. Brainard (*), C. M. Culbertson (*), S. S.
Williamson. E. V. Robbins, W. H Low, S. A. Kent, J W. Odell.
Committee ok Arbitration (for the first six months): J. W.
Sykes, C. Hinckley, D. G. Brown, C. B. Pope, S. Cumins; (for the
second six months): W. M. Egan, D. C. Scranton, J. B. Lyon, J.
II. Dole, I. K. Fisher. COMMITTEE OF APPEALS: IraY. Munn, I).
Kreigh. H. McLennan, S. f'lary, S. T. Atwater, R. McChesney,
J. S. Rumsey, C. J. Gilbert, C. IL S. Mixer. Committee on
Finance: J. C. Dore, E. V. Robbins. W. N. Brainard. COMHIT-
IION: T. Maple, A. Morse, W. N. P.rainard.
Committee "■. Floi r Inspection; w. 11. Low, William Nason,
J. S. Harvey. COMMITTEE on OTHER Inspection: S. S.Wil-
liamson, C. M. Culbertson, S. A. Kent. COMMITTEE on MEMBER-
SHIP: E. V. Robbins, William Nason, A. Morse. Committee on
Telegraphing: J. w. Odell, s. a. Kent, J. s. Harvey.
• Those marked with(*j ierved one year, ooleH re'elet ted; "tliers two years.
1866-67— Directors: S. S.Williamson (*), E.V. Robbins (*),
W. H. Lo\v(*), S. A. Kent (*), J. W. Odell (*). H, Botsford, J. H.
Dole, T. H. Seymour, H. A. Towner, J. W. Pottle. Committee
of Arbitration (term expiring in 1867): A. G. Hoagland, H.
Priestly, C. Y. Richmond, W. T. Baker, I. P. Rumsey; (term expir-
ing in 1868): C. J. Magill, M. S. Yarwood, C. A. Knight, C. W.
Boynton, Michael Leary. Committee of Appeals (term expiring
in 1S67) : V. A. Turpin, M. C Stearns, C. T. Wheeler, C. Ran-
dolph, E. F. Lawrence; (term expiring in 1868): J. W. Finley, H.
Sprague. C. J. Davis, H. McLennan, L. D. Norton. Committee
on Finance: E. V. Robbins, H. A. Towner, J. W. Odell. Com-
mittee on Grain Inspection: J. H. Dole, T. H. Seymour, H.
Botsford. Committee on Flour Inspection: W. H. Low, E. W.
Densmore, S. S. Williamson. Committee on other Inspection:
J. W. Pottle, S. A. Kent, J. H. Dole. Committee on Member-
ship: P. L. Underwood, H. Botsford, E. W. Densmore. Com-
mittee on Telegraphing: J. W. Odell, S. A. Kent, E. V.
Robbins. Committee on Cemetery: S. S. Williamson, P. L.
Underwood, T. H. Seymour.
1867-68.— Directors: H. Botsford (*), Tames H. Dole (*), T.
H. Seymour(*), H. A.Towner(*), H. C. Ranney (*),W. E. Richard-
son, S. H. McCrea, W. H. Lunt, George M. How, George Field.
Committee of Arbitration (term expiring in 1869): D. H. Lin-
coln, Joseph B. Phelps, J. B. Hobbs, J. R. Bensley, J. J. Richards.
Committee of Arbitration (term expiring in 1870): H. C. Rus-
sell, J. H. Dwight, D. G Brown, W. H. Goodnow, S. P. Carter.
Committee of Appeals (term expiring in 1S69): C. E. Culver, T.
Maple, R. M. Cannon, E. B. Stevens, Thomas Parker; (term ex-
piring in 1S70): B. P. Hutchinson, W. M. Egan, E. W. Densmore,
Samuel Howe, M. A. Lawrence. Commercial Committee: R.
McChesney, J. C. Dore, W. D. Houghteling, W. F. Coolbaugh,
John L. Hancock, John M. Douglass, Nathan Mears, J. V. Far-
well, W. R. Gould, R. Prindiville, Ira Y. Munn, William Blair,
Stephen Clary, W. H. Low, Murry Nelson, S. Clement, W. E.
Doggett, L. B. Sidway. N. K. Fairbank, P. Wadsworth, Samuel
M. Nickerson. Committee on Finance: H. C. Ranney, H. A.
Towner, George M. How. Committee on Grain Inspection:
J. H. Dole, H. Botsford, S. H. McCrea. Commit iee on Flour
Inspection : George Field, H. A. Towner, H. C. Ranney. Com-
mittee on other Inspection: H. A. Towner, C. B. Goodyear,
W. H. Lunt. Committee on Lumber: Lyman Blair, S. H Mc-
Crea, W. E. Richardson Committee on Membership: George
M. How, W. E. Richardson, Lyman Blair. Committee on Tel-
egraphing: H. Botsford, W. H. Lunt, C. B. Goodyear. Com-
mittee on Cemetery: T. H. Seymour, Lyman Blair, S. H. Mc-
Crea.
i868-6q— Directors: W.E. Richardson!*), S.H. McCrea (*),
W.H. Lunt (*),George M. How (*), George Field (*), J.W. Preston,
D W. Irwin, L. D. Irwin, George J. Brine, Levi Higgins. Commit-
tee of Arbitration (term expiring in 1870): H. C. Russell, J. H.
Dwight, D. G. Brown, W. H. Goodnow, S. P. Carter; (term expir
ing in 1871): A. M. Bennett, George Stewart, Ailen Howes, C. G.
Cooley, J. C. Guthrie. Committee of Appeals (term expiring in
1870): W. M. Egan, B. P. Hutchinson, Samuel Howe, E. W.
Densmore, M. A. Lawrence; (term expiring in 1S71): W. H. Low,
B. F. Murphey, Hugh Adams, J. II. Dole, J. B. Lyon. Commer-
cial Committee: R. McChesney, T. C. Dore, John L. Hancock,
John M. Douglass, W. R. Gould, R. Prindiville, G. D. Watkins,
Ira Y. Munn, Stephen Clary, William H. Low, L. B. Sidway, N.
K. Fairbank, E. K. Bruce, M. S. Bacon, B. P. Hutchinson, J. M.
Millar. S. A. Kent, Marshall Field, Asa Dow, Thomas Whitney,
B. F. Culver. Committee on Finance: George M. How, George
[. Urine, J. W. Preston. Committee on Flour Inspection:
George Field, J. D. Cole, Jr., George J. Brine. Committee on
Grain Inspection: S. H. McCrea, L. D. Norton, D. W. Irwin.
Committee on Lumber Inspection: W. H. Lunt, E. K. Bruce,
L. D. Norton. Committef.cn other Inspection: W. E. Rich-
ardson, Levi Higgins, George M. How. Committee on Mem-
bership: E. K. Bruce, W. II. Lunt, Levi Higgins. Committee
on Telegraphing: D. W. Irwin, W. E. Richardson, J. D. Dole,
Jr. Committee on Cemetery: J. W. Preston, George Held, S.
H. McCrea.
iS6q~7o. — Directors : J. W. Preston (*), D. W. Irwin (*),
L. D. Norton!*), George I. Brine (*), Levi Higgins (*), R.Stone,
C. W. Kreigh, D. II. Lincoln, R. W. Pettitt, J. K. Fisher. Com-
mi 1 1 11; of Arbitration (term expiring in 1S70): H. C. Russell,
D. G. Brown, S. P. Carter, J. H. Dwight, W. H. Goodnow; (term
expiring in 1871): A. M. Bennett, G. Stewart, Allen Howes, C.
G. Cooley, J. C. Guthrie. Committee of Appeals (term ex-
piring in 1870); B. P. Hutchinson, E. W. Densmore, M. A. Law-
rence, W. M. Egan, Samuel Howe; (term expiring in 1871): W.
H. Low, B. F. Murphey, J. B. Lyon, Hugh Adams, James II.
Dole. Commercial Committee : R. McChesney, J. C. Dore,
John L. Hancock, John M. Douglass, W. R. Gould, R. Prindi-
ville, Ira Y. Munn," Stephen Clary, W. H. Low, G. D. Watkins,
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
37'
E. K. Bruce, M. S. Bacon, B. P. Hutchinson, J. M. Millar, S. A.
Kent, Marshall Field, Asa Dow, Thomas Whitney, B. F. Culver,
L. Sidway, N. K. Fairbank. COMMITTEE on Finance : George
J. Brine, J. K. Fisher, R. W. Pettitt. Committee on Flour
Inspection: R. W. Pettitt, R. Stone, George J. Brine. Com-
mittee on Grain Inspection : S. H. McCrea, D. W. Irwin, D.
II. Lincoln. Committee on Lumber Inspection : L. D. Nor-
ton, D. H. Lincoln, Levi Higgins. Committee on other In-
spection : C. W. Kreigh, Levi Higgins, J. K. Fisher. Commit-
tee on Membership^ H. A. Towner, L. D. Norton, J. W.
Preston. Committee on Telegraphing : D. W. Irwin, R.
Stone, C. W. Kreigh. Committee on Cemetery : J. W. Preston,
S. H. McCrea, H. A. Towner.
1870-71.— Directors : R. Stone (*), C. W. Kreigh (*), D.
H. Lincoln (*), R. W. Pettitt (*), J. K. Fisher (*), D. H. Denton,
E. F. Lawrence, O. S. Hough, W. II. Goodnow, A. H. Pickering.
Committee of Arbitration (term expiring in 1871): A. M. Ben-
nett, George Stewart. Allen Howes, C. G. Cooley, J. G. Guthrie;
(term expiring in 1872) : J. F. Gillette, Robert Warren, C. C
Moeller, A. J. Latham, J. B. Hall. Committee of Appeals
(term expiring in 1871). W. H. Low, B. F. Murphey, J. B. Lyon,
Hugh Adams, T. H. Dole; (term expiring in 1872): W N. Brain-
ard, George H. Gibson, C. Hinckley, J. D. Cole, Jr., R. P.
Murphey. Commercial Committee: W. M. Egan, W. H.
Low, J. W. Preston, J. C. Dore, S. A. Kent, Josiah Stiles, H.
A. Towner, W. D. Houghteling, Asa Dow, Gurdon S. Hubbard,
Thomas Whitney, Ira Y. Munn, Charles J. Davis, R. Prindiville,
D. A. Jones, Clinton Briggs, C. H. S. Mixer. W. V. Kay, V. A.
Turpin, George C. Walker, L. B. Sidway. Committee on
Finance : B. F. Murphey, D. H. Lincoln, W. H. Goodnow.
Committee on Grain Inspection : D. H. Lincoln, D. H. Den-
ton, P. W. Dater. Committee on Flour Inspection ■ P. W.
Dater, R. W. Pettitt, R. Stone. Committee on Provision In-
spection : C. W. Kreigh, J. K. Fisher, O. S. Hough. Commit-
tee on other Inspection: J. K. Fisher, E. F. Lawrence, A
H. Pickering. Committee on Registration: R. W. Pettitt,
A. H. Pickering, D. H. Denton. Committee on Telegraph-
ing : R. Stone, O. S. Hough, B. F. Murphey. Committee on
Membership : W. H. Goodnow, E. F. Lawrence, C W. Kreigh.
1871-72. — Directors: E. F. Lawrence (*), O. S. Hough (*).
W. H. Goodnow (*), A. H. Pickering (*), Daniel A. Jones (*),
Josiah Stiles, J. H. Dwight, I. P. Rumsey, A. M. Wright, I. N.
Ash. Committee of Arbitration (term expiring in 1S71): T- F.
Gillette, Robert Warren, C. C. Moeller, A. J. Latham, J. B. Hall;
(term expiring in 1S72): C. J. Blair, C. T. Trego, R. W. Dunham,
T. T. Gurney, J. B. Hobbs. Committee of Appeals (term expir-
ing in 1871): W. N. Brainard, C. Hinckley, George H. Gibson, J.
D. Cole, Jr.. R. P. Murphey ; (term expiring in 1872) : W. M.
Egan, M. G. Linn, M. A. Seymour, James H. Dole, Howard Priestly.
Committee on Finance: Charles E. Culver, W. H. Goodnow, J. H.
Dwight. Committee on Flour Inspection : A. M. Wright, I.
P. Rumsey, A. H. Pickering. Committee on Grain Inspec-
tion: William N. Brainard, Josiah Stiles, I. N. Ash. Commit-
tee on Provision Inspection : O. S. Hough, Daniel A. Jones,
Josiah Stiles, W. E. Richardson, H. Milward. Committee on
Telegraphing : Daniel A. Jones, O. S. Hough, A. M. Wright.
Committee on Membership: W. H. Goodnow, B. F. Lawrence,
I. P. Rumsey. Committee on Registration: A. H. Pickering,
William N. Brainard, J. H. Dwight. Committee on Rooms :
A. M. Wright, W. H. Goodnow, Charles E. Culver. Committee
on Meteorological Observation : Charles Randolph, J. H.
Dwight, I. P. Rumsey.
E. Nelson Blake, president of the Board of Trade, and
senior member of the firm of Blake, Shaw & Co., cracker bakers,
is a native of West Cambridge, Mass., and the son of Ellis Gray
Blake, printer, who was born in Boston, but spent his early life in
Richmond and Petersburg, Va. He was born February 9, 1831,
and received a common school education in his native town. In
1841, his father died, and, in 1843, he left home to work on a farm
in West Cambridge. In the fall of 1850, he went to California,
returning in the spring of 1853. The next four years he spent on
his uncle's farm, at the old homestead. In the summer of 1S57, he
began commercial life as a porter in the commission flour store of
Harvey Scudder & Co., Boston ; but before the close of the year,
the firm was a silent partner in the jobbing concern of E. N. Blake
& Co. On the 1st of January, 185S, he bought out the other
interests, and, taking Kilby Page, Jr., into partnership, continued
the business under the firm name of E. X. Blake & Co, In June.
iS6g, J. M. Dake, the founder of the Dake Bakery, Chicago, died,
and the administrator sold the bakery to Messrs. Blake & Page ;
who associated with them S. B. Walker and F. M. Herdman, and
began the business of cracker-making and general custom baking,
under the firm name of Blake, Herdman & Co. Mr. Herdman,
not liking the business, sold his interest to the remaining partners
who took into the firm, W. W. Shaw, who was previouslv the
bookkeeper of Mr. Dake, and the firm of Blake, Walker & Co.,
was formed. Since the death of Mr. Dake, and the transfer of the
property to Blake, Shaw & Co., Mr. Blake has remained at the
head of the house ; during all ils changes he has been identified
with its interests, and the guiding mind in the conduct of its
affairs. Their business has increased greatly, at times consuming
over fifty thousand barrels of flour in a year. In 1872, Mr. Blake
became a member of the Board of Trade, to further the interests of
his house ; and in 1SS1. he was elected a member of the Board of
Directors. His term of office expired with the year 1883, and at
the ensuing election' on the first Monday in January, 1SS4, he was
elected president of the Board. His administration of its affairs
was so successful and so satisfactory to the members that, at the
annual election, for 1885, he was re-elected almost unanimously —
the first instance since the fire of a re-election of president. He
was also elected, for the fourth time, president of the Western
Cracker Bakers' Association, at its last annual meeting, held at the
Grand Pacific Hotel in this city, February 4, 1885. This is an
association numbering one hundred and ten members, and com-
prises the principal manufacturers in twenty-three States and
Territories, from Colorado to Pennsylvania. Mr. Blake has
served them in his present capacity from its organization, and, at
the last election, only reluctantly accepted the position, after
having been three times unanimously chosen to fill the office and
peremptorily declining twice. At the convention in 1882, which
was held in Cincinnati, his fellow members signified their apprecia-
tion of his character and abilities, by presenting him with a Jules
Jurgensen gold watch, with chain and seal attached, the best that
money could buy. Mr. Blake is a member of the Citizens' Associ-
ation. He is a member of the Second Baptist Church of this city;
and, while his general benevolence is large, his gifts to the church
of his choice, and to the Morgan Park Theological Seminary, con-
nected with it. have been princely. He at one time gave $30,000,
on condition that $100,000 should be raised, and engendered an
enthusiasm that raised $200,000 instead. He has given to it, at
various times, in various amounts, $30,000 more ; making a total
to this institution alone of $60,000. On September 15, 185S, Mr.
Blake was married to Anna E. daughter of Joseph W. Whitten, of
West Cambridge, Mass. They have two children living — Mabel
E., now the wife of H. H. Kohlsaat, and E. Nelson Blake jr. Of
this gentleman, a contemporaneous writer thus speaks: "The
life of Mr. Blake is full of intelligence and hope for young men
who have their characters yet to form and fortune to make. The
life of such a man makes the world better, by helping others to
seek a better life than they might otherwise suppose within their
reach. Believing that stewardship is attached to every station in
life, Mr. Blake has steadily confined himself to business ; and
although adhering to the Republican party, has strongly resisted
every inclination and invitation to engage in political or public
life. By a strict observance of this principle he has been successful,
never failing in anything he has undertaken ; and as he reviews
his past life, he is a firm believer in an over-ruling Providence, who
specially cares for those who trust Him and seek His guidance.
He is still in ihe prime of his life, and looks forward to a life of
devotion and usefulness in the cause of the God of his youth."
Charles Counselman was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1849,
and there received a common school education. He came to Chi-
cago in 1869, and went to work for Eli Johnson & Co., in a very
subordinate capacity and for very small remuneration; but being
possessed of but little funds and having a good appetite, it was
needful to do something, and no one who knows Mr. Counselman
can understand him resting supine when there was anything to be
done. He had to make his living, and made it by hard, laborious
work; by doing everything that came to his hand conscientiously
and well, he made a success of all that he undertook. After he
had worked for Mr. Johnson for some little time, he procured a
position with Chase, Hanford & Co., selling oil on commission.
He then, in 1871, started in the commission business for himself,
and joined the Board of Trade about the same time. Since that
time his career has been one of continued success. Fortune might
appear to frown upon him temporarily, but the same undaunted per-
severance that made him take off his coat and do the first thing that
came to hand, in 1869, overcame adversity also ; the integrity and
economy that helped him in his early Chicago life manifested them-
selves in his later career, and these qualities gained fresh clients day
by day, with the result that Mr. Counselman to-day enjoys one of
tlie most flourishing commission businessesin the city. In August,
18S3, the Counselman Building was commenced, and completed on
Mav 1, :S84. It is owned by that gentleman and is a monu-
ment not alone to the business architecture of Chicago, but to the
enterprise and energy of its proprietor Mr. Counselman was a
member of the Board'of Directors of the Board of Trade, and is a
member of the Board of Real Estate Managers, — having been re-
elected to that office, — and has been very influential and efficient in
the erection of the present building. In 1S79, he erected large ware-
houses at the Union Stock Yards, where he does a large business
in warehousing provisions, and where he also has extensive real
3"2
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
estate interests. Mr. Counselman is likewise a large owner of real
estate in the North and West divisions of the city, which he subdi-
vides for residence property. His business is in stock and grain,
and he has a branch office' at No. 17 Mills Building, New York
Citv; and to facilitate his enormous transactions he has in his office
private telegraph wires connecting with New York. Cleveland, Bos-
ton, Rochester. Buffalo, Providence and other large eastern cities,
also with Baltimore, Washington, and Richmond and Norfolk, Ya.
Mr. Counselman was married, in 1S75, to Miss Jennie E. Otis,
daughter of Judge Otis.
Geo C. Eldredge & Co. — There was probably no firm better
known on the Board of Trade at the date covered by the last chap-
ter than that of George C. Eldredge & Co. The firm comprises
Mr. Eldredge and Nathaniel S Jones. It is one of those firms — the
mention of whose name conveys an assured idea of comprehensive
business talent, energy and unquestionable integrity; and presci-
ence has enabled it to take advantage of the mutations in the mar-
ket that others, less fortunate, failed to perceive. By acting upon
strict business principles, and by making a record of which any
house might well be proud, George C. Eldredge & Co. stand in the
front rank of the members of the Chicago Board of Trade. Mr.
Eldredge came to Chicago in 1S67 and became bookkeeper for
Shiek. Wagner & Co., with whom he remained two years. He
then went into business for himself, with the result as just stated.
Nathaniel Strong Jones was born in Centreville, Ohio, on
lanuarv 26, 1S41. and received his education at Xenia, Ohio. In
iS;q, he went to Cincinnati, where he engaged in the lard refining
business, and subsequently in the grain and commission trade. In
the fall of 1S75, he left that city and came to Chicago, and entered
the commission business, in which he has since remained without
intermission In December. 1S75, he joined the Board of Trade,
and on November 20, 1SS2, became a member of the firm of
George C. Eldredge & Co. He was married, in 1S63, to Mary W.
Scammon, daughter of General E. P. Scammon, and niece of J. Y.
Scammon, and has the following children: Nathaniel Scammon,
Caroline Mary, Margaret Mary, Robert, Mary and Winifred Mary.
He is a member of the Chicago and Union clubs, and is, perhaps,
known as much for his genial and courteous hospitality as he is
distinguished for his commercial ability.
Hamii.l & Congdon. — Ernest A. Hamill is the youngest son
of Dr. R. C. Hamill, of Chicago, and was born at Bloomington,
Ind., in July, 1S51, and came to Chicago with his parents when
but ten months of age, locating here in the spring of 1852. He
received his education in this city at the common schools, and at
the age of sixteen became employed in the hardware business, first
with Edwin Hunt & Sons, and afterward with Miller Brothers &
Keep. In 1875, he first engaged in the commission business, with
the firm of Van Inwagen & Hamill, and, in the spring of 1878, he
engaged in the brokerage business alone. On April 1, 1879, he
established the firm of Hamill & Congdon, commission merchants,
grain and provisions, which is still in existence, and doing a flour-
ishing business. Mr. Hamill joined the Board in 1876, and was
made a member of the Committee of Arbitration for the years
1883-84. He was married, in 1880, to Miss E. S. Corwith, daugh-
ter of Henry Corwith; they have one son — Alfred E. Mr. Hamill
is one of the charter members of the Calumet Club, and is one of
the executive committee of the Citizens' League, an organization
that has done so much toward retarding evil in the individual and
in the official acts of our city. He is also one of the governing
committee of the Chicago Stock Exchange.
Charles B. Congdon, of the firm of Hamill & Congdon, was
born in Massachusetts, in the year 1853, and received his educa-
tion in that State. In 1873, he came to Chicago, and went into the
commission business, in the ensuing year, with O. W. Clapp, re-
maining with him until 1879. in which year he entered the firm of
which he is now a member. He became a member of the Board of
Trade in 1875, and is one of the directors of the Lake Bluff Hotel
and Improvement Company. He was married, in December, 1876,
to Miss Cynthia Willsie, and has three children — Harry, Bessie
and Louise.
George G Parker. — Probably in no city in the world are so
many instances of men who have arisen by their own exertions to
positions of honor, trust and commercial importance, as in Chicago
This statement is peculiarly applicable to the members of the Board
of Trade, and one of the foremost instances is George G. Parker.
Born in Boston, Mass., in 1851, he came to Chicago in 1862. He
had but few educational advantages, as the boy had either to work,
or starve — and he is not of the starving kind. To obtain food
and lodging, he carried newspapers, at the princely renumeration
of $2 a week, and continued this during 1863-65. In the latter
year, he obtained the situation of doorkeeper in the main hall of
the Board of Trade, and was also bookkeeper in the inspection
office. He occupied these positions until 1870, when he entered
the employment of H. F, Lewis & Co., commission merchants,
and remained through their business existence, and was also with
Musick & Gross, who succeeded Lewis & Co. in 1872. He re-
mained with Musick & Gross until 1876, when he went into busi-
ness for himself, and has managed his own trade since that time.
He became a member of the Board of Trade in 1S70, and was a
member of the Committee of Arbitration in 18S2-83, and was also
a member of the Executive and Finance Committees of the Call
Board, which was closed up on May 1, 1884. Mr. Parker married,
in 1874, Miss Luella Knapp, of Boston, and has three children —
Leslie G. , Lelia C. and Fred A. A sketch of this gentleman's life
would be incomplete without adverting to the qualities he possesses,
and which have enabled him, though so young a man, to attain the
honorable position he occupies in the Board of Trade and the com-
mercial world. These are grit, perseverance, scrupulous honesty,
and business tact and comprehension, that seem almost intuitive.
No lucky stroke of fortune has elevated the newsboy to the honored
merchant, but the genius of hard work and uprightness of character
has attended George G. Parker, and made him one of the represent-
ative self-made men of the Chicago Board of Trade.
Bigelow & Co. — The commission house of Bigelow & Co.,
is composed of Edward A. Bigelow and his brother, James L.
Bigelow, active members, and Samuel H. Larminie, silent partner.
The house was founded, in 1865, by the last named gentleman,
and did business for many years as S. H. Larminie & Co. It be-
gan in a small way, its receipts for a long time not averaging
$1,000 a month: but maintaining strict integrity in all its dealings,
and exercising care and prudence in all its transactions, it steadily
gained in favor with the public and in financial strength In 1877,
Edward A. Bigelow entered their employ, and became so essential
a factor in the business, that two years later, he was admitted into
partnership, and became the principal working man of the firm.
Owing particularly to the skill and enthusiasm with which he
conducted the business, its receipts soon grew to over $100,000
per annum from commissions alone. For some years before he
finally relinquished all active work, Mr. Larminie surrendered the
expert direction of the business and, in 1883, withdrew, and a new
firm was organized as first stated. This action was caused by
steadily diminishing health. By the advice of his physicians he
purchased a home in Santa Barbara, Cal., whither he retired in
1883, but gaining no benefit from the change, and pining to see
Eastern friends before he died, his physicians here advised a return
to Chicago, so, at present writing (1885), he is sojourning with rela-
tives in the East, and not without hope that he may yet find relief
and recovery from his dangerous malady.
James L. Bigelow was born at Zanesville, Ohio, on Novem-
ber 24, 1847. After the war, he remained with his father until
1876, when he entered the employ of Charles Ray & Co., commis-
sion men on the Board, as bookkeeper. He remained with them
for two and a half years, and, when E. B. Stevens, a partner, drew
out and the firm dissolved, he went with him and remained in his
employ for one year more. He then began to operate on the
Board for himself, and so continued until he entered into partner-
ship with his brother Edward, in 1883. He is an active member
of Grace Church, and a valuable helper in all Sunday-school,
Church and benevolent work. He is a member of George H.
Thomas Post, No. 5, G. A. R. On November 14, 1872, he was
married to Miss Lydia M. Gould, the daughter of the late Philip
N. Gould, an old and well known citizen of Chicago. James Bige-
low being the older brother, during the time that they were in the
army, he naturally had to guide and counsel his junior, and
hence has become conservative, deliberative, and accustomed to
carefully weigh the arguments before and against any project. To
his excellent judgment and commercial integrity, the firm owes
much of the deserved reputation it enjoys for stability and fidelity
to the interests of its customers.
Edward A. Bigelow is a native of Zanesville, Ohio, where
he was born on August 18, 1849. In the latter part of 1S63, an
older brother being already in the army, he and James — two years
his senior — enlisted in Co " F," 68th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
James was but sixteen years and Edward fourteen, but, joining the
Seventeenth Army Corps, they participated in all the glorious
achievements of the grand Army of the Tennessee, until they were
honorably discharged at Louisville, Ky., in July, 1865 — neither of
them having received a scratch. While all his boys were in the
army, the father, who had made such a sacrifice for his country,
moved his business to Chicago. He was a druggist in Zanesville,
moved to Cleveland before the war, and thence to Chicago in 1864.
Here he started in the drug commission business, and when his
boys returned from the army he took them into his employ. Ed-
ward continued with his father until 1877, when he went on the
Board of Trade as before stated. In 1871, he lost all he had laid
up, by the great fire. He had previously been engaged to be mar-
ried to Miss Margaret Rebecca, the daughter of W. II. Bush, a
wealthy retired lumberman; and the young couple married during
the week of the fire. Mrs. Bigelow died in May, 1879. Mr.
Bigelow is a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, and a
most earnest and successful worker there. He is particularly ac-
tive in Sunday-school work, and has already graduated a class,
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
373
and the majority of the graduates have taken their places in the
Church and Sunday-school. He is of a cheerful temperament, is
enthusiastic and thorough, with a strong will, and, underneath all,
has an honest and faithful heart.
John W. Lyke is one of those men who, beginning life under
circumstances of great hardship, early acquire a firmness and
strength of character which enables them to overcome with ease
obstacles which appal those more tenderly raised. It will be seen
that he has fought his way up from the bottom, contesting every
inch of ground, and winning by sheer force of character and solid
merit. Fie is of German parentage — the son of Henry and Eliza-
beth (Mereness) Lyke— and was born near Sharon Springs, Scho-
harie Co., N. Y., August 15, 1S36. When but two years old, his
parents moved to Oswego County, twenty-four miles from Oswego
and fifteen from Syracuse, into an almost unbroken wilderness.
Fours years later his mother died, and John was put out to a se-
vere, old fashioned Puritan Yankee, to whose nature mercy was a
stranger. But John grew, in spite of his hardships, and at the age
of twelve ran away from his tormentor, and found the world, so un-
friendly to the most of us, a paradise in comparison. In June,
1S54, when nearly eighteen years of age, he made his way to Chi-
cago, and that winter went down to Morris, Grundy County.
There, in company with his brother, he cut and handled cord-wood
on contract for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, re-
ceiving 75 cents a cord for cutting and $1 a cord for hauling. By
extraordinary diligence and skill, he made money, and had some to
lend when spring opened. He then went on the canal, as a com
mon hand, and after working sixteen days only, was promoted to
be captain, and followed the business until 186T, when he began
to buy grain at Spring Lake, in company with his brother-in-law.
W. H. Hamlin, whose sister, Esther Hamlin, he had married in
May, 1859 In 1865, they located at Havana, Mason County, and
continued to buy grain in company for three years, when they dis-
solved, and Lyke continued in the grain business alone — virtually
until the present time. He was one of the trustees of the town for
two years, and was elected a member of the board to build the Ful-
ton and Mason County bridge, across the Illinois River. His grain
business led him. into close relations with Chicago Board of Trade
men, and for years before moving, he was, for all business pur-
poses, a Chicago man, but he did not move his famiiy here until
1S73, at which time he became a member of the Board. He is a
staunch Republican and a popular man in the Thirteenth Ward,
where he resides, as is shown by his election to the Common Coun-
cil, in April, 1S82, being elected bv six hundred and ninety-nine
majority, three candidates being in the field and that being the
largest majority ever given. He is aFo a member of the Masonic
fraternity, having been made a master mason in 1S57, and is a
member of Hesperia Lodge, No. 411, A. F. & A. M.; of Wash-
ington Chapter, No. 43, R. A. M.; of Siloam Council, No. 59, R.
& S. M., and of Chicago Commandery, No. 19, K. T. He is a
member of the Young Men's Republican Club, and during the last
presidential campaign was a member of the State Republican Cam-
paign Committee. He has three daughters — Elizabeth E., Carrie
S. and Lottie M.
ELEVATORS.
The increase in capacity of the grain elevators in
Chicago, may be learned from an examination of the
appended tables. The increase in capacity was not so
much due to an increase in the number of the elevators
as to their enlargement. Several of the smaller eleva-
tors went into disuse during this period, and were
replaced by others of greater size. It is enough to say
that the total increase in capacity in two years was
1,500,000 bushels; during the following year the
increase in capacity was 900,000 bushels ; in 1863, Chi-
cago's facilities for storage were increased 2,650,000 ;
during the eight years following, statistical tables show
a further growth in elevator capacity of 1,365,000
bushels.
1S6S — Seventeen reported ; storage capacity, io,6So,ooo bush-
els. 1869 — Seventeen reported; storage capacity, 11,580,000
bushels. 1870 — Seventeen reported ; storage capacity, 11,580,000
bushels. 1871 — Fifteen reported: storage capacity, 11,375,000
bushels. The great conflagration of October g, 1871, destroyed
six elevators, having an aggregate storage capacity of 2,475,000
bushels, and, containing, at the time they were burned, 1,559,395
bushels of grain.
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During this period, the storage capacity increased
from 4,095,000 bushels in 1858,10 1 1,375,000 bushels in
1871. Each succeeding year found the warehouses full
during the winter months, and often loaded vessels were
lying in winter quarters, along the adjoining docks, to
relieve the overflowing bins.
The receiving and handling of bulk grain from cars
and canal-boats, and transferring the same, of like
quality, kind and grade, to other cars, or ships, with
greater expedition and at the least possible expense,
was the all-important function to be performed. Thus,
every railroad entering the city found elevators, with one
side fronting navigable water, the other adjoining their
tracks, as necessary a part of their system as the rails,
engines or cars; and each new railroad completed, either
laid rails to warehouses already built, or caused another
of these huge structures to appear upon the banks
374
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
of the river, or along; the canal. In the construction
of the elevators, working efficiency was of no less im-
portance than storage capacity.
No elevators of large size were erected prior to 1854.
That year, the Galena elevator was built as well as the
Manger & Armour warehouse, on North Water Street,
on the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad track. The
Galena & Chicago Union Railroad Company's elevator
was built in 1S55.
Elevators established. — Walker, Bronson & Co. estab-
lished an elevator in 1S56, or earlier. In 1858, the style of the firm
was changed to Walker, Bronson & Cole (Charles H. Walker,
Tracy T. Bronson, Josiah D. Cole and George C. Walker). In
1S59, the firm name was changed to Walker Brothers; in i860,
to Walker, Washburne & Co.; and in 1S63, to Walker, Bronson &
Co. The firm disappeared from the elevator business in 1864.
Hiram Wheeler built a new elevator and established himself in
the business in 1S59. He continued alone until 1S63, when he con-
solidated his business with, and became a member of the firm of,
Munger, Wheeler & Co., of which he is still a member. Orring-
ton Lunt & Bro. (Orrington and Stephen P.) established an
elevator in i860, and continued in business until October 9,
1871, when their elevator was destroyed in the great fire.
Smith & Sturges established an elevator in i860. The style
of the firm was changed to Sturges, Smith & Co., in 1S61, and
again, in 1862, to Albert Sturges & Co. The firm disappeared
from the list of elevator firms in 1S63. Steel & Taylor (George
Steel and Isaac Taylor) did business during the year 1S63, having
a capacity for storage reported at 1,250,000 bushels. They were
succeeded by Munn & Scott, in 1S64. Charles Wheeler & Co.
were first established in 1861, at which time they became proprie-
tors of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad Elevator. The
business of the firm was consolidated with that of four other
firms, in 1863, under the name of Munger, Wheeler & Co. Sam-
uel Howe was proprietor of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad
Elevator in 1S56. He was succeeded by Charles Wheeler & Co.,
in 1861. Gibbs, Griffin & Co. became established, in 1854,
under the firm name of Gibbs, Griffin & Co. (George A. Gibbs, E.
W. Griffin), and ceased the elevator business in 1859. George
Sturges & Co., became established in 1S59. They were proprie-
tors of the " Fulton Elevator" until 1S63, at which time the busi-
ness was consolidated under the firm name of Munger, Wheeler &
Co., as heretofore stated. S. A. Ford & Co. was established as
early as 1S56. The name was changed to Ford & Norton in i860,
and the firm continued in the elevator business until 1863. James
Peck & Co. established an elevator prior to 1S56, and continued
in the business until 1S60. Dale & Clemons succeeded to the busi-
ness in 1 861, and discontinued the following year. L. Newberry
& Co. built a new elevator in 1861, having a storage capacity of
300,000 bushels, and the firm did business during 1S62, being
merged into the firm of Munger, Wheeler & Co. in 1863. Howe
& Robbins (Samuel Howe, proprietor of Galena & Chicago Union
Railroad Elevator from 1S56 to 1861, and Enos V. Robbins) were
established in 1S63, and the firm changed to Howe, Robbins &
Perry (Theodore Perry) in 1864, during which year their elevator
was destroyed by fire. Finley & Ballard (James W. Finley and
Addison Ballard) built the Illinois River Elevator, and commenced
business in 1865. In 1867, the firm name was changed to Finley
& Rogers (\V. H. Rogers), and, in 1868, they were succeeded by
Edward Hempstead. W. H. Lunt began in the elevator business
as proprietor of the New Iowa Elevator in 1866, and had charge of it
for two or three years. He was succeeded by Spruance, Preston &
Co. in 1169. Speuance, Preston & Co. (Harmon Spruance and
J. W. Preston), established an elevator in 1869, and continued in
business until 1871. Ezra E. Fay operated a floating elevator in
186!. believed to be the first ever used in the city.
J. & E. BUCKINGHAM. — In 1855, Solomon Sturges and his
brothers-in-law, C. P. and Alvah Buckingham, formed a partner-
ship for the purpose of carrying on the elevator business. They
leased from the Illinois Central Railroad the ground where the
Central elevators now stand, for a period of ten years. The first
year they put up an elevator with a capacity of 700,000 bushels,
designating it by the letter "A." Two years later they built an-
other, of equal size, which they called elevator " B." These were
the first large elevators in the city, and they received grain from all
the roads entering Chicago until i860. With 1865, their lease ex-
pired, and the Illinois Central bought the properly. Immediately
the new firm of John & Ebenezer Buckingham leased the same
property from the railroad for ten years. The great lire burned
elevator " A." leaving " B" untouched — the only elevator spared
in the burned district. The firm immediately began the work of re-
construction, and in the spring of 1873 had completely re-built
" A," with a capacity of one million bushels. In 1869, they en-
larged elevator " B " to a capacity of one million five hundred
thousand bushels, and later added cribs with a storage capacity of
three hundred and fifty thousand bushels. This gave the Central
elevators a capacity of two million eight hundred and fifty thou-
sand bushels of grain. Elevator "A" is 100 by 200 feet on the
ground, and is furnished with all the modern appliances for rapid
handling of grain. The power is supplied by a Corliss engine. A
single belt is capable of elevating five thousand bushels of grain an
hour, and, on one occasion, they loaded a vessel with sixty-five
thousand bushels of wheat in an hour and twenty minutes. Ele-
vator " B" is 100 by 300 feet on the ground. Both elevators are
under contract, and can receive grain only from the Illinois Cen-
tral Railroad, except the overflow from the other elevators in the city.
Ebenezer Buckingham, the only surviving partner of the eleva-
tor firm of J. & E. Buckingham, was born at Zanesville, Ohio,
January 16, 1829. His brother, and former partner, John, was
also a native of Zanesville. The brothers formed a co-partnership
about the close of 1865, for the purpose of taking the place of
Sturges, Buckingham & Co. in the control of elevators "A" and
" B," which they subsequently named the Central elevators. They
did a prosperous business for many years, and the partnership was
only dissolved by the death of John Buckingham, August 21, 1881.
Ebenezer Buckingham entered Yale College in the fall of 1844,
from which he graduated in 1848, at the age of nineteen. Until
1857 he was connected with the banking business. In 1859, he
came to Chicago, and was employed by the firm of Sturges &
Buckingham, with which firm he remained until iS66,when he and
his brother John succeeded the original house. On May 5, 1S53,
he was united in marriage to Lucy Sturges. daughter of Solomon
Sturges, by whom he has had several children. Mr. Buckingham is
one of the best known and esteemed of the old citizens of Chicago.
If he would consent to burden himself with their care, there is no
end to the interests which would be intrusted to him; but he is not
ambitious in a political sense, and too much occupied with his own
affairs to find leisure to attend very much to the affairs of others.
He is, however, president of the Trader's Insurance Company and
director of the Northwestern National Bank. He belongs also to
the Citizens' Association and the Citizens' League, and is a mem-
ber of the First Presbyterian Church.
Munger, Wheeler & Co. This house was established in
1854, by the firm of Munger & Armour (Wesley Munger, George
Armour). In 1S63, the firm name was changed to Munger, Wheeler
& Co, and the business interests of Wesley Munger and Hiram
Wheeler were consolidated. The latter had followed the elevator
business here since 1849, and Munger and Armour since 1854. In
the winter of 1S55-56 Munger & Armour built an improved steam
elevator in the city, and these two firms did the principal business
in their line. In 1864, James R. McKay, who had been in the«m-
ploy of Munger & Armour since 185S, was admitted into the firm ;
and in 1867, George Henry and Charles W. Wheeler also entered
into partnership. Wesley Munger died January 24, 1S6S, and his
only son and heir, Albert A. Munger, took his place in the com-
pany. In 1881, George Armour died, and his estate is now repre-
sented in the firm ; the estate also of Jesse Hoyt, who died in 1S82,
still owns its interest in the concern. The active members of the
firm at present are George H. and Charles W. Wheeler and James
R. McKay.
Hiram Wheeler, the founder and senior member of the firm
of Munger, Wheeler & Co., was born at New Haven, Addison
Co., Vt., August 20, 1S09. At the age of fourteen, he entered his
brother's store at Vergennes, as a clerk, and in a few years went to
New York. In the fall of 1832, he removed to Niles, Mich. In
1849, Mr. Wheeler moved to this city, and purchased a warehouse
on South Water Street, near Clark-street bridge, and entered into
the storage and forwarding business. He moved thence to the foot
of Franklin Street, where he rented the Gibbs & Griffin elevator
and the Marine Bank. On his return to New York City, in Sep-
tember, 1S33, Mr. Wheeler married Miss Julia Smith, daughter of
Francis Smith, by whom he has had five sons — Frederick A.,
Charles W., George II., Eugene and Arthur. Having brought up
all his sons to his own business, when he started in Chicago he had
ample assistance in his own family. Hiram Wheeler has been a
member of the Chicago Club, since its first organization. He also
belongs to the Calumet Club, to the Washington Park Driving
Club, and to the Sons of Vermont. He has withdrawn from active
life, and is enjoying, with his wife and family, his ample fortune.
He made an extensive tour in Europe in 1S79-80.
Albert A. Munger is the only child of Wesley Munger, who
died in 1868, to whose place in the company and the large estate he
became sole heir. I le was born at Chicago, January 24, 1845, the
place of his birth being the site of the wholesale dry goods house of
Marshall Field & Co. In 1862, he went abroad with his parents to
complete his education, and received the best instruction obtainable
in ( ieneva and I Iresden, I le did not return until after the close of
the war, in 1865. Mr. Munger is a gentleman of leisure, with
ample means to gratify every taste. He leaves the affairs of the
THE ROARD OF TRADE.
375
wealthy company of which he is a member to his partners Messrs.
Wheeler Bros, and McKay, and, beyond the time necessary to the
management of his private estate, he pursues his own inclinations
and pleasure. Me is a bachelor, and spends much of his time
abroad, traveling in various parts of the world. He owns an ele-
gant home in this city, and there keeps bachelor's hall, where he
entertains his friends. He has a cultivated taste, and has col-
lected a large assortment of art treasures, with which he has adorned
his home and the large rooms he keeps for his offices in the Metro-
politan Block, of which he is the owner. He is very popular with
his friends, and has all sorts of social honors thrust upon him. He
is an honorary member of Co. " F," 1st Regiment, Illinois N. G.,
a distinction very rarely conferred by this popular and aristocratic
military organization. He is also a member of the Chicago, Calu-
met and Union clubs and of the Citizens' Association
Charles IV. YVkecler was born at I.aPorte, Ind., November n,
1S38. He received a common school education and found employ-
ment in his father's business as soon as he was old enough to be of
any use to him. First at LaPorte, then at St. Joseph, Mich., and
finally at Chicago and continuously ever since, his business interests
have been inseparable from those of his father. In 1S67, he was
admitted into the firm of Munger, Wheeler & Co., and has always
taken an active part in the conduct of its affairs. He was mar-
ried, on December 27, 1S60, to Adaline Parmelee, daughter of
Franklin Parmelee, the well known omnibus man of Chicago. He
is a member of the Chicago, Union and Calumet social clubs and
of the Washington Park Driving Club.
George Henry Wheeler was born at LaPorte, Ind., August 1,
1841. He was but eight years old when he came with his father's
family to Chicago in iS4g, and is essentially a Chicago man in
everything except birth. With the exception of a business course
in Racine College in 1856, he received his education in the schools
of this city, and his whole business and social life has been passed
here. He began work with his father, and in 1867 was admitted
into the firm, taking at once an active and important part in the
management of its affairs. On December 15, 1864, Mr. Wheeler
was married to Miss Alice I. Lord, daughter of G. Lord of Water-
town, N. V., and has had two children, Henry and Mabel. He is
a member of several society clubs and organizations, a life-member
and patron of the Art Institute of Chicago and several other similar
associations, but is very domestic in his habits and tastes, devoting
his time to his familv outside of business hours.
James R. McKay was born in Lemont, Will Co., 111., June 8,
1840. His father, James McKay, came to Chicago in 1S35, and,
while engaged on the Illinois and Michigan Canal, lived for a short
time at Lemont. After its completion, he moved to Waukegan, in
the spring of 1841, and finally settled in Chicago in 1855 When
fifteen years old, James entered Hathaway's Mathematical School,
on the very spot where the Metropolitan Block now stands, and
spent about two and a half years in study under the best instruc-
tors the city then afforded. He then engaged in the bank of I. H.
Burch, on the corner of Clark and Lake streets, as assistant teller,
where he spent two years. In 1858, he entered the employment of
Munger & Armour, as bookkeeper, and in 1864, at the consolida-
tion with Hiram Wheeler, he became a member of the new firm of
Munger, Wheeler & Co., and has had charge of their office ever
since. January 19, 1867, he was married to Elizabeth Mears,
daughter of the well known lumberman, Nathan Mears. They
have had five children — Marion, Elizabeth, James, Robert and
Nathan Mr. McKay is a member of the Citizens' Association,
and the Chicago and Union clubs.
Armour, Dole & Co. was established in i860, by Wesley
Munger, George Armour and Charles Dole. In 1S61, they took
the firm name under which they have done business continuously
ever since. They have had charge of the grain receipts of the Chi-
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad since the building of the first
elevator ("A"), capacity 850,000 bushels, in 1S60. The increase
of their businesshasbeenasfollows: In 1863, elevator "B" was built,
storage capacity, 850,000 bushels; in 1873 elevator "C" was added,
capacity, 1,500,000 bushels; in iS7g, elevator " D," capacity.
i.Soo.ooo bushels; in 1SS2, elevator " E," with a capacity of
1,000,000 bushels. Elevator "A" was enlarged to 1,250,000 bush-
els in 1S67. The present (1885) capacity of the four elevators still
controlled by the firm, is as follows: Storage room, 6,350,000
bushels; receiving and shipping capacity, 700,000 bushels a day;
shipping capacity, when not receiving, 1,500,000 bushels a day.
James Barrei.l, the manager of the great commission house
of Armour & Dole, and who owns an interest in the business, was
born in London, England, on September 2S, 1S34 — the son of
John and Elizabeth (Evans) Barrell. His early boyhood was
passed in the academic schools of London. At the age of twelve
years, he came with his father to Chicago-, and with him was en-
gaged in the grocery business for about four years. At the age of
sixteen he was employed as a clerk in the post-office at Chicago,
where he remained for ten years, the last half of the time occupy-
ing the position of chief clerk of the western distribution. Leav-
ing the post-office, he engaged with Armour & Dole, and during
the life of Mr. Armour, had charge of the office. After the death
of Mr. Armour, he succeeded him as general manager, and has held
that position until the present time. Mr. Barrell was married,
January 5, 1864, to Miss Sue S Finley, daughter of James W.
Finley, of Chicago. They have three sons — James F., Stewart
E. and Albert M. He is a member of Garden City Lodge, No.
141, A. F. & A. M.; of Lafayette Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M.; of
Apoilo Commandery, No. 1, K. T.; and of Oriental Consistory,
32", S. P. R. S. He is also a member of the Chicago, the Calu-
met and the Washington Park clubs.
FLINT, Odell & Co. — This firm was established, in 1854,
under the firm name of Flint, Wheeler & Co. (T. |. S. Flint, Cal-
vin T. Wheeler and Daniel Thompson). The firm name was
changed to Flint & Thompson, in 1861; to Flint, Thompson &Co ,
in 1864; and to Flint, Odell & Co. (James W. Odell) in 1878, un-
der which name the firm is now (1885) engaged in the business
which it has followed consecutively for twenty-eight years. Their
first elevator had a storage capacity for 160,000 bushels. Rock
Island Elevator "A," with a capacity for 750,000 bushels, was
completed in 1S56. In 1863, Rock Island Elevator " B " was built,
with storage capacity for 1,250,000. Elevator "A" was entirely
re-built, with a capacity of 1,500,000 bushels, in 1SS1-82. The
aggregate storage capacity of these two elevators, in 1885, was
reported at 2,600,000 bushels; receiving and shipping capacity,
300,000 bushels a day; and for shipping alone, 650,000 bushels a
day.
Vincent, Nelson & Co. — This firm comprises B. B. Vin-
cent, Murry Nelson and Enoch B. Stevens. They built the National
Elevator in 1S67, and continued in business until October 9. 1S71,
at which time their elevator was burned. They re-built in 1S71-72
Their first elevator, built in 1867, had a storage capacity for
250.000 bushels; their new elevator, built in 1S71, still (1885)
known as the National Elevator, and operated by the National
Elevator and Dock Co., has a storage capacity for 1,000,000
bushels, and is stated to be the only fire-proof grain elevator in
Chicago, having been adopted by the National Board of Under-
writers as the standard. No wood is exposed outside; there are
brick and hollow-tile walls, while the roof, receivers, scale-hoppers,
spouting, etc., are all of iron. Mr. Stevens retired from the firm
in August, 1877. The B. B. Vincent estate, with Murry Nelson,
continued the business until the present corporation was formed,
and are now che largest stockholders.
Munn & Scott commenced business in 1856, under the firm
name of Munn, Gill & Co. The style of the firm was changed, in
185S, to Munn & Scott (Ira Y. Munn, George L. Scott). Under
this name the firm continued until the great fire of October 9, 1871.
Soon after they were succeeded by the firm of George Armour &
Co. During the fifteen years of the firm's existence, it ranked
among the most enterprising and trustworthy, and their business
grew to excel in magnitude that of any other house in the city.
Their warehouses received grain from the Chicago & Alton Rail-
road, the Chicago & North-Western Railway, besides much from
other railroads and the canal. The growth and extent of their
business was: 185S to 1862, one elevator, with storage capacity for
200,000 bushels, capable of receiving and shipping 30,000 bushels
a day, and of shipping 75,000 bushels a day; 1S63, three eleva-
tors, with aggregate storage capacity for 1,500,000 bushels, capa-
ble of receiving and shipping 165,000 bushels a day, and of ship-
ping, when not receiving, 370,000 bushels a day: 1S64-71, four
elevators, with aggregate storage capacity for 2,700,000 bushels,
capable of receiving and shipping 300,000 bushels a day, and of
shipping 675,00c bushels a day.
Nathan Henry Warren was born in Concord, Mass., on
December 9, 1S27, and attended the public schools of that vicinity
until thirteen years of age, when he went to the Concord Academy,
then kept by John and Henry Thoreau, the latter of whom after-
ward became well known as a naturalist, lecturer and writer. He
remained at school until he was eighteen years of age, and then
took charge of a farm which his father had purchased near the
center of the town, and selected as a special branch of business the
breeding of Ayrshire stock, then coming into notice as superior for
dairy purposes. After the passage of the fugitive slave law by
Congress, in 1850, the section of the law which imposed a fine of
Si, 000 upon any person who should harbor, assist, or, when called
upon, refuse to recapture, any fugitive slave, caused a deep feeling
of opposition in Massachusetts, and Mr. Warren, with others, or-
ganized societies to assist fugitives. Until the War of the
Rebellion, it was his duty, as conductor upon the Underground
Railroad, to take to a secure place upon his premises, and keep until
a party could be made up, such persons " fleeing from service " as
arrived in Boston. These persons were forwarded from station to
station until they reached Canada. In i860, while serving in a
" Wide Awake CJub," Mr. Warren contracted so severe a cold that
376
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
a bronchial affection was the result, and for several years the ques-
tion whether he could live on the coast of New England remained
unsettled. In the winter of 1S63, he went to Hilton Head, S. C,
bought one of the abandoned plantations, which were being sold by
the Government for non-payment of taxes, and tried the experiment
of raising a crop of cotton. With regular weekly wages as the in-
centive, instead of the lash, the experiment was a success, and he
sold the plantation in the summer of 1S64, with a line crop of cot-
ton nearly ready to gather, and came to Arlington, 111., where his
brothers and present partners were then doing a grain and lumber
business. It was decided to open a grain commission house in Chi-
cago, which was done in April, 1S65, under the firm name of N.
H. Warren & Co., composed of N, H. Warren, Cyrus T. Warren
and Charles C. Warren. There has been no change in the firm
since that time. They commenced building grain elevators on the line
of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad in 1S67, and, in
1S72, built in Nebraska, and have continued doing so to this time.
They have sold many of them, but their receipts of grain, princi-
pally from their own elevators, are about six millions of bushels a
year. Mr. Warren has been twice married; first to Mary Prescott
Barrett, in Concord, Mass., on April 26, 1S49, and had the follow-
ing children: Mary Elizabeth, Ella, George Henry, Alice and
Charles. He was again married in July, 1S79, to Mrs. Minerva
T. O'Hara, and they have one child — Paul Livingston.
The working capacity of the elevators of the city
were given in detail in the published reports for iS58to
1863. inclusive, to which have been added estimates,
based on that data, for succeeding years, in the follow-
ing table:
Veak.
Storage
capacity, bush.
Capacity tore-
per day, bush.
Capacity to
ship per day.
Bushels.
Aggregate *
Amount oi grain
handled each
year — bush.
1S5S
4,095,000
495,000
1,340,000
22,910,000
IS59
4,055,000
545,000
1,385,000
18,195,000
1S60
5,475.000
675,000
1,835,000
35,840,000
1S61
5 915.000
675,000
1,795,000
51,545,000
1S62
6,815,000
770,000
2.095,000
56,695,000
1863
10,010,000
1,110,000
2,520,000
56,819,000
1S64
9,935,000
1,110,000
2,520,000
48,725,000
1865 _
10,055,000
1,110,000
2,520,000
53,555,000
1S66
9,980,000
1,110,000
2,520,000
65,775,ooo
1867
io,6So,ooo
I, I So, OOO
2,670,000
57,130,000
186S
io,6So,ooo
i.iSo.ooo
2,670,000
64,335,000
1869
ii,5So,ooo
1,290,000
2,8oO,000
60,285,000
1S70
ii,5So,ooo
I,2gO,000
2,800,000
57,780,000
187I
11,375,000
1,260,000
2,S40,0O0
Si, 360, 000
Grain Warehousing. — With the enormous increase
in the volume of grain passing through the various
warehouses, the business of the warehousemen increased
in its importance, from year to year. With the gradual
perfections of the system of inspection and grading, the
warehouse receipts became as stable tokens of value as
the bank bills that purchased them, and the responsi-
bility of the warehousemen themselves came to be
viewed as demanding as strict integrity, as accurate and
unimpeachable business conduct, as the business of
banking itself, and as involving even greater fiducial
isibility to the public. Indeed, the deposits of
grain held in trust by these warehousemen often ex-
ceeded in value the money held in trust by all of the
city banks. The warehouse receipts issued for grain
were not, in their tenor, unlike certificates of deposit.
An important element of difference, however, consisted
in the fact that while the banker is, by consent of the
depositor, free to use the funds left in his care, between
the warehouseman and the storer of grain there is no
such understanding; since the former received a speci-
fied sum for holding the property intact and ever ready
for immediate delivery on payment of storage.
Nevertheless, under the somewhat crude State laws
first passed for the regulation of the business, many
and quite serious abuses grew up. Warehouse rei eipts
for grain were issued by the warehousemen as soon as
• Exclusive of amount drawn from store by mills, and inclusive of amount
remaining in store at the close of each year.
the elevators were built and grain began to be stored ;
the grain belonging to different parties being stored in
separate bins and delivered in kind. Under this cus-
tom, no two bins were likely to contain grain of similar
quality, and it was impossible to ship a cargo (unless
drawn from a single bin) which approached in kind or
quality the uniformity of any modern grade. There
also was a marked difference in the quality of " Stand-
ard " wheat, as drawn from the different elevators, and
much trouble and vexation prevailed among the wheat
dealers, which increased in proportion to the increase
of the grain trade, wheat, from the many diverse vari-
eties, qualities and conditions in which it came to the
market, being always the most difficult to manage.
Each warehouse had its own inspector, who was selected
generally for his honesty and known skill as a judge of
the quality of grain, more especially wheat. In fact,
there were no uniform or well-defined grades of wheat
recognized in Chicago prior to 1856. During that year,
the Board of Trade made the first move toward estab-
lishing grades of wheat, by the separation of the three
leading varieties into three standard grades, to be
known as "White Wheat," "Red WTheat" and "Spring
Wheat," which grades were defined as to the weight of
a measured bushel and general condition. The ware-
housemen generally sanctioned this first effort to class-
ify the grain, co-operating with the Board, of which
many of them were members. But the variable stand-
ard of inspection at the different warehouses still
remained a constant source of discontent and disagree-
ment. There was no statutory law, at that time, which
defined the standard, or enforced its strict adoption
upon all alike. The action of the Board of Trade, be-
ing unsanctioned by law, was advisory only, and this
the warehousemen were free to adopt or reject. The
measure was too imperfect to remedy the evil, although
it clearly pointed out the way. Things grew from bad
to worse ; the mixing of good wheat with inferior
grades, prior to its delivery, became so common a
practice among buyers and shippers, as to seriously
degrade the market of Chicago, and to divert much
of the better wheat to other points, whence it might
reach Eastern markets through channels whereby the
Chicago warehouses, and the prevailing lax inspection,
might be avoided.
In 1858, a second and successful effort was made,
through the joint efforts of the Board of Trade and the
leading warehousemen of the city, to establish uniform
grades. On May 1, 1858, the board of directors had
under consideration the subject of reform in grain in-
spection, and presented a report to a meeting of the
Board of Trade, in which they condemned the prevail-
ing methods, as affording no uniformity and fixing no
responsibility, recommending the employment of one
chief inspector, with power to appoint deputies, subject
to ratification by the directors. In consequence of
this report, a committee was appointed to draft a new
system of wheat inspection. The committee comprised
Julian S. Rumsey, S. H. Butler and Charles S. Dole.
They recommended the rejection of much of the wheat
that had been, prior to.that date, passed as "Standard,"
and proposed, after June 15, to make the inspection
much more rigid than formerly; grading it as "Club
wheat," " No. 1 Spring," " No. 2 Spring " and " Re-
jected." The assistance of the storage merchants in
making the new rules effective was asked. This report
was accompanied by an agreement, signed by the lead-
ing warehousemen, without whose co-operation the
proposed reform would have been impossible, except
through compulsory legal enactment.
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
377
The Board of Trade passed resolutions establishing
the grades as recommended, and designating- June 15 as
the date when the new system should go into effect.
During the season, several changes were found neces-
sary in the grades as first established. "No. 2 Spring"
was changed to " Standard," and test weights of the
different grades of spring wheat were defined. Subse-
quently, "No. 2 Spring" was re-established, as an inter-
mediate grade between " Rejected " and " Standard."
The first chief inspector appointed was George Sitts.
The first Committee on Inspection, under the new rules,
comprised Julian S. Rumsey (president), S. H. Butler and
C. S. Dole.
Up to the close of 1858, the new system applied
only to such grain as was received by the various
railroads. At that time the Board of Trade voted to
extend the system to cover grain received by lake and
canal, if put in store. There being no law to enforce
the resolution upon the warehouses receiving grain
from the canal-boats, large quantities continued, for
years afterward, to go into store uninspected. The pro-
portionate amount of the grain received and inspected
under the new rules, from June 15, when they first went
into effect, to December 31, 1858, as shown by the in-
spector's books, was as appears in the following tables :
No. 1 White Winter. ... .
No. I Red Winter
No. 2 Red Winter
Rejected Winter —
Club -
No. I Spring
No. 2 Spring
Rejected Spring
Total inspected.
Received by Canal and teams, not
inspected
Shipped — inspection not reported -
Total -
CORN.
112,800
634,800
360,600
59,300
2, IOO
l8g,200
2,120,500
648,500
4,127,800
1,504,553
5,692,353
151,568
572.853
329,222
38,979
354,265
2,959.399
345,744
4,712,030
4S4,85o
5,2o6,S8o
Grade Inspected.
Received.
Bush.
Shipped.
Bush.
No. I
1,148,400
Soi.goo
2,978,757
1,082,808
No. 2
Rejected
551,100
394.947
Total inspected .-
Received bv Canal and teams,
not
2,501,400
4,456,512
inspected .- . . -
Shipped and locally consumed-
spection not reported
— in-
4,396,917
1,921,452
Total . _.
6,898,317
6,377.964
Grade Inspected.
Received.
Bush.
Shipped.
Bush.
No. 1
404,400
13,200
116,400
534,000
671,512
1.205,512
753,993
109,189
863,182
74,595
937.777
No. 2
Rejected .
Total inspected .
Received by Canal and from other
sources, not inspected .
Shipped and locally consumed — in-
spection not reported
Total
Grade Inspected.
Received.
Bush.
Shipped.
Bush.
No. I
17,500
7,800
1, 200
26,500
31,509
58,009
No. 2
Rejected
1,269
Total inspected ..
Received by Canal and from other
sources, not inspected
Shipped and locally consumed — in-
spection not reported
Total ...
6,259
1,310
7,569
Grade Inspected.
Received.
Bush.
Shipped.
Bush.
No. I
21,200
69,600
14,400
105,200
73,400
No. 2
Rejected
55.573
3,349
Total inspected
Received by Canal and from other
sources, not inspected . . ....
Shipped, or locally consumed — in-
62,342
2,119
Total..
178,600
64,461
The system of inspection thus became established
in 1858, although it was many years before the grades
were allowed to remain unchanged a sufficient time to
be recognized and relied upon in Eastern and foreign
markets.
In August, 1859, the grades of wheat were for the
first time defined fully as to required quality, condition
and weight, as now. The grades were re-established
at that time, and were defined as follows :
No. 1 White Wheat : The berry to be plump, well cleaned,
and free from other grains.
No. 2 White Wheat : To be sound, but not clean enough for
No. 1.
No. 1 Red Wheat ; The berry to be plump, well cleaned, and
free from other grains.
No. 2 Red Wheat : To be sound, but not clean enough for
No. 1.
Rejected Winter Wheat: Unsound and unmerchantable wheat,
and to weigh not less than forty-five pounds to the measured
bushel.
No. 1 Spring Wheat : The berry to be plump, well cleaned,
free from other grains, and to weigh not less than fifty-eight
pounds to the measured bushel.
No. 2 Spring Wheat : To be sound, but not clean enough for
No, 1, and to weigh not less than fifty-two pounds to the measured
bushel.
Rejected Spring Wheat: All unsound, unmerchantable spring
wheat, and to weigh not less than forty-five pounds to the measured
bushel.
The above standard remained in vogue until Jan-
uary I, i860, when the minimum standard weight to the
bushel of No. 1 Spring was increased to fifty-nine
pounds, and of No. 2 Spring to fifty-six pounds.
It would be uninteresting to trace the inspection
through all the comparatively trivial changes that sub-
sequently occurred. No sweeping revision of grades
has been made since 1859, anil the prescribed standards
of weight, quality and condition established by the Board
of Trade and warehousemen of Chicago, during that
year, have remained the essential tests to this day.
Laws regulating Warehousing. — Prior to 1851, there
was no law in Illinois relating especially to the ware-
house business, and each warehouseman was " a law unto
himself," subject only to the penalties provided by the
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
general statutes for the punishment of fraud or other
business delinquencies or misdemeanors. In January
of that year, the first special act to regulate the business
was passed. It was designated " An act relating to
Wharfingers and other persons, and to prevent fraud."
It provided that no receipt should be issued for
grain not actually in store, and none for money loaned;
that no second receipt should be issued while the first
was outstanding; that property in store should not be
transferred without the consent of the party holding
the receipt. Violations of its provisions were made
felonies, punishable by a fine not exceeding $r,ooo, and
imprisonment in the penitentiary not exceeding five
years : these penalties being in addition to the right of
an aggrieved party to maintain a civil action for dam-
ages. For sixteen years, grain-warehousing was con-
ducted in Chicago under the provisions of this law.
At the time the law was framed, the storage and ship-
ping of grain was the least important feature of the
warehouse business, there being at that time only three
elevators in the city, with an aggregate storage capacity
of not to exceed 100,000 bushels. The total amount
of wheat shipped was but 437,660 bushels. Warehouse
receipts for grain were seldom negotiated or passed, as
thev afterward were when speculation became rife, and
the grain was usually stored, each lot in a separate bin,
for immediate shipment, or for the account of the owner
until such time as he might choose to sell it.
In 1867, the second "Warehouse bill " was passed.
During the period intervening between the passage of
the first and second bill, the business had grown to be
the most important factor in western trade. In place
of the three small houses were seventeen elevators, with
an aggregate storage capacity for 10,680,000 bushels,
which were filled during the winter months with wheat,
corn, rye, oats and barley, divided in the aggregate into
twenty well-defined and distinct grades, for which the
warehousemen had issued warehouse receipts, current
in all the grain marts of the country, and which they
were pledged to redeem, on presentation, in full weight
and exact quality as called for in the receipt presented.
They were the favorite collateral security for loans in
the city, and were often held by the banks on deposit in
amounts far exceeding their capital. No class of Chi-
cago business men had more weighty responsibilities, or
more important trusts, thrust upon them than the ware-
housemen, and it is but simple justice to state that none
endured so severe a test with less stain upon their repu-
tation. Nevertheless, sufficient abuses were apparent,
bofh in connection with the warehouse business and
among the members of the Board of Trade, to call
attention to the inadequacy of the existing laws to reg-
ulate a business which had developed many entirely-
new features since they had been enacted, and had, in
its magnitude and importance, so entirely outgrown
them. The subject became a matter of serious discus-
sion in the newspapers, on the Hoard of Trade, among
warehousemen and throughout the whole business com-
munity. In response to the generally expressed public
sentiment, that a complete revision of the laws for the reg-
ulation of warehousing was a necessity, the Legislature,
in February, 1867, passed a bill known as the "Ware-
Vet." It contained twenty-two sections, and
embodied the provisions of the former law, besides
containing a multiplicity of new regulations, skillfully
devised to m< ■ I 1 nntingencies not contemplated at the
time of thi: passage of tin- earlier a< 1.
The new law was accepted, and observed without
any notable attempt to evade its provisions, although
many complaints were made against what was deemed
oppressive features. Among those thus condemned
were : the forbidding of public warehouses to receive
grain without inspection — considered an unwarranted
interference with the property rights of citizens, since
inspection was, in a manner, forced upon them by the
alternative of being otherwise restricted or deprived of
facilities for storage; the extreme and severe penalties
prescribed for violations of the law, some of which
were arbitrarily stated, leaving the courts no discretion
in the matter. There was, however, contained in the
act an attempt to prohibit entirely the evil of specula-
tive trade in grain, which aroused the strongest opposi-
tion on the part of the speculative members of the
Board of Trade, who, numerically, at that time, had
control of the body. The obnoxious sections were
treated as void and of. no effect by many members,
although some ineffectual efforts were made to prose-
cute offenders. As these provisions proved powerless to
effect the desired reform (in some cases proving an
actual hindrance to legitimate trade) and did not seem
germane to a bill for the regulation of warehousing, the
obnoxious sections were unconditionally repealed April
8, 1869. The law was not further amended until 187 1.
The present Constitution went into force August 8,
1870. In this Constitution, warehouses were first recog-
nized as of sufficient importance to come within the
purview of the fundamental law, and several sections
were devoted to the subject. In accordance with the
spirit of this article in the Constitution, the Legislature,
during the session of 1871, made a complete revision
of the statutory laws concerning warehousing and the
inspection of grain, and passed an act which took the
entire control of the inspection of grain and the estab-
lishment of grades from the Board of Trade, and
placed it under supervision of officers of the State, the
whole warehouse business being put under the control
of the same officers. The act was approved April 25,
1871, and went into effect July 1.
The great fire, which occurred on October 9, de-
stroyed six out of the seventeen large elevators then in
Chicago, besides a large part of the receipts for grain
stored in those which remained. To rescue the business
from the demoralization and confusion which ensued,
an act was passed by the State Legislature, convened in
special session, November 4, 187 1, authorizing the
deliver)', by warehousemen, of grain stored prior to
October 8, 187 1, without the production of any receipt
therefor, upon presentation of proof, under oath, that
the receipt originally issued for the same was destroyed
in the fire.
Grain-Weighing in Chicago. — Before 1880, the
method of weighing grain in bulk in this city, for trans-
portation by rail to Eastern points, was in a very cha-
otic state, and gave rise to interminable disputes and
complaints. There was, in fact, no arrangement for
weighing grain not intended for the elevators, except
such as the railroads themselves furnished. The rail-
road companies always weighed the cars, to obtain the
basis for freight charges, and the dealer had no other
data upon which to base his estimates than that fur-
nished by them. The very wide margin for possible
errors in their weight will be appreciated, when we con-
sider the loose methods then in vogue among them, and
the fact that they guaranteed nothing. They weighed
the cars and contents for their own purposes, and buy-
ers and sellers were welcome to take such figures as
thev had — of not; it was no affair of theirs. They were
in the habit of weighing car after car, all coupled to-
gether in a train, as they ran them over the scales, and
took tlie weight as marked upon the cars by the build-
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
379
ers for the tare. It might be correct — might not — no one
knew; it was about so much — more or less. But the
public got tired of such methods, and the board of di-
rectors of the Board of Trade, in conjunction with the
Grain Receivers' Association, resolved to find a remedy.
Honest John Wade had been the weigh-master for the
Board of Trade since April, 1872, and a more capable
man, or one more satisfactory to the general public,
than he, could not be found in Chicago. He was
known all over the country, east and west, and every-
where liked; so John Wade it must be, and he was
unanimously requested to take supervision of the whole
matter — first, of the grain sent east over the great pro-
peller lines, and, afterward, to take similar charge of all
grain sent east by railroads. He at once instituted the
most radical and thorough reforms. Capable and trust-
worthy men were now employed by him to attend to each
road, and the whole is under his own careful superin-
tendency. The railroad scales were all taken out,
tested, repaired, put into perfect order, and each road
bound itself to keep them so under his direction. The
cars are uncoupled and each one weighed separately,
and after they are unloaded, the empty cars are again
weighed, and John Wade's certificate, when issued, is
the end of all dispute, and the basis for every transac-
tion in grain of the character we have indicated.
Everything is done with accuracy and dispatch, and
business not only greatly facilitated, but placed upon a
reliable and satisfactory basis to all parties.
John Wade, Board of Trade weigher, was born at Ipswich,
Essex Co., Mass., on October 23, 1823. He is the son of W. F.
Wade, who was the treasurer of Essex County for fifty years. His
grandfather was Colonel Nathaniel Wade, who was next in com-
mand to Benedict Arnold, at West Point, at the time of Arnold's
desertion to the enemy on the discovery of his treason. It is re-
lated in the traditions of the family that Colonel Wade was out
with Arnold to supper that very night, and when returning met an
aide, who spoke in Colonel Wade's ear the one word " Beware."
The family still retain the autograph letter of General Washington
to the colonel, directing him to assume command until relieved by
his superior officers. John Wade fitted for college at New Haven,
but left school at the age of twenty, and took a clerkship in a whole-
sale cotton house in New York, where he remained for four or five
years. After an interval of two years spent in Boston, he returned
to New York, and, in company with his brother, established him-
self in the grain commission business about 1S50. In C862, he
came to Chicago, and opened an office in the same line, under the
firm name of J. Wade & Co., and for some years was one of the
heaviest, and at one time very much the heaviest, shipper in the
city. For some years his annual shipment on Eastern account
averaged several millions of bushels of grain, and at one time, be-
fore the fire, he sent forward one and a half millions of bushels in
fifteen days In April, 1S72, he was appointed Board of Trade
weigh-master for one year; and has been re-appointed annually
ever since. His duties are in the nature of an arbitrator of disputes
as to the weights of different lots of grain, etc., changing hands in
the course of trade on the Board. Mr. Wade was united in mar-
riage, at the old Park Street Church, to Miss Charlotte Augusta
Dexter, daughter of Dr. Theodore Dexter, of Boston Mass. 1 1 is
children are John Wade, Jr., now in the commission business on his
own account; Ella A. Wade; and J. Louise, wife of C. C. Swin-
bourne, cashier of the Corn Exchange Bank. When in New York,
Mr. Wade united with the old Westminster Presbyterian Church,
and has never transferred his membership, although he is an active
attendant of the Sixth Presbyterian Church of this city. He is also
an earnest member of. and worker in, the Citizens' League for the
suppression of the sale of liquors to minors and drunkards. He
donates liberally to the Chicago Relief and Aid Society and other
charities, and is fully in sympathy and identified with every worthy
enterprise in the city.
The First Summer Pork-Packing was done in
Chicago in 1858, by Tobey, Booth & Co. and by
Van Brunt & Watrous. These firms stored up ice
during the previous winter, and packed during the
summer as follows: Van Brunt & Watrous, 25,826; To-
bey, Booth &: Co., n,47S — total summer packing 37,301
hogs. The experiment was looked upon with distrust
by many packers and most provision dealers at that
time. It proved, however, practicable, and to these two
firms is due the credit of having successfully inaugurated
this most important industry. Thenceforth, the hot
weather ceased to be a restriction to the business, if it
were otherwise feasible and profitable to continue pack-
ing during the summer months.
STATISTICS.
The following statistical tables show the extent of
operations in grain, breadstuffs, provisions, farm pro-
ducts, etc., for a series of years;
TABLE SHOWING THE RECEIPTS AND SHIPMENTS OF BUTTER, SEEDS, SALT, LIQUORS AND HIGHWTNES,
AND COAL, FOR A SERIES OF TWENTY YEARS.
YEAR.
BUTTER-
-Pounds.
Seeds-
Pounds.
SaLT-BaRRELS.
High wines — Barrels.
Coal—
Tons.
Receipts.
Shipments.
Receipts.
Shipments.
Receipts.
Shipments.
Receipts.
Shipments.
Receipts.
Sh.pments.
1852
1,327,100
812,430
16,242
46.233
1. 441
1853
577.33S
2,197,187
2,185,269
81,789
38,785
8,4S7
7,027
3S.54S
2,988
1S54
2,143.509
609,449
3,047,949
2,109,832
169,556
9r.534
17.331
8,013
156,775
5,o6S
1S55
2,473. 9S2
1,056,631
3.023,23s
3,4S4,OI3
169,946
107.993
iS.433
6,335
109,576
12,153
1S56
2,66S,93S
297. 74S
2,S43,202
2,828,759
I75.6S7
83,601
30,000
6,266
93,020
16,161
1S57
3.039.3S5
309.550
2,257,223
I.537.94S
204,473
90,918
28,185
10.654
171.350
23,942
1S5S
3,166,923
5I2.S33
4.27L732
4,027,846
334.997
191,279
38,664
28,007
S7,2go
15,641
1S59
5.241.547
4.647,960
316.291
257.S47
29,431
29,529
131,204
i6,SS6
1S60
7,071,074
6,055,563
255. MS
172,963
62,126
65,223
131, 0S0
20,364
1S61
7,742,614
S.I76.349
9,SS5,2oS
10.1S0.7S1
7,438,485
89,915
in, 240
iS4,oSg
20,093
1S62 .-
6,165,221
520,227
61,703
100,170
218,423
12,917
1S63
1S64
137,947
159.312
284,196
15.245
8,819,903
5.927.769
11,782,656
680,346
4S3.443
102,032
138,644
323 275
16,779
1S65 .. ..
7,492,02s
5.206,865
M.745340
7.514,928
611,025
444.S27
32.435
66.053
344.S54
24,190
1866
9,126,825
s, 503.321
i3,6iS,85S
13.316,210
496,827
452,537
60,202
65.995
496, 193
34,o66
1S67 .- ...
3,816,63s
2,926,239
23.962,397
19. 058,921
492,129
455.740
30,Si2
49,250
546,208
69.170
1S68
5,503,630
3,972,021
25.503, 1S0
i5,S70,9=;o
686,857
524,014
6i,933
69.535
658,234
83.399
1869
10,224 803
5,898,391
22,803,545
12.217,398
524.321
535.626
129,47s
156,404
799,000
95.620
1870
11,682,34s
0,493.143
18,681,14s
6,287,615
674,61s
571.013
165,689
176,50s
SS7.474
110,467
1871
13,231,452
11,049,367
20,234,146
14,213,989
703,917
450,13s
120,969
171,031
i,oSi,472
96,883
38o
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
COARSE GRAINS.
CORN.
OATS.
YEAR.
Receipts.
Bushels.
Shipments.
Bushels.
left on hand.
Bushels.
Opening and
closing
price for the
year.
Receipts.
Bushels.
Shipments.
Bushels.
Local
consumption or
left on hand.
Bushels.
Opening and
price for the
■-.252.641
5.401,870
15.S62.394
26, 369,989
29,574,32s
26,611,653
13.807,745
25,952,201
33,543.o6l
22,772,715
25.570,494
23.475, Soo
20,189,775
41, S53,I3S
7,726,264
4.349,360
13,700,113
24.372,725
29,452,610
25,051,450
12,235,452
25.437.241
32,753.l8l
21,267,205
24,770,626
2i,586,SoS
17.777,377
36,716,030
526,277
1,052,510
2,l62,2Sl
1,997.264
121,718
1,560,203
1.527.293
514,960
7Sg,S8o
1,505,510
799,868
1,888,992
412,398
5,137,108
$0 44- 56
58- 43
49" 30
30- 23
23- 41
4i- 93
93-1 30
90- 47
45- 80
75- 87
*87- 81
+56- 79
72- 47
44- 4i
2,8S3,597
I,757,6g6
2,198,889
2,067,018
4,668,772
II,o86,I3I
16,351,616
11,659,080
11,140,264
12,355,006
16,032,910
10,611,940
10,472,078
14,789,414
1,519,069
1,185,703
1,091,698
1.633,237
3,112,366
9,234.858
16,567,650
11,142,140
9,961,215
10,226,026
14,440,830
8,800,646
8,507,735
12,151,247
1,364,528
t
1,107,191
433,781
1,556,406
1,851,273
t
516,940
1,179,049
2,128,980
i,592,oSo
1,810,294
r, 964,343
2 638,167
So 25- 50
47- 34
35- 17
17- 18
18- 43
43- 66
66- 65
65- 26
f26- 48
*42- 56
56- 46
46- 42
40- 40
40- 32
—
1S61
1862-
1S63
1S64
1S65
1S66
1S67
[868
1S69
1870
1871
RYE.
BARLEY.
Receipts.
Bushels.
Shipments.
Bushels.
Local
left on hand.
Bushels.
Opening and
closing
price for the
year.
Receipts.
Bushels.
Shipments.
Bushels.
consumption or
left on hand.
Bushels.
Opening and
price for the
IS58
1859
IS60
IS6I
1862
71,012
23L5I4
318,976
490,981
1,038,825
865,50s
1,060,116
1,194,834
1,679,541
1,291,821
1,523,820
955,201
1,093,493
2,011,788
7,569
134,404
156,642
393,813
871,796
651,094
893.492
999,289
1,444,574
1,213,389
1,202,941
798,744
913,629
1,325,867
63,443
97,110
162,334
97,168
167,029
214,414
166,624
195,545
234,967
•78,432
320,879
156,457
179,864
6S5,g2I
No. 1
$0 50- 66
66- 75
80- 46
46- 32
32- 60
60-I 02
I 02-I 12
I 12- 55
55- 98
98-1 54
1 54-1 10
1 14- 75
75- 76
76- 73
413,812
652,696
617,619
457,589
872,053
1,280,342
1,018,813
I. 774.139
1,742,642
2,360,984
1,915,056
I,5I3,IIO
3,335,653
4,069,410
132,020
486,218
267,449
226,534
532,195
946,223
345,208
607,484
I,3O0,82I
1,846,891
90I, I S3
633,753
2,584,692
2,go8,II3
281,792
166,378
350,170
231,055
339-868
234,119
673,605
1,166,655
441,821
514.093
1,003,873
879.357
750,961
1,161,297
No. 2.
So 50- 65
68- 60
60- 43
43- 34
34-1 00
1 00-1 35
' 35-1 50
1 50-1 00
1 00- 72
72-1 74
1 74-i 55
1 55- 8c
So- 75
IS63
IS64 -
1865
1866
1867
1868 _
1869
1870
IS7I
J Local consumption and excess of shipments draw
BREADSTUFFS.
from surplus of previous year.
1849.
1850.
1852
1853
[854
1855
1856
1857
1858
I859
[860
1862
I J63
l-'.j
1865
1866
1 868
I87O
I87I
937,496
1,687,46
3.038,955
7.535.097
8,767,760
10,554,761
9,639,614
■ //.',, 7'/,
i i 127,08 I
17,387,002
13.978.II6
11,408,161
'-' [84,977
, 2','. 1 jo
11,978.753
14,772.094
17.394.409
14.439,6;'.
2,160,800
1,936,264
883,644
437,660
635 496
1,206,163
2,306,925
6,298,155
8,364,420
■)■' |''."r2
5,850,257
7,166,696
12,402,197
[5,835,95 !
1 f,.-,,-;,.-,r.
io.793.295
|,,,2-.o,',26
7,614,887
io,i 18,907
10,557.123
'' 174.683
'3.244.249
16,432,585
12,905 449
302,000
481,302
732,030
1,236,942
403,340
708,709
787,357
894,070
2,524,886
1.551,049
169,218
614,866
1. 934.95 1
1. 65 1. 523
1,859,646
3.138,121
4. 397. 4"
3.632.511
961,824
'.334,207
So 80-
82-
Sg-
62-
68- .
85-
i 30- .
1 55-
1 27-
1 17-
75-1
1 08-1
1 08- 92
80- 75
77-1 03
' 15-1 19
I 19-1 81
Spring.
So 70- ..
66- ...
78- ...
65- ...
40-
60- ...
1 09-
1 31- ...
1 05- ...
93- ---
57" 85
ii-
1 00- 8
80- 6
71- 9
1 00-1 1
I 18-1 79
1 79-1 3'
1 31-2 20
2 20-2 07
2 07-1 26
1 26- 86
86-1 09
1 12-1 22
93.337
48,297
157,585
240,662
324,921
393,934
522.137
726,321
713,348
1,479,284
1,666,391
1,424,206
1,205,698
1,134,100
1.847,145
1,720,001
2,192,413
2,218,822
1,766,037
1,412,177
70,979
82.S83
66,990
79,650
86,068
96,000
140,403
161,500
232,000
291,852
260,980
236,261
255,056
288,820
445,522
574,096
732,479
543. 2S5
443.967
327.739
124,316
131. 130
224,575
320,312
410,989
489,934
662,540
887, S21
945,348
1,771,136
1,927,37'
1,660,467
1,460,754
1,422,920
2,292,667
2.2g4,og7
2,924,892
2,762.107
2,210,004
1,739,916
45,200
5L309
100,871
72,406
61,1
74 19°
107,627
163.419
216, 3S9
250,64s
470,402
686,351
698,132
1,603,920
1,739 849
1,522,085
1,285.343
1,293,428
1,981,525
2,015,455
2,3gg,6ig
2,339,063
1,705.977
1,287,574
63,120
56,940
116,94s
156,893
193,600
230,286
192,13s
201,470
249,216
167,216
187,522
138,382
175,4"
128,492
3". M2
278,642
525,273
423,044
gO4,027
452,342
Average
price per
year. |
$3 75- 4 OO
3 75- 4 00
4 50- 4 75
2 50- 4 00
2 75" 4 25
3 75- 5 25
6 g8- 7 48
7 12- 8 14
4 91- 6 26
5 06
3 5o- 4 75
4 50- 4 80
5 00- 4 40
4 40- 3 75
4 00- 5 00
5 00- 5 50
5 50- 8 75
8 00- 8 00
8 00-12 00
12 00- 9 25
9 25- 6 75
6 50- 5 25
5 00- 5 75
5 75- 6 75
in this column the prices cited are the ' opening and closing prices for the year," for " No. 1 Red Winter " and
1 ■ and ubsequent years, the first column indicates the "local sale or barrels left on hand," and the second column
the "' opening and dosing price for the year, for Extra Spring."
> for thl
I Spring, reapecth
" ■ the year 185!
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
PROVISIONS.
381
1859.
IS60.
1861-
1862.
1863.
1864.
1865.
1866.
IS67.
1868.
1869.
1870.
1871.
CATTLE AND BEEF.
?2 no® 3 50
3 50® 3 25
3 oo® 4 25
2 50© 3 00
2 50® 2 50
2 oo@ 5 25
2 75® 9 00
2 50® 10 00
2 50® 8 25
3 50@io 00
3 oo® 9 50
- — @
2 50® S 00
2 5o@ 7 25
140,534
111,694
177,101
204,259
209,655
304.44S
338,840
330,301
384,251
329,243
323,514
403,102
532,964
543.050
42.638
37.5S4
97,474
124 145
H2.745
201,066
253,439
301,637
268,733
216,982
217,897
294,717
39L709
401.927
45.504
51,606
34.024
56,763
59,637
7O,oS0
92,459
27,172
25,996
35,348
26,950
11,963
21,254
i6,oSo
hand.
52,393
21,504
45,003
23,351
36,223
33,296
1.492*
85,904
66,Si3
78,667
96,422
120,001
125,043
barn-].
[ill 00(il 12 00
10 00® 14 00
8 OO® I 2 OO
7 OO© [O 00
8 50® 1 2 00
9 00® 1 2 00
12 00© 23 00
10 00© 1 6 00
8 00@22 OO
13 00©20 OO
12 50© 19 OO
13 00® 1 5 50
ic 00(0 14 511
8 00 (it 13 00
SWINE AND
PORK.
YEAR.
Range of Prices.
Received.
Shihped.
Number
packed during
the season.
Range of price of
mess pork, per barrel
Live.
Dressed.
Live.
Dressed.
Live.
Dressed.
185S
1859
i860
§1 oo© 5 40
4 oo® 5 75
4 6o@ 5 70
4 25© 2 35
2 70© 3 90
3 go© 6 00
4 25@I3 00
6 50@I3 25
5 30@lo 50
5 20© 7 50
5 95® 10 75
7 so@i2 25
6 25®io 30
3 io@ 7 90
$4 75® 6 50
4 5Q@ 7 25
5 oo@ 7 00
5 oo@ 2 75
3 2o@ 4 30
4 30@ 7 10
6 5o@i5 12
9 75(2 r5 00
7 oo@ 1 1 50
7 oo@n 25
7 20@It 50
10 00® 1 5 50
6 75@n 50
4 37® 9 00
416,225
188,671
285,149
549,039
1,110,971
I 606,813
1.285,871
757,072
933,233
I,6g6,6Sg
1,706,592
1,661,869
1,693,15s
2,3So.o83
124,261
82,533
107,715
126,863
237,919
350,055
289,457
92,239
353,093
260,431
281,923
190,513
260,214
272,466
159,181
87,254
191,931
216, 9S2
446,506
752,151
561,277
575,5"
484,793
760,547
1,020,812
1,086,305
924,483
1,162,286
32,832
22,992
35,233
72,112
44,629
110,039
98,115
69,034
91,306
156,091
226,901
199,650
171, iSS
169,473
I79.6S4
151,339
27i,So5
505,691
970.264
904,659
760.514
507,355
639,332
796,226
597,954
688,140
919,197
1,225,236
$12 0O@I7 00
14 50IK 19 00
14 50© 20 OO
9 25 (5 20 00
8 25W 11 50
11 oo@i8 50
17 50(»43 00
22 5001 38 00
17 00c 33 50
17 oo(« 24 50
21 oo@30 00
2S 000333 75
18 00 (« 30 00
12 OOfU23 00
1S61
1862
1863
1S64
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870
1S71
* The receipts do not include the cattle driven in and disposed of to private butchers or otherwise outside the principal stock yards
t The number given as packed is for each season, extending from March 31 to March 31.
The receipts and shipments are for each year, from January 1 to January 1, hence the apparent discrepancy, where the spring packing absorbed the receipts
given, up to the preceding January.
TABLE SHOWING, FOR A SERIES OF TWENTY YEARS, THE RECEIPTS, SHIPMENTS, AND LOCAL INCREASE
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LEADING MEAT PRODUCTS.
1852
1853
1854
1855
1856
1857
1S58
1859
i860
1 861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
1867
1S68
1869
1870
1871
Receipts. Shipment
1,189
207
I.697
12,427
225
481
695
6,223
1.747
3,»3
7S1
2,So6
9,249
19,791
787
3,475
4,534
1,478
20,554
53,289
53,965
64,499
56,143
55,790
23,794
44,402
49,530
123,932
85,563
50,154
151,631
137,302
140,627
103,064
67,762
84,622
75,424
48,624
65,369
89,452
Receipts. Shipments.
3,270
11,250
25,701
29,265
13,298
8,918
26,570
24,533
II.I20
32,495
66,953
97,"3
41,190
53,198
15.382
35,922
34,797
45,248
40,883
68,949
10,976
29,809
51,
77,
52,
30,
80,
92,
9i,
65,
'93,
449'
298,
2S4,
257,
I76:
Provisions and Cut Meats.
1,937,237
8,993,903
14,492,012
9,628,445
10,323,463
6,252,22S
8,007,064
6,700,612
I2,72S,32S
15,254.013
29,336,406
36,756,281
17,01s, 277
io,S66,ii8
8,463,59S
14,693,767
7,055,814
20,930,202
52,i62,SSi
30,150,899
1,446,500
9,266,31s
5,189,725
6,401,487
13,634,892
3,463,566
9,272,450
15,935.243
59,748, 3S8
71,944,010
95,300,815
50,055,322
55,026,609
73,011,584
82,325,522
95,106,106
S6, 707, 466
112,433,168
163,113,891
67,793
888,568
4,380,979
471,062
821,827
2,170,200
3.144.600
3,916,251
4.SI3.407
6,841,940
19,764,315
25,683,722
13,259,62s
7,50i,So5
8,553,358
11,030,47s
6,050,065
6,804,675
7,711,01s
17,662,79s
1,200,000
1,847,852
2,596,912
i,So3,goo
3, 90S, 700
5,2So,ooo
7.232,750
10,325,019
16,400,822
54,505,123
58,030,728
42,342,970
28,487,407
26,755,36S
27,211,525
23,527,821
17,278.520
43.2g2.24g
61.02g.S53
The excess of shipments shows the
taken of the unknown amounts locally consumed.
1 year. It do
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
LIST OF PERSONS AND FIRMS ENGAGED IN PACKING BEEF AND PORK, WITH NUMBER OF HOGS AND
CATTLE PACKED BY EACH FOR THE SEASON OF 1858-59.
NAME.
Cattle.
No. Packed.
Hogs.
No. Packed.
REMARKS.
K. M. .V O. S. Hough
Van Brunt & Watrous — -
Jones & Culbertson -
G. S. Hubbard ..V Co
8,200
15,000
75°
6,311
4,300
4,800
6.143
36,000
30,014
25,454
15,000
23,546
9,000
8,300
3,58l
5.139
2,500
2,000
I.OOO
3,000
9,000
550
400
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
I.OOO
Built their first packing-house in 1850.
Commenced packing in 1854.
\ Resided in New York. Bought the Milward packing-
( house, and commenced packing in 1858.
\ Built packing-house in 1857. Commenced packing in
| 1858.
Commenced packing in 1834.
Commenced packing in 1852.
Commenced packing in 1S43.
Stewart & Co. in 1857.
i Came from Baltimore. First packed in 1857, renting the
-! slaughter house on the South Branch built by Henry
( Milward.
\ Successors to Moore, Seaverns & Co., who had packed since
} 1854. They sold out to Law & Co. in 1858.
Packed with Andrew Brown in 1S55.
Commenced packing in 185S.
J . G. Law &Co
P. Curtis -
Succeeded S. Holden in 1S58.
Andrew Brown & Co .-
Louis Richberg
Smith & Son
Reynolds, Lunt & Co. . -.
Commenced packing in 1853.
Commenced packing in 1S58.
Commenced packing in 1858.
Prior to 1857, Reynolds & Hayward.
Commenced packing in 1858.
Succeeded O. H. Tobey in 1854.
Prior to 1857, Reynolds & Hayward.
Commenced packing in 1858.
A. Brown >i Co
Commenced packing in 1853.
( In slaughter business since 1S27. Commenced packing in
j fall of 1833.
Total
45,504
179. 4S4
TABLE SHOWING PRINCIPAL FIRMS ENGAGED IN PACKING BEEF AND PORK, WITH NUMBER OF CATTLE
AND HOGS PACKED BY EACH FOR THE SEASON OF 1871-72.
NAME.
Cattle.
No. Packed.
Hogs.
No. Packed.
REMARKS.
Allerton, Robertson & Co
3,812
4,623
1,892
5,753
28,349
68,033
83,602
168,070
T",347
12,650
6l,iS3
88,832
32,345
25,728
133. 4S7
45.424
5,540
28,546
25.770
26,587
37.167
27,008
5,763
8,506
20,250
41,251
29 963
6.000
28.985
17,620
48,150
Commenced in 1871.
Botsford, H. .5c Co _
Chicago Packing and Provision Co
Culbertson, Blair & Co
Hale, F. M...
Established in 1S69 or 1870.
Succeeded Burt, Hutchinson & Snow. Established in 1S66.
Successors to Jones & Culbertson. Established in 1857.
Commenced packing in 1871.
Established in 1869 or 1870.
Successors to Burt & lliggins. Established in 185S.
Successors to R. M. & O. S. Hough. Established in 1S50.
Successors to Kelley Brothers. Established in 1868.
Kelley, Jacob & Co
Libby, A. A. & Co
Successors to Kriegh & Harbach. Established in 1S60.
Commenced packing in 1871.
Mitchell, J. C
Morrell, John & Co
Nutting, S. S. & Co
Successor to Turner iV Mitchell. Established in 1862.
Commenced packing in 1871.
Established in 1863.
Successor to Thomas Nash. Established in 1857.
Established in 1869 or 1870.
Established in 1869 or 1870.
Commenced packing in 1871.
Established in 1S62.
( Successors to Freeman, Ruggles & Crosby. Established
/ in 1S65.
Commenced packing in 1871.
Established in 1852.
Commenced packing in 187:.
Kuggles, Crosby & Taylor
Shoeneman, S. &: Co
Tobey & Booth
Williams ,V Davis
Others packing less than 5,000 each
Total
[6,080
1,225,236
FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS.
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSOURI.
The history of the Military Division of the Missouri
extends to the early part of the year 1865, some four
months prior to the close of the Civil War. It was
established by general order No. 1 1 of the War Depart-
ment, January 30, 1865, and, at that time, included the
departments of the Missouri and the Northwest.
Major-General John Pope was assigned to the com-
mand, with headquarters at St. Louis. On March 21,
1865, by general order No. 44 of the War Department,
the Department of Arkansas and the Indian Territory
was transferred from the Division of the West Missis-
sippi to that of the Missouri, and on June 27, 1S65, by
general order No. 118 of the War Department, the
Division of the Missouri was merged into the Division
of the Mississippi, and placed under command of
Major-General W. T. Sherman. The name of General
Sherman's command was changed, August 6, 1866, to
the Military Division of the Missouri, and comprised
the Departments of the Missouri, Platte, Dakota and
Arkansas. The State of Arkansas was taken from the
Division March n, 1867, and the State of Illinois and
the post of Fort Smith, Arkansas, added to it March
16, 1869. Fort Smith was discontinued as a military
station in June, 1871. On March 24, 1869, Lieutenant-
General Philip H. Sheridan, who had been in com-
mand of the Department of the Missouri prior to its
consolidation, with headquarters at Fort Leavenworth,
Kansas, succeeded General Sherman in command of
the Division. The Department of Texas was added to
the Division November 1, 187 1, and the Department of
the Gulf January 4, 1S75 ; and in June, 1875, the
limits of the Department of the Platte were extended to
include a portion of the Territory of Idaho, embracing
Fort Hall, which has since been discontinued as a mili-
tary post. The Department of the Gulf was taken
from the Division May 1, 1877.
The headquarters of the Military Division of the
Missouri were transferred from St. Louis, Mo., to Chi-
cago, on April 1, 1869, and the designation of the de-
partment was changed from Department of Missouri to
the Military Division of the Missouri October 27, 1883.
The first military headquarters were located in the
Merchants' Building, at the northwest corner of LaSalle
and Washington streets. There they were totally de-
stroyed in the fire of 187 1, scarcely a record being
saved. After the fire, the headquarters were established
at No. 566 Wabash Avenue, from which floated the first
flag raised after the fire. From there, they were
removed to No. 5S8 Wabash Avenue in the same year.
This sketch would be. incomplete without extended
reference to the life and services of the distinguished gen-
eral whose fame, in a great measure, belongs to Chicago ;
whose fighting qualities were demonstrated in many of the
hardest-fought battles of the war; who was contempo-
raneous with Grant, Sherman, and the bearers of other
illustrious names, in the grandest historical epoch of our
Nation's history; whose ardor and valor were ever ready
to meet the expectations and sustain the plans of the
great commanders. His "Ride to Winchester" is in-
delibly graven on the annals of his country, and his no-
bility of character is an endearing association to the
hearts of his countrymen.
Philip Henry Sheridan was born at Somerset, Ohio,
March 6, 1833. His early years were passed in the pursuits com-
mon to the country lads of the neighborhood, and after a common
country school education heen tered the store of his brother as a
clerk. After graduating from West Point, his history is one of
constant and active military duty, and his promotions were rapid
He co-operated intelligently with Grant and Sherman all through
the war, and always forced the fighting. He scourged and discour-
aged the enemy by sudden cavalry dashes in. their rear, destroying
their railroads and bases of supplies. The word " retreat" is not
in his military history. He came upon a charge with ten thousand
mounted infantry from his successes in the Shenandoah Valley, and
was in at the fall of Richmond. His attack on Pickett's troops,
which formed the extreme right of Lee's forces, proved a complete
success in the decisive action at Five Forks. It was the first dash
at Lee's lines, which were shattered and broken, which led up to
the complete victory and the end of the Rebellion, in which all of
the great generals participated.
The following is the official record, showing General Sheri-
dan's military history : Cadet at United States Military Academy,
West Point, from July I, 1S4S, to July, 1S53, when he was gradu-
ated and promoted in the army to Brevet Second Lieutenant of
Infantry July 1. 1853; served in garrison at Newport Barracks,
Ky., 1853 ; on frontier duty at Fort Duncan, Texas, 1S54 ; La-
Pena, Texas, 1854; Turkey Creek, Texas, 1S54; promoted to Second
Lieutenant of the Fourth Infantry, November 22, 1854 ; served at
Fort Duncan, Texas, 1S54-55; in garrison, Fort Columbus, N. Y.,
1855 ; on frontier duty, escorting topographical party from Sacra-
mento Valley, Cal., to Columbia River, Oreg., 1S55; Gakinna Ex-
pedition, 1855; Fort Vancouver, Washington Ter., 1855-56; scout-
ing, 1S56, being engaged in the defense of the Cascades, April 28,
1856 ; Grande Ronde reservation, 1S56 ; Fort Hoskins, Oreg.,
1S56-5S; Fort Yamhill, Oreg., 1S59-61; promoted to First Lieuten-
ant Fourth Infantry, March 1, 1861 ; Captain of the 13th Infantry,
May 14, 1861. Served through the Rebellion, 1S61-66: As presi-
dent of the Board for auditing claims, at St. Louis, Mo., Novem-
ber 18 to December 16, 1S61; as chief quartermaster and commis-
sary of the Army of Southwest Missouri, December 26. 1S61, to
March 12, 1S62 ; in the Mississippi Campaign, April to September,
1S62, being engaged as quartermaster of Major-General Halleck's
headquarters on the advance to Corinth, Miss., April 18 to May
25, 1862; in command of brigade on raid to Booneville, Miss., as
Colonel of 2d Michigan Cavalry Volunteers, May 2S. 1S62 ; pur-
suit of rebels from Corinth to Baldwin, Miss., May 30 to June 10,
1862, participating. in skirmishes at Booneville, Blackland, Donald-
son Cross Roads and Baldwin, June, 1862 ; action of Booneville,
July I, 1S62 ; promoted to Brigadier-General United States Volun-
teers, July 1, 1862 ; in command of the nth Division, Army of the
Ohio, October 1, 1S62, on the advance into Kentucky, being en-
gaged in the battle of Perryville, October 8, 1S62 ; march to the
relief of Nashville, Tenn., October and November, 1S62 ; in com-
mand of division in the Tennessee Campaign, Army of the Cum-
berland, November, 1S62, and September, 1S63, being engaged in
the battle of Stone River, December 31, 1S62 ; Major-General of
the United States Volunteers, December 31, 1S62, to November 8,
1S64 ; pursuit of rebels under VanDorn to Columbia and Franklin,
capturing train and prisoners near Eagleville, March, 1863 ; Tul-
lahoma junction, June 24 to July 4, 1S63; capture of Winchester,
Tenn., June 27, 1S63 ; crossing the Cumberland Mountains and
the Tennessee River, August 15 to September 4, 1S63; battle of
Chickamauga, September 19-20, 1863; operations in and about
Chattanooga, December, 1863; battle of Missionary Ridge, No-
vember 23-25, 1S63; in occupation of East Tennessee, December,
1S63; skirmish of Dandridge, January 17, 1864; in command of
Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, April 4 to August 3, 1864 ;
Richmond Campaign, being engaged in the battle of the Wilder-
ness, May 5-6, 1S64; combat of Todel's Tavern, May 7, 1864 ;
capture of Spottsylvania Court House, May S. 1864; cutting of
the Virginia Central and Richmond ..Y Fredericksburg railroads ;
action at Beaver Dam, May 10, 1S64; battle of Yellow Tavern,
3S3
3«4
HTSTORY OF CHICAGO.
May II. 1S64: combat of Meadow Bridge, May 12, 1864; actions
of Hanovertown and Tolopotomv Creek. May 27. 1S04 ; battle of
Hawes's Shop, May 28 ; action of Metadequin Creek, May 30: bat-
tle of Cold Harbor*. May 31, June 1 ; raid toward Charlotteville and
return to Jordan's Point on the lames River ; cutting the Virginia
and the Richmond ..v. Fredericksburg railroads; battle of
Trevilian's Station, Tune 11-12; action at Tunstall Station, June
21; skirmish at St. Mary's Church, June 24; action at Darby town,
28; in command of the Army of the Shenandoah, August 4-
-. iSt'4. and of the Middle Military Division. August 7, 1S64, to
March 25. 1S65 ; Brigadier-Genera] of the United States Army,
September 20. 1S64; battle of Opequan, September 19, 1S64; bat-
tle of Fisher's Hill. September 22 ; battle of Cedar Creek, October
19 : action of Middletown. November 12 ; Major-General of the
--:ates Army, November S. 1S64; raid from Winchester to
Petersburg. February 27 to March 24, 1S65; destroying the James
River and Kanawha Canal ; cutting the Gordonsville, Virginia
Central, and Richmond & Fredericksburg railroads ; combat of
Waynesboro', March 2, 1S65; actions of North Anna Bridge, Ash-
land, and innumerable minor actions and skirmishes in the Rich-
mond Campaign ; in command at the battle of Dinwiddie Court
House, March 31, 1S65 ; Sailor's Creek, April 6 ; Appomattox
Station, April S ; minor cavalry engagements in pursuit of the en-
emy, April 2-9; capitulation of Lee at Appomattox Court House,
April 9, 1S65 ; raid to South Boston, North Carolina, returning to
Petersburg, April 24 to May 3, 1865; in command of the Military
Division of the Southwest, June 3 to July 17, 1865 ; of the Military
Division of the Gulf, July 17, 1S65, to 'August 15, 1866 ; of the
Department of the Guff, August 15, 1S66, to March 11, 1867 ; of
the Fifth Military District ( Louisiana and Texas), March 11 to
September 5, 1S67; of the Department of the Missouri, September
12, 1S67. to March 27, 1S69. It is not alone in General Sheridan's
military history all interest in his character and pursuits lies. While
a brilliant fighter, he is essentially a man of peace. He took up
his home permanently in Chicago upon his accession to the com-
mand of the Division of the Missouri, after his visit to Europe,
where, in company with Bismarck and VonMoltke, he witnessed the
strategical and bloody actions of Gravellotte and Sedan in the
Franco- Prussian War. His civil history is a record of good deeds;
of many acts of charity, hidden beneath a becoming cloak of mod-
esty; while his genial qualities attract and make friends of all who
meet him. In the advancement and prosperity of Chicago, he
early took a warm interest, and his public spirit has many times
been of advantage to the prosperity of the city.
THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY.
The history of the Federal Judiciary in Illinois dates
back to the year 1819, when, under an act of Congress
passed in March of that year, Nathaniel Pope was
appointed judge for the district including the entire
State. Yandalia was then the capital of the State, and
it was there that Judge Pope, with William H. Braun
as clerk, held court and dispensed justice until January
4, 1838, when Springfield was named as the pivotal
pnint of the Federal district. Judge Pope removed to
Springfield, and remained on the bench until the date of
his death, January 13, 1850, when Honorable Thomas
Drummond, subsequently judge of the Circuit Court,
was appointed by President Taylor to the vacancy
occasioned by Judge Pope's death. By an act of Con-
gress, passed February 13, 1855, the State of Illinois
was divided into two judicial districts, the Northern
and the Southern.*
THE SECRET SERVICE.
The Chicago branch of the Secret Service was estab-
lished in the fall of [S69 by Colonel Hiram C. Whitely,
then < hief of the Service. Thomas Lonergan was the
first agent in charge at Chicago, having been appointed
in November, 1869, and serving for several years.
In October, I er Washburne, of Chicago, was
made chief of the Secret Service, under whom Charles
I). Townsend, an appointee of Chief Whitely, served
for a few months, and was succeeded by Patrick D.
Tyrrell as the operative at Chicago. Captain Tyrrell
served until January, 1878, when he was succeeded by
Captain Wallace H. Hall, who assumed the office August
10 of that year. The Secret Service agents are allowed
assistance when extra services are required. The duties
attaching to the division comprise looking after counter-
feiters and detecting frauds upon the treasury. The
agents also extend their services to the attorney-general
of the United States in any investigations coming within
the sphere of bis department. The first Secret Service
office in Chicago was in the Lombard Block on Monroe
Street, between Clark and Dearborn, and since 1870 it
has followed the other government offices to their vari-
ous locations. The Chicago operatives have been of great
service to the government in ferreting out the secrets
of the notorious "whisky ring " in 1875 ; the " straw-
bond" cases of James Baxter and others in 1878 ; and
the famous Brockway-Doyle counterfeiting case in 1880,
besides innumerable minor cases of counterfeiting and
frauds upon the government. The agents were form-
erly obliged to act as special examiners of pensions ;
but the frauds in this department became so numerous
that their detection consumed all of the time of the
Secret Service agents, and this branch of the govern-
ment detective service was transferred to the Pension
Bureau, and a corps of special examiners of pensions
created, with headquarters at Washington.
Captain Wallace H. Hall, chief of bureau of the Chicago
District of the Secret Service Division of the United States Treasury
Department, was born in Farmington, Trumbull Co., Ohio, No-
vember 9, 1S36, the son of Thomas E. and Sarah (Viets) Hall.
His boyhood days were passed in his native village, where he at-
tended the primary school, and afterward the Western Reserve
Seminary at Farmington, finishing at that institution in 1S58. For
nearly two years following, he traveled in the East and South, and
in i860 went to the Pennsylvania oil region, the attention of the
whole world being attracted to that locality by the discovery of pe-
troleum. He made his headquarters at Titusville, and invested in
oil and oil-lands as a speculator, until 186S, when he parted with
his entire interests, and for six years remained in Western Pennsyl-
vania as a hotel proprietor. At that time he began to do his first
work in the Secret Service, and was assigned to different duties,
principally at the cities of New Vork, Boston and Philadelphia.
His present commission was issued to him from Secretary Sherman
in 1S78, and the same year he took charge of the Chicago District,
which at the present time comprises the States of Illinois, Wiscon-
sin, Minnesota and the Territory of Dakota. Since receiving his
commission, Captain Hall has taken an active part in all the prin-
cipal counterfeiting cases with which his department deals. His first
work was to assist in running down the notorious Ballard family,
consisting of four brothers — Tom, Ben, John and Bill Ballard, en-
gravers and counterfeiters — who were all sentenced to the peniten-
tiary. Tom, being the most skillful and dangerous, was sentenced
by Judge Wallace, at Buffalo, in January. 1875, to thirty years in
the penitentiary at Albany, N. Y., the others being sentenced to
ten years each ; as also was Oscar Finch, who operated with them.
Captain Hall made a brilliant capture, at Chicago, of James B.
Doyle, in October, 1881, he having in his possession $204,000 in
one thousand dollar counterfeit bonds. Doyle's sentence was
twelve years in the Illinois Penitentiary at Chester. Another cele-
brated capture was that of Dow Crockett, one of the desperadoes of
Southeastern Missouri. Another notorious counterfeiter, who is
now in the Missouri Penitentiary, is Fred. Biebusch, arrested in St.
Louis in 1874, receiving a ten years' sentence, having, but a few
months previous to his arrest finished a like term at the same prison.
Captain Hall has been interested in the capture of many of the
most celebrated criminals in the United States; and through his
vigilance and unremitting labors, dangerous counterfeit plates,
dies, and other paraphernelia have been unearthed and destroyed,
and their makers and possessors punished. He took part in bring-
ing to justice a large number of counterfeiters and plate-dealers in
New York, among whom were Tom and Charley Condon, Ransom
Warner, Ed. Griffin, Eli Fields, George Craver ; in Philadelphia,
Tom Morretti, Bill Robinson, alias "Gopher Bill"; and in Wash-
ington, Ben. Hallock, who, being a clerk in the Treasury Depart-
ment, stole $46,000 and was arrested in New Vork, tried and con-
victed at Washington, and sentenced to the Albany Penitentiary for
four and one-half years. He was also a prominent motor in the
case of the famous Winslow ; whose arrest was of especial interest
FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS.
3«5
on account of being president of the Scandinavian National Hank
of Chicago, before its failure in 1873. Winslow was employed in
the cash-room at Washington, and stole a package of money con-
taining $12,000, which was to be sent to the National Bank of Illi-
nois, substituting a roll of tissue paper. Winslow was arrested,
all but $100 recovered, and he was sentenced to two years at Al-
bany, his age and previous respectability mitigating his crime. At
Pittsburgh, the conviction of Dr. Frank and George Conner led to
the arrest of Miles Ogle, who served eight years, and was lately re-
captured at Memphis, Tenn., with fresh counterfeit plates. Pettis
Holland was arrested by Captain Hall's operatives in Tennessee;
also the following prominent criminals : " Big Jim " Kennelly, Bill
Petit, John Clark and John Hill of St. Louis ; Aleck Murpo, of
Nauvoo, 111.; Charley Chambers, of Duluth ; and Jim McGovern —
who is no,w doing time at Stillwater, Minn.; also Jim Holden and
Bill Martin, of Peoria ; and a number of criminals of less import-
ance, making a total of several hundred who have been sentenced
from this district through the vigilance and unremitting energy of
this official. Mr. Hall was married in 1862 to Miss Harriet L. An-
drews, of Centreville, Penn., who died in 1885. He has one son,
William Lawtry Hall, twenty years of age, who is also employed in
the U. S. Secret Service, and is one of the most promising and effi-
cacious operatives in that department.
THE CUSTOM HOUSE.
The Chicago Custom House is rated as the most
important of all the local branches of the Federal ser-
vice. An account of its earlier years, the making of
Chicago a port of entry, and the re-appointment of Wil-
liam B. Snowhook as collector, on March 18, 1853,
appears at length in the first volume of this work. Mr.
Snowhook was the first collector of the port, receiving
his appointment direct from President Polk; and when
the Democrats again came into power, he succeeded
Jacob Russell, who has served under the Whig admin-
istration. The Custom office was at this time in the
Starkweather Building, on LaSalle Street, near Ran-
dolph. Collector Snowhook remained in office until
July 10, 1855, when he was succeeded by Philip Conly,
who retained the office until the advent of President
Buchanan's administration, when, on March 31, 1857,
Jacob Fry was appointed his successor. Mr. Fry
assumed possession of the office early in May, and
served until June 15, 1858, when he was removed, and
Bolton F. Strother, a lawyer, was appointed in his stead.
Collector Strother managed the office until after the in-
auguration of President Lincoln in 1861. The business
of the Custom House in 1857 was greater than that of
any other government department, the value of exports
being $1,585,096, the imports from Canada $326,325,
and the total duties collected on imports $143,009.23.
The collector of customs was formerly, ex officio, sub-
treasurer, called a "depositary," and had charge of all
the government collections, being paid a percentage on
the money handled. In 1854-55, the business of the
port assumed such proportions as to demand much work
in its management, and it was not until then that any
clerical force aside from the collector and his deputy,
were employed. Under Mr. Conly, Thomas J. Kin-
sella was deputy collector, and Frederick C. Russell
under Mr. Strother. In 1866, four men performed the
work of the office, but from that time forward it
demanded extra force. On March 30, 1861, Julius White
was appointed to succeed Mr. Strother as collector, but
he resigned a few months afterward, to take the
colonelcy of a regiment then formed in Chicago. From
October 3, 1861, to March 9, 1866, the office was filled
by Luther Haven, and from March 10, 1866, until June
30, 1866, the office was managed by Thomas J. Kin-
sella, as acting collector. During the last year of Col-
lector Strother's management, the office was removed
from LaSalle Street to the newly erected government
building, at the corner of Dearborn and Monroe streets.
This building was known both as the Custom House
and the Post-office. Portions of the site were pur-
chased January 10, 1855, July 1, 1857, and January
26, 1865; the total cost being $68,600. The contracl
price of construction was $276,750, and the actual cost
of construction $365,694. The total cost of the build-
ing up to June 30, 187 1, including alterations and
repairs was $505,618. It was almost destroyed in the
great fire, only the walls being left standing. A short
POST-OFFICE AND CUSTOM HOUSE.
time prior to the fire, an appropriation of $11,956 was
made for furnishing the building. This building was
80 by 150 feet in area, three stories and sub-basement,
built of stone. It faced Dearborn and Monroe streets,
and on the other two sides there were open courts.
The Post-office occupied the basement and first floors
— the remaining floors were occupied by the Custom
House and other departments.
Judge Walter B. Scates was collector from July 1,
1866 until June 30, 1869, and was succeeded by J. E.
McLean, who served until July 17, 1872, when Hon.
Norman B. Judd was appointed to the control of the
department. In September, 1866, W. C. McElroy, of
Baltimore, became deputy collector, and was succeeded
by Charles M. Pullman as deputy.
Since 1869, the collector of customs has acted as
the disbursing agent of the government, besides being
the custodian of all public buildings in his district, in-
cluding light-houses. In the latter part of 187 1, or
early in 1872, the United States Marine Hospital was
taken out of his charge, and placed in that of the Sur-
geon of the Marine Hospital. In July, 1870, the " Im-
mediate Transportation Act " went into effect, the law
providing for immediate transportation of goods with-
out appraisement at the port of entry. Prior to this,
specific duties only were in effect, and not a great deal
of skill was required on the part of the officials or
employes to conduct the business of the Custom House.
When the act went into operation the labor increased,
and the work was of a character to demand careful and
constant attention. Some forty employes were re-
quired, and the annual expenses of collection were
upwards of $55,000. The effect of the act was to re-
quire the same methods of business, and proportion-
?86
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
ately the same number of employes, as the New York
Custom House.
For the eleven months ending May 31, 1871, the
schedule of warehouse transactions in the Chicago
customs district were as follows :
Balance of bonds from last returns. $ 65,352 00
Warehoused and bonded -- 755 56
Re-warehoused and bonded 504,954 00
Constructively warehoused 266.16S 00
Duties paid-.' 665,222 OO
Withdrawals for transportation 12,053 00
Withdrawals for exportation 4,Sio 00
Allowances and deficiencies 149,198 00
Balance of bonds not due Si, 516 00
The penalties and forfeitures collected from July 1, 1870, to
March 31, 1S71, amounted to $4,159-
The number of merchant vessels and the tonnage in the Chi-
cago Customs District, June 30, 1877, were as follows :
Sailing vessels 333 -- 64,702.2610ns
Steam vessels __ S4 6,846.30 "
Unrigged vessels 233 23,735.39 "
The following table exhibits the imports of mer-
chandise at the port of Chicago for the years ending
June 30, 1856 to 187 t, inclusive :
Total 650 .- 95.2S3.95 tons
The only lake ports at this date exceeding the cus-
toms tonnage at Chicago were Buffalo and Oswego,
and their excess was derived from a greater number of
unrigged vessels, such as barges and canal-boats.
John Hitt was appointed deputy collector under
Collector Scates in 1867, and served under subsequent
collectors in the same capacity. After the great fire, the
Custom House business was transacted in temporary
quarters in Congress Hall, a hotel at the corner of
Michigan Avenue and Congress Street. Dry goods
boxes were used in lieu of counters and desks, and
Custom-house permits were made out on the printed
menu cards of the hotel. After an experience of seven
months in these cramped and inconvenient quarters,
the business was removed to the Republic Life In-
surance Company's building, in Arcade Court, the re-
moval taking place May 2, 1872. There the Custom
House remained until the completion of the new gov-
ernment building.
The annexed table shows by years the receipts at
the port of Chicago from August 27, 1846, to June 30,
1871, an amount of duties on imports, tonnage duty,
marine hospital collections, and the expenses of collect-
ing the revenue from customs :
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851
1852
1853
1855
1857
185S
1859
i860
1861
[862
1864
1865
1867
186C
1870
1-71
1,104
2,045
4.256
Tonnage
duty.
$ 372 50
9,760 13
[0,962 '17
22,953 85
32,842 78
11,192 72
; 922 03
Marine
Hospital '
collections.
s 259 74
640 47
707 30
1,060 55
776 75
577 89
838 40
1,119 5°
1.549 °5
1 826 50
2,151 97
1,598 64
1,044 67
1,661 13
2,137 32
2,753 67
3,432 10
3,581 70
3.910 02
4.137 06
3.763 55
4-475 64
1,17" 5"
I 189 -■,
1 1
Expense of
collecting.
S 1,332 26
I.7S4 83
2,609 52
4,935 21
2,816 00
2,400 00
2,853 OI
5.oi7 75
7.295 00
11,971 83
14,536 00
14,097 11
12,723 00
11,576 00
12,525 00
12,809 35
■ 2.3I7 45
12,670 00
17,213 00
20,146 40
31.585 4°
59 831 .83
70,019 82
58,425 30
65,942 00
1S56.
1857-
1S5S.
1S59-
1S60-
1861.
1S62.
1S63.
1S64.
1S65.
1S66.
1867.
1S70
1871.
Direct
in bond from other
Total
from Canada.
districts under
warehousing acts.
imports.
$ 277,404
No data
S 277,404
326,325
No data
326,325
222,930
No data
222,930
93.588
No data
93,588
60,214
No data
60,214
77,348
No data
77.348
62,129
No data
62,129
134,204
No data
134,204
322,352
No data
322,352
3",455
No data
311,455
1,095.585
No data
1,095,585
355.790
No data
355.790
344.174
$ 1,110,508
1,454,682
423,889
79I-II4
1,215,003
735.894
951,947
1,687,841
575.154
1,467,345
2,042,499
The value of merchandise exports from Chicago is
taken from the record of direct and through business of
the port for the following years :
1S56.
1S57-
1S60.
1861-
1862
1863.
1S64-
1S65-
1866
1867.
1868.
1869.
1870.
1871-
1,345
1,585
1,713
1,269
1,165
3,522.
2,303
3,544
3,529
4,59°
2,636.
1,818,
5,052,
3,742,
2,611,
5,575,
$ 308 00
7,936 00
5,9
1,394 00
6,514 00
$ 1
345,223
585,404
713,077
269,385
165,183
522,343
303,275
544,085
529,034
590,350
644,475
824,371
052,062
742,256
613,072
5S2.I74
The number of vessels built, their tonnage, and the
tonnage of vessels documented at the port of Chicago
from August, 1847, to June 30, 1871, is given below.
1847--.
1848...
1849--
1850...
1851-.-
1852...
1853...
1854---
1S55---
1856...
1857---
1858...
1859...
1860.--
1861-..
1862...
1863...
1864..-
1865...
1866...
1867...
1868.-.
1869...
1870...
[871 .
2,210.84
1,691.21
313-56
1,217.28
1,158.35
3,255.08
1,742.15
4,404-47
2,722.78
586.42
230.01
1,537-20
1,411.83
9,783-i8
11,468.01
3,521.07
942.39
1,896.22
7,153.80
2,346.03
1,676.67
1. 771-49
Registered
Tonnage.
1,057-50
1,624.00
1,100.89
I.3S5-59
9.6S2.37
4.223.31
2,569 5°
521.91
3,313.61
2,079.65
956.04
494.96
3,951.56
IO.4SS.62
17,332.43
21,242.17
23,103.45
25,209.30
27.Oi5.75
31,041.04
50,972.00
57,407.30
67,316.92
67,001.23
67,065.7s
77,192.05
85,743.66
IO7.256.4S
125,298.76
150,558.65
71,220.55
84,115-83
94,814.14
97.346.36
101,966.22
92,365.16
93,423 9S
3,951.56
IO.4SS.62
17,332.43
21,242.17
23.I03.45
25,209.30
27,015.75
31,041.04
50,972.00
57,407.30
67,316.92
67,001.23
6S, 123.39
7S.S16.05
85. 743-66
10S, 357.42
126.684.40
160,241.07
75.444-41
86.6S5.33
95.336.o5
100,753.71
104.314.5S
93 625.49
93,918.97
FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS.
3*7
Statement of Duties collected at Chicago, II
nois, during the fiscal years, 1857-71, inclusive:
1S57
1S5S
1859
1S60
1S61
1S62
1S63
1864
Amount.
$143, 009
23
80,149 91
23,131
89
68,919
53
45.149
35
21,627
94
65,980
59
158,454
9-
1865
IS66
1867
1868
IS69
1870
IS7I
Total to 1S71..
127,931 74
393,406 55
511,081 Sg
659,380 73
5S3.835 71
691,066 82
827,964 81
$4,401,091 61
The Appraiser's Office. — The " Immediate
Transportation Act "of July 14, 1870, providing for the
immediate shipment of merchandise to inland ports,
without appraisal at the port of entry
created the office of Appraiser at the
port of Chicago. Dr. Charles H.
Ray, then the editor of the
Tribune, was the first ap
praiser appointed, but he
did not qualify and never
served, being then at-
tacked by the disease
which in a few weeks
resulted in his death.
In August of the
same year, Lincoln
Ingersoll, an editor
of the Evening Post,
was appointed ap-
praiser, and served
one year. He was
succeeded by Char-
les H. Ham, of the
Inter - Ocean, who
was subsequently
removed by Secre-
tary Bristow. In
1870, the value of
merchandise pas-
sing through the ap-
praiser's office was about
$700,000, and in 1S71
and 1872, the amount
exceeded $1,000,000.
The value has since in-
creased proportionately
with the growth of the
business of the port ; and
at the date of this pub-
lication the value of merchandise appraised is up-
ward of $5,000,000 per annum.
Special Agents of the Treasury. — There is a
department in connection with the Custom House and
appraiser's office similar, in many respects, to the secret
service. The Secretary of the Treasury has a number
of staff officers, called Special Agents of the Treasury
Department, who are assigned to duty in the various
customs districts, to exercise watchfulness over the acts
of collectors and employes, to guard against under-
valuation by appraisers, and to prevent smuggling. It
was formerly the custom to detail these agents from
eastern ports, to make flying visits of inspection to the
West. From i860 to 1869, Special Agent LeFevre, of
the Detroit district had supervision over the port of
Chicago. In the spring of 1869, Albert M. Barney was
appointed special agent in charge, and stationed at
Chicago. He served for three years,
EXTERIOR RUIN OF POST-OFFICE.
THE INTERNAL REVENUE DEPARTMENT.
Perhaps no branch of the Federal service in Chicago
has grown with such rapid strides, and assumed business
proportions of such magnitude in a comparatively brief
space of time, as the Internal Revenue Department. It
grew out of the war taxation-measures, and was first
established in this city in 1862, with George Schneider
as collector, the date of his appointment having been
August 28 of that year. Since then, the office has
followed closely in the wake of the other departments,
undergoing their fiery privations and inconveniences.
Prior to July 20, 1868, a taxation of $2 a gallon was
collected from distillers in this district at stated periods,
all such funds passing through the hands of the United
States depositary at Chicago to the department at
Washington. An act, brought into force at the date
named, for the special guidance of this
district, imposed a tax of fifty cents per
gallon, $4 per barrel and $2 for
every twenty bushels of grain
mashed. A later act, brought
into effect in August,
1872, imposed a tax of
seventy cents per gal-
lon, to be paid by
stamps bought of the
Government, and af-
fixed to the package;
and on March 3,
1875, tne rate was
further increased,
finally reaching
ninety cents a gal-
lon. Until July 20,
1868, inspectors of
distilled spirits were
paid in this district
by fees direct from
the distillery, the
imbursements, how-
ever, being limited
to $250 per month.
This system was changed
at the date mentioned,
and the designation of
" Inspectors " altered to
that of " Gaugers," and
leaving their compensa-
tion to the discretion of
the Commissioner of In-
ternal Revenue. They
were first limited to $7
per day ; next, to $6; and afterward, by law, to $5 per
day, such fees being paid monthly by the Government.
This system is said to facilitate the correct workings of
the force in this district, and prevents collusion between
the gauger and distiller.
During George Schneider's four years' administra-
tion of the Chicago collector's office, the collections
showed a steady increase, and the district gave promise
of being one of the most profitable to the Government
in the entire country. In 1866, General O. L. Mann
succeeded Mr. Schneider, and retained control for
about eleven months. The next collector was General
John M. Corse, who served during 1867, when he was
superseded by Colonel Edmund Juessen, who also
served a year, and then made way for Herman Raster ;
who, in turn, after a year's service, terminated his con-
nection with the office in December, 1869. The incom-
ing collector was S. A. Irwin, who died in October,
*ss
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
1S75, and the balance of whose term was tilled by I. F.
Hovt. All of the records of this department prior to
1S71 were destroyed in the great fire, and the official
figures were procured from the Internal Revenue De-
partment at Washington. The expenses of assessing
the revenue, which include payment of the gangers,
store-keepers, and the clerical force, for the year end-
ing June 30, 1871, were $68,122.96, and for the same
period the expense of collections, including salaries and
commissions, amounted to $40,393.99. The collections
for this year were $7,269,582.79. The following were
the annual collections, from the date of the establish-
ment of the district up to and including 187 1 :
Fiscal year ending June 30, 1S63 $ 865,2549s
" " iSfi-i. 3 739.47S 21
" " 1S65- 3.953,665 95
" " " " " 1866 7,095,203 40
" " " " " 1S67 5,467,986 87
" " 1S6S 3.<)9S.3I5 33
" " 1S69 6,771,168 61
" " " " " 1S70 S, 395, 131 87
' 1S71 7,269,582 79
Total $47,561,788 01
The list of collectors, assessors and deputy collec-
tors is as follows :
Collf.ctors. — George Schneider, appointed August 28, 1862,
service expired July 15, 1S66 ; O. L. Mann, appointed June 26,
1S66, service expired July 31, 1S68 ; John M. Corse, June 18,
186S, service expired .May 3, 1S69 ; Edmund Juessen, ap-
pointed April ig, iS6g, service expired March 31, 1S71 ;
Herman Raster, appointed March 17, 1S71, service expired
April 30, 1S72.
Assessors. — Phillip Wadsworth, appointed September
5, 1S62, service expired October 4, 1S63 ; Peter Page, ap-
pointed October 5, 1863, service expired July 31, 1S66 ; M.
R. M. Wallace, appointed July 17, 1866, service expired
April 30, 1869 ; J. D. Webster, appointed April 9, 1S69,
service expired May 20, 1873.
Chief Deputy Collectors. — Samuel D. Ward,
1S64-65 ; Frank M. Thomson, 1866-67; J- C. Wilson,
186S; William W. Bell, to August 1, 1S69 ; Theodore F.
Swan, balance of the year ; Samuel A. Irwin, 1871 to April
30, 1872.
THE PENSION AGENCY.
The agency for the payment of pensions was
established in Chicago on September 1, 1862. The
agency was an offshoot of the Springfield Pension
Agency, which was established in 1849. The
growth of the pension rolls, caused by the war,
made it necessary to have an agency for making
payments to pensioners in Illinois at Chicago ; one
in Salem, established in 1864, for Southern Illi-
nois ; one at Quincy, established in the early part
of 1866, for those living in that vicinity; as well as
the original Springfield agency, which, after these
changes, continued only with residents of Central
Illinois. The first pension agent at Chicago was
J. W. Hoyden; the second, L. H. Davis; the third,
Colonel C. T. Hotchkiss, who retired June 1, 1869,
and was succeeded by General B. J. Sweet, who
held the office until May 1, 1871, when David Blakeley,
now of St. Paul, received the appointment. At the time
of the great fire in 1871, all of the books, papers and
records of this great agency were destroyed. The pen-
sion rolls were duplicated, however, from the rolls in
the Pension Bureau, at Washington, and the office was
revived in a wooden building on the lake front, where
Mr. Blakeley ministered. The office was shortly after-
ward removed to No. 85 Dearborn Street.
THE UNITED STATES SUB-TREASURY.
The United States Sub-Treasury is comparatively a
recent addition to the Federal service in Chicago. It
was officially established in the early part of 1873, in
response to the demand of the Chicago banks for a
place of exchange, and to meet the increasing import-
ance of Chicago as a money center. As early, however,
as 1834, shortly after the establishment of the post-of-
fice, the Government land agents were made custodians
of public funds, and compelled to render weekly accounts
to the Treasury Department at Washington. In Feb-
ruary. 1853, Congress passed an act which provided for
the stationing of a United States Depository at Chicago,
to receive Government funds, and be a place of ex-
change of moneys. E. B. Williams was given the first
appointment as receiver, and established himself in the
old Post-office, on Clark Street, between Randolph and
Lake streets, where the Sherman House now stands.
His weekly remittance to Washington seldom exceeded
a few hundred dollars. In April, 1855, the office of re-
ceiver was abolished, and Philip Conly, then acting as
collector of customs, was made the receiver of public
moneys, in addition to his other duties. The succeed-
ing collectors, down to Norman B. Judd, continued to
act as custodians of the public funds. In 1861, the
collector of the port was assigned an assistant, whose
special duty it was to look after the funds of the dis-
INTERIOR RUINS OF POST-OFFICE.
trict, the assistant being accountable, however, to his
superior, the collector. William Brooks was the head
of this department from 1861 to 1864, when he was suc-
ceeded by H. H. Nash, subsequently cashier of the
National Bank of Illinois, who remained in charge until
February, 1873. The Sub-Treasury was located in the
old Custom House and Post-office building, at the cor-
ner of Dearborn and Monroe streets. In the vaults,
which were poorly constructed, over $2,000,000 of Gov-
FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS.
389
ernment funds were destroyed in the great fire. Of this,
some little of the gold and silver, which was melted
down, was recovered from the basement after the fire,
and re-coined at the mint in Philadelphia. After the
fire, the Sub-Treasury was established, for a time, in
quarters near Wabash Avenue and Thirteenth Street,
where a number of the banks had located. With the
other Federal offices it was moved into the Republic
Life Insurance Building, in Arcade Court, after the
completion of that structure.
THE POST-OFFICE.
There can be no better criterion of the intelligence
and the commercial and industrial activity of a people
than their postal statistics. The history of the Chicago
Post-office is a fair indication of development of busi-
ness enterprise and resources, unsurpassed in the his-
tory of the country. The Post-office antedates any
other local branch of the Federal service, and the char-
acter of its business makes its history of more conse-
quence than even the important transactions of the
Custom House. In a preceding volume, the interesting
earlier history of the Chicago Post-office is given. The
contrast between the Post-office of to-day and that of
twenty-five years ago, affords us ample food for con-
templation in the variance between the semi-weekly
pony-post to and from St. Joe, in 1834, and the vast
augmentation of business in 1857, when fifty-four clerks
were required to handle the mails.
In the latter year the office was located at Nos. 84-
86 Dearborn Street, and William Price, who was ap-
pointed March 18, 1857, officiated as postmaster. He
in turn was succeeded by Isaac Cook, who had served
in the same capacity in 1853, and was re-appointed by
President Buchanan March 9, 1S58. At this time the
Government building at the northwest corner of Dear-
born and Monroe streets, was in process of construc-
tion, the work having been commenced in the spring of
1855. From 1857 to i860, the business of the office
rapidly increased in volume, and when, in Decem-
ber, i860, it was moved into the new building, the
quarters were found none too large. Here the
postal business of the growing city was conducted
until the great fire of 1871. On April 22, 1861,
Mr. Cook was succeeded by John L. Scripps,
7cr^^^&fyu
Prior to 1865, the Chicago Post-office was a dis-
tributing center for all western and eastern mails, but
the distributing work had gradually grown less up to
date, by reason of the perfection of the railway mail
service, In 187 1, the volume of business had grown to
enormous proportions; and in 1872, in the matter of
registered letters alone there was an increase of $T,y's
per cent, over the preceding year. The total number
of registered letters and packages sent and received
was 591,391. The increase was proportionately great
in the money-order division. In 1864 one man did all
the work in this department, which was then just organ-
ized, while the orders for the quarter ending June 30,
1872, amounted to $148,044.03, and the orders paid to
$732,935.12. For the year the sales of stamps and
stamped envelopes amounted to $176,876.44.
During Colonel Eastman's administration as post-
master the great fire of 187 1 occurred; and the post-office
made a hasty exit, and located in Burlington Hall, at the
corner of State and Sixteenth streets, where the accom-
modations were found too limited for its vast business.
A noticeable feature of this crisis was the preservation
of the mails from destruction. The Post-office was not
seriously threatened until 5:30 p. m., and at S o'clock
it was entirely consumed; but not a letter or a paper
was destroyed, not a mail kept back, and, so far as pos-
sible, not a delivery missed. All of the railway mail
cars were called in by telegraph, and side-tracked ; the
sub-stations were organized as main deliveries for
the three divisions, and collection boxes were speedily
placed upon the street cars and in other convenient
places. After the fire, the city was divided into 122
carrier districts, and there were, besides the chief and his
who retained charge until his death in March,
1865. During the administration of Mr. Scripps
the business of the office increased until a work-
ing force of over two hundred employes was
required. Samuel Hoard was the next postmaster,
the date of his appointment being March 19, 1865,
and his administration was marked by a continuance
of the unprecedented increase of business. The
next postmaster coming into office was Colonel Robert
A. Gilmore, who was appointed December 1, 1866, and
held the office until his untimely death by drowning, on
September 11, 1867. Frank T. Sherman was appointed
to fill the unexpired term on September 14, and he
continued in charge until April 30, 1869, when he made
way for Colonel F. A. Eastman, who managed the
affairs of the office until February 15, 1S73.
WABASH AVENUE METHODIST CHURCH, USED FOR
POST-OFFICE AFTER THE FIRE.
assistants, 131 carriers and 27 clerks constantly on
duty. Colonel Eastman lost upward of $60,000 of
property in the fire, but he ignored the discomfort of
his family and himself in his duty to the public interests
in his charge.
39°
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
The Post-office remained in Burlington Hall until
December 25. 1S71. when it was removed to the Wabash
Avenue Methodist Church, at the northwest corner of
Wabash Avenue and Harrison Street, where it remained
in comparative quietude until the second great fire of J uly,
1S74. The rental of the church was $20,000 a year.
It was the only South Side building, directly within the
line of the ' right wing " of the first great fire, that
escaped, with the exception of one house on Michigan
Avenue. It was here that Mark Sheridan made his
famous stand against the fire to save the church.
The annual statement of the business of the Chicago
post-office for 1870 showed nearly 40 per cent, increase.
In the matter of the sales of stamped envelopes alone
the increase was $23,585.96. The total receipts from
this source for the year were $626,273.97, and from the
sales of stamps $445,568.78. The increase in the money-
order department was 50 per cent, over the previous
year, the total transactions amounting to $5,495,202.96,
itemized as follows:
Number of orders issued 22,02s, amount-
ing to $ 455,27012
Number of orders paid 143,357, amount-
ing to - 2,539,33084
Received deposits from postmasters on
money orders sold 2,506,602 00
The registered letters and packages received for mailing
and distribution during the year was 486,152, of which 74,261
were for city delivery. The number of papers and letters received
from foreign countries was 1,281,613, and the number sent
2,116,560. The number of letters delivered from boxes and
through the general delivery was 1,599.551, while the city carriers
delivered 14,096,391 letters and papers, and collected S, 872,127.
The total of letters collected and deposited in the office to be sent
out was 25. 844,524. Grand total received at Chicago office for
distribution 57.510,700; total sent out from Chicago office,
S3.92S,5So. The number of bags of newspapers and periodicals
received was 223,600, making over 670,500 bushels. The number
of letters returned to writers was 63,204, and number sent to the
dead-letter office 99, 0S7. There was 111,425 locked pouches and
mail boxes received, and 129,575 dispatched. The business of this
year made the Chicago office rank second to the New York office.
Subsequently, the volume of office business was again reduced by
the perfecting of the railway mail service. The following table
shows the growth of the letter carrier system and the increase of
revenue from local matter, by taking the work of January and July
of each year from 1S65 to 1S71:
%
'--i
£-a*
o-d
• -a
i|
DAT
E^
§
~ £
J«
a u
§>s
z
1-
efl
I5
.J?
e. 0
Jan'y,
I865.
35
75.928
9.195
11,796
65,867
$ 737 29
Inly,
39
121,095
9.724
20,069
105,700
762 12
Jan'y,
1866.
44
248,427
22,333
42,44S
191,104
1,046 01
My,
"
46
2S6,og6
32,340
49.263
250,956
935 50
Jan y,
I867.
51
333,139
41,102
70,066
292.537
1,347 67
July,
"
55
390,027
49.495
86,063
34L497
1.354 21
Jan'y,
1868.
60
480. I4g
83,083
98.945
400,095
i,8S6 28
Inly.
76
553.4rW
66,349
117,646
423.505
1.877 38
Jan'y,
[869.
86
666,687
80,697
136.598
49S.995
2,021 94
Inly.
"
106
75i. "9
79.26g
164,143
656,972
2,047 65
Jan'y.
I87O.
Pb
825.356
106,815
174.294
676,289
2,8l2 08
luly
106
835.346
107,780
180,732
727,878
2,444 99
Jan'y,
1171.
106
949,781
120,654
192.415
893,669
2,806 12
The following list shows the names of the different
postmasters with dates of their appointment and length
of their term of service, from the first appointee in
1 83 1 to 1 87 1, at which latter date this volume closes:
Jonathan N. Bailey, March 31. 1831; John S. C. llogan,
November 3, 1-32: Sidney Abell, March 3. 1S37; William Stuart,
July 10, 1-41; Hart 1.. Stewart, April 25, 1845; Richard I..
Wilson, April 23, 1849; George W. Dole, September 25, 1850,
Isaac Cook, March 22, 1853; William I'rice, March 18, 1857,
00k, March 9, i- = 8; John I.. Scripps, March 28. 1861,
Samuel L>. Hoard, March 9, 1865; Thomas O. Osborne, July 23,
1S66; Robert A. Gillmore, November 16, 1866; Francis T. Sher-
man, August 27, 1S67; Francis A. Eastman, April 25, 1869, to
December 20, 1S73.
Railway Mail Service. — The history of the Rail-
way mail service prior to the year 1864 is so largely
traditional as to leave its origin somewhat in doubt.
There are many truths, however, going to show that the
first practical and successful introduction of railway
post-office, or mail-distribution, cars, was at Chicago,
June 9, 1864, and that Colonel George B. Armstrong,
then assistant postmaster, had conceived this valuable
system of expediting the distribution of the mail in tran-
sit several years before. Frequently, through ignorance
or carelessness, and sometimes by design, mail matter
was needlessly subjected to double and treble distribu-
tion, entailing delays of from twelve to thirty-six hours,
and the expense of extra commissions then allowed by
law to distributing post-offices. For years previous to
i860 there had been some distributions of mail on rail-
ways. July 28, 1862, William A. Davis prepared a car
for the distributions of the overland mails on the Han-
nibal & St. Joseph Railroad, as shown by his letters to
the Post-office Department of that date. The plan was
similar to that elaborated, and urged upon the Depart-
ment for general adoption, by Colonel Armstrong in
1864. In February of the latter year Mr. Armstrong went
to Washington, and there secured the active co-operation
of the Third Assistant Postmaster-General, A. N. Zeuely
in his plans. It is claimed by rivals of Mr. Armstrong,
whom he made his enemies while a clerk in the Mail
Equipment Division of the Department at Washington
in 1854, that he elaborated the idea of Henry A. Burr,
the topographer of the Department. During the period
from 1864 to 1869, the railway postal service was under
the double superintendence of Colonel Armstrong and
Harrison Park. Mr Park had charge of all east of the
east boundary of Indiana, with headquarters at Wash-
ington, and Colonel Armstrong of all west of that
boundary, with headquarters at Chicago. The first rail-
"way post-office out of Chicago ran upon the Chicago &
North-Western railway, between Chicago and Clinton,
Iowa, in an apartment improvised for the purpose, June
9, 1864. A. F. Bradley, later of Maplewood, was chief
clerk, and P. A. Leeward his assistant. Mr. Bradley
assisted Colonel Armstrong in drawing plans for postal
cars; and the arranging of letter-cases in angles, instead
of half-circles, was Mr. Bradley's idea.
The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy was the next
railway post-office route established out of Chicago; and
there soon followed the Chicago & Rock Island, Chi-
cago & Centralia, and Chicago & St. Louis. The Chi-
cago & Green Bay, subsequently the Fort Howard &
Chicago, was established May 1, 1867, and the Chicago
& Dunleith, and afterward the Chicago, Freeport & Du-
buque, about September 1, 1868. The Clinton & Boone
route was established in the fall of 1866 ; the Boone &
Council Bluffs September, 1867 ; the Toledo and LaFay-
ette and the LaFayette and Quincy, September 1, 1S68 ;
the Cincinnati and St. Louis, October 5, 1869 ; the
Omaha and Ogden September 1, 1870 : the Detroit and
Chicago, October 1, 1870 ; the Cleveland and Indiana-
polis October 12, 1870, and the Toledo and Chicago
night line January 23, 1871.
The first printed scheme was issued at the office of
the Beacon. Aurora, 111., in September, 1878. During
1869, distributing post-office packages were gradually
lessened, more mail was made up for roads, and news-
papers were made up, none being sent to Chicago as a
distributing office. Facing slips were used in this di-
vision in 1S69, for the first time in the United States.
FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS.
39'
The first full railway post-office car in the United States
was built by the Chicago & North-Western Railway,
and placed upon the Chicago and Clinton line in March,
1867, and the first schedule of connections issued in
the country was printed in the Chicago Postal Record in
March, 1872. " Mail Catchers " service was established
May 15, 1869. The first serviceable lamps used in rail-
way mail-cars were imported from Germany in 1869 for
George S. Bangs, by Gustave Kuene, of Fond du Lac,
Wis., and were sold to railroad companies for $7 each.
The first examination of the work of railway postal
clerks was at the Chicago post-office in the fall of 1868,
and resulted in the removal of several inefficient em-
ployes.
When the service of the country was divided, that
radiating from Chicago became the fourth division, and
included Indiana and nearly all the Western and North-
western States. The volume of business handled in the
Chicago division is so tremendous as to almost be be-
yond accurate computation. Colonel Armstrong was
called to Washington, and made superintendent of the
entire system, in March, 1S69, and George S. Bangs was
made assistant superintendent, with headquarters at
Chicago. After Colonel Armstrong's death, on May 5,
1871, Mr Bangs succeeded him at Washington. George
W. Wood succeeded Mr. Bangs at Chicago, and served
until November 20, 187 1, when Captain James E. White
became the superintendent of the division.
Hon. George Buchanan Armstrong was born October
27, 1822, at Armagh, Ireland. His parents soon after came to
the United States, and settled in Newark, N. J., where he re-
ceived his elementary education. In 1S33, the family went to Vir-
ginia, where he spent a few years in school, and then entered a
large commission house as clerk, into which he was soon admitted
as partner. He, at this time, made frequent contributions from
his pen, under the pseudonym of "Geoffrey Willow," which
attracted much attention, and secured for the author a wide and
enviable reputation. He engaged in mercantile pursuits until
1S50, when he received an appointment from the Government, and
resided in Washington, D. C. On March 12, 1S54, he removed to
Chicago, and again entered into mercantile life, associating him-
self with Rufus Hatch, in the commission business, under the
style of" Geo. B. Armstrong & Co. He afterward entered into
governmental service again, accepting the position of assistant
postmaster, in Chicago ; and here his mind gave birth to the Rail-
way Mail Service, and put into practice the ideas which have
resulted so successfully. At, or about, this time Colonel Arm-
strong was appointed a postal commissioner, to facilitate the trans-
portation of army mails in the West and Southwest ; and for his
services to the soldiers in the field, Governor Richard J. Oglesby
appointed him inspector-general, with the rank of colonel. In
1864, Congress authorized the establishment of an experimental
postal route on the line then known as the Dixon Air-line, travers-
ing the country between Chicago and Clinton, Iowa. The new
service operated like clockwork, and it was but a short time before
its inestimable value was apparent over the old route-agent service.
To Illinois belongs the honor of being the State wherein the effi-
ciency of the railway mail service was first demonstrated, and for a
time the Railway Postal Service (as it was then called) did not extend
beyond its limits. When Colonel Armstrong ascertained that his
project was entirely feasible, he resigned his position as assistant
postmaster in Chicago, a position which he had occupied for ten
years, and was appointed special agent of the Post-office Depart-
ment, with the title of Superintendent of Railway Postal Service,
with his office in Chicago. It was gradually placed upon all the
leading lines of the country, but it was not until A. J. A. Cres-
well was appointed postmaster-general that the full measure
of its resources was realized. Mr. Creswell fully comprehended
the utility of the service, and soon after his appointment sum-
moned Colonel Armstrong to Washington for the improvement of
the system. During President Grant's administration, in the year
1S68, a bureau was created in the Post-office Department. It was
designated the "Bureau of Railway Mail Service of the United
States," and Colonel Armstrong was called as its chief. Colonel
Armstrong worked unremittingly day and night to develop the
great ambition of his life, and by his assiduous application to his
bureau he sowed the seeds that were soon the cause of his death.
His constitution, weakened by the constant and severe strain made
upon it, finally gave way, and, after a few months of intermittent
illness, death overtook him on Friday, May 5, 1871. In 18S2, the
clerks in the Railway Mail Service erected a memorial monument,
which adorns the northwest corner of the Custom-house square.
HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS.
As early as the year 1832, the port of Chicago had
become of such importance as to demand Government
aid for harbor improvements. The sum total appro-
priated up to the year 187 1 was, however, insignificant,
in comparison with the rapid growth and requirements
of the commerce of the port. The first Government
appropriation was made in 1833, and was expended in
opening an outlet, protected by piers, from the Chicago
River into the Lake ; also the erection of a light-house
on shore, and the building of an "angle" connected with
the piers. A small light was placed at the extreme end
of the North Pier, as then completed. Mr. Schlatter,
the engineer in charge of the improvements, spent the
winter of 1844-45 ln repairing an old dredge-boat, to
have it in readiness to dredge out the bar at the mouth
of the river in the spring. His calculations were upset
by the destruction of four dredge-boats, on which he
depended for prosecuting the work ; they were cast
adrift and wrecked while on their way from Milwaukee,
in tow of the steamboat " Champion." The boats were
so rotten that their bolts drew out, their timbers parted,
and they were speedily wrecked by going ashore near
Grosse Point. The following April the engineer had
orders to build two more dredge- boats. At this time
he reported that the shore line north of the North Pier
had made out one hundred feet since the year before,
and that where there had been twenty-three feet of water
at the head of the pier, silt had collected until there
were but seventeen feet. Mr. Schlatter recommended
the extension of the North Pier ninety feet, to overcome
this difficulty. The "angle" mentioned was not com-
pleted until 1839. In January, 1845, the light at the
end of the North Pier was the only protection to ves-
sels navigating the Lake at the southern end. It was
kept in good order. The light on the mainland had
been discontinued for several weeks. All of the tim-
bers for the pier work at this date were cut in the woods
on the North Branch of the river, and floated down to
the mouth in the spring freshets.
In the month of July 1849, Engineer J. D. Webster,
who succeeded Mr. Schlatter, reported to the lieuten-
ant-colonel of engineers plans for a larger and per-
manent light-house at the end of the North Pier. These
plans embraced a foundation forty-four feet square, a
base twenty-five feet in height ; an iron framework,
sixty-five feet in height ; for foundations, sunken stone
cribs, containing large rubble with small stone and
gravel, to make the whole a compact mass ; piles to be
driven inside and outside of the piers; cut stone or heavy
masonry for the base, beginning two or three feet below
low water, and carried ten feet above; eight cast-iron
columns for the light house frame; superstructure of
cast-iron columns twenty feet in length ; height sixty-
five feet to deck of lantern ; weight of iron work
75,000 pounds. This work was undertaken with an
original appropriation of $15,000. January n, 1849,
the Illinois Assembly passed an act to deed the light-
house site to the Government, and the deed was signed
November 27, 1849. 1° APri'> l85°> Engineer Webster
proposed to overcome the difficulty of the constantly
accumulating side bars of silt at the ends of the piers,
by straightening the mouth of the river, getting a strong
and regular current that would carry the deposits out
into the Lake, making a single bar some distance out
39^
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
instead of allowing one to form on each side, and leav-
ing the entrance free and clear to the north and south.
We quote his own words in this connection :
" I wan: a natural force to bring about a natural result, and I
propose to assist nature rather than attempt to retard the tendency
of the currents to form these obstacles to a clear entrance."
To do this, required some dredging, some cutting
away of the inner banks of the river, and the curves of
the piers were changed slightly : but the improvements
were eventually accomplished with beneficial and last-
ing results to the commerce of the greatest of lake ports.
In July. 1S50. claimants to the accretions north of
the North Pier put in an appearance, a id they even laid
claim to the pier itself, and the light-house as well ; but
Mr. Webster maintained the right of the Government
to the land, and protected the interests in his charge.
In the spring of 1S50, the city made an appropriation
for dredging a channel through the north bar, and when
this work was carried out, the first pier for the light-
house foundations, which had been in course of con-
struction, was safely floated to its anchorage at the head
of the North Pier, and the light eventually finished, but
the original plans were amended.
The following table shows the date of the various
appropriations for river and harbor improvements, and
the net expenditures for the years 1833 to 187 1 in-
clusive :
Amount of Net Annual
Date. Appropriation. Expenditures.
March 2, 1833. ._$ 25. 000 00 $ 17,360 00
June 28. 1854 _ 32,801 00 .... 31,770 00
March 3, 1S35 32,Soo 00 37.77° 91
July 2, 1S36 32,000 00 34,500 00
March 3, 1S37 40,000 00 41,200 00
July 7, 1835 30,000 00 15,000 00
1S39 (no appropriation) 15,00000
1-42 3,00000
March 3, 1843 25,00000
July 11,1844 30.000 00 21,305 59
1845 _ 21,21600
1S46 9,47s 61
August 30, 1S52 20,000 00 2,607 46
1855--- - 17.392 44
June 23, 1S66- 88,704 00 ..(1867) 40,000 00
1S68 15,00085
1809 32,000 00
1S70 1,531 06
July 11, 1S70 150,00000
March 3, 1S71 100,000 00 130,172 20
Total $606,305 00 $486,305 12
Surplus balance. $119,999 8S
The Engineer Officers assigned to duty at Chi-
cago between the years 1857 and 187 1 have been :
Colonel J. D. Graham, in charge of improvements of works on
Lake Michigan, April 7, 1854, to April 14, 1864; station, Chica-
go, Hi., to August, 1854 ; Detroit, Mich., to April 14, 1864. Ma-
jor W. F. Raynolds, in charge April 14, 1S64 to October, 1864;
station, Detroit, Mich. Lieutenant-Colonel T.J. Cram, in charge
-. 1864. to August 3, 1865; station, Detroit, Mich. Lieu-
tenant-Colonel L. Sitgreaves, in charge August 3, 1865, to June
1 1, 1 S66; station, Milwaukee, Wis. Major J. B. Wheeler, in charge
June II, 1866, to February II, 1870; station, Milwaukee, Wis.
Captain A. Mackenzie, assistant to Major Wheeler, June II, 1866,
to November 10, 1868; station, Milwaukee, Wis. Lieutenant J.
B. Quinn, assistant to Major Wheeler, September, lS66, to Sep-
tember 20, 1867; station, Milwaukee, Wis. Captain D. P. Heap,
assistant to Major Wheeler, April 12, 1867, to February iS, 1870;
station, Milwaukee, Wis. Captain J. W. Cuyler, assistant to Ma-
jor Wheeler, November 10, 1868, to February 18, 1870; assistant
[ay 1 8, 1870, to Februarys, lS74; station,
Milwaukee, Wis, Major W. E. Merrill, chief engineer on the
staff of the Lieutenant-General commanding the Military Division
-if the Missouri, March 27, 1869, to May 3, 1870; in charge of im-
provements of harbor at Chicago, February 18, 1870, to May 25,
[870 Ition, Chicago, II!. Major D. C. Houston, May 25, 1870,
:') July 14. 1374; station, Milwaukee, Wis., to April 1, i>7i; Chi-
cago, April 1, 1871, to April, 1875. Captain A. M. Miller, assist-
ant to officers in charge of harbor improvement on Lake Michigan,
April I, ]V?n, to August 12, 1872; station, Milwaukee Major J.
W. Barlow, chief engineer on the staff of the Lieutenant-General
of the Military Division of the Missouri, May 3, 1S70, to July 14,
1874; station, Chicago, 111.
Light-House Keepers. — The keeper of the first Chicago
Light-House was Samuel C. Lasby, who was followed by William
M. Stevens and John C. Gibson, respectively. William M. Ste-
vens then again held the post a second term. Silas Meacham was
appointed Light-house keeper by President Harrison in 1844,
James Long by President Polk, 1S45 to 1849. The official list of
Light-house keepers appointed subsequently, with their respective
term of service, is as follows : Charles Douglas, appointed by
President Taylor, in 1S50, was retained July 25, 1853. Henry Ful-
ler, appointed October 30, 1853; full term. Mark Beaubien, July
29, 1S55; removed in 1859. M, Walsh, October 8, 1859. John
Lobstein, May 21, i860; full term. Leonard Miller, December 6,
1S66; removed in 1869. Charles H. Boynton, September 2S, 1S69;
transferred, in 1S74, to Grosse Point light. Charles H. Rann, April
9, 1S74; resigned in 1875. Antony Hagen, June 23, 1875; full
term. During the terms of the above keepers, the first assistant
keepers were Joel Westhrach, Mrs. Emily Boynton, Amasa J.
Boynton, Oscar B. Gaedme, Amasa J. Boynton, Adilon Benoit,
Charles F. Rann, promoted, and Antony Hagen, promoted.
Jacob Harris, one of the pioneer contractors and builders of
Chicago, was born in the town of Seymour, Ontario, in 1S14. His
youthful days were spent in working on the farm in the summer
and attending school in the winter. At the age of seventeen, he
commenced an apprenticeship at the carpenter trade, serving three
years' time, during which period he perfected himself in all the de-
tails of the business. In the spring of 1837, he made his way to
Detroit, Mich., from '..-hich place he took a boat for Chicago, the
passage occupying three weeks. His first employment in the city
was upon the government pier. The following year he engaged in
contracting and building for himself, which business he followed
successfully for about thirty years. He erected a great many of
our piominent buildings, prior to and after the fire — in fact, was
closely identified with the growth of Chicago from the date of her
incorporation as a village, in 1837, until the time of his death, in
1877. He held the office of alderman from the Fourth Ward under
John Wentworth's administration. He was a member of Wauban-
sia Lodge, No. 160, A. F. & A. M. His life was a busy and suc-
cessful one, he having been one of the pioneer settlers who laid the
foundation of this city of over half a million people.
LIFE-SAVING SERVICE.
The high winds and fogs of spring and fall, for many
years prior to 1856, had been productive of much dam-
age to shipping, and wrecks, accompanied by loss of
life, were of frequent occurrence. In the spring of
1856, the Government sent a life-boat to Chicago, and
it was placed in charge of the harbor engineer. The
first boat was kept under Rush-street bridge, and, in
case of service becoming necessary, volunteers were de-
pended upon to man it. This boat was made to answer
a variety of purposes, and was yet in fair condition,
several years later, when the life-saving station was es-
tablished, with Captain John Taylor in charge.
UNITED STATES MARINE HOSPITAL.
Next to the department of pensions, the United
States Marine Hospital service is the most valuable and
important of any of the Government beneficiary institu-
tions. The thousands of sailors who are annually in
need of medical treatment and hospital care have the
satisfaction of knowing that they are not dependent
upon bounty, but have paid for the service they re-
quire. The present hospital in the vicinity of Chicago
is one of the largest, best appointed and most capably
managed in the country.
In 1778, the first act was passed by Congress for
the relief of sick and disabled seamen by the institu-
tion of hospitals expressly for them. In 1790, it was
slightly modified and improved, and in 1843 it was made
more comprehensive in its scope, by including as its
FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS.
393
beneficiaries seamen who were employed in the coast-
ing trade, the designation coasting trade being con-
strued so as to include those who were navigating
rivers and inland waters. The hospital fund, from
which the expenses of the various marine hospitals are
paid, is derived from a tax of forty cents per month
collector of the port, May 15, 1852. It was mainly due
to the efforts of the Hon. John Wentworth in the Con-
gress of 1848 that the first appropriation for the build-
ing of the hospital was secured. On September 5,
1864, the hospital and site was sold at auction to James
F. Joy, for the Michigan Central Railroad, for $132,000.
THE MARINE HOSPITAL, LAKE VIEW.
levied upon all seamen employed " on board registered
steamers and other vessels belonging to the United
States, engaged in foreign trade ; and all steamers, and
other vessels, including boats, rafts and flats, licensed
to carry on the coasting trade, except canal-boats
without masts or steam power." The first Marine Hos-
pital of Chicago was built upon the old parade-ground
of Fort Dearborn reservation, the ground being set
apart for this purpose about the year 1848, the building
and enclosure being completed March 15, 1852, and
first occupied in May of that year. Up to the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1861, the total amount paid on
account of the hospital was $57,712, and during the
war the rule, that none but sailors should be received
there, was impinged, for patriotic purposes, by the ad-
mission and treatment of soldiers. The boundaries of
the old hospital lot were Michigan Avenue on the west,
the Illinois Central Railroad on the east, a part of
the Government reservation on the south, and the
river and dockway on the north. Work on the building
was delayed in the summer of 1849, owing to the preva-
lence of the cholera, but the basement was finished in
the fall of that year. J. D. Webster, the harbor engi-
neer, was the disbursing agent, and John H. Kinzie
acted as banker for the Government.
On the Congressional appropriations for the year
ending June 30, 1852, there was an item of $4,712 for
the completion of the Marine Hospital at Chicago. The
hospital was formally turned over to Jacob Russell,
On September, 1S67, the present hospital at Lake
View was commenced. The old hospital building was
destroyed in the great fire of 187 1. During the main-
tenance of the hospital, over seven thousand patients
were treated. The hospital was organized by Dr.
Ralph N. Isham, who had charge of it during General
Grant's administration. The various physicians in
charge were Drs. William B. Herrick, Charles A. Hel-
muth, Daniel Brainard, Brockholst McVickar, Daniel
J&. ^Y2^^-
Brainard (2d term1! and Ralph N. Isham. In 1868,
Congress appointed a commission to select a site for a
new hospital. An available site was secured at Lake
View, on high ground overlooking the lake, and the
Government purchased ten acres here. Work on the
new building was begun in 1869, and it was completed
in 1872, at a cost of $452,000. Competent judges say
the building could not now be reproduced for the same
money. The structure comprises a central building
and two wings, all four stories and basement in height.
The entire building is built of Lemont stone, and hand-
some stone porches grace the various frnnts. The
main building, which is 350x60 feet in area, contains
394
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
the office*, executive departments, dispensary, and ad-
ministrative department. The wings each contain
three wards, accommodating twenty patients to each
ward, and they are thirty feet wide, interior measure-
ment. The building was re-fitted in 1879, under the
supervision of Dr. Truman W. Miller, at a cost of
$45-000-
Brockholst McVickar, M.D., was born at New York City
in the year 1S10, son of Archibald McVickar. His early educa-
tion was obtained from private tutors under direction of his father,
a man of learning" ; his academical tuition at Columbia College
; Reverend and Professor John McVickar, of this college, was his
uncle), and his medical training and diploma as doctor of medicine
from Fairfield Medical College. After receiving his degree as Doctor
of Medicine, he commenced practice at Trenton, N. J., entering the
office of Dr. Guiteau, and while there married Miss Anna Sophia
Mappa, the descendant of an old Knickerbocker family. After
practicing in various eastern cities for some time, he came to Chi-
cago in 1S4S, and entered into partnership with Dr. Philip Max-
well, and subsequently, in the year 1S50, was associated with Dr.
Levi D. Boone. Dr. McVickar was the first city physician under
the primitive board of health, was surgeon of the Marine Hospital,
surgeon of the Army Hospital, at Chicago, in 1863, surgeon of
the Chicago & Alton Railroad, and member of the board of health
for a number of years. He died at Buffalo, N. Y., the birthplace
of his son, Brockholst L. McVickar, on October 14, 1883.
William J. Maynard, M.D., was born at Ann Arbor,
Mich., August 16, 1S44. He received his primary education in the
public schools adjacent to his birthplace, and subsequently entered
the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and graduated from its
classical department in 1S65. He then entered the Department of
Medicine of that University, from which he was graduated in 1867;
supplementing this with a year's study in Rush Medical College,
from which institution he received the degree of Doctor of Medi-
cine in iS6g. He then engaged in general practice in this city,
giving special attention to diseases of the skin. From i86g to 1871
he was resident physician to the Marine Hospital. He is now Pro-
fessor of Dermatology in the Woman's Medical College ; attending
physician to the Central Free Dispensary ; a member of the Chi-
cago Medical Society, of the Illinois State Medical Society, and
of the West Side Pathological Society. He was married in Decem-
ber, 1873, to Miss Maria Wicker, daughter of Joel C. Wicker, of
Chicago, by whom he had one child — John Wicker Maynard. Mrs.
Maynard died in August, 1S75. In September, 1883, Dr. Maynard
married Miss Nettie Hadley, of Albany, N. Y.
Truman Washington Miller, M.D., surgeon of the Ma-
rine Hospital Service, is a native of Seneca, N. Y., and was born
on March 2, 1840. He received his early education in the prepar-
atory and high schools of Waterloo, N. Y. In 1857, he matricul-
ated at Hobart College, at Geneva, N. Y., remaining through the
junior year, and then attending two full courses in the College of
Physicians and Surgeons of New York City, and in 1862 he grad-
uated as M.D. from the Geneva Medical College, New York. At
the breaking out of the civil war, he entered the regular army as a
medical cadet from New York State. He occupied this position
for one year. In 1S62, was appointed Acting Assistant Surgeon,
U.S.A., and assigned to duty with the Army of the Potomac,
with which he remained until after the battle of the Wilderness,
when he was transferred to Chicago on account of ill-health, and
assigned to duty as post-surgeon and examining surgeon, which
offices he filled until the close of the war. He was then (1865) re-
appointed examining surgeon for the recruiting service of the army,
which position he held for four years. During this period he also
was physician for Cook County, for two years medical inspector of
the Hoard of Health of Chicago, and medical director of the Mu-
tual Life Insurance Company of Chicago. In 1873, he was ap-
pointed assistant surgeon of the United States Marine Hospital
Service, and in 1877, was promoted surgeon and assigned to duty as
surgeon-in-charge of the Marine Hospital at this city. In 1878,
he was made medical director for the northwest of the Continental
Life Insurance Company, of Hartford, Conn., and consulting sur-
geon of this district for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of
New York. From 1873 to 1878, he was surgeon of the 1st Regi-
ment, Illinois National Cuards. Dr. Miller is a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic, and in 1S80-81 was surgeon-general
of the same for the Northwest Encampments. He now fills the
positions of surgeon for the Western Indiana Railroad, Chicago &
(Irand Trunk Railroad, North Chicago City Railroad, one of the
surgeons of thi I I ounty Hospital, surgeon-in-chief of the
Maurice Porter Memorial Hospital for Children, and surgeon-in-
chief of the Augustana General Hospital. He is also a member of
different City, State and American medical associations, and one of
the judicial council of the latter. Dr. Miller came to Chicago in
1S66, and has resided in Lake View since that date. On April 15,
1S64, he married Miss Leonora Edson, daughter of Robert Edson,
one of the early settlers of Lake View, and has two children —
Emily E. and Flora E.
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS.
A chapter on the diplomatic relations of Chicago has
never before been written, yet not less than thirteen
foreign governments are represented here by Consuls,
Vice -Consuls and Consular Agents. The first repre-
sentative of a foreign power at Chicago of whom there
is any record in the files of the Department of State at
Washington, was Henri Enderis, consul for Switzer-
land, who received his appointment in October, 1864,
and was recognized by the Government of the United
States, on December 19 of the same year. He served
until September 25, 1865, when he was succeeded by
Louis Baerlin as vice-consul, who, in turn, was followed,
in 1880, by Theodore Schintz. The next establishment of
a consulate at Chicago on record was that of Belgium —
J. F. Henrotin being recognized as consul by this gov-
ernment May 27, 1865. In 1868, two consulates were
established: Emil Dreier being recognized as vice-con-
sul of Denmark, March 24, and Giovanni L. Cella, as
consular agent for Italy, July 6. During the following
year, William E. Daggett was appointed consul for
Turkey, and H. Claussenius for the Kingdom of Prus-
sia. After the confederation of the German Empire,
in 187 1, Mr. Claussenius was re-appointed to represent
the German Government.
The rapid increase of the emigration from foreign
countries to the Northwestern States in 1870, and
during the succeeding years, rendered necessary the
appointment of a number of consuls, to protect the
interests of those who owed allegiance to the govern-
ments of their native lands. One of the principal
duties of the consular representatives of foreign gov-
ernments at Chicago, is to exercise a watchful care over,
and extend needed assistance to, the citizens of the gov-
ernments by which they are accredited — the preparation
and acknowledgment of business and legal documents
being a duty less frequently demanded. At the same
time, as the business agent of his government, the con-
sul is expected to watch, and (as far as may be needed)
exercise supervision over, the trade between his home
government and the Northwestern States.
All consulates at Chicago are sustained by fees, with
the exception of that of Germany, to which is attached
a salary of twenty-four thousand marks, or $6,000. It
is the most important of any, owing to the large Ger-
man population of the Northwest ; the Austro-Hun-
garian ranking second. These two consulates cover all
territory westward from Cincinnati to the Pacific slope,
with the exception of Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin
and Minnesota. The former State is included in the
Cincinnati district, and the latter three in that of Mil-
waukee. Most of the other Chicago consulates cover
practically the same territory, though some of the gov-
ernments represented here have no agents at Cincin-
nati ; in such cases, the Chicago consul is the only one
between New York and San Francisco. The annexed
statement shows the governments having consular rep-
resentatives at Chicago, names of consuls, the date of
their recognition and the duration of their respective
terms of service.*
Switzerland: — Henri Enderis, consul, December 19, 1864;
Louis Baerlin, vice-consul, September 25, 1865; Theodore Schintz,
vice-consul, December 27, 1880.
' Where no changes
nd the year 1885.
ed between date of appoint-
FEDERAL INSTITUTIONS.
395
Belgium: — J. F. Henrotin, consul, May 27, 1865; Charles
Henrotin, consul, December 4, 1876.
Denmark : — Emil Dreier, vice-consul, March 24, 1868; Emil
Dreier, consul, February 21, 1882.
Italy : — Giovanni L. Cella, consular agent, July 6, 1868.
Turkey : — William E. Daggett, consul, April 16, iS6r> ;
Charles Henrotin, consul, April 14, 1S77.
Netherlands: — J. P. V. Dorselen, consul, April 13, 1870;
L, J. J. Nieuwenkamp, consul, February 4, 1876.
Sweden and Norway : — P. Svanoe, vice-consul, October 24,
1S71
Germany: — H. Claussenius, consul, October 24, 1S71; P'ried-
rich Hinkel, consul, June I, 1877 ; Dr. F. Meier, acting consul,
April 7, 18S5 ; M. Raschdau, consul, in July, 1885.
Great Britain : — James Warrack, vice-consul, November
27, 1871 ; John Dunn, vice-consul, April 12, 1S82.
France : — Edmond Carrey, vice-consular agent, December
IS, 1873.
Austro-Hungary : — Albert Pick, consul, November 5, 1875 ;
PI. Claussenius, consul, February 18, 187S.
Venezuela : — David V. Whiting, consul, November 10, 1882.
Mexico : — J. A. Vargas, consular agent, January 1, 1885.
Among all the foreign representatives there were
none more noted for kindly and generous instincts, and
efficiency as a diplomatic agent, than Dr. Henrotin, who
first represented the Belgian government at this point.
Dr. Joseph Fortunat Henrotin was born at Tellin,
Belgium, in 1S11. He was the son of Dr. Clement Plenrotin, an
eminent Belgian physician, who practiced his profession in the
province of Luxembourg for sixty-five years. Dr. J. F. Henrotin
pursued his elementary studies in his native town ; his professional
education being obtained at the University of Liege, Belgium,
from which institution he graduated, with the highest honors, at
the early age of twenty-two. After three years of practice in the
leading Belgian hospitals, he received a commission as surgeon in
the army, he being then but twenty-five years of age. The revolu-
tion of 184s having involved the continent of Europe in a
general war. Dr. Henrotin, accompanied by his family, emigrated
to the United States, arriving in Chicago during the autumn of
that year. The date of his arrival was opportune, not only for
himself, but for the hundreds who were soon to need his profes-
sional services during the progress of the terrible cholera scourge
that soon followed. No physician, of those days of anxiety and
anguish, did more to alleviate the sufferings of this city's stricken
inhabitants, nor was any more successful in his combat with the
terrible plague, than Dr. Henrotin. Day and night were alike
to him when duty called ; he recognized no distinction of social
position or of wealth ; and in his unremitting labors he probably
visited more cholera-stricken patients than any other medical prac-
titioner in Chicago. The German residents of the North and West
sides were particularly the objects of his solicitude, and from them
he received the sobriquet of the " French doctor." No man stood
higher in their esteem than did he ; his devotion to them was as
deep as his charity was all-embracing. His sacrifices, however,
did not go unrewarded, for, after nine years of professional labor,
he had acquired a considerable fortune, and, in 1S56, he returned to
Belgium, accompanied by his family, which at that time consisted
of his wife, Adele, and seven children. In 1857, having been ap-
pointed, by royal decree, Belgian consul for the Northwestern
States, he returned to Chicago, leaving most of his children at
school abroad. In 185S, he was commissioned by the Belgian
government to make a thorough inspection of the States of Illinois,
Wisconsin and Minnesota, and report upon their suitability
for Belgian immigration. So thorough was his investigation,
and so complete and admirable was his report, that he was
honored by a formal vote of thanks from the parliament of
Belgium. It was translated and widely circulated through
Germany, and was, perhaps, one of the most efficient causes in
turning the tide of German emigration toward the great Northwest.
He occupied the position of Belgian consul at this port until his
death, and it is not too much to say, that his fidelity to the inter-
ests of his government was only equalled by his unremitting care
of Belgian subjects who needed his assistance. The fire of 1S71
deprived him of the hardly-earned fruits of his labor, he being a
more than usually heavv sufferer by that calamity. His death
occurred on March 17, 1876. His death bed was surrounded by his
wife and his eight surviving children, his oldest son, Henry, having
been killed at the siege of Vicksburg, while a member of Taylor's
battery. Among the children whom he left are Charles Henrotin,
the present Belgian consul, and Dr. Fernand Plenrotin, one of the
leading physicians of the city. Dr. Henrotin, although of a re-
tiring nature, possessed a genial disposition, great intellect anil
marked professional ability. It was always a matter of great
regret to himself, as it has been to his family, that his lack of
familiarity with the language and habits of our people prevented
his attaining, in this country, the eminence to which his compre-
hensive education and great talents entitled him.
Dr. Friedricii Hinkel was appointed consul of the German
empire in Chicago in 1877, and held that position, under imperial
commission, at the time of his decease. • He was born July 10,
1S26, at Hanau, in Electoral Hesse, and after a brief residence in
that place, removed with his parents to Rinteln, in the same pro-
vince. His preliminary education was received at the Gymnasium,
at Rinteln, and in 1845, went to the celebrated University at Mar-
burg, where he graduated four years later. In 1849, he came to
America, accepting a tutorship at Savannah, Georgia. I .ater, he re-
moved to New York City, where he continued his duties as a pre-
ceptor for several years. In 1855, P)r. Hinkel went abroad, and
traveled through Europe, Egypt, and Asia Minor. He then began
the study of law at the universities of Bonn and Heidelberg, from
which latter institution he graduated with the degree of LL.D. in
i860. The ensuing year he returned to New York, and there prac-
ticed law for eleven years, when he entered the service of the Ger-
man Empire, first as vice-consul, and then as consul, at New York.
Later he was appointed to the same position in this city. His emi-
nent intellectual qualities and broad culture won for him high
literary distinction, and he was esteemed in official circles at Berlin
for his efficiency and thoroughness in the consular service. He re-
ceived from the German government the decoration of the Red
Eag.le. He died on April 7, 1SS5, leaving a large circle of friends
to mourn the loss of one whose remarkable qualities of mind and
heart gave him an international reputation.
Charles Henrotin, who has resided in this city since 1848,
is one of the most prominent and successful financiers in the west.
He is the consul here for Belgium and Turkey, and was appointed
to the first named consulate in 1876, and to the charge of the affairs
of the Ottoman Empire the year succeeding. He is the son of Dr.
Joseph F. and Adele Henrotin, of Brussels, Belgium, where he was
born on April 15, 1843. A sketch of his father's life and services
has been already given. Charles accompanied his parents to this
city, but, in 1S56, was sent to Tournay, Belgium, to complete his
education and to fit him to enter the Belgium Polytechnic school,
where he was to study military engineering. After graduating from
the university at that place, he returned to Chicago in 1861, and
entered the service of the Merchants' Loan and Trust Company.
Here he first developed that remarkable insight into monetary affairs
that has given him an almost national reputation. He succeeded Ly-
man J. Gage as cashier of the bank in 1868, and for ten years re-
tained that position. In 1S78, Mr. Henrotin entered the banking
and brokerage business on his own account, laying the foundation
of the enterprise he to-day controls. His specialties became rail-
road first mortgage bonds and city and county securities. About
the time that Mr. Henrotin started in business, the city became
badly involved in debt, and its paper on the market was in such
shape that municipal bankruptcy seemed imminent. For substan-
tial aid rendered in this dire extremity, to no one man more than
Charles Henrotin does Chicago wealth owe a debt of lasting grati-
tude. The city scrip issue had been declared illegal, and the syndi-
cate of capitalists depended on to take it had refused to take any
more. Its value had fallen to eighty-five cents, and the city em-
ployes were seriously inconvenienced and local business interests
badly affected. Mr. Henrotin had confidence in the municipality
of which he was a citizen, and possessed the pluck and energy ne-
cessary to buy the depreciated scrip. He took every dollar's worth
that was offered, and putting up the price to ninety-three cents at
once, turned the tide in the city's favor, helped materially to restore
its credit and to place its indebtedness on a basis that won for him
the appreciation and the gratitude of the entire community. Since
then he has taken nearly every issue of county bonds, and helped
to negotiate them, being the first to do so at low rates. He has
the reputation of being one of the best judges of investment securi-
ties in Chicago, and is regarded as one of most successful financiers
in the West. Mr. Henrotin was one of the founders of the French
Benevolent Society of Illinois, and was its president for two suc-
cessive terms. He was also the principal leader in the organization
of the Chicago Stock Exchange ; he was unanimously elected its
first president, was re-elected for a second term, and declined to
serve a third term. He was also one of the principal projectors of
the Chicago Opera House Company, and is now its vice president.
His consular duties are important and numerous. His reports to
the Belgian government on various subjects have made for him an
enviable reputation. When the telephone was first put into prac-
tical operation, Mr. Henrotin, in connection with the French con-
sul, made a lengthy report to his government on its application,
which attracted much attention in Europe and led to large concessions
being made to himself and his friends in introducing the instru-
ment in France, and, ultimately, in the organization of a telephone
corporation in Paris, which is now the largest in the world. His
;96
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
reports on commerce have been large and exhaustive. Mr. Hen-
rotin has done much to encourage the emigration o( skilled labor
and well-to-do artisans from Belgium, thereby bringing to this
country a class that has superseded the pauper element. In every
sense lie is a public-spirited man; and when he inaugurated the half-
century celebration of the Belgian government in this city in 1SS1,
he was thanked bv the Belgium government for his fidelity to the
interests he represented and the international benefits he had se-
cured. He has been a life-long democrat, but his business duties
have compelled him to keep from accepting any public offices
of honor and trust. Mr. Henrotin was married September 2, 1869,
to Miss Ellen M. Martin, of this city ; they have three children —
Edward Clement, Charles Martin and Noris Bates Henrotin.
Scarcely more than a young man, standing at the threshold of busi-
ness life where most men are but beginning to lay the foundation
of their fortunes, Mr. Henrotin occupies a position and enjoys a
reputation that time will only strengthen and enlarge.
HENRY ClaUSSENIUS, Austro-Hungarian consul at Chicago,
was born in Eschwege, Nassau, February I, 1S25, the son of An-
ton William Claussenius, justice of the circuit court of that place.
At the time of the present consul's birth, Nassau was an indepen-
dent electorate, but is now a portion of Prussia proper. Henry
commenced his education at the Gymnasium at Cassel. After a
thorough course of tuition he traveled for a year, and then opened
a most successful school at Bischhausen. Becoming objectionable
to the government, however, on account of his liberal views, he, in
iS;o, immigrated to New York. There he engaged, first, with a
papef-hanging establishment, and later in Colt's map-publishing
house. Here his geographical knowledge was of considerable
service. He abandoned his employment, however, after a short
time, to engage as a window-shade painter, but finally seemed to
find congenial service in the wood-carving line. His mechanical
skill and artistic taste soon gained him success in this business,
which so prospered that he was compelled to employ as many as
twelve assistants at one time. About this time, he married Miss
Johanna YanTilly. Mr. Claussenius then procured employment
in the banking-house of J.W. Schmidt & Company, of New York,
the head of which firm was consul for Prussia, Saxony and Baden.
The business of the consulate devolved upon Mr. Claussenius
from 1S55 to 1861, when, through the influence of Baron Von Ge-
rolt, a warm personal friend of President Lincoln, he was appointed
consul of Prussia at Chicago, by commission from Count Bis-
marck, minister of foreign affairs. Upon his arrival in Chicago,
Mr. Claussenius opened a banking-house under the firm name of
Claussenius, Canada & Schmitzler, from which his former partners
have since retired, but which has been known for some time as one
of the most conservative and reliable institutions of the kind in the
West. In 186S, Mr. Claussenius was appointed consul of the
North German Confederation, and in 1871, of the German Empire;
his consular dignities and duties keeping pace with the political
changes in Germany. For his able representation the following
medals of honor have, from time to time, been bestowed upon him:
Knight's Cross, First Class of the Order of Albrecht the Brave, from
Saxony; Knight's Cross, First Class Order of the Emperor Francis
Joseph, from Austria; Knightly Cross of the " Lion of Zaehring,"
from the Grand Duchy of Baden; a similar emblem from the
Thuringen States, of the Order of the Ernestinian House; and the
Order of Albrecht, " The Brave," Compthur Cross, from the king-
dom of Saxony. Since the death of Mr. Schmitzler, Mr. Claus-
senius has performed the duties of Austrian consul. He has been
identified with the school system in this city for many years. He is
an enthusiastic lover and patron of music, at one time having been
president of the Arion society and an honorary member of the Lie-
derkranz in New York. He was one of the organizers of the Ger-
man Aid and Relief Society, of which association he was the first
president, and of which he has been an officer and director up to
the present time. In 1877, Mr. Claussenius resigned his position
as German consul, the government prohibiting diplomats from en-
gaging in other business when in its service. In October of the
same year, however, he was appointed consul for Austro-Hungary,
and, later, was made the general western agent of the North Ger-
man Lloyd steamship company, of Bremen. His business is a
very extensive one, and from its revenue he has provided a beauti-
ful home for his family, costing $60,000. His wife is still living.
They have six children — GustavusA., Edward, George W., Henry,
Minna and Bismarck.
Agostino ScuiTTl was appointed consular agent for the Ital-
ian government January 13, 1876, by Cavalier Ferdinandodi Lucca,
console-generale at New York, with control of the States of Indiana,
Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. Mr. Scuitti was born March 17,
1S18, at Borzanasca, Genoa department, Italy, the son of John and
Mary (Lagorio) Scuitti. He received his education at his native
place. For some time after the completion of his studies, from
1840 to 1849, he served as a soldier; and when war was declared
with Austria, he remained with Carlo Alberto, the king, until the
latter's abdication after the battle of Navarra, and served with
credit until peace was declared. He came to Chicago in 1856, and
two years later was married to Miss Mary Veilla. By the great
fire he was a serious financial sufferer. Mr. Scuitti has three chil-
dren living, the eldest of whom, Emilia, is now a resident of South
America. The other children are Adelaide and Mathilde.
David V. Whiting, consul for Venezuela, was appointed to
that position in 1880, by General Guzman Blanco, president of the
Republic, with whom he was acquainted when a boy. His career
has been a varied and interesting one, he having filled high posi-
tions of honor and trust under three different governments. Mr.
Whiting was born in Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela, April
1, 1827, his father, Joseph P., having left Baltimore for South
America three years previously, and located at Caracas, where he
carried on a general merchandise business. David was educated at
the military academy in his native place until 1S44, when he came
to Baltimore, and after a short time was appointed secretary of the
Venezuelan legation in Washington, being left in charge of the
legation on the return to South America of the minister in 1849.
He then went to New Mexico, and held several important positions
under the United States government until 1S61 ; among them that
of secretary of state, official translator of the territory, private sec-
retary to the executive department, and chief clerk and translator in
the general land office. He then removed to Kansas City, engag-
ing in the forwarding and commission business for two years. At
the expiration of that time, he visited Matamoras, Mexico, and be-
came Spanish editor of the Ranchero. When the imperial troops
vacated the northern frontier, Mr. Whiting accompanied them to
the City of Mexico, and was there intrusted with several important
commissions for the empire. His adventures while under the
French representative, Maximilian, were thrilling and numerous,
the Republicans seeking his life on several occasions. In 1867, he
went to Galveston, and engaged in business until 1871, when he
removed to San Antonio, Texas. In 1S74, he had charge of the
Spanish department of the general land office of the State of Texas,
at Austin. In 1S7S, he came to Chicago, and organized and took to
Mexico the famous Chicago expedition. In this enterprise, which
left Chicago, January 6, 1879, not a life was lost, nor a connection
missed, from the inception of the expedition until its safe return to
this city. He then embarked in business in Chicago, and, in ad-
dition to his consular duties, started La Voz de Chicago, a monthly
organ of the Spanish-speaking Americans, and natives of Mexico,
Central and South America, and the West Indies, throughout the
Northwest — a publication of rare excellence and value in the field it
fills. He was married to Miss Anna Teresa Daly, a native of
Venezuela, in 1847. They have had twelve children, only two of
whom were born in the same city. Two sons, Joseph P and Wil-
liam Clement, are engaged in business with Mr. Whiting in Chi-
cago, and another, Emilio Paez, is engaged in the railroad business
in Mexico. His remaining living children are Stella Regina, Do-
lores, Alvaro Maximilian, Alonzo Aguilar and Ruy Diaz Whiting.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The first volume of this history detailed the pro-
gress of the Catholic Church in this diocese, down to
the year 1857. Reference has been made to the num-
ber and architectural grandeur of the church edifices
dedicated up to that time Others were even then pro-
jected which were designed to surpass in size, cost, and
general magnificence the most imposing of those yet
erected ; and in every other respect of religious progress
there was soon a still more marked advance. In the
period with which we have now to deal, the system of
parochial schools was established and placed on a per-
manent footing — the initiative in this work being, nat-
urally, taken by the Jesuits. Institutions of charity,
academies and convents were founded in every part of
the city, and, in general, a new impulse seems to have
been given for the propagation and extension of Cath-
olic works. *
*The compiler is indebted to Wm. J. Onahan,
grapher of Chicago, for important data presented in th
be Catholit
chapter.
This new era is co-incident with the appointment of
the Right Rev. James Duggan as Bishop of Chicago;
which event dates from January 21, 1859.
Bishop Duggan had been raised to the episcopal
rank on May 3, 1857, and was appointed co-adjutor to
the Archbishop of St. Louis, his nominal title being
derived from the See of Antigone. Prior to his eleva-
tion, the bishop had labored in St. Louis in various
positions, for many years as pastor of the Church of
the Immaculate Conception, and had endeared himself
to all classes by his pleasing address and kindliness of
heart. In 1853, he was appointed administrator of Chi-
cago, in the interregum following the transfer of Bishop
Van de Velde to Natchez. In this city he soon won
the affection of priests and people ; nor was his popu-
larity limited to those of his own faith. Protestants
of every sect and condition learned to respect and
admire him for his benevolence, and for his taste and
accomplishments as a scholar and virtuoso. He col-
lected a large and valuable library, rich in theology
and also in the classics and belles-lettres. By his taste
for and encouragement of art, he gave an impetus to
the liberal arts in Chicago at a period when the stimu-
lus of patronage was most needed. But it is in the
line of his ecclesiastical administration that we are to
look for the greatest result of his labors and talents.
Certainly the early years of his episcopate gave remark-
able promise of great results to religion and education,
and there was little to suggest the unhappy mental dis-
order which ten years later brought Bishop Duggan's
episcopal career to so sad a close.
The first appointments made by the new Bishop
were received with satisfaction by both the clergy and
laity. These were Rev. Dennis Dunne, vicar-general ;
Rev. Thaddeus J. Butler, secretary ; Rev. John Mc-
Mullen, chancellor. Special encouragement was given
to the different religious orders to found houses in
Chicago and throughout the diocese.
The Jesuits had already gained admission, and, un-
der the energetic lead of Rev. Father Damen, work
was already far advanced on the great Church of the
Holy Family, West Twelfth Street, and an immense
congregation availed themselves of the religious ad-
vantages brought to their doors by the Jesuit fathers.
The Franciscan order came in 1857; and St. Peter's
Church and parish were assigned to their charge.
The Redemptorist Fathers arrived in i860, and or-
ganized the German Congregation of St. Michael's,
speedily commencing the erection of a vast church and
capacious schools. The Benedictine Fathers were in-
troduced in 1 86 1, taking charge of St. Joseph's Church,
likewise a German congregation.
The Ladies of the Sacred Heart, from St. Louis, were
invited by Bishop Duggan to establish an academy for
the higher education of young ladies in this city; and,
accordingly, in 1859, Madame Gallway arrived with
several religieuses of that community, and opened an
academy in temporary quarters on Wabash Avenue,
subsequently removing to the corner of Rush and Illi-
nois streets, where the Ladies remained until the build-
ing of their convent and academy on West Taylor
39§
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Street was completed. These and other works ini-
tiated by Bishop Duggan will find appropriate and
fuller mention under their separate headings.
The outbreak of the civil war enlisted the zeal and
sympathies of the bishop on the side of the Union, of
which he continued to the end an ardent supporter.
He encouraged Colonel Mulligan in the organization
of the " Irish Brigade,'' as far as became his office, and
lent his aid to even- effort for the benefit of the war
sufferers, the widows and orphans, and to sustain the
funds of the Sanitary Commission.
Besides regularly preaching in his Cathedral and on
the occasions of his visitations throughout the diocese,
he lectured several times, by public invitation, in the
citv, always with general appreciation. On the occa-
sion of the death of Senator Douglas, Bishop Duggan
was invited to deliver the funeral oration — a duty which
he performed at the grave of the dead statesman, in the
presence of avast multitude of people, including all the
civil and benevolent societies of the city. The address
was admitted to be a masterpiece of eloquence.
The bishop went to Rome in 1862, again in 1866;
and in 1867, he made a protracted stay abroad, visiting
the Holy Land during his travels, and on his return to
Chicago was received with great popular demonstra-
tions of welcome by both clergy and laity. This
triumph was soon to be clouded by discords, by public
controversies, and, finally, by physical and mental pros-
tration of the bishop, whose reason, sapped by the
insidious approaches of disease, gave way under the
strain to which it was subjected, and he shortly became
a sorrowful mental wreck. To enter into the details ot
the controversies during the last year of Bishop Dug-
gan's administration, would now scarcely serve any
useful purpose. Several widely respected clergymen
were engaged in the discussion, and carried the matter
to the authorities at Rome. It can now safely be as-
sumed that Bishop Duggan acted with too great harsh-
ness, and, although in the end, he was apparently
sustained by the Holy See, he was nevertheless enjoined
to restore and receive into favor the clergy who, ac-
cording to his view, had been contumacious and
insubordinate. In view of the bishop's subsequent
early prostration and crowning calamity, all parties to
the unhappy feud, by common consent, have long ceased
to dwell on it and its circumstances, and it is accord-
ingly dismissed into the oblivion of unrecorded history.
No change or improvement in his condition has ever
given the smallest encouragement to the hope of his
ultimate recovery. A sketch of his life may appropri-
ately be supplemented.
BlSHOF DUGGAN was born in the village of Maynooth, County
Kildare, Ireland, in 1827. lie attended the parish school of his
native place, and, having shown from an early age the disposition
10 enter a religious life, he was subsequently sent to the Seminary
at Ballaghadereen, County Mayo, in which he qualified himself, by a
of classical studies, for Maynooth College, where he pursued
the course of theology and other branches essential to his admis-
sion to Holy Orders. Before completing the course, he emigrated to
the United States, arriving in 1846. He was received by the arch-
bishop of St. Louis, who assigned the young scholastic to St.
Vincent\ College, at Cape Girardeau, Mo., an institution then and
since conducted by the Lazarist Fathers. Having finished his
studies and received ordination as a priest, he was appointed chap-
lain to one of the convents of the Sisters of Charity, in St. Louis.
In this and in other services in that city. Father Duggan gave such
high evidences of zeal and capacity, that .-iftirr a few years he was
appointed president of the College atCarondelet, Mo. ; subsequently
was pastor of the Church of the Immaculate ' Conception, St. Louis;
and, later, vicar-general of the archdiocese ^s narrated in our first
volume. Father Duggan was appointed administrator of Chicago,
ig the transfer of Bishop Van de Velde from this
Sec to Natchez. I his was prior to the appointment and arrival of
Bishop O'Regan, so that he came, in 1S59, not as a stranger to the
priests and people over whom he was to reign during the next ten
years.
Following the removal of Bishop Duggan, in 1869,
Rev. T. J. Halligan was appointed administrator pro
tempore, pending the nomination of a bishop to the prac-
tically vacant See. Father Halligan had already served
in this capacity, during the last visit of Bishop Duggan
to Europe, and was regarded by many as one of the
principal causes of the unfortunate troubles that culmi-
nated shortly after the bishop's return. He did not
not long exercise his authority. The affairs of the dio-
cese demanded the supervision of one vested with the
functions and authority of the episcopate, and choice
was soon made of Rev. Thomas Foley, of the Cathedral
and Archdiocese of Baltimore, to fill the position. He
was consecrated bishop in the Cathedral of Baltimore,
on February 27, 1870, and was formally installed in this
city in March of the same year. The first words of his
address on that occasion will long be remembered.
They were, " Peace be unto you," and formed the text
of his discourse, as they evidently constituted the con-
trolling principles of his episcopal career.
Bishop Foley was a native of Baltimore, and was born March
6, 1S23. He was educated at and graduated from St. Mary's Col-
lege, and subsequently entered the Sulpitian Theological Seminary
in that city. After completing his ecclesiastical education, he ra>
ordained in the Cathedral of Baltimore, on the 16th of August,
1S46. His first mission was at Rockville, Montgomery Co., Md.,
about eighteen miles north of Washington, and included four
churches within a circuit of fifty miles. The roads were primitive,
and the conveniences for travel were, in those days, equally antiqua-
ted, so that much hardship was necessarily undergone by the zeal-
ous young pastor during the years in his first mission. From this
field of labor he was transferred, in 1S47-48, to St. Patrick's Church,
■Washington, as assistant to Rev. F'ather Matthews, a venerated
and historic character in the history of the American Church. In
1S49, he was called by Archbishop Eccleston to the Cathedral in
Baltimore. Upon the death of the latter, in 1S51, Most Rev. F'ran-
cis Patrick Kenrick was promoted to the See of Baltimore, and,
shortly after his accession, Rev. Thomas Foley was appointed his
secretary, and remained attached to the Cathedral until the death
of Archbishop Kenrick, in 1864. This great and lamented prelate
was succeeded by Rt. Rev. Bishop Spalding, of Louisville, who
was elevated to metropolitan rank and dignity as Archbishop of
Baltimore, May 3, 1S64. When, shortly afterward, the new arch-
bishop left the country to visit Rome, he showed his confidence in
Father Foley by appointing him vicar-general and administrator.
He held the position of vicar-general until he was chosen to the
See of Chicago— to the diocese which, as he declared in his first ser-
mon, " holds so high a place; which exercises so vast an influence;
which already has attracted the attention, not only of the people of
this country, but of foreign lands; and which is destined to be, if
not the first, at least the second in the country. This diocese,
which will hold so high a place, with so large a number of souls
within its limits— shall ever claim my careful attention, and whilst
I live and am able to labor, whatever I can give shall be freely,
entirely and cheerfully, given to Chicago."
It was in this spirit that Bishop Foley commenced
his career in this city.
St. Mary's Church. — The history of this church,
in the preceding volume, closed with the pastorates of
Revs. T. J. Butler and Thomas Burke, in 1857. Rev.
Matthew billon was also priest here at the same time
with them, but, on the 16th of August, 1858, he was
transferred to Racine, Wis., by Bishop O'Regan. Soon
after Bishop O'Regan resigned, and was succeeded by
Right Rev. James Duggan, D.D. The pastors of St.
Mary's, under this bishop, in 1859, were Revs. T. J.
Butler D.D., Dr. J. McMullen and Dr. Thomas Burke.
They were succeeded, in 1861, by Rev. F. McKeon as
pastor and Rev. T. McGivern as assistant pastor. In
1862, Rev. J. Macken became pastor and Rev.
Thomas J. Halligan assistant, remaining two years. In
1864, Rev. Thomas J. Halligan became pastor, and re-
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
399
mained in that position until 1870, when he was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Edward W. Gavin. In 1864, the
assistant pastor of this church was Rev. Patrick T.
Butler; in 1867, the assistant pastor was Rev. John
Fanning, and Rev. Patrick T. Butler became chan-
cellor; in 1868, Rev. M. M. McDermott became as-
sistant pastor, and, in 1869, there were three pastors,
Revs. Edward W. Gavin, H. M. O'Gara McShane
and C. H. Gavin, D.D. In 1870, the assistant of
Rev Edward W. Gavin was Rev Thomas L. Keating.
These were the pastors at the time of the. great fire.
This fire burned everything perishable pertaining to
the church property, except the records. The build-
ings lost were the bishop's residence, at the corner of
Michigan Avenue and Madison Street. Next to the
church-building stood the Convent of the Sisters of
Mercy, which was likewise destroyed.
Right Rev. John McMullen, D.D., was born on March 8,
1832, at Ballinahinch, County Down, Ireland, the son of James
and Alice McMullen. In 1833, his family emigrated to America,
and finally settled in Chicago in 1843. The father, James Mc-
Mullen, was always an earnest and devoted Catholic, and during
his long and honorable career was remarkable for his devotion tj
the interests of his religion. His son John, under the pious in-
fluences of his parents and of Bishop Quarter, the first Bishop of
H=FJ#^^>.
RT. REV. WM. QUARTER, D.D., FIRST CATHOLIC BISHOP
OF CHICAGO.
Chicago, was early marked out for an ecclesiastical career, his own
good disposition of course corresponding to the wishes and inten-
tions of bishop and parents. His early studies were pursued in the
University of St. Mary's of the Lake, from which he graduated
with the highest honors in 1853. He was sent to Rome the same
year, where he completed his course of theological studies, and, in
1858, was ordained priest, gaining also the degree of Doctor of
Divinity, which in this case was something more than an unmeaning
compliment; he had honestly earned the dignity by hard study and
acknowledged acquirements. Returning to Chicago he preached
his first sermon in St. Mary's — then the Cathedral. He was for a
short time attached to the Bishop's Church — the Cathedral ; later,
for a brief period, to St. Louis' Church, and in 1863 he assumed
charge of the re-organized University of St. Mary's of the Lake,
which was then designed to fill the place of a theological seminary
for the diocese. Here the Doctor seemed to be in his most con-
genial and fitting place and work. Needless to say he entered into
it with great zeal and with his whole heart. Hut the University
was not destined to prosper. Difficulties and misunderstandings
arose between the diocesan and the faculty, which finally culmi-
nated in the closing of the University. Dr. McMullen was then
assigned to a new parish (first formed on the West Side). St. Paul's;
but it was not long until the widening breach between Bishop Dug-
gan and several of the leading priests of the city, induced Dr. Mc-
Mullen to go in person to Rome, there to lay the situation in Chi-
cago before the Holy See. Throughout those difficulties the atti-
tude of Dr. McMullen reflected in no respect on his character and
loyalty as a Catholic ecclesiastic. When he returned, he accepted
a country parish, that of Wilmington, 111., where he labored with
earnestness and endeared himself to the people of the neighborhood,
Catholic and Protestant alike. One year after the installation of
Bishop Foley, Dr. McMullen was called to Chicago, to fill the post
of vicar-general and pastor of the Cathedral. Here again followed
fresh trials, but this time of a different character. The great fire of
1871 swept away the beautiful Cathedral, and in its desolating
course razed many other Catholic churchesand Catholic institutions
of education and charity. It was a time to try men's souls. Dr.
McMullen entered heroically into the work of restoring what had
been destroyed. He proceeded, under the direction of Bishop Foley,
on a mission to the East and to Canada, to solicit aid toward the
re-building of the churches and institutions — a mission which was
crowned with success. Dr. McMullen's self-sacrificing labors dur-
ing this period will long remain in honored remembrance in the
hearts of the Catholics of Chicago, those of the Cathedral parish
especially. And so the Cathedral was re-built, more beautiful and
more costly than before. A grand academy, under the charge of the
Ladies of the Sacred Heart, was erected beside it, and soon after
commodious parish schools were likewise provided. In the midst
of this era, Bishop Foley to the dismay and sorrow of a mourning
city, was suddenly stricken down by death. The lamented pre-
late's last words were a testimony and a charge to Dr McMullen.
He appointed him administrator of the diocese, thus showing the
highest testimony to the character and qualities of his vicar general.
With what fidelity and high capacity the Doctor acquitted himself
of the grave trust is best shown in his early elevation to the episco-
pal rank and dignity. Shortly following the appointment of Bishop
Feehan, as first archbishop of Chicago, Dr. McMullen was chosen
by Leo XIII. bishop of the newly created See of Davenport, Iowa
He was consecrated in the Cathedral of the Holy Name July 25,
1881, and in the following month Bishop McMullen proceeded to
his new See, accompanied by a large escort of priests and laymen
from Chicago. Davenport gave him a royal welcome; and in St.
Margaret's Cathedral of that city he addressed his people in a ser-
mon of great power and eloquence, which, with his known elevated
qualities, soon won to him the affection and respect of all classes in
his new home. There was work to do in the new diocese. The
bishop entered into the spirit of that work with prodigious zeal.
He visited every part of his diocese, and everywhere infused his
own spirit and purpose into priests and people. But an insidious
disease had seized upon him, and no human skill was able to arrest
its fatal progress. His death occured on July 4. 18S3, transforming
a day of rejoicing into one of gloom and sorrow for the city of
Davenport, his last home. On the day of the funeral, the bells of
the Protestant churches of the city pealed out in solemn union with
those of the Cathedral, in testimony of sorrow for his decease, a
generous and touching tribute to the dead prelate. The Pontifical
Requiem Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Feehan of Chicago,
and the funeral oration was delivered by the deceased bishop's
warm friend, Bishop Spalding of Peoria. The bishop's remains, by
his own request, were interred in his Cathedral in Davenport. His
memory remains a precious inheritance to priests and people where-
ever he was known, and especially in the scenes of his labors, his
trials, and his final vindication and triumph.
St. Louis' Church. — On October i, 1855, Rev.
John Waldron, at the present time pastor of St. John's
Church, was appointed to this church. His first ef-
forts were directed to the restoration of harmony
between the French and Irish members of the congre-
gation. In this he was very successful, and he re-
mained with them as pastor until October, 1S59. Ht
was then succeeded by Rev. John McMullen, who re-
mained there about one year. The subsequent pastors
were Rev. Joseph P. Roles, i860 ; Rev. John Macken
in 1861; Rev. J. H. Grogan, 1862 ; Rev. A. Broderick,
1864; Rev. Patrick Conway, 18C5, and Rev. Patrick
4oo
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
M. Noonat) from 1S66 to the time of the destruction of
this church-building by the great fire of 1S71, which
also destroyed the school-house purchased some years
previously of St. John's Church.
The Church of Notre Dame de Chicago is vir-
tually the continuation of St. Louis' Church. It is
located at the northwest corner of Halsted and Con-
gress streets, was commenced early in 1S64, and was
dedicated March 5, 1S65, by Bishop Duggan. It has a
French congregation, and Rev. James Cote was pastor
from 1S66 to 1SS4. In 1SS4, Rev. A. L. Dergeron suc-
ceeded Father Cote. A new location for a church has
been selected on Vernon Park Place, the old church
property having been sold.
St. Patrick's Church. — The pastorate of Rev.
Dennis Dunne in this Church commenced November
11, 1854, and continued until 1868. His assistants
were, in 1858-59, Rev. John Magan ; in i860, Revs.
John Magan and Andrew Eustace; in 1862, Revs. G.
Prendergast and P. F. Glennow ; in 1863, Rev. F.
Keenan ; in 1S65, Revs. J. Brennan and S. O'Sullivan ;
in 1S66, Rev. P. M. Flannagan ; and in 1868, Revs.
Stephen M. A. Barrett and P. Maloney. In 1869,
Joseph H. Doyle succeeded to the pastorate made va-
cant by the death of Dr. Dunne ; and he, in 1870, was
followed by Rev. Thomas O'Gara, who remained until
June, 1871. The assistant of Rev. Father O'Gara
was Rev. Charles H. Gavin.
The church-building, which stands on the north-
west corner of Adams and Desplaines streets, was orig-
inally erected without a basement, but in 187 1, shortly
REV. DENNIS DUNNE.
after the appointment of Rev. P. J. Conway as pastor,
the building was raised, and a stone basement built un-
der it. Tin: cost of this much-needed improvement
was $20.o°°- At the time of the fire the building was
standing on the screws used to elevate it to the grade,
and the improvement was completed as soon as practi-
cable after the excitement occasioned by that great
calamity had died away.
Very Rev. Dennis Dunne, formerly vicar-general of the Dio-
cese of Chicago, and pastor of St. Patrick's Church, was born in
February, 1S24, in Queens County, Ireland. His father was
Patrick Dunne and his molher Amelia (Maloney) Dunne. When
quite young, he came with his parents to Chatham, New Brunswick,
and thence he went to Quebec, and prepared for the priesthood.
In 1S4S, he was ordained for the Diocese of Chicago by the Kt.
Rev. Dr. Lefevre, Bishop of Detroil. For a few months he was
professor in the University of St. Mary's of the Lake, and was
then sent to Galena, 111., where was his first mission From Ga-
lena, he was transferred, in 1850, to Ottawa, his mission there in-
cluding the towns along the canal. In 1S54, he was transferred to
Chicago, and became the successor of Rev. Father McLaughlin,
who that year died of cholera. In this field he labored until in the
summer of 1868, when he was removed by Bishop Duggan, on ac-
count of the attitude he assumed toward that prelate in reference to
diocesan affairs. Rev. Dennis Dunne was a man of well-known
rectitude of life and of great personal popularity. His influence
over both laity and clergy was quite extensive and beneficial. In
1S55, he was made vicar-general of the diocese, and filled that office
almost to the end of his life. He was a man of great energy and
decision of character, and considered no enterprise too great for
him to accomplish. In August, 1862, he organized an Irish Cath-
olic Regiment, to assist in the suppression of the Rebellion. This
regiment was the 90th Illinois Volunteers, otherwise known as the
Irish Legion. In 1865, the Sacred College at Rome conferred
upon Father Dunne the degree of Doctor of Divinity. In 1863,
he was attacked by typhoid fever, which left him in a compara-
tively enfeebled condition; and though, after his recovery, he con-
tinued to perform his duties until 186S, yet he never was strong,
and at length, on the 23d of December, 1S68, death terminated his
career. His funeral occurred on Sunday, December 27, and was
attended by the goth Regiment, under command of Colonel Owen
Stuart, and by all the Catholic societies in Chicago. The funeral
address was delivered by Rev. Stephen M. A. Barrett, the present
pastor of St. Stephen's Church.
Rev. Patrick Terry, who was, at the time of his death,
pastor of St. Patrick's Church, was born in County Waterford,
Ireland. His education was obtained in his native country, and
he was ordained there in 1850. Shortly afterward he came to the
United States, and a little later to Chicago. He was appointed
assistant pastor at St. Patrick's Church, in September, 1S50, his
superior being Rev. P. McLaughlin. He remained there until
June, 1852, when he was appointed pastor of the Catholic Church,
at Morris, 111. From Morris he went, in 1867. to Ottawa, 111.,
and took pastoral care of the dependent missions in the vicinity of
that city, remaining until 1881. During that year he was appointed
pastor of St. Patrick's Church, as the successor of Rev. P. J. Con-
way, at present vicar-general of the Diocese of Chicago. He re-
mained in this position until his death in September, 1SS4. Rev.
Patrick Terry was a fine scholar, being especially well versed in
literature, history, science and theology. He was of pleasing ad-
dress, generous to a fault, always ready to assist those in need, and
was hence very popular with his parish and with the people. As
an indication of the esteem in which he was held, it may be stated
that he was of those chosen to give advice to the bishop on both
general and special matters pertaining to the diocese. He was
made a dean by Bishop Foley in the early days of his episcopate,
and was popularly known as Dean Terry during the latter years of
his life. The people of St. Patrick's parish learned to respect and
love him more and more as the days of his pastorage increased,
and at his death felt that their loss could not soon be repaired.
St. Peter's Church. — Rev. Mr. Liermann, on June
17, i860, was succeeded by Rev. J. B. Mager, who re-
mained until November 27, 1864. Rev. Peter Fischer
was the next pastor. During his term of service, the
brick church building now standing at the southwest
corner of Clark and Polk streets was erected. This
building cost originally, without furnishing, about
$45,000. The organ was purchased of the St. Louis'
Church, in 1868. The school-house, erected in 1864,
cost $7,000. The priest's house was built in 1865,
and the choir was added to the church-building at that
time, the total cost of both being about $12,000.
During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Fischer the great fire
of 1 87 1 occurred, but this church escaped destruction.
St. James' Church was founded in 1857, by a few
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
401
Catholics living in the vicinity of the Convent of the
Sisters of Mercy. At first, the entire congregation of
St. James' Church, and that portion of the community
of Sisters located at Calumet Avenue and Twenty-sixth
Street, celebrated mass in the wash-room of the Con-
vent. Rev. Thomas F. Kelly was appointed first
pastor by Bishop O'Regan; and the principal lay pro-
moters of Catholicism in this section, and sustainers of
St. James' Church, were William Donahue. Robert
Whalen, John Dorney and Timothy Flannigan. At
first there were in all about twenty families connected
with the Church. They held religious services in the
convent about a year, but in 1858, commenced the
erection of a frame church-edifice, on Prairie Avenue,
between Twenty-sixth
and Twenty - ninth
streets. It was built
under the superintend-
ency of William Don-
ahue, who donated,
liberally, time, money
and materials toward
its construction. The
total cost of the church
was about $3,000.
Rev. Father Kelly,
who also had, at that
time, the pastoral care
of St. Bridget's
Church, remained pas-
tor until he was ap-
pointed chaplain of
the 90th Illinois Vol-
unteer Infantry, with
which he went to the
front, and remained
until 1864. During his
absence his place was
filled by Rev. Father
Carrigan and Rev. Pe-
ter O'Dowd. Upon
his return from the
War, Rev. Father Kel-
ly resumed his labors
at St. James' Church, and continued pastor until his
death in 1865. Rev. Father O'Dowd then succeeded
him, and remained until his death in 1866. Rev. P. J.
R. Murphy then became pastor, and remained until
superseded by Rev. P. J. Conway in December, 1866.
During the pastorates of Revs. Murphy and Conway,
the church-building was enlarged and a priest's resi-
dence erected. In 1871, Rev. Mr. Conway was trans-
ferred to St. Patrick's Church, and was succeeded at St.
James by Rev. P. W. Riordan, now Archbishop of San
Francisco. During his pastorate the present magnifi-
cent edifice on Wabash Avenue was erected.
Most Rev. Patrick W. Riordan, the present Archbishop
of San Francisco, was born at Chatham, New Brunswick, August
27, 1841. In 1S48, his parents decided to emigrate to the West,
and fixed on Chicago as their future home. Shortly following their
arrival, the future archbishop entered the University of St. Mary's
of the Lake, where he remained until 1851, gaining high honors
and distinctions. Subsequently he attended a select school taught
by Mr. Gleason; and in 1856 became a student at Notre Dame,
Indiana, where he remained two years. In 1858, he proceeded to
Rome, where he was enrolled in the College of the Propaganda.
On the opening of the American College in the Eternal City, Mr.
Riordan was one of the first twelve students to enter the institu-
tion; but the climate of Rome, and his failing health, compelled
him to go elsewhere to pursue his studies, and he accordingly
spent a year in the College of the Holy Ghost, Paris, and finally
completed his course at the American College, Louvain, B.-lgium,
from which he graduated in 1866 as a licentiate in Theology and
26
Sacred Sciences. In the fall of that year, he returned to Chicago,
where he was speedily assigned, by Right Rev. Bishop IJuggan, to
the staff of professors in his old college of St. Mary's of the Lake,
as professor of Dogmatic Theology and Church History. Two
years later, when the University was closed. Father Riordan was
assigned to Woodstock, III., and shortly afterward transferred to
St. Mary's, at Joliet, 111., where he built a fine church. In 1S71,
Bishop Foley invited Father Riordan to take charge of the
important parish of St. James', Chicago, where he remained,
loved and honored by all his people, until his elevation to the
archiepiscopal dignity in 1SS3. In the effort to raise the funds re-
quired for the erection of the costly St. James' Church, he
courageously discarded the methods of "fairs and picnics," and
raised the money by personal effort, in subscriptions and collec-
tions from the people of the parish. Had Archbishop Riordan
effected no other or greater work in his life than that which he
accomplished in St. James' Parish, Chicago, from 1871 to 18S3, he
CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY.
would have left splendid testimony to his zeal and ability as a
pastor and his qualities as an administrator and teacher. Proud as
the people of St. James' Parish were at the signal distinction con-
ferred upon their beloved pastor, they were with difficulty recon-
ciled to his removal, and so, when the time of his departure for San
Francisco arrived, there was sorrow in every Catholic home and
heart, not alone in the immediate parish, but throughout the city.
On his arrival at the boundary line of his future archdiocese, he
was warmly welcomed by Archbishop Alemanny in person, by a
large company of priests, and bv a delegation of the leading
citizens of San Francisco. Since then, Archbishop Alemanny has
formally resigned the archbishopric, and, after a long and heroic
career of labor and toil, surrendered to his successor, the See of
San Francisco. This was accomplished in 1SS5, and Most Rev.
Patrick W. Riordan is npw, accordingly, in full possession of the
dignity and responsibilities of that great office. The solemnity of
conferring and receiving the Pallium will occurin September, 1S85.
The Church of the Holy Family. — In 1857,
there were very few inhabitants in West Chicago, south
of VanBuren Street. In this field, unpromising as it
appeared, Rev. Father Arnold Damen, S. J., who was
sent to Chicago by the Jesuits* of Missouri, in response
to the invitation of Bishop O'Regan, determined to es-
tablish a parish and erect a church, and this, too,
against the advice of Right Rev. Bishop O'Regan, who
the selection of Chicago by the Jesuits, for
the following well known distich may be
* As illustrating the reason
the building up of a targe eh
subjoined :
" Rernardus, valles, montes Renedtctus amabat
Oppida, Fiaoi iscus, magnas Ignatius tirbes."
402
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
desired Father Damen to take charge of the Church of
the Holy Name, then in course of erection, but nearly
finished! Father Damen was also offered a fine site
for his proposed church near Union Park, where, be-
sides the ground being donated, money would have
been subscribed to erect the church at once. But he
purchased the lot bounded by Eleventh, May and
Twelfth streets, in the spring of 1857, and immediately
set to work to erect a large wooden, temporary chapel
on Eleventh Street. This was completed, and opened
for religious service on July 4, 1857, and in it mass was
said and sen-ice held until the completion, in i860, of
the magnificent edifice known since as the Church of
the Holy Family. Starting this church -building in
1S57. the year of the financial crisis, seemed like in-
PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY.
viting failure. Its completion would have been a feat
impossible of accomplishment to the congregation with-
out extraneous assistance. Subscriptions were taken
throughout Chicago and other cities, and even in for-
eign countries. The building of the church was eagerly
watched by the Catholic population; and in less than
three years from the laying of the corner-stone, the
consecration ceremonies took place. Ten bishops and
thirty priests participated in the consecration ; and the
immense edifice was completely filled early in the day.
The ceremonies were conducted by Right Rev. James
Duggan, D.D., Bishop of Chicago; solemn pontifical high
mass by Right Rev. Dr. Lafevre, Bishop of Detroit ;
Very Rev. Dennis Dunne acted as assistant priest, and
Rev. D. Butler was master of ceremonies. The conse-
cration sermon was delivered by Archbishop Kendrick,
of St. Louis, who preached in English, and Bishop
Henni, of Milwaukee, who preached in German.
The church-edifice is of plain Gothic style of archi-
tecture, and has a pointed spire. The belfry contains
a chime of three bells and a clock with four dials. The
church, exclusive of the galleries, has a seating capacity
of two thousand. In the rear are two galleries, the
upper one being for the choir and organ. The organ
is an instrument of great beauty and power, and cost
$25,000, which sum was raised by the exertions of Rev.
C. F. Smarius, S. J., the great orator and missionary,
by means of lectures and personal effort. It was built
in Montreal, by Louis Mitchel. The formal opening
of the organ took place October 21, 1870. The main
altar and statuary of the chancel cost $25,000; the side
altars of St. Joseph and B. V. Mary cost $6,000; and
the total cost of the church was not less than $130,000.
The stations of the cross are represented by valuable
oil paintings, costing over $7,000, which were presented
to the Church. The basement of the building is hand-
somely fitted up, and contains a chapel for the use of
the various societies attached to the Church, and for the
special instruction of candidates for first communion
and confirmation. In 1S65, the church was furnished
with a new altar, built by Anthony Bucher, of Chicago,
and dedicated Octo-
ber 15, 1S65.
A building was
erected, in 1862, west
of the church, for the
residence of the cler-
gymen and priests of
the order. This build-
ing is now used for
society purposes. In
1864, Father Damen
built a school for boys,
a few blocks east of the
church. The building
is very large, is fin-
ished and furnished in
an elaborate style, and
is well attended by
scholars. The teach-
ers are members of
the Society of Jesus.
A school for the girls
of the congregation is
located a few blocks
west.
Belonging to the
church are several lay
societies, of which the
principal ones are the
following: The Sodality for young ladies, St. Ann's
Sodality for married ladies, the Gentlemen's Sodality,
and a Sodality of the Holy Angels, composed of boys.
Rev. Arnold Damen, S. J., occupied the position
of Superior in the Church of the Holy Family, from
1857 to October 10, 1872. The various pastors of this
church have been the following: Rev. C. Truyens,
from 1857 to 1859 ; Rev. Jacob Bouchard, 1857 to
i860; Rev. Michael J. Corbett, 1859 to 1862; Rev.
Ignatius Maes, 1859 ; Rev. John Coveny, i860; Rev.
Peter Tschieder, i860 to 1862 ; Rev. Maurice Oakley,
1861 ; Rev. Cornelius F. Smarius, 1861 to 1869; Rev.
George Watson, 1861 ; Rev. James M. Converse,
1862 to 1865 ; Rev. Dominic Niederkorn, 1863 to 1876;
Rev. Benedict Masselis, 1863 ; Rev. Michael J. Lawlor,
1863 to 1866 ; Rev. Andrew O'Neil, 1864 to 1884 ;
Rev. John DeBlieck, 1864 to 1871; Rev. John F.
O'Neil, 1866 to 1868; Rev. Florentine J. Boudreaux,
1865 to 1869; Rev. Maurice Oakley, 1866 to 1873;
Rev. John Setters, 1868 to the present time; Rev.
John Schultz, 1869 to 1877 ; Rev. John S. Verdin,
1869 to 1871 ; Rev. Michael Van Agt, 1869 to 1874;
Rev. Van der Hayden, 1871.
Rev. Arnold Damen, S. J., was born in the province of
North Brabant, Holland, March 20, 1815. In 1837, Rev. Father
DeSmet, the illustrious missionary among the Indians of the Rocky
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
403
Mountains, returned from Belgium to the United States, having
made arrangements to accompany Rev. David Duparc, a secular
priest, who was returning to the diocese of Bardstown, Ky. They
were joined by Messrs. Arnold Damen, Francis D'Hope and
Adrian Hendricks, all of whom made the journey through France
to Paris, and thence to Havre, by stage-coach. At the latter place
Rev. John S. Gleizal was added to the party. They were detained
at the hospital at Havre du Grace live days, owing to the sickness
FATHER ARNOLD DAMEN, S.J.
of Father DeSmet ; but though his physician forbade his attempt-
ing the voyage, he and Rev. David Duparc engaged a boat, and
joined the others after the vessel in which they were to sail had
weighed anchor. Father Damen and his young companions
reached Florissant, Mo., and were admitted as novices November
I, 1837. After his novitiate, he was transferred to the St. Louis
University, where he served as a teacher, and at the same time
pursued his studies of philosophy and theology until 1844, when
he was ordained priest. He was then assigned to parochial duties,
and subsequently became the pastor of the College Church in St.
Louis where he remained until 1857, and while occupying that
position established sodalities for the young men and young
women of the parish, and also built a hall for their special use.
In 1857, Bishop O'Regan invited Rev. J. R Druyts, provincial of
the |esuits in Missouri, to found a church and school in Chicago.
The sagacious provincial perceived that the offer was one furnish-
ing an opportunity full of future promise, and judged that a priest
better qualified for the work than Rev. Arnold Damen was not at
his disposal. Father Damen was, therefore, chosen for the mis-
sion, and, accompanied by Rev. Charles Truyens, reached Chicago
early in May, 1857. The location selected for the new church was
on Twelfth Street, between May Street«and Blue Island Avenue.
The corner-stone of the Holy Family Church was blessed by
Bishop O'Regan August 25, 1S57, and the church was dedicated
August 15, i860. A dwelling for the Fathers was located on the
corner of Twelfth and May streets in 1S61 ; the St. Ignatius Col-
lege was begun in 1869. and classes were organized in it in Sep-
tember, 1870. Five parochial schools were erected, in which
nearly five thousand children, each year, receive elementary educa-
tion. When Father Damen first organized the parish, in 1857,
almost all that portion of the city was unredeemed prairie, while
there is now attached to the Holy Family Church a congregation
of upward of twenty-five thousand souls. All that locality speed-
ily was settled by a population, drawn thither by the piety and
untiring zeal of Father Damen. His style of preaching and elo-
quence is peculiarly adapted to the tastes and understanding of
the masses, who throng to hear him, and, whether as a missionary
in the large cities of the East or in his own capacious Holy Family
Church, he is equally powerful and indefatigable
Rev. Cornelius F. Smarius, the celebrated Jesuit mission-
ary, was born at Thilburg, North Brabant, March 3, 1S23. From
his earliest years he was a model of piety to his fellow-students,
whom he incited, not only by precept but also by example, to the
love and practice of virtue. During those years he gave indications
of the remarkable powers of oratory which in after life so distin-
guished him. In 1841, in company with four others, he embarked
for America for the purpose of entering the Jesuit Novitiate in
Florissant, Mo., and on the 13th of November, 1843, he took the
usual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Prior to his ordina-
tion in 1849, he gave a course of Sunday evening lectures in St.
Louis, which drew large audiences. For many vears he was pro-
fessor of rhetoric in St. Xavier College, Cincinnati and afterward
held the same professorship in the St. Louis University. In 1852,
he was sent to St. John's College, Fordham, N. V., where he
spent two years in close application to those studies
which were deemed necessary to finish his entire
course. In 1855, he returned to St. Louis, where he
-_ „-A. obtained great fame as a pulpit orator. In 1858, he
-- < ~ was appointed pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church,
§5^^ in St. Louis, and, during a pastorate of about two
^SJ?^--1- years, he delivered a course of lectures on religious
subjects remarkable for brilliant oratory and pro-
found erudition. Several of these lectures were pub-
lished in a volume entitled "' Points of Controversy."
of which a number of editions were issued. For the
last ten years of his life, he was engaged as a mis-
sionary. During nine months of the year he was
accustomed to preach, often three and four times a
day, for weeks together, to immense audiences. The
three remaining months of the year were occupied in
giving retreats to the clergy of different dioceses and
the inmates of religious houses throughout the coun-
try. It was doubtless owing to his exertions in the
performance of these arduous duties that his death
occurred at the early age of forty-seven. Rev. Cor-
nelius F. Smarius was a very large man, weighing
over three hundred pounds, was gifted with a com-
manding presence and with a voice of unusual depth
and volume. He was an accomplished musician and
remarkably talented in many ways. He died March
1, 1S70, in Chicago, and was buried, on the 3d, in
Calvary Cemetery. The funeral oration was preached
by Rev. F. P. Garesche, S. J., of Milwaukee.
Rev. Michael J. Lawlok, S. J., for many years a prominent
member of the Society of Jesus, and treasurer of St. Ignatius Col-
iege, was born in Dublin, Ireland, May 25, 1825. He studied for
the priesthood at Maynooth College. After coming to the United
States, and before receiving orders, he accepted a position as
teacher in the Catholic schools of Cincinnati. He entered the Jes-
uit Novitiate in 185 1, and was assigned to professor's work in St.
Xavier College, Cincinnati, and at the St. Louis University. He
belonged to the priesthood from that time until his death. His
valuable services were divided between Cincinnati and Chicago. In
this city he was treasurer of the order, and in the management of
its financial affairs was remarkably successful, as their splendid
structures testify. In the discharge of his duties as one of the pas-
tors of the Church of the Holy Family he was zealous and generous.
As a preacher he was clear, logical and persuasive, and his charac-
ter was adorned with the highest virtues. He was for many years
a patient sufferer from a painful malady, which finally shattered
his vigorous constitution, and of which he died on June iS, 1879.
Rev. Maurice Oakley, S. J., one of the pastors of the
Church of the Holy Family, was born December 21, 1814. in
Grammont, otherwise Geertsbergen, East Flanders. His family was
in affluent circumstances, and he received as good an education as
could be obtained He had just finished his Latin course, when,
in 1S30, the Belgian Revolution broke out. Notwithstanding his
youth, he shouldered a musket, and fought in the war. The war
ceasing, he cast about for a profession, hesitating for some time
between jurisprudence and medicine. While thus in doubt, he met
Father DeSmet, the famous Jesuit missionary, and at his instiga-
tion, entered the seminary in Ghent, having in view the secular
priesthood. After studying two years, he came to this country, and
landed in New York City December 21, 1S34. He entered the
novitiate of the Jesuit Fathers February 2, 1S35, and received his
first appointment in St. Louis, his journey from New York to St.
Louis occupying about a month. He remained at this first mission
4°4
HISTORY OF CHICAGO
until 1S40, as professor in the Jesuit College, the only institution
of the kind then in the West. lie was then transferred to Cincin-
nati, as vice-president of the St. Xavier College, and on December
21, 1S42, was ordained priest by Bishop Kenrick. In 1843, he
was sent to take charge of the College of St. Charles, in Grand
Couteau. La., and it was there he took the name of Oakley, to
accommodate his French parishioners, to whom his name of Mauri-
tius Van Den Evcken was too unwieldly. Soon afterward he was
transferred to St. Louis, as professor and vice-president of the
lesuit College, where he remained until 1S55; when he went to
Bardstown, Ky., and thence to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was
made president of St. Xavier College, and served in that position
until 1S61. Upon the breaking out of the war, he was transferred
to his present pastorate in connection with the Church of the Holy
Family. Father Oakley is a musician of rare ability, and has
educated numerous church choirs. Mozart's Twelfth Mass, for
choir and orchestra, was his first great production in this city, at
the dedication, in i860, of the Holy Family Church. He is one of
the oldest and most highly respected of the Jesuit Fathers of
Chicago.
The Church of the Holy Name. — The history of
this Church was given in the first volume, to the com-
pletion of the new and elegant brick edifice, and the first
celebration of mass therein on Christmas day, 1854.
The building there described was used for a Church,
and most of the time as the Cathedral for the diocese,
until destroyed by the great fire of October 9, 187 1.
The various pastors, with their assistants, from 1857 to
1S71 were as follows: In 1857, Rev. Matthew Dillon,
with Rev. Mr. Mahan as his assistant; in 1858 and
1859, Rev. Michael Lyons and Rev. William Edwards,
assistant ; in i860, Very Rev. Dennis Dunne, S. J., was
appointed pastor of the Cathedral; and, in 1862, Rev. J.
P. Roles became pastor, and continued in that capacity
until 1868, when he was removed by Bishop Duggan.
His various assistants were as follows: In 1862, Rev.
John H. Grogan ; in 1863, Rev. T. F. McGivern ; in
1864, Rev. Mr. Walsh ; in 1865, Rev. P. M. Flannagan ;
in 1866, Rev. P. O'Neil; in 1868, Rev. Joseph H. Doyle
The successor of Rev. J. P. Roles was Rev. T. Quigley,
In 1870, Rt. Rev. Thomas Foley became adjutor-bishop
of the diocese, and appointed Rev. John McMullen
pastor, with two assistants, Rev. P. M. Flannagan and
Rev. E. J. Guerin. During this administration came
[EDRAL OF THE HOLY NAME.
who acted as administrator of the Cathedral in the
interval between the removal of Bishop Duggan and the
beginning of the administration of Bishop Foley ; and
in 1870, the pastor in charge was Rev. Joseph II. Doyle
RUINS, CATHEDRAL OF THE HOLY NAME.
the great fire of 187 1, inflicting a loss upon the parish
of about $300,000.
Academy of the Holy Name. — This institution
was first opened in 1858, in a small building on Huron
Street, near State. It was under the care of the Sisters
of Charity, while Rev. Father Joseph P. Roles (then
connected with the Church of the Holy Name) was
chaplain, and exercised advisory control in matters
temporal as well as spiritual. The attendance was
good from the beginning, and the institution soon found
its quarters too small to accommodate its increasing
number of pupils. In 1861, through the efforts of
Father Roles, an old college building, which had been
moved from its former site, and located at Nos. 295-97
Huron Street, was obtained, and the Sisters transferred
their school thither. The institution grew, year by
year, in both numbers and influence, until the destruc-
cion of the building in the fire of 1871. The Academy
was not re-opened after the fire, the present School of
the Holy Name being an entirely distinct institution
from the former, and under the charge of a different
religious order.
Rev. Joseph P. Roles was born at Halifax, Nova Scotia,
May 23, 1830. He is of mixed English and Irish ancestry — his
father, Joseph Roles, being of English parentage, and his mother,
Elizabeth (Burn) Roles, being of Irish parentage, though born in
America. Rev. Joseph P. Roles was educated at St. Mary's Col-
lege, Halifax, Nova Scotia, until he arrived at his seventeenth year.
He then went to France to prepare for the Catholic ministry, and
pursued the philosophical course of study at the Grand Seminary at
Arras in the north of France, where he remained live years, study-
ing the scriptures, the usual theological branches, the sciences and
philosophy, and the Latin, Greek and French languages. From
this seminary he graduated in 1852, and immediately returned to
Halifax, where he was ordained. After his ordination, he was for
two years president of St. Mary's College, at Halifax, and was then
for seven years missionary among the Acadians, serving them at
various churches. In i860, at the invitation of Right Rev. Bishop
Duggan, he came to Chicago and assumed the duties of the vice-
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
4°5
presidency of the University of St. Mary's of the Lake. He was
then for about one year pastor of St. Louis' Church, a parish which,
since the great tire of 1S71, has been fused with the parish of St.
Mary's. During his pastorate at St. Louis' Church he preached to
the French congregation in their own languge. He was then ap-
pointed to the Church of the Holy Name, remaining until 1866.
He was subsequently appointed pastor of St. Mary's Church, Rock
Island, III., where he remained from 1S72 to 1S7S, in which latter
year he returned to Chicago, and became pastor of St. Mary's
Church, a position he still retains. Rev. Mr Roles was the editor
and publisher of the first illustrated Catholic Sunday-school paper
published in the United States, the publication of which was con-
tinued four or five years while he was pastor of the Church of the
Holy Name He was also a contributor to The Month, a periodi-
cal issued from the University of St. Mary's of the Lake. He also
has some reputation as a lecturer on architecture, the catacombs
and other subjects.
St. Michael's Church. — The history of this Church
was, in the preceding volume, brought down to the time
it was taken charge of by the Redemptorist Fathers in
i860. The first of this order of priests to take
charge of St. Michael's Church was Very Rev. Joseph
Muller, C.S.S.R., and his then assistants were Father
Jacobs and Rev. George Roesch. In 1 863, the latter
became pastor of the Church, and had as assistants Rev.
Albert Schaeffer and, in 1864, Rev. Charles Hahn. In
1S65, Rev. Theodore Majerus was added to the number
of assistants. In 1866, Rev. Peter Zimmer became
pastor, and had, as assistants, Revs. Albert S. C. Stise-
bergen, John B. Kulhn and F. Wissel. In 1868, his as-
sistants were Revs. Joseph Wissel, Charles Rosenbauer,
Francis Oberle and Theodore Majerus. In 1869-70,
the pastoral force was the same. In the latter year the
church-building at the corner of North Avenue and
Church Street (now Hudson Avenue) became too small
for the congregation, and a new brick edifice was erected
at the southeast corner of Hurlbut and Linden (now
Eugenie) streets. This was a very large brick building
two hundred feet long by eighty feet wide, with a tower
surmounted by a low steeple containing a chime of bells,
and costing $200,000. This building soon after its com-
tor of this Church until 1873. His assistants in 1871
were the Revs. L. Holzers, Theodore Majerus, Francis
Van Emstede, Charles Hahn and Hugo Victor.
St. John's Church. — This congregation was organ-
ized June 24, 1859, by Rev. John VValdron, who for
ST. MICHAEL S CHURCH.
pletion passed through the ordeal of the great fire; but,
on account of the faithful manner in which the walls had
been originally constructed, they remained substantially
intact. The steeple, however, was burned, and the bells
fell to the ground. Rev. Peter Zimmer remained rec-
RUINS, ST. MICHAEL S CHURCH.
some years had been pastor of St. Louis' Church. The
building was erected at the corner of Clark and Old
streets. It was at first a frame structure, which would
seat about three hundred people, and cost $3,500. In
1864, and again in 1866, it was enlarged; and after the
second enlargement it seated about fifteen hundred
people and had cost $20,000, including the land
and the organ. The latter was erected in 1864,
and cost $2,500. The original building was dedi-
cated October 30, 1859, the services being con-
ducted by Right Rev. James Duggan, Bishop of
Chicago, assisted by Revs. John Waldron, Dennis
Dunne, Arnold Damen, Patrick Dillon and Very
Rev. Father Higginbotham.
In 1864, a frame school-house was built at a
cost of $4,000, which was afterward sold to St.
Louis' Church. In 1869, a second school- house
was erected on Clark Street, just north of the
church, which is still standing. It is a four-story
brick structure, and cost, including the land belong-
ing to it, $75,000. It will accommodate fifteen
hundred scholars. Previous to 1874, the boys in
this school were taught by lay teachers; since that
time they have been instructed by seven Christian
Brothers. The girls have always been taught by
Sisters of Mercy from the Academy of St. Xavier,
now located at the corner of Wabash Avenue and
Twenty-ninth Street. Rev. John Waldron has
been continuously pastor of this Church since its
establishment. Up to 1868 he had no assistant,
but in that year he was assisted by Rev. T. Ley-
don, and by Rev. P. H. McGuire from 1870 to 1873.
Rev. John Waldron, pastor of St. John's Catholic Church,
was born in 1830, in Ballyhannis, County Mayo, Ireland, and is
the son of John and Mary (Sweeney) Waldron. He was educated
at St. Jarlath's College, a theological seminary at Tuam, County
Galway, Ireland, which institution was then in charge of the fa-
mous Archbishop McIIale, the " Lion of the Fold of Judah," one
406
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
of the ablest Catholic prelates of his time. Father Waldron came
to America in 1*46. and in 1S49 entered St. Vincent College, Cape
Girardeau, Mo., conducted by the Holy Fathers of. the Mission.
While in that institution his eminent abilities and saintly character
won for him the respect, admiration, and the warm affection of pro-
fessors and fellow-students. Having, in 1S54, graduated from St.
Vincent's College, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop
O'Regan, in St. Mary's Church, Chicago, September 22, 1855, and
was immediately appointed to the charge of St. Louis' Church,
corner of Polk and Sherman streets. He remained pastor of that
Church until October 30, 1S59, at which time he commenced his
pastorate of St. John's Church, having obtained permission
of the Bishop to" erect a church at the corner of Clark and
Old (Eighteenth) streets. In 1S69, with his characteristic zeal for
the religious education of the children of the parish, he erected a
fine school house, at a cost of $75. 000, in which the children are
now taught bv eight Christian Brothers and nine Sisters of Mercy.
In this school there is an average attendance of three hundred boys
and three hundred and twenty-five girls. About 1870, Rev. Mr.
Waldron preached a sermon on " Boots before Books," which was
much talked about, and gave him a commendable notoriety.
Father Waldron, although essentially a church man, has always
been a public-spirited citizen. He became conspicuous by his op-
position to the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern and the Rock
Island railroads, and it was mainly through his efforts that these
roads were compelled to vacate Clark Street from Twelfth to
Twenty-second Street, in 1S76. On October 7, 1877, the corner-
stone of the new St. John's Church was laid with much pomp and
ceremony, and it was" dedicated October 2, 1881. Father Waldron,
one of the oldest priests in Chicago, is never happy unless en-
gaged in some work for the benefit of his parish and the human
race at large. His parish grew very rapidly until crippled by the
Western Indiana Railroad, which cut a wide swath through it,
causing the transfer and destruction of upwards of three hundred
houses and the removal of at least that number of families.
Many of his parishioners located in other parts of the city; but he
has made his parish what it is, built its schools, erected its present
substantial and elegantly finished church-edifice, which cost over
$130,000. exclusive of the ground upon which it stands, and is the
only priest in the West who has celebrated his twenty fifth anni-
versary in connection with the same parish.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception
was established by Rev. Father Edwards, early in
1859, at the corner of Franklin and Schiller streets.
During that summer, at a cost of $17,000, he erected a
church-edifice on lots he had purchased, which building-
was dedicated by the Right Rev. Bishop Duggan on
March 25, i860. Upon his death, in 1861, he was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Thaddeus J. Butler, now familiarly
known as Dr. Butler, who remained pastor of the
Church until 1870, when he was under the necessity of
retiring from active duty, and of going abroad for the
benefit of his sight. Most of the time during his pas-
torate he was without assistants. In the year 1867, he
erected a school-house at a cost of $8,000. In 1870,
he was succeeded by his brother, Rev. Patrick T. But-
ler, the present pastor. In 1871, the Rev. P. T. Butler
made extensive improvements on the old church-build-
ing and erected upon it a steeple, at a total expense of
about $3,000. Before the paint was dry, the great fire
of October of that year destroyed the entire property
of the parish, causing a loss of $33,000.
St. Joseph's Church. — The history of this Church
commences in this volume with the year 1861, at which
time it was taken charge of by the Benedictine Fathers.
The first member of this order to assume the pastorate
of this Church was Rev. Louis Maria Fink, now Bishop
of Leavenworth, Kansas, who took charge of the parish
June 13, 1861, and remained until May 30, 1868. The
next member of the order to come to the Church was
Rev. M. Corbinian, who came also in the year 1861.
During the pastorate of Rev. Louis M. Fink, a church-
building was erected on the northeast corner of Chi-
cago Avenue and Cass Street. It was commenced in
1862, and so far completed as to be used for public-
worship in .the latter part of that year. On the 2d of
November, during religious services, the gallery gave
way, and its occupants were precipitated to the floor
below, injuring many seriously, but none fatally. The
building, when completed, would seat one thousand
people, and cost $60,000. It was dedicated March 19,
1865. The successor to Rev. Louis M. Fink was Rev.
Leander Schmerr, who remained until April, 1873.
During his pastorate, the great fire destroyed the
church, inflicting a loss on the parish of about $100,000.
RUINS, ST. JOSEPH S CHURCH.
St. Boniface Church. — This Church was started,
in 1865, by a number of Germans, before a priest was
assigned them. They also erected a small church-edi-
fice, in the spring and summer of that year, on land at
the corner of Cornell and Noble streets, at a cost of
$2,500. In the fall of 1865, Rev. Philip Albrecht was
sent to this congregation as its priest. He remained
until 1867, when he was succeeded by Rev. James Mar-
shal, who, in November, 1869, was succeeded by Rev.
Clement Venn. Father Venn remained sole pastor of
the Church until 1878, when he had his first assistant.
During the first four years of the existence of the
parish, it had increased in numbers to about one hun-
dred and fifty families. The membership then steadily
augmented until the great fire having destroyed business
houses, residences and churches to the eastward and
southward, many families moved into the neighborhood
of the Church, and it received sudden and large acces-
sions to its congregation.
Previous to the establishment of the Church itself, a
school had been started on Chicago Avenue by a lady,
with from fifty to sixty scholars. When, in 1865, the
church-building was commenced, the school was moved
to a small frame school-house erected contiguous thereto.
This served the purposes until 1873, when it was en-
larged by Rev. Clement Venn to double its capacity,
and the number of the Sisters engaged in tuition was
increased to eight— six of them thenceforth being en-
gaged in the school and two at the "Sister's House."
St. Paul's Church was established in 1868, at the
corner of Mather and Clinton streets, by members from
the Church of St. Francis D'Assissium. Rev. John
McMullen was pastor in 1869, and Rev. John Kilkenny
in 1870-71, until the buildings were destroyed by the
great fire occurring that year. The church-edifice cost
$15,000, the priest's residence $3,000, and the parish
school $5,000; the total loss was, therefore, $23,000.
The organization of the Church, upon the destruction of
the buildings, was suffered to lapse, and some years af-
terward, in order to keep alive the name, the Church
now located at South Hoyne Avenue and Ambrose
Street was organized and named St. Paul's.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
407
Rev. Ferdinand Kalvelage, pastor of the Church of St.
Francis d" Assissium, was born June 27, 1S29, in Lohne, Olden-
burg, Germany. In 1847, he came to America, landing in New
Orleans on the 10th of November of that year, and arriving in Chi-
cago on the 10th of the following month. He was received into
the Seminary of St. Mary's of the Lake, by the Right Rev. William
Quarter, first bishop of Chicago, and continued his studies in the
University of St. Mary's of the Lake. His education was finished
at the seminary at Carondelet, near St. Louis, Mo , and he was or-
dained priest by the Most Rev. Archbishop Kendrick, of St. Louis,
June 10, 1854. His first mission was at Freeport, 111., where he
went July 20 of that year. He came to his present charge July
19, 1859. His parish is one of the largest in the city, and he has
been unusually successful.
St. Francis Xavier's Female Academy. — In
September, 1846, a small band of the order of Sisters
of Mercy arrived in this city, to perform such duties as
were necessary, under the auspices of Bishop Quarter.
They came from Pittsburg, Penn., where the order was
first established in this country, and their particular
mission was to found schools for Roman Catholic chil-
dren, a want then greatly felt. On the 24th of that
month, work was commenced by the organizing of the
St.' Francis Xavier's Academy for Females, in a frame
building on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Madi-
son Street. They remained there but one year, moving
the following September to a new brick building on
Wabash Avenue, near Madison Street, which had been
erected for the purpose at a cost of about $4,000, $3,000
of which sum was contributed by Bishop Quarter from
the fund Propagandi FiJci. The lot upon which the
building stood belonged to the Church, and did not
come into possession of the order until 1856. When
the Sisters first arrived, Bishop Quarter donated to
them a large tract of land on the North Side, then
comparatively valueless; but as the city grew, the Church
found uses for this property, and so exchanges were
made, and the order gained possession of the ground
upon which the building stood.
In 1847, the Convent was incorporated by the Legis-
lature. In 1859, the building was further improved and
enlarged, at a cost of $5,000; and in 1S65, the school
had so increased in numbers that a new building was
erected in the same block, at a cost of $32,000, and
was devoted to the uses of the academy and the teach-
ers, while the old building was occupied as the Convent
and a House of Providence. When the school was first
opened, the pupils numbered ten boarders, forty day-
scholars ; and a parochial school, having fifty members,
was maintained in an old building, near to St Mary's
Church, corner of Wabash Avenue and Madison Street.
In 1871, there were about forty-five boarders, eighty
day-scholars, and the number of teachers had increased
to ten, while twelve teachers had charge of parochial
schools in the parish of St. John's Church, corner Clark
and Eighteenth streets, — St. Louis', Clark Street, near
Polk ; St. Mary's, Wabash Avenue and Madison Street;
and St. James', Prairie Avenue, near Twenty-sixth
Street, all of which were well attended. The Mothers
Superior of the Convent, who are elected for a term of
three years, are, ex officio, principals of the Academy.
The first Mother Superior was Sister Mary Agatha
O'Brien, who served from May, 1846, to the time of
her death, July 8, 1854. She was succeeded by Sister
Mary Paula Ruth, who died in August, 1855, and was
followed by Sister Mary Vincent McGirr, who retired
at the end of her term, May 18, 1858, to give place to
Sister Frances Mulholland, who remained in office till
May, 1867. Sister Mary Scholastica Drum was then
chosen, and served two terms. The Academy is not in
the ordinary sense a charitable school, as board and
tuition are charged ; although, when it is shown that
the applicant is worthy of assis'.Snce, the necessary
instruction and help are furnishec
Rev. John Carroi.i., the oldest Catholic priest in the United
States, was born June 30, 179S, in Queens County, Ireland, and
is the son of John and Catharine (Burke) Carroll. He was edu-
cated at the Maryborough Academy, kept by a Catholic priest named
Gaynar ; and when this priest moved to Athy, in the County Kil-
dare, young Carroll followed him, and there enjoyed the benefits of
his teaching. In 1817, he came to America, and attended the clas-
sical and theological school at Quebec. He was ordained June
29, 1820, and was pastor of St. Peter's Church at Halifax, Nova
Scotia, until 1825. From that time to 1832, he was pastor of St.
Malachi's Church, at St. John's, New Brunswick. He was then
pastor of churches at Toronto, Niagara Falls and Suspension
Bridge, until December, 1869, when he came to Chicago ; and, in
1S70, was assigned to the Catholic Church at Woodstock, McIIenry
Co., 111., in which position he remained until 1877, when he became
chaplain of the Catholic Orphan Asylum, at Thirty-fifth Street,
Chicago. He was retained in this position until 18S3, when, on
account of an accident, he was crippled, and was then sent to Mercy
Hospital, at the corner of Calumet Avenue and Twenty-sixth
Street, where he now resides.
THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE.
In 1852, after the death of Bishop Chase, Rev.
Henry John Whitehouse, D.D., succeeded to the juris-
diction of the Episcopate of Illinois, and remained in
that position until his death, August 10, 1874. In 1858,
at the opening of the period covered by this volume,
there were seventy-eight parishes and sixty clergymen in
the diocese. Twelve of these clergymen were residents of
Chicago, only nine of whom were in active service in the
city. The first regular visitation of Bishop Whitehouse
in Chicago, for this year, was made January 17, when he
preached in the Church of the Atonement, owing to the
vacancy in the rectorship, caused by the resignation of
Rev. Dudley Chase.
One question that troubled the diocese during the
early years of the episcopate of Bishop Whitehouse
was that of his residence. The diocese was poor, and
found it difficult to raise funds to pay ordinary ex-
penses; and the uncertainty as to whether the bishop
would remove into the diocese and remain permanently
at its head, rendered the parishes less hearty in respond-
ing to appeals for this purpose than would otherwise
have been the case. The bishop in fact did, in 1855,
tender his resignation, but the House of Bishops de-
clined to accept it. For some years the diocese failed
to provide a sufficient amount to meet current expenses.
In 1863, the sum due the bishop had increased to
$7,232.14, and the trustees made provisions for its pay-
ment by the issuance of three-years' bonds, bearing six
per cent, semi-annual interest. The next year the Con-
vention, in order to provide for the payment of these
bonds at maturity and for other purposes, resolved that
a fund should be established, to be termed "The En-
dowment Fund of the Protestant Episcopal Church in
the Diocese of Illinois." The plan adopted for raising
the money was that of individual five-cent weekly con-
tributions, which was pursued with success for a few
years. In 1869, no money was collected for this
fund, and the committee believed that the plan could
not be successfully prosecuted so long as the bonded
debt existed. The efforts of the diocese were, there-
fore, turned toward the liquidation of the debt; and in
1870, the amount still unpaid on the bonded debt was
only $1,690, and the entire indebtedness amounted to
only $4,805.
In 1S55, two lots were deeded by Cyremus Beers to
Bishop Whitehouse, for the purpose of erecting upon
them a "Bishop's Churcli " and a private residence.
40S
HISTORY OF CHICAGO
These were Lots 2 and 3, in Block 8. Fractional Section
15, Addition to Chicago. On account of certain diffi-
culties, the original intention of erecting a church-edifice
in this locality was never executed. In June, 1S60, an
agreement was made between Bishop Whitehouse and
Cyrenius Beers, according to which the former received
$6,000 for the two lots. This transaction was a discretion-
arv movement for the provision of a " Bishop's Church,"
which object was attained in 1S62, by the purchase of the
property of the Church of the Atonement for $4,000. The
building was enlarged and improved in appearance, until
it became one of the finest specimens of church architec-
ture in the West. In 186S. the following gentlemen were
appointed canons of the Bishop's Church, which had
become the Cathedral : Rev. C. P. Dorset, Rev. J. H.
Knowles and Rev. G. C. Street. During that year a
fine organ, valued at $5,000, was placed in the church.
In 1S69, Rev. G. J. Magill took the place of Canon
Dorset; and in 1870, Rev. Mr. Magill retired, leaving but
two canons. In 1868, the total amount of money contrib-
uted by this Church was $7,575; in 1S69, it was $3,496;
and in 1S70, $3,865. No report was made to the Con-
vention in 1S71.
The trustees of the diocese were incorporated in
1849, and in 1853 the bishop was empowered to hold
property for religious and educational purposes. On
the 2 1 st of February, 1861, an act of the Legislature of
Illinois was approved, by which certain additional
powers were conferred upon the trustees, and duties
were imposed upon them which the Convention thought
would, if assumed and exercised, jeopardise a large
amount of property, by confusing the chain of title, etc.,
and in its operation would wrest from the bishop rights
and immunities which he possessed by virtue of his of-
fice, and of which he could not be deprived by any mere
legislative action. In view of these facts, the act of
1861 was deemed unconstitutional and void; and as its
passage was procured without the knowledge or sanc-
tion of the Convention, the bishop was advised to dis-
regard it, and was assured that in so doing he would be
sustained by the Convention and the diocese. The
bishop and Standing Committee were appointed to
memorialize the Legislature to restore the original pro-
visions of the acts of 1849 and 1853 and to repeal the
act of 1861. In 1865, this committee was obliged to
report to the Convention that all efforts to secure the
desired legislation had proved, abortive, and adhered to
its determination expressed in 1861. In 1866, the State
and diocese maintained the same relations with regard
to this question.
The most important event of the episcopate of
Bishop Whitehouse was the trial of Rev. C. E. Cheney
for violation of the canons, a full account of which
may be found in connection with the history of Chris:
Church.
This account of the Diocese of Illinois may appro-
priately close, in this volume, with a summary of its
progress during the first twenty years of the episcopate
of Bishop Whitehouse. At the time of his election
there were twenty-six clergymen connected with the
diocese. The entire number connected with it, down to
vas two hundred and seventy-one, and there
were ninety-one at that time in connection. Bishop
Whitehouse ordained to the diaconate fifty-five per-
sons, and to the priesthood fifty-four; of the latter,
three had ieen priests of the Roman Catholic Church,
and one of the National Church of Sweden — the Rev.
Jacob Bredberg, of St. Ansgarius' Church. The par-
ishes had increased from forty-nine to one hundred and
eight, in union with the Convention. The humblest
building in existence in the diocese in 1872, was supe-
rior to the best in 1852; and many of them in use, or to
be in use as soon as they could be restored from the de-
struction of the great Chicago fire, were edifices which,
for size and architectural beauty, were equal to any in
the United States. During these twenty years, the
bishop made eleven hundred and fifty-one visitations ;
confirmed nine thousand one hundred and sixty-seven
persons ; officiated at six hundred and ten baptisms,
sixty-three marriages and fifty-five funerals ; delivered
twenty-five hundred sermons and one thousand confirm-
ation addresses; and traveled two hundred and twenty-
ty-five thousand miles. The growth of the Episcopal
Church in the diocese is shown by the simple statement
that, in 1832, the communicants numbered one in six
hundred and sixty-eight of the population, while in
1872, they were as one to four hundred and thirty, and
the membership was as one to one hundred and thirty
of the entire population. Besides the churches the his-
tories of which are appended, four others — Calvary,
Church of Our Saviour, Church of the Epiphany, and
All Saints — were organized only shortly prior to 1871,
and their histories will appear hereafter.
The Church of the Atonement. — The lot re-
ferred to in the first volume of this history, upon which
the society erected a tasteful house of worship in 1854,
was located at the corner of West Washington and
Peoria streets. Rev. Dudley Chase, the first rector of
the parish, resigned his pastorate in December, 1857,
and on Sunday, June 13, 1S58, was succeeded by Rev.
John O. Barton. He found the parish with three hun-
dred members. The interest awakened by the advent
of the new pastor was great, and large additions were
made to the membership. On July 1, 1859, the pew-
rental system was abolished as an experiment. But,
notwithstanding the brightness of the prospect at that
time, the contributions at the offertory proved insuffi-
cient to meet the indebtedness of the Church as it fell
due, and on March 4, 1861, the vestry, seeing no way
out of their financial difficulties except by a sale of the
property, transferred their title and interest in the build-
ing and land to Bishop Whitehouse. On Sunday
following, March 17, Rev. Mr. Barton preached his
farewell discourse, after which the bishop took posses-
sion of the church as his chapel, and thereafter supplied
regular services.
On the istof April, 1861, a meeting of the parish-
ioners was held, and the following officers were elected:
Wardens, William B. Staunton and Watson Carr ; Ves-
trymen, Henry Booth, Merrill Ladd, Edward H. Wil-
liams, B. F. Aldrich, H. H. Shufeldt, D. W. Page, H.
H. Tappen and George P. Lee. This organization was
effected for the purpose of establishing independent
church work as the time should prove propitious ; and
meanwhile, the members, having neither church-build-
ing nor rector, continued, with few exceptions, to wor-
ship in the Bishop's Chapel, as the old Church of the
Atonement was thereafter known.
About the 1st of August, 1865, Rev. S. Russell
Jones, who had been for nearly two years pastor of the
Church of the Ascension, accepted the pastorate of this
Church. A fine lot was procured at the corner of
Throop and Adams streets, and arrangements made for
the purchase of a building. Services were resumed
on Sunday, November 5, in a church on Monroe Street,
between Aberdeen and Rucker streets, and the Sunday-
school re-organized that day. About the 1st of May,
1866, Rev. Mr. Jones purchased a church-edifice of the
Presbyterians, and commenced holding services with-
out the certainty of support from more than three fami-
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
409
lies; but soon the attendance increased to such an ex-
tent that it became certain that the building would be
too small. This building, in the summer of 1866, was
moved to the rear of lots leased by the congregation for
forty years, on the northeast corner of West Washing-
ton and Robey streets, the intention being to use it for
a parochial school when a new edifice was built. By
the fall of 1S66, the parish had become self-supporting.
About the middle of May, 1868, the church-building
was destroyed by fire, incurring a loss of $4,000, with
insurance of $3,000, which sum was absorbed in paying
the remaining debts. This was a great calamity for
both pastor and people. They were, however, full of
hope, and at once set about re-building, and by the fol-
lowing fall had their new chuich ready for occupancy.
During 1869, the general prosperity of the parish was
quite satisfactory. At Easter, the pews, which had
previously been rented as an experiment, were made
free ; and under this system, which was thought to be
the true one, the congregation rapidly increased. But a
difference of opinion arose between the Church and
the rector, and he tendered his resignation, to take effect
July 1. Rev. Oscar B. Thayer then became the rector,
preaching his first sermon on August 8, 1869. He re-
signed in the fall of 1870, and was succeeded by Rev.
Henry C. Kinney, who preached his first sermon De-
cember 4, 1870, and whose pastorate lasted until De-
cember, 1873.
Right Rev. Henry John Whitehouse, Doctor of Divinity
of Oxford University, Doctor of Civil Law of Cambridge
University, and Doctor of Laws of Columbia College, New
York, was born August ig, 1803, of English parents, in Park
Place, New York City. He entered Columbia College, New York,
in 1817, and graduated with honor in 1S21. He entered the Gen-
eral Theological Seminary at once, and completed the course in
1824. He was ordained deacon by Bishop Croes of New York,
and in 1S27 was admitted to the priesthood by Bishop White of
Pennsylvania, in which diocese he was rector of Christ Church,
Reading, from 1S24 to 1S27. In the latter year he became rector
of St. Luke's Church, Rochester, which became under his minis-
trations the largest and most prosperous parish in Western New
York. There he remained fifteen years, when he accepted the rec-
torship of St. Thomas' Church, New York City. During his pas-
torate this church-edifice was destroyed by fire, but' through his
exertions it was re-built on the same site. In 1851, he was elected
assistant bishop of Illinois, and was consecrated November 20,
1851, at St. George's Church, Stuyvesant Square, N. Y. On Sep-
tember 20, 1S52. Right Rev. Philander Chase. D. D., died, and
Bishop Whitehouse became second bishop of Illinois, and per-
formed the duties of that position with untiring zeal and fidelity
until his death, which occurred in Chicago, August 10, 1S74. The
funeral services in the Cathedral were most impressive, and a me-
morial sermon was, on September 15, 1874, delivered before the
Diocesan Convention by the Rev. Clinton Locke, D.D. The bishop
left six surviving children. Bishop Whitehouse was a laborious
worker, and during his entire ministry allowed himself no respite
from toil in his Master's services. He was an accomplished scholar,
versed in Greek, Latin and Hebrew, and conversant with French,
German and Italian. He had very considerable skill as a poet,
musician and painter, and was, besides, well versed in medical and
other sciences. He had studied standard legal works, and in
canon law and ecclesiastical ;^risprudence had certainly no equal
in America. He was a ready and finished speaker and logician, an
eloquent reader, and a powerful pulpit orator. Especially as an
extemporaneous speaker did he attract, his written discourses being
of Illinois, bv whom the opening sermon was delivered in 1867
in the Chapel of Lambeth Palace. Oxford ami Cambridge Uni-
versities conferred degrees upon him ; in Russia and Sweden he
met with cordial welcome from the Patriarchs and Bishops, and in
America he was the first Bishop to recognize Swedish order-, and
inter-communion and receive a Swedish priest into the American
Church. The great work of Bishop Whitehouse was the founda-
tion of the Cathedral system in the United States. Holding that
a bishop was incomplete without his Cathedral Church he founded,
amid great opposition and prejudice, a Cathedral Church in ( Chicago,
which grew in size and beauty and extended influence. The Cath-
edral of Saints Peter and Paul thus became the pioneer fruit of
this great idea, which has now culminated in the many Cathedrals
established in this country, and which ensure the perpetual reten-
tion of the system. Bishop Whitehouse was what would be termed
an Evangelical High Churchman. With defined ideas of the
powers inherent in his great office, and which he derived by Apos-
tolic Succession, he was yei exceedingly tolerant of all grades of
churchmanship. As the overseer of his vast diocese, then con-
terminous with the State, which imposed great personal labor in
visiting its distant parishes every year, he was strenuous that there
should be no willful and persistent violation of the canons, which
ha and his clergy had alike vowed to obey. He accordingly
brought to trial and deposed Rev. Charles E. Cheney, as will be
perceived in the narrative of that event. In person, Bishop White-
house was of middle height but singularly erect, of commanding
presence, and with a voice of great compass and power. He left
large volumes of unpublished notes and valuable papers, which he
had declined to commit to print, although they were of great value
to all students of theology.
St. James' Church. — The history of this Church,
which was the first Episcopal Church organized in Chi-
cago, was given in the preceding volume to the time of
the abandonment of the old building on the corner of
exceedingly profound. A careful and critical student of Bible
exegesis, he was " mighty in the Scriptures," and thus was at all
times ready with a deep spiritual insight, which made his addresses
to the clergy of exceeding value. His attainments caused him to
be consulted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, by whom the Pan -
Anglican Synod was summoned, after conference with the Bishop
ST. JAMES CHURCH.
Cass and Illinois streets. The last sermon in the old
edifice was preached on December 27, 1857, by Rev.
Robert H. Clarkson ; and in, the evening of the same
day, the first sermon in the new building, on the south-
east corner of Cass and Huron streets, was delivered
by Rev. Dr. Littlejohn, afterward Bishop of Long Is-
land. The new edifice was a handsome edifice of
Athens stone. When taken possession of, as above
narrated, there was a bonded debt of $30,000, bearing
twelve per cent, interest, and a floating debt of $15,000.
After a few years, the latter was paid, but the bonded
debt continued a heavy burden, and there was
danger of a foreclosure of the mortgage. On Easter
Sunday, March 27, 1864, the pewholders were assessed
4io
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
pro rata, for the amount to be raised. Every one
assessed nobly responded, and the property was freed
from incumbrance.
The church was consecrated on May 19 by Bishop
Whitehouse. assisted by Bishops McKoskry and
Kemper, of Michigan and Wisconsin, the sermon being
delivered by Rev. Dr. Littlejohn. At that time the
church had become one of the strongest in the Episco-
pal communion. Rev. Robert H. Clarlcson remained
rector until April, 1866. On the 15th of November,
1S65, he was consecrated Missionary Bishop of Ne-
braska and Dakota. After Bishop Clarkson's depart-
ure. Rev. Edward C. Porter took temporary charge of
the parish.
At Easter, 1867, Rev. Dr. Rylance assumed the rec-
torship, and in the following year the congregation en-
tered UDon the task of finishing the church-edifice. It
was resolved to place a tower on the northwest corner
of the building, and to carry a massive stone facade to
the street line, forming a spacious vestibule, and over it
a commodious chapel for Sunday - school purposes.
For these improvements the parishioners contributed, in
response to the first appeal, $22,642. More than this
amount being expended the first season, a second ap-
peal secured $20,000. A third effort raised about
$15,000 more; and still the exterior was not completed,
while nothing had been done to the interior, or towards
providing accommodation for the school and the other
work of the Church, there being still a debt for the
work already finished. Building operations therefore
ceased ; and though a strong effort was made to raise
$40,000 on the bonds of the Church, only $17,000 of
this amount could be placed. The wardens and vestry
met at the house of Julian S. Rumsey in the spring of
1870, and the first resolution they passed was that they
would not adjourn or leave the room until all the bonds
were placed, or agreed to be placed. The object of
the meeting was accomplished forthwith by the officials
assembled. Work upon the church was resumed, and
l-'**i»..,.>T<-a-,„ -\2s& -
kUIN^, ST. JAMES' CHURCH.
on Christmas eve. 1870, the congregation assembled in
the church to celebrate its completion. The chapel
had been finished in the spring and the large basement
early in the fall, and these were used for services and
school purposes while the interior was undergoing re-
pairs. The improvements made during Dr. Rylance's
administration cost over $100,000, which, added to the
original value of the church and lot, swelled its cost to
nearly $200,000.
Rev. Dr. Rylance retired from the parish in Jan-
uary, 187 1, and early in the summer Rev. Hugh Miller
Thompson, D.D., succeeded to the rectorship. The
beautiful church-edifice was destroyed by the great fire
of 1871. The tower, however, remained standing, and
almost intact.
Many of the young men of this parish entered the
Union army during the Civil War. Rev. Dr. Clarkson
made the promise from the pulpit that should any of
them fall honorably in defense of their country, their
names should be inscribed on a memorial tablet placed
within the walls of the church. After the war, the ves-
try desired that this tablet, or soldiers' monument,
should form a portion of the finish of the interior of the
vestibule, and the erection of the monument was placed
in the hands of E. B. McCagg and E. H. Sheldon, who
employed Vaux, Withers & Olmstead, architects of
New York City, to furnish a design for it. The cost of
the monument was $5,500. Of this amount, Hon. Mark
Skinner, David J. Ely and Mrs. Thomas Dyer con-
tributed $400, Mr. McCagg and Mr. Sheldon, $3,400,
and $1,700 was appropriated from the tower fund. The
monument was erected at the north end of the vesti-
bule, and inscribed upon it are the following names :
Lucius Sherman Larrabee, killed at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863;
Edward Hanson Russell, killed at Shiloh. April 6, 1862; William
D'Wolf, killed at Williamsburg, June 3, 1S62; John Harris Kinzie,
killed at Fort St. Charles, Ark., June iS, 1862; Thomas Orchard,
died at New Albany Hospital, December 15, 1S62; Frank M.
Frome, died at LaGrange Hospital, December 2j, 1862; Richard
Skinner, killed at Petersburg, June 24, 1864; Peter Preston Wood,
died December 13, 1S65; Louis DeKoven Hubbard, died of con-
sumption April 15, 1866; and Charles H. Hosmer, died January
I, 1867.
Grace Church. — The sketch of this Church in the
first volume closes with a reference to a new edifice to
be erected upon a lot secured in 1857, at the northwest
corner of Wabash Avenue and Peck Court. For vari-
ous reasons it was deemed advisable to abandon the
building project, and, instead, the old edifice was moved
to the new location, and enlarged.
Rev John W. Clark remained rector until in June,
1859, when, after a successful pastorate of three years,
he resigned, to accept a call from Calvary Church, at St.
Louis. Rev. DeWitt Clinton Locke, of Joliet, preached
his first sermon on Sunday following, August 7. Chicago
is noted for long pastorates, and but few of them are
more remarkable for length than that of Rev. Mr.
Locke, who at the present writing (1885) still remains
rector of this Church. In 1867, the demands for a
larger building became imperative, and it was decided
to carry out the design inaugurated eleven years before.
A lot was purchased on Wabash Avenue, a short dis-
tance sotith of Fourteenth Street, upon which the new
structure was erected. It was built in the style of arch-
itecture prevalent in the thirteenth century, the walls
being of Athens stone, and the exterior ornaments of
Iowa marble. The cost of the lot was $25,000, of the
church itself $100,000, and of the furniture $25,000.
The edifice was dedicated on Easter Sunday, March 28,
1869. The old church, on Wabash Avenue and Peck
Court, was sold to a Jewish congregation — Kehilath
Anshe Maarab.
In the summer of 1870, Rev. Clinton Locke on ac-
count of ill health was granted leave of absence and
made the tour of Europe, his pulpit meanwhile being
filled by Rev. Professor Pitts, Rev. Drs. DeKoven,
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
Ashley and Schuyler, and the bishops of Georgia and
Wisconsin.
St. John's Church. — In 1858, this Church, which
had been organized February 22, 1856, owed but $200.
In the latter part of the year a movement was set on
foot for the erection of a new edifice, the ladies holding
a festival at which they realized $300 toward that pur-
pose. The Church owned a valuable property, was in
GRACE CHURCH.
a sound financial condition, and worked harmoniously.
In t86i, a fine organ was purchased. In 1862, the
Church celebrated the sixth anniversary of its organi-
zation, at which time it was shown that more than three
hundred had been added to the membership, over five
hundred members were on the rolls, and during the
six years more than $26,000 had been raised. In 1863,
two hundred and fifty sittings were added, at a cost of
$3,500, and in 1865, the sittings were increased by two
hundred. The year 1866 was remarkable for its addi-
tions to the membership, about fifty being added, thirty
of whom were from the teachers and pupils of the Sun-
day-school. In the latter part of June, 1868, Rev. Mr.
Bishop received a call from St. John's Episcopal Church,
Cincinnati, and tendered his resignation, which the ves-
try accepted with much reluctance.
The vestry extended a call to Rev. Horatio N. Pow-
ers, D.D., late the president of Griswold College, Daven-
port, Iowa. The call was accepted, and the new pastor
commenced his labors on Sunday, November 1, 1868.
During that year, the Church finished paying for a lot
fronting on Union Park, on which to erect a permanent
edifice. On September 15, 1870, ground was broken for
a stone building on the northwest corner of Ashland
and Ogden avenues. The edifice was intended to cost
$100,000, to be of Athens marble, of the Gothic style of
architecture, and surmounted by a tall spire. The fur-
nishing of the interior was to cost $50,000. The work,
though delayed by the losses sustained by the parish-
ioners in the fire of 1871, was finally accomplished, ex-
cept the erection of the spire.
Church of the Holy Communion. — Previous to
the settlement of Rev. Henry B. Whipple as rector of
this Church, various clergymen preached for the organi-
zation, in different places obtained for the purpose.
Their first place of meeting was at the Metropolitan
Hall. The old St. James' Church building was also
used, as was the hall in Garrett Block, at the corner of
State and Randolph streets. The distinguishing feature
of the policy of this Church was that it depended for its
support entirely upon the voluntary contributions of
those interested in the free church cause. With no rich
men among them, the contributions were surprisingly
large at first. The great need was a house of worship
of their own. A lot was leased by the vestry on the
southeast corner of Wabash Avenue and Randolph
Street, upon which a frame building was erected. On
the 6th of February, 1859, it was ready for occupancy.
It was a neat Gothic frame-structure, capable of seating-
five hundred people, and was dedicated February 6, by
Bishop Kemper, of Iowa.
About this time, the rector, Rev. Henry B. Whipple,
was made a Doctor of Divinity by Racine College, and
in the following summer was elected Bishop of Minne-
sota. He delivered his farewell sermon to this Church
on October 2, and on the 8th of November, with the
consent of Bishop Whitehouse, Bishop Whipple held in
this church his first confirmation. After the resignation
of Rev. Mr. Whipple, the Church extended a call to
Rev. J. S. B. Hodges, of Nashotah Seminary, who
entered upon his duties Sunday, December 11, 1859,
and remained until November i860.
After his retirement, the pulpit was supplied by
Bishop Whitehouse, Dr. Chase, Rev. H. B. Walbridge,
of Toledo, and Rev. G. T. Dougherty, D.D.; and at
length Rev. J. O. Barton, formerly of the Church of the
Ascension, accepted the call of the Church, and entered
upon his duties Sunday, April 8, 1861. About the first
of January, 1863, a call was extended to Rev. Thomas
Smith, formerly of Booneville, Mo. He did not long
remain rector; and in the following August, Rev. Mr.
Hager took charge of the parish, continuing as rector
until Sunday, May 28, 1865. He was succeeded by
Rev. John Gierlow, who preached his initial sermon on
August 6. His pastorate was of only a few months'
duration; and he was succeeded, in the early part of
June, 1866, by Rev. William Greene, whose stay was
likewise very short, and the Church was then without a
pastor until in April, 1S71.
In November, 1868, it was evident that a removal of
the church from its location on Wabash Avenue and
Randolph Street was imperatively necessary, and con-
sequently lots were purchased on Burnside Street, be-
tween Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth streets, the new
location being more than three miles from the old one.
Over this entire distance the church-building was re-
moved, at a cost of $2,000. Needed repairs were also
made and a basement erected under the old building.
Services were resumed in the new location on November
27, 1870. Rev. John Wilkinson, of Milwaukee, Wis.,
was called to the rectorship about this time, and there
was a formal opening of the church on Sunday. April
9, 187 1, services from November 27 having been con-
ducted in the basement.
Church of the Ascension. — At the time of the
close of the first volume, the Church of the Ascension
was worshiping in Westminster Chapel, on the corner of
Dearborn and Ontario streets. Rev. J. W. Cracraft was
the pastor. He remained not quite a year, being suc-
ceeded by Rev. Henry H. Morrell, who preached his
first sermon March 21, 1S58. A new church-edifice was
then in process of erection on Oak Street, between
Wells and LaSalle streets. This building was a frame
one, cost $2,400, and was capable of seating three
hundred persons. It was dedicated April 22, 1858,
and by the fall of that year the Church was reported as
self-sustaining. Rev. Mr. Morrell resigned on June 26,
1859, and was succeeded on October 16 by Rev. William
412
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Fulton, from Fremont, Ohio. Rev. Mr. Fulton, how-
ever, did not remain long with this Church, being trans-
ferred to the ecclesiastical authority of Iowa; and after
the services had been suspended for some months, Rev.
William H. Cooper, of Waukegan, became rector in
March, 1S61, and held that position until July i, 1863.
A call was then extended to Rev. S. Russell Jones, of
Greenfield, Mass., who commenced his labors in Sep-
tember, 1863.
At that time, the income of the Church from pew
rents was only about $550, but by September, 1864, the
revenue from this source had increased to $1,300. A
chancel, belfry, bell and a new organ had been procured
during the year, and arrangements made for the re-
moval of the church-building to the corner of LaSalle
and Maple streets. After the removal, services were
resumed November 20, 1864. In a short time Rev. Mr.
Jones resigned his rectorship, and Rev. H. W. Beers
entered upon his duties as rector April 2, 1865. In the
meantime, the church-edifice had been lengthened about
thirty feet, the number of sittings having been increased
by two hundred. In the early part of 1867, the church-
edifice was removed to the corner of LaSalle and Elm
streets, where it was re-opened on Whitsunday, June 9,
1867. Soon afterward Rev. Mr. Beers resigned his
rectorship, and the pulpit was filled temporarily by
Rev. H. H. Cole, of St. Luke's Church, and others of
the city clergy, until January 8, 1868, when Rev.
Thomas G. Carver, D.D., assumed charge of the parish,
retaining it until July 1, 1869. Various clergymen then
supplied the pulpit until October 3, when Rev. C. P.
Dorset entered upon his duties as rector. On the 1st
of January, 1870, the seats in the church were made
free, and the immediate result was very gratifying to all
concerned.
Christ Church. — This Church was organized in
1856, with fifteen members, Rev. Charles V. Kelly be-
ing the first rector. Rev. J. W. Osborne preached at
the Protestant Orphan Asylum, May 17, 1857, and on
the 20th of that month Rev. Noah H. Schenck took
charge of the parish. At the end of the diocesan year
in October the number of communicants was eleven.
One year afterward the society was in a flourishing con-
dition, and had a new chapel on Monterey Street, be-
tween Michigan and Indiana avenues, which was opened
May 25, 1859. In January, 1859, Rev. Henry Adams
had accepted the pastorate, and officiated at the opening
sen-ices. In November, Rev. E. B. Tuttle had charge of
the Church, and about that time Rev. Charles E. Cheney
was called, and shortly afterward became the pastor. In
February, i860, Rev. Mr. Fulton occupied the pulpit,
and on March 11. Rev. Mr. Cheney preached his first
sermon in this church.
By June, 1861, the church-building was enlarged
and improved. Toward the latter part of the year a
site for a permanent edifice was purchased, and a fair
and festival was held in Bryan Hall December 17, 1862,
to raise money to erect a new church-building.
In April, 1863, the following officers were elected :
Wardens, A. (,'. Calkins and G. A. Sackett ; Vestrymen,
Charles Follansbee, R. A. B. Mills, I). W. Keith, J. G.
Deven. J. li. Parsons, W. N. Woodruff, R. Benedict and
W. 1). ' '.. Grannis. On February 28, 1864, the new
building on Twenty-fourth Street was destroyed by fire,
and the Church took prompt measures for the erection
of another edifice. A meeting was held at the Orphan
Asylum March 2, at which §3,400 was subscribed to this
end. In the- meantime Rev. Mr. Cheney conducted ser-
vices in the Calvary Presbyterian Church on Sunday
afternoons.
The new church was erected on Michigan Avenue.
On August 25, 1864, the corner-stone of the new edifice
was laid by Bishop Whitehouse. The church was dedi-
cated in December, 1865, and in that month, twenty-two
of the pews were sold for $11,965, and fifty-eight were
rented at prices varying from $20 to $120. On June 8,
1866, the cupola of the church was struck by lightning and
damaged to the amount of several hundred dollars. In
February, 1868, the church was filled to overflowing to
hear the Rev. S. H. Tyng, Jr., of New York, upon which
occasion the new organ was played for the first time.
In the spring of 1869 commenced the controversy
between Rev. Mr. Cheney and Rt. Rev. Henry J. White-
house, D.D., Bishop of- the Diocese of Chicago. Mr.
Cheney was accustomed to omit certain words from the
baptismal service. This omission continued some time
without coming to the knowledge of the bishop, and then
he learned of it only by accident, and resolved to pre-
vent, if possible, a deviation from the ritual. After col-
lecting proof of the truth of what had been casually re-
ported to him, the bishop notified Mr. Cheney that in
thirty days he would be required to answer to the
charges preferred against him, and that adhering to his
"clear convictions of duty" must end in his deposition
What was called the " Chicago Protest," was dated
February 18, 1869. It was sent to various parties
throughout the country, with a request that those who
approved of it should append their names, and signify
whether they were in favor of a meeting to be held in
Chicago in June, for the discussion of questions in-
volved in the protest. So many favorable replies were
received that the Evangelical Conference was set for
June 16. In the meantime, there was much discussion
in all parts of the country on the questions of a revis-
ion of the prayer-book, and of a separate and Reformed
Church. A committee of fifteen clergymen was se-
lected in April, by the Clerical Association of the Prot-
estant Episcopal Church, to inquire into the subject,
with the view of harmonizing the action of that part of
the Church for which they would act. It was thought
that a report from such a committee would exert a vast
influence on the counsels of the association and aid them
in reaching satisfactory results. The following are the
names of the committee: Rev. A. H. Vinton, D.D.;
Rev. S. H. Tvng, D.D.; Rev. W. A. Muhlenberg, D.D.;
Rev. J. S. Stone, D.D.; Rev. E. H. Canfield, D.D.;
Rev. H. N. Powers, D.D.; Rev. John Cotton Smith,
D.D.; Rev. Richard Newton, D.D.; Rev. D. R. Good-
win, D.D ; Rev. W. R. Nicholson, D.D.; Rev. L. W.
Bancroft, D.D.; Rev. William Sparrow, D.D.; Rev.
William Newton, Rev. Otis Kellogg, and Rev. Charles
E. Cheney.
The Evangelical Conference, which was convened
to hear the report of this committee, and to discuss the
" Chicago Protest," met in the prayer-room of the
Young Men's Christian Association Building, June 16,
1869. The Conference was called to order by Alexan-
der G. Tyng, of Peoria, and, after devotional exercises
by Rev. Mason Gallagher, of Paterson, N. J., Gurdon
S. Hubbard was made temporary chairman. The pro-
test was read by Rev. N. N. Cowgill, of State Line,
Fulton Co., Ky. In the afternoon, there was an earnest
discussion on the question : " What shall we do ?" par-
ticipated in by Rev. F. B. Nash, of Tiskilwa, 111.; Rev.
William H. Cooper, of Lockport, 111.; John H. Kedzie,
of Chicago; Rev. Dr. Newton, of Philadelphia; and
Rev. Mr. Bourne. All expressed themselves as having
no desire to leave the Church, but all maintained the
"undeniable right of private judgment upon, which the
Church and the Reformation were founded." Mr.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
4i3
Cheney closed the discussion by a few remarks on the
great importance of the subject. It was the great un-
derlying one. Were they to go on using a prayer-book
which many thought false doctrine, or which, in its
ipsissima verba, conveyed to unlettered people an untrue
meaning? He hoped the time would come when they
could have a pure liturgy, reflecting the teachings of
Christ the Master. In the evening, the revision of the
prayer-book was discussed at length. On the 17th, the
discussion of the revision of the prayer-book was con-
'tinued. Rev. Mr. Cheney referred to the letter of
Bishop Mcllvaine, in which the latter said the Reform-
ers had no intention of teaching spiritual regeneration,
and that if they had no such intention they had made a
great blunder in language. Mr. Cheney urged imme-
diate action on the question of revision. If they were
to conquer they must not delay. As for himself, he
was not going out of the Episcopal Church. No man
could put him out. He would fight the battle in the
Church; and if they all left him, he would climb to the
mountain-top of communion with his God, and claim
that he was the Protestant Episcopal Church.
The number of delegates from abroad in attendance
at the conference was fifty-seven. The discussions in
the conference had no influence on Bishop Whitehouse,
so far as abandoning the trial was concerned. Mr.
Cheney was arraigned for trial on July 21, 1869, in the
chapel of the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul. The
charges against him were three in number. The first
was that he had violated Article VIII. of the constitu-
tion of the Protestant Episcopal Church, which provides
that in those dioceses which have adopted said consti-
tution, the Book of Common Prayer, administration of
the sacraments, and other rites and ceremonies of the
Church, when established by the General Convention,
shall be used in the Protestant Episcopal Church. The
second charge was that he had violated his engagement
to conform to the doctrines and worship of the Protest-
ant Episcopal Church. The third charge was that he
had violated the solemn promise made by him at his
ordination, which was " always so to minister the doc-
trines and sacraments, and the discipline of Christ, as
the Lord had commanded and as this Church hath
received the same, according to the commandments of
God."
The ecclesiastical jury was composed of Rev. Dr.
Samuel Chase, of Jubilee College ; Rev. Dr. Henry N.
Pierce, of Springfield ; Rev. Thomas W. Benedict, of
St. Luke's Parish, Wyoming; Rev. J. Benson, of
Peoria ; and Rev. A. W. Snyder, of Chicago. The
presentors were Dr. George F. Cushman, of Sycamore,
III; Rev. R. F. Sweet and Hon. L. B. Otis, of Chicago.
Hon. L. B. Otis was the counsel for the prosecution,
and Hon. Melville W. Fuller for the defense. The
proctors for the defense were George W. Thompson and
M. Byron Rich.
Upon the proper constitution of the commission for
the trial, Bishop Whitehouse made a statement of the
reasons why the trial was brought ; that he had done
all in his power, by explanation, argument and appeal,
to induce Rev. Mr. Cheney to conform to the worship
of the Church and the administration of the sacraments,
to which he, on ordination and as a priest in the Church,
had solemnly promised conformity ; and that at the
termination of the interview, Mr. Cheney had proposed
to consider the matter for one week, at the end of which
time decision should be made. At the expiration of the
time agreed upon, Rev. Mr. Cheney had sent the fol-
lowing note :
" Christ Church Rectory,
" Chicago, Jinn s, i86g.
"Rt. Rev. and Dear Sir, — I regret the circumstances which
compelled me to delay for a few hours the answer which I promised
to send you in one week from our conversation on Monday, 31st
ult. After the most serious and prayerful deliberation, I can only
say that I have been able to arrive at no other conclusion than
that already expressed to you.
"Very truly yours,
" Chas. Edward Cheney.
" Rt. Rev. H. J. Whitehouse, D.D."
Bishop Whitehouse hence concluded, " that the said
Rev. Charles E. Cheney, rector of Christ Church, Chi-
cago, is under imputation of being guilty of offenses
and misconduct for which he is liable to be tried, and
that the interests of the Church require an investiga-
tion."
The 21st was spent in an attempt to prove that the
court, as constituted, had no jurisdiction in the case,
but the objections were overruled. On the next day, an
injunction was granted against further proceeding of
the assessors, by Judge John A. Jameson. The Court
thereupon requested that the trial be postponed until
Thursday, July 29, and the bishop, while denying the
right of the civil tribunals to interfere in the adminis-
tering of the ecclesiastical discipline of the Church in
the trial of its ministers, postponed the Court until that
day. On the 3d of August, a motion to dissolve the
injunction was overruled by Judge Jameson, and it
was then decided that the case be carried before the
Supreme Court at the September term.
On the 5th of August, a supplemental bill was filed
by Rev. Mr. Cheney, in which he called attention to the
fact that there were two types of belief in the Protest-
ant Episcopal Church, viz., the Evangelical and the
Sacramentarian ; and also stated that the bishop had,
before the commencement of the proceedings against
him, openly declared that he intended "weeding the low-
church clergymen out of the diocese." The Ecclesias-
tical Court met on the same day, and made public the
grounds of their complaint against the interference by
the civil tribunal, and then Rev. Samuel Chase, as pre-
siding officer, adjourned the Court until September 15;
and upon its assembling on that day, it was again
adjourned until November 16, the case having been
taken before the Supreme Court on the 13th inst. The
Supreme Court, on January 24, 1871, dismissed the-bill
and dissolved the injunction, the judgment of the Court
being delivered by Judge Thornton, who held that pre-
sentment being made, with due service, the Ecclesias-
tical Court had power to take cognizance of and to
decide the case.
The Supreme Court defended the right of the
Church to establish and enforce its own laws, upon the
ground that such a right is essential to religious liberty.
It said :
" We have no right, and, therefore, will not exercise the power,
to dictate ecclesiastical law. We do not aspire to become ,ie facto
heads of the Church, and, by construction or otherwise, abrogate
its laws and canons. We shall not inquire whether the alleged
omission is any offense. This is a question of ecclesiastial cog-
nizance. This is no forum for such adjudication. The Church
should guard its own fold; enact and construe its own laws ; en-
force its own discipline ; and thus will be maintained the boundary
line between the temporal and spiritual power."
The Ecclesiastical Court re-assembled February 1,
187 1. In the afternoon, Rev. Mr. Cheney read a state-
ment, unreservedly admitting that he had made certain
omissions from the prescribed office for the ministration
of infant baptism, but he denied the truth of the three
charges made against him. He denied Charge I., on
the violation of Article VIIL, inasmuch as said Article
414
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
has no relation to any omissions made by an individual
minister, etc. He denied Charge II., inasmuch as the
promise to conform to the doctrine and worship of the
Protestant Episcopal Church had never been regarded
as involving the obligation to use the very words of
every service under all exigencies that might arise in
the work of the ministry. He denied Charge III., inas-
much as at his ordination he solemnly vowed that he
would instruct the people committed to his charge, and
teach nothing as necessary to eternal salvation but that
which he should be persuaded by the Scripture, and he
was not persuaded that the doctrine which connects
regeneration inseparably with baptism might be con-
cluded and proved from Scripture.
The Ecclesiastical Court having pronounced the
guilt of Rev. Mr Cheney, he gave notice of an appeal
The appeal was, however, given upon February 6, 187 1,
and on the iSth of that month, the bishop read the
verdict of the Court, and then sentenced Mr. Cheney
to be suspended from the exercises of all the offices
and functions of the priesthood and ministry of the
Church of God, until such time as assurances should be
given of contrition for the past, and of conformity in
the matter wherein he had offended for the future.
Mr. Cheney presented the following solemn protest
to the action of the Court :
"I, Charles Edward Cheney, a Presbyter of the Protestant
Episcopal Church and rector of Christ Church, Chicago, do enter
my solemn protest against the constitution, the mode of procedure,
the rulings, and the verdict of the Ecclesiastical Court by which
my so-called trial has been conducted. From its decision and ver-
dict, and from the sentence this day pronounced, I appeal to the
judgment of the Protestant Christianity and to that Supreme
Tribunal before which all must appear.
"Charles Edward Cheney.
"Chicago, February 18, 1871."
On the same day, a meeting of the wardens and
vestrymen of Christ Church was held, at which it was
unanimously resolved that Rev. Charles E. Cheney be
requested to continue his services as rector. In response
to this resolution, Rev. Mr. Cheney preached on Feb-
ruary 19, 187 1, in Christ Church. He read to the con-
gregation the above resolution, and a letter to himself,
signed by Wardens F. B. Phillips and Albert Crane,
explanatory of the reasons which led to the adoption of
the resolution. This letter was to the effect that Rev.
Mr Cheney had been singled out for trial and deposi-
tion, while others in the Protestant Episcopal Church
were equally guilty with reference to omissions of por-
tions of the offices ; that nine bishops of that Church
had signed a solemn declaration that the right should
be granted to drop the troublesome word "regenera-
tion " ; that the Court which tried him, besides being
prejudiced against him, had not been legally consti-
tuted, and hence its decisions were of no binding force
upon him ; and that a forcible separation of pastor and
people would have a fatal effect upon the great work in
which Christ Church was engaged.
Thus the congregation of Christ Church assumed
as contumacious an attitude as its pastor, who for his
defiant e of the authority of the Ecclesiastical Court,
was, on March 28, 1871, notified by Bishop Whitehouse
of a new trial to take place May 3, 187 1.
In the presentment to the Bishop of Illinois by the
presentors, — Rev. William Y. B. Jackson, rector of the
Church of Our Savior, Chicago; Rev. George F. Cush-
man, D.D., rector of the Church of the Redeemer,
Princeton, 111.; and Lucius B. Otis, — there were four
charges, the principal one being " Contumacious viola-
tion of the law-, of the Church of Cod, in respect of
the exercise of the offices and functions of the priest-
hood and ministry of the same, and in respect to eccle-
siastical sentences and penalties " — the others, except the
first, having reference to his violation of the ordination
vow. The new trial commenced on the 3d of May,
in the Cathedral, on the corner of Washington and
Peoria streets, before the following Court : Rev. Clinton
Locke, D.D., rector of Grace Church, Chicago ; Rev.
J. L. Townsend, rector of Trinity Church, Jackson-
ville, 111. ; Rev. F. M Gregg, rector of St. Paul's
Church, Springfield, 111. ; Rev. W. H. Williams,
rector of St. Luke's Church, Dixon, 111.; Rev. W. W.
Estabrook, rector of Christ Church, Ottawa, 111. M. W.
Fuller, M. B. Rich and G. W. Thompson appeared for
Mr. Cheney, and on his behalf objected to the juris-
diction of the Court.
As an incident in the history of this trial, it may be
mentioned that, on Sunday, June 4, 187 1 , Rev. Stephen
H. Tyng, Jr., of New York, preached both morning
and evening in Christ Church, notwithstanding he had
been the recipient of a note from Bishop Whitehouse,
reminding him of the canon forbidding his participation
in the services with a deposed clergyman. Among the
evidences of the interest in the controversy and sym-
pathy with the deposed clergyman, was a letter ad-
dressed to Mr. Cheney, signed by sixty-five influential
members of Dr. Tyng's Church, among whom were the
Tyngs, Rev. Cotton Smith, Jay Cooke, and Columbus
Delano, urging him to go on with his preaching, dis-
cipline or no discipline.
Thus matters continued for some time, until, on
July 8, the bishop notified the wardens of Christ Church
that on the 13th of August he would make a visitation
of that Church, for the purpose of examining the state
of the Church, administering the rite of confirmation,
ministering the word, and administering the sacrament
of the Lord's Supper, and requested them to secure the
services of a minister in good standing to assist him
(the bishop) in the ceremonies, ■' insomuch as the parish
of Christ Church is now without a rector." To this
communication the wardens responded at considerable
length, saying, in substance, that their Church had a
rector in good standing; that all epistolary correspond-
ence, to insure attention, should be addressed to Rev.
Charles E. Cheney, rector, whose contract with the
Church still remained in full force; that the day selected
by the bishop would not be a convenient one for them
to see him, but that upon any other day they would be
glad to receive him, and to assist him and their rector
in the ceremonies referred to, and suggested the selec-
tion of the tenth Sunday after Trinity.
The attitude of Right Revs. H. B. Whipple, Bishop of
Minnesota, and Henry W. Lee, Bishop of Iowa, is
shown by their visit to Bishop Whitehouse, with
the view of obtaining, if practicable, a mitigation
of the sentence, or at least a postponement of its inflic-
tion until after the General Convention should assemble.
Bishop Whitehouse, in deference to the views of these
two bishops, deferred final action for a few days, con-
ferring meanwhile with friends and advisers, and then
earned out the decision of the Court, degrading Mr.
Cheney from the ministry of the Church of God.
The bishop, in reply to the note of the wardens,
authorized them to name a later day for his visitation.
Subsequently a letter was sent to the bishop by the
wardens, in which they said they took that mode of dis-
abusing the mind of the bishop of any possible impres-
sion that Rev. Mr. Cheney would not officiate as rector
of Christ Church whenever the bishop should hold a
visitation ; the understanding previously being, on the
part of the bishop at least, that on that occasion the Rev.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
415
C. V. Kelley would officiate, as he had done on the 17th of
July. The letter also stated that an official notice from
the bishop of his intended visit, addressed as previously
to the pastor of the Church, Rev. Charles E. Cheney,
would insure the attendance and presentation, by him,
of such candidates for confirmation as might be in the
city on the 10th of September. The assumption of this
attitude by the wardens was a great surprise to Bishop
Whitehouse ; but he was not to be dismayed, and, in
accordance with his purpose, he wrote to the wardens
these words :
" I am sure, gentlemen, you do not suppose, as vour bishop, I
shall shrink from my duty of visitation, nor in any way sanction
the presence or interference of Mr. Cheney, should you or he per-
sist in so bootless an assumption. No authority exists in a con-
gregation to determine the expediency of a visitation, nor prescribe
conditions for its exercise. Welcome or unwelcome, the bishop
must visit his churches, and the congregations under his jurisdic-
tion must receive him."
The visitation was accordingly made, and the church
was filled to its utmost capacity. The candidates for
confirmation all declined to be presented to the bishop
except by their own pastor, and as the bishop would
not so receive them, the main purpose of the visitation
was frustrated. The vestrymen declined to allow Mr.
Cheney to vacate his place in the chancel, and the
bishop declined to officiate by the side of a deposed
rector, and, as the time of the opening services drew
nigh, he withdrew by a side-door. The services were
then conducted as usual by Rev. Mr. Cheney, the ser-
mon being from the text : '• I must work the work of
Him that sent me while it is yet day. The night
cometh in which no man can work."
The case of Rev. Mr. Cheney and Christ Church
was referred to by Bishop Whitehouse in his address to
the Episcopal Convention which met in September,
1871; and this portion of the address was referred to
the committee on legislation. This committee reported
on September 15, recommending that certain preambles
and resolutions be adopted. The main resolution was :
" That legal proceedings shall be taken to prevent the further
diversion and mal-administration of the property and revenues of
said parish of Christ Church, Chicago, and to effect the rescue of the
same for their legitimate and godly uses."
The case of Rev. Mr. Cheney was submitted to the
General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church,
which met in Baltimore in October, 1871. A canon
was passed by the Convention, early in its session, by
which Dr Cheney could have removed temporarily into
another diocese, and, by the consent of two bishops,
chosen by lot, could have been restored upon simply
renewing his promise of conformity. Afterward, an-
other canon was passed by both the houses, having the
sanction of the Bishop of Illinois, leaving the question
of the restoration of Rev. Mr. Cheney almost entirely
in his hands.
In May, 1872, a bill in this case was filed on behalf
of three of the pew-owners of Christ Church, to injoin
Rev. Mr. Cheney from officiating in the church-building
of that parish, and the wardens and vestrymen from
employing and paying him for so doing. To this bill a
demurrer was opposed, which, after elaborate argument,
was overruled by Judge E. S. Williams, who, however,
refused to grant the preliminary injunction asked for,
as not being required under the circumstances of the
case. Answers were then filed, denying, among other
things, that Rev. Mr. Cheney had been deposed, which
deposition constituted the gravamen of the bill.
A large amount of testimony was taken in the case, and
upon the ecclesiastical side of it the depositions were
many and elaborate. The following persons testified
for the complainants : Hon. Murray Hoffman ; Bishops
Whitehouse, Odenheimer, and Kipp ; Drs. Fulton, Sey-
mour, Dix, Locke, Chase, and Deene, and Revs. Stock-
ing, Hopkins and Kinney ; and for the defendants,
Bishops Whipple, Vail, Cummins; Dean Stanley ; Drs.
Goodwin, Newton, Tyng, Nicholson and Bowers, and
Rev. T. W. Mossman.
The hearing and arguments of the case covered a
period of about thirty days. After a careful examina-
tion of the testimony, of authorities, and the views of
counsel, the case was decided in favor of the defendant,
and the bill dismissed by Judge Williams for want of
equity.
A statute was then in existence, or supposed to be,
making the Bishop of Illinois a corporation sole, and
some feeling adverse to the vesting of church property
under that act had grown up among some Episcopalians
in Chicago and especially among the congregation of
Christ Church. Feeling strongly opposed to the vesting
of title to church property in any one man, several, per-
haps many, of the contributors to Christ Church strenu-
ously insisted that the property should be vested in a
board of trustees, to be elected by the congregation,
and not in the bishop as sole trustee. Legal advice
was had as to the proper method of conveying property,
and it was at length conveyed to the Trustees of Christ
Church, as being the designated grantees in the deed of
the property.
Judge Williams, in giving his decision, said :
"I can not avoid the conclusion that the Board which the
Standing Committee of the Diocese had selected for the trial of the
defendant Cheney, was, in view of his express stipulation and their
election under the well-settled rules of law, a Court of live presby-
ters, and their presence and action was necessary at all stages of
the trial ; although not all present at the rendition of the verdict,
the verdict of the majority was sufficient ; and that the action of four
assessors (no one of them having willingly withdrawn) in finding
said Cheney guilty was unauthorized and void."
Rev. Charles Edward Cheney, D.D., was born at Canan-
daigua, Ontario Co., N. V., February 12, 1836. His father, E.
Warren Cheney, was a native of Western Massachusetts, and his
mother was a daughter of Hon. Lemuel Chipman, one of the early
settlers of New York, and she was also a niece of Hon. Nathaniel
Chipman, an honored Chief-Justice of Vermont. Charles was ob-
liged to provide in part for himself in his preparation for college,
also during his college course and in the theological seminary. He
was graduated in Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y. , in 1S57, and en-
tered the middle class in the Theological Seminary of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, at Alexandria Ya., in the fall. In December,
1S5S, he was ordained deacon by Bishop Delancey of Western New
York, and commenced his ministry in Havana, N. Y. In August,
1S59. he was called to the rectorship of Christ Church, Chicago,
but declined the position on account of being yet in deacon's orders.
In November, iSsg, the call was renewed and accepted, the Church
offering to wait until Mr. Cheney was ordained to the priesthood.
He was ordained a presbyter in February, i860, and preached his
first sermon in Christ Church on March n, i860. The congrega-
tion grew strong in numbers and influence and Rev. Mr. Cheney
became recognized as one of the most successful and popular pas-
tors in the city. This satisfactory condition of affairs in the Church
continued until the spring of iS6g, when the difficulty, which is fully
detailed in the history of the Church, arose, and was one of the
causes leading to the establishment of the Reformed Episcopal
Church in this country. Rev. Mr. Cheney continued his pastoral
work in the Church which had stood by him from the beginning of
his trials to his victory. Upon the death of Bishop Cummins, on
June 26, he was senior bishop of the denomination, and at the
meeting of the General Council of the Church, held at Ottawa,
Canada, July 12, he was elected the presiding Bishop of the Re-
formed Episcopal Church. Rev. Mr. Cheney was married April
25, 1S60, to Miss Emma Griswold, of Chicago, daughter of Alex-
ander and Clarissa B. Griswold, of Summit County, Ohio.
Trinity Church. — The history of this Church was
given in the preceding volume to include the epoch
4i6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
covered by the present. Its history after the fire will be
treated of subsequently.
St. Stephen's Church was commenced in January,
1S62. by Grace Church, as a Mission, at the corner of
Desplaines and DeKoven streets. In August, Rev. C.
H. VanDvne became assistant minister of Grace Church,
with special charge of this Mission. In 1863, the Mis-
sion was erected into St. Stephen's Parish. Rev. L. N.
Freeman became rector March 29, 1864, Rev. Marcus
Lane in 1S65, and Rev. Albert W. Snyder in the sum-
mer of 1S65. A church-building was purchased, moved
upon the lot on Forquer Street, near Blue Island Avenue,
and put in complete repair. It was capable of seating
nearly three hundred people. In 1869, Rev. Mr.
Snyder was succeeded by Rev. C. P. Dorset; who
was followed, in 1870, by Rev. March Chase, whose
pastorate lasted until 1872.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church was started
as a Mission in 1864, by Rev. E. B. Tuttle, who had
for some years been city missionary at St. Ansga-
rius' Church, and for about one year post-chaplain
at Camp Douglas. The first sermon preached by
Rev. Mr. Tuttle, to what afterward became St.
Mark's Church, was in the latter part of 1864, or
very early in 1865; for one of the daily papers of
January 29, 1S65, contained the following notice:
" This Church meets in the Erie street Mission
House, Rev. E. B. Tuttle. rector. He also holds
services at White Oak Chapel, at Camp Douglas,
as post-chaplain." After his services as chaplain
were no longer required, Mr. Tuttle labored zeal-
ously in the old camp chapel, which was removed
to a new site a little outside the camp, and added
a Sunday-school to his Church. It soon became
necessary to erect a new building. The location
was determined by the donation of lots by the
Langley heirs, at the corner of Cottage Grove
Avenue and Thirty-sixth Street. Hon. William B.
Ogden subscribed $300 toward the erection of the
edifice, on the condition that $5,000 additional be
obtained. By March 16, 1866, Mr. Tuttle had
raised $2,200, and in one year a handsome Gothic
building had been completed, at a cost of $8,000.
The new edifice was opened for service March
10, 1867, the dedicatory sermon being delivered
by Rev. Clinton Locke. At that time the parish had
about twenty-five families and thirty communicants, and
the Sunday-school contained about forty scholars. After
Rev. Mr. Tuttle, Rev. Mr. Wood was pastor, and was
succeeded by Rev. Brockholst Morgan, who remained
till 1872.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The First Presbyterian Church. — The history
of this Church closed in the preceding volume with the
pastorate of Rev. Harvey Curtis, who resigned to ac-
cept the presidency of Knox College, at Galesburg, 111.
His farewell sermon was preached on September 1,
1858. Rev. S. S. Smith, of Warren, Mass., succeeded
June 7. In July, 1859, Sylvester Sexton donated $500
toward the establishment of a " pastor's library," and in
the following December, raised the amount to $1,000.
The pastorate of Rev. Dr. Humphrey lasted until 1868.
Of his work in Chicago, Rev. Dr. Barrows, in an his-
torical sermon, delivered June 24, 1883, at the semi-
centennial anniversary of the Church said : " Dr. Hum-
phrey came to you from the Plymouth Congregational
Church, Milwaukee, in May, 1859. He found the
Church strong and united, and he discovered every-
where the fidelity of Dr. Curtis's ministry. During his
nine years' pastorate Dr. Humphrey witnessed the build-
ing, at the cost of $22,000, of a spacious and convenient
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
chapel attached to the church, the addition to the
church-building of two beautiful towers, the erection on
Griswold Street, at a cost of $21,000, of a mission-
school capable of seating one thousand scholars,
$250,000 raised for general benevolence and the work
of the Church, an annual accession of from sixty to
eighty members, nearly one-half on confession, and the
remarkably fine organization of this people, younger
and older, for spiritual beneficence and for Christian
efficiency in Sunday-school and mission enterprises.
Dr. Humphrey's ministry covered the dark and exciting
years of the Civil War. Members of this Church were
enrolled among the Nation's defenders and among the
Nation's martyrs. Much energy and thought were
given to public affairs, and yet rarely has a pastorate
witnessed a steadier flow of spiritual activity and life.
It was with many tears that, on February 3, 1868, this
ministry was ended."
After the retirement of Dr. Humphrey, the pulpit
was supplied by Professor Franklin W. Fisk, of the
temporarily to the pulpit. Rev. '/.. M. Humphrey, of
Milwaukee, was called to the pastorate, preached his
first sermon on April 10, 1859, and was installed on
{2uXzi^ ^c^Z^O
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
417
Chicago Theological Seminary, for six months. Then
followed the long pastorate of Rev. Arthur Mitchell,
from November 10, 1868, until August 9, 1880. Just
before the close of his third year, the fire of 187 1 swept
away the elegant church-edifice, Sunday-school house
and mission-building, and the homes of many of the
members.
Second Presbyterian Church. — The growth of
the membership of this Church in 1858 was especially
memorable, there having been added to the church-roll
nearly one hundred persons, making a total of five hun-
dred and eighty-seven since the organization of the
Church. The church-building, on the corner of Wa-
bash Avenue and Washington Street, was regarded at
that time as one of the finest in the West. It was con-
structed of bituminous limestone, and was known as the
"spotted church," on account of the exudations from the
stone of the dark-colored, crude petroleum. By the pro-
fane, it was known as the " Church of the Holy Zebra."
The condition of the Church, at the commencement
of the second period of our history, can best be shown
by extracts from a
sermon delivered
on June 1, 1862,
the twentieth anni-
versary of its or-
ganization, by Rev.
Robert W. Patter-
son, who was its
pastor continually
during the first
thirty-one years of
its existence.
'Our internal his-
tory has been marked
by many dispensations
of God's special provi-
dence and grace. Un-
der the guidance of an
eldership of extraordi-
nary wisdom and faith-
fulness, the movement
of the Church has been
steady and self-consist-
ent. We have seen
among us few devel-
opments of inconsider-
ate impulse, few at-
tempts at hazardous
experiment, few departures from the evangelical faith. Our
peace and unity have not been seriously interrupted, even when
storms raged without. Threatening clouds have at times hung
over us, but they have given place to the rainbow of hope and
promise. Our growth by enlargement from hopeful conversions
has been quietly continued from year to year. * * * It has
been our painful duty to excommunicate, or suspend from church
privileges, twelve persons, eight of whom have come to us by letter
from other churches. We have dismissed to other churches, al-
most entirely to new churches in the city and its vicinity, or to
churches abroad, two hundred and ninety-four members. * * *
The religious activity and benevolence of the Church and congre-
gation have been, and are, deserving of high commendation. We
have borne a good relative share in the tract, Sabbath-school, edu-
cational and general missionary enterprises of the city and the
country. Besides sustaining the Sabbath-school immediately con-
nected with the Church, our working membership has established
and long kept in operation two or three of the best flourishing and
useful mission-schools in the city, one of which has been in suc-
cessful operation more than seventeen years. And in addition to
the expenses incurred in the erection of church-edifices by way of
the ordinary annual outlays, amounting to about $120,000, we
have contributed to the cause of general benevolence nearly
$80,000."
At the twenty-fifth anniversary of the organization
of this Church, the pastor said that no other people had
contributed more liberally to the cause of caring for the
poor and neglected classes. For the immediate benefit
27
of the Church there had been spent from $150,000 to
$200,000, and for other purposes from §125,000 to
$150,000. The first Mission Sunday-school was organ-
ized and carried on for twenty-five years by members
of this Church, and other churches had sprung up from
this one — namely, Olivet, Westminster and Lake Forest
Presbyterian churches, and it has given material
strength to the North, Calvary and Hyde Park Presby-
terian churches. In February, 1869, the propriety of
I'RESIiYTEKIAX CHURCH AND RUIX
selling the church property began
to be discussed, but no action was
then taken. However, the discus-
sion was not without its results, and
on October 1, 1871, the congrega-
tion assembled in their old building
designedly for the last time. Rev.
R. W. Patterson, in his sermon on
that day, said that in i860 the move-
ment of the people was southward,
and business was encroaching on the Church. The
problem, therefore, presented itself, " How shall the
congregation be kept from extinction?" A removal
farther south was determined upon ; and, in order
not to have too many Presbyterian churches in the
same locality, the Olivet and Second Presbyterian
united, as is related in connection with the history of
the former in the first volume. But had not the change
of location been determined upon as early as October
1, 187 1, it would have been settled by the great fire of
one week later, which destroyed all that was combusti-
ble of this '•queer-looking, mottled church-building."
The church destroyed cost about $45,000, and the loss
was estimated at $55,000. Up to this time, the Second
Presbyterian Church had contributed to benevolent
purposes from $150,000 to $175,000, besides what had
been expended within the Church.
The constitution of the Session was given in the first
volume up to 1862. In January of that year, Zuinglius
Grover and Hiram F. Mather were added to it. In
April, 1866, John S. Gould, Mark Skinner and George
E. Purington were added. George M. High and
Henry J. Willing were elected and ordained elders in
April, 1869; and in October, 1871, by the union of this
4iS
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Church with the Olivet Presbyterian, Oscar F. Avery
and Dr. F. Crumbaugh were added to the Session.
Rev. ROBERT W. Patterson, D.D., was born January 21,
1S14. in Blount County, Tenn., the son of Alexander and Sarah
(Stevenson) Patterson. ' His parents emigrated to America about
the middle of the eighteenth century, and removed to Tennessee
from South Carolina soon after 1S00. Shortly after the birth of
Robert, his parents removed to the neighborhood of Maryville; but
being verv stronglv opposed to slavery they determined to leave
Tennessee and come to Illinois which was a free State. At the
early age of from four to five years, Robert W. had learned to read
at home, his mother being his' teacher, while his elder brothers and
sisters were at school. She exerted a strong influence upon all her
children bv religious instruction and example. The removal to
Illinois occurred about the close of 1821, and a settlement was
made in Bond County, where Mr. Patterson died in 1S24. Robert
\Y. Patterson began to attend school at the age of nine, but only
went six months. At the age of eighteen he taught school two or
three terms. He became a member of a Presbyterian Church in
1S32. In the same year he entered the preparatory department of
Illinois College, and the college in 1833. He graduated in 1S37.
While in college he fell in with Garrison's Liberator, and became a
zealous abolitionist. Upon becoming convinced that Garrison was
tendino- toward infidelity, he revised his views somewhat and became
a moderate anti-slavery man. Upon graduating from Illinois
College he went to Lane Theological Seminary, where his profes-
sors were Drs. Lyman Beecher, Calvin E. Stowe, Baxter Dickinson
and Thomas |. Biggs. In 1838, when the Presbyterian Church
was divided into the Old and New Schools, he took sides with the
latter, as did the ministry of his parents in Tennessee and his pro-
fessors in college. The conflict in the Seminary on the slavery
question occurred a year or two before he went there, and on that
question he took ground midway between the professors and the
seceding students. In the spring of 1S39, he became tutor in
Illinois College, where he remained one year; and the summer of
1S40, he spent in supplying the pulpit of the First Presbyterian
Church of Chicago, in the absence of Rev. Flavel Bascom, pastor
elect. He returned to the Seminary in the fall, and spent the next
winter there. In 1841, he went East, and made the acquaintance
of Rev. Albert Barnes, Dr. William Adams, and many other
ministers of Philadelphia and New York, and also of Dr. George
Duflield, of Detroit, whose pulpit he supplied for a few Sundays
that summer. While at Detroit, he encountered and combated the
pre-millennial theories. The succeeding fall and winter he spent in
the church at Monroe, Mich., and had calls from Monroe, Adrian,
Ann Arbor, and other places but declined them all to accept one
from the Second Presbyterian Church, Chicago, which was organ-
ized June 1, 1842. Many efforts were made to withdraw the
Presbyterians of Northern Illinois from the General Assembly,
in which Mr. Patterson always took conservative ground,
though disapproving slavery as an institution, for which it was
contended that all Presbyterians were responsible through their
connection with the General Assembly. This he disputed, and
held that the secession from the General Assembly was not the true
remedy for the evil. He was one' of ten involved in controversy
on account of his position on this subject. He was one of two
members of the General Assembly of 1857, at Cleveland, Ohio, who
drew up the report, which was adopted by the majority of the
Assembly, having been previously approved by leading ministers
of Eastern cities. This was the signal for the secession of the
Southern members. From this time onward there was peace in the
New School Church on this question. During all these years the
Second Presbyterian Church continued to grow, and took its place
among the most influential in the Northwest. In 1856, the great
National conflict arose about the extension of slavery into the Ter-
ritories, in which Dr. Patterson was active as to the moral aspects
of the question; and when, in i860, Mr. Lincoln had been elected,
he took the side of the Government, and throughout the War
preached and prayed on the side of liberty and righteous govern-
ment in no uncertain tones.
From 1865, onward, the drift of the population in Chicago
was from the center in all directions. Seeing the impossibility of
keeping the church in its location, corner of Washington Street and
Wabash Avenue, Dr. Patterson privately expressed this conviction,
which was not well received by all. The removal, however, was
agreed to by a majority, and on the evening of the first Sunday
after, the services were removed to the Olivet Church, corner of
Wabash Avenue and Fourteenth Street. The great fire destroyed the
church-building just vacated. the union of the Second and
Olivet churches was one cause of the resignation, two years later, of
the pastor. The Church acted generously in providing for his sup-
port on his election as Professor of Apologetics in the Presbyterian
Seminary of the Northwest, a position to which he was chosen be-
fore resigning the pastorate. He remained professor until the
spring of 1SS1, when he resigned and engaged to lecture for three
years in Lane Theological Seminary, in the Department of
Apologetics. In June, 1S67, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the
church was held, and immediately afterward a furlough was
granted to Dr. Patterson to visit the Old World, his salary being
continued by the Church, and his expenses being paid by a friend.
On January 21, 1SS4, a notable reception was given Dr. Patterson
and his family in the Second Presbyterian Church, at which a
large number of old and new friends were present, it being the
seventieth anniversary of his birth. He is still vigorous and able
to perform ministerial work. Much of his time is given to Biblical
and Apologetical studies, and his interest in the welfare of the
Church and in public affairs has not abated. Dr. Patterson was
married in May, 1843, to Miss Julia A. Quigley, of Alton. 111. They
have had eight children, seven of whom are living — three sons and
four daughters. The three sons are John C, who is engaged in
practicing law; Robert W., Jr., managing editor of the Chicago
Tribune, and Raymond A., who is a journalist. The degree of
Doctor of Divinity was conferred on Dr. Patterson in 1S56. by the
trustees of Hamilton College. Dr. Patterson's theology has
always been of the moderate Calvinistic, or New School, type, and
in relation to church government he has ever advocated Presby-
terianism generously administered, having little sympathy with
high-churchism in any form. In 1S73, when charges were pre-
ferred against Professor Swing by Dr. F. L. Patton before the
Presbytery of Chicago, Dr. Patterson was against the prosecution,
not believing that Professor Swing had then distinctly developed
views inconsistent with his ministerial standing in the Presbyterian
Church, whatever may be said in regard to his later teachings. He
regarded the prosecution as at least premature and adapted to
create an antagonistic interest in the community against Presby-
terianism, which might have been avoided without any sacrifice of
principle or any real detriment to the evangelical faith; and he now
believes that his position then was the wise and truly Christian
one, and that the results have fully justified his opinion in relation
to this matter, which has been the occasion of so much division
and strife. At the same time he has never sympathized with
extreme liberalism either in theology or religious practice. He
expects to die, as he has tried to live, a moderate, charitable Presby-
terian— not a sectarian, but a Christian.
The Third Presbyterian Church. — The history
of this Church closed, in the preceding' volume, with
the completion of the new building at the corner of
Washington and Carpenter streets. The edifice was a
very fine one, and was considered a great credit to the
city. The pews were sold March 15, 1858, and in June,
an organ, made by Mr. Jardine, of New York, was put
in the building. On the 2Sth of August, Rev. A. L.
Brooks indicated his intention of resigning, but the
Church voted against accepting the resignation ; it was,
however, accepted later, and Mr. Brooks became pastor
of the Second Presbyterian Church, at Indianapolis.
His pastorate with the Third Presbyterian Church had
lasted three years, terminating November 17 1859. At
its beginning, there were about twenty members, and
they were worshiping in a small building on Union
Street, near West Market Street ; during its continu-
ance, the new stone edifice had been erected, and the
membership had increased to upwards of two hundred,
while the congregation had become large and influen-
tial. After the retirement of Mr. Brooks, the pulpit was
supplied by various pastors, among them being Rev. R.
W. Henry, Rev. Willis Lord, and Rev Daniel Lord, of
New York.
In February, i860, a call was extended to Rev.
Arthur Swazey, who was then preaching at Galena, 111.
He accepted the call, and was installed February 19.
Between the retirement of Rev. Mr. Brooks and the in-
stallation of Rev. Mr. Swazey, about fifty persons were
added to the Church. Rev. Mr. Swazey's pastorate
lasted until 1870, and was eminently successful. He
was followed by the present pastor, Rev. Abbott E.
Kittredge, who was installed in October, 1870.
In the summer of 187 1, the church-building was re-
modeled and very much improved, after which the
audience-room compared favorably with any in the city.
A chapel was also erected, adjoining the church on the
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
419
west side, for the use of the Sunday-school, and cost
$10,000.
Rev. Arthur Swazey, D.D., was born on June 22, 1S24, at
Bucksport, Me. His father, Hon. John N. Swazey, was a promi-
nent merchant and a leading citizen of that State, and was State
senator for a number of years. His mother, Mrs. Sarah (Buck)
Swazey, was a descendant of General Sewell, of the staff of Gene-
ral Washington. Dr. Swazey was educated at Bowdoin College,
Brunswick. Me., graduating from that institution in 1844, and from
Bangor Theological Seminary in 1S47. His honorary degree was
conferred by Hamilton College. He was ordained te the ministry
in October, 1847, at Brighton, a suburb of Boston, where he was
pastor of the Congregational Church ten years. In March, 1856,
he was called to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church, at
Galena, 111 , and remained there until 1S60. On the 1st of April
of that year, he assumed charge of the Third Presbyterian Church,
Chicago. His pastorate continued until 1S70, and during these
ten years he succeeded in building up a large and very influential
congregation. In 1870, he established The Interior, a Presbyte-
rian newspaper, the success of which, from the start, was very re-
markable, being second only to the Independent, of New York
City. During the first year of its existence the circulation reached
twelve thousand. Dr. Swazey had charge of this paper two years,
when the controlling interest in its stock was purchased by Cyrus
H. McCormick, in the interest of another style of theology in the
Presbyterian denomination. After his retirement from the editorship
of The Interior, Dr. Swazey preached at Ashland Avenue Presbyte-
rian Church three years, and for the Forty-first Street Presbyterian
Church four years, retiring from the latter in 1883. He has also
been a regular contributor to the press for many years, and during
the last ten years has made a special study of astronomy, with what
zeal and success may be inferred from the fact that with his own
telescope, of four-inch aperture, he was second only to the Cam-
bridge Observatory in the accuracy of his observations of the initial
and secondary contacts of Venus with the Sun at its late transit.
The Cambridge Observatory gave the time of contact within one-
half a second, and Dr. Swazey within one and a half seconds of the
average lime. The West Point observatories were third on the list
of accuracy, and those of the Naval Observatory, at Washington,
D. C, fourth. Dr. Swazey was married, October 7, 1847, to Eliza
Ann Wells, of Brunswick, Me. They have four children — Ella
Maria, Emeline Rice, Louisa Wells and Sarah Buck.
Rev. Abbott Eliot Kittredge, D.D., pastor of the Third
Presbyterian Church, was born at Roxbury. Mass., July 20, 1834.
After attending the district schools for some years he entered Wil-
liams College in 1S50, and graduated therefrom in 1S54. He was
then admitted to Andover Theological Seminary, from which he
graduated in 1859. In September of that year he was installed
pastor of the Winthrop Congregational Church, Charlestown,
Mass., resigning the pastorate there in 1S63. During six months
of the next year, while making a visit to the Pacific Coast, he oc-
cupied the pulpit of Howard Street Presbyterian Church. In Jan-
uary, 1S65, he was installed pastor of the Eleventh (now Memo-
rial) Presbyterian Church, New York City, remaining there until
1870, resigning in June, to assume the pastorate of the Third
Presbyterian Church, Chicago, where he was installed the following
October. At that time the church-building was situated on the
corner of Washington and Carpenter streets and there was a mem-
bership of two hundred and forty. By his energy and zeal there
was a continual and rapid increase in the membership, until, in
187S, it became necessary to procure a larger edifice. The elegant
edifice erected, in 1871, by St. John's Episcopal Church, was pur-
chased and enlarged, and was occupied until partially destroyed by
the lire of October 10, 1S84. The success of Dr. Kittredge, as a
pastor, is attested by the remarkable growth and prosperity of the
Church to which he has ministered since his installation in Chicago.
The Third Presbyterian Church has received over twenty-two hun-
dred communicants. The secret of Dr. Kittredge's success is his
great executive ability and his sympathetic nature. He is a little
below the average stature and of fine physique. In manner, he is
affable and pleasant ; he adapts himself to persons in all conditions
of life ; his genial nature brings him into personal relations with
each member of his congregation ; and as a consequence he is
held in high esteem. In the pulpit he affects no style of oratory,
but aims to present the Gospel in its simplicity and purity ; and he
does this with an earnestness and freshness which makes it always
new. His sermons are well written and practical, and his delivery
is forcible and eloquent. His congregations are always large, and
his influence extends to all parts of the country, through the me-
dium of the secular press. The greatest feature of his church work-
is the conduct of his prayer-meetings. Previous to the assembling
of each meeting, he chooses a few interesting speakers, and this,
with his zeal and earnestness, has caused his prayer-meetings to
become renowned, the average attendance being about five hun-
dred. Dr. Kittredge has always been active in promoting every
proper kind of evangelistic movement, and his long pastorate over
this gre<u Church, which is second in size to any in its own denomi-
nation in the United States, sufficiently indicates the esteem in
which he is held.
South Presbyterian Church. — After the resig-
nation of Rev. R. W. Henry, this Church, on April 23d,
i860, elected as his successor, Rev. T. M. Cunningham,
who, June 17, preached his first sermon to this congre-
gation. In April, 1861, the total number of commu-
nicants was one hundred and ten, and of children in
the Sunday-school and Bible-class, one hundred and
twenty. In 1861, Rev. T. M. Cunningham was suc-
ceeded by Rev. L. J. Halsey, D.D., who remained a few
months. His successor, was Rev. W. W. Harsha, who
became pastor in September 1862. On the 3d of July,
RUINS, NORTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
1863, C. M. Howard was elected elder and ordained
October 2, 1863. In November, 1864, the Session was
enlarged by the election of N. D. Hunter, J. H. Knapp
and John Forsythe. In December, a Board of Dea-
cons was ordained and installed, consisting of William
Wisdom, John Buchanan and Somerville Thompson.
In October, 1866, S. M. Moore, was elected elder, and
on the same day J. Whitney Farlin was elected deacon.
On January 15, 1867, W. G. Holmes, who had been for
nine years an elder and clerk of the Session, was, with
his wife, dismissed to join a new religious enterprise
then being organized on the West Side under Rev. Dr.
Patterson. John Forsythe was then elected clerk of the
Session.
Shortly afterward, the dissolution of the church or-
ganization occurred. This was the result of the union
of the Old and New School Presbyterian churches
throughout the United States, and the proximity of the
First Presbyterian Church, which had always belonged
to the New School branch. The South Presbyterian
Church then stood on the McCormick lot, at the corner
of Wabash Avenue and Congress Street, having been
removed from the lot at the corner of Jackson Street
and Edina Place in 1863, soon after Rev. W. W. Har-
sha became pastor. Rev. Mr. Harsha, upon his resig-
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
nation of the pastorate, advised the members to unite
with the Twenty-eighth Street Presbyterian Church,
then recently organized. This advice was quite gen-
erally followed, and the Session of the South Church
met in the Twenty-eighth Street Church, for the first
time. September 1 1, 1S69. Letters were given to thirty-
three members from September 11, 1S69, to March 25,
1870. Fifty-eight other members of the South Church,
by the terms of the union, became members of the
Twenty-eighth Street Church. The property thus va-
cated was rented.
The Sunday-school of this Church was organized
soon after the organization of the Church, and was al-
ways in a prosperous condition. The list of its superin-
tendents is as follows : Charles A. Spring, Sr., William
G. Holmes, C. M. Howard, George B. Dunton and
Judge S. M. Moore.
The South Presbyterian Church, though its history
was brief and somewhat troubled, claims to have given
from its membership more ministers than all the other
Presbvterian churches in Chicago. This is a remarkable
fact, and the list of these ministers is here appended :
Henry E. Lippert, who died early in his ministerial life;
Charles M. Howard, a noted evangelist ; John Miller ;
Robert Mackenzie, pastor of Howard-Street Presbyte-
rian Church, San Francisco ; J. Garnis Hunter, pastor
of a Church in Georgetown, Ky.; Robert K. Wharton,
of Waukegan ; Maurice Waller, of Manchester, Ohio ;
and William Justin Harsha, son of Rev. \V. W. Harsha,
of Omaha, Neb.
The Central Presbyterian Church. — This
Church was organized January 29, 1865, with twenty-
three members, most of them having previously been
members of the North Presbyterian Church. A few
days previous to the organization, the Chicago Presby-
tery met in the South Presbyterian Church, for the pur-
pose of attending to the request of those who desired
the organization of a new Church, to be styled the Cen-
tral Presbyterian Church of Chicago, and resolved that
the prayer of the petitioners should be granted, and ap-
pointed'Rev. Willis Lord, D.D., Rev. F. Seymour and
Hon. Lincoln Clark as a committee to consummate the
organization.
On the 29th of January, 1865, the committee met in
the Central Presbyterian Church, when Judge E. S. Wil-
liams and A. H. Hoge were elected elders. Dr. Lord
then said that, as the elders elect had been ordained
elders in the North Presbyterian Church, all that the
committee had to do was to declare them ruling elders
in the Central Presbyterian Church. After the charge to
the elders and the people, the Central Presbyterian
Church was declared duly organized and under the care
of the Chicago Presbytery. The original members were
as follows : Judge E. S. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. A. H.
Ho^e. Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Wadsworth, Mr. and Mrs. W.
I' Dickinson, Mr. and Mrs. John Woodbridge, Mr. and
Mrs. Andrew Blaikie, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fauntleroy,
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh McLennan, Mrs. A. Welch, Miss
Oiive Collins, Mrs. Thomas Dixon, Mrs. A. D. F. Bru-
ner, Mrs I). F. Burt, Mrs. A. Jones, Walter Butler, and
Miss Elizabeth A. Blaikie.
Rev. Frederick T. Brown was the first pastor, and re-
mained until October 10, 1866, when, very reluctantly,
the Church accepted his resignation. The first meeting
of the Session was held April 1, 1865. During that year
eight members were added to thfc Church. The Central
Presbyterian Church, in which the committee met Jan-
uary 29, 1865, to complete the work of organization,
was the original St. James' Episcopal church-building,
the first brick church-edifice erected in Chicago, and
stood on the west side of Cass Street, thirty feet south
of Illinois Street. After the close of the war, and after
the resignation of their pastor, Rev. Frederick T. Brown,
the property was sold to Albert Smith, and was finally
destroyed in the great fire. The members gradually
found their way into other churches, the family of John
Woodbridge being the last to go. Mr. Woodbridge was
the last elder of the Church, and as such gave letters to
the different members of his family, and finally to him-
self, to the New England Congregational Church, into
which they were received.
A Sunday-school was organized soon after the es-
tablishment of the Church, of which John Woodbridge
was the first and only superintendent. It was well at-
tended as long as it was in existence.
The First Scotch Presbyterian Church. — Pre-
vious to the organization of this Church, eight churches
had already been established in Chicago to provide re-
ligious homes for that part of the Scottish element in
the city who did not attend the American churches.
These were the Reformed Presbyterian Church, the
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, the American
Presbyterian Church (O. S.), three United Presbyterian
churches, one in each of the three divisions of the city, and
all Old School, the South Side Scotch Presbyterian
Church (N. S.), and the Jefferson Park Presbyterian
Church, all in American connection. The principal rea-
sons for their failure to provide a religious home for the
Scottish element were that the leaders in their establish-
ment omitted to lay sufficient stress upon the importance
of securing pastors from Scottish schools, and upon the
fact that many of the Scotch people were opposed to inno-
vations of every kind. They preferred the " Psalm Book "
to the " Hymnal," and were not favorably inclined to the
introduction of instrumental music into the services.
Hence, when such innovations were made, while Ameri-
can families were attracted and gratified, many Scotch
families were displeased and repelled.
Several Scotchmen determined to organize a Church
in which the forms of worship that their forefathers had
established should be observed, and of which the pas-
tors should be of Scottish birth and education. The
leaders of this movement were George McPherson,
George Drysdale and James F. Mackie. On December
3, 1865, these gentlemen met to consider the organiza-
tion of a purely Scotch Presbyterian Church. On Jan-
uary 6, 1866, a paper was circulated in which this pur-
pose was set out, and which received signatures to the
number of one hundred and fifty families of those fa-
voring the project. Soon after, the services of Revs.
John Fraser, of Thamesford, and John Scott, of Lon-
don, Ontario, were procured, a temporary organization
was effected, a public hall rented, and funds were raised
to carry on the work. An application was made for an
ecclesiastical organization and connection with the
Synod of the Canada Presbyterian Church, because
many of its ministers were Scotchmen and consequently
familiar with Scottish forms.
On June 7, 1866, the Synod of Canada instructed
the Presbytery of London to proceed to the organiza-
tion of said congregation in Chicago, according to the
rules and forms of the Church. The Presbytery of
London assembled at Hamilton, Canada, on the nth
of June, during the meeting of the Synod, and appointed
Rev. John J. A. Proudfoot to attend to the duties of
organizing the said Church. Rev. Mr. Proudfoot came
to Chicago, and on Sunday, July 1, gave notice that on
July 8 the Church would be organized and four elders
elected.
The Church was organized, and was named the First
REI.KUOUS HISTORY.
421
Scotch Presbyterian Church of Chicago. Following are
the names of the forty-six original members :
Mr. and Mrs. D. Gillespie, Mr. and Mrs. R. Watson, Mr. and
Mrs. A. Barnet, Mr. and Mrs. D. Pyott, Mr. and Mrs. T. Ilad-
dow, Mr. and Mrs. J. Turner. Mr. and Mrs. G. Maurer, Mr. and
Mrs. P. McEvan, Mr. and Mrs. T.Gillespie, Mr. and Mrs. J. F.
Cowan, Mr. and Mrs. J. Whyte, Mr. and Mrs. G. McPherson, Mr.
and Mrs. A. Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. George Drysdale, Mr. and
Mrs. James Barnett, Mr. and Mrs. G. Key, Mr. and Mrs. J. Les-
lie, Mr. and Mrs. A. Drysdale, Mrs. Isabella Clark, John Fraser,
Alexander McMillen, Miss C. Fleming, Sarah Gairns, Margaret
Wright, Mrs. Isabella Belford, Mrs. Jessie Cavanaugh, Mrs. Susan
Mortimer and Miss Ferguson.
On the same day, George McPherson, Andrew
Drysdale, Alexander Barnet and Robert Watson were
elected elders and on the 17th, George McPherson,
previously ordained in the First United Presbyterian
Church of Chicago, was inducted into the office of elder
and the other three were ordained, and on the iSth, the
Session met and was constituted under the moderator-
ship of Mr. Proudfoot. Services were held in St.
George's Hall, on South Clark Street, near Jackson, for
about eighteen months, during which time the pulpit
was supplied by the Canadian Presbytery. A call was
then extended to Rev. R. F. Bums, D.D., of St. Cath-
erines, Ontario, and his acceptance awakened considera-
ble enthusiasm among the members. His induction oc-
curred March 20, 1868, in Music Hall, on State Street.
This Church, which was self-sustaining from its com-
mencement, increased in membership quite rapidly, and
it became necessary to seek a more commodious house
of worship. Metropolitan Hall was next occupied, until
the congregation completed a church-edifice at the cor-
ner of Adams and Sangamon streets. This was dedi-
cated August 16, 1868, Rev. Dr. Ormiston, Rev. Dr.
Brown, and Rev. Dr. Robert Burns, of Knox College,
Canada, father of the pastor, preaching on that occasion.
Rev. Dr. Burns labored in Chicago three years,
cheerfully and successfully. He was a preacher of ex-
ceptional ability and rare pulpit eloquence, and these
qualifications, combined with eminent scholarship and
the novelty of hearing the Word expounded by an Old
Country divine, sufficed to attract large congregations
to St. George's Hall, Metropolitan Hall, and to the new
church-edifice. But during this time, his venerable
father had died, and he longed to be again among his
relatives in Canada. Receiving a call from the Cote
Street Presbyterian Church, Montreal, he therefore ac-
cepted it. He took his departure amid many expres-
sions of regret. During his ministry, the Church had
steadily increased in membership, and at the close of
his pastorate, the rolls contained the names of three
hundred and nineteen members.
Robert Ferrier Burns, D.D., was born at Paisley, Scot-
land, December 23, 1826. His father was Rev. Robert Burns,
D.D., pastor, for a number of years, of Laigh Kirk, Paisley, and
was the successor in that church of Rev. John Witherspoon, after-
ward elected president of Princeton College, New Jersey. Dr.
Burns, Sr., was generally spoken of as the father of Canadian
Presbyterianism, and was a professor in Knox College, Toronto.
Robert F. Burns was educated at the high school of his native
town. He then attended the Glasgow University four sessions,
and afterward studied at Edinburgh one session, under the cele-
brated Dr. Chalmers and Dr. Cunningham. He then emigrated to
Canada, and attended Knox College during the sessions of 1845-46
and 1S46-47. He was ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church,
July 1, 1S47, at Kingston, Ontario, where he remained eight years
as pastor of Chalmer's Church. In July, 1855, he was called to
the charge of Knox Church, St. Catharines, Ontario, where he re-
mained until March, 1867 ; when he was called to the First Scotch
Presbyterian Church, of Chicago, as its first pastor, by which he-
was enthusiastically received, and with which he remained until
April, 1S70. While in Chicago, he was an active and efficient
worker, in connection with D. I.. Moody, B. F. Jacobs and D. W,
Whittle, in the organization and labor of the Young Men's Chris-
tian Association and of the Illinois Sunday-school Association.
Upon leaving Chicago, he went to the Cote Street Church, Mon-
treal, where he remained five vears, and where, also, he was very
active in the work of the Sunday-school. In 1875, he accepted a
call to, the Fort Massey Church, Halifax, Nova Scotia, of which
he is still pastor. Rev. Mr. Burns was married, July 1, 1S52, to
Miss Elizabeth Holden, daughter of Dr. Rufus Holden, of Belle-
ville, Ontario. They have had nine children, eight of whom are
living — four sons and four daughters.
Calvary Presbyterian Church fN. S.), was or-
ganized Jul)r 20, 1859, at the Protestant Orphan Asy-
lum, by the Presbytery. Thirty members united with
the Church. The first elders were Ebenezer Jenkins,
Bennett B. Chambers and James Otis. Rev. F. W.
Graves, of Corning, N. Y., was the first pastor, and he
remained until April, i860. The pulpit was then sup-
plied by various preachers, among them Rev. B. Yan-
Zant, of Freeport, N. Y., and Rev. Thomas Sherard.
In i860, a chapel was erected on Indiana Avenue,
south of Ringgold Place, with a seating capacity of
three hundred, and costing $2,500. In September,
Rev Edward Anderson, of St. Joseph, Mich., accepted
a call from this Church. The church-building was ready
for occupancy in October, and was dedicated on No-
vember 13. Rev. Mr. A nderson remained about a year,
and was succeeded by Rev. James H. Trowbridge, of
Dubuque, Iowa, who entered upon his duties in June,
1862. Toward the latter part of the year, the church-
building was removed to the corner of Indiana Avenue
and Twenty-second Street, and enlarged. On I )ecem-
ber 3, 1865, Rev. Edward A. Pierce preached his first
sermon as pastor, and he was installed on December
22. He remained as pastor until his death, March 8,
1868. He was succeeded by Rev. Daniel Lord, who
was pastor until the union of this Church with the
First Presbyterian, which occurred soon after the great
fire of 187 1 ; when the latter Church erected a building
at the northeast corner of Indiana Avenue and Twenty-
first Street.
The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
was organized in 1855. The first pastor was Rev.
Archibald Nisbet. For some time the Church was
quite prosperous, but, in purchasing a lot and erecting a
church-building, a debt was incurred which became
quite a burden to the society. A portion of the mem-
bers, including the pastor, in order to liquidate the
debt, favored uniting with a wealthy congregation, and
in this way obtain assistance. A majority, therefore,
withdrew from this Church, and formed the American
Presbyterian Church (O. S.\ retaining, however, the
church property.
Some time after this, another division of the Church
ensued. Those who remained were unable to pay off
the indebtedness, and in due time the church property
was sold by the sheriff, the Church became extinct, and
its members, with the exception of a mere handful, be-
came scattered among other churches. After some
years, the minority, who had held together; formed the
First United Presbyterian Church.
The First United Presbyterian Church. — This
Church was organized in i860, by a number of mem-
bers of the Associated Reformed Church , Rev. Mr.
Nesbit's upon a division of the latter Church. This
minority being few in numbers and of limited means,
■I-2
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
accomplished but little, became discouraged, and dis-
tributed themselves among other churches, with the
exception of Robert Livingston and George McPher-
son, who corresponded with the United Presbyterian
Denomination, and in due time procured preaching
from the United Presbyterian Assembly. Rev. Benja-
min Waddell was the first supply, being succeeded by
Revs. Ormstead Reed, of Pittsburgh, Mr. Bigger, and
others. Most of this work was previous to the organi-
zation of the Church.
At the time of the organization, three elders were
elected : Robert Livingston, George McPherson and
T. G. Spriggs. Afterward, Hugh Alexander and Alex-
ander Ferrier were elected elders. Rev. W. C. Jackson
was the first regular pastor. For some time the Church
was not self-sustaining, but was assisted by the General
Assembly. At the time of its organization the mem-
bers were Scotch, but soon Americans joined the con-
gregation, and in five or six years the membership was
composed of some forty families, about equally divided
between Americans and Scotch.
Rev. W. C. Jackson commenced preaching for this
Church May 5, 1861. At that time the congregation
was worshiping at the corner of Washington and Jeffer-
son streets in the morning, and at old Trinity Church,
on Madison Street, in the afternoon. In May and June,
1862, Rev. W. B. Truax, superintendent of missions of
the American Sunday-school Union for the Northwest,
preached for this Church, and at the annual meeting of
this year the finances were reported to be in good con-
dition. In 1864, the Church removed to Green Street,
between Madison and Monroe, where it remained until
1871, when it erected its present handsome edifice at
the corner of Monroe and Paulina streets. In 1867,
Rev. Mr. Jackson retired from the pastorate, and, after
a vacancy in the pulpit for about two years, Rev. J. M.
Baugh was called.
The Edwards Presbyterian Church was organ-
ized late in the year 1861, its first elders being ordained
on the 13th of December. On the 15th, services were
conducted by Rev. Arthur Swazey in the morning, and
by Rev. Z. M. Humphrey in the evening. Rev. A. L.
Brooks was ordained pastor on the 20th of the month,
and installed June 24, 1862. The church was located
at the corner of Halsted and Harrison streets, in a por-
tion of the city containing nearly twenty thousand
people, neglected, up to that time, by the Presbyterians.
In the fall of that year the church-building was en-
larged, and was dedicated October 12, 1862. In
August, 1865, the name was changed from the Edwards
Presbyterian Church to the Seventh Presbyterian
Church, and Rev. J. W. Larimore was elected pastor on
September 21, 1865. In 1866, the building was again
enlarged. Rev. Mr. Larimore was installed on April
16, 1866, the services being conducted by Revs. R. VV.
Patterson, Z. M. Humphrey, Alfred Eddy, E. A.
Pierce and Glen Wood. He remained pastor until Oc-
tober, 1867, when, on account of differences of opinion
between himself and the Church, as to the management
of its temporal affairs, he resigned, and was succeeded
by Rev. Mr. McLeish, who remained two years, and
was the last pastor of the Church under the name of the
Seventh Presbyterian. During his pastorate, this
Church exchanged its property on the corner of Harri-
son and Halsted streets for that of the Free-Will Bap-
tist Chun li. on the corner of Jackson and Peoria streets,
which, seen in the light of the present, was a grave mis-
take. At the end of the pastorate of Rev. Mr. McLeish,
the Seventh Presbyterian Church practically disbanded,
but existed for some years as a mission, sustained by
the Third Presbyterian Church, and was, in later years,
revived as the Westminster Presbyterian Church.
The Eighth Presbyterian Church was organ-
ized by a committee from the Presbytery of Chicago,
December 20, 1S64. The original membership was
twenty-five. The Church was the outgrowth of a neigh-
borhood prayer-meeting, commenced on Thanksgiving
evening, November 23, 1863, through the instrument-
ality of Rev. Glen Wood, S. R. Bingham, Mr. and Mrs.
E. H. Whitney, Thomas Hood and others. The meet-
ing was held in the thinly-settled region west of Union
Park, and continued weekly until the Church was organ-
ized and a place of worship completed. In September,
1864, Mr. Bingham secured a lot at the northwest cor-
ner of Washington and Robey streets, upon which to
build a house of worship. A neat chapel was erected,
and dedicated February 9, 1865, the entire cost of land,
chapel and furnishing being $5,600. The congregation
increased so rapidly that the chapel was soon too small
to meet the wants of the prosperous society, and it was
sold to be removed, and the building of a new edifice
commenced. The basement was finished and occupied
for worship in December, 1866, and the main audience
room in June, 1867, the entire building costing about
$32,000. The building is a tasteful structure, and is
surmounted by a steeple containing a bell furnished by
children's contributions, and bearing the inscription
" The Children's Bell."
At the organization of the Church, Rev. James T.
Matthews was elected pastor, and served between two
and three years, but owing to feeble health, which, at
length, compelled him to resign, he was never installed.
He was succeeded by Rev. Lewis H. Reed, from Syra-
cuse, N. Y., who was installed July 7, 1868, and resigned
April 1, 1874.
The Fifth Presbyterian Church was formed by
the union of the South Presbyterian and the Twenty-
eighth-street Presbyterian churches. Early in 1867, a
number of people in the Second United Presbyterian
and Calvary Presbyterian churches, thinking there was
need of a Church in the south part of the city, where
pew rents and church expenses generally would be
within the reach of people of moderate means, decided
upon attempting to supply the want. Rev. Ebenezer
Erskine, then editor of the Northwestern Presbyterian,
raised funds necessary for starting the work. A lot on
Twenty-eighth Street, between Michigan and Wabash
avenues, was purchased, and services were begun April
8, 1867, by Rev. Dr. Erskine. An organization was
effected June 7, with members from the two churches
above referred to. Though Dr. Erskine declined a call
to the Church, he continued to supply the pulpit until
September. A building was erected on the lot, capable
of seating four hundred persons, and costing $5,000.
Rev. William McConnell was installed pastor on No-
vember 17, but assistance expected from various sources
was not rendered, and the small congregation becoming
smaller, Rev. Mr. McConnell was dismissed September
20, 1868. Occasionally supplies were provided by Rev.
Drs. 1'atterson, Erskine and Marquis until the following
May, when Rev. W W. Fairs was appointed to take
charge of the pulpit for six months. His labors closed
September 11, 1869. About a year before, the South
Presbyterian Church made overtures to the Twenty-
eighth - street Church for a union with them, which
resulted successfully, as elsewhere shown.
Thirty-first-street Presbyterian Church had
its origin January 15, 1868, in a meeting held at the
house of Joseph Meeker, for the purpose of organizing
a corporate society under the above name. A constitu-
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
42;
tion was adopted, and the following persons elected
trustees : H. H. Cooler, James L. Otis, Henry Mallory,
Elijah Smith and Joseph Meeker. On the 27th, the
contract was signed for the erection of a frame building
on Wabash Avenue, near Thirty-first Street. Rev. G.
W. Mackie was engaged to secure subscriptions from
people in the neighborhood, and the new and beautiful
edifice was dedicated November 22, 1868. About the
1st of April, 1869, Rev. G. W. Mackie accepted a call
to the pastorate. His installation occurred on April
27, 1869; but, after serving the Church about a year, he
resigned.
About this time negotiations were commenced which
resulted in the union of the Twenty-eighth-street with
the Thirty-first-street Church.
The old South Presbyterian Church owned a build-
ing on Wabash Avenue, the rent of which and the
property of the Twenty-eighth-street Church were trans-
ferred to the new organization, which was known as the
Thirty - first -street Church. After this union, which
occurred July, 1870, a call was extended to Rev. John
H. Brown, D.D., of Springfield, 111., who entered upon
his pastorate almost immediately. He remained until
February 23, 1872, when he died.
Rev David Swing, pastor of the Central Church, was born
at Cincinnati, Ohio, August 23, 1830, the youngest son of David
and Karinda (Gazley) Swing. The Swings were a German family,
and came to America in 1726. David Swing, Sr , was for many
years engaged in steamboating on the Ohio River. He was a man
of ability and of sterling character. He was honored for his man-
hood rather than for his doctrinal Christianity. He died of
cholera in 1S32, leaving two sons to the care of their mother, who
was a devoted Christian, and who inculcated into the minds
of her children the fundamental principles of the Christian
life. In 1837, Mrs. Swing married the second time, and re-
moved to Reading, Ohio, and in 1840 settled on a farm near
Williamsburg in the same State. On this farm young David
lived eight years, attending the public school in the winter
season and at such other times as it was possible. Farm labor
gave him a vigorous constitution, and contact with nature
developed in him, to an unusual degree, the observing and
reflective faculties, and also that originality and independ-
ence of thought which characterize all his utterances and
writings. At the age of eighteen, having prepared himself
by private study, he entered Miami University, at Oxford,
Ohio, from which he graduated as Bachelor of Arts in 1852.
t®eouk,£)
UAA^fy
commodate the increasing congregation, the services were trans-
ferred 1.) McVicker's Theatre; but upon the pletion of the new
Fourth Church edifice, he resumed the pastorate "f this Church.
This building also was soon filled to overflowing by members and
strangers temporarily sojourning in the city, all anxious to hear
Professor Swing, whose fame had become widely extended. Pro-
less,,!- Francis L. Patton, then pastor of Jefferson Park Presby-
terian Church, and professor in the Presbyterian Theological Semi-
nary of the Northwest, believing the teachings of Professor Swing
to be heretical and subversive of true Christian doctrine, inaugu-
rated the trial which has since been so famous, and which resulted
in Professor Swing's withdrawal from the Presbyterian Church.
I lis friends then inaugurated the movement resulting in the
organization of the Central Church. His relations as pastor of the
Fourth Presbyterian Church terminated December 1, 1875, and ne
commenced preaching for the new organization in McVicker's
Theatre in April, 1876. This theatre was used until the fall of
18S0, when the services were transferred to Central Music Hall,
which continues to be used until the present time. His fame, and
the intrinsic merit of his powerful sermons, have rendered his
name one of the most celebrated in the country, and the vast
auditorium of Central Music Flail is weekly filled to hear him.
Professor Swing was married, on July 3, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth
Porter, daughter of Dr. James Porter, of Oxford, Ohio. Mrs.
Swing died on August 3, 1879, leaving two daughters — Mary, now
Mrs. Jewett E. Ricker, of Cincinnati, and Helen, who lives at
home with her father.
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
First Methodist Episcopal Church. — The
history of this Church in the preceding volume closed
with the change of name from the Methodist Episcopal
Church of Chicago to the First Methodist Episcopal
Church of Chicago. At that time, Rev. James Baume
was pastor. The building erected in 1845 was still in
He then commenced his Divinity studies under Rev. Dr. N.
L. Rice, of Cincinnati, with whom he remained one year. |w|
In 1853, he returned to Miami University as Professor of ftsH
Ancient Languages, and remained in that capacity thirteen SS
years. In 1866, he was invited to the pastorate of Westmin- Jjljl
ister Presbyterian Church, Chicago In this Church his ser- £2?
mons were characterized by liberality of thought, and by a isS=
want of dogmatic teaching respecting certain doctrines which S-Jr
underlie Calvanism, and which were believed by some to be
essential to Presbyterianism. Large congregations listened
to his sermons, and his popularity became so great that the
North Presbyterian Church was led to seek a consolidation
with Westminister Church, which was effected February 6,
1 871. and the united bodies named the Fourth Presby- -\, y
terian Church. The church-building was soon afterward
destroyed by the great fire, as were also the residences of
all but two of his parishioners. Rev. David Swing himself saved
nothing, and with his wife and two daughters spent the night on
the open prairie. On the second Sunday after the fire, October 22.
he commenced preaching in Standard Hall, on the southwest
corner of Michigan Avenue and Thirteenth Street. There he
preached nearly a year. But when the hall became too small to ac-
CHUKL'H BLOCK, COR. CLARK AMI WASHINGTON" STREETS.
use, but the city was growing in wealth as well as size.
and the members saw their building being surpassed by
other churches. On February 6, 185S, a meeting was
held to consider plans for a new edifice " which should
be fully up to the grade of modern architecture." A
4^4
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
committee of fifteen was appointed to take charge of
the matter. Soon after the old building was torn down
and work on the new one commenced. In the mean-
time the congregation worshiped in Mechanics' Hall,
on the southwest corner of Clark and Washington
streets. The corner-stone of the new building was laid
August 4. 1S5S, by Rev. D. D. Kidder, of Evanston.
The new building was an elegant marble structure,
presenting the appearance of a fine business block, four
stories high. The lower or main floor was given up to
stores, the second to offices, and the two upper stories
to the purposes of the Society. The main audience
room was the height of both stories. It had a gallery,
and would seat two thousand people. The congrega-
tion commenced worshiping in the lecture-room on
Sunday, December 5, 1858. Rev. James Baume
preached his last sermon to them two weeks later, be-
fore starting to India as a missionary. The new church
was dedicated April 28, 1859. The cost of the en-
tire structure was about $70,000. After the depart-
ure of Rev. Mr. Baume, there were various supplies,
among whom were Rev. E. M. Boring and Dr. Kid-
der; and on October 21, i860, Rev. O. H. Tiffany
preached his first sermon as pastor. Dr. Tiffany
resigned in May, 1862; after which the pulpit was
supplied by Rev. T. M. Eddy, D D., from 1st of June
until the following fall, when Rev. Francis D. Hem-
in way was appointed. In 1864, he was succeeded
by Rev. C. H. Fowler, who remained three years.
The next pastor was Rev. W. C. Dandy, who was
succeeded by Rev. John A. King, and he by
Rev. \V. H. Daniels, who was pastor at the time
of the great fire of 187 1, which destroyed the
building.
In 1865, an appeal was made to this Church
by the West Indiana Street Church for pecu-
niary aid, and a resolution was passed that this
application should be first on the list, after the
lot on Indiana Avenue, which was purchased for
what is now Trinity Methodist Church, should
be paid for. Nearly every Methodist Church
in the city, organized since that date has re-
ceived assistance from the First Methodist Church, which
before the great fire had given away over $70,000. The
loss occasioned by the great fire was $130,000, but as
the insurance on the building and organ had been
placed in solvent companies, the Church realized from
that source $65,501.68. From funds collected from
abroad, in excess of chapel fund, there were $10,000.
So that the net loss was a little in excess of $50,000.
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church had its
origin in the summer of 1S55, when Clark-street Mission
was organized in the Orphan Asylum, on Michigan Av-
enue, near Twenty-second Street. In August, 1856,
the school was removed to the school-house on Indiana
Avenue, near Twenty-second Street, and organized as
St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Sabbath - school. The
building was removed in December, 1859, and the
was temporarily disbanded. In 1862, it was re-
organized in Calvary Presbyterian Church, at the cor-
ner of Indiana Avenue and Twenty-second Street, as
the Trinity Methodist Church Sabbath-school, with John
Hay ward, superintendent, and Frank Carley, secretary.
In 186 -building was erected on Indiana Av-
enue and "r%fenty-first Street, which being completed,
was dedicated April 10, 1864, by Rev. T. M. Eddy,
D.D. During that year, Rev. C. H. Fowler had official
,'ht of the new society. In the fall of 1864, Rev.
John H. Vincent wa^ appointed pastor, and, in 1865, he
was succeeded by Rev. William August Smith. In 1866,
Rev. S. A. W. Jewett was appointed, and was succeeded,
in the fall of 1868, by Rev. T. M. Eddy, D.D. In
March, 1869, Rev. E. B. Snyder was transferred to this
Church from the Pittsburgh Conference. In the follow-
ing fall, Rev. J. H. Bayliss became pastor.
About that time the project of erecting a new build-
ing began to be discussed, but work was not begun be-
fore the summer of 1870. The property at the corner
of Indiana Avenue and Twenty-first Street was sold to
RUINS, M. E. CHURCH BLOCK.
Calvary Presbyterian Church and the lot at the corner
of Indiana Avenue and Twenty-fourth Street was pur-
chased. The corner-stone of the new edifice was laid
October 5, 1870, the exercises being conducted by
Bishop Janes, of New York. The work was actively
pushed forward until the fire of 187 1, which to a great
extent cut off the resources of the members. Notwith-
standing this, however, the lecture-room of the new
building was dedicated in January, 1872.
Grace Methodist Episcopal Church. — After
the loss of the lots at the corner of Erie and Wolcott
'State) streets, this Church, as has already been re
counted, was roused to renewed efforts in the direction
of purchasing lots for a new location and erecting suit-
able buildings thereon. Lots were purchased at the
northwest corner of EaSalle Street and Chicago Ave-
nue, costing over $9,000, the money being raised by the
ladies of the Church. At a meeting held June 8, 1863,
the Society was re-organized, and, at the suggestion of
the ladies present, the Church was named Grace Meth-
odist Episcopal Church. The following trustees were
then elected : Abner R. Scranton, Andrew J. Brown,
Oliver S. Goss, Alfred L. Sewell, Alfred L. Scranton,
W. F. Moss, Jr., and F. N. Gould. The trustees were
instructed to procure title to the lots, and to erect a
chapel on the northeast corner. The corner-stone of
this chapel was laid by Dr. Bugbee, in the fall of 1863,
and the chapel dedicated by Bishop Simpson July 3,
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
425
1864. The building, which, including the organ, cost
$25,000, was completed without incurring a debt.
Rev. Dr. L. H. Bugbee, who had been appointed in
the fall of 1 86 1, was succeeded, in 1863, by Rev. J. C.
Stoughton, who was followed, in 1S64, by Rev. O. H.
Tiffany. During his ministry, large additions were
made to the membership, mainly by conversion, and the
congregation became so large that it was deemed nec-
essary to commence work on the main building, the
foundations of which were laid in the fall of 1866. The
superstructure was completed in 1867, and in the spring
of 1868 the entire building, with the exception of the
tower and spire, was finished. It was dedicated in the
summer of that year by Rev. A. J. Jutkins, who had
succeeded Rev. 6. H. Tiffany in the preceding fall.
The debt of the Society at the time was $37,000, but on
the day of the dedication, subscriptions were given for
the entire amount. During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Jut-
kins and that of Rev. M. M. Parkhurst, which com-
menced in the fall of 1870, the increase in membership
was steady. The church-building was a source of pride
to the members. It was of stone, rock-faced, of the
English-Gothic style of architecture and capable of ac-
commodating one thousand persons.
This elegant structure, on the night of October 9,
1S71, was swept away, and nothing remained but ashes
RUINS, GRACE M. E. CHURCH.
and smouldering ruins. For a time despair seemed to
possess the hearts of all; but the pastor, Rev. Mr. Park-
hurst, was perhaps less discouraged than any member
of the Church.
On Sunday, October 15, a considerable number of
the widely separated members assembled upon the ruins
of their temple, and there resolved to stand by the So-
ciety. On Sunday, November 5, a second meeting
was held upon the ruins, the pastor and a majority of
the trustees being present, and it was resolved to imme-
diately erect a temporary structure. The latter was so
far completed that, on Sunday, December 3, religious
services were held therein. This was fifty-six days after
the fire. The Church, during the succeeding winter,
sold the old site, purchased that of their present build-
ing, at the corner of LaSalle and Locust streets, and
prepared plans for the erection of the new edifice.
Rev. Matthew M. Parkhurst, D.D., pastor of Grant Place
M. E. Church, was born at Mexico, Oswego Co., N. Y., July 13,
1S34, the son of Simeon ami Mary Ann (Henry) Parkhurst. His
mother was a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church, anil
young Matthew M., was, when a babe, baptized by a Roman
Catholic priest. Both father and mother were converted to
Methodism in 1S44. Matthew M. was kept constantly in the
public schools until he was seventeen years of age, when he became
an apprentice to a coach-maker. During the second year of his
apprenticeship he was converted; and within one year from the
time of his conversion, under a conviction that it was his duty to
preach, he commenced studying Greek and Latin, placing his
grammars in the tool-rack before him while at work. After serv-
ing three years in the shop, he commenced his classical course of
study at Fally Seminary, at Fulton, Oswego Co., N. Y., where he
prepared for college. Afterward he attended the Concord Biblical
Institute (now the Boston Theological School), graduated there-
from in 1859. He is an alumnus, by honor, of the Syracuse Uni-
versity, located at Syracuse, N.Y., which, also, conferred upon him
the degree of Master of Arts in 186S. In April, i860, he joined the
New England Conference, and was located at Barre, Mass., where
he remained one year. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War.
in 1861, he enlisted and went to the front as first lieutenant in
command of Co. " K." 21st Massachusetts Infantry, and was
stationed in Lower Maryland, for the purpose of intercepting con-
traband trade between Baltimore and Richmond, Ya. In 1S62, by
request ot Governor John A. Andrew, he engaged in holding war
meetings throughout the State, for the purpose of enlisting soldiers
to fill up depleted regiments and to organize new ones, and con-
tinued at this work during most of the year 1S63, enlisting many
soldiers and taking them to the front, in the meantime supplying a
pulpit in Warren, Mass. In the battle of Roanoke Island, he was
exposed to great danger during the storming of a battery on that
island, having his clothing riddled with bullets and his sword
scabbard shot away. In 1864, he returned to the regular work of
the ministry and was stationed at Laurel Street M. E. Church,
Worcester, Mass. In 1865, he became pastor of the Woburn M. E.
Church, where he remained until 1S67, and then went to Stoneham,
where he remained until 1870, being thus for six years virtually
pastor of Boston churches. In 1S67, he was elected Grand
Worthy Chief Templar of the Grand Lodge of Good Templars of
Massachusetts. In 186S, he was appointed chaplain of the Inter-
national Lodge of North America, and in 1S70, he was appointed
chaplain of the Massachusetts State Prison, which he served, in
connection with the Church at Stoneham, until the fall of 1870,
when he was called to the pastorate of Grace M. E Church, Chi-
cago. After one year of successful work in this pastorate, the
church edifice and every home occupied by members of the congre-
gation was destroyed by the great fire. Of the nine hundred and
sixty-three scholars belonging to the Sunday-school, not one had
a home the next day. On Thursday following the fire. Rev. Mr.
Parkhurst was re-appointed to the Church by Bishop Ames, and on
the same day he telegraphed to Gilbert Haven, of Boston, for
$2, 000, to build a temporary structure in which to gather the
people. Before one week had elapsed he had arrangements made
for commencing to build. Early on the Sunday morning succeed-
ing the fire (October 15), Rev. Mr. Parkhurst preached on the ruins
of the church to several hundred of the congregation, who there
met for the first time after the great calamity ; and this prompt
action undoubtedly saved Grace Church from disorganization. In
the week following he left for New England to raise money toward
re-building their church edifice, and in sixteen days returned with
$20,000 pledged by generous-hearted people in the Eastern States
for that purpose. Rev. Mr. Parkhurst was married May 3, i860,
to Miss Theresa Monroe, daughter of Barnabas Monroe, of
Oswego County, N. Y. She was a member of the Presbyterian
Church. While living in Woburn, Mass., they buried their first
child born to them, Herbert Monroe, who died in 1S65. Mrs.
Parkhurst died March 31. 1S72, leaving a little son eight days old,
Gilbert Fowler, who died in October, 1SS2. The loss of his family
and the arduous labors attendant upon the re-building of the church
broke down Mr. Parkhurst's health, and he was unable to do any-
work before August, 1873. At this time he went to California,
and continued on, westward, around the world, through Japan,
China, India, Arabia, Egypt, the Holy Land, Greece, Italy, etc..
to Scotland where he arrived in May. 1S74. While assisting
Moody and Sankey in their great revival in Scotland, he was a guest
with Mr. Sankey, as his pastor (Mr. Sankey having united with
Grace Church early in the spring of 1S73), at the house of Mrs.
George Thomson, at Sterling, Scotland While there he became
engaged to her youngest daughter, Mary A. C. Thomson, to whom
he°was married August 5, 1874, having in the meantime visited
4a6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Ireland, England, the Rhine, Switzerland and France. On the
17th of September following-. Rev. and Mrs. Parkhurst were
given a reception by the congregation of I '.race Church. In Octo-
ber, he was appointed pastor of the Michigan Avenue M. E.
Church, and two years later was transferred to the First M. E.
Church. After three years successful work here, he went to Scotland
where he remained cine year, engaged in settling up an estate and
holding revival meetings, and also in speaking to crowds in England
in connection with the Robert Raikes Sunday-school Centennial
celebrations. Returning to America he was appointed to the pas-
torate of the First M. E. Church at Elgin, 111., remaining until
October, 1883, when he entered upon his present pastorate.
During the trial of Rev. II. \V. Thomas. Rev. Mr. Parkhurst was
prosecutor for the Church in the preliminary trial, an account of
which will be given hereafter. Dr. Parkhurst has been actively
connected with the Lake Bluff Sunday-school Assembly since 1S76.
During his ministerial career, he has built live churches — one each
in Warren. Woburn and Stoneham, Mass., Grace M. E. Church,
Chicago, and one at Elgin, 111. Dr. Parkhurst has four children
by his present wife : Mary Ann, Isabel Catharine Thomson, George
Thomson and Jane Margaret Drummond.
Park-avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. —
This Church had its inception in 1858, when a few
Methodist families, among them those of John Skelton,
John Scribner, William Dockrell and Charles Radcliff,
living west of Union Park, commenced holding weekly
prayer - meetings. These meetings were continued
nearly two years, at which time the City Mission So-
ciety made arrangements by which there was preaching
on each Sunday afternoon
The Church Extension Society soon afterward pur-
chased a lot on the corner of Robey Street and Park
Avenue, upon which the Society erected a building,
under the direction of Rev. William F. Stewart. This
edifice was dedicated in the spring of 1 861, by Bishop
Simpson, and the Society took the name of the Park-
avenue Mission.
In the fall of 1862, an addition was made to the
church-building. Rev. Mr. Chadwick was then in
charge of the Society, as city missionary, having been
appointed in 1861. In 1863, he was succeeded by
Rev. Henry Whipple. On account of the continual
growth of the Society in numbers, a still larger building
was necessary; and Bishop Hamline leased a lot on the
southeast corner of Robey Street and Park Avenue, for
a term of ninety-nine years, without rent for the first
ten years, and an annual rental thereafter of one hun-
dred dollars a year, to be paid to the American Bible
Society. Upon this lot a building was erected at a cost
of $10,000. It was dedicated in 1865, as the Park-ave-
nue Methodist Episcopal Church.
After the transfer of Rev. Henry Whipple, Rev.
Luke Hitchcock and Rev. Dr. Hardin supplied the pul-
pit until the fall of 1866, when Rev. J. H. Bayliss be-
came its first regular pastor. Rev. Mr. Bayliss remained
three years, during which time the membership was
greatly increased. A parsonage was also erected, an
addition made to the church-building, an organ pur-
chased, and other improvements made, at a total ex-
penditure of §10,000. Dr. Bayliss was succeeded by
l)r. II. W. Thomas, who, also, remained three years.
Immediately after the great fin; of 187 1, the church-
building was surrendered to the uses of the Relief So-
ciety, and was used by them until permanent arrange-
ments were completed for the relief of the destitute.
The Wabash-avenue Methodist Episcopal
Cm rch. — In the prei eding volume the history of this
as the State-street Methodist Episcopal Church
was traced to the erection and dedication of the new
building on Wabash Avenue. Tin- 1 osl of the church
|65,ooo. Thjs edifice* was completed just before
the panic ol an to be severely felt, but at the
* A vieir of this church will be found in thi irticli on thi Pott-office, the
building having bcrn u ■ the fire ol 1871.
time of its completion the Society was in debt about
$40,000. Through the exertions of the pastor, Rev.
William M. D. Ryan, nearly one-half of this sum was paid.
In 1859, Rev. Mr. Ryan was succeeded by Rev.
William Krebs, of Baltimore, and he, in i860, by Rev.
Henry Cox, from Portland, Maine, whose time expired
in the fall of 1862. In the latter part of 1861, and the
earlier part of 1862, the burden of debt was still oppres-
sively felt, and the necessity of liquidating it clearly
recognized. The difficulties encountered by the trus-
tees were in part occasioned by the financial crisis of
1857 having rendered unavailable a considerable por-
tion of assets relied upon, and the debt now aggregated
about $25,000. In December, 1861, eight members
pledged themselves to raise $17,000, provided the re-
mainder should be procured. Rev. Mr. Cox, by per-
sonal appeals, succeeded in increasing the subscription
to $20,000, and on Sunday, December 22, 1861, the
question of completing the subscription being before
the congregation, the remainder was subscribed.
In 1S62, Rev. Robert Laird Collier was appointed
pastor, and the Church, during his pastorate, was very
prosperous. He remained three years, and was suc-
ceeded, in 1865, by Rev. Robert M. Hatfield, from
Brooklyn, N. Y., who, in 1867, was succeeded by Rev.
C. H. Fowler. In 1870, Rev. Mr. Hatfield again be-
came pastor, and was succeeded, in 187 1, by Rev. S.
McChesney.
Halsted-street Methodist Episcopal Church
was started as early as 1863, by certain individuals hold-
ing cottage prayer - meetings and open - air services.
These were members of what was then Bridgeport
Methodist Church, and they were assisted by students
from Garrett Biblical Institute. In August, 1866, a
Sunday-school was organized and a room rented at the
corner of Halsted and Twenty - second streets. The
membership increased to four hundred. In the fall
of 1867, a lot was purchased on Halsted Street and a
chapel was completed, under the superintendency of
Rev. S. G. Lathrop, city missionary. This chapel was
enlarged in 1869. Rev. Mr. Lathrop was succeeded, as
pastor, by Revs.Thomas Craven, Alexander Youker and
Samuel Paine.
Ada-street Methodist Episcopal Church. — A
brief sketch of this Church, as the Owen-street Meth-
odist Church, is in the preceding volume of this His-
tory. The sketch closed with a reference to the edifice
erected in 1863, during the pastorate of Rev. W. D.
Skelton. This had a seating capacity of five hundred,
was finished August 1, 1865, and cost $9,500. In 1866,
Rev. Robert Bently was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Skelton,
who remained until 1868. In the fall of that year, Rev.
T. Hartwell was appointed, and was followed in 1869 by
Rev. W. F. Stewart. During his pastorate the church-
building was sold to the Norwegian Methodist Episco-
pal Church, and the present large brick edifice was
erected on Ada Street, between Fulton and Lake streets,
since which time it has been known as the Ada-street
Methodist Church. In 1S70, Rev. T. R. Strobridge
became pastor, and remained three years.
Western-avenue Methodist Episcopal Church
had its origin, in 1867, in a Mission Sunday - school,
started by Park-avenue Methodist Church, on Seymour
Street, near Lake Street. This Mission was named the
Central Park Mission Sunday-school. John Freeman
was the first superintendent, and he was succeeded, in
1869, by B. W. Ellis. In the fall of 1870, preaching
began to be sustained. Joseph W. Sparling, then a
studenl at (iarrett Biblical Institute and since a prom-
inent minister of the Canada Wesleyan Conference,
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
427
supplied the pulpit from October, 1870, to June, 1871,
when he was succeeded by A. W. Fatten, then a student,
and who remained until the fall of 1871, when Rev.
Alexander Youker took his place.
The Indiana - avenue Methodist Episcopal
Church. — This Church was organized as a Mission in
1867, under the auspices of the Chicago Mission and
Sunday-school Society. The First Methodist Church
donated a lot on Indiana Avenue, between Thirty-sec-
ond and Thirty-third streets. Upon this lot a building
was erected by the contributions of different churches
throughout the city, the money being raised mainly
through the efforts of Rev. S. G. Lathrop, city mis-
sionary. The services were conducted in both English
and German, under the pastoral direction of Mr. Lath-
rop. These services were first held in a small room in
the rear of the building, which was furnished and dedi-
cated by Rev. C. H. Fowler, about the last of the year
1867. The main part of the chapel was completed by
the next spring, and was dedicated by Rev. C. H.
Fowler.
During 1868-69, the German services were dis-
pensed with ; and in the summer of 1869 the City
Missionary Society turned over the property to the
members then worshiping there, and they organized the
Indiana-avenue Methodist Episcopal Church on August
1, 1869. The first board of stewards was elected as
follows : Messrs. S. W. Smith, D. Pride, Wicoff, Rose,
Breasted, Hoffman, Elliot and McGrew. The prop-
erty was, however, still held by the trustees of the First
Methodist Episcopal Church. By the next Conference
Rev. Hooper Crews was appointed pastor. On August
31, 1870, the organization was completed by the elec-
tion of a board of trustees as follows : S. W. Smith,
Amos Mansfield, Lemuel Richards, Frank B. Everett,
Henry S. Towle, Andrew H. Reeves and Charles Busby.
At the close of the conference year of 1870, there were
ninety-four members. Rev. Mr. Crews was succeeded
by Rev. Robert B. Sheppard.
In the spring of 187 1, it was determined to erect a
large edifice. A lot was purchased on Michigan Avenue,
and the chapel on Indiana Avenue was sold. A new
edifice was commenced on the Michigan Avenue lot,
which was being erected at the time of the great fire of
187 1. Pending the construction of this new edifice
this Church worshiped in the First Presbyterian Church,
at the corner of Indiana Avenue and Twenty- first
Street. In December, 1871, they occupied the base-
ment of their new building, which was completed and
dedicated February 5, 1872, Rev. C. H. Fowler again
officiating.
Langley-avenue Methodist Episcopal Church
originated in 186S, in the united efforts of Rev. S. G.
Lathrop, city missionary, and Rev. S. A. W. Jewett,
then pastor of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church.
Religious services were begun by those interested in
founding a new Church, and were held on Sunday even-
ings at the house of William H. Rand, from October,
1868, until about the middle of February, 1869, when
Cleaver Hall, at the corner of Brooks Street and Drexel
Boulevard was rented for the same purpose. On March
7, 1869, the Church was organized with twenty-one
members, with the name Oakland Methodist Episcopal
Church. Rev. Mr. Lathrop was succeeded by Rev. C.
E. Mandeville, of Connecticut, as pastor, in May, 1869,
and his pastorate continued until October, 1871.
At the Quarterly Conference, held in July, 1869, a
legal organization of the Church was effected, and the
following trustees were appointed : William H. Rand,
A. F. Brown, T. G. Otis, T. Priest and C. DeWoIf. In
the spring of 1871, the lot on the corner of Langley
Avenue and Thirty - ninth Street was purchased at a
cost of $10,000, which was paid by the First Methodist
Episcopal Church. The work of building the church
was commenced on February 25, 1870. On the 6th of
August following, the completed edifice was dedicated.
The entire cost of the building was $12,000, all of
which sum was paid at the time of its dedication, except
$5,500, and it was subscribed on that day, but, owing to
the effects of the great fire, a portion of the subscrip-
tions could not be collected. The debt, however, was
gradually reduced, and on January 1, 1878, only $2,000
remained unpaid. In the fall of 1871, Rev. ('. G.
Truesdell was appointed pastor and left the church to
engage in relief work, rendered necessary by the great
fire of that year.
Henry Whitehead, who died April 10, 1SS5, ami win. for
forty-five years was known, in Chicago and the West, as " Father
Whitehead" — a father, indeed, to the distressed and unfortunate,
and an earnest Christian and unselfish servant of Methodism — was
born at Chatham, England, June 17, 1S10. When twenty-one years
of age he came to America, bearing a local-preacher's license and
letters of introduction from Richard Reese to Dr. Nathan Bangs
and Dr. Cowles. He tarried briefly in New York City and Troy,
N. V., in which latter place he became associated with a mission to
the Indians at Fort Mackinac, where he preached three months.
