'L I B R.ARY
OF THE
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Of ILLINOIS
97731
G62hi
v.2
IU.INOIS HISTORY SURVE-.
LIBRARY
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This book has been
digitized through
the generosity of
Robert O. Blissard
Class of 1957
University of Illinois Library at Urbana-Champaign
HISTORY OF
COOK COUNTY
ILLlJNUlO BEING A GENERAL SUR-
VEY OF COOK COUNTY HISTORY, INCLUDING
A CONDENSED HISTORY OF CHICAGO AND
SPECIAL ACCOUNT OF DISTRICTS OUTSIDE
THE CITY LIMITS; FROM THE EARLIEST
SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME : :
EDITORS:
WESTON A. GOODSPEED, LL. B.
DANIEL D. HEALY
Of all the things that men can do or make
here below, by far the most momentous, wonder-
ful and worthy are the things we call books.
f melon.
IN TWO VOLUMES
ILLUSTRATED
.VOLUME II
THE GOODSPEED HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
CHICAGO
COPYRIGHT
BY
GOODSPEED HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
1909
W. B. CONKEY COMPANY
CHICAGO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VOLUME II
HISTORY
CHAPTER PAGE
INCIDENTS; EAST AND WEST BOUNDARY; CANAL; DEARBORN PARK; MEMORIAL
BUILDING; RIVER AND HARBOR CONVENTION ; HISTORICAL SOCIETY ; RELIEF
SOCIETY; COMMERCE; WARDS; DRAINAGE; RAILWAYS; MARINE HOSPITAL;
STOCK YARDS ; HORSE RAILWAYS ; TUNNELS ; PARK BOARDS ; LAKE FRONT ;
TWELVE LABORS OF HERCULES ; LEGISLATIVE ACTS, ETC 33
MISCELLANY; CANAL; MAJOR LONG'S REPORT; CAPTAIN GRAHAM'S REPORT;
STATISTICS; COMMERCE; LAND GRANTS; CAPTAIN CRAM'S REPORT; FORT
DEARBORN RESERVATION; THE HARBOR; COMMERCIAL HOUSES; SEWERAGE;
HYDRAULIC COMPANY, ETC 66
EARLY SCHOOLS OF COOK COUNTY ; TEACHERS ; STATISTICS 100
EARLY BANKING OPERATIONS; SHINPLASTERS ; PANICS; NATIONAL BANKS;
CLEARING HOUSE, ETC 131
COURTS ; JUDGES ; LAWYERS ; CHANGES, ETC 199
COUNTRY TOWNS; SCHOOLS; CHURCHES; MANUFACTURES; COMMERCE; VIL-
LAGES ; SETTLEMENT ; NEWSPAPERS ; SPORTS AND HUNTING ; MERCHAN-
DISING; LABOR; HOMES; DOMESTIC INFLUENCES; INCIDENTS; STATISTICS,
ETC. 251
EPIDEMICS; PHYSICIANS; THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE; SOCIETIES, ETC 365
COMMON COUNCIL OF CHICAGO, 1866-1909 388
COUNTY BOARD, 1668-1909 480
POLITICS OF COOK COUNTY, 1866-1909 559
BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCE 693
BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCE
PAGE PAGE
Abbott, Dr. W. C 790 Brand, Rudolph 699
Arnold, Oswald James 756 Brand, Virgil M 781
Babcock, Adolph B 697 Branen, Dr. Frank 741
Barr, Robert C 773 Brown, Walter Z 762
Becker, John W 707 Buchanan, James Nelson 800
Beifeld, Joseph 792 Buchanan, Nelson 801
Bell, Oscar F 722 Buchanan, Ellen Maria (Paine) . .801
Biggio, Frank 775 Buchanan, Dr. Charles Henry 801
Birk, Edward J 702 Buchanan, Edward Paine 801
Birk, Jacob 701 Burns, William Henry 799
Birk, William A 781 Byford, Dr. Wm. H 811
Bishop, Fred W 745 