With the currents of migration he came to Chicago in 1832, where
he preached to the soldiers and the trader population. After erecting
the first Methodist church-building in Chicago, he was admitted on
probation in 1S40, and sent to Root River mission; continued in
1S41, and returned to the same work; admitted a full member, or-
dained a deacon, and sent to Troy, Wis., in 1842, and returned to
that place in 1843; ordained, and sent to Sylvania, Wis., in 1S44;
appointed to Elk Grove, Wis., in 1S45, and superannuated in 1846 —
this last event being caused by ill-health, induced by too close appli-
cation to work and exposure to the elements, while pursuing his
ministerial duties. Previous to preaching, Mr. Whitehead fol-
lowed the trade of builder, but when he was superannuated he en-
gaged in the book business, founding the Methodist Book Con-
cern. He had the warm friendship of Orrington Lunt, Grant
Goodrich, and other prominent citizens, and remained with the de-
pository until 1S71. After the fire he began the sale of Church
and Sabbath-school singing books, a. business he followed, with
occasional preaching, until he died. As the oldest Methodist
minister in Chicago — as the man who first located the site of the
original local church of that denomination, and erected its first
edifice — as a faithful servant to its principles, and a practical worker
for the good of humanity — Mr. Whitehead has left behind him a
record of good deeds that will never die. His children, four in
number, inherit their father's sterling integrity, and are all well-
known members of the community. William H. is president of the
Chicago and Erie stove company; Edward I. is a lawyer; Carrie is
the wife of Dr. Arthur Edwards, editor of the Christian Advocate;
and Jennie, the remaining sister, who is unmarried, is connected
with the Methodist Church as a useful worker and member. The
highest encomium bestowed upon Mr. Whitehead among the many
eulogies given, is the one which says : " This good man's sphere,
though he was often in the pulpit, was in the class and prayer-
room, or by the bedside of some tried human being who hungered
to be counseled by one who knew of God's dealings with men."
Rev. Arthur Edwards, D. D. , was born at Norwalk, Ohio,
on November 23, 1834, the son of John and Mary Ann (Adams)
Edwards. He was educated by an uncle, after whom he is named.
It is beautifully said : "That the hand of Susannah Wesley rings
the bell of every Methodist Church in the world": it may be said,
with equal truth, that the hand of Mary Ann Edwards writes those
articles that have cheered, invigorated and comforted the thousands
of readers of the Northwestern Christian Advocate. The later and
academic education of Dr. Edwards was obtained at the Albion
Seminary, Michigan, which he entered in 1S50. and at the Ohio
Weslevan University from 1S52 to 185S, where he determined on
devoting himself to the ministry. In 1858, he graduated, and
three months later he entered the Detroit Conference of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, and commenced his ministry at Marine
City, Mich., where he remained for one year, and was then as-
signed to Detroit and Saginaw, Mich., remaining a year in each
place. From Saginaw, he entered the army as chaplain of the 1st
Michigan Infantry, which position he occupied for some three
years, and from whence he went to a pastorate at Trenton, Mich.,
where he remained until he was appointed associate editor of the
paper he at present edits. In the selection of Dr. Edwards for the
position he has occupied so long, the Conference certainly chose
428
HISTORY O^ CHICAGO.
the best possible man therefor. A genial, courteous Christian
gentleman, a graceful yet forcible writer, a fluent and accomplished
orator, a liberal and happy believer in Him whose religion he
champions, Dr. Edwards has filled his position to the credit and
honor of Methodism. In 1S66, Dr. Edwards married Miss Carrie
M. Whitehead, daughter of Rev. Henry Whitehead of the Rock
River Conference. At his home, Dr. Edwards is at his best; pos-
sessing a wife in whom are centered Christian virtues and those
qualities that make a perfect lady, his home atmosphere is one of
harmony, purity and restful happiness. They have three children —
Robin. Grace and Alice. Dr. Edwards is chaplain of the Illinois
Commandery of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
Portland- avenue German Methodist Episco-
pal Church was opened, July, 1869, as Tyng Mission,
at the corner of Wentworth Avenue and Archer Road.
The VanBuren-street Church gave the Mission two
lots at the corner of Twenty-eighth Street and Portland
Avenue, and in the following fall the Mission itself pur-
chased the mission-building on the corner of Indiana
Avenue and Thirty-second Street, which belonged to
the Michigan-avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, pay-
ing therefor $1,500. The Tyng Mission was then
organized into a Church, under the above name, with
thirteen members. The first pastor was Rev. George
H. Simons, who commenced his labors in July, 1870,
and remained until September, 1872, under whom the
membership increased to seventy, and the property
became worth $6,000.
Rev. George L. Mulfinger, pastor of the First German So-
ciety of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, was born in
Nuremberg. Bavaria, November 4, iSig, the son of John and Anna
Margaret (Kramer) Mulfinger. They came to this country in 1S34,
and settled in Hamerton, Ohio. Previous to coming to America
George attended school in Germany ; and after arriving in Ohio,
went to the Hamerton School three months, where he studied the
English language. He then learned the trade of baker and con-
fectioner. In 1S39, he established himself in business in Lawrence-
burg, Ind., and continued it until 1845. In 1S39, he joined the
Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1842 he was licensed as a local-
preacher in Lawrenceburg until 1S45. He then joined the Ohio
Conference, and was ordained deacon in 1846. He was made elder
in 1^49. From 1845 to 1847 he had charge of the Fort Wayne
Mission. He was then stationed on the circuit containing Ripley,
Switzerland, Franklin and Dearborn counties, from 1S47 to 1849.
From 1849 to 1S51, he was stationed in St. Louis, Mo. In 1851,
he was chosen presiding elder of the Wisconsin district, then the
largest in the West. In 1854, this district was divided into the
Wisconsin and the Chicago districts, Rev. Mr. Mulfinger being
then chosen presiding elder of the latter. From 185S to i860, he
was presiding elder of the Iowa district, and in the latter year was
stationed at Ouincy, 111., as preacher in the German Methodist
Episcopal Church. In 1864, he was again made presiding elder of
the Chicago district, and in 1868 he was stationed at the Clybourn-
avenue German Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1870, he was
sent to Aurora; in 1872 to the Ashland-avenue Church, Chicago;
and in 1874 to the Maxwell-street Church. In 1876, he was made
presiding elder of the Milwaukee district; in 1879, again of the Chi-
cago district; and in 1S83 was appointed pastor of the First German
Methodist Episcopal Church, Chicago, his present charge. Rev.
Mr. Mulfinger was married August 11, 1839, to Miss Anna Maria
Schathauer. They have had eleven children, five of whom are now
living : Anna Margaret, now Mrs. William Bach, Dr. John Mul-
finger, Rev. Julius Augustus, Mary, now Mrs. Henry Apfelbach, and
George Abraham, at present a theological student in the North-
western University.
Rev. C. A. L.OEBER, presiding elder of the German Methodist
Episcopal Church was born at Frankfort-on-the-Main, January 27,
1832, the son of C. and Catherine (Rieger) Loeber. I lis education
was received in the public schools of his native place until he was
fourteen years old, when he attended the high school one year,
graduating in 1-47. At this school he studied the English language,
Latin and I rem b. For two years he attended ( iiesen College, and
in [849 he cami 1 the 1 nited States, lie then went to Albany,
N. V., where he remained a short time, and came to Chicago in
1850. Her>: In: took charge of the German Department of the
Methodist Book Concern, remaining in that position two years, and
in 1852 joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, being licensed as
.1 local-preacher. He was at first engaged in establishing Sunday-
in different parts of Chicago, and has since been engaged
in various places in the Western States as preacher and presiding
elder, up to the present time, as follows: Peru, III., 1854-55; Michi-
gan City, Ind., 1S55-56; LaPorte, Ind., 1857-58; Burlington, Iowa,
1859-60; Milwaukee, 1S61-62 ; Watertown, Wis., 1862-63; Aurora,
111., 1864-65; VanBuren-street Church, Chicago, 1866-67; he was
presiding elder of the Milwaukee district during the year 1868-69,
and of the Chicago district from 1S69 to 1872 ; he then had charge
of the VanBuren-Street Church four years, from 1S72 to 1876, and
of the Maxwell-street Church, three years, 1877 to 1879. He was
then presiding elder of the Milwaukee district four years, 1880 to
1S83 inclusive; and then of the Chicago district again, the duties of
which position he is now performing. Rev. Mr. Loeber was mar-
ried, in 1854, to Miss Louisa Waller, by whom he has had eleven
children — nine of whom, four daughters and five sons, are still
living.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
First Congregational Church. — In 1858, this
Church had recently occupied its new edifice at the cor-
ner of Washington and Green streets, and its pastor
was Rev. W. W. Patton. About the time of the begin-
ning of Dr. Patton's ministry, the First Congregational
Society became a body distinct from the Church, adopted
a constitution of its own; and a compact was entered
into between the Church and the Ecclesiastical Society,
which may be found in the manual of the Church for
1875, On the 1st of January, 1864, on beginning the
eighth year of his pastorate, Dr. Patton reviewed the
progress of the Church during the seven years immedi-
ately preceding. The debt of $25,000, which existed
in January, 1856, had been paid, and during the thir-
teen years of the existence of the Church it had paid on
its lots, edifice, organ, etc., $40,000; for current expenses,
$45,000, and for charitable purposes, $65,000. Seven
hundred and fifty-five members had been received, two
hundred and fifty-one on profession of faith, and there
were then about five hundred in regular standing.
The war record of this Church is worthy of recital.
Starting out as an anti-slavery organization, when the
Civil War came, believing, as it did, that slavery was its
cause, it passed various resolutions upon that subject,
and sent copies of its resolutions to the President of the
United States. It urged enlistments into the army, and
its roll of honor bears the names of sixty-nine who
fought in that struggle. Dr. Patton was from the first
a warm advocate of emancipation. He was chairman
of a committee chosen by the citizens of Chicago to go
to Washington and to present an address to President
Lincoln regarding the freeing of the slaves, and met
with a most kindly reception.
About the close of 1865, Dr. Patton made a tour of
Europe and of Palestine. He returned in March, 1867, .
and was given a noteworthy reception. Within a year,
he retired from the pastorate, having been with the
Church almost eleven years. During that time, there
had been received into the Church seven hundred and
seventy-six persons — three hundred by profession and
four hundred and seventy-six by letter. The number
of enrolled members at the close of his pastorate was
five hundred and forty-two. After the retirement of
Dr. Patton, Rev. Edward Payson Goodwin was called,
and was installed January 10, 1868. Soon afterward it
became necessary to erect a new church-edifice, which
was accordingly done, at the corner of West Washing-
ton and Ann streets. The corner-stone of th£ new
building was laid July 10, 1869, and the completed edi-
fice was dedicated June 5, 1870. The aud'ence-room
had a seating capacity for two thousand persons, and
was approached by seven distinct entrances. A gallery
extended around the four sides of the room, and seated
seven hundred persons. One of the largest and finest of
Hook's organs was erected in the Church, in July,
1870. The entire cost of this magnificent temple of
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
429
worship, including furniture and organ, was $180,000.
At the time of the dedication, there was a debt of
$80,000, to which fact attention was called by T. M.
Avery, and in a few minutes $72,000 were raised. This
church-building, on the next day after the great fire,
became the headquarters of the city government and
Relief Society, an account of which is given in the his-
tory of the Fire, together with a view of the building.
New England Church. — The New England Con-
gregational Church, at the opening of the second period
of this history, was in charge of Rev. Samuel C. Bart-
lett, as pastor. Having been appointed to a professor-
ship in the Chicago Theological Seminary, Rev. Mr.
Bartlett resigned his pastorate, and, after a few months,
was succeeded by Rev Samuel Wolcott, of Providence,
R I., who was installed September 27, 1859, and re-
mained with the Church two years. Rev. William B.
Clarke preached during three months of 1862, and on
October 1, of that year, Rev. Starr H. Nichols entered
upon his duties as stated supply, resigning in May,
1865. From that time until November, 1865, the pul-
■ pit was supplied principally by local ministers, Rev.
John P. Gulliver, of Norwich, Conn., preaching during
August. Rev. Mr. Gulliver entered upon his duties as
pastor in November, and was installed in February,
1866. He resigned on the 2 2d of July, 1868, to accept
the presidency of Knox College. Until October, 1869,
the pulpit was filled by transient clergymen, and of these
Rev. S. Hopkins Emery remained about six months.
Sometime during the summer of 1869, a unanimous call
was extended to Rev. Leander T. Chamberlain, at the
time a student in Andover Theological Seminary. On
October 27, he was ordained and installed pastor of the
Church, and remained until September 1, 1877.
Notwithstanding the numerous changes in pastors,
the Church continued steadily to increase in numbers and
completed house of worship was dedicated on February
7, 1867. It was located at the corner of White and
Dearborn streets. The building was of massive rough
Athens marble, with cut trimmings, in the cruciform
shape and Gothic style. On each side of the doorway
NEW ENGLAND CHURCH.
in strength. In 1858, its building was enlarged. In 1863,
an organ was purchased, another church lot bought, and
the church-building removed to the new location. The
corner-stone of the new church-building was laid with
appropriate ceremonies on August 10, 1865, and the
RUINS, NEW ENGLAND CHURCH.
was a pillar of highly polished Scotch marble, and
above were three niches, with the following contents and
inscriptions : The first niche to the left contained a
piece of stone from the first church in Scotland where
the Congregational polity was adopted, with the appro-
priate inscription, " Scrooby Manor, A.D. 1606"; the
second contained a fragment of rock from the spot
where the Puritans last worshiped in the Old
World, and bore the inscription, " Delft Haven,
July, 1620"; and the third niche contained a
fragment of the stone upon which the feet of
the Puritans first rested in the New World, and
was inscribed, " Plymouth Rock, December 22,
1620." The interior of the building was very
attractive, the wood-work being of black walnut,
handsomely carved and ornamented. This ele-
gant church-edifice was destroyed by the great
fire of 1 87 1.
The Plymouth Congregational Church.
— This period of the history of this Church
opens under the pastorate of Rev. Joseph E.
Roy, who remained until July 1, i860, when
his resignation went into effect. During the
i~-_.? remainder of this year, and the spring of 1861,
the pulpit was supplied by Rev. J. L. Coining
of Milwaukee, who, on account of ill health,
was unable to continue to supply the pulpit,
and, for a considerable period, the Church de-
pended upon the professors in the Chicago
Theological Seminary. Rev. Mr. Shipherd was
installed pastor on June 9, 1862, and resigned
in February, 1864. Rev. Harvey D. Kitchel,
D.D., of Detroit, commenced his labors in this
Church on November 24, 1S64, and remained
until July 1, 1866. The period of his pastorate
was a peculiarly trying one. The old house of
worship on Third Avenue was exchanged for the new
church-edifice at the corner of Wabash Avenue and
Eldridge Court ; but for some time after leaving the
Third Avenue building, the Church was temporarily
accommodated with a place of worship in Smith lV'
43°
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Nixon's Hall, at the corner of Clark and Washing-
ton jtreets. Holding its first meeting there December
25, 1804. and its last. May 2S, 1865. Arrangements
were then made for the use of the basement of the
First Unitarian Church, near the corner of Wabash
Avenue and Hubbard Court, until the completion
SITE OF PLYMOUTH CHURCH, CORNER OF MADISON AND DEARBORN STREETS.
of the basement of their own new church - edifice.
The corner-stone of the latter was laid in July, 1865,
and the lecture - room and parlors were completed
and dedicated April 15, 1866. The main audience
room was completed about October 1, 1867, and on the
13th of that month it was formally dedicated by Rev.
Lewis E. Matson. This stately edifice was of stone,
and substantially built, tastefully and richly finished,
and was capable of seating fifteen hundred persons.
The entire cost of the building was $100,000.
The dedicatory sermon was the initial sermon of
Rev. Lewis E. Matson, who had been called May 21,
1866. On account of ill health, Rev. Mr. Matson
preached only four additional sermons. Being granted
leave of absence, he sailed for France, February 28,
1868, and died in Lyons, June 21, of the same year, at
the age of twenty-nine. He was a man of remarkable
intellectual gifts. His death was a great disappoint-
ment to the Church, and was mourned by its members
with heart-felt sorrow.
On the 25th of November, 1868, an invitation was
extended to Rev. William Alvin Bartlett of Brooklyn,
X. Y., to become pastor of Plymouth Church. The
call was accepted, and, after preaching a few sermons
in Dei ember and in January, 1869, he entered upon his
stated labors in February. On April 22, 1869, he was
regularly installed, and the Church at once began to in-
crease its attendance, revenues and membership and to
materially decrease its debt. In the spring of 1871, a
fine organ was built at a cost of $10,000.
South Congregational Church. — The opening
of the year 1858, found this Church financially embar-
rassed. The original organization of the Church was
too dear to the members to be surrendered, and when
they saw that in jeopardy, they made a strenuous
effort to save it. On April 24, 1859, Rev. Mr. Bartle
retired from the pastorate, and about a dozen of the
members separated themselves from communion with
the South Congregational Church for the purpose of
forming the nucleus of a
new church organization.
On May 24, 1859, a
call was extended to Rev.
James H. Dill, of Spen-
cerport, N. Y. He began
his pastorate on May 29,
and the work of the
Church became a matter
of more deep concern to
all of the members. The
church debt had up to
this time rested upon it
like an incubus. Rev.
Mr. Dill determined that
it should be removed, and
it was mainly through his
persistent efforts, and in
part owing to his indi-
vidual contributions, that
its liquidation was finally
effected. But the most
generous donations were
made toward this object
by Colonel C. G. Ham-
mond and Deacon Philo
Carpenter. Rev. Mr. Dill
resigned his pastorate on
May 11, 1862, to enterthe
army as chaplain, and
soon afterward he was
commissioned chaplain of the 89th Illinois Infantry.
He served in that capacity until his duties were termi-
nated by death January 14, 1863.
Rev. William B. Wright of Cincinnati, was invited
to succeed Mr. Dill, and commenced his labors with the
Church on the 2d of November On the 2d of Dec-
ember he was ordained, but, although after a satisfac-
tory engagement of one year, he was requested by both
Church and Society to become settled pastor, he was
never installed. Five years of active labor made marked
inroads upon his health, and, in July, 1S67, at his own
request, his labors terminated, in order to seek a change
of climate. During his ministry the debt of the Society
was entirely cancelled, the church-building enlarged and
re-furnished, and sixty-six members added to the roll.
During the remainder of the year 1867, the pulpit
of this church was occupied by various persons; and
in December a call was extended to Rev. Charles M.
Tyler, of Natick, Mass., who entered upon his duties
January 19, 1868, and was regularly installed on the
6th of February. Toward the latter part of the year,
on account of having labored ten years in the ministry,
Rev. Mr. Tyler felt the need of a vacation, and the
Church and Society granted him a four months' leave
of absence to travel in Europe. During his absence,
Prof. F. W. Fisk supplied the pulpit.
In 1868, the new church-lot, at the corner of Indi-
ana Avenue and Twenty-sixth Street, was paid for,
and preliminary steps taken toward the erection of a
new church-edifice, the congregation having steadily
increased in numbers. In the summer of 1869, a com-
modious house of worship was erected on the new lot,
costing, including the furniture, $26,800. It was first
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
43'
used August 29, 1869, and dedicated September 12,
1S69, Rev. William A. Bartlett preaching the dedica-
tory sermon.
Edwards Congregational Church was organ-
ized by the action of an Ecclesiastical Council, on
May 11, 1854. Its house of worship, which was at the
corner of Desplaines and VanBuren streets, was dedi-
cated May 13. The church-building was small but
neat, and the seats were free. Rev. Mr. Nichols re-
/2>^(
62^ spi^U^^d"
mained pastor until early in 1857, when he was suc-
ceeded by Rev. W. C. Foster, who preached his first
sermon August 9, 1857. In 1858, the Church extended
a call to Rev. Jeremiah Porter, who was the first Pres-
byterian minister in Chicago, and who had just closed
an eighteen years' pastorate at Green Bay, Wis. His
first sermon was preached July 11. In the following
September the chapel was removed to the corner of
Harrison and Halsted streets. Under Rev. Mr. Por-
ter's ministrations, the membership of the Church rap-
idly increased, and the Church resolved to erect a new
edifice.
Rev. Jeremiah Porter remained pastor until 1861,
and was succeeded by Rev. A. L. Brooks, who had
been pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church. Rev.
Mr. Brooks commenced his labors with this Church
March 16. 1862. By July, the church-building was
enlarged to double its former capacity, this plan being
finally decided upon instead of the erection of a new
edifice. It was decided to change the connection of
the Church from the Congregational to the Presbyte-
rian denomination, and its name was consequently
changed to the Edwards Presbyterian Church, q. v.
The Union Park Congregational Church
was organized May 22, i860, but previous to this time
there had been services and a Mission Sunday-school
looking toward this event. This Mission Sunday-school
was started by the First Congregational Church, on
West Washington Street, near Wood Street, in June,
1858, and in the following fall, a plain frame building
was erected, with reference to its future use as a church.
In 1859, an agreement was made between the officers of
the First Church and the Chicago Theological Semi-
nary, by which the building was removed at the ex-
pense of the latter, to the corner of Reuben Street (now
Ashland Avenue) and West Washington Street, a part
of the agreement being that the ownership of the build-
ing should be transferred to a Congregational Church,
whenever one should be established in that neighbor-
hood. The Seminary took possession of the building
in October, 1859, and on Sunday, January 7, i860,
regular services commenced to be held therein by Pro-
fessors Haven, Fisk and Bartlett, of the Seminary. The
council for the organization of the Church met in the
Seminary chapel May 22, i860, and nineteen persons
then entered into covenant with the Church, as follows:
Rev. Joseph Haven, Mrs. Mary E. Haven, Rev. Samuel
C. Bartlett, Mrs. Mary L. Bartlett, Rev. Franklin W.
Fisk, Mrs. Amelia A. Fisk, E. B. Rockwell, Mrs. E. B.
Rockwell, Charles H. Gushing. Mrs. Harriet D. dish-
ing, Mrs. Frederika Thomas, James Thomas, Barnard
Thomas, Mrs. Sarah McKee, Charles H. Stoughton,
Mrs. Harriet A. Singer, Mrs. Ellen M. Tweedale, Abra-
ham Voorhees and Mrs. Camilla Voorhees.
The professors of Chicago Theological Seminary
continued to supply the pulpit until October 7, 1866,
with the exception of tin- summer of 1862, when the
pulpit was filled by Rev. Norman A. Millard.
In 1S65, the church-building was removed from the
north side of Washington Street to its present lo< .an in.
and, after being remodeled and enlarged, it was re-
opened in January, 1866. On the first Sunday of the
following October, Rev. C. D. Helmer commenced his
labors as pastor with this Church. The church-building
was again enlarged in 1867, aud
was burned on February 21, 1869.
By April, the Society had deter-
mined to erect a new edifice, on
the site of the one destroyed,
which should be one of the finest
in the city. The corner-stone was laid on August 7,
1869, and the new building was dedicated November
12, 187 1. It is of Lake Superior sandstone, is capable
of seating two thousand persons, and its cost was about
$125,000.
The Tabernacle Congregational Church was
organized May 27, 1866. In 1857, two schools were
established by the First Congregational Church. One-
was named the Industrial Mission, and was located on
North Union Street, near the river, and had for its ob-
ject the teaching of plain sewing and reading to girls,
holding week-day sessions, conducted by Mrs. Julia A.
Warner. A Sunday-school was soon connected with it.
In the same year, North Mission was opened, on Rucker
Street, near Fourth. These two schools were ultimately
consolidated, and named the Tabernacle Mission, and
permanently located at the corner of Indiana and Mor-
gan streets. Dr. J. H. Hollister, T. T. Gurney and
Major D. W. Whittle were successively in charge of the
enterprise, and, finally, the Tabernacle Congregational
Church was organized. A church-building was erected
at a cost of about §20,000, with a seating capacity for
fifteen hundred people, and Rev. J. W. Healey was
called to the pastorate. He remained with the Church
until October 16, 1868, when, on account of failing
health, he tendered his resignation. Rev. E. F. Wil-
liams then became pastor, and remained in that rela-
tion until October 16, 1873.
Bethany Congregational Church was organ-
ized October 11, 1868. It was the outgrowth of a
Sunday-school established March 28, 1858, by fifteen
teachers from the Union Park Baptist Church, in the
school-house on Rose Street, near Chicago Avenue, and
was known as the Rose street Mission. The name was
afterward changed to the Chicago-avenue Mission, and,
still later, to the Hope Mission. In 1S62, the school
was disbanded, but many of the teachers and scholars
became members of a school which Curtis L. North had
previously organized on Reuben Street.
In 1864, the North Mission was established by the
First Congregational Church, which was sustained by
teachers from that Church and students from the Chi-
cago Theological Seminary, until it was transferred to
the present Bethany Congregational Church, on Huron
Street. On July 23, 1867, the officers and teachers
formed a religious society. The original members of
the society were Henry W. Rice, John C. Wiswall, L.
P. Lyman, Edward A. Moseley, K. M. Bissell, Robert
J. Jeneson, Elijah Rathbun, James F. Bradley, Ezra A.
Cook and Theodore B. Wells. In December following,
the Society purchased three lots on Huron Street, and
in July, 1868, completed the building in which Bethany
Church now worships, at a cost of $3,050. In May,
1868, James Harrison was regularly engaged as mis-
sionary for this field, and, in October, the Church was
43-
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
formally organized by a council, of which Rev. C. D.
Helmer was moderator. On Sunday, the nth, the
Church was recognized. Rev. E. P. Goodwin preaching
the sermon. James Harrison was ordained December 17,
[868, and remained pastor until near the close of 1871.
Chicago Theological Seminary. — In the first
volume of this History the struggles of the Seminary,
with reference to its property, were recounted until, in
1S62. it had come into possession of an unincumbered
site facing Union Park. The second period of the
history may be properly introduced although it is not
in strict chronological order, by the continuation of its
successes in the accumulation of property and the erec-
tion of buildings.
The inadequacy of its grounds fronting on Union
Park, soon led to further efforts to secure a more suit-
able location. In April, 1862, Philo Carpenter offered
to take the lots on the corner of West Washington
Street and Ashland Avenue, and give the Seminary, in
exchange, the ground on the northwest corner of Ash-
land and Warren avenues, also fronting on Union
Park. This exchange involved a gift by Mr. Carpen-
ter of $7,000, and was in lieu of a previous conditional
donation of §5.000 to the Professorship of Ecclesias-
tical History. The Board, recognizing the continued
liberality of Mr. Carpenter, resolved to name the main
building to be erected " Carpenter Hall."
The first building occupied by the Chicago Theo-
logical Seminary was the First Congregational Church,
the parlors of which were used at the opening of the
Seminary, October 6, 1858, as the chapel, lecture and
recitation rooms. In 1S59, the First Congregational
Church offered to the Seminary, for five years, the use
of an unfinished mission - building, standing a few
blocks west of Union Park. This was removed to the
corner of West Washington Street and Ashland Avenue,
and enlarged to meet the necessities of the Institution.
The first permanent building erected was that
known as Keyes Hall, which was completed in the fall
of 1865. It was named after Willard Keyes, of
Quincy, 111., who had given a block of land in that city
toward endowing the Professorship of Ecclesiastical
History, the avails of which were, with his consent,
diverted to the purpose of erecting this hall. It con-
tained studies, rooms for general use, and dormitories
for thirty-eight students. But when completed it was
found inadequate to meet the wants of the Seminary.
The next building erected was " Carpenter Hall,"
the north wing of which was begun in 1868. In 1869,
this wing was ready for use. It contains a chapel,
lecture-room and twenty suites of rooms for students.
After four years of preparatory struggle, the Chi-
cago Theological Seminary was formally opened
October 6, 1858, in the parlors of the First Congrega-
tional Church. A portion of the board of directors, two
professors, and ten students were in attendance. The
professors at the time were Rev. Joseph Haven, D.D.,
and Rev. Samuel C. Bartlett, D.D. The examination
of students was assigned for the next day, and when
the Seminary's work was fairly begun there were twen-
ty-nine students enrolled.
The inauguration of Rev. Joseph Haven, as Illinois
Professor of Systematic Theology, took place on the
20th of October, and that of Rev. Samuel C. Bartlett
as New England Professor of Biblical Literature on
the 21st. Thus was the Seminary fairly started on its
mission. But notwithstanding many difficulties had
been overcome, there yet remained numerous trials
with which the Seminary must contend, numerous prac-
tical questions to be put to the test and settled.
Proposed Union with Oberlin. — The informal
attempt, made in 1857, to effect a union with Oberlin
has been referred to. No further movement was made
in this direction until June, 1869, when Hon. C. G.
Hammond, Revs. A. S. Kedzie and H. Foote, members
of the board of directors, were sent to Oberlin with a
formal proposal for the transfer of the Theological De-
partment of Oberlin College, with its funds and pro-
fessors, to Chicago. The chief reason for the proposed
transfer was that many of the churches of the North-
west felt a warm interest in Oberlin, and were at the
same time officially connected with the Chicago Theo-
logical Seminary, through the Triennial Convention.
The trustees of Oberlin College declined the proposal
for several reasons, principal among them being their
doubts as to the legality of such a transfer, and that
the Oberlin Seminary had a peculiar work to do in
training ministers for the opening fields in the South-
ern States.
The Seminary's Funds. — The endowment of the
Seminary was begun in 1855 by Rev. Stephen Peet, the
first president and financial agent of the Seminary.
After his death it was augmented by the labors of his
successor, Rev. Adam S. Kedzie. Previous to the
opening of the Seminary in October, 1858, several
scholarships had been endowed. The professorships
did not become productive, and the scholarships only
partly so, during the first five years of its existence, and
the expenses of the Seminary, including the salaries of
the professors, were paid from the general fund.
The net nominal assets of the Seminary, on Octo-
ber 20, 1858, amounted to $149,474.21. Of this sum
$82,132.10 was in real estate, and most of the remain-
der in subscription notes to the general fund and to
professorships and scholarships. But very little cash
was in the treasury with which to meet current ex-
penses. Many of the subscription notes became due in
five annual installments. When they matured, many
of the makers of them found it beyond their power to
pay them, the country not having yet recovered from
the commercial crisis of 1857. A few years later came
the Civil War, and among the volunteers for the de-
fense of the Union were many who had signed obliga-
tions to the Seminary. Some of these volunteers never
returned. And though an admirable system of collec-
tions was persistently pushed by the Treasurer, collec-
tions could not be made, and, in 1861, there were due
the Seminary $101,980.59.
To avert the failure which seemed impending,
strenuous efforts were made. The three members of
the faculty voluntarily reduced their respective salaries,
and the treasurer, L. D. Olmsted, having died in the
winter of 1862-63, and the general agent, Rev. A. S.
Kedzie, having resigned, the two offices were combined
by the appointment of Rev. H. L. Hammond, at a sal-
ary of $1,000. A proposition was made to the General
Associations of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin,
and Iowa that, by special contributions for three years,
they should raise sufficient to pay the salaries of the pro-
fessors, $6,000. The proposition was cordially received,
but, through all these efforts, only $4,000 per annum
were raised. In the summer vacation, the professors, by
request of the board of directors, went to New Eng-
land, and by appeals to friends there, secured relief to
the amount of $4,000; and thus, by various means, not-
withstanding prophecies of failure, the Seminary was
kept alive. During this year the indebtedness of the
Seminary was reduced from $28,000 to $8,000.
Endowments. — The professorships, already men-
tioned as having been secured during the agency of
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
433
Rev. A. S. Kedzie, did not become available. 'The
donation by Willard Reyes, of Quincy, 111., for endow-
ing the Chair of Ecclesiastical History was diverted to
the erection of Keyes Hall; and the donation by Philo
Carpenter of land in Chicago, the avails of which were
to have been used in endowing the Chair of Biblical
Theology, was, with his consent, devoted to other uses
of the Seminary. In April, 1863, Philo Carpenter, rec-
ognizing the necessity of such endowments, made a
proposition to the board of directors, to himself give
$5,000 toward the endowment of each of three profess-
orships, on condition that the board raised $20,000 addi-
tional for each professorship. Professor Fisk being called
to labor in Plymouth Church, Milwaukee, made such a
favorable impression upon its members, that they heart-
ily undertook the task of endowing his professorship, and
raised the $2o,ooo« — Professor Fisk himself raising
$3,000 among his friends in Boston, Mass. Thus was
the "Wisconsin Professorship of Sacred Rhetoric " en-
dowed.
The Professorship of Biblical Literature was
assigned to New England. After $5,000 had been
subscribed in Illinois, $3,000 by the New England
Church, of Chicago, $1,000 by Rev. W. A. Nichols, of
Chicago, and $1,000 by Moses Pettingill, of Peoria,
Professor Bartlett made three trips to the East, and
succeeding in raising, in notes and cash, $25,000.
Thus was endowed the " New England Professorship
of Biblical Literature."
Professor Haven undertook the work of raising the
$20,000 needed to complete the endowment of the Chair
of Systematic Theology. New England contributed
toward this endowment $2,050 ; St. Louis, Mo., $500 ;
and Terre Haute, Ind., $300, while Illinois contributed
$14,000. Previous to the meeting of the Third Tri-
ennial Convention, April 27, 1864, $1,450 additional
had been secured by the labors of Revs. E. N. Lewis,
J. W. Case, H. M. Daniels, C. A. Leach, J. C. Roy and
others — thus endowing, within $1,700, the "Illinois
Professorship cf Systematic Theology."
By the year 1867, each of these endowments had
been raised to over $30,000. In 1868, the Churches in
Michigan began to vigorously push the work of endow-
ing the Chair of Ecclesiastical History. Their work
would doubtless have met with success had it not been
rendered unnecessary by a legacy to this Chair of
$30,000 by Mrs. Mary J. Sweetzer, whose death oc-
curred October 7, 1870.
The Towa Professorship of Pastoral Theology and
Special Studies was partly endowed by that State in
1869.
So, in 1871, there were four endowed Professorships
in the Seminary and one partially endowed.
The scholarships endowed since 1858, at the opening
of the Seminary, are as follows: The Tilson scholarship
of $1,500, founded by Joseph Tilson, became pro-
ductive April 1, 1S64 ; the Depew scholarship, by Mrs.
Margaret Depew, became productive at the same time ;
the Billings scholarship, of $r,5oo by Horace Billings ■
the Deer Park, of $r,5oo, by the Deer Park, 111., Congre-
gational Church; and the Olivet, of $1,500, by the Olivet,
Michigan, Congregational Church, — were all established
prior to April, 1864, and the total productive scholar-
ship fund was then slightly in excess of $7,500. By
the year 1867 there had been established twenty-two,
and in 1870, twenty-six — the aggregate of scholarship
endowments being $31,114 82, of which $18,623.04 had
become productive.
Thus, when the great fire of 1871 came upon the
city, the Seminary had become possessed of a valuable
2S
site on the corner <>f Ashland and Warren avenues. Its
original cost was $36,000, and in 1871 it was valued at
$60,000. On this lot, two buildings had been erected —
Keyes Hall, valued at $.15,000, and Carpenter Hall, at
$40,000. A library of five thousand volumes had been
accumulated, valued at $6,000, and the total assets of
the Seminary had reached the sum of $275,587.53,
while the net assets were $254,036.72.
The Seminary started with two professors — Joseph
Haven in the Chair of Systematic Theology, and Samuel
C. Bartlett in that of Biblical Literature. On April 28,
1859, Rev. Franklin W. Fisk was inaugurated professor
of Sacred Rhetoric and Homiletics. On September 21,
1869, Rev. James T. Hyde was elected professor of
Pastoral Theology and Special Studies; and in 1870,
Professor Haven, while absent in Europe, resigned the
professorship of Systematic Theology, which remained
vacant until September 14, 1871, at which time Rev.
George N. Boardman, D.D., was inaugurated.
Including the eleven students who graduated in
April, 1 87 1, there had been graduated from the regular
course of study one hundred and six students, and from
the special course, twenty. The total number of
students in attendance in the regular course up to this
time was three hundred and seventy-seven, and in the
special course seventy-six.
The smallest number of graduates in the regular
course was in i860, when there was but one, while the
largest number was in 1869, sixteen. In the special
course there had been graduates in only six years.
Rev. Franklin Woodbury Fisk, D.D., professor of Sacred
Rhetoric in the Chicago Theological Seminary, was born in Hopkin-
ton, N. H., February 16, 1820. On his father's side he is descended
from an ancient English family, which traces its genealogy back to
Symond Fiske, Lord of the Manor of Stradhaugh, parish of Lax-
field, County of Suffolk, England. Symond Fiske lived in the reigns
of Henry V. and VI., and was entitled toa coat-of-arms. Several of
his descendants gained a reputation for piety and liberal culture,
and, during the protracted period of the Reformation, and more
especially during the days of Queen Mary, suffered severe perse-
cutions on account of their firm adherence to evangelical principles;
and one of them, to escape being burned at the stake, was con-
cealed many months in the dark obscurity of a cellar, where he
labored diligently by candle-light for his own support. Robert
Fiske was fourth in descent from the above mentioned Symond, and
was the father of John and William Fiske, who, together with
their mother and two sisters, embarked for America in 1637.
They settled with their families at Wenham, then part of Salem,
Mass, in 1640 The former had been ordained in the English
Church, and became a noted and influential minister in the colony.
William Fiske was also a man of mark, and was the progenitor, in
this country, of that branch of the Fiske family to which Kev.
Franklin W. Fisk belongs. The change of the mode of spelling the
name was made between 172S and 1 765. His father was Ebenezer
Fisk, who was the son of Deacon Ebenezer Fisk. of Amherst,
Mass. His mother was Hannah (Proctor) Fisk, daughter of
Deacon John Proctor, of Henniker, N. H. At an early age he
left home and worked one or two years with his brother John
Proctor Fisk, in the factories of the Merrimac Corporation, at
Lowell, Mass. In the fall of 1S35, he entered, in company with
his brother, Phillips Academy, at Andover, Mass. Having no
pecuniary means, he was obliged to teach school alternately with
his studv in the Academy, until he had completed his course at
Andover. He taught in Methuen and East Abington, Mass., and
in Fairton, Bridgeton and Burlington, N. J. In September, 1S45,
he entered Yale College, from which institution he was graduated
in 1S49. with the highest honors, being valedictorian of his class.
He then entered the Theological Department of Vale College, and
was graduated from it in 1S52. He was licensed to preach July
19, of that year; was a tutor in Vale College from 1S51 to 1S53;
and, from January to May, 1853, he was a student in Andover
Theological Seminary. From May until November, 1853, he
traveled in Europe. While abroad, he was appointed professor of
Rhetoric and English Literature in Beloit College, Wisconsin, and
entered upon his duties there in April, 1S54, having abandoned,
for a time, the idea of entering the ministry on account of disease
of the eyes. He remained in Beloit College until July, 1859. In
April, 1S56, he was elected to the Chair of Sacred Rhetoric in the
434
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Chicago Theological Seminary, and was one of the first three
professors that accepted appointments in this institution, — Rev.
Toseph Haven. D.D., and Rev. Samuel C. Bartlett, D.D , bein;; the
other two. He was inaugurated as professor April pS, 1S59, and
was at the same time ordained to the gospel ministry. He
entered on his duties in connection with his present professorship
in the fall of 1S59. a year after the Seminary was opened for the
reception of students. His professorship, which thus extends over
a period of twenty-six years, has been eminently successful, and
satisfactorv to the' authorities and friends of the Seminary. Pro-
fessor Fisk received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Olivet
College, Michigan, on lune 29, 1S65. He was elected president of
the Chicago Congregational Club for 1SS4, and is one of the authors
of a work entitled " Current Discussions in Theology." He has
published a work on Homiletics, entitled a " Manual of Preach-
ing." Professor Fisk was married March 9, 1854, to Mrs. Amelia
A. Austin, formerly Miss Amelia Allen Bowen, daughter of the
late George Bowen, of Woodstock, Conn. They have three
children— Franklin Proctor, who graduated at Beloit College in
1S7S. and was married to Miss Kate L. Tanner, of Rockford ,111.,
December 27, 1SS1; Emelia Maria; and Henry E., who graduated
at Yale College in 1SS3.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The First Baptist Church. — In the first volume,
the history of this Church closes with the pastorate of
Rev. W. G. Howard, D.D., who resigned in 1859. In
May of that year he was succeeded by Rev. W. W.
Everts, D.D., of Louisville, Ky. Within six months af-
ter his arrival, he paid off a debt of $14,000 on the old
building at the corner of LaSalle and Washington streets.
During i860, the New-street Mission Sabbath-school
was removed to a more eligible field of labor, and was
thereafter known as the Shields' Mission Sabbath-school
of the First Baptist Church, being named after the noble
Christian lady who donated most of the $5,000 which
the lot and the improvement of building cost. In 1869,
this Mission was removed to Twenty-fifth Street, near
Wentworth Avenue. It was afterward organized into
an independent Church, under the name of the Twenty-
fifth-street Church.
During the same year the Bremer-avenue School,
which was also under the care of this Church, was re-
moved to the corner of Division and Sedgwick streets.
Lots were purchased, and a beautiful and commodious
house erected, combining the purposes of school-house
and church, at a cost of $30,000. The name was
changed to the North Star Mission. The building was
dedicated in 1862. In 1863, this Church erected a
brick structure on Indiana Avenue, near Ridgely Place,
at a cost of nearly $8,000. The building was dedicated
April 12, 1863, and the Church was named the Indiana-
avenue Baptist Church.
In the meantime the site occupied by the First Bap-
tist Church had become the center of trade, and it was
deemed advisable to change the location of their church-
edifice. On February 15, 1864, it was voted to sell the
property on the corner of LaSalle and Washington
streets for the sum of $65,000 ; not less than one-
third of which should be devoted to the aid of other
Baptist churches, and the other two-thirds, with other
property and contributions of the Society, should be de-
voted to the erection of a new building on Wabash
Avenue. The offer of the Chamber of Commerce of
$65,000 for the property, exclusive of the church-edifice,
was accordingly accepted, and the following distribution
made : To such membersof the Church as should unite
with others in forming the Second Baptist Church in the
West Division of the city, the building and the fixtures
of the former house of worship, valued at $10,000; to
the North Baptist Church, $6,500 ; to the LJftion Park
Church, $4,000 ; to the Wabash-avenue Church, $3,000;
to the Berean Church, $1,000 ; to the Olivet (colored)
Church, $5,000. This adjustment left in the hands of
the First Baptist Church $50,000 of the money received
for the lot ; and on April 3, 1864, the date of the last
services in the old church-building, $17,000 more was
REV. LUTHER STONE, D.D.
raised toward the erection of the new building, together
with $500 to erect a monument to the memory of Rev.
Allen B. Freeman, the first pastor.
With a portion of the money thus remaining, a lot
was purchased at the corner of Wabash Avenue and
Hubbard Court, and immediate steps were taken to
erect upon it an elegant and commodious house of wor-
ship, to cost $100,000. The corner-stone was laid Sep-
tember 13, 1864, Rev. W. W. Everts, D.D., delivering
the address. The lecture-room was dedicated on Jan-
uary 1, 1865, and the children's chapel on March 26.
The church-building itself was dedicated on March 18,
1866. Instead of costing but $100,000 as was first an-
ticipated, the actual cost was $175,000; which was in
consequence of the large and unexpected advance made
in the prices of labor and material. The indebtedness
of the Church at the time of the dedication was about
$75,000. Dr. Everts announced that $110,000 had
been collected and that $50,000 more was needed to
complete the tower. In response to this announcement
$46,000 were contributed in half an hour. In Decem-
ber following a new organ was erected, costing $10,000.
At that time the First Baptist Church was the largest in
membership and had the largest edifice of any Protest-
ant denomination in the West. The great fire of 187 1
burned out and dispersed the membership; and the
second great fire of 1874 destroyed their universally ad-
mired church building, causing a loss of at least
$150,000.
Rev. William Wallace Everts, D.D., for twenty years
intimately identified with the religious and charitable institutions
of Chicago, was born at Granville, Washington Co. , N. V., March
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
435
13, 1814. His father was Samuel Everts, a school-teacher by pro-
fession, who was a brigadier-general of militia in the War of 1812.
I lis mother, whose maiden name was Phiebe N. Spicer.was a native
of New York, and also a school-teacher. In 1S26, the family re-
moved to Michigan; and the same year Dr. Everts's father died.
His mother successfully reared a family of five sons and four
daughters, two of the former becoming ministers, and one daughter
a noted missionary in India. Dr. Everts joined the Baptist Church
when fourteen years of age, and he early gave evidence of great
energy of character. When ho was fifteen years old, Rev. Henry
Davis, D.D., of Brockport, X. Y,, invited him to become a mem-
ber of his family. In 1S31, young Everts entered the preparatory
department of Hamilton Literary and Theological Seminary, now
Madison University. Eight years afterward he graduated with
high honors, lie first preached in several vacant pulpits, and in
1832, he was licensed by the Brockport Church. Soon afterward
he was engaged permanently by the Baptist Church at E'.arlville,
Madison Co., N. Y., and in 1837 he was ordained. After complet-
ing his studies, he accepted a call to the Tabernacle Church, New
York City, as the successor of the noted Archibald Mackay, D.D.
Through his efforts, a series of revivals began in New York, which
BiilMil
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
were the beginning of an era of prosperity never before experienced
by the Baptists of that city. During three years, seven hundred
members were received into the Church, and its missionary spirit
became developed, so that the members purchased a house of wor-
ship of another denomination, which became known as the Laight-
street Church. The membership increased from less than one
hundred to over six hundred in a few years. Dr. Everts's health be-
coming impaired, he traveled abroad for a season, and upon his re-
turn, took a quiet pastorate at Wheatland, Monroe Co., N. Y. His
health soon recovered, and his energetic spirit was again aroused.
Churches were organized in surrounding villages, and his labors
met with great success. His fame extended to the West, and a
call was tendered him bv the First Baptist Church of Chicago, but
his unfinished work in Wheatland forbade its acceptance. After
his special supervision was no longer essential to its progress, he
accemed a call to the Walnut-street Baptist Church, Louisville,
Ky. ' In 1853. he entered upon that field with characteristic zeal,
lie pursued the evangelistic and church-extension policy which he
had inaugurated in former fields, and made it as great a success.
The war coming on, and his sympathies being with the North and
against slavery, he resigned his pastorate, although a majority of
the Church sustained him. It was due in a great measure to the
efforts of his friends in this Church that Kentucky was prevented
from seceding from the Union The First Baptist Church of Chi-
cago once more extended a call to Dr. Everts, which he accepted in
August, 1859. After twenty years of service in Chicago, during
which the University of Chicago and the Morgan Park Theologi-
cal Seminary made heavy drafts upon his time and sympathy. I >r
Everts returned to the vicinity of his former field of work, and set-
tled with the Baptist Church in Jersey City, N. J He entered
upon the pastorate with his usual zeal, and met with his accus-
tomed success. Having passed the age of seventy years, in 18S5
he retired from pastoral services, to devote the remainder of his
life to lecturing and literary labor. Dr Everts has been married
three times. His first wife was Miss Maria Wycoff, who died
after a brief union. He was married the second time to Miss
Margaret Burtis, who shared his labors for twenty years. His
present wife is Miss Naomi Townsend.
The North Star Mission was organized in Octo-
ber, 1859, as the Bremer-avenne Mission, which, after
about two years, was consolidated with the Chicago-
avenue Mission, the new organization taking the name
of the North Star Mission. A new chapel was erected
at the corner of Division and Sedgwick streets, and
dedicated on Sunday, December 29, 1861. Rev. G. L.
Wren was installed pastor in October, 1862. A new
church-building was soon required, and, as a prelimi-
nary step toward its erection, a lot at the coiner of Di-
vision and Sedgwick streets was purchased in August,
1865.
In June, 1S66, the Rolling-Mill Mission, which had
been for some time suspended, was re-established under
the auspices of this Mission, and a new chapel, erected
for its use, was dedicated in November, 1866. Early in
1867 two other mission stations were established — one on
Bremer Street, the other west of I,incoln Park. Dur-
ing that year, the building occupied by the North Star
Mission was remodeled and enlarged, and was dedi-
cated December 14, 1S67. The membership was at
that time one hundred and thirty, and the average at-
tendance at the Sunday-school was seven hundred and
twenty-five, taught by fifty teachers. Rev. George L.
Wren, who had been pastor seven years, preached his
farewell sermon on Sunday, October 3, 1869. The
building of this Mission was destroyed by the great fire
of 187 1, causing a loss of about $10,000.
The Second Baptist Church was organized in
1864, a full account of which is given in the history of
the Tabernacle Baptist Church in the first volume of
this work. The building so long used by the First Bap-
tist Church, on the corner of Washington and I.aSalle
streets, having been accepted by the new Church, was
re-erected on the southwest corner of Monroe and Mor-
gan streets, in almost precisely its former style and ar-
rangements. The outer walls were raised above the
window cornices, the ceiling was divided into six pan-
els, instead of twenty-four, the columns supporting the
gallery were in green and bronze, and the entire wood-
work was grained in oak. The lecture- room was occu-
pied for the first time on Sunday, October 30, 1864, and
the dedication occurred Sunday, January 8, 1865. The
dedicatory sermon was delivered by Rev. Nathaniel
Colver, D.D., who had resigned the pastorate Decem-
ber r, 1864, and he was assisted by Rev. J. C. Bur-
roughs, D.D., by Rev. S. ML Osgood, and by the newly-
elected pastor, Rev. E. J. Goodspeed, formerly of Janes-
ville. Wis.
Such was the success of Rev. E. J. Goodspeed that,
in the summer of 1S67, it became apparent that the
church needed to be enlarged to accommodate the in-
creasing congregations, and it was decided to extend it
westward across the twenty-seven-foot lot bought some
time previously for a parsonage. This work was in-
436
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
trusted to, and performed by. John M. VanOsdel, at a
total expense of about §14.000. On Sunday, January
5, 186S. the pastor reported that this Church, during
the vear 1S67. expended §45,403.79, and during the
three years just closed it had spent §100,000, in defray-
ing their own expenses, in contributing toother churches
and for missionary purposes. At that time the Church
had seven hundred and sixty active members, and a
very large Sunday-school, its Bible classes alone num-
bering three hundred. During the first six years of
Rev. Mr. Goodspeed*s pastorate, the membership grew
from two hundred to nearly eleven hundred, and its
home Sunday-school increased to upward of one thou-
sand, with sixty teachers, besides which the Church
sustained a flourishing Mission Sunday-school in the
northwest portion of the city, one at Bridgeport, and
one at the Stock-yards.
The Uxiversitv-place Baptist Church had its
origin in 1S59. At that time there was no Baptist
Church south of Harrison Street, and no Church south
of Twelfth Street, except the Salem Congregational
Church, at Cleaverville, and the South Congregational
Church, on the lake shore, at the foot of Rio Grande
(now Twenty-sixth' Street. A weekly prayer-meeting
was established at the house of Deacon C. T. Boggs,
which was led by Rev. J. A. Smith, D.D. Not long af-
terward, to meet the wants of the students, a service
was established on Sunday afternoons in the chapel of the
University building, at which preaching was maintained
by Rev. f. C. Burroughs, D.D., president of the Uni-
versity. A Sunday-school was also begun, which soon
had upward of one hundred scholars.
Soon after this, the First Baptist Church, designing
to establish a Mission on Indiana Avenue, at Thirtieth
Street, proposed to those connected with the work at
the University to transfer their efforts and means to the
proposed Mission; and accordingly, in the summer of
1863, upon the opening of the chapel on Indiana Ave-
nue, the congregation and Sunday-school that had been
gathered at the University were transferred, and many
entered into membership with the Indiana-avenue Bap-
tist Church. These members had, howeyer, not ceased
to appreciate the importance of the field at the Univer-
sity, which they had temporarily abandoned, and, in
1867, they re-organized the Sunday-school in the chapel
of the University, and, on September 22, 1868, the Cot-
tage Grove Baptist Society was organized, with Rev. J
A. Smith, D.D., as pastor, the meetings being held in
the chapel of the University.
On Sunday, December 6, 1868, a Church was con-
stituted, with a membership of ninety-four, adopting the
name of the University-place Baptist Church, as they
intended to secure a site on that street. The first dea-
cons were X. H. Hovey, Jesse Clement and H. B.
Brayton. Rev. J. A. Smith, D.D., was unanimously
chosen pastor of the new organization, which, on May
23, 1869, was publicly recognized as a Baptist Church,
the sermon of recognition being preached by Rev. E.
I Goodspeed. The Church was induced to forego its
original design of locating on University Place, and, in-
stead, purchased lots on Thirty-fifth Street, at the head
of Rhodes Avenue. These lots cost §11,000, and upon
them a brick chapel was erected, which cost §14,814.
The dedication took place Sunday, June 25, 1871, Rev.
G. W. Northrup delivering the dedicatory sermon. A
statement was made of the financial condition of the So-
ciety at that time. A collection was then taken up of
$2,761, leaving the indebtedness somewhat over §16,000.
Rev. J. A. Smith remained with the Church until
April, 1869. Rev. J. B. Jackson, D.D., occupied the
pulpit from April to October, 1869, when he was suc-
ceeded by Rev. William Hague, whose pastorate closed
in November, 1870. From that date until February,
1873, the Church was without a regular pastor.
The Wabash-avenue Baptist Church. — The
history of this Church was traced in the previous vol-
ume, as the Edina-Place Baptist Church, until August
31, 1862, when its name was changed to the Wabash-
avenue Baptist Church. The removal, alteration and
repairs of the building created a debt, the semi-annual
interest of which was §250. The year 1863 opened
with a series of revival meetings, after which over forty
were added to the church membership. Rev. Robert
Boyd, who had been pastor of this Chureh since its
organization, tendered his resignation in July, 1863, to
take effect at the close of August. This course was
rendered necessary by his failing health. Action upon
the resignation was postponed until Sunday, September
6, in order to prove the effect of cessation from labor
upon the pastor's health. On this day, the result not
having been what was hoped, the resignation was reluct-
antly accepted, and, on September 13, Rev. Mr. Boyd
preached his farewell sermon.
During the interval between the acceptance of the
resignation of Rev. Robert Boyd and the procuring of
his successor, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. E. J.
Goodspeed, of Janesville, Wis ; Rev. Jesse B. Thomas,
of Waukegan, 111.; Rev. J. A. Wight, Rev. Nathaniel
Colver, Rev. J. S. Dickerson, of Wilmington, Del.;
Rev. Mr. Coleman, of Ottawa, 111., and Rev. Edward
G. Taylor, of Cincinnati, Ohio. A call was extended
to Rev. E. G. Taylor, who accepted it, and preached
his first regular sermon February 14, 1864. The event of
this year, among the Baptist churches, was the sale of
its property by the First Baptist Church, at the corner
of Washington and LaSalle streets, to the Chamber of
Commerce, and a distribution of a third of the pro-
ceeds among the various Baptist congregations of the
city. The Wabash-avenue Church received §3,000,
which it used in the liquidation of its debt. But the
subject of main interest to this Church was the future
location of the First Church. A remonstrance was
made against its removal so far south as Eldridge
Court, as they would thereby seriously interfere with
the field of labor of the Wabash-avenue Church. The
First Church located on Wabash Aventle, just south of
Hubbard Court. On October 23, 1865, Rev. E. G.
Taylor resigned his pastorate.
A unanimous call was then extended, October 29,
to Rev. Samuel Baker, D.D., of Williamsburgh. Dr.
Baker preached his first sermon in this Church Novem-
ber s, 1865. At a meeting held April 15, 1868, the
Church almost unanimously favored selling their prop-
erty on Wabash Avenue for not less than §35,000, and
building a new house of worship further south. Before
this was accomplished, however, a proposition was made
to the Indiana Baptist Church that the two churches
unite, but the proposition was rejected by the latter
Church. On the same day this action was made known
Rev. Samuel Baker resigned. A call was then extended
to Rev. Jesse B. Thomas, D.D., who, in March, 1869,
gave his formal acceptance.
In February, 1869, lots were secured on Michigan
Avenue, just south of Twenty-third Street, for the pur-
pose of erecting thereon a church-building. Work upon
the new edifice was soon afterward commenced, and in
July the trustees were authorized to negotiate a loan of
§50,000 to complete the building. In March, 1870, the
Church property on Wabash Avenue and Old (now
Eighteenth) Street, was sold for §38,000. On January
438
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
25. 1S71, the name of the Church was changed to the
Michigan-avenue Baptist Church. On Sunday, January
29, the new church-edifice was dedicated.
The North Baptist Church was organized in
1S5S. Services were first held in Rush Medical Col-
lege on August 29. By the 1st of November arrange-
ments were made for the erection of a church-building
at the corner of Dearborn and Ohio streets, and on
January 16, 1859, religious services were held in this
building. On the nth of January, a council met to
consider the propriety of organizing and recognizing
this body as a Baptist Church. I. E. Kenny, Lyman
Bridges, J. J. Knott and L. B. Rundell were appointed
the committee to which the subject was referred, and,
in accordance with their recommendations, the council
recognized the Church. On the 10th of October fol-
lowing, a council convened for the purpose of consid-
ering the propriety of ordaining A. A. Kendrick to the
work of the Gospel ministry, as the pastor of the North
Baptist Church, he having commenced to preach for
them in September previous. In 1864, a lot on the
corner of Dearborn and Superior streets was purchased,
to which the church-building was moved.
On October 10, 1865, Rev. A. W. Tousey was or-
dained, and succeeded to the pastorate, remaining about
two years, when he was succeeded by Rev. Reuben Jef-
fries, D.D., who was installed October 24, 1S67, on the
occasion of the first occupation by this Church of the
old Unity Church building, on the corner of Dearborn
Street and Chicago Avenue. This edifice cost the
Church §16,500, and they gave their old building to the
Lincoln Park Mission. The North Baptist Church oc-
cupied its newly-acquired property until it was destroyed
by the fire of 187 1, entailing a loss of about $20,000.
The Free - Will Baptist Church was organized
in 1864. In the previous year, three families of this
religious belief came from Boston to Chicago, and Rev.
Professor R. Dunn, discovering that they had been in
his pastorate in the East, exerted himself to extend the
Society. After a time, regular services were held in the
Seventh Presbyterian Church. Before the close of the
year, a site was selected at the corner of Jackson and
Peoria streets, and early in 1864 a small chapel was
erected and a church organized with thirty-seven mem-
bers. Soon after they commenced the erection of a
church-building, which was completed and dedicated
on Thursday, December 7, 1865. Previous to that
time the following ministers had preached for this
Church : Rev. W. G. M. Stone, May 14, 1865 ; and
Rev. J. B. Page, August 27, 1865. The dedicatory
sen-ices were conducted by President Fairfield of Hills-
dale College. Immediately after the termination of
the evening services the building was found to be in
flames, the fire originating from defective furnace flues,
and the new edifice was burned to the ground. The
aggregate loss was §18,000, which was reduced to
$7,000 by the insurance collected. They were offered the
use of the Seventh Presbyterian Church, at the comer
of Halsted and Harrison streets; which offer was accept-
ed, and almost immediately the work of rebuilding
was commenced.
On Sunday, December 9, 1866, the new edifice was
dedicated. Rev. R. M. Graham, about then, succeeded
to the patorate, and was installed January 30, 1867.
The second church-building was not long satisfac
tory to this congregation, and, in 1869, a lot was pur-
chased, at the corner of Loomis and Jackson streets,
upon which a new structure was erected at a cost of
about $i«, 000. On September 18, 1870, the new build-
ing was dedicated, Rev. I Jr. Dunn again officiating.
The financial statement was read by Rev. J. B. Drew,
who had succeeded the Rev. Mr. Graham as pastor.
The statement showed that every dollar of the expense
of building the church, which amounted to $25,000,
had been paid.
The Chicago Baptist Theological Seminary.
— As early as 1858, the question of founding a Baptist
Theological School in the Northwest was somewhat dis-
cussed but no conclusive action was then taken. In
i860, a meeting was held in the First Baptist Church, to
consider the importance of establishing such a Seminary
in connection with the University of Chicago. Among
those present were J. B. Olcott, financial agent of the
University, J. A. Smith and Edward Goodman of the
Christian Times (now the Standard), and Rev. W. \V.
Everts. After deliberation, all agreed that such an in-
stitution should be founded. To facilitate organization
the rough draft of a constitution was presented, and re-
ferred to a committee for consideration and report next
year. But so fearful Were some lest premature action
should imperil the University, that during the next two
years little was done. In 1863, a large meeting was
held at the First Baptist Church, where a perfected
constitution was reported, and the Baptist Theological
Union formally organized, but the charter of the Society
was not obtained until February, 1865.
Rev. Nathaniel Colver, D.D., pastor of the Second
Baptist Church, looking forward to the opening of the
proposed Theological School, taught a class in theology
during 1865-66, D. L. Moody being one of his students.
In the autumn of 1866, the school was opened at the
University, with Dr. Colver professor of Biblical The-
ology and Rev. G. C. Clark professor of Hebrew and
Exegesis. Fifteen students were enrolled. Dr. Colver
was persuaded to resign his work in Chicago, to organ-
ize the Freedmen's Theological School at Richmond,
Va. This led to the resignation of Rev. Mr. Clark, and
the breaking up of the classes. Early in 1S67, Dr. G.
W. Northrup, professor of Church History in the Roch-
ester Theological Seminary, accepted an appointment
to the presidency, and re-opened the school with a new
faculty and a modified course of instruction. In 1867,
Rev. A. B. Jackson, from Albion, N. Y., was associated
with the president in opening the classes; and in 1868,
G. W. Warren, a graduate of Harvard, and Rev. A. N.
Arnold, formerly missionary to Greece, became members
of the faculty. On July 1, 1869, two students were
graduated, and the seminary-building was dedicated on
the same day. The report of 1870 shows an enrollment
of forty-six students and a change in the faculty, Drs.
C. E. Mitchel and R. E. Paterson taking the places of
Professors Jackson and Warren. Later professors have
been J. R. Boise, LL.D., T. J. Morgan, Edgrin, Hurl-
but, Sage, Harper and Dr. J. A. Smith.
G. S. Bailey, after several years of service as finan-
cial secretary, was succeeded by T. G. Goodspeed, who
has continued in that position to the present time. Be-
fore any considerable donations had been obtained in
Chicago, Rev. W. W. Everts, while in New York on busi-
ness connected with the University, procured a Greek
Chair for the University, obtaining from the Colgate
family an acre of ground in Chicago, to be deeded to
the University unless a Seminary should be soon estab-
lished. This property, from its rental, furnished an im-
mediate income, and has since risen in value to $15,000.
Dr. Everts also obtained in New York $1,200 toward
the purchase of a site for a building.
The largest early cash subscription was one of
$7,500, resultant upon Dr. Everts's labors, from L.
Barnes and Mial Davis, of Burlington, Yt., and Mr.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
439
Cook, Whitehall, N. Y. The Theological Union there-
upon purchased the Seminary lots, and soon after erected
buildings, costing $30,000, the furnishing of which cost
$8,000. Meantime, D. Henry Sheldon moved from St.
Louis to Chicago, and at once became one of the most
efficient supporters of the enterprise. He gave it its
first $1,000 subscription, and added to it until his gifts
amounted to $15,000. James E. Tyler was first sub-
scriber of $5,000, and, besides several other subscriptions,
added a final one which brought the entire amount up to
nearly $30,000. Mr. Goodyear's subscriptions amounted
to $30,000, and C. N. Holden's to nearly $15,000. E.
Nelson Blake has subscribed, in the aggregate, $40,000.
W. \V. Everts Jr., who was in Germany at the time of
the death of the distinguished Hengstenbergh, appealed
to his father to raise means to purchase this remark-
able library for the Seminary. The library was pur-
chased, and placed in the University. J. Young Scam-
mon became its principal creditor. At the time of
the sale of its effects, this literary treasure would have
been lost to Baptists but for the management of D.
Henry Sheldon and the munificence of E. Nelson Blake,
who purchased it and bequeathed it to the Seminary.
After the death of George B. Ide, through the same par-
ties who procured the Hengstenbergh library, attention
was called to the value of the Ide library, and measures
were proposed which secured it also for the Seminary.
In 1885, through the munificence of Rev. Mr. Colwell
and Captain Ebenezer Morgan, the rarest Biblical
library in this country has been added to its literary
treasures.
About eight years ago the board of the Seminary,
feeling themselves compromised by the vicinity and
trials of the University of Chicago, and encouraged by
the munificent offers of real estate and liberal subscrip-
tions in money, removed to Morgan Park, and there
erected a new seminary-building and residences for the
professors. The name of the institution then became
the Morgan Park Seminary.
THE UNITARIAN CHURCH.
The First Unitarian Church. — Rev. George F.
Noyes was the last regular pastor of this Church, as
mentioned in the preceding volume. For more than two
years the pulpit was filled by temporary supplies; but
in June, 1861, a call was extended to Rev. Charles B.
Thomas, of New Orleans. The church-building, after
having been repaired and renovated, was re-opened
July 2$, 1S61. In June, 1862, a lot upon which to
erect a new edifice was selected on Wabash Avenue,
north of Hubbard Court, and the corner-stone of this
building was laid on April 9, 1863, by Rev. Robert
Collyer.
About the middle of May, 1862, the old building of
this Society was destroyed by fire, and the congregation
worshiped in St. Paul's Universalist Church. The new
church-building was so far completed that services
were commenced therein on Sunday, November 22,
1863, and it was soon after completed and dedicated.
In May, 1864, Rev. C. B. Thomas was dismissed from
the pastorate, after which the pulpit was vacant for
some time. On January 7, 1866, Rev. Robert Laird
Collier preached for the Society, and was installed
pastor April 17, 1866. On January 26, 1868, $30,625
were subscribed to pay off the debt of the Church,
which was afterward in sound financial condition, and
enjoyed a high degree of prosperity until the great
calamity of 187 1. Their building, however, was not
destroyed. It stood on the very verge of the burned
district, but was saved by the use of gunpowder in
blowing up other buildings.
Unity Church was the result of a desire on the
part of members of the First Unitarian Church, liv-
ing on the north side of the river, to have place of
worship near their homes. The First Church property,
at this time, consisted of an eighty-foot lot on Wash-
ington Street, between Clark and Dearborn, upon which
stood the frame church-edifice which was afterward de-
stroyed by fire.
Preliminaries being arranged, a meeting of those
members living on the North Side who retired from the
First Church to form the new Church, was held May 11,
1857, in the office of William M. Larrabee. The follow-
ing persons were present at this meeting: Benjamin F.
Adams, William M. Larrabee, Eli Bates, Nathan
Mears, Gilbert Hubbard, Samuel S. Greeley, William
H. Clark, Captain Samuel Johnson, Benjamin F. James,
Samuel C. Clark, Henry Tucker, George Watson,
Augustus H. Burley and Edward K. Rogers.
From time to time, meetings were held, and finally,
on December 23, 1857, a constitution was adopted, and
the name of Unity Church, suggested by Benjamin F.
James, chosen. The first officers were elected at the same
meeting, as follows: Trustees, William M. Larrabee,
Benjamin F. Adams and Benjamin F. James; Secretary,
Samuel S. Greeley.
In June, 1858, one-fourth of the old church lot on
Washington Street was conveyed to the trustees of
Unity Church. Business meetings were held occasion-
ally at the house of Eli Bates and elsewhere, but it was
not until the spring of 1859 that the active work of the
Church began. At that time, the little frame building
of the Baptist Church, standing at the corner of Ohio
and Dearborn streets, with a seating capacity of about
one hundred and fifty, was rented for use on Sunday
afternoons. Rev. Robert Collyer, who was at the time
in the services of the First Church as minister-at-large,
was engaged to preach at the new church for a few
months, until a regular minister could be procured, and
preached his first sermon under this arrangement on the
last Sunday in May, 1859.
A subscription paper was circulated, for the purpose
of raising money with which to purchase a lot and erect
a church-building. On the 20th of August of the same
year, a lot on the corner of Chicago Avenue and Dear-
born Street was purchased, and the erection of a
church-edifice at once commenced. Under the energy
and economy of the first board of trustees, which con-
tinued in office, this building was completed before the
expiration of the year. It was small, with a seating
capacity of four hundred and fifty, and cost $4,000. It
was dedicated on Christmas eve, 1859, the sermon being
preached by Rev. Dr. Hosmer, of Buffalo.
Early in its history this Church attempted to formu-
late a creed, but found its belief too inclusive, and so
abandoned the attempt. The only article of faith upon
which all could unite was, that each member might en-
tertain his own belief.
During the War, Unity Church performed its share
of the work of suppressing it ; the young men entered
the army, and Rev. Mr. Collyer, throwing the American
flag over his pulpit, and announcing to his congrega-
tion that the church was closed, and that he was going
to the war, he went to the Potomac, and afterward to
Fort Donelson and Pittsburg Xanding, to minister to
the necessities and comforts of the wounded, the sick,
and the dying. Many of the women of the Church be-
came members of the Sanitary Commission, and they,
-Wo
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
and others, where equally devoted in attendance in the
hospitals and at the Soldiers' Rest.
In December, 1S66, the Liberal Christian League
was formed, with Rev. Robert Collver for its first pres-
ident. It was composed mainly of members of Unity
Church. Notwithstanding the War, the Society contin-
ued to grow, and it became necessary to find more
room for the congregation.
Mr. Collyer's vacation was.
therefore, taken advantage
of to enlarge the church-
building. At first it was
the design to add a wing
to each side, but subse-
quently it was decided to
England. When Robert was about rour weeks old, his parents
moved to Fewston parish, and the necessities of the family were
such that every member of it that could do so had to labor ; hence,
young- Robert, in his eighth year, was put to work in a factory.
There he remained until he was fourteen, at which time he was ap-
prenticed to a blacksmith at Ilkley, in Wharfedale, at which trade
he worked until his emigration to America, in 1850. During the
years of his labor in the factory and at the forge, his brain was
employed as well as his hands. Very early he developed a taste for
books, and can not remember when he could
not read. After his conversion he became, in
lS.iS,alocal Methodist preacher, being licensed
to preach in that year. While working at the
forge, he had practiced declaiming in the
woods and to the brook; and then his ready
gift of speech, his culture, appearance, and
behavior, drew to him interested auditors, won
him friends, and made him a favorite with the
public. In 1850, he came to the United
States, and settled in Shoemakertovvn, a sub-
urb of Philadelphia; there he entered upon the
business of hammer-making, and continued his
work as an exhorter, while he labored at the
forge, always earning his own living with his
hands. Happening to hear a lecture delivered
by Lucretia Molt, he became dissatisfied with
the pro-slavery conservatism of the Philadel-
phia Conference, and, hearing Dr. Furness
preach, he became dissatisfied with the Meth-
odist theology, and for his denial of certain
theological tenets, he was arraigned, and, by
the Philadelphia Conference, deprived of his
license to preach. This was in January, 1S59.
He then united with the Unitarian Congre-
gationalists, and, under their auspices, soon afterward came to
Chicago to take charge of the " Ministry -at- Large." In May,
1859, he began to preach for Unity Church, and for three years
performed the work of both positions, when, resigning the former,
he devoted himself entirely to his Church. His success as a minis-
ter with this Church was very remarkable. It was through his in-
fluence that the elegant Unity Church building was erected in 1S67,
and the present one erected on the ruins of the first in 1S72. Be-
sides his work in connection with the Sanitary Commission, referred
to in the history of Unity Church, he was intrusted with the dis-
bursement of large sums of money contributed by the citizens of
UNITY CHURCH AND RUINS.
buy a lot on the corner of Walton Place and Dearborn
Avenue, and to erect a stone edifice, to cost not more
than $60,000. The corner-stone was laid August 29,
1S67, Rev. Robert Collyer delivering the address.
The resolve to limit the expense of the erection of
this building to $60,000 was either lost sight of or de-
signedly disregarded, for, after it was completed, the ac-
counts of the Church showed that its total cost, includ-
ing lot, edifice, furnishing and organ, was $210,000.
The lot on Chicago Avenue, together with the frame
church-building standing upon it, were sold for $16,662
to the North Baptist Church.
Unity Church enjoyed this new and costly temple
of worship from the time of its dedication, June 20, 1869,
to October 8, 1871, a period of nearly two years and
four months, when it was swept out of existence by the
fire of that and the next day. Only its massive walls
and towers remained as monuments to the honest)- and
good faith of the builder. Together with the church-
building the homes of most of the members were des-
troyed. At the time of the fire there were one hundred
and seventy pew-holders in the Church, only nine of
whom entirely <rv aped loss. The aggregate direct losr.
by individual members of this Church was estimated to
be $2,350,200.
REV. OLLVER was born December 8, 1823, at
Keithley, near Bolton Abbey and the River Wharfe, Yorkshire,
Chicago to the relief of the survivors of the Cjuantrill massacre, at
Lawrence, Kas. He remained pastor of Unity Church until May,
1S79, when he resigned, to accept the pastorate of the Church of
the Messiah, in New York City, of which he is still (1S85) pastor.
A just estimate of his character and power as a pulpit orator would
be especially valuable, but within our limits it is not easy to present
such an estimate. He is certainly no common man. Entering the
ministry without the advantages of collegiate education and disci-
pline, he has wielded an extraordinary influence and acquired a
world-wide fame.
THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
The First Universaust Church. — The history
of this Church was continued in the first volume down
to the pastorate of Rev. William W. King, who
preached his farewell sermon June 26, 1859. The pul-
pit was vacant about six months, and during this time
the Society made efforts to pay off its debts. In Octo-
ber, $18,500 were raised in three days, and a short time
afterward $2,500 additional. In December, a call was
extended to Rev. W. H. Ryder, of Roxbury, Mass., to
become pastor of this Church, which he accepted, and
entered upon his duties January 8, i860. He was in-
stalled on the 7th of February, following, the installa-
tion sermon being preached by Rev. J. S. Dennis, and
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
44'
the hymn that was sung being composed for the occa-
sion by Mrs. Mary A. Livermore. The pastorate of
Rev. \V. H. Ryder was one of the longest and most
successful of any in Chicago, extending from the date
given above to 1882. A summary of its results, there-
fore, is necessarily deferred.
During the first four years of Dr. Ryder's pastorate,
the sum of $37,000 was sub-
scribed, and in May, 1866, the
Society purchased a lot on the
corner of Wabash Avenue and
VanBuren Street, adjoining the
church - lot on the north, and
donated the larger part of it to
Dr. Ryder, who erected thereon
a pastoral residence, and during
the six years that had elapsed,
$80,000 had been sub-
scribed for Society pur-
poses. On April 26, 1868,
Dr. Ryder delivered his
farewell address, previous
to his departure to Eu-
rope for the benefit of his
health. During his ab-
sence, his pulpit was sup-
plied by Rev. Sumner
Ellis. On June it, 1869,
Dr. Ryder returned, and
was given a warm recep-
tion by his Church. The
work of the Church went
on steadily and success-
fully until the 9th of Oc-
tober, 1 8 7 1 , when the
building, which had so
long been the pride of
the Society, was reduced
to a heap of ruins. The loss thus
amounted to about $75,000.
Rev. William Henry Ryder, D.D., was born on July
11, 1S22, at l'rovincetown, Mass. His ancestry, on both his
father's and mother's sides, were English. Having exhausted
the educational opportunities he found near his home, he
entered Pembroke Academy in 1S40. He studied Greek and
Hebrew in Clinton Liberal Institute, Clinton, N. V., under
that rare scholar, Dr. Clowes. When only nineteen years old,
he preached his first sermon in Manchester, N. H. During
the year following he preached frequently in Concord, doing
much to revive the languishing parish. Early in the fall of
1S43. he accepted a call to settle in Concord, N. H., and in
the following December he was duly ordained. After two
and a half years of successful ministry in Concord, he accepted
an urgent call to the Universalist Church in Nashua, N. H.
While he served the Church at Nashua with very general sat-
isfaction, he was dissatisfied with his own imperfect preparation
for the work upon which he had entered, and he determined
to make the tour of Europe, and at Berlin make a specialty
of the study of the German language — a language replete in
Biblical learning and criticism, in exegesis and in the principles
of philosophy. After his course of study and reading at Berlin, he
completed the tour of Europe and the Holy Land. His entire tour
consumed about eighteen months. Upon his return to America
he was called to the pastorate of the Church in Roxbury, Mass.,
of which, for sixteen years. Rev. Dr. Hosea Bal'ou, second, had
been the esteemed pastor. With this Church he remained ten
years — from February, 1S50, to January, 1S60. On January 1,
i36o, he removed to Chicago, to assume the pastoral duties of St.
Paul's Church. His first sermon was preached for this Church,
January 14, following, and his last sermon as pastor April 16. 18S2 —
a period of twenty-two years and three months. For five years
immediately succeeding that in which he came to Chicago were the
years of the War of the Rebellion, and during that trying time Dr.
Ryder was never wanting, never faltering in his support of the
Union cause; on the contrary St. Paul's pulpit was famous for its
strenuous advocacy of the duty of the Government to suppress the
Rebellion. And not only by bis sermons and printed discourses
did he do valiant service, but in various other and efficient ways.
He was sent to Richmond in aid of tin- Chicago Sanitary Fair, and
while there discovered the famous letter used by the Government
in the assassination trial. The great fire destroyed St. Paul's
Church, also his beautiful residence, on an adjoining lot. The great
responsibilities imposed upon him by this appalling calamity were
undertaken and discharged with consummate ability and skill.
Visiting New England, he returned to Chit ago
with $40,000 with which to assist in repairing
the fortunes of St. Paul's Church ; and such has
been the success of his subsequent labors that
the Church property, now worth $200,000, is
entirely without incumbrance. Upon resigning
his position as pastor of St. Paul's Church, the '
congregation of the parish unanimously invited
him to accept the relation to them and title of
pastor-emeritus. To decline this proffered honor
cost him a great struggle, but the self-sacrifice
was made with the determination not to place
any embarrassment in the way of subsequent
pastors; but the congregation, determined to
honor him in some fitting way, had cast a life-
size medallion bust, which, enclosed in a marble
frame, is inserted into the walls of the church to
the right of the pulpit. At the first commence-
ment after his removal from the vicinity of Bos-
ton, Harvard University conferred upon him the
honorary degree of Master of Arts, and in 1S63,
Lombard University conferred upon him the
degree of Doctor of Divinity. Dr. Ryder «:i~
married November 5, 1843, to Miss Caroline-
occasioned
ST. PAULS CHURCH AND RUINS
F. Adams, daughter of Benjamin F. and Rebecca (Ryder) Adams.
Dr. and Mrs. Ryder have one child — Caroline Collins Ryder, now
Mrs. John F. Morrill, of Campton Village, N. II.
The Second Universalist Church, or Church of
the Redeemer, was organized in February, 1854, but
did not begin to hold regular meetings until the spring
of 1858. They then rented the old church-building of
the Third Presbyterian Church, on Union Street, in
which they held services until the completion of their
own edifice. The first pastor was Rev. D. P. Liver-
more, then editor of the New Covenant. He was fol-
lowed by Rev. A. Constantine Barry, from Racine, Wis.,
who preached his inaugural sermon March 14, 1858.
After one year, he retired; on account of ill- health. He
was succeeded by Rev. James H. Tuttle, from Fulton,
N. Y., who remained six years.
44 ^
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
The new building, at the corner of Washington and
Sangamon streets, was dedicated January 23, 1861.
Nine members of the largest Bible-class in the Sunday-
school of this Church enlisted in the army. During
July, 1S62, and in the week ending August 9, fifteen
more enlisted, including the superintendent of the school
and between thirty and forty members of the Church.
After the retirement of Rev. Mr. Tuttle, there was a
vacancy in the pulpit for a few months, during which
time Rev. E. G. Brooks, of New York City, and Rev.
George W. Montgomery, of Rochester, preached. The
next regular pastor was Rev. T. E. St. John, who was
called in April, iS66, and installed on September 17.
He remained with this Church until Rev. G. T. Flan-
ders. D.D., from Xashua, N. H., assumed pastoral charge,
on Januarv 6, 1869. Rev. Mr. Flanders remained pas-
tor of the Church until 1S72.
Mary H. (Otis) Talcott was born in Watertown, Jefferson
Co., X. V.. May 23. 1S19, the daughter of Seth and Chloe (Tay-
lor) Otis. Her early life was spent in the common schools of YVa-
tertown and she afterward became a pupil at the lauies' seminary.
of that city. At the age of eighteen, she entered Mrs. Willard's
School, at Troy, and, in 1S38, moved West with her parents, set-
tling near what is now Park Ridge, 111. In 1S41, she married Man-
eel Talcott. She shared with her husband in the noble element of
public munificence, and his most bounteous gifts to public benefac-
tions were concurred in by her. Since his death she has continued
the noble work, and many are the gifts she has bestowed. She has
given to three institutions — the Nursery and Half-Orphan Asylum,
the Orphan Asylum, and the Hospital for Women and Children —
$13,000 each; and to the Home for the Friendless $5, 000, the in-
terest of which is to be expended in the purchase of fruit for the
inmates. She has given to the Humane Society S6,ooo, and to the
Old People's Home $10,000; and to each of four institutions — the
Home for the Friendless, Orphan Asylum, Half-Orphan Asylum,
and Old People's Home — $150 each, for specific purposes. Her
gifts have mostly been confined to local charities, her open hand
being always ready to assist the poor and unfortunate. Since she
was sixteen years of age, she has been a devout member of the Uni-
versalis! Society, and, during the early part of the year 1SS5, pur-
chased and presented to her Church — the Second Universalist — the
lot at the corner of Robey Street and Warren Avenue, costing
$10,000. Such a noble and public spirit as is possessed by Mrs.
Talcott is found in few women, and her remembrance will not be
for a day, but for all time,
EYAXGELICAL CHURCHES.
First German Emanuel Church of the Evan-
gelical Association. — The history of this Church is
contained in the first volume down to the time of the
erection of its new edifice on Polk Street and Edina
Place Third Avenue) in 1855. At that time the pastor
was Rev. L. H. Eiterman, who, in 1856, was succeeded
by Rev. George Messner. In 1864, about twenty-seven
members withdrew, in order to establish a place of wor-
ship nearer their homes. They organized the Salem's
Church, on the corner of Twelfth and Union streets.
Rev. Mr. Messner remained with the First Church until
the spring of 1858. The following pastors succeeded
him :
Rev. G. M. Young, 1858101859; Rev. C. Augenstein, 1859
to i860 ; Kev. J. 1'. Kramer, 1S60 to 1861 ; Rev. Jacob Himmel,
1 362 ; Rev. W. F. Walker, 1862 to 1864 ; Rev. G. W.
Lecher, 1864 to i860; Rev. Enoch Yon Freeden, 1S66 to 1867 ;
Rev. Jacob Himmel, 1867 to 1868; Rev. William Strasburger,
1868 to 1869; Rev. Michael Heyl, 1869 to 1871 ; Rev. J. YV.
■: months from the spring of 1S71 ; Rev. Martin Stramm,
the balance of the year.
Thi hurch 01 the Evangelical Asso-
ciation was started, in 1852, by a portion of the
members of tin- First Church, who, in 1856, erected a
building near the corner of Wells Street and Chicago
Avenue. In 1867, a division occurred in this body — one
portion go'ng to the corner of West Huron and Noble
streets, and organizing St. John's Church; and the other,
selling their property at the corner of Wells Street and
Chicago Avenue for $17,000, purchased six lots at the
corner of Sedgwick and Wisconsin streets. The church-
building erected on the latter location cost about §8,000,
and was in use at the time of the fire of 187 1, when it
was destroyed.
From its organization, in 1852, to the destruction of
the church-edifice in 187 1, the ministers have been as
follows, the year of the beginning of their pastorate
being given :
Revs. J. P. Kramer, 1853; Christopher Koff, 1S54; J. G.
Esher, 1S55 ; John Riegel, 1856; Elias Musselmann, 1S57; Wil-
liam Strasburger, 1S58 ; George Y'elter, 1859; G. W. Lechler,
1S61 ; A. S. Heilman, 1S63 ; W. F. Walker, 1S64 ; J. G. Esher,
1S66 ; Jacob Himmel, 1S6S ; John Miller, 1S69 ; Henry Hintze,
1S70.
German United Evangelical Zion's Church. —
Rev. Mr. Hartmann founded this Church with half of his
Society members, when he had been called to serve the
city from the Southwest. In February, 1862, twenty-
seven members of St. Paul's Church formed a new
Society. On Mr. Tegtmeyer's land, a school-house was
built on Union Street, and a society and school organ-
ized, of which the first teacher was Mr. Enderis, once
consul for Switzerland. Religious services were held
also in the school-house. In the same year, the build-
ing was removed to the corner of Clinton and Wilson
streets. The first board of trustees consisted of
Christopher Tegtmeyer, Frederick W. Baerfeld, John
Hitzemann, John Sillmann, Henry Wendheim, William
Hering, Henry Bomser, Henry Braumueller, Conrad
Teigler and William Bartels.
In June, 1863, it was resolved to purchase the block
on Union Street, between Liberty and Fourteenth (once
Mitchell) streets. At that time Pastor Keuchen resigned,
to labor in the Seminary at Elmhurst, where he now is.
Rev. Mr. Kuenzler was elected pastor in July, 1863,
and the new church was built which stands to-day on
the corner of Fourteenth and Union streets. It was
consecrated on February 7, 1864. During this year,
Rev. Mr. Boesch was recalled from Switzerland to
assume charge of the Church ; and during his three
years' administration, the Society flourished. In 1S68,
Mr. Schabeborn succeeded to the pastorate. He in-
duced the Society to erect a large brick school-house,
in which he was to found an imposing German high
school. The Society fell in with this plan and burdened
itself with a great debt At one time it owed $12,000,
and its assets were $1,000. In 1870, Mr. Schabeborn
was charged with having embezzled money, and was
expelled from office. The High-school company, after
two vears, leased the beautiful school-house to the city,
but subsequently resumed control of their own school,
which now is in a prosperous condition. Rev. Mr.
Hausen was appointed pastor in February, 1871, but
only remained until Easter, 1S73.
Third German United Evangelical Salem's
Church. — Salem's Church was founded early in 1862,
at the suggestion of Adam Sohn and William Kohl-
inann. Going among the German Protestants .of
Bridgeport, they found about one hundred and seventy-
five favorable to the enterprise." They then reported
the success of their search to Pastor Hartmann. On
the corner of Twentieth Street and Wentworth Avenue
was an English school, the use of which Mr. Hartmann
was given gratuitously. There the first meeting was
held, and the first Church council elected : Adam Sohn,
chairman ; William Holz. treasurer ; George Martin,
Gottlieb Holz, John Beierlein, A. Diesell, Fred. Rebel,
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
Peter Metzger and George Kolbe, elders and directors.
Mr. Hartmann, for a half year, preached every Sunday
in the school-house. Then a regular pastor was ob-
tained, Rev. Mr. Menzel, from Green Garden, 111., and
a church was also built. The Society leased a lot on the
corner of Twenty-first Street and Archer Avenue, and
erected a building, which was consecrated November 16,
1862, and called the Third German United Evangelical
Lutheran Salem's Church. Later, Lutheran was dropped
from the name. Rev. Mr. Menzel remained with the
Church until 1865, and was succeeded by Rev. Mr.
Guntrum. In 1868, a lot on the corner of Wentworth
Avenue and Twenty-fourth Street was purchased, to
which place the church was removed.
During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Guntrum, the
Church became divided. His faction was strongest in
the Society, while the opposition had the majority in
the Church council. The Synod decided against the
Guntrum faction. Those of the Society who did not
wish him to act longer as pastor had called a student
of the Seminary, Carl Warkowski, to preach ; and thus
it happened, that each Sunday the Church was used in
the forenoon by one party, and in the afternoon by the
other. Finally, in February, 187 1, the Synod gave Mr.
Guntrum his office as pastor of Salem's Church, and
founded, with his adherents, who composed the greater
number of the Society, the Evangelical St. Stephen's
Church, on the corner of Twenty-fifth Street and Went-
worth Avenue. From this Church developed later the
Evangelical Lutheran St. Stephen's Church (Rev. Mr.
Koehler).
Fourth German United Evangelical St.
Peter's Church. — The Society of St. Peter's Church
is the last one founded by Rev. Mr. Hartmann upon
the constitution of the Prussian National Church. It
was established in the winter of 1863-64. The project
met with great favor among the scattered Germans, so
that the required money was soon raised, and about
thirty-five families signified their intention of joining
the new organization. Four lots, on the corner of Chi-
cago Avenue and Noble Street, were purchased, upon
which a church-edifice and school-house were built. It
soon became necessary to add to the building. During
the first year, the Synod sent the first regular pastor to
the Church from Switzerland, who remained half of a
year. Pastor Albert was then called, and held the
office for three months.
In 1866, Rev. Mr. Bond, of Palatine, became pastor.
Under him the Society prospered, and the elegant
church-edifice was erected where it stands to-day, while
the school-house was removed to lots purchased of
Jacob Brauch. But disagreements arose in the Church,
and the members favoring their pastor separated from
St. Peter's Church, and followed him. They at first
rented a school-room, and founded the Evangelical
Lutheran Trinity Church. Because of the quarrel
with Pastor Bond, who was four and one-half years in
office, the Society threatened to be ruined. A debt of
$15,000 burdened it, and there was little prospect of re-
lief. After Pastor Schoeppe, of Berlin, had tempor-
arily supplied the pulpit, in October, 1870, Rev. Gott-
helf Lambrecht, of the town of Hanover, was called to
the pastorate. When he arrived, he found only sixty
regular members, while the school had an attendance
of about one hundred children ; but an era of prosperity
then began, and was successfully continued.
Rev. Gotthelf Lambrecht was born July 13, 1S41, at
Bernsee, Prussia. His father, Carl Lambrecht, was by trade a
shoemaker; his mother was Wilhelmine (Prochnow) Lambrecht.
Until his fourteenth year, he attended the common schools, and
then, for two years, the Schloppe Gymnasium, graduating there-
from in 1862. After spending two years in teaching school, he
came to America, landing in New York City October 27, 1S64.
From New York he went to Detroit, where he taught school eight
months. He then attended, and graduated, in t866, from Melanc-
thon Theological Seminary of the United Kvangelical Lutheran
Synod, then at Lake Zurich, now at Elmhurst, 111. He then com-
menced to preach at Hanover, III., remaining four years, and came
to Chicago, in October 1S70, to assume the pastorate of the United
Evangelical Lutheran St. Peter's Church- At that time there were
thirty-six families connected with the Church, and the success of
Rev. Mr. Lambrecht has been such that there are eight hundred
families connected with it. and one hundred and fifty voting mem-
bers. Rev. Mr. Lambrecht was married September 15, 1864, to Miss
Charlotte Heidenfeldt. They have had eleven children, live of whom
are living.
Salem's Church of the Evangelical Associa-
tion was organized in 1864, by members of the First
Church of this Association. Upon their formation of a
separate organization, they erected a small frame church-
building on the southwest corner of Twelfth and Union
streets, which served their purposes until 1880. The
first trustees of this society were C. Battels and Jacob
Alt, and the first minister was Rev. G. W. Lechler, who
remained one year. The subsequent pastors, to the
time covered by this volume, have been :
Rev. J. G. Esher, 1865 to 1866; Rev. Christian Ott, 1866 to
1868: Rev. J. G. Esher, 1868 to 1870; Rev. John Miller, 1870 to
1871; Rev. Amos Gackley, 1871 to 1873.
St. Ansgarius' Church. — At the close of the sketch
of this Church, in the preceding volume, it was stated
that the society was divided into two portions — one
Swedish, the other Norwegian. The separation was oc-
casioned by disagreements between the two nationali-
ties, and was made in 1858. The Norwegian portion
called Rev. J. G. Gasman, and the Swedish portion call-
ed Rev. Henry B. Whipple, to take temporary charge of
their religious services. The Norwegians occupied the
church in the morning and the Swedes in the evening.
This arrangement was, however, of short duration,
neither Society being strong enough to maintain an or-
ganization.
In 1S59, it became a Mission Church. Services were
held therein bv various clergymen, among them Rev.
E. B. Tuttle, Rev. R. H. Clarkson, Rev. H. N. Bishop
and Rev. J. C. Richmond, of Milwaukee. St. Ansga-
rius' Church was opened as a free church on Sunday,
December 4, 1859, and one week thereafter the name
St. Barnabas was given to the Mission, While this
church was advertised in the papers as the Protestant
Episcopal Free Church, the name St. Ansgarius has
continued to be used, in the parochial reports, to the
present time. On February 17, 1861, Rev. E. B. Tut-
tle became rector of the Mission.
After being without an organization and without a
pastor nearly four years, the Scandinavians, both Nor-
wegians and Swedes, determined to re-organize the
Church and call a pastor. In 1862, Rev. Jacob Bred-
berg was called and conducted services in the afternoon
of each Sunday. The church-building was held for
nearly two years, conjointly, by both the City Mission
and St. Ansgarius' Church. While it was the hope that
both Norwegians and Swedes would unite in resuscitat-
ing the St. Ansgarius' organization, yet the movement
was finally carried on solely by the latter people, who,
after securing an injunction against Rev. Mr. Tuttle
and the Norwegians from disturbing the worship of the
Swedes, finally secured legal possession of the church-
property, and, on June 20, 1864, regularly called Rev.
Mr. Bredberg to the rectorship. Rev. Mr. Tuttle then
leased Erie-street Mission Chapel for the use of the
City Mission. The difficulties being removed, the par-
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
ish largely increased in membership, and by the fall of
1S64 was in a more flourishing condition than ever.
On Friday. February 3, 1865, occurred the celebra-
tion of the one-thousandth anniversary of the death of
St. Ansgarius Anscharius), styled the Apostle of the
North on account of his labors to introduce Christianity
into North Germany, Denmark and Sweden. The
services were partly in Swedish and partly in English.
Bishop Whitehouse presided, and Rev. Mr. Bredberg
delivered the address. In 1S68, the church was re-fitted,
re-arranged and enlarged. Rev. Mr Bredberg remained
rector until 1874.
Our Savior's Norwegian Evangelical Lu-
theran Church was organized by Rev. Gustav F.
Dietrichson, January 18, 1858, when fifty-two persons
signed the constitution. In the same year this congre-
gation commenced to build a church — a frame building
— on the corner of West Erie and May streets. Shortly
afterward a parochial school was established. In 187 1,
the Society sold their old building and commenced the
erection of the present structure, which is one of the
largest and most costly Norwegian Lutheran church-
buildings in America. It will seat twelve hundred peo-
ple, and cost $40,000. A fine organ was placed in the
church at a cost of $1,200. Together with the four lots
on which this edifice stands, the Church property is
worth $50,000.
Rev. Gustav F. Dietrichson remained with this
Church only a short time. He was succeeded by Rev.
A. C. Preus, who officiated as pastor until 1863, being
very successful in his labors. His successor in Our
Savior's Church was Rev. J. J. Krohn, who served
faithfully for thirteen years, and it was under his
administration, that, in 1871, the new church-building
already described was erected.
Knud Iverson s drowning. — In connection with the
history of this Church, it is proper to give a brief
account of the drowning of Knud Iverson, the son of
Thomas Knudson, who was about ten years old at the
time of his death. The drowning occurred on Tuesday,
August 23, 1853, in the North Branch of the Chicago
River, near the residence of Mr. Elston, which stood
near where Division Street crosses the North Branch.
At that period of the city's history, boys of various
ages were in the habit of bathing in the river in this
vicinity, and the larger boys occasionally, in a spirit of
mischief or to show their power over their smaller com-
panions, enticed or forced them into the water. Accord-
ing to the first published reports, the rough handling of
young Iverson was for the purpose of compelling him
to enter Mr. Elston's garden and steal fruit for the
larger boys to eat, which he had refused to do because
of the consciousness in his own mind that to steal was
wrong. By plunging him into the river, the larger
boys, it was said, hoped to overcome his opposition,
and it was the general opinion for some time that Knud
Iverson died a martyr to the cause of honesty. An
extract from a letter by P. T. Barnum, who contributed
$200 toward the monument fund, will serve to illustrate
the general sentiment:
" I trust that every citizen of our common country may have
the privilege of contributing towards the monument of the
immortal child, Knud Iverson, and that this enduring memorial of
his honesty, erected by those who appreciate this great cardinal
virtue, and may it be for ages the Mecca to which pilgrims from
every quarter of this great continent will gladly flock with their
little ones, who may thus be fully impressed with the important
and glorious principle so feelingly taught in the cruel death of this
infantile martyr, that ' it is better to die than to steal.' "
But the evidence that young Iverson was actually
killed because of his refusal to steal was not sufficiently
conclusive to convince every member of the community
of its truth. The opinion became general that the
boy was not purposely drowned. The coroner's verdict
was as follows:
" At an inquest taken for the people, in said Cook County,
this 10th day of August, A.I). 1S53, before me Austin Hines,
Coroner in and for said County of Cook, upon the view of the body
of Knud Iverson, then and there being dead, upon the oath of
twelve good and lawful men of the people of said State, into the
circumstances attending the death of said Knud Iverson, and
when and where and in what manner the said Knud Iverson came
to his death, we the jury do say:
" We the jury of this inquest of the above child have concluded
from the testimony before us that it was accidental, so far as the
design for the murder of the child, but that some wicked boys un-
known, are accessory to his death, through thoughtless imprudence,
and whose names are not before the jury.
" Daniel Elston, Philey N. Could, C. F. Elston, John Oleson,
John Holdergon, S. Gunderson, W. G. Noahgone, Niles
Garrone, Joseph Marke, Andu Evanson, A. Amundson
and O. G. Auston."
Both before and after this verdict, money in consid-
erable quantities continued to be sent to Chicago from
all parts of the United States, for the purpose of erect-
ing a monument to him. But the doubt existing as to
his actual martyrdom caused a committee to be ap-
pointed, who closed their report in these words :
" It is not impossible, perhaps not improbable, that the story is
true even now, yet that there is not sufficient evidence to challenge
undoubted belief must be universally admitted. The cause of
truth and liberty can not be subserved by erecting a monument
that may be an embodied falsehood, and, in view of the facts, the
undersigned unanimously recommend that the money be returned
to the donors."
Rev. Nei.s O. Westergren, presiding elder of the Chicago
District of the Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church, was born in
Gammatstorps Parish, Blekinge, Sweden, July 25, 1834. His
father was Olof Westergren, a school-teacher, and his mother,
Mrs. Hannah (Jacob's daughter) Westergren. The former is dead,
but the latter is living with her son. His early scholastic training
was received in his father's school. Upon arriving in this country
with his parents in 1852, he remained in Maine and Massachusetts
until 1853; he then came to Chicago. In order to prepare himself
for the ministry, he attended Knox College at Galesburg. I'd . from
1856 to 1857, and Garrett Biblical Institute at Evanston, 111., in
1855. In 1857, he was appointed to preach at Victoria, 111., where
he remained one year. Since then he has preached in the follow-
ing places : Leland, 111., from 1858 to i860; from i860 to 1S62, at
Beaver and Donovan, III., and Attica, Ind. In 1S63, he once
more attended school at Evanston, 111., and from 1864 to 1S65 was
a student at Knox College, also supplying the pulpit there. He
came to Chicago in 1865, remaining until 1S6S, when he went to
Galesburg, 111., where he stayed until 1872. He was then editor
of the Sandebudet from 1873 to 1S76, and in the latter year was
appointed to the two churches at Geneva and Batavia, III. At the
end of one year he became presiding elder of the Galesburg dis-
trict, retaining that office from 187S until 1881, in which year he
came to Chicago to occupy the position he still holds.
Rev. Andrew T. Westergren was born in Nasum, Sweden,
July 7, 1842. His father was Olof Westergren, a teacher by pro-
fession, and his mother was Hannah (Jacobson) Westergren.
They came to America in 1852, arriving in Chicago the same year.
The rudimentary education of Andrew T. was received at the pub-
lic schools of this city, he attending first the old Kinzie school.
He then attended Knox College at Galesburg, 111 , and afterward
Garrett Biblical Institute at Evanston, 111. In order to fit himself
for preaching the Gospel among the Swedish population of the
country, he then attended the Swedish Theological School at
Galesburg, 111 . where he made a thorough study of the Swedish
language and literature. After completing his course of study, he
was appointed, in 1872, to the pastorate of the Swedish Methodist
Episcopal Church in Kockford, 111. The next year he was sent to
Geneva and Batavia, III. In 1S74. he was sent to Galva, in 1S76
to Swedena, in 1878 to Bishop Ilill, and in 18S2 to the Fifth-ave-
nue Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church, Chicago, where he is at
present located. Rev. Mr. Westergren was married, September
28, 1876, to Miss Selma, daughter of A P. Hanson, of Keokuk,
Iowa. They have two children — Edmond Theodore and Alfred
Wesley.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
445
The Railroad Chapel. — In May, 1857, Rev.
Brainard Kent, more generally known as " Father
Kent," collected fifteen scholars in a passenger car of
the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway Com-
pany, which was standing on their track between Jack-
son and Van Buren streets. The next Sunday, thirty-
five scholars were present and five teachers, and on
that day, May 17, the Railroad Mission Sunday-school
was organized, classes formed, and teachers assigned.
Attendance increased, until four and sometimes five
cars, the use of which was furnished free by the rail-
road company, were filled. Most of the scholars were
gathered from the streets, and were from the most dis-
orderly classes of society. But the spirit of rebellion,
occasionally manifested, was soon subdued by music,
kindness, and the rare exercise of the necessary
authority.
The school prospered to such an extent, that it soon
became evident a building would be required for its
accommodation. Friends promptly subscribed $1,800,
and the railway company granted the free use of a lot
on Griswold Street, south of Van Buren, upon which
to erect a chapel. This building was called the Rail-
road Chapel, and was dedicated July 4, 1858, Rev.
Harvey Curtis delivering the dedicatory sermon. It
accommodated three hundred scholars, and was used
six years, when it became too small for the demands
upon it. In 1863, its capacity was increased by the
erection of galleries, and soon afterward more room
was needed. A lot was purchased opposite the chapel,
and a brick building erected, capable of seating one
thousand scholars. This building, together with lot,
furniture, and organ, cost $21,000, and was dedicated
March 27, 1864. It was used until the fire of 1871,
when it was burned to the ground. Up to this time
there had been no intermission of the sessions of this
school, but the Sunday following the fire passed with-
out a meeting.
The Bethel. — In the preceding volume an out-
line of the history of the Bethel was presented down to
the revival of the spring of 1858. Rev. J. H. Leonard
was the chaplain. In March, 1859, very successful
revival meetings were held, and the chaplain continued
with zeal his labors among the families of the sailors.
Bethel Chapel, on the corner of Wells and Michigan
streets, was a very poor one. In January, i860, how-
ever, it underwent thorough repairs, and was made an
inviting place of worship. There was a revival in
February, 1861, and also in March, 1862. In August,
1863, efforts were made to erect a new and permanent
Sunday-school and Bethel building, to reach the
sailors and to accommodate the North Market-street
Mission School, the building to be called the Bethel
Church.
The subscription lists were placed in the hands of
Dwight L. Moody, a lot was purchased, and plans for a
building adopted. This movement was distinct from
the Seamen's Bethel, of which Rev. J. H. Leonard was
the chaplain, and it was thought, by its promoters, best
to effect a union between the two enterprises. The
committee appointed for that purpose was composed of
George Armour, J. V. Farwell and W. H. Bradley.
The effort to effect a union failed. But as the
small chapel was altogether inadequate to accommodate
the families of the seamen living in Chicago, a new
building had to be provided. This was erected on
Michigan Street, just east ol Market. On January 25,
1864, Dr. H. O. Tiffany delivered a lecture in aid of
the new " Mariner's Church," which was first opened
for divine services April 11, 1869. Addresses were
delivered on that occasion by Rev. Arthur Mitchell,
Dr. W. W. Patton, Rev. Robert Co'lyer and Dr. R. M.
Hatfield. It was formally dedicated on Sunday, June
25, 187 1, and these services were the first held in the
new auditorium, which was capable of seating eight
hundred persons. Addresses were delivered on the
day of dedication by Rev. Dr. Fowler, Rev. L. T.
Chamberlain, Rev. R. L. Collier, Rev. H. N. Powers,
Rev. J. H. Leonard and Rev. Mr. Westover. The
cost of the enterprise was $25,000. The congregation
had but just become accustomed to assembling in the
new Mariners' Chapel, when they were deprived of its
use by the fire of 1871.
The Chicago Bible Society. — When the report
of the Executive Committee was made in December,
i'858, the results of the commercial disaster of that and
the previous year were manifest. During that year the
sixth visitation and supply of the city was made by H.
K. Walker, R. B. Guild and E. He'dstrom. In 1859,
in view of the decreasing receipts of the past two or
three years, the question was raised as to the ex-
pediency of securing the services of an agent whose
whole time should be devoted to the interests of the
Society. It was thought that under the supervision of
such an agent, the work of city distribution might be
efficiently accomplished by voluntary aid.
In 1 86 1, at the twenty-first anniversary of the
Society, held December 30, it was resolved to give
special attention to work among the soldiers. In
accordance with this resolution over 6,000 Testaments
were placed in the hands of the soldiers, and in 1862,
14 Bibles and 5,979 Testaments were distributed among
the Illinois volunteers, 20 Bibles and 5,498 Testaments
among Rebel prisoners, and 1218 Testaments among
Harper's Ferry paroled prisoners. The seventh can-
vass and supply of the city was commenced in that
year, and was completed in 1863. During that year
there were distributed 12 Bibles and 1,896 Testaments
among Union Volunteers in camp and in the field, and
among Rebel prisoners 56 Bibles and 1,764 Testaments.
During 1864, there were distributed among Union
soldiers and Rebel prisoners 210 Bibles and 4,023
Testaments; and in 1865 there were furnished to the
soldiers in Camp Douglas and Camp Fry and to
Rebel prisoners a total of 105 Bibles and 2,959 Testa-
ments.
In 1866, the eighth canvass of the city was com-
menced, and completed in 1867, by R. Kohlsaat. In
1867, Mr. Kohlsaat visited 5,480 families ; and in 1870,
the canvass was continued by Messrs. Torgerson and
Paxton, they being employed a portion of the time.
The canvass was nearly completed at the time of the
fire, only a small part of the business portion of the city
being left unfinished. As a total result of the ninth
canvass, 46,824 families were visited, 10,491 of which
were found destitute ; 3,810 families and individuals
were supplied; and 4,652 families refused to receive
the Bible.
The year 1857 closed with seventeen branch socie-
ties organized. In 1858, there were five more organ-
ized, making twenty-two. In 1859, there were 25 ; in
i860, 27; in 1861, 28; in 1863, 29; in 1865, 30; in 1867,
31 ; in 1S68, 32 ; in 1869, 33 ; in 1871, 35.
The following table shows the number of Bibles and
Testaments distributed, with their value, and the total
receipts of the Society from 1858 to 187 1, inclusive :
446
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
1858
-
1S01
- -
1863
1864
1865
1867.
■
1S69
1870
1871
572
,,559*
1,163*
1,070
1,396
,533
.710
,066
872
.463*
'.04S*
.954
1,328+
15,657
27.639
15,234
16,060
15.566
Sr,975 13
2,342 13
1,803 45
2,SoS 37
3.S34 4S
3,g62 09
5,oS3 43
7,954 77
6,323 17
S,Q59 19
S 3.S39 44
3,027 71
3.436 70
3,320 48
4,888 05
5,949 43
8,136 53
9,833 72
9,393 55
io,738 37
11,117 9°
9,544 26
10,709 16
8,000 00
THE JEWISH CONGREGATIONS.
Reference to the brief sketch of the Jews, in the
first volume, will show that in 1849 they erected a
synagogue on Clark Street, between Adams and Quincy
streets. According to Rabbi Felsenthal, in a paper
written for the Chicago Historical Society, this syna-
gogue was located between Quincy and Jackson streets.
In 1S55. they moved to the corner of Adams and Wells
streets, and in 1868 to the corner of Wabash Avenue
and Peck Court. Previous to i860 other congregations
were organized ; the B'nai Sholom 1 Sons of Peace),
whose members were mainly from Prussian Poland ;
and the Sinai Congregation, from Kehilath Anshe
Maarab. The B'nai Sholom worshipped for some time
in a rented hall on Clark Street, and the Sinai Congre-
gation, in 1861, bought a building on Monroe, between
Clark and Wells streets, which they used as a temple
until 1863, when they bought a church-edifice on the
northwest corner of Fourth Avenue and VanBuren
Street. Educational matters have not been neglected
by the Jews. Among the teachers for both young and
old in the synagogue and in the school-room were the
Revs. Ignatz Kunreuther, Godfrey Snydacker, G. M.
Cohen, L. Levi, M. Manser, L. Adler, B. Felsenthal, and
Dr. S. Friedlander.
Previous to the organization of the first Jewish con-
gregation in Chicago, the Kehilath Anshe Maarab, the
Jews bought a piece of land of the city in the old ceme-
tery for a burial-place for their dead. In 1857, they
purchased another burial-place beyond the city limits
to the north, and the Hebrew Benevolent Society also
acquired a piece of ground about half a mile from that
of the Kehilath Anshe Maarab. Adjoining this, the
, Congregation laid out a cemetery.
Early in the history of the Jews in Chicago, a num-
ber of charitable societies were instituted, among them
the Hebrew Benevolent Association, the Hebrew Relief
Ass.,, iation, the Hebrew Ladies' Benevolent Society,
Ramah Lodge, etc. It was soon felt that it was for the
interest of all to unite these organizations, and, as a re-
sult, the United Hebrew Relief Association was formed
in 1859. This was exceedingly efficient in bringing
relief to hundreds of sick and distressed widows and
orphans, and generally the poor among Jews.
The Kehilath Anshe Maarab was organized in
1845, and a constitution was adopted. This organiza-
tion was strengthened October 3, 1847, by the addition
of about twenty members. Among these were the fol-
lowing : A. Kohn, L. Rosenfeld, Jacob Rosenberg,
/ : er, A. Frank, Benedict Shubart, L.
-
t Including tho*c destroyed by the fire.
M. Leopold, Philip Neuberger, Jacob Fuller and B.
Hrunneman. Soon after it became evident that the in-
terests of this Congregation and those of the Jewish
Burial-Ground Society would conflict, and thus prove
detrimental to both. A council was accordingly held,
the result of which was a consolidation of the two. In
1848, a charter was obtained for the new organization
and the name Kehilath Anshe Maarev given to it, and
this is still its legal designation. But singularly
enough, through the carelessness of the founders, who
intended to name themselves the Congregation of the
Men of the West Kehilath Anshe Maarab), being then
the most westerly Congregation of Jews in existence,
they named themselves the Congregation of the Men of
Obscurity (Kehilath Anshe Maarev). As time passed
on, the members of the Congregation desired a better
site for a burying-ground. Agreeably to the report of
a committee appointed for the purpose, the present
ground situated at the corner of Clark Street and Bel-
mont Avenue was bought in 1856 for $2,400.
In the first volume a list of the principal ministers
of this Congregation will be found. A complete list is
here given to the limits of time covered by this volume,
together with term of service of each. The first minis-
ter was Rev. Ignatz Kunreuther, who became rabbi in
1849, and remained until 1855. He was succeeded by
Godfrey Snydacker, who was engaged as teacher, offi-
ciated as reader, and delivered an occasional sermon.
I" 1853, Mr. Snydacker established a day-school where
Hebrew, English and German were taught in addition to
the common branches. He taught about two years, and
was succeeded by three teachers. This school was in suc-
cessful operation for twenty years, but in 1873, it was dis-
continued and a Sabbath-school established in its stead.
Mr. Snydacker was succeeded by Rev. G. M. Cohen in
1856. Rev. Isidore Lebrecht then occupied the pulpit,
and was himself followed, in 1S58. by Dr. Solomon
Friedlander, a talented and promising young man, who
died during the first year of his incumbency. Follow-
ing Dr. Friedlander were Revs. L. Levi, Dr. Manser, of
Dublin, and Marx Moses. In 1861, Dr. Liebman Adler
was called, and remained with the Congregation most
of the time until 1883, when he retired with a pension.
Rev. Liebman Adler was born in 1S12, at Stadt-Lengsfeld,
Saxe- Weimar-Eisenach, now a state of the new German Empire.
I lis father was Juda Adler, a teacher by profession, and his mother
was Bess (Lob) Adler. Young Liebman, up to his thirteenth year,
attended his father's schooi, and also a preparatory school presided
over by a clergyman in the vicinity. He continued his studies in
the rabbinical educational institutions at Gelnhausen, at Frankfort-
on-the-.Main, and in the teacher's seminary at Weimar. From the
time of completing his education he was active as a tutor in Fu.'da
and Buedingen, until he was installed by the government as a
teacher of secular branches in the Jewish public school of Stadt-
Lengsfeld. After the consolidation of this school with the Christian
city school then in existence, and the formation in this manner, of
an unsectarian public school, he was employed, in the latter, as
teacher of history and natural philosophy until his emigration to
America in 1854. After a few weeks' rest in Cincinnati, Ohio, and
at Lawrenceburg, Ind., he accepted a call to Detroit, Mich., as
minister of the Beth El Congregation, where he remained until
1861. He then accepted a call to the Kehilath Anshe Maarab, of
Chicago, for which he officiated as reader, teacher, and preacher,
with the exception of four years, until 18S3 On account of his
long, active and distinguished services to the cause of Judaism,
Kev. Mr. Adler was then, at the advanced age of seventy-two, re-
tired and pensioned by the Congregation Kehilath Anshe Maarab.
The Sinai Congregation was organized in i860,
as an offshoot from the Kehilath Anshe Maarab, by
about twenty young members of the latter Congregation.
Previous to the secession, these young men had consti-
tuted a Reform Association within the Kehilath Anshe
Maarab, for the purpose of introducing into the services
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
447
and doctrines of the Congregation certain changes which
they considered more in accordance with the spirit of
the times. Following are the names of the young men:
B. Schoeneman, Godfrey Snydacker, Henry and Elias
Greenebaum, Gerhard Foreman, Leopold Mayer, Isaac
Greensfelder, Michael Greenebaum, Sigmund Heyman,
H. Foreman, Meyer Hirsch, A. Rubel, Joseph Lieben-
stein, A. Liebenstein and H. Liebenstein.
One of the objects attempted to be accomplished by
this Reform Association, was to expunge from the
liturgy that portion of it which expressed the hope that
the Jews would some day return to Jerusalem ; they de-
sired that the Jews should cease to be a nation, and be-
come simply a religious people. With this proposed
reform movement the majority of the Kehilath Anshe
Maarab were not in sympathy and would give it no en-
couragement. The members of the Reform Association
therefore seceded, and formed a new body, which they
named the Sinai Congregation, after the Mount from
which the Law was given to the ancient Hebrews, and
not without the hope that the Sinai Congregation might
become the modern Mount Sinai, to which the Reformed
Jews would look back as the origin of a great modern
reform. One of their own number, Rev. Bernhard
Felsenthal, was chosen as their first minister.
Temporary quarters were secured by purchasing a
small frame church-building on Monroe Street, between
Clark and Wells streets, for about $750, which had been
used for some time by the First English Evangelical Lu-
theran Church. This served as a synagogue until the
spring of 1S65. At that time the Congregation purchased
the Plymouth Congregational Church property, on the
corner of VanBuren Street and Third Avenue, paying for
it $7,500. The edifice was remodeled and improved so
as to fit it for a Jewish temple, and a new building was
erected for the accommodation of the day and Sabbath
schools. The day-school was continued until 1869,
when it was closed, on account of the excellent facilities
for obtaining a secular education afforded by the public
schools of the city. The VanBuren Street property was
under contract of sale in 1871 for $62,500, when the
great fire of that year destroyed the buildings. The
purchaser then refused to consummate his purchase, and
after protracted litigation the title reverted to the Con-
gregation.
Dr. Felsenthal remained rabbi until 1864, when he
retired to accept a call from Zion Congregation, then
recently organized on the West Side, and which was an
offshoot from Sinai. From that time to 1866, Sinai was
without a regular minister. In the latter year, Dr. Chro-
nik, of Berlin, Germany, was called, his services being
secured by B. Schoeneman who was then traveling in
Europe and who was president of the Congregation.
Dr. Chronik remained until within two weeks of the
great fire, and, in November following, Rev. Dr. R. Koh-
ler was called from Detroit to fill the vacancy. The
following is a list of the presiding officers of the Sabbath-
school from its organization to the limit covered by this
volume: B. Schoeneman, i860 to 1867 ; Elias Greene-
baum, 1867 to 1S70; B. Lowenthal, 1870 to 1878.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Western Hebrew Christian Brotherhood
had its origin, in 1868, in the desire of members of
various Christian churches to convert Jews to Chris-
tianity. The first meeting to form a Mission for this
purpose was held on the 13th of May. Rev. D. C.
Marquis was chairman, and Rev. C. E. Ryder secre-
tary. This Brotherhood was to be auxiliary to the
Hebrew Christian Brotherhood of New York. Rev. (i.
R. Lederer, editor of the Israelite, made a brief state-
ment of the origin of that Brotherhood. He said that
it had been organized thirty-five years, and that then
there were sixty-five thousand Jews in New York and
Brooklyn, and only one missionary, himself, among
them. Mr. Lederer had accepted Jesus as the Messiah
for twenty-five years, and during that time he had suf-
fered imprisonment in, and banishment from, his native
countrv, Hungary, for seeking to propagate his faith
among the Catholics of that Austrian dependency.
He had converted sixty Jews since 1865. Another
speaker, after presenting statistics with reference to the
number of Jews in the world and its various portions,
said there were twelve thousand Jews in Chicago, for the
conversion of whom not one cent had been expended,
except what was being done by the Protestant Episco-
pal Church.
A meeting was held on June 1, in the Second Pres-
byterian Church, at which a resolution was adopted,
recommending that a public meeting be called to con.
sider the feasibility of putting forth special efforts to
Christianize the Jews of Chicago. The first annual
meeting of this Society was held on May n, 1869.
The secretary, Rev. E. Van Noorden. reported that
within the year four Jews had been converted, that one
hundred and fifty visitations had been made, and that a
large number of tracts had been distributed. The
treasurer, John Creighton, reported that the receipts of
the Society for the year had been $1,395.17, and the
expenditures, $1,457.78. Resolutions were adopted to
the effect that the evangelization of the Jews was a
duty resting upon the whole Church of Christ. The
second annual meeting of this Brotherhood was held
February 15, 1870, in the North Presbyterian Church.
The treasurer, John Creighton, reported the receipts of
the Society to have been $2,375.23, and the expenses the
same, but no converts had been made during the year.
The Brethren of the United Faith. — This sect
was started in Chicago in 1866. Their first meeting
was held on Sunday, May 13, 1866, in the hall of the
American Protestant Association, on the southeast cor-
ner of Randolph and Dearborn streets. They attracted
but little attention until 1869. On Sunday, July 4 of that
year, they held a convention in the same hall, when a state-
ment of their peculiar views was made. The sentiment
of this sect was against man-made creeds. On the 5th
of July they formed a permanent organization, which
they named the Northwestern Christian Association,
and announced as their object the advancement of the
cause of truth.
The International Church. — On the 14th of
July, 1868, a meeting of ministers and others was held
in the Second Presbyterian Church to consider the
question of taking steps toward the erection of an
International Church in London, England. Lieutenant-
Governor Brosswas made chairman, and explained that
the movement was designed to afford leading American
ministers the opportunity of preaching to the English
people, and thus promote a better understanding be-
tween the two great Protestant nations of the world.
Rev. Dr. Tompkins, of London, said that the movement
was not intended to conciliate Americans, but that the
English people desired American ministers to give their
views on questions that were agitated from time to time.
Dr. Haven then offered the following preambles and
resolutions :
Whereas, The union of clergymen and Christian laymen of
the United States and Great Britain upon common ground is calcu-
44S
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
lated. under the Divine sanction, to promote the interests of both
nations ; and.
Whereas, A public hall connected with a church-edifice would
Drovidea permanent place for American gentlemen visiting England
to confer with gentlemen in that country upon questions connected
with the interests, peace, etc.. of both : Therefore,
[*hat this meeting cordially recommends the erec-
tion of an International church and hall by the united efforts of
both countries, and that the gentlemen whose names are hereto
annexed do constitute an association to be called the International
Union of Illinois, to act in concert with similar associations formed
in other States of the Union and with the trustees of the Inter-
national church and hall in Great Britain.
The following officers were then named : President;
Lieutenant-Governor Bross; treasurer, B. W. Raymond;
financial secretary, E. D. L. Sweet; corresponding sec-
retary. B. F. Jacobs. There were five vice-presidents, a
committee of twenty-three prominent citizens, and an
executive committee of seven.
The Spiritualists. — From the founding of the
Harmonialists in 1S56, but little of moment in connec-
tion with Spiritualism occurred for several years. Lec-
tures were delivered from time to time by Spiritualists
from different parts of the country. Among the speak-
ers may be mentioned S. H. Brittan of New York, edi-
tor of the Spiritualistic Age; Andrew Jackson Davis
and his wife, Mary Davis; S. C. Hewitt, of Boston;
Thomas Gates Forster, editor of the Banner of Light;
Father Phillips, of Cleveland; F. N. White, F. L. Wads-
worth and J. P. Greenleaf, trance-speakers; Miss Ada
L. Hovt, rapping and writing test-medium; Hon. War-
ren Chase; and E. Y. Wilson, the noted inspirational
speaker.
The great event of the year 1864 was the National
Convention of Spiritualists, which met in August. This
was the first ever held in this or any other country. A
preliminary meeting was held on the 8th, and on the 9th
the convention was permanently organized by the choice
of the following officers ; President, S. S. Jones, of St.
Charles, 111.; vice-president, Dr. H. F. Gardner, of Bos-
ton; Mrs. Laura Cuppy, of Dayton,. Ohio; Ira Porter, of
Michigan; and Miss Lizzie Doten, of Boston; secretaries,
F. L. Wadsworth, of New York, H. B. Storer, of Boston,
Miss L. Patterson, of Dayton, Ohio, and Mrs. Buffum, of
Chicago. The president, in his salutatory, said he had no
creed, believing that creeds were no effectual bar against
error. A general discussion followed, in which almost
every member participated. On the second day, the
subject of Spiritualism was largely discussed, as was
also that of a permanent organization of Spiritualists.
On the last day of the convention, this question was set-
tled by the adoption of resolutions in opposition to a
general or national organization and in favor of local
organizations. On Sunday, the 14th, resolutions were
adopted expressive of the sense of the convention on
various topics, after which the convention adjourned
On Sunday, February 20, 1865, Miss Emma F. Jay
Bullene lectured in Bryan Hall, and on the 21st also,
this time on Special Providences. On January 7, 1866,
Charles A. Hayden, one of the ablest of Spiritualistic
speakers, spoke in Crosby's Music Hall; and during the
summer of that year. Miss Sarah A. Nutt lectured in
the same place before the First Society of Spiritualists.
On April 5, 1867, Robert Dale Owen lectured in this
city on " Spiritualism; Its Aspect as a Phase of Relig-
ious Sentiment." On the 19th of April, 1868, Mrs.
Colby and Mrs. Augusta J. Babbitt, both trance-speak-
ers, delivered addresses.
CHICAGO CEMETERIES.
Let us turn for a time from the few brief years,
crowned with riant life and activity, which have made
up the wonderful past of Chicago, to that other great
city where reigns voiceless silence and eternal peace.
The virtues and achievements have been sounded of
many who were identified with the city's rapid rise to
prosperity; whose very bones have been crowded from
their resting-place by the encroachments of the queenly
city of their pride and early hopes, to find anew some
distant, still abode, that now again lies almost within
sound of her busy, restless life. This chapter must be
limited to a mere recital of facts regarding the burial of
the city's dead, for space will not admit of any extended
description of the natural beauties and artificial im-
provements of the many cemeteries adjacent to Chicago.
An account of the laying out, by the town authori-
ties of Chicago, in 1835, of two cemeteries — on the
North and South sides, respectively — is given in the
first volume of this history.* The northern half of the
plat so set apart on the North Side was used as a place
of sepulchre by tin- Protestants, while the southern por-
tion be' ame the first Catholic burying-ground in the city.
The Firsi Grave-digger in Chicago was Henry
Gherkin, one of the early settlers.
HENRY Gherkin was born in Hanover, near Bremen, in
Prussia, September ir. 17-7, and educated in Bremen. In 1823,
he was married to an English lady, who died in New
York, as also did thei three children, of cholera. During the fol-
lowing year, Mr. Gherkin moved west to Buffalo, where, in 1834,
he was married to Mis Mary Spechar. In 1830, he came to Chi-
*See vol. I, page 141.
cago, where he was of great use, to both Germans and Americans,
as an interpreter. He made a business of grave-diguing, and, as
has been said, was the first regular grave-digger in Chicago. In
addition to this occupation, Mr. Gherkin was a market-gardener,
supplying vessels and steamers on the lake, and was popularly
known as " Dutch Henry." He died in July, 1877, at the good old
age of ninety years, having ceased to dig graves in 1854.
The First Undertaker in Chicago was an En-
glishman, named A. J. Bates, and he also owned the .
first hearse. He was succeeded by the firm of Gavin
& Gehr, one an Irishman and the other a German.
No interments were made in the South-side grounds
after 1842. About 1847, the city authorities re-interred
the bodies from the South-side burying-ground in the
Lincoln-park tract, known as the Chicago Cemetery.*
The Chicago Cemetery tract contained altogether three
thousand one hundred and thirty-six burial lots, and
was designated, under the old survey, as the " Milli-
marJ " tract. By a decision of the Supreme Court, the
city lost the title to the Milliman tract, and, not being
able to perfect or obtain the title, the Common Council,
in 1865, ordered the vacation of the tract, authorizing
lot-owners to exchange their lots for lots in any of the
new cemeteries, of equal size and of their own selection.
Graceland, Rosehill and Oakwoods had, at this date,
been established.
When the time allowed the city to vacate the tract
(two years) had expired, a special committee, appointed
* As a matter of interest in this connection, it may be mentioned that
Thomas 1'.. Bryan secured the South-side tract and sub-divided it into lots, the
principal street being Calumet Avenue. On every deed of lots alony. this sheet,
Mr. JJryan incorporated a provision that the houses should be built one hundred
feet baek from the street line.
CHICAGO CEMETERIES.
449
by the Common Council, consisting of Aldermen Wood-
ard, Wicker and Lawson, made the selection for about
two hundred lot-owners who had not made any selec-
tion and could not be found. The committee selected
lots, of equal size and in the best obtainable location,
in that portion of Oakwoods known as the "Third Di-
vision, Section B," where the bodies were re-interred
in precisely the same order as they had been in the
Chicago Cemetery. The city holds the title to the
whole tract purchased in Oakwoods, and any of the own-
ers of the lots so exchanged were given the privilege of
obtaining a deed to the new lot upon execution of a re-
lease of the old one. After several years of litigation,
the portion of the old Chicago Cemetery included in
the present limits of Lincoln Park passed under the
control of the park commissioners. Joseph H. Ernst,
of No. 271 North Avenue, was the sexton of the Chi-
cago Cemetery for a number of years and had charge
of the exhumation of the bodies.
The Rosehill Cemetery Company was chartered
February n, 1859, the incorporators being William B.
Ogden, Charles G. Hammond, John H. Kinzie, Hiram
A. Tucker, Levi D. Boone, Benjamin W. Raymond,
Charles V. Dyer, James H. Reese, John Evans,
Jonathan Burr, Levi B. Taft, E. K. Rogers, Robert
H. Morford, Andrew T. Sherman, William Turner,
George Schneider, C. H. Diehl, Andrew Nelson, James
V. Z. Blaney, Henry Smith, Philo Judson. E. C. Jansen
and Francis H. Benson. Dr. Blaney was the first
president of the association. The land bought for the
cemetery was five hundred acres lying six and a half
miles north of the city. Improvements were at once
begun. The cemetery was dedicated by the laying of
the corner-stone of the chapel with Masonic ceremonies
July 28, 1859, M. W. I. A. W. Buck, Grand Master,
officiating. The first interment was of the remains of
Dr. J. W. Ludlam, July 11, 1859.
Rosehill has a magnificent entrance arch, a capacious
receiving vault, and a spacious chapel. A steady flow
of clear water is obtained from an artesian well; a
number of artificial lakes have been formed; there are
large and handsome greenhouses and conservatories;
the avenues, drives and walks are constructed to be
durable and permanent; and the grounds are well
tended. About two hundred and fifty acres of the
grounds are thus improved, and the interments up to
date number nearly 30,000. By an amendment to the
charter, the company is required to pay ten per cent, of
all proceeds to a perpetual care fund, which now
amounts to about $35,000. The trustees of this fund
are Charles B. Farwell, Orrington Lunt and Henry F.
Lewis. The present officers of the company are
Frederick Tuttle, president; William H. Turner, vice-
president and auditor; Van H. Higgins, treasurer; and
Joseph Gow, secretary and superintendent.
Graceland Cemetery was founded in 1861, by
Thomas B. Bryan, who purchased eighty acres of land,
five and a half miles from the center of the city, on
rising ridges near the lake shore. Since then, various
additions of land have been made, until the cemetery is
larger than any other in the country except Greenwood
Cemetery, New York. The first board of managers was
composed of William B. Ogden, Sidney Sawyer, E. H.
Sheldon and George P. A. Healy. The grounds are
improved in much the same manner as those at Rose-
hill— there being several natural springs, from which
water for irrigation and supplying the artificial lakes
and fountains is drawn by steam pumps. The grounds
are superbly ornamented with rare vases, beautifully
designed statuary, noble monuments and handsomely
kept walks, terraces and flower beds. The cemetery is
reached by steam and street-cars and the lake shore
boulevard drive. There have been 40,000 interments
to date. The same charter provision as in the case of
the Rosehill company, for a perpetual improvement
fund, applies to the Graceland Corporation. Ten per
cent, of the gross receipts from the sale of lots is set
apart, and draws compound interest, and insures the
perpetual maintenance and preservation of the cemetery.
The trustees and managers of the fund are William
Blair, J. M. McGennis, Daniel Thompson, Marcus C.
Stearns, E. W. Blatchford, Hiram Wheeler, George C.
Walker, Jerome Beecher, Edwin H. Sheldon, A. J.
Averill, John DeKoven and Henry W. King. Bryan
Lathrop is the president of the company, and T. E.
Patterson secretary.
Oakwoods Cemetery, already mentioned in con-
nection with the transfer of the bodies from the old
Chicago Cemetery, lies three and a half miles due south
of the city limits. It is reached by the boulevard
drives through the North Park, and Illinois Central
Hyde Park trains stop at 67th Street, from whence a
broad walk leads to the cemetery entrances. The ceme-
tery was laid out in 1864, by M. A. Farwell, who at that
time, owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, and
has since added forty acres more to the site. The
cemetery is conducted entirely upon the lawn plan, and
has many beautiful and attractive features. There are
some splendid vistas of waterscape from different points
about the four ornamental lakes, and the lawns are well
kept and inviting. Four greenhouses supply flowers for
the purpose of decoration, and portions of the grounds
are shaded by native oaks. Two new lakes and two
greenhouses are under process of construction. There
is an artistically constructed house for the use of the
superintendent; a chapel 18x30 feet in area, and vault
of large capacity. The Soldiers' Home has a burial
plat here and a handsome monument, surrounded by
cannon and stacks of balls. There have been 19,000
interments since the cemetery was established. The
corporation is subject to the same regulations regarding
the creation of a special maintenance fund as the other
cemetery associations. The incoxpxiiators were Joseph
B. Wells, William B. Herrick, J^hii_E_vans^>Norman B.
Tudd, William B. Egan, Ebenezer Peck, J. Young
Scammon, R. K. Swift and Charles N. McKubbin.
The present officers are Marcus A. Farwell, president;
W. C. D. Grannis, treasurer; George M. Bogue, secre-
tary ; and William Dennison, superintendent.
Forest Home Cemetery lies on the banks of the
Desplaines River, four and a half miles west of Chicago,
on Madison Street. It is reached by the Chicago and
Western Dummy, and the Chicago & North-Western
steam-cars to Oak Park. The cemetery comprises a
part of the beautiful Haase's Park, once a noted
pleasure resort. There are now nearly eighty acres
under improvement. The cemetery is provided with an
elegant entrance, commodious waiting rooms, a chapel
and a vault of sufficient capacity for all demands. The
lawn system of keeping the cemetery was adopted from
the start, and its superior beauty can be seen at a
glance. The company is incorporated and has a per-
manent improvement "fund. The officers of the com-
pany are Ferd. Haase, president: E. S. Dreyer, treas-
urer; Emil R. Haase, secretary. Mr. Haase founded
the cemetery in 1S76. The Concordia Church Society
bought forty acres of land near by, facing Madison
Street, in 1870, and the grounds are now handsomely
-^9
45°
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
improved. There have been about 10,000 interments in
both cemeteries. Seven Evangelical Lutheran Churches
bun," their dead here.
Waldheim Cemetery. — Directly opposite Forest
Home Cemetery, to the south, and lying between Har-
rison and Twelfth streets, on the Desplaines River, is
Waldheim Cemetery. Its distance from the city is four
and a half miles. It is owned by a corporation re-or-
ganized in 1SS1 under the law of 1879, and is subject
to the same provisions as to maintenance as the other
cemeteries. The Odd Fellows, Musicians' Union, Sons
of Hermann, St. Peter's German Lutheran Church, and
•other societies, have burial-plats here. The cemetery
is beautified with fine lawns, flowers, shrubbery, and
well-kept walks and drives. There are two ornamental
lakes, one containing natural springs, and a system of
water-works distributes the water where needed. The
cemetery is, also, well sewered, over 10,000 feet of tile
having been laid during the past two years. There is
a neat brick chapel on the grounds, and one of the
largest receiving vaults in the country. The interments
number about 15,000 up to date. The officers of the
association are : Phillip Maas, president ; Jacob Heis-
sler. vice-president ; John Buhler, secretary ; John M.
Faulhauber, treasurer ; and C. Schwartz, superin-
tendent.
Wonder Cemetery. — A German cemetery was
laid out, near Waldheim, in i860, at which time it con-
sisted of four and a half acres. It was called '■ Won-
der " Cemetery, in honor of Henry Wonder, a noted
German Lutheran divine. In 1866 it was increased to
fourteen and a half acres. There were no burials here
after 1872.
St. Boniface, a German Catholic Cemetery, con-
sisting of about thirty acres, is located on the Green
Bay road, three and a half miles north of the city.
Calvary Cemetery is the favorite burial-place of
the Irish Catholic Churches. It lies nine miles north
of the city, near Evanston. It was consecrated shortly
after the date of the opening of Graceland, although
prior to this some of the bodies taken from the conse-
crated ground in the old Chicago cemetery were re-in-
terred here. The office of the cemetery was formerly
located on Franklin Street, in the city, but it is now at
the grounds. The cemetery is a large one, well kept,
and beautified by many costly improvements. The in-
terments number upward of 20,000.
The Hebrew Congregations have a cemetery
five miles north of the city, on the Green Bay road.
They formerly had a plat of ground in the Chicago
Cemetery. The Hebrew Benevolent Society estab-
lished a burial-ground here in 1855. The grounds are
high and overlook the lake, and contain a number of
fine monuments. Sinai and Zion congregations have
an extensive plat reserved at Rosehill.
As nearly as can be ascertained, the total number of
Chicago's dead, buried in cemeteries near the city, is
one hundred and fifty thousand.
C. H. Jordan, an old citizen of Chicago, and to-day one of
the oldest undertakers in the city, was born in Piqua, Ohio, in
1826. His father, David J. Jordan, was a prominent dry-goods
merchant of that place, in which business the younger Jordan was
trained. lie was, however, given a liberal education. After com-
pleting his academic course, he entered Woodward College, at Cin-
cinnati, Ohio, from which institution he graduated as a member of
the class of 1845. Immediately on leaving college, he entered upon
a mercantile career in Piqua, Ohio, afterward connecting himself
with a wholesale house in Cincinnati. In these two places he re-
mained for several years, and, in 1854, he came to Chicago as the
general western agent for Crane, Breed & Co., manufacturers of
metallic burial cases. Miking this city his headquarters, and car-
rying a large stock of goods in his store, he spent some years in
traveling, selling and introducing his goods in the West. At the
same time, too, he established himself in the undertaking business,
at No 134 Clark Street, remaining there until he was burned out
in the great fire in October of 1S71. Immediately thereafter, he
resumed business on the West Side, where he remained until the
summer of 1S72, when he removed to No. 112 Clark Street, in the
old Exchange Building, the site where now stands the new Chi-
cago Opera House. His next removal was to No. 114 Monroe
Street, where he remained until 1S81, when he removed to his pres-
ent location. In 1854, when Mr. Jordan came to Chicago, there
were but three firms besides himself in his line of business ; these
were Wright & McClure, located on LaSalle Street, John Gavin,
on Market Street, and W. T. Woodson, on Washington Street.
Of these firms, none are now in existence but a son of Mr.
Wright, of the first mentioned house, who is still in this line of
business. It is, no doubt, safe to assert that Mr. Jordan has
officiated in his capacity as undertaker on the occasions of the
deaths of more of Chicago's old and leading citizens than any other
funeral director in the city. He was married, in 1856, to Miss
Mary Scott, daughter of William Scott, formerly president of the
First National Bank, of Piqua, Ohio ; and has had two children,
one of whom, Scott Jordan, is now connected with his father in
business.
James Wright was born in England, in 1S16. While young,
he emigrated to America, and learned the trade of carpenter and
cabinet-maker in this country. In 1S46, he came to Chicago, and
soon after reaching this city, formed a partnership with Andrew
McClure, under the firm name and style of McClure & Wright.
This firm succeeded A. J. Bates, the first undertaker in Chicago.
At Mr. McClure's death, William A. McClure succeeded him, the
firm name being Wright & McClure. In 1864, George P. Wright
succeeded William A. McClure, as a member of the firm, when
the firm name was changed to James Wright & Son. James Wright
died on February 16, 18S0. To accurate and systematic business
habits he united sterling integrity and rare social gifts. His many
friends deplored the loss which they incurred by his removal to a
life upon which he entered without fear. Mr. Wright was married,
in 1835, to Annie E. Hood, of this city. Mr. and Mrs. James
Wright had six children, only three of whom survive — George P.,
Margaret and Mary.
George P. Wright, who succeeded his father in business,
was born in Philadelphia, on August 11, 1S39. In 1S64, as has
been already said, he entered into partnership with his father, since
whose death he has successfully conducted the business alone. In
the same year of the formation of his partnership with his father,
he married Miss Mary A. Brown, of Beloit, Wis. Five children
have been born to them — George James, Charles P., Clara. Addie
and Walter.
Joseph Rogerson is a son of John and Agnes (Parkinson)
Rogerson. He was born in England, in December, 1833. At the
age of sixteen, he came to the United States, and settled in Chicago.
For ten years he was employed in a carriage-shop. In 1S59, he
started in business as an undertaker, at No. 115 West Randolph
Street, and was, for a number of years, the only undertaker on the
West Side His success has exceeded his expectations. He soon
purchased the property which he first rented, and now owns real
estate in various portions of the city. In 1S57, he married Miss
Eliza Daro, a native of England, whose parents had come to this
country while she was a child. They have had three children, only
one of whom is living — Edward J., born in i860. He married
Miss Fannie Dayton, and is at present engaged in business with
his father. Mr. Rogerson, Sr., and his wife have been members of
the Baptist Church for more than thirty years. He is a member of
Fort Dearborn Lodge, I. O. O. F. . and for four years has been
president of the Undertakers' Association. He enjoys the esteem,
not only of his own guild, but of the community at large.
F. H. Hill & Co. — This firm was first organized in 1866, by
J. H. Boyd and F, H. Hill, for the purpose of manufacturing coffins
and caskets, and continued until 1874, when Mr. Boyd withdrew,
and a partnership was formed by F. H. Hill and Mortimer Goff,
under the present firm name. They were first located at Calhoun
Place, and then removed to No. 292 South Franklin Street, and
erected a large brick building, which was destroyed in the great fire
of 1871, and partly re-built and running within thirty days after.
The building they now occupy is 105 by 120 feet, and has an area
of about 126,000 square feet. During the first year of their busi-
ness they employed about ten hands, and their gross sales amounted
to about $15,000, while last year they gave employment to about
one hundred and fifty hands, and their sales amounted to over
$300,000. They are among the largest houses in their line of trade
in the West, and are an important factor in Chicago's industries.
Francis II. Hill was born in Canal Dover, Tuscarawas
Co., Ohio, in 1835, and is the son of Edmund and Mary (Rupp)
Hill. At an early age he went to Pittsburgh, Perm., where he re
ceived a good common-school education. After completing his
THE BENCH AND BAR.
45 1
studies he learned the cabinet business, and was employed in it
until 1S64, when he became associated with Mr. Algeo in the man-
ufacture of coffins, under the name of Algeo & Hill. This con-
tinued for six months, when a joint-stock company was formed,
the business being carried on until 1S66, when Mr. Hill came to
Chicago, and during that year permanently settled here. He soon
became associated with Mr. Boyd in the manufacture of coffins,
and continued with him until 1S74, when the firm changed to the
present style of F. H. Hill & Co. Mr. Hill was married in Co-
lumbus, Ohio, to Mi=s Caroline Griffith of that city, in 1856,
THE BENCH AND BAR.
From 1857, the Chicago Bar greatly increased and
began to assume the characteristics of a metropolitan
Bar. With the growth of the city the field of litigation
grew wider, and the interests involved became of greater
import. The rapid extensions of railroads and tele-
graphs, the vast enlargement of commerce and shipping,
the growth and methods of the Board of Trade, and all
the various efforts in business that an industrious and
ingenious people could devise for the satisfaction of
their physical wants and augmentation of their wealth,
gave rise to legal questions which had hardly been con-
sidered by the early Bar. Up to 1858, the reports of the
Supreme Court of the State were contained in twenty
volumes, embracing a period of forty years. In 1871,
the numbers had grown to sixty volumes, or forty vol-
umes for the fourteen years from 185810 1871. Nor
does this adequately show the real increase in litigation,
for, prior to 1858, the business of the Federal courts was
but trifling comparatively, while after that period it grew
rapidly in importance and extent.
To these new demands the Judiciary and Bar easily
responded, and the second period of our history pre-
sents a galaxy of names which will long remain the
pride of Chicago. It would be difficult to find a more
honorable, high-minded and well-informed Bar than that
of Chicago, the older members manifesting an unvary-
ing kindness to their juniors, and betraying no jealousy
of each other. The Bench has always been able, and in
some cases great; and many of the decisions of Drum-
mond, of Manierre, of Wilson, and of McAllister have
been accepted by the Bar as final, or have been adopted
in totidem verbis, by the Supreme Court. The judges of
all the courts, Federal and State, in 1858, numbered six,
and the Bar about three hundred and sixty. In 1871,
the judges were eleven and the Bar about one thousand.
THE UNITED STATES COURTS.
The seventh judicial circuit of the United States in
1858 embraced the States of Illinois, Indiana, Michi-
gan and Ohio. The Judge was John McLean, Associate
Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
John McLean was one of the foremost of American jurists,
which high position he attained by an indomitable will. He was
the son of a poor man, and was born in New Jersey, on the nth
of March, 1785. When he was still young, his father removed to
the West, first settling in West Virginia, afterward in Kentucky,
and finally in what is now Warren County, Ohio. There, young Mc-
Lean labored on the farm, acquiring what occasional schooling he
could, until he was eighteen years of age, when he went to Cincin-
nati, to write in the clerk's office of Hamilton County. This em-
ployment enabled him to support himself, and at the same time
gave him opportunity for pursuing the study of the law, which he
had long resolved should be his vocation in life. He was admitted
to practice in 1807, and commenced his professional life at Leba-
non, Ohio, where he soon rose into a lucrative practice. He was
married the same year, and entered upon political life. Identify-
ing himself with the Democratic party, and heartily supporting the
administration of Madison in its war policy, he was, in 1S12
elected to Congress, and unanimously re-elected in 1814. His ca-
reer in Congress added greatly to his reputation, but the position
was not entirely congenial to him, and he declined a re-election,
after serving two terms. In 1S16, he was chosen to the Supreme
Bench of Ohio, where he served until 1822, when he was appointed,
by President Monroe, Commissioner ot the General Land Office.
He remained in this station only a few months, when he was ap-
pointed Postmaster-General. This position he held through the
remainder of Monroe's term and throughout that of John Quincy
Adams. When President Jackson came in, McLean declined are-
appointment, as well as the offer of the war or navy departments.
The President, however, wishing to avail himself of abilities which
had been so long exerted for the public welfare, tendered him the
place of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and on his signi-
fying that he would accept, he was immediately nominated, ami the
nomination confirmed by the Senate. Here he became the associate
and peer of Marshall and Story, and the opinions he delivered rank
with those delivered by these eminent jurists. When on thecircuit,
also, his charges to the grand juries are distinguished for their ability
and eloquence One of the most noted of these wasdelivered in De-
cember, 183S, at the time of the Canadian insurrection, in regard
to aiding or favoring unlawful military combinations by our citizens
against a foreign government with whom we are at peace. He was
frequently mentioned as a candidate for the Presidency, but he
never sought to achieve it by currying favor with the populace at
the expense of principle. His name was before the Free Soil Con-
vention, at Buffalo, in 1S4S, when Van Buren was nominated; and
again, at Philadelphia, in 1856, in the Republican Convention, he
received one hundred and ninety-six votes to three hundred and
fifty-nine for John C. Fremont. He also received some votes in
the Republican Convention in i860, at Chicago, when Lincoln was
nominated In 1S57, he delivered his celebrated dissenting opin-
ion in the Dred Scott case, in which, against the majority of the
court, he took the grout. d that slavery had its origin in power
merely, was against right, and in this country was sustained only
by local law, and that Congress had entire control over it in the Ter-
ritories. The reports of his decisions on the circuit are contained
in six volumes, entitled McLean's reports. They are largely cited,
and rank high as authority. He died in Cincinnati, April 4, 1S61.
A large meeting of the members of the Chicago Bar was held on
Saturday, April 6, 1861, to give expression to their sentiments in
relation to his death. Thomas Hoyne was made chairman, and a
committee of twelve was appointed to draft suitable resolutions.
Noah H. Swayne was appointed the successor of
Judge McLean on the 4th of January, 1862, and con-
sequently became Judge of the United States Circuit
Court at Chicago, but he never presided at that court.
The seventh judicial circuit, comprising the States of
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, had been organ-
ized under the act of Congress of March 3, 1837. This
act was amended by the act of July 15, 1862, in which
the States of Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois were
made to form the eighth judicial circuit. This was
again amended January 28, 1863, under which Ohio
and Michigan formed the seventh circuit, and Illinois,
Indiana and Wisconsin the eighth circuit. This ar-
rangement lasted until the act of 1869 establishing cir-
cuit courts, subsequently to be mentioned.
On the 8th of December, 1862, David Davis was
appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
of the United States, and was assigned to the eighth
judicial circuit. He held his first term, as Judge of the
United States Circuit Court, at Chicago in July 1863.
David Davis was born in Cecil County, Maryland, on the
19th of March, 1S15. He received a careful education, first at an
academy in Delaware, and subsequently at Kenyon College, in
Ohio, where he graduated in 1S32. Choosing the law for his pro-
fession, he commenced his studies under Judge H. W. Bishop, at
Lenox, Mass., and after two years there, attended the law school
at New Haven, Conn., and in 1S35 he was admitted lo practice.
45-'
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Determined to settle in the growing West, he first opened an oflice
at Pek-in. 111., but a few months later changed his location to Bloom-
ington. which ever afterward continued to be his home. Shortly after,
he married Miss Sarah Walker, of 1'ittslield, Mass., and found in
her a companion who contributed in no small degree to his future
success in life. An ardent admirer of Henry (.'lay, Mr. Davis
soon found himself engaged in political life, and in the great Clay
campaign of lS44.be was elected to the Legislature, and in 1S47 to
the Constitutional Convention. By the Constitution adopted by that
convention, a new judiciary was created, to be elected by the people.
Although the circuit in which Mr. Davis lived was strongly Demo-
cratic, he was the choice of the Bar and the people for circuit
judge, and was elected without opposition. This position he held
until transferred, by his life-long friend, President Lincoln, to the
Supreme Court of the United States. Although not a strong par-
tisan, judge Davis acted with the Republican party from its forma-
tion, and. in 1S5S, actively supported Mr. Lincoln in his great Sen-
atorial campaign with Judge Douglas, lie was most intimately in
the confidence of the Republican leader, and was so recognized;
and in 1S60, when the delegates were chosen to attend the Repub-
lican convention at Chicago, Judge Davis was appointed a delegate
at large. He labored for Mr. Lincoln's nomination, and, though it
would be too much to say that the nomination was due to him, his
influence was undoubtedly a large and important factor in securing
it. At the beginning of the secession movement, in the winter of
1S60-61, Judge Davis advocated a conservative course, hoping
to avert the war, and accompanied Mr. Lincoln to Washington,
and was present at his inauguration. Moderate counsels could not
prevent war, and Judge Davis retired to his home ready to give
his active and hearty support to the administration. In December,
1S62, he was appointed to the Supreme Bench of the United States,
although almost unknown to the Bar of the country at large. But
as a judge he soon gained the respect of his associates and all who
had business in that great tribunal, for his learning, his clearness
of reasoning, and his independence. In February, 1S77, he was
elected to the L'nited States Senate, by the Legislature of Illinois,
and resigned his seat upon the Bench. In all the service he has
given to the public and to his country, he has always been earnest,
faithful, zealous and unostentatious, and he has commanded the re-
spect of those opposed to him, and the confidence and admiration
of his friends. Through early and fortunate investments in lands
in Chicago, and elsewhere in Illinois, Judge Davis is now the pos-
sessor of a handsome fortune. In his retirement he resides at
Bloomington, admired and respected by all who know him.
By Act of July 3, 1866, the judicial circuits were
again changed by Congress — Illinois, Indiana and Wis-
consin becoming the seventh ; and on April 10, 1869,
Congress enacted a law providing for the appointment
of a circuit judge for each of the nine existing judicial
circuits, who should reside in his circuit and possess
the same power and jurisdiction as the justice of the
Supreme Court allotted to the circuit. Under this law,
and with the universal approbation of the Bar and the
people, Judge Thomas Drummond, so long the Judge
of the United States District Court for the Northern
District of Illinois, was appointed Circuit Judge by
President Grant.
THOMAS DRUMMOND was born October 16, iSog, in Bristol,
Lincoln Co., Maine, to which place his grandfather, a native
of Scotland, had removed prior to 1776, a settlement having been
made near the headland called Pemaquid Point, afterward Bristol,
very early in the seventeenth century. James Drummond, father of
Thoma>, like most of the early settlers on the coast of Maine was
a sailor as well as a farmer, and the early life of his son was spent
amid surroundings that eminently fitted him for the admiralty prac-
tice in which he later gained such marked distinction. James
Drummond was a member of the Maine State Legislature several
years, and died in 1837. The mother of Judge Drummond was a
daughter of Henry Little of Newcastle, Maine, who died while
her son was yet young. After mastering the preliminary studies at
the common schools and at the academies at New Castle, Mon-
mouth, Farmington and Gorham, the young man entered Bowdoin
College,. -it Brunswick, Maine, from which, after a full course, he
graduated in [830, being then twenty-one years of age He im-
mediately commenced the study of law in the office of William T.
iJwight of Philadelphia, a son of President Dwight of Yale Col-
lege, with whom he remained until Mr. Dwight abandoned the law
and entered the ministry, when he finished his legal studies with
Thomas Bradford, Jr., and wa-< admitted to practice at the Phila-
delphia Bar. in March, 1833. In 1S3; he removed to Galena, 111.,
and there built up a most honorable and lucrative practice in the
course of the next fifteen years. His reputation as a sound, skill-
ful and honorable jurist was not confined to his adopted county or
State; and on the death of Judge Nathaniel Pope, of the United
States District Court of Illinois, in February, 1850, he was ap-
pointed by President Taylor his successor, and held his first term
of court in Springfield in June, and in Chicago in July, of the same
year. In 1854, Judge Drummond removed to Chicago, in which
city or its vicinity he has continuously resided since that time. In
1855, the Northern District of Illinois was organized, of which he
became judge, and over which he presided many years, performing
the duties of district judge until, in December, 1S69, he was ap-
pointed judge of the Circuit Court of the United Stales for the seventh
judicial district, comprising the States of Illinois, Indiana and Wis-
consin. That position he held until July, 1SS4, when he resigned.
In the olden times, Judge Drummond was an earnest, energetic
member of the Whig party, and as such was elected to the Illinois
State Legislature in 1840-41. This was the only elective political
office he has ever held, although since the formation of the Re-
publican party he has been in close sympathy with its principles
For more than thirty-four years Judge Drummond occupied the
bench of a United States court in Chicago ; for nearly fifteen he
performed the responsible duties of judge of the Seventh Judicial
Circuit, maintaining his position with the most eminent jurists of
the day, commanding universal respect for his firmness and integ-
rity and gaining the love and admiration of his cotemporaries by
his gentle dignity and constant courtesy. Judge Drummond was
married, in 1S39, at Willow Springs, Lafayette Co. Wis., to Miss
Delia A. Sheldon, daughter of John P. Sheldon. His family con-
sists of two sons and four daughters. His eldest son, Frank, is a
farmer, living in Decatur County, Iowa His youngest son, James
J., was educated as a dynamic engineer at the Yale Sheffield
School.
Henry W. Bi.odgett qualified as a judge of the United States
District Court on the 26th of January, 1S70, having been appointed
to succeed Judge Drummond. He was born at Amherst, Mass.,
on July 21, 1821, and when he was in his tenth year his parents
moved to Illinois. His mother was a woman of superior refine-
ment and education, and under her instruction Henry was fitted to
enter the Amherst Academy, which he did at the age of seventeen.
Completing his studies, he returned to Illinois, where he engaged
in school teaching and land surveying, which he pursued for several
years. In 1S42, he entered the law oflice of Scammon & Judd, in
Chicago, and was admitted to practice in 1S45. He commenced
business at Waukegan, then called Little Fort, and had the usual
experience of a youthful barrister, meeting with the success his in-
dustry and application deserved. In 1852, he was chosen to the
lower house of the Legislature, and in 1858, became a member of
the senate. From its beginning he became largely interested in
the North-Western Railway, and subsequently in the Milwaukee &
St. Paul road, and served them in the various capacities of attorney,
director, and president. He soon became noted as one of the best
railroad lawyers in the West. He was for a time solicitor for the
Michigan Southern, the Fort Wayne, the Rock Island, and the
Chicago & North-Western railroads. In 1870, President Grant
appointed him as judge of the District Court for the Northern
District of Illinois, with the entire approval of the Bar of the
Northwest. His ability, his learning, his memory and power of
concentration all abundantly qualify him for his high position,
judge Blodgett is a tireless student of the law, and a wide reader in
other fields of learning. He possesses the entire confidence of the
Bar, and it is not often that his judgments are overruled by the
Supreme Court of the United States. Like his predecessor, Judge
Drummond, he has for a number of years transacted almost the
entire business of the Circuit Court in common-law cases, the other
judges being largely occupied in chambers, and in other branches
of the vast litigation that has occupied the Federal courts since the
extension of jurisdiction by Congress in 1866. In private life,
judge Blodgett is generous, charitable, and of great purity of mind.
In 1S50, he married Miss Althea Crocker, of Hamilton, N. Y.,
and has had five children, three of whom are now living.
Jlon. Thomas Hoyne was district attorney on
February 13, 1855, when the division of the State
into two districts occurred; and, together with Judge
Drummond and Ira Nye — the latter then just ap-
pointed United States Marshal — was transferred to the
Northern District, with headquarters at Chicago.
About a month prior to the division, Philip A. Hoyne
was appointed United States Commissioner for the Dis-
trict of Illinois, the date of his commission being Janu-
ary 9, 1855, and he was transferred, with the other
attaches of the district court, to the northern division.
William Pope was l he clerk of the Court at this time.
In March, 1857, upon the accession of President
THE BENCH AND BAR.
453
Buchanan, A. M. Herrington, of Geneva, was appointed
to succeed Thomas Hoyne as district attorney, and
James W. Davidson, of Monmouth, to the position of
marshal. When the political differences between Pres-
ident Buchanan and Stephen A. Douglas arose, David-
son, being an adherent of Douglas, was removed,
and Charles N. Pine, of Princeton, appointed in his
place. District Attorney Herrington was also super-
seded at the same time, and for the same reason, and
Henry N. Fitch, son of G. W. Fitch, then United States
Senator from Indiana, was appointed to the office.
Pine turned out a defaulter in the office of marshal, and
for this cause was removed before the expiration of his
term. A lively contest for the place ensued, joined in
by upwards of a dozen aspirants, and ultimately the of-
fice was turned over to the care of Thomas Hoyne, who
was one of Pine's unfortunate bondsmen. Mr. Hoyne
conducted the affairs of the office in a highly satisfactory
manner for a period of about twelve months, or until the
expiration of the term. Shortly after President Lin-
coln's inauguration, in 1861, Hon. J. Russell Jones, of
Galena, received the appointment of marshal, and at
this time E. C. Larned proved the successful compet-
itor for the office of district attorney. Mr. Jones re-
tained the office of marshal until 1869, when he resigned,
and his brother-in-law, B. H. Campbell, was appointed
in his stead. Mr. Larned resigned the office of district
attorney in 1S64, and Mr. Bass was appointed to the va-
cancy. When President Johnson succeeded to the ad-
ministration, in 1866, Mr. Bass was removed and Jesse
O. Norton appointed. Mr. Norton held the office until
April 5, 1869, when Judge Joseph O. Glover succeeded
him. B. H. Campbell served as marshal until April 15,
1877, when the appointee of the new administration
came in. Hon. William H. Bradley was appointed clerk
of the Circuit and District courts March 22, 1855, and
is still (1885) an occupant of that office.
Location of the Courts. — The first law adminis-
tered from the Federal Court in Chicago was by Judge
Pope, in 1837. The scene of Judge Pope's judicial
dispensation in those days was George W. Meeker's
store, on Lake Street, between Clark and Dearborn
streets. Judge Drummond also held court in " Meek-
er's store." From there, the court was removed to the
Saloon Building, at the southeast corner of Clark and
Lake streets, where it remained several years, and from
whence, in 1857, it was removed to more commodious
quarters in the Larmon Building, corner of Clark and
Washington streets. Upon the completion of the Gov-
ernment building, at the corner of Dearborn and Mon-
roe streets, the courts and appendant offices were
removed to it, where they remained until the destruc-
tion of the building in the great lire. Immediately
after the fire, the courts, with the Custom House and
other Government institutions, went to Congress Hall,
at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Congress Street,
where they remained until overtaken by the fire of July,
1874, when they were transferred to the Republic Life
Building.
Masters in Chancery. — Annexed to the courts
are the masters in chancery, proper and additional, and
the register in bankruptcy. The office of Master in
Chancery was in existence during the early days of
Judge Pope and was conducted for upward of twenty-
five years by Tilden Moulton, who was succeeded, in
1863, by Henry W. Bishop, Jr. E. B. Sherman and
John F. Bennett are the additional masters.
The bankrupt law of 1867 created the office of Reg-
ister in Bankruptcy. Lincoln Clark was the first register,
and he held the office until January, 1870, when he
resigned, and Homer N. Hibbard was appointed to fill
the vacancy.
Homer Nash Hihhakd was born November 7, 1S24, in
Bethel, Windsor Co., Vt., the son of Samuel and Edith (Nash)
Hibbard. Mr. Hibbard is descended from Robert and Joan
" Hibbert," who were members of the Congregational Church ai
Salem, Mass., in 1635. He is of the sixth generation, thus : Rob-
ert (2d), Nathaniel, Zebulon, Zebulon (2d), Samuel and Homer
X. Through, his mother, a daughter of Phineas Nash — he is in
the same degree removed from Thomas Nash — a member of Rev.
John Davenport's colony of Quinnipiac. now New Haven, Conn.
In 1846, Mr. Hibbard entered the University of Vermont, and
graduated in the class of 1S50. He then became principal of the
Burlington High School for two years, when he entered the 1 >ane
Law School of Harvard University, remaining until the spring of
1S53. He continued his law studies for six months longer at Bur-
lington, when he was admitted to the Bar Coming to Chicago,
he was admitted to the Bar, in Illinois, November 7, 1853. and
formed a partnership with John A. Jameson, with whom he re-
moved to Freeport in 1854. In 1856, lie formed a partnership
with Martin P. Sweet, of that city, and took an active part in its
educational interests, being president of the Board of Education.
He was appointed master in chancery, and elected city attorney,
and in this latter capacity drafted its charter and codified its ordi-
nances. In i860, he returned to Chicago, to re-join his former
partner in the firm of Cornwell, Jameson & Hibbard, which was
dissolved in 1865, by the election of Mr. Jameson to the Bench;
he afterward formed the firm of Hibbard, Rich & Noble, which
was dissolved during 1S71. In January, 1S70, Mr. Hibbard was
appointed by Judge Drummond register in bankruptcy for Chi-
cago, a position he has since held. In i860, he took up his
residence in Hyde Park, where he has been a member of the Board
of Education for ten years, and its president many times. He
married Miss Jane Noble in 1855 (born in 1828, a daughter of
Hon. William Noble, a lawyer and postmaster of Burlington, Vt.).
CLERK OF THE UNITED STATES COURTS.
William Henry Bradley, clerk of the United States Dis-
trict Court and of the United States Circuit Court for the Northern
District of Illinois, was born at Ridgefield, Conn., November 29,
1S16. His grandfather was an officer in the Revolutionary War,
holding the rank of colonel, and during the administration of
Washington and Adams was United States marshal for the District
of Connecticut. His father, a graduate of Vale, was a lawyer of
prominence in Connecticut, and became one of the judges of Fair-
field County. Voting Bradley was educated at Ridgefield Academy,
and was about to enter Vale when his father died, in 1833. This
event changed his career, and he commenced his business life as
teller in the City Bank of New Haven. In 1S37, at the age of
twenty-one, he removed to Galena, then one of the most stirring
and promising cities in the Northwest. There he became clerk of
the County Court, and, in 1S40, clerk of the Circuit Court of Jo
Daviess County. This position he held, by repeated appointments
and re-elections, until 1S55, when. Congress having created the
Northern District, Judge Drummond, with the concurrence of
Judge McLean, appointed Mr. Bradley clerk of the United States
Circuit and District courts for the new district; and on March 22,
1S55, he entered upon his duties. This position he has held for
thirty years, to the entire satisfaction of the courts, the Bar, and the
community, winning their regard and commanding their respect
He has also held other positions of trust and confidence. He is
one of the trustees of the Newberry estate ; was at one time presi-
dent of the Young Men's Christian Association, director and
president of the West Division Railway, and deacon in the New-
England Congregational Church. He has been a member of the
Church since 1S31. In May. 1841. he married Miss Ada Sopho-
more Strong, of Roxbury, Litchfield Co., Conn.
UNITED STATES COMMISSIONER.
Philip Augustus Hoyne is a native of the city of New York,
born on November 20, 1825. He came to Chicago in 1S41, and en-
tered the office of his brother, Thomas Hoyne, who had preceded
him about five years, and began the study of law ; but in the course
of a year went to Galena, and remained until 1S44, when he returned
to Chicago as agent of a St. Louis fur company, which position he
relinquished after a trial of a few months, and returned to Galena.
Mr. Hoyne settled permanently in Chicago in 185 1, where he en-
gaged in real estate business with the late Colonel J. B. F. Russell.
He was elected clerk of the Recorder's Court of the City of Chi-
cago in lS;3, and held that office five years. During his leisure
moments he resumed the study of law, and was admitted to the Bar
454
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
earlv in i5;5. and to the Supreme Court of the United States on
February 3, 1868. While acting as clerk of the Recorder's Court
of Chicago, he was appointed United States Commissioner for the
District of Illinois, bv Hon. Thomas Drummond. judge of the
United States District Court, January 9, 1S55. He is the oldest in
the service in the Northwest. " Mr. Hoyne has held numerous pub-
lic positions, having been a member of the Board of Education of
Chicago nine years, acting as its president two successive terms. In
earlv times he Was connected with the fire and military departments,
having been a member of the old Chicago Artillery years prior to,
and at, the breaking out of the Civil War. In connection with Hon.
lohn Wentworth, E. G. Keith, Judge Bradwell, and others, he was
instrumental in starting the Union League Club in the winter of
1SS0. In connection with M. E. Stone, of the Daily News, D. K.
Pearson, and others, he took the initiative in the movement for a
memorial of the great fire. He is usually foremost in all the enter-
prises of the dav, and is widely and familiarly known. He was a
member of the Republican State Central Committee of Illinois from
1S76 to 1SS1. He was married, on April 29, 1S49, t0 M'ss Teresa
C. French, daughter of the distinguished grammarian, D'Arcy A.
French. Thev have two sons, William A. and John Thomas.
Mr. Hoyne is an Odd Fellow, and has held some of the highest
offices in that fraternitv. He is a life member of Waubansia Lodge,
No. 160. A. F. & A. M.; Washington Chapter, No. 43, R. A. M.;
Chicago Commanderv, No. 19, K. T.; and of Oriental Consistory,
32-% S P.R.S.
THE STATE COURTS.
The Judges of the Circuit Court. — Cook and
Lake counties constituted the seventh judicial circuit
until the re-organization of the courts of Cook County
by the Constitution of 1S70.
In 1S55, Hon. George Manierre was elected judge
of this court, and re-elected in 1861. He served until
his death, in May, 1863.
George Manierre was born in New London, Conn., in 1S17.
He was of Norman-French extraction, his great grandfather having
emigrated from Normandy with a colony of Huguenots about 168c
and settled in New London. There, the father of Judge Manierre
was born, bred and married, and there he died in 1S31, leaving four
children. In 1831, immediately after the death of her husband,
the widowed mother, with her two sons, George and Benjamin,
moved from New London, and made a home in New York City,
where George entered the law office of Judge John Brinkerhoff. In
1S35, young Manierre left the city of New York and settled in Chi-
cago, to which place his half-brother, Edward Manierre, and his
half-sisters, Mrs. George W. Snow and Mrs. J. B. Gray had pre-
ceded him. He at once entered the law office of J. Young Scam-
mon. to pursue those studies which he had begun in the city of New
York. He also identified himself with such literary efforts as were
then being made by the citizens of the young town, being elected
vice-president of the Chicago Lyceum during his first year's resi-
dence. He was appointed deputy clerk of the Circuit Court in
1836. On July 15, 1839, he was admitted to the Bar. At the
opening of 1840 he formed a partnership with George W. Meeker,
the firm being Manierre & Meeker ; office No 118 Lake Street. In
1341. he was placed in charge of the Chicago Democrat, Hon. John
Wentworth being absent attending the Harvard Law School. The
extensive reading and diligent study of Mr. Manierre made his
editorial labors a marked success. He was elected city attorney in
1841, and served one year, was again elected in 1S43, but resigned
in July, Henry Brown being appointed his successor. During 1S44,
he commenced the revision of the charter (passed in 1837) and the
laws and ordinances, afterward completing and publishing the
work in a single volume, which constituted, until about 1853, the
basis of all amendments to the municipal organization. In 1S41,
when the Young Men's Association absorbed the Chicago Library
ion, Mr. Manierre beeame identified with the former, being
one of the lecturers before the association and serving as its presi-
dent in 1846. He was also one of the founders of the present Law
Institute and Library, in which he was warmly interested up to the
time of his death. In 1843, he was elected alderman from the First
Ward, to promote some beneficial legislation with respect to the
public schools ; — in fact, he was ever a warm and able friend to the
cause of education, serving as school commissioner from 1844 to
1852; becoming a member of the first board of regents of the Chi-
cago University in 1859; continuing in that capacity and upon the
board of counselors of the Law Department up to the time of his
death; and receiving other substantial tokens from the public of the
appreciation in which he was held. During his term as school
commissioner he devoted himself sedulously to the establishment
of schools, the re-organization of the school system, and th:
management of the school fund, which had, since the panic of 1837,
been endangered, both principal and interest. Under his super-
vision, school affairs were placed on a safe footing and the common
schools of the county put in successful operation. Judge Manierre
was ever active in furthering all public and private improvements
bearing upon the material prosperity of Chicago, being one of the
most prominent of the leaders whose efforts resulted in the calling
of the River and Harbor Convention, which met in this city in June,
1847. In 1853, he was appointed master in chancery of the
county by Hon. Hugh T. Dickey, judge of the circuit court, which
office he filled up to the time of his own election as judge of the
same court in 1855. His term commenced upon the 25th of June,
of that year. He was re-elected in i36i, as the unanimous nominee
of both parties, and held the office at the time of his death, May 21,
1863. As an instance of the prodigious industry and executive
ability of Judge Manierre, it may be stated that, during the thirty
years' previous existence of this court, twenty-two thousand cases
had been filed, and of this number seventeen thousand were disposed
of by him during his eight years' occupancy of the Bench. When
it is remembered that he was one of the most energetic men in Chi-
cago in educational and political matters and works relating to the
material improvement of the city, some idea mav be gained of his
great ability and mental activity. It will be inferred, as was the
case, that Judge Manierre was a powerful champion of freedom in
every form. The record of his life proves this statement most
forcibly. Commencing with the first anti-slavery meeting held in
Chicago, January 16, 1S40, up to the time of his death, Judge
Manierre was a bold and consistent defender of personal liberty.
As a young man he acted as vice-president of that meeting that de-
nounced the "Black Code" of Illinois. In 184S, with Isaac N.
Arnold, William B. Ogden, Thomas Hoyne and Daniel Brainard,
he called a Free-soil Convention at Ottawa, which nominated a Yan-
Buren and Adams electoral ticket and inaugurated the first formal
anti slavery movement in Illinois. Cook County was triumphantly
carried for the ticket in the election which followed in November.
This was the starting point of the revolution in American politics
which made Lincoln president in i860, and finally abolished slavery.
Again, in 1S54, with E. C. Larned, he was counsel for the first
colored man who was arrested under the fugitive slave act. The
trial of the case before the United States Commissioner. George W.
Meeker, created the most intense public excitement. The negro
was discharged, and the colored people of the city publicly acknow-
ledged their appreciation of Judge Manierre's services. At the
breaking out of the Rebellion, ludge Manierre, who had abandoned
the Democratic for the Free-soil party, in 184S, became one of the
most earnest supporters of the U"nion cause, a member of the Union
Defense Committee, and in every way actively identified with the
opponents of slavery extension. At that time he joined the Re-
publican party, with which he acted forever afterward. It was no
cause for wonder that the death of such a man should be looked
upon as a public calamity. His funeral was attended by the mem-
bers of the Bar in a body, all the officers of the various courts, the
Mayor and Common Council, and the most prominent men in the
city in many walks of life. Amid the tolling of the city bells the
funeral cortege moved toward Graceland Cemetery. Here, the
most graceful and heartfelt tributes were laid upon the grave of
this kind friend, good citizen, just judge, and earnest and brilliant
man Judge Manierre was married in 1S41 to Ann Hamilton Reid,
daughter of William Reid, barrister of Glasgow, Scotland. At his
death he left a widow and four sons, who still survive him. His
children are George, William R., Edward and Benjamin Manierre.
On the death of Judge Manierre, an election for
judge of the seventh circuit was held on the 30th of
June, 1863, and resulted in the election of Erastus S.
Williams, republican, over Benjamin F. Ayer, democrat.
Erastus Smith Williams was born in Washington County,
New York, on May 22, 1821. His father was a lawyer and a man
of superior attainments. In 1836, he took up his home in Illinois.
Young Williams passed his early years in attending school and
receiving instruction from his father. When he was about twenty
years of age he commenced the study of law in Chicago, under the
direction of Messrs. Butterfield & Collins, and was admitted to the
Bar in 1844. From that time until his election as judge he pursued
the successful practice of his profession, holding a high position,
though not ranking among the foremost of his contemporaries.
He had a reputation for conscientiousness in adherence to duty
and for a breadth of learning in his profession that largely com-
mended him to his brethren of the Bar when a successor to Judge
Manierre was to be chosen ; and his whole career on the Bench
amply vindicated their choice. Elected in 1863. he was re-elected
in 1S67 and again in 1S73, serving until 1879, During these six-
teen years, though subjected to a bitter hostility from certain quar-
ters, he deserved and maintained the reputation of a learned and
&>-?-
z.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
455
just judge. As an illustration of his ability to hold with even hand
the scales of justice, may be mentioned the libel suit of Judge Van
H. Higgins against The Times, in 1865. The suit was com-
menced to recover damages, laid at $35,000, for a publication in
The Times, charging Judge Higgins with malfeasance in office,
by using his position as judge of the Superior Court to influence a
chancery suit wherein he was plaintiff. The fact was that Tudge
Higgins had commenced the foreclosure of a mortgage in the
Superior Court, of which he was judge, but not a judge on the
chancery side. He certainly had no wrong motive, and probably
thought, that as there could be no contest over the suit, and as he could
by no possibility hear the case himself, one court was just the same
as another. In the trial of the libel, the case turned on the admis-
sibility of certain evidence which, if admitted, tended to exonerate
the defendants. After a long and patient hearing, Judge Williams
admitted the testimony. The plaintiff was taken greatly by sur-
prise and before the case was given to the jury, dismissed it, the
attorneys, and plaintiff as well, showing a good deal of exaspera-
tion against the judge. Judge Williams took occasion to say, that
as far as his feelings were concerned, they were far more friendly to
the plaintiff than to the defendants; that his associations had been
with the plaintiff and his friends and not at all with The Times
people; but that he believed the law to be according to his ruling,
and that he must follow it irrespective of his feelings. The truth
was, The Times had been very hostile to him, as it continued to be
to the close of his judicial career. In private life Judge Williams
was highly respected. He was twice married. His first wife (1850)
was Rebecca Woodbridge, a daughter of Rev. Dr. Woodbridge, of
Massachusetts. This lady died during 1S64. In 1869, he married
Mrs. Sophia H. Morton. After his retirement from the Bench,
Judge Williams resumed the practice of the law, in which he con-
tinued to do a lucrative business until his death in 1S84.
In 1870, the courts of Cook County were re-organ-
ized by the new Constitution. Section 23, Article VI.,
of that instrument provided that the County of Cook
should be one judicial circuit; that the Circuit Court
should consist of five judges, until further increased as
therein provided; and that the judge of the Recorder's
Court of Chicago, and the judge of the Circuit Court,
should be two of said judges.
The judge of the Recorder's Court was at that time
William K. McAllister, who was elected in the fall of
1870 to the Supreme Court of the State ; he accordingly
did not serve as circuit judge at that time. William W.
Farwell, Henry Booth and John G. Rogers were elected
as the additional judges under this constitut:onal pro-
vision, and during December, 187 1, Lambert Tree was
elected to the vacancy caused by the resignation of
Judge McAllister.
William Washington Farwell is a descendant, in the
sixth generation, from Henry and Olive Farwell, who emigrated
from England and settled in Concord, Mass., in 1635. He is a
son of John and Almira (Williams) Farwell, and was born January
5, 1817, at Morrisville, Madison Co., N. Y. He entered Hamil-
ton College in 1S33, and graduated in the class of 1S37. In 1S38,
he began the study of law, under the direction of Otis P. Granger,
Morrisville, N. Y.; and in the autumn of 1S40, entered the office
of Potter & Spaulding, of Buffalo, where he completed his studies
and was admitted to practice, in 1841, at the fall term of the
Supreme Court, held in Rochester. He returned to Morrisville,
where he began to practice, continuing it successfully for seven
years. In May, 1S48, he came to Chicago, remaining here until
the spring of 1849. when he joined a small party, and set out, by
the overland route, for California. Nearly six months were
consumed in the weary journey. He remained in Sacramento
and San Francisco until the summer of 1S50, when he returned to
New York, by way of the Isthmus of Panama. On February 12,
1851, he was married to Mary E., daughter of Otis P. Granger.
He resumed practice in Morrisville, and remained there until the
fall of 1854, when he returned to Chicago. In spring of 1S55, he
became a member of the law firm of Goodrich, Farwell & Scoville.
In 1856, Mr. Scoville retired, and Sidney Smith entered the firm.
Mr. Goodrich was elected judge of the Superior Court, and retired,
re-entering the firm on the expiration of fiis term. The firm
continued until 1S70, at which time, Mr. Farwell was elected one
of the judges of the Circuit Court He held that position for nine
years, being re elected in 1S73. His official duties during his term
of service were mainly in the chancery department. Upon retiring
from the Bench he resumed the practice of his profession, which
he still continues. In 18S0, he was chosen professor of equity
jurisprudence, pleadings and practice in the Union College of Law,
of this city, which position he still holds. In politics, he was from
the first an abolitionist, but he voted for the Free-soil candidates,
and has always acted with the Republican partv. He has, from
his youth, been a member of the Congregational Church. His only
living children are Granger Farwell and John William Farwell.
John Gorin Rogers, chief-justice of the Circuit Court of
Cook County, is a marked illustration of the force of heredity, as,
for two hundred years, both his paternal and his maternal ancestors
have been prominent and often illustrious members of the learned
professions. His father, George Rogers, who died in Glasgow,
ky., in March, 1S60, was the leading physician in that part of the
State. There, on the 2Sth of December, 1818, was born fohn (..
Rogers. He received his preliminary education at Centre College,
graduating from the law department of the Transylvania Uni-
versity, at Lexington, in 1841, as Bachelor of Laws. Immediately
commencing the practice of his profession in his native town, he
continued to labor successfully in that field for eighteen years. So
great a love did he have for his chosen work that, although repeat-
edly urged to enter the province of politics, he steadfastly refused,
only receiving those marks of public esteem which would tempo-
rarily distract his attention from the great world of legal action.
During his early manhood he was a Whig, but after the Bell-Ever-
ett contest, in i860, he identified himself with the Democratic party.
In 1S48, he was on the Taylor electoral ticket ; in 1852, was chosen
to the same position on the Scott ticket, and in 1856, was a mem-
ber of the convention that nominated Fillmore for the presidency.
Judge Rogers came to Chicago in December, 1857, and his career
here has also been one of steady progress in the respect, confi-
dence and admiration of the public. As a lawyer, he became
famous for his knowledge of real estate law. Furthermore, he
was an eloquent pleader and a keen debater, his remarkable mem-
ory furnishing him with a wealth of precedent and citation. In July,
1870, upon the adoption of the new Constitution, he was chosen
an associate judge of the Circuit Court, his commission being dated
August 11, 1S71. He was again elected in 1873, in 1S79, and in
18S5, and has served as chief-justice of the Court since June, 1879.
Judge Rogers is an Odd Fellow of high standing. In 1S49, he joined
Glasgow Lodge, No. 65, and on his removal to Chicago, 'connected
himself with Excelsior Lodge, No. 22. After having represented
that body in the Grand Lodge for several years, he was, in 1863,
elected Grand Master of the State of Illinois, and in 1869 was
chosen grand representative to the Grand Lodge of the United
States, at Baltimore. In 1876, he was again called to the same
high post of honor. During the great fire, judge Rogers was
treasurer of the Relief Committee appointed by the Odd Fellows,
and disbursed some $125,000 to the grief-stricken people of Chi-
cago. The work of that body, during the calamity, did much to
lift the whole city from its threatened depression, and all who
served upon it are entitled to the lasting gratitude of its people.
Judge Rogers has ever been an ardent supporter of the cause of
temperance as distinguished from fanaticism, having been chosen
Grand Worthy Patriarch of the Sons of Temperance while yet a
resident of Kentucky. He was married on December 17, 1S44, to
Miss Belle Crenshaw, of Glasgow, Ky., a daughter of B. Mills
Crenshaw, a former chief-justice of that State. They have four
children, two boys and two girls.
Henry Booth, one of the founders of the law department of
the University of Chicago, and for nine years a judge of the Circuit
Court of Cook County, was born in Roxbury, Litchfield Co.,
Conn., August 19, 1S1S. In 1S36, he completed his studies at the
Roxbury Academy preparatory to entering Yale College, graduat-
ing from the latter institution in 1S40. After leaving college he
took charge of the Wellsborough Academy, Penn., teaching one
year, and then returned to his home to study law. He pursued his
studies under Origen S. Seymour, at Litchfield, during the winter
of 1S41-42, but his health breaking down, he returned to the old
farm-house to recuperate. Entering the law school at New Haven
in the fall of 1842, he graduated two years thereafter, and was ad-
mitted to the Bar, at New Haven, in May, 1S44. He removed to
Harrisburg, Penn., but remained there only a few months, finally
locating at Towanda, Bradford County, where he engaged in the
practice of his profession for twelve years. During that period, he
was prosecuting attorney for three years, and during the latter por-
tion of his stay an earnest exponent of anti-slavery principles. In
May, 1856, he accepted a professorship in the State and National
law school at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and removed to that city, where
he remained until the fall of 1859. He then came to Chicago, upon
invitation of its board of regents, to assist in the organization of
a law department of the University of Chicago. In 1873, under
the name of the Union College of Law, the Northwestern Univer-
sity was admitted to an equal interest with the parent institution,
and the college was placed under the control of a joint board of
management, composed of members from each University. At this
time, Judge Booth was the dean of the faculty, and still holds that
position. In 1880, he was elected treasurer of the joint board of
management, and so continues. In 1S70, under the new Constitu-
45 6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
tion, he was chosen one of the judges of the Circuit Court of Cook
County, and was re-elected in 1S73 for a full term of six years.
For the first two years of his residence in Chicago, Judge Booth
paid no attention to the practice of his profession, giving his entire
time to the law department, but in the spring of 1S62, he formed a
partnership with H. B. Hurd, in the practice of law, continuing
with him over six years. Judge Booth was married, in October,
1S46, to Miss Ellen Morris, daughter of Samuel W. Morris, of
Jfak*yd3<rtrf%T
Wellsborough, Tioga Co., Penn. His three sons, Hervey W.,
Samuel M. and William M. are practicing lawyers and his three
daughters, Anna M., Rachel M. and Lemira E, are unmarried and
live at home. During his long residence in Chicago, Judge Booth
has been actively engaged in the promotion of various institutions
of public interest. He was one of the earliest members of the
Chicago Christian Union, now known as the Chicago Athenfeum,
of which he is a life-member, was for five or six years its presi-
dent, and still is one of its board of management. He is a member
of the board of management of the YYashingtonian Home, and is
chairman of its committee on loans and investments. He was one
of the founders of the Philosophical Society of Chicago, has been
its president during two successive years, and has furnished a
paper for one of its meetings nearly every season since it was
organized. As one of the founders of the Society for Ethical Cul-
ture, of this city, he was elected its first president, and has been
re-elected to that office each succeeding year. He is also president
of the Chicago Guaranty Fund Life Society, a life insurance
association on the mutual assessment plan. Though now in his
sixtv-seventh vear, fudge Booth shows no marked signs of waning
strength, either mental or physical. He believes in work, and
wishes to leave behind him some evidence that he has not lived in
THE SUPERIOR COURT.
The name of the Cook County Court was changed,
by act of the Legislature of 1849, to the Cook County
Court of Common Pleas, and under this title continued
until February, 1859. At that time, the Legislature
again passed an amendatory act, a part of which is as
follows :
An act to amend an act entitled, " An act to establish the Cook
County Court," approved February 21, AD. 1845, and f°r
other purposes.
Section 1. Be it enacted, etc., that the court known as the
Cook County Court of Common Pleas is hereby continued with all
its powers, jurisdictions and authority, and with the additional jur-
isdiction conferred by this act. It shall be composed of three
justices, and shall be hereafter known as the Superior Court of
Chicago. The present judge of said Cook County Court of Com-
mon Pleas shall, during the time for which he has been elected, be
one of the judges of said court.
Section 2. On the first Tuesday of April, 1859, an election
shall be held for two judges of said Superior Court. The person
having the greatest number of votes shall hold his office for six
years, and the person having the next highest number shall hold
for four years, and on the first Tuesday of April, 1861, and every
two years thereafter, there shall be elected one judge of said court,
who shall hold his office for six years.
Section j provided for the election, at the same time, of two
additional clerks, to be styled deputy clerks. At the time of the
passage of this act, John M. Wilson was the judge of the Court of
Common Pleas, to which position he had been first elected in
April, 1853, and again re-elected in 1857.
Jons M. Wilson was born on the 12th of November, 1802,
at Hiilsborough, N. II. He was the son of James Wilson and
Mary (McNeil) Wilson. In his fourteenth year, young Wilson
attended an academy to prepare for Dartmouth College, where he
was entered in 1119. but ill health compelled him to relinquish his
studies while yet in the freshman year. The next year he entered
fiowdoin College as a sophomore, but again failing health obliged
him to abandon all hope of taking a classical course, and he re-
turned to his home A few years employed in mercantile pursuits
so far restored his health that he was able to resume his studies,
and he entered upon the study of law, which he pursued for several
years, taking a course at the law department of Yale College, and in
1831, he was admitted to the Bar. He began practice at Lowell,
Mass., but, attracted by the field offered to young men at that day
in the West, he removed, in 1835, to Joliet, 111. There he re-
mained until 1847, during which time he gained Ihe leadership of
the Bar. He removed to Chicago, where he formed a co-partner-
ship with Norman B. Judd, and at once engaged in an extensive
and lucrative practice. The partnership lasted until his election to
the Bench. Judge Wilson was re-elected judge of the Superior
Court of Chicago in 1S61, and served until 1S67, when his judicial
career terminated. Though often solicited to become a candidate
for election to the Supreme Bench of the State, he uniformly de-
clined. As a judge he stands foremost among all those who have
adorned the Bench in Chicago. His opinions were, in a number
of cases, adopted by the Supreme Court as its own. Added Lo
a wide reading in jurisprudence, he had an active mind, which en-
abled him always to have complete command of all his faculties,
and which gave him mastery over every question presented. In
his later years, he was somewhat slow in the dispatch of business,
a fault shared by many another able judge. The great fire com-
pletely ruined his fortune, and his declining years were passed in
narrow circumstances. In 1878, he accepted an appointment as
Justice of the Peace for the North Division of Chicago. Finally,
in the fullness of years, beloved and honored by many friends, he
passed away December 7, 1883. He was married in 183S to Miss
Martha A. Appleton, of Lowell, Mass. One son and one daughter
survive this union.
In pursuance of the law of February, 1859, above
referred to, Grant Goodrich and VanHollis Higgins
were elected judges of the Superior Court as associates
with Judge Wilson, the former to serve for four years,
and the latter for six years.
Van Hoi.lis Higgins, one of the oldest and most respected
lawyers in Chicago, was born in Genesee Co., N. V., February
20, 1S21. Coming to this city in 1837, he was admitted to the
Bar of Iroquois County six years thereafter, and then commenced
the practice of his profession. Remaining there two years, he re-
moved to Galena, where he formed a partnership with Judge O.
C. Pratt, which continued until 1S49. For two years Judge Hig-
gins was city attorney of Galena. Returning to Chicago in the
autumn of 1852, he opened an office and practiced alone for some
time, forming a partnership in 1853 with Corydon Beckwith and B.
F. Strother, under the firm name of Higgins, Beckwith & Strother.
In 1858 he was sent to the Legislature, and the next year was elected
judge of the Superior Court, which position he held a little more
than six years. In the autumn of 1865, he resigned the judgeship,
and at the same time formed a connection with Leonard Swett and
Colonel David Quigg, under the firm name of Higgins, Swett &
Quigg, which continued until the fall of 1S72, when Judge Hig-
gins was elected to the presidency of the Babcock Manufacturing
Company. On January 1, 1876, he retired from the active man-
agement of that company to accept the financial agency of the
Charter Oak Life Insurance Company for the Western States. In
1880, Judge Higgins was elected to the presidency of the National
Life Insurance Company of the United States ; and the affairs of
that corporation and the management of Rosehill Cemetery, of
which he is the principal proprietor, have since fully occupied his
time. It will be seen from the bare statement of the foregoing
facts that his entire career has been marked by unusual energy and
ability. During the War he was one of the most prominent of those
patriotic citizens who, by their brains, money and untiring zeal, con-
tributed largely to the success of the Union arms. As a member
of the Union Defense Committee, he cheerfully shouldered his
share of the burden, and did much to establish Chicago's reputation
for patriotism. Among the other institutions of this city whose
usefulness is widespread is the Chicago Historical Society, of
which Judge Higgins was one of the incorporators. He is a mem-
ber of Oriental Lodge, No. 33, A. F. & A. M.; Apollo Comman-
dery, No. 1, K. T.; and Oriental Consistory 320, S. P. R. S. In
1S47, he was married to Mrs. E. S. Alexander, of Jacksonville, III.,
who died in 1882.
Joseph E. Gary, the successor of Judge Goodrich, was born
at Potsdam, N. Y., July 9, 1821, the son of Eli B. and Frances O.
(Easton) ( iary. After receiving a common school and academic
education, he removed, in 1843, to St. Louis, and was admitted to
the Bar in 1844. The same year he opened an office in Springfield,
Mo., and commenced the practice of law. In 1S49 he settled in
Las Vegas, N. M., where he mastered the Spanish language. He
removed to San Francisco, where he practiced his profession until
1856, when he settled in Chicago. Here he engaged in business
first with Marry F. Tuley for two years, and then with E. and A.
Van Buren, for the next three. In November, 1863, he was chosen
judge of the Superior Court of Chicago, and has been re-elected for
THE BENCH AND BAR.
457
three successive terms. Judge Gary is noted for the rapidity of
his decisions and for his great dispatch of business, evidently
holding with Emerson that it is more important to the public that
cases should be decided, than that they should always be decided
correctly. A nisi prius judge, who delays the great column of suitors
while he is trying to decide every case exactly right and beyond
cavil, is not a good judge, nor well fitted for his position, and is
apt to do more harm than good. Business must go forward, or the
courts will get immediately clogged, That Judge Gary has given
satisfaction to the Bar and to the public in his methods of business,
is abundantly manifested by his repeated re-elections. Of unvary-
ing good temper, he will not listen either to prosy or flowery ad-
vocates, and clips the wings of young orators remorselessly. He has
a very incisive way of getting at the gist of the issue to be decided;
and he permits no wandering, but holds the older as well as the
younger members of the Bar strictly to the point in question. In his
court room good humor abounds, for he loves a keen encounter of
wit, and is himself a most incorrigible punster. He is a favorite
with the juniors of the Bar for he will listen as patiently to one of
them, if he talks to the point, as he will to the most learned of the
seniors ; nor are the most eminent advocates secure from being
halted, if they attempt to soar into latitudes not belonging to the
case.
John Alexander Jameson, for eighteen years a judge of the
Superior Court of the city and county, is a native of Irasburg, Vt.,
where he was born January 25, 1S24. His father, Thomas Jameson,
was sheriff of his native county for many years, and a member of the
State Constitutional Convention. His mother's maiden name was
Martha Gilchrist. Judge Jameson fitted for college at Brownington,
Orleans County, and in 1842, entered the University of Vermont,
at Burlington, graduating from that institution four years there-
after. Subsequently, his alma mater conferred upon him the degree
of LL.D. After graduating in 1S46, he taught school four years,
at the Academy in Stanstead, Canada, and for two years was a
tutor in the University of Vermont, studying his professiou during
all his spare moments. He first entered the office of Governor
Underwood, at Burlington, attended the Dane Law School at
Cambridge, in 1S52, and, in November, 1S53, was admitted to the
Bar. He came at once to Chicago, but, after investigating the
field, decided upon Freeport as the proper place in which to locate,
and from 1S54 until 1856 practiced in that city. Returning to
Chicago, he entered into a partnership with Paul Cornell and Per-
kins Bass, under the firm name of Cornell, Jameson & Bass. This
continued for one vear, when Mr. Bass retired, and Charles B.
Waite was admitted to the firm, business being continued under
t-he firm name of Cornell, Waite & Jameson. In 1S60, Mr. Waite
retiring, Homer N. Hibbard, now United States register in bank-
ruptcy, was admitted to the firm, which was then styled Cornell,
Jameson & Hibbard; and in 1S62, Mr. Cornell retired. The well-
known law firm of Jameson & Hibbard was continued until 1865,
when the former was elected judge of the Superior Court of the
Citv of Chicago. This position, and, under the Constitution of
1S70, the judgeship of the Superior Court of Cook County, he
held until December 3, 1SS3. Soon after retiring from the Bench
he formed the partnership of [ameson, Marston & Augur, which
has already established a position among the strong law firms of
the city. His length of service as judge speaks for itself. Judge
Jameson has made a record for himself outside the practice of his
profession, having, in 1S66, published a work on the Constitutional
Convention, as a political institution in the United States; its his-
tory, powers, and modes of proceeding, which ran through three
editions. lie was also, for many years, an assistant editor and
part proprietor of the American Law Register, of Philadelphia ;
and is at present a member of the Chicago Literary Club, which
he assisted in forming. Judge Jameson was married in October,
1855, to Miss Eliza Denison. of Royalton, Vt. Some two years
later he removed to Hyde Park with his wife, where he built one
of the first houses in that section of the county. Here his younger
children, John A. Jr. and Rebecca, were born.
William A. Porter was born in 1825, in Philadelphia,
where the first few years of his life were passed. When he was
ten years of age his parents removed to New York, where he re-
ceived his education. At nineteen years of age he went to study
law with his uncle, Judee Hogeboom of Albany, and in 1846. was
admitted to the Bar. When twenty-seven years of age, he was
elected attorney-general of the State of New York. In 1856. he
settled in Chicago, where his recognized ability soon brought him
a successful practice. In 1S61, he married Miss Abigail Boise, of
Northampton, Mass.. an estimable lady, who died in 1S71, leaving
one daughter. In 1867, Mr. Porter was elected judge of the Su-
perior Court, to succeed judge Wilson. He gave great satisfaction
to the Bar, and at the close of his term was nominated for re-
election. But it was not to be. On the morning of October 27,
1873, he was found dead, alone in his room. He had died sud-
denly, shortly after partaking of his breakfast. Judge Porter
belonged to an intellectual family. His brother, Professor John
A. Porter, of Vale College, was long distinguished for in-- ability
and erudition. Judge Porter had a fine personal presence, which
gave dignity and grace to his appearance on the Bench. Ik- was
a member of the Third Presbyterian Church of Chicago, an earnest
Christian, an exemplary citizen, and a laborious and conscientious
judge.
The Constitution of 1870 changed the name of the
Superior Court of Chicago to that of the Superior
Court of Cook County, and made the following changi s
in the Recorder's Court :
Section 26, Article VI. " The Recorder's Court of the ( ily of
Chicago shall be continued, and shall be called ' The Criminal
Court of Cook County.' It shall have the jurisdiction of a circuit
court in all cases of criminal and quasi-criminal nature, arising in
the county of Cook, or that may be brought before said Court
pursuant to law. * * It shall have no jurisdiction in civil cases.
* * The terms of said Criminal Court shall be held by one or
more judges of the Circuit or Superior Court of Cook County, as
nearly as may be in alternation, as may b' determined by said
judges or provided by law. Said judges shall be, e.\-officio, judges
of said Court."
RECORDER'S COURT.
Robert S. Wilson was the first judge of this court,
elected in 1853 and re-elected in 1858, serving until the
spring of 1863, the close of his second term.
Robert S. Wilson was born at Montrose, Penn., Novem-
ber 6, 1S12, but when still young his parents removed to Alle-
gany Countv, New York. Until the age of fifteen, Robert lived
on his father's farm and attended the district schools. He then
entered the printing-office of his brother, who was publishing a
paper at Angelica, a town in Allegany County. There he remained
for three years, when he commenced the study of law. At the age
of twenty-one he was admitted to the Bar, and practiced his pro-
fession in Allegany County until 1S36, when he removed to Ann
Arbor, Mich., where he resided until 1850, holding a number of
public stations, being justice of the peace, probate judge, and a
member of the State Senate. He was also a delegate to the Dem-
ocratic Convention at Baltimore, in 1S44, which nominated James
K. Polk for the presidency. In 1850, he removed to Chicago and
engaged in the practice of law, and in 1853, was elected judge of
the Recorder's Court. As a judge, he was a shield to the innocent,
but a terror to the guilty, and his administration gave great satis-
faction to the public. When he first came to the office, crime had
become rampant and criminals almost defiant, but he soon over-
awed them and vindicated the law. It was necessary for the peace
and safety of the city that a severe judge should be on this Bench,
and Tudge Wilson fully met the requirement. In his two terms he
sent about one thousand criminals to the penitentiary, and it is said
that but three of his judgments were ever reversed by the Supreme
Court. Upon leaving the Bench, Judge Wilson resumed the prac-
tice of his profession, which he continued with more or less atten-
tion until 1S82, when he retired and moved to Michigan. He died
in February, 1883.
Judge Wilson was succeeded by Evert Van Buren,
who served one term.
Evert Van Buren, deceased, was one of the leaders of the
Bar, both of New York and Illinois. He was born in Kinderhook.
Columbia Co., N. Y., on November 3, 1S03. After receiving an
academic education, he read law in the office of J. & A. Vanderpoel
in his native town, and in 1S27 was admitted to the Bar. Locating
in Penn Van, Yates County, his practice rapidly increased, and in
1S36 he went to Buffalo. From the first his success was marked in
that citv, but in answer to the earnest request of his friends he
returned to Penn Van in 1S40, and resumed his practice In 1S33,
he represented his congressional district in the National Anti-Ma-
sonic Convention, and was appointed a member of the committee
on resolutions. During 1836 and 1840, he supported Martin Van
Buren for the presidency, and as a rule voted the Democratic ticket.
In 1856, he removed to Chicago. In April, 1S62, he was elected
judge of the Recorder's Court, and both as a member of the Bench
and Bar maintained the well-deserved reputation which he brought
with him from the Empire State. His death occurred February 12,
18S5, and of his children the following are alive: James, in the
real estate business, and Augustus, the lawyer, both residents of
Chicago; Barrent and Fred, of Rantoul, 111., and Evert, of Hooper,
Neb. The members of the Bar Association passed appropriate
45*
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
resolutions upon the death of Judge Van Buren, and Judge Rogers
reported the following brief and iust memorial : " In the death of
Judge Van Buren the community has lost an honored citizen, and
the Chicago Bar an eminent lawyer. He was an earnest worker
and a skilled practitioner. His client's cause was his own, and in
its advocacy he concentrated all of his energies with admirable
devotion and marked success. He was a strong advocate, a safe
counselor, and an upright judge. For half a century he battled
ably and manfully in the rir~t rank of his profession, undismayed
by the infirmities of age or the burdens of labor, and in peace he
ended his honorable career amid the sweet remembrances of a well-
spent life."
William K. McAllister has been a resident of Chicago for
over thirty years, having won a name not only as a judge of unim-
peachable character, but as a profound scholar and a lover and patron
of all the fine arts. His advancement to his present office has been
merely the result of his eminent appropriateness for the position. In
public and private life his urbanity and rectitude have ever retained
him the host of friends who, for over a quarter of a century, have
delighted to honor and admire him. Judge McAllister was born in
Salem, Washington Co., N. V., in 1S1S. Until he was eighteen
years of age he worked upon his father's farm, then entered college,
and in 1839, under a private tutor, commenced the study of law.
He completed his education in Wayne and Vates counties, and
subsequently removed to Albion, where, for ten years, he practiced
his profession, and speedily was placed in the front rank of the
leading lawyers of the State. He removed to Chicago in 1S54,
engaging with the same decided success in the practice of law in
this city. Thus he continued for a period of fourteen years, until,
in 1S6S, he was elevated to the judgeship of the Recorder's Court.
Under the Constitution of 1S70, Cook County was formed into a
judicial circuit, over which five judges were to preside for a term of
six years. Judge McAllister was to be one of the five, by virtue of
his position as recorder, but in the meantime was elected to the
Supreme Bench of State. This position he held until 1S75, when
he resigned to accept an election to the Circuit Bench of Cook
County, succeeding Judge Lambert Tree. - He was re-elected in
1879 and in 1885. the last time without opposition. Upon the con-
stituting of the Appellate Court, he was appointed by the Supreme
Court to serve as one of the appellate judges, and has filled that
position since 1S80.
THE COUNTY COURT.
William T. Barron was elected County Judge in November,
1S57, and served four years. He was born in Windsor County,
Vermont, in 1S24. He received a liberal education and adopted
the profession of law. Soon after his admission to practice, he
became State's attorney for his native county, in which position
he gained the esteem and respect of all who knew him. In 1S52,
he removed to Chicago, where he soon rose to an honorable posi-
tion at the Bar, and when he became judge of the County Court
he had the entire confidence of the Bar, maintaining the reputa-
tion of an intelligent, just and honorable judge. He resided at
Kenwood, and was suddenly killed in a railroad collision, while the
suburban train was standing or just starting from the station of
Kenwood. He was the only person on the train instantly killed,
his head having been completely severed from his body. Judge
Barron was unmarried.
The successor to Judge Barron was James B. Brad-
well, long and favorably known at the Chicago Bar, who
served two terms.
JAMES B. BRADWELL was born in Loughborough, Leicester-
shire. England. April 6, 1S2S, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth
Bradwell. His parents came to this country in 1829, and settled at
(Jtica, N. V.. remaining there until 1S33, when the family moved
to Jacksonville, where they resided nearly a year. Then thev re-
moved to <ook County, to what is now known as Old Wheeling.
James IS. Bradwell received his primary and grammar school edu-
cation in Wheeling and Chicago, completing it in the sophomore
year at Knox College. In his early manhood he chose the profes-
aw, and while at school he practiced in the justice courts
of Cook County and Galesburg. On May 8, 1852, he was married
lyra Colby, of Shaumburg, III., founder and editor of the
Chicago Legal Mews, and soon after went to Memphis, Tenn ,
where he and his wife taught s( hool for a year l)nring this year
he was admitted to the Memphis liar. Returning to Chicago', he
opened a law office, in 1853, and soon hid a good practice. In
l86l, he was elected county judge for four years, and was re-
elected, by a very large majority, at the expiration of his term, to
serve another four year-,. lb- was for years regarded by the pro-
lawyer in the country. In 1872, at
the earnest solicitation of nis friends , on the
Republican ticket, for a seat in the lower house of the Legislature
of the State of Illinois, and was elected. In 1S74, he was re-
elected to the Legislature, where he became identified with many
important acts of that body, especially those that were beneficial
and opened a larger field of usefulness to women. Among these
were the acts making women eligible to election for all school of-
fices in the State, and allowing them to become notaries-public;
these he drew up and introduced. He introduced a bill allowing
foreign corporations to loan money on real estate securitv in this
State, and also a bill incorporating the fire patrol of this city,
taking an active and prominent part in both sessions of the Legis-
lature. His head, heart and hand are always ready to do some
kindly deed for the benefit of mankind.
In 1869, Martin R. M. Wallace was elected succes-
sor to Judge Bradwell.
MISCELLANEA.
Lincoln's Last Case. — The last case that Mr.
Lincoln ever tried was the case of Jones vs. Johnson,
in April and May, i860, in the United States Circuit
Court at Chicago, before Judge Drummond. The case
involved the title to land of very great value, the
accretion on the shore of Lake Michigan. During the
trial, Judge Drummond and all the counsel on both
sides, including Mr. Lincoln, dined together at the
house of Hon. Isaac N. Arnold. At the conclusion of
the dinner the toast was proposed " May Illinois fur-
nish the next President of the United States," and it
was drank with enthusiasm by the friends of both
Lincoln and Douglas.
The Rock Island Bridge and The Bissell
Case. — The bridge at Rock Island was the first rail-
road bridge ever built across the Mississippi, and was
the cause of a great deal of dissatisfaction on the part
of the river men and steamboat owners. Suits were
brought, to have it abated as a nuisance, in the United
States Courts. In the month of May, 1857, the steamer
" Effie Afton " collided with the draw -pier, caught fire
and was burned to the water's edge. The owners of the
boat libelled the bridge in the United States District
Court at Chicago. The cases were tried before judges
McLean and Drummond, and in all the suits the river
men were defeated. In i860, an attempt to burn the
bridge was discovered, and some suspicious characters
being arrested, they declared that a conspiracy to burn
the bridge had been formed at St. Louis, and that a
well-known civil engineer, named Josiah W. Bissell,
was the prime mover in it, having been employed by
the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce for that purpose.
Mr. Bissell was arrested at Chicago in August, i860, at
the instance of John F. Tracy, at that time superinten-
dent of the Rock Island Railroad. He was not imme-
diately taken before any court, but was kept in a
private room, and subjected to considerable indignity.
He was finally indicted in the Recorder's Court, and
gave bail for his appearance. One trial was had,
which resulted in a disagreement of the jury. Finally,
in February, 1864, the case was dismissed. Meantime
Mr. Bissell got service on John F. Tracy at Rochester,
N. Y., and sued him there for false imprisonment, and
obtained a verdict of $2,000 against him. Colonel
Bissell served with distinction in the civil war as a
colonel of engineers in the West, and was prominent
in the capture of Island No. 10, in the Mississippi,
April 7, 1862.
First Decision of the Legal Tender Ques-
tion.— On the nth of July 1863, C. B. Farwell ten-
dered to the county treasurer Michael Keeleyj gold
to the amount of $150 in payment of his State taxes,
and treasury notes, to the value of $210, for county and
town taxes. The treasurer declined to receive the
THE BENCH AND BAR.
459
latter, and brought an action in the county court to
recover the amount due. Hon. Joseph Knox, State's
attorney, appeared on behalf of the treasurer, and, in
asking for judgment, stated that his opinion of the law
was that the United States treasury notes were a legal
tender for county and town taxes. He did not think
they could be used in payment of State taxes, because
the law of the State stipulated that State taxes should
be paid in gold. The court Judge Brad well j decided
that the tender was good.
Government Licenses. — In 1862, the General
Government passed a law requiring attorneys to take
out a license to practice, costing $10. At the opening
of the October term of the United States Circuit Court
in 1862, Judge Drummond intimated that although the
court could not attempt to see the law enforced unless
a question should be raised which would bring it
properly before the court, yet, in the event of such a
question being raised, he should be compelled to de-
cide that, in the absence of the required Government
license, the party was not a practicing attorney.
The Stamp Act. — By the revenue law of 1862,
stamps were required to be affixed to any writ or other
original process by which any suit is commenced in
any court of record, either law or equity. In February,
1864, a motion was made before Judge Drummond, to
dismiss an action because no stamp had been affixed to
the declaration. Judge Drummond held that the
declaration was a process within the meaning of the
act, and no stamp having been affixed to it, it was
afterward too late to do so, and the action must be
dismissed.
The City Cemetery Case. — In 1850, the city
purchased from the administrator of Milliman between
twelve and thirteen acres adjoining the old cemetery
on the North Side, to be incorporated in the cemetery.
It was laid out into appropriate lots, a large number
were sold, and many interments made there. In 1865,
a short time before that, the heirs of Milliman discov-
ered that the sale by the administrator was irregular
and legally void. An action was accordingly brought
against the city, and, after some litigation and an
appeal to the Supreme Court, the heirs won. The city,
in 1850, had paid $2,500 for the land, and in 1865 it
was valued at $90,000, for which sum the heirs agreed
to settle with the city. After considerable negotiation
and a number of meetings of the lot-owners, it was
deemed advisable to surrender the land and remove
the bodies already buried, inasmuch as it was probable
they would have to be removed eventually.
Bar Dinner. — The first annual dinner of the Chi-
cago Bar was given at the Tremont House, under the
auspices of the Law Institute, January 21, 1863. Wil-
liam H. King, president of the Institute, presided. All
the judges of the various courts and one hundred and
fifty members of the Bar were present, and participated.
Toasts were responded to by W. H. King, Judge John
M. Wilson, Judge Drummond, Joseph Knox and John
Young Scammon.
It was intended that these dinners should be held
annually, but after the second one, which occurred at
the Briggs House, February 8, 1864, it was a number of
years before another one took place.
An Effective but Wrong Application of the
Statutes. — In the case of Rigney vs. Rawson, tried
in the Superior Court some time in November, 1861,
Judge Walter B. Scates appeared for the plaintiff and
George Herbert for the defendant. Much hard feeling
had been engendered in the cause, and Mr. Herbert, in
his opening to the jury, charged the opposing counsel
with falsehood and with purloining important papers
from the files. Judge Scates jumped up, and said,
" You rascal, do you make such a charge against me ?"
and, seizing a volume of Scates's Statutes, applied it,
vi et armis, to the back of his opponent's head. Mr.
Herbert, stunned by this singular mode of applying
the laws of the State, sank down fainting, while the pre-
siding judge promptly fined Judge Scates $100 for con-
tempt of court, which he immediately paid. Mr. Her-
bert brought an action for assault against Judge Scates,
laying his damages at $35,000, alleging that his life had
been endangered and his health permanently injured.
The case was postponed from time to time, but finally
was tried in April, 1867, occupying nearly a week. The
jury awarded $1,000 damages.
Case Extraordinary. — The well-known charac-
ter of the participants will justify our reproduction of
the following extraordinary case : A remarkable trial
took place before Justice DeWolf on February 18, 1863,
which attracted a large number of interested spectators,
including bankers, railroad-men, hotei-keepers and
operators generally. The plaintiff was Frank Parmelee,
the well-known omnibus proprietor, and the defendant
was Dick Somers, the jolly and rubicund proprietor of
the City Hotel. The suit was based upon a promissory
note, which read as follows :
' Chicago, Dec. 8, 1862.
" Sixty days after date, I promise to pay, for value received, to
J. H. McVicker, one dollar, with ten per cent, interest per month.
" R. Somers."
Mr. McVicker's account at the Western Marine
and Fire Insurance Company's Bank being somewhat
short, he deposited this note to his credit. It was after-
ward sold by the bank, for its face, to Mr Parmelee,
the plaintiff. Not being paid at maturity, suit was
brought to recover; McAllister, Jewett & Jackson ap-
pearing for the plaintiff, and D. D. Driscoll and George
W. Thompson for the defendant. The defense was that
the note was given under duress. The following was
the principal testimony :
Franklin Parmelee: "I am between eighteen and forty
years of age ; know the nature of an oath ; am plaintiff in this suit ;
my name is Franklin, and I was named after that Franklin who ate
one roll and carried the other under his arm as he walked through
the streets of Philadelphia some years ago. I live on the Avenue,
forty rods from the ' Patch.' I am sorry to acknowledge that 1
know the defendant, Somers. He is clever enough, but he won't
pay what he owes ; I have had a world of trouble with him. I
bought the note in suit for one dollar cash ; was afraid to dun
Somers for it for fear he would lick me. [Somers here shook his
fist at the witness.] Somers declared to me that he would never
pay it, as it had been obtained by working on his fears. The note
wa's given to McVicker, who deposited it with the Western Marine
and Fire Insurance Company, and I bought it of them and paid in
greenbacks ; did not borrow the money to pay for it. I do not
fight myself, but have a fighting partner, whose name is Isaac An-
derson. I know McVicker. He runs a theater down below Can-
terbury Hall. It is first-class, and more too. Think Somers
keeps a good hotel, and know- he sets a good free lunch. His
reputation is that of a brick."
T. H. McVicker's testimony: " I do not keep a theater, the
theater keeps me. Have lived in Chicago upward of several
years, off and on; can't say which the most. Sorry to say I do
know Dick Somers. .Think he would be pugnacious if he was mad.
Somers gave me the note in suit for money borrowed of me to give
a widow as charity. I would not advance the money until he gave
me the note. Don't know whether the widow ever got the money or
not. Somers seemed excited when he signed the note, and after-
ward went out of the box-office using what I thought was profane
language. My bank account was short, and I gave the note to
Waite, who passed it to my credit. I know D. A. Gage, J. S.
Newhouse, Isaac Anderson, Matthew I.aflin and Phil. Hoyne.
They are all ' dead-heads ' at my theater. Newhouse and Hoyne
were present on the night when the note was signed."
Phil. A. Hoynk's testimony: "Think the note was signed
under duress. Somers had no friend with him at the lime. He
460
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
was all alone. It was between eight and twelve o'clock in the even-
ing, at the box-office of the theater. Can't say whether it was fear
or a desire to help the widow which induced him to be so liberal.
Don't know whether the widow ever got the dollar or not. Am
quite sure there was a widow in the case somewhere. J. S. New-
house gave a dollar for the widow, and I gave fifty cents."
When the testimony was closed, counsel proceeded
to sum up the case to the jury. The defense relied
upon five points : 1st, the note was not negotiated. 2d,
there was an alteration and erasure on it. 3d, it was
obtained under duress. 4th, usury. 5th, a conspiracy
to extort money.
Mr. Driscoll graphically described the condition of
the defendant Somers, as he found himself, without
friends, in the lonely box-office of the theater, on a dark
night in December. Who would not, he said, have
signed the note under similar circumstances ? The case
was given to the jury, who returned a verdict for the
defendant, plaintiff to pay the costs.
An Absconding Sheriff. — On December 15, 1869,
Gustav Fischer, sheriff of Cook County, absconded,
leaving a family and a large number of creditors to mourn
for him. Some legal complications were the result.
The coroner, Benjamin L. Cleaves, claimed the vacant
office, by virtue of the statute, and so did the chief dep-
uty-sheriff, Timothy Bradley. Judge Williams of the
Circuit Court, in a very elaborate opinion, held that the
office was not vacant within the meaning of the statute,
and that Cleaves was not entitled to the succession,
while Judge .McAllister, in an equally elaborate opin-
ion, held that the office was vacant, and accordingly rec-
ognized Cleaves. The Superior Court agreed with
McAllister, and as, in the meantime, Mr. Cleaves ob-
tained actual possession of the sheriff's office, he be-
came acting sheriff for the unexpired term.
CHICAGO LAW INSTITUTE.
The Chicago Law Institute was organized under
a charter granted by the General Assembly of the State
of Illinois, on February 18, 1857 ; amended by acts of
February 14, 1863, and February 23, 1867. At the
time of the fire this was the only organization of law-
yers which had been in existence since 1858. It was
chartered and organized mainly for the purpose of col-
lecting a law library, which object was steadily pursued
from the first, so that by October 8, 187 1, it had ac-
quired seven thousand volumes of law books, valued at
about §30,000. The library was the property of the
shareholders, and freely used by them, and also by all
judges and lawyers living outside of Cook County. It
had always been been kept in rooms in the court-house,
furnished by the county of Cook, and was in charge of
a librarian and assistant It was insured for $20,000 at
the time of the fire, and had $1,318 in the hands of the
treasurer. All the books, records, vouchers and papers
of the Law Institute were destroyed, thus losing nearly
everything but its name and legal organization.
At the annual meeting, on November 6, 1871, the
members voted to collect an assessment of $25 on each
share of stock, and to sell new shares on the original
terms, in order to collect a fund for the establishment of
another library. The city provided two rooms for the
use of the Institute and library, receiving generous and
valuable donations of money and books. The first
gift was a draft for S500 sent by Hon. Joel Parker,
of Cambridge. Julius Rosenthal was at that time
librarian.
UNION COLLEGE OF LAW.
This institution was originally organized in Septem-
ber, 1859, as the Law Department of the University of
Chicago. It was indebted to the liberality of the late
Hon. Thomas Hoyne, who took a deep interest in the
subject of legal education, and contributed $5,000
toward the endowment of a law professorship. The
school opened with an attendance of twelve students,
occupying a room in the fourth story of the building
known as the Larmon Block, on the northeast corner of
Clark and Washington streets. The present dean of
the law faculty, Hon. Henry Booth, was elected to the
professorship, and during the first year was assisted by
the late Hon. John M. Wilson and Hon. Grant Good-
rich— the last two gentlemen then occupying places on
the bench of the Superior Court, and devoting to the
school only such time as they could spare from their
judicial duties. During the succeeding ten years, until
the fall of 1870, the chief burden of conducting the
school devolved upon Professor Booth, assisted to some
extent by Hon. H. B. Hurd, but much of the time with-
out any assistance.
After the election of Professor Booth to the Bench
of the Circuit Court of Cook County, in 1870, Van-
Buren Denslow, Colonel R. Biddle Roberts, Mr. Wilder
and John A. Hunter (the latter an alumnus of the school,
and a lawyer of fine attainments),whose rising fame was
obscured by his early death, were, at different times and
for short intervals, associated in the direction of the
school, until the close of the collegiate year, June, 1873.
At that time, the Northwestern University having
expressed its desire to engraft a law department on its
foundation, an arrangement, altogether novel in its char-
acter, was entered into between the two universities,
whereby the Northwestern was admitted to a joint and
equal interest with the University of Chicago in the Law
School, which thereupon assumed its present appropriate
name of Union College of Law. Under this plan, each
institution appoints three members from its board of
trustees, to whom is added its president, and the eight
gentlemen thus chosen compose a joint board of man-
agement for the election of professors and the decision
of all questions affecting the interests of the Law Col
lege. Each University publishes the Union College of
Law, its faculty, students, rules, curriculum, etc., in its
catalogue and circulars, as its law department, and the
affairs of the institution, under this plan, are conducted
with the utmost harmony.
The joint board, at present, is composed of the fol-
lowing gentlemen : On behalf of the University of Chi-
cago, Galusha Anderson, D.D., LL.D., president ; Hon.
J. Y. Scammon, LL.D., Ferd. W. Peck, A.M., LL.B.,
and Frederick A. Smith, A.M., LL.B. On behalf of the
Northwestern University, Joseph Cummings, D.D.,
LL.D., president ; Oliver H. Horton, LL.B., Henry
A. Towle and James Frake, A.M., LL.B. The diplo-
mas, admitting to the Bar of the State, by rule of the
Supreme Court, are awarded by the board of trustees,
and bear the seal and signatures of the president and
secretary of each of these universities. This arrange-
ment is believed to be altogether unique and unparal-
leled in the history of educational institutions.
A graded course of study is offered in this college,
requiring two collegiate years, of thirty-six weeks each,
for its completion. The instruction is thorough and
comprehensive, scientific and practical, designed to fit
the student for the Bar as far as possible within the
time allotted. Students are admitted free of charge to
THE BENCH AND BAR.
461
the fine library of the Law Institute, which contains
over seventeen thousand volumes.
The Union College of Law has no endowment or out-
side support whatever — the gift of Mr. Hoyne, already re-
ferred to, being lost in the financial embarrassments
of the parent university. The faculty receive no compen-
sation for their services, except what remains of the tui-
tion fees paid by students after defraying the cost of room
rent and other necessary expenses. If this fact has the
effect of stimulating the professors to greater zeal and
fidelity in the discharge of their duties, the school en-
joys that benefit in full. Meanwhile, all parties inter-
ested have the satisfaction of feeling that the institution
is self-supporting, and at the same time is doing the
State some service.
The following gentlemen compose the faculty at the
present time (1885): Hon. Henry Booth, LL.D., dean,
who has been connected with the school constantly
since its organization in 1859 ; Hon. Harvey B. Hurd,
who has taught, with some intermissions, since 1863 ;
Hon. Marshall D. Ewell, LL D., Hon. William W. Far-
well, and Hon. Nathan S. Davis, M.D., LL.D. The
average attendance in both classes during several years
past, has been from one hundred to one hundred and
forty. The members of the faculty are gratified by the
fact that the attendance has continued to increase, not-
withstanding the standard of attainment required from
the students has been steadily advanced.
in which the defendant was acquitted on the ground of insanity.
As a criminal lawyer, and as an advocate before a jury, he had
few. if any equals, and no superior, at the Bar of Illinois. In 1S60,
he removed to Chicago, and was associated in business with
Charles H. Reed. On the death of Carlos Havens, Governor
Yates appointed him State's attorney, and he filled out the un-
expired term of his predecessor On leaving the State's attorney's
office, Mr. Knox resumed general practice, in which he continued
for a number of years.
Charles H. Reed, the next incumbent of the State's at-
torney's office, was born in Wyoming County, New York, October
27, 1834. His early life was passed on a farm and in attending the
district school. Afterward, he spent some time at an academy in
Western New York, and subsequently at the Hopkins Grammar
School, in New Haven, Conn. In 1857, he commenced the study
of law, first in Erie County, New York, and afterward at Kewau-
nee, 111. There he was admitted to the Bar, and in 1859, he
removed to Rock Island, where he formed a partnership with
Joseph Knox. In i860, the firm removed to Chicago, and when
Mr. Knox was appointed to the office of State's attorney. Mr.
Reed becarne his assistant. In 1864, he was elected State's attorney
and was re-elected two successive terms, holding the position for
twelve years. He was a very able and successful prosecutor,
bringing to the discharge of his duties abundant learning and
great energy and industry. After his retirement from office, he re-
sumed the practice of his profession at Chicago. In 1879, he was
a candidate on the Republican ticket for circuit judge, but was de-
feated. In the winter of 1SS2, he was associated in the defense of
the assassin, Charles Guiteau. at Washington, and since that time
has practiced in Washington and New York. Mr. Reed was
married, in 1861, to a daughter of J. J. Beardsley a well-known
lawyer of Rock Island.
THE BAR.
STATE'S ATTORNEYS.
Carlos Haven was born in Chautauqua County, New York,
August 2g, 1823. When a lad, his parents removed to Will County,
Illinois, and pursued the occupation of farming. He was brought
up to labor, but enjoved ample facilities for his education, which he
completed at Knox College, Galesburg, graduating in his nineteenth
year. Immediately after completing his college course, he came to
Chicago, where he commenced the study of law with James H. Col-
lins. After his admission to the Bar, he entered upon practice, and
was soon in the possession of a lucrative business. In 1S49, he
made an overland expedition to California, then in the excitement
of the gold discovery. He returned to Chicago the next year, hav-
ing obtained a very handsome return for the time spent in the gold
region. He resumed the practice, and in 1S56 was elected State's
attorney, and in i860 was re-elected. As a lawyer, he was pos-
sessed of strong common sense and great tenacity of purpose.
His moral perceptions were acute, and he was distinguished for
his conscientiousness. He was by nature deliberate and not easily
roused to excitement, but when he was thoroughly stirred his elo-
quence became almost irresistible. In his practice he never allowed
himself to defend a wrong, nor would he espouse a cause that did
not seem entirely just. As a State's attorney, he became the terror
of criminals, and he was esteemed the most successful prosecuting
officer that had hitherto filled that position. As a man, he had no
enemies, was of genial and sunny disposition, of frank and cordial
manners and of fine social qualities. He was a prominent and
useful member of Plymouth Congregational Church, and illustrated
his Christian profession in his daily walk and conversation He
died of typhoid fever on the 3d of May, 1862, after an illness of a
week. A large meeting of the Bar was held, and appropriate reso-
lutions adopted. He was buried at his old home in Will County.
Joseph Knox, who occupied the position of State's attorney
for Cook County from May, 1862, until December, 1864, was born
in Blanford, Mass., in 1805. He was bred to the law, and ad-
mitted to practice in 1828. After practicing some years in his
native State, he removed to Illinois and settled at Rock Island, then
called Stephenson. There he became associated with Hon. John
Wilson Drury, and engaged in an extensive practice in that part of
Illinois embraced in the Rock Island Circuit, and in Iowa. In
almost all the great criminal cases of the time he was engaged on
one side or the other. He prosecuted and convicted the murderers
of Colonel Davenport, at Rock Island, in 1S45; he successfully
defended Captain Irish, of Iowa City, who, with a number of
others, was charged with the murder of Boyd Wilkinson, at Iowa
City in iS;7; prosecuted, at Chicago, Hopps for the murder of his
wife, in 1863, a noted case of the time, in which, at the first trial,
he secured a conviction, in spite of the strong testimony supporting
the insanity of the defendant. A second trial was afterward had.
Robert S. Blackwell, one of the most distinguished mem-
bers of the Chicago Bar, was born at Belleville, III., in 1S23 I lis
father was a lawyer of prominence, a member of the State Legisla-
ture, and took an active part on the anti-slavery side in 1823-24.
Young Blackwell received a common school education, and first
engaged in mercantile business at Galena, and afterward at Mon-
mouth. Desiring to study law, he became a student under &.
H. Browning, at Quincy. After his admission to the Bar, he
commenced practice in Schuyler County, where he was very suc-
cessful. In 1852, he removed to Chicago, and assumed a high
rank as an able lawyer, eloquent advocate and brilliant scholar.
He, at first, formed a partnership with Corydon Beckwith, and
subsequently established the law-firms of Blackwell & Roberts and
Blackwell & Cummings. Mr. Blackwell was then author of a
work on Tax Titles, which became, and has continued to be, the
standard work on that subject. Associated with Judges Scates
and Treat, he also edited the Revised Statutes of Illinois, which
was published in 1858. His talents were of a high order, his
energy indomitable, and he attained a high position at the Bar.
He died May 16, 1863, leaving a wife and two children,
Daniel McIlroy, for a long time identified with the Chicago
Bar as a successful practitioner, died at his residence, in Chicago,
on August 25, 1862. He was a native of Tyrone County, Ireland,
emigrating to America with his family when very young. For
some two or three years he kept school in Boston, several of his
old pupils afterward residing in Chicago. Mr. McIlroy was a
graduate of Cambridge University, and aiterward studied law
with Judge Story, of Boston, whose office he left to settle in the
West. He came to this city in 1S44, and commenced the practice
of law, in which he was eminently successful ; so much so, that he
was elected State's attorney, serving for eight years from April.
1S49. He was an accomplished scholar, a ready debater, and one
of Chicago's really eloquent orators. Mr. McIlroy made his great-
est legal effort during the celebrated trial of George W. Green for
the murder of his wife. He succeeded in convicting the defendant,
who committed suicide in his cell. As a criminal lawyer he ever
stood in the front rank of practitioners.
Richard T. Merrick was born in Charles County, Maryland,
in i328. He came from a well-known Maryland family, his father,
William D. Merrick, having served in the United States Senate
from 183S to 1S45. When the war with Mexico broke out, Mr.
Merrick, although not of age, raised a company in his section, and
under his command it did gallant service during the war. Before
the conclusion of his services in the field he began the practice
of law, and was also sent to the State Legislature. Shortly before
the late war he moved to Chicago, and formed a co-partnership with
a personal friend who was a leading member of the liar. He was
a delegate from Illinois to the Democratic National Convention of
186", and supported Stephen A. Douglas. In 1S64. Mr. Merrick
married a daughter of James C. McGuire, of Washington, having
462
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
removed from Chicago to Washington. In the twenty years that
he practiced in Washington he held an eminent place at the Bar,
and had been engaged as counsel in some of the most important
cases before the Bench of the District of Columbia as well as the
Supreme Court of the United States. He was one of the principal
counsel before the Electoral Commission, and in recent years was
for months daily before the public in his able prosecution of the
star-route cases. Mr. Merrick was also frequently applied to, to
conduct important cases before the committees of Congress. He
had never since the War been a candidate for any political place,
except when he ran as the Democratic candidate for Delegate to
Congress from the District of Columbia under the territorial form
of the government. He always maintained a controlling influence
in the politics of Maryland, while his extended acquaintance with
the public men of the day gave him prominence in national politics.
He died at Washington on June 23, 1S85.
Alfred W. Arrington was born in Iredell County, North
Carolina, September 17, 1S10. When he was still young his father
moved Arkansas, and there, when he was eighteen, Mr. Arrington
commenced his career as an itinerant Methodist preacher. This,
however, he abandoned, and commenced to study law. He was
admrtted to the Bar in Missouri in 1835, and for the next twelve
vears practiced his profession in Missouri, Arkansas and Texas.
He then spent two years in the North, principally in New York
and Boston, where he engaged to some extent in literary pursuits.
He wrote " Sketches of the South and Southwest," an essay en-
titled " The Mathematical Harmonies of the Universe," and some
fugitive pieces of poetry. The sketches contained the celebrated
" Apostrophe to Water," which John B. Gough afterward adapted
and declaimed with great power. He returned to Texas in 1S49,
and was a judge of the Circuit Court, which position he held five
years. His health giving away, he sought a change of climate,
and removed to New York City, where he again engaged in literary
pursuits, and, among other things, wrote a novel entitled "The
Rangers and Regulators of the Tanaha." He now determined to
engage in the practice of his profession, and, upon looking over the
field, chose Chicago as his future home. Here he settled in 1S56,
and soon rose to the foremost place at the Bar. He was engaged
in most of the great causes in the Federal and State courts up to the
time of hts death. He was, for a number of years, associated with
Thomas Dent, under the firm name of Arrington & Dent. Judge
Arrington possessed in no uncommon degree two faculties not often
united in the same person. He had the power of reasoning upon
a legal proposition with the cold exactness of mathematics, so that
his premises once admitted, there was no escape from his conclu-
sion. He also had a lively fancy, and a power of persuasive elo-
quence rarely equaled. During the late years of his life, he was
an avowed skeptic, but he was always a curious and anxious stu-
dent of religion. Like many another such investigator, he found
at last peace of mind in the Roman Catholic Church, and in the
communion of that faith he was received and baptized when on his
dying bed. He died on December 31, 1867. A wife and three
children remained to mourn his loss.
Samuel W. Fuller was born in Caledonia County, Ver-
mont, April 25, 1822. His father, Samuel Fuller, was a farmer of
limited means. His mother, Martha (Worcester) Fuller, was a
sister of Joseph E. Worcester, the lexicographer. Young Fuller
led the ordinary life of a New England farmer's son up to the age
of twenty, when he entered the office of Judge Bartlett, a leading
lawyer of Vermont, to commence the study of law, maintaining
himself meanwhile by teaching school. He was admitted to the
Bar in 1S47. and commenced practice in Claremont, N. H., but in
1850 removed to Pekin, 111. There his learning and abilities soon
won the attention and respect of the community, and the friendship
of such distinguished men as Judge Purple, Judge Davis, Mr. Lin-
coln and O. II. Browning. In 1867, he removed to Chicago, and
became associated in business with Scammon & McCagg, and at
once gained a commanding position at the Bar. In addition to a
large and varied knowledge of jurisprudence, he possessed an ex-
tensive acquaintance with general literature, poetry, the drama and
belles-lettres. He brought to the trial of his cases great precision
of statement and clearness of thought, nor did he ever seek to wrest
the law to unjust purposes nor gain causes by oblique methods.
in October, 1873, while still in the prime of life, but ill
health had pursued him nearly all his days. The last argument he
made was delivered while sitting in a chair, being too weak to stand
erect .
HORATIO LOOMIS Wait, one of the ablest members of the
legal profession, was born in New York City, August 8, 1836. He
attended Trinity School, in New York, until seventeen years of
age, and then entered Columbia College grammar school, where he
remained several years, receiving a fine education. In 1858, here-
moved to Chicago and entered the office of Hon. J. Young Scam-
mon. where he continued until the Civil War broke out, when he
entered the United States Navy as paymaster, serving under Ad-
miral Dupont in the South Atlantic blockading squadron, in which
service he was engaged until 1S63. In that year, he was detailed
for service in the West Indies, but, after a short cruise, was or-
dered to the fleet which, under Farragut, was in the siege of Mo-
bile. He was attached to Admiral Dahlgren's flag-ship off Charles-
ton harbor, in 1864, and took part in- all of the operations there
until the fall of Charleston. After the close of the war, he made a
cruise with the European squadron. In 1869, he returned to Chi-
cago, entered the office of Joseph N. Barker, and was admitted to
the Bar in 1870. He was then associated with Mr. Barker in a
law partnership, under the firm name of Barker & Wait. In 1S76,
Mr. Wait was appointed master in chancery; and, the duties of
his office demanding all his time, the firm of Barker & Wait was
dissolved. In i860, he was married to Miss Chara C. Long,
daughter of the late James Long, of Chicago. It is an unusual
thing, in the hurry of American life, for a man to become complete
master of his profession; but when Mr. Wait was appointed to the
office which he holds, it became evident that the severe training to
which he had been subjected and his natural abilities, had given
him the power of grappling with and conquering the difficulties of
a subject. He has given perfect satisfaction to the Bench and Bar
in his quasi-judicial office; for a master in chancery comes between
the Bench and the Bar; to him are referred intricate matters of dis-
pute between parties, and his reports are laid before the judges in
the subsequent trial. The office is principally of a judicial nature,
and the training a man receives in the position tends to prepare
him for the less arduous office on the Bench; and of the members
of the Chicago Bar, the one who is most directly in the line of
promotion to a judicial office, by proper fitting, training and hab-
its of thought, is Horatio Loomis Wait.
Norman B. Judd was born at Rome, N. Y., January 10,
1815. There he received his education, entered upon the study of
law, and was admitted to practice. Hon. John D. Caton, who had
been his school-fellow and friend, had already commenced practice
in Chicago, and invited Mr. Judd to engage in practice with him.
He accepted the invitation, and, in 1836, removed to Chicago and
entered upon the practice of his profession in partnership with Mr
Caton. This partnership was dissolved in 1838, because of Mr.
Caton's removal from Chicago, and Mr. Judd formed another with
Jonathan Young Scammon, which lasted until 1847. He then
formed a partnership with John M. Wilson, which continued until
Judge Wilson's elevation to the Bench, in 1853. During these
years, Mr. Judd was actively engaged in politics, was elected State
Senator in 1S44, ar>d re-elected continuously until 1S60. Origin-
ally a Democrat, he separated from that party, in 1854, on the
Kansas-Nebraska question, and was one of the active promoters of
the election of Lyman Trumbull to the United States Senate, in
1S55. After the formation of the Republican party, he actively
supported it. He was a steady adherent of Mr. Lincoln, and nom-
inated him for the presidency in the Convention of i860. He ac-
companied Mr. Lincoln on his journey to Washington, in February,
^\y^^jjL
1861, and after Mr. Lincoln's inauguration and the completion of
his cabinet, Mr. Judd's name was sent to the Senate as minister to
Berlin. This position he held four years, when he was recalled by
President Johnson. On his return to Chicago, Mr. Judd was
elected to Congress, and continued a member of that body until
1871, when he declined a re-election. In 1S72, he received from
President Grant the appointment of collector of the port of Chicago,
which position he held until his death. While it thus appears that
for a large part of Mr. Judd's life he was actively engaged in poli-
tics, during the same period, except when absent from the United
States, he was also largely employed in his profession. He was
particularly eminent as a railroad lawyer, and had extensive prac-
tice in that department of the law. At various times he was attor-
ney for the Michigan Southern, the Rock Island, the Pittsburgh &
Ft. Wayne, and was connected, as director or president, with other
railways. Mr. Judd was married, in 1844, to Miss Adeline Rossi-
ter, of Chicago.
Charles Hitchcock was born April 4, 1827, in Hanson,
Plymouth Co., Mass., and died at his home in Kenwood, Cook
Co., 111., May 6, 1881. He was descended from Luke Hitchcock,
who came over from England and settled in New Haven in 1644.
The public-school education of young Hitchcock having been sup-
plemented by a partial course at Phillips' Academy, in Andover,
he entered Dartmouth College in 1847, and graduated in the class
of 1851. Having studied law one year under Daniel Blaisdell,
THE BENCH AND BAR.
463
treasurer of the college, he went to Washington, D. C, to till the
position of professor in an academy, which he held one year. lie
used his leisure time to continue the study of law, under the guid-
ance of Hon. Joseph Bradley. In the fall of 1S53, he entered the
senior class of the Dana Law School, of Harvard College. After
further initiation in the practice of law under Harvey Jewell, of
Boston, he was admitted to the Bar in 1854. Coming to Chicago,
he entered the office of Williams & Woodbridge, and was enrolled
a member of the Bar of Illinois October 10, 1854. In 1856, he
was of the law firm of Hitchcock & Goodwin for about a year, and,
later on, of Gallup & Hitchcock, which terminated in 1862. Hitch-
cock & Dupee, 1862 to 1866, by the accession of Mr. Evarts, be-
came Hitchcock, Dupee & Evarts, 1866 to 1872, and by his with-
drawal became again Hitchcock & Dupee. In 1S75, it was
changed to Hitchcock, Dupee &Judah, continuing until the death
of the senior member. Mr. Hitchcock was president of the State
Constitutional Convention of 1870 — "the best yet adopted of
American State Constitutions" — and besides his well-known ser-
vices as presiding officer, was author of some of its more important
new provisions. He was elected one of the county commission-
ers after the fire, and was largely instrumental in securing the re-
mission by the State of the city's debt, and the appropriation of
the amount to build its bridges. On July 10, 1S60, Mr. Hitchcock
married Miss Annie McClure, of Chicago, a daughter of James
and Julia (Rodgers) McClure. The general estimate of the Bar
ranked him as an accurate and able lawyer in commercial and cor-
poration cases, if indeed he had an equal in argument before the
court, while his personal worth was recognized by a still wider circle.
Usher F. Lindf.r, more widely known throughout the State
as General Linder, was a member of the Chicago Bar from i860
until his death in 1876. He had gained considerable celebrity in the
early days on the " Wabash circuit," where he practiced with Messrs.
Trumbull, Lincoln, Gillespie, and other noted men of the time.
He was born in Kentucky on March 20, 1S09, received a some-
what limited education, studied law, and was admitted to the Bar
of Hardin County. There he practiced several years, but in 1835,
removed to Illinois. In 1837. he was elected attorney-general
of the State, which office he held two years. After his removal to
Chicago, his business was never very extensive. He rendered
good service to the cause of the Union in the opening years of the
Civil War, as a strong War Democrat, canvassing a large part of
the State on several important occasions. He died June 5, 1876,
leaving a wife, who survived him but a year, and five children.
He was a man of great talent, and had a large circle of admirers
and friends, among whom Mr. Lincoln was one of the warmest.
He left a volume of reminiscences, which have since been published,
containing sketches of many prominent members of the Illinois Bar.
Edwin1 Channing Larned was born in Providence, R. I.,
July 14, 1820. His father was a prominent and influential mer-
chant of that city. Mr. Larned was educated at private schools in
Providence, and graduated from Brown University in 1840. After
leaving college, he taught one year as professor of mathematics in
Kemper College, St. Louis. He then returned to Rhode Island,
and commenced the study of law with Hon. Albert C. Greene,
who was afterward Senator from that State. On admission to the
Bar, he practiced in Providence for several years, and in 1847,
came to Chicago, and commenced practice in partnership with Cy-
rus Bently. Subsequently, he had business partnership with John
Woodbridge, with Isaac N. Arnold and George W. Lay, and, in
1857, with Stephen Goodwin. In April, 1861, Mr. Lincoln ap-
pointed him as United States district attorney for the Northern
District of Illinois, and he continued in that office, until impaired
health compelled him to resign in November, 1864. He had pre-
viously, with the consent of the attorney-general, appointed Mr.
Goodwin to act in his place. He visited Europe, where he re-
mained from April until December, 1863, returning with restored
health. Mr. Larned married, in 1849, Frances, a daughter of Hon.
A. C. Greene, in whose office he had commenced the study of law.
He died at Chicago, September 18, 1884.
Arthur W. Windett was born in Norwich, England, No-
vember 11, 1828. During his boyhood he received a good educa-
cation in his native city, which he completed in Chicago, where he
settled in 1846. Here, also, he commenced his legal studies, and
was admitted to the Bar of Illinois in 1S50 For the next twenty
years Mr. Windett was actively employed in general professional
labors, being engaged in many of the great and important causes of
the times in the Federal and State courts. He always held a leading
position at the Bar during his active practice. In recent years,
Mr. Windett has abandoned general practice, giving his attention
almost entirely to real-estate law, and to the management of his
own extensive real-estate operations.
Thomas Hoyne was one of the ablest and grandest men
who have figured in the history of Chicago. Warm-hearted,
broad-minded, honest, brilliant, impulsive yet stable, few men
have lived in this city whose death was more universally or deeply
mourned. Born in New York City, February II, 1817, the son of
a poor, hard-working man. Thomas received his early education in
a Catholic school attached to St. Peter's Church, and at the age of
thirteen was left an orphan. lie was then apprenticed to a manu-
facturer of fancy goods, with whom he remained for four or lux
years, During this period his mental activity showed itself by the
leading part he took in a literary association of which George Ma-
nierre was a member. There the young men laid the foundation of
that friendship which continued strong and unvarying up to the
death of Mr. Manierre, in 1863. He also joined two night schools,
and assidiously studied Latin, Greek, English grammar and elocu-
tion, and when his apprenticeship expired in 1835, he obtained a
situation in a law office, with the design of prosecuting his legal
studies. His mind was further enriched and trained by contact with
one of the most brilliant Baptist divines in America, Rev. Archi-
bald Maclay, D.D., in whose family he boarded. In 1836, then
only nineteen years of age, he studied with John Brinkerhoff, an
old lawyer of New York. In the meantime his fast friend, George
Manierre, had removed to Chicago, and wrote such enthusiastic
letters to him, that, in August, 1S37, he started for the city himself.
As assistant to the deputy of the clerk of the Circuit Court, at a
salary of ten dollars a week, young Hovne made his start In the
autumn of 1S38, he took charge of a public school near the north-
west corner of West Lake and North Canal streets, but resigned
after four months' trial, as it was taking too much time from his
law studies. Here it was that he first met John Wentworth, then
school inspector. He next entered the office of J. Young Scam
mon, where he completed his law studies. In 1S40, the Democrats
elected Alexander Loyd mayor, and Thomas Hoyne city clerk.
While acting in this capacity, he had the honor of drawing up the
first Thanksgiving proclamation ever issued in the State, appoint- .
ing December 3, 1840, as the day of celebration. He was married
on September 17, 1S40, to Leonora M., the daughter of Dr. John T.
Temple, one of the old and respected citizens of Chicago. In 1S42,
Mr. Hoyne removed to Galena, where he resided two years, and
then returned to Chicago, commencing practice in December,
1844. He was elected probate justice of the peace, and held this
position until the court was abolished by the new Constitution of
1848. In 1847, he formed a partnership with Mark Skinner, which
remained unbroken until 1851, when the latter was elected judge of
the Court of Common Pleas. In 184S, and through all the excite-
ment caused by the passage of the Wilmot Proviso and tin I lass-
Van Buren campaign, Mr. Hoyne was a vigorous opponent to the
further extension of slavery, and a bold and manly member of the
Free-soil Democracy. Principallv through the influence of Mr.
Wentworth, in 1853 he was appointed United States attorney for
the district of Illinois. In his first case — the prosecution of a
mail robber, — Abraham Lincoln conducted the defense; but the
prosecuting officer was successful, and this trial alone did much to
fix his reputation. During his administration as United States
attorney and marshal, not a single prosecution or arrest occurred
under the fugitive slave law. In 1854, Mr. Hoyne supported Sen-
ator Douglas in his position on the Kansas-Nebraska troubles
President Buchanan having been elected in 1S56, he withdrew his
claims for a re-appointment to the district-attorneyship, but seeing
that a compromise with the Douglas wing of his party was impos-
sible, supported the National administration and the President's
recommendation for the admission of Kansas under the l.ecomp-
ton constitution. Charles A. Pine, United States marshal, became
a defaulter in 1S59, and Mr. Hoyne, one of the sureties on his
bond, was prevailed upon to accept the position, entering upon the
duties of his office in April of that year. The marshalship was
Mr. Hoyne's last political office, and yet his career of usefulness
may be said to have just commenced. His connection with the
University of Chicago and the College of Law, his valuable ef-
forts to establish a stable currency in the community, his patriot-
ism during the War, a boulevard system for the poor as well as the
rich, and his persistency in ever upholding municipal honor, have
endeared him to the people of Chicago, and stamped him as a man
of high and broad character far more than any acts, however able,
which he performed as office-holder or lawyer. " As a preventer of
corporated encroachments upon individual rights," says Mr. Went-
worth, in an eloquent tribute to his friend, " Chicago has not had
an abler man than Thomas Hoyne. He was always a man for an
emergencv, abounding in moral courage, and having public confi-
dence at his back. The people could ever trust Thomas Hoyne,
and he never abused his trust." In 1S56, the Baptists accepted
Judge Douglas's offer of ten acres of land at Cottage Grove, to be
devoted to university purposes. Judge Douglas was elected pres-
ident of the board of trustees, of which Mr. Hovne was a mem-
ber, the corner-stone of the new building being laid July 4, 1 S 5 7 . In
1859, Mr. Hoyne subscribed $5,000 for the endowment of a Chair
of International and Constitutional Law, the college being opened
in September of that year. For fourteen years the College of Law
remained under the control of the University of Chicago, and Mr.
464
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Hovne was its inspiring spirit throughout, acting as the chairman
of its board of counselors. In 1S02, in recognition of his inval-
uable services, the college conferred upon him the degree of LL.D.
To his efforts, also, is largely due the possession of the great La-
lande telescope In M.iv, 1S66, the glass was placed in position,
and Mr. Hovne was elected the lirst secretary of the astronomical
society, which office he held for several years. In June, 1S73, when
the University of Chicago and the Northwestern University formed
the Union College of Law, Mr. Hovne was chairman of the board
of trustees, in behalf of the University of Chicago, for 1S73-74,
and in 1S77 he was chosen president of the joint board of man-
agement, which position he held up to the time of his death, in
July, 1883. During the War, Mr. Hovne was one of the most stead-
fast and prominent of the War 1 lemocrats of the Northwest, being
placed upon the Union Defense Committee, and contributing by his
means and strength to uphold the Northern cause. He was a life-
member of the Chicago Mechanics' Institute and of the
Chicago Historical Society, being not only a member in
name," but in deed, and was first vice-president of the latter or-
ganization at the time of his death. To him, as much as to any
one else, does Chicago owe the prosperity of her public library
He was not only the associate of such men as Abraham Lincoln
and Stephen A. Douglas, but their intimate and honored friend;
and when the remains of the martyr President were being borne
from Washington to Springfield, Mr. Iloyne was one of the com-
mittee of escort from the State of Illinois. In 1S76, Mr. Hoyne
was elected mayor of the city, but owing to a technicality, a spe-
cial election was called, on July 12, and Monroe Heath was elected
to the position. The manner of his selection for this office was the
highest compliment that could be paid to his integrity and ability.
He was nominated at a mass-meeting of forty thousand citizens,
irrespective of partv, held in the Exposition building, to protest
against the corruption and usurpation of the city administra-
tion, which claimed an extension of its tenure of office under the
new law. He was unanimously chosen as the man pre-eminently
fitted to make the contest, and was elected by the overwhelming
majority of thirty-three thousand votes. He held the office for
three months, and during that time instituted many reforms, and
put an end to the abuses which had been complained of. He abol-
ished the practice of borrowing money upon certificates, which was
a bold measure in the face of the declaration that such action would
destroy the credit of the city. But the result was, as he had anti-
cipated, that the credit of the city was established upon a firmer
basis than ever before, when it became known that the administration
proposed to pay its debts, to be governed by the law, and not ex-
tend its credit beyond the limit fixed by law. The present financial
standing of the city, in fact, may be traced to the policy adopted
by Mr. Hoyne. although he has not always been credited with it.
The City Council did, however, some time after Mr. Hoyne had
ceased to be mayor, adopt the following resolutions, recognizing
the service he had rendered to the city, and giving him credit for
his financial policy :
"Resolved, That to Thomas Hoyne, our excellent mayor, de
facto, for the month of May last, belongs the credit of starting
our municipal reform.
" Resolved, That we tender to the Hon. Thomas Hoyne our
thanks for the bold and statesmanlike inaugural address delivered
before us, and believe that the sentiments therein contained, have
tended to guide this Council in measures of reform ; and while we
are not able, legally, to return him a compensation in money for
his good advice, we do tender him our sincere thanks as members
of this Common Council."
The question of law as to the validity of Mr. Hoyne's election
was submitted, by agreement, to the five judges of the Circuit Court,
and it was decided by a divided court, three to two, that Mr. Col-
vin's term had been extended by operation of law, and that Mr.
Iloyne was not mayor. As Mr. Hoyne had no desire for office for
the sake of office, he concluded to abide by the decision of the
court, and in the interest of peace and harmony declined to make
a contest. From that time until the date of his death he confined
himself to the practice of his profession. He had early associated
with himself Benjamin F. Ayer, since then the noted railway law-
yer; and in January, 1864, Oliver H. Ilorton entered the partner-
ship, with whom and his son, Thomas M. Iloyne, he practiced with
pre-eminent success in all the higher and lower courts. Although
his love for out-door exert ise and liis temperate habits had been the
means of maintaining the vigor and freshness of his constitution,
Mr. Hoyne, in the summer of r 8S3, feeling the need of rest and a
change from his professional labors, decided upon an eastern tour
to Niagara falls and down the St. Lawrence River. On Thursday
afternoon. July 26, he left Chicago, and on Friday evening, while
a passenger on a well-crowded excursion train, he met with that
accident, by collision, which resulted in his violent death at a small
station called Carlton, Orleans Co., N. V. On Monday evening
his remains reach'd Chicago, and his funeral obsequies were held
the next day at St Marv's Church, and were attended by the lowly,
who loved him, his professional brethren of the Bench and Bar, and
representatives of the county, municipal, civic and educational
organizations. Thus passed away, as remarked by one of his most
intimate friends, "One of the brightest ornaments of Chicago's
early history. His personal activity and strength of mind increased
with age, and he has left to his seven children (of every one of
whom any parent could be proud) a rich legacy in his doctrine,
illustrated by example, that personal, professional, corporate, reli-
gious, financial and political honor is identical and inseparable. As
an impromptu orator to miscellaneous crowds suddenly met in
public places, Chicago has had no equal to Thomas Hoyne, and no
man has ever lived to question the sincerity of his motives in his
unstudied efforts to arouse the masses to a sense of the injustice
inflicted upon them."
Jesse O. Norton, who stood for many years in the front
rank of Chicago lawyers, was born at Bennington, Vt., December
25, 1S12, and died at his home in Kenwood, on the 3d of August,
1875. After graduating from Williams College in 1S35, he taught
school at Wheeling, Va., and Potosi, Mo.; studied law; married
Miss P. S. Sheldon, of the latter place, in December, 1837. About
a year later they removed to Illinois, and in 1839, settled in Joliet.
Previous to 184S, Mr. Norton had been chosen city attorney and
county judge. His subsequent course so established public confi-
dence in his ability and honesty that, in 1852, he was sent to Con-
gress, having two years previously served a term in the Legislature.
His career in Congress as an earnest and effective opponent of the
Missouri compromise earned him a re-election, and he served in
that body until March 4, 1857. From that time until 1862, he
filled the position of circuit judge, and, during the latter year, was
again elected to Congress, serving until March 5, 1S65. While a
member of that body, during those troublous times. Judge Norton
steadily maintained that the union of the States was not broken by
rebellion ; that the Constitution was still the supreme law, and
binding upon Congress as well as the States, and therefore that
Congress had no more power to expel States from the Union than
the States had power to withdraw. In 1S66, he was appointed
United States district attorney for the Northern District of Illinois,
and held this position until April, i860, when he honorably retired
from the office, and, coming to Chicago, associated himself in
the practice of his profession with Judge James R. Doolittle.
After the great fire, he practiced alone, a portion of the time as
corporation counsel. He thus continued until his death, leaving at
his decease a widow. The Bar Association took appropriate action,
and resolutions of condolence and affectionate remembrance were
presented in all the courts by his friends and associates.
Some of the more prominent lawyers who died
during the period covered by this volume (1858 to
1872) are, — Bolton H. Strother, 1862, at one time
collector of the port of Chicago ; Andrew D. Har-
vie, 1863 ; Lorenzo D. Wilkinson, 1863 ; George W.
Roberts, killed at the battle of Murfreesboro', January,
1863 ; John A. Bross, killed at the assault on Peters-
burg, July 30, 1864; Benjamin Morris Thomas, 1864;
John C. Miller, 1865 ; Charles M. Willard, 1866; Ed-
ward P. Towne, 1866 ; Henry L. Rucker, 1867 ; and
Solomon M. Willson, a brother of Judge John M. Wil-
son, 1867.
SKETCHES OF PROMINENT LAWYERS.
It might perhaps be invidious to say which one of
some dozen members of the Chicago Bar should be
called the chief, since there are so many lawyers in this
city who have achieved not only State, but National,
reputation, and whose eloquence in debate or oration
has made their names " familiar in our mouths as
household words." The various testimonials of public
esteem and honor that have been received by members
of the Bar in this city, would demonstrate that that
department of the civic population was hydra-headed.
One lawyer is distinguished for power and brill-
iancy of advocacy, another for profound learning,
another for lucidity of statement, another for strength
and solidity of logical reasoning, and others for some
particular quality in which their pre-eminence is recog-
THE BENCH AND BAR.
465
nized; but it is probable that if the suffrage of the entire
Bar were taken as to who should stand at the head, the
choice would almost unanimously fall upon Corydon
Beckwith. He possesses, in a marvelous degree, all the
qualities which go to make the great lawyer, — profound
learning, great logical power, brilliancy of statement,
and aptitude for affairs.
Corydon Beckwith was born in Caledonia County, Ver-
mont, July 24, 1823. He acquired his rudimentary education in
the common schools in the vicinity of his home; afterward pur-
sued a scientific and classical course at Providence, R. I., and
Wrentham, Mass. He then devoted three years to legal studies,
and, in 1844, was admitted to the Bar at St. Albans, Vt. The two
succeeding years were spent in the practice of his profession in his
native State, and in 1846 he removed to Maryland, and was ad-
mitted to the Bar of that State, at Frederick City. In 1847, he
returned to St. Albans, Vt. , where he formed a partnership with
Frederick A Schley, a distinguished lawyer of that place, and
remained until his removal to Chicago in the spring of 1853. Dur-
ing the latter year he became associated with Van H. Higgins and
Bolton F. Strother, under the firm name of Higgins, Beckwith &
Strother, being also associated with other prominent members of
the profession. Mr. Beckwith occupied the Bench of the Supreme
Court for a time, under the administration of Governor Yates. He
became counsel for the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad in
1864; and in 1873, was made general solicitor of the same com-
pany, retiring at that time from the firm of Beckwith, Ayer &
Kales. He has also been concerned as counsel for other of the
great corporations, and is usually engaged on one side or the other
of the great cases involving corporate rights and liabilities.
Bknjamin M. Munn is a native of the Green Mountain State,
and was born in West Fairlee, Orange County, Vt., on February
11, 1826. After being educated in the district schools and in
Williams College, Mass., he went to Boston to study law with
Colonel Stickney. completing his course with William S. Holman,
the well-known Indiana congressman. Mr. Munn was admitted
to the Bar in 1852, but did not practice for a number of years,
being principal of the Rising Sun (Ind.) Female Seminary and of
the Charleston (111 ) Academy. He then engaged in the practice
of law in Central Illinois until 1861, having as his co-workers in the
circuit such men as Abraham Lincoln, Governor Palmer, S. L.
Logan and Ben Edwards, of Springfield, and argued important
cases in the Federal Court before Judge David Davis. At the
breaking out of the War he entered the army, and was elected cap-
tain of Co. " D," in the 7th Illinois Infantry, being with General
Grant during the first year of the war. He now holds the oldest
captain's commission in the volunteer service. Captain Munn
settled in Chicago in 1S69, was deputy collector of internal rev-
enue in 1872-73, assistant counsel to the corporation under Judge
Jesse O. Norton, and acting counsel for several months. For sev-
eral years prior to 18S0, he made a specialty of internal revenue
practice with his partner, Theodore E. Davis, of Washington, D.
C. He has now an extensive practice, and is widely known for the
ability with which his cases are prepared and conducted.
Thomas Dent, senior member of the law firm Dent, Black &
Cratty Bros., was born in Putnam County, Illinois, November 4,
1S31. His father, George Dent, was one of the early settlers in
that part of the State, and during his residence of nearly half a
century in Illinois was a man of political influence. While frontier
life, in the westward march of settlement, ruled with the older
members of the families with which Mr. Dent is connected, each
generation took its part in the development of the country, and
shared in local reputation and honors, corresponding with
educational advantages, which in the case of Mr. Dent were well
improved in his youth. At the age of fifteen, he became a perma-
nent assistant of his father in the public offices at Hennepin, 111.,
where he was engaged for several years, during which time he
pursued the study of the law. He was admitted to the Bar in his
twenty-third year, and immediately began the practice of his pro-
fession in the circuit of his residence. Desiring a larger field of
labor, he moved in 1856, to Chicago, and was associated for a
time with Martin R. M. Wallace, under the firm name of Wallace
& Dent. Retaining, however, some connection with the practice
at his old home, he attended the courts there, and in other
counties. In 1S57, he made arrangements to take up his residence
in Peoria, 111., but, receiving encouragement to maintain his
residence in Chicago, returned for a permanent residence in the fall
of 1S58. About two years thereafter, he became associated with
Alfred W. Arrington, under the firm name of Arrington & Dent.
This partnership continued until the death of Judge Arrington in
December, 1867. Soon afterward, Mr. Dent associated with him-
self William P. Black, who had formerly been a student in the
office of Arrington & Dent, and this association has since continued,
30
though recently two other gentlemen have become connected with
them in the practice of the law, the firm now being Dent, Black &
Cratty Bros. The practice of Mr. Dent has not been confined to
any specialty. His cases have therefore been carried into all the
courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States, and
courts outside of Illinois. The opinion of Mr. Dent on the
Mayoralty question, when the late Thomas Hoyne had been so
generally voted for to fill that office in the spring of 1876, was
sought for, and had considerable publicity at the time. On the
question of submitting to a vote of the people the proposition to
abolish township organization in the county, he was also promi-
nently associated with eminent counsel. He has occasionally
prepared literary essays or lectures, among which may be men-
tioned his essay on the " Law of the Grain Exchange," read before
the State Bar Association in 1883, for the preparation of which, he
was selected for his practical knowledge of the subject. He has
been favorably named, as well in the city of his chosen home as
in his former place of residence, for judicial office especially, but
has pursued his professional work in preference to entering upon a
political career. Mr. Dent was married in 1857, to Miss Susan
Strawn, of Putnam County. Their only child. Mary, was taken
with typhoid fever while traveling abroad, and died at Milan, Italy,
in February, 1882.
Melville W. Fuller, son of Frederick A. and Catherine M.
(Weston) Fuller, was born in Augusta, Maine, February 11, 1833.
After fitting for college in his native city, he entered Bowdoin Col-
lege, from which he graduated in the summer of 1853, and after
studying law in the office of his uncle, George M. Weston, at
Bangor, and attending lectures at Harvard University, he com-
menced the practice of his profession in Augusta, in the spring of
1856. Although his residence in his native city at this time was
quite brief, he was, during the year, elected city attorney and
president of the Common Council; and to these duties was added
jounalistic work, he being one of the editors of The Age, the
Democratic organ of the State. Resigning these positions, he re-
moved in June, 1856, to Chicago, where he again engaged in
practice, and where he has since resided. His devotion to his pro-
fession has been rewarded by the attainment of an honorable and
distinguished name as an attorney and counselor, and a competency
of this world's goods. Among the notable cases in which he has
been engaged, one of the more conspicuous was the defense of
Rev. Charles Edward Cheney, on the charge of canonical disobedi-
ence and violation of rubric. This case, which was tried before an
ecclesiastical tribunal, and in which litigation extended from 1869
to 187S, proved by the severest tests the profound and accurate
knowledge of ecclesiastical law possessed by Mr. Fuller, and his
power of presenting his points in the most forcible and convincing
manner; and brought into the civil courts it involved the discus-
sion of the delicate question of when, and under what circumstances,
the latter may interfere with church tribunals. In 1S62, he was a
member of the Constitutional Convention in Illinois, and the
following year was a member of the Legislature, being elected,
in both cases, from Republican districts, although a staunch Demo-
crat from his youth. He was a delegate to the National
Democratic Conventions of 1864, 1872, 1876 and 18S0; a friend of
Stephen A. Douglas, delivering the address of welcome to that
distinguished statesman on his visit to the city in i860, and a
eulogy on him, after his death, in 1861. Among his other
addresses, that on the life and character of Judge Sidney Breese,
delivered before the State Bar Association, in 1S79, is noteworthy
as a brilliant and scholarly production. Mr. Fuller was married, in
1858, to Calista O. Reynolds His second wife, to whom he was
married in 1866, is Mary Ellen, daughter of the late Hon. William
F. Coolbaugh. He has nine children, eight daughters and one
son, and has lost one son by death.
Leonard Swett, one of the most prominent lawyers of the
Northwest, and one whose reputation is national, was born in
Turner, Oxford Co., Me., on the farm of John Swett, or on Swett's
Hill. His parents John and Remember (Berry) Swett, believed so
thoroughly in giving their children good educations, that, when
twelve years of age Leonard commenced the study of Latin and
Greek, as a preliminary for a ministerial course of study. lie
afterward took a two years' course at North Yarmouth Academy,
and when seventeen, entered Waterville College. Having de-
termined upon the study of law, he left school before he had
finished his fourth year, and entered the law office of Howard &
Shepley, Portland. After remaining with them two years, he
traveled in the South, seeking a favorable location, but came
West, and reaching Madison, Ind., determined to enlist for the
Mexican War. Joining the 5th Indiana Infantry, in 1848, com-
manded by General James H. Lane, he was made orderly-sergeant,
and placed in command of a company which was detailed to guard
trains from Vera Cruz to Jalapa, Pueblo and Cordova It is said
that his service was one prolonged picnic, or excursion, and that,
during all his stay in Mexico, he never saw the balance of his regi-
466
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
ment. He was taken sick at Vera Cruz, and, after remaining in
hospital one month, was sent up the Mississippi River to Jefferson
Barracks, Mo., where he was discharged. Before they reached
that point, however, nearly one-third of the passengers had died of
complaints incident to the Far South. Although greatly shattered
in health, Mr. Swett survived his severe attack of sickness, and sub-
sequently located at Bloomington, 111., where he was admitted to
the Bar, and commenced the practice of law. His first and most
steadfast friends were David Davis and Abraham Lincoln, his
seniors bv some years. With them, and such men as Stephen T.
Logan, John T. Stuart, U. F. Linder and Edward D. Baker, he
traveled a circuit of fourteen counties on horseback, building up a
large practice and a strong constitution. From rS49 to 1S61, Mr.
Swett made Bloomington his home. During the War, his legal
business took him to Washington, Xew York and California. In
the latter State his time was chiefly occupied with the litigations
which for manv years involved the Quicksilver Mining Company,
or the Xew Almaden Mine. In 1S65, he located permanently in
Chicago, where he has earned a substantial reputation, both as a
civil and a criminal lawyer. He at first formed a partnership with
Van H. Higgins and Colonel David Quigg, which continued up to
the time of the fire. In 1S79, he associated Pliny X. Haskell with
himself. Mr. Haskell died on July 26, 1SS4 ; P. S. Grosscup, E.
R. Swett and E. S. Bottom have in the meantime become mem-
bers of the firm. Mr. Swett was married, on July 20, 1854, to
Laura R. Quigg, sister of his former law partner, his wife being a
native of Chester, X. H. They have one child — Leonard H.
Emery A. Storks was born in Hinsdale, Cattaraugus Co.,
X. V., on August 12, 1S35, the son of Alexander Storrs, who was
a lawyer of some prominence. He commenced the study of law
with his father and with Marshall B. Champlain, who was for two
terms attorney-general for the State of Xew York. He thence went
to Buffalo, and became a law student at that city in the office of
Austin & Scroggs, the senior member of that firm then being dis-
trict attorney. Thus, it will be seen that Mr. Storrs pursued his
legal studies with exceptional advantages, and, his ability being
apparent to his preceptors, immediately after his admission to the
Bar, he became a partner of Mr. Austin and his son, under the
firm name of Austin, Storrs A: Austin, and continued the practice
of law in Xew York until April, 1S59, at which time he removed
to Chicago. Since that time, the fame of Mr. Storrs has become
not only local, but national. Possibly much of the success which
he has achieved at the forum and on the rostrum may be ascribed,
as much as to any other one cause, to his analytical power and his
keen discernment of the temperament of his auditors. On number-
less occasions interruptions have occurred among his audiences
which would have disconcerted, and possibly routed, any one else ;
but with his quickness of repartee and store of anecdote and remi-
niscence, he would utter some pungent witticism or stinging sar-
casm, that would discomfort his interrupter and prove to be the best
possible utterance that could have been made. Some of the promi-
nent cases in which Mr. Storrs has been engaged, in his discursive
legal experience, are as follows : In 1S60-61, he was engaged on
the celebrated cases for E. S. Smith ; he tried the first " stump-
tail" (or wild-cat) cases before juries in Judge Diummond's court ;
he also argued the noted State House case, the Park cases, the rail-
road taxation cases, and the case wherein the liability of common
carriers was fixed as to their delivery of grain to the elevator to
which it was consigned. In 1S76. he iried the celebrated Babcock
case, in St. Louis; and shortly afterward, argued the cases involv-
ing the legality of an election for the incorporation of a city under
the general law. Among the capital cases in which Mr. Storrs has
been engaged, may be mentioned his prosecution of the Cook
County Commissioners ; his defense of Alexander Sullivan ; of
Cochrane, the Wisconsin bank cashier ; of Ransom, the Mayor of
.; and of Jere Dunn. And during the intense activity and
research necessitated by his professional duties, he found time to
take the stump in behalf of Abraham Lincoln ; to prepare the reso-
lutions indorsing the Emancipation Proclamation reported at the
great meeting in Chicago ; to take an active part in tbe campaign
of i-'.i ; 10 be especially interested in the reconstruction measures
of Andrew Johnson, in 1866 ; in 1868, to be a delegate to the
National Convention from the Stale-at-large. and subsequently to
take the stump through Xew York and New England ; to be dele-
gate-at-large to the National Convention, at Philadelphia, in 1872,
and to perform the duties of one of the vice-presidents ; to prepare
the constitution and by-laws for the Citizens' Association, of Chi-
cago ; to l»c one of the three original incorporators, anil one of the
tive promoters, of the Citizens' League for the suppression
of the sale of liquor to minors; to argue the question relative to
the transportation of live-stock before the House Committee ; to
argue the question relative to the reduction of the duty on steel
rails, before the House Committee ; and to make arguments rela-
tive to Reagan's Inter-State Commerce Bill, on the question as to
the amenability of checks and bank deposits to taxation, and, in
the winter of 1SS4-S5, to make arguments on the pleuro-pneumo-
nia, or Animal Industry, bill. In the convention of 1SS0, Mr.
Storrs was a delegate from the State-at-large, and was a member of
the committee on resolutions, as a member of which committee he
drafted that part which related to the enforcement of the Constitu-
tional amendments. Among other adjuncts which may be cited as
feasible reasons for his deserved literary reputation, are his lectures
before the Law School on the English Constitution and Trial by
fury, his lecture on Municipal Government, his lecture before the
Historical Society, and his address at the opening of the new
Board of Trade, in 1SS5 ; while his contributions to the North
American Review have stamped him as an able essayist.
Mukry ¥. TULEY was born in Louisville, Ky., March 4,
1S27. His education was obtained at the common schools, and
was completed when he reached the age of thirteen, at which time
he went into a store as a clerk. His father died when his son was
five years of age. and his mother, after eleven years of widowhood,
married Richard J. Hamilton, and removed to Chicago. Here
young Tuley commenced the study of law with Colonel Hamilton,
and in the spring of 1S47 was admitted to the Bar. It was the
time of the Mexican war, and Mr. Tuley enlisted in the 5th Illi-
nois Regiment, Colonel Newby commanding, and was ordered to
service in Xew Mexico, under the command of General Sterling
Price, afterward a Confederate general. At the conclusion of the
Mexican war, Mr. Tuley settled in Santa Fe, where he commenced
practice, and remained there until 1S54. During that period he
was attorney-general of the Territory for two years and a member
of the Legislature for 1853-54. ^n 1S54, he returned to Chicago
and engaged in practice, first with Andrew Harvie, then with
Joseph E. Gary and J. X. Barker. In 1869, he became corporation
counsel, and after several years in that position organized the firm
of Tuley, Stiles & Lewis, of which he remained the head until
elected to the Circuit Bench in June, 1879. At the Bar, Judge
Tuley's career was marked by great success. Prudence and care
for the interests of his clients, rather than brilliance of display for
himself, were among his strongest characteristics. Of solid judg-
ment, widely read in the learning of his profession, of calm and
patient mind he was admirably fitted for the Bench, and found his
congenial place there. He holds an enviable rank among his fel-
low-judges, and has the respect and confidence of the Ba- and the
public.
Hon. William H. King, LL.D., has practiced his profession
in Chicago for thirty-two years, and commands the confidence and
respect of not only the Bench and Bar, but of all who know him.
He has a thoroughly logical and legal mind, and has the rare abil-
ity to present his case to the court and jury in the clearest and
most logical and forcible manner. The result of his practice has
been an honorable name and a pecuniary competence. Flis profes-
sional brethren know him best and are most competent to express
an opinion concerning him. One of the judges of the Supreme
Court said of him: " I have known well, for many years, Wil-
liam H. King of this city. I regard him a gentleman of high
moral worth and of rare purity of character. He is a learned,
ripe and discriminating lawyer. A man of well balanced and im-
partial judgment, of very agreeable urbanity, yet of great decision
of character and moral courage." Mr. King was born in Clifton
Park, Saratoga Co., N. Y.. October 23, 1817. He was graduated
from Union College, at Schenectady, N. Y., in 184b, and in 1S79,
that college conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL.D. He
studied law in the office of Hon. John K. Porter, at Waterford,
X. V., and was admitted to the Bar in 1S47. He then commenced
the practice of law at Waterford, where he remained until 1853,
when he removed to Chicago, arriving here on the 4th of February
of that year. Mr. King has since been honored with many offices
of public trust. He has been president of the Chicago Law Insti-
tute, president of the Chicago Bar Association, president of the
Chicago Board of Education, president of the Union College
Alumni Association of the Northwest ; and member of the Illinois
State Legislature. In 1874, one of the schools of the West Division
was named by the Board of Education the " King School, in honor
of the Hon. William II. King, president of this Board, and in
acknowledgment of the services rendered by him to the cause of
popular education and of his devotion to the best interests of our
public schools." Mr. King has, annually for eleven years, presented
prizes to nine of the pupils of that school whose averages were
highest in attendance, deportment and scholarship. In December,
1-S4, the school had been in successful operation eleven years,
when Mr. King was surprised by a graceful testimonial presented
to him by the pupils. During the two years in which Mr. King
was a member of the Illinois Legislature (1S71-72), he was chair-
man of the Committee on F'ees and Salaries, and a member of the
committees on Judicial Department and Education. After the fire
of 1871, when all the records of Cook County were destroyed, it
was absolutely necessary that the Legislature should enact a law,
by which the owners might be enabled to protect their titles to
THE BENCH AND BAR.
467
their real estate. Mr. King was then a member of the Legislature
and was appointed chairman of a committee to draft a bill for that
purpose. He prepared a bill, which was passed by the Legislature
and became a law, and has proved to be entirely satisfactory and
efficacious. In the Legislature, he was noted for ability and hon-
esty, and, after the expiration of his term, lie was urged to accept
other political preferments, but he decided to continue the practice
of his profession. Mr. King was married, at Orange, Mass., Sep-
tember 1, 1847, to Mary, daughter of Levi and Plotina (Metcalf)
Cheney. They have two children — Mary, wife of Tappan Halsey,
and Fanny, who graduated at Smith College in 1SS2. Mrs. King
is a lady of rare ability and culture, and her husband heartily
acknowledges that he is indebted to his wife for much of his suc-
cess in life
Ezra Butler McCagg, for many years a leader in his profes-
sion, was born at Kinderhook, N. Y., November 22, 1S25, and is
the son of Isaac and Louisa Caroline (Butler) McCagg. He pur-
sued his literary studies and became very efficient under the tuition
of a neighboring clergyman. He read law several years with
Monell, Hogeboone & Monell, of Hudson, N. Y., and was admit-
ted to the Bar in 1847. The following summer he came to Chicago,
when he entered into a partnership with Hon. J. Y. Scammon,
under the firm name of Scammon & McCagg. In 1849, Hon.
Samuel W. Fuller was associated with them, and, in 1872, Mr.
Scammon withdrew from the firm, and Mr. McCagg's present part-
ner, W. I. Culver, was admitted into the partnership ; with the
exceptions above mentioned, the original partnership was the same
until the death of Mr. Fuller in 1S73. The firm is now McCagg
& Culver. The business of this firm has been very extensive
throughout all of its changes. During the Civil War, Mr. McCagg
was very influential in promoting the interests of the Linked States
Sanitary Commission, and filled acceptably and with marked ability
the arduous position of president of the Northwestern Branch of
that organization. He was formerly a trustee of the VJniversity of
Chicago, and is yet a trustee of the Chicago Academy of Sciences,
and president of the board of trustees of the Eastern Hospital for
the Insane. He lost his law library in the great fire of 1871, and
a magnificent miscellaneous library, the accumulation of years.
His collection of writings and letters of the early Jesuits and set-
tlers of the Northwestern States and Territories was one of the best
extant. Mr. McCagg is a public-spirited gentleman, and has
given much time to philanthropic and charitable affairs. According
to the modern idea of politicians, Mr. McCagg does not belong to
that class, but he is in principles a Republican.
Charles B. Hosmer is among the oldest members of the
legal profession in this city, being admitted to the Chicago Bar
in the fall of 1S39. He at once removed to Naperville, Dul'age
County, where he practiced nine years, and returned to Chicago in
1848. In the following year he formed a partnership with the
well-known Ebenezer Peck, and this connection continued twelve
years, when the latter was appointed judge of the Court of Claims,
Washington. From 1S61 to 1871, Mr. Hosmer practiced alone,
since which time he has been in partnership with his son, the firm
making a specialty of real estate law. Mr. Hosmer was born
in Columbia, Conn., September 26, 1812, being the son of Stephen
Hosmer, a substantial merchant of that place. He graduated from
Yale College in 1838, and studied law, first in New Haven with Silas
Mix, and then with General James R. Lawrence, of Syracuse, N. Y.
In the fall of 1839, he removed to Chicago, and as stated was ad-
mitted to the Bar.
E. D. Hosmer, who is associated with his father, was born at
Naperville, 111., in November, 1843. After graduating from
Harvard College in 1865, he traveled throughout Europe for three
years. He then took a course in the law department of the North-
western University, from which he graduated in 1870, and was
soon afterward admitted to practice.
Robert Hervey is one of Chicago's earliest and most promi-
nent lawyers, coming to this city from Ottawa, Canada, in 1S52,
and forming a partnership with Buckner S. Morris and Joseph P.
Clarkson. In 1S53, Hugh T. Dickey having resigned, Air. Morris
was elected to complete his term as circuit judge, and the senior
member of the firm of Morris, Hervey & Clarkson, therefore, with-
drew from it. The law firm of Hervey & Clarkson continued suc-
cessfully in the practice of their profession four years. In 1S57,
Mr. Hervey formed a partnership with Elliott Anthony, now on the
Bench of the Superior Court, and three years thereafter A. T. Gait
was admitted to the firm. The connection continued unbroken for
seventeen years. As a lawyer, Mr. Hervey has no specialty. His
broad education and wide experience, his courteous and affable
manners, his business ability, and his eloquence, have combined to
make him remarkably successful in criminal cases as well as in
suits which involve large property interests. In 1872, he assisted
in the defense of the nineteen aldermen indicted for bribery, and
only one was convicted. He was retained by the State in the
Hopp's murder case, in the defense of the county commissiontrs,
in the Arthur Devine murder case, and in many other important
criminal trials. It is certainly a remarkable "coincidence" that
none of his clients ever suffered the extreme penalty of the law.
His firm were the attorneys for the non-content stockholders of the
Galena & Chicago Union Railway Company, and tiled a bill to
break up the consolidation with the Chicago & North-Western
Road, and the Court decreed full payment of the market value of
the stock at the time of the consolidation, which was paid. Mr.
Hervey was one of the originators of the Chicago Bar Association,
and his good, hardy Scotch blood has been repeatedly recognized
by the St. Andrew's Society and the Caledonian Club, of which
organizations he has been a member for many years, and often
president. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on August 10,
1820, his father, Alexander, being proprietor of a plantation in
Trinidad. After graduating from the University of Glasgow in
1837, he emigrated to Bytown, now Ottawa, Canada, and studied
law with Henry Sherwood, attorney-general of the province of
Canada. He was admitted to the Bar in 1842. and the next year
married his first wife, Miss Maria Jones, daughter of Dunham
Jones, collector of the port of Maitland, Ontario. For ten years
he practiced his profession with good success, and, in 1852,
came to Chicago, as the city which promised the fairest for young
men of energy and ability. That the promise has been realized is
clearly shown by the record which he has made as lawyer and citi-
zen for the past thirty-three years. In 1861, Mr. Hervey was
married to his second wife, Miss Frances W. Smith.
WILLIAM H. STICKNEY was born in Baltimore, Md., Novem-
ber 9, 1809. He was a student of Transylvania University, of
Lexington, Ky., and read law in the office of Este & Haines, one
ot the most prominent legal firms of Cincinnati. He was admitted
to the Bar in 1831, and in that year, became the partner of the
Hon. Robert T. Lytle, then a member of Congress from the
district; the law firm was Lytle & Stickney. In 1832, Mr. Stickney
was nominated on the Democratic ticket for State's attorney of
Hamilton County, but that ticket met a defeat that year. In
February, 1834, Mr. Stickney came to Shawneetown, Illinois, and
in company with the Hon. Henry Eddy, one of the most classic
scholars and learned lawyers of this State, at that time, traveled
on horseback to Vandalia, then the seat of Government, and his
certificate of admission to the Bar of Illinois was issued there,
dated the 4th of March, 1834, and antedates that of any lawyer
now residing in Chicago. In this connection, the Chicago Legal
News of December 15, 1883, stated: " Scates & Stickney. — A
correspondent, reading our answer to the letter in our last issue,
that Walter B. Scates and William H. Stickney were the two oldest
Illinois lawyers in commission, living at this time in Chicago, says,
it is a strange coincidence, that Hon. Walter B. Scates, who was
appointed by the Legislature, about the year 1836, circuit judge
for the Third Judicial District, composed of fourteen of the
southern counties of the State, and that Hon. W. H. Stickney, who
was appointed by the Legislature, in 1S39. State's attorney for the
same Judicial District, and rode the Circuit with Judge Scates,
should both, after the lapse of nearly fifty years, be living in Chi-
cago, and practicing law here. We are told that this Circuit was
composed of the following counties: Marion, Jefferson, Perry,
Franklin, Jackson, Union, Alexander, Pulaski, Massac, Johnson,
Pope, Hardin, Gallatin and Hamilton. This circuit reached from
Cairo to the Wabash River, and extended as far north as the
northern part of Marion County. Mr. Stickney was admitted to the
Illinois Bar, on the fourth day of March, 1S34, and to the Bar of
Circuit and District Courts of the United States for the State of
Illinois, on the third day of June, 1839." He was editor and pro-
prietor of the Gallatin Democrat and Illinois Advertiser, 1S35-36,
at Shawneetown. In 1S39, he was elected by the Legislature of
Illinois, State's attorney for the Third Judicial District, composed
of thirteen counties, extending from the Wabash to the Mississippi
River. In 1S46, he was elected a representative from Gallatin
County; and was a prominent, laborious and useful member of the
session of 1846-47. He married at Carmi, White County, February
11, 1837, Elizabeth Weed, daughter of Hugh M. Weed, a young
lady of extraordinary intellectual power, pleasing manners and
generous character. She died at Chicago July 30, 1S49 In 1S52,
he was married to Cornelia, eldest daughter of the Hon Judge
Henry Brown, deceased, of Chicago. Mrs. Stickney is still living.
Mr. Stickney was elected alderman of the city from the Eighteenth
Ward, in 1S54, and appointed by Mayor Milliken, chairman of the
Judiciary Committee. He was city assessor of the North Division,
appointed by Mayor Wentworth, in 1S60. He was elected by the
Council, police justice of the city in i860, and held the office of
justice of the peace for thirteen years, with other offices to which
he was elected by the people. In November, 1S75, he was elected,
on the Reform ticket, a member of the House of Representatives
from Cook County, and served his term at Springfield in the
session of 1875-76. In the first volume, it is mentioned to his
credit, that he refused an office, the commission fur which was
46S
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
granted him, on a technical exception to the misnomer of the office
of police magistrate, the opposing ticket to that on which his
name was contained, being printed "For police justice," instead
of Police Magistrate. Years afterward, in I S 7 1 . he was elected a
police magistrate by a large majority, but was refused, with others,
a commission bv Governor Palmer, in whose opinion the office of
police magistrate, in the City of Chicago, had been abolished by
the Constitution of Illinois 'in 1S70. "After the argument of an
agreed case, to test the question, the Supreme Court of Illinois
held with Governor Palmer. Since that decision police magistrates
have been selected from the justices of the peace by the mayor
and Council. Mr. Stickney has now retired from public life and
the active practice of his profession, but still retains, at the age
of seventv-five vears, full vigor of mind and unusual energy, con-
tinuing occasionally to make his appearance in special cases in our
courts.
Sidney Smith, chief-justice of the Superior Court of Cook
County, dates his term of six years from November, 1S79. No
judge upon the Bench is more respected for the solid qualities of
knowledge of the law and broad judgment in arriving at the motives
of men. He was born in Washington County, N.Y., May 12, iS2g.
At the age of twenty he completed his academic studies, when he
began the study of law with Messrs. Church & Davis, among the
ablest lawyers of New York City. Two years thereafter he was ad-
mitted to the Bar at Albion, where his present associate upon the
bench, William K. McAllister,, practiced law for so many years.
Judge Smith came to Chicago in 1S56, and a few months later
joined Grant Goodrich and W. W. Farwell, forming the firm of
Goodrich, Farwell & Smith, whose fame soon extended over the
Northwest. From 1S57 until the spring of 1S59, Mr. Goodrich
traveled abroad because of ill health, and served as one of the
judges of the Superior Court of Chicago from that time until 1863,
when he returned to his position in the firm which he had founded.
In 1S70. when Mr. Farwell was chosen a judge of the Circuit Court,
the partnership was dissolved. Judge Smith then resumed the prac-
tice of his profession, and for nine years continued to build up the
substantial reputation which he had made during his previous labors
of nearly a quarter of a century. In November, 1S79, he was elected
to his present position, performing his arduous and complex duties
with the facility which only comes to a mind thoroughly trained in
the principles of common law and possessed of great stamina.
JOHN Van Arman was born in l'lattsburgh, Clinton Co., N.
Y., March 3, 1S20, the son of John and Tamar (Dewey) Van Ar-
man. He was the youngest of fourteen children, and having lost his
mother when he was only five years of age, went to live with a farmer.
When he grew older, not liking either his master or his occupation,
he ran away, to shift for himself. He taught the district school, ob-
tained some Latin and Greek through his own efforts, and com-
menced the study of law at his old home, when seventeen years of
age. He first studied under William Swetland, and finished at Troy,
under George Gould, the son of Judge Gould, principal of the
Litchfield Law School. In 1S40. Mr. Van Arman was admitted to
the Bar in New Vurk City, and immediately co nmenced practice in
Marshall, Mich. There he became the attorney for many of the
leading lumber firms, being also the legal representative of exten-
sive manufactories at Muskegon. In 1842, his business in the
United States courts of defending his clients for alleged trespasses
upon Government lands, and in the conduct of other suits, frequently
brought him to Chicago, where he soon attained a good standing
and a wide acquaintance. In 1S51, on behalf of the Michigan
Central Railroad Company, he prosecuted forty men for throwing
cars from the track, of whom twelve were convicted and sent to the
penitentiary, and three of them died during trial. They were de-
fended by William H Seward and others. In May, 1858, he lo-
cated permanently in Chicago, and became a member of the firm of
Walker, Van Arman & Dexter, largely engaged in business con-
netted with railroads. From 1S58 to 1S62, Mr. Van Arman was
the attorney for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Com-
pany. During the latter year he raised the 127th Illinois Infantry,
bearing the bulk of the expense, and was commissioned its colonel.
Ill health, however, obliged him to resign, and go to California,
where he remained some time, resuming practice in the beginning
lie at once entered into a partnership with Henry G.
Miller, with whom he remained up to the time of the fire, when he
lost property worth $25. OOO, anil a fine library, not yet placed upon
the shelves. Since that time he has practiced mainly alone. Since
coming to Chicago, Colonel Van Arman has had a very important
and lucrative practice, principally of a civil nature. He has, how-
ever, been engaged in several of the most important criminal cases
of early times, such as the Jumpert murder (better known as the
"barrel case ") and the Burch divorce case. He was married, in
March. [841, to Amai aughter of General F.zra Convis,
who, at the time of hi peaker of the Michigan House
of Representatives. They have had three children ; the om: now
living is the wife of James Bradish, of Grand Crossing, Col.
Sidney Thomas was born October 3, 1837, in Calhoun
County, Mich. He is a son of Rev. David and Melissa (Rhodes)
Thomas, both of his parents being of New England descent.
His father was, for four years, a missionary among the Pottawa-
tomies in Grand River Valley, Mich., and was for thirty years a
member of the Michigan Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. His early educational studies were pursued under the
disadvantages attending the itinerant life of his father; but at the
age of seventeen he began a more regular course of study, teaching
during the winter months and attending school during the spring
and fall— first, at Olivet, Mich., and, later, in the State University
at Ann Arbor, Mich. In 1S5S, he began the study of law in the
office of Brown & Greenough, of Marshall, Mich. In 1S59, he
graduated from the law department of Michigan University, and,
having passed his examination before the Supreme Court, was,
that year, admitted to the Bar of Detroit. In 1S60, he commenced
practice in Marshall, Calhoun Co., Mich., and for about one year
was associated with Hon. Henry W. Taylor, formerly one of the
judges of the Court of Appeals, of New York, and afterward he
served two terms as county judge. Subsequently, he formed a co-
partnership with William D. Adams, a former law student in his
office, which continued until he came to Chicago, in 1865, where
he rapidly established a varied and lucrative practice. Among the
many important civil suits in which he has been successful, may
be mentioned that of the Kenosha County Bank, in which Mr.
Thomas defended the stockholders, many of them citizens of
Chicago, against the attempt of the president to charge them with
fictitious liabilities involving a large amount. In this long litiga-
tion, Mr. Thomas was associated with Hon. Matt. H. Carpenter.
In criminal practice he successfully defended Miss McKee, in-
dicted for the murder of Constable McElligott, whom she shot
while, in the performance of his official duty, he was attempting
to distrain her household goods. He published, in 1S71, a treatise
entitled "Outlines of Practice in the Supreme Court," which re-
ceived very favorable comment. In the fire of 1S71, he was
entirely burned out. Subsequently, he traveled quite extensively,
and, in 1879, went abroad, visiting, during his absence, London,
Paris and other places of interest In 1872, he was the candidate
of the Liberal Republicans for State's attorney. He was a dele-
gate to the National Convention at Cincinnati, which nominated
Horace Greeley for the presidency, and stumped the State for him
in the ensuing campaign. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Law
Institute and of the Philosophical Society, being president of the
latter association. He married, in 1S60, Miss Alice Carrier, of
Calhoun County, Michigan, a sister of Professor O. M. Carrier,
of Olivet College.
General John L. Thompson was born in 1S35. in Plymouth,
N. H., the son of William C. Thompson, a noted lawyer of that
place. His grandfather, Hon. Thomas W. Thompson, was formerly
speaker of the House of Representatives of New Hampshire, and
United States Senator from that State. His father practiced law in
Salisbury, N. H., the birth-place of Daniel Webster, and it was in
his office that Webster studied law. John L. Thompson took a pre-
paratory course at Meriden, N. H., entering Dartmouth College in
1S52, and remaining two years; after which he entered Williams Col-
lege, where he continued his studies one year. He commenced the
study of the law in the office of the Hon. F. H. Dewey, in
Worcester, Mass., attending the law school at Poughkeepsie, N. Y.,
for a brief period ; and in 1S56, he entered Harvard Law School,
from which he was graduated in 185S, and during that year was ad-
mitted to the Bar in Worcester. He then went to Europe, con-
tinuing his studies at the universities of Berlin, Munich and Paris,
and returning to America in 1S60. During that year he came to
Chicago, and entered the office of Scammon, McCagg & Fuller, as
a clerk and student. At the breaking out of the Civil War, he en-
listed as a private in the Chicago Light Artillery, in which he was
afterward corporal. Returning to the East in 1S62, he was com-
missioned lieutenant in the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, and was
subsequently transferred to the 1st New Hampshire Cavalry, of
which he became colonel, and was afterward breveted brigadier-
general. Among the many engagements in which General Thomp-
son took an active part, were the battles of Front Royal, Cedar
Mountain, second battle of Bull Run, Chantilly, Fredericksburg,
Chancellorsville. Gettysburg (where his command captured a por-
tion of the rear guard of Lee's army). These battles were fought
under Generals McDowell, Pope, Burnside and Hooker. Under
General Mead, who then commanded the Army of the Potomac,
he participated in the fights at Bristow's Station and Auburn, and
was with the raids made under Generals Stoneman and Wilson. In
the valley of the Shenandoah, under Sheridan, he took part in the
battles of Fischer's Hill, Waynesboro' and Cedar Creek. He was
mustered out of service in 1865, and resumed his studies in the
office of Scammon, McCagg ff Fuller. In the spring of 1866, he
commenced the practice of his profession on his own account, and
in the following October formed the partnership, which still con-
THE BENCH AND BAR.
469
tinues, with Norman Williams, under the firm name of Williams &
Thompson. General Thompson traveled over the Rocky Mountains
and on the Pacific Coast for his health in 1SS2, and was materially
benefited by the trip. He was alderman of the city from 1S76 to
1878. In 1870, he was the Republican candidate for the State
Constitutional Convention, and is now prominently connected with
the work of the Citizens' Association of Chicago, lie was mar-
ried, in 1866, to Miss Laura Chandler, daughter of Samuel C.
Chandler, of Peacham, Vt. They have two children, Leverett and
Susan, both of whom are now being educated in this city.
Henry S. Monroe, a practising lawyer of long and high
standing in Chicago, was born in Baltimore, Md., February 9,
1829, the son of Dr. Henry and Sylvia (Thomas) Monroe. He passed
his early boyhood in Broome County, and prepared for col-
lege at Oxford, N. Y. At the end of three years he entered the
junior class of Geneva College, N. Y., graduating, in 1850, as val-
edictorian of his class. He studied law in the office Henry R. My-
gatt, of Oxford, for a time, and, after teaching school for a few
terms, was admitted to the Bar in 1S53. Mr. Monroe purchased
a few books, and at once came to Chicago, where he was ac-
quainted with Stephen A. Douglas. Encouraged by him, he
opened an office early in 1854, his first case being entitled Martin
O. Walker vs. John Frink, his client being successful. Of late,
Mr. Monroe has been largely interested in real-estate litigations.
He formed a partnership with William J. Tewkesbury in October,
1882. Mr. Monroe has been quite unfortunate in the matter of
loss by fires. In 1S71, he possessed one of the largest law libra-
ries in the Northwest, which was destroyed in the great fire. He
was also a sufferer by the Grannis Block fire in 1885. Mr. Monroe
was married in iS56|to Miss Mattie Mitchell, daughter of William
B. Mitchell, of Akron Ohio.
Edward S. Isham, of the prominent firm of Isham & Lincoln,
was born in Bennington, Vt., January 15, 1836, the son of Pierre -
pont and Samantha (Swift) Isham. On account of ill health, he
spent several years prior to 1S52 in South Carolina. During that
year, he went to Groton, Mass., where he prepared for college at
Lawrence Academy. While attending Williams College he com-
menced to read law, and after his graduation, in 1S57, he continued
his studies in his father's office. He next took a course in the law
school at Cambridge, Mass., and was admitted to the Bar at Rut-
land, Vt., in 1858. In October of that year, he came to Chicago,
and commenced practice, forming a partnership with James L.
Stark, a Vermont acquaintance. The firm of Stark & Isham was
dissolved in 1863, and Mr. Isham was elected to the Legislature
the next year. While thus serving, he was a member of the judi-
ciary committee. Soon afterward he went to Europe, remaining
abroad about two years. Upon his return he practiced alone until
1872, when, with Robert T. Lincoln, the present firm of Isham &
Lincoln was formed. Mr. Isham's practice has always been of a
high grade, being mostly confined to the chancery and Federal
courts, and he has established a reputation as one of the safest
counselors and ablest lawyers at the Bar. He was married, in 1S61,
to Miss Fannie Burch, of Little Falls, Herkimer Co., N. Y., and
has four children, two sons and two daughters.
Robert T. Lincoln, the only surviving son of Abraham
Lincoln and Mary (Todd) Lincoln, was born at Springfield, 111.,
on August I, 1843. From early childhood his parents gave him
a thorough education. When seven years of age he was sent to
the academy of Mr. Estabrook, in Springfield, and after remaining
there three years, entered the Illinois State University, at Spring-
field. He also attended Phillips' Academy, Exeter, N. H., and
Harvard College, graduating from the latter institution in 1864.
Entering the Harvard Law School, he left in February. 1865, to
accept a commission in the United States army, as captain and as-
sistant adjutant-general on General Grant's staff. Shortly after
the surrender of General Lee, he resigned, and commenced the
study of law in Chicago, being admitted to the Bar in 1S67. As
the junior member of the firm of Scammon & Lincoln, he at once
commenced the practice of his profession, but the partnership be-
ing soon dissolved, he continued in practice alone until 1872, when
he went to Europe for six months. Upon his return he formed the
partnership with Edward S. Isham, which has continued ever since.
In 1876, Mr. Lincoln was appointed supervisor of South Chicago,
.ind in 1SS0, represented Cook County in the Illinois State Conven-
tion at Springfield, which nominated delegates to the Chicago Na-
tional Convention. He was chosen one of the electors on the Re-
publican ticket for the State. Early in the year, he was appointed
by the governor one of the trustees of the Illinois Central Railroad.
His greatest honor, however, came to him upon the accession of
Tames A. Garfield to the presidency, when, as a tribute to his abil-
ity and sterling qualities, and as a graceful acknowledgment that
his father's memory was still green in the hearts of the people, he
was appointed Secretary of War. His administration of the affairs
of the department was marked by decision and breadth of view.
During the choice of President Arthur's successor his name was
repeatedly mentioned for second place upon the National ticket.
Not alone for the sake of his beloved father, but for his own worth,
is Mr. Lincoln esteemed and honored by his associates, his clients
and his friends.
Oliver Harvey Horton is senior member of the firm of
Horton, Hoyne & Saunders. He removed to Chicago from New
York, in May, 1855, when nineteen years of age, and, after en-
gaging in various commercial pursuits for the succeeding five years,
commenced the study of law with Hoyne, Miller & Lewis, in June,
i860. From that time until the present, as law student and part-
ner, he has been connected with Thomas Hoyne and Thomas M.
Hoyne, in the same office in which he is now located. It is doubt-
ful whether as much can be said of any other lawyer in the city of
Chicago. Mr. Horton was born in Cattaraugus County, New
York, October 20, 1835, his father, Harvey W. Horton, being a
Baptist clergyman and a native of Vermont. He received his edu-
cation at home and in the academy at Kingsville, Ohio, soon after
which he came to Chicago. He was admitted to the Bar in 1S62,
and, in 1863, having taken a partial course in the University of
Chicago, he graduated from that institution with honor. Mr. Hor-
ton was associated with Thomas Hoyne and Benjamin F. Ayer
from Tanuary, 1S64, until 1865, the firm name being Hoyne, Ayer
& Horton. During the latter year, Mr. Ayer withdrew and the
partnership of Hoyne & Horton was formed, which continued until
Tanuary 1, 1S67, when Thomas M. Hoyne became the third mem-
ber of the firm. For twelve years. Burrows M. Saunders has been
connected with the firm, and in 1S81 became a member of it.
Since the death of Thomas Hoyne, in July, 18S3, the firm has con-
sisted of O. H. Horton, Thomas M. Hoyne and Mr. Saunders.
Mr. Horton has for many years been acknowledged to be among
the leading members of his profession, and has been honored with
important positions. He was for many years, and still is, an ac-
tive trustee of the Northwestern University and president of the
joint board of management of the Law School; also a prominent
member of the Bar Association and Law Institute, having been
president of the latter, treasurer during the trying period of the fire,
and for many years a member of the executive committee. Mr.
Horton has been actively and prominently identified with the
Young Men's Christian Association, of which he has been vice-
president, a member of the board of management, and chairman of
the lecture committee. For fifteen years he was a trustee of the
Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now an officer of the
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1880, he was sent as a
lay delegate to the General Conference at Cincinnati, and, in 1S81,
to the (Ecumenical Conference held in London, Mr. Horton being
one of the twenty laymen who represented this country in that
grand body.
Thomas Maclay Hoyne, the second son of Thomas and Le-
onora (Temple) Hoyne, was born at Galena, III, July 17, 1S43.
During the next year, his parents returned to Chicago. He grad-
uated from the high school, and, in 1S66, from the law department
of the Northwestern University. Mr. Hoyne at once commenced
practice, and, in 1S67, became a member of the firm of Hoyne,
Horton & Hoyne. He is still connected with Mr. Horton, the
firm being Horton, Hoyne & Saunders. Mr. Hoyne was the first
president of the Chicago Democratic Club, which subsequently
was transformed into the Iroquois. He has never been an active
politician, the only position to which he has ever been nominated
(and that was an unwelcome surprise to him) being the supervisor-
ship of the South Town, which office had formerly been held by
Robert T. Lincoln. Mr. Hoyne married Miss Jeannie T. Maclay,
daughter of Moses I!. Maclay, a prominent lawyer of New York.
The family was originally one of the most substantial in Scotland,
and among its representatives in New York City was William B.
Maclay, an uncle of Mrs. Hoyne, and a member of Congress, who
greatly assisted Thomas Hoyne as a struggling youth. In the
family of Rev. Archibald Maclay, one of the most brilliant Baptist
divines who ever preached in America, Thomas Hoyne resided for
a time. It was in grateful remembrance of this early friendship
that Mr. Hoyne received from his father the name Maclay. While
Mr. Hoyne has not confined his practice to any special branch of
the law, he has, perhaps, been better known in real estate law and
chancery practice.
Hon. Francis A. Hoffman was born in Herford. Westpha-
lia, Prussia, in 1S22. He received a classical education and training
at the Royal Frederick William Gymnasium. Emigrating from
Prussia he arrived in New York in September. 1S40. He shortly
afterward came to Chicago, and found employment as a teacher
of a German school, at Downer's Grove. While thus engaged, he
studied theology under the auspices of the German Lutheran Synod
of Michigan, and was subsequently ordained and placed over the
congregation at Dunkly's Grove. While pastor, he was also for a
time editor of the Illinois Staats Zeitung, then a weekly paper.
Mr. Hoffman also edited a missionary monthly, published at Ann
Arbor, Mich., and frequently wrote for the Chicago Democrat,
47°
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
published bv John Wentworth. In 1S42, he was a delegate from
Du Page County to the celebrated river and harbor convention at
Chicago. In 1S47. he was placed in charge of the German Lutheran
Church at Schaumburg, Cook County. He removed to Chicago
in 1852, entering the law office of Calvin DeW'olf as student.
Soon he became active in local politics, and was elected alderman for
the Eighth Ward in iS;3. After being admitted to the Bar. he opened
an office for the practice of law, and entered into real estate opera-
tions, in which he greatly prospered. He published, annually, a
report of the mercantile, industrial and financial interests of Chi-
cago, and had thousands of copies distributed in Germany and
Switzerland, He was appointed consul for several of the govern-
ments of Germany. In 1S54, he opened a banking house, meeting
with great success, but owing to the panic caused by the Rebellion, in
1S61 the house of Hoffman 6c Gelpcke, like numerous others, was
forced to make an assignment. In 1S56, he was elected lieutenant-
governor. He filled that office from 1S61 to 1865, and worked
hand in hand with Governor Yates in the military preparations and
the multitude of other public services of those momentous years.
Mr. Hoffman was nominated as a candidate for Lincoln presiden-
tial elector, by the Republican Convention, in 1S64. He was
intrusted with the chief management of the campaign, as far as the
Germans were concerned, and traveled many miles, making a host of
speeches. He was commissioner of the foreign land department of
the Illinois Central Railroad Company, from 1S62 to 1866, and was
instrumental in inducing thousands of German families to settle in
the central part of the State. At the request of German capitalists,
the Internationa! Bank of Chicago was organized by Mr. Hoffman,
and he was its president and cashier for several years. After the
fire, he was president of the bankers' committee, and greatly
through his labors the plan was adopted by which accounts were
to be "opened and deposits received. By this prompt action, a gen-
eral panic was undoubtedly averted. In 1S75, Mr. Hoffman
retired from business, and is now residing on his model farm in
[efferson. Wis. He there conducts his agricultural operations
with the same system and ability which have marked his efforts
in so manv walks of life. His contributions to agricultural journals
are also considered of great practical value. Mr. Hoffman was
married in 1S44, to Miss Cynthia Gilbert, an American lady.
Their children, now living, are Francis A., Jr., of the law firm of
Brandt & Hoffman, Chicago ; Julius C , who was educated in the
best medical universities of Berlin and Vienna, and at Rush Medical
College, but now retired from practice, and living at Jefferson ;
G. Adolph, physician in charge of the Cook County Infirmary ;
and Gilbert, a farmer of Jefferson.
George W. Smith was born in Brooklyn, N. V., January 8,
1837. At the Albany (N. Y.) Academy he attended school from
184S to 1854. with the exception of a year which he spent in the
office of the Benton i Albany Railroad Company. In 1S54, he
went to Helena, Ark , to teach school. The enterprise was aban-
doned, but Mr Smith, not to be out-done, established a school of
about fifty scholars, twelve miles out in the country, and taught it
about one year. In the spring of iSg6, he returned to Albany and
commenced the study of law- in the office of John H. Reynolds ;
he also took a full course at the Albany Law School. He removed
to Chicago in 1S5S, and opened a law office at No. 10 South Clark
Street In 1862, he raised a company, in which he enlisted, and
which was recruited largely in Tonica, LaSalle County, and along
the Illinois Central Line. He was elected captain, thecompany,
" A." being assigned to the 88th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Cap-
tain Smith served with that organization until he was mustered out,
being absent only when wounded, and not missing one of the en-
gagements in which it participated. He was promoted major in
ad lieutenant-colonel in 1S64 ; was breveted colonel for meri-
torious services at l-'ranklin, and brigadier-general for the fine record
he made during the War. When his regiment was mustered out,
Colonel Smith returned to engage in the practice of his profession,
to which he has since confined himself, with the exception of the
•ears 1867 and 1868, when he served as State treasurer of Illinois.
EDWARD G. ASAY, son of John and Eliza Asay, was born in
Philadelphia, on .September 17, 1825. He received his education
in the private schools of his native city. He was, in his early man-
hood, an active minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
was engaged in itinerant work in the South for some time prior to
which time, although in good standing, he resigned his
ministry, and began the study of law in New York, where, at the
same time he engaged in literary pursuits, contributing to the lead-
ing periodicals, and becoming favorably known among the litterateurs
of the city. Early in the spring of 1 8 55, he was admitted to the Bar,
and, in : • " cago and entered into the practice of
his profession, where he soon attained high rank as an advocate and
pleader, especially in criminal cases, in which department he has
few superiors among the members of the Chicago liar. He has,
in later years, confined himself largely to office work in commercial
law cases. Eor thirty years he has been in continuous and success-
ful practice in Chicago, except while abroad. He has throughout
that long period retained his literary tastes, and, as a bibliophile, is
widely known, both in this country and in Europe His library is
one of the best and largest private collections of rare books in the
country. He is the pioneer book-collector of Chicago, and is an
unerring judge of rare books, for which he still keeps up an untiring
search. His collection contains upwards of one thousand eight
hundred volumes, many illustrated and printed on vellum. Among
his pet books may be mentioned a set of Robert Burns in twelve
volumes, profusely illustrated with portraits and views, and contain-
ing twenty of the originals of as many of his songs and ballads,
besides forty-seven letters of various members of the Burns family.
Mr. Asay visited Europe in the spring of 1S71, and remained abroad
two years. He re-visited Europe in 18S2, making an extended
tour through Russia and Spain. He has been an Odd Fellow for
thirty years, and has taken all the Masonic degrees to the thirty-
second. He is at present a member of Apollo Commandery, No.
1, K.T., and of Oriental Consistory, 32°, S.P.R.S., of Chicago.
He married, in 1S49, Emma C. Oliver, daughter of James C. Oliver,
of Pottsville, Penn. They have four children, — one daughter,
Madeleine ; and three sons, W. C, a lawyer, in partnership with
his father, and E. G. and James F., engaged in manufacturing pur-
suits in Chicago.
George E. Adams was born in Keene, N. H., in June, 1840,
the son of Benjamin F. and Louisa (Redington) Adams. In
1S53, his parents removed to Chicago. Prior to this date he had
received a common and high school education, and when he was
sixteen years of age he entered Harvard College, and after pursuing
a full course was graduated in i860. He studied at the Dana Law
School, Cambridge, Mass., and, after graduating, was admitted to
the Bar in 1865. Since that date, Mr. Adams has built up an ex-
ceptionally good practice in his profession. Not alone has he
achieved distinction in the legal profession, but, in November, 1S80,
he was elected by the voters of the Sixth Senatorial District to re-
present them in the Legislature. This position he occupied until
March 3, 1883, when he resigned, in order to avail himself of his
election to the forty-eighth Congress. He was elected on the Re-
publican ticket; and this election testifies, as nothing else probably
could, his popularity, as his opponent on the Democratic ticket was
judge Lambert Tree, who is without doubt as personally popular
and of as high legal standing as any citizen of Chicago. But the
election was a question between two contending forces, probably of
equal legal and personal merits, but the politics of Mr. Adams de-
cided the question in his favor. In November, 1S84, he was elected,
without the least difficulty, for a second congressional term. In
1871, he was married to Miss Adele Foster, daughter of Dr. John
H. Foster, for many years one of the most prominent and honored
citizens of Chicago. They have three children — Franklin Everett,
Isabel and Margaret.
Harvey B. Hurd was born February 14, 1828, in Hunting-
ton, Fairfield Co., Conn. Until he was fourteen years of age, he
lived upon his father's farm, picking up such scraps of knowledge as
he could, and. in Mav, 1842, he entered the office of the Bridgeport
Standard to learn the mysteries of the art preservative. In the
spring of 1S44, he went to New York, working for a time with
Gould & Banks, the law-book publishers. The boy had the honor
cf " setting up " Daniel Webster's brief in the famous Girard case,
and it is thought that in this way he obtained his first inspiration
to become a lawyer. He returned to Bridgeport in the fall of 1S44,
and the same fall, with ten other young men, he started for Jubilee
College, Peoria Co., 111. Heremoved to Chicago, arriving on Janu-
ary 7, 1846, the possessor of only fifty cents in cash. The propri-
etor of the Illinois Exchance sheltered him until he obtained
employment with the Evening Journal. He afterward worked in
the office of the Prairie Farmer, and then studied law with Calvin
DeWolf, being admitted to the Bar in 1848. The next year he
formed a partnership with Carlos Haven, afterward State's attor-
ney; then with Henry Snapp, late a member of Congress; and in
1S50 associated himself with A. J. Brown, their business being
principally in the real estate line. Becoming proprietors of two
hundred and forty-eight acres of land, they laid it out as a part of
Evanston, Mr. Hurd being among the first to locate there, in the
fall of 1855. At this time, and long afterward, he was a vigorous
anti-slavery agitator. He was a member of the Buffalo Convention
of 1856, and of the committee that formed the plan of organization.
In 1862, Mr. Hurd formed a partnership with Henry Booth, late
judge of the circuit court and lecturer in the law department of
the University of Chicago. In 1868, he withdrew from the firm,
with the intention of retiring from practice. In April, 1S69, he
was appointed one of the three commissioners to revise the general
statutes of the State. One of his co-workers was soon thereafter
sent to the Legislature, and the other, after serving for a time,
withdrew from the laborious task, leaving Mr. Hurd to finish it
alone, which he accomplished with the adjournment of the XXVIII
General Assembly, in April, 1874. This Assembly appointed him
THE BENCH AND BAR.
47>
to prepare and edit the State edition of 1S74. ITe has since edited
the four editions published by the Legal News Company. In 1S75,
he was elected to a Chair in the Union College of Law, as Profes-
sor of Pleadings, Practice, and Common and Statutory Law. He
continues in the general practice of his profession. Mr. Hurd was
married, in May, 1S53, to Cornelia A. Milliard, daughter of Cap-
tain Tames H. Milliard, of Middletown, Conn. In November,
1S60, he was married a second time to Sarah G. , the widow of
George Collins, of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. llurd have two living
children — Eda I., the wife of George S. Lord, and Nellie, the wife
of John Comstock.
Elliott Anthony is by birth a Quaker, and is descended
from a long line of ancestors of that faith. He was born in
Onondaga County, New York, June 10, 1827. In 1S45, Elliott
went to Cortland Academy, where he fitted for college, and, in the
fall of 1S47, entered Hamilton College. There he spent three
years, graduating in 1850, with high honors. He immediately
commenced the study of law with Prof. T. W. Dwight, now the
head of the Columbia College Law School in the city of New
York. In May, 1851, he was admitted to the Bar of New York.
In June he came West, and spent one year at Sterling, 111. He
returned East in July following, and on the 14th of that month was
united in marriage to Mary Dwight, a granddaughter of President
Dwight, of Yale College, and sister of Prof. T. Vv . Dwight above
mentioned. In November, he took up his abotle in Chicago, with
the outfit of a brave and noble wife, a copy of Blackstone's Com-
mentaries, and eight dollars in his pocket. With the aid of his
wife, in two years, he prepared and published a Digest of the Illi-
nois Reports. In four years after, he was elected city attorney and
then corporation counsel. He was one of the principal promoters
of the Law Institute, drawing up the charter, and taking it to
Springfield, and having it passed ; and largely through his efforts
the Bar of the City of Chicago is indebted for the magnificent
library to which hundreds now resort. In 1S5S or 1S59, he was
appointed general solicitor of the Galena & Chicago Union Rail-
road, which position he held until that corporation became consol-
idated with the Chicago & North-Western Railway Company. When
that took place, Mr. Anthony was employed by the non-consenting
stockholders and bondholders, and engaged in a litigation to break
up the consolidation. He prepared a work embodying the law
upon the subject of Consolidation of Railroad Companies, which
was a masterly presentation of the subject. The case was argued
before fudge Davis of the United States Supreme Court and Judge
Treat of Springfield, and resulted in favor of Mr. Anthony's
clients. Mr. Anthony early took a part in the formation of the
Republican party, and for more than a quarter of a century has
been a leader in that organization. He has twice been elected to
constitutional conventions called by the people to revise the Consti-
tution of the State — the first time in 1S62 and the last in 1869-70.
In the last he took a conspicuous part, and was chairman of the ex-
ecutive committee that framed the article in our present Constitu-
tion relating to the executive department. In 1880, he engaged
in the great contest in this State over the election of delegates to
the National Republican Convention, was selected a delegate to
that convention, and aided in the nomination of General Garfield to
the office of President. In November of that year he was elected
judge of the Superior Court of this city by a large majority. From
the very first day that he took his seat upon the Bench until the pres-
ent time, he has devoted himself to the duties of the office with the
most untiring zeal and constant study. Judge Anthony has been
identified with many of the public improvements of Chicago, such
as the establishments of graded streets, water works, public parks,
public library and cemeteries. In 1876, he was called again to the
position of corporation counsel under Mayor Heath, and took a con-
spicuous part at that time in the great reform movement in connec-
tion with the late lamented Thomas Hoyne. At the time of the
great fire he had, in addition to a large library, a choice miscellane-
ous library of over three thousand volumes, about one-half of which
he saved by burying them in his garden, although most of his illus-
trated books and encyclopedias were burned, judge Anthony has
been twice married — his first wife dving in the year 1862, and his
second wife, who was a sister of his first, dying in May, 1S70. By
his first wife he had four children — a daughter of rare accomplish-
ments, who died while on a visit to Europe when grown to woman-
hood, and three sons, one now a practicing lawyer in Chicago,
one a student of medicine at the Berlin University, Germany, and
the youngest a member of the class of 18S5. in Amherst College.
Judge Anthony belongs to the second generation of pioneers in
Chicago, whose progress has been aided so much by the energy
and enlightened wisdom of her settlers.
Charles A. Dupee, son of Jacob and Lydia (Wetherbee) Du-
pee, was born May 22, 1831, in West Rrookfield, Mass. Having
received his preparatory education at the academy in Monson and
at Williston Seminary, East Hampton, Mass., he entered Yale
College in 1850, and graduated, with honors, in the class of
1854. He came to Chicago in November of the same year,
and became principal of Edwards Academy, where he taught
six months. He then spent some months in travel. On his return
to Chicago, in the fall of 1S55, he was appointed principal of one
of the public schools, holding that position one year. When the
Chicago High School was established in [8;6, it was placed in
charge of Mr. Dupee. Under his supervision the institution was
organized, and a course of study inaugurated which has stood the
test of twenty-live years, with only slight changes. In addition to
the faithful performance of the duties of principal, he wrote and
published much on educational topics, and was the editor of the
Illinois Teacher, a monthly periodical devoted to educational inter-
ests. He also began his preliminary law studies. In 1S60, he re-
signed, and entered the Harvard Law School at Cambridge, Mass.,
subsequently completed his studies in the office of Gallup & Hitch-
cock, Chicago, and was admitted to the Bar, by the Supreme Court
of Illinois, in 1861. At that time he was tendered the presidency
of the State Normal School of Illinois, and also the Latin profes-
sorship in Chicago University, both of which situations he declined.
Immediately after his admission, he began the practice of his
chosen profession. In 1862, he formed his first law partnership
with Jacob A. Cram, under the firm name of Dupee & Cram. This
firm was dissolved in 1864, and Mr. Dupee became a member of
the firm of Hitchcock, Dupee & Evarts. On the retirement of Mr.
Evarts in 1872, the firm became Hitchcock & Dupee. In 1876,
Noble P. Judah was admitted, and the style changed to Hitch-
cock, Dupee & Judah. On the death of Mr. Hitchcock, which oc-
curred May 6, 1SS1, the business was continued by the surviving
partners under the name of Dupee & Judah, afterward as Dupee,
Judah & Willard. In- his professional career, Mr. Dupee has at-
tained high rank as an able lawyer and safe counselor. He mar-
ried, in December, 1863, Miss Jennie Wells, daughter of Henry G.
Wells, an early settler of Chicago. She died January 22, 1SS1.
On March 27, 1SS3, he married Miss Bessie B. Nash, of Mack-a-
cheek, Ohio. He has five children.
Chari.es Carroll Bonney, son of Jethro May and Jane C.
(Lawton) Bonney, was born September 4, 1S31, at Hamilton, N.
Y. His father owned a fertile and beautiful farm in the vicinity
of the village, situated on what is still known as Bonney Hill.
There, voung Bonney spent his youth, working on the farm, and
attending the public schools, Hamilton Academy, and lectures at
Madison University. He subsequently taught common and aca-
demic schools in New York and Illinois until he was twenty-one.
He studied law while engaged in teaching, and was ready for ad-
mission to the Bar before attaining his majority. He came to Illi-
nois September 28, 1850; located at Peoria on October 15 of that
year; was admitted to the Bar of Illinois September 23, 1852;
and to that of the United States Supreme Court January 5, 1866.
Fiom 1S50 to 1S54, he took a leading part in the work of estab-
lishing the present educational system of Illinois, delivering many
addresses, and actively participating in the proceedings of more
than twenty educational conventions and societies in that period
Through his instrumentality, the first State educational convention
was called. He was one of the officers in a State Teachers' Institute,
and a frequent writer on educational topics. Immediately after
his admission to the Bar, he commenced the practice of his profes-
sion, which he has continued, with increasing success, until the
present time. On September 12, i860, he removed to Chicago,
where he rapidlv attained high rank at the Chicago Bar, both for
abilitv and extraordinary knowledge in the varied departments of
law embraced in his extensive practice. Space does not permit
even a cursory mention of the many important cases in which he
has been engaged. In the midst of his arduous professional duties,
Mr. Bonney has found time for the performance of much merito-
rious literary work, in legal, political, financial, and general litera-
ture. The following is but a meagre list of his published works :
Treatises on " The Law of Railway Carriers " and " The Law of
Insurance "; essavs on "The Rights of Married Women to Hold
Personal Property," " The Doctrine of Insanity in the Criminal
Law," " The Powers of Courts and Legislature- over the Railroad
Question," "Characteristics of a Great Lawyer," "The True
Province of Government, " " The True Doctrine of the Tariff," etc.
etc. He also edited the poetical works of the late Judge Arring-
ton. Mr. Bonney was elected president of the Illinois State liar
Association in January, 1SS2, and. in the following August, was
elected vice-president of the American Bar Association, for Illi-
nois, succeeding Hon. David Davis in that position. Mr. Bonney
has never sought or held political office, but has, since 1S52. taken
an active interest in State and National politics, and has won a
reputation in the various campaigns in which he has taken part, as
an eloquent, logical and convincing speaker. Prior to the Rebellion
he was a Democrat ; during the War, an ardent " War Democrat";
and, since the close of the War, an Independent. He has been
president of the Chicago Library Association, and was the author
of the agitation which resulted in the establishment of the Chicago
472
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Free Public Library. He was, for several years, one of the mana-
gers of the Chicago Athenanim, ami was one of the founders of
the Chicago Literary Club. Mr. Bonney has been for several years
an active member and officer of the Chicago Law and Order League
for the enforcement of the laws forbidding the sale of liquors to
minors, and has also taken active part in other departments of tem-
perance work. In religious faith, Mr. Bonney is a New Churchman,
and has been active as a Bible-class teacher and as president of the
State Sundav-school Association. He married, August 16, 1855,
at Troy, N. Y., Miss Lydia Pratt; they have four surviving chil-
dren—two sons and two daughters. Mr. Bonney's public services
will be further noticed in our next volume, in connection with the
important public movements in which he has been engaged, and
which will there be treated.
William FlTZHUGH WHITEHOUSK, for over twelve years a
member of the law firm of Judd & Whitehouse, is a son of the late
bishop. He is a graduate of Columbia College. Afterward, he
became a member of the firm of Walker & Dexter, and, in January,
1S73, associated himself with S. Corning Judd. The partnership
continued until May, 1SS5, when, on account of Mr. Judd's ap-
pointment as postmaster, it was dissolved. Of late years, Mr.
Whitehouse's headquarters have been in New York City, where, on
behalf of his firm, he has built up a large business among railway
companies, also represented important foreign interests in this line
of corporate practice.
FREDERICK HAMrnF.N Winston was born in Liberty County,
Georgia, November 21, 1S30, being the son of Rev. Mr. Winston,
a Presbyterian clergyman, and a graduate of Hamilton College and
the Princeton Theological Seminary. On account of ill-health, his
father removed to Georgia, where he married Miss Mary Mcin-
tosh, daughter of General Mcintosh. In 1836, Mr. and Mrs.
Winston removed to Kentucky, where they both died soon after-
ward, leaving their son to carve out his own career. There he
remained until his eighteenth year, when he returned to Georgia,
and engaged in the manufacture of cotton. This occupation not
being congenial to his active mind, Mr. Winston decided to study
law, and received his preliminary training in the office of William
C. Dawson, United States Senator. He afterward took a course
in the Dana Law School of Harvard University, from which he
graduated in 1S52, and completed his legal education with William
M. Everts. During the early portion of the next year, he was ad-
mitted to practice, and removed to Chicago in the spring, forming
a partnership with Norman B. Judd. The firm of Judd & Winston
continued in successful practice until Mr. Judd was, by President
Lincoln, appointed United States minister to Berlin. He next be-
came associated with Judge Blodgett, who remained his partner
until he was elevated to the Bench. The firm of Lawrence, Win-
ston, Campbell & Lawrence was then formed. In December,
1S79, F. S. Winston, Jr., and Chester M. Dawes associated them-
selves with F. H. Winston; but when Mr. Dawes was elevated to
the judgeship of the United States District Court, he withdrew
from the firm, and R. N. Rhodes became a member. Mr. Win-
ston's practice has been remarkably successful, most of his profes-
sional labors being with large corporations, especially railroads.
For fifteen years he was general solicitor of the Pittsburgh, Fort
Wayne & Chicago Railroad. He is president of the Lincoln Park
commissioners, and largely interested in real estate. Mr. Win-
ston is considered one of the ablest men in his party in Illinois, having
repeatedly been urged to allow his name to be used on the Demo-
cratic ticket for congressional and municipal honors, but he has
steadfastly declined to accept any reward for his effective services.
He was married, in 1854, to Maria G. Dudley, daughter of General
Ambrose Dudley, of Frankfort, Ky. They have six children —
Frederick S., Jr., the present corporation counsel; Lillie, the wife of
Thomas W. Grover; Dudley W., a student at Yale College; Ber-
tram, Marie W. and Ralph.
John Mattocks, a well-known lawyer, is a man of strong in-
tellect and broad views. Inheriting a comprehensive mind from a
family of professional men in the Green Mountain State, and pos-
the advantages of early training, he stands high in his
Me is the son of Rev. John and Mary Elizabeth
(Brewer) Mattocks, and was born at Keeseville, Clinton Co., N.
V., August 13, 1539. He obtained a classical education at Keese-
ville, Academy, and at seventeen entered the office of Hon. George
A Simmon^, a celebrated lawyer of that place, and applied himself
to study until 1 8 59, when he came to Chicago and was admitted to
the Bar in that year. In 1866, a law partnership was formed with
Edward '•. Mason, under the firm name of Mattocks & Mason,
which continued until 1881, when Mr. Mattocks became associated
with his brother and present partner, Walter Mattocks. His busi-
-f an extended character, embracing that of Eastern estates
and corporations, all of which have the utmost confidence in him,
as evidenced by the large sums that pass through his hands without
other security than his high personal honor, lie is a safe coun-
selor, with a well-balanced judgment and a keen foresight. As a
jury lawyer, Mr. Mattocks is earnest and logical, and, when
aroused, vehement and eloquent. As a judge of human nature, he
is rarely mistaken; and, while usually communicative and congen-
ial, is at times unceremonious and abrupt. In politics a Democrat,
he has friends in both parties. To his perseverance and friend-
ship, many are indebted for the offices they now fill, and scores
from his native county occupy positions through his aid and
influence. Mr. Mattocks has twice been a candidate for public
office: in 18S0, when he was defeated for Congress in the First
District (overwhelmingly Republican), and the following year,
when he was elected to the board of Cook County commissioners,
which for many years had no Democratic representation. During
his tenure of the latter office he made a vigorous battle in behalf of
hospital reform — involving the present extensive additions to the
County Hospital for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases — the
present jury system, and the new Insane Asylum, now being
erected (with a capacity for one thousand patients). All these
measures originated with Mr. Mattocks, and potently attest the
public services rendered by him while, for three years, a county
commissioner. Mr Mattocks is now solelv engaged in the prac-
tice of his profession. His financial ability is indicated by the
fact that he has accumulated a handsome property. He was mar-
ried, March 15, 1868, to Sarah F. Harris, daughter of the late Jacob
Harris, of Chicago. They have three children — John, Elizabeth
and Esther.
Joseph W. Merriam, of the firm of Merriam & Whipple, was
born in Coos County, N. II., June 14, 1828. After receiving an
academic education, and reading law with Messrs. Burns &
Fletcher, in Lancaster, for three years, he was admitted to the Bar
in 1854, and started for Kansas, by way of Washington. This,
however, is as far as he then got toward the West; for he received
an appointment in the Post-office Department, which he held for
about three years, returning to New Hampshire in 1S57, and con-
necting himself with the New Hampshire Patriot, the leading
paper of the State. He found his Washington experience and
acquired knowledge of men and affairs of great value to him, and
displayed rare talents as a political writer. In the fall of 1859, he
was solicited by E. G. Eastman, a former friend and native of New
Hampshire, then a resident of Nashville, Tenn., and principal
editor and proprietor of the Union and American, the leading
Democrat paper in Tennessee, to go with him to Nashville for the
purpose of buying the interest of one of his partners; but the plan
miscarried, and the young man at once connected himself, as one
of its editors and proprietors, with the Memphis Avalanche. In
i860, however, on account of its secession proclivities, he severed
his connection with this paper, and commenced the practice of his
profession at Memphis, where he continued until in April, 1861,
when, finding secession flags were too plentiful, he started for the
North, embarking on board the very last steamer allowed to pass
Columbus. Stopping at Grinnell, Iowa, for one year, he removed
to Chicago in 1862, and formed a partnership with Solomon M.
Willson, under the firm name of Willson & Merriam, afterward
associating himself with Amos S. Alexander. The partnership of
Merriam & Alexander continued fourteen years, after which, Mr.
Merriam practiced alone until 18S0, when he formed, with John H.
Whipple, the present firm of Merriam & Whipple. Previous to 1SS0,
Mr. Mcriam's practice had been mainly general in its character,
but, since that time, and especially within the past three years, he
has made patent law the leading feature.
Wirt Dexter was born in Dexter, Michigan, about 1833,
and is a descendant of distinguished ancestry. His grandfather,
Samuel Dexter, of Boston, Mass., was one of the greatest lawyers
of his time, and was Secretary of the Treasury during the last year
of the presidency of John Adams. Wirt Dexter's father, Samuel,
was at one time territorial judge of Michigan, and a good lawyer,
as was Samuel's brother, Franklin. Wirt Dexter commenced his
education in the common schools of his vicinity, and attended, for
some time, the Ann Arbor University, after which, he became a
student in an eastern college. From there, he returned to Michigan,
and engaged in the lumber business in the northern part of the
State, but, deciding that Chicago was a better arena for his abilities,
he came to this city in 1865, and entered the office of Sedgwick &
Walker, attorneys. He was admitted to the Bar in 1866, and sub-
sequently formed a partnership with Mr. Walker,* the firm name
being Walker & Dexter. After Mr. Walker's death, he formed a
partnership with Herrick & Allen, the firm name being Dexter,
Herrick & Allen; which co-partnership has existed until the present
time. After the death of Mr. Walker, Mr. Dexter became general
solicitor of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and he
still retains that position. Coming into a large and lucrative
practice early in his professional life, he had not the time to devote
to wide an 1 general reading in the learning of his profession that
less fortunate students often have, but his natural legal mind and
line reasoning powers easily made him the master of all the learn-
* Sec Uailrnad History.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
473
ing belonging to any special case. His mind belongs to the order
of statesmen rather than of lawyers, which, with his superior busi-
ness qualifications, renders his advice and assistance of great value
in the wide-reaching and multiplex interests of great corporations.
Mr. Dexter has been the president, for a number of years, of the
Chicago Relief and Aid Society, and has given much of his time
and assistance to it. He has never held political office, and, with
Republican bias, has been independent in his political actions.
Henry Seymour Austin, son of Thaddeus R. and Bethia
(Fairman) Austin, was born in Otsego, Otsego Co., N. Y., August
29, 1S11. Henry received his preparatory education at Hamilton
Academy, N. V., and graduated from Union College, Schenectady,
in 1S31. He commenced the study of law in the office of James
Clapp, of Oxford, and continued his studies with Charles P. Kirk-
land and Judge Bacon, of Utica. He was admitted to the Bar in
New York, in July, 1834, and began the practice of his profession
in Otsego County. In 1S35, Mr. Austin located at Farmington,
111., where he resided until the spring of 1837, when he was
appointed agent of the Des Moines Land Company, which owned
a large part of what was known as the half-breed lands, located in
Southern Iowa, and including the site and grounds of old Fort
DesMoines. Mr. Austin took his residence at the fort immediately
after his appointment. In June, 1S37, the United States troops
left the fort, leaving him and his young wife the only whites
remaining. He was custodian of the Government property and
supplies for the Sac and Fox Indians after the garrison left, until
the Indians were removed up the DesMoines River. As agent of
the land company, he laid out the town of Montrose and the
town of Keokuk, afterward being the first practicing attorney
in Keokuk. As evincing the estimation in which he is still
held, it may be stated that, at a very recent date, he received a
memorial from the citizens of Keokuk, petitioning for a portrait
of himself, to be placed in the city hall, and a biographical sketch
of his life, to be preserved in his remembrance as father of the
city, which he founded nearly half a century ago. In conse-
quence of the declining health of his wife, he gave up his
agency in 1S39, and removed to Farmington, Fulton Co., 111.,
where he resumed the practice of his profession. There he lived
thirteen years, and gained a wide reputation as a successful and
skillful lawyer. During this period, he was for several years a civil
magistrate, and in 1846-47, represented the counties of Fulton
and Peoria in the State Legislature. In 1852, he removed to
Peoria, where he continued law practice fourteen years. In 186(1,
he came to Chicago, continuing his practice until 1870. at which
time he was appointed justice of the peace for the town of West
Chicago, being one of the first appointees under the new Constitu-
tion of that year. He served four years, but declined to petition
for a re-appointment. He is an Odd Fellow and a Mason of high
standing. He was representative in 1S54-55, to the Grand Ledge
of Independent Order of Odd Fellows of the United States; and,
as a Mason, he held the office of Thrice Potent of the Lodge of
Perfection, in the A. & A. S. R , from 1S69 to 1S75. He is now
a member of Hesperia Lodge, No. 411. He is identified with the
Fpiscopal Church, and for twenty years he was a delegate to var-
ious Episcopal Conventions. He married, in May, 1S37, Miss
Mary Aiken, of Peoria, 111., who died in 1S39. In 1S40, he mar-
ried Miss Catharine J. Barnard, of Troy, N. Y. They have three
sons and one daughter.
George W. Stanford was born February 21, 1833, at
Wheeler. Steuben County, N. Y., his father, Charles Stanford,
being a farmer. When he had reached his majority, he left the
old homestead, going to St. Paul, Minn., where, in 1S54, he com-
menced the study of law. In 1S55, he removed to Kenosha, Wis.,
continuing his studies in the office of Orson S. Head, until June,
1S56, being then admitted to the Bar. After practicing alone for
two years, he entered into partnership with Jasper D. Ward, since
elected a member of Congress. When Mr. Ward removed to Colo-
rado, in 1S76, the partnership was, of course, dissolved. Mr.
Stanford was, for years, closely and prominently identified with the
park and boulevard system, being president of the West Chicago
park commissioners from 1S69 to 1S77. During all of this period
he was also their attorney. In 1857, Mr. Stanford was married to
Martha P. Allen, of Herkimer County, N. Y. She died in 1869,
and he was married to Lvdia C. Avery.
James H. Ward, a prominent lawyer of this city and repre-
sentative in the XLVIII Congress from the Third Illinois district,
was born in Chicago, November 30, 1853, at the paternal home-
stead, located at the corner of Halsted and Madison streets, which
is now the site of Cole's Block. His father, Hugh Ward, an early
settler and one of the largest builders and contractors in the city,
died January 30, 1859; while his uncle, James Ward, was, for over
twenty years, building and supplv agent for the Board of Educa-
tion. Young Ward was educated in the public schools of Chicago,
and afterward pursued a classical course at the University of Notre
Dame, graduating from the latter institution in 1873. Shortly
thereafter, he went abroad, spending nearly a year in his travels
through Europe. Returning, he entered the Union College of
Law, in this city, and completed his course in June, 1876, being
admitted to the Bar on the succeeding 4th of July. Mr. Ward has
since enjoyed a lucrative practice, devoting himself mainly to pro-
bate and chancery matters. In April, 1S79, he was elected super-
visor and treasurer of the West Town of Chicago, his plurality
being eighteen hundred and seventy-eight. He at once inaugu-
rated a series of reforms in cutting down unnecessary expenses in
the offices of the assessors and collectors. He took up $300,000 of
the West Town bonds, which were bearing eight percent, interest,
and refunded them in five per cent, bonds, thus making an annual
saving of S9.000. He was also the means of having a clause in-
serted in the bonds by which the town could redeem them at any
time when there were sufficient funds in the treasury. In fact, his
administration of the office was marked by such ability that he won
from all, regardless of party, the warmest commendation. In 1884,
he was earnestly solicited to become a candidate to represent his
district (the Third Congressional) in Congress, and, accepting, was
easily elected in the fall of that year, his plurality being four thou-
sand eight hundred and ninety-four. At the State Convention of
of his party, held in Peoria, in June, 1884, he was nominated as
JAMES H. WARD.
one of the Cleveland and Hendricks' electors. During the last
session of the Illinois Legislature, he was the choice of many of
the members for senator, and, although he persistently declined
the honor, several votes were cast for him. It is a fact also worthy
of mention, as illustrating more forcibly the high esteem in which
he is held, that Mr. Ward has, in the offices he has filled, as well
as in the honored position he still occupies, been elected from the
district in which he was born and in which he has always lived. In
January, 1SS5, he associated himself in the practice of law with
Robert B. Kirkland, a gentleman who stands high in the legal pro-
fession, having formerlv been district attorney of Jefferson County,
Wisconsin. Mr. Ward married, October 25. 1877, Miss Agatha
St. Clair, daughter of the late Alexander St. Clair, of Chicago, a
prominent railroad man, connected, for many years, with the Ga-
lena & Chicago Union Railroad Company. They have one child
— Hugh St. Clair Ward.
L. C. PAINE Freer is one of the most venerable and highly
respected members of the Chicago Bar. lie was born in the town
of North East, Dutchess Co., N. Y., a son of Elias and Mary
(Paine) Freer. His father was a tanner and agriculturist, who set-
tled in Will County, Illinois, in 1836, where he lived and died, hon-
474
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
ored and respected for his intelligence, upright dealing and philan-
thropic deeds The history of the Freer family discloses that they
were all people of the highest esteem in the community among
whom they lived, and celebrated for their great moral worth. Mr.
Freer is pre-eminently a self-made man; his early advantages were
none too abundant, and his preliminary education was mostly ob-
tained before he was fifteen years of age, in the schools such as the
county afforded in those early days. He read law in the office of Hen-
rv Brown, an early Chicago lawyer, long since deceased, and was ad-
mitted to the Bar of Chicago in the spring of 1S40. He took no
part in politics, merely as a politician: but, in 1844, he espoused
the cause of the abolition of slavery, and was a pioneer in the anti-
slavery cause with Calvin DeWolf, Philo Carpenter and others, but
he had no personal ends in view. He commenced practice in 1S40;
and so honorable was he in all of his professional dealings, that he
succeeded in obtaining a choice clientage, and his business, though
not large, was very profitable. Being a man of excellent judgment
and business capacity, his investments and management were of
that order that they redound greatly to his honor and pecuniary ad-
vancement. He was appointed master in chancery by the late
George Manierre, judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and
an immense amount of business was transacted in that capacity by
him: an extensive amount of land litigation came before him; and
the great length of time in which he was retained in that position,
and the universal satisfaction given by him in the discharge of
these duties, indicate how ably he performed the requirements of
his office. He continued the practice of the law up to 1S80, when he
retired. In 1SS2, he traveled over Europe. He now rests upon
the laurels he has won, enjoys the fruits of a life of labor, and the
veneration, respect and good will of all who have the honor of his
acquaintance. He was married in December, 1835, to Miss Esther
Marble, who died in 1S79, and six of her children survive her. In
1880. he was married a second time, to Miss Antoinette YVhitlock.
Edmund Jussen was born in Germany, in 1830, and received
a classical education at the Jesuit College of Cologne, and, in
1*47. emigrated to America. His first settlement was at Colum-
bus, Wis., where he arrived totally ignorant of the English lan-
guage, although conversant with the Latin, Greek, French and
German. Working with his hands for his livelihood, but devoting
every spare hour to study, he soon succeeded in mastering the lan-
guage of his adopted country, and, in 1S54, after a residence of
seven years in Columbus, he commenced reading law in the office
of Hon. William T. Butler, then judge of Jefferson County, Wis. In
1857, he was admitted to the Bar, and, returning to Columbus,
commenced the practice of his chosen profession. Removing to
Madison, Wis., in 1SO0, he became law partner of Hon. James
Hopkins, subsequently United States district judge ; and, in the
fall of 1861. was elected to the Legislature from the Madison dis-
trict— a decided compliment at that time, when the growing dimen-
sions of the War made the coming session a most important one.
In the spring of 1862, Mr. Jussen entered the army as major of
the 23d Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. With his regiment he par-
ticipated in Sherman's expedition against the northern defenses of
Vicksburg; and at Chickasaw Bayou, in December, 1862, was pro-
moted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the 23d. He also took part
in the battle of Arkansas Post, in January, 1863, but was com-
pelled to resign his commission because of physical disability. On
March 23 of that year, Colonel William F. Vilas succeeded him.
In 1864, Colonel Jussen settled in Chicago, and resumed the prac-
tice of law, since which time he has won a high reputation for his
sful prosecution of prominent offenders against Government
and against public and private rights. Among the notable suits in
which he has been engaged are the so-called "whiskey-ring cases,"
the "German Savings and (German National Bank of Chicago ?'.!.
Henry ' < olonel Jussen was collector of In-
ternal Revenue for the Chicago District in 1869-71, during which
time ineffectual attempts were made by members of the ring to con-
nect him with the subsequent conspiracy. His firm resistance to
such advances resulted in his removal from office, and left his record
for integrity untarnished Colonel Jussen was married, in 1856, to
Antonie Schurz, sister of Hon. Carl Schurz. They have four chil-
dren, of whom two are married — Nancy, wife of Francis Lackner,
and Anna, wife of II. II. Anderson, both sons-in-law being lawyers.
RiH s Ki\'; was born in Ithaca, N. Y., December 24. 1822,
his father, John King, being one of the first -cttirrs of that part of
the State, and his mother, Irene (Ely) King, daughter of a pio-
neer resident of Hector, N. V. After studying medicine and
graduating from the University of the City of New York, in the
spring of 1847, he practiced that profession for a few years, but,
finding that his tastes inclined him toward the law, he entered the
office of F. O. Rogers, of Elmira, N, Y., and was admitted to the
Bar in 1S55. Removing, in 1855, to Prairie du Chien, Wis., he
there remained until 1862, when he enlisted in the 31st Wisconsin
Volunteer Infantry. Early in 1864, he was appointed by President
Lincoln commissary of subsistence, with the rank of captain, and
assigned to duty at Stephenson, Ala., where he remained from
May 1 until February, 1S65. He was commissary for the army in
the field from Knoxville to Greenville, Tenn., where Joe Johnston's
army surrendered ; keeping also a depot of army supplies at Knox-
ville, through the fall of 1S65, and then returning to Chattanooga.
Captain King was mustered out of the service and arrived home in
February, 1S66. It is an unusual statement to make — as unusual
as it is true and flattering to his ability and probity — that during
his long term of service as commissary, he never had an account
disputed. After paying his parents a short visit, he removed to
Chicago, where he has since resided, with the exception of
about a year, which he spent in Beloit, erecting a block of stores.
In the fall of 186S, he formed a partnership with Allan C. Story,
which continued for five years. Since 1S73, ne nas been alone.
He has been admitted to practice before the Bar of the United
States Supreme Court. Mr. King has been twice married; the first
time to Catherine Gardiner, daughter of George Gardiner, of
Chemung County, New York, who died in 1863. She left one son
and two daughters, one daughter having since died. In 1871, he
married Lillie Cogswell, daughter of W. A. Cogswell, of Halifax,
Nova Scotia. In politics, Mr. King is a staunch Republican, and
in religion he is an Episcopalian.
John V. LeMoyne was born in Washington County, Penn-
sylvania, November 17, 1828. His ancestors, both paternal and
maternal, emigrated from France to America, at the time of the
revolution of 1792-93. They first came to Ohio where they founded
the town of Gallipolis. His paternal grandfather, who was a
physician, moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania. There,
his father, F. Julius LeMoyne, was born ; he was educated as a
physician, and graduated at the University of Philadelphia. He
married a daughter of Colonel I. P. R. Bureau, of Gallipolis, Ohio,
an old friend ; they had eight children, one of whom is a physician
in Pittsburgh, Penn. Dr. LeMoyne was a leader in the early anti-
slavery movement, and was vice-presidential candidate on the Abo-
lition ticket, with James G. Birney, in 1844. After the War, he
endowed the LeMoyne Normal Institute at Memphis for educating
the colored people, which is still in successful operation, and also a
professorship in Washington College, and was widely known as an
advocate of cremation and the builder of the first crematory in the
United States He is now deceased. John V. LeMoyne entered
Washington College, Pennsylvania, in 1S42, graduating in the class
of 1S51, of which Hon. James G. Blaine was also a member. He
studied law at Pittsburgh, and was admitted to the Bar in February,
1852. Soon after his admission he came to Chicago, where he has
since been engaged in successful practice. Mr. LeMoyne is, in
political faith, a Democrat. In 1872 (the Greeley campaign), he
received the unanimous nomination of the Independents for mem-
ber of Congress for the Third Congressional District of Illinois.
His opponent was Hon. Charles B. Farwell. He shared the general
defeat, although leading his ticket in the canvass. In 1874, he
was re-nominated for the same position, as was his successful
opponent of two years before. At this election, his previous ad-
verse majority of three thousand seven hundred and forty was, in
the official count, as declared, reduced to one hundred and eighty-
six. In the election contest with Mr. Farwell for the seat in Con-
gress, Mr. LeMoyne was declared elected by a majority of one
hundred and six votes. Mr. LeMoyne has a great fondness for
music, and has been identified with its advancement to the high
standard it has attained in Chicago. He was one of the founders
of the old Philharmonic Society and other musical associations.
He was also president of the National Sportsmen's Association.
He married, in 1853, Miss Julia Murray, a niece of judge William
Wilkins, who was United States senator in 1831, minister to Rus-
sia during President Jackson's administration, and secretary of
war under President Polk. Mr. LeMoyne has eight children. He
and his family are influential members of the Episcopal Church.
DAVID QuiGG, senior member of the leading law firm of
Gjuigg & Tuthill, was born in Litchfield, N. II , December 17,
1834. He was prepared for Dartmouth College at the Gilmanton
Academy, and entered the former institution in 1851. Craduating,
after taking the full course, he removed to Bloomington, 111., in
1855, and studied law with Swett & Orme, of that city. For four
years previous to the opening of the War he successfully practiced
his profession. During the early part of the War he entered the
army, and, until the summer of 1862, served as second lieutenant
of his command; in February, 18(13, he was promoted major of
the 14th Illinois Cavalry, and in May, 1865, became lieutenant-
colonel. His principal service was with the Army of the Tennes-
THE BENCH AND BAR.
475
see. In August, 1864, he was taken prisoner, during one of Stone-
man's raids upon Athens, Ga., and remained in the prisons of
Charleston, S. C, and Columbia, S. C, until exchanged in March,
1S65. Colonel Quigg was mustered out of service in July, 1S65,
and at once entered the law office of Higgins S: Swett, becoming,
during the next year, a third member of the firm. The partnership
continued until 1873, when Judge Iliggins retired and the firm was
thus dissolved. Colonel Quigg then associated himself with Cyrus
Bentley, the connection continuing until 1S77. In 1878, Colonel
Richard S. Tuthill became a member of the present firm. On
April 7, 1S65, Mr. Quigg was married to Miss Francena Pike, of
Bloomington, 111. They have one child, a daughter.
William M. Johnston, member of the firm of Snowhook,
Johnston & Gray, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, February 19,
1839. His parents removed to St. Charles, Kane Co., 111., in
1845. His father was a prosperous farmer and a large contractor
for public works, being at one time engaged in the construction of
a section of the old Galena & Chicago Union Railroad. William
was educated in Kane County, and worked upon his father's land
until the War broke out, when he became at once active in the rais-
ing of volunteers, and was the organizer of a portion of a company
which afterward formed Waterhouse's battery. Before the battery
had been equipped, however, he was taken ill with malarial fever,
and did not enter the service. In the fall of 1S63, he commenced a
regular course of law in the University of Michigan, having pre-
viously studied with Judge Botsford, of Elgin, III. He graduated
in the class of 1S65, was admitted to the Bar, in the summer re-
moved to Chicago, and practiced his profession alone until after the
fire of 1S71. During that year he joined Colonel W. B. Snowhook,
Patrick W. Snowhook and George W. Gray, under the firm name
of Snowhook, Johnston & Gray and has continued in this connec-
tion since. His practice has been largely confined to the trial of
cases, and he is consequently among the best known lawyers in the
city, having probably had charge of as many suits as any one of his
length of practice in Chicago. One of the most celebrated cases in
which he has been engaged was that of Fox vs. Long, involving the
mental capacity of one Patrick Egan, a well known property owner.
Mr. Johnston, in connection with his firm, has established a large
general law business. He is noted for his ability in the trial and
management of cases, and he brings to the conduct of his business
a comprehensive knowledge of the law and a wide practical
experience. Mr. Johnston was married in 1870, to Miss Lizzie
Sanders, a native of Otsego County, N. Y., having been born at
Plainrteld Centre, the youngest child of Spicer and Harriet (Dwight)
Sanders They have four children, three sons and one daughter —
William Sanders, John Andrews, Fredererick Dwight and Helen.
Mason B. Loomis. ex-judge of Cook County, and one of the
most substantial practitioners at the Bar, was born at Harrisville
Township, Medina Co., Ohio, on April 14. 183S. In 1S54, both his
parents died. During the next year he entered Oberlin College,
in which institution he took a partial course. He came West for a
brief season, in 1S57, but returned to Ohio, and, in April, 1859, mar-
ried Miss Mary E. Ainsworth. At about the same time, he com-
menced to read law in Wooster. Ohio, and, in the spring of 1861,
was admitted to the Bar in Medina County. In September of that
year, he commenced the practice of his profession in Kankakee, 111.,
and there continued until June, 1870, when he removed to Chicago.
In the fall of 1S6S, he had been elected State's attorney of what
was the twentieth judicial circuit, his term of office being four
years; but discovering a more promising field for the exercise of his
abilities, he resigned, and came to this city, as stated, in 1870. He
at once became a member of the law firm of Runyan, Avery, Loomis
(S: Comstock, which connection continued until January, 1874,
when he formed a partnership with Charles H. Wood, late judge
of the former twentieth judicial circuit. Upon his election as judge
of Cook County, in the fall of 1877, the law partnership was dis-
solved. By an amendment to the State Constititution the four years'
term to which judge Loomis had been elected was extended one
year, so that he continued to occupy his seat upon the Bench until
December I, 1S82. He then resumed private practice, after being
associated for about a year with Charles \V. Needham.
Colonel Robert Rae is an accomplished gentleman, who is
not only a lawyer of broad comprehensive views and learned in
his profession, but a versatile genius with excellent literary talents.
He ranks high as a lawyer ; and, as a citizen, he is universally
esteemed. He was born in Philadelphia, on October 3, 1830, and
prepared for college at the academy of David Stroud, Westchester,
Penn. He commenced the study of Latin at eight, Greek at eleven,
and at eighteen years of age was an accomplished (.reek and Latin
scholar, entering Lafayette College in 1844. He was a volunteer
in the Mexican War, and served as lieutenant in a Washington regi-
ment from the time General Scott took command until the close of
that contest. He was a brave soldier, and always prompt in the
performance of every duty. He read law in the office of Hon.
John Cadwallader in Philadelphia, and was admitted to the Bar in
1851. He commenced practice in that city, continuing two years,
and then removed to Erie, Penn., where, in addition to his law
business, he was editor of the Erie Chronicle, in the interest of the
Sunbury & Erie Railroad. He removed to Chicago in 1S55, and
resumed practice, giving special attention to insurance and admi-
ralty practice. He successfully prosecuted the case of Walker
against the Western Transportation Company ; a leading case re-
ported in the 5th Wallace, involving the right of Congress to limit
the liability of ship owners. In the case reported by Wallace, of
Aldrich vs. the Etna Insurance Company, the decision, based on
his argument, established the doctrine of the exclusive right of
Congress to legislate over the paper titles to vessels engaged in
inter-State commerce. This case was taken from the New York
Court of Appeals, where the right had been denied, and Mr. Rae
succeeded in having the decision of the New York Court reversed,
establishing the present rule governing all similar cases. He was
also counselor for the Galena Packet Company against the Rock
Island Bridge Company. It was owing to his efforts that the
United States courts abolished the twelfth rule in admiralty, that
denied the jurisdiction in rem of the Admiralty Court in cases of
supplies furnished domestic vessels ; which overruled a series of
decisions from the time of the decision of the case of the "lien.
Smith " until this change in the rule. At the October term of
1884, of the United States Superior Court, he won the case of
Slauson vs. the barque " Elizabeth Jones," the Court adopting his
printed argument as the opinion of the Court. This was a com-
pliment never before paid by that Court to a practitioner. He also
took part in the argument before the same Court in the case of
Boyer et al. , at the same term. The decision of this case extended
the admiralty jurisdiction over canals and artificial waters in the
several States of the Union. He organized the Chamber of Com-
merce for Chicago, obtained its charter from the State, acted as its
secretary one year without remuneration, and took an active part
in the purchase of the land and the erection of its buildings. He
entered the army as colonel at the opening of the War, was in com-
mand of the Douglas Brigade in Chicago, and of Camp Douglas
until 1863, when he resigned. In October, 1873, he called a meet-
ing to deliberate upon building a new rail route from Chicago to
Charlestown ; over three hundred delegates attended, and the result
of their deliberations was the organization of the Chicago &
South Atlantic Railroad Company, of which Mr. Rae was vice-
president. Mr. Rae was burned out in the fire of 1871, losing
heavily, including a large and valuable library. He went to Lon-
don, in 1882, and argued a case before a Commission of Arbitra-
tion, involving one hundred thousand pounds sterling and interest.
He appeared in the interest of the American Board of Under-
writers. He won his case, and received high encomiums for his
effort. Mr. Rae is a literary man of considerable note; he has
been a correspondent to some of the leading periodicals and maga-
zines in this country; and, among his other writings, we find a play
written by him, in 1877, called " Newport," in six acts ; it is more
of an idyl than an acting play, and has received high compliments
from dramatic critics for its pure English. Mr. Rae is considered
the leading maritime lawyer in Chicago, and his practice in the
United States Supreme Court exceeds that of any lawyer in the
Northwest. He was married in 1S50, to Miss Sarah Moulson, of
Philadelphia; she died in 1S52. He married the second time in
the year 1S57, Harriet Cockburn Percey, of Northumberland, Eng-
land, by whom he had five children : — Robert, Mortimer Percy,
Arthur Atheling, Walter Raleigh, Clarence and Sallie Jane.
William L. Mitchell, admiralty lawyer, was born in Mon-
roe County, New York, his parents removing to Janesville, Wis ,
when he was quite young. His father, John Mitchell, M.D., after-
ward known as the " War Mayor," was a man of decided ability;
he was for some time proprietor and editor of the Democratic
Standard, and has contributed much poetry to the current literature
of the day; his death occurred at his home in Janesville, May 23,
1885. William L Mitchell also has obtained a decided reputation
as a writer of polish and originality, both in prose and poetry. His
temperance lecture, " Chicago by Gaslight," was well received. He
is the author of a play entitled " Conscript"; also of " Humors of
the Times," a satire upon the election contest of 1S76-77. Since
1866, he has been engaged in the practice of admiralty law in
Chicago. The fire of 1871 burned him out, and seriously crippled
him financially. Mr. Mitchell was admitted to the Janesville Bar,
and when the War broke out was one of the most vigorous War
Democrats of that part of the State, being secretary of the only
Democratic war convention ever held in that city, and was also an
active worker, both as a speaker and in the urging of enlistments.
While a resident of that city he came within a few votes of being
nominated for the mayoralty, and was one of the most popular men
in Janesville. Since practicing in Chicago he has been engaged in
several noted admiralty cases. His argument in the " Kate 1 1 inch-
man " case (United Slates District Court), being a review nf Justice
Bradley's opinion in the case of the " Lottawana " in the United
476
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
State* Supreme Court, is quite celebrated. In the matter of Gra-
ham as. the propeller "Favorite," being a suit for damages brought
bv the father of a child who was drowned in a collision, his schooner
being run down by the former craft, the argument attracted much
attention, both from the clearness with which the principles of law-
were stated and from the pathos of the peroration. After instancing
the fact that the parents of a child obtained five thousand dollars
for its loss in the Ashtabula disaster, he concluded as follows :
" The parents of that child recovered five thousand dollars for
its loss. Do you think it paid them? What will you say the child
is worth, or, in the language of the law. What damages are we en-
titled to? The sworn libel alleges the damages to be five thousand
dollars. The only proof is that of the father, who swears that no
sum of money could compensate him for the loss of the child.
This is but human. This is the love of the father, which outweighs
all the gold of the Indies. Justice is represented blind, with no
feeling, no sentiment, no love. But in her courts the pendulum of
time is ever swinging — the arrow of judgment is ever pointing —
and the thunderbolts of justice are ever striking. What is the child
worth? The poet, standing by the shores of old ocean, and looking
down into its depths, where lie dead men's bones and the treasures
and the wrecks of a world gone by, says :
" The father, standing by the shore of the great lake, and look-
ing out upon its dark waters, says :
Arba N. Waterman, of the law firm of Boutell, Waterman &
Boutell, was born in Greensboro', Orleans Co., Vt., February 5,
1S36, the son of I.oring F. Waterman, who was a prominent busi-
ness man and mill-owner of that place, and of Mary (Stevens) Water-
man. He received his academic education at Johnson, Montpelier,
Georgia, and at Norwich military school. After teaching one year
at the Georgia Academy, he studied law at Montpelier and in the
Albany (NT. Y.) Law School, being admitted to practice in the
spring of 1S61. Coming West, he at once opened an office in
Joliet, 111., but, in 1862, enlisted as a private in the 100th Illinois
Volunteer Infantry. In the Army of the Cumberland he followed
the fortunes of his regiment at Chickamauga, Resaca, Dalton, and
Allatoona. At Chickamauga, Mr. Waterman had his horse shot
from under him, and was afterward -shot through the right arm and
side. He was mustered out of service as lieutenant-colonel, in
August, 1S64. and then opened a law office in Chicago. He has
been engaged in a number of most important litigations, having
charge of the cases brought by the assignee of the Great Western
Insurance Company against the stockholders, in which the liability
of owners of unpaid stock, notwithstanding agreements had been
made with those who took the stock that thev should never be called
upon pay anything more, was settled by the Supreme Court in the
cases of Upton vs. Carver, Dobbins, Webster and Pullman. Mr.
Waterman also has been much engaged in the settlement of cases
relating to mechanics' liens, as In the matter of Crowle vs. Nagle
and Balchen vs. McCord His chancery practice is very extensive,
some of his most noteworthy cases being litigations growing out of
the settlement of the estate of Rogers, l'eck, Gilmartin and others,
the cases of Miner vs. Jackson, Bissell vs. Cary, Wells vs. Miller,
Allen :•-■ Hawley, I'axion vs. Marshall, and many others. Aside
from his success in his professional life, Mr. Waterman established
a repution as a polished writer. lie was one of the founders of the
Chicago Philosophical Society, before which he has read many
vbich have met with a very favorable reception, such as
cation of the Law," " Amendment to the Law," " Liberty
and Government," "Origin and History of the Art of Writing,"
"Charles the First," and a series of lectures on the "Geological
History of the Earth." i le is president of the Irving Literary So-
tefore which he delivered a lecture on " Public and Private
is Modified by the War." As a member of the Loyal
Legion, hi- paper on "Chickamauga" met with an enthusiastic re-
in 1-73-74 Mr. Waterman was alderman of the Eleventh
Ward, v ! 1 i < h is the only political office he has ever held, his pro-
social and literary duties and pleasures giving him little
time for other labors. He was married, in 1S62, to Ella Louise,
■ f Samuel Hall, formerly a merchant of Brooklyn.
Martin Beem was born near Pittsburgh, Penn., November
His parents, Andrew and Margaret (Hope) Beem, were
German, immigrating to America at an early day, and settling in
that Mate, where they were married. Soon after the- birth of their
son they removed to Alton. 111. There he received his early educa-
tion. When the War broke out, although he was then not eighteen
vas determined to enter thi ervice. He was slender
and remarkably youthful in appearance even for one of his years,
and was therefore rejected as an Illinois volunteer. But not to be
thwarted in his purpose, he went to St. Louis, and enlisted in the
4th Missouri Infantry, then organizing under General Lyon. In
two days after his enlistment, he participated in the capture of
Camp Jackson. His term of three months' service having expired,
he enlisted for three years in the 13th Missouri, under command
of Colonel C. J. Wright. With this command he participated in
the battles of Fort Henry, Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, Vicks-
burg, and other battles of the West. In Shiloh, he won distinc-
tion by saving a flag from the enemy by wrapping it around his
body. The flag now hangs in the trophy-room at West Point, with
the history of its preservation printed upon it. At the same battle,
when the center of the line had yielded, and there w-asa momentary-
danger of a disgraceful retreat, he seized a battle-flag which had
just been shot down, and, in a moment of thrilling danger, ad-
vanced toward the enemy's lines, and by his heroic example
inspired the men, who rallied around him and drove back the
enemy. For this gallant conduct he received official mention, and
was promoted on the field to the second lieutenancy, receiving,
moreover, the thanks and congratulations of Generals Sherman,
Worthington, and others. At Corinth, he rose from a sick bed,
where he had lain since the battle of Iuka, a fortnight before, had
himself lifted into the saddle, his feet lashed around his horse, and
in this way fought through the two days' battle. For this he was
soon after promoted to be first lieutenant, and after the War was
breveted captain by the President, for "gallant and meritorious
conduct at the battle of Shiloh." At the conclusion of the War
his health was greatly impaired; exposure, privations and w-ounds
had, in fact, almost shattered his constitution. He therefore
traveled quite extensively, visiting the West Indies, Central
America, Mexico, California, Oregon and Montana. He spent
most of his time in the latter territory, and, while a resident of
Virginia City, was placed in command of the volunteer troops
called out to defend the frontier against the Indians. There he
was given the title of major-general. While in the army he
commenced the study of the law, and in 1867 was admitted to the
Montana Bar, and began to practice. After recovering his health,
he accepted a position as a reporter and correspondent at
Washington, and then pursued the study of the law at Columbia
University. During 1869, he entered the Union College of Law,
Chicago, and was graduated therefrom during 1870, with the
degree of LL.B. Lie then opened an office in Chicago, and has
been in successful practice up to the present time. From 1S70
until the great fire, General Beem practiced alone. He then formed
a partnership with Judge R. H. Forrester, the firm remaining in-
tact eight years. After 1879, he has had no partner. Since he
has resided in Chicago, he has been brought before the public in
various prominent capacities. He was the first president of the
Chicago Union Veteran Club, the largest organization of ex-
soldiers and sailors in the United States, and filled that office three
terms. During the great riots of 1877, he was made commander
of the veterans by the different company commanders, for his tire-
less energy and devotion in that emergency, as well as for his
character as a citizen and soldier. General Beem is a member of
Post 28, G. A. R., also of Apolio Lodge, No. 642, A. F. & A. M.
In 1S78, he was prevailed upon to change his determination not to
hold office and to allow his name to be used as a candidate for Con-
gress from the Second District, and, although he made no personal
canvass, came within two votes of receiving the nomination. In
October, 1880, General Beem was married to Miss Lula Stoughton
Case, daughter of DeWitt C. Case, of Neenah, Wis.
Abial R. Abbott, the senior member of the firm of Abbott,
Oliver & Showalter, was born in Cobleskill, Schoharie Co., N. V.,
in 1833. After studying law in the office of Daniel S. Dickinson,
he was admitted to the Bar of Elmira in 1855, coming to Chicago
in July of the next year. At first Mr. Abbott practiced alone, but
subsequently formed a partnership with O. R. W. Lull, which
continued until the breaking out of the War. He then joined the
Chicago batteries, being attached to "A" and " E," in the latter
of which he served as first lieutenant. Mr. Abbott was with the
Army of the Tennessee, being severely wounded in the shoulder in
the battle of Shiloh. After the War he resumed practice in Chica-
go, and was alone until after the great fire, when he formed a part-
nership with John M. Oliver, under the firm name of Abbott &
Oliver. In 1S82, John W. Showalter was admitted to the firm.
Mr. Abbott was married, in 1871, to Miss Alice Asbury, of
Quincy, 111. They have two children, both daughters.
Wade Aubott was born in Windsor, Berkshire Co., Mass.,
November 24, 1834, his grandfather serving in the Revolutionary
War, his father, Samuel, in the War of 1812, and Mr. Abbott him-
self in the Civil War. Mr. Abbott was educated in the common
schools and the high school at North Hampton, Mass., settling in
the town of Jefferson, III., in 1S55. He lived on a farm until the
breaking out of tin: War, when he enlisted in Co. "I," 2d Illinois
Cavalry, an organization raised in Champaign County, serving three
years and three months under I leneral t irant, at Paducah, Colum-
THE BENCH AND BAR.
477
bus, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and Vicksburg, and with General
Banks in the Red River Expedition. Soon after being mustered-
out of the service, Mr. Abbott connected himself with the business
department of the Evening Post, and remained with that establish-
ment twelve years, under six changes of administration. He studied
law for several years prior to the time he severed his connection
with the Evening Post, and was admitted to the Bar in 186S, prac-
ticing, principally, as a commercial lawyer. Mr Abbott is quite
active as a member of social and benevolent societies, being con-
nected with the A.F.&A.M., K. of P., I.O.O.F., and several tem-
perance organizations. He was married in November, 1857, to
Cornelia C. Scott, daughter of Ira Scott, who died in 1SS5, and
who, for more than twelve years, was identified with the American
Tract and Bible Society.
Hon. E. A. Otis was born August 2, 1835, at Marengo, Cal-
houn Co., Mich., the son of Hon. Isaac and Caroline (Curtis) Otis.
He was raised on a farm until nineteen years of age ; received his
education at Albion, Mich., and later at the Michigan University,
and studied law at Kalamazoo, with Hon. Joseph Miller. After
completing his legal course, he was admitted to the Bar and entered
into the practice of the law at St. Paul, Minn., in company with
his brother, Hon. George L. Otis, one of the leading lawyers of
that State, and prospered there in his profession until the War of
the Rebellion. He was commissioned lieutenant in the 2d Minne-
sota Infantry Volunteers, which he assisted in organizing and joined
the Army of the Cumberland in October, 1861. He was at once
detailed on the staff of General R. W. Johnson, with whose com
mand he served until after the battle of Shiloh, in which he partici-
pated. At the request of Brigadier-General Van Cleave, the old
colonel of the 2d Minnesota, Mr. Otis was assigned to duty on his
staff as assistant adjutant-general, in which capacity he served un-
til the close of the War, through all of the campaigns of the Army
of the Cumberland, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Mur-
freesboro', Perryville, and Chickamauga. In December, 1864, he
retired from the army. In 1S65, he opened a law office in Nash-
ville. Tenn , taking an active part in the re-construction of that
State. He was commissioned chancellor in the Nashville chancery
district of Tennessee in 1S68, being the youngest man, up to that
time, who had ever held that office in that State. He filled the
position, with great ability, about one year On June 10, 1869,
Judge Otis arrived in Chicago. Judge Otis assisted in organizing
"the Republican party in Tennessee and was one of the few northern
men in the South, who came away retaining the friendship of the
Confederate soldiers and late rebels. During his practice in Nash-
ville, the constitutionality of the Tennessee franchise law, whereby
Confederate soldiers were excluded from voting, was assailed, and
he was employed by Governor Brownlow to defend it, which he
did successfully in every instance where a decision was rendered.
Judge Otis has a large amount of chancery practice, and does
much business for National Banks in Chicago and in the East.
Henry G. Miller, one of the pioneer Chicago lawyers, was
born in Westmoreland, N. Y., in 1S24. His father Abner Miller,
was descended from an old Puritan family, and one of the first
residents of Oneida County, New York. In 1848, Henry grad-
uated from Hamilton College, studied law with Judge Hunt of
Utica, and in the spring of 1S51 was admitted to the Bar. He
removed to Chicago in June of that year, and entered into succes-
sive partnerships with Alexander Prentiss, Thomas Hoyne and
Hiram L. Lewis, John Van Arman and Thomas Y. Frost. His
present partnership with Messrs. Hiram L. Lewis and Charles R.
Judson was formed in 1883. Mr. Miller was for some time attor-
ney of the Chicago & Atlantic Railway Company. He married
the daughter of Colonel Roswell B. Mason, formerly mayor of
Chicago.
Hon. Henry Waller was born on November 9, 1S10, at
Frankfort, Ky. , the son of Henry S. and Catharine (Breckinridge)
Waller. In iS2g, he entered the United States Military Academy
at West Point, from which he graduated, with high scholastic hon-
ors, in 1833. Resigning his position as lieutenant in the army, he
began the study of the law, under the instruction of Hon. C. S.
Moorehead, afterward Governor of Kentucky, and continued his
studies at Transylvania University, Lexington, being admitted to
the Bar in 1835. He commenced the practice of the law with
Thomas V. Payne, at Maysville, Ky., their partnership continuing
six years. He was chosen a representative of the Whig party in
the State Legislature, retaining his seat during the years 1845-46-
47, and serving on several important committees. He then with-
drew from active politics, and has never been a candidate for a
political position since 1847. In 1S52, he associated himself in
partnership with John G. Hickman, and, in the same year, he was
unanimously elected president of the Maysville & Lexington Rail-
road Company. In 1855, he removed to Chicago, and established
the law firm of Waller, Caulfield & Bradley, afterward Waller &
Caulfield, which continued nine years. In 1864, he formed an-
other partnership, under the firm name of Waller, Sterns & Cope-
land, which continued until the demise of Mr. Sterns, in 1867 ;
since which time Mr. Waller has withdrawn from the active prac-
tice of the law. His constant application to his profession having
impaired his health, he journeyed over Europe during a portion of
the years 1869-70, partially regaining it. In July, 1S76, he was
appointed master in chancery by Judges Williams, Farwell, Rogers,
Booth and McAllister, which office he still holds. His great expe-
rience as a lawyer, and his intimate acquaintance with adjudicated
cases, render him particularly fit for the position ; his decisions are
universally approved by the best legal minds on the Bench, and he
is deservedly popular in this position. Mr. Waller has a wide
reputation as an orator, and his life, as a Christian, has always
been beyond reproach. He was married, on May 3, 1837, to Miss
Sarah B. Langhorne. They have nine children living, among
whom are Rev. Maurice Waller, Henry, Jr., and Edward C, real
estate agents, and J. Duke Waller, M.D.
Lester Legrand Bond was born in Ravenna, Ohio, on
October 27, 1829. He studied law in his native place, and in Oc-
tober, 1854, commenced its practice in Chicago, having been ad-
mitted to the Bar during the previous year. Mr. Bond's mind
always showed a decided leaning towards mechanics and the ap-
plied sciences, which his friends and admirers were not slow to
discover. After a hard and brave struggle to obtain a foothold in
Chicago, in 1859, several parties induced him to take charge of
their patent business, and from that period his success was assured.
In 1S64, he became a member of the law firm of West, Bond &
Driscoll, but confined his efforts to his specialty. Mr. Driscoll
withdrew during the following year, having been elected city attor-
ney, and the partnership of West & Bond has continued in its
career of success ever since, and in which Mr Bond has attained
an enviable reputation. He has also held several prominent politi-
cal positions, having been alderman from the Eleventh Ward from
1863 to 1S66, a member of the Legislature from 1S67 to 1S71, act-
ing mayor of the city during the latter portion of 1873, a member
of the Board of Education four years, and he has also represented
the Second Congressional District as a presidential elector. He
received his degree as Master Mason in September, 1856, the Chap-
ter and Commandery degrees in 1873, the Council degrees in 1879,
a part of the A. & A. S. R. degrees in 1869, the 32° in 1S72, and
is at present a member of Wm. B. Warren Lodge, Washington
Chapter, Siloam Council, Chicago Commandery tof which he was
E. C.), and Oriental Consistory. Mr. Bond was married, October
12, 1856, to Amie Scott Aspinwall, daughter of Rev. Nathaniel
W. Aspinwall, of Peacham, Vt.
Thomas B. Bryan is a native of Virginia, and of his early
life we have but little information. We find him associated in the
practice of the law with Judge Hart in Cincinnati, under the firm
name of Hart & Bryan, and later, in Chicago, he was the senior
member of the firm of Bryan & Borden. His partner, John Borden,
was for many years the ablest real-estate lawyer in Chicago, but,
having acquired a handsome competence, he has retired from gen-
eral practice. Mr. Bryan has founded many extensive public
enterprises, which have been crowned with success. Upon the
urgent request of the friends of law and order, he was appointed
one of the United States Commissioners to govern the Capital of
the Nation, following Governors Cook and Shepherd and joining
Governor Denison, of Ohio. His administration was character-
ized by ability, honesty and prudence in the expenditure of money,
and it was only by the force of his own will that he was allowed to
retire from office. Mr. Bryan first became identified with this city
over thirty years ago, and has ever since taken a deep interest in
everything that related to its welfare. When the growth of the
city was pressing the borders of the old cemetery, he bought land,
founded the beautiful cemetery of Graceland, and for years was its
owner and president. When the old Metropolitan Hall became
inadequate to the wants of the city, Mr. Bryan built Bryan Hall,
where the Grand Opera House now stands. This was the best and
largest public hall in the city, for many years, in which first-class
entertainments were given, and was where the great War meetings
of Chicago were held. He was the president of the great North-
western Sanitary Fair of 1S65. The success of this great enter-
prise was largely due to his ability, the confidence the public had
in his integrity, and his happy faculty of harmonizing the conflict-
ing interests of the various officers and committees. The Soldiers'
Home, in this city, was built under his direction, advancing money
o.ut of his own funds to aid it, and he was several years its presi-
dent. He was the founder of the Fidelity Safe Depository, of
this city, which passed through the great fire of 1871, with all the
treasures in its vaults, saving millions of dollars to our citizens.
From this brief resume of what he has done, it is evident that it
may justly be said that he is one of the most patriotic and public-
spirited of our citizens.
E. F. Comstock is the son of Theodore F. and Mary (Fitch)
Comstock, and was born December 20, 1842, about seven miles
north of Saratoga Springs, N. V. He received a good academic
♦78
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
education: after which, in October, 1S64, he came to this city and
entered the law office of Runyan *: Avery. In June, 1S67, he grad-
uated from the law department of the University of Chicago, was
admitted to practice in July of the same year, and formed a part-
nership with Messrs. Runyan i Avery. Subsequently, Mason B.
I.oomis was admitted to the firm, the name being then changed to
that of Runyan. Avery, Loomis & Comstock. After the retirement
of |udge Loomis. in 1S73, and Mr. Runyan, in 1S76, the firm
name was changed to that of Avery & Comstock, which firm and
business association continued until a dissolution of the partner-
ship was made, in 1S77. Since that time, Mr. Comstock has prac-
ticed alone, and has maintained the reputation he has borne since
his entry into the legal profession in this city. This reputation is
that of a lawyer alike distinguished in the general practice of his
profession, eminent as a trial jurist and an advocate before a jury,
while thoroughly versed in the intricacies of real estate and chan-
cerv law and proceedings. He is a member of the Bar Association
and of the Law Institute, and studiously avails himself of the ad-
vantages accessible through these institutions to enhance his for-
ensic erudition. Although the suggestion has frequently been made
to him, that he should enter the political arena, he would never sac-
rifice the time which he devotes to his profession to hold office;
in fact, Mr. Comstock may justly be described as a lawyer whose
time, interest and attention is entirely absorbed by his legal prac-
tice, the studies incident thereto, and its utilization in the courts in
beha'f of his clients. Mr. Comstock was married in September,
1S72. to Miss Carrie F. Greenleaf, of Chicago. They have three
children — Robert G., Bessie E. and Leland E.
Washington Irving Culver, the partner of E. B. McCagg,
in the practice of law, was born July 19, 1844, in New Market,
Rockingham Co., N. IL, the son of Adna Bryant and Hannah H.
(Sanborn) Culver. When Irving was eight years old, his father
first came Wrest on business connected with his railroad contracts,
and the boy completed his education in the Tippecanoe Battle
Ground Academy, near Lafayette, Ind. He did not finish his
course; and after obtaining a little experience in teaching and rail-
roading, entered the office of Scammon, McCagg & Fuller as a law
student in Tanuarv, 1S62. During his four years' training in this
office, he acquired those habits of care and thoroughness which
have made him one of the safest of the attorneys and counselors
in civil cases. He was admitted to practice before the State Su-
preme Court in April, 1S66, and, in 1S70, became the junior part-
ner in the firm of McCagg, Fuller & Culver. The partnership
continued until the death of Mr. Fuller, in 1S73, when the firm of
McCagg & Culver came into existence. Outside of his profession,
Mr. Culver is best known as trustee of the Northwestern Aid Asso-
ciation, of which he is also the attorney, and as treasurer of the
Illinois Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary. He is a prominent
member and librarian of the Chicago Law Institute. He is con-
nected with the Masonic fraternity as past master of Landmark
Lodge, No. 422, A. F. & A. M., and as a member of Fairview
Chapter, No. 161, R. A. M., and Apollo Commandery, No. 1,
K. T. Mr. Culver was married February 24, 1S69, to Sarah T.
Barnes, daughter of Samuel Barnes, of Battle Ground, Ind.
Patrick W. Snow-hook is the son of W:illiam B. Snowhook,
one of the most active of Chicago's pioneers. The latter, after
having been a successful business and public man until middle age,
commenced the study of law, and, with the exception of his time of
service in the Civil War, practiced up to the day of his death, in
May, 1882. His son, Patrick, was born in Chicago, September
2= 1 "44, his place of birth being on Kinzie Street, near State.
The boy was educated in the grammar and high schools of Chica-
go, graduating from the latter institution in 1864. For two years he
was a deputy in the county clerk's office, under the administrations
of I.. P. Hilliard and Ed. S. Salomon, and, in 1866, entered Bryant
ii Stratton's business college, taking a course of about one year.
J, he graduated from the Union College of Law, being ad-
mitted to the Bar during that year. He at once formed a partner-
ship with his father, who, in 1865, had associated George W. Gray
with himself. William M. Johnston was subsequently admitted
into the firm, which continues as Snowhook, Johnston & Gray.
Mr. Snowhook is an expert in real estate law, his practice in the
Probate and Chancery courts being large and remunerative. He
was married. May 17, 1870. to F. E. Aurand. of Chicago, who died
April 20, 1179, leaving three children. Mr. Snowhook was married
a second time to Alice E. Gordon, in May, 1881, there being also
three children by the second marriage.
WILLIAM VOCKE, one of the most prominent German-Ameri-
can lawyers in Chicago, is a native of Westphalia, where he was
born April 4. 1839 His father, also William Vocke byname, was
government secretary in the Prussian service, and, after his death,
the son emigrated to America. Landing in New York in 1856,
after a short business experience, he removed to Chicago in 1857.
Here he held various positions until the breaking out of the Civil
War in 1 501, when he joined the three months' service, after which
he enlisted as a private in the 24th Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
He served with the Army of the Cumberland during most of its
engagements, and was mustered out of service in August, 1864.
His record, and that of his regiment, may be traced in the history
of the " Hecker Jaeger" organization, the pride of the Germans of
Chicago and Illinois. Returning to this city. Captain Vocke
became city editor of the Illinois Staats Zeitung, which position he
held nine months. From April, 1S65, to November, 1869, he was
clerk of the Police Court. Meantime, he had commenced a course
of study in the Union College of Law, and was admitted to the
Bar in 1S67. Entering into the practice of his profession, he also
indulged in literary pursuits, which brought him a well-merited
reputation. He contributed to both the German and the English
press, and, in 1869, published a volume of translations from the
poems of Julius Rodenbeig. The book was received with the great-
est favor, and was eulogized by the press, both American and Euro-
pean. In lS6g, Mr. Vocke dropped literary pursuits and devoted
himself exclusively to his profession. The result was, that he soon
had built up a most lucrative practice, especially among his Ger-
man clients. In the fall of 1870, he was elected to the Twenty-
seventh General Assembly, and the life insurance bill which he
introduced, was spoken of by the Chicago Tribune as " the sound-
est and most judicious measure ever proposed to a legislative body "
concerning that subject. The fire of 1S71 rendered it necessary to
call an extra session of the Legislature, and Captain Vocke, as a
leading member of the insurance committee, was instrumental
in framing what is known as the " Burnt-record act." He contin-
ued in the practice of his profession alone until February, 1873,
when he formed a partnership with Joseph B.Leake, which con-
tinued unbroken until the latter was appointed United States
district attorney. Mr. Vocke was also a member of the Board of
Education from 1S77 to 1S80. In addition to the regular labors of
his profession, Mr. Vocke is attorney for the German consulate,
and president of the German Society of Chicago for the aid of emi-
grants. He was married in 1S67, to Elsie Wahl, and they have
seven children, four daughters and three sons. The success of the
great Martin Luther celebration, held in Chicago on November 9,
1SS3, is more due to Mr. Vocke than to anyone else. He met with
opposition from the first, especially from the German Socialists.
The movement originated with him as a member of the Mithra
Lodge, No. 410, A. F. & A. M., which is entirely composed of
Germans. Seventeen societies and lodges sent delegates to a pre-
liminary gathering, which arranged for a general citizens' meeting.
The committee, as finally appointed to arrange the celebration,
consisted of William Vocke, Arthur Erbe, Ernst Ammond, Carl
Sehnert, Carl Winkler and Rudolph Anbach. Still, the German
social organizations stood aloof. Notwithstanding this fact, on the
evening of November 9, Central Music Hall was completely filled
by Germans of all religious convictions, and by non-believers.
The great assemblage was addressed by William Rapp and Dr.
E. G. Hirsch, the celebration of the hero's birthday being pro-
nounced one of the most complete successes of that kind ever wit-
nessed in Chicago.
Jacob R. Cl'STER, son of David Y. and Esther F. (Rambo)
Custer, was born May 27, 1S45, in Lawrenceville, Chester Co.,
Penn. He received his preparatory education at Washington
Hall, Trappe, Penn., and entered as sophomore, in 1S64, Pennsyl-
vania College, Gettysburg. Penn., from which he graduated in
August, 1867. He studied law in Philadelphia, graduated from
Albanv Law School in 1S69, and was admitted to the Bar of New
York. He commenced practice in Chicago in the fall of that year,
continuing alone until June, 1S79, at which (fme he formed a co-
partnership with his present partner, Hon. William J. Campbell.
On May 1, 1885, Ex-Governor John M. Hamilton, became a mem-
ber of the firm. Mr. Custer was appointed master in chancery of
the Superior Court in 18S0, and has held that position up to the
present time. He married, in December, 1871, Miss Ella A.
White, of Chicago. They have one child living.
Paul Cornell was born August 5, 1822, in White Creek,
Washington Co., N. Y., the son of Hiram K. and Eliza (Hopkins)
Cornell. He received his early education in the public schools of
Adams County, which he attended during the winter months,
working, during the summer seasons, on the farms in the vicinity
of his home. This preliminary education was supplemented by
several terms in select schools, after which he taught school for a
season, and began meantime his preliminary law studies. After
the close of 1S43, he devoted his entire time to the study of law.
In May, 1847, he was admitted to the Bar, and immediately after
started for Chicago, via Prink & Walker's stage line. At that time
his capital consisted of a suit of clothes, a package of cards, on
which was printed, "Paul Cornell, Attorney at Law, Chicago,"
and Si. 50 in money. The cash was stolen from him while a tem-
porary sojourner at the Lake House, where he put up on his arri-
val in Chicago, He first found employment in the law office of
Wilson & Judd, John M. Wilson, the senior member of the firm.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
479
being his old law instructor at Joliet. Subsequently lie was em-
ployed by James H. Collins, as an assistant in trying cases, receiv-
ing for his services a moderate monthly stipend. He next entered
the employ of Skinner (Hon. Mark) & Hoyne ( Hon. Thomas) who,
at the time of his engagement, were doing a very extensive collec-
tion business for Eastern firms. Subsequently, when Mr. Hoyne
became probate judge, he appointed young Cornell his clerk, and
he performed the clerical duties of the position at nights, while still
doing his duty as outside collector for the firm during the daytime.
Subsequently, the election of Mr. Skinner as judge of the Court of
Common Pleas, dissolved the firm of Skinner & Hoyne. and Mr.
Cornell started for himself, forming a co-partnership with Hon.
William T. Barron. The new firm succeeded in retaining a large
part of the collection business of the old firm. Through the en-
ergies of the partners, their business grew to be immense ;
frequently they had as high as two hundred cases on the docket at
one time. In 1856, Mr. Barron was elected probate judge, and a
change in the firm occurred. John A. Jameson (afterward judge
of Superior Court) and Perkins Bass associated themselves with
Mr. Cornell under the firm name of Cornell, Jameson & Bass.
Subsequently, Mr. Bass (afterward U. S. district attorney) retired
from the firm, and H. N. Hibbard took his place, the style of the
firm being changed to Cornell, Jameson & Hibbard. As early as
1853, Mr. Cornell began to invest what money he had saved in
real estate. His purchases were confined largely to the section ly-
ing south of the city. In 1852, he employed John Boyd to make
a topographical survey of the region now embracing Hyde Park
and vicinity, and, the result being favorable, he bought, in 1853,
a tract of three hundred acres on the lake shore, and invested
money in other tracts as far south as Fifty-ninth Street. In 1854,
a collision occurred at what is now known as Grand Crossing, in
which many lives were lost, and at that time it was decided that
" all trains should come to a full stop before crossing the intersect-
ing roads at that point." Mr. Cornell saw, in this decision, a pos-
sible village in the far future, and, on November 10, 1855, bought
a section of land at that point, and subsequently added thereto, and
named the region Cornell. Of his first-mentioned purchase, he
sold sixty acres to the Illinois Central Railroad Company, a part
of the consideration therefor being an obligation on the part of the
railroad to run regular suburban trains to the embryo village of
Hyde Park, which Mr. Cornell had platted on the remainder of his
purchase. Mr. Cornell was the originator of that village. He
owned the land on which it stands; he secured for it perpetual
transportation facilities, built a large hotel there during 1S57 (the
Hyde Park Hotel, burned September 12, 1S77), became a resident
of the village in 1S57, and was supervisor of the town from the
time of its incorporation in 1861, until 1S64, being re-elected every
year. His property at Grand Crossing is the present site of the
manufacturing town of that name. It was originally subdivided
as "Cornell" in February, 1S72 (when he built a large watch fac-
tory), and then the name was changed to Grand Crossing, by Mr.
Cornell, in the succeeding March, it being found that there was
already another town of the same name in Livingston County,
Illinois. In 1S66, Mr. Cornell had become one of the largest own-
ers of suburban real estate in Chicago, and during that year, with
others, inaugurated the present park and boulevard system of the
city. He spent the entire winter of 1S67 in Springfield, in the in-
terest of the South Park bill, securing the passage against strenu-
ous opposition. He was appointed by the governor one of the
first commissioners, and held the office fourteen years, having been
three times re-appointed. He married, in July, 1856, Miss Helen
M. Gray, of Bowdoinham, Maine, the ceremony being performed
at the residence of his brother-in-law, Orrington Lunt, of Chicago
Their children are — George, John, Paul, Jr., Lizzie and Helen.
William Frederick DeWolk was born on April 21, 181 1,
at Bristol, R. I., being the eldest son of Henry and Anne Eliza
(Marston) DeWolf. He completed a course of study in Brown
University, receiving the degree of Master of Arts in 1831, and
then began the study of law in the office of the Hon. Josiah Ran-
dall, the father of the well known Samuel J. Randall, ex-speaker of
the House of Representatives. In 1S34, he was admitted to the
Bar, and became the partner of Mr. Burgess in the practice of his
profession. On June 10, 1835, Mr. DeWolf was married, in
Providence, R. I., to Miss Margaret Padelford Arnold, a daughter
of George R. Arnold, a merchant of that city. In September,
1S35, his Alma Mater conferred on him the degree of Bachelor of
Laws. In the fall of 1S36, he settled at Alton, 111., where he
entered on the practice of his profession in partnership with George
T. M. Davis. He was elected to the Legislature in 1846. In Sep-
tember, 1847, he came to Chicago, and engaged, for a time, in the
commission business, and, in 1851, became a member of the firm of
J. B. F. Russell & Co., land agents. In those days, Mr. DeWolf,
being an earnest Whig and a leader in the party, was frequently
mentioned as a suitable person for the offices of lieutenant-governor
and secretary of state. Being elected city treasurer in 1855, he
relinquished his real estate business; but on his retiremenl from
office he resumed it, a-, senior member of the firm of DeWolf,
Maclay & Quimby. Later, he filled the office of justice of the
peace for about four years, but since 1878 he has lived in retire-
ment. On January 5, 1877, Mrs. DeWolf died. Of this lady, Hon.
I. N. Arnold, in an eloquent tribute to her memory, affirmed, "It
could be most emphatically said, ' none knew her but to love her,
none named her but to praise.'" Of their eight children, only
three survived her ; Henry, now assistant treasurer of the Illinois
Central; Edward P., a merchant of this city; and Cecelia, the
widow of General Albert Erskine. In the summer of 1S53, Mr.
and Mrs. DeWolf, with their children, went to pay a visit to their
relatives in Rhode Island. On their return, in September, four
daughters, ranging from childhood to youth, were so severely in-
jured by the explosion of the steam cylinder of the steamer " Bay
State," that they all died within the month — an appalling calamity,
which the bereaved parents bore with exemplary patience. The
oldest son, William, who fell in the service of his country, is thus
honorably referred to by his commander, now General Gibson, U.S.
A.: " In the battle of Williamsburg, one of my subalterns (a hand-
some, gallant boy, from Chicago, named DeWolf) was wounded,
and, I regret to say, has since died. I was much attached to him,
and if your friends know his family, assure them of my sincere
sympathy with them in their bereavement, and my high apprecia-
tion of his coolness and gallantry in the midst of no ordinary
danger. Poor fellow ! He joined my battery on the 4th of April,
was wounded on the 4th of May, and on the 4th of June was
dead!" The Chicago Tribune, of June 5, 1862, contained an
eloquent eulogy of the young hero, as well as the following appro-
priate official recognition of his services: "Deserved compliment.
— We notice that, by order of Col. II. G. Gibson, commanding the
defenses on the line of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, the
post at Sheperdsville has been named DeWolf, in honor of Lieu-
tenant William DeWolf, of the 3d U. S. Artillery, who died in June,
1862, of wounds received at Williamsburg, Va. This is a deserved
compliment to a gallant officer, son of our fellow-citizen, William
F. DeWolf, Esq." Despite the severe shocks of these many sad
bereavements, owing to a vigorous constitution and a well-spent
life, Hon. William F. DeWolf is. both physically and mentally,
remarkably well preserved, and is not alone beloved for his many
virtues, but also for kindness of heart and his unostentatious charity
and philanthropy.
Theodore Schintz, one of the most substantial and hard
working lawyers in the profession, was born in Zurich, Switzerland,
May 1, 1830. His father, Henry Schintz, was a lawyer of life-
long practice in that city. Young Schintz. was educated in the
common schools and the polytechnic school of his native place,
taking a full scientific course. He had. however, imbibed the pre-
vailing belief in his native country, that the only truly noble pursuit
is to endeavor to draw one's sustenance direct from the soil, what-
ever the education or leanings of the individual. With this idea,
the young Swiss, well educated, ambitious and intellectually alert,
came to America, during 1850, and went to work on a farm near
Oconomowoc, Wis. He also labored as a common farm-hand in
Green County, and afterward removed to New Ulm, a Swiss settle-
ment in Winnebago County. There he farmed for several years,
and at leisure hours industriously examined into the political insti-
tutions of his adopted country. He was chosen chairman of the
town board of supervisors; taught school one year in the old log-
school-house, and in 1854 located in Oshkosh, Wis., where he com-
menced the study of law. Admitted to the Bar in 1856, he soon
acquired a good general practice. In 1862, Mr. Schintz located in
Chicago, where he has since resided, honored by his professional
brethren and by the people of the city, whom he has served in sev-
eral important positions. From 1867 to 1S72, he was an alderman,
and in 1869, while John B. Rice, mayor of the city, was absent in
Europe, he became the acting mayor of Chicago. In 1869, he was
appointed a member of the Board of Education, serving two terms
and resigning his position soon after the fire. He has since de-
voted himself exclusively to the practice of his profession, his busi-
ness being principally in the Probate and Chancery courts. In
September, 1S51. Mr. Schintz married Barbara Zentner, also a
native of Switzerland. They have one son, the elder child, and
one daughter. Theodore II. Schintz was educated in the Chicago
University, studied law with his father, and was admitted to
practice before the Supreme Court of the State, at Mount Vernon.
Josephine, the daughter, is a graduate of the Cook County Normal
School.
Augustus Van Buren, associated with his father, Evert Van
Buren, for over twenty-seven years in the practice of law, was born
in Penn Van, Yates Co., N. Y., in March, 1832. He was educated
at Rinderhook. at the age of sixteen he entered his father's office at
Penn Yan, and commenced the study of his profession, being ad-
mitted to the Bar at Rochester before he had attained his majority.
Soon afterward, he went to California, and dug for gold, kept store,
4S0
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
practiced law. and followed other occupations necessary to self-
sustenance. His tirst case was the defense of an Indian for murder,
whose cau-e he assumed upon the promise of $Soo in gold, which
his dusky chief agreed to pay over as soon as he could dig it up.
Unfortunately, the Indian himself was killed, almost immediately
after Mr. Van liuren secured his acquittal, before the treasure could
be unearthed, and consequently Mr. Van Buren lost his fee. After
an experience in California of more than one year, he returned to
l'enn Van, soon thereafter locating at St. Clair, Mich., and in 1S5S
settled in Chicago, where, with his father, he commenced the practice
of law. In this citv he has made his greatest reputation as a success-
ful criminal lawyer, having, in all probability, had as many cele-
brated cases intrusted to his care as any other attorney in the State.
He defended Joseph Crawford for the murder of William Shanley,
and saved him from the gallows, lie was also the leading attorney
for the defendants in the case of Joseph St. Peter and Mrs. Annie
Clarke, tried for the murder of Alviro Clarke. Although John
Van Arman assisted the State's attorney, both of Mr. Van Buren's
clients were acquitted, and he obtained a great reputation for the
skill shown in the conduct of the case. It must not be inferred,
however, that the bulk of the firm's practice was of a criminal
nature, but cases of that kind draw the attention of the public more
generally than civil causes. Their practice was always general, but
Mr. Van Buren's remarkable success as a criminal lawyer almost
overshadowed his other practice.
Thomas Shirley was born October 22, 1S27, in Charlotte
County. Va., the son of Allan and Sarah (Anderson) Shirley. Hi
received his preliminary education at a select and then in a classical
school ; after which he entered Washington College, Va., in 1840,
from which he graduated with honor in the class of 1843, receiving
the degree of A.B. In 1S46, his Alma Mater conferred on him
the degree of A.M. Mr. Shirley studied law in the University of
Virginia, under the instruction of Professor Miner, graduating in
1*48. Immediately after the completion ot his law studies, he was
admitted to the Virginia Bar, by virtue of his diploma, and, the
following vear, sought his fortune in the West, arriving in Chicago
October 5, 1S49. The young Virginian hired a small office over
Tinkham & Co.'s bank, on Clark Street, put out his sign, and
waited for his first client. He heard him approach, as he climbed
the stairs, with a noise proportionate to the size of his feet. He
proved to be a stalwart negro, who, having been arrested on the
charge of stealing a pair of boots, was in search of a legal defender.
Although the voung lawyer did not expect to meet such a client, yet
he gladly defended the negro and gained his acquittal, receiving his
first fee, amounting to seven dollars. From this unique beginning
Mr. Shirley's practice rapidly increased. During the earlier years
of his practice, he incurred, at one period, much popular displeas-
ure, having, in 1852, in his professional capacity, conducted the
prosecution of a case under the fugitive-slave law of the United
States. The ephemeral reproach of those exciting times was long
since buried in oblivion with the institution which occasioned it.
In politics, Mr. Shirley has always been a Democrat, and is at
present a member of the Iroquois Club, and one of the Democratic
Central Committee of Cook County. He is a Freemason, and
has served as Master of Oriental Lodge, No. 33 ; High Priest of
Lafayette Chapter, No. 2 ; and Eminent Commander of Apollo
Commandery, No. 1. He has also been Orator of the Grand
Lodge, and Scribe of the Grand Chapter, of the State of Illinois.
He has been president of the School Board of District No. I, of
Lake View, since that district was created. Mr. Shirley was mar-
ried, in September, 1859, to Miss Carrie Rasbon, daughter of John
Kasbon, formerly of Maine, and in the lumber trade there. They
have seven children — four sons and three daughters.
JOHN M. Rountree, son of Hon. John H. Rountree and
Mary Grace (Mitchell) Rountree, was born February 13, 1836, at
Plattville, Grant Co., Wis. After acquiring a preliminary educa-
tion in the common schools and the academy in his native town,
John M., in 1853, entered Hamilton College, N. Y. Finishing a
• I study at that institution, he entered the office of Hon.
John N. JewcU (who married his sister), at Galena, III., with whom
he completed his law studies, and was admitted to the Illinois Bar
in 1856. He then went to Milwaukee. Wis., and commenced prac-
tice in the office of Hon. Henry 1. Palmer, remaining until Octo-
'7. when he removed to Chicago, and. after practicing in
the office of -lamicon, McCagg ,y Fuller, until the spring of 1858.
formed a partnership with Alexander C. Coventry, which continued
until 1863. During this time. Mr. Rountree was retained in many
important cases. In 1S62, he conducted the defense in the case of
bury vs. Chicago & North-Western Railway Company,"
which settled the title to a large amount of property fronting on
the North Branch of the Chicago River, including the site of the
North-Western depot. The suit was decided in favor of the rail-
road company He also, in 1865, conducted to a successful issue,
for his clients, the "Clinton Bridge Case," a suit growing out of
efforts of steamboatraen to remove the bridge across the Missis-
sippi River at Clinton, Iowa, which they claimed impeded naviga-
tion. Mr. Rountree was president of the Chicago Law Institute in
1S64-65, and continued a laborious and increasing practice until
1S67, when his health became so seriously undermined that he was
compelled to suspend his professional labors entirely, and travel for
rest and recuperation. On the re-establishment of his health he re-
turned to Chicago, and resumed his practice. In 1872, he was
elected to the State Legislature, and during the session was ap-
pointed one of a joint committee of five for the revision of the
Statutes of Illinois, a work completed during his term. In the fall
of 1S73, he was elected attorney for Cook County for a term of four
years. At the expiration of his official term, he again resumed
practice, devoting himself more especially to corporation law, his
clientage among large corporations, railroads, banks, etc., being
important and influential. Mr. Rountree was married, in January,
1862, to Mary H. Bancroft, a lineal descendent of Samuel Hunting-
ton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. In
January, 1877, he married his present wife, Virginia, daughter
of N: H. Wolfe, one of the most prosperous shipping merchants
of New York City. He has one daughter living.
John A. J. Kendig was born December 14, 1834, at Blooms-
burgh, Penn. In 1709, Martin Kendig, a Mennonite bishop, led
a colony of three hundred of his countrymen to Lancaster County,
in that State, where he purchased two thousand acres of land for
himself. He was the means of establishing a flourishing settle-
ment, which, by 1799, had grown to such importance that it became
the capital of the State. This was the first Mennonite colony in
America; and from the Kendigs, who were a part of it, have come five
or six thousand descendants, now scattered throughout the country,
many of whom have followed the bishop's example and become
clergymen of note. What is quite singular, also, is the fact that, so
far as is known, no Kendig has ever entered politics or held an of-
fice under the Government. Mr. Kendig's maternal grandfather
was Colonel John Wertman, a cavalry officer in the War of 1812.
Mr. Kendig mastered the common branches of education, and com-
menced to teach at a very early age. He entered Kenyon College
in the senior class of 1859, was soon appointed superintendent of
the college buildings, and as a member of President Andrews's fam-
ily, met many of the ablest men of the country, including Salmon
P. Chase. During that year he commenced the study of law under
Dr. Francis Wharton, the well-known author, and then a member
of the college faculty; came to Chicago, continued his studies with
Jesse B. Thomas, and was admitted to the Bar in 1861. In the
autumn of that year he was married to Abby E. Gates, sister of
the widow of President Andrews, and daughter of the late Simon
S. Gates. About this time, he received from his Alma Mater the
degree of Master of Arts In the spring of 1S33, was elected presi-
dent of the Kenyon College Alumni Association, and in June,
1885, was chosen vice-president of the association and trustee of
the college. Since coming to Chicago, Mr. Kendig has been prom-
inent in several fields of labor outside of his profession. For three
years he was superintendent of a Sunday-school, and has been
a delegate to various diocesan conventions. In the celebrated
Cheney case, he prevented a conflict between the civil and ecclesi-
astical authorities by an eloquent speech. Through the influence
of Professor Joseph Haven, his intimate friend, he joined the Eng-
lish literature class, and after the death of that gentleman was
chosen its leader, being re-elected to that position for seven years
thereafter. In this connection, he wrote a pamphlet entitled " In-
tellect or Character," which was published by a resolution of the
class, and attracted much attention. He has also delivered several
lectures on literary and philological subjects, which have been most
favorably commented upon by the daily press. In June, 1878, in
company with his wife, Mr. Kendig took a tour around the world,
and enriched current literature by many productions of his pen.
D. Harry Hammer was born in Springfield, 111., December
23, 1840, the son of John and Eliza (Witner) Hammer. In 1S42,
his parents removed to Ogle County, where young Hammer sub-
sequently attended the district schools of the neighborhood, worked
on a farm and learned his trade as a harness-maker and saddler.
At the age of seventeen, he entered the Rock River Seminary,
Mount Morris, 111., graduating, with honors, in 1863. He then
entered the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann
Arbor. Graduating in 1865, he looked around for a favorable lo-
cation in which to commence practice. He decided, in the fall of
that year, to locate in St. Louis; but the unsettled condition of the
country, coupled with the incursions of the cholera, drove him,
with thousands of others, from the city. In the meantime he had
formed the acquaintance of a man ever ready to hold out a helping
hand, thoroughly awake to the activities of the age and, therefore.
a thorough admirer of Chicago. Benjamin F. Taylor, the elo-
quent war correspondent of the Chicago Evening Journal, and who
has since gained a world-wide reputation, was then traveling
through the West on a lecturing tour. The young man seeking
a career and the one who had already made his mark met. and be-
??U%^^ AtM^,
THE BENCH AND BAR.
481
came friends at once, and it was through Mr. Taylor's represent-
ations that judge Hammer came to Chicago, in October, [866.
fudge Hammer entered at once into the practice of his profession,
and soon built up an enviable reputation for ability and probity, as
well as being remarkably successful financially. In April, 1S79,
Governor Cullom appointed him a justice of the peace for the
town of South Chicago. At the expiration of his term, in 1SS3,
his course had given such general satisfaction that he was re-
appointed by Governor Hamilton. From the first he has been an
earnest Republican. He is an active member of many of the
leading secret and benevolent societies of Chicago, having been
connected with the Masonic fraternity since 1863. He is at pres-
ent connected with S. H. Davis Lodge, No. 96, A. F. & A. M. ;
Chicago Chapter, No. 127, R. A. M.; Chevalier Bayard Command-
ery. No 52, K. T.; Oriental Consistory, 32°, S. P. R. S.; Court
Energy, No. 19, I. O. F.; and Delphus Lodge, No. 2507, K. of
H. He is also a member of such leading political and social
organizations as the Calumet, Union League and Indiana clubs.
Mr. Hammer married Emma L. Carpenter, of Athens, Ohio. They
have three children — Maud, Hazel Harry and Fay.
John Clarke Barker was born March 1, 1S33, at Windsor,
Kennebec Co., Me., the son of Oliver C. and Caroline L. Barker.
In 1S44, his parents located in Lee Center, Lee County, where a
farm was purchased, and on which their son, John C, learned to
be a good farmer, subsequently attending Rock River Seminary
and Rockford Commercial College. He was a teacher in district,
select and graded schools for a few years and obtained his educa-
tion chiefly by his individual efforts and under many difficulties.
His tastes inclined him to the profession of law or medicine.
He read the different systems of medical science for a year, then
read the elementary authors in law. After thorough reading, while
a teacher, and subsequent practical experience in different law offices
and a course of one year at the Chicago Law School, he passed a
highly creditable examination before the State Board of Examina-
tion, in August. 1865, at Chicago, where he commenced practice.
For eighteen years he successfully followed his calling in this city,
building up a lucrative practice. By his straightforward and able
course, he was recognized as a lawyer of established reputation,
both as a special pleader and as an advocate before the court or
jury, as well as a citizen of culture and high moral character.
During the first six years of his residence here, he accumulated a
fine library, which, with his home and all its effects, was swept
away by the fire of 1S71. There was no insurance on his property,
and Mr. Barker was thus left penniless. He bravely commenced
the battle of life again, and soon placed himself in comfortable cir-
cumstances. From the first he has been a prominent member of
the Law Institute and Bar Association. Mr. Barker was a lieuten-
ant in the military service in the last War. He represented North
Chicago as a legislator in the Twenty-ninth General Assembly with
credit to himself and his constituents. In the fall of 1882, when
Mr. Barker's prospects looked the brightest, he was afflicted with
a dangerous attack of sciatica, and, upon the advice of physicians,
abandoned the active practice of his profession. In May, 18S3, Gov-
ernor Hamilton appointed him a justice of the peace for North Chi-
cago, a position he still holds. Mr. Barker is a member of many secret
and benevolent societies, being connected with Waubansia Lodge,
No. 160, A. F. & A. M., of which he was master for two years ;
with Lincoln Park Lodge, No. 2620, K. of H., of which he is past
dictator, and was a member of the last Grand Lodge and alternate
representative to the Supreme Lodge For many years he has been
a leading official of the Methodist Church, being president of the
Board of Trustees of the Grant-place Methodist Episcopal Church.
In October, 1869, he was married to Elizabeth E. Vaughn, of Chi-
cago. They have two children — John V. and Sarah Louisa.
Colonel Henry Franklin Vallette was born at the old
Vallette homestead, in Stockbridge, Mass., on November 1, 1821,
the son of Jeremiah and Abiah (Mott) Vallette. His father was a
man of broad views and varied information, as is exhibited by the
fact that Theodore Sedgwick, while preparing his work on political
economy, frequently sought the opinions of Mr. Vallette, who was
also a highly respected farmer. When Henry was seventeen years
of age, he removed to Illinois with his father's family, and settled
near the present town of Wheaton, in DuPage County. He
attended the public schools and Stockbridge Academy before leav-
ing his native State. The scholastic facilities of ihe West were
limited at the time, but, by persistent effort on his own part and the
aid of a private tutor, he mastered the English branches and the
science of surveying. In 1848, he resumed his studies at Mount
Morris Academy, and that year he began the study of the law.
During that year he married Miss Abbie A.
I linsniore, a daughter of the eminent divine,
Rev. Alvin Dinsmore, of DeWitt, Iowa.
She has been a noble and devoted wife and
mother ; to them have been born four chil-
dren. Mr. Vallette was elected treasurer of
DuPage County, to which office he was re-
elected four times. In 1851, he was admit-
ted to the Bar, and has devoted his attention
to the practice of his profession since that
time, with the exception of the time spent in
the army. He was in partnership with
Judge H. H. Cody for seventeen years. In
1862, he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the 105th Illinois
Volunteer Infantry. He was a brave officer, and was much loved
by the men under his command. He resigned in 1S64, and, in
1867, he resumed the practice of the law in Chicago, in company
with General B. J. Sweet and Judge Isaac Wilson. Since the
dissolution of this partnership, Colonel Vallette has continued in
the practice of his profession, and has been very successful. In
politics he is a Republican, but has never sought political prefer-
ment. In religion he is a Universalist, and has always given that
denomination his hearty support.
George Scoville, attorney-at-law, was born in the town of
Pompey, Onondaga Co., N. Y., October 10, 1S24. In early life,
his parents removed to the woods of Ohio, where the rudiments of
education were acquired by him in a log house by the light of a
tallow dip. At the age of eighteen he commenced attending school,
working his way as best he could. Entering Yale College, in
1846, on account of a stress of finances he was obliged to abandon
his educational course at the end of the second term, and turned
his attention to the study of law. After pursuing his studies in
the office of Hammond, King & Barnes, at Albany, N. Y., he was
admitted to the Bar in August, 1848. The succeeding three years
he spent in traveling through the West, and in April, 1851, came
to reside and practice in Chicago. Mr. Scoville formed a partner-
ship with Grant Goodrich in 1852. The partnerships of Goodrich
& Scoville, Goodrich, Scoville & Seeley (Henry E.), and Goodrich,
Farwell (William W.) & Scoville, continued until 1857. In 1869,
the firm of Scoville. Bailey & Brawley was formed, consisting of
Mr. Scoville, J. M. Bailey and F. W. S. Brawley. which continued
until the great fire. In 1872, the firm of Scoville, Corwin (John
A.I & Bayley (Edward F.) was formed, and continued four years.
Since then, Mr. Scoville has practiced alone, having been brought
prominently before the country as the counsel of Guiteau. He as-
sumed the responsibilities and unpleasant notoriety of the defense,
however, only at the request of Guiteau, through Colonel Corkhill,
and the earnest solicitation of his wife. His only ambition is to fill
such a place in life as ability, honest labor and perseverance have
fitted him for, and at his death to leave the world somewhat better
for having lived in it.
George A. Meech was born at Norwich, Conn., on January
19, 1824, receiving his preliminary education in the academy at
that place, where he remained until twelve years of age. Next re-
moving to New Haven, he graduated at Yale College, in the class
of 1843, and then contented himself with teaching school for seve-
ral years. He first taught at Bozrah, Conn., at a compensation of
$12 a month and board. In 1844, he became principal of the Nor-
wich Academy, where he had received his early schooling. In the
fall of 1845, on account of ill health, he was obliged to resign his
position and remove to the South, locating in Demopolis, Ala. In
1847, he repaired to Boston, to complete his law studies, which he
had already commenced with Lafayette S. Foster and Frank Lyon.
In Boston, he studied in the offices of Hubbard & Watts and of
Robert Rantoul, whose reputation was of a national character. In
the fall of 1848, he was admitted to practice law in Connecticut,
and the next year received his appointment as justice of the peace.
He gave such general satisfaction, that the citizens of the Norwich
District, in 1S53, elected him to the position of probate judge. On
account of his wife's falling health, however, he was obliged to
resign his place upon the Bench, and removed to the West. On
reaching Chicago, he opened an office at No. 117 Lake Street,
and soon formed a partnership with Joseph N. Barker, a lawyer of
established reputation. In 1S62, after continuing in private prac-
tice for about nine years, Judge Meech was elected city attorney,
which position he held during the administration of Hon. Francis
C. Sherman. He was chosen assessor of the South Town in 1864,
continuing in the successful practice of the law until his selection,
4S2
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
in the spring of 1S75. as justice of the peace for the South Town.
In the winter of 1S79, and again in iSSs. the judges of the courts
of record unanimously re-nominated him to his former position, be-
ing recommended by the bankers, merchants, lawyers and business
men of the city. Notwithstanding the manifold judicial duties
which have fallen upon his shoulders for years, he has found
time to retain the reputation which he earned during his younger
days of being remarkably proficient in belles-lettres. During much
of the period from 1S47 to 1S53, he was quite a constant contribu-
tor to the New York Tribune, and is now recognized as a fine
Latin scholar. He is a Mason, and a life-member of Waubansia
Lodge. Washington Chapter and Apollo Commander)'. Judge
Meech was married, in 1S50, to Sarah H. Dorchester, daughter of
Rev. Daniel Dorchester, of Norwich, Conn. His first wife died in
Februarv, 1S59, and in October, 1S60, he was united in marriage
to Celia Addie Hunt, daughter of Hon. Milo Hunt, of Chenango
County. New York, for many years State senator, and a man well
known in that section of the State. His second wife dying in the
fall of 1S7S, he was married, in October, 1SS0. to Florence W.
Story, daughter of Captain William Story, of Norwich, Conn.
Judge Meech has but one child — Harold Appleton
James Ennis (deceased) was born on March 27, 1S37, at En-
niscorthy. County of Wexford, Ireland. His father was what was
termed a gentleman farmer, and in such affluent circumstances as
enabled him to bestow upon his children the advantages of a good
education. His death occurred on March 27, 1852, it being the
fifteenth birthday of the subject of this sketch; and, soon after, the
remaining family, consisting of James, his mother and four sisters,
emigrated to America, and settled in Lake County, Illinois, where
his mother purchased a farm. In company with a farmer, who
drove a loaded ox-team, he made his first trip to Chicago, on foot,
on a bitterly cold day, in the winter of 1S54. He first obtained
employment as a clerk in a clothing store, but, shortly after-
ward, engaged as a clerk with Mr. DeWolf, and immediately entered
upon his duties, and commenced the study of the law. He also
applied himself to the study of German, which, in after years,
resulted in a fluency of speech, rarely acquired in a foreign
tongue. He was admitted to the Bar January 11, 1856, being, at
the time, not quite twenty-one years of age. He immediately com-
menced the practice of his profession, in which he rapidly achieved
success. His unimpeachable integrity, combined with his acknowl-
edged ability, brought him a lucrative practice, which constantly
increased up to the time of his death — a period of nearly a quarter
of a century. In 1S71, he located a new office at No. 145 Madison
Street, where he was scarcely established when everything was
swept away by the great fire. He lost, in addition to his offices,
his homestead, with all it contained, and his houses on the North
Side. Out of his property, nothing was saved, except a horse and
buggy, and a small house, on West Randolph Street, into which
he moved his familv, and, within one week, resumed his practice —
the parlor of his house serving as his office. In 1S72, he removed
his office to the newly erected Metropolitan Block, Room 22, which
continued to be his place of business up to the time of his decease.
He died of heart disease, November g, 1880, after a brief illness of
two days and was buried, November II. in Calvary Cemetery. In
politics, Mr. Ennis was a Democrat of the Douglas school, and,
after the breaking out of the Rebellion, was known as one of the
most pronounced and ardent War Democrats of Chicago. In reli-
gion, he was a firm believer in the Catholic faith. As a lawyer, his
ability as an advocate was excelled by few of his contemporaries,
while his general success before the Supreme Court, as shown in
the Reports, evinces his profound knowledge of the abstract prin-
ciples of law. Mr. Ennis was married, November 3, 1S58, to Miss
Mary A. Sexton, a native of Chicago, and a daughter of Stephen
Sexton, one of the early settlers, and who built the first school-
house in Chicago. She died August 11, 1876, leaving nine children
(the eldest being sixteen years old, and the youngest a babe), at the
time of her death. He was married, again, two years after the
death of his first wife, and left one child by his second wife. His
children, still living, are Lawrence M., James I., Callistus S.,
Lullus J Stephen I'., Agnes M., Laura G., and Juven-
tius T.— all residents of Rogers Park, a suburb of Chicago.
IIf.nhv J. Furber, of the firm of Higgins & Furber, lawyers
and capitalists, was born in Rochester, Stafford Co., N. II., on
July 17, 1840, being the son of Benjamin and 1 Hive (Hussey) Fur-
ber. He litter] for college at the Great Falls High School and en-
tered Bowdoin College in the fall of 1857. In the spring of i860,
before the graduation of his class, Mr. Furber accepted a call from
Green Hay. Wis., to 1. rintendent of the public schools
of that city. Subsequently, the faculty of liowdoin College confer-
red on him the regular college degree, and enrolled his name among
the graduates of Ihe class of 1861. Mr. Furber continued in
charge of the public school of Green Hay for two years, devoting
all his leisure moments to the study of law In July. 1 siVj, he was
admitted to the Wisconsin liar, and, in August, formed a partner-
ship with E. H. Ellis, a leading corporation lawyer of Green Bay.
Becoming interested in the subject of fire and life insurance,
through his professional labors, he was, in the spring of 1S64, ap-
pointed special agent for Wisconsin of the Metropolitan Fire Insur-
ance Company. In January, 1865, he became general agent for
the Northwestern States, and, in the succeeding April, general
manager of the Western and Southwestern States. His law connec-
tion with Mr. Ellis continued until July, when he removed to Chi-
cago, determining that this city was the proper locality in which to
make his headquarters. In October, Mr. F"urber was chosen vice-
president of the Universal Life Insurance Company of New York,
and went to that city to reside, where he remained until the spring
of 1S79, having entire charge of the great business interests of that
corporation. Returning to Chicago, in May of that year, he asso-
ciated himself with Judge Yan H. Higgins and Judge Cothran in
the practice of law. Judge Cothran retired in April, 1SS2, and
since that time the firm have given their entire attention to the care
of their extensive business interests. Messrs. Higgins. Laflin and
Furber are virtual proprietors of the National Life Insurance Com-
pany, and they are largely interested in other corporations of a like
character. Mr. Furber is a Mason in high standing, being past
master of Astor Lodge, New York, and a member of Republic
Chapter, Palestine Commandery and New York Consistory. He
was married at Green Bay, Wis., on January 7, 1862, to Miss Elvira
Irwin. They have three sons.
John H. Muhlkf. (deceased) was born in Germany, Novem-
ber 23, 1826. His parents emigrated to America in 1S42, and,
after a short stay in Buffalo, located in Chicago. John then worked
for Grant Goodrich, about his house, and remained with the fam-
ily two or three years. He then obtained a situation in the store
of Isaac Strahl, a merchant on Clark Street, and also worked a
long time for Hamlin, Day & Co. Upon the failure of Mr. Bige-
low, a dry goods merchant, by whom he was employed, he was ap-
pointed assignee, and afterward formed a co-partnership with his
brother and son. This was about the year 1855. A few years
thereafter, he took charge of the property of Carl G. Uhlich, who
had become involved financially. After the death of Mr. and Mrs.
Uhlich, in 1S67, Mr. Muhlke did not return to active business, but
spent his time in managing his valuable estate. Aside from his
business interests, his energies were devoted to his Church, of
jU^i -<,£
which he was secretary for over a quarter of a century, and to the
Uhlich Orphan Asylum, connected with it. Of the latter noble
charity he was president from the time of its organization up to
the time of his death, August 26, 1879. Mr. Muhlke left a widow,
formerly Catharine C. Kunst, and eight children. Louisa, the
eldest child, is the wife of Jacob H. Tiedemann; Anna, now Mrs.
Phillip Ilenrici; Henrv C. Muhlke, George F. Muhlke, Joseph H.
Muhlke, Katie C, the wife of Charles J. Harpel; Wallie G. and
Adelaide A.
Calvin DeWolf, probably the oldest lawyer of continuous
practice in Chicago, is one of its strong local characters — a bond
between the early and the present city. He was a pioneer abo-
litionist, one of the fathers of the municipal laws, and a popular and
respected justice of the peace for over a quarter of a century. Mr.
DeWolf was born February 18, 1815, at Braintrim, Luzerne Co.,
Penn., being the oldest son of a family of thirteen children. Soon
after his birth, his parents removed to Cavendish, Vt., but when he
was five years old, returned to Braintrim, and, in 1S24, settled in
Bradford County, Penn. Up to his majority, Calvin passed his
time working upon his father's farm and in obtaining an education.
With the assistance of a private tutor and his father, he gained a
fair knowledge of Latin, higher mathematics and surveying. He
also taught school for a time previous to 1836, when he left home
to pursue a course at the Grand River Institute, a manual labor
school in Ashtabula County, Ohio. On October 31, 1S37, he arrived
in Chicago, poor, friendless and courageous ; was unable to obtain
THE LITERATURE OF CHICAGO.
483
employment as a teacher, and after making application, on foot,
at different settlements along Fox River, finally located as a teacher,
in Hadley, Will Co.. 111. He returned to Chicago in the spring
of 1S3S, and engaged in various occupations, before he was able to
obtain a chance to study law in the office of Spring & Goodrich.
After teaching two years longer, he was admitted to the Bar in May.
1843, and commenced practice. For eleven years he held closely to
the duties of his profession, obtaining a large business and hosts of
friends. In 1S54, Mr. DeWolf was elected justice of the peace and
continued to strengthen himself in the public regard by the manner
in which, for a quarter of a century, he performed the duties at-
taching to that position. He was elected alderman in 1S56, and, as
chairman of the committee which revised the city ordinances during
his term, he accomplished very much toward framing the municipal
government as it now exists. He also was alderman from 1866 to
1868, and has been twice a member of the board of supervisors of
Cook County. From early manhood he was an earnest and honest
abolitionist, secretary of the first society ever formed in Chicago to
spread anti-slavery views, and one of the founders of the Western
Citizen, established by the State society as an anti-slavery organ.
At the October term of the United States Court for the northern
district of Illinois, in 1S60, an indictment was found against Mr.
DeWolf for the alleged crime of " aiding a negro slave, called Eliza,
to escape from her master," one Stephen F. Nuckolls, of Nebraska.
He gave bail in the sum of $2, 500; but in December, 1S01, upon
the motion of the United States District attorney, the case was dis-
missed. After the expiration of his office as justice of the peace,
in 1S79, Mr. DeWolf resumed the practice of his profession, in
which he is still actively engaged. In June, 1841, he was married
to Frances Kimball. They have had five children — Ellen L., wife
of Robert B. Hell, of Normalville, Cook County; Anna Spaulding,
who in 1877 went to New Orleans a teacher of colored children, and
died at Bay St. Louis, Miss., in September, 1878 ; Mary Frances,
wife of Milo G. Kellogg, of Chicago; Wallace L.; and Alice, wife
of L. D. Kneeland. who died at Kokomo, Col., in March, 1882.
Mr. DeWolf and his wife are members of the Sixth Presbyterian
Church.
THE LITERATURE OF CHICAGO.
The great fire may have been to Chicago a blessing
in disguise, so far as her material prosperity is con-
cerned, yet the calamity entailed losses for which there
can be no compensation, among them being that of her
archives. The records of the early settlers and the evi-
dences of the growth of literature that accompany the
increase of individual fortunes were swept away so
completely that no trace of them remains, except such
as may be found in some chance allusion in books,
stray newspapers, public documents that escaped the
flames, or in the memory of our oldest citizens. Such a
loss is a disaster, not only to Chicago but to the country
generally. When future historians of the marvelous
progress of the United States come to seek for the rec-
ords and explanations of the unparalleled development
of the West, they will lack the materials which the burned
archives of this city, civic as well as private, might have
furnished. True, many citizens who were active partici-
pators in the social and intellectual progress of Chicago
long before the fire, survive; but time casts a mist over
memory, and, even for the period between 1857 and
187 1, few can recall, with exactitude, the literary condi-
tion of the metropolis of the West. A full list of pub-
lications during that period cannot be obtained, and the
records and proceedings of the most important literary
and scientific societies were either badly mutilated or en-
tirely destroyed. The Historical Society of Chicago is
still seeking to complete its records up to the fall of
187 1. By carefully examining old newspapers, stray
legal and other documents, and by searching for chance
references to the proceedings of the Society in contem-
porary literature and the records of contemporary
associations, much has been accomplished.
In this period, the greatest literary activity was
developed during the War of the Rebellion. From the
time the first shot was fired at Fort Sumter until the
fall of Richmond, Chicago had her share of pamphlet-
eers and bookmakers upon all the important topics
of the day. The bulk of that literature was naturally
partisan and ephemeral. Fergus Brothers, the old
Chicago publishers, on Illinois Street, have rendered
valuable services to the future historian, by re-publish-
ing an important series of tractates and lectures that
were given to the public in the years before the fire.
But these are necessarily incomplete, and furnish imper-
fect pictures of the progress of thought or science in
this city between 1857 and 1871. They suggest how
great a loss to the annals of Chicago was caused by the
fire, and serve to show the vast interest then taken in
historical researches, more particularly concerning the
State of Illinois and the City of Chicago; also, the grad-
ual formation of public sentiment on the grave political
issues pending between the North and South, ultimately
settled by the arbitration of arms.
The population of this city between 1857 and 1871
increased from ninety-three thousand to about three
hundred and fifty thousand, and literary and scien-
tific societies increased in proportion. Many of them,
however, were of a dilettante character, having social
aims, and cultivated a taste for literature by much
dancing and feasting, perhaps remembering Sidney
Smith's suggestion that the motto of the Edinburgh
Review should be " the cultivation of literature on a
little oatmeal." The principal literary and historical
societies of this city have been the old Chicago Ly-
ceum and the Historical Society. Both of these ex-
isted with a serious purpose; and to them we owe much
of our information as to Chicago's early literary pro-
gress. The former society expanded gradually into the
Young Men's Association, and then into the Chicago
Library Association, which may be regarded as the /o /is
et origo of our present Public Library. The Lyceum
promoted lectures on such useful subjects as Joseph N.
Balestier's "Annals of Chicago"; while the kind of work
done by the Historical Society is indicated by the lec-
ture by Mr. Brown on the early pro-slavery sentiment
in Illinois. As with the valuable records of the Histor-
ical Society, so with those of the Young Men's Asso-
ciation— the fire left them sadly incomplete, yet such
as remain are invaluable aids to the historian.
Before 1857, Chicago's publishing firms were few,
and without facilities for extensive publication. Their
principal operations consisted of the sale of books and
stationery. Subsequently, S. C. Griggs & Co. and
Fergus Brothers did the greater part of the purely local
publishing, Keen, Cooke & Co. did a portion, and
George Sherwood & Co. published a series of school-
books, although it maybe remarked that Griggs & Bross
was the first firm in the State of Illinois that brought
out an elementary educational work.
S. C. Griggs was a member of a New York firm
from 1848 to 1864, and, after buying out the interest of
his partners, he conducted the publishing business alone.
It was not until after the year 1871, that Mr. Griggs
4*4
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
established a strictly publishing business on his own ac-
count, and the firm of Jansen, McClurg & Co. was
placed upon its present basis. General McClurg is of
the opinion that there was very little publishing done in
Chicago before 187 1, and that the stimulus which the
business has since received had its origin in the intense
vitality which that disaster developed. It was to the
BOOKSELLERS ROW.
East that the reading public looked for their chief sources
of intellectual enjoyment.
Perhaps the most ambitious scientific work published
in this city was Foster's " Mississippi Valley ; its Phys-
ical Geography, including Sketches of the Topography,
Botany, Climate, Geology, and Mineral Resources ; and
the Progress of Development in the Population and
Material Wealth," from the press of Church, Goodman
& Donnelley. Almost simultaneously with its publica-
tion by S. C. Griggs & Co., in 1869, it was produced
by Messrs. Triibner, of London. Dr. Foster was presi-
dent of the American Association for the Advancement
of Science, and lecturer on Physical Geography and
Cognate Sciences in the University of Chicago, and his
work was highly commended in scientific circles for its
theories concerning the formation of the mountains and
plains of the Mississippi valley, as well as for its account
of the prairies of the West and the llanos and pampas
of South America.
The book, par excellence, that Chicago has pro-
duced, in the estimation of Dr. William Frederick
Poole, librarian of the Chicago Public Library, is Mrs.
J. H. Kinzie's " Waubun." This volume was originally
published before 1857, and has been republished in
several cities of the United States — a New York edition
appearing during 1856, and two editions a little later in
Philadelphia. As a picture of early settler's life among
the aborigines of the West, Mrs. Kinzie's book is as
much appreciated in the Eastern States as it has been
in the West.
Shortly before 187 1, G. P. Upton, the musical critic
of the Chicago Tribune, published a series of letters in
book form, which were written over the nom de plume
of " 1'eregrine Pickle." These letters treated social
subjects in a light and pleasant fashion. The Western
News Company were the publishers, and when they
were burned out, tin- plates of Mr. Upton's book were
lost. Mr. Upton was also author of the " Gunnybags
Letters," and attained reputation as a translator. About
this time Franc K. Wilkie, of the Chicago Times,
printed a very popular volume, written under the pseu-
donym of " Poliuto."
Chicago was too deeply immersed in business dur-
ing those early days to be a congenial atmosphere for
poetry, although in the newspapers and magazines of
the day were many effusions. The Chicago war-songs,
for sudden popular effect, were equal to those produced
in any other part of the country, and those published
by Messrs. .Root & Cady did much toward keeping
alive the enthusiasm which ultimately crushed the Re-
bellion. Many a soldier has been nerved to duty by
the chorus of " Marching through Georgia " ; many a
man has gone into battle, whose soul had just been
cheered for the fray by the strains of the " Battle Cry
of Freedom" ; and when not shouting "Tramp, Tramp,
Tramp, the Boys are Marching," many a soldier, think-
ing of home, has found the asperities of camp-life soft-
ened by George F. Root's song of the "Vacant Chair."
The songs of a nation are sometimes more potent than
battalions, and Chicago, by her martial songs, must have
been worth to the Union casse many a veteran brigade.
Henry Clay Work, the author of " Grandfather's Clock,"
was associated with Messrs. Root & Cady in their
labors. Mr. Lewis, of the Chicago Music Company
(Lewis, Newell & Gibbs), was with Root & Cady when
" The Battle Cry of Freedom " was written by Mr.
Work, and he can scarcely tell the tale yet of its first
public reception, without betraying, in voice and eye,
the unextinguished fire of the old enthusiasm. Another
famous song of those days was Root's " Lay me down
and save the Flag," the well-known last words of Colonel
Mulligan.
S. C. Griggs bears testimony to the cordial recep-
tion extended by scholars to the works of Professor J.
R. Boise, of the Chicago University. His edition of
Homer's Iliad is now a recognized text-book, and his
RUIN'S, BOOKSELLERS ROW
" Greek Lessons " is considered by teachers scarcely
less valuable.
The plates of Arnold's "Lincoln and Slavery" were
destroyed, but the author had, fortunately, preserved
THE LITERATURE OF CHICAGO.
4«5
material which enabled him to produce his very com-
plete "Life of Abraham Lincoln," which was of such
excellence that it secured a ready welcome from the
public for other historical works by the same author.
Following in the same field, though not covering so
wide a range, came Edward G. Mason, who occupied a
prominent position in local literary circles. Of the
"History of the Army of the Cumberland" there are
probably now extant very few copies, although the
edition was three thousand.
J. W. Sheahan, author of the " Life of Stephen A.
Douglas," for twenty-nine years identified with journal-
ism, was also well known as a pamphlet writer. While
furnishing valuable matter for the Times, the Morning
Post, the Republican and the Tribune, he still found
time and energy, to produce his "Atlas of General
History," which, for carefully prepared comparative
chronological tables and general scope, received uni-
versal praise.
Elias Colbert, commercial editor of the Tribune,
compiled a careful history of Chicago up to 1868,
which has been a vade mccum for students in local
history. In addition to his reputation as a local histor-
ian, Mr. Colbert attained an enviable prominence as a
scientist, based upon his " Astronomy with the Tele-
scope," " Star Studies," and other works. He is a man
of versatile acquirements. To an acquaintance with the
classics, he adds a fair knowledge of Hebrew, a little of
Sanscrit, a great familiarity with the modern languages,
and a scholarly acquaintance with mathematics, politi-
cal econoni)', general literature, and the natural sciences.
The publisher of his " History of Chicago " was Patrick
T. Sherlock, deceased, who was a well-known Irish
patriot, and a member of the famous Irish Directory in
the Rebellion of 1848.
Benjamin F. Taylor contributed to the Chicago
Journal, and also wrote many charming poems and
stories before he retired to Michigan, where he now
resides, full of years and honors. Rev. Robert Collyer
wrote ably upon religious matters, and distinguished
himself by his liberal views. William H. Bushnell,
now in the Government Printing Office at Washing-
ton, entertained Chicago readers by his stories and
poems before he went East. T. R. Dawley wrote and
published many of his own works, and is remembered
as having been always willing to lend a helping hand to
younger aspirants for literary honors. John Went-
worth, and a score of others, might be mentioned, who
have published writings, fugitive and otherwise, on the
topics of the hour.
In the list of the publishing houses from 1857 to 187 1
appear the names of Culver, Page & Hoyne, the
American Tract Society, S. C. Griggs & Co., Robert
Fergus, D. B. Cooke, Rand, McNally & Co., Sherwood &
Co., E. B. Myers, Callaghan & Co., C. S. Halsey,
Clarke & Co., and Church, Goodman & Donnelley. All
these were doing business in a comparatively small way,
and, as a rule, combining the publication business with
the sale of books and stationery.
The " art preservative " is as essential to the perpe-
tuation of the author's genius as is the marble to the
sculptor, or the builder to the architect. No history of
literature can offer any claim to completeness which
fails to mention the vast army of publishers, booksellers,
printers and lithographers, whose artistic skill and
patient effort have done so much to supply the reading
public with sources of intellectual culture. Many of
Chicago's old publishers and "book-men" have passed
away, but it is a pleasant task to recall and perpetuate
their memories, as well as to chronicle the results
attained by those who have followed in their footsteps.
Robert Fergus, the historic printer of Chicago, and prac-
tically the pioneer of publishing, arrived in this city on Monday,
July 1, 1839, by the old-time side-wheel steamer "Anthony Wayne,"
of the Buffalo and Chicago line, commanded by Captain Amos
Pratt. He was born on August 14, 1S15, in the Gallowgate of
Glasgow, Scotland, and was the fifth and youngest son of John and
THE HISTORIC PRINTER OF CHICAGO.
Margaret Patterson (Aitken) Fergus. Four miles northwest of
Glasgow Cross, at the village of Maryhill, William Leckie presided
over a small school, and to his charge Robert was committed.
After being grounded in the rudiments, Robert was sent, at the age
of fourteen, to William Lindsay's Commercial School, Brunswick
Street, Glasgow', and a year later found him apprenticed to Robert
Hutchinson and George Bookman, proprietors of the University
Printing Office, Villafield. The firm also contained Alexander
Fullerton, John Blackie and William Lang, the former two of
whom were well-known Scotch publishers, while Mr. Lang earned
a very excellent reputation as a printer. The firm was dissolved
three years after Robert commenced his apprenticeship, and he
then was transferred to George Bookman, with whose son he
worked at the case and finished his apprenticeship. It is with no
little pride, in recalling those early days, that Mr. Fergus remem-
bers how he worked on Sir Walter Scott's " Marmion," " Lady of
the Lake," and "Lay of the Last .Minstrel," about the time when
the Wizard of the North was beginning to excite the wonder of
the world. He also helped to set up Sturm's " Reflections" and
Professor F. Meadow's French, Italian, and Spanish dictionaries.
A regular apprenticeship to the printing business means, in Scot-
land, a thorough grounding in the craft of Caxton; and when Mr.
Fergus set forth as a journeyman, he possessed a knowledge of his
business such as qualified him to earn a good livelihood in any part
of the civilized world. In 1839, Mr. Fergus's career in this country
was decided by his accidental meeting with a young Englishman
named Francis Metcalf, for whom he had formerly done certain
486
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
favors. Metcalf had just returned from Milwaukee, and he gave
the young journeyman such a glowing account of the capabilities
of the West that, on the 4th of May, 1S39, Robert set sail from
Glasgow on the paddle-wheel steamer "Commodore," and passed
the first iron steamer ever built on the Clyde, the " Royal Sover-
eign." which was then on the stocks. Four days later he set out
across the Atlantic from Liverpool, in the packet-ship " Orpheus,"
of the old Black Ball line, and arrived in New York on the 1st of
June. After calling on the Rev. Orville Dewey, of the Unitarian
Church of the Messiah, and, presenting a letter of introduction,
he started for the West. Taking the steamer " New London" to
Albany, he transferred himself to the Erie Canal packet " William
Hildreth." which landed him in Buffalo seven days later. In due
course he arrived in Milwaukee on the side-wheel steamer " Illi-
nois." He vividly remembers how, at that time, a scow came out
of the river, and took off both freight and passengers. The busi-
ness arrangements proposed by his friend Metcalf did not suit him,
and so he concluded to try something for himself. He met Harri-
son Reed, the editor and proprietor of the Milwaukee Sentinel,
who offered to let him have a half-interest in the paper for $800.
Mr. Fergus did not buy, as his friends advised him that "the
amount asked was more than the office was worth"; and then Mr.
Reed offered him the charge of the establishment at an annual
salary of $520. Mr. Fergus thought he could do stili better in
Chicago, and, in spite of the warnings he received, of what
he quaintly called "sure death-diseases," he proceeded to this
city, with which his name has ever since been associated. In
February, 1S36, he was married to Margaret Whitehead Scott,
in the Independent Relief Chapel (southeast corner of John
and Cochrane streets), of which Rev. William Anderson was
then chaplain. Margaret was the eldest daughter of James
Scott, a merchant weaver, and a burgess and freeman of the
city of Glasgow, a position held in very great esteem by the
" Glasgow bodies." Mr. Fergus's children are — George Harris,
John Bowman, Walter Scott, Benjamin Franklin and Jessie
Margaret ; and it is worth observing how both his nationality
and his love of his craft appear in the names of his boys.
It is difficult to say whether Mr. Fergus is a printer first and a
Scotchman last, or a Scotchman first and a printer last; for he
appears to he just as devoted to his profession as he is to the liter-
ature and recollections of his native country. Nothing delights him
more than to meet a congenial friend who can talk to him about
Allan Ramsay's "Gentle Shepherd," and discuss the beauties of
" Habbie's Howe " or the character of Patsy and Meg, the lovers
whose presence has made that glen famous in Caledonian literature.
The poems of Robert Burns he has at his tongue's end, the works
of Walter Scott are familiar to him as household words, and there
are few of the older Scotch authors about whom he does not know
something. His library is very full and curious; and what of old-
time local affairs can not be found on his book-shelves may gener-
ally be looked for in his vigorous and well-stored mind. Excepting
a slight deafness, Mr. Fergus enjoys a stout and hearty health, in
spite of his weight of years, of which forty-six (18S5) have been
spent in this city.
David Brainerd Cooke was born in Northampton, Mass.,
February 10, 1S26, and when only twelve years of age commenced
his business career in the book-store of Derby & Co., of Cincinnati.
In November, 1352, he came to Chicago and opened a little store
under the Tremont House. Soon afterward, he established himself
in a more extensive way at Nos. 113-115 Lake Street. At this
time he was an active and enterprising man, and for several years
published the celebrated " Blackwell s Reports." Subsequently,
becoming financially embarrassed, he entered the service of the
American Express Company, in 1862. He remained in that posi-
;■ years, and, in 1866, connected himself, in the book busi-
ness with S. C. Griggs. With him he continued for three years,
at No. 39. Lake Street, next entering into partnership with W. B.
Keene, at No. 115 State Street, remaining with him until the great
tire of 1171. After that calamity, they were located, for a short time,
on the lake front and Wabash Avenue, but finally returned to their
old site on State Street. In 1876, the firm again became deeply in-
volved, the store was closed up, and Mr. Cooke returned to the
employ of the American Express Company, acting in the capacity
of purchasing agent up to the time of his death, which occurred
21, 1884. Ili^ decease was occasioned by heart disease.
Few men left a larger circle of friends, or more sincere mourners
at the taking-off of so warm-hearted a citizen. His widow,
Augusta (Parke) Cooke, still survives him, she being formerly the
wife of Philip I: Aver.
The name of Jansen, McClurg & Co., are pre-emi-
nent in the West as booksellers. The firm is identified
with the spreading of the highest class of literature, and
their imprint has grown to I": re< ognized as a guarantee
of the excellence and wholesomeness of a book. The
firm is the outgrowth of the old house of S. C. Griggs
& Co., which, in 1865, comprised Samuel C. Griggs,
Egbert L. Jansen, David B. Cooke, Alexander C.
McClurg, and Frederick B. Smith. In 1868, D. B.
Cooke retired from the firm, and, in 1872, the firm was
divided, S. C. Griggs retiring from all connection with
the general book and stationery trade, and devoting
himself only to the publishing business, under the old
firm name, while the remaining three partners, under
the style of Jansen, McClurg & Co., continued the large
general business. They very speedily built up, in addi-
tion, a publishing business of the highest character.
The firm is now constituted as originally formed, the
members being Egbert L. Jansen, Alexander C. Mc-
Clurg, and Frederick B. Smith.
Egbert L. Jansen, the son of Dr. John T. and Clarissa
(Dolsen) Jansen, was born near Goshen, Orange Co., N. Y., on
January 5, 1833. He attended the public schools, and afterward
became a pupil at the Chester Academy. At the age of twelve
years he was left an orphan, and soon afterwards came to Chicago.
In August, 1S48, he entered the house of S. C. Griggs & Co ,
as an office boy, and, upon attaining his majority, was received as
a partner, and so continued until 1872, when, on the retirement of
S. C. Griggs, he became the senior partner in the present firm
of Jansen, McClurg & Co. He was married, in 1S56. to Mary L.
Buckbee, of Ypsilanti, Mich., daughter of Walter Buckbee, one of
the ieading lawyers of Michigan at that early day. They have four
children.
Richard Robert Donnelley was born in Hamilton, Canada
West, November 15, 1836. At the age of thirteen, he entered a
printing office, to learn the business. At sixteen, he was made
foreman of the office where he served his time. He subsequently
became a partner of William Pigott, who shortly afterward removed
to Chicago, and established the Evening Post. Mr. Donnelley
continued in business with John J. Hand, at present one of the
proprietors of the Galveston News, until the depression which fol-
lowed the panic of 1857. I Ie went to New Orleans, to take charge
of the job department of the True Delta, where he remained until
the breaking out of the War, when he returned to Canada, and
THE LITERATURE OF CHICAGO.
487
again established himself in business. In 1S64, he moved to Chi-
cago, to become a partner in the firm of Church, Goodman &
Donnelley, which, in a few years, became one of the largest book
and periodical publishing houses in the West — no less than twenty-
three weekly, monthly and quarterly journals being regularly issued
from its presses. In 1S70, the Lakeside Publishing and Printing
Company was organized, with a capital of $500,000, and Mr. Don-
nelley was appointed manager. This corporation was established
for the purpose of successfully competing for the Western book-
trade. The machinery, material and business of Church, Good-
man & Donnelley were purchased and made the nucleus of the new
enterprise. The company commenced the erection of an elegant
Gothic structure, at the corner of Clark and Adams streets, known
as the Lakeside Building ; but when only four of the six stories
had been completed, the great fire swept away their first efforts.
Before the smoke had blown away, Mr. Donnelley had set about
to restore his business ; and, on the Friday following, leased the
third story of Nos. 103 and 10; South Canal Street, and started for
New York, to secure new material. He commenced on his own
account, pending the decision of the Lakeside Company as to its
future course. That corporation had lost everything they pos-
sessed ; but there were, among its stockholders, men who believed
it could be resuscitated, if Mr. Donnelley would continue his rela-
tion as manager. He accepted their propositions, continuing his
own business, and also acting as manager of the Lakeside Company,
until the completion of their new building, in June, 1S73. He then
merged his own establishment into that of the company. In 1S74,
he associated with A. J. Cox, in book-binding, under the style of
A. J. Cox & Co. In 1S77, on account of the great and continued
commercial depression, the Lakeside Company closed business,
disposing of the building to the estate of P. F. \V. Peck, and the
machinery and printing material to R. R. Donnelley and A. T.
Loyd. It was this firm who originated and gave to the American
people the. style of cheap, good literature, known as " Libraries,"
by issuing the " Lakeside Library," in 1875. In 187S, Norman T.
Cassette became interested in the concern, and a corporation, under
the firm name of Donnelley, Cassette & Loyd, wasorganized, with a
capital of $75,000 and surplus of $20,000. In 1879, Mr. Donnel-
ley purchased the interests of Mr. Cassette and Mr. Loyd, and
re-organized the company, as at the present, R. R. Donnelley &
Sons. Mr. Donnelley was married, November 14, 1S63, to Naomi
A. Shenston, of Brantford, Ont. Their children are Reuben Ham-
ilton, Thomas Eliot, Benjamin Shenston and Naomi. Mr. Don-
nelley's aim, for twenty years, has been to make Chicago a book-
making center. Any person acquainted with the magnitude of
that branch of business at present, and a knowledge of its condi-
tion at that time, can readily see how much may be achieved by
the persistent efforts of one person, in an intelligently-selected line
of trade ; and while this business has become great, far-reaching
and many-handed, Mr. Donnelley deserves the credit of having
brought about this condition beyond that of any one man in the
trade. The present capacity of his well-appointed establishment
may be estimated, when it is stated that his firm has been selected
as printers of the United States Official Postal Guide.
Rand, McNally & Co., the well-known printers, engravers,
electrotvpers, and map and book publishers, take their origin from
a printing establishment opened, in 1856, at No. 14S Lake Street,
by William H. Rand, the senior member of the firm. Mr. Rand,
in 1S60, consolidated with the Tribune job department, at No 51
Clark Street, and assumed the superintendence. In this capacity
he continued for eight years, when he and A. McNally, with
others, formed a partnership, to establish a printing and publish-
ing house under the firm name of Rand, McNally & Co. In 1873,
the firm was incorporated as a stock company, with a capital
of $200,000, under the same name, and has since assumed such
large proportions, that it is now one of the largest printing houses
in this country, with a surplus capital of over $300,000. October
9, 1S71, when located at No. 5r Clark Street, the establishment
was burned out, but business was resumed temporarily at No. 108
West Randolph Street, until 1873, when the company moved into
their own quarters at Nos. 79 and Si Madison Street. This building
becoming too small, they erected a five and six story building,
ninety by one hundred and ninety feet, at Nos. 148 to 152 Monroe
Street, which the company has occupied since January. 1SS1.
William II. Rand is president and treasurer, A. McNally is vice-
president and general manager, and the superintendents of the vari-
ous departments are as follows : John Reid, ticket department ; T. C.
Ilavnes, job work; R. A. Bower, map and atlas publications;
James McNally, book publications and school maps ; R. B. Marten,
wood engraving ; C. R. Williams, Bankers' Directory, Bankers'
Monthly, and Business Directory ; John Ludwig, stationery and
blank books. Among some of their celebrated publications may be
mentioned the Atlas of the World, Business Atlas of the United
States and Canada, large scale-map of the United States, Banker's
Directory, Lumbermen's Guide, and a map of every country on
BUILDING.
From a lithograph.
the globe. The Rand-McNally Railway Guide is known and used
the world over.
Prior to 1857, there were few, if any, manufacturers
of printers' materials beyond the Chicago Type Foun-
dry Company and
Rounds & Langdon. A
few years later the
3&$F "-"T lltaJl well-known firm of
Harder, Luse & Co.,
came into existence,
and still flourished in
■ 1 8 7 1 , while S. P.
I Rounds had become
senior partner in the
!R JIJI firm of Rounds & Kane.
In view of the com-
aratively small popula-
lation of Chicago at
:'~4 that time, and the se-
■ j'iB vere results of the finan-
IjjH cial panic, this review
iLIl dearly suggests that
&- Chicago, even then, had
culver, page and hoyne's a fair. proportion of
publishing houses,
booksellers and prin-
ters.
The Chicago Type Foundry (Marder, Luse & Co.) was
established in 1855. as a branch of a New York City foundry. The
foundry changed hands in 1863, and it was reorganized entirely,
both firm and business. The company was composed of David
Scofield, John Marder and H. A. Porter. The last named partner
remained in the firm but a short time, and, in 1865, John Collins
was admitted as a partner. The firm name was then changed to
Scofield, Marder & Co. After four years of successful business,
Mr. Collins retired, and, in January. 1869, A. P. Luse purchased
his interest, when the firm name was changed to Marder, Luse &
Co., and afterward was incorporated under the laws of the State by
the old partners, John Marder and A. P. Luse. Mr. Marder is
president and treasurer, and Mr. Luse is vice-president and secre-
tary.
Charles McDonnell (deceased), son of Augustine and
Elizabeth (Byrne) McDonnell, was one of the most widely known
and beloved, especially among the Catholics, of the early residents
of Chicago. He was born in Clonegal, County Wexford. Ireland,
December 4, 1809. He received a thorough education, his brother
Nicholas, a professor in St. Peter's College, Carlow, personally
supervising his studies. In Dublin, he also obtained a good
business training, and engaged in business in Wexford for a time
Previous to coming to New York City, on July 4, 1S34, he
passed into Canada West, near Chatham, which was then scarcely
a settlement. There Mr. McDonnell taught a school in the woods,
then resided for a short time in Detroit, and, finally, on April 3,
1836, iocated in Chicago. His brother James accompanied him
from Detroit, and resided near him until his death in 1870. His
wife, Annie Charles, of Dublin, had preceded Mr. McDonnell to
Chicago during the previous year. They were married on Sep-
tember 20, 1S36, and, up to the time of her death by cholera, in
1S51, she was a helpmeet in the most beautiful and Christian sense
of the word. Mrs. McDonnell was greatly beloved for her charity to
the poor and sick emigrants, who came in large numbers during
those years. Soon after coming to Chicago, Mr. McDonnell pur-
chased a large tract of land on .Market Street, near Randolph, and
there erected a building, in which he carried on a hotel and general
store and the first Catholic book establishment in Chicago. Later,
he added to his building, in which he resided and conducted his
business. In March, 1S45, with the approbation of Bishop Quar-
ter, he published the " Rosarist's Companion," the first devotional
book printed in the city. He was one of the first and principal
members of St. Mary's Church. He was one of the originators of
St. Patrick's Society, the Catholic Young Men's Association of St.
Mary's Church the L'nion Catholic Library, and was a generous
patron of the University of St. Mary's of the Lake. In fact, he
did not confine himself to the encouragement of denominational
education, for at the State Common School Convention, which was
held in Chicago, in October, 1846, he stood prominent amid a
number of public-spirited citizens as an earnest advocate of a pure
system of education. He was one of the earliest members of the
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Board of Education of the city, and made a record there for probity,
high-niindedness and ability. "Mr. McDonnell was alderman in 1S42,
i?47. 1S45. 1S52 and 1SJ3, representing the Fourth Ward ; justice of
the peace from [862-64, being admitted to the BariniS67. This, in
connection with the fact that he had become the possessor of much
propertv in ditTerent sections of the city, induced him to spend the
later years of his life in the real estate business and the practice of
law. In 1S57, he retired, temporarily, from active business, but
was obliged to resume the book-trade again, and continued his
store until 1S66, being assisted by his daughter. Mr. McDonnell
was of an unusually robust constitution,, but it is supposed that
an injury-, which he received upon the head by being thrown
from a buggy, brought on the stroke of paralysis which he suf-
fered in February-, 1S61. He seemed, however, to have quite re-
covered his good health, and many years of continued usefulness
seemed in store for him, when he suddenly was stricken a second
time, and died on April 16, 1S6;. In his life, he took a very active
interest in the emigration of his countrymen to the West, and was
elected a member of the Emigration Convention, which was
held in Buffalo in 1S56, and, later, in St. Louis in 1868. It is
not too much to say that few men have been more generally or
sincerely mourned, or that were more thoroughly deserving of
the regard and regrets of their fellow-citizens. Mr. and Mrs.
McDonnell had three children — all daughters. Julia died in
1S49. Elizabeth and Harriet are still living.
A. I. Cox, who has the largest book manufacturing establish-
ment west of New York City, was born at Isleworth-on-the-Thames.
Middlesex County, England, January 22, 1S35. He lost his father
at an early age, and lived in England until thirteen years old, when
he came to America with his mother, and landed in New Orleans.
in the winter of 1847-4S. Soon afterward they moved to the
North, residing in various towns until they settled, in J 850, in
Columbus, Ohio. There he learned the bookbinder's trade, with
Messrs. Scott & Bascom, publishers of the State Journal. In the
following year he kept the books of the Ohio Statesman, a news-
paper of Columbus. In 1S55, he came to Chicago for the first
time, working for several months at his trade with Mr. Scott, his
instructor and employer in Columbus. Then he removed to Mil-
waukee, and worked as a journeyman. While there he married
Miss Jane E. French, who was formerly a resident of Columbus.
Shortly after his marriage he returned to Chicago, at the urgent
request of Mr. Scott, who had taken a large contract for printing
and binding the municipal laws of Chicago, one copy of which work
was given to every city in the Union. The years 1S60-61, he spent
in Milwaukee, returning to this city in the fall of 1861. Entering
into partnership, he continued the book-binding business, purchas-
ing a small binder)' on the corner of Lake and Clark streets. The
business grew until it was necessary to seek more extensive quar-
ters, and the firm moved to Nos. 51 and 53 LaSalle Street, where
they remained five years. Again they were forced to have larger
quarters, and removed to No. 164 Clark Street. In August, 1871,
they purchased the interests of another bindery, which they consol-
idated with their own, making it the best equipped establishment
of the kind west of New York City, a reputation which has since
been maintained. The great fire consumed the larger part of their
accumulations, but they resumed another partnership, this house
binding the first book printed after the fire, " Campbell's Shippers'
Guide." In the following year Mr. Cox formed a third business
connection, under the firm name of A. J. Cox & Co.; they removed
to the New Lakeside Building, where they remained ten years.
During this period they had built up a business greater even than
the one before the fire, and were forced to seek more spacious
rooms, removing to Nos. 140 to 146 Monroe Street, where they
have the largest and most conveniently arranged bindery, on one
floor, in America. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have five children — Alexis
J., Wilkie A., Charlotte E., Alfred W. and Almir C.
SHUBAEL Davis Childs (deceased) was the son of Josiah and
Beulah Childs, and was born at Westborough, Mass , on December
IO, 1799. He learned the trade of wood engraver, in Boston, and
thence removed to New York, where he remained seven years. He
came to this city in November, 1H37. l'rior to his departure, he
married Mi-.^ K'.iza W. Aiken, on April 27, 1831. He entered into
immediately upon his arrival here, but there being com-
paratively little wood engraving to be done in the city in 1S37, he
combined, with that business, sign-painting, wood-carving, etc.,
and occasionally printing Mr. Childs was the first wood engraver
in Chicago, and several of the engravings in the first volume of
this History are reproductions of the originals made by him. He
remained in the business until his death, which occurred at Evan-
ston, on January Q, [870. His son, Shubael Davis Childs, has
continued the business since his father's death, ami was associated
with hirii the business, He was born on December
'9. '833. in New York City, and came to this city with his father.
He attended the school at the garrison in Fort Dearborn, and also
a school on the southwest corner of Madison and State streets,
having Justice Sturtevant and Joseph K. C. Forrest as preceptors.
Since 1S60, he has managed the business, his father being sick and
unable to give his time and attention to it. Soon after his father's
death, he became associated with J. A. Smith in its continuance,
which was principally a general engraving business, their location
being at No. 117K Randolph Street. They were there burned out,
and re-established the business at the corner of Kinzie and King-
bury streets, where they remained until the erection of their build-
ing at No. 115 Franklin Street, which is now their workshop. At
the time of the building of this house they considered that they
were in the center of the business portion of the city, but the
growth of the city, and the change of the commercial center, neces-
sitated the opening of another house at No. 163 Dearborn Street,
where it still remains. Within the last few years they have added
printing to the engraving and stationery business, and this, the
oldest house in the city doing business here, ranks among the ex-
tensive and flourishing houses in Chicago. They run eight steam
presses, and do the metal and wood engraving at the Franklin
Street house, both the printing and stationery branches being con-
ducted at the Dearborn Street house. Mr. Childs was married, on
November 7, 1855, to Miss Mary A. Wright. He is a member of
Lincoln Park Lodge, No. 611, A. F. & A. M.
Stephen F. Gale, the first stationer in Chicago, and after-
ward one of the most active and public-spirited of her citizens,
was born at Exeter, Rockingham Co., N. H., March 8, 1812. At
an early age he went to Boston, attended the public schools, and
when fifteen years old, entered the leading book establishment of
the city, Milliard, Gray & Co. There he remained a number of
years, becoming a resident of Chicago in May, 1835. At this
time he established the first general book and stationery store in
the city, on the south side of South Water Street, between Clark
and LaSalle streets, exhibiting on his shelves also musical instru-
ments, cutlery and wall paper. As schools were then being gen-
erally established throughout Northern Illinois, Mr. Gale soon
acquired a good trade in educational books, his store becoming the
source of supply for quite an area of the surrounding country.
Another store in the village carried a small stock of religious books
and a small supply of stationery, but made few pretensions to com-
pete with Mr. Gale. His establishment gradually drifted into an
exclusive book and stationery store, and in a few years a very large
stock (or at least so considered at that time) was laid into this one-
story frame structure. As trade increased, help became necessary,
and A. H, Burley, Mr. Gale's half-brother, was installed as sales-
man. In the spring of 1842, he was taken into partnership and
under the firm name of S. F. Gale & Co., the business was con-
ducted until 1S45, when Charles Burley, the brother of A. H. Bur-
ley, took the remaining interest of Mr. Gale. Under the manage-
ment of A. H. & C. Burley the business was continued quite suc-
cessfully. In 1S44, Mr. Gale was nominated and elected chief of
the Fire Department, while it was a volunteer organization ; and
from 1844 to 1S47, while he was at its head, the whole machinery
of this branch of the city government moved like clock-work. In
February, 1S48, he was urged to allow his name to be used for a
re-nomination, but, on account of ill-health, he was obliged to de-
cline, and Charles E. Peck became his successor. When the enter-
prise of building the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad was revived
in 1S46, Mr. Gale at once took his place among the leaders of the
new work. The great liberality of the old charter, together with
the desire for immediate action, caused a favorable feeling in regard
to its purchase. William B. Ogden, John B. Turner, and Stephen
F. Gale pledged themselves in the sum of $5,000 each toward
the purchase, but, finding difficulty in obtaining the fourth name
for the same sum, the three entered into an agreement to furnish
the entire sum in equal parts, provided, better terms could not be
made. After correspondence and interviews, Mr. Townsend, who,
with Mr. Mather controlled the franchise of the road, submitted a
proposition, which was, that he was authorized to make a condi-
tional offer of the charter and assets, and receive therefor the entire
amount in full paid stock of the company, as follows: $10,000
immediately after the completion of the new organization, and,
$10,000 additional upon the completion of the road to Fox River,
or so soon as a dividend should be named of 6 per cent. ; reserving
to himself the privilege of naming, or having submitted to himself,
for his approval, the names of the persons who should constitute
the first board of directors. The proposition was accepted, and
on the 15th of December, 1846, individual subscriptions were made
to defray the expenses of a preliminary survey, and the work was
put in charge of Richard P. Morgan, civil engineer. In February,
1849, a mass meeting was called by the citizens of Chicago to place
in nomination some one for the mayoralty who could be supported
6y both parties. Mr. Gale received the nomination, but declined
to allow the use of his name, he being at this time busily engaged
in the preliminary steps for the incorporation and construction of
the Aurora Branch Railroad, which was to be a line running from
Aurora to the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad, in DuPage
THE LITERATURE OF CHICAGO.
4«9
County. An incorporating act was passed in February, 1S40, and
Mr. Gale became its first president. After the completion of the
Aurora branch it was decided to extend the road to Mendota, there
to connect with the main line of the Illinois Central. In 1S55, the
various roads were consolidated which now form the Chicago, Bur-
lington & Quincy Railroad in Illinois. Mr. Gale remained presi-
dent of the Chicago and Aurora line until its completion to Men-
dota, and thus he played no mean part in the establishment of a
great railroad system. He also took an active part in the resump-
tion of the work for the completion of the Illinois i; Michigan
Canal. When YV. H. Swift and David Leavitt, trustees on the
part of the bondholders, returned from Europe, it was ascertained
that no money would be forthcoming from a foreign source until
Illinois subscriptions to the amount of $16,000 were all paid. Wil-
liam B. Ogden, Thomas Dyer and Mr. Gale were appointed to
canvass the city and offer to the trustees a bond guaranteeing the
prompt payment of every Illinois subscriber. This bond was exe-
cuted and accepted, and every dollar paid to the trustees on the day
agreed upon. Since retiring from the stationery business in 1855,
Mr. Gale has not engaged in any mercantile pursuit, but has been
interested in many enterprises of magnitude.
J. M. W. Jones is the head of the corporation known as the
J. M. W. Jones' Stationery and Printing Company. He was born
in Petersburg, Rensselaer Co. , N. V., on January 22, 1821. The
first eighteen years of his life he spent on his father's farm and in
receiving a good public school education. At the age of eighteen,
he went to Troy, N. Y., serving as a grocery clerk five years, then
accepting a position in a book and stationery house, where he went
through all the gradations of an employe until he became a pro-
prietor. There he remained seventeen years, nine years of which
he was proprietor of " The Troy Book Store," where he acquired
experience and capital for his broader field of labor in this city. In
1S57 he came to Chicago and soon after his arrival purchased the
interests of A. H. Burley & Co., who were engaged in the
blank book and stationery business at No. 122 Lake Street. Bur-
ley iS: Co. were the successors of Stephen F. Gale, who founded the
house in 1S35, making it the oldest house of its kind in this city
and in the Northwest. Mr. Jones continued the business at the
old stand until 1S66, where it had been conducted for thirty-one
successive years, when he moved to Nos. 42 and 44 Dearborn
Street, as the old quarters had become too limited to supply the de-
mands upon its capacity for work. Three years after this removal
his business had so increased that he again sought more commo-
dious quarters at Nos. 108 and no Randolph Street. There, the
lire of October 9, 1871, consumed not only his store but his house,
and he lost the greater portion of the accumulations of his earlier
years; but he resumed his business at No. 68 South Canal Street, and
soon after started a branch at No. 507 Wabash Avenue and one on
Clark Street. As soon as the building of No. 104 and 106 Madison
Street was completed he consolidated his three stores there, where
he continued until his removal to his present large and commodious
store, where he is conducting one of the largest houses of its kind in
the West. He was one of the originators of the Fourth National
Bank of Chicago and was a member of the board of directors, but
soon afterward resigned. He is a communicant of the St. James
Episcopal Church, joining the society soon after his arrival in this city.
He married, in 1857, Miss Harriet Snow, the daughter of George
W. Snow a settler of 1832.
Paul Shniedewend, a member of the Shniedewend & Lee
Company, was born in the city of Wismar, Mecklenberg-Schwerin,
Germany, September 4, 1S46, from which place he emigrated to
America, and settled in Chicago in 1857. The first ten months he
worked in a cabinet manufactory, and at the same time attended even-
ingschools. He next went to Addison, DuPageCo., III., and remained
three years. Returning to Chicago, he served an apprenticeship of
three years at stereotyping and electrotyping with S. P. Rounds, and
then was foreman of the office seven vears, after which he became
manager of the mechanical department of A. Zeese & Co. He re-
mained one year with this firm, and then formed a partnership, in
1870, with Mr. Lee, in the type founding and sterotyping business.
Mr. Shniedewend was married May 6, 1S72, to Fredrica Kaiser, a
native of Germany. They have had seven children, five of whom
are living — Agnes, Alma, Paul, Cora and Walter.
John Anderson, a printer and publisher, was born in Voss,
Norway, on March 22, 1S36, and is the son of Andrew and Laura
(Sampson) Anderson. He emigrated to America with his parents
in 1S44, when onlv eight vears old. and, at fourteen years of age,
he left school to prepare himself for his life's work. He became
printer's devil with Alfred Dutch, publisher of the Chicago Com-
mercial Advertiser. From there he went to the Argus, and when
that closed its publication he went over to the Democratic Press,
where he worked as compositor, until it was merged into the Tri-
bune, and was connected with that paper for sixteen years. In
1865, he left the composing rooms of the Tribune, and started the
weekly Skandinaven, which is now published daily and weekly.
It also has a European edition, and the only one published in
this country. The Skandinaven not only goes to every State ami
Territory in the Union, but to the Canadas, Norway, Sweden,
Denmark, Australia, Sandwich Islands. France. Russia and Ger-
many. In connection with the above he runs a large job office, in
which he does printing in four languages. He has also a large
bindery, and in all his departments he employs from eighty to
one hundred and twenty-five people He is a publisher of both
English and Scandinavian books, and is a large importer, lie
was married, in 1859. to Maria C. Frank, daughter of William and
Betsey (Johnson) Frank. She died in April, 1874, and left one
child. He was again married in May, 1875, to Julia Sampson,
daughter of Peter and Sara (Nordheim) Sampson. They have
two children.
Baker & Co., are wood-engravers and designers, and dealers
in engravers' tools and supplies. William D. Baker established
the house in 1S57, coming to Chicago from Philadelphia in 1S56.
Mr. Baker was a native of Philadelphia, being born in 1S2S, and
living in New York and Philadelphia until he made his home in
Chicago. He learned his trade of John Frost, of Philadelphia, re-
ceiving his education in the schools of his native city. He was a
prominent Mason, a Knight Templar, and was buried, with
Masonic ceremonies, in Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago.
Sylvanus II'. Fallis, who succeded to the house of Baker &
Co., was born in Peru, Ind., March 12, 1S42, where he lived nine-
teen years, receiving his education in the public schools of his
native town. When nearly twenty years of age he came to Chi-
cago, and commenced learning the wood-engraver's trade with
William D. Baker, in the fall of 1862. He was then made fore-
man, and succeeded to Mr. Baker's business, on the death of the
latter on August 23, 1S71, preserving the firm name. After the
fire of 1S71, the business was re-established at No. 50 West Ran-
dolph Street, and on January 15, 1S73, he moved to the southwest
corner of Monroe and Clark streets. Mr. Fallis is an author, and
is now writing an interesting series of articles in the Inland
Printer, giving the history of wood-engraving from its earliest dis-
covery and use to the present time.
J. F. Lawrence. — The printing house of J. F. Lawrence was
founded in 1869, by Samuel Mitchell, J. F. Lawrence and ( 1. C.
Fordham, under the firm name of Mitchell. Lawrence & Fordham,
on the northwest corner of Lake and LaSalle streets. They re-
mained there until the great fire of 1S71, in which they were burned
out, losing about $8,500. Immediately after the fire, Messrs.
Mitchell and Fordham retired, and Mr. Lawrence took the business,
and carried it on at No. 359 West Randolph Street up to 1873,
when his eldest son, T. F. Lawrence, purchased the business,
carrying it on ever since under the old name of J. F. Lawrence.
Mr. Lawrence settled in Chicago in 1843. He here learned the
trade of mason, and became afterward one of the prominent con-
tractors of Chicago, continuing in that business, with the exception
of the years i860 to 1864, when he resided at Northfield, 111., when
he entered into the printing business, retiring from it, as before
stated, in 1S73. His son, Theodore F. Lawrence, was born in
Chicago. March 8, 1S46, and in 1869 became a partner in his
father's firm. He married Lizzie L. Barker, daughter of John
Barker, of England; they have one child, a daughter, Agnes R.
Louis Kurz, of the firm of Kurz & Allison, and one of the
founders of the Chicago Academy of Design, was born in Salzburg.
Austria, November 23, 1835. In 1852, he came to Chicago, where
he pursued his studies and acquired a reputation as a scenic artist,
specimens of his handiwork being observed at Crosby's Opera
House, McVicker's Theatre and all the early and popular places of
amusement. Louis Kurz continued to follow his profession, with
fair success, until i860, when he engaged in the business of litho-
graphing. In 1863, with Jenne A. FMoto, M. Kurz and Edward
Carqueville, he organized the Chicago Lithographing Company.
Their place of business was at Nos. 150-154 Clark Street, and the firm
acquired a high reputation for the excellence of their work, but the
great fire destroyed their establishment. Shortly afterward, Mr. Kurz
founded the American Oleograph Company, with headquarters at
Milwaukee. In 1878, he returned to Chicago to reside permanently,
and, in 1SS0, formed his present partnership with Alexander Alli-
son. Their business consists in designing for large establishments
of all kinds, and in originating and placing on the market artistic
and fancy prints of the most elaborate workmanship. Mr. Kurz
was nvrried, in 1S57, to Mary Erker, of Jefferson, Wis., and they
have ten children, five sons and five daughters His oldest son,
Louis O. Kurz, has lately returned from Munich, Germany, where he
spent six years at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and has opened
a studio and established himself as a portrait painter in this city.
William BURGESS, a newspaper printer, was born in London,
England. May 1, 1S24. He received his education at Exeter,
England. His parents came to America, settling in Cincinnati,
where they lived several years ; thence they came to Chicago
where they died. Mr. Burgess oame to America ten years latei
490
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
than his father, and visited his parents in Cincinnati. After
remaining there a few months, he concluded to come to Chicago,
and arrived here in October, ]Sj6. From shortly after his arrival
here, he has been connected with the Times, and is still drawing a
salary from its management. He commenced as a carrier of the
paper to its patrons, and four years afterward, was transferred to
the mailing department. His income being small, he purchased a
cart, by which he could transfer forms from one office to another,
and also do any kind of errands that would help him to make a
living. His business so increased, that he purchased a horse and
wagon, and the extra work involved was done in the daytime, after
he had finished his work in the mailing department. In this way
he mailed the first issue of the Journal of Commerce, and has con-
tinued its mailing ever since. His mailing business increased
yearly until the fire of October 0. 1S71, which consumed the gains
of his previous years, leaving him nothing but pluck and credit to
commence the battle of life anew. He opened up his business
again, in connection with the mailing of the Times, receiving
all the credit he asked for in replacing machinery and furniture.
On May 5. 1S77, he added printing to his business, and placed in
position two cylinder presses and three folding-machines. He
now runs ten cylinder presses, night and day, except Sundays. He
prints a large number of publications, a few of which are the
Breeders' Gazette, Journal of Commerce, The Living Church, The
Swedish Tribune, The Farmers' Review, The Shipping Gazette,
Religio- Philosophical Journal, The Emerald, with many others.
He was first married in October, 1846, to Eliza Dawson, in London,
England, who died there in the summer of 1S4S, leaving one child,
Charles, who is still living, assisting his father in his business.
Samuel Simons, manufacturer of printers' furniture, en-
gravers' and railroad supplies, was born in London, England,
January 9, 1S37, and is a son of William and .Martha (Smith)
Simons. At fourteen, he was apprenticed for two years to learn
the carpenter and joiner trade, at the expiration of which time he
emigrated to America. Landing in New York, in 1853. he worked
at his trade until 1S55, when he moved to Chicago and was em-
pioyed as carpenter and joiner here till 1861. Wilbur F. Storey-
was the means of starting him in his present business. He was in
the old Times Building one day when Mr. Storey accosted him,
and asked him about his business, knowing he was a builder. Mr.
Simons replied that building was dull and unprofitable. This was
during the War, when it was difficult to secure male compositors,
and Sir. Storey was contemplating the instruction of women and
girls in the art of type-setting. "Now you," said Mr. Storey,
" take rooms in my building, and manufacture type-cases, and I
one million dollars to the city treasury. He is a member of three
committees, Gas, Markets, and Streets and Alleys.
John BUCKIE, Jr , manufacturer of printer's rollers, was born
in Glasgow, Scotland, December 1, 1838, and is a son of John and
Barbara (Waugh) Buckie. His father, a printer, learned his trade
in Glasgow, and sold one of the largest job offices there, when he
left with his family for America, in 1851. The family stopped in
New- York three years, and the father took charge of the printing
office of Oliver & Bro. , at that time the largest job office in that city.
While in New York, John, Jr., was bound out, under articles of
indenture, to Oliver & Bro., but not having served his time when
his family moved to Alton, 111., his employers surrendered the
articles, and thus released him. His father took charge of the
Alton Courier, for its proprietor, George E. Brown, and the year
after John came to Chicago, and completed his education in the
art of printing with Robert Fergus, an old acquaintance of his
father's. His next engagement was with William H. Rand, who was
running a book and job office. There he remained one year, after-
ward, working in the Evening Journal, and, in 185S, he engaged with
Simeon Farwell, now of the firm of J. V. F"arwell & Co., as fore-
man of the printing, and finally took charge of the whole business.
At the end of his four years' service with Mr. Farwell, he became
foreman of the press-room of Dunlop, Sewell & Spalding, with
whom he remained eight years. In 1S70, he opened business on
his own account on Dearborn Street, opposite the Masonic
Temple. A few months before the great fire he sold his business
to William Piggott, and traveled for the Chicago Taylor Press
Company and S. P. Rounds, till October 9, 1871. After the fire
they had no use for traveling men, as they could not manufacture
presses and type as fast as they received orders by mail. Pie then
aided, and took an interest in establishing the Phoenix Printing
Company, and opened their business on Canal Street, in the Gates
Building. Afterward he sold his interest in the printing company,
and established his present business. He was married, September
19, 1857, to Annie E. Duffie ; they have nine children living — John
F., Minnie Annie, William B., Tessie, Barbara, Bella {Henry A.,
deceased), Harriet, Bella and Beatrice.
The following table (compiled from the census re-
ports of i860 and 1870) affords a view of the growth of
the various departments of the publishing and printing
business during the ten years preceding the fire. The
figures given, are for the entire County of Cook, but
may be accepted as relating substantially to Chicago.
Trades.
Number
of
establish-
Capital invested.
(Dollars.)
Cost of
raw material.
(Dollars.)
Number
of
Watjes paid.
(Dollars )
Value of
manufactured pro-
duce.
( Dollars.)
1860.
1870.
i860
1870.
i860.
1870.
i860.
.870.
i860.
1870.
i860.
1870.
Printing and publishing. _
Book
Job _
s
16
34
6S,ooo
271,000
203,000
293,400
210,440
205,620
329075
151,900
53
1S1
34i
333
37,000
114,700
222,200
156,200
324 OOO
452,500
945.450
431,000
*!'>
60
♦307,700
835,400
*igo,7t6
S97.035
*356
908
* 154.42S
530,100
*525,022
2,177.950
Type founding
Inks
inding - - — .
I I
I J 19
25,000
1 ,0O0
14,000
2S,OO0
135.300
6,250
3.350
5,000
35,000
636,365
16
7
12
16
260
4,S24
r,872
7,000
3,320
105,800
24,000
9,30C
25,O00
51,000
SS8,40O
■ ... [ions re< ognized in tin.
will furnish the power ami lurnish work, more than enough to pay
a small nominal rent." He accepted the proposition of Mr. Storey,
hi rear ol the Times Building, con-
nuing eighteen months, when lie removed 10 Calhoun Place, be-
.rk and lie.. |„ this place he was burned
out by the fire of ;-7r. Il<- leased a lot at No. 272 West Lake
Street, anil built, where he continued hi-, business until May, 1SS4,
when he removed to the rear of Nos. 13, 15, 17 and 19 North
1 ere hi probably has the largest manufactory of
the kind in the West, and in which he employs thirty-live men.
On January ig, ri.-i. he was married to Elizabeth \'. Williams,
who was born in I tica, V Y.. in 1-16. She .I'm. I on January 1,
rid left three children — Samuel, Charles and William.
.gain married, on February 16, 1882, to Frances 1 leddings.
On April 10, 1883, was elected, on the Republican ticket, a
member of the Citj 1 ouncil, to represent the Eleventh Ward, lie
I) . and was a staunch
supporter of the bigh-lii ■ use reform movement which has broughl
HISTORY OF THE PRESS.
In 1858, the leading newspapers of Chicago were
The Democrat, The Daily Journal, The Tribune, The
Democratic l'ress, The Times, and the Illinois Staats
^ ' $Ljyjz*M~^^+^,
Zeitung. There was also The National Democrat,
an administration paper, succeeded later by the
Herald, and the Union, an evening paper. They were
THE LITERATURE OF CHICAGO.
491
all part}' papers, depending on party for maintenance,
and yielding in return unhesitating party allegiance.
The Democrat, the Journal, the Tribune, the Press and
the Staats Zeitung occupied the same ground substan-
tially as to the slavery question, were all in alliance
with the Republican party, and were prosperous papers.
With the beginning of the year 1858, the Journal, the
Tribune and the Press announced that subscriptions
must thereafter be paid in advance. On July 1, of the
same year, the Tribune and the Democratic Press were
consolidated under the name of The Press and Tribune,
each paper being valued at $100,000. John L. Scripps
and William Bross were owners of the Press, and
subscribers and advertisers who have always remained
constant to it. Charles L. Wilson was sole proprietor,
^
ctSZsy*
<S <7~*>T-^C<s-yi.
Charles H. Ray, Joseph Medill and Alfred Cowles,
owners of the Tribune.
Of the papers mentioned, the Democrat was the
oldest. Its earlier history is given in our first
volume. It had been a Democratic paper up to the
time of the Kansas-Nebraska issue, but when the slav-
ery question was again raised, it assisted in the forma-
tion of the Republican party. John Wentworth was
both its owner and editor, and its columns were charac-
terized by his self-assertion and independence. It sup-
ported Lincoln in the senatorial campaign of 1858, and
again in the presidential campaign of i860. When the
Civil War broke out, it ardently supported the cause of
the Union. In the spring of i860, Wentworth was again
elected mayor, and at the close of his term, determined
to retire from journalism. He had occupied the editorial
chair for a quarter of a century, and felt himself en-
titled to a rest. On the 24th of July, 1861, the last
number of the Democrat was issued, and its editor
made his farewell address to his patrons. He did not,
in terms, sell his paper. He sold his subscription lists,
advertising, job work, patronage and good will to the
Tribune, with the agreement that he was not to publish
a newspaper until after the 1st of March, 1864. Thus,
the Tribune absorbed its two rivals, became the sole
morning Republican newspaper, and laid the founda-
tions for the splendid property it was subsequently.
Taking the leading newspapers in their order of
age, we commence with the Daily Journal, more widely
known as
The Chicago Evening Journal. — With the year
1858, the Evening Journal commenced its long career
of prosperity. It "adopted the principle of advance
payment for subscriptions, and obtained a clientage of
GUx^JU^^Xxhii^^
Andrew Shuman, editor, George P. Upton, local and
commercial reporter, and Benjamin F. Taylor, literary
editor.
Charles L. Wilson was born in Fairfield County. Connec-
ticut, October 10, 1818. He was the son of John Quintard Wil-
son, at one time a prominent lawyer in New York City, afterward
removing to Connecticut where he was appointed a judge. His
education was obtained in the common schools and academy of his
native county. Completing such studies as these afforded, by the
time he was seventeen, he looked out upon the West as presenting
the greatest resources for him, and in September, 1835, found him-
self in Chicago. For the next ten years his life was passed in mer-
cantile pursuits, but his brother, Richard L., having become the
owner and editor of the Evening Journal, in 1S45 Charles became
associated with him as editor and in the ownership of the paper.
Richard Wilson died in 1856, and Charles then became the sole
owner of the Evening Journal. Mr. Wilson was active in the sup-
port of the Republican party, and was a warm adherent of Abraham
Lincoln in the senatorial contest of 1S5S. In the Republican con-
vention of 1S60 he advocated the nomination of William H. Seward
for the presidency, but when Mr. Lincoln was nominated sup-
ported him with enthusiasm. In 1861, Mr. Lincoln appointed him
Secretary of Legation at London, in which position he remained
until 1S64, meantime leaving the Journal in charge of his brother,
i/L £. <br&^h
o
John L. Wilson, as business manager, and Andrew Shuman, as
editor. Under this able management, the paper prospered greatly,
and when Mr. Wilson returned from London in 1S64 he found that
his paper had become a very valuable property. In July, 1S69, he
married Miss Caroline F. Farrar, sister of Colonel Henry W. Farrar,
who was at this time associated with the Journal as business mana-
ger. In 1875, Mr. Wilson's health began to fail, and in March.
1S7S, he died in San Antonio. Texas, wither he had gone for the
benefit of his health. He left surviving him his wife and one
daughter.
Andrew Shuman, the son of Jacob and Margaret Shuman,
was born November 8, 1830, in Lancaster County, lVnn. He re-
ceived a common school education, and at the age of fourteen was
apprenticed to the printing business in the office of the Lancaster
Union and Sentinel. He remained there until 1S46. when he
accompanied his employer to Auburn, N. Y.. who went to take
charge of the Daily Advertiser, the organ of William II. Seward
He continued working at the newspaper business until 1850, when
he determined to procure a more complete education, and, during
that year, prepared himself to enter Hamilton College, which he"
did in 1851. He remained at college until the fall of 1853, when,
at the instance of some of the political friends of Mr. Seward, he
assumed the editorship of the Daily Journal, Syracuse, N. Y., and
remained in charge of that paper until July, 1S56, when he became
assistant editor of the Chicago Evening Journal. In 1855, he
married Miss Lucy I!. Dunlap, of Ovid, N. Y. They have one
daughter. Mr. Shuman has held some public positions. He was
Commissioner of the Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet, from 1S65
till 1S71, and in 1876 was elected Lieutenant-Governor of Illinois.
He ranks among the foremost journalists of Chicago, and is
justly entitled to a large share of the credit for the success of the
Evening Journal.
The reputation of the Journal is that of quiet and
staid respectability. No one ever found in it any highly
flavored articles, bordering on the licentious or the
obscene. It is well informed, conservative, and judi-
cious, serving the Republican party with faithfulness
but never advocating the extremely radical measures of
the doctrinaires of that party. Messrs. Wilson and
49-
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Shuman were both admirers of William H. Seward, and
were impressed by his character. They deemed him a
wise and judicious statesman. They belonged to his
school, anil the political tone of the Journal was keyed,
so far as was possible, on the ideas and utterances of
the great New Yorker. The Journal was an earnest
supporter of Lincoln's administration during the War;
favored Andrew-
Johnson until his
rupture with Con-
gress, and support-
ed Grant's first and
second administra-
tions. It has never
been in advance of
its party, but. when
the issues are made,
marches well in line.
It favors a protec-
tive tariff.
Oliver Hazard
Per r ¥ was born at
Rochester, N.V.. in 1S36,
and was educated at that
city and at Lockport, 111 ,
whither his family re-
moved in 1S47. He com-
menced his apprentice-
ship to the art of printing
on the Will County Tel-
egraph, the first newspa-
per published at Lock-
port. In iS;i, he came
to Chicago, and became connected with the Democrat as a prin-
ter, and remained on that paper until its publication ceased in
1S61, when he entered the Journal office. In 1866, he became
city editor of that paper, and, after the retirement of Benjamin
F. Taylor, the literary editor. For about a year after the great
fire he' edited the North-Western Railway Traveler, published in
the interests of the North-Western Railway Company. He then
returned to the Journal, and has been continuously with it from
that time. He was married, in 1870, to Miss Julia Vanderveck,
of Rochester, N. V. Mr. Perry has fine literary taste and judg-
ment, and his criticisms are marked by good feeling and discrim-
ination.
[AMES CmSHOLM was born at Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1S3S,
and received his education in that famous city. He came to the
United States in 1S64. and took up his residence in Chicago.
He commenced journalism on the Times as a reporter, and, in
1865, joined the Tribune. After the fire, he became connected
with the Inter Ocean, then with the Indicator, and, a few years
later, with the Journal. Most of his journalistic work has been
in the line of dramatic criticism. He was married, in 1S71, to
Miss Mary E. Garrison, of Chicago.
The Chic m.<> Tribune. — Ably conducted and ed-
ited, enterprising in news-gathering, always partisan,
the Chicago Tribune, during the period of which we
now write, was the most prominent and most success-
ful newspaper in the West. It had the merit of being
on the popular side of the great political and social ques-
tions of the times. Its constituency was composed of
the educated and progressive people of the Northwest,
whose sentiments and opinions it reflected ably. In
the campaigns of 1858 and i860, it pursued Senator
Douglas with exceeding bitterness, but when that
nan lay dead at the Tremont House, it paid a
just and glowing tribute to his memory. It took a
dc ided stand on the tangled currency that afflicted the
tte from 185.S to 1862, on the War for
the Union, on emancipation, on re-construction, on the
impeachment of Johnson. During the War, it never
for one moment faltered in the belief that the Union
arms would be successful— never from first to last
counseled peace on any other terms than entire sub-
mission. It was among the first, if not the very first,
newspaper to urge the emancipation of the slaves. It
opposed the impeachment of Johnson as unwise and
impolitic, and advocated Congressional re-construction.
On lesser and local questions it was usually in accord
with its party, and believed the shield to be silver
or gold, as the party decreed.
Its editors and chief writers during this time were
William Bross, Dr. Charles H. Ray.
John L. Scripps, Joseph Medill,
Horace White and James W. Sheahan.
Mr. Scripps was appointed postmas-
ter in 1 86 1, when his editorial con-
nection with the paper ceased, and,
in January, 1S65, he sold out his
stock to Horace White, who at that
time became editor-in-chief.
After the consolidation with the Press, the paper
.was called the Press and Tribune until 1861, when the
word Press was dropped, and the following winter the
Legislature of Illinois granted a charter to Charles H.
Ray, Joseph Medill, Alfred Cowles, John L. Scripps,
and William Bross, and their successors, under the name
of the Tribune Company, with a capital of $200,000.
The paper continued to be published at No. 51
Clark Street until the year 1 S6.X, when it removed into
a new and handsome building, erected by the. Tribune
Company, on the southeast corner of Madison and
Dearborn streets. The building was of Joliet marble,
four stories high, and cost $225,000.
William Bross is one of those early and prominent residents
of Chicago, who has grown with the city's growth. Although he
THE LITERATURE OF CHICAGO.
493
is now in his seventy-second year, his mind is still active and he
takes as great an interest in the wonderful progress of his city as
when he was much younger. From the formation of the Repub-
lican party, he has supported its principles and policy with a bold
and trenchant pen, and during the War assisted in raising troops,
and has rendered the organization most effective service. Mr. Bross
may be said to be the father of commercial journalism in Chicago,
that feature of the daily press which has done more than all else to
attract the solid wealth and enterprise of other localities to this city.
But his labors as a journalist even antedate his record as a com-
mercial editor, and he stands to-day as one of the oldest and best-
known representatives of the press in the city. William Bross was
born near Port Jervis, N. J., November 4, 1S13, and when nine
years of age removed with his family to Milford, Perm. There he
lived until early manhood and received his academic education. In
1S34, he entered Williams College, graduating four years later with
high honor. Mr. Bross was so thorough in the classics, sciences
and history, that he was at once called to take charge of Ridgebury
Academy, near his birth-place. He also taught at Chester for
some years. He arrived in Chicago on May 12, 1848, and has since
continuously resided here. He became a member of the book-sell-
ing firm of Griggs, Bross & Co., disposing of his interest the next
year. Afterward, with Rev. J. A.Wight, D.D., he published the
Prairie Herald. In September, 1852, he united with John L.
Scripps in founding the Democratic Press, and under his able man-
agement it became a power. When the Republican party was
formed, in 1854. he espoused its doctrines, and upheld them faith-
fully and consistently with voice and pen, delivering his first polit-
ical speech in Dearborn Park, to indorse the nomination of Gen-
eral John C. Fremont to the presidency. He was elected a member
of the City Council in 1S55, and was the recognized commercial
champion of the city's prosperity. During the War, especially,
Mr. Bross made for himself a distinctive place as one of the bravest
defenders of the Republican policy. He assisted in raising the 29th
regiment of Colored Volunteers, which was commanded by his
brother. Colonel John A. Bross, who was killed at Petersburg, Va. ,
July 30, 1864. He also aided in discovering the rebel conspiracy
by which it was proposed, in November of that year, to release the
prisoners at Camp Douglas, burn the city of Chicago, and commit
other depredations. In the fall of 1864, his services to the State
were publicly recognized by his election to the position of lieuten-
ant-governor of Illinois. He continued to act through two regular
and one extra sessions, adding to his reputation as an orator of
broad scope. For the past thirtv years Mr. Bross has been more
or less actively engaged in every State canvass. He is still closely
identified with the Chicago Tribune. After the great fire, he was
among those who took the lead in bringing relief to the stricken
city, and was the first citizen of Chicago who presented her needs
to the business men of the East; his graphic and pathetic state-
ment, made to the New York Tribune, was the first considerable
account of the fire given to the press of that city. His address be-
fore the relief committee of the New York Chamber of Commerce
had an immense circulation and did much to inspire confidence in
the early restoration of the city. Mr. Bross was married, in 1839,
to the only daughter of Dr. John T. Jansen, of Goshen, N. Y.
Only one of their eight children now survives — Mrs. Plenry D.
Lloyd, whose husband is an editorial writer on the Tribune. Two
events in the life of Governor Bross are especially noteworthy.
The amendment to the Constitution submitted by Congress to the
States, abolishing slavery in the United States, was passed January
31, 1S65. The resolution for its adoption was passed the next day
by the Illinois Legislature, and hence his name as presiding officer of
the Senate, with that of the Speaker of the House, stands first among
all the States to that immortal document. All the infamous black
laws of Illinois were repealed during the session of 1865, and his
name was gladly affixed to them, as the representative of a free
people. In 186S, he visited the Rocky Mountains with Vice-Pres-
ident Colfax. During the trip he ascended Mount Lincoln with a
party of miners, and, in his honor, they named a mountain in the
same range, only a mile or two from it, after their champion. Only
a deep gorge partly separates them. Mount Lincoln is 14,297 feet
high; Mount Bross, 14,185. The Dolly Varden and the Moose
mines, two of the best-known and most valuable properties in Col-
orado, are on Mount Bross. That his name should be thus inti-
mately associated with that of Lincoln, always his personal friend,
among the highest peaks upon the continent, is an honor which any
man might covet.
John Locke Scripps was born on February 27, 1818, in Jack-
son County, Mo., a short distance from Cape Girardeau. During
his infancy his parents moved to Rushville, 111., where he received
his early education. He graduated at McKendrie College, Leb-
anon, 111., and a short time subsequently studied law, and arrived
in this city in 1847, to utilize his study by practice. In 1S48, he
purchased a one-third interest in the Tribune, and sold that inter-
est in 1852, and then assisted in the inauguration of the Demo-
cratic Press. In 1861, Mr. Scripps was appointed postmasti 1 of
Chicago by President Lincoln, who was a warm personal friend
of his; and therein, for four years, Mr. Scripps performed the
duties incumbent upon him with singular ability, so that he earned
the title of the best postmaster the city ever had. During the War
he organized, equipped and dispatched to the front Co. "C" 72d
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, bearing the expenses from his personal
funds. In honor of him, this company was known as the "Scripps
Guards." After his retirement from the office of postmaster, he
became senior partner in the banking-house of Scripps, Preston &
Kean, and shortly thereafter lost his wife, Mary E. Scripps, who
died from heart disease on New Year's day, 1866, while dispensing
the hospitalities of her home that are usual on that day. This loss
fell upon Mr. Scripps with terrible force, and it preyed upon his
mind so that his life was for some little time in imminent danger.
He, however, rallied, and, by the energy and force of his will,
made himself well temporarily, during which he paid some visits
in Minnesota; but while in Minneapolis his corporal system again
asserted its debilitation, and with fatal effect. He died at that city
on Friday, September 21, 1866. Of him Horace White thus justly
wrote : "In the death of Mr. Scripps, Chicago has lost one of her
noblest men. No citizen of this or any other community ever com-
manded a more hearty and thorough respect from his fellows than he.
Candor, integrity and courage were the marked traits of his char-
acter. He feared God, but feared no man. He would no more
have thought of compromising a principle, or abating an iota of
his personal honor, than he would have committed suicide. With
a heart full of kindness for all men, with a lofty sense of the pro-
prieties of life and of intercourse with his fellow-men. a house ever
open to the calls of hospitality, and a purse which never failed to
respond to the call of suffering, he was the firmest man among ten
thousand to the convictions of his conscience. A mean act, an un-
worthy motive, a cowardly thought, had no room in his soul. lie
was not insensible te public approbation, but never for an instant
would he resort to the arts so common among politicians to secure
popularity. He avoided the very appearance of evil. His up-
rightness of character and urbanity of demeanor had made him
hosts of friends in city and State, and it is not too much to say that,
in the meridian of his life, with his ample fortune, his unsullied
record and his conspicuous talents he might have aspired to almost
any position in the gift of his fellow-citizens."
Dr. Charles H. Ray was born at Norwich, Chenango Co.,
N. Y., on March 12, 1S21, and came to the West in 1843, first
settling in Muscatine, Iowa, where he practiced medicine, and
afterward settling in Tazewell County, Illinois, where he also prac-
ticed his profession. During this period, also, he married Miss
Jane Yates Per-Lee, who died in this city in June, 1S62. In 1S51,
Dr. Ray removed to Galena, and purchased the Jeffersonian, a
daily Democratic paper, which he conducted with personal and
financial success until the period of the Kansas-Nebraska im-
broglio, when his ineradicable love for personal liberty necessitated
his antagonizing Stephen A. Douglas, and his identifying himself
with the Republican party. In 1854—55, Hi". Ray was Secretary of
the State Senate of Illinois, and as such presided during the heated
canvass which resulted in the election of Lyman Trumbull to the
United States Senate in lieu of his opponent, Abraham Lincoln.
After the adjournment of the Legislature, Dr Ray came to Chi-
cago, contemplating the establishing of a penny Republican paper,
and bringing with him a letter of introduction from Horace
Greeley to Joseph Medill, who was contemplating locating in this
city. Both these gentlemen arrived at about the same time, but
after consultation, they determined upon purchasing the interests
of General Webster and Timothy Wright in the Tribune. In
April, 1S55, Dr. Ray became editorially connected with the Trib-
une, but he did not purchase his interest therein until Tune, 1855.
He remained a partner until November 20, 1S63, when he severed
his financial and editorial connection, with the view of engaging in
speculation and achieving a fortune. In this design he was primarily
very successful, and then married Miss Julia Clark, daughter of
Tudge Lincoln Clark, of Iowa, upon whom and his children he set-
tled the moiety of his estate. Subsequently his investments proved
unfortuitous, and he determined upon returning to journalism. He
accordingly rejoined the Tribune as an editorial writer, on May
25, 1865, and remained there until August, 1S65, when he again
left the paper. In 1S67, he was profferred a share in the Evening
Post, which he accepted, and retained until his death on September
25, 1870.
Horace White was born in Colebrook, Coos Co., N. H., on
August 10, 1834, the son of a prominent physician, who made a
journey in a one-horse sled, in the winter of 1836-37, from New-
Hampshire to Wisconsin Territory, to find a location for a New
England Colony, and who selected the site of the present city of
Beloit as such locality. Thither he removed with his family in the
summer of 1837, and there died in 1S43, leaving a widow and four
little children, Horace being the eldest. In 1846, Mrs. White mar-
494
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
ried Deacon Samuel Hinman. and in 1S40, Horace White entered
Be'.oit College, from which he graduated with marked honors in
1S53. In 1S54, he came to Chicago and made his entry into journal-
istic life as local editor of the Evening Journal and, in 1SJ5, having
been appointed agent of the Associated Press he resigned his posi-
tion on the Journal. In 1S56, Mr. White was selected as assistant
secretary of the Kansas National committee, their headquarters
being in this city ; which position Mr. White retained until 1857,
performing excellent service with his facile pen for the committee.
In 1857, heentered the office of the Tribune as an editorial writer,
and in 1S60 he was appointed secretary of the Republican State
Central Committee of Illinois, retaining that position until 1S64, and
during which period Mr. White was special correspondent of the
Tribune in Washington. In 1S64, he bought an interest in the
Tribune, and in the ensuing year became editor-in-chief, which
position he retained until his retirement in November, 1S74, when
he made an extensive tour of the continent of Europe. Mr. White is
a gentleman of comprehensive education and line literary ability,
which his studious habits and varied reading have enlarged and
perfected. His jurisdiction in the editorial room of the Tribune
resulted in an elegance of literary style that is rarely equaled, while
his painstaking attention to detail maintained and perpetuated the
accuracy which the paper had previously acquired, and which have
given and preserved its prestige and influence.
James Washington Sheahan was born in Baltimore, Md.,
of Irish parentage, and received his education at the Jesuit School,
Frederick, Md. The following data are taken from the obituary,
written by his friend and co-laborer George P. Upton, after Mr.
Sheahan's' death, on June 17, 1SS3. In 1S47, he made his first
visit to the West, to report the proceedings of the Illinois Consti-
tutional Convention at Springfield, and there met Stephen A.
Douglas, who suggested that he should inaugurate a Democratic
newspaper in Chicago. This he subsequently did, as narrated in
the preceding volume. In 1S60, he sold the Times to Cyrus H.
McCormick. and, in December, 1S60, began the publication of the
Post, which he sold in April, 1S65, to the Republican Company,
but remained in the office of that paper until 1S66, when he joined
the Tribune editorial staff, upon which he remained until the date
of his death. In 1S63, he was selected as one of the members of the
School Board and retained that position until the close of 1S64 ; and,
during his term of service, he was unremitting in his efforts to re-
form the insufficient management and the defective methods that then
hampered education in the public schools, and the methods that he
propounded were largely adopted, subsequently, in the reformatory
measures of the Board of Education. He was married, prior to his
coming West, to Miss Drury, a sister of the artist. Of his talents
and able manner of exhibiting them, Mr. Upton thus writes :
" To a mastery of terse and incisive English he added a won-
derful acquaintance with the field of politics, State and National,
and of political economy. There were certain subjects which he
.had made his own, and where no others cared to try to cope with
him. A lawyer by early education, a politician by training, a student
of trade and finance by predilection, no one could have been better
fitted for the editorial duties which devolved upon him. When his
feelings were involved he was the master of a terrible satire, which
drove his antagonists to despair. The editorial which he wrote for
the Tribune at the time that Andrew Johnson came here to lay the
corner-stone of the Douglas monument, was long remembered as
the most biting statement of the incongruity of such a spectacle as
was presented by the enemy of the dead Douglas coming here to
try to do honor to his memory. Outside of the office, as well as in
it, he was the pleasantest and most genial of companions, the em-
bodiment of jest and anecdote and reminiscence, and the delight
of the circles in which he moved and of the houses at which he
was an honored guest. But of all others it was his juniors who
took the most delight in his company, to whom he was ever the
kindest, and who found in him the wise adviser as well as the cheer-
ful companion." At the funeral, William F. McLaughlin, Thomas
lloyne. George P. Upton, Joseph Medill, James B. Runnion, and
-ibert were pall-bearers, and a large number of prominent
citizens attended the obsequies.
El. ias COLBERT, the commercial editor of the Chicago Trib-
une, and one of the best-known journalists in Chicago, was born
near Birmingham, England, and emigrated to the United States in
.;ning direct to Chicago. He commenced his newspaper
career as a reporter on the Daily News, founded by Alfred Dutch
about that time, and sold at two cents, being the first cheap newspa-
per ever published in Chicago. It was a bright paper, but it encoun-
tered an insurmountable obstacle. There .vere but comparatively
few cents in circulation. It was at a time, too, when the whole
currency was in a deranged condition, when car-tickets, postage
stamps and shinplasters of various degrees of goodness were used
for small change. Nothing ran as low as two cents, and the I >aily
News, after a brief career, demised. He then formed a partner-
ship with George Buckley, with whom he had studied phonography
in England, and organized the Northwestern Phonographic Insti-
tute, with rooms in the Rice Block, on Dearborn Street. This was
the first shorthand firm ever formed in the city, but R. R. I lilt had
previously almost starved for want of patronage, and Henry Bin-
more had reported for the papers the debates between Lincoln and
Douglas in 1858. The Institute was dissolved in 1862. Mr. Col-
bert then became a reporter on the city staff of the Times, and staid
until the latter part of 1863, when he changed to the Tribune. He
continued as a local reporter on that paper until August, 1866,
when, on the departure of Mr. Ballantyne to the Republican, he
succeeded that gentleman as commercial editor, which position he
has filled most ably down to the present time. The annual reviews
of trade and commerce, which for many years have been a promi-
nent feature of the Tribune at the close of each year, have been
the work of Mr. Colbert. His market reports and commercial
summaries have always been highly valued, and he ranks among
the foremost commercial statisticians of Chicago. In addition to
his newspaper work, he has been an industrious student and writer
on scientific and literary topics. He has published a history of
Chicago, containing carefully gathered statistics of the growth and
improvement of the city. He also wrote the major part of the
work entitled, " Chicago and the Great Conflagration," published
under the names of Colbert and Chamberlain. He was one of the
principal contributors to the edition of 1873 of Appleton's Ameri-
can Cyclopedia, writing the article on Chicago, and many others.
He has also written for some of the leading magazines. But in ad-
dition to all this, he has been a profound student of astronomy,
and, for many years, has been in charge of the observatory at the
Chicago L'niversity, performing the duties of professor of astrono-
my, and he has written and published a number of works on
astronomical subjects. "Astronomy without a Telescope " was pub-
lished in 1S69, and " Star Studies ; What we Know of the Uni-
verse," in 1S71. These two works had scarcely reached a prosperous
sale before they were destroyed by the great fire. Since the fire,
he has published an "Astronomy," "Fixed Stars," and "Mathe-
matical Tables," all of which have met with deserved success.
During the time he was taking care of the telescope and acting as
professor of astronomy in the University, in addition to his daily
work in the Tribune, he found time to deliver numerous lectures in
city and country. Prominent among these were those delivered in
the Exposition Building in the spring of 1S74, where he repeated
the Foucault Pendulum Experiment, proving that the earth "does
move." This was done under the auspices of the Chicago Academy
of Sciences. Mr. Colbert has contributed many articles to the
Tribune on astronomical and scientific subjects, such as the calcu-
lation of eclipses, and, in 1880, of the orbit of the Clark companion
of Sirius, with the deduction of a disturber moving inside that
orbit. In 1SS1, he published in the Tribune, from one night's ob-
servations, a computation of the distance and size of the great
comet of June, 18S1 ; other prominent astronomers saying it could
not be done. From 1S73 until 1SS4, he prepared tables for the city
to use in lighting street lamps, indicating the hours of moonlight,
by which the city, during its financial straits in the early part of
that period, saved from $30,000 to $40,000 a year. The city now
uses a table prepared by him for sunlight alone. Another work
published by him for private circulation is entitled " Scoria;,"
which contains four productions which show extreme versatility and
great genius. He is vice-president of the Astronomical Society of
Chicago. He was president of the first Press Club ever formed in
the city, organized in the fall of 1S69, at which about eighty jour-
nalists were present. Mr. Colbert has two daughters living, one
by a marriage in England, the other by his present wife, who was
Miss Sarah Maria Cowper, of Chicago, whom he married in 1S66.
George Putnam Upton was born at Roxbury, Mass., Octo-
ber 25, 1834. After receiving the usual academical education, he
entered Brown University, where he graduated in 1S54, with hon-
ors, being the class poet of his year. Choosing a journalistic and
literary career, his earliest contributions were made to the Waverly
Magazine, the Flag of our Union, and the Boston Pilot, famous
newspapers in their day, on which many a literary aspirant first
tried his 'prentice hand. Turning his eyes westward, he joined
the tide that was setting toward Chicago, and in 1855, commenced
his journalistic career in this city. He first became a reporter on
the Daily Native Citizen, a paper that had been started ashort time
previously as an organ of the American or Know Nothing party.
It was owned by Simon B. Buckner. afterward the Confederate
general from Kentucky, and was published by W. W. Danenhower.
'This paper gave up the ghost in the spring of 1S56, and Mr.
Upton joined the staff of the Evening Journal. Some contributions
he made to the Journal, under the title of the Gunnybag Papers,
attracted a good ileal of notice at the time. In the autumn of
1861, he took the local column of the Tribune, and has been
connected with that paper ever since. He was a War correspond-
ent of the Tribune during part of the year 1S62, and wrote the
accounts of the capture of Columbus, New Madrid, Island No. 10,
THE LITERATURE OF CHICAGO.
495
and Fort Pillow. Illness compelled his return Irom the army, and
he then became news, and afterward night editor oi the Tribune.
Fond of music and the drama. Mr. Upton has done a great service
in Chicago, in awakening and cultivating an interest in those arts.
Me actively supported the Philharmonic Society, and has encour
aged everv effort to promote musical knowledge. lie is one of the
best known and fairest critics Chicago ever had. For many years
he contributed a weekly article to the Tribune, under the pen-name
of Peregrine Pickle, on art, music, the drama and cognate subjects,
which were very popular and widely read. They were afterward
published in book form and met with ready sale. lie was first
married, in 1S13, to Miss Sarah E. Bliss, of Chicago, who died in
1S76. He was again married in 1SS1, to Miss Genevieve S. Ward.
In addition to his journalistic work he has been a constant con-
tributor to the magazines, writing on all his favorite topics, and .
also on numismatics, in which at one time he took a great interest
and made a fine collection of coins. In collaboration with J. W.
Sheahan, he wrote a book called Chicago, its Past, Present and
Future. His published works are the Peregrine Pickle letters,
Woman in Music, a translation of the Life of Haydn, a Life of
Wagner, a Life of Liszt and Max Midler's Deutsche Liebe, under
the English title of Memories. He is engaged upon a Handbook
of Opera.
The Chicago Times. — The history of the Chicago
Times is the history of progressive journalism in the
West. It was the main life-work of one man, and in
no particular can it be disjoined from him. It is there-
fore in a narrative of the life of Wilbur F. Storey
that we find the story of the rise and progress of the
Chicago Times
Wilbur F. Storey was born in Salisbury, Vt., on the 19th
of December, 1819. His father was a farmer, and Mr. Storey's
early years were passed on a farm. At the age of twelve, he com-
menced to learn the trade of printing in the office of the Middle-
bury, (Vt.) Free Press. At the age of seventeen, he considered his
knowledge of the trade sufficient for more extensive fields, and
left his paternal home and started on his career. After a year and
a half in New York City, where he worked on the Journal of Com-
merce, he found himself in LaPorte, Ind., embarking in his first
newspaper enterprise. In conjunction with Edward Hannegan,
then a prominent politician, and afterward United States Senator
from Indiana, he began the publication of the LaPorte Herald. It
was not successful, Mr. Hannegan was not suited to editorial work,
the partnership was dissolved, and after about a year the Herald
ceased to exist. His next venture was as editor of the Tocsin, a
Democratic paper published at Mishawaka, Ind., and there he re-
mained a year and a half. He then went to reside with a sister,
Mrs. Farrand, at Jackson, Mich., where he read law for two years.
Aided by his brother-in-law, Mr. Farrand, he started the Jackson
Patriot, and this was his first journalistic success. He then became
an active politician, and President Polk appointed him postmaster
at Jackson. He disposed of his newspaper, and, in 1S49, when
President Taylor removed him from the postmastership, he entered
upon business of druggist, grocer and stationer. He had married,
in 1S47, Miss Maria Isham. a lady of fine character and attain-
ments, and by her had one child, which lived only to be a year old.
While a resident of Jackson, he also united with the Congregational
Church. Afterward, on account of some question arising as to the
sale in his drug store of alcoholic preparations, he withdrew from
the church, and never after became connected with any religious
body. In 1853, he removed to Detroit, and became half-owner of
the Detroit FTee Press, and subsequently its sole owner. It was a
Democratic paper, without support, influence or circulation, and
he made it one of the best and most influential papers in the State.
In eight years he fully paid for it and cleared $30,000 besides.
This great success awakened his ambition for a wider field of
action After canvassing the chances in several of the large cities,
he chose Chicago, and on the 1st of June, 1861, he purchased the
Chicago Times.
The Times was founded in 1854 by Isaac Cook,
James W. Sheahan and Daniel Cameron. Mr. Sheahan
conducted it until the summer of i860, when it was
purchased by Cyrus II. McCormick, who was also the
owner of the Herald. The Herald had been founded
in [858, to represent the Buchanan, or administration,
democracy. Mr. McCormick consolidated the two
papers under the name of the Herald ami Times, in-
tending eventually to drop the name Times. He placed
E. W. McComas in editorial charge, a journalist from
Virginia, and the paper then became an exponent of
Southern democracy. The paper was then published
in the fifth story of the McCormick Block, on the
corner of Randolph and Dearborn streets. The circula-
tion was but little over one thousand, with no advertis-
ing patronage worth mentioning. In a very short time
these quarters were found to be too small, and a re-
moval was made to No. 74 Randolph Street, and the
paper began to assume that enterprise and audacity
which were henceforth to be its chief characteristics.
Mr. Storey brought the larger part of his staff from
Detroit. John L. Chipman, editorial writer; Harry M.
Scovel, news editor; Warren J. Isham, his brother-in-law,
city editor; H. B. Chandler, business manager; and A.
L. Patterson, assistant bookkeeper, and afterward busi-
ness manager.
After the proclamation of emancipation, the Times
ceased to favor the prosecution of the War, and was
bitter in its denunciation of the administration. Mr.
Chipman left the editorial chair, and his place was filled
by M. L. Hopkins. The paper soon earned the
designation of " copperhead sheet," and there was an
intense hostility aroused against it and its owner. It
was a time of terrible passion. Mr. Storey was regarded
as such a moral monster, that any means which would
remove him from the face of the earth would be justifi-
able. On the morning of the 3d of June, 1863, a
file of soldiers marched into the press-room and took
possession of the establishment. About eight thousand
papers had been printed, a part of which were de-
stroyed, but the larger part were issued. General
Ambrose E. Burnside, in command of the Department
of the Northwest, with headquarters at Cincinnati, had
issued an order for the suppression of the Times, and
the commander at Camp Douglas was charged with the
execution of the order. A great mass meeting was held
in the Cotirt-house Square on the evening of June 3,
which was addressed by General Singleton, of Quincy,
Wirt Dexter, E. G. Asay, B. G. Caulfield, and many
others, in advocacy of free speech and a free press, the
leaders counseling moderation until the matter could
be heard in the courts. A meeting was also held
during the day in the Circuit Court room, at which,
were present many prominent Republicans and business
men, among whom were William B. Ogden, Van H.
Higgins, Corydon Beckwith, Judge Dickey. Samuel W.
Fuller, Wirt Dexter, James F. Joy, Senator Lyman
Trumbull and Isaac N. Arnold. A petition to the
President to revoke the order was signed by all present,
and Trumbull and Arnold telegraphed personally to
Mr. Lincoln to the same effect. Judge David Davis
was also active in procuring the revocation. The order
was revoked by the President. The paper was issued
on the 2d of June; it was revoked on the 4th. Part of
the issue of the 3d and all of the 4th of June were sup-
pressed. On the 5th, publication was resumed.
These events proved of great financial benefit to the
Times. Its circulation and advertising patronage wevc
largely increased. That Mr. Storey afterward felt that his
course during the War had been a mistake is evidenced
by the remark he subsequently made: " After this, the
Times will support all wars the country may undertake."
49<5
HISTORY OF CHICAGO
In the fall of 1S63, Franc B. Wilkie joined the
editorial staff of the paper.
Franc B. Wilkie was born in Saratoga County. New York.
July 2. 1830. His early years were spent on a farm, and his primal
education was such as could be procured in the winter district
schools. At the age of eighteen he went to learn the trade of a
blacksmith, but, after a year and a half, gave it up, resolving to edu-
cate himself. Resuming work on a farm as a means of livelihood,
he spent his leisure hours in diligent study, receiving the occasional
assistance of a village clergyman, and, after several years, fitted
himself to enter the sophomore class of Union College. He en-
tered in the spring of 1S55 and remained until the following spring,
when he received an offer to take editorial charge of the Schenec-
tadv Star, which he accepted. He had been a contributor to the
paper since his entrance at college. His duties embraced every
kind of work about a newspaper, from setting type to writing all
the copy. This engagement lasted until the fall of 1S56, when he
went to Davenport, Iowa, to start a Democratic paper called the
Daily News. With this enterprise he was connected something over
a year, when he sold out, and devoted several months to writing a
book called " Davenport, Past and Present." During his residence
in Davenport, Mr. Wilkie was married to Miss Ellen Morse, a
daughter of John Morse, of Elgin, 111., a lady of culture and at-
tractive social qualities. They have had one son, John E. Wilkie,
born in 1S60. Leaving Davenport in the summer of 185S, Mr.
Wilkie published a campaign paper at Elgin, 111., in the interest
of Stephen A. Douglas, and at the conclusion of the campaign
accepted a position on the editorial staff of the Dubuque Herald.
At the breaking out of the Civil War he accompanied the 1st Iowa
regiment on its campaign in Missouri, as correspondent of the
Herald. At Macon City the regiment came upon a deserted news-
paper office, and Mr. Wilkie at once organized a force and pub-
lished the paper, a feat that attracted very wide notice, and brought
him an offer from the New York Times to become its correspond-
ent. His letters to that paper, signed Galway, were among the best
of the War correspondence of the time. Another of his Missouri
exploits was both daring and unique. General Price, with a large
force of Confederates, was besieging General Mulligan at Lexing-
ton, who, it was supposed, would soon be forced to surrender.
Mr. Wilkie was in St. Louis when he heard of the state of affairs
at Lexington, and he determined to report the battle from the rebel
side. With considerable difficulty he reached Price's camp, an-
nounced his mission, and was allowed to enter. Price, becoming
satisfied that he was a non-combatant, accorded him every facility;
and although he ran a good deal of personal risk from reckless or
drunken rebel soldiers, who looked upon him as a spy, he remained
until Mulligan surrendered, and sent a full report to the Times.
This service drew from Raymond a highly complimentary editorial
notice, and secured his promotion to chief correspondent of the
Times in the West. In this position he reported the campaigns of
General Grant, from the fall of Fort Henry until the surrender of
Yicksburg, when he resigned, intending to put in book-torm, for a
Cincinnati publishing house, his experiences in the War. While
• the negotiations with the publishers were pending, Warren J. Isham,
of the Chicago Times, was lost in the wreck of the " Sunbeam,"
in Lake Superior, and Mr. Storey offered Mr. Wilkie the vacant
position, which was at once accepted. Mr. Wilkie's work upon
the Times has been extremely versatile. Though editorial writing
has been his chief work, he has done a vast amount of special cor-
respondence, and has visited all parts of the Union and many parts
of Europe as a correspondent of the Times. He has contributed
to the Times many special articles descriptions of various phases
of life, sketches of the Bench and Bar of Chicago, as well as many
translations, from the French, of tales, sketches and paragraphs,
some of these being both felicitous and racy. He has published,
in book-form, Walks about Chicago and other sketches, Sketches
>iie Sea, Sketches of the Bench and Bar, and a History of
Inventions, all of which have met with an extended sale. Mr.
Wilkie's style is strongly marked with cynical humor, and he can
rail in good set terms at all the world. He entered fully into all
the audacities of the Times and was no more discriminating than
his chief as to where his blows fell, so that they only fell hard.
He excels as a reporter or descriptive writer, is always picturesque
and readable, 1 1 i - studies have been in the direction of modern
science and political economy, rather than in politics and history.
He has an excellent knowledge of the French and Italian lan-
guages, in the former of which he converses fluently.
Hakky M. Si OVEL was born at Albany, New York, on March
2, 1131. When he was but six years of age his father removed to
Detroit, and there the early years of young Scovel were passed.
At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed as a printer, and, his
tastes being literary, after serving some years as a compositor, he
laid down the stick and took up the scissors and the pen. In 1853.
he was associated with Mr. Storey on the editorial staff of the Free
Press; and when Mr. Storey purchased the Chicago Times in 1861,
Mr. Scovel accompanied him to Chicago, to accept the position of
news editor on that paper. lie remained on the Times until 1865,
when he joined the Republican, staying one year on that paper,
and then returned to the Times, and continued until 1S69. In
1S69, he accepted the news editorship of the Tribune, and has re-
mained on that paper ever since. He also edits the Weekly Tri-
bune. He has served for over forty years in the offices of morning
newspapers, most of the time as news and exchange editor. He
was married, in 1850, at Detroit, and has two daughters.
Mr. Storey's treatment of his editorial staff was pe-
culiar. He never selected their subjects nor dictated
what they should write. He assumed when he employed
a writer, that he knew how to write and understood the
spirit of the paper. What they wrote they submitted
to him. What he did not like, he threw into the waste
basket with some biting comment ; what he liked, he
published without word of commendation. He was a
just employer, often generous, but he never had the
least word of praise even for the most faithful service.
His intercourse with those he employed was confined
strictly to the business in hand, and he never wasted
the least courtesy on the most important of them.
They were simply parts of a great machine, of which he
was the engineer, and he would as soon have exchanged
courtesies with one of his great presses as with one of
his assistants. He was a solitary man, with one principal
thought, to make a great and successful newspaper.
The close of the war found the Times one of the
most prosperous newspapers in the city, and it was
compelled to enlarge its quarters and press facilities.
In 1866, a new building with a stone front was erected
on the northwest corner of Dearborn Street and Cal-
houn Place. It was five stories in height, and intended
expressly for the Times. A. Worden, of Michigan, had
been taken in as a partner, but, in 1865, he sold out his
interest. Before removing to Dearborn Street, Henry
B. Chandler, the business manager, was admitted as a
partner In 1870, Mr. Storey became the sole owner of
the paper.
In 1867, Andre Matteson joined the editorial force
of the Times for the second time.
Andre Matteson was born in Chautauqua County, New
York, September 4, 1827. His ancestors were among the earliest
settlers of New England, first in Connecticut and afterwards in
Yermont. After receiving a common school education, young
Matteson commenced to learn the art of printing, at which he
served two years, and then completed his education at the West-
field Academy. Thus equipped, at the age of nineteen, he made
his way to Buffalo, where he was employed for a time in a printing
office, at times writing for the newspapers. Receiving an offer
from Colonel Curtis, of The Wisconsin, a newspaper published in
Milwaukee, to come West and take charge of the job office of that
paper, he remained there two or three years. About 1S50 he re-
moved to Chicago, and was connected, for a short time, with the
Evening Journal as commercial reporter, and subsequently with the
Western Citizen, published by Zebina Eastman. In 1S53, Mr.
Matteson took a trip into Iowa and Minnesota, with some view of
settling either at Dubuque or Winona. He returned to Chicago in
1854, about the time Cook, Cameron and Sheahan started the Chi-
cago Times. He became city editor of the Times, under its first
management, and remained in that position until the paper was
sold to Mr. McCormick. In December, 1S60, in partnership with
Mr. Sheahan, he founded the Chicago Morning Tost, and con-
tinued as one of the editors of that paper until its sale to the Re-
publican in the spring of 1865. For the next two years he was
employed on the Evening Post as an editorial writer, and in 1S67
accepted a position on the editorial staff of the Times, which he
has held continuously for eighteen years. During his connection
with the Post he studied law, and was regularly examined and ad-
mitted to practice in the courts of Illinois. He has a knowledge
of French and German, and is a very excellent Spanish scholar.
He has been twice married ; his first wife died two years after mar-
riage, and, in 1856,11c was married 10 Miss Ellen C. McNaughton,
by whom he has had two children.
THE LITERATURE OF CHICAGO.
497
After the presidential campaign of 1868, the Times
ceased to be a party organ, claimed to be independent,
and made many vigorous onslaughts on the Democratic
party.
Associated with the Times of this period are other
names that well deserve extended notice, did our space
permit. Among these were James Goodsell, afterward
one of the successful editors on the New York Graphic,
Charles Wright, Alexander Botkin and others.
Such was the Times and such its owners, when, in a
single night, it was swept away. The blow was paralyzing.
Mr. Storey was now fifty-two years of age. The ardu-
ous labors of ten years were already telling upon his
powerful physique. Calculating that he could save
from the wreck $100,000, he determined to retire, and
not again attempt what then seemed to him the labor
of Sisyphus. How his resolution was overcome, and
how the Times arose from its ashes, will be the province
of our third volume to tell.
The Chicago Morning Post. — When James W.
Sheahan and Andre Matteson severed their connection
with the Times, on its sale to Cyrus H. McCormick,
they at once made preparations to start a new Demo-
cratic paper, and, on December 25, i860, the Morning
Post appeared. F. A. Eastman was business manager,
Sheahan and Matteson editorial writers. It was not as
successful as its founders had hoped, and, in 1865, they
sold out to the Republican Company, recently formed.
The Post was a straightforward Democratic paper. It
favored the War for the Union, but opposed emancipa-
tion and the radical programme.
The Chicago Republican. — Senator Alonzo W.
Mack, of Kankakee, on the 16th of January, 1865, in-
troduced in the Illinois Senate, at Springfield, a bill to
incorporate a company for the publication of a newspa-
per in Chicago, to be called the Chicago Republican,
and on the 13th of February following the bill duly
became a law. It enacted that Ira Y. Munn, John V.
Farwell, Joseph K. C. Forrest, J. Young Scammon, of
Chicago ; Jesse K. Dubois and Jacob Bunn, of Spring-
field ; John Wood, of Quincy ; J. Wilson Shaffer, of
Freeport ; Amos C. Babcock, of Canton ; Alonzo W.
Mack, of Kankakee ; Francis A. Hoffman and Henry
C. Childs, of DuPage County, and their associates, suc-
cessors, and assigns, should be a body corporate and
politic, under the name of " The Chicago Republican
Company," with a capital of $500,000. Under this act
the Company was duly organized and the stock sub-
scribed, Jacob Bunn, a Springfield banker, and Jesse K.
Dubois becoming the principal stockholders. Senator
Mack was appointed publisher, and Charles A. Dana
editor-in-chief.
Charles Anderson Dana was born at Hinsdale, N. H.,
August 8, 1S19. He received a moderate education, passing two
years at Harvard College, but did not graduate. In 1S42, he be-
came a member of the famous Brook Farm community at Roxbury,
Mass. The enterprise did not fulfill the expectations of its found-
ers, and Dana withdrew in 1S44. He commenced his journalistic
career in writing for the Harbinger, of Boston, a weekly journal
devoted to social reform and general literature. In 1S47, he be-
came connected with the New York Tribune. George Ripley, one
of his associates at Brook Farm, joined the Tribune at the same
time, and, together, thev edited the New American Cyclopedia pub-
lished by the Appletons, a work of great value, and edited with
32
ability. For the four or five years preceding 1S61, Mr. Dana was
the managing editor of the New York Tribune, bul resigned in
1862, when he became assistant Secretary of War, under Edwin M .
Stanton. This position he occupied with distinguished ability until
1865 ; then he resigned, to accept the editorship of the Republican.
ALONZO W. Mack was a well-known politician from Kanka-
kee County. He had been a member of the Legislature for many
years. His life has been one of extraordinary activity, and he has
gained prominence in the various careers of physician, lawyer, sol-
dier, legislator and journalist. He was born at Moretown, Vt., in
1822. He received a common-school education, and, at the age of
sixteen, came West, and settled in Kalamazoo County, Michigan,
where he commenced the study of medicine. When twenty-two
years of age he graduated at LaPorte, Ind., where he remained and
where he married. He soon returned to Kalamazoo, and entered
upon medical practice. After some years he removed to Kankakee,
111., and was one of the early settlers of that place. In Kankakee
he commenced to practice law, and entered upon his political ca-
reer, becoming first a member of the lower house of the Legisla-
ture, and afterward a senator, representing Kankakee, Will and
Grundy counties. In the summer of 1862, he organized the 76th
Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, and was appointed colonel. He
accompanied the regiment, and served with it until January, 1863,
when he resigned to resume his seat in the Senate. After he left
the Republican he commenced the practice of law in Chicago,
which he continued until his death, on the 4th of January, 1871.
The first move of the new company was to purchase
the Morning Post, and, on the 29th of May, 1865, the
initial number of the Chicago Republican saw the light.
It was a handsome sheet, in quarto form, and in its
make up very similar to the New York Times. It was
a bright and attractive paper; and never did journalistic
craft spread its sails before the winds of popular favor
under more favorable auspices. It was backed by a
large capital, had experienced journalists in charge, was
on the popular side in politics, spared no expense in se-
curing the news, and yet it did not succeed. It ex-
pounded protectionism most ably, but the high-tariff
Republicans clung to the low-tariff Tribune. It uttered
the most advanced sentiments of the most advanced
wing of its party, but the radicals took in the Tribune.
In the summer of 1866, Mr. Dana sold out, and returned
to New York, and Jacob Bunn became the principal
owner of the paper. VanBuren Denslow, Henry M.
Smith, James F. Ballantyne and George D. Williston
were then employed on the Tribune They were all
trained Western journalists and newspaper men. Bunn
offered them stock in the newspaper. They left the
Tribune. On the 6th of August, 1866, the Republican
was issued under the new regime. I. Newton Higgins
became general manager, representing the interest of
Mr. Bunn, and Dr. Mack's connection with the paper
was severed. James W. Sheahan, who up to this time
had been an editorial writer on the Republican, now left
it, and joined the forces of the Tribune. Mr. Denslow
continued on the paper very nearly a year as editor-in
chief, when he retired, and his position was taken by
James F. Ballantyne.
James F. Ballantyne was one of the ablest journalists of
this period. He was born at Glasgow, Scotland, in 1829, and at
the age of nine years was apprenticed to the printing business.
His education was such as the Scotch youth of his time received in
the night schools and Mechanics' Institutes then flourishing. By
the time he had reached the age of twenty he had mastered his busi-
ness and had acquired an excellent practical education But in
his application to his trade and devotion to business he had im-
planted the seeds of that disease which was to cut him off in the
the very prime of his manhood and forbid his reaping the fruits of
years of arduous labor. In 1S49, he emigrated to the United
States, and worked at his trade for one year in New York. There
he met and married Miss Joan Erie, also a native of Glasgow. He
came to Chicago in the latter part of 1S50. Here, for the next
seven years, he was engaged in the publishing business, for a time
in connection with Daniel O'Hara; but the panic of 1857 found
him unprepared for a financial storm, and the publishing business
stopped. He now commenced his career oi journalism, on the
Democratic Press as commercial editor, and so continued after that
49S
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
paper was consolidated with the Tribune. He was the first com-
mercial editor in Chicago, and was the first to prepare the annual
reviews of trade and commerce which have always been among the
special features of the Chicago Tribune. Mr. Ballantvne remained
on the Tribune until August, 1S66, when he became commercial
editor of the Republican, and the next year editor-in-chief. In this
position he remained until May, 1S69, when failing health com-
pelled him to give up all work, and seek, in a trip to Europe, re-
newed health and strength. He returned in a few months without
substantial benefit. Consumption had fatally seized him, and the
few months of life remaining to him presented an unavailing strug-
gle with the disease. In March, 1S70, he went to San Diego, Cal-
ifornia, and died there July 12, 1S70. He was buried in Chicago.
The onlv public position he ever held was member of the Board of
Education, from 1S6S until the time of his death.
Henry M. Smith became the editor-in-chief of the
Republican for a short period, and, in the fall of 1870,
the Springfield capitalists becoming discouraged, the
concern was sold to a new company, composed of
Joseph B. McCullagh, John R. Walsh, Homer N. Hib-
bard and William H. Schuyler, and Messrs. Bunn and
Dubois retired from journalism.
The paper was now reduced in size and sold for
three cents. It was considered to be flourishing, and
was undoubtedly under excellent management when
the great fire swallowed it up. A worthless insurance
policy and a Western Associated Press franchise were
its principal assets.
Such is a brief history of the most remarkable venture
in journalism ever attempted in Chicago. It had almost
unlimited means, its editors and managers were men of
great ability as journalists; it was in accord with a great
party; it gave the news as fully as its rivals; its pages
were attractive; it flourished at a period when the most
insignificant newspapers made money; and yet it failed.
Henry MARTYN Smith was born in New Bedford, Mass.,
on May 5, 1S30. He was educated at Amherst College, where he
graduated in 1851. He came West the same year and settled at
Detroit, where he became a tutor in the family of Captain E. B.
Ward. The next year he commenced the study of law, but soon
abandoned the idea of adopting that profession. He came to Chi-
cago in the autumn of 1S52, and entered the office of the Evening
Journal as reporter, and continued in the city department of that
paper three years. In 1855, he became city editor of the Demo-
cratic Press, and on the consolidation of that paper with the
Tribuje, remained in the same position. In July, 1866, he be-
came one of the stockholders of the Republican, and left the
Tribune to become an editorial writer on that paper. After the
great fire he returned East, and has been connected with various
journalistic enterprises in Brooklyn and in Massachusetts
Guy Magee was born in Philadelphia on July 23, 1S42. His
parents removed to Canada, where he was educated. In 1S62. he
came to Chicago and commenced his career in journalism as a
reporter for the Tribune. In the last year of the War he went to
the front as a War correspondent for that paper, and upon Mr.
Ballantyne's retirement from the Tribune, took the position of
commercial and financial reporter until May, 186S, when he joined
the Republican as city editor. He remained until 1870, when he
took the same position on the Times. After the great fire, he was
associate editor for about a year of the Chronicle, an insurance
paper. In the fall of 1872, he became telegraph editor of the Tri-
bune, and remained until July, 1873, when he took the city edi-
torship of the Inter Ocean. In July, 1876, he returned to the
Tribune as assistant city editor. This position he held until
October. 1833, when he resigned it to become city editor of the
Times.
David Hi.akki.y was born in East Berkshire, Franklin Co.,
Vt., in 1834. At the age of thirteen, he was apprenticed in a
printing office, and after leaving the trade, entered the University
of Vermont, where he graduated, in 1857. He then removed to
Minnesota, where he entered upon journalism, and in 1862, after
serving two terms as clerk of the Minnesota Legislature, became
Superintendent of Public Instruction. In the autumn of 1865, in
partnership with his brother, C. H. Blakely, he founded the Chicago
Evening Post, which he conducted until after the great fire. The
paper was Republican in politics.
JOSEPH K. C. FORREST, a brilliant author and journalist, is a
native of Cork, Inland, where he was born, November 26, 1820.
His father, a man of high standing in that city, was a freeman and
a burgess, and for thirty years was director of the house of Cum-
mins Bros. & Co., one of the wealthiest mercantile firms in the coun-
try. He also conducted a farm, of six hundred acres, and a large
planing-mill and Lanyard. Joseph's uncle, Philip Ryder, was, for
thirty years, comptroller of customs for Cork, and his oldest brother,
John L. Forrest, married one of the daughters of James Lane, for-
merly mayor of the city Notwithstanding his high connections and
his abilities, which would have gained him great honors in his native
country, young Forrest determined to come to the United States.
He arrived in Chicago, in July, 1S40, and soon became assistant
editor of the Journal, under Richard L. Wilson, afterward assum-
ing the editorial management of the Gem of the Prairie, which
paper was subsequently merged into the Tribune. It was, in fact,
upon the urgent solicitation of Mr. Forrest, that the Tribune was
so christened. Selling his interest in the establishment, he joined
Tohn Wentworth, as assistant editor of the Democrat, holding this
position during lS46-47,and it was while acting in this capacity, that
he was elected clerk of the Recorder's Court, over Philip A. Hoyne.
He did not hold office again until the People's party was organized
in 1873. when he was chosen city clerk. Of late years, Mr. F'or-
rest has been connected with the Chicago Daily News, where his
versatile pen and well-stored mind have added much to the value of
that enterprising and able newspaper. His reputation as a writer
rests, not a little, upon his productions on commercial and financial
topics, in which specialties he is deeply read, and which he treats
in a philosophical vein, rare in these days of superficiality. Mr.
Forrest married Miss Sadie Calhoun, daughter of Alvin Calhoun.
They had two daughters, Hattie and Lydia, who married, respect-
ively, William G. Baxter and Harry Boore. Mrs. Baxter was one
of the fairest and tenderestof women, and died in 1SS4. This was
the greatest sorrow of the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Forrest, and from
it they have never recovered. Descending the vale of life, these
gentle, kindly old citizens of Chicago but use their reminiscences
as memories of their lost daughter, and look forward to the expi-
ration of their life's journey as being a re-union with her whose pure
life was the sunbeam of their world. Whatever there may be of
political antagonisms to "Joe" Forrest, not one who knows him
but gives him and his wife their earnest sympathy and kindliest,
heartiest affection.
Zebina Eastman was born in North Amherst, Mass., Sep-
tember 8, 1S15. At the age of fourteen he determined to become
a printer, and with this purpose entered a printing office at Am-
herst as an apprentice. He soon displayed a decided capacity for
the art, and made very rapid progress in it. Having remained at
his apprenticeship for eighteen months, he realized that a better
education was necessary for him to succeed as a journalist. He
therefore left the printing office and entered the Hadley Academy,
to prepare for college. While pursuing his studies his health
failed, and he was forced to abandon his desire for a collegiate edu-
cation, and went back to the printing business. When eighteen
years of age he persuaded his guardian to advance him what was
due of his inheritance, amounting to two thousand dollars, and
with this capital he embarked in his first venture in journalism. He
went to Fayetteville, Vt., and in company with a friend started the
Vermont Free Press. The first issue was dated June 7, 1S34, and
it was kept going until the following spring, when the capital be-
ing exhausted, the paper failed. Meantime, he had become imbued
with strong anti-slavery feelings, and he resolved to devote him-
self to the cause of human freedom. In 1S37, he emigrated to the
West, stopping for a year or two at Ann Arbor, Mich., then, pass-
ing through Chicago, settled at Peoria, where he worked for a time
on the Peoria Register. Subsequently he went to Lowell, LaSaile
County, where he joined the veteran abolitionist, Benjamin Lundy,
in publishing a paper called the Genius of Universal Emancipa-
tion. Mr. Lundy soon dying, Mr. Eastman continued the publi-
cation of the paper for several months. In June, 1S40, he married
Miss Mary Jane Corning, of Burlington, Vt., to whom he had been
affianced before he left that State three years before. He returned
to Lowell, and, in partnership with Hooper Warren, published the
Genius of Liberty, as successor to the Genius of Universal Eman
cipation, but, in 1842, on the invitation of some of the prominent
abolitionists of Chicago, he removed there and started the Western
( 'iliien, which became the leading anti-slavery organ of the North-
west. In 1853, the name of the paper was changed to that of the
Free West. It lasted but comparatively a short time, for the
slavery question was rapidly coming up as the one commanding
issue on which the States and the people were dividing, and the
great and prosperous newspapers were becoming the exponents of
freedom. The work of the abolitionists, as such, was nearly ac-
complished. In 1850, Mr. Eastman was appointed delegate for
Illinois to the World's Peace Congress, at Frankfort, Germany.
There he made valuable acquaintances, and among others Elihu
Burritt, the " Learned Blacksmith." It was through the influences
of Mr. Eastman that the abolition vote was thrown for Elihu B.
Washburne, in 1852, thus electing him over his democratic oppo-
nent. In 1856, the Liberty party was practically merged in the
THE LITERATURE OF CHICAGO.
499
Republican party, and a distinctive organ being no longer neces-
sary, the Free West subscription list was transferred to the Chicago
Tribune. From this time, Mr. Eastman became an active sup-
porter of the Republican party, and did much to bring the aboli-
tionists in accord with it. His services were appreciated and rec-
ognized, and after the election of Abraham Lincoln, he received the
appointment of consul to Bristol, England. Prior to this, in 1S57,
Mr. Eastman attempted the publication of the Chicago Magazine,
but for lack of support it lasted but five months. Mr. Eastman
remained at Bristol for eight years, and was admirably fitted for the
position. His services during the period of the Civil War were
highly appreciated by his Government. On his return to the
United States he took up his residence at Elgin, where he remained
about four years, when he removed to the village of Maywood. The
succeeding years were passed in literary pursuits, but failing health
prevented any sustained effort in any direction. He died at May-
wood, on the 14th of June, 18S3.
Some writers who attained distinction during the
period covered by this volume, were as follows :
" January Searle." This was the nem de plume of George
S. Phillips, who was on the Tribune staff in 1S63. He was the
author of The Gypsies of the Dane's Dyke, and of a book descrip-
tive of the churches of this city.
Joel H. Wicker, a lawyer, and a brother of Charles G. Wick-
er, wrote extensively for the Times previous to 1859.
Albert H. Bodman was an employe of Alfred Dutch on the
Daily News, afterward worked on the Tribune, and was then city
clerk. He recently was engaged upon a patent inside.
I. Newton Higoins was on the editorial staff of the Times in
1S63-64, and was then on the Republican. He subsequently went
to California and was there employed on the Call.
Harry Griffiths was an assistant to Mr. Colbert on the
Tribune in iS64-65,and afterward was engaged on the Republican.
He was a brilliant writer, but his intemperate habits were his ruin.
" Beau Hackett" was on the staff oi the Times, and was
esteemed a possible peer of Mark Twain. His death terminated
his bright and flattering prospects.
S. V. R. Hickox was on the Tribune from 1S57 until 1S72,
being its agricultural editor for many years.
The Illinois Staats Zeitung. — The Illinois
Staats Zeitung stands foremost among the German
newspapers of the West. Strongly allied to the Re-
publican party on the question of slavery, it was of
incalculable service in bringing the German-American
voters of the Northwest, to the support of the party
and thus promoting its success. Its editors have all
been men of ability and influence, and, in later years,
the frequent revolts of the Germans from allegiance to
the Republican party have been largely due to the sen-
timents of independence inculcated by the Staats Zei-
tung. But, during the formative period of the party,
and in the campaign that resulted in the election of
Mr. Lincoln, the Staats Zeitung was a power that de-
served and received consideration from the highest
party magnates.
In 1 86 1, at the time of the outbreak of the civil
war, Mr. Schneider, then editor of the Staats Zeitung,
was appointed consul to Denmark, principally on
account of his having sent a memorial through a com-
mittee, headed by Mr. Larned and others, to President
Lincoln, to influence the press in the northern part of
Europe — at that time prejudiced by the utterances of
the London Times — in favor of the Union. Mr.
Schneider, in fulfilment of his mission, in the fall of
1 86 1, went to Hamburg, Bremen and Copenhagen, at
which latter city the present Minister of Denmark to
Washington, Mr. DeBille, was then editor and pub-
lisher of the Dag Bladet, and this gentleman was the
first to change the tone of his paper relative to Ameri-
can politics, consequent upon appreciating the cogency
of Mr. Schneider's arguments. In this year also Lorenz
Brentano, who had previously been writing for the
paper, bought Mr. Hoeffgen's interest, as Mr. Hoeffgen
did not desire to remain in sole charge of the paper
during Mr. Schneider's absence, and William Rapp was
made editor of the paper. In the latter part of 1861,
when Mr. Schneider returned from Europe, he sold his
interest in the Staats Zeitung to Lorenz Brentano, and
since that time he has been unconnected with any
newspaper. At the time of its sale the paper had thirty-
five hundred city subscribers, and had a Sunday as
well as a weekly edition.
George Schneider was born in Pirmasens, Rhenish Bavaria,
on December 13, i323, and is the son of Ludwig and Josephine
(Schlick) Schneider. He received his early education at the schools
of his native place, and, at the age of twenty-one, became a jour-
nalist, and therein became actively engaged as a revolutionist in his
Province against the domination of the Bavarian despotism. But
he was not satisfied with fighting alone with his pen, but supple-
mented his efforts with his sword, and when the Prussians assisted
the Bavarian monarchy, he saw that further attempts at subverting
the tyranny were useless, and sailed for America, arriving at New
York in July, 1849. From thence he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and
from there to St. Eouis, where he established the Neue Zeit. From
thence he came to Chicago, as narrated in volume I of this History.
Resigning his consulship, to which he was appointed, as above
stated, in 1861, he returned to Chicago and was appointed collector
of internal revenue by Abraham Lincoln, the first to occupy that
position in the State, and for four years discharged the duties of
that office with marked ability and scrupulous fidelity, making his
administration also distinguished by his selecting subordinates for
their efficiency and not for partisan principles. When his term of
office expired, Mr. Schneider was elected president of the State
Savings Institution, and retained his interest therein until 1S71,
when he was elected president of the National Bank of Illinois,
which position he still holds. This institution is one of the most
conservative, prosperous and influential in the State, and the thir-
teen years' occupancy of the presidential chair sufficiently testifies
to the high appreciation the stockholders have of the ability of Mr.
Schneider, which has made the institution what it is. Mr. Schneider
was married on June 6, 1853, to Miss Matilda Schlcetzer; they
have seven daughters. Mr. Schneider, in addition to his other
offices in public and private life, was delegate at large to the
National Convention of 1856, district delegate to the Convention
of 1S60, and elector at large from the State of Illinois at the elec-
tion of James A. Garfield. In 1S76. he was appointed Minister to
Switzerland by President Hayes. He resigned the position imme-
diately thereafter. Mr. Schneider has long since buried all ani-
mosities toward his former country, and has since visited Rhenish
Bavaria and rejuvenated old and hallowed associations in that land
of his nativity.
Anthony C. Hesing was born at Vechta, Oldenburg, Prussia,
in 1S23, and since he was fifteen years of age, has fought the battle
of life by himself, having lost his mother in 1832 and his father in
1S38. Until this time he had attended school, but his guardians
then decreed that he must help to earn his living, seeming, by
their subsequent action, to utilize young Hesing so far as possible
and at a minimum of expense. Therefore, they apprenticed him to
learn the trades of baker and brewer; but this was so galling to
him, that after repeated applications to his guardians, he finally
prevailed upon them to allow him to come to America. They had
his patrimony of a thousand thalers — a large sum in that country —
out of which they generously gave him enough to pay his passage,
and retained the remainder. He arrived at Baltimore, at the age
of seventeen, with five dollars in his pocket, and at Cincinnati,
afterward, five dollars in debt. In the latter city he entered a
retail grocery store, where he worked two years and, although he
was unable to save much money he established an excellent repu-
tation for frugality, honesty and industry, and principally with this
capital, he opened a grocery store on Court Street, in 1842, which
he maintained until 1848. In 1847, he re-visited Germany, and
there met Miss Louisa Lamping, whom he married and brought
with him to this country. In 1848, he sold out his grocery and
erected a hotel on the corner of Race and Court streets, Cincinnati,
which he managed until 1854, when he disposed of it and came to
Chicago. He then engaged in the manufacture of brick, in com-
pany with Charles S. Dole, and continued therein until the panic
of 1S57 terminated their business. He then struggled along,
cheerful under misfortune, brave under adversity, until 1S60, when
he was nominated and elected sheriff of Cook Cpunty, which office
he retained two years.
In 1S62, he bought an interest In the Staats Zeitung,
and in 1867, became the sole proprietor of the paper;
subsequently disposing of a portion of his interest to
other stockholders in the company owning the paper.
Mr. Hesing retained his management of the paper until
his son, Washington Hesing, became the directing and
governing hand of this most potential of German jour-
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
nals, its influence being only exceeded by the New York
paper of the same name.
The Religious Press will be comprehensively
treated in the ensuing volume.
THE WESTERN ASSOCIATED PRESS.
The exciting enterprise which characterized the col-
lection of news in the early days of the New York
Herald and its rivals has long been a thing of the past.
Carrier pigeons, pony expresses, relays of horses, special
locomotives, chartered steamboats, fast sailing schooners
and pilot boats have all been superseded by the tele-
graph, and the use of the telegraph is usually only a
question of money. The result of this has been to
equalize all newspapers, so far as the function of news
gathering is concerned, and has compelled individual
newspapers to achieve superiority in other respects, and
in those features where intellect tells. Thus the stand-
ard of journalism has been elevated, and the value of
the press to the business interests of the country im-
measurably increased.
An association of five or six of the prominent news-
papers of New York City was formed in the year 185 1,
for the purpose of collecting news for their own use.
It was called the New York Associated Press, and was
found so useful that like associations were formed in
other parts of the country. The principal one of these
is the Western Associated Press. It operates the ter-
ritory from the Great Lakes to the Ohio River, south
to Memphis and Louisville, and west to the Missouri.
It has fifty-six voting members, and supplies news to
more than eighty press customers, besides, who are not
members. It interchanges among these the local news,
and delivers a copy of local news to an agent of the New
York Press Association, at Cincinnati. It also reports
anything within its territory which may be needed in
addition to the collection for western press use, and the
New York association is under similar and recipro-
cal obligations to the West. Neither association can
serve any competitor, or encroach upon the territory of
the other. The news furnished, supplied as it is to
newspapers of all shades of political opinion, is free
from partisan bias, and is generally regarded as trust-
worthy. When a party organ desires political color 10
its news it furnishes it to its readers in the form of a
special dispatch.
The Western Association Press was formed in 1865.
Joseph Medill of the Chicago Tribune being one of its
most active promoters. On the 21st of March, 1865,
the Legislature of Michigan passed a general law to
provide for the incorporation of associations engaged
in the publication of newspapers, periodicals, books
and other matter.
It provided that any three or more persons may
associate themselves for the purpose of procuring intel-
ligence for the newspaper press from all parts of the
world, by telegraph or otherwise, upon such terms and
conditions, and subject to the liabilities prescribed in
the law. It further provided they should sign articles
of association, specifying, the name, the capital-stock,
the purpose, the place of business and the term of exis-
tence, which was not to exceed thirty years.
In pursuance of this law the first meeting of the
Western Association Press was held at Louisville, on
the 22d and 23d of November, r 865. They adopted
articles of association as prescribed by the Michigan
statute, and also a set of by-laws in pursuance of the
same.
The articles and by-laws provided that the publish-
ers of daily newspapers in the West might become
members of the association by subscribing for one share
of the capital-stock at its par value of ten dollars. This
share of stock is evidence of the right of the newspaper
holding it to participate in all the rights, advantages and
immunities of the association. The stock is not trans-
ferable except on the sale of the newspaper holding it,
and no newspaper is allowed to hold more than one
share. Each share is entitled to one vote in all meet-
ings of the association. Newspapers may be admitted
to the association on the application of the press of the
city where they are proposed to be published. In the
event of any disagreement between any member of the
association and the New York Associated Press or any
telegraph company, the matter in controversy shall be
referred to the Board of Directors, whose decision shall
be sustained by the association.
The following were the first officers of the asso-
ciation : President, J. D. Osborn (Louisville Journal) ;
secretary and treasurer, H. E. Baker (Detroit Adver-
tiser and Tribune); directors, M. Halstead (Cincinnati
Commercial) ; A. W. Fairbanks (Cleveland Heraldj ;
Jacob Barnes (Detroit Free Press); George L. Knapp
St. Louis Republican) ; Horace White (Chicago Tri-
bune). Executive committee, M. Halstead and Horace
White.
Subsequently, it was ascertained that, as the asso-
ciation was formed under a law of Michigan, the prin-
cipal office should be in that State. Mr. Osborn then
resigned the presidency, and H. N. Walker, of the Detroit
Free Press, was chosen in his place.
Although the association has a contract with the
Western Union Telegraph Company, by which its rates
are very much lower than the ordinary charges, the tolls
for a single year reach $175,000.
One of the direct results of the association is to
make a close corporation of the newspapers already
existing in any particular place, and rendering it almost
impossible to start a new newspaper that can compete
with them, inasmuch as the newspaper can not get the
associated press dispatches without their consent.
There have been cases where papers have been suc-
cessful under such adverse circumstances, but they are
quite rare. Capital usually shrinks from such enterprises,
for until a paper can acquire a permanent and enduring
constituency its expenses will exceed its income.
WESTERN NEWS COMPANY.
John R. Walsh and the Western News Com-
pany.— Prior to 1856, the circulation of periodicals
and newspapers was for the most part the affair of the
individual publishers. They obtained their subscrip-
tions and served their subscribers through the mails.
Some of the large newsdealers in New York City had
used the Express to some extent in sending the more
popular papers and magazines to a distance, but the
business was not extensive until the formation of the
American News Company, about the year 1856. This
company was started in New York City by A. S. Tuttle,
and was formed by the consolidation of several of the
largest newsdeahng firms of that city. As railroad
facilities increased, it extended its business operations
until, by the year 1861, it took in all the prominent
cities of the Northern States. At this time there was
one young man in Chicago, who saw that unless the
newsdealers of Chicago adopted the same methods as
the News Company, they could not hope to compete
with them. This was John R. Walsh.
In a year or two, Mr. McNally took Mr. Walsh into
HOTEL HISTORY.
5°i
partnership ; but a trusted clerk having embezzled
largely from the firm during that year, Mr. Walsh's
interest was about used up, and he became a salesman
again. Meantime he was watching the growth of the
American News Company, and saw them occupying
territory, that could be as well or better served from
Chicago. He urged upon Mr. McNally that the
business be extended to compete with the News Com-
pany. The railroads were opening up hundreds of
new places in which plenty of customers could be
found, but Mr. McNally was satisfied with what he had,
and would not go into the enterprise. So, in 1861,
with a little borrowed capital, Mr. Walsh opened a
news depot of his own. Plenty of local customers
flocked to him, but he had his eye on a larger field.
He commenced to supply the outlying towns and cities
of Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa with papers
and periodicals more regularly and more quickly than
could be done by the News Company or through the
mails. Newsdealers in these western towns soon found
that by ordering from John R. Walsh, Chicago, they
could get supplies twelve hours earlier than from the
News Company, and twenty-four hours earlier than by
the mails. It was the time of the War, and whatever
people wanted, they wanted right away. The conse-
quence was Mr. Walsh soon had almost the entire
business in his hands, and the American News Com-
pany awoke to the fact that they had to deal with a
young, enterprising and exceedingly energetic rival.
Four or five years of competition convinced them that
if they wished to do business in the Northwest, they
must have the assistance, not the rivalry, of Mr. Walsh.
Negotiations resulted in the establishment, in 1866, of
the Western News Company, with John R. Walsh as
manager. It was the first branch of the parent com-
pany, which now has branches in every large city of
the United States.
The News Company has revolutionized the methods
of newspaper aud periodical circulation. It stands
between the publisher and the public, doing, with
comparative safety what the publisher formerly did,
through the mails, with risk and loss. It orders so
many hundred or so many thousand newspapers every
day from each publisher, and pays the cash down for
them. These it distributes in every town and hamlet
throughout the land, reached by a railroad. The profit
is small, but it is constant. The property dealt in is
extremely perishable, but the company is saved from
heavy loss by the agreement of the publishers to take
back unsold papers, the company losing- the cost of
handling only.
Without the machinery afforded by the News Com-
pany, newspapers could not have acquired the large
circulations they have. To accomplish it, a large in-
crease in the clerical force of each establishment would
be necessary, and even then the mails could not afford
them the requisite facilities. Mr. Walsh's name is
inseparably connected with this great enterprise. His
energy and business ability has made it what it is. He
is justly entitled to the credit of having materially
contributed to the welfare and convenience of the
great reading public of the West.
John R. Walsh is a native of Ireland. He was born August
22, 1S37, and came to the United States with his parents when he
was twelve years of age, settling in Chicago. At the age of
eighteen, he became clerk and salesman for J. McNally, who was
then one of the principal newsdealers in the city. Of pleasant
manners, retentive memory and' obedient disposition, he soon made
himself popular with the patrons of the store. He knew what
each customer wanted and was quick to attend to him. Says a
friend who knew him at this period, " When a man came into t he-
store who wanted some particular thing, had perhaps ordered an
extra paper or magazine, John could tell him at once whether it
had come or not, or give him the special information he wanted,
right off, while any of the others would have to go and look over
files or lists or something which would take up time. So custom-
ers all wanted to deal with John." Mr. Walsh was one of the
founders and is the president of the Chicago National Bank, to
which he gives his constant personal attention during banking
hours. He also continues to superintend the News Company.
He was married, in 1867, to Miss Wilson of Chicago, and has five
children. With evening his business cares are dismissed, and in
his home and family he finds his rest and recreation. Amid all
his vast business enterprises in which he has accumulated a large
fortune, he has preserved the pleasant and generous traits of his
younger manhood. In business dealings he is exact himself, and
expects exactness in others, to the uttermost farthing, but his
friendly hand is ever extended to help those who have not pros-
pered so well as he. In all Chicago there is no more popular man
than John R. Walsh.
HOTEL HISTORY.
Few people of to-day, who enjoy the comforts and
even luxuries afforded by the modern hotel, think of the
great changes which have been wrought in such estab-
lishments within a comparatively few years. The days
have happily fled when guests were wont to climb three
or four nights of stairs, to reach their sleeping apartment;
preceded by a small boy, usually sleepy and always lazy,
bearing a flickering tallow candle, or a smoking lamp.
What guest of the old-time hotel can not remember the
wish, on awakening in the morning, that he was safely
down stairs, through the narrow and dimly-lighted pas-
sages ? In those days, elevators and fire-escapes,
electric lights and bells, and the many other modern in-
ventions now considered indispensable, were unknown.
Among the cities of the West, none could earlier boast
of hotels, prompt to adopt every discovery looking to the
comfort of guests, than Chicago.
Tremont House. — As long ago as 1850, this city
had, in the old Tremont House, a hotel which at that
time had no equal in the West. As the residents of
that day well remember, it originally stood on the north-
west corner of Lake and Dearborn streets, and was built
by Alanson Sweet in 1832-33. By way of comparing it
with the present hotel of the same name, it may be men-
tioned that the first Tremont House was a small wooden
building, twenty by thirty feet, and only three stories
high. Its proprietor was Alanson Sweet, who conducted
it as a saloon and boarding house. In the summer of
1836 the Couch brothers, Ira and James, arrived in Chi-
cago, and opened a gentlemen's small furnishing store
and tailor shop, on Lake Street, between State and
Dearborn. In the fall of that year they sold out this
business and rented the Tremont House from Mr. Sweet,
which they kept until the 27th of October, 1839, when
it was destroyed by fire. From this date until his death,
the history of the Tremont may perhaps be best learned
from the biography of the man who first gave it promi-
nence, and which it has so long enjoyed, as one of the
representative hostelries in the West.
Ira Couch was born in Saratoga County, New York, on the
22d of November, 1806. At the age of sixteen, young Ira was
apprenticed to a tailor, but he purchased his time from his em-
502
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
plover, and, in 1S26, set up business for himself in Jamestown,
New York. In 1S33, he married Caroline E. Gregory, at Elli-
cottvi'.le, Cattaraugus County ; and in the summer of 1S36, re-
moved to Chicago. A few months later, he sold out his establish-
ment, rented the Tremont House from Mr. Sweet, and in the fall
of 1S36, began his career as a hotel-keeper. When, in 1S39, this
house was "burned, Mr. Couch lost almost all he had, but with
characteristic energy he immediately leased, of the Messrs. Wads-
worth, the corner lots where the present Tremont now stands, and
began the erection of a new and better building than the old one.
The second Tremont House fronted about ninety feet on Dearborn
Street, by one hundred feet on Lake, and was a frame structure
three stories in height. It was commenced late in December,
1S39, completed during the following spring, and opened to the
public in May, 1S40. This house was kept by Mr. Couch until it
was destroyed by fire, July 21, 1S49. Before the burning of the
last-mentioned building, however, Mr. Couch had purchased the
ground on which it stood, and, at the time it was destroyed, was
the owner of one hundred and forty feet on Lake Street, by one
hundred and eighty feet on Dearborn. His second hotel having
been burned, he conceived the idea of erecting a magnificent brick
structure, covering the whole of the area already mentioned, and
five and a half stories high. The magnitude of this scheme was
such as to excite no little ridicule from his friends and business as-
sociates, who, as they saw the new building rising from the ruins
of its predecessor, were pleased to term it " Couch's folly." ' Even
the soundest business men, thought the building of such a hotel
was a hazardous undertaking, and one wholly uncalled for by the
demands of the times. The great hotel was completed, furnished,
and opened to the public on Saturday, September 2g, 1850. In
January, 1S51, the Gem of the Prairie, in a review of the notable
buildings erected in Chicago during the previous year, said: " The
Tremont House has precedence of all others. It is one of the chief
ornaments of the city, and reflects great credit upon its proprietor,
Mr. Ira Couch. The house is five and a half stories high, and its
internal arrangements, including furniture and decorations, are all
in the highest style of art, and of the class denominated princely.
There is, perhaps, no hotel in the Union superior to it in any re-
spect. The cost of the building was $75,000. J. M. Van Osdel,
architect and superintendent; C. and W. Price, masons; Updike &
Sollitt, builders." Three years after the house was opened, Mr.
Couch leased the building, and sold the furniture to David A. and
George W. Gage, of Boston, and practically retired from active
business, though still exercising a supervision of his affairs. In
company with his wife and child he began traveling, to recuper-
ate an overtaxed constitution. In the winter of 1855-56, he re-
turned to Chicago, going from thence to New Orleans and Ha-
vana, still accompanied by his wife and child. He was so de-
lighted with the climate of Cuba, that he at once formed the
intention of spending his winters in that country; and December
of the following year found him, with his little family, again com-
fortably domiciled in the city of his choice. A few weeks later, he
was suddenly stricken with a fever, and, almost before the danger-
ous character of his malady was known, he was dead, and his wife and
child left alone in a land of strangers. His remains were brought
to this city, and, about a year and a half after, were deposited in
the massive stone vault erected for that purpose, in Lincoln Park.
by his brother James. Thus died Ira Couch, at the age of fifty-
one years, in the very prime of his manhood.
JAMES Couch was born at Fort Edwards, on the Hudson, in
August, 1800. He received his early education in Chautauqua
County, and remained there until 1820, when he went into the
Johnson House, at Fredonia, N. Y., as clerk. After remaining at
this hotel for some time, Mr. Couch returned home, and, with his
brother George, began keeping the Stage House, a hotel which
stood on the lake shore, the thoroughfare then from Cleveland, Ohio,
through Erie, Portland Harbor, Maysville-and Jamestown, to Pitts-
burgh, Penn. He next went into the lumber and distilling business,
and in [836, in company with his brother Ira, came to Chicago. In
July of that year both brothers returned to New York to purchase
goods. After leaving New York, they separated at Albany, Ira
going to Jamestown to join his family, and James proceeding with
their merchandise to Buffalo by canal. At that place, being unable
to find a steamer, he was compelled to charter a schooner to bring
licago. After a passage lasting live weeks, he reached
this city, and found his brother Ira, who had already arrived,
awaiting him. The goods were placed in a small building on Lake
Street, the property of Captain Seth Johnson. In the fall of 1836,
he and his brother purchased the Tremont. His connection with
that house has been already set forth. The hold was re-built by
him, after the great 6re of 1871. He also erected a number of
large and substantial business blocks in various parts of the city.
He then began the erection of the Commercial House, but it was
finished by others. Mr. Couch has, indeed, been a useful citizen
of Chicago ; he invested the money made here in erecting build-
ings that are a credit to him and the city they help to adorn ; and,
though now nearly eighty-five years of age, he is still strong and
vigorous. He was married on the 25th of March, 1S47, to Miss
Elizabeth C. Wells, of Stratford, Conn. They have had two chil-
dren— a son and daughter. The latter died in 1853, when only
two years of age. The son, Ira Couch, was born in 184S, and
was educated at Albany, N. Y., where he studied law and was ad-
mitted to the Bar in iS6g.
Gage Bros, took the house in 1853, and in 1855
John B. Drake, the well-known proprietor of the Grand
Pacific, became a partner and retained his connection
with the Tremont until it was destroyed in the fire of
187 1. In 1863, David A. Gage retired from the firm,
and, in company with Charles C. Waite, assumed control
of the Sherman House. Gage & Drake continued the
Tremont until 1868, when the former sold his interest
to Mr. Drake, who conducted the house until the fire.
In 1861, the house was remodeled and enlarged on a
grand scale, and the proprietors, Messrs. Gage Bros. &
Drake, refurnished the house at a cost of over $30,000.
From the foregoing history it will be seen that not
only, for thirty-five years, has the Tremont House held
its place, as one of the leading hotels in Chicago, but
for many years was unapproached by any of its com-
petitors in the elegance of its appointments and excel-
lence of its management ; and, notwithstanding it has
been three times destroyed by fire, it still stands an en-
during monument to the memory of its founders, and
of the men who have made it famed, as being one of
the model hotels in the West.
The Sherman House was built in 1836-37, by
Hon. F. C. Sherman, who was subsequently Mayor of
Chicago, and was first opened in December of the latter
year, by Jacob Russell, who had formerly kept the old
Lake House. It was then known as the City Hotel,
but, in 1844, Mr. Sherman remodeled the house, added
SHERMAN HOUSE.
two stories, making it five stories in height, and changed
its name to the Sherman House. Its proprietors from
1837 to 1857, have been named in the first volume of
this work ; and in 1858 it was kept by Martin Dodge
and Hiram Longley. In December of that year, Ezekiel
Tripp and Daniel W. Hale assumed control, and kept
the house until in May, 1861, when the work of tearing
it down was begun, to make room for the elegant and
costly structure which Mr. Sherman had determined to
erect in its stead. The new hotel was completed, and
opened to the public for inspection, on Tuesday, July 8,
186 1 ; and as the opening of the Tremont House, a
trifle over a decade before, had been an event of no
HOTEL HISTORY.
50.3
small importance in the march of Chicago's progress as
a city, so the opening of the new Sherman, a second
grand hotel, was an affair to be noted and remembered.
The new Sherman House was six stories high, and
had a frontage of one hundred and eighty feet on
Clark, and one hundred and fifty feet on Randolph
Street, the latter overlooking the public
square. The material of the structure
was the finest Athens marble, from the
quarries at Lemont ; the style of its
architecture was plain, yet it possessed
sufficient character to give it a deserved
prominence among the finest edifices of
its class in the West. The entire cost of
the building was a little over $200,000,
and the land was valued at about $150,000,
while the furniture and appointments swell-
ed the grand total to nearly half a million
dollars.
The lessees of the house were Porteus B. Roberts,
a well-known railroad man from Peoria, and Frank T.
Sherman, a son of the proprietor; Samuel Hawk, for-
merly of the Richmond House, and W. S. Hughes were
also associated in the management of the new Sherman,
assisted by Messrs. Kellogg and Rice. Roberts and
Sherman conducted the house until 1863, when
David A. Gage (formerly of the Tremont
House) and Charles C. Waite assumed con-
trol ; two years later, John A. Rice became a
partner. In 1867, the proprietors were Gage &
Rice ; in the following year Mr. Rice retired
from the firm, being succeeded by Horace
Walters ; Gage Bros. & Walters then conducted
the house until destroyed by the fire of 187 1.
Francis Cornwall Sherman was born in Newton, Conn.,
in the year 1S05, and came, with his family, to Chicago in April,
1S34. Shortly after he reached this city he built, with the aid of a
fellow-workman, a frame building on Randolph, between La Salle
and Wells streets. This building, which was standing until the
fire of 1S71, was originally eighteen by thirty-four feet, and twelve
feet high. Here he opened a boarding-house, and was soon doing
a thriving business. The next year he purchased a wagon and
a pair of horses, and, in the absence of stage-coach facilities, car-
ried passengers from Chicago to Joliet, Galena, Ottawa, Peoria,
and other places. In 1S35, he moved out on what was then called
the prairie, on Adams Street, near Market, and began making
brick, his kilns being between Market Street and the river, about
the present site of the Madison -street bridge. In 1835-36,
he built for himself the first four-story brick building erected, on
Lake Street near Clark. Mr. Sherman continued the business of
brick-making and building for over fourteen years, during which
time he erected a great number of houses and business_ blocks for
others. In 1850, he had grown so wealthy that he retired from
this business and devoted his time to the management of his large
estate. From the time of his arrival at Chicago, Mr. Sherman
always took an active interest in public affairs, and, in the course of
a long and useful life, was many times honored with substantial
tokens of public esteem. He was selected as one of the first board
of trustees of the town of Chicago, of which body he was a member
until the town, as a corporation, ceased to exist. He was also
a member of the first board of aldermen, and was honored by fre-
quent re-elections. He was a member of the board of county
commissioners, and was always active in his efforts to preserve the
court-house square for public purposes. In 1S43, he was elected
to the State Legislature, and four years later was a member of the
same body, and aided in framing the new Constitution for the
State. In politics, Mr. Sherman was an active Democrat, and
on that ticket was a candidate, in 1856, for mayor of Chicago, but
was defeated by Thomas Dyer. In 1S62, he was elected to the
mayoralty over C. N. Holden, and. in 1863, was re-elected for
a two years' term, over T. B. Bryan, after one of the fiercest local
contests known in the history of the city. Mr. Sherman was mar-
ried, before coming to Chicago, to Miss Electa Trowbridge, of
Danbury, Conn., and has had seven children. Of these, there are
now but two living — General Frank T. Sherman, and Martha
L. Marsh, now residing in Evanston. Mr. Sherman died
November 12, 1S70, and was deeply and sincerely mourned
by the people of a city in whch he had lived so long, and
for the advancement of which he had ever earnestly labored.
His widow survived him eleven years, and died on the anniversary
of her husband's death, November 12, 1881.
The Adams House was built, in 1857, by Hugh
Maher, a well-known capitalist of this city, and at one
time accounted the largest property owner in Cook
County. The house was opened, in the autumn of 1858,
by William Adams; and in April of the following year,
VV. L. & J. I. Pearce, formerly of the Matteson House,
purchased and assumed control of the Adams. In De-
cember, i860, W. L. Pearce sold his interest to Schuyler
S. Benjamin, now of the Brevoort House. Pearce &
Benjamin conducted the Adams until it was destroyed,
^^^^^
in October, 1871. It is of interest to note that this
hotel stood on the former site of the old Hydraulic
Mills, the first flouring mills in Chicago, which were
discontinued in 1853.
Hugh Maher was born in Ireland in 1818, and when nine-
teen years of age came to this country, arriving in Chicago in
1837. Here he rapidly amassed great wealth, and, in later years,
was known in business circles as one of the boldest, yet shrewdest,
speculators of his time. An idea of the extent of his possessions
may be gained from the statement that he once owned the dock-
frontage on both sides of the Chicago River, from Twelfth to
Eighteenth street. A small portion of this property he sold to the
Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company for $205,000
In 1873, Mr. Maher moved to Hyde Park, where he continued to
reside until his death, which occurred January 22, 1884.
The Clifton House originally stood on the south-
east corner of Wabash Avenue and Madison Street, and
was built by Mr. Knights. It was first kept as a hotel,
in 1858, by Joshua Barrell, then, in 1859-60, by Killian
Winne. In 1861, Elijah W. Herrick purchased the
property, and, after enlarging and re-furnishing the
house, remained its proprietor until his death from chol-
era, in 1866. Joshua Barrell again assumed control,
which he retained until 1870. In May of that year,
the property was leased by W. A. Jenkins, who enlarged
its capacity, and in May, 187 1, made a second addition
to the hotel. Mr. Jenkins remained its proprietor until
it went down in the general conflagration of October 9,
5°4
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
1S71. Previous to the fire, however. Albert A. Holmes
had purchased an interest in the house, and was part
owner of it at the time it was destroyed.
The Matteson House, as built by Governor
ADAMS HOUSE
Matteson in 1850, was a five-story brick structure, hav-
ing a frontage of eighty feet on Randolph and ninety
feet on Dearborn Street. When built, it was considered
second only to the Tremont. Its cost was $20,000. It
was opened in the following year by W. L. Pearce, who,
a few months later, associated with him his brother, J.
I. Pearce, and they conducted it until, in 1853, they were
succeeded by Stevens & Willard. In May, 1858, they
sold out to Charles II. Bissell and William s. Goodrich,
who kept the house until 1861, when Mr. Goodrich sold
his interest to his partner. In 1864, Robert Hill took
the house, and remained its proprietor until the fire.
The following account of the sale of the old Matteson
House, is taken from the Tribune of March 6, 1866:
" One of the old landmarks of Chicago, the well-known
Matteson House, on the northwest corner of Randolph and
Dearborn streets, was sold at auction yesterday, to enable a
partition to be made among the heirs of the Matteson estate.
* * * Finally, the property was awarded to Messrs. M.
O. Walker and Robert Hill, for the sum of $130,000. It
has been asserted that tin's is the oldest hotel building in the
city, but this is a mistake. The Lake House, over on
Kinzie Street, is much older, having been built about 1S37
[1835], but is not now used as a hotel. The Tremont, how-
ever, still standing, is much older than the Matteson. Thirty
years ago, the lot was sold by Dr W. B. Egan to John H.
Hodgson, for the sum of $1,000 and a suit of clothes. Mr.
Hodgson, and others, built the Baltic House on the lot; it
was destroyed by fire in 1S49; and, in 1850, Mr. Hodgson
sold the same ground to Joel A. Matteson for $9,000, and
that gentleman, during the same year, built the Matteson
House, which was opened under the management of W. 1..
l'earce, in 1851. When first opened, the rent of the Mat-
teson House was onlv $2,ooo per annum, and it was almost
on the verge of the business part of the city. In 1S53, Mr.
Pearce sold to Messrs. Stevens & Williams, two Vermont-
ers, and they, in turn, in 1S58, after having, it is said, each
made a fortune out of the establishment, transferred it to
Bissell & Goodrich. At this time, the rent was raised to
$6,000, and the following year the building was elevated
eight feet from its old position to the present grade. Mr.
Goodrich sold out to his partner in 1861, and, until 1S64, the
house was kept by Mr. Bissell, who, in turn, sold it to Robert
Hill, the present proprietor. It is stated that the entire rent
of that portion of the hotel sold yesterdav, and of the stores
beneath, amounts to $15,900 per annum; and this can not be
deemed an exorbitant income from the rentals, when it is
gg taken into consideration that it is one of the best corners in
- the city for a business location. Mr. Hill, the present pro-
prietor, formerly kept the Garden City House. The history
of the Matteson House is a short one, but as an old settler
remarked, ' It seemed like a dream that this property, which
I remember as little better than a valueless swamp, occupied by
the small shop of Hudson, the tailor, should to-day be well worth
$130,000, in the very heart of one of the most flourishing cities
in the Union, and with every prospect of a still greater increase
in value.' "
After the fire, a business building, known as the Bor-
den Block, was erected upon its former site.
Robert Hill, well known as one of the most popular and
successful hotel managers in the West, was born in 1S21, in the
town of Cooper, Maine. There, Robert was reared and educated,
assisting his father in the management of his farm and hotel until
1843, when he went into the hotel business on his own account, at
Baring, Maine, where he remained until lS4g. In that year, he pur-
chased a stock of general merchandise, and established himself at
Sheboygan, Wis. In 1852, he married Miss Sarah Murdock, and
in the spring of 1S53 came to Chicago. His first business venture
was as proprietor of the old Bake Street House, located on the
northeast corner of l.ake and Franklin streets. At the end of a
year he disposed of this property, and leased the Clarendon House,
on Randolph Street, between Fifth Avenue and Franklin Street,
then among the leading hotels of the city. The enlargement and
refitting of this house was rewarded by an extensive patronage,
which soon exceeded his accommodations, and he leased the Garden
City House in 1857, a pretentious structure that occupied the site
where now stands the wholesale house of Marshall Field & Co.
This was a large brick hotel, four stories in height, and containing
seventv-five rooms. He conducted this house for seven years, and
in 1864 secured the lease of the Matteson Hotrse, and, two years
later, with M. O. Walker, purchased the property for $130000.
After the destruction of this house in the great fire, Mr. Hill dis-
posed of the Matteson House property, and secured the land at the
corner of [ackson Street and Wabash Avenue, where he erected the
Matteson House, of which he was the proprietor at the time of his
death. Mr. Hill's death, March 4, 1S77, was regretted, not only
by the people of Chicago, who recognized in him a citizen of ster-
ling worth, but also by thousands of guests of his house, who had
had occasion to admire his qualities as a host and a man. J luring
his life he was connected with the Union Park Congregational So-
ciety, whose charities always found in him a liberal supporter. Mr
and Mis. Hill had seven children born to them, two daughters and
HOTEL HISTORY.
5°5
five sons ; the two former are now deceased. The sons are
Charles, Horace, George, Webster and Edwin.
The Massasoit House, situated, before the fire,
at the southwest corner of Central Avenue and South
Water Street, was built, in 1857, by David A. and
George W. Gage, and was opened, the following year,
by John C. Parks and John W. Humphreys. In ap-
pearance, the house nearly resembled the Massasoit
of later years. The old Massasoit, however, though
built of brick, was plastered on the outside, and then
tiled in imitation of stone. It was five stories in height,
contained seventy -two rooms, and cost, originally,
$32,000. In 185 1, John W. Humphreys, who had pre-
viously purchased his partner's interest, sold out to
William Cox, who, in turn, was succeeded by Killian
Winne. In the spring of 1863, Hiram Longley pur-
chased the house, paying for it $35,000. Mr. Longley
kept it until the fall of 1871, when, his health failing
him, he leased the property for a term of years, and re-
turned to Shirley, Mass., his native town, to spend
his declining years Through the courtesy of A.
W. Longley, of this city, a nephew of the old hotel
man, the following letter from Mary A., widow of Hiram
Longley, has been furnished for publication in this His-
tory. The letter is dated April 2, 1884, and reads as
follows :
"Dear Sir, — Your favor at hand. Will try to answer a few of
vour questions. Mr. Longley was born in Shirley, Mass., in 1S07,
and spent his early years as a manufacturer in Dover, N. H., and in
his native town, where he first went into business for himself in
1S35. fn 1853, he went to Chicago, and in the following year
purchased the old Rock Island House, situated on Clark Street,
at the corner of Twelfth. Here he was burned out in August,
1856; and in November of the same year he went into the Sherman
House, and remained there two years. From there to the Claren-
don House, on Randolph Street, where he remained until the
spring of 1863, when he purchased the Massasoit House. He
paid for it §35,000. In the spring of 1871 he returned to the
East; and you know what took place in the fall of that year. In
May, 1873, his nephew, A. W. Longley, of Chicago, began re-
building the house, and opened it in the fall ; Mr. Longley, senior,
also returned to Chicagoduring that year, and remained thereuntil
the spring of 1S75, when he once more came East, to his native
town, where he died February 15, 1877. He was married, in 1838,
to Mary A. Farnsworth, of Harvard, Mass.; he died childless. I
have no cut nor picture of the old house ; we had one, but it was
destroyed at the time of the fire.
"Very respectfully, yours, Mary A. Longley."
The Cleveland House was built, in 1856, by A.
Cleveland, and was located at Nos. 46-52 West Lake
Street. Mr. Cleveland, with I. N. Merritt as manager,
continued to keep the house until 1859, when it was de-
stroyed in the great fire which occurred September 15,
of that year. In 1863, a Cleveland House was started
at 34 East Kinzie Street, corner of North Clark. This
hotel was opened by Robert Duncan, and kept by him
until 1865, when August Hendrick became proprietor,
and so continued until the fire of 1871.
The Revere House, formerly the Young America,
was first opened on the northeast corner of Randolph
and Dearborn streets. It was built in 1853, by Isaac
Cook, now of St. Louis, and was opened, on the Euro-
pean plan, in 18^4, by J. Stockton White & Co. In
1857, the house was first called the Revere, and William
R. Irish assumed its control. He was succeeded, two
years later, by Albert M. Stoddard and Erastus B.
George, and they, in turn, by C. W. Baldwin and H. F.
Willard, who conducted the house until 1859, when it
was pulled down, to be re-placed by a business block,
built by C. H. McCormick, and known as the McCor-
mick Block. On April 5, 1864, a new Revere House
was opened, at the corner of North Clark and Kinzie
streets, by Gilbert Dutcher, and kept by him until the
fire. The following local notice of the last mentioned
house and of the old Revere, is taken from the Tribune
of April 2, 1864 :
" All old residents of Chicago were once familiar with the old
Revere House, which long since was pulled down, to make room
for the present McCormick Block. The name was discontinued,
but was not lost. It has been resuscitated, and applied to the old
Foster House, which, having laid idle for two years, is about to be
opened under a new name by Gilbert Dutcher, formerly of the Cap-
ital House, at Madison, Wisconsin. The way in which the house
has been rejuvenated would surprise any one who knew it only as
the old Foster House."
It is a strange coincidence that, as the old Revere
House was re-placed by the McCormick Building, so
was the second hotel by another building bearing Mc-
Cormick's name. McCormick's Hall now stands at the
corner of North Clark and Kinzie streets, the former
site of Dutcher's Revere House; and the hotel after-
ward known as the Revere was situated just across the
alley, on a half block farther north of its old location.
Hatch's Hotel, located at No. 29 North Wells
Street, was kept, in 1858, by Heman Hatch, who, as
early as 1845, kept the old Eagle Tavern, situated on
Dearborn Street, between Lake and South Water streets.
In 1859, James L. Howe became the proprietor of the
Hatch House, and conducted it until 1863, when it
passed into the hands of John T. Corcoran. Three years
later, Hugh Dunn became a partner, and retained his
connection with the house until 1870, when Corcoran
purchased his interest, and at the time of the fire was
running the house alone.
The Barnes House, corner of Randolph and Canal
streets, now among the oldest of Chicago's hotels, and
for many years ranking among its leading hostelries,
was built, in 1866, by Royal B. Barnes, H. H. Yates and
Daniel Booth. Royal B. Barnes was its first proprie-
tor, and David M. Barnes, his son, its first bookkeeper
In 1869 the house passed into the hands of N. A. Hanks,
who, in the following year, was succeeded by C. H. Rice
and R. H. Worley. They relinquished their proprietor-
ship, in 187 1, to W. K. Swallow, who conducted the
house until in 1873, when he failed. The hotel had not
proved a profitable adventure to its various owners, and
after Mr. Swallow's failure it was, for a time, permitted
to stand idle. In 1874, Benjamin Ransom took it in
charge, and conducted it until October, 1875, when he
sold it to John T. Latshaw, in whose hands it remained
but a few months. He then sold out to a man named
Lowell, who shortly afterward took Charles Dore, of
St. Louis, into partnership, and they conducted the
house until June, 1876. At that time Benjamin New-
man purchased Mr. Lowell's interest, the firm becoming
Newman & Dore. On January 1, 1877, Mr. Dore re-
tired from the business, and Mr. Newman took his two
sons, Harvey R. and Benjamin L.. into partnership, and
the business was conducted under the firm name of
Newman & Sons, until the death of Mr. Newman. Sr.,
May 6, 1880. Since that time, the sons, under the name
and' style of Newman Brothers, have been the proprie-
tors. The house has since the fire been conducted on
the European plan. In 1884, its present proprietors
opened a restaurant on the first floor, and about the
same time refitted and furnished the hotel throughout
with new and elegant furniture, making it one of the
leading hostelries on the West Side. It may be added,
that the success of the hotel dates from the time that
Mr. Newman, Sr., took charge of it, and that since his
death his sons have brought it to its present excellence.
In 1881, the brothers took a year's lease on the old Bur-
dick House, afterward the ill-fated Langham Hotel, and
successfully conducted that house until May, 1882.
5°6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Benjamin Newman (deceased) was born in Pickaway County,
Ohio, in 1S17. In iS2q. his parents removed to Illinois, settling
near Jacksonville. There he attained his majority, and engaged
with his father in farming and stock-raising until 1S57. The panic
of that year ruined them financially, and Benjamin, who had long
been inclined to the ministry, became an itinerant in the M. E.
Church, and for nearly twenty years was identified in this work in
various portions of Illinois. In 1S76, he came with his family to
Chicago, and purchased into the Barnes House, which he con-
ducted until his death in iSso. Mr. Newman was married to Miss
Caroline Routt, daughter of Harvey Routt, of Jacksonville. They
had five children, all sons, of whom four are still living — Harvey
R., Benjamin L., Charles and Henry.
HARVEV R. Newman, eldest son of Benjamin Newman, was
born in Jacksonville, 111., April 15, 1S57. He was given a good
English education, and on coming to this city in 1S76, with his
father, entered the Northwestern University, at Evanston. He
afterward pursued the study of law, until the death of his father,
on May 6, 1SS1, when, with his brother, he succeeded to the busi-
ness they still conduct.
Benjamin L. Newman was born in Jacksonville, 111., in 1859,
and came with his parents to this city in 1S76, where he has since
lived. He began his business career before he had attained his
majority, as a partner with his father in the proprietorship of the
Barnes House, and, in tSSo, with his brother Harvey R., he became
its joint proprietor. Both brothers are enterprising and indus-
trious, and to these excellent qualities may doubtless be attributed
much of the success they have achieved.
The Metropolitan Hotel was kept, from 1858 to
1862, by A. L. Gage. In that year Benjamin H. Skinner
assumed control of the house, and conducted the same
until 1S57, when he purchased the Briggs House. He
was succeeded in the management of the Metropolitan
by J. A. Baldwin, who, in 1869, was succeeded by H.
G. Pulling and Abner Kirby, proprietors at the time it
was burned.
The Richmond House, situated at the northwest
corner of South Water Street and Michigan Avenue,
was built in 1856, by Thomas Richmond, a capitalist
&%£>?, /&6*£^
t?t«*J&
and vessel-owner, then an old citizen of Chicago. The
house was opened in 1857 by Messrs. Taber & Hawk,
who expended over $60,000 in furnishing it, making it,
in all its appointments, scarcely second to any hotel in
the city-. In July, 1861, Killian Winne succeeded Taber
& Hawk as proprietor. It is stated that Mr. Hawk not
only lost his original investment, but left the house over
$10,000 in debt. In March, 1862, Mr. Winne relin-
quished his control, being also a loser, and for some
time the property remained vacant. The furniture was
sold, under a foreclosure of mortgage, to Mr. Lahr, of
LaFayette, Indiana, he paying only $9,000 for what,
but a short time before, had cost over five times that
amount. In 1863, an Eastern capitalist, R. W. Hyman,
purchased the property for $85,000, and, after completely
refurnishing the house, opened it and placed it in charge
of Mr. Burroughs, an old, experienced hotel - keeper.
In 1864, W. I,. Pearce purchased the house, and con-
ducted it until 1866, when it passed into the hands of
Richard Homers, formerly of the City Hotel. Mr.
Somer^ conducted it for about two years, when he
al-o relinquished his proprietorship. At that time, all
efforts to make the house a success having failed, it was
sold to Mr. Lowenthal, who converted it into a business
block, and it so remained until destroyed bythe fire in
October. 1X71.
The Orieni House was situated at Nos. 281, 283
and 285 State Street, and it first appears as a hotel in
the City Directory of 1859. in that year it was kept by
L. L. Atwood, formerly a furniture dealer at No. 502
State Street. In 1862, it passed into the hands of D. H.
Danolds, who was its proprietor until 1867, when he
sold out to Augustus Parsons, who, in the following
year, associated with himself Erastus C. Grant. The
new firm conducted the house until 1870, when it was
purchased by S. A. Danolds, who was its proprietor
until 1871.
The Hamilton House, earlier known as the
Washington House, when it was situated on the margin
of the river, on South Water, near Clark Street, was
built in 1840, and was kept for a number of years by
Philip Connelly. In 185 1, it was moved to the southeast
corner of Clark and North Water streets, an addition
built to it, and the remodeled structure became the
Hamilton House, taking the name of its owner, Colonel
Richard J. Hamilton, of this city. J. F. Draper & Co.
opened the house, and continued its proprietors until
1857. At that time it passed into the hands of Amos
B. Currier, who kept it until 1862. From this year,
until 1866, Jacob L. Metzger was its proprietor; he
was succeeded by James Kennedy, who ran the house
until in the spring of 1868, when it was torn down.
The Boardman House was built in 1855-56, by
Carter H. Harrison, and opened in the early part of the
latter year, as a family hotel, by J. W. Boardman. The
house was situated at the corner of Clark and Harrison
streets, and was, in those days, the only exclusively
family hotel in the city. Mr. Boardman remained in the
house some three or four years, when it was sold to
Henry H. Honore. Mr. Boardman removed to the
Gale property on Randolph Street, near the old Metro-
politan Hotel, and there opened a house bearing his
name, and which he kept for a number of years. He
then went out of the hotel business for a time ; but in
the fall of 1872 he opened the Woodruff Hotel, corner
of Wabash Avenue and Twenty-first Street, where he
remained until his death, which occurred at LaCrosse,
Wis., on the 17th of April, 1883.
Mr. Boardman was born in Amesbury, Mass., in 1829, and
before coming to Chicago, in 1854, followed the vocation of an
engineer on the ocean steamer "George Law." His first business
venture in this city was in the Boardman House; and during the
twenty-nine years of his residence in Chicago he built up an envi-
able reputation as a man of sterling integrity and genuine worth.
Mrs. Boardman, his widow, and one daughter are now residents
here, the former still retaining her husband's interest in the hotel
he was conducting at the time of his death.
The City Hotel, situated on the southeast corner
of State and Lake streets, was kept in 1858 by Richard
Somers & Co.. In 1866, Mr. Somers purchased the
Richmond House, and the City Hotel passed into the
hands of L H. Ainsworth, who kept it until 1868; he
then sold out to Joseph W. Towne, who conducted the
house until the fire. The City Hotel was built and
owned by Styles Burton, and its first proprietors were
Jeduthan Brown and Frederick Tuttle, who formerly
kept the old American Temperance House, moving
from there to the City Hotel, in 1848. W. F. Orcutt,
now of the City Hotel, at State and Sixteenth streets,
HOTEL HISTORY.
5°7
and who for several years was connected with the old
City Hotel, has furnished the following letter concerning
that hotel. Under date of March 26, 1884, he says:
" Yours of the 23d inst., at hand. I was, I think, associated
with J. H. Thom, in 1S54, in the management of the City Hotel.
I remember the year, as it was the bad cholera season. Thorn sold
out, and Dick Somers was with me for a short time, and then I sold
out. I was also with Brown & Tuttle, in the old American Tem-
perance House, at the northwest corner of Wabash Avenue and
Lake Street. They then took the City Hotel, and were its first
proprietors. Their lease was, I think, for five years. Then Cyrus
Adams, from Naperville, took it ; I do not remember how long he
kept it. but I took it again after he left. Styles Burton, who owned
the house, is now dead; Mr. Tuttle is still living in this city. The
main part of the house, corner of Lake and State streets, was four
stories high, built of brick ; back on State to the alley was of wood,
three stories ; the dining room was on the first floor until the build-
ing was remodeled. I am sorry to say I have no cut of the house.
" Yours respectfully,
" \V. F. Orcutt."
Richard Somers was born in England, June 21, 1821, and
came to Chicago June 10, 1836. For some years he was a steward
on various steamers running to Milwaukee, Grand Haven and other
points. His first hotel venture was as proprietor of the City Hotel.
In 1S66, he purchased the Richmond House, having sold the for-
mer house to Joseph \V. Towne. In 1869-70, he was elected a
member of the City Council from the First Ward. About a year
before the fire, he became steward at the Sherman House, and,
while the city was yet in flames, he went over to the West Side, and
leased, for his employers, the building that is now the Gault House.
In 1872, he went to New York and took charge of the Grand Union
Hotel of that city. In the following year, he returned to Chicago,
and became steward at the Palmer House. In 1876, in company
with lohn A. Rice, he went to Philadelphia, and took the manage-
ment of the Globe Hotei, a structure which stood opposite the
Centennial buildings. Two years later, when the Globe was torn
down, Mr. Somers returned once more to Chicago, and from here
went to Galveston, Texas, and took charge of the Tremont House
there. Six months later he went to Milwaukee, Wis., and accepted
position as steward in the Plankinton House. He remained there
until, in October, 1883, he resigned this position to take the super-
intendency of the commissary department of the Chicago, Burling-
ton & Quincy Railroad, having charge of the dining-cars and eat-
ing-houses along its line. It was in the employ of this company
that Mr. Somers met his death, in an accident that occurred near
Gladstone, Illinois. He left a widow, three sons, and two daugh-
ters ; the latter are Mrs. John E. McWade and Mrs. W. T. Hall,
of this city. Two of his sons, William and Joseph, are at present
in charge of the commissary department of the new West Shore
Railroad.
The Briggs House, occupying the same site, both
before and after the fire, was built in 1853, by William
Briggs, and its first proprietors were George H. French
and John Floyd, who opened the house in April of the
following year. Messrs. Floyd and French conducted
the house until in May, 1858, when, having been serious-
ly crippled, financially, by the panic of the preceding
year, they were forced to dispose of their interest to W.
F. Tucker and J. H. Silsby. Mr. French, being an old
and experienced hotel man, was retained in the house
as manager under the new firm, and, in fact, was con-
nected with it in various capacities, under its different
owners, until his death, which occurred in this city in
April, 1870. His former partner, Mr. Floyd, went South,
to Montgomery, Alabama, where he died sometime dur-
ing the War. Mr. Tucker remained the proprietor of
the Briggs until, in 1867, B. H. Skinner, formerly of the
old Metropolitan, assumed control, which he retained
until June 17, 1871, when it was purchased by W. F.
Wentworth and C. D. Woolworth, who were its proprie-
tors when it was destroyed in October of that year. It
is said of the Briggs House that, from the time of its
opening and until it was burned, it had always proved a
source of profit to its proprietors. The most unfor-
tunate men ever connected with it were Messrs. Went-
worth & Woolworth, who lost their all on the memora-
ble 9th of October.
Minor Hotels. — Of the minor hotels in 1*858—59,
the following may be named :
The Burdette House, South Clark, near Polk Street, kept by
J. H. Holmes; Caldwell House, Polk and Sherman streets, by
Peter Caldwell; Cambridge House, No. 95 Carroll Street, by
George Bond; Capitol House, Nos. 66-68 Michigan Avenue, by
B. Douglass; Clark Street House, Nos. 296-298 Clark, by Wil-
lard Meacham ; Dempsey's Hotel No. 10*5 North Water Street,
by John Dempsey ; Colby House, corner of Washington and
South Wells streets, by Keys & Sandford ; Commercial House,
Sherman and Van Buren streets, by William Kennedy ; Davidson
House, West Kin/.ie Street, by A. L. Davidson; Doty's Hotel,
No. 80 Randolph, by Theodoras Doty ; Gage House, State and
Twelfth streets, by A. T. Gage; Lake House, Cottage Grove
Avenue, near Stock Yards, by John B. Sherman ; llaertes Hotel,
South Canal and Mitchell streets, by Nicholas Haertes ; Naper-
ville House, No. 207 Randolph Street, by Andrew Scholl ; Phoe-
nix Hotel, No. 126 Van Buren, by Samuel Boynton ; Scott
House, No. 22 North Wells, by Thomas S. Cook ; Union Park
House, West Madison, near Reuben Street, by Horace Hopkins ;
Sollitt House, No. 112 South Franklin, by Coons & Sollitt ; Wat-
kins House, Clinton and West Lake, by Andrew Watkins ; Wav-
erly House, No. 231 Kinzie Street, by M. Lantry ; Williard House,
near I. & W. depot, by Ervin Maxwell ; Belvidere House, Clark
and Cross streets, by E. Brodie ; Martin's Hotel, No. 21 South
Dearborn, by J. II. Martin; Meyer's Hotel, No. 4S South Frank-
lin, by F. & H. Meyers ; Graven House, No. 374 State ; Dear-
born House, northwest corner Lake Street and Michigan Avenue,
by B. E. Tucker and Joseph W. Towne; Clarendon, No. 236 Ran-
dolph, by H. Longly ; Marz's Hotel, Nos. 76-7S South Wells
Street, by Gustavus Marz.
In 1859. there were, in addition to those mentioned for the
preceding year, the following : The Michigan Southern House,
Griswold Street, near Van Buren, by Martin Dodge ; Boyington
House, Nos. 11-13 South Canal, by Frank Thayer; Canada
House, No. 303 North Water Street, by Edmond Morris ; Eagle
House, South Water, near Cook Street, by Edson Moore ; McCar-
del House, Dearborn, between Lake and South Water streets, by
J. W. Steele ; Niagara House, Wells and Van Buren streets, by
George W. Young; St. Lawrence Hotel, No. 114 West Randolph,
by Michael O'Connor.
The Bigelow House was a structure of considerable
importance, erected in 1870-71, and destroyed in the
great fire of October 9, on the very day it was to have
been thrown open to the public. Ben. H. Skinner had
RUINS, BIGELOW HOUSE.
leased the hotel, and, at great expense, had furnished it
throughout in the most elegant manner. His losses,
when it burned, were so heavy that he was completely
ruined. In the Chicago Tribune of September 25, 1871,
appears the following notice of this house.
" The central or business portion of the city is building up in
a manner that will make the streets, in a few years, avenues, lined
;oS
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
on either side by marble structures, that, for strength, beauty and
magnitude will not be surpassed by those of any city in the country.
LaSalle and Madison streets are gaining in elegance every year, and
Dearborn is not behind them. The most recent addition to this
locality is the new hotel built by Captain George A. Bigelow, at the
southwest corner of Dearborn and Adams, fronting one hundred
and seventv-eight on the former by one hundred and ten feet on
th» latter street. The fronts on Dearborn and Adams are Athens
stone, the one on Quincy of pressed brick."
The building, was of an imposing character, being of
the German style. Its height, to the top of the middle
tower, was one hundred and fifteen feet, to the top of
the cornice seventy-six feet ; this included four stories
and basement.while the roof being mansard, and, crowned
with the towers already mentioned, added much to the
general appearance of the structure. The building alone
cost §225,000, and the furnishing $200,000, making a
total of §425.000.
Wright's Hotel, situated at Nos. 22-24 North Wells
Street, was opened by William H. Wright in 1859, and
was kept by him until his death, which occured in 1866.
In 1868. the house having, meantime, been kept by
the widow passed into the hands of John H. Maul ton,
who changed its name to the Maulton House, and re-
mained its proprietor until the fire.
The Burlington House, located at the corner of
Canal and Sixteenth streets, is first noted in the city
directorv of 1863, and was kept in that year by M. A.
Mohr and D. E. Cassidy. This firm was succeeded, in
1865 by Samuel Crane, who continued its proprietor
until 1867. Levi Pritchard then purchased the house,
and has conducted it from that to the present time.
The Central House, then Nos. 180-182 Randolph
Street, was kept from 1862 to 1864 by Rudolph D. Up-
man. and from 1865 to 1868 by W. P. Elleson & Bros,
the last three years of its existence, or until 1871, its pro-
prietor was S. H. Gill.
The Anderson House, Nos. 27-29 West Randolph
Street, as first listed among the hotels of 1862, was, in
that year, kept by William Fowler. In 1863, it was kept
by Darius F. Kmerson, and in the following year by F.
E. Helshire. After 1864, it ceased to exist as a hotel.
The St. James. — In July, 1865, W. A. Jenkins bought
the furniture, and leased, from General Hart L. Stewart,
the hotel known as the Stewart House, and situated at
the corner of State and Washington streets, including,
however, Nos. 92, 94, 96 and 98 on the first mentioned
thoroughfare. After refitting the house( Mr. Jenkins
changed its name to the Merchants' Hotel, and so con-
ducted it until May, 1869, when it was destroyed by fire.
During the same summer it was re-built on a larger scale,
and was, in January, 1868, opened, under the manage-
ment of Mr. Jenkins, as the St. James. In the fall of
that year he sold the house, to Libby & Meserve, for
§75,000; who kept it until in 1870. In September of
that year Mr. Meserve retired from the firm, and assumed
the proprietorship of the new Paimer House. Libby &
Harlow continued to keep the St. James until it was de-
stroyed in the fire.
Minor HOTELS. — The hotels of minor importance,
from 1860-71, were as follows :
Gelis House, Canal and .Mitchell streets ; Girard House, South
Water street, opposite the Illinois Central Railroad depot ; Globe
House, kept by David Hush. Nos. 57—61 Kinzie Street; Hanover
House, No. -.0 South Wells Street ; Merchants' lintel, Nos. 17-19
LaSalle street; Ohio Exchange, No. 40 Sherman Street; Rio
Grande Hotel. No. 39 l.aSalle Street ; and the Vermont House, No.
ith Market Street.
Is 1861 there were: Clarendon House. No. 322 Randolph
Street; Clifton House, Wabash Avenue, southeast corner Madison
Street; Colby House, southwest corner Wells ami Washington
streets; Darr- Street, southeast corner Hardin
Place; Doty House, Nos. Jo-82 Randolph .Street ; Duncan House,
No. 34 Kinzie Street ; Farmers' Hotel, No 131 West Lake Street;
Fort Wayne House, No. 160 VanBuren Street ; Foster House,
northeast corner Clark and Kinzie streets; I.aFayette House, Nos.
326-2S Wells Street ; Myer's Hotel, No 48 Sherman Street ; Stan-
wix Hall, No. 279 Clark Street ; South Branch House, southwest
corner Canal and Meagher streets ; Union Park House, West Mad-
ison Street, opposite Union Park ; Waverly House, Nos. 323-25
Kinzie Street.
Ix 1S62 there were the Alliance House, Canal near Harrison
Street ;. Anderson House, Nos. 27-29 West Randolph Street ; Arc-
tic House, Canal between Madison and Monroe streets ; Baltic
House, No. 170 Washington Street ; California House, No. 419
State Street ; Central House, Nos. 180-S2 Randolph Street ; Con-
tinental, No. 16 North Wells Street ; Franklin Street House, No.
51 Franklin Street, National Hotel, No. 300 Clark Street; Pres-
cott House, Nos. 76-7S Wells Street (now Fifth Avenue) ; Ran-
dolph Street House, No. 174 West Randolph Street ; Union House,
Canal and Madison streets ; and the Washington House, Nos. 244-
246 Randolph Street.
In 1S63, there were ; Brewer's Arms, No. 47 West Lake Street ;
the Brighton House, on Archer Road ; Button's Hotel, Washing-
ton, southeast corner Wells Street : Warner House, Nos. 202-206
Randolph Street; Sam Patrick's Hotel, Nos. 112-114 Franklin
Street : and the Hotel DeLunn, at No. SS Monroe Street.
In 1864 may be noted in this class : All Nations Hotel, Nos.
12-14 North Canal Street, kept by Thos. R. Jones ; Buell House,
State and Twenty-second streets, by James M. Buell ; DuPage
House, Nos. 190-92 Randolph Street, by P. Dieter ; Steward
House, Nos. 94-102 State Street, by L. S. Klliott ; and the Wheel-
ing House, Nos. S2-S4 West Lake Street, by Jacob Kesse.
In 1S65, there were ; The Atlantic, No. 37 West Lake Street ;
Central House, No. 1S2 Randolph Street ; Fort Donelson House.
No. 27 North Canal Street ; Godfrey House, No. 352 Clark Street;
Illinois House, No. 183 Illinois Street ; Magnolia House, No. 163
Market Street ; Rob Roy House. No. 46 North Dearborn Street ;
and the St. Cloud, Nos. 112-14 Franklin Street.
In 1S66, there were : The Lincoln House, Nos. 29-31 West
Randolph Street ; the Oneida House, No. 2S0 South Wells Street;
St. Clair's Hotel, No. S2 West Water Street ; Bremen Hotel, No.
137 West Lake Street; and the Arctic House, Nos. 95-97 Canal
Street.
In 1867 : The Aurora House, No. 2S0 Wells Street ; Champ-
lin House, Nos. 47-49 Randolph Street, by W. E. Champlin; Des-
plaines House, No. 13 West Lake Street ; LaFayette House, No.
236 Wells Street; Potomac House. No. 27 Michigan Avenue;
Washington Exchange Hotel, No. 102 West Water Street ; and the
Waverly House, at Nos. 223-25 Kinzie Street, by Robert Butcher.
In 1S6S : The Everett House, northeast corner Clark and Van
Buren streets, kept by N. A. & E. G. White ; Farwell House,
Nos. 140-42 Madison Street ; Michigan Central House, by Conrad
Metzer, No. 21 Michigan Avenue; St. Louis House, by William
Eberhardt. Nos. 274-76 Clark Street ; and the Montgomery House,
corner Clark and Harrison streets, by R. Douthett & Co.
In 1S69 : The Allen House, Nos. 54-56 Sherman Street,
William Palmer, proprietor; Shaw's European Hotel, southwest
corner Lake and State streets ; Grant House, Nos 135-37 Jackson
Street ; Lincolnshire House, kept by J. Darley, No. 121 West
Lake Street ; Montreal House, No. 1S5 Wells Street, by Peter B.
Crepeau; and Wheeler's Hotel, J. B. Wheeler, proprietor, Nos. 80
and 82 West Water Street.
In 1S70 : California House, Nos 419-421 State Street, kept
by Fred. Ranohan ; Clarendon House, by H. M. Miller, No. 152
North Clark Street; Continental Hotel, by Ed. R. Benedick, No.
249 Clark Street ; the Douglas House, Sid B. Andrews & Co..
Vincennes Avenue and Douglas Place ; Howard House, No. 2S0
State Street, by Collins S: Jackson ; Mansion House, No 167
VanBuren Street, Jeremiah Fournier, proprietor; Morton House,
by J. W. Canan, Nos 112-14 Franklin Street; and the Raymond
House, northwest corner State and Madison streets, kept by Messrs.
Hinsdale & Campbell.
In 1871 : The Baltimore House, by F. C. Freyholz, No. 64
Ncrth Canal Street ; Blenis House, by Louis Blenis, Nos. 27-29
West Randolph Street; the Broadway House, M. C. Slender,
proprietor, No. S30 State Street; Burke's European Hotel, by M.
Burke, No. 140-142 Madison Street ; Madison House, by J.
Latham, Nos. 124-126 West Madison Slreet ; Michigan Avenue
Hotel, by J. Ullman, southwest corner of Michigan Avenue and
Congress' Street ; and Prince's Hotel, by S. D. Prince, at the
southwest corner of Washington Street and Fifth Avenue.
The Michigan Avenue Hotel, above mentioned,
was opened to the public, in September, 1870, its pro-
prietors being J. F. Pierson and J. B, Shepard. It had
about seventy-nine rooms, and was furnished in costly
style. It did not, however, prove a profitable venture
HOTEL HISTORY.
.-,,,
to its proprietors, who went into bankruptcy. Joshua founded at Evanston, they still retained possession of
Barrell, assignee, sold the furniture at public sale. It the property, and in 1867 leased it in perpetuity to three
was afterward continued by Joseph Ullman and Herman citizens of Chicago. Henry M. Smith was one of the
Tobias. lessees of the tract, and in March. 1S69, secured the pas-
While the fire was burning on the opposite side of sage of an act incorporating the "Pacific Hotel Com-
pany, of Chicago," with a capital - stock of
$500,000. In December, Mr. Tracy was chosen
president, and, as is well known, many of the
leading stockholders were closely identified with
the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, and
the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad
companies.
It was the original intention to erect the
hotel upon the tract covered by Mr. Smith's
lease; but the company afterward obtained from
P. F. W. Peck a lease of the adjoining land,
which made the boundaries Clark, Jackson,
LaSalle and Quincy streets, the alley being
vacated. Finally, after making a study of all
the most completely appointed hotels in the
country, the company decided upon a plan
which, in general terms, provided for a magnifi-
cent structure six stories in height, built in the
modern Italian style, with four grand entrances.
In July, 1870, the stockholders of the com-
pany held a meeting, and elected L. B. Otis,
president, manager of construction, ami chief
financial officer, Henry M. Smith being secre-
tary. Under the management of Mr. Otis, and
the able supervision of W. W. Boyington, the
architect, the grand plan was carried out, and in
October, 187 1, the palatial hotel had risen to its
full stature, and was protected by a substantial
covering. But it was born only to die ; for,
on the 9th of that month, it was destroyed by
the great fire, and left only an imposing and
almer house. beautiful ruin.
the street, John B. Drake made an offer for the hotel,
which was accepted, the purchaser taking his chances
of its being destroyed. It, however, escaped the con-
flagration, and was the only building of any considerable
size on the South Side that did so. It was, thereupon,
opened to the public by Mr. Drake, as the Tremont
House, and retained by him until 1873. The building
was one of the landmarks* showing the boundary of the
fire of 1871.
The Palmer House was built in 1869-70, by Pot-
ter Palmer, at the northwest corner of State and Quincy
streets, and although, in size and elegance, it is not to
be compared with the present hotel bearing that name,
it was a costly and imposing edifice. The house was
eight stories in height, with handsome stone fronts, and
contained two hundred and twenty-five rooms. The
cost of its erection was $200,000, and of furnishing
$100,000. The house was completed, and opened to
the public, on Monday, September 26, 1870, by W. F. P.
Meserve, the first proprietor. It was, of course, de-
stroyed in the fire of 1871, after which the present
splendid edifice, bearing the same name, was erected.
The Grand Pacific. — This splendid structure was
erected to meet the demands of the rapidly - growing
city, which, even in 1869-70, was acknowledged by the
business world to be the metropolis of the West. As
early as 185 1, the trustees of the Northwestern Univer-
sity had purchased of P. F. W. Peck the tract of land
between Jackson and Quincy streets, fronting on La-
Salle Street, and there established a preparatory or high
school. After their educational institution had been
* For view of this hotel, see chapter headed " Burning of Chicago."
. ::
RUINS, GRAND PACIFIC HOTEL.
Restaurants. — As an adjunct to the history of
hotels, may be given the persona! mention of two of the
leading caterers of this city ; men whose progress in
their business has been marked by honorable commer-
cial characteristics, as well as commendable public
spirit :
Herbert M. Kinsley, the most prominent caterer and res-
taurateur in Chicago, began business in this city April 17, iS65, at
No. 65 Washington Street, in the Crosby Opera House block.
His ambition then, as now, was to be the first in his line, and to
this end he fitted up and equipped the finest restaurant in the city,
his partner in the enterprise being U. H. Crosby. At the end of
two years he sold his business to John Wright, and for one year
5i°
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
thereafter was occupied in establishing hotel and dining cars. In
the spring of 1S6S, he opened a restaurant and catering business
a: No. 23 Washington Street, continuing until the great fire. He
suffered heavily in the fire, being insured in local companies, and
collecting only a small amount of insurance. He then erected a
shantv on Michigan Avenue, near Madison Street, in the building
of which he assisted, and three weeks later began business. In
the autumn of 1S72, he took charge of the hotels on the Baltimore
& Ohio Railroad, opening the Queen City hotel at Cumberland,
Md.. the Deer Park hotel at Deer 1'ark, Md., and the Company's
hotel at Grafton, Va. At the end of one year he returned to Chi-
cago, and became connected with Brown's restaurant, at the corner
of Madison and Clark streets, as manager for W'entworth & Wool-
worth, until their failure, when he leased the building and opened
on his own account in the spring of 1S74. In December of the
same vear he closed the house, and in April, 1S75, began business
at No. 66 Washington Street. Being reduced by manifold misfor-
tunes to an humble position, Mr Kinsley accepted the situation,
fullv confident that, though crushed by failure and disappoint-
ment, the time would come when he would hold no second place in
his profession. His beginning at No. 66 Washington Street was
of the humblest order, but it was not possible for a man of Mr.
Kinsley's ambition and business ability to continue depressed. He
will, in November, 1SS5, occupy his new building on Adams Street,
between Clark and Dearborn streets, and will then have accommo-
dations inferior to none in the United States. For modern
elegance and convenience, his new quarters will be unsurpassed in
this country. Mr. Kinsley was born in Canton, Mass., Septem-
ber iS, iS3i. He passed his boyhood days in the schools of his
native city, and at the age of eighteen was employed as a store boy
in Springfield, Mass. He next obtained employment in a hosiery
establishment in Boston, where he remained nearly two years. At
the end of that time he went to Baltimore, and for about two years
was bookkeeper in the office of the Baltimore Patriot. After leav-
ing Baltimore, Mr. Kinsley first entered upon the business in
which he has since become so famous, that of catering to the
public. He took charge of the Woodruff House, in Cincinnati,
which he managed for one year, coming to Chicago the following
year (in 1S57). He entered the old City Hotel as clerk, and after-
ward went to Brantford, Canada, and, taking charge of the Kirkby
House, managed it for one year. Then, in company with John A.
Rice, he became the proprietor of the Anglo-American, at Hamil-
ton, Canada, the firm name being Rice & Kinsley. During his man-
agement of this house, he served a ball to the Prince of Wales in
1S59, the splendor of which attracted comments from the entire
press throughout the British possessions, and was one of the most
elaborate receptions ever held in the Province. Returning to Chi-
cago in 1S60, Mr. Kinsley entered the Tremont House as clerk,
and was afterward connected with the Sherman House as steward.
Later on, he became the manager of the Revere House, and left
there, in the winter of 1864, to superintend the fitting up of the
Opera House restaurant, which he occupied the following spring.
Mr. Kinsley was married in 1853, to Miss Angie M. Oilman, of
Baltimore. They have three daughters — Frances, now the wife
of Charles L. Hutchinson ; Clara, the wife of Robert O. Clarke ;
and Emily. Mr. Kinsley is a prominent Mason, being a member
of Ashlar Lodge, No. 308, A, F. & A. M.; LaFayette Chapter, No.
2, R. A. M.; Apollo Commandery, No. 1, K. T.; and of Oriental
Consistory, 32° S. P. R. S. He is also a member of the Wash-
ington Park Club.
Thomas Eckardt, who conducts the only exclusive catering
business in the city, came here in 1856, and opened a catering busi-
ness at No. 22S State Street in company with his brother, the firm
being Thomas Eckardt & Bro. , until 1S59, when the junior part-
ner retired. In the fall of 1S62, he moved to No. 126 State Street,
and there continued until the great fire. Mr. Eckardt was one
among the many who saw the accumulations of years of industry
and economy swept away by the fire. Although losing all the pro-
perty that he possessed, he still retained that energy which had
enabled him to make one fortune, and, on September 1, 1872, he
again commenced business at No 263 W. Madison Street. He re-
mained there until October 18, 18S4, when he moved to No. 573 W.
Madison Street, occupying the building which he had just completed.
In 1SS1, he opened an order office in the Palmer House, and where
he still caters to the elite of Chicago. Mr. Eckardt was born in
Washington, D. C, December 9, 1825, the son of Henry Eckardt,
a packer. While yet a mere child, his parents died, and he was
afterward sent to the academy at Woodstock, Va. , remaining
there until he had reached his thirteenth year. At that time he re-
turned to Washington, and assisted his brother, who was a caterer
in that city, until he came to Chicago in 1856. He was twice mar-
ried, first in 1849, to Miss Jane Collins of Delaware, and the second
time in 1S81, to Miss Mary Gould, the daughter of George Gould,
of Hamilton, Ontario. Mr. Eckardt is a member of Hesperia
Lodge, No. 411, A.F. & A.M.; of Washington Chapter No. 43,
R.A.M.; and St. Bernard Commandery, No. 35, K.T. Mr. Eck-
ardt is perhaps one of the most skillful caterers in the profession,
having served the refreshments at some of the most noteworthy
occasions in the history of Chicago society entertainments. At the
Inauguration of President Taylor, in 1854, in the east wing of the
Patent Office at Washington, the World's Fair was held. Mr. Eck-
ardt had the contract to furnish a department of the Fair, and sup-
plied a cake which was one of the finest ever exhibited, being
fourteen feet high, built in a pyramidal form and weighing five
thousand pounds, and for novelty of design it has never since been
equalled by any public exhibit.
SOCIAL PROGRESS
An allusion is made, in the first volume of this work,
to the embryonic state of society, and the manner in
which the primitive settlers of a new country necessarily
formulate and follow certain principles which underlie
all social discriminations.
The Fort Dearborn of 181 2, however, was a vastly
different settlement from the City of Chicago in 1857.
In the latter year social distinctions had become recog-
nized facts. The line of class demarcation was sharply
drawn, but still within the higher stratum were several
equally well-defined circles. It may be characterized,
not unfairly, as a period of Church cliques. Certain
Churches, in both the North and South divisions, were
recognized as aristocratic, and membership or attend-
ance constituted a valid passport to social recognition.
Denominational and parochial lines were more clearly
defined then than now, yet wealth, even in those early
days of Chicago's hUt'iry, exerted a potent influence in
the determination of the social status.
There were few social events which excited any
marked interest. The "Cosmopolitan ( 'I nb " was com-
paratively unknown, and no one seemed disposed to lead
in breaking down the barriers of Church association.
The artists made the first step in this direction; and the
annual receptions of the Academy of Design, with their
attendant features of dancing and of tableaux vivants,
were enjoyed with a keen zest, as they were unexcep-
tional in character, and occurred at long intervals.
Two excellent Masnnerchors were formed; and, in
1870, three operas were rendered by local amateurs, at
the Crosby Opera House. These operatic represent-
ations, like the receptions of the Academy, called to-
gether the leaders of society, as well as all those who
had social prominence. They had a dual value ; not
only did they stimulate and cultivate a higher taste for
the arts of music and design, but their tendency was
toward the obliteration of imaginary social lines and
the annihilation of social cliques.
It must be remembered, however, that " clubs," " art
receptions" and "operatic renditions," necessarily, are
for the few. In the busy life of a young commercial
city, the majority are not able to find either the leisure
or the means to gratify a taste for the aesthetic. To
meet the aspirations of this class, to furnish its members
with social pleasures which are morally healthful, is one
of the fundamental principles upon which the Young
Men's Christian Association of Chicago has reared its
success.
SOCIAL PROGRESS.
5ii
THE Y. M. C. A. and FARWELL HALL.
The Young Men's Christian Association was
organized during the evening of June 20, 1858, by the
adoption of a constitution and by-laws, and the election
of officers. The following were the first officers of the
Association :
Cyrus Bentley, president ; Henry Howland, John V. Farwell,
T. W. Bruce, R. Howe, J. E. Parsons, Alexander Baine, R. J.
Rundell, vice-presidents ; A. C. Leckie, recording secretary ; H.
D. Penfield, corresponding secretary ; L. E. Alexander, treasurer ;
R. C. Waterman, register and librarian.
It began with a membership of one hundred and
fifty-one, and, by the end of the first year, the number
was increased to three hundred and fifty-five. It had
rooms in the Methodist Church Block, corner of Clark
and Washington streets, which it occupied until the com-
pletion of its own building in 1867.
Its first important work was the establishment of a
daily noon prayer-meeting, which, during the winter and
spring, was well attended. But after that the meetings
languished. During this time of waning interest, a
young man, who had already achieved some local repute
in the Mission Sunday-school work, entered actively
upon the work of the Association. He was Dwight L.
Moody. Under his influence, the Association became
a free and popular institution, taking in all classes of
society. He was chairman of the committee to visit the
poor and the sick; and the report of his first year's work
showed that he visited five hundred and fifty-four
families, and bestowed in charity $2,350, raised by the
Association for that purpose. At the breaking out of
the War, the devotional committee, of which Mr. Moody
was the chairman, found a new field of labor. At Camp
Douglas, he organized a prayer-meeting, and, every
evening, eight or ten meetings were held in the different
quarters, and on Sunday an almost continual service
was held. The chapel of the Young Men's Christian
Association at Camp Douglas, built in October, 1861,
was the first camp chapel ever erected. Afterward,
when Camp Douglas became a prison, Moody and his
co-workers of the Association still prosecuted their
labors there, and did a grand work among the prisoners,
a great revival being the result of their labors. Mean-
while, as the War progressed, the Association joined in
the labors of the Christian and Sanitary Commissions;
and on many battle-fields their committees were found,
assisting the wounded and caring for the dead. It was
during these years that requests for prayers, from over
the State and from the surrounding States, were sent to
be read at the Chicago noon prayer-meeting, so that for
a time this meeting seemed to be the center and heart of
the religious life of the Northwest.
The report of the Army Committee for 1865 shows
a distribution of 1,537 Bibles, 20,565 Testaments, 1,000
prayer-books, 2,025 hymn-books, 24,896 other religious
books, 127,545 religious newspapers, and 43,450 pages
of tracts, besides 28,400 literary papers and magazines.
The Camp Douglas Chapel was erected at a cost of
$2,300, and a soldier's library and reading-room were
furnished by the Association, in a building erected by
the Christian Commission, This was in addition to the
regular home work.
An Employment Bureau was established in 1865,
and situations were found for 1,435 men> 124 boys, and
718 girls, besides transient employment for many per-
sons who were unable to go out to service. During
this time the Association had occupied rented quarters
in the Methodist Church Block, but its rapid growth
and the great enlargement of its field of labor called
for largely increased accommodations.
Farwell Hall. — The question of building a hall
was actively discussed, but the ways and means were
not clear. At length a member said, " The only way
for us to obtain a new building is to elect Mr. Moody
president of the Association." Mr. Moody was nomi-
nated and elected to the office in the spring of 1866.
The Association had been incorporated by the Legisla-
ture on February 22, 1861, the act being amended Feb-
ruary 21, 1867. The trustees, under the act, were T.
M. Avery, E. W. Blatchford, J. V. Farwell, William L.
Lee, H. E. Sargent, A. R. Scranton, E. B. McCagg,
Cyrus H. McCormick, H A. Hurlbut, George Armour,
E. D. L. Sweet and B. F. Jacobs. A large amount of
the stock — over $100,000 — was placed at once, the
ground was presented by J. V. Farwell, and building
operations forthwith commenced on Madison Street,
between Clark and LaSalle streets. The building con-
tained a public hall capable of seating twenty-five hun-
dred people, a large room for the noon prayer-meeting,
a library, a reading-room, offices of the tract and pub-
lication department, the relief department, and the
employment bureau, private rooms for some of the
officers, and other accommodations. There were also
several fine stores and offices, and it was expected that
the surplus earnings from rentals would retire all the
stock — amounting to $300,000 — in ten years. On
Sunday evening, September 29, 1867, the new hall was
dedicated. The services were continued the next
evening, and then, in honor of John V. Farwell, it was
named Farwell Hall. From this time, Mr. Moody be-
came the apostle of the Young Men's Christian Asso-
ciation, and he was tireless in his devotion to its cause.
The new building was not destined to a long exis-
tance. It was destroyed by fire on the 7th of January,
1868. The loss was a heavy one, for the building was
only partly insured. While the ruins were still smok-
ing, a subscription was opened, and designs for another
building were under way. Donations were made, and
in the following year the second Farwell Hall took the
place of the first. It was dedicated on the 19th of
January, 1869. It remained the home of the Associa-
tion and the center of a great Christian and benevolent
work, until it was swept away by the fire of 187 1.
Mr. Moody remained president for four years, but
in the spring of 1870 he declined re-election, and was
succeeded by C. M. Henderson. The following were
the presidents of the Association during the several
years specified: 1858-59, Cyrus Bentley; 1860-61, John
V. Farwell; 1862, J. H. Hollister; 1863, B. F. Tacobs;
1864, E. S. Wells; 1865, H. W. Fuller; 1868-69, D. L.
Moody; 1870-71, C. M. Henderson.
Dwight Lyman Moody was born on February 5, 1837, at
Northfield, Mass. His father was Edwin Moody, and his mother
Betsey (Holton) Moody. Edwin Moody died during 1S41, leaving
Mrs. Moody with a family of nine children, her only means of sup-
port being the little home on the mountain side, and an acre or two
of land, not entirely free from debt. D. L. Moody was for some
time unsettled, both in conduct and aims, and his studies were
much neglected. His uncle, Samuel Holton, a shoe merchant in
Boston, visited Northfield in 1S53, and was little inclined to aid him
to find a situation in the city, because of his desire to throw off all
restraint. But the next spring, upon young Dwight's unexpectedly
visiting Boston, a situation was found for him upon the condition
that he should attend Dr. Kirk's church, and accept a certain
boarding place. He began his clerkship, and soon could sell, in
three months, more goods than other clerks could in a year. On
May 16, 1855, he asked for admission to the Church, but was not
received until his second application, made March 5, 1S56. His
early attempts to deliver addresses in prayer-meetings were dis-
couraged by his friends, who frankly told him he could better
serve God in some other way. In 1S56, he came to Chicago, and
joined the Plymouth Congregational Church; and here, also, his
efforts to address the prayer-meetings were heard with dissatisfac-
tion. Desiring more work, he took a Sunday-morning class in the
s1^
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
First Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was soon, in connection
with a small Mission Sunday-school, accorded the privilege of
bringing in and teaching new scholars. In the spring of 1S57,
while distributing tracts and testaments to sailors, he met J. B.
Stillson. a Presbyterian elder, from Rochester. N. Y , engaged in
the same work; and for some months afterward the two labored
together. Success created 3 desire for a larger field. Near the
North Side Market he collected a motley crowd of juveniles in a de-
serted saloon, and, as the work grew upon his hands, he removed his
school to the North Market Hall, which was used on Saturday nights
for dancing. The school was held in this hall for six years, when Mr.
Moody rented a saloon that would accommodate about two hun-
dred persons. He soon determined to devote his entire time to
God, and when asked how he expected to live, replied, " God will
provide if he wishes me to keep on, and I will keep on until I am
obliged to stop." With reference to the commencement of his la-
bors in Chicago, he said: "When I began my Christian course I
tried to work in the churches in Chicago, and I was told I had
better not speak. 1 went into the dark lanes and got meetings there.
I kept my mouth open. I did not let the Church close it. * *
Take a bold stand for Christ. You will never be good for much
for God's service until the world calls you crazy. If the world has
nothing to say against you, you are not much of a Christian."
Upon the breaking out of the War, he devoted much attention to
the soldiers in Camp Douglas, and was very active in this labor.
He was subsequently in the service of the Christian Commission,
and president of the Executive Branch for Chicago, and frequently
went to scenes of conflict, where he remained for weeks working with
untiring zeal. After the close of the War, he became city missionary
of the Chicago Young Men's Christian Association, and afterward
its president, and the hall of the Association became one of the
stated fields of his labor. In the great fire of 1871, his Church,
house and furniture were destroyed. He was compelled to flee
from his house in the middle of the night, and saved nothing but
his Bible. In thirty days afterward, a low wooden building was
erected at the corner of Ontario and Wells streets for the accom-
modation of his congregation, and became known as the North
Side Tabernacle. Mr. Moody, since the fire, has devoted most of
his time to his work as an evangelist, in all parts of the United
States and Great Britain. As an illustration of the results of his
labors, the following is given : At a meeting in Glasgow, in De-
cember, 1S73, the Crystal Palace, seating six thousand people, was
crowded during a most gloomy day. A second meeting was organ-
ized, and thousands were turned away, unable to get into either
meeting. A year afterward, Rev. Dr. Wallace, in a public address,
said that as a result of the meetings, seven thousand had been added
to the churches of Glasgow alone Three thousand active young
men were added to the various churches in Liverpool as the result of
his labors there, and similar results were reported from other large
cities. In connection with Mr. Sankey, he has since carried on the
work in all the large cities of the United States, and also in Great
Britain, many thousands being added to the Church as the result of
their united labors. Mr. Moody was married, August 28, iS62, to
Miss Emma C. Revell.
THE MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.
With the revulsion of 1857, the Mechanics' Insti-
tute entered upon a period of decline, from which it
never recovered. The city outgrew the need for such
an organization ; the men who had founded it were
growing old, and new recruits came in but slowly and
with hesitation. The War took off the younger element
of its membership. The Young Men's Association,
covering much of the same ground, came more into
public favor, and the old-time popular Institute grad-
ually dropped out of sight. Had it not been for the
beneficence of Azel A. Feck, the Institute would have
ceased to exist before i860. He was elected president
of the Institute in January, 1848, and on March 25,
1848, executed a will by which he bequeathed to the
Institute, jointly with the Church of the Messiah, the
rents and income of a lot of land on the corner of
Washington and Canal streets, subject to the life-
estate of his wife. Mrs. Feck died in 1867, since
which time the income of the estate has been received
by the Institute and the Church. The will further
provided that the estate should revert, in fee-simple,
to the devisees twenty-one years after the death of
Mrs. Peck. The main object of the bequest was to
provide an education for poor mechanics by means of
the Institute.
Just prior to the financial crisis the Institute was
supposed to be in a very flourishing condition. New
and more spacious quarters were obtained for it in the
First Presbyterian Church, corner of Washington and
Clark streets, and were fitted up for its use at great
expense. Heavy debts were incurred, and when the
hard times culminated the Institute became bankrupt.
Smaller quarters were taken, and but little work was
done beyond the circulation of the books in the library.
In 1 86 1, W. W. Boyington, then president, reported
the indebtedness at about $3,000. Then came judg-
ments anil executions, and the library and fixtures were
sold to pay the debts. From that time until after the
great fire, little or nothing was done by the Institute
for the purposes for which it had been organized,
beyond the regular calling of meetings and the annual
elections of officers. This was done in order to pre-
serve the Peck bequest, which would one day be of
large value. After the death of Mrs. Peck, in 1867, the
Superior Court appointed John M. Van Osdel trustee
of the Institute as to matters relating to the will of
Mr. Peck. It was not until some time after the fire
that the income from the estate proved of material
advantage to the Institute. The following were the
presiding officers from 1858 to 1871: 1858, George
P. Hansen; 1859, John V. Farwell ; 1860-61, W. W.
Boyington; 1862-67, Jonn M- Van Osdel; 1868-71,
Sanford Johnson.
The Institute had in 1871 one hundred and forty
enrolled members, besides a number of life-members.
The great fire swept away the last vestige of its books
and property, also consuming its records. But there
were still old members left who appreciated its impor-
tance, and preserved the organization. The Peck will
provided^ "In case the Mechanics' Institute should
at any time cease to exist, that the City of Chicago, for
the benefit of the Common School Fund, shall be its
successor to all the benefits under the will." The city
Board of Education, taking advantage of the apparent
inaction of the Institute, at first attempted to have its
charter declared forfeited by the State Fegislature, in
which it failed. It then filed an information of " non
user " against it, to prove the non-existence of the asso-
ciation, that it might become its successor under the
will. The matter never came to a hearing, however,
as the Board subsequently dismissed their proceedings.
In 1875, tne Institute made an arrangement with
the Chicago Athena;um, by which rooms were provided
for its use, and classes of instruction opened in arith-
metic, mechanical drawing, and bookkeeping. This
has proved highly successful and beneficial to both the
Institute and the Athenaeum, and is now likely to
continue until the beneficent devise of Mr. Peck shall
be exhausted. As the income from the estate has
increased, the scope of instruction has widened, until
it now embraces a complete Art-Industrial education,
which is furnished at a comparatively trifling cost to
each pupil.
Among those who have been prominently identified
with the Institute may be mentioned
Vlanson S. Sherman, John M. Van Osdel. Jonathan A. Ken-
nicott, Edward Burling, William W. Boyington, Frederick Bauman,
fames Hollingsworth, John Wentworth, R. 1'".. Moss, Cornelius
Price, William Bross, Charles M. Gray, N. S. Bouton, J. W.
McGinness, Amos Grannis, <>ren Sherman, John Sollitt, Jonathan
Clark, Archibald Campbell, J. M. Adsit, P. I. Warner, Bernard
Heeney, William Baker, John McEwen, Isaac Speer, Thomas B.
Bryan and George V. Prussing.
SOCIAL PROGRESS.
5i3
THE CHICAGO LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
The Young Men's Association, afterward known
as the Chicago Library Association, entered upon the
year 1858 under all the depressing influence of the finan-
cial revulsion of the year before. In 1857, it incurred
increased annual expense on account of its removal to
larger quarters in Portland Block, where the rental was
$2,000 per annum ; but its income, instead of increas-
ing, very considerably diminished. The lecture season of
1858 proved unsuccessful in a financial point of view,
and the close of the year found the Association largely
in debt. The year 1859 did not bring relief from
indebtedness, and the years i860 and 1861 found it
still staggering under heavy burdens of debt, as well as
the apparent indifference on the part of those who had
once been its warmest friends and supporters. There
were, at the close of the year, eight thousand volumes in
the library, a membership of nearly fifteen hundred, and
an indebtedness of about $5,000. From this time uutil
1 87 1, the Association was uniformly, though moderately,
prosperous.
The Young Men's Christian Association was, in the
spring of 187 1, in a flourishing condition, and many
friends of both associations thought they should be
united. The candidates, at an annual election for the
presidency of the Library Association, in March, 187 1,
were selected because of their views on that question.
Three tickets- were placed in the field — the regular
ticket, headed by Hon. William Bross; a second by
Marshall Field, favorable to annexation to the Young
Men's Christian Association; and another, headed by
John C. Dore. The election was held on the 25th of
March, and many friends of the Young Men's Christian
Association paid $5 for the membership certificates and
voted the annexation ticket. The total number of
votes cast was two hundred and forty three, of which
the Field ticket received a large majority. The by-laws
of the Association provided, however, that at the elec-
tion of officers, all ballots not written or printed on
white paper should be rejected. The inspectors of
election found that the annexation ticket was printed
on yellow paper, and consequently rejected them, and
declared the election of the Bross ticket, which received
only sixty-three votes. At a subsequent meeting, very
largely attended by the members, a new election was
ordered for Saturday, April 1, when the Bross ticket
was successful, without a resort to technicalities. As
these were the last officers of the Association, a list of
them is here given :
Hon. William Bross, president; Hon. \V. W. Farwell, tirst
vice-president; John Crerar, second vice-president; William R.
Larrabee, recording secretary; George M. Frink, corresponding
secretary; Charles Henrotin, treasurer; General J. D. Webster,
George L. Dunlap, Potter Palmer, John C. Dore, William Vocke,
Murry Nelson and Edwin Lee Brown, managers.
During 187 1 there was no improvement in the finan-
cial condition or prospects of the Association. In
October the great conflagration came, and the Chicago
Library Association ceased to exist.
The following were the presidents of the Associa-
tion for the years mentioned:
1858, Erastus S. Williams; 1859, Edwin S. Wells; i860,
William II. Bradley; 1861, Philip Wadsworth; 1S62. George S.
Bouen; 1S63, William E. Uoggett; 1S64, Henry M. Shepard;
1S65, George M. Kimbark; 1S66-67, Edwin Lee Brown; 1S6S,
Charles H. Reed; 1869, Robert Coliyer; 1S70, C. C. Bonney;
1871, William Bross.
Other prominent members during these years were
Melville W. Fuller, Thomas B. Bryan, George W. Gage,
33
Norman Williams, Jr., William Sprague, Benjamin V.
Page, Samuel J. Glover, J. Young Scammon, W. L. New-
berry, Charles Hitchcock, and General J. 1). Webster.
THE CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
At the suggestion, and chiefly through the well-
directed efforts, of Rev. William Barry, the Chicago
Historical Society was organized on the 24th of April,
1856, by the election of the following officers :
William H. Brown, president ; William B. Ogden and J.
Young Scammon, vice-presidents ; S. D. Ward, treasurer ; Wil-
liam Barry, recording secretary and librarian; Charles H. Ray,
corresponding secretary. In addition to the above, the first mem-
bers of the Society were Mark Skinner, M. Brayman, George
Manierre, John II. Kinzie, J. V. Z. Blaney, Isaac N. Arnold, E.
I. Tinkham, J. D. Webster, W. A. Smallwood, Van H. Iliggins,
N. S. Davis, M. D. Ogden, F. Scammon and Ezra B. McCagg.
Luther Haven was added before the end of the year.
As stated in its constitution, the objects of the
society were the establishment of a library and a cabi-
net of antiquities, relics, etc. ; the collection of historical
manuscripts, documents, papers and tracts; to encourage
the discovery and investigation of aboriginal remains,
especially within the State; and the collection of material
illustrating the settlement and growth of Chicago. The
president and secretary of the Society were men pecul-
iarly fitted for the work before them. Mr. Brown was
a gentleman of wide acquaintance and of remarkable
historical attainments; while Rev. Mr. Barry not only
possessed these qualities, but also gave up his whole
time and strength to the work, with an industry and
persistency which could not but bring good results.
The first aim of the institution was to gather the
primary materials of Illinois and American history, and
to this end it directed its chief efforts. Although at
first its patrons and active workers were few, by De-
cember, 1856, its collections amounted to thirty-three
hundred volumes, of which three hundred and thirty-
five were newspaper files. In December, 1856, an
organization was effected for the ensuing year, and
Colonel Samuel Stone chosen assistant librarian. To
his active and unselfish interest and unrelaxing efforts
may be attributed, to no small extent, the growth and
firm establishment of the Society. On the iSth of
December, 1856, the present seal was adopted.
On February 7, 1857, the Society was incorporated
by Messrs. William H. Brown, William B. Ogden,
Mahlon D. Ogden, J. Young Scammon, Mason Bray-
man, Mark Skinner, George Manierre, John H. Kinzie,
J. V. Z. Blaney, Edward I. Tinkham, J. D. Webster,
W. A. Smallwood, Van H. Higgins, N. S. Davis, C. H.
Ray, S. D. Ward, Franklin Scammon, William Barry
and E. B. McCagg. The number of resident members
was limited to sixty. During 1857, there were added
to the original list of members Samuel Stone, George
F. Rumsey, Thomas Hoyne, I. H. Burch, John High, Jr.,
H. A. Johnson, Walter S. Gurnee, Wralter L. Newberry,
Charles L. Harmon, H. G. Loomis, Henry Farnum,
Benjamin F. Carver, John C. Haines, John M. Wilson,
John H. Foster, R. W. Patterson, Cyrus W. Bentley,
B. W. Raymond and Robert H. Clarkson. Messrs.
Moseley, Allen, Robbins and Stone were made life-
members. By the first part of 1858, the collection of
the Historical Society amounted to thirteen thousand
volumes. In March of that year, the offer of Walter L.
Newberry to provide them with a large room in his new
building, corner of North Wells and Kinzie streets, was
accepted. Before the end of the year, the volumes in
the library aggregated eighteen thousand six hundred
5'4
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
and fifty. There was no change in the officers daring
the year, except that Mr. Newberry was elected vice-
president, in place of J. Young Scammon. In Novem-
ber. 1859, E. I. Tinkham was elected treasurer, in
place of Mr. Ward.
The great event of 1859 was the exhibition of fine
arts, under the auspices of the Chicago Historical
Society, which opened on the 9th of May, in Burch's
Building, corner of Wabash Avenue and Lake Street.
It was the first public exhibition of paintings and statu-
ary ever held in the State, and, for the six weeks during
which it remained open, created much interest. During
this period, twelve thousand persons registered them-
selves as " lovers of the fine arts." Including statuary,
paintings and engravings, the pieces on exhibition
numbered three hundred and seventy-two. Lieutenant-
Colonel James D. Graham, chairman of the board of
directors, contributed much to the success of the exhi-
bition, he and L. W. Volk being, in fact, its chief insti-
gators.
In Februarv, i860, the Society received a communi-
cation from Charles Macalester, of Philadelphia, on
behalf of the estate of Henry D. Gilpin, conveying the
intelligence of the generous endowment now known as
the Gilpin Fund. By the terms of the will, it was to be
invested and re-invested in public bonds of the city,
and, after ten years, the income was to be used in the
erection of a fire-proof building. This was to be sepa-
rated from the main structure, but attached to it, and
was to be known as "The Gilpin Library of the His-
torical Society of Chicago." No part of the principal
was to be used, but after the building was completed
the trustees of the fund were to appropriate to the use
of the library the entire income of the estate, and to
continue to invest in city stocks.
Walter L. Newberry succeeded William H. Brown
as president of the Society in 1863; William B. Ogden
and George Manierre, vice-presidents ; Franklin Scam-
mon, treasurer; William Barry, recording secretary and
librarian ; E. B. McCagg, corresponding secretary.
In June, 1866, Mr. Barry resigned his position,
being succeeded by Thomas H. Armstrong. In Sep-
tember, Colonel Stone tendered his resignation as assist-
ant librarian. J. W. Hoyt succeeded Mr Armstrong.
The collections of the Society increased very rapidly,
so that the quarters in the Newberry building were
inadequate. An important step toward an increase of
funds was the amendment to the constitution, passed in
January. 1867, allowing an increase of resident mem-
bers to any number. Soon afterward the Society com-
menced to shape its fund for building purposes.
The Society lost one of its best and most generous
friends by the death of Mr. Newberry on November 6,
1868. J. Young Scammon succeeded him as president.
Three lots had been purchased on the northwest corner
of Dearborn Avenue and Ontario Street, and a building
erected, intended to be but the west wing of the struc-
ture. It was a large, one-story brick building, with a
deep basement, forty-two by ninety feet in size, and
COSt, with grounds, $60,000.
The new hall was dedicated November 19, 1868,
Messrs. Si ammon ami Arnold delivering the addresses.
When opened to the public, there were stored within its
walls one hundred thousand volumes, newspapers, maps,
manuscripts, etc.
In April, 1869, the Society received a bequest of
$1,800 from Jonathan Burr, a wealthy and benevolent
resident of Chicago.
On November 15, 1870, the following officers were
elected : Edwin H. Sheldon, president ; Thomas
Hoyne, first vice-president ; Ezra B. McCagg, second
vice-president ; E. I. Tinkham, treasurer; and J. W.
Hoyt, secretary and librarian.
All the treasures of the Society were swept away by
the great fire of 1871. The building was razed to the
ground, and it seemed for a time as if the Chicago His-
torical Society was crushed beyond recovery. Among
RUINS, HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
the rare manuscripts burned were the original draft of
Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, the documentary
history of Chicago and the Northwest, and 1,738 files
of newspapers from the earliest settlement of the North-
west. There were 4,689 manuscripts, gathered at great
expense, hundreds relating to the early Indian wars and
nations. No more valuable and complete Indian his-
tory was extant. Several valuable paintings of noted
men of early times in the West, and of famous Indian
warriors and chiefs, were also destroyed.
CHICAGO ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
The Chicago Academy of Sciences was founded
in 1857, and the following were the original members :
Drs. J. V. Z. Blaney, Nathan S. Davis, J. W. Freer, C
Helmuth, H. A. Johnson, E. Andrews, H. Parker and
F. Scammon; and Messrs. R. K. Swift, J. D. Webster,
E. W. Blatchford and H. W. Zimmerman.
Subscriptions were taken, amounting to about $1,500,
and a room engaged in the old Saloon Building; when
the financial crisis of that year put an end to the col-
lecting of subscriptions, and, as a consequence, the
society languished. As the hard times wore away, the
courage of its promoters revived, and, in 1859, a new
effort was made, the members of the society incorporat-
ing themselves under the name of " The Chicago
Academy of Sciences," and new life was given to the
enterprise. One of the most earnest workers for the
society was Robert Kennicott.
Robert Kennicott was born in 1835, the son of Dr. John
A. Kennicott, whose residence, called the " Grove," some eighteen
miles northwest of Chicago, was well known to the early residents
of the city. In boyhood, he had evinced a decided genius for
natural science, and his father encouraged and assisted him. As he
grew up, his exploring expeditions took wider and wider ranges,
and his labors became more and more valuable. It had long been
a favorite idea with him to build up a museum of natural history
SOCIAL PROGRESS.
5i5
in Chicago, and he became one of the early members of the
Academy. Many of the specimens he obtained on his expeditions
were presented to it. By the time he was twenty-four, Iil- had
traveled largely over the entire Northwest, and had done a great
work in arranging and classifying its natural history. '
In 1859, Mr. Kennicott, under the direction of the
Smithsonian Institute, led an exploring expedition into
British and Russian North America. The field of his
explorations stretched from Hudson's Bay to Behring's
Straits, and occupied him three years. In 1862, he re-
turned richly laden with specimens in all departments
of natural history. These belonged to the Smithsonian
Institute, but there had been an understanding that a
full series of the specimens should be given to any
society or institution Mr. Kennicott might name, which
would suitably provide and care for them. He desig-
nated the Chicago Academy of Sciences, and under the
impulse given by this valuable donation, the Academy
again re-organized. A new charter was granted by the
Legislature of the State to the following gentlemen: J.
Young Scammon, George C. Walker, Horatio G.
Loomis, Daniel Thompson, Edmund Aiken, Ezra B.
McCagg, Eliphalet W. Blatchford, William E. Doggett,
Robert Kennicott, Edmund Andrews, Hosmer A. John-
son, Oliver F. Fuller, James W. Freer, William Bross,
James V. Z. Blaney and Benjamin F. Culver, under the
name of " The Chicago Academy of Sciences."
Professor Agassiz was present at some of the meet-
ings of the Academy, and testified to the great value of
Mr. Kennicott's labors, with the result that about
$60,000 was raised, and the Academy placed upon an
enduring foundation. Mr. Kennicott was appointed the
first director of the Museum, and the specimens, which
were forwarded by the Smithsonian Institute, were ar-
ranged by him in the rooms of the Academy, in the
Metropolitan Building, corner of Randolph and LaSalle
streets. Constant additions were made by members of
the Academy, by friends in the vicinity, and by ex-
changes with other societies.
In March, 1865, Mr. Kennicott, with a party of
naturalists, undertook an expedition to Alaska, under
the auspices of the Western Union Telegraph Company,
to survey a route for a telegraph line to connect North
America with Russia. An outfit for scientific purposes
was furnished by the trustees from the funds of the
Academy. The expedition, though begun auspiciously,
and for a time successfully conducted, proved in the
end a failure as to the results expected. Mr. Kennicott
himself died from a sudden attack of illness on the
banks of the Yukon River, in the depths of that remote
region. Notwithstanding his loss, the Academy reaped
some substantial results from the expedition.
Mr. Kennicott's successor as director of the Museum
was Dr. William Stimpson, who was also the secretary
of the Academy. In some departments of natural history
he had a national reputation, having been for many years
in charge of the Invertebrate Department of the Smith-
sonian Institute, and had become a recognized author-
ity in that branch of Zoology. Dr. Stimpson continued
in charge of the Museum, and in all ways promoted the
interests of the Academy, until his death, in 1S72.
In June, 1866, the building in which the Museum had
been placed was partially destroyed by fire, and the col-
lections damaged and a portion destroyed. The Society
had been considering the subject of building for some
time, and this fire stimulated them at once to action. A
lot was purchased on Wabash Avenue, north of Van-
Buren Street, and a fire-proof building erected thereon.
It was opened on the 28th of January, 1868. So secure
was this building supposed to be, that it became a
favorite place for the deposit of special collections, and,
for the same reason, several private libraries, rich in
particular departments of science, found storage on iis
shelves, and added to its facilities in the prosecution of
scientific inquiries.
On the 9th of October, 187 1, this building in spite
of its fire-proof qualities, with all its contents of inesti-
mable value, specimens, manuscripts, library ami appa-
ratus, was burned.
THE CHICAGO ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY.
The first movement which led to the organization
of this Society was made in December, 1862, within the
University of Chicago. It was caused by Rev. M. R.
Fory, who came here, endeavoring to sell a telescope
manufactured by Mr. Fitz, an optician of New York
City. The price of the instrument was stated to be
$8,000. In order to awaken a proper interest in the
purchase of such an instrument, and the establishment
of an observatory, it was determined, upon consultation
with Dr. Burroughs and Prof. A. H. Mixer, that Rev.
Mr. Fory should lecture on astronomy in Bryan Hall.
This lecture was delivered December 8.
After the lecture, a meeting was organized by calling
J. Young Scammon to preside, and a committee of five
was then appointed with the view of purchasing the
" Fitz glass" and of establishing an observatory. The
committee consisted of J. Young Scammon, Rev. W. W.
Everts, J. H. Woodworth, D. J. Ely and W. H. Wells. A
meeting was held on December 13, and still another on
December 15, to consider questions connected with the
purchase of the " Fitz glass." But the committee had
learned from Baron Briinnow, of the Ann Arbor Uni-
versity, something of the great telescope made by Alvan
Clarke & Sons, of Cambridge, Mass., for the University
of Mississippi, but which, on account of the breaking
out of the Civil War, was left on the hands of the manu-
facturers. At a certain meeting of the committee this
telescope was brought to the attention of the members
by W. H. Wells, who also intimated that the Fitz glass
had been previously offered for $2,000, and that he
could see no good reason for paying $8,000 for an
instrument which the maker had offered to other parties
for from $2,000 to $3,000. Then the committee deter-
mined upon the purchase of the Clarke telescope, and
thereby Chicago became the possessor of what was then
the largest and best refracting telescope in the world,
as its diameter was three inches greater than that of the
great telescope at Cambridge, and greater than that of
Pulkowa in Russia, the largest refracting telescope in
Europe. This telescope of Alvan Clarke & Sons, upon
being pointed to Sirius, discovered the hitherto unseen,
though suspected, companion of Sirius.
Thomas Hoyne, as a sub-committee, visited Boston,
ignoring both the claims of Mr. Fitz and the Fitz glass,
which was, as the committee had ascertained, a dialytic
instrument, and totally inadequate for observatory pur-
poses. Mr. Hoyne at once secured the telescope, and
thereby disappointed Professor G P. Bond, who had
commenced the circulation of a subscription list to pur-
chase the instrument for the Cambridge Observatory.
At a meeting of the trustees of the University of
Chicago, at which William B. Ogden presided, convened
for the purpose of considering the proposed observa-
tory, the telescope question was considered, and William
B. Ogden at once subscribed $5,000 toward the project.
About the middle of March, 1863, the committee took
the initial steps toward erecting the observatory, by
sending for a few plans for the building. On March 22,
5i6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO
1S63, the telescope was purchased, and it was also
learned that the Lalande prize, of the value of five
hundred francs, had been awarded to Alvan Clarke &
Sons by the French Academy of Sciences, for the dis-
covery of the companion of Sirius with this telescope.
Before the close of the month, one of our most
liberal citizens Hon. J. Y. Scammoni pledged
himself to erect the building for the observatory
and provide the room necessary for the instru-
ment ; another subscribed $5,000, and about
nine others made themselves life-directors in the
observatory by subscribing $500 each.
W. W. Bovington was sent east to examine
different buildings, in order to be better prepared
to construct here a suitable observatory. After-
ward, under a contract between the University
of Chicago and the Chicago Astronomical Soci-
ety, an arrangement was made for the establish-
ment of the observatory on the grounds of the
first institution. The observatory-tower Mr.
Scammon erected on the west side of the Uni-
versity building, at a cost to himself of $30,000,
and it was named by the trustees of the univer-
sity the " Dearborn Observatory," in memory of
Mr. Scammon's first wife.
OUkl HARD-PAN
DEARBORN OBSERVATORY.
It consisted essentially of two independent build-
ings, the central and the outward portion. On account
of the sandy nature of the soil, one hundred and five
oak pilc^ were driven twenty-seven feet into the earth,
penetrating the underlying clay and hard pan. An
excavation was made, fifteen feet deep, ten feet below
water level, where the piles were sawed off and capped
with square oak timbers. The interstices were filled
with concrete, and then the entire surface was floored
over with oak timbers. The masonry was then com-
menced on top of this foundation, consisting of solid
blocks of stone from four to five feet square and from
twelve to eighteen inches thick. This was carried up to
a height twelve feet above
the timber platform, and
on this was built the cen-
tral column, erected like
the frustrum of a cone,
twenty-seven feet in di-
ameter at the base, and
eighty-two feet high to the
top of the floor of the
astronomer's room, where
it is ten feet in diameter.
This tower is surmounted
by a circular cap-stone,
sixteen inches thick, upon
which rests the pedestal,
nine feet high, car-
rying the telescope
with its mountings.
THE GREAT TELESCOPE.
The foundation for this tower was completed about
April 1, 1864.
The exterior building is octagonal in shape, thirty-
five feet in diameter, one hundred feet high to the top
of the roof. The original dome was hemispherical and
rotated on balls, and was provided with a vertical open-
ing nearly six feet wide. The floors of this exterior
building do not touch the tower, so that neither the
swaying of the building in the wind, nor the unequal
expansion of its parts by the varying heat of the sun,
have any effect upon the tower supporting the telescope.
The tripod arrived November 4, 1864. It is eight and
one-half feet high, seven and one-half feet long, three
and one-half feet thick, and weighs upward of seven
tons. If was quarried and shaped at the Penitentiary
at Joliet.
The object-glass of the telescope has a clear aperture
of eighteen and one-half inches diameter, and its focal
length is twenty-three feet. It is provided with four
astronomical eye-pieces, magnifying, respectively, 135,
225, 450 and goo diameters: five micrometer eye-pieces,
with magnifying power of 120, 190, 287, 385 and 900
diameters; a lilar and two ring micrometers; and a single
prism spectroscope. The declination circle is divided to
SOCIAL PROGRESS.
5'7
five minutes of arc, and the right ascension circle to single
minutes of time. Its total weight is nearly three tons,
its tube is of mahogany, and its entire cost, including
transportation and mounting, was $18,187. It arrived
in Chicago from Boston at 2 p. m., on March 24, 1866,
and was mounted on the 12th of April, Alvan Clarke
himself being present, and remaining until the mount-
ing was successfully accomplished.
The first director of the Observatory was Professor
Truman Henry Safford. He had previously been en-
gaged as assistant director at the Harvard Observatory.
During the first three years he devoted most of his time
to the observation of nebulae, and was the discoverer of
about one hundred. During 1868, Walter S. Gurnee, of
New York, formerly mayor of Chicago, donated $5,000
to the Society for (he purchase of a Meridian Circle,
which, like the telescope, was one of the largest ever
made. From that time to the great fire of 1871, Pro-
fessor Safford was engaged in a series of star observa-
tions, in connection with other astronomers at the prin-
cipal observatories of the world, for the great catalogue
of the German Astronomical Society. The share al-
lotted to the Dearborn Observatory was the zone be-
tween the 35th and 40th degree of north declination,
and about two-fifths of the work was completed at the
date of the fire. During 1870, Elias Colbert* was made
assistant director of the Observatory, without salary;
and it was mainly through his efforts that a tower-clock
was purchased, and the Observatory placed in commu-
nication with the Court-house bell.
The Chicago Astronomical Society was organized in
November, 1863. The first board of directors was
composed of J. Young Scammon, Thomas Hoyne, W.
H. Wells, E. B. McCagg, A. H. Mixer, J. H. Wood-
worth, J. C. Burroughs, J. K. Pollard and T. B. Bryan.
The first officers chosen were J. Young Scammon,
president ; W. H. Wells, vice-president ; Thomas Hoyne,
secretary , and D. J. Ely, treasurer. This Society was
incorporated by the Legislature February 19, 1867. The
officers of the Society conducted its affairs, under the
title of Observatory Board, in a desultory manner, until
1870, when public interest became somewhat aroused
by the efforts of Elias Colbert, personally, and through
the public press. The history of this Society, together
with what has been accomplished by means of the Ob-
servatory since the great fire of 1 871, will be given here-
after.
OLD SETTLERS' SOCIETY.
This association was formed on February 9, 187 1,
at the Tremont House, Chicago, when it was decreed
that
" Members to be only residents of Cook County prior to the
adoption of the charter of Chicago ; and those voters resident in
Cook County prior to January 1, 1S43. The time may be extended,
every third year, by a vote of three-fourths of the members present
at an annual meeting. Ladies who have been here since 1S43 are
made honorary members."
The constitution was signed by the following gentle-
men, who came to Chicago in the years preceding their
names :
1S18, Gurdon S. Hubbard; 1832, J. W. Tool, L. Nichols,
James A. Marshall, Philo Carpenter, Joseph Meeker, Alexander
Beaubien ; 1833, A. D. Taylor, Hibbard Porter, Asahel Pierce,
Samuel Wayman ; 1834, Rev. J. E. Ambrose, Grant Goodrich,
Bennet Bailey, J. C. Rue, Alexander Wolcott, Seth Paine ; 1835,
James A. Smith, Tuthill King, Jacob Doney, Cvrenius Beers, M.
D. Butterfield, John M. Turner, D. N. Chappell, George Bassett,
James Lane, K. K. Jones, Charles V. Dyer, S. L. Brown ; 1836,
* In 1S60, Elias Colbert made the first attempt to establish standard tin
James Couch, A." B. Wheeler, William L. Church, Daniel Worth-
ington, A. Follansbe, J. T. Durant, Jacob Morgan, Charles Hard-
ing, James M. Hannahs, Elisha B. I.ane, A. S. Sherman, Peter
Graff, Oren Sherman, W. W. Smith, C. McDonald, John B. Weir,
M. B. Smith, L. P. Hilliard, John Wentworth, John Turner, Wil-
liam M. Butler, L. A. Doolittle, C. B. Sammons, J. B. Hunt;
1S37, Matthew Laflin, Michael White, N. S. Gushing. Elijah
Smith, Darius Knights, William Wayman, T. B. Bridges, Eugene
O'Sullivan, John M. Van Osdel, John Gray, Joel C. Walters ; 1838,
N. Goold, James B. Hugunin, Alonzo J'. Willard. William B. H.
Gray, W. Butterfield, O. L. I.ange ; 1839, Henry Fuller, Isaac
Speer, John A. Oliver, Sidney Sawyer; 1S40, Edwin Judson,
Thomas L. Forrest, Frederick Burcky, Thomas Speer; 1841,
James Ward, B. Wr. Thomas ; 1S42, Thomas Hastie.
The especial object of the Society, as stated by John
Wentworth, who was the prime mover in its organiza-
tion, was not alone the social re-union of old settlers,
but the collection and formulation of historic facts
which otherwise would pass from remembrance and be
lost.
The First Golden Wedding in Chicago. — On
February 13, 1863, Mr. and Mrs. D. B. Heartt cele-
brated their golden wedding at their residence, No. 122
Buffalo Street, it being the first occasion of the kind
that happened in Chicago.
D, B. HEARTT was horn at West Troy, N. V., September 29,
1787, and Mrs. Heartl (Jane Callender), was born at Sheffield,
Mass., November 15, 17S8. They were married at Poultney,
Vermont, February 6, 1S12, and came to Chicago in 1S36. At
the time of this event all their children, six in number, were living,
and they had had thirty-three grandchildren, twenty-three of whom
wrere living.
Silas B. Cobb, one of the oldest business men of Chicago,
and now retired from active work, is a native of Montpelier, Vt.,
where he was born January 23, 1812. His father was, at different
times, a tanner, a farmer and an inn-keeper, and early put his son
to work. Silas began to learn the trade of a shoemaker, but he
abandoned that and was apprenticed to a harnessmaker. After he
had worked at this trade for a year, his employer sold out his busi-
ness, and the purchaser claimed young Cobb as a part of his pur-
chase; but, although eighteen years of age, his independent spirit
evinced itself in his remark, that, " In this case, the nigger don't go
with the plantation," and in his demand that a new arrangement
be made. After his new employer had closed up his business, Mr.
Cobb worked as a journeyman at Montpelier, South Hardwick,
and other places. Nine months of faithful labor brought him a
clear §60, with which, in his twenty-second year, he joined a party
bound for the West. The company to which he attached himself
was under the leadership of Oliver Goss, of Montpelier, who had
already located on some government land near Chicago. Although
his father was opposed to the venture, the young man determined
to go as far west as his money would carry him. His route was to
Buffalo, via the Erie Canal, and from thence to Chicago on the
schooner "Atlanta." The passage was stormy, and, at the end of
Si3
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
the trip, he was detained three days by the captain of the boat, who
claimed that he owed him money; but the matter was finally
adjusted by a sympathizing passenger, so that on June 2, 1S33,
after being on the water over five weeks, he landed in Chicago, or
rather in the rude settlement of log huts occupied by soldiers, half-
breeds, and about thirty whites. Being penniless, he considered
himself in luck when James Kinzie engaged him as the " boss car-
penter" to superintend the erection of his hotel, at $2.75 a day and
board. As Mr. Cobb knew no more about building a hotel than
about the future Chicago, it is quite certain that his stress of cir-
cumstances forced him into assuming this responsibility, but he
kept his eyes open, gave general directions, had under him a skilled
workman, who reallv took the active management, and got along
verv well until he took into his employ a smart, prying Yankee who
soon informed Mr. Kinzie of the true state of affairs. The young
"boss" was therefore paid off, and with the proceeds of his
venture bought up several lots of trinkets, which he put up at
auction to the Indians and half-breeds. Xext, he erected a small
frame building, rented the upper part, using the lower story as
a harness shop. Here, in company with Mr. Goss, who furnished
the capital of thirty dollars for the purchase of the stock, he re-
mained for one vear, when he dissolved the partnership and removed
to larger quarters. In 1S4S, he sold out his establishment at a
good figure, and formed a partnership with William Osborne, deal-
ing in boots and shoes, hides, and leather. Within four years he
disposed of his interest, and retired from active business with a fair
competency. He has since so sensibly invested his means in real
estate and public enterprises, that he is among the most prosperous
property owners in the city. In 1S52, he was appointed executor
of the estate of the late Joel Matteson of the Matteson House,
and guardian of his five children, holding this position of trust
until 1S66. He was made a director of the Chicago Gas Light
and Coke Company in 1S55, and a few years thereafter was placed
upon the board of management, being at present one of its mem-
bers. It was under Mr. Cobb's administration, as president of the
Chicago City Railway, that the cable system was introduced; and
he is still connected with that corporation, the West Side Horse
Railway Company and the National Bank of Illinois. In years
past he has also been identified with the Galena & Chicago Union
and the Beloit & Madison Railroads, and was the builder and
owner of several fine blocks on Lake and Dearborn streets. Mr.
Cobb was married, in 1S40, to Maria Warren, daughter of Daniel
Warren, of Warrenville, DuPage Co., 111. They have had six
children, of whom the following are living: Maria Louisa, the
wife of William B. Walker; Bertha M., now Mrs. William Armour,
and Leonora, married to Joseph G. Coleman.
William Hickling, who was, at the time of his death, vice-
president of the Chicago Historical Society, was born in Lincoln-
shire, England, December 7, 1S14. When he attained the age of
seventeen, he emigrated to America, and after a six weeks' voyage,
he arrived at Philadelphia, by way of New Orleans. In Philadel-
phia he resided two years, and at the age of nineteen started for
New Orleans or the Western States, having no fixed destination in
view. When on a flat-boat floating down the Ohio river, he be-
came acquainted with George E. Walker, who was eleven years his
senior, who advised him to come to Chicago. They arrived in Chicago
as early at least as August, 1833. for on the 28th of that month
Mark Noble, Sr., transferred to James B. Campbell and George
E. Walker a parcel of land near Chicago Avenue and the North
Branch of the Chicago River. In the vicinity of this land, or pos-
sibly within its limits. Mr. Hickling and Mr. Walker built a saw-
mill in the fall of 1S33. This mill was sold, and they afterward
either built or bought a saw-mill on the Desplaines River, which
they likewise sold, and moved to Ottawa, III., thinking that place
had brighter prospects than Chicago. In Ottawa they started a
store, and Mr. Hickling was elected first mayor of that city. After
serving two terms, himself and wife made the tour of Europe, and
upon returning to Ottawa he was again elected to the mayoralty.
lie was also elected president of the Board of Education, holding
that position a number of years, at the same time being mayor,
and president of the First National Bank of Ottawa. lie and his
• . ife (who still survives him) made a second tour through
and other parts of the world, occupying three years. While
on one of these tours he purchased the portraits of Columbus and
;, which, since his death, his widow, in compliance with
his will, has presented to the Chicago Historical Society. In 1869,
he removed from Ottawa to Chicago, and in 1870 became a mem-
ber of the above-mentioned organization. After the great fire, al-
though 0 in- was one of the first to come
to the aid of th< -<•' iety with pei uniary means, and was ever after-
ward one of its mosl devoted friends. In 1S77, he was elected a
member of the executive committee. Toward the dose of Ids life
his disposition grew more retiring than in his earlier days, the re-
sult perhaps of his failing eyesight and increasing deafness Bc-
fo-e these calamities befel him, he was one of the most genial and
Companionable of men; but as his infirmities grew he became more
devoted to books — history and stories of Indian and pioneer life be-
ing his favorite themes. His death occurred on August 25, 1881.
He had been twice married, his first wife having been Mrs. Clark,
youngest sister of George E. Walker, who died in August, 1850,
and his second wife Miss Caswell. Besides the two portraits of
Columbus and Vespucci, already mentioned, Mrs. Hickling, who
takes a deep interest in the Chicago Historical Society, has pre-
sented to it the sum of five hundred dollars, and also the portrait
of her deceased husband. Concerning Mr. Hickling's connection
with the early railroad enterprises of Illinois, General John J.
Thomas thus wrote from Belleville: "My first acquaintance with
Mr. William Hickling was in 1837 He was then engaged, with
Messrs. George E. Walker, Samuel B. Chandler, Vital Jarrott and
Governor John Reynolds, in the construction of the Pittsburg &
St. Louis Railroad. The road was intended to carry coal from the
bluffs to the St. Louis market, and was graded, and wooden rails
laid, without the iron strap-rails then used, to the now extinct town
of Pittsburg. The town was platted by Mr. Hickling for the com-
pany (he having no financial interests in the company), and several
houses built, but none of them are now standing. The site of
this town is at the foot of a bluff a few rods south of the present
Illinois & St. Louis Railroad track, about seven miles out from
St. Louis. The eastern terminus of the Pittsburg road crossed the
lake on about one-quarter of a mile of piling, much of which is still
standing, and can be seen from the Illinois & St. Louis Railroad
track. The enterprise, however, proved a failure, financially, and
the only use the road was put to was the conveying of many cords
of wood to St. Louis by horse-power. No coal was removed until
years after, when a new company reconstructed the road with a
light T rail and ran a small two-wheeled locomotive over it. It
has since changed hands several times, and is now the properly of
the Illinois & St. Louis Railroad and Coal Company, by which it was
extended to Belleville, but no farther. Besides doing a lucrative
passenger traffic between the cities, it carries a large percentage of
the coal consumed in St. Louis. In 1S3S, after the failure of the
Pittsburg & St. Louis Railroad Company, Messrs. Walker and Hick-
ling went to Ottawa, 111., where their fortunes were accumulated."
Oren Sherman, senior member of the firm of Sherman &
Flavin, marble dealers, and one of the early residents of Chicago,
was born March 5, 1816, in Barre, Vt. His parents, Colonel Na-
thaniel Sherman and Deborah (Webster) Sherman, were also both
natives of that State. In the spring of 1836, the young man
started for the West, and setting stakes at New Buffalo, Mich.,
remained there until he found that the transportation facilities
there in vogue seriously impeded his business, when he removed to
Chicago. This was in the fall of 1S36, and in the spring of the
next year he opened a dry-goods store on LaSalle Street, between
Lake and South Water streets. His location was subsequently
changed to the corner of Lake and LaSalle streets, and to No. 105
and 107 Lake Street, at which latter numbers he did business for
many years. In the spring of 1S3S, Mr. Sherman formed a part-
nership with Nathaniel Pitkin, which continued until 1S44. During
a portion of this period he was engaged in packing pork and deal-
ing in produce, doing about one-half the business transacted in the
former commodity. Subsequently, he was associated in the dry-
goods business with David Ballentine and General Hart L. Stewart.
In 1851, he established the first carpet store and place for the sale
of house-furnishing goods in Chicago. In the spring of 1853, he
sold out to Messrs. Beecher, Hollister & Wilkins, and he then went
into business with his brother, Alson S. Sherman (who, in 1844,
was mayor of the city). They owned a stone-quarry at I.emont,
and lime-works at Bridgeport, and energetically developed this
branch of industry. After being together a year as a private firm,
they organized the Illinois Stone & Lime Company Subsequently
the interests were separated, and the Illinois Stone Company
organized as follows: Stephen F. Gale, II. G. Loomis, W. S
Gurnee and Alson S. and Oren Sherman. The Lime Company
was composed of W. S. Gurnee, M. C. Stearns and the Sherman
brothers. The lime business was disposed of, and the Illinois Stone
Company continued. Before Oren Sherman finally established
himself in the marble trade, in the spring of 1857, he purchased of
Messrs. Sturtevant & Kettlestrings their lime-works at Lyons, 111.
which he sold to Colonel Francis T. Sherman and \V. G. Sherman
After continuing in the marble trade for two years, Oren Sherman
formed a stock company to conduct the business, which consisted
of himself, Henry Wilson and George W. Prickett. This company
continued until 1867, when it was merged into one composed of
Mr. Sherman, I). D. Cole and others, which existed until the time
of the lire, when it was dissolved by the " force of circumstances"
brought about by that fierce conflagration. He was one of the
first business men to get a roof over his rough temporary structure,
and after putting out his sign, which ever after became his watch-
word, " While there's life, there's hope," he entered into the thick
of the trade-revival succeeding the fire. He started business
with one load of marble, which still remained at the depot, and
what fragments he could dig from the ruins of his building.
SOCIAL PROGRESS.
5'9
Undaunted by misfortune, with characteristic energy he applied
himself to the work of restoration, and in the early spring of 1872,
he built a large manufactory on Wabash Avenue, opposite Grace
Episcopal Church, and, with his sons, L. E. and Fred J. Sherman,
organized the Chicago Marble Manufacturing Company, carrying
on business very successfully. Their contracts included many of
the leading hotels and public buildings of the New Chicago, and
successfully passed through the panic of 1873, until, in 1877, they
went out of business In 1878, the firm of Sherman & Flavin
came into existence. On March 1, 18S5, they occupied their spa-
cious building on Wabash Avenue, where they employ one hundred
and twenty-five men, and do a business of from $150,000 to
$200,000 annually.
Michael Hoffmann, one of the early German residents of
Chicago, was born in West Prussia, about twenty miles from the
French frontier, on December n, 1S12. In May, 1S36, he left his
native village, and, on July 21 of that year, landed in New York
City. Mr. Hoffmann started for Chicago, in August of the next
year, taking the canal-boat from Albany to Buffalo, and the steamer
to Detroit. After remaining there for a short time, he traveled on
foot to LaSalle, and reached Chicago in November, 1837. Like
hundreds of other men who have since become professional men
and capitalists. Mr. Hoffmann worked upon the canal, and when
winter came upon him, took to peddling water. He hauled it from
the corner of Lake and State streets, his charges being usually
about twenty cents a load. On May 1, 1S40, he commenced to
work for William B. Ogden. boarding at his house. He remained
with him until November, 1844, and became closely attached to
hiin, placing him, to-day, as not only one of the ablest but the best
of Chicago's citizens. The date of his departure from Mr. Og-
den's house was also the date of his marriage to Mary Echternacht.
His wife's mother is still iiving, having nearly reached the age of
ninety years. After leaving the employ of Mr. Ogden, Mr. Hoff-
mann engaged in a general teaming business, and, in 1S50, estab-
lished himself as a gardener. This occupation he followed until
1870. In the meantime, through his acquaintance with Mr. Og-
den, he had purchased a large tract of land between Dearborn and
State streets, near what would now be Goethe Street, North Side.
He afterward purchased property on Chicago Avenue, and a fine
tract of wooded land in the outskirts of the city. Mr. Hoffmann
subsequently sold a portion of his property (the piece on Chicago
Avenue) just previous to the fire. Although the fire of 1871
swept away his three houses, his real estate remained, of which he
is now the owner of several fine pieces. He has but lately bought
a valuable lot just north of that upon which stands his residence
on LaSalle Avenue. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffmann have three sons and
one daughter living. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffmann are among the old-
est members of the German Catholic Church in the city, being first
connected with the old St. Mary's Church. For many years they
have been identified with the St. Joseph's Church, on the North
Side, having always been among the leaders of their Society in
benevolent work.
Charles Berdell was born in Bavaria, Germany, Novem-
ber 9. 181S, coming to America in January, 1837, and settling in
Cleveland, Ohio. While there he received from his uncle, who had
located in Chicago, most enthusiastic accounts of the probabilities
of the new place, and accordingly, in the fall of 1839, started
from Cleveland on the steamer " General Wayne." On the way
he met Stephen F. Gale and John Wentworth, who had been East
on a visit, and by his conversations with them his confidence in
Chicago was more firmly established than ever. When first com-
ing to Chicago, young Berdell, through the influence of his uncle,
who was a justice of the peace and connected with John B. Rice's
orchestra, also became a musician in the theatre. During the Har-
rison presidential campaign, his services were also called into play,
he being sometimes obliged to leave his work on the canal at Sum-
mit. After a few months he commenced to learn the cabinet trade,
working for a time in a turner's shop. When he first came to Chi-
cago, Mr. Berdell lived with his uncle, whose residence was upon
the present site of the First National Bank. In 1S52, he bought a
lot of Mr. Gale, at the corner of Randolph and Halsted streets,
married Catherine Becker, and erected a house. He had previously
purchased thirty acres of land on Ashland Avenue, from Blue
Island Avenue to the river, but, as the cholera had created consid-
erable alarm for several years after 184S, he was induced to sell in
1852, upon the conviction that the epidemic would permanently
affect the growth of the city. Mr. Berdell served on the police
force for twelve years, from 1S61, being sergeant of the Chicago
Avenue station from 1865 to 1S73. F'or the past few years he has
derived a good income from the renting of living apartments. Mr.
Berdell's wife died in October, 1S71, leaving four children still
living— Charles A., a lawyer in Gunnison County, Col., who cares
for the mining property of several prominent citizens of Chicago ;
Gustav A., Oscar A. and Emma, who lives at home.
Nathaniel Goold, one of the pioneers of Chicago, was born
in Hopkinton, N. IL, March 22, iSi4,his parents being Nathaniel
and Elizabeth (Eaton) Goold. His father, a blacksmith by trade,
originally came from Cape Cod, Mass On December 24, [835,
Mr. Goold married Bessie A. Blake, who is still in the enjoyment
of good health, and who will celebrate, with him, Providence per-
mitting, the golden anniversary of their wedding. Nathaniel was
left an orphan when only six years of age, and was early thrown
upon his own resources. He mastered the carpenter's trade, ob-
tained a fair business education, and then, through the representa-
tion of two friends who had invested in property in Chicago, and the
enthusiastic accounts presented in a book " The West and Texas,"
which fell into his hands, he was induced to turn his face toward
Chicago. He arrived here July 12, 1838, on the old steamboat
" Madison." Deciding to make Chicago his home, he returned to
the East to make arrangements for moving his wife and one child to
the new country. In July, 1839, he came to this city to locate perma-
nently, and established a family grocery at No. 155 Lake Street.
At first he hired a house on the corner of Lake and Canal streets,
Asahel Pierce being his neighbor — there being, in fact, no house
west of him on the west side of the river. In the fall after his ar-
rival, to his unbounded astonishment, he was nominated for alder-
man of the Fourth Ward, and taken in hand by John Wentworth,
who introduced him to " the boys." After a severe and exciting
canvass Mr. Goold was beaten by his Whig competitor, William O.
Snell. Of the thirty-four votes cast, Mr Goold received fourteen.
As Chicago began to grow he decided to move his family to the
north side of the river, and accordingly built a house on the corner
of Dearborn and Michigan streets, living there from 1840 to 1851,
Mr. Goold attended the first sale of lands after the completion of
the canal in 1848, but was afraid to purchase at that time. A friend
named McAuley, however, bought in Block 3, Section 27, near Cot-
tage Grove Avenue and Twenty-second Street. This was then just
outside the city limits, and when Mr. Goold bought the block from
Mr. McAuley, an acquaintance asked the question in amazement.
"What do you want of that ? All it is good for is to leave to your
children." The purchase price was $471, and Mr. Goold at once
set about erecting a dwelling house on Prairie Avenue, fronting
east. Of the eight lots in the block he disposed of six, his residence
still standing upon one and his factory upon the other. At an early
day he commenced to experiment in the manufacture of organs, his
ambition having been aroused by the sight of a pipe instrument
with two stops. Being a natural mechanic, he set about construc-
ting two organs, and sold his first one to the Catholic Church, a
little one story building on Madison Street, between Wabash and
Michigan avenues, and he received .$ 160. He also disposed of one
to the Unitarian Church, the last being exhibited at the fair of the
Mechanics' Institute and receiving a gold medal. It may be said,
parenthetically, that his organ was the only one on exhibition. He
afterward began the manufacturing of pianos, and established an
extensive business. Two years ago he erected a large manufactory,
five stories in height, upon the rear of his Cottage Grove Avenue
lot, and received his son, John E. Goold, and a skilled workman,
into partnership with him. At present the firm are making a spe-
cialty of the manufacture of Hansom cab bodies, having yet a large
stock of pianos in their warehouses. Mr. Goold has two married
daughters living — Mrs. Frank Dyke, a resident of Chicago, and
Mrs. Charles Reed, a resident of Michigan.
A B. Kellogg, the son of Solomon and Rebecca (Turner)
Kellogg, was born on April 25, 1819, in Cayuga County, X. V.
When he was but ten years of age, his parents removed to Yates
County, near Penn Yan, and then to Cleveland, Ohio, where his
father died of cholera. Upon the death of his father he went to
live with his elder brother, Solomon, in Prescott, Canada, but upon
the breaking out of the "Patriot Rebellion," in 1S38, they were
driven away. They were obliged to dispose of their property at a
great sacrifice and, in November, they moved to I.ockport, 111.,
where they opened a carriage and blacksmith shop. The locality
did not agree with them, and, after spending a short time in Chi-
cago, they removed to Riverside and built a hotel. For this struc-
ture they were obliged to draw their lumber with an ox team.
Mr. Kellogg continued in this business for twelve years. In 1S49,
however, he caught the California fever, and, departing for the Far
West, spent twelve months away from home, some three months
of which period were passed among the California mines, but he re-
turned to Riverside in just about his former financial condition,
considering himself fortunate in making that showing. In July,
1S51, he married Mary M. Light, of Plymouth, Ohio. His brother,
in the meantime, hail caught the gold fever, departed for the West,
and remained about a year and a half, but he returned a poorer
man than when he went away. Mr. Kellogg did not confine his
energies, however, to keeping a hotel, but was called upon to till
nearly every town office. He was town trustee, supervisor, high-
way commissioner and school trustee, and, as early as 1840, was
elected a captain of militia of his district. He was also treasurer
of the school fund for the town of Cicero, and during his adminis-
tration (1S70-7S), the moneys under his control increased from
$26,000 to $So,ooo. Mr. Kellogg's investments in Chicago real
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
estate have been profitable. At an early day, when he kept the
Riverside Hotel, he purchased two acres of land on West Madison
Street, upon which he now resides. He also made purchases on
Dearborn Street, the Cheney property, and he rented it. Mr. Kel-
logg's first wife died on January 12, 1S65. His present wife was
formerly Miss Sophronia A. Crawford. He has four living chil-
dren, three sons and one daughter. Myron L. is connected with
the Champion Reaper Works, Chicago ; his daughter is Mrs. Fred.
A. Seaton, whose husband is manager of the American Express at
Dubuque, and George is in the grain business, at Ashkum, Iroquois
Co., 111. Mr. Kellogg has been connected with the Masonic
fraternity since 1849, first joining l.aFayette Lodge, No. iS, the
pioneer of Chicago. He now holds a life-membership in Union
Park Lodge.
L. G. Fisher, well known in Chicago as an old settler and a
man of means, was born on August 17, 1S0S, in Derby, Vt. After
completing his education at Brownington Academy and teaching
school for three years. Mr. Fisher was appointed sheriff's deputy
of Orleans County, Vt. The high-sheriff was, at that time, the
father of Judge Jameson, of Chicago. After holding that position
for three years he resigned it, and for the succeeding three years
traveled through several of the States and the Canadas for the
Fairbanks Scale Company. He then engaged with them to estab-
lish a commission business, either in Louisville or St. Louis, and
on May 1;, 1S37, started for the West. On his arrival in Albany,
he learned of the suspension of specie payments. His plans were,
in consequence, entirely changed, and he took passage on a
schooner commanded by Captain Stephen Clement, present treas-
urer of the North Side Rolling Mill Company. Although he sailed
on the 1st of July, head winds and rough weather delayed the ar-
rival of the boat until July 3. Mr. Fisher found the city in the
throes of financial despair, and after a short time, left for Milwau-
kee, whose condition he found even worse. He then started for
Galena, with the intention of mining for lead. Going by the way of
an Indian trail, he finally reached Watertown, 111., and there met
with Charles M. Goodhue & Sons, old Canadian acquaintances, who
were building a saw mill. In company with Charles Goodhue, he
visited New Albany (now Beloit, Wis.), and purchased an interest
in a squatter's claim of the town site, held by Caleb Blodgett.
Messrs. Blodgett. White, Johnson and Fisher platted that portion
of Beloit lying east of the river, and the latter had the honor of
suggesting the change of name from New Albany to that by which
it is now known. In the fall of 1S3S, Mr. Fisher brought the first
goods into Beloit. and there continued as a merchant for many years.
In 1S39. he was appointed sheriff of Rock County, by Governor
Dodge and re -appointed by Governor Doty, in 1842. During that
time a law was passed making the office elective for a term of two
years and ineligible for two terms in succession. Mr. Fisher served
his elective term, thus making his entire length of service about six
years. During his residence in Beloit, he was an extensive farmer,
selling goods from 1838 to 1864, and operating stores both in
Beloit and Kockford, Wisconsin. He was also engaged in manu-
facturing flour, lumber, reapers and mowers, machinery and paper,
was largely interested in real estate, and, withal, one of the most
liberal patrons of educational institutions. He was instrumental
in locating the Beloit Female Seminary, gave a large portion of its
site, and has been a trustee since its organization. He was alder-
man of the city from the date of its organization until nearly the
time of his coming to Chicago, in 1866. It was mostly through
his efforts that the Chicago & North-Western and the Racine &
Mississippi lines were built through Beloit. With his partners, he
built most of the latter road and a portion of the Dixon Air Line.
At one time, Mr. Fisher was the receiver of the Racine & Missis-
sippi, also a director in that and the Beloit & Madison Railroad.
When the financial storm of 1357 beat upon the country, he and
his fellow-contractors were grading what is now the North-Western
road across Iowa. The old company failed, owing them largely;
his company obtained, however, one hundred sections of land and
the charter. He was a member of the Wisconsin Legislature in
1856-57. In 1861, he received a recruiting commission from the
governor, and did good service in enlisting men for the War, being
at one time a member of the gubernatorial staff. Mr. Fisher was
postmaster during Lincoln's administration, and was re-appointed
by Johnson, but refusing to support him politically, was removed.
He was also appointed, by Salmon I'. Chase, one of two State
commissioners to receive subscriptions for the first United States
gold bonds. In 1866, he removed to Chicago to attend to his real
estate interests. He, with William E. Hale and Ralph Emerson,
had, previous to the great lire, just built the Hale Building, on the
corner of State and Washington streets, and the structure adjoining
Burley & Tyrrell's present place of business. After the fire, he and
his partners erected them as they now stand. In 1870, Mr. Fisher
was elected supervisor of the village of Hyde Park, and served one
year and a half. In 1873, accompanied by his family, he made a
European trip and remained eighteen months abroad, going abroad
again with his family in 1881. Mr. Fisher has retired from busi-
ness cares, and lives in an elegant home in Hyde Park, taking an
active part in the management of local affairs. Some years ago he
was elected one of the board of trustees of Union Park Seminary;
has been on its executive committee for twelve years, and rice-
president half of that period. Mr. Fisher was married, in 1842, to
Caroline Field, daughter of Deacon Peter R. Field, of Beloit; she
died in 1850. Their son, L. G. Fisher, Jr., married Catherine
Eddy, daughter of Rev. Alfred Eddy. A daughter, Anna Field,
married Dr. Samuel R. Ward, the son of a foreign missionary, who
was born in Ceylon. Dr. Ward is a practicing physician in Rich-
mond, 111. In 1S51, Mr. Fisher married Rachael Colton, a native
of Berkshire County, Mass They have one daughter, Sallie, the
wife of William A. Bond, of Turner & Bond
Colonel Ezra Taylor was born in Genesee County, N.
Y., in 1S19. He resided there until 1S37, when he settled in this
city. He entered into the packing business, and was engaged with
the firm of G. S. Hubbard & Co. until the breaking out of the
War. Prior to that time, the young men of this city had organized
the Chicago Light Artillery, and. at the time of the " rising cloud
of war," Colonel Taylor was its captain in command. This mili-
tary company was enrolled in the 60th Regiment, under the com-
mand of Brigadier-General Swift. In the spring of iS6i, Colonel
Taylor re-organized the Chicago Light Artillery, and recruited a
second company, to be attached to it. thereafter known as Battery
" B." Upon the call for troops, in April, Colonel Taylor (then
captain) offered his command to the governor, and it was duly
accepted. The battery remained here until June 1 and then pro-
ceeded to Cairo, where it was met by its captain, who had been to
St. Louis procuring arms for the artillery organizations of the State.
In July, Captain Tavlor, with Battery "B," crossed the Missis-
sippi to Bird's Point, Mo. Their first engagement of anv import-
ance occurred at Belmont, on November 7, 1861, where " Taylor's
Battery " performed splendid service, it being the only artillery with
General Grant, in that, his first, engagement. The battery after-
ward moved on to Fort Henry, and thei to Fort Donelson, and, in
the latter engagement, Taylor's Battery was highly commended by
the brigade commander, for the coolness and daring of its officers
and men. In the report of that battle by Colonel W. H. L.Wallace,
commander, he says: "The conduct of Captain Ezra Taylor,
commanding Light Battery " B," during the whole series of
engagements, was such as to distinguish him as a daring, yet cool
and sagacious officer. Pushing his guns into positions that were
swept by the enemy's shot, he, in person, directed the posting of
his sections, and in many instances himself sighted the guns. Such
conduct found its natural reflection in the perfect order and bravery
that characterized his entire command." Captain Taylor received
his commission, as such, on May 15, 1862, and on April 1, 1862,
was promoted Senior Major of the 1st Illinois Light Artillery, On
the 4th of April, he was appointed chief-of-artillery in General
Sherman's division, with orders to report to that commander at
Shiloh. Battery " B," of which he had been commander was
engaged in that battle on the 6th and 7th of April. In this famous
engagement, Major Taylor did noble service, personally appearing
and directing each battery to its position, which inflicted terrible
slaughter on the enemy. Major Taylor received his commission as
colonel of the 1st Illinois Artillery, on May 6, 1S63. He resigned
August 20, 1S64, by reason of his having been severely wounded,
and on returning home was confined to his house for several
months. He received the appointment of provision inspector of
this port, from the United States Government, and was also
inspector for the Board of Trade of this city in 1865, which offices
he has continuously held to the present time. He was married,
January 12, 1S40, to Miss Sabina Langen, of Chicago. They had
six children, four of whom are deceased. William N. Taylor, their
eldest son, died in South Carolina, from wounds received during
the War. and was major of Battery " B " at the time of his death.
Two other sons, Thomas E. and James L., contracted malarial
fever during their service in the War, and they died shortly after
their return home. Thomas Francis Taylor died when six years of
age. The wife of Colonel Taylor died on July S, 1882, and only
two sons remain to comfort his declining days. George L. Taylor
is captain of Engine Co. No. 14, and Henry E. Taylor lives a
retired life. Colonel Taylor married Mrs. Jane J. Fitzgerald, in
Toronto, Canada, in 1884.
MEDICAL HISTORY.
There is little to be said concerning physicians,
as a distinct class of the city's population, for the pe-
riod extending from 1857 to 187 1, that is not found in
other portions of this work. They became so thorough-
ly commingled with the interests of the city, aside from
protecting and advancing her hygiene, and so promi-
nent in all enterprises that had for their object her ma-
terial benefit, that among the leaders in the city's progress
will be found the names of many of our physicians.
When negligence permitted the condition of the
city to become unhealthy in the extreme, — an invitation
to epidemics, — the physicians persistently sounded the
alarm that ultimately caused the citizens to demand of
the authorities, purification, and the establishment of
sanitary laws and officials. The system of sewerage
adopted by the city was substantially a mode suggested
by a physician. The method of drainage was that
promulgated by a physician. The establishment of the
county and city hospital was forced upon the authori-
ties by two physicians, who primarily were connected
with others in its maintenance. When the War spread
its devastation and agony among thousands, Chicago's
physicians were found prominent among those who
braved death to alleviate their sufferings upon the
battle-field. When the tardy measures taken to cleanse
the city had proven utterly ineffectual, and the chol-
era appeared, those who had so persistently advocated
precautionary measures, demonstrated that they knew
not only how to warn against a foe but also how to
fight it, and, with unremitting zeal, with unswerving
fidelity to the afflicted, and with self-abnegation, the
physicians of Chicago cared for the sufferers. And of
all the bright pages of Chicago's history, there is none
that glows with brighter luster, than that whereon are
emblazoned the names of those physicians whose
assiduity in attendance upon cholera-stricken patients
caused them to forfeit their own lives.
From the history of Rush Medical College, in the
preceding volume, it will be seen, by the constantly
increasing number of students attending the institution,
that Chicago was becoming noted as a center for medi-
cal education. The ripe scholarship, brilliant attain-
ments, and comprehensiveness of its faculty, could not
but make a marked impression, not alone upon the
students who attended their lectures, but upon the
medical literati and the profession at large. For these
reasons the fame of Rush Medical College is continental,
as is the proficiency of its graduates. To disseminate
this proficiency among those less favored, societies were
formed; and to discountenance charlatans, other asso-
ciations were composed, with infrangible regulations,
upon a medico-ethical basis. As the clientele of the
Rush Medical College became very large, the necessity
for additional colleges became apparent, and they were
instituted. Knowledge and philanthropy are usually
associated — enlargement of the brain may superinduce
enlargement of the heart; and to help the afflicted poor,
dispensaries and hospitals were established in different
parts of the city.
In succeeding pages these various matters receive
specific mention, together with prominent members of
the profession; and the history of the founding and
perpetuation of these institutions comprises the mater-
ial and prosaic part of the medical history; while, as an
index of the statistics of medical population, the sub-
joined table is given, showing the number of practicing
physicians, as exhibited in the various directories of the
years specified:
1858, 198; 1859, 210; i860, 209; 1861, 212; 1S62,
195; 1863, 213; 1864, 229; 1865, 269; 1866, 279; 1867,
334; 1868, 382; 1869, (notably inaccurate ); 1870,464;
1871, 414.
These figures may not be exact, but they are a fair
index of the growth of the profession in Chicago.
Rush Medical College. — The history of this col-
lege during the epoch herein treated is thoroughly one
of earnest labor and gratifying result. The organiza-
tion of another medical college in 1859, was a provi-
sion, by the medical fraternity, for the demands made
RUSH MEDICAL COLLEGE.
by the growing number of students that came to the
city; and the institution of the medical department of
Lind University in no wise detracted from the attend-
ance at Rush Medical College. The students multi-
plied, and ere long it was found necessary to erect a
new building for their accommodation. This was done
in 1867, at a cost of about $70,000, which expense was
borne by the members of the faculty. The new build-
ing was erected on the vacant college-lot, immediately
north of, and adjoining, the old one, which thus became
521
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
an adjunct. The new edifice was sixty feet on Dear-
born Street, by seventy-two feet on Indiana Street, and
had two large lecture-rooms, each containing six hundred
and twenty-five numbered seats. Every convenience
for the prosecution of studies was afforded in the lecture-
rooms, anatomical rooms, museum and laboratory, and
its equipment and facilities gained for it the reputation
of being one of the best medical colleges in the country,
which encomium was fully justified by the station
which its graduates subsequently occupied.
The faculty of Rush Medical College, since
its inauguration, have been as follows : *
Professor of anatomy and surgery: Daniel Brainard,
if -(4-54; surgery and clinical surgeon, Daniel Brainard,
[855-65; principles and practice of surgery and clinical sur-
gery, Moses C-unn, 1S66-71.
Professor of chemistry and materia medica : James Van
Zandt Blaney, 1S44: chemistry and pharmacy, James V. Z.
Blaney, 1S45-64 (E. S. Carr, acting professor during the
War), 1S65-69, emeritus, 1S70-71; Henry M. Lyman,
1 B70-71.
Professor of theory and practice of medicine: John
McLean, 1S44 ; materia medica and therapeutics, John
McLean, 1S45-47 ; materia medica, therapeutics and medi-
cal jurisprudence, John McLean, 1S4S-54; Hosmer A.
Johnson. 1S55-56 ; materia medica and medical jurispru-
dence, John H. Rauch, 1857-5S ; Ephraim Ingals, 1859-70;
James II. Etheridge, 1S71.
Professor of obstetrics: M. L. Knapp, 1S44; obstet-
rics and diseases of women and children, Graham N. Fitch,
1-45: John Evans, 1845-56; William H. Byford, 1857-58;
DcLaskie Miller, -1859-71.
Professor of anatomy: W. B. Herrick, 1S45-47; gene-
ral and descriptive anatomy, W. B. Herrick, 1S4S-50; anat-
omy and physiology, \V. B. Herrick, 1S51-54; anatomy,
Joseph Warren Freer, 1S55-5S; R. L. Rea, 1859-71.
Professor of the institutes and practice of medicine:
Austin Flint. 1S45; Graham N. Fitch, 1S46-47; principles
and practice of medicine, Graham N. Fitch, 1848; Thomas
Spencer, 1549; N. S. Davis, 1S50-54; Thomas Spencer, emeritus,
1855; principles and practice of medicine and clinical medicine,
N. S. Davis, 1355-5S; J. Adams Allen, 1859-71.
Professor of military surgery and surgical anatomy: Edwin
Powell, 1S66-71.
Assistant to professor of physiology: F. L. Wadsworth, 1869
to 1S71.
Assistant to professor of materia medica: E. Fletcher Ingals,
1870-71.
Assistant to professor of obstetrics: C. T. Fenn, .1870-71.
Assistant to professor of chemistry: L. W. Case, 1S70-71.
Assistant to professor of surgery: Charles T. Parkes, 1870-71.
Professor of physiology and pathology: Nathan Smith Davis,
1849 50; William B. Derrick, 1855-56; William B. Herrick, emer-
5.7-58; Hosmer A. Johnson, 1857-58; A. S. Hudson, 1859-62.
Demonstrator of anatomy: W. B. Herrick, 1848-50; Joseph
W. Freer, 1851-54; Edmund Andrews, 1855; I. H. llollister,
1856-58; Edwin Powell. 1859-63; I. P. Lynn, 1864; Robert M.
Lackey, 1865; William Lewitt. 1S66-67; Chas. T. Parkes, 1S68-71.
Professor of surgical anatomy and surgical pathology: Joseph
W. Freer, 1859; physiology ar.d surgical pathology, J. W. Freer,
physiology, microscopical and surgical anatomy, J. W.
-' ■ ■,-■; physiology and microscopical anatomy, J. W.
- 6-71.
Clinical lecturer on diseases of the eye and ear: Edward Lo-
renzo Holmes, 1864-67; professor of ophthalmology, Edward L.
Clinical lecturer at City Hospital: Joseph P. Ross. 1865-67;
profe^v.r of clinical medicine and diseases of the chest, Joseph P.
568-71.
Lecturer on legal medicine am! insanity: D. A. Morse, 1869.
Prosector 10 .hair of surgery: [. C. M or fit, 1S56; Edwin Pow-
. J. Cloud, 1861; William Lewitt, [866-67; Wil-
liam Little, 1868: clinical assistant and prosector of surgery, II. F.
to professor of anatomy, F. Henro-
tin. Jr., 1870-71.
* Wh'-n tii- : . hip vi n changed, they are no
:. the fir«t date following the I thi profe ■■< being that wherein
the chair was instituted.
RUINS, RUSH MEDICAL COLLEGE.
The following tabulated statement gives the number
of graduates from 1858 to 1871 :
1858-59 117 31
1859-60 119 35
1860-61 160 37
1S61-62 _ 134 35
1862-63 r79 5s
1863-64 255 So
1864-65 276 104
1S65-66 255 90
1866-67. 374 71
1867-68 290 117
186S-69 328 108
1869-70 2S6 135
1870-71 223 85
*i87i-72 149 78
Hon. Grant Goodrich has been the secretary of the
board of trustees since the foundation of the college,
and has signed the diploma of every graduate since
William Butterfield's graduation. During these years,
also, the dispensary of the college was maintained under
the administration of various members; of the faculty,
until October 9, 1871, when it and the college building,
the result of twenty-seven years of care, were incinerated.
The fire reached to the college about 2:30 o'clock a. m.
Professor DeLaskie Miller was in the college at the time,
and was driven from it by the smoke and flame. The
value of the property is thus designated by Dr. J. Adams
Allen : " There was much in the museum of Rush
Medical College destroyed by the fire of 1871, that no
money could replace or measure. The pecuniary loss
in that which money might replace may be estimated
at not less than $125,000."
•The number of sluilenls in attendance at the opening of the session of
1871-72, was much larger than on ihe previous year, but, as tin- matriculation
register was destroyed by the fire, the number of those who returned to tin
elass assembled in the attic of tbe old County Hospital only is given.
MEDICAL HISTORY.
523
James Van Zaniit Blaney was born on May 1, 1820, at
Newcastle, Delaware. At the age of eighteen lie graduated from
Princeton College, but remained thereat some time afterward, and
pursued the study of chemistry under the distinguished Professor
Joseph Henry, subsequently of the Smithsonian Institute. 'Phis
post-graduate course evinced the bent of young Blaney's mind, and
was the index of his success in the future. From Princeton he
went to Philadelphia, and there studied medicine, graduating with
honors, but being under age could not receive his diploma until he
attained his majority. Ad interim, he walked the hospitals, and
a^-*-^-^<^
there gained experience that was afterward fruitful. In 1S42 he
started West, and was with Dr. Daniel Brainard in the founding
of Rush Medical College. Untiring in energy, unflagging in zeal,
and of comprehensive genius, he is found filling three chairs in
the faculty of the college, pursuing the practice of medicine, and
lecturing to large and appreciative audiences upon varied subjects.
His versatility was literally unbounded and his oratorical power was
phenomenal. What were to others achievements worthy of plaudits
from the scientific world were to him undertaken and fulfilled, ap-
parently, only as pastime. As an analytical chemist his fame was
cosmopolitan, and was manifested in the trial of George W. Green,
the banker, who was tried, in 1S54, for the murder of his wife by
poison, and convicted on the testimony of Dr. Blaney. By the
use of novel tests he detected strychnine in the stomach of the
murdered woman, and, in open court, in his usual clear, terse and
convincing manner, explained his formula to the satisfaction of
court and jury. Green had carefully studied his subject, and be-
lieved himself quite safe ; but he now saw his Nemesis standing
before him, and at once gave up ali hope. The jury rendered their
verdict of guilty without leaving their seats, and Green requested a
private interview with Blaney in his cell. After thanking the doc-
tor for his fairness and courtesy, he exclaimed : " Dr. Blaney, God
Almighty must have directed your investigation, or you never could
have detected the poison." And that same night the wretched man
hung himself in his cell. In this case there was no proof, except
that furnished by the doctor's analysis, that strychnine, or indeed any
poison at all, had been taken by the deceased. Blaney's analysis
was published on both sides of the Atlantic, creating great ex-
citement, especially in England, where the celebrated Palmer
murder-trial had just ended in the conviction and execution of
the murderer, in spite of the failure of the chemists to delect
poison. In 1S57, "Dr. Blaney occupied the chair of chemistry
and natural philosophy in the Northwestern University at l-'.van-
ston, principally to afford him a partial rest and gratify his
fondness for rural life. There he built a beautiful home, and laid
out a garden whose floriculture made it celebrated. In this gar-
den he tested the artificial fertilizers that are now so prominent in
agriculture. During 1861, he was appointed surgeon of volunteers,
and shortly thereafter was appointed medical director. At the
battle of Winchester he was surgeon-in-chief of General Philip II.
Sheridan's staff, and until the close of the war filled the position
of medical director and purveyor. On the termination of the War
he was delegated to pay off the medical officers of the Northwest,
and in furtherance of this duty disbursed more than $600,000, and
was promoted lieutenant-colonel. On leaving the army, Dr. Blaney
resumed his profession as a consulting physician only, devoting
himself to the science of chemistry. Therein his skill is thus at-
tested by Lewis Dodge: " In 1853, the Chicago Mechanics' In-
stitute advertised premiums for the best native wines and brandies.
About fifty specimens of brandy were examined, and among them
was one sample made by Dr. Blaney, from an essential oil or ether,
obtained in refining a common agricultural product, which was, in
fact, the quintessence of brandy. The liquors were tested on four
different evenings, a careful record being kept, and it was found
that the committee had, on each trial, marked Dr Blaney's artifi-
cial brandy not only the best but the oldest. The doctor assured
the writer that this brandy was made within the hour in which it
was tested, at a cost not to exceed twenty cents a gallon. * *
This discovery, stupendous in its possible consequences, from
a deep sense of duty and a noble self-sacrifice difficult to under-
stand, was suppressed by the good doctor, and died a secret
with its author." Dr. Blaney was married, on July 8, 1S47, to
Miss Clarissa Butler, daughter of Walter Butler and niece of
Hon. Benjamin F. Butler. He died December II, 1S74, one of
the noblest and most accomplished gentlemen that ever graced
the medical profession of Chicago, leaving four children —
James R., Charles D., Bessie and Cassie. James Van Zandt
Blaney was a 33° Mason, an honorary member of the Northern
Jurisdiction of the Ancient and Accepted Rite. He was past
master of Oriental Lodge, No. 33, companion of Lafayette-
Chapter, R A.M., past commander of Apollo Commandery K.
T., and was the first grand commander of the Grand Com-
mandery of Knights Templar in Illinois, and generalissimo of
the Grand Encampment of the United States.
Nathan Smith Davis was born January g, 1S17, in the town
of Greene, Chenango Co., N. Y. He obtained his rudimentary
education- at the district school of the neighborhood, subsequently
spending six months in Cazenovia Seminary, studying languages
and the natural and applied sciences; after which he entered the
office of Dr. Daniel Clark, of Smithville Flats, as a medical student,
and during the following winter he attended lectures at the College
of Physicians and Surgeons, at Fairfield, N. Y. At the termination
of the session he continued his course of study in the office of Dr.
Thomas Jackson, of Binghamton, N. Y., where he spent the two
succeeding summers, returning to the college at Fairfield each
winter. In January, 1837, he graduated with the degree of Doctor
of Medicine, being then twenty years of age. His graduation and
his scholastic proficiency so impressed the faculty that they recom-
mended him as the successor to Dr. Daniel Chatfield, of Vienna,
Oneida Co.. N. Y., which position he occupied only until July,
1S37. when he removed to Binghamton, N. Y. In the spring of
183S, he married the daughter of Hon. John Parker, of Vienna,
N. Y. Dr. Davis remained in Binghamton nine years, and then
removed to New York City; and, at the close of the winter session
of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in that city, was
appointed lecturer on medical jurisprudence for the spring course.
In July, 1S49, the faculty and trustees of Rush Medical College
offered Dr. Davis the chair of physiology and pathology, which he
accepted, and removed to Chicago. The following year he occu-
pied the chair of practical medicine, which he retained during his
connection with the college. In the summer of 1S50, Dr. Davis
delivered a course of lectures upon the sanitary condition of the
city and the means for its improvement, and the plan- he elaborated
upon the water supply and sewerage were practically those sub-
sequently adopted by the city. The money proceeds of this course
of lectures was applied to the purchase of the first twelve beds that
were supplied to the Illinois General Hospital of the Lake,* since
known as the Mercy Hospital of this city. To concisely state Dr.
Davis's varied achievements on behalf of philanthropy and science
is quite a task, so many and frequent have they been, but the fol-
lowing will give some idea of them. Early in the city's history Dr.
Davis became associated with a reiief society to systematically help
the poor, that was afterward merged into the Young Men's Chris-
tian Association; he was one of the founders of the Washingtonian
Home; he was one of the originators of the Chicago Medical
•Vide history thereof, in lirst volume.
524
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Society, and one of the earliest members of the Illinois State Medi-
cal Society. He was one of the founders of the Chicago Academy
of Sciences: and to him has been awarded the honor of originating"
the American Medical Association in 1S46-47, of which he was
president during the years 1S64-65, and in which he still holds the
position of an active and influential member, being editor-in-chief
of the Journal of the Association. He was a member of the board
ctf <>f®
iA-^s^jJ
of Reform School commissioners, and one ol the earliest members of
the board of trustees of the Northwestern University. Dr. Davis
iva~ one of the first faculty of the Chicago Medical College, and was
subsequently president of the board of trustees and president of the
faculty, which latter office he still fills. He has also been a promi-
nent editor of, and contributor to, medical literature. He has
been a member of the Methodist Church since he was sixteen years
of age, and has always been a large and frequent contributor to
many public and private charities. Perhaps, however, the doctor's
promiilent characteristic, and the one that has made him so potential
a factor for good, has been his persistent, arduous and uncompro-
mising advocacy of temperance and his constant assaults upon the
Strong drink. The beneficial effect that this has had upon
his thousands of listeners, upon the medical graduate, upon his
numberless patients, is simply incalculable, and the detriment that
l-)r. Davis has been to the progress of evil is impossible of descrip-
tion, for during his long, honored and busy life thousands of per-
sons have had ample cause to thank him for his medical skill, his
benevolence, and his Christianity.
Jon whan Adams Allen was born in Middlebury, Vt., on Jan-
uary 16, 1825. His maternal ancestors came to America, from Eng-
land, in the "Mayflower, "in 1620, and his paternal ancestors arrived
here, from Wales, in 1634, having been driven to that country from
England by the exigencies of civil war at a remote date. His ances-
try on boil] sid(;s were, therefore, English. Their descendant, the
subject of this sketch, was prepared for college at the early age of
nine years, the result of which procedure was to impair his health
.'.ris of a speedy decline. He was then exiled
from study temporarily, and went into the country, where special
pains were taken to counteract the ill effects of premature mental ap-
plication. In winter he was allowed to pursue light study, and
this method being pursued until he was sixteen he became possi
■ly physique that has stood him in good stead during the
the performance of th ig dutii i ol bis profession. In 1845,
.ted with the degree of I'.. A., ami during December, [846,
with the degree of M.D. January 1, 1847, Dr. Allen married Miss
Mary Marsh, of Kalamazoo, Mich., and the succeeding day vis-
ited his first patient Since this primal patient, the recital of Dr.
Allen's life would be a narration of the achievement of the highest
honors in his profession — of a life of unwearied application, of in-
domitable perseverance and of persistent instruction. He has occu-
pied numerous chairs, and, as a result of his extended studies and
varied investigations, the students of Rush Medical College esteem
him the "versatile uncle," as he has been familiarly called by the
students and alumni of the college for many years, and one whose
didactic discourse always sticks in their memory, such is his happy
faculty of imparting instruction. Every study that Dr. Allen has
undertaken he has beautified its theses by his eloquence and liter-
ary talent; in every phase of existence wherein he has lived, he has
been honored and esteemed as few men are. President of Rush
Medical College, grand master of the Masons of Michigan, grand
commander of Knights Templar, honorary member of the 33°
Scottish Rite, Northern Jurisdiction, the chosen orator on occa-
sions of celebration, successful editor and correspondent, his works
live with him, and after him will endure. Dr. Allen removed to
Chicago in 1859, and since that time has resided in the city. Dr.
Allen was also surgeon of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincv Rail-
road for twenty-four years, and he has, from his observant travels,
obtained a fund of information and knowledge excelled by but few
people. Not alone did Dr Allen make the tour of Europe, but he
also visited Egypt and Morocco. His daily journals of his jour-
neys— a few excerpts from which have been published — would
make several large octavo volumes.
William B. Herrick was born on September 20, 1813, at
Durham, Maine, and obtained his early education in the vicinity of
his home, but supplemented his scholastic tuition by persistent study
and a judicious course of reading. When he was sixteen years old
he commenced teaching school, at intervals attending the Gorham
Academy, Maine,. While there, he determined upon becoming a
physician, in pursuance of which intention he attended medical
lectures at Bowdoin and Dartmouth Colleges, and graduated from
Dartmouth as M.D. on November 16, 1836. In 1S37, Dr. Her-
rick settled in Louisville, Ky., and was appointed assistant demon-
strator of anatomy in the Louisville Medical College. He only re-
mained in that city two years, and, in 1S39, removed to Hillsbor-
ough, Illinois, where, in 1840, he married Martha J. Seward,
daughter of John B. Seward, who was one of the pioneers of this
State. He remained in Hillsborough until 1844, when he came to
Chicago, and was made professor of anatomy in Rush Medical
College. At the outbreak of the Mexican War he received the ap-
pointment of assistant surgeon of the 1st Illinois Volunteers, and
therein performed the duties of surgeon of the regiment. He par-
ticipated in the movements and engagements of his regiment, and
was with them in the battle of Buena Vista, and afterward was in
charge of the hospital at Saltillo, Mexico, until the sickness
caused by the exposure and fatigues of the campaign necessitated
his resignation on May 24, 1S47. He then returned North, and
entered on a private practice in this city, which he maintained un-
til 1857, also occupying a chair of anatomy in Rush Medical Col-
lege. He, likewise, was one of the originators of the Chicago
Medical Society and the Illinois State Medical Society, and was al-
ways prominently identified with all that was either beneficial for
the medical fraternity or the public health. In 1S57, he was com-
pelled to relinquish his practice, and seek, by climatic change, the
restoration of his health. But the rigors of campaign life had
been too potent for his constitution, which, however, did not suc-
cumb entirely until 1865. On the last day of that year, at his
home in Maine, the spirit of Dr. William B. Herrick passed from
this earth, and the New Year dawned for him in the undiscovered
hereafter. He was a prominent and influential Mason, a past mas-
ter of Oriental Lodge, a member of Apollo Commandery, and a
past grand master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of the State of
Illinois.
James Henry Etheridge, a prominent physician of Chicago,
and a member of the faculty of Rush Medical College, was born
in St. Johnsville, Montgomery Co., N. V., March 20, 1S44. llis
father, Dr. Francis B. Etheridge, was born in the same place, and
was the son of a soldier of our Revolutionary War. The mother of
the subject of this sketch was Fanny Easton, of Connecticut. Dr.
F. B. Etheridge was a practising physician and surgeon for forty-
seven years. During the Civil War he served in the field as sur-
geon of one of the Minnesota Volunteer regiments. He died at
Hastings, Minnesota, in 1871. His son, Dr. James II. Etheridge,
received his early education in New York State. On the outbreak
of War he was prepared to enter the junior year at Harvard Col-
lege, but the absence of his father at the front disarranged these
plans, and he decided to devote his attention tcr medicine. He
read four years with his father, and attended three full courses at
Rush Medical College, in Chicago, where he was graduated in
March, 1869, receiving his degree of M.D. He at once began
practice in Evanston, where he remained about two years. At the
end of that time he made the tour of Europe, walking the hospi-
^
MEDICAL HISTORY.
525
tals of some of the largest cities. On returning to America, Dr.
Etheridge settled in Chicago, on July 31, 1871, and on the same
date was elected to the chair of therapeutics, materia medica and
medical jurisprudence, in Rush Medical College, which position he
still holds. He is one of the gynecologists to the Central Free
Dispensary; was one of the staff of the Woman's Hospital of
the State of Illinois; and was at one time also connected with St.
Joseph's Hospital. He is an occasional contributor to the medical
journals, and is a member of the Chicago Medical Society, of the
Illinois State Medical Societv, and of the American Medical Asso-
ciation. He was married, June 22, 1870, to Miss Harriet Elizabeth
Powers, of Evanston. They have two daughters.
Moses Gunn was born on April 20, 1822, the son of Linus
and Esther (Bronson) Gunn, in East Bloomfield, Ontario Co., N.
V. The ancestry of Dr. Gunn, in America, descends from the Gunn
clan in the north of Scotland. After the subject of this sketch
had received his preliminary education at the common schools at
home, and taken a classical education at the academy, he determined
upon pursuing the medical profession, and entered the Geneva
Medical College, from whence he graduated in 1S46. Immediately
after receiving his diploma as Doctor of Medicine, he started for
the West, carrying with him, in a neat trunk, the body of a huge
African, whereon his surgical skill could be exercised at a favor-
able opportunity ; which caused objurgation on the part of the
stage drivers. There were no " baggage-smashers " upon the doc-
tor s route, otherwise an unpleasant contretemps might have occur-
red. He arrived at Ann Arbor, Mich., in February, 1S46, and —
at the same time that he commenced practice — inaugurated the first
systematic course of anatomical lectures ever given in Michigan.
He had a class of twenty-five or thirty students, and it is presum-
able that at the first lectures the African was resurrected from his
xylophagus, and scientifically dissected. Upon the organization of
the Medical Department of the University of Michigan, Dr. Gunn
was elected professor of surgery, by a most flattering majority over
his competitor. But for once the Latin adage of Palmam qui
meruit ferat was carried out. He occupied the chair for seventeen
years, and notwithstanding his engrossing duties engendered bv his
private practice and his professorship, as an avocation he studied
German, in which language he attained great proficiency. In 1848,
Dr. Gunn married Jane Augusta Terry, the only daughter of J.
M. Terry, M.D. In 1S53, he removed to Detroit, and, in 1856.
received the degree of M.A. from Geneva College, and, in 1S77,
that of LL.D. from the University of Chicago. On September
I, 1861, Dr. Gunn entered the army, that he might gain a prac-
tical knowledge of military surgery, and was with General Mc-
Clellan's army in the Peninsula campaign of 1S62, wherein he
rendered efficient medical service. In the spring of 1S67, he moved
to Chicago, and accepted a position in the faculty of Rush Med-
ical College, as successor to Dr. Brainard, since which time the
medical reputation of Dr. Gunn has become identified with the
tlite of the profession. In appearance, Dr. Gunn is distingue and
military; his speech is quick, decisive, and always germane to the
subject, and herein lies his secret as a successful professor of sur-
gery. His lectures were invariably lucid expositions of the sub-
ject; while with the scalpel he illustrated his disquisition. His
touch is velvet, his nerves steel ; and being gifted with a profound
memory and exquisite perception and attention to minutiae, it is no
marvel that he is a skillful and successful surgeon.
Abraham Reeves Jackson, A.M., M.D., is a native of the
State of Pennsylvania, being born in Philadelphia June 17, 1S27.
His parents, Washington and Deborah (Lee) Jackson, gave their son
a good public school and high school education, after which it was '
designed to make a civil engineer of him. He, in fact, did study
engineering for about a year, but becoming convinced that he had
not found his true vocation, commenced the studv of medicine in
the Medical Department of Pennsylvania College, graduating
therefrom iir 1S48. Soon afterward he commenced the practice of
his profession in Stroudsburg, Penn., and continued there for
twenty-two years, acting during the War as contract surgeon in the
volunteer service, and as Assistant Medical Director of the Army
of Virginia. Removing to Chicago in May, 1870, he set about the
accomplishment of an object which he had long had in view, viz.,
the establishment of a hospital for women exclusively. In Sep-
tember, 1 87 1, through his earnest labors and his high professional
standing, he secured the incorporation of " The Woman's Hospital
of the State of Illinois," and was appointed its surgeon-in-chief.
It is unnecessary, at this day, to call attention to the beneficial
results which have followed in the wake of this noble enterprise.
In 1872, he was appointed lecturer on gynecology in Rush Medical
College, and held that position until 1876, when he resigned it to
attend to the increasing demands of his large private practice.
Although Dr. Jackson has been remarkably successful within the
confines of his profession, he has obtained a high standing in
broader fields. He is a fine writer, having edited the Chicago
Medical Register for many years, and contributed all his life, more
or less, to the treasures of general literature. Through the
unrivalled humor of Mark Twain, he himself has become a world-
wide celebrity ; since it is no secret that genial I >r |ackson i< tin-
prototype of "my friend, the doctor," in " Innocents Al id."
Dr. Jackson is also associate editor of the Independent Practitioner
of New York and the Western Medical Reporter of Chicago, and
is considered one of the best authorities in all questions relating i"
medical jurisprudence. In addition lo performing all these duties
which devolve upon him, he is president of the College of Physi-
cians and Surgeons and professor of gynecology in that institution,
a position which he has held for the past four years.
Daniel Roberts Brower, one of Chicago's well-known
physicians, is a Pennsylvanian by birth, having been born, in 1839,
in Philadelphia, or rather in a suburb then known as Manayunk,
now a part of Philadelphia proper. In early youth he attended
the schools of his native city, as well as those of Norristown, Penn.,
and, in i860, at the age of twenty-one, he was graduated at the
Polytechnic College of Philadelphia. He at once went to Wash-
ington, D. C, where, until 1S64 (when he was graduated with the
degree of M.D.) he was a student in the Medical Department of
Georgetown College. He was at once appointed to the army as
Assistant Surgeon U. S. Volunteers, and served in general hos-
pital service in and about Fort Monroe and Norfolk and, after the
close of the War, also in Richmond, Va., until the summer of 1866,
when he was mustered out of the military service lie was then
engaged as the surgeon in charge of Howard's Grove Hospital,
an institution under the supervision of the Freedmen's Bureau,
where he remained until 1868. At this time he received informa-
tion that he had been elected superintendent of the Eastern
Lunatic Asylum of Virginia, at Williamsburg This he accepted,
occupying the position until the fall of 1875, when he resigned.
In the following February he came to Chicago; and here has been
his home ever since, where he is and has been engaged in the prac-
tice of his profession, making a specialty of diseases of the nenous
system. Dr Brower is professor of diseases of the nervous sys-
tem in the Woman's Medical College of Chicago, and lecturer on
the practice of medicine in the spring course of the Rush Medical
College. He is also physician to diseases of the nervous system at
St. Joseph's Hospital, and consulting physician at the Woman's
Hospital. He is a member of the Chicago Medical Society, of the
Chicago Pathological Society, of the Illinois State Medical Society,
and of the American Medical Association. For four years —
1SS1-85 — Dr. Brower was one of the editors of the Chicago
Medical Journal. He was married, May 15, 1868, to Miss Eliza
Ann Shearer, of Pennsylvania. They have two children, Eunice
Ann and Daniel Roberts, Jr.
Horatio Nelson Hurlbut, M.D., the oldest phvsician of
continuous practice in Chicago, was born in Batavia, Genesee Co.,
N. Y., on November 9, 1806. In February, ;StS, he left his home
and commenced the battle of life In his twentieth year, being
taken with a severe attack of cholera morbus, he was given some two
grains of tartar emetic, which induced acute inflammation of the
stomach from which he suffered many years. This circumstance
induced him to look into the mysteries of medicine. In March,
1831, he removed to Springtown, Crawford Co., Penn., where he
remained two years, after which he returned to Ashtabula County,
and bought his brother's practice. Finally he was enabled to at-
tend lectures at the Willoughby Medical College, afterward the
Starling Medical College of Columbus. In 1851, Dr. Hurlbut
came to Chicago, and opened an office with Henry W. Clark, on
Randolph Street, in what was then known as Warner's Hall. He
at once commenced a course of study in Rush Medical College and
the next year received his degree. Dr. Hurlbut joined the Masonic
fraternity in 1854, receiving his degree in Wabansia Lodge, No.
160. He is now a life-member of Home Lodge, Chicago Chapter,
Chicago Council, Apollo Commandery and of Oriental Consistory ;
he took the 320 on April 22. 1864, and the honorary 33° on June 22.
1871. Dr. Hurlbut was the first S.W. and the second W.M. of
Dearborn Lodge and the first W.M. of Home Lodge, and was also
G.H.P. for the last twenty years, his last term ending in Decem-
ber, 1884. He served for twenty years as G.FI.P. of the Council
of Princes of Jerusalem, and is an honorary member of Chevalier
Bayard Commandery. His son, Dr. V. L Hurlbut, is well known
as a phvsician of large practice and high standing ; and his daughter
is the wife of Major Edward P. Tobey. The latter took his last
course of lectures at Rush Medical College, and graduated in the
spring of 1S52, having attended two courses at Cleveland Medical
College.
John S. Clark, M.D., is one of the oldest members of the
medical fraternity in Chicago. He was born at Clarksville, a place
which derived its name from his father, Jehiel Clark, near Auburn,
in Cayuga County, N. Y., November 19, 1821. His mother was
Nancy Casey, a daughter of Hon. George Casey, of Auburn, N.
Y. At the close of his studies at the village schools he went to
Canandaigua, N. Y., where for two years he pursued a course of
studies in the academy at that place. He then attended Taylor's
preparatory school at Geneva, where he remained until he com-
5-6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
rnenced the study of his profession under the preceptorship of Dr.
Gardner Wells, of Waterloo, Seneca Co., X. V., where he remained
one year. He then returned to Geneva, and entered the Geneva
Medical College, in addition to which, during the intervals that
occurred between the regular college terms, he was installed in the
office of Professor Thomas Spencer, one of the faculty of the col-
lege. After a thorough course of study, he graduated from that in-
stitution in 1S43. Immediately following his graduation, he went
to Waterloo. N. V.. and there, on the 15th of February, 1S43, was
united in marriage to Miss Frances Wheeler, daughter of Rev. Eli
Wheeler, of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. In company with his
young wife, he went to Seneca Falls, N. V., and entered upon his
his maiden experience as a physician. After a residence at Seneca
Falls of thirteen years, he came to Chicago in the summer of 1S56,
and began the practice of his profession. In 1S5S, he erected a home
on Wells Street. The fire of 1S71 swept away the old homestead,
and destroyed a valuable collection of works of art, books and
music. As soon as circumstances would permit he began and com-
pleted the erection of a home at his present location, on LaSalle
Avenue, and moved there from his temporary residence in the West
Division. He is a great lover of books, and pictures ; at the pre-
sent time he has a large and valuable collection of both. February 20,
1S6S, he was married for the second time, in this city, to Miss Fanny
Campbell, daughter of the late William Campbell, barrister, of Chi-
cago He is the father of fourteen children, six of whom were by
his first wife, who died in December, 1S54. In 1S65, he received an
honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine from Rush Medical College
Dr. Clark, though in his sixty-fourth year, is in possession of mental
faculties that are still vigorous.
Samuel R. Haven, M.D , was born on January 29, 1827, in
Sheridan, Chautauqua Co., N. V. His parents were Samuel and
Hepsibah M. (Denny) Haven, and removed west to JUoliet, 111., in
the fall of 1S34, the first sight of Chicago obtained by Samuel R.
being on October 4 of that year. He was matriculated at Rush
Medical College in the spring of 1847, being a pupil of J. V. Z.
Blaney, professor of chemistry in that institution. Graduating in
1S50, he was seized with the gold fever, and spent nearly two years
in Upper California, digging the precious metal and practicing his
profession. For a young man he prospered quite remarkably, and
managed to take into his coffers much of the loose money which
then flowed so freely ; viz., for a modest prescription, $15 or $20,
and for treatment of a felon, to which the miners were greatly sub-
ject, $20 or $25. Returning to Chicago about the middle of 1S53,
he formed a partnership with Dr. J. W. Freer, and remained with him
for a number of years. Dr. Haven joined the army April 21, 1861,
first reporting to Colonel R. K. Swift for duty, and going to Cairo,
where he remained six months. lie then passed a creditable ex-
amination before the medical board at Washington, and joined the
Army of the Potomac as brigade surgeon. At first he was
attached to General W. F. Smith's brigade and was afterward
ordered to General Grant at Memphis, remaining with him during
the preliminary steps attending the siege of Vicksburg. Of late
years. Dr. Haven has retired from active practice, and is now living
upon the fruits of his former work. He was married in 1S54, to
Jane Stowell, daughter of E. C. Stowell, deceased, formerly well
known among the business men and real estate dealers of Chicago.
In the early days, Mr. Stowell was manager of Frink & Walker's
express and later a lumber merchant and an extensive real estate
dealer.
Phillip H. Matthei, M.D., was born in Rodenberg, Hes-
sen Cassel, formerly Prussia, on October 20, 1833. His father,
Henry, was a man of influence, being for many years burge-
meister of that town, and his mother, Sophia Bornemann. Young
Matthei received his early education at his native town and in
Wunstorf, capital of Hanover. At the latter place, in 1853, he
graduated in pharmacy and chemistry, having passed a very credit-
able examination before the board. For several years he was en-
gaged in the drug business. He then took a regular course of
medicine at the Rush Medical College, from which he received his
degree in (86l. Dr. Matthei at once entered into regular practice,
but returned to Europe in 1871, and received a second degree from
the University of Gcettingen in 1872. During his two years
absence abroad, he studied in the hospitals of Gcettingen and of
Berlin, returning to Chicago in 1875, and since then has devoted
himself exclusively to the general practice of his profession, having
made an enviable and established reputation. Dr. Matthei is a
member of the city and State medical societies, and is widely
known in social and musical circles, having held honorable posi-
tions in the Gcrmania society, ami being closely identified with the
Concordia. He was married to Miss Johanna Matthei, of Rade-
berg, whose father held the responsible position as physician of the
district of Radeberg, on March 5, 1857. The son, Alexander, is
a practicing physician of advancing reputation. The other children
are Ida and Walter.
Calvin \I. Fitch, M.D., was born January 3, 1829, in Shel-
don, Vl., being a son of Rev. John A. Fitch, an Episcopal clergy-
man who labored at that place for many years. His mother's maiden
name was Lucia M. May. His great-grandfather was a noted
character in the Revolutionary War, being in command of the Con-
necticut Cavalry. Col. James Fitch, his great-grandfather on his
father's side, was greatly interested in the educational institutions
of his day and contributed the glass and nails that went into the
original building of Yale College. Dr. Fitch's great uncle was the
first president of Williams College, while both his father's and his
mother's sides show a long array of physicians and professional
men. He received his preliminary education in his native town,
and pursued a classical course at the Vermont State University,
Burlington, Vt., from which he received the degree of A.M. in
1852. He received his medical education in the University of New
York, from which he graduated in March, 1852, with the degree of
M.D. He practiced with an uncle, a physician in New York City,
for two years after his graduation, and spent one year (1855) abroad,
perfecting himself in practice in the hospitals of London and Paris.
On his return, in 1856, he settled in Chicago, where he has since
been engaged in the successful practice of his profession. He is a
member of the Chicago and State medical societies and also of the
American Medical Association. Dr. F'itch married, in March, i860,
Susan Ransom Fitch, they have two children, a son and a daughter.
The son, Walter M., recently graduated from Rush Medical Col-
lege, and is now associated with his father.
Edmund Andrews, one of the oldest and leading surgeons of
Chicago, was born in Putney, Vt., on April 22, 1824. His father,
Rev. Elisha D. Andrews, was a clergyman of many years' standing
in the Congregational denomination. At the age of five years, his
parents removed to a locality near Rochester, N. Y., in which city
he received his academic education. They subsequently settled in
Ann Arbor, Mich., where young Andrews pursued the literary and
medical courses in the State University. He graduated in 1S49,
and in 1852 received the several degrees of A.B., A.M., and M.D.
After graduating from the medical department, he became demon-
strator of human anatomy therein, and, later, was appointed pro-
fessor of comparative anatomy. In 1856, Dr. Andrews removed
to Chicago and opened an office with Dr. Nathan S. Davis, at No.
65 Lake Street In this city he has continued in the successful prac-
tice of his profession, holding many positions of honor and trust
within the pale of his calling. One year of this period he spent in
the service of his country as surgeon of the 1st Illinois Artillery.
He has been professor of surgery in the Chicago Medical College
from its foundation to its present time, and is at present surgeon in
the Mercy Hospital and consulting surgeon of the Michael Reese
Hospital. His high standing has also been recognized by his
election to the presidency of the Chicago Medical Society, the Illi-
nois State Medical Society, and the Chicago Academy of Sciences.
As will be seen by reference to the first volume of this History, Dr.
Andrews is the authority cited on the geology of this district. Dr.
Andrews is also a member of the American Medical Association,
and has a reputation for skill in his profession which extends far
beyond the limits of this State. Two of his sons — E. Wyllys
and Frank T. — are alreadv following in the footsteps of their father.
The former is at present in Europe, perfecting himself in his studies
and practice, and the latter is actively engaged in his calling here.
Valentine A. Boyer, M.D., has been a resident of Chicago for
fifty years. He was born in Reading, Berks County, Penn., January
23, 1814, the son of John K. and Elizabeth (Aurand) Boyer. His
father was a merchant. He commenced his collegiate education
at Canville, Columbia (now Montour) County, and afterward
attended Milton College, fourteen miles from that place. Previous
to coming to Chicago, in 1833, he had attended a course of medical
lectures in the University of Pennsylvania. He arrived in this city
with his family on the 26th of May, but afterward returned to
Philadelphia, to continue his medical studies in the University of
Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1836, with his diploma
of M.D. He at once commenced practice in this city, but as his
father was a large contractor on the Illinois & Michigan Canal, the
doctor was induced to enter into partnership with Medore Beaubien
and Dr. Joseph Walker, who took a few sections. In 1846, when
Chicago "was made a port of entry and William B. Snowhook was
appointed collector, Dr. Boyer became the first deputy collector,
surveyor and inspector. He was also appointed by Governor Ford,
about that time, assistant surgeon of the Illinois Militia, continuing
the practice of his profession with Dr. Edmund S. Kimberly.
From 1844 to 1852 he was a justice of the peace, served for a time
as deputy U. S. Marshal, and also subsequently acted as clerk of
the probate business, under L. P. Milliard. In 1853, Dr. Boyer
was in the drug business, and continued in the business up to 1S57,
and during the latter part of the year 1S53 finished the contract on
the Illinois Central road. During the early days he invested quite
extensively in real estate, purchasing property at the corner of
Adams and Dearborn streets, upon which he erected a brick build-
ing. Dr. Boyer is a member of the Philadelphia Medical Society.
He is connected with LaFayette Chapter (R. A. M.), Chicago, and
was a member of the lodge by that name, the first organized in
MEDICAL HISTORY.
527
Chicago. He is a charter member of Germania Lodge, A. F. &
A. M., and of Robert Blum Lodge, I. O. O. F. He was married
October 30, 1847, in Milwaukee, to Mary C. Specht.
LEVI D. Boone was born December 8, 1808, near Lexington,
Ky. , and is a nephew of the noted Daniel Boone. His father received
his death wound at Horse Shoe Bend. Thus, at ten years of age, the
c^^^g.
son was not only obliged to earn his own living, but to assist in sup-
porting his widowed mother. In spite of that force of circumstances,
which would have discouraged most young men, he determined to
be a physician, and his resolve was accompanied with such persist-
ent efforts, that, when twenty-one years of age, he graduated from
Transylvania University, with the degree of M.D. In 1S29, he
left Kentucky, and removed to Edwardsville, 111., where he en-
tered the office of Dr. Benjamin F. Edwards, remaining with him
for about one year, after which, at Hillsboro', he entered upon the
practice of his profession. He had but fairly established himself,
when the Black Hawk war broke out, and Dr. Boone was the first
man in this county to enlist, serving as captain of a cavalry com-
pany, and also as regimental surgeon, during the entire war. In
March, 1833, Dr. Boone married Louisa M. Smith, daughter of
Judge Theophilus W. Smith, who held a position upon the bench
of the State Supreme Court. They had eleven children, six of
whom are now living : Daniel L. and Samuel S. Boone; Clara B. ,
now the wife William Hansborough; Louisa M., now Mrs. Claude
J. Adams; Lucy A., who married the lamented George B. Carpen-
ter; and Mrs. Jabez II. C. Gross, formerly Mary J. Boone. Dr.
Boone continued to practice his profession for many years, but,
like many energetic and public-spirited citizens of Chicago, became
interested in the Illinois & Michigan Canal, which Judge Breese
and Judge Smith (Dr. Boone's father-in-law), did so much to make
a public improvement as opposed to a mere private enterprise.
Dr. Boone's immediate interests consisted in the assumption of a
contract for the construction of a section of the canal, Henry G.
Hubbard, Dr. John T. Temple, John M. Van Osdel, and others be-
ing associated with him. The canal lands taken up by the doctor
became afterward very valuable, and formed the basis of the prop-
erty, which, through his exertions and those of his sons, came to
the family. In the spring of 1S55, Dr. Boone was elected mayor
of the city by the American party, relinquishing his share of a
large and lucrative practice to his partner. Dr. B. McVickar. One
of his first acts, after inauguration, was the appointment of his
Democratic opponent, Isaac L. Milliken, to the office of chief of
police, demonstrating how well these two, opposed politically, fra-
ternized socially. Before his selection by the Know-Nothing
party, Dr. Boone had always been an old-line Whig. It is quite
generally remembered, that during the year 1S62, although a loyal
citizen of the most unequivocal type, he was arrested and incarcer-
ated in Camp Douglas for assisting a prisoner of war to escape, by
furnishing him with money with which to bribe the sentinel. Not
only was it proved that the money had been sent to the rebel by
his mother in the South, to relieve his wants, as was often done,
but that, although a member of the distributing committee, the
doctor was absent in Boston at the time the money was paid to the
Southern gentleman. Four years after Dr. Boone's arrest, Coionel
Joseph H. Tucker, commanding Camp Douglas in 1S62, stated
that nothing was developed which in any way could implicate the
doctor, and that he never doubted his true and sincere loyalty to
the country throughout the entire period of its greatest crisis. An
incident, illustrating his confidence in the enduring qualities "i the
country and the perpetuity of the Union, was his sale, to Potter Pal-
mer, of the ground where the store of Gossage & Co. now stands,
on State Street, near Washington. Bonds of the Government had
been issued, and there seemed to be a question at that time, even
among the most loyal, as to what finality the War would bring
forth. Silas B.Cobb was approached, in the interest of the doctor,
to purchase the corner lot, as there was a good prospect of the lat-
ter delivering the whole, if he acquired Cobb's interest. But Mr.
Cobb's interest in the country's stability and the city's future was
as great as Dr. Boone's, so the former refused to sell, but offered
to buy, thus giving him what Mr. Palmer sought to acquire by
purchase of Dr. Boone. Mr. Palmer had a barrel of bonds,
which he did not consider of great value, and finally purchased
Dr. Boone's interest for $100,000, the sale netting the latter
$97,500. This transaction inaugurated a series of purchases on
the part of Potter Palmer, which has so signally improved State
Street, and transferred the retail trade from Lake Street to that
thoroughfare. During his lifetime, Dr. Boone was connected
with several important financial institutions, being secretary of
the Chicago Marine and Fire Insurance Company in 1837, presi-
dent of the Merchants' and Mechanics' Bank, in 1S52, and
trustee of the Union Mutual Life Insurance Company of Maine,
from 1857 to 1877. With whatever enterprise he was connected,
he enjoyed the confidence of his fellows. But although a success-
ful business man, he did not attain his position as a result of
parsimony. He was generous, not only to his friends, but sus-
tained the causes of education and religion with a broad-minded
spirit. It is not generally known that his donation to these and
charitable objects amounted to about 8200,000. To the society of
which he was a member, and now known as the Immanuel Bap-
tist Church, he gave $100,000 alone. From its inception, he was
also identified with the University of Chicago, donating liberal sums
for its encouragement and support. Dr. Boone's death occurred
January 24, 1SS2, and his demise was looked upon as a public loss.
Thomas Davis Fitch was born at Troy, Bradford Co.,
Penn., on July 14, 1829, the son of Lewis Haines and Polly Maria
(Root) Fitch. In 1S46, his parents removed to LaFayette, Stark
Co., 111., and there young Fitch engaged in teaching school (he
having previously received a common school and academical educa-
tion at his native place) and continued as pedagogue until 1847.
He then pursued a course of study at Knox College, Galesburg, in
this State, and also entered upon the study of medicine under the
personal direction of his uncle, Charles Badger, M.D., of Misha-
waka, Ind. He also, during his medical studies, attended the
regular course of lectures at Rush Medical College of 1S50-51, and
also received private lectures from the celebrated physicians, A. B.
Palmer and Nathan Smith Davis. In the fall of iSsi.he com-
menced practicing at Wethersfield, Henry Co., 111., and continued
therein until the fall of 1853, when he resumed his studies at Rush
Medical College, and graduated in February, 1S54. He then was
elected delegate from the Stark County Medical Association to the
American Medical Association Of this Association he is still a
member. He also, about this time, joined the Illinois State Medical
Society. In the fall of 1854, he removed to Kewaunee, Henry Co.,
111., and was one of the inceptors of the Henry County Medical
Society, and subsequently its president. At the outbreak of the
War, in 1S61, he received a commission as major and surgeon of
the 42d Illinois Infantry Volunteers, and remained in the service
until May, 1863, when he resigned on account of serious illness in
his family and his own ill health. On May I, 1864, he located at
Chicago, since which time he has become one of the most promi-
nent members of the profession in the city. He was elected county
physician in 1865. and at the close of his term of office, in 1S67,
was appointed attending surgeon at the County Hospital. In 1S70,
he was placed in charge of the department of obstetrics and dis-
eases of women and children, and retained charge thereof for some
thirteen years; he was also secretary and president of the medical
board of the hospital. He was one of the inaugurators of the
Woman's Medical College, and one of its first faculty, filling the
chair of gynecology until 18S0, when, on account of a stroke of
s-^s
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
paralysis, he was made professor of clinical gynecology, and in
l S S 3 , on account of continued disability, he was made emeritus
professor of gynecology. In 1SS0, he was made clinical adjunct to
the chair of gynecology in Rush Medical College, which he rilled
for only one year in consequence of his serious illness. He is a
member and ex-president of the Illinois State Medical Society, in
which he tilled the office of permanent secretary for ten years. He
is ex-president and secretary and an honored member of the Chicago
Medical Society, and has been since 1S65. He has been attending
or consulting physician to the Washingtonian Home for the past
twenty years. He is a member and past master of Cleveland Lodge,
No. 211, A. F. ..v. A. M.; member of Washington Chapter, Xo. 43,
R. A. M.; Siloam Council, R. & S. M.: Chicago Commandery, Xo.
10. K. T., and past prelate of same; also member of Oriental Con-
sistory, 32°. He is also a prominent Odd Fellow, being P. G. and
P. I. P. He was married on April 6, 1S52, to Miss Harriet Wins-
low Skinner, of LaPorte, Ind.
Gerhard Christian PAOLl was born in Drontheim, Nor-
way, on Tune 23, 1815, the son of Pascal and Boletta Lehue Paoli.
His early youth was not replete with educational facilities, and it
was not until he was fourteen years of age that he was enabled to
obtain the preliminaries to a liberal course of study, and these were
acquired in a chemical laboratory, where he worked for three years.
He then went to Christiania, the capital of Norway, and entered
upon a university course, paying for the same by money he earned
during the intervals of class-hours; at the close of the course deter-
mining on adopting the medical profession. After six years of
theoretical study and practical application thereof in hospital prac-
tice, he removed to Stockholm, Sweden, and entered upon the
practice of his profession, remaining there for four years, and then,
in 1846. he came to America. He traveled over a large portion of
the country, and then established himself at Springfield. Ohio. In
1S53, he came to Chicago aud went into the business of distillation
of pure spirits, with the renowned chemist, Dr. James Van Zandt
Blaney; and it may be remarked that association with Dr. Blaney
is a high eulogium of Dr. Paoli's ability and proficiency. This dis-
tillation was conducted on a method of his own discovery, and
which received a premium at the World's Fair, in 1S53, and at the
United States Fair, in Chicago, in 1S56. Dr. Paoli commenced his
private practice in this city, on his arrival, wherein he has been
very successful. He was also city physician during the mayoralty
of Hon. John Wentworth and John Haines; was appointed United
States examining surgeon for pensions; and received an honorary
degree from Rush Medical College in 1866. He is also a corre-
spondent of several medical journals in this country. He is inti-
mately connected with the various medical societies, and has been
twice president and vice-president of the Chicago Medical Society.
He was also one of the first professors of the Woman's Medical
College, and has always been identified with liberality of thought,
speech and action, and is in himself a splendid exemplar of the
tenets he advocates. Large-hearted, benevolent, gentle as a woman,
although occasionally stern of speech and sententious, Dr. Paoli is
beloved by his patients and friends and admired by those few per-
sons who are opposed to him in belief or dogma. He was married
in England, in 1842, his first wife dying there. They had one
child, Charles, who is now in the U. S. Postal Service. In 1SS1,
he was married to Mrs. Sarah Magnusson, formerly Miss Corning,
a lady of recognized literary ability and social charms.
Joseph F. Henrotin was one of the old practitioners residing
on the Xorth Side, where he arrived in 1848. He was familiarly
known in that section as the "old French doctor," and particularly
distinguished himself during the cholera seasons, when he staid
at his post day and night to fight the fatal scourge. From 1857 to
the time of his death, in 1876, he was Belgian consul in Chicago,
and his oldest son, Charles Henrotin, now occupies the same posi-
tion. Six feet tall, with a massive head that bespoke his intelligence,
he presented a most imposing appearance, that to this day is remem-
bered by all residents of the Xorth Side.
FerNAHD Henrotin, son of Dr. J. F. Henrotin, was born in
Brussels, Belgium, on September 28, 1847, coming to this country
when he was but ten years old. He received his education in the
United States rind graduated at Rush Medical College in the class
of \-.',-;-(ii, at once commencing his medical practice. In 1870-71,
he was prosector of anatomy to his Alma Mater, and in 1877-78
was appointed county physician. Dr. Henrotin is surgeon to the
Alexian Brothers' Hospital, is on the medical staff of the Cook
County Hospital, and is surgeon to the police and fire departments.
These various appointments manifest the esteem in which the
doctor's skill is held by the public. Dr. Henrotin was married,
April 24, 1873, to Miss Emily li. I'russing.
SAMUEL I [ONES, M.D., 1. 1.. I)., was born at Bainbridge,
I^ancaster Co., Peon., March 22, 1836. His father, I Ir. Robert
H. Jones, was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Phil-
adelphia ; practiced many years with skill anil success; and died in
1863. I lis mother, whose maiden name was Sarah M. Ekel, came
from Lebanon, Pcnn. In 1853, he entered Dickinson College,
Carlisle, Penn., and graduated from it, with distinguished honors
in 1S57. He soon commenced the studv of medicine, and in 185S
matriculated in the Medical Department of the University of Penn-
sylvania, taking the degree of M.D. from that institution, in i860.
In the same year he entered the United States Navy as Assistant
Surgeon; was attached to the United StatesSteamer " Minnesota,"
the flagship of the Atlantic Squadron, upon which he remained for
two years, when he was promoted to the rank of surgeon. He
continued in the naval service of the country until 1S6S, when he
resigned. During the same year he was chosen as delegate from
the American Medical Association to the European Medical Asso-
ciations, which held meetings at Oxford, Heidelberg and Dresden,
in connection with Dr. Samuel D. Gross and Dr. Goodman of
Philadelphia, and Dr. Barker of New York. In 1S69, he was
elected president of the board of examining surgeons for United
States pensions, in this city. In 1S70, he was appointed professor
of ophthalmology and otology, in the Chicago Medical College,
and still holds that chair. He established and conducted, for many
years, the eye and ear department of Mercy Hospital and of the
South Side Dispensary. He was for several years an attending
surgeon in the Illinois Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary, located
in Chicago, and he established and has charge of the eye and ear
department of St. Luke's Hospital. He is. also, at present engaged
in editorial work, being the responsible editor of the Chicago Med-
ical Journal and Examiner, published by the Medical Press Associ-
ation. For the past fifteen years, he has confined his practice
exclusively to diseases of the eye and of the ear, and his rare skill,
both in the medical and surgical treatment of cases, has won him,
not only celebrity as an oculist and aurist, but has secured to him
an extensive practice. He has closely applied himself to the
development of knowledge in his special department of the profes-
sion, and is an authority in questions concerning opthalmology and
otology.
John Guerin, M.D., was born in County Limerick, Ireland,
May 28, 1839. He attended school in the town of Tipperary until,
at the age of eleven years, he came to America with his father.
His father was a farmer, and, like many others of his countrymen,
was compelled to leave his native soil and seek a new home in Amer-
ica, on account of the exacting measures of the Irish landlords. The
family settled in Malone, Franklin Co., N. Y. , and for some time
the son, of whom we write, worked on the farm in summer and
attended the local school in the winter. After a time he was able
to spend a year in study in a good school in Montreal, when he
returned home to Malone, passing two years in the Franklin Acad-
emy in that town. By this time he had determined ultimately to
become a physician, but it was necessary for him to earn the means
to accomplish that purpose, so, after leaving Franklin Academy, he
taught school for a short time in Moira, Franklin Co., N. Y.
After this, in 1S58 or 1859, he spent about two years in the State
Normal School, at Albany, N. Y. , where he was graduated in the
winter, of 1S60 or 1861, although, during this period, he taught
school for one winter in Columbia County, N. Y. After gradua-
tion at the State Normal School, Dr. Guerin spent two years in
teaching in Fall River, Columbia Co., Wis., and in March, 1S63,
came to Chicago, where, until February, 1866, he held the position
of professor of natural sciences and mathematics in the Univer-
sity of St. Mary's of the Lake. During the time he occupied this
chair, he studied at Rush Medical College, where he was graduated
in 1S66, with the degree of M.D. He then resigned his professor-
ship in the university, and began the practice of medicine in this
city which he has continued ever since. Immediately after the fire
of 1871, he served as city physician. He has been a member of the
medical board of and gynecologist to the Cook County Hospital
since 1S78, and he is also a member of the Chicago Medical Soci-
ety. Dr. Guerin was married in Chicago, in January, 1S70, to Miss
Mary Jackson. They have had eight children — Thomas Edmund,
Michael Henry, John Matthew, Mary, Mark Emmet, Matilda,
Catherine and Gertrude. Of these, all but John Matthew and
Matilda are living.
Charles Ambler Bucher, who is honorably entitled to the
distinction accorded early residents, is the son of George, a soldier
during the War of 1812, and Catherine (Estlemon) Bucher, who
were among the first white settlers at Painted Post, an Indian set-
tlement situated in Steuben County, N. Y. They were married at
that place in 1819. On November 11, 1S29, at Canton, Steuben Co.,
N. Y. , Dr. Bucher was born, and these he obtained, during his boy-
hood, such education as the place afforded. At the age of fifteen,
the subject of medicine began to occupy his youthful attention.
So deep an impression did the study of the science make upon him,
that he determined to devote the future to it. Two years later, at
the age of twenty, he placed himself under the supervision of a
preceptor, where he remained for two years. In 1S50, he went to
Geneva, N. Y., and attended a course of lectures in the medical
college at that place. Assured that the West would afford a wider
field for his advancement as a student, in 1S51, he came to Chicago
and, securing a position as clerk, continued his studies during his
MEDICAL HISTORY.
529
residence here, which embraced a period of three years. Al the
expiration of that time, he went to Aurora, 111., from thence 10
Bloomiugton, where he resumed his studies. After remaining there
a short time, he went to Batavia, 111., and, settling there, applied
himself vigorously to study. Having fully prepared himself for a
college course, he returned to Chicago in i860, and entered Rush
Medical College, from which institution he graduated in 1862.
The excitement attendant upon the Rebellion was then at its
height. In common with others he enlisted, and was assigned to
Company " B," 124th Illinois Infantry Volunteers, acting for a por-
tion of the time as assistant surgeon. After a service of seven
months, he was discharged, and commissioned as first assistant-
surgeon and assigned to the 72d Illinois Infantry Volunteers, with
which command he continued until he was mustered out at Vicks-
burg, Miss., in 1S65. After his discharge, which occurred in Chi-
cago in that year, he returned to Batavia, and began the practice
of his profession. In 1S79, he selected Chicago as his future and
permanent place of residence, since which time he has been en-
gaged in the active practice of his profession here. Dr. Bucher is
familiar with the early days of the Garden City, and possesses a
fund of interesting Information in reference to its history at that
time. He is a member of the Pathological Society and the Fox
River Valley Medical Society. On September 20, 1S54, at Aurora,
111., he was married to Miss Minerva Simpson of that city.
John B. Bell, M.D., was born in Augusta County, Va., Jan-
uary 12, 1S36. His ancestors had resided there since the foundation
of the colony by the English settlers, in the seventeenth century.
His grandfather, on the paternal side, was a captain in the Revolu-
tionary War, and was distinguished for his bravery during the
struggles of the Republic. The parents of the subject of this
sketch. John and Sophia (Erwin) Bell, resided in Augusta County,
Va., all their lives. Dr. Bell obtained his early education at a plan-
tation school-house at the place of his birth. Having acquired,
under the instruction of the district schoolmaster, the rudiments
of an English education, he went, in 1852, to Lexington, Va.,
where he entered an educational institution, known at that time as
the Washington College, taking a classical course, which embraced
a period of four years. As soon as he had finished his studies, he
returned home ; shortly after which he became interested in scien-
tific matters, and especially to that branch appertaining to materia
medica. Having given the subject considerable attention, in 1857
he placed himself under the instruction of a preceptor, where he
remained for one year and a half. Fully qualified to enter upon a
college course, he, in the fall of 1858, went to Philadelphia, and
became a student in the Jefferson Medical College, graduating in
1861. Returning to Augusta County, he began the practice of his
profession, which he followed until 1865, in which year he came to
Chicago, since which time he has been engaged in active practice
in the city. Dr. Bell is a scholarly gentleman and a physician of
extended experience. August 2, 1S62, he was married, in Augusta,
County, Va., to Emma Robinson, who died in this city in 1875. He
is the father of two children, boys. Dr. Bell is a member of Cov-
enant Lodge, Corinthian Chapter and St. Bernard Commandery of
the Masonic Order.
William Edwin Clarke, son of Thaddeus and Deborah
(Baker) Clarke, was born at Lebanon, Conn., February 22, 1S19.
When he was but a child, his parents moved to Rochester, N. V.
His education, up to the fourteenth year, was acquired under the
supervision of his mother, who was a highly cultivated woman. In
1S33, he entered the Rochester Academy, at that time under the
management of Professor Chester Dewey, where he remained, under-
going a collegiate education until 1S40. At the close of his academic
career, he settled upon the profession of medicine as his calling in
life, and began a course of thorough study in that science, under
the able preceptorship of Dr. E. M, Moore, of Rochester, N. V.,
which he continued, with but little interruption, for five years.
While studying with Dr. Moore, he attended lectures at the Berk-
shire Medical College, located at Pittsfield, Mass. Following the
close of his studies at that institution, he went to Woodstock, Vt.,
and entered the Vermont Medical College, and, after taking two
full courses at that institution, he graduated in 1845. Locating in
Rochester, N. Y. , he there began the practice of his profession.
In 1847, he moved to Coldwater, Mich., where he practiced until
1S52, when he came to Chicago. In 1S55, circumstances induced
him to return to Michigan; settling in Cass County, he practiced
his profession until 1S61. At the breaking out of the Rebellion,
he entered the army as a surgeon in the 4th Michigan Infantry.
Several months later, at the request of Colonel H. C. Gilbert, of
the 19th Michigan, he was transferred to that regiment. In July,
1S63, on account of illness, superinduced by confinement as a pris-
oner of war, he resigned his commission and went to Washington,
D. C, where he became attached to the general hospital, in which
position he served until the close of hostilities. In 1S65, he re-
turned to Chicago, and re-engaged in practice. Dr. Clarke is
familiar with much of the early history of Chicago. He is a mem-
ber of the Chicago Medical Society, Illinois State Medical Society,
34
and the National Medical Association, On fanuary 25, i^c,. he
was married, at Marshall, Mich., to Harriet Hale; she died, at
Washington, D. C, June 19, 1S54. His second marriage, to Mary
L, Reed, occurred in this city, December, 1S55. He is tin- father
of two children, both by his second wife. Mr. Clarke is a gentle-
man of intelligence and education, and a brother of the well-known
writer and correspondent, Grace Greenwood.
Abram Groesbeck was born on May 24, 1810, at Albany,
N. V., and received his education at Albany Academy, where he
became noted for his classical attainments and general proficiency
in his studies. At about the age of fifteen, he left school and com-
menced the study of medicine with Dr. Jonathan Eights, with
whom (immediately upon his becoming a licentiate) he was associated
in the practice of medicine in his native city. On May 24, 1S31,
he received his license to practice medicine from the New York-
State Medical Society, and, upon the establishment of the Albany
Medical College, in 1S4S, the faculty recognized the ability of Dr.
Groesbeck by conferring an honorary degree upon him. His tal-
ents had received public recognition long ere this, however, as,
immediately upon receiving authority to practice, he was appointed
physician to the Alms-house at Albany. In April. 1S56, he came to
Chicago and commenced practicing, which he maintained until the
date of his decease, on November 25, 1S84. As the doctor re-
marked, he had always led an active life, and found it impossible
to continue in idleness. During the latter years of his life Ik- was
afflicted with an optical disease which made it impracticable for
him to read, and rendered the ability to distinguish any objects, save
the largest, a matter of extreme difficulty. Notwithstanding this
great deprivation, he was, like John Milton, cheerful and contented,
and universally beloved by everyone who had an opportunity of
observing his comprehensive and contented mind, subdue and
beautify his physical disability. In 1841, he was married to Miss
Mary L. Williams; they have two children: Mrs. Harriet Williams
VanBuren, the wife of Augustus VanBuren, one of the leading law-
yers of this city, and Fannie Groesbeck.
Henry Tomboeken was born in the province of Hanover,
Germany, on October 4, 1S37, and came to the United States, when
a child, with his parents, residing for a few years in Philadelphia,
coming to Chicago in 1851. Having determined upon pursuing
the study of pharmacy, he entered the College of Pharmacy, and
was one of the two primary graduates from that institution in 1S60.
To render him still more proficient in pharmaceutical science, he
visited Europe, studying the natural sciences, especially chemistry,
at the University of Gcettingen, during the years 1S61 and 1S62.
Returning to America, he resolved upon becoming a physician,
and entered as a student at Rush Medical College, and graduated
therefrom in 1S66 ; subsequent to which he acted as assistant to an
older physician for a time, and later visited Europe again, devoting
considerable time to clinical study of cases in the hospitals of Ber-
lin and Vienna, under the supervision of some of the ablest expo-
nents of medical and surgical science in the world. This last
phase of Dr. Tomboekcn's biography depicts the man and the phy-
sician— a diffidence to undertake any enterprise without an intimate
and thorough knowledge of the matter in hand.
Thaddeus Pomeroy Seeley was born in Canton, N. Y., on
May 27, 1831, and received his early education at the village of
Evans, N. V., whither the family moved in 1S34. He very early
determined upon acquiring a liberal education; and to realize
means to achieve this, he sold books and maps and also taught
school when but fifteen years of age. In 1S48, he matriculated at
Madison University, Hamilton, New York, and in 1S50, exchanged
his course of study to Union College. Schenectady, from whence
he graduated in 1S52, with high honors. In 1853, he commenced
his medical course at Ann Arbor, Mich , and, to provide funds for
the continuance of his studies, he procured the position of principal
of the academy at Galesburg, 111., and remained there one year.
He studied medicine under the instruction of Professor A. B.
Palmer, of this city, and also attended one course of lectures at
Rush Medical College. In the spring of 1856, he graduated with
the degree of Doctor of Medicine from Michigan University, and
settled in Dowagiac, Mich., in the practice of his profession. At
the commencement of the Civil War he became volunteer surgeon
of the 16th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, with which regiment he
went through General McClellan's campaign in Virginia. Ik-
was subsequently appointed as assistant surgeon of U. S. Volun-
teers, and assigned to duty in the hospitals of Washington and
Alexandria, where he remained for one year, and also examined,
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
as surgeon, the first colored regiment that was admitted into the
regular army. At the battle of Gaines Mill he was taken prisoner
and sent to Libbv prison, where he volunteered his services for the
care of sick prisoners. The following extract from a newspaper, of
which the editor was a fellow-prisoner with Doctor Seeley, testified
to his philanthropy and humanity : "I can safely say that no sur-
geon did so much work, none labored as many hours, none volun-
teered more sympathy and kindness, than Dr. T. P. Seeley. He
remained at Gaines Mill Hospital until the wounded were removed
to Richmond, working night and day there as he did here. He
remained with our wounded, at Richmond, four weeks after he
might have been liberated, had he chosen to leave his patients to
the mercv of tyrants, as other surgeons had done. Such a man
should be remembered." In 1S63, he was surgeon to an expedi-
tion to Arizona, and had a narrow escape from the Apaches while
he was choosing the site for the first house erected in Prescott.
After the War, Dr. Seeley returned to Chicago and commenced the
practice that has resulted so fortunately for himself, and so hap-
pily for those who have sought his services. He has successfully
performed many difficult surgical operations, including that of ovari-
otomy. He married, on February 1, 1S66, Mary Josephine Bennett,
daughter of Hon. Joseph Bennett, of Evans, Erie Co., N. Y.
Thev have two children — Alfred Bennett and Herbert Averill.
Charles Storck, M.D., was born in Tegernau, District of
Schopfheim, Grand Duchy of Baden, June 9, 1826. His father,
Charles F. Storck, was a physician of good standing, his grand-
father being also a member of the same profession. (Juite early in
life, Charles Storck became connected with the Catholic Church,
in which his uncle, Hyacinth, was an archdeacon. The youth's
education was supervised by this uncle, who placed him in the best
schools of Germany. He was particularly interested in the study
of chemistry, and after attending the gymnasium, took a full course
at the Polytechnic Institute in Carlsruhe. He afterward commenced
his military career, serving as a military cadet, and passing through
the military school at Carlsruhe, after returning with his regiment
from Holstein. Serving with the Revolutionary Army in 1S4S-49,
as captain in the engineer's corps, he took part in the battles of
Rastadtand Kuppenheim, also in the Black Forest campaign. The
young officer, at length, found himself in Switzerland as a refugee,
but, although invited to return to Berlin by Emperor William, he
decided to come to America, where no stigma would attach to his
name from any source. His younger brother had already located in
Buffalo, N. V., as a physician, and, in 1849, Charles came to this
country. After remaining in New York for a short time he re-
moved to Philadelphia, where he obtained a situation as assistant
editor of the Freie Presse. His next experience was with a farmer,
near Reading, Penn. After remaining with him for one season, his
father arrived from Germany, and commenced the practice of
medicine in Williamsville, Erie Co., N. Y. There the son com-
menced the study of his profession, and, after acquiring a knowl-
edge of English, attended the medical department of the University
of Michigan, which he left in 1S54. In 1855, he graduated from
the University of Albany, N.Y. from which he received his degree
of M.D. Returning to Williamsville, he was married to Mary Koch,
the daughter of a merchant of that place and sister of the present
sheriff of Erie County, N. Y. For two years, Dr Storck practiced
his profession at Locicport, Niagara Co., N Y., and during the suc-
ceeding two years in Williamsville. During 1859, he removed to
Toronto, Canada West, opened an office and also studied in the
hospital of that city. Dr. Storck came to Chicago in the fall of i860,
and during the succeeding June joined the 24th (flecker) Regiment as
assistant surgeon. After serving in that capacity ten months, he
resigned, and, in February, 1862, was appointed post surgeon at
Ironton, Mo. Until in June, 1863, he remained attached to the
Army of Southeastern Missouri, when, on account of sickness, he
resigned, and, returning to Chicago, continued to practice medicine.
During the great fire he resided on the North Side, opposite the
Rush Medical College, which institution, with his own dwelling,
was swept away by that conflagration. Dr. Storck lost all his
worldly possessions except an old horse and the clothes on his back.
He started out bravely to repair his misfortune, and, although he
received no aid whatever from any outside assistance, he soon was
upon his feet again and had regained much of his practice, which
he had temporarily lost. After the fire he moved with his family
to West Lake Street and resided for some time in the oldest brick
house then standing on that thoroughfare. He afterward re-
moved to the North Side, where he now resides. Dr. Storck has
two sons, Harvey Storck, of Omaha Neb , and William Storck.
Charles Gilbert Davis was bom in Clay County. Mo.,
October 14, 1S49 His father is Dr. George W. Davis, who has
practiced medicine in that region for many years, and at one time
was the owner of the greater part of Clay County. He is in vigor-
ous health ; although over seventy years of age, and lives on his
farm of one thousand acres in Bates County, Mo. Of late years he
has retired from active practice, bring only engaged -'is consulting
physician. Charles G. Davis received his early education at the
Western Christian University in Kansas, where he was graduated
in the class of 1S64. After a time he entered the Eclectic Medical
Institute in Cincinnati, where he was graduated, in 1S71, with the
degree of M.D. Desiring to still further pursue his studies before
beginning practice, he went South, andentered the University of Vir-
ginia, at Charlottesville, where, in 1873, he again received the degree
of M.D. The ensuing year (1S74) was spent in quarantine hospital
service at St. Louis, Mo., and the year following in general practice
in that city and vicinity. While there he availed himself of the op-
portunity to take the ad eundem degree of Doctor of Medicine, at
the Missouri Medical College. In 1S76, he removed to Chicago
where he has since been in active practice, and is a member of the
Chicago Medical Society. Dr. Davis was married, in 1875, to Miss
Bella Braden of Lawrence, Kan. They have two children — Charles
Braden and George Gilbert.
F. Montrose Weller, for some years a prominent member
of the medical profession in Chicago, was the first regular physi-
cian to practice in the village of Evanston. His ancestors are
from all countries and all climes. On his father's side they origin-
ally came from Bavaria and Holland, having united with a branch
from Portugal, and the results of this combination, passed over
into New England at an early day, resting from their wanderings at
Whitehall, N. Y. His mother's ancestors were of Scotch and
English stock, with a sprinkle of Irish. Thus it is that Dr. Weller
has the blood of many nationalities in his veins. His father, John
Weller was a farmer and master-builder, while his mother, Anna
Farquharsen, was a native of Otsego, N. Y. Dr. Weller was born
April 13, 1825, in Sardinia, Erie Co., N. Y. As he says, "I was
born on a hemlock ridge, and rocked in a cradle made of bass-
wood slabs." The boy was of a sickly constitution, with white
complexion and flaxen hair, and for many years neither his parents
nor his friends expected that he would reach maturity. Until he
was eleven years of age, he attended the district schools in his
neighborhood, and afterward obtained a partial classical education.
He taught school for some time, making a specialty of normal in-
struction, and being at the head of quite a flourishing high school.
His leaning was toward theology, but he decided to study medi-
cine, intending, at first, to qualify himself merely as a lecturer on
hygiene, and thus acquire the knowledge which would be helpful
to him in preserving his precarious health. He commenced his
studies at Oxford, Mich., and, taking a course in the medical
department of the State University, at Ann Arbor, graduated there-
from in 1854. ln 'he summer of 1855, he removed to Evanston.
Dr. Weller at once commenced practice as the pioneer physician of
the village, and continued to build up a good career and name for
a period of eleven years. He then removed to Chicago, where he
remained for seven years, then returning to Evanston, where he
practiced for five years. In 187S, he again removed to Chicago,
where he has since resided, a portion of the time having been
passed as an invalid. At present, however, Dr. Weller is in good
health and is building up a comfortable practice, and he expresses
the hope to be useful to his fellow-men for many years to come.
He was married in December, 1S53, at Northville, Wayne Co.,
Mich, to Maria Antoinette Hipoiite, who died at Evanston in
1858. His second wife, now living, is the daughter of the late
George M. Huntoon, one of the oldest settlers of Chicago. They
were married January I, 1861, and have one child, a boy.
Henry Geiger, son of Dominikus and Kunigunda (Burg)
Geiger, who were married at Offenburg, in Baden, Germany, was
born at Offenburg, November 9, 1836. During nine years of his
residence at his birth-place, he attended the high school, acquiring
a preparatory education. In 1855, having some time previously
evinced a desire to pursue scientific studies, especially that branch
appertaining to materia medica, he went to Heidelberg, and en-
tered the medical college at that place, remaining there three years.
In 1858, he located at Wurtzburg, where he became a student in
the medical college situated there. In the latter part of 1S61, he
graduated from the medical institution in Heidelberg with honors.
A desire for travel, with a view to enlarging upon the knowledge
he had thus far obtained, induced him to visit the several medical
colleges and hospitals in Vienna and Prague. After a tour of
those places, he entered, in 1863, the German military service as
surgeon, officiating in that capacity until 1866. A short period of
inactivity followed, when, after considerable deliberation, he deter-
mined to tempt fortune in the New World. Accordingly, in Janu-
ary, 1867, he sailed for the United States. Fond du Lac, Wis.,
shortly after his arrival in this country, became his place of resi-
dence, where he continued for five months practicing his profes-
sion. At the expiration of that time, he came to Chicago and lo-
cated permanently. In 1869, he was appointed county physician
for the North Side. From 1877 to 187S, he acted as physician to
the entire county. In 1874, he was a member of the Board of
Health. From October, 1882, to January, 1S84, Dr. Geiger offi-
ciated in the capacity of medical inspector. He is a member of
the German Medical Society. On January 10, 1867, at Offenburg,
Germany, he married Emma Hissmaier, and has two children.
MEDICAL HISTORY.
53'
Alexander Hardy Cooke was born on June 10, 1S24, at
Mount Pleasant, Canada, receiving his early education at home
and the grammar schools of the vicinity. In 1838, he went to New
York State, and attended the Lewiston Academy in Niagara
County. He graduated as M.l). from the University of the City of
New York in 1S46, commencing to practice immediately thereafter.
He again graduated from the Victoria Medical College and the
College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Canada, in 1866, continu-
ing his practice in Canada until 1S69, when he came to Chicago.
Dr. Cooke married, in 1S43, Angelina Augusta Winer of Ham-
ilton, Canada. Their first-born, William Winer Cooke, was first
lieutenant and adjutant of the 7th U. S. Cavalry, and brevet lieu-
tenant-colonel U. S. A., and was killed, with the gallant General
George A. Custer, at the battle of the Little Big Horn, M. T., on
June 25, 1876. Three sons yet live to Dr. and Mrs. Cooke — John
Masson Cooke, who resides in England ; Alexander Wilson Cooke,
who is one of the Chicago city engineers; and Rev. George Brega
Cooke, who is an Episcopal clergyman, at Sault Sainte Marie, Al-
goma, Canada.
Chicago Medical College. — On March 12, 1859,
at the office of Drs. Rutter and Isham, a meeting was
held by Drs. David Rutter, Hosmer A. Johnson, Ed-
mund Andrews and Ralph N. Isham, to organize a
medical faculty of the Lind University. As a result of
this meeting the medical department of Lind LJniver-
sity, subsequently known and incorporated as the Chi-
cago Medical College, and the medical department of
the Northwestern University, was opened on October 10,
1859, in Lind's block on Market Street, near Randolph,
where lecture and anatomical rooms were fitted up and
a museum established for this specific purpose. The
ceremonies were conducted by Dr. Hosmer A. Johnson,
as president of the faculty, and were opened with prayer
by Rev. J. Ambrose Wight ; the address was delivered
by Dr. N. S. Davis. The first term opened on October
11, 1859, and terminated March 5, i860. The faculty
have been as follows :
Professor of obstetrics and diseases of women and children:
David Rutter, emeritus, 1859-64 ; William H. Byford, 1859-71 ;"E.
O. F. Roler, associate, 1869-71.
Professor of descriptive anatomy : Titus DeVille, 1S59-60 ;
emeritus, 1860-65 ; J. H. Hollister, 1S60-63 ; J. S. Jewell, 1S63-
69; \V. H. Boyd, lS6g-7i. Assistant professors: S. A. McWil-
liams, 1867-69; Norman Bridge, 1869-71.
Demonstrators of practical anatomv : Horace Wardner, 1S59-
61 ; Ernst Schmidt, 1861-63 I J- S. Jewell, 1S63-66 ; E. O. F.
Roler, 1866-67 I J- M. Woodworth, 1S67-69 ; Thomas S. Bond,
1869-71. Assistant, Norman Bridge, 186S-69.
Professor of physiology and histology : Hosmer Allen John-
son, 1S59-66; J. M. Woodworth, 1866-67; Daniel T. Nelson,
1867-71.
Professor of principles and practice of medicine and clinical
medicine: Nathan Smith Davis, 1859-71.
Professor of diseases of respiratory and circulatory organs :
Hosmer A. Johnson, 186S-71.
Professor of principles and practice of surgery and clinical
surgery: Edmund Andrews, 1859-71. (Subsequent to 1863, this
chair also included military surgery.) Assistant, S. A. McWil-
liams, 1S69-71.
Professor of surgical anatomy and operations of surgery :
Ralph N. Isham, 1359-71.
Curator of museum : Julian S. Sherman, lS6S-6g.
Professor of orlhopedic surgery : Julian S. Sherman, 1869-70.
Professor of orthopedic surgery and diseases of the joints :
Julian S. Sherman, 1S70-71.
Professor of materia medica and therapeutics : J. H. Hollister,
1859-60; A. L. McArthur, 1S60-63 ; J. H. Holiister, 1863-65;
Henry Wing, 1S65-66 ; M. O. Heydock, 1866-71.
Professor of general pathology and public hygiene : M. K.
Taylor, 1859-63 ; Henry Wing, 1S63-65 ; Hosmer A. Johnson,
1865-66 ; emeritus, 1S66-67 ; J, H. Hollister, 1S66-69
Professor of pathology and pathological anatomy : J. H. Hol-
lister, 1869-71.
Professor of medical jurisprudence : H. G. Spafford, Esq.,
1859-64; M. O. Heydock, 1864-66; R. J. Patterson, 1866-71.
Professor of hygiene; Thomas Bevan, 1S68-71.
Professor of inorganic chemistry, organic chemistrv and toxi-
cology: i-'. Mahla, Ph.D., 1859-67 ; John E. Davies, 1S67-68 ; C.
Gilbert Wheeler, 1S68-71.
Professor of ophthalmology and otology: Joseph S. Hildreth,
1869-70; Samuel J. Jones, 1870-71.
This college was the first to establish the graded
system of instruction, by the institution of junior and
senior departments.
The following list gives the number of students and
graduates at each session :
Sessions. Students. Graduates.
lSsg-6o 33 _ 12
1860-61 54 14
1861-62 63 17
1S62-63 81 17
1S63-64 89 17
1864-65 - 93 31
1S65-66 102 31
1S66-67 ._.I04 33
1867-68 113 50
186S-69 85 42
1S69-70 72 27
1870-71 107 30
1871-72 101 33
In 1864, the name of the institute was changed to
that it bears at present, Chicago Medical College ; and
in the same year the college was removed to a new build-
ing, especially erected for the purpose, No. 1015 State
Street, two doors south of Twenty-second Street. In
1870, the college again removed to Nos. 54 and 56
Twenty-sixth Street, at the corner of Prairie Avenue,
the building being completed September 1, 1870, at a
cost of $25,000, when it also became the medical de-
partment of the Northwestern University. It likewise
furnishes medical and surgical services at the wards
of the hospital of the Sisters of Mercy, called Mercy
Hospital, on the corner of Calumet Avenue and
Twenty-sixth Street.
CHICAGO MEDICAL COLLEGE.
One prominent innovation in, and improvement upon,
precedent methods of education was established by the
Chicago Medical College — the graded system hereto-
fore adverted to, and the arrangement made by the
faculty, on April 25, 186S, "that three consecutive
courses of lectures should be given, with a separate
group of studies for each of the three years of pupil-
age." These three courses of lectures, which are dis-
tinct and successive, constitute a most complete and
53:
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
comprehensive sequence of study, and Chicago Medical
College is the founder of the system.*
One additional item is of historic interest in con-
nection with the college ; that at the same time the
medical department of Lind University was inaugurated,
the Chicago City Dispensary was established in Lind's
block, with Drs. Edmund Andrews, William H. Byford
and Horace Wardner as physicians and surgeons. Dur-
ing the vear i860, more than three thousand patients
were prescribed for and treated, and, upon the removal
of the college to its various sites, the Dispensary, with
its crowds of attendants, was a faithful follower.
William Heath Byford was born March 20, 1S17, in Eaton,
Ohio, the son of Henry T. and Hannah Byford, and is essentially
a self-made man. Left fatherless when only nine years old, he was
compelled to relinquish the preliminary studies he was pursuing at
a district school, and work to help support his widowed mother. In
1S31. he was apprenticed to a tailor in Palestine. 111., with whom
he staid two years, and then engaged with another tailor at Vin-
ceflnes, Ind. In this position, he not only worked at his trade, but
also, by the aid of books which he borrowed, acquired a proficiency
in English and a mastery of Greek, French and Latin, and took es-
pecial pains to study physiology, chemistry and natural history.
Shortly before the termination of his apprenticeship he determined
that he would be a physician, and, in pursuance thereof, he applied
himself to medical studies under the instruction of Dr. Joseph Mad-
dox. Vincennes. In the pursuit of these studies he manifested the
same indefatigable application and comprehensive understanding
that had characterized him hitherto. After passing the required
examination, he commenced the practice of medicine on August 8,
1838, .a Owensville, Gibson Co., Ind. During 1S40, he removed to
Mount Vernon, Ind , and five years subsequently received a regular
graduation and accepted diploma from the Ohio Medical College.
In October. 1S50, he occupied the chair of anatomy in the Evans-
ville Medical College of Indiana, remaining there two years, when
he was transferred to the professorship of theory and practice in the
same college, continuing therein until the suspension of the col-
lege in 1S54. In May, 1S57, he was elected vice-president of the
American Medical Association, and in the ensuing fall he was ap-
pointed professor of obstetrics and diseases of
women and children in Rush Medical College.
In 1S59, he associated himself with a number
of other medical men in the formation of the
Chicago Medical College, and occupied the
chair of obstetrics and diseases of women and
children in that institution until 1880. In that ,
year Rush Medical College created the new
chair of gynecology, and invited Dr. Byford to
unite with the faculty of that school. He still
occupies that position. In 1S69, Dr. Byford was the prime mover
in the organization of the Woman's Medical College of Chicago.
He has been since its establishment, and still is, the president of
that college. He has been engaged as a teacher in the Woman's
College in the chair of obstetrics, and now of gynecology. After
many years of labor he has the satisfaction of seeing this Institution
placed upon a permanent basis and in a prosperous condition. He
is the author of several successful medical books, among which are
the " Practice of Medicine and Surgery applied to the Diseases and
Accidents incident to Women," the third edition of which is now
nearly exhausted ; and " The Theory and Practice of Obstetrics."
August 2, 1875. the physicians of Chicago united in forming the
Medical Professors' Association, with the view of improving the
character of the medical publications of the city. That association
published the Chicago Medical Journal and the Medical Examiner,
the two existing medical periodicals of Chicago, combining them
under the title of The Chicago Medical Journal and Examiner.
The association elected Dr. liyford editor-in-chief of the new jour-
nal. He occupied that position for four years, the length of time
for which he was elected, and then refused a re-election. His con-
tributions to the Medical Journal are numerous and on various sub-
jects. Although not often venturing outside of professional sub-
jects in his literary productions. Dr. liyford is the author of " The
Philosophy of Domestic Life," a small volume that has had exten-
sive circulation. In 1876, Dr. liyford was associated with other
eminent men. in the organization of the American Gynecological So-
ciety. At the first election of officers he was selected vice-president,
and in 1881 he was chosen president of that association. He has
contributed several lengthy papers to its volumes of transactions.
On 0 I >r. liyford was married to Mary Anna Hol-
land, daughter of IJr. II - Holland, who died March 3, 1864.
• Important fact* in this skct. h wen obtained from the " History of the
Chicago Medical College, a lectur. H i. I : non, A.M.. Ml)";
Robert Fergiu' bom, 1870 j and from Llr. trank S. Johnson.
December 3, 1873, he was again married to Lina W. Flersheim, of
Buffalo, N. Y. His first wife bore him five children — Ann Eliza,
Mary Jane, Wm. Hezekiah, Henry Q., and Maud H. Dr. Byford
has been for twenty-five years engaged in a large and lucrative prac-
tice in this city, and is still as active and industrious as at any former
period of his professional career.
Hosmer Allen Johnson was born in the town of Wales,
near Buffalo, N. Y. , October 6, 1S22, the son of Samuel and Saily
(Allen) Johnson. While yet a child, his parents removed to Boston,
Erie Co., N. Y., where he first received the rudiments of his edu-
cation in the district school. In 1S34, his parents removed to
Almont, Lapeer Co., Mich., and for some time subsequently, his
time was so engrossed w-ith the necessary labor upon the new farm,
that he had no opportunity of attending school. Under the super-
vision of his mother, who was a woman of high moral character
and rare intellectuality, he. however, studied during his leisure
moments, and so perfected his English education that, in 1840, he
was able to teach school for the winter. When he attained his
majority, he set about procuring a liberal education, and taught
school part of the year to enable him to attend the academy or col-
lege the remaining part. In the fall of 1846, he entered the
sophomore class of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor,
but was compelled, in 1S4S, to travel to a southern climate, because
of symptoms of pulmonary consumption. During his lour of travel
he taught school at Vandalia, and also gave a course of lectures on
geology and kindred topics, continuing, in the meantime, the
studies of his class. In the spring of 1849. he passed the examina-
tions at Ann Arbor, and at the following commencement, he
received the degree of Artium Baccalaureus. In October, 1S5C, he
came to this city and taught school, and at the same time, contin-
ued, in Rush Medical College, the medical studies which he had
commenced two years before. In the spring of 1851, he became
the first resident physician of Mercy Hospital, and received the de-
gree of Doctor of Medicine from Rush Medical College, in Febru-
ary, 1S52 — acknowledged as the leader of that class. During the
following summer, he received the degree of Artium Magister from
the University of Michigan. In 1858, Dr. Johnson resigned his
chair in Rush Medical College, having been one of the faculty since
1S53, and shortly thereafter, united with some other physicians in
the formation of the Medical Department of Lind University, sub-
sequently the Chicago Medical College. In the same year, he was
elected President of the Illinois State Medical Society. In 1865,
Dr. Johnson sailed for Europe, as one of the delegates of the
American Medical Association. He was one of the founders of
the Chicago Academy of Sciences, and its first corresponding sec-
retary; in 1S53, he was a member of the American Association for
the Advancement of Science, and, in 1854, of the American Medical
Association. In June, 1861, Governor Richard Yates appointed
him a member of the board of medical examiners for the State of
Illinois, and at the first meeting of that board he was elected its
president, and served in that capacity until the close of the War.
He was one of the consulting physicians of the Cook County Hos-
pital, and, for several years, one of the attending physicians and
consulting surgeons of the Chicago Charitable Eye and Ear Infir-
mary. He was for six years a member of the Chicago Board of
Health, and now is a member of the National Board of Health and
professor of diseases of the circulatory and respiratory organs ol
Chicago Medical College. In 1883, he received the degree of
Legum Doctor from the Northwestern University, and after the
great fire of 1871, he directed the medical work of the Chicago
Relief and Aid Society. As an instance of the manner of the pro-
gress that this earnest and close student makes in studies that he
undertakes, his Masonic career may be cited. In 1853, he was initia-
ted an entered apprentice Mason; in 1S55, he was appointed grand
orator of the Grand Lodge of Illinois; in 1856, organized, sub
ordinem, the grand commandery of Knight's Templar of Illinois,
and, in 1861, became an active member of the Supreme Council of
33,° at Boston, for the Northern Jurisdiction of the United States
of America. Dr. Johnson was married in May, 1S55, to Miss
Margaret Ann Seward, and has two children — Frank Seward John-
son, A.M., M.D., lecturer on histology in Chicago Medical Col-
lege, and who is closely following in the steps of his eminent
father, and Flora Belle Johnson. Whole volumes of deserved
eulogium could be written upon the life, character and achievements
MEDICAL HISTORY.
533
of Hosmer Allen Johnson, but his works are his noblest and best
tribute; the success that attends his ministrations among the
afflicted is not the result of inherited qualities, but the effect of
close, careful and patient study, allied to a ripe and cultivated
mind and understanding. A keen student, a trenchant lecturer, a
distinguished humanitarian, an accomplished surgeon, a staunch
friend, and a magnanimous opponent, Dr, Johnson is alike an
honor to the profession and the circle he adorns, and to the be-
loved society of which he is an honored and influential member.
Charles Gilman Smith, M.D., is one of Chicago's oldest
and most respected practitioners, coming to this city from Boston
in February, 1853. Hanging out his sign at No. 122 Lake Street,
Dr. Smith commenced his long and successful career. His regular
practice grew in a gratifying degree, so that by 1S68, he was ena-
bled to go abroad and study his profession in the hospitals of
England, France and Germany. Previously, however, during the
War, Dr- Smith's reputation, as a safe and skillful practitioner, had
been further established by his official connection with Camp Doug-
las, he being one of the six attending physicians placed on duty
there. His long residence in Chicago, and his thorough training,
have given him a high standing among those in general practice.
For several years he was a lecturer in the Woman's Medical Col-
lege, and is at present a consulting physician of the Women's and
Children's Hospital and of the Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Smith
is also the oldest examiner for life insurance companies in Chicago,
being connected with the most important corporations of that char-
acter. Aside from his professional labors, he has found time to
build up a high reputation among social and literary circles, having
served for some time as president of the Chicago Literary Club,
which is composed of many of the city's most prominent and cul-
tured residents. Dr. Smith was born in Exeter, N. H., on Janu-
ary 4, 1828, the son of Josiah G. and Frances Anne (Eastham)
Smith. Dr. Smith was first educated in the public schools of Exe-
ter, and at the Phillips Academy. At the latter institute he pre-
pared for Harvard College, and, in 1847, when sixteen years of
age, entered the sophomore year. While attending the medical
department of the college, in 1848, occurred the terrible Webster-
Parkman tragedy, which horrified all New England. Professor
Webster, who was a member of the medical faculty, being hanged
for murder, the class was temporarily broken up. Young Smith
removed to Philadelphia to pursue his medical studies, and, in
1851, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, with the
degree of M. D. Locating in Boston, he practiced for about two
years, being a portion of the time attending physician at the Poor
House Hospital. From there he removed to Chicago. He married,
on October 16, 1S73, Harriet, youngest daughter of Erastus T.
Gaylord, one of the earliest residents of Cleveland, Ohio.
James Stewart Jewell was born September 8, 1837, near
Galena, Illinois, and is the son of John M. and Margaret M.
Jewell, both natives of Tennessee. After the usual preliminary
education he began the study of medicine with Dr. S. M. Mitchell,
of Williamson County, Illinois, in 1855. In i860, he was gradu-
ated at the Chicago Medical College, where he received the degree
of M.D. He began practice, in 1S60, in Southern Illinois, and, in
1S62, removed to Chicago to take the position of professor of anat-
omy in the Chicago Medical College. Dr. Jewell has been a prac-
titioner in Chicago and vicinity ever since, except when abroad in
1869-70. He projected, and edited for eight years, the Journal of
Nervous and Mental Diseases, which became widely and favorably
known, at home and abroad. He is a member of numerous socie-
ties, and has held various official positions in his profession and out
of it. Among these, he is a member of the American Neurological
Society, of which he was president for three years; of the American
Medical Association, of the International Medical Association, of
the Illinois State Medical Society, the Chicago Medical Society,
the Chicago Academy of Sciences, and the Wisconsin Academy of
Sciences. He has been professor of nervous and mental diseases
in the Chicago Medical College, and is now emeritus professor of
psychological medicine in that institution. The doctor was married,
in 1S64, to Mary C. Kennedy, of Nashville, Illinois. They have
had seven children, four of whom are living — Mary, James, Stewart
and Helen. Mrs. Jewell died November 26, 1883.
Theodore J. Bluthardt was born in Neuenburg, Germany,
on July 24, 1837, and received his early education at the gymna-
sium at Conitz. Prussia. He came to Chicago in 1856, and engaged
in various pursuits until 1S59, when he matriculated at the Chicago
Medical College, and graduated therefrom in March, 1861, after
which he returned to Europe with the intention of continuing his
medical studies, but the War of the Rebellion diverted him from
that purpose, and he returned to this country in July to participate
in the struggle, and was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 1st
Illinois Cavalry, by Governor Yates, on July 23, 1S61. He imme-
diately joined his comrades at Mexico, Missouri, and was with them
in their various campaigns and at the siege of Lexington, where
they were under the immediate command of Colonel James A.
Mulligan, after which engagement he was placed in charge of the
wounded, whom he took to the St. Louis General Hospital, and
was there placed on duty. He remained at that hospital until he
was promoted surgeon of the 23d Missouri Infantry Volunteers, on
April 1, 1862. This promotion was made by order of Genera]
Henry Wager Halleck, and as a recognition of his valuable services
at Lexington and subsequently. He immediately joined his new
command, and participated in the battle of Shiloh, on April 6, 1862,
and in ill ether battles and skirmishes of the Army of the Cumber-
land. He resigned in January, 1S64, on account of the disability
caused by wounds; afterward he was commissioned surgeon of the
144th Illinois Infantry Volunteers, and assigned to duty as post
surgeon at Alton, 111., where he remained until the War had termi-
nated, when he returned to Chicago and entered civil practice. In
December, 1866, he was elected county physician, from which he
resigned in April, 1869, and in the fall of that year was elected a
member of the board of supervisors of Cook County, and was
president thereof until 1S70. In 1870, he was elected supervisor of
West Chicago, and, on July 1, 1873. was appointed a member of
the Board of Education, which position he occupied for three years.
In December, 1879, he was again appointed county physician,
which position he still occupies. Mr. Bluthardt is a member of the
Masonic fraternity and of the I. O. O. F., and is also a member of
the Chicago Medical Society. He was also, for several years, the
president of the Germania Maennerchor of this city. He married,
on January 23, 1862, Miss Augusta Rottaken, of St. Louis, sister
of Colonel Rottaken, of Little Rock, Ark.
Daniel T. Nelson was born on September 16, 1839, in Mil-
ford, Worcester Co., Mass., the son of Drake and Lydia Thurber
(Pond) Nelson. In 1841, his parents became a part of the pioneer
settlers of Colesburgh, Delaware Co., Iowa; and there he remained,
receiving a rudimentary education, until 1849, when he returned to
Milton and attended the High School there. In 1857. he matricu-
lated at Amherst College, and there remained until 1S61, support-
ing himself, in part, by teaching school, when he graduated with
honor. In the spring of 1862, Mr. Nelson entered the medical
department of Harvard University, and, in 1S65, graduated at the
head of his class and received his diploma as Doctor of Medicine.
Immediately after he graduated, he received the appointment in
the military service as acting assistant surgeon, and was on duty
with the Army of the James until General Lee's surrender, when he
was stationed at the post hospital, Richmond, Va. In November,
1865, Dr. Nelson came to Chicago, and began his practice here,
and, in April, 1S67, was elected professor of physiology and his-
tology in the Chicago Medical College, retaining that position until
1880. In the spring of 18S1, he was appointed adjunct professor
of gynecology at Rush Medical College, and still occupies that
position. He was a member of the International Medical Con-
gress of London, in 1SS1, and is a member of the following socie-
ties: British Medical Association, American Medical Association,
Illinois State Medical Society, Chicago Medical Society,
Chicago Gynecological Society, Chicago Academy of Sciences,
and the Illinois State Microscopical Society. Dr. Nelson married,
in 1862, Miss Sarah H. Travis, of Holliston, Mass. They have the
following children: Lillian T., Frank C, and Flora H.; and had
two children, now deceased, Lottie May and Eddie D.
Addison Howard Foster was born at Wilton, N. H., on
November 13, 1838. After the usual attendance upon local schools,
he fitted for college at the New Ipswich Appleton Academy, where
he was graduated in 1859. He then entered Dartmouth College,
at Hanover, N. H., where he was graduated in 1863. Selecting
medicine for his profession, he began its study with Dr. William D.
Buck, of Manchester, N. H. After spending a year in the medical
department of Dartmouth, he entered the College of Physicians
and Surgeons in New York City, where he was graduatc-i in March,
1866. He then settled in Lawrence, Mass., where he practiced
until tS68, when he removed to Chicago. He was with the origi-
nal faculty of the Woman's Medical College of Chicago as associate
professor of surgery, which post he occupied from 1S70 to 1876;
and, from the latter date to the present time, Dr. Foster has been a
consulting physician to the Hospital for Women and Children Since
1875, he has been a director, and, since 1879, the treasurer of the
Chicago Medical Press Association, and, since 1S69, has also been
the medical examiner for the New England Mutual Life Insurance
Company, of Boston. Mass. Dr. Foster is also a member of the
American Medical Association, of the Illinois State Medical
Society, of the Chicago Medical Society, and of the Chicago
Pathological Society. He was married, September iS, 1866, to
Susan M. Houghton, of New Ipswich, N. H. They have three
children — Fred Houghton, born in Lawrence, Mass.; and Wins-
low Howard and Charles Stedman, born in Chicago.
William Martin, son of William and Emma (Webb) Martin,
was born November 10, 1844, at Alton, 111. A portion of his early
education was obtained at his native place, by attending a public
school. In 1856, his parents moved to Godfrey, III , where he
resided during the ensuing seven years — eighteen months of which
time he passed at Lebanon, 111., as a student in McKendree Col-
554
HISTORY OF CHICAGO
lege. In 1859, he came to Chicago, engaged in business, and gave
some attention to the subject of medicine. In 1863, lie resolved
upon pursuing a thorough course of study under an instructor, for
the purpose of obtaining a preparatory knowledge of the science.
He therefore placed himself under the prec ptorship of Dr. J. H.
Holiister. where he remained one year, following which he entered
the Chicago Medical College, graduating from that institution in
- - By the opening of that year, he became identified with the
Mercy Hospital in this city, as resident physician, a position which
he filled for six months. At the expiration of that period, desirous
of enlarging the knowledge he had thus far acquired, he went to
New York and attended a course of lectures at Bellevue Medical Col-
id the College of Physicians and Surgeons, dividing the term
of the winter of 1S6S between those two institutions. Returning to
this city at the termination of his studies in the East, he located
here, and practiced as a doctor of medicine. During 1S66, he offi-
ciated as resident physician at the Soldiers' Home in this city.
Benjamin Rel VanDoozer was born at Little Rock, 111., in
1S43. While a youth, he removed to Oswego, 111., and after several
years' attendance at the public schools, he learned the printer's
trade. In 1856, he became associated with the Kendall Countv
Free Press, and was connected with it until 1861. He enlisted in
the ranks of the 127th Illinois Infantry Volunteers, in August,
1S6;, and served with the army until the close of hostilities.
Returning to Illinois, he came to Chicago, where he passed 1S66-67
in medical studies at the Rush Medical College, and another year
in the Chicago Medical College, where he was graduated in 1S68,
with the degree of M.D. Upon graduating, he opened an office
in Chicago, where he has since been engaged in general practice.
Dr. VanDoozer was connected with the Chicago Board of Health
as Sanitary Inspector, from 1S71 until 1S74. He is a member of
the Chicago Medical Society, and since January, 1S7S, has been
assistant surgeon of the Illinois Central Railroad. Dr. VanDoozer
was married, on October S, 1S61, to Miss Theresa Altha Lewis, of
Oswego, 111., and has one son, Frederick Rel.
John D. Skeer. M.D., the son of Ely and Mary Skeer, of Butler
County, Penn., was born July 5, 1S25. The family name was prim-
itively Skears, and is of English origin, from Yorkshire. His
father, Ely Skeer, was a veteran of the War of 1S12, who was on
his wav to Black Rock, N. Y., when the news came that hostilities
had ceased and peace was declared. His boyhood was spent in
Butler County, attending school and assisting his father in business.
At the age of twenty he began the study of medicine under the
guidance of Dr. Ormsby, with whom he read three years. In 1S50,
he matriculated in the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College, and
took his degree as Doctor of Medicine with the class of 1852,
afterward locating in Clarion County, Penn., where he practiced six
years. He then located in Newark, Ohio, and identified himself
with the regular profession, continuing there six years, during
which time he passed through the cholera epidemic of 1S54. _ In
1859, he removed to this city. Upon the outbreak of the Rebellion
he entered the service, and was appointed acting assistant surgeon
of the 16th United States Infantry, and followed his command until
March, 1S62, when he was placed in charge of Hospital No. 9, at
Nashville, Tenn., which position he resigned on account of ill
health, in the fall of 1863. During that year, he passed the exam-
ination of the Illinois State Medical Board, and received a com-
mission as full surgeon, afterward returning to Nashville, where he
took the degree of M. D. from the university of that city. Remain-
ing there, he engaged in hospital service until the fall of 1866,
when he returned to this city and resumed general practice. Dr.
Skeer was married, in December, 1S53, to Miss Melissa Thompson,
of Clarion County, Penn. Their family consists of Kate, the wife of
Robert S. Kudd, a prominent lawyer of New York ; Charles H.,
George M., Yelma and Tina Mozelle. Their eldest daughter,
Clara, died when in her twenty-third year.
EDWARD W. EDWARDS was born in the State of Maryland on
April 6, 1816. and received his medical education in the city of
Baltimore, graduating as a doctor of medicine from the Washing-
ton Medical College in 1846, subsequent to which he spent some
time in traveling and combining medical study and practice.
Among other places. Dr. Edwards practiced for a year in the Island
of Cuba. He came to Chicago in 1861, since which time he has
resided and practiced here, and in his own proper person is an able
exemplar of professional ability.
John SCHALLER, M.D., has been a resident of Chicago and
a physician in good practice for about thirty years, having, during
all this period, resided in the neighborhood of his present home,
No. 193 Randolph Street He was born in Flonheim, Rhein [les-
sen, on October IS, 1827, being the son of Henry and Magdalene
(Mueller) I iking eight courses of medical lectures at
Heidelberg, four in winter and four in summer, he removed to
Giesscn, Hesse Dar education. Two more
earned for him the degree of M.I)., Dr. Schaller graduat-
ing from the university at that point on December 6, 1854. Dur-
ing the fall of the next year, he emigrated to America and came
direct to Chicago, where he engaged in the practice of his profes-
sion, and has thus continued up to this present day. In Decem-
ber, 1S56, he was married to Babetta Henn, who died October 10,
1S65. Two children are still living — Henry and George J. The
latter graduated from Rush Medical College in 18S1. For two
years George acted as an assistant physician in that institution and
in Cook County Hospital, soon afterward going to Europe and
taking courses of lectures at Heidelberg, Berlin and Vienna, be-
sides visiting the hospitals at these points, and in London, Paris,
Denmark and Sweden. He then became house physician of the
German Hospital. Dr. John Schaller married his second wife,
formerly Barbara Gehardy, on October 18, 1866. '1 hey have had
two children. One died in infancy, and the second, Susie, is attend-
ing school at the Institute of the Sacred Heart, in Washington
Heights. Dr. Schaller is consulting physician of the German
Hospital.
Samuel Anderson McWilliams, professor in the College
of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago, was born in Ireland, in
1838. In early youth, unaccompanied by his parents, he crossed
the Atlantic, and settled in Prince Edward County, Canada, where
he subsequently taught school for several years. In 1857, he en-
tered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where, having
completed the classical course, he was graduated in the class of
1861, with the degree of B.A. lie then took a full course in the
chemical department of the University, and spent a year in study in
the medical department of the same institution, and in 1S64, re-
ceived from the University the degree of M.A. He subsequently
attended medical lectures in the Chicago Medical College, where,
in 1866, he graduated with the highest honors of his class, and re-
ceived the title of M.D. He at once commenced the practice of
medicine in Chicago, associated with Nathan S. Davis, M.D., and
has continued to be actively engaged in his profession ever since.
For several years after graduation he lectured upon various subjects
in the Chicago Medical College, and was also clinical teacher and
attending physician for several years to the South Side Dispensary.
In 1870, the Doctor was elected to the professorship of anatomy in
the Woman's Hospital Medical College of Chicago, which he con-
tinued to fill for several years with punctuality, ability and com-
plete satisfaction to all concerned. In 1SS1, in connection with
four other medical men, Professor McWilliams took an active part
in the foundation and successful completion of the College of Phy-
sicians and Surgeons of Chicago, and also of the West Side Free
Dispensary. In the formation of the faculty, the Doctor was
elected to the professorship of clinical medicine, diseases of the
chest and physical diagnosis, a position which he still holds. As a
teacher he is clear and systematic in his methods, and scrupulously
punctual in meeting his appointments. He is vice-president of the
College, as well as a member of its board of directors since its or-
ganization. He is also president of the West Side Free Dispensary.
Dr. McWilliams has been one of the attending physicians to the Cook
County Hospital for the last seven years, and has regularly given
clinics to large classes of medical students in the amphitheater of
the hospital during that time. He is a member of the Chicago
Medical Society, of the Illinois State Medical Society, and of the
American Medical Society. In 1S68, Dr. McWilliams was married
to Miss Amelia Hobkirk, of Waupun, Wis. They had three
children, only one of whom is living. Bertha Amelia. Mrs. Mc-
Williams died in December, 18S2, and in January, 1884, he mar-
ried Miss Bertha Scheibel, of Chicago, by whom he has one child,
Grace.
Ebenezer H. Thurston, M.D., was born in Wolverhamp-
ton, England, December 22, 1838, being the son of Thomas and
Elizabeth (Shaw) Thurston. His parents came to America in 1845,
and, settling in Madison County, N. Y., gave their son the best of
educational advantages. At the district schools of his neighbor-
hood, the Ilubbardsville Academy, and under the private tutorage
of Professor James Bush, he obtained a permanent substructure for
an academic and medical education. In iSsg, his parents removed
to Utica, where he continued his studies at the academy and com-
menced his medical career as a pupil under Dr. M. M. Bagg, of
that city. While pursuing his medical studies at Utica, the War
began, and he enlisted in April 1861, leaving Utica with the 14th
New York Infantry Volunteers. His general education and knowl-
edge of medicine soon found recognition, and he was attached to
the hospital department of his regiment, acting as steward. In this
capacity he was taken prisoner at the battle of Gaines's Mills, June
27, 1S62, and lodged in Libby prison. There the doctor remained
until the following November, when he was released and sent to
St. John's College Hospital, Annapolis, Md. There he passed an
examination and was appointed hospital steward, U. S. A., partly
as a reward for services rendered the government in attending the
sick and wounded officers and soldiers in Libby Prison. He held
this position for some lime, until worn out by imprisonment and
long continued hardship in field and post hospitals, he succumbed
to a severe attack of typhoid fever. As his health was greatly
impaired, he received his discharge from the army. Upon his con-
Medical history.
535
valescence, he resumed his medical studies, and, in 1864, obtained
his degree of M.D. from the University of Buffalo, and then imme-
diately proceeded to the seat of State government, at Albany, N. Y.
He there passed a rigid medical examination, and was granted a
commission as assistant-surgeon of the Sth New York Cavalry, and
was with that gallant regiment in all its battles from Petersburg to
Appomattox Court House. At the close of the war he was breveted
surgeon and honorably mustered out of service at Rochester, N. Y.,
July, 1865. He was greatly respected and beloved by his fellow
officers and soldiers, and remains in friendly correspondence with
many of them to this day. From the close of his services in the
armv until 1S70, he followed his profession in the State of New
York, and then removed to Chicago. Dr. Thurston's career in this
city as physician and surgeon is too well known to require mention
in this brief biography. His large and increasing practice attest
his professional skill and well-deserved popularity. He is a mem-
ber of the Oneida County and the Chicago Medical societies, and
also a member of the Illinois State Medical Society. The doctor
was married, in May, 1S66, to Julia F. Randall, daughter of James
Randall, of Utica, N. Y. They have one child, Grace.
Illinois Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary.
— In May, 1858, Dr. Edward L. Holmes, Dr. Joseph
W. Freer, Rev. William Barry and Dr. Charles V. Dyer
met with several wealthy and charitable citizens of Chi-
cago, and determined upon establishing the Chicago
Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary, and as a preliminary
thereto organized the following board of trustees :
Walter L. Newberry, president ; Charles V. Dyer, Lu-
ther Haven, vice presidents ; Samuel Stone, secretary
and treasurer ; William H. Brown, Rev. William Barry,
Philo Carpenter, J. H. Kinzie, Ezra B. McCagg, Flavel
Moseley, Rev. N. L. Rice and Mark Skinner. It being
determined that, at first, but a dispensary should be in-
stituted, one room in a small wooden building was pro-
cured at No. 60 North Clark Street, on the northeast
corner of Michigan Street. The consulting surgeons
were Daniel Brainard and Joseph W. Freer, and the
attending surgeons Edward L. Holmes, Henry Parker,
F. B. Norcum, and W. H. Baltzwell.
During the first year about one hundred and fifteen
patients were treated, and during the year ending May
1, 186 1 — about three years after its opening — two hun-
dred and eighty-eight patients received treatment ; two
hundred and thirty-seven of whom were afflicted with
ophthalmic diseases and fifty-one with diseases of the ear.
Up to May 1, 1861, five hundred and eighty patients
received treatment, and during that year the dispensary
was removed to Ewing's Block, corner of North Clark
and North Water streets, where the surgeons were
Daniel Brainard, Joseph W. Freer, Edward L. Holmes
and Edwin Powell. In July, 1864, Walter L. Newberry
donated to the Infirmary the use of the lot occupying
Nos. 16-18 East Pearson Street, opposite the old Ogden
School, for ten years, whereon a large two-story wooden
building, costing $2,000, was moved. The trustees at
that time were Walter L. Newberry, president; Charles
V. Dyer and Luther Haven, vice-presidents ; Samuel
Stone, secretary ; Ezra B. McCagg, treasurer ; William
H. Brown, William Barry, Flavel Moseley, Philo Car-
penter, John Evans, John H. Kinzie and Cyrus Bentley.
Drs. Brainard and Freer were the board of surgeons and
ex-officio trustees, and Drs. Holmes and Powell the
consulting surgeons. Dr. Holmes thus summarizes the
history of this institution up to the year 1871, in Early
Medical Chicago :
" The first patient requiring board in the institution applied
before a single room had been cleaned and furnished. For two
nights he slept on a blanket on the floor. The rooms were fur-
nished as the gradually increasing number of patients required.
In a few months the number of applicants, especially soldiers
recently discharged from the army and suffering from diseases of
the eye, became so numerous that greater accommodations were
rendered necessary. A large attic was finished, and divided into
several comfortable rooms. The building was soon after raised
and a brick basement constructed under it. Support for a limited
number of patients from Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin was
made possible by the donation of $500, placed for this purpose in
the hands of the respective governors of these States. The United
States Sanitary Commission, the Northwestern Sanitary and Chris-
tian Commissions, also, granted large sums for the support of sol-
diers at the Infirmary. In the fall of 1S69, additional accommo-
dations became necessary, and were obtained by the construction
of a large building in the rear of the lot. The Infirmary, during
the early period of its existence, was greatly indebted to the
churches of the North Side, especially, members of which con-
tributed, year by year, large quantities of furniture and clothing,
in addition to donations of money. In this way, the Infirmary
was enabled, not only to support an increasing number of patients,
but to cancel an indebtedness of nearly $6,000, and also to grad-
ually accumulate a fund of $7,000. From the year 1S67 to 1871,
the General Assembly appropriated $5,000 a year, for the support
of patients at the Infirmary, and, in 1871, the institution became
a public charity — owned and supported by the State."
In 1 87 1, the consulting surgeons were Joseph W.
Freer and H. A. Johnson ; and Edward L. Holmes
and Edwin Powell, attending surgeons. During the
same year the hospital was destroyed by the great fire,
which reached the building about 3:30 a. m., on Monday.
The majority of the inmates were taken by George
Davenport, superintendent, to Blatchford's shot-tower,
on Kinzie Street, where they stayed for some days.
The City Hospital, on LaSalle Street, between
Cross and Old streets, was commenced in June, 1856,
and completed in November, 1857, at a cost to the city
of about $58,000, and was capable of accommodating
three hundred patients. In August, 1859, it was leased
by some surgeons for five years, and they contracted to
receive and care for the city patients at a uniform allow-
ance of three dollars a week. The hospital, under this
arrangement, was opened on August 13, 1859, with
Daniel Brainard, George Schloetzer and George K.
Amerman as surgeons, and DeLaskie Miller, Joseph P.
Ross and S. C. Blake as physicians. The warden was
A. H. Carter, and Mrs. Carter was the matron. There
was also a board of nine governors, three from each
division of the city, who exercised general supervision
over the affairs of hospital, as follows: North Division,
George W. Dole, Gurdon S. Hubbard, Edward I. Tink-
ham; West Division, Reuben Tayler, Edson L. O'Hara,
secretary, and D. F. Wilson; South Division, William
Jones, president, Dr. H. Hitchcock and Dr. John H.
Foster. In addition to the other services of the hos-
pital, clinical instruction was given — principally to the
students of Rush Medical College.
In i860, W. C. Brown was the resident physician
and surgeon. In 1862, the medical board are given as
George K. Amerman, Joseph P. Ross, Joseph W.
Freer and R. L. Rea; Henry Dunham, resident physi-
cian and surgeon. In the summer of 1863, the hospital
was confiscated by the United States military authori-
ties, and placed under the jurisdiction of Surgeon
Brock. McVtckar, with Drs. Joseph P. Ross and George
K. Amerman as acting assistant surgeons. Dr. Mc-
Vickar was succeeded by Dr. Hall, and he by Dr. S. A.
Jackson. On July 25, 1865, Surgeon Joseph S. Hil-
dreth took charge, and the scope of treatment was
limited to diseases of the eye and ear, and the hospital
was termed the "Des Marres Eye and Ear Hospital."
Its location was at this period designated as at the cor-
ner of Arnold and Eighteenth streets; the main build-
ing seventy feet long by fifty-five feet wide and four
stories high, with a wing on the south side sixty-three
feet long by sixty feet wide. The hospital capa-
city was one hundred and thirty patients and forty
attendants. M. K. Gleason and J. H. Goss were the
acting assistant surgeons under Dr. Hildreth. On No-
vember 11, 1865, the two last patients were discharged,
536
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
and the doors of the Des Marres Hospital were closed.
During the occupancy of the hospital by the United
States authorities, the county patients were treated in
a building at Jefferson, utilized for that purpose.
Drs. Ross and Amerman immediately and actively
interested themselves to re-establish the hospital as a
public charity, and. deciding that to further this end it
would be requisite to become a politician, Dr. Amer-
man suspended party banners from the caduceus, and
was elected a supervisor. In 1S66, the first year of his
service, he inaugurated and organized the Cook County
Hospital, but being enfeebled by ill-health he was com-
pelled to resign the direction thereof. Dr. Joseph P.
R< pss was elected to the position of supervisor and
chairman of the hospital committee in 1866, and occu-
pied it for two years. Hence, the establishment of the
present vast and beneficial Cook County Hospital must
be ascribed to the persistent energy and unflagging
labors of Joseph P. Ross and George K. Amerman.
The Cook County Hospital had the following
medical attendance in the years specified :
1S66 — George K. Amerman, R. G. Bogue and Charles G.
Smith, attending surgeons; Joseph W. Freer, William Wagner,
consulting surgeons; Thomas Bevan, Joseph P. Ross, H. W.
Jones, attending physicians; Hosmer A. Johnson, R. C. Hamill,
consulting physicians ; Joseph S. Hildreth, eye and ear surgeon ;
Henry M. Lyman, pathologist. Benjamin Chase was warden and
Mrs. Chase, matron. 1S6S — Edwin Powell, R. G. Bogue and C.
G. Smith were attending surgeons ; J. R. Gore and W. Wagner,
consulting surgeons. The remaining physicians and surgeons were
the same, with the addition of Daniel S. Root, house surgeon, and
Nicholas Lyon and Benjamin S. Miller, assistants. In 1S69, the
physicians and surgeons were as before, except that Benjamin S.
Miller was house surgeon, and George K. Uyce, and Mr. and Mrs.
Chase were replaced by H. S. and Mrs Eliza Rexford, as warden
and matron. In iSyoand 1S71, Edwin Powell, R. G. Bogue, T.
I). Fitch and Charles G. Smith were attending surgeons ; J. R.
Gore and J. W. Freer, consulting surgeons ; Thomas Bevan,
Joseph P. Ross, H. W. Jones, Hosmer A. Johnson, II. A. Lyman,
attending physicians; William H. Byford, R. C. Hamill, consult-
ing physicians; Joseph S. Hildreth, eye and ear surgeon; J. W.
Tope, house surgeon ; William Fox and J. T. B. Gephart, assist-
ants. Mr. and Mrs. Rexford were warden and matron.
Joseph P. Ross was born on January 7, 1828, in Clark
County, Ohio. When but six years of age, his father moved to
Piqua, Ohio, and there he received his early education, attend-
ing the district school during the winter, and helping on the
farm during the summer. When he was but nineteen, he made a
commercial venture in a woolen mill, and after two years, he suc-
ceeded in clearing two thousand dollars. Being possessed of capital,
he determined on securing an education, and attended the academy
at Piqua, where he took a thorough scientific course, after which,
he commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. G. V.
at Piqua. After two years study with Dr DoYsey, he at-
tended lectures at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, and
the ensuing year a course at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati,
whence he graduated in the spring of 1852. He immediately com-
menced practice at St. Mary's, Ohio, but after a visit to Chicago,
he determined that the Garden City was to be his home, and
i here in February, 1853. Shortly after his arrival, he
formed a partnership with Dr. Lucian P. Cheney, and after that
the history of Dr. Ross became commingled with the medical
history of Chicago, he being always found in the front of any
enterprise to help the poor and benefit his fellow-creatures by
medical aid and surgical treatment. Physician to the Orphan
Asylum, physician to the Reform School for fifteen years, origina-
tor, organizer and physician of the Cook County Hospital,
physician on the battle-field during the War, and attending surgeon
at Camp Douglas — these are a few of the positions of honor and
philanthropy he has tilled. The professorship in the Rush Medical
he occupied in 1867 In- still retains, and his lectures have
ened to with interest and edification by the hundreds of
graduates of that institution since 1867. In addition to lecturing,
he has contributed largely to the financial success of Rush Medical
' After the fire, when the institution had a heavy bonded
debt, he. wilh his colleagues, developed a scheme by which they
were enabled to erect their present college building At present,
he is actively engaged in establishing the Presbyterian Hospital of
te to Chicago, In- has been identified
with the Presbyterian Church, and for the last eighteen years has
been an elder in the Jefferson-park Congregational Society, with
which he has been connected since its organization. Dr. Ross was
married, in 1S56, to Elizabeth H. King, a daughter of Tuthill
King, who was one of the solid merchants of early Chicago.
They have the following children : T. King Ross, J. Whitney
Ross, Robert E. Ross, William H. Ross, Bessie G. Ross and Lila
Frances Ross.
Small-Pox Hospital. — The small-pox hospital, in
1859, was on North Avenue, between Wolcott Street
('now North State) and Lake Michigan, and Dr. William
Wagner was the physician in charge. George B. Bay
was the warden, Mrs. Clara F. Bay, the matron, and
Miss Ann Anderson, assistant. This building remained
at this location, and under this administration, until the
year 1864, when a large and spacious building, costing
$13,593.18, was erected, which contained twenty-four
wards. It had a main building, two stories and base-
ment, forty-eight by twenty-four feet, and two wings,
each one story and basement, of thirty-two by sixty
feet. This building was called the Lake Hospital. Dr.
T. B. Bridges, health officer, had supervision of the
hospital ; Dr. S. C. Blake was the physician, William E.
Jones was steward, and Mrs, Jones matron. In 1868,
Dr. Niles T. Quales became the surgeon, and, in 1870,
Dr. H. S. Hahn, who remained in charge of the hos-
pital until its destruction by the fire of 1871, when the
patients were all removed to Maywood. The fire
reached the hospital at about two o'clock on Tuesday
morning, and the value of the building and furniture
destroyed was $6,000. When the hospital was erected
near the Bridewell, the patients were removed thither
from Maywood.
Niles Theodore Quales, M.D., was born ne<>r Hardanger,
Norway, January 17, 1831. He attended the public schools of the
neighborhood and assisted his lather in farming until he reached
his seventeenth year, when he entered the agricultural school in
Hardanger, where he remained three years, graduating in 1851.
He then took charge of a large estate for one year, afterward going
to Copenhagen and matriculating in the Royal Veterinary College,
and received his diploma in 1856. Returning to his native town,
he practiced as a veterinary surgeon three years, and emigrated to
this city in 1 859, where he resumed practice. At the breaking out
of the Rebellion he enlisted in the First Illinois Artillery, Captain
Taylor's Battery, and followed the fortunes of that command until
1S63, when he was detailed for detached service at General Sher-
man's headquarters. At the close of the War he began the study
of medicine under the instruction of Dr. Paoli, of this city, and
matriculated in the Rush Medical College, taking his degree as
Doctor of Medicine in the class of 1867. He was appointed in-
terne at the Cook County Hospital, and filled that position one
year following his graduation. In 1S68, he was tendered the po-
sition of city physician, which he occupied nearly three years, and,
in 1870 was made surgeon of the United States Marine Hospital.
After the great fire of 1S71, he was visiting physician of the Relief
and Aid Society. Dr. Quales was married, May 26, 1S70, to Miss
Carrie L. Lawson, of Chicago, and has three children — Iver L.,
Martha G. and Nellie R.
St. Joseph's Hospital. — Upon Sunday, August 20.
187 1, the corner stone of this hospital was laid in the
lot at the corner of Burling Street and Sophia (now
Garfield Avenue). The ceremonies were conducted
under the auspices of Right Rev. Bishop Foley. After
the laying of the stone, Father McMullen, of the Ca-
thedral of the Holy Name, preached in the vernacular,
and Father Zimmer in German. The building was con-
templated to be one hundred and fourteen feet front
and one hundred and twenty feet deep, three stories in
height, with basement and mansard roof, and to cost
$80,000. As there was an insufficiency of funds, how-
ever, the main building alone was erected, at a cost of
$50,000. The hospital is under the charge of a Sister
Superior and eight Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de
Paul, the mother-house of which organization is at Em-
metsburg, Frederick Co., Md. There is accommoda-
tion for one hundred patients, and the medical staff
■
+^4*.
MEDICAL HISTORY.
537
comprises Dr. Moses Gunn, Dr. W. Godfrey Dyus, Dr.
Charles T. Parkes, Dr. J. Adams Allen, Dr. Daniel R.
Brower and Dr. E. M. Eandis, house physician.
Francis L. Wadsworth, physician and surgeon, was born
in Oxford County, Maine, in 1S33, where he resided until twenty-
five years oi age. He then came west and located in this city. He
entered Rush Medical College in 1S65, and took his degree four
years later. He has since resided and been engaged in the prac-
tice of medicine and surgery in Chicago. Dr. Wadsworth was
married in 1S6S, but two years l^ter he lost his wife. In 1S72, he
was married to Miss Sarah F. Robinson, of Rhode Island. His
eldest son, Charles Freer, was born in 1S70, and the younger,
Frank Russell Wadsworth, was born in 1874. For eleven years
Dr. Wadsworth was lecturer and adjunct professor of physiology
at Rush Medical College, and since lSSi, has occupied the position
of professor of physiology and histology in the Woman's Medical
College, of this city. lie is at present the physician in charge of
St. Joseph's Hospital.
Mercy Hospital. — This hospital was removed in
1853 to No. 265 Wabash Avenue, and in 1864 to the
northwest corner of Calumet Avenue and Twenty-sixth
Street, into a building which had formerly been occu-
pied by the St. Agnes Academy, and which now com-
prises the north wing of the hospital. The central
building and south wing were erected in 1869, and has
accommodations for three hundred patients, is managed
and controlled by thirty-four Sisters of Mercy, and has
the medical attendance of two resident physicians and
the faculty of the Chicago Medical College. It is
worthy of remark and praise that Dr. Nathan Smith
Davis, who first lectured for the benefit of the Illinois
General Hospital of the Lake — control of which the
sisterhood assumed — has remained in attendance upon
the Mercy Hospital ever since, a period of thirty-one
years.
Jewish Hospital. — In 1859, the United Hebrew
Relief Association was organised in this city, having
for its object the amelioration of suffering and care of
the sick. The first president of the Association was
Henry Greenebaum. In 1867, the association deter-
mined upon establishing a hospital, where the objects
of their philanthropy could be brought together and
their wants attended to with system and better effect.
Consequently, on September 2, 1867, the corner-stone
was laid at No. 537 North LaSalle Street, between
Schiller and Goethe streets, under the auspices of the
association. The stone was laid by Isaac Greensfelder,
president of the association, and addresses were delivered
by Mayor John B. Rice, Godfrey Snydacker (in Ger-
man) and Henry Greenebaum. The hospital was com-
pleted in 1868, was of red brick, two-and-a-half stories
high, eighty feet front by forty feet deep, and cost
about $30,000, the lot being valued at $10,000. It was
called the " Jews' Hospital," and was destroyed in the
fire of 1871, at about 11 o'clock a. m., on Monday, the
loss aggregating about $40,000.
Alexian Brothers' Hospital. — The Order of
Alexian Brothers was founded by Saint Alexius of
Rome, in honor of San Juan tie Dios de Hispana Saint
John of God of Spain , who lived in the 13th century.
The introduction of the order in Chicago was through
Brother Bonaventura in 1866, who came here to found
and establish a hospital, For some little time Brother
Bonaventura worked alone, boarding with Mr. Wisch-
meyer, and then found Brother Alex, who was working
in the city. Together these brothers worked, and in
about six months they established St. Mary's Hospital
— named in honor of St. Mary of the Immaculate Con-
ception— at No. 527 North Dearborn Street, corner of
Schiller. Of this hospital, Brother Bonaventura was
superior, and he had five brothers and three novices as
assistants, the hospital accommodating eight patients.
The fraternity exact payment from those who are able
to pay, but receive the poor gratis, making no distinction
on account of the religious belief, or irreligious unbelief,
of a prospective patient.
A novice is required to serve for six months, wearing
his ordinary apparel; then he is invested with the garb
of the Alexians, and has a further probation
of two years. If then found qualified, he is
admitted to this order, whose members de-
vote themselves to caring for the sick and
taking charge of Asylums. In Germany, where
the order comprises many members, only one
hospital is controlled by them, but numerous
insane asylums are under their painstaking
and gentle care. One peculiarity about the
order is, that the institutions under its care
will allow none but males within their walls,
from monastic dogmatism partaking of mis-
ogyny. But to those who obtain access to
their hospitals and asylums, the Alexian
Brothers prove kind, gentle and scrupulously
careful nurses; and many poor, afflicted men
have reason to bless this benevolent and phil-
anthropic organization. Their ambition is for
comprehensive charity, and they are desirous
of getting charge of a branch of the city
hospital, where their scope of sick-bed attendance will
be more general.
In 1868, the hospital was moved to No. 546 North
Franklin Street, the same site where their hospital is
now located. The house faced, in those days, upon
Franklin, in lieu of Market, Street. At this time, Henry
Engela was president, Matthew Pollig was vice-president,
and Nicholas Schyns was secretary. Henry Engela was
the first Provincial who came to Chicago — a provincial
being the chief executive of a province, which is com-
posed of several localities. About the year 1869, the
name was changed to the Alexian Brothers' Hospital,
and the hospital was enlarged and added to, till, at the
time of the fire, it had accommodations for about seven-
ty-five patients and was attended by twelve brothers.
But the fire did not respect this noble charity, and the
Alexian Brothers' Hospital was destroyed thereby, the
fire reaching the building at 4 o'clock p. m., on Mon-
day. The value of the hospital was about $48,000, and
the furniture therein cost $5,200, malting tin- aggregate
loss $53,000, not including two magnificent statues that
stood in their chapel, which were conceded to be the
finest specimens of the sculptor's art in Chicago.
53S
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
St. Luke's Hospital. — In the spring of 1864. Mrs.
Sarah Franklin, Mrs. Henry W. Hinsdale. Mrs. Aaron
Haven, Mrs. B. F. Hadduck, Mrs. A. LeDuc, Mrs. W.
I. Barney, Mrs. Levi Colburn and Mrs. Clinton Locke,
under the leadership of Rev. Clinton Locke, determined
upon establishing a free hospital ; the initiatory pros-
pectus of which stated that it would forever be under
the control of the Episcopal Church, but would minister
unto the poor and afflicted of all creeds and nations. A
charter was soon after obtained from the Legislature.
Rev. Clinton Locke was then chosen president, and Dr.
Walter Hav physician. On January 20, 1865, the act
of incorporation was approved, and the following gen-
tlemen were the incorporated trustees : James H.
Hoes, D. W. Page, L. B. Otis. W. G. Hibbard, J. F.
Beaty, Thomas C. Haines, George P. Lee, Samuel
Gehr, A. C. Calkins, R. D. VanWagener, Walter Hay,
and the Rector of Grace Episcopal Church, of Chicago.
At the first meeting of the trustees, Dr. Clinton Locke
was retained as president, which office he has held ever
since. Since its inception, this hospital has gradually
grown in its scope of charitable treatment, in conse-
quence of the endowments it has received and the
stable financial benefit it has acquired. A given sum
of money provides a bed in the institution for some
poor stricken wayfarer, and several such provisions
have been made by the wealthy and charitable mem-
bers of the Episcopal Church. Mrs. N. K. Fairbank is
the treasurer of this praiseworthy institution. As St.
Luke's is a charity hospital, funds are always needed
for the support of its inmates.
Albert Bliss Strong, M.D., member of the Illinois State
and local medical societies, and medical director for the Chicago
Mutual Life Indemnity Association, was born in Galesburg, III.,
May 22, 1845. His father, Rev. Erastus A. Strong, of the Theo-
logical Seminary of the Diocese of Ohio, and chaplain of the 3d O.
V- I. during the War of 1S62-65, left his home, near Lake Cham-
plain, X. Y., in 1839, and made the entire journey to Galesburg on
foot. He was one of the most energetic and enterprising of the
hardy pioneers who settled Northern Illinois, and was most highly
esteemed for his sterling integrity and worth. The first plows
made in Galesburg were forged by his hammer, and his was the
first house erected in that city. Overcoming every obstacle which
had prevented him from obtaining an education, he perseveringly
worked with such end in view, and succeeded in obtaining a colle-
giate training. His wife, Elizabeth S., the daughter of Levi Still-
man, a prominent citizen and chair manufacturer, of Hartford,
Conn., was from one of the oldest and most respected families of the
Nutmeg State. While an infant of two years, Dr. Strong's parents
moved to Gambier, Ohio, where he remained until four years
old, and, during the while his father was rector of the Episcopal
Church at Granville Ohio, attended the schools of Licking County,
Ohio. He then entered the preparatory department of Kenyon
College, and continued in that institution until 1862. When sev-
enteen years of age, he enlisted in the 85th Ohio Volunteer Infan-
try for three months service. His command was stationed at
Camp Douglas as guard over Confederate prisoners. At the ex-
piration of his term of enlistment, he re-enlisted in the 4th Ohio
Cavalry, but was rejected by the commanding officer on account of
his extreme youth. He resumed his studies at Kenyon College in
1864, and graduated therefrom in 1868. He immediately came to
Chicago, and for one vear was principal of the Blue Island Avenue
School. At the same time he began the study of medicine under
Dr. I. N. Danforth, afterward under the directions of Dr. J 1'.
Koss, both of Chicago, with whom he remained three years, dur-
ing which time he matriculated in Kush Medical College, and took
his degr<;'.- as Doctor of Medicine with the class of 1872. Before
his graduation he was appointed resident physician to St. Luke's
. and attended lectures in Rush Medical College, which
were given in an amphitheatre of the County Hospital, at the cor-
ner of Eighteenth and Arnold streets, lie applied for the position
of interne, and, upon competitive examination, was appointed to
that position in inty Hospital, and, after the lire of
1871, was one of the Belief Committee. Immediately after his
graduation, on competitive examination, he received the appoint-
ment of lecturer on materia medica, in the spring course of Kush
College, which chair he filled for two years. He was then
elected to the chair of demons! rutor ol anatomy, which he now oc-
cupies. Dr. Strong was married June 24, i86g, to Miss Ida F.
Cook, daughter of ex-Alderman Cook, of Chicago, and has three
children — Ralph S., Walter A. and Edward. He is a prominent
member of the Illinois Club.
Chicago Medical Society. — The continuation of
the history of this Society, given in the first volume,
may be thus summarized. The officers for the period
from 1858 to 1871 were as follows, so far as they could
be ascertained :
1858 — N. S. Davis, president ; H. Parker, vice-president ;
Thomas Bevan, secretary and treasurer. 1859 — D. D. Waite,
president ; Swayne Wickersham, vice-president ; N. S. Davis, sec-
retary and treasurer ; N. S. Davis, Swayne Wickersham, Charles
D. B. O'Ryan, delegates to the American Medical Association ;
John M. Woodworth, George K. Amerman. Edward L. Holmes,
Henry C. Clapp, delegates to the State Medical Society. 1861 —
Ira Hatch, president ; Swayne Wickersham, vice-president ; Charles
Oilman Smith, secretary. 1862 — Gerhard Christian Paoli, president;
Swayne Wickersham, vice-president ; Edward L. Holmes, secretary
and treasurer. 1S63 — M. O. Heydock, president ; T. Bevan, vice-
president ; E. Marguerat, secretary and treasurer. 1864 — Gerhard
C. Paoli, president; M. O. Heydock, vice-president; Edward L.
Holmes, secretary and treasurer. 1865— T. Bevan, president ; E.
Marguerat, vice-president ; D. Mills Tucker, secretary. 1866- — A.
Groesbeck, president ; J. P. Ross, vice-president ; T. Davis Fitch,
secretary ; D. Mills Tucker, treasurer. 1867 — J. P. Ross, presi-
dent ; John Reed, vice-president; Henry M. Lyman, secretary and
treasurer. 1868 — E. Marguerat, president ; R. G. Bogue, vice-
president; P. S. MacDonald, secretary. 1869 — R. G. Bogue, presi-
dent; Ernst Schmidt, vice-president; Hiram Wanzer, secretaryand
treasurer. 1870 — T. D. Fitch, president ; F. A. Emmons, vice-
president; C. C. Dumreicher, secretary and treasurer. 1871 — Wil-
liam Godfrey Dyas, president ; W. E. Quine, secretary.
Many interesting facts and data concerning the So-
ciety are forever lost, because of the destruction of the
records in the fire of 1871 ; they being unfortunately, at
that time, in the possession of a committee and not in
the custody of the secretary, Dr. W. E. Quine.
The Chicago Academy of Medical Sciences was
organized March 1, 1859, with the following officers:
DeLaskie Miller, president ; J. N. Graham, first vice-
president ; J. R. Gore, second vice-president ; E. C
Rogers, third vice-president ; S. C. Blake, recording
secretary ; Edward L. Holmes, corresponding secretary;
R. C. Hamill, treasurer ; William Scott Denniston, as-
sistant secretary and librarian; and James Bloodgood,
Joseph P. Ross and Ephraim Ingals, trustees.
The Chicago College of Pharmacy was organ-
ized and incorporated on the 5th of September, 1859,
to advance the art of pharmacy and collateral sciences,
to establish on just principles the relations existing
between apothecaries, druggists, physicians and the
public, and to improve the members, their assistants
and apprentices, by the cultivation and diffusion of
of scientific knowledge. The first course of lectures
commenced November 9, 1859, at room No. 18 Rice's
Building, Nos. 75 to 81 Dearborn Street. The officers
were Franklin Scammon, M.D., president; Frederick
A. Bryan and Henry W. Fuller, vice-presidents; J. D.
Paine, secretary; S. S. Bliss, treasurer; Franklin
Scammon, T. W. P. Mercereau, S. S. Bliss, E. L.
O'Hara, W. H. Muller, F. A. Bryan, J. D. Paine, E H.
Sargent, George Buck and L. F. Humeston, trustees.
The faculty were James Van Zandt Blaney, M.D., pro-
fessor of chemistry; F. Scammon, M.D., professor of
pharmacy, and John H. Rauch, M.D., professor of ma-
teria medica. The college was subsequently removed to
Lind's Block, attic story,* after which the lectures on
chemistry were delivered in the hall of Rush Medical
College, the faculty thereof generously allowing it to be
used free of charge. Before the inauguration of the
second course of lectures, F. Mahla, Ph. D., was given
* For valuable data pn
to N. Gray Dartlctt.
nted ill this sketch, the collaborator
MEDICAL HISTORY.
539
the chair of chemistry and Dr. J. A. Allen the chair of
materia medica. The prostration of business interests
in 1861 produced a depression in the affairs of the
College, which was, however, counteracted by the zeal
and energy of W. H. Dillingham. For several years
interest in the college flagged, until the arrival of an
extensive assortment of chemicals from Messrs. Powers
& Weightman — a donation from those gentlemen —
in the spring of 1867, excited comment and inquiry. A
meeting held at the office of Dr. William H. Byford
resulted in the formation of committees that resuscita-
ted the school, and re-established it at Rice's Building,
No. 77 Dearborn Street. In September, 1868, the
first number of the Pharmacist was issued, as a quarter-
ly journal, the object being to furnish a fund to renew
the course of pharmaceutical lectures. But not until in
1870 was the College of Pharmacy re-opened. On the
evening of September 30 of that year, Dr. John H.
Rauch gave the first lecture. The faculty were J. V.
Z. Blaney, professor of chemistry; George M. Ham-
bright, professor of materia medica; N. Gray Bartlett,
professor of pharmacy; and John H. Rauch, professor
of botany. From the third class of thirty-one students
one graduated, F. M. Goodman, he being also the
third graduate from the college; the first two were
Henry Tomboeken and Thomas Whitfield. The facul-
ty for 1871-72 were N. Gray Bartlett, professor of
chemistry; Albert E. Ebert, professor of pharmacy;
George M. Hambright, professor of materia medica;
and John H. Ranch, professor of botany. The fourth
annual course of lectures was opened on October 3,
1S71, by the president of the college, E. H. Sargent,
to a large and enthusiastic class. Before a week had
passed, the building and apparatus were things of the
past. The loss of apparatus and material amounted to
about $1,000.
E. H. Sargent was born at Dover, New Hampshire, on No-
vember 13, 1S30, and is the son of John Bowen and Mercy Sargent.
He received his education at the Dover Academy, after which he
learned the drug business at Lowell, Mass. In 1852, he came to
this city and went into business with Dr. Franklin Scammon, their
store being situated at No. 140 Lake Street. Since the dissolution
of the partnership, Mr. Sargent has continued the business alone,
until the present time, and is now, though still a young man, one
of the oldest and most prominent druggists in the city of Chicago.
Mr. Sargent was president of the Chicago College of Pharmacy
from 1S65 to 1872, and of the American Pharmaceutical Association
in 1869-70. On June 4, 1856, he married, at Jeffersonville, Ind.,
Miss Mary Westcott Elmer. In 1S54, Mr. Sargent became a
member of Oriental Lodge, No. 33, A. F. & A. M.. and now, with
Hon. John Wentworth and other veteran residents of Chicago,
ranks among the oldest members of the lodge.
William M. Dale was born in Kilmarnoch, County of Ayr,
Scotland, February 10, 1S42, and was educated at the academy of
his native town. After receiving his English education, he was
apprenticed in a drug store at that place. He served there four years
and then went to Glasgow, where he also remained four years in a
drugstore, and from thence to Kinross, where he established a little
store of his own, and remained until he left the " land o' cakes"
for Chicago, arriving here in 1865. Mr. Dale first went into Buck
& Rayner's establishment, where he was employed for two years,
and then, in partnership with John Heiland. he established the
house of Dale & Heiland, at No. 155 Clark Street. After the fire,
the firm moved to the West Side for one year, and there Mr. Dale
re-opened at the old stand, where he continued until 1879, when he
established the drug store, corner of Clark and Madison streets,
which, under his management, has become one of the most popu-
lar pharmacies in the city. Mr. Dale was married, June I, 1869, to
Mary Walker, of Glasgow, and has five children — William Wallace,
Christina, Alice, Jessie and Maggie.
Theodore Henry Patterson was born November 24, 1840,
in Lorain County, Ohio. He attended for several years the schools
of his native town, and finally graduated from the high school at
Elyria. After this he taught school for four winters, and began
studying medicine under his uncle, Dr. R. J. Patterson, having
made up his mind to enter the medical profession. lie afterward
took a course of lectures at Rush Medical College, in this city,
and attended two terms at a medical school in Cleveland. In 1864,
he graduated from the Charity Hospital Medical College of that
city, and received the degree of M.D. When the War broke out,
Dr. Patterson, loyal to the great cause, offered his services to the
Government and he was appointed assistant-surgeon of the 187th
Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He proved to be most successful and
competent, and was promoted, on June 26, 1865, to be surgeon of
his regiment and acting surgeon-in-chief of the Second Military
Division of Georgia. After the War was over, he decided to make
Chicago his future home. He arrived here in March, 1866, and
was appointed temporary physician of the Cook County Poor
House. In September of the same year, he concluded to give up
practicing his profession and turn his attention to pharmacy. He
opened a drug store at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Twenty-
second Street, where he remained thirteen years, and in 1879 he
removed to his present place of business. lie has been prominently
identified with the Chicago College of Pharmacy since its inception,
having been trustee, treasurer, secretary and president of the same,
at different times. In April, 1883, he was unanimously elected
president of that institution, and was tendered that office in 18S4,
which, however, he declined. Dr. Patterson has also been largely
identified with the State Pharmaceutical Association; in fact, he is
a man of energy and purpose, and is always ready, willing and
active to promote the interests of any institution that will tend to
benefit the medical profession, and to this perhaps is due the high
regard and esteem with which he is held by those who are most
interested in such wcrk. Dr. Patterson is at present secretary of
the Pharmaceutical Association, which office he has held and filled
with credit since 18S2. He is also a member of the American
Pharmaceutical Association, and of Apollo Commandery, No. I,
K. T.; the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, the Grand Army
of the Republic, and of the Douglas Club. He was married, Feb-
ruary 24, 1870, to Miss Laura Waggener, of Chicago; they have
three children — Charles W., Theodore Hiram, and Olive.
Brainard Free Dispensary was established in
1869, at rooms n and 12, in Rice & Jackson's Block,
on the northwest corner of Jefferson and Randolph
streets. Of this charitable enterprise, Samuel Hoard
was president, Albro E. Bishop was vice-president, and
S. W. Walker secretary and treasurer.
Protestant Deaconess' Hospital was estab-
lished in 1868, at No. 141 North Dearborn Street, with
Rev. W. A. Passavant, director; Dr. George Schloetzer,
physician; and Miss C. Super, matron. The hospital
remained at this location until the fire.
MEDICAL RELIEF.
The first step taken by the physicians and surgeons
of the city to assist their unfortunate brethren, was at a
meeting held Tuesday evening, October 11, 1871, where
various measures were discussed. The meeting ad-
journed, and re-convened on the 17th, when the follow-
ing telegram was received — the first organized attempt
on the part of the medical fraternity in a foreign city:
" New York, October 16, 1S71.
" Dr. H. A. Johnson,
" Chairman Sanitary Committee:
" Over two thousand dollars subscribed by medical men this
evening for suffering physicians of Chicago. Organize for ils dis-
tribution, and draw on Dr. S. T. Hubbard, 27 West Twenty-ninth
Street. Further amounts to be reported.
" E. R. Peaslee, M. D, Chairman."
The $2,000 mentioned was sent October 24, 1S71,
by Dr. S. T. Hubbard, to Dr. Walter Hay. Upon
October 19, a meeting was held, whereat the following
pamphlet was promulgated:
" At a meeting of physicians, held on the 17th inst., at No.
797 Wabash Avenue, of which Dr. X. S. Davis was made chair-
man, and Dr. E. Andrews secretary, the announcement having
been made that communications had been received from prominent
physicians of other cities, to the effect that contributions for the
relief of the suffering members of the profession here are now
awaiting the order of responsible parties to receive and disburse
them, Drs. Moses Gunn, E. Andrews, and A. Fifher having
been appointed a committee to recommend suitable persons for a
permant relief committee of five, nominated the following gentle-
men : Drs. N. S. Davis, DeLaskie Miller, Ernst Schmidt, T. D.
540
HISTORY OF CHICAGO
Fitch, and Walter Hay, which nominations being unanimously
approved, the following resolutions were adopted:
'* Resolved, That the committee just chosen is hereby authorized
to receive all donations for the relief of the respectable physicians
who are sufferers by the late fue, distribute the same at their dis-
cretion, and render a strict account, with vouchers, to any future
meeting which may be called by the chairman to consider the same.
-. That this meeting tender the cordial and heartfelt
thanks of the profession of this city to their brethren in other and
distant cities, for the prompt and liberal offers of assistance to the
many among us who have lost, by the late fire, not only their
homes, clothes, books and instruments, but their practice; and
pledge a just use of whatever is given.
"Contributions may be forwarded at once by express, or
draft on New York, to Walter Hay, M.D., secretary medical relief
committee. No. 3S4 Michigan Avenue. Donations from publish-
ing houses, instrument makers and physicians, of books, instru-
ments, or apparatus, will be gratefully received, as many of our
professional brethren have saved only their lives.
" DeLaskie .Miller, M.D., No. 51S Wabash Avenue, chair-
man.
" X. S. Davis, M.D. , No. 797 W'abash Avenue, treasurer.
" Ernst Schmidt, M.D., No. 3^7 State Street.
" T. D. Fitch, M.D., No. 296 West Monroe Street.
"Walter Hay, M.D. No. 334 Michigan Avenue, secretary."
In response to this appeal $10,781.08 were received
by Dr. Walter Hay, secretary, and $10,781.00 were
disbursed by Dr. Nathan Smith Davis, treasurer, the
balance of eight cents being still intact. As a part of
this aggregate were eighteen checks for $50 each, dis-
bursed by a committee of physicians from St. Louis,
who were advised relative to its distribution by the
Chicago Medical Relief Society. By the courtesy of
Dr. Walter Hay, the following tabulated statement of
receipts is, for the first time, given to the public; the
table of expenditures can not, for obvious reasons, be
published. In connection with the liberal contributions
made by the New York physicians, it is an acknowledged
fact, that, to the exertions of Frank H. Hamilton, M.D.,
of New York, the medical profession of Chicago is
mainly indebted for the relief received from the former
city. A schedule of the money received is as follows:
1S71.
Oct. 21. Physicians of St. Louis, per Drs
William S. Edgar and J. Her-
mann % 900 00
Oct. 24. Academy of Medicine, Cincinnati,
per C. C. Comegys, president 392 00
Oct. 24. Francis Minot, Boston, Mass. 10 00
Oct. 24. Dr. Mergler, Wheeling, Cook Co.,
Ills. 20 00
Oct. 24. Dr. II. Kiefe, Detroit, Mich 25 00
Oct. 27. Dr. S. T. Hubbard, treasurer N. Y.
Executive Committee 2,000 00
Oct. 2S. Dr. C. E. Buckingham, Boston 25 00
Oct. 23. Academy of Medicine, Cincinnati, per
C. E. Comegys, M.I J., president 65 00
Oct. 28. Dr. Franklin Bonney, Hadley, Mass. 14 00
Nov. I. Kings County Medical Society,
Brooklyn, L. I., per Dr. J. H.
H. Burge and Dr. Gunn 1,000 00
Nov. 1. New York Executive Committee, per
Dr. S. T. Hubbard, treasurer 2,000 00
Nov. 6. German Physicians of Baltimore,
per I >r. A. Friedenwald, presi-
dent, ami Dr. Ernst Schmidt 132 00
Nov. (). Dr. A. Friedenwald, Baltimore 5 00
Nov. 6. Kings County Medical Society,
Brooklyn, I,. I., per 1 Ir. J. II.
H. Burge and Dr. Moses Gunn. 100 00
Nov. 18. New York Executive < lommittee, per
Dr S. T. Hubbard, treasurer 1,000 00
2. St. Louis physicians, per Dr. W. S.
Edgar, treasurer 100 00
Dec. 5. Dr. J. C. Reeve, Dayton, Ohio 10 00
Dec. 6. New York Executive Committee, per
Dr. 5. i. Hubbard, treasurer 500 00
Dec. 8. Kings County Medical Society,
per Dr. J. II. H. Burge and Dr.
M'ws (iunn 238 00
Dec. 11. Dr. John Mc< urdy, Youngstown, O. i" 00
Dec. 14. Physicians of Lowell, Mass., per Dr.
Burnham, of Lowell, and Dr.
David Dodge, of Chicago _$ 105 00
Dec. 14. Medical Society of San Francisco,
Cal., and other physicians, per
Drs. Dean, president, and Gib-
bons, secretary (gold draft) 253 08
Dec. 22. Rensselaer County Medical Society,
Lansingburgh, N. Y., per Dr.
George H. Hubbard, president- 75 00
Dec. 23. Dr. J. C. Reeve, Dayton, O. (2d)_. 5 00
Dec. 23. Medical Society of the District of
Columbia- 20000
1S72.
Jan. 3. New York Executive Committee, per
Dr. S. T. Hubbard, treasurer 150 00
Jan. 15. Dr. Francis Minot, Boston, per Dr.
N. S. Davis. _. 25 00
Jan. 17. Dr. J. Ludlow, treasurer of Philadel-
phia Executive Committee .. __ 1,115 00
Jan. 18. Boyle Co., Ky., Medical Society, per
Drs. J. D. Jackson and N. S.
Davis 35 00
Jan. 30. Dr. J. R. Gibson, U. S. Army, York-
ville, S. C - - _ 5 00
Feb. 2. Dr. J. G. Richardson, Philadelphia. 20 00
F"eb. 9. Francis H Brown, M.D., 97 Wal-
tham Street, Boston, Mass 97 00
Feb. 10. S. T. Hubbard, treasurer New York
Executive Committee 150 00
Total $10, 78 1 oS
At the date when the final account of Dr. Walter
Hay, secretary, and Dr. Nathan S. Davis, treasurer,
were submitted, a vote of thanks was given those offi-
cers and the committee; and the Medical Relief Com-
mittee, which had performed so much good in so unos-
tentatious a manner, ceased to be.
HOMEOPATHY.
The history of this branch of the medical profession
has the same general statement applicable thereto, as
pertains to the Allopathic school. The homeopathists,
by their successful surgical and medical practice, com-
manded the respect of the older school and recognition
from the public.
There were no cases of organized opposition to the
homeopathic practitioners, nor many cases of individual
antagonism, until the breaking out of the War, when the
board of allopathic practitioners found themselves in a
quandary, by the application of Gaylord D. Beebe for
a position in the army. By this application, the board
were forced into hostility, for how were they to examine
a homeopath ? As to his surgical qualifications, the
matter was sufficiently easy of solution ; but there was
a probability that the patients, whom the prospective
surgeon would be called upon to administer unto, would
require other than surgical treatment, and how could
they endorse the treatment by the homeopathic phar-
maceutical theses? Hence, the board were compelled
to oppose Dr. Beebe and refuse to examine him.*
This case naturally incensed the adherents of the
new school, and created animadversion on the proced-
ure of the board of examiners.
Hut the fruition of their effort and merit has dis-
solved the old lines of demarkation, and homeopathic
and allopathic physicians have been found in unity, the
talents of each school engendering a mutual respect
and esteem, and the emulation, a praiseworthy effort, to
see who could the most effectually relieve distress and
suffering, both bodily and mental.
* I)r. Beeb^fl ftuccefls in proem ingan examination at Washington, and pass-
ing iln- same, will he found narralcd in his biography, on page 469, voi. I.
c^fc.^J
MEDICAL HISTORY.
54i
The history of the college which was the center of
the homeopathic system is, briefly, as follows :
Hahnemann Medical College. — In the summer
of 1S59, the homeopathic physicians of this city were
convened to organize the college and nominate the
faculty and officers. The following gentlemen were
nominated, and subsequently confirmed by the board of
trustees : David Sheppard Smith, president of the fac-
ulty and, ex officio, president of the board of trustees ;
George E. Shipman, secretary and treasurer ; A. E.
Small, professor of the theory and practice of medicine ;
George E. Shipman, professor of materia medica and
therapeutics ; H. K. W. Boardman, professor of surgery ;
J. L. Kellogg, professor of obstetrics ; Reuben Ludlam,
professor of physiology and pathology; Nicho. F. Cooke,
professor of chemistry and toxicology ; Gaylord D.
Beebe, professor of anatomy ; and George Payson, lec-
turer on medical jurisprudence. Mr. Payson was not a
doctor of medicine, as were the professors. The faculty
then met, and selected A. E. Small dean, and Reuben
Ludlam registrar. At this meeting it was decided to
inaugurate a fall and winter curriculum of lectures,
continuing for twenty weeks, at No. 16S South Clark
Street, the rooms being situated in the marble block
HAHNEMANN MEDICAL COLLEGE.
adjoining Witkowsky Hall, near Monroe Street. The
course commenced October 15, i860, with twenty-five
students, eleven of whom, who had previously attended
lectures at other institutes, were graduated at the public
commencement, held on February 14, 1861. These grad-
uates were N. C. Burnham, R. J. Curtis, F. F. Dederkey,
C. S. Dunscombe, George E. Husband, E. M. P. Lud-
lam, John Moore, W. K. Palmer, A. W. Phillips, F. L.
Vincent and C. A. Williams.
The faculty of Hahnemann Medical College have
been as follows,* during the years from 1861 to 1871 :
Professors of principles and practice of medicine : A E. Small,
1861-63; theory and practice of medicine; A. E. Small, emeritus,
1S64-69; C. C. Smith, 1S70; N. F. Prentice 1S71.
Professor of materia medica and therapeutics: George E Ship-
man, 1S61-63 ; George E. Shipman, emeritus, 1S64-70; David
•D.S.Smith was president of the college from 1861 to i860, and A. E. Sma I
for the years 1870-71. George E. Shipman was secretary from 1861 to 1863, and
Henry M. Smith from 1864 to 1S71. A. E. Small was dean of the faculty from
1861 to 1869, and R. Ludlam in 1870-71.
Sheppard Smith, 1S64-65 ; E. M. II.de, 1866; materia medica,
therapeutics and medical botany. E. M. Hale, 1867: materia medica
and therapeutics, Temple S. lloyne, 1870-71; G. J. llempel,*
emeritus, 1871.
Professor of medical jurisprudence: A. E. Small, 1S64-65 ;
medical jurisprudence and insanity. C. Woodhouse, i866-6<).
Professor "f chemistry and toxicology: Nicho. F. Cooke,
1S61-63 ; Rodney Welch, 1S64-71.
Professor of physiology, pathology and clinical medicine : K.
Ludlam, 1861-63 i C. F. Reed, 1864 ; II. P. Gatchell, 1-1.= 67 .
H. P. Gatchell, emeritus, 1S6S-69 ; J. S. Mitchell, 186S-71.
Professor of obstericsand the diseases of women and children:
J. L. Kellogg, 1S61-63 ; R. Ludlam, 1864-71.
Professor of surgery and surgical anatomy, Henry Kirk White
Boardman, 1S61-63; Gaylord D. Beebe, 1864-65 ; surgery, G. I).
Beebe, 1S66-69 principles and practice of surgery, Willis lianforth,
1870-71.
Professor of anatomy: Gaylord D. Beebe, 1S61 ; general
and descriptive anatomy, W. Handford White, 1S62-63 ; D. AI-
phonso Golton, 1864-67; H. C. Allen, 1S6S-69 ; S. P. Hedges,
1S70-71.
Professor of surgical and pathological anatomy: J. S. Mitchell.
1866-67; t). Alphonso Colton, 1S6S ; practical ami pathological
anatomy, D. A. Golton, 1S69-70, emeritus, 1S71.
Demonstrator of anatomy: D. A. Colton, 1S62-63 ; C. A.
Wilbur, 1864-65 ; H. S. Sloan, 1S66 ; E. A. Ballard, 1870.
Assistant to chair of anatomy: J, W. Streeter, 1870.
Professor of chemistry and medical jurisprudence: F. A. Lord,
1S62-63 ; physiological and medical chemistry, E. A. Lord.f
1864-71.
Professor of medical botany and pharmacology : E. M. Hale,
1S70-71.
Professor of clinical medicine : Leonard Pratt, 1870.
Professor of special pathology and diagnosis : Leonard Pratt,
1S71.
Lecturer on psychological medicine, R. N. Foster, 1870.
Lecturer on the diseases of children, R. N. Foster, 1S71.
Lecturer on the diseases of the eye and ear, W. H. Woodyatt,
iS7r.
The following table gives the number of students
and graduates from the institution of the working col-
lege until 1 87 1 :
Tek.m. No. Students. No. Graduates.
1S60-61 --. 20 II
1S61-62 29 II
1S62-63 31 II
1863-64 20 5
1864-65 42 J3
1S65-66 - 59 26
1866-67 60 26
1867-6S 57 24
1S6S-69 --- 53 -- 24
1869-70 50 19
1S70-71 - 9" 3S
1-717- 92 32
The quarters of the college remained on Clark
Street until 1868, when they were removed to No. 619
(now 1237) State Street, and over an edifice used as a
vinegar-factory. Here the faculty and the students re-
mained until October 3, 1870, when their elegant build-
ing on Cottage Grove Avenue was completed, at a cost
of $18,000, and the first lecture given on that date. A
hospital was also erected on Groveland Park Avenue,
and therein students had the advantage of clinical in-
struction. Hon. J. Y. Scammon donated the ground
upon which this hospital was built. One additional fact
in connection with this college places it in the front rank
of the progressive institutions of the country, it having
thrown open its doors to female students in [869, two
of whom, Mrs. R. H. Harris and Mrs. M. 11. Camm,
graduated at the session of 1S70-71. These were the
first ladies graduated in Chicago, and Hahnemann Col-
lege was the first medical institution that conferred
diplomas upon the opposite sex.
* Dr. Hempel was a translator of note. Among his translai
ler's worksand twenty volume* ol medical works.
tUr. F. A. l.ord di.d in the fall of 1872. The U.S. Medical and Surgical
Journal, commentin.: thereupon, slated 1 h.tl "his lectures upon pin -
chemistry. eNliven-d in tins '-,,]!, -e. weri probably in advance of anything of
the kind that has been attempted in this country."
542
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
ALVAN EDMUND Small, A.M., M.D., president of Hahne-
mann Medical College and Hospital ot Chicago, is one of the old-
est resident physicians of this city. He was born in Wales, Lin-
coln Co., Maine, March 4, 1S11, and attended the public schools
until he was sixteen years of age. By that time he had so distin-
guished himself for scholarship, that he was chosen as principal of
one of the district grammar schools. After teaching for a time,
he commenced an academic course at Monmouth, in his native
State, and, completing a four-years course, he was installed as
principal of one of the city schools in Bath, Maine, which position
he rilled with great acceptance for two years. While engaged in
his work as teacher, he continued to be himself a diligent student
of English and classical literature, as a private pupil of Hon. Ben-
jamin Randall, then representative in Congress. Having deter-
mined to study medicine, the young teacher placed himself under
the tuition of Dr. H. B. C. Green, of Saco, Maine, a man eminent
for his ability and success as a physician. With Dr. Green
he studied for two years, and then completed his medical
education in Philadelphia, at the old Pennsylvania School,
the Mecca of medicine in this country. His first location
for practice was in Delaware County, Penn., where he
remained until 1S45, when, after embracing homeopathy, he
removed to Philadelphia, and engaged in a general practice.
During the years of his practice in that city, he gained an
enviable reputation as an unusually skillful and successful
physician, and in 1S49 was appointed the first professor of
physiology and pathology in the Homeopathic Medical Col-
lege of Pennsylvania, which institution had the honor of
being the first regularly chartered homeopathic school in the
world. In 1S53, he was transferred to the chair of institutes
and practice in the same institution. When Dr. Small sev-
ered his connection with this college, in order to remove to
Chicago, the trustees and faculty, in a very earnest and
eulogistic series of resolutions, expressed their sense of the
loss sustained by them. Dr. Small removed to Chicago in
1S56, and entered upon a general practice. Here his repu-
tation followed him. and his success as a physician soon
made him one of the marked medical men of Chicago.
When the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago was
organized, in 1S59, Dr. Small was elected to the chair of
theory and practice, and also became dean of the faculty.
In 1865, he was honored by being made emeritus professor
of the same chair. For thirty-five years of his professional
life, Dr. Small has served in the capacity of a medical
teacher. In that time he has delivered over two thousand
lectures, and hundreds of physicians throughout the country
remember his instructive and earnest addresses with plea-
sure and appreciation. Besides his regular professional
duties, Dr. Small has been for many years engaged in edi-
torial work, having been a voluminous author and writer of
medical review articles, and a journalist. His published
works include the " Manual of the Homeopathic Practice,"
which has passed through fifteen editions, and been trans-
lated into the German language; a volume on " Diseases of
the Nervous System"; and monographs on various subjects,
that have given him a world-wide reputation. For thirty-
two years he has been an active and most valued member
of various medical societies. He has held the office of presi-
dent of the Illinois State Homeopathic Medical Association,
and also of the American Institute of Homeopathy ; he is a
life-member of the Chicago Academy of Sciences and of the
Chicago Historical Society. In his intercourse with his
professional brethren, his uniform courtesy, kindliness and
genuine good-will toward all, have marked him as a man to be
loved for his admirable qualities of mind and heart, as well as
respected and admired for his ability and talents. At the age of
nearly seventy-four, he possesses the haleness, vigor and genialty
of youthful prime, and is a striking example of self-culture of
mind and care of the physical system.
REUBEN I.im.am was born at Camden, NT. J., on October 7,
1831, and was the son of Jacob W Ludlam, a distinguished phy-
sician of that place, who removed to Illinois, and died at Kvanston
in 1858. During his adolescence, Reuben Ludlam manifested a
talent and taste for medical science, and commenced a systematized
course of study under the tutelage of his father, and accompanied
him on liis visits to his patients. Six years were devoted by him
to the special pri paration for bis medical work, and his proficiency
was demonstrated by the degree of Doctor of Medicine being con-
ferred upon him by the ('Diversity of Pennsylvania, in March,
[852, -shortly after this, he removed to Chicago, and became a
convert to the doctrines of Hahnemann. Upon the organization
of the first faculty of the Hahnemann Medical College, in 1859, he
accepted the professorship of physiology, pathology and clinical
medicine, and after four years he was transferred to the chair of
obstetrics and diseases of women and children, a position that he
is naturally, and by education peculiarly qualified to fill, as he has
given special attention to the diseases that are included in that de-
partment. He has devoted a great deal of time to the study of
uterine surgery, both in this country and in Europe, and, having
combined years of practice with years of arduous study, Dr. Lud-
lam is the acknowledged leading gynecologist of the homeopathic
school in the United States, and, as such, he is a prominent pillar
of the success of Hahnemann Medical College, of whose faculty he
is dean. lie is an accomplished French scholar, and thus is
enabled to pursue his scientific investigations in both the English
and French works and periodicals. As a medical writer, Dr. Lud-
lam is clear, graceful and logical ; his writings manifest the careful
research and laborious investigation that are the key-notes of his
success, and for this reason they are regarded as authoritative upon
the topics of which they treat. For six years, he was editorially
connected with the North American Journal of Homeopathy,
published in New York, and for nine years with the United States
tf} f #C^vz^
Medical and Surgical Journal, published in Chicago. In March,
1S63, a Chicago house published "A Course of Clinical Lectures
on Diphtheria," of which Dr Ludlam was the author, and which
was the first medical work ever issued in the Northwest. In 1871,
however, another volume, entitled " Clinical and Didactic Lectures
on the Diseases of Women," made its debut, from his pen and be-
came at once a recognized text book in all homeopathic medical
colleges. It has run through five large editions, and has been
translated into French, and published in Paris by Delahaye. In
1879, Dr. Ludlam, in addition to his other multifarious duties,
translated a work on Clinical Medicine from the French of Jous-
set, adding many original and valuable notes. The literary and
medical successes of Dr. Ludlam naturally attracted the attention
of other States tn him, and, in 1868, the Home Infirmary for the
Diseases of Women, in New York, tendered him the position of
physician thereto; and, in 1870, he was elected professor of obste-
trics and diseases of women and children in the New York
Homeopathic College; but, being satisfied with Chicago, Dr.
Ludlam declined these proffered honors. Among many positions
whereby the estimation of his consociates has been manifested may
be mentioned ihe presidency of the American Institute of Homeop-
athy, of the Chicago Academy of Medicine, of the Western In-
stitute of Homeopathy, of the Illinois Homeopathic Medical
MEDICAL HISTORY.
543
Society and of the Clinical Society of Chicago. Dr. Ludlam was
also a member of the Medical Department of the Relief and Aid
Society, which performed such a gigantic eleemosynary work after
the great fire. In this department he was the sole homeopathic
physician, and is now the representative of his school of medicine
on the State Board of Health. Dr. Ludlam is also the editor of
the Clinique, a magazine that is the recognized expositor of home-
opathic medical science in this city. Dr. Ludlam has been twice
married; his first wife, Anna M. Porter, of Greenwood, N. J.,
dying three years after marriage. By his second wife, Harriet G.
Parvin, of New York, he has a son, who bears the same name as
his father.
Nicholas Francis Cooke was born, on August 25, 1S29, at
Providence, R. I., the great-grandson of Hon. Nicholas Cooke, the
first Continental Governor of Rhode Island. Early in life he de-
cided upon entering the medical profession, and so prosecuted his
studies for several years as private pupil of Rev. Thomas Sheppard,
D.D., of Bristol, R. I., and with a special course of instruction im-
parted by Professor Henry S. Frieze, now professor of the Latin
languige and literature in the University of Michigan, also receiv-
ing special instruction in medical science from Usher Parsons. M.D.,
of Providence, R. I. In 1846, Dr. Cooke entered Brown Univer-
sity, and was a contemporaneous student, although not a classmate,
with President Angel!, of the University of Michigan. From 1S49
until 1852, he traveled in foreign countries and utilized the medical
knowledge, previously acquired, by performing the function of ship's
surgeon on several of the vessels upon which he sailed. After
making a circuit of the globe, he returned to the United States in
1852, to pursue the study of medicine, and entered the medical de-
partment of the University of Pennsylvania, also attending lectures
at Jefferson Medical College. At about this time Dr. Cooke com-
menced the investigation of the principles and practice of homeop-
athy, for the purpose of making intelligent refutation of its tenets;
but " though he came to scoff, he staid to pray," and became a firm
adherent and exponent of its doctrines, graduating from the
Homeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania in the class of
1853—54. After his graduation he commenced the practice of
medicine in Providence, R. I., with A. H. Okie, M. D., who was
the first homeopathic graduate in the United States. In 1S55,
Dr. Cooke removed to Chicago, since which time, until his death,
he was identified with the homoeopathic practitioners of this city ;
where his scientific attainments, his classical scholarship and his
varied and notable accomplishments not alone brought deserved re-
pute to the man but also to the profession he adorned. In 1S59,
when the Hahnemann College was organized, he was selected as
professor of chemistry, and afterward professor of theory and prac-
tice of medicine, which latter chair he occupied until he resigned
in 1S70. In addition to these positions, Dr. Cooke was twice
elected to the professorship of the theory and practice of medicine
in different medical institutions, with solicitations to remove his
residence to the locations of the colleges ; but he decided that Chi-
cago was to be his permanent abiding place, and this decision
caused him to resign the professorship of special pathology and
diagnosis of the Pulte Homeopathic College, of Cincinnati, he
having accepted that chair at the opening of the college in 1872
retaining it until the termination of the session. The Legislature
of Michigan having decreed that a chair of theory and practice in
the medical department of the University of Michigan should be
awarded to a member of the homeopathic profession, a convention
of that class of physicians was held at Ann Arbor, Mich., on the 7th
of May, 1873, an^ l^r- Cooke was the first of the three physicians
nominated for that professorship from whom the regents of the
University were to make their selections He was an able and
scholarly author, and contributed extensively to both general and
medical literature, including two comprehensive and notable works,
entitled "Satan in Society" and "Antiseptic Medication." Dr.
Cooke was married, on the isth of October, 1856, to Laura Whea-
ton Abbot, of Warren, R. I., daughter of the late Commodore Joel
Abbot, a highly distinguished officer of the "old" United States
Navy, and has four children — Nicholas Francis, Jr., Abbot Stanis-
laus, Joseph Walter, and Mary Gertrude. The various attainments
and qualifications of Dr. Cooke received, in 1880, another merited
recognition. — the emeritus professorship of special pathology and
diagnosis in the Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital of Chi-
cago. He was a member of the American Institute of Homeop-
athy since 1854. becoming a " senior member " in 1878, and was
elected vice president of that body in 1879 He was made Doctor
of Laws bv St. Ignatius College. June 5, 1871. His death occurred
on February 1, 1885, of disease of the heart, very suddenly; and
thereby society lost an upright and honorable gentleman, the pro-
fession one of its most intellectual and capable members and his
friends one whose memory will ever remain with then] as one of tin-
gentlest, yet staunchest, of men. His skill and experience have
alleviated innumerable instances of bodily suffering ; his kindly
sympathy and ready benevolence were to' the full as effectual in
helping mental and physical distress ; and none who sought his aid
and counsel, as a physician or friend, " came empty away."
George E. SHIPMAN, M.D., founder and superintendent of
the Foundlings' Home, was born on March 4, 1820, in the 1 ity ol
New York. After a residence of a year and a half at Middlebury
College, Yermont, in the fall of 1836 he entered the sophomore
class pf the University of the City of New York, from which he
graduated in 1839. He pursued his medical course in the College
of Physicians and Surgeons, under the direction of Dr. Alfred C.
Post, of New York City. He commenced to practice in January,
and in September graduated from the college. Dr. Shipnian came
west soon afterward, going first to Peoria, but, in January, 1844,
moved to Andover, Henry Co., 111. In April, 1S45, he married
Miss Fannie E. Boardman, of Northford, Conn., and came to
Chicago in October, 1846. At this period there were not more
than half a dozen regular practicing physicians of the homeopathic
school west of Buffalo. Dr. Shipman soon was recognized as a
practitioner of ability, and when the homeopaths commenced to
gain in number and influence, he took a most active part in organ-
izing them into the local societies. In 1851, he was instrumental
in the formation of the Western Homeopathic Association, and, in
1857, was appointed one of the homeopathic board who were
allowed by the Common Council to be in attendance upon the
patients of the new city hospital. In 1S54, he had established the
first homeopathic hospital in the city, on Kinzie Street; and, in
1855, when the Hahnemann College was founded, through the ef-
forts of Dr. D. S. Smith, he was, by the act of incorporation, made
one of its first board of trustees. Dr. Shipman subsequently be-
came a member of the faculty, taking the chair of materia medica
and therapeutics. He continued in the successful practice of his
profession, and, in January, 1S71, opened the Foundlings' Home,
the noble charity of which he still has the active management. It
was first established at No. 54 South Green Street, but, for want
of space, was afterward removed. Until May, 1S72, Dr. Shipnian
carried the whole responsibility of the enterprise upon his own
shoulders; but, at that time, the Home was incorporated and a
board of trustees appointed under the general act. Two years
thereafter, a removal was effected to its fine quarters on South
Wood Street. As secretary and superintendent of the Found-
lings' Home, he is still actively engaged in the practice of the
profession which he has so long adorned and through which he is
now doing so magnificent a work. In October, 1848, he began to
publish the North-Western Journal, a monthly of sixteen pages,
which was continued for four years. This was the first Homeo-
pathic Medical Journal published in the West. At the second an-
nual meeting of the Western Institute of Homeopathy, held in St.
Louis, May, 1865, he was appointed editor of the United States
Medical and Surgical Journal, published under the auspices of the
Western Institute, the first number of which was issued in Chicago
in September, 1865, and filled this position for five years with signal
ability. At the request of Dr. VonGranvogle, surgeon-in-chief of
the Bavarian army, he translated his Text-book of Homeopathy
from the German, it being first published in the year 1870. Dr.
Shipman has eight living children and twenty-three grandchildren.
Thomas Cation Duncan, M.D., one of Chicago's very
prominent physicians, is a native of Scotland, where he was born
August 18, 1S40. When he was but two years of age, his parents
emigrated to Western New York, where they settled at Peoria.
They there remained until 1S48, when they again removed to Wau-
kesha County, Wis., and there located. He there attended the
public schools until he was seventeen years of age. when he en-
tered the Palmyra High School, and from there went to Milton
College. Having decided upon medicine as his profession, he was
devoting his studies especially with that end in view, and had
made fair progress when the news of Fort Sumter's fall flashed
through the country. Mr. Duncan immediately dropped his books
and enlisted in the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry Volunteers. At Cape
Girardeau he went into hospital service, where he remained until
1863, when, his health failing him, he left the service and returned
to the North, and resumed his studies. He subsequently entered
Hahnemann Medical College, from which institution he graduated
with honor in 1S66. Soon afterward he was appointed editor of the
United Stajes Medical Investigator, which position lie still holds.
544
HISTORY OF CHICAGO
In 1S69. he was elected lecturer on diseases of children in the
Hahnemann College, and, in 1881, was elected clinical professor
of diseases of children in Chicago Homeopathic Medical College,
which position he filled for two years ; but his extensive practice,
added to the onerous labors consequent upon his occupancy of the
editorial chair of a weekly medical journal, compelled him to resign
his professorship. Doctor Duncan is a member, honorary and
active, of a number of medical, literary, social and other organiza-
tions. He is also a voluminous writer, and his contributions to
the medical and secular press display a philosophical as well as
very practical mind. He is the author of a number of valuable
medical treatises and works; among the latter is one entitled 'Dis-
eases of Infants and Children, and their Homeopathic Treatment,"
which is an eminent authority and text-book in this branch of med-
icine. The doctor's interest in children, as consulting physician to
the Chicago Foundlings' Home, and his success in their treatment, led
hs friends to urge him to write a guide to mothers. This has been
well executed in the book entitled " Feeding and Management of
Children, and the Homeopathic and General Management of their
Diseases." Doctor Duncan has been equally successful in the prac-
tice of his profession as with the literary laurels he has won by the
use of his pen, and there are few practitioners who are more justly
honored by the profession and esteemed by their clients, than
Dr. T. C. Duncan.
Edwin M. Hale, M.D , was born at Newport, N. II., in the
year 1S29, and is the son of Dr. S. Hale, a lineal descendant of
the Hales of Norfolk, England. At the age of seven, his parents
removed to Fredonia, Ohio. At the age of twenty, he began the
study of law, but, finding it uncongenial, cast it aside, and entered
the office of Dr. Blair, a prominent homeopathic physician of
Newark, Ohio. Matriculating in the Cleveland Homeopathic
College in 1S50, he graduated therefrom in 1S59, having practiced
medicine in Jonesville, Mich., in the interval. While there he be-
came associate editor of the North American Journal of Homeop-
athy and of the American Homeopathic Observer. In 1S60, he
produced "A Monograph of Gelsemium " and followed it by a
work entitled " The Materia Medica and Therapeutics of New
Remedies " During the year 1S64, he accepted the chair of ma-
teria medica in the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, and
was then associated with Dr. A. E. Small of this city. He pro-
duced " Therapeutics of Sterility " in 1S69, a work of rare merit,
and one year later was elected lecturer on diseases of the heart in
the Hahnemann College. His lectures have since been published,
and the work is now in its ninth edition. "A Compendium of
Health," a large and exhaustive work, which has had an immense
sale, containing the best remedies and methods of treatment for
both men, animals, birds, etc. , was written under his editorial
supervision. His greatest work " New Remedies," has been re-
printed in French, German and Spanish. He was married, Octo-
ber 18. 1S55, to Miss Abbie George, of Jonesville, Mich., and has
two children — Dr. Albert B. Hale and Mrs. Frances G. Gardiner,
of this city. Dr. Hale was one of the organizers of the Chicago
Homeopathic College, and is now one of the emeriti professors.
He is an honorary member of the State Medical societies of New
York, Michigan, Massachusetts and Illinois, and of the American
Institute of Homeopathy, and associate editor of several medical
journals.
SAMUEL Parker Hedges, M.D.. was born at Siriclairville,
Chautauqua Co , N. V., July 23, 1841, and is descended from En-
glish ancestors, who came to this country in the seventeenth cen-
tury. He began his education in the public schools of his native
town, and was prepared for college in the Jamestown Academy.
L'pon reaching his majority, he entered the office of his uncle. Dr.
W. S. Hedges, of Jamestown, N. V.. and was in the midst of his
medical studies when the first gun of the Rebellion was fired. He
enisled as a private in the 112th New York Volunteer Infantry,
July 23, 1862. and was elected sergeant. In the following Decem-
ber he was made orderly sergeant, and shortly after received the
commission of second lieutenant, and was placed upon the staff of
General k. S. Foster. For distinguished services and praiseworthy
conduct in the heat of battle, he was commissioned first lieutenant
and adjutant of his regiment. During an engagement on James
River he was captured. After long confinement in the Southern
lie was returned to the Federal lines broken in health, and
was not fit for active service, until May, 1865. lie was then ap-
pointed captain of 1 o " 1 ," and was assigned to duty on the staff
of his brigade, under Colonel E. M. I.udwick, as acting assistant
adjutant-general, and in 1S65 was honorably discharged. lie
then resumed his medical studies in the Cleveland, Ohio Homeo-
pathic College, remaining until 1 866, when he came to Chicago,
and studied under the celebrated Professor Nicho. F. Cooke.
Matriculating in the Hahnemann Medical College, he graduated
therefrom in 1867. He was married to Miss Rachel Danforth,
- of I.. II. Danforth of Jamestown, N.Y., March 1 ), [867,
and has five children— Corinna, Will im I , Robert l> Graci ind
Samuel Dr. Hedge onding secretary of the Illinois
State Homeopathic Society for three years, secretary of the Cook
County for two years, and was called to the chair of general and
descriptive anatomy in his Alma Mater, and now is physician-in-
chief of the Chicago Orphan Asylum. He was, also, one of the
trustees of the Northwestern Theological Seminary. He is an ac-
tive member of the American Institute of Homeopathv.
Temple Stoighton HOYNE, M.I)., the eldest son of
Thomas Hoyne, LL.D , one of the oldest members of the Chicago
liar, and grandson of Dr. John T. Temple, of St. Louis, was born
in Chicago, October 16, 1S41. His first school days were spent in
the Dearborn School, on Madison Street, opposite the old Mc-
Yicker's theatre. When ten years of age, he was placed under the
instruction of private tutors, and subsequently attended various
select schools, until prepared to enter the Chicago University in
iS6d. He took the regular course in that institution, and gradu-
ated in 1S63, receiving the degrees of B.S.. M.S. and A.M. He
then became a student under the tuition of Dr. Frank H. Hamil-
ton, of New York City, and matriculated in the Bellevue Medical
College of that city, receiving his diploma in 1865. Returning to
Chicago in the same year, he began practice as a phvsician. Dur-
ing the War he was one of the volunteer surgeons called for by the
governor of New York, and had charge of a Fredericksburg hos-
pital at the time of the battle of the Wilderness. Dr. Hoyne was
married, October 17, 1866, to Miss Fannie H. Yedder, of Palatine
Bridge, N. Y., and has one daughter — Maud. Dr. Hoyne is a
graduate of the Chicago Hahnemann Medical College, and occu-
pies the responsible position of professor of practice and also of
treasurer of that institution. He is the author of several valuable
works, among which may be mentioned, "Clinical Therapeutics,"
and "A Monograph on Urinary and Yenereal Diseases." He is
also the editor of the Medical Yisitor.
Robert Newton Tooker, son and seventh child of Manly
and Roxana (Farwell) Tooker, was born at Rochester, N. Y., on
March 2S, 1841. Shortly after his birth, his parents moved to
Geneva, N. Y. , where the early childhood of Robert Newton was
passed. When he had reached his eighth year, the family again
changed its place of residence. During the following ten years,
young Tooker drifted from place to place in Western New York, in
company with his parents, owing to the fact that the senior Tooker
was a member of the Methodist ministry. In 1859, at tne a"e of
seventeen, Robert Newton entered the Genesee College, at Lima,
N. Y. He had early given evidence of the possession of a studious
mind, and, in order to foster the inclinations manifested, he was
accorded the benefit of a college course, which continued uninter-
ruptedly through four years, thus he acquired a thorough and gen-
eral education. At college, he evinced tastes of a decided literary
character, which, later in life, associated themselves closely with
his reputation as a physician. Leaving Genesee College, he be-
came, in 1S63, a student in Rush Medical College, having acquired
a desire for the study of medicine, where he remained for two years,
prosecuting his studies with a vigor and an eagerness that foretold
the success that awaited him. In 1S65, he entered the Bellevue
Hospital Medical College, of New York, from which institution he
graduated with honors. Shortly afterward he was commissioned
acting assistant surgeon of the United States Army, and was sent
to the Barracks Hospital at New Orleans. After remaining there
a year, he resigned his commission, and associated himself with his
brother-in-law. Dr. J. E. Gross, who had established a Sanitarium
at Richmond, Ind., taking charge of the male department of the
institution, in which capacity he served for three years. At the
expiration of that time he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and for five
years practiced his profession in that city. In 1S73, he came to
Chicago, where he has continued to reside and practice his profes-
sion. Dr. Tooker comes of a family noted for its exceptional edu-
cational attainments ; his father was a man of broad knowledge
and literary culture, and he held every office cf trust in the gift of
the Methodist Church, except that of Bishop. From his father
Dr. Tooker inherits his literary talents, which have shed no little
luster upon the pages of the " Medical Era," of which he is the
editor. Dr. Tooker is a ready and brilliant writer, an independent
thinker and philosophical reasoner, who has done much to en-
lighten the profession through the instrumentalitv of the " Era."
lie is noted for the interest he takes in young beginners in the pro-
fession, and there are many who can testify to the substantial en-
couragement they have met with from him. It is scarcely neces-
sary to say that lie occupies a prominent place among the medical
fraternity of Chicago. He is president of the Illinois Homeopa-
thic Medical Association, ex-president of the Chicago Academy of
Homeopathic Physicians and Surgeons, and a member of the
American Institute of Homeopathy. He has the honor of being
one of the founders of the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College,
in which, for five years, he filled the chair of physiology, since
which time he has occupied the chair of professor of .diseases of
children. < in May n, 1868, in the city of Chicago, he was mar-
ried to Clara Ann Johnson, by whom he has had six children, three
cf whom are living.
MEDICAL HISTORY.
545
A. W. Woodward was born July iS, 1S30, at Barnstable,
Mass. In 1847, he came to Galena, 111., and received his prelimi-
nary education at the preparatory school at Platt,eville, Wis , under
the celebrated president. Professor J. L. Pickard, LL.D., where he
remained until 1S57. He became interested in the study of medi-
cine, and after deciding upon that as the profession which he would
follow in his life's work, seized on every opportunity to read authori-
ties upon that subject. In 1S60, he came to this city, and engaged
in mercantile pursuits until January, 1S62, when he enlisted as a
private in the 1st Illinois Artillery Volunteers, and was assigned to
the battery commanded by Captain H. C. Waterhouse. He was
among the first to join that regiment, and was promoted second
lieutenant. The first engagement in which he participated was the
battle of Pittsburg Landing, subsequently being present through
the taking of Memphis, Tenn., and the first attack on Vicksburg,
Miss. In 1S63, in consequence of physical disability, he resigned
his commission, and shortly thereafter entered Hahnemann Medi-
cal College of this city, from which he graduated in 1865. He
immediately commenced practicing here, in which he has met with
great success, and is at present one of the facu'ty of the Homeo-
pathic Medical College, having been professor of materia medica
and therapeutics since the organization of the college. In 1870, he
married Miss Abbie E. Briggs, of Oakland. Cal.
Chicago Homeopathic Medical Society. — The
Chicago Homeopathic Medical Society was organized
April 2, 1857, and held its first meetings at the offices
of the prominent homeopathic practitioners of that pe-
riod. After the establishment of the college at No. 168
South Clark Street, they held their meetings there. The
earliest officers were A. E. Small, president, and Reu-
ben Ludlam, secretary. In 1867, the Cook County
Medical Society was formed, of which John Davies was
president, Thomas C. Duncan secretary, and Temple S.
Hoyne, treasurer. This Society, in 1869, was desig-
nated the Society of Homeopathic Physicians of the
Chicago Academy, and Reuben Ludlam was president,
John Davies vice-president, Temple S. Hoyne treasurer,
and S. P. Hedges corresponding secretary. In 1870,
Dr. Ludlam was still president, Willis Danforth was
vice-president. Temple S. Hoyne treasurer, and John
Davies corresponding secretary. During the same
year the society became the Chicago Academy of Med-
icine, and its office was at No. 66 Lake Street, the of-
ficers being : Reuben Ludlam, president ; Willis Dan-
forth, vice-president ; Temple S. Hoyne, recording sec-
retary ; John Davies, corresponding secretary ; E. M.
P. Ludlam, treasurer ; F. A. Lord, C. A. Wilbur and A.
VV. Woodward, censors.
Homeopathic Dispensaries. — About May, 1859,
Dr. Edward Rawson opened, at the office of the Minis-
try-at-large, on Washington Street, a homeopathic dis-
pensary, where, in three months, one hundred and
thirty-five patients were treated. On November 25,
1859, the building was demolished by the fall of Bry-
an's building, and three days thereafter the dispensary
was re-opened in the basement of the Methodist Church
Block, No. 104 Washington Street, where it existed for
a few months. This was, presumptively, the first home-
opathic dispensary in the city. On January 7, i860,
the central dispensary was opened at the office of Dr.
John Davis, No. 86 LaSalle Street, opposite the Court
House, where Drs. George E. Shipman, Stephen Sey-
mour, Reuben Ludlam and Julius Ulrich were the phy-
sicians, and Drs. H. K. W. Boardman and John Davis
were the surgeons. During i860, the dispensary was
removed to No. 168 South Clark Street, and re-organ-
ized under the charter of Hahnemann Medical Col-
lege, where it was placed in the general charge of the
faculty of the college. It was in this dispensary that
the first course of clinical lectures on homeopathy ever
delivered in the Northwest, was given by Dr. Reuben
Ludlam.
DENTISTS.
The Chicago Dental Society was organized on
March 8, 1864, with the following officers :
E. W". Hadley, president; J. H. Young and L. Bush, vice-
presidents; E. W. Sawyer, recording and corresponding secretary;
J. C. Dean, treasurer; L. H. Haskell, S. D. Noble and William
Albaugh, executive committee; W. W. Allport, librarian.
The officers for subsequent years were as follows :
1865 — G. H. Gushing, president; J. W. Ellis and J. C. Fuller,
vice-presidents; J. C. Dean, secretary; S. B Noble, treasurer; W.
A. Stevens, librarian; A. J. Harris, William Albaugh and J. N.
Young, executive committee. 1866 — J. W. Ellis, president; M
W. Sherwood and S. B. Noble, vice-presidents; James C. Dean,
secretary; William Albaugh, treasurer; W. A. Stevens, librarian;
A G. Harris, M. S. Dean and W. C. Dyer, executive committee.
1S67 — S. B. Noble, president; A. N. Freeman and J. N. Young,
vice-presidents; A. E. Brown, secretary; William Albaugh, treas-
urer; W. A. Stevens, librarian; George H. Cushing, J. W Ellis
and William Albaugh, executive committee. 1868 — M. S Dean,
president; W. A. Stephens and A. E. Brown, vice-presidents; A.
W. Freeman, secretary; William Albaugh, treasurer; S. B. Noble,
G. H. Cushing and A. E. Brown, executive committee. 1S69 — M.
S. Dean, president; A. W. Freeman, secretary. 1S70 — George II .
Cushing, president; E. D. Swain, secretary. 1871 — E. D. Swain,
secretary.
Jonathan A. Kennicott, D.D.S., a descendant of a cele-
brated English family of scholars and philologists, is a native
of Albion, N. Y., where he was born in 1824. His mother's family
came from Kenwood, near Edinburgh, Scotland, and when the
doctor settled upon the present site of Kenwood, Cook County, in
1853, he gave that beautiful suburb its name. In 1S40, he began
the study of medicine with his eldest brother, John A., obtaining
the degree of M.D. from Rush Medical College three years there-
after. Instead of practicing medicine, however, he became a part-
ner of another brother, William H., in dentistry. He afterward
practiced in Milwaukee which city he left, duing 1852, to come to
Chicago. The next year he received the degree of D.D.S. from
the Ohio Dental College. " for valuable contributions to dental
science." Among these were the application of the principles of
atmospheric pressure to retain artificial teeth in the mouth, and the
process of capping the exposed nerves of teeth instead of pursuing
the painful operation of killing them. In fact, Dr Kennicott has
never confined himself to the dull routine of his profession, accept-
ing all its processes without question, but has made the subject of
dental science a close study, and is not only a fine practitioner but
an acknowledged authority in the most advanced lines of modern
research. In 1S54, Dr. Kennicott married Miss Marie Antoinette,
daughter of the late Allen Fiske and sister of Albert A. and Wil-
liam A. Fiske, both clergymen of the Episcopal Church.
Edgar Denman Swain was born at Westford, Vt., on August
14, 1836, the son of Dr. Marcus Swain and Charlotte (Woodbury)
Swain. His early education was only that obtainable at the com-
mon schools, supplemented by a brief academical course. When
he was seventeen years of age he went to Worcester, Mass , and
worked in a machine shop for about one year, and while there
decided upon adopting dentistry as a profession. He entered the
office of a dentist at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., in the spring of 1S55,
and there remained until 1857, when he removed to Oshkosh, Wis.,
and commenced the practice of his profession with Dr. L. D. Par-
ker. In 1S5S, he removed to Aurora, 111., where he became assist-
ant to Dr. O. Wilson, and remained until 1859, in which year he
removed to Batavia, 111., where he practiced until 1861. In July,
1861, he enlisted in the volunteers, and, raising a company, was
elected and commissioned, on July 22, 1S61, as captain of Co. " I,"
42d Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and he was mustered in, with that
rank, on the 17th September, 1S61. During the War, he served with
honor to himself and his regiment, and was present at all the bat-
tles in the Department of the Cumberland, the regiment having
been on the skirmish line during the entire Atlanta campaign. On
October 13, 1863, he was promoted lieutenant-colonel, and, on
April 13, 1864, was commissioned colonel of the regiment, but
was never mustered in as such. In March, 1S65, he was breveted
colonel and placed in command of the regiment, which he retained
until July, 1S65, when he was, by order of General Stanley, placed
in command of the Second Brigade, Second Division, Fourth Army-
Corps, and remained in command until its muster out in January,
i860. He was mustered out as lieutenant-colonel of the 42a Illinois
Infantry Veteran Volunteers on December 16. 1865. He afterward
returned to Chicago, and for three years was an assistant to Dr.
George H. Cushing, dentist; after which he entered into partner-
ship with Dr. Noble, and, in 1S70, established a dental practice on
his own behalf. He is an accomplished microscopist, and has paid
546
HISTORY OF CHICAGO
much earnest attention and investigation to histology He was
president of the Chicago Dental Society in 1S74, and of the Illinois
State Dental Society during 1S75. He married, in 1S69, Miss Clara
Smith, daughter of Benjamin Smith, an early settler of this city.
EMANUEL Honsinger was born in Henrysburg, Canada East,
September 12, 1S23. While a child, he was brought by his parents
to Champlain, Clinton Co., X. V., where he worked on a farm and
attended school until he was seventeen years of age. In his
eighteenth year he entered the office of Dr. II. J. Paine, of Troy,
N. V.. for the purpose of studying dentistry. In the fall of 1847,
he opened an office in Troy and soon built up an extensive and
lucrative practice. He continued, however, to study upon the
most improved methods of his profession, and among other things
invented the rotating gum-lance and the combined blow-pipe and
lathe, which are so well-known that a description of them is
unnecessary. In April, 1S53, Dr. Honsinger removed to Chicago,
and opened an office at Xo. 77 Lake Street, where he remained for
thirteen years. In 1S64, the Cincinnati Dental College conferred
upon him the degree of D. D.S., and in 1866, he was one of the
organizers of the Illinois Dental Society. During the latter year,
Dr. Honsinger was sent as one of the first general delegates to the
American Dental Association, holding its session at Boston. He
was for two years vice-president of the State society. The great
tire destroyed his valuable library, account books, and all his instru-
ments, the product of many years' thought and labor. He was not
a man to be crushed, however, and, establishing an office in his
residence was soon upon his feet again. His patrons from all
sections of the city followed him to his new quarters, testifying to
the fact that he had something more than a professional hold upon
them. In 1S79, ne joined the Park-avenue M. E. Church, and, as
one of its most prominent members and trustee, has had the satis-
faction of seeing his Church entirely free of financial burdens, pros-
perous and growing.
Andrew \Y. Freeman, son of John M. and Matilda M. Free-
man, was born at Brookfield, Vt., October 3, 1S29. He was kept
hard at work on the farm or with the plane for most of the year, and
during fall evenings and winter days he studied his books until he
was sixteen. He afterward began a preparatory course at Thetford
Academy, Vermont, and passed examination for I lartmouth College,
which he entered September, 1S50. He graduated in 1854. In the
hay and harvest field by summer and in the school-room by winter,
he obtained most of the means to pay his expenses. Six months of
his senior year he was away as principal of Colebrooke Academy,
X. H. During 1S54. he became principal of the Orange County
Grammar School. Health failing, he came west to Rockford, 111.,
and, in Xovember, 1S55, opened and graded the first public school.of
the city. He was subsequently principal of Homer Seminary, III.,
where he remained two years. While at Rockford, he began the
study of dentistry under Dr 1. P Norman, continuing his pupilage
until 1859, when he began practice at Mahomet, 111. In Septem-
ber, 1S60, he commenced his profession in this city, in which he
has been successful He was one of the forming members of the
Chicajo Dental Society, of which he has been secretary, director and
president. He is one of three surviving members of this city who
organized the Illinois State Dental Society, and is also a member
of the American Dental Association. He is a liberal supporter of
Plymouth Congregational Church, and has been honored with its
most important offices. On February 14, 1855, he married AuraS.
Ingalls, daughter of Judge Waldo W. Ingalls, of Brookfield, Vt.
Mrs. John S. Meigs of Normal Park, is their only surviving child.
R.OSCOE F. I.UDWIG was born at Waldoborough, Me., on Sep-
tember 29, 1845, where he attended school until 1857. He then re-
moved to Chelsea, Mass , where he re-entered school and graduated
five years later. In 1862, he enlisted, at the age of seventeen, for
nine months' service in the 23d Maine Regiment, at the end of
which time he returned home and was mustered out of the service.
He then came to Chicago, arriving on October 1, 1863, having
previously arranged with the well-known Dr. W. W. Allport of
this city to study the profession of dentistry. He remained four
years as a student, during which time he served a IOO-day enlist-
ment in the 134th Illinois Regiment, attended a course of lectures
at the Chicago Medical College, a full course at Rush Medical
College, and graduated in March, 1867, at the Ohio College of Den-
tal Surgery as D.D.S. Since graduating, he has been in continual
practice in Chicago. Dr. I.udwig is very highly spoken of among
the dentists of this city as being a thorough and finished operator.
He has an extensive practice and his patrons are of the very best
class. In March, 1867, he was married to Miss Emma R. Scales.
They have had four children, two sons and two daughters The
eldest child, Koscoe F., died in October, 1883, at the age of four-
teen; the surviving children are Daisy Emma, Faustina and Leon
Eugene.
J. FILLMORE THOMPSON is among the leading dentists here,
by reason of hi, long residence in Chicago, as well as his estab-
lished reputation. Dr. Thompson was born in Canandaigua, On-
tario Co., X. V., November 16, 1828, and there attended school at
the Canandaigua Academy, graduating in his nineteenth year. In
1S47, he commenced the study of dentistry at Kingston, Ulster
Co., N. V., with W. W. Thompson, and remained with that gen-
tleman about eighteen months. At the height of the California
gold fever, in the early part of 1849, he went to the mines there,
and remained about three years, a part of which time he did
a little work at his profession. He returned to Chicago in
1S62, and commenced practice. He was first located in an office
at Xo. 85 Clark Street, where he remained until burned out at the
time of the great fire in 1871. He then re-opened his office on
West Washington Street, where he was established for eight years.
In the early part of 1S81 he moved to his present location. Dr.
Thompson is a member of the Cleveland Lodge, Xo. 211, A. F. &
A. M., and Washington Chapter, Xo. 43, R. A. M. On January
I, 1S55, he was married to Miss Diana W. Holt, of this State.
They have three children — Helen A., James W. and Grace May.
WOMEN AS PHYSICIANS.
On December 19, 1859, a dispensary for women and
children was established at No. 155 West Madison
Street, by Miss C. A. Buckel, M.D., and Miss M. W.
Jones, M.D. But the progressive spirit of Chicago
was insufficiently advanced for medical ministrations by
ladies, no matter how able their treatment. Doctors
Buckel and Jones were both ladies of intelligence and
refinement, and were esteemed by all with whom they
professionally or personally came in contact. The
members of the medical profession with whom they
became acquainted respected them for the unostenta-
tious dignity with which they performed their chosen
work. After a brief effort, Dr. Buckel left the city, and
is now a successful practitioner in California. Dr.
Jones became the wife of a citizen of Chicago, and is
now an efficient member of the present board of coun-
cilors of the hospital. The favorable impressions made
by these ladies, undoubtedly, rendered it somewhat
easier for Miss Thompson to gain recognition of the
claims urged by her as an aspirant for rank in the medi-
cal profession.
Mary Harris Thompson* came to Chicago on July
3, 1863. This lady has successfully inaugurated and
carried out a work that has resulted in obtaining indul-
gences for women, never before granted in the West
from the medical profession. Soon after her arrival, she
became acquainted with Dr. W. Godfrey Dyas and his
wife, a lady who was fully in sympathy with the enlarg-
ing of the sphere of woman's work. Dr. Dyas soon
recognized Dr. Thompson's merit as a lady of educa-
tion with a fixed purpose in life, and he unhesitatingly
assisted that purpose by introducing her to the profes-
sion. At the time of her arrival in the city the War was
at its zenith, and Chicago contained many soldiers'
families, who were unable to procure medical attendance
and medicines save as they were gratuitously extended
to them. The ladies connected with the Sanitary Com-
mission, to whom these families applied for surgical and
medical attendance, requested Dr. Thompson to take
charge of their cases and relieve their necessities. To
this proposition Dr. Thompson assented, and, to further
the work upon which she thus entered, made arrange-
ments with a few druggists whereby her patients could
be furnished with medicine at small cost. Many of
these patients, too impoverished to pay street-car fare,
were compelled to walk distances too great for their en-
feebled condition, and the exhaustion thus induced ren-
dered treatment inefficacious. Thus it became appar
ent that such patients must become inhabitants of a
hospital; but where could they go? The Marine Hos-
pital admitted no female patients, save they were con-
nected with the maritime service, and Mercy Hospital
•For many interesting facts relative to Dr. Thompson, the compiler is
indebted to Eliza H. Root, M.D., and, in connection with the hospital, to Mrs. J.
C. Hilton, president of the hospital.
MEDICAL HISTORY.
547
took care of the county poor at a remuneration of four
dollars a week, while other patients paid seven dollars.
This condition of things made an admirable opening,
and demonstrated the necessity, for a hospital and dis-
pensary for women and children.
This was one of the great opportunities of Dr.
Thompson's life, and friends encouraged her to inau-
gurate such an institution, prominent among whom
were the ladies of the Sanitary Commission and Mr.
and Mrs. Freeland B. Gardner, the only family with
whom Dr. Thompson was acquainted when she came
to Chicago. In furtherance of this project, meetings
were held, whereat discussions were had that resulted in
the organization of this hospital in the winter of 1864
and 1S65.
Chicago Hospital for Women and Children. —
Rev. Dr. Ryder called the first meeting having the
organization in view, and Freeland B. Gardner sub-
scribed the first one hundred dollars and collected the
first one thousand dollars toward the hospital. In the
spring of 1865, Dr. Mary H. Thompson, with the assist-
ance of Dr. W. G. Dyas and his wife, established, and,
on May 8, 1865, opened the hospital at the corner of
Rush and Indiana streets. The officers at its estab-
lishment were : Jonathan Young Scammon, president ;
John V. Farwell and George S. Bowen, vice-presidents ;
Charles T. Morse, secretary, and E. I. Tinkham, treas-
urer. The medical staff were : Miss Mary H. Thomp-
son, M.D., attending and resident physician ; W. G.
Dyas, F. R. S., M.D., Thomas Bevan, M.D., H. W.
Jones, A. M., M.D., A. Fisher, M.D., C. G. Smith,
M.D., T. D Fitch, M D., John Bartlett, M.D., S. C.
Blake, M.D., and Edward L. Holmes, M.D., consulting
physicians. Dr. Odelia Blinn, who was then a student,
also assisted Dr. Thompson in her duties as interne.
On May 1, 1866, the hospital was removed to No.
212 Ohio Street; and at this locality was experienced
the first opposition to the humane and charitable work
in which Dr. Thompson was engaged. A barn in the
rear of the hospital was used as a hospital laundry, and
a German Jew, who resided in the vicinity, wished to
rent the barn for stable purposes, and became highly
incensed because he was refused its rental. To be re-
venged upon the management of the hospital, and in
the hope that they might be officially ejected from the
premises, he commenced the creation of a sentiment
inimical to the hospital. In this he was aided by a man
who was opposed to all systems of regular practice.
They circulated a petition among the people living near
the hospital, asking for its removal, alleging that it was
a nuisance to the neighborhood. It is stated that the
children were induced to sign their parents' names to
this petition, which was thus officially disposed of in the
proceedings of the Board of Health :
" June 5, 1866 : Petition presented to have private hospital on
Ohio Street suppressed. June 12 : Health officer (Bridges) visited
it, and reported it in clean and healthy condition."
The benefit of this animadversion was to convert all
those who had signed the petition, upon misrepresenta-
tions made to them, except the two inaugurators of the
document, into firm and influential friends of the hospital
and staunch adherents of Dr. Mary Harris Thompson.
The staff at this time appears to have been, Miss Mary
Harris Thompson, M.D., physician, W. G. Dyas, M.D.,
C. G.Smith, M.D., S. C. Blake, M.D., A. Fisher, M.D.,
Edwin Powell, M.D., T. D. Fitch, M.D., Thomas Bevan,
M.D., E. Marguerat, M.D., H.W.Jones, M.D., con-
sulting physicians; Edward L. Holmes, M.D., oculist;
and Miss Maggie Kissock, matron. The hospital re-
mained in this location for about three years, until
July, 1869, after which it was removed to No. 40.'
North State Street, where it remained until the lire of
1871. The building took fire about 9 o'clock on Mon-
day morning, October 9, 187 1. The cost of the house
and lot was, so far as can be ascertained, $10,000.
When the fire of 1871 was approaching the hospital,
C. K. Nichols and his wife, who had been through the
Portland 1 Maine) fire, opened their doors to Dr. Thomp-
son and her patients and such few effects as they were
able to save. But the fire followed them, and destroyed
their haven on Lincoln Avenue ; and Dr. Thompson,
with her friends and three helpless patients, fled to the
prairie for safety. Her personal effects were nearly all
destroyed, while the hospital had nothing left but two
pillows, a pair of blankets and a piece of carpet. Dis-
couragement seemed the most vital force then present.
But the fire epoch was no time for the Chicagoans to
feel depressed. The necessities of the case were urgent,
and the Relief and Aid Society asked that the hospital
be re-opened to relieve the enormous pressure that
was exerted by its supplicants and dependants upon its
efforts and resources. Accordingly, Dr. Thompson
quickly responded by renting a building, No. 598 West
Adams Street, where an extemporized hospital was
opened, and which did a noble work in the alleviation
of pain and suffering, for the time it was there.
Mary Harris Thompson was born at Fort Ann, New York,
the daughter of John Harris and Calista (Corbin) Thompson, who
were both natives of that State. Her early education was obtained
in the common school and a select school in her native town. At
the age of fifteen she commenced teaching in the public schools,
alternating the work of teaching with attendance at West Poultney
(Troy Conference) Academy and Fort Edward Collegiate Institute,
at which latter place she received the last of her English education.
After this, she followed the profession of school-teacher for several
successive years devoting all her time which was not thus occupied
to the independent study of astronomy, chemistry, physiology and
anatomy; which last two studies she introduced into the course of
instruction she imparted at her school, and the innovation met with
marked success. Miss Thompson found, however, that independ-
ent study left her without the drill and that thorough, methodical un-
derstanding of the subjects which a practical demonstration would
afford ; and to overcome this deficiency she became a student in
the New England Female Medical College, of Boston, a regular
school with a good corps of instructors. At the time of entering
upon this course she had no thought of practicing medicine, nor
even of taking a regular course and graduating ; but, finding the
painfully laborious work incident to the practical work of a medical
course over-balanced by the interest of new truths, found at every
step of this never-ending attainment, she decided upon taking a
full course of study, for the purpose of fitting her to engage in the
practice of medicine as her life-work. After three weeks of study
and two courses of lectures, which were principally didactic, she
experienced the necessity of instruction in practical treatment at
the bed-side. She was advised by the faculty of the college to
take her diploma, but fearing that the funds which her diploma
would entitle her to earn, and the advice of friends, might induce
her to change her plans, she resolutely refused to appear before the
examining board — a resolution which she somewhat regretted sub-
sequently, as three of the best professsors in the college resigned,
and their names not being upon her diploma, she felt assured, de-
tracted from the value it otherwise would have had. In 1S62 she
entered the New York Infirmary, where she gave a year's time to
piactical work, under the supervision of Doctors Elizabeth and
Emily Blackwell. * The work in this Infirmary and its outside
practice embraced all branches of medicine. While there, she also
availed herself of the clinical privileges of Bellevue Hospital and
DeMilt Dispensary. At the close of this year of arduous labor
she felt that she was entitled to a diploma, and accordingly returned
to Boston and graduated from her Alma Mater in the spring of 1S63.
After her graduation she came to Chicago, despite the advice "I her
friends and their urgent solicitations that she would remain in the
East. Her labors in connection with the Hospital for Women ami
Children have already been recapitulated, and her success, not alone
therein, but in the practice of her profession, has been most grati-
fying in the complete testimony it has given to her efficiency in the
various branches of her beloved held of action. As Dr. Root
» See page 465. Vol. 1.
548
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
remarks : " While the doctor has been made to feel an existing pre-
judice against women as physicians, she has received from the pro-
fession, generally, only kind treatment ; and has never asked for
counsel but it has been cheerfully accorded, and many of the pro-
fession have noblv aided her with their advice and influence. The
success that has crowned her efforts is but the reward of persever-
ance, a fixed purpose in life, and a whole heart engaged in her
work. Many live to bless her for the benefits they have received
at her hands,' and her career is one no young medical student, man
or woman, need be ashamed to emulate, and which is one that has
shed luster upon the name of Mary Harris ^Thompson, and has
established a prestige for women in medicine.
Julia Cone Whal- -^ssssssssKssstssstis
ING, M.D.. was born in |
New York City. April 2, J:::
1S32. 1 Hiring her earlier |
years her parents moved ^f
to Detroit, Mich., but she j
'v ■
Y., where she attended jj||
school until she was Ulf
twelve years of age. re-
turning, in 1S44, to New
York City, where she
continued her education
until 1S50. In the mean-
time, she had made con-
siderable progress in the
study of medicine, also
maintaining a careful
course of study during
two years of general
travel throughout the
United States and Mex-
ico. Upon her return to
the East, she entered the
office of Dr. Naudine,
with whom she remained
for nearly a year, and
then became a student
under Dr. J. H. Hamil-
ton. She then matricu-
lated in the New York
Hahnemann Medical
College, from which she
graduated in 1S53; after
which, she attended a
course of lectures at the
old Tcfferson College,
and, during the follow-
ing winter, took another
course of lectures at the
Geneva College, at Buf-
falo, N. Y. In 1S62, she
began active practice in
St. Louis, and received
the appointment, from
President Lincoln, of
phvsician in the Fifth
Street Hospital. At the
battle of Pittsburg Land-
ing, she was in the field
for two days and one
night, attending the
wounded and affording
them such relief as she
was able, and also assist-
ed in ninety-two surgical
operations performed in
the field hospital. On
September II,
came to this city, and for
a long time was attend-
ing physician at Dr.
Park's Military School,
at Graceland. During a stay at Milwaukee, in September, 1851.
she married Colonel John E. Cone, and has one son, Charles
Davenport Cone; losing Gra ' 1 ood Cone, aged sixteen
months at the time of her death, in 1854; and also Walter W.
Cone, aged twenty-three years at his demise, on September 7, 1852.
He wa-i a member of Golden Rule Lodge, No. 720, A. !•'. & A. M.,
and was one of the most upright and DOble of men and Masons.
He was a member of the Episcopal Church from his eleventh year.
On October 8, 1-71, she became the wife of Judge William J.
Whaling, deceased, a sketch of whom appears in the insurance
history. Dr. Whaling suffered largely by the great lire of 1871,
and lost everything, including a valuable medical manuscript,
which was about to be given to the public, on the diseases of
women and children. Mrs. Whaling, although engaged in a lucra-
tive and extensive practice, merely engages in it through her fond-
ness therefor, and, since the demise of Judge Whaling, she has
continued in practice principally for the purpose of alleviating the
suffering occasioned by his loss.
ECLECTIC MEDICINE.
These members of the healing art found it necessary,
from the accessions to their ranks, to institute a college
where their tenets
:^ could be taught; and
^ hereafter is given the
^ history of the estab-
lishment of their col-
Bennett Medi-
cal College. — The
Bennett College of
Eclectic Medicine
and Surgery was in-
augurated Novem-
ber 2, 1868, in rooms
in a building on the
north side of Kin-
zie Street, between
LaSalle and Wells
streets, with a fac-
ulty composed of
Robt. A. Gunn, pro-
fessor of surgery ;
H. K. Whitford, pro-
fessor of theory and
practice of medicine;
H. D. Garrison, pro-
fessor of chemistry ;
A. L. Clark, profes-
sor of obstetrics and
the diseases of wo-
men and children ;
John Forman, pro-
fessor of anatomy ;
Hayes C. French,
professor of physiol-
ogy; and J. F. Cook,
professor of materia
medica. Thirty stu-
dents attended the
primal session, ten of
whom received the
diploma of Doctor of
Medicine at the close
of the course. In
the winter of 1868, a
charter was granted
by the State Legis-
lature to Laban S.
Major, W. D. Atchi-
son, H. C. French,
H. D. Garrison, Wil-
liam M. Dale, H. K.
Whitford, A. L. Brown, John Forman, M. R. Teegarden,
Robert A. Gunn, A. L. Clark and J. F. Cook, and their
successors, as incorporators of The Bennett College of
Eclectic Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Laban S. Major
was chosen president of the board of trustees; and
rooms were obtained at Nos. 180 and 182 Washington
Street, where the opening exercises were held ( Ictober 4,
1870. The faculty of the chartered college were Laban
S. Major, emeritus professor of institutes of medicine ;
MEDICAL HISTORY.
549
Anson L. Clark, dean, professor of obstetrics and dis-
eases of women and children ; James F. Cook, secretary,
professor of materia medica and therapeutics; Henry K.
Whitford, treasurer, professor of theory and practice of
medicine and clinical medicine ; Robert A. Gunn, pro-
fessor of civil, military and clinical surgery ; N. H.
Young, professor of descriptive and surgical anatomy;
J. Milton Jay, professor of physiology and pathology ;
Harod D. Garrison, professor of chemistry, pharmacy
and toxicology ; George C. Christian, professor of
medical jurisprudence ; W. H. Davis, lecturer on
diseases of the throat and lungs ; John E. Hurlbut,
lecturer on microscopy; and E. L. Lathrop, prosector
of surgery. At this building, and under the tuition of
this faculty, the winter course of lectures of 1871 had
just been commenced when the fire destroyed the build-
ing and its contents.
ELECTRO-MEDICAL SCHOOL.
Of this class of practitioners the earliest exponent,
who combined medical and surgical knowledge with
deep research into the curative properties of electricity,
was Justin Hayes, M.D., and the innovation of his
theories and his practical application thereof is best told
biographically, as he was, himself, the only practitioner
of this school before the fire.
Justin Hayes was born in Burton, Geauga Co., Ohio, on Oc-
tober 26, 1823. He attended the common schools of the neighbor-
hood, and afterward entered Williams Academy. At nineteen he
passed the requisite examination and received a certificate to teach
in the public schools. After teaching for three vears, he commenced
the study of medicine in 1845, graduating from Cleveland Medical
College in 1S50. On September 4, 1849, he married Miss Julia A.
Haven, daughter of John Haven, a prominent citizen of Shalers-
ville; and Dr. Hayes attributes much of his success to her noble
qualities and able assistance. Their family consists of Professor
I'lymon S. Hayes, A.M., M.D.; John M. Hayes and Grace Justina
Hayes. After Dr. Hayes returned to his native town he entered
into partnership with his preceptor, Dr. P. C. Bennett, and at the
end of three years purchased his entire business. As Dr. Hayes
advanced in life, his health improved so that he was able to attend
to his general practice. He was physician and surgeon-in-chief to
the Portage County Infirmary for several years. In 1861, he was
called to take charge of the Ohio Inebriate Asylum, in Cleveland,
an institution comprising mainly patients from the arts and pro-
fessions ; but the strain of the work being too exhaustive, he resigned
the position, and, in April, 1862, he came to Chicago. In the fall
of 1S62, on the occasion of a very difficult and critical surgical
operation performed on one of his patients, at which he had called
to his assistance the late Dr. Daniel Brainard and Professor DeLas-
kie Miller, Dr. Brainard said to Dr. Hayes : "I see you have es-
tablished yourself as a specialist. I think there is no other educated
specialist here. I do not know how you can succeed unless you can
do something better than the rest of us." Dr. Hayes replied :
"That is what I hope with the aid of my electrical means to do."
In 1S64, he edited the People's Journal of Health, which had a
good patronage, but he was obliged to abandon it on account of a
severe attack of cerebro-spinal fever, which incapacitated him for
labor of any kind for several months. In 1S77, Jansen, McClurg
& Co. published his celebrated work on the " Electro- Thermal
Bath, with Historv of Cases," which is held by the profession to be
the best work of the kind ever published. It is now twenty-two
years since Dr. Hayes came to Chicago. His life has been crowned
with the highest success, as the Medical and Electrical Institute for
the Treatment of Nervous and Chronic Diseases, founded and es-
tablished by Dr. Hayes, is most scientific and complete, and prob-
ably the best in the United States.
SANITARY HISTORY.
It was fortunate that the three years between 1S58-
60, were not rife with disaster to the population of Chi-
cago.* No boards of health were appointed to super-
vise the sanitary condition of the city during those
years, and the building of sewers and augmentation of
* In the compilation of this topic, Dr. John H. Rauch has furnished val-
uable information, personally, and in his Sanitary History uf Chicago,"
Chicago : Lakeside Publishing and Printing Company, 1871.
hygienic measures were allowed to almost lapse. For-
tunately, however, the public health remained tolerably
good, but little increase being created in the mortality
by the supineness of the authorities. Scarlet fever and
dysentery prevailed, the former during the entire war,
and the latter in July and August, 1858. The Board
of Health, for 1859, comprised Mayor John C. Haines,
J. W. Waughop, V. Mahla, A. J. Heald, A. Blakie, and
F. B. Gardner, but they do not appear to have met.
A report of the Chicago Medical Society, made by Drs.
Swayne, Wickersham, and Edward L. Holmes, Decem-
ber 29, stated that "Chicago has been blessed during
the past year with almost unparalleled exemption from
sickness." And the city having been so free from epi-
demics, and otherwise manifesting no excessive death-
rate, the functions of the Board of Health were not
called into exercise by the authorities, and, on March
27, i860, the Common Council passed an ordinance
abolishing the health department and the offices of city
physician and health officer, and transferring the duties
of the health officer to the Police Department, under the
direction of the mayor, and, on June 4, the duties of
the health officer were delegated to the various street
commissioners.
On February 21, 1861, the Legislature passed an
act establishing a Police Board, which, among other
things, was " to guard the public health," but Dr.
Rauch states that " this duty was almost entirely ignored
by them, and we find, in the records of their proceedings
for 1 86 1 and 1862, mention of only five official acts
pertaining to the health of the city, and those were of a
trivial character." During the year 1862, Dr. N. S.
Davis made urgent efforts to secure the appointment of
a competent medical health officer, but without avail;
although the Council made an effort to accede to a sug-
gestion made by him, some time previously, that the
deaths occurring in the city should be registered. The
attempt was futile.
On September 10, however, Mayor Sherman, per-
ceiving the urgent necessity that there was for prompt
measures toward enforcing the quarantine regulations
relative to small-pox, which was then prevalent in the
city, appointed Charles S. Perry, a policeman who was
detailed on his staff, acting health officer. This official
worked hard and energetically, but ineffectually, to
prevent the spread of variola; and, as it was gaining
ground, the pest-house was opened in October, and,
pursuant to the recommendation of Mayor Sherman, on
December 1, an ordinance was passed creating anew
the office of city physician, and fixing his salary at
$600 per annum. But as he was not required to vacci-
nate the poor, and no measures were taken to make
recluses of those attacked by the disease, the infection
spread, and from September 28, 1862, to May 18, 1863,
eight hundred cases of small-pox were reported. Gen-
eral infraction of the isolator}- ordinances, and those
decreeing the advertisement of cases prevailed. The
introduction of penalties into such ordinances, however,
produced beneficial results. Sporadic erysipelas was
malignant during the summer, and the disease became
epidemic in November, and, during the winter, sixty-
eight cases being reported in two months, and eighteen
deaths occurring from this cause alone during the year.
Dr. Edmund Andrews, in assigning the reason for such
an unprecedented outbreak and spread of erysipelas,
said;
" Along the South Branch, in particular, there are a great
number of packing houses, where many hundreds of thousands of
animals are slaughtered every year, the filth and offal of which
block up with, a semi-fluid mass of putrefaction, the sloughs and
water-courses which empty into the river; while the more solid
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
refuse materials are, or were, carried out and deposited in the fields
beyond. The rapid and numerous growth of the city gave to this
evil such an unexpected magnitude that the sanitary precautions
previously found sufficient, were now made utterly ineffective, and,
during the summer and autumn just past, the condition and odor of
the river became abominable beyond expression. The stench
could be perceived for miles in the direction of the wind, and the
parts of the city nearest the stream were filled with a foul effluvium
to an insupportable extent. * * * One of the earliest effects
of air contaminated with putrefying matter, is the appearance of
erysipelas among persons exposed to its influence."
Investigation by Dr. Andrews justified his theory,
as the disease was found to "cling to the river"; but
ervsipelas was not the only virulent disease, as the
doctor remarked, occasioned by the turbid and putres-
cent river. Small-pox increased, and, during this
vear of 1863, nine hundred and forty-seven cases of
small-pox were reported, and one hundred and fifteen
deaths resulted therefrom, making a percentage of
12 1-9. A peculiar fact in the mortality this year was
that the number of deaths in January and December
were almost equal to those in July and August, mani-
festing that the causes of mortality were not those ordi-
narily affecting the death-rate ; and the fact that the
number of deaths each month averaged about equally,
exhibited the presence of a steady, unintermittent crea-
tion of death.
In 1864, the variola kept increasing; and, pursuant
to the repeated representations of physicians and citi-
zens, a new pest-house was erected. But the building
of hundreds of edifices to accommodate the victims of
neglect would not cleanse a city whose sanitary condi-
tion had been gradually growing from bad to worse
since 1859 with no one to look after the civic hygiene
save a policeman, who was occasionally assisted in such
work by two more of the mayor's police, in 1863, and
permanently by the same two officials in this year. But
what precautionary measures could be expected from
un-medical officers, whose powers, additionally, were
limited to the execution of laws enacted, and were
overworked in the attempt to do this ? In 1865, the
citizens became alarmed at the constant increase of
epidemics, and at the prospective incursion of cholera ;
and a committee was appointed by the Board of Trade
to advise with the Council as to the most efficacious
method of cleansing the Chicago River, and a commit-
tee of thirty citizens were appointed for the same pur-
pose and to devise means for cleansing the city.
On July 13, an ordinance, introduced by Alderman
Shimp, was the first passed that made any provision
for the regular and systematic scavengering of the city.
For the first time the Council appear to have become
thoroughly conscious of the necessity for prompt and
decisive action, looking to the cleansing of the city and
river, and the proper drainage and sewerage of the
former. Valuable assistance was rendered the authori-
ties by the Chicago Medical Society, not alone in intel-
ligent and scientific advice, but also by some of its
members acting as a consulting board of physicians to
the municipal authorities, without recompense for their
In November, Drs. N. s. Davis, J. W. Freer,
J. I'. Ross, H. Hitchcock, Ralph X. [sham and Brock.
M< An kar, were appointed, at a public meeting of the
medical profession in the city, a committee to make
recommendations for the amelioration of the sanitary
condition of the city. This they did in a series of
valuable and feasible suggestions ; they also recom-
mended that a system of registration of deaths should
be instituted that would answer the purpose,* "the
* I»r. N. S. Darn made Hi' tame recommendation and remark, July 6,
1858, in a report to the Chicago Medical Society.
present registry of deaths, so far as the causes of death
are concerned, is a ridiculous farce." November 28,
nineteen special policemen were detailed as assistant
health officers, who were to be augmented by as many
more as were needful, and on December 18, an ordi-
nance was passed restricting slaughtering in the city to
one particular place.* The improvement that was
caused by the urgent action of the people, in the sani-
tary condition of the city, was, however, too late to ar-
rest the cholera, which appeared in July, 1866 ; the
vigilance which the police health-board manifested, the
measures for abating nuisances and exterminating long
tolerated abominations were futile. Good health can
only be a result of preventive sanitary measures, and
these were exactly what were not taken by the various
Councils.
As the cholera approached, the official energy be-
came more apparent. In January, thirty thousand nuis-
ance notices were printed and thirty-one assistant health
officers were on duty, February, thirty assistant health
officers were on duty; March, thirteen thousand more
notices were printed and thirty-two health-officers were
on duty; and so forth.
In April, Dr. John H. Rauch called the attention of
the authorities to the subject of intramural interments
and their pernicious effect, and also alluded to the at-
tempt made, in 1858, to prevent further interments in
the City Cemetery, by a petition signed by the most in-
fluential citizens! of the North Division. It was also
advocated by the petitioners, and Dr. Rauch, that the
bodies then in the City Cemetery should be exhumed as
soon as possible, and the ground converted into a park.
The southern extremity of Lincoln Park now covers
the old City Cemetery. An excerpt from Dr. Rauch's
pamphlet} will manifest how much reason there was for
alarm in the mode of interment :
" The patients who died of the small-pox have been buried in
the public part of the Chicago City Cemetery, at an average depth
of from three to four feet, owing to the fact that graves can not be
dug deeper on account of the water."
Subsequently the same author wrote:
"On an examination of the register, kept at the City Cemetery
since June 24, 1861, it appears that 9,541 bodies were buried in it
from that time to March 1, 1S66, and, as near as can be ascertained,
about i.Soo were buried from January, 1S60, to the time from which
the register dates. How many have been buried in the Catholic
Cemetery the writer could not learn with any accuracy, but is satis-
fied that the number buried in both cemeteries from January, 1S60,
to the present time (1866) amounts to about twelve thousand. This
number was swelled by the burial of three thousand eight hundred
and seventy-one prisoners of war in the Citv Cemetery, which com-
menced in the latter part of 1862, and continued until July, 1S65.
These were brought from Camp Douglas, a distance of nearly six
miles, and carried through the very heart of the city, and deposited in
a soil already overcharged with decaying animal matter, and, as has
been already shown, totally unfit, by its character and locality, for
such a purpose. The writer is at a loss how to account for such an
extraordinary procedure and the indifference manifested in regard
to it. Why it was permitted is beyond his comprehension. It may
well be challenged whether such an instance of flagrant violation of
the laws of health has been anywhere perpetrated, within so recent
a date, in any civilized community. Where was the Health officer?
If his reports were regularly and properly made, the municipal
authorities must have been cognizant of these facts, and should be,
with him, equally responsible for any deleterious results that have,
or may, follow to the community. After careful investigation, we
be
•This ordinance was, in 1808, decided
ground that a monopoly was thereby created, by
tThc sinners wii .-. I n v,
Newberry, William Marry. K.lwanl Hal. Mall,,.,-
liam S./ohust Jr..S I H. Kerfbot, Edwa,
[ohn II. Muhlke, 'I'll. .mas M Hibbard, W. .V
Ephraim Ward, Ogden, Fleetwood <S Co., Benja
I bl 111 « ■ IV. I., l.m.lou S. Hubbard. I..I111 II. I
H. Rees. E. lohrmon, |r., S. P. Putnam.
{Intramural Interments in Populous Cities, and their Inflii
Health and Epidemics": a papi 1 read before the Hist..:
John H. Rauch, M.D., published in 1866.
litulional, on the
Court Of Illinois.
111 F. Rumsey, Walter L.
ler, Samuel fohnston. Wil-
I ni'khuni. lb-ore.,' W. hole,
iirabee, Charles V. Dyer,
K. ( 'arv.-r, |ohn Forsythe,
- Ezra 1 McC igg .1
MEDICAL HISTORY.
55'
learn that the putrefaction process occupies, in the Chicago City
Cemetery and ill the old Catholic Cemetery, from five to fifteen
years, depending upon the character of the ground, the season of
the year, the age, sex, disease, the tightness of the coffin, and the
character of the clothing in which the dead are enveloped. At this
rate, from the records of interment for the last fifteen years in these
cemeteries, there must be at least from eighteen thousand to twenty
thousand bodies undergoing decomposition at this time, the same
conditions having existed, and in nearly the same proportion for
some time."
With this mass of putrid matter polluting the air,
assisted by the foul river, the undrained streets and the
imperfect sewerage, it is no marvel that the epidemics,
small-pox, erysipelas, cholera infantum, diphtheria and
typhoid fever were virulent, and that the cholera hasten-
ed to an arena where all things were so favorable for
it to wreak devastation and death. During the month of
April, arrangements were made whereby all dead animals
and animal matter from slaughter-houses were removed
from the city, and special instructions were issued rela-
tive to the disposition of fcecal matter and garbage.
Mayor Rice urgently recommended the employment of
one thousand men, with teams, to clean the city, and
the Council, on May 1, passed an ordinance author-
izing the employment of one thousand more men, and
directing the expenditure of $6,000 under the direction
of the health officers ; and a resolution was also passed
asking the comptrollor for $25,000, in addition to the
estimates already sent by the board, for the use of the
health department, in promoting the health of the city,
employing help, building hospitals, and for the purchase
of disinfectants. A preceding Council had, on March
27, i860, abolished the Health Department, on account
of " financial depression," when the members of the
board of health served without pay. Chloride of lime
and sulphate of zinc were freely used, and all inter-
ments were, on May 28, prohibited within the limits of
the city.
The Cholera. — On July 21, 1866, the first case of
cholera was reported, that of Mrs. Corbett, No. 282
West Chicago Avenue, but the cases that occurred im-
mediately afterward were designated cholera morbus,
in a vain attempt to calm the public mind. On August
6, an emigrant was attacked, and carried to the County
Hospital, where he communicated the contagion to
others, and the epidemic was thoroughly engrafted. A
temporary cholera hospital was erected at the corner of
Thirty-third Street and Wentworth Avenue, of which
Dr. Webber was given charge ; physicians were detailed
to board trains coming from infected localities, at a dis-
tance not less than ten miles from Chicago, and see if
any cases of cholera were on the train, and assistant
health officers were required to be at the depots, to
take charge of any cases of cholera reported by the
railroad quarantine physicians In November, Dr.
Webber submitted a report of the cholera hospital, as
follows :
Report of Cases Admitted, Recovered and Died During
the Season.
I to 5 years -
5 to 10 years .
10 to 20 years
20 to 30 years .
30 to 40 years .
40 to 50 years
50 to 60 years .
60 to 70 years .
Total ...
4
5
12
41
24
9
6
5
106
Nativity.
Number.
Recovered.
Died.
13
3
3
I
3"
2
3
iS
3
I
3
1
1
13
14
I
8
2
1
England
2
I
Ireland
Germany
Holland
Poland
Norway
7
8
10
Total
1 oO
54
52
July 21, the day the first cholera case was reported,
was also the day when the phenomenal rain-fall that
prevailed throughout the cholera season commenced,
and this fall amounted to twenty and one-half inches in
the succeeding four months, more than four times the
amount that usually falls during that period. The fol-
lowing table gives the amount of rainfall, the mean of
thermometer, the mortality per diem, the mortality by
cholera, and the number of cases reported during the
cholera season :
JULY.
.205
.112
1.825
.6S5
•-
ir'2
s
0 J
27
17
24
29
1
23
17
16
21
iS
1
17
13
--
.190
.685
.112
1.225
2.015
.060
.965
34
19
28
.-
21
34
2
30
I
30
24
--
23
30
I
22
2',
I
43
6
29
4
3S
7
33
S
3S
10
35
12
45
10
36
9
36
E2
3°
6
33
[0
24
4
44
13
55 2
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
AUGUST—
CONTINIKD.
0 -
Rain.
f
'14
cj u «;
71
6S
6S
70
74
• 273
•390
41
26
27
2S
16
9
9
6
17
10
■9
15
7
11
7i
8.I78
940
154
213
NI.IVEMBKR.
SEPTEMBER.
6
7
8
9
[O
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
is
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
->
3"
27S
-
393
105
385
I
54o
no
130
I
260
010
330
365
050
735
175
64 5.S66
3-
4
5-
6
7
».
9
10
n
12
'3
>4
'-'
16
'-
18
'■)
2-,
.'!
22
23
24
25
26
27
2-
«9
3r'
3'
•435
■'95
.015
.388
•215
• 515
.210
.050
• 335
095
.198
.098
23
15
29
1 1
21
5
30
'4
29
M
3S
15
25
14
47
24
b7
56
98
82
71
5S
82
50
69
53
61
46
1"
44
S2
30
42
26
4"
31
42
20
3°
12
30
6
19
T2
25
1 1
18
5
tg
8
'9
3
17
4
'5
6
16
4
'7
D
'4
t
"75
088
14
23
16
16
44
72
174
96
77
82
61
S3
57
59
3i
I-
3-
4
5-
6.
7-
S.
9-
= 10.
n.
n
12.
13-
14 14-
15 IS-
7 l6"
« 3:
8 20"
10 \\-
5 23]
4 J
18 24-
7 25"
l 26.
n
.29S
.015
.114
.078
.108
Another table gives the following as the statistics of
this epidemic :
August
September
October __.
November
216
268
1,012
65
139
166
673
1,561 990
It is a notable fact that only the extremest measures
or the direst calamities will awaken an administration
upon which the deathly lethargy has fallen. Small-pox
did startle the various civic administrations now and
then, but the cholera was needed to make it take
decisive measures and remedy the foolish action of the
Council of i860, abolishing the Health Department.
But, as has been customary in ali cases requiring
prompt and decisive action, the initiative was taken by
a private citizen, who visited Philadelphia, New York
and Boston, and investigated their various sanitary sys-
tems, becoming convinced from his investigations that
the plan obtaining at that time in New York, in the
establishment of the Metropolitan Board of Health, was
the best. A meeting of citizens of Chicago was called,
and a committee appointed to draft a bill embodying the
prominent features of the metropolitan health bill of
New York, for presentat-on to the State Legislature at
the ensuing session. This committee was Elliott
Anthony, Dr. John H. Rauch, Dr. James Van Zandt
Blaney and A. C. Coventry. A copy of the bill as
drafted by this committee was sent to the Common
Council with a request that they co-operate to secure its
passage. They, however, opposed it; but Uie Press, the
Mercantile Association, the Board of Trade and the
Police Board heartily indorsed it; and, after a contest
before the Legislature between the champions of the bill
and the Common Council, the act was passed on March
9, 1867, re-creating the Board of Health.
Pursuant to the provisions of said act, the Judges of
the Superior Court appointed the following Board of
Health: Dr. Hosmer A. Johnson (4 years', Dr. John
II. Rauch (6 years;, Dr. William Wagner (2 years;,
SAMUEL J. JONES.
MEDICAL HISTORY.
553
Samuel Hoard (6 years), A. B. Reynolds 14 years \
William Giles (2 years), ami J. B. Rice, ex officio. On
March 31, the board assembled and drew lots for the
terms of office resulting as above : Mayor Rice was
elected president. A sanitary inspection of the city was
decided upon. Dr. John H. Rauch was appointed sani-
tary superintendent, and the following physicians
sanitary inspectors :
West Division : H. W. Jones, H. M. Lyman, R. M.
Lackey, T. P. Seeley and W. R. Marsh. South Division:
Walter Hay, William C. Lyman and Edwin Powell.
North Division: W. D. Winer, D. B. Trimble, George
Schloetzer and Edward L. Holmes. Additional sanitary
inspectors were subsequently nominated as follows:
Drs. Brock. McVickar, J. M. Woodworth, E. O. F.
Roler, M. Mannheimer, F. W. Reilley, John Macalis-
ter, Philip Adolphus, George Kellogg, T. W. Miller and
John Reid.
There were a few cases of cholera, and the attention
Health, and particularly by Dr. John H. Rauch, to
whose energy, skill and science Chicago is indebted for
a large proportion of her drainage and sewerage.
Drainage and Sewerage. — In 1856, when the
first sewers were constructed, the influence they benefi-
cially exerted was most marked. Hut sporadic activity
only scintillated for a brief time amid the normal in-
activity of the Council, and, in 1861, the construction
of sewers almost ceased.* In the succeeding year their
construction was re-commenced and urged forward.
As a result of the drainage and sewerage systems may
be cited the prevalence of cholera prior to the institu-
tion of the system in 1856, and its absence since that
time and prior to 1872, save in one year, and then the
districts where sewerage and drainage was the rule were
not so afflicted with the disease as were those without
adequate drainage and sewerage. The following tables
will clearly exhibit the prophylactic influence sewers and
drainatre exert:
TABLE SHOWING PROPORTION OF SEWERAGE TO STATED AREA AND THE RATIO OF CHOLERA AN'I>
DEATHS IN VARIOUS YEARS, BY WARDS, OF THE CITY.
No. of
square yards
I
2
3
4
5-
6
7
8.
9
10.
n
12
13
14
'5
16
Density of
population.
No. of
square yard;
ch person
35.12
20.6o
3S.II
251.85
1,713-11
IO7.67
3H-44
2,738-SS
151.97
23.28
32.49
3.S25.55
1,510.31
228. S5
51-34
2S.31
130.07
70.46
114.05
7I5-9I
1,509.03
1S1.56
145-13
1,275-29
39t-67
122. gS
103. 6S
S39.54
652.41
205.81
169.89
118.02
114.9
165.6
160.0
247.6
120.2
100.3
182.9
398.3
152.2
105.0
116. 9
129.4
78.7
129.9
112. 9
1S67.
foot of
sewerage
25
20
37
■58
1,010
74
in
1,229
107
21
30
1,669
902
113
45
28
133 92
70.22
116.50
543-29
1,116.26
162.37
123.03
1,013.64
32S.55
115.36
97-56
706.29
552. oS
184.96
145.13
113.88
*36
122
149
M7
168
204
352
197
167
90
197
235
140
204
248
162
No.
37
142
837
62
S9
1,106
93
S42
S8
Density
popula-
13S.OO
69.98
119.06
437-85
S85.67
1.46.33
106.77
S44 10
282.94
108.62
93-44
609.55
47S.48
167.93
126.67
113. SS
91
216
280
306
351
356
675
374
306
208
336
459
322
381
513
287
1S69.
Densitv
of
popula-
125 57
65.2I
IO9.61
3S3-9I
778. So
134-49
9S.29
722.37
252.93
101.55
88.50
533-29
390.95
148. S7
114.70
106. S9
4-2
4.6
4-1
6.2
1.8
5-2
3.8
51
10.03
41
5-7
3.76
4-
3.12
2.96
2.3
Last si:
nths
of the board was given to its checking and suppression.
They were successful, but, d,t interim, on account of the
neglect of the authorities to have vaccination performed
since 1864, the small-pox had spread and become an
epidemic. To check this, the systematic efforts of the
board were manifested, and about thirty thousand per-
sons were vaccinated. On July 1, 1867, regulations for
the registry of births and death were made, and, upon
the same day, the first case of cholera was reported.
Sixty-seven cases occurred during the year, of which
ten were fatal.
During the early part of 1868, small-pox was very
prevalent, but was extinguished by the rigid enforce-
ment of the vaccination laws, and the disinfection and
isolation of cases, by the Board of Health. Subsequent-
ly, however, it was introduced by emigrants; forty-
eight cases of small-pox being taken out of that class,
from railroad depots to the pest-house. Early in April,
1868, the sanitary survey was completed, with the result
of demonstrating the urgent necessity there was for
remedying deficient drainage and establishing new
drains. Defective sewerage was also found to be
omnipresent in the city. The existing defects were per-
sistently presented to the Council by the Board of
Cleansing the River. — An important factor in
the health of Chicago has been the condition of the
river. It was apparently innoxious until i860, when, in
July, the sewerage commissioners, through General
Webster called E. S. Chesbrough's attention to the
" possibility and probability of an enlargement and
deepening of the canal to such an extent as to create a
constant current from the lake to the Illinois River,
only making a new channel through Mud Lake to the
Desplaines River." Mr. Chesbrough reported adversely
to the project, because he did not deem it advisable at
that time. In the spring of 18O1, however, the river
became very offensive, and, on June 17, a committee of
three aldermen was appointed to confer with the super-
intendent of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and
" Ascertain what arrangements could be made for pumping
water from the river a'. Bridgeport into the canal, so as to create a
current from the lake, which should supply the n'yer with Irish
water and relieve it of the offensive sewerage matter." But " it so
happened that, before any arrangement was made, it became nec-
essary to pump to supply the wants of the canal itself, and noth-
ing more was done by the city. During the whole summer and the
early part of autumn, the river, though receiving its full amount of
* For statistics of drainage and sewerage see Corporate History. It may
be remarked that the Board ->t S< weragc t . mmissioners was incorporated by the
Legislature on February 14, 1855.
554
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
sewerage, did not become so offensive at any time as to be a cause
of complaint. Very soon, however, after the packing season com-
menced, a most disagreeable odor was observed near the Old
(Eighteenth) Street Bridge, on the South Branch, which is above
the outlet of the existing sewer. This peculiar odor could be
traced afterward, as it moved down stream, till it reached the
mouth of the river. As an additional proof that the sewers do not
cause all the bad smell, it may here be mentioned that, in i860, the
discharge from piggeries and cow stables, high up on the North
Branch made that stream exceedingly offensive to its mouth. It is
also verv offensive this winter (1S61), and yet there is not a single
sewer emptving into it at ordinary times, and only two, those on
West Kinzie and Fulton streets, that do in times of heavy rain."
From this extract from Mr. Chesbrough's report, it
will be perceived that he estimated the main cause of
the river's turgid filth was not sewerage. On March
10, 1862, the Council appropriated $10,000 to pay for
pumping at Bridgeport, in order to cleanse Chicago
River, which continued offensive during the year, not-
withstanding the cleansing it derived by the spring
freshet of 1862, which thoroughly polluted the water
supply of the city, which was drawn from the lake.
In December, 1862, the Mayor received authority to
make arrangements for drawing off the water of the
canal through the Chicago River, so as to flush it, and
thereby cleanse it from its impurities ; and, in fact,
throughout the whole year the authorities were agita-
ting projects to remove the tainted and impure matter
in the river, which Professor F. Mahla had analyzed
and described, on September 22, to the Council. In
1863, the river " smelt to high heaven " again, and the
epidemic of erysipelas that prevailed this year was
ascribed to its foetid exhalations. And this despite the
pumping that was maintained at intervals. In 1864,
Aldermen Talcott, Sheridan, and Armstrong and City
Engineer E. S. Chesbrough were appointed a committee
to report upon the feasibility of cleansing the river. In
1865, two new and special members were added to the
Board of Public Works by the amended charter — the
members thus added being Roswell Bishop Mason and
William Gooding. During the discussions which were
held in the winter of 1864, and pursuant to the recom-
mendation of a joint committee of the Common Council
and the Board of Trade,* a commission was appointed,
consisting of Mayor Francis C. Sherman and five engi-
neers, William Gooding, Roswell Bishop Mason, John
Van Nortwick, E. B. Talcott and E. S. Chesbrough.
This commission received the notification of their ap-
pointment on January 9, 1865, and on March 6, rendered
a report, whose recommendations were adopted. This
report embraced these three features :
I. Intercepting sewers, which shall receive the filth
that would otherwise flow into the river, and carry it to
the lake, to some point or points, into which it would
be pumped by machinery — thus keeping impurities out
of the river to as great an extent as practicable.
II. Cutting canals, or making covered sewers from
the two branches of the river to the lake, and, bypump-
ing- works erected thereon, force the filthy water out or the
lake water in, thus keeping up a constant and sufficient
current to keep the river pure. We do not believe the
necessary current can be produced by the natural action
of the waves of the lake, as has been suggested.
III. Cutting down the summit of the Illinois and
• The committee fr..m the ):<>ard of Trade were K. M. Hough and J. C.
Dore. .,nd fr..m thr Council, Aldrnnen Holdcn. Cnmiskey and Cawson. < in
January 3. f 8'^ 5 . .1 public meeting was h<-ld at Metropolitan Hall, where resolu-
tion* were passed condemnatory of the noxious condition of the city, and there-
at the following Committee of Thirty were appointed, of which J- H. Dunham
was chairman : J. II. Dunham, Wirt Dexter. Koswcll li. Mason, |..hn V. Far-
well, William F. Coolbaugh, Sidney Smith, I. I.. Hancock, P. h. Yoe, Jona-
than V. Scammon, K. M. Hom.-Ii. 1 bar].-. Walker, K. ( . I.arned, I laniel lirain-
ard, Edwin H. Sheldon, W. I 1: rurner, James L. Stark, Charles G.
Hammond, ',<■.. r;.'.- L. Dunl i: im George Schneider, W. It.
Houghteling. P. [ohn I . Haines. II. G. Powers, F.
U. Gardner, Samuel Hoard, Ira V Munn, Martin Kycrsun and Kacon Wheeler.
Michigan canal below the level of the lake, so that a
sufficient quantity of water may be drawn from it to
create the necessary current through the main river and
South Branch vand, perhaps, to some extent, in the
North Branch also) to thoroughly purify the same at all
times. The estimated cost of this plan (III.) was
$2,102,467.50.
The phraseology of the fifth annual report of the
Board of Public Works concisely states the plan adopted
and the condition of the river :
" It was stated in our last report that the board, including the
special members, Messrs. Gooding and Mason, had adopted as
their plan for the permanent cleansing of the river (or, more pre-
cisely, for the cleansing of the main river and South Branch), the
deepening of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, between the Bridge-
port lock and the lock this side of Lockport, a distance of
twenty-six miles, so that there shall be a continuous movement of
the water of the river through the canal, at the rate of 24,000
cubic feet per minute, at a low stage of water in the lake. Such
arrangements were also made with the Board of Trustees of the
Canal as to enable the board to avail themselves of the pumping at
Bridgeport. The request of the board was complied with, although
we had no occasion to avail ourselves of the works last summer
(1S65), as the river was kept sufficiently clean by the frequent rains.
The pumps were set in motion in the latter part of last June(lS66),
and the river, since then, excepting the jSorth Branch, has been
kept in good condition and free from offensive smells."
In 1866, the pumping was commenced on June 19,
and discontinued on September 5. During the springs of
1867 and 1868 there were freshets, which assisted the
pumping in cleansing the river and its South Branch,
but the North Branch was especially pestilential and
offensive. In 1869,* the malodorous characteristics of
the river were dominant, and it was then found, by ex-
periment, that when there had been little or no rain-fall,
" it almost seemed as if the upward current in the main
river and South Branch, while the pumps were in opera-
tion acted as a barrier to the outlet of water from the
North Branch." The stagnation of the water in the
Ogden Slip and the Healy Slough was one continued
source of trouble, anxiety, and deodorization.
The filthy condition of the river in 1870 rendered
the service of the pumps at Bridgeport indispensable ;
but with both of them running at their full capacity it
was found almost impossible to keep the river clean.
But the new regime was on the eve of inauguration.
The deepening of the Illinois and Michigan Canal,
which was commenced in February, 1866, was completed
on Saturday, July 15, 1871. By the cutting of the tem-
porary dam across the canal at Bridgeport quite a cur-
rent was at once created, and an entire change of the
water in the main river and South Branch was effected
in about thirty-six hours. This also had a good effect
upon the North Branch, although more benefit was de-
rived by abstaining from throwing garbage, offal and
distillery filth into the Branch. The cost of deepening,
from its inception up to April 1, 1871, exclusive of in-
terest, was $2,982,437.13.1
Vital Statistics. — The first registration of births
was made on July 1. 1867, and the following table gives
the births in Chicago from that date until 187 1 :
July 1 to December 31, 1S67 2.SS6
January I to December 31, 1868 6,514
January 1 to December 31, iS6g - 7i955
January 1 to December 31, 1S70 $9,953
January I to December 31,1871 $11,142
* In 1S67, pumping was commenced on June in, and discontinued on No-
vember 15: in 1868, commenced July 10, and ceased September 30; in 1869,
commenced August 6, and terminated November 15.
t The amount paid lor cleansing the river by pumping is stated as — 1866,
$3,398.60; 1867, $17,875.21; 1868, 11.178.38. For i86M, the amount may be
.Miniated as about $15,000 ; and for 1870, about $20,000 ; tints these temporary
alleviations may be approximated as . ..stin^- the city about $67,500.
} These figures are estimates, the records having been destroyed in the
lire of 1871. tor the last two and one-hall months of 1871, the births were
MEDICAL HISTORY.
555
Mortality Statistics. — The following- table gives
the statistics of mortality, with the ratio of deaths to
the population, since 1843 — the earliest date at which
there are any figures approximating to accuracy :
Years.
Reported
Estimated
actual
Population.
Death
rate per
Deaths
from epidemics
and
mora . j
prevalent diseases.
1843----
129
141
7.5SO
1.S6
1S44 ..
306
336
10,170
3-30
1845....
3'3
344
I2,OSS
2.S4
1S46....
359 *
394
14 169
2.78
1847 —
520
572
16,857
3-39
1S48 ...
5 So
63S
20,023
3-18
1S49 .
1.547
1,701
23.047
7.38
Cholera, 678.
1850
1.334
1,467
29,963
489
Cholera, 420.
1S51
843
927
34,000
3.66
Cholera, 216.
1S52 ..
1.652
1,809
3S.734
4 ('7
Cholera, 630.
1S53 ■--.
1,205
1.325.
59.130
2.24
1854....
3.834
4.217
65,872
6.49
\ T1ysent'y,242
/ Cholera, 1424.
1S55
t,983
2,lSl
80,023
2.72
Cholera, 147.
1856
1,897
2,086
84,113
2.4S
Dysentery, 305.
1857....
2,170
2,4M
93,000
2.56
Dysentery, 465
I Scarlet fever,
1S5S ..
2,050
2,255
S4,ooo
2.6S
-, 233. Dysen-
( tery, 224.
1859----
I.S26
2,OOS
94,ooo
2.13
Scar, fever, 253.
1 Scarlet fever,
1 125. Diphthe-
i860
2,059
2,264
109,260
2.07
f ria, 154.
1S61
2.072
2,279
120,000
I.S9
1S62
2.578
2.S35
137,030
2.06
Scar fever, 335.
f Scarlet fever,
] 405 Small
1863 ...
3.523
3.875
150,000
2.5S
j pox, 115. Ery-
sipelas, iS.
1864
4.044
4,44S
161,288
2.75
\ Small pox,2S3
/ Erysipelas, 34.
1S65
3,663
4,029
178,492
2.25
Small pox, 57.
1866
5.931
6,524
200,41s
3.22
Cholera, 990.
1S67...
4,64s
4.773
225,000
2. II
( Small pox. 1 23
| Cholera, 10.
1868....
5.9S4
252,054
2.37
Small pox, 146.
1869...
6,48s
2SO.OOO
2.31
1S70
7.323
298,700
2-45
1S71*.-
6,976
334.270
2.0S
Boards of Health. — The first Board of Health
was composed of Dr. William Clark and Dr. Edmund
Stoughton Kimberly, in 1834. Its duties were specific,
and its tenure of office brief. On June 19, 1835, the
first permanent board was constituted, consisting of
Messrs. Curtis, Sweet, Morris, Peck, King, Fullerton
and Temple, to which board were, afterward, added
Samuel Jackson, Hiram Hugunin and Alanson Sweet.
No record is extant of any action by this board; and on
May 9, 1837, Dr. John W. Eldridge, Alexander N. Ful-
lerton and D. Cox were elected members of the Board
of Health, and Dr. Daniel Brainard was appointed the
health officer. Mayor William B. Ogden was, ex officio,
president. On March 16, 1838, the board comprised
Mayor Buckner S. Morris and Drs. J. W. Eldridge, John
Brinkerhoff and Daniel Brainard, Dr. E. J. Kimberly
being health officer. On March iS, 1S39, the board
consisted of Benjamin W. Raymond, mayor, Dr. Daniel
Brainard, Stephen B. Gay and Josiah T. Betts. Dr.
Charles Volney Dyer, elected health officer at the begin-
ning of the year, resigned September 30. On December
26, 1839, Dr. E. S. Kimberly was elected his successor.
On April 20, 1840, Alexander Loyd, mayor, George W.
Merrill, Dr. John Brinkerhoff and William Jones ci im-
posed the board, Dr. Kimberly still being health officer.
* Two hundred and ninety-nine deaths from small pox in the last three
months of 1S71. Inquests wert held on one hund-ed and seventeen bodies re-
sultant from the fire: Burns, ninety-six ; falling walls, five; shock and suffo-
cation,
On March 9, 1841, Francis C. Sherman, mayor, William
Jones, Henry Brown and Jeremiah Price were the board,
and Dr. John W. Eldridge was health officer. On
March 14, 1S42, the board comprised Mayor Benjamin
W. Raymond, William Jones, Henry Brown and Jere-
miah Price. The city physician was l)r. William Brad-
shaw Egan, and ( )rson Smith was health officer and city
marshal. On March 12, 1843, the board were Augustus
Garrett, mayor, William Jones, [eremiah Price and
Walter L. Newberry. Henry Brown was elected, but
declined. Orson Smith was health officer. On May 9,
1844, Augustus Garrett, mayor, Jeremiah Price, William
H. Brown and A. Peck composed the board, J. M. Un-
derwood having been elected, but declined the office.
Orson Smith was still health officer. On April 4, 1 S 4 5 ,
the members of the board were Augustus Garrett,
mayor, William H. Brown, Jeremiah Price and Dr.
David Sheppard Smith. Dr. Philip Maxwell was city
physician, and Philip Dean health officer. In 1846,
John P. Chapin, mayor, Dr. Daniel Brainard, Jeremiah
Price and H. Brown were the board, and Ambrose Bur-
nam was health officer. In 1847, the board consisted
of James Curtiss, mayor, Dr. E. S. Kimberly, Sutton
Marsh and Dr. Stewart. On June 29, A. F. Bradley
took the place of Dr. Kimberly, and Jared Barrett that
of Mr. Marsh. J. F. Wait was health officer. In 1848,
James H. Woodworth, mayor, Sutton Marsh, S. J. Sher-
wood and F. C. Hagerman constituted the board, and
Ambrose Burnam was health officer. On January 24,
Dr. Henry S. Huber was appointed city physician. In
1849, the board was composed of J. J. Woodworth,
mayor, Flavel Moseley, William H. Brown and J. M.
Underwood. Dr. Levi D. Boone was city physician,
and Ambrose Burnam health officer. On June 4, Mr.
Moseley resigned, and Thomas Church was elected to
fill the vacancy. In 1850, James Curtiss, mayor, Flavel
Moseley, William H. Brown and Samuel Hoard were
the board, Dr. Levi D. Boone city physician, and Orson
Smith, health officer. On March 7, 185 1, C. P. Bradley
was appointed health officer, and the first meeting of
the board was held April 1, 1851, when it comprised
Walter L. Newberry, acting mayor, William H. Brown,
Samuel Hoard and Flavel Moseley. August 1, W. S.
Gurnee, mayor, became a member. On April 17, 1852,
the board comprised W. S. Gurnee, mayor, and Messrs.
Dodge, Dyer, Brinkerhoff and Carpenter. Dr. A. B.
Palmer was city physician, and C. P. Bradley health
officer. On March 22, 1853, the board was composed
of Charles M. Gray, mayor, J. C. Dodge, I. Speer, C.
Follansbee and James Andrews. Dr. Brock. McVickar
was city physician, and W. B. H. ('.ray health officer.
In 1854, the board consisted of Isaac L. Milliken, mayor,
John C. Dodge, H. Whitbeck, C. L. Harmon and Isaac
Speer. Dr. Brock. McVickar was city physician, and
W. W. Taylor health officer— George P Hansen being
appointed health officer on Mr. Taylor's resignation on
July 24. On March 22, 1855, the board was constituted
by Levi D. Boone, mayor, Dr. B. McVickar, Isaac Speer,
H. Whitbeck and George W. Dole. Dr. Isaac Lynn
was city physician, and George P. Hansen health officer.
On April 2, 1856, the new board met. It was composed
of Thomas Dyer, mayor, Isaac Speer, G. W. Dole. Fred-
erick A. Bryan and Hugh Maher. Dr. Brock. McVickar
was city physician, and George I'. Hansen health officer.
On April 2, 1S57, the board met, the members being
John Wentworth, mayor, George W. Dole, Isaac Speer,
W. H. Brown, William Whitbeck, Casper Butz and
Cleveland. Dr. Gerhard Christian Paoli was city phy-
sician, anil Ambrose Burnam health officer. In 1858,
there appears to have been no board ; Dr. Gerhard C.
556
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Paoli was city physician, and Ambrose Burnani health
officer. In 1859, the board was composed of John C.
Haines, mayor, J. \V. Waughop, F. Mahla, A. J. Heald,
A. Blakie and T. B. Gardner. Dr. William Wagner was
city physician (which position was vacated by the ordi-
nance of March 27, i860), and James L. Abbott health
officer. The latter resigned May 5, i860, in consequence
of said ordinance. In i860, 1861 and 1862, there was no
Board of Health. On September 10, of the latter year,
Charles S. Perry, a policeman, was made acting health
officer, and, on December 20, was detailed for that duty.
December 1, 1862, Dr. Lucian P. Cheney was made city
physician, at a salary of $600 per annum, " he to furnish
all medicines, prescribed by him, at his own cost and
expense," which would appear to be an overt method of
discouraging the administration of remedies. On May
9, 1864, Dr. J. A. Hahn was appointed city physician,
vice Dr. L. P. Cheney, deceased. Charles S. Perry was
still acting health officer. On May 5, 1865, Dr. S. C.
Blake was appointed city physician, and T. B. Bridges
was elected health officer, on May 19, by the Board of
Police. In 1866, Dr. Blake and Mr. Bridges still occu-
pied the offices of city physician and health officer,
respectively. On March 31, 1867, the Board of Health
comprised J. B. Rice, mayor, Dr. William Wagner, Dr.
Hosmer A. Johnson, Dr. John H. Rauch, William
Giles, A. B. Reynolds and Samuel Hoard — all matters
and things connected with the health department being
transferred to this board by the Board of Police on April
3, at which date Dr. John H. Rauch was made sanitary
superintendent. Dr. N. T. Quales was city physician,
and Ambrose Burnam health officer. The same board
and officers held office in 1868. On March 31, 1869,
the board was composed of J. B. Rice, mayor, Dr.
George Schloetzer, Dr. Hosmer A. Johnson, Dr. John
H. Rauch, William Giles, A. B. Reynolds and Samuel
Hoard — the sanitary superintendent, city physician and
health officer being the same. In 1S70, these officials
were the same, with the exception of the health officer
and city physician. The city physician was H. S. Hahn.
Ambrose Burnam died October 21, 1870, and was suc-
ceeded by Joseph Lane. In 187 1, the board consisted
of Roswell B. Mason, mayor, Dr. John H. Rauch (san-
itary superintendent), Dr. H. A. Johnson, Dr. George
Schloetzer, Samuel Hoard, A. B. Reynolds and George
Von Hollen. The city physician was H. S. Hahn, and
George H. Germain was health officer.
Ambrose Burnam, one of Chicago's early settlers, and for
many years one of its most trustworthy and public-spirited citizens,
was a native of New York, born near Watertowruin 1812. He was
reared on a farm, and his early education consisted of only such
learning as he could get by attending at odd times the common
schools of his vicinity. In 1835, he came West and located in
Chicago, which city was his home for nearly forty years. On his
arrival here, he obtained employment as a clerk with Charles Fol-
lansbee, who then kept a general store on Lake Street, near Wa-
bash Avenue. A year or two later he went to Joliet, and engaged
for a while in the drug trade on his own account ; he, however,
soon returned to Chicago and became connected, in a clerical way,
with the Board of Canal Commissioners. In 1846, he was elected
health officer, which position he held until his election as the third
city marshal, in 1S48. At that time, the police force of Chicago had
not that system of organization that it had in later years, or that it
now has ; and from 1842 to 1855, the city marshals were practi-
cally the official heads of the Police Department. In June, 1855,
the ordinance was passed creating the Poiice Department, and, in
that year, Cyrus P. Bradley was elected captain or chief of police.
Mr. Burnam held the office of city marshal from 184S to 1S52, be-
ing succeeded in the latter year by James L. Howe. His greatest
services to the city were, however, in connection with its sanitary
affairs. As has already been noted, his first connection with the
Board of Health was in 1S46, when he was elected health officer.
He was again elected to this position in 1856, serving with signal
ability for three years. In 1S67, the Board of Health, remem-
bering his valuable services during his former administration of
the office, again chose him health officer, which position he con-
tinued to hold until his death, which occurred in October, 1870.
Mr. Burnam married Miss Rhoda B. Reynolds, whose parents
lived near Laporte, Ind. To them was born five sons, all but one
of whom are still living. Alston, the eldest, died in 1843. Two
others, Arthur and Frank, are residents of this city, and Lisle and
Miles are in business in Iowa and Colorado, respectively.
ART AND ARCHITECTURE.
ART.
The year 1858 found Chicago too deeply engaged
in commercial enterprises of every description to bestow
more than a passing thought upon Art. The struggle
for wealth engrossed alike the mental and physical ac-
tivities of its citizens. Few were found at this period
who were not contented to leave the entire subject of
Art for future consideration. We can not bestow too
much praise upon those earnest, hopeful artists who,
with firm faith in the city's future, looked forward to a
day when Chicago should become one of the leading
Art centers of America, and were content to offer to the
public, however unappreciative, the best productions of
their genius. Among the artists of that time were L. W.
Yolk,* G. I'. A. Healy, S. P. Tracy, Howard Strong,
George S. Collis, and Daniel F. Bigelow.
To such men as E. V,. McCagg, Horace White, J. Y.
Scammon, S. IJ. Kerfoot, U. H. Crosby, Daniel Braiiiard,
Walter L. Newberry, B. !•'. Culver, Thomas Hoyne and
others, belong the distinction of having co-operated
with the artists in educating the public taste to a point
* To l.eonard W. Volk. th<- iculptor, who generously proffered tin use ■■(
hi* extensive and uniriii.- < -,11- rt ton of newsparxr art ir Irs, catalogues and other
pamphlet* relating to art matters, preserved by him with great care for many
year*, the compiler i» indebted for much valuable matter.
where genuine love for Art created a demand for its
finest productions. To this union of effort, on the part
of artists and connoisseurs, is due a progress in this
direction which is absolutely without parallel in any
city in the country.
On March 22, 1859, a meeting was called, to be held
at the rooms of the Historical Society in the Newberry
Block, the object of which was
"To devise a plan for an Art Exposition, to consist of such
select and approved paintings and sculptures as are in possession
of our citizens, in order to afford to the public, and especially all
persons interested in the Fine Arts, an opportunity to gratify and
improve their taste in Art matters."
As a result of the deliberations of this meeting, an
invitation to contributors was announced on April 12;
and on May 9 the first Art Exposition in Chicago was
formally opened to the public in Burch's Building,
corner of Lake Street and Wabash Avenue. The num-
ber of contributors was about seventy; the catalogue
showed the presence of about three hundred and sixty-
nine works of art, consisting of twenty specimens of
statuary, over three hundred and twenty paintings in oil,
and some twenty in crayon and water colors. The
entire number of visitors registered was twelve thou-
sand; gross receipts from admission fees and sales of
ART AND ARCHITECTURE.
557
catalogues amounted to $1,942.99; and the total dis-
bursements were $1,123.55.
Encouraged by the success attending this exhibition,
some of the artists and art connoisseurs formed an or-
ganization known as the Chicago Art Union, having for
its object the encouragement of Fine Art in the West.
The first exhibition of this society was given in the
gallery of Mr. Hesler, at No. 113 Lake Street, and in-
cluded works of Volk, Healy, Strong and Tracy. The
MASK OF LINCOLN.
exhibition was opened on December 5, 1859, and closed,
on or about January 1, i860, with a distribution of forty-
seven specimens of paintings and statuary, valued at
$2,400, among the holders of eight hundred tickets.
One of the most noteworthy events connected with
the history of art in this city, during the period covered
by the present sketch, was the execution by L. W. Volk,
of a bust of Abraham Lincoln, from a mask cast in
plaster from the features of the original, shortly before
his nomination for the presidency in i860. This bust,
on account of its fidelity and delicacy of execution, ex-
cited much interest not only in art circles but also in
every grade of society througout the land. The
original was presented by Mr. Volk to the Crosby Opera
House Art Association in 1866, and was exhibited at
the Paris Exposition of the succeeding year.
No other Art Exposition worthy of mention occurred
in Chicago until December, 1862, when L. W. Volk,
sculptor, and John Antrobus, painter, opened a gallery
in the brick building at the northeast corner of State
and Washington streets. This building, formerly a pri-
vate residence, was remodeled with special reference
to the new use for which it was designed, and was then
known as the Art Building. This gallery was intended
for the reception and free exhibition of specimens of the
fine arts, by local and foreign artists of repute. The
enterprise met with much favor; and while it afforded
to artists a convenient method of bringing before the
public works which they offered for sale, it was of great
value as an educator of the public taste.
During the last week of October and the first week
of November, 1863, the Ladies' Northwestern Fair for
the benefit of the Sanitary Commission was held.
One of the departments which attracted most atten-
tion from visitors was the Art Callery, which was
opened at McVicker's Theatre, under the manage-
ment of the following committee: Mrs. J. S. Colt, of
Milwaukee; Mrs. D. P. Livermore, of Chicago; Mrs
Doctor Carr, of Madison; and Miss Valeria Camp-
bell, of Detroit. Leonard W. Volk was the manager
of the gallery. Among the contributors from Chi-
cago were W. L. Newberry, E. B. McCagg, U. H.
Crosby, G. P. A. Healy, Dr. Rogers, Dr. Daniel
Brainard, M. D. Ogden, W. B. Ogden, Bishops White-
house and Duggan, William Bross, George Stevens,
L. W. Volk, Mark Skinner, H. C. Ford, Joseph
Medill, Thomas Hoyne, S. H. Kerfoot, J. Y. Scam-
mon and E. Peck. Three hundred and twenty-three
works of art were catalogued, and a comparison witli
the Exhibition of 1859 shows a marked growth in
culture and the refinements of civilized life. Not
more than two of the owners of private galleries
declined to loan some of their choicest works to the
exhibition, and many artists exhibited some of the
finest specimens of their work. The interest shown
in this exhibition may be inferred from the fact that
on one evening alone seven hundred tickets of ad-
mission (exclusive of season tickets) were taken at
the doors; and during the first five days over seven
thousand catalogues were sold, the profits from
which sale alone were sufficient to defray all expenses
of the exhibition.
A still finer art collection was exhibited at the
Great Northwestern Sanitary Fair, in June, 1865.
Local artists and art connoisseurs again offered the
gems of their collections, and many choice works
were obtained from abroad. The list of artists em-
braced one hundred and forty-seven names (mostly
of Americans) who represented every school of art,
and included many of the most eminent artists of
the past and present centuries.
It was in 1866, however, that the real history of Art
in Chicago began, with the inception of the Academy
of Design. This organization secured its first impetus
from a few professional artists, who desired to found an
institution which should promote and foster taste for the
fine arts, and encourage harmonious emulation among
artists. Their first meetings were held in the Portland
Block, late in the year 1866, and the first officers chosen
were as follows : President, Sheldon J. Woodman ;
Vice-President, Charles Peck; Secretary, Walter Shir-
law. A constitution and by-laws were adopted, in
which the aims of the Academy and its scheme of gov-
ernment were set forth. Its support was to be derived
from monthly dues paid by artists. Free schools were
instituted for instruction in drawing from life and from
antique models. It was early determined to give an ex-
hibition of such works in painting and sculpture as
cojld be collected from artists and private individuals,
and the following announcement of the intentions of the
society was made by circular to the public :
" The Chicago Academy of Design will give a literary, musi-
cal and dramatic festival at Crosby's Opera House on Friday
55«
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
evening. May 3. 1867, and on Monday evening, May 13, will open,
at its gallery in Jevne & Almini's building, the first semi-annual
exhibition of the Academy."
About thirty-live members were enrolled at this
time, including some of the first artists in the city.
The reception at the Opera House was very successful,
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ACADEMY OF DESIGN.
but in the ten days that intervened before the exhibition
public interest had flagged and the result was a pecuni-
ary loss. Discordant elements were found to exist
from its inception, and this society soon found its
grave. This first effort to establish an Academy of the
Arts, however, was felt to be a decided step forward.
On November 18, 1867, a meeting of the principal
artists in the city was held at Crosby's Opera House
for the purpose of reorganizing the Academy upon a
sure basis, founded upon principles broad and liberal,
and incorporating features tending to elevate the
character and condition of the arts of design. A re-
vised constitution was adopted, and Leonard W. Volk
was solicited to act as president, a position which he
filled until 1878, with marked ability and harmonizing
influence. "Life." "Antique" and "Rudimentary" draw-
ing-schools were opened in Room 28, Opera House,
in January, [868. No salaries were paid, all labor,
including tuition, being rendered gratuitously.
The monthly dues of one dollar from each artist
member were soon found to be insufficient for the
Academy's financial needs, and the administration
issuer] a circular to the public announcing
" An artists' reception to be given in the I >pera House on Friday
evening. March 6, for the double pur|)<.se of raising a sufficient
nun to enable the Academy to m ions of art in the antique
school, and to warrant issuing invitations to the artists of the coun-
try, with a view of gathering together in this city a much larger and
finer collection of art work for the annual exhibition in December."
The reception proved a brilliant affair. The Crosby
Art Gallery and auditorium were rented, a large number
of pictures were hung, the studios thrown open, and some
classic art scenes of rare excellence given on the
stage. The attendance was large, but the net profits
footed up only $450; scarcely enough to liquidate
accumulated indebtedness. Gifts of §500 from J.
Young Scammon and $100 from B. F. Culver,
however, enabled the society to purchase the de-
sired casts. On April i, 1868, Conrad Diehl was
employed to teach the schools at a salary of $1,000.
In ten months from the commencement of the
schools, thirty-five pupils had been received, eight
of whom were admitted to associate membership.
The tuition was about ten dollars a month, no
charges being made to members of the Academy.
On November 5, of the same year, the first distri-
bution of premiums among the pupils occurred,
and the third annual exhibition was opened on De-
cember 18. At this exhibition the highest catalogue
number was one hundred and eighteen; amount
of sales of pictures, $4,000, of which the academy
received ten per cent.; sale of tickets to exhibition.
On March 16, 1869, an act of incorporation was
secured through the efforts of E. B. McCagg, Charles
Knickerbocker, the corresponding secretary, with
the following artists included as incorporators: H.
C. Ford, Charles Knickerbocker, S. E. Loring, Al-
vah Bradish, J. C. Cochrane, W. Cogswell, L. W.
Volk, Conrad Diehl, J. F. Gookms, Louis Kurz, R.
E. Moore, Theodore Pine, P. F. Reed, W. Shirlaw,
G. P. A. Healy and Charles Peck.
At the annual meeting of the Academy on No-
vember s of the same year, the address of the pres-
ident and the reports of the committee presented
an encouraging view of-the work accomplished and
a a favorable account of the society's condition.
Owing to a refusal of the use of the Opera
House Art Gallery, no exhibition was given this
season. This refusal, although at first depressing
to members, was the means of stimulating a desire for
independence, which bore fruit the following year, in
leasing a new and beautiful marble-front building on
Adams Street, between State and Dearborn.
A new feature was engrafted on the policy of the
administration about this time, in the establishment of
life-memberships and life-memberships in perpetuity,
upon the payment of $100, and $500, respectively —
a measure which, it was believed, would increase both
the moral and material resources of the Academy; and
the result justified the expectation.
On March 22, 1870, the new building was formally
opened to the public by a reception given under the
auspicies of the Academy, the society having taken
possession of its new quarters. The building had been
erected expressly to meet the wants of the society by
Jonathan Clark. It had a frontage on Adams Street
was eighty feet, and its depth seventy-five feet. The
material used in its construction was Cleveland stone.
The lower story was occupied by stores and the four
upper Moors by'the Academy. It contained two galle-
ries, a hall and lecture room, large school rooms ami
sixteen commodious studios.
An event which excited no small interest in art cir-
cles, was the formation, in 1866, of the Crosby Opera
House Art Association for the sale of the Opera House,
ART AND ARCHITECTURE.
559
and three hundred valuable oil paintings. The Asso-
ciation announced the object of the sale to be the
re-imbursement of Mr. Crosby for sacrifices made in the
cause of art, and engravers and publishers co-operated
with the artists in coming to his relief. Among the
best known works of art enumerated on the list of pre-
miums were Bierstadt's " Yosemite Valley," Cropsey's
"An American Autumn," Schussel's "Washington
Irving and his Friends," Hart's " Woods in Autumn,"
Gignoux's " Alpine Scenery," and Volk's original bust
of Lincoln. The drawing occurred in October, 1866.
With the growth of the love for art, private collec-
tions in the city became more numerous and extensive.
Originals by such masters as Rembrandt, Teniers,
Couture and others were loaned by citizens of Chicago
to the various exhibitions which have been described.
Among the owners of large and valuable private collec-
tions during the period antecedent to the fire may be
mentioned James Robb, U. H. Crosby, Bishop White-
house, George Stevens, J. Young Scammon and E. B.
McCagg.
Art stores multiplied. Mr. Atkins opened a gallery
for the exhibition and sale of paintings in Crosby's
Opera House, which continued in successful operation
until the time of the fire. Other dealers of prominence
were Jevne & Ahnini, Hovey & Heffron, W. T. Noble
& Co. and Martin O'Brien, the last named having in
1869, founded the Chicago Art Journal, the first Art
serial ever published in the West.
Leonard Wells Volk, whose name is so intimately con-
nected with the progress of art in Chicago, was born at YVillstown,
Montgomery (now Hamilton) Co., N. Y., November 7, 1S28. His
mother belonged to the historical family of Anneke Jans Bogardus.
At the age of sixteen, he began to learn the trade of a marble cut-
ter from his father. From Massachusetts, he removed to Bethany,
N. Y , from which place he went to Albion, and subsequently to
Batavia, N. Y., where he established himself in business with his
brother. Having become impressed with the advantages offered by
St. Louis, Mr. Volk removed to that city. There he determined to
carry into execution a project long before conceived — to abandon
his trade and strive to attain success in art. Acting upon the new
resolve, he opened a modest studio in St. Louis in 1S49. His first
work was the execution, from a daguerreotype, of Dr. J. K. Barlow,
the father of his future wife. The story of Mr. Volk's attachment
for and subsequent marriage to Miss Emily C. Barlow constitutes a
veritable romance. Their acquaintance was formed while Leonard
\V. Volk was working at his trade in Bethany, N. Y. Dr. Barlow
shortly thereafter removed to Quincy, 111., and Miss Barlow was
a not infrequent guest at the residence of her brother in St. Louis.
It is perhaps, not too much to surmise that his affection exerted a
potent influence in determining his choice of the profession of an
artist, and we may readily believe that an ennobling love for a true
woman was to him, in his early struggles, at once a solace, a stimu-
lant and a safeguard. To become worthy of the woman he loved
was his aim, and each success was to him doubly gratifying because
he saw in it one new step toward the goal of his desires. Miss Bar-
low was among the visitors to the young sculptor's sanctum, and it
may be imagined how her presence lighted up the little room and
infused new courage into the lover's heart. During those early
years in St. Louis, Mr. Volk studied faithfully and worked hard,
nor was he compelled to wait many years for recognition Among
the productions of hischisel during that period was a copy of Hart's
bust of Henry Clay, the first piece of marble sculpture completed
west of the Mississippi. The bust was highly praised by the local
press, and served to bring the artist prominently before the public.
Mr. Volk subsequently disposed of it to admirers of the great Ken-
tucky statesman in Louisville. Shortly thereafter, he was com-
missioned by the Catholic archbishop of the diocese to execute two
figures for the Cathedral, and his faithful execution of the order
gained for him high encomiums from the prelate. In 1852. his re-
putation having been established, he was married to Miss Barlow,
and took up his residence at Galena, 111. Here he was visited by
Senator Stephen A. Douglas, a cousin of Mrs. Volk. Mr. Volk re-
turned to St. Louis, but not meeting with the success for which he
had hoped, established himself at Rock Island. There he was
again visited by Senator Douglas, who offered to defray the expense
of Mr. Voik'.s pucsuing his studies at Rome. The offer was ac-
cepted, and, in September, 1S55, Mr. Volk made his first visit to
Europe, leaving his wife and child with his mother, at Pittsfield,
Mass. After spending some time in England and France, and
having visited the galleries of Paris, and attended the first French
International Exposition, he went to Koine. lie devoted himsi I!
earnestly tothe study of his profession for a year and a hall, and there
modeled his first statue " The boy Washington cutting down the
cherry tree." From Rome, Mr. Volk went to Florence, whence, aftei
a few months, he sailed for New York. In June, 1857, he arrived in
Chicago, and opened a studio on Clark Street, opposite the Slier-
man House. From that lime his public career has been almost
identical with the history of art in Chicago. During the first year
of his residence, he executed a life-size bust of Senator Douglas,
which, with other works, made him immediately and favorably
known throughout the Northwest. His connection with the various
art exhibitions in this city has been already mentioned, as also his
identification with the movement for the establishment of the
Academy of Design, whose president he was during a period of eight
and a half years. It would be useless to enumerate the works of
Mr. Volk, as they are so well known to every citizen of Chicago.
His bust of Douglas, his statue of the same statesman (executed lor
Governor Matteson), his mask of Lincoln, his bust of the late Daniel
Brainard (now in possession of Rush Medical College) are familiar
to every resident of the city. The mask of Lincoln by Mr. Volk is
without doubt the most faithful portraiture of the features of the
great National martyr ever executed, and has served as a model and
guide for all who have since attempted to portray that rugged,
homely, yet strong and pleasant face. At the outbreak of the Re-
bellion, Mr. Volk enlisted as a private in Colonel John Van Arnam's
regiment, and drilled with that organization in the old Board-of-
Trade building, but the seventy-five thousand troops called for by
the Government having already responded, the regiment was dis-
banded. In December, 1S68, Mr. Volk made his second visit to
Rome; and in January, 1S71, he visited Rome for the third time,
being accompanied by his wife, daughter, and son, Stephen Arnold
Douglas Volk. During his absence the great fire oecured, in which
his losses were serious. It is worthy of remark that on his return
in 1872, he ordered, at Geneva, the first shipment of Carrara marble
(400 tons) ever made direct from Italy to Chicago. His losses in the
conflagration only served to revive the energy of his youth, and his
works since that date show no impairment of his genius or his faith-
ful zeal. Among these may be mentioned his statues of Lincoln
and Douglas (now in the State House at Springfield), his busts of
Henry Keep and the late Zachariah Chandler, G. B. Armstrong,
Gurdon S. Hubbard, Rev. Jeremiah Porter, and Zuinglius Grover,
president of Dearborn Seminary. The crowning effort of Mr.
Volk's professional career is, beyond doubt, the superb monument
over the tomb of Senator Douglas, which is one of the glories of
Chicago Mr. Volk was for several years secretary of the Douglas
Monument Association, and the massive pile itself stands to-day
not only as a tribute of a State's love and gratitude toward the emi-
nent statesman, but as a monument of the genius and devotion of
the artist. Mr. and Mrs. Volk have two children living, a daughter.
Mrs. William B. Colt, and a son, Douglas Volk, who is an artist of
rising fame in New York.
George P. A. Healy was born in Boston, Mass., July 15,
1813, and is the eldest son of Captain William and Mary Healy.
From his mother, Mr. Healy inherited a talent for painting, of
which, however, he gave no indication until at the age of sixteen,
when it was developed by drawing maps at school. Two years later
he was presented to Thomas Sully, the great artist, who requested
him to make a study of nature and copy a head by Stuart. When
they were completed and shown to Mr. Sully he, with his charac-
teristic kindness, said: " By all means, Mr. Healy, make painting
your profession " Seven years later, wdiile on his way to England
to paint a portrait of Queen Victoria, Mr. Sully chanced to look at
a portrait of Audubon, painted by the young student, and he said,
" Mr. Healy, you have no reason to regret having taken my ad-
vice." This encouraged Mr. Healy, and he took a studio; but he
did not earn enough money to pay his first quarter's rent, ami his
landlord, Richard Tucker, ordered pictures made of his son John
and son-in-law, John Henry Gray. These were exhibited at the
Athenreum in 1S32. The following spring he painted the portrait
of Lieutenant Van Brunt of the navy, and through him he became
acquainted with, and secured sittings from, Mrs. Harrison Gray
Otis. He painted her portrait and hung it in the exhibition of that
summer She was a handsome woman, and made a beautiful por-
trait, which proved a valuable aid to the struggling artist. It en-
abled him to leave a considerable sum of money with his mother,
and to go to Europe, with a thousand dollars in his pocket, in the
spring of 1834. He spent two years in Paris, studying from the life
and copying pictures in the Louvre. In the spring of 1S36, he
visited London for the first time, and painted, with great success,
till the spring of 1838, when the American Minister, Andrew Stev-
enson, commissioned him to paint a portrait of Marshal Soult.
The arrangements for the sittings were made through General
560
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Cass. Minister in Paris, who also ordered Mr. Healv to paint him-
self and family. While there he. also, painted a portrait of Louis
Phillippe. In 1S3S. he painted the portrait of Mrs. Cass, which,
in the exhibition at the Louvre, in the spring of 1S40, obtained for
him his first gold medal. He also, in that year, returned to Lon-
don, and married Miss Louisa Phipp, and then went back to Paris
to resume the sittings of Louis Phillippe. His Majesty attended a
ball given bv General Cass in commemoration of Washington's
birthday, and, while there, observed one of Mr. Healy's works, a
full-length portrait of General Washington, copied from an en-
graving in the work written by Sparks. The king commissioned
Mr. Healv to paint a whole-length portrait of Washington for his
historicafgallerv at Versailles. In 1S44, Louis Phillippe commis-
sioned Mr. Healv to make copies of the royal personages, from
Elizabeth down to William IV, together with those of the most
eminent statesmen. While executing these, he was instructed to
proceed with all haste to paint the portraits of General Jackson
and several of the presidents and statesmen of our country. He
afterward returned to the United States, to make studies for his
great picture of " Webster Replying to Hayne," the studies for
and execution of which work occupied him seven years. His next
important work was the lepresentation of Franklin, Lee and Dean
negotiating a treaty of alliance between France and the struggling
colonies. This work obtained for him his second gold medal at the
Universal Exhibition in Paris, in 1S55, in which year Mr. Healy
first came to Chicago. In this city he has become well known
by the many portraits of eminent citizens he has painted.
Mrs. Marie Antoinette Kennicott is one of the pioneer
teachers of drawing and painting now living in Chicago, having
taught in the Chicago Female Seminary, on Clark Street, as early
as 1851. Mrs. Kennicott displayed talents as a child, which were
encouraged by her mother, a woman of rare accomplishments, and
a teacher in an academy at Auburn, N. Y. By her she was edu-
cated in drawing and water-color painting, and by her father in
the higher branches of learning; so that, when her mother died,
although Marie was but thirteen years of age, she was considered
competent to take her place in the academy. Mrs. Kennicott's
father, Allen Fiske, had formerly practiced law in New York City,
where she was born, but being solicited by many of his former col-
lege classmates to open a school in Troy, to educate their young
sons, he renounced his profession and entered upon his work at
once Later, he removed to Auburn, N. Y., where he became
principal of the academy, and it was there, as his assistant, that
his daughter became her mother's successor She remained at
Auburn two years, and afterward taught in the academies of Aurora
and Skaneateles, and in the Troy Female Seminary. At the latter
institution she made much progress in painting, also acquiring a
fine musical education, and teaching vocal culture. Having lost
her voice, through illness, Mrs. Kennicott again turned her atten-
tion to painting, and, after spending three years with relatives in
Brooklyn, came to Chicago in 1S51, when she opened the semi-
nary, previously spoken of, which she conducted until 1S54. Dur-
ing this year she was married to Dr. J. A. Kennicott, and went
with him to reside at Kenwood. She resided there for a number
of years, supervising the education of her three daughters, still
keeping alive her early love for art In 1870, she established a
seminary at her own home, which she conducted for eight years.
She went abroad, in 1S78, with a class of young ladies, and also
studied art, making a specialty of water-color painting. Since her
return from Europe, Mrs. Kennicott has studied and taught con-
tinuously, spending her vacations in New York and Washington,
where superior advantages are offered for her improvement, and
where her paintings of fruit and flowers meet with a ready sale. Of
Mrs. Kennicott's three daughters, one of them has adopted music
as a profession, while the other two have, until recently, been asso-
ciated with their mother in her studio. Mrs. Kennicott has, for
three years, made a specialty of portraiture in pastel, crayon, and
oil, having some years ago studied in oil under several proficient
instructors, especially under William Morgan, of New York City,
and in pastel under Professor Mounier, a French artist, as well as
other artists.
loir. II. DeUEY, one of the oldest artists of Chicago, and
a prominent landscape painter, was born June 30, 1816, in the
District of Columbia. His father, Samuel Drury, was, for many
justice of the peace in hi'^li standing. After being edu-
cated in the district schools of his native place, he went into the
dry-goods business, and. for several years thereafter, was in the
Pott-office Department at Washington. At an early age, he
evinced strong .-. r t ; -, 1 i . : taste,, and was ever busy with his pencil
and brush. His li r-.t regular lessons were taken under Thomas
Doughty, at the time one of tin- best known landscape artists of the
country.' In 1856, Mr. iJrury went to Europe. After visiting
l.'.ndon, Munich, Romi id mo ' "I the centers of art, he
decided to remain at Paris arid receive instructions at the hands of
Thomas Couture, the eminent painter, whose pupil he was for
three years. He returned to New York and Washington, and,
soon after the breaking out of the Civil War, removed to Chicago.
His studio was the first opened in the Crosby Opera House. After-
ward, Mr. Drury moved to the Academy of Design, and there some
of his choicest treasures were destroyed in the great fire, the artist
being at the time absent in Washington. Since that casualty, Mr.
Drury has continued to work at his profession, being still inspired
with the love and enthusiasm of his earlier years. His scenes of pas-
toral life, and views of the sublimity of the Rocky Mountains, are
recognized as masterpieces of art. He confines himself, however,
to no specialty, but does fine work in figure-painting and repre-
sentative herds of cattle. Mr. Drury was married, in 1845, to Miss
Mary C. Donelan, of Boston.
C. Highwood is one of the few artists in Chicago who have
received a thorough European education, having spent all his early
years in Munich, where, for twelve years, he was connected with
the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, a portion of this period studying
under Peter Cornelius, the historical painter of world-wide fame,
and for a long time director of the Academy. In 1S4S, Mr. High-
wood opened a studio in New York City, where he met with marked
success. The first portrait which brought him into prominence
was that of Henry Clay, painted from sittings in New York during
1850. The artist became acquainted with the statesman through
William H. Seward. After the portrait was completed, he received
a letter from Mr. Clay, speaking in the most flattering terms of the
faithfulness of the work. This precious document was unfortu-
nately burned. The portrait, which is still in Mr. Highwood's
possession, represents the eloquent Kentuckian in a position of re-
pose, with folded arms and hands, his head erect, and his whole
attitude and expression one of intense interest, as if he were about
to reply to some adversary with his brilliant rhetoric. In 1S53, Mr.
Highwood's studio, adjoining the Lafarge House, was destroyed by
fire, after which, in company with other artists, he started on a tour
of observation to gather material for his profession. For a num-
ber of years he continued his travels, exploring, in the course of his
wanderings, nearly every State of the Union, from Maine to Cali-
fornia. At the breaking ant of the War he joined the 3d Mich-
igan Cavalry as captain, but resigned in 1S63 and came to Chicago,
where he opened a studio in the Wood's Museum building, corner
of Clark and Randolph streets. He afterward removed to Crosby's
Opera House, his studio being the second one opened after that of
John H. Drury. After the fire he visited New Orleans, and went
to Europe in 1S73, and returned to Chicago wdiile the financial
panic was at its height. Although he had collected about one
hundred paintings from the richest galleries of Germany, his friends
were doubtful of the feasibility of establishing a sale-gallery for
foreign productions in the midst of such financial distress. But
his venture was a success in every way, as Mr. Highwood disposed
of some $40,000 worth of paintings within the first few years. For
four seasons he made European trips, and, in 1S79, disposed of his
entire collection. In the spring of 1883, he again permanently
opened a studio, having been for the previous six years afflicted
with a trouble of his eyes, which by proper treatment and this long
season of rest were permanently cured. During the past few years
he has, in addition to portrait-painting, devoted much time to
landscape and figure painting. As he has been an extensive traveler,
and has made sketches of the most notable scenery which he has
witnessed, he has much material upon which to work. Mr. High-
wood has, of late, been engaged on several pieces representing
scenes of great beautv in Northern Michigan, and during the com-
ing season is to start upon a tour through Arizona. Mrs. High-
wood is a lady of discriminating and natural artistic tastes, and
has herself a very fine collection of paintings.
Frank M. Pebbles, sometimes known as the " gubernatorial
and judicial portrait painter," was born in Wyoming County, N. Y.,
October 16, 1839, being the son of Samuel and Mary J. (Warren)
Pebbles. His father was a country merchant, and in 1849, re-
moved with his family to Monroe, Wis. Six years later they settled
in Waupun, where, when seventeen years of age, young Pebbles
painted his first portrait under the instructions of Mr. Metcalf,
having his father, half asleep, for his subject. After working some
time in a desultory way, also attending school and assisting his
father in his business, he determined upon portrait painting as his
profession, and learning that Mr. Catlin, the nephew of George B.
Catlin, the famous Indian painter, was at Beaver Dam, Wis., he
determined to take lessons of him He made arrangements to stay
with Mr. Catlin six months, who agreed to give him instructions
in portrait painting during that time. He was busily at work in
painting houses and signs, and only made two portrait copies. At
the breaking out of the War, he opened a shop for himself, then
studied portrait painting for a few weeks with Mr. Metcalf, and
with his brother, and then returned to the painting of signs and
other ornamental work as an occupation, which " promised I" have
more money in it." Leaving his brother in charge of the business,
in the spring of 1865, he left home, to look around. lie reached
ART AND ARCHITECTURE.
5^
Chicago on March 6, and his first work was to ornament one of
Frank Howe's circus wagons. Soon he became foreman of the
Pullman Car Company's paint shops, and thus continued as long
as they remained in Chicago, about three months. Obtaining em-
ployment with the Chicago & North-Western Railway Company,
he commenced ornamenting engines with portraits of those gentle-
men from whom they were named, such as Rufus Hatch, George
L. Dunlap, Judge H. W. Blodgett, John B. Turner, John C. Gault,
etc: Judge Biodgett and Mr. Gault had fitted up a room for
him in the Wells-street depot, where he had his sittings. He
was also given a letter of introduction to G. P. A. Healy. who ad-
vised him to attend the National Academy of Design in New York.
Friends who had made the depot-studio possible sent him there
rejoicing, as he would also enjoy the thorough instruction of Edwin
White, the great historical painter. Mr. Healy's letter of intro-
duction to Daniel Huntington, president of the Academy, was of
great assistance to him in obtaining the entree to the studios of the
leading artists in the city. After spending a portion of 1867-6S
in these studies, he returned to Chicago, and immediately com-
menced to receive orders from his old railroad friends. A large
figure-painting, representing George L. Dunlap and eight sub-
ordinate officers, and on which he was engaged during all his
spare time for over two years, was destroyed in the great fire with
other valuable pictures. Among the latter, were portraits of Perry
H. Smith, J. B. Turner and George M. Kimbark and others, his
studio, at the time being in the new building of the Academy of '
Design, on Adams Street. After the fire, he removed, with a num-
ber of artists, to the corner of Sangamon and Madison streets.
He remained one year in Chicago and spent two years in Michigan,
with headquarters at Detroit. He then removed to San Fran-
cisco, and spent nearly six years in the Western States. While
there, he painted three of the ex-governors of the State of Califor-
nia, the bonanza and the railroad kings, and the unfortunate
President Ralston. At Sacramento, he obtained a sitting from
General Grant, while he was on his tour around the world — the
portrait being an order from Mrs. E. B. Crocker, and hangs in her
gallery at Sacramento. A picture of the Chinese consul-general,
his production, was sent to Canton, China. For the State of Nevada
he painted the famous "Bill Nye." its first governor, twenty-one
members of the Legislature, and three judges. Colorado, Oregon and
Arizona all furnished their quota of governors and judges. The por-
trait of Judge Napton, the pioneer judge of Missouri, which hangs
in the capitol of Missouri, is also the work of Mr. Pebbles; as is a
picture of Governor Crittenden. Previous to going to California,
he painted portraits of Senator Timothy O. Howe, of Green Bay,
Wis., which hangs in the rooms of the Historical Society, at
Madison; of Perry H. Smith, full figure, for the Historical Society
Rooms at Madison, and also a portrait for Hamilton College,
N. Y. ; portraits of Judge Thomas H Drummond, Judge Nathan-
iel Pope, and Judge H. W. Blodgett were painted for the United
States District Court Rooms in Chicago ; portraits of Judge Wil-
liam If. Barnum, Justice Harlan, George A. Ingalls, a niece of
Mark Hopkins, and others too numerous to mention, were subse-
quently executed. Many of the United States officials in Chicago
have called upon him and his busy brush. In June, 1862, Mr.
Pebbles was married to Clara M. Russell, of Laconia, N. H.
They have one daughter — Alice May, now Mrs. F'. G. Baker, of
Oak Park, and one son, Frank C.
DANIEL F. Bigelow, one of the oldest artists now living in
Chicago, and one of the original members of the Academy of De-
sign, is a native of Clinton County, N. Y., where he was born in 1S23.
In this picturesque and beautiful country his boyhood was spent.
Possessing from childhood a passionate love for nature, the mists
and shadows of the Adirondack Mountains, and the calm beauties of
Lake Champlain, developed that love into a style of art peculiarly
his own. Many of his landscape paintings are founded upon
sketches taken by him during the years of his boyhood and early
manhood. Since coming to Chicago, Mr. Bigelow's fidelity to na-
ture has been so admired by citizens whose homes were in New
York, Maine and other Eastern States, that he has often been com-
missioned to reproduce on canvas the scenes which surrounded
them before they journeyed to the West Mr. Bigelow received
his first instruction as a boy, in Clinton County, from a cousin of
Hiram Powers. His bent was originally toward portrait and figure
painting, but before coming toChicago he abandoned this for land-
scape work, in which he greatly excels. He has been a resident of
Chicago since 1865, and all his works have shown an exquisite
tenderness and delicacy of feeling, though not devoid of strength.
His landscapes are received with favor by all the art galleries of
Chicago, as are his studies in fruits and flowers, the two latter
topics exhibiting, in a marked degree, the perfection of coloring and
delicacy of manipulation for which Mr. Bigelow is noted.
J. F. Gookins is an historical and mythological artist of de-
cided standing and thorough training under world-renowned mas-
ters of Munich. He, with Walter Shirlaw, now of the American
36
Artists' League, of New York, were, perhaps, the originators of
the Chicago Academy of Design. Mr. linnkins was born in Terre
Haute, Ind., on December 30, [840, the son of S. B. and Mary C.
(Osborn) Gookins. Young Gookins, after receiving a prelimi-
nary education at the district schools, entered Wabash College, at
Crawfordsville. At the breaking out of the War, he joined the nth
Indiana Regiment of Zouaves as a private, serving through the
first three months' term, and afterward acting as volunteer aide on
General Wallace's staff, and spending part of his time in Virginia
and Tennessee as special artist of Harper's Weekly ; the last year
of the War he was stationed at Indianapolis, and at the close of the
War resigned, and came to Chicago. In 1865 and 1868, Mr. Goo-
kins went across the plains in his own conveyance, in order to pur-
sue his artistic studies. He came to Chicago in 1865, after having
been under the instruction of the Beards, of Cincinnati. He
opened a studio in the Methodist Church Block, afterward remov-
ing to the Crosby Opera House, where the great fire found him.
In 1870, he was married to Cora Donnelly, daughter of P. M. Don-
nelly, of Terre Haute. Mr. Gookins went to Europe, in 1870. for
the purpose of study. He spent a short time in London, Paris and
Vienna, and studied three years in Munich, under Raab, Wagner
and Piloty, of the Royal Academy. The latter offered him a
scholarship in his class, a privilege accorded to but few. This
honor he was obliged to decline, as his interests were all in Amer-
ica, and he would have been forced to bind himself to a course of
instruction of several years. He declined a seat upon the art jury
of the Vienna Exhibition, for reasons of propriety, as the contest was
between the French and the German schools of painting, and then
was elected by the American Commission to write their art leport.
He returned to Chicago during the same year, having gained
much valuable information regarding the workings of art instruc-
tions for the benefit of the Chicago Academy of Design, whose de-
velopment was to him a dear object. Of his productions best
known to the public, are " Little Red," " Wishing Cap," " Court-
Day in Elf Land," " Flower Perfumers," " Humming Bird Hunt-
ers," " Psyche Land " and " Origin of Music." For many years
he has been engaged on a series of pictures, descriptive of "Sher-
man's March to the Sea." He has also painted many striking pic-
tures of scenes in the Alps and the Rocky Mountains, and has done
much illustrative work for Harper Brothers. Mr. Gookins has
made his mark as an art critic, having been a contributor to the
Pall Mall Gazette (London), American Register (of Parisl, Harp-
er's Weekly, Cincinnati Commercial and the Gazette, Knicker-
bocker Magazine, Baltimore Bulletin, Indianapolis Journal and
the Saturday Evening Herald, Chicago Art Journal, Art Review,
Evening Journal, Weekly Magazine and Republican (C. A. Dana's),
Wabash Magazine, of which he was editor for two years, Terre
Haute Mail and The Express. He has also written for a large
number of art papers, has been the successful competitor on prize
poems, and has been twice appointed poet of the Phi-Delta-Theta
Society, and delivered his poems at the general conventions held at
Indianapolis, in 1S65, and at Chicago, in 186S. Mr. Gookins has
two children now living — Margarite Ethel and Shirlaw Donnelly
Gookins. The latter, a boy of ten years, was born in Munich,
and even at this early age has exhibited evidences of talent which
point to a bright future in the field of art. They have lost one son
— Samuel D. Mrs. Gookins is a lady of rare accomplishments in
music, art and letters.
John Phillips, one of the leading portrait artists of the
country and an original member of the Academy of Design, was
born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, on May S, 1S22. From
his earliest years he had a fondness for drawing. In 1S36, his par-
ents emigrated to Canada, leaving their son in the care of relatives,
but his desire to see the West overcame the cautions which he had
received, and the next year he determined, without the knowledge
of his parents, to join them in America. He sailed for New York,
intending to go to Toronto, where his father had decided to lo-
cate. While he was at Rochester, he accidentally learned that his
parents had passed through that city, three weeks previously, on their
way back to Scotland. He determined to work out his own career,
and accordingly engaged himself with the proprietor of the Lang-
worth Farm and Nursery. There, after the labors of the day, in a
log cabin, he busily engaged himself with his pencil. At the age
of twenty, he launched out as a portrait painter, and it may be im-
agined that his first efforts were crude and his progress slow. In
1S47, he obtained his first orders of distinction, having been com-
missioned to paint, while in Albany, the portraits of Governor
Young of New York, Ira Harris, Henry O'Reilly, of the Court
of Appeals, and many of the State senators. In 1S4S, Mr. Phil-
lips married the daughter of Major Hartshorn, of Angelica, Alle-
gany Co., N. Y, and the next year started with his wife for
Porto Rico, West Indies There he worked to such good financial
advantage that, in 1852, he was enabled to go to Europe to prose-
cute his studies, his wife accompanying him on this trip. He car-
ried with him letters to Sir John Watson Gordon, of Edinburgh;
562
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
from him to Sir Edwin Landseer: and from the latter to John
Phillip, the painter of the famous gypsy scenes, who had then re-
turned from Spain. Upon the recommendation of the latter artist,
Mr. Phillips went to Madrid, to study the works of Velasquez,
Murillo, Titian and VanDyke. During his two years' stay in that
city. Mr. Phillips attracted much attention, his career being re-
ferred to in nattering terms, by Tuckerman, in his book entitled
" American Artists." He afterward visited Italy, and passed a few
weeks in Paris, returning to New York in 1S54, and opening a stu-
dio on Broadway, in the same building occupied by George Inness
and Arthur Tait, and afterward by James Hart. In the winter of
[858-59, he was located in Cuba, and engaged in painting the por-
traits of Captain-General Concha and others, but the reports of
yellow fever so alarmed Mrs. Phillips that her husband left all his
work unfinished and departed for Key West. There he remained
until May when he returned to New York, painting, within the
next two years, the portraits of such men as Governor King, of
New York, William H. Seward, Thurlow Weed and Lieutenant-
Governor G. W. Patterson. The head of Dr. Bartelietti, which he
exhibited in the National Academy of Design, was highly praised
by fellow-artists and members of the press, many ranking it as the
best in the exhibition. In the spring of 1S61, he went to Montreal,
to paint the portrait of Henry Moulson, for Magill College, and
while there he was kept busy in painting portraits for many other
celebrities. While resting from his arduous labors, upon the ad-
vice of his physician, Mr. Phillips was tempted to invest his sav-
ings of many years in the famous " Oil Rock " well in Western
Yirginia. He continued in the business four years, lost all his
money, and found himself in debt. Obliged to commence life
anew, he next opened a studio in Chicago in 186S, and, through
Mr. Tuckerman's book, found himself already well known. During
this year he became a member of the Academy of Design, and has
since been warmly attached to that institution. Up to the time of
the tire, his success was great, his portraits during that period
numbering among the hundreds and embracing such distinguished
persons as General Phil. H. Sheridan, Thomas Ewing, Wilbur F.
Storey, of the Times, Mayor John B. Rice, Mahlon D. Ogden,
Alfred Cowles, Robert Laird Collier, Louis and Christian Wahl,
Mathew Laflin, Philo Carpenter and S. P. Rounds. He also
painted President Blanchard, of Wheaton University, Christine
Nilsson. Edwin Adams, the actor, James Robinson, the great
circus rider, and Brigham Young. The three last-named por-
traits, and others not mentioned, were lost in the great fire, to-
gether with the links in the system of color upon which he had
been studying for years, and valuable copies from Murillo, Velas-
quez, Titian and YanDyke. Mr. Phillips also met with a loss in
the second fire, but previously had painted portraits of many fa-
mous characters, such as John McCulloch, in the character of
Richelieu, Stanley, the African explorer, and Rubinstein, the pian-
ist, all of his work being taken from the living subjects. A call to
Rochester followed, where he painted portraits of Bishop McQuaid,
and others, and in New York City, of Colonel John Tappan, Mr.
Francklyn, of the Cunard Line, and General Jones. It may be
added also that the State of Colorado has had all her ex-governors
painted by Mr. Phillips. Since coming to Chicago, in 1880, he
has further added to his reputation by placing upon canvas like-
nesses of such men as John Wentworth, for the Historical Society,
Cyrus H. McCormick, Erskine M. Phelps, John Allston and Dr. J.
Adams Allen, for Rush Medical College. His latest portrait was
that of John Norquay. premier of Manitoba. The above were from
sittings. From photographs, he has painted the late Thomas
Hoyne, for the Iroquois Club; Samuel Medill, for the Press Club,
and ex-Mayor John B. Rice, for the Historical Society. In fact,
his portraits are scattered over many lands, and all give evidence
of that thorough training and warm touch of life which have ever
characterized his work.
A. D. BEECHER, one of the oldest artists of Chicago, and a
member of the Academy of Design, was born at Avon Springs, N.
Y., in 1S39, the son of Lewis W. and Lois (Wheelock) Beecher.
Mr. Beecher early showed a taste for art, but was opposed by his
father, who wished him to study law. In 1854, he entered the
office of Judge llosmer, of Avon Springs, with the intention of
adopting that profession, but his inclination was so against it, that
his fathei consented to his making art his profession, and accord-
ingly he studied, during the same year, with Colby Kimball, of
Rochester, N. Y.. remaining with him three years. During this
time he painted numerous pictures, which were scattered among
friends and acquaintances. During the summer months the visit-
ors at Avon Springs were mostly wealthy families from New
York, Philadelphia and the South, who were attracted to the young
artist's studio; and he painted many portraits and figure-subjects.
I . 1 -',--. he opened a studio at Rochester, meeting with good suc-
cess as a painter of portraits, and ,-dso receiving many orders for
figure-subjects lie painted line portraits of the poet llosmer, of
Judge Gardner, l<r. Backus, William Reynolds; also of twin chil-
dren of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gaffney. He also painted, for Rufus
Keeler, then mayor, a composition-piece entitled "Corn Husking,"
wherein were four figures — a production so well liked by that gen-
tleman, that he received an order from him for a companion-piece,
and painted " The Noon-day Lunch." In 1S70, he came to Chi-
cago, and opened a studio in the Major Block. He painted por-
traits of Dr. Major and wife, Dr. Dyer, Captain George Brooks,
Mrs. H. R. Phillip, and others. The fire of 1S71 destroyed the
artist's studio, books, pictures, sketches and a valuable collection
of oil studies made in New York. After the fire, he removed to
Geneva, 111. He subsequently spent some time in New York City
painting portraits, among them those of Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt, Mrs.
Andrew McKinney, John W. Mevill, Dr. Chapin, Albert Holden
(organist of Dr. E. H. Chapin's church); also, Miss Emma Abbott,
then the leading singer at the same church. In 1877, he returned
to Chicago. Mr. Beecher has been occupied chiefly with portraits
of late, but has found time to paint quite a number of figure-subjects,
among which may be mentioned "The Old Smoker," owned by Wil-
liam L. Pope; " The Fruit Girl," " The Comfort of a Smoke," and
" Waiting for the Train," owned by Marshall M. Kirkman; "The
Morning Paper," owned by George Sturges; " The Music Lesson,"
"The Christmas Presents," and "The Street Organ Player,"
painted for Dr. Crittenden; "A Beggar Girl" and " Meditation,"
painted for Professor Hopkins, of New York. All of these pictures
bear the impress of careful study, and are among his best works.
* Gean Smith is recognized as among the finest animal paint-
ers of the country, having, for several years past, made a specialty
of reproducing upon canvas the grace and strength of the horse.
Born at Phillipsport, Sullivan Co., N. Y., in 1854, all his early life
was passed in close companionship with that noble animal. His
habits of careful observation, coupled with his artistic tastes, pro-
duced a love for his special work, which has grown with experi-
ment and experience. In 1S70, he opened a studio in Chicago,
where many of his productions have called forth most favorable
comment from the general public. His "First American Derby,"
representing the start of all the horses which took part in the last
June meeting at the Washington Park, and, also, "The Finish," a
companion-piece, are among his largest pieces, and were exhibited
at the New Orleans Exposition. "Maud S." is a large picture,
which has been much admired, showing the famous beauty at full
length, her chestnut coat — fine and soft as seal-skin — fairly glist-
ening, each delicate limb clear-cut as steel, and her long, intelli-
gent head stretched out, as if investigating the pretentions of a
baby, who is held out toward her by a nurse. " The Call for Aid"
is also a striking piece of work. A wounded cavalryman has fallen
from his horse on the retreat from a wintry battle-field, and as the
soidier lies in the foreground, the faithful horse stands close by,
and neighs loudly for assistance. Among the horse celebrities
which Mr. Smith has placed upon canvas are Jay Eye See (the
Pride of Racine), St. Julien, Rarus, Edwin Thorne, Director John-
ston, Little Brown Jug, Richball, Flora Belle, Westmont, Leon-
atus, General Harding and Drake Carter. "Round Lake Herd,"
a cattle scene, and "Zero," representing a group of horses in a
bleak field, with their heads over each other's backs trying to keep
warm, are also paintings which show boldness of execution and
faithfulness to nature. It may be mentioned, in conclusion, that
Mr. Smith has also done some work with his pencil, in the line
of book illustrations — "Peck's Bad Boy" and "The Lime-Kiln
Club " being examples.
ARCHITECTURE.
The period from 1857 to 1871 was marked by a
decided and general advance in the direction of build-
ing. Not only did the number of new buildings con-
stantly multiply, but each year saw a better class of
structures in process of erection. Yet the city had still
to learn the lesson taught by the great fire — the danger
of using wood as a building material. During the period
named, wood was employed almost entirely in private
dwellings. More thought and expense were devoted to
securing a pleasing exterior, than toward rendering
buildings fireproof, or even substantial. As an illus-
tration, the old Water Works, was built of stone, at a
great cost, and roofed with shingles.
It is not possible within the limits of the present
chapter to do more than enumerate some of the most
noticeable buildings on account of architectural design
and finish, which are best remembered by the citizens
of the ante-fire era, without attempting to enter into
ART AND ARCHITECTURE.
563
a detailed description of any of them. The various
views presented in this work, will convey a more intelli-
gent idea of the character and progress of architecture
than mere description could do.
The old Post-office, on Dearborn, between Madison
and Monroe streets, erected in 1855, was still in use.
The Court House and City Hall, on Randolph and
Washington streets, had been enlarged by additions
until it was an imposing edifice in size, yet lacked unity
of design.
Churches, rivaling in size and beauty those of any
American city, had sprung up as if by magic. Cath-
olics, Unitarians, Presbyterians, Metho-
dists and Episcopalians vied with each
other in the erection of imposing temples
of worship.
The Sherman and Tremont were still
the leading hotels, although the Grand
Pacific — intended to surpass them both —
was ready to receive its furniture, and the
foundations of the Palmer House had
been laid at the time of the fire.
The leading theatres were the Crosby
Opera House, Wood's Museum, McVick-
er's and Hooley's, the first named having
been thoroughly renovated and made one
of the most justly famed places of amuse-
ment in this country.
Several of the railroad companies had
erected large and costly passenger depots,
notable among which were those of the Illi-
nois Central and the Union Depot of the
Lake Shore and Rock Island roads.
The newspapers occupying their own
buildings were the Tribune, Times and
Staats-Zeitung. The first named paper
had, in 1869, at a cost of $225,000, erected
a four-story building of stone, with iron
front frames and roof, having iron shut-
ters, which at the time was considered
absolutely fireproof.
Among the largest bank -buildings
were those of the First National and Ma-
rine Banks and the Depository Building,
— all costly edifices, erected with special
reference to the uses for which they were
designed, with offices on the upper floors. Of the in-
surance companies, the Republic Life, the Hartford,
and the Merchants' possessed fine quarters.
Among the business houses occupied by wholesale
dealers, may be mentioned that of Field, Leiter & Co.,
on Market Street, and the Drake-Farwell block, on
Wabash Avenue and Washington Street. But the
wholesale merchants of that day did not, generally, own
the buildings which they occupied; and the same state-
ment applies to the retail dealers, with few exceptions.
The most pretentious office-buildings were found on
State, Lake, Dearborn, Clark, Washington, Madison,
Monroe and LaSalle streets; although Wabash and
Michigan avenues, near the business center of the city,
were being rapidly transformed from residence streets
into avenues of trade.
But few iron-front buildings had then been erected,
the Lloyd Block, on Randolph and Wells streets, being
among the first. Some of the blocks, conspicuous for
their size and architectural beauty, were the Honore. on
Dearborn, near Adams; the Bryan, LaSalle and .Mon-
roe; Arcade, Clark, between Madison and Monroe; the
Boone, LaSalle, near Washington; the Bowen, Ran-
dolph, near Wabash Avenue; Cobb's, Washington, near
Dearborn; Dickey's, Dearborn and Lake; Fullerton's,
Washington and Dearborn; Garrett's, Randolph and
State; Link's, Lake and LaSalle; McCarthy's, 1 'ear-
born and Washington, and another on Clark and Ran-
dolph; Magie's, LaSalle and Madison; Morrison's,
Clark, near Monroe; Oriental, LaSalle, near Madison;
Otis, Madison and LaSalle; Portland, Dearborn and
Washington; Scammon, Randolph Street and Michigan
Avenue; Union, LaSalle and Washington. These men-
tioned will serve as representatives of their class. They
have been selected somewhat at random, since to give
a complete list would occupy too much space, and be of
POTTER PALMER BUILDING.
little practical value. On the North Side, the Purple
Block stood on the corner of Clark and Ontario streets,
and the Uhlich Block on Clark, near Kinzie.
From what has been said, it will appear that build-
ing in Chicago was progressing rapidly when the great
disaster of 1871 fell upon the city Substantial brick,
stone and iron-front buildings, were being erected with
wonderful rapidity. On State Street alone, during the
year 1869-70, over forty stone buildings, all six stories
high, were constructed.
But, as has been already intimated, the eagerness to
build pervading all classes of capitalists had become
almost a mania, the feverish excitement having reached
a point where it was no longer controlled by the cooler
judgment of the builders. Utility, speed of construc-
tion, and a prospective large return on the capital
invested, were the fundamental considerations. When
the conflagration of October, 1871, visited the city, not
a single building within the district swept by the flames
was able to offer any resistance to their progress. In a
few instances the walls were left standing, grim monu-
ments of buried hopes and warnings against future folly.
How thoroughly Chicago learned the lesson of the
great fire, and the consequent improvement in the
564
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
character of the buildings erected since that terrible
experience, will be told in another volume.
Among the architects of the period named, may be
HONORE BUILDING.
enumerated the following, whose biographical sketches
are appended:
John M. Van Osdel. — To this gentleman, more than to any
one man, is Chicago indebted for the architectural improvement in
her buildings, as he was the first architect to find employment here,
and has been throughly identified with its progress since his arrival
in 1S36. Mr. Van Osdel w.)s born at Baltimore, on July 31, 1811.
His father was a carpenter, and the son worked at that trade with
him until, after passing through the grade of master-builder and
contractor, he finally devoted himself solely to architecture. His
early educational advantages were limited to what knowledge he
could obtain by reading after working hours, but such good use did
he make of his time that, in 1833, when but twenty-two years of age,
he began the publication of a work on practical house carpentry.
In 1S36, through the influence of William B. Ogden, he came to
Chicago, and the following year designed and erected for Mr. Og-
den the residence on Ontario Street. He also turned his attention
to ship-building, and completed two of the first vessels ever built
here — the steamboats " James Allen" and " George W. Dole." In
1839, he constructed several large pumps for lifting water out of the
Illinois and Michigan Canal, then being constructed, and soon after
invented a horizontal wind-mill which greatly increased the power
of the pumps. In the fall of 1840, he removed to New York, and
became associate editor of the American Mechanic, now the Scien-
tific American, but the work proving too confining he returned to
Chicago the following year and resumed the practice of his pro-
In 1 -41 he built Chicago's first grain elevator. In 1843,
with Elihu Granger as a partner, he entered the iron foundry and
machine business, but abandoned it two years later. He then es-
tablished an office on Clark Street, and was at that time the most
prominent architect in the city. Mr. Van Osdel saved his valuable
papers and books, though his office was burned in the great fire.
After the fire he occupied rooms on the corner of Monroe and
LaSalle streets, but was soon compelled, by increase of business, to
seek more commodious quarters, Amony tin in. my elegant build-
ings in this city designed by Mr. Van Osdel are the rainier House,
the Tremont House, the Oriental, Kendall and Hawley buildings,
and the McCormick and Reaper blocks, as well as many of the
finest residences. Owing to failure of health, produced by over-
work, he was, in 1873. forced temporarily to suspend his labors.
The next two years he spent in traveling through the Far West and
in Europe, and returned completely restored. Though having no
ambition for political advancement, Mr. Van Osdel has occupied a
seat in the City Council, and has been frequently called upon to serve
upon committees where his professional knowledge made him par-
ticularly useful. He is one of the trustees of the Illinois Industrial
University as well as of the Ci icago University. In 1832, he mar-
ried Miss Caroline Gailer, of Hudson, N Y., who died in February,
1S45, and, in 1846, he was married to Miss Martha McClellan,
daughter of James McClellan, of Kendall County, Illinois. Mr.
Van Osdel has no children of his own, but has adopted three girls
and one boy, the latter dving when a youth.
W. W. Boyington' stands in the foremost ranks of the archi-
tects of Chicago. He received his professional education, in great
part, from Professor Stone, of New York City, who was a scientific
as well as a practical architect. In order to become thoroughly
familiar with materials used in all kinds of architecture, he became
an employe of Charles Steams, who at once made him foreman,
so untiring had been his application up to the age of twenty.
Three years later, he commenced business for himself as architect
and builder, and after a successful competition with others, he lost
all the contents of his shop by fire. In less than a year, however,
his steadily increasing business compelled him to seek a location
affording better facilities. About this time, he associated with Mr.
Uecreete, under the firm name of Decreete, Boyington & Co. For
five years success attended the firm. Once more, Mr. Boyington
was a victim of fire, and lost not only his building and machinery,
but also his lumber yard. A year prior to the destruction of his
property, he had been elected a member of the State Legislature,
and was made chairman of the Committee on Public Buildings,
The following year, he declined are-nomination in order to give his
whole attention to the re-organizing of his business, which was
very quickly in a flourishing condition. Subsequently, he sold out
his interest, and devoted himself entirely to architecture. In the
spring of 1S53, Mr. Boyington came to Chicago, and being satisfied
that a great field was open here, he closed up his business in
Massachusetts, returning to this city in November of the same
year. His first work here was to draw the plans for the Central
Union Depot. His subsequent success is attested by the many
magnificent churches, business blocks, hotels and school-houses of
which he has been the architect. Among the churches in Chicago
designed by him may be mentioned the following : St. Paul's. First
Presbyterian, Wabash - avenue Methodist, First Baptist, North
Presbyterian, Centenary, and Ada-street Methodist. Many others,
of equally elaborate designs, have been constructed by Mr. Boying-
ton in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin.
Among the hotels erected according to his plans and under his
supervision are the Grand Pacific Hotel, Sherman House, Massa-
soit House, and Metropolitan Hotel, all of Chicago. The New-
hall House, Millwaukee, Wis., Brewster House, Freeport, 111., and
Ottawa Hotel, Ottawa, 111., were also planned by him. Among the
public buildings which he has designed, are the University of Chi-
cago and Dearborn Observatory, Female Seminary at Hyde Park,
Female Seminary and Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, the build-
ing and towers of the Chicago Water Works, the fireproof
buildings of the land department of the Illinois Central Railroad,
the Grand Union Depot of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific,
and the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad companies,
Crosby's Opera House and Art Building, Farwell Hall, Masonic
Hall and Oriental Building, all of which were erected previous to
the great fire of 1S71. Mr. Boyington has also planned and con-
structed an extensive High School building at Des Moines, Iowa,
the Insane Asylum and County House at Knoxville, State Arsenal
at Des Moines, Iowa, fireproof county jail in Pike County; and
the penitentiary at Joliet was principally constructed under his
supervision. He has also designed many handsome business
edifices, among which are Bowen Bros.' and McKay Bros.' marble
front blocks, McCormick's and Farwell's blocks, Wadsworth ^
Keep's, and Mills, Follansbee & Co's. marble blocks on Lake
Street, and many others less pretentious, for wholesale purposes.
During the year immediately following the fire of 1S71, the value
of the buildings designed by him and erected under his charge,
aggregated over two million and a half dollars. Among the best
known of these structures are the Grand Pacific Hotel, the Sher-
man House, and the depot of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern
and Rock Island & Pacific Railroad companies. Many of the
handsome business blocks erected since the fire are monuments of
Mr. Boyington's professional skill.
EDWARD Burling was born in Newburg, Orange Co., N.Y.,
in April, 1819. At an early age he went to New Jersey to live
with an uncle, where he received such educational advantages as
were afforded by the local schools. He returned to Newburg at
the age of fifteen, and was apprenticed to a carpenter. He followed
the trade until he came West. In 1S43, he ca'me to Chicago, when
he at once entered upon the business of a contractor and builder,
there being at that time little demand for professional architects.
His first effort in building in this city was to erect a dwelling on
ART AND ARCHITECTURE.
565
the corner of Monroe Street and Wabash Avenue, for E. B. Wil-
liams, which was afterward changed into what was known to old
citizens as the " Maison d'Oree,"and which stood on the site after-
ward occupied by Fisk's millinery store. He was next employed
by General Webster in erecting the old Marine Hospital, situated
near the light-house, and not far from the site of old Fort Dearborn.
At the completion of this work, he abandoned the occupation of
a builder and entered the service of William B. Ogden, with whom
he remained about three years, when he resumed his former voca-
tion. Having an inborn taste for architecture, it was not difficult for
him to rise in his chosen profession. From the date on which he
first opened an office in Chicago, his success has been uniform.
During his professional career he has superintended the erection of
the custom house and post -office in this city, besides planning and
superintending the construction of many other large public and
private buildings, among which may be mentioned the Tribune
Building, First National Bank Building and St. James' Episcopal
Church In 1S76, he was elected a county commissioner, which
office he held three years. He was married in Orange County, N.
Y , in 1S44, to Miss Eliza G. Proctor, and has three children living
■ — Helen, Lizzie G. and Edward Burling, Jr.
August Bauer is a native of Germany, born near Frankfort,
in Hesse - Darmstadt, on June 16, 1827. His father was Jacob
Bauer, a prominent educator and professor of literature, who gave
to his children a liberal education. At the age of eighteen, August
had completed his preparatory studies, and then entered upon a
scientific course in the polytechnic school of Darmstadt, from which
he graduated with high honors in 1S50. The profession for which
Mr. Bauer had especially prepared himself, that of an architect,
was one. at the time he quitted school, which offered but little in-
ducement to its followers, owing to the unsettled condition of his
country's affairs, consequent upon the revolution of 1848. Accord-
ingly, in 1S51 he emigrated to New York City, where he at once
entered upon the practice of his profession, and eight months later
was appointed to the position of assistant architect and engineer of
the famous Crystal Palace building. He served in this capacity
until the completion of the building in 1S53. In that year he came
West, and, after visiting the principal cities, located, in September,
at Chicago, which has since been his home. Of his success in his
professional career from that time, it is needless to speak, except to
RUINS, HONORE BUILDING.
say that it has been fairly and honorably earned. He is the pres-
ident of the Chicago Chapter of the American Institute of Arch-
tects, a position of no small distinction. Mr. Bauer married, in
this citv, Miss Anna Appel, a native of Berlin, but who was reared
and educated in Chicago. Sh/e is a lady of fine literary and musical
attainments. They have five children, three sons and two daugh-
ters— Max, Herman, Robert, Hattie and Clara.
Otto H. Matz was born in Berlin. Prussia, in 1S30, and re-
ceived a thorough education, which fitted him for the profession he
has since followed. In 1853, he was engaged on the Illinois Cen-
tral Railroad, being attached to the engineer corps at Galena and
Decatur, III., under Colonel R. 1'.. Mason, who had his headquarters
at Chicago. At this time, S. Perrier, an elderly French gentleman,
was the architect of the company. At Mr. Perrier's death, in
1S54, Colonel Mason appointed Mr. Matz architect of the road,
and he at once prepared the plans and superintended the building
known as the great Union Depot, at the foot of South Water
Street, the most prominent building in Chicago at that time. He
also designed and superintended the construction of tin- large
freight houses, the round-house and shops, and, indeed, most of
the company's buildings along the line of the road, extending over
seven hundred and ten miles of track. He continued with them
until 1S57, when he concluded to open an office in Chicago, and
enter upon the practice of his profession independently. His first
office was in the old Post-office Building, on Dearborn Street,
where, for four years, he met with much success. In July, 1861,
he was appointed assistant engineer in the U. S. Army, and re-
ported for duty to General Fremont, in Missouri. After the reor-
ganization of the department, he remained at the headquarters of
General Halleck, until after the siege and occupation of Corinth,
Miss., when he was attached to General Grant's army on the march
south. Returning to Memphis, he was commissioned byGovernor
Yates, of Illinois, a major of Illinois Volunteers, upon the recom-
mendation of Generals Grant, Logan, McPherson and Wilson.
He remained on engineer duty with General Grant through the
siege of Vicksburg, and was engaged on the topographical surveys
and military defenses of that campaign. In 1864, he returned to
Chicago, and resumed his profession. In 1S6S, he was appointed
architect of the public schools by the Board of Education, and has
since occupied a prominent place as an architect in the city. When
itwas determined to build the Chicago Court House andCity Hall,
the commissioners offered a prize of $5,000 for the best plan, and,
although there were fifty-four plans submitted from all over the
country, the prize was awarded to Mr. Matz. He has designed
and superintended the erection of several prominent public build-
ings since the fire, among which may be mentioned the hospital of
the Alexian Brothers, Chicago Hospital for Women and Children,
and numerous business blocks and fine dwellings. He was mar-
ried, in Chicago, in 1857, to Miss Mary E. Lewis, sister of II. I..
Lewis, of Chicago, and has three children — Hermann L., Rudolph
and Evelyn.
Otis Leonard Wiieei.ock was born in Cambridge, Wash-
ington Co., N. Y., on August 21, 1816, a son of Amariah and
Roxana (Darby) Wheelock. In the spring of 1S39, he set out for
Chicago in a lumber wagon. On his arrival, he learned, to his
great disappointment, that the last boat of the season had sailed on
the preceding day. Finding himself thus compelled to winter in
Chicago, he sought employment, and found it on the old Tremont
House (then being built by the Couch Brothers) and on the Cly-
bourne House (the first brick building ever erected in Chicago). In
the following spring, being unable to get his pay, and in utter dis-
gust with the Far West, he resolved to bid it a final farewell. Sell-
ing what effects he still retained, he departed, abandoning a half
acre of land at the corner of Wabash Avenue and Madison Street,
on which he had made one payment. He established himself at
Watertown, N. V. While following his trade as a builder, he drew
the plans and supervised the erection of a Baptist church in that
village, and in the course of its construction carved with his own
hands the capitals for the Ionic columns of the portico and made
the moulds for the ornamental plaster work of the interior, although
totally uninstructed in either carving or moulding. 1 1 is friends,
recognizing his success in this new field, urged him to devote him-
self to architecture as a profession. Adopting this advice, Mr.
Wheelock proceeded to New York, and entered the office of Minard
I.efevre, one of the most eminent architects of his day, as a stu-
dent. He afterward returned to Watertown, and soon had an op-
portunity to prove his professional skill in re-building the business
portion of the town, which had been shortly before swept by a con-
flagration. After the town had been re-built, he found compara-
tively little demand for his professional services, and in January,
1S50', he returned to Chicago. This time he was accompanied by
his young wife, having married Miss Minerva M., daughter ..f
Leonard!). Mansfield, of Pulaski, X. Y. A co-partnership was
formed with W. W. Boyington, but was dissolved in two years,
when Mr. Wheelock established himself alone, at No. 79 Dearborn
Street, rthere he conducted an extensive and prosperous business
for a quarter of a century, returning to his former location immedi-
ately upon the re-building of the edifice after the fire of 1S71.
During the sixteen years prei 1 ding that calamity, he designed and
superintended the erection <•( many important and elegant build-
ings in Chicago, as well .is in other cities of the Northwest. In
connection with Mr. Boyington, he was commissioned by the State
to prepare the plans and supervise the building of the penitentiary
at Joliet. Previous to its construction (which occupied nine years),
S66
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Mr. Wheelock was delegated to accompany commissioners of the
State on a tour of inspection of large prisons in other States. In
the gTeat fire, he lost his professional library and his valuable col-
lection of drawings and instruments. His residence. No. 2250
Wabash Avenue, escaped the flames, and he opened a temporary
office, at once, in the billiard room of his house, and was soon over-
whelmed with work, finding it necessary, at times, to employ as
many as thirty draughtsmen. Space forbids even an attempt to
enumerate the many elegant edifices erected after his designs.
Since January, i#7?. W. \V. Clay has been associated with him in
business. Perhaps Mr. Wheelock's most artistic work has been
the mausoleum erected for the remains of the late Henry Keep.
To the execution of this work he brought not only the skill of an
artist, but the affection which had grown out of a life long inti-
macr. Mr. and Mrs. Wheelock have two children— Harry B. and
Charlotte, wife of C. A. Hall, now a resident of Minnesota. The
former was educated at the University of Michigan, and is now a
student in the office of his father.
Dankmak Adler was born in Germany, on July 3, 1S44, and
came to America ten years later. His home being in Detroit, he
attended the public schools of that place and the high school in
Ann Arbor. He began the study of architecture in the office of
E. Willard Smith, of Detroit, in 1S59, and came to Chicago two
vears after, and spent much of his time in the office of A. Bower,
architect. When the War broke out, he enlisted in Battery " M,"
1st Illinois Artillery, serving from August, 1S62, to the close of the
Rebellion. He was in the engagement at Chickamauga and At-
lanta, and the last six months of service were passed in the copo-
graphical department of the engineer corps of the Military Division
of the Tennessee. After the War closed, he went back to the office
of Mr. Bower, but remained only a short time. He was next asso-
ciated with O. S. Kinney, and, after his death, in company with A.
T. Kinney, a son, carried on the uncompleted work of the office.
In lanuary, 1S71, he formed a partnership with Edward Burling,
with whom he was associated till 1S79, and they were engaged on
work for new buildings to take the place of those destroyed in the
conflagration of 1S71. Among the buildings planned by them
maybe mentioned the First National Bank, Tribune, Dickey, Man-
ierre, Garrett, Marine Bank, Kingsbury and Ogden buildings,
St. Tames' Church, Grace Church, Sinai Temple, and many others
fullv as well known. After separating from Mr. Burling, Mr.
Adler was engaged in such work as the erection of Central Music
Hall, re-construction of the Hamlin — now Grand Opera House —
Building, the erection of the Ryerson and Borden blocks, and the
arrangements in the Exposition Building for the May Festival of
1SS0-S2 and for the Republican and Democratic Conventions of
1884. In 1S82, he associated with him Louis H. Sullivan, his
present partner, and they planned the erection of Haverly's Thea-
tre, and re-constructed the interior of Hooley's Theatre, the erec-
tion of the Hammond Library and Troescher buildings, and
perfected the arrangements in the Exposition Building for the
Grand Opera Festival of 1885. Mr. Adler was married, in 1872,
to Miss Dila Kohn, daughter of Abraham Kohn, a gentleman well
and favorably known to most of the older residents of Chicago.
Mr. and Mrs. Adler have three children — Abraham, Sidney and
Sarah. Mr. Adler is secretary of Chicago Lodge, No. 437, A. F.
.x. A. M., and was secretary of the United Hebrew Relief Associa-
tion for four years. He was also secretary of the Standard Club
for several years.
Louis H. SULLIVAN, junior member of the firm of Adler &
Sullivan, was born in Boston, Mass., September 3, 1856. After
graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he went
to Philadelphia, Penn., and was in the office of Furness & Hewitt for
about six months. Coming then to this city, in 1873, he continued
his studies with W. L. B. jenney, and in June, 1874, went to Paris
to further perfect himself in his profession. After taking a special
course in the school of Fine Arts, and passing the required exami-
nation, he studied under the famous Parisian architect, M. Vaud-
remer. He returned to Chicago in July, 1875, and after five years
more of faithful and practical study with leading firms, he formed
his present partnership with Dankmar Adler.
EDWARD BaUHANN was born near Dantzic, Prussia, August
18, 1838, and is a son of Albert Haumann, a leading merchant
of that city. lie was given a liberal education, completing his liter-
ary and preparatory course at the age of fifteen, when he entered
the polytechnic school of Graudenz, from which he graduated in
1856. Immediately following this he came to America, and, in
the spring of is.;7, arrived in this city and entered the office of
Burling & Baumann, architects, with whom he remained several
In i860, he went to Memphis, Tenn., where he began the
practice of his profession on his own account. Tin: breaking out
of the Civil War, in the following year, caused him to leave the
South and to return to this city, where he has since resided. Mr.
Baumann has been eminently successful in his professional work,
and he is likewise highly esteemed both as a man and a citizen.
Among the memorials now standing of his labors may be mentioned
the Metropolitan Block, the Ashland Block, and several of the
large grain elevators of this city. Mr. Baumann married, in ibGS,
Miss Elise Steinbauer, a native of Prussia, and a lady of rare
culture and worth. They have two children — I.ettie and Edgar.
WILLOUGHBY J. Edbrooke. — Among the many architects
and designers of whom our city may be proud, not only for his
social qualities, but also for the eminence he has reached in his high
profession as a designer, is Willoughby J. Edbrooke, who has, for
many years, added 10 the city's architectural beauty in superb blocks
of residences as well as business houses and public buildings. He
was one of the competing architects who submitted plans for the
new Court House, and his design was by many considered the best
submitted to the authorities for approval. Mr. Edbrooke was born
near Chicago, September 3, 1S43, of English parents, who settled
in this city in 1836, where, for many years, his father ranked as
a leading contractor and builder. In the earlier years of his life,
Willoughby manifested a decided taste for designing and con-
struction as well as for architectural drawing, and, during the latter
part of his scholastic education, he devoted all his leisure time
to the study of those branches which were allied to architecture.
Leaving school at the age of seventeen, he served as apprentice to
his father, and applied all his energies to the acquirement of a
thorough practical knowledge of the details of architecture, his
father's business giving him abundant proofs of the practical value
of his theories. In 1S61, he began the business of a contractor
and builder on his own account, combining with that work the
practice of his profession. After seven years in that business he
abandoned it, and devoted himself exclusively to architecture. The
results have shown that Mr. Edbrooke is eminently fitted for his
chosen profession. Mr. Edbrooke has for years been an active as
well as prominent member of the Order of Freemasons as well as
of the Knights of Pythias.
Cord H. Gottig was born in Hamburg, Germany, in Febru-
ary, 1S29. He was educated at the Academy at Munich, giving all
of his attention to the study of architecture. After finishing his
studies, he went into the employ of the government, and remained
until 1852, when he became the architect of the Attona-Kiel Rail-
road running from Hamburg to Kiel and was in their service for
about three years. In 1S57, he came to Chicago, and, after his ar-
rival, went into an office as a draughtsman, in order to become
familiar with our style of architecture, and the year following acted
as architect for the Illinois Central Railroad Company in erecting
the buildings along its line, and was three years in charge of this
work. In 1861, he opened an office for himself on Washington,
near LaSalle Street. The building was destroyed by fire in 1871,
when he lost the entire contents of his office, and was compelled to
erect a temporary shanty in Reed's lumber yard, on the West Side,
where he at once commenced work. He removed afterward to the
Exchange Building, corner of Clark and Washington streets, and
finally located in his .present quarters. He has been a persistent
worker in his profession, and has matured plans for many fine
structures in this city. He was married, in Chicago, in 1S77, to
Mrs. Amelia Van Hacke, and has one child — Delia.
William Thomas was born in New York City on May 7,
1839, and is descended from a long line of ancestors who followed
architecture as a profession. His grandfather was named Thomas
Thomas, and was a prominent architect of London. England, hav-
ing studied his profession in that city, his three sons — Griffith,
Thomas, Jr., and William, father of the subject of this notice — also
following in that business. In 1S56, William Thomas, Sr., came
to Chicago, and in 1857, William Thomas, Jr., followed him, and
continued the study of his profession with his father, who estab-
lished himself as an architect here upon his arrival. After two
years, he formed a partnership with his father, under the firm name
of William Thomas & Son, which continued until the former's
death in 1S6S; after which Mr. Thomas sustained the business
alone. He has made a specialty of private residences, some of
which are among the finest in the city. He also made the plans
for, and superintended the construction of, Lill & Diversey's ex-
tensive brewing establishment, as well as that of the J. J Sands'
Union Brewing Company, and several other similar buildings that
were destroyed in the fire of 1871. Mr. Thomas is a member of
Hesperia Lodge, No. 411, A. F. & A. M.; of York Chapter, No.
148, R.A.M.; and of Chicago Commandery, No. 19, K.T. lie is
also a member of the Royal Arcanum. lie was married in this
city, in 1862, to Emma E. Davies, daughter of the late John Da-
vies, a silk manufacturer of Staffordshire, Fngland, where Mrs.
Thomas was born. They have seven children — Emma, Lillian,
Grace, Maud, William, Eugene and Harry. Mr. Thomas and
family are members of the First Congregational Church.
JOHN CROMBIE COCHRANE was born November 8, 1S33 in
New Boston, llillsboro' Co., N. II., the son of William C. and
Harriet C. Cochrane. Mr. Cochrane's education was obtained in
the common school and the academy. After completing his studies,
REAL ESTATE INTERESTS.
567
he entered the office of his uncle, to study engineering and archi-
tecture. In 1855, he came West, and obtained employment in an
architect's office in Chicago, remaining nine months. After that
he opened an office in Davenport, Iowa, and during the years 185(1,
to 1858, he designed and superintended the erection of all the
prominent buildings in that city, among which was the Burtis
House, St. Luke's Church and Metropolitan Hall. In the spring
of 1S59, Mr. Cochrane removed to St. Louis, where he practiced
his profession until 1861, when he returned to the East, and for
four years divided his time between Boston and Manchester, N. H.
In 1S64, he returned to Chicago, and opened an office on Monroe
Street. He designed the Iowa State House in connection with his
partner, and they were employed as architects. He was the archi-
tect for the cour-thouses at Bloomington, Olney, Pontiac and Joliet,
111.; for the court-houses at Crown Point and Valparaiso, Ind.
Marshall, Mo. , and at Atlantic and Marshalltown, Iowa; for the
Cook County and Michael Reese hospitals in Chicago, Cook County
Infirmary at Jefferson, Rush Medical College al Chicago, and the
State University Medical College al Iowa City; the Chamber of
Commerce, First Presbyterian Church, Jefferson I'ark Presbyterian
Church, Central Baptist Church, and the Church of the Messiah
in Chicago; also a large number of churches, colleges and school-
houses throughout the Northwest. Mr. Cochrane's practice in the
line of private residences has been extensive, and there are many
streets in Chicago indebted to him for the architectural beauty of
their buildings. No man has left a deeper impress on the style of
Chicago architecture. In June, 1S66, Mr. Cochrane married Anna
E. Coates, daughter of William A. Coates, formerly of Buffalo,
N. Y. From this union there are three children — Nellie French;
Florence, and Anna. Mr. Cochrane had been married to Miss
Nellie W. French, of Nashua, N. II., on August 23, 1S60.
REAL ESTATE INTERESTS.
In the first volume will be found frequent mention
of early transactions in real estate, and the instances
cited will serve as a basis for this narrative. The prices
quoted as given for certain " lots, parcels and pieces "
of ground, necessarily appear remarkably cheap to the
reader of the present date; whether they were cheap
for the city of four thousand one hundred and seventy-
nine inhabitants is a mooted question. Apparently, from
the manner in which these bargains had to be forced
upon those who realized from them, they were not
deemed the most eligible investments that presented
themselves to early residents.
Many early settlers have claimed prophetic vision
as to the phenomenal growth of Chicago and the con-
sequent augmentation of value of her real estate. John
S. Wright was esteemed a visionary fanatic in his
vaticinations, yet his prophecies are dwarfed by the
actualities of our city. The various "old-boots,"
" cords-of-wood," and other real-estate trades, where-
in the man who disposed of his realty at any price was
ostensibly the gainer, do not manifest any great con-
fidence in the future of the commodity sold. And, in
reason, why should such confidence have been evinced?
The resident of Chicago of 1S50, i860, 1870, or 1880
had data whereon to base his estimates, and from these
he could make computations, as to values, with almost
mathematical certainty. But the resident of early
Chicago had no experience upon which he could found
his calculations, and no one need wonder, under such
circumstances, that the speculator deemed present value
of more importance than future value.
One other fact in connection with the value of real
estate, as compared with what it was fifty years since,
is often overlooked, the commentator being oblivious of
the fact that property has advanced in price, not alone
from increased demand for actual or possible purposes,
but also from the augmentation resulting from a large
amount of money having been spent upon the land
without return. During all these years, taxes and
assessments have been levied and assessed with regu-
larity, and one question seemes pertinent for each would-
be buyer of fifty years ago and holder until the present
to ask himself, Whether he is sure he would have had
the money to bestow upon the property requisite to its
being thus held? No real estate owner in Chicago
needs to be reminded of the vast amount of property,
in city and suburbs, whose value has been eaten up over
and over in accessory expenses — some property having
become in twelve years, exactly double in cost to the
owner, from such expenses, while its market price was
but slightly advanced. This of course, applies solely
to unimproved real estate.
In improved real estate, then, the profits derived
from improvements must be considered apart from the
possibilities of profit on the real estate. There are
those who contend that an owner of improved real
estate would have done far better if he had placed his
improvements upon leased ground, with a five-year
re-valuation clause in the lease. The fact is that, in the
growth of Chicago, there have been multitudes of
opportunities for aggrandizement in every line of
trade; and when a scale of prices is instituted as to
real estate, it is an index of values generally in this
city at that period, as well as of the market price
of the land whereon such values obtained; so that,
whether augmented prices of real estate, or realizations
from rents, are discussed, a profit of sufficient magnitude
is evolved to make an unsuccessful person keenly aware
of the grand possibilities that he has failed to realize.
In the following pages one fact is unmistakeably
presented, that, whatever their opinions may be as to the
desirability of real-estate over other investments in the
past, its value as a savings-bank for the future is unsur-
passed, this statement being predicated upon sound
bases.
In a resume of the real estate market during the
epoch prior to 1857, there appears to be but two periods
whereon it is needful to continent, besides the land craze
of 1837, and they are the years 1855-56, when property
again became an object of speculative investment, and
in 1857, when financial embarrassment reduced its sala-
ble price far below its intrinsic worth.
It is, however, germane to this article to state some
facts connected with real estate anterior to 1858. One
of such is recapitulated in a letter written to Hon. John
Wentworth by Father St. Cyr, and in the possession of
the Chicago Historical Society:
Carondelet, Mo., Jan. 30, 1SS0.
* * * " It may be interesting to your Historical Club to know
who where the first owners of that tract of land, that lies north of
Chicago River. It first belonged, by a concession of the Indians,
to a man who lived at Crosse Pointe, called Bonhomme (whether it
was his real name I don't know) Being in need of money he one
day — long before Chicago was a village, town or city — nut Mr.
Peter Menhard,* who wished to buy some land in that direction.
Mr. Bonhomme told him that he would sell to him all that tract of
land. P. M. asked : For how much? $50,00 was the reply "I P.;
and, in consequence, they drew up a contract in due form by which
that tract of land extending along the river passed into the hands of
P. Menhard as second owner. Put returning home to Taz[e]well
County, I".- and finding land much cheaper near Peoria and of
• Pierre Menard.
563
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
much better quality for cultivation, he repented of his first bargain,
went back to Chicago, and sold his land to the Kenzies for the
same amount for which he had bought it : $50.00. Consequently
the want of foresight in P. M. was the cause of J. & R. Kenzie's
great fortune. I hold this from P. M., who came to Chicago in
1S35, and whilst we were walking together in the street he pointed
with his right hand to that tract of land and said : Would you be-
lieve Fath. St. Cyr, that I was once the owner of that land there,
for which I paid $50.00 and which I sold again to the K — for the
same price. How foolish I was, he said with great agitation.
" \ ou ask for my full name. It is that of your obedient servant,
" Rev. John Mary Ireneus St. Cyr."
This letter is given just as it was written at Father
" St. Cyr's dictation, he being blind at the time, his signa-
ture, evidently, having been written tactilely, and not
by sight. This may be classed among the very first of
the real-estate transactions of Chicago, and is inserted
on that account.
Some of John S. Wright's transactions in real estate
are interesting as mementoes, and are here given. On
Friday, March 7, 1834, he bought of Lieutenant Jami-
son, Lot 4, Block 17, Original Town, containing Sox 150
feet, for $3. 5°°- On March 12, 1834, he purchased 90^2
acres for $3,500, 73 acres of this tract were on the North
Branch, the west half of the southwest quarter of Sec-
tion 4, in Township 39. On March 17, 1834, he bought
Lot 5. Block 19, Original Town, for $1,200, paying
$300 cash. Mr. Wright says, annotating this transac-
tion : " $17 from father's store and $283 borrowed from
C. cc I. Harmon, William McCorristen (a soldier) and
Peter Cohen." On October 15, 1834, he bought 43
87-100 acres in Section 22, Township 39 north, of
Range 14 east — being comprised within Lake and State
streets, and running from Twelfth Street south — at $80
an acre. On January 2, 1835, he bought 40 acres — after-
ward Butler, Wright & Webster's Addition — and sold
them on April 10, 1835, for $10,000. On January 27,
1835, he bought eighty acres, the south half of the
southeast quarter of Section 34, Township 39, for $800.
On May 11, 1835, he bought 80 acres — afterward Bush-
nell's Addition — for $6,000. Mr. Wright failed, in
1837, and had to close out a large number of his real-
estate deals at a sacrifice.
He made herculean efforts to sell Chicago real estate
in 1849, by compiling a statistical table of increase in
values of realty, so that foreign capitalists might be-
come interested in such property, and, seeing the great
inducements offered, would invest. This schedule of
probable growth was indorsed by Benjamin W. Raymond,
George W. Dole, George Steel, John H. Kinzie, Elisha
S. Wadsworth, Thomas Dyer, John P. Chapin, W. H.
Brown and George Gibbs. But capitalists failed to be
allured by Mr. Wright's statements — proved far beyond
his most glowing anticipations by the lapse of time.
Among the very early real -estate dealers, were
Gurdon S. Hubbard, and John Wright, the father of
John S. Wright, who advertised, in 1833, that he rented
houses and did a real - estate business. His son was in
the business in 1835, as was William G. Hubbard, while
the firm of Kinzie & Hunter and Dr. W. B. Egan seem
to have gone into the business in 1836. The directory
of 1839 designates the following as pioneers in this
profession, and the ante-types of the numerous gentle-
men who have follower! in their footsteps: Hiram
Baker, attorney and real-estate agent ; Francis G.
Blanchard, real-estate dealer; Major James B. Camp-
bell, teal-estate agent ; Charles H. Chapman, real-estate
dealer ; George H. Chapman, real-estate dealer ; Nor-
man Clarke, dealer in land claims ; Stephen M. Edgel,
Dr. William B. Egan and William Bailey French, real-
estate dealers ; Larned B. Harkness, real-estate opera-
tor ; Leonard C. Hugunin, speculator ; Gholson Ker-
cheval, real - estate ; James Kinzie, real-estate agent ;
Isaac Legg and John R. Livingston, real-estate dealers
James A. Marshall, auction, commission, etc. ; Walter
L. Newberry, attorney and real - estate office ; John
Noble and Mark Noble, each real-estate ; AVilliam B
Ogden, real-estate dealer ; Colonel Hiram Pearsons
real-estate dealer ; Philip F. W. Peck, real-estate spec
ulator; Dr. Peter Temple, real-estate agent; J. B
Wetherell, George Wheeler and Lot Whitcomb, real-
estate dealers ; and John S. Wright, forwarding and
commission merchant. In 1844, the following addi-
tional real-estate men are found : Julius Wadsworth,
/facets t^Kcu^i dj/fcc^
Ogden & Jones (comprising William B. Ogden and
William E. Jones), R. C. Bristol, Theron Pardee,
George Smith & Co., the bankers, J. B. F. Russell, S.
B. Collins & Co., Augustus Garrett, J. T. Whitney and
B. W. Raymond ; while in 1848, James H. Rees and
Stout & Sampson are noted, the latter firm consisting
of A. H. Stout and William H. Sampson.
A syllabus of the information contained in the direc-
tories from 1854 to 1 87 1 is as follows :
1S54-
1855-
1856-
1858
1859
1S60
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865 .
1866
1867 .
1868 .
1869 .
1870 .
1871
Keal
ESTATE
Dealers.
Agents.
43
48
89
9'
57
137
3i
30
118
94
109
93
104
179
167
35
47
25
1 go
S5
1 So
S4
hence this pour showing of real-estate men.
1 from the first of the Kd-
" classified " paid for the privilege,
REAL ESTATE INTERESTS.
560
Ogden, Sheldon & Co.— In May, 1835, William B. Ogden
came to Chicago to manage an estate that had been purchased b)
himself and other gentlemen. This was the embryo out of which
grew the real estate firm of Ogden, Sheldon & Co., whose history
is hereafter recounted. In 1S44, Mr. Ogden associated with him
William E. Jones, of Xew York City, who had been secretarj of
the American Land Company and possessed a general experience
in real-estate matters, the firm becoming Ogden & Jones. In 1846,
Edwin II. Sheldon entered their office, and Mahlon I). Ogden fol-
lowed his example during the ensuing year. In 1850, these gentle-
men were admitted to partnership, the firm comprising William B.
and Mahlon D. Ogden, William E. Jones and Edwin II. Sheldon,
the firm name being changed to Ogden, Jones & Co. In 1S51,
Mr. Jones died, and in 1S56, Stanley H. Fleetwood having joined
the linn, the firm-name was altered to Ogden, Fleetwood & Co.
In 186S, William B. Ogden and Stanley H, Fleetwood retired, and
the corporate name again became Ogden, Sheldon & Co., which
name is still borne by this, the oldest of Chicago's real estate
houses. Some of the large properties managed by this firm have
been in their hands for a long time;j for instance, in 1851 they
were selected as the agents of the Chicago Land Company — they
still continue its management, although the Company has been
placed in the hands of a receiver by the United States Court, E.
H. Sheldon, however, having been appointed receiver. Samuel
Russell, who originated the celebrated house of Russell & Co., at
Hong Kong, designated them as the agents of his estate in 1S44;
they administered his estate, and now represent his grandchildren.
In 1845, Ogden & Jones purchased the property now known as
Sheffield's Addition, on joint account for Joseph E. Sheffield and
the firm, and they now represent "his estate. The first account cur-
rent made out by William B. Ogden in 1S35 is still in existence; —
their papers, deeds, etc., being fortunately saved by the vault in
which they were stored at the time of the fire. Many persons have
expatiated, in glowing terms, upon the sentiments they experienced
when they have been in the treasure-houses of banks and safety-
deposit companies, but, standing amid these evidences of forty-nine
years of titles to the fundamental source of wealth — Chicago's real
estate — it was not difficult to imagine the magnitude of the interests
that Messrs Ogden, Sheldon & Co. conserve, nor the hundreds of
thousands — aye millions — of dollars' worth of property these papers
represent. Only a short time since, Edwin H. Sheldon prepared a
document for the celebrated jurist, Charles O'Conor, to be used in
evidence, wherein were specific accounts running through forty
years. The first sale made by William B. Ogden was on June 12,
1835, of Block 1, Original Town of Chicago, to Royal Stewart,
Alexander N. Fullerton, Orant Goodrich and Truman G. Wright for
$35,ooo. As to the change in value that has occurred in Chicago pro-
perty, the following cases were cited by E. H. Sheldon: On Novem-
ber 1, 1834, Major David Hunter sold to Arthur Bronson, of New
York, for 820,000, property on the north side of the river, which the
latter sold to Charles Butler and others, in February 1S35, for
$ico,ooo. On June 15, 16 and 17. 1835, an auction was held of the
property purchased by Mr. Butler as above, and on those days sales
were made amounting to $158,210. The balance of the property un-
sold, as per inventory in the hands of the firm, made at that time, foots
up about $600,000 This property Mr Ogden became interested in
after its transfer to Arthur Bronson. At the sale of June 15, 16
and 17, cited, Block 27, Kinzie's Addition to Chicago, was sold to
Hugh T. Dickey and Charles A. Spring for $25,000. The same
property was subsequently re -acquired by Mr. Butler and his
associates, and re-sold to Haines H. Magie, in the spring of 1849,
for $5,000.* This is the same block upon which Judge Lambert
Tree, the son-in-law of Mr. Magie, built his mansion, and which
block is estimated by Mr. Sheldon to be worth, at the present writ-
ing, about $200,000. Another striking instance of the increase of
value in property, is found in the history of twelve acres of land
sold by William B. Ogden to John Burton, an English gardener,
in 1845, f°r $5° an acre. This plot was bounded by North Ave-
nue, Dearborn Avenue, Clark Street and the River; and, in 1S57,
lots in this parcel sold at the rate $50,000 per acre. During the
augmentation of value of Mr. Burton's property, he had pie-plant
and asparagus beds iaid out thereon, whose product brought him
$1,000 per annum, which enabled him to pay taxes and hold his
property without difficulty. Mr. Burton was living and was the
owner of the property at the date of this sale.
Prior to proceeding further, however, with a reca-
pitulation of real estate experiences and prophecies, it is
but just to listen to Samuel H. Kerfoot, one of Chica-
go's oldest real estate men, and one who thoroughly an-
tagonizes the problem that anything could have been a
more desirable or remunerative investment than real es-
* This case shows the inflation— for those times— that real estate under-
went in 1835-36, and its recession in after years.
tate, unimproved. In the Real Estate Review for Jan-
uary, 1879, Mr. Kerfoot said:
" A retrospect on the part of those who can make it, will show
that in the face of, and notwithstanding the present tremendous
depression in value of real estate, it has proven, during the past
thirty years, as compared with all other subjects of investmenl or
places of deposit, tin bi :sl and ultimately tin- safest. This assertion
is true beyond question, and will so commend itself to the minds ol
all who think calmly of the utter and entire loss, without an) r<
suiting benefit to any one else, sustained by so many, who, during
that period of time, have been dealing in stocks, bonds, merchan-
dise, shipping, manufacturing and other business, which it i- pos-
sible to wipe out and destroy, leaving nothing at all to show for
their original investment, or to rise again, as real estate always
does, no matter how low it may go in dark times. * * * In other
words, the material or subject-matter in which a real-estate investor
places his money is not capable of utter destruction, and hem e iis
value can never be wholly destroyed. Individuals, of whom there
have been a great many of us in Chicago, paying part of the pur-
chase-price on it and mortgaging it for the balance, or men who
borrow on it and are unable to pay the debts they thus incur, do
constantly lose their title to it, and their title to it is annihilated —
destroyed, reduced to absolutely nothing so far as they are con-
cerned; but the real estate, reduced no matter how much in value it
may be, is there to rise, and become, sooner or later, but surely, of
use, and hence of intrinsic worth to the new owner, * * * In-
stances are numerous of men who, from their profits actually made,
having from time to time added lot to lot and land to land, come
out rich, and, after quiet and unanxious lives, leave estates large for
the locality in which they lived; all of which, it is perceived, draws
a wide distinction between mere speculative purchases of real es-
tate and bona-fide investments of money in well-chosen property.
In the one case, the speculator too often pays part of the purchase-
price, hoping to pay the balance out of the rise in value; while in
the other, the btma-fide purchaser is able, with his alreadv acquired
means, to pay for the property. The laws of trade — general pros-
perity and growth of the business and population of the region —
usually conduce to the increase in value of the purchase. If, how-
ever, no great advance takes place, the owner is not pressed by a
creditor for payment, and he merely holds his purchase; and while
he seems to lose the interest upon his investment, the truth is, he
keeps his principal and funds the interest, which he ultimately gets,
at a higher or lower rate, but he ^ets it, in the reasonable if not
great advance in value. But, as a rule, real estate does advance in
value — the natural growth of all towns and cities does pay at least
a moderate interest in the advance of the value of the real property,
especially that not immediately in the centers of them, where as the
towns a>-d cities increase in size, the property changes from its acre
value to the lot or foot value, while that centrally located has, dur-
ing the time spoken of, been paying annually a revenue greater or
less, according to circumstances. No rule can be given as to which
is the better investment, inside or marginal property. Experience
varies in individual cases, and hence opinions differ. Scarcely any
better illustration can be given of the adage as to the payment of
your money and the taking of your choice. * * * Who have left
the colossal fortunes of the country, and in what are those fortunes
generally invested ? You will find that in all the large cities the
heavy estates own the real property. I do not mean own equities
or margins beyond mortgages, but own the property, free and clear,
and realize upon it by sales or draw revenue from it. Some of it
seems to pay a very small percentage upon its estimated value, but
the principal is always there, and the owners hang on to it. Now,
then, these general propositions being advanced, and, as we will
claim, being correct, we will proceed to show, as we think we can,
that of all growing points, of course, our own city, Chicago, has
not only surpassed all other places as a point for profitable invest-
ments in real estate, but that to-day she presents inducements,
based upon the promise of the immediate future, for cash invest-
ments such as no other place in the world can offer. We will first
deal with the past; we will show how crazy the men of 1836 were,
the prices they paid, and how properly went down, down, down in
value, until there seemed as little chance for a resurrection of it as
there was for the horses and stage-coach, which I saw stalled in the
unfathomable mud in front of the Sherman House on the morning
on which I first arrived in Chicago, nearly twenty-one years since.
We will see the prices paid for certain localities on which some of
our citizens boast of having at one time shot ducks: we will then
name the low prices at which those same localities afterward sold :
we will then show to what values those localities afterward n
prices at which they were sold; and, finally, we will show their
value to-day. This will he inside central property. We will then
give some specimen sales of property al the first regular Can
in 184S, just thirty years since. We will show how those lol
located, describe their appearance, then tell our citizens where they
57°
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
are now in streets and numbers. We will give the price per foot or
per lot or per acre at that time; what they have been worth since;
ami what thev are worth now. We will try to show what we deem
to have been some of the causes of the growth of Chicago; why the
Northwest had to have a great commercial and financial center; and
why Chicago at first was, by the laws of trade, determined upon as
that center; and why, having had millions expended in her behalf,
in the way of railroads, all laid with reference to reaching her, in
obedience to those laws of trade, she not only can not recede from
her proud position, but. continuing to be operated upon by the
same causes which have so far conspired to make her what she is,
she must still continue to grow in all the material elements of pros-
perity, so that we dare not predict what will inevitably be the re-
sult of the next twenty-five years' existence of our city. Facts,
startling in their unquestionable truth with reference to this won-
derful place, will be given, and we will invite the world to test the
correctness of the statements, or, admitting them, to concede to us
the inevitable inference to be drawn, that a continuance of such
growth must make investments in Chicago real estate good — not
good to-morrow, or in a month, or in a year, but good when you
have allowed them a fair time in which to develop and grow, sol-
idlv, really, but profitably, as you do your wine when you lock it
up, and prove its age by the dust of time on the bottles. We will
prove the correctness of the language of the Connecticut Mutual
Life Insurance Company, when she says of her loans in Chicago :
' Xo apprehension of loss is felt by those who comprehend the rare
opportunity at present existing for profitable investment in so well
chosen a field as this, the Emporium of the West, where the Con-
necticut Mutual Life — beyond any other corporation or individual
— holds the largest chance for future gains.' Again, the same com-
pany wisely says, after speaking of the often possible depression in
value of real property: ' On the other hand, no form of property
has such inherent elasticity and strength, as it is the foundation
and source of all other values, and in due time it rises to its proper
place. This is the invariable, ever-repeated history of real prop-
erty.' Again, in speaking of the recuperative power of real prop-
erty, the company says ; ' This must be true, unless real estate has
generally and permanently lost its value; and that isimpossible, except
under such a condition of affairs as should result in the utter destruc-
tion of all values and all business. Nor is this mere theory. It is the
simple statement of facts well known to all experienced observers.'
Where the Uhlich Block now stands, on the southwest corner of
Kinzie and Clark streets, the property, on June 20, 1836, sold for
$8,290; on October 3, 1843, having been forfeited to the Canal, it
was again sold for $6,635; and, having again been forfeited, was re-
sold. October II, 1845, for $1,400. Now, this is by no means the
best instance for the illustration of the rule I have advanced; but
those of us who can look back over the period I have named — to-
wit, thirty years — will remember that this lot, at first appropriately
improved with very humble and plain buildings, and afterward with
more elegant structures, and now with one approaching magnifi-
cence in its dimensions and style, has been paying fairly, if not
handsomely, almost all the time, and now now to-day is worth, I
think, bevond cavil, exclusive of the buildings, the round sum of
one hundred thousand dollars. Now, put Si, 400 at interest at any
rate legally obtainable during this whole period of thirty-three years,
compounding it, and even allowing that it would have been un-
ceasingly invested all the time, and the interest not been spent, but
promptly re-invested, — see how much money you would now have,
and whether it would approach the present value of the lot in ques-
tion. This lot will suffice to show the craziness of the people of
1836, when there was scarcely any Chicago here, and the great de-
cline which took place in the values of property. I have often
had my friends, some of whom are still living here, tell me of
their having shot ducks where the Tremont House and Sherman
House now stand. Now, let us follow by only two figures the
value of those properties, the one fronting eighty feet on Lake and
one hundred and eighty feet on Dearborn streets, and the other
fronting one hundred and eighty feet on Clark and eighty feet on
Randolph. The Tremont House lot was originally patented in the
■ 1, with eight other lots in the neighborhood, the consider-
ation for the whole nine lots being three hundred and forty-six (346)
dollars. The original purchaser was John IS. Beaubien, one of the
family of renowned memory here in Chicago, and a conspicuous
member of which, it will lie recollected, was accustomed to boast
that he 'could keep tavern like ' that place, the name of which, once
tabooed in polite circles, is recognized as that of the locality the ex-
.f which Mr. BeechCT has. satisfactorily to himself, proved
a myth. The one lot has since been considered worth certainly
(WO hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and is now beyond ques-
tion worth from one hundred anil fifty to two hundred thousand
dollars. I!ut Chicago has since grown from nothing to a popula-
tion of five hundred thousand, and from a trade of naught to an ag-
.f millions on millions of dollars. The Sherman-house lot.
directly opposite the elegant structure now in process of erection
for the purpose of the county court house and the city hall, fronts,
as our readers know, one hundred and eighty feet en Clark Street
and eighty feet on Randolph Street. This was purchased ten years
after the Tremont-house lot, by Silas W. Sherman, for six thousand
three hundred and fifty-three dollars. I suppose that no one will
gainsay that this lot, exclusive of the splendid hotel now on it, is
worth two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. Now, here
again, this property, like all other central property, has been im-
proved all the while — at first with what were then very fine build-
ings, and as time demanded more elegant ones they came, and that
on it now bears testimony alike to the wisdom of the Sherman fam-
ily and to the growth of Chicago ; so that the property has been
yielding a constant return, greater or less, while at the same time
it has been growing in value until it has reached its present status.
Now, then, charging it with its original cost, thirty-one years since,
and interest and taxes all the while, and crediting it with the fair
ground rental and its present value, — see how far the rise will out-
distance the cost, interest, taxes, etc. No mere investment at in-
terest could possibly equal this transaction. To show how estimates
of value varied in 1841, the lot on the southwest corner of Wash-
ington and LaSalle streets was in that year purchased by P. F. W.
Peck, for two thousand one hundred and sixty-six dollars. It was
the same size of that of the Sherman-house lot, fronting one hun-
dred and eighty on LaSalle Street and eighty feet on Washington
Street. It will be recognized as the property on the north end of
which the Union National Bank now stands. The value of this
property is too well known for me to venture my opinion, but I am
very sure it would not take half an hour in which to find plenty of
cash customers to buy it at the original cost, interest, taxes, etc.,
asking no deduction for the revenue had from it. On July 17,
1S41, Henry Loomis bought the lot on the southeast corner of
Dearborn and Washington streets, on the north end of which now
stands the Portland Block, in which the Merchants' Savings Loan
and Trust Company has its banking office. The price of this was
two thousand one hundred and sixty-six dollars ($2,166). Now,
apply the same test of interest, etc., and see how this transaction
turns out. It may now be interesting to some of those who take
the trouble to read this article, to learn of a few of the purchases
which go toward making the foundation of the fortunes of one or
-two of our present solidly wealthy men. Our worthy fellow-citizen,
E. H. Hadduck, for instance, purchased, in 1S33, the whole lot on
the southwest corner of Madison Street and Fifth Avenue, eighty
by one hundred and ninety feet, for one hundred and three dollars.
The same gentleman, at the same time, purchased the whole lot on
the northwest corner of Franklin and Monroe streets, for one hun-
dred and five dollars. He also bought the whole of Block 134,
School-section, in the city, having a frontage of four hundred and
fifty feet on State Street, and, by the double front on Third Ave-
nue, nine hundred feet on that street. This property, the value of
which can scarcely be estimated, was purchased for one hundred
and ninety-three dollars. Another one of our substantial men —
Mr. Orsemus Morrison — purchased, at the original school sale, in
1S33, Block 7, School-section Addition, for sixty-one dollars. This
fronts four hundred feet on Halsted Street and four hundred and
sixteen feet on Harrison Street. This large property, now sub-
divided into lots, has a value which, compared with the original
cost to the owner, is simply fabulous and beyond estimate. Ben-
jamin Jones, who, from his great wealth and the size and value of
the estate which he left, was dignified with the sobriquet of
'Golden Jones,' purchased, in 1S33, at the original sale of the lots
and blocks in the School-section Addition to Chicago, the whole
block on which the new palatial structure is now in course of erec-
tion by the United States for custom house, post-office, United
States courts, etc., for the insignificant sum of five hundred and
five dollars. This block was sold to the Government, immediately
after the great fire of October, 1871, with nothing on it but the
ruins of the Bigelow Hotel, for twelve hundred and fifty thousand
dollars Instance after instance could be adduced, sustaining the
theory that careful, cautious men buying and holding on to real es-
tate get solidly rich. In illustration of the actual substantial
rise in value of, and consequent profits on, the real estate purchased
at the Canal sales of 1848, being the first sales made by the trus-
tees of the Illinois & Michigan Canal under the re-organization of
the Canal administration — the experience of Messrs. Macalester,
Giipin & Clarke, of Philadelphia, will be perhaps a fair sample.
These gentlemen, contributing in certain proportions to a common
fund, made a purchase in that year to the amount of about thirty-
eight thousand dollars — the land lying mainly immediately south
of Harrison and west of Halsted streets. As their agent, I began
to make sales for them in 1853, and in the ensuing twenty years we
had sold for them to the aggregate of upward of one million dol-
lars, leaving at that time a handsome residue unsold. We will now
give one or two examples of purchases at a later date. In 1S54
four hundred fret on Indiana Avenue were bought from the (anal
trustees, for a trifle less than eight hundred dollars — a fraction less
REAL ESTATE INTERESTS.
571
than one dollar per foot. In 1S77, at public auction, by order of
court, in depressed times, fifty feet of the same property, being
part of the Indiana Avenue front of it, and having its rear against
the rear of Plymouth Church, sold, under the supervision of ray
office, for one hundred and twenty-five dollars per foot, and has
changed hands since at one hundred and fifty dollars. During the
times of inflation it had been considered worth two hundred, and
even as high as two hundred and twenty-five dollars per foot front.
In the matter of lands lying within the limits of the city of Chi-
cago : Wolcott's addition, bounded on the east by State Street, and
on the west by LaSalle, and extending from Kinzie Street to Chi-
cago Avenue, sold, September 29, 1830, for $1.62 per acre, in all
one hundred and thirty dollars, and the tract is now covered with
elegant buildings, and is worth millions of dollars, exclusive of
those buildings. Newberry's addition was among the first purchases
of Mr. Walter L. Newberry, who, dying, was able to leave to the
city of Chicago, for the purpose of founding a library, a sum sur-
passing, in its magnificence and munificence, even the gifts of roy-
alty. This tract of land, as those who are acquainted with the
geography of the city know, adjoins Wolcott's addition, and though
not quite so desirable as Wolcott's addition, makes the original in-
vestment of one hundred and twenty-four dollars one which, like
that of Wolcott's addition, scarcely holds any relation at all to the
present absolute and unquestionable value of the tract. The whole
of the foregoing touches the past of Chicago, and hence it is per-
tinent that we should ask, What has made Chicago real estate thus
increase in value ? to which we answer, The growth of Chicago.
What, then, caused the growth of Chicago, and what conspired to
make that growth continue ? Of course, whatever conduced to the
prosperity of our country generally, has had the same effect upon
the Northwest. But this region, beyond all others, has been devel-
ing at a rate and pace which have surpassed all the most hopeful
predictions. Chicago, from its infancy, has been the commercial,
and, as far as there was any need for it, the financial, center of that
Northwest. The whole products of that region were, to the full
ability of whatever means we had for transportation, brought to
Chicago — but not a mile of railroad was then laid in the Northwest.
The first attempt at this means of reaching the region then, and
now, so absolutely tributary to us, was that of the Galena & Chi-
cago Union railway — now the Galena division of the North-Western.
This was a strap, snake-head rail, laid on timbers. No regular rail-
way communication to the East was established till 1S52, so that,
from not one mile of such highway at that time, Chicago has come
to the anomalous condition of having more miles of railroad built,
with reference to reaching her, than any other city in the world. A
glance at the maps of Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Kan-
sas, Nebraska, Colorado, and all the region west and northwest of
this city, will show this to be the fact. Hence, by the laws of
trade, based upon the convenience and profit of the region, the
whole Northwest is buying and selling at Chicago ; and to meet
these features directly, A. T. Stewart & Co., and others, come here
with their branches, and Hamburg, Bremen, Antwerp, London and
other European cities, send their agents here to buy pork and beef.
The statistics of the present trade and commerce of Chicago, gath-
ered from the official records of the various departments of that
trade and commerce, are simply incredible to those untaught in the
facts. The grain, the lumber, the pork, the beef, the manufactures,
the merchandising, the banking, the financial exchange, foreign and
domestic, show figures and extent of which no one mind can take
adequate cognizance. Gentlemen skilled in these various depart-
ments have gathered these figures. They appear elsewhere in this
number of our paper, and I can only ask a careful perusal of them,
in order to a fuller understanding of the matter. It is asserted, the
truth of which can be tested very easily, that, in dollars, the aggre-
gate of the domestic and foreign trade of Chicago, as the Empo-
rium of the Northwest, is greater than that of the foreign trade,
both import and export, of all the rest of the United States com-
bined. Be that as it may. facts herein stated, and those elsewhere
set forth, combined with countless ones not given, but ascertain-
able, all go to show that the position we have taken with regard to
the past is perfectly tenable, and that, guided as Patrick Henry
was, by the " lamp of experience," we can only state as a fair ques-
tion : What will be the future of Chicago, if the causes which so
far have conspired in their operation to make her what she is, shall
continue to operate in that direction ? In the region of country nec-
essarily tributary to Chicago, there is to-day not one acre in fifty
under culture. But if we make it one in five, in three, or even in
two, apply your simple arithmetic, and you answer my query to my
full satisfaction. Chicago, then, continuing to grow, her real estate
must sympathize with that growth, and must steadily advance in
value beyond its present intrinsic worth."
Prior to giving further data of the real-estate mar-
ket, it will be well to give a general review of its various
conditions in the period embraced within the years
treated in this volume.
In 1858, the purchases that were made in prior years
under speculative influences were largely on time; trade
and commerce flourished in Chicago, and there appeared
no reasonable or valid objection to the purchase of pro-
perty by the system of deferred payments ; but the
crash of 1857 lessened the possibility of making such
payments, and, as a natural and inevitable result, worked
financial tribulation to the owners. In consequence of
this difficulty, the unpromising aspect of the future,
and the depression in prices wrought since their pur-
chase of the realty, the owners very generally relin-
quished their purchases and lost all payments made on
account, thinking that even with this deprivation of the
funds they were well out of an unfruitful investment,
and very generally deeming that they had been the vic-
tims of speculative and unscrupulous managers of a
real-estate boom. There were, however, numbers of
old real-estate men who did not lose their faith in the
ultimate value of their favorite investment, and they
quietly invested in all they could carry, when it was un-
loaded by the chagrined investor. That they did not
possess more real estate was simply because they were
none too abundantly supplied with purchase-money; the
stringency of the money-market tying up, alike, the
coffers of purchaser and vendor, of agent and principal.
In 1S59, real estate had a hard struggle to maintain
any recognition from the public, except that it was a
quicksand, wherein all money deposited would be
only swallowed up without yielding any return ; and
the action of the real-estate men of that epoch of prac-
ticing what they preached, did more than any other one
cause to prevent the market from utterly breaking down
and to prevent the abandonment by individuals of spec-
ulations in real estate that have since proven some of
the best attainable. The appreciation of price, how-
ever, from 1855 to 1859 was enormous. In i860 and
1861, the same stagnation in transactions and depres-
sion in estimated values were characteristic of the
market — the inauguration of the civil conflict tending
still further to hamper any contemplating investor.
In 1862, the real estate of the city was redeemed
from its ruling of panic prices, and the demand became
active and constantly increasing. A large class of in-
vestments made were naturally those superinduced by
the vast volume of money which was manufactured by
the Government and poured upon the people, but there
was also a large number of purchasers who bought for
actual settlement — indicated by the prevalence of pur-
chases made in the suburbs. In fact, 1862-63 may he
deemed the years pregnant with fair prices in real estate
— the first since the panic, — and as the years that inau-
gurated large investments in the suburbs.
In 1864, business property made an advance in
value of about twenty per cent., while choice residence
property augmented about fifteen per cent., and medium
residence property ten per cent. In 1865, the prices
were steady, although lots on EaSalle Street were un-
salable at three hundred dollars a front foot, and this
just south of the site of the Chamber of Commerce,
which building was then nearly completed.*
In 1S66 and 1867, prices steadily advanced, with a
large increase in the number of purchasers, especially
on the north side, in the immediate vicinity of Lincoln
Park, and in the business district bounded by State and
♦Chicago and its Suburbs, by Everett Charaberlin. in this connection
it is well to state that a larg quan'iirv of v. duahle rnaiu-r presented herein i^
excerpted from this work, and that Mr. Chamberlin's book is one which every
real-estate student should possess.
572
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Harrison streets, the Lake and the main Branch, in
which places real estate advanced from fifty to seventy-
five per cent. Even with this augmentation, however,
Potter Palmer purchased for less than $1.50 per square
foot, ground that is now worth §15 a square foot, and
that is comprehended within the present site of the
Palmer House. It may be accepted as a general state-
ment of fact that choice property advanced about one
hundred per cent, during the five years terminating
with 1867.
In 1868 and 1869, prices again received stimulus,
the fashionable residence property on Michigan, Calu-
met, Prairie and Indiana avenues being favored and
choice investments ; property in the vicinity of the
parks was also augumented in price while speculation
ran riot in park and boulevard property. In 1868, busi-
ness property in the center abutting on Washington,
Madison and State streets received a most noticeable
increase in prices, a lot at the southwest corner of State
and Washington streets being sold to the First National
Bank at a price that had never before been known in
Chicago, $25 a square foot. Mr. Chamberlin in narra-
ting the circumstances, states that this was not indica-
tive of the prices that ruled in the vicinity. In 1869,
especiallv, the prices on all kinds of property were very
active, and seemed to be intelligently controlled by the
financial laws which should always operate on them, —
the value of the investment as a productive element.
On May 20, 1869, and for some days thereafter,
there was an auction sale of real estate by Clarke, Lay-
ton & Co., which was advertised from Maine to Califor-
nia. Some of the prices at which parcels of land were
sold at that time will serve as a fair index for bottom
prices in that year, as the competition at the sale was
not such as the opportunity justified, about three million
dollars' worth of property going under the hammer.
On Cottage Grove Avenue, between Forty-third and Forty-
fourth streets, lots 50 x 165 sold at from $40 to $60 a foot ; on Forty-
third Street, 25 x 2S5, between Cottage Grove Avenue and Drexel
Boulevard, between Fortv-third and Forty-fourth streets, lots
50x200, brought from $60 to $72.50 a foot, the highest prices
quoted being in all cases, for lots nearest the city. Two lots,
50 x 165, corner of Egandale Avenue and Forty-third Street, brought
$42.50 a foot and two of same size, next thereto on the avenue,
brought $33.50 a foot. On Forty-fourth Street, between Drexel
Boulevard and Cottage Grove Avenue, five lots, 25.X2S5, brought
$42 a foot.
The following table will exhibit some other sales
made:
Geo K. Clarke.
Oswell .V Bogue
Chas. M. Smith
Robert Doyle
I , v lower...
T. S. Tower. ..
N. T. Holly...
F. A. Sevens
S. A. Little ...
5. A. Little ...
F. A. Stevens.
Robt. Ailsworth
II. I.. Slayton
James Carson
ioox 180. 47th St. and Hyde Park Av.
100 x 1 So, next adjacent on 47th St -
97 x 1S0, next adjacent on 47th St.
63 x 180 on Hyde Park Av. near 47th St.. .
2 lots 50 x 188, Woodlawn Av. nearf>2dSt.
2 lots fox 1S8, Woodlawn Av. near 62d St.
2 lots 50 x 188, Woodlawn Av. near 62d St.
165, 03d St. near Woodlawn Av.
[65, 63d St near Madison Av..
; lots 50. \ 1S8. Madison Av. near 63d St.
3 lots 50x188, Madison Av. near 62d St.
[88, Madison Av. near 62d St.
r lot 50 x [88, Marlison Av. near (J2d St..
2 lots 50X 1S8, Madison Av. near 6ist St.
870 00
60 00
57 50
41 50
15 00
16 OO
16 50
24 50
27 50
27 00
25 OO
15 00
14* 5°
15 00
second Street, lots 50 x 175 sold at from $41 to $45 a foot. On Cot-
tage Grove Avenue, between Fifty-second and Fifty-third streets,
lots 50 x 180 sold at S54 and $55 per foot; and on Egandale and
Greenwood avenues, between Forty-fifth and Forty-sixth streets,
lots 50x190 sold at $48 and $50 a foot. On Douglas Place
(Thirty-first Street), between South Park and Calumet avenues, lots
25 x 160 brought from $115 to $166.50. On South Park Avenue,
between Thirty-first and Thirty-second streets, lots 25 x 124 sold at
from $93 to $98.50; and on Calumet Avenue, between the same
streets, the same sized lots sold at from $63.50 to S65. On South
Park Avenue, near F'orty-fourth Street, one piece 97 x 1S0 sold at
$63.50 to W. W. Kimball; the next, iooxiSo, at $62.50, to Judge
Truesdell ; and the lot on the corner of South Park Avenue and
Forty-fourth Street, 100 x 180, to Judge Truesdell for $68.
In 1870, however, speculation again became excited
by the commensurate values which obtained in real es-
tate ; and, under the influence of feverish purchasing,
prices were raised to abnormal and unreasonable
amounts. In the flood-tide of this land speculation,
and during a period of commercial prosperity that
seemed to warrant, in a measure, these inflated prices,
the fire of October, 1871, swept over the city, and laid
waste twenty-one hundred acres of her realty, under
the appalling influence of which calamity, prices were
utterly lost for the moment, and then recuperated, so
that comparatively little property was slaughtered,
despite the urgent need of funds and the desperate
straits to which so many of our citizens were reduced.
As a valid reason for this may be adduced the fact
that Chicago's creditors were lenient with her suffer-
ing people at the time of her need ; and when creditors
placed so much confidence in real estate and accepted
so much incumbrance thereupon, the debtor felt reas-
sured, seeing in his property a handsome return in the
future, and, therefore, he placed a mortgage upon it,
instead of selling it. The effect which this had, subse-
quently, will be narrated in the ensuing volume.
The amount of transfers during the period from
August 20, 1868, to the time of the fire, is thus given
in the Real Estate Journal, and this table is the only
authentic information of the kind, all records having
been destroyed, and the newspapers of those days did
not make the feature they now do of real estate transfers:
No. of Sales. Consideration.
From August 20 to December 31, 1S6S, 5,307 $29,361,250
From August 20 to December 31, 1869, 13,994 50,487,731
From August 20 to December 31, 1S70, 11,446 47,078,561
From January 1 to October 9, 1S71,*-- 9,68s 40,099,545
The following table gives the valuation of real estate
and personal property in the city, from 185S to 1871,
and for which data the compiler is indebted to James
C. Beeks, real estate editor of The Chicago Times.
Year.
Real Estate.
Personal Prop-
Total.
185S
$30,175,325
30,732,313
31,198,135
31,314,749
3I,5S7.545
35.143.252
37,148,023
43,064,499
66,495,316
I4I.445.920
174,490,660
211,371,240
223,643,600
236,898,650
$5,814,607
5,821,067
5.S55.377
5.047,631
5,552,300
7.524.072
II.5S4.759
20,644,67s
19,458,134
53,580,924
57,75".340
54.653.655
52,342.950
52,847,820
$36,189,932
1859
36,553,3SO
37.053,512
1861 -.
36,352,380
1862
37,139,845
1863
42,667,324
4S, 732,782
1865
1866
1S67
1868.
1869
1S70
64.709,117
85,953,250
195,026,844
230,247,000
266,024, SSo
275 9S6.550
289,746,470
< )u 1 ottage I irove Vvenue, between Fifty-first and Fifty-second
Streets, lots fox i-o sol, I ;it / -■ . to $71 a foot. I )n Fifty-first
Street, between Drexel Boulevard and Cottage (irove Avenue, lots
50x250 sold at $54 and $55 a foot, while shallower lots nearer the
Boulevard sold at $00 a foot, 'in Drexel Boulevard near lifty-
From this table, and that on page 183, volume 1, it
will be seen how the assessed valuation of the city's
teal estate progressed from $236,842, at the date of its
♦The last document filed in the Recorder's office, and recorded, anterior
to the fire, was numbered 116,420.
REAL ESTATE INTERESTS.
573
incorporation, to just one thousand times as much
thirty-four years afterward. Necessarily, the accumu-
lation of value depended upon cumulative area as well
as augmented prices, and the various extensions of
boundary lines of the city will be found under the Cor-
porate History.
The following table will show the prices paid at
various times during the year 187 1 for parcels of land
in different parts of the city :
Date.
Where Situated.
£
Z S
£
March 27..
Adams Street
east of Paulina. ..
north
125
$150
May II
Adams Street .
s\v. cor. Loomis..
56
177
February 3
Ashland Avenue..
nw. cor. Adams
100
225
August I-.
Ashland Avenue..
se. cor. Harrison..
135
150
August 3..
Ashland Avenue..
aw. cor. York
100
145
Sept. 15-.-
Ashland Avenue. .
ne. cor. Harrison . .
iSS
85
March 1
Calumet Avenue -
n. of Twenty-third
east
50
365
March II..
Calumet Avenue. .
n. of Twenty-third
east
30
350
March 1 1
Calumet Aven'ue..
n. of Twenty-third
east
50
300
April 15 ..
Calumet Avenue
n. of Twenty-third
west
50
260
January 17
Clark Street
n of Harmon Ct..
east
50
444
April 13...
Clark Street . . -
se. cor. Twelfth
176
34°
April 29.-
Clark Street
sw. cor. Oak
102
M5
May 17
Clark Street
east
180
250
Nov. 1
Clark Street
s. of Monroe
west
24
800
Dec. 29
Clark Street
s. of VanBuren
east
25
55°
March ig
Dearborn Street..
se. cor. Maple
103
125
March 30.
Dearborn Street . _
se. cor. Superior . .
80
150
Dec. 21 ..
Dearborn Street. .
nw. cor Burton PI.
154
169
Nov. 16 . _
Halsted Street
25
180
March 27..
Indiana Avenue..
s. of Sixteenth
west
40
300
June 2 ..
Indiana Avenue .
bet. 23d and 24th
east
50
223
June 10 ...
Indiana Avenue. .
s. of Eighteenth ..
east
50
350
July 5
Indiana Avenue
s of Thirty-ninth.
east
100
IOO
August 7
Indiana Avenue
ne. cor. Fifty-third
300
60
December I
Indiana Street
se cor. Oakley Av.
96
155
January S-.
Jackson Street
vv. of Wabash A v.
south
26
700
May 10
Jackson Street
e. of Throop.
south
50
220
June 1
Lake Street
e. of Paulina
north
50
240
October 19
Lake Street
e. of Fifth Avenue
north
20
600
January 28
LaSalle Street . .
ne. cor. Monroe
80
1487
October 2S
Madison Street ..
e. of Market .....
north
22
416
December 7
Madison Street
w of LaSalle
north
30
1040
December 7
Madison Street
se cor. Peoria
125
616
Dec 19
Madison Street
w. of Fifth Avenue
south
=;o
10=0
February I.
Michigan Avenue.
s. of Congress
east
26
770
February 14
Michigan Avenue-
s. of Fourteenth
west
52
346
June 13
Michigan Avenue
sw cor. Forty-sixth
341 X
342
IOO
July 25...
Michigan Avenue
n. of Madison . .
east
24
1166
October 6 .
Michigan Avenue-
s of Twenty-ninth
west
100
175
October 19
Monroe Street
e of Market .
south
45
505
November 6
Monroe Street
e. of Market
south
23
565
December 1
Monroe Street
e. of Market
south
23
490
Dec. 29 . .
Monroe Street. —
e. of Fifth Avenue
north
23
666
April 6
Prairie Avenue
s of Eighteenth
east
68
475
Mav 5
Prairie Avenue . .
s of Twenty-fourth
50
250
January 9.
Randolph Street. .
se. cor. Willard PI.
100
160
December 1
Randolph Street ..
w. of Franklin
north
20
75°
Dec. 13 .
Randolph Street..
e. of LaSalle .
south
60
2113
Dec. 22....
Randolph Street
e. of State
north
76
722
March 6...
State Street
n. of Hubbard Ct.
west
20
650
June 11
State Street ... .
n. of Jackson .
west
20
700
August 22
State Street .
n. of Monroe
west
45
2000
March 20
VanBuren Street --
e. of Fourth Av...
south
5°
860
April 1
Wabash Avenue ..
s. of Twenty-ninth
east
100
160
April 12 .
Wabash Avenue. .
n. of Jackson
east
60
500
April 27...
Wabash Avenue
n. of Jackson
east
70
107
August 1 .
Wabash Avenue ..
ne. cor. Washington
96
1650
October 27
Wabash Avenue ..
s. of Madison . .
west
20
1500
October 30
Wabash Avenue .
s. of Congress
east
24
688
Nov. 13 _ . .
Wabash Avenue. .
s. of Congress
west
26
770
Nov. 17 . .
Wabash Avenue
n of Jackson . .
west
27
1000
January 4. .
Washington Street
sw. cor. Desplaines
60
417
Nov. 10
Washington Street
nw. cor. Wabash Av
-1
1600
It would be manifestly unjust to close this brief
sketch without some reference to those who have- had so
much to do with the handling of the realty and tin-
variations in prices that have obtained, for to the per-
sistent, earnest faith of many of these gentlemen in real
estate must much of its successful manipulation have
depended.*
John Stephen Wright was born July 16, 1815, at Sheffield,
Mass., the eldest son of John and Iluldah (Dewey) Wright. His
father was a descendent of a good New England family and his
mother was "one of a band of sisters, distinguished no less for
grace and loveliness of person than for rare endowments of mind
and heart." He was a precocious child, and began the stud)' of the
Greek language when little more than three years of age. His
father in 1815-16, traveling for his health, journeyed on horseback
from Massachusetts, through Illinois and down to New Orleans,
and even at that early day became much impressed by the possibili-
ties of the Chicago of the future. In 1832, having met with busi-
ness reserves, he determined to move to this section, and came West,
arriving at Chicago, October 29, 1832, accompanied by his son John
S. They opened a store, and commenced extensively dealing in
real estate. John S. Wright, although a boy, was convinced of the
enormous wealth that would be aggregated in this city in coming
years, and wrote many letters to Eastern newspapers, as well as to
private individuals, elaborating Chicago's advantages and the wealth
that awaited judicious investors in real estate. Believing in prac-
ticing the theories he enunciated, he invested his own money in
realty, his first purchase being Lot 4, Block 17, in the Original
Town, for $3,500. His next purchase was 90^ acres, 73 of which
were on the North Branch of the Chicago River — the west half of
the southwest quarter of Section 4 — also paying therefor $3, 500. He
continued buying and selling real estate, and at the age of twenty-
one, without other assistance than his own good judgment and com-
mercial perspicacity, had acquired a property of a value of over
$200,000, which the panic of 1S37 swept away. In that year Mr.
Wright erected, at his own expense — $507.93 — the first public
school building of the city, which was located on the First Presby-
terian Church lot, at the southwest corner of Clark and Washing-
ton streets. In 1840, during the fall, he inaugurated the publication
of The Prairie Farmer, seeing the importance of having an organ
for the interchange of experience relative to prairie culture ; and
from the commencement of the paper it has been regarded as one
of the most practical and reliable agricultural publications in the
country. Traveling a great deal of the time from 1S40 until 1845,
in all parts of the West, for the purpose of interesting the farmers in
the issue and support of this paper, he became well informed as to the
resources of the country and the magnificence of its prospects. In
1S45, he wrote fifteen or twenty articles for the Commercial Adver-
tiser, of New York, about the various agricultural and horticultural
products of the West, the great advantages for manufactures, the
Canal, the facilities for the construction of railroads, the imminent
necessities which would cause their construction, etc., etc ; generally
elaborating, by statistical information and cogent reasoning, the re-
sources, natural and adventitious, of Chicago and of Illinois. In
the meantime he purchased more real estate, and from his transac-
tions in that commodity again became wealthy. In 1S52, he com-
menced the manufacture of Atkin's Self-raking Reaper and Mower.
No other harvester ever had more flattering success at the start ;
forty were built in 1853, three hundred in 1S54, twelve hundred in
1855, three thousand in 1856; but the bad crops of 1S56 and the
panic of 1S57 so crippled the farmers that they were unable to pay
their debts, and this, together with other losses, again caused Mr.
Wright's failure in 1857. In 1861, he predicted that in 1SS6 Chi-
cago would contain one million inhabitants ! a statement then con-
sidered the height of absurdity by nearly all of its citizens ; it might,
however, have been fulfilled had it not been for the War. Mr.
Wright took an active interest in the Illinois Central Railroad bill
and, at his own expense, sent thousands of circulars, from Chicago
to the Gulf, to various postmasters, requesting them to get signatures
to a petition favoring the bill, and to forward the petition to Wash-
ington. He wrote extensively upon political matters, and, in 1S70,
published a valuable statistical work entitled " Chicago ; Past, Pres-
ent, Future." During the latter part of his life his mind became
affected. He died in Philadelphia, Penn., September 26, 1S74, and
is buried at Rosehill Cemetery, adjoining this city. In 1S46, he
married Catherine Blackburn, youngest child of Henry S. Turner, of
Wheatland, Jefferson Co., Ya., who still survives with three children.
William Jones (deceased) was one of the oldest settlers of
Chicago, coming to this place in 1S31. He was born in Charlemont,
* In 1856, a board of real estate and stock-brokers met at Samuel H. Ker-
foot's office on the first and third Mondays in each month The ofnceis of the
board were: James H. Rees, president ; 'J B. F. Russell, vice president , Satn-
ael H. Kerfoot, secretary, and Thomas Webb, treasurer.
574
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Franklin Co.. Mass.. on October 22, 17S9. At nineteen he com-
menced to learn the trade of a millwright, but that not suiting his
tastes, he gave it up and determined to go farther west. He went
to Hanover, Chautauqua Co., N. V., purchased land, and com-
menced farming. He so continued for five years, when, owing to
failing health, he gave up the work. While in that county he was
made constable, collector, and deputy sheriff, and was married to
Miss Anna Gregory. He went to Buffalo in 1S24, and opened a
grocery store. That venture not proving successful, he accepted an
appointment as light-house keeper at the head of Buffalo Creek.
He remained in Buffalo until it became incorporated as a city, and
was then made chief of police by the first mayor, Dr. Ebenezer
Johnson. He was also the first collector of Buffalo, serving in
that office three years. He also held the position of deputy super-
intendent when the construction of Buffalo Harbor was com-
menced. While engaged upon that work, in looking over a
map of the lakes, he made the remark that
Chicago, owing to its situation at the head of
Lake Michigan, would some day be a large
city. He, therefore, determined to come hither.
In the summer of 1S31, he went, by steamboat,
to Detroit, from thence to Ann Arbor by stage
and to Kalamazoo by wagon. Then, with
others, he took a skiff for the mouth of the
St. Joseph. There, with a borrowed convey-
ance, he proceeded to Elkhart, and thence to
Chicago, on horseback, arriving here on August
1, 1831. Mr. Jones went to Elkhart that win-
ter, returning in Februay, 1S32, and purchased
two lots, located on South Water and Lake,
midway between Clark and Dearborn streets.
They were eighty by one hundred and fifty feet
each, and the price paid was $200 for both.
The value of those lots now is about three hundred thousand dol-
lars. Mr. Jones was the first to come to Chicago for the sole pur-
pose of investing in real estate, and may, therefore, be regarded as
one of the founders of this far-famed city. Mr. Jones returned to
Buffalo in 1S32, where he remained till the spring of 1834; he then
came back to Chicago, built a store, commenced business, and
kept on investing his money in real estate. Mr. Jones lost heavily
in the panic of 1S36. But he soon regained his former position,
and, as the town increased in size, so did his wealth accumulate,
Mr Jones engaged in the stove and hardware business in 1S34,
with Bvram King, under the firm name of Jones, King & Co. He
was one of the first justices of the peace of the city, serving in that
capacity for several years. He was afterward a member of the City
Council from the Third Ward for two years. He was a member of
the first board of school inspectors under the law which re-organ-
ized the school system in 1140, serving two years. He was presi-
dent of the Board of Education from 1840 to 1843, 1S45 to 1848,
and [85] and 1852, He was one of the volunteers of the Fire
Department, being first assistant foreman of the "Fire King"
Hook ami Ladder Co , No. !. In the second canvass for mayor
!.-. Jones was the Democratic candidate, but his firm
and bold position in favor of temperance and against the unre-
stricted commerce of "rs was such that he was de-
feated. He was one of the founders of the Chicago Orphan
Asylum, and, for a number of years, was president of its board of
trustees. He always had a warm interest in the public schools of
this city, and did much in the pioneer work of this branch of public
enterprise. He contributed one thousand dollars towards a fund
for the furnishing of books, etc., for the public school which bears
his name. The enterprise in which he took the greatest interest,
however, was the University of Chicago, to which he subscribed
forty thousand dollars, and, in his honor, the board of trustees of
that institution named the south wing of the University building
Jones Hall. He was always a member of the board of trustees of
the University, and for many years president of the executive
board. Mrs. Jones died February 15, 1854, and his death occurred
on January 18, 1868. Their remains rest in Oakwood Cemetery.
The surviving children are K. K. and Ferdinand Jones, both hon-
orable and prominent men. Mr. Jones always bore the highest
reputation for honesty, integrity, and ability; and his many
benefactions, together with his unsullied character, will long be
remembered by those who knew him.
Horatio 0. Stone (deceased), whose life-record shows the
success which comes to a man by honesty, ability and industry,
was born in Broughton Hill, Monroe Co, N. V., January 2, 1S11.
His mother died when he was an infant, while his father, Ebenezer
Stone, a veteran of the War of 1812, survived her for thirty-one
years, passing away at the residence of his son in 1843. H. O.
Stone started out in the world when he was onlv fourteen years of
age, and spent the succeeding decade in a great variety of occupa-
tions. He passed three years as an apprentice to a shoemaker,
tanner and currier ; he peddled goods ; he worked on the Lacka-
wanna and Erie canals ; he farmed in Washtenaw County ; he was
drafted for the Black Hawk War, but was not obliged to' serve, and
finally, after selling his farm and sending his family to Erie, Penn.,
he started westward, reaching Chicago on the nth of January,
1835. Of course, he stopped with the jovial Mark Beaubien, and
dropped into another in-
stitution of the swampy
town, " Justice" J. D.
Caton's court. Here he
met Mr. Blanchard, who
sold him a lot on Clinton ■
Street for ninety dollars,
which left him about one-
third his former capital to
continue his struggle in
the new country. During
the winter months, Mr.
Stone chopped timber on
the North Branch of the
Chicago River, to be used
in the building of the
Government piers, and in
the spring started out with
a friend and an Indian
guide to take up land in
Wisconsin. After reach-
ing Sheboygan he made
a claim near the mouth
of the river, and worked
in a saw-mill until the
following June, when he
returned to Chicago, at-
tended the first Govern-
ment land sale, sold his
Clinton Street lot at a profit of nearly $260, and, with the proceeds,
opened a grocery and provision store on North Water Street. He
shipped the first load of wheat from Chicago, the seven hundred
and eighty bushels being carried on board upon the backs of men.
For twenty-seven years Mr. Stone continued in active business,
and during ten years of this period was a grain-dealer. Continuing
to invest his spare earnings in real estate, in 1S4S he concentrated
his energies upon this one line of business, and became one of the
most prominent dealers in Chicago. He remained thus engaged
up to the time of his death, July 20, 1S77. Mr. Stone left a widow
and five children. His widow was formerly Miss Elizabeth Yager,
and was for many years previous to his death a recognized leader
in society — a lady of literary, musical and artistic tastes and ac-
quirements, which position she fills at the present time. To her
interest and liberality in art matters many artists owe substantial
recognition and assistance, and foremost in the social circles of
Chicago appears the name of Mrs. II. 0. Stone.
BaIRD & BRADLEY. — It is hard to designate those who are the
most prominent in the real estate fraternity, without invidious dis-
tinction ; but certainly no one will dispute the eminence of Messrs.
Ilaird & Bradley. They are lineal descendants of the loan, insur-
ance and real-estate house of L. D. Olmsted, who was in that busi-
ness in 1857. In i860, Lyman Baird became a partner of Mr.
Olmsted, the firm name being changed to L. D. Olmsted & Co.,
DRAKE BLOCK AND RUINS.
REAL ESTATE INTERESTS.
575
which was retained, notwithstanding the death of Mr. Olmsted in
1S62, until Francis Bradley became associated with Mr. Baird, in
1864, when the firm name was changed to Baird & Bradley. Silas
M. Moore and John K.. Stearns were connected with the firm, and,
in 1S64, purchased the insurance interest of Baird & Bradley. In
addition to these celebrities of the insurance fraternity, two of the
most prominent solicitors of the Equitable Life Insurance Com-
pany graduated from the office of L. D. Olmsted & Co., who were
the first agents of that company in Chicago. After the sale of
their insurance interests, they devoted their attention exclusively to
the real-estate, renting and loan business. It is simply impossible
to convey an idea of the magnitude of the operations of this house
for the quarter of a century that it has existed. They have placed
many millions of dollars in loans upon real estate, and were espe-
cially instrumental in this description of financial accommodation
at the time of the architectural resurrection of Chicago after the
great fire. They invested money for residents of all parts of the
continent, but particularly for capitalists of New York and New
England. Messrs. Baird & Bradley still continue that business,
although of late years the sale and renting department has attained
large prominence in addition to their financial investments. Both
the members of the firm are quiet, keen, decided and conserva-
tive ; and the care and fidelity they have exercised in the manage-
ment of the interests intrusted to them have produced the inevi-
table result, a business reputation unexcelled in Chicago.
Mead & Coe. — In recapitulating the various gentlemen who
have been prominently identified with the real estate interests of
the city, and whose energy and foresight have made for them a
successful and comprehensive business, the firm of Mead & Coe
will recur to the mind of any one cognizant of the leading houses
in this branch of our city's commercial factors. The firm com-
prises Aaron B. Mead and Albert L. Coe, and was organised on
January 1. 1S67. The New Year's call which these gentlemen then
made on the real estate fraternity, has been a permanent and dis-
tinguished one. Their specialties are the real estate agency, mort-
gage loans and collections, and some of the largest buildings, and
many of the most important interests in Chicago's realty, are man-
aged by them. During their eighteen years of business experience,
it may be easily conjectured what an enormous amount of financial
values they have administered upon ; to reduce such transactions to
prosaic figures, would be a difficult task, and would only express a
financial estimate without conveying the confidence that the public
feel in Messrs. Mead & Coe, earned by their long career of busi-
ness rectitude and the careful manner wherein they have watched
the interests of their clients. Mr. Mead is a native of Franklin-
ville, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., and has been identified with the real
estate business since 1864. For four years he was with the well-
known firm of Abner L. Ely, No. 22 Pine Street, New York City,
one of the most influential agencies in the American metropolis.
His present standing evinces the aptitude he possessed for acquir-
ing knowledge during those years. Mr. Coe was born near Cleve-
land, Ohio, and came to Chicago in 1S53. In 1854, he embarked
in the coal business, under the firm name of Coe & Carpenter, con-
tinuing therein until the outbreak of the War, and also transacting
considerable real estate business from 1856 to iSfil, his partner be-
ing largely interested in Chicago real estate. In September, 1S61,
he enlisted in the 51st Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was speed-
ily promoted to the rank of second lieutenant of Co. " K, " and after-
ward became first lieutenant in the same regiment. In September,
1862, he was appointed quartermaster, with the rank of captain, on
the staff of General James D. Morgan, which position he retained
until he was mustered out at the close of the War, in November,
1865. For several years he was on the staff of General Arthur C.
Ducat, in the State service. His thirty years of active business life,
have well prepared him for the responsibility entailed by the man-
agement of the large estates and business buildings now under his
immediate supervision.
Albert J. Averell is one of the prominent real-estate deal-
ers of Chicago, in which business he has been engaged since 1S61;
his first office having been in No. 7 Metropolitan Block He was
born in Alna, Lincoln Co., Maine, of Scotch parentage, and inher-
ited the sturdy, Gallic character and the splendid physique of the
men of Maine. At the age of fourteen he left the paternal roof,
bent upon being a sailor and making his fortune. He crossed the
Atlantic ocean twenty-eight times in six years, in furtherance of the
first part of his plan, but without achieving the latter part. In
1S43, he left the sea, and came to Chicago, and was appointed
master of the propeller "Independence," in 1844, which he com-
manded four years. In 1848, he migrated to California, arriving
at San Francisco three months after the day of his embarkation at
New York, where he was immediately proffered the command of
the clipper schooner "Eclipse," plying with the mail and passen-
gers between San Francisco and Sacramento. He accepted the po-
sition, and remained therein until 1850, in the spring of which year
he took command of the steamer " McKim," the first steamboat
that ran on the Sacramento Kiver. In 1851, he was appointed ci >m-
mander of the fast steamer " .New World," and remained her chief
officer until the ensuing year, when he resigned and went to New
England. During this visit. Captain Averell was married to Miss
Anna B. F'oote, youngest daughter of lion. Erastus Foote, of Wis-
casset, Maine. In September, 1S52, he returned to California, and
commanded the steamship " Senator," the largest at that time thai
had navigated the Sacramento. In 1S54, he determined to return
East to reside, and resigned his charge, and in 1S55, settled in
Chicago, where he engaged in the lumber business, and, for recrea-
tion, made a trip to Europe. Upon his return to this city, he en-
gaged in the real-estate business, and, during twenty-three years,
his transactions have amounted to nearly fifty million dollars. A
prominent work thus speaks of him : " Captain Averell possesses
a mind naturally clear and comprehensive, capable of grasping
ideas and truths, as they are presented, with great exactness, and a
wonderfully retentive memory, which has been strengthened by 1 In-
habit of memorizing the incidents of life. He has a generous na-
ture, always contributing liberally to religious and benevolent ob-
jects. His accurate judgment, combined with his great integrity
and inflexible honor, make him a safe counselor ; and these charac-
teristic being universally acknowledged in the community, his
opinions are sought in matters involving great interests. In real
estate affairs his advice and opinion are highly appreciated." And
the expression of his contemporaries but indorse the statement
quoted.
Knight & Marshall. — This firm comprises John B. Knight
and James M. Marshall, and has carried on business in the same
locality for thirty years, the present renting, loan and real-estate
business being an outgrowth of that inaugurated by James M .
Marshall, Sr., in 1854. Application, energy, and conservative in-
vestments have produced the customary results — a magnitude of
business such as the founder would have deemed impossible. The
business transactions of this firm are mainly in the interest of their
regular clients, whose business the firm desires, and retains after it
is acquired The reputation of this firm during thirty years
of active business, is the highest eulogium that can be given, and it
is conceded to be merely the meed of success due to merit. James
Monroe Marshall, the founder of the firm, was born in l.ogan
County, Ky. , October 1, 1834. At the age of fourteen he went to
Paducah, Ky. , and entered the dry goods store of his uncle, James
Larmon, where he remained for three years. In 1S52, he went to
St. Louis, and entered the wholesale dry goods house of Pittman
Brothers, but not being enamored of the dry goods method of ob-
taining wealth, and likewise being of a speculative disposition, he
entered the firm of James Larmon & Co., which comprised James
Larmon, three other uncles, and James M. Marshall. They
traded extensively in sugar and molasses ; Mr. Marshall going
with one of his uncles to New Orleans, and the remainder of the
firm establishing branches at St. Louis and Chicago. Thus, with
representatives at these important points of shipment and distribu-
tion, the firm conducted a large and profitable business. In 1854,
Mr. Marshall came to Chicago and established the real-estate busi-
ness, where he attained wealth and won civic honors, having been
a member of the Common Council in 1S60-61. He was one of the
most extensive dealers in real estate at that time, both in specula-
tion and in supervising the interests of others. For a number of
years he managed the extensive Malcolm McNeal estate, which re-
mained with the firm until the death of the proprietor. Mr. Mar-
shall was married on November 22, i860, to Miss Susan C. Lar-
mon, and died on July I, 1SS0, leaving a family of five children,
and bequeathing to his eldest son, James M. Marshall, his interest
in the firm. It is the opinion of judges in the matter that the
mantle of his father's ability also descended to his legatee in
business.
Wright & Tyrrell.— R. C. Wright and John A. Tyrrell
were both employes of R. K. Swift's bank, and occupied the posi-
tion of managers for some years. Upon the failure of the bank
they went into the real-estate and loan business, in the old bank
premises, being the first white firm that occupied the old Metro-
politan Bank Building. In 1S5S, they were established in the real-
estate business, with which the firm has since been so intimately
and prominently associated. R. C. Wright died in December,
1879, and R. C. Wright, Jr., succeeded to his interest, having
been admitted to partnership about 1S7S. This gentleman went
into business in 1S58 as bookkeeper for Potter Palmer, and re-
mained with him until 1S65 ; he then was with Jonathan Young
Scammon, keeping the individual books for the Mechanics' Na-
tional Bank, until April I, 1867, on which date he entered the office
of Wright & Tyrrell as clerk. Charles T. Tyrrell was admitted as
partner on January 1, 1SS1, and the firm now comprise-- R. C
Wright, Jr.,"j. A. Tyrrell and Charles T. Tyrrell, the onus of the
work falling "upon the younger men, while Sir. Tyrrell, Sr., exer-
cises the sound judgment and mature business experience in mat-
ters requiring his supervision or assistance.
576
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Robert C. Wrigkt, Sr., was born in London, England, Decem-
ber 12, 1S13, and was educated at Rugby School. In 1S4S, he
came to Chicago, and shortly afterward entered R. K. Swift's bank.
He was induced to come to Chicago by the representations made
by his relatives, Elijah and Joseph Peacock, who have been known
in Chicago so many years in connection with the jewelry and lum-
ber business. The success that attended Mr. Wright's efforts has
lustilied the most glowing eulogies they could have written about
the infant Chicage. In 1S49, he was seized with the gold-fever,
and went to California by the overland route, but finding that cli-
mate and method of making money unsuited to him, he returned
to this city, and re-entered Mr. Swift's bank. The Tribune, of
December 31, 1S79, thus spoke of Mr. Wright : * * * " The
many and varied interests confided to Mr. Wright and his partner
naturally made the firm known to large numbers of persons in this
citv and abroad, by all of whom Mr. Wright was looked upon as a
m jdel of strict, unrelenting integrity. He was laughed at by some,
occasionally, on account of his conservatism, but after the panic of
1S73 the wisdom of his course was seen and admitted. During
his long life, not a word was ever said regarding his private or
business life reflecting in the slightest degree upon his honesty.
Careful and accurate in all business matters, he accounted for
every dollar that was ever intrusted to him, and never was known
to give his note to any one. He was a member of the Church of
Saints Peter and Paul, and was for years one of its prominent and
most responsible members. In social life he won the love and re-
spect of all who were brought in contact with him " Mr. Wright
died, December 30, 1S79, leaving a wife and three children — Mrs.
H. H. Handy, Mrs. E. C. Cole and Robert C. Wright, Jr. The
latter was born in London, England, May 31, 1S41.
George Bickerdike was born in Yorkshire, England, in
1S06, and emigrated to America in 1S2S, locating in Cincinnati,
Ohio, where he worked for about two years as a carpenter, the trade
learned in his native land. In 1831, he made the journey to
Chicago on horseback, passing through Fort Wayne, Ind., and
was unfortunate enough to lose his horse, which detained him for
three days, but, recovering his horse, he resumed his journey.
When he arrived in Chicago he sought shelter in old Fort Dear-
born, where he remained for some time, doing guard duty at
intervals, until the arrival of General Scott, who refused to allow
civilians to remain in the fort. He realized the importance that
would some time attach to Chicago, and began the location of
property. He selected ten acres, and erected his carpenter shop
upon the site where the present Tremont House is located, holding
it until the increased value induced him to sell, and re-invest in
Chicago land. He located eighty acres near Oak Park, on which
he erected a saw-mill, which he finally traded for eighty-four acres
now known as the Bickerdike Addition, bounded by Kinzie
Street, Chicago Avenue, Elizabeth Street and Ashland Avenue.
This he subdivided, and a large amount of it still remains the
property of his heirs. He also took up forty acres in Lake View,
now known as Steele & Bickerdike's Addition, and subdivided it.
Being one of the oldest settlers, it might have been supposed that
Mr. Bickerdike would have occupied a prominent position in public
affairs, but he was a quiet, unassuming man, giving little attention
to anything outside of his private business, taking little interest in
politics, and seldom expressing himself in regard to them. His
family are at present reaping the benefit of his keen business fore-
sight and good judgment In 1835, he married Miss Mary Noble,
of Chicago, who was also born in Yorkshire, England, and who
early came to this city with her parents. Her father, Mark Noble,
was quite wealthy, and relieved the settlers here in 1833, who were
bordering on starvation, by purchasing and distributing among
them a cargo of flour, which he purchased from the first schooner
that arrived in this port. Mr. Noble was considered a public bene-
factor, and the only person at that time in Chicago with sufficient
means to make such a purchase. Of Mr. Bickerdike's family
there are living, besides the mother, who has again taken up her
residence in Yorkshire, England, three children — George N.
Bickerdike, born in Chicago in 1836, a retired gentleman at
present writing; Joseph R. Bickerdike, born in 1844, who has
charge of the old Bickerdike farm on the North Branch; and Mar-
garet J., the wife of Walter Lister, of Chicago. The father of this
family died in Yorkshire, England, on November 4, 1880, being
seventy-five years of age. He experienced the hardship common
to all pioneers in new countries, and his life was a succession of
struggles; notwithstanding which, like the senior Carlyle, he
endeared himself to those with whom he came in contact, and was
a man who commanded respect from all who knew him. While
his efforts at seclusion were in some scum- successful, as keeping his
name from the earlier public records, it is impossible to prevent it
from continually appearing upon the record of his good deeds and
as an example of a faithful and irpright life.
Walter Lister was born at Newcastle-on-the-Tyne, Eng-
land, in 1832, and was educated partly in England, completing his
studies in New York City, where he arrived with his parents at the
age of eight. His father, Joseph Lister, was a button manu-
facturer, owning a factory in the historical " Sleepy Hollow," in
Westchester County, N. Y.; with him his son commenced to learn
the button business. He remained thus engaged until 1855, when
he came to Chicago and commenced the manufacture of glue; also,
the manufacture of charcoal for purifying sugar, which he contin-
ued until 1873. In tnat year he commenced the real estate busi-
ness, and since has spent the greater part of his time in the man-
agement of the estate in which he is personally interested. ■ He was
married, in Chicago, in i860, to Miss Margaret J. Bickerdike,
daughter of George Bickerdike, and has three children — Mary,
Walter and Nellie.
Henry C. Morey was born on July 31, 1S32, at Brockport,
Monroe Co., N. Y., and accompanied his parents, in 1S36, to Flint,
Mich., at which place his father died in 1S3S. He received a com-
mon school education, his last teacher being Dr. Hosmer Allen
Johnson, a celebrated physician of this city. At the age of fifteen
he entered the store of J. B. Walker, and two years afterward, with
his mother, emigrated to Illinois, journeying from Chicago to Tre-
mont, Tazewell County, by the then popular line of Frink &
Walker's stages. He secured a situation with Messrs. Pettengill &
Babcock, merchants of Peoria, \vhere he served one year; after
which he returned to Tazewell County, and remained on a farm
until 1S52. To a letter of inquiry he received an answer from the
late Colonel Josiah L. James of the firm of James & Hammond,
lumber dealers, stating that, if he desired to come to Chicago, he
would give him his board until he could do better. The offer was
at once accepted, and the journey made by steamboat from Peoria to
LaSalle, and thence to Chicago, by packet on the Illinois and
Michigan Canal. He attended Bell's Commercial College the fol-
lowing winter, and Colonel James and George A. Springer having
formed a co-partnership in the real estate business, he entered their
service, they being among the first tenants of Metropolitan Block,
corner of Randolph and LaSalle streets. He remained with this
this firm about twelve years, until its dissolution, when he entered
into partnership with George A. Springer, under the firm name of
Springer & Morey ; subsequently with C. P. Manville ; and after-
ward continued in business on his own account. Metropolitan
Block at the time was occupied by many of the leading real estate
firms of the city, such as Wright & Tyrrell, A. J. Averell, Snyder
& Lee, W. H. Sampson, H. G. Young, Scoville & Harvey, N. P.
Iglehart & Co., and others. Mr. Morey remained in the building
until its destruction in 1S71. He reached his office the night of the
fire, while the Court House, opposite, was in flames ; opening his
safe he removed its contents of valuable abstracts of title, leases,
books, etc., and, securing, in addition, his city and county maps and
plats, conveyed them to what then seemed a place of safety on Lake
Street. The fire, however, soon invaded this quarter, and, the
street being partly filled with the stock of a neighboring livery sta-
ble, he placed his property in a shaftless buggy, and, with the aid of
of a friendly hand, succeeded in running it across Lake-street
bridge to a place of a safety. His office was opened the next day
on Canal Street, near Washington. He was one of the first real
estate agents to return to the South Side, removing to the Superior
Block, No. 77 Clark Street, and now occupies the main floor at No.
85 Washington Street, the site of the first building erected after the
fire. Though actively engaged during these years in business, he
devoted much of his time to temperance work, and became a mem-
ber of Houston Lodge, No. 32, I. O. of Good Templars, in 1S55,
and, subsequently, he became one of the founders of Dashaway
Lodge, No. 240, I. O. of G. T. He was one of the founders of
the Washingtonian Home, which was established in 1863. and filled
the position of secretary of that praiseworthy charity for sixteen
years, and during this time was instrumental, with others, in obtain-
ing a charter from the State, giving the Home ten per cent, of the
receipts from saloon licenses in Cook County, toward defraying the
expenses of the Institution, and from which the Home now enjoys
an annual revenue of $20,000. The old Bull's Head hotel and lot,
104 x 1S0, corner of Madison Street and Ogden Avenue, was pur-
chased for the Home in 1865, for the sum of $9,000, and, in 1S76,
the hotel was demolished, and the present elegant building erected.
At the formation of the Real Estate Board, in 18S3, Mr. Morey was
elected president, and re-elected in 18S4. He has always been
recognized as a conservative member of the real-estate fraternity,
and for many years has been largely engaged in making valuations
of real estate for loans for foreign corporations and capitalists — his
valuations of property in six years amounting to over $29,000,000.
He also has charge of the large landed interests of the Union Mu-
tual Life Insurance Company, of Maine ; Mercantile Trust Com-
pany, of New York, and other corporations and non-residents, and
transacts a general real estate agency business.
Samuel < Iehr was born at Smithsburg, Washington Co., Md.,
in 1829, and received his early education at the well-known school
of Ceorge Pearson, and afterward graduated from Marshall Col-
REAL ESTATE INTERESTS.
577
lege, Pennsylvania, in 1851. He then decided upon studying law,
and read for two years in the office of Hon. Judge Weisel, at
Hagerstown, Md. He came from Washington County, Md., to
Chicago, in 1853, where he completed his forensic education, and
was admitted to the Bar of this State. He then entered the real
estate office of Rees & Kerfoot, — composed of James H. Rees and
Samuel H. Kerfoot, — and remained with the firm as clerk until
1861, when he established himself in business in connection with
Hon. Luther Haven, at Lake Street, opposite the Tremont House,
under the firm name of Luther Haven & Co. The appointment-,
by Abraham Lincoln, of Mr. Haven as collector of customs for the
port of Chicago, terminated their partnership; and since that date
Mr. Gehr has conducted his business upon his own account, in
which he has been very successful. His legal studies have been
invaluable to him in settling questions of title, proprietorship, or
conveyance. His early experience with Rees & Kerfoot gave him
the requisite acquaintance with local business and values, while his
judgment and integrity have made casual customers steady clients,
and caused the name of Samuel Gehr to be classed with the real
estate aristocracy of Chicago. In 1863, he moved his office to No. 114
Dearborn Street, a location which he has occupied ever since, except
the interruption occasioned by the fire of 1871, making twenty-one
years occupancy of the same site. Until 1S63, Mr. Gehr had only
conducted a business comprehending the purchase and sale of real
estate, but in that year he added the making of loans for Eastern
capitalists, and the care and management of large estates, these
branches now being the important feature of his business. As
a trifling but demonstrative indication of the stability of his meth-
ods, it may be cited that, during his whole life in this city, his
bank account has been solely with the old Merchants' Loan iS;
Trust Company. Mr. Gehr was married, in 1S57, to Miss Pheba
Bostock, and has the following children living : S. Whipple,
Arthur Cleveland, Herbert Bostock, Fannie, and Francis Sycett, all
of whom are now residents of Chicago.
Poi.emus D. Hamilton was born in Wales, Erie Co., N. Y.,
in 1S13, and received the education the circumstances would permit
a farmer boy at a country school. Leaving school quite young, he
apprenticed himself to a carpenter, and thoroughly learned his
trade. He is one of the early settlers of Chicago, having come
here in 1S34, and has a vivid recollection of the early scenes of the
city, when it was hardly entitled to the name of hamlet, assuredly
not to the name of village. It soon became, according to his ideas,
a distributing center for the West, for people seemed to come and
go, and few became permanent residents. He worked at his
trade, assisting in erecting some of the first buildings, which were
frame. In 1835, he took up a piece of land, one hundred and
sixty acres, about five miles south of Lockport, costing him then
$210; the same land is now worth $50 an acre. That part was
known then as the Yankee Settlement. When he came to Chicago
he was associated with his brother, Thomas E. Hamilton, and they
took contracts and erected buildings of any kind demanded at that
time; and he gives an experience that shows that the same spirit of
energy and enterprise which now exists, was fully developed in the
early Chicagoan. He says that he was " not acquainted with the
term ' balloon' frame, when, one Monday morning, a man stepped
into the shop and asked if they could put up a building for him,
saying that he did not want to move in before Saturday following."
Mr. Hamilton thought it impossible; but about that time his
brother came in, and the case was laid before him, when it was
determined to put up a ' balloon frame,' and on Saturday night the
building was completed, the owner moving in when the workmen
walked out with their tools. This building was on the northwest
corner of Dearborn and Lake steets, and was a fair-looking struct-
ure. The first building he remembers having assisted in erecting
in Chicago was a frame store on the corner of South Water and
Wells streets, now Fifth Avenue. It was occupied by a James
Woodruff. Mr. Hamilton worked at his trade up to within a few
years, and has now given up active business and resides with his
children at Hyde Park. In 1835, Mr. Hamilton was employed in
building the sloop "Clarissa," the first vessel built in Chicago,
and, in 1836, he purchased a one-half interest in her, his brother a
one-fourth interest, and Nelson R. Horton the remaining one-
fourth interest. He was married in Erie County, N. Y., in 1S36,
to Miss Cynthia Holmes, who died in 1872, leaving three children
— David G., Mary J. (now Mrs. John R. Hoxie, of Hyde Park),
and Maria E. (now Mrs. L. W. Stowell, of Chicago).
David G. Hamilton was born in Chicago January 10, 1S42.
His education commenced in the public schools, he graduated at the
High School in 1S62, and entered what was then Asbury University,
now known as De Pauw University, where he graduated in 1S65.
After leaving college he returned to Chicago and, in 1S66, entered
the law school attached to Douglas University, from which he
graduated in 1867. He at once entered upon the practice of his
profession and, during 1868, became associated in business with R.
K. Swift in mortgage and land titles, under the style of D. G.
37
Hamilton & Co., and remained with him until 1871, when the) dis-
solved, and Mr. Hamilton has since carried on business alone, giving
his attention to real estate investments and the examination of titles,
His office, located at No. 126 Clark Street, in the heart of the city,
stands on the very ground where he was born. He is the son of
Polemus D. and Cynthia Hamilton, who were among the early
settlers of Chicago. He was married on December 6, 1S70, to Miss
Mary J. Kendall, daughter of Lyman Kendall of this city, and has
two children — Bruce P. and Adelaide.
Enos Ayrf.s, the well known capitalist and real estate dealer,
has been a citizen of Illinois since 1834, and of Chicago since 1848.
He is of Scotch descent, the son of Peter and Ann (Skelton) Ayres,
and was born on a farm near New Brunswick, N. J., May I, 1814.
Although nearly seventy-one years old, he is still in active business,
and exhibits all the energy and skill of his early manhood. His
eye seems as bright, his step as elastic, his complexion as fresh, as
a man of thirty-five or forty years of age, and his zeal in all matters
seems quite unabated. Mr. Ayres began life as a clerk in his brother's
dry goods store in New Brunswick, serving a long apprenticeship,
from the age of fourteen to twenty, when he came West. He first
settled in Alton in 1834, where he obtained temporary employment
in the dry goods store of Riley & Hankinson. At the end of the
five months he had sufficiently mastered the western situation to be
able to manage an establishment for himself, and he opened a slock
of general merchandise in Whitehall, Green Co., 111., his brother
Reuben furnishing the goods for the purpose. After about six
years of varying success, he traded the whole establishment for
farm lands in the vicinity, and began farming. In December, 1836,
Mr. Ayres had married his third cousin. Miss Ann Ayres, the
daughter of Rescarrick Ayres, who still survives, at the age of
sixty-five years. While in trade Mr. Ayres had built several houses
in Whitehall, among them a hotel, and after three years spent on
his farm, the hotel being about to become vacant, he bought out
his tenant, and conducted it himself until the spring of 1S48. In
April of that year, the Illinois and Michigan Canal was formally
opened for traffic, and Mr. Ayres saw clearly the assured future of
Chicago, and determined to make it his home. Selling his entire
interests at Whitehall, he moved here with his family by boat, soon
alter the Canal was opened. He at first engaged in the lumber
business, but shortly disposed of it, and in the spring of 1849 began
to traffic in real estate. His entire capital at that time amounted
to only $6,500, but his present financial standing shows how judi-
ciously it was handled, At first, and largely until 1S72, he did a
general real estate and brokerage business, but since has principally
devoted himself to the care of his own property. He was a sufferer
by the great fire to the extent of about $30,000, but he never has
permitted his credit to decline, and it stands second to none in the
city. A good illustration of the esteem in which he is held in
Chicago is found in the manner in which he came to be South Town
collector in 1S78. The story, in all its phases, is too long for this
brief sketch; suffice it to say that in 1878 there were the back taxes
of two years to collect, besides thoseof the current year, and a bond of
$8, 000, coo would be required. Some of the principal citizens, irre-
spective of party, decided upon Mr. Ayres as the fit man for the place,
and, even against his most strenuous opposition, nominated and
elected him and signed his bond without any solicitation on his part.
The total amount of capital represented by his bondsmen was not
less than $150,000,000. This action of his friends was certainly a
most flattering testimonial to his worth. Mr. Ayres has proved a
most capable man wherever he has been placed by fortune, partic-
ularly in business affairs. In 1S60, he became interested with a few
others in some mining property in Gregory District, near Central
City, Col. The management not proving successful, he bought
out the plant of mines and mills and personally superintended the
works from 1S63 to 1S64, when he decided to dispose of his interests,
which he did to New York parties, at a profit of $50,000. Mr.
Ayres is a member of the Citizens' Association, the Calumet Club,
the Farragut Boating Club (in which he takes great delight), the
Washington Park Driving Club, the Kenwood Club and the Pres
byterian Union. Of his four children — Ellen, Mary, Henrietta and
Peter — Henrietta alone survives. She is the wife of C. T. Bond.
William D. Kerfoot has for many years been closely iden-
tified with the real estate interests of Chicago, and the mention of
his name recalls to memory a small frame structure erected by him,
amid the debris in the heart of the burned district, on Wednesday
morning, after the great fire of 1871, then known as " Kerfoot's
Block." It was the first movement toward the re-building of the
city, and bore the inscription, rudely painted on a pine board,
"All gone, but wife, children and energy," indicative of the per-
severance and faith of the man, and pointing to that marvelous ex-
hibition of nerve and industry on the part of the people of Chicago,
the fruits of which are to-day, in the reconstruction of the city, the
wonder of the world. A sketch of this building heads a list of
views of noted structures of the New Chicago, contained in the
third volume of this History. William D. Kerfoot was born at
578
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Lancaster City, Perm., April 16, 1S37, and is the son of the late Dr.
George B. Kerfoot, a physician of prominence in his day. The
subject of this sketch came to Chicago in 1S54, and entered the
real estate office of James H. Rees, now deceased. In 1856, he
returned to St. James College, Hagerstown, Md., to complete his
education ; and, in 1S61, permanently located in Chicago, taking
charge of the real estate department in the office of Thomas B.
Bryan. The following year he undertook business on his own ac-
count, and opened an office at No. Sg Washington Street, in the
immediate vicinity of which number he has remained for twenty
years, conducting transactions, reaching far into the millions of
dollars. Hisfclients are composed chiefly of non-resident owners
of Chicago property, among whom may be mentioned : James A.
Hamilton, E. N. Tailer, Estate of General John A. Dix, deceased,
Henry V. Attrill, lohn J. Cisco, J. S. Cram, J. T. Sherman, Frank
O. Boyd, Rev. MoYgan A. Dix and William M. Bliss, of New York
City; P. K. Dederick & Co., Albany, N. Y.; James S. Farlow,
and Jacob W. Pierce, of Boston, Mass.; J. A. Stone, of Cleveland,
Ohio ; J. W. Gaff, T. T. Gaff, Robert Mitchell, Henry Peachy,
F. G. Huntington, Merchants' National Bank, James D. Lehmer,
David Sinton, Commercial National Bank, J. M. W. Neff and S.
S. Carpenter, of Cincinnati, Ohio ; John M. Shreve, A. D. Hunt,
D. P. Faulds, J. W. Henning & Son, Russell Houston, John G.
Barrett, H. V. Loving and J. W. Cochran, of Louisville, Ky. ;
Hon. R. T. Merrick of Washington, D. C; F'rederick Deming, of
Litchfield, Conn.; W. B. Scarth, of Toronto; W. H. Ridgeley, of
Springfield, 111.; P. E. Hosmer, of Nashville, 111.; Estate of James
S. Waterman, deceased, late of Sycamore, 111.; and many others.
Among his city clients are to be found the First National Bank,
Merchants' Loan and Trust Company, John DeKoven, Frederick
II. Winston, Mason Brothers, Burke, Walker & Co., Burley &
Tyrrell and Larrabee & North. A standard work thus speaks of
Mr. Kerfoot: "There is probably no man in Chicago who is a
better or a safer judge of real estate valuation in this city, and its
surroundings, than he is. He is frequently called upon by indi-
viduals and by the courts to give his opinion of values, and in indi-
vidual cases in partition." Many buildings of note were erected
under his supervision, such as : the Shreve Buddings on Washing-
ton Street, and on the northeast and northwest corners of Lake
and Clark streets ; the Henning and Speed Block, and the Gaff
Building, are under his management. He is also the president of
the Opera House Company, whose new building, on the corner of
Washington and Clark streets, gives to Chicago an opera house
second to none in the country. Mr. Kerfoot married, in 1865,
Miss Susan B. Mooklar, of Mason County, Ky. In 1880, he asso-
ciated with him in business, William A. Merigold and George Birk-
hoff, Jr., two gentlemen who had been his assistants for many years,
under the firm name of Wdliam D. Kerfoot & Co.
George Marquis Bogue, of the real estate firm of Bogue &
Hoyt, was born January 21, 1842, and is the son of Warren S. and
Sally (Underwood) Bogue. His father was born in Georgia, Ver-
mont, in the year 1800, and is a descendant of a Huguenot family
of that name, long resident in Scotland. In 1834, the family went
to Ionia, Mich., but returned to St. Lawrence County in 1839. At
Norfolk, in that county, George Marquis Bogue was born, and he
resided there until he was fourteen years old, leaving there in Au-
gust, 1S56, for Chicago, where he joined his brothers, Hamilton B.
and S. Curtiss, who had preceded him a few years before. In
1S57, George M. Bogue went to work in the freight office of the
Merchants' Despatch, and continued there until April, 1859. He
then went to the Cayuga Lake Academy, at Aurora, N. Y., where
he received an academic education. He returned to Chicago, on
July, 1861, and to the office wherein he was formerly employed.
He was with the Merchants' Despatch until the spring of 1863. In
June of that year, he entered the land department of the Illinois
Central Railroad Company, continuing therein until October, 1867.
Since then he has been in the real estate business. Mr. Bogue is
at present the senior member of the firm of Bogue & Hoyt, which
was established in January, 1882, as successor to George M. Bogue.
The firm consists of George M. Bogue, Henry W. Hoyt and Ham-
ilton li. Bogue. In 1858, Mr. Iiogue took up his residence at
Hyde Park, and in 1864, was elected town clerk. He held that
position until he resigned, in 1867, and was elected treasurer in
ring until 1872. He was elected a member of the Board
oi 1 ounty Commissioners of Cook County, to fill the vacancy
caused by the resignation of lion. Charles Hitchcock. Mr. Bogue
filled out that term, which expired in December, 1874, serving as
chairman of the Finance Committee, and also as a member of the
Building Committee. During his term of office, the Criminal
Court and County Jail Building, the County Hospital, and addi-
tions to the Insane Asylum were erected. At the general election,
in November, 1874, he was elected a member of the lower house of
the Illinois Legislature, from the Second Senatorial District, and
served that session. In February, 1877, Mr. Bogue was appointed,
by Governor Culiom, a member of the railroad and warehouse
commission for the State of Illinois, which he held until he re-
signed, in March, 1S83. He was then appointed arbitrator of the
Western Railroad Pool of the Southwestern Railway Association.
He is now permanent arbitrator of the North-Western Traffic As-
sociation and of the Central Iowa Traffic Association, which com-
prises the following railroads: Chicago & Alton, Chicago, Burling-
ton & Quincy, Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, Chicago & North-
Western, Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, Chicago, St. Paul,
Minneapolis & Omaha, Hannibal & St. Joseph, Kansas City, St.
Joe & Council Bluffs, Minneapolis & St. Louis, Missouri Pacific,
Rock Island & Peoria, and Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific. In dis-
charging the responsible duties of his position as arbitrator, and
in making his awards, which involve vast sums of money, Mr. Bogue
has shown distinguished fitness for the position, and his connection
with the real-estate trade of Chicago marks him as one of the most
prominent and successful men in that line of business. Besides
these interests, which have called him into active service, his position
in the numerous offices of honor and trust have reflected the greatest
credit upon himself and gave the fullest satisfaction to his constitu-
ency. His public career has been marked by a faithful and con-
scientious discharge of his duties. Mr. Bogue was married, on
January 26, 1871, at Hyde Park, to Miss Catharine M. VanDoren,
daughter of A. B. VanDoren. They have had four children, two of
whom are dead — Gertrude, born in March, 1872, and George, born
in October, 1874, died in infancy. The two children now living are
FYanklin Ackerman and Ruth VanDoren. Mr. Bogue is a member
of the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, and has been one of its
trustees since 1864. He is a Republican in politics.
Samuel Straus (deceased) was an early and very popular
German resident of Chicago. He was born in Kirchheimbolanden,
Rheinpfaltz, Bavaria, January 22, 1823, coming to Chicago, direct
from his native town, in June, 1853. In 1854, he removed to
Milwaukee, but returned within a year, and became a conveyancer
in the office of Greenbaum Brothers, the bankers, who were also
born in the Rheinpfaltz. Mr. Straus, however was not content
to work for others, and, therefore, in 1857, started out inde-
pendently in the real-estate business and the practice of law.
In this line he continued with decided success up to the time of his
death, on July 8, 1878. Although influential in local politics, Mr.
Straus never aspired to office himself, but whatever work of this
nature was accomplished, he turned to the advantage of his
friends. At the time of his death he had acquired a large and lu-
crative business, but left little property. A widow and six children
mourn his decease. Sarah, the oldest, is the wife of Samuel Des-
pres, the lawyer. Simeon Straus succeeded to his father's practice,
and is able and prosperous. Emanuel, Joseph, Julia and Carrie
are the remaining four children.
Elias Greenebaum was born on June 24, 1832, at Epples-
heim, in the Grand Duchy of Darmstadt, near Frankfort-on-the-
Main. He was educated in Rhenish Bavaria, leaving school at the
age of sixteen. He first entered a dry goods establishment in his
native place, as clerk, where he remained about two and a half
years, and then entered his father's employment. In 1847, he
landed in New York, and from thence he went to Stark County,
Ohio, where he remained a few months, being employed as a clerk,
and came to Chicago in 1S48. From that year until 1S54, he was
engaged in mercantile pursuits, and his first earnings were invested
in Chicago real estate, and continued thereafter to put all his sav-
ings into that investment. He was for a year bookkeeper in the
bank of R. K. Swift. From May, 1856, to May, 1857, he was
school agent for the City of Chicago, and rendered valuable ser-
vices to the corporation in that capacity. In January, 1S55, he
went into the banking and real-estate loan business. In March,
1852, he was married to Miss Rosine Straus, by whom he has had
four children — Henry Everett and Moses Ernst, who are how asso-
ciated with him in business; Emma, who is now the wife of N. S.
Gutman, a tobacconist of this city; and James E., the youngest, is
in the scientific department of Yale College. Mr. Greenebaum be-
longs to the Congregation of Sinai, which he helped to found in
T861. He and his sons are members of the Citizens' Association,
and of the Chicago Humane Society, in which Mr. Greenebaum
takes great interest.
Benjamin Franklin Jacobs, one of our real-estate dealers, at
No. 99 Washington Street, whose remarkable career as a Sunday-
school worker has given him a world wide reputation, was born in
Paterson, N. J., September 18, 1834, the son of Charles P. and
Eliza (Pelton) Jacobs. After leaving school, he clerked in his father's
store for some years, until October 21, 1853, when became to Chi-
cago, and began life for himself, clerking. In 1861, he began busi-
ness on his own account in South Water Street, in the grocery,
produce and commission business. He was successful and laid up
money till the great fire, when everything was burned. His losses
were very heavy, and in some particulars peculiarly aggravating.
In 1869, he had begun to deal in real estate, educating his brothers
meanwhile in the grocery and produce business, intending to put
REAL ESTATE INTERESTS.
579
them into possession of it, and confine himself strictly to real es-
tate. In common with other businessmen he pushed improvements
of his real estate. The panic of 1873, found him deep in these
plans, and busy improving vacant property, laying out new subur-
ban towns, etc., with all the energy of his nature. These, reverses
and decline in values carried away more than the fire had left.
But with increased resolution he began again, and his success in
many undertakings in his line prove his energy, unimpeachable in-
tegrity, and skill in business transactions. Mr. Jacobs is one of
those men whose business career, although successful and honorable,
is but a cypher when compared with their whole life's work. As
one of the principal organizers and active members of the Chicago
Young Men's Christian Association his reputation stands high in
this city, and, linked with that of D. L. Moody and others, has
been carried to all parts of the world. As secretary of the North-
western Branch of the U. S. Christian Commission his indefatigable
labors have rendered his name honored wherever the noble work of
that body is known. And as a tireless, original, and successful Sun-
day-school worker his reputation is not only national, but world-
wide. His Sunday-school record begins with his connection with
the First Baptist Church the first Sunday in October, 1S54, one
year after he came to Chicago, when twenty years of age. He re-
mained connected with that Church until 1S81, when he united
with others to form Immanuel Baptist Church, of which Rev. Dr.
Lorimer is pastor. After two years' service in the First Baptist
Church-school as scholar and teacher he was chosen superintendent
of the Mission School attached to the Church, September 29, 1S56,
the first Baptist Mission Sunday-school, and the third mission of
any kind in the city. This he managed with extraordinary skill
and success for eight years ; at the end of which time he took charge
of the Sunday school of the First Church, a school which became
famous throughout this country. This school and Bible class be-
came a training school for teachers and officers, and over fifty of
its members went into the ministry. On the organization of the
Immanuel Baptist Church in 1S81, he took charge of its school,
which office he still retains. Mr. Jacobs's exceptional skill in organ-
izing and conducting Sunday schools, and his long experience in
that field, prepared him to put in motion and push to final success
the present uniform lesson system. It is impossible to recount
here the unparalleled labors performed by Mr. Jacobs in bringing
his thought to the practical acceptance of the religious world, nor
the various steps even of its progress to its present complete
triumph ; but we must content ourselves with quoting the testimony
of Dr. Eggleston (who was for a long time opposed to the idea) as
to the real authorship of the plan : " For the sake of history, let us
here record that our sanguine friend, Mr. B. F. Jacobs, who sells
produce on South Water Street, who is superintendent of the First
Baptist Sunday-school on Wabash Avenue, who is the originator
and generalissino of the United States Sunday-school Army, and
who writes lessons for the Standard, makes live Western speeches
in Conventions, and does more besides than we can begin to re-
count, is the father of the idea of a national uniformity of lessons."
After many delays and opposition, the plan was formally adopted
at the National Sunday School Convention, held at Indianapolis,
April 16-ig, 1S72, and a seven year series of national uniform lessons
were sketched by a committee of five ministers and an equal number
of laymen, and published to the world. At the International Sun-
dav-school Convention of the United States and British America
Provinces, held in Toronto, Ont., in 1S81, he was elected chairman
of the International Executive Committee, and at the Louisville
Convention in 1S84, was re-elected for three years. Mr. Jacobs's
connection with the Young Men's Christian Association of Chicago,
and his position on its Army Committee, which became the North-
western Branch of the United States Christian Commission during
the War, prove him one of the most earnest and useful men in the
city, and constitute one of the most important and interesting
chapters of his life. There is no doubt that his earnest support of
Mr. Moody and his plans, contributes much to the success of the
Young Men's Christian Association in this city. During the dark-
est days of the War, from 1S63 to 1S64, he was president of the
Association, and found ample field for the exercise of his unbounded
energy and executive skill. He was at the same time secretary of
its War Committee, and discharged the duties of both positions until
compelled by the increasing labors of the latter position to surrender
those of the former. Next to Mr. Moody and Mr. Farwell. the
Association is indebted to the labors of Mr. Jacobs for the ownership
of Farwell Hall. He was one of the original trustees of the prop-
erty and secretary of the board. While Mr. Moody was president
of the Association, Mr. Jacobs was, with Mr. Farwell, vice-presi-
dent and a member of the finance committee, and, as such, was able
to second Mr. Moody's energetic efforts, so that upon the occasion
of its eighth anniversary, the committee was able to present a sub-
scription to the building fund of the new Hall of $101,000. During
the last of May 1861, D. I.. Moody and B. F. Jacobs began a series
of religious meetings with the soldiers at Camp Douglas. As a result,
the Army Committee was formed by the addition of J. Y. Farwell
as chairman and Tuthill King, Mr. Jacobs becoming its secretary,
Ik- was also a most valuable member of the Northwestern Branch
of the Christian Commission. Mr. Jacobs was married, \pril 16,
1S54, to Miss Frances M., daughter of Dr. John Eddy, a prominent
physician of Naperville, DuPage Co., 111., but a native of Roches-
ter, N. Y.
Franklin Hatheway was born at Rome, N. Y., July 12,
1818. Joshua Hatheway, the uncle of Franklin, was one of the
pioneers of Milwaukee. He went there, in 1834, when there
were few others besides Solomon Juneau and George II. Walker.
Franklin Hatheway was educated at the Classical Sohool of Rome,
where many other prominent men of Chicago and the West re-
ceived their education. In the fall of 1835, Mr. Hatheway came
West to assist his uncle, Joshua, in the survey of the extreme
southeastern portion of the State of Wisconsin. Mr. Hatheway
still has a map, partly made by himself, of that portion of the State-
lying south and east of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, before there
were settlements or counties in the whole region, except at a few
points, such as Milwaukee, Green Bay, etc. Early in the fall of
1836, he returned home and was engaged on the survey of the
Genesee Valley Canal until winter, which he spent at home in
charge of the post-office as deputy-postmaster. In the spring of
1S37, he returned to Milwaukee, via Green Bay. While at the lat-
ter place he fell in with James Duane Doty, afterward governor of
the State, and was engaged by him to survey the site for the capi-
tal. The first territorial Legislature of Wisconsin met at Dubuque
in 1S34-35, and had located the capital at Fourth Lake, naming it
Madison. Two official county surveyors has successively tried to
lay out the new city, but, owing to strong local attraction, produced
by the presence of large quantities of bog-iron ore, had failed, and
given it up. The job had been let, the ground selected for the Capi-
tol, and'eontractors, men and material, were largely on the ground.
With the confidence of youth Mr. Hathewaj — only about nineteen
— promised to do the job or ask no pay. His journey from Green
Bay was begun on horseback, but on reaching the settlement of
the Stockbridge Indians he found the animal disabled, and had to
complete his journey on foot. Hiring a couple of young Indians
to carry his baggage, he tramped the whole distance through an
unbroken wilderness by way of Portage ; the vast solitude being
unbroken except by two white families, one at Wrightown and one
on the site of the city of Fond du Lac. His efforts to layout the
city met with no better success than had those of his predecessors,
and he was on the point of giving it up, when a hint from an un-
known traveler, who stopped at the only hotel for the night, enabled
him to overcome the difficulties of the situation, and he completed
the work. On the return trip to Green Bay he was taken sick, and,
declining an offer from Governor Doty to survey and plat some land
for him across the lake from Madison, he returned to Rome. Re-
covering soon after, he joined a corps of engineers and helped to
survey the Utica & Syracuse Railway — afterward a section of the
New York Central — and rode into Syracuse on the first train after
its completion, August I, 183S. He then assisted in the survey of
the Syracuse & Oswego Railroad through a heavily-timbered and
wild country, making maps, plans, profiles and estimates of the
route, completing the work in six weeks. This was considered at
the time the most expeditious feat of engineering on record. About
the middle of February, 1S40, he joined a corps of engineers in
charge of Charles B. Stuart — afterward surveyor-general of the State
of New York — and went to work on the line of the New York &
Erie Railway. They had the central division from Binghamton
to Hornellsville, with headquarters at Owego. While on this work
he got leave of absence, and, going to the city of Hudson, was
married August 20, 1S40, to Miss Sarah A. Gilbert, daughter of
William S. Gilbert, with whom he had been acquainted from the
age of fifteen. He met her at Rome when she was fourteen years
old and he fifteen, and they had kept up an acquaintance and cor-
respondence until they were married. She bore him three sons —
William, George and Frank C. The latter is now engaged in the
office of the Chicago Steel Works. After a wedding-trip home,
the young couple settled in Owego, and Mr. Hatheway returned
to his work. About this time the management began to run short
of money, and, foreseeing the failure of the enterprise, he aban-
doned it in January, 1S41, and again returned to Rome. As he
anticipated, the enterprise lay dormant for some years. In the
spring of 1S43, by invitation of his uncle, Joshua he joined him
in Milwaukee and became a partner in his real estate and
business. In the fall of 1S45, business getting dull, he went with
his wife and child to Cleveland. Ohio, where he was bookkeeper
for the Merchants' Bank of Cleveland, and for a few months, for
Patrick Anderson— until the spring of 1847. He then received an
invitation by letter from William 1'.. Ogden, to enter his office as
confidential clerk and cashier. He accepted the situation and came
to Chicago May 1. 1^47. lie remained in the real-estate office of
Ogden, Sheldon & Co. for the long period of twenty-two years,
5 So
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
with the exception of one year spent at Green Bay, in 1S59 In
the spring of 1S69, he closed his long connection with the firm and
opened a real-estate office on his own account. In the spring of
iS5_i, he became secretary and treasurer of the Mutual Trust Com-
pany. On December 24, 1S79, his wife died, and on January 12,
1SS1, he was united in marriage to Miss Clara A. Graham, of Dixon,
111. Mr. Hatheway is a prominent member of the Episcopal
Church. He was for some years senior warden of the Church of
our Savior. He was previously a member of St. James' Church, of
which he was for a time a vestryman. He is an active temperance
worker, and has helped to organize nearly all the earlier lodges and
divisions of the Sons of Temperance. He was a charter member
and presiding officer of the Mariners' Division of the Sons of
Temperance ; helped to organize the first lodge of Templars ; was
a charter member, presiding officer; and for some years deputy of
the Radiant Temple of Honor, and a charter and life member of
the Washingtonian Home Association.
Sylvester Lind, one of the earliest settlers of Chicago, was
born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on November 22, 1S07. He be-
gan life as a carpenter in the employ of Lord Aberdeen, who was
at one time Prime Minister of England, for whom he worked five
before coming to America. He had friends who came to Chicago in
advance, and, inspired by their letters, he came to this city in
June, 1S37. The first work he found was naturally in the line of
his trade; and for some years he was a carpenter and joiner, and
did his part in building up the young city. About 1S40, he began
to handle lumber in a small way, his lumber-yard occupying the
ground upon which he afterward erected the Lind Block, on the
corner of Randolph and Market streets. He owned his own mills
at Green Bay, Wis., and also two lumber vessels to transport his
lumber to his yards in Chicago. While his business was small,
Mr. Lind was for a few years in the employ of George Smith, the
veteran banker, and for about three years acted as his bank mes-
senger between Milwaukee, Chicago and Michigan City. He
traveled on horseback, and carried bank bills — often to the amount
of $50,000 — padded in a corset which he wore under his ciothing
next to his bodv. After a time, however, he feared that some who
noticed his intimacy at the bank might suspect the nature of his
journeys; and lest his fortune might turn out ill, he decided to
abandon it, and content himself with his lumber business. On
November 6, 1S46, Mr. Lind married Miss Eliza O. Thomas, a
native of New Vork, and has had four children, of whom one
daughter alone survives. When the War opened, it found Mr.
Lind a man of large property, but its dark days closed down upon
him like a pall. His money was all of the wild-cat order, for the
country then had no other, and bank after bank failed; $30,000 in
wild-cat money proved valueless on his hands, $16,000 in good, six
per cent. Milwaukee bonds brought him only $160. His valuable
Lind Block was sacrificed, and all the rest of his property went the
same way. With just as much zeal and faith as at the first, Mr. Lind
went about repairing his broken fortunes, and by the time of the
great fire, he had gathered another fortune. The fire did not spare
him, but took all he had. He was a director of one of our home
fire insurance companies, and a heavy stockholder, and that was all
wiped out with the company. His buildings were burned, and,
directly and indirectly, nearly everything was sacrificed. He turned
his attention entirely to the management and sale of real estate,
and has diligently followed that business ever since. On first com-
ing to Chicago, Mr. Lind united with the only Presbyterian Church
in the city, and is still a member of the old First Presbyterian
Church, on Indiana Avenue. He has often been put forward by
his friends for various offices, but, except in few cases, has declined
to serve. Besides holding other positions of trust, he was at one
time Water Commissioner for the city. He resides in Lake Forest,
and was mayor of that corporation for nine years, resigning in
April, 1884.
Colonel Edward Herrick Castle was born August 5,
1811, in Amenia, Dutchess Co., N. Y., the son of William and Ab-
igail (Hurd) Castle. He remained at home until he was about ten
years old, and attended school in the vicinity. He entered Court-
land Academy in 1826, and remained a student there two years, after
which he entered the office of Samuel Perkins, a prominent lawyer of
Courtland County, with whom he studied two years, at the end
of which time he returned home and worked on his father's farm
two or three years. He then engaged in business for himself, at
Carbondale, Luzerne Co., Penn , where, in 1833, he formed a part-
nership with Stephen Clark, under the firm name of Clark & Cas-
tle, dealing in general merchandise, anil very extensively in coal.
After some time, Mr. Castle purchased his partner's interest, and
conducted the business in his own name. In 1839, a fire destroyed
his store and all its contents; but having, in 1S38, sent a stock of
good* to a brother in Joliet, III., and owning an interest in the
business, he determined to try his fortunes in the West. He ar-
rived in Chicago May 1, 1839, sold his interest in Joliet, with the
proceeds of which he purchased a stock of goods and opened a
store in this city. He occupied the first brick store built as far
west as the corner of Lake and Wells streets. Besides doing a
general merchandise business, Mr. Castle dealt largely in wheat,
buying and shipping in one year one hundred thousand bushels.
He was engaged for several years in steamboating on the Missis-
sippi, at one time sailing the steamer " Alonzo Child." In 1849,
influenced by the rumors of gold discoveries on the Pacific coast,
he determined to see the country for himself. He made the voyage
by way of Panama, from which port, upon the invitation of the
sailing master, he commanded the " Unicorn " to San Francisco,
arriving there in due season. Instead of going into the mines, as
was his original design, he opened a hotel in San Francisco, naming
it the Illinois Hotel, and a store in Sacramento. He also plied a
steamer, the " Eldorado," between these two cities, charging a fare
of twenty dollars, and sometimes had two hundred passengers. In
1S51, he disposed of his interests in California and returned to
Chicago. Soon after reaching here, he was appointed general
western agent for the New York & Erie Railroad, and served in
that capacity about four years. During this time he assisted in es-
tablishing a line of propellers between Dunkirk and Chicago, and
in building the first line of railroad into the city. He then formed
a partnership with Lewis W. Clark, opened an office at No. 100
Randolph Street, and engaged in buying and selling real estate.
After closing out this business, he went to Missouri and obtained
the contract for building the Mississippi & Missouri Air Line, the
price for building and equipping the road to be $7,000,000. After
having built about forty-five miles of the road, the War of the Re-
bellion broke out. The rebels attacked his party, drove off his
oxen and horses, and took possession of all kinds of supplies. He
immediately went to St. Louis to see General Fremont, who, with-
out any solicitation, appointed him on his staff with the rank of
colonel, and placed him in charge of the railroads in the North-
west. In this position he proved himself very efficient, and by
connecting the various railroads entering St. Louis, which were of
the same gauge, enabled the Government to save largely in time
and money in the transportation of troops and supplies. He also
established what were known as the " Castle rates," for the trans-
portation of forage and general government stores. At the. siege
of Vicksburg, he furnished General Grant with twenty-eight thou-
sand tons of ice. He organized the famous Railroad Regiment of
Missouri, for service on railroads, building bridges and making gen-
eral repairs. He was transferred with General Fremont to Virginia,
where his duties comprised the transportation and putting down of
pontoon bridges, and on this account he soon became known among
the soldiers as "Colonel Pontoon." After five years of faithful
service in the Union army, he returned to the peaceful vocations of
life, both houses of Congress joining in a letter of thanks for his
valuable services in the War, his conduct while thus engaged having
been also approved by Abraham Lincoln, who had already shown
his appreciation of Colonel Castle by appointing him chief engin-
eer of the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1S65, he re engaged in the
real estate business in Chicago, and has met with steady prosperity
ever since, his son, Charles W. , being connected with him, in the
firm of Edward H. Castle & Co., with office in Castle's Block.
Colonel Castle has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for
about forty years, and a Master Mason about thirty years, and has
contributed liberally to the cause He has been an Odd F'ellow
most of the time from 1835. He is a member of the Park Avenue
Methodist ripiscopal Church. He was married January 1, 1S35,
to Miss Caroline F. Johnson, who died in 1847, leaving three sons
and a daughter — Charles W. ; Louise, now the wife of Colonel A.
J. Greenfield, mayor of Oil City, Penn.; EphraimJ.and Edward M.
Colonel Castle was married, in 1848, to Miss Emeline Bennett, a
quaker lady of Pennsylvania, and an intimate friend of his former
wife. By this wife he has two children — Emma and William.
Royal Alexander Blaine Mills was one of Chicago's
early settlers. He was born in the town of North East, Erie Co.,
Penn., October 7, 182 1. The only educational advantages afforded
him were those of the common school in his native county. At the
age of twenty-one years, he determined to try his fortunes in the
West, and selected Chicago as his starting point. Shortly after
reaching here, in 1843, he had the opportunity to secure tempo-
rary employment in the service of the engineer department of the
army, and was engaged for one year on the Government pier at
Racine, Wis. Returning to Chicago in 1855, he began his mer-
cantile career with Jones & Co., dealers in Yankee notions, and
drove a peddling wagon for that concern through Illinois and the
western part of Indiana. During the three years he was so occu-
pied, he exhibited such energy and talent that, at the expiration of
that period, he was taken into the firm as a partner. Their interests
rapidly expanded, and, about 1850, the firm was re-organized under
the name and style of John R. Mills & Co., the business being
wholesale dry goods and notions. It is worthy of note that John
R. Mills and his brothers, though bearing the same surname with
the subject of this sketch, were in no way related to him. The
REAL ESTATE INTERESTS.
58i
place of business was first on South Water Street, and, later, on the
corner of Lake and Dearborn streets. In the panic of 1S57, the
house went under. After that time, and until his death, January
25, 18S2, Mr. Mills was engaged in the real-estate business in
Chicago, though, during the last eight years of his life, he was
compelled to delegate matters to others about him, inasmuch as
during all that trying period he was confined to his bed, a great
sufferer. Mr. Mills was married, on November 23, 1852, to Miss
Eliza Anne Neely, of Mooreheadville, Erie Co., Penn. His widow
survives him, and still lives at No. 3152 Vernon Avenue. There are
four children living — Frederick Neely, who is in the employ of the
Hazard Powder Company and a member of the Board of Trade ;
James Marcellus, who is engaged at the Union National Bank ;
Jennie Matilda and Katharine Louise.
Adolph Loeb & Bro., real - estate and loan brokers, are of
Israelitish extraction and of German birth and education. Adolph,
the senior member of the firm, was born near the city of Worms,
October 11, 1838. He is the eldest of the family, was educated at
Heidelberg University, and came to Chicago in the summer of
1853. He was but a boy of fourteen, with not a relative in the
city ; yet he had the courage to become the pioneer of the family
to the New World, and braved alone the perils of the long journey.
His first employment was in a real estate office, where he exhibited
a natural aptitude for the business and rapidly acquired an under-
standing of its details and a skill in carrying it on, unusual in one
so young, and which encouraged him, in 1857, to open an office for
himself as a real-estate broker. After he had become fairly estab-
lished, his parents, with the remaining members of the family,
came over toward the close of the year following. He prospered
from the start, took his brother, William, into his employment as
soon as he was old enough to be useful, and, after he returned
from the War, made him his partner in 1866. On June 20, 1869,
he married Miss Johanna Mannheimer, daughter of the late Dr.
Mannheimer. by whom he has had seven children — Esther, Ber-
tha, Jacob, Leonore, Ludwig, Eva and Gertrude. In 1882, Mr.
Loeb, for the sake of his health, found it necessary to take a
rest from business, and spent four months in Europe, visiting the
principal countries on the continent. He derived so much benefit
from the change, that he repeated the trip in 1883, and has been
able to devote himself, without relaxation, to business ever since.
He is one of the earliest members of the Sinai Congregation of this
city, and a most devout adherent of Reformed Judaism. He is a
member of nearly every useful and benevolent association of the
city, and contributes liberally to them all. He belongs to the
Citizens' Association, Citizens' League, Relief and Aid Society,
Illinois Humane Society, Charity Organization Society, and many
others of like character.
John Gunzenhauser, real-estate and loan agent, was born at
Geislingen, a town of Wurtemberg, Germany, July 4, 1833, the
son of David and Ursula (Spaeth) Gunzenhauser. In May, 1854,
John Gunzenhauser emigrated from his native country to the
United States, with the view of improving his worldly condition.
He remained nearly a year in Troy, N. Y.. and then came to Chi-
cago in April, 1855, where he engaged in business as architect and
builder, to which profession and trade he had been educated in his
native country. In 1859, he entered the real estate office of Sig-
mund Meyers, at No. 421 South Canal Street. Mr. Gunzenhauser
worked for Mr. Meyers as clerk, and at the same time carried on
his own profession of architect for some six months, changing his
location when Mr. Meyers retired. Mr. Gunzenhauser then con-
ducted the real-estate business on his own account, in connection
with his profession, until i860. Since that time he has been en-
gaged alone in the business of real estate, renting, and negotiating
loans, Mr. Gunzenhauser became acquainted with the First Chris-
tian Church in 1869, and became a member in 1872. In 1S77, he
bought the church property at the corner of Indiana Avenue and
Twenty-fifth Street, since which time that society has enjoyed its
use free of rent, and have a contract from Mr. Gunzenhauser, by
which they can purchase it at any time. Mr. Gunzenhauser was
married, the first time, in i860, and on October 22, 1868, was mar-
ried to Miss Magdalena Groll. By the first marriage, he has one
child, Emma Ursula, and by the second, five children — John, Mag-
dalena, William, Clara and George Washington, all of whom are
living.
Edward McConnell was one of Chicago's earliest real-es-
tate investors, and one of the first among those who were real-es-
tate holders at the time of the civic incorporation. He was born in
Dublin, Ireland, en December 29. 1S05, and landed in Montreal,
Canada, in the summer of 1823. After traveling in Canada, and
the Northern and Eastern States, he took passage from Detroit,
Mich , on the " Marshal Ney," bound to Fort Dearborn, with pro-
visions for the garrison. A compagnon de voyage with Mr. Mc-
Connell, was Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard, who came on board at
Mackinac. In August, 1830 he reached Chicago, and put up at
Miller's Tavern, in the forks of the Chicago River. After stop-
ping in this city for a short time, he removed to Springfield, and
became connected with the Land Office. He look part 111 the
Black Hawk War. In 1836, he returned to Chicago, and became
chief clerk for F. I >. Taylor, receiver of the Chicago Land Office.
From 1845 to 1856, he resided on the original homestead, 1 n 1 In-
comer of Twenty-second Street and the South Branch, ami from
1856 to 1S63, he resided on the West Side, in the vicinity of Mon-
roe Street, subsequent to which he resided at Lake View. In 1S44,
he married Miss Charlotte McGlashan, a daughter of one of Chi-
cago's early settlers. He was one of the earliest members of the
St. James' Episcopal Church, and was a gentleman of good educa-
tion, of retiring disposition, although abounding in the proverbial
hospitality of an " old country squire" ; upright in all his transac-
tions, universally admired and honored. He died on May 11,
1878, leaving his wife and three sons surviving him — John Mc-
Connell, George McConnell and Benjamin F.
George McConnell handles only his own property, and has
been a member of the real-estate interests of Chicago, in this ca-
pacity, since 1875. During Mr. McConnell's tenancy of the Land
Office, he purchased large quantities of property, and some of the
original property that was purchased by his father in 1 836, for ten
shillings an acre on the South Branch, near Twenty-second-street
bridge, is still owned by the McConnell brothers. In 1844, por-
tions of the property were sold at $500 an acre; in 1S63, about an
acre sold for $10,000; between 1863 and 1867, it was subdivided,
and portions were sold as lots (that were back-lots) at the rate of
$6,000 an acre, and in July, 1884, a little less than an acre was
sold for $46,000, or at the rate of about $50,000 an acre.
McConnell Brothers. — This firm was established in 1881,
and comprises J. and B. F. McConnell. They do a real-estate
and loan business, and handle their own property, as well as that
of their clients, and make a specialty of Lake View real estate. In
that suburb the firm has made three subdivisions, in one of which
the original tract was purchased in 1881, at about $3,000 an acre,
and lots in the subdivision sold, in 1884, for about $700; in an-
other subdivision, the original tract of which cost only $2,500 an
acre in 1881, lots will average $1,500 and $1,600 in 1884. John
McConnell is a member of the Chicago Real Estate and Renting
Association.
Thomas & Putnam. — The real-estate firm of Thomas & Put-
nam comprises Benjamin W. Thomas and Joseph R. Putnam, and
was the result of their union of business interests on January 1,
1881. Mr. Thomas has been prominently identified with the real
estate interests of the city, as owner and agent, since 1S58; and
Mr. Putnam has been therein since 1873. The firm do a general
real-estate business, and make a specialty of South Side business
and residence property. Mr. Thomas was born at Stafford, Gene-
see Co., N. Y., came to Chicago a young man in August, 1S41,
and engaged in the general merchandise business with Alexander
Loyd, under the firm name of Loyd & Thomas, in which he con-
tinued for three years. The firm then closed out their business,
and Mr. Thomas embarked in the lumber trade as B. W. Thomas
& Co., in which he remained until 1S58. Mr. Thomas, during his
various business connections in this city, has rendered himself
commercially conspicuous by two characteristics : his minute integ-
rity— if such a term be permissable as descriptive of one who is
just to the smallest particular — and his inflexible promptitude in
business intrusted to his care. He is an active an influential mem-
ber of the Chicago Academy of Sciences and of the State Microsco-
pical Society, and is an ardent student of the science of micros-
copy, as well as of other sciences and arts. Mr. Thomas was
married in Chicago, October 5. 1S48, to Miss Augusta A. Wilcox,
daughter of Rev. Jairus Wilcox, the first Bethel chaplain in this
city.
Enos Slosson, dealer in real estate and mortgages, was born in
Newark Valley, Tioga Co., N. Y., in 1817. Having completed a
course of law, he practiced his profession for a time, and then re-
moved to Jones County, Iowa, in 1S57, to take charge of real-
estate interests belonging to his family in that State. In the year
1859, he came to Chicago, and engaged in mercantile pursuits,
having connected himself with the firm of Sterns & Forsyth,
wholesale grocers. He was subsequently, for a short time, agent
for Howe's Scales, and in 1862, he began business in real estate,
as a general speculator. He was thus actively engaged until the
year 1880, when he turned over his entire extensive business to his
son-in-law, Frank A. Henshaw. Mr. Slosson is a member of the
Masonic fraternity and the I.O.O.F. in this city. He was married
to Miss Ellen Hoyt, of Kiagston, Penn., a relative of ex-Governor
Hoyt, and has had five children — Mary, the wife of Frank A.
Henshaw; Sarah; Ella, wife of Dr. Wiliis, a practicing physician
of this city; Carrie, deceased; and William Slosson, secretary of
Hale's Elevator Company. The family of Mr. Slosson is among
the oldest on the American continent. His grandfather, at the
commencement of the American Revolution, enlisted as a private
soldier, but his merit speedily met with recognition, and he was
sSi
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
promoted to the rank of captain, and assigned to duty with his com-
mand under General George Washington, he being at one time a
member of that general's body-guard. After the war, he removed
to Tioga Countv, X. V.. where lie established a settlement, and
named it Berkshire, in honor of his old home in Massachusetts.
The father of Mr. Slosson — Enos Slosson — was a colonel in the
War of l3l2, and, in 1S1S, founded the town of Lawrenceville,
I'enn. The patriotism of the family is perpetuated in the present
Enos Slosson. At the outbreak of the War he subscribed for the
very first issue of the bonds made by the United States, and re-
tained them until they were called in.
HENRY H. Walker. — Chicago has been very prolific in men
whose speculative ability excited wondering comment and the pro-
jection of whose schemes seemed impracticable — men whose ideas
seemed incapable of fruition simply from their magnitude. That
was in years gone by; for in the present the mind has become so
habituated to vast operations, and the discussion of interests in-
volving millions, that a project looking to the acquisition of Can-
ada and parcelling it out into sub-divisions and additions, would
only excite comment as to its financial aspect and its libration to-
ward profit or loss. Among those who in their day were the aston-
ishment and cynosure of their compeers, Samuel J. Walker was a
prominent man in the real-estate fraternity. Dealing in acres and
sections, he inaugurated improvements that, to-dav, are among the
beauties of Chicago, to enhance the selling value of the prop-
erty thus handled, and constantly transforming barren, undesirable
property into eligible residence and business locations. Interested
with his brother in many of his projects, although not in partner-
ship with him, Henry II. Walker commenced the real-estate busi-
ness in i363 ; and since that date has been intimately identified
with that branch of the city's interests, having not alone
learned the value of certain investments, but, from some experi-
ences of Samuel J.Walker's, also learned what investments to avoid.
Pursuing thus the golden mean of investment, Henry H. Walker
has been very successful, and is the proprietor of large and valua-
ble tracts of property, both in his own fee and in trust for others.
Among them are dock property, and the property of which Mr.
Walker makes a specialty, namely, that suitable for manufacturing
sites and for factories.
SAMUEL I. Walker was born January 9, 1S27. near Dayton,
Campbell Co , Ky. Early in life he evinced a greuc aptitude for
commercial transactions, and, when he was but seventeen years of
age, his father started him in the wholesale and retail grocery busi-
ness, at Covington, Ky , which he made a success, as he did of the
wholesale and retail dry goods business, in which he embarked some
years later. The Chicago Tribune thus recites his commercial and
business career : "He abandoned the dry goods business to be-
come the treasurer and bond agent of the Kentucky Central Rail-
road, and, as such, negotiated the bonds, and, he claimed, practi-
cally built the road, before he was twenty-five years old. He was a
member of the City Council of Covington, by the time he was
twenty-one years old. It was in Chicago, however, that he dis-
played the greatest ability and carried on the largest speculations.
His business relations with this city date as far back as 1853 ; that
is to say, he began about that time to visit it and make investments
in real estate. After 1S61, his business kept him here nearly all the
time, and, in 1S72, he removed his family to Chicago, and has made
it his home ever since. He was constantly buying and selling, but
the amount of real estate that he owned in 1873 was astoniSring.
It was said to be no less than fifteen hundred acres inside the city
limits, and to comprise ail of Canalport Avenue, and most of Ash-
land Avenue from Madison Street to Twelfth Street. It is sup-
posed that if it had been sold just before Jay Cooke's failure, it
would have brought $12,000,000 to $15, 000,000." He projected a
vast system of improvements, intended to connect all his property
and greatly enhance its value. One of the boldest was the transfor-
mation of what is now Ashland Avenue, but was Reuben Street until
he had the name changed. He widened it, made the lots two hun-
dred feet deep, planted $30,000 worth of trees along the sidewalks,
interspersed them with large rustic flower-vases, filled with choice
and paved the roadway. His plans were boldly and wisely
laid, but the panic slowly overthrew them, and his immense for-
tune disappeared like a vapor. The property was incumbered, and
eventually sunk in value fifty per cent., and, after hoping against
hope for five years, he was compelled, in 1S78, to forego his scheme.
Iter died on April 15, 1884. lie was married on October
7. 1858, to Miss Amanda Morehead, daughter of Governor Charles
S. Morehead, of Kentucky.
South Branch Dock Company. — Reference to
Mr. Walker's investments brings to mind a company in
which he was much interested — not financially, however
ISe its projects and the execution thereof excited
his admiration ; this is the South Branch Dock Com-
pany, an association of capitalists who purchased large
tracts of land in the region now known as the lumber
district, and, by making slips and docking the property,
made a valuable and remunerative district of what had
been simply property that might be valuable because of
its river frontage. The company was incorporated on
February 19, 1859, and has, since its organization, been
the primal factor in the development and improvement
of the lumber district; and the shareholders of the
company, also, have been by no means dissatisfied with
the results of their investments, since Hon. Roswell B.
Mason has been the president, and to whose perspicacity
and business acumen the company are largely indebted
for their financial success.
Joseph H. Andrews was born in Milan, Erie Co., Ohio, and
received his early education in the common schools of his native
place. His father, Ebenezer Andrews, was a graduate of Vale
College in the class of 1S17, and in his later years held the position
of probate judge of Erie County. At an early age, Mr. Andrews
entered Vale, and graduated with the class of 1859, receiving in due
course the titles of B.A. and M.A. Leaving Vale, he entered the
Law School of the Cincinnati College, graduating from that insti-
tution in 1S60, with the title of LLIi., and was admitted to the
Ohio liar. Leaving his native State, he went to New Vork City,
and, entering the office of Speir & Nash, at No. 11 1 Broadway, re-
mained nearly two years, during which time he was admitted to
the Bar of New Vork by the Supreme Court of that State. In the
latter part of 1S62, Mr. Andrews came to Chicago, and, although
educated for a professional career, has preferred to follow commer-
cial business, in which line he has been successful, as buildings in
Chicago bearing his name will testify. He has never sought pub-
licity, and holds in highest esteem his Alma Mater, Yale College.
Since his residence in Illinois, he has become a member of the State
Bar and of the Chicago Board of Trade. Mr. Andrews is also a
charter member of the Calumet Club of this city.
D. Henry Sheldon was born on March 12, 1S30, and is the
youngest child of Caleb and Mary (TefTt) Sheldon. He was early
thrown upon his resources, as his father, by a distressing casualty,
was somewhat incapacitated for business and the financial crisis of
1837 left him without means. At fifteen, D. Henry undertook to
educate and support himself. He resided with his uncle, Dr. Cor-
liss, collected his accounts, took care of his horses, at all hours of
the day and night, and in other ways, provided for his boarding,
clothing, tuition and books. While attending the academy at
Union Village, one of his schoolmates was his pastor's son, Chester
A. Arthur, ex-president of the United States. At seventeen, he be-
came a clerk in a general store, but he threw up his situation at the
end of his trial month, and embarked in business on his own
account. In iSag, he commenced selecting and developing lands
on the shores of Lake Michigan. On the death of his father, he
turned over his accumulations for the use of others in the family,
and started again empty-handed. He was married, March 12, 1854,
to Miss Augusta Searle, daughter of Rev. David Searle, and
granddaughter of Hon. James McCall, all of New Vork State. In
a short time he passed an examination and entered the sophomore
class of the University of Rochester, where he was brought under
the influence of President M. B. Anderson, LL.D. He graduated
from the University in 1857, with the degree of Bachelor of
Science. Having prepared himself for civil engineering, he went
upon the St. Paul, Minnesota & Pacific Railroad survey, under
Colonel Dale, and soon rose to a position next to that of the
Colonel's. The panic of 1S57, stopped the work, and Mr. Sheldon
retired to St. Louis, where he became a dealer in real estate.
While in the University, he discovered the workings of, and the
necessity for, the beneficiary system, whereby a timely loan would
save many a promising young man. He therefore, having funds at
his command, lent money on small interest, without security, to
those whom it was believed would be thereby benefited. Most of
the borrowers are now eminent, and not one dollar of either princi-
pal or interest has been lost. In 1S59, ne made a will, bequeathing
$10,000 to a Baptist Theological Seminary for the Northwest,
probably to be near Chicago, although he did not know that such
an institution was yet contemplated here. In 1S61, he removed to
Chicago, and became one of the most efficient of the founders of
the Baptist Theological Seminary, afterward at Morgan Park. He
was sixteen years a member of the board of trustees and of the
executive committee. Mr. Sheldon executed his own will, by paying
over his bequest largely augmented, and also his loan fund, to this
institution in its early days. In all his beneficiary work he has
been aided and inspired by his estimable wife. In 1867, he made
his home in Kenwood, where he now resides, being still occupied
REAL ESTATE INTERESTS.
5«3
in the care of his large and valuable real-estate interests. Mr. and
Mrs. Sheldon's only child — Verna Evangeline — graduated with
honor from Wellesley College in June, 1885.
Joseph E. Otis was born in Erie County, Ohio, on April 30,
1S30, the son of Joseph and Nancy (Billings) Otis. He received a
thorough academic education at Milan and Norfolk, Ohio ; and, in
1851, was appointed postmaster of his native town, a position he
held four years. Mr. Otis then became cashier of the bank of An-
drews & Otis, at Milan, and soon after partner with Judge Andrews
in the business. The bank prospered; and it was there Mr. Otis
gained that knowledge of the financial and commercial world,
which proved so valuable to him in after life. In 1859, however,
the vicissitudes of the banking transactions threw into the hands of
the firm two large grain-carrying vessels, and, in order to control
them to advantage, it became necessary to close up the business in
Ohio, and remove to Chicago, which was done in i860, the bank,
established in 1855, being closed the same year. In 1861 the War
commenced, and business was for a time seriously depressed, but
even then Andrews & Otis, through their commercial tact, made
money. In 1S63, Mr. Andrews died, and, in the settlement of the
firm's affairs, the vessels were sold, and Mr. Otis commenced to in-
vest in Chicago real estate, generally purchasing vacant property
and improving it, especially favoring transactions in central busi-
ness property. In 186S, Mr. Otis, in connection with several
prominent citizens of Chicago — among whom were Matthew Laflin,
John V. Farwell, P. Willard and James Woodworth — organized
the Chicago Fire Insurance Company, under the laws of the State
of Illinois, with a paid up capital of $100,000. Mr. Otis was
chosen president of the board of directors and of the institution, by
a unanimous vote of the stockholders, and held that position with
credit for three years. In the spring of 1870 he was elected a mem-
ber of the Board of Aldermen for the Second Ward, and served on
the Finance Committee and the Committee on Streets and Alleys in
the South Division during his term of two years. In the fall of
1S71, Mr. Otis visited the principal cities of the Pacific Coast, and
made extended trips in Utah and California, visiting the Yoesmite
and other places of interest, returning to Chicago prior to the fire.
In 1S73, he made an extended tour through Cuba and thoroughly
investigated the diversified industries of that famous island. In
i8S4, he visited the City of Mexico. During all these years of Mr.
Otis's sojourn in this city, he was constantly investing in real es-
tate, improving it, and selling or leasing it, as might be most ex-
pedient. These investments were very profitable, as a natural
result of his correct estimate of present and prospective values, and
he now stands among the most conservative and wealthy of Chi-
cago's real-estate owners. In politics he is a Republican but is not
partisan ; he is liberal, although uncompromising, in his antagonism
to ring-rule and trickery, and is therefore a very serviceable member
of the Citizens' Association. On May 3, 1859, Mr. Otis was mar-
ried to Miss Marie, the daughter of Judge S. F. Taylor, of Milan,
Ohio, by whom he has five children living — Mary T., Joseph E.,
Jr., Ralph C, Florence and Pauline. In June, 1SS1, tie took his
wife and eldest daughter through the principal countries of Europe,
visiting England, Ireland and Scotland, and, sailing up the Rhine,
they made a tour through Switzerland. They then traversed the St.
Gothard Pass and visited Paris, going thence to Italy and the cities
of Milan, Venice and Florence. They returned via the Mont Cenis
tunnel to Paris. In 18S4, they made a more extended and unusual
tour, passing from London to Paris and thence, by way of Lyons,
Marseilles and Genoa, to Rome. After ten days in the Eternal
City they visited Naples, and other places of interest in Italy, and
thence to the Grecian Archipelago, spending some time in Athens
and Corinth, and then up the Dardanelles to Constantinople, crossing
into Asia Minor ; thence by way of Varna, on the Black Sea, to
Bucharest, where they visited the scenes of the struggle between
the great contestants of the Russo-Turkish War ; thence by steamer
they proceeded up the Danube to Buda-Pesth, Vienna, Berlin, Am-
sterdam, London, reaching home in October. Mr. Otis was made
a Master Mason in Ohio in 1856, and is also a member of the Cal-
umet Club of this city.
F. A. Bragg is a veteran in the real-estate business. From
1853 to 1S59, he was superintendent of assessments, in which latter
year the Board of Public Works was appointed, and to this body
were delegated the duties formerly performed by him. He then
engaged in the real-estate business, for which his duties as assessor
had especially qualified him, remaining therein until the breaking
out of the War, when he enlisted in the 6th Missouri Infantry Vol-
unteers. He was commissioned first lieutenant in May, 1S61,
captain in August, 1861, and major in April, 1865. He was in
command of the regiment during every fight it went into, and com-
manded a brigade during his service with the regiment on Sher-
man's march to the sea. He was mustered out in August, 1S65.
At the time of the breaking out of the War, he had the charge of
the Fire Department of Chicago as first assistant marshal, under U.
P. Harris. He was also foreman of " No. I," for fourteen years,
under the old volunteer organization. In 1S65, Mr Bragg re-en-
tered the real-estate business in this city, with which he has been
connected ever since that date. Mr. Bragg was born in Otsego
County, N. Y., in 1S29. He came to Chicago in July, 1851, and
was deputy city clerk under H. W. Zimmerman. He has been for
a long time prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, and
was one of the original members of the Chicago Real Estate Board,
also one of the first members and promoters of the Chicago Stock
Board. Mr. Bragg was likewise one of the first members of the
Chicago Light Guard.
Campbell Bros. & Co. — The real-estate firm of Campbell
Bros. & Co. is composed of James L. Campbell, Frank W. Camp-
bell and John W. Brooks. The firm was first established in 1S66,
by the two brothers now associated in the business, and continued
until in January, 1884, when John W. Brooks was made a partner,
and the present firm thus constituted. In the early existence of the
firm, the efforts of the Campbell Brothers were extended toward an
independent dealing in realty; from the outset until the present time
they have handled only their own lands, their first transactions be-
ing the purchase and sale of acre property in subdivisions. So en-
ergetically did they push their business, that in early days they sold
lots on unlimited time, requiring no payment prior to occupancy,
allowing purchasers who would erect houses a liberal period in
which to make their payments. In 1S68, they began building two-
story houses, and frugal clerks and mechanics availed themselves of
their liberal terms of sale. The field of their operations lies toward
the southwest part of the city, where an avenue bears their
name, and many tasteful cottages and a number of fine residences
testify to their public spirit and individual enterprise. Since being
in business, the aggregate number of dwelling houses erected by
them will closely approach five hundred, two hundred of which
were built during the last three years.
James L. Campbell, the senior member of the firm of (amp-
bell Bros. & Co., was born in Caledonia, N. Y., May 19, 1831, the
son of William and Hannah (Ladd) Campbell. He received his
early education in his native village, coming to Chicago in 1850.
Later, he was employed on a farm near Elgin, 111. In 1S56, he
went to Fayette County, Iowa, where he attended the Upper Iowa
University for three years, and, during the following three years,
taught school in that county. In the meantime, he had studied
law, and was admitted to the Bar of Iowa, at West Union, in 1862.
He subsequently returned to Chicago, and became a student at the
Union College of Law, graduating from that institution in 1S66.
He established himself as a practicing attorney in this city, doing
a limited real-estate business in connection with his law practice.
His real-estate-business proving the most lucrative, he abandoned
the law practice in 1S6S, and since that time has devoted himself
exclusively to real estate transactions. He was married, July 19,
1859, to Miss Sophronia R. Crosby, daughter of Rev. J. W. Crosby,
of Iowa. They have had one son, Frank F., who died January 5, 1SS3.
Mr. Campbell is a member of Blair Lodge, No. 393, A. F. & A. M.
In November, 1S69, he was elected as a city councilman, on the
Republican ticket, serving two years. In 1873, he was again
accorded that honor, and, in 18S4, was again elected to serve his
third term, being at present (18S5) an incumbent of that position.
In 1870, he was elected to represent his district in the Legislature,
serving as a member of the first session of that body under the
new Constitution. While in the Legislature, he made his public
service a matter of historic record, drawing and introducing the
bill which gave to the city of Chicago the present highly satisfactory
form of conducting the Bridewell, making that institution more
than self-supporting, instead of being a burden to the city, as it had
been under the previous management.
Frank IV. Campbell, a member of the firm of Campbell Bros.
& Co., was born at Scottsville, Monroe Co., N.Y., August 25, 1843,
the son of William and Hannah (Ladd) Campbell. When but a
child he went with his parents to Elgin. III., where he first attended
school, remaining there until the age of fourteen, when he came to
Chicago and entered the public schools as a pupil, subsequently
graduating from Bryant & Stratton's College in 1S63. Meanwhile,
during his vacations, he had learned the jeweler's trade with his
brother, Mark Campbell, who was established at No. 81 Clark
Street. For three years after leaving college, he worked in his
brother's jewelry establishment, after which he became a partner in
the present existing firm. He was married, February 7, 1S72, to
Miss Laura F. Remington, of Chicago. They have three children
— Frank O., Ellen D. and A. Blanche. Mr. Campbell is a mem-
ber of William B. Warren Lodge, No. 209, A. F. & A. M.
John IV. Brooks, the junior member of the real-estate firm
of Campbell Bros. & Co., was born at Woodstock, Oxford Co.,
Maine, Julv 25, 1S41, the son of William and Lydia M. (Russell)
Brooks. He received his early education in the common schools of
Oxford County, and, at the age of sixteen, entered the academy at
Norway, Maine, graduating from that institution three years later.
Soon after leaving school he entered into partnership with C. H.
5 «4
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Howe, and established a store at West Paris, Maine, carrying a
general stock. After conducting his business successfully for three
years, he sold his interest to his partner, and then went to Portland,
Maine, where he engaged as a salesman in a wholesale notion house.
In the great fire in Portland, in 1S66, his employers were burnt
out, and he was obliged to seek occupation elsewhere. He went to
Boston, and engaged as a traveling salesman with Simpson & Cot-
ter's wholesale notion house, where he remained two years, coming
to Chicago at the expiration of that time. Arriving in this city in
1S6S, he was employed by several small firms dealing in notions
until 1S69, when he accepted a position with Field, Leiter & Co.,
remaining with that firm nine years, and was one of the first sales-
men ever put on the road by that company, then in its infancy.
Leaving the employ of Field, Leiter & Co., for the next five years
he engaged as a traveling salesman for the Warner Brothers' corset
house, of New York City, which position he filled with great satisfac-
tion to his employers, making unprecedented sales, and disposing of
the greatest amount of their goods ever sold by any one salesman in
a single year. On January 1, 1SS4, he was admitted to partnership
in the firm of Campbell, Bros. & Co., and is now associated with
them in business. He was married, January 11, 1872. to Miss U.
Blanche Peabody, of Winona, Minn., who died January 29, 1S83.
William M. Hoyt is one of the primeval settlers of our city,
having arrived here during 1S36. He commenced to invest in real
estate immediately upon his arrival, and still continues in the busi-
ness, and, therefore, may justly lay claim to the title of one of the
oldest real-estate men in Chicago. He established himself in busi-
ness in 1S54. Mr. Hoyt was associated with L. W. Stone, but
this was only a brief episode in his forty-eight years of business
experience. During 1S67, Mr. Hoyt took his son, J. Q. Hoyt, into.
partnership with him, and since that date the responsibility of the
active part of the work has devolved upon the younger member of
the firm.
Rudolph Wehrli, another early settler, was born within
one-half mile of the city of Aran, in the Canton Aargau, Switzer-
land, on January 31, 1819. He went to New Orleans, La., in
1S39. After remaining there six weeks and not finding the city to
his liking, he moved to St. Louis, where he remained seventeen
months. From there he came to Chicago, arriving here on August
3, 1S41, and entered the employ of Clybourne & Hovey, who kept
the Boston Market, on the corner of Lake and Wells streets. After
remaining with them one year, he commenced business for himself
— a meat and provision market — on the east side of LaSalle Street,
and about eighty feet south of Lake, where he remained five years.
During this period Mr. Wehrli, in 1S45, purchased his first piece
of real estate in Chicago, which he still owns, eighty feet on La-
Salle Street, between Lake and Randolph streets, now numbered
46 and 48, for which he paid $400. He then, in 1848, went into
the State-street market, between Randolph and Lake, and which
had the old number 15 on State Street, where he remained ten
years. He then moved his meat market to Nos. 60 and 62 Wash-
ington Street — which property he had purchased in 1850, and paid
$2,150 for forty feet by one hundred and eighty feet, and which is
now worth about $3,000 a foot — and here Mr. Wehrli stayed until
the fire of 1S71. After the fire, he opened a market on the north
side of Hubbard Court, east of State Street, where he remained for
about two years, and then sold out and retired from the active busi-
ness life he had pursued for thirty-three years. Mr. Wehrli now
enjoys his well-earned leisure at his beautiful home on Thirty-sev-
enth Street, in the midst of his cultivated family. His interests
comprise some of the choicest property in the city, and the atten-
tion Mr. Wehrli bestows upon them gives occupation necessary to
a man of his active mind. Mr. Wehrli married, in 1846, Chris-
tiana Schneider, and has the following children: Emeline L., Mena
C, Rudolph G. , Albert C, Laura C. and Ada M. His family
■^
attend the Lutheran Church, of which they are influential and use-
ful adherents. As will be perceived by reference to Vol. 1 of this
work, pp. 284-05, Mr. Wehrli was a member, first of Swift's Hus-
sars, as cornet, and subsequently of the 60th Regimental Staff, as
adjutant. Mr. Wehrli recalls, with a great deal of amusement, an
encounter he and " Long John" had. Mr. Wentworth's office and
Mr. Wehrli's barn were adjoining one another, and, to reach his
barn, Mr. Wehrli had to cross the sidewalk; this gave umbrage to
Mr. Wentworth, who warned him to desist, but Mr. Wehrli did
not. " Long John " had him arrested, and Mr. Wehrli was fined
$1 ; after which vindication of the law affecting the sanctity of
sidewalks, Mr. Wentworth was perfectly satisfied — and Mr. Wehrli
rode over the sidewalk unmolested. This occurred at his first resi-
dence, near Jackson Hall.
F. B. Peabody & Co. — There are many of Chicago's real-
estate houses the mention of whose name suggests solidity, security
and good faith, and prominent among such is that of Francis B.
Peabody & Co. This house was established in 1866, as Gallup &
Peabody, comprising Benjamin E. Gallup and Francis B. Peabody,
and did a general business in real estate, loans and investments.
In 1S75, this firm was dissolved, and since that date the present
house has had the title of Francis B. Peabody & Co., and has un-
dertaken to do but very little real-estate business in the ordinary
sense of buyingand selling, being almost exclusively engaged in the
mortgage-loaning branch of the business. The transactions of this
firm have been very large, distinguished, however, not alone for
volume, but also for their conservative character. Mr. Peabody
was born at Milford, N. H., in 1827, and, after pursuing his
English and classical studies for some time, graduated at Trinity
College, Hartford, Conn , in 1S4S. He then determined on study-
ing law, and commenced with Franklin Pierce — subsequently presi-
dent of the United States — and his partner, Judge Josiah Minor.,
at Concord, N. H., in whose office he continued for over a year,
and was for sometime afterward at Hillsborough, N. H., where he
completed his studies. He commenced practicing law at Hills-
borough, in 1850, and continued until 1852. In the fall of 1852,
he moved to Concord, N. H., and formed a co-partnership with
Nathaniel B. Baker, afterward governor of New Hampshire, with
whom he was associated until the year 1S55, during which year he
formed a co-partnership with William E. Chandler, afterward sec-
retary of the navy, under the firm name of Peabody & Chandler.
In the spring of 1857, this partnership was dissolved, and Mr.
Peabody removed to Chicago in March of that year; after which he
was severally associated with Judge Walter B. Scates — compiler of
Treat, Scates & Blackwell's Statutes, — Judge William K. McAllis-
ter and John N. Jewett, in the practice of law, for about two years.
He then formed a partnership with Judge Alfred W. Arrington, and
practiced with him during 1859-60, dissolving that partnership in
i860. From that year until 1S66, he was without any partner,
when he became associated with Mr. Gallup. One interesting
fact in connection with the firm of Gallup & Peabody is, that the
demands made by their clients for loans and mortgage investments
so exclusively occupied their time, that they were compelled to re-
linquish their law practice, which they did about 1870.
Schrader Brothers, the well known real-estate firm, have
been associated in this business since 1865. By their long and va-
ried experience they are peculiarly fitted for the position they main-
tain as reliable dealers in all descriptions of Chicago real estate.
Their caution, integrity and foresight have brought them hosts of
clients, and among them large numbers of thrifty Germans.
William L. Schrader, the elder of the brothers, was born in
the Province of Schaumburg Hessen, Germany, in June, 1832.
He was educated there for the civil service, but, after receiving his
education, changed his plan of life, and emigrated to the United
States in 1854. In October of that year, he located in Chicago,
and was for some time engaged in the grocery trade. In 1S55, he
embarked in the real-estate business, and, in 1863, returned to Ger-
many, where he was married to Miss Augusta Keysser. They
have five children, all born in Chicago.
Frederick Schrader was born in Germany, June 13, 1838, and
after finishing his education, learned the business of an apothecary.
He emigrated from his native country to Chicago, in October,
1854. For some time after arriving in Chicago, he was employed
in the drug business, but, in 1S65, became associated in the real-
estate business with his brother, William L. He was married in
Rochester, N. Y., in 1866, to Miss Mary Miller, by whom he has
one daughter.
Schumacher & Lauer. — The firm of
Schumacher & Lauer comprises Charles F.
Schumacher, Jr., and Nicholas A. Lauer, and
was established in 1S78. They conduct a real
estate, loan and insurance agency, and, although
established but six years, they have already se-
cured a large proportion of the West Side
patronage in these various branches. They are
agents for the Agricultural Insurance Company, of Watertown,
N. Y., and for the New Hampshire Insurance Company, of Man-
chester, N. H., and carry a large and constantly increasing line of
prominent West Side risks.
Charles F. Schumacher, Jr. , was born in Chicago, September,
1852, and is the son of Godfrey Schumacher, who settled here in
that year. He has been engaged with Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett
& Co., for the past twenty-seven years. He was educated in the
public schools of Chicago, and began his business career, shortly
after the lire, in real estate, loans and insurance, being associated
with his uncle, C. F. Schumacher, until in 1877.
Nicholas A. Lauer was born in the old Fort Dearborn,
REAL ESTATE INTERESTS.
535
Chicago, on January 19, 1S51, and is the son of Casper and
Eva Lauer. His father was the first policeman in Chicago who
lost his life in the discharge of his duty, September IS, 1854 ; and
his mother is still living in the city. He was educated at the Jes-
uit school, since changed to St. Ignatius College, and completed his
studies at St. Xavier's College, at Cincinnati. He commenced busi-
ness with Chase Brothers, abstract makers, and afterward occupied
the position of deputy record-writer in the Superior Court, for nine
years, and, at the expiration of that time, in 1878, went into part-
nership with Charles F. Schumacher, Jr., in the real-estate, loan
and insurance business. He was married, at Chicago, in 1874,
to Miss Elizabeth P. Reis, daughter of Peter Reis, and has seven
children — Eva, Laura, Clara, Josie, Frederick, Grace and Florence.
His parents, as well as his wife's, came to Chicago prior to 1S35.
Henry M. Sherwood has been a resident of Chicago since
1S58, and is one of her best-known and thoroughly-respected citi-
zens. He comes from Westport, Fairfield Co., Conn. His father
was Charles E. Sherwood, and his mother Anna Beam. They had
eight children, of whom Henry was the eldest, born on December
19, 1S31. He spent his early life at school during winter and at
work during the summer, and at eighteen began teaching in a dis-
trict school. For about eight years he taught, attending the Nor-
mal School, at intervals, until he came West in April, 1S58. Soon
after reaching Chicago, he became a member of the Holbrook
School Apparatus Manufacturing Company, chartered under the
laws of Connecticut, and then having offices at New York and Chi-
cago. He remained connected with this company until 1864, when
he sold out his interest, and engaged, on his own account, in the
school-furnishing business, which he prosecuted successfully until
February, 1873, when he disposed of the same, and entered upon
the real-estate business. In 1SS2, the Sherwood Company was
formed for the sale of school supplies. Of this company, H. M.
Sherwood is president, and in it he holds an interest, yet takes no
active part in the conduct »f its affairs. Although a Republican,
Mr. Sherwood has taken little active part in politics, except to do
what he could to secure the nomination and election of good men,
a much more inviting field presenting itself to him in other direc-
tions. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and has,
for many years, been active in advancing its interests, holding un-
interruptedly for twelve years the offices of trustee and treasurer.
Asa member of the Citizens' Association and the Citizens' League, he
has done much for the suppression of vice and the regulation and
mitigation of evils not to be entirely eradicated this side the millen-
nium. It is, however, in works of a benevolent character that Mr.
Sherwood principally delights and is most active. That compara-
tively new, but most admirable, method of dealing with the needy
— helping the helpless to help themselves — encouraging and aiding
the worthy poor, and detecting and exposing the frauds, which,
under the labors of Rev. S. Humphreys Gurteen, first took organ-
ized form and practical shape in this city, by the establishment of
" The Charity Organization Society of Chicago," at once enlisted
his hearty sympathy and warmest approval, as it did that of hun-
dreds of others here. Mr. Sherwood has taken an active part in
promoting its usefulness. He is also one of the directors of the
News Boys' Home, and is one of the board of manager of the Pres-
byterian Hospital. He is connected with the Chicago FVee Kin-
dergarten Association, and, as a temperance man, takes an active
interest in the Bands of Hope, Temperance Unions, and all simi-
lar societies that help to save the young from drunkenness, poverty
and disgrace. Mr. Sherwood is a member of several other organi-
zations, among them the Union League Club, the Presbyterian So-
cial Union, and the Chicago Historical Society. He was united in
marriage on September 14, 1859, to Miss Eliza H. Gray, of West-
port, Conn., by whom he has had five children — only one, a
daughter named Grace, surviving.
J. L. McKeever, although a comparatively young man, is
one who, by his enterprise and industry, has made a favorable and
successful mark in real-estate annals. He was among the first real-
estate dealers located after the great fire of 1871 in the burned dis-
trict, having engaged an office in Dr. Boone's Block, No. 133 La-
Salle Street, from the advance plans. This was the first large
building fully occupied in the burned district. Mr. McKeever,
after mature deliberation, located his home in the woods, now the
corner of Forty-first Street and Langley Avenue, thus becoming
the pioneer of that locality; and to his settlement and the impetus
given to that section, by the improvements inaugurated and carried
out by him, the early influx of residents into that locality is due.
Mr. McKeever cut the trees down and opened Forty-first Street
from Langley Avenue to Grand Boulevard, at his own expense,
trusting to be repaid by the property owners benefited. He intro-
duced water and gas on Forty-first Street and Bowen Avenue; and,
in consequence of his efforts, the large nine-foot sewer was started
on the former thoroughfare. In fact, to credit Mr. McKeever with
being the nucleus around which clustered the pleasant, flourishing
suburban residences of his vicinity, is only doing him simplest jus-
tice. When he went to the locality designated as his residence, he
purchased two hundred feet on Forty-first Street, at $40 a foot,
which, in a very brief time, advanced to (100 a foot, in conse-
quence of the improvements made by him. Subsequent to the
panic, the property depreciated sixty per cent., but it has again ad-
vanced, until it is now again worth Juki a foot. To his courage
and confidence in the future is due the first brick improvements on
Bowen Avenue, between Langley and Vincennes avenues, and also
numerous similar improvements on Forty-first Street. At the time
he built these houses, the street was not even grubbed, and conse-
quently his friends derided his visionary provisions for residents
who would never reside in that vicinity. Mr. McKeever also pre-
dicted, in the near future, the running of passenger trains on the
Union Stock-Yards railroad track, and the erection of a station at
Fortieth Street and Langley Avenue. He still continues the good
work that he began thirteen years ago, and his faith in the advance
of values and future improvements is shown by the substantial and
elegant buildings that have been, and are still being erected in that
neighborhood by him. Mr. McKeever, in November, 1871, mar-
ried Miss Mary A. Buell, of Holley, N. Y., and his son, Buell Mc-
Keever, was the first child born on Forty-first Street.
J. C. Magill & Co. do a general real estate commission busi-
ness, buying, selling, renting, collecting, paying taxes, negotiating
loans, managing property for non-residents, etc. They have a large
and increasing business in all lines, visiting all parts of the country
in the interests of their clients. They make a specialty of local in-
vestments, renting business and residence property, buying and
selling improved and unimproved Chicago fealty, on commission,
and building and selling flats and other houses. They are agents
for many capitalists in Canada, Cincinnati, New York, Boston and
elsewhere, and manage a large amount of realty for non-residents. '
Among other property in their charge are the following well-known
flats: Mentone, Calumet, Talbott, Hyde, Mara, Streeter, Tucker,
etc. They also give special attention to making investments for
non-residents, for which their knowledge and experience give
them important advantages, both borrowers and capitalists finding
most favorable opportunities through this house. They are noted
for successfully conducting transactions of great magnitude, and
for having placed some of the heaviest mortgage loans in the
West. Thev handle a large amount of improved and unimproved
farm lands, and the demand for their aid in real-estate negotiations
extends into New England and Canada, where they have effected
some important sales and purchases. The strict rule of this house
is to secure the best investments, rents, etc., identifying their
client's interests with their own, and attending to all business in-
trusted to them in a conscientious and thorough manner. Long
experience, careful judgment and high standing, have given
Messrs. Magill & Co. a commanding position among all interested
in real-estate transactions, and their opinion is constantly solicited
in all matters involving real-estate values, and they are constantly
called upon to testify in legal proceedings affecting the most im-
portant real-estate interests.
Jacob C. Magill was born in Buffalo, N. Y., May 27, 1S46.
He came to Chicago with his father's family on July 3, 1854, and
received his education in the public schools. On January 1, 1S63,
he entered the employ of Webster & Baxter, doing a commission
business on the Board of Trade, and remained with them
until after the great fire of 1S71. In 1S72, he began to put up
houses for himself, and, in the following January, opened a real-
estate office. During the summer, he entered into a co-partnership
with H. C. Morey, which continued until 1S75, when it was dis-
solved by mutual consent. In 1SS1, S. Wilder was admitted to the
firm, having previously been connected with the house for several
years, and having spent his business life in real-estate connections.
In May, 1S64, after being with Webster & Baxter a year, Mr.
Magill enlisted in Co. "D," 134th Illinois Yolunteer Infantry for
a short term of service, and, after seeing some pretty active times
in Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri — chasing Price in the latter
State, or being chased by him — this regiment was mustered out
and honorably discharged, in November, 1S64. On April 29, 1873,
soon after starting in the real-estate business, he was united in
marriage to Miss Helen S. Stearns, a Chicago lady, but a native of
Albanv, N. Y., by whom he has had three children — George G.,
born February 18, 1874 ; Charles S., born April 10, 1S75 : and
Helen S., born August 10, 1S76.
Joseph Smith Reynolds son of Isaac N. and Rue Ann
(Holderman) Reynolds, was born in New Lenox, Will Co.. 111.,
December 3, 1839. Both his parents were natives of Ohio. Until
he was seventeen years of age he attended the district school, com-
ing to Chicago in September, 1S56. Here he was educated at the
public schools, graduating from the High School in July, 1861.
In August of that year, in company with Fred W. Matteson and
Oliver II. Payne, he recruited for the Yates' Sharp-shooters, known
in war annals as the 64th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
For three years and six months he served with the Army of the
5§6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Tennessee receiving, during that period, five promotions from the
governor of his State and two from the War Department. He
was with Sherman from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and to the sea;
thence through the Carolinas to Washington, where he was present
at the grand review. He was in command of the 64th Regiment
from Atlanta through Georgia, having been promoted to a cap-
taincy for gallantry at Corinth, Miss., where he was severely
wounded. He was mustered out of the service in July, 1865, his
rank of brigadier-general having been granted him for services in
the field at the battle of Bentonville. After leaving the service, he
commenced the study of law in the office of Scates. Bates & Tows-
lee, graduating from the law department of the Chicago University
in July, 1S66. He at once formed a partnership with S. D.
Phelps, and the new firm commenced practice as Reynolds &
Phelps. John C. Richberg became associated with him in 1S69,
but since 1S74, he has been alone. Of late he has become inter-
ested in real-estate matters, being associated in a legal and business
capacity with S. E. Gross. General Reynolds was elected a mem-
ber of the Illinois Legislature in 1S67, and re elected in the fall of
1S69. He was appointed a member of the Board of Education in
May, 1870, and was sent to the Legislature again in the fall of
1872, as a Senator from the First Senatorial District. As the com-
missioner to the Vienna Exposition for the State of Illinois, he
sailed for Europe in May, 1S73, returning to this country in
December. In July, 1S75, ne was appointed by the governor one
of the board of commissioners to locate the State Institute for the
Education of Feeble-Minded Children. General Reynolds became a
member of the G. A..R. in 1S67, and, at its grand encampment,
held in Chicago, in May, 1S75, was elected senior vice commander-
in-chief of that order for the United States. In 1S76, he was re-
elected, and is at present, by virtue of his former positions, a life
member of the National and Department Encampments, besides
being connected with the Thomas Post, No. 7, of Chicago. Since
1S72, he has been a member of the Knights of Pythias, being
elected grand chancellor in 1S76. General Reynolds was married
January 31, 1877, to Mattie A. Carey, daughter of George W.
Carey, of Chicago. They have one son, Joseph Sheridan, born Jan-
uary 23, 1S7S.
Benjamin Lovering Pease, eldest son of Noah and Betsey
M. Pease, was born at Meredith, N. II., on November 4, 1834.
After receiving such education as the common schools afforded, he
completed his preparation for college at the New Hampton Institu-
tion, and then attended Dartmouth College, from which institution
he graduated in the class of 1859. Immediately after his gradua-
tion, he was chosen principal of the Gilford Academy, N. H., and
subsequently occupied the same position in the Academy of Wolf-
borough, N. H. During this period he commenced the study of
the law, which he continued in the office of Daniel M. Christie, of
Dover, N. II., and afterward with Eastman & Cross, at Manches-
ter, N. II., being admitted to the Bar at the latter city, in Febru-
ary, 1S64, directly after which he came to Chicago, and was admit-
ted to the Illinois Bar in November, 1S64, since which time he has
resided in this city. In 1S66, he commenced, as a specialty, the
examination and the perfecting of titles to real estate, also of mak-
ing loans on realty. His proficiency as a conveyancer, and his thor-
ough knowledge of real estate law, gave him superior advantages
for the safe and profitable investment of capital in Chicago, which
were speedily recognized by the public. In this business, involv-
ing, as it does, shrewdness, legal acumen and integrity, he has been
successful in an eminent degree. After a trial of eighteen years,
through all the mutations of fire, panic and financial disaster and
depression, his record stands unblemished, and his character as a
fiduciary agent irreproachable, thus maintaining the high commer-
cial and persona! standard Mr. Pease has occupied since his advent
into business circles. Amidst his numerous clients for whom he
loans money are several savings institutions, and among those for
whom he acts as financial agent, in the making of loans and in
the purchase and sale of real estate, are numerous Eastern and
Western capitalists who have thus sought, and found, a reliable
and trustworthy means of profitably investing their surplus capital.
JOSEPH DONNERSBERGER was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in
1843, was educated and first went into business there. From 1S64
, be was clerk in the office of Samuel A. Sargent & Co., real-
estate dealers. In the latter year the firm went out of business,
and Mr. Sargent went West. Mr. Donnersberger then conducted
the business two years on his own account, becoming interested in
lands on the Illinois Central Railroad. In the meantime he had
formed the acquaintance of Adam Smith, and was by him persuaded
to come to Chicago. Accordingly he moved to this city in 1870,
and immediately established himself in the real-estate business in
connection with Mr. Smith, who soon afterward began to build up
Brighton Park, forming the Brighton Cotton Mill Compay in 1871.
The investor > in this enterprise were Adam Smith, who contributed
originally sixty acres of land valued at one thousand dollars an
acre, and paid in $25,000 toward the building; Ray & 1 oates,
$10,000 ; John McCaffery, $10,000 ; and Joseph Donnersberger,
$5,000. A portion of the land was divided into lots, and sold by
Mr. Donnersberger to those desiring to establish homes. In this
way Mr. Smith was reimbursed for his investment of the land, and
the residue of the land then became the property of the company.
During the years 1S74-75, Mr. Donnersberger and John McCaffery
were partners in the real-estate business under the firm name of
Donnersberger & Co. Since that time Mr. Donnersberger has
been alone, and has sold land for the largest owners thereof in
Brighton Park, — Nathan Corwith, Byron L. Smith, Charles Fargo
and Thomas Rutter, — besides dealing extensively in lots lying gen-
erally in the South and West divisions of the city. Previous to the
great fire Mr. Donnersberger's office was at No. 85 Dearborn
Street. Immediately afterward it was at No. 55 South Jefferson
Street, and as soon as the re-building of the city was sufficiently far
advanced, it was removed to the First National Bank Building,
then at the corner of State and Washington streets. In 1875 it was
removed to its present location. Since 1873, Mr Donnersberger
has been honored by his fellow-citizens with political preferment.
In that year he was elected collector for the town of Cicero, and in
1S74 he was chosen assessor of the town. ' In 1S76, he was elected
a member of the Board of Trustees of Cicero for four years, and
re-elected in 1S80. During both his terms of membership he served
as president of the board. In the fall of 1SS1, he was elected com-
missioner of Cook Countv from the Fourth Commissioner's District,
and on December 3, 1883, was elected president of the Board of
County Commissioners, which office he still holds.
THE ABSTRACT BUSINESS.
In intimate relation with the real-estate transactions
of Chicago stands the abstract business, which has
grown from an institution that was occasionally patron-
ized, into an adjunct of the Recorder's office, and is a
business whose existence is acknowledged to be indis-
pensable. The existence of the firms of Chase Broth-
ers, Shortall & Hoard and Jones & Sellers, and the
preservation to each firm of some of their records, en-
abled them, by consolidating their interests and putting
their books together, to form a complete chain of title
to the lands of Chicago and Cook County, which were
recognized as authority on titles by Eastern capitalists,
and on which they relied for loaning the millions of
money needed to re-build Chicago.
The business was inaugurated about the year 1849,
by Edward A. Rucker, of Chicago, who conceived the
idea of keeping the land records of Chicago and Cook
County by a method of single-entry bookkeeping, ren-
dered easy and practicable under the Government sys-
tem of division of land, then comparatively recently
adopted. By the new system, land was surveyed and
mapped into sections, towns and ranges in the States
and Territories west of the Ohio, thus avoiding the
metes and bounds of the old method of describing
land, a description by a single set of figures being sub-
stituted.
This first attempt of Mr. Rucker was made in com-
pany with James H. Rees, of Chicago, and the firm of
Rees & Rucker was established. In the course of time
a single set of indexes, less elaborate than those of a
subsequent period, was completed, and the profession
of making examinations of titles by their aid was fairly
inaugurated in Chicago, for the first time in the coun-
try— indeed, in the world.
The office of this firm was in the basement of the
old Court House, and one of their employes was Henry
W. Zimmerman, who had charge of the abstract busi-
ness. He was elected city clerk in the spring of 185 1,
and S. 1!. Chase took his position in the employ of Mr.
Rees, taking entire management of the abstract depart-
ment, and also making some important improvements
in the industries and in the general manner of keeping
the books.
Shortall & Hoard. — In the year 1852, J.Mason
REAL ESTATE INTERESTS.
587
Parker, formerly of Boston, commenced the preparation
of a new set of indexes to Chicago and Cook County
real estate, upon the basis of the Rucker principle. Mr.
Parker gathered about him gentlemen of skill in the
work, and with a large force continued the same, first
at his office, then at No. 86 Lake Street; afterward in
the Metropolitan Block, until the completion of the
books in the year 1856. Mr. Shortall, later of the firm
of Shortall & Hoard, joined Mr. Parker in 1854.
Soon after the completion of the indexes, Mr. Parker
sold the same to Thomas B. Bryan, of Chicago, who
disposed of a half interest therein to John Borden, and
subsequently re-purchased the same. During Mr.
Bryan's ownership, the indexes were leased to William
Wilmer Page, John G. Shortall and Henry H. Handy.
This was in 1856, and these gentlemen, under the firm
name of Page, Shortall & Co., began the business of
making abstracts of title under these indexes. The in-
terest of Mr. Page and Mr. Handy was subsequently
assigned to Mr. Shortall, who, thereafter, until 1858,
conducted the business under his own name. In the
year 1858, Mr. Bryan sold the indexes to Henry
Greenebaum, who associated with him Mr. Raphael
Guthmann, and continued the business under the firm
name of Greenebaum & Guthmann, Mr. Shortall con-
tinuing in charge of the office.
In March, i86r, at the breaking out of the War,
Mr. Shortall purchased the indexes from Mr. Greene-
haum, and the firm of Greenebaum & Guthmann ceased.
The business was then conducted by Mr. Shortall, under
the firm name of John G. Shortall & Co., comprised,
first, of Mr. Shortall and John N. Staples, and afterward,
on the ceasing of Mr. Staples's interest, of Mr. Shortall
and Henry Fuller.
In 1S64, a half interest in the indexes and property
was purchased by Louis D. Hoard, formerly clerk of
the circuit court and recorder of Cook County, and the
firm name was changed to that of Shortall & Hoard,
Mr. Fuller's remaining interest being purchased by Mr.
Shortall.
Henry Fuller, above mentioned, was a most accomplished
gentleman, and admirably adapted to the management of the busi-
ness office of the concern, having taken charge of it for many years,
both under the firm of Shortall & Hoard and of Handy, Simmons
& Co., of which latter he was a member. He was a fine musician,
and a supporter of all musical efforts in those days. He was for
many years organist of Trinity Church in this city. He died in
Chicago, in the year 1873.
The firm of Shortall & Hoard continued the busi-
ness up to the 1st of September, 1871, about a month
before the great fire, at which time they selected from
their force Mr. Handy, above mentioned, Francis Pasde-
loup, Mr. Fuller and Frederic H. Wait, four thoroughly
competent gentlemen, educated in the profession under
their own instruction, and committed the business and
care of the indexes and property to their charge, under
a lease, and commended them to the confidence of the
public.
The new firm (Handy, Pasdeloup & Co.) had a brief
existence, for the fire of 1871 terminated its career. It
was then deemed expedient that the control of the
abstract books should, at such a critical period, be
resumed by Shortall & Hoard, with whom the public
were familiar, and that they should continue the busi-
ness, at least until it should be proven, as it soon was,
that the private records, saved by the different firms
and afterward joined under one common ownership,
were a sufficient basis to establish and protect the titles
of the county.
John G. Shortall, eldest son of John Shortall, of Thurles,
and Charlotte Towson, of Kilmore, County of Dublin, was born in
the City of Dublin, September 20, 1838. When about six years of
age, his family removed to America, to join an elder branch of the
family, long before settled in New York. After the death of his
parents, the young lad was employed by the late Horace Greeley;
and about three of the most impressionable years of his lile were
passed in the editorial rooms of the New York Tribune, in daily
contact with men who moulded public opinion in those days —
Horace Greeley, Dana, Bayard Taylor, Ripley, Snow, Cleveland and
others. In 1S54, by the advice of Mr. Greeley (between whom and
his young employe the most cordial and friendly relations existed,
and continued to the end of his great, useful life), young Shortall,
like thousands of ambitious, energetic lads, followed the star that
guided so many westward, and, after a brief residence in Galena,
during which he, was engaged upon the survey, construction and
completion of that section of the Illinois Central Railroad between
Scales's Mound and Galena, returned to, and settled in Chicago.
After a few months of employment upon the Chicago Tribune, the
late J. Mason Parker, then engaged in the preparation of his real-
estate abstracts, offered Mr. Shortall a very favorable position upon
that work, which he accepted, and immediately entered upon the
study of his profession with Mr. Parker. Upon the completion of
these records, in 1856, Mr. Shortall, under a lease of the books,
commenced the business of making abstracts, or examinations of
title to real estate, which was then beginning to assume great import-
ance, and was among the first of our conveyancers to reduce the
details of that business to the perfect system it now is, whereby
security in the transferring of real estate could be guaranteed. In
1S71, the great fire swept over Chicago, and the almost invaluable
work of twenty years, the real estate records alluded to (then of
Shortall & Hoard), upon which their examinations of title were
based — the abstract books — were imperiled with the property they
had so long protected from other assaults. Mr. Shortall was alert
to the danger from the beginning, and, with the assistance of
gentlemen connected with his office, and other friends, succeeded
in rescuing these records, and removing them to a place of safety.
(The story of that rescue is graphically told in a volume, entitled
History of the Great Fire, published in 1S72.) In August, 1S72,
Mr. Shortall retired from the abstract business, and has since
devoted his time and energies chiefly to matters affecting the best
interests of the city, believing that a man's duty to his fellow-
citizens does not end with his retirement from active mercantile
pursuits. His public gratuitous services have been numerous and
continuous for twenty-five years. The Philharmonic Society of
Chicago called him to its directory in the old days of trial and
struggle of musical effort; he served many years as president of the
Beethoven Society; and he has been a constant and interested
patron of the fine arts. He is a writer of intelligence and force, and
his taste and ability have found frequent expression in the literary
columns of our newspapers and periodicals. In politics, conscien-
tious and thoroughly independent, the Municipal Reform Club,
that did such valuable service in its day, and the Citizens' Associa-
tion, attest in their records the value of his services, his judgment
and his energy. Free from all political aspirations, his acts are
not the cause of suspicion, and his bold denunciation of
public wrong and wrong-doers, his fearless championing
of right and justice and of what he believes to be for the
public good, would dispel from the mind of the most skep-
tical anv doubt as to his meaning. And in this readiness
to defend a principle, this purer patriotism, one recognizes
the hereditary traits that developed the soldier in his
only brother, Pierce, who, in the beginning of our Civil
War, shouldered his musket and marched to the front,
lay in the Chickahominy swamp and in the trenches,
with McClellan, before Richmond, was among the first
over the breastworks at Atlanta under Davis, marched
with Sherman to the sea, and finally, in the retreat before
Hood's advance in North Carolina, in the last fight of the
War, after nearly four years of active service, laid down his
life in the performance of what he believed to be his duty. Mr.
Shortall is entitled to the distinction of being a man of the
world, in the best sense. Broad anil liberal naturally, those traits
have been developed and emphasized by much travel and ob erva-
tion, in this and oilier countries, lie has made tours of Europe
three times, and has "many friends in mauy lands." In his posi-
58S
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
tion as president of the Illinois Humane Society, which he has
held for ten years, and still holds, Mr. Shortall has earned the
recognition and gratitude of the benevolent of our City and State.
Fifteen years ago, when the Society was organized, it was a small
and feeble, but earnest, group of enthusiasts, among which he stood
and served; now it is probably one of the strongest and most virile
forces of our social system, everywhere feared by the brutal and
blessed by the suffering. Some four years ago, Mr. Shortall urged
strongly the addition of the protection of children to that of
animals, which was adopted, after a spirited debate, and now the
stands in the foremost rank of the benevolent and un-
selfish organizations of the country. Mr. Shortall was last year
u>S4i elected president of the American Humane Association,
organized, in 1S77, at Cleveland, Ohio, upon a call made by him, as
president of the Illinois Society, for a union of the humane forces
of the country. He is also an honorary member of the Pennsyl-
vania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Mr. Short-
all was married, on September 5, 1S61, to Mary Dunham, eldest
daughter of John N. Staples, of Chicago, who died in August,
1SS0, after nineteen years of unselfish devotion to her husband, her
home, her child and her neighbors, beloved by all who knew her.
She left one surviving son, John Louis, born in 1865, now finish-
ing his education in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at
Boston. Mr. Shortall was called upon by the Board of Education, in
1SS0, to act as one of the board of appraisers of the real property
belonging to the school fund of Chicago, and was afterward
selected by Mayor Harrison to represent the city in the adjustment
of the leases of that estate. He was also selected, in 1S85, by the
Board of Education, to perform the same duty, a high compliment
to his knowledge, his impartiality and his integrity. In religion,
Mr. Shortall is an Episcopalian, and much attached to his
sectarian inheritance. He has been a member of Trinity and
Grace churches, in which latter, he is a pew-owner. Admiring
Professor Swing, the advanced liberal and eloquent pulpit orator,
he was one of the original guarantors and supporters of the move-
ment that resulted in the establishment of the Central Church, and
upon the services of which he is a constant attendant. In conclu-
sion, it may be justly said that in religion, in politics, in civil and
social life, Mr. Shortall is one of the best representative men in
the city he has made his home; and in comprehensive intellect,
business ability, keen judgment, and in the best social qualities,
he is the peer of any citizen of the great City of Chicago.
Louis de Villers Hoard was born in Antwerp, Jefferson
Co., N, Y., on April 10, 1824, the son of Silvius and Nancy Mary
(de Villers) Hoarc . He received his early education at Ogdens-
burg, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and at Brandon, Vt., and in the
spring of 1S36, came to Chicago with the family of the late Hon-
orable Samuel Hoard, arriving here on May 20. He then went to
the farm of Samuel Hoard at Wheeling, on the Desplaines River,
and lived there for some years. In October, 1843, Mr- Hoard was
appointed deputy clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County; and,
in 1S45, was appointed deputy clerk of the Cook County Court of
Common Pleas, when that court was created. Upon the adoption
of the amended Constitution, in 1S48, he was elected, in August of
that year, by the voters of Cook County, clerk of the Circuit Court
of Cook County for four years, from the first Monday in Decem-
ber following; and was re-elected in November, 1S52, and served
until the first Monday in December, 1856, having declined the
nomination for a third term, on account of the ill-health of his
family. To obviate the deleterious effects of this climate, Mr.
Hoard then removed east with his family, and resided in the city
of Ogdensburg, N. Y., until October, 1S64, when he returned to
Chicago, and purchased a one-half interest in the abstract books
then belonging to John G. Shortall and Henry Fuller. Mr. Hoard
entered this business as a member of the firm of Shortall & Hoard
(see History of the Abstract Business), and continued therein until
after the great fire of 1871. In September, 1875, he again left Chi-
cago, and resided in New Haven, Conn., where he remained until
the graduation of his youngest son from the Sheffield Scientific De-
partment of Yale College in June, 1879, when Mr. Hoard again
removed to Ogdensburg, N. Y., where he has since remained. He
was married on March 4, 1849, to Miss Margarette Annette Clark-
son, of Chicago. They have two children — Francis de Villers
Hoard, M.D., who is a practicing physician in Ogdensburg, and
Charles de Villers Hoard, who is now with the abstract firm of
Handy & Co., of this city.
Jones >N: Sellers. — In 1854, Fernando Jones re-
turned to Chicago from Rock Island, 111., and in com-
pany with John D. Brown, of the latter city, opened a
real-estate office. In that year, Mr. Jones began and
completed a set of abstract books. Mr. Brown with-
drew a short time thereafter, and Robert W. Smith be-
came a partne;, the name and style of the firm being
Fernando Jones & Co. In 1862, Alfred H. Sellers was
a clerk for the firm, and in the same year Mr. Smith
retired therefrom. In 1865, the company of Fernando
Jones & Co. represented a mythical personage, but in
1866 it represented Alfred H. Sellers. In 1867, the
firm name was changed to Jones & Sellers, and so re-
mained till the fire of 187 1. After the advent of Mr.
Sellers into the firm, new energy was observable in the
preparation for, and transaction of, business ; and it is
simple justice to concede that to the energy, persever-
ance and good judgment of Alfred H. Sellers the suc-
cess of the firm of Jones & Sellers in a large measure
was due.
Fernando Jones was born at Forestville, Chautauqua Co.,
N. Y., on May 26, 1820. His parents were William and Anna
(Gregory) Jones, who removed to the city of Buffalo, in 1824.
Then the son attended the public schools, one of the teachers being
Millard Fillmore, afterward President, and was also a student at
Fredonia Academy. In 1832, his father's attention was attracted
to Chicago, and he came West; three years later the family removed
to Chicago, Fernando arriving in the city on his fifteenth birthday.
He then assisted his father in his stove and hardware business, lo-
cated on South Water Street. During the years of 1S35-36, when
the Indian payments were being made, Mr. Jones had learned
enough of the language of the Pottawatomie and Chippewa tribes
to be able to converse intelligently, and he aided the traders in
their sales of goods and acted as clerk for the disbursing agent. In
the latter part of 1S36, he was a clerk in the United States Land
office, under James M. Strode, the register. In 1S37, he went to
Canandaigua (N. Y.) Academy, where he passed two years, com-
pleting a thorough academical course. On arriving there he was
assigned to the room vacated the term before by Stephen A. Doug-
las, who was then reading law in Canandaigua, and with whom our
subject formed an acquaintance and friendship that lasted till the
noted statesman's death. Upon the conclusion of his studies, Mr.
Jones returned to Chicago, and then became connected with the real-
estate business of his father, attending to the matters of record,
titles, convevances, etc., with which business he has since always
been more or less identified. Mr. Jones was of a family of ten
brothers and sisters, all of whom are dead, mostly of consumption,
except K. K. Jones, who now resides in Quincy. Shortly after his
return home from New York, his health began to fail, and he went
South, where he spent some years, returning sound in health. He
then went to Jackson, Mich., where he resided two years, during
which time he was engaged in the newspaper business. He edited
temperance, educational and farmers' magazines, published monthly,
the printing of which was done by Storey & Cheney, the former
member of that firm being Wilbur F. Storey, late of the Chicago
Times, and a life-long friend of Mr. Jones. After leaving Jack-
son he came to Chicago, remaining but a short time, and then went
to Rock Island, 111., where he resided for some time, managing his
large real-estate interests. About 1853, Mr. Jones disposed of his
property in Rock Isiand, and returned to Chicago, to make this city
his home. While in Rock Island he became acquainted with John
D. Brown, and persuaded that gentleman to come to Chicago and
engage in the preparation of a set of abstract books. In 1S54,
Mr. Jones, assisted by Mr. Brown, began and completed a set of ab-
stract books, following the original Chicago system adopted by Mr.
Rucker, which, with the improvements made by Mr. Jones and his
successors, became the abstract system used in Chicago to-day.
Within a brief time, Mr. Brownwithdrew from the business, and
Robert W. Smith became the company of Fernando Jones & Co.
In 1862, Alfred H. Sellers, a relative of Mr. Brown, was a clerk
for this firm, and, Robert W. Smith having withdrawn from the
firm in that year, Mr. Jones admitted Mr. Sellers to an interest of
the profits of the business, in return for his valued services as a com-
petent, trustworthy clerk. In 1866, Mr. Sellers purchased an in-
terest in the business itself, and the following year the firm name
appeared as Jones & Sellers. This firm so continued until after the
fire, when the consolidation of the abstract firms of the city oc-
curred, and a lease of the business was made to Handy, Simmons
& Co. After this disposition of his business, Mr. Jones practi-
cally retired from active work, although his long acquaintance with,
and knowledge of, records and titles of Cook County real estate,
makes his evidence much sought for in the courts, and he is con-
stantly called upon to assist in straightening out suits under the
Burnt-record act and in other real-estate litigation. Mr. Jones has
been identified with many large real-estate interests and public en-
terprises, and during his long residence in this city has made an
enviable reputation for public spirit and commercial integrity. Mr.
Jones was elected Alderman from the Third Ward, in 1859, and
served through the administrations of Mayors John C. Haines and
ckf. <&/fc^*4o.
REM, ESTATE INTERESTS.
589
John Wentworth. He was supervisor of South Town during the
War period; and when Camp Douglas was ordered established, it
was under his civil authority, and his advice and direction in the
arrangement of the same, were sought and heeded by the military
officers. Mr. Jones has also served as trustee of the Jackson-
ville Hospital for the Insane. Chicago Orphan Asylum, and for a
long time has been, and still is, a trustee of the Chicago Univer-
sity. Of late years he has resided in Europe with his family,
mainly for the purpose of educating his two children. They resided
one year each in Venice, Rome and Mentone, and three years at
Florence, Italy, and the last two years in Paris. During his resi-
dence abroad he traveled extensively over the European continent,
and wrote a series of entertaining descriptive letters to the Chicago
Times. Mr. Jones was married, July 7, 1853, to Jane Grahame, of
Henry County, 111. She is well known as an energetic advocate of
Female Suffrage, and of enlarging the scope of women's employ-
ment, professionally and otherwise, and providing facilities for her
superior education, being long connected with the management of
the Chicago Woman's Medical College and other kindred enter-
prises. The course of instruction in the Chicago University was
successfully opened to women mainly by her efforts, seconded by
other ladies, in co-operation with her husband and other liberal
and public-spirited members of the board of trustees and faculty
of the University. They have two children — Genevieve, the wife
of George R. Grant, a lawyer of this city, and William Grahame
Jones, seventeen years of age, who is still pursuing his studies.
Alfred H. Sellers was born in 1838, the son of Charles
Sellers. In 1841, he came West with his parents to Cincinnati,
and, ten years later, also moved with his family to near Nashville,
Tenn. He was afterward in Georgia for three years, and at Mari-
on, Ohio, for a similar period. In 1855, he came to Illinois, his
father locating near Sliawneetown, where he was engaged in the
iron and coal interests. In 1S56, young Sellers came to Chicago,
and became employed in the abstract business, and in 1858, began
and completed a set of abstract books of the land in McHenry
County, engaging in the business at Woodstock. He shortly after-
ward became connected in the abstract business with P'ernando
Jones, with whom he was employed as a clerk till 1S66, when he
became partner of the firm of Jones & Sellers. On the first call for
troops, at the outbreak of the War, Mr. Sellers entered the 36th
Illinois Infantry Volunteers, and was made first lieutenant of Co.
" H," resigning that position in October, 1S62. He afterward took
an active part in drilling the 95th Illinois Infantry Volunteers.
Chase Bros. & Co. — In 1852, S. B. Chase and
James H. Rees entered into partnership, each owning a
one-half interest in the business, for the purpose of con-
tinuing the examination of titles, which had been inau-
gurated by Mr. Rees. In 1853, Mr. Rees and Samuel
H. Kerfoot formed a partnership as real-estate brokers,
the former continuing his individual interest in the ab-
stract business. The office of James H. Rees & Co.,
where they made their examinations of title, was in the
Kingsbury, now Ashland, Block. In i860, John King
bought Mr. Rees's interest, shortly afterward selling it
to S. B. and Horace G. Chase, who became sole owners
of the books, which remained in their possession until
after the great fire of 187 1 — the locations of their office
being on Randolph Street, opposite the Court House ;
then on the west side of LaSalle Street, just north of
the alley between Randolph and Lake streets ; and, at
the time of the fire of 1871, in the Metropolitan Block,
just south of the same alley. Mr. Chase remarks :
" That at the time of the fire there were in the employ of the
three abstract firms, about one hundred men; and that it is a simple
matter of justice, in any commentary upon the abstracl business,
that James H. Rees should be prominently mentioned as one of
the originators of the abstract system in the \\ est, and as the man
who, more than any other individual, communicated to the methods
of the abstract offices his own characteristics of accuracy, system
and high integrity."
Samuel Blanchard Chase was born at Hopkinton, X. II.,
October 1, 1823. He entered Dartmouth College at the age of
fourteen and graduated in 1S44. After leaving college, he studied
law with LewisSmith, at Fisherville, X. 11., and, ',11 living admitted
to the Bar, became his partner. After a couple of years spent in
vainly trying to build up a profitable practice among the law-abid-
ing citizens of his native State, he gave up the effort and came to
Chicago in 1850. He intended to enter upon the practice of his
profession here, but finding a good opening with James II. Rees
in the abstract business, he formed a partnership with him in 1S52,
in which occupation he continued for about twenty-one years. This
partnership continued until 1S60, when Mr. Rees sold out his interest
to John li. King, who shortly afterward disposed of his interest to
Mr. Chase and his brother, Horace G. Chase. With the growth
of the city the business largely increased and became profitable,
.when the great fire of October, 1871, destroyed nearly the whole of
the records of the county then in existence. In the meantime, two
other sets of abstract books had been made, and after the fire it was
found necessary to combine the fragments of all three sets into one.
So the three firms became associated, and. after one year, leased their
books to Handy, Simmons & Co., and Mr. Chase closed his active
connection with the business. Mr. Chase is now over sixty-one
years old, yet full of activity and energy, and thoroughly able to
compete with much younger men in the struggle for life, if necessity
required or he was so disposed. He has never taken any very
active interest in political matters, and has neither sought nor ac-
cepted office, nor served the State in any official capacity, except
as a member, for four years, of the State Board of Equalization, for
which position his familiarity with titles and real-estate values
seemed particularly to fit him. Mr. Chase was married, on June I,
1S53, to Miss Emma E.Thompson, of Amherst, Mass., by whom he
has six children,- — Mary E., Emma S L, Horace I!., Ruth G.,
Charles A., and Samuel T. It is a tradition in his family that all
the Xew England Chases are of English origin, and descended
from three brothers who came to this country among the Pilgrims.
Charles Carroll Chase is one of the oldest officials con-
nected with the Board of Education of the City of Chicago, having
been school agent for the past twenty years, and having, as chief
clerk of the city comptroller, done the clerical work appertaining to
the school fund for the three vears previous. Mr. Chase was born
in Hopkinton. Merrimack Co., N. H., September iS, 1S29. He
was educated in the district school and academy of that place, and
came to Chicago in 1S51, arriving here on May 12. The following
day he commenced work as assistant to the city clerk, continuing
in that office until September, 1S52, when he resigned the position
to accept an appointment of principal bookkeeper in the Exchange
Bank of II. A. Tucker & Co. There he remained until August of
the next year, relinquishing the position by reason of ill-health, and,
in April, 1S54, commenced a long term of service as secretary and
treasurer of the Chicago Hide & Leather Company, of which W.
S. Gurnee was president and principal owner. He resigned this
position to accept that of chief clerk in the city comptroller's office
July I, 1862, where he remained until February 1, 1S70. In Feb-
ruary, 1S65, an act of the Legislature was approved, providing for
the appointment of the school agent, biennially, by the Board of
Education, and on the sixteenth day of May following Mr. Chase
was elected to the position, and has been honored with a re-election
ever since. In 1870, he became one of the firm of Chase Bros.,
engaged in the abstract business and continued with said firm until
its dissolution in 1872. From 1875 to 1S8I, he was a member of
the firm of Chase & Adams in the business of real estate and loans,
and since 1SS1 has continued that business alone. Mr. Chase is a
member of the Masonic fraternity in good standing, being connected
with Oriental Lodge No. 33, A.F. & A.M.
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
MUSIC.
Opera in Chicago. — The first season of opera in this city
was brief.* It lasted but one hour. The opera of "La Son-
nambula " had just begun, when Rice's Theater, where the per-
formance was being given, burned to the ground.
The seeomi season \ was opened at Rice's New Theater on the
27th of October, 1S53, and lasted one week. This season was the
first in Italian. The company included Madame De Vries, Madame
Sidenbourg. and Signors Pozzolini, Taffenelli, Barrattini, Calleti,
and Candi ; Signor L'Arditi, director. " Lucia di Lammermoor"
was the opening opera.
Third Season. — At McVicker's Theater, September 27, 1858;
one week. English. Soprano, Rosalie Durand; alto, Miss King;
tenor. Miss Georgia Hodson, who sustained all the tenor roles;
bass, Frederick Lyster.
Fourth Season. — At McVicker's Theater, February 22, 1859;
sixteen nights. Italian. Sopranos, Cora Wilhorst, Farodi, and
Colson; alto, Amalia Patti; tenors, Brignoli and Squires; bari-
tone. Amodio; bass, Junca.
Fifth Season. — At North's Theater, April II, 1859; two
weeks. English. Soprano, Anna Miller; alto, Miss Payne; tenor,
Brookhouse Bowler; bass, Aynesley Cook.
Sixth Soason. — At Metropolitan Hall, July 16, 1859. Same
troupe as above.
Seventh Season. — At Metropolitan Hall, December 5, 1859;
one week. Italian. Sopranos, Parodi and Hattie Brown ; alto,
Caroline Alaimo; tenor, Sbeiglia; bass, Barili. At McVicker's
Theater, December 5, 1859; two weeks. English. Soprano, Lucy
Escott: alto, Annie Kemp; tenor, Miranda; bass. Swan.
Eighth Season.— At McVicker's Theater, June 15, 1863; three
weeks. Italian. Sopranos, Lorini and Cordier; alto, Morensi;
tenors, Brignoli and Macaferri; baritone, Amodio (the younger);
bass, Susini. (Note. — The Holman Opera Troupe gave four per-
formances of "The Bohemian Girl" at Wood's Museum, begin-
ning November 26, 1863. Names of singers not mentioned in any
newspaper.)
Ninth Season. — At McVicker's Theater, February 1, 1864;
two weeks. Italian, under the direction of Maurice Grau. So-
pranos, Vera Lorini and Castri; alto, Morensi; tenors, Steffani and
Tamaro; baritone, Morelli; bass, Coletti.
Tenth Season. — At McVicker's Theater, May 9, 1864; two
weeks (twelve nights). Italian. Sopranos, Cordier, Castri, and
• Loeini; alto, Morensi; tenors, Steffani and Tamaro; baritones,
Amodio (the younger) and Moretti; bassos. Formes and Coletti.
Eleventh Season. — At McVicker's Theater, July 6, 1864; two
nights. Italian. Prima donna, Adelaide Phillips; tenor, Brignoli;
baritone, Mancusi; bass, Susini.
Twelfth Season. — At McVicker's, January 2, 1865, the Leon-
ard Grover German Opera Company began a brilliant season, which
lasted three weeks. The vocalists were Bertha Johannsen, Marie
Frederici, Sophie Dziuba, Theodore Habelinann, Isadore Lehman,
Karl Formes, and Edouard Haimer.
Thirteenth Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, April 20, 1S65;
four weeks. Italian. Sopranos, Zucchi and Kellogg; altos, Mo-
rensi and Ortolani; tenors, Massimiliani and Lotto; baritone,
Bellini; has'-, Susini.
Fourteenth Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, June 5, 1865;
two weeks. Italian. By the same troupe as above, with addition
of Mazzoleni to the tenors.
Fifteenth Sea. on. — At the Academy of Music, September 25,
I J&5 ; three weeks. English. Soprano, Rosa Cooke ; alto, Zelda
Harrison ; tenor, Castle; baritones, Campbell and Seguin ; bass,
While.
Sixteenth Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, November 8,
1865; three weeks. Italian. Sopranos, Gazzaniga, Guidi, Bos-
chetti and Murio Celli ; altos, Olgini and Cash Pollini ; tenors,
Musiani. Anastasi and Lotti ; baritones, Brandini and Orlandinu ;
bassos, Miller!, Pollini and Coletti.
-Al Crosby's Opera House, December 18,
vo weeks. German. Sopranos, Rotter and Johannsen;
altos, Dziuba and DeGebele ; tenors, llabelmann and Tamaro;
bassos, Hermanns and Weinlich.
, Vol. r.
+ Th»- compiler i« indebted to George P. Upton lot important '^in used in
this chapter.
Eighteenth Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, January 16,
1866 ; one week. Italian. Troupe same as that of the sixteenth
season.
Nineteenth Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, May 3, 1866 ;
one week. Italian. Sopranos, Ghioni and Canissa ; alto, Amalia
Patti Strakosch ; tenors, Massimiliani and Errani ; baritone, Marra ;
bass, Susini.
Twentieth Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, December 24,
1S66 ; three weeks. Italian. Troupe same as above, with addition
of Irfre to tenors. Italian opera was sung by the Max Maretzek
company, Clara Louise Kellogg, Minnie Hauck, Mme. Poch, Maz-
zolini, and others, May 7, 1867, one week.
Twenty-first Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, May 20,1867 ;
one week. Italian. Soprano, Parepa-Rosa and Canissa ; alto,
Amalia Patti Strakosch ; tenors, Brignoli and Massimiliani ; bari-
tone, Ferranti ; bass, Susini.
Twenty-second Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, October 28,
186S ; two weeks. Italian. Sopranos, Lagrange and McCulloch ;
alto, Adelaide Phillips ; tenors, Brignoli and Massimiliani ; bari-
tone, Marta ; bass, Coletti.
Twenty-third Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, February 3,
1868 ; one week. Italian and German. Sopranos, Kapp Young,
Gazzaniga and Minnie Hauck ; alto, Natalie Testa ; tenors, Pan-
cani. Baragli, Testa and Habelmann ; baritone, Bellini ; bassos,
Antonucci and Hermanns.
Twenty-fourth Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, March 9,
1S6S ; two weeks. English. Soprano, Caroline Richings ; alto.
Zelda Seguin ; tenor, William Castle ; baritone, S. C. Campbell ;
bass, Peakes.
Twenty-fifth Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, April 13,
186S ; three weeks. French, Opera bouffe. Soprano, Lambele ;
tenors, Deere and Goujon ; bass, Chamounin. Mile. Morlacchi,
leader of the ballet which introduced the can-can.
Twenty-sixth Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, September
14, 1S68 ; two weeks. French. Sopranos, Tostee and Lambele ;
tenors, Deere and Leduc ; bassos, Lagriffoul and Duchesne.
Twenty-seventh Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, Septem-
ber 2S, 1S6S ; three weeks. Italian and German. Sopranos, Agatha
States, Rotter, McCulloch and Durand ; altos, Cellini and Appel ;
tenors, Brignoli, Habelmann and Macaferri ; baritones, Orlandini
and Wilhelm Formes ; bassos, Hermanns and Antonucci.
Twenty-eighth Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, November
g, 186S ; three weeks. English. With the troupe of the twenty-
fourth season.
Twenty-ninth Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, January 15,
1869 ; two nights. English. With the same troupe as before.
Thirtieth Season — At Crosby's Opera House, January 25,
1869 ; one week. English, Opera bouffe. Soprano, Sallie Hol-
man ; alto, Julia Holman ; tenor, Chatterton ; bassos, Crane and
Kenny.
Thirty-first Season. — At McVicker's Theater, February 8,
1869 ; three weeks. English, Opera bouffe. Sopranos, Sophie
and Irene Worrell ; alto, Jennie Worrell ; tenor, Villa ; bassos,
Morton and Lingard.
Thirty-second Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, March 15,
iS6g ; two weeks English, Opera bouffe. Soprano, Susan Gal-
ton ; alto, Blanche Galton ; tenor, Whiffen ; bass, Dunn.
Thirty-third Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, April 26,
1869; two weeks. French. Sopranos, Rose Bell and Desclauzas;
alto, Guerretti ; tenor, Carrier ; bassos, Beckers and Burgoin.
Thirty-fourth Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, two nights,
July 7 and 8, 1869. Italian. Soprano, Miss Durand; alto, Va-
letta ; tenor, Brignoli ; baritone, Petrelli ; bass, Locatelli.
Thirty-fifth Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, October 25,
1869; four weeks. English. Sopranos, Parepa-Rosa and Rose
Ilersee; alto, Mrs. Seguin; tenors, Castle and Nordblom ; bari-
tones, Lawrence and Hall; bass, Campbell.
Thirty-sixth Season. — At McVicker's Theater, January 3,
1870; three weeks. English. Sopranos, Mrs. Bernard and Miss
Emma Howson ; alto, Anna Kemp Bowler; tenors, Brookhouse
Bowler and Pierre Bernard ; baritone, Henry Drayton ; bass, H.
C. Peakes.
Thirty-seventh Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, April iS,
1870 ; one week. English. Sopranos, Parepa-Rosa and Rose
Hersee ; alto, Mrs. Seguin; tenors, Castle and Nordblom; bari-
tones, Lawrence and Hall ; bass, Campbell. They gave Marriage
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
59'
Df Figaro, Oberon, Martha, Rose of Castile, Bohemian Girl (2) and
II Trovatore.
Thirty-eighth Season. — -At Crosby's Opera House, October 3,
1870; two weeks. English. Soprano, Mrs. Richings-Bernard;
alto, Mrs. Seguin ; tenors, Lawrence and Castle ; bass, Campbell.
They gave II Trovatore, Maritana. Crown Diamonds, Fra Diavolo,
The Huguenots (2), Bohemian Girl, Martha, Faust, La Traviata,
Marriage of Figaro, Lurline, I'ostillion of Longjumeau and Rose
of Castile.
Thirty-ninth Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, February 6,
1871 ; two weeks. German. Sopranos, Louise Litchmay and
Rosetti ; supported by Carl and Wilhelm Formes, Habelmann,
Steinecke, Lehman, Bertha Roemer, Laura Hoffner, and others
They gave Don Giovanni, Faust, Fidelio, Stradella, Jewess (2),
Merry Wives of Windsor, Huguenots, Trovatore, William Tell (2)
and Tannhauser.
Fortieth Season. — At Crosby's Opera House, March 13, 1S71 ;
two weeks. English. The Richings-Bernard Company, as already
given, in Huguenots, Bohemian Girl <2), Der Freischutz, Martha (2),
Oberon, Maritana. II Trovatore, F'idelio, Marriage of Figaro, acts
of Somnambula and Dinorah, Fra Diavola and Bristoni's opera of
Rip Van Winkle.
Musical Societies. — The musical growth of Chi-
cago dates from about 1858. Before that time some
seed had been sown, and something had been done to
promote musical culture, but the efforts were spasmodic
and not well sustained. In 1850, Julius Dybren-
furth organized an orchestra, under the title of The
Philharmonic Society, and gave a number of concerts,
but he was not well supported by the public. In 1851,
he gave another series of concerts, but the financial
results were not encouraging. In 1852, a new philhar-
monic society was organized, and, on February n,
1853, was duly incorporated by the Legislature of Illi-
nois. This organization lasted until 1856, but the con-
certs it gave proved but indifferently successful.
During the same period, the Germans had several
societies: " The Masnner Gesang Verein," organized in
1850; "The German Musical Union," organized in
1854, and others ; but these did not seek the patronage
of the general public.
About 1857, Henry Ahner, an accomplished musi-
cian, organized the first full orchestra, and, although he
labored conscientiously, his toil was not rewarded.
Julius Unger succeeded him in 1858, and gave concerts,
assisted by Mrs. Emma Bostwick.
In 185S, The Musical Union for vocal and instru-
mental music was organized, with J. S. Piatt, president;
J. G. Lumbard, vice-president ; C. M. Cady, conductor;
A. L. Coe, librarian; and D. A. Kimbark, secretary and
treasurer. During its career, down to 1866, it gave an
annual series of concerts, which met with measurable
success. It produced the "Creation," "Messiah,"
" Elijah," and other oratorios, in addition to miscella-
neous choral concerts and operettas. After its demise
as the Musical Union, Hans Balatka re-organized the
principal members of it under the name of the Oratorio
Society, and gave oratorio concerts in the winters of
1868, 1S69 and 1870. After the great fire, it was
re-organized again, in the West Division, when, on the
eve of a concert, in the winter of 1871, a fire consumed
the building in which it had quarters, and from this
blow it never recovered. The Mendelssohn Society,
under the conductorship of A. W. Dahn, also dated
its organization from 1858, and gave annual concerts
down to 1866.
In October, i860, Hans Balatka revived and
re-organized the Philharmonic Society. Its officers
and members were among the most prominent society
and musical circles of the city. E. I. Tinkham was
president the first three years, and he was succeeded by
John V. LeMoyne, who was president for four years.
Thomas B. Bryan, Julius Dyhrenfurth, John G. Short-
all, Charles Larrabee, William H. Bradley, J. M. W.
Jones, ( )tto Matz, and others, were all eonnei ted with it
as officers and, did much to promote its success, As a
society, it was entirely devoted to instrumental music,
but at its concerts it gave vocal numbers by singers
engaged for the occasion. In its first season, embra-
cing the winter of 1860-61, it gave seven concerts, whi< li
were overwhelmingly successful. Madame Fabbri, one
of the most accomplished Italian artists of that period,
sang at two of the concerts. The sixth concert was
given on the night of the 13th of April, 1861, the day
after the bombardment of Fort Sumter. The city was
under great excitement, caused by the news from the
South and the imminence of civil war. Nevertheless, a
great audience assembled at Bryan Hall, at the concert.
Near the close, Mr. Balatka took the audience by sur-
prise by playing the Star Spangled Banner, which was
not on the programme. As the first well-known notes
of the National anthem struck on the ears, they touched
a chord in each heart which all other music in the world
would have failed to reach. The vast audience rose
simultaneously, and the cheers for the time drowned
the music. Again the orchestra repeated it, and a flag
was unfurled from the stage. The tremendous ovation
that followed clearly showed how deep was the patriotic
and National feeling. At the next concert, given on
May 14, following, Mrs. Cassie Matteson sang, flag in
hand, the same song, amidst the greatest enthusiasm
and applause.
For seven seasons, until the winter of 1867-68, the
Society gave concerts to overflowing audiences of the
elite and fashion of Chicago. During that time it gave
the first, second, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth
symphonies of Beethoven, the third of Mozart, the fifth
and seventh of Gade, the B flat of Schumann, the Tri-
umphal of Ulrich, and selections from all the great
composers. All this excited an influence on the musical
culture of the people, which could hardly be over-
estimated. But fashions in music change. Crosby's
Opera House was now built, and Italian opera was
presented, from time to time, with a completeness never
before known in Chicago. The desire to hear orches-
tral music died away, and the last concert of the " Phil-
harmonic " was given in Metropolitan Hall, on the 3d
of April, 1868, to but a meagre audience. The Society
had lasted out its usefulness, and quietly gave up the
ghost.
Such were the more prominent musical organiza-
tions from 1858 to 1868. It was not until some time
after the great fire that home talent again received the
encouragement it deserved, and new societies, under
new names, were again organized.
COMPOSERS AND MUSICIANS.
fULIUS DYHRENFURTH. — Chicago owes a large portion of its
musical culture to the influence and example of those, who, though
not professional musicians, have possessed an extensive knowledge
of music, with more than the ordinary amateur's enthusiasm for its
cultivation. Among these, the name of Julius Dyhrenfurth will
always have great prominence. Identified as he was with exten-
sive financial and educational interest'-, he yel found the time to
encourage musical talent and to promote the success of some of Chi-
cago's earliest musical societies, lie was born at Breslau, Prussia,
on the gth of April. 1S14 After receiving a liberal education, he
engaged in commercial pursuits, and became manager of his linn's
trade with England, Spain and Algeria. In 1S37 he made an ex-
tensive lour of the United States, and was so deeply impressed
with the great commercial resources and prospects of the country.
that he determined to make it his future home. In 1S43, he mar-
ried, in London, Miss Caroline Thomson, an accomplished Eng-
lish lady, and three years afterward removed to the United States,
selecting Chicago as his future home. After a brief and unsatis-
592
HISTORY OF CHICAGO
factory experience as a farmer, he settled back into financial and
commercial pursuits, entering- the banking house of R. K. Swift,
where he remained for several years. The system of keeping bank-
ing accounts at that time was very defective, needlessly laborious,
and, at the best, extremely inaccurate. Me devised an accurate sys-
tem of bookkeeping, never since improved upon, and which re-
mains in use by all the banks of the city to this day. The financial
crash of 1S57 carried with it the fortune of Mr. Dyhrenfurth, and
left him, with thousands of others, financially stranded ; but with
characteristic energy he cast about for a new opening in business,
and, believing in his skill as an educator, resolved to open a com-
mercial school. In 1858, he opened his school in Waukegan, but
or two later removed it to Chicago, where he conducted it,
with constantly inc. easing success formally years. lie greatly en-
larged his original plan, after a year or two's experience, and con-
ducted a high school, a young ladies' seminary, and a commercial
college ; and his ability made them all of the highest character.
Among other things, he perfected a new system of bookkeeping,
which he published in 1869. It is a system so intelligible and ad-
mirable, that it has come into extensive use, not only in Chicago,
but throughout the country. I le suffered heavily by the great fire
of 1 171, which destroyed both his home and the buildings occupied
by his school. Daring all the years he has resided in Chicago, he
has given largely of his time and means to promote a general taste
for music. One of his first efforts was to induce a number of mu-
sicians to leave the East, and settle in this city. With these he or-
ganized an orchestra, under his personal direction, giving concerts
every winter for a number of years. These concerts were among
the most fashionable entertainments of Chicago in early days. At
the time of this writing (April. 18S5), Mr. Dyhrenfurth and his
estimable wife, though advanced in years, are still surviving.
Twelve children have been born to them, seven of whom, all sons,
arc still living. They are all gentlemen of high business character
and repute. Four of them are members of the legal profession,
and the remaining three are engagi 'I in commercial pursuits. Mr,
Dyhrenfurth has always been a man of deep religious convictions,
and is an earnest follower of Swedenborg. Without ostentation, he
has lived the life of a sincere and earnest man, and he will be long
remembered by those who have felt his influence, and among whom
the best years of his life have been passed.
Dr. Florence Ziegfeld. — Among the foremost of those
who have devoted their lives to musical art in Chicago, and have
contributed to the development of the highest standard of culture
and taste in music, stands Dr. Florence Ziegfeld, the founder of the
largest musical conservatory in the United States, one that rivals,
in all its departments, the best and largest of Europe. Doctor
Ziegfeld has won this high position through the possession of two
very dissimilar qualities of mind, not often united in the same per-
son. A born artist, with natural genius for teaching music, he has
also the ready aptitude of the thorough business man. This en-
ables h'm to do what so many artists and excellent teachers find it
impossible to do. He can descend from the high regions of the
Muses, and give his ideas the practical expression necessary to
make genius useful to the working-day world. Florence Zeigfeld
is the youngest son of Florence and Louise (Kirchoff) Zeigfeld,
and was born on the 10th of June, 1841, in the town of Jever, near
the sea-coast, in the grand duchy of Oldenburg, Germany. His
father, who was an official in the court of the Grand Duke, was
passionately fond of music, and the same passion early developed
itself in young Florence. When but six years of age, he took his
first piano lesson, thus rivaling some of the greatest masters in the
early development of his genius. Under the instruction of the
best teachers of the day, he arrived at a wonderful proficiency, and
at the age of ten years, played at both public and private concerts.
His health becoming undermined through excessive study, at the
age of fifteen he made his first voyage across the Atlantic, to visit a
brother in New York City. He remained in the United
States two years, and in 1S5S, returned to Germany to
finish his musical education, intending, as soon as that
should be completed, to make America his future home.
In Germany he attended, for several years, the conserva-
tory at Leipsic, where he had for his teachers, Moschelles,
Richter, Plaidy, Wenzel, David, Pappertz, and others.
There he graduated in 1863, with honor, and November,
1S63, found him settled in Chicago, where he at once en-
tered upon a successful career as teacher of music. In
1865, he married Miss Rosalie Dehez, a native of France,
but settled in this country from childhood, a niece of
John B. Gerard, one of the most prominent of the early
citizens of Chicago. Four children have blessed a very
happy and congenial marriage. In 1S67, under the name
of the Chicago Academy of Music, he laid the foundation
of the Musical College of Chicago. In 1S68, he gave his
first concert of pupils in Crosby's Opera House. In the
fall of l86g, he gave another successful entertainment at
Farwell Hall, at which he brought out Gade's great
cantata of the Erl King's Daughter, with a large chorus
and orchestra. F'rom year to year the rapid growth of the
conservatory demanded larger and larger quarters, until in the fali
of 1871 it occupied the entire building, No. 253 Wabash Avenue.
There it was destroyed in the October fire; but before snow
fell that year, he had his school again open at No. 800 Wabash
Avenue. Shortly after this, in conjunction with George F. Root,
he established his school as the Chicago Musical College. Mr.
Root was the first president, and Dr. Ziegfeld was the musical di-
rector. When the managers of the great Boston Peace Jubilee were
looking for attractions that should make their concerts successful,
they eagerly sought his- influence in their behalf. Accordingly he
undertook a mission to Kurope, and procured the most famous list
of attractions that ever appeared at one time in the United States.
From London, he got the celebrated Godfrey's band, from Paris,
the French Imperial band; from Berlin, the Grenadier garde band;
and he brought back with him Strauss and Abt, and Peschka-Leut-
ner, Franz Bendel, and Kaiser Wilhelm's Cornet Quartette. A
greater array of talent were never before assembled together in the
world. It is not too much to say that the success of the Jubilee
was largely due to the untiring efforts of Dr. Ziegfeld. The suc-
cess of the Chicago Musical College has been very great, and from
year to year it has maintained a flourishing condition. In 1S75,
Mr. Root severed his connection with it, and since that time Dr.
Ziegfeld has been president and director. He has a corps of
twenty-three teachers in all the varied branches of the art, and is
now adding (18S5) a department of dramatic art. Since settling in
Chicago, Dr. Ziegfeld has visited Europe eleven times, thus mak-
ing twenty-three times he has crossed the Atlantic since he came as
a boy of fifteen in 1856. Dr. Ziegfeld is still in the prime of life,
and much as he has done to advance musical art in the West, he is
ever studying to advance it still further. He has conferred an in-
calculable benefit upon his adopted country, and has the reward of
knowing that his labors, his talents and his genius are impressed
upon the culture and progress of a great people,
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
5 'AS
Hans Balatka is a native of Moravia, Austria, and was born
in a village called Hoffnungsthal, on the 5th of March, 1S27. In
his eighteenth year he entered the University of Olmutz, where he
commenced the study of law, continuing with ardor the study of
music. During his residence at the University he became conduc-
tor of a musical society formed by the students, and held the posi-
tion for two years, until his connection with the University ceased.
He then removed to Vienna, where he became the pupil of Proch,
the celebrated composer and conductor of the Imperial opera.
But it was the day of revolutions; Hungary under the leadership
of Kossuth sought to throw off the Austrian domination, and many
of the young men of the Austrian capital sympathized with the
revolutionists. Young Balatka was among these, and united him-
self with an organization called the Academic Legion, a corps of
six or seven thousand youths, the most of whom were students and
artists. There was no active part taken in hostility to the govern-
ment, but the government regarded the Legion with determined
aversion, and a close surveillance was kept of the more active mem-
bers. The revolution terminating unfortunately, Mr. Balatka de-
termined to emigrate to America, and embarked for New York,
where he arrived in June, 1S49. After a short time spent in New
York, Mr. Balatka saw a good prospect open before him in Mil-
waukee. He accordingly settled in that growing city, and at once
entered upon a successful career. Early in 1850, he organized the
Milwaukee Musical Society, which gave regular concerts the same
year, and the next year, under his direction, gave the oratorio of
" The Creation." In i860, he was invited to come to Chicago, to
conduct a performance of Mozart's '* Requiem," which was to be
performed by Chicago musicians. The performance proved a great
success, and Mr. Balatka was induced to take up his residence in
Chicago. The Philharmonic Society was organized, with him as mu-
sical director, and other societies also called upon him for assistance.
In 1869, he organized the Oratorio Society, which likewise proved
a great favorite with the public. This Society, with Parepa-Rosa
and, subsequently, with Nilsson, gave the oratorios of "The Crea-
tion," "Messiah," and " Elijah," with great success. In 1870, he
introduced, for the first time in Chicago, amateur opera on a large
scale. He has also been the chosen leader of the Germania Mrenner-
chor, the Saengerbund, and the Sajngerbund Society of Chicago.
In addition to his work in Chicago, he has been elected eight suc-
cessive times to conduct the musical festivals of the North Ameri-
can Sfengerbund at Chicago, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and
other places.
George F. Root is a native of Berkshire County, Massa-
chusetts, where he was born in the year 1820. The son of a
farmer, and brought up on a farm, he early learned the love of na-
ture, and held communion with her visible forms. The passion for
music was born in him, and all his surroundings tended to foster
it, and at the age of eighteen he had made a considerable advance
in the knowledge of music and become proficient on several mu-
sical instruments. With these acquirements he left home to seek
his fortunes in Boston. There he speedily found employment as an
instructor in the musical academy of A. N. Johnson, with whom,
a few years later, he formed a partnership. After five years of
agreeable and lucrative association with Mr. Johnson, Mr. Root
was induced to go to New York, and there his success as a teacher
of music was marked and rapid. Prosperity attended him. He mar-
ried Miss Mary Olive Woodman, of Boston, and settled down to
the steady pursuit of his profession. In 1850, he went to Europe for
the purpose of pursuing his musical studies, and, after about a year
of diligent application, he returned home. His thoughts had long
been turned to the subject of song composing, and he now tried his
poems. " Hazel Dell " was his first attempt, and so dubious was
he of success, that he took the nom de plume of "George Wurzel," — ■
wurzel being a German equivalent for root. It is needless to say the
song proved a great success. The "Flower Queen," a cantata,
followed — one of the most effective compositions of the kind ever
written — and it was performed in nearly every city and town in the
United States. He became at this time associated with Dr. Lowell
Mason and William B. Bradbury, in the composition and publica-
tion of Church music, and his labors on these works showed him
to be not unworthy to rank with those great masters in this depart-
ment of the art. In 1S60, he removed to Chicago, and became a
partner in the musical publishing house of Root & Cady, the senior
member of the firm being his brother, Ebenezer Towner Root.
During these years he composed many songs — "Rosalie, the Prairie
Flower," " The Old Folks are Gone," "A Hundred Years Ago,"
and others, as well as many Sunday-school airs, such as " Shining
Shore." During the War of the Rebellion he wrote a number of
War songs, which were very popular, such as the " Battle Cry of
Freedom," " Tramp, Tramp, Tramp," and " Marching Through
Georgia," full of stirring patriotism and tender feeling, which are all
too well known to require extended comment. Mr. Root is also the
author of several musical works, which have had an extensive
circulation. Among these are "Sabbath Bell," " Diapason," "Silver
38
Lute," " Bugle Call," and "Coronet." His most comprehensive
work is the " Musical Curriculum," which contains an original
method for the piano, voice and harmony. This work fully illus-
trates the genius of the author, and will be his best title to remem-
brance, when the songs he has written have passed into echoes only.
His last work is the " Choir and Congregation," which has had an
unparalleled circulation, and is considered the best of the many
works of that kind written by this great composer. The great fire
of 1871 swept away the splendid business of Root & Cady, and
the result was a dissolution. A few years subsequently, a new firm
was organized and afterward incorporated, under the name of "The
Root & Sons' Music Co." Mr. Root is not now connected with the
corporation, but is passing his declining years in the enjoyment of
well merited comfort and repose.
Henry Clay Work. — In 1861, a journeyman printer, in fail-
ing health and "out of sorts with fortune," entered the room of
George F. Root in Chicago, and laid upon his desk the music and
words of a War song. It was called " Brave Boys are They." Sur-
prised that such a forlorn-looking person should have the thought
of music in his soul, Mr. Root proceeded to examine the manu-
script, and was still more surprised to find in it music that could stir
the popular heart. Before the young man left the room, he was en-
gaged to write exclusively for Messrs. Root & Cady for a term of
five years. The engagement proved lucrative and pleasant to both
parties. The forlorn printer was Henry C. Work. Henry C.
Work was born in Connecticut October 1, 1832. His father was
Alanson Work who, in 1S41, while residing in Missouri, was sen-
tenced to twelve years' imprisonment in the penitentiary for the
crime of assisting fugitive slaves to escape. He served three years
of the penalty, and then received a pardon. When Henry was an
infant, his father settled in Illinois, near Quincy, but some years
afterward, — and after his experience in the Missouri State Peniten-
tiary,— he returned again to Connecticut. At the age of fourteen
Henry was apprenticed to leirn the art of printing. His natural
tastes led him to cultivate the art of music, and when he was still
young he tried his hand at song writing. The result was a song
entitled, "We are coming, Sister Mary," which he sent to E. P.
Christy, then in the height of his fame as a negro minstrel. The
song was accepted, and the writer received twenty-five dollars for
it, remuneration sufficient to encourage him to further efforts. But
nothing seemed to succeed afterward, and the ambitious song writer
ceased for several years to woo the Muses. It was not until the
year 1861, under the inspiration of the War, that he again made
another venture of his genius. The result was " Brave Boys are
They," and this was followed by as remarkable a series of War songs
as were ever published: "Kingdom Coming," "Wake Nicode-
mus," " Grafted into the Army," " Babylon is fallen," " Song of a
Thousand Years," " God save the Nation" and " Marching through
Georgia," all of which had immense sales and were published by
Root & Cady. Mr. Work also published a song called " Lost on
the Lady Elgin," but it was too mournful to be popular. Many of
the War songs had stirring melodies, and were sung wherever there
was a patriotic household or the army marched. " Let me make
the ballads of a nation, and I care not who makes the laws," said
Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, two hundred years ago; and it may justly
now be said, that the patriotic songs of Root, Work, and others, did
more to arouse the popular heart and fix the determination of the
people, during the darkest days of the War, than all the acts of
Congress or proclamations of those in authority. In 1865, Mr.
Work, now a successful song writer, made an extensive tour of
Europe, and after his return settled in Vineland, N. J., where he
bought a large quantity of land and attempted to establish a fruit
farm. Like a vast number of other Vineland experiments, it proved
an unprofitable investment, and swallowed up all his fortune. Be-
fore this time he had written the song "Come home, Father,"
which had a great popularity. It was not until 1S76 that he com-
menced song writing again in New York, with C. M. Cady, formerly
of the firm of Root & Cady, as his publisher. Many songs were
now written and published by him, the greater part of which had
extensive sales. The most popular of these was " My Grandfather's
Clock." The entire list of his songs will reach nearly one hundred.
His melodies are pleasing and natural, and never fail to stir the
feelings. The source of his power over the heart lies in his sim-
plicity of language and his freedom from extravagance in thought
and melody. Many of his airs have almost become National, and
will be sung as long as memories of the Civil War endure. For a
few years prior to his death Mr. Work resided at Hartford, Conn.,
and died there June 8, 1884.
Dudley Buck, one of the most gifted musicians this country
has ever produced, was a resident of Chicago for several years prior
to the great fire. During that period he was the organist of St.
James' Episcopal Church. He was born at Hartford, Connecticut,
on the 10th of March, 1S39. His father, Dudley Buck, wasamer-
chant, and his mother, the daughter of Judge Adams, a well known
lawyer of his time. When but twelve years of age, young Dudley
594
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
learned the notes of music by himself, obtained the first rudiments
of thorough bass, and learned to play the flute. So rapidly did
he gain a knowledge of music and the mastery of certain instru-
ments, that the prejudices of his parents finally gave way, and, af-
ter obtaining what instruction he could in his native city, he was
sent to Europe in the year 1S5S. In the great Conservatory of Leip-
sic, under Hauptmann and Richter, Reitz, Plaidy and Moschelles,
he gained his first insight as to what music really was. There
he remained a year and a half, enjoying private lessons as well as
the Conservatory instruction. Another year and a half he passed
at Dresden, where he took lessons on the organ from the celebrated
Johann Schneider. After three years in Germany, he lived one
year in Paris, where he passed his time in intercourse with the best
musical circles. On his return home, he resided for a period in
Hartford, and there he commenced to publish his first pieces.
Within the next four years his parents both died, and he then turned
westward and settled in Chicago, as his future home; and it
was while he lived here that he began to be famous. He had a
pleasant home on the North Side, which the fire of October 9,
1S71, swept away. This decided him to return East, and he has
since resided in Boston, New York and Brooklyn. While in Bos-
ton, he, at the solicitation of Theodore Thomas, removed to New
York, and there conducted the Garden concerts, with Thomas, for
one season. His compositions have been numerous and varied.
He was selected to compose a Centennial Cantata — Wagner fur-
nishing the Centennial March — for the celebration at Philadelphia,
in 1S76. Attendants at the Thomas concerts will remember how
often that great conductor selects the compositions of Buck for his
orchestra, showing that his works will bear comparison with the
great composers of the day.
Philip Paul Bliss. — This celebrated evangelist, the author of
" Hold the Fort," " The Armor Bearer," and other well known and
popular gospel hymns, commenced his career as a song writer, in Chi-
cago, about the year 1S64. He was born in Clearfield County, Penn-
sylvania, on July 9, 183S, theson of a farmer, and brought up to farm
life and farm work. He had but meager opportunities for schooling,
but his quickness of mind and industry, enabled him, after several
seasons of attending school in winter, to fit himself for teaching the
ordinary country district school when he was eighteen years of age.
He early displayed a strong passion for music, and despite the lim-
ited opportunities at his command acquired knowledge enough of
the art by the time he was twenty-one, to become also a singing
teacher. During Tune, 1859, he married Miss Lucy J. Young, the
daughter of a farmer. In the winter of i860, he formally took up
the business of professional music teacher, but in several succeed-
ing years still worked on his father-in-law's farm in the summer.
In 1864, his first song was published by Root & Cady, and from
that time until his tragical death, in 1876, he continued song com-
position. From 1865, until he commenced his career as an evan-
gelist, in 1873, he was engaged in musical composition, and in
holding musical conventions throughout the Northwest. In 1873,
at the instance and urgent request of Mr. Moody, he associated
himself with Major D. W. Whittle as an evangelist, meeting with
great and satisfactory success in that vocation. On December 28,
1876, after a short visit at his old home in Pennsylvania, he and
his wife started to return to Chicago. If they could have come
straight through they would have been safe, but by the breaking
down of an engine their train lost three hours. Other delays were
made, and they were thus necessitated to take the train from Buf-
falo that was wrecked at Ashtabula bridge. They left Buffalo, at
two o'clock, Friday afternoon, December 29, and in running over
the bridge at Ashtabula, about eight o'clock the same evening, the
train broke through and was hurled seventy-five feet into the valley
below. The cars took fire, and many passengers who were not
mangled were burned to death. Mr. Bliss and his wife were in a
forward car, and were never seen again alive. Nothing but black-
ened and charred remains of the many victims of the disaster were
found. None could be recognized, nor was anything ever found,
in any way possible of identification with Mr. and Mrs. Bliss. He
was in his thirty-eighth year.
Frank Lombard. — The subject of this sketch was born in
New York, and came to Chicago in his young days, some time
about the year 1852. From that period until his death in 1882, he
was well known throughout the West for his genial good nature and
his willingness to go anywhere to take part in political meetings as
the "campaign singer." His power over his audiences lay in his rich,
strong voice; and his songs, which were interspersed between the
speeches, often had a greater effect on the voters than the addresses of
the most distinguished speakers. Contrary to the general run of
public singers, Frank I.umbard had strong political opinions on the
Republican side, and his efforts were always on behalf of this great
party. His musical tastes led him to the front among the pioneers
of music in Chicago, and he was always a most active member of
committees appointed to organize musical conventions or concerts.
Many of the leading singers owe their introduction to Chicago to
his untiring energy. He filled the position of the first teacher of
music in the city schools, and laid the foundations of this branch of
education on such a firm basis, that the best possible results have
been the consequence. Many of the older citizens still cherish
memories of the thorough training he gave them. At this time,
too, he was in great demand to organize church choirs, many of
which, under his charge, attained great proficiency. His first in-
troduction to the public, as a campaign singer, was in 1857, when
he sang for "Long John" Wentworth, who was running for
mayor. As a slight acknowledgement of his services, he was made
deputy sheriff under John L. Wilson. During the campaign of
i860, he sang nearly every day and night for "old Abe," as he
fondly called the great President. His War songs were more potent
in winning recruits than the offers of sergeants or the speeches of
patriots ; hence, he was ever in demand for this purpose. In
1863, during the siege of Vicksburg, he accompanied the Sanitary
Commission on its errand of mercy, and he cheered the hearts of
the soldiers by singing " Ole Shady," " John Brown's Body " and
other patriotic songs. His charming voice gave to many of his
auditors more real pleasure than the canned meats and bottled
dainties brought by the Commission. His great heart and musical
voice won him universal favor, and his negro and War songs were
ever in demand at public meetings, in the concert room and the
private parlor. For years he was known as "Ole Shady," in com-
pliment to his touching song bearing this title, and although visi-
tors to Chicago might return home without having seen half the
sights, but seldom was one to be found who had not seen and con-
versed with " Ole Shady," if it were possible. The following are
the words of this, his favorite, song :
OLE SHADY.
41 Oh ! yah; yah ! darkies, laugh wid me !
For de white folks says ole Shady's free.
So don't you see dat de Jubilee
Is a comin', comin' — Hail mighty day!
Chorus —
" Den away, away, for I can't wait any longer;
Hooray, hooray, I'm going home!
Den away, away, for I car? t wait any longer;
Hooray, hooray, I'm going home!
" Oh, Mass' got scared and so did his lady;
Dis chile breaks for ole Uncle Aby,
Open de gates, for here's ole Shady
A comin', comin' — Hail mighty day !
Chorus —
" Good-by, Mass' Jeff, good-by, Misses Stephens,
'Scuse dis niggah for takin' his leavins;
•Spect pretty soon you'll hear Uncle Abram's
Comin', comin' — Hail mighty day 1
Chorus —
" Good-by, hard work, wid never any pay;
I'se a gwine up North where the good folks say
Dat white wheat bread and a dollar a day
Are comin', comin' — Hail mighty day !
Chorus —
" Oh, I've got a wife and I've got a baby
Livin' up yonder in Lower Canady;
Won't dey laugh when dey see ole Shady
A comin', comin' — Hail mighty day ! "
Chorus —
After the excitement of the War was over, Frank Lumbard
ceased to be sought after as much as formerly, and he gradually
sank into poverty and neglect, until the telegrams of December 10,
1882, carried the news of his death over the length and breadth of
the land. The following is taken from the New York Graphic, of
December it: "Chicago, Dec. 10. — Frank Lumbard, for thirty
years known throughout the West as a singer, died last night of
starvation, his stomach refusing food, leaving his wife and daugh-
ter penniless." "Everyone's friend but his own " is the crumb
of cold comfort offered as an epitaph over his memory. The fu-
neral services took place in Plymouth Church, where his remains
were surrounded by masses of flowers, tokens of his innocent and
kindly life. He was buried at Graceland Cemetery, on January
16, 1883 What could be done by his musical friends for his
wife and daughter was done by the performance of the " Pirates of
Penzance," by the Chicago Church Choir. The singer's voice is
hushed, but the pleasure of listening to his songs lingers in the
ears of those whom he delighted, and as his songs are sung, the
gentle and sorrowful " Poor Frank Lumbard " is an almost invol-
untary tribute to his memory.
Other composers of the period, who achieved some-
thing more than mere local notoriety, were J. A. But-
terfield, H. R. Palmer, J. P. Webster, Frank Howard,
F. W. Root, and Silas G. Pratt, more extended notices
of whom will appear in our third volume.
A popular singer of the time, also, was Louis A.
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
595
Dochez. He was a Belgian by birth, and had led some-
thing of a wandering life. He had sung in European
cathedrals, had been in the English East India Service,
then an attache to the Belgian legation in one of the
South American states, and finally reached the United
States, accredited to the Belgian legation at Washing-
ton. Throwing up this service, he came to Chicago
about the year 1857, and soon after made his appearance
in concert, under the cognomen of DePassio. He sang
at nearly all the famous Philharmonic concerts.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MANUFACTURERS.
As an appendix to the musical history, are appended
sketches of some whose enterprise and skill have done
so much toward making our city an entrepot for musi-
cal supplies.
Julius Bauer & Co. — Prominent among the representative
Chicagoans who have recently passed away is Julius Bauer, a
man who made music his life-study. Mr. Bauer established his
business in this city in 1S57, and was among the most successful
business men of his time. He was born in the city of Berlin,
Prussia, July 20, 1S31. At an early age he showed decided talent for
music, and, while he was a mere lad, constructed a violin that plainly
evinced his natural ability for such work. He worked in the piano
factories of Berlin for a number of years, and his progress was so
rapid that he was soon competent to perform anv work in the way
of manufacturing instruments. This naturally created a desire to
embark in business for himself. When he was eighteen years of
age, the great revolution of lS4S-4g occurred, and toward its close
Mr. Bauer left his native land for America and arrived in New
York City. There he opened an establishment of his own. He
was very successful, and, at the end of eight years, found his busi-
ness so augmented that he decided to open a branch in Chicago.
He accordingly left his brother, John R. Bauer, in charge of the
New York house, and came to Chicago in December, 1857. He
first located in the Larmon Block, and, later, took a store-room in
the Crosby Opera House. After a short time he consolidated the
stores into one at the Opera House building. At this time he took
into partnership his brother Herman, who died some years ago. In
the fire of 1S71, Mr. Bauer lost all his magnificent stock of goods,
but shortly after the conflagration he was doing business in Robert
Laird Collier's church, where he remained a year and a half.
Upon the completion of the Palmer House, he removed into the
corner store, which was one of the finest locations in the city.
Upon the death of John R. Bauer, the New York business was
closed and exclusive attention devoted to the house in this city.
Thus is briefly narrated the business career of Julius Bauer, who,
while living, enjoyed, to the fullest degree, the confidence and
esteem of the people of Chicago. For some years before his death
he had been suffering with asthma, and, a few days prior to his final
illness he contracted a severe cold, from the effects of which he
died on December 23, 1SS4. On October 22, 1S64, he was married
to Miss Anna Marie Mueller, of this city. The widow and three
sons — Julius, Richard and William — survived him. Mr. Bauer was
a member of Accordia Lodge, No. 277, A. F. & A. M. Upon his
death his eldest son, Julius, who was born here September 1, 1864,
assumed charge of the estate and business, and directs its affairs at
the present time. Although a young man, Mr. Bauer shows the
characteristics of his late father in his careful and conservative
business dealings and his personal popularity. It is safe to assert
that the house of Julius Bauer & Co. will lose none of its deserved
prestige under the able and efficient management of its young pro-
prietor.
W, W. Kimball Company. — Chicago has long held a promi-
nent position in the manufacture of organs, and can lay claim to
having the largest organ manufactory, without a single exception,
on the earth. This house is that of the W. \V. Kimball Company.
In the fall of 1S57, W. \V. Kimball came to Chicago, and when he
reached this city, trade was in a state of depression. He com-
menced renting pianos, and, in 1S58, was located on Lake Street
near Dearborn, with a small stock of music. Notwithstanding the
dull times, his business prospered, and, in 1859, ne removed to the
Larmon Block. He subsequently went to No. 142 Lake Street,
where he remained until the opening of the Crosby Opera House,
where the fire destroyed his stock. Shortly after the great fire, he
re-opened the business, selling goods at his private residence, and
using his barn for the warehouse. He afterward removed to the
corner of Wabash Avenue and Thirteenth Street, where he re-
mained until 1S73. In that year, the large and handsome building
which the Kimball Company now occupies, was completed, and
Mr. Kimball removed thereto. In 1SS0, Mr. Kimball commenced
the manufacture of organs, and, from the first, sui cess was assured,
his long experience giving him a perfect knowledge of the demands
of purchasers. The factory is located at the corner of I wenty-
sixth and Rockwell streets, anil is the largest in the United States.
The business of the house so increased, that W. W. Kimball, who
had always been the master-hand of every department, found it
necessary to secure the aid, and co-partnership of others, to whom
he could intrust a portion of the management. On July 1, 1882,
the W. W. Kimball Company was organized and incorporated.
The officers elected were W. YV. Kimball, president ; Albert G.
Cone, treasurer; and E. S. Conway, secretary and general superin-
tendent of works. The two latter named gentlemen had for years
been associated with Mr. Kimball, and had thoroughly mastered the
details of the manufacture and sale of organs, so that their addition
to the management proved most valuable. The business, the in-
crease of which has been sure and gradual, covers not only the
United States, but extends to England, Scotland Australia, New
Zealand, Mexico and Canada. In pianos they have always done a
very large business, and have recently commenced the manufacture
of that instrument. The explanation of the remarkable growth of
this house is easily found in the personal characteristics of Mr.
Kimball and his co-partners. Enterprising, energetic and prompt,
with natural capabilities for their business, they have found an ad-
mirable outlet in the prosecution of a work in which they have no
superiors.
William Wallace Kimball was born in Oxford County, Maine,
on March 22, 182S. There he was brought up on the farm, and
received his early education at the country school. When he had
obtained all the instruction that this primitive educational institu-
tion was capable of imparting, he commenced doing schoolmaster's
duty, and two winters of his young manhood were spent in the
teacher's chair. Then he clerked for a year in a country store, re-
ceiving the small salary of eight dollars and thirty-three cents a
month. At the age of twenty-one, he left the old home for Bos-
ton, where he remained for some time. He then, in the fall of
1S57, came to this city. Mr. Kimball has grown up with Chicago,
and was the first man to do a wholesale business in musical instru-
ments here. It was he who inaugurated the installment plan,
which has enabled so many families, without perceptible outlay,
to purchase musical instruments. Mr. Kimball was married, June
22, 1865, to Miss Eva M. Cone, of Chicago.
E. S. Conway, secretary and general superintendent of the W.
W. Kimball Company, was born in Ontario, Canada, March 21,
1850. When a boy, his parents removed to Pepin County. Wis.,
and some time later he went to Lake City, Minn. In 1869, he first
became associated with the leading spirit of the house of which he
is now a partner, and two years later Mr. Kimball appointed him
agent for the State of Minnesota, for the sale of his pianos and or-
gans. In 1872, he also represented the same house as agent for
Wisconsin. Mr. Kimball recognized the value of Mr. Conway as
a business man, and he called him to Chicago, in 1875, to take
charge of his wholesale department. On July 1, 1SS2, Mr. Kim-
ball formed a stock company. Mr. Conway obtained an interest in
the business, and was made secretary of the corporation. He is
also president and general superintendent of the Newport Lumber
Company, of Arkansas, which concern was organized in August,
1851. Mr. Conway has resided at Oak Park since 1875, and, in
April, 18S2, he was elected a member of the board of trustees
of the township in which he resides, and in April, 18S3, he was
made president of the same board.
A. Reed & Sons. — In keeping with the progress of modern
art, and especially in those branches of artistic mechanism which
require rare and peculiar ingenuity and adoption, Chicago is not
at all behind the older cities of the East. In this connection we
can refer to the firm of A. Reed &; Sons, manufacturers and dealers
in pianos, as being typical representatives of that branch of indus-
try. The house is one of the oldest in the West, having been es-
tablished in 1S42, by the founder, Alanson Reed, opening a music
store at the corner of Randolph and Dearborn streets. That
quarter of the city was the fashionable promenade and retail center
of trade, and Mr. Reed did a very properous business. In 1S62,
his sons, Alanson H. and J. Warner Reed, were admitted into
partnership, and the name and style of the firm has ever since been
A. Reed & Sons. At the breaking out of the War, the firm had
established branch houses at St. Louis, Mo., and Nashville, Tenn.
The former store was in charge of Alanson H Reed, and the
Nashville branch was managed by Marvin Reed, a brother of the
senior Reed, and who died in 1SS4. The store at Nashville was con-
fiscated, and the linn closed up their business at St. Louis, the son,
A. If. Reed, coming to Chicago, where he has since been located.
In the great fire of 1S71, Messrs. R'-ed & Sons suffered the same
loss that thousands of others did, but instantly resumed their busi-
ness bv opening a store over a livery stable in the vicinity of Six-
596
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
teenth Street, near Michigan Avenue. The firm had adopted the
title of Reed's Temple of Music for their house, and in 1S72, they
erected a building in conformity with the above name, at the cor-
ner of Van Buren and Dearborn streets, which they occupied until
i;7>. when thev removed to State Street. They were located in
the Palmer House until 1SS0, and then changed to their place of
business. No. 136 State Street. The house is in its forty-third
year, and its business has constantly grown, until they now aver-
age sales of one hundred and fiftv instruments per month. The
life-long experience of the firm of A. Reed & Sons gives them an
advantage of knowing just what is needed in their business.
Alanson Reed, the head of the firm, was born at Warren,
Mass., November 13, 1814, and is to-day perhaps the oldest repre-
sentative of the piano trade in the country. During his boyhood, he
spent but three months inside of a school-room, being necessitated
from early youth to make his own way. He was early apprenticed
to a trade, and at the age of sixteen was a cabinet-maker. He
then went to work in the factory of Chickering & Co., piano-
makers at Boston, and thoroughly mastered everything connected
with the manufacture of a piano. He remained with them until
1S37, when he abandoned work at the bench, and commenced as a
dealer in instruments. His first venture was one piano shipped to
Columbus, Ohio, then only a little village. At that time, the at-
tention of Eastern men had just commenced to turn toward the
Western country, but the advantages of transportation were such
as did not invite much trade with the new Territory. When Mr.
Reed shipped his piano to Columbus, he was obliged to send it to
Boston, and from there by vessel to New Orleans, thence up the
Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Portsmouth, Ohio, and from thence
to Columbus by canal. The freight was $37 and the insurance
$16. At such a cost, and with the small population of Columbus
and the surrounding country, he found he was unable to build up
a trade that would result in anything like pecuniary gain. He re-
turned to Boston, and, in 1S42, again tried his fortune in selling
pianos. He first shipped two instruments to Utica, N. Y., one to
Syracuse, one to Rochester, one to Batavia, two to Cleveland,
Ohio, two to Sandusky, three to Detroit, Mich., and three to Chi-
cago. No railroad had then been built west of Boston
further than Albany, N. Y., and the freights by rail to
Albany were entirely too high to admit of sending
goods in that way. So they were shipped by water
from Boston to New York, thence by steamer up to
Albany, thence by canal to Buffalo, and then by ves-
sel to Cleveland and Chicago. Mr. Reed followed the
pianos, as they reached their destinations, and after
much labor, succeeded in disposing of them all, until
he reached Chicago. The town had a population then
(1S42) of about six thousand inhabitants. Mr. Reed
offered for sale the three pianos he had shipped here,
but he was unable to get a bid. Parties offered to
exchange town lots for them, but he refused, little
dreaming he would live to see the village grown to
over half a million in population and the town lots
he refused bring hundreds of thousands of dollars in
price. He could not sell the pianos here, at any price,
for cash, and he was obliged to re-ship them to De-
troit. His next venture was the shipment of twenty
pianos to Columbus, Ohio, where he located. The
people, however, were intent on making their fortunes,
and felt too poor to expend their surplus money in
such expensive luxuries as pianos. The prices for such
instruments, were, of course, far greater then than now,
and all agricultural productions were very low, so the
people had cause to refrain from purchasing anything
more than actual necessities. It appeared so unlikely
that sale could be found for pianos, that he was the
object of much well-meant commiseration, the wife of
a prominent State official remarking, "Poor man,
he has come here to starve; he will never earn his salt." The re-
mark was an incentive to Mr. Reed to stay; and stay he did,
remaining there until he built up a business that extended all
through Central Ohio. He afterward removed to Chicago, in order
to obtain a larger field for his operations. Mr. Reed was married
to Miss Hannah I;. Read, of Cambridge, Vt., on January 28, 1839.
They had two sons, who are now partners in the firm of A. Reed
& Sons. Mrs. Alanson Keed died in this city February 2, 1877.
Alanson //. Keed, of the firm of A. Keed & Sons, was born in
Boston, Mass, March 1, 1841. His father removed to Columbus,
Ohio, in the year 1-42, and young Reed was there brought up and
attended the public schools. At the age of eighteen, he was ad-
mitted into partnership with his father, who had established a mu-
sic-house in Chicago. In 1856, the firm opened a branch house at
St. Louis, and the subject of this sketch went there to take charge.
In [86l, on the breaking out of the War, the firm closed up their
business in that city, and he came to Chicago. Upon his arrival
here, Mr. Reed entered the Union College of Law, with the inten-
tion of pursuing a course of study and ultimately entering the pro-
fession of law. He remained there two years, and then returned to
the firm of A. Reed & Sons. Mr. Reed has been identified with
the piano and organ trade since that time, and has seen the insig-
nificant trade of a few thousands a year, grow to a volume of hun-
dreds of thousands per annum. Mr. Reed was married to Miss
Flora Evelyn Lancaster, of this city, on December 1, 1869. On
this date, also, occurred the wedding of his brother to a sister of
Miss Lancaster. Mr. Reed is a member of Apollo Commandery,
K. T., and has always been a staunch Republican in politics.
J. Warner Reed, of the firm of A. Reed & Sons, second son
of Alanson Reed, was born in Boston, June 1, 1842. Soon after,
his father moved to Columbus, Ohio. At fhe age of twelve he
spent considerable of his time, when out of school, in the piano
rooms. At sixteen years of age his entire attention was devoted
to this trade. At eighteen he went East, and served some time in
the piano factories, going through each separate department, till
he had a thorough practical knowledge of the trade which he was
to follow. In 1862, he, with his brother Alanson H., was admitted
into a co-partnership with his father, who had established himself in
Chicago, years before, in the piano business. He traveled over the
Northwest for many years, selling pianos, going into sections of the
country far removed from railroads, having hauled pianos in wag-
ons over a hundred miles. From the age of sixteen to the present
time, Mr. Reed has been constantly engaged in the piano trade, and
if experience be of any value, his should be rated at par, and ad-
vancing. On December 1, 1869, he married Miss Mary Virginia
Lancaster, of this city, he and his brother marrying sisters, and at
the same ceremony. He has three children — Eva Virginia, J. War-
ner, Jr., and Alanson L. Mrs. Reed died on December 13, 1876.
Mr. Reed has always been a Republican in politics. He resides at
Hinsdale, one of Chicago's suburbs, where he has a few acres to
tone up his system.
Lyon & Healy. — An account of this extensive and leading
house will be given in the ensuing volume, which will embrace the
epoch during which the vast increase of their business occurred.
YOUNG AMERICA HOTEL AND RICE S THEATER.
THE DRAMA.
Rice's Theater. — Until 1857, Rice's Theater was
the attractive center of dramatic representation in Chi-
cago. For ten years it had been the chief place of
amusement in the city, and the popularity of Mr. and
Mrs. Rice never waned for an instant. No man had
done so much for the interest and amusement of the
Chicago public as John B. Rice, and his constant in-
crease in favor testified how deeply that public appre-
ciated his labors. But in 1857, he and his wife deter-
mined to retire from the stage, and the theater passed
under other management It also encountered the
competition of its new rival, just erected by J. H. Mc-
yz^?-
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
597
Vicker, and its end was not long in coming. For several
years it led a fitful and unpopular existence, until, in
1861, it became manifest to Mr. Rice that it could no
longer maintain its place as a theater. He then had it
torn down, and on its site erected a handsome business
block.
John Blake Rice, actor, theatrical manager, mayor, congress-
man, a man of broad heart and mind, able and determined, and cheer-
ful through all adversities; was born in Easton, Talbot Co., Md., on
May 28, 1S09, when about twenty-one years of age made his debut as
the Uncle, in " George Barnwell," appearing in the Boston Theater.
Subsequently he went to the West Indies, where he joined a dra-
matic company which played in several of the leading cities. Mr.
Rice rose so rapidly that his friends and admirers, a few years there-
after, organized a stock company and built him a theater in Bangor,
Maine. He and his company played in the principal cities of the
country, and thus it was that he met Mary Ann Warren, the daugh-
ter of the celebrated William Warren, and sister of William War-
ren, Jr. Miss Warren was a young lady of rare accomplishments
and ability as an actress, and, in December, 1837, was married, in
Philadelphia, to the man of her choice. Mr. and Mrs. Rice acted
together as stars, removing from New York to Buffalo in 1839,
where the former managed the Buffalo and Albany museums. In
the fall of 1846, Mr. Rice first came West for the purpose of select-
ing a location for a theater. At this time Milwaukee and Chicago
were the competing points, and the former city threatened to carry
the day, for he transformed an old military hall into a theater, or-
ganized a stock company in Shakesperian selections, put " Black
Eyed Susan " on the stage, and gave that village its first real taste
of drama. Subsequently he erected a brick building, on the site of
the ill-fated Newhall House, which was burned, but not until Mr.
Rice had determined, by a trial of about five years, that Milwaukee
was not a paying town. In May, 1S47, he had contracted for the
erection of a frame building, on the south side of Randolph Street,
afterward known as " Rice's Theater," and opened to the public on
June 28. In the meantime, Mrs. Rice had come on from Buffalo,
and appeared as a member of the company on the I2th of the next
month. The burning of his theater in July, 1S50, was a blow to
his prospects ; but his was a spirit not to be even depressed by such
a calamity, and it still remains in his wife's memory, as a pleasant
recollection of his sturdy character, that upon the night of the fire,
when she was well nigh crushed, he returned to his home, whistling
cheerfully like a boy. He at once set about repairing his fortune,
and a large brick building, completed in January, 1851, was the re-
sult. Kor a time after the opening of the new theater, in February,
Mrs. Rice resumed her place upon the stage as leading lady, In
October, 1857, Mr. Rice retired from theatrical pursuits, and, in
1 861, erected a business block upon the site of his theater, lie also
purchased the property which afterward became the site of the
Crosby Opera House, and in other real-estate transactions ad. Id 10
his competency. His character was above reproach ; his influence
for good, not only in his own profession but with all classes of peo-
ple, had been great ; he was warm-hearted, able, patriotic and popu-
lar ; consequently, when the Union party of Chicago commenced
to look around for a leader, they fixed upon John 15. Rice and in
April, 1865, he was almost unanimously elected to the mayoralty.
Mr. and Mrs. Rice also gave their only son, William Henry, to
their country's cause. He fell at Chickamaugua on September 19,
1863, being at the time of his death captain of Co. "A," 89th Illi-
nois Infantry. In 1867, Mr. Rice was again elected mayor, and in
1872 was elected to Congress from the first District of Illinois, but
did not live to complete his term as congressman. He died in De-
cember, 1S74, at a home he built in Norfolk, Va. He had been
suffering for some time, but, believing a change of occupation and
a prolonged rest at the conclusion of the session would restore him
to health, he refused medical treatment. His case, however, be-
came more alarming, and a removal to Norfolk was suggested ; but
he failed to rally, and his death occurred December 17, 1S74. Mr.
Rice left behind him, of his immediate relatives, his wife, still a
resident of Chicago, and five daughters — Mrs. Kimball, widow of
James Kimball, chief engineer in the navy ; and Mesdames James
W. Odell, William S. Smith, George L. Dunlap, and Orson Smith,
all of Chicago.
McVicker's Theater. — When McVicker's Theater
was built in 1857, it marked one of the most important
epochs in the history of the drama in Chicago. In fact,
so great was the undertaking, it may also be said to de-
note a more comprehensive event, and indicate a grand
step in the progress of dramatic art in the West.
James H. McVicker had long held a position of
honor among the profession, and had achieved success
as a manager. Personally, he was known as one of the
most entertaining comedians on the American stage,
but the enterprise planned by him was far beyond the
limits of his previous efforts, and surpassed anything at-
tempted by Wrestern managers.
James Hubert McVicker was born in the City of New
York, on February 14, 1822. His parents, James and Nancy Mc-
Vicker, were of Scotch-Irish ancestry. In 1822, when the son was
born, his father died, leaving a widow and three children without
provision for their future. James, therefore, had but few educa-
tional advantages, as he had to assist in the support of his mother.
He became a printer's apprentice in 1S32, and worked in mechanical
capacities, at different places in New York, until October, 1837.
He then entered as an apprentice in the office of the St. Louis Re-
publican, and in 1840 became a journeyman. Dissatisfied, how-
ever, with the nature of his work, Mr. McVicker then determined to
acquire scholastic knowledge, and, under the most trying circum-
stances, commenced his studies, and successfully prosecuted them,
with that determined perseverance which has made his whole career
successful. Mr. McVicker began his dramatic work in New Or-
leans, in 1840, commencing in the most subordinate capacities, and
growing into favor by steady progress. He subsequently appeared
at theaters in different parts of the country, and, during the latter
part of April, 1S4S, arrived in Chicago. Rice's comedian was
about leaving here, and the young actor was given an opportunity
to test his ability to fill the place. On the evening of May 2, 1S48,
Mr. and Mrs. McVicker made their first appearance in this city —
the former impersonating Mr. Smith, in the farce " My Neighbor's
Wife," and the latter, Susan, in the comedy " Hue and Cry." In
1S51, after the death of Dan Marble, he bought the right to use
that eminent comedian's plays, and began a starring tour through
the United States. In 1855, he >vent to England, where he was
cordially received. For the first time in his life, he then experi-
enced the comfortable sensations which are known only to the pecu-
niarily independent. In 1S56, he undertook the management of
the People's Theater at St. Louis, and met with good success. In
March, iS57,he again came to Chicago, and established McVicker's
Theater.
598
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
MC VICKER S THEATER.
During 1857, the construction went on, until it was
opened on November 5. When it is remembered that,
up to that period, the best theater in Chicago* was, at
its best, but a modest affair, involving an expenditure of
but a few thousands, there is reason to believe the
people were proud to see an edifice which cost $85,000,
contributing to their delight in the perfect presentation
of standard plays. It was the most substantial, conven-
ient, safe and costly theater building then standing in
the West, and had a seating capacity for two thousand
five hundred persons. The acoustic properties were
very good, and the stage had an area of eighty by fifty-
three feet. The scenery and properties of the theater
were the most extensive, and the finest in quality and
finish, then seen at any Western place of amusement.
The drop curtain was esteemed a work of art, and
represented the cities of Rock Island and Davenport
connected by the railroad bridge.
The theater was opened with a stock company con-
sisting of David Hanchttt, F. A. Munroe, F. S. Buxton,
\V. C. Forrester, A. J. Graver, J. B. Uhl, R. J. Allen,
W. Gay, H. R. Jones, J. Taylor, \Y. S. Higgins, F. Har-
rington. Mr. Havelock, Mrs. E. DeClancey, Mrs. Lottie
Hough, Mrs. Eliza Mann, Mrs. R J. Allen, Mrs. W. C.
Forrester, Mrs. W. Gay, Anna Martin, Alice Mann,
Fanny Rich, Emma Logan, Nellie (lay, Jenny Seacore,
Julia DeClancey, Mary Wright and J. Martin. The
music was under the direction of Louis Chatel, and F.
Harrington was assistant manager. Mr. McVicker took
an active part in many of the plays presented during the
early years, and retained occasional relations for a still
longer period.
•The initial performance consisted of " The Honey-
moon " and "Rough Diamond," in which pieces Mr.
McVicker sustained the comedy element. The Tri-
bune, of November 6, remarked :
" Last evening was an era in the dramatic history of our city.
For the first time since Chicago took rank as one of the first cities
of the Union, she has a theater worthy of her citizens who patron-
ize the drama. Mr. McVicker has labored against a host of adverse
circumstances. He has overcome a succession of obstacles which
were sufficient to have overcome ordinary men, and last evening he
opened to the public, if not one of the largest, certainly one of the
finest and most comfortable theaters in the country. * * At an early
hour the house was filled to its utmost capacity, the twenty-five
hundred seats being occupied long before the curtain rose. The
audience was in excellent humor, and evidently determined to be
pleased. Indeed, it must have been hypercritical to have been
otherwise. After the overture by the orchestra, Miss Alice Mann
pronounced the opening address, written by Mr. B. F, Taylor,* of
the Journal. She was warmly welcomed and heartily applauded.
As Miss Mann retreated up the stage, the scene behind her was
withdrawn, revealing the entire company. The ' Star Spangled
Banner ' was then sung, with fine effect, and rewarded with a per-
fect storm of applause. Obedient to the vociferous demand of the
audience, Mr. McVicker came forward and delivered a happily-
conceived address, which was frequently interrupted with rousing
cheers."
It is recalled, as indicative of the city's transporta-
tion facilities at that time, that Parmelee's omnibuses
were announced to leave McVicker's Theater, for Bull's
Head and Cottage Grove, nightly, at the close of the
performance.
James E. Murdoch appeared at McVicker's Decem-
ber 14, 1857, in the character of Hamlet, followed by
a round of standard characters. Those who witnessed
the finished action of this famous man bore the recol-
Thia add
d In publish it, and
ni>t obtainable, tin- contemporaneous newspapers havinjr
1 "" manuscript copy being extant.
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
599
lection ever afterward in mind. His perfect elocution,
his precision of method, his virile intelligence, and his
devotion to the artistic side of his profession, as well as
the character of the man himself, won admiration from
even those who looked with coldness on the drama.
On January 4, 1858, Miss Charlotte Cushman began an
engagement.
Edwin Booth first appeared at McVicker's on May
31, 1858, in "A New Way to Pay Old Debts," followed
by "Richelieu," "Brutus," and "Richard III." The
press comments were flattering, and forecast the emi-
nence which this great actor was destined to attain.
Miss Mary McVicker, then but a child, appeared at
her father's theater August 22, 1859, in a play entitled
" Gianetta," supported by Messrs. Tilton, Bradley,
Myers, Leighton, Cline, Dillon and Uhl, and Mrs. Mar-
ble, Mrs. Hough and Miss Woodbury. The success of
the young star was most pronounced. She won the
hearts of her audiences, and gained warmest expressions
of praise from the press. After this engagement Miss
McVicker also played Little Nell, appearing in that
character November 7, and soon became a reigning
favorite with Chicago theater-goers.
Mary McVicker Booth, or, as she was best known to her
friends, Mary McVicker, was one of those striking characters occa-
sionally met with in this world, whose career from her earliest
childhood was redundant with exceeding promise. Her debut oc-
curred in McVicker's Theater, on April 1, 185S. The incompe-
tency of the child first cast to take the part of Marie in the " Sea
of Ice," necessitated a substitution, which led to Mary's appear-
ance, and which was a pronounced success, occurring when she
was but ten years old. So marked and varied were her dramatic
powers, that it was decided that she should appear as Eva in
" Uncle Tom's Cabin." Such was her triumph in this character,
that when an attraction was needed, Mary would appear in some
new character, and her popularity did much to aid her father in
those struggling days of the drama in Chicago from 1857 to 1861.
Mrs. Thayer, of Chicago, wrote for Mary a temperance drama
called "The Angel Child." Solomon A. Willson, a prominent
lawyer, also wrote for her an original drama, entitled " Gianetta."
Her fame, naturally, reached managers in other cities long before
this, and her parents were persuaded to let her appear at the Bos-
ton Museum, where she at once became a favorite. She afterward
appeared in several other large Eastern cities with marked success.
Max Strakosch recognized her popularity and her vocal abilities,
and requested that she might appear in a few concerts which he was
giving in Chicago and vicinity, with Signor Brignoli, Gottschalk,
the eminent pianist, and others. This was in April, 1862, and her
success in concert was fully equal to that which she had already
achieved on the dramatic stage. She afterward made a tour of the
Southern cities, and gave a series of concerts with the noted tenor,
Henry Squiers. Mary, however, had not reached her twelfth year,
and her parents withdrew her entirely from public life, that she
might acquire an education in keeping with her natural gifts- After
the destruction of the Winter Garden Theater, in New Vork, in
March, 1867, Mr. McVicker engaged Edwin Booth to fill an en-
gagement at Chicago. Mary urgently solicited her parents that she
might play Juliet to Mr. Booth's Romeo, and this request was
urged by her with such pertinacity that, much against their wishes,
they at last acceded. The first appearance of Mary McVicker
since her childhood — now a woman, she was in her eighteenth
year — in one of the most difficult characters known to the stage,
was the means of crowding the theater to overflowing, and her ap-
pearance was greeted with a reception seldom accorded to any actor
or actress even after fame has been won. The acting of Miss Mc-
Vicker in aseries of leading and exacting parts, without any special
preparation, and with no stage experience except that acquired
when she was a mere child, was naturally deemed a revelation of
marvelous inherent ability. During the season of 1867-68, Mary,
with her mother^ accompanied Mr. Booth to New Vork, and ap-
peared at his theatre, which was opened on February 4, l86g, with
Romeo and Juliet. For twelve weeks the performance of this play
was continued ; other representations following which were equally
as successful. The end of the season ended Mary's career as an
actress, and, in June of the same year, at the summer residence of
her parents, at Long Branch, her grandfather, Rev. B. F. Myers,
united her in marriage to Edwin Booth, to whom the remainder of
her life was entirely devoted. She bore him one child, which lived
but a few hours. In 1SS0, Mary's health failed. The care of a
house, devotion to her husband, and her unremitting attention to
his daughter (Edwina) by his first wife — a child eight years old at
the time of Mary's marriage to Mr. Booth — had so worn upon her
frail and nervous system that a trip to Europe was undertaken on
June 30, 1880. Anxiety and the fatigues of the journey were too
much for Mrs. Booth's enervated constitution, and she became
seriously ill. Her mother sailed for England in March, 1S81, and
her father followed during the ensuing month, and found her sick-
beyond hope of recovery. They deemed, however, that there was a
possibility of prolonging her life by means of a sea voyage, and
the whole party sailed for New York on June 18, 1881. She died in
New York on November 13, 1881, aged thirty-three years. Fune-
ral services were held in that city, Rev. Robert Collyer officiating.
The remains were brought to Chicago, and interred in her father's
burial lot at Rosehill, after appropriate and impressive services at
St. Paul's Universalist Church, conducted by Dr. \V. II. Ryder
and Professor David Swing.
Adah Isaacks Menken* was the first " star" to appear
in i860, at this house, beginning her engagement Jan-
uary 2. Jane Coombs was introduced to Chicago on
February 27, in "Jane Shore," "The Hunchback," and
other plays.
The first notable event in 1861, was the arrival of
E. A. Sothern. James E. Murdock began a season on
March 25, and Caroline Richings and her father, Peter
Richings, appeared on May 15, in the drama, "Miriam,
the Daughter of the State.'
During the intervals between the appearance of the
"stars," McVicker relied upon his stock company, for
in those days the system now known as " combination "
was unthought of. John Dillon was added to the comedy
portion of the company; and when popular interest
flagged, Mr. McVicker himself imparted vitality to the
plays. The Webb sisters were engaged, from the be-
ginning of the year, as dancers and protean artists.
Ada and Emma Webb were successful stars in this
country and in Europe, and after a most creditable ca-
reer, they married and retired from the stage, which
they had adorned with their pure characters and
marked abilities.
J. Wilkes Booth assumed the role of Richard III,
at McVicker's, January 20, 1862, on the occasion of his
first appearance before a Chicago audience. The fame
of his father, whose genius the son in no small degree
inherited ; the extraordinary ability displayed by the
young actor; and the awful tragedy of his death, com-
mand for him a place in the history of the drama — a
place which the obloquy occasioned by his moral tur-
pitude can not deprive him. The engagement was one
of the most brilliant played up to that date in the city.
An amusing burlesque called " Mazeppa, or the
Untamed Rocking Horse," in which Samuel Myers im-
personated the former half of the title, began March 27,
and achieved a decided run. It was local in the sub-
stance of its humor, and is still recalled as a very laugh-
able affair. L. M. Gottschalk, the famous pianist, as-
sisted by Carlotta Patti, George Simpson and Signor
Morino, gave two concerts at McVicker's April 17 and
18, 1862.
In June, 1862, J. Wilkes Booth played a second en-
gagement at McVicker's, and was received by the pub-
lic with flattering cordiality. At this time a charity fair
was being held at one of the halls in this city. Booth
attended, and was asked for his autograph by a young
lady who was present. Booth declared that he re-
garded his signature as of no value, and disliked to be-
stow on his fair petitioner a worthless thing. But the
lady assured him she could sell all he could write for
twenty-five cents each, and he yielded to the tempta-
tion. Many of his autographs were put in circulation
•This celebrated actress obtained a divorce from John C. Heenan, "The
Benicia Boy," in March, 1862, in the Circuit Court at Woodstock, McHenry
Co., 111. The marriage h.id been persistently denied by the defendant, but was
established in the divorce proceedings by indisputable evidence, and, good cause
being proven, a divorce was decreed.
6oo
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
that night, and have since become objects of value to
curiosity hunters.
William Warren, the famous comedian, whose first
acquaintance with Chicago dates from the remarkable
season of 1S39, under Jefferson's management, returned
to receive the hearty welcome of old-time friends on
July 13. 1863.
In September came J. H. Hackett, whose Falstaff
will ever remain one of the firmest traditions of the
American stage. In that character he stood unsur-
passed, delighting all who saw him, as well by the hu-
mor of his conception as by his observance of art.
Daniel E. Bandmann, the German tragedian, first
appeared in Chicago, at this theater, on November 30,
1863. The opening play was an English translation of
Brachvogel's tragedy " Narcisse," founded on the story
of Pompadour's life in the court of Louis XV, and was
given for the first time in this city. The edition differs
from the version used by that eminent German, Ludwig
Barnay, in its tragic element, as in this Narcisse slays
his faithless wife. The press condemned the play, but
warmly approved the actor, and the engagement was
one approximating unto popular success.
In May, 1S64, Mr. McVicker made his brother-in-
law, Mr. Samuel Myers, stage manager, and gave him
an interest in the business of the theater. On June 20,
Matilda Heron gave "Camille," and on the 27th of that
month brought out her dramatization of " The Scarlet
Letter," for the first time on any stage. Despite the
thrilling interest of the story, as told by Hawthorne,
this play was not a success, although the role of Hester
Prynne was admirably sustained. There was a vital
lack of dramatic strength in this version, as in the one
given some years later by Mrs. Lander. Neither suc-
ceeded.
William Warren commenced a series of comedy
parts July n, 1864, reviving interest in the choicest of
the lighter dramas. As was customary in those days, a
fancy dance was given between plays, every night, and
the reigning favorite at that time was Mile. Augusta.
Miss Lotta Crabtree was introduced to Chicago
audiences August 1, 1864, by J. E. McDonough, and
scored a remarkable hit in " The Seven Sisters." The
first week's performances were witnessed by over twelve
thousand persons. A season of three weeks was given.
Lawrence P. Barrett was first announced in Chicago
October 10, 1864, on which occasion he gave Wallack's
drama " Rosedale."
Olive Logan presented her own play, "Felon's Daugh-
ter," February 6, 1865, making her debut as an actress
here on that date. The press spoke well of her personal
appearance, but was not cordial in its comments on her
histrionic ability. She remained two weeks, playing
" The Hunchback," " Ingomar," " Lady of Lyons," and
" The Stranger."
The assassination of President Lincoln, April 14,
1865, produced the most profound sorrow among the
members of the dramatic profession, because of the fact
that, in addition to the common grief of all men, they
were forced to bear a peculiar phase of the National
woe. The deed was done by one whose name was once
eminent among rising actors. In consideration of this
misfortune to the profession, and with an intent to
promptly demonstrate their abhorrence of the act, the
companies then playing at McVicker's and Wood's
assembled at the parlors of the Sherman House, Mon-
day, April 17, to take appropriate action expressive of
their feelings. I . F. Mackay called the meeting to
order, and F. a'liecket was chosen to preside. The
following resolutions were unanimously adopted by the
assembled company :
Whereas, The Supreme Power, in disposing the events of our
Nation, has been pleased to take from us, by violent death, our
beloved and noble President, Abraham Lincoln; and,
Whereas, The fatal tragedy which terminated the earthly career
of this great and good man transpired within the temple of the
drama; and,
Whereas, The dark and bloody deed which has bereft a family
of its father and protector, a people of their tried and trusted friend,
the Nation of a just and humane leader, was perpetrated by one
who was formerly a member of the dramatic profession; Therefore.
Resolved, That we, the members of the dramatic profession of
Chicago, while recognizing the omniscience and bowing to the will
of God in all things, can not but deeply feel and sincerely lament,
in common with all our countrymen, this irreparable loss to our
country; and we take this occasion, as a body, acting unanimously,
to express our detestation and abhorrence of him who, by this cow-
ardly and infamous assassination, has spread the sombre pall of
sorrow over our land, so recently rejoicing over the achievements of
the Illustrious Dead, to whom henceforth our country's history will
accord a niche beside the immortal Washington.
Resolved, That the dramatic profession of Chicago, desirous of
expressing their sincere and respectful sympathy with the bereaved
family of the deceased, and of showing their love and veneration for
the philanthropist, statesman, and martyr whom they mourn, would
respectfully request the managers of theaters in this city to close
their houses until the funeral services are performed, that no inhar-
monious demonstrations may disturb the impressiveness of this
great and solemn occasion.
J. H. McVicker spoke feelingly, and declared that
the resolutions expressed his sentiments, both for the
character of the deed and his sympathy for those in
affliction. J. Z. Little, A. D. Bradley, and other gentle-
men also spoke upon the theme. It was resolved to
wear badges of mourning for thirty days, and to close
the several houses until the following Thursday.
The great event of the summer of 1865, was the
engagement of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean, who, sup-
ported by Miss Chapman, Mr. Cathcart, Mr. Everett
and the stock company of McVicker's, gave a season of
six nights, from June 26, 1865. The repertory con-
sisted of " Henry VIII," " Merchant of Venice," " Louis
XI," "Hamlet" and "The Jealous Wife." Celeste
made her first Chicago appearance November 8, in
"The Woman in Red. "
That eminent English tragedian Charles Dillon,
made his first appearance in Chicago, at McVicker's,
April 2, 1866. His introductory performance was in
Virginius.
On the 8th of July " The Black Crook " was first
produced in Chicago, at McVicker's, by C. M. Barras,
under the personal supervision of J. E. McDonough.
The piece attained an interrupted run of fifty-six nights,
and called out renewed protests from one element of
society and unparalleled patronage from all. This was
the birth of the modern spectacular drama in Chicago.
Joseph Jefferson appeared as Rip Van Winkle on
November 4, 1867.
Mrs. Scott Siddons appeared on January 25, 1869,
for the first time in Chicago, and was kindly received
by the press, and patronized by the public because of
her famous name. Her success was not as pronounced
as her friends had hoped it would be. Mrs. D. P.
Bowers, supported by J. C. McCullom, first claimed the
favor of a Chicago audience February 15, in Falconer's
play called " Snare."
The season of 1869-70 opened August 23, 1869,
with Joseph Wheelock and Mrs. Cowell at the head of
the company. Edwin Adams, who had, meanwhile,
achieved fame in the character of Enoch Arden, by a
run of fifty nights in New York, first played that drama
here August 30. He was hailed by immense houses.
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
601
The coincidence of three theaters running the same
play is noted here. McVicker's, Crosby's and Wood's
put on " Formosa" to large business during the summer
of 1869.
Joseph K. Emmet first appeared in Chicago January
24, 1870, and made a decided "hit" in "Fritz."
Frank Mayo's first appearance in Chicago, as a star,
was on March 14, in " Hamlet," " Richelieu, " " Ingo-
mar," "The Robbers" and " Macbeth."
John S. Clarke dates his arrival on the Chicago stage
from August 22, 1870, at which time he gained great
favor in " Toodles, " "A Widow Hunt" and "The
Militia Major."
Fannie Janauschek, supported by Frederick Rob-
inson, make her first appearance in English drama in
Chicago at McVicker's Theater on February 6, 187 1.
The repertory consisted of " Deborah, " " Fazio, "
" Mary Stuart " and " Macbeth. " The success of
this engagement was commensurate with the exalted
genius of this gifted woman. Charles Fechter gave his
initial performance before a Chicago audience February
27, 187 1. Mr. Fechter was supported by Carlotta
Leclercq, and enacted " Hamlet, " " Don Caesar de
Bazan, " " Ruy Bias, " and " The Lady of Lyons. "
He remained one week. Joseph Murphy, in "Help,"
made his first bid for popular applause in this city
March 13, 187 1.
The growing importance of Chicago as a commercial
center increased the dramatic possibilities of the city,
and afforded rare promise of success to those who were
far-sighted enough to descry the measure of public pa-
tronage. Mr. McVicker had seen the venturesome un-
dertaking of 1857 become a substantial evidence of his
sagacity, and, emboldened by that test of his power to
discern the signs of the times, he determined to practi-
cally rebuild his theater. It was consequently altered so
that nothing but the walls of the old theater remained,
the remodeling having cost over $90,000. The open-
ing took place August 29. The play selected for this
occasion was " Extremes, " a drama first given in Chi-
cago, at Rice's Theater, in 1855, by Peter Richings,
whose daughter Caroline (Mrs. Richings-Bernard of
later years) took the part of Widow Crosby, and Mr.
McVicker that of Higgins, a politician. The stock
company was so large that a double cast was given al-
most entire to this comedy, and alternated night about
during its run. On the opening night of his own house,
Mr. McVicker assumed the role of Mark Mayberry, and
was welcomed with enthusiasm by an audience which
appreciated not merely the excellence of his acting, but
also his enterprise as a manager.
C. Bronzon Howard's comedy, entitled " Saratoga, "
was produced September 11, 1S71, and met with a re-
ception which foretold the future prosperity of the au-
thor. It held the boards until the 30th of that month,
and was then withdrawn to make room for Boucicault's
play " Elfie, " in which the stock company appeared.
This drama was running at the time of the great fire,
October 9.
Crosby's Opera House. — The history of this fa-
mous temple of art is one without a parallel in the West.
Its enormous cost, its elegance of design, its vicissitudes
as a financial investment, its brief existence, and its de-
votion to grand operatic and dramatic uses, combine to
furnish data for a sketch differing in nature from that of
any other theater in Chicago or the West. Conceived
by one who was unknown to the profession, so far as
practical experience and education are concerned, the
venture necessarily resulted in pecuniary diaster ; for
Mr. Crosby's ideas were based upon exalted theories,
rather than upon a rational understanding of the de-
mands of the place and time. Constructed during a
period of extreme inflation of values, and elaborated
with recklessness and lavish disregard of business prin-
ciples, it courted ruin for the projector, and precipitated
him into a gulf of embarrassment which more cautious
men might have avoided.
Uranus H. Crosby, the originator of the Opera House, was
born in the town of Brewster, Barnstable Co. (Cape Cod), Mass.,
in 1830. He removed to Chicago when about twenty years of age,
and was engaged in a distillery, on the North Branch, owned by a
relative. This business he pursued with success, and the War pe-
riod found him still interested in the production of spirits. When
the Government imposed a tax upon liquors, those who were
advised of the intention prior to its accomplishment, and were able
to invest in such commodities, realized enormous fortunes by the
augmentation in prices. Mr. Crosby's familiarity with the conditions
of the trade, enabled him to take advantage of this opportunity,
and by judicious management he experienced large benefits in a
financial way. The enlargement of his resources gave wider scope
to Mr. Crosby's more refined tastes, and added impetus to his
projects for the display of a commendable ambition. It was his
desire to foster a love of the higher ideals in art, in music, and in
the drama. The purpose was a noble one, and had it been devel-
oped with a careful regard of inexorable laws, or had circumstances
been kinder in their dealings with him, Mr. Crosby might to-day
be rated among the prosperous men of Chicago. Be the causes
what they may, calamity hovered over the undertaking from its in-
ception, and settled forever on the ruins of the edifice in the fire of
1871. So far as this sketch has to deal with Mr. Crosby, all is
told that need be said concerning his dealings with the drama here.
His sojourn amid the profession was brief, brilliant and calamitous
to himself, although his labors bore rich fruits ill the general scheme
of dramatic advancement in Chicago.
Actuated by a praiseworthy motive, Mr. Crosby de-
termined to erect an edifice suitable to the production
of grand opera, as well as the drama, in a style more
gorgeous than had yet been done in the West. A gal-
lery devoted to the fine arts was also a part of his plan,
and a hall adapted to concerts and lectures was made a
distinct feature of the building. The site chosen for
this structure was on the north side of Washington
Street, nearly midway between State and Dearborn.
Mr. Crosby, in company with W. W. Boyington, a
well-known architect, of Chicago, visited the principal
cities of the Union, with a view to gaining a practical
knowledge of how to construct an opera house. The
result of these and other studies was shown in Crosby's
Opera House.
Those who were engaged in the construction of this
temple, were — architect, W. W. Boyington ; assistant
architect, John W. Roberts ; fresco painters, Jevne &
Almini ; painters, Heath & Milligan ; scenic artist, Wil-
liam Voegtlin ; stage carpenter and machinist, Wallace
Hume ; carpenter and mason, Wallbaum & Bauman ;
cut stone work, L. H. Bolderwick ; heating apparatus,
Murray & Winne ; gas fixtures, H. M. Willmarth ;
plumbing, John Hughes ; plastering, C. Kobolt ;
plate glass, John R. Piatt.
In the spring of 1865, t]ie immense structure was
completed, at a total cost, it was asserted, of $600,000.
The inevitable end came to Mr. Crosby's fortune before
the house was done, and the announcement of a grand
opening was made in the ears of a man who knew that
the enterprise was accomplished only by the sacrifice of
personal fortune. Still, there was no retreat, and with
loud proclaim of the glory of the occasion, the 17th
of April, 1865, was designated as the inaugural night.
The house was not designed as a theater in the general
6o2
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
acceptation of the term then applied, but as a place
dependent upon traveling companies, mainly operatic,
a stock company was not chosen. In accordance with
this idea, and to sustain its name, Crosby's Opera
House was opened to the public by a season of grand
Italian opera, under the direction of J. Grau. The
company was from the New York Academy of Music,
and numbered among its members Clara Louise Kel-
logg, Carozzi, Zucchi, Morensi, Fischer, Zapucci, Mas-
similiani, Lotti, Lorini, Susini, Foriani, Colletti, Muller
and Ximenes.
The opening performance, however, was destined
not to take place as announced. The assassination of
President Lincoln produced such wide-spread conster-
nation among the people of Chicago that amusements
were unthought of. Manager Grau and his con pany
had arrived in Chicago, and were prepared to carry out
the programme set for Monday evening, April 17. Mr.
Grau promptly declared the presentation of opera, un-
der circumstances so deplorable, an impossibility, and
advertised a postponement of the inauguration. Mr.
Grau expected to pay the salaries of his people, but in
that he was agreeably disappointed; for no sooner was
it made known to them, than the leading members re-
leased their manager from his obligation, and evinced
their sympathy by issuing the following card, in Italian:
" The irreparable calamity which has so suddenly befallen the
American Nation, in the terrible removal of one of its great glories,
in the person of its second father (Pater Patriae) Abraham Lincoln,
is felt by us, the artists of the Italian Opera Company, as deeply
as though it were our own; and, wishing to participate in the gen-
eral mourning, we approve of the just decision of our manager,
Mr. Grau, to postpone the inauguration of the opera season, and
thus pay our tribute of sorrow and tears to the memory of the mar-
tyr to a divine cause, and the man whom the history of America
and the book of humanity will make immortal.
". (Signed) Zucchi, Lotti,
Kellogg, Bergmann,
Morensi, Duereul,
Massimiliani Lorini,
Bellini, Colletti,
Susini, Foriani."
The time announced for the commencement of the
season was Thursday, April 20, and on that evening
a most brilliant audience assembled. The opera ren-
dered was " II Trovatore," and the manner of its
production was grand enough to satisfy even a less
cordially disposed audience than that which, filled
every portion of the spacious house. The season
continued four weeks, during which time were again
given "II Trovatore," " Lucia de Lammermoor," "II
Poliuto," " Martha," " Norma," " Faust," " Linda di
Chamouni," " La Sonnambula," " I Puritani," " Un Ballo
in Maschera," "Don Sebastian," " Lucretia Borgia,"
" Ernani " and " Fra Diavolo."
The Opera House was not continuously used,
because, as has been stated, no regular company was
employed. On May 25 and 26, concerts were given by
Helene de Katow and James M. Welhi, and on the 29th,
an amateur entertainment for the benefit of the Sanitary
Fair was given by prominent society people. Three
comedies were enacted, " Loan of a Lover," " Perfection"
and "Poor Pillicoddy." J'he evening following that,
'■ Macbeth " was produced by a company made up
from the stocks at McYicker's and Wood's, the proceeds
of which were also donated to the Sanitary Fair.
McVicker & Myers leased the Opera House July 8,
1865, and played a brief engagement with Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Kean, opening with "The Gamester." On the
10th, " Much Ado About Nothing " was given.
The system under which this theater was conducted
necessarily produced a varied, and not always com-
mendable, class of entertainments. Ostensibly devoted
to the highest forms of art, serious lapses from that
noble purpose must be noted. The combination system
now in vogue was at that time but tentatively repre-
sented, and it was difficult to fill dates with the better
and more famous actors, who did not travel then with
supporting companies, as they now do.
Concerts were given in August by George W. Mor-
gan, and in September by Karl Formes. Then came
the Hanlon Brothers, six in number, famed as athletes,
who displayed their remarkable skill in a comparatively
untried field on September 15. A matinee performance
was given by the Campbell & Castle English Opera
Company October 12, they being then booked for regu-
lar nights at the Academy of Music on Dearborn Street.
J. H. Hackett delivered a lecture, with illustrative read-
ings, on the subject of Shakespeare's comedies, Septem-
ber 29; Bateman's concerts, at which Carl Rosa, the
cornetist, appeared, began on October 23; and the third
season of grand opera opened on November 8, under
Grau's management, in a most encouraging manner.
The Music Hall was inaugurated November 29,
1865, by a concert company made up from Grau's
Italian Opera Company. This room was designed for
concerts and lectures only, and became a moderately
popular audience room.
Edwin Forrest returned to the Chicago stage, from
" the loophole of his retirement," — which he sought
June 23, 1848, — on the evening of January 22, 1866.
The veteran showed traces of advancing years, in the
declining of that giant-like physical strength which
had borne him through many a mimic contest with the
strongest men, but his mind was as active as of yore.
The company was led by John McCullough, whose
subsequent career demonstrated his right to claim
legitimate succession to his master's robes, no less than
to his roles. Madame Ponisi and Miss Lillie sustained
the first female parts in the plays presented. The
opening night of this great dramatic event was devoted
to the production of " Virginius," a play in which Mr.
Forrest has never been surpassed.
James E. Murdoch gave a reading at Crosby's on
Sunday evening, February 5, 1866, for charitable pur-
poses. The event was a notable one, for the reason
that the theaters were then but rarely opened Sunday
night. A large audience greeted him, and those who
listened to his " sermon in verse," " Enoch Arden," then
fresh in the public mind, can never forget his rendering
of it. Selections from Isaiah, Samuel, and other mas-
terpieces of composition were also read.
In May, 1866, a stock company under the director-
ship of C. D. Hess and Leonard Grover, was organized
for Crosby's Opera House, with the intention of filling
time between the appearance of traveling parties.
Among the people chosen were Mrs. Agnes Perry, Clara
Walters, A. W. Fenno, Charles Pope, Frank Lawler,
and J. 1'",. Whiting.
The misfortune which, from the first, attended the
Opera House, continued to increase as months rolled
by. As a financial investment it was a failure. It soon
became apparent that the property must change owners,
but how to effect this change was a problem that per-
plexed those who were most concerned. On the 26th
of May, 1866, public announcement was made of a
scheme which promised to relieve Mr. Crosby, and at
the same time place the property on a basis which would
enable the new proprietor to convert it into a self-sus-
taining investment. It was proposed to organize a
company, to be known as the Crosby Art Association,
and dispose of the edifice by lottery. The art gallery
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
603
located in the building contained a large number of
paintings and pieces of sculpture, many of which were
by recognized masters, and some of which were valued
at high figures. A prospectus was issued by the Asso-
ciation June 18, 1S66, offering an explanation of the
plan. The scheme contained the elements of popularity.
The universal desire to acquire sudden wealth without
the hazard of any considerable sum was a potent factor
in the success of this enterprise. The more conscientious
devotees at this shrine of Chance soothed their troubled
minds, and excused their purchase of a "share," by the
thought that they received an equivalent for their $5 in
the engraving donated with each ticket. Others satis-
fied compunctions of conscience with the specious
argument that, by purchasing a copy of " The Little
Wanderer," or any of the plates issued by the Association,
they were assisting in the encouragement of artistic
tastes. At all events, thousands of homes, and thou-
sands of dark closets in other homes, were adorned
with those well-remembered gems, while in every quar-
ter of the land private pocket-books were lightened of
greenbacks and weighted with the seductive bits of card-
board which suggested possible affluence. No scheme
of this sort had ever aroused the degree of interest
provoked by this gigantic venture.
It was announced that the drawing would take place
on October n, 1866, but no one was surprised at the
postponement of that auspicious event, when the date
arrived. The sale of lottery tickets at the host of
branch-offices established throughout the country, went
on apace. October came, and went. The thousands
who expected to draw the capital prize strolled through
the gallery and gazed at Cropsey's " Autumn " within and
on Nature's autumn without. Meanwhile stern winter
chilled theheartsof those made sick from hope deferred,
and yet the sale went on. The holders of tickets pro-
cured admission to the house to hear Parepa-Rosa and
Brignoli sing; and many a patron of Italian opera that
held grand carnival for three weeks from December 24,
glanced complacently about, between the acts, and
viewed the noble edifice which soon might be his own.
At last the day was set — the plan of distribution
given to a gaping world. Two wheels were ordered
made, into the larger of which two hundred and ten
thousand tickets, numbered from the first even unto the
last, were to be thrown and mixed in dire confusion by
an able-bodied man. Into the smaller wheel three
hundred and two tickets, each bearing a number, were
to be cast, as representatives of the prizes to be drawn.
These wheels were then to be stationed in conspicuous
manner on the stage of the theater, and turned until
the cards were throughly intermixed. A trustworthy
individual was to be stationed at each wheel, and sim-
ultaneously draw, blindfolded, a card from out each
fateful cylinder. The premiums were arranged in
schedule form, by title, and numbered, beginning with
the Opera House, as No. 1, and ranging down in value
to the poorest picture among the three hundred and
two prizes. The award was determined by the corre-
spondence of the tickets taken at the same moment
from the separate wheels.
The sales of tickets went on rapidly, and the dis-
tribution was advertised to take place January 21, 1867.
When that day arrived, all of the certificates except
twenty-five thousand five hundred and ninety-three
were disposed of, and these were retained by Mr. Crosby,
ll'ERA HOUSE.
604
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
who was willing to sacrifice much, rather than again
to disappoint the public. So the drawing took place.
The event was so humorously described in the columns
of the Republican, the morning of January 22, that we
quote from that paper as follows:
" When the dust of ages is recklessly scattered over this whole
transaction, there will remain a dim, uncertain tradition to the ef-
fect that the Chicagoans had a god by the name of Crosby, and
that on one occasion some grand religious ceremony took place in
his temple. * * * With what impatience this day has been
awaited, who can tell ? Has there ever been one so ' big with fate,'
since the praetorian guards put up the world's empire at auction?
* * * It is quite unnecessary to enter into a description of
the first steps taken in this important matter. * * * All the
tickets (except 25,593, held by Mr. Crosby) having been disposed
of, the drawing was fixed for the 2ist — a day especially sacred to
Saint Agnes, though what she can have to do with such affairs it
is hard to say. All entreaties for delays — all appeals for the issue
of more stock — were in vain. On Monday it must be, and on Mon-
day it was. As all know, who know anything, this city presented,
yesterday, and for two or three days previous, the most singular
spectacle. It was a city taken by storm. It no longer belonged
to itself. Every train from everv point of the compass came heavi-
ly laden with strangers, who, being unprovided with certificates,
rushed to purchase them, and re-appeared, after a time, furnished
with engravings ; or who, having been more provident, came to
be present at the appointed time, in order to see that every-
thing was fair. As a matter of fact, there were so many that it
was utterly impossible to accommodate them. The hotels were
filled. The Armory was filled. The saloons were filled. A pro-
posal to erect a number of berths in the tunnel was made, but there
was not time to put it into execution. * * * Not a few found
their way to Kinsley's [a restaurant beneath the Opera House],
and respectfully contemplated the wheels on exhibition there. They
looked at them from a distance, with mouths agape, with the same
reverence that an idolater would stare at his god. They walked
around and around them ; and finally, utterly carried away by their
feelings, they broke out into idiotical chuckles, and poked them-
selves in the ribs, to show themselves that they saw the joke. *
* * Where they all slept Sunday night — if they did sleep —
who can say? Some roamed back and forth through the streets
all night, stopping occasionally to take a little refreshment from the
inevitable carpet-bag. Some sat on steps, and some on curbstones,
and whistled. Some having insured warmth by a previous intoxi-
cation, laid themselves on the snow, and were still. But, when
the morning came, all, with one accord, swarmed out from the
nooks and crannies where they had stowed themselves, flocked to
the Opera House, and stood patiently outside, beating their hands
and stamping their feet. Not a word was spoken. No one looked
at his neighbors. On the face of each one was a look of infinite
peaces — a look of possessorship. But the acts of the residents of
the city were no less indicative of the importance of the day. There
was no ringing of bells, no thunders of cannon and blare of trum-
pets. The occasion was too great to command it. But there was
nothing done on 'Change. Pork and wheat were duller than the
dullest. There was not a soul in the Court room, where the Stew-
art divorce case is in progress, 'except one judge, the counsel who
spoke, and the jury-men — and the whole baker's dozen, would
have willingly adjourned to the Opera House, had they dared.
The shops were generally closed, and business was at an entire
standstill. Nor was there much difference in other cities; for
when there is nothing done here, there is nothing done anywhere
else As prize after prize was drawn from the wheel, an operator
behind the scenes telegraphed the news North, South, East and
West. Everywhere was excitement. * * * From Galveston
to Calais, no talk of impeachment, reconstruction, or the tariff —
whether gold was up or down. They only asked, ' Who will be the
man ?' and each one replied in his heart's heart, ' I guess it's me ! '
And thus they stared and waited until the doors were thrown open.
Then came confusion, the most intense, and excitement unparal-
leled. The crowd flung itself into the broad passage, which was
lined by Sergeant Jennings' squad, and became almost inextricably
entangled. Carpet-bags were torn from clasping hands and tram-
pled under foot. Pictures were dropped and crushed. Coats were
rent. Toes were trodden on, and hats sunk to rise no more. Men
screamed and women fainted. Policemen swore and sergeants
scolded. At last the knot was untied, and the survivors, with wild
and turbulent uproar, like dashing waves of stormy seas, swept up
the stairs, leaving their dead behind them; leaving their baggage —
though some still held the handle of a valise, or the rim of a hat —
and boiled over into the Opera House, where they remained for a
time expectant and quiescent. The first symptom of life was when
three colored boys brought forward the wheels. The applause
broke out with greater fervor when, after the lapse of a few min-
utes, the committeemen, with ticket-boxes under their arms,
emerged from behind the scenes, and in solemn procession, wound
their way to the front."
The committee who attended to the drawing was
composed of W. F. Coolbaugh, J. C. Dore, James C.
Fargo, I. Y. Miinn, J. A. Ellis, Clinton Briggs. E. G.
Hall, F. A. Hoffman, Amos T. Hall, Chauncey Bowen,
of Chicago; David Pulsifer, of Boston; Charles P.
Stickney, of Fall River, Mass.; Samuel Castner, R. M.
Hedden, of New York; W. B. Thomas, C. H. Needles,
Richard Smith, of Philadelphia; Walter Ingersoll, of
Detroit; E. S. Rouse, of St. Louis, all representatives
of heavy business houses in their respective cities. In
the presence of the audience, the tickets were deposited
in the wheels. A few of the pasteboards were spilt upon
the floor, and the audience roared in agony and anger.
Each feared that his ticket was thus irrevocably doomed
to ignominious defeat. The large number of shares
held by Mr. Crosby were represented in the wheel, and
assurances were given by the committee that the full two
hundred and ten thousand numbers were included in
the list. When all was ready, amid breathless silence
Peter Peterson turned the crank of one wheel, and Emile
Riske manipulated the other. As fate would have it,
twenty-six tickets were drawn before one of the nine
great prizes was reached; the twenty-seventh drawing
awarded Prize No. 5, Cropsey's " Woods in Autumn,"
valued at $5,000, to ticket No. 35,460, held by J. J.
Taylor, of Springfield, 111. Then came a list of petty
premiums, until the sixty-first drawing gave ticket No.
56,960, held by E. P. Dwyer, of Chicago, Prize No. 8,
"Alpine Scenery," by Gignoux, valued at $3,000. The
eightieth drawing bestowed Prize No. 6, " Recognition,"
on the holder of ticket No. 21,996, presumably held by
Mr. Crosby. The list ran on, amidst increasing excite-
ment, as the three hundred and two chances were
gradually narrowed by withdrawals, until, on the one
hundred and thirteenth announcement the audience rose
in wild confusion to hail the winner of the capital prize.
Who held the fortunate ticket 58,600? Where was the
man ? Who was the man ? Perhaps it was as well for
him that he was not in the throng of wild-eyed, disap-
pointed humanity. True it was, that no response came
to the loud demands for his appearance. All was
mystery. Some one called upon the committee to state
who held ticket 58,600, but that august body of men
proceeded calmly with the drawing, and left the
audience to waste its fury in impotent lashings at Fate,
and at strainings to catch a chance unfolding of the
mystery. Again the wheels revolved, and at the 148th
drawing, ticket No. 176,189, held by Mr. Crosby, re-
ceived the third prize, " An American Autumn," valued
at $6,000. The masterpiece, by Bierstadt, " The Yo-
semite Valley," held at $20,000, also fell to Mr. Crosby,
on' the i62d drawing; and the bust of Lincoln, by Volk,
went into the same hands. The seventh prize, " Deer
on the Prairie," by Beard, became the property of
Daniel Russell, of Boston, who had purchased ticket No.
61,942. " Washington Irving and His Friends," by Dar-
ley, was included in the number of lucky tickets retained
by the great projector of the scheme. There still re-
mained some premiums to be disposed of, but with the
awarding of the nine valuable lots, the audience lost
especial interest, and gradually melted away.
The one absorbing theme was the solution of the
mystery that surrounded the name of the man who had
drawn the Opera House. The committee announced
that the subscription books were sealed up, and no ac-
curate information could be given until returns had
been received from some branch-office. The action was,
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
605
as might have been foreseen, the cause of great dis-
satisfaction. Had it been stated at once that A. H.
Lee, of Prairie du Rocher, 111., held the winning ticket,
this enterprise would have gone down in history as a
most satisfactory lottery. But the publication of the
following letters should have set at rest all doubts con-
cerning the fairness of the disposal of the capital prize,
The St. Louis Republican of January 24, 1867, con-
tained the subjoined communication from Mr. Lee,
addressed privately to his brother-in-law, Daniel G.
Taylor of that city :
" Prairie du Rocher, III., January 23, 1S67,
" Dear Daniel: — I was very much astonished, last evening,
about seven o'clock, by the sudden appearance of two men in our
bedroom, where I sat reading by the side of my wife's bed, with
the announcement that I had drawn the Opera House, in Chicago.
I don't think that I was at all excited by the report. I had a
slight acquaintance with Mr. Burroughs, one of the men ; the
other, from Waterloo, was an entire stranger. The only document
they brought was a copy of the Missouri Republican, of the 23d
inst., which had so many accounts of the matter that I hardly
dared believe any of them. However, I bore the congratulations
of my new friends with commendable fortitude, and dismissed
them with suitable acknowledgments. After the lapse of half an
hour, I was the recipient of sundry calls from the neighbors and
friends in the village, all highly excited. The report had flown like
lightning, and the whole neighborhood was in an uproar. I bore
a hand at receiving the company, answered their numerous ques-
tions with as much dignity as I could assume, and, in a state of
semi unconsciousness of what it all meant, started off to com-
municate with Frank on the curious appearance of things. I had
been there but a few minutes when a ' halloo ' was heard at the
door for ' Mr. Lee ! Is Mr. Lee here?' Well, I went to the door
and acknowledged that I was that person, and went at him with the
question, ' What do you want ? ' ' Why,' said the poor frozen fel-
low, ' I have a despatch for you from Belleville. You have drawn
the Opera House.' I received the document and read as follows :
" ' A. H. Lee, Prairie du Rocher, 111.
" ' Crosby's Opera House yours. Hold your ticket.
(Signed) 'J. 13. Chamberlain.' "
" I mentally returned thanks to my new friend, Chamberlain,
and went home considerably perplexed; not yet conscious of the
reason for my being in the hands of so many new friends, who
seemed to show so strong a desire to pay me attention. But a
happy thought struck me. I will look at my ticket and see if there
is anything in it. Well, Daniel, when I found it, there the figures
stood, as plain as day -5S, 600, and no mistake. Meanwhile, Joe
and Ma had got hold of the matter, and, to my unbounded
astonishment, received it as a fact. I had undressed myself, as it
was growing late, and was sitting in my long-tailed nightshirt,
discussing the events of the evening, when a thundering knock at
the door announced that all was not over yet. Ma went to the door,
and quickly returned with the intelligence that ' a man ' wanted to
see me, and that he said I had drawn Crosby's Opera House.
' The devil ! ' said I, ' I wish they had to swallow the Opera
House.' After dressing, I went down to receive the new messenger.
He bowed to me, I thought, as though I were a man of property,
and in suitable style delivered his credentials. I looked carefully
over a very well written letter of six lines, and derived such infor-
mation as induced me to believe that the lucky holder of 58,600
was about to become a man of property, sure enough; for this
letter came from Messrs. Pettes & Leathe, sent, as they say, by
instructions of Mr. Crosby himself. I found this last messenger
pretty well informed, and, after seeing him eat a hearty supper
and arrive at the condition wherein people, generally, are confi-
dential and good-natured, I took him aside, and asked him if it
were a fact, and no mistake. He gave the most solemn assurance,
that there was no mistake about it. Very well, Daniel, as I am
really the possessor of ticket No. 5S,6oo, I suppose the Opera
House belongs to me; and I just say to you that it is for sale. I
suppose that somebody wants to buy it, and I have to ask you to
sell it for me. It is impossible for me to leave my wife in her
present condition, or I would go up to you at once. I must wait
until she gets better, whether I secure the Opera House or not.
" Your friend and brother,
"A. H. Lee."
To Mr. Crosby he wrote :
" Prairie du Rocher, III., January 23, i86y.
"U. H. Crosby, Esq., Chicago, 111.
" Dear Sir: — I received a dispatch last evening, via Belleville,
and a note, by courier, from Messrs. Pettes & Leathe, of St. Louis,
acquainting me with the very interesting fact that my ticket, No.
58,600, had drawn the Opera House. It would seem that a sight
of the ticket is of some consequence, as several parties from St.
Louis have already been here to have a look at it. 1 am -sorry to
say that I am unable to leave home just now, on account of the
the dangerous illness of my wife, which is a great drawback to the
pleasure which I should enjoy at this marvellous piece of good for-
tune. I have written to my brother, Daniel G. Taylor, of St.
Louis, to answer all questions for me concerning the business, until
such time as I may be able to leave home. In the meantime, I re-
main your very much obliged and very humble servant,
"A. II. Lee.
" P. S. If you should desire to make a proposal for the Opera
House, please correspond with Daniel G. Taylor.
A. II. L."
On the 25th of January, Mr. Lee was enabled to
visit Chicago. The card given below explains the re-
sult of his interview with Mr. Crosby :
" Chicago, January 26, /S67.
" To the Editor of the Chicago Republican : — I desire to pub-
licly acknowledge the obligation I am under to U. H. Crosby,
Esq., for the promptitude and courtesy with which he has dealt with
me as the owner of the Opera House. As soon as the books were
unsealed by the committee, and my name was discovered, a tele-
graphic message was sent by him to Pettes & Leathe, the agents of
the Association at St. Louis, to ' put a faithful man on horseback
and at once notify me of the fact.' This was done without ex-
pense to me. The illness of my wife has prevented me from
coming to Chicago sooner. It was my wish and request that I
might come here and transact my business with Mr. Crosby without
becoming the object of unpleasant notoriety, and without having
my name heralded in the newspapers ; and I feel deeply indebted
to him for the considerate manner in which the request has been
observed, especially as it has cost him some embarrassment as well
as occasioned invidious comment. Feeling that the Opera House
should properly be owned by Mr. Crosby, I made him the offer to
sell it to him for $200,000, and the offer was accepted in a spirit
which was most gratifying, and the money promptly paid me. My
connection with the Opera House having thus happily terminated,
" I am, very respectfully and sincerely yours,
" A. H. Lee."
Thus ended the greatest lottery venture eyer under-
taken in Chicago. The ruffled current of life flowed on.
until, in the course of natural events, the keen edge of
disappointment was dulled by time's corroding cares,
and the animosities engendered were changed into
topics of jest and idle sport.
Adelaide Ristori was announced to make her first
appearance in Chicago, on the evening of January 21,
1867, the date made memorable by the distribution, but
delayed trains prevented her arrival in time to fill the
engagement. Madame Ristori's opening night was,
therefore, January 22, on which occasion she presented
Montanelle's version of Legouve's tragedy "Medea."
She received a well-deserved ovation.
An interesting engagement was that of J. W. Wal-
lack and E. L. Davenport, who made their first appear-
ance in Chicago September 16, 1867, the former actor
playing Iago to the latter's Othello.
November 28, 1S67, was a gala day in Chicago. In
the first place it was Thanksgiving-day, and next, and
most important, Weston, the pedestrian, was that morn-
ing to conclude his great walk from Portland, Maine,
to Chicago, and to hold two receptions at Crosby's
Opera House in the afternoon and evening.
Weston began his walk at noon of October 29, at
Portland, and, on a wager of $10,000, agreed to walk
to Chicago, a distance of 1,237^ miles, in twenty-six
secular days — thirty days in all. Great interest was mani-
fested throughout the entire country in the performance
of the feat, and large sums of money were wagered on
the result. The Chicago papers were filled daily with
full accounts of the progress of the pedestrian, and all
along the route the people turned out to see him. He
arrived at the Hyde Park Hotel, within his time, on the
night of Wednesday, November 27, and prepared to
6o6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
make his triumphal entry into Chicago the next morn-
ing.
At 8:53 o'clock the next day he proceeded on the
last stage of his journey. The whole city seemed to
turn out to see and welcome him. Rumors had been
spread abroad that he was not to be allowed to com-
plete his walk, but that some act of violence would
prevent him. As he entered the city, an escort of over
eighty police, under Captain John Nelson, the chief,
and Jacob Rehm, the superintendent, met him, and
marched in a hollow square, with him in the center.
Wabash Avenue, from Thirty-first Street to Monroe,
the line of march, was bright with flags and banners,
and the windows of the houses and the sidewalks were
crowded with the thousands who desired to get a
glimpse of the pedestrian, and witness the final stage of
his walk. It required all the power of the police to
keep the way clear for him. No conquering hero of
war was ever received with greater plaudits, nor wit-
nessed a greater triumph. At Monroe Street, the
pedestrian turned toward the Post-office, which he
reached at 10:36 o'clock. Thence he continued along
Dearborn to Lake, on Lake to Clark, and then to the
Sherman House, where the streets were completely
blockaded by the people. He then showed himself
from the Sherman House balcony, and, the police finally
succeeding in making a way for him, the pedestrian
continued his walk to the Opera House, where it was
practically concluded. Amidst great congratulations
and shaking of hands he passed up to the private office
of U. H. Crosby, where he appeared for a few moments
at the window, and then made his bow and passed from
sight.
In the afternoon a public reception was held in the
Opera Hall, but not more than half an audience as-
sembled. James W. Sheahan introduced Mr. Weston,
with the following remarks :
" Ladies and gentlemen : I beg leave to introduce to you
Mr. Edward Payson Weston, the great American ' walkist. ' Mr.
Weston is known to you, and to the country generally, as an ath-
lete in the particular line in which he has just finished his perform-
ance, but to his friends and acquaintances he is also known as a
journalist and editor, and consequently as a gentleman of culture
and respectability. Ladies and gentlemen, I have a large acquain-
tance with that profession, and f can say that Mr. Weston is the
fastest journalist on record. He has walked from Portland to
Chicago, 1,300 miles, which distance, if it were put into a straight
line, would be nearly equal to half-way across this continent. And
this he has performed in twenty-five days, averaging fifty-two
miles per day, something not equaled by any other man. He has
also walked in one day ninety-one miles; in another, eighty ; and in
another, seventy; and here he is to-day, as fresh, almost, as he was
when he left Portland. That is the performance of Mr. Weston,
' walkist ' and editor. Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce you to
him."
Mr. Weston stepped forward amidst great applause,
and gave some account of his walk and the circum-
stances that led to it. In the evening another recep-
tion was held at the same place, with not any better
attendance, and with about the same line of remarks.
On Wednesday evening, December 4, the citizens gave
Weston a testimonial benefit at Farwell Hall, at which
he illustrated his several styles of pedestrianism.
The spectacular drama resumed its clutch upon the
popular taste December 3, 1867, at which time Jarrett
& Palmer unfolded tin- sparkling beauties of "Undine."
Gilmore's concerts began January 20, 1868. The
company contained Camilla Urso, Mr. Arbuckle, and
Mrs H. M. Smith.
Fanny Janauschek made her first appearance in
Chicago February 18, 1868, as Medea. The triumph
achieved by this eminent artist was equal to that won
by Ristori. The engagement lasted two weeks, and
the repertory consisted of " Adrienne Lecouvreur,"
" Mary Stuart," " Deborah," " Marianna," " Thusnilda,"
"Emilia Galotti," and " Love and Intrigue." These
were given wholly in the German language.
Edwin Forrest bade farewell to the people of Chi-
cago in an engagement commencing March 23, 1868.
J. Newton Gotthold, supported by Blanche De Bar,
produced, for the first time on any stage, April 6, 1868,
an English rendition of " Uriel Acosta," translated by
Otto Peltzer, of Chicago.
" The White Fawn," under Jarrett & Palmer's man-
agement, began a run which continued from June 1 to
July 18, 1868. They then presented the spectacular
play " Undine," which retained a successful hold upon
the public until August 8.
Early in 1869 "The Three Guardsmen " was given,
with moderate success. A local comedy, called "Young
Chicago," is also remembered, in which George D. Miles
and a lady pupil introduced the novelty of velocipede
riding on the stage.
The stock plan was then resorted to, with McKee
Rankin and Emily Jordan in the company. Bouci-
cault's successful play, " Formosa," which was running
at McVicker's and Wood's, was brought out at Crosby's.
Mr. Rankin appeared as Rip Van Winkle October n.
Lydia Thompson introduced her blondes to Chicago
people November 22, 1869, in musical burlesque, and
played a return engagement February 14. On the 24th
of that month Miss Thompson, with Pauline Markham,
Mr. Henderson and a man named Gordon, performed
an act not announced in her bills. Wilbur F. Storey,
of the Chicago Times, saw fit to advert to the enter-
tainments given by this troupe, in the columns of his
journal, and used language by no means equivocal in
classifying the woman who gave her name to the party.
The offended women waited on Wabash Avenue, near
Peck Court, for Mr. Storey's appearance, about 5 p. m.
of the day last referred to, and there proceeded to chas-
tise the editor. Several blows were inflicted upon him,
by whips in the hands of Miss Thompson and her
female friend. For this assault, Mr. Storey caused the
arrest of the four persons concerned in it, and preferred
a charge of assault with a deadly weapon, with intent to
do bodily injury. The case was publicly tried and
gained considerable notoriety.
The Concordia Maennerchor, a local German musi-
cal society, brought out the " Magic Flute " opera April
4, 1870, and gave three performances, on the 4th, 5th
and 8th. The Germania Maennerchor produced " Stra-
della" May 10 and 14. Marie Seebach, the German
tragedienne, made her appearance in this city No-
vember 21, and during the week gave "Mary Stuart,"
" Jane Eyre," and " Faust."
Christine Nilsson's acquaintance with Chicago audi-
ences dates from December 21, 1870, on which occasion
she sang in concert, assisted by Anna Louise Cary,
Brignoli, Verger and Veuxtemps. Three concerts were
given at Crosby's and two at Farwell Hall, the latter
on Saturday, December 31, afternoon and evening.
The name of James Fisk, Jr., is incidentally associ-
ated with the Opera House, through his having leased
it to produce a most wretched spectacle called " The
Twelve Temptations." The play was given for more
than a month, beginning December 28, 1870.
The refusal of Rev. Mr. Sabine to perform funeral
rites over the body of George Holland, in New York,
and his contemptuous reference to "the little church
around the corner," provoked a feeling of profound
indignation among the profession here. With the gen-
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
G07
erosity which characterizes the dramatic world, a benefit
was at once planned, by Joseph F. Wheelock, [. W.
Blaisdell, J. W. Jennings, Owen Fawcett and others, in
the interest of the "little church." The press con-
tributed all advertising, and the public nobly responded.
A grand entertainment was given at Crosby's February
16, 1S7 1, by representatives of the several stock com-
panies in the city, and nearly $2,000 were forwarded to
Rev. Mr. Houghton, pastor of the now famous church,
as a token of approval.
Charles Wyndham and his English Comedy Com-
pany opened at Crosby's, for the first time, March 27,
187 1. and remained two weeks.
During the summer of 187 1, Crosby's Opera House
underwent material alterations. Some time prior to
this, the proprietary interest passed into the hands of
Mr. Albert Crosby, who evinced a no less enterprising
spirit than that formerly shown by the founder. All
that designers, decorators and upholsterers could devise
was assented to by the owner of the house, and a most
lavish expenditure of money was permitted, the cost of
the improvements being stated at about $80,000.
After so elaborate an effort to please the public,
and supply Chicago with a magnificent temple of art,
expectations of a grand opening were justifiably in-
dulged in. The management announced :
" The season at the Opera House will be inaugurated on Mon-
day, October 9 [1S71], by Theodore Thomas, with his concert or-
ganization of sixty performers, who will give a series of ten grand
symphony and popular concerts. The following soloists will appear
for the first time in this city : Miss Marie Krebs, pianist ; Mr.
Bernard Listemann, violinist ; Mr. Louis Schreiber, cornet-a-pis-
ton ; Signor Luigi Rocco, harp."
The Tribune of October 8, 187 1, remarked :
"The decorators and upholsterers are still busy putting the
finishing touches on the Opera House. * * * The house is
virtually ready, with the exception of the locating of the large
bronzes and a few other ornaments and the laying down of the car-
pets. Everything will be in readiness by Monday evening [the 9th]
for the re-inauguration by Theodore Thomas, and we may look for-
ward with certainty to an evening more memorable, both in sight
and sound, than that evening, six years ago, when Zucchi, Kellogg,
Morensi, Bellini, Susini and Mazzoleni sang, and Crosby's Opera
House was first dedicated to art. The orchestra which has the
pleasurable privilege of playing for the first time in the new audi-
torium holds even a higher place in music than that operatic organi-
zation, excellent as it was. * * The programme for the opening
concert, in deference to the conventionalities of opening nights, is
a popular one, with the exception of one or two numbers. * *
The box-office sheets are crossed to an extent which indicates that
the whole house, gallery and all, is nearly sold for the first night.
Mr. Thomas will receive a royal welcome that will make compen-
sation for the memories of a season or two ago, when a few hundred
listeners coldly heard his matchless band."
The proposed programme is appended :
PART FIRST.
Overture -- Leonora, No. 3 ..Beethoven.
Scherzo .. Symphony No. 3, E flat, op. 97 Schumann.
Concerto - - No. 1 , E flat Liszt.
Miss Krebs and Orchestra.
Kaiser March _ . New Wagner.
PART SECOND.
Overture .. Der Freischiitz Weber.
Theme and Variations, Quartet, D minor Schubert.
String Orchestra.
Saltarello .- New _ Gounod.
Polonaise ..A flat, op. 53 Chopin.
Miss Marie Krebs.
Overture . - Zampa Herold.
Had the power of divination been possessed by the
one who wrote the paragraph quoted from the Tribune,
and an attempt been made to forecast the actual scene
of October 9, many of the expressions used in the an-
nouncement would have found appropriate place in the
prophesy. The night was "mure memorable, both in
sight and sound," than that on which the ( >pera House
was dedicated to art ; but the programme selected by
Fate was not a popular one. The greeting of Mr.
Thomas was "royal "in grandeur and of appalling
warmth. On that night the books of the Opera House
were forever closed. That night the Demon of Desola-
tion shook his smoky wings above those noble walls,
and blew the fiery breath of fell destruction through the
lofty pile. Gigantic in its conception, magnificent in
RUINS, CROSBY S OPERA HOUSE.
the execution of its plan, monumental in its achievement,
blurred with financial losses, yet rallying from them by
an effort consistent with its general magnitude, the end-
ing was like unto the beginning. As it was the greatest
of its kind while existing there, so it was in its destruc-
tion swept away by the greatest flood of fire. Its end
was absolute, for among the institutions obliterated from
the earth forever by the fire was Crosby's Opera
House.
Wood's Museum. — What a host of recollections
come trooping up at the bare mention of that famous
place of amusement. The interest centers in the cosy
little theater, tucked away, regardless of the possibility
of disaster, as though the thought of fire had never
entered mortal mind. The evenings spent in that pleas-
ant resort, where so many sterling plays were given by
an excellent company, imparted a sense of satisfaction
that survives the wearing processes of time and lives
fresh in the memories of those who were numbered with
the nightly auditors.
The inception of the Museum dates from the slim-
mer of 1863. The Tribune, of July 6, of that year,
referred to the project thus :
"We make the announcement with pleasure that, through the
liberality of two of our worthy and public-spirited citizens, the St.
Louis Museum has been purchased, and will soon be removed t<>,
and permanently located in, this city. This Museum is much I he-
largest in the West, and in several of its features the choicesl one
in the United States."
The original collection was made by Edward Wyman,
and consisted of such articles of interest as usually
6o8
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
excite public curiosity while they are peacefully reposing
under glass. Rooms were obtained at Nos. in, 113,
115 and 117 Randolph Street, and there, on the 17th of
August, 1S63, doors were first opened, under the new
management, to a Chicago audience. The corps of
officials comprised the following : John O'Mellen, gen-
eral manager; John M.Wes-
ton, manager of amuse-
ments; B. L. McVickar,
treasurer ; J. P. Bates, cu-
rator; John E. Seeger, su-
perintendent of art gallery.
Among the natural his-
tory curiosities, and the ob-
ject which claimed the
largest share of notice in
every sense, was the Zeug-
lodon, a fossil relic of pre-
historic times, which ex-
tended its ninety-six feet
of bony length to thou-
sands of wondering eyes.
On the upper floor was the
"hall of paintings," where
some really fine works of
aft were shown, although it is probable that a high
standard of judgment was not always adhered to in the
ion of the greater number. One of the larger
paintings represented the murder of Jane McRae, which
occurred near Fort Kdward, N. V., at an early day in
the history of that section. The hapless maiden had
been intrusted to the care of certain Indians, who were
to 1 onvoy her to a place of safety to meet her betrothed.
The guides fell into dispute concerning the reward of
their services, and settled the difficulty by slaying the
girl. Commenting upon this picture, the Tribune ex-
pressed the opinion that the drawing and anatomy of
some of the Indians was at fault, but it approved of the
"marble and moonlight beauty of the slaughtered
maiden."
An exhibition hall occupied a portion of the Museum
rooms, at the rear, and therein was nightly unrolled a
panorama of the City of London. Those patrons who
were content to gaze at the curiosities alone, including
the moonlight beauty and Zeuglodon, were taxed but
twenty-five cents, while those who wished to view the
wonders of the metropolis were obliged to contribute
fifteen cents additional to the general fund. Six distinct
departments were maintained.
It is stated that, so popular did the Museum at once
become, fully ten thousand visitors were entertained
during the first six weeks of its existence. The exhi-
bition hall was fitted up for concerts, and during Sep-
tember, 1863, Madame Anna Bishop sang to apprecia-
tive audiences from that stage. The next attraction to
appear was the "Ghost," which baffled detection, on the
20th of September. This mechanical delusion produced
a marked sensation East and West, before the mystery
of the method of its production was explained. The
Museum reaped a handsome profit from its enterprise in
first showing the public the clever trick. But the man-
agement was not satisfied with specialties, and on the
26th of November opened a season of opera, with the
Holman Troupe, in "The Bohemian Girl." November
30, the Ravel Troupe of pantominists played an engage-
ment at this house.
The drama was inaugurated at the Museum, Decem-
ber 14, 1863, by J. W.
Lanergan, with a stock
company. The first play
given was " The Lady of
Lyons," and this was suc-
ceeded by "Still Waters
Run Deep," "The Hon-
eymoon," and other stand-
ard dramas. The season
was not a financial success.
A change in the man-
agement took place Jan-
uary 25, 1864, at which
time Colonel J. H. Wood
became proprietor. Among
the new attractions in the
department of natural his-
tory was a sea lion from
Barnum's collection, which
excited popular interest
and served to largely in-
crease the daily attend-
ance. Colonel Wood ap-
preciated the importance
of a dramatic adjunct to
the Museum, and at once
secured the services of a
stock company. Arrange-
ments were made whereby the audience rooms known
as Kingsbury's Halls, both upper and lower, at
the rear of the Museum rooms proper, were trans-
formed into a neat and comfortable theater, with
three tiers of seats, called, respectively, parquette,
dress circle and gallery. Four small boxes were
built at the sides of the stage, which were comfort-
able when once safely reached. The stage was
thirty by sixty feet in size, and well provided with
suitable scenery. The prevailing color was white, and
the good taste of the designer was manifested by the
absence of tawdrv display. The ceiling was handsome-
ly decorated, in simple and agreeable style. Patriotism
was expressed by a spread eagle, in bright colors, sur-
mounted by the national flag and the motto " E pluri-
bus unum." The seating capacity of the house was
about one thousand live hundred. On the evening of
AIKKN S MUSEUM AND RUINS.
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
609
March 22, 1864, this cosy little temple was opened, by
by a stock company under the management of A. 1).
Bradley. The leading members were Frank E. Aiken,
Mrs. L. B. Perrin (nee Woodbury), Mr. and Mrs. John
Dillon, Mr. Richards, Mr. Reed, Miss Anderson, and
Miss Axtel. The orchestra was under the direction of
Mr. Stevens. The initial play, as upon the former
opening, was "The Lady of Lyons." It should be
observed that the theater was called the Lecture Room.
Appropriate exercises were added to the opening pro-
gramme. Among other interesting features was the
reading, by Mrs. Perrin, of a dedicatory prologue from
the pen of the well-known journalist and critic, Henry
Chisholm. One peculiar blemish marred the pleasure
of attendance at Wood's, and that was the staring
advertising curtain that dropped between the plays,
recalling the audience from the illusions of the play to
the realities of commercial life.
Frank E. Aiken leased the Museum early in 1868,
and devoted his best energies to the sustaining of the
popularity he had achieved. He pursued the plan of
presenting new English pieces, and, August 31, brought
out Boucicault's dramatization of Reade's" Foul Play."
Alice Holland joined the company, and a season of
Irish drama was enjoyed about this time. Mr. Aiken
retired from Wood's on January 16, 1869, to take the
management of the Dearborn-street Theater, and was
succeeded by John W. Blaisdell, in the spring of that
year. The house was devoted to ministrelsy for a time,
with Harry Macarthy and Sharpley's Minstrels in spe-
cialties and burlesque.
March 9, 1869, Wood's was re-opened, with a stock
company including McK.ee Rankin, M. V. Lingham, J.
W. Jennings, A. D. Bradley, J. D. Germon, May How-
ard, Katy Fletcher and Anna Marble, in Robertson's
play, "School." In July a drama called "The Work-
ingmen of Chicago," introducing a steam engine and
practical machinery on the stage, under the manage-
ment of J. Z. Little, was presented. In September,
Mr. Aiken returned to Wood's, announcing himself as
proprietor and manager, and soon brought out Bouci-
cault's drama " Formosa," then running at McVicker's
and Crosby's Opera House. The name of Wood's was
changed to Aiken's Museum, in November, and in Jan-
uary, 1870, Mr. Aiken appeared as Dan'l Peggoty, in
the play " Little Em'ly."
Colonel Wood resumed management of the Mu-
seum, and Mr. Aiken retired in June, 187 1. Wood's
Museum once more became the name of the house.
Early in October, 1871, the play "Divorce" was
running, and was billed for the week beginning the 9th.
The great fire swept over Randolph Street, on that
night, utterly obliterating Wood's Museum, and leaving
only a tradition of the struggles, the vicissitudes, the
triumphs and the heart-burnings which marked its
career. Of the influence of this house upon the devel-
opment of the drama much might be written, were this
a polemic rather than an historic sketch. The general
tone of the drama presented here was of a high order,
and the art of acting found in the stock companies
many a devoted, patient student and disciple. The
benefit of Wood's Museum is felt to-day, and ever will
remain a primary factor in the problem of lofty accom-
plishment in the field of dramatic effort.
Kingsbury Hall. — This public hall, which was
subsequently converted into Wood's Museum Lecture
Room, was fitted up in the building on the north side
of Randolph Street, between Clark and Dearborn. W.
A. Christy and Byron Christy leased Kingsbury Hall,
and named it Christy's Opera House, opening a season
of minstrelsy therein April 23, 1862. Arlington, Kelly,
Leon & Donniker's Minstrels occupied this house July
1, 1863.
Bryan Hall. — In the summer of i860, Honorable
Thomas Barbour Bryan erected the building whii h
bore his name, on Clark Street, between Washington
and Randolph, where the Grand Opera House now
stands. The auditorium was sixty-five feet by eighty
feet in size, divided into parquette, dress circle and gal-
lery. The hall was the third in seating capacity in the
city, and contained one thousand one hundred com-
fortable seats. The stage was thirty-five feet in width
by thirty in depth, on each side of which were two pros-
cenium boxes. On the 17th of September, i860, the
hall was dedicated to music and the drama, by a grand
concert under the direction of Hans Balatka. The ex-
ercises were begun by the reading of an ode, from the
pen of B. F. Taylor. The musical programme com-
prised the overture to " Robespierre," a symphony by
Mozart, and the finale to the opera " Euryanthe."
The hall was especially adapted to fairs, social en-
tertainments, balls and concerts, and was supplied with
ample kitchen facilities for the preparation of refresh-
ments.
The Philharmonic Society gave its first concert in
this hall, under the direction of Hans Balatka, Novem-
ber 19, i860; and here also, on March 31, Hermann
made his first appearance in this city.
Hooley's Theater. — R. M. Hooley became pos-
sessed of the Bryan Hall property in the fall or early
winter of 1870. An extract from the Tribune of January
3, 187 1, explains the object of that transfer, in a remi-
niscential vein, as follows:
"Old Bryan Hall, which years ago witnessed so many pleas,
ant musical entertainments; where Frezzolini, I.aborde, Lagrange.
Cordier, and Colson once sung; where the Philharmonic concerts
were born, and where they lived and died; where Mrs. .Mozart and
Mrs. Bostwick, and Cassie Matteson, and Jules Lumbard, and
De Passes used to sing — old Bryan Hall, after undergoing me-
tempsychosis into a carpet store, once more dons a new suit — this
time of theatrical raiment, — and is introduced to the public as
Hooley's Opera House. We need not say who Mr. Hooley is.
He is, financially, the most successful man ever engaged in the
minstrel business, and, by the aid of bones and tamborine, has
played his way into a handsome fortune. His little opera house is
a perfect bijou of a place, fitted up with remarkably good taste,
and exceedingly well adapted to minstrel uses."
The house was opened January 2, 187 1, by Hooley's
Minstrels, to an immense audience. Minstrelsy held
the boards until the summer of 1871. On the 5th of
June, Katy Putnam began atwo months' season, during
which she achieved success in " Fanchon," " Sans
Souci," " David Garrick," and other plays.
In August, Mr. Hooley associated himself with
Frank E. Aiken, and engaged a regular dramatic stock
company, comprising Frank E. Aiken, J. H. Fitzpatrick,
Frank Lawler, M. C. Daly, J. R. Vincent, S. L. Knapp,
George A. Archer, Harry Gilbert, David Osborne, J. C.
Morrison, Augusta Dargon, Fanny Burt, Lizzie Her-
bert, Annie Champion, Mrs. M. C. Daly, Belle Remick,
Lizzie Osborne, Kate and Annie Tyson. '• The Two
Thorns " was produced September 4, for the first time
in this city.
The centennial anniversary of Sir Walter Scott's
birth was widely celebrated by the profession in 1S71,
and was appropriately observed in this city, at Hooley's,
August 14-16, by a special combination of the stock
companies then playing here. On the 141I1, " Rob Roy "
was produced, in which the clansmen of the Caledonian
Club appeared. The cast was:
6to
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Helen McGregor Mrs. Anna Cowell.
Diana Vernon Kitty Blanchard.
Rob Roy McKee Rankin.
Major Galbraith.. -J. II. Mc Vicker.
Mr. O.ven John Dillon.
And other characters by members of the companies.
On the 15th. "Guy Mannering" was given, with Mrs.
Sarah G. Perrin as Meg Merrilies. and Kittie Blanchard,
Annie Champion, Kate Waldron, Katie Mayhew,
Joseph Wheelock. Con T. Murphy, and others in the
cast. On the 16th, the play was "The Heart of Mid
Lothian," in which Louise Hawthorne played the part
of feannie Deans, and Mrs. E. T. Stetson that of
Madge Wildfire. The proceeds of these performances
were to be devoted to the erection of a memorial statue
to Sir Walter Scott. The fire prevented the execution
of this plan.
Miss Dargon made a great hit as " Camille," in Sep-
tember, at this house. On the 25th of that month, Mrs.
Alice Gates began a season of comic opera. The fatal
month of October opened at Hooley's with Boucicault's
" Long Strike," which was billed for one week from
the 2d.
The week beginning October 9 was announced to
witness the production of Giacometti's tragedy " Eliza-
beth." with Mrs. Lander in the title role, supported by
lames H. Taylor as Essex, and the stock company in
the cast. The bills also promised an early production
of •' Marie Antoinette " for the first time in the English
tongue. But, alas! neither were destined to see the foot-
lights. On the night of October 9, Hooley's Theater
was a mass of smoking ruins.
R. M. HOOLEY. — The patriarch among Chicago managers, the
benefactor of the indigent actor, and the friend of the entire pro-
fession, is R. M. Hooley, more widely known and affectionately
referred to as " l_"ncle Dick." He is one of the few American
managers who dates back away into the forties, with a reputation
as a successful originator and promoter of amusements on two
continents, and whose benign face is as marked in London, Paris
and New York, as in Chicago, the city of his adoption and pride.
Mr. Hooley is not one-sided or jealous in business, but recognizes
the duties, rights and privileges of citizenship. His experience is
varied, his judgment sound and his advice valuable. His opinion is
always sought on matters pertaining to the advancement of our en-
terprises and the development and welfare of our city. Richard
M. Hooley. the son of James and Ann Hooley, was born April 13,
1 522, in Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland, but was brought up in
Manchester, England, whither the family removed when he was ten
months old. James Hooley, his father, was a well-to-do dry
goods merchant, who intended that his son Richard should become
a physician. Accordingly, he became a student at Hyde Academy,
near Manchester, with the intention of fitting for the medical pro-
fession. A natural love for art, however, conquered paternal inten-
tions and scientific possibilities. R. M. Hooley grew quickly to
be a Dhenomenal master of the violin, and, in 1S44, came to Amer-
ica on a pleasure trip. He remained in New York, where, his tal-
ent being heard and recognized, he was offered the musical leader-
ship of E. P. Christy's Minstrels. Two years with Mr. Christy
inspired him to become a manager himself, as his shrewd business
instincts pointed out to him great opportunities in successfully gov-
erning men and for furnishing the public with a banquet of fun. for
which they were confessedly hungry. In 1S4S, he took a company
of his own to Europe, opening at Her Majesty's Concert Rooms, in
Hanover Square. London. lie played throughout England, Ire-
land and Scotland, and in Paris and Brussels, upon the Continent.
He returned from his European success, in 1853, and for two years
managed different traveling companies of his own. He went to Cali-
fornia in 1855, and entered into partnership with 'Tom " Maguire,
managing Maguire's Opera House. He made eight trips East, by
sea, three across the Isthmus of Nicaragua, and five by way of Pan-
ama, taking out Mr. and Mrs. James Wallack, Mr. and Mrs. John
Wood, and other dramatic celebrities, introducing them for the
first time on the Pacific I oast. He- returned East, in 1S58, play-
ing in the different cities until is;cj. when he opened at Niblo's
with George Christy ai company that afterward became
famous as Hooley & Campbell's Minstrels. After a nine months'
the " Wide Awakes " and political excitement incident to
Lincoln's election, drove them out of New York and on to the road.
The company disbanded in 1861, at the Walnut Street Theater,
Philadelphia, and Mr. Hooley went back to New York. Like Mi-
cawber, he waited. "It turned up " in Brooklyn. He settled
there, and established the first permanent place of amusement in
that city, opening in September, 1S62, with Hooley's Minstrels,
running seven years, and clearing $300,000, the most emphatic,
unlooked-for and unparalleled success recorded in the annals or
negro minstrelsy. Richard M. Hooley came to Chicago in 1S69,
and built Hooley's Opera House, on Clark Street, on the present
site of the Grand Opera House. It was a success, and when swept
awav by the fire, in 1371, was under the management of Erank E.
Aiken and Frank Lawler, and was filled by a stock company. Mr.
Hooley had only leased it to Frank Aiken a week or two before the
fire, for a period of five years, and had retired, his income at that
time being over 831,000 per annum. When the smoke cleared
away. Mr. Hooley had lost $iSo, 000, and was on his way back to
Brooklyn — not, however, before he had exchanged the Opera House
ground for the site on Randolph Street where now stands Hooley's
Theater. During 1S72, he returned to Chicago, and. in October,
opened his new theater with Kiralfy's Company, in the " Black
Crook." Hooley's Theater was better known in those days as
" Hooley's Parlor Home of Comedy." as, before the opening at-
traction, he put in, and retained, for four years, the best local stock-
company Chicago ever had, and became noted for the mounting and
elaborate setting of the popular comedies and reigning productions.
He gave up the Brooklyn Theater in 187S. From grand opera to
burlesque, Hooley's Theater has always been successful, especially
so since the panic of 1S73. The house was remodeled in 1SS3, and
again in 1885. Mr. Hooley's peculiar ability in managing men and
theaters is a natural gift, strengthened by experience possibly, but
not in any sense acquired by imitation. In a brief biography like
this, dealing only with facts, and omitting flattery and personal
praise, we can not refer to the world of interesting incidents which
crowd the history of his life. He has never rested. His active
life, always theatrical, if dwelt upon at length, would be contem-
poraneous with the history of our amusements. His taste and
original ideas are to be found in different theaters in other cities,
which, at various times, have been under his management. In
Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Chicago, New York, San Francisco and
London, and many American cities and towns, Mr. Hooley's man-
agement has improved in beauty, convenience and reputation the
leading amusement houses. It is said that he has built, remodeled
and managed more theaters than any other manager now living.
Mr-. Hooley's word is always at a premium. It is with him both
principle and pride to be fair, honest and truthful with his fellow-
man. He married Miss Rosina Cramer, of New York City, in
San Francisco, in 1S56. They have had four children, three
daughters and one son — Rosina, Grace, Mary and Richard, the
eldest and youngest now being deceased.
North's Amphitheater. — In April, 1855, Levi J.
North brought his circus to Chicago, and began an
extended season. Satisfied that the city was large
enough to sustain a regular place of amusement, wherein
performances of a mixed equestrian and semi-dramatic
character should be given, Mr. North erected a spacious
amphitheater, on the south side of Monroe Street, near
Wells, and opened its doors August 4, 1855. The spe-
cial attractions consisted of such as are usually seen in
a circus arena. The next year, C. R. Thorne became
manager, and changed the name to that of National
Theater. A stock -company was engaged, and the inte-
rior of the building was fitted up for legitimate dramatic
work. Among the leading members of this company
were Mrs. and Miss E. Thorne, L. Mestayer and W. F.
Johnson. In 1857, the place was re-adapted to eques-
trian, spectacular and pantomime entertainments, at an
expense of $20,000. One of the most elaborately pre-
sented plays was " Uncle Tom's Cabin," February 9,
1857, which achieved a long and profitable run. This
was followed by " Dick Turpin," and that, in turn, by
" Mazeppa," in both of which especial importance was
attached to the equestrian features of the piece. In
May of this year, Mr. North again transformed his
house into a legitimate theater, and opened with J. H.
Wallack, in " Othello," "Yirginius," and standard plays.
Dion Boucicault and Agnes Robertson came at the close
of Mr. Wallack 's time, in May. The principal mem-
bers of the Chicago Theater were then secured, to
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
611
strengthen the stock, and consecutive performances
were given.
William E. Burton, the eminent comedian, made
his last appearance in Chicago at this house, beginning
July 7, 1857. His death occurred in New York City, in
February, i860.
The engagement of Maggie Mitchell, in September,
1857, and of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Drew, in May,
1858, were the important events at North's, during the
next few months.
The management of the house passed to D. Han-
chett, lessee, in the summer of 1858. In September
following, Mrs. Julia Dean Hayne revived old times by
here, producing " Ingomar " and other of her strong
plays.
In April, 1859, Frank Drew leased the theater, and,
on the nth of that month, H. C. Cooper's English
Opera Company dedicated the amphitheater to melody,
by rendering " La Sonnambula." The season lasted two
weeks, and several operas were given, with Anna Miller,
Miss Payne, Brookhouse Bowler and Aynesley Cook in
the casts.
The house ceased to be a profitable one in 1859,
and, after a precarious existence, was sold. The build-
ing was permitted to fall into decay. In 1864, it was
used as temporary quarters for soldiers who were wait-
ing to be paid off, and, finally, the remains of the edifice
were torn down.
Varieties. — Messrs. Van Fleet & Chadwick leased
the hall in the building Nos. 115 and 117 Dearborn
Street, in July, 1863, and introduced variety perform-
ances there. Dramatic work was done in September,
at which time the play " Aurora Floyd " was popularly
produced. Tony Pastor played here January 12, 1864.
In 1865, the management came into the hands of C. M.
Chadwick and T. L. Fitch.
In the summer of 1867, the name of this house was
changed to Theater Comique, and on the 8th of July
the spectacular play, " A Tale of Enchantment," was
first brought out. The house did not prove a profitable
venture.
Aiken's Theater. — In the winter of 1867-68,
Frank E. Aiken was instrumental in the renovation of
the theater building Nos. 115 and 117 Dearborn Street,
originally known as the Varieties, and on the 18th of
January, 1869, threw open the doors to the public.
The edifice had been transformed into a first-class place
of amusement, and the manager had secured an excel-
lent stock company, of which he was the head. The
inauguration ceremonies consisted of an address by
Hon. Geo. C. Bates, which was filled with humorous
points, but which contained no very valuable allusions
to the dramatic history of the city. The opening play
was " Cyril's Success," rendered by the stock company.
The new theater started out with fair promise of turn-
ing '• Cyril's Success " into Aiken's success, but plans
are frequently thwarted. Numerous changes of bills
were made, and very commendable acting was done,
but the financial portion of the undertaking was disas-
trous, and Mr Aiken retired about the 1st of July, 1869.
The house then became known as the
Dearborn Theater, and began its new career in
August, with Emerson & Manning's Minstrels on the
stage, who continued to be the principal attraction. A
two weeks' season of German opera bouffe began May
30, with Pauline Canissa, soprano; Claussen and Dziuba,
alto; Habelmann, tenor; John Klein, bass. The char-
acter of the place was again changed June 5, 187 1.
The Wyndham Comedy Company appeared in " Caste,"
achieving a great success. This company played
throughout the summer, giving "Caste." "A Happy
Pair," "Ours," "A Scrums Family," and standard com-
edies. The fall season was opened August 21, by the
Dearborn Minstrels. On the night of October 9 the
DEARBORN THEATER.
bill announced was a burlesque, and a sketch called
" Love and War." The theater was entirely destroyed
by the great fire.
Smith & Nixon's Hall. — This edifice was located
on the southwest corner of Washington and Clark
streets. The style of architecture was Florentine.
Upon the ground floor were business apartments, the
spacious corner store being occupied by the firm whose
name the building bore as a musical salesroom. On
the upper floor were some forty or fifty rooms devoted
to office purposes. An entrance from Washington
Street, twenty feet in width, led to the auditorium in
the center of the building. Exits were provided on
three sides. The floor was inclined, and the seats were
arranged in the customary theatrical manner, affording
view of the stage from all parts of the room. The
novel feature of the auditorium was the absence of
acute angles in ceiling and stage. All interior lines
were curves, and the stage set in an arched alcove.
The ventilating and the lighting of the room were care-
fully considered, being accomplished by devices in the
ceiling. The acoustic properties of the hall were well
nigh perfect. Colonel Otto H. Matz was the architect
of the building. This unique hall was inaugurated De-
cember 12, 1864, by L. M. Gottschalk, assisted by Miss
Lucy Simons, "Sig. Morelli, Herr Doehler and Sig.
Muzio, in a series of four concerts and a matinee. The
place became a popular one for musical entertainments
and lectures.
Metropolitan Hall. — Metropolitan Hall, the
largest and most pretentious public-room in this city, at
the time of its erection, was located on the northwest
corner of Randolph and LaSalle streets. It was built
by Jason Gurley in 1S51. On August 20. 1856, Metro-
politan Hall was re-opened, after being re-fitted and
greatly improved. E. S. Wells was then the lessee and
manager.
Frank Lumbard's Empire Minstrels performed here
6l2
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
January 29, 185S. Karl Formes and his company then
reached the higher musical theme, by producing ••The
Creation,"' and conducting a series of grand musical
entertainments, in October of that year.
George F. Root's cantata, "The Haymakers," was
first presented at Metropolitan Hall January 10, i860.
The original cast was : Farmer, J. G. Lumbard ; Anna,
Mrs. Matteson ; Mary, Miss H. E. Smith ; Katy, Mrs.
Philleo; William, H." G. Bird ; Simpkins. E. T.' Root ;
pianist. Miss L. S. Tiilinghast.
The erection of Bryan Hall, during 1S60, interfered
materially with the occupancy of Metropolitan Hall by
important combinations. Arlington, Kelly, Leon &
Donniker's Minstrels occupied Metropolitan Hall in
November, 1S63 ; and until the destruction of the build-
ing, in the fire of 1S71, this place was used for lectures,
concerts, etc.
Acadfmy of Music. — This title was applied to Ar-
lington, Kelly & Co's minstrel hall, located on the
south side of Washington Street, between Clark and
Dearborn streets. The house was opened December 1,
1863, and was fitted up with stage arrangements suited
to light dramatic and minstrel performances. The
seating capacity of the place was about one thousand.
September 25, 1865, this house advanced to the dignity
of English opera, upon the occasion of the appear-
ance there of Campbell & Castle's English Opera Com-
pany, comprising Rosa Cooke, Zelda Harrison, Mrs.
M. E. Burrows, William Castle, Pierre Bernard, Ed-
ward Seguin, and others. The season lasted three
weeks.
Arlington & Johnson were announced as proprie-
tors of Arlington Minstrel Hall, No. 124 Washington
Street, April 15, 1S67.
The First Olympic. — The Vaudeville Theater,
managed by George W. Riddell, was located at the
corner of Clark and Monroe streets, and first assumed
the above name July 13, 1868. It was formerly a hall
used by Arlington as a place of minstrelsy. J. H.
Haverly played the Arlington Minstrels here Septem-
ber 7, 1868 The title of the place was changed to
that of Sharpley's Hall, in 1868, and again to Theatre
Comique, February 8, 1869. In 187 1, this house was
called the Olympic, and was running to "variety" at
the time it was destroyed by the great fire.
Staats Theater. — In 185 1, the Tabernacle Bap-
tist Church, an offshoot of the First, was given a lot on
Desplaines Street, between Washington and Madison
streets, by Messrs. C. C. P. Holden, J. B. Bridges, J.
M. Kennedy, and C. K. Anderson, who paid $800 for
the land. An edifice was erected, at an expense of
§5,000, and therein divine services were held by the
society until 1866. The house then passed into the
hands of a Hebrew society, and was called Zion Church.
In 1869, this congregation removed to their synagogue,
corner of Sangamon and Jackson streets, and the Des-
plaines property was purchased by the German Ar-
beiter Verein, an association of workingmen number-
ne three hundred members. The frame struc-
ture and lot were then valued at $15,000, and one-third
of this sum wa-> paid in cash, a mortgage for the bal-
ance being given. The workingmen used the hall for
meetings, balls, concerts and miscellaneous entertain-
ments both for their own and other societies. The
basement was rented to the Hoard of Education for a
school-room. In the winter of 1869-70, it was decided
vert the hall into a theater, and additions were
made to the auditorium, at a cost of over $4,000.
When completed, the new stage furnished a very con-
venient place for the presentation of comedies and
light operas. Three performances a week, including
Sunday, were given by a very creditable company.
The management was entrusted to Mr. Horwitz, who
brought his wife here, from Milwaukee, as leading lady
of the German Dramatic Company. But the life of the
Staats Theater, as the place was then called, was des-
tined to be short. At one o'clock on the morning of
May 20, 1870, fire swept away the edifice and destroyed
the properties of the company.
The Globe Theater. — In the summer of 1870,
David R. Allen erected the Globe Theater on the site of
the Staats Theater, on Desplaines Street. The audi-
torium had a seating capacity of 1,200, and the interior
decorations were in good taste. A special room was
fitted up for the use of newspaper men. The first per-
formance was given November 21, 1870, by a stock
company. The initial play was "The Rivals." Accord-
ing to the public announcements, the proprietorship of
this house was vested in D. R. Allen and John T.
Mullen, but financial difficulties , which form no part
of this sketch) caused the temporary suspension of
performances on January 4, 1871. On the nth of that
month, however, the doors were again opened, with
John Dillon as the leading attraction. He was followed
by Little Nell, and other stars. Oliver Doud Byron
first presented his drama " Across the Continent " Feb-
ruary 6, 187 1. Kate Fisher, as Mazeppa, played here
February 13. Robert McWade gave his version of
" Rip Van Winkle " March 6. The Theater passed into
the possession of the Workingmen's Association, and,
on the 27th of August, 1871, was offered for rent. The
great fire destroyed all the theater buildings in Chicago
except the Globe, which stood beyond the limits of the
conflagration.
Bill-Posting. — An important adjunct of the show-
business is comprised in the displaying of the adver-
tisements upon the bill -boards; and the following
sketches of the two leading men in that business are
here given :
Morris D. Broadway, senior member of the firm of Broad-
way & Treyser, bill-posters, was born in Utica, N. V., May 27,
1832. In May, 1S49, he passed through Chicago on his way to
Elgin, 111., where he remained six months, and then settled in Chi-
cago in the spring of 1S50. His first paying occupation in this
city was as carrier on the Evening Journal, from its old quarters
at No. 107 Lake Street. His route paid him S3 a week. In
1850, he posted his first bill in Chicago. It was one quarter of a
twenty-four by thirty-six sheet, for John Devlin, the old horse-
auctioneer. In the winter he worked in Rice's Theater, where J.
H. McVicker was then playing, for $12 a week, and in good
weather posted, bills with his partner, John McNally, the box door-
tender. He went to Buffalo, in 1853, to publish a city directory'.
Returned to Chicago in August, 1854, and resumed bill-posting in
partnership with his brother, J. H. Broadway, and began the pub-
lication of the "Switch," a Know-Nothing campaign paper. It
ceased to exist July 17, 1S55, and its demise was precipitated by
the Germans and the "Lager-Bier War" of the Know-Nothing
campaign. A combination was formed that winter by J. H. Broad-
way, Morris D. Broadway, M. Newton, Joseph Sells and Charles
Beach Gonzales, who pooled issues on the co-operative plan, to
secure all the bill-posting possible and divide the profits. This
lasted through the Fremont campaign of 1S56. In 1S57, William
Dockrill, Charles Petitt and the Broadway brothers constituted the
firm and continued till 1862, when C. Petitt and J. H. Broadway
went into the army, and, until 1S65, the firm stood Broadway Bros.
& Callahan. In i860, W. H. Harris and J. H. Broadway started
in opposition to M. D. Broadway and J. Callahan. These two
combinations, practically, did the bill-posting up to 1S70, when
George A. Treyser, of .Milwaukee, came to Chicago, and joined with
the brothers, under the title of Broadway Bros. & Treyser. This
firm, existed till 1S75, all opposition gradually dying out and the
business becoming somewhat systematized. In that year J. II.
Broadway sold out his interest as a partner, and the firm became
Broadway & Treyser, This was the firm name until January 1,
1884. Then a stock company was formed — a close corporation —
all the stock being retained in the family of the two principals.
ATHLETIC AMUSEMENTS.
613
The business name now is The Broadway & Treyser Hill-Posting
Company, and the nominal capital is $100,000. The history of
this house is but another illustration ol that spirit of progress and
development characteristic of our civic existence. From posting
bills on the ice, on dead horses lying in the street, on the backs of
live cattle led through the city, and on burdens carried by the early
delivery clerks, the business of displaying announcements of show-
men, merchants and the city government, has grown from com-
parative impecuniosity to one of respectable standing and large
profit. It cost the first circus that put paper on the walls in this
city, — Spaulding & Rogers, in 1S54, — §25 to put up one hundred
sheets of paper. The figures and facts of 1854 show the difference
when it is stated that P. T. Barnum's expense in 1S84, for bill-
posting alone, was $2, 150. In 1S49, Rice's theater got out seventy-
five one-sheet bills, posted eleven in front of the theater and tacked
up the remainder. In 1SS5, there are twenty-three legitimate places
of amusement, and the weekly bill-posting costs an average of $75
dollars each. In 1850, there were no stands where paper could be
displayed, other than fences and dead-walls, the first big bill-board
being erected only as recently as 1866. Morris D. Broadway, in
1S55, married Miss Ellen Stanton, in Chicago. They have five
children — Lucy A., Daniel H., Albert S., M. D., Jr. and Charles
1 1 . The firm of Broadway & Treyser have also become managers,
having built, in 1S83, a magnificent Dime Museum in Milwaukee,
Wis., and in 18S4 they built one at St. Louis, Mo., both being pro-
nounced far superior to any similar houses in the country, and in
both of which they have been very successful.
George A. Treyser, president of the International Bill
Posters' Association of North America, and secretary and treasurer
oi the Broadway .V Treyser Bill Posting Companj ol < hicago, »as
born in Detroit, December 2, 1S35. His father, Louis G. I'
was a hotel keeper in Milwaukee, and om- of its earliesl settlers.
George Treyser's younger days were full of the various and notable
instances of success common to young men of push and enterprise.
In his father's hotel, and as a printer, he got quickly to the front,
He started the bill-posting business, in Milwaukee, in 1S64-65.
Hisoffice was on Fast Water Strict, between Mason and Wisconsin
streets. Six years afterward he came to Chicago and joined with
the Broadway brothers, who were already established with a small
clientage of their own, and whose lirm was the principal of half a
dozen in the business. To put his vocation upon a thoroughly
organized and systematic basis; to make it trustworthy, respi 1 I'M' .
honest and self-sustaining in itself, and worthy of public confi-
dence, Mr. Treyser labored earnestly, and it soon became known
that Broadway & Treyser had the only good stands for bill-board
display. Reliability having been established, and facilities in-
creased, popularity grew, till it resulted in the swallowing up of all
opposition. Mr. Treyser has been very prominent in the organization
of the International Bill Posters' Association of North America— an
association formed for the purpose of mutual protection of the
members against imposition and to guarantee the public fair treat-
ment. Mr. Treyser has been annually elected president since 1878.
He married, in 1S6S, Miss Ann Perry, daughter of Edward Perry,
a prominent farmer of Washington County, Wis. Mrs. Treyser
died January 14, 1S74, leaving three daughters — Clara Bell, Har-
riet E. and Georgiana. Mr. Treyser, in 1S76, married Miss Harriet
E. Lewis, of St. Louis.
ATHLETIC AMUSEMENTS.
Chicago has always maintained a reputation as a
center for athletic amusements, and no species or vari-
ety of such recreation can be named in which, at some
period of the city's history, Chicago has not been pre-
eminent. A chronological table of the principal events
which have occurred in this city is given below. Prior
to 1857, such events were few and far between — so few
and insignificant, in fact, that it was not thought worth
while to make any extended mention of them in the first
volume of this History. In the preparation of the follow-
ing table, however, the aim has been to record, briefly,
every important event which occurred in Chicago.
Many events of minor importance, the memory of which
is, no doubt, dear to many of the city's early settlers and
old residents, have been omitted from the table, as not
having engrossed enough public interest to justify their
mention. In the preparation of the table, chronological
order has been the main consideration, subsidiary to
which a grouping of kindred amusements has been at-
tempted.
1836 — Opening of the first billiard hall (with two
tables) on the second floor of Couch's Hotel.
1844 — First race-course laid out by W. F. Myrick on
the prairie, between Twenty-sixth and Thirty-first streets
and Vincennes and Indiana avenues.
1843 — J- Dickey's gymnasium opened in Harmon's
Buildings. April, Launching of the "Rob Roy" (the
first pleasure boat ever built in Chicago) by the ladies of
the Lake House. July 17, Racing at the Chicago race-
course, sweepstakes, two miles and repeat.
1846 — Henry Green's private race-course opened.
1848 — June 12, "Lady Jane" and "Jack Raster"
trotted for $1,000 at the Chicago race-course. Septem-
ber 27-October 2, Fall meeting at the Chicago race-
course.
184Q — June 12, Pigeon-shooting match. Racing
around the Public Square.
jSjO — September 19, Pigeon-shooting-match. Octo-
ber, Cricket-match between Kentish eleven, residing
north of Washington Street, and All-Chicago eleven,
residing south of Washington Street. At a subsequent
match Milwaukee was defeated by Chicago. Septem-
ber, Yacht "Georgiana" launched. October 24, Excel-
sior Boat Club launched their first yacht. November
4-8, First meeting on Chicago Trotting Park : $400 in
prizes awarded.
1832 — Formation of the Audubon Club for the pro-
tection of game and the enforcement of the game laws.
1833 — In August, Organization of Pioneer Boat
Club, with boat-house on north side of river, where
Rush-street bridge now stands. Race of the Pioneers
against time over a four mile course on the lake, the club
winning in spite a heavy sea, which necessitated constant
bailing. Chicago Gymnasium opened on Randolph
Street. September 14, Cricket-match between Chicago
and Milwaukee is won by Chicago.
1834 — Garden City course opened. September 25,
Cricket-match at Union Park, between Chicago and
Milwaukee clubs.
1833 — February 25, Foot-race for silver cup at
North's Amphitheater. May, Launching of the " Lone
Star," a schooner-rigged pleasure yacht, the first boat,
for hire, ever launched on Lake Michigan. June 5, Two-
mile trotting match between "O'Blennis" and "Tom
Hyer" at Garden City course. June 19-2^, Five days
racing at Brighton course. August 19, Sweepstakes,
"Chicago Maid" and "Douglas." September 15,
"Tony Parker" defeated "Columbus."
1836 — May 12, Spring meeting at the Garden 1 lity
course. October 8, Fall meeting began at same course.
August 12, LInion-Base Ball Club organized. September
1, Cricket-match between Norfolk County eleven and
Chicago picked eleven. October 29, Cricket-match at
Cutmore's, opposite Bull's Head Hotel ; Juliet and
Lockport against Chicago. April 14, In a foot-race at
North's Amphitheater, John Tierney of Engine Com-
pany, No. 6, won a silver trumpet. August 28, Five-
mile foot-race between Indian runners; winner's 1
28' 9." September 12, Race between Indians and horses
at Garden City course. August 22, Ra< e between bear
614
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
and horse, and fight between bear and buffalo, at Brigh-
ton course. August, Daily rowing-matches in the basin,
between the Pioneer, Wenona, Blue Belle and Lady
Putnam clubs. June 25, Drumming match for $500.
185J — April 2, Organization of the Chicago Regatta
Association. July 4, First regatta on Lake Michigan,
open to all States bordering on the Lake. Prizes
amounting to $600 awarded at the Tremont House.
The race for four-oared gigs (four and a half miles) won
by Ladv Putnam club, which contested with the Pio-
neers and Wenonas. Double scull-race won by the
" Maria'' of Milwaukee. May 25, Chicago Cricket Club
defeated the British consul's picked eleven. June 25,
Same club defeated Captain Oldershaw's eleven. August
3, Same club defeated the Union Cricket Club on the
latter's grounds. May 5-10, William H. Hughes walked
during one hundred consecutive hours, at South Market
Hall. December 30, Exhibition by twelve athletes at
at Ottignow's gymnasium.
1858 — August 30, Trotting-match for $1,000 be-
tween " Gipsy Queen " and " Ten Broeck " at Garden
Citv course, won by the latter. October 7, " Flora
Temple" trotted at the Garden City course against
"Ike Cook." September n, First sailing regatta in
Chicago Harbor. October 15, Lady Putnam Rowing
Club, of Chicago, defeated, at Detroit, by a Toronto
Club in a match for the championship of the lakes, the
Chicago boat being swamped. July 7, Match game
between Union Base-Ball Club of Chicago, and the
Downer's Grove Club, at the corner of Halsted and
Harrison streets, resulting in Chicago's defeat. Sep-
tember 13, Match between the Union and Excelsior
clubs on the Prairie Club's ground, near the Bull's Head,
won by the Excelsiors. September 25, Prairie Cricket
Club won the championship, in a game at the corner of
West Madison and Loomis streets. Chicago Sports-
men's Club organized; consolidated with Audubon Club
March 1 1, under the name of the Chicago Audubon
Gun Club. August 3, First annual match-hunt of latter
club. August 4, First annual game-supper of the club
at the Tremont House. September 7, John B. Drake's
first annual dinner at the Tremont House. September
20, Scottish games and shooting-match at Cottage
drove, by Highland Guards. First billiard-match in
Chicago, between the French expert Ubassey and Cyrus
Coan, the former winning by a few points only. Octo-
ber, Charles Curtis, pedestrian, walked 1056 miles in as
many consecutive half-hours, for a purse of $2,000.
October 2, Charles Calla, of the old "Fire King"
Engine Company, won a silver cup in a firemen's race
of one mile, covering the distance in four minutes and
forty-seven seconds.
iSjp — May, Atlantic and Columbia Base-Ball clubs
organized. June 1 1, Excelsiors defeated Atlantics at the
corner of Washington and Sheldon streets. August 16,
Atlantics won the Chicago championship, defeating
the Excelsiors. June 3, A picked eleven from the Chi-
cago and Prairie Cricket clubs, defeated the Cincinnatis.
June 21-22, Same eleven won a game at Cleveland.
i860— " Ethan Allen " trotted on the Cottage-Grove
track. June <), Niagaras defeated Atlantic, Jrs., at base
ball. August 26, Atlantics again won the Chicago
championship, defeating the Excelsiors on the Prairie
Cricket-club grounds. July 21, At the Prairie Cricket-
club grounds, a match between the married and single
members of the club, resulted in a victory for the
former. Chicago Curling Club organized at Tremont
January, Initiatory steps taken by the Audubon
Gun Club toward tin- formation of a National associa-
tion and the securing of uniform game laws. June 16,
Opening of the Metropolitan Gymnasium (then the
largest and best equipped in Chicago) in third story of
Kingsbury Block. December, Ogden and North Side
Skating Clubs organized.
1861— August 27-28, A "free for all" running-
match on Brighton course. September 26, Seventeen-
mile trot on the Brighton track; time of winner, one
hour and seventeen minutes. May 25, Married and
single cricketers contested on grounds of the Prairie
Club, the former winning. January 17, First match by
members of the Chicago Curling Club.
1862— Chasing and lassooing buffalo at the "World's
Horse Fair."
1863 — August 25, Opening of the Chicago Driving
Park Association. Officers: Daniel Thompson, presi-
dent; Charles 1). Bogardus, secretary; directors, D. A.
Gage, W. F. Myrick, James Van Etta, U. H. Crosby,
H. H. Yates and N. K. Fairbank. Four days' racing,
the most successful meeting ever held in Chicago up to
that time. September 2, Winners of the races of pre-
vious week contested for $150. August 23, Chicago
base-ball championship won by the Garden City Club,
who defeated the Osceolas. October 5, Chicago Cricket
Club defeated by Milwaukee. October 17, Chicago
defeated Milwaukee at that city. Chicago Gymnasium
opened in the old Trinity Church building, on Madison
Street, near Clark. Gymnastic training-schools opened
for ladies, exclusively, by two female athletes, at No. 218
Wabash Avenue and at the corner of State and Randolph
streets. April 10, First billiard tournament held in
Chicago, being the second in the United States, the
prize being a $500 billiard table. January, Skating car-
nival held.
1864 — March 15, Annual meeting at the Chicago
Driving Park. July 1-10, Trotting for stakes and
purses estimated at $25,000. September 16, Fall meet-
ing of the Chicago Driving Park Association. During
the spring, Chicago Boat Club organized. May, Can-
ada eleven defeated by Illinois eleven, at Union Park.
Northwestern Institution for Physical Education opened
at Nos. 1 1 6-1 8 Randolph Street, and incorporated on
April 1. During the winter, masquerades on ice were
popular and frequent.
1863 — June and September, Summer and fall meet-
ings of the Chicago Driving Park Association. October
24, "Cooley" defeated "Lady Sherman" and "Trav-
eler," making a record of 2:36, and winning $1,000.
Matches between Excelsior, Pioneer, Atlantic and Og-
den Ball clubs; revival of interest in base-ball, which
had flagged during the War. December 6, Convention
of ball clubs of the Northwest, in Chicago; representa-
tives present from four States and eleven cities; Na-
tional Association of Base- Ball Players of the North-
west formed. Organization of Chicago Sharpshooters'
Association. July 22, Foot-race between three Indian
runners at Chicago Driving Park. June 14-21, Billiard
tournament for State championship at Smith & Nixon's
Hall. October 12, First billiard contest (after challenge!
for State championship; won by Thomas Foley. Open-
ing of the Wabash Rink, at the corner of Wabash Ave-
nue and Jackson Street, containing .14,025 square feet
of skating surface.
1 866 — June, Meeting of the Chicago Driving Park
Association. July 14, Ten-mile race won by "Captain
Barber," in 36 minutes, 20 J4 seconds. July 17, " Me-
doc " victorious over " Cooley," in 2:32, winning $1,000.
September 3, Fall meeting; " Dexter " trotted for a
purse of $5,000 in 2:24. George Trussell, half-owner
of "Dexter," shut in a Randolph-street saloon. Septem-
ber 22, "Cooley" and "General Butler" trotted for
ATHLETIC AMUSEMENTS.
6*5
$5,000. During the fifth heat McKeaver, owner of
" General Butler," who had taken the sulky on the fourth
heat, fell to the track, murdered by coming into violent
contact with a rail, torn from the fence and held in un-
known hands. July 4, R. Van Winkle, of Chicago, de-
feated M. K. Ritey, of Jersey City, in a race with single
sculls, thirteen feet long, for $250. February 3, Game
of base-ball played on the ice, on skates, between the
Pioneers and Excelsiors, Jrs. Summer matches between
the Stars, of Chicago, and the Favorites, of Evanston; the
Eagles and the Monitors; the Pacifies and Atlantics; and
the Excelsiors and Atlantics. June, Tournament of the
American Sharpshooters' Association, at Lake View, fifty
societies represented and $15,000 in prizes distributed.
Formation of the Metropolitan Gymnasium Club. Jan-
uary, Washington Park skating tournament. August,
Opening of the new West Side Rink. December 31,
Opening of the Grand National Skating Park, covering
fifteen acres of ice, at the corner of State and Twenty-
third streets.
1867 — August, Steeple chase, two and one-half miles
over country, four entries. August 8, Ten-mile race
between three trotters and an Indian foot-runner. Sep-
tember 3, Fall meeting, $16,500 in prizes; "Dexter,"
"Bashaw, Jr.," " Patchen, Jr.," "Magna Charta " and
"General Butler "among the entries. On September
8, " Dexter " trotted his best public race, making a
record of 2:17. June, Opening of Dexter Park ball-
grounds. June 9, Match for championship of North
West, the Rockfords defeating the Excelsiors. July,
First great base-ball tournament held in Chicago, fifty-
four clubs being represented. August 8, Ball game be-
tween editors' and printers' nines, won by the editorial
nine, who made thirty-two runs in the last inning. May
24-25, Tournament of sharpshooters at Lake View, the
home team bearing off most of the prizes. May, Organ-
ization of the Prairie Shooting Club. April 13, Organi-
zation of the Garden City Boat Club. June 17, Second
billiard tournament for State championship, at Crosby's
Music Hall. September 23-October 24, Billiard tour-
nament for benefit of Soldiers' Relief Fund. Matches
at quoits, between the Oakland and Chicago Quoiting
clubs. January 17, Curling match at Washington Skat-
ing Park, Milwaukee defeating Chicago. Curling match
between Chicago and Milwaukee, at Milwaukee, for pos-
session of National Curling Club medal; won by Chicago.
December 13, Burning of the Wabash-avenue Rink.
1868 — June 4, " Bashaw, Jr." won a purse of $5,000,
trotting against " Rockey;" but was defeated by the
same horse five days later. October 20, Fall meeting
at the Chicago Driving Park. June, Rockfords defeated
the Excelsiors for the second time. June 17, Athletics
defeat Excelsiors. November, Dissolution of the Ex-
celsior Club. September 16, At Library Hall, John
McDevitt, of Chicago, defeated Joseph Dun, of Mon-
treal, in the 17th game for the billiard championship of
the United States. December 23, John McDevitt de-
feated William Goldthwaite in a game for the billiard
championship of the United States, at Metropolitan
Hall. June 3, Quoiting match between Henry Henshaw
and James A. Kenson, on grounds of Chicago Quoiting
Club, for $200. July 24, Double quoiting match on
same grounds, for $50. August 4, Quoiting match at
State and Twenty-second streets, between Braid wood
and Chicago Quoiting clubs, for $1,000 and the cham-
pionship of the Northwest, Braidwood winning. Single
game between champion of Chicago and New Vork,
won by Alexander Ferguson, of Chicago. January 3,
Opening of the new (re-built) Wabash-avenue Rink.
March, At the West Side Rink, William Eraser skated
one hundred miles inside of twenty-four hours, and an-
other expert, named Riddle, skated one hundred miles
in one hundred consecutive hours, at the same rink.
September, Skating race of one hundred miles at Wa-
bash-avenue Rink, for $1,000, between representatives
of Chicago and La Crosse, won by the visitors.
i86p— June, Racing "matinees" largely attended
by the fashionable residents. July 4, Summer meeting
at the Chicago Driving Park. July 31, Match between
Cincinnati Red Stockings and Forest Citys, of Rock ford,
at Ogden Park. Septembers, Forest Citys, of Ruck-
ford, defeated a picked nine at Ogden Park. October 1,
A professional organization, known as the Chicago Rase-
Ball Club, formed, as the outgrowth of a public meeting
held at the Briggs House; President, Potter Palmer;
Vice-Presidents, W. F. Wentworth, General 1'. H.
Sheridan, J. M. Richards, W. F. Coolbaugh, N. C.
Wentworth, C. B. Farwell, F. E. Morse, S. |. Medill, F.
B. Wilkie, J. M. Higgins, J. C. McMullen, W. C. Cleve-
land, J. W. Midgely, Robert Harris, O. M. Smith,
George M. Pullman and W. Sprague; Treasurer, 1). A.
Gage; Recording Secretary, J. W. Butler; Correspond-
ing Secretary, T. Z. Cowles. September, Organization
of the Washington Yacht Club, and erection of a boat-
house on lake front, south of Congress Street. Septem-
ber 25, First race of the Washington Yacht Club; two
sloop yachts, twenty-one feet long, the " Lucy" and the
" Violante " competed. .August 8-1 1, Tournament on
Dext.Ji Park, under auspices of the Prairie Shooting
Club. June 7, Professional billiard-players' tournament
at Foley's rooms. Quoit match, with 91^ inch quoits,
between Chicago's champion, Alexander Ferguson, and
J. Smith, of Detroit for $500, and won by Ferguson.
Opening of velocipede school. March 10, George Wil-
son, one of the "skips" of the Chicago Curling Club,
won the cup offered by the Caledonia Club, in a single-
handed match against eighteen competitors, at the
Wabash-avenue Rink.
iSjo — June 25, John Faylor, of California, failed in
an attempt to ride fifty miles in two hours, at the Driv-
ing Park. October 4, Trotting " matinee " for the
benefit of the Home for the Friendless. April 9, New
Chicago nine (afterward called the "White Stockings")
played its first practice game against a picked nine of
amateurs at Dexter Park, previous to starting on the
season's tour. May 6, Chicago White Stockings defeat
New Orleans club in that city, 57 to o. May 13, Chi-
cago White Stockings defeat Bluff City Club, at Mem-
phis, by a score of 157 to 1. May 18, Illinois Base-Ball
Association formed. June 15, White Stocking grounds
opened at Dexter Park, the Chicagos beating the Forest
Citys. August, Mutuals of New York defeated the
White Stockings at Dexter Park by a score of 9 to o.
August 30, White Stockings defeat the Forest Citys,
and the Atlantics, of New York. September, White
Stockings, having defeated the Red Stockings, of Cin-
cinnati, at that city, received an ovation from one hun-
dred thousand people on their return home, and were
tendered a banquet at the Briggs House. October 13,
White Stockings again defeat the Cincinnati Reds at
Dexter Park. January 22, Thirty-mile skating contest
at West Side Skating Rink, between representatives of
Chicago ami Milwaukee clubs, won by Chicago. Cale-
donian medal won in single handed curling-match by
Archibald Henderson.
i&ji — May 24, Steeple-chase on the occasion of the
celebration of the Queen's birthday, by English resi-
dents of Chicago. July 1, Race for $5,000 at Dexter
Park, between "Chicago," formerly "Rockey," and
"Lady Douglas," "Chicago" winning. July 18-24,
6i6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Trotting races at Dexter Park. August, Formation
and incorporation of the Dexter Driving Association,
which leased Dexter Park from Tucker & Sherman for
ten years for $35,000. Trustees, David A. Gage, C. B.
Harwell. Ira Holmes, John B. Sherman, James Stevens,
Peter Schuttler and Benjamin Campbell. August 23-
26, First, and very successful, meeting of the newly in-
corporated association, at which $23,200 was distributed
in premiums. " Goldsmith Maid " and " Lucy " ap-
peared in Chicago for the first time. September 5, Colt
race for the Sherman House stakes. May 24, Meeting
at the Chicago Type Foundry, to consider the feasibility
of forming Lacrosse Clubs. May — September, Organ-
ization and training (under professionals) of the Chicago
Lacrosse Club on the West Side and the St. Regis Club
on the South Side. October 7, First Lacrosse-match
played in Chicago between above mentioned clubs, at
corner of Van Buren and Laflin streets. January 24,
Articles of incorporation of the Chicago Base-Ball Club
were filed. March 6, Common Council granted ground
at the Lake Park to the Chicago Base-Ball Club. March
26. Chicago Club opened its season in New Orleans,
defeating the Lone Stars. May 19, Chicagos defeat
the Olympics, of Washington, all Chicagos' runs having
been made in the ninth inning. June 24, Chicagos
defeated the Rockfords in this city. July 7, Chicagos
defeated Cincinnati Reds. July 14, Chicagos defeated
Athletics of Philadelphia. July 17, Chicagos defeated
the Rockfords. September 29, Chicagos defeated the
Bostons. October 7, Last game before the fire, played
between the White Stockings and Amateur Athletics.
Chicago Rowing Club began the erection of a $1,500
boat-house. January n, Parker, champion of Illinois,
defeated Rudolph, at Buffalo, winning the diamond cue
and championship of the United States. February,
Madame Gamier defeated Cyrille Dion, the first public
game played in Chicago by a lady. April 26, Seventh
game for the diamond cue and American championship,
played in Chicago, Cyrille Dion defeating Frank Parker.
May 27, First game for the three-ball billiard cham-
pionship of the Northwest, won by Henry Rhines, at
Crosby Music Hall. October 2, Albert Gamier, of
Chicago, defeated Maurice Daly, at billiards, at Metro-
politan Hall. May 24, Four of the best players in
Chicago played a match at quoits at No. 392 State
Street, for $100. January, Bonspiel between members
of the Chicago Curling Club, over and under forty years
of age, won by the younger members. January 25,
Match at curling between the residents of the North and
South of Scotland at Lincoln Park, North Scotland win-
ning. Winners presented with a gold medal by the
president of the Grand National Curling Club. Feb-
ruary 4, Milwaukee defeated Chicago in a match for
medal offered by the Grand National Curling Club.
BANKING HISTORY.
The history of banking.up to the close of 1857, as given
in the first volume of this work, shows that Chicago had
an experience embracing nearly every system of finance
that had hitherto been tried in this country. At that time
banking was being conducted under the act of Febru-
ary 15. 1851, as amended February 10, 1853, and January
10, 1855.* The system had just passed, with varying suc-
cess, through the severe ordeal of a widespread panic,
which had tested its strength to the utmost, and while
its endurance of the test had not been such as to jus-
tify the lavish encomiums of its friends, it had been ac-
cepted by the people as being perhaps as satisfactory as
any that could be devised. The belief was general
that, while far from perfect, it yet embodied more ele-
ments of safety and security than any before legalized
by the- Slate.
Among the banking institutions that passed, un-
scathed, through all the perils that beset the path of
financiers in the early history of Chicago, was the Wis-
• onsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company.
On February 24, 1852, a lecture was delivered by
William liross, before the Chicago Mechanics' Insti-
tute, wherein, in relation to this company, then, and for
many y.-ars, owned by George Smith, the lecturer said :
ncing by comparatively small beginnings, at a time
when business west of the lakes, and, in fact, everywhere, was
totally prostrated, the consummate prudence and great financial abil-
• The amendment of 185. provided for the winding up of insolvent
bank*, the provisions of the ad being that whenever any banking association,
organized underauthority of the banking law, should desire to close the busi-
circulating bills, ' it hould notify theauditor, and that, thereafter,
no bills should be n - : i- .| ■ ,r paid out. hut should I'-- surrendered to the state
auditor in sums of not 1. uid dollars at one time : in return for
which surrender the auditor was to deliver to the hank the securities deposited,
in amount prop .r ti nt of securities deposited, and^ the
• mount of hills returned as against the full amount outstanding.
Hanks after filmic their notification with the state auditor, were forbidden to
further than might be required to collect
and pay - tnsactions as should be necessary to
clo*e up the husin ss.
i and the amendment of 1853, see first vol-
ume of this History.
ity with which its business has been conducted, have won for it the
respect and confidence of the whole community. A princely for-
tune has rewarded those who have conducted it ; but the benefit to
the community has been equally great. By affording our business
men of all classes facilities for making loans, and the means of
carrying on their business, it has probably added more to the pros-
perity of our city than any other influence whatever, if we except the
energy, industry, and business tact of our citizens. Thus much I
may be permitted to say impartially, as I have never been introduced
to or spoken to Mr. Smith, and I do not owe his bank a single dime."
George Smith, now generally known as " George Smith, of
Chicago," was born in the early part of the present century in the
parish of Old Deer, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. When quite young,
he attended the parish school at Strichen, was prepared for college
at a private school at Udney, and then entered King's College,
Aberdeen, where he remained for two years, with the intention of
studying medicine. His eyes, however, being too weak to endure
the severe strain consequent upon a course of study, he was com-
pelled to give up all thoughts of following a profession, and, after
attending lectures for a year at Edinboro', he rented a farm in the
parish of Turriff, his neighbor being Patrick Strachan, afterward
of the well known firm in Chicago, Strachan & Scott. Mr. Smith
remained upon his farm three years, and did fairly well, but then
hearing that a friend was going to Canada, he determined to ac-
company him on a tour of observation, and they sailed from Aber-
deen for New York in 1S33. Mr. Smith took out letters of intro-
duction to the eminent banking firms, Messrs. Prime, Ward &
King, Messrs Boorman, Johnston & Co , and others in New York,
but finding no inducements to remain there, he pushed on to Buf-
falo, where he spent the winter of 1833-34. Being eager to obtain
information about the country, he questioned all those returning
from '.he great, but then unknown, West, and as they were all loud
in their prophecies of the coming greatness of a small village called
Chicago, on the southwest shore of Lake Michigan, he determined,
as soon as navigation opened in the spring of 1S34, to investigate
that village for himself. Boats then plied between Buffalo ami I le-
troit; so Mr. Smith went by water to Detroit, and thence by stage,
across Michigan, In Chicago. The mud village, which then had about
four hundred inhabitants, so pleased him, that he wrote home
lo his friend Alexander— now Sir Alexander— Anderson, to sublet
his farm ami convert his goods and chattels into cash, which was
done, and the proceeds were invested in city lots in Chicago and in
wild lands where the city of Milwaukee now stands. So great be-
came the speculation in land in 1835-36, that prices fairly jumped,
and Mr. Smith, concluding that this state of things could not last,
BANKING HISTORY
6,7
sold out all he had in 1S36 for one-quarter cash, taking notes for
the balance, and returned to Scotland, thinking lie had made a for-
tune. His success, which soon became known in his native shire,
induced the Aberdonians to form several investment companies.
Alexander Anderson started the Illinois Investment Company with
a capital of about ^60,000, and Messrs. Patrick Strachan and W.
I). Scott were sent out to Chicago to manage it. Patrick Strachan
had a farm in the parish of Turriff, adjoining that of George Smith,
and it was on the recommendation of the latter, who had great re-
spect for Strachan's ability as a farmer, that Mr. Strachan was ap-
pointed manager of the Illinois Investment Company. W. D.
Scott was much younger than Strachan, but he had some office
training, and the original idea was that Scott should act as clerk
for Strachan. Scott's sound judgment and general ability, how-
ever.'soon gave him an equal standing with Strachan, who experi-
enced considerable difficulty in adapting himself to the ways of the
New World. Two other investment companies were started in
Aberdeenshire about this time, and Messrs. Murray & Brand were
sent out to manage one in Chicago, and Messrs. Milne & Keith
went to Cincinnati to take charge of another. The object of these
companies was to loan' money on real estate, but, in addition, they
generally transacted a sort of banking business. In 1837, came
the financial crash which Mr. Smith had feared, and he was obliged
to return to Chicago and take back all the land he had sold. In
1S39, Mr. Smith obtained from the Wisconsin Legislature a char-
ter for the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company, which
enabled him to receive deposits, and issue certificates therefor, to
the extent of $1,500,000. Alexander Mitchell, who had just come
from Aberdeen with the intention of joining Messrs. Strachan &
Scott, was made secretary of the new company, with headquarters
in Milwaukee. In the same year (1S30,), Mr. Smith started a bank-
ing house in Chicago, under the firm name of Ceo. Smith & Co.,
and this was the first legitimately conducted bank ever established
in Chicago. As the country had no good currency, advantage was
taken of the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company's
charter, and certificates of deposit were issued and circulated as
currency. Besides Geo. Smith & Co., who, of course, used every
effort to circulate the certificates, Messrs. Strachan & Scott and
Murray & Brand, received them ; and the canal contractors —
George Barnet, George Armour, Robert Milne, George Steele, and
others, all Scotchmen, who banked with Geo. Smith & Co. — took
the certificates and payed them to their workmen, always agreeing
to give other notes if it was found impossible at any time to pass
them. In this way, the certificates of deposit of the Wisconsin Ma-
rine and Fire Insurance Company, which were additionally
strengthened, in instances, by the written indorsement of Messrs.
Strachan & Scott and George Barnet, got into circulation, and soon
became the favorite currency in Illinois and Wisconsin. The de-
cline in the price of land after the panic of 1837 was so great, that
the managers of the investment companies considered themselves
safe in lending freely on land at the reduced valuations. Instead,
however, of advancing, the price of land continued to decline for
the next three or four years, and, in consequence, the Investment
Companies found themselves loaded with land, which it was diffi-
cult to sell. Messrs. Strachan & Scott advised their shareholders
to wind up their affairs, and sent home a schedule valuation of their
assets, which consisted principally of land. Mr. Smith being in
Aberdeen at the time, the directors offered to sell him their land at
Strachan & Scott's valuations, and he bought most of it. As the
other investment companies in Chicago and Cincinnati were also
compelled to wind up their affairs, the directors of the Wisconsin
Marine and Fire Insurance Company — who, however, had been re-
ctiving dividends at the rate of twelve per cent, per annum — be-
came nervous, and asked Mr. Smith if he would buy back their
stock at par; and on his agreeing to do so, they issued a circular to
the stockholders, submitting Smith's offer, and stating that they
would not consider themselves responsible to those who declined to
accept. In consequence thereof, all the shareholders accepted this
ultimatum, and Mr. Smith thus became the sole owner of the Wis-
consin Marine and Fire Insurance Company. About 1S40, James
Carter, another genial and shrewd Aberdonian, joined Messrs.
Strachan & Scott for a time, and went to Galena, where, in the
hope of circulating his currency among the miners, George Smith
established a branch bank under the firm name of Smith & Carter.*
Corwith & Co., however, who had preceded them, supplied the
miners with gold coin, and thus prevented the Wisconsin Marine
and Fire Insurance Company's certificates of deposit from ever
getting a foothold there. Hence, the partnership was soon dis-
solved and Mr. Carter established the house of James Carter &
Co., Messrs. Strachan & Scott being the company. In spite of
Smith's currency being somewhat irregular, and in spite of the
bitter attacks made on it by the legally organized State banks, it
grew in popular favor until the Wisconsin banking law of 1S50
* Mr. Carter subsequently removed to St. I.ouis and joined the firm of
Smith & Webster— George Smith and Thomas Webster. The latter was another
Scot, and had the reputation of being a man of unusual ability.
compelled them to cease issuing il. Abotll 1 S =. 3 . Mr. Smith sold
the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company to the able sec-
retary and manager ol the company, Alexander Mitchell, who had
grown in experience and wealth as rapidly as the city of Milwau-
kee. Mr. Mitchell re-organized it under tin- general banking laws
of the State as a legal hank, under the title ol the \\ isconsin Ma-
rine \ Fire Insurance Co. Bank, which is now so well and favor-
ably known in the great West. So long as the Wisconsin Ma-
rine and Fire Insurance Company's certificates were in circulation,
it was the favorite amusement of Mr. Smith's less fortunati com-
petitors to collect large quantities of the certificates ami | |
them at Milwaukee for redemption, in the hope, ol course, ol find-
ing Mr. Mitchell unprepared with a sufficient supply of gold. This,
however, never happened. One case in this connection 01 ■ ■!
in Chicago. Mr. Scammon had been presenting some large sums
in certificates — at inopportune times — at Geo. Smith's hank for
redemption. Mr. Smith met Mr. Scanimon one day and asked him
what was the amount of circulating notes the Marine Bank had
out. Mr. Scammon replied $175, 000. Mr. Smith remarked that
he knew where $125,000 of the Marine Bank's notes were, and that
was in his vault, and that he was going to take them to the Marine-
Bank for redemption some day. This was, naturally, unpleasant
news to Mr Scammon, as it would be to any banker: the prospei t
of being summarily called on to redeem two-thirds of the circula-
tion would perturb most financial institutions. No more spasmodic
efforts at hampering the circulating medium of Geo. Smith's bank
resulted from the management of the Marine Bank, and Mr. Smith
allowed the Marine Bank to be unpleasantly agitated for some six
months — anticipating the sudden demand for $125,000 in cash, in
return for that amount in bills. At the end of that time, Mr. Smith
signed an agreement with Mr. Scammon, whereby each should ex-
ercise forbearance toward the other, and make no effort toward
hampering their circulation or creating a "run" on their respec-
tive banks. Mr. Smith, however, received the cash for his Marine
Bank notes, at various times, and from sundry sources. In 1S52,
Mr. Smith established the Bank of America, in Washington, D.C.,
his headquarters being in New York City. John R. Valentine*
was his cashier, and so remained during the maintenance of the
Bank of America. When the Insurance Company's certificates had
to be given up, Mr. Smith determined to establish banks of issue
where he would not easily be annoyed by raiders, and accordingly
procured two bank charters in the State of Georgia, instituting the
Atlanta Bank, at Atlanta, and placing John R. Valentine in charge
of that bank, of which S. C. Higginson was president. At Griffin,
forty miles south of Atlanta, another bank was located by Mr.
Smith, named the Bank of the State of Georgia, and Peter Geddes
was sent there to manage it. After it had been in operation for
two years, Robert Reid, now cashier for the collector of customs,
was sent there as cashier. These banks merely did business
enough to pay expenses, and were used as banks of issue. Large
amounts of notes were duly signed at the banks in Georgia, and
then shipped to Geo. Smith & Co., in Chicago, where they were cir-
culated. This Georgia currency was fairly well received, and, in con-
sequence, excited the hostility of all the other Chicago bankers, who.
combined together, collected as many bills as they could find, and
then sent Elihu B.Washburne, afterward Minister to France, down
to Georgia to break Smith's banks. Mr. Smith, however, had gut
wind of the intended raid, and was prepared to redeem all the notes
Mr. Washburne presented. Of course, the cashiers were not par-
ticularly obliging to Mr. Washburne when they knew his errand;
they took their time, paid out all the small coin they could, and
obliged Mr. Washburne to return home heavily laden, and this, too.
at a time when traveling was not quite so safe as at present. This
raid conducted by Mr. Washburne, and others of less importance,
induced Mr. Smith to dispose of his Georgia Banks, which he
finally did in 1S5S after redeeming all their hills both at their domi-
ciles and in Chicago. In r S 5 7 . having made a handsome fi
he determined to retire from business altogether, of course, such
a large and flourishing business as Geo. Smith ,\ Co. were then do.
ing could not be wound up in a day, and it was not until 1
Mr. Smith's career as the leading banker of the Wi
end. George Smith's success was mainly due to thi
his judgment, to his indomitable energy, and to his
able and faithful agents, fn the early days, Uexandei Mitchell —
•Mr. Valentine is nt of Chi
6iS
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
who has since became noted as the most sagacious and successful
financier in the Northwest — was of great service to him. Later, E. W.
Willard was a most efficient manager of his Chicago house. When
Mr. Smith finally retired from business in 1S62, he invested largely
in the first mortgage bonds of such railroads as the Chicago, Bur-
lington i: Quincy, Chicago iv. Alton and Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
Paul, which, owing to the Civil War then raging, was selling at
much below par. He left his Chicago real estate and other prop-
erty to the care of Peter Geddes, who had been in his employ since
1S54. and then sailed for England, where he has continued to re-
side ever since, with the exception of a visit made to this country
in 1S66. and occasional tours he makes upon the Continent.
During the panic not a few Illinois banks, including
several Chicago institutions, had been forced to suspend,
but, in the final winding up of their affairs, the bills
were all redeemed at par, and in most instances the de-
positors suffered no serious loss. Still there had been
grave doubts from the beginning, in the minds of lead-
ing bankers, as to its practical operation, based upon the
method of procedure actually adopted in the organiza-
tion of many banks under the law. A fundamental
defect was, that a bank might be organized and currency
obtained and put in circulation with little or no bona
fide capital. The auditor declined to look beyond the
bonds deposited for the security of the circulation, con-
struing the law to mean that the deposit of the bonds
was prima facie evidence of the capital of the bank.
This opened the way to a most mischievous betrayal of
public trust on the part of any persons who could bor-
row money enough temporarily to purchase the required
bonds and get their currency therefor. Many banks
were organized at inaccessible points and their bills put
in circulation through brokers in western cities, most
largely in Chicago. There was but very little specie re-
served for the redemption of this class of bills, nor was
there any place where they could be redeemed, except
at the remote point where the banks were located. The
Democrat of that day ^ whose sentiments upon all pub-
lic questions may fairly be said to have been pronounced)
in its issue of September 27, 1857, thus pointed out this
defect :
"Turning to our own State, what do we see? A number of
men get together (mostly old, broken down politicians). They
want to build a railroad ; they have no money — one would think a
very serious objection. Not so, however, in these times, when it
can be manufactured and to order by the wholesale. They employ
John Thompson to purchase State bonds for them, and pay there-
for, trusting them for his pay till the first batch of bank notes,
founded on them, is issued. They issue their railroad bonds,
hypothecate them in Wall Street, and pay John Thompson for the
State stock. They are then ready with a State-stock secured circu-
lation to commence the road. The only trouble is to keep the bills
afloat. But this is managed very easily. The bank need only to
locate where it will not pay for any one to run on it, e.g. either in
Rhode Island or Maine or in some back county in this State. The
people take the money as long as it goes, while the Chicago and
other bankers Ito whom exchange is at all times a prime necessity)
are afraid to run upon it for fear of breaking it, and thus creating
a panic. The owners of the bank in this way, trusting to luck or
the progress of events, keep the institution going'as long as they
can; and when they can't do so any longer, let it break, almost, in-
variably themselves taking care to be ready to ' stand from under'
when the crash comes."
Still, while business was moving quietly, there being
ostensible security for the ultimate redemption of the
bills by the State, they passed from hand to hand, per-
forming the essential functions of money as a circulating
medium. So, despite the grave doubts of a few con-
servative far-seeing men, the system itself was popularly
regarded as founded on a legitimate basis, only needing
such amendments as experience from year to year might
dictate for its perfc tion.
As to the "Wild Cat" or "Stump Tail" system
itself, although it was undeniably utilized as a means of
fraudulent and scandalous transactions, not alone at in-
accessible points, but in Chicago, it may be questioned
whether all the banks whose issues were unredeemed
and whose projectors and sustainers were heartily exe-
crated by the sufferers, were "conceived in iniquity."
Had it not been for the Civil War, it is very doubtful
but that large numbers of these banks would have re-
deemed their outstanding circulation, and the growth of
the railroad system of the country have made the locale
of the bank easily accessible. Every system has its
defects, and the defective possibilities of the State Bank
system were augmented by the National crisis, when,
possibly, taking a leaf from the Wild Cat primer, the
Government issued currency of the most ultra " Wild
Cat" description.
It will be seen that the law, as constructed by the
officials authorized to give it effect, afforded no real
safeguard to the public against any losses which might
arise from the dishonesty of bankers. It was intended
to secure the redemption of the currency to the extent
of the bonds deposited as a basis for its issue. The
depositors were left at the mercy of the business capac-
ity or probity of the bankers. That the securities them-
selves should ever depreciate in value, to such an extent
as to jeopardize or bring into distrust the currency
issued, was not believed. The banks that were forced
into liquidation during the panic of 1857, had, with
comparatively few exceptions, redeemed their bills, and,
in most instances, the losses of depositors had not been
serious, and could be traced to mismanagement, ineffi-
ciency, or dishonesty on the part of the bank officials,
absolutely to guard against which no law had been or
ever could be framed.
The defects of this currency became most clearly
apparent when, under the pressure of financial distress,
it was necessary to convert it into gold or exchange for
the liquidation of Eastern indebtedness. For that
purpose it was found to be imperfect money, since it
was not possible to redeem it on demand in specie, or
its equivalent. W7ith perhaps two exceptions, there
were no banks in Illinois, during the panic of 1857, able
to keep their circulation at par with gold.
As soon as the currency was put to the test, the
price of Eastern exchange showed that the Illinois
bank bills no longer performed the functions of money.
Exchange rapidly rose in price, reaching a premium of
ten per cent, in October, 1857, and, in the early months
of 1858, selling at as high a rate as fifteen per cent.,
showing that, in spite of the resolutions of Western
Legislatures, bankers, Boards of Trade, and mercantile
associations to the contrary, the money afloat was rad-
ically deficient in the requisites of a sound currency,
inasmuch as it could not be immediately convertible
into a debt-paying medium abroad as well as at home.
The money, however, being the best to be obtained,
continued to circulate throughout the West. The losses,
through fluctuations in exchange, were a constant
source of annoyance to' business men, and became
the leading question of discussion in business circles.
The Chicago Democrat, in commenting on the financial
troubles of the day, made the following editorial stric-
tures on the management of the Chicago banks, under
date of September 18, 1857 :
" In our city we have a number of banks who, so far, have
done nobly. They have sustained themselves, while the banks of
other and older cities have succumbed. Kor this they deserve
much credit. * * * No one of them, however, appears to
have had the capital, the ability, the boldness, or all combined, to
stand up in the midst of the pressure and stretch out a helping
hand to the public."
In i860, on the eve of Lincoln's election, the opin-
ion in financial circles as to the value of the prevailing
BANKING HISTORY.
619
currency was divided. One class of capitalists favored
the existing banking law, alleging that the banks organ-
ized under its provisions had withstood the brunt of a
National financial panic, and had shown unexpected
recuperative power after the financial storm. Another,
and possibly more conservative, class maintained that
from a poisoned fountain could proceed no pure water;
EXCHANGE BANK. BUILDING.
that the prevalent system of banking had its origin in a
mistaken conception of the fundamental principles of
finance, and that the circulating medium lacked every
essential element of a sound currency. The Press also,
during this time, teemed with vituperation. The advo-
cates of the system, however, urged that at the next
session of the Legislature the banking law would be so
amended as to force country banks to redeem their bills
through agencies established in Chicago or Springfield,
and thus render the bulk of Illinois currency more
easily convertible into Eastern exchange when desired.
With the proposed amendments to the law, the friends
of the system claimed that it would approach absolute
perfection. On the other hand, its opponents boldly
alleged that the proposed amendment was merely
designed as a convenient means of appeasing and
obviating the justifiable opposition of the farmers to
the law; that the advocates of the system were actuated
by selfish motives; and that in proffering the proposed
amendment, thev were only throwing a sop to Cerberus.
Chicago had little local interest in State banking, as
there were but few banks of issue here; yet, considering
the immense volume of currency required to carry on
her constantly increasing business, it was all important
that the State currency should be on a sound basis,
wherever issued. Nothing occurred to derange the
system, or bring it into further distrust, prior to the elec-
tion of Lincoln, in November, i860. Up to the time
last mentioned the credit of the Southern States had
been as a rule, unimpaired, and their bonds were almost
invariably received on deposit, as security for the issues
of bank bills. In the autumn of i860, the business of
the banks increased, and their circulation was inflated
to an extent which was excusable only in times of pros-
perity and general confidence. With the first agitation
of Secession, the securities of the States involved in the
proposed movement suddenly depreciated in value,
and, with the growing conviction, that civil war was
inevitable, the quotations each day showed a further
decline in the value of such securities. The banks of
Illinois had an aggregate circulation of $12,320,694, se-
cured by deposits of United Slates and State securities
of the par value of $1 4,000,000, the bonds of the South-
ern States constituting more than two-thirds of the
amount, viz., $9,527,500.
This unexpected emergency found the currency of
the State banks expanded to an illegiti-
mate degree, and the banks themselves
unable to withdraw. Not only would such
withdrawal have brought ruin on the banks
of issue themselves, but the whole business
community would have been called upon
to sustain the shock. The Illinois currency
in circulation had no uniform value; it had
been transformed into a mass of bank de-
bentures, the value of which could only be
estimated by the value of the bonds depos-
ited for its redemption.
The winter and spring of 1861 was a
period of general financial disorder and
uncertainty. Exchange on the East (al-
ways resting on a specie basis , rose rap-
idly, and varied in price, according to the
value of the bills offered in payment there-
for. Currency varied so wildly in value as
to be of little practical use as money. The
bills of such banks as had held Northern
securities, or had made their deficits good,
rapidly disappeared from circulation, while
those of less fortunate or less wisely man-
aged banks flooded the city, and were passed from
hand to hand and bank to bank, with a nervous precipi-
tancy, which showed the general distrust in their value.
The Chicago bankers issued daily bulletins, giving the
names of those banks whose bills were entirely dis-
credited, such as would be received at a discount, and
such as would be received at par. The valuation of
the various bills in circulation varied from twenty per
cent, to par. Railroads, lumbermen, merchants and the
Board of Trade, each issued a list of the current value
of bank bills, no two of which were alike, and none of
which remained unchanged sufficiently long to be of
any value. Matters at last fell into such confusion as
to threaten an absolute paralysis of all trade. At this
juncture, a conference of the various interests were
brought about by the Board of Trade, which resulted
in a general understanding as to what bills should pass
as money and what bills should be discredited. A list
was adopted of all bank bills which should be taken at
par, and another list of such as should be taken as cur-
rency, as soon as the banks therein named should make
their securities equal to ninety cents in United States
stocks. Public confidence, however, had received too
rude a shock to be readily restored. No holder of the
bank bills knew from one day to another how much he
was worth. The excitement ran high, and the public
prints teemed with charges and counter-charges against
the bank managers. The Democrat and the Tribune
represented, respectively, the opponents and the sup-
porters of the banks as then established.
On May iS, 186 1, the Democrat published the fol-
lowing editorial article, which created great excitement,
not only in financial circles, but throughout the city :
" No man is safe in sleeping over night with one dollar of Illi-
nois currency in his pockets. * * * There is great dai
a mob in our city. The day laborers will never be content to work
for 'wild cat' which is not worth thirty-three and one-third cents
on the dollar, and, should the 'Marine Hank' fail, there wdl be
one of the must violent outbursts of the people ever known in our
city. On Saturday night next, the laborers must have their wages.
620
HISTORY OF CHICAGO
They are entitled to their wages. The question arises, will the
wild cats give them gold or silver or the Dunham Currency, or will
they avail themselves of that opportunity to pay out their miserable
wilil cat ? Laborers of Chicago, arouse ! Will you any longer be
the tools of knaves? Will you, on Saturday night next, have the
Dunham or the Scammon currency? Do not let anyone talk to
you about the iniquity of the Secessionists so long as the iniquity
of the wild cat banks is transparent. Arouse, laborers, arouse ! It
is your sweat, it is your toil, that aggrandizes the wild cat aristocracy
of Chicago. They are fattening upon your blood The remedy is
in your hands. Arouse ! Arouse ! A few days more and you will
have to pay your taxes, or your property will be sold under the
auctioneer's hammer. You ask to have these taxes postponed.
The State does not need the money until January next. The taxes
might well have been postponed until that time. But Scammon
and the wild cat bankers in the Legislature, united with our Court
UNION NATIONAL BANK BUILDING, CORNER OF LA SALLE
AND WASHINGTON STREETS.
House clique, put out their bills at one price and want to buy
them back at another. They want to fertilize their resources by
grinding into the dust the widows and orphans of Chicago. Wild
cat bankers are worse than Secessionists. What shall be done ?
We leave the question for you to answer. * * * The good
currency is being hoarded by our banks, and there is danger that a
mob will let it out. Why undertake any longer to palm off worth-
less currency on our people, when our banking institutions have a
better in their vaults ? "
The Board of Trade regarded the foregoing article
Shoemakers? * * * Why does not the Hoard of Trade send
over a committee to examine our articles, and not have them pub-
lished until they are decidedly ' stump tail ' and ' wild cat ' ? The evil
consequences of our article referred to, in the last resolution, * *
relate to the fact that it may stop the sale of wheat in the country
for wild cat, and ive hope it will. * * * Out article of yester-
day is but a transcript of articles that we have been writing all our
life; and we mean to write more, just like it. We are not going to
have them misrepresented, either. We are going to write them so
plainly that he who runs may read."
Meanwhile, the finances of the city (always one of
the heaviest depositors in banking institutions; had be-
come involved, and the teachers in the public schools
were threatened with either a total loss or a material
reduction of the amount due them for salaries
already earned. The Marine Bank was the de-
pository of the city funds, and the bank officers
declined to liquidate their indebtedness to the city
in specie, or in currency which was of equivalent
value. On July 5, 1861, at an adjourned meeting
of the Board of Education, a proposition was sub-
mitted by the president of the Marine Bank that
the city accept sixty-five cents on the dollar of the
face of such deposit in full liquidation of the same.
An amendment was offered by Mr. Wentworth to
the effect that the president of the Board •' be ad-
vised to co-operate with the city authorities in
raising an amount sufficient to pay all the indebt-
edness of the Board to teachers and others."
This amendment was lost by a tie vote. Mr.
Wentworth then offered another amendment, in
the form of a proviso, " That no settlement be
made with any bank unless the officers of said
bank previously furnish a statementof its condi-
tion, under oath, to be filed with the secretary of
this Board." This amendment having also been
lost, its supporters presented, and caused to be
spread upon the record, a formal protest, signed
by John Wentworth, J. C. Dore, H. T. Steele, L.
B. Taft, Philo Carpenter, and James Ward. The
action of the Board elicited the following comment
from the Democrat :
" The statement, purporting to come from the Marine
Bank, had the effect to alarm some of the best men on the
Board of Education, who consented, reluctantly, to the prop-
osition to compromise with that institution. * * * If this
does not take all the amount in the bank, then the balance is to be
acted upon hereafter. * * * This paper, purporting to come
from the Marine Bank, is not officially signed. * * * Such a
statement, we contend, should have been made to the bank, and
filed in its archives, before the Board should have consented to
throw away any portion of the money raised by our people from
their hard earnings for school purposes."
The offer of the Marine Bank above mentioned was,
however, confined to the school fund alone. In respect
as so inflammatory in its character, that it adopted the to other city funds, the proposition was not so favorable,
following resolutions of condemnation
/, That we regard the leading editorial in this morn-
ing's Democrat, inciting the laboring classes of our city to mob
violence, as subversive of the peace and quiet of our city, and that
we unanimously and unqualifiedly denounce and condemn the
spirit of the article, and the editor anil proprietor of the said paper
for prostituting his journal to so base a purpose.
/. I hat in the opinion of this Board the article refer-
ill prove harmless in Chicago, but, where the character of
the paper is not known, may be productive ol evil consequences."
If tin- passage of these restitutions was intended to
have a detern ence on the Democrat, the expec-
tation was not realized. That paper published the reso-
lutions, with two columns of editorial comment, of
which the following are extracts :
"Who made the Board ol I 1 tdi thi censor of the Press any
more than the Board of Blacksmiths, or Tailors, or Carpenters, or
as appears from the report of the comptroller, submitted
on July 10, 1861:
" The Marine Bank and Chicago Marine and Fire Insurance
Company have offered in payment of the city's balances on deposit,
Illinois Bank notes at par worth, according to railroad list, so-
called, averaging one-fifth each, 50, 60, 70, 80 and go cents on the
dollar. Messrs. Hoffman and Gelpecke at present decline pay-
ment. A warrant on the treasurer for the balance on deposit there
was presented June 18, and payment in Illinois Bank notes or any-
thing else was declined."
The last named firm issued, about this time, through
the public press, an announcement of their intention to
pay all depositors in the Savings Department of their
bank in full, on .presentation of their claims, coupled
with a request for indulgence on the part of their
heavier depositors. The Democrat published the notice,
with the following comments :
BANKING HISTORY.
621
" When as unprincipled a set of scoundrels as ever disgraced
any country in the universe were getting up the unmitigated fraud,
known as a pledge to take wild-cat currency during the War, we
took occasion to call upon members of this firm and tell them what
the consequence would be to bankers like themselves if thev signed
the pledge. * * * All the embarrassments of this house have
come about through the wild-cat system. Had it stood to the Long
John, General Jackson and Tom Benton system of finance, it
would have not been embarrassed in the least. The house was all
right until a dishonest set of scoundrels got up that circular to take
the money during the War. * * * The firm should never have
offered their depositors a dollar of wild-cat, and no depositor of
any self-respect, will take a dollar of wild-cat from any bank. A
man who will compromise his account with a bank is guilty of a
wrong. He is encouraging fraud."
Meanwhile, the Illinois banking system had col-
lapsed, and may be said to have ceased to have a
controlling power in Chicago's financial system by
August, 1861. The official statement of the Illinois
State Banks on November 30,. i860, contained the names
of one hundred and ten solvent banks and eleven sus-
pended banks, whose notes were redeemed at the State
treasurer's office. The one hundred and ten solvent
banks had an aggregate circulation of $12,320,694.00,
based on the following securities, deposited with the
State Treasurer:
Souths Shcub.t.ss.
»— s«™
™
^OSPBCU,
Missouri 6's_ . -.
$3,026,000
Ohio 6's
$
284.S54 96
Tennessee 6's.. . .
3,321,000
Iowa 7's
91,000 00
Virginia 6's
1,284,000
Michigan 6's
442,000 00
Louisiana 6's. —
507,500
Michigan 7 s
50,000 00
North Carolina 6's.
SSS.ooo
Minnesota 8's
140,000 00
South Carolina 6's.
100,000
New York 6's
282,000 00
Georgia 6's
335,000
United States 5's.
19,900 00
Kentucky 6's
66,000
Ill.&Mich.Canal.
111. New Internal
Improvem e n t
Stock _
Illinois 6's . ..
531,618 86
323,238 27
,4iS,ooo,oo
$9,527,500
Specie . .. .
42,861 00
$4
,452,473 09
At the time of deposit the Southern States bonds
were nearly all at par and considered reliable security.
Two years afterward, November, 1862, there were
but twenty-two solvent banks reported, while ninety-
three were reported as suspended, or in process of
closing business.
Of the solvent banks the circulation had been re-
duced to $566,163, as against $12,320,694 two years
before. The securities deposited by these banks to
secure the redemption of their outstanding circulation
were as follows:
Illinois 6's._ --- $692,27052
United States 5's 15,00000
Ohio 6's 6,00000
Missouri 6's 4,00000
North Carolina 6's 2,000 00
$719,000 00
The banks in liquidation were wound up, and had
managed to pay on an average nearly sixty per cent,
on their currency. The bills of the failed banks were
redeemed as follows :
American Bank, Vienna 79 ^ percent.
American Exchange Bank, Raleigh- 51
Agricultural Bank, Marion --(>3'A
Alisana Bank, Sullivan. 55'^
Bank of America, Mt. Carmel 93
Bank of Aledo, Aledo 67
Bank of Albion, Albion 6S
Bank of Aurora, West Aurora 53
Bank of Benton, Benton 5S
Bank of Brooklyn, Brooklyn '^'2 percent.
Bank Ml Carmi, Carmi - sas
Bank of Chester, Chester H'/i
Bank of Commonwealth, Robinson 53
Bank of Commerce, Vienna. 735^
Bank of Elgin, Klgin .66
Bank of Federal Union, Rock Island 63
Bank of Geneseo, Geneseo — — . 68|^
Bank of Indemnity, Gallatia 95
Bank of Jackson County, Carbondale 70
Bank of Metropolis, New Market ... 64
Bank of Naperville, Naperville. ..64
Bank of Northern' Illinois, Waukegan . .- .par
Bank of l'eru, Bern. par
Bank of Bike County, Griggsville .. 63 percent.
Bank of Quincy, Quincy 60
Bank of Raleigh, Raleigh 57
Bank of Republic, McLeansboro' 55
Bank of Southern Illinois, Bolton 56
Belvedere Bank, Belvedere s2'A
Bond County Bank, Greenville 73
Bull's Head Bank, Ste. Marie 70
Canal Bank. Thebes 58^
Central Bank, Peoria ..75
Chicago Bank, Chicago. - par
Citizen's Bank, Mt. Carmel -.55 percent.
Commercial Bank, Palestine 56
Commercial Bank of New Haven 54^
Continental Bank, Grandville 58
Corn Exchange, Fairfield — 60
Corn Planter's Bank, Marshall 54
Columbian Bank, Elizabethtown .74
Douglas Bank, Metropolis --55
Eagle Bank of Illinois, Thebes 70 "
E. I. Tinkham & Co.'s Bank, McLeans-
boro' par
Franklin Bank, Greenville 63^ percent.
Farmers' P.ank, New Canton 64^
Farmers' Bank of Illinois, Metropolis 61
Farmers' and Traders' Bank, Charleston 50
F" rentier Bank, Benton 53
F'ulton Bank, Vermont .. 80
Garden State Bank, Hutsonville.. 65^ "
Grand Prairie Bank, Urbana — 55 "
Grayville Bank, Grayville — 54
Hampden Bank, McLeansboro' -- 5S "
Humboldt Bank, Naperville 56
Highland Bank, Pittsfield §5
International Bank, Raleigh S7
Illinois Central Bank, Newton 82
Illinois River Bank, Hardin .. 92 "
Illinois State Bank, New Haven.. 65^
Illinois Security Bank, New Haven 73
Jersey County Bank, Jerseyville 5&}4
Kaskaskia Bank, Sullivan 62
Kankakee Bank, Kankakee 72
Kane County Bank, Geneva par
Lafayette Bank, Bloomington 57 per cent.
Lancaster Bank, Lancaster — 55
Lake Michigan Bank. Harrisburg 70
Marshall County Bank, Lacon S6
Merchants' Bank, Carmi S I J^
Merchants' and Drovers' Bank 61
Morgan County Bank, Jacksonville 52
Mississippi River Bank, Oxford .....53
National Bank, Equality - 60
Narragansett Bank, Vienna 49
New Market Bank, New Market 62
Ohio River Bank, Golconda Si>4
Olympic Bank, Metropolis 71
Patriotic Bank, Hutsonville S6
Prairie State Bank, Washington 59 "
Pittsfield Bank, Pittsfield... Si'A
Plowman's Bank, Taylorville 53 Yz
Railroad Bank, Decatur 55 "
Reed's Bank, Galesburg -65
Rock Island Bank, Rock Island 50
Shawanese Bank, Elizabethtown 63^
State Stock Bank, St. Johns 72
Southern Bank of Illinois, Grayville 56
Toulon Bank, Toulon 67
Union County Bank, Jonesboro'. 61
Warren County Bank, Monmouth 70
Wheat Growers' Bank, Anna 70
Western Bank of Illinois. Savanna 62
622
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Thus, in less than two years, the State currency of
Illinois was virtually withdrawn, involving an apparent
loss to the community which must have reached not
less than three millions of dollars. It was the end of
'• wild cat " banking in Illinois. The final dissolution
of the State system was attended with much business
derangement which was concentrated and intensified in
Chicago, at that time the great money center and busi-
ness metropolis not only of the State, but of the great
Northwest. The panic of 1857, as has been told, had
sorely tried the banks and, under the stress of the
storms, many weak banks had gone down. For two
years thereafter there were few new banks established
under the law, but under the stimulus of good crops
and a prosperous business in 1S59-60, new banks were
called into existence and the volume of Illinois currency
was increased nearly §3,000,000 in the latter year. Cur-
rency, such as it was, was never so plentiful in Chicago
and banking never more profitable, than in November,
1S60, at the time of Lincoln's election.
The destruction of the system, like that of slavery,
seems to have been due to no human volition, but to
have rather been forced upon the people through events
over which men had no control. The first signs of
trouble appeared in New York on the week following
the November election. Immediately after Lincoln's
election was assured, popular gatherings were held at
all the chief cities of the South and the Rebellion was
begun, and simultaneously the credit of all Southern
banks became affected at New York, the great com-
mercial center of Southern trade. Southern bonds
depreciated enormously, the cotton trade was paralyzed,
and enormous quantities of Southern bills of exchange,
drawn on shipments of cotton, were returned dis-
honored by New York merchants. By the 20th of
November, all financial confidence between the North
and South was at an end; the Southern banks were
suffering a most serious run at home, and the banks of
New York were endeavoring to protect themselves by
a wholesale contraction of loans, that threatened to bring
the whole trade of the country to swift ruin. Never-
theless, there seemed to be comparatively little distrust
of the system itself, although it was destined to com-
plete destruction within a year, and was, within the
short space of six months, to go out of existence as a
recognized financial agency in legitimate trade. On
November 14, i860, the Chicago Tribune, which failed
to foresee the impairment of securities which was so
soon to come, editorially commended the "Stock-
security system of banking," and while deprecating the
recent rapid increase in the number of banks, expressed
its belief that the amendment to the existing law already
noticed requiring the banks to establish agencies for
redemption at Chicago and Springfield; would relieve it
of all objectionable features.
In the same issue, the Tribune showed how far the
adherents of a "wild-cat" system were the victims of
misplaced confidence in the ability of the West to
weather the storm '"flurry"). The prophecy contained
in the following editorial affords an illustration of the
prevailing lack of understanding of the gravity of the
financial crisis :
A Solid Foundation. — There is this much, at least, that is
consolatory relative to the Secession movement and the finan-
cial flurry which has resulted. The North and West were
never better prepared (or it than now. The extraordinary bounti-
ful crop which we have harvested the present season, the re-
munerative prices obtained for so much of it as has been dis-
posed of. th<- close economy which has been everywhere practiced
by our people, during the last three years, and their praiseworthy
endeavors throughout that period to relieve themselves of indebt-
edness, have placed the country upon a solid basis, and it has but
liule to fear from even a protracted financial revulsion. There is
no reason to believe that the panic which now prevails in the
Southern cities, and to some extent in New York also, will extend
to the Western States to a degree that will greatly affect our money
market, or seriously depress the general business of the country.
It is not probable that the excitement will continue much longer in
New York City. Private advices last evening indicate the exist-
ence already ot a better feeling, and we shall confidently look for
an entire reaction within a few days. Let it be remembered that
the flurry is the result of political causes, aggravated by the bad
financial condition of the South alone. The commercial relations
of the North and West are entirely healthy and on a solid founda-
tion. If any one has entertained fears that disaster was about to
overtake the business of the country, they may dismiss tbem at
once. Our position is too strong to be greatly disturbed.
One week after the foregoing editorial was pub-
lished, the storm had broken on the Illinois banking
system, and the same paper, still reflecting the senti-
ment of the banks, gave a report of the situation. Under
the heading, "The Illinois'Banks," it said : " It is useless
longer to ignore the fact, painfully evident to every
man who is obliged to buy a draft on New York, or has
occasion to use gold, that our Illinois currency is worth
only from ninety-three to ninety-five cents on the dol-
lar." With a self-gratulation somewhat remarkable
under the circumstances, it added : " For this result we
feel in no wise responsible. We have forewarned our
readers again and again, and now that what we pre-
dicted is upon us, we have no other motive in what we
write than to help the public out of their present finan-
cial difficulties, and to pave the way for the enactment
of such amendments to our Banking law as will effect-
ually protect the people in the future."
An examination, by the bank commissioners, of the
securities in the hands of the auditor, had disclosed the
fact that about one-fifth of the banks were short, and a
call had been made on them to put up additional secur-
ities within thirty-five days, or to withdraw a corre-
sponding amount of circulation. Yet a pledge was drawn
up and put in circulation, binding banks and bankers to
make no discrimination in Illinois currency, and the
Tribune spoke hopefully of the prospect of its success,
and added : " We see no cause, therefore, for any anx-
iety or alarm in regard to the currency of Illinois. The
ultimate loss upon our currency must be small, and we
advise all, therefore, to-bear calmly and patiently what-
ever losses they are forced to sustain by the high rates
of exchange, in the assurance that the Legislature will
provide effectually against the recurrence of such a
swindle in the future."
The following is a list of the banks to which the
aforementioned circular was addressed :
American Exchange Bank $16,231
Bank of Aurora - 32,485
Bank of Chester .- 6,466
Bank of Commonwealth 9,218
Bank of Naperville 2,500
Bank of Pike County 5.126
Bank of Quincy 24,582
Citizens' Bank 5.5*5
Corn Exchange Bank 25,602
Farmers' and Traders' Bank .-- 7.607
Grand Prairie Bank 6,383
Grayville Bank 40,901
Lafayette Bank - 4.944
Merchants' and Drovers' Bank 4.542
Morgan County Bank — 5.743
National Bank 8,709
Prairie State Bank -- 2,043
Railroad Bank. - 5.°57
Reed's Bank _ 3.066
Southern Bank of Illinois, Grayville 22,4^4
State Bank of Illinois 30,738
And a few days after, the banks and bankers of the
city, believing that not all of them would respond to the
BANKING HISTORY.
623
call, agreed to throw out the notes of the following
banks : American Exchange Bank, Bank of Aurora,
Bank of the Commonwealth, Bank of Raleigh, Corn
Exchange Bank, National Bank, State Bank of Illinois.
The Tribune, in noting this fact, said: "On the
rejected notes, the people who hold them must charge
the losses to that pestilent little State of South Caro-
lina, whose threats of secession are at the bottom of all
this trouble."
On the 30th of November, i860, it became apparent
that the utter collapse of the whole system of bond-
security was inevitable. Wholesale business, and notably
the packing trade, was virtually at a stand-still. Large
amounts of currency accumulated in the banks, deposits
having increased, and but few remittances being made,
owing to the high price of exchange, which was selling
at seven per cent. The monetary article of the Tribune
of that date endeavored to maintain its hopeful tone,
and contained the following paragraph :
Illinois Banks. — Nothing new has transpired in relation to
the rejected Illinois Banks. Most persons are wisely holding what
they have till after the thirty-five days allowed by the bank commis-
sioners to put up margins shall expire, when we shall know more
nearly what their bills ard worth. They will doubtless be worth
more than they are now, and most of them will probably be taken
at par. They are now bought at 80 cents on the dollar.
From this time things grew rapidly worse; indeed
there was no cessation in the decline of Southern stocks,
and no surcease of excitement on the part of those
holding Illinois bank bills based on them, until the last
bill had been retired and the last bank put in liquida-
tion. The result of the collapse has already been given.
The Legislature convened January 7, 1861, when
banking matters were at their worst. Nearly half the
bank issues of the State were discredited, and many
banks were already in the hands of receivers or were
being wound up under the provisions of the law. Even
then there was, measurably, a popular sentiment of con-
fidence in the system, if only amended to suit the new
emergencies which had arisen.
To perfect the law a new act was passed, which was
approved and went into force February 14, entitled
" An Act to amend the General Banking Law, in such
manner as to afford greater security to the public." It
provided for the exchange of depreciated stocks de-
posited with the auditor, for such State or United States
stocks as had ruled at par value, or above, for the past
two years; and defined more specifically the process of
winding-up without delay the banks unable to exchange
or make good their securities. All new banks chartered
were to bank on Illinois State bonds and no others. It
was further made the duty of every State bank doing
business or located elsewhere than in Springfield or
Chicago, to appoint agents, in either of the two cities
named, for the redemption of its circulating notes; and
it was enacted that every bank whose agent should ne-
glect or refuse to redeem its notes on demand, at a
rate of discount not exceeding three-quarters of one
per cent., until January 1, 1862, and not exceeding one-
half per cent, thereafter, should pay to the person
making such demand interest upon the notes so de-
manded at the rate of twenty per cent, per annum; and
if such notes should not be redeemed within twenty
days from the time when first demanded, the bank de-
faulting to be put in liquidation by the auditor. The
law required a semi-annual statement of the financial
standing of each bank, sworn to by its executive officers,
to be filed with the State Auditor on the first Monday
of July and January of each year. The circulation was
restricted to three times the actual bona fide capital
paid into the bank, and no bank thereafter could be
organized nor more circulating n<>u-s lie given to banks
already organized, unless said bank should have a bona
fide capital of twenty-five thousand dollars or more,
actually paid in, in good faith, for the purpose of re-
maining in such bank as capital; and it was declared
that the bonds deposited with the auditor for the re-
demption of bills, should not be considered as any
evidence of the existence of capital in any such bank,
nor any evidence of the amount or extent of such cap-
ital. Masters in chancery and judges were forbidden
to grant injunctions to restrain the auditor from put-
ting any bank in liquidation, or from selling their bonds
for the redemption of their bills.
The further provisions of the amendment were be-
lieved by its friends to be such as to render the law as
'effective and safe as any that human ingenuity, prompted
by the experience of the past, could devise. But, in
spite of the law and the amendment, the basis of circu-
lation was rapidly deteriorating, and, except as it pro-
vided more prompt and direct means of liquidation, the
law was a dead letter from the time of its passage.
Few new banks were organized under its provisions,
although the few that survived exchanged their securities
as required.
The following elected Chicago as their point of re-
demption, and appointed agents as below stated :
Union Bank, Boston — Ruxton & Co., Chicago, Agent.
Treasury Bank, Griggsville — Western Marine & Fire Ins.
Co., Chicago, Agent.
Sycamore Bank, Sycamore — H. Doolittle, Chicago, Agent.
Reapers' Bank, Fairfield — Merchants' Savings Loan &
Trust Co., Chicago, Agent.
Producers' Bank, M'Leansboro' — H. Doolittle, Chicago,
Agent.
Grundy County Bank, Morris — H. Doolittle, Chicago,
Agent.
The above list, with the Marine Bank, located in
Chicago, comprised all that remained of the State
Banks at the close of 1 861, in which the city of Chicago
had a direct local interest. Their circulation was as
follows :
Union Bank $39,000
Treasury Bank. - 22,495
Sycamore Bank -.-- 5,100
Reapers' Bank-. 56.645
Producers' Bank - 6,Soo .
Grundy County Bank 5, 100
Marine Bank. _ ",933
Total - $i47.073
There seemed to be, even among the legislators, a
lurking suspicion that the old system had had its day.
No National system had, as yet, been evolved. With a
view to changing the system, or, of at least submitting
the proposition of a change to the people, an act was
passed during the same session, framed after the model
of the Indiana and Ohio State bank laws, and provid-
ing for the establishment of a Union State Bank of Illi-
nois, with branches throughout the State. The act was
entitled " An act to establish a General System of Bank-
ing upon a Specie Basis, in the State of Illinois," and was
to be submitted to the people for their adoption or re-
jection at the next general election. Under the pro-
visions of this act, the " Union Bank of Illinois " was to
continue for the term of twenty-five years from the
date of its organization, and for such longer period as
might be necessary promptly to close its business under
the provisions of its charter. S. Staats Taylor, Maurice
B. Brown, James Mix, Thomas A. Marshall, J. Young
Scammon, Robert Smith, Zadoc Casey, Francis A.
Hoffman, Theron U. Brewster, William Brown, of Jack-
624
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
sonville, James W, Singleton, Lewis Howell and
Thomas J. Turner were appointed commissioners, who
were to provided the act was ratified by the people)
divide the State into not less than ten nor more than
thirty bank districts, and locate one branch of said bank
in each district. The bill was rejected at the polls by
an overwhelming popular vote, and thenceforth, until
the establishment of National banks, Chicago and Illi-
nois depended almost entirely on outside State currency
for its circulating medium.
The rejection of this bill by popular vote virtually
closed the era of banking under the laws of the State,
the few surviving banks still doing business under their
old charters, having a circulation so small as to be
unimportant as a factor in the enormous and constantly
increasing business of the early years of the War. Thus
the necessities of the time forced the bankers of the city
to provide the currency from sources outside the State,
consisting of United States demand notes (greenbacks)
and notes of State banks, which after the suspension of
specie payments (December 28, 1861) were increased
in volume enormously and flooded the West, where
their circulation proved a constant source of profit to
the banks of issue and their allies, the Western banks
whose business it was to put and keep them in circula-
tion. Owing to the constant demand for money in the
legitimate channels of trade which the war had stimu-
lated, and the lack of ordinary business caution, which
increased as the speculative mania rose higher, there was
almost no limit to the amount of paper money which the
West absorbed. Chicago became the great disbursing
center from which the country was flooded with State
bank bills, a large proportion of which were known to
be as unsound as any ever in circulation, and none of
which longer represented a specie basis. They gradu-
ally drove greenbacks,* virtually, out of circulation, and
for nearly three years had full sway in Chicago and the
tributary country. These bills were redeemable in legal
tender notes at their various places of issue, many of
them being entirely out of the paths of western trade,
and the best of them (New York and Massachusetts
State bills) being subject to a discount whenever it was
desirable to convert them into a form to pay Eastern
debts. The bankers of Chicago, however, not being
responsible even for their pseudo-redemption were
satisfied to deal in them so long as the people would
borrow them at high rates of interest, and they were
readily received on checks, and otherwise performed all
the local functions of money; indeed, so largely extended
had their business become on the inflated basis of this
State money that to suddenly discredit it would have
brought many of them to ruin.
The approval of the bill for the establishment of
National banks, which occurred March 25, 1863, opened
the way for a larger supply of reliable currency, and
the establishment once more of local banks of issue in
the West, the bills of which would be current in all
parts of the country where the United States government
1 knowledged. The great mass of State bank bills,
then filling all the avenues of trade, stood as a serious
obstacle in the way of the establishment of such banks,
and the commercial public soon began to murmur
against the further use of a wild-cat currency when a
more stable form was within its reach.
In May, [864, it seemed to have become determined
throughout the West that the currency of all State
banks should cease to circulate or be recognized as
• A v;,*t .-im'.'inl of the
held a» a ;.r
cirrulation
',!::
nd interi I I i
■ absorbed and
ly
money, and that only greenbacks and National Bank
bills, based entirely on the faith of the National Govern-
ment, should be recognized as such. Nearly every
country paper reported the sentiment of the people as
favoring the movement. At Galesburg, on the 26th of
April, the merchants of that city resolved " That on and
after May 10, United States Treasury notes and National
Bank notes should be the standard of currency and that
in all money transactions those only, or their equivalents,
should be received or paid out." The First National
Bank of Galesburg indorsed the resolutions of the busi-
ness men's meeting. At a convention held at Dixon,
Lee County, the following was passed :
" Resolved, That while we deplore the shameful negligence of
Congress, we do most cheerfully indorse the bold and determined
course of the Chicago Board of Trade, in its endeavors to rid the
Northwest of a worthless currency that has been too long taken for
money, and we pledge ourselves to assist in driving home the worth-
less trash, and substituting greenbacks and National Bank notes."
The papers throughout Illinois, Wisconsin and
Michigan gave like reports of the sentiment of the mer-
chants, and indorsed them editorially.
The bankers of Chicago did not unanimously respond
to the popular desire for an immediate change. Their
interest and safety required delay for the adjustment of
their affairs to the proposed new order of things. Many
bankers had their entire capital invested in the currency
which it was proposed to discredit, and they viewed with
serious apprehension the results to themselves and the
business interests of the city, which might follow so sud-
den and violent a contraction in the volume of the cir-
culating medium. The trade, however, less timid, met
the issue promptly, and, it is truth to say that the bankers
followed its lead with becoming alacrity, and co-opera-
ted in a most creditable manner to avert the commercial
disasters which they had feared.
The subject was discussed at large popular meetings
held at the rooms of the Board of Trade and through
the columns of the Press. The Board of Trade took
action favoring the adoption of greenbacks and National
Bank notes as the only currency to be recognized as
current money in commercial transactions, and named
May 15, 1864, as the time the rule should take effect.
Consultations were had with the bankers, who objected
most strenuously to the proposal, but, gradually yielding
to the popular wish, fell into line and helped carry out
the reform. On May 9, 1864, the following manifesto
was published.
" We, the undersigned, members of the Board of Trade, agree,
on and after the 15th, to base all transactions, either buying or
selling, on legal tender treasury notes, or their equivalent :
Munti & Scott, H. H. Harrison,
B. P. Hutchinson, R. P. Whitney,
Tribune Company, George M. How,
Culver & Co., Hobbs, Oliphant & Co. ,
Armour, Dole & Co., J. Conway,
Cragin & Co., A. J. Hoagland,
J. H. I)ole& Co., D. S. Mugridge,
J. M. Williams, Brayton & Young,
R. & S. P. Carter, T. H. Seymour & Co.,
F. Edwards, Richard S. Thomas & Co.,
Charles Sanford, J. H. Hall & Co.,
Tomblin & Bro., Parker, Colton & Sprague,
A. C. Williams, Graeff & Hendrix,
E. K. Hubbard, Bevans & Co.,
Alfred Smith, Rumsey Bro. & Co.,
Charles Randolph, Munger, Wheeler &Co.,
J. J. Richards, Albert Morse & Co.,
A. Kichhold, Sam M. Nickerson & Co.,
Francis M. Mitchell, E. W. Mitchell,
Gilbert, Updike & Co., Van Wagenen & Co.,
Spruance, Preston >V Co. C. S. Ilutchens & Co.,
M. S. Garwood, J. Brown,
Miller & Wilmarth, O. W. Clapp,
W. T. Knight, Hubbard & Hunt,
BANKING HISTORY.
625
Germain, Gibbs & Co.,
Lee & Antes,
Hawkins & Chapman,
M. S. Nichols & Co.,
Phillips & Bro.,
J. Maple & Co.,
Lyon & Murray,
Davis, Pope & Co.,
Allen Howe,
Irwin & Morey,
A. Bloom,
Kimball & Woleott,
Albert E. Neeley,
Joseph McDonald & Co.,
Charles G. Wicker,
Hayt, Whaling & Co.,
J. C. Dore,
"F. Drake,
S. Gupton,
D. R. Holt,
E. K. Bruce,
A. A. Rankin,
J. W. Foss,
S. S. Williamson &Co.,
Tarbell, Emmons & Co.,
Hamlin, Modler & Co.,
C. J. Plate,
A. T. Spencer,
Richmond & Hancock,
Joseph Dawe,
G. D. Dickinson,
Sherman, Hall & Pope,
George R. Crittenden,
George F. Williams,
M. Gray & Co.,
]. 11. Thompson,
G T. Elliott,
Walter S. Frazier,
Linsley ..V 1 [anchett,
W. D. Houghteling,
Joseph H. 'Tucker,
Bensley & Shinn,
G. P. Adams,
Sam T. Atwater,
George Ellison,
Levi Higgins,
Howe & Robbins,
F. D. Oertel & Co.,
Gibson & Chase,
J. II. Gale & Co.,
Julian Kune & Co.,
G. & J. Watson,
Maitland & Scranton,
W. N. Brainard,
W. Norton,
C. H. Pendleton,
Daniel Jenkins,
Boynton, Webster & Co.,
A. Salomon,
C. A. Rogers,
Bedford, Meredith & Co.
William Little & Co.,
J. B. Taylor,
Dickinson .S: Son,
Murrv Nelson & Co."
Three days later, the bankers manifested their in-
tention to adopt the rule on the date named, as follows :
" The undersigned, banks and bankers of the city of Chicago,
hereby agree that on and after Monday, May 16, 1S64, we will re-
ceive on deposit, at par, and pay out at par, only Legal Tender
notes, National Bank notes, and the notes of such other banks as
redeem at par in the city of Chicago.
" It being understood that all the checks dated prior to May 16,
may be paid in the present currency, and all balances due between
banks and bankers, on Monday morning, are to be settled on the
same basis.
" Edward I. Tinkham, Cashier of the Second National Bank;
E. E. Braisted, Cashier of the First National Bank ; J. Young
Scammon, private banker ; A. C. Badger & Co. ; W. H. Waite,
Secretary Western Marine and Fire Insurance Co. ; S. A. Smith,
President Merchant's Saving Loan and Trust Companv ; T. M.
Adsit; J. G. Conrad; Preston, Willard & Kean; Ira Holmes.
Cashier of the Third National Bank ; C. B. Blair ; Josiah Lom-
bard, President of the Fifth National Bank ; Solomon Sturges
& Sons ; W. F. Coolbaugh & Co., per Connell ; Robert Reid,
Agent of the Bank of Montreal ; H. Doolittle ; James Boyd ;
Tyler, Ullman & Co. ; S. A. Briggs. Cashier of the Fourth
National Bank ; C C. Parks & Co. ; Leopold Mayer & Co. ;
Henry Greenebaum ; George C. Smith ; Rutter. Endicott
& Co. ; N. B. Kidder, Cashier of the State Savings Institution."
'The disappearance of the State Bank bills from cir-
culation was not followed by any serious disaster.
National banks were rapidly organized, and, by the
close of the year, business was being done, for the first
time in the history of Chicago, with a currency having a
uniform value in all parts of the country.
In the fall, a few banks and bankers that had been
quite largely extended on the State Bank issue, had
done a purely speculative business, or had been running
with inadequate capital, were forced to stop business.
On September 29, C. C. Parks & Co. failed; on Sep-
tember 30, J. G. Conrad failed; October 1, the Western
Marine and Fire Insurance Company failed; and on
October 11, even the reliable Merchants' Loan and
Trust Company got into such diffiiculties, financially, as
to compel it to a temporary suspension of active busi-
ness. There was something of a panic for a week or
two, but the financial ship suffered no damage in the
slight but sudden storm which overtook it.
The Tribune, which had been a staunch champion
of a National currency from the beginning, summarized
40
the history anil the situation at the close of the year as
follows*
" At a meeting of bankers and others, on May 71I1, a proposi-
tion to fix upon a greenback basis was voted down. A week later
it was adopted, so rapid was the change in public sentiment when
fairly directed to the subject. Rag money went down " and made
no sign." None of the evil bodings of tile timid or the inti resti d
came true. There was forthwith enough of the new and univi rsal
currency to take its place, and the result showed what we urged
from the first, that we have the staples the country must have, and
what will always bring money and the best money if we demand ii.
It is beyond our present purpose to dwell here upon the full bene-
fits of the change in system, and it is unnecessary, since they have
been brought home to every reader. In former years, in the best
times, exchange on New York has ruled from I to 5 per cent.,
liable to be carried by the slightest panic lo 18 or 20 per cent.
This burden and this peril have been lifted from our trade. Ex-
change on New York throughout the year has averaged at par.
" So rapidly has the National Bank system grown, that we have
now seven National Banks in prosperous operation, as follows:
Banks Presuients.
First National _E. Aiken.
Second National J. A. Ellis,
Third National J. H. Bowen.
Fourth National B.Lombard.
Fifth National Josiah Lombard.
Mechanics' National J. Y. Scammon.
Northwestern National . B. Sturgis.
" The Manufacturers' National Bank has just been organized,
with a capital of $225,000. The directors are Hon. William II.
Brown, L. B. Taft, D. J. Lake, William Bross, James Kelly, Charles
F Gray and J. H. Wicker. The directors subsequently elected
Hon William II. Brown president, and David J. Lake cashier
The bank has taken the office recently occupied by the Marine
Bank, and will commence business early in January. This is the
eighth National Bank established in this city, and there are three
or four others nearly ready to go into operation under equally
favorable auspices and associations. By the opening of the next
business season, the amount of capital of National Banks in this
city will exceed four millions of dollars, and will result in the trans-
formation of most of our best and most solid institutions to the
new system. The simple statement of such proof of indorsement
of the National Bank system in an uniform National currency by
our ablest and best established men is a significant fact that
requires no stay by added comments of ours. To give an adequate
idea of the extent of the banking interests of this city, we shall
venture on only a few comparative general statements of facts well
sustained and susceptible of careful proof. The banking trans-
actions of Chicago are all for cash. It stands as the paymaster of
the great Northwest, and disburses the millions in currency re-
quired to move its great food staples. Each year, by the opening
of new channels and development of new currents of trade,
has evidenced our legitimate and inevitable field. The bank-
ing capital of Chicago, at the close of this year, has more than
doubled in the past twelve months, and is three times as large as
that of 1S62. We are now in the packing season, a period of heavy
disbursements, but then it must be remembered that there is a
complete lull in the transactions in grain. For the last sixty days
the amount handled by our bankers daily is ten millions of dollars.
** Within the past fortnight one of our leading banking houses
in a single day shows transactions reaching two million and a half
of dollars, and there are other instances almost equally striking. It
must be remembered that this is currency, actually handled,
counted, piled, and carried away. One million dollars a day goes
into the country to the producer. Well may the bankers rejoice that
the days of rag money are over."
From the close of 1864 to the time of the great fire,
October 8, 187 1, the National banks furnished (except-
ing greenbacks) abundant currency for the transaction
of business. 'There was a season of unbroken prosper-
ity, and the history of banking shows no features of
interest further than an increase from year to year of
banking facilities, as the increasing wants of trade
demanded, by the chartering of new National banks
and the increase of the capital and circulation of those
already doing business.
At the time of the fire there were seventeen Natii mal
banks and ten private banking institutions. The Na-
tional Bank capital was §6,800,000, with an undivided
surplus of capital amounting to $2,715,000. 'The total
bank capital of the city was $12,250,000.
6.'6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
The individual history of some of the bankers and
the banks which were in business existence during the
period embraced in this volume are given in the follow-
ing pages.
The banks and banking institutions in operation in
1S60-61. as found in city and banking directories,
annual reviews, and elsewhere, were as follows :
Bank of America. — South Wells, between Lake and South
Water streets. This is the last appearance of this bank. It was
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
AND RUINS.
Willard
chartered July IO, i">52, by George Smith and Elisha
(George Smith iV Co.), with $1,000,000 capital.
Chicago Bank of I. II. Burch & Co. — Lake, corner of La-
Sallc Street. Incorporated July, 1852, the firm being I. H. Burch
and Samuel Howe.
MARINE BANK —Lake, corner of LaSalle Street. Chartered
January 13, 1852. President, J. Young Scammon ; cashier, Ed-
ward I. Tinkham. Original capital $50,000 ; increased in May,
1852, to (500,000. Officers in 1859 — President, J. Young Scam-
mon ; cashier and secretary, B. F. Carver. 1S60- President, J.
Young Scammon; cashier and secretary, Hamilton B. Uox. 1863 —
President, |. Voting Scammon ; cashier, J, W. Underwood ; assist-
imuel S. Rogers. Re-organized in 1863 as Marine
Company of Chicago,
Marc. 1. COMPANY "i Chicago. — Re-organization, in 1863, of
Marine Hank. Capital $500,000, President, J. Young Scammon ;
tary, Samuel S. Rogers; assistant treasurer, E. C.
Long. 1866-69 — President, J. Young Scammon; manager,
Rol>crt Reid. 1870-71 — President, J. Young Scammon ; man-
ager. Robert Reid ; secretary, Samuel S. Rogers; treasurer, Eu-
Long.
I . '. ■ ■ Gl 1 A.DAMS organized his bank in 1852.
Ban 1 weal. — No. 40 LaSalle; E. W. Willard,
agent. In Director] of 1866 67 appears as Branch Hank of Mon-
treal, Canada, No. 48 LaSalle. G. C. Smith and Pro., agents ; J.
R. Dickinson, cashier. Capital $250,000. In Special Directory of
December 12, 1871, after the great fire, William Richardson appears
as manager ; office Madison Street, northwest corner Market.
The Bank of Montreal, with headquarters in Montreal, Cana-
da, is one of the oldest and the largest banking institutions on this
continent. It has ever had a prosperous career, having paid aver-
age dividends of over nine per cent, since its organization. In
1S60, a branch office was opened in this city, under management of
E. \V. Willard, in the old Metropolitan Block, where it remained
until 1867, it being under the management of E. W. Willard and
others. In 1S67, the bank closed its Chicago office, withdrawing
from the business here until in the
fall of 1871, immediately after the
great fire, when a branch was again
opened, taking temporary quarters
in the old Union Block, on Madi-
son Street, near the bridge. In
1S72, a removal was made to the
location so long occupied in the
building at the southeast corner of
LaSalle Street and Madison. In
May, 1885, it removed to its pres-
ent quarters, at No. 226 LaSalle
Street, near the new Board of Trade
building. William Munro, the
present manager of the bank here,
has been in Chicago since 1876,
at which time he succeeded William
Richardson. He first entered the
employ of the home bank when
but eighteen years of age, and
went through, step by step, the
various grades of promotion until
he reached the position he now
holds. Mr. Munro is a native of
Canada, born in 1836. He first
came to Chicago in 1865, as an
accountant in the branch office of the bank here, but six months
l".ter was recalled to the home office, where he remained until ten
years later, when he returned to this city, which has since been his
home.
Western Fire & Insurance Company. — No. 57 Dearborn
Street. President. J. H. Woodworth ; Secretary, W. H. Waite.
Western Marine and Fire Insurance Bank. — Corner
State and Randolph. Last noticed in 1862.
Western World Insurance and Trust Company Bank.
— No. 144 South Water Street. Chartered in 1S53. Last appears
in Directory of 18
Illinois Saving Institution. — No. 104-106 Washington
Street. Organized in 1S55-56. First President, John H. Kinzie.
Last appears in 1862.
Merchants' Loan and Trust Company. — In 1856, the
views of Chicago's financiers on the question of banking might
have been grouped under two categories. It is not too much to
add, that the men who assumed to be financiers might also have
been divided into two classes — those who had money to lend, and
those who saw in the " wild-cat " banking system a method of bor-
rowing money from the general public. Meetings of capitalists
who failed to cherish the prevalent confidence in the wisdom and
ultimate success of the theory on which most of the Illinois banks
were founded and conducted, were frequently held. Among those
who attended such meetings, and wdiose names afterward became
identified with the city's financial prosperity, were Walter L.
Newberry, John High, Jr., Henry Farnham, H. H. Magie, John
H. Dunham, George Steele, John H. Foster, Jonathan Burr,
Isaac N. Arnold, William B. Ogden, John Wentworth, A. II. Bur-
ley, Luther Haven, D. R. Holt, Mahlon D. Ogden, George Ar-
mour, F. B. Cooley, Grant Goodrich, William E. Doggett, E. K.
Rogers, Edwin Blackman, Cyrus H. McCormick, Amzi Benedict,
Asher Carter and Solomon A. Smith. These men deplored the re-
turn to his native land (Scotland) of the great capitalist and con-
servative banker, George Smith. They early foresaw the conse-
quences which ultimately followed the almost unlimited expansion
of the currency resulting from the "wildcat" and "stump-tail"
heresies
Strong efforts were put forth to secure a legislative delegation
in favor of a uniform standard of value, and of protection for the
business men and the laboring classes from the schemes of men
who desired to become bankers without capital of their own. John
II. Dunham (afterward the first president of the institution) and
Isaac N. Arnold (one of its earliest trustees) were elected represen-
tatives. Through their efforts, a charter for the bank was obtained,
although the friends of unlimited, worthless, paper money were
said to have opposed the granting of a franchise, and to have em-
ployed a large and influential lobby to defeat it. The charier was
approved on January 28, 1857, and has remained unchanged until
BANKING HISTORY.
627
the present day. In the following March the institution was or-
ganized.
The following gentlemen constituted the first Board of Trus-
tees : John H. Dunham, John H. Foster, William E. Uoggett,
Augustus H. Burley, Jonathan Burr, Henry Farnham, William B.
Ogden, Walter L. Newberry, Isaac N. Arnold, F. B. Cooley, fohn
High, Jr., George Steele and D. R. Holt. John H. Dunham was
elected the first president, and so continued until compelled,
by failing health, to seek relief in travel. He was succeeded by the
late Henry Farnham, who served but a short time, when he removed
to New Haven, Conn. Solomon A. Smith followed Mr. Farnham,
and continued to fill the office until his death, November 25, 1879.
Mr. Smith, by his long continued service, his fidelity, his foresight,
and his uncompromising hostility to every scheme of dishonest
banking, won a National reputation. There is no name associated
with the history of Chicago banking more honored than his. To
him the character and reputation of his institution was as sacred as
his own, and he had no respect for the man who
could draw a distinction between corporate and
individual honor and honesty. John Tyrrell suc-
ceeded Mr. Smith, and served until 1884. He was
unwilling to give up his private business, and would
only consent to accept the office upon the condition
that he might retire as soon as a satisfactory suc-
cessor could be found. Such a successor was found in Tohn W.
Doane, the present incumbent, who is the fifth president in a pe-
riod of twentv-eight years
John High, Jr., was the first vice-president. He lost his
life in a fire on Lake Street, in 1857, and Walter L. Newberry then
succeeded him. He declined a re-election, and Jonathan Burr was
C >&*.*£*. fa °juij
chosen in his place, and served until his death. He was followed
by H. H. Magie.
The first cashier was A. J. Hammond. Being about to re-
turn to Hartford, Conn., he resigned the office, and was succeeded,
temporarily, by M. B. Bartlett. D. R. Holt was elected his suc-
cessor, and continued to serve until 1862, when he was followed
by Lyman J. Gage.
There have been but few changes in the board of trustees,
Mahlon D. Ogden succeeded his brother, William, in 1S58. In
1859, Solomon A. Smith succeeded Isaac N. Arnold, on the
latter's election to Congress. George Steele succeeded H. H.
Magie.
The utmost harmony in policy has characterized the manage-
ment of this institution from the beginning, there having been no
changes of officers, except those resulting from death, voluntary
resignation, or removal from city.
The charter fixed the amount of capital stock at $500,000,
with liberty to increase it to $2,000,000, and fixed the par value of
the shares at $100 each. Subscriptions to the stock came in rapidly,
and the shares soon appreciated in value. The first increase in
the amount of stock was made in 1867, after which it was raised to
$1,000,000. In 1S73 it was raised to $1,500,000, and in 1882 to
$2,000,000, the limit named in its charter.
The institution was first opened in Dickey's Building, where
it remained until the fire. It is now in the Portland Block, at the
corner of Washington and Dearborn streets.
John H. Dunham, one of the prominent early settlers of Chi-
cago, was born in Junius, Seneca Co., N. Y., in 1817. Until he
was seventeen years of age he lived with his father on a farm, when
he started out to make his own way in the world — and, it is needless
to say, that he made it. Going to Waterloo, N. Y., he learned the
hardware trade, and commenced business for himself in 1S39. He
thus continued until 1843, when he sold out, and in the spring of
1844 removed to Chicago. Here Mr. Dunham engaged in the
wholesale grocery business, and in the spring of 1S4S, when the
impurity of the water supply made it imperative that the old hy-
draulic works should " go," he was the power behind the throne
which inspired the Press of the city — especially John L. Scripps —
to cry aloud for new Water Works. He also was instrumental in
framng the bill for the appointment of a board of water commis-
sioners and the establishment of the new system. In 1S56, he
served a term in the State Legislature, and all his efforts as a legis-
lator, supplemented by his labors as a merchant and a banker, were
directed toward the expulsion of the foreign and local irredeemable
paper currency then flooding tin- channels of trade. In 1857, he
assisted in the organization of the Merchants' Saving Loan and
Trust Company of Chicago, and was elected its first president, re-
taining this position until 1S62, when he resigned, and resumed
mercantile pursuits. Luring Mr. McCulIoch's administration as
secretary of the treasury, he was appointed bank-examiner of
this State, and served some time. .Mr Dunham has also been
identified with the Chicago Historical Society from the first, being
one of its most trusted and prominent members. Although recog-
nised as one of the city's most substantial residents, he has never
sought public offices, and the positions of trust which have come
to him have been unsolicited, and a tribute to his inherent worth.
Edward H. Hadduck, one of Chicago's earliest and among
its wealthiest settlers, was born in Franklin, New Hampshire, on
April 2, 181 1. His father was William Hadduck, a farmer, a mer-
chant and a tanner of Franklin, who early in life married as his first
wife, Daniel Webster's sister. His second wife was Lucretia Kim-
ball, and the mother of Edward H. Hadduck. For many years
after leaving school Mr. Hadduck worked upon his father's farm, a
portion of which had been sold to Daniel Webster, and there was
intimately associated with the great statesman. Mr. Hadduck came
to Chicago in 1S33, and as the United States Government was at
that time supplying the Indians with provisions, he took the con-
tract of supplying bread, and, after procuring apractical baker from
Buffalo, established a bakery at this point. At the end of one year
he sold his interest, and a short time afterward built a warehouse
for the storage of grain at the corner of Wabash Avenue and South
Water Street. During President Harrison's administration, Daniel
Webster procured for him the appointment of Internal Revenue
Collector for this district, which position he most acceptably filled.
In 1S35, he purchased a lot on Lake Street, between Dearborn and
State streets, and erected thereon a dwelling house. About the
same time, he bought the old Mansion House from Dexter Graves,
but how long he continued in the possession of that hotel property
can not be ascertained. He was one of Chicago's first aldermen,
serving the city in that capacity when William B. Ogden was
mayor. He was for many years connected with the Marine Bank
as a stockholder, and also with the Loan and Trust Company, re-
signing his position a short time before his death, which occurred
May 30, 1S81. Mr. Hadduck was a man of exemplary habits, and
was always known as a strong advocate of total abstinence and tem-
perance in all things. The record of his life is one of honesty and
integrity, and his death was a public loss. He was married in
Chicago, in 1834, to Miss Louisa Graves. They had one daughter,
Helen, now the Wife of John DeKoven.
The Prairie State Loan and Trust Company. — Chartered
in 1S59. No. 95 West Randolph Street. Capital $100,000. Presi-
dent, B. Wheeler; vice-president, M. D. Buchanan; secretary, H.
P. Churchill ; cashier, C. B. Meyer ; trustees, B. Wheeler, J. W.
Scoville, O. Cronkhite. H. P. Churchill, P. W. Gates, S. W. Raw-
son, T. Buchanan, C. B. Meyer, M. D. Buchanan. 1S71 — Presi-
dent, J. W. Scoville ; cashier, C. B. Meyer.
The Prairie State Loan and Trust Company was organized
and chartered, with banking privileges, under charter granted by
special act of the Legislature on February 22, 1S69. The place of
business was then at No. 95 West Randolph Street, and the first
officers were Bacon Wheeler, president ; M. D. Buchanan, vice-
president ; and C. B. Meyer, cashier. In 1872, the company
erected their present building at No. no West Washington Street,
which was completed and occupied during that year. In 1S71,
Mr. Wheeler retired from the presidency, being succeeded by
James W. Scoville, who was elected his successor on July 15 ■ >f
that year. The present officers of the company are — James W.
Scoville, president ; Charles Burton Scoville, vice-president,
elected in November, 1879 ; George Van Zandt, cashier, elected
in September, 1876, vice Mr. Meyer, resigned ; and George Wood-
land, assistant cashier, since January. 1S81. In addition to a gen-
eral banking business, the company have safety-deposit vaults, and
a savings department. The capital of the company is $100,000,
with a surplus fund of $45,000. It is a matter of justice to say
that the affairs of this company have been, from the first, so man-
aged as to gain the confidence of the business public, and that,
owing to this safe and conservative policy, it has won the position
it now holds as one of Chicago's soundest financial institutions.
James W. SCOVILLE, president of the Prairie State Loan and
Trust Company, was born in Pompey, Onondaga Co., N. Y , on
October 14. 1S25. There he was reared and educated, and, on
attaining his majority, entered a business life. In 1856, he came
628
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
West, and located in this city, which has since been his home, and
where he took the position of cashier for the old firm of Gate,
Warren. Chalmers Cv. Fraser, and was later the assignee of that
company, and subsequently, on winding up their affairs, helped to
organize the Eagie Works Manufacturing Company, of which he
was both secretary and treasurer for a number of years. In 1S62,
he severed his connection with that company, and engaged in the
real-estate business until 1S71, with the exception of three years,
when he was appointed to the position of assistant county treas-
urer, during which time he was acting county treasurer. In
1S69, he became one of the founders of the company with which
he is still connected, and of which he has been the executive officer
for the past fifteen years. Mr. Scoville is a man of acknowledged
ability, and. as a financier, he ranks with the leading bankers of
the West. He is cautious and conservative in his business policy,
and prefers to make money slowly but surely, rather than enter
into brilliant schemes, that, while they promise much, can not
be depended upon to always yield fair returns It is this charac-
teristic of Mr. Scoville that has marked his success as a banker,
and which has doubtless done so much to advance the institution,
of which he is the head, to the position it now holds among the
financial institutions, not only of Chicago, but of the West. Mr.
Scoville married, in 1S53, Miss Mary A. Huggins, daughter of
Spencer C. Huggins, of Orleans County, N. Y. They have one
son. Charles Burton, who is vice-president of the bank. Mr. Sco-
viile is a resident of Oak Park, where his liberality and good judg-
ment are visible in all its enterprises, his influence being felt in
every interest of the village. His donations to church, school and
library have exceeded, perhaps, those of any other citizen. Among
his recent gifts may be mentioned that of $75.°°° to the Oak Park
Public Library Association, for the erection of a new library build-
ing, which will be one of the finest in the West. In addition to
this munificent bequest, Mr. Scoville has also provided this insti-
tution with an endowment, amply sufficient for its maintenance,
stipulating only that, when completed, the library shall be open to
the public free of charge.
Chicago Savings Institution and Trust Company. —
Chartered in 1S57. Officers in 1871 : President, B. W. Phillips ;
cashier, C. F. \V. Junge.
Union Insurance and Trust Company. — Chartered in 1857.
Officers in 1S71 : President, S. W. Rawson, cashier, William B.
Hoswell. Location, prior to the fire, at No. 133 Dearborn Street ;
branch. No. 336 Milwaukee Avenue. After the fire, No. 37 Mad-
ison Street.
Rutter, Endicott & Co. — Corner Lake and Clark streets.
Joseph O. Rutter and William F. Endicott. Organized in i860.
Subsequently merged into the Traders' Bank and Trader's National
Bank.
Real Estate Loan and Trust Company. — Chartered in
1861. President, Benjamin Lombard. Location, Nos. 105-107
Monroe. Officers in 1871 : President Benjamin Lombard ; vice-
president, S. A. Briggs.
Merchants', Farmers' and Mechanics' Savings Bank. —
No. 52 Clark Street. Incorporated in 1861. President, S. H.
Fleetwood; vice-presidents, Francis C. Sherman and P. R. Westfall;
cashier, Sidney Myers 1866-70 — No. 13 Clark Street. Officers
same as before. Special Directory of December 12, 1871 : No. 64
South Halsted. President, P. R. Westfall; cashier. Sidney Myers.
The State Savings Insti-
tution of the City of Chi-
cago. — Incorporated February.
1 861. No. 104-106 Washington
Street. President, John C. Haines;
vice-president, George Schneider ;
cashier, N. B. Kidder; assistant
cashier, C. D. Bickford. 1866-
67: No. 82 I.aSalle Street. Same
officers as above. 1868-69: No.
80-82 I.aSalle Street. President,
George Schneider; vice-president,
I.. B. Siihvay ; cashier. N. B.
Kidder; assistant cashier, C. D.
Bickford. 1S70: President. John
C. I lore ; cashier, N. li. Kidder.
Special Directory of December
12,1871; South side of Madison,
near Market Street. President,
|. C, Haines; cashier, C. D.
Bickford.
1863.
First National Ba r '.1 I hicago. — First location, south-
nerof Lake and (lark Streels. Capital, $690,000, OrH-
■sideiit, E. Aiken ; cashier E. E. liraisted ; directors, E.
Aiken, s. W. Ailcrton. 5. ' .. D. Howard, B. P. Hutchinson, Sara-
" BEE m\ I.
uel M. Nickerson, Tracy J. Bronson, John B. Sherman, Bvron
Rice, E. G. Hall.
The First National Bank was organised May 1, 1S63, with
a capital of $100,000. Its location was then on the southwest cor-
ner of Lake and Clark streets, and its officers as follows : Presi-
dent, E. Aiken ; vice-president, Samuel M. Nickerson ; cashier, E.
E. Braisted ; directors. E. Aiken, S. W. Allerton, S. C. D. How-
ard, B. P Hutchinson, Samuel M. Nickerson, Tracy J. Bronson.
John B. Sherman, Byron Rice and E. G. Hall. Mr Aiken died
in January, 1S67, and Mr. Nickerson, the present incumbent, was
elected to succeed him. In August, 1S6S, Lyman J. Gage was ap-
pointed cashier. The great fire partially destroyed the bank build-
ing, and after a temporary removal, on January 1, 1S72. the man-
agement occupied their re-built structure, corner of Washington and
State streets. The safes and vaults of the building had been quite
unharmed ; not a security or valuable was lost, and the business
has proceeded uninterruptedly after the week of the fire. The
First National Bank passed successfully through the trials brought
on by the fire of 1871 and the panic of 1S73. From 1868 to 1882,
its capital was Si, 000, 000. and upon the expiration of its charter,
during the latter year, its reserve, or surplus fund over dividends,
was found to be $1,800,000. In May, 1882, a new organization
was effected, under the same designation, with a cash capital of
$3,000,000. Lyman J. Gage then became vice-president and gen-
eral managing, or executive, officer. At this time, also, the mag-
nificent new building, at the northwest corner of Dearborn and
Monroe streets, was erected. From the last report of the bank,
made March 10. 18S5, it is seen that its capital is $3,000,000 ; sur-
plus $500,000, and undivided profits $262,000. Its officers areas
follows : President, Samuel M. Nickerson ; vice-president, L. J.
Gage ; cashier. H. R. Symonds ; assistant cashier, H. M. King-
man ; second assistant cashier, R. J. Street.
Samuel M. Nickerson, president of the First National Bank
of Chicago, is a man whose name is justly a synonym for financial
stability and enterprise. He comes of old Puritan stock, being
born in Chatham, Mass., June 14, 1S30. In 1837, his parents re-
moved to Boston, but, four years thereafter, returned to Chatham.
It was in these two localities, therefore, that the son obtained his
first and last schooling, spending a portion of his early years, also,
on his father's farm near the latter town. In 1847, he removed to
Apalachicola. Florida, where, for a number of years, he acted as a
clerk in his brother's store. In 1851, he commenced business him-
self as a dealer in general merchandise and lumber, but, in the
spring of 1857, all his property was destroyed. But Mr. Nicker-
son was far from being a ruined man. Although, for a time, he
compromised with his creditors, within five years he paid them
in full, although not legally bound so to do. Removing to Chicago
in 1858, with a small sum of money which was loaned to him by his
friends, he bravely launched out again into the business world. As
a distiller of alcohol and high-wines, he rapidly accumulated a for-
tune, and, in 1864, was able to retire from active business During
that year he became president and the controlling spirit in the
Chicago City Horse Railroad Company, and brought it into the
most prosperous condition. For seven years he remained at the
head of affairs, and resigned in 1S71 his banking interests having
grown to such proportions as to require his entire attention. In
1863, he was elected first vice-president of the First National
Bank, and continued this until 1S6S. when he became president.
He erected the magnificent fire-proof bank building, at the corner
of State and Washington streets, in 1S67-6S — one of the very few
structures in the business district of the burned district whose walls
withstood the fierce onslaught of the hurricane of flames on the
memorable "eighth of October." Mr. Nickerson's elegant private
residence on the North Side, however, did not escape their fury.
Ten years thereafter, he built one of the most palatial residences in
the city, situated on the corner of <"ass and Erie streets. In 1SS1-
82, he erected the grand structure, corner of Dearborn and Monroe
streets, occupied by the F'irst National Bank, which is another trib-
ute to his business energy and enterprise. The quarters occupied
by the bank are among the largest and most elegantly appointed of
any similar institution in the country, there being in its employ
about one hundred officials and clerks. Besides being at the head
of this powerful financial institution, Mr. Nickerson is heavily
interested in the Union Stock-Yards National Bank, which he him-
self organized in 1868. F'or two years he acted as its president,
resigning in 1870, but still continuing on its board of directors.
But Mr. Nickerson has not devoted himself to money-getting at
the sacrifice of his love for the beautiful and appreciation of the
enjoyment of all the luxuries of home life. His spacious residence
is rich with foreign marbles, his bookcases lined with costly and
rare volumes, and his walls hung with rich paintings — many of
these treasures having been collected during the four seasons of
European Iravel which he has enjoyed during the past decade.
Lyman JudsON Hack, president of the American Bankers'
Association, and rice-president of the F'irst National Bank, was
BANKING HISTORY.
629
born June 28, 1S36, in Madison County, N. Y. Eli A. Gage, his
father, was a hatter by trade, and one of the early settlers
of that' county. Young Gage, when only seventeen years of
age, commenced his long and successful banking career, by
entering the Oneida Central Bank, at Rome, N. Y. Two years
later, in October, 1S55, he came to Chicago and connected him-
self with the lumber and planing establishment of a Mr. Cobb,
then situated on the corner of Adams and Canal streets, upon the
present site of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago depot. Mr.
Gage was a man of all work, and has delivered many thousand
feet of lumber at the Pittsburgh depot. lie. in fact, did every hon-
KlilNS, SECOND NATIONAL BANK
est thing which came to his hand, having a name and a fortune to
make by his own exertions, without the aid of money, or even
friends. In 185S, he became a bookkeeper of the Merchants' Loan
and Trust Company, at a salary of $500 per annum. In 1S63, he
was promoted to the position of assistant cashier, and a few months
later received the flattering offer of the position of cashier of the
First National Bank. Here Mr. Gage found a board of directors
capable, progressive, and at the same time wisely conservative,
thus supplying all the conditions and elements necessary for the
growth and development of his own abilities. The prosperity of
the bank proved to be his own, and Mr. Gage has now come to be
recognized as one of the most substantial and broad-minded bank-
ers in the country. His abilities were recognized in 1SS3, at the
annual convention of the American Bankers' Association, held in
Louisville, by his election to the presidency of that organization.
In August, 1S84, the convention was held at Saratoga Springs,
and Mr. Gage was re-elected.
1S64.
Second National Bank ok Chicago. — Lake, northwest
corner of Clark. President, J. A. Ellis ; cashier, E. I Tinkham.
Special Directory, of December J2, 1S71 : Same officers as above.
Office, No. 45 West Washington. About January I, 1S72, removed
to 63 West Washington Street, and in the fall of 1S72, to new
rooms on the northwest corner of Madison and Clark streets; its
officers then being J. A. Ellis, president, and John P. McGregor,
cashier. Capital §1,000,000 ; surplus, $50,000.
Third National Bank of Chicago. — No. 156 Lake Street.
Capital, original and subscribed, $200,000 President, James II.
Bowen ; vice-president, Amos T. Hall; cashier, Ira Holmes. Di-
rectory of 1S65-66 : Capital $750,000.
Forum National Bank of Chicago. — No. 4 Clark Street.
Capital, $150,000 President Benjamin Lombard ; cashier, S. A.
Briggs ; directors, H. E. Sargent, J. M. W.Jones, J. W. Sykes,
Charles Tobey. Benjamin Lombard, Charles Comstock, Benjamin
I ombard, jr. Directory of 1S65-66, gives as capital $500,000;
authorized $1,000,000.
Fifth National Bank of Chicago. — No. 52 LaSalle Street
(Metropolitan Block). Capital, $120,000 President. Josiah Lom-
bard ; cashier, Isaac G. Lombard ; directors, Josiah Lombard,
Charles J. Gilbert, Thomas Sutton, Isaac G. Lombard, Mar-hall
Ayres, Nelson l.udington, David McWilliams. Directorj oi
1S65-66 : Capital $200,000. Special directory of December 12,
187] : Bank corner of Madison Street and Fifth Avenue, late north-
east corner Washington and Clark. President, C. B. Sawyer ; vice-
president, N. l.udington; cashier, Isaac G. Lombard ;' assistant
cashier, E. B. Lathrop.
National Bank of America.— Prominent among Chicago's
leading financial institutions is the National Bank of America,
which was incorporated, under its present name, in January, 1883,
being practically the successor of the old Fifth National, the char-
ter of which expired about that date. The latter bank, which
was controlled and officered by nearly the same men now assoi iated
with the National Bank of America, was chartered in February,
1S64, being one of the early institutions operating under the
National Banking Act, which had only been passed a year or two
previously. Its first officers were Josiah Lombard president, and
Isaac G. Lombard cashier ; and the first place of business was in
the old Metropolitan Block, on the northwest corner of Randolph
and LaSalle streets. In 1868, a removal was made to the north-
west corner of Clark and Washington streets; and about that time
Josiah Lombard resigned the presidency, being succeeded by Nil-
son Ludington. He returned to the East, where he had formerly
lived and died there some years later. After the fire, and within
seven days, the Fifth National Bank resumed business in a private
house on Wabash Avenue, and a little later occupied quarters at
the northwest corner of Madison Street and Fifth Avenue. They
remained at this location until 1S74, when they removed to the
building at present occupied by the National Bank of America, at
the northwest corner of LaSalle and Washington streets. In 1871,
Mr. Ludington. desiring to travel for a time in foreign countries
with a view ol benefiting his health, resigned the presidency of the
bank, and was succeeded by C. B. Sawyer, vice-president, who filled
the position during the absence of Mr. Ludington, from 1871 until
1874. In 1874, after his return, the latter was again elected presi-
dent, in which capacity he continued to serve until he died, January
15, 1883. The bank went into voluntary liquidation December 31,
1552. When the Fifth National Bank was first organized its paid-
up capital was $120,000 ; but as the years went by, and its business
became more and more prosperous, the capital stock was from time
to time increased until it was $500,000, with a large surplus fund.
This fact alone, without further comment, speaks much for the
character and ability of those who directed its affairs, and who so
successfully carried it through the financial perils incident to so
long a career. The National Bank of America, as has already been
stated, practically succeeded the Fifth National, and began business
in January, 1S83, with a paid-up capital of $1,000,000 and with as
stable a footing as is enjoyed by any institution to-day in the West.
Its officers, from the first, have been Isaac G. Lombard president,
Byron P. Moulton vice-president, Edward B Lathrop cashier and
Charles A. Tinkham assistant-cashier.
Isaac G. Lombard, president of the National Bank of Amer-
ica, is a native of Massachusetts, born in the town of Truro in
1S35, the son of Lewis and Sarah Lombard. He was reared and
educated at his birthplace. In the year 1S59, he came to Chicago
as general agent of the Union Savings and Trust Company, which
corporation he continued to represent until 1S64, when he s< vered
his connection with it to become one of the founders of the old Fifth
National Bank. Of this he was the cashier during the time of its
existence, nearly twenty years, and, during much of that period,
was its acting and responsible manager. In 1883, lie was the lead-
ing spirit in the organization of the National Bank ol Ami rii a, of
which he was then made president, and which office he still holds.
Mr Lombard is regarded as an eminently successful financier,
well deserving the position he holds to-day as one of the represent-
ative bankers of the West.
Edward B. LATHROP, cashier of the National Bank of Amer-
ica, is a native of Illinois, born in Jacksonville, Morgan Co..
in 1S45. He is the son of John W. and of Elizabeth K. lathrop.
who were among the early settlers of that county, lie n
his education in the schools of his native place, and. in 1868, came
to this city, entering at onceinto the employ <>f the Fifth National
Bank, first as assistant bookkeeper, and shortly afterward being
made assistant cashier, which position he creditably tilled until in
1553. On the organization of the National Bank of America, Mr.
Lathrop was elected its cashier, an office he still holds.
Mf.chanics' Nationai Bank of Chicago. — Authorized
capital, $1,000,000; paid-up capital, $250,000. President, J. Young
Scammon; vice-president, Benjamin V. Page; cashier, C, F. W.
Junge.
Northwestern Nationai Bank of Chi. ago— No 11
Dearborn Street. Capital, $500,000; authorized capital, $1,
President. P.. Sturges; vice-president, S. I'.. Sturges; cashier,
George Sturges; directors, I',. Sturges, S. B. Sturges. George
Sturges. Shelton Sturges, F. Buckingham.
Manufacturers' n.\ 1 ionai Bank. o| tin, iGO. — First loca-
6^o
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
tion. No. 154 Lake Street Organized December, 1864. Capital
stock, $250,000. President, W. H. Brown, vice-president, Charles
F. Grey; cashier, David J. Lake; directors, \V. H.Brown, Charles
F. Grey, David J. Lake, William Bross, Levi B. Taft, James
Kelly. Joel H. Wicker. Before the fire, the bank had been for
some time occupying a building on the northwest corner of Dear-
RUINS, FIFTH NATIONAL BANK. COOLING-OFF A SAF
TAKEN FROM THE RUINS.
born and Washington streets, where it was doing an immense
business. The building was destroyed, but vault, papers, moneys,
etc., were found in good condition.
1865-66.
Union National Hank ok Chicago. — Lake, northwest cor-
ner of LaSalle Street. Capital, $500,000; authorized, $[,000,000.
President, W. F. Coolbaugh; cashier, C. J. Connell; directors, W.
F. Coolbaugh, John V. Farwell, Wesley Munger, Daniel Thomp-
son. Ileman G. Powers, Clinton Briggs, C. T. Wheeler. Loca
tion before the fire of 1871, on southwest corner of LaSalle and
Washington streets.
William Kindlav Coolbaugh was born in Pike County,
Pennsylvania, on July 1, 1821. The only educational advantages
he received were those of a primitive village school. The last
teacher he had, at the age of twelve years, was William Bross, the
well-known editor, who was also lieutenant-governor of Illinois.
When he was fifteen years of age, he went to Philadelphia, and
there became assistant porter in a wholesale dry goods establish-
ment, from which lowly position he worked himself up to that of
confidential clerk, three years later, and afterward became manager
of the firm's business in the western and southwestern country.
In 1842, Mr. Coolbaugh determined to go into business for him-
self, and settled al Burlington, Iowa, where he became a merchant,
and continued in the mercantile business for eight years. In 1850,
he instituted the banking house of Coolbaugh & Brooks, and
shortly thereafter his ability and integrity were recognized by his
appointment as Loan Agent for the State of Iowa, in which capa-
city, he negotiated the first loan Iowa ever made, and issued the first
bonds as evidence of thai indebtedness. He remained at Burling-
ton until 1862, when he moved to Chicago. At the outbreak of the
Civil War, the State treasury being empty, Mr. Coolbaugh tele-
graphed the governor of Iowa that he could draw upon the bank
for whatever money might be requisite to fit out that portion of the
seventy-five thousand troops forming Iowa's quota. In many other
Ways he showed that, although a Douglas democrat, he was an
American and a patriot to his heart's core. Upon his arrival in
Chicago, he established the banking house of W. F. Cool-
baugh & Co., at No. 154 Lake Street, the company compri-
sing Francis W. Brooks, which represented the State Bank
of Iowa until that bank ceased to transact business. In
February, 1885, the bank of W. F. Coolbaugh & Co. was
merged into the Union National Bank of Chicago, with a
chartered capital of $500,000. William F. Coolbaugh was
president, Charles J. Connell was cashier, and the directors
were W. F. Coolbaugh, John V. Farwell. Wesley Munger,
Daniel Thompson, Heman G. Powers, Clinton Briggs and
Calvin T. Wheeler. Its habitat remained the same — the
northwest corner of Lake and LaSalle streets. Mr. Cool-
baugh speedily made his financial ability and judgment
known and appreciated amid the monetary circles of Chicago,
and was conceded to be one of the ablest gentlemen in that
community. At the organization of the Chicago Clearing
House, Mr. Coolbaugh was made its president, and upon the
establishment of a National Banker's Association for the
West and Southwest, he was, at the convention held in Chi-
cago, in September, 1S66, elected president thereof. It was
also generally believed that if Samuel Jones Tilden had ar-
rived at the presidential chair, in 1876, Mr. Coolbaugh would
have been proffered the secretaryship of the treasury. He
was twice married ; the first time to a daughter of Judge
Brown, of Kentucky, in 1844, and the second time to a
daughter of C. F. V. Reeve, Esq., of Newburgh, New York.
On the morning of November 14, 1877, the mortal remains
of William F. Coobaugh were found upon the steps of the
Douglas Monument, close against the doors leading to the
sarcophagus— the result of suicide during mental aberration.
A meeting of the Board of the Good Samaritan Society was
held, whereat Thomas Hoyne, Rev. Robert Collyer, Leonard
Swett, A. L. Chetlain, Robert llervey, William Vocke, Rev.
H. W. Thomas and George S. Redfield passed resolutions
eulogizing his broad and comprehensive charity, and deplor-
ing the death of William F. Coolbaugh, thus bearing its
testimony to his "high moral character, unimpeachable in-
tegrity and great worth." The Chicago Board of Trade also
passed resolutions of respect to the memory of the deceased;
and, at the funeral, the following gentlemen officiated as
pall bearers: Robert Law, M. C. Stearns, Solomon A. Smith,
Nathan Corwith, Philip H. Sheridan, W. C. D. Grannis,
Calvin T. Wheeler, Asa Dow, William Bross, Heman G.
Powers, Jonathan Y Scammon and J. W. Odell.
Merchants' National Bank of Chicago. — No. 36
Clark Street. Paid-up capital, $450,000. President, Chaun-
cey B. Blair; cashier, Henry B. Symond; directors, C. B.
Blair, Daniel A. Jones, John B. Turner and William Blair.
At its last statement prior to the fire, its capital was $650,000 ;
surplus, $300,000; deposits, $1,149,756. Officers: President, C.
B. Blair; vice-president, J. K. Botsford ; cashier, John DeKoven;
assistant cashier, John C. Neeley ; directors, C. B. Blair, William
Blair, Daniel A. Jones. C. J. Blair and J. K. Botsford.
J. K. Botsford, one of Chicago's earliest hardware mer-
chants, and, later, vice-president for a number of years of the Mer-
chants' National Bank, was born in Newtown, Fairfield Co., Conn.,
on June 12, 1S12, the son of M. K. Botsford. His boyhood was
spent in his native State, where he received a good common school
education. In 1831, Mr. Botsford entered upon a mercantile life
New York City, as clerk in a large wholesale dry goods house,
where he remained ten years About that time, however, he began
to turn his attention to the West, where, with that foresight that
has ever been marked in his character, he saw there were fields of
enterprise far more inviting to a man of his temperament than ex-
isted in any of the States and cities of the East. In that year, ac-
cordingly, he arrived in Chicago, and began business operations by
erecting the first store building ever put up on Lake Street. This
was a frame structure, located at the northeast corner of that street
and Dearborn, and its site is now known as Nos 92-94 Lake Street.
Chicago is now one of the largest lumber markets in the world, but
at that time, the lumber used in the construction of Mr. Botsford's
first store was sawed at a little mill down in Indiana, on the Wa-
bash River, and was transported from there to this city on wagons.
His building completed, Mr. Botsford began in the stove and tin-
ware trade, in 1S33, and three years later took into partnership Cy-
renius Beers, and the firm was then known as Botsford & Beers. At
this time, too, they added to their business the manufacture of lard
oil, the first firm to engage in that branch of manufacture in Chi-
cago. The partnership thus formed lasted for ten years, when it
BANKING HISTORY.
631
was dissolved, Mr. Botsford continuing in the stove and tinware
trade alone, and Mr. Beers still carrying on the manufacture of oil.
In 1S52, Mark Kimball took an interest in the business with Mr.
Botsford, under the firm name of J. K. Botsford & Co. This con-
nection lasted until 1865, when Mr. Kimball retired, and Mr.
Botsford's two sons, John R. and Bennett B., were admitted to a
partnership, the style of the business then becoming T. K. Bots-
ford & Sons. This firm existed until the fire, when the business
was discontinued. In that disastrous conflagration, Mr. Botsford's
losses were very heavy, amounting to nearly $100,000 over and
above his realizations on his insurance. At that time, too, he gave
up active business, and has since practically lived in retirement at
his home, No. 1704 Michigan Avenue. In the spring of 1S59, he
was elected alderman from the First Ward, and re-elected to the
same position. It is almost needless to say that he made a faith-
ful and efficient public officer. In 1833, Mr. Botsford was a wit-
ness to the treaty made with the Potawattomie Indians, by which
they ceded to the Government a vast tract of territory in the North-
west, including, also, the country now immediately surrounding
Chicago. And during a residence in Chicago of over fifty years,
thirty-eight of which were spent in active business life, he has ever
taken anactive interest in all things tending to bettertheconditionsof
the city and its people. He is an earnest, yet unassuming, Christian
gentleman, having been a valued member of the Clark Street Meth-
odist Church since 1839. He has been one of the trustees of this
organization since the date mentioned, and has for many years also
held the position of treasurer. He has always, too, been a friend
to education. He was one of the original projectors of the North-
western University, at Evanston, and has, from the first, been one
of its trustees and a member of its executive committee. In this,
as in many other instances, he has contributed greatly to the moral
and educational growth of our city, and by his whole life thus well
and usefully spent, has endeared himself to all who know him as
one of our oldest and most highly-esteemed citizens. Mr. Bots-
ford married, on November I, 1S35, Miss Minerva Kimball, daugh-
ter of John P. Kimball, of Naperville, 111. They have had three
children ; the two sons mentioned — the eldest of whom died in
1SS0 — and Adelaide, the wife of Caryl Young, of this city.
Commercial National Bank ok Chicago. — No. 13 Clark
Street. Capital, $200,000. President. P. R. Westfall ; cashier,
Charles Ennis ; directors, N. O. Williams, W. H. Ennis, P. R.
Westfall, M. S. Bacon, Charles Ennis.
City National Bank. — Capital. $300,000. President, Asa
D. Reed; vice president, Thomas T. Dobbins ; cashier, lames P.
Taylor; directors, A. D. Reed, T.J. Dobbins, R. M. Hough,
Thomas Harless, C. W. Cook, T. A. Shaw, A. B. Meeker, Wins-
low Bushnell, Richard Gregg. The City National Bank was
organized February 1, 1865. At the meeting held that day, for
the purpose of its organization, there were present A. D. Reed,
the prime mover in the enterprise, Thomas Harless, Thomas S.
Dobbins. C. W. Cook, T. A. Shaw, A. B. Meeker, Winslow Bush-
nell and Richard Gregg. A. D. Reed was elected president of the
board and bank, Thomas S. Dobbins was elected vice-president,
and A. C. Reed assistant cashier. On the 21st of the month,
James P. Taylor was elected cashier. On the 16th of March, the
president was instructed to engage three rooms in the new Board-
of-Trade Building. On the 3d of April, the bank became a mem-
ber of the Chicago Clearing-House Association. James P. Taylor
resigned April 30, 1S66, and was succeeded by W. A. Sutor. On
the 13th of January, 1869, A. B. Miner was elected assistant
cashier. On the 2d of August. TS70, the room formerly occupied
by the Republic Insurance Company was rented, and. in May,
1S71, the bank purchased lots Nos. 154, 156 and 15S Washington
Street, paying therefor $110,000. On the gth of January, 1871,
Horatio Reed, brother of A. D. Reed, became vice-president of the
bank, and A. B. Miner cashier. On the gth of October 1S71, the
great fire destroyed the building of this bank, purchased the pre-
vious May. It was decided, on February 5, 1872, to re-build the
structure, which was done at a cost of about $200,000. On the
27th of September it was voted to purchase A. D. Reed's undi-
vided one-fourth interest in the building and lots on which it stood,
and to pay therefor $50,000, the bank owning, at the time, one-
half of the property. On June 25, 1874, A. D. Reed, on account
of over-work in carrying the bank safely through the fire of 1S71
and the panic of 1873, resigned the presidencv, and his resignation
was accepted, with regrets for its necessity and thanks for his valu-
able services to the bank during the two trying ordeals through
which it had safely passed. Winslow Bushnell was then unani-
mously elected to the vacant presidency, and served until the bank
went into voluntary liquidation, April 24, 1S76. The depreciation
of real estate, consequent upon the panic, of which the bank held
large amounts, was the immediate cause of its failure. Its affairs
were placed in the hands of N. H. Walworth, as receiver, who was
succeeded by Augustus H. Burley, who made his final settlement
with the Comptroller of the Currency in 1SS4.
Traders' National Bank of Chicago.— No. 44 South
Clark Street. President, Joseph O. Rutter ; vice-president, F.
Granger Adams; cashier, Thomas 1'. Tallman. The present
Traders' Bank of Chicago, is the direct descendant of F. G.
Adams's private banking institution, established in the spring of
1S52, at No. 44 Clark Street. In 1863, Mr. Adams having moved
to New York, the Traders' Bank was chartered under tin- State
laws, with himself as president, and Thomas 1'. Tallman as cashier.
After the consolidation with Joseph O. Rutter & Co.'s private
bank, the officers remained the same. Soon afterward, the Traders'
Bank, in common with most other " free institutions," was re-
organized as the Traders' National Bank, and Mr. Rutter elected
president, the new house occupying their quarters on Clark Street,
and thus continuing until the great fire of 1871. During the inter-
regnum occasioned by that calamity, the main office of the
Traders' National Bank was at the residence of Mr. Rutter,
on Wabash Avenue, with a branch at the sheriff's office, situated
in the ruins of the old Court-house; and later in the Nixon
Building, corner of LaSalle and Monroe streets; and in 1S72, the
business was concentrated in the Otis Building, corner of LaSalle
and Madison streets. In 1S7S, the bank, being a close corporation,
and having practically but two stockholders (Messrs. Rutter and
Tallman), the National system was abandoned, and the manage-
ment returned to a State charter, doing business thereafter under
the name of the Traders' Bank of Chicago. Although for thirty-
five years this institution has continued steadily to advance in
business and in public confidence, its owners and officers never be-
lieved it to be for their interest to enlarge their sphere of operations
by bringing into the organization a large number of shareholders.
Although frequently solicited to enlarge their capital and to dis-
tribute the stock among the public, they have uniformly and per-
sistently declined, preferring to keep the business of the bank
within their own control, and thus avoid heavy taxation and large
expenses.
Joseph O. Rutter, president of the Traders' Bank, is the
representative of the oldest and one of the most- conservative and
substantial financial institutions in Chicago. He is a native of
Philadelphia, born November 2,«i836, and is the son of David and
Esther (Ryerson) Rutter. On his father's side he is descended
from the Rutters who came to the State with William Penn, one of
them, Thomas Rutter, being governor of Germantown There,
and in that vicinity, for over two centuries, they have lived and
died, engaging principally in the manufacture of iron. One of
them opened the first iron mine in the State, establishing furnaces,
etc. Others established furnaces and manufactories; and in that
region a " Benjamin Franklin stove " is still in active use, which
%vas turned out by Rutter & Potts (a son-in-law) some one hundred
and twenty-five years ago. It is stated that Mr Rutter is descended
on his mother's side from Sara Rapalje, the first white child born
in the province of New Netherlands. The silver tankard presented
by the governor to that pioneer infant is now in the possession of
Sara Rapalje Crandall, of Monticello, N. Y., a direct descendant
of Sara Rapalje, the babe who, in 1625, obtained the prize. There
is probably no older relic of provincial New York in existence.
Coming down to more modern days, it is learned that David Rut-
ter, the father of Joseph O., was a physician of many years' prac-
tice in Philadelphia. In 1849, when his son was only thirteen
years of age, he removed his family to Chicago. Here the youth
supplemented his primary education in the East by an attendance
at various private schools in this city, until, in 1S51, he obtained a
situation as messenger-boy with George Smith & Co., bankers.
After remaining for some years with that institution, and rapidly
advancing his prospects in life he removed to Peru, III , and there
connected himself with the banking-house of which Mr. Smith was
a partner. He next settled at Galena, 111., as confidential clerk and
manager of the banking house of James Carter & Co. Returning
to Chicago, he associated himself with the parent house, in a lead-
ing position, being paying teller. He remained with Smith &
Co., until their final withdrawal from business. In 1863, F. I '..
Adams, who had been at the head of a private bank since 1S52, re-
moved to New York, and left T. I'. Tallman to manage his affairs
in Chicago. The charter of the Traders' Bank was then obtained,
In 1S64, Mr. Rutter, who, since the withdrawal of Smith >\ Co.,
had occupied a leading position as a banker, united his business
with that of the Traders' Bank, and assumed the vice-presidency
of the consolidated house, Mr. Adams remaining at its head.
These continued the officers until the organization of the Traders'
National Bank, when Mr. Rutter became its president. Mr. Rut-
ter's career since then, with that of Mr. Tallman. is the history of
the Traders' National Bank and the Traders' Bank. Before that
time, Mr. Rutter was a member of the firm of Rutter, Endicott &
Whitehouse, which occupied the banking room on the corner of
Lake and Clark street-., formerly the place of business of II. A.
Tucker & Co.
Thomas P. Tallman, one of the oldest and most respected
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
bankers in the city, lias been a member of this profession for about
thirty-three years, and associated with Mr. Rutter in the manage-
ment of the Traders' Bank, for the past twenty-one. Mr. Tallman
was born in Ontario County N. V., October II, 1S31, his parents
being John and Carissa (Burt) Tallman. His father died when the
son was eight, and his mother when he was fourteen years of age.
After receiving his education, principally at the Genesee Wesleyan
Seminary, Lima. X. Y., in the fall of 1852, he came to Chicago.
He was in the employ of Potter Palmer for one and one-half years,
and finallv in March, 1S54, he entered the banking house of F. G.
Adams, as his first clerk and man-of-all-\vork. The business of
the concern was at first dealing in uncurrent money and land war-
rants, and Mr. Tallman's mercantile experience, added to his natu-
ral sagacity, made him peculiarly fitted to know the "false from
the true." The brokerage business gradually developed into a
general banking business. In 1S63, Mr. Tallman had so advanced
in his station and in the confidence of his employer, that he was
left to manage his interests in Chicago. For about a year, Mr.
Adams having removed to New York, the bank was conducted by
Messrs. Adams & Tallman. Since 1S64, as stated, Mr. Tallman
has been associated with Mr. Rutter, as cashier, in the manage-
ment of the Traders' Bank.
Producer's Bank. — No. 126 Lake Street. Capital, $200,000.
President, H. Doolittle; cashier, L. S. Beardsley.
Treasury Bank. — No. 68 Washington Street. President,
James H. Woodworth; vice-president, B. F. Hadduck.
Chicago Clearing House Association. — Charter procured
from the Legislature, and business commenced April 6, 1S65. First
officers: President, \V. F. Coolbaugh; vice-president, Josiah Lom-
bard. Clearing House committee: E. E. Braisted (chairman), E. I.
Tinkham. Ira Holmes, A. C. Badger, L. J. Gage (manager), and
George A. Ives. The total clearings and balances at the Clearing
House from April 6, the date of establishment, until December 23,
1S65, were — Clearings, $314,577,543; balances, $47,413,014.
[870 — President, Sol. A. Smith; vice-president, J. O. Rutter;
Clearing House committee: J. M. Adsit (chairman), E. I. Tink-
ham, L. J. Gage. M. D. Buchanan, John DeKoven (manager),
and George A. Ives. •
The Chicago Stock Exchange was organized in January,
1S65, by some twenty of the leading banking brokers and operators
of the city. Business was commenced January iS. in a small room
in H. H. Honore's building, No. 53 Dearborn Street. The offi-
cers for 1S65, were: President, John C. Hilton; vice-president,
Calvin T. Wheeler; secretary, Solon McElroy; treasurer, W. II.
Goodnow. Transactions at the Stock Exchange from January i3
to December 27, 1S65, aggregated $53,045,875.
At the close of 1865, the total capital of incorpor-
ated banks was $6,820,000; estimated capital of private
banks, $2,000,000 ; total, $8,820,000.
1866-67.
Union Stock-Yards National Bank. — Union Stock-Yards.
Cashier, John DeKoven. 1S71 — President. William F. Tucker;
vice-president, John R. Hoxie; cashier, Edward S. Stickney.
Capital stock paid in, $100,000.
1868-69.
Germanta Bank. — Chartered in 1869. President, Charles
Knobelsdorff; cashier, W. J. Haller.
National Loan and Trust Company. — Corner Washing-
ton and LaSalle streets. President, George C. Smith; cashier,
William A. Park; assistant cashier, J. J. McCarthy.
Merchants' Association Savings Bank.— Corner Clark
and South Water.
Hibernian Banking Association Savings Bank.— Char-
tered, 1868. Corner Clark and Lake Streets. President, J. V.
Clarke; first vice-president, K. 1'rindiville; second vice-president,
Thomas II. Beebe; cashier, Hamilton B. Dox. 1870 — Same as
above.
Chicago BUILDING and Loan Association. — No. 125 Dear-
born Street. Directors, B. II. Skinner, J. C. McMuIlen, S. E.
I'inta, \V. W. Boyington, Richard Edwards, G. C. Clarke, Oliver
II. Horti . George W. Sharpe.
Gki ' |;ank. — Chartered in i36q. President,
Henry Greenebaum; cashier, A. Wiser.
lri it Company.— No. 105-107 Mon-
roe Street. President, Benjamin Lombard; cashier, M. I). Til-
K.— No. 2 Clark Street. President, Ferd
S. Winslow ; cashier, William Winslow.
'Tin. Swedish Commercial Company Scandinavian
Ho. 140 LaSalle Street, President, <'. P. J. Arion; man-
ager, II. v Burger; cashier, A. Fogli
At the close of 1869, there were fourteen National
banks in the city, with an aggregate capital stock of
$5,900,000, and an available surplus of about $2,300,000.
Private banks, aggregate capital about $3,000,000.
1870-71.
National Bank of Commerce. — No. 107 Dearborn Street.
Organized in 1870. President, B. F. Hadduck ; vice-president, P.
C. Maynard ; cashier, E. Maynard.
Corn Exchange National Bank. — Chamber of Commerce.
President, Julian S. Rumsey; vice-president, S. A. Kent; cashier,
Orson Smith. December 12, 1S71, office No. 1, Lind's Block.
International Mutual Trust Company. — No. 51 LaSalle
Street. President, Francis A. Hoffman ; cashier, R. Schloesser.
Capital, $100,000.
Commercial Loan Company. — No. 44 North Clark Street.
President, J. T. Clarkson ; cashier, Frank Mayer.
International Mutual Trust Company. — No 147-149
Randolph Street. President, Berthold Lowenthal ; vice-president,
Julius Busch; cashier, Francis A. Hoffmann; assistant cashier, R
Schloesser.
The International Bank, formerly the International Mutual
Trust Company, was incorporated under the latter name, by special
RUINS, MARINE BANK.
act of the legislature, in 1867, and opened its doors for business in
the spring of the following year. The location then was at No. 51 La
Salle Street, and the first ofneersof the company were : F. A. Hoff-
man, president; Julius Rusch, vice-president, and Rudolph Schloes-
ser, cashier. In 1S70, the capital stock was increased from $100,000,
the original amount, to $200,000. Under the reorganization effected
at that time, B. Loewenthal became president, Julius Busch, vice-
president ; F. A. Hoffmann, cashier, and Rudolph Schloesser, as-
sistant cashier. A removal was then made to the northeast corner
of LaSalle and Madison streets, where it remained one year, when
the location was again changed, this time to the site of the present
Fidelity Trust Company's buildings, on Randolph Street, near La
Salle. Here it was burned out in the great fire of 1S71, being,
however, so fortunate as to save all their papers, books, securities,
money, etc., losing nothing except their office fixtures. Ten days
following I he lire they resumed business at No. 561 Wabash Ave-
nue, remaining at that location until in May, 1872, when they re-
moved to the old Boone Block, at No. 133 LaSalle Street. In the
spring of the following year they took possession of the building
they now occupy, al No. 108, on the same thoroughfare- In 1S74,
Mm capital slock of the bank was increased to $500,000, at which
amount it still remains. The present officers are B. Loewenthal,
president; II. A. Kohn, vice-president, and M Schweisthal, cashier.
BANKING HISTORY.
633
Berthold Loewenthal, the president of the bank, is a native
of Germany, born in 1830. He is the son of Joseph and of Jetta
(Ottenheimer) Loewenthal. His father was a merchant of Muhr-
ingen, in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, and, aside from receiving
an excellent education, Berthold was also given a thorough business
training. In 1S50, he concluded to try his fortunes in the New
World, and accordingly, in that year, came to America, locating
first in Cincinnati." In 1S52, he removed to Rock Island, III ,
where he established himself in the mercantile line until 1863. In
that year he came to Chicago, which has since been his home, en-
gaging in merchandising until the fire of 1S71. In 1S70, however,
as has already been told, he became identified with the International
Mutual Trust Company, being elected its president, which execu-
tive office he held until its reorganization under its present form,
when he was again elected to the same position. Mr. Loewenthal
married, in 1861, Miss Nannie Kaufman, of Cincinnati, daughter
of Wolf Kaufman, of Eberstadt, in Baden, Germany. They have
had six children, three of whom are now living — Julia, Julius and
Joseph. The latter is the eldest son, and is completing his educa-
tion at the Polytechnic Institute of Boston, Mass.
Fidelity Savings Bank and Sake Depository.
Merchants' Savings Bank, No. 155 and 157 LaSalle Street.
President, Jacob R. Shipherd ; treasurer, Charles B. Shedd. De-
cember 12, 1871 : No. 164 Twenty-second Street.
Union Insurance and Trust Company, No. 37 West Mad-
ison Street. Branch, No. 336 Milwaukee Avenue. President, S.
W. Ravvson ; cashier, W. B. Howells.
At the opening of 1871, there were sixteen National
banks, having an aggregate capital stock of $6,550,000 ;
surplus and other undivided profits, $3,041,359; de-
posits, $16,774,514 ; outstanding circulation, $4,906,424.
Private banks had an aggregate capital of $3,000,000.
The returns from the Clearing House, for 1870, were —
Clearings, $810,676,036 ; balances, $80,910,416.
1871.
German National Bank. — Organized in January, 1871.
Capital, $250,000; authorized, $1,000,000. President, Henry
Greenebaum ; cashier, Herman Schaffner.
The Cook County National Bank. — Organized in August,
1S71. D. I). Spencer, president. Capital, $300,000. This bank
lost only its office furniture in the fire, its vaults remaining
unharmed.
Some other bankers and private banking institu-
tions, appearing in the various city and bankers' direc-
tories, are given below. The dates, however, are not to
be accepted as authoritative, but as testimony of their
existence during the year cited.
F. Granger Adams, No. 44 South Clark Street. 1852-63
James F. Adams. No 39 Clark Street, 1862.
James M. Adsit, No. 39 Clark Street, 1852-1871.
Aiken & Norton, No. 6 South Clark Street, Loomis Building,
1861; Room 1, Board of Trade Building, 1862.
L. E. Alexander & Co., South Clark and Lake streets; Ex-
change Bank Building, i860.
B. F. Carver & Co., i860.
Benjamin F. Downing, No. 63 South Clark Street, 1860-1862.
Albert S. Evans, No. 36 South Clark Street, i860.
Forrest Bros. & Co., No 32 South Clark Street. 1S60.
Granger, Weldon & Co. , Randolph, corner of South Market
Street, i860.
Greenebaum Bros., No. 40 LaSalle Street and 156 Lake Street,
1854-62.
Henry Greenebaum & Co., Nos. 156-58 Lake Street, 1S62-71.
Charles II. Ham & Co., No. 24 South Clark Street, i860.
Hoffman & Gelpecke, Nos. 44-46 South LaSalle Street, i860.
Jones & Patrick, No. 42 South Clark Street, 1S60-61.
Lull & Mayer, South Clark corner Washington Street, 1S60.
Moreford Bros., No. 2 South Clark Street, 1860-61.
Albert C. Oertal, No. 75 South Dearborn Street, 1S60-61.
Lucius D. Olmsted, South LaSalle and Lake streets, i860.
Bezaleel W. Phillips, No. 8 South Clark Street, 1860-61.
Benjamin F. Quimby & Co., No. 54 South Dearborn Street,
1860-61.
W. H. Rice & Co., No. 63 South Clark Street, 1S60-61.
Charles F. Rockwell, No. 44 South LaSalle Street, 1S60-61.
A. T. Sherman & Co., No. 3S South Clark Street, 1S60-61.
Lazarus Silverman, No. 50 LaSalle Street, 1860-69. Lazarus
Silverman & Co., corner LaSalle and Randolph streets, 1S70-71.
After fire, temporary location at No. 562 Wabash Avenue.
Strong & Wiler Bros,, No. 159 Randolph Street, 1S60-61.
(R. K.) Swift & (J. S.) Johnson, No. 60 LaSalle.
F. G. Saltonstall & Co., No. 24 Clark Street, i860.
Edward I. Tinkham & Co., No. 12S LaSalle. !•'.. I. Tinkham
banking since 1849 in Chicago. linn of E. I . Tinkham & Co.,
1855-63.
Hiram A. Tucker & Co., South Clark corner Lake Street, 1853.
Ulrichs & Geudtner, No. 6 (lark Street, 1S60-61.
White Bros., Randolph, corner South LaSalle Street, r86o-6l.
George C. Whitney. No. 38 South Clark Sireel, 1 -00-01
E. K. Willard iV Young, South Clark, corner of South Water
Street, 1860-61.
Wadsworth & Co., No. 66 South Clark Sunt. r86o 6l.
P. Woodward & Co., No. 80 South Dearborn Street, 1860-61.
William P. Wright & Co., No. 34 Clark Street, 1860-61.
Alpheus C. Badger & Co., Randolph, southeast corner of
Dearborn, 1S62-1871. A. C. & O. F. Badger, before the fire ol
1S71, No. 51 Dearborn Street. After the lire. No. 223 Michigan
Avenue.
C. B. Blair, Exchange Bank Building, 1S62-63.
James Boyd & Bro., No. 38 Clark Slreet, 1862-70.
Brotherkm & Nettleton, No. 47 Clark Street, [862-63.
Burkam & Sons, No. 17 Dearborn Street, 1S62-63.
Chapin, Wheeler & Co., Lake and LaSalle streets, 1S62-63.
Jacob G. Conrad, No 63 Clark Street, 1862-63.
Davenport, Ullman & Co., No. 32 Clark Street, 1862.
Ilarvev Doolittle, No. 40 Clark Street, 1S62-63.
J. W. Drexel & Co., 1862-63.
Solon McElroy, No 3S Clark Street, 1862.
Leopold Mayer, southeast corner of Clark and Washington
streets, 1862-64.
Leopold Mayer & Co., No. 63 Clark Street, 1S64-67. Leo-
pold Mayer & Steiner, No. 46 Clark; 1868-71. After the lire. No.
48 LaSalle.
Meadowcroft Brothers, No. 22 Clark Street, 1862-69. No. 13
Clark Street, 1869-71.
Benjamin P. Morris, No. 102 Washington Street, 1862.
C. L. Niehoff & Co., No. 131 Randolph Street, 1S62-63. No.
8 Clark Street, 1863-71.
C. C Parks & Co., southwest corner of Lake and Dearborn
streets, 1862-63.
William B. Rogers, No. 36 Dearborn Street, 1S62-63.
Rutter, Endicott & Whitehouse, Clark and Lake streets, 1S60.
Buxton & Co., northeast Clark and Lake streets, 1862-63.
John B. Campbell, No. 55 Clark Street, 1862-63.
J. Young Scammon, No. 156 Lake Street, 1S62-68.
Snydacker & Co., Nos. 60 and 57 LaSalle Street, 1S62-71.
Solomon Sturges & Sons, Nos. 15-17 Wells Street, 1862-63.
Solomon Sturges' Sons, No. I Chamber of Commerce. 1864-67.
S. Wadsworth & Co , No 34 Clark Street. 1S62-63.
Wiley Brothers & Co., No 157 Randolph Street, 1S62-63.
Willard & Kean, No. 1 Clark Street, 1S62.
Preston, Willard & Kean, 1S63.
Caryl Young, No. 2'/i Clark Street, 1S62.
Marc & Ilectel, 1863.
G. W. Woods & Co., 1863.
Claussenius, Canda & Schnitzler, No. 4 South Clark Street.
H. Claussenius & Co., successors, 1866-71.
Cushman, Hardin & Bro., No. 37 Clark Street, and Cushman
& Hardin, No. S7 Dearborn Street, 1866-71.
loseph M. Lyons & Co., No. 36 Clark Street, [866-69.
William H. Mallony, No. 34 South Clark Street, 1806-67.
Scripps, Preston & Kean, No. 47 (Ink Street, [866-67 '• suc-
cessors, Lunt, Preston & Kean, No. 47 Clark Street. Removed,
after the fire, to quarters in West Side Masonic Temple, corner of
Randolph and Halsted streets.
A. ( >. Slaughter, No. 36 Dearborn Street, 1S66-71.
George C. Smith & Bro., No. 42 South Clark Street, 1866-71;
No. 92 LaSalle Street, 1S71.
Tyler, Ullman & Co., corner South Clark and Lake streets,
1S66-68 ; successors. Wren, Ullman & Co., corner Dearborn and
Lake streets, at time of fire.
Winslow & Christiansen, No. 49 LaSalle Street.
C. Follansbee & Sen, No. 50 Dearborn Street, 1S66-71; cor-
ner Clark and Dearborn streets, October, 1871.
Greenebaum & Foreman, No. 42 Clark Street. 1S66-71.
( Iranville C. Hammond. Dearborn and Clark streets, 1866-67.
Collins & Ullman, No 34 Clark Street, 186S-71.
Ferdinand S. Winslow, No. 49 LaSalle Street, and No. 2
South Clark Street, 1868-71.
Wilkins & Winslow, corner Clark and lake streets, 186S-69.
Ogden, Sheldon & Scudder, No. 162 Lake Street. 1S71
facob R. Shipherd & I )o., No. I ^ 5— I 5 7 LaSalle Street I 869-71.
Wilkins & Stone. No. 32 Clark Street. 18(0 69.
M. P. Stone & Co., corner Washington and Dearborn streets,
1 S 70-7 1.
Louis Sapieha, Union Building, No. [46 Washington Street.
1869-70.
Charles Kozminski & Co., Marine Bank Building. Lake Street
634
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
J. M. Adsit, the oldest banker in this city, and vice-president
of the Chicago National Bank, was born at Spencertown, Colum-
bia Co., X. Y., in the year 1S09. The date of his arrival in
Chicago was April 2, 1S3S, and he first established a private bank
at No, 37 Clark Street, in 1S50. Although he continued to follow
the career which he marked out so early, almost continuously for
thirty-five years, he was active in many public enterprises. Among
the institutions of former days in which he was much interested was
the Mechanics' Institute, of which he was the first vice-president. In
July, 1S56, Mr. Adsit removed his bank to No. 39 Clark Street,
where the great fire found him, and his early books and papers con-
nected with its affairs were lost. After the fire, he went to No. 422
Wabash Avenue, and established his business successively on
Wabash Avenue near Congress Street, and then in the Mason and
Ogden Buildings. His success was continuous, and he is to-day
among the substantial men of his profession in the city. In
January, 1SS2, Mr. Adsit became 'vice-president of the Chicago
National Bank, of which his son, J. M. Adsit, Jr., is the assistant
cashier. His other son, Charles C. Adsit, is connected with the
wholesale grocery establishment of Bannard, Lyman & Co.
Chandler & Co. — There has been established in Chicago for
many years a special branch of banking that pertains exclusively to
the buying and selling of real-estate mortgages, advancing money
thereon, investing deposits therein, and loaning the banks capital
on pledge of real estate only. The Mortgage Banking house of
Chandler & Co , was originally started in 1S5S by Peyton R. Chand-
ler, the senior member of the present house, who removed that year
from Vermont, where he had been engaged from early life in mer-
cantile pursuits and in promoting and managing the railroads of
the Connecticut Valley. His son Frank R. Chandler, now the
other member of the firm, came to Chicago in 1860, after two years
practical education in the Bank of Bellows Falls. He was for several
years with the old Marine Bank, with E. I. Tinkham's clearing
house for "Stump Tail" currency in War times, with Solomon
Sturges & Sons' bank, and the Third National Bank, all institutions
of this city long since defunct. The father was for many years
president of the Union Stock-Yard and Transit Company, and di-
rector in the Chicago and Alton Railroad Company and in the
Chamber of Commerce. The son was at one time secretary and
treasurer of the Chicago Dock Company. Coming to Chicago
after the crisis of 1S57, at a time when everything was depressed,
and after going through the greater crisis of 1S73 unscathed, their
views on real-estate values for money, loaning purposes have been
eminently conservative. Their clientage is among the Savings
Banks of New England and other wealthy corporations, including
private investors who hail from New York, Boston, London and
Paris. P. R. Chandler was born January 29, 1817, and F. R.
Chandler on October 2, 1840. They belong to the Illinois Asso-
ciation of the Sons of Vermont. F. R. Chandler married on Feb-
ruary 4. 1S6S, Anna S., daughter of Benjamin H. Buckingham, son
of Alvah Buckingham, who built and owned the first grain elevator
in Chicago. At this writing (18S5) the latest generation of this
Chandler family is represented by Alphonse Buckingham Chandler,
born at Florence, Italy, February 23, 1878.
C. L. Niehokf & Co. — The private banking house now con-
ducted under this name was established here in 1858, by C. L.
Niehoff, its present sole proprietor. His first place of business was
in the Metropolitan Block, corner of Randolph and LaSalle streets,
where he was associated with Messrs. N. Eisendrath and G. Sny-
dacker. In i860, he separated from this firm, and opened a bank-
ing office on his own account in the Sherman House, taking in as
a partner his brother-in-law, Gustavus Troost. This partnership,
under the firm name of C. L. Niehoff & Co., was continued for
seventeen years, until broken by the death of Mr. Troost, which
was in 1877. Shortly following this event, Adam Amberg became
a partner in the firm, the name and style of which was then, as
it now is, C. L. Niehoff & Co. Mr. Amberg remained a partner
until 1S84, when he retired from the business, which has since been
carried on by Mr. Niehoff, as its sole proprietor. At the time of
It lire, Mr. Niehoff's office was in the building adjoining
the old Marine Bank, where he was burned out, sustaining heavy
losses. Within a fortnight, however, after that event, he resumed
business on the West Side, in the loft of a brick building, situated
on the corner of Lake and Clinton streets. He remained there one
year, and then removed to Munger's Building, corner of Randolph
and LaSalle streets, and five years later to the corner of Washing-
ton Street and Fifth Avenue. In 1880, he moved to the Greene-
baum Building, and in 1884, to No. 49 LaSalle Street. Mr. Nie-
hoff is one of the oldest private bankers in Chicago, and also one of
its highly esteemed citizens. He is a native of Prussia, being born
in the town of Ochtrup, on March 24, 1824. His father, Bernard
Niehoff, was a merchant, and owned considerable real estate. His
son was given a liberal education, graduating, in 1842, from a
seminary for public teachers, at Langenhorst, Westphalia, a pro-
vince in Prussia. In 1845, having determined to try his fortunes
in the New World, he came to America, and located in Ohio, near
Cincinnati. There he followed school-teaching, until 1850, when
he came to Chicago, which has since been his home. For two
years he was engaged in teaching a parochial school in this city,
after which he embarked in the wholesale and retail grocery trade,
as a member of the firm of Niehoff Bros., doing business on the
corner of North Clark Street, near Chicago Avenue. He was thus
employed until 1858, when he founded the business of which he is
still the head. He married, in 1860, Miss Catharine Jaeger,
daughter of Joseph Jaeger, of this city.
Snydacker & Co. — In 1858, a banking and real-estate firm
was established in Chicago, with the title of Eisendrath & Co.,
which comprised Nathan Eisendrath, Conrad L. Niehoff and God-
frey Snydacker. In 1S61, Messrs. Eisendrath and Niehoff retired
from the firm, and Mr. Snydacker took in his brother Moses as a part-
ner, under the firm name of Snydacker & Co. The firm continued
until January, 1S80, when Moses Snydaker died, and his widow,
Mrs. Bertha Snydaker, became nominally a member of the firm,
represented by her son, Alfred M. Snydacker! The firm name has
remained the same since 1861, and has been known throughout its
long existence as one that has never had any financial difficulties;
that has been conservative in its operations; and that has always
stood upon so sound a financial basis as not to be obliged to ask
any forbearance, and that acted so uprightly as never to require
any pardon from a wronged client. Until 1S78, or perhaps 1S79,
the house used to do a small banking business, but in that year it
gave up the deposit transactions and gave its exclusive attention,
in fiduciary matters, to mortgage banking. Snydacker & Co.
handle a great deal of suburban real estate, as well as a large
quantity of their own property within the city limits The firm
do a large business in caring for the property and business inter-
ests of non-residents, and have a large number of clients in Eu-
rope, who justly repose the utmost confidence and trust in the dis-
cretion and care that Messrs. Snydacker & Co. evince for their
financial welfare.
Godfrey Snydacker was born in Westphalia, Germany, on
September 7, 1S25, where he received his early education. After
leaving school he followed the profession of teacher, soon occupy-
ing the position of preceptor in a prominent German institute. In
1S53, he emigrated to New York, and two months later to Chi-
cago, of which latter city he has been a resident since. He was
preacher of the " Kehilath Anshe Maarab" (Congregation of the
Men of the West), and was also teacher of a day school for three years
in connection therewith, which was the oldest Hebrew Congrega-
tion in Chicago. But, discerning that in a city having the vast
promise of Chicago, commercial life was that in which large for-
tunes were to be made, he entered the grocery business with his
brothers Moses and Louis Snydacker, under the firm name of Sny-
dacker Brothers. In 185S, the Sinai Congregation was formed,
and he at once became a prominent member of the organization,
subsequently being several times made its president. He has been
a member of the Hebrew Relief Association for twenty-five years,
and for many years was on its executive committee, and is also
one of the trustees and secretary of the association for the rearing
and educating of Jewish orphans. Mr. Snydacker was also ap-
pointed German consul here in 1858, and filled that position for
several years in the most satisfactory manner.
Leopold Mayer. — The present banking house of Leopold
Mayer was established in this city on October 15, 1S55, by Leopold
Mayer and O. R. W. Lull, a well-known attornev of this city,
under the firm name of Lull & Mayer, with their place of business
at No. 106 Randolph Street, up stairs. In 1S5S, they removed to
rooms in the Methodist Church Block, and three years later the
partnership was dissolved by Mr. Lull's retiring from the firm.
The latter died, in 1871, being at that time a resident of Winnetka,
HI. He was a man of sterling worth and integrity, possessing line
abilities, and was universally esteemed. An idea of the mutual
friendship and confidence existing between the partners, may be
gleaned from the following facts. When the partnership was
formed, Mr. Mayer was possessed of but little capital, and Mr.
Lull furnished the funds, through his influence with prominent
capitalists in the East, to whom he became personally responsible
for their re-payment. On his retirement from the firm, he left this
money in the hands of Mr. Mayer, taking and asking no other se-
curity than his personal note. It is almost needless to add, his
confidence was not misplaced. Mr. Lull was an early settler of
Chicago. As a lawyer, he was a useful and highly esteemed mem-
ber of the profession. He was elected city attorney, in 1S49, and,
in 1855-56, was chosen as one of the permanent trustees of the
Illinois Savings Institution, which was organized about that time.
In 1861, Mr. Mayer formed a partnership with Raphael Guthmann,
under the firm name of Leopold Mayer & Co., which continued
until April, 1865. He then carried on business alone for three
years, when he formed a partnership with Henry Steiner this con-
nection lasting until the time of the great fire. When that catas-
INSURANCE.
635
trophe occurred Mr. Mayer was located at No. 46 LaSalle Street,
and here he was burned out. losing almost every dollar he pos-
sessed in the world. All his books, papers and accounts were de-
stroyed, besides $10, 000 in legal tender currency, and a considerable
amount in stocks, bonds and other securities. This was, of course,
a terrible misfortune, but to a man of Mr. Mayer's energy, it was
only a greater stimulus to renewed exertion. Accordingly, in
March, 1S72, he resumed business at No. 169 LaSalle Street, in the
Nixon Block, and here, with his extended acquaintance and past
record for fair and upright business dealings, he soon, in a meas-
ure, recovered from his losses, and entered fairly upon a prosper-
ous financial career. In 1875* he removed to Xo. 163 Adams
Street, to a building which he had himself erected, where he
remained about five years. Finding, however, that this location
was too far out of the business center of the city, in 1S80, he re-
moved to No. 7S LaSalle Street. lie now has associated with him
his son, Nathaniel A. Mayer, a young man reared and educated in
this city, and possessing fine business qualifications.
Leopold Mayer is a native of Germany, born in Abenheim,
near Worms, in the Grand Duchy of Hesse, March 3, 1827. He is
the son of Aaron Mayer. He was given an excellent education at
the Catholic Seminary in Bensheim, Hesse, fitting him for the pro-
fession of a teacher, which vocation he followed for four years in
that country, after completing his collegiate course. In 1S50, he
came to this country, locating during the same year in Chicago,
which has since been his home. His first work here was also as a
teacher, giving private lessons in German and Hebrew, and in
1853, when the Garden City Institute was established, he became
the professor of those languages in that institution, filling this po-
sition with marked ability until 1S55, when he, in company with
Mr. Lull, established himself in the banking business. Mr. Mayer
married, in 1S53. Miss Regina Schulz, daughter of Samuel Schulz,
of Germany. They have seven children — Nancy, now the wife of
Arnold Wolff, of this city; Nathaniel 'A., in business with his
father ; Rosa, married to Simon Klein ; Grace Aguilar, married to
Charles Vondorf ; Amelia, Ida and Flora.
Charles Kozminski & Company started in the banking busi-
ness in Chicago in 1S70, Charles Kozminski and Herman Felsen-
thal comprising the firm, and with offices in the Marine Bank
Building, on Lake Street. Having been burned out in the great
fire, they re-established their business on Canal Street, then re-
moved to West Washington Street, where Michael Felsenthal was
taken into the partnership; and, in 1872, again removed to the
Staats Zeitung Building, directly opposite their present office. In
1S75, Michael Felsenthal retired from the firm, which dissolved
nine years later. January 1, 1S85, the firm name was changed to
its present form, a real-estate and ocean steamship agency business
being done by the members. Until 1SS4. the firm had the
of the Hamburg-American Packet Company, but now it manage!
the direct Hamburg line and tin- Navigatione Generate Italiana
with control of all agents from Chicago to the Pacifi.
Charles Kozminski, the founder of the firm, was born near
Breslau, Silesia, in 1 S37. lie was educated in his native district,
and, at the age of sixteen entered the employ ol Goodman -V Co.,
in the grain commission business, in the capacity of cashier. After
following this vocation for two years, Mr. Kozminski .
America, engaging in Corning, X. Y., in the clothing line, and
remaining there until 1S56, in that and the general store business.
In the latter year, he came to Chicago with his employer; after-
ward lie started a grocery store at the corner of Wells and Monroe
streets. In 1S64, he transferred his capital to the dry-goods trade,
abandoning mercantile pursuits five years later to organize the
banking firm of Felsenthal & Kozminski, which was in existence
until January I, 1S84, when'the firm dissolved. Mr. Kozminski
then organized the present business under the firm name of Charles
Kozminski & Co. He occupies a high social position, and has
filled numerous offices of honor and trust, lie was t ho president
of the first German Republican organization started in Chicago,
called the Washington Club, and was elected president of the
B'nai B'rith, an office controlling the lodges of Illinois and six
other States. He is also Chicago trustee of the Cleveland < irphan
Asylum. He was, also, president of the Relief Assembly. At the
great fire, Mr. Kozminski worked in connection with Mr. Tims-
dale, the superintendent of the Chicago Relief and Aid Society.
Mr. Kozsminski has celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary ol Ins
marriage to Miss Bertha Bergman. They have had \'\\e children,
all of whom are dead, except Maurice, now a member of the firm.
Maurice Kozminski, with the banking firm and steamship
agency of Charles Kozminski & Co.. was born in iSb3, in Chicago,
in the building at the corner of Wells and Monroe streets, where
his father laid the foundation of a successful business career several
years previously. He was educated in the public schools of this
city, attending one of the oldest of these institutions, until he
graduated to the High School. Being the only survivor of five
children, the demands of his father's business required his services,
and, at the age of sixteen, on June 16, 1S79, he entered the offices
of the firm, then located at 170 Washington Street. Shortly after-
ward, Mr. Kozminski made a trip to Europe, visi'ing his father's
native town of Breslau, Silesia, and there met Mr. Goodman, a
prominent operator on the Bourse, in whose employ his father acted
as cashier in 1853. He then perfected his practical experience in
the office by a thorough course in a first-class commercial college,
and is now a valued and enterprising factor of one of the oldest
steamship agency firms in Chicago.
INSURANCE.
With the exception of the commerce of this city,
there is possibly no interest which has had so vital a
connection with her welfare as insurance. Although it
was many years before the practice of underwriting
became general among the merchants, shippers and
residents, yet the custom at last obtained a firm foot-
hold, and, at the time of the conflagration of 187 1, the
residents of the city and those having destructible
interests here, were very generally insured. And it was
immediately subsequent to the fire of October 9, 187 1,
that the vitality of the insurance interests to those of
the city was developed, not alone in the re-imburse-
ment of the losses, but also in the leniency of some of
the great Eastern companies who were heavy creditors
of our scorched merchants.
Even as the payment of risks, matured and rendered
payable by the fire, rejuvenated numbers of citizens
who were losers by the fire, so the failure of other
companies proved fatal to other sufferers by their
insolvency. Hence it would seem, that of all places in
the world where a "sick child " of an insurance com-
pany could exist, Chicago would be the poorest place.
That this supposition is directly antagonized to the fact
it is unnecessary to state.
The first company to establish an agency in this
city was The Howard Insurance Company, of New
York, which appointed Gurdon S. Hubbard its agent in
September, 1 836, and the first policy issued was one to
Mr. Hubbard on his household goods * In this year
also The Chicago Marine and Fire Insurance Company
was chartered, the date of the charter being January
13 (vide Vol. 1). Other early agents, the precise date
of whose appointment is unknown, were David 1 [unter
and Elijah K. Hubbard. In 1837, Julius Wadsworth
was appointed agent of the Hartford Insurance Com-
pany, of Hartford, Conn., and that company has been
continuously represented in this city since that date.
On March 2, 1S39, the Illinois Insurance Company,
of Chicago, was chartered, and on February 26, 1S41.
The Phcenix Insurance Company, of Chicago, received
a charter, f
THERON Pakdf.f. was born on July Is. 1S17. in Herkimer
County, X. V., and cam. to Chicago in 1841, at the age of twenty-
four years. From 1S41 to 1S52. he was engaged in the -rain-trade,
warehousing and shipping, and while so engaged built the first ele-
vator in Chicago, which was operated by horse-power and a tread-
mill, and had a capacity ol about forty thousand bushels. In [842,
also, he was appointed agent for the Xorth-Weslern Insurance
* It is narrated that Mr. Hubbard was appointed agent for tl
Insurant.- C.iinpanv. .'! Hartford, Conn., in i |.. .11. 1 in that year wrote the
first policy in Chicago, or Cook i u 111., wasan agent at that time, he
must have been a sub-agent to some agency elsewhere.
+ It is nee.-ss.irv. an. I I o~t . I., a. kii..\vl./.ly;c the valuable and V01U
data furnish.-.l by C. E. Rollins, personally and by Ins article on In
The Argus for Novi mber, i88s.
6;6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Company, of Oswego, New York, for which company he wrote
marine risks, thus being one of the earliest, if not the earliest, of
Chicago's Marine Underwriters, Mr. Pardee does not remember
having taken any life or fire risks during these days of primitive
Chicago and primitive insurance — in which business he remained
however for but a few years, retiring therefrom about 1S50. When
Mr. Pardee came to Chicago he came to act as agent for the line of
Troy and Oswego propellers, and was thus the first propeller agent
here. The "Vandalia" belonged to this line and was the first built on
the Lakes. Mr. Pardee severed his connection with the propeller
agency in 1S49. In 1S4S and 1S49, he was desultorily engaged
in the building of reapers, being then also one of the firm of
McCormick, Ogden & Co. About 1853, he left Chicago and was
engaged in banking at Bloomington, Illinois, being one of the stock-
holders and the cashier of the McLean County bank and, in 1S64,
returned to Chicago, where he has since resided, although he has
not been actively engaged in business. Pie was married in Rock
Countv. Wisconsin, in 1S45, to Elizabeth Lupton, and has three
sons— Rev. Luther Pardee, of Calvary Episcopal Church; Frank
Pardee and Harry T. Pardee.
In 1842. R. C. Bristol became the agent of the Pro-
tection Fire Insurance Company, of Hartford, Conn.;
which company subsequently appointed Gurdon S.
Hubbard its agent. He took Charles H. Hunt, formerly
his clerk, into partnership with him, under the firm name
Hubbard & Hunt, in February, 1859. This firm existed
until March, 1867, when it became Hunt & Goodwin
Jonathan , which was changed to Goodwin & Pasco
Henry L.) on July 1, 1S70, Charles H. Hunt having
died in that year, and thus dissolved the firm. In Octo-
ber, 1874, Jonathan Goodwin was the sole agent, and
Mr. Pasco died in 1882.* An anecdote concerning
this company may be inserted here:
On October 11, 187 1, E. J. Bassett arrived in the
city to adjust the losses of the company, and, with E. P.
Dorr, went to the office of the Tribune to write an
advertisement stating that the general agent of the
company was here for that purpose. He wrote a lengthy
screed on a pine shingle and handed it to Horace White,
who asked; "What is all that advertisement about?"
"The .Etna is going to pay dollar for dollar," replied
Mr. Goodwin. " Well then say so," said Mr. White; and
the periphrastic advertisement was condensed to that
simple statement.
About 1842, George W Dole also wrote policies for
some companies unknown.
In 1844, as stated in the directory for that year,
the insurance agents were Julius Wadsworth, R. C.
Bristol, Theron Pardee (the representative of the first
marine insurance company in this city, the North-
western, of Oswego, New Yorkf), George Smith &
Co., Gurdon S. Hubbard, J. 15. F. Russell, S. B.
Collins & Co., Augustus Garrett, J. T. Whiting, Benja-
min VV. Raymond and M. M. Hayden. The last named
gentleman was the agent of the Mississippi Marine &
Pire Insurance Association, which is surmised to have
been one of those institutions, under cover of whose
charter as an insurance company, " wild-cat " banking
was carried on.
In 1843, David Humphreys was appointed agent of
the Buffalo Marine Insurance Company. As contem-
poraneous information of business done by insurance
companies, the following extract from Mr. Rollin's
article will be read with interest:
" In i-jt- B. W. Raymond was appointed agent of the Con-
(ributionship, which company he represented till 1840; during that
time the premiums received by the company amounted to $942. In
September, 1846 Mr. Raymond was agent of the Howard ol New
York, continuing to represent it until 1850; the premiums taken in
at that time amounted to $6,326. In the same year I"- was agent
also of the Mutual Safety, resigning in 1848. The receipts ol this
•Th<: :\ 11 ' ' i-.. !. 'i b tli< ho Bii - .
t G Cliicaj ' ii' i "I tli- Wiscon-
sin Fire ft Marine Insurant ■ . ■ • ected upon the old char-
ier of the Chicago Marine ft Fin 1 ipany. See vol. 1, pp. 532-33,
company for the two years amounted to $3,81)6. P'rom 184610
1847, Mr. Raymond represented the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance
Company, of New Jersey. In 1S49, he was also agent for the
Lexington Fire, Life and Marine Insurance Company, of Lexington
Ky., which had at that time a paid-up capital of $269,000. In
1S50, Mr. Raymond retired from insurance to take charge of sev-
eral railroad interests."
In 1845, the list of agents given as of 1844 was
augmented by I. H. Burch, Garrett & Seaman, and the
firm of Wadsworth, Dyer & Chapin, comprising E. S.
Wadsworth, Thomas Dyer* and John P. Chapin. The
Mutual Life, of New York, was first represented by
John C. Dodge in this year.
Charles II. Ferguson, agent of the Mutual Life Insurance
Company of New York, has been connected with the agency in
Chicago since June, 1S76. In 1873, he was appointed genera]
western agent for the Oswego and Onondaga P'ire Insurance com-
panies, prior to which he had been in the district agency of the
Mutual Life, since 1S67, with L. C. Mann & Co., at Auburn, N. Y.
Prominent among the names of the trustees of the company Mr.
Ferguson at present represents, was that of General Anson Stager of
Chicago, and conspicuous among the names of the directors was uiat
of F. S. Winston, who was president of the company from 1853,
when it had but $2,000 000 of cash assets, until 1884, when its cash
assets were over $100,000,000. The following exhibit of the risks
paid by the Mutual Life in this city, during the past four years,
sufficiently testifies to the stability of the company ;
1S80 — Death losses $214,032 58
Endowments 25,364 13
— $239,396 71
1881 — Death losses _. $159,452 94
Endowments _ 37,624 95
- 197.077 89
1882 — Death losses $115,513 15
Endowments 45,916 65
161,429 80
1883— Death losses $7S,434 32
Endowments - 47,266 95
125,701 27
Total.... $723,605 67
Average per year. iSo.goi 42
In 1846, the Mutual Benefit Life, of Newark, N. J.,
first appointed an agent (B. W. Raymond) in this city.
In December, 1847, the Connecticut Mutual Life
Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn., appointed its
first agent in this city, S. N. Stebbins. The first policy
issued, was on the life of Charles H. Quinlan, in that
month and year.
In the directory for 1848, there only appear the
names of the following agents: John C. Dodge, insur-
ance and canal agent: Julius White, Zebina Eastman,
J. B. F. Russell and T. S. Morgan.
Julius White first came to Chicago in 1S36, but did not do
business here until 1S4S, when he engaged in the insurance busi-
ness, and became very prominent in that fraternity, being presi-
dent of the Chicago Board of Underwriters in 1854. In 1S54, he
compiled a system for estimating exterior fire-hazards, embodying
diagrams and classifications of risks, that became to some extent a
standard for reference by the guild. He was engaged in fire insur-
ance from 1850 to 1861, and in the life and accident branch from
1864 to 1S72, during which latter year, he discontinued insurance,
and went into the real-estate business.
On February 12, 1849, the Chicago Savings and In-
surance Company was chartered; presumably identical
with the Chicago Temperance Saving Association,
noticed in vol. 1, on page 535. During this year also the
necessity for combined action relative to classification
of risks, amount of insurance thereupon, and general
business comity led to the establishment of a Hoard of
Underwriters. The following is an excerpt from The
Argus, to which paper it was furnished by Thomas
Buckley, an old Chicago underwriter:
Chicago, 3d December, /cvy<;
\i .1 meeting of the Hoard of Underwriters of Chicago, it was
Resolved, Thai the annexed Rules and Regulations be
INSURANCE.
637
adopted, and that the General Rules laid down at the convention in
New York, in September last, be acknowledged tor their guidance,
Geo. W. Dole, President.
John C. Dodge, Secretary.
GENERAL RULES,
i. In all cases where the rates are not specific, where wooden
buildings adjoin blank walls of brick buildings, ten cents additional
to be charged on each wall so adjoined. When there are openings
in the wall, such additional charge to be made as will equal the
hazard therefrom.
2. Lease-hold interests shall not be covered to exceed three-
fourths of their actual cash value, and a statement of the precise
nature of such interest shall be required of applicants in all cases.
3. No agent shall surrender the regular fee for policies, nor
offer any pecuniary inducement to obtain business, and the fee for
the policies shall not be less than $1.
4. A meeting of the agents shall be held at least once a month
for the purpose of consultation and agreement in the matters of the
business of their respective agencies, of furnishing each to the
other memoranda of the risks of each expiring within the month
next ensuing, with the rate of premium now charged, as well as
the rate proposed to be charged under the new tariff ; to concert
measures for the detection and conviction of incendiaries; and to do
such other things as will add to the safety of their operation and
secure harmonious action among themselves.
5. In all cases where the rates are not fixed by the following
tariff, and one not provided for by agreement between the agents
themselves, reference shall be had to the foregoing rules and to the
tariff and regulations adopted by the convention held in the city of
New York, in September, 1S49; and in all cases where local rates
have not been acted upon, it shall be the duty of agent to fix the
same to correspond as nearly as may be to the following tariff
Rates in all cases stated at the minimum and when rislvs
are taken for less than a year, the tabular rates appended to be
adopted.
The special tariff of rates ran from three-fourths
of one per cent, to five per cent., and gave a partic-
ular rate for each on the streets embraced in the
territory for which rates were made. This was the
first effort to fix any definite standard whereby all
agents should classify and write the risks taken.
In 1S50, the following agents are specified in
the directory for that Year : (Philip) Thurber &
(Paul B.) Ring, J. B. F. Russell, T. D. Woollev,
J. F. Rogers, H. W. Clarke, O. R. Lull, Tulius
White, George W. Dole, C. N. Holden, R. C
Bristol, G. W. Gardner, Theron Pardee, Benjamin
W. Raymond, John C. Dodge, T. W. YVadsworth.
David Humphreys, Gurdon S. Hubbard, H. Wheel-
er, J. H. Reed, George Smith, J. Breck, Jr., and D.
O. Bradley. The companies doing business in this
city at that time were — Atlantic Mutual, Astor,
Sun, New York, Mercantile, Mutual Life, Howard,
Protection, North-Western, and Health, of New
York; Merchants' Mutual and Wisconsin Marine
and Fire, of Milwaukee; Chicago Marine and Fire.
Illinois Mutual, and Jackson County Mutual, of
Illinois ; Ohio and Columbus, of Columbus, O.;
yEtna, Protection, Hartford, and Connecticut
Mutual Life, of Hartford, Conn.; New England
Life and Union, of Boston, Mass. ; Mutual Fire.
of Trenton, N. J.; and Knox, of Yincennes, Ind.
On January 28, 185 1, the Chicago Marine In-
surance Company was incorporated, and W. B.
Lounsbury entered the fraternity as agent for the
Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company,
the first represented in this city.
In 1S52, the Chicago Mutual Insurance Com-
pany was incorporated on June 19, and a local
agency was established by the Massachusetts
Mutual Life Insurance Company, with Harvey Danks
as local agent.
The Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company,
of Springfield, Mass., established their general agency in Chicago,
on January 2, 1S55, with J. 1'. I'.rooks as general agent, this com-
pany being the first to locate a general western agency in the State.
Senile idea of tin- magnitude of its business and the successful
ministration of 1 lii -. companj can be gleaned from the follow
financial exhibit :
It has paid t" policy-holders or their representatives:
Premiums received $19,427,207
For death claims 6,189,179
For endowment claims 920,890
For dividends ...- 3,343,496
For surrendered and canceled policies 2,562,380
Total $13,015,94;
And has on hand December 31, 1SS3, ex-
clusive of premiums deferred and in course
of collection, assets, the property of the
policy-holders... 7,451,407
Total ... $20,467,352
Balance over premiums received.. $ 1,040,145
That is to say, the interest earnings and profits, of the invest-
ments made with the policy-holders' money, have paid all the run-
ning expenses of the company and put more than a million dollars
in its treasury besides. The assets of the company on January 1,
1554, were $7,588,727.32, and the surplus $813,342.92. Among
the agents have been J. P. Brooks, Hon. R. W. Dunham, lion.
George R. Davis, E. P. Roberts and W. E. Poulson. general
agents, and Percy W. Palmer, financial agent.
William E. Poulson was born in Portsmouth, \'a., on July
12, 1844, the son of George Oldham, and Martha A. (Spooner)
Poulson. He received his early education in the public schools of
Washington, D. C, and therewith made such progress that, in
1555, he received a diploma from the Smithsonian Institute for pro
ficiency in English studies, an honor which many older boys failed
to attain. In 1S56, he entered Virginia Collegiate Institute, and
graduated therefrom in 1S60. In 1S62, he went to Charlotte, North
Carolina, in the Naval Engineer Department of the Confederate
service, and .after remaining there for a few months, went to Rich-
mond and was attached to the Ordnance Department of the Rich-
mond Arsenal, where he spent two years, and, in 1864, was with
" Wise's Legion " — composed of the brigade of Henry A. Wise —
passing most of his time at Chapin's Farm, where the brigade was
stationed. At the conclusion of the War he commenced the study
6.?S
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
of law at Norfolk, Va., remaining there until 1S66, when he went
to Baltimore, Md. In March, 1S67, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio,
to accept a more remunerative position. In 1S6S, he went to Nash-
ville, Term., and started in business on his own account, selling
petroleum apparatus; but the venture not proving successful, in
consequence of the monetary depression prevailing in that State, he
sold out his interests and returned to Cincinnati. He remained
there but a short time however, and, in October, 1S6S, migrated to
RUINS, ENTRANCE OF REPUBLIC LIFE BUILDING.
Chicago. He intended upon his arrival in this city to practice law,
but he changed his plans and embarked in the life insurance busi-
ness with the Life Association of America, of St Louis, and in 1869
he was employed for one year by that Association in establishing a
Board of Trustees of the State of Illinois, comprising one hundred
members at $10,000 per capita. In 1870, on the organization of
the Republic Life of Chicago, he was appointed general agent of
the Home Department. The United States Biographical Diction-
ary thus speaks of this epoch in Mr. Poulson's life : " There was
a strong opposition, and it was with extreme difficulty and the ex-
ercise of his utmost energy that he succeeded in establishing the
home business of the company. His work, however, proved unus-
ually successful, and he did a large and satisfactory business, and
affairs were most promising when the great fire of October 9, 1871,
left him where he started, with but about ten dollars in his pocket, a
single suit of clothes, and being engaged to be married on the 16th
of the month. The misfortune would have disheartened many, but,
undaunted, he pursued his purpose, and was married on the ap-
pointed day, in the midst of ruin, and with a brave heart began
life again. Business was soon resumed, but little was accomplished
until the following March, when the company's building was re-
built and occupied. From this time his success has been uninter-
rupted, and, considering the unfavorable circumstances attending
his beginning, we may say unprecedented. In 1873, the Republic,
through its president, Mr. J. V. Farwell, presented him with a
valuable hunting-case gold watch, lor having done for the company
the largest individual business of any agent in the United States."
In 1874, he w.-i- general agent of the National Life Insur-
mpany of the United Slates, and afterward was appointed
agent of the M Benefit, of New Jersey, and, in 1S80, was ap-
pointed to his pri on, as general agent of the Massachusetts
Mutual Life lr, trance I ompany. William E, I'oulson is also a
prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Wauban-
sia Lodge, No. 160, A.I'. & A.M.; La layette Chapter, No. 2,
R.A.M., of which chapter he was High I'riest in 1882-83 • 1'alens-
R. & S.M., of which he was T.I.M. in
.. and it. the Grand Council of the State he is Deputy Grand
Masterof Illinois and isalsothe deputy of the district; and a member
of Apollo Commandery, No. 1, K.T. In the Scottish kite he was
S.P.G.M. of Chicago Council Princes of Jerusalem in 1882-83, and
has been Grand M. of C. of Oriental Consistory, S P.R.S., 32°, in
1882-S3-84; and on September 23, 1884, was created Sovereign
Grand Inspector General, 33°, of the Northern Jurisdiction of the
United States.
E. P. Roberts is a native of Addison County, Vermont, and
has been engaged in life-insurance business since the year 186S.
His primary association with the profession was with the Mutual
Life, of New York, which company he represented as
local agent for two years. In 1870, he was appointed
general agent of the Equitable Life Association, for the
State'of Vermont and from 1871 to 1875, he was mana-
ger, for the same company, of the territory embracing
Northern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and
Maine. From 1875 to 1877, he was manager for the
State of Ohio of the affairs of the Equitable Life, but,-
in 1877, accepted the appointment of special traveling
agent for the New York Life Insurance Company, with
which company he remained. until July 15, 1S79, "hen he
came to Chicago and accepted the position he at present
occupies. The long experience of Mr. Roberts, his cour-
tesy and affability, peculiarly qualified him for the posi-
tion he occupies, and the increase of the business, year
by year, since he has had the agency of the affairs, testi-
fies to the success of his administration and the conserva-
tive character of his transactions — the key-note of success
in the insurance business.
On April g, 1852, Edwin C. Larned delivered
a lecture on the subject of fire and life insur-
ance before the Chicago Commercial College,
and which was subsequently published in pam-
phlet form.
On February io, 1853, the Western Marine
and Fire Insurance Company, of Chicago, and
the Mutual Security, of Chicago, were incor-
porated, and the Continental, and Home Insur-
ance companies, of New York, were first repre-
sented here in that year — the former by C. N.
Holden and the latter by H. B. Willmarth.
The Home Insurance Company, of New
York, was organized in April, 1853. It commenced
business April 13, 1853, and first established an agency
in Chicago, in the same year* with H. B. Willmarth
as agent. From the issue of the first policy, the com-
pany has had an increasing, first-class business, although the
arge augmentation in the company's business did not occur untill
General Arthur C. Ducat was appointed in 1866. From that date
until the present, the record of the Home has been one of the most
comprehensive success — success that was rendered greater by the
losses the company incurred in the fire of 187 1, which were on
seven hundred and ten policies, $3,150,586.07, six hundred thou-
sand dollars of which was covered by re-insurance in solvent com-
panies. The amount of their loss was paid in full to the Chicago
policy-holders, without a single note or mortgage of the company's
assets being called in to furnish any funds to meet it. The cheer-
ful alacrity displayed in the settlement of these claims, the patient
and painstaking assistance rendered in their adjustment where
policies had been destroyed by the fire, and the liberality of the ad-
justers, made a record that has been a source of continued revenue
to the company since 1871. Of the steady and healthy growth of
this company, it is only necessary to state that, in 1S53, the capital
was $500,000; receipts, $190,442.11; expenditures, $43,370.78;
assets, $7,492,751.11 ; net surplus, $1,667,240.07 ; andtheamount
of premiums received in thirty years was $57,204,108.31, and the
total of losses paid in the same period, $34,760,260.04. The local
representation of the company at Chicago, since 1S73, has been by
the firm of Ducat & Lyon, comprising General Ducat* and George
M. Lyon, who are also managers of the Western Department of
the company, having jurisdiction over thirteen States and all West-
ern Territories to the Rocky Mountains.
George M. Lyon, of the insurance firm of Ducat & Lyon,
managers of the Home Insurance Company of New York, was
born in Bedford, Penn., May 18, 1841. In 1859, he took his first
step of introduction to his long and successful insurance career, by
going to New York and connecting himself with the home office
as junior clerk. F'rom this position he was promoted to be supply
clerk, and later to one of the examiners of agency business. In
1867, he was appointed assistant secretary of the company, to suc-
ceed the present secretary, J. II. Washburn, his headquarters being
still in New York. During the hard times occasioned by the Chi-
cago and Boston fires, a great portion of the burden of the agency
business fell upon his shoulders. In October, 1873, Mr. Lyon
* See Military History.
INSURANCE.
639
removed to Chicago, and formed a partnership with Arthur C.
Ducat in the local insurance business and in the management of
the Western Department of the Home Insurance Company. The
firm is undoubtedly one of the strongest and most prosperous in
the West.
The Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Com-
pany first had an agency in Chicago in 1S53, when John II. Kinzie
was its agent. He was succeeded in 1S61 by Iligginson & James,
who retained the agency for some time, under the Slew York direc-
torship In 1866. the Chicago office was made a general agency, and
William Warren was appointed general agent. At the time of the
Chicago fire, a telegram was received on Tuesday, October 11, from
the main office : " Draw, at sight, and subscribe $10,000 to the suf-
ferers." The losses, paid by this company, consequent upon the fire,
were $3,270,000. In 1S75, the Chicago office was made an inde-
pendent center, and Mr. Warren was made resident secretary — the
office and official having remained the same since that date. The
income of the company, during 1883, was $3,605,840.98, and the
Chicago directors are John Crerar, of Crerar, Adams & Co.; Levi
Z. Leiter, late of Field, Leiter & Co.; and Ezra J. Warner, of
Sprague, Warner & Co.
In the Directory for 1854, the following insurance
agents are designated : John C. Dodge, J. Drake, E. P.
Fisher, L. C. Hall, J. B. Henshaw, C. N. Holden, Hub-
bard & Hunt, J. S. Hulbert, Ring & Smith, Wadsworth
& Lounsbury and Julius White ; but this list is errone-
ous and imperfect. In 1854, a table of rates was form-
ulated and published in book form, presumptively the
first compilation of this nature promulgated in this
manner. The schedules were acceded to by the follow-
ing formula and signatures :
" Chicago, October 6, '854.
" The undersigned do hereby assent to the foregoing tariff of
rates, classification of hazards and general rules for the prosecution
of the business of fire insurance in Chicago, and pledge themselves
to abide by the same in all cases.
" Julius White, for the Northwestern Insurance Company.
T. W. Wadsworth, for the Atlantic, Connecticut Fire and Wash-
ington Insurance companies. B. W. Raymond, for the Howard
Insurance Company, New York. T. F. Phillips, for the Howard
Insurance Company, and I.aFarge Company, New York. John 11.
Kinzie, for Liverpool and London Fire and Life Insurance Com-
pany. L. C. Hall, for Equitable Insurance Company, of Lon-
don ; New York City and Granite Insurance companies, of New
York ; State Mutual Insurance Company, of Harrisburg, and Me-
tropolitan Insurance Company, of New York. C. N. Holden, for
Continental Insurance Company, of New York ; Monarch Insur-
ance Company, of London and New York, and Star Fire and
Marine Insurance Company, of Ogdensburg, New York. G. S
Hubbard, Agent /Etna Insurance Company, Hartford, Conn.
Hubbard & Hunt, Agents Provincial Insurance Company, and
British American Assurance Company, of Toronto, Canada. H. B.
Willmarth, Agent Home Insurance Company, of New York.
C. Runyon, Agent City Insurance Company, Cleveland. E. H.
Ring, Secretary Chicago Mutual Insurance Company. E. H.
Ring, Agent Lorillard and New Amsterdam Fire Insurance com-
panies, New York City, and Roger Williams Insurance Company,
Providence, R. I. W. B. Lounsbury, Agent Springfield Fire
and Marine Insurance Company, Springfield, Mass. ; Western
Massachusetts Insurance Company, Pittsfield, Mass. ; Phcenix In-
surance Company, Hartford, Conn., and City Fire Insurance
Company, Hartford, Conn. H. S. Hudson, Agent Bridgeport
Fire and Marine Insurance Company, Bridgeport, Conn. Wil-
liam A. Groves, Agent Albany Insurance Company, Albany, N.
Y. ; Atlantic Insurance Company, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Montgomery
Insurance Company, Canajoharie, N. Y. ; New York Indemnity
Insurance Company, Broadalbin, N. Y., and North America In-
surance Company, Brasher Falls, N. Y. Barr & Evans, Agents
North Western Insurance Company, of Philadelphia. Crow &
Smith, Agents Summit Insurance Company, of Akron, Ohio ;
Knickerbocker, Waterford, N. Y., and Rensselaer, of Lansing-
burg, N. Y. C. P. Kellogg, Agent Farmer's Union Insurance
Company, of Athens, Penn. "Julius White,
" President of the Chicago Board of Underwriters.
" W. B. Lounsbury. Secretary"
The following table gives the number of insurance
agents doing business, and the number of insurance
companies represented by them, in this city, during
various years; the authority for such table being the
,J - ._ , rr»i • 11 1, «. cm cms amount actuaii) 5^0,000 w
directories for the years specified. 1 his syllabus is not suming the management of the agency
cieemed statistically accurate, but will serve as an
approximation of the actual figures :
1S54-5 — -Insurance agents, 10, companies represented 42.
1855-6 — Agents, 24, companies, 44. 1856-7 — Agents, 31, compa-
nies, 46. 1858 — Agents, 29, companies, not given. 1859 — Agents,
2S; companies, fire and marine, 74; life, 16. i860 — Agents. 27;
companies, nut given. 1S61 — Agents, 32; broker, 1; companies,
fire and marine, 40; life, 7. 1862 — Agents, 37, companies, lire
and marine, 43; life, 10. 1863 — Agents, 44; companies, lire and
marine, 61; life, 16. 1S64 — Agents, 2S; companies, fire and ma-
rine, 52; life, 7. 1865 — Agents, 44, companies, lire ami marine.
84; life, 2S. 1866 — Agents, 67; companies, accident, 8; fire and
marine, 97; life, 40. 1867 — Agents, 90; companies, accident, i";
fire and marine, 104; life, 54; live stock, 3. 1868 — Agents, 93;
companies, boiler, 1; fire and marine, 28; life, 52; live stock, 4;
fire, 65. 1869 — Agents, 64; companies, fire, 61; fire and marine,
16; life, 42; marine, I. 1S70 — Agents, 100; brokers, 3; companies,
fire, 70; fire and marine, 26; life, 71; boiler, 1; marine, 2; plate
glass, 1; accident, 2 1871 — Agents, 102; brokers, 5; companies,
fire, 80; fire and marine, 21; life, 66; boiler, 1; marine, 3; plate
glass, 1; accident, 1.
The United States Lite Insurance Company, of New
York, was first represented by a Chicago agency in 1855. Since
that initial representation its growth has been steady and progres-
sive, but it was not until the appointment of the present man iger,
Thomas J. Finney, on January 1, 1883, that the enormous growth
of this company's Chicago business commenced. That the com
pany made a judicious selection of their choice of the gentleman
who should conserve their interests, the following figures will
testify: December 31, 1882 — Policies written during the year,
twenty-three, amounting to $71,000.* December 31, 18S3 — Poli-
cies written during the year, one hundred and ninety-one, amount-
ing to $800,000. The augmentation of business one thousand per
centum is certainly a flattering testimonial to the efficiency of the
present manager. The company is an old and reliable one, and its
general interests have not stood still while the manager of its Chi-
cago department has been increasing the business of his office, as
the following comparison of its business for two years will exhibit :
1882. 1883.
New Insurance written $2,800,000 00 $5,231,000 co
Assets .- 5,116,81446 5,268,2124s
Payments to policy-holders 459,679 46 475, 923 98
On February 14, 1855, the Mercantile, Chicago City
and Chicago Firemen's Insurance companies were in-
corporated, and, on February 14, the Garden City was
chartered, all being home organizations. The Phenix
Insurance Company, of Brooklyn, N. Y., established an
agency in this city during this year, and made L. C. Hall,
agent.
Thomas R. Burcii is general western agent for the Phenix
Insurance Company of Brooklyn, N. Y. His experience in the
business commenced in the home office of that company, in New-
York in 1S64, where he gained that experience of the general in-
surance business and that introspection into the details of the espe-
cial business of the company that have fitted him for the responsi-
ble place he at present occupies. In 1874, he was appointed to
the position of general agent for the West and South, and came to
this city and established the office; since which time he has amply
demonstrated the good judgment of the company in his selection,
bylthe conservation of its business and the growth it has had under
his management. The amount of losses paid by this company
consequent upon the Chicago fire of 1871, were $4! 7.759-59. and
were paid in full, the first loss having been paid on October 12,
1S71, which was the first that was paid in the city after the lire.
The assets of the company on January 1, 1SS4, were $3,759.°35-98.
and its net surplus, $686,160.04. This agency does the largest
western business of any company represented in the \\ est.
In this year, also, the Phoenix Mutual, of Hartford,
Conn., established an agency in this city, with G. S.
Hubbard as agent.
In 1856, the second local board of underwriters was
constituted, of which Gurdon S. Hubbard was presi-
dent, and J. Kearney Rodgers, secretary and surveyor.
The members of the Board were G. S. Hubbard, J. R.
Rodgers, H. B. Willmarth, T. L. Miller, T. W. Wads-
worth, C. N. Holden, Julius White, W. IS. Lounsbury,
L. D. Olmsted, R. F. Mason, S. T. Atwater, John H.
z taken by Mr. Kinney j'ust before as-
640
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Kinzie and L C. Hall. The following advertisement
was inserted in the Directory for 1856 by this board :
CHICAGO BOARD OF UNDERWRITERS.
1S56.
J. Kearney Rodgers, Secretary and Surveyor.
No. 1 Clark St., n. w. cor. S. Water St.
Tariff of rates for fin insurance periods of less than one year:
1 month 2-ioths of annual rate.
2 months 3-ioths " "
3 " 4-ioths " "
4 " 5-ioths " "
5 " 6-ioths
6 " 7-ioths " "
7 " 3-4ths
S " S-ioths " "
g " 17-aoths " "
10 " g-ioths " "
11 " ig-2oths " "
Periods of less than one month.
5 days 1 -3d the rate of one month.
10 " 1-2 " "
15 " 2-3ds
20 " 5-6ths " " "
No risks taken less than one year, or otherwise than above.
Buffalo to Chicago, via Lake, May, June and July, 1 1-4 per cent.
" August and September, 1 1-2 " "
" October, 2 " "
balance of season, 31-2 " "
From New York or Boston, via Buffalo, add 1-4 per cent to
the above rate; via Ogdensburg or Oswego, add 1-2 per cent.
In 1857, Wiley M. Egan commenced the insurance
business, as did John Naghten.
John Naghten commenced his insurance experience as clerk-
in the insurance office of W. D. Smith, in 1857, and, in 1863,
became associated with the Merchants' Insurance Company of Chi-
cago, of which he was appointed assistant secretary in 1866. In
1873, he became associated with William E. Rollo, under the firm
name of Rollo, Naghten & Co., and, in 1877, he was appointed
general agent of the Commercial Insurance Company, of New York,
which position he now retains. In 1SS0, he associated with him
his son, M. J. Naghten, and his son-in-iaw, M. F. Scannell, the
firm name becoming John Naghten & Co. They are agents for
several insurance companies, in addition to the Commercial. Mr.
Naghten, Sr., is one of the oldest insurance men in the city, having
had a continuous experience of twenty-seven years, during which
time he has not alone won the highest encomiums for his business
ability and probity, but also for his personal rectitude. During
his long commercial career, he has achieved a reputation that his
descendants can point to with pride. He has been a resident of
Chicago since 1856, and is a native of Ireland.
In February, 1857, the Western Valley Fire and
Marine Insurance Company, the Northern Illinois Fire
and Marine, and the Eureka Fire and Marine Insur-
ance companies were chartered. On February 18, the
North-Western Mutual Life was chartered. All these
were Chicago companies. In this year, also, the Great
Western Insurance Company of Chicago was incor-
porated, and General Arthur C. Ducat organized the
first salvage corps in the city, the lowly predecessor of
the Fire Insurance Patrol. He also became secretary
of the local board of underwriters, and was the first
gentleman occupying that position who gave his entire
attention and time to the performance of his duties.
The following minimum rates were adopted by the
hoard during this year :
Buildings. Class A 50 cents.
Buildings, (.'lass B 80 "
Buildings, Class C 30 "
Buildings, Class D 40 "
Buildings. Class E 40 and 45 cents.
Buildings, Class F 50 cents.
Buildings, Class G 100 "
Flooring Mills 225 "
Grain Elevators (brick) 155 "
Grain Elevators (frame) 255 "
'ics 180 "
I.umtjer Yards 175 "
Steamboats 250 "
Tow Boats f steam) 200 "
Tobacco Factories 175 cents.
Distilleries 480 "
Packing and Packing Houses 575 " *
During 1857, the New York Life established an
agency here, with Messrs. Olcott & Boyd as agents.
The New York Life Insurance Company has been in
operation over thirty-nine years, and it has the stability which age
and success bring. It has over sixty-nine thousand policies in
force, covering nearly two hundred millions of insurance, and holds
in trust over fifty-five million dollars. After providing for all its
liabilities, its surplus is over ten million dollars by the standard of
the State. It never had capital stock nor stockholders. It is
owned by the insured themselves, and is managed by persons of
their own selection and in their own interest. Profits are divided
among policy-holders exclusively. During the ten years just ended,
following the panic of 1873, the New York Life has more than
doubled its assets, increased its insurance by sixty per cent , and
paid policy-holders over forty-nine million dollars. During these
ten years its interest income has exceeded its losses by death by
over four million dollars, and its annual income has increased from
eight to thirteen million dollars. The New York Life began busi-
ness in Illinois in 1856, placing its agency in the hands of S. H.
Kerfoot, who continued in the position about three years. Between
iSsg and 1864, there were frequent changes in the agency. In
1S64, O. P. Curran became general agent, and retained his con-
nection with the company until 1SS0, with George W. Perkins as
partner from 1S72 to 1S76. In 1881, Judah, Weil & Co succeeded
to the agency, but the death of Mr. judah having led to an ulti-
mate dissolution of the firm in 18S3, the company then consolidated
the entire business of the State in the hands of E. P. Burlingham,
as manager for Illinois, with offices at No. 107 Dearborn Street, in
the Portland Block. Mr. Burlingham's extended experience with
the New York Life, as their general agent for the State outside of
Chicago, has enabled him to surround himself with a very efficient
corps of solicitors, and the business of the company was never more
prosperous in Illinois than at the present time. From 1857 to
1883, the New York Life collected $117, 40g, 370 in premiums in
Illinois, and during the same period paid to its policy-holders in
this State, besides death claims, $45,537,020, the percentage of
premiums thus returned in excess of death losses being 3S.7 per
cent. In 1883, the company wrote $3,521,585 of new business
in Illinois, which was half a million in excess of the amount writ-
ten by any other company, and was one-seventh of the entire busi-
ness written in Illinois by thirty-two companies.
L. D. Olmsted first entered into the real estate and insur-
ance business in 1S57. Mr. Olmsted died in 1862, in which year
S. M. Moore was admitted as partner, the firm name being L. D.
Olmsted & Co. , and comprising Lyman Baird, Francis Bradley and
S. M. Moore, the latter gentleman being a partner in, and attend-
ing to, the insurance department of the business. About 1864, two
firms were made, Baird & Bradley and Moore & Stearns (John K.),
the former firm retaining the real-estate interests, which business
they are now in, and the latter retaining the insurance. In 1865,
James H. Moore was admitted to partnership, and two firms were
made — Moore & Stearns, who continued the agency of the Con-
necticut Mutual Life, and S. M Moore & Co — comprising S. M.
and J. M. Moore — taking the fire business. In 1868, A. H. Van-
Buren — who died in lS6g — and John J. Janes were admitted to
partnership in the house of S. M. Moore & Co., the firm name re-
maining the same. It is an interesting historical reminiscence, in
connection with the house of S. M. Moore & Co., that they paid
about five million dollars in claims resultant upon the Chicago fire;
that at that time they were agents for the Hartford Fire Insurance
Company, of Hartford, Conn., and the North British and Mercan-
tile Insurance Company, of London, who were the first two com-
panies to pay one hundred cents on the dollar on Chicago losses ;
the North British and Mercantile being one of the first companies
to announce its intention to pay one hundred cents on the dollar,
sending a telegram to that effect, and also for their agents to sub-
scribe $5,000 for the relief of the Chicago sufferers. When this
welcome intelligence was promulgated on the Board of Trade, a
deafening howl of congratulation arose, and the holders of policies
in that company felt themselves millionaires. In 1S76, James H.
Moore and John J. Janes bought out the other partners, and the
firm became Moore & Janes, which co-partnership has continued
until the present time. These gentlemen still represent the Hart-
ford and the North British and Mercantile, as well as the German-
American, of New York, and other companies. The aggregate
amount of assets of the companies they represent is twenty-three
million dollars.
Sii.as Milton MOORE was born in Windham, Rockingham
• From Ducat's Practice of Fire Linden
the inaugurator of the present system of fire E
Practice ..f Fire Underwriting, a book of n-fe
present day.
i. General Ducat was also
s, and the author of Ducat's
among the fraternity of the
INSURANCE.
641
Co , N. H., on December 15, 1S30, the son of Silas and Hannah
Moore. He obtained his early education at the common school
while working on the farm, subsequently attending the old Pembroke
Academy, engaging in the study of medicine in 1S50 and 1S51. In
1S52, Mr. Moore determined upon relinquishing medical studies,
and became principal of Chester (N. H.) Academy, which position
he filled, with great satisfaction to his pupils and their parents, for
three years. In 1S56, he moved to I.aSalle County, 111., and en-
gaged in the real-estate and insurance business, remaining there
until 1S60, in which year he came to Chicago. In March, 1S61, he
entered the house of L. D. Olmsted & Co , withdrawing therefrom
in 1876. In that year he organized the firm of S. M. Moore &
Co., continuing in the insurance business, but with companies dif-
ferent from those that had been theretofore represented by him.
His partner in this new firm was Thomas H. Webster, at the same
time, continuing in the firm of E. A. Cummings & Co., real-estate
dealers. Both of these firms are doing a large and constantly in-
creasing business, commensurate with the long and honorable con-
nection of Mr. Moore with the mercantile interests of Chicago.
Mr. Moore was married, in 1856, to Miss Elizabeth Davidson. He
is a staunch member of the Congregational faith, having been for
twenty >ears a member, and for many years a deacon, of the First
Congregational Church.
James H. Moore was born in Windham, N. H., in 1840, and
came with his parents to Illinois, in 1856, locating at Mendota,
where he attended school. In 1859, he removed to Elgin, and
entered the employment of the Elgin Bank, where he remained
until he enlisted in July, 1861, in Co. " A," 36th Illinois Volunteer
Infantry. In the spring of 1863, he was promoted to the rank of
first lieutenant and quartermaster of the 71st Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, with which regiment he remained, until it was mustered
out in the fall of 1S63. He came to Chicago and entered the
insurance agency of Moore & Stearns, subsequently becoming a
partner in the firm of S. M. Moore & Co., the firm name being
changed to Moore & Janes, in 1876.
John J. Janes was born in Lansingburg, N. V., in 1833, his
ancestors having emigrated to New England from England some
two hundred years since. He was educated in Troy, X. V., and
went to New York City, in 1849, where he secured employment as
clerk in a commission house. In March, 1S54, he came to Chicag'o
and was employed by the old banking firm of H. A. Tucker & Co.
for about one year, and was afterward first cashier of the Land
Department of the Illinois Central Railroad for a period of eight-
een months, when he resigned, and entered the employ of a large
grain and commission house as confidential clerk, remaining there
for several years The Globe Insurance Company, of Chicago, was
established in 1S64, and he soon became its secretary, remaining
with them until they closed out in 1S66. Mr. Janes subsequently
became associated with the insurance agency of I. F. Dobson &
Co. ; with whom he remained until he entered the firm of S. M.
Moore & Co.
The Directory for 1857 gives the following data
relative to Chicago companies :
Chicago City Insurance Company. Office 1 Masonic
Temple. Capital $150,000. Edmund Canfield, president;
Henry Chapman, treasurer; William S. Bates, secretary.
Chicago Marine & Fire Insurance Company. Lake,
corner LaSalle Street. Capital $50,000. J. Young
Scammon, president; B. F. Carver, cashier. Directors —
Hugh T. Dickey, Mark Skinner, Benjamin W. Ray-
mond, Buckner S. Morris, George W. Dole, Franklin
Scammon, J. Y. Scammon, B F. Carver.
Chicago Mutual Insurance Company. Office No.
140 South Water Street. George Steel, president;
directors, C. T. Wheeler, L. P. Hilliard, John P. Chapin,
R. S. King, E H Densmore, George Armour, Hiram
Wheeler, C. H. Walker, M. C. Stearns, B. S. Shepard,
Oramel S. Hough, Thomas H. Beebe.
Garden City Insurance Company. Office, Dole's
Building, No. 148 South Water Street. Organized
August 4, 1855. Capital $300,000. President, M. D.
Oilman; vice-president, E. K. Rogers; secretary,
Henry G. Foote; assistant secretary, Charles W. 11.
Bradbury; directors, M. D. Gilman, E. K. Rogers,
T. J. S. Flint, Jonathan Burr, Hiram Wheeler, R. S.
King, D. Kreigh, William Blair and Tarlton Jones.
Great Western Insurance Company. No. 160 South
Water Street. Capital $500,000. President, James H.
Rees; vice-president, Hart L. Stewart; actuary, Henry
41
Brandt; secretary, II. W. Zimmerman; trt-asurer, H. A.
Tucker; finance committee, Buckner S. Morris, Charles
V. Dyer, Solomon M. Willson; directors, lames H.
Rees, Nicholas I', [glehart, < >. R. W. Lull, Charles V.
Dyer, Thomas Lonergan, Samuel IL Kerfoot, Hart I..
Stewart, Charles G. E. Prussing, Solomon M. Willson.
Phoenix Insurance Company. No. 62 Lake Street,
corner State. Capital $500,000. President, A. Ed-
wards; secretary, J. 1!. Ackley; directors, William Carr,
A. Edwards, C. H. Spencer, Hiram B Smith, William
Colby.*
Wagonsha Fire and Marine Insurance Company.
Lake street, corner State. Capital $200,000. William
Cook, president; C. B. Rockwell, secretary; R. J. Mor-
gan, general agent; directors, William Cook, H. Eugene
Vogell, Ira W. Buel, Erastus Lewis, N. F. Webb, C. B.
Rockwell, L. H. Davis, R J. Morgan, D. S. Potter,
Norman Wiard, L. C. Huntington, D. B. Moores, Sand-
ford Williams, A. F. Rockwell, C. C. Cheney.
Mercantile Mutual Insurance Company. Capital
$300,000. Organized March 28, 1855. Office, Hilliard's
Block, northeast corner of South Water and (lark
streets. Cyrenius Beers, president; James Peck, vice-
president; Thomas Richmond, secretary; John C. Ny-
man, inspector and acting director.
Chicago Firemen's Insurance Company. Capital
$200,000. Office northwest corner of Lake and Clark
streets, up stairs. Organized 1855. President, Thomas
Church; secretary, C. N. Holder); surveyor, Joseph E.
Brown; directors, Thomas Church, B. W. Raymond,
George W. Dole, E. H. Hadduck, Jabez K. Botsford,
Orrington Lunt, C. B. Farwell, W. M. Larrabee and
J. T. Edwards.
Thomas Church, (deceased), one of the early business men
of Chicago, was born November 8, 1801, in the town and county
of Onondaga, N. V. He was the oldest of a family of seven
children, and in his infancy his step-father removed to Marcellus,
in the same county, where he operated a small distillery. After-
ward he settled, with his family, in Benton, Ontario County, and
when Thomas was fourteen years of age, moved to the Holland Pur-
chase. Genesee County. When Thomas Church had reached his
majority, he left home to make his own way. First, as an employe
of a grist mill, then as a farmer on a small scale, he continued to
advance by sheer strength of will, industry and ability, until, by
the fall of 1823, he had accumulated sufficient means to get mar-
ried, remove to Buffalo, X. V., build a house and store, and estab-
lish himself in business. Mr. Church's first wife was Rachel War-
riner. It had been his original intention to continue farming, and,
previous to going to Buffalo, he had built a log house on a piece of
land in Chautauqua County, and there left his young bride. But hav-
ing, with wise foresight, determined to adopt a business career, he
established himself, as stated, in Buffalo, whither he and his wife re-
moved in F'ebruary, 1S24. Here for ten years he steadfastly labored
until, in the summer of 1834, he decided to come West. Reaching
Chicago on June 2, of that year, he purchased a lot on Lake Street,
and erected the first building which ever fronted on that thorough-
fare. It was both dwelling ami business house — the second story
being rented to James Whitlock, United States registrar of the
land office, and E. D. Taylor, the receiver. In the spring .if
1S35, Mr. Church returned to Buffalo, and purchased quite a stock
of groceries for those days. Business increased so rapidly that an
addition was soon made' to the store, and for the succeeding four
years it was one of the most prosperous establishments in the city.
In 1S39, however, after the occurrence of Chicago's first tire, which
Mr. Church barely escaped, he determined " to build for the fu-
ture," and accordingly erected two brick fireproof stores, four sto-
ries each. He also invested in real estate on Lake and Smith
Water streets and Michigan Avenue. In 1S40. M. I.. Satterlee
became his partner, and he greatly extended his business, carrying
a large general stock. So successful was he, that, in April, IS43.
he dissolved the partnership, virtually retired from active business,
and invested his fortune in real estate. About this time he ran fot
mayor, but, as he afterward asserted, was "luckily" defeated
Mr. Church was subsequently appointed city assessor of the South
*In 1850, the president was John A. Nichols; secretary, E. C Wilder;
general agent, Curt-is I.. V ■ t. I .-wis 1! l'.,,n<l.-ll : 1;
directors, J. I-'. Aldrich. K. C. Wilder. J..l.n A. NichoU, A. Edwards H
Smith; advisory directors, Watson Carr, C. N. Henderson, (j. H. Hazclton,
642
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Division, a position for which he was peculiarly qualified, on ac-
count of his thorough knowledge of the value of property. He
continued to hold this office for fourteen years, serving frequently
on special committees to assess damages and benefits for street im-
provements. He was also appointed a commissioner for the par-
titioning of estates, and for the establishing of dock-lines. In
common with many of Chicago's prominent citizens, Mr. Church
was much interested in the Volunteer Fire Department, of which
for ten years he was a member. The Chicago Firemen's Insurance
Company was organized in 1S55, an^ from that time up to the day
of his death he was its president. In 1S62, he was elected presi-
dent of the Chicago Mutual Life Insurance Company, but declined
favor of H. H. Magie, and was chosen vice-president, thus re-
maining as long as it continued in existence. The last twenty-
RU1NS, REPUBLIC LIFE BUILDING.
three years of his life, Mr. Church spent in managing his property
and in travel. He passed safely through the great panics, although
for one hundred days succeeding the financial convulsion of 1857,
his property is said to have depreciated at the rate of $1,000 a day;
notwithstanding which, at the time of his death, he was a wealthy
man, being the owner of seventen brick stores, from which he de-
ri%ed a large income. Mr. Church's first wife, whom he married
in 1S23, died in April. 1839, leaving two children, now the wives
of Dr. E Ingals and George A. Ingalls. On November 5, 1839,
he married Mrs. Rebecca I'ruyne, widow of Senator of Senator
Pruyne, who had one daughter, now the wife of Seneca D.
Kimbark. I lis second wife was the daughter of Silas W. Sher-
man, who came to Chicago in 1834, and was the second sheriff of
Cook County. The widow and three married daughters of Mr.
Church still survive the husband and father, whose death occurred
June 25, 1871.
The officers of the Board of Underwriters, in 1857,
were John H. Kinzie, president; Arthur C. Ducat, secre-
tary and surveyor ; executive and fire committee, John
If. Kinzie, chairman; A. H. Van Buren, John Roch-
ester, II. B.Willmarth, \V. 15. Lounsbury and C. N. Hol-
den. The office of the board was at 17 Dole's Building.
At the commencement of 1858, the directory gives
the following as the list of agents: Samuel T. Atwater,
Julius White, T. I'. Phillips, W. I). Smith, A. H. Van
Buren, K. C. Bristol W. II. Warner, C. T. Hubbard,
Thomas Richmond, Thomas Hale, H. Brandt, L. ('.
Hall, II. Wh.eler, J. P. Brooks, |. C. Dodge, C. N.
. T. G. Van Buren, H. C. Danks, T. I). Hall,
W. B Lounsbury, Justin Parsons, (',. S. Dyer, J. C.
Nyinan, G. S. Hubbard & Co., J. Kearney Rodgers, H.
B. Willmarth, E. Johnson, J. L. Jenkins, J. H. Kedzie,
E. O. Goodwin and G. R. Hodges.
The Girard, of Philadelphia, was this year repre-
sented by L. C. Ellsworth.
Germania Fire Insurance Company, of New York, has
been established in Chicago since 185S, and since that time has be-
come a favorite company, not only with those to whose amor patriot
the name appeals, but to every citizen of whatever nationality. Its
assets, as published on January 1, 1884, were 82,700,729.32 ; its
net surplus $817,897.65 ; and the gentlemen who have charge of the
general agency of the Western Department are E. G. Halle, man-
ager, and R. H. Garrigue, assistant manager. They are both
gentlemen of extensive experience in insurance matters, Mr. Halle
having been in the business for fifteen years, and Mr. Garrigue for
eleven years. The Germania, in addition to its enviable record
during its twenty-six years of existence in this city, made a most
favorable impression on the people at the time of the fire. On the
nth of October, 1871, the company had notices posted that it
would pay all its losses in full, and every one connected with the
company made munificent subscriptions to the assistance of those
whom the fire had rendered homeless. The general agency was
established in Chicago on January 1, 1884. As a matter of history
connected with this company, it may be remarked that it was for-
merly one of those of which the New York Underwriters' Agency
was composed, which combination was represented by Carl Huncke
for about three years prior to the dissolution of the companies.
On January 1, 1884, when that occurred, Mr. Huncke was made
manager of the local agency for the Germania. Mr. Huncke is a
native of Detmold, Germany, and came to Chicago in 1S67, at the
age of seventeen years. He then secured employment with Sam-
uel S. Greeley, city and county surveyor, with whom he remained
for some years. In 1S75, he entered the office of the Traders' In-
surance Company, of Chicago, and there remained until he was
appointed local agent for the Germania and Hanover Fire Insurance
companies, at that time combined under the title of the New York
Underwriters' Agency, and severed his connection with the Han-
over Company on January 1, 1S84, when the combination lapsed.
Mr. Huncke has been a member of the Chicago Turn-Gemeinde
since 1871, and was secretary of the executive committee of the
National Union of the Turner societies from 1872 to 1S78.
In 1859, B. W. Phillips came to Chicago, and went
into the agency business as the successor of R. F. Ma-
son & Co. He was succeeded by Oscar W. Barrett.
Oscar W. Barrett was born in Bristol, Monroe Co., N. Y.,
on June 13, 1S36, and shortly thereafter was taken by his parents
to Rochester, N. Y. There he began to learn the jewelry business,
and, in 1852, went to New' York City, where he clerked in a
jewelry store. He came to Chicago on August 9, 1856, and entered
a jewelry store, remaining there until 185S, when he entered the
office of the old Union Insurance Company ; thus being among the
oldest of the insurance men of this city. He remained there but for a
short time, and then traveled for three years for a mercantile house,
through Illinois, Northern Missouri, Iowa and Southern Wiscon-
sin, settling their accounts. This being before the institution of
the present extensive railroad facilities in those States, most of his
traveling was done with a horse and buggy. In 1S62, he went into
the office of B. W. Phillips & Co., at the corner of Lake and Clark
streets, and, in 1867, succeeded the firm, removing to an office at
No. 120 LaSalle Street — the Oriental Building — where he remained
until burned out by the fire of 1871. He is most prominently
known among insurance men and to the public generally, and con-
trols a business which is constantly increasing in volume and value.
In 1876, he was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of
the University of Chicago, and is still a member, and has been sec-
retary of the same for the past eight years', and was for many years
trustee of the Second Baptist Church. He is a member of
Waubansia Lodge, No. 160, A. F. & A. M., having joined in 1800,
and has sat in the south and west in that lodge; and is a member
of LaFayette Chapter, No. 2, R.A.M.,andof Apollo Commandery,
No. 1, K. T.; and in 1869, took the 320 in Oriental Consistory.
He is at present president of the Board of Education of Highland
Park. He was married on June 30, 1862, to Miss Genevieve, only
daughter of Samuel Hoard, an early settler, and has seven living
children.
Edward M. Tf.ai.l entered the insurance business at Chi-
cago in 1859, as clerk for Messrs. Higginson & James, and upon
the death of Mr. Higginson, in April. 1863, became the partner of
the survivor, under the firm name of Alfred James & Co., retaining
this position for some three or four years. He then entered into
partnership with Fred. P. Fisher, the firm name being Teall &
Fisher, which continued for ten years. Mr. Teall was then alone
until 1S82, when he took Cyrus A. Hardy, who had been with him
INSURANCE.
643
for some fourteen or fifteen years, into partnership, under the firm
name and style of Edward M.Teall & Co. The companies which Mr.
Teall represented at the time of the fire paid about two and a half
million dollars through his agency ; and the companies he now
represents aggregate a capital of about three million dollars. Mr.
Teall was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1839, and came to Chicago on
March 4, 1S57. He was editor, merchant, civil engineer, and rail-
road builder, engaging in those professions until he entered the
insurance business. He is also a member of the Underwriters'
Exchange, and was president of that body in 1SS3 and 1SS4. The
companies now represented by the firm of E. M. Teall & Co. are
the Westchester Fire, of New York; Citizens', of St. Louis;
Long Island, of New York; Montauk Fire, of New York; and Star
Fire, of New York.
George W. Montgomery came to Chicago in the fall of
1S59, and commenced his business career in the ensuing year as
bookkeeper in the wholesale drug-house of J. H. Reed & Co., with
whom he remained for two years, after which he was with A. E.
Kent & Co., packers. In 1862, he enlisted in the Chicago Mer-
cantile Battery, and served therewith until during the siege of
Vicksburg, when the exposure and hard usage at that memorable
military event made him severely sick. From the effects of this
sickness he was incapacitated for business for a year — having been
discharged from the army by reason thereof, about six months after
his enlistment. After recovering he was in the employment of
George Schneider, collector of internal revenue, as cashier, where
he remained for nine months. He then became identified with the
dry goods firm of D. H. King & Co., as representative of A. E.
Kent & Co., who were largely interested with the firm of King &
Co. He remained with them until they closed out business in
1S66-67. In 1S6S, he went into the insurance business in partner-
ship with Oscar W. Barrett, under the firm name of O. W. Barrett
iS; Co , which partnership continued until the commencement of
1S73, when he went into partnership with A. Williams, under the
firm name of Williams & Montgomery. This firm continued for
about one year, after which Mr. Montgomery transacted business
on his individual account. The present firm of George W.
Montgomery & Co, was formed in 1SS1, by the admission of W.
C. Magill to the business. This firm represent the American In-
surance Company, of Newark, N. J , capital, $600,000 ; surplus,
$1,433,406 ; assets, $1,663,840 ; the Exchange Fire Insurance
Company, of New York, capital. $500,000 ; surplus, $1,231,992;
assets, $1. 383,22s ; the Sterling Fire Insurance Company, of New
York, capital, $350,000 ; surplus, $374,624; assets, $446,431 ; the
Germania Insurance Company, of Newark, capital, $200,000 ; sur-
plus, $204,316 ; assets, $248,869 ; also the Lloyd's Plate Glass In-
surance Company, of New York. The figures given are those of
date, January 1, 1SS4. The American has been represented by
Mr. Montgomery since 1S73, and he/was its first agent. Mr. Mont-
gomery is a native of Genesee County, N. Y., and came to Chicago
at the age of seventeen years.
On February 19, 1852, the American Insurance
Company, of Freeport, now of Chicago — formerly the
Putnam County Mutual — was chartered; and the Ameri-
can Exchange of New York, this year appointed Mills
Olcott, its first representative here. Wiley M. Egan
began his experience in marine underwriting in this
year. The Citizens', of New York, also appointed its
first agent here, Ff. B. Willmarth.
The officers of the Board of Underwriters for this
year were Charles N. Holden, president; T. L. Miller,
vice-president ; Arthur C. Ducat, secretary and survey-
or; and H. B. Willmarth, treasurer.
From a prospectus of the Western World Insurance
& Trust Company, it appears that it was chartered in
1853, incorporated in 1859, and that its capital was
$500,000. Its officers were ; George H. Hazleton,
president ; Charles H. Abbott, treasurer ; Alfred Ed-
wards, secretary ; O. Kendall, George H. Hazleton,
Amzi Benedict, L. H. Church and Charles H. Abbott,
directors.
William E. Rollo, the head of the insurance firm of William
E. Rollo & Son, is one of the pioneer insurance men of Chicago,
and a thorough representative of its unparalleled business men in
every branch of trade. He is a native-born Yankee, but is
descended from a Scotch family of excellent repute, who trace
their lineage in a direct line, back through sundry great names, to
that of William Rollo, better known, in early English history, as
William the Conqueror, also " Lord Robert Rollo, the Pirate,"
who saddled himself and his heirs on the Engl'sh peasantry in a
very unpleasant way for some eighty-eight years. I lis energy,
however, and his habit of success, seem to have survived in his
descendants to the present day. whatever we may say of his pirat-
ical tendencies. The William Egbert Rollo of whom we write, was
born in the Parish of Gilead, Town of Hebron, Tolland Co
January 3, 1S21 ; w.,s educated in East Windsor and East Han
ford, same State; and entered upon the businessof insurai
1840— about the Inst business of any importance he ever did — and
h,^ sunk to it evei since. About [852, he located in Columbus,
Ohio, and superintended the interests of the Hartford Fire, the
Springfield Lire and Marine, and other fire insurance companies,
and also the Connecticut Mutual Life. About 1S5S, he bi
general agent for the Girard Lire and Marine Insurance Company,
and, in 1859, established agencies for it in < hicago and other
western cities. In 1S61, he came here to reside perman.
the manager of its Western Department. In 1863, he organized
the Merchants' Insurance Company of Chicago, whose day was
remarkable in its brilliant morning, its successful noon and tragic-
night, ending its brief existence in the smoke and flame of the
great fire. Besides its other successful achievements, it re-insured
the risks of the Packers' and Provision-Dealers' Insurance Com-
pany and those of the Traders', and closed up the affairs of those
companies most satisfactorily, paving back a profit to the stock-
holders. In May, 1872, Mr. Rollo resurrected the Traders', and
put it on its feet, with a capital of half a million dollars, invested
in registered Government bonds. In addition to his other onerous
duties, he successfully managed its affairs for two years, when he-
passed it into other hands, on account of his failing health. He
has, however, retained the management of the Girard and other
companies, and is still in active business management of all his
affairs. In October, 1S45, Mr. Rollo married Miss Jane T. Fuller,
daughter of General Asa Fuller, of Ellington, Conn., by whom he
has had three children, — Jennie Sybil, Evelyn L. and William F.
Rollo, now his partner in the business.
The Directory of i860 designates the following as
insurance agents: John P. Ackley & Co., S. T. Atwater,
Cyrus Bentlev, Thomas Buckley, H. A. Clark, John C.
Dodge, L. C. Ellsworth, Gibson & Caryl, Hall &
Rounds, S. C. Higginson, F. A. Hoffman, C. N. Holden,
Hubbard & Hunt, Hunt & Higginson, O. B. Keith,
John H. Kinzie, N. H. Knapp cv Co., W. B. Lounsbury
& Co., H. G. Litchfield, B. W. Phillips, T. L. Miller,
L. 1). Olmsted & Co., Phillips & Van Wagenen, Ernst
Prussing, T. G. Van Buren, T. W. Wadsworth, O.
Willard, Julius White, H. B. Willmarth, and J. A.
Wright, adjuster.
The Home Life Insurance Company, of New York,
established its first agency in Chicago in 1S60. It is now repre-
sented in this city by Edgar II. Kellogg, superintendent of agen-
cies, who has be.n connected with this company for tin |"-i
twenty-two years — ten years as agent, and twelve years in the posi-
tion he now holds. The company is one of the most stable
represented in this city, as manifested by their statement of May 1,
1SS4, which tabulated their assets at $5,470,795.76. and their sur-
plus at $1,508,389.14. The experience and capability of the
gentleman, who has been with this company so long, have had a
marked influence, beneficially, upon the businessof the company,
for the efficiency of such representatives, the company is con-
siderably indebted for iis eminent success. Mr. Kellogg has
always been an advocate of a large surplus, believing thai strength
is of paramount consideration; and this polic) has been carried out
by the Home, with which he has so long been connected,
it's rate of surplus is forty pel cent., being the highest of any life
insurance company in this country. Mr. Ki born in
New Hartford, Litchfield Co., Conn., April 11, i>;,;,. and is the
son of Seth II. and Electa S. (Washburn) Kellogg. In [839, his
father and mother, with a family of three children, accompanied
by live brothers "I his father and by grandparents ol both his
father and mother, moved into thi wilds ol Racine County, Wis.
and all became farmers except one who wenf to Milwaukee, and
spent many years in the employ of the first railroad line
that city, and drove the piles lor building the bridges over the lakes
at Madison. Wis., where he caught cold and died from its effects.
644
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
His father was the youngest child of his father's family, and died
at sixty-five years of age. The other five brothers lived to a ripe
old age. Luman, the oldest brother, died in 1SS2, aged ninety-six;
Chauncey, next to Luman. died at Neenah, Wis., the 1st of Feb-
ruary, 1SS5, aged ninety-five, and was the last of the six brothers.
His mother was the daughter of Rev. Ebenezer Washburn, who
was for a long time pastor of the old John Street Methodist
Church, the first Methodist Church founded in this country, and
where the Wesleys preached on their visit to America. His
mother inherited a literary and poetic talent from her father, and
was the author of many pieces of poetry. The most celebrated of
of these was the one entitled " The Bible in Modern Languages,"
published in the Ladies Repository in 186S. His mother died at
the age of sixty-three years, while her father, Rev. E. Washburn,
died at his home in Racine County, Wis., in 1S59. at eighty-four
years of age. After Mr. Kellogg had finished his education at
Janesville Academy, he was married, in Albion, Orleans Co.,
N. Y., to Caroline E. Bailey, in 1S57, and then followed merchan-
dizing in Kenosha, Wis., where he was burned out at the time of
the great fire which consumed that city in 1S60. Here the accumu-
lations of the first three years of his business life were destroyed.
He did not despair, but with manly courage determined to restore
his lost fortune. The next day he went to Milwaukee, and visited
his cousin, A. W. Kellogg, who, the year before, had organized
the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, and was its
secretary. In their conversation, his cousin made this remark,
" You can sell goods equal to any man, and you can sell life insur-
ance," and asked him what he would take for his time for a year.
His reply was $1.50 per day and ten per cent commission. After a
moment's consultation with S. S. Daggett, president of the company,
his cousin replied, " You may consider yourself engaged." He
went. home to Kenosha, began canvassing in Racine and Kenosha
counties, and in ten months he had sent to the company two hun-
dred and fifty applications, upon which two hundred and thirty
policies were issued and delivered. At the expiration of this
engagement he went to New York City, and made a contract with
the Home Life of that city for the general agency of the North-
western States. This he continued for ten years, and by his
personal solicitations built up a large business. He removed to
Milwaukee in 1S65, making his home there until 1S74, when he
came to Chicago. This was in consequence of the growing neces-
sity for a man to control the interests of the " Home" in this city
whose business ability and comprehensive knowledge of insurance
would be sufficient to present that company here amid the vast
commercial interests that are centered in Chicago; and to fill this
need, Mr. Kellogg was sent and retained. At the close of the ten
years he was promoted to the superintendency of agencies. He
has two children — Edgar B., who is associated with him in busi-
ness, and a daughter, Maybell. He is a member of the Masonic
Fraternity, being connected with Kenosha (Wis.) Lodge, No. 47,
A. F. & A. M.; Kenosha Chapter, No. 3, R. A. M.; and Oriental
Consistory, 32°, S. P. R. S. He is also a vestryman in Bishop
Fallows' Church, the Bishop having officiated at the funeral of his
father and mother and two of his children.
In 1861, the Chicago Mutual Life Insurance Com-
pany was organized, with a capital of $100,000, and its
main office was established at Nos. 128 and 130 Lake
Street.* The following were its officers: Haines H.
Magie, president; Thomas Church, vice-president; L.
C. Paine Freer, Nelson Tuttle, Orrington Lunt, Peter
Page, Thomas Church, C. B. Hosmer, John V. Farwell,
P. L. Yoe and Solomon A. Smith, directors. On Feb-
ruary 22, 186 1, the Home Mutual Fire Insurance Com-
pany was organized, with headquarters at the northeast
corner of Dearborn and Madison streets. The officers
were — James H. Woodworth, president; William W.
Boyington, vice-president; Alonzo Cutter, secretary;
Matthew Laflin, treasurer; A. H. Campbell, agent; and
James H. Woodworth, F. W. Blatchford, John V. Far-
well, Van H. Higgins, Matthew Laflin, E. G. Hall,
Charles W. Cook, Alonzo Cutler, Thomas B. Bryan,
William W. Boyington, Edward Hempstead, Charles
Follansbee, directors. This company was subsequently
the Chicago Fire Insurance Company. The Commer-
cial Insurance Company was chartered this year, but
was not organized until 1865. It then established its
headquarters at No. 46 LaSalle Street, and had a capi-
• I he detailed history of thev: various home companies can not be given;
arealmont impossible of attainment, ami the gentlemen who were con-
nected with defunct companies appear to be believers in the maxim " Let the
dead past bury its dead."
tal of $300,000, with the following officers: J. C. Dore,
president; I. R. Diller, vice-president; J. Farmer, sec-
retary; and William V. Kay, Harmon Spruance, L. B.
Sidway, D. S. Smith, E. F. Lawrence, S. S. Williamson,
and T. H. Seymour, directors. The Merchants' In-
surance Company was also chartered this year, and had
the following officers: William E. Doggett, president;
Solomon A. Smith, treasurer; William E. Rollo, secre-
tary and George Armour, William E. Doggett, H. W.
Hinsdale, William McKindley, Solomon A. Smith, H.
A. Hurlburt, H. W. King, L. D. Norton and John Tyr-
rell, directors. There were also chartered the Equi-
table Fire, Fort Dearborn, Illinois Life and Inland
Companies. The Union Insurance and Trust Company
was organized in this year, and established an office at
Room 2, Loomis Building, No. 48 Clark Street, with a
capital of $200,000. Its officers were: Benjamin Lom-
bard, president; Van H. Higgins, vice president; B. F.
Johnson, secretary; Francis A. Hoffman, treasurer.
The directors were — Benjamin Lombard, Matthew
Bolles, Daniel Sharp, James W. Stone, Levi F. Stevens,
Van H. Higgins, Francis A. Hoffman, George W. Gage,
M. D. Oilman, John V. Farwell, Francis B. Peabody,
Thomas Harless, J. Q. Hoyt, Isaac G. Lombard, D. L.
Phillips, Elvis Harwood, Josiah Lombard, Charles
Chandler, Oliver Whitaker and Marshall Ayres.
On February 22, 1861, an act was approved, where-
by a body politic and corporate was created, having for
its name " The Chicago Board of Underwriters," and
such board was decreed to consist of
" the following and their associates, now composing the Chicago
Board of Underwriters : T. L. Miller, Julius White. H. B. Will-
marth, C. N. Holden, S. T. Atwater, B. W. Phillips, S. C. Hig-
ginson, Alfred James."
This organization has since been continued; and al-
though the Board occasionally ceased to exercise its
supervisory and regulative prerogatives, the secretary
exercised the functions devolving upon him and retained
the corporate existence of the board. The first secre-
tary was Arthur C. Ducat, and Alfred Wright was assist-
ant secretary and surveyor. Mr. Wright succeeded to
the secretaryship about 1864 or 1865,* and retained it
until February 1, 1882, when Thomas A. Vowden suc-
ceeded him, having occupied the position of assistant
secretary for twelve years.
Henry H. Brown came to Chicago in 1S62. He was born
in Bridgewater, Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1832, and his parents de-
ciding to migrate to the West he came with them, in 1S39, to Chi-
cago, shortly thereafter settling in Peru, LaSalle Co., 111. There
he received his education, and acquired a knowledge of the science
and practice of civil engineering so successfully, that he subse-
quently filled the positions of deputy county surveyor of LaSalle
County and of city engineer of Peru, besides filling many positions
upon various railroads. In 1855, he embarked in the insurance
business, representing the ^Ltna, Phcenix and North American
companies of Hartford, Conn., also other companies. During the
years 1857-58, Mr. Brown's talent for insurance received recognition
by his receiving the appointment of special agent for the .Etna.
In 1S62, Mr. Brown came to Chicago, and became connected with
the insurance agency of L. D. Olmsted & Co., for about one year,
after which he was secretary for four years. In 1866, he resigned
his position with the Garden City, in order to establish an insurance
agency of his own. This he did, representing the Commerce, of Al-
bany, Hope, of Providence, and Buckeye, of Cleveland. At the
time of the fire, his agency comprised the Phoenix, of Hartford, the
Commerce, of Albany, the Sun, of Cleveland, and the Hope, of Provi-
dence, and paid through his agency about $1,800,000 of losses con-
sequent upon the fire of 1871. He now represents the Northern,
of Aberdeen and London, Glens Falls, of Glens Falls, N. Y., and
California, of San Francisco, the aggregate assets of which compa-
nies are about nine million dollars. Mr. Brown, throughout his
whole connection with the insurance business, has been distinguished
by clear sighted decision, promptitude of action and strict integrity;
hence it is no marvel that at every place he has instituted a busi-
INSURANCE.
645
ness establishment and has rapidly built up a strong trade, and has
always been associated with the strongest and most reliable compa-
nies. In person he is tall and imposing, in manner deliberate and
decisive, and in business transactions his word is his bond.
Mr. Teall also opened a local office in 1S62.
In 1863, the State Insurance Company, of Chicago,
was incorporated, and Jefferson Farmer, S. F. Reqtia
and George F. Bissell entered the insurance business in
this city. In this year the Mutual Security Insurance
Company had its office at Room 5, Marine Bank Build-
ing, with a capital of $300,000, and the following officers:
Ezra B. McCagg, president ; Benjamin W. Raymond,
vice-president ; Isaac Wells, secretary John Forsyth,
treasurer. The directors were — Ezra B. McCagg, Wil-
liam H. Brown, Benjamin V. Page, Chauncey T. Bowen,
John Sears, John Forsyth, Benjamin W. Raymond,
Hugh T. Dickey, Mark Skinner, Alexander Officer,
Amos T. Hall, D. J. Ely, Abraham Kohn, J. E. Morse,
Mahlon D. Ogden, Isaac Wells, James Marks, Norman
Williams, Jr., William H. Bradley, E. C. Earned. Mark
Kimball, William Bross, J. M. Underwood, J. Y. Scam-
mon and'Gilbert Hubbard.
In this year the insurance business first gained prom-
inence, as before this year the companies represented
had been doing business in a quiet, serene manner, re-
ceiving premiums and liquidating policies, but making
no especial efforts to write risks.
Theo. B. Wilcox was born in May, 1836, in Chester, Mass.,
but was educated in Chicago, and in 1S50 commenced his business
experiences with the firm of L. D. Olmsted & Co., dry-goods mer-
chants, with whom he remained for three years. He then went to
Muskegon, Mich. , as clerk in a dry-goods house, where he only re-
mained for two months, and then followed various mercantile pur-
suits, among others being clerk for the lumber firm of T. Newell &
Co. In i860, he went to Colorado, where he remained four months.
He returned to Muskegon, Mich., where he engaged in the lumber
business, and, in 1864, established an insurance agency under the
firm name of T. B. Wilcox & Co., — the company being S. N. Wil-
cox— and which agency wrote fire, life and accident policies. In
1876, Mr. Wilcox came to Chicago and established the agency here
where he now represents the Agricultural, of Watertown, N. Y.,
the New Hampshire, of Manchester, N. H.,and the German Fire,
of Peoria, 111. Since 1872, Mr. Wilcox has been a member of the
Chicago Board of Trade and engaged in the commission business;
the commission firm being Wilcox & Farovid, and comprising T.
B. Wilcox and J. A. Farovid.
Thomas Septimus Chard came to Chicago in 1S64. He was
born on August 15, 1S44, in Buffalo, N. Y., the son of William
and Mary Chard. While but ten years old, he lost his parents, and
the deprivation caused him to seek comfort in literature, poetry and
study. In 1855, he entered the High School in Canton, Ohio;
in 1856 and 1857, he attended school at Buffalo, and in 1S58-59, he
was a pupil at a classical academy in Clarence, N. Y., and at all
these places his natural talents were aided and made fruitful by the
love he bore for his studies. His health failing, however, he was
compelled to forego the collegiate course he was so desirous
of pursuing, and he consequently returned to Buffalo, N. Y,, and
sought commercial employment. This he pursued, in the banking
and transportation business, until the spring of 1864, when he
came to Chicago and entered the office of F. A. Howe, Jr., at the
solicitation of that gentleman. For three years he filled miscellane-
ous clerical positions until 1S67, when he entered the office of the
Lumbermen's Insurance Company, remaining therewith until 1S70,
when he accepted the appointment of special agent for the Western
States of the Firemen's Fund and Union Insurance companies, of
California. In 1872, the Firemen's Fund established an independ-
ent western department, with headquarters in Chicago, and placed
Mr. Chard as manager, in charge of that department, he then being
only in his twenty-seventh year. In 1876, the Firemen's Fund closed
its New York department, and placed all of its Eastern interests in
the management of Mr. Chard. In September, 1SS0, he was made
manager for the Union Insurance Company, and at present has the
management of the two companies specified. In his appointment
to these important positions, Mr. Chard has only received his due
meed of recognition; he is a thorough, practical and theoretical in-
surance man, and the problems and axioms of insurance are to him
pleasurable studies. He has occupied important positions in the
national councils of underwriters, and is constantly on the alert for
the adoption of such measures as will dignify his profession. On
October 7, 1S71, Mr. Chard was in Louisville, and, hearing of the
fire of that evening, he hastened to this city, only to learn of its
semi-demolition. Knowing the companies that be represented,
however, he assured the policy-holders that their losses would In-
paid in full without delay. This statement was subsequently cor-
roborated by the action of those companies, which paid in full over
a million dollars of fire losses consequent upon the Chicago Bre.
In 1875, Mr. Chard made the tour through the western country and
the Yosemite. In 1876, he lost his first wife, the daughter of
Cromwell Chase, of Galena, 111. ( >n October 4, 1877, he married
Adeline Peabody Whitney, at Waltham, Mass. In t88o, he again
visited California, and in 1SS2, accompanied by Mrs. Chard, he
visited his ancestral home in England and made the tour of France,
Switzerland and Germany. In addition to the reputation Mr.
Chard has acquired in the prosecution of the insurance business,
and the esteem wherein he is held by his hosts of social friends, he
has graduated as a litterateur of no mean pretensions, having written
two volumes of poems, one in 1869, and one in 1874, the latter be-
ing entitled " Across the Sea," both of which have received
eulogiums for their poetic and intellectual merit.
W. G. Ferguson also became a resident of Chicago in this
year. He now is agent for the Lancashire Insurance Company, of
Manchester, England, which was established in 1852, and has
since done a large and successful business at home and abroad.
This company ranks among the leading insurance companies of
England, financially and otherwise. The assets in the United
States are one million five hundred thousand dollars, of which one
million three hundred and sixty thousand dollars are in United
States bonds, and the annual receipts in the United States exceed
one million per annum. The general manager in England is
George Stewart. Edward Litchfield, New York, is United States
manager ; George Pritchard, sub-manager ; and W. G. Ferguson,
manager of the Western Department. W. G. F'erguson com-
menced his insurance career in Rockford, Winnebago Co., Ill ,
as local agent, in 1862, and two years later became special agent
and adjuster for the Security, of New York, under J. R. Payson,
retaining that position until the dissolution of the company after the
great fire, when he devoted some time to closing up its affairs. In
1873, he was appointed special agent and adjuster for the Lanca-
shire Insurance Company, his territory being the Western and
Southern States ; and, in 1877, he was assigned to the management
of the Western Branch, which in that year was first established.
His territory embraces the following States : Arkansas, Colorado,
Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Wiscon-
sin, and the Territories east of the Rocky Mountains.
In 1865, the agents appear to have been Samuel T.
Atwater, George Baker & Co., Charles E. Brown, Henry
H. Brown, A. H. Campbell, John Dorchester, F. P.
Fisher, Robert Greer, L. C. Hall, F A. Hoffman, C. N.
Holden, Holmes Brothers, Hubbard & Hunt, Alfred
James, R. H. Jordan & Co., E. J. Kelley, Julius Kor-
schall, Miller & Willmarth, Moore & Stevens, J. K.
Murphy, Mills Olcott, J. R. Payson, B. W. Phillips, T.
F. Phillips, Robert Reid, E. E. Ryan, W. E. Rollo, E.
M. Teall and R. D. VanWagenen. In this year George
C. Clarke commenced his insurance experience.
The John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Com-
pany, of Boston, Mass., this year established an agency
in Chicago, and since that date has been successfully
represented here. Its present representative, and one
who has held the position of general agent for the
State of Illinois for a number of years, is General August
L. Chetlain.
Rockwood W. Hosmer is a native of Concord, Mass., and
commenced his insurance experience in Boston, in 1S61, and came
from that city to Chicago in 1865, and entered into business with
I. F. Dobson & Co., who, in that year, established an agency in
Chicago, and from whose office some of the foremost insurance men
of the city have graduated. In 1S6S, Mr. Hosmer was appointed
agent of the City Fire Insurance Company, of Hartford, Conn.,
associating with him, in 1S75, J. W. Hosmer, when the firm name
became R. W. Hosmer & Co., and has remained the same since
that date. The fire losses paid by Mr. Hosmer, consequent upon
the fire of 1871, were about two million dollars. The firm at
present represents the Norwich Union, of England, the I. ion, of
London, and the American and the Mercantile, of Boston. The as-
sets of these companies, in the United States, aggregate S3, 000,000,
and the surplus over $2,000,000, as per statement of January I,
1884. Mr. Hosmer was vice-president of the Chicago Board of
Underwriters for the years 1SS2-83, and was elected president
in January. 1884.
George C. Clarke is one of the leading insurance men of
646
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Chicago, and dates his experience of the business from 1865, when
he was general agent for the National Life Insurance Company, of
Vermont. Shortly afterward he entered the house of I. F. Dobson
this tirm Mr. Clarke succeeded in 1869. The present firm
of George C. Clarke & Co. comprises George C. Clarke, S. A. Har-
vey and Herbert Darlington. .Mr Clarke was born on Septem-
ber 26, 1S3S, in Boston, M.iss. He received his early education
at the common school, and, entering Amherst College in 1854, at
the age of sixteen, graduating therefrom, with good rank, in 1S5S,
when not yet twenty years of age. Alter graduating he came to
Chicago, where he taught in the high school for six years He
was e'eeted to the Latin professorship in the University of Chicago
• 1, in September of winch year he commenced the perform-
ance of the duties of the professorship. In 1S64-65, he resigned
his professorship, and accepted the appointment of general agent
of the National Life Insurance Company, of Vermont. He built
up a good business for that company, but, preferring the tire and
marine branches of insurance, he resigned that position and entered
the office of Messrs. Dobson & Co. He was elected president of
the Chicago Board of Underwriters in 1S72, retaining it until Janu-
ary, 1S75, through the portion of the Board's career most flecked
with mutation, the last year being the year wherein occurred the
fire of July 14 and the notable " withdrawal of insurance compa-
nies" from Chicago. In 1S66, the Common Council elected him a
member of the Board of Education, wherein he served three years;
during the first year he was chairman of the high school commit-
tees, the second year he was vice-president of the board. In 1S70,
the elegant school-building on Ashland Avenue was erected, and
christened The Clarke School, in his honor. In 1S69. Mr. Clarke
was made a member of the civic Board of Education, which office he
held for three years. In 1S64, Mr. Clarke was married to Miss
Hettie, only daughter of Dr. John W. Eldredge, who, at the time
of his death, was one of the oldest of Chicago's physicians.
The Traders' Insurance Company was organized in 1S65,
with the following directors; Clinton Briggs. H. McLennan, H.
\Y. Hinsdale, B. P. Hutchinson, David Kriegh, E. Hempstead, H.
A. Hurlbut, John B. Lyon and James W. OdelL Its officers were
Clinton Briggs, president ; David Kriegh, vice-president ; and
Samuel T. Atwater, secretary. In 1870, the company retired from
business, re-insuring its risks and re-paying its stockholders thirty-
five per cent. In April, 1S72, a number of the prominent business
men of Chicago procured a charter and re-organized the company,
since which time its growth has been steady and augmentative, as
the following table will exhibit :
1^73
1-74
1875
[876
77
1878
1S79
[880
Net Surplu
S 8,438 59
125,940 51
92,542 96
164,507 15
178,950 62
138,242 05
166,239 3s
131,416 Si
234,057 20
263,566 66
339.696 44
361,831 05
$ 586,
746,
727,
812,
824,
812,
822,
851,
942:
1,031,
1.057,
1,165,
039 18
109 25
963 95
929 13
359 13
321 43
736 20
183 11
013 16
598 17
217 33
378 10
The board of directors is composed of the following gentle-
men : Ebenezer Buckingham, S. II. McCrea, J.F.Gillette, Wil-
liam G. Hibbard, Elias T. Watkins, Ira S. Younglove, C. L.
Hutchinson, C. Comstock and R.J.Smith. The officers are
Ebenezer Buckingham, president ; S. H. McCrea, vice-president ;
Robert J. Smith, secretary, and S. A. Rothermel, assistant secre-
tary. The present secretary, R. J. Smith, was placed in charge of
the business of the company in July, 1874 ; and. notwithstanding
pany lost nearly $100,000 in the second great Chicago fire,
luring the same month, and had to encounter many other appar-
ently insurmountable difficulties, which hovered around it to im-
pede its progress, he has made such a recr.nl that he and his thou-
ids of friends, in and out of the business, may well point to it
with pride. It has taken hard, persistent and patient work, but
Mr. Smith has had the advantage of twenty years' experience in
the business, excellent physical health and able assistants.
R01 in , born July iz, 1836, neat the city
;!>:, St. Clair 1 o., III. He was reared on a farm, and
attended the common school until his fifteenth year, and then he
entered Shurtlel I pper Alton, III., for one term. He was
: i,is studies further, and taught
for the purpose of procuring means wherewith to gratify his educa-
tional ambition, but. his plans being frustrated, he entered a coun-
, and becoming intent upon business pursuits, rescinded
his intention of taking a collegiate course. He then took an active
part in local politics, and when quite young was elected town treas-
urer, justice of the peace, and subsequently was appointed post-
master. In 1S60, he was given the agency of the .Etna Insurance
Company, of Hartford, a short time after receiving which he re-
moved to Springfield, where he acted as State and local agent until
1S67. During that year he accepted the general agency of the Put-
nam Insurance Company, of Hartford, Conn., and removed to
Chicago. This position he retained until the fire of 187 1, shortly
after which he was appointed superintendent of agencies for the
North British and Mercantile Insurance Company, of England, for
lour Western states. He was next appointed general agent of the
New Orleans Insurance Association, of New Orleans, for the
Northwestern States, and still acts in that capacity. He was like-
wise supervisory agent of the National Board of Fire Under-
writers, and, during 1S73 and 1874, was president of the North-
western Association of Underwriters, and, in July of the latter
year, was elected to his present position, and in 1S76 was president
of the International Board of Marine Underwriters. In iS;S. Mr.
Smith married Miss Susan O. Barker, of Monroe County. 111.
They have the following children living — Bertha B. Smith, Robert
Earl Smith and Irma Louis Smith. In conclusion, it may be re-
marked, that in Mr. Smith the young men of our city find an ex-
ample of what may be achieved by steady industry and unswerving
application to business, With no aid but his own energy, no spon-
sor but his own integrity and perseverance, he has arisen from a
farmer's boy to the management of a prominent insurance company,
and has achieved a reputation without a stain, though only forty-
eight years of age. He is not alone a typical Chicagoan, but a
typical specimen of the infallible result of perseverance, integrity,
honesty and industry.
The Equitable Insurance Company had the follow-
ing officers this year: John V. Fanvell, president; George
S.-Bowen, vice-president; B. W. Phillips, secretary;
William Phillips, assistant secretary ; and its directors
were E. G. Hall, W. G. Lewis, H. D. Colvin, I. Y. M'unn,
John B. Drake, George F. Rumsey and F. Crumbaugh.
Its habitat was at the southwest corner of Randolph
and LaSalle streets, and its capital is $200,000. The
Lumbermen's Insurance Company was chartered in
1865, with an authorized capital of $1,000,000, a paid-up
capital of $300,000. Its office was at No. 70 LaSalle
Street. H. G. Powers was president; T. M. Avery, vice-
president ; Thomas Goodman, secretary ; and its
directors were H. Y. Powers, Thomas M. Avery, S.
G. D. Howard, William T. Allen, Nathan Mears, Charles
B. Sawyer, Nelson Ludington, Seneca D. Kimbark,
Jesse Spalding, William B. Phillips and Martin Ryerson.
The Packers' and Provision - Dealers' Insurance Com-
pany was also incorporated this year. Its main office
was at No. 182 South Water Street, its capital $500,000,
and its officers Daniel A. Jones, president ; R. M.
Hough, vice-president ; V. A. Turpin, secretary ;
directors, Daniel A. Jones, R. M. Hough, V. A. Turpin,
John L. Hancock, Hugh McLennan, P. L. Underwood,
Gilbert Hubbard, R. S. King, and L. D. Norton. The
Provident Life Insurance and Investment Company
was incorporated in 1865, and established its office at
No. 157 Randolph Street. Its capital was $1,000,000; its
officers C. G. Hammond, president; Ira Y. Munn, vice-
president ; C. Holland, secretary ; C. D. Palmer, general
ticket agent ; and its directors were C. G. Hammond,
G. F. Harding, James C. Fargo, T. B. Blackstone,
Perry H. Smith, Ira Y. Munn, Frederick H. Winston,
H. E. Sargent, C J. Gilbert, and John F. Tracey. The
Travelers' Insurance Company, chartered this year, had
an authorized capital of $500,000 ; a paid-up capital of
$100,000 ; a main office at No. 94 Lake Street; and the
following officers: John Tyrrell, president; Charles
I.. < urrier, vice-president ; Henry W. King, treasurer ;
and Orville Page, secretary; Julius H. Currier, the
general agent, and VV. D. Richardson, the general ticket
agent. The directors were John Tyrrell, William E.
Doggett, Solomon A. Smith, H. W. King, H. A. Hurlbut,
D, \V. I'age, Charles L. Currier, Julius H. Currier, and
INSURANCE.
647
Orville Page. The Northwestern Mutual Life was also
incorporated in 1865 ; its officers were Merril Ladd,
president; Ira Y. Munn, vice-president ; P. H. Willard,
treasurer, and W. F. Brewster, secretary. The executive
committee were Merril Ladd, C. C. P. Holden, Leonard
Swett, Ira Y. Munn, P. H. Willard, C. H. lirower, and
Isaac C. Day. The Globe Insurance Company was
chartered this year, with an authorized capital of
$1,000,000. Its cash capital was $200,000, and its office
at Room 24 in Nixon's Exchange. Its officers were
James H. Bowen, president ; George M. Wheeler, vice-
president; Ira Holmes, treasurer; John Janes, secretary.
The directors were James H. Bowen, George M.
Wheeler, J. Irving Pearce, C. M. Henderson, S. C.
Griggs, Ira Holmes, and George M. Kimbark. The
Republic Insurance Company was chartered in 1865.
Its office was established at the corner of LaSalle and
Randolph Streets ; its capital was $100,000 ; and its
officers Samuel Hoard, president ; W. F. Coolbaugh,
treasurer ; Oscar W. Barrett, secretary. Its directors
were Samuel Hoard, W. F. Coolbaugh, J. V. Farwell,
B. W. Phillips, J. H. Ragatz, C. B. Farwell, C. F. W.
Junge, William Phillips, and Oscar W. Barrett. The
other companies chartered this year were — ALtna. Fire,
Citizens', Commonwealth, Germania, Great Western
Life, Howard, Knickerbocker, Lamar, Mercantile, Mu-
tual Fire, National, National Travelers, Northwestern
Protection, Northwestern Travelers, Safety, Stock and
Mutual, Travelers' Security, United States, United
States Travelers' and Western Phcenix. The companies
represented here were — /Etna, of Hartford ; /Etna, of
New York ; Albany City ; American, of Providence ;
Astor, Atlantic, of Providence ; Atlantic, of New York ;
Baltic ; Beekman ; Buffalo Mutual ; City Fire, of Hart-
ford ; Charter Oak ; Commerce ; Connecticut ; Corn
Exchange ; Exchange ; Fulton ; Goodhue ; Girard ;
Hampden; Hartford; Home, of New York; Insurance
Company of North America, of Philadelphia ; Inter-
national ; Market; Massassoit; Mercantile; Merchants',
of Hartford ; Metropolitan ; Morris ; Narragansett ;
National, of Boston ; New England ; North American,
of Hartford; Norwich ; Park ; Peoria ; Phenix, of New
York ; Phcenix, of Hartford; Providence ; Washington;
Relief ; Resolute; St. Nicholas ; Security ; Springfield ;
Standard, of New York ; Thames ; Underwriters'
Agency, of New York ; * Washington ; and Yonkers.
Wallace A. Lowell also entered the insurance business ta
this time. He is one of the old insurance men of Chicago, and
unites a clear and comprehensive knowledge of the business to in-
defatigable perseverance and untiring energy. He first established
an agencv in 1S65, when he represented the following companies:
German, of Cleveland; State, of Cleveland; Alemannia, of Cleve-
land ; Merchants', of New York ; Armenia, of Pittsburgh — being
general agent in the West therefor. These, and other companies
of which he was agent at the time of the fire, paid about S3. 500,000
of losses resultant thereupon, besides which Mr. Lowell adjusted some
twelve million dollars worth of losses in his office. He now represents
the Commercial, of New York; Firemen's, of Chicago; Aurora, of Cin-
cinnati ; Fidelity and Casualty, of New York ; Home Life, of New
York; and Teutonia Fire, of Philadelphia, which companies repre-
sent in the aggregate $S,ooo,ooocapital. Mr. Lowell was also one of
the re-organizers of the Western Fire, Marine and Plate Glass Insur-
ance Company, and occupied the position of secretary of that com-
pany for two years, until he relinquished it in 1S84, to attend to his
various agency interests. Mr. Lowell is a native of Warsaw,
Wyoming Co., N. Y., and came West with his parents to Janes-
ville, Wis., when he was some seven years old. In that city he re-
ceived his education, and, when quite a youth, became employed in
an insurance office, and also had an agency for a short time.
In 1S66, agents commenced to pour into Chicago,
* This agency was composed of the Germania, Hanover, Republic and
Niagara Insurance' companies, and was so constructed until December, 1873,
when the Republic and Niagara withdrew. The Germania and Hanover then
constituted the agency until 18E4, when they dissolved partnership, and the New
York Underwriters' Agency ceased to exist.
and their particularization is needless, excepl in specific
cases.
The lirm of Miller & Drew was incepted in [866, by Fames
R. Miller and Charles W. Drew, but Mr. Miller dying in 1SS0, the
firm name was changed to Charles \V. Drew St Co., since which
time the business has been maintained under that cognomen. Mil-
ler & I >rew shared the fate of the majority of Chicago business
men, and were burned out in the lire of 1871, losing both their of-
fices and residences, but retaining their grit and energy. On
the Thursday after that event they started at the house now num-
bered 1602 Indiana Avenue, and resumed the insurance business,
their books, fortunately, being saved by the vault wherein they were
placed. They shortly afterward moved to No. 472 Wabash Ave-
nue, and rented the whole house, living up stairs, and holding their
office in the basement. They remained in this state of combined
domesticity and business until Bryan Block was completed, and
were the first tenants of that block after its erection, being the first
insurance men who occupied an office in a building erected after
the conflagration. In this office, Charles W. Drew & Co. have
built up a business that has surpassed their most sanguine expecta-
tions.
The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Phila-
delphia, is represented in this city by 1'.. I'. Hinman, Charles ll.
Soulc and Calvin S. Smith, general agents for the State of Illinois,
with State headquarters in Chicago. Many strong indorsements
could be culled from the official reports of State commissioners
bearing on the management of this company, but it is sufficient to say
that, for over one-lhird of a century, it has justly taken a high rank
among the leading companies of America. Its assets, consisting of
well-secured mortgages, ground-rents, choice bonds of all desi 1 ip-
tions, and real estate, all being securities of unquestionable char-
acter, and commanding high rates of interest, amount to nearly
ten millions, with a reserve on hand of seven and a half millions.
This company has been represented in Chicago since 1S66, and
has upon its books nearly all of the leading men who have been
and are so closely identified with the progress and growth of the
city. The growth of this company has been large, especially un-
der its present management. Since its organization they have
issued over one hundred and ten million dollars of insurance and
have now forty-one million dollars' worth in force. Charles 11.
Soule has been a resident of Chicago since 1878, and the ollice
under his direction ranks next to the New York and Philadelphia
offices.
The Firemen's Insurance Company, of Chicago, was
organized under the name of the Union Insurance Company, of De-
catur, on February 21, 1867. The company was re-organized, and
name changed to Firemen's Insurance Company of Chicago, and
commenced business in Chicago on April 27, 1876. The company-
has been very successful since its establishment in this city. Its
directors at present are George F. Harding, D. W. Eldred, A. V.
Knickerbocker, E. R. liowen and A. C. Harding; and its officers
are George F. Harding, president; D. W. Eldred, vice-president;
and John L. Skelton, secretary. The assets of the company on
January I, 1SS4, were $169,165.29, and its surplus was S146, 315.05.
It may be remarked that the business of this company has been
steadily growing since 1876, and that, although it confines its busi-
ness to Chicago, within that limit, its transactions are large, pros-
perous and favorable to both the company, and the policy-holders,
equity and liberality characterizing its actions. John L. Skelton,
the secretary of this company, came to Chicago in 1S55, at the age
of eleven years, and, in 1863, became an employe of the Chicago,
Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company as telegrapher and book-
keeper, with which company he remained for some six years. Mr.
Skelton then accepted a position with the Chicago Firemen's In-
surance Company, which company was made utterly bankrupt by
the Chicago fire of 1S71. In 1S76, Mr. Skelton was appointed sec-
retary of the present company He is a native of Halifax, York-
shire, England. He is an active member of the Chicago Academy
of Sciences, and a charter member of the State Natural History
Society of Illinois.
In 1867, the following companies were chartered:
^Etna, American Mutual Health, Burglary, German
Mutual Life, Empire Mutual Life, Home, Shippers',
YesuYius and Western Railroad.
Union Central Life Insi rance Company, of Cincinnati,
established its Chicago agencv in 1867, with Solon McElroy as
genera! agent. Upon his demise in 1881, R. H. Edd) came from
Leavenworth, Kan. He has been superintendent of the company
since 1877, which position his nineteen years of experience in the
insurance business amply qualify him to fill ; and his tact, conn, sy
and general business acumen have proven invaluable in the conduct
of the office and the accretion of the company's business. Four
years since (iSSo), this company stood at the bottom of the insurance
648
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
list as regards the number of policies ; last year (1SS3), it ranked
fourth on the list, and the business for 1SS3 was twent-five per
cent, above that for 1SS2. The net assets on January I, 1SS4, were
£2,010.460.09, and the gross surplus as regards policy-holders on a
four per cent, basis was 8304,402 55.
W, B. Cornell, superintendent of agencies and manager of
the Western Department of the North British and Mercantile In-
surance Company, began the business of insurance in Minneapolis,
Minn., in 1S59, leaving there in 1S64, to enter the general agency
of the Hartford, under the management of George F. Bissell, where
he remained until 1S6S, when he was appointed special agent of
the .Etna for Tennessee and other Southern States, and took up his
residence at Nashville, Tenn. He remained there three years, when
he became connected with the North British, and removed to Cin-
cinnati, taking charge of their then Central Department. In 1S75,
their present Western Department, with headquarters at Chicago,
was formed, and he became associate superintendent, remaining
such untii 1S7S. when he became sole superintendent, and has held
that position ever since. In 1SS2, Mr. Cornell was elected pres-
ident of the Fire Underwriters' Association of the Northwest.
William J. Hemstrkbt was born in Lyons, Wayne Co, N.
\'., in 1S33. At lne age of sixteen, he became a sailor, and
" ploughed the raging main " for two years, but finding no partic-
ular profit in this vocation, he abandoned it, and. when eighteen
years of age, commenced to learn the trade of machinist, at Lock-
povt. He served an apprenticeship of five years at this trade, com-
pleting it at Buffalo, N. V. In 1S57, he commenced farming in
Genesee County, N. Y., and thereremained until the outbreak of the
War. When this occurred he was influential in enlisting some
forty men in Co. " G," 104th New York Yolunteer Infantry — he
also enlisting in the same company — and, at the organization of
the company, w-as elected and mustered in as second lieutenant. He
remained therewith until 1S62, when domestic afflictions necessi-
tated his resignation. He resigned, sold out his farm and re-
moved to Buffalo, N. Y., where he engaged in trade, until March,
1S64, when he recruited a number of men, and was appointed first
lieutenant of Co. "G," 179th New York Yolunteer Infantry. He
remained with this regiment until he was mustered out, in May,
1865, at the close of the War. In July, 1S65, he came to Chicago,
and was employed at his trade of machinist, but decided to go into
the insurance business, and established himself as a broker in
1S67, since which date he has been continuously in the business.
He now represents, as local agent, the Agricultural, of Watertown,
N. Y. ; the German, of Peoria, 111.; and the New Hampshire, of
Manchester, N. H. Many of Mr. Hemstreet's customers, whom
he procured on first going into business, he still retains — memen-
toes of a business confidence engendered by seventeen years of as-
sociation. Mr. Hemstreet is a member of the General George H.
Thomas Post, No. 5, G. A. R., and of the Union Veteran Club.
He was also made a Mason, in 1S73. and is a member of Cleve-
land Lodge, No. 211, A. F. & A. M. ; Washington Chapter, No.
43, R. A.M. ; Siloam Council. No. 53, R. & S. M. ; Chicago
Commandery, No. 19, K. T. ; Van Rensselaer Lodge of Perfec-
tion, 14° ; Chicago Council of Princes of Jerusalem, 16°; Gourgas
Chapter, Knights of R. C. de H , iS° ; and Oriental Sovereign
Consistory, S. P. R. S. , 32°. He is also a member of the military
order of the Loyal Legion and of the Builders' and Traders' Ex-
change.
In 1S6S, there appear to have been nineteen Chicago
companies, of which fifteen were fire, three life and one
accident and life. There were forty agents of fire
companies, also a total of forty life insurance com-
panies, two live-stock companies, one railroad accident,
one steam-boiler and three general accident companies.
"Ol the Chicago companies," says Mr. Colbert, "one dates
from 1853, and was re-organized in 1864; four organized in 1855,
one organized in 1859, one organized in 1861, three organized in
r organized in 1865, four organized in 1S66, and one or-
ganized in 1863; the aggregate capital is about $8,000,000 and the
aggregate rate 'n l're is about 2^ per cent."
The Directory of that year, however, gives twentv-
one home companies, as follows : Chicago Firemen's,
Commercial, Garden City, Germania, Home Mutual, Il-
linois Mutual, Home, International Life, Equitable,
Lumbermen''., Mercantile Mutual, Merchants' Mutual,
Security, Republic, Traders', National, State, Chicago
Life, Provident Fife and Investment, Stock and Mutual,
Mutual Life.
On March 11. [869, the insurance law was passed,
making examinations of each company doing business
in the State a part of the duty of the State auditor,*
and since that date annual insurance reports have been
compiled and published under the auspices of that of-
ficial. In 1869, the following companies were chartered:
Armour Life, Chicago Mutual Health and Life Associ-
ation, Chicago and Yeddo Insurance and Tea Company,
Hibernian, Illinois Mutual Life, Laboring Man's Life,
Mechanics', Mechanics' and Traders', Merchants' Union,
North Western German Mutual Fire, Republic Life,
Safety Deposit Life, Teutonia Life, Union Co-operative,
Western Fire, Marine and Plate Glass, Western Metropo-
lis, Woolen Manufacturers' of Northwest, and Yokohama.
Judge William J. Whaling was born in Stafford County,
Virginia, in 1803, and there received his early education, after
which he removed to New York City, and terminated his scholastic
studies and also commenced the study of law. He speedily be-
came one of the most proficient members of that profession, and
became one of the associate justices of the State, in which capacity
he served for six years, with marked ability. In 1S4S he moved to
Milwaukee, and there became president of the Board of Trade,
and controlled large iron and lumber interests ; he also became the
manager for the ^Etna and Hartford Insurance companies. In
1S68 he removed to Chicago, and immediately became identified
with the best interests of the city, and was particularly prominent
in the insurance business here, representing the same companies
that he had in Milwaukee. On October 8, 1S71, he married Mrs.
Julia Cone and the next day was a sufferer by the great fire to the
extent of all his worldly possessions. His adverse fortune, how-
ever, did not deter him from efforts at its recovery, and he accepted
the general agency for the South for the Hartford Fire Insurance
Company, in which he was eminently successful. On January 9,
1SS5, he died at Eatonton, Ga., in the S2d year of his age. Of
him, a contemporaneous journal thus wrote : "In this bustling and
eager age. with its pursuit of the phantom, wealth, often reserve,
the most charming of qualities, is denied us, and often, too, the
best inspirations of the soul are trampled in the dust to achieve an
ephemeral notoriety and success, among the cunning, the shrewd
and unscrupulous. The successful career of this honorable and
venerable man appeals to us — not in vain — for the exercise of the
finer attributes of our nature, and proves that, in the long run,
success, and lasting honor, and satisfaction are best secured when
justice, equity and unswerving fidelity to truth and honor are the
polar stars of our conduct in life. * * * We linger with regret
over the memory of those noble qualities of head and heart, which,
without the blazonry of titles and coronet, yet gave the assurance
and title among men of the grand old name of gentleman.' The
Southern Underwriters' Association passed resolutions expressive
of their earnest appreciation of the nobility of character of Judge
Whaling and their grief at his loss, and the widow received num-
berless similar expressions of condolence from the Hartford Fire
Insurance Company, and from societies and individuals ; among
them being one from the Fifth Presbyterian Church of this city,
wherein occurs the following just tribute to his memory: " In the
death of our beloved brother we feel that our Church loses a faith-
ful, consistent and spiritual father and elder, whom we shall sadly
miss in his counsels and prayers. His very presence was a con-
stant benediction. God bless his memory to us all. In him was
realized the truth, ' The hoary head is a crown of glory if it be
found in the way of righteousness.' His gentle courtesy was ever
manifest to all with whom he came in contact. He was truly a
Christian gentleman. * * * We tender to his wife, left deso-
late, our deepest sympathy. We bow our heads in submission to
the Divine Will, knowing that the lengthening shadows of the eve-
ning of life have changed into the eternal morning of beauty and
glory."
Charlks F. Schumacher established a real-estate, loan and
insurance agency at No. 266 Blue Island Avenue in 1869, and, in
1881, associated with him his sons, John C. and Charles C, under
: compiler is indebted for
INSURANCE.
649
the firm name of Charles F. Schumacher & Sons. This firm do a
large business; and the prestige established at the time of the lire
of 1871, by Mr. Schumacher, in the payment of all the insurance
risks carried by his agency in full, has been maintained by the
firm since, to the manifest increase of all classes of their business.
They are the agents for the Milwaukee Mechanics' Mutual, and
the German, of Freeport, whose combined assets on January 1,
1884, were $2,500,000, and whose aggregate net surplus on the
same date was $3oo,ooo. They are also agents for the New York
Underwriters', the Scottish Union, the National, and the Cali-
fornia, of San Francisco, insurance companies; and are agents for
the following steamship lines : The Hamburg, the Bremen, the In-
man, the Cunard, the White Star, the Red Star and the National.
Charles F. Schumacher was born in the Dukedom of Mecklenburg-
Schwerin, Germany, December 23, 1823, and received a good com-
mon-school education. In 1846, being an able seaman, he came
from Antwerp to America, landing in New York, where, after a
stay of two weeks, he sailed for Liverpool in the ship " Glasgow,"
with a cargo of flour and turpentine. He then shipped for Mo-
bile, Ala.: with salt, and loaded at that point with cotton for Havre
de Grace, and from there loaded with passengers for New York
City. He left the sea, and came to Chicago, in 1S47, soon com-
mencing to sail on the lakes in the summer, and in the winter time
worked in the packing-houses, continuing these employments alter-
ternately for three years, when he received a severe wound in the
hand that incapacitated him for his usual labors, and he then re-
tired from sailing. He was employed in a hardware store for
about three years, and then his services were engaged by F. P.
Thayer, furniture manufacturer (now Tobey & Company), where
he remained for five years. He then began driving an express
wagon, and followed this business for three years, when the Pike's
Peak excitement broke out, and he went to seek his fortune in the
gold fields, but was satisfied with a short experience, ard returned
in the fall of the same year, again entering Mr. Thayer's employ.
In the spring of i860, he opened a grocery store, remaining in
that business until 1869, when he commenced the real-estate, loan
and insurance business, and associated his sons with him. He
was married in Chicago in 1848, to Miss Catherine Lehn, who
died in 18S3, leaving six children, and, in 1884 he was married a
second -time in his native country, at Wisnar, to Miss Meta Lass.
The Western Manufacturers' Mutual Insurance Com-
pany was incorporated on March 30, 1S69, with John Merki, pres-
ident ; Fritz Karstens, vice-president ; Louis Merki, secretary ;
Ed. Albert, cashier ; and Casper Hahn, Fritz Seiler and August
Heidsmith, taxators, as incorporators, This company transacted
business until the time of the fire of 1S71 ; subsequent to which, it
took up all its policies, settled up all its claims, and was re-organ-
ized. Since October, 1S80, its business has been strictly that
which is implied by its name — Manufacturers' Mutual. Its direc-
tors are Jesse Spalding, William H. Turner, Clinton Briggs, P.
A. Montgomery, J. S. Esterbrook, George E. Wasey and A. J.
Ray ; and its officers are Jesse Spalding, president ; William H.
Turner, vice-president ; Clinton Briggs, treasurer ; and P. A.
Montgomery, secretary. Under the capable and economical man-
agement of these gentlemen, the dividends for a number of years
past have averaged twenty per cent., and for the past three years,
have been over twenty-five per cent. Mr. Montgomery, in ad-
dition to the supervision and management of the affairs of the main
office of the Western Manufacturers' Mutual Insurance Company,
of Chicago, is also general agent for the Western Department of
the Mutual Underwriters' Union. P. A. Montgomery has been in
the insurance business since 186S, at which time he was agent for
the American Insurance Company, Chicago, in the southern part
of the State of Wisconsin, for a few months. He was also, for about
a year, district agent at Oshkosh, Wis., for the Continental Insur-
ance Company, of New York, and for other companies as special
agent. He came to Chicago in 1S75, and carried on business as
special adjuster until 1876, when he was appointed inspector for
the Millers' National Insurance Company, with which he remained
until February, 1SS0, when he was made secretary of the Western
Manufacturers' Mutual Insurance Company.
Geo. M. Harvey & Co. — This agency comprises George M.
Harvey and Byron D. West, and was established January 1, 1SS4,
for the Hanover Insurance Company, of New York, and the Citi-
zens' Insurance Company, of the same State. The Hanover has,
for twenty years, constituted a part of the " New York Un^er-
writers' Agency " — a strong fire insurance organization, known
throughout the country, and established in 1S63 by its present gene-
ral agent, Alexander Stoddard, of New York. Both the Hanover
and the Citizens' have been represented in Chicago for a number of
years, and have been long and favorably known among the insur-
ing population, their prompt and full payment of all their losses
in the great fire of 1871 being in itself a strong, practical evidence
of solidity and honest management. The Hanover had, upon
January 1, 1S84, §2.658,210.17 assets, and S777.25S.13 net surplus,
and the Citizens', organized in [836, on the same date, had assets,
$1,041,584.95, net surplus, $429,936.22. Messrs. HarveyS
represent the Firemen's Insurance Company, of Dayton. Ohio, or-
ganized in 1S50, which has assets of $436,112.00 ami a nil sur-
plus of $52,474.00, and in which company the shareholders arc-
liable, under the Ohio State constitution, for double the amount of
their stock.
George M. Harvey, well known as one of Chicago's busi-
ness men and for over fifteen years identified here with the under-
writing business, is a native of Canada, born in the town of Niagara
in 1S48. His father, James Harvey, was a leading chemist of that
place. The son was given an excellent academic education at the Ni-
agara Senior County Grammar School, which instruction, however,
he left when fourteen years of age. to engage for a time in mercan-
tile life in Buffalo, N. Y. He remained one year with the firm of
Peabody ;v Co., wholesale druggists, and then became identified
with Rounds & Hall, underwriters, in lire and marine insurance ;
from this dates Mr. Harvey's connection with the business he is
now engaged in. He remained five years) with the last mentioned
firm, and in 1869 came to Chicago, which city has since been his
home, and where he then connected himself with the firm of S. M.
Moore & Co. In 1873, his health having failed him, he went to
Europe. In 1S74, he returned, and founded the insurance firm of
Smith & Harvey, which partnership existed during that year. He
then became connected with McCormick Bros cV Findlay, after-
ward W. G. McCormick & Co , remaining there until 1884, when
he founded the present firm of George M. Harvey & Co. In closing
this brief sketch, it is only just to say that Mr. Harvey has been, and
is to-day one of the most successful underwriters and insurance
agents in the country. He is untiring in his industry, prompt and
honorable in all his business intercourse with his fellows, and a man
whom to know is to respect. He is genial, courteous and hospita-
ble, and to these traits of character, coupled with his integrity and
industry, must be attributed the success he has achieved.
Byron D. West was born in 1836, and is a native of Dutchess
County, N. Y. He began his insurance experience in the Western
Branch Office of the .Etna of Hartford, at Cincinnati, Ohio, in the
year 1859. He continued with this company as clerk until the
breaking out of the War, when he enlisted in the 6th Ohio Infantry.
He remained with this regiment until April, 1S62, when he was
promoted to the rank of second lieutenant in the regular army, and
then resigned. He subsequently engaged in the general commis-
sion and brokerage business in New Orleans and Cincinnati, wherein
he continued until 1867. He was then appointed general Western
manager for the Western Insurance Company, of Buffalo. N.Y.,
with headquarters at Cincinnati, Ohio, which position he held for
about three years and until his appointment, in 1870, as assistant
secretary of the Andes, of Cincinnati, a company of $1,000,000
cash capital, organized at that time, but which, two years later, was
forced to retire after having fully and fairly met over $1,000,000
in losses by the great fire of 1S71. During this period, Mr. West was
also made secretary of both the Amazon Insurance Company and
the Triumph Insurance Company of Cincinnati, each having a
paid-up capital of $500,000 ; and his position as secretary of the
Amazon he held exclusively until August, 1S76, when he came to
Chicago to take the position of general superintendent, fur the
United States, of La Caisse Generale, a large French fire insurance
company, at the time under the management of McCormick Bros.
& Findlay, afterward the firm of W. G. McCormick & Co. of this
city, and with which insurance company he remained, for over six
years, United States manager thereof, with headquarters in New
York City during 1SS0-S1 and the greater 1882. In September,
1SS2, he became connected with the New York Underwriters'
Agency as special agent and adjuster, returning to his old field in
the Western States and making Chicago his headquarters. As
may readily be imagined from this recital of the varied and com-
prehensive experiences of Mr. West, he is an insurance man of
ability and executive talent. He was the originator and one of the
organizers of the Insurance Adjustment Company of Cincinnati,
which was established on April 13, 1S73, and has always since
been honored with the position of president of lhat organization,
whether residing in Cincinnati, New York, or Chicago.
In 1870, the Union Insurance and Trust Company
relinquished its insurance interests, re-insured its risks,
and engaged in the general banking business. The
Stock and Mutual Insurance Company re-insured in
the National Insurance Company, of Chicago, and
retired from business; and, a short time subsequent
thereto, the National also re-insured its risks in the
State Insurance Company, of Chicago, and retired
from the public arena; while the Great Western and
Knickerbocker companies, of Chicago, commenced
business.
6;o
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
In 1S71, the Board of Trade Insurance Company
took preliminary steps toward an organization, but they
were never perfected. The last agency established here
before the fire, according to C E. Rollins, was that
located by the Northwestern National Insurance Com-
pany, of Milwaukee, Wis.; the present agent, Mr. Cam-
eron, stating that George C. Clarke was appointed the
agent. The Lumbermen's, Garden City and Lamar
Insurance companies re-insured prior to October, 1871,
and retired from business.
Prior to summing up the insurance chapter by the
conflagration, a syllabus of the business of insuring from
its earliest establishment may be of interest. In the
earlier days of its existence here, its transactions were
hampered by swaddling clothes of credit; risks were
written on a credit basis, some companies receiving
notes exclusively for the premiums, while others, of
sterner mould, insisted upon a payment of one-third
cash and the remaining two-thirds might be guaranteed
by a note. Other companies would not relax their rules
of transacting business upon a purely cash basis, and
hence were blessed with very little business; although
as time rolled on the insurers found that they could
purchase better rates for cash than they could for
credit, and then the cash companies commenced to
receive large patronage. But this was long after the
primary introduction of insurance into Chicago. And
in the early days, the silvery voice of the insurance
solicitor was heard expatiating on the various benefits
derivable from insuring on a cash or credit basis; for
the desire for business by the various companies repre-
sented, and the newness of the enterprise in this city,
made the agents exert themselves to insure the residents
and property holders. Until 1863, the insurance busi-
ness did not attain any special prominence in the city,
but in that year it commenced to receive the attention
and patronage it merits. In 1865, there were but few
Chicago companies in existence when the year dawned,
but about the middle of that year a multitude of ener-
gies which had, for four years, been absorbed in the
maelstrom of civil war were, by its subsidence, thrown
again into commercial and mercantile life. Whether
impressed or not, by their military experience, with the
mortality of persons and the inflammability of earthly
possessions, it is certain that very many ex-soldiers who
entered the field of commercial speculation engaged in
the insurance business and very many citizens became
promoters and sustainers of insurance companies, so
that, by the end of the year one hundred and twenty-
nine companies were located and represented here;
eighty-one fire and marine, twenty-nine life, and two
accident; and also fourteen fire and marine, one life, and
two accident, of which Chicago citizens were the stock-
holders. Mr. Colbert says:
" The importance, and, in fact, the necessity, of uniformity in
rates and good practice, in order to ensure success in the under-
taking, gave rise to the local organization of a Board of Fire Under-
writers, during the year 1855. This Board lasted until 1861, when
the uniformity of rates was interfered with by the practice of par-
ticipation which broke out among the companies, and ended in the
dissolution of the Hoard.* During the months of May and June.
I effort was made toward the re organization of this local
Hoard, the ruinously low rates, and the frequency of losses by fire,
being the prominent cause of the inception of the movement.
About one-half of the companies then represented in the city,
joined the new organization. Hut an opposition, amounting,
indeed, to an almost positive persecution of the undertaking, char-
acterized the struggle for its permanent existence. The first bind-
ing tariff was i:r iouI September, 1866 This was a gen-
eral classification of risks, to which those connected with the Board
themselves to abide. The opposition look shape among
certain Eastern companies, and was termed the 'Quadrilateral.'
■ ' for fun< ions were r
They represented that the Board possessed dangerous powers under
its charter, both as to the limit of holding property, which has
been nominally fixed at the limit of $200,000, and as to the fines
and penalties, which were made a a part of the by-laws governing
the organization. During the period of nearly a year, the struggle
between the Board and its opponents continued, until the former
were compelled to invoke the power of the National Board, and its
perpetuity was made the test of the permanency of the general
organization. However, in January, 1867, the opposition came
into the local Board, and. since that time, it has worked harmo-
niously to the benefit of all concerned, whose community of inter-
est lies in the mutual protection of a fixed tariff of rates and rules
of sound and healthy practice."
From 1868 to 1871, the field of insurance investment
was replete with Chicago companies ; and the act of
1869 was necessary to check and destroy a tendency
upon the part of heedless speculators to operate in in-
surance, without regard to the interests of insurers or
the reimbursement of losses. It weeded out shaky com-
panies, and afforded a statistical test of those that were
stable, by which contemplative insurers could select their
companies. Patronage grew with every month, and
Chicago was the domicile of some splendid companies,
when the fire came and swept them out of existence, as
it would have done any company whose business was
mainly confined to this city. No calculation of risks,
however liberal, could withstand such devastation as was
caused by that event, and no financial stability could re-
main solvent under such overwhelming disaster. Before
that occurrence, however, the insurance companies were
flourishing ; many of them had erected handsome build-
ings, and portents were for a flood-tide of prosperity but
the Black Monday came, and, " Alas ! alas ! that great
city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the
sea, by reason of her costliness, for in one hour is she
made desolate."
Edwards's Directory for 187 1 gives the following as
the local companies doing business in that year:
American, Nos. 118 and 120 Monroe Street; Chicago
Firemen's, No. 92 LaSalle; Commercial, 162 Washing-
ton; Chicago, 128 LaSalle; Germania, 90 La Salle;
Great Western, 174 LaSalle; Globe, 126 Washington;
Home, 139 Madison; Knickerbocker, southeast corner
of La Salle and Madison; Merchants', northwest corner
of LaSalle and Washington; Equitable, Oriental Build-
ing, 120 LaSalle; Mutual Security, 112 LaSalle; Repub-
lic, 159 and i6r LaSalle; State, 82 LaSalle — all these
being fire companies. The home life companies are
given as Chicago, 15 and 16 Union Building, LaSalle
southwest corner of Washington; National, 109 Monroe;
Teutonia, 160 LaSalle; Mutual, 79 and 81 Wells; Re-
public, 161 and 163 LaSalle; Protection, 122 Madison;
and Safety Deposit, 168 Washington. Also one plate-
glass, the Western Insurance Company. In this same
Directory the insurance agents are given as follows:
Affeld Brothers (Frank O. and Charles E., Jr.), Frank-
lin Babcock, C. H. Baker, Banker Brothers & Greene
(William S. and John W. Banker and Samuel Greene),
0. W. Barrett & Co., Joseph E. Bates, J. L. Beckwith,
Thomas W, Blayney, Daniel L. Boone, H. H. Brown,
E. K. Bruce, J. R. Burt, Charles H. Case, L. W. Cass,
A. B. Chladek, William Charles, H. Claflin, L. C. Clark,
1. F. Clark, George C. Clarke & Co., S. Clary, J. A.
Closser, J. G. Conrad, R. S. Critchell, O. Cronkhite,
John Culver, O. P. Curran, Ambrose D. Davis, Lewis
H. Davis, J. R. Dewey, Arthur C. Ducat, J. & M. Early,
Frank P. Fisher, S. French, A. Frisbie & Son, Thomas
( ioodman, Goodwin (Jonathan, Jr.) & Pasco (Henry L.),
A. ('. Greenebaum, F. M. Hawes, W. J. Hemstreet,
Frank Hlawin, Charles B. Holmes, R. W. Hosmer,
Gurdon S. Hubbard, Jr. Huston William B.) &
Wade (George W.), Alfred James & Co., Frederick T.
INSURANCE.
6S1
Tames, H. F. Jennison, Augustus Johnson, R. II.
Jordan, H. H. Koor., J. C. Lambrite, Edwin C. Lewis,
Lewis (I. J.) & Hathaway (John L.), S. T. Lockwood,
Charles H. Low, James A. Marshall, J. (I. McKindley,
T. L. Miller & Co, Miller (James R.) & Drew (Charles
W.), S. M. Moore & Co., Moore (S. M.) & Stearns
(John K.), James Muirhead, J. K. Murphy, A. J.
Newbv, J. H. Nolan, Francis Nourse, Ogden (Mahlon
D.), "Sheldon (Edwin H.) & Scudder (M. L., Jr.),
William Olcott, H. D. Penfield, W. F. Peterson,
Charles Pfeiffer, H. S. Prescott, Prindiville
(Redmond) c\: Morris (Isaac T.), C. W. Rhodes,
Robinson, Prescott & Jenkins (Charles E. , \V.
E. Rollo, W. H. Rose, John Rosicky, J. L. Ross,
David Runnion, E. E. Ryan & Co., J. P. Seeley,
Shandrew (F. E.) & Dean (J. E.), Joseph
Shugart, R. J. Smith, Alonzo Snider, Porter H.
Snow, J. L. Stark, J. M. Stryker, J. A. Stud-
well, John W. Tappan, R. j. Taylor, Teall
(Edward M.) & Fisher (Frederick P.), H. S.
Tiffany & Co , Treadway (George P.) & Jewell
(Edward W.), William Warren, E. W. Wells,
W. H.Wells, M. Whitman, Whitman (N.), Lowell
(Wallace A.) & Co., H. M. Wilcox, O. A. Willard,
and Abram Williams. H. B. Willmarth is like-
wise designated as an adjuster ; Simeon W.
King is an examiner of insurance business ;
and W. S. Elliott, George T. Farmer, R. Greer,
Charles B. Holmes and Hood (Thomas) &
Higgle (J. L.) are brokers.
The foreign companies represented here,
according to the same Directory, were
Accident: Travelers', of Hartford. Fire:
.■Etna, of New York; Alemannia, of Cleveland';
American Central, of St. Louis; American Ex-
change, of New York ; American, of Provi-
dence; Atlantic, of New York; Atlantic F.
& M., of Providence; Aurora, of Aurora;
Beekman, of New York; Brewers', of Milwau-
kee ; Capital City, of Albany ; Charter Oak, of
Hartford ; Citizens', of New York ; City, of
Hartford ; Cleveland, of Cleveland ; Commerce, of
Albany ; Commerce, of New York ; Connecticut, of
Hartford ; Continental, of New York ; Detroit, of
Detroit ; Enterprise, of Philadelphia ; Excelsior, of
New York; Firemen's Fund, of San Francisco; Frank-
lin, of Philadelphia; Fulton, of New York; German,
of Cleveland ; Hartford, of Hartford ; Hibernia, of
Cleveland; Hide & Leather, of Boston; Home, of
Columbus; Home, of New York; Hope, of Providence;
Howard, of New York; Illinois M. & F., of Alton;
Independent, of Boston; International, of New York;
Irving, of New York; Lamar, of New York; Liverpool
& London & Globe; Lorillard, of New York; Lycoming,
of Pennsylvania; Market, of New York; Mercantile, of
New York; Merchants', of Hartford; Merchants' &
Mechanics', of Baltimore; National, of Boston; New
Amsterdam, of New York; North American, of New
York; North British & Mercantile, of London; Nor-
wich, of Norwich; Occidental, of San Francisco;
Peoples', of San Francisco; Peoples', of Worcester,
Mass; Phenix, of Brooklyn; Phcenix, of Hartford; Put-
nam, of Hartford; Reaper City, of Rockford; Security,
of New York; Springfield F. & M., of Massachusetts;
Sun, of Cleveland; Teutonia, of Cleveland; Union, of
San Francisco; Yonkers & New York, of New York.
Fire & Marine: Albany City, of New York; Alps, of
Erie, Penn.; Andes, of Cincinnati; Buffalo City, of
Buffalo; Buffalo, of Buffalo; Commercial Mutual, of
Cleveland; Hibernia, of Cleveland; Manhattan, of New
York; New England Mutual, of Boston; Pa< ific, of
San Francisco; Phenix, of Brooklyn; Roger Willi. mis,
of Providence; Security, of New York; Washington, of
New York; Western, of Buffalo. I. in.: .Etna, of
Hartford'; Amicable Mutual, of New York; Anchor, of
New Jersey; Asbury, of New York; Atlantic Mutual, of
Albany; Berkshire, of Massachusetts; Brooklyn, of
New York; Charter Oak, of Massachusetts; Cincinnati
Mutual, of Cincinnati; Commonwealth, of Boston; Con-
RUINS, INSURANCE BUILDINGS.
necticut Mutual, of Connecticut; Connecticut, of Hart-
ford; Continental, of New York; Economical Mutual,
of Providence; Empire Mutual, of New York; Equitable
Life Association of the United States; Excelsior, of New
York; Globe Mutual, of New "York; Government Secur-
ity, of New York; Hahnemann, of Cleveland; Hartford
Life and Annuity, of Hartford; Hercules Mutual Life
Association of the United States; Home, of New York;
Home Mutual, of Cincinnati; Homoeopathic Mutual, of
New York; Hope Mutual, of New York; International,
of New Jersey; John Hancock, of Boston; Knicker-
bocker, of New York; Life Association of America;
Manhattan, of New York; Massachusetts Mutual;
Merchants', of New York; Metropolitan, of New York;
Missouri Mutual, of St. Louis; Mutual Benefit, of New-
Jersey; Mutual, of New York; New England Mutual,
of Boston; New Jersey Mutual, of Newark; New York,
of New York; North America, of New York; Pacific
Mutual, of Sacramento; Penn Mutual, of Philadelphia;
Phcenix Mutual, of Hartford; Security, of New York;
St. Louis Mutual, of St. Louis; the National, of New
York; Travelers', of Hartford: Union Mutual, of
Boston; United States, of New York City; Universal,
of New York; Washington, of New York: World Mutual,
of New York. Marine: Albany City, of New York;
Independent, of Boston; New England Mutual, of
Boston. Steam Boiler: Hartford Steam Boiler
Inspection & Insurance Company.
6,2
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
The Niagara Fire Insurance Company, of New York,
was established in 1S50, and was mulcted about $200,000 in conse-
quence of the Chicago tire. Since its establishment it has paid
losses amounting to nearly ten millions, and, on January 1, iSSs,
had assets amounting to §1,851,597, and a net surplus of §331,448.
It is at present under the management of Mr. Blackwelder, who
controls its Western department, he having, in April, 1SS1, become
connected with it, and, since that date, has largely increased its
Western business. As is well known the year 1S84 was one of
peculiar and unprecedented hardship to tire insurance companies;
nevertheless, the Niagara, under specially careful and skillful man-
agement, is able to report — what very few companies can do — an
increase of net surplus, and a very slight decrease of assets from
the effect of shrinkage in market values. Moreover, the company's
premium receipts were larger in 1S84 than in 1SS3, while the reserve
is larger by nearly §41,000 than a year ago. And, better than all,
the Niagara, after so severe a year, is able to exhibit that, after
paying fifty thousand dollars in dividends to stockholders, the entire
disbursements of the year were kept down to a point considerably
within the income. This statement is one which is greatly to the
credit of the companv.
I. S. Blackwelder, manager of the Western Department of
the Niagara, is an insurance man of over twenty years' experience,
and comes of an old German family which emigrated to America
prior to the War of the Revolution. There were three brothers, all
of whom were active in the little army of patriots under General
Gates in the South. His father, Peter Blackwelder, married Miss
Nellie Scherer — both natives of North Carolina — and moved into
Montgomery County, III., in 1833. Mr. Blackwelder is a native of
Illinois, born near Litchfield, Montgomery County, March 8, 1S40.
He was attending the academy at Hillsboro', the county seat, at
the age of twenty-one, when he was nominated for the office of
county clerk, and, upon his election, left school and filled that
office for four years, from December, 1861, to December, 1865.
He was urged to accept a re-nomination, but preferring a mercan-
tile life, he declined, and went into business in Hillsboro'. After
some experience as local agent, in January, 186S, he began to
travel as special agent for the .Etna Insurance Company, of Hart-
ford, and continued to travel for that and other companies until
the 1st of April, 1SS1, when he took .charge of the Western Depart-
ment of the Niagara. One week after the great fire, Mr. Black-
welder came to Chicago in the interests of the Franklin Fire
Insurance Company, of Philadelphia, and assisted in adjusting
the losses sustained by that company, and has made Chicago his
home since that time.' On April 5, 1877, he was married to Miss
Alice Gertrude Boughton. the daughter of Rev. A. Boughton, a
Baptist clergyman of Moravia, Cayuga Co., N. Y. The wedding
took place at Lawrence, Kan., Chancellor Marvin, of the State
University, officiating. Two children have been born to them —
Paul on April 7. 187S, and Eliot, on June 4, 1880. Mr. Black-
welder, although not unsocial, is yet too domestic in his tastes and
habits to care for club life; and though a member of the Union
League and Indiana clubs, a Mason and a Knight Templar, yet he
rarely attends, and is not at present in affiliation with the Masons.
He is an attendant at Professor Swing's church.
The German American Insurance Company is represented
in Chicago by Judge Eugene Cary, manager, and J. S. Belden, as-
sociate manager. The Western Department was inaugurated on
October I. 1873, since which time the following have been the
yearly exhibits of the company on January 1st of each of the years
specified:
1874
1875
1-7'.
'-:;
1879
1880
i--i
1--2
1884
sr/,72,
1 867.
2,062,
2,226,
2.325.
2.471.
2,619
3-004,
3.453.
3.7"4.
4.065,
362 59
131 83
968 68
552 97
007 77
7'" 73
36b 64
029 59
74' 19
274 73
9»8 31
Net Surplu
§ Ic
247 69
558 41
678 09
837 53
561 25
.,;-; =4
666 16
,090 66
240 08
578 18
010 26
Both the gentlemen who are at the head of its western manage-
ment are of long experience in the insurance business; Judge Eu-
gene Cary having been therein about twenty-five years in various
capacities He came to Chicago in October, 1871, in the interest
of the Imperial Insurance Company of London, and was manager
of the Western Department of that company until called to his
present position.
Judge Cary was born in the town of Boston, Erie Co., N. Y.,
and came West in 1854, and located in Sheboygan County, Wis.
Before the War, he was county judge of that county, and at the
outbreak of the War entered the service, as captain, with the 1st
Wisconsin Regiment of Infantry Yolunteers; subsequently serving
in the capacity of judge -advocate of the First Division, 14th
Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland. After the War, he settled
at Nashville Tenn., in which State he served one term as member
of the State Senate and one term as judge of the Circuit Court of
the First Judicial Circuit in that State. In Chicago, he served one
term as member of the Common Council (known as the Reform
Council), in the years of 1877 and 1878. He was che Republican
and Peoples' candidate for mayor of Chicago in the spring of 1S83,
but was defeated by Carter H. Harrison, the Democratic nominee.
J. S. Belden came to Chicago in 1S62, and first engaged in in-
surance in 1S65, under J. R. Payson, general agent of the Security
Insurance Company, and with his present company in November,
1872, for which he was assistant manager for seven years, and was
then appointed associate manager, in 18S1, which position he now
occupies.
Asa fitting addendum, the following table of losses of
the insurance companies of New York and Hartford in
this city, for the years specified, is given; and from it
may be gathered the tact that, anterior to the fire of
1871, this city was ripe for conflagrations, and that they
arrived with increasing frequency, until recklessness in
building and utter carelessness as to fire limits culmi-
nated in the disaster of 1S71 :
Year.
Fire.
Losses.
Insurance.
1S63
186
193
243
315
515
46S
490
700
$355,660
65I,7qS
1,216,466
2,487,973
4.215,332
3,138,617
1.241,151
2,305,595
$272,500
485,300
94I,6g2
1,646,445
3,427,28S
1,956,851
841,392
2,052,971
1864
1865---
1S66 -
1867
1S6S
1869
1870
Total
3,"0
§15,612,592
$11,624,439
Amount of Loss by Fire of 187 i. — The amount
of loss entailed by the fire has been variously estimated.
C. E. Lippincott, auditor of State, estimated the
Value of property in the burned district to be $282,000,000
Deduct estimated value of land .$94,000,000
Property not destroyed 35,000,000 $129,000,000
Total amount of loss $153,000,000
Total amount paid by insurance companies 50,178,925
Loss to property owners. $102, 82 1,075
In another estimate, Mr. Lippincott figures as fol-
lows: The amount at risk in burned district was $100,-
225,780. An estimate that the property actually in-
sured was covered by risks, on an average, to the extent
of two-thirds of its value, would make the amount of
the insured property $150,338,670, or worth $50,112,890
over amount for which it was covered by insurance,
Making (exclusive of real estate) $200,451,560
Deduct as before for property not destroyed 35,000,000
Amount of loss -$165,451,560
Amount paid by insurance companies 50,178,925
Loss to property owners $115,272,535
Mr. Colbert estimates the loss at $192,000,000, or
$140,000,000 above insurance; while C. E. Rollins
INSURANCE
computes the loss at $185,510,000, or $135,331 07; net
oss to property owners. A golden me^betweS "he
approx.mat.on of the auditor and these amounts would
653
about convey a fair idea of the amount destroyed and
the loss suffered by the owners.
The precise amount of risks written at the time of
the dre, in the burned district, was $100,225,770 9o dis-
tributed among companies as follows ;
Illinois
Connecticut . .
California
Great Britain..
Massachusetts.
.Missouri
Michigan
Maryland
Minnesota .
Maine ~_.
New York
New Jersey. .
Ohio
Pennsylvania...
Rhode Island..
Wisconsin
West Virginia..
Total
amount of r
i.. the
burned distr
2\ §34.4=6,474 4')
.2,229,625 '»,
4.694,530 c»>
11 t09,78. 71
4,845,636 11
410,825 00
202,150 00
415,975 00
M'',200 00
S7,5°° 00
25,009,528 77
25,000 00
5.709.5S8 88
2.517,3=0 71
2,312,822 00
74S.932 91
33,SS3 33
Total
Ipprox-
|imate amount
paid.
IOO,225,77g go
S3". 700.632 Si $1
.2,229,625 00 -,| 10,830
0 01 2,477,590
6,409,78. 71 6,046,438
4,814,727 2; 3 299,590
400,825 00 90,410
202,150 00 189,377
415,975 00 332.575
140,200 00 137,806
52,500 00 51,875
!4, 484,194 00 .6,242,970
25,000 00 25,000
5,611,943 52 2,799,520
2,492.413 03 2,030,830
2,312,822 00 1.162,538
520,518 29 498,433
33,883 33 33iI33
S96.553,720 94850,178,925
1'he first loss paid was liquidated by the Phenix
Insurance Company, to Hart, Asten & Co., a fac simile
ot the draft being given herewith
shoLhe.nUT,ber,°,f, comPanies P'aced in liquidation is
shown by the following table to be sixty eight-the
Chicago companies being of the number. 'The Ameri-
can however, only had a loss of $972.90, and went on
with its business uninjured by the conflagration that
wound up the affairs of the rest, some of -which, how-
ever, d.d not go into liquidation, but paid out all their
money and retired from business.
New York
Illinois .
Connecticut..
Ohio.
Rhode Island..
Massachusetts..
California .
Pennsylvania
Maryland
Total 6S
Paid-up cap-
And pertinent to this table is the remark made by
the Insurance Times :
"Azrael* came to some of our insurance companies and car
ned away the ignominy, as well as the fruits, of low rates and bail
management. 1 o a few the Chicago lire was a god-send. It ena-
bled them to fold the drapery of death around them and die with
honor Low rates, had practices, and imbecility had been doing
their slow but sure work, and failure sooner or later was in
The following companies, still in business, report, as
below, the amount of their losses paid to the insurers
on account of the Chicago Fire :
ILLINOIS.
American S 972 9"
CALIFORNIA.
Firemens' Fund
Union _
529,364 92
55S.423 35
/Etna
CONNECTICUT.
3,773,423 Ot;
Connecticut 490,875 00
Hartford 1,812.000 00
1>hcenlx - 936,579 23
MAINE,
5,000 00
Union
* Azrael is the angel of dca
1 the Persian Theology.
654
HISTORY OF CHICAGO
MARYLAND.
Maryland Ins. and Sec - -- iS.ooo oo
National 35.000 00
Peabody 10,000 00
Peoples' 17,000 00
Potomac - 10,000 00
MASSACHUSETTS.
Bovlston 13,00000
Eliot - 12,500 00
Franklin 5925° 00
Firemen's — 35.°°o 00
First National 2,500 00
Manufacturers' 115. 949 39
Neptune - 60,00000
North American . - - 10,000 00
Springfield .. - -- 526,360 31
Shoe and Leather - 24,70s 34
Washington 25,000 00
MISSOURI.
American Central 277,406 17
Citizens' 25,000 00
MICHIGAN.
Detroit 1S9.377 35
MINNESOTA.
St. Paul -- 137, S06 34
NEW JERSEY.
Firemen's - 10,000 00
Merchants' - 15,000 00
NEW Y'ORK.
American Exchange. 5S,ooo 00
American - 36.765 4°
Buffalo German .- - 5,00000
Citizens' 62,100 00
Commercial - 4.145 19
Commerce, of Albany 395, 0S3 00
Continental ... 1,550,187 So
Exchange...- 2,437 5°
Firemen's 74,952 00
Firemen's Trust -- 4,953 33
Germania.. 276,861 19
Glen's Falls 7,82669
Greenwich 9,086 S6
Guardian.- 58,077 42
Hanover 276,861 19
Home.. _ 3,071,390 01
Howard 473,16000
Importers' and Traders' 22,500 00
Jefferson 36,830 36
Kings' County — 42,500 00
LaFayette ..-". 7.354 17
l.orillard - 1,400,00000
Mercantile 107,92566
Mechanics' and Traders' 35,Sg8 21
Mechanics' 24,184 09
Merchants' 9,600 00
National- 40,988 62
New York 14,632 94
Niagara — 276,861 19
Pacific 12,100 00
Phenix ._ 425.925 59
Sterling — 7.457 23
Tradesmen's 30.160 06
Williamsburg City 61,710 00
OHIO.
Aurora. 6,975 00
Cincinnati 48,170 64
Commercial 13,000 00
Farmers' - - 5, 000 00
Firemen's 3, 500 00
Germania - 3,50000
Globe 38.365 89
Merchants' and Manufacturers' 14,500 00
Miami Valley - - 20,00000
National 3,000 00
Union 25,00000
Washington 21,000 00
Western 35.472 76
PENNSYLVANIA.
Franklin 636,905 22
Girard 12,136 40
North America 623,545 31
State of Pennsylvania 24437 4°
RHODE ISLAND.
Atlantic -s - 226,319 00
Merchants' _ 5, 000 00
Providence- Washington 496,170 00
WISCONSIN.
Northwestern National 250,766 88
GREAT BRITAIN.
Commercial Union 65,000 00
Imperial . 217,589 91
Liverpool and London and Globe 3,290,779 63
North British and Mercantile. 2,328,380 42
Royal.. 96,893 27
MASONIC HISTORY.
The period treated of in this volume, 1858-71, was
one of increasing prosperity and augmentation of num-
bers. In 1S63, an edict was issued from the Grand
Lodge, at Freeport, 111., directing that all mnemonics,
cyphers, notes, keys, characters, and excerpta should be
destroyed, and that if this edict were not instantly
obeyed, those transgressing the law should be subjected
to Masonic discipline by the preferring of charges and
proceedings subsequent thereto. In order to perpetuate
the unwritten work, twenty-two grand lecturers were
appointed, whose duty it was to visit the lodges and
illuminate those who were not thoroughly conversant
with the work ; among them were J. Herman Bird, of
Lafayette Lodge, No. 18, and Frank G. Green, of Cleve-
land Lodge, No. 211, of Chicago. In 1863, also, an
attempt was made to constitute a quasi-Board of Con-
servators of the Grand Lodge by legislative enactment,
such board to be composed of certain past grand mas-
ters ; but the attempted arrogation of authority was
. sly resisted by the subordinate lodges of the State.
The Grand Lodge also rel 5ed to anyone adhering to
said " Conservators' Association "any Masonic recogni-
tion, and generally excommunicated its inceptors or
supporters. In consequence, that Association demised
after a brief existence.
A. F. & A. M.
Lafayette Lodge, No. 18. — The Masters of this lodge were
W, H. Dobson, 1857 ; W. W. Jackson. 1S5S-59 ; A. W. Hitch-
cock, 1S61 ; Edward Robbins, 1862 ; A. W. Hitchcock, 1S63;
Charles Cohen, 1864. In 1864 the lodge surrendered its charter,
and its members were re-invested with charters as Chicago Lodge.
No. 437, and H. W. Bigelow Lodge, No. 438.
James Augustus Marshall was born in London, England,
on June 9, 1809. His father was an officer of the British army,
who came to Perth, Canada, to take command of troops there,
while James was an infant. James graduated at the University of
Maryland ; was married, in 1836, to Miss Andalusia Shattuck, who
died shortly after her marriage. In 1838, Mr. Marshall married
Rosanna M. Shattuck. They have the following children — James
Frederick, Emma Catharine, Osborne Hanford and Cornelia Ro-
sanna. Mr. Marshall was initiated as an entered apprentice in
Lafayette Lodge, No r8, A. F. & A. M., and then took the sub-
sequent degrees in Lafayette Chapter, in Council No. 4, and
Apollo Encampment, No. 1, also taking the 320. He left LaFayette
Lodge with Apollo Lodge, and upon the surrender of its charter
by the latter body, re-united with LaFayette, in preference to join.
ing the newer and inure popular lodge.
Oriental Lodge, No. 33. — The officers of Oriental Lodge
MASONIC HISTORY.
655
occupying the East since its organization, have been W. F. Wal-
ker, 1S45 ; J. V. Z. Blaney, 1S46-47 ; George Davis, 1S4S-49 ;
J. Herman Bird, 1850 ; Carlton Drake, 1851 ; Thomas Shirley,
1852-53 ; William B. Derrick, 1854 ; Enoch B. Stevens, 1S55 ;
George W. Deering, 1S56 ; William C. Hunt, 1857-58 ; James E.
Dalliba, 1S59 ; George F. Haines, 1S60-61 ; Benjamin F. Patrick,
1S62 ; R. W. Dunham, 1863-64 ; Joseph A. Bunce, 1865 ; Wil-
liam A. Thrall, 1S66 ; John W. Clyde, 1867 ; William G. Swan,
1868; Edwin Powell, 1869-71. After the erection of Oriental
Hall, at No. 122 LaSalle Street, the vested interests of the breth-
ren required administration, and to meet this necessity A. G. Bur-
ley, Mark Kimball and Samuel Brown were appointed as trustees,
and held such office from 1S67 until 1872, the lodge having been
incorporated by act of the Legislature, February 28, 1867, and
thereby become empowered to hold real estate, etc.
The dedication of Oriental Hall occurred July 25,
1867, and is thus described in the Chicago Tribune of
the ensuing day :
" The Oriental Building, on LaSalle Street, opposite the
Chamber of Commerce, is in itself one of the finest specimens of
street architecture to be found in the city, and, for a business build-
ing, is the most complete and substantial of any yet finished. The
offices are all large and well lighted, and the stairways and halls spa-
cious, light and airy. The building is complete, with all modern
conveniences.
" In this splendid building is located the hall, or lodge room,
of the Oriental Lodge, No. 33, A. F. & A. M., which has just
been finished in the Oriental style of architecture, and a degree of
success has been attained, in the peculiar fitness and harmony of
its combinations, seldom realized before."
The cost of the hall was about $35,000, and the loss
entailed by its destruction, in the fire of 187 1, was about
$30,000.
Garden City Lodge, No. 141. — This lodge has had some of
the celebrities in the fraternity among its members, the earliest one
being Carding Jackson. And in the present roster of members ap-
pears Carter H. Harrison, as a perfect ashlar. The Masters of the
lodge, from 1857, have been Francis Hudson, 1857 ; Peter C.
Lusk, 185S ; Eben C. Hurd, 1859-60; H. M. Wilcox, 1861 ; W.
B. Bateham, 1S62 ; John W. Norris, 1863 ; W. B. Bateham,
1864-65; Edward Addy, 1866; Gil. W. Barnard,* 1S67-6S ; H.
F. Holeomb, 1869-70 ; George R. McClellan, 1871. This lodge,
suffered from the fire to the amount of about $5,000, meeting, un-
til that time, in Oriental Hall.
Gilkert Wordsworth Barnard was born on June 1, 1834,
in Palmyra. Wayne Co., N. Y., the son of George Washington Bar-
nard and Sabrina (Deming) Barnard. He came to Michigan when
an infant, with his mother, where he lived until he was fifteen
years old, when he came to Chicago. He then worked for John C.
Williams, in his genera! store, and subsequently was in the book
and stationery business, and was then in the general commercial
business, until recently. He was an active member of the Volun-
teer Fire Department, from 1849 to 1858. He was made a Master
Mason, on December 7, 1S64, by Garden City Lodge, No. 141 ; took
the Royal Arch Degree, on October 2„i866, in Corinthian Chap-
ter, No. 69 ; took the Council degrees, in Siloam Council, No. 53,
on March 25, 1871 ; and the Knight Templar degree, on May 13,
1S70 in St. Bernard Commandery, No. 35. He took the 320 on
April 25, 1S68, and the 33° on November 13, 1873. He was a
member of the first Board of Grand Examiners of the Grand
Lodge, for five years, and has been secretary or recorder of nearly
all the side issues that were termed Masonic, and has re-
ceived over three hundred degrees that were known as Masonic.
He was the Master of Garden City Lodge, the High Priest of
Corinthian Chapter, the Eminent Commander of St. Bernard
Commandery, and Commander-in Chief of Oriental Consistory.
He was also D.D.G.M. of the Grand Lodge for the First District,
and is Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter, Grand Recorder of
the Grand Council and Grand Commandery, and Grand Secretary
of the Council of Deliberation, S P.R.S., of Illinois. It is a work
of supererogation to pen any words of eulogy upon the courtesy,
kindness and industry of this exemplary Mason. He still lives
among us, and each new acquaintance he makes is another friend
added to the long list of those who delight to honor him.
Waubansia Lodge, No. 160. — In 1S58, the meetings of this
body were held at Oriental Hall, on LaSalle Street, and about the
same time the charter was surrendered. On October 3, 1S60, a
new charter was granted to J. E. Church, Myron C. Parsons,
Samuel E. Underhiil, "and several other brethren, for a lodge, to
* To the courtesy and kindness of this eminent Mason, tin- collaborator is
indebted, not alone for these data, but also for other
Masonry.
be termed Waubansia Lodge, No. 160." " After the re-organiza-
tion," says the hand-bunk of this lodge, " the meetings were held
for a time in Blnney Hall, corner Randolph and LaSalle streets;
then, for a while, in the hall occupied by Blair Lodge, and then,
again, in Oriental Hall until 1S71." In the fire it lost all its para-
phernalia, valued at about $1,000, and also $4,000 in bunds which
had not been registered. It had no insurance. Under this blow the
lodge staggered, and, with many of its members, was almost bank-
rupt. I hit it was then demonstrated that Chicago contained many
plucky men, and, fortunately, some of them were members of
Waubansia Lodge, and to this circumstance may be attributed its
existence to-day. While gifts and donations from all over, the
world were pouring in, to relieve the sufferers from the lire, Masons
in different parts of the country were not unmindful of their duty
and privilege toward unfortunate brethren and lodges. Wauban-
sia Lodge, at a most timely moment, was the recipient of an appro-
priate gift of a new set of solid siiver official jewels, from Mount
Vernon Lodge, No. 3, Albany, N. V. After the fire, the meetings
of the lodge were held in Pleiades Hall, on Twelfth Street. The
Masters of the lodge have been : J. E. Church, 1860-63 ; Gardner
S. Barstow, 1864-65; R. Stone, 1866; G. S. Barstow, 1867 ; George
McElwain, 1868-70; J. E. Church, 1871.
Germania Lodge, No. 182. — The Masters of this lodge were
Francis Schoenewald, 1858; Samuel Mohr, 1859; Lucas Buhrle,
1862; Bernard Reiser, 1S63; H. M. Peters, 1S64; I. Ulrich, 1S65;
M. Schmitz, 1866; J. Ulrich, 1S67; II. M. Peters, 1868-69. ™s
lodge was burned out in 1871, and three months after the fire built
the Germania Hall, at the corner of Clark and Michigan streets, at
a cost of $6,000.
William B. Warren Lodge, No. 209. — The Masters of this
lodge, from the date of its organization until the year 18S4, have
been: William T. Raefsnider, Charles Tunnicliff, Ira S. Younglove,
Andrew B. Mason, George W. l'ettee, Samuel C. Smith, David
H. Kilmore. Charles II. Shattuck, Edward Bornemann, Albert
Jack, George M. Aykroyd, Eugene F. Deluce and Cass F. Maurer.
The communications of this lodge at the time of the fire were held
in Oriental Hall, and there its regalia, etc , were destroyed. After
the fire the lodge met at the Masonic Temple, corner of Ilalsted
and Randolph streets.
Cleveland Lodge, No. 211, — On June 3, 185S, this lodge
moved to its new hall in Blatchford's Building, on the southwest
corner of Clinton and Fulton streets. This building was destroyed
by a fire on the evening of September 15, 1S59, the lodge being
at the time of the fire in stated communication. Wiley M.
Egan was Master at the time, and by his promptitude the most
valuable of the lodge furniture was saved. During its salvage,
brothers George H. Gibson, Thomas Chron and Ira Goddard re-
mained until the stairway was burned, and narrowly escaped by a
cord from the fifth-story window. The lodge then found a resting
place in the hall of Accordia Lodge, No. 277, on the corner of
Randolph and Clinton streets, and there remained until the new
hall at Nos. 80-82 West Randolph Street was fitted up. In
the summer of 1870, the lodge leased the lodge room in the
new Masonic Temple on the West Side. There Cleveland Lodge
remained; and when the "sound of mourning was heard in the
land," in October, 1S71, she threw open the doors between the two
columns, and welcomed Masons of every degree to her hospitable
halls, and there an asylum was afforded for whole or partial work-
ing of twelve Blue Lodges, two Chapters, two Councils, two Com-
manderies and Oriental Sovereign Consistory; while upon the
upper floor were dispensed the money and supplies of the Masonic-
Board of Relief, among whose members were Wiley M. Egan,
Theodore T. Gurney, George K. Hazlitl and Edward J. Hill. The
Masters of Cleveland Lodge, No. 211, have been as follows:
Reuben Cleveland, 1S56-5S ; Wiley M. Egan, 1S59-60; Nathan
^^C
W. Huntley, 1861-63; George H. Gibson, 1864; Asa E. < utler,
1S65-66; Theodore T. Gurney, 1S67 ; Reuben Cleveland, 1868;
Arthur R. H. Atkins, 1869: John McLaren, 1870-71.
BLANEY Lodge, No. 271.— This body received its name in
honor of lames Van Zandt Blaney, and was authorized to convene
by virtue of a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Illinois, dated
March 22, 1858. On October 6, 1S5S, the charter was issued,
with the No 271, and the following as charter members ; < ieorge
(owner I.. shim Howell Gest, Matthew Taylor, Gilberl Richard
Smith William Train Muir, Hi, am Calvin Wells t'uwdery, Hiram
6=;6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Henry Scoville, Jr., Russell Smith, William Alexander llendrie,
Charles Biggs, Edwin Bean, Daniel Cameron, Jr., Joseph Arend
Gray, John Larglands and George Lincoln Dunlap, On October
13, 1858, the lodge was duly constituted and the officers installed.
The tirst officers were George Cowper, \V. M ; J. If. Gest, S.W.;
M. Tavlor, I.W.; \V. T. Muir. treasurer; G. R. Smith, secretary;
H. C. W. Cowdery, S.D.; H. H. Scoville, Jr., J.D.; Russell
Smith. S.S.; W. A. Hendrie, J. S.; and Thomas J. Sherwood, ty-
ler.* The Masters, since the organization of the lodge, have been —
George Cowper, iS;S; Joshua Howell Gest, 1S59; Gilbert Rich-
ard Smith, 1S60-63; DeWitt Clinton Cregier, 1064-67; George
Benjamin Carpenter, 1S6S; Edward Cook, 1S69-70; G. B. Carpen-
ter, i?7i. The communications of the lodge were first held in
Temperance Hall, on the corner of West Randolph and Clinton
streets, until June 3, 1S5S, when the lodge was removed to the
hall of Cleveland Lodge, No. 211, in the fifth story of the brick
building at the southwest corner of Clinton and Fulton streets.
On September 15, 1S59, this building was burned, and Blaney
Lodge lost everything but a silver trowel and its funds. It
then determined on having a hall of its own, in the meantime oc-
cupying a hall on the northeast corner of Kinzie and North Wells
streets. On February 10, 1S60, Blaney Hall was dedicated, situ-
ated in the third story of the Metropolitan Block. On June 7,
1S66, the lodge was again destroyed by fire, with the north end of
Metropolitan Block, and again lost all its large property. The
jewels and the silver trowel were afterward recovered from the ruins.
The lodge then met in Masonic Temple, on Dearborn Street. On
June 11, 1S67, Blaney Hall, Nos. 53 and 55 Dearborn Street, was
publicly dedicated by Grand Master J. V. Z. Blaney, and the first
meeting of the lodge was held therein on June 12,1 S67. The Chicago
Times, of June 12, 1S67, said : " To obtain a just and accurate
idea of the beauty of this paragon of halls, it must be seen. No
mere written description can convey a just impression of its mar-
velous perfection of detail, or its beauty as a whole. Let it be
known that the mere interior of this Temple of Masonry has cost
about twenty thousand dollars." The last stated communication
was held September 27, 1S71, in Blaney Hall; on October 9, 1S7T,
it was destroyed. The silver trowel was recovered in a distorted
shape, and two jewels were found uninjured, except from dis-
ion. 'I he loss is impossible to state, the lodge being
ilars prtvntrtt above, the compiler if indi bted to I he < our-
tcavof '/. A. M [ M the printed history ->f the
lodge, which >- ' 1 and complete of any in the city,
esteemed the wealthiest in Chicago before the fire; $13,012.50 was
subsequently recovered from insurance.
Accordia Lodge, No. 277. — This lodge received its dispen-
sation in 1858, and was chartered on October 6, 1858. Its first
officers were Gustav H. Baumer, W. M.; Charles Kauffeld, S. W.;
F. Holbeck, J. W.; J. William Eschenburg, secretary; A. Ort-
mayer, treasurer; E. Jaeger, S. D.; Charles Weisswange, J. D.,
and A. B. C. Hanemann, tyler. The Masters, so far as could be
found from the Directories, were J. W. Eschenburg, 1862-65; F.
Geudtner. 1S66-67; H. Vogler, 1S69. This lodge was burned out
in the fire, at the southwest corner of Lake and Clark streets.
These particulars are brief, for the reason that no responses were
received from the numerous applications to the secretary.
Ashlar Lodge, No. 308. — On March 24, 1S59, a meeting of
Masons was held at the Richmond House, Chicago, where a petition
for a dispensation was preferred to M. W. Grand Master Ira A. W.
Buck, and by him granted. The first meeting held by the lodge was at
Accordia Lodge room, at the corner of Randolph and Clinton streets,
on April 7, iSsg. Thereat Allyn Weston was worshipful master; M.
D. Hennessy, senior warden; John G. Shortall, junior warden;
Samuel Hawk, as treasurer; Josiah S. Colgate, as secretary; Charles
A. Gregory, as senior deacon; Alfred H. Pitkin, as junior deacon;
I. P. Hatfield, as tyler. Two members were present — James L.
Gates and Belden F. Culver, who were appointed stewards, and
two visitors honored the occasion, W. A. Burdock and Andrew
Ortmayer. Petitions for the degrees were received from D. B.
Fisk and J. U. Borden. The meetings of the lodge were held in
Accordia lodge-room for some little time and then in the room of
Blaney Lodge; after that in Blair Hall, and then once more in
Blaney Hall, on February 1, 1870, where the fire destroyed all
their paraphernalia and regalia. Immediately after the fire, the
lodge met at Owsley's Hall, at the corner of Robey and West
Madison streets, and from there removed to the parlor of the West
Side Masonic Temple. The first initiate of the lodge was D. B.
Fisk, on July 7, 1859; the first fellowcraft was James U. Borden,
passed on August 16, 1S59, and the first master mason was also
Brother Borden, who was made on September 11, 1S59. The char-
ter was granted on October 5, 1S69, with the fol-
lowing charter members: Allyn Weston, Michael
A. Gregory, E. M. Dewey, Alfred H. Pitkin, Sam-
uel Hawk, James L. Gates and Josiah S. Colgate.
On November 11, 1862, the lodge was constituted
and the officers installed by the Grand Lodge, M.
W. G. M. F. M. Blair, presiding; assisted by D. G.
M. H. A. Johnson, G. S. W. H. N. Hurlbut; G.
J. W. G. R. Smith; and the other members of the
grand body. The following officers were installed:
George W. Deering, W. M.; Samuel S. Greeley,
proxy for M. D. Hennessy, S. W. ; John G. Shortall,
J. W.; James U. Borden, proxy for Philip Wads-
worth, treasurer; E. W. Jones, proxy for secreta-
ry; Charles A. Gregory, S. D.; W. N. Dunham,
J. D.; and I. P. Hatfield, tyler. The Masters
of this lodge have been Allyn Weston, 1859-61
(appointed); G. W. Deering, 1S62 (appointed that
year and elected December 13, 1S62; G. W. Deer-
ing, 1863; Nicholas FYancis Cooke, 1864-65; W.
B.Young, 1866-68; William Borner, 1869-70; U.
W. Weston, 1S71.
Dearborn Lodge, No. 310. — This lodge was
granted its dispensation on December 24, 1858,
and organized thereunder on June 5, 1859. It
first met in the old Orphan Asylum building, on
the corner of Twenty-second Street (Ringgold
Place) and Michigan Avenue. On October 2, 1S59,
it received its charter — the charter members being
Eliphaz W. Jones, Horatio Nelson Hurlbut, Joel
Gurley, Nathaniel Goold,* William Colby, Henry
R. Caberey, William B. Bateham, Lucius Bolles
Boomer, C. P. Albee, John W. Goodwin. John
Chrimes and William H. Reid. The first officers
were Eliphaz W. Jones, W. M.; Horatio N. Hurl-
but, S. W. ; and Joel Gurley, J. W. ; William Colby,
treasurer ; H. R. Caberey, secretary ; W. B. Bate-
ham, S. D. ; N. Goold, J. D., and C. P. Albee, L.
B. Boomer and J. W. Goodwin, members. The
lodge continued to meet at the Orphan Asylum
building for some time, and then moved into the
old McVicker Theater building, and after that into
Blaney Hall, where it was burned out on October
9, 1S71. The loss to the lodge by thefire was about $3, 000, and
immediately thereafter the lodge re-organized at the lodge -room on
the corner of ttobeyand West Madison streets. The Masters of this
lodge have been Eliphaz W. Jones, 1S59-60; Horatio N. Hurlbut,
[86] 'J ; E. W. Jones, 1863; W. II. Reid, 1864-65 ; E. M. Nor-
* This is the only charter member who is still a member of the lodge.
_^
MASONIC HISTORY.
''57
ton, 1S66 ; W. II. Reid, 1867 ; G. N. Houghton, 1868 ; John Sut-
ton, 1S69; L. D. Berry, 1S70 ; John Sutton, 1S71.
Kilwinning Lodge, No. 311. — Tin's lodge was organized on
March 2, 1859, under dispensation dated February 11, 1859, nm'
was chartered on October 5, 1S59, the following being the charter
members : William T. Muir, Frank G. Green, Henry Burwell.
Charles Harding, J. C. Burchett, A. M. Wood, Charles P. Went-
worth, P. M. Almini, C. S. Bixby, Charles Cohen, Frederick F.
Engstrom and lohn S. Gould. The first officers were William T,
Muir, W. M.; Frank G. Green, S. W.; Henry Burwell, J. W.;
Charles Harding, treasurer; Charles J. Stolbrand, secretary; A.
W. Wood, S. I).; John C. Burchett, J. D.; William H. Dobson,
T. T. Gurnev, John Voice, C. P. Wentworth, John S. Gould, Du-
gald Stewart] C. B. Marsh, B. Merrell, C. S. Engle, L. K. Osborne,
Horatio G. Sinclair, William H. Rand and William Ferrill, members.
The lodge met at first at the hall of Accordia Lodge, corner of
West Randolph and Clinton streets, and then at the corner of
Kinzie and LaSalle streets. The lodge was burned out on North
Dearborn Street, between Water and Kinzie, where it had fitted up
an elegant hall — the only thing that was saved being the key The
Masters, for the periods given, were William T. Muir, 1859-00^
F. G. Green, 1862-64; O. W. Wood, 1865 ; F. M. Green, 1S66;
Eli Wood, 1867; R. G. Lucas, 186S; A. M. Thompson, 1S69.
Blair Lodge, No. 393. — This lodge was constituted by dis-
pensation on September 16, 1S63, and received its charter on Octo-
ber 8, 1S63; it being named Blair in honor of F. M. Blair, who,
in that year, was grand master of the State of Illinois, and one of
the charter members of the lodge. The following list comprises
such charter members : W. W. Winter, S. J. Haves, W. A. Stevens,
W. H. Purdy, S. Diven. T. J. Elson, J. B. Austin, P. Devine, G.
C. Marshall', F. M. Blair and \V. T. 'Morrow. The first officers
were W. W. Winter, W. M.; S. J. Hayes, S. W. ; W. A. Stevens,
J. W. ; W. H. Purdy, treasurer ; Wallace Barry, secretary ; T. J.
F21son, S. D.; George C. Marshall, J. D.; and P. Devine, tyler.
The Masters have been as follows : W. W. Winter, 1S63-64; S. J.
Hayes, 1S65: W. A. Stevens, 1866-67; S. Quinlan, 1868-69; S. F.
White, 1S70; J. O'Neill, 1871. Blair Lodge room in McVicker's
Theater building was destroyed at the time of the fire, and the
lodge lost everything; at that time the treasury was accounted the
wealthiest in Chicago, with one exception.
Thomas J. Turner Lodge, No. 409. — This lodge was or-
ganized January 2S, 1S64, chartered October 5, 1S64, and burned
out in 1S71, in Blaney Flail. Its first officers were — I. W. Norris,
W.M. ; D. A. Cashman, S. W. ; Thomas Hingele'y, J. W. ; II.
Olcott, treasurer; F. W. Cole, secretary ; G. C. Smith, S.D. ; F.
W. Fraunberg, J.D. ; H. B. Pinkham, S.S. ; F. T. Mulvev, J.S. ;
and Isaac P. Hatfield, tyler. The Masters since organization
have been — J W. Norris, 1S64-65 ; D. A. Cashman, 1S66-69; G.
C. Smith, 1S70-71 ; C. E. Leonard, 1871.
Mithra Lodge, No. 410. — This lodge was chartered on Oc-
tober 5, 1S64, and works in the German language. It lost its hall,
at 11; Wells Street, in the fire of 1S71.
Hesperia Lodge, No. 411. — This lodge, on October 5, 1S64,
was chartered with the following charter members : Nathan W.
Huntley, Ammi Merchant Bennett, Henry Sweet, William Stewart,
George G Sinclair, William Cravens, William Himrod, Tr. , T- H.
Bruce, W. Padelford, Jr., John H. Richardson, William P. White,
George Miller, H, G.Carey, George II. Gale, J. Hennersheets,
Joseph P. Wills, A. M. Whitney, Joseph K. Tyler John F Colby,
Robert A. Mills, Insley D. Johnson, Isaac N. Macbeth, John M.
Adams and Robert A. Addison. The first officers were Nathan
W. Huntley, W.M.; A. N. Bennett, S.W., and Henry Sweet, J.
W. It met at the West Side Masonic Temple at the time of the
fire and opened its hall to the burned-out lodges, and did its ut-
most to assist brethren who were less fortunate than its members.
Landmark Lodge, No. 422. — -In 1S63, a dispensation was
granted to a lodge that met in Hyde Tark, of which the officers
were Nicholas Francis Cooke, W. M. ; Homer Nash Hibbard, S.
W. ; William K. Ackerman, J. W. ; Edwin Oscar Newberry, treas-
urer ; John Trimble, Jr., secretary ; W. C. Lewis, S. D. ; George
Washington Waite, J. D. ; F"ergus M. Blair, tyler. This lodge
was chartered as Hyde Park Lodge, No. 422, on October 5, 1864,
with the following charier members : II. N. Hibbard, James
Wadsworth, Daniel Tyler Waite, Samuel Hopkins Downs, F. 1 >.
Newberry, John Middleton, G. W. Waite, Carlton Drake. Charles
Sunter, Jonathan Asa Kennicott and Thomas Leeds Morgan. On
July 19, 1S70, the lodge removed from Hyde Park to Chicago. On
December 20, 1S70, the new lodge hall was dedicated, at No. 727
Cottage Grove Avenue. On October 4, 1S71, by the consent and
procedure of the grand lodge, the name was changed from Hyde
Park Lodge, No. 422, to Landmark Lodge, No. 422, although,
strange to say, the name was not changed upon the charter unt;l
1884. The Masters of this lodge have been : Nicholas Francis
Cooke, 1863; Homer Nash Hibbard, 1864-65 ; George Washing-
ton Waite, 1S66 ; John Middleton, 1S67-6S ; Peunovcr Levi
42
Sherman, 1869; Horace Acmon Harvey, 1^70; ["nomas Cordis
Clarke, 1871.
Chicago Lodge, No. 137. — This body received its dispensa-
tion on October 16, 1.SI14, and its charter on October 4, 1865, lie
following being the charter members; Charles Cohen
Shields, Mho. Marcuse, S. Alshuler, A Barnett, Emanuel Bruns-
wick, James Byron, I [enryl !ole, M. 1 >aniels, Benjamin Engel, [acob
Frost, S. M. Fleishman, \l. \I . ( lerstley, Michael 1 ireenebaum, Her
ry Greenebaum, Tobias Goldschmidt, Solomon Harris, Ignatz Her-
zog, J. II. Henoch, Abraham Hart, Anton Herzog, Lazarus II
Louis Holberg, M. Israel, Abraham Kohn, Morris Kohn, Charles
Kozminski, Nathan Kramer, Henry Leopold Isaac Liebenstein,
Abraham Louis, N. Levy, A. Libel man, Jonas Moore, M. Morris,
Leon Mandel, James McWilliams, A. Marcus, Isaac Marks, \. Ison
Morris, George H. Mueller, John Pfund and M. Ptlaum. I Ins
lodge is essentially German, and has a flourishing and influential
membership. Its past masters have been: Charles Cohen, Louis
Wampold, Joseph Spiegel, Henry A. Kaufman, Adolph Shire.
Moses Joseph, Nathan Ilefter and Edward Kubowitz. This lodge
was burned out by the fire, its lodge room being in Oriental Hall.
H. W. BigeLow Lodge, No. 438.— This lodgi
dispensation dated October 5, 1864, an. I its charter dati .1 1 >. tober ),
1565, being, with the Chicago Lodge, an outgrowth of La Fayette
Lodge, No. iS. Its first officers were : A. W. Hitchcock, \\ . M.
E. Robbins, S. W.; E. L. Ives. J.W.; J. Whilt, S. 1).; E. I..
Wood, J. D.; Ed. Goodale, secretary ; YV. H. Dobson, treasurl r ;
John S. Russell, tvler. Its Masters were : A. W. Hitchcock, 1865-
66 ; William Lapham, 1867 ; W. II. Dobson, 186S ; William Lap-
ham, 1869 ; George Tapper, 1S70-71. The lodge had one hundred
and eleven members in 1871, and was burned out in Oriental Hall.
Pleiades Lodge, No. 478. — This lodge was organized on
January 1, 1S66, and chartered on October 3, 1866.
Home Lodge, No. 508. — This lodge was organized April 6,
1566, and chartered on October 26, 1S66. Its place of meeting
being on Twenty-second Street, it was not destroyed by the great
fire.
Covenant Lodge, No. 526. — On October 5, 1866, a meeting
was held at the office of Charles H. Falch, whereat were present
Thomas E. Miller, Joseph T. Moulton. J. S. Mclntyre, Isaac S.
Roseberry, E. R. Warner, Henry Turner, Charles H. Falch, John
A. Crawford, J. F. Haley, N. J. Livingston, William Erby, Ed-
ward Callow, Charles E. Hyde, Edward N. Edwards and W. I).
Smith. These Masons resolved to petition for the institution of a
lodge to be called Unity Lodge, and the three principal officers
elected for the inchoate lodge were— Edward N. Edwards, master ;
Charles E. Hyde, senior warden, and J. F. Haley, junior warden.
A dispensation was granted on October 26, and on November 2,
1S66, the first regular meeting of the new lodge was held in their
hall, No. 55 North Clark Street. The name of Unity having been
chosen by Unity Lodge, No. 4S. the Grand Master desired that
another name be chosen, and Covenant was adopted by vote of the
members. On October 1, 1S67, the lodge was chartered as Coven-
ant Lodge, No. 526. with the following charter members : Martin
Blackburn, Justin Bowman, J. S. Barnes, Peter Cochran, Edward
Callow, John A. Crawford, Edward N. Edwards, William Erby,
Charles H. Falch, J. II. Green Charles E. Hyde, J. I- . Haley.
George W. Hale, Thomas K. Ilolden, D. II. Lincoln, Thomas I -'..
Miller, William M- Miller, Joseph T. Moulton, Charles C. Phillips,
E. M. Portch, William Pingree, Isaac S. Roseberry, W. D. Smith,
Henry Turner, Andrew M . Wood, ( ',. C Wade and F. R. Warner.
On October 15, 'IS67, the lodge was duly constituted, and ils offi-
cers installed by Wiley M. Egan, acting grand master; the officers
being Edward N. Edwards, W. M ; C. F. Hyde, S. W.; William
Pingree, T-W.; T. E. Miller, treasurer; S. G. Pitkin, secretary;
A. Hilson", S ]).; W. E. Best, J. D.; J. Myers, S. S.; J. W. Law-
rence, L S., and I. A. Crawford, tyler. The lodge continued to
meet at No. 55 North Clark Street, with a flourishing membership,
and amid the most pleasant experiences, until September 1. 1871.
when it moved to more commodious quarters, near the corner of
Dearborn and Kinzie streets — the hall of Kilwinning I odge, No.
311. It continued to meet there until the lire of 1 871. which de-
stroyed all its jewels, paraphernalia, etc., and entailed a loss upon
the lodge of about S4,ooo. But one book of records escaped the
general destruction. After the tire it met at the hall of the Union
Park Lodge, No. 610, at No. 679 West Lake Street. The Masters
of this lodge have been : E. N. Edwards, 1866-68 ; C. F. Hyde,
1S69 ; William Pingree, 1S70; S. G. Pitkin, 1871.
I ESSING LODGE, No. 557. — This lodge was organized June
4, 1S67, and chartered October I, 1867. It was burned out on
October 9. 1S71, at Lessing Hall, No. 12 North Clinton Street.
Nationai I 1. No. 596 —This lodge was organized Feb-
ruary 19, 1S6S, chartered on October 6, 1S6S, and burned out on
October 9, 1 -71 .
UNION Park I. IE, \". 610, was organized December 19,
1 368, and 1 hai tei 0 - 1869,
6sS
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Lincoln Park Lodge, No. 6h. — In December, 186S, a no-
tice was published in the daily papers, asking all those interested
in the formation of a new lodge in the vicinity of Lincoln Park, to
meet at the drug store on the corner of Centre and Sedgwick
streets. At that meeting, H. E. Hamilton was elected master, L.
A. Beebe, senior warden, and J. A. Smith, junior warden of the
embryonic lodge. On January iS, 1S69, a dispensation was
granted to Lincoln Park Lodge, and shortly afterward the new
lodge was assembled and opened in the building at the corner of
Lincoln Avenue and Centre Street, with eighteen members. The
hall was fitted up at an expense of S2,ooo. On October 5, 1S69,
a charter was granted, with the number 61 1, to the following breth-
ren : H. E. Hamilton, L. A. Beebe, J. A. Smith, T. Cromlish, A.
McNallv, I. F. Williams, T. H. Clvbourn, D. Long, G. Macauley.
G. McBean, C. McBean, C. C. "Meserve, L. D. Owen, J. C.
Rhodes. W. R. Walpole, L. Schaffner, Shubael D. Childs, S. D.
Childs, Ir., T. Costello, F. T. Burdett, S. Daniels, P. G. Gardner,
J. G. Holt,"T. Stone, F. Wells, E. Cheetham, H. I. Howland,
C. W. Fuller, L E. Gamble, ]. C. Salisbury, C. A. Schmidt, J.
H. Friedrich, f. H. Kroger, C. Laux, Jr., J. S. Watson, O. W.
Crocker, J. Brooks. M. Buschwah, A. J. Dox, D. R. Hale, A.
Patch, S." L. Moore, W. Whitney, E. F. C. Klokke and I. W.
Blood. On the evening of Friday, October 14, 1S69, the new
lodge was duly constituted, its hall dedicated, and its officers in-
stalled by R. W. DeWitt C. Cregier, as proxy for the M. W. Grand
Master. The fire of October 9, 1871. destroyed all the property of
the lodge. Its lodge room was at the corner of Centre and Lincoln
streets. The first stated communication after the fire was held at
the store of L. A. Beefie, No. 41S Centre Street, on the evening of
November 3, 1871. The Masters of this lodge, until that time,
were H. E. Hamilton, 1S69-70; L. A. Beebe, 1S71.
Keystone Lodge, No. 639 — This lodge was organized under
dispensation dated April 22, 1S69, and received its charter on Octo-
ber 6, 1S69, the following being the charter members : Eli Wood,
Moses Shields, Lucas Buerhle, H. M. Peters, Louis Roman, Louis
Marcus, Samuel Engel, John Shank, Samuel Ellis, Isidor Rosen-
thal, Henry A. Kaufman, Samuel Glickauf, A. Barnett, K. D.
Kaufman, Leo Canman, Herman Hirschberg, Joseph Lederer,
Smion Munchrodt, Samuel Mayer, O. C. Ludwig, Wells Sherman,
George Kuhnen, William Sanderson, Niles Noburg, W. H. Bal-
shan, John S. Quinn, William Vocke, F. C. Gerbing, F. Metzke,
Maurice Ptlaum, Samuel McKay, Philip Lipman, Morris Roman,
N. C. Kelley, Haver Rielzniger and Niels Rasmussen. The first
officers were Moses Shields, W. M.; H. A. Kaufman, S. W.;
Samuel Ellis, J.W.; Frederick Metzke, treasurer; Leo Canman,
secretary; Eli Wood, S. D. ; Samuel Engel, J. D ; and K. D.
Kaufman, tyler. The lodge met in the building on the southwest
corner of Michigan and North Clark streets, and there lost its fur-
niture, paraphernalia, etc., in the fire of 1S71.
Apollo Lodge, No. 642. — On October 8, 1S69, a dispensa-
tion was issued by Harman G. Reynolds, M. W. G. M., to form
Apollo Lodge. The officers under this dispensation were George
N. Houghton, W. M.; M. A. Thayer, S. W.; George Howison, J.
W . ; L. K. Aarhaus, treasurer; W. C. Dodge, Jr., secretary;
William McGregor, S. I).; William Freeman, J. D. ; Hugh Rob-
ertson, tyler. The charter was issued, with the number 642, on
October 4, 1870. to the following charter members: Moses A.
Thayer, George Howison, William McGregor, George N. Hough-
ton. Hugh Robertson, Edwin Greene, William B. Nelson, Calvin
S. Hartley. A. W. Blakely, Urias R. Riggle, Simon Livingston,
William Freeman, William Warren, William Porter, Malcolm Mc-
Laren, John Smith, William Jenkinson, Joseph L. Kern, Lewis K.
Aarhaus, John Holm, William Harvey, Duncan Ferguson, Robert
Robertson, James Kennedy, Henry Blattner, Leopold Marquis,
Charles E. Everts, William Fitchell, Frederick Gorason, Peter A.
Goody, fames Winship, T. W. Adams, Charles II. Fitch, Samuel
Wiley, H. R. Cabery, Henry P. George, Willard Pearce, P. S.
Crockett, James Reid, James Thompson, Thomas J. Suddard,
I Livid Johnston, Roderick Fraser, Charles E. B Peterson, Patrick
T. Rogers, |ames Demers, Augustus Rose. Charles T. Poinier,
William C. Dodge, Jr, William H. Elliott, Charles W.Chaffee,
Orville A. Taylor. Shaw Stewart, J. N. Bowers, E. W. Dorsey,
I. A. Wooster, George W. Hotaling and William Malley. The
first officers under the charter were Moses A. Thayer, W. M. ;
Howison, S. W.; William McGregor, J. W. ; L. K, Aar-
aus, treasurer ; Edwin Greene, secretary; T. J. Suddard, S D.;
William Freeman, J. U. ; Orville A. Taylor, S. S.; William B.
Nelson. J. S. ; Hugh Robertson, tyler. The lodge, being situated
at Twenty-eighth and State streets, was not injured by the fire,
and the Masters mentioned above were those who occupied the
chair until that time, Moses A. Thayer serving two terms of
office.
D. C. CREGIER Lodge, No. 043, was organized in 1869,
chartered in October, [870, and was named in honor of Dewitt
Clinton Cregier, whilom Grand Master of tin- State,
Herder Lodge, No. 669 — On November 19, 1870, a dispen-
sation was granted to this lodge, and pursuant thereto a meeting was
held at No. 505 South Union Street on November 22, 1870, and
the following officers were appointed ; E. R. Lott, W M.; 13. L.
Roos, S. W. ; Jacob Hammel, J. W.; William Daniels, treasurer;
George M. Miller, secretary ; Charles Busack, S. D. ; Ernest
Kretschmer, J. D.; Frederick Sumpp, S. S.; J. J. Maypole, J. S.
and Nicholas Roehl, tyler. On October 3, 1871, a charter was issued
to this lodge, with the number of 669, the following being the charter
members ; E. R. Lott, of Lessing Lodge, No. 557; B. L. Roos of
the same lodge; Jacob Hummel, of Germania, No. 1S2; Frederick
Sumpp, of Pleiades, No. 47S; Charles Busack, of Germania; Wil-
liam Metzger, Nicholas Roehl, William Daniels and George M.
Miller, all of Pleiades; J. J. Maypole, of Germania; Ernst Kretsch-
mer, of Kilwinning, No. 311, and David Kahn, of Garden City,
No. 141.
W aldek Lodge No. 674, was granted a dispensation February
13, 1S71, and received its charter on October 3, 1871, the charter
members being Frederick Lehrkamp, Robert Beiersdorf, August
Binz, Theo. Klingner, Max Warschauer, Alex. Weinberg, Otto A.
mSchultz, John Mueller, Liborius Gollhardt, Bernhard Wolf, E. D.
Keiners, Leopold Hill, Anton Schultz, Fred. Appell, Wilhelm H.
Feindt, Louis Kalisch, Gabriel Wolf and Adolph Berg. The first
officers were: Fred. Lehrkamp, W. M.; Robert Beiersdorf, S W. ;
A. Hinz, J. W.; M. Warschauer, S. D.; J. Mueller, J. D.; A. Wein-
berg, secretary; Theo. Klingner, treasurer; C. Schultz and G. Holz,
stewards, and G. Straus, tyler. This lodge works in German.
West Side Masonic Temple. — On February 14,
1866, a meeting was held for the purpose of deliberating
as to the expediency of purchasing a lot and erecting a
Masonic Temple ; and there were then represented,
Cleveland Lodge, No. 211 ; Hesperia Lodge, No. 411 ;
and Washington Chapter, No. 43. At this meeting, it
was decided that a building association be organized, to
be entitled the "West Chicago Benevolent Association,"
and that selections be made by such association of
a site suitable for the building contemplated. On Feb-
ruary 28, 1866, the representatives of the bodies pre-
viously mentioned convened, with the addition of repre-
sentatives from Chicago Commandery, No. 19, and the
report was received that the lot on the southwest corner
of Halsted and Randolph streets had been selected.
A certificate of organization was then made and
signed, on March 1, 1866, by Asa E. Cutler, George
H. Gibson, Wiley Michael Egan, Nathan W. Huntley,
D. A. Cashman, Ammi Merchant Bennett, George
Himrod, Charles Shumway, Ira Harriman and William
Stewart. The capital stock of the association was fixed
at $100,000 in shares of $50 each, and the association
was at once incorporated under provisions of the act
cited, and a charter obtained from the State, dated
March 1, 1866. The lot was then purchased and the
stock actively placed ; Cleveland Lodge alone taking
$12,000 and her members likewise subscribing liberally.
During the summer of 1869, the building was com-
menced and the corner stone laid with the customary
ceremonies of the order on October 12, 1869. Then
difficulty was experienced from the fact that but
$56,000 of the capital stock had been subscribed for,
in lieu of the whole amount of $100,000, and it was
necessary to borrow $35,000 on January 27, 1870, from
the, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, of
Milwaukee, with which the building was completed,
during the summer of 1870, at a cost of $88,472 for the
lot and edifice. The Masonic portion of it was then
leased for a term of five years to Cleveland Lodge, No.
211, with the understanding that other Masonic bodies
could sub-rent the hall upon reasonable terms. Cleve-
land Lodge then furnished and decorated the rooms at
a cost of $t2,ooo, and on December 22, 1870, the hall
was formally dedicated to the uses of the order by
M. W. Dewitt C. Cregier, Grand Master of Masons of
Illinois.
The Fire. — The following list comprises the Ma-
MASONIC HISTORY.
659
sonic bodies that were rendered homeless by the fire of
October 9, 187 1 :
Lodges that lost their halls: Oriental, No. 33; Blaney, No.
271; Kilwinning, No. 311 ; Blair, No. 393; Mithra, No. 410;
Covenant, No. 526 ; Lincoln Park, No. 611.
Lodges whose places of meeting were destroyed : Garden City,
No. 141 ; Waubansia, No. 160 ; Germania, No. 182 ; Win. B.
Warren, No. 209 ; Accordia, No. 277 ; Ashlar, No. 30S ; Dear-
born, No. 310; Thomas J. Turner, No 409; Chicago, No. 437 ;
H. W. Bigelow, No. 438 ; Keystone, No. 639.
LaFayette Chapter, No. 2, and Corinthian Chapter, No. 69,
Royal Arch Masons ; Chicago Council, No. 4, Royal and Select
Masters, and the Grand Council of R. and S. M., all lost their
places of convocation. Apollo Commandery, No 1, Knights Tem-
plar, lost its hall ; and St. Bernard Commandery, No. 35, Knights
Templar, lost its place of meeting ; as did the following bodies of
the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite : Van Rensselaer Grand
Lodge of Perfection, Chicago Council of Princes of Jerusalem,
Gourgas Chapter of Rose Croix de H-R-D-M, and Oriental Sover-
eign Consistory, 32°, S.P.R S. The entire contents of the M. W.
Grand Master's office were also destroyed.
On October 12, 1871,3 few brethren met at the West
Side Masonic Temple, and organized as a committee to
relieve the " poor, distressed worthy brethren, their
widows and orphans," who were thus suffering because
of the fire. This temporary organization did excellent
service, and was relieved, in its duties, on the 14th, by
the organization of the Masonic Board of Relief. The
officers of this body were :
DeWitt C. Cregier, Blaney Lodge, No. 271, president ; H. F.
Holcomb, Garden City, No. 141. vice-president ; Wiley M. Egan,
Cleveland, No. 2ir, treasurer; George K. Hazlitt, Cleveland, No.
211, recording secretary; Edward J. Hill, Cleveland, No. 211,
corresponding secretary. Its members were — George R. McClel-
lan, Garden City, No. 141 ; D. J. Avery, Hesperia, No. 411 ; T.
T. Gurney, Cleveland, No. 211 ; C. H. Brennan, Hesperia, No.
411 ; Walter A. Stevens, Blair, No. 393 ; G. C. Smith, Wm. B.
Warren, No. 209 ; and C. J. Franks, Mithra, No 410. The mas-
ter and wardens of each lodge in the city were also appointed spe-
cial committees, to ascertain and report the condition and necessi-
ties of their needy members. On October 24, 1S71, the officers
and members were changed, as follows : DeWitt C. Cregier, presi-
dent; II. F. Holcomb, vice-president; Wiley M. Egan, treas-
urer ; Harry Duvall, Blaney, No 271, recording secretary ; Ed-
ward J. Hill, corresponding secretary ; James Morrison, Garden
City, No. 141, superintendent. The members were : T. T. Gur-
ney, Cleveland, No. 211 ; D. J. Avery, Hesperia, No. 411 ; John
Feldkamp, Lessing, No. 557 ; Edwin Powell, Oriental, No. 33 ;
D. H. Kilmore, William B. Warren. No 209 ; A. M. Thomson,
Kilwinning, No. 311 : E. Ronayne, Keystone. No 639; George
R. McClellan, Garden City, No. 141 ; C. J. Franks, Mithra, No.
410; James H. Miles, Cleveland, No. 211; John Sutton, Dear-
born, No. 310 ; J. E. Church, Waubansia, No. 160, and I. W.
Congdon, Covenant, No. 526.
The Board of Masonic Relief, as thus constituted,
served until the termination of its duties, on June 24,
1872, at which date the final meeting of the board was
held, and its report submitted. Thereby the receipts
were shown to be as follows :
Maine - -. $ 45000
New Hampshire 200 00
Massachusetts - 7,402 71
Rhode Island 100 00
Connecticut 2,387 12
New York 18,636 28
New Jersey 4.441 20
Pennsylvania 9,607 15
Maryland _ 86 50
Virginia 117 00
District of Columbia _ 3,022 30
South Carolina 2500
Louisiana 400 00
Ohio __ - 699 00
Indiana 1,069 00
Illinois - 15,897 85
Kentucky 5,72947
Michigan _ 2625
Minnesota _ _.- 75 00
Iowa 1,69950
Missouri.. 1,45000
Kansas , 759 50
Nebraska $ 68090
Nevada — 555 00
California - 7, 501 78
Oregon 100 00
Colorado Territory 42 00
Idaho Territory nr 00
Dakota Territory 60 50
Utah Territory 230 00
New Mexico - too 00
Dominion of Canada 5,122 22
Central America 584 85
England -- 394 63
British India 2665
Cash received $82,244 92
Interest on deposits _ 844 14
Amount goods donated 7,545 44
Aggregate received $90,634 50
Disbursed by Board $68,808 61
Returned to donors 21,825 89
Aggregate disposed of $90,634 50
All the accounts, vouchers, records, etc., of the Ma-
sonic Board of Relief were audited by a commission of
Grand Masters, invited for the purpose from abroad,
consisting of Samuel C. Perkins, Grand Master of Penn-
sylvania; Charles F. Stansbury, Grand Master of the
District of Columbia; and Ozias P. Waters, Grand Mas-
ter of Iowa. This commission convened on September
18, 1872, with Charles H. Kingston, private secretary
to the Grand Master of Pennsylvania, as secretary. This
commission submitted, as a result of its painstaking ex-
amination, in a report highly eulogistic of the Masonic
Board of Relief, the following balance sheet;
The entire amount of cash do-
nations received was $S3,oSg 06
In addition to which supplies of
goods were sent valued, at 7,545 44
Making a total of $90,634 50
Of this amount there has been dis-
bursed, in the relief of appli-
cants, allotments to Chicago
lodges, the expenses of the
Board, and a donation to Chi-
cago Masonic Board of Relief,
as set forth in detail, in the re-
port which is to be printed $67,414 04
There has been returned to the
donors a surplus of 21,825 89
And there has been retained to
meet the expenses of printing of
the report, and this commission 1,394 57
$90,634 50
Grand Master of Pennsylvania.
Grand Master of District of Columbia.
(p. ^,/fix£^.
Grand Master of Masons in Iowa.
I * Secretary.
66o
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
There was likewise a special fund remitted for the
relief of Royal Arch Companions, and for its disburse-
ment Companions Wiley M. Egan, James H. Miles,
and Robert H. Foss were appointed a committee.
Companion E. N, Tucker was their assistant, and acted
as their agent. And under the auspices of these Royal
Arch Masons there were received $3,404.30 and dis-
bursed $1,132.18, the remainder, $2,272.12 being in-
vested in bonds and deposited with the Grand Treasurer.
The same committee and agent that disbursed the
contribution for the R. A. M., also received and dis-
bursed the special fund for the Knights Templar, as
follows :
Amount received $2,322 10
Cr.
By half of expense account, the
amount being divided between
theR. A. M. andK. T $307 18
By amount of disbursements, as
per statement - $1,077 53 $1,384 71
Balance on hand 937 39
$2,322 10
Until 1875, there was an additional amount of $280
disbursed, and subsequently the committee returned
the balance, $657.39, pro rata to the respective donors.
R. A. M.
Capitular Masonry. — The governing power of
the Chapters in this State was first formed by a convo-
cation at Springfield, 111., April 9, 1850, pursuant to a
call from William B. Warren, of Jacksonville Chapter,
No. 3, under authority of M. E. C. Willis Stewart, G.
G. K. of the General Grand Chapter of the United
States,* and whereat said Warren was chairman, and
E. P. Roe, of Jacksonville, No. 3, was chosen secretary.
The following chapters were represented: Springfield,
No. 1; Lafayette, No. 2; Jacksonville, No. 3; Horeb,
No. 4; Quincy, No. 5; and Peoria, No. 7. The elec-
tion for grand officers resulted: W. B. Warren, of Jack-
sonville, grand high priest; J. H. Holton, of Quincy,
deputy grand high priest; J. V. Z. Blaney, of Chicago,
grand king; Peter Sweat, of Peoria, grand scribe,
Mason Brayman, of Springfield, grand secretary;
Thomas H. Campbell, grand treasurer; W. S. Hurst,
of Jacksonville, G. M. In 185 1, James V. Z. Blaney
was elected grand high priest, in 1864, Wiley Michael
Egan was elected to the same office; as was James
Hoge Miles in 1868. In the following sketches of the
chapters paying allegiance to this Grand Chapter, the
facts presented have been taken from the best attain-
able sources.
I. aFayette Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M. — The presiding offi-
cers of this Chapter, from 185? to 1871, so far as can be ascer-
tained, were — George YVaite Deering, high priest, 1858 ; Hosmer
Allen Johnson, 1859 ; Enoch Hunker Stevens, 1862 ; James Hoge
Miles," 1863-68; Alfred Wells Hitchcock, 1869; Samuel Brown,
1870-71. This chapter was burned out in the fire of 1871, meet-
ing at that time at the Temple, No. 85 Dearborn Street. The
building caught lire between one and two o'clock of the morning of
October io, and caused a loss of §2,070 in United States bonds,
which were in the treasurer's safe, and about $1,500 in cost of
regalia, furniture, etc. The first meeting after the fire was held
at the hall of D. A. Cashman Lodge, at the corner of Robey and
West Madison streets.
Washington Chapter, No. 43. — On the second Friday of
January, 1858, A. I. 2358, pursuant to the adjournment described
in volume I, page 513, the following companions assembled at the
hall on the southwest corner of < lintonand Pulton streets: Lucian
I'rentiss Chccney, Isaac Petner Hatfield, Joshua Howell Gest,
Theodore Ttithill Gurney, George Cowper, Joseph I'orter I. owe,
Reuben Cleveland, Wiley Michael Egan, Gilbert Richard Smith,
• The General Grand Chapter of the United States held its session at
Chicago on September 13, 859.
James B. Eason, Hiram Calvin Wells Cowdery, J. E. Church,
William Henry Bowden Warren, John Kniffin Russell, Orson
Brooks, George Waite Deering, William Wallace Mitchell, William
B. Milne and J. T. Holt. The meeting was called to order by
Companion Reuben Tayler, and J. H. Gest was appointed secre-
tary. The dispensation from Most Excellent Deputy Grand High
Priest, Companion Nelson D. Elwood, dated January 5, 1858, was
then read and accepted, and Washington Chapter, U. D., was
opened with Companion Mitchell as M. E. H. P., pro tempore.
Permanent organization was then effected, with the following offi-
cers : Reuben Tayler, M. E. H. P.; Reuben Cleveland, E. K.;
D. F. Wilson, E. S.; W. M. Egan, C. of H.; T. T. Gurney, P.
S.; George Cowper, R. A. C ; L. P. Cheeney, treasurer; G. R.
Smith, secretary ; J. T. Holt, G. M 3d V.; E. B. Stevens, G. M.
2d V.; J. E. Church, G. M. 1st V.; and I. P. Hatfield, tyler. The
last meeting of the Chapter, U. D., was held September 10, 1858.
vw\
On October I, 1S58, the charter was issued to Washington Chap-
ter, with the number 43, and on October 22 1S58, the chapter was
duly constituted by the Grand Royal Arch Chapter, with the fol-
lowing officers and members: *Reuben Tayler, H. P.; Reuben
Cleveland, K.: Doctor Franklin Wilson, S; W. M. Egan, C. of
H.; T. T. Gurney, P. S.; George Cowper, R. A. C; W. H B.
Warren, M. 3d V.; E. B. Stevens, M. 2d V.; ,f M. 1st
V.; J. H. Gest, secretary ; Lucian P. Cheeney, treasurer: LP.
Hatfield, tyler. Members: John T. Holt, John K. Russell W.
B. Milne, W. T. Muir, Samuel W. Yawkey, Adolphus Baedeker,
James B. Eason, Joseph Porter Lowe, William P. Wright, Henry
Curtis, William Henry Lyon Wilber, John E. Clague, Ira God-
dard, A. J. Bird, Charles Tunnicliffe, I. S. Chamberlain, J. M.
Chamberlain, H. T. Porter, John Adams, Nathan Ward Huntley,
John H. Dart, W. H. Pomeroy and B. F. Robbins. The charter
members were Reuben Tayler, Reuben Cleveland, Doctor F. Wil-
son, Wiley M. Egan, T. T. Gurney, J. E. Church, Lucian P.
Cheeney, William B. Milne, John T. Holt, Samuel W. Yawkey,
Adolphus Baedeker, J. K. Russell and Enoch B. Stevens. The
High Priests have been as follows since the institution of the Chap-
ter : Reuben Tayler, 1858-59; Reuben Cleveland, 1S60 ; Wiley
Michael Egan, 1861-63; Nathan Ward Huntley, 1864; George
Henry Gibson, 1865-67; Ammi Merchant Bennett, 186S ; Peter
Button, 1869 ; Arthur Rollin Heber Atkins, 1870-71. The first
petition received was that of A. H. Heald ; the first Mark was
conferred on F'riday evening, January 22, 1858; the first Passing
of the Chair done on Friday evening, February 19, 1S5S ; the first
Most Excellent Master's degree conferred on Friday evening,
April 9, 1S50, and the first team that received the Royal Arch was
composed of Charles E. Tunnicliffe, A. J. Bird and J. M. Cham-
berlain. The first death of a companion is registered as that of
Ira S. Chamberlain on January 1, 1S62. This chapter met at the
West Side Masonic Temple, at the time of the fire, and suffered no
loss thereby.
Reuben Tayler was born at Alburg, Grand Isle Co., Vt.,
on May 3, 1798. About the year 1820, he removed across the line
into Canada, where he married Miss Paulina Edy. In 183S, he
came to Chicago, and immediately entered a small piece of land in
what is now the vicinity of Ashland Avenue and West Madison
Street. Ashland Avenue was first called Reuben Street, after Mr.
Tayler's Christian name, and the changing thereof to Ashland
Avenue was the great grievance of the old gentleman's sincere,
honest, earnest, yet simple, life. F'or several years he farmed his
plot of ground; but perceiving the future of Chicago, he went into
the real-estate business, and remained therein until about 1S75.
when he retired from active business. He was the prime cause of
the laying out of Union Park, and was in all matters pertaining to
the good of the city, an indefatigable worker He was a member
of the Episcopal Church, and was for thirty years warden of the
Church of the Atonement, which subsequently became a part of St.
Andrew's Church ; of this latter congregation he was a member at
the time of his death. He was an active man, had a happy and
kindly disposition, was a general favorite, and loved Freemasonry
with all the fervor of a true, single, pure-hearted man. At his re-
r|iK-st, however, there was no display at his funeral ; unostentatious
to the last, the oldest Mason in Chicago was laid to rest without
'Proceedings Grand Royal Arch Chapterof State of Illinois, Alton, III.;
printed hy Companions llailhachc A' llolbeo, 1861. Chit-ago Historical Society,
flin: hand-book of the chapter cites J. li. Church as C-. M. 1st Vail.
MASONIC HISTORY.
66 1
the ceremonies which the fraternity would so gladly have paid to
his remains, as a tribute of their honor and affection. He left a
wife and four children -Mrs. Dr. \V. R. Griswold and Mrs M.
Griswold, of Chicago, Mrs. E. L. Ilaning of Wisconsin, and C.
M. Tayler, of Colorado. Of him, Gilbert \V. Barnard thus
wrote: "Died, in Chicago, May 7, 18S4. Thus is written the alpha
and omega of one who for many years was among the most active
workers in the Masonic held in this Valley. He was made a Master
Mason in Nelson's Lodge, No. 14, Lower Canada, on April iS,
1S20, of which lodge he was Master for several years. In the same
town he received the degrees of Capitular and Cryptic Masonry.
He was a charter member of LaFayette Chapter, No 2, R. A. M.,
and the first high priest under the charter of Washington Chapter,
No. 43, in Chicago. He was created a Knight Templar in Apollo
Encampment, No. 1, on July 25, 1S45, and of this body was com-
mander in 1S53. At the organization of the Grand Commandery of
Illinois in 1857, he was selected to fill the office of grand prelate.
The grades and orders of the Ancient Accepted Rite were conferred
upon him September 2, 1S56, he being among the first who were
advanced to that high grade in this State. As captain in the mil-
itia in Canada for many years, and filling the office of trustee of
schools, as well as minor offices in the church and parish, Reuben
Tayler obtained the confidence and high regard of all who knew
him. This confidence and esteem was fully retained in this city,
so long his home, where his duties as an officer under the City,
State and General Government were ever discharged with the strict
integrity of an honest, faithful and painstaking official. For more
than thirty-two years he had held the office of senior warden in the
Episcopal Church, and to him the office was no sinecure — full well
did he discharge the duties of a consistent, Christian, God-fearing
man. After eighty-six years of useful life he has gone Home,
and the respect of honest citizens, the love of fraternal brethren,
and the prayers of his fellow-Christians do follow him.
Corinthian Chapter, No. 69. — On December 14, 1S63,* a
dispensation was granted to this chapter, naming Frank G. Greene
as high priest, George W. Wood as king, and Henry Turner as
scribe. On October 7, 1864,! a charter was issued to Corinthian
Chapter, No. 69, and on October 12, 1864, the following officers
were installed : Frank G Greene, high priest; George W. WTood,
king; Henry Turner, scribe; C. R. P. Wentworth, treasurer; E.
N. Edwards, secretary; C. W. Wentworth, captain of the host; S.
S. Greer, principal sojourner; Eli Wood, royal arch captain;
George M. Ingersoll, master 3d V.; H. J. Gilmore, 2d V.; W. H.
Tunnicliff, 1st V.; J. C. Burchett, tyler. Members : W. W. Arm-
strong, John Anderson, P. M. Almini, M. J. Beecher, J. W. Bent,
Morris A. Baxter, John H. Clybourn, Peter Cochrane, J. B. Dog-
gett, S. H. Donaldson, Robert Donaldson, J. B. Donniker, F. T.
Engstrom, Edward N. Edwards, R. F. Farr, W. O. FYazer, Frank
G. Greene, Hugh J. Gilmore. S. S. Green, John H. Green, George
M. Ingersoll, N. P. Loberg, George S. Lee, J. McMorrine,
Timothy Mahonev, Thomas E. Miller, Jesse Minot, Joseph T.
Moulton, W. T. Potter, Thomas D. Randall, A. H. Robinson, S.
H. Smith, W. D. Smith, Moses Shield, W. P. Spaulding, Charles
Stephens, Henry Turner. W. H. Tunnicliff, C. R. P. Wentworth,
Thomas Willis, C. L. Woodman and W. C. Hunt. Corinthian
Chapter was burned out in 1S71, and occupied the hall of Wash-
ington Chapter, No. 43.
Wiley M. Egan Chapter, No. 126. — This chapter was
named in honor of the celebrated Mason, Wiley Michael Egan,
and received its dispensation of date January 20, 1868. The
three principal officers were — J. E. Church, high priest ; D. A.
Starrett, king ; T. C. Hatch, scribe. Its rooms were at the cor-
ner of Twelfth and Clinton streets. On October 9, 1868, a char-
ter was issued to this chapter, and on October 16, 1S6S, the fol-
lowing officers were duly installed : J. E. Church, high priest ; D.
A. Starrett, king; T. C. Hatch, scribe; J. H. Paddock, captain of
the host ; C. Mahonev, principal sojourner ; J. Evans, royal arch
captain ; W. B. Ryan, master 3d V. ; A. J. Bird, master 2d V. ;
O. L. Parker, master 1st V. : John Wallwork. treasurer ; W. S.
Powell, secretary ; John Link and William Godman, stewards ; E.
Stevens, tvler. Members: A. ]. Bird, R. J. Colburn, J. Corco-
ran, J. E. 'Church, Thomas Darbv, H. C. Dewey. John Evans,
Tohn V. Gray, J. F. Gregory, William Godman, T. C. Hatch.
William Hearroon, J. M. Hildreth, J. K. Hogan, O. E. Kimball,
lames M. Lincoln, John Link, C. Mahoney, James H. Paddock,
O. L. Parker, Eli Pavne, Thomas \\ . Perry, Addison Phillio,
William S. Powell, William B. Ryas, George A. Ross, D. A. Star
* On July 1,1863, Asboth Military Chapter received a dispensation from
the Grand Chapter of Illinois such chapter being connected with the Second
Regiment of Artillerv. The first officers were— S. O. Vaughan, H.P.; A. A.
Clark, K.; L. J. W.' Underhill, S.J P. W. T. Vaughan. H.S.; and members
C. S. Becker, C. W Brooks, A. Cunningham, K. Crawford. E. E. Colw.-ll. X.
Hathaway, T. H. Hvde, R. M. Henderson, J. G. Hobert. P. McAndrus. J.
McBerney, I H. McKay, J. E New, A. M. Rulledge,J. M. Sprout, John Sav-
ior, C. B. Throopand J.'H. Williams.
t This year the Grand Chapter decreed that no more Chicago chapters
would be allowed without the consent of the three chapters then in the city.
rclt, Edward Stevens, Charles Van C.-impen, John G. Vibert, John
Wallwork, W. W. Washburn, J. 1>. Wilson, George II. Young.
WlLEY M. EGAN commenced the insurance business in
1857, in connection with his vessel agency, and represented — dur-
ing those early years — many marine insurance companies, among
them the Corn Exchange, Mercantile Mutual, of New York, and
Pacific Mutual, of New York, and has made that branch of the
business a specialty since that date. He now represents the Hus-
ton Marine, Detroit, Mercantile, of Cleveland, and Buffalo, of Buf-
falo, the aggregate assets of which companies amount to
two and one-half millions Necessarily, during his twenty-seven
years of experience as insurance and vessel agent, Mr. Egan has
become widely known among the commercial circles of the city,
but he is even more extensively recognized as one of Chicago's
most prominent Masons, having taken the various degrees speci-
fied, as follows : Master Mason, in Garden City Lodge, No. 141,
on September 7, 1855; the Royal Arch, on February 23, 1857;
Royal and Select Master, on July 16, 1861 ; Knight Templar, on
October 27, 1S57 ; 320 on April 22, 1864; and the honorary 33° in
the Supreme Council for the Northern Jurisdiction of the
United States, on June 18, 1870. He was master of Cleveland
Lodge, king and high priest of Washington Chapter, No. 43,
grand high priest of the Grand Chapter, commander of Chicago
Commandery, and grand commander of the Grand Comman-
dery of Knights Templar of Illinois. He was also a member of
the Masonic Relief Committee, after the fire of 1871, and has been
elected grand treasurer of the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of
Illinois, for four successive years. He was born in Ballston, N.
Y., on August 1, 1827, and came to Chicago on October 9, 1836,
with his parents. He was married, on November 28, 1849, to
Mary P. Helm, who was born in the town of Essex, N. V., on
January 10, 1S28. They have had the following children : Wil-
liam Everett, died October 2S, 1S53 ; Marian Louisa, Helm Isabel,
George Clarence, and Charles Wiley. Mr. Egan was president of
the Board of Trade, from 1867 to 1868. He was a member of the
General Assembly of Illinois, from the Ninety-fifth District, or
West Chicago, commencing January 1, 1871, and ending Decem-
ber 31, 1872. This Assembly was the first to enact laws under the
State Constitution adopted in 1870. He has been identified with
the commerce of the lakes, as sailor and master, from 1S42 until
1S53, and as the owner of sail and steam vessels since 1853. Dur-
ing this period he has built and owned some of the finest and best
vessels on the lake. In connection with his business as commission
merchant, he, for several years, shipped over five million bushels
of grain per year. His notes have never been discounted, and his
bills are always promptly paid— commercial integrity having been
his invariable characteristic. He has been, for many years, an at-
tendant, with his family, at the Union Park Congregational Church,
and has been intimately identified with its success.
Chicago Chapter, No. 127 — On February 16, 1S6S, a dis-
pensation was issued to Home Chapter to hold meetings at the
corner of Cottage Grove Avenue and Twenty-third Street, and to
have, for its principal officers, Enoch B. Stevens, H. P.; Moore
Conger, K. ; and Gardner S. Barstow, S. On October 9, 1868, a
charter was issued to this chapter, with the number 127, and the
name was changed, pursuant to petition of its members, to Chicago
Chapter. The charter members were Enoch B. Stevens. Moore
Conger, Gardner S. Barstow, W. E. Wheeler, H. N. Hurlbut, B.
B. W. Locke, George T. Williams, John Start, Thomas Nichols,
John H. Bowers, Isaac Eldridge, Thomas W. Anderson, William
T. Baker, T. H. Patterson, N. H. Warren, Isaac Parker, F'rank B.
Tucker, R. H. Bingham, W. II. lenkins. D. F. Crilly, E. M. Mor-
ton, Jacob Richman, J. R. Hoxie, A. M. Hogle, J. W. Mills, S.
C. Mix, L. A. Pierce, D. R. Crego, George T. Cooke, William
Aldrich. D. W. Sutherland, S. L. Rodgers, Hugh Logan, H. F.
Holcomb, E. I. Whitehead, W. O. Wirt, George Wirt. Sanford
Green, I. G. Wustum, W. II. Boomer, M. A Thayer, George M.
Houghton, George McElwain, and Julius Wooster. The first offi-
cers under the charter were installed on October 17. 1S68, by the
M. E. G. H. P., and were — Enoch li. Stevens. 11. P.: Moore
Conger, K ; Gardner S. Barstow, S ; William E. Wheeler. C 11.;
H. N. Hurlbut, P. S.; Jacob Richman. R.A.C.; G. T. Williams,
M. 3rd \\; C. M. P.os'twick, M. 2d \\; S. L. Rodgers, M. 1st
V ; T. W. Anderson, treasurer; P.. P.. W. Locke, secretary ; X.
II. Warren and Thomas Nichols, stewards; and Isaac Parker, tv-
ler. The high priests prior to 1S72 were Enoch B. Stevens, 1868;
G. S. Barstow, 1S69-70; William Aldrich, 1S7L
York Chapter, No. 14S. — Union Park Chapter was consti-
tuted by dispensation from A. A. Murray, grand high priest, on
November 22. 1S70, and, on October 6, 1S71. it received its char-
ter, with the number 148, and its name was changed to York Chap-
ter. The officers under dispensation were George F. l.etz, M.
E. II. P.; W. U. Thwing, E. K.; K. A. Hunton, E.S.; William
Kerr, C. H. ; William Law. Jr., P. S.; John Whi
G. P. Randall, treasurer ; William R. White, K. A. C. ; John S.
662
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
White. G.M 3d Vail ; J. H. Plowman, G. M. 2d Vail; J. H.
Windsor G, M. 1st Vail ; and C. F. Decatur, tyler. The charter
members were G. F. Letz, William U.Thwing, K. A. Ilunton, J. R.
Wilkins, S. G. Wilkins, A. D'Anguera, G P. Randall, William R.
White. John S. White, J. S. McFarland, Ludwig Wolff and Abra-
ham Knisely. The charter was in the hands of the grand secre-
tary at the time of the fire of 1S71, and was destroyed. Upon the
re -issue of the charter, in lieu of the one destroyed, the name of
Abram Knisely was, through some inadvertence, omitted, and to,
so far as possible, atone therefor. Companion Knisely was made an
honorary life-member. On the organization under the charter, the
following officers were elected : George F. Letz, M. E. H. P.; W.
I". Thwing, E. K. ; K. A. Hunton. E. S. ; William R. White, C.
H. ; T. R. Wilkins, P. S. ; Charles Perkins, secretary; Daniel
Barclay, treasurer; I. S. White, R. A. C; J. C. Cluett, G. M. 3d
Vail : W. M. Wright, G. M. 2d Vail ; E. M. Jarrett, G. M. 1st
Vail ; William Coe, tyler. This chapter did not suffer directly by
the fire of 1S71, in any loss of property, but the loss of the records
in that fire entailed a diminution of their recorded membership,
as, in 1S71, there were fifty-three members, and the ensuing vear
but forty-five, notwithstanding which, three had been exalted dur-
ing the interval, making the membership of 1871, actually fifty-
six. To make their discrepancy tally with the actual membership
that appeared after the fire, eleven were classified as demitted, and
the Grand Chapter adopted forty-five as the number of members of
Vork Chapter, No. 14S.
R. & S. M.
CRYPTIC MASONRY.
Chicago Council, No. 4, R. & S. M.*— The principal officers
of this body have been : Hosmer A. Johnson, T. I. G- M., 1858 ;
George W. Deering, 1859 ; Henry C. Ranney, 1S61 ; Sidney E.
Locke, 1S62 ; E. W. Jones, 1863 ; James H. Miles, 1864-71.
This council met at the Masonic Temple on Dearborn street, and
was there burned out in 1871.
K. T.
Knights Templar. — Some interest attaches to
the proceedings of the Grand Commandery, other than
the edicts that are promulgated for the government of
subordinate commanderies, and that is in the list of the
grand officers, on account of the number of Chicago
Masons who have held position therein. The limits of
this topic preclude any list save that of the grand
commanders, since the organization of the grand body.
These have been James Van Zandt Blaney, 1857-58 ;
Josiah Hunt, 1859 ; Hosmer Allen Johnson, 1860-61 ;
George W. Deering, 1862 ; William H. Turner, 1863 ;
Nathan F. Prentice, 1864 ; Henry C. Ranney, 1865 ;
George C. Lanphere, 1866 ; Vincent L. Hurlbut, 1867 ;
Jerome R. Gorin, 1868 ; Charles E. Munger, 1869 ;
John M. Pearson, 1870 ; Wiley M. Egan, 1871.
The Triennial Conclave of the Grand Encampment
of the United States was held for the first time in
Chicago on September 13, 1859. William Blackstone
Hubbard, of Columbus, Ohio, Grand Master, arrived
in the city on September 12, and was honored by a
special escort of Apollo Commandery, No. 1, from the
depot to the Tremont House. The guests at the
Conclave were under the charge of State Grand Com-
mander James V. Z. lilaney; and right worthily he dis-
pensed his chivalric hospitality. A banquet at the
Tremont House was one of the features of the occasion.
Fuller details of this Conclave are almost impossible
of attainment ; copies of the proceedings of the Con-
clave are very ran-, and the newspapers of that period
are filled to repletion with the proceedings of the
National Fair, held at that time, and give the Conclave
only cursory mention.
11 iv, No. r. — The Eminent Commanders
J58 to 1871 were — William Wallace Mitchell, 1858-59;
Waite Deering. 1860-61; Henry Collins Ranney, 1862;
Lombard Hurlbut, 1863-64; Benjamin Franklin Patrick,
Vincent Lombard Hurlbut, 1867; Theodore Tuthill Gur-
Homan Brower, 1:170; Eugene Burritl Myers,
*Th<- Oran'l Council R. & S. M, convened al ( hicagoon October 5,1871.
1871. The commandery was destroyed at the time of the fire, and
out of $12,000 insurance recovered $250. The first place of meet-
ing after the fire was at the West Side Masonic Temple. The first
annual festival and banquet of Apollo Commandery was held at the
Briggs House, on February 9, 1864, of which the following emi-
nent Masons formed the committee of arrangements: Vincent Lom-
bard Hurlbut, Wiley Michael Egan, James Smith, Benjamin
Franklin Patrick, Joseph Addison Montgomery, Ammi Merchant
Hennett and George Warren Pettee. The banquet was a promi-
nent success, and was the inaugural ceremony that has ushered into
the experiences of the commandery a long line of such occurrences.
Charles Robert Starkweather. — The proceedings of the
Supreme Council, 1868, Northern Jurisdiction, contain an eulogy
delivered by 111. Bro. Vincent L. Hurlbut, on 111. Bro. Charies
Robert Starkweather, who died August 27, 1867, from which the
following is taken : " Bro. Starkweather was born in Fabius, N.
V., May 8, 1S16. Of his early life, I have no knowledge, but, as
the child is father tc the man, we may safely believe it to have been
singularly pure and upright. In 1838, he selected Chicago as his
home, and thenceforward his life and enterprises were blended with
the growth of the most wonderful product of our Western civiliza-
tion. Soon after his removal to Chicago (the precise date I have
not been able to learn),* he was made a Master Mason. In 1841,
he married Miss Mary Eager, of Massachusetts. I find upon our
records that he received the Order of the Temple, in Apollo Com-
mandery, No. I, Chicago, June 13, 1845. He received the Ineffa-
ble degrees in New York, and when the several bodies were organ-
ized in Chicago, he was placed at their head. He took the 33°,
May 15th, 1S57, in Boston, and in May, i860, was elected to the
office of Grand Minister of State, and appointed Deputy for the
States of Illinois and Wisconsin. It is the highest praise we can
give to him to say, that in all the Masonic positions he occu-
pied, from the lowest to the highest, he acquitted himself with rare
discrimination, wisdom and fidelity. To him Masonry was a sa-
cred and invaluable treasure, a divine force and providence among
men, and it formed a prominent part of his life and religion. No
man ever came with purer heart or cleaner hands to lay upon its
sacred altars the offerings of manly, Christian conviction and obli-
gation. In hours of conflict and peril, now happily ended, he was
forbearing and generous, always ready to give wise and prudent
counsel, desirous that all unhappy differences might cease, that we
might, with one heart and one mind, pursue our calling and pur-
pose. In hours of private grief, when the clouds of bereavement
gathered over his heart and home, and he walked through the bit-
ter baptism of tears, the tenets of our sacred Rite were a balm to
his afflicted spirit. In the closing days of his life, when disease
was doing its fatal work, he was cheerful and resigned, for he had,
years before, chosen God for his refuge and guide, and he gath-
ered new joy from the spirit and companionship of our sacred Rite.
To those of us who knew the peculiar private trials which beset his
Masonic career, his steadfastness and devotion were above all
praise. These trials and obstacles, which charity would gladly
hide, prevented us from giving to him, in his last days, that watch-
ful care and attention it would have been a pleasure for us to be-
stow, but we did all that we could to soften his dying pillow and
discharge our solemn duty at his grave. * * Since his departure,
new beauties of his life and character have been daily unfolded to
our view, as the widow, the fatherless and the unprotected, whose
lives he blessed, into whose lonely heart and lot he bore the cheer-
ful courage of his manly aid and sympathy, have come with trem-
bling lip and tearful eye to bear testimony to his goodness, and lay
their humble tribute of grateful love upon his grave. * * One of
his latest deeds was in beautiful harmony with his whole life, as he
bequeathed one-fourth of his large estate to charitable purposes."
A Lodge of Sorrow was held at Irving Hall, N. Y., commemora-
tive of the decease of Bro. Starkweather and two other deceased
brethren. Mr. Starkweather, at his decease, left the following
children; Ralph FMward Starkweather, of Chicago; Julia Maria
Starkweather (Mrs. Edward G. Mason); Charles Huntington
Starkweather, of Chicago; Chauncey Clarke Starkweather, of New
York City; and Frank Henry Starkweather, of Beloit, Wis.
Norman Theodore Cassette was born in Townsend, Vt,
on April 21, 1839, an<l with his parents, Silas B. and Susanna P.
(Martin) Cassette, came to Chicago from Springfield, Mass., in
December, 1849. Here he attended the Garden City Institute
under Professors H. II. Lee and Snow, and subsequently was a
pupil in Professor Hathaway's academy. He afterward received
private instructions from Professor Alonzo J. Sawyer, and thus
continued his studies up to his seventeenth year, when he entered
Shurtleff College, Alton, 111 , and one year later the Atwater
Institute, Rochester, N. Y., under Professors Benedict Dexter,
Satterlee and Kendrick, finally completing his education by taking
the entire curriculum of Harvard University, under private tutors.
At the breaking out of the Rebellion, Mr. Cassette responded with
patriotic promptness to his country's first call. On June 17, 1861,
4 I lecember 2, 1844, vide volume 1, page 508.
MASONIC HISTORY.
663
he was mustered into service as a private of Co. " A," igth Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, and left with his regiment for the field in July
following, the first assignment near the enemy's line being in Mis-
souri. It is unnecessary to give a detailed account of his personal
services and experiences. Throughout the term of his enlistment,
he bore himself with that unfaltering bravery and fortitude which
mark the true soldier. In 1862, he was promoted to the rank of
first lieutenant, and to the position of aide-de-camp. For gallantry
in action at Chickamauga, he was recommended for the brevet rank
of lieutenant-colonel, by his brigade, division and corps com-
manders. He was mustered out of the service in October, 1S64.
In 1S66, having completed a course of legal study in the law depart-
ment of the University of Chicago (now the Union College of Law),
he was admitted to the practice of his chosen profession. lie was
soon after appointed deputy county clerk, under General Edward
S. Salomon, which position he held from 1S66 to 186S. During
this period of his service, he had charge of the court records. In
the fall of 186S, he was nominated by the Republican County Con-
vention for election to the office of clerk of the Circuit Court and,
ex officio, recorder of deeds, being elected by an overwhelming
majority. This was a " fee office " at the time, and very remunera-
tive. Immediately after his retirement, in December, 1S72, the duties
of the clerk and recorder were separated and two offices created.
During Mr. Cassette's term of service, and up to 1S73, he was
active in politics, being one of the most efficient workers in the
Republican party. He was chairman of seven campaign commit-
tees, and held the same position on the C. B. Farwell campaign
committee during the exciting Farwell-Wentworth contest in the
first congressional district. Since 1S73, he has not actively partici-
pated in politics. Mr. Cassette was made a Master Mason in 1S64,
in Blair Lodge, No. 393; from which he received a demit, and then
affiliated with Home Lodge, No. 508, of which he is still a mem-
ber. He became an ardent worker, and, inspired by the beauty and
strength of the very threshold of the great moral temple, sought,
with as little delay as possible, to penetrate the hidden mysteries
within. He is at present a member of LaFayelte Chapter, No. 2,
R.A.M., Apollo Commander)', No. 1, K.T., and of Oriental Consis-
tory, 32°, S.P.R.S. His most arduous Masonic work has been done
as a Knight Templar, in and through tfie Apollo Commandery, of
which he became a life-member on June 15, 1S69. He has, since
that time, been more highly honored in the bestowment of positions
of trust and authority than any other Sir Knight during the forty
years embraced in the annals of the Commandery. He was elected
prelate in June, 1S74, serving two terms. In December, 1875, he
was chosen generalissimo, and, in December, 1S76, was first
elected eminent commander. He was re-elected to this office in
1S77-7S-79-80, and again, in December 1SS1, and December,
1882, serving six years as the eminent commander of what be-
came, under his administration, the largest Masonic Templar body
in the world; and is now grand senior warden of the Grand Com-
mandery of Illinois. Space will not admit even an imperfect
sketch of the work performed by Mr. Cassette. The history be-
longs especially to the Commandery, and, as recorded, constitutes
its brightest annals of progress — from proverty to solvency, from
weakness to strength, from diversity in council to unity in fraternal
thought and knightly fellowship. In 1S80, the Twenty-first Tri-
ennial Conclave of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar
was held in Chicago, which occasion was made memorable by the
largest gathering of Knights ever witnessed on this continent.
The burden of entertaining the vast concourse, gathered from every
State in the Union, fell upon the Apollo, Chicago, and St. Ber-
nard Commanderies of the city. Mr. Cassette, then being eminent
commander of Apollo Commandery, was also chairman of the
joint committee of management, chosen by the representives of the
three commanderies, and also the Grand Commandery of Illinois;
and in this capacity, became the controlling and directing power in
devising and executing the vast plans necessary to render the
immense Conclave a success. He thus bore the greater burden of
responsibility, and, with the honor thus thrust upon him, came, in
like measure, the brunt of inevitable captious abuse. That his
efforts were crowned with full success, was evinced in the innumer-
able letters of thanks and other testimonials received by him from
the returned guests and commanderies, from all parts of the country,
as well as by the expressions of approbation given him by his co-
workers on the managing committee, and by the resolutions
adopted by Apollo Commandery, and the Grand Commandery of
Knights Templar of the State of Illinois. In 18S3, Apollo Com-
mandery, No. 1, K T , having received from the Right Eminent
Grand Commander of Illinois a dispensation to leave his grand
jurisdiction, and one from the Grand Commander of New York,
permitting Apollo Commandery, K.T , to invade the grand jurisdic-
tion of New York, for the purpose of embarkation, and a dispensa-
tion from the Most Eminent Grand Master of the Grand
Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America,
permitting the Commandery to visit foreign countries, in July, it
sailed on the City of Rome, with one hundred and forty Templars
under its beauseant, and about twenty ladies, for this notable for-
eign tour. This was the largest Masonic body that evei
the ocean, and Mr. Gassette was in command. They were most
royally received in London, Liverpool, York, and other large cities,
and returned with the pleasures of their long fraternal tour unal-
loyed by accident or loss, reaching Chicago September 17. [883.
Mr. Gassette has achieved a national reputation among American
Masons of high degree. His Masonic record is the peculiar pro-
perty of the order, and by its members it will be kept untarnished
long after he shall have joined the Celestial Lodge of the Grand
Master above. The surviving members of Mr. Gassette's family
are, his wife and two children — one son, Wirt Knickerbocker ; and
one daughter, Grace. To summarize the life of Mr. Gassette, it
may be said that he is a man of excellent moral, social and com-
mercial standing, of keen literary tastes and comprehensive literary
talents; and in the many of the offices which he has filled, he has
demonstrated inflexible rectitude of character, honesty of purpose,
and perfect capacity.
Chicago COMMANDERY, No. 10. — This commandery was
organized under a dispensation from R. I'.. Sir Henry C. Kannev,
Grand Commander of Illinois, dated January 18, 1866; and was
chartered October 23, 1S66, with the following charter members :
Arthur Rollin Ileber Atkins, Arami Merchant Bennett, Charles
Carroll Bonney, Frederic Augustus Bryan, Charles Ellery Chase,
Edgar Mantlebury Doolittle, Wiley Michael Egan, John Chap-
man Fuller, George Gardner, George Henry Gibson, James Hen-
nersheets, Edward Clarence Hubbard, Nathan Ward Huntley,
James H. Johnson, George Frederick Letz, Charles McFarland,
Joseph C. Perrett, Ambrose Plamondon, Moses W. Powell, Ed-
mund Richard Pitman Shurley, John Spry and Truman Warren
Steele. The commandery was constituted as Chicago Command-
ery, No. 19, Knights Templar, by Past Grand Commander II. C.
Ranney, as proxy for R. E. G. C, on November 5, 1S66, Anno
Ordinis, 74S, the following being the first officers ; Wiley M.
Egan. eminent commander; George Gardner, generalissimo; Ammi
Merchant Bennett, captain-general; John Chapman Fuller, prelate;
George Frederick Letz, senior warden ; Charles McFarland, junior
warden; George Henry Gibson, treasurer; John Whitley, recorder;
Arthur Rollin Ileber Atkins, standard bearer ; James Henner-
sheets, sword bearer ; Edward Clarence Hubbard, warder ; and
Moses Gray, captain of the guard. The Eminent Commanders
have been, up to 1872, Wiley Michael Egan, 1866-67 : George
Gardner, 1868 ; Ammi Merchant Bennett, 1869 ; George Henry
Gibson, 1870; Charles McFarland, 1S71. This commandery met
at the West Side Masonic Temple, at the time of the fire, and no
loss was entailed upon its members by the conflagration, the only
charge being on its hospitality, which was unstintingly exercised.
St. Bernard Commandkry, No. 35. — This commandery
was organized under dispensation dated February 10, 1870, and
received its charter under date of October 26. 1S70. The follow-
ing were the first officers of the commandery : Edward Nelson
Edwards, commander; Francis Asbury Hayden. generalissimo;
Louis Schaffner, captain-general ; Gilbert Wadsworth Barnard,
prelate ; Thomas Eaton Miller, treasurer ; John Oscar DicKerson.
recorder ; Horace King Beecham, senior warder , William Rad-
cliffe Melville, junior warden ; Dennis Ward, sword bearer ; John
Woodman, standard bearer ; Henry Turner, warder John Porter
Ferns, captain of the guard. The commandery had but just
thoroughly organized and had entered upon a career of greatest
promise, when the fire of 1S71 burned up its asylum, records and
paraphernalia.
Hiram Francis IIolcomb, one of the early citizens of Chi-
cago, is the son of Hiram and Marcia Holcomb, of Windsor,
Conn., was born December II, 1S34. Until he was fourteen years
of age, he attended the public schools of his native town, and then
entered the employ of Rogers & Brothers, the original silver-
platers of this country, with whom he remained two years. At the
expiration of that time, he went to Philadelphia, and was connected
with Filley & Mead three years, also with Bailey ..v kitchen and
Bancroft, Redfield & Rice, of the same line of business, until 1S57,
when he came to this city. At that time, the only establishment in
Chicago engaged in silver-plating was that of I.. A Hamblin,
Nos. 47-49 State Street. lie was engaged by Mr. Hamblin, and
remained with him four years, during which time some of the first
burnished work produced in this city was turned out of the estab-
lishment. After a short residence in Chippewa Valley, Wis., he
returned and entered the employ of Jessup, Kennedy & Co., then
occupying quarters at the corner of South Water Street .mil Fifth
Avenue, and, in 1S64, began business for himself at No. 160 Clark
Street, continuing there until the close of the war. Upon dispos-
ing of his business to Jones, Pickand & Co., he was connected with
the Chicago Nickel Works until 188Z, and, while with them, intro-
duced the art of nickel-plating, and produced the first work made
in Chicago. He then organized the Holcomb Manufacturing and
664
HISTORY OF CHICAGO
Silver Plating Company, and began business at No 211 Randolph
Street, moving to his present location in the spring of 1 S S 5 . Mr.
Holcomb was married to Miss Ellen Peterson, of Chicago, Decem-
ber II, 1861, and has one daughter, Nellie II. In closing this
brief sketch, mention should be made of the fact that Mr. Holcomb
has always taken a prominent social as well as business position in
Chicago ; he has been actively and prominently connected with the
Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities for many years, and is to-day
an honored and esteemed member of both these orders. Me was
raised in Garden City Lodge, No. 141, in 1S64; two years later
was elected its senior warden, and, in 1S6S, became its W. M.,
serving as such two years. From 1S69 to 1S72. he was grand sec-
retary; in is;i, was D. P. G. M.. 1st district; and, in 1S74, was
elected W. M., and served three years. lie took the degrees in
Washington Chapter, No. 43; is a member of St. Bernard Com-
mandery, also of Oriental Consistory, 32°, S. P. R. S.; and, in
was elected and served as M. YV. P. M. of Rose Croix
Chapter, for three years. In the order of Odd Fellows, he is no
less prominent; was made an Odd Fellow in Elizabethport Lodge,
No. 116, Elizabeth, X. J., in 1S59, and passed the chairs in Old
Union, No 9, of this city. He is now a member of Home Lodge,
No. 416, and of Chicago Encampment, No. 10. He has also
represented Union and Home lodges in the Grand Lodge of the
State for the past ten years, and is one of the charter members of
the latter named subordinate lodge.
A. & A. S. R.
Like all contemporaneous history covering the epoch
treated of in this volume, the narrative of the Ancient
and Accepted Scottish Rite is one of progress and
healthy growth. From the report of the Supreme
Councils for various years, the following figures are col-
lected; they are insufficient and few, but, during the
period of internecine strife, reports appear to have been
lacking, or, if they were rendered, were lost amid the
bickerings then prevailing. In 1857, Van Rensselaer
Grand Lodge of Perfection had sixteen members, and
Illinois Council Princes of Jerusalem, Gourgas Chapter
of Rose Croix and Occidental Sovereign Consistory,
eleven members in each body. In 1858, Van Rensselaer
had twenty-eight, Princes of Jerusalem, twenty-three,
Rose Croix twenty-two, and the Consistory twenty-
three members. In i860, the Lodge of Perfection and
the Consistory reported the same numbers of members,
and that no work had been performed by them; the
Council reported twenty-four members, no report being
made by the Chapter. In 1861, the Grand Lodge had
twenty-members, and the Council and Consistory had
twenty-four each. In 1862, the Council alone reports
twenty-five members, and the Supreme Council report
states that "the principal officers and active members
of the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Chicago
bodies, being engaged in patriotic duties, have made no
returns." Subsequent to 1862, no reports of the num-
ber of members are promulgated.* The figures given,
however, will exhibit that in those years " tne day of
small things " was at its acme in the \ alley of Chicago.
In 1861, the number of active 330 in the Northern
Jurisdiction of the United States was increased from
nine to thirty-three, and of this number Illinois received
three. In this year also originated the schism in the
members of the Supreme Couni il, whereby one Grand
Bast was established at Huston and the other at New
York. Of these troubles it is unnecessary to speak, as
time has healed the dissensions and obliterated the
scars. On November 10, 1866, however, Chicago
Lodge of Perfection, was organized under a dispensa-
tion from Walter Augustus Stevens, and, subsequently,
ncil Princes of Jerusalem, Coeur de Lion
Chapter of Rose Croix, and Chicago Consistory, 32°,
S. 1'. R. S., were formed. This Consistory was the first in
• rt.hern jurisdiction of the United States to fully
•In: Chapter 481 and the Coun-
cil •(/>.
equip with the regalia of the 320. Thus there were two
Consistories, Chapters, Councils and Grand Lodges of
Perfection in the Ancient and Accepted Rite, until
March 23, 1871, when a consolidation was made — Van
Rensselaer and Chicago Grand Lodges of Perfection
being united under the name of Van Rensselaer; Illi-
nois and Chicago Councils Princes of Jerusalem, being
united under the name name of Chicago; Gourgas and
Coeur de Lion Chapters of Rose Croix de H-R-D-M,
being united under the name of Gourgas; and Occiden-
tal and Chicago Consistories being united under the
name of Oriental.
The new bodies occupied apartments in the old
Masonic Temple, on Dearborn Street, -until the fire de-
stroyed their regalia and paraphernalia, valued at about
$10,000. Immediately after the fire, the various bodies
met at the corner of Cottage Grove Avenue and
Twenty-third Street, and subsequently in the West Side
Masonic Temple. * From the annual report of Deputy
Vincent L. Hurlbut the following excerpts are taken:
Chicago, Nov. ii, 1S71.
To the Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors-General
of the Thirty-third Degree of the A. & A. Rite, Northern
Masonic Jurisdiction, U. S. A.
Standing amid the ashes of desolation and the ruins of all the
accumulated treasures of the Masonic bodies of this city, with let-
ters, manuscripts, and everything destroyed (except a few copies of
the printed proceedings of our Council of Deliberation, herewith
submitted as a part of this report) which could aid me in the dis-
charge of the official duty I owe to the Supreme Council, you will
generously receive this partial and meager report of the Rite in
the District under my jurisdiction. In obedience to the recom-
mendation of the Supreme Council, I have done all in my power to
effect a consolidation of tlfc various bodies of the Rite in this Dis-
trict, and am happy to be able to report progress. In this city
(Chicago), the effort for consolidation has been crowned with the
most gratifiying and complete success. In securing this result, we
have been zealously assisted by the following illustrious brethren,
without whose aid we should have failed : Hosmer A. Johnson,
33°; Henry C. Ranney, 33 ; Gilbert R. Smith, 33°; Eugene B.
Myers, 33°; Charles H. Brovver, 330; T. T. Gurney, 320; Gilbert
W. Barnard, 32°; J. H. McVicker, 320; Hiram F. Holcomb, 320;
Fred. A. Wheeler, 32°; R. Cleveland, 32°.
The presiding officers of the four bodies that were
originated at the period of the conflict of jurisdiction,
appear to have been
Chicago Consistory, No. 1: John D. M. Carr, 1865-70. Chi-
cago Council, No. 1 : A. C. Millard, 1S65-69; S. A. McWilliams,
1870. Cceur de Lion Chapter: H. C. Berry, 1S65-67; J. Ward
Ellis, i868-6g; LI. F. Holcomb, 1S70. Chicago Lodge of Perfec-
tion: W. E. Wheeler, 1865-67; Walter A. Stevens, 1868; Henry
A. Austin, 1869; Reuben Cleveland, 1870.
The following gives the presiding officers of the
other four bodies:
Occidental Consistory: Charles R. Starkweather, 1S5S-62;
Hosmer A. Johnson, 1S63-67; Benjamin F. Patrick, 1S68; Vincent
L. Hurlbut, 1869-70; Henry C. Ranney, 1871. Gourgas Chapter:
Charles R. Starkweather, 1858-63: Henry C. Ranney, 1S70; H. F,
Holcomb, 1871. Van Rensselaer Grand Lodge: C. R. Starkweather,
1858; Hosmer A. Johnson, 1859-61; George W. Deering, 1S62-
63; Gilbert R. Smith, 1864-70; Gil. W. Barnard, 1871. Illinois
1. rind Council: C. R. Starkweather, 1858; William M. Mitchell,
1859-67; Charles E. Leonard, 1S68; William H. Gale, 1869;
Ammi M. Bennett, 1870; James II. Paddock, 1S71.
For the relief of Consistory Masons the total amount
received was .$3,577.13, and was distributed by the fol-
lowing committee: V. L. Hurlbut, 330; George R.
Chittenden, 330; Eugene B. Myers, 330; Gilbert R.
Smith, 33°; Henry C. Ranney, 33°; Wiley M. Egan,
33°; and James H. Miles, 320.
THEODORE Tuthill Gurney was born in Ogdensburg, N.
V., on September 4, [820, and received his education at Ferry's
Academy of that place. He came West in 1838, and located in
*Fnr these, and numerous other facts, the compiler is Indebted to the
COUrtesy Of Gil. W. Ilarnard, 33".
MASONIC HISTORY.
665
Sturgis, St. Joseph Co., Mich., and in December, 1S4S, he joined
the Masonic fraternity, as a member of Union Lodge, Union City,
Mich. He was also justice of the peace at Constantine, Mich.,
about 1S50. In 1S53, he returned to New York ; was deputy-
collector of customs at Sackett's Harbor, from 1853 to 1856, and
there joined Sackett's Chapter about the year 1S54. In April,
1856, he came to Chicago and entered the employ of Munger &
Armour, elevator and warehouse men, becoming bookkeeper and,
subsequently, manager of the firm. Remaining with them five
years, he was appointed chief grain inspector in 1S61. He held
this position for three years and then engaged in the commission
business. In 1S76, Mr. Gurney was elected supervisor of the West
Town, and in May, 1S79, to the office he has since held, that of
city comptroller. He here joined the Council, Commandery and
Consistory, and now belongs to Cleveland Lodge, Washington
Chapter, Chicago Council, Apollo Commandery and Oriental Con-
sistory, and received the, 33°, as an honorary member of the Su-
preme Council of the N. M. J. of the U. S., in November, 1871.
The following are the offices held by this distinguished citizen and
Mason in the fraternity: Master of Siloam Lodge, Michigan;
Sackett's Harbor Lodge, N. Y. , and Cleveland Lodge, Chicago;
high priest of Sackett's Harbor Chapter ; commander of Apollo
Commandery, No. 1 ; commander-in-chief of Oriental Consistory ;
Grand Master of Illinois, 1879-S0, and grand commander of the
Grand Commandery of Illinois, 1375. He was married, in May,
1S48, to Miss Eunice Smith of Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., and has
the following children — Chester S., a member of St. Bernard Com-
mandery, K. T., of this city, and Theodore E., a minor.
Henry Collings Ranney was born in Exeter, England, on
July 22, 1831, and received, while a youth, an academic education,
and learned the business of a druggist and pharmaceutist. In iS4g,
he emigrated to America, first landing in New York. He subse-
quently went to Cleveland, Ohio, where, in 1S50, he entered the
employ of Patrick Anderson, an extensive grain and commission
merchant. In 1S57, Mr. Anderson removed to Chicago, with Mr.
Ranney as bookkeeper and confidential manager, which position he
held until 1S61, at which time he succeeded to the business. On
January I, 1862, he formed a co-partnership, under the firm name
of Ranney & Inglis. The business was conducted under this name
until January, 187S, since which time Mr. Ranney has continued
the business under the firm name of Ranney & Co. Mr. Ranney
was a member of the Board of Directors in 1S66-67, and served as
a member of the Committees on Arbitration and Appeals one term
each. He is at present a shipping cominision merchant and dealer
in options on 'Change. He became a Master Mason on November
14, 1S53, at which time he was raised in Iris Lodge, No. 22g,
at Cleveland, Ohio. He was Master of the lodge in 1856 and 1857.
On April 6, 1854, he became a Royal Arch Mason and a member
of Webb Chapter, Cleveland, and January 3, 1855, became a mem-
ber of Oriental Commandery, No. 12, of Knights Templar, and
was the secretary and recorder respectively of these three organiza-
tions during a period of two years. In Chicago, he affiliated with
Oriental Lodge, No. 33, and in 1S72 became a charter member of
St Andrews Lodge, No. 704, with which he is still affiliated. He
has filled every office 'in this lodge up to, and including, that of
Worshipful Master. In 1857, he united with LaFayette Chapter,
No. 2, of which he was high priest in i860. In 1S57, he also be-
came a member of Apollo Commandery, No. I, K. T , and was
eminent commander thereof in 1861. He severed his connection
with this Commandery in 18S0, and became a charter member of
Chevalier Bayard Commandery, No. 52, and was its recorder for
three years. About 1858, he became a member of the Council of
Royal and Select Masters, and in 1S60, was grand master of the
Council. In 1S57, he took all the Masonic degrees, up to, and in-
cluding the 32d, of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and in
1S66, received the honorary degree of Sovereign Grand Inspector
General, the 33d and last degree of that rite. Mr Ranney was grand
recorder of the Grand Commandery of Illinois from 1S61 to 1864 ;
and grand commander of the Knights Templar in Illinois in 1S65.
He was also junior grand warden of the Grand Encampment of
Knights Templar U. S. A., from 1865 to 1S6S. He was Master of
Rose Croix Chapter, A. & A. S. Rite, nine years ; and comman-
der-in-chief of Oriental Consistory, S. P. R. S., 32°, from 1871 to
1873. He has been an active member of the Episcopal Church
since his arrival in Chicago in 1857; was a member of the Standing
Committee of the Diocese of Illinois, and is now a member of
Grace Episcopal Church.
Vincent Lombard Hurlbut was born in West Mendon,
Monroe Co., N. Y., June 2S. 1S29 son of Dr. Horatio N. and Sa-
bina I Lombard) Hurlbut. His primary education was obtained at
the common schools of his native town. His father removed to
Crawford County, Ohio, while he was of an early age, and here he
obtained a further education. Shortly afterward the family again
removed to Jefferson, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, where he pursued his
education as far as the classics. Being then seventeen years ol
age, he determined upon taking up medical studies, and placed
himself under the tutelage of his father and Professor Horaci \.
Ackley, at the medical college at Cleveland. Here In- read an. I at-
tended lectures during the regular term ol [849 and [850, and
removed with his father to Chicago in July, 1851. lie entered
Rush Medical College, and attended the classes of 1S51--2. gradu-
ating therefrom in the latter year. During the same year he com-
menced practice, am! has since continued it with unflagging assi-
duity, lie never having married, but has been, ami is, wedded
to his profession. In this he has attained great success — the usual
reward of persistent study and intelligent practice. He is a mem-
ber of the American Medical Association, of the Slate Medical So-
ciety, was vice-president of the Cook County Medical Society, and
was assistant surgeon of the Woman's Hospital, of the State of Illi-
nois, for a number of years. In another phase of existence, Dr.
Hurlbut has attained equal prominence — in his connection with
the Masonic fraternity. He was first made a Mason in Waubansia
Lodge in i860, and the same year became a Royal Arch Companion
in Washington Chapter, No. 43 He also became a Knight Tem-
plar in Apollo Commandery, No. 1. He took the degrees in the
Scottish Rite in Occidental Consistory to the 320, taking the 330 in
Boston, Mass., in 1S64, and in [868 was made an active member
of the Supreme Council for the Northern Jurisdiction of the United
States of America. In 1S63-64-65, he was commander of Apollo
Commandery, Knights Templar, and commander-in-chief of Occi-
dental Sovereign Consistory of Chicago. In 1S67, he was grand
commander of Illinois, holding the office one year, and was illus-
trious deputy of Supreme Council for the District of Illinois for
years, commencing in 1S70. In 1871, at the regular session of the
Grand Encampment in Baltimore, lie was elected to the office of
grand generalissimo. In 1S74, at the session in New Orleans, he
was elected to the office of deputy grand master, and on August
30, 1877, was elected to the highest office in the gift of the frater-
nity, being, on that date, elected grand master at the twentieth tri-
ennial conclave at Cleveland. But despite his honors and renown.
Dr. Hurlbut is unostentatious, and practices that kindly and com-
prehensive charity that his order teaches, to the alleviation of
great suffering and much unhappiness.
John Porter Ferns — The Committee of Necrology of the
Illinois Council of Deliberation of the 32°, A. & A. S. R., thus epi-
tomised his Masonic history :
" Brother John Porter Ferns was born in Glasgow, Scotland,
May 1, 1S15. He came to Chicago April 27, 1840. Our deceased
brother received the degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry in Patrick
and St. Mary Lodge, No. 115, Glasgow, Scotland, February 15,
A. D. 1837, and was Master of Glasgow Star Lodge in 1S39. At
Patrick, Scotland, he passed the Chair, Ark, Marks and Link, and
was admitted into the Encampment of Excellent, Super-Excellent,
Arch and Royal Masons : also at Patrick, November 11, iS3g, he
was dubbed a Knight Templar, Knight of Malta, Knight of the
Mediterranean Pass, Knight of the Blue, Knight of the Red Cross,
and Knight of that most venerable order of Xe Plus Ultra. He
was a charter member of LaFayette Lodge, No. 18, A. F. lV A.M.,
the first lodge working under our Grand Lodge in this city. After
the dissolution of this lodge, he became a member of H. W. Bige-
low Lodge, No. 43S, and subsequently of Ashlar Lodge, No. 308,
and remained a member until his death. He was elected grand
tylei of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, in October, 1S66, which of-
fice he held ever since. Brother Ferns was also a member of Cor-
inthian Chapter No. 69, R. A. M., St. Bernard Commandery. No.
35, K. T., and Siloam Council, No. 53, R. & S. M. In the Grand
Commandery of Illinois he held the office of grand captain of the
guard. Was grand steward of the M. E. Grand Chapter and of
the Grand Council. Our deceased brother was the respected tyler
of a number of constituent lodges, holding their meetings in this
and other buildings in the city, but he has been called from his
varied labors on earth to everlasting refreshment in the Grand
Lodge above. Brother Ferns died March 5, 1SS4, and was buried
bv Ashlar Lodge, No. 303, M.W. Brother D. M. Browning, grand
master, F. & A. M., State of Illinois, officiating, assisted by the
members of a number of Craft lodges, escorted by St. Bernard and
Apollo commanderies, and Oriental Consistory of the A. A. Rite."
In his childhood Brother Ferns was fond of a sailor's life, and at
an early age he embarked as a cabin-boy, and made the voyage to
the West Indies. He followed the life of a sailor until he was
twenty-five, when he came to New York, and from thence came to
Chicago. His old love for the water then asserted itself, and he
became engaged on the lakes, and soon had command of a vessel.
He stayed in this position for twenty years, and then accepted a
position in J. V. Germain's warehouse. He was a member ol the
■ ild Volunteer Fire Department, and was nearly the oldest voter in
the precinct of the Eighteenth Ward, where he lived. In 1SS3, he
was the victim of a nighl attack, when he was knocked down and
robbed and the injuries received then supi rindi ced his death. The
Masonic ceremonies at his funeral were conducted bv G. M. Daniel
666
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
M. Browning, Rev. H. M. Pern-, as grand orator, and DeWitt C.
Cregier. as acting grand marshal. Brother Ferns was also a mem-
ber of St. Andrew's Society.
RITE OF MEMPHIS.
In 1S6S, the following bodies were instituted :
Elisinian Chapter, No. S. A. & P. Rite ok Memphis. —
D. A. Cashman, M.W. : G. \V. Barnard, S.K.W. ; H. F. Hol-
comb. J.K.VT. : W. X. Sheridan, K. orator ; W. J. Washburn, K.
conductor: William Lapham, K. treasurer; C. H. Smith, K.
archivist ; Robert Hall, K. organist ; G. R. McClellan, K. guard
of the tower : G. E. Ahearn, K. captain of the guard ; J. N.
Bowers, K. sentinel.
Trismegistian Senate, No. 4, A. & P. Rite of Mem-
phis — G. W. Barnard, S.G.C. ; T. I. Spafford, S.K.W. ; Robert
Hall. J.K.W. ; William Lapham, K. of finance; T. W. Wil-
marth, recorder ; H. Guerdon, orator ; Geo. R. McClellan, mar-
shal ; T. E. Pettibone, archivist.
In 1869, H. F. Holcomb was M.W. of Elusinian
Chapter, and A. D. Bascomb, S.G.C. of Trismegistian
Senate.
About June 1, 1869, both bodies were closed.
ADOPTIVE MASONRY.
Miriam Chapter, No. i, O. E. S., was chartered March 1,
1S69, being the first chartered in the State. It had, however,
worked under the name of Miriam Family* for some time antece-
dent to that date. The charter members were — Mrs. Joseph But-
ler, Mrs. A. B. Height, Mrs. Sarah Tarrant. Mrs. Charles T.
Wilt, Mrs. John C. Howell, Mrs. A. Wright, Mrs. Joseph Galla-
gher, Mrs. Mary Jane Ogden and Dr. S. A. McWilliams. The
first officers were Mrs. Elizabeth Butler, W.M. ; Dr. S. A. Mc-
Williams, W. P. ; Mrs. Charles T. Wilt, A.M. Mrs. Butler was
W.M. during 1869-70, and was succeeded by Mrs. L. V. Crocker in
1871. The chapter was burned out by the fire of 1871.
* To Alice L. Foskett the compiler is indebted for these data.
ODD FELLOWS.
LODGES.
Meeting of Grand Lodge. — The Grand Lodge
of the United States met at Chicago, at 8:30 a. m., on
September 18, 187 1, at Excelsior Hall, and, at 10 a. m.,
formed in procession, and marched to the Sherman
House, where the Grand Lodge was formed in order by-
Grand Marshal Stuart W. Cayce, and thence escorted
to the Metropolitan Hall, where the session was held.
John G. Rogers, P.G.M. and P.G.R., on behalf of
the Grand Lodge of Illinois, delivered the address of
welcome, and Fred. D. Stuart, Most AVorthy Grand
Sire, responded. On September 19, there was a public
procession, wherein about five thousand Odd Fellows,
in regalia, marched in the ranks.
Excelsior Lodge. No. 22. — The following were presiding
officers of this lodge for the years mentioned : 1858, James Finertv,
C. L. Jenks; 1859, C. L. Jenks, John G. Rogers ; i860, J. 6.
Perry, J. Ward Ellis ; 1861, H. D French, D. A. Foot ; 1S62,
Thomas Chalmers, William B. H. Snow ; 1863, Ives Scoville, J.
W. Secor ; 1864, S. B. Walker, J. L. Gerber ; 1865, E. L. Comley,
James Kirkley ; 1S66, Thomas Carbine, J. A. Bartlett , 1S67, R.
H. Andrews, Robert Hunter; 1868, George W. Carson, George B.
Parkins ; 1869. F. L. Phillips, J. H. Young ; 1S70, W. C. Wilson,
C. E. Minor; 1871, Lewis Dodge, J. H. Kellogg.
Fort Dearborn* Lodge, No. 214. — From 1858 to 1871, the
membership of this lodge increased from ninety-one to one hundred
and sixty-two. The presiding officers during those years were as
follows: 1858, J. K. Thompson, Isaac Preston; 1859, James A.
Collins, Frank J. Ryan ; i860, George Sitts, M. C. Eames ; 1861,
15. F. Sitts, Elijah Shaw; 1862, Andrew G. Bowker, ; 1863,
William Sharp. Alexander Hepburn ; 1S64, Walter Tett, F. H.
Sleeper; 186;, William Smale, John Wilson ; 1S66, R. H. Jordan,
John Campbell ; 1867, Dr T. D. Fitch. Andrew T. Sherman ;
186S, Oliver E. Eames. W. L. Tidd ; 1869, E. B. Sherman, J. K.
Thompson ; 1870, F. W. Mattern, Henry II. Coats ; 1871, W. H.
Crocker, J. W. Newbern.
GOETHE LODGE, No. 329. — This is a German lodge, and was
instituted on March 23, 1S66. Since it was organized it has had a
membership of nearly two hundred, and the following have been its
officers: J. Buehler, A. Boettiger, C. Bachmann, H. H. Bresenberg,
I. Dcgen. A. Dethmann, F. Fischer, II. Frahm, W. Gastfield, A.
Hartmeyer. H. C. W. Holzapfel, C. Halix, E. Heiland, M. Kuhn,
J. Lochner. C. Meister. C. Neumeister, J. Ott, W. Ohlmeyer, J.
PagOS, J. II. Kapp, L. Schultz, J. M. Schroeder, A. Schippel, I..
Schwank, W. M. Stanley, C. H. Sigmund, P. T. Tiedermann and
E. Wilken.
RAINBOW Lodge, No. 400, was instituted October 2, 1869,
with twenty-four charter members. It occupies a hall at No. 679
ke Street. The following were presiding officers from its
institution down to the close of 1871 : William Fielding, Thomas
I). Clancy. Dr. J. K. Wilkins and John Niven.
Home Lodge, No. 416, was formed by forty members of
Union Lodge, No. 9, who desired the greater dissemination of the
principles of the Order. The lodge was instituted on March 7,
1870, with the following officers : C. W. Lounsbury, noble grand;
William Williams, vice-grand; A. L. Flood, recording secretary';
W. A. Hendrie, permanent secretary; W. W. Bates, treasurer; H.
F. Holcomb, C. J. Burroughs, E. Jones, H. C. Parsons and W.
M. Graham, trustees. The lodge continued to prosper until the
great fire, when its entire property was destroyed, and thirty-four
of its one hundred members sustained a loss of everything they
possessed. Not daunted by this calamity, before the ashes of its
records and paraphernalia were yet cold, the lodge was opened in
regular form on the evening of October 14, in the hall of Fort
Dearborn Lodge, Thomas Ockerby, P. G., in the chair. Imme-
diate steps were taken for the relief of the sufferers by the fire.
Of the following named lodges, the dates of institu-
tion are the only facts which could be ascertained, the
secretaries having failed to furnish more particular
information concerning them :
North Chicago Lodge, No. 330, German, instituted April
19, 1866.
Hoffnung Lodge, No. 353, German, instituted September
6, 1867.
Northwestern Lodge, No. 3S8, German, instituted May 7,
1869.
Garden City Lodge, No. 389, German, instituted May 8,
1869.
Hutten Lodge, No. 39S, German, instituted July 3, 1S69.
Eclipse Lodge, No. 404, instituted September 1, 1869.
Lily of the West Lodge, No. 407, German, instituted Sep-
tember, 1869.
Douglas Lodge, No. 432, German, instituted August 4, 1870.
Lincoln Park Lodge, No. 437, German, instituted October,
1870.
Templar Lodge, No. 440. No date of institution is given
in report; probably in winter of 1870.
Ellis Lodge, No. 447, instituted February 15, 1S71.
Syria Lodge, No. 451, German, instituted March 16, 1871.
ENCAMPMENTS.
The first dispensation for an encampment was
granted to B. W. Thomas, Anthony Johnston, A. I).
Boyce, Sylvester Marsh, N. Sherman, Jr., P. D. Cum-
mings and S. N. Davis, to form Illinois Encampment,
No. 3. The dispensation was issued at the City of
Baltimore, on December 26, 1844.
In icS7 1, the following encampments were in success-
ful operation : Chicago, No. 10 ; Germania, No. 40;
Humboldt, No. 101 ; Adriel, No. 106 : Excelsior, No.
108; Herman, No. 110; and Teutonia, No. 114.
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
667
ORDER OF REBEKAH.
This ally of Odd Fellowship, composed of ladies, had
four lodges in the city at the close of the year 187 r, as
follows :
Ivy Lodge, No. 14, instituted April 9, 1S70.
Evergreen Lodge, No. 24, instituted July 5, 1S70.
Germania Lodge, No. 45, instituted March 28, 1871.
Thusnelda Lodge, No. 43, instituted April 13, 1871.
The two last named lodges are German.
RELIEF MEASURES.
The amount of money received and retained by the
Chicago Relief Committee of the I.O.O.F., consisting
of J. Ward Ellis, John G. Rogers and E. B. Sherman,
was $107,025.84, and was contributed from the follow-
ins; localities :
Alabama $ 10 oo
Arkansas 202 00
California 14,469 90
Colorado 175 00
Connecticut 2,341 36
Delaware 1,196 25
District of Columbia 885 00
Georgia 252 00
Illinois 17,88280
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana.
Lower Provinces of
British North
America
Maine
»,S68 39
3,288 13
1,163 50
835 88
200 00
155 36
,050 00
Maryland $1,841 50
Massachusetts 3.290 48
Michigan [96 50
Minnesota 611 15,
Missouri - 2,405 00
Nebraska 105 00
New Hampshire 700 00
New Jersey.- 2. 131 50
New York 10,625 71
Nevada. 1,625 75
North Carolina 50 00
Ohio 2,333 00
Ontario 1,965 96
Oregon 1,781 91
Pennsylvania ..
Rhode Island -.
S> mth * larolina . .
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont -
Virginia
West Virginia ...
Wisconsin
Europe _.
New Mexico
Unknown
Total .
- $23,495 30
i,4i)5 00
10 00
954 20
27 50
27 50
494 65
1,018 75
306 00
23S 41
90 00
56 00
.$107,025 84
There were also cash donations received by the
committee, and returned to the donors, amounting to
$6,644.79. J. C. Smith, G. M., then designated a com-
mittee to audit the accounts of the Relief Committee.
The Auditing Committee assembled, and having exam-
ined the vouchers, found that the
Total receipts were - $123,724 53
Total disbursements were _ 113,554 39
And the balance was $10,170 14
which was subsequently transferred as a special relief
fund, and the committee relieved from the onerous du-
ties it had so diligently and conscientiously performed.
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
Knights of Pythias. — The organization and es-
tablishment of this order in this city dates from May 4,
1869. when Welcome Lodge, No. 1, was instituted.
The following table gives the lodges, the dates of
institution, and their places of meeting at the time of
the fire:
Welcome, No. I, May 4, 1869, Grand Lodge Hall, Nos. 151-
153 Monroe Street; Humboldt, No. 2, October 25, 1869, north-
east corner of Clark and Michigan streets; E.xceisior, No. 3, No-
vember S, 1S69, No. 54 West Lake Street; Board of Trade, No. 4,
November 30, 1S69, Grand Lodge Hall; Cosmopolitan, No. 6,
February 23, 1870, Grand Lodge Hall; Hoffnung (Hope), No. 7,
January 14, 1870, corner of Mitchell and Union streets; Lake
View, No. 8, March 26, 1S70, Lake View; Ivanhoe, No. 9, June
10, 1870, Grand Lodge Hall; Crusader, No. 11, July 14, 1S70,
corner of Halsted and Madison streets ; Tancred, No. 12, July 9,
1870, Nos. 151-153 Monroe; DeMolay, No. 13, August 2, 1870,
corner Twenty-seventh Street and Cottage Grove Avenue; Schiller,
No. 15, October 1, 1870, southwest corner Sedgwick and Sigel
streets; Alemannia, No. 16, February 4, 1871, Lake View; Diony-
sius, No. 20, May 25, 1S71, northwest corner of LaSalle and Ad-
ams streets; St. John, No. 21, May 18, iS7r, No. 55 North Clark
Street.
The amount of money received and disbursed on ac-
count of relief for the Knights of Pythias is not pub-
lished in the reports of the fraternity; but there is a
statement that such accounts were audited by the Grand
Lodge and found correct, and that the residue was to
be devoted to the erection of a hall, from the rental of
which a permanent income for charitable purposes and
the prosperity of the order might be derived.
Independent Order of Sons of Malta. — This
order — whose mention recalls imaginings of initiations
wherein the candidate was divested of all but breath,
and not much left of that, and then shot through pneu-
matic tubes, sizzled on gridirons, boiled in bath-tubs,
and generally flayed, excoriated and decorticated — was
perhaps the most unselfishly charitable order that ever
existed. As to its ritual and work, that was the busi-
ness of those who belonged to it ; Imt its generosity was
a by-word. The widows and orphans whose hearts have
been gladdened by unknown beneficiaries, the distress
that has been quietly and unostentatiously alleviated,
have been the occasion of many heartfelt prayers for
the benefactors, who were simply members of the Sons
of Malta. The organization was established in Chicago
on September 1, 1856, and the hall in which the lodge
met was at the corner of State and Washington streets.
In 1857, the number of members was about two hun-
dred, and three thousand dollars were expended for the
benefit of persons not connected with the association.
In 1858, the officers of Palestine Lodge were J. J. Clarkson,
grand commander; D. W. Boss, vice-grand commander; J. 11.
Williams, grand chancellor; E. W. Spear, secretary ; C. I' Brad-
ley, treasurer. In 1859, the officers were H. D. Laflin, grand com-
mander ; A. M. Hyde, vice-grand commander ; J. G. Day, grand
chancellor: L H. Kelly, grand conductor; L. Laflin, secretary,
and C. H. Miller, treasurer. The lodge then met at the corner of
South Water and Wells streets.
In May, 1859, the Grand Commandery met at Chicago, and
elected the following officers: Isaiah H. Williams, supreme grand
commander ; Daniel W. Boss, supreme vice-grand commander ;
Philip A. Hoyne, lord high chancellor ; William W. Peck, supreme
grand secretary; Samuel B. II. Higgins, supreme grand recorder;
Cyrus P. Bradley, supreme grand treasurer; Howard Jenks, su-
preme grand conductor ; James W. Musson. supreme grand ser-
geant ; J. A. Ilnhn, supreme grand surgeon; J. M. Mozart,
supreme grand musician ; George W. Gage, supreme grand almo-
ner ; Charles W. Barker, grand master of the horse; Joshua 1..
Marsh, grand admiral; Henry G. Williams, grand tyler ; James
J. Clarkson, grand lecturer ; David Stuart, judge advocate.
The Grand Commandery was located at Chicago,
and its jurisdiction extended over Indiana. Michigan,
Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nebraska.
The organization was only maintained for a short time,
and gradually fell to pieces.
United Order of Red Men. — This organization
is also termed the Independent Order of Red Men, and
had the following lodges meeting in this city at the time
of the lire :
66S
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Grand Tribe met at Red Men's Hall. No 54 West Lake Street:
Tecumseh Tribe. No. 109. met corner of North Avenue and Lar-
rabee Street ; Calumet Tribe, Xo no, met at No. 630 South Canal
Street : Chippewa Tribe. No. 127. met at No. 54 West Lake
Street; Pocahontas Tribe, No. 13S. met at No. 54 West Lake Street.
I. O. of G. T. — The following lodges were holding-
meetings in this city during the year 187 1:
Union Degree Temple, No. 1, at No. 16S South Clark Street;
Rolling Mill Degree Temple, on the North Branch; Star of Hope
Lodge, Xo. 15, at Caledonian Hall; Houston Lodge, Xo. 32,
at the corner of Halsted and Randolph streets; Star in the Xorth
Lodge, Xo. 190. at Xos. 37-39 Michigan Street; Washingtonian
Lodge, Xo. 4SS, at the corner of Wabash Avenue and Twenty-sec-
ond Street; Cleveland Lodge, No. 494, at Bridgeport; Warren
Lodge, Xo. 496. at corner of Randolph and Halsted streets; Home
Lodge, Xo. 607, at Xo. 572 West Madison Street; Lincoln Lodge,
No. 61S, at No. 17 Milwaukee Avenue; Truesdell Lodge, at
Masonic Hall, corner of Centre and Sedgwick streets; Aqua Pura
Lodge. Xo. 670, at Methodist Mission Church; Rolling Mill
Lodge, Xo. 919, near Ward's Rolling Mill; Life Boat Lodge, Xo.
1000, at Xo. 16S South Clark Stieet.
Temples of Honor. — Of these, two were extant
in 1871. Radiant Temple met at No. 168 South Clark
Street and Metropolitan Temple met at McCormick's
Building, southeast corner of Randolph and Dearborn
streets.
Sons of Temperance. — The following bodies be-
longing to this order were holding sessions during the
year 187 1:
Garden City Division, Xo. 422, — organized August 4, 1S54 —
met at corner of Clinton and West Randolph streets; Tabernacle
Division, Xo. 597, met at Washingtonian Home; Excelsior Divis-
ion, Xo. 606, met at southwest corner of State and Twenty-third
streets; B S. Goodhue Division, Xo. 697, met at the corner of
Fulton and Davis streets; Sheet Anchor Division, No. S42, met at
corner of Michigan and North Market streets; Hyde Park Division,
Xo. S43. met at the Presbyterian Church, corner of Oak Street and
Hyde Park Avenue: Crystal Wave Division, No. 911, met at south-
west corner Randolph and Halsted streets.
American Protestant Association. — In 1S64,
the following lodges met in this city:
Washington, No. 1 ; Lincoln. Xo. 2 ; Luther, Xo. 3 ; Liberty,
Xo. 4 ; Harmony, No. 5 ; and in 1S70 the Grand Lodge appears
to have been located here. In 1S71, but three lodges are designated
as meeting here: Washington, Xo. 1; Harmony, Xo. 5, both
convening at American Protestant Association Hall, corner of Ran-
dolph and Dearborn streets; and Star of the West, Xo. 3, conven-
ing at the northeast corner of Randolph and Clinton streets.
U. D. O. Harugari. — In 1864, the following lodges
met in Chicago :
Cherusker, Xo. 45, at Teutonia Hall ; Teutonia, Xo. 47, at
Teutonia Hail ; Germania, No. 36, at Druid's Hall ; and, in 1865.
Harmonia, Xo. 61, met at Xibbe's Hall, corner of Vedder and
Pleasant streets. In 1866, the Walhalla Mannie. or Waihalla En-
campment, Xo. 9, met at Odd Fellow's Hall. In 1871, the fol-
lowing lodges, in addition to those specified, were holding sessions:
Helvetia. No. 133. at Helvetia Hall, No. 630 South Canal Street;
Chicago, No. 153. at Harugari Hall, No. 46 South Clark Street;
Columbia. Xo. 17S, at the corner of Randolph and Clinton streets;
Beckman, Xo. i38. at Harugari Hall on Archer Avenue; William
Tell, Xo. 194, at Harugari Hall, South Clark Street.
Strong Hand. — During the War was instituted a
loyal and patriotic I'nion Association, in which were
united Republicans and Democrats, without distinction
of party. The only condition of membership was
" loyalty to the government of the time being, and union
against internal traitors and external foes." The object
sought was a union of hearts, and a recognition of each
other by military signs. Every separate local associa-
tion was called an Encampment and the members were
Comrades-at-arms. It was not a secret society, only so
far as to the signs of re ognition. The headquarters of
this association were in McCormick's Building, corner
of Randolph and Dearborn streets. The following were
the permanent officers:
John Wilson, commander-in-chief, Chicago ; Edward A. Guil-
bert, major-general, Iowa, Dubuque ; Rufus I!. Clarke, major-
general, Wisconsin, Racine; Charles E. Blumenthal. major-general,
New York, New York ; John Trimble. Jr., general secretary, Chi-
cago ; John C. W. Bailey, president Board of Control, Chicago ; J.
Asa Kennicott, secretary Board of Control, Chicago; Cyrus J.
Ward, treasurer Board of Control, Chicago; Robert Morris,
LL.D.. aide-de-camp to General Wilson, and traveling agent of
Board of Control. In 1864, the Board of Control consisted of Peter
Daggv, commander-in-chief and president. Chicago ; Winston P.
Xoble, vice-president, Indianapolis; A.J.Galloway, treasurer, Chi-
cago ; S. K. Reed, secretary, Chicago. Executive Committee com-
prised the president, secretary, and L. L. Bond, J. C. W. Bailey,
and C. J. Ward. City Camp officers: Captain, John W. Dean ;
First Lieutenant, E. T. Orme ; Second Lieutenant, T. W. Fay ;
Third Lieutenant, G. 11. Turner.
Order of United Americans. — Of this organiza-
tion, two chapters existed in Chicago, and were extant
about 1855-56 — Washington Chapter, Xo. 1, of which
Charles Harpel was grand master, and Bunker Hill
Chapter, No. 2, of which David M. Ford was grand
master.
Ancient Order of Good Fellows. — Two lodges
of this order existed in Chicago — Germania, which met
at No. 376 West Twelfth Street, and Washington, which
met at No. 54 West Lake Street.
U. A. O. D. — The following Groves, or Heins, met
in the old Board of Trade rooms, corner of South Water
and Wells streets, in 1871 :
Schiller, Xo. 4; Columbia, Xo. 5; Goethe, Xo. 9; Humboldt,
No. 12; Garden City, No. 13; Concordia, No. 15; Uhland, No.
16; and West Chicago, No. iS, met in Buehler's Hall, No. 358
Milwaukee Avenue. Harmony, No. 20, met at No. 376 West Twelfth
Street; North Chicago, No. 23, on North Side; and Union, Xo.
24, at the corner of VJnion and Mitchell streets. Apollo Grand
Chapter, Xo. 1, met in old Board of Trade rooms.
Independent Order of Chaldeans. — This order
appears to have been introduced to Chicago about
1858, Myron Lodge, No. 1, being the first instituted, at
Apollo Hall, corner of Lake and South Water streets.
In 1S71 the following lodges met : Myron, No. 1; Aurora,
No. 2; Thusnelda, No. 3; Achmet, No. 4; Modera, No. 5; Kab-
bala, Xo. 6; Chaldea, No. 7; and Algebra Degree Lodge. The
Gegenseitig Unterstuetzungs Gesellschaft, A.U.O.C., also met in
1S71.
Independent Order of Sons of Hermann. — Of
this organization, the following bodies met in Chicago,
in 187 1 :
Grand Lodge, No. 1, of Chicago, at Nos. 16-1S LaSalle
Street. Chicago Lodge, No. 1; Thomas Paine, No. 2; Freie Man-
ner Lodge, No 3; Sigel, No. 4; Washington, No. 5, all met at
16-1S LaSalle Street. Cottage Hill Lodge, No. 6, met at Cottage
Hill. Schiller Lodge, No. 7, met at Nos. 16-18 LaSalle Street;
Alexander, No. S, on Blue Island Avenue; Lincoln, No. 10, Nib-
be's Hall; Koerner, No. 11, Buehler's Hall; Germania, Xo. 12,
Buehler's Hall; Eintracht, Xo. 13, corner of Wentworth and Archer
avenues; Encampment, S. of H., Xos. 16-1S Lasalle Street.
Labor Societies. — The following are mentioned
as being possessed of active membership in 1S71 :
Bricklayers' Protective Union, Candy-makers' Union, Chicago
Iron Moulders' Union, Chicago Steam Boiler Makers' Protective
Benevolent Society, Chicago Typographical Union, Xo 16, Cigar
Makers Protective L'nion of Chicago. Curriers' Union, Firemen's
Union, Xo. 16, Journeymen Stone-cutters' Association of Chi-
cago, Tailors' Fraternal Union of Chicago, United Association of
Marble-cutters.
The Chicago Mutual Improvement Association
was organized on November 30, 1855, at No. 170 South
Clark Street, with forty-three members.
Its officers were — II. M. McCann, president; F.A.Meredith,
vice-president; George Gurney, treasurer; L. F. Hubbard, secre-
tary; S. M. Kennedy and Charles E. Freeman, tellers.
The Early Closing Association was organized
on December 8, 1855, with one hundred and fifty mem-
bers. [ts place of meeting was Sawyer's Seminary, on
Clark Street, and its officers were J. P; Samuels, presi-
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
669
dent; J. B. Sutton, vice-president; and A. G. [nness,
secretary.
German Societies. — As early as 1857, the follow-
ing societies with German membership existed :
Mcennergesang Verein, which society also maintained a Ger-
man Theater ; Freie Saengerbund ; Social Demokrat Turnverein ;
Wagner Verein (Coachmakers' Association) ; Schreiner Verein
(Carpenters' Association); Schneider Verein (Tailors' Association);
Junge Mcenner ; Verbruederung. A. R. O. No. 2 ; Association for
Arts and Sciences; Chicago Lodge, No. 27, D. O. I). U.S.; Chi-
cago Arbeiter Verein, organized November 22, 1857; German
Immigrant Society, organized 1S54, and which is still in exist-
ence. In 1S71, the following were specified in the Directory :
Chicago Turn Gemeinde, German House Association of Chicago,
Germania Bruederbund, Germania Msennerchor, Gesangverein
Orpheus, Northwest Chicago Arbeiter Unterstuetzungs Verein, No.
4, Social Arbeiter Verein of the West Side.
Sundry Societies. — Among these may be cited
The Chicago Chess Club, Chicago Library Association, Chi-
cago Photographic Association, Douglas Monument Association,
Franklin Society, Hand-in- Hand Mutual Benefit Society, Pork
Packers' Association, Sharpshooters' Association, Prairie Shooting
Club; Svea Society, of Chicago, organized in 1S57; Slovanska Lipa
Benevolent Society, organized in 1S63; Logicians' Literary Society;
Societe Francaise de Bienfaisance de 1' Illinois; Societe Francaise
de Secours Mutual; Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society of
Father Matthew, organized February 5, 1865; Holland and Bel-
gian Association; Norwegian Literary Society Nord, organized
July iS, 1S60; Seaman's Mutual Benevolent Society, organized Sep-
tember 10, 1S60, incorporated February 22, 1861. United Sons of
Erin Benevolent Society, organized in i860, incorporated in 1S63,
and of which John Comiskey was president; Patrick Rafferty, first
vice-president; James Moran second vice-president; James Mc-
Grath, secretary; M. D. O'Donohue, assistant secretary; L. H.
O'Connor, corresponding secretary; Thomas McEnery, treasurer.
The Fenian Brotherhood; St. Michael's Benevolent Society, organ-
ized in 1S64, connected with St. Michael's Church; St. Patrick's
Benevolent Society, connected with St. Patrick's Church; St. Vin-
cent's House of Providence, conducted by the Sisters of Charity,
No. 301 Huron Street; and the Union Benevolent Society of
Italians.
The St. George's Benevolent Association. —
The St. George's Benevolent Association, of Chicago,
was organized in February, i860. The main objects of
the Association were to give advice to English immi-
grants; to provide for the social intercourse and mutual
improvement of its members; to visit the sick, bury the
dead, assist widows and orphans of deceased members;
and in its discretion to grant relief to any person of
English parentage, not members of the Association.
The membership was confined to Englishmen and the
sons of Englishmen. The term Englishman was con-
strued to mean a man born of English parents, or in
any part of Great Britain south of the Tweed.
Their first annual festival was held on St. George's
day, April 23, i860, and the first officers were Francis
Hudson, president ; William Holdsworth, first vice-
president ; William Baragwanath, second vice-presi-
dent ; James Turner, treasurer ; Elias Cooke and T. E.
Poulsen, secretaries.
The second festival was advertised to take place on
St. George's day, 1861. It was at the breaking out of
the Civil War, and the city was ablaze with excitement.
Owing to these circumstances, the festival was post-
poned until the 1st of May, and the proceeds were ap-
propriated to the fund which was then being raised for
the benefit of families of volunteers. The following
persons have been presidents of the Association :
i860, Francis Hudson; 1861, William Wayman; 1S62, William
Baragwanath; 1S63, William Holdsmith; 1SG4, William Baragwa-
nath; 1865, William Wayman; 1S66-6S, Alfred Booth; 1869, J. C.
W. Bailey, 1870-71, James John.
Other prominent members, during this period, were
Rev. G. C. Street, Elias Cooke, Dr. William B. Slayton,
William P. Chadwick and Edwin Walker.
The Illinois St. Andrew's Society. — The early
Scottish residents of Chicago were among the first tti
form a society commemorative of their native land. A
call to meet and celebrate the anniversary of St. An-
drew, in 1S45, was heartily responded to by the resident
Scotchmen of Chicago. Amongthose who attended this
first meeting, which was held at the Lake House, were
Captain, afterward General, George 1!. McClellan, then
the engineer in charge of the harbor works, and Gene-
ral J. A. McDougal. The result of this meeting was,
that the Illinois St. Andrew's Society was organized;
and ever since that date the members and friends have
held an annual festival on St. Andrew's day. They
commenced with some twenty-four members in 1846,
and in 187 1 the membership was about three hundred.
In 1853, a charter was obtained from the Legislature of
Illinois, which enabled the Society to greatly enlarge its
means for doing good. In 1858.it purchased ground
in Rosehill Cemetery, and expended a large amount of
money in curbing and ornamenting it. This is set
apart for the burial-place of poor and friendless Scots.
Among those who have been noted especially for
their activity in promoting the objects of the Society,
may be mentioned George Anderson, Patrick Ballingall,
Alexander Brand, Daniel E. and John S. Ross. John
H. Kedzie, John Stewart, William M. Dale, Robert
Hervey, George Kennedy, Hugh Ritchie, John Rankin
and General John McArthur.
Of the original members who celebrated the anni-
versary of 1846, George Anderson is the onlv one now
(1SS5) living.
The following named gentlemen were presidents of
the Society for the years embraced in this volume of
the History :
1858, Robert Hervey; iSsq, Andrew- Harvie ; 1S60, John R.
Valentine; 1S61 Dugald Stewart; 1862, Robert Hervey; 1563,
General Daniel Cameron ; 1864, William Tames ; 1S65, Robert
Hervey; 1866, William Stewart; 1S67, Hugh Macallister ; 1868,
Dr. John Macalister ; 1S69, Robert Hervey; 1S70-71, lohn Mc-
Arthur.
St. Patrick's Society. — This association was first
formally organized in 1865, by a number of the leading
representative Irish-American citizens of Chicago. 1 he-
Society celebrated St. Patrick's day by a grand banquet,
at the Tremont House, Monday evening, March 20, the
anniversary that year having fallen on the Friday pre-
vious. The officers of the Society the first year were as
follows :
William J. Onahan, president; Charles McDonnell, vice-presi-
dent ; James P. Byrne, secretary ; Edward Ilayden. treasurer.
The succeeding years, the presidents following Mr Onahan were
— 1866-67, lames W. Sheahan; 1867-68, Roger J. Brass; 1S6S-C9,
John J. W. t I'Donoghue; 1S70-71, Bernard G. Caulfield.
During these years, the Society took a leading part
in all affairs of interest, in which the Irish-American
portion of the community were especially concerned.
The project of a Hibernian bank first had its origin in
the Society, and the principal members became share-
holders in the institution bearing that name, which has
since continued in successful operation. The most im-
portant, and certainly the most useful, work in which
the Society engaged, was the effort to promote Irish col-
onization.
The St. Patrick's Society maintained its organiza-
tion intact up to the period of the fire of 1871, from
which time it was allowed to lapse for several \c :ars.
The German Society. — This Society was estab-
lished in 1854, and was then known as tin- Society for
the Protection and Aid of German Immigrants. As
that name indicates, the object of the Society was to ad-
vise and protect Germans who had come to this coun-
try, ignorant id' its language and customs 1 he Society
670
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
also rendered aid to the sick and needy of that nation-
ality. During the first year, its president was George
Bormann; secretary, George Hillgaertner; and the num-
ber of members two hundred and fifty. Since that year,
the presiding officers have been Albert Borcherdt, G. H.
Claussenius, Charles Rietz, George Schneider
and Adolph Schoeninger.
Independent Order of B'nai B'rith. —
This society was organized, during the year 1 843
in the city of New York, and has grown into
an organization numbering its lodges and mem-
bers in every important city and town in the
United States, and, of late, also in Germany.
The directing and legislative power is vested
in the Constitutional Grand Lodge, which
meets once in five years, and the several Dis-
trict Grand Lodges, which meet annually.
This society has upward of three hundred
and sixty lodges, with a membership exceed-
ing twenty-five thousand, and is divided into
eight Districts, seven of which embrace the
entire territory of the United States.
District No. 6, with its head-center at Chi-
cago, embraces the States of Illinois, Michi-
gan. Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Kansas.
Its Grand Lodge was instituted on September
20, 186S, at which date it consisted of eight
lodges and a membership of five hundred and
eighty-four, while at present the District numbers forty-
two lodges and two thousand five hundred and ninety-
seven contributing members.
The object of the society is expressed in the pream-
ble to the constitution of the order, in the following
language:
" The Independent Order of B'nai B'rith has taken upon itself
the mission of uniting Israelites in the work of promoting their
highest interests and those of humanity; of developing, elevating,
and defending the mental and moral character of our race; of
inculcating the purest principles of philanthropy, honor and
patriotism; of supporting science and art; alleviating the wants of
the poor and needy; visiting and attending the sick; coming to the
rescue of victims of persecution; providing for, protecting and
assisting the widow and orphan on the broadest principles of
humanity."
Imbued with these principles, the B'nai B'rith pursue
their labor of love without ostentation or display, and
crown their secret work by the erection of proud and
lasting monuments. With a view of systematizing
charity, District Grand Lodge, No. 6, in 1870, enacted
an endowment law, by the provisions of which, at the
death of a brother, every member, without distinction
as to age or condition, pays fifty cents into the ex-
chequer of the Grand Lodge, and the widow or the
children of the deceased receive an endowment of
$t,ooo. The surplus collection is paid into the sinking
fund. Since the adoption of this measure, widows and
orphans have been endowed in one hundred and ninety-
four cases. This city has eleven lodges and a member-
ship of one thousand and eighty-eight.
Chicago Relief and Aid Society. — In February,
1857, this Society was incorporated by Edwin C. Lamed,
Mark Skinner, Edward I. Tinkham, Joseph D. Webster,
Joseph T. Ryerson, Isaac N. Arnold, Norman B. Judd,
John H. Dunham, A. II. Mueller, Samuel s. Greeley,
I; I Cook, \. S. Davis, George W. Dole, George M.
Higginson, John H. Kinzie, John Woodbridge, Jr.,
Erastus S. Williams, I'hilo Carpenter, George W. Gage,
S. S. Hayes, Henry Farnham, William H. Brown,
Philip J. Wardner and others. In the autumn of 1857,
an organization was effected, a board of management
war, elected, and the constitution, general rules and
by-laws were adopted. At first, voluntary visitors were
engaged to examine into the wants and worthiness of
applicants, but this was soon found to be an unreliable
method, and paid visitors were employed by the Society.
It also had its general superintendent, and persons
trinity episcopal church.
who were employed to take charge of its wood-yard
and lodging-house.
Although the Society was incorporated in 1857, it
was one of several organizations engaged in the same
work, and consequently its activities were not marked
until a consolidation' of the different associations was
effected under the old name. O. C. Gibbs was the first
superintendent, and so acted up to the time of the fire.
In November, 1867, a call was issued by Wirt Dexter,
president of the Christian Union, J. L. Reynolds, pres-
ident of the Citizens' Relief, and D. L. Moody, president
of the Young Men's Christian Association, for a meet-
ing to be held at the Tremont House for the purpose of
consolidating with the Chicago Relief and Aid Society
and organizing for general work. The Society was to
be an independent organization, disconnected from all
sectarian or religious work. At that time E. C. Earned
was president of the Chicago Relief and Aid Society,
but from 187 1 date the only records now in existence.
As giving an. idea of the different classes of men
who then united to work for the general relief of the
needy, the following names are given of those who
formed themselves into the reorganized society :
Martin R. M. Wallace, Wirt Dexter, D. L. Moody, E. C.
Larned, Rev. Clinton Locke, Rev. J. H. Rylance, Henry Fuller,
John V. Farwell, Henry W. King, Julius Rosenthal, George E.
Purington, O. II. Horton, J. W. Nealy, Joseph T. Ryerson, Samuel
S. Greeley, John C. Haines, Elias Greenebaum, Murry Nelson,
Samuel A. Kean, W. E. Doggett, Gilbert Hubbard, J. McGregor
Adams, S. H. Gray, Rev. J. M. Humphrey, Rev. Robert Laird
Collier, John K. Stearns, O. C. Gibbs, Daniel Shepard, F. M.
Rockwell, C. M. Goodsell, Rev. Robert Collyer, T. M. Avery, C.
H. S. Winter, Guy C. Sampson, Rev. William H. Ryder, Rev.
David Swing, Rev. R. M. Hatfield, N. K. Fairbank, H. A. John-
son, T. W. Harvey, George M. Pullman, John Mason Loomis, E.
B. McCagg, R. B. Mason, N. S.Bouton, William H.Bradley, O.
W. Potter, R. T. Crane, A. A. Sprague, and D. V. Purington.
Wirt Dexter was president from 1868 to 1870, and
was succeeded by Henry W. King, who held the posi-
tion at the time of the great fire. From year to year
the city was divided into districts, and persons of well
known character and influence were designated and
requested to canvass for money subscriptions and other
donations. At the time of the great fire the territory
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
671
of the city had been divided into fourteen districts. In
addition, there were soliciting committees of various
classes of business men. The Society previous to the
fire carried on its work modestly but efficiently, during
the latter portion of this period furnishing relief to
about two thousand families. The great value of the
organization was evinced, however, after the fire, when
it distributed the immense fund raised to alleviate the
sufferings of the thousands of homeless and disconsolate,
then thrown upon our public charity. This period of its
most noble work will therefore be treated in the suc-
ceeding volume of this History.
Chicago Home for the Friendless. — Early in
1858, a few noblewomen of this city, realizing that there
was great need of some charitable public institution,
which should have for its special object the caring for
and providing of suitable homes for friendless children
and women, met to devise some plan for accomplishing
their purpose. As a result, a public meeting was called.
It was so well attended and such substantial encourage-
ment was there given, that, on August 19, a Home was
formally opened in a house, temporarily obtained for
the purpose, on the West Side. The following February
a charter was granted by the Legislature, which provided
that Martha A. Wilson, Adaline R. Judd, Julia Dole,-
Julia A. Warner, Anna M. Gibbs, Margaretta Varian,
Jane C. Hoge, Margaret M. Oilman, Lavinia Morris,
Emily S. Roy, Adaline C. Morgan, Maria Excern,
Minerva Botsford, Emma F. Haines, and their associates,
should constitude a body corporate and politic to be
known as the Chicago Home for the Friendless. The
object of the Home was to be the relieving, aiding, and
providing homes for friendless and indigent women and
children.
The ladies spared neither time nor effort to secure
the necessary funds for building a permanent Home, and
saw the accomplishment of their hopes in the donation
by Jonathan Burr, in March, 1858, of a lot on Wabash
Avenue, between Old and Commerce streets, the only
condition being that measures should immediately be
taken to erect a suitable building thereon. With such
RUINS, TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
zeal did the ladies enter into the work of collecting the
amount necessary for this purpose, that, within a little
more than a year, a commodious building was ready for
occupancy. It is impossible to give all the names of
the donors and amounts of their gifts, since, from the
very beginning, generous friends have enable the boaril
of managers to keep pace with the growth of this city
and perform the full measure of their usefulness.
Mention must, however, in justice to the memory of
a good and noble man, be made of the gifts of Jonathan
Burr, who, in addition to his donation of the lot, gave
$5,000 toward erecting the building, and was a constant
and generous contributor toward the current expenses.
In 1865, Mr. Burr added to his former gifts a lot north
of the Home, and $1,000 toward the cost of erecting an
addition to that building. Again, during 1867, Mr. Burr
came to the assistance of the cause he had so much at
heart, and gave, in trust, a lot on Third Avenue near
Fourteenth Street, upon which was a building, for the
purpose of establishing an Industrial School and general
mission to be managed by the Home. There a day and
Sabbath school was at once started and largely attended.
And when, in 1869, Mr. Burr died, it was discovered
that he had, by his will, left to the Home, in trust, two
stores on Randolph Street, the net proceeds of which,
as well as two-elevenths of his other property should be
used in perpetuity for the benefit of the Home and
school. In 1864, George Smith donated a lot adjoining
the Home; and in 1865, its power for usefulness was
greatly enhanced by the munificence of Flavel Moseley,
who, in his will, presented it with $10,000.
In 1869, the old building was found to be too small,
and so it was thoroughly reconstructed and enlarged.
Besides feeding, clothing and providing homes for the
women and children brought within its doors, the insti-
tution has managed the Burr Industrial School and
Mission, maintained a permanent school, trained its
inmates to the useful employment of their hands as well
as their heads, and since i860 it has published a paper
called the Home Visitor.
Up to 1864, six years from the opening, one thousand
two hundred and thirty-five individuals, principally chil-
dren, had been cared for and provided with homes.
From 1864 to 187 1, eight thousand seven hundred and
ninety-one poor people found shelter and assistance at
the Home, of whom three thousand nine hundred and
fifty-one were children and four thousand eight hundred
and forty were women.
At the commencement of the year 187 1, there were
seventy-seven inmates and the whole number admitted
was one thousand and eight women and five hundred
and seventy-four children. The average attendance
for the year at the school was forty-eight.
The following is a list of its officers :
i860 : Mark Skinner, president ; I). J. Lake, vice-president;
Rev. E. F. Dickinson, secretary; I. II. Burch, treasurer. 1S61-62:
Jonathan Burr, president; William Blair, vice-president; L. B.
Wight, secretary ; N. B. Kidder, treasurer; Mrs. F. 1). Gray,
corresponding secretary ; Rev. E. M. Boring, financial secretary.
1865: Jonathan Burr, president; F. D. Gray, vice-president; I.. !!.
Wight] corresponding secretary ; Rev. E. M. Boring, financial
secretary; N. B. Kidder, treasurer. 1S66-68: Jonathan Burr, presi-
dent ; F. D. Gray, vice-president ; Rev. E. M. Boring, secretary ;
Mrs. F. D. Gray, recording secretary ; N. B. Kidder treasurer.
1869-70: F. D. Gray, president; F. W. Harvey, vice-president; Rev.
E. M. Boring, secretary ; Mrs. F. D. Boring, recording secretary;
N B. Kidder, treasurer. 1S71 : F. D. Gray, president ; Mancel
Talcott, vice-president; Rev. E. M. Boring, secretary; Mrs. F. IJ.
Gray, recording secretary; N. B. Kidder, treasurer.
The Old Ladies' Home. — In November, 1861, the
society was organized, and a temporary home secured
by renting a three-story brick building at No. 157
Fourth Avenue, which, in the following April, was occu-
pied by Miss Caroline Smith (the projector of tin-
institution) as matron, and three inmates. Rev. James
Pratt, D.D., was the first president and was assisted by
a board of forty managers. Miss Smith soon retired as
672
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
matron, and upon her death bequeathed to the society
§1.000 and two lots on Wabash Avenue near Thirty-fifth
Street. The terms upon which an inmate was admitted
by the first constitution were that she should be fifty years
of age or over, should pay §50, furnish her room, if
able, and give a bond making over such furniture to the
society, and appointing the president her attorney to
dispose of such estate as she possessed or might acquire,
the amount covering the sum expended for her support
going to the society, and the balance to be accounted
for to her.
In May, 1S63, the Home was removed to temporary
quarters at No. 98 Third Avenue, and in May of the
following year the society purchased, as a permanent
home, a lot and building upon the east side of Indiana
Avenue, near Twenty-seventh Street, paying therefor
§5,000. This amount, and that expended for current
expenses during those years, was raised by subscription
and admission fees.
The payment of $100 constituted the donor a patron
of the society; of §50, a benefactor; of $25, a life-mem-
ber; and of §5, an annual member.
The society was incorporated in February, 1S65,
Benjamin W. Raymond, O. H. Tiffany, George D.
Cummings, W. W. Everts, F. W, Fisk, William H. Ryder,
Robert Collyer, J. Y. Scammon, Mark Kimball and S.
P. Farrington being the charter members. At that time
the required age for admission was advanced to sixty
years, and the fee increased to $100. The number of
inmates varied from time to time, owing to new admis-
sions, deaths and removals. In 1871, they numbered
thirteen, and §2,000 was expended in their support.
Chicago Nursery and Half-Orphan Asylum —
In the latter part of 1859, Mrs. Samuel Howe and a
few other ladies undertook the task of maintaining a
day school for little ones whose mothers were unable
to care for them during the working hours. A room
was secured in a house on Illinois Street, near State, a
woman was hired as attendant, the ladies acting as
teachers and providing, from their own homes, food for
the children, who were surrendered to their mothers as
they returned from work at nightfall. Early in i860,
other ladies becoming interested in the work, a society
was organized upon a permanent basis and its scope
enlarged. The constitution adopted explained the ob-
if the institution to be "the care and maintenance
of children of poor women, for the purpose of en-
abling them to find employment; also the care and
maintenance of such children as are deprived, by death
or other cause, of either parent." In the autumn of
i860, the number of children cared for having increased
from six— the original number — to twenty-five, a house
was rented on Market Street.
In the spring of 1S61, having outgrown this build-
ing, a larger one, on Ohio Street, was obtained, and in
the following year another change was found necessary,
to a still larger building on the corner of Michigan and
Pine streets, which was occupied until 1865; when the
lack of a play-ground induced the managers to rent a
place on the corner of Wisconsin and Franklin streets.
In that year, the society was incorporated by act of the
Legislature. In 1869, having come into possession of
§17,000 under the will of Jonathan Burr, steps were
taken to secure a permanent home. Through the gen-
erosity of William B. Ogden and a few others, a large
lot, fronting on North Halsted and Burling streets, near
Centre Street, was donated to the society, and Mrs.
Mancel Talcott having added §5,000 to the Burr be-
quest, work upon the new building was at once com-
menced. But, having planned beyond their resources,
the walls were barely up before their funds were ex-
hausted and work was necessarily suspended. In the
summer of 187 1, a few gentlemen, giving each §1,000,
together with other subscriptions, enabled work to be
resumed, and contracts were let for completing the
building. When the great fire occurred it was not quite
completed. It was without doors, only partially plas-
tered, and with no heating facilities.
During the time of the fire the children were re-
moved to it for safety, but were again moved when,
towards evening of the 9th of October, the destruction
of the building seemed imminent. The fire, however,
was stayed two blocks south of the asylum, and the next
day the children were brought back to it. Notwith-
standing the incompleteness of the building the regular
inmates were properly cared for, and, during the suc-
ceeding fortnight, more than fifty children, who had
become lost in the frenzy and confusion of the fire, were
sheltered and fed, and finally restored to their friends.
Transient adults were also fed daily for a considerable
period after the fire, and some were furnished with
clothing and bedding.
Mrs. Edward H. Hadduck, formerly Miss Louisa Graves,
was born in Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y. Her father, Dexter
Graves, moved to Ashtabula County, Ohio, when she was a child,
and she accompanied him when he came to Chicago in 1831. There
is probably no lady in this city whose life has been so identified
with Chicago as has that of Mrs. Hadduck. Being a daughter of
one of the earliest pioneers and the wife of another, it is not pos-
sible to mention the early records of the citv without associating
her name with them. She married Edward H. Hadduck in 1S34,
and for nearly fifty years they passed their married life together.
Taking all in all the combined circumstances, there is perhaps no
more remarkable incident of early family history in this city. After
an active life, Mrs. Hadduck passes her declining years in quiet
retirement at her beautiful home on one of Chicago's South Side
avenues, happy in the prosperity of the city whose welfare she has
done so much to further, and still happier in the honor and affection
wherein she is held by its citizens.
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES.
In this volume, the various industries composing the
trade and manufactures of Chicago can receive but cur-
sory mention, as the space at command precludes the
various extended reviews which are necessary to a com-
prehensive treatment. It has consequently been deemed
expedient to give only a few statements relative to rep-
resentative individuals and businesses — a full and
elaborate recital of the progress and attainments in
the commercial province, being reserved for the third
volume of this History.
THE COAL SUPPLY.
An indispensable adjunct to the manipulation of
iron ore is fuel, and the coke obtained from bitumin-
ous coal was early recognized as a valuable substitute
for charcoal; thus as the iron industries of Chicago
gradually grew, the demand for coal constantly in-
creased. The annual consumption of coal in this city,
for manufacturing purposes alone, is enormous, and the
transactions in this species of fuel form a considerable
item in the annual volume of business. The first ship-
ment of coal consigned to Chicago dealers was received
by Newberry & Dole. (See history of Rumsey Brothers
& Co., in the history of the Board of Trade.)
The following table affords a view of the growth of
the coal trade for the twenty years preceding the fire:
on April 4, 1S47, the son of Major Thomas T. and Susan (Gun-
nelll Waggener. His father was quartermaster in the army during
the late War. He was well known and highly respected in Bloom-
ington, where he carried on a grain and commission business many
years, and where he died from the effects of a poisonous vaccina-
tion received while in the Unite States service. R. G. Waggener
enlisted in the summer of 1S64. in Co. " F," 3d New York Artil-
lery, as a private, and, for brave and gallant conduct in the battle
of Hatches Run, was promoted lieutenant. He was taken pris-
oner at Farmville, Va., and was with General Lee's army at its
surrender at Appomattox Court House. Mr. Waggener was
married in April, 1SS1, to Miss Hattie A. Thomas. They have
one son, Robert G.
MEEKER, Hedstrom & Co.— This firm is composed of A.
B. Meeker, E. L. Hedstrom and George W. Meeker, and is the
oldest firm in the coal trade, with one exception, in Chicago. The
senior member, Arthur B. Meeker, was the first to fully compre-
hend that Chicago would be the manufacturing center of the North-
west, and therefore a natural center for both coal and iron. In
May, 1S57. he came to this city, and his dock and yard were at
No. 7 North Market Street, about seven years, his first year's
business amounting to about $50,000, while in subsequent years it
aggregated, including the iron which he handled, S 10,000,000. Mr.
Meeker first became interested in the Wilmington mines. He has
long been engaged in the anthracite coal trade, in companv with
the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, and with Judge Asa Packer,
of Pennsylvania, president of the road. When Mr. Meeker began
in the business of mining bituminous coal, that industry was in its
infancy; but he has done more than any other one man to render
coal so very cheap in Chicago that manufacturers would see in this
city peculiarly strong attractions. The firm name was originally
Bellamy, Meeker & Co ; in 1S58, it was changed to A B. Meeker
& Co.; then to E. L. Hedstrom & Co.; and, in 1SS1, it became as
,s5.
.S5,
1S54.
.855.
i8.s6.
'857-
185S.
1859.
i860.
1861.
46,233
1,441
3S.548
2,988
56,775
5,068
109,576
12,153
93,020
16,161
I/I.350
23,942
87,240
15,641
131,204
I6.8S6
131, 0S0
20,364
184,089
1862.
1863.
1864.
1S65.
1S66.
1867.
1868.
1869.
1870.
.871.
Receipts -
Shipments
218.423
12,917
284,196
15,245
323,275
16,779
344, S54
24,190
496,193
34.066
546,208
69,170
658,234
83,399
799,000
95,620
SS7.474
110,467
[,081,472
96.833
E. K. Rogers & Co. — The business of this firm was estab-
lished byE. K. Rogers, Sr., — the father of the senior member of the
the present firm, — who was the son of Nathaniel Rogers, and a de-
scendant of Rev. John Rogers, a noted English divine and reformer,
who, with all his family, was forced to leave England at an early
day, for conscience' sake. E. K. Rogers, Sr. , was born at Ipswich,
England, in 1S12. He received his mercantile training in Boston,
where, in 1837, he married Miss Mary B. Curtis. He came to Chi-
cago in 1S35, and for some years was engaged in general mercantile
business on River Street. He first embarked in the coal business in
1S37,* and about 1842 entered the firm of H. Norton & Co. Since
that date the firm has undergone several mutations in both member-
ship and style. In 1S55, the name became Walter & Rogers; in 1863,
Rogers & Co., which is the present (1SS5) firm style, the members
being E. K. Rogers, Jr., and Robert G. Waggener. Mr. Rogers,
Sr., retired from the firm in 1871, and died on May 2, 1873.
Edward K. Rogers, Jr., was born in Chicago in 1849, and was
educated in the public schools. He has been in the coal business
all his life, and is well versed in all of its details. He was married
on October 8, 1874, to Miss Annie P. Trimble ; they have three
children — Annie T.. Mary B., and Edith P.
Robert G. Waggener has been connected with the firm of E.
K. Rogers & Co., in different capacities, for thirteen years, and was
made a partner in June, 1884. He was born in Bloomington, III.,
* It is authoritatively stated that Mr. Rogers was the first merchant who
received and handled pig iron in Chicago.
43 673
it now stands. Mr. Hedstrom is a resident of Buffalo. N. V., and
the business in this city is under the immediate control of A. B.
Meeker and his eldest son, George W. Meeker, who was graduated
from Vale Scientific School in the class of 1S79.
Arthur Burr MEEKER was born on July 20, 1S35, in Utica,
N. Y., the son of Moses Taylor Meeker, who resided twenty years
in that city, where he was engaged in the coal trade. His mother's
maiden name was Margaret Beekman, formerly of Albany, N. V.,
a descendant of one of the oldest and most highly respected Dutch
families in that part of the State. A. B. Meeker attended Hamil-
ton College, but, desiringa more active life, at eighteen he left that
institution, and then engaged in business with his father. The first
cargo of Scotch iron ever shipped from Glasgow to Chicago, with-
out breaking bulk, was brought here by A. B. Meeker & Co., in
1859. The only United States bonded yard in Chicago is devoted
exclusively to the storage, in bond, of the imports of this firm; they
have also an immense trade in domestic iron. Mr. Meeker is pres-
ident of the Menomonee tron Company, and by his efforts the pro-
ductions of the Lake Superior iron mines have been enlarge, 1 and
their sales extended among the manufacturers of the West. Com-
ing to Chicago by water and rail, it is distributed in everv direction
over the railroads, and principally through the agency of the firm
of Meeker, Hedstrom ,V Co. Mr. Meeker has done much toward
building up the iron works in this vicinity; he erected the first
blast furnace ever put up in Chicago, locating it in that part of
Chicago called Bridgeport, lie was the projector and, for several
674
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
years, the president, of the Joliet Iron and Steel Works, which
opened in 1S69, costing $2,500,000. He was also quite extensively
interested in the iron interests that center in and about St. Louis,
Mo., up to 1S75. It is no exaggeration to say that Mr. Meeker
stands in the front rank among the master spirits of enterprise and
business in the West. He was married on September 24, 1S56, in
Chicago, to Miss Maria Louisa Griggs. They have four children
— George \V. , Louise, Arthur and Margaret.
THE IRON INDUSTRY.
In 1S57, the manufacture of iron in this city was in-
significant No iron ore is found adjacent to Chicago,
and coal, suitable for manufacturing purposes, is only-
mined at some distance. Hence, until the improvement
of the natural water-ways and the construction of the
vast railroad system, this city was deterred from pro-
only $25,000 in the single furnace of which Illinois
could boast. Of the 456,127 tons of crude ore utilized
in these furnaces, that in Illinois used only 4,000 tons, or
eight-tenths of one per cent. The number of hands em-
ployed was thirty, who received $10,800 wages; only
1,500 tons of pig-iron was produced, of the aggregate
value of $37,500.
No iron blooms were made in Illinois in i860, eighty-
one of the entire ninety-seven establishments engaged
in their manufacture being located in Pennsylvania and
New York. The census report of the same year shows
that mills for the manufacture of bar, railroad and
sheet-iron were in operation in six Western States, only
one, however, being located in Illinois. The following
tables show, at a glance, how trivial was the manufact-
ure in this State :
COMPARATIVE TABLE OF THE MANUFACTURE OF BAR, SHEET AND RAILROAD IRON.
-a .
°T^
Number
ployes.
Cost of la-
bor.
Tons of
pig iron,
blooms,
etc, used.
Pr<
Duca-To.
s.
Bar
Rail.
Plate
Sheet
Total
weight.
24
I
4-2
$3>370,3°0
200,000
5-9
2,804
165
5-8
$1,097,166
96,000
S.S
"3>37i
14,000
12.3
44,973
40,000
12,000
30.
2,100
1,200
85,273
Percent, of Chicago manu
'ture
I0.4
curing the crude material necessary for production.
But when this locality became accessible, the iron man-
ufacturers arose from zero, in i860, to the rank of
fifteenth, as by the census of 1870, and to the fourth, in
the census of 1880.
This was the result of the city's geographical posi-
tion between the ore-beds of Northern Michigan and
the coal-fields of Pennsylvania, and Illinois, such locali-
ties being placed in easy reach of the manufacturers by
the canal and the railroads. These natural and artifi-
cial adjuncts have combined to render Chicago a center
from whence can be supplied the needs of the people
now settled, and to settle, in the great Northwest ; and
the possibilities of this manufacture are simply co-ordi-
nate with the capacity of that vast domain. Producers
of pig-metal can hardly desire better ore than that fur-
nished by the mines of Michigan; and ages will elapse
ere the bituminous coal of Illinois, from which coke is
manufactured, becomes exhausted. Coal and coke are
also supplied to this city from the mines of West Vir-
ginia and Pennsylvania, over many competing trunk
lines and intersecting railroads.
It will therefore be readily comprehended how the
facilities for procuring the raw material were appre-
hended by Chicago manufacturers, and the rest was
merely a question of money and commercial enterprise.
These latter qualities being utilized, they resulted in ad-
vancing the scale of this branch of business to its pres-
ent prominence.
No furnace worthy of notice was in operation in the
entire State of Illinois from i860 to 1868. Yet the iron
industry in this city properly dates from 1857, when
Captain Eber li. Ward, of Detroit, built the Chicago
Rolling-Mill on the North Branch of Chicago River.
This mill, originally built for the purpose of re-rolling
rails, formed the nucleus of the present very extensive
works of the North Chicago Rolling-Mill Company.
In i860, in seven Western States — Ohio, Kentucky,
Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois —
there were seventy-six furnaces manufacturing pig-iron.
ggregate capital was $6,223,000, of which amount
$5,174,000 was invested in Ohio and Kentucky, and
North Chicago Roi.ling-Mill Co. — The works out of which
the present plant of the North Chicago Rolling-Mill Company has
grown, were established in 1857, as a private enterprise of Captain
Eber B. Ward, of Detroit, Mich., in which he associated with him-
self two or three capitalists living in Boston, Mass. The amount
of money invested was $225,000, and the original capacity of the
works was about one hundred tons a day of iron rails, employing about
two hundred men. In 1864, an additional mill was built, practi-
cally doubling the capacity of the works to keep pace with the de-
mands made by the growth of the railway system centering in
Chicago. A puddling department had also been added to the
original mill. In 1S64, the Chicago Rolling-Mill Company was
formed, with a capital stock of 8500,000, and the private enterprise
of Captain Ward was merged into this company. During 1S66,
the mill was destroyed by fire, but w:as at once re-built, adding
considerably to its original capacity. In 1869, in order to ex-
tend the manufacture of iron and steel, and to secure other
properties, not to be obtained under the general laws of Illinois,
a special charter was granted to the North Chicago Rolling-
Mill Company, which was then organized with a capital stock of
$1,000 000, and the works of the Chicago Rolling-Mill Company
became merged into this company. In 1870, two blast furnaces
were added, at a cost of $250,000, for the purpose of supplying
the works with pig metal, which, up to that time, had been pur-
chased in Pittsburgh. In 1S72, a Bessemer-steel plant was added,
at a cost of $350,000, for the purpose of making Bessemer-steel
rails. The first steel rail ever rolled in America, was rolled at the
works of this company on May 24, 1S65, from steel blooms made
by Captain Ward, at his works in Wvandotte, Mich , and made
entirely from Lake Superior iron ore. In 187S, the works of the Mil-
waukee Iron Company, then engaged in the manufacture of pig
metal, iron rails and merchant sizes of bar iron, at Bay View, Wis.,
were purchased by the NorthChicago Rolling-Mill Company ; and,
during 1882, a further addition was made at South Chicago, III.,
by the building of four blast furnaces and a Bessemer-steel depart-
ment and a steel rail-mill, at a cost of $3,000,000, the capita] stock
of the company being increased to $5,000,000, so as to include the
purchase of the works at Milwaukee, the original works on the
North Banch of the Chicago River, and those at South Chicago.
The following tables are self-explanatory :
Materials received at the works of the Chicago Rolling-Mill Company
during the year ending July /, 1SS4.
Iron Ores 301, 8S2 tons.
Coke 276,792 "
Bituminous Coal 176,763
Limestone 119,633 "
Old Iron Kails 23,467 "
S)piegeleisen '5,792 "
Scrap Iron - 12,142
Total , 926,471 tons.
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES.
«75
Pioduct of the North Chicago Rolling-Mill Company's workifor the
year ending July /, 1SS4.
Pig Iron - _ .187,833 tons.
Steel Ingots 198,107 "
Steel Rails _-. 170, 733 "
Muck Bar 10,007 "
Angle and Splice Bars 11.107 "
Merchant Iron 31.059 "
73,240 kegs of Nails 3.7 1- "
Total 612,708 tons.
The number of men employed by the company at their several
works, during the year ending July I, iS84,was five thousand eight
hundred, and the pay-roll aggregated $250,000 a month. Upon
the organization of the Chicago Rolling-Mill Company, in 1864, S.
Clement was elected president, E. B. Ward, treasurer, and O. W.
Potter secretary and general superintendent, and it was so continued.
Upon the re-organization into the North Chicago Rolling-Mill Com-
pany, in 1869, the same parties were elected officers of the new
corporation. In 1871, S. Clement retired from the presidency, and
O. W. Potter was elected president, Eber B. Ward treasurer, and
Richard C. Hannah, secretary. Upon the death of Captain E. B.
Ward, in 1875, S. Clement became treasurer. The officers elected
at the annual meeting held July 25, 1S34, were O. W. Potter, presi-
dent, Chicago; N.Thayer, vice-president, Boston, Mass.; S. Clement,
treasurer, Milwaukee; and Richard C. Hannah, secretary, Chicago.
W. L. Potter is superintendent of the Chicago works, which con-
sist of two blast furnaces, one sextuple and eight quadruple pud-
dling furnaces, twenty-three heating furnaces, ten trains of rolls,
and one five-ton steam hammer; Bessemer-steel works, having two
six-ton converters and all the appliances for making iron and steel
rails. The annual capacity of this plant is 55,000 tons pig iron,
120,000 tons steel rails and 60,000 tons iron rails. The South Chi-
cago Works, Edward C. Potter, superintendent, have four blast fur-
naces, three ten-ton Bessemer converters, four Siemen's heating
furnaces, and one two-high reversing, finishing, train of rolls, and
their estimated capacity is 224,000 tons of pig metal, 200,000 tons
of steel rails. The Milwaukee Works, William B. Parks, superin-
tendent, have two blast furnaces, seven quadruple and two double
puddling furnaces, twentv-one coal and five Siemen's heating fur-
naces, seven trains of rolls and one hammer. Their annual capa-
city is 55,000 tons of pig iron, 60,000 tons of iron rails, 40,000 tons
of merchant bar iron, 20,000 tons of fish-plates. A new nail-mill
has also just been added to this plant, with a capacity of 1,000 kegs
of nails a day.
Captain Eiser B. Ward was born in New Flamborough,
Upper Canada, December 25, 1S11. His parents, Eber and Sallie
(Potter) Ward, were residents of Vermont, but, in 1810, had started
to come to the West, stopping for a brief season in Canada, where
their son Eber was born. Early in 1S12, the family located at
Newport, now Marine City, Mich., where they settled on a farm.
There Eber passed his boyhood, helping his father clear and work
his land, varying this with trapping and fishing, also in attending
school, on an average, perhaps, three months of the year. To these
limited educational facilities in the schools was added a careful
training by his worthy parents, not only in book-learning, but in
the inculcation of those excellent principles which in later years
marked the character of the son whose life we now write. In 1S34,
Eber went to work with his uncle, Samuel Ward, on St. Clair
River, near Newport, and who, besides employing quite a number
of men in getting out ship timber, conducted a farm and kept a
store and the post-office in the village already mentioned. The
duties of young Ward were varied — now superintending a gang of
men in the woods, then directing the labor on the farm, with occa-
sional service as clerk and salesman in his uncle's store. Thus two
years passed, and he was induced to take an interest in a small
schooner which his uncle owned; and so was formed a partnership
which existed until broken, many years later, by the death of the
senior member of the firm. In 1840, the partners built their first
steamer for river service. They soon after engaged in building
steam vessels, and at one time owned and operated a line of twenty
boats on the rivers of Michigan and also upon lakes Erie, Huron,
Michigan and Superior. During 1S45, when the Michigan Central
Railroad was only completed to Marshall, Mich., a line of commu-
nication from that point to St. Joseph, by stage, was opened, and
thence to Chicago by two steamers, which were owned and man-
aged by Captain Ward, the first he operated as passenger boats on
Lake Michigan. In 1S46, the railroad was finished to St. Joseph,
and the stages were abandoned, his vessels making connections with
the trains of that place for Chicago. When the road was completed
to New Buffalo, Mich., Captain Ward's vessel ran from there to
Chicago and Milwaukee, and so continued until 1S52, when the
Michigan Central Railway entered Chicago. The present line of
Goodrich steamers had its origin in the line of vessels (■wind and
operated by Captain Ward forty years ago. In the early days "I
In- career as a lake navigator, Captain Ward was wrecked in a
small schooner (his only vessel) oil the shore of what is now South
Chicago, and near the site of the South Chicago Rolling-Mills.
On this occasion. Captain Ward lost everything he possessed in the
way of worldl) goods, besides narrowly escaping with his life. He
related the incident years afterward, and said, when he reached
shore he was the fortunate possessor of a pair of pants anil a shirt,
the only articles of clothing with which he had been able to leave
his ill-fated vessel. 1 11 1 S =, 5 , foreseeing that the era of railroads
had reached the West, and that the time was at hand when the
ship-carrying trade would be seriously affected, he began decreasing
his interests in this direction. At the same time, with commenda-
ble foresight, he made heavy purchases of pine lands in Michigan,
and also in iron mines in the Lake Superior region. In that year,
he established his rolling-mills ai Wyandotte, Mich., a few miles
below Detroit. In 1S57, he founded the works in this city, 0U1 .1
which have grown the present North Chicago Rolling-Mills Com-
pany. Of the subsequent development of Captain Ward's enter-
prise the reader is familiar, and so can form some idea of the man's
business tact and of his ability to successfully carry on great under-
takings. His treatment of his men was such that he invariably
commanded their respect, and always held their confidence that he
would do all in his power for their best interests. On one occasion,
four hundred employes in his mills at Wyandotte struck, and sent a
committee to him to ask for higher pay. He received the committee
in the most friendly manner, and, after listening courteously to their
story, thus addressed them: "You remember that not long ago
your wages were raised a little. I claim no credit for it, but the
market was upward and I thought it fair and safe to do it. Now,
you want higher wages when prices are falling. That is impossi-
ble. Here is the price-current, and you will see by it that I am
right. Go home, and tell the men that I always try to do the best
I can, in justice to myself and the other owners and to them, but
this I can not and shall not do." This was said kindly, but with a
firmness not to be misunderstood. The next day the men returned
contentedly to their work. A leading object of his life was to help
the people who worked for him to homes of their own. He be-
lieved in charity, and was a liberal giver to religious and educa-
tional institutions; but so far as individuals were concerned, he
adopied the principle that to give a man work was to bestow the
best charity. The distressed he was always ready to help. One
year, one of his vessels, a steam barge, towing two boats loaded
with ore, sank, and every man on board perished. Captain Ward
made investigations, and found the crew had all been unmarried
men, except the captain, who had left a wife and children, living in
Detroit. He sent his sister Emily to inquire into their condition;
she did so, and reported that with the exception of a mortgage of
five hundred dollars on their little home, the family would be able
to get along quite comfortably. Captain Ward immediately drew
his check for six hundred dollars and gave it to his sister, who cook
it, and paying off the mortgage gave the balance to the widow.
Another incident illustrating his charitable inclinations, is related
by O. W. Potter, who was for so many years intimately associated
with Captain Ward. One evening, in 1S66, a number of persons
had gathered at Mr. Potter's home, Captain Ward being of the
party, to discuss ways and means of raising funds with which to
build a certain church-edifice. Captain Ward had intimated that
he would help in the enterprise. While in the midst of their delib-
erations, it was discovered that the North Chicago Rolling Mills
were in flames. Every member of that meeting felt that, in view
of the misfortune which had befallen Captain Ward, they had no
right to expect him to give much, if anything, to their church. ' hi
the following morning, several members of the evening party were
at the scene of the previous night's fire, and there met Captain
Ward. While viewing the outlook, one of his friends remarked to
him, that while they all regretted the loss which had befallen him.
they were doubly sorry, as it would seriously interfere with their
plans of building the church. Captain Ward asked the speaker
how much they had expected him to give. The gentleman named
a sum. With a good-humored chuckle, the Captain turned to Mr
Potter, and said: " Put me down for just double that amount, and
then you fellows go ahead and see if you can get that church done
by the time I get these mills re-built." It is almost needless to add
the church was speedily built. At the time of the fire of 1-71.
Captain Ward was among the first to visit Chicago and to identify
himself with the Relief and Aid Committee. Nearly live hundred
families of his employes in the rolling-mills found themselves home-
less and also penniless. To these Mr. Ward gave his personal at-
tention, and for nearly a month saw that they were fed and cared
for. In his home, Captain Ward was tile soul of hospitality, and
his highest enjoyment was when he laid aside the cares of business
and devoted himself to the entertainment of his family and friends;
among the latter he counted many who stood high in public es-
teem. On one occasion he attended a reception held ir. Washing-
676
HISTORY OF CHICAGO
ton, at the home of Schuyler Colfax, then speaker of the Mouse.
Among the notable personages, it was a matter of general com-
ment that the two plainest dressed men attracted the most attention,
and these were Ben. F. Wade, the well-known statesman, and
Captain E. B. Ward. Captain Ward when young had only limited
educational advantages, but such were the natural powers of his
mind, that in later years he not only kept himself informed on all
important questions of the times, but cultivated books and authors
to that extent that few men possessed a wider range of knowledge
on the best literature of the world than he. He wrote several arti-
cles on the trade and industries of this country, as affected by free
trade and protection. These were published in pamphlet form and
were widely read. As a speaker, he always expressed himself with
an energv and earnestness that carried conviction to those who
heard him. In 1S6S, he delivered an address at the Wisconsin
State Fair, at Madison, the closing words of which show the char-
acter of the man. He said: " I do not feel a stranger among you.
Coming to this country forty years ago, in my boyhood and youth
I shared the toils and privations of our pioneer life. I have rolled
and burned logs, and ploughed and planted and harvested amidst
stumps and girdled trees, with the forest all around the little clear-
ing. I have sailed along the wild shores of your then new terri-
tory, landing at Milwaukee when a few poor cabins were the pitiful
beginning of what is now a large and beautiful city. I landed
flour in a small boat lying off the mouth of the Chicago River,
when there were only a few houses, a ruinous warehouse, an
old fort and a miserable, so called, hotel on the open prairie, where
now stands another great city. * * * My efforts have been with
yours in this great western field. Much has been done, and much
remains to be done. Let us go on and build up a future in your
State and in our country, in which labor shall be free and respected,
genius and skill find scope in many ways, and farmers and manu-
facturers work out in fraternal spirit the great problem of indus-
trial independence." Captain Ward was twice married; first, in
1S37, to Miss Mary McQueen, of Newport, Michigan. They had
seven children, five o( whom were living at the time of his death.
I lis second marriage was in 1S69, to Miss Catherine Lyon, of Con-
neaut, Ohio. By this union there were two children, who are still
living. While in the street, and apparently in the most robust
health. Captain Ward was stricken with apoplexy, and died almost
immediately, on January 2, 1S74, at Detroit, Mich.
Orrin VY. Potter was born in Rochester, N. Y., December
25. 1536. His father was Abel Potter, by occupation a farmer; his
mother was Cynthia Lathrop. and a most estimable woman. Orrin
was given such educational advantages as were afforded by the
common schools. At an early age he developed a fondness for
mathematics and civil engineering, and when fifteen years old he
joined a surveying party, with which he traveled over portions of
his native State, afterward extending their operations into Canada.
In 1356, he came West, and entered the employ of Captain E B.
Ward as a clerk in his rolling mill office at Wyandotte, Mich. In
May. 1857, when Captain Ward established his works in Chicago,
Mr. Potter came to this city, and became bookkeeper and paymas-
ter in the rolling-mills.* Upon the organization of the Chicago
Rolling-Miil Company, in 1S64, he was chosen its secretary, and
was also made general superintendent of the works. In 1871, on
the retirement of Captain Clement from the presidency, Mr. Pot-
ter was chosen to that position, which he has since filled. It is
said, in no commendatory spirit, but as a matter of simple justice,
that it is due to Mr. Potter's wise and conservative management,
that the North Chicago Rolling-Mill Company has been safely
tided through the many panics and depressions attendant upon the
iron interests of this country during the past thirty years. His
wide knowledge of the business, and his long experience in its
practical workings, peculiarly qualify him for the position he has
held so long ; while natural executive ability has enabled him to
place at the head of the different departments of the mills men of
the highest practical worth. Having begun as a clerk at a salary
of $300 per annum, and steadily advanced, until he has reached his
present position, he knows the value of experience and long train-
ing in any calling, and that steady and well-directed industry is
apt to achieve more than is usually accomplished by an inconstant
genius, however brilliant. Mr. Potter married, in 1858, Miss Ellen
Owen, daughter of Benjamin F. Owen, of Newport, Mich. They
have had four children, one son and three daughters — Edward C,
tided the School of Technology at Boston, and graduated
at Harvard College, and is now superintendent of the South Chi-
cago Mills; Agnes I. von, wife of lames C. llutchins, of this city,
of the law department of the Chicago i\: Rock Island Railway ;
Gertrude Whiting, and Margaret Ilorton.
Nathaniel Thayer, vice-president of the North Chicago
Rolling-Mills Company, dates his connection with this corporation
only since his father's death, which occurred a few years ago. Na-
thaniel Thayer, Sr., was, even in early days, a prominent capitalist
•1, and, in company with John W Braggs, Sidney Bartlett,
John M. Forbes, W. J. Roach and Edward Mandel, projected and
mainly built the Michigan Central Railroad. In 1S56, these gentle-
men suggested to Captain Ward the propriety of establishing roll-
ing-mills at Chicago, in addition to those he was already operating
in Wyandotte, Mich., and offered to furnish what capital Captain
Ward lacked, to aid the enterprise. It was thus that Mr. Thayer
became associated with Captain Ward in the North Chicago Roll-
ing-Mills, retaining his interest in the plant, through its various
changes, until his death. Nathaniel Thayer succeeded to his fa-
ther's interest, which he has since held, as he has also his present
position as the vice-president of the company. Mr. Thayer resides
in Boston, has large amounts of money invested in Western enter-
prises, being, in addition to his interests in the North Chicago
Rolling-Mills Company, a large stockholder in the Union Stock-
Yards and Transit Company of this city, of which he is also an
officer.
John C. Parkes, general manager of the North Chicago
Rolling-Mill Company, was born in England on July 27, 1831.
His parents came to America when he was a child and located in
New York State. His education was received at the common
schools, and when he finished his studies he became identified with
the iron business, with which he has since been connected the
greater part of his life. His father was in the iron trade at Troy.
N. Y., and, later, at Wheeling, W. Ya. During the gold excite-
ment in California in 1851-52, Mr. Parkes was among those who
went to the New El Dorado, in the hope of amassing a fortune.
He remained a number of years, but his health began to fail him,
and he abandoned that work and was connected with a newspaper
called the Dutch Flat Inquirer. This journal, of which Mr.
Parkes was publisher, was among the first to advocate the route
for the Central Pacific Railway, which it ultimately adopted. In
1863, Mr. Parkes came to Chicago to make his permanent home.
He obtained a position as traveling representative of the North
Chicago Rolling-Mill Company, and was afterward made foreman
of the works, when they comprised but one building on the North
Branch. He has seen their interests develop till it is now one cf
the greatest concerns of the kind in this country. In 1878, when
the company took possession of the works formerly operated by the
Milwaukee Iron Company at Milwaukee, Mr. Parkes, as superin-
tendent, went there and assumed charge of the works. He re-
mained there three years, and, upon his return to Chicago, was
made general manager of the entire business. Mr. Parkes was
married July 25, 1S66, to Miss Mary Y. Clybourn, youngest
daughter of Mrs. Archibald Clybourn, one of the oldest living resi-
dents of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Parkes have six children — Mamie
C, Henry C, John C, Percy, Belle Blanche, and Ella. Their
youngest daughter, Jessie, died in April, 18S5. Mr. Parkes be-
longs to the Union League and Washington Park clubs, and is a
member of Oriental Lodge. No. 33, A. F. & A. M.
Captain Stephen Clement, treasurer of the North Chicago
Rolling Mill Company, and who has been connected with these mills
since 1S57, is one of the pioneer settlers of the West, and as such
has contributed his share toward building up its splendid civilization
of to-day. He was born in Erie, Penn., June 25, 1S13, the son of
.Richard and Chloe (Hincher) Clement. In his early life his educa-
tional advantages were limited to what instruction was given him in
the common branches by his parents; but as he grew older, he
supplemented this by reading and study of whatever books fell in
his way, until he became a well informed man. At fourteen years
of age he became a clerk in a general store in Erie, where he re-
mained until 1834, when he came West, stopping at that time for a
brief period in Chicago, finally locating in Indiana. In the spring
of 1837, he returned to this city as master of the schooner " Phila-
delphia," which he continued to sail between Chicago, Buffalo,
and other ports until 1S42. In the spring of that year, he began
sailing, for Captain Ward, the Schooner " General Howard," and
in the fall took charge of a small side-wheel steamer " Huron,"
also owned by Captain Ward, and which then made regular trips
carrying both passengers and freight between this city and St.
Joseph, Mich. In 1S52, and when the Michigan Central and the
Michigan Southern Railroads were completed to Chicago, Captain
Clement began operating a line of steamers under his own name,
which plied on the west shore of Lake Michigan, and was known
as the Clement Steamboat Company. In 1856, when Captain
Ward disposed of his shipping interests, he sold most of his vessels
to a syndicate composed, as Captain Clement says, " of the boys
who were, or had been, in his employ "; and for a time the captain
retained his interest in the property. In the following year,
Captain Ward having decided to establish mills in this city, their
erection was begun under the immediate supervision of Captain
Clement, and, on being started up, were managed by himself and
Mr. Potter. In 1864, on the organization of the Chicago Rolling-
Mill Company, Captain Clement was chosen its president. He held
this position live years, and, in 1869, when the North Chicago Roll-
ing-Mill Company was formed, was again elected to the same office.
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES.
677
In 1S71, he retired from the presidency, and, for a time, severed
his official connection with the company, save as one of its leading
stockholders, until, in 1S75, when, on the death of Captain Ward,
Mr. Clement was chosen treasurer, which position he has since
filled. Captain Clement's home is in Milwaukee, where he has re-
sided since 187S, and where he has supervisory charge of the com-
pany's branch works at that place. As treasurer of the company,
he has had its financial affairs in charge, and these have always
been ably administered at his hands. Of his personal character
we would like to speak, were we not fully aware of his decided
aversion to having anything concerning himself appear in print.
It was only after some difficulty that the few facts of his life and
career were obtained, to complete the sketch of the mills, toward
the success of which he has done so much.
Richard C. Hannah was born in LaPorte, Ind., in 1838, the
son of William C, and Sarah (Clement) Hannah. His father was
a lawyer of marked ability, and a man who figured prominently in
the political history of his State. The son was given excellent edu-
cational advantages, but before quite completing his collegiate
course, he, at the age of twenty-one, quitted his studies for a period
of travel in foreign countries. He remained abroad five years, four
of which were spent in the service of his Government, as consul at
Santander, Spain, having been nominated for that position by Presi-
dent Lincoln, almost immediately following his assuming the exe-
cutive chair. Mr. Hannah returned home in 1866, and soon joined
a surveying party engaged in laying out the lines of certain pro-
posed railroads, running through the States of Indiana and Illinois.
In 1867, he came to this city, and entered the service of the North
Chicago Rolling-Mill Company, as an assistant in the paymaster's
office. He was chosen secretary of the company in 1S71, a position
he has most creditably filled to the present time.
Union Steel Company. — In March, 1S62, Andros B. Stone
purchased a quantity of land on the south fork of the South Branch
of the Chicago River, near Thirty-fifth Street and Ashiand Avenue.
This purchase was made for the firm of Stone, Chisholm & Jones
of Cleveland, Ohio, the object being to erect a mill thereon for the
purpose of re-rolling old rails. This was immediately done, and
the mill with a capacity of fifty tons of rails a day, was put into
operation on July 4, of that year. In 1S63, the company was in-
corporated as the Union Rolling-Mill Company, distinct from the
Cleveland Rolling-Mill Company, which institution was incorpo-
rated about the same time. The capital stock of the Union Rolling-
Mill Company was originally $75,000; and its first officers were
Andros B. Stone, president ; and William Chisholm, secretary.
In 1S71, Mr. Chisholm was made vice-president and J. B. Stubbs
secretary. In 1S72. the company commenced rolling steel rails,
and, until 1S79, rolled rails of both iron and steel, gradually in-
creasing the number of the latter, and decreasing that of the former,
until, in that year, they ceased altogether to roll iron rails. During
1S79, the name of the company was changed to the Union Iron and
Steel Company, and J. B. Stubbs became vice-president and W. C.
Runyan secretary. In 1880, A. L. Griffin became vice-president,
Lucius S. Boomer secretary, and William Watson general superin-
tendent. In 1S83, owing to the dull state of the iron trade, the
works suspended operations, and in the spring of 18S4 the property
was sold to a new company organized under the name of The Union
Steel Company. The officers of this organization, in 1S84, were
— H. H. Porter, president ; R. R. Jones, superintendent; M. A.
Farr, secretary; and C. W. Hillard, treasurer. The capital stock
of the company is now $4,600,000, and the capacity of the work
equal to five hundred tons of steel rails and seventy tons of other
merchantable steel a day. Those connected with this enterprise are
representative Chicago men, the majority of them having been
identified for years in its commercial and industrial interests. H.
H. Porter, president of the company, is well known as having been
for twenty-five years past, connected with some of the leading rail-
roads of the country; beginning as a clerk in 1S53 in the offices of the
old Galena Railway, finally filling the position of general manager
of the Chicago & North-Western.and later president of the St. Paul
& Omaha line. A brief sketch of Mr. Porter's life appears in con-
nection with the history of the Chicago & North- Western Railroad.
The present officers of the company are — H. H. Porter, president;
J. C. Morse, vice-president ; R. Forsyth, general superintendent;
and C. W. Hillard, secretary and treasurer.
M. A. Farr, ex-secretary of the Union Steel Company, is a
native of Essex County, N. Y., born August 9, 1S53. He attended
school at Cleveland, Ohio, and afterward entered Carroll College at
Waukesha, Wis., from which institution he graduated in 1S72. The
following year, he came to this city, which has since been his home,
and engaged in the real estate and lumber trade. On the organi-
zation of the Union Steel Company, he became a director of that
corporation and was at the same time chosen its secretary.
Charles W. Hillard, secretary and treasurer of the Union
Steel Company, was born in Romford, Essex. England, and is the
son of Rev. Charles and Sarah (West) Hillard. After leaving col-
lege, he entered the service of the Great Western Railway, in
England, with which corporation he served in various capacities
in their locomotive and car-works until 1874. In that year, he
moved to Canada, and became the secretary of the Royal Canadian
Bank, which position he filled for nearly two years. He next be-
came connected with the Grand Trunk Railway, as secretary to its
general manager, Mr. Hickson. He remained in that capacity two
years, when he came to Chicago, as secretary to 11. 11. Porter, who
was at that time, president of the Chicago, St. Paul & Minnesota
Railway. A little later, Mr. Hillard was made secretary of that
corporation, and, besides being now the treasurer of the Union
Steel Company, he is also connected officially with several promi-
nent industrial enterprises.
R. R. JONES, ex-superintendent of the Union Steel Company,
is a native of New Jersey, born on July 16, 1S50, the son of Rev. S.
B. Jones, a prominent Presbyterian clergyman, and Sarah Chester
Jones. He was given a thorough academic education, after which
he entered the Worcester (Mass.), Institute of Technology, finally
completing his studies at the Cooper Institute, New York. In 1S67,
he became connected with the Cumberland Nail and Iron Works, at
Bridgeton, N. J., and in the following year with the Novelty Iron
Works of New York City. He remained there until 1S69, when he
went into the locomotive department of the Worcester >V Nashua
Railway shops During 1S73, he became connected with the well-
known firm of Snell & Gregerson, civil engineers of Boston, In
1S75, ne entered the service of the Government as a United Slates
engineer, being engaged on the public improvement of the Missis-
sippi River at the rapids near DesMoines, Iowa. He was thus
employed until January, 18S2, when he became superintendent of
the Union Iron and Steel Company, and when that corporation was
merged into the present one, he was continued in the same office.
Mr. Jones is a member of the Institute of Mining Engineers, of
the Association of American Mechanical Engineers, of the Western
Society of Engineers, of the Mechanics' Association of Worcester,
Mass., and of the Academy of Sciences of this city. Mr. Jones
married, on January 7, lS7g, Miss Sierra Nevada Ivinson, daughter
of William Ivinson, of Keokuk, Iowa. They have but one child,
Bessie E.
Foundries. — As specified in the preceding vol-
ume, the firm of William H. Stow & Co. erected the
first foundry in this city — the firm comprising the sen-
ior member and Jones, King & Co. The foundry was
situated on Polk Street, west of the South Branch, and
covered nearly a block of land, which cost §15,000. It
was there that the first steam-engines were made in
Chicago, William Avery, who had come from Syracuse,
N. Y., for that purpose, superintending their construc-
tion. The machinery in the foundry and machine-shop
was propelled by one of the Avery rotary engines,
which he had made in Syracuse, and brought to Chi-
cago with considerable machinery, all of which was set
up in the works of William H. Stow & Co. Mr. Avery
brought out from Syracuse with him, as foreman, Silas
Ayres. These first engines, of which there were two,
were low-pressure, horizontal ones, had a seven-foot
stroke, and a diameter of about thirty-eight inches, and
were placed in the side-wheel steamer, "James Allen,"
for which they were made. With a pressure of forty
pounds, and thirty revolutions a minute, they were
rated at about ninety horse-power. Mr. Avery, after
placing these engines in the steamboat, "Allen," built
to ply between Chicago and St. Joseph, Mich., took a
contract on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. The foun-
dry in which these engines were made, was moved, in
1847, to the corner of Randolph and Canal streets, by
H. M. Stow, a brother of William M. Stow; ami. in
1848, the machinery was shipped by him to California,
through the Welland Canal, and round Cape Horn, 111
a vessel owned by R. K. Swift. During the continu-
ance of this foundry, which was abandoned in 1S49, a
number of the Avery rotary engines were manufac-
tured, but few, if any, of them exceeded twenty-five
horse-power. The steamer, " G. W. Dole," which was
built in 1838, up the South Branch, just above the Polk-
street bridge, was supplied with an engine raised from
the sunken steamer, " Detroit."
678
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
The following table* shows the extent of manufac-
ture of castings in Cook County during i860 :
J
Ra«
-*
Value of
Description of
c _^
Capital
Materia!
° 0
Wages
Manufac-
Castings.
Invested.
used
Paid.
[Cost.)
Product.
Car Wheels
1
S 10,000
S 3 200
s
$ 2,150
$ 56,000
Iron railings ..
1
200,000
415 000
IS5
96,000
660,000
Ornamental iron
work . ..
1
2,000
I 950
10
3,600
6,000
Castings not
specified
6
I29.OOO
S2.675
96
30, i So
22I.00C
Agricultural im-
plements—
Mowers and
Reapers
1
500,000
96,200
200
549S6
414,000
Threshers and
horse-power
2
137,000
i5,Soo
67
26,160
So. 000
Miscellane-
ous . .
1
25,000
6,000
27
10.6S0
25 000
Machinervf
16
346,000
249.034
597
234,120
5S2 500
Scoville Iron Works— The business now conducted by H.
H. Scoville, under this name, was originally founded by Hiram
Scoville, Sr. He came to Chicago in 1S37, and, in 1842, in com-
pany with P. W. Gates, his son-in-law, started a foundry and ma-
chine-shop at the corner of Washington and West Water streets.
In 1S4S, Mr. Scoville withdrew from the firm, and. with his three
eldest sons, started in business under the name of H. H. Scoville &
Sons. A lot was purchased, at the corner of Canal and Adams
streets, of William I!. Ogden, and to this was moved a frame
building that had formerly stood on the corner of Randolph and
Clinton streets. The business prospered from the start, and shortly
afterward they erected a brick building, about fifty by eighty-five
feet in size ; and afterward covered the entire lot with buildings.
There they commenced building freight and flat cars for the Galena
■S: Chicago Union Railway Company. John B. Turner, president of
the road, shipped on a schooner from Michigan a car as a sample
for them to pattern after. The cars made by this company were
the first freight and flat cars to run out of and into Chicago. After
this the company began to build passenger cars, and ultimately to
build locomotives. Upon the completion of three of these locomo-
tives, certain individuals became ambitious to organize a large
stock company, believing that a much more extensive and prosper-
ous business could be carried on. Accordingly, the company was
incorporated under the name of The Chicago Locomotive Company,
with an authorized capital of $250,000. Quite a large number of
the leading citizens of Chicago became stockholders, among them
William B. Ogden, William H. Scoville, E. H. Hadduck, D. R.
Frazer, Robert H. Foss, E. W. Willard, H. H. Scoville, Thomas
Dyer, B. W Raymond, W. II. Brown, Sholto Douglas and Charles
Reissig. The first officers were W. H. Brown, president ; Sholto
Douglas, secretary ; William H. Scoville, superintendent ; and D R.
Frazer, assistant superintendent. Members of the Scoville family
subscribed about 850,000, and paid for their stock ; others, whose
names were secured principally for the influence they would carry
with them, subscribed much smaller sums, therefore a considerable
amount of the subscribed stock was not paid for. For this
reason, the working capital of the company was much smaller
than the authorized capital, and hence the credit of the company
was not as high as had been that of II. II. Scoville & Sons. The
corporation was therefore embarrassed from the first ; and although
it completed seven other locomotives, making ten in all, the busi-
the company amounted to but very little after about 1855 or
Previous to this time certain members of the company
became anxious to control its affairs, and, in order to do this, pur-
chased most of the stock. Al length there were left but three
members, E. H. Hadduck, Robert II. loss and E. W. Willard.
Mr. Hadduck, having purchased most of the stock, held most of
the offices. Mr Hadduck then bought all the stock, anil became
the sole owner of the company's properly, which he afterward sold
to the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne <S Chicago Railway Company. In
1859, II. II Scoville, Jr., in company with Charles Reissig, built
the three tanks, one in each division of the city, used as reservoirs
•The figure* riven ar<- for Cook County, but it may 1»- fairly assumed
that then, . 1 almost all the iron manufactories of the
ontrasted with th
ent i arm d on in this , ity, it i
borne in mind that they rep pi
and the amount of wage* was doubled,
for the city water supply. In i860, he sold his interest in the busi-
ness they had established to Mr. Reissig, then went to Colorado, and
started a shop at Denver, where he remained seven years. In 1 867,
he returned to Chicago, and, in 1S68, established himself in busi-
ness in company with E. C. Preble, under the firm name of E. C.
Preble & Co. Some time during that year, Mr. Preble withdrew;
and since that time Mr. Scoville has been sole proprietor of the
works, to which he then gave the name of the Scoville Iron Works.
They were at first located at the corner of Quincy and Clinton
streets, where they remained five years. They were ihen moved to
Nos. 17-21 Clinton Street, remaining there until 1S79, when they
were moved to their present location, where Mr. Scoville manufac-
tures steam engines, comet stone-crushers, stamp-mills, and every
variety of mining machinery, and where, in 1884, he commenced
the manufacture of machinery which bids fair to revolutionize the
method of treating ores. This machine was invented, developed
and perfected by William A. Koneman and Mr. Scoville. and by
its use a much larger percentage of mineral is extracted from the
ore or quartz than by any method heretofore pursued. A plant of
this machinery has been completed, and shipped to the mining dis-
tricts, where it is now in practical operation.
Hiram H. Scoville was born in Litchfield County, Conn.,
January 3, 1795. In his infancy, his parents removed to Onon-
daga County, N. Y., and there his boyhood was passed on his
father's farm, his educational advantages being only such as were
afforded by the common schools. On attaining his majority,
Hiram determined to learn mechanical engineering, and accord-
ingly entered a foundry and machine shop at Syracuse, N. Y.,
where, having developed unusual talent in his chosen calling, he
mastered thoroughly its details. In 1832, he, with two other
young men, built a small steamboat, which was put into practical
operation on Cazenovia Lake; subsequently this vessel was placed
on the Erie Canal, which had but then been recently completed.
In 1S37, Mr. Scoville came to Chicago to superintend the con-
struction of a marine engine for a magnificent lake steamer, which
was then about to be built here. Owing to the financial depres-
sion of that year, this vessel was never completed, but a smaller
one, the "James Allen, "was afterward built under his supervision.
His next venture was as a contractor on the old Illinois & Michigan
Canal, he having for a partner the well-known Captain William H.
Avery. In 1843, owing to the deplorable condition of the State
finances, work was entirely suspended on the canal, and Mr. Sco-
ville withdrew from his partnership with Captain Avery, to engage
in the iron business, with which he was identified to the time of
his death, over thirty-five years later. In 1855, Mr. Scoville re-
tired from an active business life. leaving his sou, Hiram, Jr , to
continue the business. Mr. Scoville died on March 28, 1879, hon-
ored and esteemed by all who knew him. As a mechanic, he had
not his equal in the West, and it was his practical brain and untir-
ing industry that contributed so largely to the success of every un-
dertaking in which he had any management or control. To him,
also, belongs the credit of originating many useful inventions,
among which may be mentioned the cam-motion for self-raking
reapers; of this the Patent Office records show his patents to have
been the first filed for this device in that office. Mr. Scoville mar-
ried, on March 23, 1819, Miss Betsey Elvira Sherman, daughter of
Deacon Samuel Sherman, of Manlius, Onondaga Co., N. Y. They
had nine children, five of whom survive.
Hiram II. Scoville is the son of Hiram H. and Betsey El-
vira (Sherman) Scoville. He was born at Syracuse, N. Y., Febru-
ary 19, 1833. When he was but four years of age his parents lo-
cated in Chicago, where he has since lived, with the exception of
from 1S60 to 1866, when he resided in Denver, Col. His educa-
tion was obtained in the excellent schools of this city, and this
fact, in addition to his inherited taste for mechanical pursuits, has
had everything to do with the success he has achieved in his busi-
ness life. At an early age Mr. Scoville entered upon a regular ap-
prenticeship under his father's personal supervision, and during
that period he became a thoroughly practical mechanic. On attain-
ing his majority, he was associated with his father and an older
brother, under the hrm name of H. II. Scoville & Sons, in the
manufacture of steam engines and general machinery; and in 1858,
when his father retired from active business, he became the sole
proprietor of the Scoville Iron Works, the reputation of which he
has since fully maintained, and which justifies their classification
among the foremost industrial institutions of the country. Mr.
Scoville married, in iSsg, Miss Eliza M. Barnes, the daughter of
Hamilton Barnes, of this city. They have four children — Belle,
Jessie, Anna and Fdna.
CHARLES REISSIG. — On May 26, 1845, when Charles Reissig
arrived in Chicago, and went to work in the machine-shops of P.
B Andrews & Co., he was the only boiler-maker in the city. The
linn were at that time engaged in the manufacture of engines, and
had, in connection with their machine-shops, a blacksmith-shop,
and a few tools that could be utilized in the repair of boilers, but
TRADK AND MANUFACTURES.
679
of no practical utility for the building of new work. The first job
Mr. Reissig did, was to repair the boiler in his employer's works;
and the first new boiler he built was in Woodward's Hydraulic
Mill, at the foot of Lake Street, which supplied the city with
water, and the next was for the propeller " Kossetter," early in the
following year. In 184S, Hiram I'. Moses purchased the engine-
works from Andrews & Co., and rented the boiler-shop to Mr.
Reissig, who conducted it nearly a year, when he leased a lot at
the southwest corner of Jackson and Canal streets, and building a
shop on it, began business on his own account. In 1851, he pur-
chased ground at the foot of Jackson Street and erected thereon a
commodious brick building, which was then the largest boiler-shop
west of New York. In 1854, he built the first reservoir for the city
water-works. In 1S58, he constructed two additional reservoirs.
He also laid the pipe across the river at the Rush-street bridge, the
pipe across State Street, the piping across Franklin Street for the
gas-works, and did the iron-work on the old water-tower on Chi-
cago Avenue. In 1854, Mr. Reissig went to New York and purchased
machinery for the manufacture of boilers by steam. This included
steam riveting and punching machines, rollers, shears, and all the im-
proved appliances then in use. While in New York City, however,
he received a telegram from Chicago, announcing that his works
had been burned to the ground. He started that night for home,
and by ten o'clock of the day of his arrival in Chicago, he had
closed the contract for the re-building of his works on an enlarged
scale. The next day he started out through Southern Illinois on a
collecting tour ; and although money was offered him without
interest by friends here, he declined their proffered kindness, and
soon had enough funds of his own for his purpose. From 1853 to
1857, he did a business ranging from §250,000 to $300,000 per an-
num, and turned out, on an average, five boilers a week. Mr.
Reissig is also the oldest florist in the city. In 1848, he purchased
four acres of ground, where what is now West Sixteenth Street and
Center Avenue, and built his first green-houses. At that time, his
engaging in the business was for pleasure rather than profit, as he
gave to his gardener the proceeds from the sale of flowers. In the
year following the panic of 1S57, he found himself obliged to sell
this piece of ground to meet pressing debts, and his obligations
were paid in full. It is worthy of note that, in those troublesome
days, there were but few men in the iron trade in Chicago who
thus paid their indebtedness in full, Mr. Reissig being one of
them. In 1863, Mr. Reissig moved to the corner of VanBuren and
Clinton streets, where he continued until 1869, when he concluded
to devote his entire attention to floriculture. He accordingly sold
his boiler-works, and at once engaged in the florist's business, in
which he is still employed. He was born in Hamburg, Germany,
on August 20, 1818. At sixteen years of age he was apprenticed
to learn the trade of boihr-maker, but before he was eighteen, he
became dissatisfied with his employer, and, running away, went to
South America, where he entered the employ of the Brazilian
Government, working on a line of packet sail-vessels which plied
on the Amazon. He thus spent two years, during which time he
traversed that noted stream from almost its source to its mouth.
He then went to Rio Janeiro, working two years in the Govern-
ment navy-yard, as a boiler-maker, and five years in the employ of
the Brazilian Steam Packet Company. On February 13, 1845, he
sailed for New York, where he landed April 26, and in one month
later, came to Chicago. In 1S66, Mr. Reissig built a beautiful
country seat in the charming suburb of Riverside, where he now
resides, and where he has the finest green-houses to be found any-
where in the West. He was married, in 1840, to Miss Christina
Pfrommer, who died in 1862; he was married a second time, in
1872, to Miss Mary Full, of this city. By his second marriage he
has had five children — one son and four daughters.
Frederick Letz, one of the earliest machinists of Chicago,
having conducted a machine shop and foundry here for nearly forty
years, was born in Pfaffenhofen, Alsace-Lorraine, in 1810. At an
early age he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a machinist. In
1832, he came to this country and located in Baltimore, where he
remained four years, two of which were spent in working as a
journeyman, and the remaining two in business on his own account,
as a member of the firm of Letz & Morgan. In 1836, he came to
Chicago, and almost immediately bought a farm in the southern
part of Cook County, which he worked until 1843, when he estab-
lished the Chicago Iron Works, in a small shop on LaSalle, between
Randolph and Washington streets. In 1847, he built a shop on
Fifth Avenue, between Randolph and Lake streets, and there he
carried on the manufacture of all kinds of iron work for buildings,
such as railings, shutters, iron-fronts, etc. In 1S55, needing a
foreman for his works, he went to Cincinnati in search of one. and
there engaged W. H. Chenoweth, who was his foreman until Janu-
ary, 1857, in which year Mr. Letz sold his works to a firm com-
posed of his brother, Jacob Letz, and W. H. Chenoweth. In 1857,
Jacob Letz died, and his interest in the business was purchased
by J. M. Johnson, and, under the firm name of Letz & Co., the
works were conducted until 1S60. In that year Mr rhenoweth
retired from the firm, and the business was then carried on by
Messrs. Letz & Johnson. In 1864, Frederick Letz purchased the
works and continued to operate them alone until 1867, when he
took his son, George F. Letz, into partnership, and three years
afterward sold his interest to Mr. Chenoweth and August Gabriel ;
the three gentlemen last mentioned continuing the business, under
the old firm name of Letz & Co., until after the great fire of 1S71.
After that event, Mr. Chenoweth and Mr. Gabriel established what is
still known as the Industrial Iron Works. Frederick l.etz, after his
sale of the Chicago Iron Works in 1870, remained out of business
until 1S77, when he started a machine shop at No 476 South Canal
Street. This he carried on until June, 1882, and then, feeling the
weight of years coming upon him, he disposed of his plant, and re-
tired permanently from active business life. Mr. I. et2 was married,
on January 28, 1S34, to Miss Kathrina Riehl, from Alsace. They
have four children — Kathrina, now Mrs. J. K. Harmon; Mary, now
Mrs. Busse ; Sallie, now Mrs. Sweet; and Lena, now Mrs. Cerst.
In 1861, Mr. Letz was elected a member of the Board of Public
Works, and held that office until 1S67.
Andrew Bolter has been identified with iron manufacturing
for nearly thirty years. He came to Chicago during 1856, and for
six months worked in the employ of Mr. Letz; at the end of that
time, he started in business for himself, in a small shop on Market
Street. At that date, there was not much demand for iron work
for buildings, so he followed his vocation as a locksmith, and took
such jobs as came along in the first mentioned line. Mr. Bolter re-
lates that the first large contract that he got was for the Mcllroy
Block, on the corner of Dearborn and Randolph streets. In 1858,
his business having considerably increased, he removed to West
Washington, near Clinton Street, and about the same time formed
a partnership with W. H. Chenoweth, which lasted over a year.
Four years later, he made his third and last change, moving to the
southwest corner of VanBuren Street and Fifth Avenue. There he
was burned out in the great fire, and his accumulations, amounting
to nearly $40,000, were swept away. A portion of his losses were
almost of an irreparable character, as he had just returned from
Europe with large quantities of patterns which he had imported,
and on which the duties alone amounted to nearly $1,000. Far
from disheartened, Mr. Bolter went to work at one to re-build — re-
moving from the ruins of his works nearly one hundred tons of iron
before it was fairly cooled, and, in just twenty-nine days from the
date of the fire, had his new building completed, his engine and
machinery all in place, and a full force of men at work getting out
material for contracts he had already on hand. Not a small portion
of his losses came from the filling of these contracts, for, owing to
the fire, material and labor both advanced greatly, so that, instead
of realizing a profit on any of them, he was compelled to carry
them out in nearly every case, at a heavy loss. Among the promi-
nent buildings now standing as memorials of his work may be
mentioned the County Court House, the Bemis & McAvoy Co.'s
new brewery, the works of the Chicago Gas Light & Coke Com-
pany, the St. Luke Hospital, the First National Bank Building, the
Staats-Zeitung Building, Bryan Block, Schloesser's Block, McCord
Block, and the Ontario Flats. Andrew Bolter is a native of Ger-
many, being born in Hohenzollern, now Prussia, May 15. 1S20, the
son of Thomas and Josephine (Seelos) Bolter. When only thirteen
years of age, he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a locksmith,
which occupation he followed until coming to this country in 1854.
He located first in New York, remaining there until the spring of
1S56, when he came to Chicago. Mr. Bolter married, in 1846, Miss
Josephine Brandhuber, the daughter of Wendelin Brandhuber, of
Sigmaringen, a town of considerable importance in Hohenzollern,
Prussia. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bolter have had five children —
Joseph, Edward, Aggie, Annie and Carrie. Mr. Bolter is the pos-
sessor of one of the finest entomological collections in the West,
and is an entomologist of extensive reputation.
Collins & Burgie. — In the first volume of this work mention
has been made of the first stove-foundry established in this city, in
1S46, by C. R. Vandercook. It was known as the Phoenix foundry,
and was located on the north side of the river, just east of the pres-
ent site of Kirk's soap works. For several years Joshua R. Shedd
was associated with Mr. Vandercook, who is authority for the state-
ment that during the time he was connected with the works, they
employed two hundred men, and turned out fifty stoves a day. In
1 ^-.2, the ownership of the foundry passed into the hands of Howard
Sherman, Joshua R. Shedd and Dr. John H. Foster, who, under
the firm name of Sherman, Shedd & Foster, conducted the business
until 1S57, when James L. Collins, and Henry C. Burgie became
the proprietors, and have so continued to the present time. In
1854, the foundry had been moved from its location on the North
Pier to the southwest corner of Van Buren and Jefferson streets.
The accompanying illustration, engraved from a print furnished by
the present proprietors, shows the works as they appeared in 1857.
These buildings were erected by Sherman, Shedd ..v Foster in 1854,
6So
HISTORY OF CHICAGO
when the removal already mentioned was made. There Collins &
Burgie employed in the early part of their history about seventy-five
men, and melted about twelve hundred tons of iron annually. As
the business grew, they enlarged their works, and in 1S72 erected
their present foundry and warehouse, covering an area of nearly two
acres. They now employ three hundred men, and manufacture three
thousand tons of stoves annually. During 1SS3, they made fifteen
COLLINS & BURGIE'S FOUNDRY IN 1857.
thousand stoves, varying in weight from fifty to seven hundred
pounds. Up to 1S73, they did other iron casting, but since then
stoves, including heating and cooking ranges, have been their ex-
clusive line of manufacture. A hay-burning stove is also manu-
factured by this firm, and is one of the very few of this kind that
have been successfully made. It was patented in 1S7S by M. L.
Wood, and has since been much improved.
James L. Collins was born in Ithaca, N. Y., in 1S20, the
son of William R. and Eliza (Southworth) Collins. He was given
a fair education, and after leaving school worked for a number of
years in the countv clerk's office in Ithaca. During 1S42, he came
West, and resided for a short time in Marshall, Mich.; then went to
Cincinnati, where he resided a few years, and, in 1849, was mar-
ried to Miss Harriet A. Jeremiah, daughter of John Jeremiah of
that city. Mrs. Collins died in Chicago on March 21, 1885. She
was well-known for her interest in various benevolent objects and
one of the earliest friends of the Chicago Protestant Orphan Asy-
lum, of which she was for a number of years a director. Mr. and
Mrs. Collins had five children — Nellie, wife of Charles L. Page of
this city, who died in 1S84 ; William R.; Ida L., who died in 1S66;
George S., and Harrie B. Mr. Collins first visited Chicago in
1849, and in 1S52 removed with his family to this city. Here he
entered the service of the old firm of Sherman, Shedd & Foster
with whom, and their successors, he remained until 1857, when,
in company with Mr. Burgie, he purchased the old foundry and
established his present business.
William R. Collins, who is now associated with his father's
firm, was educated in the schools of this city and completed his
course at the Chicago University. After leaving that institution,
he entered the law office of C. C. Bonney, and subsequently was
admitted to the Bar, but, instead of entering upon the practice of
his profession, adopted a mercantile life. He was married June
30, 1885, to Miss Harriet Hinman, daughter of John F, and Har-
riet E. Hinman, of Battle Creek, Mich.
HENRY C. BURGIE was born in Wilmington, Del., in 1S31,
the son of John and Catharine Burgie. After leaving school, he
apprenticed himself to learn the trade of wood pattern-making,
the details of which he thoroughly mastered. In 1S53, he located
in Milwaukee, where he remained nearly a year. He then cameto
Chicago, where he obtained employment with the old firm of Sher-
man, Shedd & Foster, remaining in that foundry until 1S57, when,
in company with Mr. Collins, he purchased the business. Mr.
Bnrgie was married, in 1859, to Miss Annie M. Moore, daughter
of Robert and Julia Moore, of Wilmington, Del. Mr. and Mrs.
have had two children, one of whom — Harry N. — is now
living. Both Mr. and Mrs. Burgie are largely interested in philan-
thropic enterprises, and are liberal givers to all worthy objects of
charity. Mrs. Burgie is an earnest worker in behalf of the Chi-
cago Protestant Orphan Asylum, and has for years been one of its
board of directors.
Ckibben, Sexton & Co. — The business of this firm was es-
tablished in 1867, by J. A.* and T. S. SextOD, at No. 178 Lake
Street. It consisted then oi the hardware and stove business. It
was a moderate business at first, but grew to such an extent by
the time of the fire tint, by that calamity, about $60,000 was lost,
very little of the insurance luring collected. On the tst of January,
t business was revived by J. A. Sexton and Henry Crib-
• A sketch of Mr. Scxtoti appear* in the Military History.
ben, for the Rochester Co-operative Foundry Company. On Jan-
uary I, 1873, Mr. Cribben bought out the interest of the mentioned
company, and with Mr. Sexton established the present house at
No. 157 East Kinzie Street, where they remained until May, 1874,
when they moved to Nos. 75-77 Lake Street. In 1S78, they com-
menced the manufacture of stoves and ianges at the foundry they
erected at Nos. 70-80 Erie Street and Nos. 57-67 Ontario Street,
their business increasing so that, in 1SS1, they enlarged their
foundry and storehouse, taking in the lots numbered 52 to 88,
and which occupy about one and a half blocks of ground.
The total number of stoves and ranges made and sold by this
company annually now amounts to about forty thousand, and
the number of men employed ranges from three hundred and
fifty to four hundred. \V. H. Cribben was admitted to part-
nership January 1, 1S79, and C. T. Boal, January 1, 1880.
^ m Henry Cribben was born on the Isle of Man on Septem-
ber 19, 1S34. When he was three years of age, his parents,
Thomas and Jane (Carran) Cribben, came to America, and
settled in Rochester, N. Y., where they both died. At the
age of eighteen, young Cribben learned the trade of iron-
moulder, in Rochester, working at it up to 1^62. In 1862, he
enlisted in Co. "F," 140th New York Volunteer Infantry, as
sergeant. He was then promoted 2d Lieutenant of Co.
" H," and afterward c;iptain of Co. " I." He was breveted
major for meritorious services at the battle of Bethesda
Church, Virginia. He was there taken prisoner, but managed
to escape from the prison at Charlotte, N.C., and again joined
his regiment at Knoxville, Tenn., and served with it until the close
of the War. He returned to Rochester, and, in 1867, organized
the Co-operative Foundry Company, whose credit stands high in
-commercial circles, and of which he was president for six years.
In 1S72, he came to Chicago, and, during 1S73, with Mr. Sexton,
organized the firm of Cribben & Sexton. Mr. Cribben married
Maria Robinson, daughter of Robert Robinson, of Rochester, N.
Y. They have had four children — William H., Rebecca J., Mabel
and Edward W. Mr. Cribben was a member of the New York
Legislature in 1866.
W. H. Cribben, son of the senior member of above firm, was
born in Rochester, N. Y., in 1855. At the age of sixteen years, he
went into the employ of the Co-operative Foundry Company, at
Rochester, remaining with them up to 1872, when he came to Chi-
cago, and became connected with the present firm of Cribben &
Sexton, being admitted as a partner in 1879.
Crane Brothers' Manufacturing Company. — The orig-
inator of this company was Richard T. Crane, now its president.
Mr. Crane was born in Paterson, N. J., in 1832. At an early age,
being obliged to seek self-support, he learned various branches of
mechanical work. In 1847, an uncle procured for him a situation
in Brooklyn, N. Y., where he remained untii 1851, by which time
he had acquired the trade of a brass and iron worker. He moved
to New York, where he found employment with several prominent
firms, among them that of R. Hoe & Co. In 1855, he came to Chi-
cago, where his uncle, Martin Ryerson, was engaged in the lumber
business. Mr. Ryerson assisted his nephew with the means, and
granted him the privilege of erecting a small brass foundry in one
corner of his lumber yard. A few months' later, his brother,
Charles S. Crane, came to the city, and entered into partnership
with him, the firm name being R. T. Crane & Bro. They began the
manufacture of finished brass goods, in a small way. Finding it
necessary soon to enlarge their manufacturing facilities, they rented
rooms on the North Side. In the following year, they leased a lot
and erected a building at No. 102 Lake Street, where they put in
their own power and consolidated the two branches of their busi-
ness. In 1858, the firm began the manufacture of steam-heating
apparatus (which they discontinued in iS77),and, in 1S60, they estab-
lished an iron foundry. Business was prosperous during the early
part of the War, and another building, adjoining that already oc-
cupied, was erected. During 1864, they established a wrought-iron
pipe mill, at the corner of Fulton and Desplaines streets. In 1S65,
they built their present works, and added three new branches to
their business — a malleable iron foundry, the manufacture of mal-
leable and cast-iron fittings, and a general machine shop, in which,
later, steam engines were made. Their business soon doubled, and
a charter was obtained from the Legislature, incorporating the con-
cern, under the name of the North-Western Manufacturing Com-
pany, with a capital stock of $1,000,000. of which only $15,000 was
issued. R. T. Crane was the first president and Charles S. Crane
the first vice-president. At this time, the amount of business an-
nually transacted was $500,000. and the number of employes about
two hundred. The higher classes of employes were given an in-
terest in the company's business. In August, 1872, the corporate
name was changed to its present style, owing to the adoption by
other parties of the word North-Western and the consequent dan-
ger of confusion. In 1S70, more room was required, and a four-
st'iry building was erected on Desplaines Street, adjoining that on
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES.
681
Tefferson Street: and, during 1S71, a four-story wing was added.
Charles S. Crane retired from the company at this time, and the
business has since then been conducted by R. T. Crane. Previous
to this time, the company had commenced building steam freight
and passenger elevators, of which but few were then in use in Chi-
cago, none having been, up to that time, constructed in the West.
The company's first passenger elevator was placed in a hotel on
the corner of Michigan Avenue and Congress Street. In 1S74, the
manufacture of hydraulic elevators was undertaken, and has since
grown steadily. No accident has been known to ever occur with the
Crane machines. During 18S0, the company established agencies in
other States, and they have been especially successful in New York
City, despite the disadvantages always attending competition in a
distant and thoroughly occupied field. Shortly after the building
of steam elevators had been commenced, an accidental discovery
showed that the machine was adapted to the hoisting of material
for blast furnaces. The company at once set to work to design an
apparatus still better suited for this class of work; the result was
a great improvement on everything theretofore built. In 1SS0, the
pipe manufacture had entirely outgrown the capacity of the mill
erected in 1S64, and a new mill was erected, on the corner of Canal
and Judd streets. The company employs more than eleven hun-
dred men. The capital invested
is about $1,300,000, and the value
of the manufactured product — in
a comparatively dull season — ag-
gregates $2,000,000. The officers
of the company are now as follows :
Richard T. Crane, president; C.
R. Crane, vice-president; Edward
Worcester, secretary; and William
Kerr, treasurer.
N. S. Bouton came to Chi-
cago in 1846, but at that time did
not remain. In 1S52, he came to
stay; and, in company with George
W. Sizer, of Cleveland, Ohio, and
A. L. Mowry, of Cincinnati, es-
tablished an iron foundry on Clark
Street, near Fifteenth. The style
of the firm was then George W.
Sizer & Co. The foundry was, in
one sense, connected with the
Union Car Works of Stone,
Boomer & Co., as there the cast-
ing was done for the latter insti-
tution. In September, 1S55, Stone,
Boomer & Co., were burned out,
and Mr. Bouton then purchased
for them the American Bridge
Company's Works, which were
at that time lying idle on the lake shore. Shortly afterward,
Mr. Bouton became a member of the firm, which then changed
to Stone, Boomer & Bouton. With their works, which, in 1857-5S,
were sold to the Illinois Central Railroad Company, was con-
nected an iron foundry, where the iron-work for cars, bridges,
turntables, etc., were manufactured. The works were then known
as the Union Car and Bridge Works. Previous to the sale mentioned,
however, Mr. Bouton purchased from Frederick Letz his archi-
tectural cast-iron business, which he removed to the old foundry
first mentioned, and which was not destroyed in the Stone & Boomer
fire. In 1858, he purchased from this firm their interest in the
burned premises of the old Union Car Works, and there continued
business until 1862, when he took into partnership Christopher B.
Bouton and Edwin F. Hurlbut, the firm name and style thereupon
changing to N. S. Bouton & Co. During 1871, the company was
incorporated as the Union Foundry Works, with the following
officers : N. S. Bouton, president; Edwin F. Hurlbut, vice-presi-
dent and superintendent; and Christopher B. Bouton, secretary
and treasurer. In 187S, Edward F. Cushing became secretary
and treasurer. In 1881, the company finding it desirable to seek a
more available location, selected Pullman; at the same time a re-
organization in the company was effected, and the name changed
to the Union Foundry and Pullman Car-Wheel Works. Buildings
were at once erected commensurate with the increased demand of
the business, and now consist of the following departments: Car
wheel, car casting, architectural jobbing, dry sand and loam. The
foundries have a capacity for melting one hundred and sixty tons of
iron daily. These works supply all the wheels and car castings for
the Pullman Palace Car Company. The different buildings occupy
twelve acres of ground. This company has left its impress upon
numerous large buildings in this city, among the number, the Pal-
mer Mouse, the Grand Pacific Hotel, the Tremont Mouse, the Sher-
man House, the Custom Mouse and others. The skill displayed in
the manufacture of heavy machinery is shown in the immense grain
elevators of this and other cities. In 1SS3, they manufactured the
Shay improved locomotive. These works employ about six hun-
dred men, with a monthly pay-roll of about $30,000, and the an-
nual product of their work is I iSi.mh, to S-_v <<i,n> .. The
officers of the company are N, S. bouton, president, and Charles
S. dishing, secretary and treasurer.
Nathaniel S. Bouton was born in Concord, \. II., in [828, 1 1 is
father was Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Bouton, and his mother was Harriet
Sherman Bouton, a granddaughter of Roger Sherman, the famous
statesman and philanthropist. Mr. Bouton left home at the age of
fourteen to work on a farm in Connecticut. Two years later he
taught school in the same State, and in 1S46 made a tour of this
Western country, returning to the East in the course of the fol-
lowing year. He then went into the employment of Fairbanks
Bros., the well-known scale men, as a traveling salesman, travel-
ing mostly on horseback, but sometimes by stage, over Ohio, Indi-
ana, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Virginia. In 1S52, he
came to Chicago, and became a member of the firm of George W.
Sizer & Co. The firm at that time operated three works — one at
Cleveland, superintended by Mr. Sizer, one at Cincinnati, under
the direction of Mr. Mowry, and the one here, managed by Mr.
Bouton. In 1S57, Mr. Bouton was appointed superintendent of
public works of Chicago, under Mayors Wentworth and Haines, a
COLLINS & BURGIE's STOVE WORKS IN 1S85.
position he creditably filled for three years. He, with E. S. Ches-
brough and S. S. Greeley, constituted the committee to establish
the present grade of Chicago, and it was during his administration
that the first paving of the streets was done. In 1S62, he became
quartermaster of the S8th Illinois Infantry, a position he held until
alter the battle of Chickamauga, when he resigned, and came home
in order to give personal attention to his rapidly increasing business.
Mr. Bouton has been twice married — first, in 1857, to Emily L. Bis-
sell, daughter of Dr. Bissell, of Suffield, Conn. This lady died one
year after their marriage. His second marriage was with Mrs.
Ellen Shumway, of this city, daughter of Judge Gould, of Essex,
N. Y.
Of the subordinate branches of the iron industry
in i860, the following table will give an adequate com-
prehension :
ii
=
Value of
MANUFACTURfaS.
z =
Capital
invested.
45 ?■
Wages.
v.~'
z -
product.
Blacksmithing _.
9
$18,050
$333,750
27
$10,848
830,15°
Gas fixtures
1
7,000
2.
n
4,800
15,000
Hardware, files
1
2,000
1,062
3
1,350
4.720
Scales — .
1
5,500
945
10
4.S00
10,000
Sewing machines
2
2,800
4r"
4
1 ., 1-, 1
3,ogo
Stoves -
1
5,500
14,00' 1
12
3 600
32,500
1 in, copper and
sheet-iron ware
10
20,150
22,002
28
to, 1 (1
37.983
Allied to the f
oreg
oing man
ufacl ures
may
be menl
ioned :
Brass founders..
6
54,000
51.400
98
31 .-20
136,000
6S2
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Some of the oldest houses engaged in these branches
are represented in the sketches which follow:
William Blair & Co. — This is the oldest wholesale hardware
house in Chicago, and, with very few exceptions, the oldest busi-
ness house of any kind in the city. During August, 1842, William
Blair, the senior member of the firm, came to Chicago, and opened
a hardware store in the frame building at the southeast corner of
Dearborn and South Water streets. Mr. lilair continued the busi-
ness in his own name, as both wholesale and retail, until 1S44. In
the spring of that year, his brother, Chauncey B. Blair, then resid-
ing at Michigan City, Ind., became a partner in the business, and
added considerable capital, but took no part in the management.
The increase of business and the addition of a stock of bar iron and
steel required larger premises, and the firm removed the same year
(1S441 to the frame building at No. 75 Lake Street. During 1S46,
William Blair purchased his brother's interest, and associated with
himself his brother-in-law, William E. Stinson, under the firm name
of Blair & Stinson. A few years later. Mr. Stinson's health failed,
forcing him to retire from business. The growth of the business
requiring more room, the firm, in the spring of 1S47, removed to
No. 103 Lake Street; and in the following year Mr. Blair purchased
the lot at No. 176 Lake, the site of his present store, and erected
thereon a spacious building. After the decease of Mr. Stinson, in
December, 1S50, the business was conducted by Mr. Blair until
1S53. In the spring of that year, C. B. Nelson was admitted to
a partnership, and the business has since then been conducted
under the firm name of William Blair & Co. The opening of the
canal in 1S4S made large accessions to the wholesale trade of the
city from the Illinois River section, which was still further increased
by the opening of a portion of the Galena & Chicago Union Rail-
road a little later. The firm thereupon largely increased its stock,
and shortly after discontinued its retail business, and became the
first exclusively wholesale hardware house in the city, and the first
to open up a sample-room, with goods sampled on cards for the
personal inspection of customers. In the spring of 1S53, Mr. Blair
associated with him Elbridge G. Hall, for the establishment of a
wholesale iron store on South Water Street, under the firm name of
E. G. Hall & Co. The firm did a large business, and was one of
the most prominent in that line in the West. In i860, Mr. Blair
withdrew from this firm, transferring his interest to Mr. Hall. In
1S56, Oliver W. Belden, who had been for some years an employe
in the house, was admitted into the partnership, which continued
until the year 1S70. It was found that still more room was required
to meet the wants of their rapidly increasing business, and Mr.
Blair re-built the marble-front stores, Nos 179-S1 Randolph Street,
into which the firm removed in the autumn of that year. In Octo-
ber, 1871. this building, which contained the immense stock of the
firm (together with several other valuable buildings owned by Mr.
Blair) was destroyed by the great fire. Although the firm was for-
tunate in securing commodious quarters at Nos. 30-32 South Canal
Street immediately after the fire, and in a few days were in success-
ful operation, Mr. Blair decided to re-build at once upon the old
location, and within thirty days had purchased additional ground
for that purpose. The plans were so prepared as to combine every
modern convenience for the use of the firm, and be suitable for the
increasing wants of the trade. The result was a five story and
basement building, which was completed and occupied by the firm
in October, 1S72. In 1871, James M. Horton, who had been for
some years connected with the house, was admitted as a partner,
and two years later Augustus O. Hall was also admitted, and con-
tinued his connection with the firm until 1SS1. In the autumn of
[865, Mr. lilair, while in England, made extensive arrangements
f'.r goods for the house, from the manufacturers in Sheffield and
Birmingham. During January, 1882, C. B. Nelson, who had been
for more than thirty years connected with the house, retired from
the firm, and Edward T. Blair, son of the senior member, was
admitted a partner. Albert E. Roof, who had been connected with
the house for sixteen years, was also admitted to a partnership in
January, 1884.
William BLAIR was born in Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y., on
May 20, 1818. His father, Samuel lilair, and his mother, Han-
nah, were both natives of lilandford, Mass., his mother being the
' daughter of Jonathan Frary, whose ancestors wereof Eng-
lish origin. On the paternal side, Sir. lilair is of Scottish descent.
At the age of fourteen he entered the employ and became a member
of the family of Oren North, a hardware merchant of Cortland,
. Mr. North decided upon removing his business to Joliet,
III., and. in July of ti :ii young lilair forward to that
plate, giving him letters of introduction to Martin II. Demmond,
and others. The financial troubles of 1837, however, deterred
Mr. North from coming West himself, as had been his original in-
tention, and. accordingly, he determined to close out his Western
branch. Mr. lilair, aided by his two brothers, Chauncey and
Lyman, then located at Michigan City, Ind., bought the stock of
Mr. North, and continued the business at Joliet, until, in August,
1S42, he came to Chicago and established the house here. Mr.
Blair was married on June 21, 1854, to Miss Sarah M. Seymour,
daughter of John Seymour, of Lyme, Ohio, a lady of most esti-
mable character and of fine literary taste. They have had two
children. The eldest, Willie Seymour Blair, a bright, promising
boy, died in December, 1861, not quite six years of age; the
younger, Edward Tyler Blair, graduated at Yale College in 1879,
and is now a valued and trusted member of his father's firm.
James M. Horton was born in Columbia County, N. Y..
in 1S26. His ancestors were Hollanders, originally of English
extraction, who settled at an early day in New York State. His
father, George P. Horton, was born in 1798, and is still living.
His mother, Margaret (Miller) Horton, died ten years since.
James M. graduated from Claverack Academy, Columbia County,
N. Y. Having decided to follow a mercantile life, at the age of
seventeen he went to Albany, N. Y., and served an apprenticeship
in the house of Pruyn, Wilson & Vosburgh, wholesale and retail
dealers and importers of hardware. He subsequently became con-
nected with the house of Erastus Corning & Co., with whom he
remained a number of years; and, in 1S66, he came to Chicago and
became connected with the firm of William Blair & Co. In 1871,
upon the retirement of Mr. Belden, Mr. Horton became a member
of the firm. Before removing to the West, he married Miss Matilda
McPherson, daughter of George McPherson, of Albany, N. Y.
They have had four children, two of whom are living — Lillie and
Leonora.
Edward T. Blair has been a resident of Chicago since his
birth. He graduated from Yale College in 1879, and spent a por-
tion of the two following years in travel, then entered the house of
William Blair & Co. He married, in 1882, Miss Ruby McCor-
mick, daughter of the late William S. McCormick, the reaper manu-
facturer, and has two children — William McCormick and Edith.
Albert E. Roof was born in Savanna, 111., in 1845. At the
age of seventeen, he commenced clerking in a general merchandise
store in Savanna, and one year afterward (1S63) came to Chicago,
and went into the employ of Burnham & Smith, afterward Smilh,
Cutler & Co., wholesale druggists, with whom he remained until
they sold out in 1868, when he became connected with the firm of
William Blair & Co., as cashier and bookkeeper. This position he
filled up to 18S4, when he became a member of the firm, and has
ever since had charge of the financial and credit business of the
house. In 1866, he was married to Miss Catharine Milan, of Os-
wego, N. Y.
Larrabee & North.— This house was established in 1844 by
William F. Dominick, then doing business at No. 134 Lake Street.
In 1851, Charles R. Larrabee became a partner, the firm name and
style then becoming William F. Dominick & Co. In 1S46, how-
ever, a removal had been made to No. 174 Lake Street, which was
the firm's location until 1857. In that year Mr. Dominick sold his
interest to Robert L. North, and the firm name then assumed its
present form. The new firm continued business at the same place
until the fire, by which they were sufferers to the amount of $30,000.
Within two days they resumed their business at No. 4S West Lake
Street, where they remained, until in February, 1872, when they
removed to the corner of West Lake and Clinton streets. Their
next removal was in the spring of 1873, to No. 163 Lake Street,
where they remained until, in 187S. they removed to their present
location. The firm of Larrabee & North has enjoyed the reputa-
tion of being one of the soundest and safest houses in this city, and
its members are highly respected as men and as citizens.
Charles R. Larrabee, the senior member of the house, was
born in Ticonderoga, N. Y., February 17, 1S25, the son of Lucius
C. and Calista (Bugbee) Larrabee. When only nineteen years of age,
young Larrabee came to Chicago, and for a time was in the employ of
the firm of Woodworth & Long, then proprietors of the old Hydrau-
lic Mills. In 1S44. he engaged as a clerk with, and in 1851 formed
the partnership with, Mr. Dominick, and has since been connected
with the house. Mr. Larrabee was married, in 1S51, to Mary A.
Wood, daughter of Peter Wood, a prominent lumber merchant of
this city. They have eight children — Edward A , Annie D., Elean-
or L., Mary C, Emily W., Rosalind C, Rollin N. and Caroline.
Robert L. North was born in the city of New York, Sep-
tember 15. 1829. His parents were Robert F. and Lydia (Guion)
North. The son was early given a business training, and in 1845
became a clerk in the firm of W. N. Seymour & Co., wholesale
hardware merchants in New York, and was admitted to partnership
in 1853. In 1857, he came to Chicago, and purchased Mr. Domin-
ick's interest in the house of W. F. Dominick & Co., and in con-
nection with Mr. Larrabee founded the house of which he is still a
member. Mr. North was married, in 1S60, to Elizabeth C. Larra-
bee, daughter of William M. Larrabee, of this city. They have
had three children — Robert L. Jr., Guion L. and Carrie L. ; the
two latter are deceased.
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES.
683
Seneca D. Kimbark. — The house of S. D. Kimbark was es-
tablished in this city in 1S53, by E. G Hall & Co., of which firm
Mr. Kimbark was a junior member. In 1S60, the firm name was
changed to Hall, Kimbark & Co., and in 1873 to Kimbark Bros.,
& Co In 1876, S. D. Kimbark became sole proprietor. Had
there been such a factor as chance in the founding of a legitimate
mercantile business, the fire of 1S7 r would have wiped out many of
the leading houses in Chicago. The losses of many of them were,
directly or indirectly, very large, and the house of S. D. Kimbark
was one of that number. And of those who survived that terrible
calamity, it may be said, that it possessed that intelligence, industry
and business integrity which insures success and at the same time
commands the respect and confidence of all classes. These were
the stepping-stones for S. I). Kimbark, and which have led him to
his present position, that of controlling the largest establishment of
its kind in Chicago ; a position gained by his own efforts, enter-
prise and ability. During all the years which this house has been
in existence, and the changes and fluctuations of business incident
to its long career, it has maintained its commercial integrity and its
standing as one of the soundest houses in the country. Increasing
capital and enlarged facilities have of course prompted Mr. Kim-
bark to greater efforts, and some years ago he established in Michi-
gan a factory for wagon-wood material, which is now thoroughly
equipped with the best designed labor-saving machinery. A large
number of hands are employed, most of whom are expert mechan-=
ics. As showing in a single statement its growth since its founding
and to the present time, it may be noted that during 1853 its busi-
ness approximated $250,000, and in 1883 it exceeded $1,500,000.
Seneca D. Kimbark was born in Venice, Cayuga County, N. Y.,
on March 4, 1832, and received his education in that State, com-
mencing with the common or district schools. He afterward at-
tended for a few terms the academies at Geneseo and Canandaigua,
where he paid the cost of his tuition by teaching school in the dis-
tricts adjacent to his residence, which was, at that time, Livingston
County, N. V. To that county his parents had moved, in the year
1840. From the time he was twelve years old until he was twenty-
one he worked on his father's farm, and during those years, did
fully a man's work at any species of labor he performed, and at the
age of twenty-one came to Chicago and engaged in the iron busi-
ness. In his career since that time Mr. Kimbark has been so
thoroughly identified with the history of the city, that he is as well
known personally and commercially as any resident here. In his
political opinions, during his earlier years, he was a Democrat and
an enthusiast on all political questions, being a strenuous advocate
of the annexation of Texas, the War with Mexico, the Missouri
Compromise, etc. The repeal of the Missouri Compromise made
Mr. Kimbark an Abolitionist and, after the organization of the Re-
publican party, he became a fervent supporter of its tenets and an
uncompromising advocate of the War. lie has never been a poli-
tician and, desiring no office, always kept aloof from political dis-
cussions and declined every nomination tendered him. He was
married, on September 25, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth Pruyne, daugh-
ter of Peter Pruyne, who was State senator of Illinois and a colleague
of Stephen A. Douglas. Mrs. Kimbark's mother is the widow
of Thomas Church, formerly an old resident of Chicago. They
have had four children; the eldest, Charles A., is now the financial
manager of his father's business.
Hibbard, Spencer & Co. — Among the very oldest hardware
houses in Chicago, running without cessation or failure, is the firm
of Hibbard, Spencer & Co. In March, 1S55, Tuttle, Hibbard &
Co. founded a hardware and metal trade on South Water Street.
five doors east from Dearborn. Their premises and stock were
destroyed by fire in March, 1S57. They began again as soon as
possible, temporarily occupying a store at No. 32 Lake Street,
where they remained nearly three years. In 1S62, the business lo-
cation was changed to the southeast corner of Lake and State streets,
where the firm remained as long as they existed. On the 1st of
January, 1864, F. F. Spencer and William G. Hibbard bought out
the goods and business of Tuttle, Hibbard & Co., located at Xo.
62 Lake Street. There they were known for two years or more as
Hibbard & Spencer, and afterward as Hibbard, Spencer & Co., the
company being some employes who were given an interest in the
profits. ' As the store on State and Lake was getting too small for
the rapidly extending interests of the house, about the close of 1*07
a move was made to Nos. 92-94 Michigan Avenue, between Lake
and Randolph. Their loss in the October fire, 1871, was very
large. After being burned nut, a complete and new slock was, as
quickly as practicable, put into a temporary structure on the Lake
Front. These quarters were kept until June, 1S72, at which time
the permanent buildings on Lake Street were ready for oecupaurv.
They tirst used Nos. 30-32, and. as fast as room was demanded and
could be secured, they have added to them, until Nos. 22-32. or
six stores in the block.— each 25 x 142 feet and live stories and base-
ment in height — are under their proprietorship. Besides, they have
on the North Side a brick warehouse, into which they tun cars lor
loading and unloading their heaviest line of goods, such as tin
plate and nails. The trade of this great house extends from
British Columbia to Old Mexico, and west to the Golden Gate.
The first year Messrs. Hibbard i\ Spencer were together their total
sales footed up over $800,000. Last year it ran into the millions.
In January 1SS1, a family compact in fact, and a business agree-
ment in general, was entered into, and an incorporation was
formed, named and known as Hibbard, Spencer, liartlett & Co.
The officers were William G. Hibbard, president ; Franklin F.
Spencer, vice-president; A. C. Bartlett, secretary; Charles II. Con-
over and James \V. Nye, directors. Of the old firm of Tuttle, Hib-
bard & Co., Frederick Tuttle has retired, Nelson Tuttle is deceased,
and George M. Gray is with Pullman's Palace Car Company.
WiLLtAM G. lllBBAKD came to Chicago from Cortland, Cort-
land Co. , N. V., in 1849, and entered the employ of William Blair, his
first and only engagement, until he established the firm of Tuttle,
Hibbard & Co., in March, 1855. He married, in December, 1855,
Miss Lydia P>. VanSchaack, daughter of Henry C. VanSchaack, of
Manlius, N. Y. They have had six children — two sons and four
daughters.
F. F. Spencer was born at Gcwanda, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y.,
October 13,1817. His father, Phineas Spencer, kept a general store.
F. F. was chief clerk, salesman and cashier. He came to Chicago
in 183S, but was called back in the following year, by the death of
his father, to settle the family estate. In 1840, F. F. Spenctr
married Miss Rachael G. Macomber. at New Bedford, Mass. The
affairs of the estate required nearly six years of his time, so that he
did not return to Chicago until the spring of 1855. He first
opened the stove salesroom of Jewett & Root on South Water
Street, adjoining the store of Tuttle, Hibbard & Co. In January,
1864, Mr. Spencer joined Mr. Hibbard in the purchase of the stock
and fixtures of Tuttle, Hibbard & Co. Of Mr. Spencer's family
two daughters are living, and one daughter and two sons deceased.
Seeberger, Breakey & Co — The hardware firm of See-
berger, Breakey & Co. was established in 1864, by Anthony F.
Seeberger and Benjamin A. Breakey, under the firm name of See-
berger & Breakey, at No. 143 Lake Street. Two years later, a
removal was made to the corner of Lake and State streets, where
they continued until burned out in the fire of October, 1S71. In
that fire their gross losses aggregated two hundred thousand dol-
lars, saving nothing but their books, which Mr. Seeberger suc-
ceeded in getting out of the building. Immediately after the fire,
they resumed business at Nos. 10 and 12 West Randolph Street,
where they remained until, in August of 1872, they removed to
their present quarters. In 1SS0, Charles D. Seeberger, son of the
senior member of the firm, was admitted as a partner, the firm then
assuming its present title. During 1864, their sales were only
$175,000, while now they amount to $1,500,000 per annum, and
are still increasing.
Anthony F. Seeberger was born in Wetzlar, Prussia, August
24, 1829, the son of John David and Dorothea (Goethe) Seeberger.
The family came to America in 1S37. and, after spending one year
in New York City, moved to Newark, N. J., and from there to
Holmes County, Ohio, where his father commenced the life of a
farmer. At the age of fifteen, Anthony F. Seeberger went to
Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, and entered the dry goods house of ]•'.
S. Johnson, remaining with him four years ; he then was em
in the dry goods house of N. & J. P.. Power, and, after serving a
clerkship of four years, was. in 1S52, admitted as a partner. In
1S50, Mr. Seeberger removed to Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he opened
a retail hardware store, which was the first house exclusively in that
business west of the Mississippi-river towns of Iowa He con-
tinued there up to January, 1864, when he removed to Chicago,
and organized the firm of Seeberger & Breakey. In September,
1885, Mr Seeberger's business ability received recognition from
President Cleveland in his appointment to the collectorship of the
Tort. Mr. Seeberger was married, August 26, 1S56, to Jennie L.
Cooper, daughter ol Charles Cooper, a prominent manufacturer of
machinery in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. They have three children —
Charles D., Louis A. ami Dora A.
BENJ \min A. BREAKEY was born in December, 1S33, in I treen-
bush, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., the son of Isaiah ami Harriet (Akin)
Breakey. Having lost both parents before he was fourteen years
of age, Mr. breakey chose the calling of a merchant. At the age
6S4
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
of fifteen, he was employed in a store at Poughkeepsie, X. V.,
where he remained until in 1S54. Then he came to Chicago, and
was employed with the house of E. D. Ely & Co., in the wholesale
iron trade. A year later, he entered the employ of William Blair,
and continued with him until in 1S04, when, in company with Mr.
Seeberger, he started in business on his own account. .Mr. Ilreakey
was married, in August, 1S64. to Marcia Crapo. daughter of Seth
Crapo, of Albany, N. V. They have two children — Benjamin A.
and Charlotte Crapo.
Charles D. Seeberger was born inOskaloosa, Iowa, May 12,
1857. At the age of six, he came with his parents to Chicago,
where he was educated and prepared for college, entering the scien-
tific school at Yale College, from which institution he graduated in
1S76. He then entered the employ of his father's firm, with whose
business he has since been connected, and was admitted as a part-
ner in 1SS0. .Mr. Seeberger married. October 15, 1S79, Emma Li.
Hridge, daughter of L. K. Bridge, of New York City, upon whose
death the daughter went to live with her grandfather, Hon. Henry
B. Curtis, of Mt. Yernon, Ohio, at which place they were married.
They have one child — Lucia.
The surprising growth of the iron industry in Chi-
cago, from i860 to 1870, will appear from a comparison
of the preceding tables with the following, which has
been compiled from the census report of the latter year.
Not only had eight new branches of manufactures
sprung up, but the number of establishments had in-
creased 183 per cent.; the capital invested represented
§6,293.000, as against §1,106,000 in i860; while more
than four times as many hands were employed.
his own hands constructed a reaper on a wholly different plan,
which he tested publicly at Steele's Tavern, Ya., in the harvest of
1S31, and demonstrated that it was a success. The machine was at
first named the Virginia Reaper, in honor of the inventor's native
State; but after coming into general use its name was changed to the
American Reaper, which name was eventually discarded as not being
sufficiently explicit in its expression of its cosmopolitan use. In
1S34, his first patent was secured, and soon after he began the
manufacture of the machine on a very limited scale, while engaged
in other pursuits. Serious financial losses in his other business
compelled him to concentrate his energies on the reaping machine,
and in 1S45 its manufacture was commenced in Cincinnati. Ohio,
and the same year another patent was granted him for important
improvements. In 1846-47-48, it was also manufactured, under a
royalty, in Brockport, N. Y., and additional patents issued in
1347-4S for further improvements. During 1847. Mr. McCormick
moved to Chicago, and, associating with him Charles M. Gray,*
under the firm name of McCormick & Gray, commenced the
manufacture of the machine in the 'West, and in 184S, in a limited
partnership, under the firm name of McCormick, Ogden & Co.. he
began the construction of the improved machine in such numbers
as the public demand warranted. After the Chicago works were
completed, the building of seven hundred machines was ventured
on for 184S, which appeared a most hazardous venture to some
people, because of the scarcity of capital. But, about this time,
Mr. McCormick began to fully realize the value of his machine
to the farming community and the consequent immense possibil-
ities to the manufacturer. These machines were all sold, and the
enterprise was thereafter an assured success. The partnership with
William B. Ogden having expired by limitation in 1S50, the late
O. M. Dorman, of Chicago, took a year's interest, under the firm
A TABLE SHOWING THE STATISTICS OF THE IRON MANUFACTURES OF CHICAGO IN 1S70.
Agricultural implements.
Hardware
Heating apparatus _.
Iron, forged and rolled
Anchor and cable chains
Nails and spikes
Pipe, wrought
Railing, wrought
Castings, not specified
Castings, stoves, heaters, etc
Machinery, not specified
Engines and boilers
Pumps
Safes, doors and vaults
Saws
Scales and balances
Sewing-machine fixtures
Steel springs
Tin, copper and sheet-iron ware
Wire work _
SS55,ooo
96,000
40,000
2,069,000
25,000
60,000
50,000
41,000
789,000
150.000
So7,ooo
610,000
53,000
95,000
95,000
40.000
6,000
15,000
374000
18,000
46
1,462
5°
4S
30
23
333
94
633
596
32
5S
14
27
32
9
433
$ 5,000
56,652
30,000
S6S.082
6,000
33,785
15,000
13,082
470,316
61,200
360,750
309,322
!5.749
3L795
8,600
16,600
12,400
5.304
216,803
8,630
5 2,000
120,345
39,000
I,2So,g22
12,000
124,310
85,000
2S,8oo
1,021.321
66,150
564,952
397,822
26,823
2S.2O0
2,802
2I,40O
3,065
I5,IOO
3S6.527
47,500
S 11,000
951,269
90,000
2,564,496
20.000
245,744
101,000
50,379
1,707,848
170,800
1,143,614
912,430
75,669
110,030
22,860
S7,ooo
20,000
21,000
803,976
63,700
The McCormick Reaping Machine — Chicago may justly
lay claim to being the home of the reaping machine which has done
more for the enlargement and development of agriculture than any
other single instrumentality that can be named. The invention of
the reaping machine revealed a method never before dreamed of,
whereby the farmer could cultivate a thousand acres and secure his
crop as easily as on a ten-acre patch by the old method. The idea
of gathering grain by some sort of a machine is not a recent con-
ception, as history recites, as far back as the beginning of the
Christian era, that crude efforts were made to cut grain with a
Jiachine propelled by oxen: and though these efforts failed, genera-
tion after generation continued the attempt, making, however, little
progress toward success. The records of the patent offices in this
country and in Europe reveal many strange contrivances, invented
•nplish the end in view, but, after having had their brief day,
nothing survived that even implied success. Among those who
tried their inventive skill in this direction, was Robert McCormick,
the father of Cyrus II. McCormick, a native of Rockbridge County,
\i. He Constructed a reaper according to his ideas, but like all
his predecessors, after the most persistent efforts, he abandoned it
as impracticable.
Cyrus Mall McCormick, his son, then twenty-two years old,
took hold of the discarded machine, and, after careful study, with
name of C. H. McCormick & Co., when the manufacture was
increased to one thousand six hundred machines.
At the end of the year, Mr. McCormick conducted the busi-
ness in his own name, which was retained until 1S60, when he
associated with him his brothers, William S. and Leander J.
McCormick, under the firm name of C. H. McCormick & Bros.,
which continued until the death of William S. in 1S65, when the firm
became C. H. McCormick & Bro., and subsequently C. H. & L. J.
McCormick. In 1SS0, the members of this firm organized under
the State laws of Illinois as a joint-stock company, with a paid-up
capital of $2,500,000. The shares were almost exclusively in the
hands of the president, C. H. McCormick, and the vice-president,
I.. [. McCormick, the former holding a three-fourths interest in
the stock.
The cut of the original machine displays that it was a very
plain-looking affair, and remarkable for its simplicity. The opera-
tor followed the machine on foot, raking off the sheaves when
sufficient grain had gathered on the platform. This original
machine, however, did its work as efficiently as the more ornate
machines of the present day, while it contained all the essential
features of all reaping machines, such as the combination of- the
side-delivery platform, the revolving reel, the divider and the
» Now— 1889- Assistant General KreiKht A^ent L. S. & M. S. R. R.
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES
685
reciprocating knife in projecting fingers, all deriving action from
the forward motion of the machine. It is recognized as the type
and pattern after which every reaping machine of the present day
is modeled, and it is a notable fact that no inventor, so far, has
been able to devise any successful method of harvesting grain
which could dispense with the essential features above 'pecified.
THE ORIGINAL MC CORMICK REAPER, INVENTED IN
Spain, France and Great Britain, Recently, in a single season, one
hundred and twelve car-loads were shipped to New York, en route
for New Zealand, to fill a single order. The McCormick machine
has been exhibited at every World's l-'air or International Field
Trial possible; and since the first in London, in 1S51, to the last at
Louisville, Ky., in 1SS4, in competition with the world's reaping
machines, it has invariably carried off the
highest honors.
Grand Prize, Bronze Medal — World's
Fair, London, England, 1S51.
Highest Prize, Grand (.old Medal-
Universal Exposition, Paris, France, 1855.
Grand Prize, Bronze Medal — Interna-
tional Exhibition, London, England, 1862.
Grand Gold Medal — International Ex-
position, Hamburg, Germany, 1S63.
Grand Prize, Gold Medal — Universal
Exposition, Paris, France, 1867.
Cross of the Legion of Honor — L'ni-
versal Exposition, Paris, France, 1S67.
Two Grand Gold Medals — Universal
Exposition, Vienna, Austria, 1S73.
Two Bronze Medals — Centennial Im-
position, U. S., 1876.
Grand Prize, Gold Medal — Universal
Exposition, Paris, F'rance, 1S78.
Special Gold Medal— French Minister
of Agriculture, Universal Exposition, Paris,
France, 1S7S.
Object of Art — Society of Agriculture.
International Exhibition, Paris, France,
1878.
Decoration of Officer of the Legion of
Honor — Universal Exposition, Paris, France,
1878.
Gold Medal — Royal Agricultural Soci-
ety, England— BestWireSheaf-Binder, 1878,
Gold Medal — International Exposition,
Melbourne, Victoria, 1880.
Gold Medal — Royal Agricultural So-
ciety, England — Best Twine Sheaf-BinJer,
1831.
The first important improvement was made in 1S47, by adding
a seat for the driver, and adjusting the machine so that there was
place thereon where the operator could rake. These added advan-
tages at once made it exceedingly popular. In 1S51, the straight-
edge sickle was superseded by a knife made in sectional plates,
which presented such an angled cutting-edge to the projecting
fingers as enabled the machine to mow grass as successfully as it
cut grain. The next important step was
the invention of the raking apparatus,
which dispensed with the labor of one man
on the machine. This was achieved at the
outbreak of the Civil War, when the need
of able-bodied men in the army rendered
this labor-saving device an incalculable
boon to the farmers.
The next marked advance was in
1S75, when the automatic wire-binder was
brought into use, which was perhaps the
greatest improvement made since the in-
vention of the original machine, and which
was still further improved by the substitu-
tion of twine for wire.
The machine, as now perfected, is ca-
capable of cutting and binding in sheaves
at the rate of two acres an hour, under the
sole management of any boy or girl having
skill enough to drive the span of horses
attached to it.
The following table shows the increase
in sales in periods of ten years :
Built and sold during year 184S, 700
machines.
Built and sold during year 185S, 5.000
machines, an increase of 600 per cent.
Built and sold during year 1S6S, 10,000
machines, an increase of 100 per cent.
Built and sold during year 1S7S, 18,000
machines, an increase of So per cent.
Built and sold during year 1SS4, 54,841 machines
of 200 per cent.
This marvellous increase in demand, since the full value of the
twine-binder has been appreciated, is as great abroad as at home.
Extensive shipments are made every season to New Zealand, Aus-
tralia, Africa, South America, and to Russia, Germany, Italy,
Gold Medal — New Zealand International Exhibition, Christ-
church, 1882.
Gold Medal and $200 Prize — Grosetto International Field
Trial, near Rome, Italy, 1883.
Medals — Southern Exposition, Louisville, Ky., i8S3and 1SS4.
The McCormick machines are only built at Chicago, and the
works are of imposing dimensions. They were originally located
\ :
in increase
NEW STEEL HARVESTER AND BINDER.
near the mouth of the Chicago River, on North Water Street, be-
tween Pine and Sand streets, but, after they were destroyed by the
fire of 1871, the location was changed to a tract of twenty-foui
acres at the intersection of Blue Island and Western avenues.
Cyrus Hall NIcCORMICK was the eldest son of Robert and
Mary Ann (Hall) McCormick, whose immediate ancestors had
6S6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
emigrated from the North of Ireland and settled in Virginia. Like
most of the Scotch-Irish race, they were a thrifty, God-fearing
couple, who trained their children after the strictest custom of the
l'resbvterianism of those days. In his boyhood, Cyrus showed a
genius for mechanical pursuits, and spent much of his leisure in
tinkering with tools. In this respect he had more than ordinary
advantages, for his father, who was an extensive Southern planter,
owned, also, several saw and grist mills, and kept a carpenter and
blacksmith shop, in which were made and repaired many of the
tools used on the farm. During these years, young Cyrus was im-
proving his time in the study of machinery and the use of tools,
while assisting his father in various ways. By the time he was fifteen
years old, he had constructed a grain-cradle for his own use in the
harvest held, being ambitious of doing his share of the harvest
work, which he could not accomplish with the cumbrous cradle
then in use. A few years later he invented a hill-side plow, which
was the first self-sharpening plow ever invented. Inspired with his
success in making such an improvement in the grain-cradle, he
turned his thoughts to his father's abandoned reaper. His father
was opposed to his spending any time on what to him was a hope-
less enterprise, but the more the young man studied the subject,
the more sanguine he became that he could finally solve the prob-
lem. At length he gained his father's consent, and engaged all the
power of his mind in the enterprise. Carefully avoiding the errors
that had proved fatal to others, he mapped out an original plan.
He finally became convinced that grain standing in the field could
only be successfully cut by operating on it in a body, and that the
cutting must be done by an edged instrument having a reciprocat-
ing motion as it advanced. Slowly the features of the machine
projected themselves upon his mind ; first, the reel to gather and
hold up the grain in a body ; second, the sickle with its fast recip-
rocating and slow advancing motions ; and, third, the receiving
platform on which the grain could fall and be cared for. These
salient points being decided on, it remained to make them co-oper-
ating parts of one machine. This he achieved, and then mounted
it on wheels, which, bv intermediate gearing, conveyed the required
motion to the cutting sickle and gathering reel. In 1831, the
reaper was publicly tested in the presence of many of Virginia's
best farmers, and triumphed in the harvesting of several acres of
oats. The following year it cut fifty acres of wheat. Though his
invention was a success. Mr. McCormick became convinced that
such a machine was in advance of the requirements of the times, so
he turned his attention to the iron smelting business for a time, as
it promised more immediate and larger returns. The financial
panic of 1S37 came, and, in the midst of it, his partner, becoming
alarmed, mortgaged his private property to his friends and left the
iron business and Mr. McCormick to their fate. This catastrophe,
however, only brought into clearer outline the true character of the
man. Girding himself with unbending courage, patience, economy
and perseverance, he entered upon the work of extricating himself ;
and, having the unquestioned confidence of the entire commu-
nity in his favor, he finally succeeded in liquidating every claim,
though at the sacrifice of everything but honor and integrity.
Thus stripped of all entanglements, he turned his whole time and
attention to the improvement and introduction of his reaper into
general use. Being without means, he was compelled to contract
with other parties to build them, and then devote a large share of
his time canvassing among the farmers for their sale. In 1S45, he
removed to Cincinnati, where he had contracted for building a
supply of machines for introdution in the West; but not being sat-
isfied with his business arrangements there, he removed to Chicago
in 1^47, and. by the erection of his own reaper works, placed the
manufacture of the reaper, for the first time, upon a firm and per-
manent basis. As showing the difficulties the young inventor en-
countered, in his efforts to improve, manufacture and introduce to
public notice his reaper? some extracts from a statement made to
the Commissioner of Patents on January 1, 1848, are appended,
the original being on file in the patent office. It shows that Mr.
McCormick's pathway to fame and fortune was not strewn with
roses, but, on the contrary, every step of advance for many years
v.i, fought for, inch by inch, and that only by the force of his
indomitable will was he enabled to win the victory at last.
" From the experiment of 1831 until the harvest of 1840, I did
not sell a single reaper, except one, which I afterwards took back,
although during that time I had made many exhibitions of it, and re-
ceived favorable notices of those exhibitions ; but experience proved
to me that it was best for the public, as will as myself, that no sales
were made, as di ited themselves which would Have ren-
dered the reaper unprofitable in other hands. From time to time a
great many improvements were found necessary, requiring a great
deal of thought and study, sometimes flattered, at others discour-
aged, and at all times deeming it best not to attempt sales either of
machines or rights to manufacture, until satisfied that the reaper
ITOUld succeed well ; an . r i.-l v of situations in which it
was accessary to operate, in relation to the condition of the grain
and ground, together with the short time in each vear for experi-
menting, and also the failure of some crops, added much to the dif-
ficulty and delay in introducing and completing the reaper. I was
not sufficiently satisfied of its being a ' useful ' machine, to patent
the reaper until the year 1834, its construction and proportions
having been imperfect, requiring much effort to make them, whilst
light, yet simple, strong and durable. In 1839, I worked a reaper
in my father's harvest, having then added improvements on the
fingers, with great success, which reaper, after giving public notice,
I exhibited about the close of harvest, in cutting oats for Mr. Jo-
seph Smith, of Augusta County, to the delight of a large number
of farmers present. But one farmer (Mr. Abraham Smith) of
those present ordered a reaper for the next harvest, as I did not
then feel that it was safe to warrant its performance, but I pub-
lished in a Richmond paper the account given of that exhibition by
the spectators, which induced two farmers from James River to call
on me, who unconditionally applied for two reapers, but I finally
concluded to send but one (they being neighbors), which one, and
the one engaged at the exhibition, were the only reapers disposed
of for the harvest of 1840 — and they failed to operate well. These
gentlemen could, of course, say nothing in favor of the reaper that
year, and all I could do was to correct the defects in these two ma-
chines for 1S41. I put a new sickle into Mr. Smith's machine,
having the angle of the teeth reversed on the edge, every one and a
half inches alternately, so as to cut equally in both directions; and
the machine then performed so satisfactorily, that, in addition to
Mr. Smith's certificate, I warranted the performance of the reaper
in every respect, and, from that account, upon those terms, sold, for
the harvest of 1842, seven reapers, and they all gave satisfaction,
allowance being made for defects, which I had afterwards to cor-
rect. From the certificates given of the operation of the reapers
used in the harvest of 1842, twenty-nine were sold for 1843, con-
siderably improved, having a fly-wheel attached to the crank, and
some further additions, which gave general satisfaction. But
twenty-eight of them were ultimately paid for. Subsequent to the
harvest of 1843, I sold to Mr. James M. Hite, of Clark County,
Va., the right to supply with the reaper, until the expiration of the
original patent, eight counties around him, for$i,333, and I sold to
Colonel M. Tutwiler, of Fluvanna County, Virginia, the right to sup-
ply with the reaper, for the same time, that part of Virginia situated
south of James River and of the Blue Ridge, for $2,500. I sold
to I. Parker, of Richmond, Virginia, a machine manufacturer, the
right to supply with the reaper, for the same time, five counties, for
which I was to receive $500, but at his death, at the request of his
executor, I cancelled the contract. I also sold, for the same time,
the right to supply with the reaper the County of Washington,
Ind., and a county in Michigan, for $200 each. For the harvest
of 1844, fifty reapers were sold, eight of which were sent from the
Virginia manufactory to other States, one to New York, one to
Wisconsin, one to Missouri, one to Iowa, one to Ohio, one to Illi-
nois, and two to Tennessee — but four of which reached their desti-
nation in time for harvest, though six of them were ultimately paid
for at reduced prices. During the harvest of 1844, after attending
to the harvest in Virginia, I went to Western New York, Wiscon-
sin, Illinois, Missouri and Ohio, to attend to the introduction of
the reaper. At Brockport, N. Y., I sold two county rights to
manufacture, for $100 each, to Backus, Fitch & Co., and contracted
with them to manufacture forty reapers for the harvest of 1845; nut
they failed to manufacture any reapers under this contract, nor did
they give me notice of the failure, until I arrived there in the harvest
of 1845, with an improved reaper, taken from Cincinnati, which
did not do more than pay expenses. I sold to Mr. McCoy, of
Southport (now Kenosha), Wis., the right to supply with the same,
until expiration of the original patent, four counties, for $1,000, on
time, but which contract he never complied with, and which was
afterwards cancelled, without my receiving anything as indemnity.
The reaper sent to Missouri performed well on trial, and I con-
tracted with Henry Bear, of Cooper County, to manufacture and
pay my fees of sale of $20 each. Under this contract he built
twenty reapers — badly, I suppose; and stated that he had received
unfavorable reports of their operations, except four. I have not yet
received anything for any of them, and doubt whether I ever shall.
At Cincinnati, I contracted with Mr. A. C. Brown for the manu-
facture of two hundred reapers for harvest of 1S45, provided orders
could be obtained in time for that number. In consequence of ex-
perimenting against my advice in the manufacturing, and bad man-
agement in other respects, he did not get them completed in time,
failed to give the necessary attention to them, and, on the whole,
failed to do well, though, admitted by himself, to be his own fault.
For the harvest of 1845, I had also constructed, at Cincinnati, the
first reaper, substantially on the plan as patented on 23d October
last, which was taken to New York; and I then further contracted
with A. F'itch & Co., to manufacture one hundred reapers for
Western New York, for the harvest of 1846, and with Seymour,
Morgan <Sc Co,, of the same place (Urockport), for one hundred for
C*\>*-** Hi rfo \{rnruJLs&
"JSr^l \S^y).' \>*tfj
|j^ ^e ^Bt) ^ |JK
6S7
6SS
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
the prairie country. Of the one hundred reapers built by Fitch &
Co.. of Brockport, for the harvest of 1846, only about thirty were
finally sold that year, in consequence of the harvest being in a very
unfavorable state, together with prejudices, want of experience,
some bad sickles, etc. From that contract I have realized nothing,
and doubt whether I shall, except that I sold twenty-three of the
machines in Iowa, last harvest, with some profit. Seymour & Mor-
gan of Brockport. manufactured two hundred and twelve reapers
for 1S47, and disposed of them on orders from the prairie country.
One hundred reapers were also disposed of by Messrs. Gray &
Warner, of Chicago, 111., and forty by D. I. Townsend, of Ken-
dall County, 111. For the next harvest I have contracted for the
manufacture of about nine hundred reapers — one hundred by D. I.
Townsend, five hundred by McCormick & Gray (myself and C. M.
Gray), at Chicago, and three hundred by the Brockport companies.
The foregoing embraces, as nearly as I can give it, a full and com-
plete account of my operations with the reaper, to the present time,
and in it no allowance whatever is made for my time and expenses,
which latter have been verv heavv during the whole time. In rela-
tion to the ' ascertained value ' of this machine, I may just say that
a great many farmers have certified that it will pay for itself in a
single harvest, and I have no doubt that such is the fact estimat-
ing its saving of grain as well as of labor. This, it will readily be
observed, must be the case, if the warranty be fulfilled, and the low
price at which it is sold, together with the great saving realized
from its operation, places it within the reach of every farmer who
would need it. Moreover, I would not be willing to, nor have I
found any manufacturer who does, sell any threshing machine in
the country, at the common price of the same, warranted as I war-
rant this machine, and I have never yet sued a man for the price of
a reaper. By consolidating the manufacturing as much as possible,
and thus taking the better care to have well executed workmanship,
as will be the case bv my arrangements at Chicago, where expen-
sive machinery has been erected for the business, I believe the in-
terests of the manufacturer and purchaser may be mutually pro-
moted. Very Respectfully,
" C. Ff. McCormick.
" To Hon. Edmund Burke,
" Commissioner of Patents."
After the success of the machine was made an assured fact,
Mr. McCormick spent much of his time abroad, in bringing his
machine to the notice of European agriculturists. In 1S51, he, in
person, attended the World's Fair in London, with his machine.
During the early weeks of the exhibition, it was the subject of
much ridicule on the part of those who knew nothing of its char-
acter or work. Even the London Times, in an article casting
contempt on the poor show made in the American Department,
characterized the reaper as a monstrosity, something like a "cross
between an Astley chariot, a wheelbarrow and a flying-machine."
But a few weeks later, when this machine was put at work in the En-
glish harvest fields, ridicule was turned into admiration ; and when,
subsequently, after prolonged tests, the Grand Council Medal was
awarded to its inventor on the ground of the originality and value
of his American Reaper, the same paper said that it was equal in
value to the cost of the entire exhibition. The public press through-
out Christendom rang with his praises, and Mr. McCormick sud-
denly found himself the lion of the day, and was cheered, feted and
toasted wherever he went through the kingdom.
The following is a specimen of the enthusiasm with which the
press everywhere noted the great event :
Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce.
' London, August 20, 185/.
" Among all the agricultural implements exhibited in the Great
Exhibition — and their number and variety are very great — the Great
Medal has been awarded to one, and that of American invention —
it is Mr. McCormick's Virginia Reaper. At an early period after
the opening of the Exhibition, it was made an especial subject of
sneers in the newspapers, as one of the awkward and
outlandish traps from the United States, It has been
thoroughly tested on different farms, and now attracts
perhaps more attention than any other object in the Exhi-
bition. The Koh-i-noor is voted below contempt by the
side of the Virginia Keaper. You doubtless have seen the
hearty commendation of it in the Times. Some English
gentlemen of great mark have expressed to me the opinion
that it is the most valuable and important contribution
made to F^ngland by the Exhibition."
Al subsequent International Expositions, he was equally suc-
cessful, as the table heretofore given shows. In addition to these
honors, Mr. McCormick was decorated with the Cross of the Legion
of Honor, at I'aris in 18O7. and, at the succeeding Exposition of
. ation <il < >i 1 1. er of the Legion
of Honor, and was elected a member of the Academy of Science,
in the Department of Rural fCconomy, as " having done more for
the cause of agriculture than any other living man." Unlike most
inventors, Mr. McCormick has been noted for the energy and
shrewdness of an eminently successful business man, having had in
himself the rare combination of ingenuity to invent, skill to manu-
facture, and tact to manage a business that has been extended all
over the world. In 1S5S, Mr. McCormick married a daughter of
the late Melzar Fowler, a niece of Judge E. G. Merick, of Detroit —
a lady whose gentleness, charity and good deeds adorn the position
she occupies. This happy union was blessed with a family of
three daughters and four sons. Two of the children died in infancy.
Mr. McCormick was a Presbyterian, and his Christianity took a
very practical turn during his life, he being noted for his compre-
hensive and unostentatious benevolence. He bestowed of his
abundance to all the interests of the Presbyterian Church, and, by
giving during his lifetime, he was afforded the satisfaction of see-
ing the full accomplishment of his purpose. He was the founder
of the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of the Northwest, at
Chicago, and, in 1S59, donated $100,000 to endow a professorship
in that Institution ; and during the years of its early struggles, and
before its ultimate success and permanency were secured, his purse
was ever open to replenish its empty treasury, until the amount of
his original donation was increased nearly fourfold. He made
Chicago his home for thirty-seven years past, and his name there-
fore is intimately connected with its growth and prosperity in
a great variety of ways. He was the owner of some of the most
extensive and costly business blocks in the city, and was among the
very first to commence building after the great fire of 1S71. While
in Paris, in 1S7S, Mr. McCormick had a severe attack of a malig-
nant carbuncle on his neck, and submitted to a painful operation
in its removal without the use of anaesthetics. The shock to his
system was great, and it was many months before he recovered
sufficient strength to undertake the voyage homeward. By careful
nursing at his summer retreat at Richfield Springs, he was much
benefited, and his friends, for a time, believed he would rapidly
regain all his lost vigor ; but rheumatic affections began to inter-
fere with his accustomed horseback riding, and, as a consequence,
his general health became impaired. Visits to the Hot Springs for
a time seemed to benefit him but he was compelled to remain for
the greater part of the time at home. This confinement, for one
who had been all his lifetime so actively employed, was a sore
burden ; nevertheless, he bore it with remarkable patience and
fortitude. It was not a little remarkable that, notwithstanding his
bodily infirmities, his mind and memory were as clear as in his best
days, and he was able to grapple with any business problem brought
before him, and give his conclusions and orders with the utmost
exactness. Indeed, up to his final illness, he insisted on being
consulted, and engaged in all the perplexing questions of the im-
mense business he controlled. When expostulated with by his
friends about not retiring from business, he at one time replied :
" I know of no better place for a man to die than in the harness."
On May 13, 1884, Mr. McCormick passed peacefully away. He
had amassed a large fortune as the result of his great invention.
Since his decease, the stockholders elected his eldest son, C. H.
McCormick, Jr., to the office of president, a position for which
his father had been training him for several years past, and which
he always held during his life.
Cyrus H. McCormick, Jr., is twenty-six years of age. He
is a graduate of the Chicago High School and of Princeton College.
Being executor of his father's estate (jointly with his mother), as
well as president of the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company,
he occupies a place of great responsibility, and seems to appreciate
the full weight of the burdens laid so early on his shoulders, of
which he fain would have escaped the responsibility. He seems
desirous of walking in the footsteps of his illustrious father, and in
every way shows himself capable of managing, with due discretion,
the interests confided to his care. In addition to his official duties,
he manages to devote some time to the interests of the Young
Men's Christian Association, of which he is vice-president. He is
>rf^ ifrfirruvcej: .J*
also a director in one of our largest city banks, and, like his father,
is a devout Presbyterian. As might be expected, he takes a deep
interest in the work of the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of
the Northwest, which his father founded and so lavishly fostered
during his lifetime. The best evidence of this abiding interest in
his father's work, and of his own generous nature, is a donation of
(100,000 made by himself and his mother at the late annual meet-
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES.
68g
ing of the directors and trustees of that institution. This gift has
paid every dollar of debt of the seminary, increased its endowment
fund, and placed it in the first rank of such Christian institutions.
Charles A. SPRING, Jr., the general superintendent of the
McCormick Harvesting Machine Company, has been connected
with the works since August, 1S5S. He was born in Boston,
Mass., on August 25, 1S26. His parents removed to New York
during his early childhood, and, in the fall of 1S37, came to Illinois
and located at Rock Island, where he received his education. He
came to Chicago in August, JS51, and engaged in the boot and
shoe business at No. 179 Lake Street. He sold out his interest in
that business in October, 1857, and the following year entered the
employment of Cyrus H. McCormick. In September, 1S65, upon
the death of William S. McCormick, he succeeded him as manager
of the business, and held that position until October, 1S73, when,
on account of ill health, he resigned his engagement with Mr.
McCormick; but in December, 1S74, at Mr. McCormick's urgent
solicitations, he returned to that company and took the manage-
ment of Mr. McCormick's real estate interests, holding that position
until the present Harvesting Machine Company was formed, when
he was elected general superintendent, which office he has since re-
tained. Mr. Spring was married in the falj of 1853, to Miss Ellen
M. Spring, of East Hartford, Conn.; she died in January, 1S60,
leaving one daughter, who died in 1SS1, leaving two children. In
February. iSf>6, Mr. Spring married Miss Eugenia B. Keith, of
Oxford, Maine.
THE LUMBER INTEREST.
Reference to the prefatory matter of this volume
will enable the reader to comprehend the necessity for
curtailment of much historic narration that might ad-
vantageously have been presented in this work. Among
other subjects, the lumber interests have compulsorily
been abridged, not because of the lack of potency in
their factorship as a portion of Chicago's commercial
greatness, or for want of historical interest, for in both
these subjects is the lumber history replete. But from
the facts here given sufficient data can be derived,
whereby the full history in the ensuing volume can be
intelligently comprehended.
Early Transactions. — By reference to the first
volume of this History, the extent of the lumber business
from 1833 to 1857 inclusive, may be learned. Therein,
on page 558, are shown the receipts of lumber in various
forms from 1847 to 1857. It is there stated that David
Carver was the first lumber merchant in Chicago,
owning a schooner named after himself, and shipping
from St. Joseph, Mich., in the summer of 1833, the first
cargo of lumber to Chicago. This lumber, which was
whitewood and pine, was unloaded from his vessel on
scows, and unloaded from the scows on the south bank
of the river between Dearborn and State streets, and
used in erecting St. Mary's church-building. In 1833,
E. B. Williams erected a small frame grocery on South
Water Street, but where the lumber came from no one
now remembers. In the same year, or possibly the year
before, John Mann, who resided on the Calumet River,
near the site of South Chicago, had a raft of square
building-timber made, that he poled from the mouth of
the Calumet to the mouth of the Chicago River, but for
which, for some time, he could find no sale. At length,
Joseph Adams, partly from friendship for John Mann,
bought the timber, and subsequently sold it to Nelson
R. Norton, a builder, for $100. With this timber Mr.
Norton built the Dearborn-street bridge, the first bridge
across the main-river. About this time, supposing the
raft to have come in 1833, a small schooner, named the
" General Harrison," brought in a cargo of whitewood
lumber from some point in Michigan, which had to be
unloaded from the vessel on flatboats and scows ; but
when the " General Harrison " arrived with her second
cargo, the pier had been completed by Lieutenant Allen,
and the spring freshet of 1834 had washed away a por-
tion of the sand-bar at the mouth of the river, conse-
quently the schooner found her way, without difficulty,
into the river. Lorin I'. Milliard — 1849 — was one of
the early lumber dealers in Chicago, as was Newton
Rossiter — 1844. In 1834, George Smith, the banker,
owning a vessel plying between Buffalo and Chicago,
picked up a cargo of fifty thousand feet of lumber on
his way back from the former t<> the latter place, This
lumber was sold to Thomas < 'unk, and unloaded on the
river bank, between Randolph and Washington streets.
Early Saw-Mills. — In this connection it is proper
to mention one or two of the first saw-mills in the
vicinity of Chicago. One of these was the pit-mill of
Mr. Cammack, which was located near the present Kin-
zie-street bridge, the exact spot being that now occupied
by the Fulton elevator. Mr. Cammack was the top-
sawyer, and his son John worked in the pit. Another
of those who served the cause of lumber manufacture
was William Lester, of whom it is recorded, in the files
of the Northwestern Lumberman,* that having failed to
put in successful operation his perpetual motion machine,
he applied his talents to the construction of a wind
saw-mill, which was also located near the Kinzie-street
bridge. In 1836, a small " pocket " saw-mill was built
on the North Branch, about where Chicago Avenue
crosses it ; which was esteemed wonderful in its day,
and was visited on Sundays by numerous people. The
material, which it was used to manufacture was obtained
from the elm, oak and whitewood trees which then
covered the North Side.
Early Dealers — Returning to the lumber dealers,
it may be stated that in i83S,Kinzie John H. \- Hun-
ter David — afterward Major-General had a warehouse
on the north side of the river, east of the present Rush-
street bridge ; and Captain Carver's lumber yard was a
short distance west of the present State-stieet bridge,
where was built a light dock — Newberry cc Dole's —
upon which vessels unloaded their cargoes of lumber.
Mr. Carver sold out in 1839, to George W. Snow, who
occupied the same ground for a number of years. The
earliest lumber shipped to Chicago came from St. J 1 iseph,
Mich.; but in 1844, a Mr. Conroe built a mill at Mani-
towoc, Wisconsin, and shipped from this mill lumber to
Taylor (Augustin Deodat 1 & Spalding (F. S.}, a lumber
firm who handled it on commission. Among other
early lumber dealers the following are given: Charles
E. Avery, who commenced business in Chicago in [837,
at the corner of LaSalle and South Water streets. < ibtain-
ing his lumber from Singapore, near the Kalamazoo
River. He continued in business a short time and left
the city before 1844
Augustin D. Taylor, of the firm of Taylor& Spalding,
opened a yard on South Water Street east of State, and
for a number of years bought lumber by the cargo which
he brought to Chicago in a vessel named the " Com-
merce." This vessel he purchased of Oliver Newberry
in 1836, and, after owning it about a year, re-built it
almost entirely, and then changed its name to " Hiram
Pearsons." He afterward sold this vessel to Mr. Hurl-
but, who sold it to Mr. Conroe. The schooner " Hiram
Pearsons" was a vessel of about one hundred tons
burden; and after Mr. Taylor sold it, he gradually dis-
posed of his lumber and went out of the business.
Another early firm of lumber manufacturers t and
dealers were Jabez Barber and Richard Mason, who
were steam-engine builders of Montreal. They went
to Spring Lake, near Grand Haven, Mich., to work at
• By George W. Hotchkiss, at p
Exchang
cretary of the Lumbe
tOn account of the limited space in this volume, the publication of a huge
number of individual notices and historical matter is unavoidably deferred until
the ensuing volume.
690
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
their trade, but neither the year nor their employers can
be discovered. Before their first engine was completed,
their employers failed, and they themselves completed
the engine and set it to work sawing lumber; and as
they had no team, they hired a man and his wife to roll
the saw-logs into the mill. After getting the mill into
operation, Mr. Barber came to Chicago and established
himself in the lumber business in 1837, the firm name
being Barber & Mason, Mr. Mason remaining in Michi-
gan to attend to the business there. Mr. Barber's lum-
ber yard was located originally on Market Street, near
Randolph; in 1848, it was on Canal Street, between
Madison and Monroe; in 1852 he had, in addition to
this yard, another one located between Charles and Van
Buren streets, having leased this lot of Mary C. Taylor,
mother of A. D. Taylor. The latter location appears
to have been abandoned during 1854, and his business
continued at the former place until 1856.
Mr. Barber was a manufacturer of, and dealer in, lumber,
shingles and lath, and amassed a very large fortune in his business.
In 1 S 5 5 . he, with his wife and one child, went to Europe, embark-
ing on the return voyage at Liverpool, England, January 23, 1S56,
on the ill-fated Collins steamer " Pacific," which was never after-
ward heard from. Mr. Barber, in his will, inventoried his estate at
over a quarter of a million of dollars, and therein Sylvester Lind
and Samuel Slater were made executors, with power to carry on the
lumber business. This they did for some three or four years; but
the immense property of Mr. Barber, from commercial revulsions,
losses and other causes, was so reduced by April, 1S60, that there
were left only the homestead and the Duncan's Addition property —
the latter being worth at the time about twenty thousand dollars,
which, on a contest of the will decided bv Judge John M. Wilson,
passed to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wilde, parents of Mrs. Jabez
Barber.
Willis King was one of the early lumber merchants
in Chicago, having established himself at the Randolph-
street bridge in 1837. In 1839, he is mentioned in the
Directory for that year as a lumber merchant. In
1844. lie was a "lumberer" at George W. Snow's. In
1S45. he was a member of the firm of King & Tinkham,
a lumber firm, with their office at No. 199 South Water
Street. In 185 1, this firm ceased to exist, and Mr. King
disappeared from the city.
The firm of Milne & Morrison, composed of Robert
Milne and Alexander Morrison, was established in 1836,
having their lumber yard on South Water Street, near
Franklin The firm ceased to exist in 1842, and both
members of it left the city in 1843.
Sylvester Lind came to Chicago in 1837, and fol-
lowed the business of house carpenter and builder until
1849, in company with Hugh Dunlop, the firm name
being Lind & Dunlop. To this they added the lumber
business, of which Mr. Lind had special charge. As an
item of historic information it may be stated that, as
builders. Find & Dunlop, during their first season put
up for George Smith, a banker, at the corner of Dear-
born and South Water streets, the first building that was
erected on spiles in the city. This building was occu-
pied by James Peck & Co. Mr. Lind in after years,
erected the Lind Block, at the corner of Randolph and
Market streets. Mr. Lind's lumber yard was established
in 1842, with four hundred thousand feet of lumber — a
large stock for those days. The lumber came from
Kalamazoo and St. Joseph, Mich., and was stored on
his yard at the corner of Randolph and Market streets.
In 1844, Mr. Find purchased the lumber interests of
Wadsworth, Dyer & Chapin, whose yard extended
along Randolph Street, from the river to Clinton Street;
and in 1847 he bought John M. Underwood's business,
which was located at the corner of Fake and Canal
streets. Mr. Find continued in the business eighteen
years. Among the incidents connected with the lumber
trade, Mr. Find mentions the following: In 1842, Ar-
temus Carter brought to Chicago a cargo of twenty-foot
white wood joists, which for some time he found no pur-
chaser. At length he himself bought the joists, paying
§5 a thousand, and utilized a part of them in enlarging
the First Presbyterian church-building in that year, Rev.
Flavel Bascom being at the time pastor of the Church.
At the time of Mr. Find's arrival in Chicago, Horace
Norton & Co. were conducting the heaviest lumber
business here, their location being contiguous to Fort
Dearborn.
The firm of George W. Snow & Co. was composed
of George W. Snow and John M. Underwood, and was
established in 1838. The partners continued the busi-
ness of lumber merchants until 1842, procuring their
lumber from Green Bay, where it was then thought the
best pine, for lumber, grew ; when Mr. FTnderwood
retired, leaving Mr. Snow alone in the business. His
lumber yard was on South Water Street, east of Clark,
where it remained until 1847, when it was removed to
Market Street. Mr. Snow disposed of his interest in
1850, and afterward acquired a fortune in the real-estate
business. He died in 1874.
Alexander N. Fullerton embarked in the lumber
trade in Chicago in 1838, having his yard on North
Water Street, but continued it only a few years.
Mr. Fullerton was born in Chester, Vermont, in September,
1804, the son of Nathaniel Fullerton, who was president of the
Bank of Bellows Falls about forty years. Alexander graduated
at Middlebury College, also at the celebrated Litchfield Law
School, and subsequently practiced law at Troy, N. Y., as partner
of Judge Buell. Upon coming to Chicago, he entered into a law-
partnership with lion. Grant Goodrich, and also became connected
with the lumber business, in connection with an interest which he
owned in a lumber mill in Michigan. He also had large real-
estate possessions in Chicago and in Milwaukee, besides owning a
quantity of farming land in the Northwest. Fullerton Avenue passes
through a large tract of land formerly owned by him; and Fullerton
Block, at the northwest corner of Dearborn and Washington
streets, was erected by him in 1S72 He was married to Julia Ann
Hubbell, a daughter of Judge Silas Hubbell, a prominent lawyer of
Clinton County, N. Y., and had three children, only one of whom,
C. W. Fullerton, is now living.
James P. Allen established himself in the lumber
business in 1838, at the corner of South Water and
Franklin streets. In 1844, his business had been trans-
ferred to Canal Street, in the Third Ward, the firm, at
that time, being J. P. Allen & Co. In 1852, the busi-
ness was removed to South Water Street, between Fake
and Market streets. Mr. Allen retired from the part-
nership and disappeared from the city in 1857. He
was one of the first lumber inspectors appointed in the
city, and, in 1849, inspected two cargoes of lumber for
George M. Higginson, which were among the first car-
goes subjected to that process in Chicago.
Erastus Wilcox, one of the early settlers of Chicago, was
born in Stockbridge, Mass , on July 24, 179S, and is still hale and
hearty, residing with his daughter at Highland Park, Lake Co.,
III. He married, January I, lS25, Miss Jane Newell, of Bristol,
Conn., who died August 9, 1S82. In 1837, he moved to Muske-
gon, Michigan, with his brother Horace and his brother-in-law
Theodore Newell, with both of whom he engaged in manufac
turing lumber ; erecting at that place the second steam saw mill
that was built there. The frame of this is still standing, and is
known as the Upper Ryerson, Hills & Co.'s Mill. In the fall of
1S39, he came to Chicago, and has remained here most of the time
since, chiefly devoting his time to lumber interests, until he retired
from mercantile pursuils altogether. His sons. Sextus N., Theo-
dore B., Herbert E. and George G. have been more or less promi-
nently connected with the lumber trade of the Northwest for many
years, having been extensive pine-land owners, lumber manufac-
turers and dealers. Sextus N. Wilcox, the eldest son, was drowned
in Lake Superior in June, 1881, in the fifty-sixth year of his age.
The next oldest son, Franklin, died in 1849. at Jefferson Barracks,
Mo., in the service of the United States. Theodore B. Wilcox has
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES.
691
been a resident of Chicago most of the time since 1839, and has
been chiefly identified with the lumber business, and is still quite
largely interested in pine-lands in connection with his brothers and
other parties. In the meantime he has been identilied with the lire
insurance companies at Muskegon and Chicago, and is also actively
engaged in grain commission. He is a member of the Chicago
Board of Trade and of the Chicago Stock Exchange.
George M. Higginson was also one of the early-
lumber dealers of Chicago, having, in 1843, bought an
interest in the firm of Norton & Tuckerman. This firm
maintained a general store and lumber yard; and after
Mr. Higginson's purchase the firm name became Tuck-
erman & Higginson. Mr. Higginson received his lum-
ber from Hall & Jerome, of Menominee, Mich., from
Elisha Bailey, of Peshtigo, Wis., and from a Mr. Fisk,
of De Pere. During 1845, he had a contract with W. M.
Ferry, of Grand Haven, Mich., for one million feet of
lumber; and supplies also came from Kalamazoo, St.
Joseph and Muskegon. In 1844, Mr. Higginson bought
a cargo of first-class lumber of a Mr. Rose, of Muske-
gon, running one-third to upper grades, paying for it
$5.75 a thousand. The first cargo of Saginaw lumber
was brought to Chicago by James Frazer, in 1847 or
1848, who built a mill at Kawkawlin [Coquelin], in
later years known as the Ballou mills. This cargo at-
tracted a great deal of attention, as it was the first cargo
of circular-sawed lumber ever brought to the city. It
was sold, for $8 a thousand feet, to Hugh Dunlop. The
average wholesale price of lumber, at that time, was
from $6 to $7 a thousand feet; the retail price through
the summer was $S a thousand, and during the winter
it was $9 a thousand feet.
In 1843, the lumber trade of the city was estimated
at 12,000,000 feet per year, but no records of its extent
are extant prior to 1847; from the latter year, however,
statistical tables may be compiled that are tolerably
complete and satisfactory in their showing. The year
1847 is also memorable from the fact of its being that
of numerous incendiary fires in lumber yards. Appar-
ently, if not really, it was the determination of incendi-
aries to drive lumber dealers out of the city — the actual
motive, however, being undeterminable. The firms in
whose yards lumber- was destroyed, were the following:
Foss & Brothers (J. P., R. H., S. J., and William H.),
whose planing-mill on West Monroe Street was also
burned. Price's yard and planing-mill were consumed,
as were A. G. Throop's, George R. Roberts's and several
others. Mr. Higginson's yard was set on fire, but not
wholly destroyed. It is worthy of note that very, few
except incendiary, fires originated in lumber yards. In
1850, Mr. Higginson moved to Kinzie-street bridge; and
he also took a yard on Canal Street, near Van Buren
Street, which was afterward occupied by Sheppard &
Sheriffe. Mr. Higginson retired from business in 1857.
C. N. Holden came to Chicago in 1837, and entered
the employment of the New York and Lake Michigan
Lumber Company, taking an interest in their yard in
1838. In 1838, Russell Green, who was employed at
the mill of this company, located at Grandville, Mich.,
and afterward became a member of the firm of Green
& Holden (A. H.). During 1839, in consequence of the
suspension of the Illinois State Bank, the lumber com-
pany also suspended, it being largely indebted to the
bank. John M. Underwood, who was then carrying on
the lumber business at the west end of Lake-street
bridge, bought the property of this company, including
a large quantity of pine lands in Michigan, assumed its
indebtedness to the bank, promising to pay in the cur-
rency issued by the bank, which had agreed to receive
it at its par value. Mr. Underwood received the bills
at fifty per cent, of their face value, and paid them to
the bank at their par value, thus realizing .1. onsiderable
profit; in addition to which he made a handsome profit
by the sale of tlic Michigan pine lands. In [847, hesold
his business to Sylvester Lind, and retired, a wealthy
man for those times, being worth, it is said by those
most familiar with his circumstances, about $40,000.
It is also said that he was the only man in Chicago, up
to that time, who had made a fortune in the lumber
business.
Green & Holden, already referred to, worked for
Mr. Underwood until 1847, when they formed a part-
nership, and went into the lumber business on Market
Street, on the second lot south of Madison Street. At
this time their capital was $2,000. of which tin \ had
borrowed $1,200 from Mr. Underwood. They remained
on Market Street three years, at the end of which time
they purchased a lot on the West Side, now occupied by
the Union Depot. At that time Randolph-street bridge
was the only one across the South Branch, the others
not having been re-built after the flood of 1849, and
they at first thought that to go so far south from the
main avenues of travel was to invite defeat; but after
considerable hesitation, they decided to purchase and
to put drummers on the street. The lot was 118x400
feet, and cost $6,500. One-half of the same lot was
sold, in 1S80, for $40,000. .Green & Holden went out
of business in 1862, and Mr. Green died at Geneva
Lake, Wis., in 1880. At the time of the dissolution of
the firm, Mr. Holden retired from business, but, in 1869,
he became engaged in the manufacture of paints, in
which business he continues at the present time. At
first he was alone, but some time afterward the linn be-
came Holden, Tascott & Co., then Holden & Tascott,
and, finally, in 1876, A. H. Holden & Co.
D. R. Holt came to Chicago in 1S47, anil bought
out George R. Roberts, who was located on the north-
west corner of Market and Madison streets. Mr. Holt
has been continuously in business ever since, the firm
having been, at different times, Holt & Mason, Holt &
Calkins, and Holt & Balcom, the present firm. They
now manufacture their lumber at Oconto, Wis. When
the Illinois & Michigan Canal was opened, Mr. Holt
made the first shipment of lumber from Chicago to St.
Louis.
Having given a brief sketch of the lumber dealers
in Chicago in 1839, it may be interesting to enumerate
those in business here in 1849, and to append a brief
sketch of the most important of these. Following is a
list of the lumber dealers in Chicago in 1849: James
P. Allen, C. K. Anderson, James Andrews, J. Beidler,
Bentley, Orr & Wamock, Butler & Norton, George C.
Morton & Co. who had a mill at Grand Haven , Camp-
bell & Throop, Carter & Stockbridge. Chapin & M.ush,
Darius Clark, Peter Crawford, James Dalton, Hugh
Dunlop, J. P. Emerson, W. M. Ferry, Foster & Holt,
Green & Holden. G. M. Higginson, James & Ham-
mond, Tarleton Jones, Sylvester Lind & Smith, James
Leonard, McCagg & Reed, Barber \- Mason, A.. & <1.
L.Norton, T. L. Parker, William T. Potter, George
R. Roberts, Sutherland & Co., Turner & Hilliard,
Throop, Wait & Co., Timothy Wright, (obi,, Hall &
Spades, Alexander Officer, and Charles Mears.
N. & C. H. MEARS. — This firm originated, in [844, with
Charles Mears, who established himself a- a lumber merchant "11
West Water Street, corner of Washington. In 1850, Nathan Mears
was taken into partnership and the linn became C. Mean
the principal yard being at No. 1 Kinzie Street. In is;;, this firm
established another lumber yard at the corner of Lumber and Max-
well streets. In is;-,, l li Bates became a member of the firm,
and. in 1859, Charles Mears became associated with John Baldwin,
Ibis company having their yard at the foot of Michigan Street, "ii
6g2
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
the North Pier. In 1S62, Charles Mears retired frum the firm,
leaving it composed of Nathan Mears and Eli Bates, and their sec-
ond yard was located at Beach Street, south of Polk. At this time
the firm name was changed to Mears & Bates, Charles Mears re-
taining his membership with John Baldwin as the firm of Baldwin
& Co. These firms were reported as handling for a number of
years, more lumber than any house in the country. In 1S65, James
C. Brooks, who, in 1S61, became a clerk for the firm, was admitted
into partnership, and, in 1S65, G. H. Ambrose, who became a clerk
for the firm in 1S62, was also admitted, the firm name becoming, in
1S67, Mears, Bates & Co. G. H. Ambrose retired from the firm
in 1S75, and, in 1S79, James C. Brooks gave place to Charles II.
Mears. The firm remained as thus constituted until the death of
Eli Bates, which occurred during June, 1S81, leaving Nathan and
Charles H. Mears sole members of the firm. They are interested
in the mills at Oconto, Wis., and at Bay de Noquet, Mich., which
produce forty million feet a year. Besides selling largely in Chi-
cago, they have, for the last fifteen years, shipped to Missouri,
Nebraska and Kansas, as well as to New York and Pennsylvania.
Charles Mears was born in North Billerica, Middlesex County,
Mass., March 16, 1S14. He received a commercial education at
the academies of Billerica and Westford, Mass., and Hopkinton,
N. H. His parents were Nathan and Lucy (Livingston) Mears.
His father kept store during the construction of the canal between
the Merrimac River and Boston — probably the first canal in the
Union. He built a saw mill, kept a public house, and cultivated
several farms in connection with his mercantile business. He died
in June, 1S28, sixteen months after the death of his wife. They
had five children — Edwin, Charles, Nathan, Lucy Ann and Albert.
Charles taught school in Henniker, N. H., and Billerica, Mass, and
during 1835-36 was in the lumber and provision business in Lowell,
Mass. In the fall of 1S36, together with his brothers, Edwin and
Nathan, he bought a large and general stock of goods and shipped
them to Paw Paw, VanBuren Co., Mich., and there established the
house of E. & C. Mears & Co. This was one of the few west-
ern firms which weathered the financial storm of 1S37. Mr. Mears
then took up a claim at the mouth of a small creek, emptying into
White Lake, where, after returning from the East with mechanics
and machinery in the fall of 1837, he built a dam and erected his
first mill. In 1S38. he shipped his first cargo of lumber to Chi-
cago. In 1850, he removed to Lincoln, in Mason County, where
he built a mill, kept a general store, and resided until 1875, when
he moved to Chicago with his family. Up to that time he had lo-
cated about 40,000 acres of land, built fifteen mills in the counties
of Muskegon, Oceana and Mason, and built five harbors in which
registered vessels have traded. He kept a lumber yard in Milwau-
kee several years, with the assistance of Eli Bates, who was then
keeper of the Government light-house. In 1848. he sold out and
opened a yard in Chicago, at the corner of West Water and Wash-
ington streets. He built several steamers and vessels, and owned,
at various times, the sloop " Ranger" ; schooners " Ironsides,"
"Eliza Ward," "John Lily," "Black Hawk," " Pine Forest,"
"J. M. Hughes," "Japan." " Vincennes," "Echo," "Sea Star,"
"Monsoon," "Live Oak," " E. M. Peck," " G. Ellen Coral,"
"A. J. Mowery," and several others; tugs "Albion," "Bell
Chase," " Merchant," "Ben Butler," and yacht "Jerome" ; and
steamers, "C. Mears," " Mary Stuart " and " Annie Laurie." In
November, 1849, Eli Bates again applied for a clerkship, and was
gladly accepted. In 1850, Nathan Mears was taken into partner-
ship, and, in 1853, Eli Bates became a member of the firm. In
addition to the lumber from the mills of C. Mears, at Duck Lake,
Pentwater, Lincoln and Hamlin, Mich., the company bought lum-
ber from other mills and dressed lumber from Oswego, Buffalo,
Cleveland and Detroit. Their principal office and yard was at No.
I Kinzie Street, on the North Branch. They occupied dock room
sufficient to discharge nine vessels at one time, and, as reported,
handled more lumber, shingles, lath, etc., than any firm in the
country. Charles Mears continued in the business with various
partners and agents until April, 1883, when he sold out and retired
from the lumber business. In 1870, under contract with the Calu-
met, Chicago Canal and Dock Company, he dammed the Calumet
river and opened the new harbor channel, making eight feet of
water that season, and established a lumber yard on the beach
north of the harbor, floating the lumber ashore from his vessels. In
1872, not feeling satisfied with the progress of the work or the
Covernmcnt improvement of the harbor, he sold out to the com-
pany, and retired from the enterprise.
Nathan Mears was born in North Billerica, Mass., in 1815,
the son of Nathan and Lucy (Livingston) Mears. His father died
when this son was thirteen years of age. sixteen months after the
death of his wife. His early education was received in Billerica
and Westford, Mass. In 1834, he went to Boston, where he was
employed as a clerk until 1836, when he went to Paw Paw, Mich.,
and engaged in the mercantile business. He remained there until
the spring of 1850, when he came to Chicago and entered into
partnership with his brother Charles. Mr. Mears married Eliza-
beth A. Gilbert, daughter of Josiah Gilbert of Salem, Westchester
Co., N. Y. They have two daughters — Lucy A., now wife of
Jonathan Slade of Chicago ; Sarah E., now wife of James R.
McKay of Chicago; and one son living, Charles H., connected
with the above firm. A son, Nathan, died in 1859.
C. Mears & Co. — This is one of the oldest lumber firms in
the city. In 1859, Charles Mears became associated with John
Baldwin, Jr. (still maintaining his membership with C. Mears &
Co.), and this firm conducted their business under the name of
Baldwin & Co. At this time their lumber yard was started at the
North Pier. In i860, John A. Baldwin was admitted into the firm,
but, retiring from it in 1863, established himself in business on his
own account, and subsequently took H. T. Porter into partnership
with him. Charles Mears, in 1864, retired from the firm of Bald-
win & Co. — John Baldwin, Jr., taking into partnership Herbert L.
Baldwin. In 1S65, Charles Mears took into partnership E. H.
Denison, and opened an office at No. 241 South Water Street,
under the old firm name of C. Mears & Co. In 1867, one of their
lumber yards was moved to the northwest corner of Morgan and
Twenty-second streets, and in 186S their other yard was established
at the northeast corner of St. Clair and Morgan streets. In 1869,
in addition to these two yards, this company had one at the corner
of Lake and Jefferson streets, and another at the corner of Lake
and Market streets. In 1S70, Mr. Denison retired from this firm,
and became secretary for N. Ludington & Co., Mr. Mears taking
into partnership Jonathan Slade, who continued a member of the
firm until 1877, when he retired, leaving Mr. Mears the only mem-
ber of the company. The mills of this company were at Duck
Lake, Pentwater, Lincoln, and Hamlin, Mich.
B. W. Thomas is one of the oldest lumbermen, still living, in
the city. He opened a lumber-yard, in 1843, on Market Street,
near Washington, purchasing the business of Sylvester Lind.
After conducting the business alone for some years, he associated
with him Alexander Loyd, under the firm name of Thomas & Loyd.
This firm was dissolved after a few years, and Mr. Thomas was
alone until he formed a partnership with T. Newell & Co., of Ke-
nosha, Wis. This firm being dissolved, Mr. Thomas, after again
conducting the business alone for a short time, formed a copartner-
ship with Selah Reeve, under the name of Thomas & Reeve. Mr.
Thomas's next partnership was with Edward P. and Albert B.
Wilcox, which lasted from 1864 to 1S71, in the spring of which
year he sold his interests in the lumber business to his partners,
who, after a few years, moved West, and now have their headquar-
ters at Yankton, Dakota.
Major James F. Lord established himself in business in this
city in 1847. Previous to that time, for about fifteen years, he had
been employed as superintendent of a steam saw-mill at St. Joseph,
Mich., which had been hauled from Cleveland, Ohio, in the fall of
1833, and erected in the following winter by McKellop & Deacon.
Mr. McKellop was from Maryland, and Mr. Deacon was a son of
Commodore Deacon, of Philadelphia. This was a steam saw-mill,
with an upright-frame saw, and was the first erected anywhere in
the West. Mr. Lord went to St. Joseph in 1S31, and was super-
intendent of the McKellop & Deacon mill from the time of its
erection to 1837. In 1S47, he came to Chicago, and went into the
lumber business on the corner of LaSalle and North Water streets,
with S. F. Sutherland, Mr. Sutherland's name being, however, the
only one used. He remained with Mr. Sutherland until 1S60, when
he bought his partner's interest, and continued the business alone
until 1S70, when he sold out to Colonel W. S. Babcock, the firm
being Babcock Brothers. Colonel W. S. Babcock still continues
the business in company with George H. Park, under the firm
name of Babcock & Park. Mr. Sutherland built the schooner
" Ocean," at or near Detroit, in 1834, and sailed this vessel around
the lakes the same year. She was afterward used in shipping
lumber and other freight on Lake Michigan, until lost in 1S36.
Major Lord was born in Holloway, Me., in 1804. His parents
were Ephraim and Sarah (Dennis) Lord, natives of Ipswich, Mass.
Mr. Lord, when twenty years of age, went to Boston, and, for one
season, engaged in the carpenter's trade, going then to New York
City, where, for four years, he worked at the same trade. In 1829,
he settled at Birdsley Prairie, ten miles from Niles, Mich.; and in
1830, moved into Niles, where he assisted in building the first flour
mill upon the Dowagiac River, at that point. In 1832, he went to
St. Joseph, Mich. Mr. Lord married Miss Marcia Pepper, of
Windsor, Mass. They have two children living — Edgar A., of the
Lord & Bushnell Co., and Helen A.; four deceased — George H.,
William J., Caroline E. and Sarah M.
The lumber trade of Chicago grew gradually until
1855, when an immense advance was made. In 1854,
the receipts of timber, boards, planks, etc., amounted to
228,336,783 feet; of shingles, 28,061,250; and of lath,
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES.
°9.1
32,431,550; while, in 1855, the receipts of timber, etc.,
were 306,553,467 feet, an increase of 78,216,684 feet; of
shingles, the receipts in 1855 were 158,770,684, an in-
crease over those of 1854 of 130,709,610; of lath, the
increase over 1854 was a little over 14,000,000. The
year 1856, however, established Chicago as the great
lumber market of the country, upward of 456,000,000
feet being received, as shown by the records, and it is
asserted that fully 20,000,000 feet evaded the vigilance
of the custom-house officials. With reference to the
next year (1857), Mr. Bross, in summing up the traffic,
said :
" Its rise and progress are only equalled by the rapid develop-
ment of the city and the territory west of the great lakes ; and in
importance this branch of our commerce is second to no other.
Even to our own citizens, who have seen it from day to day as it
grew up, it is wonderful; and to walk along the branches of the
river, and see the banks lined for miles and miles with the immense
piles of lumber which are shipped to this port from the pineries of
Michigan, Wisconsin and Canada, is perhaps the best criterion that
can be adopted to comprehend the magnitude of the trade. The
capital invested in the lumber business is immense, not to speak of
the property owned by our merchants in mills and woodlands. The
wealth which is invested in stock, in docks, and in real estate in this
city can not be less than ten or a dozen million dollars, and the num-
ber of hands employed in the business, one way and another, can
not fall short of ten thousand."
In January, 1857, there were left in stock 130,000,000
feet of the lumber of the preceding year. This stock
by the time navigation opened was considerably reduced,
but, as the winter and spring had been extremely favor-
able for cutting and running logs to the mills, an im-
mense amount of lumber was ready for the market.
The result was, a few more million feet were received
than in 1856, the figures being as follows : Lumber
459,639,178; lath, 131,832,250; shingles, 80,130,000.
In that year the hardwood lumber trade began to assume
considerable importance. Large amounts of black wal-
nut, cherry, ash, oak, whitewood, maple, sycamore,
birch, elm, hickory, etc., now came into use by the manu-
facturers, and in this year several yards in the city were
devoted solely to this class of lumber. The returns
made at the close of the season showed that over
10,000,000 feet were received during the year, coming
from the States of Michigan and Indiana. The prices
ranged from $12 to $20 a thousand. Among the lead-
ing lumber dealers at this time were James P. Allen,
who, it will be remembered, was engaged in the trade as
early as 1845, and who was the first lumber inspector in
the city; Steers & Co., with yards on the west side of
the South Branch between Taylor and Twelfth streets;
John McKay, with two yards, one at Randolph and Mar-
ket, the other at Van Buren and Canal streets ; Fraser
& Gillette, on Sherman Street; Philander Jones, on Clark
Street near Liberty ; Lind & Slater, on Canal Street,
between Madison and Monroe streets ; Loomis &
Ludington, at the corner of Canal and Twelfth streets ;
Lull, Eastman & Co., on West Water and Lake streets;
C. R. Merrill & Co , at the east end of Kinzie-street
bridge; Wood & Best, on the corner of Lumber and Max-
well streets ; Morton & Brother, on the corner of Lake
and West Water streets ; S. F. Sutherland, on Market
Street, between Jackson and Van Buren streets ; Trow-
bridge, Wing & Swan, at No. 116 Market Street; J. M.
Turner, at the corner of Ellsworth and Mather streets ;
Tuttle, Green & Co., at the corner of Market and Van-
Buren streets ; E. W. Whipple & Co., at the corner of
Grove and Cross streets ; and Wilcox, Lyon & Co., on
Franklin Street, near the bridge.
At the time of the great fire of October 9, 187 1,
there were about one hundred and twenty lumber yards
in Chicago, thirteen of which were destroyed by that
conflagration, involving a loss of sixty million feet of
lumber.
A more diffuse notice of this vast interest will be
given in the ensuing volume. The following tables will
give a statistical view of the progress of the lumber trade:
Receipts of Lumber, Shingles and Lath, from /SjS to 187/,
inclusive.
1859
i860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870
278,943,000
302.845,207
262,494,626
249,308,705
305,674,045
413,301,818
501,592,406
£■47,145.734
730,057,168
882,661,770
1,028,494,789
997.736.942
i,oi8,99S,6S5
1,039,32s, 375
127,565,000
165,927,000
127,894,000
79,356,000
131,255,000
172,364,875
190,169,750
3io.897.350
400.125,250
447,039,275
514,434,100
673,166,000
652,001,000
647. 595. 000
44.5i7.w»
49,548,710
30,509,000
32,667,000
23, >-<,,,„,( 1
41,665,000
63,805,090
62,555,000
66,075,100
123,992,400
146,846,280
145.036.500
103,822,000
102,487,000
No effort seems to have been made, prior to 1870,
to take any account of the amount of stock on hand;
but, on the 1st of January of that year, there were on
hand 282,560,526 feet, and on the 1st of January, 187 1,
298,752,968 feet.
Shipments of Lumber, Shingles and Lath for the years frem
1852 to iSj/, inclusive.
1852
1853
1S54
1S55
1856
1857
1858
1859
i860
1861
1862
1S63
1S64
1865
1866
1867.
i86S
1869.
1870.
1S71.
Lumber in feet.
271
348
872
354
732
793
268
389
340
445
079
33°
579
678
266
354
806
480
634
543
55,851,038
71,442,350
92,506,301
134,793.250
115,563,250
I54.S27,750
150,129,250
195. II7.70O
168,302,525
94,421,186
55,761,630
102,634.447
I3S,497.256
25S,35i.450
422,339,715
480,930,500
537.497,074
638,317,840
666,247,775
55S,395,350
28,236,585
32,170,420
31.282,725
16,966,000
30,293,297
36,242,010
61,516,895
74,265,405
70.587,194
69,026,149
56,077,370
39,313,820
Highest Prices per thousand for Lumbe
for the Years named — Years ending March jo
Lath and Shingles,
Shingles
Lath.
Common
Boards.
Mixed
Cargo.
Cle r
Yard.
IS59 --
Sio 50
$30 OO
$3 OO
Si 50
$22 00
$10 OO
i860 __
12 OO
28 OO
3 50
2 75
22 90
12 OO
1861 ..
7 50
28 OO
3 50
2 50
20 OO
12 OO
IS62 ..
*
27 OO
3 25
3 OO
24 OO
13 OO
1863 ..
*
39 00
4 25
4 00
30 OO
17 OO
1864 .-
17 00
45 00
4 50
5 00
37 00
18 OO
1865 ..
23 00
60 00
6 00
5 00
28 OO
IS66 ..
20 00
*
7 00
4 OO
28 oof
20 OO
1867 ..
24 00
*
6 50
5 00
23 oof
23 OO
1868 .-
22 50
*
4 87^
4 50
23 oof
22 OO
1869 ..
19 00
*
4 10
3 00
*
1870 .-
17 00
*
3 50
2 25
*
1871 —
22 00
55 00
4 00
38 00
694
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
DRV GOODS MERCHANTS.
John V. Farwell & Co. — This firm is undoubtedly the oldest
in Chicago, the business having been established by its predeces-
sors in 1S47. From its inception, the business has progressed, and
to its present senior member is due the honor of advancing the
house to the high reputation it bears. The first wholesale dry-
goods house in Chicago was started in 1S45, by Hamlin & Day.
In i;47. Wadsworth & Phelps commenced wholesaling. The firm
shortly afterward became Cooley, Wadsworth & Phelps. Mr.
Phelps withdrew from the firm a few months later, and, in 1S50,
ihe style of the firm was Cooley, Wadsworth & Co., the company
being represented by John V. Farwell, who was admitted to part-
nership in that year. The firm so remained until January I, 1S64,
when Messrs. Cooley and Wadsworth retired, and Marshall Field,
Levi Z. Leiter and S. N. Kellogg became members of the firm, the
title of the concern reading Farwell. Field & Co. Messrs. Field
and Leiter withdrew at the end of a year, and the firm then con-
sisted of John V. Farwell, Charles 13. Farwell, S. N. Kellogg,
William D. Farwell, and John K. Harmon. The style of the firm
was then changed to John V. Farwell cS: Co., and has so remained
since. In 1S67, Mr. Kellogg retired. In 1870, Simeon Farwell
was admitted to the firm, but withdrew on January 1, 1SS3, owing
to failing health. On January I, 1SS4, John V. Farwell, Jr., and
John T. Chumasero were made members of the firm. William D.
Farwell, who represented the company in New York City for many
years, has withdrawn from active association, although retaining
his financial interest in the business. The head of the house, Hon.
John V. Farwell, has also withdrawn from active management,
and the carrving on of the immense business of this house devolves
upon Charies B. Farwell, John K. Harmon, and the recently ad-
mitted younger members. Prior to the great fire of 1871, the firm
was situated at Nos. 1 1 2-16 Wabash Avenue, and when that build-
ing was swept away, Messrs. Farwell erected a mammoth structure
on the northwest corner of Monroe and Franklin streets. They
remained there until the completion of their premises, at the corner
of Market and Monroe streets, January 1, 1SS3. The dimensions
of the building are 280x400 feet, and there are eight floors, includ-
ing basement and sub-basement, that respectively have the benefit
of street and river front. In addition to this space, the firm has
immense storage-rooms under Market Street. The building cost
over §1,000,000, and the ground brings the total valuation of the
property to about $2,000,000. The house carries a stock of goods
of the value of S5, 000, 000, and over six hundred employe's are re-
quired in the business. The sales aggregate about §20,000,000
per annum.
John V. Farwell is the third son of Henry and Nancy Far-
well, and was born on a farm in Steuben County, N. Y., on July
29, 1S25. His boyhood, until thirteen years of age, was passed
upon his father's farm, and while there he attended the winter
terms of school. In 1S3S, the family removed to Ogle County,
III., and, three years later, Mr. Farwell entered the Mt. Morris
Seminary and completed his education. While there he bent his
energies toward obtaining as complete a business education as pos-
sible, and paid particular attention to the studies of bookkeeping
and mathematics, he then having decided to enter upon a mercan-
tile business life. In the spring of 1845, he came to Chicago. All
his earnings had been paid out in getting his education, and he had
but little money to commence life with. He worked his passage to
this city upon a load of wheat, and when he arrived had but three
dollars and seventy-five cents. He soon obtained employment in
the county clerk's office, and received a salary of twelve dollars a
month. He reported the proceedings of the City Council, but
while doing so he, too, particularly described the meetings, and so
offended the City Fathers that he was deposed from his office.
Previous to this he had engaged himself as bookkeeper for Hamil-
ton cv White, dry goods merchants, and remained with them one
year, receiving but eight dollars a month salary. At the expiration
of his contract with them, he went with Hamlin & Hay, who were
in the same line of business. He afterward engaged with the dry
goods house of Wadsworth & Phelps, at a salary of six hnndred
dollars a year. In 1850, he became a partner in the firm, and in
1864 Mr. Farwell was at the head of the house of Farwell, Field
nd later of John Y. Farwell & Co. From early boyhood
he displayed his aptness for business, and, from his first step into
the commercial world, his progress has been onward and upward.
At the age of fourteen, he became a member of the Methodist
Church, and though he was always desirous of amassing a fortune,
his liberality and benevolence towards all institutions of worship
have been notable. In 1 856, he started the Illinois-street Mission,
an institution ■ dally to reach the boys in the street
and outcast children. From feeble beginnings it has grown until
it has become a large Church and Sunday-school. For ten years
Mr Farwell was the superintendent of the Mission, and has always
taken an active interest in its progress and welfare. During the
War, Mr. Farwell's philanthropy and patriotic zeal were conspicu-
ous and telling, lie helped raise the First Board-of-Trade Regi-
ment, and the forty thousand dollars for its equipment. In all
matters, pertaining to the War, he was foremost in aiding those
who participated in the struggle for the preservation of the Union.
To Mr. Farwell, more than to any other man, is due the present
prosperous and promising condition of the Young Men's Christian
Association.
Hon. Charles B. Farwell was born near Painted Post, Steu-
ben Co., N. Y., on July I, 1823. The first fifteen years of his life
were passed at his native place, and during that time he attended
the Elmira (N. Y.) Academy, where he took a course of study,
paying particular attention to surveying. In 183S, he came to Illi-
nois with his father,' who located upon a farm in Ogle County.
Young Farwell farmed and surveyed alternately, for several years,
and, from this out-door life during his youth, he acquired a robust
constitution, which has never failed him in the arduous labors
of his latter life. On January 10, 1844, he came to Chicago, and
some time afterward obtained a position as deputy clerk with
George Davis, clerk of Cook County. Almost the first day that
he entered upon his duties his chief was taken sick, and upon the
new deputy devolved the task of opening the County Commissioner's
Court. Although totally unfamiliar with the duties of the clerk, by
the aid of members of the court, Mr. Farwell was enabled to learn
the work required, and he filled the responsible office with universal
satisfaction. He was thus occupied for four months, when his chief
returned, and he resumed his duties as deputy clerk and took a
night situation with Briggs & Green, auctioneers, at a salary of
twenty-five cents a night. In November, 1S45, he bought his first
real estate, paying for the same out of the savings from his meager
salary. This was a piece of land 77x150 feet, situated where the
Crane Bros.' manufacturing establishment now stands. The price
was S300, of which Mr. Farwell paid Sioo cash. The properly in
question is to-day valued at $25,000. Mr. Farwell remained in the
office with Mr. Davis until the spring of 1S46, receiving $200 a
year and board for his last twelve months' service. Captain
J. B. F. Russell then offered him a clerkship in his real estate
office, at a salary of $400 per annum, which he accepted; the sec-
ond and third years he received $500 a year. By investing his
earnings in Mexican War land-warrants, he made some money,
which gave him a start in life a few years later. In 1S49, he
took the position of corresponding clerk in the banking house of
George Smith, and was afterward promoted to the position of
teller. He remained there until December, 1853. In September
of that year, he entered the political arena as a candidate for
county clerk, and was elected by a large majority over his oppo-
nent, Dr. E. S. Kimberly. He held the office for four years, and
so satisfactory were his services that the people re-elected him
in 1S57. In 1S61, he retired from the office, and passed the fol-
lowing three years in the management of his property and in mat-
ters pertaining to the War. In 1S64, he purchased an interest in
the business of the present house of John V. Farwell & Co. Upon
his entry into this concern, his brother, John V., retired from active
participation in the business, and he at once look the management
of affairs, directing its multitudinous details and supervising its
most extensive operations with the same ease that he had exhibited
in the humbler positions of his earlier years. In 1S67, Mr. Far-
well was elected to the Board of County Supervisors, and became
chairman of that body. It was during his term of office that the
new part of the Court House on Clark Street was erected and com-
pleted, but which stood only a short time before the great fire. In
1S70, he was nominated by the Republicans of Cook County to
represent them in Congress. He was elected by a handsome
majority, although the campaign was hardly fought by his oppo-
nent, Hon. John Wentworth. In 1S72, he was re-elected, the
opposing candidate being Hon. John V. LeMoyne. These two
gentlemen again crossed swords, in 1S74, for the same office, and
Mr. Farwell was the victor. In 1SS0, he again ran for Congress
against Perry H. Smith, Jr , and was elected by a large majority.
He was a member of the first State board for the equalization of
taxes, being appointed by Governor Oglesby in 1S66. Mr. Far-
well was identified with one of the greatest works of the age, the
Washington-street tunnel. The original contractors of this work
were obliged to relinquish it, leaving it a perfect wreck. Although
others were dismayed at the undertaking, Mr. Farwell took it in
hand, became pecuniarily responsible for its building, furnished
the capital, and it was finished. Mr. Farwell was married October
II, 1S52, to Miss Mary E. Smith, of South Williamstown, Mass.
They have four children — the eldest daughter, Anna, being the
wife of Reginald DeKoven, of Chicago. The other children are
Walter, Grace, and Rose. Mr. Farwell was one of the founders of
the Chicago Club, one of the oldest clubs in the city. He is also a
member of the Union League, and Commercial and Bankers' clubs.
M IRSHALL FIELD & Co. — The wholesale dry goods firm of
Marshall Field iV Co. is a descendant, through a long line of
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES.
<>95
changes, of the house of Cooley, Wadsworth & Co., which, in 1856,
was doing business on South Water Street. A year later the firm
removed to Wabash Avenue and began doing an exclusive whole-
sale trade, and, at the same time, the firm name was changed to
that of Cooley, Farwell & Co. In January, i860, Mr. Field was
admitted as a partner, and four years later, Mr. Cooley retiring,
the firm became Farwell, Field & Co , Mr. Leiter being also ad-
mitted as a partner in the house at that time. In (anuary, 1S65,
Messrs. Field and Leiter retired, and, forming the firm of Field,
Palmer & Leiter, bought out Potter Palmer, at Nos. 110-112 Lake
Street, the business thus purchased having been established by Mr.
Palmer in 1S52. In January, 1867, Mr. Palmer retired, and the
firm then became Field. Leiter & Co., and in the autumn of the fol-
lowing year they occupied, for the first time, the present site on the
northeast corner of State and Washington streets, where they re-
mained until the fire of October, 1S71, in which they sustained
losses amounting to nearly $3,500,000, insurance being recovered
to the amount of $250,000. Immediately after the fire they resume. I
business in the old horse-railway barn, at the corner of State and
Twentieth streets. At the same time, or, as soon as circumstances
would permit, they began re-building, both at State and Washing-
ton and at Madison and Market streets, to which latter place they
removed their wholesale house in March, 1872. In 1873 they oc-
cupied their old quarters at the first mentioned location for their re-
tail business. It is the largest, as well as the most complete retail
establishment west of New York. In January, 1SS1, Mr. Leiter
retired from the business and the firm became Marshall Field & Co.
It is an acknowledged fact that the house of Marshall Field & Co.
has steadily grown, keeping pace with the marvellous development
of Chicago's commercial interests, and that to-day its greatness is
c .
only a satisfactory realization of possibilities which have taken
years to achieve. That this is true, may be seen from the fact that
in 1865 the sales of this firm approximated SS, 000,000 ; in 1SS3,
they amounted to $30,000,000, being an increase of nearly fourfold
in less than twenty years. Marshall Field, one of the merchant
princes of the American Continent, began his business career in this
city in 1S56. as a clerk in the house of Cooley, Wadsworth & Co.
Of Mr. Field, much might be written that would be of interest to
those who are curious to know the history of men whose success in
any walk of life has been such as to give them deserved prominence
among their fellows. But few facts, however, can authentically be
stated relative to Mr. Field — that he is a native of Massachusetts,
bom in 1835, and when only twenty years of age, he came to Chi-
cago and began his business career as a clerk. Since that time he
has been thoroughly and intimately identified with this city and its
best interests, of which he has been an indefatigable promoter. He
is reticent, quiet and reserved in his demeanor, but one of the most
thoroughly philanthropic and public-spirited citizens of Chicago.
H. N. Higginbotham was born at Joliet, 111., on October 10,
1S38, where he received such education as the common schools of
that period afforded. During 1S57, he began his business career
as clerk in the Will County Bank, of Joliet,. and subsequently was
in the employ of the Joliet City Bank up to 1859. and left this
latter position to fill that of assistant cashier with the Bank of
Oconto, Wis., where he remained up to 1861. In the month of
April, 1S61, he came to Chicago, to accept the position of entry
clerk and assistant bookkeeper for the firm of Cooley, F'arwell &
Co., which he retained until August, 1S62. He then enlisted for
the war, in the Mercantile Battery ; but, previous to the battery
entering active service, he was transferred and ordered to Western
Virginia, as chief clerk in the quartermaster's department, which
position he held up to December, 1864. During January, 1S65, he
returned to Chicago, and was employed by Field. Palmer & Leiter,
— first, as bookkeeper, afterward being advanced to different posi-
tions of trust and importance, until 1S7S, when he was made a
partner in the firm. Mr. Higginbotham married, in 1S66, Miss
Rachel D. Davison, of Joliet, 111. They have four children — Har-
low D., Harry M., Florence and Alice.
John G. McWilliams was born on June 15, 1839, at Peter-
boro', Madison Co., N. V., and received his education at the Peter-
boro' Academy. In the fall of 1855, he began his business career as
a clerk in a dry-goods store at Peterboro', where he remained until
February, 1857, when he came to Chicago, entering the retail dry-
goods house of W. R. Wood & Co., as a salesman. He remained
in their employ until September, 1861, when he entered the 51st
Illinois Infantry as captain, afterward being promoted to major in
March, 1S64, and serving until March, 1865, when he was honor-
ably discharged. He then returned to Chicago, and entered the
employ of Field, Palmer & Leiter, as a salesman, which position he
held until he attained his present one of partner, in January, 1883.
Mr. McWilliams was married, in 1867, to Miss K. M. Wiilard, of
Chicago, who died in November, 1884, leaving one child, Roy.
1). B. Fisk & Co, — Standing prominently at the head of its
department of trade, and indisputably the largest house of its < lass
on this continent, is the firm of D. B, Fisk .V Co., wholesale milli-
nery. Its history from its founding here, a little over thirty years
ago, to the present time, forms not only a forcible illustration of
that growth and development which has characterized tin- tradi and
commerce of Chicago from then until now, but it shows how much
can be accomplished by intelligent, persistent and well directed
effort. When D. B. Fisk came to Chicago in 1853 ami established,
in March of that year, the first wholesale millinery house west of
the Alleghanies, his ambition did not reach, nor did his business
sagacity comprehend, the magnitude of the commercial structure
of which he was only laying the foundations. lie first established
himself on Wells Street (now Fifth Avenue) between South Water
and Lake streets where he remained one year. In the spring of
1S54, he removed to No. 124 Lake Street, and a little later to the
rooms over Gossage's old store on the same street, and finally, in
1S57, to Nos. 53-55 Lake Street, the Iron Block which had just
been erected by Thomas Church. In this building, Mr. Fisk con-
tinued until burned out on the gth of October, 1S71, at which time
his gross losses were nearly $300,000. In a week following the fire,
he had resumed business at Nos. 53-55 West Washington Street,
and at the same time began the erection of a small brick budding
at Nos. 27-29 Clinton Street. Into this he removed, and remained
until the spring of 1S73, when he occupied the
building at the southwest corner of Wabash Ave-
nue and Washington Street. In this building
(which is universally conceded to be the finest,
and best adapted to its trade of any house in the
^ city), the firm of D. B. Fisk cV Co., now occupies
f~*^^ six large floors, the aggregate area of which is
^ — * 135,000 square feet. Their volume of business,
' which in 1854 could be readily handled by per-
haps half a score of employes, now requires hun-
dreds to transact the trade, which, if allowed to accumulate
for a single day, would throw its affairs into an almost inex-
triable confusion. But such is the system adopted here, that
notwithstanding the magnitude of their business, every detail, from
the large manufacturing rooms in the topmost story to the packing
and shipping quarters in the basement, moves with the precision of
clock work. The growth of this house is perhaps best told in the
brief statement, that, in 1853, its sales did not exceed fifty thousand
dollars, while in 1S83 they amounted to two millions. There are
doubtless many, who if told that the house of D. B. Fisk & Co.
was not only the largest wholesale millinery house in America but
the largest anywhere in the world, would be inclined to take the
statement with much allowance. It is however literally and indis-
putably true; mercantile men in this and other cities, who have been
abroad and visited the largest establishments in the leading cities
of the old world admit it, and further concede that Chicago, situated
as it is, with so vast a territory contributary to its greatness, is
bound to become the greatest commercial center on the globe.
EDSON KEITH & Co. — The history of this house dates back
to 1S5S ; when Osborn R. Keith and Albert E. Faxon, under the
firm name of Keith & Faxon, started a wholesale millinery house
at No. 49 Lake Street. In i860, Edson Keith became a partner
in the house, and added to the stock a department of hats, caps,
furs and straw goods. At that time, too, the firm name was
changed to Keith, Faxon & Co., and a removal mad< toNos.45-47
Lake Street. In 1865, Mr. Faxon retiring, Eldridge G. Keith
was admitted as a member of the firm, which then became Keith
Bros., and was composed of Osborn R., Edson and F. G Keith.
Two years later J. ('.. Woodward was admitted as a partner, having
been previously for some time connected with the house as a book-
keeper. The year preceding this event, however, they had re-
moved to Nos. 68-70 Wabash Avenue, just oppositeold I >■
Park. They remained there until burned out in the fire of 0
ber, 1871, in which their total losses exceeded (250,000. They,
however, succeeded in saving a considerable portion of their stock,
and, with characteristic energy, the second daj following I
resumed business at the stables .,1 EdsOD Keith and E. ( '•. Keith
on Prairie Avenue. As soon as possible, they began the 1
of a temporary brick building, at the corner of Dearborn Park
and Michigan Avenue, which was pushed with such vigor that, in
two weeks from the day it was begun, it was completed and occu-
pied. Incidentally it should be noted, especially as it shows that
the firm of Keith Bros, did at once resume, that in the two weeks
from the time of the fire, until their temporary building was readj
for occupancy, they sold $60,000 worth of go
where, during this brief period, their stock had been stored.
696
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
following the completion of their temporary building, they secured
a lease of the lot at what would now be called Nos. 246 to 252
Madison Street, and on which they began the erection of a large
double store, and into this they removed in October, 1S72. Hav-
ing once more settled down in their handsome and commodious
quarters, the house of Keith Bros, soon fully recovered what they
had lost in the fire, and began making rapid strides toward the po-
sition that it to-day holds — that of one of the largest establish-
ments of its kind, not only in Chicago, but anywhere in the West.
Seven vears passed awav — vears which witnessed an increasing
volume of trade and brought to this house enlarged power and in-
fluence in the commercial world. At the end of that time, in 1S79,
O. R. Keith withdrew from the firm of Keith Bros., taking with
him the departments of notions, millinery and white goods, and,
in company with A. B. Adam and Albert E. Faxon (the latter gen-
tleman having been associated with him in 1S5S), organized the firm
of O. R. Keith & Co. This firm opened a wholesale store in the
lines already mentioned, at the building, corner of Wabash Avenue
and Monroe Street. In the meantime Edson Keith, Elbridge G.
Keith, and James L. Woodward, under the firm name of Keith
Bros., continued the business of wholesale hats, caps, furs and
men's furnishing goods at Nos. 246 to 252 Madison Street, until
January I, 1SS4, when the two houses consolidated their interests
under one roof, under the firm name and style of Edson Keith &
Co. The firm, as it now stands, is composed of Edson Keith, A.
B. Adam and A. E. Faxon, as general partners, and O. R. Keith
as special partner. The firm of Edson Keith & Co. now carries
all the lines formerly handled by both the houses before the con-
solidation was effected, and in the amount of business done stands
second to none of its kind in the city. They also employ over
three hundred persons in their various departments, and occupy
six large floors, the combined area of which is equal to one hun-
dred and twenty thousand square feet. In 1S5S, their sales did
not exceed $75,000; in 1SS3, they amounted to $4,500,000, while
the territory covered by their trade to-day, extends throughout the
Western and Northwestern States and Territories.
Edson Keith is a native of Barre, Vt., where he was born in
1833. He came, with his brother, to Chicago in 1S54. He first
engaged as a clerk with J. D. Sherman, who was then the keeper
of a retail dry goods store, and with whom he remained until 1856.
In that year he formed a connection with the wholesale hat and
cap house of Benedict, Mallory & Farnham, then doing business
at No. 109 South Water Street. He remained with that house
until 1S60, when he retired to form the partnership with his brother
in the firm of Keith & Faxon, and which, at that time, became
Keith, Faxon & Co.
A. S. Gage & Co. — It will perhaps be conceded that New
York is the heaviest importing city on this continent, and is there-
fore the leading market for the sale of all classes of foreign goods
in importers' packages. Especially is this true of millinery and
milliners' stock. But to Chicago justly belongs the credit of being
the largest jobbing market of any city in the United States, for the
same line of goods, and in the size and elegance of its wholesale
establishments, devoted to this line of trade, none finer can be
found in any city. One of these, and ranking foremost among the
oldest and most stable of Chicago's commercial institutions is the
house of A. S. Gage & Co., which was established here in 1857,
under the firm name of Webster & Gage. They first started as a
wholesale and retail establishment on Lake Street, between Clark
and Dearborn streets. In 1S60, they gave up the retail trade, and
began wholesaling — a business which has been continued to the
present time. In 1870, the firm name was changed to Gage Bros.
& Co., Mr. Webster retiring, and being succeeded by Seth Gage,
who, at that lime, had come from the East, to make his home in
Chicago. In that year the firm was located at No. 78 Lake Street,
where they were still doing business up to October 9, 1871. They,
of course, burned out in the great fire, suffering a total loss of
stock, but were fortunate enough to save from destruction their
books, accounts, and many valuable papers. They, however, re-
sumed business within a week following the fire, at the private
residence of A. S. Gage, No. 961 Indiana Avenue. They com-
menced, as soon as possible, the erection of a temporary frame-
building on the lake front, which was completed and occupied by
February of H72. They remained there until the 20th of April,
the same year, when they removed to Nos. 227-29 Wabash Avenue.
In the fall of 1875. another removal was made to the corner of Wa-
bash Avenue and Madison Street. They remained at the last men-
tioned place until January I. 1883, when they removed to the cor-
ner of Wabash Avenue and Adams Street. Here, as on previous
'.->, they occupied a building erected expressly for their busi-
ness, by Martin Ryerson. At the same lime the style of the firm
became as it now is, A. S. Gage & Co., being composed of A. S.
and E. I!. Gage, general partners, and Martin Ryerson, as special
partner. In 1863, the firm employed less than ten people, while
now (1885) there are six hundred on the pay-roll. As showing the
remarkable growth attending the business of this house, the follow-
ing figures are given. In 1857 the sales amounted to $30,000, in
1S62 to $125,000, in 1878 to about $1,000,000, and in 18S3 they
had reached $3,500,000. Albert S. Gage, the present head of the
house, came to Chicago in 1S60, and entered the employ of Web-
ster & Gage as a clerk. From that humble occupation, he has
worked his way up to his present position. Every advancement
which has come to him has been brought about by his own unaided
efforts. In 1867, he was admitted to the house as a partner. The
last member of the original firm retired in 1S7S since which time
the business has increased the most rapidly. Both A. S. and E. B.
Gage are New England men.
BOOTS AND SHOES.
It would, perhaps, be conceded without argument
that Chicago to-day ranks second to no citj- in the
Union as a producing and distributing center for boots
and shoes. Everything, from the finest shoes for ladies
to the coarsest brogans for the ranchman on the plains
or the plow-boy of the prairies, is manufactured here ;
in fact, over all the West and South, goods bearing the
brand of some Chicago firm, are best known and the
most sought after by the retail trade.
The Doggett, Bassett & Hills Co. — Prominent among
Chicago houses, and, doubtless, best known because of its being
the oldest jobbing boot and shoe house in the city, is this com-
pany. Briefly given, its history is as follows : It was founded in
1846 by William E. Doggett and George L. Ward, who, under the
firm name of Ward & Doggett, established themselves in the
wholesale boot and shoe trade at No. 172 Lake Street. In 1S50,
D. Hobart Hills, who had been connected with the house from the
first as a salesman, was admitted as a partner, and at the same time
Henry D. Bassett, who was then engaged in manufacturing in the
East, also became a member of the firm, the style of which was
changed to Ward, Doggett & Co. Two or three years later, a
removal was made to No. 133 South Water Street, and in 1S56,
Mr. Ward having died, the firm name was changed to Doggett,
Bassett & Hills, being composed of W. E. Doggett, Henry D. Bas-
sett and D. Hobart Hills. Mr. Ward, it should be explained, was
a non-resident partner in the house, and, although entitled to the
credit of being one of its founders, yet, as he never lived in Chicago
(his death occurring at about the time it began to assume some im-
portance among the commercial institutions of the city), to Mr.
Doggett more properly belongs the honor of having been the father
of the jobbing trade in this line in Chicago. In 1S59, another re-
moval was made to No. 32 Lake Street, the site now occupied by
Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co., and two years later to the oppo-
site side of the street, at the corner of Wabash Avenue. Shortly
after taking possession of this building, they added two more
stories, and continued to occupy it until October, 1871. In the
great fire they were burned out, sustaining a total loss on stock and
building of over $150,000. The second day after the fire, how-
ever, they opened an office in a dwelling at the southeast corner of
Wabash Avenue and Harmon Court. There they resumed busi-
ness, and were soon filling their orders as though no fire had ever
occurred. Early in the spring of 1872, they removed to a store
which had been erected by J. Y. Scammon, on Michigan Avenue,
near Van Huren Street. In the meantime, however, they had be-
gun to re-build on their old site, at the corner of Wabash Avenue
and Lake Street, which they completed and occupied in August,
1872. Having thus again fairly established themselves in their old
quarters, things ran along as smoothly and prosperously as could
have been desired, until, in April, 1876, a serious calamity befel
them, in the death of Mr. Doggett. Not that this occurrence in
any way affected the standing of the firm, or diminished the num-
ber of its patrons, but all of its members deeply felt the loss of the
man who had founded the house and who had so long controlled
and directed its affairs. Following the death of Mr. Doggett, the
surviving partners, including C. II. Cram, who was at that time
admitted to a membership in the firm, continued the business
without change until 1878; at that time, a joint-stock company
was formed under the corporate title of the Doggett, Bassett & Hills
Co. Its first officers were D. Hobart Hills, president, C. H.
Cram, secretary ; and William Wheeler, of Boston (whose connec-
tion with the house dated from this time), treasurer. They re-
mained at the old premises on Lake Street until in January, 1S79,
and then removed to Nos 212-14 Monroe Street. In March, 18S1,
Mr. ( 'ram died; and two years later, death again invaded the firm,
taking this time Mr. Wheeler, whose interest in the house was sub-
sequently purchased by Hon. A. 1'. Martin, the present mayor of
Boston. Mr. Martin is the present treasurer of the company. Mr.
TRADE AND MANUFACTURES.
697
Hills served both as president and secretary since the death of Mr.
Cram. This house has been engaged in manufacturing since 1 S53,
at which time they employed between forty and fifty workmen.
They now employ from one hundred to one hundred and fifty
hands, besides doing an extensive jobbing business. In 1S46, their
total sales were only $11,000, and, as Mr. Hills says, they thought it
a pretty big business for those days. Now, their sales amount to
over a million dollars per annum, and they are only one among
several other houses here in the same line, whose total volume of
trade equals these figures. Mr. Hills, in relating some of his remi-
niscences of early days in mercantile life in Chicago, says that before
any" railroads were built here, merchants received all their goods,
bought in the East, by water. It happened then that during the
winter months, and when navigation was closed, that their stock
ran exceedingly low, and they were sorely pressed to fill their or-
ders to the retail trade. One winter in particular, Mr. Hills relates
that, the spring being very backward, his firm conceived the idea
of shipping goods from New York via New Orleans, from thence
up the Mississippi River to the Illinois and Michigan Canal, to this
city. They finally received their goods, but, as Mr. Hills laugh-
ingly asserts, they did not deem it expedient to repeat the experi-
ment. The house of Ward & Doggett began doing a jobbing busi-
ness in a small way in 1S46. Mr. Hills says that he remembers
the first bill of goods they jobbed was sold either to C. A. Brooks
or R. I. Thomas, both of whom were then merchants doing busi-
ness in St. Charles. The amount of the bill was only $120, but,
after it was sold, the members of the house felt like congratulating
themselves on having obtained so good a customer. Coming, as it
has, unscathed through all the perils incident to so long a career,
the record of this house is one peculiarly honorable, and speaks
well of the skill and sagacity with which its affairs have been man-
aged. Of the founder of the house, we have already spoken ; it
only remains now to add that, as a man and a citizen, he was highly
esteemed by all who knew him. The following brief facts con-
cerning his life have been furnished by his sister, Miss Eunice
Doggett, now of this city.
William E. Doggett was born in the village of Acushnet,
Freetown Township, Bristol Co., Mass., November 20, 1820. His
father, Elkanah Doggett, was a merchant and manufacturer of
iron, and descended from a long line of intelligent farmers. His
mother, Eunice Baker, was a daughter of Rev. Joseph Baker, of
Middleborough, Mass. As parents, they trained their children to
" fear the Lord and work righteousness," and skillfully guided
their hours of study and recreation. The educational facilities of
the village, in both private and district schools, were of a high
order, and in these he received his first lessons in English knowl-
edge. Latin he pursued for several months, and continued it, with
Greek, mathematics and higher branches of English, at Pierce
Academy, Middleborough, Mass. At sixteen, he left school and
entered mercantile life as a clerk in a country store in Middlebor-
ough. He remained there two years. Thence he went to Mount
Savage Iron Works, Frostburg, Md., where he was seven years,
and then to Chicago, where, with an old school friend, George
Ward, he established the boot and shoe house of Ward & Doggett,
afterward known as Doggett, Bassett & Hills. Mr. Doggett was
married to Mrs. Kate Newell on February 22, 1S57. Their only
child, George Newell Doggett, resides in Chicago. Mrs. Doggett,
well known as a woman of gifted literary attainments, died in
March, 1834. As has already been told, Mr. Doggett's death
occurred in April, 1S76.
D. Hobart Hills, who has been for so long at the head of
this house, was born in Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., October 27, 1826.
His parents were David O. and Harriet (Bowen) Hills — the father
being engaged in general merchandising in Sackett's Harbor. His
death occurred when Hobart was quite young,' leaving him to be-
come the main support of his widowed mother. In 1845, he came
to Chicago, and in the following year took service as a clerk in the
house of Doggett & Ward. A few years later he was admitted as
a junior partner. Mr. Hills was married, in 1S59, to Harriet R.
Merrill, daughter of Hiram A. Merrill of Watertown, N. Y. They
have four children, Caro M., Mary, William Doggett and Emily.
H. D. Bassett, whose connection with the house dates since
1850, came to Chicago in 1S53, but, six years later, it being thought
desirable to have a resident partner in the East, Mr. Bassett re-
moved to Boston, where he has since resided.
C. H. Fargo & Co. — In the winter of 1855, Charles H. Fargo,
a native of Massachusetts, landed in Chicago, and in the spring of
the following year, in company with W. A. Bill and A. W. Kellogg,
established a wholesale boot and shoe house at No. 47 South Water
Street, under the firm name of Bill, Fargo & Kellogg. In the fol-
lowing year a removal was made to No. 43 Lake Street and, at the
same time, the firm name was changed to Fargo & Bill. In 1S64,
they removed to No. 4S-50 Wabash Avenue, and H. D. Fales be-
coming a member, the style of the firm was again changed to that
of Fargo, Fales & Co. They remained on Wabash Avenue until,
in [869, they removed to No. 44-46 Randolph Street, at which num-
ber thej were still doing business at the time of the tire of ( Ictober,
1871. In that hre, notwithstanding their losses aggregati d$l6s, >,
they were fortunate enough to save some fifteen thousand dollars'
worth of stock, which was removed to the stable of Mr. Fargo, al
No. 613 Wabash Avenue, and where, on the day following, they re-
sumed business. A few weeks later the) removed to No. 575 State
Street, where they remained until, in May, 1S72, they removed to
the corner of Madison and Market streets', continuing there until,
in April, 1SS3, they located in their present quarters at Nos. 116-20
Market Street. On the re-organization of the- firm under Its pres-
ent style in [871, its members then were C. II., C. E., and S. M.
Fargo and John Benham. In January, 1883, Mr. Bcnham with-
drew, and Frank M. Fargo, a son of the senior member, entered the
firm. As is now well known, this house does an immense manufac-
turing business, and is, in this branch of the trade, one of thi
as well as one of the largest houses in Chicago. Mr. Fargo, with
his characteristic energy and enterprise, began manufacturing 1 1 -
and shoes of the heaver grades in 1S59. "is new departure in Ihis
direction at once brought him into competition with Eastern manu-
facturers, but the good quality of his work soon created a demand
greater than he could fill, and stimulated his fellow-merchants in
this and other Western cities to follow his example. Thus it may
be truthfully said, that to this house is due the credit of having in-
augurated the business of manufacturing boots and shoes in Chi-
cago, aud of really laying the foundation of what is to-day one of
her most important industries. The first year his house was estab-
lished here, it did a business of nearly $70,000, while the entire job-
bing trade in boots and shoes in Chicago, did not exceed $Soc,ooo.
It may now safely be estimated at not less than $20,000,000. In 1883,
the sales made by C. H. Fargo & Co. amounted to over $1,250,000.
A glance at the above figures shows not only the growth of this
house, but also the relative development of the entire trade in this
branch in the city. The success which has attended this firm from
the first to the present time is doubtless due to the fact, that though
full of enterprise it has alwavs been conservative in its dealings, and
that the men who directed its affairs never ventured into any out-
side enterprises, but steadily persisted in building up and carrying
to its fullest development this one line of business. And of C. 11.
Fargo, who has so long been its managing head, it may be stated
that the one great work of his life has been to carrry forward this
enterprise and in laying broad and wide the foundations of its pres-
ent commercial strength and greatness.
Charles H. Fargo was born at Tyringham, Berkshire Co.,
Mass,, November 9, 1S24, the son of Samuel and Eliza (lluel)
Fargo. From the time Charles was twelve years old until he was
eighteen, he was almost constantly in the store, barring his attend-
ance at intervals at the district school of his native town. At the lat-
ter age, however, he entered Westfield Academy, intending to fit
himself for a physician. He remained there but six months, when he
was called home to take full charge of the store, while his father turned
his attention to farming. He continued to manage the store for his
father until, on attaining his majority, he was made a partner.
Two years later, young Fargo having decided to go into business
for himself, and desiring to enlarge his field of operations, moved
to Great Barrington. a town of some importance in the same county,
and where, in company with a partner, he began business on a
larger scale. It was not long until his firm became the leading one
in the place. In 1S55, Mr. Fargo decided to come West and carry-
out a long cherished desire, to establish a certain branch of business
and, making that a specialty, push it to the highest attainable suc-
cess. As has already been told, he in that year arrived in Chicago,
and shortly afterward established the house of which he is still the
head. Mr. Fargo was married on September 5, 1848, to Miss
Eveline M. Sweet, daughter of J. W. Sweet of Tyringham, M.i^s.
During their married life, four children were born to them — Fred.
L. (who died when but four years of age), Charles E., Prank M.,
and Edward A. Kargo — two of whom are now young men of fine
business qualities and partners in the house their father established
nearly thirty years ago ; the youngest is at school in Massachusetts.
Mrs. Fargo died in August, 1S71.
GREENSFELDER, Rosenthal & Co. — This firm manufactures
and wholesales boots and shoes, and is the largest house in its line
in this city. It was established here in 1856 by Isaac Greensfelder
and Rudolph Rosenthal, as retailers. Ten years later Siegmund
Florsheim was made a member of the firm, which then started in
the wholesale trade in January, 1S66, on Lake Street. Afler the
fire of 1S71, in which it suffered heavy losses, the firm removed to
the northwest corner of Lake Street and Wabash Avenue. In
January, 1S7S, it removed to Nos. 105-107 Wabash Avenue, where
it remained until January, 1883, and then moved to Nos. 251-57
Monroe Street. Since starting in the wholesale business the firm
has ever enjoyed a large and constantly increasing trade, their sales
for 1S83 amounting to nearly $1,500,000. Mr. Greensfelder came
here in 1S54, and was engaged in the tetail trade at the time the
693
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
business connection between himself and Mr. Rosenthal was formed.
Mr. Florsheim, the junior partner joined in 1S66.
Isaac Greensfelder was born in Bavaria in the year 1827. He
learned the trade of a shoemaker at the age of thirteen, and followed
that occupation until 1S4S, when he came to America and started a
retail boot and shoe store on Gaenk Street, New York City. He
carried on that business until 1S54, when he came to Chicago.
Mr. Greensfelder married Sarah Woolf, of Bavaria, who died in
Chicago in 1S64. He afterward married Amelia Blum, daughter
of David Blum of Frankfort-on-the-Main. They have seven chil-
dren— Nathan, in business with his father; Lois who is studying
medicine; Adolph and Julius; and three daughters, Thekla, Rosalia
and Bella.
SUNDRY INDUSTRIES.
Newell Matson, the well-known jeweler, and senior member
of the firm of N. Matson & Co , was born in Simsburg, Hartford
Co., Conn., where he was educated and made his entry into busi-
ness life. His first enterprise was a general country store, which
he conducted until 1S45, when he removed to Owego, N. Y.,
where he opened a dry goods and notion store. One of his depart-
ments comprised jewelry, his trade in that line growing so rapidly
that he relinquished the other branches of his business and devoted
his time exclusively to the manufacture and sale of all kinds of
jewelry, silverware, etc. The extent of Mr. Matson's trade during
his residence in Owego may be imagined, when it is stated that he
employed fifty-six salesmen. In the course of several years
he established a branch store at Danville, N. Y., which was then a
central point for the distribution of goods, and more convenient
for a number of his traveling salesmen. Two years later, Mr.
Matson sold his Danville store to one of his employe's, and located
another branch at Painesville, Ohio. In 1S57, he closed out his
interests in the East, and went to Milwaukee, Wis., where he
established his business. Later on, seeing that it was necessary
to have a branch house in Chicago, if he desired to retain and ex-
tend his trade, he opened a store at No. 117 Lake Street, where
the business grew so rapidly that, a short time prior to the great fire
of 1871, he gave up his Milwaukee interests, and concentrated his
trade in the Chicago house. The fire came, and Mr. Matson was
one of the many sufferers, his stock being completely destroyed;
but with the energy for which he is noted, he soon found quarters
in a dwelling on Wabash Avenue, where he remained for one year,
when he removed to the elegant building, erected for him, at the
southwest corner of Monroe and State streets, his present location.
Mr. Matson's career demonstrates what energy, pluck and uncom-
promising honesty will do, the position which he holds in business
and social life amplifying the adage that "honesty is the best
policy." Mr. Matson has had many interesting experiences, during
which time he had several partners connected with him. His present
partner is L. J Norton, who has been with him for many years.
Mr. Matson was married to Miss Flora M. Case, of Simsbury,
Hartford Co., Conn, in 1840. Has five children living — Flora P.,
now wife of Thomas S. Hayden, of Denver, Col.; Anna C; Ella
C.i now wife of A. H. Andrews, of Chicago; Rollin N., engaged
with his father; and Lottie, now wife of S. M. Berry, of Chicago.
Henry Horner & Co.— The house of Henry Horner & Co.,
wholesale grocers and flour dealers, is one of the oldest in the city,
having been established in 1842 by Henry Horner, the father of
the present proprietor. It was inaugurated at the corner of Ran-
dolph and Canal streets as a wholesale and retail house, and there
remained until 1859, when Mr. Horner built the large store at
Nos 78, 80 and S2 West Randolph Street. There Mr. Horner
remained until 1864, when he removed his business to South
Water Street, and there was burned out by the fire of 1871. This
tated his return to his own store, which the present firm
still occupies. In 1878, the retail department was abandoned,
and in the same year Henry Horner died, the business being con-
tinued by his widow and son, Isaac II. Horner. Subsequently,
Angel, Charles, and Maurice Horner, brothers of Isaac, also
entered into the business, the firm name remaining the same —
Henry Horner & Co. Henry Horner (deceased) was born in Seyn,
Bohemia, in 1817; he came to America in 1840, and located in
Chicago, and engaged as a clerk for a clothing house, where he re-
mained until he began business for himself in 1842, which he con-
tinued until the time of his death, which occurred February 12,
'"7" 1" '"••). he engaged in the banking business in company
with Lazarus Silverman; they continued the business until the fire
of 1871, when the linn dissolved. In 184S, he married Hannah,
daughter of Simon and Minna (Solomon) Dernberg, natives of
Darmstadt, fiermany. Mr. an. I Mrs. Horner had eleven children
— Delia, wife- of S. A. Levy, of this city; Joseph, of firm of
Shojrer .V Horner, married to a daughter of H. A. Kohn; Isaac
II.. Angel; Minnie, wife- of s. Vcndorf, of the firm of Strauss,
Goodman & Yondorf; Charles, Maurice; Dora, wife cf A. Yon-
dorf, of the firm of Yondorf Bros., clothing, in this city; Harry,
Albert, and Mattie. Mr. Horner was one of the originators of the
Chicago Board of Trade, and he remained a member until the time
of his death. Resolutions of respect and condolence were adopted
by the Board upon his decease.
George Churchill Cook was born March 10, 181 1. in Berk-
shire, Tioga Co., N. Y. This colony was named after Berkshire,
Mass., and contained many prominent families from the last-named
region. His parents, Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Churchill) Cook,
were among the colonists. Ebenezer Cook died in 1S12, and Mrs.
Elizabeth Cook in 1825. Thus, at the early age of fifteen, was the
subject of this sketch deprived of the assistance and counsel of
both his parents, and obliged to set out for himself in life ; but
this necessity developed in him that resolution, stability and self-
denial for which he was ever afterward characterized. Fortunately,
however, for him, he went to live with an uncle, Colonel William
Cook, in whose employ he became familiar with the details of busi-
ness life, and where he qualified himself for the management of
those large mercantile interests which afterward devolved upon
him. He was married November 11, 1834, to Miss Lucy Maria
Williams, whose parents were likewise from Berkshire, Mass. He
moved immediately to Newark Valley, where he lived nine years,
and in 1843, came to Chicago. The city was then small, but, fore-
seeing its future development, he determined to remain, and estab-
lished himself in the grocery business. Such was his success that,
previous to the great fire, he was the head of the largest house in
that line in the Northwest. That calamity swept away his fortune,
and shortly afterward he became manager of the Merchants' Safe
Deposit Company, which position he retained until his death. He
was a man of untiring industry, was diligent in business, and when
in charge of the vaults of the Deposit Company was always at his
post, even though in enfeebled health. Mr. Cook was converted,
and joined the Methodist Church in 1833, and from that time until
his death, which occurred April 18, 1884, he was one of the most
sincere, earnest and devoted Christians. His devotion to the Church
was very intense. Everything was estimated by him by its bearing
upon the Church. He was a director and, for a time, president of
the Chicago Orphan Asylum. He was a life director of the Chi-
cago Bible Society, and he was a member of the board of trustees
of the Northwestern University. Much as Mr. Cook gave before
the great Chicago fire swept away his fortune, his largest contribu-
tions were in the constant flow of cheerfulness and attention to
strangers, by which so many were attracted to the church. His
quick eye would detect a stranger in the congregation, and he was
sure to make him welcome. Chicago, and that Western land, con-
tain many noble Christians, who, as young men, poor clerks, were
noticed, encouraged, and helped into active church work by Mr.
Cook. He believed it to be a man's highest duty to do good to
his fellow-man, and he was a constant supporter of the old State-
street M. E. Church, and, later, of the Wabash-avenue M. E.
Church. This Church, on April 21, 1SS4, adopted a series of reso-
lutions in which they resolved " that we recognize that he has been
the leading spirit of our united work since 1851, and that, conse-
quently, we feel a sense of irreparable loss at his removal from our
midst." And, although he was not a member of the Commercial
Exchange of Chicago, yet, that body, on the same day, resolved
"that we shall not forget his kindly face and genial greetings, his
high standard for moral and business integrity, nor his active sym-
pathy for the poor and unfortunate, for, if all those for whom he
had done some kindly service could throw7 a blossom on his grave,
he would sleep beneath a monument of flowers." The Sunday-
school of Wabash-avenue M. E. Church also passed a series of
appreciative resolutions. Mr. Cook's love of the beautiful was
highly developed. He had made a collection of steel engravings
which fill forty large handsome scrap-books, and arranged them
with great discrimination as to subjects ; and there is probably no
other similar collection at all to be compared with it. Mr. Cook
left a wife and one son, Henry W. Cook, and an adopted daugh-
ter, now Mrs. Walter S. Carter, of Brooklyn, N. Y., as the only
members of his family. Henry W. Cook is a member of the firm
of Cook, Phillips & Wells.
H. C. & C. DURAND. — This house is one of the largest job
bing and importing houses in this city . No house in this especial
line of trade is more widely known throughout the West and
Northwest, as it is one of the pioneers of 1850. H. C. Durand
commenced business as a wholesale grocer in co-partnership with
R. Bailey, at No. q Market Street, under the firm name of Bailey
& Durand. The firm remained unchanged until 1856, when Mr.
Durand purchased Mr. Bailey's interest, and organized the firm of
Durand Bros., the individual members being H. C. Durand. John
M. Durand, and C. E. Durand. In the year 1857, H. G. Powers
became associated with them, and the firm became Durand Bros. &
Powers. On January 1, 1872, upon the retirement of H. G. Pow-
ers, the firm name was again changed to Durand & Co., its mem-
TRADK AND MANUFACTURES.
699
bers being John M. Durand, H. C. Durand, and Calvin Durand.
Their store was at Nos. 42, 44 and 46 Wabash Avenue, in (878,
when the present firm was established under the style of II. O. &
C. Durand, and has so remained until present date. The ware-
houses, offices, and packing rooms in connection with their exten-
sive business, occupy the five buildings known as Nos. 15, 17, 19,
21 and 23 LaSalle Street, where they have remained since the or-
ganization of the present firm.
H. C. Durand, the founder of the above named house, was
born in Clintonville, AuSable Tp., Clinton Co., N. V., March 1,
1827. His parents, Calvin and Lois Durand, were natives of Chit-
tenden County, Vt. Mr. Durand's early life was spent upon the
farm of his parents. In September of 1850, he went to Milwau-
kee, Wis., and engaged as a clerk in the grocery house of (J. M.)
Durand (his oldest brother) & (J. M.) Lawrence, remaining with
them until May, of 1851, when he came to Chicago, and established
the house of which he is still the head. Mr. Durand married Anna
W. Burdsall, daughter of Caleb Burdsall, of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Mr. Durand and wife are members of the Kirst Presbyterian Church
of Lake Forest, where they reside.
Calvin Durand, of the firm of H. C. & C. Durand, was
born in Clintonville, Clinton Co., N. V., on May 7, 1S40, and is a
son of Calvin and Lois (Barnes) Durand, natives of Vermont.
Calvin, senior, followed the mercantile business and farming most
of his life : he also did considerable contracting. He and his wife
died in Collinsville — Lois dying in i860 and Calvin in 1864.
Calvin, junior, was educated in the common schools of New York
and at keysville Academy. In the spring of i860, he came to
Chicago, and took a situation as a clerk for his brothers, and
remained with them until the spring of 1S62, when he enlisted in
the Chicago Board-of-Trade Battery, which joined the Army of
the Cumberland, and was with it in all its great battles until the
summer of 1864, when he was taken prisoner by the rebels, near
Atlanta, Ga. He was sent to Andersonville, where he remained
three months; thence to Charleston, where he was allowed to stay
six weeks ; thence to Florence, S. C , and was there three months;
when he was taken to Libby Prison, where he was kept two weeks,
and then exchanged. His treatment at each of these prisons was
perfectly inhuman, and he says that history is unable to record the
brutal, malevolent and outrageous treatment accorded to our pris-
oners in those Southern prison-pens. At the close of the War, in
1865, he was discharged in Chicago. He re-commenced work as a
clerk for Durand & Hvde, with whom he remained for three months,
when he was admitted as a partner into the firm of Durand Bros.
& Powers. After this there were several changes in the firm, but
Calvin has remained with the house, which is now H. C. & C. Du-
rand. In 1867. he married Sarah G., daughter of Myron D., native
of New York, and Lydia Elizabeth (Allen) Downs, native of Con-
necticut. By the above marriage there are five children — Jennie E ,
Hattie A., Mabel E., Bertha J. and a baby. Mr. Durand and wife
are members of the First Presbyterian Church, Lake Forest, and he
is a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 33, A. F. & A. M.
The W. M. Hoyt Company was organized under the laws of
the State of Illinois, and became incorporated in 18S3. The mem-
bers of the company were also members of the old firm of W. M.
Hoyt & Co. The officers are W. M. Hoyt, president; A. M. Ful-
ler, vice-president; and Robert J. Bennett, secretary and treasurer.
Mr. Buttolph and Graeme Stewart are directors. The early history
of the house is as follows : Mr. Hoyt, the president and senior
partner, in 1857, entered into the fruit business at the corner of
Dearborn and Randolph streets, and continued therein until 1S65.
In that year, having bought out James A. Whitaker, at No. 101
South Water Street, he engaged in the wholesale grocery business,
associating Christopher Watrous, W. T. Sherer and S. M. Case
with him. The firm remained at the same location until after the
fire of 1871, when they removed to No. 63 South Canal Street, and
from there to their present place of business, the site of old Fort
Dearborn. As a fitting memorial of that historic landmark, Mr.
Hoyt has caused a marble tablet to be placed in the north wall of
his store, the plan and inscription being furnished by his partner,
Mr. Bennett. This house is doing a business of three million dol-
lars annually.
Albert C. Buttolph, one of the directors of the W. M. Hoyt
Company, wholesale grocers, was born in Charlotte, Vt., Septem-
ber S, 1S52, and is a son of Albert A., and Laura (Burnham) But-
tolph, natives of Vermont. Albert was educated in the schools of
Illinois, and obtained his first experience as a business clerk in a
retail store at Morris, Grundy County. In 1S73, he came to Chi-
cago, and engaged with the house of W. M. Hoyt & Co., and has
continued there since. In 1SS0, he was admitted as a general
partner, and when the firm organized under the State laws, he was
made one of the directors. On December 27. 1S77, lie married
Miss Louise Estelle, the daughter of George and Mary (Trusdale)
Fuller. They have two children — Grace and Roy. Mr. Buttolph
is a member of the Royal Arcanum and of the Loyal League.
A.LONZO M. FULLER is the vice-president of the W. M. II. .yi
Company, wholesale grocers. He was bom in Lowell, Oneida
Co., N. ■* .. 00 I Vtiil iir 4, 1S44, and is a sun of < leorgc W. .cii'l
Mary (Munson) Fuller. He was educated in the state of New
York and in Lake County, III. He remained upon a farm until be
was seventeen years of age, when be engaged with Mr. Hoyl in
the fancy grocery business, and remained with that gentleman foi
three years. Then he formed a partnership with Robert I. Ben-
nett, to carry on the same business, which partnership COn-
tinued nine years, when both members of that firm became as-
sociated with W. M. Hoyt. On the incorporation of the company,
Mr. Fuller was elected vice-president.
Robert J. Bennbi r,of theW. M. Hoyt Company, was born
In Pulaski, Oswego Co.. N. Y., February 9. 1*31), and is a son of
Ruben and Alta (Haskinsl Bennett. In 1836, Mr. Bennett, Sr.,
moved to Illinois, and located at Roscoe, Winnebago County, bul
remained only a short time, finding land-titles in an unsettled and
disputed condition, lie returned to New York, where he lived
until 1844, when he again came to Illinois, and settled at Diamond
Lake, Lake County, where he purchased a farm, upon which he
lived some years. He afterward bought land at Liberty ville, and
remained there thirteen years, until his death, on December 16,
1883. Robert J. was educated in the High School at Racine,
Wis., and the Academy at Waukegan. He was reared on a farm,
and, after leaving school, was a teacher for a number of years. In
1S63, he came to Chicago, engaged as a general bookkeeper and
cashier two years, and then formed a partnership with A. M. Ful-
ler in the fancy grocery trade, which he continued fur nine years.
In 1874, they consolidated with W. M. Hoyt & Co. In 1862. Mr.
Bennett married Miss Electa M., daughter of Carlos M. and Lydia
(Buttolph) Hoyt, natives of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have
three children — Arthur G., Maud ¥.. and William.
James S. Kirk & Co. — This house is one of the oldest and
largest of its kind any where in the West, and was established in
Chicago over twenty-five years ago. Its history is best told in the
following brief sketch of its founder.
James S. Kirk, whose father was a ship-builder on the Clyde,
was born in Glasgow in 1818, and brought up in Montreal, whither
the family moved in 1819. James, the only son, was then six months
of age. After graduating from the Montreal Academic Institute,
he engaged in the manufacture of soaps, candles and alkali in
Montreal. Afterward he became a lumber producer, and personally
superintended the camp in the woods and the drive down the
Ottawa River to Montreal. When scarcely twenty-one years of age
he married Miss Nancy Ann Dunning at Ottawa (then known as
Bytown). Shortly afterward he came to the United States, and
made Utica, New York, his home. In that city, in 1839. James S.
Kirk established a house which has become famous for the manu-
facture of soap and perfumes. Twenty years afterward found them
at Xos. 1S-20 River Street, Chicago, in the year 1859. where they
remained until 1S67. They then removed to North Water Street,
where they operate the largest soap manufactory in America. The
fire caused the firm a loss of a quarter of a million. For nearly
fifty years the stern old churchman (for all his life he has been an
earnest and consistent Christian), has striven to perfect the business
scheme of his life. Success has crowned his efforts, and he now
lives in well-earned retirement, in a luxurious home in South Evan-
ston. An undivided family of seven sons, scarcely less tenacious
than the persevering old gentleman himself, have, since their
earliest boyhood, beenengaged in the business. F'our sons — James
A., John B., Milton W., and Wallace F. — are the active and direct-
ing members of the firm ; three others are working in the business,
but as silent partners. Through the ingenuity of the junior part-
ners many novel inventions and labor-saving appliances have been
introduced. The alkali now in use is caustic soda and soda ash,
both unknown in this country when the house first opened in
Then teams scoured the country for wood-ashes, which wen I.
on the lots outside the works. I f the old fashioned plan was res. irted
to now to supply the daily ccnsumplion, a ground space of at least
fifty acres would be necessary to plant the Ira. ins. This is
mstance of the march of improvement, and the advance of this firm
fully illustrates it. An idea of the volume of business done, by this
house, 111. iv be gleaned from the fact that in 1883 their total sales
amounted to sixtv million pounds of soap alone, not mentioning
other lines of goods which they also handle.
HARPER BROTHERS. — This firm of wholesale and retail grocers
was founded by John C. Harper, in September, 1-73. A I. ranch
house is located 'at Cherokee, Iowa, managed !\ Fred Harper.
This house does a large trade extending int.. all the Western Stales
ami m. my of the territories. From its organization, the house has
steadily prospered, and it has increased, from year to year, with
surprising rapidity.
IohnC. 1 Iarit.r was born in the celebrated city of York, l'ng-
land, on June 27, 1S45, and is ason of James and Elizabeth (White)
Harper, fames Harper was a farmer, and upon the farm and in
7oo
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
the city schools John received his early training and education. In
1S56. the family came to America and located in Ogdensburg, St.
Lawrence Co., N. V., where Mr. Harper Sr., died in 1S65. Mrs.
Elizabeth Harper now lives with her son Fred., in Cherokee, Iowa.
At Ogdensburg, John C. attended school and learned the trade of
floriculturist, which he followed in New York until he came to Chi-
cago in 1S63. He then worked at bridge-building for various
railroads and corporations, and had charge of the reconstruction of
the VanBuren Street and other bridges, after their demolition in
the great lire of 1S71. lie continued the bridge-building business
until 1S73, when he inaugurated the grocery firm as recited. On
October 3, 1S74, he married Mrs. Eliza J. (Fitzwater) Marquis, of
Monticello, Piatt Co., 111. They have have had one daughter Ella,
now wife of J. \V. Heller, of this city. Mr. Harper has been very
prosperous since his arrival here, but his prosperity has simply been
the result of steady perseverance, industry and commercial integ-
rity— characteristics of the Vorkshireman. He is a member of
Oriental Lodge, No. 33, A. F. & A. M.
George Harper, was also born in Yorkshire, England, on
January 20, 1849. He was educated at Ogdensburg, N. Y., after the
immigration of his family to America, as before recounted, and
worked on a farm until he was seventeen years of age. In 1869,
he came West and went to work on a railroad, and continued rail-
roading for six years; after which he went into the employ of
his brother, where he still remains. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, and connected with Acacia Lodge, No. 705, A. F. & A.
M., of Ogdensburg.
Henry Schoellkopf has been engaged in the wholesale and
retail grocery business since 1S51. In 1863, he formed a copart-
nersnip with his brother, C. E. Schoellkopf, and continued in busi-
ness at Nos. 232-234 Randolph Street, until in October, 1S71, when
they were burned out. They resumed operations one week after
the fire, at No. 102 West Randolph Street, remaining there for
about fifteen months, when the firm of Henry Schoellkopf & Bros.
was dissolved. Since that time, Henry has been doing business at
his former location, in the building which he re-built immediately
after the fire. Henry Schoellkopf was born in the Kingdom of
Wurtemberg, Germany, on April 23, 1826, and was educated at
Stuttgart and Heilbron. When his studies were finished, he be-
came a clerk in a store, and thoroughly learned the grocery trade,
beginning when quite young, and remaining until he was twenty-
two years of age. In 1848, he came directly to Buffalo, N.Y.,and
was engaged in the Buffalo Savings Bank as bookkeeper for four
years. In 1852, he came to Chicago, and commenced the grocery
business on the northeast corner of Fifth Avenue (then Wells Street)
and Washington Street, where he remained for four years. He
then moved to Nos. 232-234 Randolph Street, afterward adding
No. 236. He was married in Akron, Ohio, in 1864, to Miss Emma
Koehler, daughter of Robert Koehler, and has five children — Henry
W., Emma, Minnie, Ida and Edward.
Samuel Faulkner, for many years connected with the whole-
sale grocery trade of Chicago, was born in Colchester County, Nova
Scotia, on October 19, 1828. He is the son of Samuel Faulkner and
Sarah (F.) Faulkner, and first came to Chicago from Boston, where
he was identified with the grocery trade, on May 27, 1851. Mr.
Faulkner inaugurated his long business career in this city by enter-
ing the employ of Mr. Heath, a wholesale grocer, as a salesman.
Six months afterward, he became connected, in the same capacitv,
with the flourishing house of Satterlee & Cook, where he met
Frederick Fischer, also a salesman, who is now a member of the
firm of Reid, Murdoch & Fischer. Mr. Faulkner remained in their
employ for three years, when he was admitted as a partner, the firm
name being Satterlee, Cook & Co., and composed of G. C. Cook,
Meret L. Satterlee. Frederick Fischer and Samuel Faulkner. In
January, 1S60, their partnership was dissolved, Messrs. Satterlee
and Faulkner retiring, and the latter entering at once into the same
business, continuing alone until the following October, when he
was joined by E. S. Wells, and, in March, 1861, by M. L. Sat-
terlee. The firm of Satterlee, Wells & Faulkner continued without
change for six years, occupying a prominent position in the trade.
Mr. Satterlee retired from the firm in 1866, which remained Wells
& Faulkner until January, 1878, when the firm was dissolved.
This firm met with heavy losses by the great fire, and insuffi-
cient insurance greatly impaired their capital, notwithstanding
which they discharged all their ante-fire liabilities within forty-
five days after their property was swept away by the conflagra-
tion. In February, 1S79, Mr. Faulkner assumed the management
of Messrs. Procter & Gamble's Chicago business. On January
8, 1857, Mr. Faulkner was married to Cornelia E. Smith of War-
ren, Mass., daughter of Rev. Stephen Sanford Smith. They have
had eleven children, nine of whom are living. The eldest,
Emma Louisa, is the wife of William R. Chapman, of New York
City. Sanford W., the only son, is a general commercial broker
in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner have been actively identified
with the First Presbyterian Church since 1S57.
A. H. Blackall is one of the earliest dealers in teas, coffees
and spices in this city, and can justly claim the honor of having
the oldest establishment in that line in Chicago. His first place
of business was at No. 57 Clark Street, the site of the present
Sherman House, where he opened a small store in 1849, which he
occupied until i860, when his increased business necessitated larger
quarters. He then removed to No. 49 Clark Street. Prior to this
removal, however, he had, in 1S57, inaugurated the American Cof-
fee and Spice-Mills on Michigan Street, the location of the present
County Criminal Court. These spice-mills formed one of the
earliest enterprises of that character in Chicago. Through perse-
verance and strict commercial integrity he soon succeeded in estab-
lishing one of the most flourishing and remunerative business en-
terprises in the city, and at the time of the fire of 1871 again was
preparing new quarters at No. 146 State Street; but the flames
reached his building before he did, destroying it, together with his
two other business houses, as well as his residence. He was left
penniless, with the exception of a little money he had in his
pocket. Mr. Blackall, however, being a typical Chicago merchant,
wasted no time in lamenting over his losses, but sent East for a
fresh stock of goods, and commenced businessat No. 289 West Mad-
ison Street; also re-establishing the American Coffee and Spice-
Mills at their present location on Clark Street. He remained at
No. 289 West Madison Street for some time, and then removed to
No. 186 on the same street, at the corner of Halsted Street, and
from thence to No. 172 Madison Street, which is now one of his
branch stores, managed by John Corbett. At the present time he
also has a branch at No. 172 State Street, opposite the Palmer
House, under the supervision of Edward Seward Blackall; his
main store, Nos. 39-43 Clark Street, being also under his son's
supervision. These various stores transact a business of about half
a million dollars annually.
A. H. Blackall, the inaugurator and conductor of these enter-
prises, was born in Oxfordshire, England, October 24, 1824, and
is a son of William and Jane (Seward) Blackall, natives of that
shire, as was his great grandfather before him. William Blackall
was an English gentleman who was the owner of large landed es-
tates, and was a lineal descendant of a long ancestry of the squire-
archy of that county. He died near Oxford. Mr. Blackall re-
ceived his education in the public and private schools in the vicin-
ity of his native place, but being seized with a desire for emigra-
tion, sailed for the United States in 1842, arriving in New York
City, where he remained for seven years. During this time he was
engaged in various commercial and clerical capacities, and in 1849,
came to this city. In that year he commenced the business, a brief
history of which has been given, and which he has continued unin-
terruptedly, save for one week at the time of the great fire. In
1850, he married H. Maria, daughter of John and Ann Taylor,
who were natives of Kent, England. By this marriage there are
three children now living — Annie Jane, wife of H Victor Love,
now in Japan; Edwafd Seward; and Lillie M., who is well known
in the amateur musical circles of Chicago. Mr. Blackall is a mem-
ber of Blaney Lod^e, No. 271, A. F.& A.M., and is also a member
of Oriental Consistory, 32°, S.P.R.S., and of St. George's Benevo-
lent Association.
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
INTRODUCTORY.
During the thirteen years that have elapsed since
Chicago was destroyed by the great fire, numerous per-
sons have devoted time and money to the labor of
gathering accurate data for the use of unbiased writers.
Among the most active of these is George M. Higgin-
son, who placed the results of his efforts in the form of
manuscript statements of eye-witnesses, in the vault of
the Chicago Historical Society. Through the courtesy
of Secretary Albert D. Hager, access was allowed to
those hitherto unpublished documents, many of which
are given in the succeeding pages.
Charles C. P. Holden investigated the progress of
the fire from the O'Leary barn to the Water Works, not-
ing it step by step, and fixing in an indisputable manner
the exact time of its igniting Bateham's mill, Parmelee's
stables, the Court House, Wright's stables, and the
Water Works. This information was derived from a
great number of sources, involving much labor and pa-
tience, and the facts are here given for the first time,
and are corroborated by a score of interviews.
The records of the investigation by the Commission-
ers soon after the fire, and the several conflicting state-
ments made at the time, are referred to only when later
statements require such notice. In the description of
the terrible calamity, it was found expedient to draw
freely from such graphic pens as those wielded by
Messrs. Colbert, Sheahan, Upton, Chamberlin, Walker,
Wilkie, White, and their brothers of the Press, most of
whom were eye-witnesses of the scenes they portrayed.
What has once been well told is allowed to remain in its
original form.
Cause of the Fire. — The precise cause of the fire
is now a mystery, and must ever remain so, unless the
knowledge at present withheld through fear or pride
shall hereafter be revealed, as those who may know the
cause manifest a decided aversion to the subject. It is
difficult to deal with people who can not be made to
understand that accident is not crime, even when dread-
ful results ensue.
Four theories are advanced relative to the origin of
the great fire :
First. That Mrs O'Leary visited her cows after
dark, carrying a lighted kerosene lamp, which was
kicked over by the historic cow, setting fire to the sur-
rounding rubbish. This was the first theory advanced,
and the one most tenaciously adhered to; which theory
conceded that a vicious cow and a pint of oil were suf-
ficient cause to produce a conflagration that destroyed
$192,000,000 worth of property, at the appalling rate of
$1 10,000 a minute.
Second. That some of O'Leary's neighbors surrepti-
tiously visited the barn, also with a lighted lamp, for
the purpose of obtaining fresh milk to make punch or
oyster stew, and met with a vigorous protest from the
disturbed cow, which resulted in the conflagration.
Third. That some boys were enjoying a moment
of stolen pleasure in the barn, with pipes or cigars, and
carelessly let fire fall among the inflammable substances
on the floor.
Fourth. That the fire was the deliberate work of an
incendiary.
These pages contain the results of a patient and im-
partial research among the records, and a painstaking
examination of living witnesses, but the admission is
made, that a satisfactory conclusion as to the origin of
the fire has not been reached. Certain points of valuable
evidence, however, are here given to the public for the
first time. Among these are the following:
The fire started as early as 8:45, instead of 9:30, as
has been asserted by nearly all writers.
A woman's scream was heard in or near the O'Leary
barn just before the fire broke out, but no evidence is
obtainable to prove by whom it was uttered.
A broken kerosene lamp was found in the ruins of
the O'Leary barn the day after the fire.
Localitv of the Fire. — In order that the reader
may have a clear conception of the locale, as well as the
magnitude, of the phenomenal conflagrations of Octo-
ber, 187 1, a resume is given of the chief features of the
geographical and social facts already recorded.
The official plan of the city recognized that portion
lying south of the main river, and east of the South
Branch, as the South Division ; that lying north of the
main river, and east of the North Branch, as the North
Division; that lying west of both branches, as the West
Division.
The main river penetrated westward from the lake
as far as Market Street, and then, with irregular outline,
diverged to the northward and southward.
Communication between the several divisions was
facilitated by tunnels under the river, and bridges of the
pivot style still in use. On the main stream, the east-
ernmost bridge was at Rush Street, the next crossed at
State Street, the third at Clark; at LaSalle, a tunnel
afforded passage-way for vehicles and foot-passengers;
and a bridge crossed at Wells Street. On the South
Branch there were bridges at Lake and Randolph
streets; a tunnel at Washington Street; bridges at
Madison, Adams, VanBuren and Polk streets — the lat-
ter being the southernmost destroyed. On the North
Branch there were bridges at Kinzie, Indiana and Erie
streets and Chicago Avenue — the last named being the
only one destroyed on this stream.
Water and Gas Supply.— The water supply was
distributed from the pumping-works, located near the
lake shore, just north of Chicago Avenue. The capa-
city of the tunnel was fifty-seven million gallons daily.
The ordinary consumption was estimated at about
twenty-four million gallons a day. There were about
two hundred and seventy-live miles of water-pipes laid
at the time of the fire.
The gas supply was furnished by two companies.
A sketch of the means of distribution will not be inap-
propriate and is consequently given :
The Chicago Gas Light and Coke Company was organ-
ized in the spring of 1850. In April, work was begun, and by Sep-
tember 4, five miles of mains had been laid, and on that date the
city had its first gas light (seepage 155, vol. 1). Hugh T. 1 »ickey was
the first president, and he continued to serve until 1871. James K
Burtis was the first secretary and treasurer, and held that position
702
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
in 1 871. The second board of directors was composed of Mark
Skinner, Thomas Dyer, Joseph Keen, Jr., William Blair, George
Smith, George F. Lee. Eii B. Williams and Jerome Beecher. For
a few months, during the absence of Mr. Burtis in the East,
\Y. B. Keen served as secretary and treasurer. William Gentry
was the superintendent. The following table shows the growth of
the system of mains up to 1S71:
1850.
iS^l
t852
1S53
1854.
1-5 =
1S56
l857-
1858.
1859
1S60.
-53
1S61.
1S62-
1S63
1S64-
1S65 .
1S66.
1S67.
1S6S.
1S69
1S70.
1S71
- 89
.106
. 121
135
The apparent reduction of the total number of miles that had
been laid in 1S62, was occasioned by the sale of the plant on the
west side of the river to the People's Gas Light and Coke Com-
pany. This plant consisted of thirteen miles of mains. There
were, however, laid in 1S62, by the original company, fourteen
miles of mains.
The first works and the main office of the Chicago Gas Light
and Coke Company were located on Monroe Street, near Market.
The works were afterward extended through to Adams Street, and
the business office was removed, for a time, to the second story of
the building No. 146 Lake Street. The original cost of the works
was $105,000. Stock to the extent of $70,000, and bonds to the
amount of S30 000 were issued. The contractors of the works
took nearly $95,000 of the stock themselves. In 1S52, the amount
of the bonds was increased to $50,000. The first year, the com-
pany laid in a stock of 400 tons of coal, and in 1S71, 72,000 tons.
In 1S50, the price of gas was $3.50 a thousand feet. This rate
was subsequently reduced; but during the war, when coal was $13
a ton, it was again increased to S350. One of the war taxation
measures was a tax of twenty-five cents a thousand feet on gas, and
the companies were obliged to make a sworn statement every month
of the amount manufactured. In 1871, the price to consumers was
$3 a thousand feet. The demand had become so great in 1S67,
that the Chicago Gas Light and Coke Company erected new works
on the North Side, on the block bounded by Hawthorne Avenue,
Haines, Hobby and Crosby streets. These works, up to 1S71,
hr.d cost $300,000. The South Side works were totally destroyed
by the great fire, but the North Side works were saved by great ex-
ertions.
The People's Gas Light and Coke Company, after their
purchase of the West Side system of mains, in 1S62, built works
on West Twenty-second Street, where they still remain. The
West Side company was organized as a corporation, but could not
float its stock. A. M. Billings and C K. Garrison, the latter of
New York, finally took all the bonds. The company built the
works at their own expense, effected a lease of the mains for nine-
ty-nine years, and have ever since been practically the owners of
the West Side system. In 1S71, there were sixty miles of mains
laid and acting as feeders to street lamps and private consumers on
the West Side.
Fire and Police Departments. — The Fire De-
partment consisted of seventeen steam engines, fifty-
four hose carts, four hook and ladder trucks, two hose
elevators, one fire-escape, eleven alarm bells, and forty-
eight thousand feet of hose.
The Police Department comprised four hundred and
fifty men, under the general charge of a Board of Po-
lice Commissioners.
Population. — The following table shows the pop-
ulation, area, and number of buildings in the city, by
divisions, in October, 1871:
I' : 1 atk.n. Area, acrm. Buildings.
North Division 77.758 2,533 13,800
South Division 91.417 5,303 16,300
West Division 165.095 15.104 29.400
Total 331.270 2},'/ii> 59,500
The total value of property, including that not as-
sessed for taxation, was: North Side, §89,000,000; South
Side, $340,000,000; West Side, §191,000,000; total,
§620,000,000.
Science of the Fire. — In the present condition of
human thought, the mind naturally seeks some reason
for the unparalleled ferocity of the flames which de-
stroyed, not only Chicago, but vast tracts of timbered
country throughout the Northwest, during the summer
and fall of 1871. We quote Elias Colbert:
''As a chemical result of this immense burning, we have not
less than three million tons of carbonic acid from the city, liberated
from its union with other elements, and carried up into the air.
Every three pounds of this would take up eight pounds of oxygen,
forming eleven pounds of carbonic acid gas. Here we have an
addition of twelve million tons of free carbonic acid gas to the
quantity already existing in the atmosphere. * * * The quan-
tity of carbonic acid gas normal to the atmosphere at the present
day is estimated to be about one part in two thousand; the weight
will, therefore, be a little less than twenty thousand million tons.
Hence, its proportion in the atmosphere has been increased by
about one part in sixteen hundred. The total weight of atmos-
pheric oxygen being a little over nine million tons, its proportion
has been decreased to the extent of nearly one part in a million.
Accepting Liebig's estimate that the annual consumption of oxygen
by the lower animals and by combustion is double the quantity
consumed by human beings in breathing, we arrive at the astonish-
ing result that the oxygen taken up by the Northwestern fires was
equal to the amount required to supply the consumption of ten
months all over the globe." * * * * "A recollection
of the fact that large quantities of carbonic acid gas were generated
by the fire will enable us to understand how very many individuals
dropped down dead near the scenes of the conflagration, and were
afterward found without the least trace of fire upon their clothing
or person. It is demonstrated that eight per cent of this gas in
the atmosphere is fatal to life. It would be generated in fully this
proportion in the neighborhood of the flames, and would thence
spread slowly through the air, over the whole surface of the earth.
The amount of carbonic acid gas evolved by these fires would suffice
to saturate the air in the locality to the height of nearly fifty yards
from the ground. But other and very important chemical changes
were involved in these widespread conflagrations. Every one has
read, if he did not himself pass through the horrible experience,
how the very air itself seemed full of fire, how the flames seemed
to take giant leaps of many hundreds of yards, breaking out in
points far away from I he scenes of general disaster, and how huge
balloons of flames swept through the sky, to descend and break
like a burning [water] spout, licking up every vestige of human life
and labor from open clearings to which many had fled as to a haven
of safety. These undoubted facts have been ascribed to 'elec-
tricity'— the agency to which every mystery is generally referred,
when we fail to assign any other cause. It is true that electric
fires were vividly at work during that terrible turmoil of the ele-
ments; for we know that no chemical change can occur without
the evolution of electrical energy. But the electricity itself was
only a phenomenon resulting from the formation of other
chemical compounds than the one above referred to. Immense
quantities of water were licked up by the flames both in city and
country, and converted into super-heated vapor. At this point, the
chemical affinities of its constituent gases for each other were
overcome by the omnipresent carbon, three pounds of which com-
bined with every pound weight of hydrogen to form what is known
as light carburetted hydrogen, while the released oxygen combined
with other portions of carbon to form carbonic acid. This carbu-
retted hydrogen is the terror of the coal miner, forming explosive
mixtures with the ordinary air of the coal pit. It is also known as
marsh-gas, being produced by the putrification of vegetable matter
under water and mud. The volume of this gas was largely sup-
plemented in the city by the coal gas that escaped from the retorts
and the supply pipes. This was the material that, mingling with
the ordinary air, changed it into a perfect atmosphere of fire,
through which the intangible flames could leap, like the lightning
flash, from one point to another far distant. Here was the sub-
stance of those mysterious balloon masses; they were aggregations
of this gas which could not burn where they originated, owing to a
lack of oxygen, which had been already sucked out from the air by
the incandescent carbon. Those masses swept along till they met
with a sufficient quantity of fresh oxygen to satisfy their insatiate
craving to be reduced back to carbonic acid and water. That con-
dition fulfilled, the change was at once effected, and in the process
the devastating flames were kindled afresh in hundreds of places
so far removed from the previous locality of the fire, that it seemed
as if the havoc could only have been wrought by the torch of the
destroying angel. And this hydrugenated atmosphere ministered
lo the further spread of the devouring element in still another way.
The millions of blazing lire brands that were borne mechanically
on the wings of the gale would have died tint in an ordinary con-
dition of the atmosphere, before they fell. But after the fire had
THK BURNING OF CHICAGO.
7°3
divorced large quantities of hydrogen from its aqueous matrimony,
these brands met with fresh fuel in every yard ot their course, and
set on fire the hydrogen through which they passed, giving rise to
lurid lines of light that resembled the path of a mammoth aerolite.
Hence, they bore the death warrant to thousands of structures that
would have escaped if they had been evolved by a fire of ordinary
magnitude. The burning missiles that fell thick and fast on the
crib, two miles out in the lake, proved that they had come through
an atmosphere highly charged with carburetted hydrogen. Space
will not permit a notice ot all the chemical derangements produced
by these fires. Among the more important of those not already
mentioned, is the formation of considerable quantities of ammonia,
by the union of portions of this liberated hydrogen with the highly
heated nitrogen of the atmosphere. Much of this ammonia will
return to the soil to stimulate the growth of vegetable matter, and
repair the waste. But no inconsiderable percentage of the whole
united with carbon, to form the carbonates of ammonia, or become
oxygenated more slowly, evolving an abundance of nitric acid.
The latter gave rise to the peculiar odor experienced after the fire,
which was remarked bv many as identical with that noticed after a
severe thunder storm, and is now known to be due to the forma-
tion of nitric acid in the air.
"The relative powers of the atomic and molecular affinities
vary with a change in temperature. The chemist takes advantage
of this, and fire has always been his most efficient aid in working
out his transformations of material substantives. Here, we have
the same agent operating on a gigantic scale, the magnitude of
which is almost too vast for contemplation. But this power acted
equally in obedience to natural law when raging over hundreds
of miles, as when manipulated in the chemist's furnace, and assumed
the functions of teacher, even when laughing to scorn the puny
efforts of man to control it. * * *
" That Chicago was ' favorably' situated and constructed for
just such a fire none will deny who remember that she presented a
four-mile line of wooden buildings directly along the path of the
southwest gales, so common in this region- But the forests per se
presented no more unfavorable conditions than in years past, yet
they, too were licked up by the all-devouring flames. The ap-
proximate cause of the conflagrations is found in the fact that the
country was unusually dry. One and a half inches of rain fell
in Chicago on the 3d of July, but from that date to the time of the
fire, on the 9th of October, only two and a half inches fell, whereas
the quantity falling in that line had averaged eight and three-
quarter inches in former years. The rainfall of the summer
season was only twenty-eight and one-half per cent of the average
in Chicago; while in the lumber districts it was fully twenty per
cent less than even this parsimonious allowance from the clouds.
Meanwhile, a hot summer's sun had dried out every particle of the
' water of crystallization,' as the chemists will perhaps pardon us
for calling it, and left the whole as dry as so much tinder. All
that it wanted was an opportunity to burn, and that want was soon
supplied."
Mr. Colbert's statement of the actual rainfall during
the summer, or from July 3 to October 9, a period of
exactly fourteen weeks, is undoubtedly correct, although
published reports by the meteorological bureau of the
War Department make even a less encouraging showing.
Local scientific observations, probably, recorded the
minutest dashes of moisture, and by that method aggre-
gated two and one-half inches of rainfall. The only
mention of rain, by one-hundredths of an inch, pre-
served in the weather reports appeared as follows: July
3, 1.5 inches; August 23, .29 inch; August 28, .54 inch;
August 29, .04 inch; August 30, .01 inch; September 5,
"threatening," but no rain reported; September 14, .36
inch; September 15, .05 inch; September 28, .11 inch.
No further mention is made until Tuesday, October 9,
at about eleven p. m. This shows but 1.4 inches, ex-
clusive of the fall of July 3. The humidity of the
atmosphere, however, is not shown, but the exact meas-
urement is scarcely required, in view of the insufficiency
thereof.
Defective Construction of the City. — The
allusion to the favorable conditions which might induce
a disastrous fire, calls for more than passing comment.
Chicago was then built as if to invite its destruction in
this manner. On the 10th of September, the Chicago
Tribune contained a pungent editorial on this subject,
which will be found relevant. Let the fact be borne in
mind that this article was written a month before
the fire.
" Chicago, as we are all persuaded in our secret hearts and as
we sometimes venture to hint in our more confidential moods, has
some things to be proud of. So conscious are we of our merits,
and so confident of our superiority over all other places, both
in the Old World and the New, that we can estimate at their true-
value the carping criticism and envious jibes of peripatetic letter-
writers, who profess to find in us something of the spirit of self-
glorification and something of that overweening sense of our own
excellence, which assumed that we have nothing to learn from the
experience and the ways of older communities. It is well enough
for them whose growth has been slow, and whose development has
been gradual, to talk of art longa; it is only for us to remember the
other half of the rusty old adage, that life is short, and to do what
we do quickly, persuaded that, if only a thing is done at all, it
is necessarily done well because we do it. If our buildings some-
times tumble down over our heads, because we run up walls, a
hundred feet or more in height, of a single brick's thickness; if our
magnificent cornices sometimes come rattling down into the street
in a high wind, because their seemingly beautiful stone carvings
are only ingeniously molded and skilfully painted sheet-iron; if our
statelv Gothic church-towers sometimes topple over, or depart from
the perpendicular, because they are tin only, and not the massive
stone they are meant to represent; if our marble fronts are some-
times only thin veneers, so chamfered as to cheat the eye into be-
lieving that they rest upon solid blocks; if on these fronts we stick
figure heads of stucco, or soft stone, in places where, neither in the
heavens above nor in the earth beneath, there can be found any
reason for putting them at all, or any reason whatever even for the
existence of such effigies; if we mix up Ionic and Corinthian,
Renaissance and Elizabethan, in inextricable confusion, their lines
of beauty and of strength preserved in everlasting pine and shingle-
nail and putty — in doing these and a hundred other things like
them quite as shocking, when judged by any true standard in art or
science, we hug ourselves with a comfortable feeling of self-com-
plaisance, and rejoice, and possibly boast, that if we have not got
the real thing itself — if we are sure we know what that is — we
have got, at least, the semblance of it. And the worst of it is, we
are growing content with that semblance. The dispensation of
veneering, of sheet-iron, of pine planks, of stucco, of the mere-
tricious in architecture and the false in art, seems of late to be be-
coming the established order, and if so be that we can achieve the
outside appearance of some respectable reality, we are quite indif-
ferent to the fact that the thing itself is only a sham and a cheat, a
snare and a lie. Whether it is that sudden prosperity has de-
bauched us, this is not the spirit that distinguished the Chicago of
a few years ago. * * * But where is that spirit now? Has it
all run to shams and shingles ? "
The same newspaper, in its issue of October 9, 1872,
editorially expresses its opinion of the cause of the
extent of the fire and the celerity of its movement, as
follows :
" The experience of this and other cities have driven the civic
authorities to establish fire limits, which, at the time of the fire,
began on the South Side, at the foot of Twenty-second Street, and
ran to State, on State to Twelfth, thence to Clark, thence to Van-
Buren, thence to LaSalle, thence to Adams, and thence to the
South Branch. On the West Side, they embraced the territory
south of Lake, east of Halsted to Madison, and east of Clinton,
between Madison and VanBuren. On the North Side, they cov-
ered all south of Illinois Street, and one hundred feet on each side
of Wells and the streets east of it, nearly or quite up to Chicago
Avenue. Small in extent as this territory was, it had been secured
with difficulty, and against the opposition of those who thought
more of immediate profits than of future security. One-half of the
buildings within this area were of wood. As I.azarus sat at the
gate of Dives, so decaying wooden shanties and tenements, filled
with the most degraded and reckless members of the community,
stood immediately against iron and marble palaces. Rows of
wooden rookeries confronted immense business blocks, or lurked
in their rear. Coal and lumber yards lined both banks of the
river, and frame houses, either in patches or dotted around like
sentinels, and always preserving a means of communicating fire
from one side to another of the fire limits, abounded. The law
was constantly violated, wooden buildings were improved contrary
to law, and the cupidity of individuals put at defiance the officers
of the law, who, in their turn, seemed to fear the unpopularity
which a strict enforcement of civic regulations might have brought
upon them. A man who received a large rent for a wooden build-
ing was unable to see why he should replace it with a more sub-
stantial structure, even though by retaining the old one he
menaced the property and even the life of others. Generous to
7°4
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
excess in giving, the citizens of Chicago often fought too hard
against even salutary measures, when they apparently lessened
their receipts. * * * The peculiar geographical position
of Chicago intensified the dangers growing out of its defec-
tive construction. It lay upon a flat prairie, open to the winds
from whatever quarter they might come. Those which come from
the lake are generally wet, and hardly more than once in the
history of Chicago had a fire moved from east to west. Those
from the west, and especially the southwest, were hot and dry, and
before they reached the substantial buildings within the fire limits,
they had extracted all the moisture from acres of frames, and left
them as dry as tinder. The business quarter of the city was on
the wrong side of the city, if it were to be located with special ref-
erence to its protection from fire. But that is a matter which
settles itself and does not depend upon men. The location of the
business portion of Chicago, as well as the greatness of the city,
arose chiefly from natural causes, and while it is in this one respect
unfortunate that the best buildings should be where they are, it is
inevitable. Thus these wooden buildings, dried bv southwesterly
gales, lay on the weak side of the structures embraced in the fire
limits, overlapping and outflanking them at both extremities
and penetrating them at all points between those extremities.
* * * Chicago, then, had for years been exposed to a destruc-
tive fire. All that was required was the concurrence of certain
circumstances, which, separately, were constantly occurring — a
long-continued dry season; a fire starting from trie buildings on
the West Side; a negligent or worn out Fire Department, and a
gale of wind strong enough to carry the firebrands across the South
Branch and the river. On the gth of October they happened
together."
Of the destructive power of the fire, Hon. William B.
Ogden, in a letter to a member of his family, brief!}' but
very succinctly says :
"The reason that buildings, men, or anything did not with-
stand the torrents of fire without utter destruction, is explained by
the fact that the fire was accompanied by the fiercest tornado of
wind ever known to blow here, and it acted like a perfect blow-
pipe, driving the brilliant blaze hundreds of feet with so perfect a
combustion that it consumed the smoke, and its heat was so great
that fire-proof buildings sunk before it, almost as readily as wood."
Fires during the Previous Week. — During this
long period of drought, when the country lay sweltering
in the sun and gasping in the shade ; when cyclones
raged with dreadful destructiveness through the south
and southwest ; when the pineries of the Northwest
were disappearing in a flood of flame ; when human
nature seemed to have reached the limit of endurance,
and hundreds were stricken with fatal suntrokes, — the
city was trembling with apprehension lest fire should
sweep it from the earth. Evil-minded creatures, bent
on plunder, skulked in by-ways and laid blazing refuse
in combustible places. Property owners were alert.
All feared, as with a foreboding of what was destined
to come, the starting of even necessary fires. And yet,
in spite of the existing danger, there were many care-
less persons, who heeded no word of warning — the irre-
sponsible crowd that curses every community, and looks
with indifferent or jealous eye on the possessions of the
more fortunate. During the week preceding the great
fire, there were many alarms. For comparative refer-
ence these are cited :
About two o'clock in the afternoon of Saturday, September 30,
1871, lire was discovered in the building known a's the Burlington
Warehouse "A," situated on Sixteenth Street, near the corner of
State ; a large brick structure used for storage purposes, and
extending one hundred and sixty-live feet on Sixteenth Street, with
a depth of one hundred and thirty-three feet, running back to the
track of the Chicago, Burlington iv Quincy Railroad. The ware-
house was built in 1064, by R. McCabe, and was subsequently
purchased from him by Sturges & Co , who used it as a wool and
general receiving depot. At the time of the fire it was owned by
Samuel M. Nickerson, president of the first National Bank, and
■ ->. W. Ailerton, as a warehouse. The building was valued
■ '<. In the basement were stored large quantities of whis-
kies, highwines. syrups ;in,| empty barrels. The first floor con-
tained sugars, machinery, groceries and general goods, On the
second floor was an immense quantity of broom-corn, and on that
and the third floor were piled a large number of agricultural imple-
ments and other machines, stoves, castings and hardware. The
fire originated in the broom-corn, midway of the building in all
directions, and spread with irresistible rapidity A man named
Charles Stearns, who was employed in the building, perished in
the flames. Owing to the persistent labor of the firemen, the loss
was confined to this building, the adjoining property — Warehouse
" B " and Burlington Hall — suffering only from water and smoke.
The value of stock in store and of the building was estimated at
over $63S,ooo. The loss on building and contents was supposed
to be covered by insurance to the extent of about $35°,ooo. How
much of this was ultimately recovered, it is now impossible to say.
After the destruction of the Post-office building, the Federal offices
were removed to Burlington Hall, making this an historic struc-
ture. The fire in the warehouse was supposed to have been incen-
diary.
On Sunday, October I, a new double brick residence, Nos.
1437 and 1439 Prairie Avenue was accidentally set on fire by boys
who were playing in the vicinity. The Department succeeded in
confining the loss to the site of its origin. The building was
not fully completed, and was owned by Michael Mortimore.
An incipient blaze in the roof of the North- Western Railway
freight office, corner of Meagher and Jefferson streets, caused
considerable alarm, about three o'clock Sunday afternoon, October
1, but did little damage. The cause was supposed to have been a
spark let fall by a careless tinner who was repairing the roof. A
fire on Holt Street, the same day, was produced bv children playing
with matches— damage, nominal. Stiii another alarm was sounded
from the corner of Market and Kinzie streets, on Sunday, about
nine p. m. A defective chimney was the cause.
Monday morning, October 2, fire destroyed a carpenter shop
in the rear of a row of brick buildings, Nos. 175 to 1S5 inclusive,
on Twenty-first Street. This row, valued at $1 2,000, and owned
by J. W. Jennings, was burned : Nos. 259, 261 and 263 Burnside
Street, and several small buildings in the vicinity, were also burned.
The loss was estimated at $45,000. It was attributed to malicious
persons. A fire ruined considerable property in Rice & Jackson's
building, Nos. 97 and 99 West Randolph, Monday afternoon.
Several frame buildings were destroyed on Coolidge Street and
Sampson Street, Monday afternoon. A box factory owned by Ray
& Whitney, on West Twelfth Street, near the river, was burned on
Monday night. A small fire occurred on Ashland Avenue, near
Mill Street, Monday afternoon.
The fires on Tuesday, October 3, were : On West Taylor
Street ; attributed to an incendiary. Eight frame dwellings, sev-
eral straw stacks, and numerous outbuildings were burned. The
fire began at No. 578, and spread in all directions. On Deering
Street ; frame cottage, No. 130 ; cause, defective chimney. On
Ashland Avenue ; St. John's Church, on the corner of Smith
Street ; cause, a careless tinner at work on the roof. On Pleasant
Street ; frame cottage, No. 34 ; cause, defective chimney. On
Butterfield Street ; frame cottage. No. 80 ; cause unknown. On
Indiana Street ; three-story frame, No. 117 ; cause unknown.
Wednesday, October 4, there were three fires reported : On
Illinois Street ; cottage. No. 29 ; cause unknown. On the roof of
the Honore Block ; discovered by Captain Bullwinkle, and quickly
extinguished. On Barber Street ; cottage, No. 10 ; caused by
defective flue.
Thursday, October 5, there were four fires reported: On In-
diana Street; dwelling, No. S5; cause, exploded kerosene lamp.
On State Street; dwelling, No. 605; supposed cause, incendiarism.
On Twentieth Street; sheds adjoining Nos. 237 and 239; cause,
carelessness in handling grease in a smoke-house. On John Street;
barn attached to No. 1 1 ; two horses were burned.
Friday, October 6, five alarms were sounded. A defective
chimney at No. 182 Madison Street. Sparks from a chimney at the
European Hotel, on the corner of State and Lake streets. A mys-
terious fire in a freight car, on the Michigan Southern track, near
Twelfth Street. A defective chimney at No. 9 Eleventh Street.
A mysterious fire — possibly spontaneous combustion — among rags
and papers in the basement of No. 561 South Canal Street.
This record is given to show why the Fire Depart-
ment was in an exhausted condition at the time of the
great calamity. Unceasing vigilance was demanded,
and the endurance of the men was taxed to its utmost
limit.
THE FIRE OF SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7.
In the appalling glare of the Great Conflagration,
which began Sunday night, the lesser fire of Saturday
night, October 7, 187 1, is almost forgotten. Hence it
is natural that the historians of the great fire, should
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
7°5
find but slight subject for thought in the preliminary
disaster.
The fire of Saturday night struck consternation to
the hearts of those who witnessed it. Never, in the his-
tory of the city, had its parallel in possible results been
seen. Not that the locality was one of extraordinary
value, or rich in architectural beauty; but the region
was one peculiarly suited to the inception of a fire which,
in the existing state of drought, might sweep Chicago
from the face of the earth.
Some time between ten and eleven o'clock, on Satur-
day night — the exact minute is not remembered — an
alarm of fire was sounded from Box No. 248, summon-
ing the Fire Department to No. 209 South Canal Street.
It was discovered that a fire was raging in the boiler-
room of Lull & Holmes's planing mill, and threatened
communication with adjacent buildings. The mill stood
near the center of the block, on the west side of the
street, and was sixty by one hundred feet in dimensions;
two stories high, and built of brick. No cause could be
assigned for the fire, but the inflammable nature of the
materials in and about the building resulted in the rapid
development of the flames. Almost before the firemen
reached the spot, the mill and contents were consumed.
It is believed by many that the origin was of an incen-
diary character.
In the rear of the planing mill, to the west, was a
paper-box factory owned by John H. Foster. North of
the planing mill, was a two-story frame dwelling, and
north of that was another frame building occupied as a
dwelling and saloon. At Nos. 189-191 were the Excel-
sior Vinegar Works, owned by F. Weigle. The greater
portion of the block was filled with lumber, sheds, out-
buildings, and dwelling houses — a rowof the latter run-
ning along VanBuren Street, fronting the south. These
were not destroyed that night; the south line of the fire
on Block 52 being about one-fourth the width of the
block north of VanBuren, or near the line between Lots
2ii and 213.
The progress of the fire, up to that time, was un-
paralleled in rapidity. A strong wind was blowing from
the south, and drove the flames with terrific force upon
the wooden buildings on the north. At the same time
the combustible nature of the buildings and materials
on the west facilitated the spread of the fire in that
direction, and in an incredibly short time the northern
three-quarters of the square was a mass of darting, roar-
ing flames.
The wind suddenly veered into the southwest,
changing the direction of the fiery torrents. In less
than twenty minutes from the discovery of the fire, the
area between Jackson and Adams streets and Clinton
Street and the river was ablaze.
The east side of South Canal, between Jackson and
VanBuren, was occupied as follows : No. 190, the Union
Wagon Works, E. F. Flood, proprietor; Nos. 212 and
214, frame tenements, owned by John Sheriffs & Son;
Nos. 216 and 218, John Sheriffs & Son's lumber yard,
on which was piled 3,000,000 feet of lumber; and in
the southeastern part of the block, and along the south-
ern line, Chapin & Foss had piled about 4,000,000 feet
of lumber. A portion of this was not burned, which
explains the narrow line of unburned territory, facing
VanBuren Street. Extensive coal and wood yards
occupied most of the space between the river and Canal
Street, except as already specified. Among the larger
dealers were B. Holbrook, Lamon & Cornish, and W.
E. Johnson, agent for the Wilmington Coal Company.
The Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad tracks
traversed the lots east of Canal Street, and reached to
the passenger and freight depots, south of Madison
Street. The company's blacksmith shop occupied No.
176. The National Elevator, owned by Vincent, Nel-
son & Co., stood on the site of their present elevator,
south of Adams-street bridge. On the northwest corner
of Canal and Adams stood a small hut, occupied by an
old woman; and beyond that were the sheds and coach-
yard of the railroad, in the latter of which were the
usual number of cars.
An iron viaduct spanned the tracks from Canal
Street to the bridge, along Adams Street, and a wooden
swing bridge stood at the spot now occupied by the
iron bridge.
Along the Clinton-street line of the fire, from south
to north, were: Holtslander & Randall's box, blind and
sash factory, who also owned a lot of materials piled
north of their building; the fire-truck house, belonging
to the city, on the corner of Jackson ; from the
northeast corner of Jackson, were a row of half
a dozen frame dwellings, four of which belonged
to Mr. Watson and two to C. B. Farwell. Jackson
Street, between Clinton and Canal, was filled with tene-
ments of a cheap character.
The fire reached the Adams-street viaduct, and the
passage-way became barred by a lurid wall. The
draught sucked the flames, with fearful velocity, under
the viaduct, which lapped with eager tongues all com-
bustible materials upon the viaduct or near it. The
Adams and United States express companies lost their
freight-sheds and contents, which stood on the north-
east corner of Adams and Canal streets.
At this point in the progress of the flames, the de-
struction of the Pittsburgh & Fort Wayne Railway
freight and passenger depots, together with a large
number of coaches, seemed inevitable. But by the
demolition of the outstanding sheds, the great disaster
was averted. The labor was performed by citizens, the
Fire Department being unable to reach the spot in time,
without deserting other stations, which were threatened
with no less danger. The little building on the north-
east corner of Canal and Adams streets, was burned,
and the poor woman who lived there lost nearly all of
her worldly possessions, and barely made her escape by
the aid of brave citizens.
While the men were battling so successfully between
Canal Street and the river, north of Adams Street, the
firemen were having a hard contest on the south line of
Adams, west of Canal, extending almost to Clinton.
A dozen leads of hose — all that could be worked to
advantage — were brought into the street, and floods of
water were poured into the blazing pile. Inch by inch
these heroic firemen fought for mastery, in the midst of
intense heat. Their courage was magnificent. While
spectators, hundreds of feet further away, cowered be-
fore the blinding drift of glowing cinders, the pipemen
stood their ground within a rod of the fiery tempest,
now and then withdrawing a few paces to recover breath
and strength, but only that they might return refreshed
to the charge and attack the flames more manfully than
before. They could not hope to extinguish the fire in the
region south of Adams Street, but they did succeed in
confining it to that area. This was the grand pitched-
battle of the occasion, and deserves to be signalized as
an event worthy of record in the annals of the Fire
Department. As this narrative continues, and the
period of the fire of Sunday night is reached, the reader
will be asked to recall what is here stated. The actions
of the firemen and citizens along the line of this con-
flagration was the most important service rendered
during the ordeal. It was not accident, nor extraneous
706
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
influence, that checked the fire here, but calm, delib-
erate, intelligent heroism ; and to those heroes Chicago
owes eternal gratitude.
It was shortly after midnight that this contest for
supremacy occurred. Perhaps it was because there
were several vacant lots in the burning block that the
struggle terminated as it did. At all events, the build-
ings on the north side of the street were saved.
It is remarked that a saloon stood on the northwest
corner of Canal and Adams streets, kept by Daniel W.
Quirk. When he became convinced that his place must
go, he threw open his bar to the people, and invited
them to free use of his stock of liquors and cigars.
Hundreds of men availed themselves of this opportu-
nity to slake their thirst. Among them were many who
carried portable fire-extinguishers, and, in return for
the bountiful supplies donated by the saloon-keeper,
who was engaged in saving some few of his household
goods, these firemen directed their miniature engines
on the saloon walls. Undoubtedly this lavish use of
chemically-charged waters saved the corner and con-
tiguous buildings from destruction.
The wind carried the fire diagonally across the burn-
ing block, and it was only by back-setting that the
northwestern portion was ignited. A section, sixty by
one hundred and twenty-eight feet on the southeast
corner of Clinton and Adams streets, was left standing.
One of the most noticeable freaks of the fire, was
the escape of Vincent, Nelson & Co.'s elevator, which
stood on Block 70, south of the bridge, near the river.
The structure was on fire several times, but did not
burn, being reserved for destruction the next night.
It is a source of regret that the circumstances and
conditions of this preliminary fire were such, that de-
tailed statements concerning it is almost impracticable.
No fire that had visited Chicago up to that time pro-
gressed so rapidly, consumed so entirely, or was at-
tended by so many obstacles in the way of description
at the time. It was almost impossible to ascertain the
exact value of property destroyed, and the amount of
insurance covering the same.
It is believed that property valued at $750,000 was
destroyed, upon which there was an insurance of two-
thirds of that sum ; but the events of the succeeding
twenty-four hours, not only rendered it impossible to
conclusively settle this point, but also effected an
almost total loss of what was burned, through the
failure of many of the insurance companies that wrote
the policies.
The Chicago Tribune of Sunday, October 8, — the
last issue before the office was destroyed — contained
one of the best descriptions of the scene now acces-
sible, a portion of which is as follows :
" Only a few minutes elapsed after the striking of the alarm
before the flames were seen sweeping to the sky, and the lurid light
that illuminated the horizon, grew more and more powerful, cast-
ing its brilliant rays in every direction, bringing out, in bold relief,
the fronts of the buildings which faced it from all quarters. The
wind, seeming to rise as the flames did, set from the southwest,
carrying with it, in its onward rush streams of sparks, cinders, and
partially-burned pieces of wood, which covered the sky with daz-
zling spangles, sweeping northeastward like a flight of meteors,
but falling steadily, in a fiery shower of rain, over that broad area
embraced between the river, the South Branch, Wells Street, and
Jackson Street ; the lighter ones going far over on the North
Division, while the heavier and more dangerous ones fell before
they reached that point. They dropped with great force to the
ground, to the occasional danger of the foot-passengers and the
scaring of horses, and showered upon roofs of buildings, inspiring
constant fears that other conflagrations would break out, and that
a terribly broad area would be covered by the flames, and put it
out of the power of the engines to combat them.
" Late as it was, the splendor of the flames and the wonderful
brilliancy of the sky were such as to attract enormous crowds from
every quarter. The densely-populated section of the West Divis-
ion lying near the fire would have, of itself, been sufficient to
choke up the surrounding streets with an impassable crowd ; but,
as the fire showed no signs of abating, they came from greater and
greater distances, forcing their way down Clinton Street, in the
center of which, near Adams, were half a dozen isolated street-
cars, utterly unable to get back to their stables. The crowd made
its way down Jackson, near where the fire began, and stopped
there, caring nothing for the smoldering ruins which lay beyond
that point. * * * * At fiist, the concourse was all from the
West Side ; but, as time passed on, they began to come from across
the water, until the blazing viaduct and the police made Adams-
street bridge impassable. Then they swept in a solid mass over
Madison-street bridge, meeting, as they crossed, the returning
stream of those who had satisfied their curiosity or who felt it un-
advisable to stay there after twelve o'clock. The bridge and the
approach on Madison Street \\ ere covered with men and women —
alone and together — who found there a favorable point for watch-
ing the flames, while they were generally out of range of the falling
cinders. The viaduct on Adams Street, with its blazing wood-
work, stood out in bold relief, and beyond and underneath it. noth-
ing but a wild whirlwind of flames, obscured, for a moment, by
bursts of smoke, but re-appearing the next, with added brilliancy.
The fire, burning down close to the river, and impelled eastward
by the wind, seemed to one on the bridge, to have almost reached
across the water, and to have partially consumed that, as well as
the more combustible material on which it was really feeding.
Above the sound of the conflagration occasionally rose the scream
of the engines, or the thunder of falling beams and tumbling
houses. The sharp smell of smoke filled the airwith its oppressive
odor.
" On the west side of Clinton Street, from Jackson to Adams,
were the relics of the household goods of the people who had been
living on the east side of the street; sometimes piled on drays or
wagons, but generally piled upon the sidewalk, after the adjoining
houses had proved too small to hold them. Their frayed and dilap-
idated condition testified to the haste with which they had been
carried away. On, around and among them were their unfortunate
possessors, who were awakened from their slumbers to flee for their
lives.
" The spectators who were near Jackson Street could look,
eastward, across a weltering sea of fire, through which, black and
desolate, ran Jackson Street, like some road-cutting through the in-
fernal regions. From wrecks of buildings, from rapidly consuming
lumber piles, and more slowly but more steadily burning coal heaps,
rose thousands of jets of flame, whirling up with them pillars of
smoke, through which loomed the buildings along the river, or the
slender masts and blazing rigging of some vessel in the river. So
grand and so novel was the spectacle, that those poor men and
women who stood shelterless did not wail and moan, and hug their
babies to their breasts, as is the usual custom of such calamities,
but stood, in dazed and dumb amazement, staring straight before
them. They did not stop to see what they had lost, or what few
trifles had been saved, but watched, as if in admiration, the fearful,
fascinating scene
" Further north on the street, the efforts of the firemen and
the eastward tendency of the wind had preserved the houses facing
west on Clinton Street — the southern ones being mere shells, but
the condition improving as one went northward. The buildings
were all much scorched, however, and rendered uninhabitable by
fire and water. But though these sombre and forbidding-looking
tenements generally barred the view, yet, through alleys and occa-
sional breaks in the buildings, one could get a glimpse into the fur-
nace which lay beyond, as if one were gazing into the portals of
hell."
The effects of this fire were so strangely contradic-
tory that one is led to pause before drawing a conclu-
sion. Had the firemen labored less strenuously, there is
no doubt the West Side would have suffered, possibly
as far north as the city limits. Had this ensued, who
can say the fire would have been confined to that Divis-
ion ? It might have crossed into the South and North
sides, thereby hastening the greater calamity. On the
other hand, it is possible that, had no such strain been
made upon the Department Saturday night, the firemen
could have successfully combatted the DeKoven-street
blaze, thus preventing its spread. But speculation is
idle now.
The pathetic side of this fire has never been given
the vital touch of personal narrative. From among the
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
707
hundreds of experiences, one is selected that t^lls, in
simple form, the grief of a broken life ; it is the humble
story of J. Develin, and is given in his own words:
" Previous to the fire of 1871, I lived on West Jackson
Street, near Clinton. I occupied a two-story house, which I had
lived in from the time it was built, in the spring of 1S57; and, al-
though I did not own the property, I had paid more for it, in rent,
pair of rather old buckskin boots. My nervous system was com-
pletely unstrung with the fright consequent upon my then state of
mind, and bad health followed, so that my ambition was entirely
destroyed. I have been comparatively a pauper ever since."
All night, and far into the day, the Department
struggled to extinguish the smoldering fires. The burn-
ing coal heaps and more enduring debris continued to
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than the whole thing was worth. At the time of the fire, we hap-
pened not to have a servant, and my wife was not only quite alone,
but was suffering from a swollen ankle. We had no family, and I
was employed in business down in the citv. This was on Saturday
evening, the night before the great conflagration. My house was
fully furnished, and contained many pieces of costly, if not elegant,
furniture. I had also about three hundred volumes of well-selected
books, mostly English publications. My wife was a careful, saving
woman, and much attached to reading and home comforts. She
had saved a little money, and was her own banker. She had been
for some years gathering and holding on to gold and silver, specie
being then scarce. I myself had. on that day, in the inside pocket
of a vest, the same being in a bureau drawer, $S25 in currency (all
bills of large denomination), with the intention of depositing the
sum in bank immediately. In all, we had between us, in cash, on
that fatal day, not less than $2,300, and our furniture and clothing
cost about $2,700. This to us would have been quite a heavy loss,
but — oh, horror of horrors! — when I reached what I supposed to be
my home, about ten o'clock that evening, I could not get within
half a block of where my home had stood, and my wife was no-
where to be found. As soon as it was daylight on the following
morning, I and a few friends gathered up the charred remains of
my poor wife — a mere handful of burned bones. The coroner was
summoned, and all there was left me in this world was the contents
of a small wooden box, which I had the melancholy satisfaction of
taking to the place of Mr. Wright, the undertaker, on Madison
Street, near LaSalle, for interment on the following day. It is
needless to say that on that day, not only Wright's place, but the
entire city was swept out of existence, so that I was even deprived
of the poor bones of my beloved wife. This was my share of the
blaze of 1S71. At that time I was sixty-three years of age, and
was left on the sidewalk, with a thin rag of a summer coat and a
emit gases and fitful puffs of flame during Sunday.
The firemen, exhausted with their efforts, gladly heard
their superiors order a relief.
The thousands of citizens who witnessed the grand
but terrifying spectacle went home, and those poor victims
of the night's destructive event sought shelter where
they could. Throughout the city there was felt a sense
of gratitude at deliverance from evil, but under the out-
ward show of easiness lurked the premonition of some
terrible disaster.
THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION.
About fifteen minutes before nine o'clock on the
evening of Sunday, October 8, 1871, fire was discovered
in a barn on the rear of lot No. 137 DeKoven Street.
The property was owned by Patrick O'Leary. The
barn was constructed of wood, sixteen by twenty feet in
size, and fourteen feet in height. The exact spot may
be found, by drawing a line from the northeast corner
of the block bounded on the south by DeKoven and on
the west by Jefferson, making the eastern end of the
line touch the northeast corner of said lot, on the north
alley. One hundred and seventy-live feet from the
street corner, along this line, will mark the precise site
of the incipient blaze.
70S
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
The barn contained several cows, a calf and a horse,
all belonging to the O'Leary family. Mrs. O'Leary
was engaged in the business of supplying milk to
neighboring families. There was the usual litter about
the place, peculiar to a crowded and indifferently-kept
stable. The upper portion of the building had recently
been filled with hay. The long-continued drought
rendered the barn and all adjacent buildings especially
susceptible to combustion, and the hazard was in-
creased by the masses of dry refuse scattered through
the alley on the north. High wooden fences ran from
the barn to sheds on contiguous lots, which afforded
easv means of communicating flames. If an incendiary
were to seek for a suitable place and time for the per-
petration of his crime, he could hope for no more
favorable conditions than those which prevailed on the
night of October 8, in the vicinity of DeKoven and Jef-
ferson streets. Nature had withheld her accustomed
measures of prevention, and man had added to the
peril by recklessness.
Who first discovered the fire is not positively known.
Several persons saw it at about the same moment. The
first to reach the spot was Dennis Sullivan, who hap-
pened to be sitting in front of his own house, nearly
opposite the O'Leary place.
Before organized resistance was made, the fire had
extended to adjoining sheds, barns and dwellings to-
ward the north and northeast, consuming its way from
the center of the block toward the streets in those di-
rections, with terrific rapidity, and within thirty min-
utes, was beyond the control of the Fire Department.
M LEARY S DARN.
Thf. Origin of the Fire must ever remain a mys-
tery, although nothing that may be written will annul
the effects of the first assertions concerning it, and
which has been given credence in numerous books and
documents. For all time, the legend of Mrs. O'Leary 's
cow will be accepted. While the city was still envel-
oped in flames, some now-forgotten tongue declared
that Mrs. O'Leary was engaged in milking a cow, when
the unruly animal kicked over a lighted lamp, and so
ignited the straw and refuse on the barn floor This
story was sent throughout the world, and men unhesi-
tatingly accepted it as the correct explanation. Humor-
ists delineated the scene, and trafficked in the work of
their illustrative talents.
But even the existence of the spot upon which the
alleged lamp stood, the finding of a broken lamp in
the ruins, and the evidence of reputable citizens that
Mrs. O'Leary really illuminated her humble home with
kerosene, are not sufficient to save the theory from dis-
credit. There is no proof that Mrs. O'Leary is respon-
sible for the fire. An official investigation of the
disaster resulted in no definitive conclusion. Some
fifty witnesses were interrogated, and, from among the
number, half-a-dozen, perhaps, gave testimony which
bore directly on the subject. Taking these in their
proper sequence, it is learned
That Dennis Sullivan discovered the fire at about
9:30 p. m. *; that the O'Leary family was then in
bed; that Mrs. O'Leary was in the habit of milking her
cows not later than five o'clock p. m.; that a family
named McLaughlin lived in the O'Leary house, and
was enjoying a social party in honor of the arrival of a
relative from Ireland ; that this family indulged in
the use of beer, but had no whisky or milk punch ; that
none of the McLaughlins visited the barn that evening
for the purpose of obtaining milk ; and, in substance,
that not one word of evidence was adduced before the
commissioners to prove how or by whom the fire
originated.
Of course many persons asserted their opinions on
the subject, refusing to believe the evidence, and pro-
fessing to hold so light an estimate on the veracity of
the witnesses as to practically charge them with
bearing false testimony ; but the evidence must
stand as conclusive until, by confession of some
one who has retained hidden knowledge, the truth
is made known.
It is possible that some petty pilferer entered
the barn; it is possible that some member of the
McLaughlin family did attempt to procure milk,
and met with an accident, causing the fire; but it
does not seem at all probable that Mrs. O'Leary,
who was then suffering from a wounded foot,
would leave her bed and go into the barn at nine
o'clock to do work which she was accustomed to
do at an earlier hour. The fact that she was in
bed at half-past eight, while her tenants were in
the first stages of social pleasure, shows that she
was not on such intimate terms with them as to
justify the belief that she inconvenienced herself
to supply them with milk.
Michael McDermott obtained affidavits relative
to this matter, during the month of October, 1871.
As nothing can be given in more authentic form
or worthy of greater credence, although Mrs.
O'Leary is still alive, those documents are quoted:
" On Sunday last (October 15), I made my way to the
O'Leary house, yet standing, and there, at No. 137 DeKoven
Street, on the east half of Lot 12, in Block 38, School Section
Addition to Chicago, found Dennis Sullivan, of No. 134,
and Dennis Rogan, of No. 112, both of DeKoven Street. There
and then I took the annexed affidavits. The parties have been
known to me personally, for several years, as of irreproachable
character.
" ' Patrick O'Leary and Catharine, his wife, being duly sworn,
before me, testify that they live at No. 137 DeKoven Street, and
own the lot and house in which they live; they had five cows, a
horse and wagon, on all of which they had not one cent of insur-
ance. She milked her cows at 4:30 p.m. and 5 a.m., as Mrs.
O'Leary peddled her milk. Mrs. O'Leary fed the horse beside the
fence at about 7 o'clock p. m., and then put him in the barn.
She had no lighted lamp in the house or barn that evening.
* Mr. Sullivan's statement before the commissioners places the time at
about 9:30. He now says " about nine o'clock.'*
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
709
" Patrick O'Leary testifies that he was not in the barn during
that day or night; left the feeding of the cows and horse to his
wife and daughter; that both were in bed when awakened by Den-
nis Rogan, of No. 112 DeKoven; that they have lost their barn,
cows, horse and wagon.
" ' Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 15th day of Octo-
ber, 1S71.
his
" ' Patrick X O'Leary.
" 'Catharine X O'Leary.
" ' Michael McDermott,
* ' ' Notaiy Public for Chicago and City Surveyor. '
" ' Dennis Sullivan, being duly sworn before me, testifies that
he was at Patrick O'Leary's house, No. 137 DeKoven Street, on
Sunday night, the Sth of October, 1871, from about 8:30 to 9
o'clock at night, during which time Mr. O'Leary and wife were in
bed; that he went a few lots east of O'Leary's, on the opposite
side of DeKoven Street, until about half-past nine o'clock, when he
saw the fire. He went across the street, and cried ' Fire, fire,' and
went into O'Leary's barn, where he found the hay in the loft on
fire. He then attempted to cut loose the horse and cows, but
failed to save anything but a half-burned calf. He then came to
O'Leary's and found them out of bed. Dennis Rogan alarmed
them during his time at the barn.
" ' Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 15th day of Octo-
ber, i87r.
his
" ' Dennis X Sullivan
mark.
" ' Michael McDermott,
" 'Notary Public for Chicago ami City Surveyor.' "
The official inquiry into the origin of the fire was
begun November 23, 187 1, under the direction of the
Board of Police and Fire Commissioners; the investi-
gation lasted several days, and naturally produced a
mass of irrelevant matter. The essential points are
preserved in this record.
Mrs. O'Leary testified that she and her family— her husband
and five children — were in bed, but not asleep, on that Sunday
night. They knew nothing of the fire until Mr. Sullivan, a dray-
man, who lives on the south side of DeKoven Street, awoke* them,
and said their barn was on fire. She took a look at the barn, and
saw that it could not be saved. She became almost crazy on
account of losing all her property — barn, wagons, harness, six cows
and a horse — and was very much excited. There were three barns
— two besides her own — on fire at the same time. A family named
McLaughlin lived in the same house with her, and she understood
that they were having a "social time" on that Sunday night; that
they had an oyster supper; and a Mrs. White had told her that
one of the family went into the barn to milk one of the cows. She
herself had no knowledge of it, and could not say whether it was
true or not.
Catharine McLaughlin, who lived in the front part of O'Leary's
house, testified that no member of her family went to the barn that
night to obtain milk for punch. She knew nothing about the origin
of the fire. Some young people were celebrating the arrival of a
cousin from Ireland that evening, but all were in the house when
the fire broke out.
Patrick O'Leary swore that his wife was in bed by eight o'clock,
and he followed her about half an hour later. He was asleep when
Sullivan aroused him; had he been awake, he might have saved his
cows.
Dennis Rogan, of No. 112 DeKoven Street, testified that he
was at the O'Leary house about half past eight Sunday evening.
Mr. and Mrs. O'Leary were in bed. Rogan inquired why they had
gone to bed so early, and Mrs. O'Leary replied that it was because
she had a ''sore foot." Rogan went home, and to bed. Sometime
after nine o'clock he heard a neighbor say that the O'Leary barn was
on fire, and ran there. He tried to save a wagon that was in the barn,
but could not. The heat drove him away. There was company at
McLaughlin's, and one was a " fiddler," and Rogan heard music
there at the time of the fire. He thought it was fifteen minutes
after the fire was discovered before the engines arrived on the spot.
Charles Anderson, foreman of the " American " hose company,
testified that he was the first to get a stream of water on the fire.
* The discrepancy in this statement is not commented on by the commis-
sioners, and must have been regarded (if it was noticed at all) as a lapsus linguae,
or an "Irish bull."
He drew his supply from a plug, and played upon the barn. In
five minutes, from twenty to thirty buildings were on lire.*
William Musham, foreman of the "Little Giant" engine,
testified that he heard the alarm, struck 342, but paid no attention
to the number, and went directly to the spot where he s.iw the fire,
and took a plug at the corner of Jefferson and DeKoven streets.
Laying his hose up the passagi wa_\ I 1 ary's lot, running north
from DeKoven Street, he worked upon the lire until eleven o'clock,
at which time he was ordered to go to the river at the foot of Tay-
lor Street.
After a protracted investigation, during which fifty-
one witnesses were examined, and all possible theories
advanced concerning the origin of the fire and the
causes which led to its irresistible spreatl, the Board of
Police and Fire Commissioners submitted the following
report:
" The Board find that the fire originated in a two-story barn in
the rear of No. 137 DeKoven Street, the premises being owned by
Patrick O'Leary. The fire was first discovered by a drayman by
the name of Daniel [Dennis] Sullivan, who saw it while sitting on
the sidewalk on the south side of DeKoven Street, and nearly op-
posite O'Leary's premises. He fixes the time at not more than
twenty or twenty-five minutes past nine o'clock when he first
noticed the flames coming out of the barn. There is no proof that
any person had been in the barn after nightfall that evening.
Whether it originated from a spark blown from a chimney on that
windy night, or was set on fire by human agency, we are unable to
determine. Mr. O'Leary and all his family prove to have been in
bed and asleep at the time. There was a small party in the front
part of O'Leary's house, which was occupied by Mr. McLaughlin
and wife. But we fail to find any evidence that anybody from
McLaughlin's part of the house went near the barn that night.
" The first information received by the Fire Department came
from the alarm struck in the fire-alarm office at 9:30.* The alarm
sounded Box No. 342, at the corner of Canalport Avenue and Hal-
sted Street, a point in the direction of the fire, but a mile beyond it.
There was no signal given from any box to the central office f but the
box was given by Mathias Schaffer, from the Court-house cupola,
he being the night watchman on duty at the time, and having
sighted the fire. There 70a s no signal given from anybody,] until
after the Fire Department had arrived and turned in the second and
third alarms. If any person set the fire, either by accident or de-
sign, he was careful not to give the alarm. The nearest engine-
house was six blocks from the fire; the next nearest one was nine
blocks away. The nearest hose-house was located eleven blocks
from the fire; and, at this hose-house, the watchman had seen the
fire before the alarm was given from the Court House, and the com-
pany were on their way to the fire before the box was struck.
" In consequence of this early sighting of the fire, the hose
company — the "America " — went eleven blocks, and attached their
hose to the fire plug and got water on the fire before any engine did,
although two engines were located considerably nearer the fire. It
would require i\ve minutes for the nearest engine to go to the lire, a
distance of six blocks. From three to five minutes more would be
required in which to unreel and lay out the hose, make the con-
nection with the plug, and go to work. Intelligent citizens, who
lived near the place of the fire, testify that it was from ten to fifteen
minutes from the time that they first saw the fire before any en-
gine came upon the ground. It is proved that the engines re-
paired to the fire, after getting the alarm, with the usual celerity.
When they arrived there from three to five buildings were fiercely
burning. The fire must have been burning from ten to fifteen
minutes; and, with the wind then blowing strongly from the south-
west, and carrying the fire from building to building in a neigh-
borhood composed wholly of dry wooden buildings, with wood
shavings piled in every barn and under every house, the fire had got
under too great headway for the engines called out by the first
alarm to be able to subdue it.
" Fire Marshal Williams and Third Assistant Marshal Ben-
ner arrived upon the ground soon after the engines, and Marshal
Williams immediately ordered the second, and, soon afterward, the
third, alarm to be turned in; but these only called the distant en-
gines, and many valuable minutes elapsed before they could reach
the fire and get to work; and, before this could be accomplished,
the strong wind had scattered the fire into the many buildings, all
as dry as tinder, and spread it over so large an area that the whole
Department, although working with their utmost energy, were un-
able to cut it off or prevent the wind, which soon became a gale,
from carrying burning shingles and brands over their heads, and
ncredible. No. 6 engine sent the lirst stream, and had
[ titteen minutes before the ' America'1 irrived.
if 11. 11. (loll hereinafter given.
;io
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
setting on fire buildings far away from the main fire. After it got
into the high church, at the corner of Clinton and Mather streets,
and thence to the match factory and Bateham's planing mills and
lumber, it was beyond the control of the Fire Department.
"About this time it crossed the river between VanBuren and
Adams streets, by means of flying brands, and set fire to Powell's
roofing establishment, adjoining the gas works. But, by this time.
the watchman in the Court-house cupola had twice extinguished
fire, which had caught from brands carried by the wind into the
Court-house balcony from the West Side, a distance of a mile. At
eleven o'clock, the keeper of the crib of the lake tunnel — two miles
from the shore and three miles from the fire — found the sky full of
sparks and burning brands; and from 11:30 till morning, he testi-
fied, he worked with all his might to prevent the wooden roof of
the crib from burning up and destroying himself and wife.
" From Powell's roofing establishment the progress of the fire
was rapid and terrific, sweeping everything in its course. The en-
gines had all been working on the West Side; and they could not
reel-up six hundred feet of hose each, and cross the river, and get
to work soon enough to prevent it spreading, literally, on the
wings of the wind. Blowing up buildings in the face of the wind
was tried, but without any benefit. The Court House and the
Water Works, though a mile apart, were burning at the same
time. Gunpowder was used in blowing up buildings, with good
effect, the next day, in cutting off the fire at the extreme south end
of it, and preventing it backing any further.
"After the Water Works burned, the firemen could do little
good with their engines, except on the banks of the river. They
had lost seven thousand five hundred feet of hose and one
steam fire engine. Two more engines had been in the repair
shops, and were partially destroyed, so that, after eleven o'clock on
Sunday night, there were but fourteen engines in service, and, after
daybreak, only one-half of our hose remained. This would not ad-
mit of an engine conveying water very far from the river.
"The firemen and their officers were sober, and did all that
men could do. They worked heroically to save the property of
others, when their own houses were burning and their families flee-
ing from the flames. A large part of the Department had worked
on Saturday night, and Sunday until 3 p. m. — eighteen hours'
steady work, — and they were nearly exhausted when this fire com-
menced; but they responded to the call with alacrity and worked
with all their remaining energy.
" We believe that had the buildings on the West Side, where
the fire commenced, been built of brick or stone, with safe roofings
(the buildings need not have been fire-proof) the fire could have
been stopped without great danger, and certainly would not have
crossed the river. After it did cross, the wooden cornices, wooden
signs of large size, the cupolas, and the tar and felt roofs, which
were on most of the best buildings, caused their speedy destruction,
and aided greatly in spreading the conflagration.
" The single set of pumping works, upon which the salvation
of the city depended, were roofed with wood, had no appliance by
which water could be raised to the roof in case of fire, and was
one of the earliest buildings to burn in the North Division.
" The Board of Police have, year by year, in annual reports to
the Mayor and Common Council, endeavored to point out the great
defects of the manner in which our city was being built up. We
advised and entreated before such an immense amount of combus-
tibles was piled around the heart of the city. We reported man-
sard and tar roofs to be unsafe; that the water supply was insuffi-
cient; that our lire hydrants were twice too far apart; that we
ought to have Fire Department cisterns at the intersections of the
streets, so that we should always have water at fires; that we
ought to have floating fire engines, with powerful pumps, in the
river, to enable the firemen to wet down fifteen hundred feet on
either side of the river or its branches; that wooden cornices were
an abomination; that the Holly system of pumping the water and
sending it through the pipes, with a pressure of forty pounds on
ordinary occasions, with power to increase it to one hundred pounds
in case of fire, would give us four sets of pumping works in dif-
ferent parts of the city, and not leave us to the mercy of chance,
or accident, with a single set. We showed that the four sets of
Holly works could be built for less than one year's interest on the
cost of the present Water Works, and, when built, would admit of
the dispensing with every engine in the Fire Department where the
water was in the street, allowing us to get rid of most of the horses
and all the engines of the Department, and to reduce the number
of men one-half — saving two-thirds of the expense of the Fire de-
partment, and making it as efficient as it would be with one hun-
dred steam fire engines. None of these things was noticed by the
mayor, the Common Council, or the newspapers. No heed being
paid to our suggestions, SO far a-, any improvement of our plan of
extinguishing fires was concerned, the only thing we could do was
of the engine companies, in order that we
might be prepared, as well as possible, to contend with the great
fires to which we were and are still liable. Our engines have al-
ways been too few in number and too far apart. The Fire Depart-
ment should be very much enlarged, or the system of putting out
fires by steam engines be abandoned. If the citizens do not believe
this now, they will after the next great fire sweeps out of existence
the greater portion of the wooden city which now remains.
" If we had had floating steam pumps of large capacity in the
South Branch, the fire would not, probably, have crossed to the
South Side. If we had had cisterns in the street, there could have
been saved all of the North Division, north of Chicago Avenue and
west of Clark Street, and all of the southeast part now included in
the burnt district of the South Division
" Evidence was given of money having been paid by citizens
to some of our firemen, but we can find no evidence that any of
them worked during the fire with any idea of receiving any pay or
consideration for their labor upon any property. The money
paid was merely a testimonial of respect for the firemen, and an ac-
knowledgment, in a substantial form, of services rendered by the
firemen, many of whom had imperiled their lives to save the prop-
erty of citizens, and lost their own homes while doing so. No
money was paid them until weeks after the fire, and its receipt was
a surprise to the firemen who got it.
"The Fire Department received all the aid from firemen of
nearly every city, far and near, that could be rendered. They
came with their apparatus, and worked with a will, and placed us
all under a load of obligations which we can never repay.
" The area burned over by the fire is about two thousand one
hundred and fifty acres, distributed through the three divisions as
follows; About one hundred and sixty acres in the West Division,
nearly five hundred acres in the South Division, and upwards of
fourteen hundred acres in the North Division. The total loss of
property burned is estimated at about $200,000,000. The number
of buildings burned is between seventeen thousand and eighteen
thousand. The number of lives lost at the fire is supposed to have
been about two hundred, although the coroner has as yet found
but one hundred and seventeen bodies in the ruins."
This report was signed by Commissioners Thomas
B. Brown, Mark Sheridan and Frederick \V. Gund.
There are several statements, based upon testimony,
which are now shown to be erroneous. The main pur-
pose of the report appears to have been the exonera-
tion of the Fire Department from responsibility;
although the most important fact — the exhaustion of
the force from overwork — is lightly touched upon.
The Press, and the earlier writers on the subject of the
fire, openly accused the firemen, and especially the
officers of the Department, of incompetency, and, as an
allusion in the report shows, of bribery. Calmer judg-
ment discerns the injustice of these charges, although
impartiality forces one into saying that "some one
blundered." The delay in sending an alarm is the
most reprehensible feature of this great disaster, and
the error in judgment which located the fire, after it
had been going about forty-three minutes, a mile be-
yond its actual site, was a fatal mistake.
The foregoing report states that Sullivan saw the
fire " not later than twenty-five minutes past nine," but
this testimony, while tending to exonerate the watch-
man in the Court House, is contravened by later and
trustworthy statements. The fire crossed the river, to the
South Side, at 1 1 : 30, first igniting Franklin Parmelee's
stables, instead of Powell's roofing works ; and it is not
true, in the sense employed, that the Court House and
Water Works were " burning at the same time." The
former building was on fire as early as one o'clock,
while the latter took fire at 3: 20. The declaration that
the " America " threw the first stream on the fire is
incorrect, as will be shown. The report appears to be
little more than an attempt to quiet the too loud expres-
sions of dissatisfaction with the Department.
Hoping to discover more conclusive evidence con-
cerning the origin and the moment of the outbreaking
of the fire, many months were devoted to such investiga-
tion. The work was materially aided by Charles C. P.
Holden, who at about the same time was preparing an
authentic history of that particular incident in the
great event, at the request of the Chicago Historical
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
711
Society. Mr. Holder] generously placed the results of
his labors at our disposal, and from among the numer-
ous interviews had by him the following are quoted or
condensed.
Action of the Fire Department. — William J.
Brown, night operator of the fire-alarm telegraph in
the Court-house tower on the night of the fire, informed
the collaborator that he was on duty during the evening
in question. He and his sister were in the office, which
was in the third story of the building, facing south.
Soon after nine o'clock they noticed a light in the
southwest, but thought it was a re-kindling of the coal-
piles in the ruins of the previous night's fire. Some
time passed. Mr. Brown then went to the window, and
noticed that the light was greatly increased. He called
his sister's attention to the fact, and they decided that
it was a new fire. Still no alarm was called by the
watchman above them in the tower, nor was any box
pulled from the outside. The suspense of this silence
and inaction became almost unendurable, for with each
passing moment the observing operators grew firmer in
their conviction that a fire of considerable magnitude
was progressing unimpeded. At last the alarm call
came down from the watchman in the tower, instructing
Brown to ring Box 342, located on the corner of Canal-
port Avenue and Halsted Street. The alarm was
sounded at 9:32 p. m. Mr. Brown states that, in his
opinion, the fire began as early as nine o'clock ; basing
his belief on the fact that he witnessed the light several
minutes before the alarm was given, and that the fire
must have been going several minutes before it was
even visible to him.
E. B. Chandler, who was superintendent of the
Fire-alarm Telegraph at the period of the disaster,
informs the writer, that
" No box was pulled for the fire of October 8. 1871. The
Court-house tower watchman saw the light and notified the alarm
operator as to which box was, in his judgment, nearest the fire.
As the light increased, the watchman urged that a second and third
alarm should follow. This suggestion was acted upon by the
operator."
This statement would show that persons living near
the scene of the fire, who gave the local alarm, made
no general effort to secure the aid of the Department.
The still alarm sent to No. 6 was about seventeen min-
utes earlier than the first public alarm from the Court-
house tower.
This conflicts with the statement made by Marshal
Williams, who says that he ordered an alarm sent in.
It is, however, immaterial, since a second and a general
alarm were sent from the tower, either with or without
calls from the officials on the spot.
Mathias Schaffer, the watchman in the tower, says that it
was 9:2s p m., when he first discovered the light of the fire. Ob-
serving it through his spy-glass, he located the scene near the
corner of Canalport Avenue and Halsted Street, and rang up the
night operator, signaling him to give Box 342. Brown struck the
alarm. A short time after that, Schaefer called to Brown, and told
him the fire was not so far off ; but as the engines would have to
pass the spot, it was decided not to send a different alarm, as that
might cause confusion. Mr. Schaffer declares that he was con-
stantly on the lookout, and that the fire must have originated about
the time he first saw it. The error made by Mr. Schaffer consisted
in not sounding a correct alarm, when his mistake was discovered
by himself. Had he done so, several engines not in service under
the call of 342 would have been brought out.
There are several discrepancies between the state-
ments of Brown and Schaffer, and those already given
before the investigating committee. It was also stated
before the committee that several boxes were rung dur-
ing the first half hour, but Mr. Chandler and Mr. Brown
do not now say so.
The discrepancy between Schaffer's statement as to
the minute of his calling Brown — 9:28 — and Brown's
statement as to the time he struck the alarm — 9:32 — is
difficult to account for. The evidence of Michael W.
Conway, David M. Hyland, and Maurice W. Shay con-
firm Schaffer's statement.
William Musua.m, first assistant marshal and department in-
spector, was foreman of " Little Giant " No. 6, at the time of the
fire. His statement, taken in June, 18S4, is as follows: No. 6
was nearly disabled from overwork during the week preceding the
fire, and especially because of their labors at the conflagration of
Saturday night. All of the men were not present when the alarm
was given on Sunday night. At fifteen minutes past nine p. m.,
October 8, a still alarm was received, and in two and a half min-
utes the engine was in position at the corner of DeKoven and Jef-
ferson streets. With John Campion, assistant, they laid a line
through Patrick O'Leary's lot, and sent a stream directly on the
fire. At that time there were two barns and three sheds in flames
(viz., at g:iy}4). A second line was quickly laid from the same en-
gine, but so rapidly did the fire spread and so inflammable were the
materials on which it fed, that they were unable to suppress it.
For more than thirty minutes this engine battled alone. Mr. Mush-
am says : "It was too much for us. The fire spread and got into
the cottages east of O'Leary's, crossed the alley, and pushed its
way into the buildings fronting north on Taylor Street. Aside
from what we did, little or nothing was done at this critical period;
and about the time the fire reached the buildings fronting on Tay-
lor Street a severe breeze sprang up, increasing the peril. After a
long time, No. 5 made its appearance, but did nothing to aid us in
keeping the fire where it should have been kept — that is, south of
Taylor Street. Later on, No 5 did good work; but the fire had
then crossed Taylor and gone northward, and was beyond control.
When No. 5 reached the spot it was disabled, and could effect noth-
ing at first. No. 6 worked splendidly. When we took out the
single-line there was so much propelling power that one man could
not hold the pipe; and when the second stream was thrown the
force was still sufficient. Had the alarm, which came so late, been
correctly given, the probabilities are that the fire would have been
of short duration, for the call would have brought to the ground,
within six minutes, three first-class engines, the ' R. A. Williams'
No. 17, the 'John B. Rice' No. 10, and the 'Chicago' No. 5.
But as it was, No. 6 was left by itself. It did the best it could,
but the fire had too much the start when we reached the ground."
Mr. Musham thinks the fire must have been burning from nine
o'clock. He also says, with a commendable degree of professional
pride, that the Department should have one act of justice done —
being accredited with exhaustion from long-continued vigilance at
previous fires. Much of the apparatus was out of repair, and many
of the companies were but half-manned at the moment of alarm.
The records in these pages sustain Mr. Musham's plea, so far as
facts are concerned.
Assistant Marshal John Campion, chief of the Fifth Bat-
talion, was assistant foreman of " Little Giant " Company No. 6,
located at the corner of Maxwell and Canal streets, at the time of
the fire. His recollections of the opening scenes of that event are
given as he related them to us :
" A still alarm was sent the company by their man on watch,
and the engine was quickly placed in position, on the corner of
DeKoven and Jefferson stieets. When they reached the fire it was
under such fierce headway that the region was illuminated almost
as brightly as if by daylight. A line of hose was speedily run
through the O'Leary lot, or the one adjoining it, and a stream sent
into the fire, which by that time had spread over five sheds and
barns. The engine did splendid service, but the company was
short-handed, from exhaustion at previous fires, and there was no
one but Foreman Musham and himself to do the pipe-work. Had
there been other engines on the ground, to co-operate with No. 6
at this moment, the fire might have been confined to the block in
which it originated. One thousand dollars would have paid all
losses thereby. The fire gained headway, and No. 6 put a second
stream on the blazing sheds. The men were obliged to call for
such aid as could be obtained, in carrying and holding their hose
and pipes. Mr. Campion says the still alarm was given about
9:20, and the engine began work about 9:24. It was more than
half an hour after that when he noticed any other company on the
ground; and when assistance arrived, the fire was beyond control.
The alarm first received from the Ccurt-house tower was for Box
342, which was nearly a mile from the fire Through this mistake
two of the best engines in the service were left in their houses until
the general alarm was sounded. Had the right number been
called, these splendid companies would have been at work within
six minutes from the receipt of the alarm. No. 5 reached the scene
first after No. 6, but was disabled and did no work until the flames
had crossed Taylor Street Then came Nos. 15, 9, 2 and 13, but
712
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
too late to prevent the spread of the fire. These companies did
not belong in the district, and were expected only on a second
alarm, although Nos. 2, 9 and 15 started on the first call, being in
the district in which Box 342 was located. When they discovered
the mistake in the call, they continued to the actual fire, because of
the intensity of the light." Mr. Campion gives it as his opinion
that the fire began as early as nine o'clock.
Christian Schimmels, foreman of "Chicago" Company,
No. 5, at the time of the fire, now says that he had been on con-
tinuous duty with his company for seventy-two hours, and was
nearly blind from the effects of smoke and cinders. He had just
sent his watchman, Mr. Mix, to the lookout, when the alarm was
sounded from the Court House, calling Box 342. No. 5 was lo-
cated on Jefferson, just north of VanBuren Street. They started
at once, going west on VanBuren to Halsted, and had turned
south, when they discovered that the alarm had been incorrectly
given. They saw the fire near DeKoven Street. They went
through Taylor to Jefferson, and took the plug at Forquer and Tay-
lor streets. Their pipemen stood about one hundred feet east of
Jefferson, on the south side of Taylor, where five buildings facing
Taylor Street were on fire. With a full head of steam, a stream
was sent upon these buildings, and effective work was begun.
They thought the fire would be of short duration, and confined
their operations to south of Taylor. No. 6 was playing a heavy
stream in and around the barns and sheds on O'Leary's, Dalton's
and Forbes's lots, and, to some extent, on the burning materials
north of the alley and in the rear of the buildings fronting north on
Taylor Street No. 5 was but fairly started when it became dis-
abled. Schimmels ran to the machine, and found the fireman
drawing the fire from the box. This proceeding he ordered
stopped, but when the engineer had succeeded in putting the en-
gine in repair, there was no steam. The men tore up the sidewalk
and took boards from the fence near by to use as quick fuel and
when the engine was once more running, the supply of coal gave
out. They were compelled to send to the engine-house for coal.
The delay proved fatal, for the fire had crossed to the north side of
Taylor Street during the interval. When No. 5 first took posi-
tion, this company and No. 6 held the key to the situation. The
latter did good work, though laboring under the disadvantage of
being behind the fire ; still, having plenty of water, it did as ef-
fective work as was possible under the circumstances. No. 5, how-
ever, was at a point to command the fire, and the suppression of
the flames really depended upon it. But at the critical moment,
disaster came to them. No. 2 did nothing of importance. Through
these fatal mishaps the fire was permitted to get away from them.
Mr. Schimmels savs he was in fine position, with apparent control
of the enemy, by 9:35. He thinks the fire had been going about
twenty minutes when No. 5 reached there. He confirms the
statements made by others relative to the condition of the men and
the grave error made in sounding Box 342.
Michael W. Conway, chief of the Third Battalion, was a
member of Christian Schimmels's Company, No. 5. For about
seventy-two hours prior to the fire he had been constantly on active
duty. He was at home, doctoring his eyes, which were affected
by heat and smoke, when the alarm came. He joined his com-
pany, however, and went to the spot. No. 6 was already on the
ground, and had done all in its power, although working at a dis-
advantage, being behind the fire. No. 5 broke down at the
critical moment, and No. 2 effected little or nothing From ob-
servations made at the time, Mr. Conway is of the opinion that the
fire commenced at or about nine o'clock. As there was no alarm
given until 9:28, and then for Box 342, some of the best engines in
the Department were not brought to the ground until the flames
had passed beyond control. Had the alarm been properly sounded,
even at that late moment, it would have called such engines as
" K. A. Williams," ''Little Giant," "Chicago," and "John B.
Kice," and they would have made short work. As it was, one
engine held the ground until the fire had grown to such propor-
tions as to defy human agencies; and even this one came out on its
own call.
DAVID I'.. K.ENYON, acting chief of the First Battalion, was a
member of Schimmels's Company, No. 5, at the time of the fire,
lie corroborates the statements made by the other members. He
rode on the hose-truck to the corner of Jackson and Clinton streets;
thence south to Van liuren, west to Halsted, and along that street,
south, to Taylor. Then they discovered where the fire really was.
They turned east on Taylor to Jefferson, and took position. Their
engine came up soon after, and was attached to the plug at the cor-
ner of Forquer and Jefferson. Hose was strung to a point on
Taylor east of Jefferson, the fire being then south of Taylor,
though burning in a lively manner on the front of the buildings
facing north. A stream was sent on those buildings, but soon
ceased, through the disability of the engine. Before the machine
was repaired, the fire had crossed Taylor Street, and was beyond
control. The wind increased in velocity, sending burning mate-
rials far in advance. New fires were thus kindled. The church
on the northwest corner of Clinton and Mather streets was in
flames while the main fire was yet four blocks away. Had it
not been for the breaking down of No. 5, Mr. Kenyon asserts, the
fire would have been checked south of Taylor Street. He believes
that the fire started about nine o'clock.
Henry V. Coleman, engineer on No. 24, but at that time
holding the same station on No. 5, says: At about twenty minutes
past nine, on the fateful night, some one on the outside cried
"Fire!" From the door the light appeared very bright in the
northeast, and they all thought the fire was over in the heart of
the city. They started at once. The driver drove north to Jack-
son and then to Clinton. Mr. Coleman cried out to him to stop, as
they were going in the wrong direction. They turned and pro-
ceeded into Clinton, and finally to the corner of Forquer and
Jefferson streets. He says they drove west on VanBuren to Hal-
sted, south on Halsted to Taylor, east on Taylor to Jefferson, and
then to their destination. A line of hose was laid to a position on
Taylor. The moment steam was turned on, the pressure burst
the hose. This accident they attempted to repair by tying blank-
ets around the defective places and by laying heavy plank on the
same. This expedient proved utterly useless. No. 5, therefore,
accomplished nothing until another supply of hose had been ob-
tained. By that time, the fire had crossed Taylor Street, and was
beyond control. However, this engine did some brave work, even
before leaving this plug. Mr. Coleman thinks they were about
fifteen minutes in getting from their house to the position at For-
quer Street; that when they arrived the flames were still south
of Taylor Street, and that during the unavoidable delay the fire
moved northward. Mr. Coleman also says that it has been his
impression from the first, caused by information obtained from
people living in the. immediate vicinity of the original fire, and
from other sources, that the blaze commenced before nine o'clock.
Maurice W. Shay, chief of the First Brigade, was foreman
of " Titsworth " Company, No. 13, at the time of the fire. About
ten minutes past nine o'clock, on the evening of the 8th, he per-
ceived the light of the flames, and called the attention of his men to
it; but they thought it the re-kindling of the Saturday night's fire.
Their house was at No. 97 Dearborn Street and was surrounded by
large blocks.* The light became so intense that Mr. Shay was
convinced of the breaking out of another fire. No alarm came,
however, until some fifteen minutes had elapsed, and then the call
indicated Box 342, and did not include his company. When the
third alarm was sounded, Shay took his engine to near the corner
of Ewing and Jefferson streets, and there received water from the
"John B. Rice." The fire was then beyond control of the men.
Shay worked on the Jefferson Street front. The fire was confined
to the territory east of that street, and several buildings on the east
side of Jefferson, south of Harrison, were saved. When No. 13
arrived at the scene of disaster, the air was seemingly full of burn-
ing cinders from materials caught up soon after the flames crossed
Taylor Street. The breeze grew into a hurricane and carried large
pieces of flooring and other light materials through the air, setting
fire to points far in advance. The Department was entirely unable
to cope with this phase of the conflagration. Mr. Shay says that
had the alarm been correctly sounded, even at the late hour when it
was rung, it would have called together the engines " R. A. Wil-
liams," "John B. Rice," "Little Giant" and "Chicago," which
would have been a strong force. When the " John B. Rice "did
arrive, the company worked on the west side of the fire, instead of
on the more essential point — the east side. Mr. Shay thinks that
the fire began at or before nine o'clock.
Robert A. Williams, at that time fire marshal, says that the
first alarm was given about 9:15 by his clock. He was in his
wagon in one minute, and drove rapidly to the corner of Tavlor
and Desplaines street. The " America " Hose Company was then
attached to the plug at that point, and was leading up to the fire
on the so.uth side of Taylor Street. He immediately ordered his
foreman to turn on a second alarm, the man going four blocks for
that purpose. Within nine minutes of the sounding of the first,
the second alarm was given. This period includes the time con-
sumed by the marshal in reaching the fire, he having come a dis-
tance of two miles. Before the engines had responded to the
second call, a policeman informed Marshal Williams that the
church at the corner of Clinton and Mather streets was on fire. He
set the first three engines that then arrived at work on the church
and adjoining property, and succeeded in confining the limits there
until the church was entirely consumed. He then ordered two of
those engines to change the locality of their hose and endeavor to
check the progress of the original fire. Before they had time to do
so, however, he discovered that Bateham's mills on Canal Street,
north of Mather, were on fire. He countermanded his order, ai d
directed those engines to work on the mills. These were large
wooden structures, surrounded by combustible materials. A match
♦This house was less favorably located for observing the fire than the
Court-house tower, although Mr. Shay saw the light about eighteen minutes
before Mr. Schaffcr.
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
7'3
factory stood at the rear of the shingle mill. The wind was fierce;
carrying burning brands far out over the city to the lake beyond.
Concerning the origin of the fire, Mr. Williams says: " Had the
alarm been given from the proper box, late as it was, it would have
given me two more engines, the ' Williams ' and the ' Rice,' two
of the best in the Department. Had either of them been on the
ground, as No. 5 was, Chicago would not have had the great fire
at that time. No. 5 was disabled, and did nothing to stay the
progress of the fire before it had crossed Taylor Street." No. 5
suffered a second misfortune in the loss of her entire lead of hose,
pipe and all. There were not fifty feet of surplus hose on that
fearful night. Even then the marshal was compelled to use short
pieces, in order to make a reel for each company. During the
seven days prior to October S, there were twenty-eight fires in the
city, some of them being extensive. In consequence of this extra-
ordinary service, not only were the men exhausted, but the
machinery itself needed careful attention. The Department was
not in the good condition required to meet such an emergency as
that of October S. The supply of hose was short, and much of
that in use was in a bad state. As one account asserts, it may be
that the delay in the case of No. 5 was attributable, to a certain
degree, to defective hose. It is certain that the accident at this
vital moment was due to natural causes. After the fire had crossed
Taylor Street, and had found lodgment among the wooden build-
ings which filled that block, the destroying element became the
master, and nothing could hold it back. Surely the machinery at
command could not do so Mr. Williams further states that he
had made requisition, from time to time, for a better supply of
hose, and had also asked for a steamer to ply up and down the
river, with six or eight lines to run out in case of peril to the water
front, and with pumps of adequate power to throw those streams
tothe roofs of the highest buildings; but the authorities had neg-
lected to provide such a floating fire engine, and had cut down his
requisition for hose.
Dennis J. Swenie, now (June, 18S5) chief fire marshal of
Chicago, states that at the time of the fire he was foreman of En-
gine Company No. 14, located at No 38 East Chicago Avenue.
When he was notified of the fire, his watch indicated 9:25 p. m.
How long it had then been burning, he was unable to say, but as the
region of the fire was bright with flames, it must have been going
some time. The first alarm struck was for Box 342, three and a
half mites from No. 14's station, and therefore not in its district.
But when the general alarm was turned in, No. 14 took position in
front of Bateham's mill, on Canal street, south of Harrison. Fore-
man Swenie placed one line of hose in the yard, and another line
outside, between the mill and church and match factory. He held
this position for more than half an hour. When forced to change,
No. 14 made a short hold at Canal and Harrison, but did no
service there, being obliged to go to Canal and VanBuren.
David M. Hyland, a member of " R. A. Williams" Com-
pany No. 17, located at No. So West Lake Street, near Clinton,
says that about 9:27 they had a still alarm from their lookout, and
their company was at once in readiness to respond. Hyland took
his seat with the driver. At that moment the alarm came from the
Court House for Box 342, which was outside of their district.
They unhitched their horses. Meanwhile, the light was plainly
visible, and indicated a large fire. They awaited orders before
proceeding out of their district: and when the second alarm came,
they found the flames beyond the control of the Department. Tay-
lor Street was a mass of fire. Mr. Hyland observed: "We be-
longed to the district where the fire really was, but owing to the
call being wrongly given, we did not reach the scene of the confla-
gration until it was too late to do any good. Had we got there in
time, the fire would never have crossed Taylor Street, for we had
one of the best engines in the city."
William Mcller, who was foreman of No. 15 at that time,
located near the corner of May and Twenty-second streets, says:
When the alarm for Box 342 came his company was at once ready,
that number being in his district. They were off instantly- Upon
reaching Canalport Avenue they discovered that the alarm had
been incorrectly given, and, as they saw a bright light ahead, they
made no stop, although not included in the district where the fire
really was. Within eighteen minutes from the time of leaving their
house they were in position at the corner of Taylor and Desplaines
streets. Their force was only partially filled, and those who were
on the engine were exhausted with previous work. They strung
their hose down Taylor to a point east of Jefferson, and played on
the fire south of Taylor, but it was too late. The flames had
crossed Taylor, and appeared to take everything before them. The
many streams thrown on the fire instantly disappeared as steam.
The wind was terrible, tearing blazing boards from the buildings,
and carrying them through the air with fierce velocity. These
brands ignited everything with which they came in contact. The
church on the northeast corner of Clinton and Mather streets, five
blocks from DeKoven Street, was soon in flames.
Leo Meyers, chief of the Seventh Battalion, was foreman of
"Tempest" Hose Company at tin- time of the fire. IK- says,
when the call fur Box ;,4_> came, ali.nu 9:30, he started. In five
minutes he had reached the corner of Clinton and I aylor, because
he disregarded the false signal, and speedily unreeled his hose.
Engine No. 2 arrived at nearly the same time, bin they wen slow
in getting' into shape. He is very positive that the fire would not
have crossed Taylor Street if No. 2 had been able to attack it at
once. No. 6 was behind the fire, but was throwing plenty of
water in the vicinity of the alley and the O'Leary barn. No 5
had become disabled jusi at the must critical juncture. Mr. Meyers
gives it as his opinion that the fire might have been subdued if the
alarm had been correctly sounded, even al the lime it was given,
because several of the best engines could have arrived in six minutes.
He also corroborates the statements of other men regarding the
exhausted condition of the firemen. He was on the gruun.l at
9:33, and from the appearance of the flames, he thinks they must
have been burning fully half an hour when he reached there.
Mr. Meyers sums the situation up in a brief line when he says,
" From the beginning of that fatal fire everything went wrong."
Charles S. Petrie, assistant fire marshal and secretary of
the Department, states to us that he was then engineer of Com-
pany No. 3, located at the corner of Chicago Avenue and May Street.
His engine was in the shop for repairs, and his company was
nearly exhausted with constant work in the service for several
days previous to October S. He had gone to bed on the night re-
ferred to. His captain, who was in the tower of the engine house,
called to the men and told them there was a lire. Mr. I'etrie
hastily dressed, and went out on the street. He looked at his
watch, which then marked 9:12. The light increased, and they
waited anxiously for an alarm. When the second call was made,
he got upon the truck, and proceeded to the scene, which was
reached about 9:45. They stopped at the corner of Forquer and
Jefferson streets, where No. 5 was then stationed, although doing
nothing, being disabled. The fire had not crossed Taylor Street,
although the heat was plainly discernible on the fronts of the
houses on the north side of that street. The men were tearing up
the sidewalk, and making fuel with which to feed No. 5. The lire
had crossed Taylor Street before No. 5 was ready for action.
Petrie furnished that engine with additional hose from his truck.
He took one section, and began work on the rear of a building on
the corner of Taylor and Jefferson streets ; and also on another
building setting back into the lot. He aided in starting a second
short line from No. 5, playing on the property at the southeast
corner of Forquer and Jefferson, where he got in behind the build-
ings. No. 5 was then working well. The stoker of the engine
told him she was shut down ten minutes. A still alarm was sent
No. 5 at 9:10. Mr. Petrie is of opinion that the fire began not
later than nine o'clock.
The foregoing testimony of members of the Fire
Department establishes these points: The fire must
have originated by nine o'clock or before; the flames
had gained sufficient brilliancy to illuminate the heavens
half an hour before an alarm was sounded ; the error
in sounding Box 342 prevented at least four of the
best engines, located in the district, taking part in the
work ; accident deprived No. 5 of the power to render
efficient service at the critical moment ; a terrific wind
spread the flames through a highly combustible region;
exhaustion from overwork rendered the men unfit for
hard and long-continued labor; and the loss of hose
and injury to machinery, caused by previous fires,
crippled the Department. It has been asserted that
the engines were not judiciously posted on their arrival
at the scene, but the fact is plain that the fire had as-
sumed insuperable dimensions long before the greater
number of engines arrived. It is easier to discover
errors after they are committed than to avoid them in
the excitement of a great peril.
Time of ihk Beginning of the Fire. — Turning
from the official management of this struggle with ad-
verse forces, we present the statements of citizens who
witnessed the fire in its early stages, with a view to
establishing accurately the moment at which it origin-
ated :
James E. Dalton resided at No. 135 DeKoven Street, at
the time of the fire. His cottage was a one-story frame building,
and stood next to Patrick U'Leary's on the east. Mr. I lalton says
714
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
that O'Learv had two small cottages, one immediately behind the
other, though practically attached. The two were thirty-six feet
north and south, the front being nearly on the street building line
There was a space of about forty feet between the north end and
the barn, used as a " back yard." Dalton's cottage set back from
the street, leaving room for a contemplated front addition. It
stood four feet above the ground, on cedar posts. The front of
his cottage was two feet south on the north line of O'Leary's cot-
tages, and his house was forty feet deep. The south line of
O'Leary's barn was eight feet north of the rear of Dalton's house.
of importance to himself. He states: " On Saturday, the day be-
fore the fire, I noticed a line load of timothy hay which was taken
into the alley and unloaded into the O'Learv barn. Just after the
fire, while looking through the ruins of the O'Leary barn, I found
an oil lamp, of the usual pattern, with a foundation-piece, about
hve and a half inches square, of brown stone or marble. The up-
right piece which set into it, and upon which rested the oil-holder,
was of brass. The foundation-piece, the upright, and the oil reser-
voir or holder, were all together The oil-holder, however, had
been broken. The globe and chimney were gone."
WEST LINE OF FIRE.
Unburned Buildings are shaded on the Plat.
His cottage was built on the west line of the lot. There were three
west windows which looked on the O'Leary yard. A fence, eight
feet high, ran from his house to his shed, at the rear of the lot,
which was also on the west side. The shed was twelve by twenty
feet in size. At about fifteen minutes to nine o'clock, on the night
of the tire, Mr. Dalton heard a woman's scream of terror. The
sound came from the direction of the O'Learv premises He is
unable to say precisely where the sound came from, nor does he
know who uttered the cry, but he heard it through the west win-
dows of his house. About ten minutes later, Mrs. Mary O'Rorke,
his mother-in-law, who lived with him, went to her room in the
northeast corner of the house, and saw the reflected light of a fire,
which shone on the cottage of Walter Forbes, adjoining Dalton's
on the east. Mrs. O'Rorke gave an alarm, and Mr. and Mrs.
Dalton hastened to the rear door of their house. Fire was then
under way in O'Leary's barn. A little water might have ex-
tinguished it at that moment, but, being unsuppressed, it rapidly
communicated with the dry fence and shed, and reached his house
in an incredibly short time. This advance of the flames was so
sudden, that Mrs O'Rorke barely escaped from her room alive.
The north and east sides of the building crashed in as she fled.
Mr. Dalton remarked that the Fire Department did nothing at the
critical moment.
Mrs. Catherine E. Dalton, wife of James E., says that two
young ladies were visiting at her house that evening. Before half
past eight o'clock her guests departed, she accompanying them as far
as Canal Street, where they stood a few minutes in conversation.
Returning to her home. Mrs. Dalton proceeded to put her children to
bed. As she returned to the sitting-room, she heard a woman
scream, as if in fright. The cry came from some person on the
O'Leary premises, although it was impossible to locate the sound
exactly. Mrs. Dalton says the fire must have originated as early as
%:4r, judging by the time required to perform the duties which oc-
cupied her from the moment her guests took their departure. Mrs.
Dalton corroborates her husband's statements, already given.
Jamk> P. X. DALTON, sou of the above, then a lad of twelve,
fixes the time at 3:45. James E. Dalton, another son of the above,
then eleven years old, says his grandmother, Mrs. O'Rorke, always
spoke of the fire as originating at 8:45.
JAMES DALTON, who lived at the corner of Clinton and For-
quer streets, was at the fire by nine o'clock, and says it had evi-
dently been going fifteen minutes, or even longer.
JOSEPH DusHEK offers interesting evidence. He then resided
at No. 153 DeKoveO Street, and affirms that he first discovered the
fire at about 8:45. lie fixes the moment by acoincident which was
Mrs. Catharine McLaughlin resided with her
husband and children in the front part of the O'Leary
cottage at the time of the fire. She was called upon by
the compiler of this record, and asked to state what she
knew about the origin of the fire. She manifested so
decided an aversion to being interviewed that little in-
formation was obtained In fact, she threatened to
" prosecute " those engaged in writing the history, if
her name were used. The only answer received to
numerous inquiries was relative to the hour at which the
fire started. Mrs. McLaughlin vouchsafed a reply to
that interrogatory, and said it was " About nine o'clock."
William Lee resided at No. 133 DeKoven Street, two doors
east of the O'Leary cottage, and was among the first who discovered
the flames. He, and his brother-in-law, Martin Switzer, with their
families, had been to Riverside that day. On their return to the
city, the Switzers stopped a short time at Mr. Lee's house. Mr.
Switzer was suffering from a badly sprained ankle, and when he
arose to go to his home on the South Side, Mr. Lee offered to ac-
company him and put his horse in the barn. With that purpose in
view, Mr. Lee accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Switzer to their wagon,
but a presentiment of evil suddenly caused him to change his
mind. The Switzers drove away, and Mr. Lee returned to his
house. Mrs. Lee expressed surprised at this conduct, but her hus-
band could offer no reasonable excuse. He felt ashamed because
he allowed his superstition to control his judgment. Just then his
infant child attracted his attention by a cry, and he stepped into the
bedroom to ascertain the cause. He noticed that the blinds on the
west window were not closed, and lifted the sash to fasten them. He
then detected fire coming out of the roof of a building west of his
house. At first he thought the flames were in James Dalton's shed,
in the rear of Xo. 135, but soon saw it was in the O'Leary barn, one
lot west of Dalton's He called to his wife, told her to take care of
their child, and said he would run to Bruno Coil's drug store, on
the corner of Canal and Twelfth streets, and turn in an alarm. lie
hurried to the store, and applied to the druggist for a key, but was
informed that an alarm was not necessary, as the engine had just
gone down the street to the lire. Mr. Lee says he could not get the
key to the alarm box, nor would the custodian turn in an alarm him-
self.* Mr. Lee returned to his house. The clock struck nine.
* See affidavit of B. H. Goll.
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
715
Soon afterward an engine came and took water at the plug on the cor-
ner of DeKoven and Jefferson streets The lire had been burning
at least ten minutes, and possibly fifteen, when the clock sounded
nine. The fire spread rapidly, consuming the O'Leary and Dalton
barns. Mr. Lee began to pack his household goods, preparatory to
leaving his house. His boy, seventeen months old, was placed in a
cradle and deposited, by Mrs. Lee, in a vacant lot across the street,
west of Mr. Sullivan's house. There the mother and child re-
mained nearly all night. A burned and frightened calf, the only
animal saved from the O'Leary barn, stood close beside the cradle
of the babe, as if craving human companionship in that frightful
hour. Mr. Lee says he has never gotten over the vivid impression
made by the mysterious warning not to leave his home that night,
and feels convinced that to it is due the rescue of his family and
such household goods as he was able to save. It will be observed
that Mr. Lee fixes the beginning of the fire at about S:50.
Walter Forbes lived in the front part of the cottage, No.
133 DeKoven Street, two doors east of O'Leary's. The house was
owned by Forbes, and occupied by himself, William Lee and Morris
Connovan. A nephew of Mr. Forbes's, William Dunn, had spent
the evening, accompanied by his wife, at this place. Glancing at
the clock, Dunn remarked, "It is nine o'clock. We had better go "
He and his wife started at once, and when they had reached a point
near Blue Island Avenue, Dunn happened to look back. He saw
the light, and thought his uncle's house was on fire. Hastening
back, he reached Forbes's in time to assist in removing the house-
hold goods. Mr. Dunn's statement as to time conflicts with Mr
Lee's, although both were at the same house. Dunn says the fire
could not have broken out earlier than nine o'clock.
Richard Riley, a railroad contractor, lived at No. 130 West
Twelfth Street, on the southwest corner of Canal, at the time of
the conflagration. His house fronted north. Mr. Riley informs
the writer that he was to have left the city that night by the Chicago
& Alton Railroad, for St. Louis and other points. His frequent
railroad journeys, compelled him to cultivate his naturally prompt
and methodical habits. He carried a valuable and accurate time-
piece of the famous Jurgensen make. The schedule time of the
train on which he was depart was precisely nine o'clock Mr. Riley
had his valise packed, and was waiting for the Canal-street omnibus
to pass, in which he was to ride to the Alton depot. He had
stepped into the front room, accompanied by his wife, and had just
glanced at his watch, which indicated twenty minutes to nine,
when, on raising the window to step out on the porch, he noticed
the light of a fire just northwest of his house. The parched con-
dition of everything in his neighborhood, and the recent destruc-
tion of a building by fire, not far from his place, increased the
alarm inspired by the thought of actual fire, and he remarked to
Mrs. Riley that he would not go to St. Louis that night. He im-
mediately sought the scene of danger, and reached DeKoven
Street, opposite O'Leary's, while the fire was still confined to the
barn. But before many minutes the contiguous sheds and barns
ignited. Dennis Sullivan had just returned to his own house,
across the street from O'Leary's, from the vain attempt to save
something from the barn. Everything was destroyed except a calf,
which was placed in the lot next to Sullivan's. There were no
engines on the ground, and the fire was having free sweep. Some
time later, perhaps fifteen or twenty minutes, an engine arrived
and took position at the plug on the southwest corner of Jefferson
and DeKoven streets. By this time everything in the alley
appeared to be on fire. Mr. Riley believed that the region was
doomed, and hastened home to prepare for the rescue of his own
family and effects. After accomplishing what he could in the way
of precaution, he went to the northeast corner of Taylor and
Canal streets, where there were piles of lumber about twenty-five
feet high. Climbing upon one of these, Mr. Riley watched the
progress of the flames. It was then about thirty or thirty-five
minutes past nine o'clock. He saw the fire cross Taylor Street.
A fierce see-sawing hurricane set in The fire appeared to tear up
and instantly consume the firmer structures, while light and loose
articles were hurled into the air like blazing torches. A large mass
of fire, seemingly two feet in length and one foot in thickness,
arose from a spot just north of Taylor Street, and went whirling
through the air for more than three blocks, alighting on the cupola
of the German Catholic Church, on the northeast corner of Mather
and Clinton streets. The entire building was almost instantane-
ously enveloped in flames. The progress of the fire was towards
the northeast. Mr. Riley's statement is one of the most circum-
stantial and positive that has yet been made. He declares that
the fire originated before S:iO.*
John Comiskey, ex-president of the Common Council, fur-
nishes us an interesting statement. It will be observed that he
fixes the time of the breaking out of the fire at between 8:40 and
8:45 p. m. The opinion is based on coincident circumstances
* Samuel L. Whipple, of the Chicago i Alton Railroad, showed the writer
a time-table in use by his road Octobers, 1871. The train on which Mr. Riley
was to have gone left this city at precisely nine o'clock that night.
which can not be easily gainsaid. At the time mentioned he was
sitting on the back porch of his residence on I.vtle Street, due west
from where DeKoven Street ends. There was nothing intervening
to obstruct his view. He noticed the light, and, after a few min-
utes, went into the house, changed his slippers for boots, and told
his wife he was going down to the fire. A member of his family
was ill at the time, and Mrs. Comiskey remarked that he had better
go for the family physician instead of going to the fire. Knowing
the doctor's office hours, Mr. Comiskey glanced at the clock, to see
if he would be likely to find the physician in. The timepiece
indicated 8:55. He hurried to the doctor's office, but did not find
him, and prosecuted his search for medical assistance until mid-
night, without success. Every one he called on had gone to the
fire. Mr. Comiskey asserts positively that the fire was burning
from ten to fifteen minutes before he looked at his clock. He also
says that the congregation assembled at the Jesuit Church had not
been dismissed when he started for the doctor. The service usually
ends at nine p. m.
Matthew Turner owned the block of buildings on the
northeast corner of DeKoven and Jefferson streets, and resided at
No. 319 Aberdeen Street. He attended service at the Jesuit Church
that Sunday evening. As he left the church, at nine o'clock, he
saw the light caused by the fire, and hastened toward his premises.
The fire had then crossed the alley in the rear of the O'Leary barn.
There was but little wind at the time, and that from the southwest.
Mr. Turner watched the flames sweep onward, crossing Taylor
Street about 9:30. He gave no thought to his own buildings until
about ten o'clock. They then appeared to be safe. At about eleven,
however, his properly took fire and was entirely destroyed. He
has always believed this to be the work of an incendiary. In his
opinion, the fire started about 8:45.
LAMP FOUND IN OLE-ARYS BARN.
Christopher Warner, who resided on the southwest
of Harrison and Jefferson oriels states that soon alter seeing the
fire he went to it, and it had then crossed the alley north of and
opposite the O'Leary barn. He watched the progress of the flames,
and stood in close proximity to them until they reached Tayloi
Street. As soon as they had crossed that thoroughfare, the wind
7i6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
began to blow furiously. He glanced at his watch while standing
at Taylor Street. The time was 9:30. He hurried home. The
fire burned all buildings opposite his residence. He places the in-
ception of the flames at S:45 p. m.
George W. SPOFFORD, who lived at the southeast corner of
Harrison and Halsted streets, at the time of the fire, states that on
the Sunday evening in question he and his family were sitting in a
room from which could be had a view of the region southeast of
them. At about half past nine they heard the alarm bell of the
** America" Hose Company, whose station was at No. 31 Blue Is-
land Avenue. For a long time before that they had noticed a bright
light, but as no lire alarm was sounded they paid no serious atten-
tion to it. Mr. Spofford followed the hose truck, and observed
that the men had taken a plug at the corner of Taylor and Des-
plaines streets. He then went to the fire, which was south of Tay-
lor Street. While he watched, the flames crossed to the north
side of Taylor. He thinks the fire started at S:50.
James Kubicek was in Frank Shults's saloon at the time the
tire was discovered. When Shults gave the alarm, Kubicek glanced
at the clock, and noticed that it was S:45.
The writer of this record conversed with a number
of Bohemians, in addition to those mentioned by name,
and found many who were positive that the fire origin-
ated as early as 8:30; and those who lived in close
proximity to the scene agree that it began not later
than 8:45.
It is worthy of notice that all declare that the Tur-
ner Block, No. 418 Jefferson Street, was set on fire.
They also say that no engine arrived until at least fif-
teen minutes after the fire began.
Joseph Puzner resided at No. 442 Clinton Street, three doors
south of DeKoven, on the night of the fire. He says he first saw
the light of the flames at 8:45. He is positive that it was not later,
because he went at once to Xo. 41S Jefferson Street, where his two
brothers-in-law, Wensl Wasalik and Joseph Wasalik, lived, and by
nine o'clock they had their goods removed from the endangered
building.
Frank Shults, who keeps a saloon on the corner of DeKo-
ven and Jefferson streets, says that his mother-in law, Mrs. Mary
Hruby, while looking out of the window in the second story of
their house, saw the fire in O'Leary's barn, and at once called to
him. He gave alarm to all the building. This was not later than
8:45, as he chanced to observe by his clock, which he declares to
be a "thoroughly reliable timepiece, and which is still in use.
Having thus presented every imaginable variety of
testimony, the most conclusive of all is given in the fol-
lowing affidavit:
Affidavit of Bruno Henry Gull.
State of Illinois, County of Cook, ss.
Before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for said
County and State, duly commissioned and sworn, appeared Bruno
Henry Goll, to me personally known to be the same person whose
name is subscribed to this affidavit, who, being first duly sworn ac-
cording to law, deposes and says : That at the time of the fire of
October 8-g, 1871, he kept a drug store at the northwest corner of
Canal and Twelfth streets, and that he resided in the frame build-
ing in which said drug store was located. That the key to
the fire alarm box, which was attached to said building on the
Twelfth Street side of the house, was kept in his store. That
at about nine o'clock or five minutes past nine o'clock of the even-
ing of October 8, 1371, a man — who was in his shirt sleeves — ran
into his store, and urgently requested him to turn in an alarm of
fire, stating that said fire was near the O'Leary house. Deponent
turned in the alarm, and then looked at his watch, which displayed
the hour of about nine o'clock p. m. At about ten minutes after-
ward another man ran into the store crying. " The fire is spreading
very rapidly." and deponent then went to the door again, and seeing
the flames had assumed considerable magnitude was alarmed, and
turned in a second alarm. About twenty minutes after turning in
the second alarm, or at about half-past nine o'clock p. m., of Oc-
tober 8, 1871, he went over to the fire, and found some fire engines
— perhaps two — at work, and the fire spreading rapidly throughout
the frame barns and buildings to the northeast of DeKoven and
Jefferson streets. There he met I)r. G. G. < loll, since deceased.
and his brother-in-law, Lewis Wesley Kick, now of the firm of
Fick & Oliver, and remained with them for some little time, re-
marking that, " If the wind kept up, the tire would burn ( Ihii ago."
He then tried to assist some of his friends who were in danger of
being burned out, after which he went east to Canal Street, and
assisted a friend by the name of William Peters — now deceased —
and then traveled with the fire, and was in the scenes attendant
thereupon until the morning of October 9, 1871. when he returned
to his home at the corner of Canal and West Twelfth streets.
Deponent further states that he conducted business in, and occu-
pied, the drug store aforesaid from the year 1863 until 18S1. De-
ponent further states that, despite all assertions or allegations to the
contrary, he turned in two separate alarms of fire from the city
lire alarm box then attached to his store, as herein specified, within
the time embraced by from nine o'clock p. m. to nine o'clock and
fifteen minutes p. m., of October 8, 1S71, and that he knows these
times specified to be accurate, as he consulted his watch at the
hours and minutes designated.
Sworn and subscribed to before me this nineteenth day of May,
A. D. 1885. Theodore H. Schintz,
[seal.] Notary Public.
I, Theodore H. Schintz, a Notary Public in and for the
County of Cook and State of Illinois, am personally acquainted
with Bruno Henry Goll, druggist, who has his place of business at
the northeast corner of Ashland Avenue and Twelfth Street, and
of my own knowledge know him to be a man in whose statements
complete credibility can be placed, and whose veracity is thor-
oughly reliable. Theodore H. Schintz,
[seal.] Notary Public.
Bruno Henry Goll was born in Werdau, Saxony, Germany
March 20, 1S43, and is the son of Charles Henry and Henrietta
Goll. In 1853, his parents emigrated to America, bringing him
with them, and remained for one year in New York; after which
they settled in Toledo, Ohio, where he received an education at
the district schools. In 1857 he came to Chicago, and at once
entered the drug business, serving an apprenticeship in the phar-
macy of Henry Sweet. Being of an enterprising character, and
thoroughly acquainted with the business which he had adopted as
his life's work, at the age of twenty he commenced in that business
on his own account, and after continuing in it for twenty years, at
No. 505 Canal Street, he sold out and removed to his present loca-
tion, at the corner of Twelfth Street and Ashland Avenue. He
was married, in 1S74, to Miss Emma A. Rice, of Boston. He is
a member of Garden City Lodge, No. 141, A. F. & A. M.; of
Wiley M. Egan Chapter, No. 126, R. A. M.; and of Apollo Com-
mandery, No. I, K. T.
Lewis Wesley Fick was born in Norfolk County, Canada,
in 1S43, and there received his education. He is the son of Frede-
rick B. and Sarah Ann (Ryersee) Fick. While pursuing his
studies he worked on his father's farm in the Township of Hough-
ton, Canada, until 1S65, when he left home and went to California,
where he remained for one year, and than returned to Canada,
whence he came to Chicago in 1S66. On his arrival here he at
once became connected with the lumber business, keeping a tally-
board on the river, at which employment he continued for one
summer, when he engaged with Artemus Carter in selling cargoes.
He occupied that position until 1S70, when he entered the employ-
ment of the Peshtigo Lumber Company, and continued with them
until 1S77, when he became a member of the firm of Ketcham &
Pick, and continued therein for eight years. On May 1, 1S85,
he entered into partnership with lohn Olliver, Jr . under the firm
name of Fick & Olliver, which co-partnership still exists. In 1S69
he was married to Miss Emma A. Goll, daughter of Henry and Hen-
rietta Goll, of Chicago. They have four children — Emma Cecilia,
Bruno Wesley, Ella Jessie and Edward Paul. Mr. Fick is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, having received the master's degree in
1S64, in Walsingham Lodge. No. 178, K. F. & A. M., Canada. In
connection with the statement of Bruno Henry Goll, Mr. Fick
states that he met said Goll at the fire near the corner of DeKoven
and Jefferson Streets, at about 9:30 o'clock p. m., of October S,
1871, and there said (loll stated to him and to Dr. G. G. Goll,
since deceased, the fact of his having turned in two alarms, as is
stated in said ( Soil's affidavit. That Bruno Henry Goll is scrupulously
exact, and that the utmost reliance can be placed on any statement
made by him. That four or five engines only could work advan-
tageously in the immediate vicinity of the fire, on account of the
Scarcity of fire-plugs Mr. Lick is also cognizant of the fact that
the key to the fire alarm box was kept in the drug store of Bruno
Henry Goll, and that said Goll was always extremely cautious
about turning in an alarm, lest he should call out the engines on
a false alarm.
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
7i7
The O'Leary cottage was not burned. The now
famous building was torn down, and a pretentious stone
front erected on the site. This house belongs to Anton
Kolar. In 1881, through the instrumentality of Mr.
Albert D. Hager, secretary of the Chicago Historical
Society, a marble tablet was inserted in the front wall
of the new house. This slab is four feet by two feet in
size, and bears the following inscription :
THE GREAT FIRE OF 187 1
ORIGINATED HERE, AND EXTENDED TO LINCOLN PARK.
Chicago Historical Society, 1881.
The fire actually originated, as is shown in the dia-
gram, in the barn at the rear of this house. Exact
measurements are given in the plat.
and it is deemed that the verity of history will lie fully
conserved by letting actors in the terrible scene speak
of their own deeds and observations.
William B. Bateham, member of the Common Council in
[871, an early lire marshal, ami at all times a I ! observer of tin-
larger tires in this city, furnishes an interesting statement regarding
this tire. On that Sunday evening, while sitting with his family in
the back parlor of his residence, on the southwest corner of Silver
and Harrison streets, from which room a southern view was had, he
observed a light reflected from an easterly direction. I [e noticed the
time — S:4;. Shortly before nine o'clock he saw that the lire had
greatly increased, and through anxiety, because of the exi
dryness of the combustible portion of the city, he watched the
growing light. There was but little wind at that hour. Ik-
thought the fire must be in the vicinity of Twelfth and Desplaines
streets. The wind sprang up, apparently threatening his own
property, on Canal, just south of Harrison, consisting of a shingle
mill, box factory and furniture factory. There had been no alarm
sounded. He started in the direction of his mill, al about nine-
o'clock. He met John Garrick. They watched the lire, and saw
large pieces of burning material, from three to five hundred feet in
the air, flying rapidly in a northeasterly direction. Mr. Bateham
y/£:r/-£/7SOA/ STREET.
PLAT OF LOCALITY WHERE FIRE ORIGINATED.
Progress of the Fire. — By half-past nine o'clock
the flames crossed Taylor Street, and the Department
was powerless to prevent the rapid movement of the
destroying force. Concerted action became impossible,
for no sooner was a steamer planted in an apparently
favorable spot, than some building, taller or more in-
flammable than its neighbors, would burst into flames
far in advance. Men could not endure the tempest of
fire. It was no longer a question of intrepidity. There
were no desertions, no instances of insubordination,
among the men. All labored with heroic determina-
tion, but their efforts were made in vain.
As in the pages just presented, so in this narration,
the testimony of eye-witnesses, or participants, is given.
To these vivid descriptions there is but little to add :
/tf^J^/j^™-
left Mr. Garrick at the corner of Clinton and Harrison streets, and
hastened on to Canal Street. He reached his mill at 0.130, and
found his watchman at work with a chemical engine. They at
once started the steam engine, attaching the force-pump, and also
laid hose from the fire-plug in front of the mill. By means of this
supply, they flooded everything in the yard, in which were a thou-
sand cords of fire-kindling wood, in piles twenty-five feel high, and
also six hundred thousand feet of furniture lumber, belonging to
the Frank Mayer Furniture Company, who occupied the attic of
Bateham's three-story-and-attic mill. The building was two hun-
dred and forty-five by sixty in size. Near by were seven hundred
and fifty thousand shingles. The grounds occupied by these mills
comprised one and a half acres. Eighty feet west of the main mill
was another of the same length, and forty feet in width. The south-
west corner of the mills almost touched the church on the northeast
corner of Clinton and Mather streets, which was of wood. Eleven feet
south of the mills stood a three-story building, fifty by seventy feet,
siding on Mather Street. This was used by the Roelle Furniture-
finishing Company, and was filled with combustible materials The
northwest quarter of this large block of ground was known as the
" Huntoon Place," having the appearance of a large country farm-
house. The residence stood well back from the street, and the lot
was filled with large trees. The house was a landmark, having
been built by Judge J. D. Caton, nearly half a century before.
The quaint old mansion had twelve stacks of chimneys, constructed
in various parts of the house to accommodate the rooms. It was
altogether a picturesque place in a neighborhood of puffing and
impertinent modern factories. The house was occupied for many
years by Charles Huntoon, who died there some yens before its
destruction. Thus was the block, bounded by Harrison, Mather,
Canal and Clinton, not only a landmark of the progress of the
great fire, but also a site of historic interest. Mr. Bateham hoped
to break the force of the fire before it reached his works. At ten
o'clock it looked as if this were possible, for the church had gone
down in ruins in advance of the main body of flame. Some of the
best steamers were working hard on his property and the Roelle
building, and men were encouraged to believe the end was near.
But in the verv face of those efforts, the Roelle structure went up
in smoke and flame. At half-past ten. the heroic men wire driven
from Bateham's works by the intense heat. As Mr. Bateham
turned from his property he remarked : " The materials from this
mill will fire the South Side, and nothing can prevent it now." His
prophecy proved correct. The wild tornado which swept over the
city bore onward the blazing ruins of that pile. The scene which
ensued, on the igniting of Bateham's mill was one of the most
fearfullv grand ever beheld by mortal eyes.
foHN Garrick lived al No. 354 Fulton Street. He owned
property on the southwest corner of Harrison and Clinton streets.
Before nine o'clock on the memorable Sunday night, he noticed
a bright light on DeKoven Street. Being personally interested,
he started to see whether there was any likelihood of a dangerous
conflagration. lie walked quickly to Harrison, but finding no
cause for immediate alarm, he went leisurely down that street to
Halsted, and was about to return home when In mi I Mr. Bateham.
It was then 9:20. The two men had bar ly crossed Halsted when
they saw large sparks living through the air. The wind was
7i8
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
increasing. Garrick stopped at Clinton Street, but Bateham hurried
on toward his own mills. At eleven o'clock the fire reached Gar-
rick's property. The only thing he saved was an American flag,
fortv feet long, which he wrapped about him, and returned home.
Mr. Garrick says the fire must have started about S:4C
The Tribune of October n contained a graphic
description of this opening scene:
"So great was the area already covered by half-past ten
o'clock, and so rapidly did the fire march forward, that by the time
the engines were at work the flames were ahead of them, and again
the steamers were moved northward. From the west side of Jeffer-
son Street, as far as the eye could reach in an easterly direction —
and that space was bounded by the river — a perfect sea of leaping
flames covered the ground. The wind increased to fierceness as
the flames rose and the flame: waited more hungrily for their prey
as the gusts impelled them onward. Successively the wooden
buildings on Tavlor, Forquer, Ewing and Polk streets became the
northern boundary, and then fell back to the second place. Mean-
while, the people in the more southern localities bent all their
energies to the recovery of such property as thev could. With
ample time to move all that was movable, and with a foreboding of
what was coming in the neighborhood at least, they were out and
in safety long before the flames reached their dwellings. They
were nearly all poor people, the savings of whose lifetime were
represented in the little mass of furniture which blockaded the
streets and impeded the firemen. They were principally laborers,
most of them Germans or Scandinavians. Though the gaunt
phantoms of starvation and homelessness, for the night at least,
passed over them it was singular to observe the cheerfulness, not
to say merriment, that prevailed. Though mothers hugged their
little ones to their breasts and shivered with alarm, yet, strange
to say, they talked freely and laughed as if realizing the utter use-
lessness of expressing more dolefully their consciousness of ruin.
There were many owners of the buildings who gave themselves up
to the consolations of insurance; but even that appeared to weaken
as the flames spread, and they resigned themselves to their fate.
Many of the victims were stowed away in the houses on the west
side of Jefferson Street, losing all but their lives and little ones.
How many of these latter were abandoned, either from terror or in
the confusion, it is impossible to guess; but every now and then a
woman, wild with grief, would run in and out among the alleys,
and cry aloud her grief.
"The firemen were working with extraordinary perseverance.
Where it seemed impossible for a man to stand without suffocation
they carried their hose, sprinkling the houses opposite and endeav-
oring to stop the spread of the fire in a westerly direction. But it
was evident by midnight that human ingenuity could not stem that
fiery tide. At the same time, so burdened were the minds of the
citizens with the conflagration that the question of where it would
end nev«r entered their minds. Engine No. 14, which had retreated
gradually north on Canal Street to Chapin & Foss's lumber yard, —
or rather where it had been two days before (this yard was on Van-
Buren Street, from Canal toward the river, and was partly burned
in the Saturday night fire), — was suddenly surrounded by a belt of
flame and abandoned to its fate. At this time the fire was running
almost entirely north, in two solid columns. One was between
Clinton and Jefferson, the other between Clinton and Canal streets.
In that fearful advance, the fiery cohorts of the eastern column led,
and while they made their onslaught upon the barrier of lumber
and frame buildings on VanBuren Street (from Clinton to the
river), bordering on the blackened site of the preceding night's
conflagration, the advance on the west had only reached West Har-
rison Street. Before the roar of the flames in that lumber yard
(Chapin & Foss's) the crowd stood in awe, though even then with-
out a thought of the peril yet to come. It was now about 1:15
o'clock.* But while it seemed as if the demon of flame had reached
a desert and needs must die, a new danger appeared to threaten
the city. From the South Side, in the neighborhood of Adams
Street — but whereabout, no one on the West Side could then guess
with certainty — rose a column of fire, not large, but horribly sug-
gestive. Such engines as could be moved were called from the
West Side to protect South Side property, and these flames were
left to die of inanition."
The Times, in its resume, published ten days after
the fire, described the scene along the west bank of the
river :
" The fire reached over Canal Street, and while that terrible
southwestern wind howled in mad delight, it forced its way into the
planing mills, and chair factories, and all the other shops which
skirt- '1 the creek in that portion of West Chicago. Then it got
into the lumber yards and into the railroad shops, and the round-
houses were soon wrapped in its dread embrace. The bricks them-
* The fir ■ reached VanBuren Street as early as 11:30.
selves seemed only additional fuel. The rolling stock in the
railroad yards were but kindlings, which helped along the fire
already intense. But worst of all, the elevators were next in
danger. For a few minutes it seemed as though one or two of the
largest ones would resist the flames, and pass through the fiery
ordeal unscathed. But this thought was not of long duration, for
an instant later the immense piles were ablaze from top to bottom.
Like the advance of a great army, the fires moved forward in several
columns, and like a well-whipped but unconquered foe the Fire
Department slowly retreated. But they stubbornly contested every
foot of ground, however, and would not surrender, although often
almost entirely surrounded by the dread enemy. Then they would
cut their way out and retreat for a short distance, only to turn again
and hurl their charges of thousands of gallons of water full into
the face of the enemy. But no power on earth could stem the
torrent. Never did firemen fight more fiercely to conquer, and
never before did their heroic efforts seem so utterly in vain.
" Polk Street was reached, and here a desperate stand was
made. One steamer, the * Frank Sherman,' stood at the plug on
the corner of Polk and Clinton, until the heat had scorched the hair
from the impatient horses, and the brave engineer and plucky
stoker had lost almost all their whiskers. Then the word was
given to retreat and run. As they went, the firemen faced the fire,
and shouted to the driver to stop at the first plug and let them try
again.
" To add to the terrible reality of the scene, it was discovered
that a building was on fire away to the rear. Between Sebor and
Harrison streets a barn was all ablaze; and before a steamer could
reach the spot other barns innumerable were fiercely burning. It
was the onslaught of a cavalry corps on the retreating army's rear,
and all seemed hopeless. There was one thing noticeable, however,
and worthy of special mention. The fierce wind had veered around,
somewhat, towards the west, and now the fire was skipping some
houses on the western outskirts of the blocks bounded by Jefferson
and Clinton streets. To be sure there were not many of these es-
capes, but the fact was apparent, and it cheered the soul of every
one. * * * Across Harrison Street and Tyler, and along Van-
Buren, the monster ran, carrying destruction in its fiery course. At
the approach to VanBuren-street bridge stood the steamer ' Fred
Gund,' a first-class Amoskeag engine, with a complement of officers
and men in skill and daring second to none in the land. The
steamer was completely surrounded by fire, and for their lives the
boys were forced to fly. They left their engine, but they have the
proud consciousness of knowing she went down in a sea of fire,
with steam up and while still facing an advancing foe. * * Here
and there, and almost everywhere, lay thousands of feet of hose,
stretched to its utmost tension with watery ammunition, which the
powerful engines were constantly throwing on the blaze."
Another writer says :
" When the flames had crossed over Clinton Street, between
Ewing and Forquer streets, there were probably left half-a-dozen
houses which seem to have been forgotten in the excitement of the
moment. But they were not permitted to escape the awful flames.
Backward swept the red demon, silently and softly, but swiftly
enough to elude all pursuit, and before the terror-stricken multitude
could prevent, all these frame buildings were burned to the ground.
* * * To the right (eastward) the fire had been driven with great
fierceness, and Clinton and Canal and Beach streets, and then the
railroads which run along the western shore of the South Branch,
were in its grasp. Now was the fire (west of the river) at its
fiercest. Upward of twenty blocks were burning. Upward of five
hundred buildings, not including outhouses, were on fire. Upward
of five hundred families were fleeing from the seeming wrath to
come. The streets were almost impassable, with all sorts of
vehicles filled with household goods."
In summing up the result of his investigations con-
cerning the precise moment at which the fire originated,
and also when it reached various important points in its
advance to the Water Works, C. C. P. Holden says :
" There is a great conflict of opinion as to the exact moment
of the commencement of the fire. Ordinarily the records of the
Fire Department would be conclusive evidence on such a subject;
but in this case the records are faulty and silent in the extreme, and
really show nothing that will enlighten the public. The various
statements, already given in substance in this work, place the time
as follows: Mathias Schaffer, watchman in the tower of the Court
House, 9:28; Christian Schimmels, foreman No. 5 engine, 9:13;
Henry V. Coleman, engineer No. 5 engine, 9:00 ; David M. Hy-
land, of No. 17, 9:07 ; Mrs Catherine McLaughlin, about 9:00;
the several fire marshals, 9:00 ; the Dalton family, William Lee,
William B. Bateham, anil numerous presons living near the spot,
8:45; John Garrick, Richard Riley and Matthew Turner, 8:40.
" The progress of the flames was as follows . Beginning, say,
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
7'9
at 8:45; reached Bateham's mills at 10:30; Parmelee's barns, on
South Side, at 11:30; Court Mouse about 1:30, and bell fell at 2:05;
Wright's stables, on North Side, at 2:30, and Water Works at
3:20."
Mr. Holden maintains that the fire began at 8:45, >*
not earlier by some minutes. The distance from
O'Leary's barn to the Water Works was two miles and
twelve hundred and fifty-two feet. The flames traversed
this space in six hours and thirty-five minutes.
The Fire crosses to the South Side. — Once
more is encountered the embarrassment of conflicting
statements. There are scarcely two witnesses to be
found, who coincide in their opinions as to when and
where the fire seized upon buildings east of the river.
From as early as half-past nine, showers of sparks and
burning brands fell upon the South Side, and were even
carried far into the North Division. But the writers
heretofore have generally accepted the assertion that
the fire first broke out on the South Side at Powell's
roofing-works, near the gas-works, on Adams Street,
shortly after midnight.
This statement we believe to be erroneous. The
first building to ignite on the South Side was the new
stable owned by the Parmelee Omnibus and Stage
Company, situated on southeast corner of Jackson and
Franklin streets. This spacious structure had just been
completed at an expense of $So,ooo, and would have
been occupied for the first time on Wednesday, October
11. The building was the finest of its kind in the country.
The impending danger had aroused the parties in-
terested in this property to unusual vigilance. Messrs.
J. W. Parmelee and J. E. Sullivan are the authorities for
the statements here given. These gentlemen were at
the stable, hoping to be able to prevent the destruction
of the building. At half-past eleven, October 8, 187 1,
the fire swept down upon them with such rapidity and
terrific force as to compel them to flee for their lives.
It seemed but an instant before the edifice was literally
engulfed in flame. This was the starting point, and,
it will be observed, was but a short distance south of a
line drawn from DeKoven and Jefferson streets, through
the Court House, to the Water Works.
The fatality which destroyed the Water Works while
the fire was in its infancy, so to speak, compels us to
digress from the general plan of this record, and trace
the fire, by gigantic steps, until the pumping works are
reached.
At 8:45 the incipient blaze began. At Io:3°> Bateham's
mills on Canal Street, near Harrison, were deserted, as
beyond salvation. At 1 1 -.30, Parmelee's stable was a sea
of flame. At about twelve o'clock, the gas works and
" Conley's Patch'' were on fire. By ten o'clock, the
cupola of the Court House had taken fire several times,
but had been extinguished by the watchman. At 1:30,
the men in the tower barely escaped with their lives.
At 2:05, the famous Court-house bell went clanging
down. At not later than 1:30, Judge Lambert Tree
crossed State-street bridge, which was then burning in
spots. At 2:30, Wright's stable on the southeast cor-
ner of State and Kinzie streets, at the northern end of
the viaduct, took fire. At 1:30, the paint and carpenter
shop, standing on piles driven in the lake, near the
Water- Works, burned. Lill's immense brewery ignited
at this time, and was destroyed as if by magic. Ex-
Mayor Rumsey's residence took fire about three o'clock;
and at twenty minutes past three the Water Works were
in flames. In the brief space of six and one-half hours
the fire ran a distance of about two and one-quarter
miles, with unerring aim, and laid in ruins the only
means of defense against its ravages.
This epitome of events will enable the reader to
follow the detailed narrative, which is now resumed.
From the quotations which follow, it will lie seen
that each writer held a different theory as to the tune
and location of the fust South Side lire. Messrs. Shea-
han and Upton state the time of its occurrence with that
degree of circumstantiality which usually carries con-
viction, while the assertion made by Mr. Colbert, not
only gives a slightly different location, but times the lire-
twenty minutes earlier than his contemporaries.
Messrs. Sheahan and Upton say:
" There was probably not a person in the South I division who
imagined for a moment that the fire would extern! beyond the por-
tion of the city in which it originated. Indeed, when it approached
the burned district of the previous Saturday night's conflagration,
there was a universal sigh of relief, for here, certainly, it would be
stayed, notwithstanding the furious wind. The hope was a futile
one. At just twenty minutes past twelve, a huge blazing brand
was blown across the river Onward it sped, like a fury in.
of doom, and lodged upon the roof of a three-story tenement house,
which was as dry as tinder. The roof was immediately in a blaze,
and almost instantly every part of the building emitted furious jets
of flame. The house was about midway between Adams, Monroe,
Wells (Fifth Avenue) and Market streets, and surrounded by one
and two story wooden houses and alleys littered with all sorts of in-
flammable materials. Through this wooden nest the tire spread with
inconceivable rapidity, and soon attacked another group of low,
wooden buildings, known as 'Conley's Patch.' densely covered with
saloons, tumble-down hovels and sheds, and peopled by the lowest
class in the city. For years, this spot had been the terror of the
neighborhood beyond it, and had been stained with every conceiv-
able crime. The male residents were absent at the lire in the West
Division, and as the flames seized upon it, squalid women and chil-
dren rushed out in droves. Most ol them escaped; but undoubtedly
some were overtaken by the fire, and miserably perished. Right
and left the flames spread as fast as a man could walk, and soon
the gas works and huge piiesof coal in the yard took fire, and a red
glare shone all over the doomed city. Down the south line of
Monroe Street it sped with lightning-like rapidity."
Elias Colbert says;
" The first vault across the river was made at midnight from
VanBuren Street, alighting in a building of the South Division gas
works on Adams Street. * * * Having gained a foothold here,
its march naturally lay through two or three blocks of pine rook-
eries known as ' Conley's Patch, ' and so on for a considerable space
through the abodes of squalor and vice. Through there it set out
at double-quick, the main column being flanked on each side and
nearly-an hour to the rear. That at the right was generated by a
separate brand from the western burning ; * that at the left was
probably created by some of the eddies which were by this lime
whirling through the streets toward the flame below, and from it
above. The rookeries were quickly disposed of. * * Beyond
them, along LaSalle Street, was a splendid double row of 'lire-
proof mercantile buildings, the superior of which did not exist in
the land. Would these succumb to the shower of brands and the
triple-heated furnace which had been thrown about them ? "
William S. Walker, a journalist, in his history of the
fire, published in the Lakeside Monthly for June, 1872,
offers still another statement touching the first blaze in
the South Division. He says :
"The bridges and shipping in the river afforded a superb
transit for the flames, and the crossings at VanBuren, Polk and
Adams streets were soon frame-works of lire. From these, blaz-
ing in a raging wind, there was no lack of communication from
the West to the South Side. The latter was tired in two places at
a few minutes before one o'clock, on Monday morning, some three
and a half hours after its origin in DeKoven Street. The first of
these was in a shed on the river bank, near Polk Street. This lire
was extinguished with ease — although the structure was itself torn
down, as the only method of checking the work of ruin. At nearly
the same time, the tar-works belonging to the South Division gas
manufactory, situated on Adams Street, near the Armory, were
ignited. * * * In less than five minutes a square of buildings
was in flames."
The hour named for the firing of the gas-works is
clearly wrong; but the extract is here given because of
the allusion to the firing of a shed on the river bank —
•This statement appears to confirm Mr. Parmelee's narrative.
72°
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
a point made by no other writer. It is probable that
such a fire existed and was extinguished, as Mr. Walker
relates, but. if so. the time of its occurrence could not
have been later than half-past eleven, unless he alludes
to the back-setting of the fire, which reached Polk
Street at a later hour than one o'clock.
A writer on the Post, who witnessed the scene, gives
a still later hour. He says:
*' One o'clock had just struck, and a sudden puff of the vari-
able wind blew down a curved wing of the great golden-red clouds
above our heads. It fell like the shear of a sabre, and in a second
a red glare shot up on the South Side, as if the blow had fallen
upon a helmet and sent up a glitter of sparks and a spurt of blood.
The lire had overleaped the narrow river, and lodged itself in the
very heart of the South Division. The angry bell tolled out, and
in a moment the bridges were choked with a roaring, struggling
RUINS CORNER OF CLARK AND WASHINGTON STREETS
crowd, through which the engines cleft a difficult way toward the
new peril. The wind had piled up a pyramid of rustling flame
anil smoke in the mid-air. Lower currents at times varied and
drove tides of lire athwart the great roaring stream. When these
met, eddies that made the eye dizzy were found, which sucked up
blazing brands and embers into their momentary whirl, and then
flung them earthward."
Expansion of the Fire. — Right and left the fire
spread, from the mass of seemingly solid flames which
rose from the hovels of " Conley's Patch," traveling at
a rate o/ speed never before witnessed. In less than
sixty seconds, the space of one block had been
traversed, and the south line of Monroe Street was
reached, for nearly the entire distance between Wells
and Market streets. A short of lire enveloped the stables
of John V. Farwell&Co. and the American Merchants'
Union Express Co., before more than half-a-dozen of
the hundred or more valuable animals could be saved,
the greater number being burned or suffocated within
two minutes from the time the fire first threatened
them.
The Tribune says, describing this instant of the
fire :
" By this time the flames had crossed to the east side of Wells
Street, and were rapidly working eastward, sweeping everything in
their course. It is impossible to estimate the number of lives lost
in this locality, the area of which was wholly covered with wooden
structures, all of them crowded to the utmost with poor people. In
the terror and confusion which prevailed, hundreds of women, with
their broods of children, were seen wandering about in a state of
hopeless bewilderment, many of them doomed, beyond a doubt, to
be overtaken by, and lost in, the wilderness of flame.
" Northward and eastward the flames progressed, crossing
Madison Street and extending east to LaSalle at the same time.
Stone, brick and wooden structures fell alike, and with almost the
same rapidity. It had now become apparent that the
whole business portion, to the lake shore, was doomed.
No one could doubt this as soon as a fresh display'of light
farther south announced the fearful fact that the West-
side fire had actually leaped the river. At about a quarter
to one o'clock, the regular chain of fire from west to east
was established, the juncture being effected across the
river at or near the VanBuren-street bridge, where the
rows of wooden buildings on Market Street, and the re-
maining portion of ' Conley's Patch,' south of Adams
Street, formed a rapid route for the progress of the devas-
tating element. What the first lire on the South Side had
left behind, the second one took up, and, working east-
ward even more rapidly than the other had done, by one
o'clock had reached LaSalle Street. A coalition was thus
effected between the two divisions of flames at about this
time; and then the awful work went on more furiously
than ever. Faster than it could be traced — or, at least,
faster than, from any position of observation, the looker-
on could accurately note the precise buildings which were
overtaken, in their order — the flames now raged towards
the river and the lake. The finest of Chicago's business
architecture — and this the marvel of all America — was
included in the ravages of the tire."
Another writer in the Tribune says of the
fire's first appearance on the South Side :
" The messenger, hurrying around to inform the fire-
men on the West Side of the changed aspect of affairs,
had not reached his destination when the firemen them-
selves had noticed the leaping blaze and rising smoke on
the other side of the South Branch; and the chief of the
Department, already finding himself unable to cope with
the perplexities of the situation, ordered what he could
across the river. Had they reached their new field of
labor, they could have done little; as it was, they accom-
plished nothing. From that time on, without a com-
mander, without system, and, soon after, without water,
they fought gallantly and stubbornly, but disunitedly,
and without success."
The Times of October 18 said :
" The twin rioters of flame and wind, with their
appetite sharpened instead of gorged by the feast among
the meaner buildings of the West Division and the river
side, now fell in dire carnival upon the noble edifices of
LaSalle Street.
" The Grand Pacific Hotel, upon which the roof had but just
been placed, was among the first of the better class of structures
assaulted by the fire. Angered at its imposing front, and scorning
the implied durability of its superb dimensions, the flames stormed
relentlessly in, above, and around it, until, assured that it was at
their absolute mercy, they left it tottering to the earth, and crawled
luridly along the street in search of further prey.
" It was now that the waves of fire began to take upon them-
selves the mightiest of proportions. How it was that, while even
a hundred buildings might be blazing, others, far in advance of the
track of the storm, could not be protected, has not been understood
by those who were not despairingly following the course of destruc-
tion. It was partly on account of the artificial currents already
mentioned, and because the huge tongues of flame actually
stretched themselves out upon the pinions of the wind, for acres.
Sheets of fire would reach over entire blocks, wrapping in every
building inclosed by the four streets bounding them, and scarcely
allowing dwellers in the houses time to dash away unscorched.
Hardly twenty minutes had elapsed from the burning of the Pacific
Hotel before the fire had cut its hot swathe through every one of
the magnificent buildings intervening upon LaSalle Street, and
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
721
had fallen mercilessly upon the Chamber of Commerce. The few
heroic workers of the Police and Fire Departments who had not
already dropped out of the ranks of lighters from sheer exhaustion,
sought to once more check the progress. of devastation by the aid
of powder. A number of kegs were thrown into the basement of
the grand business palace of the Merchants' Insurance Company.
A slow match was applied, and as the crowd drew back the explo-
sion ensued. A broad, black chasm was opened in the face of the
street; but, with as little attention to the space intervening as though
it had only been across an ordinary alley, the arms of flame swung
over the gap, and tore lustily at the rows of banking-houses and
insurance structures beyond."
From the Grand Pacific it occupied but a moment
of time to reach the Custom House and Post-office
building.
Burning of the Post - Office and Custom-
house.— The destruction of this public edifice was an
incident of great importance, and is best related by-
Henry H. Nash, cashier of the United States Depos-
itory, and Alonzo Hannis, an employe in the Post-
office.
Narrative of Henry H. Nash. — At the time of the fire
I was cashier of the United States Depository, and resided at No.
536 West Monroe Street. From the upper rooms of my residence
I had a view of the fire when it started on DeKoven Street, near
Jefferson. I retired about ten o'clock p. m., and, awakening about
twelve o'clock, I looked out of the window and made up my mind,
that the fire had got beyond the control of the firemen, as I could
see that the fire had reached and crossed the river, and was burning
north of Jackson Street. I called up my nephew, Fred. M. Blount,
who was a messenger in my office. We dressed and started for
my office, coming -down and crossing the river at Madison-street
bridge. When we reached Market Street the fire was about cross-
ing Madison Street, just east of Franklin. We turned to the north
until we reached the alley between Madison and Washington
streets. We passed through this alley to Dearborn Street, then
south to the Government building, on the corner of Dearborn and
Monroe streets. I will here remark that the Chicago Times build-
ing was then on the northwest corner of this alley. We went
through to Dearborn Street. As we passed, I noticed they were
printing the Monday morning paper, which was destroyed, with
their office, a few hours later. (I think it was about half-past three
or four o'clock a. m.) When we reached the corner of Dearborn and
Monroe streets, the fire was raging to the west and south of us,
and had taken in the new Grand Pacific Hotel, which was then
near completion. We immediately entered the Government build-
ing, went to the room of the United States Depository, opened the
vault, and placed therein all books and papers in the office (which,
from lack of vault room, we had been in the habit of leaving out-
side). I then opened a safe standing in the room, in which I kept
a part of my daily cash, and took its contents (about fifty thousand
dollars of currency), a tin box of my own, containing S750 of new
United States notes of issue of 1S69; also $650 United States six
per cent, bonds, belonging to Major Fitch, of the Custom House, a
$50 United States six percent, bond, belonging to E. R. Loomis,
of Naperville, some silver spoons, belonging to my wife, some
valuable papers of my own and a friend's, to the value of about
$15,000 — all of which I placed in the vault, and securely locked.
Then, with the assistance of the watchman of the building and the
janitor of the United States Court rooms, we closed all the iron
shutters "of the building, except on the first floor and basement,
which were occupied by the Post-office. The shutters upon these
floors had been taken off when making repairs in the spring of
1871, at the request of the employes in the Post-office. The ab-
sence of these shutters left the building exposed, so that when the
fire reached the building, it came in upon the west side. Seizing
upon the great number of letter-cases which occupied the main
floor of the Post-office, they being very dry, and fanned by the gale
which was blowing, the fire spread rapidly, and the intense heat
caused the iron beams supporting the floor above to bend and give
way, carrying destruction to nearly the whole of the inside of the
building at about 3 o'clock a. m., October 9, 1871. James E.
McLean was collector of customs and, ex officio, the depositary ;
I, as cashier, having charge of the depository. This office, with
the one at Cincinnati, and the United States Sub-Treasury at
St. Louis, were the principal offices for the receipt and disburse-
ment of Government funds for the West and Northwest. The
amount of funds handled in the depository here, up to the open-
ing of the War of 1861, was comparatively small. General Julius
White, who was collector of customs and depositary at the com-
mencement of the war, resigned and joined the army. If my
memory serves me, the balance turned over to Luther Haven, his
successor, was less than five thousand dollars. After the war
46
opened, the Government made this city a point for the purchase
and distribution of supplies for the army, and the office of de-
positary here soon became one of much importance, the receipts and
disbursements amounting to thirty or forty millions of dollars per
annum during the nine years I was in the office, which was from
[864 t.i 1873. Tlic large amount of Government funds handled in
Chicago, was recognized by Congress, who, in 1873, created the
office of United Stales Assistant Treasurer here, Genera] J. D.
Webster being the first assistant treasurer at this point.
General Joseph D. Webster was a son of Rev. Josiah
Webster, of Hampton, N. II., a kinsman of Daniel Webster.
He was born August 25, 1811, and prepared for college at Hamp-
ton Academy, after which he entered Dartmouth College, anil
graduated in 1832. He then commenced the study of law in Xew-
buryport, Mass. In 1835, he went to Washington, D. C, where,
on the offer of General Cass, then secretary of war, he entered the
corps of civil engineers. In 1838, he became a member of the
corps of United States topographical engineers, the civil engineer
corps being abolished. In that year he removed to Milwaukee and
took charge of the government survey at that point, and continued
on this work of coast and other surveys until 1847. From Mil-
waukee he removed to Detroit, where he had charge of the harbor
until he was ordered to Mexico, to make military surveys on the
Rio Grande. In 1S48, he returned to Washington, and was then
ordered to Chicago to take charge of the harbor work. In 1854,
JOSEPH D. WEBSTER.
he resigned and retired to private life, but on the breaking out
of the Rebellion he at once volunteered, and, as paymaster, with the
rank of major, was with the first troops that arrived at Cairo.
Soon after reaching Cairo, he was appointed chief of engineers,
with the rank of colonel. He planned and superintended the
works around Cairo and at Bird's Point, until the spring of 1S62,
when he was commissioned colonel of the 1st Illinois Light Artil-
lery. Colonel Webster took part in the batiks of Belmont, Fort
Henry, Donelson and Shiloh; was chief-of-staff to General Grant,
and chief of engineers and artillery at Shiloh. In that battle, one
of the most important at that period of the war, he rendered con-
spicuous and distinguished service. General Sherman says, in a
letter of condolence to the son of General Webster, written March
20, 1876, shortly after his death: " As an officer he (General Web-
sterl was that one in whose keeping General Grant and I could
always repose any trust with a sense of absolute security. At Shi-
loh, he arranged and commanded that battery and reserve force
which checked the final assault of our enemy, just before night-
fall of April 6, 1S62." F'rom Shiloh, Colonel Webster went with
722
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
General Grant to Memphis, and was appointed military commander
in the summer of 1863. Having recovered from a severe attack of
sickness, he was given charge of the military railway as General
Grant's chief-of-staff, and remained on this duty during the Vicks-
burg campaign and until General Sherman took charge of the
Army of the Tennessee. With General Sherman he went to
Nashville, took part in the battle of Nashville, was chief of Gen-
eral Sherman's staff throughout the war, and had charge of
headquarters during the march to the sea. In regard to his service
there, where many of his friends urged and desired him to accept
another position which was tendered him, and which offered prob-
ably greater chance for marked personal distinction, it may
be proper to again quote from the letter of General Sherman,
above referred to: " Knowing how important would be our line of
communication, and the state of our supplies, I left him at Nash-
ville, and he must have among his papers many letters showing
the confidence reposed in him, and how well he fulfilled his trust.
He joined me at Savannah, Ga., and continued on my staff until
the war was over. Now I recognize the full measure of my obli-
gation to him, and beg that his family will ever turn to me as their
friend " In the spring of 1S65, Colonel Webster moved to Savan-
nah, where, as stated, he joined General Sherman, and afterward
removed to Alexandria and Washington. The war being over,
General Webster resigned his military office and returned to Chi-
cago, where he emoloyed himself principally in superintending
hospitals, and went on a tour throughout the South to inspect the
railroads, and, at the request of the postmaster-general, made a re-
port thereon as a basis for the re-organization of the mail service.
In 1S6S, he was appointed assessor of internal revenue, which
office he held until it was abolished in 1873. Soon afterward,
he was appointed assistant treasurer, and when the campaign
against the " whisky frauds " opened, became collector of internal
revenue for the First District of Illinois. In this position his
labors became prodigious and incessant, and he was obliged to
bear the brunt of the tremendous onslaught which those impli-
LAKE AND STATE STREETS.
cated in the frauds led against him, as one of l Iil- chief prosecuting
officers of the Government. He acquitted himsell with his usual
vigor and success, cementing to a still firmer degree the confidence
which General and President Grant always reposed in him. His
constitution, however, which was naturally sensitive, was unable to
withstand the severe strain placed upon it, and, after an eight davs'
illness, General Webster died at the I'almer House, March 12,
I he notices of his death that appeared in the daily press,
together with the universal expressions of grief, and the sense
of loss, showed how universal among men of all shades of political
opinion, was the estimation for such a character as his. In 1844,
General Webster was married to Miss Ann E. Wright, daughter of
John and Huldah U. Wright, who were among the earliest settlers
of Chicago. Five children were born to them, three of whom sur-
vive. His eldest son, L. D. Webster, graduated at the Annapolis
Naval School, and accompanied Admiral Farragut on his great
cruise He is now practicing law in Chicago.
To continue the narrative of Mr. Nash :
This building, in which were the Post-office, Custom House
and Depository, Collector of Internal Revenue, United States
Courts, United States Marshal, etc., was situated on the north-
west corner of Dearborn and Monroe streets. The room occupied
by me was in the northeast corner, on the second floor. The
building was three stories and basement, built of Lemont stone,
backed with brick, very substantial, and designed to be fire proof.
In fact, the outside walls were very little damaged, except the
west one. This was badly scaled by the intense heat from a six-
story building, owned by Benjamin Lombard, which stood west of
it about thirty feet. I ombard's block burned very rapidly and
made an intense heat, which was driven by the southwest gale di-
rectly upon the west wall of the Government building. There
being no shutters upon the Post-office floor, the fire found entrance,
as I have already stated. Through the inside of the building,
north and south, were four rows of iron columns, on which rested
hollow iron beams, about six by eighteen inches, and eighteen or
twenty feet long. On these rested the cross beams of [ iron,
about eight inches deep, with spaces of about three feet, which
were filled, or arched, with brick and cement. From the second
floor to the attic (two stories, about fortv feet), resting upon these
iron beams, was an eight-inch brick wall, forming the partitions of
the halls and rooms. The intense heat produced by the burning
of the letter-cases on the Post-office floor, caused the iron beams
and girders to bend by the great weight upon them, until they gave
way, and the whole inside of the building fell into the basement, a
confused mass of brick and iron, except a small portion of
the south end and a small section in the northeast corner,
which was over the lobby of the Post office.
The building as originally constructed had no vaults
placed in it. In 1862-63, there were two vaults built of
brick, on the second floor, resting upon, and supported by,
the iron girders mentioned; one vault opening into the custom
house rooms and the other into the depository, the latter
being lined with four thicknesses of boiler-plate and chilled
cast iron, making an aggregate thickness of about three
inches. This inner lining, or box, was about ten feet long,
six feet high and five feet wide. These vaults and lining
went down into the basement, with the rest of the inside of
the building, and were completely covered up in the debris.
This mass of brick, mortar and iron was so hot, no water
being obtainable to cool it, that no effort was made to reach
it until Saturday following, the 14th inst. In the meantime
a watch had been kept over it, assisted by a guard of United
States* soldiers, which had been sent here at the request of
the mayor of the city to hold in check any lawlessness that
was feared might show itself.
On Saturday, the 14th, a gang of men was secured, and
in the presence of clerks sent from the Treasury Department
in Washington, the iron box of the vault was uncovered.
On removing the debris, it was found that in falling one of
the corners of the iron box had opened about six inches for
a space of two feet. After the debris had been cleared away
from the door, which was attached to this iron box, or lining,
it was broken open. We then found that all the combusti-
ble contents were entirely destroyed. The coin and a few
remnants of gold certificates remained Not a book, paper
or voucher of the office was left — all had been reduced to
ashes, Of my tin box and contents, I found only the lock
and a few scraps of melted spoons. The amount of money
in the vault was about two millions of dollars. Of this about
one million five hundred thousand dollars was in currency.
About four hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars of this
sum consisted of notes of National banks, the balance being
United States notes. The most of the gold coin was in bags,
in an iron safe in the vault. The bags were burned up and
the coins blackened. Some Mexican coin, forty thousand
dollars, was on a shelf in the vault, over the safe. This coin was
badly melted and mixed with silver and nickels. The coin was
all gathered up and sent to the United States Mint at Philadelphia.
About forty thousand dollars was re-coined, the balance cleaned
and put in circulation.
The loss in the coin account was about six thousand dollars.
This was caused by the destruction of coupons that had been paid
*A portion of the 5th U. S. Infantry that were sent here from Fort Leaven-
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
723
in coin and were being carried in the coin account, as was the cus-
tom, until the end of the month. There were nineteen thousand
dollars in gold certificates in the vault, out of which there were
fragments enough recovered to get a credit of sixteen thousand
eight hundred dollars. This was the only thing of a combustible
kind in the vault that was recovered. How it could so happen,
when coin six feet from it melted, I could never account for. I
will here remark, that when clearing the debris out of the basement,
there was found, about ten feet west from where the vault lay, an
express-wagon load of mail matter, in bags, not in the least in-
jured. It lay in a pile, and had been overlooked, in the darkness
and haste, when taking out the mails on the night of the fire.
In the northwest corner of the room of the depository, par-
tially protected from the direct draft of the fire, stood an old safe
which we used for temporary storage of redeemed fractional cur-
rency. This floor, being over the lobby of the Post-office, re-
mained intact. In this safe were found thirty-seven thousand one
hundred and seventy-two dollars of redeemed currency, not in the
least injured. On the top of this safe was a ream of large Manilla
wrapping paper, very little injured, but the floor under the safe
was all burned out down to the brick arches.
The money saved was in
Gold coin. $375,903 5°
Silver coin 5,371 61
Minor coin 144 83
Gold notes i6,Soo 00
Fractional currency 37, 171 93
Total $435.39' 87
In the United States Treasurer's report for the years 1872-73
will be found, under the head of 'Currency destroyed,' the follow-
ing items of ' Unknown denominations':
Legal-tender notes of 1869 $ 865,000
Legal-tender notes, new.. 135,000
Fractional currency . 32,000
Coin certificates 2,200
Total. $1,034,200
This was an estimate of Government currency destroyed in
the vault, the National bank notes destroyed being about four hun-
dred and seventy-five thousand dollars.
James E. McLean, who at the time was collector of cus-
toms and depositary, was responsible to the Government for the
money destroyed, but Congress passed a special act relieving him
of such responsibility.
The inquiry naturally arises as to how the accounts were ad-
justed, all the books and records of the office having been
destroyed. It will be remembered that the fire occurred on Sun-
day night and Monday. On Saturday, after the close of business,
I sent to the Treasurer at Washington a transcript of his account
up to date; the other accounts were with a large number of dis-
bursing officers of the Government, scattered throughout the West.
Under instructions of the several heads of the departments at
Washington, every officer having an account with this office was
notified to render his account to the close of business on the 7th of
October. With these accounts and a list of balances we had fur-
nished the Secretary of the Treasury on the 1st of the month, I
think the accounts were all honestly adjusted, without loss to the
Government. Some difficulty was experienced in adjusting the ac-
counts of officers residing in Chicago, who had lost all of their
papers; but with the accounts which had been rendered on the first
of the month, the business of the seven days was, from the mem-
ory of sundry persons, and reports, finally adjusted.
James E. McLean was interested with Orville Grant, a
brother of President U. S. Grant, in a leather, saddlery and harness
hardware store on Lake Street. Seeing that his store would be
destroyed by the fire, he got all his books of accounts and other
papers from his store, brought them to the Custom House, and
put them into the vault, which went down in the ruins, and all
were destroyed.
The building destroyed not being large enough to accommo-
date the Government offices here, the Secretary of Treasury asked
Congress to make an appropriation for the purchase of suitable
grounds, upon which a building of sufficient capacity could be
erected. Under authority granted by an act passed by Congress
December 21, 1871, the Secretary of the Treasury solicited bids for
such grounds. It was the desire of the Secretary to purchase the
remaining portion of the block not owned by the Government,
bounded by Monroe, Clark, Madison and Dearborn streets; but
the owners of the property in the block placed such a price upon
their property that the aggregate cost would have been over two
millions of dollars for the additional land wanted. The Secretary
declined their proposals, and accepted a bid for the block upon
which the present new building stands, at the price of one million
two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, which was paid by the
writer to the several parties interested, on warrants drawn by the
Secretary of the Treasury.
Under an act of Congress passed March 3, 1873, the ruins
of the building and grounds were conveyed to the city of Chicago,
in exchange for lands owned by the city on the corner ■ •! Polk
Street and Fifth Avenue.
RUINS ON LAKE STRK.ET, EAST OF STATE.
Narrative of Alonzo Hannis. — The day preceding the
night of the fire of October 9, 1871, I was on duty distributing
letters for the out-going mails for the Western Division railroads.
Shortly after driving home from my day's work and retiring, I was
awakened by the noise of several persons passing the house, crying
'• Fire ! " " Fire ! " * * * I saw that there was to be quite a
conflagration, and started for the locality where the fire was. I
discovered that I might do some good by fighting the fire, and pre-
vent it running on to Desplaines Street, between VanBuren and
Harrison. I was so employed when I thought of the Post-office.
It was then 11:30 o'clock. I tried each bridge on my way to the
Post-office, and found that I could cross Randolph-street bridge.
When I got to the Court House the cupola had commenced to burn,
and several men were trying to save the Sherman House, by de-
stroying the awnings, which had commenced to burn. On my way
to the office I met many whom I knew, and I asked them why
they did not try to save their property. They replied they were
not afraid of being burned out, as the fire would never reach their
property. When I arrived at the Post-office, I rang the night bell,
which brought the watchman in response, and I was let in. I
informed him (Mr. Wells) and the superintendent (Mr. David
Green) that the Post-office was to share in the conflagration, and I
asked him to allow me to proceed to prepare the un-mailed pack-
ages of letters for the mail bags; but the only satisfaction that 1
got was: "If you touch any letters without orders from headquar-
ters, you will get your discharge." I then informed him that the
gas works had burned, and remarked there would not be any light
to work by. He said he would go and see how near the fire was.
I thought I would also go, but something kept telling me to save
the mail. So I commenced work, and during his absence I had it
all prepared to be put into bags at a minute's notice. Then the order
came to save the mail. This was about two o'clock. With the
assistance of William Bliss, I had the western railroad mails in the
sacks, locked, and thrown down stairs. By that time there was
plenty of help from other clerks. At 2:30 o'clock. Colonel Wood
came in, and gave the order to save all the mail that we could. Mr.
Bliss and myself went into the delivery cases and secured the mail
(letters) in that department, excluding all circulars and newspapers.
We two were then left alone, for the order was given to leave the
office in haste, as it was on fire. Three times we were called to,
but I would not go until I had finished putting the letters into the
bag and saw that it was locked and thrown into the lobby, from
which it was afterward saved. All this time we were working by
the light of the Lombard and Reynolds blocks, which were ready
to fall in upon us. I made a rush for the street, fighting my way
through the fire, and stumbled across a large Xo. 1 leather bag
full of letter mail. I caught hold of the strap, and dragged the bag
through the streets to Michigan Avenue, and there stood guard
duty, not only over the bag of mail, but also over a wagon load of
fine cutlery from some wholesale cutlery house on Lake Street,
near Wabash Avenue. All this time the wind was blowing a per-
fect hurricane. With sand and fire, my face was black, while my
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
eves were red and bloodshot. I saw that the tire was cutting off
my chance of escape, so I retraced my way south on Michigan
Avenue, and when I arrived at the park in front of Peck Court, I
saw a lady sitting upon a bundle of goods. As she had an honest
look, I asked her to do me the favor of watching the bag of mail
while I went to see if I could find a mail wagon. She seemed very
much pleased to do me the kindness, and stood up and spread out
her elegant silk dress over the bag. and remarked to me that if any
one attempted to take the mail from her possession she would
shoot him on the spot. I found the wagon, and at 4 p. m. was
verv glad to be relieved of the responsibility.
The Tribune of October 16 gives the following
statement as to the Custom House and Post-office:
" Some most extraordinary revelations have been made by the
fire with regard to the architecture of the Post-office and Custom-
house building, which, proving to have been a sham and a fraud of
the worst kind, has involved the loss of an immense sum of money.
The vault in the sub-treasury office, in which Collector McLean
had deposited all the funds pertaining to his department, was built
upon the second story. It rested upon two iron pillars built from
the basement, with two iron girders of great strength and weight
connected with the wall. A third girder connected the two pillars,
forming a frarn± work. A heavy fire-proof vault was built upon
this foundation, and proved to be about the weakest in the city to
resist the fierceness of the fire. There were in the vault at the
time of the fire $1,500,000 in greenbacks, $300,000 in National
bank notes, $-25,000 in gold and $5,000 in silver ; making a total
of $2,130,000, of which $300,000 was in specie. In an old iron
safe which was left outside the vault was deposited $35,000, con-
sisting of mutilated bills and fractional currency. This safe was
regarded with scorn and deemed unworthy of a place in the vault.
But like the little fishes in the net, its insignificance saved it.
When the building caught fire and burned with fervent heat, the
miserable iron pillars melted, and the immense vault, with its fab-
ulous treasure, fell to the basement, burying the insignificant safe
and its mutilated contents The specie was scattered over the
basement floor, and fused with the heat There are lumps of fused
eagles valued at from $500 to $1,000 each. * * * About five-
sixths of the whole amount was saved. Only one week ago
$500,000 in gold and $25,000 in silver were shipped from the city.
f This vault was only one of the frauds. The fire-proof
doors of the Post-office vault, in which were stored the records,
proved frailer still. The hinges of the massive portals which were
VIEW ON MICHIGAN AVENUE.
to protect the Government records, were only affixed to a single
brick. When, therefore, the walls expanded with the heat, the
doors fell out, of their own weight, each hinge carrying with il the
single brick which held it, while the remainder of the wall was as
firm as possible. Of course, all the records were hopelessly
ruined."
Burning of the Court House. — This substantial
structure stood in the midst of a square, and it was
taken as a matter of course that it would be able to sur-
vive, if nothing else should be left standing around it.
" Talk about the Court House," said a leading
banker, among the spectators, whose own establishment
had already melted to the very foundations ; " it will
show to be about the only sound building on the South
Side to-morrow." And yet, in another five minutes,
a great burning timber, wrenched from the tumbling
ruins of a LaSalle-street edifice, had been hurled in
wild fury at the wooden dome of the Court House.
As if a thousand slaves of the fire-king had hidden
within the fatal structure, awaiting this signal, the
flames seemed to leap to simultaneous life in every part
of the building.
Mathias Schaffer, the watchman in the tower of the Court
House, says that he was constantly on the lookout for fire, as was
his duty, and discovered the DeKoven Street light at 9:28. He
was relieved at eleven o'clock by Dennis Denene, but remained in
the tower. By ten o'clock, cinders and burning materials were
seen flying over the South Side. The roof of the Court House
caught fire five or six times before he left the building, which was
at half-past one. He used two Babcock fire-extinguishers. Shav-
ings had been left in the tower by men who had done some repairs,
and the glass in some of the windows was broken. Sparks fell in-
side, and set fire to the room. Schaffer went down to the street
about twelve o'clock, but soon returned. He believed that the
men would be able to save the building. About half-past one
o'clock he became convinced of the hopelessness of the struggle to
save it. Schaffer called to Denene to save himself, but so rapidly
did the flames spread through the tower, that the men were badly-
singed before they could escape. The tower appeared to be com-
pletely deluged with fire, which poured against the windows in a
solid mass. It seemed to be the center of a burning furnace.
Schaffer and Denene caused the Court-house bell to be rung con-
stantly until they were driven from the tower. Schaffer thinks the
bell went down at two a. m., October g.
Mr. Sheahan says:
" Precisely at twenty minutes past two o'clock, the roof of the
center building of the Court House fell in."
The Court-house bell, which so faithfully warned
the people of the impending danger, and which after-
ward became historical, because its machinery rang the
alarm until it fell, at five minutes past two, Monday
morning, was purchased by the city of Jones & Co.,
bell-founders, of Troy, N. Y., December 3, 1862, at a
cost of $3,688.66. It weighed 10,849 pounds, and meas-
ured six feet ten inches across the mouth and five feet
two inches in height. After the fire it was sold to pri-
vate parties, and innumerable mementoes were made of
the bell-metal.
Alonzo Hannis, in his narrative, states that he
crossed from the West Side, by way of Randolph-street
bridge, shortly after half-past eleven. The cupola of
the Court House was then on fire, and men were try-
ing to save the Sherman House, by tearing down awn-
ings and other combustible materials. Allowance must
be made for the time consumed in the walk to the
South Side, which would bring his arrival after
midnight.
Henry H. Nash relates that, about twelve o'clock,
he saw the fire on the South Side, north of Jackson
Street. He dressed quickly, and hastened to the South
Side, crossing the Madison-street bridge. The fire was
then about at Madison Street, east of Franklin.
Hon. Lambert Tree, who resided on the North Side,
awoke at twelve o'clock, dressed himself hastily, and
crossed from his home, at the corner of Ohio and Cass
streets, to his office, on the corner of LaSalle and Ran-
dolph streets. The roof and cupola of the Court House
were on fire, when he reached the Court-house square —
shortly after midnight.
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
725
It must be borne in mind that the progress of the
fire was not continuous. The wind carried the blazing
brands far in advance of the main body of flame.
Buildings a long distance ahead of the principal fire
were destroyed, oftentimes, before those in the very
heart of the conflagration were consumed. In many
instances, where these advance fires did not wholly de-
stroy at once, they at least served as pioneers to direct
the way for the main column. Thus it was with the
Chamber of Commerce, the Oriental Building and the
Court House. The latter, standing isolated from other
buildings, was regarded as safe, until the fiery roof and
blazing cupola drove the people from the place.
Mayor R. B. Mason reached the Court House soon after
twelve o'clock. He was busily occupied giving orders from the
office of the Police Commissioners, which was in the basement of
the building. It was then that the mayor issued orders to Alder-
man J. H. Hildreth, to use powder in blowing up buildings, at
about one a. m. The mayor also went to the jail, in the
same basement, and ordered the prisoners removed to a place of
safety. Although he knew the building was on fire, Mr. Mason
remained at his post. Roswell H. Mason, his son, and Hon. H.
G. Miller, were with him, but Judge Miller was called away to
look after his block on Washington Street. It was not until the
upper portion of the Court House was a mass of fire, and
the famous bell came crashing and clanging down, that Mr. Mason
sought personal safety. By this incident, we fix the instant of the
falling of the bell at five minutes past two. When Mr. Mason
reached the street, and looked south, along LaSalle Street, " it
appeared like a furnace, all fire — the whole street being filled with
flame." Washington Street presented a similar aspect. Mr.
Mason hurried to Randolph Street, and, looking to the eastward for
a place of escape, he found only a wall of flame. The mavor de-
sired to reach his home, corner of Michigan Avenue and Twelfth
Street, but how to do so was a problem. He proceeded north on
LaSalle to Lake, and again looked to the eastward. Nothing was
visible save a mighty flood of fire. He hastened to South Water
Street. Everywhere fire — fire. He could not even reach Clark
Street. His son accompanied him. They determined to go to the
North Side, thence east to Rush-street bridge, and perchance to
their home. Just then, Hon. Julian S. Rumsey, who was on his
way to his home, at the northeast corner of Cass and Huron
streets, on the North Side, came up. Together they tried to
go through the LaSalle-street tunnel, but the thoroughfare was
filled with a struggling mass of humanity. Failing in that attempt,
they went to the Wells street bridge, and crossed to the North Side.
Mr. Rumsey invited the Masons to his house, to partake of
needed refreshments, but the offer was declined. Moving rapidly
to the east, they reached a point near the present Criminal Court
building, and inferred that the fire had attacked Wright's stables,
just northeast of the State-street viaduct. The appalling outlook
confounded them. Mayor Mason and his son left Mr. Rumsey,
and pushed on rapidly toward Rush-street bridge, which they
reached ahead of the fire. Crossing the same in safety, they hur-
ried southward, and reached their home at half-past four.
Resuming the thread of narrative where it was tem-
porarily dropped, in order to preserve Mayor Mason's
statement intact, the reader's attention is called to the
condition of the South Side at midnight.
At the Court House, as has been shown, the fire had
communicated with the roof and dome several times,
only to be extinguished. Finally it caught such a hold
that the tower had to be abandoned. The great bell,
which had been clanging fitfully all night, now kept up
an incessant rattle, the machinery having been set by
the keeper as he descended. The buildings on all sides
were in flames, and the streets filled with ruins of fallen
walls. The prisoners in the county jail, almost suffo-
cated with smoke, ran to the doors of their cells and
shook the iron bars with the strength of frenzy, utter-
ing fearful yells and imprecations of despair, as a horrid
fear that they were to be burned alive possessed them.
Captain Hickey, seeing that there was no hope of sav-
ing the building, ordered the cells to be unlocked, and
in a moment the released prisoners, all bareheaded,
many barefooted, rushed into the street, yelling like
demons. A large truck, loaded with ready-made cloth-
ing, was passing the corner of Randolph Street at the
time. In an instant the ex-prisoners swarmed upon it,
emptied it of its contents and fled to remote alleys and
dark passages to don their plunder ami disguise them-
selves. Not all, however, escaped. Those charged with
murder, except Nealy accused of murdering .1 man
on Canal Street, were securely handcuffed and led away
between guards. Meanwhile, the bell still clanged in-
cessantly, the flames lit up the faces of the great (lock
with more than noontide light, the building glowed
without and within like a furnace. Some of the pris-
oners were taken to the North Side station, only to be
forced out, as the fire reached Chicago Avenue, on
Monday. Several escaped at that time. < )ne man,
charged with murder, gained his freedom, but volun-
tarily surrendered himself, a day or two later.
The Spreading of the Fire. — As many as a dozen
different fires were raging at once; the flames on Wells,
Franklin and Market streets marched steadily toward
the northeast, crossing Madison, below Wells. But be-
fore they had reached this point, the Union Bank ami
Oriental building were on fire, the Chamberof Commerce
was seamed with flame and enveloped in smoke, the low
brick block opposite the Sherman House was ablaze,
and the roof of the Court House was strewn with
embers, each of which sank out of sight to be suc-
ceeded by ominous puffs of pale blue smoke, slowly red-
dening.
One writer said :
" It was this pecular progress of the flames which lent to the
great fire a distinctive and terrible character. The flames advanced
like the charges of an army. Single Uhlans skirmished here ami
there far in front, then small detachments cut off the weaker and out-
lying forces, then well-developed battles took place around the
stout buildings, which stood firm like the squares of the 'Old ( luard'
amid the rout at Waterloo, and finally the main body of fire came
up and swept those solitary resisting eddies into the great general
tide of ruin. So while the scenes in one street and at one hour
might stand for those in the city generally and through the whole
night, yet around each of the great buildings, as the Court House
and the gigantic hotels, episodes of thrilling and peculiar interest
took place."
Another writer on the Times observed :
"As early as twelve o'clock, the air of the extreme South Di-
vision was hot with the fierce breath of the conflagration. The gale
blew savagely, and upon its wings were borne pelting cinders,
black, driving smoke, blazing bits of timber, and glowing coals.
These swept in a torrid rain overthe river, drifting upon house-ti ips,
and drying the wooden buildings along the southern terminus of
Market, Franklin, Adams, Monroe and Madison streets still closer
to the combustion point, for which they were alreadv too well pre-
pared. The houses were covered with anxious workers, and > is-
tern streams, tubs and buckets were in constant use to subdue the
flying bits of fire that were constantly clinging to shingles and cor-
nices.
"Passing eastward over Madison-street bridge at midnight
was an undertaking accompanied with the risk of suffocation; while,
once across, the hot wind tore so fiercely along the thoroughfare in
question as to wrench off signs and topple over sheds
" The streets were now swarming, in this portion of the city, with
the wretched people who had been driven from their homes by the
lire in the West Division. A large portion of these were directing
their way towards the North Side, ami one of the mosl pitiable se-
quences of the continued conflagration was, that hundreds "I pour
families were forced, on several occasions, from the places where they
had vainly hoped to find rest, after having been burnt out the night
before."
The Post, in its description of the fire, published on
the 1 7th of October, said :
" From the roof of a tall stable and warehouse to which the
writer clambered, the sight was one of unparalleled sublimity and
terror. He wis above almost the whole lire, for the buildings in the
locality were mostly wooden structures. The crowds directly under
him could not be distinguished, because "i the curling volumes of
crimsoned smoke, through which an occasional scarlet rift i
seen. He could feel the heat and smoke and hear the maddened
726
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Babel of sounds, and it required but little imagination to believe
one's self looking over the adamantine bulwarks of hell into the
bottomless pit. On the left, where two tall buildings were in a
blaze, the flame piled up high over our heads, making a lurid back-
ground, against which were lined in strong relief the people on the
roofs between. Fire was a strong painter and dealt in weird
effects, using only black and red, and laying them boldly on. We
could note the very smallest actions of these figures — a branchman
wiping the sweat from his forehead and resettling his helmet; a spec-
tator shading his eyes with his hand to peer into the fiery sea;
another gesticulating wildly with clenched fist brought down on the
RUIN'S, CORNER OF LAKE AND CLARK STREETS.
palm of his hand, as he pointed toward something, we could not
see what. To the right, the faces in the crowd could be seen on
the streets below, but not the bodies. All faces were white and up-
turned, and every feature was as clearly marked as if it were part
of an alabaster mask. Far away, indeed for miles around, could
be seen, ringed by a circle of red light, the sea of housetops, broken
by spires and tall chimneys. To the eastward was the black and
angry lake>
"The brute creation was crazed. The horses, maddened by
heat and noise, and irritated by falling sparks, neighed and screamed
with affright and anger, and roared and kicked, and bit each other,
or stood with drooping tails and rigid legs, ears laid back and eyes
wild with amazement, shivering as if with cold. Dogs ran hither
and thither, howling dismally. When there was a lull in the roar-
ing, far-off dogs could be heard baying and cocks crowing at the
unusual light Great brown rats, with beadlike eyes, were ferreted
out from under the sidewalks, by the flames, and scurried along the
streets, kicked at, trampled upon, hunted down. Flocks of beauti-
ful pigeons, so plentiful in the city, wheeled up aimlessly, circled
blindly, and fell into the raging fire beneath. At a bird-fancier's
store on LaSalle Street the cries of his imprisoned pets sounded like
human wailings, as the suffocating flames reached them
"The firemen labored like heroes. Grimy, dusty, hoarse,
soaked to the skin — time after time they charged upon the blazing
foe, only to be driven back to another position by the increasing
fierceness, or to abandon their task as hopeless. Or, while hard at
work, the wind would shift, a puff of smoke would come from a
building behind them, followed by belching flames, and they would
discover that they were outflanked. There was nothing to be done
but to gather up their hose, and lash the snorting horses through
the flames to a place of safety beyond.
"The people were mad. Despite the police — indeed, the
police were powerless— they crowded upon frail coigns of vantage,
as fences and high sidewalks were propped on wooden piles, which
fell beneath their weight, and hurled them, bruised and bleeding,
in the dust. They stumbled over broken furniture and fell, and
were trampled under f< ith wild and causeless panics,
they surged together, backwards and forwards, in the narrow streets,
cursing, threatening, imploring, fighting to get free. Liquor flowed
like water; for the saloons were broken open and despoiled, and
men on all sides were to be seen frenzied with drink. Fourth
Avenue and Griswold Street [Pacific Avenue] had emptied their
denizens into the throng. Ill-omened and obscene birds of night
were they — villainous, debauched, pinched with misery, they flitted
through the crowd, ragged, dirty, unkempt, — those negroes with
stolid faces and white men who battened on the wages of shame;
they glided among the mass, like hyenas in search of prey. They
smashed windows with their naked hands, regardless of the wounds
inflicted, and with bloody fingers rifled till and shelf and
cellar, fighting viciously for the spoils of their forage. Wo-
men, hollow-eyed and brazen-faced, with filthy drapery tied
over them, their clothes in tatters and their feet in trodden-
over slippers, moved here and there — scolding, stealing, fight-
ing; laughing at the beautiful and splendid crash of walls and
the falling roofs. One woman was drawn out of a burning
building on Adams Street three times, but rushed back, in-
ir 3 sane for the moment. Everywhere, dust, smoke, flame, heat,
thunder of falling walls, crackle of fire, hissing of water,
panting of engines, shouts, braying of trumpets, wind, tumult,
and uproar."
The Times, in its graphic resume, describes
the scene from about one o'clock, on the South
Side, as follows ;
"The course of the 'fire was now directed almost due
east for a few minutes, and Hooley's Opera-house, the Re-
publican office, and the whole of Washington Street to Dear-
born was consumed.
"Crosby's Opera-house came next in order. Renova-
tions to the extent of $80,000 had just been instituted in
this edifice, and the place was to have been re-dedicated that
same night by the Thomas orchestra. The combustible
nature of the building caused it to burn with astonishing
rapidity, and soon its walls surged in, carrying with them,
among other treasures, the contents of three mammoth piano
houses and a number of art treasures, including paintings by
some of the leading masters of the old and new worlds.
"The St. James Hotel was next fired. And here, at
the corner of State and Madison streets, the two savage cur-
rents of fire that had parted company near the Chamber of
Commerce joined hideous issue once more. The course of
one of these currents has been indicated. The other had
swept down Franklin, Wells and LaSalle streets to the main
banks of the river, swallowing elevators, banks, trade palaces,
the Briggs, Sherman, Tremont and other large hotels,
Wood's Museum, the beautiful structures of Lake and Randolph
streets and the entire surface comprised between Market, South
Water, Washington and State streets Many lives were known
to have been lost up to this time; but in the infernal furnace
into which Chicago had been turned, it was impossible to con-
jecture, or to dare imagine how many. The heat, more intense
than anvthing that had ever been recorded in the annals of
broad-spread conflagrations in the past, had fairly crumbled to hot
dust and ashes the heaviest of building stone. Of what chance
was there then of ever finding the remains of lost humanity by
those who were already inquiring, with mad anxiety, for the miss-
ing ones? But all thoughts of others soon began to vanish in fears
for the safety of the living. The stoutest of masonry and thickest
of iron had disappeared like wax before the blast.
" Field & Leiter's magnificent store, second only in size and
value of contents to one dry goods house in the land, was already
in flames. The streets were fast becoming crammed with vehicles
conveying away valuables, and the sidewalks were running over
with jostling men and women, all in a dazed, wild strife for the
salvation of self, friends, and property. The thieving horror had
not yet broken out, and up to this time there had been a common
noble striving to aid the sufferers and stay the march of the
demoniacal fire.
" But now the sensation of weary despair, mingled with a grim
acceptance of crushing fate, began to be noticed in the tones and
doing of the populace. Liquor had flown freely, and from its
primal nerving to heroism had passed to the usual inciting to reck-
lessness and indifference. Thieves were beginning to ply their
trade, and for once found more to steal than they could carry
away, and express drivers and hackmen were charging atrocious
prices ere they would consent to aid in removing goods from
buildings thus far unconsumed. Hundreds of poor families were
being rendered homeless, presenting pictures of squalid misery
most pitiable. This was the first path that like an immense wind-
fall, mowed its way through the heart of the city, to the North
Division on the one hand and to the lake on the other. Crackling
and laughing demoniacally at the ruin and misery left behind,
eager for more valuable prey, the flames sped on, taking in their
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
727
course — the track continually widening from the causes mentioned
above — Farweil Hall and the elegant stone structures surrounding
it, and all the newspaper offices except that of the Tribune, leaving
nothing behind but the grandest ruins the world ever saw. Hun-
dreds of the buildings destroyed by this single charge of the de-
vastating fiend were models of architectural beauty."
The Times stated, relative to the gale which pre-
vailed, that
" It might be of interest here to note the peculiarities of the
wind currents and their effects, which were such as could only
have been produced by such a conflagration as is being described.
During all this time, as during the entire continuance of the fire,
the wind was blowing a gale from a southwesterly direction; and,
above the tops of the buildings, its course, from midnight until 4
or 5 o'clock, varied but little, not veering more than one or two
points of the compass. To the observer on the street, however,
traversing the thoroughfares and the alleys, the wind would seem
to come from every direction. This is easily explained. New
centers of intense heat were being continually formed, and the
sudden raretication of the air in the different localities, and its con-
sequent displacement, caused continually artificial currents, which
swept around the corners and through the alleys in every direction,
often with the fury of a tornado. This will account partly for the
rapid widening of the tracks of devastation from their apex to the
lake, as well as the phenomenon of the fire— to use a nautical
phrase, — ' eating into the wind.'
" All along the east side of State Street, where stood some of
the loftiest marts in the city, and on Wabash and Michigan ave-
nues, it was considered that comparative safety was insured. How-
ever, many of the dwellers on those last thoroughfares, as well as
those persons who owned mercantile houses in the vicinity, took the
precaution to remove large quantities of their more valuable goods
to the open spaces of Dearborn Park and the 'lake front.' Here
all was presumably safe. And yet this very quarter was doomed
to be the converging point for the two armies of fire that had
parted from each other near the gas works The march of the
northward-striding line, with its slight but steady deflection to the
east, has been shown; that which hurried to the lake from the
southern end of the Michigan Southern depot, had been slower in
its labors, but none the less vindictively accurate in its work of ruin.
It had swept from existence the shabbier structures of Third and
Fourth avenues, and had crept unrelentingly onward until the
DeHaven Block, and the towering grandeur of the Bigelow House
(on Dearborn, between Quincy and Adams), and Honore's two
massive buildings had fallen into ruin. As these three noble struc-
tures reeled to the ground, the day was fully ushered in; but in the
murky sunlight, the work of devastation still held on.
" From the Bigelow House to the Academy of Design (Nos.
66 and 68 Adams Street) was less than a block. Within its walls
were husbanded some of the noblest works of art America could
boast. Among these were a number of paintings which had just
arrived in the city, and which were intended for display at the
forthcoming fall exhibition, — a new work by Bierstadt, valued at
$15,000; dozens of precious pieces by leading artists of other cities;
and the studios, with most of the contents, of more than twenty
home painters. Rothermel's great canvas, ' The Battle of Gettys-
burg,' the property of the State of Pennsylvania, and the grandest
historical picture in the country, was cut from its frame, and saved.
" The Palmer House fell at nearly the same time as the
Academy of Design."
The hotels were, as usual, filled with guests, who
having, up to two o'clock, no intimation that any danger
threatened, were all soundly sleeping at that hour. There
was the greatest danger — indeed, one might say almost
a certainty — that many of these would perish before
they could be aroused and got out of the vast buildings
in which they were imprisoned. It is now believed,
however, that all the occupants of the hotels — the nine-
story Palmer, the seven-story Sherman, the Tremont,
the Briggs, and the rest — descended in safety to the
streets, whatever may have been their fate afterward.
Undoubtedly many of them perished in trying to thread
their way through the burning streets, unacquainted, as
they were, with the geography of the city, and hindered
by their attempts to save their luggage.
A writer on the Post described the scene at the firing
of the Sherman House :
"The Sherman House, notwithstanding its many windows,
resisted stoutly. The flames were around it and beyond, but it
stood majestically, its white walls rosy and its windows bright
with the reflected glare. The woodwork and roof were smoking
in places, but for nearly an hour the bouse held good. Suddenly, a
spirit of flame came from a window in the third story on the
southern face; another and another followed; and soon from every
window was hung out a red festoon, while great coils of black
smoke twisted around the eaves, and met above the roof, where
the flames were already bursting through."
W. s. Walker says :
"The scenes at the destruction of the Sherman House were
marvellously thrilling. Upwards of three hundred guests were
lodged there. At the time the lire approached, there were left in
active charge only the night clerk and an assistant. The night clerk
was a cool, energetic young man, with a remarkable fund of good
sense. Of the three hundred guests, a large number were ladies,
RUIN'S OF D. I!. F1SK. S MORE.
unaccompanied by male escort ; and of these, five were so sick as
to be confined to their beds. The clerk having, some time before,
secured the valuable papers of the place, proceeded, with his
assistant, to arouse every sleeper in the house. The lone women
were promptly conveyed to the lake -shore, and there placed
in charge of policemen, who took them beyond reach of further
danger. The sick ladies were placed in hacks, and were being
driven away, when, followed by his assistant, and seized with a
terrible suspicion, he rushed after and stopped them. Only four
were there; five had certainly been recorded in the sick book of the
hotel. Back into the now trembling building dashed the two
men,* one snatching an ax from a fireman as he passed. L'p the
stairway, and through the smoke-reeking halls they groped, until
the door thev desired to find was reached. Two lusty blows, and
in it crushed", revealing the woman half-raised in tenor in the bed.
It was the first intimation of the danger that she had received. A
word of explanation, and she had directed them to a closet where
hung a dress and a cloak of uncommonly thick stuff. A pitcher
and'basin, fortunately full of water, served to drench these gar-
ments and the main quilt of the bed, and in them was quickly
wrapped the invalid. Portions of the soaked clothing were then
thrown over their own heads; and in a space of time hardly longer
than it has taken to pen this episode, those heroes had instinctively
found their way through the familiar passages of the house to the
street. When 'the writer saw them placing the fainting woman in
a carriage, portions of their clothing had been burned, and the
hands of one were badly scorched. A few minutes afterward, the
hotel was one of the most complete wrecks of the night."
The personal experiences of guests at the Palmer
House are narrated effectively in the following sketch :
Narrative <>k Mrs. Alfred Hebard. — Journeying from
New London, Conn., with my husband and daughter, to our home
in Iowa, it was found necessary, as often before, to spend Sunday
in Chicago, and all through tlie weary hours of October -. 1-71.
we were enjoying pleasant anticipation of the rest and comfort so
sure to be found at the Palmer House. Arriving late, and leaving
most of our baggage at the Union depot, we were soon comfortably
* The name of the clerk was John llickii-.
72S
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
established at the hotel, which seemed almost like a home to us.
The wind was high on Sunday morning', and kept increasing ; and
as we walked to church, covering our faces from the dust, my hus-
band remarked," How fortunate that the fire was last night instead
of to-day."
Returning from an evening service, we were told that another
fire had broken out in the western part of the city, and was pro-
gressing rapidly. We immediately took the elevator to the upper
storv of the Palmer, saw the fire, but, deciding that it would not
cross the river, descended to our rooms in the second story, to pre-
pare for sleep. Husband and daughter soon retired ; I remained
up to prepare for the morrow's journey, and thus gain a little time
for shopping before the departure of the train, at eleven a. m.
Feeling somewhat uneasy, I frequently opened the blinds, and each
time found the light in the streets increased, until every spire and
dome seemed illuminated. I aroused ray husband, asking him to
goout and investigate once more; which he did, telling me, on his
return, not to be alarmed, as there was no danger in our locality.
About eleven p. m. I retired, but could not sleep, and it seemed
not more than half an hour before there was a rapping at every
door, and finally at ours, to which my husband responded, very
coollv. " What's wanted ? " " Fire, sir! " was the answer; and the
same moment we were on our feet. Our daughter was awakened,
toilets soon made, and no time wasted in gathering together bags
and shawls, ready for departure. By this time, my husband, who
had stepped out to reconnoitre, returned, saying that everyone was
stirring, and that he saw gentlemen dragging their own trunks
down the stairs. The clerks at the office assured him there was no
immediate danger, but they thought it well enough to be prepared.
Then we all went once more to the seventh story, looked in vain
for any evidence that the fire was decreasing, returned to our room,
picked up our parcels, including the trunk (for no porters were to
be found), descended to the office, paid our bill, and sat down to
watch and wait. Finally, leaving our daughter in charge of the
baggage, I went with my husband into the street, and around to
the rear of the building, where the fire was distinctly visible, and
apparently only two blocks from us. Within the house, the
perfect quiet had astonished us — every man taking care of his
own, silently and rapidly, few words being spoken ; only some
ladies, unaccompanied by gentlemen, consulting together in whis-
pers what they should do if compelled to leave the house. Outside
we found confusion. Irish women, with beds upon their shoul-
ders, crying noisily; children following as best they might; and all
going — they knew not whither — only away from their burning
homes. Evidently the Palmer House was in great danger, and it
was better to leave it now than to wait; but how to remove our
baggage was the next question. Once we thought we had secured
a cart or wagon; but no sooner was the trunk thrown on than it
was pulled off again by some one claiming a prior right, and we
were glad to accept the services of two boys, who, for sufficient
compensation, agreed to carry it between them ; and thus we sal-
lied forth, a little before one a. m., to reach, if possible, the house
of my relative Mr. G. S. Hubbard, on LaSalle Street, a long mile
and a half from the hotel. Our boys ran at full speed, and we fol-
lowed, crossing State-street bridge amid a shower of coals, driven
by the furious wind from burning buildings and lumber yards, and
which, seeming to be caught by an eddy, were whirled in our faces.
The crowd thickened every moment; women with babies and
bundles, men with kegs of beer — all jostling, scolding, crying or
swearing; and we were thankful to turn from this great thorough-
fare to a more quiet street, calling to the boys to slacken their
speed and give us a chance to breathe. It must have been 1:30
a. m. when we reached .Mr. Hubbard's, thankful that we had, as we
supposed, found a place of safety. We dismissed our boys, with
$10 for their services, and, ringing for admittance, were met at the
door by our friends, who were all astir — less on account of appre-
hension for their own safety than a desire to help others. Soon
other friends of the family began to arrive, some already homeless,
until the rooms were filled. The fire, meanwhile, was coming
nearer; and just as we began in earnest to pack necessary things for
removal, the gas works were destroyed,* and candles had to be re-
sorted to. Every one thought that house might be saved, standing
as it did on a corner, and disconnected from every other building,
but we worked on through the night, preparing for the worst, and
running often to the garret to see if the worst was not over. In the
early morning men came, tore up carpets to cover the roof, drain-
ing both cisterns to keep the carpets wet, hoping if possible to stop
the fire at that corner. Oh. how they worked ! The thoughtful
familv provided refreshments as long as it was possible, and when
all supplies were exhausted, the men labored on — panting and
parched with thirst— drinking the very dregs of the cistern water,
from tubs in the kitchen, as they passed through. All said, " This
house will not burn ! " but they might as well haw: tried to quench
Vesuvius. The heat increased. A wooden block near by flashed
* The if** in the mains supplied light some lime after the works were
destroyed, at about 12:30.
into flame, and at eleven a. m. the cornice was blazing, and we
were obliged to go out through the alley to escape the heat and
cinders; but where to go we could not tell. From this point it is
impossible for me to describe the course of our wanderings. I
only know that we crossed to the west side of the river and reached
some depot — I think the North-Western— in season to see the train
departing, but hearing that a train on the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy Railroad would leave about three p. m., we again set forth.
It was a weary march of manv miles after leaving LaSalle Street. Ex-
hausted and foot-sore, we often sat on door steps and curb stones
to rest — drank beer at the street corners — dropped to sleep while
waiting to be served, and finally, at alittle station in the outskirts
of the city, in company with other refugees like ourselves, we pa-
tiently waited for the departure of the train for Aurora, where we
passed the night. Strange to say, we lost nothing by the fire ; the
baggage at the Union depot was all moved and protected — the few
things at Mr. Hubbard's were not stolen, like some of theirs, but
were carefully restored to us.
And now, looking back after the lapse of nine years [this
was written in 1880], the whole scene seems like a fearful
dream ; and yet, strange as it may seem, there are some
pleasant things to be remembered ; and since it was to be,
I have never regretted that we were allowed to see that burning
city. Having nothing of our own at stake, we could perhaps look
on more coolly than some others. I remember being impressed at
the time with the different phases of character so suddenly unveiled.
The dear friends who so kindly sheltered us in our extremity, and
who, for the last time, threw open those hospitable doors, not to
friends merely, but to strangers as well — feeding the hungry, help-
ing and sympathizing with those whose trials seemed greater than
they could bear; those friends who looked on calmly as the devour-
ing flames approached their beautiful dwelling, showing plainly
that their treasure was laid up in a better country, where they
looked for "a house not made with hands." Some came there, trem-
bling and fearful, wholly broken down, as it were, with their own
grief; some came professedly to help — really to pilfer; but the ma-
jority were calm, earnest, resolute helpers, and if ready hands and
willing feet could have availed anything, that house would have
been saved. As it is, we are thankful that lives were spared, new
comforts provided, and faith strengthened in Him who said, " Not
as the world giveth, give I unto you."
Varied Scenes on the South Side. — Mr. Cham-
berlin gives a description of the scene on Randolph
Street at four o'clock Monday morning. He says :
" The noise of the crowd was nothing compared with this
chaos of sound. All these things — the great, dazzling, mounting
light, the crash and roar of the conflagration, and the desperate
flight of the crowd — combined to make a scene of which no intelli-
gent idea can be conveyed in words. When it became too hot on
Randolph Street, I retired to the eastern approach of the bridge on
that street. A knot of men had gathered there, from whom all
signs of excitement had disappeared. It was then almost four
o'clock, and whatever excitement we had felt during the night
had passed away. Wearied with two nights of exertion, I sat up-
on the railing and looked down on the most appalling spectacle
of the whole night. The Briggs House, the Metropolitan House,
Peter Schuttler's wagon manufactory. Heath & Milligan's oil estab-
lishment (stored five stories high with exceedingly inflammable
materials), the Nevada Hotel, and all the surrounding buildings,
were in a simultaneous blaze. The flames, propelled by variable
gusts of wind, seemed to pour down Randolph Street in a liquid
torrent. Then the appearance was changed, and the fire was a
mountain over our heads. The barrels of oil in Heath & Milligan's
store, Nos. 170 and 172 Randolph Street, exploded with a sound
like the rattling of musketry. The great north wall of the Nevada
Hotel plunged inward with hardly a preceptible sound, so great
was the din of the surrounding conflagration. The Garden City
House (Market, corner of Madison) burned like a box of matches ;
the rapidity of its disappearance was remarked by everybody.
Toward the east and northeast, we looked upon a surging ocean of
flame. Meanwhile, a strange scene was being enacted in the
street before us. A torrent of humanity was pouring over the
bridge. Madison-street bridge had long before become impass-
able, and Randolph was the only outlet for the entire region south
of it. Drays, express wagons, trucks, and conveyances of every
conceivable species and size, crowded across in indiscriminate
haste. Collisions happened almost every moment; and when one
over-loaded wagon broke down, there were enough men at hand
to drag it and its contents over the bridge by main force. The
same long line of men dragging trunks was there, many of them
tugging over the ground with a load that a horse would strain at.
Women were there, looking exactly like those I had seen all night,
staggering under weights upon their backs. * * * Now and
then a stray schooner, which, for want of a tug, had been unable
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
729
to escape earlier from the South Branch, came up, anil the bridge
must be opened. Then arose a howl of indignation along the
line, which, being near, was audible above the tumult. A brig lay
above us, in the stream, and the captain was often warned by the
crowd that he must make his exit at once, if he wished to save his
craft — a suggestion he doubtless appreciated, as he stood upon the
quarter-deck, calling frantically to every tug that passed. * * *
I saw an undertaker rushing over the bridge with his mournful
stock. He had taken a dray, but was unable to load all of his
goods into the vehicle; so he employed half a dozen boys, gave
each of them a coffin, took one himself, and headed the weird pro-
cession. The sight of those coffins, upright, ami bobbing along
just above the heads of the crowd, without any apparent help from
anybody, was somewhat startling, and the unavoidable suggestion
was that they were escaping across the river, on their own account,
to be ready for use when the debris of the conflagration should be
cleared away. But just as men in the midst of a devastating plague
carouse over each new corpse, so we laughed merrily, with grim
enjoyment of the ominous spectacle. * * * At last it became
too warm to be comfortable on the east side of the river. The fire
was burning along Market Street, and many were the conjectures
whether Lind's Block, on the fractional block between Lake,
Randolph, Market and the river, would go. The buildings oppo-
site burned with a furnace heat, but Lind's Block remained, a
monument to its own isolation. * * * Tired with my two
nights' work, I joined the crowd, crossed the river, went up Canal
Street, and lay down on a pile of lumber in Averv's lumber yard.
My position was at the confluence of the North and South branches,
directly opposite the middle of the main river, and exactly on the
dock. * * * Wells-street bridge took fire, and, as something
novel, attracted our listless attention, the south end of the bridge
caught alight, and then the north end ; but the north end burned
less rapidly than the south, and soon outbalanced the latter, when,
of course, the whole structure tipped to the northward, and stood
fixed, one end in the water, at an angle of about sixty degrees.
Then the fire communicated with the whole framework, till the
bridge looked like a skeleton with ribs of fire. But presently the
support underneath burned away; then the skeleton turned a com-
plete summersault, and plunged into the river, as if seeking refuge
from the flames that were consuming it."
Apparent anachronisms are impossible of avoidance
in this recital and in the presentation of the reminis-
cences of others. But, although the integral elements
of the topic may be kaleidoscopic, yet the whole be
as harmonious as that scientific toy. With this quasi-
apology, another statement is given — that of the late
James Washington Sheahan, one of the ablest journal-
ists upon the Chicago press. Mr. Sheahan, writing of
the scenes in the streets, says :
"Some were philosophical, even merry, and witnessed the loss
of their own property with a calm shrug of the shoulders, although
the loss was to bring upon them irretrievable ruin. Others clenched
their teeth together, and witnessed the sight with a sort of grim
defiance. Others, who were strong men, stood in tears; and some
became fairly frenzied with excitement, and rushed about in an
aimless manner, doing exactly what they would not have done in
their cooler moments, and almost too delirious to save their own
lives from the general wreck. Of course, the utmost disorder and
excitement prevailed, for nearly everv one was, in some degree,
demoralized, and, in the absence of both gas and water, had given
up the entire city to doom. Mobs of men and women rushed
wildly from street to street, screaming, gesticulating, and shouting;
crossing each other's paths, and intercepting each other as if just
escaped from a mad-house. The yards and sidewalks of Michigan
and Wabash avenues, for a distance of two miles south of the fire
limit in the South Division, were choked with household goods of
every description — the contents of hovels and the contents of aris-
tocratic residences huddled together in inextricable confusion.
Elegant ladies, who hardly supposed themselves able to lift the
weight of a pincushion, astonished themselves by dragging trunks
for a long distance. Some adorned themselves with all their
jewelry, for the purpose of saving it, and struggled along through
the crowds, perhaps only to lose it at the hands of some ruffian.
Delicate girls, with red eyes and blackened faces, toiled, hour after
hour, to save household goods. Poor women staggered along with
their arms full of homely household wares, and mattresses on their
heads, which sometimes took fire as they carried them. Every few
steps along the avenues were little piles of household property, or
perhaps, only a trunk, guarded by children, some of whom were
weeping, and others laughing and playing Here was a man sit-
ting upon what he had saved, bereft of his senses, looking at the
motley crowd with staring vacant eyes; here, a woman weeping and
tearing her hair, and calling for her children, in utter despair; here,
children, hand in hand, separated from their parents, and Crying
with the heart-breaking sorrow oi childhood; here, a woman kneel-
ing on the hot ground, and praying, with her crucifix before her.
( Ine family saved .1 coffee-pot and chesl "I drawers, and, raking to-
gether the falling embers in the street, were boiling their coffee as
cheerily as if at home. Barrels of liquor wen- rolled into the street,
from saloons, and men and boys drank to excess and staggered
about. Some must have miserably perished in the flames. * * *
Thieves pursued their profession with perfect impunity. Lake and
Clark streets were rich with treasure, and boards ol thieves en-
tered the stores and Hung out goods to their fellows, who bore them
away without opposition. Wabash Avenue was literally choki d up
with goods of every description. Every one who had been driven
from the burning portion of the Division, had brought some articles
with them, and been forced to drop some, or all of them. Valuable
oil paintings, books, pet animals, musical instruments, toys, mir-
rors, bedding and useful and ornamental articles of every kind, were
trampled under foot by the hurrying crowd. The streets leading
southward from the fire were jammed with vehicles of every de-
scription, all driven along at top speed. Not only the goods which
were deposited in the streets took fire, but wagon-loads of stuff in
transit, also kindled, and the drivers were obliged to cut the traces
to save their animals. There was fire overhead, everywhere — not
only on the low, red clouds which rolled along the roofs, but in the
air itself, filled with millions of blazing fagots, that carried de-
struction wherever they fell. Those who did rescue anything from
the burning buildings, were obliged to defend it at the risk of their
lives. Expressmen, and owners of every description of wagons,
were extortionate in their demands, asking from twenty to fifty
dollars for conveying a small load a few blocks. Even then there
was no surety that the goods would reach their place of destination,
as they were often followed by howling crowds, who would snatch
the goods from the wagons. Sometimes thieves got possession of
vehicles, and drove off with rich loads of dry goods, jewelry, or
merchandise, to out-of-the-way places. A mere tithe of the im-
mense treasures piled up in these palatial warehouses was saved."
The unavoidable removal of lawful restraint was
quickly productive of evil results. The vicious classes
held high carnival. This phase of the terrible calamity
is described by Mr. Walker :
" Before daybreak, the thieving horror had culminated in scenes
of daring robbery, unparalleled in the annals of any similar disas-
ter. In fact, earlier in the history of the flames the pilfering scoun-
drels had conducted operations with their usual craft and cunning-
ness at evading observation. But, as the night wore on, and the
terrors aggregated into an intensity of misery, the thieves, amateur
and professional, dropped all pretences at concealment and plied
their knavish calling undaunted by any fears of immediate retribu-
tion. They would storm into stores, smash away at the safes, and
if, as was happily almost always the case, they failed to effect an
opening, they would turn their attention to securing all of value
from the stock that could conveniently be made away with, and then
slouch off in search of further booty. The promise of a share in
the spoils gave them the assistance of rascally express-drivers, who
stood with their wagons before doors of stores, and waited as com-
posedly for a load of stolen property to be piled in as if they were
receiving the honestly-acquired goods of the best man in town.
This use of the express-drivers was a double curse, in that it facili-
tated the abstracting of plunder, while it also took up the time of
teams which might otherwise have been used by the merchants.
The wagons, once heaped with the loads, were driven pell-mell
through the city, adding to the dangers and the accidents of the sur-
charged streets, and the property was safely 'cached' in the
country. Remonstrances on the part of the owners availed nothing.
With no one to aid them in the preservation of their goods, or to as-
sist in the apprehension of the villains, the merchant was ci impelled to
stand quietly aside and see his establishment systematically cleaned
out by the thieves, and then laid in ashes by the (lames. Several
cases occurred in which the owners of stores came to the conclusion
that if their places must go and nothing could lie preserved, some de-
cent people should have the benefits accruing therefrom; they ac-
cordingly threw open their stores, and issued a loudly-delivered in-
vitation to the crowd to hurry in and lake away all they might be
able to carry. The scenes of robbery were not confined to the sack-
ing of stores. Burglars would raid into the private dwellings that
lay in the track of the coming destruction, anil snatch from I he cup-
board, bureau, trunk or mantel, anything which their practical
senses told them would be of value. Interference was useless.
the scoundrels hunted in squads, were inflamed with drink, and
were alarmingly demonstrative in the flourishing ofde
Sometimes women and children, and not infrequently men, would
be slopped as they were bearing from their homes objects of espe-
73°
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
cial worth, and the articles would be torn from their grasp by gangs
of these wretches.
" Reference has been made to the flow of liquor. Up to three
or four o'clock in the morning there was a surprisingly small per-
centage of intoxicated persons to be seen in any quarter. But as
the physical and mental exhaustion pressed heavier, and as the dull
horror began to settle upon each soul that perhaps not one stone
might be left standing upon another, the inexplicable seeking for
an assuage of trouble in potent alcohol followed. Saloon-keepers
rolled barrels of the poison into the street, and the owners of great
liquor-houses threw open their doors to the overwrought and hag-
gard populace. Men drank then whose lips had never before been
crossed by alcohol; while those who had hitherto tasted of its Lethe-
draughts only on rare occasions, now guzzled like veteran topers.
This was a new accession to the woe of the event. There were
hardened women reeling through the crowds, howling ribald songs;
coarse men were breaking forth with leering jokes and maudlin
blasphemy; women of the highest culture tossing down glasses of
raw whisky; ladies, withcinderand tear begrimed faces, pressing
cups with jeweled fingers; while of rich and poor, well-bred and
boors, the high and low, there were few who did not seem to have
been seized with the idea that tired nature must finally succumb un-
less some stimulant was used. All were not intoxicated. There
were probably thousands who found in wine, or stronger fluids, the
nerving to new deeds of heroism and quiet bravery. But the
drunken phase was a terribly prominent one, and one that entailed
an awful addition to the woes of the conflagration."
The Fire as seen from the South. — -A calamity
of this magnitude can not be described in exact se-
quence of time. It becomes necessary to pause in the
narrative, and take up a new thread at another point.
The Post thus describes the outlook from the south :
'' That a fire of considerable proportions was raging on the
West Side was known at ten o'clock Sunday evening to persons
residing on the South Side, but the fact created so little apprehen-
sion that people sought their beds, and many never knew the awful
destruction until their usual rising hour in the morning. This,
however, was not true of people living north of Twelfth Street;
for long before daylight they were warned of the devastation which
came upon most and threatened all. At two o'clock, a reporter of
the Post ran from his residence to Polk-street bridge. The fire at
that time had not crossed the river so far south, but to those resid-
ing between the river and the lake it seemed, from the flames,
that the fire was immediately upon them. No one knew the extent
the disaster had attained, even at that hour. None would have be-
lieved it. From the bridge, the West Side seemed all in flames.
The crowd cried, ' Is the river a barrier?' The answer came from
the fire itself. It did not cross the bridge, for that had been swung
open; it leaped the river at a single bound, and caught in its hot
and destructive embrace the lumber yard lying south of Polk
Street. So sudden was its crossing that numbers of persons stand-
ing on the approach to the bridge narrowlv escaped suffocation,
and saved themselves only by a hasty retreat through the hot, black
smoke that already swept across the street.
"On the northwest corner of Polk and Wells streets stood the
old Bridewell, which was then used as the headquarters of the First
Precinct police. The buildings were of wood. In a moment they
were in flames. There were twenty-five prisoners in the lockup.
The keeper opened the door, and bade them run for their lives.
They obeyed with fieetness — all save one, who was lying on the
floor, stupidly drunk. The keeper could not rouse him.
" To Sherman and Clark, to Fourth and Third avenues, to
State Street and Wabash Avenue, ran back the cry, ' The flames
are upon us I ' That cry of horror awoke every man to frenzied
exertions, and, for blocks and blocks, the people who inhabited the
houses did nothing but throw out furniture from the homes that
were certain to be doomed. The gas ceased to burn, but the fierce
fire furnished a ghastly light, by which every one could work.
The streets were crowded by half-clad multitudes. Frightened
horses were hastily harnessed into wagons, and everyone who
could command a vehicle commenced to move. Hurried on by
the howling wind, the flames spread northward, and swept away
block upon block of the wooden tenements which were crowded
into that quarter of the city; but, though the general direction of
the fire was northward, yet the fierce heat, in the face of the blast,
and though slowly, yet surely, gained in the south. Running
down Clark to Taylor, and on Taylor to the river, the writer found
himself south of the fire. From Polk Street, the flame had eaten
back until it had found Gurnee's tannery (Chicago Hide anil
I-eather Company), which, with its cords upon cords of dry bark,
made a morsel that was soon devoured. On the West Side, the
immense brick walls of the Chicago liock Company's storehouse
presented a formidable barrier to the further southward progress
of the flames; but along the dock, the sheds were burning. The
frame work seemed of harder wood than the covering. The frame-
work, fretted with fire, looked like a golden drapery. Upon the
building a stream from a single engine was pouring, but as well
might one oppose the straw of a pigmy to the sword of a giant.
Looking down the river Polk-street bridge was seen tumbling into
the stream, which quenched its burning embers. Burning rafts
floated upon the water. Tugs, with steam up. essayed to reach
the brig ' Fontinella,' which was lying at the dock, near the burning
tannery; twice they made the attempt, and twice fell back. A third
effort was impossible. The flames boarded her, ran up the rigging,
cut her loose to float from the dock, and left her a blackened hulk.
" The stone yard of the Illinois Stone Company prevented the
fire running southward on the South Side, but the wooden houses
on Wells Street were quickly in flames. Looking northward, the
street was a fiery vista. A lot of Norwegian emigrants were
grouped about; they were stupid with fear, and had to be almost
forced from the street. Returning as he went, the writer reached
the corner of Clark and Polk streets, where St. Peter's Catholic
Church is located. To it, as to the sanctuaries in the old feudal
times, the people had crowded for safety- Its portals were piled
up with the Lares and Penates of many a burning home. A block
across, the flames were seen running up the golden cross that
topped the church of St. Louis. A moment later that church was
in ashes.
"On the west of Sherman Street, running from Taylor to
Polk, from Polk to Harrison, and terminating on VanBuren Street
in the magnificent passenger depot, were the long freight houses of
the Michigan Southern Railroad Company. Those persons who
had the coolness to think, thought that these buildings would save
the district east of them — a hope that could hardly be entertained
in face of the fact that the massive stone passenger depot was top-
pling to ruin; yet these brick depots did save everything between
them and the lake.
"A portion of the massive walls of the Grand Pacific Hotel
was seen to tumble; and to the east and north nothing was visible
but crackling ruins — nothing was heard but the roar of the flames,
which sounded like the roar of the sea. It was nearly daylight.
The water supply had given out, but no one dreamed that the
water had ceased because, a mile and a half away, the walls of the
Water Works had tumbled upon the engines. People merely sup-
posed that the fire-engines had exhausted the supply. Even then,
the man who would have predicted the burning of the North Side
would have been considered a madman."
Mr. Walker says :
"The burning of the VanBuren-street bridge led to a pecu-
liarly picturesque scene. As the fire approached its western end,
the men whose duty it was to swing the structure, warned every-
body to leave, by an energetic tug at the bell. They then applied
the turn-lever, and, giving two or three hasty spins as a starter,
darted to the South Side and squeezed through to the street. The
bridge, by the impulse thus given, slowly swung open, but not in
time to prevent the western end from catching fire. In a moment
it was a grand fantastic frame-work of flames, and, in the eddies of
the tempest and the artificial currents of heat, was kept swinging
to and fro, a huge specimen of grotesque pyrotechnics, which, but
for the overshadowing importance of preceding and subsequent
events, would have furnished a charming theme for description."
The West Side during the Fire. — The Tribune
recites that
11 Many of the people on the West Side, especially at a dis-
tance from the river, had gone to bed early on Sunday night, and
knew nothing of what had transpired until some one, returning,
gave them the news. In many cases, the first thing to excite com-
ment was the stoppage of the water supply. Before long, how-
ever, trucks and teams, with fugitives and goods, reached even
Western Avenue, and the people began to get an idea of the calam-
ity. Nearly all the wells in the city were dry, because of the lack
of rain, and cisterns were generally empty. Therefore, the people
in the center of the West Side, north of Monroe Street, went with
wash-boilers, pails, buckets and pitchers to the pond in Union
Park, while those further west drove to the artesian well. A new
branch of industry was created, and carts drove up and down the
streets, filled with casks of water. Sufferers who had friends or rel-
atives on the West Side sought shelter with them, and every va-
cant house was speedily in demand. The order having been issued
that there should be no fires kindled, there was an immediate de-
mand for bread and milk and crackers, and the supply of these was
rapidly exhausted. Some grocers doubled their prices on sugar
and other necessaries, and some of the market-men advanced the
price of their meat Several authentic cases are recorded where
the rapacity of the more fortunate overcame their judgment. They
compelled sufferers to pay several prices for goods they could not
do without. It isa fact for philosophers to consider that, in nearly,
if not every, instance of this kind, the foolish men profited only for
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
73i
the time being, and then became hopelessly bankrupt, dying poor
or leaving the city in disgrace. It is not pleasant to contemplate
this phase of humanity, and brief allusion to it is here made, only
that a comprehensive glance may be taken of the field by the reader.
All classes and all conditions were to be found here.
" During Monday night, the people of the West Division nat-
urally felt the greatest uneasiness. A high wind was still blowing,
although it lulled for a moment at sunset; and there were feelings
of apprehension that new fires would be set in other places, by in-
cendiaries who were bent on plunder, or by people who were crazed
at the ordeal of the past twenty-four hours and impelled by mor-
bid fancies to deeds of fearful violence. Such cases of mental de-
rangement were not infrequent; and as there were no means of
confining this dangerous class, or of controlling the unfortunates,
except where the sentiment of love, in rare instances, dominated
the wills of relatives, the greatest peril menaced the dry and com-
bustible West Side. Patrols were, therefore, organized, and a rea-
sonably efficient guard set throughout the undestroyed sections of
the city. This rule applied to the entire region, in fact; for all
sane people realized the danger they were in. Extraordinary pre-
cautions were taken to extinguish fires in stores, and to exercise
care with lamps and lights. There were continuous rumors of ar-
rests and summary punishments, many of which were false, but
some of which were true. This citizen-police continued for several
days and nights, until the immediate peril seemed to have passed
away."
The West Side fire did not extend west of Jefferson
Street. It worked slowly backward east of Canal, among
the lumber and coal yards of that section, gaining sure
hold, from the inflammable materials, and intensity
from the nature of the food that supplied it. From
Clinton on the west to the river on the east, this fire ate
steadily away, stopping, however, at the north side of
Taylor Street. Here, also, it leaped the river, and set
fire to the tan-yard of the Chicago Hide and Leather
Company. Thence it burned north, till it reached the
starting point of the earlier South Side fires, and east
until it reached to open ground along Pacific Avenue,
which was the eastern boundary of the conflagration as
far north as Harrison Street.
It is again necessary to revert to the main incidents
of the fire on the South Side, as recounted by the fol-
lowing individuals, who were personal participators in
the scenes of that fearful night. In these narratives
repetition may be noticed; but this is but an evidence of
the verity of the narrators, as these recollections were
penned without any collusion or simultaneous reference.
H. W. S. Cleveland's Narrative. — The follow-
ing extracts from a document on file in the Historical
Society collection, give a good idea of the fickleness of
the flames, which, after destroying the Post-office, a
supposed fire-proof building, leaped over the combusti-
ble Shepard building opposite, but only to return during
Monday morning and wipe it out of existence. Mr.
Cleveland narrates in detail how he endeavored to save
his civil engineering tools, plans, etc., aided by a clerk
in S. S. Greeley's office (which adjoined his). This man,
John Newman, and Ralph Cleveland, son of the narra-
tor, figure in the extracts, later on. The son did not
go down town with the father, but preceded him. After
securing sundry articles, and carrying them to Wabash
Avenue, Newman started in quest of a wagon, leaving
Mr. Cleveland on guard. From that point, the experi-
ence is quoted from the document referred to.
Looking west on Monroe Street from Wabash Avenue. I
could see that the Honore Block, and the Post-office, on the south-
west and northwest corners of Dearborn were in flames, but could
not make out whether the Shepard Building was yet on fire. The
nearest point of the fire was the Palmer House, corner of State and
Quincy streets, which was all in flames. Looking north on
Wabash Avenue, I could see that it was ail burning on the east
side, north of Randolph Street, but had not yet got to the south
of Randolph. The sidewalks, as far as I could see, were piled up
with goods, which had been brought out from stores and houses to
be ready for removal, if opportunity offered A poor Irish woman,
with a baby asleep in her arms, sat upon the sidewalk close by my
pile, with her back against the wall. She looked very anxious,
but was perfectly quiet, till a rough-looking fellow came up with a
bottle of whisky m his hand, the neck of which he broke off
against the wall, and then proceeded to dispose of the contents
with three or four companions, drinking from the broken bottle.
Some of the whisky was spilled upon the head of the child, and
the woman looked up with an exclamation of impatience at his
brutality. I thought by the looks of the men that they might give
me some trouble, but they went off without other evidence of ruffian-
ism than profanity ; and this was the only instance in which I saw
or heard any sign of brutality. Soon after, a horse came tearing
down the avenue, with the wreck of a buggy at his heels, and I
fully expected that serious mischief would ensue ; but he made his
way, by some means, through the crowd, and disappeared, without
doing any injury that I could see. This was the only runaway I
saw ; and I was continually surprised at the sober, matter-of-fact
way in which the horses did their work, showing no sign of alarm,
notwithstanding the appearance of the streets was wholly unlike
what they were accustomed to.
It must have been at least an hour and a half that I re-
mained watching the goods, before I saw any one I knew, and the
first one was Newman's friend, who had previously watched them.
He came up with a smiling face to tell me that the Shepard Build-
ing was past danger ; which seemed to me so absurd that I at first
thought he was joking, and when he insisted on it, I set him down
for a fool. Presently after, Newman appeared, and confirmed the
story; which I still could not believe, though he assured me the
occupants of many of the offices were carrying their things back to
the rooms from which they had been taken. The crowds of peo-
ple, and piles of goods in the streets, rendered it idle to attempt to
get our things back to the office, and, on examining the situation,
we decided to deposit them in Dr. Cushing's office. The volumes
of smoke prevented our seeing any considerable distance ; but
Newman assured me that the Honore Building and Bigelow Hotel,
which were on the opposite side of Dearborn Street from the
Shepard Building (between Monroe and Adams streets) were both
destroyed ; and as the Shepard was the only building on the east
side, in that block, there was no longer any danger, except from
such cinders as might come from the ruins, as nothing else was left
on the windward side. On State Street, the Palmer House, at the
corner of Quincy Street, was burned; but so far as we could see to
the south, the fire had not crossed to the east side of State Street.
The foundations only had yet been built of the new Palmer House
at the corner of Monroe and State, and it seemed, therefore, that
there was scarcely a chance that the fire could reach the point
where I had so long mounted guard over our goods, so, with the
permission of the janitor, we put the whole of them in the back
room, piling them carefully by themselves, and then started for the
Shepard Building, little thinking we had taken our last look at them.
Making our way through the crowd, we entered the Shepard
Building at the north end on Monroe Street, and on going up to my
office, found Ralph quietly looking out of the window at the ruins
of the Honore Building, opposite, a large portion of the front wall
of which fell into the street at that moment. Ralph told me that on
first starting out, he went over to the West Side, and skirting to
the windward of the fire, went north to Kinzie Street, 'where he
crossed the bridge to the North Side, intending to cross the main
river at State or Rush Street, and so come up to the office. He
went as far east as Dearborn Street ; but finding that the bridges
were burned, and the fire running with fearful rapidity, he retraced
his steps to the West Side, and then had to go south to Twelfth
Street before he could cross the river. He then made his way to
the Shepard Building, through Third Avenue. When he reached
Jackson Street, the Bigelow Hotel and Honore Building were both
in flames; and he covered his face, and ran down the opposite side
of the street to the Shepard Building, where, finding that we had
carried off the things of most value, he went to work and took
down the large photographs of Sarah's house from the walls, to-
gether with a fine pair of deer's horns, and my English bow and
arrows which hung on them. He took all our plans (over two
hundred) from the drawers, and rolled them up and tied them with
the cords which he took from the pictures, carried them down, and
left them with a pile of furniture, which a woman was watching on
the sidewalk, and came back to the office, where we found him.
On examining the situation, I saw no reason to doubt the safety
of the building. The Post-office, which was the diagonally opposite
corner, the Honore Building, directly opposite, and the Bigelow
Hotel, a little farther south, were all destroyed ; and immediately
south, on our side of the street, was a vacant lot of half a square.
Nothing was left to windward of us but ruins, and though the air
was hot that came from them, there seemed little chance that the
fire could now reach us. It seemed so incredible, and gave me so
much the feeling of a reprieved criminal, that I could hardly trust
my senses ; but the occupants of other offices in the building were
busily at work bringing back the things they had carried away,
732
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
and no one doubted that the danger was past. So. after mutual
expressions of congratulation, I unstrapped my knapsack, which I
had not previously taken from my shoulders, t*ok off my old coat
with its pockets full of valuables, and, leaving them on our case of
drawers, went with Ralph and brought up the things he had
carried down.
I: was now about 7 a. m. , and knowing how anxious my wife
would be to hear from us. and feeling sure that I had good news to
tell. I left Ralph and Newman in the office, and started for home.
Remembering, however, that Mr. Thayer's office was in the Trib-
une Building (corner Dearborn and Madison), and wishing to
assure myself of its safety bv actual inspection, I made my way
along Dearborn to Madison (the west side of Dearborn being all
burned), and so down Madison to Wabash Avenue, and then home.
The Tribune Building was then unharmed, and I supposed was past
danger.
I found my family just sitting down to breakfast, which was
eaten with lighter hearts for the good news I brought. Nobody
knew anything about the condition of the North Side, though the
opinion was unanimous that it must be swept clean, if the fire
crossed the river. There was a rumor that the Water Works were
destroyed and the whole North Side, but no one could tell what
was truth and what was rumor. After breakfast, I prepared to re-
turn, and found that the fire was raging on the north side of Har-
ris Street, between Wabash Avenue and State Street, and on
both sides of the avenue as far as I could see. I went to try to
ascertain the fate of the Shepard Building. As I could not go
through Harrison Street on account of the fire, I went south to
Feck Court, and then west, through Polk Street, to Third Avenue.
Tried there to go north, but could not go beyond Harrison. I
managed to go one square west on Harrison to Fourth Avenue,
which was burnt so clean on both sides that I could traverse it
without difficulty, except that the smoke and hot air were at times
very disagreeable I could see but a little way. I reached Yan-
Buren Street and then went east to Third Avenue, as Fourth was
too fiery to admit further passage. On VanBuren Street, I first
saw the effect of the' fire on the wooden pavements, which in places
had been burned in alternate little ridges and gutters not more than
half an inch in depth. The pavement had nowhere sustained any
serious injurv, and much of it was not even scorched. From Van-
Buren Street I went, through Third Avenue and Adams Street,
to Dearborn; and it was not till I reached that point that I could
see that nothing remained of the Shepard Building but some frag-
ments of the walls. I could go no further, and started back
through Third Avenue. I presently met two men who asked me if
they could get through, and seemed to think I had come from
unknown depths of the furnace before them. These were the only
living beings I saw from the time I entered the burned district till 1
emerged again on Harrison Street, and the solitude seemed to ren-
der the desolation more impressive. Ralph made his appearance at
dinner time, and reported that, after I left them, he and Newman
stationed themselves at a window at the south end of the building
to watch for cinders, as it was only from that quarter they appre-
hended danger. But it seems that the fire crept upon them una-
wares from the leeward side, and the first they knew of" its approach
was seeing flames darting through the windows at the northern
end. They could not even get down the stairs at that end, but had
barely time- to run into the office, where Ralph seized a roll of
plans, and he and Newman together took a trunk between them,
and ran down and out at the door on Dearborn Street, and then
the street to the alley behind the walls of the Post-office,
where they were kept prisoners, and half suffocated with the smoke
and heat for nearly two hours before they could make their escape,
which they finally did by covering their faces and running out
through Monroe and Clark streets, leaving the things they had
saved, which they recovered some hours afterward.
! c-Lieutenant-Governor Bross.— About
two o'clock on Monday morning, my family and I were aroused by
. wife of the editor and proprietor of the
Springfield Republican, who happened to be our guest. We hid
all gone to bed very tired the night before, and had slept so sound-
ly that we were unaware of the conflagration till it had as-
sumed terrible force. My family were very much alarmed at the
glare which illuminated the sky and tin- lake. I saw that a dread-
ful disaster was impending over Chicago, and immediately left the
. determine the locality and extent of the lire. I found that
it was then a good deal south of my house, and m Si of the Michi-
. 1 Railroad depots. I went home
d, in half an hour; and finding my family
packing, told them that I .lid not antil ipate danger, and request I
them to leave it off. lint I said. " The result of this night's work
will be awful. At li asl ten thousand people will want breakfast in
the morning; 1 0 ndred." rhis they
<iie alarmed and re commenced pack-
ing. Soon after half-past two o'clock, I started for the Tribune
office, to see if it was in danger. By this time the fire had crossed
the South Branch of the river, and that portion of the city south of
Harrison Street, between Third Avenue and the river, seemed a
blaze of fire, as well as on the West Side. I reached the Tribune
office, and, seeing no cause for apprehension, did not remain there
more than twenty minutes. On leaving the office, I proceeded to
the Nevada Hotel (which is my property), corner of Washington
and Franklin streets. I remained there for an hour, watching the
progress of the flames and contemplating the destruction going on
around. The fire had passed east of the hotel, and I hoped that
the building was safe; but it soon began to extend in a westerly
direction, and the hotel was quickly enveloped in flames. I be-
came seriously alarmed, and ran north on Franklin Street to Ran-
dolph, so as to head off the flames and get back to mv house, which
was on Michigan Avenue, on the shore of the lake. My house was
a part of almost the last block burned [in Terrace Row].
At this time the fire was the most grandly magnificent scene
that one can conceive. The Court House, Post-office, Farwell
Hall, Tremont House, Sherman House, and all the splendid build-
ings on LaSalle and Wells streets, were burning with a sublimity
of effect which awed me. All the adjectives in the language would
fail to convey the intensity of its wonders. Crowds of men, women
and children were huddling away, running first in one direction,
then in another, shouting and crying in their terror, and trying to
save anything they could lay their hands on, no matter how trivial
in value; while every now and then explosions, which seemed almost
to shake the solid earth, would reverberate through the air, and add
to the terrors of the poor people. I crossed Lake-street bridge to
the west, ran north to Kinzie-street bridge, and crossed over east
to the North Side, hoping to head off the fire. It had, however,
already swept north of me, and was traveling faster than I could
go, and I soon came to the conclusion that it would be impossible
for me to get east in that direction. I accordingly re-crossed Kin-
zie-street bridge, and went west as far as Desplaines Street, where
I fortunately met a gentleman in a buggy, who very kindly drove
me, over Twelfth-street bridge, to my house on Michigan Avenue.
It was by this time getting on toward five o'clock, and the day w-as
beginning to break. On my arrival home I found my horses al-
ready harnessed, and my riding-horse saddled for me. My family
and friends were busily engaged in packing, and in distributing
sandwiches and coffee to all who wanted them, or could spare a
minute to partake of them.
I immediately jumped on my horse, and rode as fast as I
could to the Tribune office. I found everything safe; the men
were all there, and we fondly hoped that all danger was past, as far
as we were concerned — and for this reason, the blocks in front of
the Tribune building on Dearborn Street, and north on Madison
Street, had both been burned, the only damage accruing to us
being confined to a cracking of some of the plate-glass windows
from the heat. But a somewhat curious incident soon set us all in
a state of excitement. The fire had, unknown to us, crawled under
the sidewalk from the wooden pavement, and caught the wood-
work of the barber's shop, which comprised a portion of our
basement. As soon as we ascertained the extent of the mischief,
we no longer apprehended any special danger, believing, as we
did, that the building was fire-proof. My associates, Mr. Medill
and Mr. White, were present, and, with the help of some of our
employes, we went to work with water and one of Babcock's fire-
extinguishers. The fire was soon put out, and we once more re-
turned to business. The forms had been sent down stairs, and I
ordered our foreman, Mr. Kahler, to get all the pressmen together,
in order to issue the paper as soon as a paragraph showing how far
the fire had then extended could be prepared and inserted. Many
kind friends gathered around the office, and warmly expressed their
gratification at the preservation of our building. Believing all
things safe, I again mounted my horse, and rode south on State
Street, to see what progress the lire was making, and if it were
moving eastward on Dearborn Street. To my great surprise and
horror, I found that its current had taken an easterly direction,
nearly as far as State Street, and that it was also advancing in a
northerly direction with terrible swiftness and power. I saw
the danger so imminently threatening us. and with some friends
endeavored to obtain a quantity of powder for the purpo'e of blow-
ing up buildings south of the Palmer House Failing in finding
any powder, I saw the only thing to do was to tear them down. I
proceeded to Church's hardware store, procured about a dozen
heavy axes, and handing them to my friends, requested them to
mount the buildings with me and literally chop them down. All
but two orthree seemed utterly paralyzed at this unexpected change
n iIh course of the lire; and even these, seeing the otrers si md
back, were unwilling to make the effort alone. At this moment, I
saw that some wooden buildings and a new brick house west of the
Palmer House had already caught lire. I knew at .1 glance that
the I ribune building was doomed, and I rode back to the office
and told them that nothing more could be done to save the build-
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
73o
ing, McVicker's Theatre, or anything else in that vicinity. In this
hopeless frame of mind, I rude home to look after my residence
and family, intently watching the ominous eastward movement of
the flames. I set to work, with my family and friends, to move as
much of my furniture as possible, across the narrow park east of
Michigan Avenue, on to the shore of the lake, a distance of some
three hundred feet.
Following out the idea that each citizen should give the in-
cidents happening to himself or under his own observation, I men-
tion that never did friends toil more loyally then ours did for us.
They saved most of our books, furniture, pictures, etc., that were
left to us. Some, that were not friends, helped themselves to what-
ever struck their fancy, when opportunity offered. My coachman
filled my buggy with some harness, a bag of coffee and other ar-
ticles, and left it with his friends on the lake shore. Some one
coming. along and finding it was my " plunder," said he knew me;
would put some more goods in to take home, and return the buggy
to me. That was the last I ever heard of the buggy or anything
that was in it. My daughter supposed that I had hired an express
wagon that stood at the door, and I supposed that she had. We
filled it full of goods and furniture, among other things, a valuable
picture — a farm and animal scene — by Herring, the great English
painter. The driver slipped off in the crowd, and that was the last
we heard of that picture or any part of the ioad. I met a man at
my door, looking decidedly corpulent. " My friend," said I, " you
have on a considerable invoice of my clothes, with the hunting suit
outside. Well, go along, you might as well have them as to let
them burn." These were slight affairs compared with what many
others suffered by the thieving crowd.
I sent my family to the house of some friends in the south
part of the city for safety; my daughter, Miss Jessie Bross, was the
last to leave us.
The work of carrying the furniture across the avenue to the
shore was most difficult and even dangerous. For six or eight
hours Michigan Avenue was jammed with every description of
vehicle, containing families escaping from the city, or baggage
wagons laden with goods and furniture. The sidewalks were
crowded with men, women and children, all carrying something.
Some of the things saved and carried away were valueless. One
woman carrying an empty bird cage: another, an old work box;
another, some dirty, empty baskets. Old, useless bedding, anything
that could be hurriedly snatched up, seemed to have been carried
away without judgment or forethought. In the meantime the fire
had lapped up the Palmer House, the theatres, and the Tribune
Building; and contrary to our expectations, for we thought the cur-
rent of fire had passed my residence, judging from the direction of
the wind, we saw, by the advancing clouds of dense black smoke
and the rapidly approaching flames, that we were in imminent peril.
The fire had already worked so far south and east as to attack the
stables in the rear of Terrace Row, between VanBuren and Con-
gress streets. Many friends rushed into the houses in the block,
and helped to carry out heavy furniture, such as pianos and book-
cases. We succeeded in carrying the bulk of it to the shore. There
I sat with a few others by our household goods, calmly awaiting the
destruction of our property — one of the most splendid blocks in
Chicago. The eleven fine houses which composed the block were
occupied by Denton Gurnev, Peter L. Yoe, Mrs. Humphreys
(owned by Mrs. Walker), William Bross, P. F. W. Peck, S. C.
Griggs, Tuthill King, Judge H. T. Dickey, Isaac Cook, John L.
Clark, and the Hon. J. Y. Scammon.
Having got out all we could, about II a. in. of Monday, the
gth, I sat down by my goods, which were piled up indiscriminately
on the lake shore. Soon I saw the angry flames bursting from my
home. Quickly and grandly they wrapped up the whole block,
and away it floated in black clouds over Lake Michigan.
Early in the afternoon we began to send our goods south by
teams, and by sun-down all that we had been able to save was dis-
tributed among friends south of Twelfth Street. In the evening,
my little family of three came together at the house of E. L. Jansen,
No. 607 Wabash Avenue, Mrs Press's brother, where we remained
until most kindly received by Dr. Edmund Andrews and family.
There was very little sleep that (Monday) night, for everybody was
in mortal fear that what remained of the city would be burned by
the desperadoes who were known to be prowling about everywhere.
The next morning I was out eaily, and found the streets
thronged with people moving in all directions. To me the sight
oi the ruin, though so sad, was wonderful — giving one a most pe-
culiar sensation, as it was wrought in so short a space of time. It
was the destruction of the entire business portion of one of the
greatest cities in the world ! Every bank and insurance office, law
offices, hotels, theatres, railroad depots, most of the churches, and
many of the principal residences of the city, a charred mass — prop-
erty almost beyond estimate gone.
Mr. While, like myself, had been burned out of house and
home. He had removed with his family to a place of safety, and
I had no idea vIktc he or any one else connected with the Tribune
office might be found My first point to make was naturally the
Site Oi cmr late office; but, before I reached it, 1 met two former
tenants of our building, who told me that there was a job p fating
office on Randolph Street, on the West Side, thai could probably
be bought. I immediately started for the West Side, and, while
making my way through the crowd over the Madison-street bridge,
desolation stared me in the face at every step, and yet 1 was much
struck with the tone and temper of the people < in all sides I saw-
evidences of true Chicago spirit, and men said to one another,
" Cheer up ; we'll be all right again before long," and many other
plucky things. Their courage was wonderful. Every one was
bright, cheerful, pleasant, hopeful, and even inclined to be jolly, in
spite of the misery and destitution which surrounded them, and
which they shared. < )ne and all said, " Chicago must and shall be
rebuilt at once." On reaching Canal Street, nn my way to pur-
chase the printing office I had heard of, I was informed that while
Mr. White and I were saving our families, on Monday afternoon,
Mr. Medill, seeing that the Tribune office must inevitably be
burned, had sought for and purchased Edwards's job printing
office, No. 15 Canal Street, where he was then busy organizing
things. When I arrived there I found Mr. Medill in the upper
stories among the types and printers, doing all he could to get
ready to issue a paper in the morning. I saw at a glance that my
work was below. The basement and main floor were filled with
boards and boxes and rubbish, and these must be cleaned out at
once. I placed a gang of men, under the command of our cashier,
to clear out the main floor, and another gang, under a boss, to clear
out the basement to receive a load of paper. I then went foraging
for brooms, but the market was bare of the article, and I borrowed
some of a neighbor. Seeing that business was going on lively,
my next dutv was to get up four stoves. For these I started west on
Randolph Street, but every store had sold out. till I got to the cor-
ner of Halsted Street. I found here the four I wanted — price, $16
each. Told the owner I wanted all his men to go to work at 1 race
to get the pipe ready ; but fearing if he did not know who had
bought them, somebody with cash in hand might "jump my claim,"
I told him they were for the Tribune Company; that we had plenty
of money in our vault and in the bank, and as soon as we could get
at it he should have his pay. " I don't know about dat," said I he
worthy Teuton, " I guess I must have de money for dem stoves."
The thing amused me at the rapid change the fire had wrought.
On Saturday our note would have been good for $100,000, and on
Tuesday we could not buy four stoves and the fixtures on credit.
In the best of humor, I told him to come with me and measure the
height of the holes for the pipe in the chimneys, and before he
could get the articles ready he should have his money. This he
did; and then my first question, half joke, half earnest, to every
friend I met was, " Have you got any money?" The tenth man,
perhaps. Honorable Edward Cowles, of Cleveland, Ohio, said,
"Yes, how much do you want?" "All you can spare"; and he
handed me $60. Not enough for the stove genius ; but I walked
rapidly to his den, shook the greenbacks at him, and told him to
hurry up, for I'd soon have the balance. Came back to our office
and found a dozen or more of our leading citizens, all " strapped."
like myself, till at last E. S. Wadsworth, Esq , handed me §100.
Messrs. Cowles and Wadsworth, therefore, furnished the cash capi-
tal to start the Tribune the next day after the fire. But money
soon began to flow in. Between three and four o'clock, our clerk,
Mr. Lowell, came to me and said, " There are some people here
with advertisements for lost friends." I said, " Take them and the
cash, registering in your memorandum book"; and upon a dirty old
box on the window-sill for a desk, the Tribune at once commenced
doing a lively business. A gentleman called me by name and said,
" I haven't a morsel of food for my wife and children to-night, and
not a cent to buy any; may I paint ' Tribune ' over your dooi : "
It was soon done — bill, $3.75. And thus a family was provided
for, that night at least, and another citizen started in business. By
four p. m., the stoves were up; Mr. \\ hire was duly installed with
the editors in the rear of the main floor; the clerks were taking ad-
vertisements; the paper was soon after going into the basement;
arrangements were made to print on the Journal press, our next
door neighbor. Mr. Medill had his printers all in order; and a
council was called, a list of materials made out, and it was agreed
that I should start for Buffalo and New York that evening to git
them. I hurried home, got my satchel — alas, clean linen was not
to be had — and back to the office. About eight, I took the middle
of Canal Street, and went south to Twelfth, thence east to 1 lark,
and thence south to Sixteenth, and just saw the cars moving away.
Nothing was to be done but to return to 607 Wabash Avenue. I
have mentioned my route thus particularly, to add that this was one
of the most lonely and fearful tramps of my life. No street lamps,
few people in the streets, and there were good reasons to give them
as wide a berth as possible. Another sleepless night; and in the
morning, as I sat sipping my coffee over some cold ham, I saw
734
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Sheridan's boys, with knapsack and musket, march proudly by*
Never did deeper emotions of joy overcome me. Thank God, those
most dear to me, and the city as well, are safe; and I hurried away
to the train. Had it not been for General Sheridan's prompt, bold
and patriotic action, I verily believe what was left of the city would
have been nearly, if not quite entirely, destroyed by the cut-throats
and vagabonds who flocked here like vultures from every point of
the compass.
Some few incidents are inserted here to show how terrible was
the fire. When it had reached the business center of the city, it
ceased to be governed by any of the ordinary rules that are com-
monly attendant upon even great fires, as the terms are usually un-
derstood. In places, the heat could only be compared to that from
the combustion of oxygen and hydrogen by means of the blow-pipe.
In places it would strike great iron columns nearly two feet square,
and for four or five feet, perhaps more, the iron would be all burned
up. No residuum would be left. Sometimes car wheels standing on
the track would be half-burned up. Safes, if exposed to these jets of
heat, were of no account whatever. George Smith, banker, told
me that they had standing in a back office a large safe full of ledg-
ers and other books. That safe and its contents were all burned.
Not a vestige of it remained to mark where it stood. Many safes
that stood where brick walls soon fell on, and protected, them were
all right, and as usual the manufacturers made a great noise about
them: but in no case that I heard of, if they stood in exposed
positions, were their contents preserved. Brick vaults, with safes
inside, were all right. The Tribune vault, among other things,
had a linen coat and a box of matches inside, which were not
injured, and the painted figures on the safe door were not even
blistered. It should be added that the vault was near the center of
the building, north and south, and was protected by the south as
well as its own walls. Some of the freaks of the fire are scarcely
credible. Very reliable gentlemen reported that they saw jets of
flame dart across an entire block, and in an instant envelop the
building it struck in a winding sheet of lurid flame. The heat of
the burning city was felt far away on the lake; and I have been
assured by gentlemen, on whose word I place implicit confidence,
that so hot was the wind over at Holland, Mich., a hundred miles
or more northeast of Chicago, that some parties there, on the after-
noon of Monday, were obliged to get down behind a hedge, and let
the scorching blasts pass over them. They were unable then to
account for the heat, and greatly feared that the time had come
when "the earth and all things therein would be burned up."
Horace White's experience. — Amongthe severest
sufferers by the general calamity was Mr. Horace White,
at that time editor of the Tribune, now of the New York
Evening Post, who lost, besides other property, his ele-
gant home on Michigan Avenue, containing a remark-
ably select and scholarly library, which was valued at
over 825,000. Mr. White, on discovering that the fire
was one of unusual magnitude, arose from his bed for
the purpose of going to the Tribune office. He thus
describes the scenes which met him as he passed out
upon the street:
Billows of fire were rolling over the business palaces of the
city, and swallowing up their contents. Walls were falling so fast
that the quaking of the ground under our feet was scarcely noticed,
so continuous was the reverberation. Sober men and women were
hurrying through the streets from the burning quarter — some with
bundles of clothing on their shoulders; others, dragging trunks
along the sidewalk by means of strings and ropes fastened to the
handles, children trudging by their sides or borne in their arms.
Now and then a sick man or women would be observed, half con-
cealed in a mattress doubted up and borne by two men. Droves of
horses were in the streets, moving under some sort of guidance to
a place of safety. Vehicles of ail descriptions were hurrying to
and fro. some laden with trunks and bundles, and others seeking
similar loads and immediately finding them, the drivers making
more money in one hour than they were used to see in a week or a
month. Everybody in this quarter was hurrying toward the lake
shore. All the streets crossing that part of Michigan Avenue
which fronts on the lake (on which my own residence stood) were
crowded with fugitives hastening toward the blessed water.
Remaining at the office of the Tribune a short time,
Mr. White went home to breakfast, noticing as he went
•As has be for*: fieen stated, the "boys in blue," whom General Sheridan
telegraphed for. were Companies of the 5th United States Infantry, then com-
manded by Colonel Nelson A. Miles— now Brigadier-Genera] — and stationed at
Fort I.eavenworth. Immediately on receipt of the dispatch, the companies were
placed on the cars, and rushed through to Chicago. Governor Broas is not the
only one of oorcitizen nrho,in that fearful time, thanked God when the solid
mass of bine coats and jditterind muskets represented the barrier to the mob
that these companies did— giving definite assurance of the mi^hl of the law in
every (fun and in every soldier.
that the employes of Messrs. Field, Leiter &: Co.'s im-
mense dry goods store were showering that massive
pile of pure marble and iron with water from their own
pumping engines. He felt sure that that building, as
well as the Tribune, First National Bank, and Illinois
Central Railroad depot would, with everything to
the east of them, be reserved from destruction by the
flames. Mr. White's narrative continues:
There was still a mass of fire to the southwest, in the direc-
tion whence it originally came, but as the engines were all down
there, and the buildings small and low, I felt sure that the firemen
would manage it. As soon as I had swallowed a cup of coffee,
and communicated to my family the facts that I had gathered,
I started out to see the end of the battle. Reaching State Street,
I glanced down to Field, Leiter & Co 's store, and to my surprise,
noticed that the streams of water, which had before been showering
it as though it had been a great artificial fountain, had ceased to
run. But I did not conjecture the awful reality — namely, that the
great pumping engines had been disabled by a burning roof falling
upon them. I thought that perhaps the firemen on the store had
discontinued their efforts because the danger was over. But why
were men carrying out goods from the lower story ? This query
was soon answered by a gentleman who asked me if I had heard that
the water had stopped. The awful truth was here 1 The pumping
engines were disabled; and though we had at our feet a basin
sixty miles wide by three hundred and sixty feet deep, all full
of clear green water, we could not lift enough to quench a cooking-
stove. Still the direction of the wind was such that I thought the
remaining fire would not cross State Street, nor reach the resi-
dences on Wabash and Michigan avenues and the terrified people
on the lake shore. I determined to go down to the black cloud of
smoke which was rising away to the southwest, the course of
which could not be discovered on account of the height of the in-
tervening buildings, but thought it most prudent to go home
again and tell my wife to get the family wearing apparel in readi-
ness for moving. I found that she had already done so. I then
hurried toward the black cloud, some ten squares distant, and there
found the rows of wooden houses on Third and Fourth avenues fall-
ing like ripe wheat before a reaper. At a glance I perceived that
all was lost in our quarter of the city, and I conjectured that the
Tribune building was doomed too, for I had noticed, with con-
sternation, that the fire-proof Post-office had been completely
gutted, notwithstanding it was detached from other buildings.
The Tribune was fitted into a niche, one side of which consisted
of a wholesale stationery store, and the other of McVicker's
Theater. But there was now no time to think of property. Life
was in danger. The lives of those most dear to me depended up-
on their getting out of our house, out of our street, through an
infernal gorge of horses, wagons, men, women, children, trunks,
and plunder. My brother was with me, and we seized the first
empty wagon we could find, pinning the horse by the head. A
hasty talk with the driver disclosed that we could have his estab-
lishment for one load for twenty dollars. I had not expected to
get him for less than a hundred, unless we should take him by-
force, and this was a bad time for a fight. He approved himself
a muscular as well as a faithful fellow, and I shall always be glad
that I avoided a personal difficulty with him. One peculiarity of
the situation was that nobody could get a team without ready
money. I had not thought of this when I was revolving in my
mind an offer of one hundred dollars, which were more greenbacks
than our whole family could put up if our lives had depended on the
issue. This driver had divined that, as all the banks were burned, a
check on the Commercial National would not carry him very far,
even though it should carry me to a place of safety. All the drivers
had divined the same. Every man who had anything to sell
had perceived the same. " Pay as you go" had become the watch-
word of the hour. Never was there a community so hastily and
completely emancipated from the evils of the credit system.
A quantity of trunks and odd articles was thrown
into the wagon; and Mr. White, taking in his hand a
cage, containing what he calls " a talented parrot " —
the family pet — left his brother and wife to prepare the
next load, and started off for a friend's house, half-
a-mile to the southward. They were an hour or more
on the way, owing to the jam, and were at one time de-
terred by a howling German, who declared that he had
lost everything, and others ought to do the same.
Presently [as the narrative continues] the jam began to move,
and we got on perhaps twenty paces, and stuck fast again. By
accident, we had edged over to the east side of the street, and
nothing but a board fence separated us from Lake Park, a strip of
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
735
made ground a little wider than the street itself. A benevolent
laborer, on the park side of the fence, pulled a loose post out of
the ground, and with this for a catapult, knocked off the boards,
and invited us to pass through. It was a hazardous undertaking,
as we had to drive diagonally over a raised sidewalk, but we
thought it was best to risk it. Our horse mounted, and gave us a
jerk which nearly threw us off the seat, and sent the provision
basket and one bundle of clothing whirling into the dirt. The
eatables were irrecoverable. The bundle was rescued, with two or
three pounds of butter plastered upon it. We started again; and
here our parrot broke out with great rapiditv and sharpness of
utterance, "Get up, get up. get up; hurry up, hurry up;
it's eight o'clock " , ending with a shrill whistle. These ejacu-
lations frightened a pair of horses close to us, on the other
side of the fence, but the jam was so tight that they couldn't run.
By getting into the park, we succeeded in advancing two
squares without impediment, and might have gone farther, had we
not come upon an excavation which the public authorities had
recently made. This drove us back to the avenue, where another
battering ram made a gap for us, at the intersection of VanBuren
Street, the north end of Michigan Terrace. Here the gorge
seemed impassable. We were half an hour reaching the Terrace.
From this imposing row of residences, the millionaires were drag-
ging their trunks and their bundles; and yet there was no panic, no
frenzy, no boisterousness, but only the haste which the situation
authorized. * * * Arriving at Eldredge Court, I turned into
Wabash Avenue, where the crowd was thinner. Arriving at the
house of a friend, who was on the windward side of the fire, I
tumbled off my load and started back to get another. Half way
down Michigan Avenue, which was perceptibly easier to move in, I
discovered my family on the sidewalk, with their arms full of light
household effects. My wife told me that the house was already
burned; that the flames burst out, ready-made, in the rear hall, be-
fore she knew that the roof had been scorched ; and that one of the
servants, who had disobeyed orders in her eagerness to save some
article, had got singed, though not burned, in coming out. My
wife, and mother, and all the rest, were begrimed with dirt and
smoke, like blackamoors — everybody was. The "bloated aristo-
crats" all along the street, who supposed they had lost both home
and fortune at one swoop, was a sorry, but not despairing, congre-
gation. They had saved their lives at all events, and they knew
that many of their fellow creatures must have lost theirs. I saw a
great many kindly acts done as we moved along. The poor helped
the rich, and the rich helped the poor (if anybody could be called
rich at such a time) to get on with their loads. * * * Presently,
we heard loud detonations, and a rumor went around that build-
ings were being blown up with gunpowder. The depot of the
Hazard Powder Company was situated at Brighton, seven or eight
miles from the nearest point of the fire. At what time an effort
was first made to reach this magazine, and bring powder into the
service, I have not learned; but I know that Colonel Marcus C.
Stearns made heroic efforts, with his great lime-wagons, to haul the
explosive material to the proper point. This is no time to blame
anybodv, but, in truth, there was no directing head on the ground.
Everybody was asking everybody else to pull down buildings.
There were no hooks, no ropes, no axes. * * * I had met
General Sheridan on the street in front of the Post-office two hours
before. He had been trying to save the army records, including
his own invaluable papers relating to the War of the Rebellion. He
told me that they were all lost, and then added that the Post-office
didn't seem to make a good fire. This was when we supposed the
row of fire-proof buildings, already spoken of, had stopped the
flames in our quarter. Where was General Sheridan now? every-
body asked. Why didn't he do something when everybody else
had failed ? Presently, a rumor went around that Sheridan was
handling the gunpowder ; then everybody felt relieved. The
reverberations of the powder, whoever was handling it, gave us all
heart again. Think of a people feeling encouraged by the fact
that somebody was blowing up houses in the midst of the city, and
that a shower of bricks was very likely to come down on their
heads.
The experience of Mr. White and his family was
perhaps the average of that of the wealthier classes of
the South Division. The experiences of the same
classes in the North Division, as narrated by Judge
Tree, I. N. Arnold, and others, was much rougher.
How much more so with numerous poor families, who
had no twenty dollars to give the grasping cart men.
Alexander Frear, a New York alderman, seems
to have seen as much of the fire as any other person in
the city ; and he tells his adventures in a straightfor-
ward way, and very graphically. The beginning of the
narrative finds Mr. Frear upon the west side of the
river, endeavoring to comfort his brother's wife, the
brother being absent from the city, by assuring her.
what proved to be a fact, that her house on Ewing
Street would not be touched by the flames. Neverthe-
less, she would not be satisfied until her goods and
children had been sent to the house of a friend on
Wabash Avenue. Then the anxious mother had to fol-
low in a coach, with her satchel full of valuables in her
hand. After a hard drive, by a roundabout route, they
were stopped by the jam at the corner of Wabash
Avenue and Washington Street. The narrative pro-
ceeds :
In the great confusion it was difficult to get any information ;
but I was told that the block in which the Kimballs lived, the refuge
of Mrs. ¥ rear's children, was burning, and that the people were all
out. To add to my distress, Mrs. Frear jumped out of the vehicle,
and started to run in the direction of the fire. Nothing, I am sat-
isfied, saved her from being crushed to death, in a mad attempt to
find her children but the providential appearance of an acquaint-
ance, who told her that the children were all safe at the St. James
Hotel. * * * I found that Mrs. Frear's acquaintance had either
intentionally or unintentionally deceived her. The children were
not in the house. When I informed her of it she fainted. When
she was being taken up stairs to the parlor, I found she had lost
her satchel. Whether it was left in the cab when she jumped out,
or was stolen in the house, I can not say. It contained two gold
watches, several pins and drops of value, a cameo presented to her
by Mrs. Stephen A. Douglas, a medal of honor belonging to her
husband, who was an officer in the First Wisconsin Volunteers
during the war, and about two hundred dollars in bills and cur-
rency stamps, besides several trinkets of trifling value.
Leaving his charge in care of some ladies, Mr.
Frear proceeded in search of the children. He went
to the Sherman House, where all was panic.
I looked out [he says] of one of the south windows of
the house, and shall never forget the terribly magnificent sight I
saw. The Court-house Park was filled with people, who appeared
to be huddled together in a solid mass, helpless and astounded.
The whole air was filled with falling cinders, and it looked like a
snow storm lit up by colored fire. The weird effect of the glare,
and the scintillating light upon this vast, silent concourse, was
almost frightful. While in the corridor of the Sherman House,
I encountered my nephew, and he asked me if I wanted to
see the fire, saying he had one of George Garrison's horses, and
only wanted a rubber blanket to throw over him to protect him
from the sparks. I told him about Mrs. Frear, but he thought
there was no reason to worry. He got a blanket from somewhere,
and we started off in a light wagon for Wabash Avenue, stopping
at Wright's, under the Opera House, to get a drink of coffee,
which 1 needed very much. There were several of the firemen of
the " Little Giant " in there. One of che men was bathing his head
with whisky from a flask. They declared that the Fire Depart-
ment had given up, overworked, and that they could do nothing
more. While we stood there, an Irish girl was brought in, with her
dress nearly all burnt from her person. It had caught on the
Court-house steps, from a cinder. When we went out a man in
his shirt sleeves was unhitching the horse ; and when we came up,
he sprang into the wagon, and would have driven off in spite of us,
if I had not caught the horse by the head. He then sprang out,
and struck my nephew in the face, and ran toward State Street.
We drove as rapidly as we could into Wabash Avenue, the
wind sweeping the embers after us in furious waves. We passed a
broken-down steamer in the middle of the roadway. The avenue
was a scene of desolation. The storm of falling fire seemed to
increase every second, and it was as much as we could do to protect
ourselves from the burning rain, and guide the horse through the
flying people and hurrying vehicles. Looking back through Wash-
ington Street, toward the Opera House, I saw the smoke and flames
pouring out of State Street, from the very point we had just left,
and the intervening space was tilled with the whirling embers that
beat against the houses and covered the roofs and window-sills.
It seemed like a tornado of fire. To add to the terror, animals,
burnt and infuriated by the cinders, darted through the streets,
regardless of all human obstacles. Wabash Avenue was burning
as far down as Adams Street. The flames from the houses on the
west side reached in a diagonal arch quite across the street, and
occasionally the wind would lift the great body of flame, detach it
entirely from the burning buildings, and hurl it with terrific force
far ahead. All the mansions were being emptied, with the greatest
736
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
disorder and excitement. Nobody endeavored to stay the flames
now. A mob of men and women, all screaming and shouting,
ran about wildly, crossing each other's paths, and intercepting each
other, as if deranged. We tried to force our way along the Avenue,
which was already littered with costly furniture, some of it burning
in the streets under the falling sparks : but it was next to impossi-
ble. Twice we were accosted by gentlemen with pocket-books in
their hands, and asked to carry away to places of safety some valu-
able propertv. Much as we may have desired to assist them, it was
out of our power. Women came and threw packages into the vehicle;
and one man, with a boy hanging to him, caught the horse and tried
to throw us out. I finally got out, and endeavored to lead the ani-
mal out of the terrible scenes. When we had gone about a block,
I saw that the Court House was on fire, and almost at the same mo-
ment some one said that the St. James Hotel had caught on the roof.
I was struck on the arm by a bird cage flung from an upper win-
dow; and the moment I released the horse he shied, and ran into a
burning dray-load of furniture, smashing the wheel of the wagon,
and throwing my companion out on his shoulder. Fortunately he
was only bruised. But the horse, already terrified, started immedi-
ately, and I saw him disappear with a leap like that of a panther.
We then hurried on toward the St. James Hotel, passing
through some of the strangest and saddest scenes it has ever been
my misfortune to witness. I saw a woman kneeling in the street,
with a crucifix held up before her, and the skirt of her dress burning
while she praved. We had barely passed her, before a runaway
truck dashed her to the ground. Loads of goods passed us, re-
peatedly, that were burning on the trucks; and my nephew says that
he distinctly saw one man go up to a pile of costly furniture lying
in front of an elegant residence, and deliberately hold a piece of
burning packing-box under it until the pile was lit. When we reached
the wholesale stores north of Madison Street, the confusion was even
worse. These stores were packed full of the most costly merchan-
dise, and to save it at the rate the fire was advancing was plainly im-
possible. There was no police, and no effort was made to keep off
the rabble. A few of the porters and draymen employed by these
stores were working manfully, but there were costermonger's
wagons, dirt carts, and even coaches, backed up and receiving the
goods, and a villainous crowd of men and boys chaffing each other
and tearing open parcels to discover the nature of their contents.
I reached the St. James between two and three o'clock on Monday
morning. It was reported to be on fire, but I did not see the flames
then. Mrs. Frear had been moved, in an insensible state, to the
house of a friend on the North Side. I could learn no other par-
ticulars.
The house was in a dreadful state of disorder. Women and
children were screaming in every direction, and baggage was being
thrown about in the most reckless manner. I now concluded that
Mrs. Frear's children had been lost. It was reported that hundreds
of people had perished in the flames.
There was a crowd of men and women at the hotel, from one
of the large boarding houses in the neighborhood of State and Adams
streets, and they said they barely escaped with their lives, leaving
everything behind. At this time it seemed to me that the fire would
leave nothing. People coming in said the Sherman House was
going, and that the Opera House had caught. Finally word was
brought that the bridges were burning, and all escape was cut off
to the north and west. Then ensued a scene wiiich was beyond de-
scription. Men shouted the news, and added to the panic. Women,
half-dressed, and many of them with screaming children, fled out
of the building. There was a jam in the doorway, and they struck
and clawed each other as if in self-defense. I lost sight of my
nephew at this time. Getting out with the crowd, I started and ran
round toward the Tremont House. Reaching Dearborn Street, the
gust of fire was so strong that I could hardly keep my feet.
I ran on down toward the Tremont. Here the same scene was
being enacted with tenfold violence. The elevator had got jammed,
and the screams of the women on the upper floors was heart-rend-
ing. I forced my way up stairs, seeing no fire, and looked into all
the open rooms, calling aloud the names of Mrs. Frear's daughters.
Women were swarming in the parlors; invalids, brought there for
safety, were lying upon the floor. Others were running distracted
about, calling upon their husbands. Men, pale and awe-struck,
and silent, looked on without any means of averting the mischief.
All this time the upper part of the house was on tire. The street
was choked with people, yelling and moaning with excitement and
fright. I looked down upon them from an upper window a
moment, and saw far up Dearborn Street the huge flames pouring
in from the side streets I had traversed but an hour ago, and it ap-
peared to me that they were impelled with the I a tremen-
fthing that they touched melted. Presently
the smoke Ijegan to r>.'! down the stairways, and almost immediately
after the men who had been at work on the roof came running
down. They mad'- no outcry, but hurried from the house as if for
their lives. I went up to the fourth story, looking into every room,
and kicking open those that were locked. There were several other
men searching in the same manner, but I did not notice them.
While up here I obtained a view of the conflagration. It was ad-
vancing steadily upon the hotel from two or three points. There
was very little smoke; it burned too rapidly, or what there was must
have been carried away on the wind. The whole was accompanied
by a crackling noise as of an enormous bundle of dry twigs burning,
and by explosions that followed each other in quick succession on
all sides.
From the street-entrance I could see up Dearborn Street as
far as the Portland Block, and it was full of people all the distance,
swaying and surging under the reign of fire. Around on Lake
Street the tumult was worse. Here, for the first time, I beheld
scenes of violence that made mv blood boil. In front of Shay's
magnificent dry goods store a man loaded a store-truck with silks, in
defiance of the emploves of the place. When he had piled all he
could on the truck, some one with a revolver shouted to him not to
drive away, or he would fire at him; to which he replied, " Fire, and
be damned ! " and the man put the pistol in his pocket again.
Just east of this store there was at least a ton of fancy goods thrown
into the street, over which the people and vehicles passed with
utter indifference, until they took fire. I saw a ragamuffin on the
Clark-street bridge, who had been killed by a marble slab thrown
from a window, with white kid gloves on his hands, and whose
pockets were stuffed with gold-plated sleeve-buttons. On that
same bridge I saw an Irish woman leading a goat that was big with
young, while under the other arm she carried a piece of silk.
Lake Street was rich with treasures; and hordes of thieves
forced their way into the stores and flung out the merchandise to
their fellows in the street, who received it without disguise, and
fought over it openly. I went through the street to Wabash Ave-
nue, and here the thoroughfare was utterly choked with all man-
ner of goods and people. Everybody who had been forced from
the other end of town by the advancing flames had brought some
article with him; and, as further progress was delayed, if not com-
pletely stopped, by the river — the bridges of which were also
choked — most of them, in their panic, abandoned their burdens, so
that the streets and sidewalks presented the most astonishing
wreck. Valuable oil-paintings, books, pet animals, musical instru-
ments, toys, mirrors, and bedding, were trampled under foot.
Added to this, the goods from the stores had been hauled out and
had taken fire; and the crowd, breaking into a liquor establishment,
were yelling with the fury of demons, as they brandished cham-
pagne and brandy bottles. The brutality and horror of the
scene made it sickening. A fellow, standing on a piano, de-
clared that the fire was the friend of the poor man. He wanted
everybody to help himself to the best liquor he could get; and con-
tinued to yell from the piano until some one, as drunk as himself,
flung a bottle at him and knocked him off it. In this chaos were
hundreds of children, wailing and crying for their parents. One
little girl, in particular, I saw, whose golden hair, worn loose down
her back, had caught fire. She ran screaming past me, and some-
body threw a glass of liquor upon her, which flared up and covered
her with a blue flame. It was impossible to get through to Clark-
street bridge, and I was forced to go back toward Randolph
Street. There was a strange and new fascination in the scenes
that I could not resist.
It was now daylight, and the fire was raging closely all
about me. The Court House, the Sherman House, the Tremont
House, and the wholesale stores on Wabash Avenue, and the retail
stores on Lake Street, were burning. The cries of the multitude
on the latter streets had now risen into a terrible roar, for the
flames were breaking into the river streets. I saw the stores of
Messrs. Drake, Hamlin, and F'arwell burn. They ignited sud-
denly all over, in a manner entirely new to me — just as I have seen
paper do that is held to the fire until it is scorched and breaks out
in a flame. The crowds who were watching them greeted the com-
bustion with terrible yells In one of the stores — I think it was
Hamlin's — there were a number of men at the time, on the several
floors, passing out goods; and when the flames, blown over against
it, enveloped the building, they were lost to sight entirely, nor did
I see any effort whatever made to save them, for the heat was so
intense that everybody was driven, as before a tornado, from the
vicinity of the buildings. I now found myself carried by the
throng back to near Lake Street, and determined, if possible, to
get over the river. I managed to accomplish this, after a severe
"struggle and at the risk of my life. The rail of the bridge was
broken away, and a number of small boats, loaded with goods,
were passing down the stream. How many people were pushed
over the bridge into the water, I can not tell. I, myself, saw one
man stumble under a load of clothing and disappear; nor did the
occupants of the boats pay the slightest attention to him, nor to
the crowd overhead, except to guard against anybody falling into
their vessels.
From the North Side, Mr. Frear made his way to the West
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
737
Side, where he fell down and slept in the hall of his brother's
house, but was roused in half-an-hour to join in another rescue of
Mrs. Frear, whose refuge on the North Side was about to be
burned. This was accomplished just in time to save the lady from
the flames. Mr. Frear and the friend who had told him of her
whereabouts hauled her, shrieking with hysterics, in a baker's
wagon, some four miles, over much debris, to the home where she
ought to have staid in the first place. Her property, including the
jewelry, money and relics were all gone, but the children were soon
heard from. They were safe at the Riverside suburb.
Honorable Thomas Hoyne's Account. — Among
the papers left by the late Honorable Thomas Hoyne
is the following description of what he saw and suffered
during the conflagration. It is evident that the manu-
script was prepared soon after the fire, as a rough draft
of what he intended to be a careful statement. Pres-
sure of professional duties compelled him to postpone
the revision of the text, and sudden death came to him
before the work was done. We give the narrative as it
came from his pen, with this explanation of the few
verbal lapses which may appear, and which we know he
would object to seeing over his name. Mr. Hoyne was
exceedingly exact in his methods; and the use of an
unfinished paper from his hand is justified only by the
fact that his large and noble mind is at rest forever in
this world.
The great fire occurred Sunday night, Octobers, 1871. On
Monday, the yth, we commenced moving our effects on Michigan
Avenue. The fire was arrested by blowing up some buildings on
Harrison Street and Wabash Avenue. We moved back to our
house* on the 10th of October. But on Friday afternoon, the 13th
inst., a fire broke out in the barn, in rear of adjoining premises,
occupied by Mr. Bauer, which, in the absence of engines or water
from hose, seemed to threaten our inevitable destruction. We
began again to move our effects, and were about leaving the house
forever, when three cheers outside announced that a fire engine had
been found to pump water from the lake, and hose sufficient to
convey a stream which extinguished the fire in the barn. God be
thanked, and to Him the praise, that we were saved!
On the night of the 8th October, about ten o'clock, when the
first alarm was rung, I saw the light of the fire from my house on
Michigan Avenue, and passed over Polk-street bridge to the West
Side. I found it was a sharp, dry fire, but confined to a few
wooden one-story shanties or cabins. A single stream of water
would have seemed sufficient to arrest it. And although there ap-
peared then to be water and engines playing, yet the fire gave no
sign of abatement. It kept spreading, until I saw it would inevi-
tably extend down to the river, and to the scene of the burned district
of the night previous. I saw some poor Germans with their
children and household goods, back of Canal Street and near the
river, but in the way of the coming cataract of fire, f told them
of their danger, and aided in taking some to a place near the bridge
on Polk Street, from which they had to be again removed. I told
the German, I would watch the goods while he was removing them
from the last stopping place on Polk Street, across the bridge to
the south side of the river. While this was taking place, I heard
for the first time of fire on the South Side. My duty to the German
being over, I crossed Polk-street bridge, to witness on the other
side a great fire raging along Market Street, in the vicinity of
VanBuren. Fear instinctively impressed me. I was like one in a
dream, uncertain what to do. I slowly stalked, rather than walked.
down to my office, No. 8g LaSalle Street. I went up stairs. I
unlocked the door, went in, looked around, and came down again.
I saw the sky as it were in flames over my head, and the streets
lighted as if by lurid sunlight. I saw clouds of sparks burning
over my head, and then again I saw that some roofs in the rear of
the large buildings on Washington Street, and to the southwest,
were already on fire. I then concluded the destruction of my
office building was probable. I returned up stairs, and taking a
tin box and some papers, hurried home to awaken my sons,
especially Thomas, my partner, to open the safe, of which I had
not the key; and going back within the next forty or fifty minutes,
I witnessed the whole Court-house square in nearly one mass of
flames. What a scene — a sea of fire ! But what added to the dan-
ger, were the broken masses of flying matter, as they were taken
up by the winds and carried in all directions. These alighting up-
on other houses and roofs, sometimes on loose material on the
streets and in yards, carried the conflagration in all directions. I had
not yet ascertained that the fire was already raging on the North Side.
* Mr. Hoyne's residence was at No. 267 Michigan Avenue, which site he
occupied for his residence since 1853.
47
Here indeed commenced the total extermination of all that was
combustible. Buildings of every description were swept away,
leaving the ground upon which they had stood a field of absolute
waste, excepting a single house — the property of Mahlon 1 >.
Ogden.
The day of the 9th (Monday) was one of excitement and
dread. On the North Side, all the people were still Hying from the
scourge which pursued them. People who saw, from the direction
and strength of the wind, that the fire might reach them, though
being as yet some blocks of houses distant, made no preparations
to move. They still hoped the flames could be arrested on the
large spaces of ground intervening. In many such cases, what
was their horror to discover in the other direction blazing roofs, to
which the flying sparks had carried the fire. It became a race for
life, not an effort to save property. Among such was Perry H.
Smith's family and my brother Philip's. They left in haste, pass-
ing between rows of blazing houses, and sometimes along streets
of flame. Philip escaped with his wife to the lake shore. He
was hemmed in by blazing piles of lumber on the one hand, and
low houses, built close to the lake, on the other. There he re-
mained eleven hours, until the fire was exhausted by burning
everything combustible. While so situated, he saw crowds of
those who had in some instances saved furniture and had taken it
to the lake for safety. While resting in this supposed security, the
volume of fiery flakes was so driven in that direction, that the
piles of furniture were set on fire, and the refugees were often
compelled to throw the burning articles into the water to save
themselves. Ladies were seen moving their chairs into the water,
and sitting on the top of the backs, while resting their feet on the
seats of the chairs. Who can describe the fury of such an element,
when even at Lincoln Park it did not pause? But entering this
area of solitude, in which stood the old chapel of the cemetery,
built of brick, it desolated and scorched that structure. This
chapel was surrounded by no buildings, and the nearest outside
the cemetery gates was several hundred of feet distant, yet there,
among the ancient trees, stands this brick chapel dedicated to the
service of the dead — a monument of fire-blackened ruin and deso-
lation.
Did it not seem as if the fire-king wished to seek vengeance
on the very dead, by thus coming among the graves, and raising
his torch triumphantly over the spot where the rites of religion had
been so often celebrated, as each had passed from life to death,
from death to immortality ?
Mr. Morton, my partner, who had built his new mansion on
LaSalle Street, was driven before the advancing flames from post
to post. He happened to have a horse and buggy. He had our
office account books, which he had removed from the office-safe the
night before He finally drove for refuge to Lincoln Park, where
he located himself and wife upon the island in the artificial lake,
and thus surrounded by water was even then compelled, during the
twelve or fifteen hours he rested there, to keep his goods and their
own clothing constantly wetted.
Let us now return to the South Side, where the fire literally
ran over brick, iron and marble structures, as if they had been
heaps of dry fuel and shavings. The width of the channel, which
it was filling as it rushed along, did not seem to have been more
than two hundred or four hundred feet. It had passed to the Court-
house square, and was evidently going toward the main river, at
about State Street and Wabash Avenue. At any rate, it seemed as
if it could not pass down the avenues to the southward. I returned
home satisfied that, at my house on Michigan Avenue, there could
be no possible danger.
Having been up all night, I went to bed in the early morn-
ing, at about five o'clock. At seven I was roused from a sound
slumber, and told by my wife that we should be compelled to leave
our house. The fire had already reached Terrace Row, only two
blocks distant, and was steadily advancing against the wind. What
could be done, when the fire thus traveled against the wind, disre-
garding all natural, all conceivable, obstacles? The cry was for
aid to stop it. Water being out of the question, since the Water
Works had been destroyed, powder was the only resource. This
was used, and, two houses being blown up on the line of commu-
nication, it seemed finally as if a halt had been called, and the
flames were under some control. This seemed the more probable,
as General Philip II. Sheridan, had stationed himself on Harrison
Street, and ordered the pulling down of houses there. By tin— t-
efforts the progress of the fire was arrested before it reached Har-
rison Street, and what remained of the South Division was saved.
It is impossible to describe the scenes on Michigan Avenue
that morning ! Excited crowds of people wen running and press-
ing against each other. Goods and furniture were strewed in all
directions. The Park in front was tilled with the dry goods stock
of the great house of Farwell & Co. I hap- of furniture were
piled in each court-yard or terrace Omnibuses and wagons rushed
along in the general melee. Who can describe the confusion, the
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
excited faces, the earnest movements of men, women and children?
Here was the rich lady with her arms full of boxes, and there was
a poor family with nothing but their children ; but the distress
expressed in all faces, and by all movements, was something' terri-
ble to witness, and never to be forgotten.
In the meantime we had moved some household effects; and
it was a serious question during a part of the time, whether in
moving as far as Twentieth Street, to H. O. Stone's house, we had
even then gone far enough south to avoid a calamity which seemed
pursuing us. But how grand, after all, is human nature ! While
we were taking leave of our home, removing our most precious
relics, friends were constantly coming in, pressing our hands, in
tears, and soliciting us to take shelter with them. Among these
were H. O. Stone and Fernando Jones. They brought wagons,
too, to carry our goods. God ever bless them ! What consolation
in that dread hour did these evidences of friendship afford us !
But the great cloud passed over our home. In two days we
received back our goods into the house, and, although we had lost
our income in rents, we felt grateful that a home had been spared
to us.
The week was passing without, however, any abatement of the
oppressive and dangerous, dry, windy weather which still prevailed.
The southwester was as strong as ever. The public mind was
filled with the most fearful rumors of incendiarism. There was
still no water. The Fire Department, it was known, was powerless.
Another conflagration must completely clear off the whole city site.
The burglars, thieves, felons and desperate characters of all other
cities, it was reported, had come for plunder. General Sheridan
had. therefore, ordered United States troops here, and put them in
charge of the burned district. All bank vaults and safes were still
in that district, and upon their contents depended even the food
that some were to eat, but especially the continuance of any busi-
All the money left, and securities of any kind, were depos-
ited in those vaults. Hence, a state of general feverishness
existed, and a feeling of helplessness. In this condition of things,
when I was endeavoring to shake off the lethargy which arose from
the general depression, I was called upon to bear a new shock.
Who could imagine that, after all we had passed through, fire
again would threaten our destruction; and, this time, so near was
its origin, that no escapeeven seemed possible! Our barn, about forty
feet distant in rear of our home, at three o'clock of the afternoon,
while the southwest wind was still blowing and bearing the smoke
and flame directly towards our house, was discovered to be on fire !
The people rallied in all directions. They brought buckets or any
thing that could hold water. They organized lines down to the
lake; and handing water to those at the barn, still smouldering,
kept back the flames. But, notwithstanding, the fire was gaining
in power, as was evident from the volume of smoke pouring out at
the windows of the stable. Wife and servants were all drawing
water from our house cisterns. Every kitchen utensil — boilers, pans
and buckets — were in demand. It was with difficulty I persuaded
my wife that further effort was unavailing, and she must leave her
kitchen and desist from her efforts to supply water to those around
the stable, and prepare to leave our home forever ! How sad the
Feelings of that terrible moment ! I went into the library like one
stupified. I was stunned by blow upon blow which I had received
from my losses, until, under the final calamity, I felt like sinking
in despair. I had heard of such things, but never was brought
into their presence before, nor made to realize the condition of
men abandoned to such misfortune I took final leave of my
library, looking upon all that it contained. In every corner of that
room, from every shelf and table, arose memories of what had
been. And how I had loved its associations ! How helpless did I
seem against that enemy which, under the providence of God, had
our whole city only the Monday before, and was now ad-
vancing under the very caves of my own house ' Passing to the
front door, I found friends offering assistance. The time was
short to save anything, but we resolved to do our best.
While we were thus engaged in disposing of our valuables
for removal —oh ! who shall describe the thrill it occasioned? —
repeated by thousands oi joyful men outside. An
engine had been found, and hose sufficient to carry a stream of
water from the lake. All feelings of satisfaction must be forever
indifferent, compared with the supreme joy of being saved from de-
struction under such circumstances as these. Il seems as if all I
' ■■■;,, nothing. In the dispensations which Providence had
meted out to the suffering in the great fire, gratitude to God and
praise for all His goodness took the place of every other feeling.
Audits* i been nearer our Great Father ever
since. Visitations of His providence, such ;is these, do so improve
oormor , hat Power which upholds all existence,
that we feel purified and spiritualized. Eternal praise, glory ami
honor be ascribed to God the Father, anil his Son, and the Holy-
Ghost forevermore !
Retarding the Retrogression of the Flames.
— While the flames were raging upon the South Side,
after having crossed the river, danger again menaced
the West Side in the threatened burning of the Oriental
Mills, situated at the west end of Madison-street bridge.
How this danger was averted, and demolition of the
whole West Side, in all probability, prevented, is told in
the following extract from the Journal :
" At half-past two o'clock, the National elevator, just north of
the Fort Wayne depot (on the West Side), the rectifying distil-
leries, at the east end of the Madison-street bridge, and the new
brick building of Coolbaugh & Wheeler (on the South Side) were
one sheet of flame. Directly across the river from these latter
buildings, stands the Oriental Mills, a five-story brick building sur-
mounted with a two-story wooden cupola. It was evident that if
the lire crossed the river it would sweep the Illinois River elevator,
the Eagle Iron Works, and perhaps the whole West Side. No fire
engines were available, and the situation was most critical. The
forethought of the owners of the mill, Norton & Co., had provided
a powerful force-pump attached to the engine of the mill, which
threw two streams of water above the roof, which effectually stop-
ped the spread of the flames in that direction. The skillful manage-
ment of the hose-pipe by W. Canfield, superintendent of the mill,
deserves special commendation."
Another writer, commenting on this period of the
disaster, remarked:
'There was one remarkable turning point in this fire, in which
everything was remarkable; and that was at Madison-street bridge,
where everyone expected to see the fire re-cross to the West Side,
and commence upon a new path of destruction. Directly across this
bridge were the Oriental Flouring Mills, which were saved from de-
struction by the immense steam force-pump attached to the mill, by
which a powerful stream of water was thrown upon the exposed
property, hour after hour. This undoubtedly saved the West Di-
vision from a terrible conflagration; for if the Oriental Mills had
burned, the combustible nature of the adjoining buildings and ad-
jacent lumber yards would have insured a scene of devastation too
heart-sickening for contemplation."
Stoppage of the Fire on the South Side. — Mr.
Sheahan's account of the progress of the flames, early
TERRACE ROW,
MICHIGAN AVENUE.
in the morning, and their estopping on the South Side,
is given :
" At four o'clock in the morning the line of flame and ruin in
I he South Division extended above Harrison Street northward to
the main branch of the river, a distance of about one mile. To
the eastward, it had reached Dearborn Street, having included the
Michigan Southern depot ; the mammoth Ogden House, covering
an entire block of ground ; the new and unoccupied Bigelow
House; both of the llonore blocks, the Lombard and Reynolds
blocks, Farwell Hall, all the line of seven-story marble buildings
on LaSalle Street, the Chamber of Commerce, the Court House,
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
739
the Sherman, Briggs and Tremont houses, Crosby's Opera House,
Wood's Museum, Hooley's Opera House, Dearborn Theater and
the Post, Mail, Staats Zeitung, Yolks Zeitung, Times, Republican
and Journal newspaper offices. At this hour, the Tribune office
was the only newspaper property left untouched, McVicker's the
only theatre, and the Palmer Mouse the only first-class hotel.
"The fire had not then crossed Dearborn Street, south of
Madison, and it was confidently hoped that the end of the
destruction could now be confidently predicted. People
began to lift up their heads, and thank God that some-
thing was to be left of Chicago. At half-past six o'clock
in the morning, there was good reason to believe that the
conflagration had spent itself. Thankful and contented
in the belief, large numbers of tired watchers went to
their homes — if they had any — to get a little food and
rest. It was as well that they went, for they were spared
the fearful renewal which occurred so soon afterward.
" At about seven o'clock in the morning, a sudden
gust of wind swept and eddied through Dearborn Street,
beginning at Jackson, where, at that time, the fire had
died down to embers. Beds of live coals were caught up
bodily by the hurricane, and hurled against, and upon,
the wooden structures across the street, and in a moment
the fire had gained a foothold, and swept onward once
more to the north and east. All that had been left un-
touched between Jackson and Madison streets, from Dear-
born Street to the lake shore, was doomed to destruction.
As the fury of the first hurricane subsided, there came a
lull, so that the fire began to work southward and
westward.
"As the fire progressed up Wabash Avenue ami
State Street, it seemed as if it would be impossible to stop
it. Only two engines were in that section of the city,
and these were powerless from want of water. After the
conflagration had successivelv passed Adams, Jackson and
VanBuren, and had arrived at Congress Street, a deter-
mined and vigorous effort was made at Harrison Street,
on the west line Leaving the block between Congress,
Harrison, State and Wabash as certain prey for the
flames, the attempt to save was concentrated on the line
of buildings on the north side of Harrison. On the cor-
ner of State was a wooden building, which was too
inflammable to be allowed to stand. The proper method
of stopping was here adopted, and the principal actor in
the contest was thereafter a red-capped chap, in a square
box- wagon, in which were also placed several hundred
pounds of powder. The wooden building, on the north-
east corner of State and Harrison, was first to go, and was laid
flat by two charges of powder. Next to this, on the east, was
a three-story double brick, which met the same fate as its neigh-
bor, and in a moment only the front walls remained. The effects
of this were quickly seen. The fire was effectually checked,
at least so far as the high-reaching, dangerous flames were
concerned. Between the brick house, just mentioned, and the
church, which occupied the (northwest) corner of Wabash, was a
small frame building, which was an extremely dangerous cus-
tomer, and partook of the same treatment which cured the next
house ; but not until after it had so far been enveloped in flame as
to seriously endanger the church. This last building was, in real-
ity, the hope of the firemen, and it stood its ground nobly. It
was commonly called the *Wabash-avenue Methodist Church, and
was one of the oldest churches in the city. The blowing up of the
building on the west proved the salvation of that end, and the
church resisted the attack from that side. On the north side of the
church was the real danger, though, fortunately, there was a vacant
lot between the nearest house and the church. The heavy, honest-
ly-built walls of the latter and the intervening distance so far pro-
tected it that nothing took fire except the ornamental tower on the
northeast corner of the building. This was extinguished by a citi-
zen volunteer, who showed most wonderful indifference to danger
and marvelous efficiency in work. Here, then, was the real turn-
ing-point of the disaster ; and, over the barrier formed by the
overthrown houses and the church, the flames did not succeed in
passing Between Wabash Avenue and the lake, the firemen were
even more fortunate. An attempt was made to arrest progress on
the line of Congress Street, and it was partially successfully. The
east three buildings were protected by the vacant ground between
Terrace Row and the street, and did not ignite. On the Wabash
Avenue corner, the fire succeeded in passing the boundary of Con-
gress Street, and attacking the brick block on the southwest corner.
Here, again, gunpowder was used to good effect in fighting the
flames ; and by its aid Xo. 330 Wabash Avenue was reduced
to .1 heap *>f ruins in a moment. By this means the fire was
checked at this point, and the end of the devastation was at last
reached."
Terrace Row was the last to yield. It was a beau-
tiful pile, solidly constructed, and in the face of any
ordinary tin- would have stood, lint after burning
* The Post-office was first established at Burlington Hall,
of Sixteenth and State streets, immediately after the tire and v
to this church.
nil, west ■ orner
TREMO.NT HOUSK, AFTER THE I IRE.*
some three hours, during which time a large share of
the superb equipments of the many distinguished homes
were transferred to a safe place, the last wall fell ; and
in the South Division, there remained north of Harrison
Street only the buildings east of Wabash Avenue and
south of Congress Street, — the Wabash-avenue Metho-
dist Church, standing on the northwest corner of the
Avenue and Harrison Street, the five-story building at
the east end of Randolph-street bridge I.ind Block ,
and the Illinois Central elevator, just north of the once
magnificent depot of the company.
The Post thus relates its version of how the flames
were stayed in the progress southward:
"At the corner of Clark and Harrison streets, the Jones school-
house was burned. A wooden primary on the same lot escaped de-
struction. Why it escaped would be curious to know. The flames,
as if weary of the awful race they had run, did not cross the street.
At the corner of fourth Avenue and Harrison Street, the Jewish
synagogue burned fiercely, but the Otis Block of brick buildi
the northeast corner of tile street, did not burn. At the comer of
Third Avenue and Harrison, men pulled down a wooden resi-
dence with chains. Although this house was consumed, it did not
burn fiercely. At the corner of Mate and Harrison, O'Neil's brick
block was blown up by powder, and prevented the further spread
in that direction. At the corner of Harrison and Wabash, the
Methodist church stood, as if defying the flames. The tire did not
cross Wabash Avenue south of Congress Street, and the south side
of Congress was saved — the Michigan Avenue Hotel standing upon
the corner like the huge battlement of a fortress that had withstood
a siege.
" By noon (Monday) the fire had ceased in Us progress south-
ward, and, except by uncertain rumor, no one south of Harrison
knew' of the desolation that reigned in the North Division. The
*For description «( this building sec the Hotel history.
74°
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
lake front was filled with household goods, piled in the utmost
confusion. Weary watchers stood guard about their 1 t tie a Tm
hundreds of people, homeless and without property o „ kind
were lying about, exhausted. From the ' lake front ' the dest "c
t.on of the palatol block of residences know as ' Terrace Row 'u as
watched with intense interest.
"It was broad day now, and the sun was tin
At least, a small crimson ball hung in a pall of
smoke and people said that was the sun. For the
rest, a I consciousness of the date and hour was
lost. I he wind had freshened, and the tumult in-
creased. The fire had pursued its inexorable march
in the van of the southwest wind across the south
more I inVeri T°Ward thC WeSt'il had bllr"«l
more slowly and it was nearly noon before the dis-
tiller.es at Madison-street bridge yielded. The
North S.de was already attacked in a dozen places
Of the South Division, between State Street and the
river, all the slighter buildings had been wiped out
many of the larger edifices were in ruins, and a few
of the stoutest were still ablaze, islands of fire The
gaps between the ruins were, it is true, still filled
tTinlPe°?Le' Ut the>' W.ere not workin- to sa^ any.
thing. There was nothing to save-no place whence
to escape. The tumult was still loudf but it was
changed ,n its character. It was now the wailing of
children seeking their parents-of mothers seeking
their fanuhes- of men, maudlin with liquor and
stupefied with grief, bemoaning their losses The
esUtToUSstn0r PxfSed f°rVVard t0 See> and ^ Phon-
esto steal. Those coming from the west and the
extreme south met the throngs flying from the north
and made human eddies in every street. But the
fire was practically oyer here; the battle had rolled
to the northward, leaving behind in its ruins
through winch poured the fugitives and the
wounded, those who came on errands of curiosity
or mercy and those who prowled about to pillase
and destroy. ^ 6
THE NORTH SIDE.
tTHE^FiRE reaches the North Side
— I he _ first authentic account of the pres- geo.
ence of fire on the North Side is furnished
by Judge Lambert Tree, whose valuable statement is
given in succeeding pages. At not later tha n half pa
one o clock a. m., Judge Tree crossed from lis office
on Zl°Th S'de',and disc°vered little fires burning
on the State-street bridge, and at different points alonf
the street, where dried leaves had become igni^a by
dgerfir SPSSthVh'Ch fe,li"-fant,yfrom the South3:
of the He tBu\these 'nc'Pient fires were not the cause
of the destruction of that vast area, extending from
On the authority of Andrew J. Wright who ob
served the time by his office clock-, as he wal driven
from the building by the flames, we 'state , W
tables took fire at half-past two a. m., October 9
iihi
Wright's
hundred and eighty-,igV, i res V a'J°Ut fo"rt,',"
RUMSEY'S RESIDENCE, RUSH AND HURON STREETS.
There was a large quantity of oil in a train of cars
which stood on the North-Western Railroad track
tance &£* iff* This ^ -mbusSe Tut
stance ignited in some manner unknown, and instantly
enwrapped the stables in flames. The proprietor anH
cipatmg danger, had caused his morevXble horsS
to be harnessed, ready to escape if the situation
SarthePeernt0-US ; bUt S° SUddCnly did the n-es en
velop the entire structure that the noble animals,
many of which were of high value'
C0l,|d not be driven out in time
r ;s „ to save them. There has been
much litigation over the losses
entailed by this disaster, but only
those points which are historically
important are here mentioned.
When Julian S. Rumsey part-
ed from Mayor Mason, as has
been related, he hastened to his
home, on the northeast corner of
Cass and Huron streets. He did
not think of partaking of break-
fast, to which he had a few min-
utes before invited the Mayor, for
he found his house in danger.
His daughters, appreciating the
situation, had already obtained
the garden-hose and were en-
wettmg the house and grounds The fire
w- then m sight although several block away
Mr. Rumsey instantly prepared for flight. The fatal'
delus.on wind, characterized so many persons-the be
gaged
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
74i
lief that their own property would be spared — did not
possess him. He had taken from his office some $40,000
in grain receipts. These papers, together with silver-
ware, were packed in baskets and placed in the daughter's
phaeton. A fine oil portrait of the late Hon. John
Bice Turner, Mrs. Rumsey's father, was also deposited
in the carriage, and this valuable load was driven in
safety to the West Side. Meanwhile, the fire advanced
northward. Blazing joists went whirling overhead, like
monster chain-shot from an infernal battery. A glance
toward the south revealed a wall of solid fire. In spite
of Mr. Rumsey's wise and deliberate preparation, his
family barely had time to escape alive, rushing through
the rear doors, into Cass Street, when the flames
descended on their beloved home. The flying party
undertook to go west, along Huron Street, but the
tempest drove them to the northward. They were
nearly suffocated with the gases which the heat so
rapidly and disastrously generated. To reach Chicago
Avenue seemed impossible. As Mr. Rumsey says, " It
was like going through fire itself." How they escaped
death is still a marvel to them. But even in the midst
of perils such as these, there are incidents full of un-
conscious humor. Just before they were driven from
the house, one of the daughters, then seven years old,
decided not to soil the fine dress she had on, and
hastily exchanged it for a commoner one, leaving the
childish prize to burn in the closet. Another, but five
years old, seized a small Swiss clock, and bore it safely
away. That memento of the night of terror is still re-
tained by the young lady. Mr. Rumsey's personal
experiences are illustrative of one phase of the great
disaster. He quitted his home so suddenly, on being
aroused by the alarm, that he left his watch under his
pillow. Subsequently his son, George D. Rumsey,
found the timepiece in the ruins. The hands were set,
RUINS OF GEOROE F. RUMSEY S HOUSE.
fused by the intense heat, at 3:30. indicating the time
when the flames devoured the house.
From the time Wright's stables were burned, the
fire made phenomenal and irresistible headway. It
will be seen that only thirty minutes were required to
reach Mr. Rumsey's house, about half a mile away.
Destruction of the Water-Works. — The pump-
ing-works were located on the block between Chicago
Avenue and Pearson Street, the engine buildings front-
ing Pine Street, at the northeast corner of Chicago
Avenue. The repair-shops, coal-house, barn, tunnel-
shaft and main buildings occupied an entire block,
about six hundred and eighty feet.
Lill's brewery occupied a corresponding block on the
south side of the avenue. This immense establishment
extended from Pine Street to the lake. Eighty feet out
into the lake, and seven hundred and seventy-five feet
east of Pine Street, stood a small building, twenty feel
square, sixteen feet high, used by the brewing company
as a paint and carpenter shop. It was built on piles
driven in the lake-bottom, and was considered so remote
and isolated as to in no way jeopardize the brewery.
Incredible as it may appear, this insignificant building
was the first to ignite on the North Side. Alone; placed
expressly to prevent conflagration ; and regarded as of
no importance, even in the event of its burning, — this
contemptible shell was ignited by the falling brands from
the South-side fire, then raging near the Court House.
At half- past one a. m., while little flames were flashing
up in various piles of dead leaves, and on State-street
bridge, this detached shed blazed into fierce fire. The
large force of men employed by the brewing company,
aided by reinforcements from the Water Works, promptly
endeavored to suppress the flames, but the shop burned
as if by magic. The adjacent buildings were left un-
harmed.
Thus far the pumping-works had escaped, and those
in charge took courage. They believed the edifice
would not be reached. Frank Trautman ('engineer), S.
W. Fuller ^time-keeper), D. W. Fuller, and others, were
on watch, guarding every exposed point to the best of
their ability. The heavens were ablaze, and huge masses
of fire fell in all directions. The men gazed with horror
at the sight, for it seemed as if the assault was hurled di-
rectly at the system of water supply. Mr. Trautman
held his engines in superb control, running at the rate
of thirty million gallons a day. The reservoir was full;
and, although the demand was great, and many breaks
had already occurred in the service pipes, the supply
was ample, so long as the works remained intact. Soon
after three o'clock, D. W. Fuller, who was standing just
north of the main building, noticed a fire-brand, ap-
parently twelve feet in length, whirling through the air,
directly toward the water-tower, located about one hun-
dred and fifty feet west of the engine building. The
blazing signal gyrated as it dashed itself against the pil-
lar at the northeast corner of the engine-house. In an
instant, the roof was aflame. Mr. Fuller glanced at his
watch; the time was exactly twenty minutes past three.
The men did everything they could to stay the progress
of the fire, but without avail. A few minutes before four
o'clock, they were driven from the buildings by the in-
tense heat.
The official report of the Board of Public Works, for
187 1, says :
" The tire reached tin- < ihicago Pumping-Worksat three o'clock
Monday morning.* The machinery, the buildings, and all con-
nected with this department were never in better condition than at
the time of the tire. It being on Sunday, the reservoirs were full of
water, and the supply therefore was unusually good. * * * Not-
withstanding the conflagration commenced several miles distant, and
at the time a fearful gale was blowing toward the Works, yet as the
walls of the building were of stone, the roof covered with slate, and
the whole structure generally quite as substantial as ordinary cir-
cumstances would require, besides being located in the center of a
block, with streets on three sides and the lake in the rear, there ap-
peared no immediate causi lor alarm or anxiety for the safety of the
* Mr. Fuller fixes the minute, in a manner that can not be disputed, at 3:20.
742
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
works. The rapid advance of the main body of fire created, how-
ever, an incessant ' shower ' of sparks and embers in our vicinity, ad-
monishing- those present to take every precaution at hand to guard
against destruction. With this view, a line of hose was laid from'
the hydrant, and men with buckets of water were stationed upon
the roof and between that and the ceiling. Notwithstanding these
precautions, the north end of the roof caught lire in several places,
but the flames were promptly subdued. The first building that
caught fire in the imme-
diate neighborhood was
a cooper and paint shop
on the lake shore, at least
six hundred feet distant.
At this time, with this
exception, there were no
buildings on fire for sev-
eral blocks south of the
Works. The roof of the
main building, as before
staled, was covered with
slate ; the bays, and that
portion adjoining the bat-
tlements, of stone, three
feet high, were covered
with tin. There was no
exterior woodwork in the
cornice or elsewhere.
1 lowever but a short time
elapsed before the roof
ignited, the fire commu-
nicated to the floors and
other woodwork, and the
interior became a mass
of flames. At this time,
Lilt's malt - house and
brewery, immediate'.)'
south, caught fire, and
the flames from these
buildings were driven by
the wind toward the
Wi irks, making sad havoc
with the Works, driving
the employes from their
posts. The flames, from
this time, spread with
such rapidity that the
whole neighborhood, for
blocks around, became a
'sea of fire.' Thus, at
about three o'clock on
the morning of the gth
of October, thepumping-
works became an utter
wreck. Nothing but the
naked walls of the build-
in.;, and the broken and
blackened skeletons of
three engines, were left to
mark the spot from which,
only a few hours before,
flowed millions of gallons
of pure water for the
comfort and convenience
of our citizens. The
tower was but
slightly damagi ■ :. \--
l Engineer Traut-
m.m, with the regular
night corps of firemen
and others. was on duty
at the time of the lire.
The men courageously
remained at in
until a portion of the roof
fell in. when the engines
wen- stopped, the fires hauled, and the safety-valves raised, leaving
the faithful men barely lime to escape from the burning building.
era were suspended bj ropes, which soon
burned, allowing the valves to < lose. This greatly endangered the
literally surrounded by lire. The main
Meampipi in diameter) was quickly melted off,
allowing the st< te from thi h rs, in i onsequence
of the whole neighborhood lame, il
was impossible longer to remain in the vicinity. * * * Al-
though the engim ibout three o'clock, the supply
of water continued from the reservoirs for some time thereafter."
Of the danger to the lake crib, Mr. Cregier said:
" This work, so far as is known, is in good order throughout,
underwater and ground. The slight temporary structures con-
nected with it above ground, on the land end, were destroyed by
fire, and the portion of the crib above water, though two miles
from the nearest part of the burned district, would have been burned,
in consequence of live coals carried to it by the wind, had not the
keeper watched them
during the night, and ex-
tinguished them. The
present crib, being so
largely of wood, is not
only combustible, but per-
ishable."
Individual Ex-
periences on THE
North Side. — The
perils, sufferings and
adventures which be-
fell the vast con-
course of people dur-
ing the frightful flight
from the burning city,
would fill many vol-
umes, if it were pos-
sible to gather all
that might be told.
That impracticable
task must be repre-
sented by a few char-
acteristic narratives,
ranging from that of
the millionaire, who
left behind him for-
tune, home, art treas-
ures, library and fine
establishments.to that
of the humble labor-
er, whose little all
would not have sold
for so much as a sin-
gle jewel in the cas-
kets of the rich.
The Experience of
Judge Lambert Tree.
— My residence, at the
time of the fire, was at
No. 282 Ohio Street, on
the south side of the
street, between Cass and
State streets. The mem-
bers of my household
consisted, at the time, of
my wife, my son Arthur,
then eight years of age,
my father, a man seventy
years old, and my sistet
Ellen, and servants. Wc
retired at about ten o'clock
Suntlay evening. At 13
o'clock I was awakened
by my wife, who told me
that a large lire seemed to
be raging in the South
Division, and, on going
to a window in the rear of
the house, I found a very
Serious conflagration was in progress in the direction of my office,
which was at the corner of LaSalle and Randolph streets. I
hastily dressed and hurried across the river. When I arrived at
the building where my office was located, the roof and cupola of
the Court House was already beginning to burn; several other
buildings south and west of the Court House were in flames, and
the air was full of sparks, cinders and pieces of flaming felt, torn
from the roofs of the houses, and being carried in a northeasterly
direction b) the wind, which was blowing a gale. 1 went up stairs
to my office, which was so light from the burning buildings in the
neighborhood that I found it unnecessary to turn on the gas. Un-
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
743
locking the safe, I took out as many papers and other things thai
I deemed valuable as I could stow in the pockets of my overcoat
and a small tin box, and then, locking il again, 1 started for home.
My route on my return was down Randolph to (lark, up that
street to Lake, along Lake to State, across State-street bridge, and
thence on North State until I reached Ohio Street. When I got
out of doors I found it literally raining fire. Along Randolph and
Clark streets canvas awnings in front of many of the stores, and in
several instances the large wooden signs, also, were burning.
Here and there, where the sparks had found a lodgement, small
jets of flames were darting out from wooden cornices on the tops
of buildings, while the sparks and cinders, which were constantly
falling upon the streets, were being whirled around in little eddies
and scattered down the basement stairways. As I crossed State-
street bridge, I observed an occasional plank burning in the
wooden footways of the bridge. Along North State and Ohio
streets, the dead leaves, which the wind had from time to time
caught up and deposited against and under the wooden sidewalks,
had been ignited in many places by the flying sparks, which had
in turn set fire to the sidewalks, so that every few yards tongues of
fire were starting up between the cracks in the boards. Up to the
time of reaching home, however, I could not discover that any
house was on fire on the North Side.
As soon as I reached my home I directed everybody to dress,
and prepare to leave, if necessary. I then went to the rear of the
house, and, on looking out of the window, observed that the rail-
road depot and Wright's livery stable, near the north end of State-
street bridge, were burning. When I passed there, less than ten
minutes afterward, the little wooden cottage on the west of me was
in flames. This cottage was four blocks north of Wright's livery
stable, and, as far as I could discover, there were no buildings in-
tervening between these two points which had yet taken fire; but
it was one of the characteristic features of the conflagration that
isolated buildings would catch fire several blocks in advance of the
main body of the flames, from the flying sparks and cinders. I
went upon the roof of my house, and ordered the servants to pass
me up buckets of water as fast as they could, thinking that if I wet
the roof thoroughly that would at least be a safeguard. In a few
moments, however, I became convinced that no amount of water
that I could command would save us. The sparks and flaming
felt were now flying as thickly on the North Side as I had, a short
time before, observed them in the South Division. The size of
some of this burning material hurled through the air seems almost
incredible. While on the roof of my house, a burning mass,
which was fully as large as an ordinary bed-pillow, passed over my
head. It fell upon the street, and on descending I had the curi-
osity to examine it, and found it to be a mass of matted hay. There
were also pieces of burning felt, some of which I should say were
fully a foot square, flying through the air, and dropping upon the
roofs of houses and barns. By this time (which was about half-
past two o'clock in the morning), a great many affrighted men, wo-
men, and children began to appear in the streets, hurrying along,
carrying large bundles in their arms and upon their backs, or drag-
ging trunks and boxes. Many of the neighbors were depositing
trunks, pictures, and other things which they could most readily
remove, into the grounds of H. H. Magie, on the opposite side of
the street, it being supposed that a space so remote from buildings
must be safe. Two of our servants, catching the general infection
to flee, dragged their trunks down stairs, and disappeared in the
street. It began to be apparent to the rest of us that we also
must seek a safer place. The burning cottage on the west of us,
which was now enveloped in flames, and one or two barns on our
premises, which had just taken fire, admonished us that our turn
would soon come. It was, therefore, determined that we should
cross the street, and join Mr. and Mrs. Magie at their house, where
we could await the further progress of events. It was now nearly
three o'clock, I should think. The ladies put on their bonnets,
and my wife, carrying a tin box containing her jewelry and some
other valuables, led the way, accompanied by my little son Arthur,
my father and sister, and a faithful French girl, who remained
with us through our subsequent adventures that night, and, by her
coolness and nerve, proved most serviceable. I remained behind a
few minutes to secure a trunk containing the family silver, and, as
I dragged it through the hall, I also thought I would save a por-
trait of my son, which was hanging in the parlor. Accordingly I
stepped in, cut the cords by which it was suspended, and carried it
in one hand, while I drew the trunk across the street with the
other. When half-way across the street, I turned and saw that we
had left the house with a full head of gas turned on in all the
rooms. It was hard to realize that we had left it for the last time.
When I reached Mr. Magie's garden, following the example "I
neighbors, I deposited my picture under a large tree, and it was
the last I ever saw of it. The trunk containing the silver met a
better fate. Not knowing exactly what to do with it, 1 delivered
it to Mr. Magie's gardener, old Matthew, whom I happened to run
across, witli directions to bury it. He obeyed my instructions, as
1 found out the next morning; and this was the only property
saved by tlie whole family.
I entered Mr. Magie's house by tin- back '1 , and, as I was
approaching it, I saw that his stable, which was back on Ontario
Street, was in flames. 1 found the family all assembled in the
library, together with the mother of Mrs. Sylvester S. Bliss, one of
our neighbors, who having become, i" some way, separated from
RUINS OF LILL & DIVERSY S BREWERY.
her own family, had, like ourselves, taken refuge in Mr. Magie's
house. We had been there only a few moments, when, on looking
out of the window. I discovered that the covered w len porch,
which stretched across the whole width of Mr. Magie's house, was
on fire, and urged that we should immediately depart, as it was
dangerous to remain a moment longer. All agreed to this, and
we started to leave — my wife, my son and myself leading the way.
We had scarcely got out of the door before we were assailed by a
hurricane of smoke, sparks and cinders, which nearly blinded and
suffocated us. Fearing separation, I grasped my wife by one hand
and my son by the other, and moved around to the west side of the
house, intending to pass through one of the gates on Ohio Street ;
but we had no sooner got from under the protection which the north
wall of the house afforded us, than we met the full force of this
hurricane of smoke and lire. My wife's and sister's bonnets and
my father's and son's hats were immediately blown from their
heads, while the cinders were falling upon heads, hands and faces,
and burning them, ft was impossible to get to the gate on Ohio
Street before being suffocated, and we instinctively turned and ran
towards the northeast comer of the block, thus turning our backs
to the smoke. I now observed that the paling fence, six feet high,
which surrounded the block, as well as the wo. .den sidewalks on
the outside of it, were on fire in many places, and that a great
number of bushes, shrubs, and plants, and several ..f tin trees, in
the grounds, were burning. As we moved along, to add to the
embarrassment of the situation, my wife and sister both showed
signs of fainting, and the French girl now had the other arm of my
wife, assisting her along.
Here I must record a circumstance which seemed almost prov-
idential at the time. There was no gate it the northeast diner of
the block. We were simply driven in that direction by the storm
of fire and smoke, because we could go in no other. I was, there-
fore, feeling very anxious about what we should be able t.. do after
arriving at the fence, when, as we got within a few steps of it about
twenty feet of the fence fell over upon the sidewalk, and made a
passage way for us. This was undoubtedly caused by the p. .sis
having been burned away, in part, near the ground, and the fury of
the storm against the fence with its weakened supports. The fence
fell upon the sidewalk, which was in full blaze, and thus M e passed
over it. The skirl ..I nn wife's dress look lire as we went through
the flames, and I lore it off.
744
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
When we had reached the street, and counted our party, we
found, to our horror, that neither Mr. nor Mrs. Magie were with us.
It seemed, as we afterward learned, that instead of following; us, as
we had supposed when we all started from the house, they lingered
behind for a few moments, and thus got separated from us. It was
as impossible to go back then as it would have been to have crossed
a sea of tire, and there was nothing to do but to continue our
flight. Our party, as we stood at the corner of Cass and Ontario
streets, consisted of those I have mentioned already as having left
mv house to go to Mr. Magie's, with
the addition of the mother of Mrs.
Bliss. I also discovered, when we
reached the street, that my wife in
her fright had thrown away, in the
grounds, the box which contained
her jewelry and other valu-
ables. It was too late to
go back for it. My wife, Jjjpll
sister, son, and the mother
RUINS, STATE AND INDIANA STREETS.
of Mrs. Bliss were all slightly burned about their heads, hands
and faces, and the clothes of all of us had numerous holes burned
in them. My wife, sister and son were also hatless. Beyond this we
were all right: and we hastened eastward along Ontario Street,
doubly oppressed by the feeling of uncertainty which now weighed
upon us all as to the fate of Mr. and Mrs. .Magie. Looking behind
me, everything was enveloped in clouds of smoke and sparks, and,
here and there, a neighbor's house was in flames.
We continued along Ontario Street until we struck the vacant
grounds on the shore of the lake. These grounds then occupied a
space from St. Clair Street to the lake, and from Superior to about
Indiana or Illinois Street, covering many acres perhaps forty or
fifty. On the north were Lill's brewery and the Water Works,
running to the water's edge, and preventing anv advance beyond
Superior Street in that direction, especially as both of these build-
ings were then on fire ; on the south were one or two planing-mills
and numerous lumber-yards, extending to the river. When we
arrived on the lake shore we found thousands of men, women and
children, and hundreds of horses and dogs, who had already fled
there for refuge. The grounds were dotted all over, at short inter-
vals, with piles of trunks, chairs, tables, beds and houshold furni-
ture of every description. It seemed as if this great open space,
with nothing but the broad lake on the east of us, ought to be safe;
and yet there, a few hours later, and for the second time that morn-
ing, we nearly perished from suffocation.
It was between three and four o'clock when we arrived on the
grounds. We stood among the crowd, watching the fire as it
advanced and gradually encircled us, until the whole city in every
direction, looking north, west and south, was a mass of smoke and
flames. The crowd itself was a study. In some instances whole
families were huddled around their little piles of furniture, which
was all they had left, that morning, of their yesterday's home.
Here and there a mother sat upon the ground, clinging to her
infant, with one or more little ones, who, exhausted by the pro-
longed interruptions to their slumbers, were now sleeping, with
their heads reclining on her lap, as peacefully as if nothing unusual
was transpiring. Several invalids lay helplessly stretched upon
mattresses, but still surrounded by relatives and friends, who were
• ring to soothe their fears. One young girl sat near me,
with a cage containing a canary bird in her lap, whose life she was
seeking to protect. She had covered the cage with her shawl, and
from time to time raised it lo see if the bird was all right. An hour
OT two later, while she was moving to a place of greater safety, I
saw her little pet tumble from its perch to the bottom of the cage.
It was dead ; and the poor child, who doubtless had met her first
sorrow, burst into tears. There was also something of that demor-
alization visible which, it is said, so often crops out when the good
ship has struck upon a lee-shore and total shipwreck is inevitable.
Some men and women who had found liquor among the household
stores there, and who sought to drown their present woes in the
bottle, were now reeling about, drunk ; while, in several other
instances, rough-looking men were going around, breaking open
and rifling trunks and boxes. Judges of courts and
police officers were there, but they only formed so
many units in that stricken assemblage, and their au-
thority that morning was 1.0 greater than that of any
other man upon the ground. A poor woman, extremely
ill, who had been brought down on a mattress, died in
the midst of a mixed crowd of men, women and chil-
dren ; and, although the fact that she had died was
understood in the vicinity of where she lay, it did not
seem to excite the sensation of horror which one
would ordinarily expect at the happening of an event
like this, under such circumstances ; on the contrary, a
knowledge of the fact seemed to be received with com-
parative indifference. Yet, so solemn an incident as
the transition from life to death of a human being, in
the presence of the same people differently situated,
would doubtless have excited the profoundest sympa-
thy and kindest attention to the friends who stood
hovering around the body. That such an event could
occur in the midst of such a class of persons, and
cause no greater attention than it did, simply furnishes
an illustration of the state of people's minds and the
immediate danger in which they believed themselves to
be standing that morning.
The sparks and cinders were falling as fast and
thick as hailstones in a storm ; and, soon after day-
light, to add to our discomfort and danger, the piles
of household stuff, which covered the ground every-
where, began to burn. Among this stuff were many
feather beds and hair mattresses, and the heat and
smoke became so intense that we were obliged, from
time to time, to change our position to one nearer the
water. An hour later, and the immense piles of lum-
ber on the south of us were all afire, and then came the
period of our greatest trial. Dense clouds of smoke and cinders
rolled over and enveloped us, and it seemed almost impossible to
breathe. Mar. and beast alike rushed to the water's edge, and into
the water, to avoid suffocation. There was a mixed mass of human
beings, horses; dogs, truck-wagons and vehicles of all descriptions
there. Some persons drove their horses into the lake as far as the
poor beasts could safely go, and men, women and children waded
out and clambered upon the wagons to which the horses were
attached, while the lake was lined with people who were standing
in the water at various depths, from their knees to their waists, all
with their backs to the storm of fire which raged behind them.
We remained in this position several hours, until the lumber
yards were substantially destroyed and the intensity of the heat
and smoke had, in some measure, subsided. I then moved slowly,
with my family, north along the water's edge as far as the foot of
Superior Street — which, indeed, was as far north as one could go on
the lake shore, the burning ruins of Lill's brewery and dock making
a bar to further progress in that direction. At the foot of Superior
Street, there was a wooden one-story shanty, which had been
erected for some manufacturing purpose, and which, by some sort
of miracle, had escaped the fire ; and as we were all suffering
intensely with our eyes, in consequence of the heat and smoke to
which they had been subjected, we determined to enter the place.
We found it already very much crowded with people, and, after
trying it for a short time, concluded that the open air, even with
the heat and smoke, could be no worse ; and therefore came out
and sought a position behind the north wall of Superior Street,
which had been extended quite to the lake shore. My wife, being
very much fatigued, took a seat on the ground, but had been there
only a few moments, when I discovered that her clothes were on
fire. I immediately raised her, and succeeded in extinguishing the
fire with my hands. We became satisfied that the safest place was
on our feet, moving around, and waiting patiently until relief should
come.
Between five and six o'clock in the afternoon I discovered a
vehicle emerging from the smoke which still enveloped the city,
although all the houses in this portion of it had already been de-
stroyed. It was coming down Superior Street toward the lake, and I
ran forward to meet it. It proved to be a covered one-horse grocery
wagon; and I soon bargained with its driver to take as many as
we could get into it, to the West Side, for ten dollars. Accord-
ingly, my wife, son, father, sister, the mother of Mrs. Bliss, the
French girl and myself, and also Mr. and Mrs. Butterfield, theit
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
745
daughter Clara, and their son Justin, with his pet goat, which he
had been carefully trying to shelter and protect through the day,
all packed ourselves into the wagon, and started for the West Side.
The smoke was still so dense that we could see but little, and
really had to grope our way along; but we saw enough to know that
the North Side, at least, was destroyed, and that all that was left of
the thousands of happy homes of the day before, were a few chim-
ney stacks and an occasional broken and cracked wall. All the
rest lay in the smoldering embers and tangled de;bris of the cel-
lars. Our course was taken along Superior Street to Clark, down
Clark to Kinzie, and across Kinzie-street bridge, which for-
tunately escaped the fire, to the West Side. When we arrived on
the west side of the river, the driver asked me where we wanted to
go That question puzzled us all. We did not know. Any-
where, so that we could get a night's shelter and something to eat.
It was now seven o'clock, and the last time that any of my family
had partaken of food was at our five o'clock dinner on the preced-
ing evening, twenty-six hours before. The man drove us up
Washington Street, and stopped in front of a house, which he said
was a boarding-house. While descending from the wagon, I was rec-
ognized by Mr. Charles Gray, who kindly invited my family, all he
could accommodate, to come to his house, which was in the imme-
diate vicinity, and where we were most hospitably treated by him
and his wife, and everything they could think of to make us com-
fortable was done for us. Mr. and Mrs. Butterfield, and the rest,
found quarters at the boarding-house.
That night was an extremely anxious one to all of us. Every-
one felt nervous lest some change of wind might cause another
conflagration on the West Side ; and as the supply of water was
now entirely cut off, it could not be otherwise than disastrous.
The streets were patrolled by citizens, who had organized them
into districts for the purpose ; and I, although somewhat fatigued,
walked the district in which we were staying the greater part of
the night. So timid did every one feel about fire, that smoking
was prohibited on the streets ; and it was one of the duties of the
patrol to see that this regulation was carried out. An idea seemed
also to prevail in the public mind that we stood in peril of in-
cendiarism. I did not remove my clothes during the night.
At daybreak, I hailed an express wagon, and drove over to
the North Side, to see if I could find the trunk of silver which I
had directed to be buried. When we reached the North Side,
everything was the picture of desolation. Not a house remained to
the north, south or east of Wells Street, as far as the eye could
reach, save only that of Mahlon D. Ogden. The telegraph wires
MAHI.ON D. OGDEN
RESIDENCE.
fay curled and tangled upon the streets, and here and there was a
dead horse, cow or animal of some kind, which had been overtaken
by the fire, and perished. I saw that morning, however, but one
dead human body, and that was on Dearborn, between Ohio and
Ontario streets. It was burned beyond recognition. When I
reached Mr. Magie's grounds, I found that old Matthew had faith-
fully executed my orders, and that the trunk and its contents were
safe; and this was the only piece of personal property which re-
mained to us after the fire'. I put it into the express wagon, and
drove back to Mr. I tray's house, where we all sat down to an excel-
lent breakfast.
I will now return to Mr. and Mrs. Magie. Their Story, as
related by themselves, is, that instead of following ns out of the
house, as we supposed at the lime, they remained a few moments,
to gather up a few keepsakes. That when they did come out. they
encountered the same tornado which we had experienced, and were
also driven back in their attempt to pass .nit of the gates on Ohio
Street. They then, instead of going to the northeast corner of the
block, as we hail done, went to the northwest corner of it, where
an immense elm tree stood, and which they thought would give
hem some shelter from the sparks and cinders which were falling
upon and burning them terribly. After they had remained in this
position for a short time, and when they supposed they were lost,
they discovered a hole burned in the bottom of the fence on the
State Street side, three or four feet long and two or three feel high,
through which they crawled, and thus escaped into the street.
They were by this time, however, badly burned upon their ears,
noses, hands and limbs. They made their way up Stale Street to
Chicago Avenue, along that street to LaSalle, and up the last street
some distance, when a friendly door was thrown open to them.
They had only been there a few hours, however, when the house
in which they had taken refuge was threatened with destruction by
the advancing fire, and they were obliged again to seek a place of
safety. Following the crowd of fugitives northward as rapidly as
their blistered limbs would permit, they reached North Avenue,
along which they walked until they found themselves, late in the
afternoon, on the western outskirts of the city, completely exhausted
by fatigue and suffering. (It should be stated that Mr. ami Mrs.
Magie were both approaching seventy years of age at the time.)
While standing upon the road not knowing what to do, they were
met by Dr. Gillett, a gentleman who had known Mr. Magie in
former years, and now recognized him. He kindly procured an
express wagon, the only conveyance which was to be had, and
assisting Mr. and Mrs. 'Magie into it, drove them immediately to
his own house; so that, in addition to a comfortable shelter that
night, the burns of Mr. and Mrs. Magie, which had now become
most painful, received immediate and skillful medical attention
from Dr. Gillett. Such was the total disorganization of the city
immediately after the fire, that it was only after three days ol the
most diligent search, that we were able to learn whether Mr. and
Mrs. Magie were still alive, and of their whereabouts. On finding
them, we were all united under the hospitable roof of Mr. Man-
ford, where we remained a few days and until we could find a
house to rent, which was no easy matter at that time.
Narrative ok Arthur M. Kinzie.* — I had been, for the
two years previous to October, 1871, at the North Manitou Island,
near the lower end of Lake Michigan. Having decided to return
to Chicago, I arrived here with my family and household g Is on
Friday, October 6th, and took up quarters temporarily at the resi-
dence of my uncle, Colonel Robert A. Kinzie, on Ontario Street,
nearly opposite the Historical Society's building, between Clark and
Dearborn streets. All of our furniture and effects were placed in a
storage warehouse, corner of Cass and Michigan streets, I having
refused an offer to store them on the West Side, because the budd-
ing was of wood, and I was afraid they might be burned before we
got settled in a house of our own.
On Sunday evening I had been on the South Side visiting my
brother, and was returning home between eight and nine o'clock,
when the fire alarm was sounded. After I had reached home and
saw how rapidly the fire was increasing, I left the house and went
toward the lire. I sat at the south entrance of the LaSalle-street
tunnel for some time, until the buildings southwest of the Court-
house square took fire, and then started home, convinced that the
fire would sweep all the way to the Illinois Central depot, but not
for an instant believing it would cross the river. I remember think-
ing how scared a woman must be who, at the north entrance of
the tunnel, asked me if 1 thought the fire would reach there.
On arriving at Colonel Kinzie's, I found that he had jusl re-
turned, having been over to his office, at the United States Army
headquarters, to secure some valuable vouchers, which he barely
succeeded in accomplishing, and that our wives had gone to look .,t
the fire 1 retired to my room, and sat reading for some time,
when, on looking out of the window toward the south, I saw that the
fire was on the North Side. My wife had not returned, so I aroused
my two children, and commenced to dress them. At this time the
policemen on duty were going from house to house rapping on the
doors and telling the people not to go to bed, but to be ready to move
on short notice. In a short tinfe my wife and aunt relumed, ami
stated that they had been trying to stamp out the fire in the leaves
around Magie's place.
At this" juncture, Mrs. Captain Johnson came running in, wild
with excitement, ami asking us all if our clothes were insured,
rushed away again. Just then a boy pounded on the door, rang
* Son of John H. Kinzie, om ofthi 1 arly settlers of Chicago.
746
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
the bell furiously, and shouted, " Mr. Kinzie your house is on fire ! "
Hastily running up stairs to the back of the house, I found it to be
a fact, and seizing a blanket from the bed, I took one of the chil-
dren, my wife taking the other, and we left the house — to go, we
knew not where. Turning north on Dearborn Avenue, we walked
slowly along, scarcely realizing that we were not to return shortly,
as if nothing had happened of a serious nature. When we arrived
opposite Mr. Mahlon D. Ogden's house, my wife suggested going
in there until the fire was over: but as I could not see how that was
any safer place than where we had left, I decided to move on. A
short distance farther on my wife declared she must stop and rest
and get a drink of water, so we went into Obadiah Jackson's house,
which we were passing at that time. Mrs. Jackson was very kind,
but there was no water to be obtained, the Water Works having
ceased operating. She had, however, some very nice bottled ale,
which she gave us; and as we were enjoying that and resting, the
gas suddenly went out and we were left in darkness. Mr. Jack-
son's carriage was at the door, and Mrs. Jackson was busy packing
the silver, and such articles as they could carry with them, intend-
ing to depart as soon as the near approach of the fire forced them
to do so. After resting a while longer, we started on again. Every
block or two we would sit down on the edge of the sidewalk, and
rest until the fire made us move onward. Very little was said by
anyone; there was no loud talking or shouting, though the streets
were crowded with people and vehicles of every description, loaded
with every conceivable kind of luggage. I saw one man carrying
the rubber tube and broken standard of a drop-light; another was
trundling a wheelbarrow on which was a cook stove, while on his
back was a huge feather bed. One woman had a live hen in her
arms, several had cats, and numbers had canary birds in cages. We
met Dr. Tolman Wheeler pulling a trunk along the sidewalk by one
of the straps; and as he was going directly toward the fire instead
of away from it, I turned him around and started him in the right
direction.
Just after daylight, we reached the corner of Clark Street and
North Avenue. At that place we found Hon. John Wentworth,
accompanied by a boy carrying his black leather bag, whom he
informed us was a bell-boy from the Tremont House that he
had impressed into his services when he left the hotel. We con-
sulted as to the best route to take. He advocated going west
across the river, as by so doing we would get out of the track of
the flames and eventually arrive at a place of safety. My idea
was to push on to Lake View, where we had friends, and trust to
the fire burning itself out before it got that far. And so we part-
ed, each taking the route we had decided upon. 'At this time the
whole appearance of things was most unnatural and solemn.
The crowded streets and sidewalks ; the incongruous heaps of hu-
manity; the dust and smoke driven by the fierce gale which, with
increasing force, was sweeping from the southwest; the lurid glare
from the flames; and the silence which everyone maintained as
they trudged wearily along, not knowing where they were going,
nor where their enforced journey would end; together with the
ever-falling sparks from the unrelenting and resistless wall of fire
behind us, continually impelling us forward, all tended to make the
scene one never to be forgotten, but impossible to fully describe.
A ^hort time after leaving Mr. Wentworth and his bng-bearer,
we took possession of an empty omnibus; and leaving my wife and
children therein, I repaired to a livery stable near at hand, to see if
I could make a bargain for some sort of a conveyance to move us
more comfortably from the immediate vicinity of the fire. The pro-
prietor did not give up the hope that, somehow or other, his
property would be spared, so he would njjt let anything go out until
he had to move altogether. " If I was a mind to wait," he said,
"until the fire made him travel, he would give me a lift." No
offers of any price could move him from that decision. I heard
afterward that he waited so long that he lost most of his stock.
When I returned to the omnibus, I found Mr. Thomas L, Forrest
talking to my wife, and he kindly invited us to his house, a square
or two distant, to rest and have some breakfast. This we gladly con-
sented to do, Mr. Forrest and myself went up on the roof of his
house. The sight was truly awful ! Towards the south nothing to
I but what seemed a solid wave of smoke and fire rolling
slowly towards us, the latter darting and leaping upward, it seemed,
hundreds of feet. The wind was SO Strong that we could not stand
on the roof without holding on to something. When we were
moving along Wells Street I could see, as I looked back occasionally,
the lire make a jump across the street from west to east and strike a
building ; the front would melt away, exactly as a sheet of paper
laid on a bed of burning coals will smoulder awhile, then suddenly
flash up, and be gone. I also observed burning pieces of boards
sailing along, high over our heads, that were certainly six feet long
and as many inches wide.
When it became evident, lati i in the 'lay, that our kind host's
refuge would soon become untenantable, we resumed our enforced
pilgrimage. Before we left there, I was out on the street, when I
was accosted by Ira Bowen, seated in a one-horse wagon loaded
with his Lares and Penates, who said, with the tears making light-
colored streaks down his dusky cheeks, " Arth., have you seen my
wife and baby ? I've lost them ! " I answered, " No," and inquired
where he had lost them. He said that he had got into his store
wagon, put his wife and baby into his carriage, and told the driver
to follow him, but, on looking around a short while before, they
were nowhere to be seen. He said, "My store is burned ; my house
is burned; everything is burned; but I won't care for it all, if I can
only find my wife and baby." I asked him where he was intending
to go when he started, and he said he thought of going to Mrs.
Reynolds's. He said he had not been there yet, so I suggested that
he do so ; and he found them there.
The rest of the trip to the city limits was much the same as the
first part of the journey. We saw thousands encamped in Lincoln
Park, each group surrounded by the few household effects they had
been able to save and transport to that place. On arriving at the
city limits, we found Colonel Robert Kinzie's family comfortably
settled at the hospitable mansion of Robert Clarke, who, with his
family, were busily engaged cooking and distributing food to the
famishing refugees who crowded the grounds and adjacent street.
After remaining a short time we accepted the invitation of John
Hunter, the conductor of the Lake View dummy, to make his house
at Graceland our home, and reached there about dark, Monday
evening. The neighboring woods contained a goodly number of
outcasts, and the street cars, which had been run up there for
safety, made a comfortable shelter for many. A number of the in-
habitants of that vicinity were at work with plows and spades, dig-
ging trenches and ditches to prevent the fire from passing through
Wright's Woods. During the evening the prairie to the west of us
took fire, and we began to think that, after all, the lake would be
the only sure refuge from the devouring element. That fire, how-
ever, shortly burned itself out, which relieved our minds very much.
About midnight I heard some one call my name, and running out,
I found, with what gratitude to God no one can tell, a carriage
containing my brother George and my brother-in-law, who had
started at noon, on Monday, from Indiana Avenue near Twelfth
Street, and by driving around on the West Side, and thence to the
North Side, had succeeded in getting in front of the fire and track-
ing us to that place. The carriage was loaded with p-ovisions and
jugs of water. I hastily gathered my family, and bidding adieu to
our kind entertainers, we started for my wife's sister's, on the South
Side. In passing through the vacant part of the northwest side, we
distributed our provisions and water to those we could find of the
sick, who were encamped in large numbers in that vicinity. We
saw in one place a very sick man. His wife was attending him,
and had obtained an old piano packing-case, which she had placed
on its side, with the bottom toward the wind, and made a bed for
her husband inside. A piece of candle fastened to a wire, hung
from the top, by the light of which she was reading to him. Her
greatest trouble was want of water, and when we gave her a jug-
ful, her gratitude knew no bounds. It was a strange sight as we
passed through the burned district that night. All the squares
formerly built up solidly were now so many black excavations,
while the streets had the appearance of raised turnpikes intersecting
each other on a level prairie. All the coal yards were still burning,
and gave light enough to travel without difficulty. About daylight,
on Tuesday, we reached our destination, truly thankful that we had
escaped with our lives, and were provided with shelter and kind
friends, while so many were without either at that terrible time.
George Payson's Narrative. — In October, 1S71, I was
living at No. 248 North LaSallc Street. At half-past two in the
morning of October 9, we were awakened and informed that there
was a great fire down town, and that the Court House had just
fallen. I dressed in the utmost haste, and in twenty minutes was
at my office, No. 39 South Clark Street. I ran into my office and
looked around. A fireproof safe stood in one of the rooms, stuffed
full of valuable papers. I could not move that, nor did I think it
necessary, for it would be safe of course. It never occurred to me
that when we came to open it, as we did a week after, we should
find nothing but a mass of cinders. I had nothing but my own
hands, and it was little enough that I could carry away in them. I
fixed on two volumes of Freeman's Illinois Digest, which I had
owned for years, and nearly filled with marginal notes, and a large
manuscript volume of briefs, which I valued more for the labor
they had cost than for any good they might afterward do me.
With these books under my arm, I started to return to the North
Side. The lights were out in the LaSalle-street tunnel, and the
light of the fire could not penetrate the narrow passage. I still
seem to hear the oft repeated cry of " Keep to the right," " Keep
to the right," by which the hurrying fugitives gave each other no-
tice of their approach. * * *
From time to time I went to see how the fire was advancing,
lis progress was by no means as rapid as is sometimes supposed.
It consumed about eight hours in traveling over the space be-
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
747
twccn my house and the Court House, and this dilatory movement
oecasionally inspired hopes that it might in sour- way be checked.
At Chicago Avenue, on account of its great width, there was some
thought of making a formal attempt to stay the advance of the
flames by tearing down the houses on the south side of the street ;
but there was no one with authority to direct operations, and the
work was abandoned almost as soon as it was begun.
About six o'clock, Mr. Charles A. Gregory drove up to my
door with a horse and buggy, and kindly offered to take my wife
and baby to a place of safety. I gladly accepted this offer, and he
accordingly took them, with the nurse, to the house of C. N. A.
Hutchinson, just north of Lincoln Park, and about two miles from
my home, where it was supposed they would be entirely beyond
the reach of danger. I remained with my boy to look after the
house, which I yet hoped might in some way be preserved, and
which I was determined at all events to guard from the thieves,
who were now hard at work seeking to profit by the common mis-
fortune. To make sure of our clothing, however, I removed that
to the house of Dr. Clark, on Wells Street, and a little farther
from the fire than my own. This gentleman was the owner of a
large number of rare and valuable pictures, which he had been col-
lecting for years, and most of which, I was sorry to learn after-
ward, were destroyed.
About ten o'clock, my wife surprised me by returning to our
house. Having no longer any fear for her baby, she had become
anxious on our account, and could not help coming to look after
us. I went with her to the house of Dr. Clark, and, leaving her
there, hastened back to my house, to make one final effort for its
preservation.
As I have already stated, the fire on the North Side began
near the lake, half a mile east of LaSalle Street, and burned first
all the houses in that direction. A second detachment then came
up from the south and destroyed another line of houses parallel to
the first, and so on till the work was complete, like reapers in a field
of wheat. Thus it happened that the houses opposite, on the east
side of LaSalle Street, burned long before my own, and, from my
front windows. I saw it all. A large English ivy that we had
been training for years covered nearly the whole front of our par-
lor. As the windows grew hotter and hotter from the lire oppo-
site, I took down this ivy and laid it all out on the floor, if not to
save it, at least to postpone its fate as long as possible. I re-
mained in my house till long after all those opposite had burned to
the ground, and till the fire had come up in the rear, forgetting
that there might be my only way of escape. In the meantime I
made a feeble attempt to save the house. I knocked down the
wooden steps that led up to the back door, and covered with
blankets the doors that led down into the cellar. Having a bath-
tub half full of water, I brought down a pailful to throw upon the
blankets. As I opened the back door for that purpose, I saw the
fire coming along the rear of the block with wonderful rapidity. A
long arm of flame, seemingly without support, would dart out
through the air; one touch of its finger, and instantly the wooden
balconies, fences and outbuildings were in a blaze. A lucifer match
does not burn more quickly. Suddenly I received a blow in my
face, as from some solid body, that almost knocked me off my feet.
It «ras another burst of flame that came, I could not tell whence,
but it was enough to show me that I could not delay where I was
much longer. I hastily closed the door, but the next moment it
was bored through by the flames in a dozen places, as if it had
been so much tissue paper. I saw then that this was the end of it.
As the hre came into the house at the back, I ran out at the front,
into the burning street. The fence by the side of the door was
already blazing, but happily the sidewalk had not yet caught. That
was the last I saw of my house till I came, some days later, to sur-
vey the ruins, and to moralize, as I suppose so many others have
done, over the spot where once had been a pleasant home, but
now only a heap of bricks, with the fire still smouldering beneath.
Arrived once more at Dr Clark's, we all refreshed ourselves
with the tea Mrs. Clark was thoughtful enough to offer us, and
then started on our way to the house of Dr. George E. Shipman,
on Peoria Street, between Randolph and Lake, on the West Side,
about three miles away. Burdened as I was with my impedimenta.
I could not move fast enough to suit my wife, who was impatient
to get to Dr. Shipman's, in order to send some one from there in
search of our little girl. She accordingly left us, and went on
alone, while we followed more slowly after. We went by way of
Division Street, that being the nearest bridge that was then pass-
able. There, too, were thronging thousands, seeking, like us, the
nearest way of escape.
It was about five o'clock when we at length arrived at Dr.
Shipman's. My wife had reached there, after a very exhausting
journey, some hours before, and had dispati hed a messengei as
soon as possible in search of our absent child lie brought back
only the dismal tidings that Mr Hutchinson's family also had at
last been compelled to fly, but where they had gone was mure than
he could tell, I lay that night on the parlor floor but not to
sleep. \-i one knew how sunn we might be again aroused. The
horrors through which we had passed, our fears (nr the future, our
anxiety for our little girl, all conspired to keep US in a state of the
must intense excitement.
Early the next morning. 1 started with I >r. Shipman's horse
and buggy in search of my child. Mr. Hutchinson's house,
whither I first proceeded, was in ashes, as was also that of I »r.
Foster, just north of it. Where should I now go? was the next
question As the natural course of the fugitives would lie in that
direction, I concluded to go north into Lake View. The house of
Mr. Daniel Goodwin, near the lake shore, was the only place I could
think of where Mr. Gregory would haw been likely to seek refuge;
but here too I was disappointed. The house was standing, the
fire not having gone so far, but those I sought were not there.
nor any one who could give me any information of them.
But a little farther on I met Mr. Mahlon I). Ogden, and learned
from him that Mr. Gregory had taken his family out to Emanuel
House, a large building occupied as a school, and standing several
miles away by itself in the open prairie. My poor horse was by
this time well nigh exhausted ; but as I now felt sure that I had
nearly reached the end of my journey, I pushed on over a wretched
road, till Emanuel House at last came in sight, within the walls of
which I felt sure of finding the fugitives. But they were not there.
They had left the house with Mr. Hutchinson the evening before —
RUINS, C. H. MCCORMICK S RESIDENCE.
that was all I could learn. I drove back to Lake View, without
any idea where to look next, and almost in despair. It seemed as
if my search would be in vain, and I should have to go back alone.
But just then I met Mr. Greenleaf, formerly clerk of the < ircuit
Court, with whom I was fortunately well acquainted, lie slopped,
as we were about to pass each other, and asked me if I had found
my child and nurse. "No," I cried; "do you know anything
about them?" "Yes," said he; "I carried them last evening to
the house of Mr. Ward, down here on the lake shore." It was
even so. He had found them wandering aimlessly along the road
the evening before, not knowing where to turn ; and, after everyone
els..- had refused to render them any assistance, he had taken them to a
place of rest and safety. He now gave me the necessary direc-
tions— the house was nol far iwa) ; and as I drove up to tl
my little girl, in her nurse's arms, was smiling at me from the
window. I found nut then how much harder it is to bear joy than
pain. That night we were all united.
The history of the next week is known to everyone. It was a
week of constant fear and excitement. At night, the light of the
huge piles of coal, that continued to burn Ion- after the last house
had fallen, tilled the sky, constantly causing new alarm. Every
hour brought in fresh accounts ol incendiaries caught in the very
act — accounts so minute and direct that it was almost impossible
not to believe them. The destruction of the Water Works, and
the consequent want of all means for putting out any second fire
greatly increased our anxiety. All that week I never und
and hardly slept, not knowing Inn what at anj m I we might
be driven to seek safet) in tin- open prairie. In an icipation ol
such an event, we arranged our plans and mapped out the best
743
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
line of Right, so that we might all meet, at least, at the same
point. But the week passed away, and then another ; the Water
Works were repaired : the troops came to give us courage, if they
did nothing else; sympathy and money and clothing came pouring
in upon us : we all at once found out that the world was very big,
and that Chicago, though so often scoffed at, was not without many
to love her. And so, by slow degrees, our life flowed back into its
old channels.
Experience of Hon. Isaac N. Arnold. — The
eminent social and professional rank held by Mr. Ar-
nold renders his narrative valuable as a type, while the
peculiar adventures of the family, without parallel so
far as we have been able to learn, add a romantic
touch which enlivens the story with thrilling interest.
Why Mr. Arnold chose to ascend the river, between the
still burning tracts, instead of going southward on the
lake, is a question that naturally suggests itself ; but at
that time the lake was enveloped in a cloud of smoke
and lire, from the burning South Side, and navigation
thereon was exceedingly hazardous. Among the many
elegant homes which graced a portion of the North
Side, there were few that surpassed the Arnold mansion
in the appointments which attend a cultivated and in-
tellectual taste. Mr. Arnold enjoyed the fruits of a life
devoted to mental labor, as a lawyer of distinction, a
litterateur and a public man. He was the friend and
biographer of Abraham Lincoln. His spacious home,
with its grounds, occupied the whole block bounded by
Erie, Huron, Pine and Rush streets. The grounds were
filled with beautiful shrubbery and trees, and entirely
secluded by a luxuriant lilac hedge. Perhaps the most
noticeable feature was the vines of wild grape, Virginia
creeper, and bitter-sweet, which hung in graceful
festoons from the massive elms, and covered with their
dense foliage piazzas and summer houses. There was
a quaint fountain playing in front, beneath a perfect
bower of overhanging vines. A great rock, upon
which had been rudely carved the features of an Indian
chief, had been pierced, and over the head of the eld
chief the water of Lake Michigan was always throwing
its spray. On one side of the entrance was a little
greenhouse, gay with flowers. Two vineries of choice
varieties of foreign grapes, and a large greenhouse and
barn, constituted the out-buildings. On the lawn was
a sun-dial with the inscription,
"floras non numcro nisi scrfnas."*
Alas! the tablet vindicated its motto but too well.
It was broken by the heat or in the melee which accom-
panied the fire, and the dark hours which have followed
pass by without its reckoning.
The failure of Mr. Arnold to save anything, was the result of
a most determined effort to save everything, and his too confident
belief that he could succeed. Nor did this confidence seem to be
unreasonable. Ills house, standing in the center of an open block,
with a wide street, and the Newberry Block, with only one house,
in front, and the Ogden Block, with only one house, to the right,
directly in the pathway of the flames — it is not surprising that he
believed he could save his home. Besides, he had connections by
ith hydrants, both in front and rear of his house. Mrs.
Arnold had placed what proved a better estimate upon the danger ;
and, calling up the family, and dressing little Alice, a child of
eight years, she left tin- house, and went to her daughter's (Mrs.
Scudder), leaving Mr. Arnold and the remainder of the family —
consisting of an older daughter, a lad of thirteen, a school-girl of
..iii the battle with the flames.
There was a sea of fire to the smith anil southwest ; the wind
blew a perfect gale, carrying smoke and sparks, shingles, pieces
of lumber and roofs, directly over the house. Everything was
parched and as dry as tinder. The leaves from the trees and
shrubbef ground. Mr. Arnold turned on the water
to the fountains, to wit the ground and gras,, and attached the
i the hydrants. lb- stationed tin- servants on each side of
the house, and others on the piazzas, and for an hour and a half —
• *' 1 number none but Krent (or (pappy) hours,"
perhaps two hours — was able, by the utmost vigilance and exertion,
to extinguish the flames as often as they caught. During all this
time, the lire was falling in torrents — there was literally a rain of
fire. It caught in the dry leaves, it caught in the grass, in the
barn, in the piazzas ; and, as often as it caught, it was extinguished
before it made any headway. When the barn first caught, the
horses and cow were removed to the lawn. The fight was success-
fully maintained until three o'clock in the morning. Every moment
flakes of fire, falling upon dry wood, would be kindled by the high
wind into a rapid blaze, and the next instant they would be ex-
tinguished. Every moment, the contest grew warmer, and more
desperate, until, by three o'clock, the defenders of the castle were
becoming seriously exhausted. At the hour mentioned, Arthur
Arnold called to his father, "The barn and hay are on fire!"
"The leaves are on fire on the east side !" said the gardener.
"The front piazza is in a blaze !" cried another. "The front
greenhouse is in flames ! " " The roof is on fire ! " " The water has
stopped ! " was the last appalling announcement. " Now, for the
first time," said Mr. Arnold, " I gave up all hopes of saving my
home, and considered whether we could save any of its contents.
My pictures, papers, and books — could I save them?" An effort
was made to cut down some portraits, a landscape of Kensett,
and Otsego Lake by Mignot — it was too late ! Seizing a bundle of
papers, Mr. Arnold gathered the children and servants together,
and, leading the terrified animals, they went forth from their so
dearly-cherished home. But whither ? They were surrounded by
fire on three sides ; to the south, west and north, raced the flames,
making a wall of fire and smoke from the ground to the sky.
Their only escape, was eastward to the lake shore. Still leading
the horses and cow, they went onward to the beach. Here were
gathered thousands of fugitives, hemmed in and imprisoned by
the raging element. The Sands, from the Government pier, north
to Lill's.pier, a distance of three-quarters of a mile, were covered
with men, women and children — some half-clad, in every variety of
dress, with the motley collection of effects, which they sought to
save. Some had silver , some, valuable papers ; some, pictures,
carpets, beds, etc. One little child had her doll tenderly pressed
in her arms ; an old Irish woman was cherishing a grunting pig ;
a fat woman had two large pillows, as portly as herself. There-
was a singular mixture of the awful, the ludicrous, and the
pathetic. Reaching the water's edge, the fugitives paused to
examine the situation and to determine where was the least danger.
Southwest, toward the river, were millions of feet of lumber, many
shanties, and wooden structures yet unburned, but which must be
consumed, before there could be any abatement of the danger.
The air was full of cinders and smoke ; the wind blew the heated
sand worse than any sirocco. Where was a place of refuge ?
William B. Ogden had lately constructed a long pier, north of, and
parallel with, the old United States pier, which prolonged the left
bank of the river out into the lake, and this had been filled with
stone, but had not been planked over ; hence, it would not readily
burn. It was a hard road to travel, but it seemed the safest place ;
and Mr. Arnold and his children worked their way far out upon
this pier. With much difficulty, the party crossed from the Ogden
slip, in a small row-boat, and entered the light-house, where they,
with .ludge Goodrich, Edward I. Tinkham, and others, were
hospitably received.
The party remained prisoners in the light-house, and on the
pier on which it stood, for several hours. The shipping in the
river above was burning; the immense grain elevators of the Illi-
nois Central and North- Western railroads were a mass of flames ;
and the pier itself, some distance up the river, was slowly burning
toward the light-house. A large propeller, fastened to the dock a
short distance up the river, took fire and burned. The danger was
that, as soon as the hawsers by which it was moored should be
burned off, it would float down stream, and set fire to the dock in
the immediate vicinity of the light-house. Several propellers
moved down near the mouth of the river, and took on board several
hundred fugitives, and steamed out into the lake. If the burning
propeller should come down, it would set fire to the pier, the light-
house, and vast piles of lumber. A fire company was organized of
those on the pier, and with water, dipped in pails from the river,
the fire was kept at bay. But all felt relieved when the propeller
went to the bottom. The party was still prisoners on an angle of
sand, the lire running along the north shore of the river. The
river and the fire prevented an escape to the south. West and
north the flames were still raging with unabated fury. The party
waited for hours, hoping the fire would subside. The day wore on —
noon passed — one, two o'clock ; and still it seemed impossible to
escape to land. Mr. Arnold, scouting to the northward, found his
gardener where he had left him, sitting upon the horse far out in the
lake, and holding on faithfully to the pony by its haller and to the
cow by her horns. The escape to the north was pronounced im-
practicable for the ladies. And all the while they were in great
danger and great anxiety concerning the fate of the missing mother
and child.
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
749
Between three and four o'clock p. m., the tug "Clifford"
steamed down the river, having escaped from the burning district,
and tied up to the dock near the light-house. Could she return,
taking the party up the river, through and beyond the fire, to the
West Side? The captain thought she could. The bridges at Rush
State, Clark, and Wells streets had all burned, and their fragments
had fallen into the river. The great warehouses, stores, elevators,
and docks along the river were still burning, but the fury of the
fire had exhausted itself. The party determined to go through this
narrow channel — to run the gauntlet of the fire to a point outside
of the burned district. This was the most dangerous experience of
the day. The tug might take fire her-
self— her woodwork had been blistered
by the heat as she came down. The
engine might become unmanageable
after she got inside the line of fire; or
she might get entangled in the float-
ing timbers and debris of the fallen
bridges. However, the party deter-
mined to make the attempt. A full
head of steam was gotten up ; the
hose was attached to the pumps, so
that if the boat or the clothes of its
passengers took fire they could be
readily put out ; the ladies and chil-
dren were placed in the pilot house
the windows shut, and the boat started
— the men crouching close to the deck,
in the shelter of the bulwarks. At
the State-street bridge, the pilot had
to pick his way very carefully through
a mass of debris, and the situation be-
gan to look exceedingly hazardous.
But it was too late to turn back ; and
so the voyagers pushed on, shooting
as rapidly as possible past the hottest
places, and slowing where the danger
was from below. As they were pass-
ing State - street bridge, the pumps
gave out, and they now ran great risk
from fire. Arthur's hat blew away,
and his father covered his face and
head with a handkerchief, which he
had dipped in the water. Finally they
passed the Wells-street bridge, and
were still unscathed. " Is not the
worse over?" asked Mr. Arnold of
the captain. " We are through, sir,"
was the answer. " We are safe, thank
God ! " came from hearts and lips, as
the boat emerged from the smoke into the clear, cool air outside
the fire lines.
Search for the missing ones was immediately commenced.
Mr. Arnold spent over twenty-four hours in driving and wandering
in pursuit of his wife ; now passing among the throng of refugees
at Lintoln Park, and peering into every grimy countenance ; now
getting a clue, whether true or false, and dashing off by a train into
a suburb ; now baffled entirely and compelled to commence the
search entirely anew. Some time during the following afternoon
his efforts were rewarded by learning that his wife and child were
at the house of Judge Drummond, of the United States Circuit
Court, at a suburb called Winfield ; and there, during the evening
of Tuesday, the family were re-united and joined in thanks to God
for their mutual deliverance.
The ensuing narrative gives the experience of a
member of another class of society than that in which
Mr. Arnold mingled. But it is not the less interesting
and touching ; on the contrary, the loss by a day-laborer
of the accumulations by dint of economy is more irrep-
arable than the loss of one whose intellectual power
enables him readily to replace any financial deprivation.
Narrative of Patrick Webb. — In i86q, I built a frame
house, No. 294 Church Street, North Side. I was then employed
by the North-Western Railroad Company, near Chicago-avenue
bridge, as a day-laborer. Monday morning, about two o'clock, I
heard the fire-bells, but concluded there was no danger of the fire
spreading north, and went to bed again. I rose at the usual
hour, and went to my work. My son was employed by Holmes,
Pyott & Co. About ten o'clock a.m., Monday, the foreman told
me the wind had changed to the south, and that the North Side
was in danger. He told me to go home. I did so ; and found the
fire had crossed the river, but was still a mile away from where I
lived. I and my son helped a family, a relative of ours, on Wells
Street, to remove their property. The fire at this time was raging
along Wells Street and east to the lake, but had spread no farther
west, t lunch Street, where I lived, was crowded with wagon
with all kinds of household property. The fire had then passed
east of my house one block, so we thought we were safe. Soon
afterward word was passed that Chicago-avenue bridge, and the
distillery near it, were on lire. The wind, blowing :i gale from the
south, soon spread the fire about six blocks east to tin Other fire,
and west to Orchard Street. All the loaded wagons that crowded
Church Street hastened north to the prairie; ami I sent my son to
try and get a wagon at any cost — but it was too late, there was none
to be had for love or money. I saw some poor men digging pits
CLARK STREET BRIDGE, LOOKINI
in the ground, and putting their little household property in them.
so I thought I would do the same; and three of us went to
work as hard as we could, and dug a pit about three feet deep
by three wide, till the water stopped us. While the women
were filling the first pit, we were digging another, and so on
till every article of furniture, bedding, clothing and utensils were
in the ground and covered; but, unfortunately, they were not half
covered, for we had not time, as the sparks and burning brands
were then falling around us, blown by the strong wind, ami we
had to escape for our lives. I asked my wife to give me some
clothes, as I had nothing on but my underclothes, overalls and
overshirt. To my surprise, she told me she did not see them, but
supposed they were in the pit, and covered up with other things.
There was no help for it. We then went north about half a mile, to
the prairie, where were no houses to burn — I, my wife, ami four
children (the eldest thirteen years and the youngest thirteen
months), and, like hundreds of miserable creatures, settli d ourselves
in the angle of a fence, without shelter, clothing or provisions.
There we remained that long cold night till about five o'clock next
morning, when a Lutheran church was opened to admit the shiver-
ing crowd, which soon filled it, and right glad to get the
We suffered that night very much from the cold. Soon afterward
we were told they were giving some provisions to those that had
none; so I went and asked some for my family, for we had eaten
nothing since about noon the day before. I got a little bread and
meat. It was now that I felt real bad, for I considered myself a
beggar. I left my family in the church, and hurried off to where
my'house had stood. It was very difficult for me to find the place,
as there was nothing left to mark the spot. When I did find it, I
saw smoke issuing from the pits where all that we possessed m the
world was buried. I found the shovel that I was working with the
previous evening, and examined the pits, but when 1 stirred them,
they blazed up; I had not a drop of water to cast on them. 1 felt
broken down in spirits, seeing all that I had saved during my life
(about $1,500) bv hard labor, honesty and sobriety, swept away in
a few hours, and I at the age of fifty-eight. I returned to the
75°
HISTORY OF CHICAGO
church to tell my wife our great loss, but she and the children, I
was told, had left, and were on the way toWaukegan. Our broth-
er-in-law. Stephen Drew, left Waukegan by the first train in search
of us, and, after much difficulty, found my family in the church,
and took them with him to his house, where they had a home with
his family till I had built a hut on my lot to shelter them for the
winter I was insured in the Firemen's Insurance Co., of Chicago,
-- '. I think I received about $30 from them: also, ninety
dollars' worth of lumber and $ 100 cash from the Relief Committee,
besides some coal, provisions and clothing.
Mrs. Mary Faxes 10 hkr Mother. — The fol-
lowing letter was written the second day after the fire,
by Mrs. Mary Fales, wife of David Fales, a lawyer. It
possesses interest, both because of its date and uncon-
ventional tone, which latter differs from a statement
intended for publication :
Chicago, October 10, 1S71.
Diiir Mamma : — You have probably heard of our fire, and
will be glad to know that we are safe, after much tribulation. Sun-
day night, a fire broke out on the West Side, about three miles
southwest of us. The wind was very high, anil David said it was
a bad night for a lire. About two o'clock we were awakened by a
very bright light and a great noise of carts and wagons. Upon
examination, David found that the fire was not at all on the North
Side, but was burning so furiously on the South Side that the
whole sky was bright. They thought it would stop when it came
to the river; but it proved no obstacle, and the North Side was soon
on tire, and Wells and LaSalle streets were crowded with carts and
people going north. We saw that with such a wind it would soon
reach our neighborhood, and David told me to pack what I most
valued. It seemed useless to pack in trunks, as everv vehicle de-
manded an enormous price, and was engaged. Several livery
stables were already burned, and loose horses were plenty. One of
the Wheeler boys had a horse given him for nothing, excepting a
promise to lead it to a safe place. He took it home and tied it in
their yard. Having no wagon, it was of no use to him, so David
took it, and after a while succeeded in finding a no-top buggy.
We felt very lucky, as nobody around could get either horse or
conveyance. David packed it full of things, set me and himself on
top, and started off to the Hutchinsons.
I can not convey to you how the streets looked. Everybody
was out of their houses, without exception, and the sidewalks were
covered with furniture and bundles of every description. The mid-
dle of the street was a jam of carts, carriages, wheelbarrows and
every sort of vehicle — many horses being led along, all excited and
prancing, some running away. I scarcely dared look right or left,
as I kept my seat by holding tightly to the trunk. The horse
would not be restrained, and I had to use all my powers to keep
on. I was glad to go fast, for the fire behind us raged, and the
whole earth, or all we saw of it, was a lurid, yellowish red.
David left me at Aunt Eng's and went for another load of things.
This he soon brought back, and then he went off again, and I saw
him no more for seven hours. People came crowding to Aunt
Eng's, and the house was full of strangers and their luggage. One
young lady, who was to have had a fine wedding to-morrow, came
dragging along some of her wedding presents. One lady came
with four servants, and one with six blankets full of clothing. One
lady came with nurse and baby, and, missing her little boy, went
off to look for him. This was about daylight, and she did not
come back at all. Now and then somebody's husband would come
back for a minute; but there was work for everybody, and they
only stayed long enough to say how far the lire advanced, and as-
sured us of safety. At twelve, David came and said that he had
taken everything out of our house, and buried the piano and books,
together with the china, in Mr. Hubbard's grounds. He saw per-
sons taking off all the chairs, tables and light furniture, without
saying a word, for he knew they would burn, even in the street,
and my nice preserves, which Maggie had set out on the piazza, he
gave freely to anybody who cared to take them.
The Hubbards thought they were safe in a brick house with
so much ground around it; but wet their carpets and hung them
over the wooden facings for additional safety. It was all to no
burn and fall, and then theirs shared
the same fate. The M<;< agg's large house and stables burned in a
few minutes; a No the New England Church and Mr. Collyer's.
In the afternoon the wind blew more furiously, the dust was
blinding, the sky gray and leaden, and the atmosphere dense with
smoke. We watched '.he swarms of wagons and people pass. All
the men, and many of the women, wen- dragging trunks by cords
tied in the handles, and children w<t. carrying and pulling big
•hey said Aunt Kng's house must go too Then
such conl ! Ever) body trying to get a cart, and
not one to be had at any price. After a while, two of the gentle-
men, who bad wagons, carried their wives farther north, and those
that were left watched for empty wagons, but nobody spoke a
word. Mr. Hutchinson, David, and some others, were taking
things out and burying them, and many of the ladies fairly lost
their wits. Poor Aunt Eng even talked of sending home a shawl
that somebody left there long ago. David started for a cart.
Again he was successful, and got an old sand-cart, with no
springs, one board out of the bottom, with a horse that had not
been out of harness for twenty-four hours. He put in all our
things, and one trunk of Aunt Eng's, to which Miss M. added
a band-box. The West Side was safe ; but to get there was the
question. The bridges were blocked and some burned, but the
man who owned the cart thought we could get there. We thought
of Judge Porter's and Mr. Dupee's, where we believed we would
be welcome. Wherever Aunt Eng's family went, they must
walk, and our prospects seemed so fair that we took May with us
Our ride was an anxious one. The horse had been over-used, and,
when urged on, would kick till the old cart bid fair to break in
pieces; then he would go on, and finally, finding kicking no use,
gave it up, much to my relief. Many times we were blocked, and
it seemed as if the fire must reach the bridge before we did. But
we were much too well off to compiain. Some carts had broken
down, horses had given out, and manv people were walking and
pulling big things, and seemed almost exhausted. Furniture and
clothing lay all along the road. Mrs. Hamilton haiied us from a
mean little hut, two miles from her house and ours, and asked us
to take a bag of Mr. Hubbard's silver. It must have been some
servant's house. Anyway, it was burnt soon after, and we still
have the silver. The fences were broken in all the unbuilt fields,
and furniture and people covered every yard of space. After a ride
of two hours and a half, we reached Judge Porter's at dusk, and
found a warm welcome.
Every family I know on the North Side is burned out. I can't
enumerate them. It would be useless. It is sufficient to say, every
individual one. We were the only ones who took our things from
Aunt Eng's. The lady with the six bundles left five behind her;
the lady with the four servants left a bundle of French dresses to
burn, but, worst of all, the baby and nurse They went with the
Hutchinsons. At the last minute, a Miss M. insisted on David tak-
ing charge of her watch; she said she could trust it to no one else,
and it did not occur to her to keep it herself. All of our clothing
is saved, and much we have with us.
I never felt so grateful in my life as to hear the rain pour
down at three o'clock this morning. That stopped the fire.
The gentlemen have come in, and David says the piano
burned under the ground; nothing was left but the iron plates.
The North Side is level, as is the burned part of the South Side, so
that the streets are not distinguishable. They say people in every
class of life are out of doors. The churches are full, and food is
sent to them, but hardly anybody has any to spare. My watch
was at the jeweler's, and may have been in a safe, but the safes
have not yet been uncovered. I shall write soon again ; mean-
while, direct to 44S West Washington Street.
Lovingly and thankfully,
Mary.
Narrative of George M. Higginson. — From a
very minute narrative of scenes and incidents which
came within the observation of George M. Higginson,
and which, in manuscript form, is deposited with the
Chicago Historical Society, the following interesting
facts are gathered :
Mr. Higginson was engaged in real estate business,
with an office in Metropolitan Block, northwest corner
Randolph and LaSalle streets. He resided at No. 230
Dearborn Avenue, about one hundred and fifty feet
north of Chicago Avenue. The house, which he owned,
faced the east. His family consisted of his wife and
two sons, Dudley and Alexander. Mr. Higginson no-
ticed the glare of the fire about half-past ten o'clock,
and became impressed with a sense of impending dan-
ger, but endeavored to shake off the apparently unrea-
sonable feeling, and go to sleep. He says :
When I first saw the fire from the roof of my house, the wind
was blowing quite freshly from the southwest. After I lay down,
it seemed to increase somewhat in power. I began to hear the
rattling and rumbling of carts and heavy wagons, indicating that
the population was becoming aware of the fact that a great con-
flagration was under way.
At about half-past one o'clock, I was awakened by a slight
noise in my room. I noticed my wife looking out of the window.
She called my attention to the rapid spread of the lire and the sound
of falling walls. To put on my coat and boots was the work of an
SECTIONAL MAP OF CITY SHOWING BURNED DISTRICT
75i
752
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
instant. As I opened the front door, I saw the cinders falling like
flakes of snow in a storm, though the bulk of them fell to the east-
ward of my house and toward the lake. As I looked to the south,
the sky over the city was a bright red, glowing like a furnace, and
studded with innumerable sparks, ignited cinders and blazing em-
bers, shining like myriads of red stars; but I could see no flames
nor even smoke. Indeed, the absence of smoke from any point of
view I had of the fire was a notable characteristic, which I attrib-
uted to the intensity of the heat. I continued my course, running
down Dearborn Street to Kinzie, and kept on the south side of
Kinzie Street, intending to go as far as LaSalle, and there pass
through the tunnel. To the best of my recollection, I saw very
few people or teams on the route. It seemed as if I were alone in
the city, that the last day had come, and the final conflagration of
all things created was at hand. I pressed forward, and in a mo-
ment an appalling spectacle burst upon my sight, — scores of beau-
tiful structures enveloped in flames, which extended nearly across
the street. As clearly as I could judge from my point of view, near
the north end of the tunnel, the fire had reached as far north as
Washington Street on LaSalle, opposite the Chamber of Com-
merce. This part of LaSalle Street was occupied by fine stone
buildings, which had only four or five years ago re-placed the old
wooden structures first erected on the ground some twenty-five
years before.
Heretofore I had been surprised at the absence of people in
the streets, but at the outlet of the tunnel, on the north, a stream
of fugitives issued in solid mass. As I edged my way in, I noticed
bv the gas lights which were still burning along the top of the arch,
that the road and foot-passageway were crowded with refugees, all
going in one direction, toward the north — indeed, I do not remem-
ber to have seen any one going in the same direction as myself.
What a sight! Here were persons of all conditions, of every phase
of appearance. Men
and women were car-
rying trunks and bun-
dles, articles of furni-
ture and ornament;
others held children in
their arms and, in some
cases, s i ck persons.
Some few invalids,
wearied with their ef-
forts, were seated on
trunks or bundles, en-
deavoring by a few
minutes' rest to gain
strength for a new
start. It struck one
with a feeling of awe,
that, in all this rush
of the crowd and the
sound of heavy boots tramping upon the planks, I did not hear
one solitary sound of the human voice. Every person seemed bent
on escape, and all were apparently stupefied into silence by the
magnitude of the disaster.
As I drew near the southern entrance, I saw quite a num-
ber of the police, who led prisoners in handcuffs. What was the
meaning of all this? Had the city been devoted to pillage, and
were a set of outlaws and incendiaries at work to rob and destroy ?
The whole scene appeared like a hideous nightmare. My feelings,
which had been worked up to the highest pitch by anxiety, exer-
tion, and the sight of these wretches, almost overcame me. It
seemed as if destruction were impending, not only over the city, but
everywhere. When within fifty feet from the end, my emotions
were so intense that I felt my throat grow dry with a choking sen-
sation, so that I could hardly draw a breath: a feeling of faintness
and dizziness so oppressed me that I came near falling, and, for a
moment, I lost all power of emotion. By an effort of will I recov-
ered from the paralysis which, for a moment, had taken possession
of mind and body, and again pressed forward. Owing to the
throng of fugitives going in the opposite direction, I made slow
work of it; but, on emerging from the south opening, I ran with
wards Metropolitan Block, where my office was located.
Mr. Higginson then went to his office, and found
that the papers had been taken out by Erastus Foote,
and were on the way to the house of Albeit J. Averell,
No. 600 Wabash Avenue, with whom Mr. Higginson
was, at that time, in partnership.
On emerging from the stairway, I noticed that the fire had
reached Randolph Street, just opposite the Metropolitan Block ; I
also noticed that the Clipo Ol thi I lotlrt House was on fire. I was
again struck by the fact that there was hardly a person visible on
the streets — no fin: engines or firemen, and not the slightest
attempt to check the fire ; which would indeed have been useless,
as the whole district to the southwest was a sea of flames. It
really seemed as if the city had been entirely abandoned by its in-
habitants, to burn in silence — that I was the only spectator of the
scene. Filled with apprehensions as to what might be the result
of the wholesale destruction, I hastened home by nearly the same
route by which I came. * * We proceeded to gather such
articles as were deemed most necessary, and to tie them into
bundles. It was not long after this — I should judge about four
o'clock in the morning — that I noticed a bright light at the Water
Works, and I was soon convinced they were on fire. With the
destruction of this building, and the engines, all hope of
extinguishing the fire, seemed to be at an end. Shortly after, I
tried the water-cocks in the house, and could get no water. Going
K.UINS OF E. B. MCCAGG'S RESIDENCE ;
WITH UNBURNED CONSERVATORY.
out on the front steps, I met Captain John Prindiville, who lived in
the third house north of me. He had his horse and buggy with
him, and told me that they were at my service for a while. I accord-
ingly put several bundles of clothing and other articles into the
buggy, and told my son Dudley to take them to William H.
Clarke's residence, about a mile north, on Dearborn Street, fronting
the Catholic Cemetery on the lake shore, and about two blocks
south of the old Chicago Cemetery, now incorporated with the area
of Lincoln Park. I then took some bundles in my hands, and
carried them to Mahlon D. Ogden's, from whence I afterward
carried them to Mr. Clarke's. Had I left them at Mr. Ogden's,
they would have been saved, as this was the only house, for two
miles, which did not burn.
As I returned to my home, I noticed the flames had worked
well up to the north, along the lake shore, and also north of my
residence, which was on a line with the Water Works. Looking
south, I saw that the fire had worked from State Street to the
windward, and had reached the street I lived on, about one-half of
'a mile south of me. On entering the house, I found some ladies
with their children, who had been driven from their homes.
Among these, was Mrs C. M. Smith. As I looked down the
street, I saw the fire steadily advancing north, in one tremendous
sheet of flame, which swept entirely across the street. I say
" flame," because it is the common method of speaking of active
combustion, but it had more the appearance of a sheet or wall of
red-hot air. From time to time, I heard the reports of explosions,
probably caused by gas-meters, barrels of kerosene oil, and cans of
powder in many of the buildings. It was now about six o'clock in
the morning, or about daylight, and I should judge the fire
extended in a line running in a northeasterly direction from the
river, at Wells-street bridge, to the Water Works. But, as the
lake shore was covered almost exclusively with wooden buildings,
the fire seemed to have extended more rapidly in a northerly
direction, as I saw flames toward the northeast of my house. The
fire, by this time, had advanced as far north as Erie Street on
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
753
Dearborn. I noticed now that the flames were kindled in the
spire of the Church of the Holy Name, on the northeast coiner of
Superior and State streets, and were blazing freely. From the
direction of the wind, I felt perfectly secure as to my route of
escape.
An occasional sight of some distressed women and children, or
some crippled or sick person, limping along, or carried with
difficulty, would recall to my mind how great the sum of human
suffering must be. I greeted numbers of old and young friends
and neighbors as they passed ; and they returned the greeting in a
cheerful manner, as if engaged in an occupation of not much more
than ordinary interest. One would hardly suppose they had been
driven from their homes a few minutes before, to which many of
them would never again return. I had by this time sent away
from the house almost everything there was any chance of saving.
The last load I carried away, was in a wheelbarrow, and consisted
of a bundle of clothing and some pictures. With this, accom-
panied by my wife and second son, I went to Mr. Ogden's house,
when, leaving the load there, I went with my wife to Gurdon S.
Hubbard's, on I.aSalle Street, just north of Chestnut.
Mr. Higginson relates his experience while viewing,
for the last time, his home. He returned about seven
o'clock, and half an hour later the place was in ruins.
He then went to Mr. Ogden's. He says :
As I turned the corner at Mr. Ogden's, on Lafayette Place,
the north boundary of Washington Square, I once more looked
south on Dearborn Street, and saw a sheet of flames apparently
proceeding from the block in which my house was located. I
noticed at the same time that the Ogden public school was also on
fire. This was the last deliberate look I took of the fire; after
which my whole desire was centered upon saving such effects as
we had rescued, and getting away as soon as possible from the
crowded streets and painful scenes which we constantly met.
We reached Mr. Clarke's about half-past eight. We found
quite a number of our friends assembled there, among them Mr.
and Mrs. S. S. Greeley and Mrs. J. T. Ryerson. Mr. Greeley was
city surveyor; Mr. Ryerson was a substantial merchant, who had
an office and store on South Water Street. His residence was
on Cass Street, between Ontario and Ohio. The fire must have
reached him about four o'clock, and he was obliged to take a
hurried departure in his carriage, saving little or nothing from
the house.
I then went out into the street to procure, if possible, a vehi-
cle in which I could convey to some safe place such things as I had
saved. But without success; they were all engaged. At
last, I noticed a man driving a one-horse dirt-wagon, the
bottom of which was laid with pieces of joists, for the pur-
pose of dumping with facility. He agreed to go with me
to the different points where my possessions were depos-
ited, and carry all he could load on to Park Station, on
the Galena [Chicago] & North-Western Railroad, situated
on the southeast corner of Kinzie Street and Ashland
Avenue. It was a very sorry-looking equipage. However,
as it #as all I could get, I proceeded to load up with the
bundles at Mr. Clarke's ; and then my wife climbed upon
the seat with the driver, while Dudley and I sat on the
bundles, and so proceeded to the cemetery, where we found
Alexander watching the articles we had first sent there.
These were put on the wagon, and Alexander got in.
Then we proceeded to Mr. VanWagenen's house, on Bel-
den Avenue, corner of Hurlbut Street. Mr. Taylor joined
us here, with two horses belonging to C. M. Smith, one
of which he rode, leading the other with a bridle. We
found only Mrs. VanWagenen at home. We loaded on
all we thought we could carry. Mrs. VanWagenen told us
that she did not think the fire would reach their house,
as it was somewhat isolated, but, in case it did, it would
not be until evening, and she would have plenty of time,
and no difficulty in getting teams and horses at that late
hour, and that she would see that all our articles were
taken away with their own effects. I was in doubt, my-
self, whether the house would burn or not — in fact, I
thought the chances were rather in its favor; and so we
left them. As it turned out, however, theirs was the last
house to the west which was burned on this avenue, and
when the fire did come, they had only time to hurriedly
put their goods in an open lot, and, covering them with sheets
and blankets well wet, leave them to their fate. The heat rapidly
dried the sheets and blankets, and, as the eddies of wind carried
cinders and live coals among the pile, it was all consumed. Among
the pictures I lost, was a portrait of George 1'. A. Healey, painted
by himself, and given to my wife, as a Christmas present, in 1S62.
We accordingly mounted our improvised vehicle again, and
proceeded, at a slow pace, eastward on Belden Avenue to Clark
Street. We then went southerly on Clark until we intersected
Well-, Street, and so continued south to North Avenue, which we
followed until it led us to the bridge over the North Branch of the
Chicago River. This bridge was filled, even at this early hour,
with a continuous strea I carts, wagons, carriages anil pedestri-
ans, all hurrying out of the city. We at last arrived at Park Sta-
tion, and partly unloaded, and left such articles as books, pictures,
etc., at a one-story cottage on the opposite side of Ashland Avenue.
Mr. Higginson found refuge at Thomas IS. Bryan's,
at Elmhurst, and remained there that night. He con-
tinues :
I awoke early the next morning (October 10), refreshed and
well, and took the first train to the city, to see the extent of the ruin.
The North-Western Railroad train stopped at the junction of Canal
and Rinzie streets, on the West Side, instead of crossing the North
Branch as usual, the Wells-street depot having been destroyed
by the fire. The first thing I noticed was the number of water
carts or wagons, around which people were crowding for sup-
ply, for which they paid some trilling amount. These were im-
promptu affairs, consisting of casks placed on carts or wagons,
and had been filled at the lake shore. The West Side was full of
people driven from their abodes in the North and South divisions.
I went south on Canal Street to Randolph-street bridge, which had
not been burned. On the north side of Randolph Street, and at
the east end of the bridge, I noticed the Find Block of stores was
still standing, and apparently uninjured. I went east on Randolph
Street, with debris on every side. Although everything combustible
had been consumed, there was a vast quantity of heated material,
and the cellars were filled with piles of red-hot brick. The wind
was still strong, and the air was filled with dust, sand, and pul-
verized mortar, which very soon inflamed the eyes. Everyone 1
met was begrimed, and with blood-shot eyes. Progress was im-
peded by broken stones, bricks, and fallen iron columns ;
made still more difficult from the quantity of fallen telegraph
wire, in which my feet became entangled at almost every
step. I reached the Metropolitan Block, where our office had been
located, and saw our two safes nearly buried in red-hot bricks. As
everything of value had been taken out, I made no effort, then, to
get at them. As all the bridges were burned over the main stream
of the Chicago River, I was obliged to go west, re-cross Randolph-
street bridge, and then proceed north on Canal Street to Kinzie-
street bridge, which also remained intact. Going east on Rinzie
Street, I reached Clark Street, which had been used for some years
by the North Chicago Horse Railway Company. I was surprised
to see that the iron rails were warped and twisted by the heat in a
L1ND BLOCK, CORNER RANDOLPH AND MARKET STKKF.TS.
most extraordinary manner, being forced up, by longitudinal ex-
pansion, to the height of two feet above the ground, and the for-
merly straight mils bent into every manner of curve. The wooden
pavements generally escaped, although they were badly charred in
several places, and the blocks had the appearance of having been
scooped out by the lire for an inch or more.
The North Side, when 1 first reached it, presented a scene of
widespread desolation, rendered all the more so by scattered chim-
754
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
neys, here ami there, which stooj like grim sentinels over the dreary
waste around them. All landmarks were obliterated, all street signs
destroyed, and, familiar as the whole area had become to me by a
residence of twenty-eight years, it was not until after several efforts
that I was enabled to reach and identify the locality where I had
lived. A glance at the ruins of my house showed the completeness
of its destruction. I saw, lying on the top of the bricks, the iron
frame-work and wire strings of my piano ; and noticed curiously,
that some stone jars in which my wife had put up preserves only a
few days before, were standing in a row, half-buried in fallen brick,
and yet uninjured. Of course, the contents were burnt to a crisp.
There was no salvage in the ruins.
Going from there north on Dearborn Street, I saw for the first
time that M. D. Ogden's house had escaped, and stood in almost
perfect order, surrounded by large elm trees.
The fire finally spent itself in burning the residence of Dr. John
H. Foster, on the north end of Lincoln Park, as then located, be-
ing on Fullerton Avenue. The park has since been extended con-
siderably north of this avenue. As nearly as I can learn, his house
was burned at half past ten o'clock on Monday night — just twenty-
five hours from the commencement of the fire, and about four miles
distant from the place of its origin. When I first saw the fire from
the top of my house, at about half-past ten on Sunday night, it was
about two miles southwest of me. while Dr. Foster's house, where
the conflagration ended, was about two miles north of my resi-
dence.
SCENES AND INCIDENTS.
From the various recitals of individuals presented, a
general idea of the terrors excited by this event may be
gained; also a conception of the progress and magni-
tude of the conflagration. No pen can do adequate jus-
tice to the subject. No limner could depict the scene.
The incidents will convey an idea of some of the local
scenes that transpired, while a consultation of the map
will give the great expanse of area traversed by the fire.
And this is all that history can perform in conveying an
impression of the Chicago Fire of 18/ 1. There is noth-
ing wherewith the fire can be comparea. It stands alone,
a monument in the annals of pyrology; therefore, in the
presentation of data, or historic evidence, the great diffi-
culty was what to avoid embodying in the narrative, for
everyone who was here on October 8-9, 187 1, had some
interesting experience, or was cognizant of some relevant
historic fact. But when the reader looks intelligently at
the enormous surface burned over, remembers the very
brief time occupied in the destruction, and then reads
the particular narrative or recital, he may arrive at some
little comprehension of the catastrophe.
The North Side, from Dearborn Avenue to Pine
Street, and north of Illinois Street, was a fashionable
residence quarter — the immediate lake-shore thorough-
fares, and those bordering the river, from Wells Street
westward, being of inferior character, but more densely
peopled. There were also large sections on the North Side
in which there were few houses, and those of a cheap
sort. The district between the North Branch and the
Ogden Canal, on one side, and Lincoln Park and the
Oil Cemetery on the other, was mainly unoccupied;
there was much vacant ground further up the Branch.
Horrible as the scenes on the South Side were, the ter-
rors of the North Side were greater. The people of
that section, for the most part, were awakened to a con-
if peril only by finding themselves sur-
rounded by fire. Called from their beds to witness the
conflagration upon the South Side, the people of the quiet
'liter of Clark Street, south of
Superior, were gazing at the magnificent spectacle, and
uttering their exclamations of pity for the unfortunate
inhabitants across the river, when they discovered that
the flames had already reached their own homes, and
that the Water Works, and other buildings to the rear
of them, were all ablaze. The appalling significance of
this discovery was soon apparent to all. It meant that
their own homes were doomed, and that, before they could
save any of their goods — perhaps before they could
escape with their lives — they would be walled in on
either side by fire.
The incredible rapidity of the flames was noticeable
here, as upon the South Side. In fact, the mind is
scarcely able to comprehend what is implied by this
term; and none, save those who beheld the scenes of
agony, can realize what is meant. The mass of con-
tinuous fire sprang from side to side of the street, as it
advanced, and ofttimes vaulted over extensive tracts,
but always returned to complete the work of destruc-
tion. Frequently, before the flames had reached a
house, the thick black smoke would roll out of the
chimneys and windows, the result of the intense action
of the heat before combustion ensued among the wood-
work and furniture within. The exterior protections of
slate roofs and stone walls did not save even the better
structures. The Church of the Holy Name was a fine
illustration of this phenomenon. From the crevices of
the slate roof poured out eddying whirls of smoke,
which, often rising to a short height, burned with a
brilliant flame, and then went out, disappearing alto-
gether. It was at the outer regions of the fire, or where
the ruins lay smoldering, that smoke was dense. It at
times preceded and then tardily followed the volume of
flame. By daybreak Monday morning, the fire, mov-
ing northeasterly, had reached Rush-street bridge,
which was crowded with people. In order to bar the
fire, if possible, the bridge was swung ; but the only re-
sult of this manoeuver was the destruction of some of
the persons who were on the bridge. The flames swept
onward, and seized upon the frame buildings, the work-
shops, and the lumber yards, moving rapidly northward
toward the site of the ruined Water Works. The
sweep of the flames across the region east of Clark
Street drove the people living in that section to the
lake; but they very soon found that they were between
two deaths — the burning city on the one side and the
lake upon the other. The intense heat from the west
forced the sufferers into the water, where many
perished ; others, stronger and more self-possessed,
bowed their heads close to the watery surface, thus
escaping the gusts of gas and smoke that rushed past
them. These hot tempests of poisonous vapor rendered
life almost unendurable; but no avenues of escape
existed, and nothing was left for the victims but to
patiently endure, or die.
Vividly as many writers have described the scenes
upon this stretch of sandy purgatory, they paused
abashed and heart-sick at the awful task before the
worst was told. Nor will the pen of man ever dare to
lay before a reader's eyes the truth in literal nakedness.
No publisher would be permitted to preserve in types —
no man of moral consciousness would place before his
family — the volume that told what there transpired.
The tragedies upon the Sands differed from those
where broader limits marked the encampment of the
victims of the fire. The prairie seemed to give relief
to pent-up agonies, and nerve the soul to silent endur-
ance; even the park and grave-yard, bleak and sombre
as they were, seemed to impart an atmosphere of per-
sonal security that was not possible upon the Sands.
There, on the scorching earth, that held the heat and
sent a shimmering, ceaseless wave of blasting air and
sand from underneath the feet, parching the flesh and
drying up the fountains of blood and life, the spirit of
infernal revelry prevailed. As in the region of the
damned, told of by Dante, the evil nature of mankind
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
755
glared forth to vex the tender souls of those whom fate
had sent into their presence.
Imagine the scene of the horrid drama. No possi-
bility of escape — a raging fury at the rear, a pitiless ex
panse of lake in front — a small area filled with
human creatures, maddened animals, delicate and re-
fined women, pure and innocent children; the aged, the
infirm, the weak, the dying, the despairing ; young
girls, whose artless lives were unfamiliar with even the
name of crime; men of well-ordered lives and Christian
minds; brutes in human form, who were not only ready
to do acts of crime, but whose polluting wickedness
was rank and cast off prison-fumes upon the air. All
kinds and conditions and grades of life — all forms of
death, from calm and peaceful passing to a welcome
rest to that which follows in the train of vicious deeds.
Here, huddled close and helpless, the purest girlhood
was forced to endure the leering of the vile ; and, if a
chance protector spoke in her defense, the wicked
laughed and jeered and cursed, until the stoutest heart
grew faint with apprehension. Women, whose claim to
womanhood was long since lost, took fiendish delight
in adding undefinable shame and terror to the misery
of those who shrank from crime. Think what it would
be to place a loved one in the lowest haunts of vice,
and there bend over the death-bed of that failing friend,
while all about the din of wickedness was sounding in
the ear. Increase the circumstance of grim necessity,
and add the weight of a consciousness that home, treas-
, ures, everything was gone, and this the only, the
enforced spot, where death must meet the loved father,
mother, sister, friend. Could all the powers of hell it-
self devise a keener form of anguish ? Yet these lines
are drawn from actual knowledge ; and the shudder
awakened at the recollection of sights stays the pen,
for what was seen can never be spoken to public ears.
The creatures who there tortured the helpless were no
longer human — vice had dulled their moral instincts,
and despair transformed them, for the moment, into
demons. Their orgies were born in malice, they de-
lighted in their sins ; they shrieked aloud with glee to
see the innocent rush from them, and plunge into the
lake, that, for the instant, the sight might be shut out.
The dying were not always comforted with the caress
of love. Upon a burned and blackened blanket lay the
dead body of one poor woman, whose babe lay by her
side, crying in shrill alarm. The crowd about this type of
life and death gave no more heed than if it was the natural
order of events. All night the corpse lay there untouched.
If fate preserved the babe, the writer does not know of
thejact. Above the terror of the fire — for that emo-
tion grew pangless as the hours progressed ; above the
loss of worldly riches ; above the grief of death — for
death seemed then the only mercy-bringing power ;
above all the conditions of the scene that added ele-
ments of horror, — the mingling of the two extremes of
vice and virtue, and the momentary triumph of the bad,
in their malicious show of wickedness, seemed the most
appalling quality of this immediate spot.
Mr. Chamberlin writes of the moment when all per-
ceived the North Side to be doomed :
" A terrible panic ensued. There was sudden screaming and
dashing about of half-clad women, gathering up such valuables as
could be suddenly snatched. There was frantic rushing into the
streets and shouting for vehicles. There was anxious inquiry and,
anon, distressing cries for absent protectors — a large portion of the
men being on the far-side of the river, and, in many cases, unable
to reach their homes. There was a pell-mell rush through the
streets — some of the wild forces pushing eagerly in one direction,
and others quite as eagerly in the opposite; and children screaming
and shouts resounding, and brands falling in showers, and truck-
men running each other down, and half-drunken, wholly desperate
ruffians peering into doors, and seizing valuables and insulting
women ; and oaths from lips unused to them, as hot as the flames
which leaped near by ; and prayers from manly breasts, where they
had slumbered since childhood ; and every conceivable sign of tur-
moil and terror. * * *
"The most natural resort of the people of the North Side
was the sandy beach of the lake, where there were few houses, and
those but shanties. This strip of shore, known as 'the Sands,'
was famous or rather infamous, in years agone, as the locale of
numerous low brothels, to which Hon. John Wcntworth, when
mayor of the city, gave the coup tie grace, by allowing them to
burn up. Their place had never been fully occupied ; and to the
bleak, narrow area thus afforded, the terrified population shrank
for refuge from the pursuing monster. Such an assemblage as
there congregated, Chicago never witnessed before, and, probably,
never will witness again. It was the scene at the ' lake front,' or
'basin,' repeated, with more diversity The extremes of wealth
and squalor had been dwelling within a stone's throw of each other
in this section of the city, which had emptied itself upon this scant
skirt of sand. These inequalities of society were now leveled off
as smooth as the beach itself. No, not leveled ; for the landlord
and aristocrat, whose many stores are burning on the other side,
and his previous library and cabinet — the accumulation of a doting
lifetime — has still a preferment over the boor who now jostles him;
he is allowed to lose more and suffer more, and is required to lament
less. But that is all ; the two must, to-night, share each other's
bed — the damp sand, and, to-morrow, each other's fare — nothing
but sights of horror. Scarce a person among the thousands col-
lected on the Sands, and there pent for thirty hours, but had lost
some dear one in the confusion attending the escape from their
burning houses. Whether these were alive or dead, none could
know. Here was the wife of a well-known musician, with her two
children, one of them but three months old. When the flames
came too close, she must retreat into the water, breast-deep, and
beat them aloft. Her husband, after escaping with her from their
house, had gone back to save some precious article from the fire,
and had not returned to her. Here was a distracted husband who
had failed in his efforts to reach his invalid wife — a cousin of the
celebrated Madame Parepa-Rosa, and a lady of rare gifts. Poor
woman ! she died a few days afterward, a raving maniac and one
of the many victims of the conflagration. Here was a family of
brothers and sisters, mourning a mother who had perished before
their eyes. Here were sick ones, snatched from their beds and
dying of exposure. Here was every imaginable scene of distress
and knotted threads of narrative, which, if followed, would fill
volumes. As the morning advanced, some of the sufferers, crawl-
ing along the shore and down upon the pier, were taken up by tugs
and propellers, and carried up the river or out to sea for safety.
They embarked at the peril of their lives, for the docks were on
fire, and more than one staunch steamer burned alongside. Such
of the North Side people as did not resort to the lake, betook
themselves to Lincoln Park, where a day and night of imprison-
ment and exposure awaited them ; or (which proved the wisest
course) escaped to the West Side, where they found shelter with
friends, or, at least, safety upon the open prairie. Chicago Avenue
was the main avenue of escape ; and this, becoming choked with
vehicles and goods, many perished in attempting to reach the next
thoroughfare to the north. Bremer and Wesson streets, in this
vicinity, were found strewn with charred corpses when the smoke
cleared away.
"All day Monday the fire raged through the ill-fated North
Division; but its progress was noted with little interest, except by
the luckless people whose abodes it seized upon as it advanced; for
everybody had given up the whole of that quarter as lost, and there
was no longer any struggle, even of hope and fear. It seemed as
if those emotions had run down, as a clock, neglected by its
keeper, stops for lack of winding. The index had stopped at the
figure of despair ! "
Mr. F. A. Eastman, postmaster of the city, whose
home was at No. 239 Erie Street, hauled out some
trunks of clothing, and found a hackman, whom he
desired to take them on board ; but the fee demanded
exceeded his immediate means, and he was obliged to
drag them along, with the help of a maid-servant, his
wife, meanwhile, carrying her infant in her arms. Four
times they halted, exhausted, in what seemed a place of
safety, and four times they were driven on by the insa-
tiable flames.
In thousands of homes to-day are felt the conse-
quential effects of those fateful hours. Shattered
nerves, premature age, diMirdered minds, still cast a
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
baleful influence over lives that, up to then, were vigor-
ous, healthful and sound. If no one can portray the
scenes for fear of shocking public taste, at this remote
time, what may not the student of heredity find, as
food for thought, in this grave subject ? The results of
the fire upon the minds of those who suffered and still
lived can never be fully written.
En route to the Prairie. — It was about ten
o'clock Monday morning when the flames reached Chi-
cago Avenue. Southward, on Clark and Wells streets,
there was terrible excitement. The fire had broken out
afresh near Ontario, and created new feelings of despair
in the hearts of those whose property lay west of Dear-
born Avenue. Encouraged in their recklessness by the
absence of policemen, the desperate characters of the
city broke into saloons along Kinzie Street, and seized
upon the liquors, drinking themselves into a condition
of maudlin viciousness which no persuasion could
check. In numerous cases these drunken creatures
were surrounded by the flames and stifled by the smoke.
Some lay helpless upon the sidewalks, and met their
fate there. Some women, with their children, lingered
too long, to save their store of household goods, and
were lost. Others were forced to leap from the win-
dows of burning houses, and in so doing received in-
juries from which they died. The loss of life near the
river and in the thickly-tenanted quarters can never be
known ; but that it was greater than was reported,
reason and observation convince those who pause to
consider the chances of escape. The swiftly approach-
ing flames devoured even the bones of the victims, in
many cases leaving no trace.
The multitude who sought refuge on the prairie
experienced less of the mental agonies of those who
were forced to endure the terrors of the Sands ; but,
even there, the same community of physical suffering
prevailed. The millionaire, the pauper, the innocent,
the prostitute, the young, the old, the strong, the sick
and dying — all gathered on the level of corporal depri-
vation, and shivered under the same chill wind ; were
parched by the same thirst, gnawed by the same pangs
of hunger, felt the same suspense concerning absent
relatives and friends, the same grim hoping against hope.
Elias Colbert touches upon the subject so often
referred to here — that is, the separation of families :
" This general separation of families may at first seem extra-
ordinary; but it will be recollected that the onset of the fire was
very rapid, and that it soon had the city divided in twain by an
impassable stream, or wave, of flame; that, in the attempt to save
property, which the instincts of all prompted, the weaker ones
would be consigned to some place of supposed safety, while the
stronger went back to wrestle with the rapacious monster for some
of the precious possessions on which he had fixed his levy; and
that, in this attempt — so rapidly did the foe advance — separation
was almost inevitable. It is also to be noted that flight, on this
occasion, was in all directions — the thoroughfares being glutted,
not only with the stream of North Side fugitives but with the vast
throng which, until the bridges were burned, came pouring over
from the South Side, and also with the thousands who rushed in
from the West, either as idle spectators or to help in the rescue of
friends whom they hoped to reach. Under these circumstances, it
is not to be wondered at that hundreds perished in the flames; that
almost every family became separated, and that each member was in
terrible anxiety for missing ones."
Various Ini ioents. — The people living north of
Chicago Avenue, and west of LaSalle Street, were
hopeful that they would escape, and that the fire would
drift steadily eastward, not expecting that it would
make any progress against the steady and furious west
wind. They also had gnat hopes in Chicago Avenue,
which is one hundred feet in width. But the flames,
running up Clark Street, and catching Turner Hall, and
a new building north of it, worked backward, and
assailed the brick blocks on the east side of LaSalle ;
then it leaped that street, and took hold of the buildings
along the west line. About the same time, it crossed
Chicago Avenue, and caught McEwen's planing mill,
on Wells, near Pearson Street, and rushed northward
among the wooden buildings, blowing them down in
ruins almost before they were on fire.
Numbers of citizens seized what property they
could, piling it on drays, which they sometimes dragged
themselves, and took the goods, thus temporarily
rescued, to a vacant lot on Franklin Street, beyond
Elm. But this material was of the most incongruous,
and often inflammable, nature. Irish women brought
straw beds, and others, piled up chairs, bureaus, trunks,
and every conceivable article. It was not very long be-
fore the cinders, falling in dense masses, began to make
of these articles a succession of small bonfires ; and the
owners, having no water, and no means of covering
with earth what they had, were either compelled to
stamp out the flames, or let their possessions go. One
man was seen marching off with a kerosene lamp. A
friend asked him why he was trying to save such a
thing ; he looked in helpless amazement at the lamp,
and tossed it aside. Many persons took their goods to
Lincoln Park, hoping that there, at least, they would be
safe, but the fury of the flames passed all comprehen-
sion, and those in the southern part of the park lost
what they had there. Even the trees were burned.
When the people living west of Clark Street, began
to see that the fire would go northward to an indefinite
point, they turned all their minds to getting to the West
Division, where was comparative safety from the flames
and plenty of vacant ground on which to encamp. The
Chicago-avenue bridge was useless, and the tide turned
toward Division Street, which, from Grove to Halsted,
was untouched, and promised to remain so. It was not
many minutes before vehicles of every description were
rushing pell-mell across that bridge, interlocking and
breaking, while the southern streets, leading to Division,
were also jammed with wagons, which occasionally
caught fire. The draymen and expressmen, stimulated
by the immense prices they were receiving — twenty to
fifty dollars a load — hurried their heavy teams, forcing
their way across the river, in order to return as soon as
possible for other loads. The streets were filled with
people, crazed by excitement and liquor, or stupefied
by the gases, and no regard was paid to them by the
drivers. Many accidents occurred. One man was
was driving up Clark Street with a heavy load, and fell
from his wagon, instantly breaking his neck. Another
case, illustrating the absolute indifference of the people
to fatalities, is related by Charles Harpel, who crossed
to the West Side in the throng. On the bridge, the
crowd was so great that many persons were crushed
against the railings, and one young girl fell into the
river. She rose, struggled, sank and rose again, without
awakening so much as a cry of alarm or pity from the
maddened human herd, and then dropped beneath the
filthy waters.
The wanderers, crossing Division-street bridge,
scattered themselves north and west, or encamped upon
Grove Island, which lay between North Branch and
Ogden Canal. When the throngs moved a little west,
they found their way blocked by the cars of the North-
western Railroad which had been run up there to avoid
the fire, and people were compelled to make long
detours to get through them. Many, unable to force
their way in the confusion at Division Street, turned
into the side streets, and made their way to North-
avenue bridge, where they were able to get out without
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO
757
great difficulty, though much hampered by the railroad
trains after they got across the river. Not only team-,,
but foot-passengers, carrying in their arms children and
some little articles of furniture and wearing apparel,
wended their weary way in the same direction. One
woman had nothing but a silk sack on. Another was
accompanied by a child, who had two cats and a small
dog in her arms, and who, while sobbing herself, said,
" Don't cry, mamma ! " After reaching the prairie, the
army of fugitives settled down, wherever they could find
room. There was little talking, and sad eyes gazed in
agony upon the lurid evidences of disaster that filled
the sky. Many, who had teams, went as far west as the
artesian well, where they encamped about the large
pond, which supplied their parched throats with grate-
ful moisture. There they remained, desolate and
forlorn, until their mental sufferings were momentarily
lost sight of in the physical tortures that ensued.
About eleven o'clock Monday night, the sky, as if in re-
morse at what the fiery element had done, poured
down floods of rain. The victims had come from the
more than torrid atmosphere of the burning city. The
exertion of escape had drenched them with enervating
perspiration. Now, with fatal suddenness, the rain
descended on their sensitive frames. Hungry, fatigued,
worn out in body and fainting in soul, the wanderers,
were subjected to a penetrating rainstorm, that left them
utterly despairing.
It was not until Monday evening that Chicago-
avenue bridge fell into the river, a charred ruin. By
that time, Division-street bridge was almost inaccessible,
because of the jam of teams that blocked the
thoroughfare. Confusion increased. Families became
separated. A policeman picked up a three-months old
baby from the pavement, and tried to discover whose
child it was. The mother had endured the agony of
seeing it torn from her failing grasp by the pressure of
the mob, and had been hurried on, unable to save her
child.
The fire moved farther and farther north, taking
both sides of North Avenue, and continuing until it
reached Wright's Grove and Ogden's Grove, where its
progress was impeded by the dampness of the timber.
The rain, which began about eleven o'clock Monday
night, effected a perceptible check on the flames. But
the back-fires turned to the coal heaps and lumber
yards lying south of Chicago Avenue, and swept them
away. So brilliant was the light of these fires on Mon-
day night, that the people west of the river began to
lose courage, fearing the river would be crossed, and
nothing of the city be left standing.
It was in the North Division that the vulture-like
qualities of expressmen and other drivers culminated ;
for it was there that the distress was greatest and the
demand for vehicles most urgent. There were many cart-
ers about, but they wanted fifty dollars now for moving
a load. Having found a victim, they would stop mid-
way, and assess him again ; and if he refused to submit
to their levies, or was unable to pay them, off went his
goods into the street, to be ravaged by roughs, trampled
upon by the crowd, or consumed by flames. In more
than one case, however, these drivers were brought to a
sense of duty by a sudden declaration of martial law
on the part of the owner, and the justifiable presenta-
tion of a loaded revolver. The lowest price at which a
cart or hack could be obtained for service was ten dol-
lars, and from that figure it ranged upward, according
to the ability of the owner or the degree of the hack-
man's cupidity. E. I. Tinkham, cashier of the Second
National Bank, paid an expressman $1,000 for taking a
box to the railroad depot on the West Side, a distance
"I a mile ; but this was an unusual case, the box being
full of treasure, amounting to $600,000, taken from the
bank vaults, ami to be tarried through walls of lire at
the peril of the man's life. The transfer was safely
made, and the treasure found a resting place in the
vaults of a Milwaukee bank. This case is not to In-
reckoned among those of inhuman wretches of drivers,
who extorted all a poor man's means, or perhaps a help-
less woman's, for taking on board a trunk containing a
meagre remnant of clothing, probably to be thrown off
at the next corner, where the extorting process would
be repeated on another customer.
Alonzo Hannis states that "A better opportunity for wit-
nessing stealing I never saw in my life. While the police wire
arresting men and boys for stealing, there were women secreting
stolen goods, such as fine laces and other valuable goods, in trunks
which they had also stolen. 1 ' spotted ' several for the police while
I was watching the progress of the fire. On Michigan Avenue I
saw two very nicely dressed young ladies, who had a buggy which
contained oil paintings, in large, massive gold frames : one of the
ladies was pushing behind the buggy, while the other one was try-
ing to pull it. One man with a team had engaged himself to
another to move some furniture, when a grocery-man came along,
and offered him $400 to move his goods; so he broke his contract
with No. 1 and engaged with No. 2 ; but when his wagon was
loaded with goods, he had not even a chance to save his horses, as
the flames consumed the horses, wagon, and goods. Some boys
were using a little bit of strategy in eluding the police. They had one
of their number on the bank of the lake, on guard duty over a pile
of stolen goods. They would go to Wabash Avenue, and help
themselves, and put on as many as two suits, and then relieve
themselves of their burden, and repeat the act till the flames cut off
their supplies.
" On the night of the loth, I saw several men with strips of
muslin pinned to the lappels of their coats, with the word ' Police'
printed on them. As 1 thought 1 might be of service to some one,
I applied for the position, and got it. Mr. Campbell and myself
were employed to perform duty for Messrs. Preston, Kean & Co.,
the bankers. There were but very few men on the South Side on
that night, as it was red hot. The only way we did duly that
night was to lie down on our faces. We quenched our thirst by
crawling to the river, at Clark-street bridge, and drank of the river
water, which was not very pleasant."
There are numerous statements made of the extor-
tions of expressmen, and no one appears to have met any
of that class who made no charge at all. But there were
many on the South Side, on Monday morning, who plied
between the burning district and that south of Twelfth
Street, cheerfully contributing the services of horse and
vehicle to suffering citizens gratis. The writer was all
through the fire, and can testify that Christian charity
was manifested by all classes and conditions. And like-
wise, he regrets to say, there were no classes but
were guilty of excesses and vicious conduct. But no one,
not an actual participant, can estimate the heroism, the
nobility, and self-sacrificing spirit that was shown by our
Chicago people. It is true, evil passions were rampant,
inflamed by the terrors of the occasion and by illimita-
ble whisky, but there were also present the good angels
of love, charity and hope.
Incendiarism. — It is not surprising that men
and women, anil even children, wicked enough to
to attempt a revival of the lire, existed in so large
a city. It is not recorded that a woman was shot
or hanged by the military, police or citizens, but sev-
eral were taken in the act of incendiarism. A boy
was detected, by firemen, while in the attempt to set
fire to a building on Thirty-second Street. He was in-
stantly killed. A man was shot by a negro watchman,
at the corner of State and Thirty-second streets, while
in the act of firing a house. A woman was delected in
her efforts to set fire to 1 barn on Burnside Street ; but
those who captured her were opposed to hanging a
woman, and she escaped. Two men were taken while
75«
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
trying to ignite the Jesuit Church, on the West Side, and
quickly placed beyond all power to harm the city. A
barn on the corner of Twentieth and Burnside streets
was set on tire. Tuesday, but was extinguished. A man
found on the premises, in suspicious attitude, was
promptly disposed of. Tuesday morning a man living
of social encounters. Among three hundred thousand
people, it is little short of marvellous that individuals
meet acquaintances whose daily lines of habit carry
them, ordinarily, wide apart.
Another feature of the fire may be classed among
the "curiosities" hinted at, and that is the recovery of
MELTED STATUETTE.
on Fourth Avenue discovered an incendiary in the base-
ment of his house, about to light a bundle of hay which
he had carried there. The proprietor of the house gave
a cry of alarm. The wretch attempted to escape, but
was pursued south along Fourth Avenue, and when
near Fourteenth -Street was overtaken by the crowd and
stoned to death. His body lay for nearly a day in the
street, a warning to evil-doers. On Tuesday afternoon,
a negro living on Fourth Avenue, saw a white man set
fire to his house. A moment later, one more body was
added to the list of those overtaken by justice. A second
attempt was made to fire the Jesuit Church, on Tuesday
evening, and the incendiary was instantly shot by a
policeman on duty.
The spirit of outlawry continued until Wednesday.
A fire was started in the alley between Taylor and
Twelfth streets, near Halsted, but the criminal escaped.
Brimstone was found scattered over the floor of the City
elevator, on Mitchell Street. The drug store of Mead
Brothers, on Canal Street, between Judd and Wilson,
wa^ fired, and a tarred rope found under their barn.
Hannah. Lay & Co.'s lumber yard, on the river south
of Twelfth Street, v»as endangered by incendiaries, who
scattered hay saturated with kerosene about the piles of
dry lumber. arc < ited to show that attempts
were made destroy the i ity, notwithstanding the asser-
tions of many persons to the contrary.
In the personal narratives given, we have endeav-
ored to select those which furnish greatest variety of
description, not merely of the intensity and terror of
the fire, but also of this remarkably interesting feature
articles of value supposed to have been lost. It is au-
thoritatively stated that papers of inestimable worth to the
owners, and which were hastily removed from safes on
the approach of the flames, only to be torn from the
bearers in the press and scramble of the crowd, were
picked up by stranger-hands, and saved, not with regard
to their possible value, but merely from the instinct to
preserve something.* And these, incredible as it may
appear, afterward came into the possession of the right-
ful owners.
This instinct to preserve something was one of the
most ludicrous phases of the flight, as it was also one of
the most pathetic. It is related that many a woman
collected what she supposed to be her jewels, or other
articles, either rich in themselves or through association,
only to find, hours afterward, or when some friend called
attention thereto, that she had labored hard to save a roll
of baby-linen or a broken, worthless trinket. Strong
men were seen carrying the fragments of a vase or
lamp ; and one well-known banker expended a fund of
strength to preserve a frying-pan cast aside by an Irish
housewife.
The terrific intensity of the heat is shown by one in-
cident. A North Side gentleman carried some of his
art treasures to the lake shore, and placed them on the
sands. The day after the fire his curiosity tempted him
to visit the spot, and there, fused with foreign substances,
and run into fantastic form, was all that remained of an
expensive bronze statuette. The heat from the distant
• One gentleman, known to the writer, found a trunk, which he had thought
humid up in the Nevada Hotel, in the possession of a gentleman on South Peo-
ria Street.
«
--
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
trying to ignite the Jesuit Church, on the West Side, and
quickly placed beyond all power to harm the city. A
barn on the corner of Twentieth and Bumside streets
was set on fire. Tuesday, but was extinguished. A man
found on the premises, in suspicious attitude, was
promptly disposed of. Tuesday morning a man living
of social encounters. Among three hundred thousand
people, it is little short of marvellous that individuals
meet acquaintances whose daily lines of habit carry
them, ordinarily, wide apart.
Another feature of the fire may be classed among
the "curiosities" hinted at, and that is the recovery of
MELTED STATUETTE.
on Fourth Avenue discovered an incendiary in the base-
ment of his house, about to light a bundle of hay which
he had carried there. 'The proprietor of the house gave
a cry of alarm. 'The wretch attempted to escape, but
was pursued south along Fourth Avenue, and when
near Fourteenth Street was overtaken by the crowd and
stoned to death. His body lay for nearly a day in the
street, a warning to evil-doers. On 'Tuesday afternoon,
a negro living on Fourth Avenue, saw a white man set
fire to his house. A moment later, one more body was
added to the list of those overtaken by justice. A second
attempt was made to fire the Jesuit Church, on Tuesday
evening, and the incendiary was instantly shot by a
policeman on duty.
'The spirit of outlawry continued until Wednesday.
A fire was started in the alley between Taylor and
Twelfth streets, near Halsted, but the criminal escaped.
Brimstone was found scattered over tin- floor of the City
elevator, on Mitchell Street. 'The drug stoic of Mead
Brothers, on Canal Street, between Judd and Wilson,
wa> fired, and a tarred rope found under their barn.
Hannah. Lay 'V Co.'s lumber yard, on the river south
• Ifth Street, was endangered by incendiaries, who
scattered hay saturated with kerosene about the piles of
dry lumber. o show thai attempts
were made destroy the city, not withstanding the asser-
tion^ of many pet ons to the contrary.
In the personal narratives given, we have endeav-
ored to select those which furnish greatest variety of
description, not merely of the intensity and terror of
the fire, but also of this remarkabl) feature
articles of value supposed to have been lost. It is au-
thoritatively stated that papers of inestimable worth to the
owners, and which were hastily removed from safes on
the approach of the flames, only to be torn from the
bearers in the press and scramble of the crowd, were
picked up by stranger-hands, and saved, not with regard
to their possible value, but merely from the instinct to
preserve something.* And these, incredible as it may
appear, afterward came into the possession of the right-
ful owners.
'This instinct to preserve something was one of the
most ludicrous phases of the flight, as it was also one of
the most pathetic. It is related that many a woman
collected what she supposed to be her jewels, or other
articles, either rich in themselves or through association,
only to find, hours afterward, or when some friend called
attention thereto, that she had labored hard to save a roll
of baby-linen or a broken, worthless trinket. Strong
men were seen carrying the fragments of a vase or
lamp ; and one well-known banker expended a fund of
strength to preserve a frying-pan cast aside by an Irish
housewife.
'The terrific intensity of the heat is shown by one in-
cident. A North Side gentleman carried some of his
art treasures to the lake shore, and placed them on the
sands. 'The day after the fire his curiosity tempted him
to visit the spot, and there, fused with foreign substances,
and run into fantastic form, was all that remained of an
expensive bronze statuette. The heat from the distant
• One gentleman, known to ilic writer, found a trunk, which he had thought
burned up in the Nevada Hotel, in the possession of a gentleman on South Peo-
ria Itreet.
CIIIGAG-D; AS gHEH AM'IEIR TMM BIRiEAT COiiFLA Gli&l'lOiH.
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
759
piles had melted the hard substance without totally de-
stroying the outline. The only articles taken from the
ruins of the Historical Society's building, so far as is
known, were the fragments of a volume or two, and a
small vial containing a section of tape-worm, which was
in the collection of curiosities. The wealth of literary
knowledge, the large collection of rare and valuable
things, even the original Emancipation Proclamation —
all were lost; and this disgusting vial alone remains.
Oases of Unburxed Buildings. — The preservation
of Mahlon D. Ogden's mansion, located on the block
bounded by Oak Street, Washington Square, Dearborn
Avenue and Clark Street, was one of the many instances
of the fire's eccentric work. The building was of wood,
surrounded by a wooden fence, and apparently as com-
bustible as any edifice in the line of the flames. The
open square immediately south of it, and the large grounds
about the residence, rendered it ordinarily beyond dan-
ger, but the fierceness of the heat evaporated what little
moisture remained in the wooden walls, and seemingly
prepared them for ready combustion. The torrents of
cinders, which fell upon every inch of the premises, were
sufficient to destroy a structure of greater resistance;
and the fact that the fire observed no method or order
in its progress, but leaped wide spaces, and consumed
buildings far in advance of the main column, pointed
conclusively to the loss of the Ogden house. The
family was absent on the night of the fire, but friendly
hands were there to make a fight with the forces
of the air. Washington Square had been filled
with fugitives earlier in the night, but they had
been compelled to flee, leaving their household
goods scattered on the ground. These light goods
quickly vanished in the flames. The fence and
barn took fire. Blankets and carpets were spread
over the exposed places. So long as the hydrants
furnished a supply, water was freely thrown over
everything, but when the pumping works were
burned, recourse was had to the cistern on the
premises. Rev. Robert Collyer acknowledges the
generosity of those who had charge of this tank,
for considerable quantities of water were given to
those who sought to save his church.
It is often said that the Ogden house was the
only building left standing in the burned area on
the North Side. This is not a correct statement.
A small frame house on Lincoln Place, about mid-
way between Sophia Street and Webster Avenue,
was saved by its owner, in a novel manner. There
were vacant spaces contiguous, and Policeman
Bellinger, who lived there, was encouraged to be-
lieve that he could preserve his home. He tore
up the wooden sidewalks, raked the leaves in piles
and burned them, and prepared for a battle with
the flames in every conceivable manner. When
the fire reached him, he covered his house with
blankets and carpets, which he kept moistened.
But when the fiercest wave of destruction came
sweeping down upon him, he found his cistern dry.
Even then his courage and presence of mind did
not forsake him. His cellar contained a store of
cider, and with that fluid he fought his foe, and
triumphed. His hands were burned, his cider was
gone, but his home stood amid the general ruin,
and he had won the victory in the face of fearful
odds.
In the entire burned portion of the South Divis-
ion, but two buildings were left uninjured. One was an
unfinished stone structure at the corner of LaSalle and
Monroe streets. There was no wood-work in the build-
ing, the walls being of stone and the partitions and
floors of brick. The second was the Lind Block, on
Market Street, which was comparatively isolated.
The house last burned is authoritatively stated to
have been that of John A. Huck, north of the city
limits; while No. 863 North Clark Strict, and two
houses a short distance south, were untouched by the
fire, as was Brown & VanArsdale's two-story frame
building south of Michigan and east of Kingsbury
Street ; but these really were sentinels marking the line
of the fire, not being, like those mentioned above, in the
midst of the burned district.
The First Book, published about the fire was by
Alfred L. Sewell.
Temporary Water Supply. — The destruction of
the Waterworks not only imperiled the remaining por-
tions of the city, but also involved inconvenience and
suffering to the people. The means by which this mis-
fortune was measureably overcome are described by
Engineer Cregier :
" Fortunately, the water in the river was in a comparatively
good condition, owing to the strong current flowing from the lake
to the canal. R. T. Crane, president of the Northwestern Manu-
facturing Company, whose establishment was beyond the lire,
tendered the use of a number of steam pumps for the purpose of
pumping a limited supply of water from the river to a portion of
the West Division. The main pipe at Adams Street was accord-
inglv tapped. The pumps were connected by Mr. Crane and his
assistants. John C. Gault, general superintendent of the Chicago
SAFES PILED ON DEARBORN STREET.
Sk North-Western Railroad Company, promptly furnished a loco-
motive, from the boiler of which steam was secured, and temporary
pumps at idams Street were started al the *oth. The
supply was necessarily very limited, and although the quality "I the
760
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
water was far from what our citizen? had been used to, yet it was
water, and. amid the great excitement and suffering among all
classes, the water from the Chicago River was doubtless apprecia-
ted by those who were fortunate in securing it."
Temporary relief from the water famine was also
obtained by laying mains on the surface of the ground,
and to the methods employed by the General Relief
Committee, described in Mr. Holden's narrative.
Gas Supply. — Gas was furnished to the South Side
by the People's Gas Company, of the West Side, as
speedily as the ruins could be cleared away and the
requisite connections made.
Boundaries of ihe Burned District. — The
devastated tract was embraced within the following
limits :
On the West Side — Commencing at the corner of
DeKoven and Jefferson Streets ; thence, northerly,
along Jefferson Street, to near the corner of Harrison
Street ; thence, northeasterly, to near the corner of
Clinton and VanBuren streets; thence, east to Canal
Street: thence, north, to Adams Street; thence, east, to
the river; thence, southerly, along the river, to Taylor
Street; thence, west, to the corner of Taylor and Clin-
ton streets; thence, south, to DeKoven Street; thence,
west, to Jefferson Street.
On the South Side — Commencing at Taylor Street
and the Chicago River; thence, east, to Sherman Street;
thence, north, to Harrison Street; thence, east, to Wa-
bash Avenue; thence, north, to Congress Street; thence,
east, to the lake; thence, northerly, along the lake
shore, to the mouth of the Chicago River; thence, west-
erly and southerly, along said river, to Taylor Street
and the river bank. Within this district, an elevator,
near the mouth of the river, the Lind Block, between
Market, Randolph and Lake streets, and a Methodist
church, at the corner of Harrison Street and Wabash
Avenue, escaped destruction.
On the North Side — Commencing near the mouth
of the Chicago River; thence, westerly, along the river,
to Market Street ; thence, north, to Michigan Street;
thence, west, to the river; thence, northwesterly, along
said river, to near Division Street; thence, northeasterly,
to near the corner of Division and Wesson streets;
thence, west, to the corner of Division Street and Haw-
thorne Avenue; thence, easterly, to Clybourn Avenue;
thence, easterly, to Orchard Street; thence, northeast-
erly, to Vine Street; thence north, to Centre Street;
thence, east, to Hurlbut Street; thence, north, to Be!-
den Avenue; thence, northeasterly, to Franklin Street;
thence, south on Franklin Street, by Lincoln Park, to
Clark Street; thence, southerly, to Wisconsin Street;
thence, east, to the lake; thence, southerly, along the
lake shore, to the place of beginning.
Area ok Burned District. — "On the South Side [says one
authority] the lire destroyed nearly everything in the First and
Second wards, and a slight portion of the northwestern corner of
the Third. Its southern limit on Michigan Avenue was Congress
Street; on Clark, Harrison; and on Wells, a point a little be-
k. The area of the burned district was four hundred and
fifty acres. There were destroyed 3,000 buildings, including 1,600
it hotels ind 60 manufacturing establishments; and 21,600
persons were turned out of their homes, the greater number of
whom lived in the Second Ward, west of State Street, where they
were closely packed. The residents of the Kirst Ward generally
lived in hotels or furnished rooms, except in the western portion
of the ward, where many poor families were congregated.
" On the North Side, thirteen hundred acres were burned over,
out of the twenty-five hundred in that division, leaving intact a
small portion on Kinzie -tr<-et. near the river, and several houses
north of division and west of Orchard, including some of the bet-
ter-settled districts up Clybourn Avenue. The total number of
buildings destroyed was 10,000, including over 600 stores and 100
manufacturing establishments. About 70,000 persons were de-
prived of homes; out of a population of 77,000 only about 7,000
were left with shelter which they could call their own.
" In the West Division, the area of burned territory was not
great — about one hundred and fifty acres; and much of that was
occupied by lumber and coal yards. But the people who suffered
were packed in densely, and nearly 2,000 were turned out into the
streets. "
From this estimate it will be seen that 13,500 build-
ings were destroyed, and 92,000 persons rendered
homeless. But in the midst of this appalling calamity,
the people drew consolation from the thought that the
West Side, with its 2,500 dwellings, its 60 churches,
1,600 stores and 600 manufacturing establishments,
were still standing, and that the North-side and South-
side rolling-mills were able to furnish hundreds of men
with employment. The southern portion of the South
Side, and the suburban towns offered protection to the
homeless, and it was because of the shock to the vitals
of the city — the system of life-giving trade — that made
men draw back for the instant, stupefied, but not
overcome.
The statement of area burned over, and of property
destroyed, made by the Chicago Relief and Aid Society,
is, however, possibly more authentic, as the result of
later and more careful estimates. The report referred
to says :
" In the West Division, where the fire originated, the number
of acres burned over was one hundred and ninety-four. There
were five hundred buildings, mostly of an inferior class, destroyed,
which were inhabited by about two thousand five hundred persons.
" The burned area in the South Division comprised four
hundred and sixty acres. This district, though comparatively
small in extent, was the business center of the city. It contained
a great majority of those structures which were costly and
magnificent, and were filled with the merchandise which made the
city the great emporium of the Northwest. All the wholesale
stores of considerable magnitude, the daily and weekly newspaper
offices, the principal hotels, the public halls and places of amuse-
ment, the great railroad depots, and a large number of the most
splendid residences — in short, the great bulk of the wealth and the
chief interests of the city — were located in this district. In this
Division alone, there were three thousand six hundred and fifty
buildings destroyed, which included one thousand six hundred
stores, twenty-eight hotels, sixty manufacturing establishments
(principally of clothing, boots and shoes, and jewelry), and the
homes of about twenty-two thousand people
"In the North Division, not less than one thousand four
hundred and seventy acres were swept by the flames ; destroying
thirteen thousand three hundred buildings — the homes of seventy-
five thousand people, about six hundred stores, and one hundred
manufacturing establishments.
" The total area burned over in the city, including streets, was
two thousand one hundred and twenty-four acres, or nearly three
and one-third square miles. This area contained about seventy-
three miles of streets, eighteen thousand buildings, and the homes
of one hundred thousand people."
Losses bv the Fire. — The same report gives, in
tabulated form, an "approximately reliable" summary
of the losses :
BUILDINGS.
Eighty business blocks... S 8,515,000
Railroad depots, warehouses and Chamber
of Commerce 2,700,000
Motels 3,100,000
Theatres, etc. 865,000
Daily newspapers, including buildings 888,000
t inr hundred other business buildings 1,008,420
(II her taxable buildings 28,S8o,ooo
Churches and contents 2,989,000
Public schools and contents - 249,780
( Ither public buildings, not taxed 2,i2i,Soo
Other public property (streets, etc.) 1,763,000
$ 53,oSo,ooo
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
761
PRODUCE.
Flour (15,000 bbls.) $ 97,500
Grain ___ 1,245,000
Provisions (4,400,000 lbs.) 340,000
Lumber 1,040,000
Coal 600,000
Other produce 1,940,000
$ 5,262,000
BUSINESS — WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.
Dry goods $13,500,000
Drugs. 1,000,000
Boots, shoes, leather, etc 5,175,000
Hardware, iron and other metals 4,510,000
Groceries and teas 4,120,000
Wholesale clothing 3,650,000
Jewelry, etc _ - 1,300,000
Musical instruments, etc 900,000
Books on sale 1,145,000
Millinery 1,610,000
Hats, caps and furs 1,060,000
Wholesale paper-stock 700,000
Shipping and dredges.. 800,000
Manufactories (stock, machinery and prod-
ucts) --. 13,255,000
Other stocks, and business furniture 25,975,000
$ 78, 700,000
PERSONAL EFFECTS.
Household property- $41,000,000
Manuscript work (records, etc.) 10,000,000
Libraries, public and private 2,010,000
Money lost (Custom House $2,130,000).. 5,700,000
$ 5S, 710,000
GENERAL SUMMARY.
Improvements (buildings, etc.) $ 53,oSo,ooo
Produce, etc, - 5,262,500
Manufactories 13,255,000
Other business property 65,445,000
Personal effects 58,710,000
Miscellaneous 378,000
Total, in round numbers $196000,000
On this, there was a salvage, in foundations
and available material for re-building
of say 10,000,000
Making the total loss about $186,000,000
The value of property in the city at that time, real and per-
sonal, taxed and untaxed, was estimated at $575,000,000, of which,
according to the above figures, the loss by fire was about thirty-
three per cent.
The destruction of property belonging to the city, and included
in the foregoing total, was estimated by the several Boards as id-
lows :
City Hall and furniture 5470,000
Bridges 71,000
Damage to pavements 270,000
Damage to sidewalks, etc. (General
FundJ 70,1
Damage lo Water Works 35, 000
Damage to lamp posts 15,000
Damage to hydrants, sewers, water
service, reservoirs, etc 60,000
$991,000
FIRE DEPAB I MINT.
Buildings - $ 60,000
Furniture 7>500
Damage to engines 8,200
Damage to hose 10,000
Damage to lire-alarm system 45,000
- 130 700
POLICE DEPAR I'.MEVl .
Buildings § 53, 600
Furniture, etc 32,500
86,100
Board of Education : ten buildings
valued at $249,780 and other prop-
erty $1,220 $251,000
Board of health 15,000
Sidewalks, not included in above . - 941,380
1.207,380
Total municipal losses $2,415,180
Henry H. Nash, cashier of the United States Depositary, in
his narrative, states that there were about $2,000, 000 in the vault ;
$1,500,000 of which was in currency. The amount saved was
$435,391.87. Loss in coin, $6,000; loss in currency, $1,034,200;
making a total of $1,040,200.
The report of the Board of Public Works for 1S71 contains
this official statement: " The fire spread in a northerly and north-
easterly direction with wonderful rapidity, over a territory about
four miles in length, by an average of two thirds of a mile in
breadth, and comprising about 1,687 89-Iooths acres, and finally
terminated at midnight of the second day at the extreme north-
eastern portion of the city, having destroyed, with two or three
exceptions, every building in its course. It burned over, on an
average, sixty-five acres per hour, and the average destruction of
property for the same time was about seven and a hall million of
dollars, or about $125,000 per minute."
IMMEDIATE RELIEF MEASURES.
Narrative of C. C. P. Holden. — Upon the morning of
October 9, 1871, the writer went to ascertain the extent of the lire,
accompanied by Orren E. Moore, who hitched up his team, and we
drove to the west line of the fire, at Jefferson Street, near Harrison.
^J&Xr^fc qU&u*^? p£6*cA^^ afar m*A ^.^i^i^.
%^^ o^Cul /r/tr<s\
763
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
There were huddled together large numbers of men, women and
children, who had escaped from the flames Several were reported
burned in that neighborhood, and, subsequently, eight bodies were
brought and laid on the sidewalk near the southwest corner of Har-
rison and Jefferson streets. The first bridge over the river to be
reached was on Twelfth Street — VanBuren, Adams and Polk-street
bridges having gone down. As we hurried forward, the sights
were too terrible to behold ! — men, women and children in endless
confusion, gathered in vacant lots, in the allevs, in the streets,
indeed, everywhere. We reached DeKoven Street, where the fire
had started. The cottage at No. 137 DeKoven Street, in the rear
of which the barn had burned that caused this disastrous conflagra-
tion, was still there. We passed on, making our way to and along
Clinton Street, and at last reached Twelfth Street. We turned into
Twelfth Street, and worked our way, with difficulty, for one block.
to Canal Street, where it appeared to be impossible to proceed
through the crowd farther, unless we took a long time in so doing.
We drove south on Canal to Eighteenth Street, which bridge we
crossed to the South Side, and then Mr. Moore drove rapidly to
the corner of Wabash Avenue and Eldridge Court, or a little north
of it. Every nook and corner in that vicinity appeared covered
with goods and human beings.
We then returned to Madison Street, on the West Side, and
there learned that the mayor and many aldermen were then in the
South Division, fighting fire ; that at one o'clock, the mayor had
been at the Court House, where he had given written orders to
Alderman J. H. Hildreth to blow up buildings with powder, in
order to stay the flames. While we were talking, Chief Fire-Mar-
shal Robert A. Williams came westerly across the bridge. He
said "the thing had gone up." There was no water, and his
Department was helpless. Some of his machines were taking water
from the river. They had made the best fight they could until the
Water Works were destroyed, when they were seemingly powerless
He said that cities in every direction had responded nobly for help.
Failing to find any city officers, we again started on our
mission of observation. Mr. Moore drove north, and the farther
we went the more dreadful became the situation. Vast multitudes
had crossed the Indiana-street and Kinzie-street bridges, and also
on the railroad bridge, though none but footmen could pass over on
the latter. As we drove along, the streets and alleys were crowded
with those fleeing from the fire which was then prevailing
in the Xorth Division. When we reached Chicago Ave-
nue, the sight was one never to be forgotten. It was re-
ported that whole families had been driven into the lake
in an effort to save their lives, but this had resulted in
manv having perished. The prairie, west of where we
were and to the northwest, was said to be literally covered
with burned-out people. Men, women and children, in
great living masses, -met our vision in every direction.
There were the sick and crippled, the aged and infirm,
great numbers of whom had been injured in various ways
by the fire ; and all were appealing most piteously for
help, although thankful that their lives had been spared.
Scores of little children clung to their mothers, while the
mothers knew not whither to go or what to do. Women
in every station of life were rushing about hither and
thither, hunting for their lost little ones ; husbands were
searching for their wives — wives were hunting for their
husbands ; and children were crying as though their hearts
would break— orphans, indeed, so far as we could judge,
and probably orphans in fact, made so during the past
few hours. Many were reported dead and dying in build-
ings in near proximity ; but the dead could not longer
suffer, ami it was for the care of the living that our
thoughts were then turned. This terrible scene had been
continuously before us from early in the morning.
Having failed to find the mayor and aldermen, with
whom to confer relative to the awful situation, who was
to care for these sufferers then everywhere to be seen?
Where was the Chicago Relief and Aid Society? And
where was the county agent and his staff? There was no
flag of relief to be seen. It would not do to longer wait
and let suffering humanity die for the want of help.
1. immediate action, was wanted. It was then
eleven o'clock of that murky, sultry Monday morning.
The situation was thoroughly understood, and something
should be done at once, or dire disaster would befall the
suffering people, of which it was reported there wee then more
than 75,000, with the number heavily increasing, as the conflagra-
tion was still raging, an. I nothing to impede it. Then it was that
the writer determined upon a plan to relieve the distressed. It was
for the city, in its corporate capacity, to step to the front. The
writer was president ..f the I omraon Council, and next to the
mayor in authority, and in that trying hour he would assume the
,ility to act without any further delay. Mr. Moore
agreed to the programme we roughly outlined ; and then he turned
his team homeward, and drove quickly thither.
While en route, great multitudes were met and passed, many of
whom stopped us to inquire, " What was to be done ? " Among the
number the writer recollects Melville E. Stone, Clark Geib and
others. We requested them to be at the Congregational Church,
corner of Washington and Ann streets, by one o'olock p. m., or
sooner, and for all to come prepared for active work. Before
reaching our homes, our plans were fully matured. It was now
nearly noon, and Mr. Moore drove to the Police Station at the cor-
ner of Madison and Union streets, where the writer directed Cap-
tain George M. Miller to send one or more officers for Mayor
Mason, with the request that he come, without delay, to the Con-
gregational Church, and also that he send a like request to General
C. T. Hotchkiss, the city clerk ; time, 12:15 p. m. The following
gentlemen were also sent for by special officers, and asked to meet
us as soon as possible : Hon. S. S. Haves, General O. L. Mann,
Clark Lipe, J. W. Preston, Ira Y. Munn,' Hon. L. L. Bond, Alder-
man Thomas Wilce. D. W. Clark, Jr. , David Cole, Alderman Wood-
ard. Alderman Sam. McCotter, Hon. G. W. Stanford, John Comis-
key, E. F. Runyan, and some others whose names are now forgotten.
CL^V^,
Deputy Superintendent Wells Sherman and Captain Miller were re-
quested to report at once at the church, and also to have several
patrolmen there for duty. We then drove to the church, which we
found locked ; but as Rev. Dr. Goodwin, the pastor, lived next
door, we found him, told him our mission — which was to make his
church a nucleus, or headquarters, of relief, around which all
sufferers from the fire could cluster during the trying emergency
then at hand. Dr. Goodwin coincided fully with us, and said his
church was at our service, and that he was only too glad of the op-
portunity to have it thus utilized.
FIRST CONGRKUATIONAL CHURCH.
Establishment of Headquarters. — Mr II. Z. Culver, one of
the church trustees, who was living near by, was called on for
the keys of the building, and then, in the name of the City of Chi-
cago, we took possesion of the First Congregational Church, at
12:45 p. m., October <), 1871. Chairs, tables and everything were
put into shape, carpets were removed from the basement for imme-
diate work, and, as if by instinct, as soon as the doors were thrown
open, people began to come for any needed service. General O. 1..
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
7f>3
Mann, General Joseph S. Reynolds and Melville E. Stone were
among the number first there. Mr. Stone had come in his own
conveyance, for a trip to the burned district. lie was asked to go to
such points as he thought best, and impart the information that re-
lief measures had been established at the Congregational Church ;
to ascertain so far as he could the needs of the sufferers, and, in ex-
treme and urgent cases, to have them attended to if possible.
General O. L. Mann, Arba N. Waterman, Colonel \V. A. Ray, G.
DeClercq, Pleasant Amick, and many others, started at the same
time, but in different directions, on similar missions. The officers
who had been sent in quest of the mayor returned, saying that he
could not be found, as he was, with many aldermen, somewhere in
the South Division, fighting fire. They, with others, were directed
to try again, and not to return without him. Those who had been
sent for from the police station commenced arriving; General C. T.
Hotchkiss, Honorable S. S. Hayes, Honorable Corydon Beckwith,
and T. B. Brown were among the first.
Police Measures. — As Mr. Brown was the president of the
Board of Police Commissioners, he was requested to issue authority
to deputies to swear in citizens for special police service. These special
police were to do duty in saving property from incendiaries and all
other malicious persons. Allan M. Culver, a mere lad of sixteen,
who had a boy's printing press in his father's barn near by, proposed
to print the badges ; which work he ably performed, assisted by
Robert W. Patton and Miss Kate Medill. The badge was simply
a small piece of whitecotton cloth, with the word " Police " thereon,
and some had the words "Special Police." The fac simile here
given is taken from one worn on that occasion. There were probably
five thousand special policemen sworn in before noon of the next day.
Several gentlemen were engaged in swearing in the new men, and
giving them directions where to do duty. A. G. Lane and D. L.
Juergens were among the number that did good service in that way.
Refectory established. — Alonzo Snider was directed, with some
others, to take possession of the vacant Green-street Church, and
manage it for feeding the masses. It being a large structure, it
Additional Measures taken. — After a hasty consultation with
Hon. S. S. Hayes, In- suggested that a proclamation should at once
be issued by the authorities, informing the people of Chicago what
was being done for the sufferers ; also announcing the neces-
sity for the maintenance of order throughout the city ; that
those in distress should be cared for ; that the City of Chicago would
meet all expenses thus incurred, etc This paper, Mr. Hayes prom-
ised to prepare. Aldermen Thomas Wilce and W. B. Bateham
were directed to erect from one thousand to two
thousand houses, suitable for the occupancy of those
who had been burned out — this order being given by
the writer. They were to take possession of any
unoccupied land suitable for the purpose, gel the
^^^ material and employ men sufficient to erect the same
at the earliest moment.
As the water supply was entirely stopped, the pos-
sibility of the outbreak of any new fires was one of great terror, es-
pecially when it was realized that a new fire might at any moment be
precipitated upon the people of the West Division, and also on that
portion of the South Division lying south of Harrison Street, the
thought of which was appalling in the extreme. But all the time
men came, asking what they could do to help save that part of the
city then untouched by the flames, and what assistance they could
render. Among the vast crowd may be mentioned — in addition to
those heretofore named — David Cole, Rev. Dr. A. E. Kittredge, 1).
W. Clark, Jr., J. F. Morris, George L. Scott, J. W. Preston, General
J. J. F. Wilson, D. L. Juergens, Hon. J. G. Rogers, Hon. Wil-
liam A. Porter, Alonzo Snider, Aldermen Samuel McCotter, Wil-
lard Woodard, J. W. Stanley, John Buehler, J. L. Campbell and
~^r/cr?i/>z<? sOtz^c
£rz>2jz<? sO Vt^e^t*.
was known that great numbers could be provided for at that point.
The owners objected to its occupation, but their objection counted
POLICE BADOE.
for naught, and Mr. Snider carried out the order, put up cooking-
stoves, and got ready for business at once. He was also directed
to send to the large bakeries orders permitting them to use fires,*
but that everything they baked should be turned over to the Relief
Organization ; also to bake all the bread thev could. Mr. Snider,
/^-oC-^Z^-t-^
with Misses C. J. Sinclair, Ida Sinclair and Eva Sinclair, did a
wonderful work in that old church.
•At ten a. m. of October 9, General O. L. Mann had very wisely ordered,
in the name of the mayor, that ail fires should be extinguished until the
water supply was resumed.
J. J. McGrath, General Tohn McArthur, Rev. Dr. E. P. Goodwin,
T. M. Avery, J. H. Pearson, Clark Lipe and I.. L. Mills.
Large numbers of couriers were despatched to the outskirts of
the burned district, with positive
instructions to hunt out those in
the greatest need, especially the
sick, and have them cared for re-
gardless of cost, many wagons
and other vehicles being sent with
them, to be used whenever neces-
sary.
Water Supply. — The urgent
need for water caused the writer
to have water parties immediate-
ly organized, in charge of which
David Cole. Hon. G. W. Stan-
ford and Clark Lipe were placed.
They were authorized to organize
thoroughly for the work; and
where owners of wagons and other
vehicles which they might want
would not comply with their request, to press them into the service
of the city, and, at all hazards, have the water-brigade in every part
of the district where it was needed at the earliest possible moment.
These gentlemen, being Park Commissioners, knew where to obtain
the water and how to handle it. They soon had a number of
764
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
carriers at work, with all kinds of usual and improvised means
of transportation, and kept their force at work all Monday night.
These impromptu carriers were largely superseded, within a short
period, by a s»stem of regular water-carts. In addition to the ve-
hicles impressed for the water-brigade, the rescuing parties were also
especially instructed to confiscate any vehicle that might be needed,
were such a step necessary. Clark Lipe had charge of one of these
rescuing parties, and some contumacious drivers of vehicles refused to
do as they were told, but were very soon landed in the ranks. There
was no nonsense about the management of these parties as it was
life or death to manv, and if immediate action had not been taken
never will be again, so thoroughly guarded and watched with so
many anxious eyes, as it was on that fearful Monday and the few
succeeding days.
Great numbers were driving about the city and calling at the
church, looking for relativesand friends who had been burned out;
and these, General Reynolds took pains to aid to the fullest extent.
Arrival of the Mayor. — At 2:40 p. m., Mayor Mason arrived,
and the paper drawn up by the Hon. S. S. Hayes was submitted to
him, and duly signed by the mayor, the comptroller, the president of
the Common Council and the president of the Board of Police. It
is as follows :
~c^J^?
£2
<*t
eu-^5 Atilmj£Z%^ t&z^-<i*2s~St
v*. ?*~-*^T~ ""^^
PROCLAMATION OF THE MAYOR.
for their assistance there were scores who could not have survived
that first Monday night.
Other Important Measures. — E. F. Runyan was requested to
immediately throw open all the public school-houses for temporary
quarters for those made homeless. Many of the school-houses
which were located near the burned district were filled by our
homeless citizens that first night, and great good was accomplished
thereby. Mr. Runyan, with his aids, worked incessantly, as he ful-
filled several important missions. But it is invidious to specially
mention any one as having done more than another ; all worked
heartily and untiringly, and gently nurtured women vied with ro-
bust men in their earnest effort for the amelioration and relief of
From the opening of the church, multitudes had volun-
teered for any service wherein they could be useful ; and within the
space "I two hours after the unlocking of its doors, more measures
had been set in motion fur relieving distressed humanity than can
ever be realized by anyone not connected therewith.
At about 2:30 p. m , there were many of the burned-out cit-
izens who desired to go to the country to friends or relatives, and
to them were given requests on the various railroads, for free trans-
portation to some designated point; and to the honor of all these
-rations" be it said, these requests were fully and
solicitously complied with. Meanwhile, the utmost care and vigi-
lant- had been exercised to prevent any conflagration in the un-
trained portion of the city: a volunteer guard organization was almost
instantaneously instituted; and woe to the evildoer who might
ted In any attempt toward the destruction of prop-
erty in that time of gnat peril. Women, as well as men, were
on guard duty; the first ladies of our city, in that hour, emulated
their domestics in watching and caring for their homes and the
hom'-s of others. Selfishness was unknown, and all alike appeared
to be trying to do what was for the good of all. The general
alarm had been sounded early that Monday morning when each
booaewife found h'-r family without water; and, in all probability,
this one fad did more to save the residue of the city from destruc-
tion by the hand of the incendiary, than any other one thing, for it
unburned district a special
guardian of their property. This city never was, and probably
This proclamation was issued at 3 p m., and by 5 p. m. it had
been printed, and many thousand copies were distributed through-
out the city during that day.
The mayor, the writer, and some half-dozen aldermen consti-
tuted themselves into the Common Council, designated a room in
the church for Common Council purposes, and passed the follow-
ing order :
" In consequence of the great calamity that has befallen our
city, and for the preservation of good order,
"It is ordered by the Mayor and Common Council of Chicago,
that no liquor be sold in any saloons until further orders.
"The Board of Police are charged with the faithful execution
of this order. R. B. Mason, Mayor.
"Chicago, October 9, 1871."
Relief Committee organized. — Simultaneously with the issuing
of the above proclamation, a temporary relief organization was
effected, consisting of the following gentlemen: Orren E. Moore,
Aldermen Iiateham, Buehler, Devine, John Herting and McAvov,
and N. K. Fairbank, with O E. Moore as president, C. T. Hotch-
kiss secretary, and C. C. P. Hoiden treasurer. This organization
took hold of the work with a will. Additional orders were given,
throwing open such of the churches and educational institutions
which had not been already placed at the disposition of the suf-
ferers Scouts were dispatched to all parts of the city untouched bv
the fire, to watch for and to instruct all others to be on their guard
against incendiaries; while others were sent to watch and report
the progress of the fire. The crowd then at the church numbered
hundreds, all of whom were anxious to lend a helping hand in the
good work.
The headquarters had now become well known, and tele-
graphic dispatches were coming by the score from all parts of the
country, many of them containing the welcome information that
large quantities of supplies for the sufferers were then on the way.
Messages were continually arriving tendering money, clothing,
food and other supplies — indeed, anything and everything to give
aid and encouragement to those who had lost their all.
Specific Organisation instituted. — By 4 o'clock p. m.,a quickly
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
765
devised system had been adopted, making several departments, and
placing a thoroughly efficient person at the head of each.
Dr. John II. Rauch, of the Slate Board of Health, was placed
in charge of the Health Department, with all the assistance he
needed, to whom applications for medicine, medical or surgical at-
tendance, or for hospital supplies, were to be made. The doctor
soon thoroughly organized his department. Many of the best phy-
sicians of the city volunteered their services; Dr. Reuben Ludlam,
Dr. A. J. liaxter (the latter had been burned out on the North
Side, losing nearly his all), and many others were at the front.
General Joseph S. Reynolds was made superintendent of the
Lost and Found Department. George \V. Stanford, David Cole and
Ciark Lipe were continued in charge of the water supply; and they
then had a large force in the field carrying water to the portions of
the burned district, where the sufferers were. The supply was ob-
tained-from parks and artesian wells. Colonel Levi P. Wright, the
street contractor, who had been burned out on the North Side,
voluntarily furnished some half-dozen regular watering carts to the
committee, and the men to operate them. The water was supplied
to all of our citizens who had no other means of supply.
All boat-houses were taken for hospital purposes. Hon. E. F.
Runyan, who had been detailed on the water committee, was
directed to see that the order previously given him relative to the
throwing open of the school-houses, was fully carried into effect.
Major S. D. Phelps was detailed to secure a corps of assistants
and go to the South Division, and to look after those in that district
who needed help.
It was not yet five o'clock p. m. There were great numbers
continually applying for free transportation to the country, and to
all such General Hotchkiss gave requests on the various railroads
for the needed passes. The trains out of Chicago, that night, were
loaded — I should say "jammed." The cars were not only filled
to overflowing, but men and boys rode on top of them. Many of
our citizens, who had not been burned out, took their chances of
discomfort on these crowded trains, and went to stay with friends in
the country, making room in their own homes for those who had no
place of refuge. It is reasonable to say that one-third of all those
outside the limits of the fire had strangers, fugitives from the flames,
in their homes during Monday and the few succeeding days.
Those who came in to report progress at the depots as to the
shipment of the crowds, told of men, women and children huddled
together, covered with soot, cinders and ashes, almost destroying
their human appearance. Hon. Julian S. Rumsey, ex-mayor of
Chicago, was observed at the North-Western depot, with his wife and
some seven children. They had been traveling since three o'clock
a. m. of that day, fleeing from fire, and had finally reached the depot.
It may with safety be said, that fifteen thousand persons took pas-
sage on the outward-bound trains, during that fearful Monday
afternoon and night, seeking places of shelter and the necessaries of
life, who the night before had retired in possession of ample means,
little dreaming of the fearful calamity that was to befall them.
Arrival of Supplies. — At 6 p. m., the first relief supplies com-
menced arriving ; but from whence I am now unable to say. They
came from the cities and villages within a radius of eighty miles, and
trains on all the roads that evening brought large quantities. Mrs.
J. W. Boyden, Mrs. William Ripley and Miss Eliza Cherrie imme-
v£^?z^</'
limitless numbers who were on the prairie and vacant property in
the northwestern portion of the city, many without loud and nearly
all without shelter; the crying of little children for bread and water
was heartrending. Then too came reports from the shore of the
lake on the North Side, similar in purport, except that all who
were there congregated were without shelter. Many cases of death
and sickness were reported, with the fire still burning toward the
city limits on the north, destroying everything in its path, but appar-
ently nearing its end, simply for lack of anything more to burn.
Alleviation of Suffering. — This was the outlook for the suffer-
ers on Monday evening. Mr. Moore's committee was doing all
they could to provide for those poor sufferers. Many persons were
sent, with cooked provisions and water, to the burned district.
This was kept up all night At the same time the special police-
system was being extended to every part of the city, and the
greatest watchfulness was charged upon all. The outlook was
truly appalling, for there seemed nothing whereon to base any-
reasonable hope — all was despair. But the despondency of the
situation did not prevent the best men of our city from working
with might and main to help the sufferers. Hon. Joseph Medili,
Rev. Dr. A. E. Kittredge, Hon. S. S. Hayes, John C. Gault and
Judge Rogers were among the vast number of counselors present
in the church ; they were not alone, for the entire community
seemed alive to the awful situation facing us, and no words or
deeds were lacking to give encouragement to the committee and
those who were foremost in the work.
It was long after midnight before the great crowd dispersed ;
and when they did, it was to act as special policemen or as watchmen,
for all were on guard at that time Many remained all night.
There was no sleep during that period in that church ; for scouts
and couriers were coming and going continually, taking such in-
formation and supplies as we had to send, and bringing such
tidings of misery and woe as they had gleaned from the outside.
Tuesday Morning. — With dawn of day on Tuesday, the 10th,
came a ray of hope, for it brought rain — the all-needed rain. There
was not much of it ; but grateful indeed, were the people of the
stricken city for what there was. It laid the dust, cleared the air,
and helped to stop the tire where it had not already burned itself
out. It was truly a God-send to our people. There had been but
little rain since early in the preceding July, and not a drop had
fallen for six weeks prior to the conflagration.
Not only did the morning of Tuesday bring refreshing rain,
but relief came from all parts of the adjacent country, in the shape
of provisions, bedding and clothing, and everything that seemed
needed for the suffering people.
Indianapolis' 's Assistance. — Among the first to come, was
Eli Thompson, chief of police of Indianapolis, who, at three
o'clock a. m., reported that he had brought with him two fire-en-
gines, fully manned, and two car-loads of cooked provisions. They
came by the Louisville, New Albany & Salem Railroad. He was
accompanied by Lieutenant Robert Campbell, Sergeant Albert
Travis, and twenty policemen. The engines were sent to the
North Side water-works, and General Mann took charge of the pro-
visions, most of which he distributed among the sufferers in the
northwestern portion of the city.
E. B. Harlan, private secretary to Governor John M.
Palmer, was at the church by daylight, tendering to the
£ity, on behalf of the State, money, troops and arms Gov-
ernor Palmer grasped the situation at once, and had acted
accordingly.
St. Louis's Sympathy. — Next came the St. Louis
delegation, consisting of Hon. Henry T. Blow, Hon.
George Bain, Hon. E. O. Stanard, William Taussig, J.
diately took charge of the kitchen and dining-room at the church,
and, during that evening, many hundreds had a good substantial
4
supper there. Barrels and boxes came pouring in, filled with
cooked hams, roasts of beef pork, veal, turkeys, chickens, and in-
deed everything in the way of meat and bread. That Monday
evening was one of great activity at the church ; great numbers of
despatches were received, forerunning the forwarding of supplies,
consisting of money, clothing, food, blankets, bedding, and in fact
of everything that could be deemed necessary for the comfort of
those for whom they were sent. These despatches came from the
principal cities of the Union, many of them soliciting replies,
which were promptly sent. Truly distressing reports were brought
in from all parts of the burned district, giving accounts of almost
C. Ewald, H. C Breveling,
Stevens and H. Overstolz.
R. P. Tansey, B. M. Chambers, N.
-t«ca
^C
Other Arrivals. — The Louisville, Ky., delegation followed,
headed by Hon. William Morris. And, indeed, delegations from all
766
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
jarts of the western country came pouring in. and the church, by
eight o'clock a. m. of that daw was thronged with committees from
abroad, and all of them upon the same humane mission. And
they did not come empty-handed, but brought all kinds of cooked
and uncooked provisions, and every imaginable article fitted to aid
the sufferers of our city: such as clothing, boots and shoes of all
sizes and for both sexes, ladies' and children's apparel without
stint, bedding of every description and in vast quantities, house-
hold goods in endless variety, including everything necessary to
housekeeping. Thev even brought tools of various kinds, seeming
to fully understand and appreciate our necessities.
Action of Delegations. — The St. Louis delegation appre-
hended our situation at once, and in the midst of the great excite-
ment at the church that morning, Hon. Henry T. Blow, of that del-
egation, said to General Hotchkiss: "Boys, keep up your courage.
Everything we have is yours until you get on your feet again. We
will stay by you: we have come here to stay."
Similar words were spoken by governors of many States,
mayors of a multitude of cities, and the leading men of the entire
country, as they called on us in that church. And these expres-
sions of sympathy and confidence helped wonderfully to sustain us
during those trying days.
Further Systcmati-ation at the Church. — The scene at the
church during that Tuesday morning was one only to be wit-
nessed on an occasion of the kind. General Mann, J. W. Preston
and Colonel William A. Ray undertook to secure all supplies from
the railroads in the West Division, and General Hardee had charge
of the same service for the South Division, Seaverns's warehouse,
corner Fourteenth and Clark Streets, being one of the supply
depots. By ten o'clock a. m. every available inch of storeroom in the
church was filled with all kinds of supplies. The West-side Rink
was made a store and supply room; Nos. 50-52 Canal Street was
also a rendezvous for supplies: and quarters on Randolph and
other streets were secured and filled. The same rule was adopted
by General Hardee in the South Division. In the meantime, the
school-houses and churches in general were fully supplied direct
from the cars, and large numbers of citizens were engaged in fur-
thering the distribution of these commodities, Aldermen Samuel
McCotter and B. G. Gill and Supervisor F. A. Pierce taking
charge of the rink. When they had thoroughly established their
depot, they had any number of assistants who had volunteered for
the work.
At the church headquarters, the ladies had organized an excel-
lent system of distributing male, female and children's wearing ap-
parel, as well as household supplies and furnishings, also maintain-
ing the kitchen and dining-room department. Among the ladies
present, and who were most efficient, were Mrs. J. W. Boyden,
Miss Eliza Cherrie, Mrs. E. P. Goodwin, Mrs. Orren E. Moore,
Mrs. C. C. P. Holden, Miss Sarah E. Stanley, Mrs. Joseph Medill,
Mrs. H. Z. Culver, Mrs. Thomas Wilce, Miss Julia C. DeClercq,
Mr-. II. L. Hammond, Mrs. William Ripley, Mrs. C. T,. Hotch-
[rs. Alonzo Snider, Mrs. P. Amick, Miss Kate Medill, Miss
Elinor Medill, Miss Birdie Reynolds, Miss Luella Lawrence, Miss
fyuf1-<s/j-^
Emily Fowler, Mrs. Charles E. Culver, Mrs. Goodrich, Mrs. D.W.
Clark, Jr., Mrs. George I.. Scott, Mrs. W. W. Karwell, Miss C.
Sinclair, Mrs. Sawyer and Mrs. Todd. Mrs. Dr. Dickinson and
f^jCutS %^>
C7~L^-~i
■ be W. Couzins, of St. Louis, had also reported for duty.
They had a great work under their charge, and they most faith-
fully and zealously performed it. Then, loo, with General Joseph
/3n^er-&i)
S. Reynolds, they had charge of the Lost and Found Department.
And that was a busy one; for be it remembered that men, women
and children were separated from each other many days, and there
were many affecting scenes at that church.
Mayor Mason arrived early that morning, and, in conjunction
with the committee, everything was done that could be to continue
the efficacy of the work. The mayor and committee issued the
following additional proclamation :
"The headquarters of the General Relief Committee are at
the Congregational Church, corner of Ann and Washington streets.
All of the public school buildings, as well as the churches, are open
for the shelter of persons who do not find other accommodations.
When food is not found at such buildings, it will be provided by
the committee, on application at the headquarters.
"Chicago, Oct. 10,' 71.
" R. B. Mason, Mayor.
" O. E. Moore and W. B. Bateham, West Division.
" J. H. McAvoy and N. K. Fairbank, South Division.
" M. A. Devine and John Herting, North Division."
The same committee issued the following notice :
" Headquarters General Relief Committee, )
" Chicago, October 10, iSyi. )
'J. W. Preston, Esq., President of the Board of Trade, is
hereby authorized to receive, on account of this committee, all
supplies for the relief of the destitute, and to distribute the same
to depots of supplies established in the city, under the control
and upon the order of this committee. He is also authorized to
hire, or press into service, if necessary, a sufficient number of
teams to haul such supplies.
" Orren E. Moore, Chairman.
" C. T. Hotchkiss. Secretary."
On the same day, the Mayor issued an order prohibiting the
use of kerosene, or other inflammable oil, in any barn or stable, and
forbidding smoking on the public streets, until a supply of water
was again had.
These proclamations were immediately printed, and thousands
were distributed in all parts of the city, and the police were strictly
enjoined to see that they were enforced. At the same time — 10:30
a.m. — at the suggestion of the writer, an ordinance was passed
fixing the price of bread, as follows :
"Section 1. That the price of bread in the City of Chicago,
for the next ten (10) days, is hereby fixed and established at eight
(S) cents per loaf of twelve (12) ounces in weight, and at the same
rate for all loaves of less or greater weight.
"Section 2. Any person selling, or attempting to sell, any
bread within the City of Chicago, within said ten (10) days, at a
greater price than is fixed by the ordinance, shall be liable to a
penalty of ten (10) dollars for each and every offense, to be col-
lected as other penalties for violation of City Ordinances.
"Section 3. This ordinance shall be in force from and after its
passage."
General C. T. Hotchkiss, city clerk, was directed to cause five
thousand copies to be printed, and at once distributed throughout
the city.
The demand for this bread ordinance was caused by numerous
unprincipled persons who took advantage of the great necessities
of those who had been burned out, and charged extortionate rates.
These extortions were practised, not only by bread-venders, but to
a large extent by the owners of all kinds of vehicles ; but as rigid
instructions had been given to take forcible possession of any such
vehicle, in the name of the city, the practice was very soon aban-
doned, and legal rates and honest policy adopted. Regular police-
men, in addition to the specials, were at the church constantly, in
case of any emergency. Officers John Reid, John ilickey, and
many others, remained there for many days. The roughs, the in-
cendiaries, and bad characters of all classes and kinds, as a rule,
gave Chicago a wide berth during those days of great excitement
and peril.
Genera/ Relief Work. — Relief work of every sort was
now being thoroughly done. Most of the churches had
taken hold with a will, and were cooking provisions and
feeding the hungry. Then, too, nearly every church had
a special relief bureau, where all necessary articles were
supplied to the unfortunates who belonged to their de-
nomination or congregation. Alonzo Snider and Miss C.
Sinclair, with large numbers of assistants, had arrange-
ments whereby they could feed, to ihe extent of five thousand
daily, at the Green Street (old) Church. They distributed soups,
vegetables, meats, bread, coffee, tea, etc. Every train, on every
railroad entering Chicago, brought in supplies; and these trains
were continuously coming. It seemed as if the railroads ami
people throughout the country had joined together for this laud-
able work. Some of the roads had entire trains of supplies for
the relief of our sufferers. These trains came from Dearly every
city and hamlet within a radius of three hundred miles of Chicago,
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
767
and they, being made up of car-lots, showed that committees had
commenced working early on Monday Those receiving the sup-
plies from the roads were fully occupied. Teams were continually
hauling goods to every part of the city, general rendezvous being
first supplied.
Seven car-loads of cooked and uncooked provisions, blankets,
bedding, clothing, etc., arrived early in the day from Springfield,
111., also six car-loads from Fort Wayne, Ind. ; and Mayor H.
Ludington, of Milwaukee, sent six car-loads of cooked provisions,
and telegraphed that Milwaukee would find homes for ten thousand
homeless people. Hon I). W. Munn brought in two car-loads of
cooked provisions, early in the day, from Cairo, 111. Very large
quantities, too, came in from villages which were located away
from the railroads.
Money Contributions. — Not alone were provisions and other ne-
cessities being received, but telegraphic advices of large sums of
money forwarded were constantly arriving, as the following
shows :
" You are authorized to draw on Kidder, Peabody & Co., of
this city, for $100,000, for the relief of the sufferers by the late fire.
"Wm. Gaston, Mayor.
Boston, Mass., October 10, 1871."
Others were received from A. T. Stewart, New York City, for
$50,000; from James A. Weston, Manchester, N. H., for $15,000;
from the city of Erie, Penn., for $15,000; from Troy, N. Y., for
$10,000; from Montreal, Canada, for $10,000; from Albany, N.Y.,
for $10,000; from Brooklyn, N. Y., for $100,000; from Philadel-
phia, Penn., for $100,000; from Pittsburgh, Penn, for $100,000;
and A. Belmont & Co., Duncan Sherman »S; Co., and Brown Broth-
ers sent a contribution of $5,000 each ; E. B. Harlan drew a check
on Governor J. M. Palmer, payable to the order of the writer, for
$5,000; and Kidder, Peabody & Co. sent an order for $100,000;
making a total of $530,000. These amounts, by telegraph and
otherwise, together with some fifty others, in smaller amounts, were
received during the day of October 10, 1S71.
Exodus from the City. — Great numbers were leaving the city
and G. DeCIercq and A. G. Lane, who had charge
of the Transportation Department, had all they
could do to furnish them passes. The committee
had adopted a form of pass to be given, and had a
large number printed. On Tuesday morning, it
established an office in the main north entrance to
the church; and a line of applicants for passes
Governor John M. Palmer, in a proclamation, dated October
10, J 871, said:
" A fire of unexampled magnitude has devastated the City of
Chicago, depriving thousands of our citizens of shelter and food
and clothing. Under these painful circumstances, I call upon you
to open your hearts for the relief of the suffering. Contribute of
your abundance everything that you can — food, clothing, money ;
organize committees and systematize your efforts. Remembei
those, our fellow citizens, who have always responded so nobly to
every call."
And on the same day the governor called an extra session of
the Legislature, to assemble on Friday, October 13, and recom-
mended the consideration of the following subjects :
" 1st. To appropriate such sum or sums of money, or adopt
other legislative measures as may be thought judicious, necessary
or proper for the relief of the people of the City of Chicago.
" 2d. To enact such other laws and to adopt such other meas-
ures as may be necessary for the relief of the City of Chicago and
the people of said city, and for the execution and enforcement of
the laws of the State."
In addition to this official action, the governor telegraphed to
the mayor as follows :
" Springfield, October 11. '7/.
" R. B. Mason, Mayor of Chicago: — Legislature is called for
Tuesday, 13th of October. Send down a committee to suggest
measures for the relief of your people. Everybody is disposed to
aid you, and it is desirable that some of your senators and repre-
sentatives come. John M Palmer."
Committees from the entire surrounding country continued to
arrive with proffers of help. These representative committees had
to be cared for, and tho=e who had their homes left untouched, and
not fully occupied by sufferers, gave them a hearty welcome. Some
of the committees, however, remained at the church, making tem-
porary beds of the mattresses and blankets. They were perfectly
willing to " rough it," if by so doing they could in the least help
those whom they had come to serve. At 7:30 p. m., the Cincinnati
J&?//iA.Xk<
JiwretKLg^
A^az/^.
BAIL BOAP PASS.
Head Quar^^^eliefCo^rnmee^
Chicago,
187:
Rail Road Pass
__A. Sufferer ly
the late Fire to
AlteSO
■^JflWrwrn BOief Cam-
^ Secretary
RAILROAD PASS.
extended for nearly a block west on Washington Street. They
issued a ticket to each, similar to that here reproduced. These
passes were filled out, and the managers of the various railroads
running out of Chicago accepted them. This, of course, was
but a temporary expedient, and other modes were subsequently
adopted for this service. The number that applied on Tuesday
was legion. It was thought that fifteen thousand persons left
the city on Monday and fifteen thousand more on Tuesday, or
nearly one-third of all those who were burned out. All trains
leaving the city that day had all the passengers they could carry ;
freight trains also carried many passengers during those early days
succeeding the fire.
More Help promised. — From telegraphic and other advices re-
ceived during the day, it appeared that nearly every city and hamlet
in the country, from Maine to California, and also from Europe,
were taking active measures to send forward contributions for the
sufferers. These advices continued arriving during the entire day
of Tuesday.
delegation arrived, headed by Hon Josiah L. Keck and
General A. T. Goshorn, and the following members of the
delegation : Richard Smith, Hugh McBurnie, Benjamin
Eggleston, Thomas G. Smith, E. V. Brookfield and Alpheus
Cutler. They brought with them seven freight cars, loaded to
their fullest capacity with supplies of all kinds. That day
brought about great results for all those unfortunates who had
been burned out. At 8 o'clock p. m., Alderman W. B. Bate-
ham, who had just come in from the North Side, and others
who had been to other portions of the burned district, re-
ported that " every homeless soul had shelter, food and
water, and that the sick and injured, so far as known, were
provided for." Now, when it is remembered that on Monday
noon, only thirty-two hours previously, all seemed chaotic,
and that the fire was raging on the North Side, the work
which had been accomplished in that short period of time
seems almost incredible.
Scenes among the Sufferers. — The committee having in
charge the lost and found had been instrumental in bring-
ing together whole families whom the fire had separated.
Mothers had been enabled to find their children and children
their parents. At about five p. m., a poor German woman,
almost distracted and heart-broken, came rushing into the
church with the words, "I have lost my boys, my poor
boys," giving the names and ages of each to the lady at
the desk of the " Lost and Found Department." She was nearly
insane with grief ; her children had been separated from her
in the midst of the fire, and she mourned them as dead. A
gentleman who was in the crowd heard her wails, and, com-
ing quickly to her side, told her that her boys were safe, and at
his house, and stated that he found them on that terrible
Monday, wandering aimlessly about. The joy of that mother
can not be described. There were many similar meetings during
those fearful days, but in the morning, it was reported that
there were more than two thousand children unaccounted for.
besides a very large number of adults of both sexes and all ages.
Eight dead bodies, or parts thereof, were laid on the sidewalk
in front of Mathias Mamers's jewelry store, at the southwest
corner of Harrison and Jefferson streets, one of them being that of
Jacob Wolf, of No. 95 Harrison Street, in whose place, Mr.
Mamers was at the time of the discovery of the fire, on the evening
of the 8th.
Alderman Bateham reported that night having seen twenty-
,68
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
seven dead bodies during the day, some so mutilated as to be
bevond recognition. One of the horrible sights seen by him
was near the Sands Brewery, and which manifested a mother's love.
The spectacle presented was that of a dead woman, who had first
dug a hole in the sand, and therein placed her child, and while
beading over it, to protect it from the fire, both had perished in the
flames. He passed through very many trying scenes among the
wounded, crippled and dying.
There were many interesting incidents at the church during
the same period, some of which, are worthy of preservation. In
one part of the room, a group of colored children were huddled
together, their ages ranging from two years upward ; the baby had
a doughnut, trying to nibble it, while the others were playing
around, heedless of their lost condition. Elsewhere was a group
of five German children, the eldest, probably twelve years of age,
a girl, who was a mother indeed to the others, the youngest of
whom, was about four vears old. She carefully attended to their
every want, and said that she hoped their parents might be safe,
but as the children had been separated from them when their house
first commenced to burn, she was fearful that they had perished in
the flames. Another, an intelligent looking lady with a baby in
her lap, and two other children cuddled down by her side, was
sorrowing grievously at the supposed loss of her husband, whom
she seemed to know was burned, while the two children were sob-
bing as though their hearts would break — the baby being the only
one in the group who was composed.
Tuesday was the children's day at that church, and it was one
of the busiest days ever known to a relief or any other organization.
Hundreds of children found their parents during the day, who had
been lost from them since Sunday night or Monday morning.
While the crowd was not only around the church, but extended for
a long distance up and down the streets, a German woman had
found her way to an open window, where she could see the working
masse:, inside. She attracted the writer's attention by her distressed
gestures and appearance, and he sent an officer to bring her in. In
answer to a question as to what was wanted, she said that her hus-
band had been crushed, thereby losing a part of his right side and
shoulder, but was still living, and she had come for help. Then
she swooned, and Dr. Rauch had her taken away and kindly cared
for. These trying scenes were of frequent occurrence on Tuesday.
Work done by the Committee. — There had also been a small
army fed and cared for in the church on that day by the ladies.
Alonzo Snider, with Miss C. J. Sinclair, reported having fed nearly
five thousand during the same period at the Green-street Church.
Clothing of all kinds, blankets, bedding, and indeed everything
needed to make comfortable those who were in distress, had been
distributed. Telegrams were continually coming in, informing us
of very large sums of money being collected. It was well known
on that Tuesday evening, that more than $1,500,000 had been con-
tributed by the people throughout the country, and the outlook
Wednesday was much brighter than it was twenty-four hours be-
fore. The scene was now changed ; there had been rain ; the fire
had exhausted itself ; a glorious day's work had been done ; and
all felt more cheerful ; and the great numbers of committees from
abroad gladly observed this fact, as one of the many excellent re-
sults of their visit. Our reports footed up that night, as a part of
the day's work, six hundred and fifty wagon-loads of cooked and
other provisions, clothing, bedding, etc., delivered to the homeless,
and two thousand and fifty-four wagon-loads of women and chil-
dren brought to the churches, school-houses and other places of
shelter. During the same day, Evanston had distributed twelve
wagon-loads of cooked provisions to the homeless in and around
Lincoln Park. This statement of work performed during the day
includes only those teams under the supervision of the General Re-
lief Committee. There were, no doubt, more than two thousand
private conveyances carrying homeless people to places of safety
and shelter during the same period. Then, too, there were all
kinds of private conveyances, hauling supplies from the cars and
storehouses to the needy.
Organisation by the Churches. — At 11 p. m. Tuesday, the out-
look was one of great encouragement. Rev. Dr. Goodwin had
been busy all day conferring with representatives from other churches
in regard to forming committees in their respective organizations,
thus paving the way to establishing regular relief committees in
connection with the various religious denominations, to more par-
ticularly look after those connected with their own societies, espe-
cially those not likely to apply for public relief. lie called a meet-
ing of those interested in this work at the residence of Dr. N. S.
Davis, No. 770 Wabash Avenue, on the nexl day (Wednesday), to
"organ;/ lief committee for the help of burned-out
church members and other worthy people." The Hon. Joseph
Medill was appointed to represi il In. Goodwin's Congregational
Church on the special relief committee, Rev. Robert Laird Collyer
for the Unitarian denomination, E. ( Lamed for the Episcopalian,
Mrs. Tyler for the Baptist, Dr. N. S. Davis for the Methodist, and
many other delegates for other churches whose names are not re-
membered. At that meeting a course of action was formulated,
which resulted in collecting large sums of money and goods from
church members who were not burned out or crippled beyond their
ability to give.
Committees continue to Arrive. — The writer remained Tuesday
night at the church. Everything that was taking place throughout
the city, of extraordinary character, was immediately reported to
the headquarters. Wednesday morning more committees came
from abroad, many from cities in Canada and in the Middle and
Eastern States. The one from Hamilton, Canada, was at the
church by daylight, and had come well prepared ; so in fact had all
the committees. It was estimated on Wednesday that representa-
tives of more than one thousand committees had visited our head-
quarters since Monday noon. They did not come simply to make
their donations and then remain spectators, but to consult with our
people concerning their needs. The governors of most of the
Western States, as well as some from the Southern and Eastern, had
also visited us, and invariably brought words of good cheer and
encouragement.
More thorough Systcmatization of the Committee. — Early in
the morning the committee assembled, when C. C. P. Holden
treasurer, stated that large sums of money had been contrib-
uted, and were then en route, some of which were coming to him
personally, and by drafts, payable to his order ; and he suggested
that these sums should be placed in the treasury of the city, where
the entire city would be responsible to the contributors. He,
therefore, tendered his resignation as treasurer of the Relief
Organization, and moved the appointment of David A. Gage
— the city treasurer — to that position. Mr. Hoiden's resigna-
tion was accepted, and David A. Gage then became the treasurer
and custodian of the world's contributions to the sufferers by the
fire. This action gave entire satisfaction to the numerous commit-
tees then present and representing the contributors. At the same
meeting the committee presented a series of by-laws, which were
passed, for a thorough svstematization of the work, and especially
for the receipt and disbursement of all moneys. The by-laws were
as follows :
" 1. All supplies of provisions and clothing will be received
and distributed by the General Relief Committee, of which O. E.
Moore is chairman and C. T. Hotchkiss secretary. Headquarters
of the Committee, corner of Ann and Washington streets.
" 2. All contributions of money will be delivered to the city
treasurer, David A. Gage, who will receipt, and keep the same as a
special relief fund.
"3. All moneys deposited at other places for the relief of
this city will be drawn only by the mayor of the city.
" 4. No moneys will be paid out of the Special Relief Fund,
except upon order of the auditing committee. George Taylor, city
comptroller ; Mancel Talcott, of the West Division, and Brock
McVickar, of the South Division, are hereby appointed such audit-
ing committee.
" 5. Railroad passes from the city will be issued under the
direction of the General Relief Committee, corner of Ann and
Washington streets.
" Relief Headquarters, Chicago, Oct. u, 1871."
The New York Train. — Colonel James Fisk, Jr. and Jay
Gould, both of the Erie Railroad, had telegraphed on Monday
that they were preparing a train to carry supplies to the Chicago
sufferers, and on Wednesday, at 10 o'clock a. m., the train left
New York. It consisted of seven cars— heavily loaded with pro-
visions and other supplies. It made fifty miles an hour to Port
Jervis, reached Susquehanna at 3 p. m., and was reported at
Elmira making unprecedented time to that point. Dense crowds
of enthusiastic peopje were assembled at the depots in the princi-
pal towns, and many attempted to throw bundles on the train as it
flew past. On the evening of that day, Colonel Fisk telegraphed :
" We received to-day, since the departure of the lightning relief
train at 10 o'clock this morning, over ten thousand consignments
for the sufferers at Chicago, which were forwarded by the express
train at 7 o'clock this evening. It would be almost impossible to
enumerate the contents of the packages or their value ; but as far
as we can judge, taking the entire shipment, nothing could be more
appropriate had a month been occupied in the selection. I find
that in a single consignment there were shipped one hundred coats,
one hundred pairs of trousers, one hundred vests ; while another
consignment included four hundred barrels of sugar and coffee ;
and still another, one hundred barrels of flour. We have, from
appearances, as much, if not more, to receive to-morrow, which we
shall forward, by our express trains only, at 9 a. m., 12 m., 5:30
p. m. and 7 p. m." The cash valuation of these first contributions
from New York were estimated at not less than $250,000.
Notifications, from every portion of the country, of the trans-
mission of money and supplies kept pouring in, and it appeared as
though there was to be no end to the world's charily. During the
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
769
day Wirt Dexter, and many other members of the Chicago Relief and .
Aid Society were at the headquarters, and they suggested that their
society should be the distributors and disbursers of the world's con-
tributions, it being a regularly organized charitable society under j
State charter; that they possessed all the paraphernalia and facili-
ties for carrying out the wishes of the contributors, and that every-
thing in that connection, of right, ought to be turned over to them.
The suggestions of Mr. Dexter and his associates were received by
the committee who were then in charge of the work, but no further
action was taken at that time. In the evening of the same day
(Wednesday), the committees from the country-at-large held a
meeting at the headquarters, at which more than one hundred of
their number were present. Hon. Henry T. Blow, of St. Louis,
was the chairman, and addressed the meeting at considerable
length, and, after a full discussion of our situation by those assem-
bled, they adopted an address to the people of the Nation, in
which they stated the real wants and needs of the sufferers. Hav-
ing been here for several days, they knew the exact condition of
affairs, and spoke intelligently and advisedly. This address had a
widespread influence on the country at large for the general good.
A delegation from Cleveland. Ohio, arrived early in the day,
consisting of N. B. Payne, \V. T. Warren, Colonel W. II. May-
nard, David Price, Mr. Mason and Mr. Alford. They brought
eight car-loads of provision, bedding, clothing and a miscellaneous
assortment of articles necessary for the sufferers. The committee
took great pains to ascertain the true condition of our burned-out
people, wherein it was assisted by Hon. Henry T. Blow, who was
^£X^"
7
always on the alert and ready to give information to new commit-
tees, gained from personal observations during his daily trips
through the outskirts of the burned district. Hon. J. L. Keck, of
Cincinnati, was another gentleman who was ready at all times to
impart information to those who sought it. From these gentlemen,
and other members of the committees, an incalculable amount
of assistance was derived ; and it was well that it was so, for the
committee had more than they could possibly do. General Hotch-
kiss, the secretary, who had not seen a moment's rest since Mon-
day, was still steadily attending to the duties of his position, and,
though he had many able assistants, his task was Herculean.
Every available foot of space in the church had been filled with the
commodities from abroad, and these he had to supervise, both in
their disposition and distribution.
Reports came in from all parts of the city where the unfortun-
ates were housed, stating that everything possible had been done
for their relief and welfare Cooked provisions for immediate use
had been received, and it was thought advisable to have less of
that description in the future, as a large number of families had
obtained permanent shelter and had been supplied with necessary
cooking utensils. Hence, the committees from abroad, at their
meeting, had recommended that uncooked provisions be sent from
the country at large.
Those in charge of the headquarters' dining-room had been
busy from early dawn feeding the multitude. The tables were
loaded down with cold meats of all kinds in abundance, contributed
from Maine to California. The review of Wednesday's work was
entirely satisfactory; and when it was considered, that we were less
than three days in the business, it was not surprising that we felt
extremely self-gralulatory over the result. That night I went to
my home, to remain for the first time since the night of terror.
Thursday 's Work. — Thursday came, and brought with it more
hope for the future. Water was being obtained in small quantities
in very low stories or basements, having been pumped by fire and
other engines into some of the mains, from the river The Board
of Police Commissioners revoked the order creating special police,
as it considered the regular force sufficient for any future demands.
Governor Palmer was at headquarters on Thursday, having
arrived in our stricken city, to see for himself what was requisite,
as he wished the Legislature to pass such acts as would relieve the
sufferers to the fullest extent.
Messrs. Wirt Dexter, N. K. Fairbank, H. A. Johnson, and
other members of the Chicago Relief and Aid Society made another
motion at a meeting held this day in the pastor's study, to have
the donations transferred to their society. At this meeting, Mr.
Fairbank offered the following resolution, as embodying the senti-
ments of those present, which was passed: "Resolved, As the sense
of this meeting, that the organization of the Chicago Relief and
Aid Society be adopted as the means of distributing ihe food and
supplies received for the sufferers; and that the present Relief Com-
mittee, appointed Monday night last, together with the mayor,
49
comptroller, city treasurer, and two aldermen from each Division
of the city, to be selected by the mayor and president of the
Chicago Relief and Aid Society, be added to the directory of said
Society."
Throughout the day all depots for supplies were full to over-
flowing with the abundance which arrived unremittingly, while-
hundreds of teams were busy, from early until late, in hauling these
supplies where they were required. Alderman Wilce reported that he
had ready for occupancy some thirty houses, which he had con-
structed for the homeless under the order given him on Monday
last, and had under way the construction of two hundred more.
Applications for free transportation to the country had greatly
diminished since Tuesday, although those in charge of the pass de-
partment were kept busy during the day.
Tin- Work transferred. — On Friday, the 13th, the mayor turned
over everything to the Chicago Relief and Aid Society, by virtue of
the following proclamation:
" I have deemed it best for the interest of this city to turn
over to the Chicago Relief and Aid Society all contributions for
suffering people in this city.
" This Society is an incorporated, old-established organization,
and has possessed for many years the entire confidence of our com-
munity, and is familiar with the work to be done. The regular
force of this Society is inadequate to this immense work, but they
will rapidly enlarge and extend the same, by adding prominent
citizens to aid this organization in every possible way. I also con-
fer upon them the power, heretofore exercised by the Citizens' Com-
mittee, to impress teams and labor and to procure quarters, so far
as may be necessary ior the transportation, distribution and care
of the sick and disabled.
" General Sheridan desires this arrangement, and has promised
to co-operate with this association.
" It will be seen from the plan of work detailed below, that
every precaution has been taken in regard to the distributions.
"Chicago. October /j, 1S71.
" R. B. Mason, Mayor."
The Chicago Relief and Aid Society very soon thereafter took
possession of the immense trusts thus transferred to their charge,
although there were no immediate changes at the church, in the
mode of managing the vast system of relief which had been carried
on from that great center. On Friday evening, October 13th, the
Committees from the Nation held their final meeting, and adopted
the following address :
" TO THE PEOPLE OF CHICAGO.
" The undersigned respectfully call your attention to the fol-
lowing facts : The committees from the principal cities of the West,
with food and supplies of all kinds, have been in your city since
last Monday night. They assembled at the headquarters of the
Mayor and Cily Council, corner of Ann and Washington streets,
and have since cooperated with Alderman Holden and other mem-
bers of the Council.
" Mr. Moore and his associates being the only organization
known to them in the city for the relief of the sufferers by the great
fire, the St. Louis supplies, with large quantities intrusted to the
delegations from Indiana and Illinois, were distributed by General
Hardee, who, in person, under orders of General Sheridan, placed
them, as we believe, most judiciously.
" We attest most heartily to the unselfish and arduous services
rendered by Alderman Holden, Mr Moore and his associate mem-
bers, the Mayor and many of the Common Council, Mr. Preston,
of the Board of Trade, and, especially, General Sheridan and his
aides ; and yet deem it a duty to say to you that it is now absolutely
essential that the work be systematically and economically extended ;
that ample arrangements should at once be made for the reception
and careful distribution oi coming supplies, by an organization
which will satisfy yourselves and encourage your friends to con-
tinued action. We are perfectly satisfied to recommend to the
country that all moneys intended for your relief be sent to the
city treasurer, because we believe that they will not only be safe,
but will be expended in accordance with the wish of the contribu-
tors ; but from the facts presented we trust you will see the actual
necessity for the systematic arrangement alluded to. And now that
your best men can calmly survey the condition without fear of the
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
future, we again most earnestly beg that you will take immediate
steps for a thorough and permanent organization, that will be en-
lirelv equal to the great work before them.
" HENRY T. BLOW, Chairman of Western Committee.
" A. T. GOSHORN, Chairman of Cincinnati Committee.
"Wm. W. MORRIS, Chairman of Louisville Committee.
"Relief Headquarters Congregational Church,)
"Chicago, October rj, iSyi." \
Thus the time had arrived for a separation ; and, indeed, it
seemed like parting from one's family to bid adieu to these repre-
sentatives of our Nation who had hastened to us at our first cry of
- and who had, from the very beginning on that terrible
Monday, made our cause their own — indeed, in many things, out-
doing us. They came early, and brought succor, remaining until
all were provided for. And, strange to say, in all the public
acknowledgments emanating from this city relative to the noble
deeds done by contributors to the sufferers, there is little or no
mention found of the self-sacrificing action of these unostentatious
pioneers, who were first in the service of that charity which subse-
quently became world-renowned. The newspapers of the day
briefly mentioned these matters ; but that was all.
CimimtatCs Action for our Sufferers. — The following letter,
from the Hon. Josiah L. Keck, of Cincinnati, Ohio, is of interest,
as detailing the action taken in that city :
"On Monday, October 9, 1S71, the Chamber of Commerce,
at 12 m., commenced to receive subscriptions of money and sup-
plies for the relief of Chicago sufferers by the fire, and appointed
a committee to distribute same. At 3 p. m. of same date, the
Common Council met in called session, and I offered a resolution
appropriating $100,000 for same purpose, and the appointment of
a committee to take charge of same. At 4 p. m., the joint com-
mittee of these two bodies met, and I was chosen chairman, and
the following gentlemen of the committee were appointed to go to
Chicago in charge of the supplies, viz. : Richard Smith, Hugh
McBurnie, Uenjamin Eggleston and Thos. G. Smith, of the Cham-
ber of Commerce ; E. V. Brookfield, Alpheus Cutler, General A.
T. I . shorn, ami J. L. Keck, of the Common Council ; and I was
again chosen chairman of this sub-committee. The balance of the
joint committee were intrusted with the purchase and shipment of
the supplies, and the sub-committee to the distribution of the same
in Chicago. We left Cincinnati that same evening, at 7 o'clock,
with a train consisting of one steeper, one baggage-car (used by
us as a kitchen during our stay in Chicago), and five freight cars,
loaded with coffee, sugar, bread, crackers, tea, provisions, clothing,
bedding and blankets, and arrived, after some vexatious delays, at
Chicago, at about 7 p. m. of Tuesday, the 10th. We at once
visited your headquarters, at the church in the West End, and,
with the committee of ladies and gentlemen there, made arrange-
ments to furnish them with the supplies we had. The subscrip-
tions received by the Chamber of Commerce were about $100,000
in money, and some $10,000 in value of supplies. This $100,000
was expended by the committee in the purchase of necessities
here, ami forwarded to our sub-committee a! ( Chicago, and by them
the various church relief societies, hospitals,
ind ward organizations, together with what was turned
over to the < '!. Committee and the individual distri-
butions by the subcommittee. 1 also took $10,000 in cash, and
furnish' to the amount of some $4,000 to build a soup-
rhich we ran during the winter , and also furnished church
itions,— to-wit, Catholii , I olored, fewish, etc. — with many
ring the winter. Our sub-committee remained in
Ics, and I frequently returned to that city
during tl three months.
dersl inding 1" 1 ■ • en Wirt Dexter,
airman of ti,.: Executive Committee of the Chicago Ri lii 1
H isted that we should turn
■ ,•■>'. in money, o'..-r to hi committee, and we refusing.
holding that our instl I, supplies, which we
were willing to buy and send from ( ini nnati to I hicago lli.it
■lung further from us 1 cept inonej ,
and wc refused to furnish money, bi ' ■ to furnish what
was required in thi ■■ ■.. ■. of food or clothing plit, and
0 in 1 - h, having ipi nl
about *;•■ -- ippropriation, as well as all
rif $j'K,,o<xj, and the ere senl
us. Every day during our lay wi from five to ten
L. Keck."
s received from
car-lots of supplies from our committee at home, and would dis-
tribute the same on arrival. I also received a number of car-loads
from Ohio towns, consigned to me, which were all distributed by
the committee. I had also the pleasure of entertaining a large
number of your citizens at dinner and supper in our car. We ran
our kitchen-car all day, and every day during our stay. To the
best of our ability we did the best we could, and 1 have never
doubted that we did well. It is my impression that we were among
the first to arrive with help; that we remained longer, and did
more effectual work, than any other committee. The reason was,
we were better hitched up, and had better facilities — not that we
had larger hearts or more sympathy in the work.
What St. Louis did, — And the following w.
Hon. George Bain, of St. Louis, Mo. :
"On the receipt of the news of the burning of Chicago, on
the ath of October, 1S71, a public meeting was called at the Mer-
chants' Exchange, presided over by Mayor Joseph Brown ; and at
that meeting over $70,000 was subscribed for the relief of the suf-
ferers of your city by the fire.
" Besides this, committees were appointed, who collected, that
day, six car-loads of cooked and uncooked provisions and one
car-load of clothing. The principal subscribers on 'Change were —
The Merchants' Exchange, in its corporate capacity, $10,000 ; St.
Louis Gas-Light Co., $2,500 ; Hon. Henry T. Blow, $1,200 ; and
the following individuals $1,000 each : Mrs. Ann L. Hunt. James
H. Lucas, W. M. McPherson, Gerard B. Allen (President Mer-
chants' Exchange), S. C. Davis & Co , Jas. B. Eads, Lavielle
Warner & Co. (Southern Hotel), George Knapp & Co. (Missouri
Republican). G. R. Taylor, Thomas Allen, Joseph Brown (Mavor),
George P. Plant, J. Robb (of New York), Missouri Pacific Rail-
road, American Wine Co. (Isaac Cook), G. I. Jay & Co., Dodd,
Brown & Co., and the St. Louis University.* The same afternoon
(TTT
7
a special meeting of the City Council was called, and, on motion
of Mr. A. Krieckhaus to appropriate $25,000, the writer (Bain)
offered an amendment to make it $50,000; which passed by a vote
of sixteen to four, and then our Mayor telegraphed Mayor Mason
as follows :
" ' Mayor of Chicago, — Trains will leave by Chicago & Alton
R. R. this evening with a quantity of cooked, and other provisions;
also provisions by the Vandalia & Illinois Central R. R. The
City Council voted $50,000 to the Chicago sufferers, and mass-
meeting called for to-night to add to citizens' contribution of to-day
of $70,000 Joseph Brown, Mayor.'
' ' The Committee appointed to carry the provisions to Chicago
were Henry T. Blow, George Bain, E. O. Stanard, William
Taussig, J. C. Ewald, H. C. Creveling, R. P. Tansey, B, M.
Chambers, N. Stevens and H. Overstolz. The provisions and
clothing were loaded in seven Vandalia cars, and accompanied by
Messrs. E. O. Stanard, N. Stevens, H. C. Creveling and J. C.
Ewald; their train leaving at 5:30 p. m., while Messrs. Blow,
Bain, Chambers, Taussig and Tansey started by the Chicago &
Alton Railroad an hour later, carrying half a car of cooked pro-
visions ; the last item handed the writer, being a large box,
containing several dozen chickens, which our mayor's wife and
daughter — Virginia K. and Jennie B. Brown — had cooked that day,
^^,^e
iK^
and asked me to deliver to Mayor Mason ; but, as you will remem-
ber, when our committee had arrived at VanBuren and Canal streets,
and met some of your committee, the chickens and other provisions
were taken to the church on the corner of Ann and Washington
streets, where the women and children were gathered together. After
delivering what we had brought up, we went over with your com-
mittee to Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue, where we found
the Illinois Central train, which had just arrived with the pro-
visions and clothing. We also found Colonel Sheridan, who
•George II. Morgan, Secretary of the M-h h, nits' Kxelmnge and Secre-
tary of tin- Relief Committee, was also very instrumental, in St. Louis, in rais-
inj .ii- ' 1 ipi ions ami supplies.
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
77i
detailed sume soldiers to assist us ; and we at once began to
distribute provisions among the school-houses and other places of
refuge. This was on the morning of the 10th.
"That night I slept at your house, and the next morning our
placed since October 9; but they were still needed, and continued
to perform their charitable work. Among them may be mentioned
Aldermen Wilce, Bateham, Woodard, McGrath, Buehler, Mc-
Cauley, Schintz, McAvoy, Daggy, McCotter, Gill, Campbell,
Walsh and Busse.
On October 17, 1871. the General Relief Com-
the
Relief
/) yT\ mittee, through its chairman ami secretary, sent
(/ jk,^^ /jm*S*7 ^"7 'Cy following letter to Wirt Dexter, of the Chicago R
f / * "WlRT DEXTER, Esq., Chairman Executive C
force was increased by the arrival of Mrs. Dr. Dickinson and
Phoebe W. Couzins. Murry Nelson (I think it was) turned over to us
seven wagons belonging to Field, Leiter & Co , with their drivers,
and loading these wagons with cooked provisions, we started for
the North Side — the two ladies and myself — and began distributing
our load among the people we found on the lake shore, as far as
the cemetery, and to the northern extremity and beyond Lincoln
Park. Thence, going westward, we crossed the Chicago-avenue
bridge, and left what provisions we had not distributed, in a
school-house, which was crowded with people, first having supplied
a crowd of about four hundred drawn up in line before the build-
ing. That night, a majority of the committee returned to St.
Louis, but Mrs. Dickinson and Miss Couzins remained in your
city for several weeks, and I am sure rendered valuable assistance.
I subjoin, herewith, a list of the committees appointed on
'Change October gth: Chairman of the Committee to Collect Food
in Wagons, S. B. Palling ; Purchasing Committee, W. H. Scudder,
F. W. Crane, J. D. Husband, S. P. Young, J. P. Fitzgerald ;
Committee to wait on Banks, Clinton B. Fisk, W. L. Hull, G. E.
Leighton ; Committee to prepare Circulars, S. O. Hemenway, J.
G. Prather, G. F. Cochnower, E. P. Wilcox, M. G. Dodd, James
McDonough.
" The foregoing is a brief statement of what I myself remem-
ber regarding our trip. Geo. Bain."
Louisville's Committee. — From Louisville, Ky., there came a
large delegation, arriving on Tuesday. Hon. W. W. Morris was
chairman of the same. In a letter to the writer, Mr. Morris says :
" I can not give the names of all the committee which went
with relief to your city in October, 1871. Messrs. C. G. Davidson,
C. O. Smith, M. Muldoon and H. J. Monch were prominent
among the number. Colonel Davidson and myself remained
twelve days, personally attending to the distribution of §200,000 in
supplies. Wm. W. Morris."
Resume' of Work. — Saturday, tbe 14th of October, witnessed the
absence of the various visiting committees, except where members
remained in charge of the distribution of supplies. The Cincinnati
people opened their soup-house to the public on this day. It had
a capacity for feeding ten thousand persons daily, and it was kept
open until late in the winter, providing for all who came.
The Common Council and all city officer::, who had made the
church their headquarters, found other offices. The Council, which
had been in continual session from Monday, at 12:45 P- m-. an<i nad
had several regular meetings, removed to the police station, at the
**\A*
fr
corner of Madison and Union streets, while other city officers, in-
cluding the mayor, removed to the corner of Hubbard Court and
Wabash Avenue. The mayor having transferred all matters per-
taining to relief to the Chicago Relief and Aid Society, the large
number of aldermen and other city officers anticipated being in a
measure released from the trying position in which they had been
Esq., Chairman Executive Com-
mittee, Chicago Aid and Relief Society :
" Sir, — The General Relief Committee, of which
we were chairman and secretary, respectively, with headquarters
at the corner of Washington and Ann streets, discontinued all
official action as a committee on Saturday evening last, and have
since referred all official matters coming before us to your com-
mittee.
"We supposed that this fact was generally known, and we
now make this formal statement, that you may be asssured that
there has not been, nor can be, any conflict on our part to possibly
embarrass your committee in the full control and direction of all
matters pertaining to the relief of the destitute in our midst.
" Respectfully,
"Orren E. Mooke, Chairman.
" C. T. Hotchkiss, Secretary."
At the request of the aldermen, the writer remained at the
church headquarters until Monday, October 23, doing what he
could to carry out the original intention of Mr. Moore and himself
upon taking possession of the church at noon on Monday, October
9, 1871. In the furtherance of this project there had been, during
this time, more than seventy-five thousand people provided for in
various ways ; the dead had received burial the sick and wounded
had been nursed and cared for, the hungry had been fed, the home-
less and houseless had been provided with shelter, lost children had
found their parents, husbands and wives who had been separated
were re-united, and those who wished to go into the country to
friends had been furnished with free transportation.
The Water Supply resumed. — The main water supply, which
had been cut off by the fire, was restored on Tuesday, October 17,
at 8: 20 o'clock, by starting the engine which had been constructed
and put into place in 1867, and which had a capacity of eighteen
million gallons daily. This again gave to the people the water con-
nection, of which they had been deprived for eight days and five
hours. Thus it would appear a reasonable statement, that every-
thing possible had been done.
Unrecorded Gifts. — Relative to contributions and donations
made during the early days, by hamlets, towns, villages and cities
of the United States and of Canada, it is safe to say that the sup-
plies and money received direct from the donors, and of which no
account has been made, would reach the sum of not less than
$2,500,000.
It must not be forgotten that the State of Illinois, during an
extra session of its Legislature, donated to the City of Chicago
the magnificent sum of $2,955,340, by the following Act :
"Provided, however, That not less than one-fifth, nor to
exceed one-third, of said sum so appropriated shall be received by
said city and be applied in reconstructing the bridges and the pub-
lic buildings and structures destroyed by fire, upon the original
sites thereof, as already provided by the Common Council, and the
remainder thereof to be applied to the payment of the interest on
the bonded debt of such city and the maintenance of the Fire and
Police Departments thereof."
By this timely act, the city was enabled at once to commence
re-building and re-instituting the public improvements which had
been destroyed.
The writer made a brief report to the Common Council of his
action from Monday morning, October 9, until Monday, October
23 ; which report was spread on the records (vide Council Proceed-
ings 1870-71, pp. 346-47)-
After the discontinuance of organized effort by the General
Committee, there were many who voluntarily continued in the
relief service, without re-imbursement, for many weeks. Many
ladies devoted much of their time and means to assist the thou-
sands of women who had lost their positions and only means of
support by the lire ; while numbers of ladies transformed their
houses into storerooms for contributed women's apparel, where
those in need thereof could be supplied.
Among the donations of money distributed exclusively by
ladies may be mentioned $5,000, given by the Grand Duke Alexis,
and $5,000 from the Japanese Prince Iwakura — both amounts
having been left with Hon. Joseph Medill, and which sum> were
placed in his wife's hands for distribution. These amounts Mrs.
Medill gave among the various hospitals and charitable institutions
of this city This lady, with her two daughters, devoted the most
77-'
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
of the year following the fire to the cause of humanity, in which
she was one among a large number of the ladies of our city.
The following letter is of correlative interest as to the relief
measures :
" My Dear Mr. Holden. — You ask formy recollection of the
events of Monday, the 9th of October, 1871.
" I had been living at the corner of Robey and Jackson streets.
The glare of the great fire, which filled my room, an east one,
roused me on Sunday night, and before midnight I had gone down
town and was in the thick of it. I was driven before the flames to
the lake front, and finally reached home, by the way of Twelfth-
street bridge, about noon on Monday, after making a night of it.
On my way to my home, 1 passed down Aberdeen Street, crossing
Monroe, to call at my father's residence on Adams Street near Cen-
ter Avenue.
" It must have been about 1 1 o'clock a. m., that I met you at the
corner of Monroe and Aberdeen, evidently in a hurry. You said
you had taken possession of the First Congregational Church, corner
of Ann and Washington streets, in the name of the city, you being
an alderman ; and that a meeting of citizens would take place, to
see what could be done for the relief of the suffering and the pro-
tection of lives and property. At your suggestion, I went home
and got my horse and buggy, and devoted the afternoon and even-
ing among the people who crowded the prairies in the northwestern
division, notifying them of the provision you had made for their
care. These people had been driven by the fire from the North
Side, across Chicago-avenue, Division-street and North-avenue
bridges, and were lying out in the groves and on the prairies in a
condition of distress and fright which beggars description. How
many went to the First Congregational Church it is impossible to
say, but the number must have been large. This was the first
effort made by anyone to bring order out of chaos. The relief work
then begun was taken charge of very soon by the Relief Society.
" When I reached the grounds on which my iron foundry was
located, on the historic 'Sands,' I found the remains of three men
who had been burned there. I also saw a charred body in the
ruins at the northeast corner of Randolph and Clark streets. In-
deed but for the importance of the work in hand, and which so oc-
cupied my thoughts as to crowd out 'whatever curiosity I should
otherwise have been disposed to gratify, the scenes witnessed during
my tramp over the burned district might have furnished me matter
for a whole volume of horrible details."
The following letter, written to Rufus Blanchard, on April 24,
1883, explains itself :
"In accordance with your request I submit herewith a state-
ment, compiled from such data as I consider nearly reliable, touch-
ing the losses of both personal and real (buildings) estate destroyed
by the great fire of October Sth and gth, 1871
" The fire destroyed the very heart of our city, taking in its
general course all Government, State, County, and a large portion
of the Municipal buildings. In its devastating route it swept over
2,200 acres of soil, burning to destruction 15,76s buildings ; 175
manufacturing establishments, 121 miles of stone and other side-
walks, and 73 miles of streets were embraced in the limits of the
vast conflagration.
"To enumerate the property destroyed by the fire would be an
impossibility, but a tolerably close approximation of the losses can
be furnished ; and herewith I give you a statement as nearly cor-
rect as long research can make it.
"The United States Government lost all its buildings, includ-
ing the Custom House, and $2,130,000 in money. The city lost,
in round numbers more than $3,000,000. The county also lost
heavily. Then there were the losses of the great trunk-line of rail-
ways, the Chamber of Commerce and the Hoard of Trade, ware-
houses and elevators, banking corporations and private bankers and
brokers, insurance corporations, newspaper offices and effects, hotels
and restaurants, opera houses, theatres and other places of amuse-
ment, churches, the schools and other places of learning, manufac-
tories of all kinds, the vast shipping interests, including vessels,
canal-boats, tugs and dredges, Hour, grain and provisions, the
brewers, distillers and dealers in wines and liquors, business blocks,
stores and dwellings, dry goods, groceries, hardware and iron safes,
other mi OOd, clothing, hats, caps and furs, drugs,
books, stationery and pap r tock, boots and shoes, furniture and
bedding, pianos, organs and other musical instruments and music,
millinery, jewelry, leather and harness material, tailors' supplies,
paints and oils, livery and livery stock, libraries and paintings, and
artists' supplies, and all other kinds of business not herein enume-
rated— a total of $187,927,000 ; made up as follows, to-wit:
15,768 buildings (and in this number were
the business blocks, Custom House,
Court House, newspaper offices, railroad
stations, depots and offices, hotels, City
Hall, churches, opera houses and
theatres, and dwellings). $49,239,000
Household goods, silverware, etc 31,536,000
Personal effects, including jewelry and
money -- 19,840,000
Flour, grain and provisions - 5,262,000
Wholesale and retail business 46,645,000
Manufactories and shipping 14,055,000
All other interests not herein enumerated,
city losses outside of City Hall, public
libraries, records, and miscellaneous of
every description 21,350,000
Grand total $187,927,000
' ' The total valuation of taxable property in the city of Chicago,
as assessed for the municipal yeitr 1871, was $289,746,470. The as-
sessment was made for that year on the basis of 50 per cent, of the
true valuation of the property thus assessed. Hence the real value
of all taxable property in the city for that year was $579,492,940 ;
and thus was wiped out of Chicago's real wealth a little more than
32 per cent, of the same, which would be $185,437,740, leaving a
margin of losses, over and above this amount, of $2,489,260.
' ' These great losses by fire, the like of which were never heard
of before in this or any other country during the world's history,
were partially met by 201 insurance companies, which companies
had at risk in the burned district the sum of $100,225,780; of which
amount they paid, according to approximation, the sum of
$50,178,925, leaving a net loss to the burned-out property owners
of $137,748,075. Sixty-eight insurance companies, with assets of
$24,867,109, were compelled to go into liquidation, through losses
sustained by the fire.
"Among the products of our soil, and which are enumerated
in the above item as destroyed, may be mentioned 15,000 barrels of
flour 4,000 tierces of lard, 1,500,000 pounds of cut-meats, 6,000
barrels of pork, 2,400 tons broom corn.
" Finally, it is safe to say that
on that fatal day in the history
of Chicago, fully one-third of all her
real wealth was destroyed by the
conflagration. Not only this, but
there were rendered homeless by
that terrible calamity more than
ninety-four thousand souls ; but sad-
der still is the fact, never to be for-
gotten, that three hundred human lives were sacrificed to the flames
of that ever to be remembered day."
The foregoing is the story, in part, of the first steps taken for
the relief of the sufferers by the great fire in Chicago on October
9, 1871. The chapter is made up from such data as I have at
hand touching that most memorable occasion. Many of those
who were foremost among our citizens in achieving the results ac-
complished, have since deceased, among them being Hon. Samuel
S. Hayes of this city and Hon. Henry T. Blow of St. Louis. Mr.
Blow's efficacious work and hearty sympathy in the church head-
quarters will long be remembered by our citizens. Indeed, all
who in that trying hour of our city's history lent a helping hand
to our sorrowing and suffering citizens will certainly have their
reward.
Charles C. P. Holden, the son of Phineas H. and Betsey
(Parker) Holden, was born in Groton, N. H., August 9, 1827. His
mother's father was Lieutenant Levi Parker, of Dunstable, Mass.,
an officer in the revolutionary army, and a witness of the hanging
of Major Andre ; his mother's youngest brother, Samuel Parker,
died in Davenport, Iowa, on August 28, 1SS4, at the advanced age
of eighty-four years. When he was three years of age, his parents
moved to West Hartford, Vt., where they remained until the
spring of 1836, at which period they moved to Illinois, with their
family of nine children, arriving in Chicago on June 30, 1836. His
father located a claim, and began farming at Skunk's Grove (now
the Town of Frankfort), in Will County, thirty miles south of Chi-
cago. When Charles C. P. had reached the age of fifteen, his father
placed him in Charles Sweet's grocery store, which was then on the
corner of Wolcott and North Water streets, where he remained for
a time, working for his board for the first six months. In the
spring of 1847, he enlisted in Captain T Ii Kenney's company of
volunteers, for the Mexican War, where he served until October
18, 1848, at which time he was honorably discharged from that
service, at Alton, 111. In the spring of 1850, he crossed the plains
to California, where he worked in the mines and at (arming until
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
773
December i, 1S53, when he took the steamship " Winfield Scott "
for Panama and for home. The second night out from San Fran-
cisco, the steamer, in a dense fog, ran on the rocks off Anacapa
Island, and was totally wrecked. The passengers were all saved,
and remained on that small island for seven days, when they were
rescued by the steamship " California," and in due time landed at
Panama. Mr. Holden reached Chicago and his home on March
19, 1854. On February 20, 1855, he entered the employment of
the Illinois Central Railroad, and remained with that corporation
until February 4, 1S73. In the spring of 1S61, he was elected to
the Common Council of this city, to represent the Fifth Ward. He
remained in the Council continuously until December 1, 1872, and
during that time took an active part in all the great public improve-
ments, then but just begun. lie was a strenuous advocate for the
building of sewers, the extension of the water system, the improve-
ment of streets, and, indeed, he took the initiative in all works to
thus improve the city. He was the moving spirit in cutting down
the summit-level of the canal, being the chairman of the committee
that went to Springfield and appeared before the Legislature in that
behalf. Mr. Holden was the father of the West Side water sys-
tem, including the second lake tunnel and the works at the corner
of Twenty-second Street and Ashland Avenue. In December,
1S70, he was elected president of the Common Council, and was
the president of that body at the time of the great conflagration,
October g, 1871. In November, 1874, he was elected, for the term
of three years, a County Commissioner from the Chicago district,
receiving a majority vote of more than eight thousand. He took
his seat on December 1, 1S74. On the first Monday in December,
1S76, he was elected president of the board, and laid the corner-
stone of the new Court House on July 4, 1S77. The first group of
Hospital buildings were erected on Harrison, Polk and Wood
streets, during his term in the County lioard. Mr. Holden was
appointed West Chicago Park Commissioner in March, i36g, by
Governor John M Palmer, in which office he served the people of
West Chicago until the spring of 1878. Mr. Holden was married
to Miss Sarah J. Reynolds, on September 15, 1S55. She was the
daughter of Isaac N. and Rue Ann Reynolds, of New Lenox,
Will Co., 111. Mrs. Holden died on July'26, 1S73.
OFFICIAL ACTION.
While the flames were still raging, the Mayor of Chi-
cago, and other officials, telegraphed to neighboring
cities for engines to help suppress the furious fires and
for food to relieve the immediate necessities of those citi-
zens who had been reduced to the condition of homeless
wanderers in the brief space of a single night.
The official proclamation is reproduced elsewhere,
and an account given of its inception. The original
draft was written with pencil upon three half-sheets of
commercial note-paper, and is now preserved in the col-
lection of the Chicago Historical Society.
The first act of general importance by the Common
Council of the city was the passage of an ordinance,
dated October 10, fixing the price of bread, during the
ten days succeeding, at the rate of eight cents for twelve
ounces.
A proclamation was issued by Mayor Mason, on
Tuesday, October 10, for the conservation of public
peace. The document was published in the Tribune of
Wednesday, the nth, as a completed instrument, con-
taining seven distinct clauses; but the fact is, that these
several apparently disjointed announcements were writ-
ten from time to time, during the early hours of the excite-
ment incident to the fire, and were subsequently com-
bined, perhaps without sufficient authority, by some one
who had access to newspaper columns. The first sec-
tion of the proclamation requested all citizens " to exer-
cise great caution in the use of fire in their dwellings,
and not to use kerosene lights at present," as the city
was destined to be without a " full supply of water for
probably two or three days." The second section pro-
claimed that "all bridges dver the North Branch," and
all bridges over the South Branch, "except VanBuren
and Adams streets," from Lake Street southward, were
passable, whereas Chicago-avenue bridge on the North,
and Polk-street bridge on the South Branch, were de-
stroyed. The third section was the first issued in rela-
tion to police affairs. It reads:
" All good citizens who are willing to serve, are requested to
report at the corner of Ann and Washington streets, to be sworn in
as special policemen. Citizens are requested to organize a police
for each block in the city, and to send reports of such organization
to the police headquarters, corner of Union and Madison streets."
Citizens were requested to avoid passing through
the burned districts, to prevent accidents from falling
walls; and hackmen and draymen were forbidden to
charge more than regular fees for services, under pen-
alty of revocation of license.
On the 19th, the mayor's headquarters were estab-
lished at the corner of Ann and Washington streets,
RUINS, MAODALENE HOSPITAL.
police headquarters at the corner of Union and Madison
streets, and the health department at the same place as
the executive rooms. This assumption of the outward
show of authority served to impart courage to the
alarmed and stricken citizens. In times of peace, men
of well-ordered lives move on with scarcely a thought
of the mechanism by which peace is preserved. To the
many who respect the abstract principles of right, and
obey the dictates of conscience and reason, and for
whom the law is but the written evidence of what they
desire to do, this period of relaxation of the law's agen-
cies was merely an episode ; but to those whose minds
are ever alert to find opportunities for the evasion of
statutory penalties, the confusion was a means to wicked
ends. From all parts of the country professional thieves
and burglars hastened to this city, where lay vast mines
of wealth beneath the ruin of safety-vaults ; where
houseless wanderers roamed the prairies and the parks
with the hastily-rescued treasures of private safes and
jewel caskets. It may be doubted whether the calami-
ties of the world, except those inflicted by the hand of
war, have offered wider or freer scope for the practice
of bold villainies.
Such, in brief, was the social condition of the city
when the authorities issued the first proclamation for
the preservation of order — on the 19th of October. By
command of Mayor Mason, it was proclaimed that five
hundred citizens for each of the three divisions should
774
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
be at once sworn in as special policemen, subject to or-
ders from their respective sergeants, who were, in turn,
appointed by the superintendent of police and governed
by him. The final clauses of that proclamation read:
"The military will co-operate with the police organization and
the city government in the preservation of order. »
" The military are invested with full police power, and will be
respected and obeyed in their efforts to preserve order,"
Two companies of Chicago military — the " Nor-
w gian Guards," commanded by Major J. F. Alstrup —
were first to volunteer, and co-operate with Captain
Miller, of the West-division police force. The com-
panies were under the command of Captain Bentzen
and Captain C. Jahnson. Their service began on Oc-
tober 9.
It has been shown in the preceding narrative that
I.ieutenant-General Sheridan, then in command of the
Military Division of the Missouri, with headquarters at
Chicago, asserted that genius for emergencies which
lias placed him among the foremost men of his time,
even before the flames had ceased their work of de-
vastation. When the necessity for the use of explosives
was apparent, untrained hands laid mines with slight
effect, but when the skilled soldier assumed command
of this ultimate resort, the elements themselves obeyed.
Great occasions produce great men. The record of
the hero of the civil war eclipses the record of the sol-
dier who inspired anew the failing courage of Chicago's
citizens, but the qualities which made Sheridan con-
spicuous at the front flashed into view amid the totter-
ing walls of this doomed city. The perils of fire were
first appreciated, and first to be counteracted in his line
of work, but when the danger of the moment had been
averted, he saw a menacing probability in the inhuman
horde that skulked, like ghouls upon the battle-field, to
rob the wounded and distressed. With decision, Lieu-
tenant-General Sheridan dispatched to General Bel-
knap, Secretarv of War, the announcement of Chicago's
destruction while the fire was still raging. He closed
his message with these words:
"I ordered, on your authority, rations from St. Louis, tents
from Jeffersonville, and two companies of infantry from Omaha.
There will be many houseless people, much distress."
Later in the day he again informed the Secretary of
War of the extent of the calamity and remarked :
" It seems to me to be such a terrible misfortune that it may
with propriety be considered a National calamity."
Secretary Belknap responded, oh the 10th, agreeing
with General Sheridan as to the National character of
the disaster, an 1 announcing that supplies had been or-
by the War Department, to be forwarded from
ral convenient stations in the West.
Although the citizens responded promptly to the
call of the mayor for special policemen, and every capa-
ble and honest man constituted himself a guardian of
ace, there was a lack of organization. Allan
Pinkerton, the well-known detective, joined his corps
of men to that of the regular body, and issued a pro-
nunciamento to the effect that no mercy would be
shown those reprobates who were detected in the act of
crime, but that "death shall be their fate." In spite of
this, however, there was a deep-seated fear of an otit-
is. The sentiment of the people was
unquestionably a strong desire for the presence of the
military, and the popular feeling seems to have been ex-
1 by the Chicago Tribune, of the nth, which
said.
" Lieutenant-General Sheridan has telegraphed to Omaha and
the military stations in thai ection "I country for one thousand
. , . 1 1 1 ;o, al once, by spa tal
trains. These troops are expected to reach Chicago this morning,
and will he distributed throughout the remaining residence and
business portions of the city, as a protection against incendiarism,
robbery, pillage, etc. It is not improbable that the city will be
placed under martial law."
Anticipating the necessity for aid and protection,
Governor John M. Palmer, on the 9th, sent his secre-
tary, General E. B. Harlan, to Chicago, with instruc-
tions to act as in his judgment seemed best for the
relief of present suffering. General Harlan reached
the city too late to meet Mayor Mason that day, but
early on the 10th, after consultation with the mayor,
drew on the Governor for $5,000 as a relief fund. The
governor, meanwhile, telegraphed the mayor, asking
what was needed of him. The mayor responded, under
date of the 9th, that food and tents were required. At
ten o'clock that night, three car-loads of supplies were
shipped from Springfield, and more were dispatched on
the following morning.
On the afternoon of the 10th, Governor Palmer re-
ceived a message from General Anson Stager, tersely
defining the extent of the fire and containing these
words :
"Two incendiaries shot last night while in the act of firing
buildings in the south part of the city. * * The mayor is now
organizing a patrol."
The governor replied, requesting the general to in-
form the State whether troops were needed to preserve
order. Through the general, on the same afternoon,
the governor learned that Mayor Mason did desire mili-
tary assistance, which should be ordered to report
directly to him. The governor promptly instructed
RUINS, CHURCH OF NEW JERUSALEM.
Adjutant-General Dilger to order the " Sterling City
Guards," the " Rock Fall Zouaves," the "Springfield
Volunteers " and the " Champaign Cadets" to proceed
to Chicago, under command of Colonel H. Dilger,
whom he also cordially recommended to the confidence
of Mayor Mason. Colonel Dilger left Springfield with
his company and one thousand muskets on the evening
of the 10th, and arrived in Chicago the next morning.
The additional supply of arms and ammunition was sent
at the special request of Mayor Mason,
On the morning of the nth, Colonel Dilger reported
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
775
to the governor that the rumors concerning outlawry
were exaggerated, and that Mayor Mason did not know
about the dispatch sent by General Stager for troops.
The mayor instructed Colonel Dilger to report to Lieu-
tenant-General Sheridan, who desired the colonel to
march his command through the town, for the effect
which this display would have on any possible disturb-
ing element. There were by that time some seven
hundred regular troops in the city. The governor des-
patched Colonel Dilger orders to return to Springfield,
if his presence was not needed. But the local authori-
ties evidently felt the need of that restraining force,
and entrusted the colonel with the care of the North
Side.
The Common Council and General Sheridan ex-
pressed a wish to have Governor Palmer visit the city.
The governor telegraphed General Sheridan to know
the number of troops then on police duty in Chicago.
The message ended with the cordial words, " Thanks
for your promptness." The general replied that there
were then seven companies in the city or en route, and
that a regiment was about to be formed of volunteers,
for twenty days' service. The State troops were to be
retained for a day or two.
On this day, the i ith, Mayor Mason issued his proc-
lamation transferring absolute police authority to Lieu-
tenant-General Sheridan. The document reads:
" The preservation of the good order and peace of the city is
hereby intrusted to Lieutenant-General Philip H. Sheridan, Uni-
ted States Army.
" The police will act in conjunclion with the lieutenant-general
in the preservation of the peace and quiet of the city, and the su-
perintendent of police will consult with him to that end — the intent
being to preserve the peace of the city without interfering with the
functions of the city government."
The police commissioners revoked their order of the
8th, authorizing a special police force, and remarked:
" The large military force now in the city under command of
Lieutenant-General Sheridan, co-operating with the regular police
organization, is now deemed sufficient to maintain good order and
quietude for the future."
On the 1 2th, or soon after, the peace of the city was
conserved by the following troops, under the command
of Lieutenant-General Sheridan:
Regular troops — Cos. " F," " H " and " K," of the Fourth
Regiment; Cos. "A," "H"and"K," of the Fifth Regiment:
Co. "I," of the Sixth Regiment; Cos. "A" and "K," of the
Ninth Regiment; and Co. "E," of the Sixteenth Regiment.
State troops — The Springfield Zouaves, O'Meara Guards, and
Captain Cyrus Donegan's colored company, Lieutenant-Colonel E.
S. Johnson commanding battalion ; the Bloomington German Na-
tional Guards, Captain IL D, Kuhlmann; the Champaign Cadets,
Professor E. Snyder; the Sterling City Guards, Captain J. \V. R.
Stambaugh ; the Rock Fall Zouaves, Captain T. Culver ; and the
Rock Island Light Artillery. Major J. M. Beardsley.
Total, five hundred and sixteen men, with four pieces of
artillery.
The regiment of volunteers, alluded to by General
Sheridan in his despatch to Governor Palmer, was
raised with the approbation of Mayor Mason, and in
pursuance to orders from General Sheridan, dated Oc-
tober ii. It was designated First Regiment Chicago
Volunteers, and was constituted as follows :
Colonel Francis T. Sherman, commanding ; Lieutenant-Col-
onel H. Osterman, 1st Regiment N. G. ; * Major G. A. Bender,
ist Regiment N. G ; Major C. H. Dyer, adjutant ; Major Charles
T. Scammon, aide-de-camp, 1st Regitnent N. G. : Co. "A," Cap-
tain Fischer ; Co. " D," Captain Pasch ; Co " G," Captain Cro-
nas ; Co. "-H," Captain Paul; Co. "I," Captain Kelter. ist
Chicago Volunteers: Co. " B," Captain Rogers I Lieutenant Adams,
commanding!; Co. " C," Captain Merrill ; Co. " K," recruited by
Captain Whittlesey (Captain Baker, commanding); University
National Guards
i part of the Illinois State Milltil
Cadets, Captain Colson ; Montgomery Light Guards, Captain
Croley ; Mulligan Zouaves, Captain McCarthy ; Sheridan Guards,
Captain Ryan; Chicago Cadets, Captain Suiter; Hannibal Zou-
aves, Captain Williams. Norwegian Battalion of National Guards:
Major Alstrup, commanding ; Ole Bendixen, adjutant ; Co. "A,"
Captain Paulsen ; Co. " B," Captain Eck ; Co. "C," Captain
Jahnson ; Co. " D," Captain Bentzen.
To show the sense of security which the presence
of this force inspired, the following editorial from the
Chicago Tribune of October 1 2 is quoted :
" Another twenty-four hours have passed without further
calamity, and the arrival of troops from Omaha, Champaign.
Bloomington, Springfield, and other places, all now under com-
mand of Lieutenant-General Sheridan, has placed the city out of
danger from riot. The local patrol, reinforced by armed regulars
and militia, is abundantly able to take care of the city and deal
summarily with all dangerous characters."
The local columns of the Tribune of the same date
contained this general comment on the situation :
" The real headquarters of the order-preserving force of the
city is now at No. 560 Wabash Avenue, where General Phil. Sheridan
has established his headquarters, in the house formerly occupied by
the Phcenix Club. Mere the head of the city has planted a pine
table, and entei tains his numerous friends. The force at the gen-
eral's command, in addition to the city regular and special police,
consists of seven companies of regulars and six of volunteers.
The former are from Omaha and other western points, and are all
camped on the site of the ball-park, on Michigan Avenue. To
them, as the most trustworthy and vigilant force at hand, has been
intrusted the care of the South Side burned district, reaching from
Harrison Street to the main river. In this space is, at present, the
wealth and treasure of the city yet in safes, and in most cases
buried in the ruins. The number of thieves now known to be in
the city, and the presumption that thev will make the safes their
objective point, render this disposition of the troops the most pru-
dent one possible. The orders to the sentinels last night were of the
strictest possible kind.
" The militia are from Bloomington, Springfield and Cham-
paign, and number six companies in all. They arrived in the city
yesterday (Wednesdav) morning, under the orders of Adjutant-
General Ililger. * * *
" General Sheridan seemed satisfied that the city was perfectly
safe under the protection already at hand ; but, in order to assure
this, more troops will arrive shortly. Three additional companies
were expected last night, and ten companies more will arrive to-day,
making a force large enough to keep in order all the roughs in the
United States.
" Another addition to the force of the city was, on yesterday,
started by General Frank Sherman, under authority from Mayor
Mason and General Sheridan. This will consist of a regiment of
militia, to be recruited by trustworthy men, for twenty-days' ser-
vice. The regiment will consist of ten companies, of sixty men
and three officers each. The colonel has established his headquar-
ters at the Wabash-avenue Methodist Church, corner of Harrison
Street."
On the 1 2th of October, the city offices were re-
moved to the corner of Hubbard Court and Wabash
Avenue.
General Sheridan, on the 12th, reported to Mayor
Mason, as follows :
" The preservation of peace and good order of the city having
been intrusted to me by your Honor, I am happy to state that no
case of outbreak or disorder has been reported. No authenticated
attempt at incendiarism has reached me. and the people of the city
are calm, quiet and well-disposed. The force at my disposal is
ample to maintain order, should it be necessary, and protect the
district devastated by fire. Still, I would suggest to citizens not to
relax in their watchfulness until the smouldering fires of the burned
buildings are entirely extinguished."
From the report of Adjutant General Dilger, dated
October 15, addressed to Governor Palmer, facts con-
cerning the arrival and disposition of the State troops
in Chicago are learned, as follows :
" At 5 p. m. of the 10th, the orders to rendezvous at Chicago
left the executive office at Springfield. At S p. m. of the nth,
three hundred and fifteen, and at 4 p. m. of the same day, a total of
five hundred and sixteen men, with four pieces of artillery, reported
to General Dilger, in Chicago, furnished with necessary arms and
776
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
munitions. Additional men and arms were held in reserve at Spring-
Geld, ready to start at a moment's notice. General Dilger had, at
4:50 a. m. of the nth, discovered portions of Major Aistrup's
battalion on duty, and took occasion, in his report, to commend
the promptness of this force in responding to the need of the
hour.
" It was ascertained by General Dilger that the mayor had
intrusted the care of the city to General Sheridan, who expected
regular troops at an early moment. The call made upon Governor
Palmer was not authorized by Mayor Mason, and the governor's
order to Major Beardsley of the Rock Island artillery company
had been countermanded by the mayor. The major, however,
declined to recognize the authority of Mayor Mason to annul the
orders of the governor, the commander-in-chief of the State mil-
itia, to which the major's command belonged, and therefore he
proceeded at once to the scene of the fire.
"In compliance with Mayor Mason's directions, General Dilger
reported to I.ieutenant-General Sheridan, and the State troops, as
fast, as they arrived, were stationed for duty under orders of the
chief commander."
On the 1 2th, Major Beardsley 's company was re-
lieved from duty in Chicago, and on the following day,
the Sterling City Guards, the Rock Falls Zouaves, the
Springfield Volunteers, the Bloomington National
Guards, and the Champaign Cadets were ail relieved
from duty, on special orders issued by command of
Lietitenant-General Sheridan. The military force thus
left on duty to preserve the peace of Chicago, consisted
of the First Regiment Chicago Volunteers, and the
companies of United States troops already enumerated.
The services rendered proved efficient. Many ground-
less rumors of lawlessness found their way into print in
other cities, but the falsity of them was known to resi-
dents here. ' However, to quiet the public, General
Sheridan, under date of October 17, made report to
Mayor Mason, in which he said :
"I respectfully report to your Honor the continued peace and
quiet of the city. There has been no case of violence since the dis-
aster of Sunday night and Monday morning. The reports in the
public press of violence and disorder here are without the slightest
foundation. There has not been a single case of arson, hanging
or shooting — not even a case of riot or street-fight. I have seen
no reason for the circulation of such reports."
On the 20th of October, the Governor addressed
the following communication to Mayor Mason :
"State of Illinois, Executive Department, )
Springfield, October 20, iSyi. \
"Hon. R. B. Mason, Mayor of Chicago: Sir. — The General
Assembly has now, by ample appropriations, provided for the sup-
port of a police force in Chicago that will be adequate to the pro-
tection of persons and property in the city; and I trust no time
will be lost in making all needful preparations for relieving the
military now on duty, under the orders of Lieutenant-Genera]
Sheridan.
" It excited the greatest surprise, and has occasioned me the
profoundest mortification, that you failed to inform me, as you
could easily have done by telegraph, or through my confidential
secretary, who reached Chicago on the 9th of October, of the ne-
cessity, in your judgment, for the employment of military force
for the protection of the city; and it has pained me quite as deeply
that you should have thought it proper, without consultation with
me by telegraph or otherwise, to have practically abdicated your
functions as mayor. Happily, there is no necessity, either real or
imaginary, for the longer continuance of this anomalous state of
things.
" The United States troops are now in Chicago in violation of
law. Every act of the officers and soldiers of the United States
army, that Operates to restrain or control the people, is illegal, and
their presence in the city— except for the purposes of the United
—ought to be no longer continued.
" It is due to you that I should confess that, tinder the Irving
circumstances that surround' of the late dis-
aster, it was natural that you should incline I from any
quarter, to enable you to afford proti i and property
in your city; but I regret that it did not occur to you tl
own powers, under the laws, were adequate to meet the emer-
gencies, and that you were entitled, upon notici to me, to the
support of the "hoi,; oower of the State.
"From information that I have not been afforded an oppor-
tunity to acquire officially, I have learned that Lieutenant-General
Sheridan has rendered valuable services, for which he deserves the
thanks of the people of Illinois; but it would have been more sat-
isfactory to them if he, as a citizen, had given to you the assistance
of his eminent abilities, to organize the people to act, in conjunc-
tion with the civil officers; for their own protection. That course
would have been far preferable to that of concentrating a part of
the army of the United States in Chicago, and the assumption, by
him, of the substantial military control of the city
" I hope that you will at once inform I.ieutenant-General
Sheridan of your readiness to resume the complete government of
the city.
" I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir,
" Your obedient servant,
"John M. Palmer."
To this Mayor Mason replied as follows :
" Mayor's Office, \
" City of Chicago, October 21, 1871. S
"To His Excellency John M. Palmer, Governor of the State
of Illinois :
" Your letter of the 18th [20th] has been received. Had your
Excellency, when in Chicago on the nth and 12th of this month,
informed me, or Lieutenant-General Sheridan, of your disapproba-
tion of the course that I had thought proper to pursue, in having, on
the 10th inst., solicited his aid in preserving the peace and order of
the city and protecting the lives and property of its inhabitants,
satisfactory reasons would have been given your Excellency for so
doing — many of which it would, even now, be unwise to make
public.
" In the performance of my official duties, I believed that the
emergency required me to take the step that I did. I do not believe,
when the lives and property of the people — the peace and good
order of a large city — are in danger, that it is the time to stop
and consider any questions of policy, but if the United States, by
the strong arm of its military, can give the instantly required pro-
tection of life, property and order, it is the duty of those in power
to avail themselves of such assistance.
"Before the receipt of your communication, I had already,
upon consultation with other city officers, decided to dispense with
military aid in a day or two ; and I am happy to inform your
Excellency that, on Monday, the 23d instant, your Excellency
will be relieved of all anxiety on account of the assistance of mili-
tary in protecting the lives and property of this people.
" Yery respectfully,
R. B. MASON, Mayor."
No important event took place in the city between
the 17th and the 21st of October. On the latter date, a
tragedy occurred which produced so profound a sensa-
tion that, for the time being, it diverted the general
mind from the great calamity that had preceded it. This
event, was the killing of Colonel Thomas W. Grosvenor,
a well-known citizen, by Theodore N. Treat, a student
in the Douglas University, and, at the time, a member
of Captain Colson's University Cadets, assigned to
patrol duty. Colonel Grosvenor had been spending the
evening at the house of Justice Banyon, who, about
eleven o'clock, accompanied him to a State- street car.
At that hour, none but Twenty-ninth-street cars were
running which would take Colonel Grosvenor near to
his home at Bryant Place. From Twenty-fifth-street,
he was walking along Cottage Grove Avenue, and had
reached the University, which was about two blocks
from his house. As Grosvenor passed the grounds of
the University, the patrol commanded him to halt and
give the countersign ; he did not stop. The guard
again called to him, and threatened to fire. Grosvenor
returned, it is alleged, a careless answer, and moved
on. The guard fired. The ball struck Grosvenor on the
left arm, passed through the tenth rib and lodged in the
liver. The victim staggered, and fell to the sidewalk, near
the corner of Douglas Place. His first broken cry was
" Oh, God ! My wife ! My wife ! " He rose to his feet,
ran a few steps, fell and rose again ; finally dropping to
the walk some distance from where the shot was
received. Grosvenor was taken to a neighboring engine-
house, ami shortly afterward to his home, No. 18 Bryant
Place, where In- expired, at live o'clock Saturday morn-
ing, October 21. Theodore Newell Treat was a stttdent
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
777
in the University, whose home was at Janesville, Wis. He
was twenty years of age. When Captain Colson's
company was formed, Treat joined the ranks, and had
been on duty several times prior to the night of the
tragedy.
Thomas \V. Grosvenor was a native of Utica, N. Y., born
in 1S34. In 1S57, he was admitted to practice at the Bar in that
State. At the breaking out of the war, he was practicing his pro-
fession at Elgin. lie joined the 12th Illinois Cavalry, and was
elected captain. He soon rose to the rank of major, and at the
close of the war was breveted colonel for bravery. At Harper's
Ferry, Colonel Grosvenor received a bullet wound in the right arm.
After his return to Chicago, he was on the staff of the Evening
Post, and subsequently held the office of cigar inspector. He then
resumed his law practice, and was appointed prosecuting attorney
by the Common Council. He was a member of Kilwinning Lodge,
No. 311, A. F. & A. M., and was buried, on the 22d of October,
with Masonic honors.
Treat was placed under arrest, subject to the action
of the Grand Jury.
On the 22d, Mayor Mason communicated with Gen-
eral Sheridan, asking if, in his opinion, it was necessary
to the maintenance of peace and order to continue the
presence of a military force in the city. The mayor
prefaced his inquiry by a marked expression of the city's
appreciation of Sheridan's course. General Sheridan
reported, on the following day, a " good condition of
affairs in the city," and expressed a willingness to dis-
band the volunteers and relieve himself of his responsi-
bility. Mayor Mason responded, on the same day (Oc-
tober 23) reiterating his sense of gratitude to the General
for services rendered, and designating the hour of 6 p.
m. of that day as the time at which "the aid required
of you (General Sheridan) shall cease." This order
ended with these words :
" Allow me again to tender you the assurance of my high ap-
preciation of the great and efficient service which you have ren-
dered in the preservation of order and the protection of property in
this city, and to again thank you, in the name of the City of Chi-
cago and its citizens, therefor."
On the 24th, the ten companies of United States
troops were transferred to different posts in the West
and South, and the 1st Regiment Chicago Volunteers
was mustered out.
Under date of October 25, Lieutenant-General Sher-
idan reported to the Adjutant-General of the Army, at
Washington, the facts already detailed in these pages.
The matter was submitted to Secretary of War Belknap,
and to General William T. Sherman, in command of the
army. On the 31st, General Sherman addressed a
characteristically decisive opinion to Secretary Belknap,
which was as follows:
" The extiaordinary circumstances attending the great fire in
Chicago made it eminently proper that General Sheridan should ex-
ercise the influence, authority and power he did, on the universal
appeal of a ruined and distressed people, backed by their civil
agents, who were powerless for good. The very moment that the
civil authorities felt able to resume their functions, General Sheri-
dan ceased to exercise authority, and the United States troops re-
turned to their respective stations. General Sheridan's course is
fully approved."
No sooner had the troops been withdrawn, than a
feeling of uneasiness began to assert itself in various
quarters, until it commanded the attention of leading
citizens. On the 28th of October, the following letter
was sent to General Sheridan:
" Chicago Relief and Aid Society, )
" Standard Hall, Corner Michigan Avenue and Thirteenth Street. [•
' Chicago, October 28, 1S71. )
" Lieutenant-General P. H. Sheridan, Commanding Depart-
ment of the Missouri:
"General, — The undersigned respectfully and urgently re-
quest that you will cause four companies of United States Infantry
to be stationed at or near this city, until it shall appear that there
is no danger of attack, by disorderly persons, upon the depots of
the Relief and Aid Society, or other riotous proceedings, for which
the recent appalling calamity may have paved the way. We be-
lieve that the presence of a small military force in this vicinity
would, at the same time, deter any evil-disposed persons from or-
ganizing a breach of the peace and re-assure the public mind in an
extraordinary degree.
"Thanking you for the great services you have already ren-
dered to this stricken community,
" We are, General, your obedient servants,
"Wirt DEXTER, Chairman Executive Com. Relief and
Aid Society,
"JOSEPH MEDILL, Editor Tribune,
"W. F. Cooi.iiAUGH, President Union National Bank,
"H. K. Eames, President Commercial National Pan/:,
"J. Irving Pearce, President Michigan National Paul; ,
"C H. BECKW1TH & Sons, No. 140 Michigan Avenue,
"J. W. Preston, President Chicago Board of Trade,
"Charles Randolph, Secretary Chicago Board of
'Trade,
"E. Hengerland, Illinois River Elevator,
"Horace White, Chicago Tribune,
"Charles L. Wilson, Chicago Journal."
Urged to action by such men as those above named,
one of whom, Hon. Joseph Medill, had been chosen to
the mayoralty, to succeed Mr. Mason, by an overwhelm-
ing popular vote, and that too on direct issues growing
out of the fire, General Sheridan did not hesitate to
comply with the request. On the 29th, he addressed
Adjutant-General Townsend, setting forth the matter,
alluding to the withdrawal of the earlier force, and con-
cluding thus:
"The result has been that the troops were no sooner gone
than the turbulent spirit commenced to manifest itself, and seems
to be increasing. I have, therefore, been solicited by Mr. Joseph
Medill, the incoming mayor, and other prominent citizens, to again
bring to the city, for the winter, four (4) companies of Infantry. I
am satisfied of the necessity of their presence here, and ask the au-
thority of the Secretary or War to bring them "
On the 31st General Sherman replied :
" To General P. H. Sheridan, Chicago :
"Four companies of the Sth Infantry are ordered to Chi-
cago, to act as police, under your letter of the 29th.
" W. T. Sherman, General."
The return of troops to Chicago was opposed by
Governor Palmer. The following extract from the
Chicago Journal, of November 2, furnishes a compre-
hensive view of both sides of this phase of the contro-
versy :
" It is telegraphed from Springfield that Governor Palmer is
' decidedly opposed ' to United States troops being stationed at or
near Chicago, and ' will oppose any such interference of his rights
as commander-in-chief of the military of Illinois.' We do not
believe, when the Governor knows the circumstances, that he will
do any such thing. The officers of the Relief Society, together
with a large number of our most prominent citizens, signed an
application to General Sheridan to station some of the troops in
his command at or near Chicago, to be used in case of emergency.
The large supplies the Relief Society will have in store during the
winter were not deemed safe ; besides, threatened strikes in some
quarters indicated that laborers willing to work might not be
allowed to do so. General Sheridan referred the appeal of our
citizens, with his favorable judgment, to the Secretary of War, who
immediately ordered four companies of the Sth United States In-
fantry from New York to Chicago, and they will arrive to-morrow
morning, subject to the call of the authorities, should the neces-
sity, unhappily, arise for their use. Only this, and nothing more.
" That the Government has the same right to establish a mil-
itary post near Chicago that it has near St. Louis and New York,
and other cities, the most sensitive head of the militia of a State
can not question. That the authorities can call upon the Govern-
ment to assist in preventing outbreak, or in putting one down, has
been often demonstrated ; and that the people of Chicago have a
right to the security which the presence of these troops affords
them, no one with a grain of sense will pretend to question."
Governor Palmer inclosed the foregoing slip in a
letter addressed to President Grant, under date of Nov-
ember 3, wherein was recited the cause of the origin
of the article. The letter concluded thus :
77$
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
"In addition to this [newspaper statement], rumors, in the
form of telegraphic despatches from Washington and Chicago, have
reached me." that troops were ordered to Chicago for purposes con-
nected with the safety of property and the preservation of order in
the city, but no information of the existence of dangers alluded to
have reached me from any quarter whatever. I cheerfully concede
that it is for the President to designate the stations of the troops
composing the army, and that he is under no obligations, founded
upon the' Constitution or the laws, or upon the rules of official
courtesy, to communicate his orders, or the reasons that influence
him in making them, to the governor of any of the States, unless
the orders in question, or the presence of the troops, are intended
in some way to affect or influence the internal affairs of the partic-
- ite to which the troops are sent. In the latter case, it will
readily occur to von that the governor of the State, whose duty it
force the laws, is deeply concerned; for the troops, and
the orders under which they are to act. may operate to diminish, or
greatly increase, the difficulties of his official position. I am
happy in the consciousness that the authorities of the State of
Illinois are abundantly able to protect every interest of the people
that depends upon its internal peace and good order, and am un-
willing to believe that the President of the United States, acting
upon information of a contrary character, communicated by private
citizens to an officer of the army, has ordered any portion of the
arms- into this State, to be subject to the call of the authorities,
either to protect the store-houses of the Relief Committee, or to
interfere with the possible, though not probable, ' strikes ' of
laborers. I, therefore, deem it due to the importance of the sub
iect. to frankly inquire of your Excellency whether the troops
ordered to Chicago are intended, or instructed, to obey the call of
any authorities of the State of Illinois or the City of Chicago, or
in anv way whatever to assume the protection, either of property
or the preservation of order, in that city ? "
To this letter President Giant responded, Novem-
ber g, that
" No thought here even contemplated distrust of the State au-
thorities of the State of Illinois, or lack of ability on their part to do
all that was necessary, or expected of them, for the maintenance
of law and order within the limits of the State. The only thing
thought of was, how to benefit a people stricken by a calamity
greater than had ever befallen a community of the same number
before in this country, the aid of a like nature with that given in
anv emergencv requiring immediate action. No reflections were
contemplated, or thought of, affecting the integrity or ability of
anv State officer or city official within the limits of the State of Illi-
nois to perform his whole duty."
The State Legislature began a session November
15, 1871, and its first business was to listen to a special
message from Governor Palmer. The message is
quoted from as follows:
" It was not thought by Mayor Mason or I.ieutenant-General
Sheridan to be necessary or proper to consult with or even inform
me of their purpose to transfer the duty of protecting the lives and
propertv of the people of Chicago, or the substantial government
of the city, to the military forces of the United States, although I
'■ legraphic communication with the mayor, as will appear
by several despatches that will be hereafter mentioned ; nor did
either of them, when we met on the twelfth day of October, and dis-
cussed the affairs of the city at some length, inform me that they
had determined that the government of the State was no longer
equal to its duties, or that the mayor had determined, as he has
elsewhere said, to avail himself of the strong arm of the military
1 the United States. Whether they supposed that to be a
matter in which neither I nor the Legislature of the State, which
mvened to meet on the next day to legislate for Chicago, had
the least concern, or that the assent of the Legislature and gover-
nor might l>e safely presumed, I am not prepared to say ; but they
left me to make the discovery as others did, so that I received no
information of the existence of the proclamation of the mayor, or
1 Sheridan's construction of his powers under
it, until the 17th of October, and only heard of the regiment raised
under the o;de's of Lieutenant-General Sheridan at a later day,
and from an application, by a person who claimed to command one
of the companii ' h arms.
" It may easily be imagined thai the information of these ex-
traordinary acts Of the mayor and I ,ieutenant-( leneral Sheridan
filled me with surprise, for I cious that I had put forth
■fort, and employed all my official powers, to aid the people
of Chicago and 10 pri tranquility 0! the city,
ni 'on, ■ ] , • 1 1 1 understood
till raging 'and anticipating thi probable nece ;ity
1 capitol), I had
dispatched General E. I'.. Harlan, m n vhosi energy
and prudence I have the highest confidence), to Chicago, with in-
structions to report to the mayor, and inform him that all the re-
sources of the State that were subject to my legal control, were at
his service for the aid and protection of the people."
Here follows a statement of General Harlan's arrival
at Chicago, and copies of the despatches between the
Governor, Mayor Mason and General Stager, already
given in substance; also reciting that the Governor
visited Chicago on the 12th of October, and conferred
with those in authority, departing the same day for
Springfield, to meet the Legislature. It was not until
the 17th of October, Governor Palmer states, that he
learned of the mayor's proclamation transferring the
command to General Sheridan. On the 19th, the Gov-
ernor addressed Mayor Mason the inquiry :
" What addition to your police force is necessary to enable you
to dispense with the United States troops?"
In reply thereto, on the same date, the Mayor said :
" I do not think any additional force will be necessary after the
lapse of ten or fifteen days."
Then ensued the correspondence between the Gov-
ernor and Mayor Mason, dated October 20 and 21, al-
ready given in full.
On the 22d of October, the Governor learned of
Colonel Grosvenor's death, and hastened to Chicago to
investigate the affair. On the 28th of that month he
addressed a letter to Hon. Washington Bushnell, attor-
ney-general, reciting the facts, and declaring that the
action of Mayor Mason and Lieutenant-General Sheri-
dan, together with their subordinates, was illegal, and
that it was necessary to inquire into the. motives or pur-
poses which influenced them. This communication
ended with these words :
"They [the mayor, lieutenant-general, et a/.] assumed to
suspend the operation of the Constitution and laws of the State,
and substitute in their stead the law of military force, to be defined
and applied by themselves. They, by their lawless acts, attacked
and insulted the dignity and authority of the State, and have, by
their dangerous example, weakened public confidence in the Con-
stitution and the laws, and in their attempt to enforce usurped and
lawless authority they have sacrificed the life of a peaceful citizen.
Animated by the convictions I have thus expressed, and confident
in the belief that the State of Illinois, acting through the proper
departments of its government, is capable of protecting its own
people, and of enforcing the dignity and authority of its own laws,
I have to request that you, in conjunction with the State's attorney
of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, will bring all the facts before the
grand jury of Cook County, in order that all persons concerned in
the unlawful killing of Thomas W. Grosvenor may be brought to
speedy trial."
On the 30th of October, Governor Palmer addressed
a letter to Charles H. Reed, State's attorney of the
Seventh Judicial Circuit, on the same subject. That
document is quoted from as follows :
"The matter has occasioned me a great amount of anxiety;
and after the most mature reflection, I am forced to the conviction
that the indictment against Treat, the person who inflicted I he
wounds upon him, should also include Philip H. Sheridan, Frank
T. Sherman, and the persons who claimed to be officers of the re-
1 puted ' Company L, First Regiment of Chicago Volunteers.'
" It would be simply dishonorable to you, and to the State, to
prosecute young Treat alone to conviction, when you, and every
one besides that are supposed to know what the law is, are bound
to confess that, if he is guilty of a legal offense, so are those who
placed him in a position to do mischief; and neither you nor t lie-
State authorities can find a legal excuse for discharging Treat with-
out trial. No course is open to us but to boldly and squarely stand
up to the line of duty. I have written this to you because I can well
understand that you may feel a degree of hesitation in advising the
grand jury to find ail indictment against such persons as R. 15.
Mason, P, II. Sheridan, Frank T. Sherman; and as this case con-
cerns the State in its political capacity, as much as in other respects,
1 think it proper that the governor should take the responsibility of
what is done. And while I have the utmost confidence in you, I
do advise the indictment anil Irial of all concerned."
The governor, in his message in relation to the
THE BURNING OF CHICAGO.
779
alleged illegality of the conduct of Mayor Mason and
General Sheridan, says :
" It seems to me to be so clear that the conduct complained of
is contrary to the Constitution and the laws, that it is impossible,
by any process of reasoning, not to make it so. * * * Lieu-
tenant-General Sheridan employed the troops of the United States
in a manner not authorized by Federal laws. He raised troops *
without the consent of Congress, and imposed upon them an un-
lawful oath. * * * The ground upon which this dangerous as-
sumption of authority is defended is that of emergency or neces-
sity."
The governor refused to admit that any emergency
could arise that would justify the acts, but especially
argues against this theory by reciting his own course,
as heretofore described. He recognized the danger of
bringing upon himself the hostility of many who re-
garded the ends as justifying the means, by thus openly
expressing adverse views, and fortified his position by
citations from the Constitution and judicial interpreta-
tions thereof. The message was a very powerful and
incisive presentment of the governor's position, and
naturally produced a profound impression throughout
the State. The subject was referred to a select com-
mittee of seven members of the House.
The attitude of the President of the United States, as
expressed in his letter of November 9, did not meet with
the governor's approval. Pending action on the orig-
inal message, by the legislative committee, Governor
Palmer indited another communication to President
Grant, in which he said :
" I have been unable to find anything in them [the President's
letter and copies of official papers relating to the ordering of troops
to Chicago] to justify the extraordinary measure of ordering four
companies of United States troops into this State, to report to
Lieutenant-General Sheridan, to act as police under his orders. It
seems to me to be very well settled as a principle of American pub-
lic law, that the duty of protecting persons and property, and the
preservation of public order and peace against the efforts of disor-
derly persons, or from local internal disturbances, is the peculiar
and exclusive duty of the States, with which the Government of the
United States has no concern, and in which it can not interfere,
except upon the application of the Legislature or the Executive of
the States, as contemplated by the fourth section of the fourth
article of the Constitution ; and that any attempt by the officers of
the United States army to employ any part of the military forces,
as proposed by the gentlemen who made the application for four com-
panies of infantry to be stationed at or near Chicago, for an in-
definite period, and approved by Lieutenant-General Philip II.
Sheridan, in his letter to the adjutant-general of the 2gth of Octo-
ber, and by General YV. T. Sherman, by his telegraphic communi-
cation to Lieutenant-General Sheridan of October 31, 1871, must
be improper, because violative of the Constitution and the laws. I am
not at all forgetful that your Excellency says what was done in
respect to offering the troops to Chicago was upon the ground of
emergency, to aid a people who had suffered greatly ; but, in this
view, it seems to me that the general commanding the army over-
looked the fact, that the disastrous fire at Chicago did not relieve
the State of Illinois from any of its duties nor transfer any of them
to the Government of the United States. Emergencies that de-
mand extraordinary efforts often occur in the history of govern-
ments, but I do not remember another instance in our history, when
it was held that an event that created a sudden demand upon the
powers and resources of a State operated to transfer any portion
of the duties of the States to the United States.
" The great fire at Chicago ceased on the gth of October, and
the executive of the State of Illinois, under the belief that the dis-
aster created an ' emergency ' provided for by the Constitution of
the State, convened the General Assemblv to meet in session on the
thirteenth day of that month, to make legal provisions to meet all the
requirements of the occasion ; and on the nineteenth day of October,
that department appropriated from the treasury an adequate sum
to maintain a sufficient police force for the protection of every in-
terest of the people. The emergency was thus provided for by the
proper department of the proper government, in the only way that it
could be done, or can be done. The State enlarged and strength-
ened its own agencies for the enforcement of its own laws, to meet
the requirements of the new situation. The calamity deprived the
♦There is the possibility h<
been merely additions to the " Pt
absolute control.
United States of its custom-house, its post-office, its court-room
and records, and threw upon that Government the duty of adopt-
ing measures to supply the loss; but it has not yet occurred to the
authorities of the State that the losses of the United States, or the
interruption of its business, has so far changed the relations of the
Federal and State systems, as to cast any portion of the duty of
providing for any of the wants of the United Stales upon the Slate
of Illinois ; and they are as little able to understand how it is that
events that can not operate to enlarge the powers of the govern-
ment of the State, should operate to confer upon a lieutenant-
general of the army the authority to interfere in matters of purely
local State concern, or to authorize the general commanding the
army to recognize and approve the application of the lieutenant-
general, and order four companies of United States infantry to re-
port to him to discharge the mere civil duties of ' police.'
" I do not, of course, propose to discuss with your Excellency
the question of the relative rights and powers of the United States
and of the States, under the Constitution, for I will not anticipate
the possibility of a difference of opinion upon the point that the
duties of the executive officers of the two systems are defined so
accurately, and are kept so distinct, by written constitutions and
laws that there is no possibility of a conflict between them. The
duty of the President is to see that the laws of the United States
are enforced, and that of the governor of Illinois is confined to the
enforcement of the laws of the State. Neither obstructs the other,
nor aids nor interferes with his duties. The governor' of a State
derives none of his powers from the United States, nor are his
duties subject, in any respect, to the consent or discretion of the
President, who can, in no wise, enlarge, abridge, or interrupt them,
either by assuming them himself or entrusting them to others.
"As these opinions seem to me to be incontrovertible, I can
not doubt that the orders to the United States troops to act as
police, or to otherwise interfere in the affairs or duties of the State,
or any of its officers, were made without reflection, and that the
troops will be at once withdrawn from this State ; or, that the
orders for their government will be so modified as to prohibit their
employment as police, or in any other way to interfere with any of
the duties and functions of any of the officers under the laws of
this State. The State of Illinois can not accept their aid, or per-
mit their interference in its affairs, without a sacrifice of the confi-
dence of its citizens, nor without giving countenance to a dangerous
example."
President Grant replied, November 25, that he had
referred the Governor's letter to the Secretary of War,
" with directions to inform General Sheridan that if the troops un-
der his command have received any orders which, in any way,
conflict with the provisions of the Constitution or the laws of the
State of Illinois, he is instructed to rescind them."
Governor Palmer refused to accept this construction
of the point at issue, and in his message to the General
Assembly, December 9, said:
" I deny that the officers of the army have the right to de-
termine the measure of the duties of any civil officer, under any
circumstances whatever, or that their powers are increased by any
emergency that can possibly happen in the affairs of any State.
Thev are not, as they seem to suppose, the natural rulers of the
people under circumstances of difficulty and danger, but thev are,
at all times, the inferiors of the humblest officer created to execute
the laws of the land. * * *
" The general commanding the army seems also to have fallen
into the dangerous error of supposing that his official military
powers are paramount to the Constitution and the laws. He in-
dorsed, upon the report made by Lieutenant-General Sheridan of
his operations while enforcing military rule in Chicago, hi- ap-
proval of all the acts of his subordinates, and that, too, with an
emphasis that, he seems to have supposed, will preclude all ques-
tion of the propriety of his conduct ; and on the 31st of October,
when the same officer applied to him for leave to bring other
troops to Chicago, he not only responded favorably to his wishes,
but informed him that the troops were to act as police. It is due to
the dignity of the people of the State, that I should say I can not
consent that the grave and important subjects that I have urged
upon the attention of the President, shall be decided by an officer
of the army ; but I must hereafter, as I have done in the past, pro
test against all interference by the officers of the army in the affairs
of this State. I must protest against such interference, because it
will establish a precedent dangerous to liberty— because it familiar-
izes the people with military rule, and inspires them with distrust
of the capability of civil government to afford them needful pro-
tection, and it is now for the representatives of the free people of
Ihr Slate to discharge their duties according to their own convic-
tions and subject to their own responsibilities."
78o
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
This message was referred to a special committee
for consideration. On the Oth of January, the commit-
tee submitted two reports — a majority opinion, signed
by E. M. Haines, G. W. Rives. H. Watson Webb and
Charles H. Rice, and a minority opinion, signed by
John ML McMillan, Oscar F. Price and A. J. Galloway.
The substance of the majority report, with one ma-
terial exception, was embodied in a series of resolutions
which were submitted to the house. The question ex-
cepted from positive presentment was that of the killing
of Colonel Grosvenor, and the conduct of the governor
in advising the indictment of Mayor Mason, General
Sheridan, and others, as well as young Treat. The
resolutions recommended for adoption by the majority
of the committee were as follows:
Resolved, First, That the late lire at Chicago created no
emergency for which the Constitution and the laws and the agen-
cies and resources of the State of Illinois were not equal, and that
the act of the mayor of Chicago, in transferring the government of
that city to Lieutenant-General Sheridan, an officer of the United
States army, and the military forces at his command, was illegal,
and a dangerous example.
Stamd, That Lieutenant-General Sheridan, in accepting from
the mayor the alleged authority to control the municipal affairs of
the people of Chicago by military forces, or the authority to intro-
duce regular troops into the city, or to raise volunteers, or to call
any portion of the miiitia of the State into service, acted illegally,
and such action was dangerous in example.
Third, That the officers of the army of the United States, sta-
tioned in this State, have no power, right or authority to interfere
with the internal affairs thereof, and that the act of Lieutenant-
General Sheridan, in ordering regular troops into this State, or
requesting four companies of infantry to be stationed in this State,
for reasons assigned in his communication to the adjutant-general
of the United States army of the 29th of October, 1871, has no
justification or sanction, either in the Constitution and laws of the
United States or of this State.
Fourth, That the order and direction given by the general of
the army, at Washington, to four companies of infantry to act as
police in this State, are illegal, and of dangerous example.
Fifth, That the President of the United States be requested to
modify the orders to the troops now at Chicago, so as to prohibit
them from interfering in the internal affairs of this State, or that
he withdraw them from the State.
Sixth, That the action of the governor in protesting to the
President against sending United States troops to Chicago, and
against their presence in said city for the purpose of police duty,
and his course in endeavoring to enforce civil authority in said
city, for the protection of human life, is hereby cordially approved.
From a sworn deposition before the legislative com-
mittee, to whom was referred Governor Palmer's mes-
sages relating to the presence of military at Chicago, is
taken the following summary of the views of Thomas
B. Brown, president of the Board of Police, at Chicago,
at the time of the fire:
" I >uring the fire, and the two weeks succeeding it, there were
remarkably few cases of crime against the person reported by the
police, although for the first day or two there were many rumors
circulated of individuals being hung to lamp-posts, or shot ; yet, on
full investigation, we became entirely satisfied that no cases of hang-
ing or shooting had occurred. The rumored hanging or shooting
was said to have been done upon incendiaries who were attempt-
ing to burn the remainder of the city. In our investigation, we
were unable to find a single case of probable incendiarism during
the whole time. Soon after the fire, perhaps as early as Tuesday
of that week, an Italian saloon-keeper had stabbed three men, two
of whom <lied ; and about a fortnight after the fire, Colonel
Thomas VY. Grosvenor was shot and mortally wounded, in the
street, at night, while going home to his family. These are the
only casts of homicide that I remember as having occurred from
October 8 up to the present time (I)ecember n, 1871)."*
The attitude of the I'.oard of Police toward Mayor
Mason is shown in the following communication:
" The Board have never authorized or accepted the services of
any soldiers in patroling the streets of the unburned district of the
city at any time since the fire commenced. One apparent exception
to this was, that the general superintendent of police accepted the
services, generously volunteered by two Scandinavian companies
in the West Division, to perform guard duty at relief de-
pots, churches, etc., which duties they performed well, under the
direction of the police force. As to the service of any other sol-
diers not acting under the direction of the police authorities, they
have never recognized their right to patrol the streets of the city,
except in the case of Lieutenant-General Sheridan, whom, after
your Honor had intrusted with the charge of keeping the order,
and protecting the property, of the city, they felt impelled, by a
sense of courtesy to so distinguished a soldier, to co-operate with
him, in the burned district only. As your Honor was pleased to cali
for the aid of the military, and to give them the direction of affairs
without the request of this Board, they leave the time of the mili-
tary service to be decided by your Honor; suggesting, however,
that, in the opinion of this Board, the presence, in the inhabited
portion of the city, of military bodies under arms, and patroling
the streets, drinking in saloons, and disgusting citizens, is a meas-
ure fraught with evil consequences, and they think that all but reg-
ular troops should be relieved of further duty within the city, and
that the troops of the regular army would exert just as good a
moral influence if they patroled only in the burned district, leaving
to the police the duty of guarding the lives and property of the cit-
izens elsewhere, assisted, as they are, by the responsible and judi-
cious residents on each separate block, between whom and the
police there is no controversy or ill-feeling."
A minority of the committee to which the Gov-
ernor's messages were referred, composed of John N.
McMillan, Oscar F. Price and A. J. Galloway, submit-
ted a report differing from that of the majority, in that
it offered justification of the mayor's and general's con-
duct. They did not deem it their
" duty either to approve or condemn the calling into service of the
University Cadets or Champaign Cadets,"
It was to be
" inferred that Mayor Mason supposed his course was fully in ac-
cordance with his Excellency's views."
It was a matter of record that the
" military authorities held themselves in entire and complete
subordination to the civil; and, co-operating with them in the
maintenance of order, the preservation of peace, the protecting of
property, and the enforcement of law during the pleasure of his
Excellency, cheerfully and promptly withdrew their aid when in-
formed that the same was no longer required."
As to the second act of the military officials, in com-
plying with the request of citizens, and sending four
companies of United States troops to Chicago, the
minority held :
" While we concur in the general proposition that all violation
of law should be condemned, and recognizing the fact that much that
was done for the relief of the people of Chicago and the alleviation
of their sufferings at the time referred to, was in violation of law,
yet, justice, weighing the -pure motives that prompted the commis
sion of these unlawful acts, withholds her sentence of condemnation."
When the consideration of the adoption of the reso-
lutions, censuring the mayor and military authorities,
came up in the House, on January 24, Mr. King, of
Cook County, offered to substitute that, in the judg-
ment of the House, no cause of complaint, as specified,
existed. Mr. Haines moved an amendment to the sub-
stitute, in which, while the subordination of the military
to the civil authorities was a principle of vital concern,
and should be insisted upon,
"yet, in view of the trying circumstances and the great
calamity existing when this military power was exercised, we exon-
erate the Federal Government and Federal military authorities
from intent to wilfully trespass upon the constitutional rights of
this State, or to interfere with its properly constituted authorities
during the emergency created by the recent fire." Also, " That
the protest of the executive of this State against a violation of the
Constitution, was the performance of a duty imposed upon him by
his office, and establishes a valuable precedent, which is hereby
approved "
These resolutions were finally adopted by the House
on January 25, 1872.
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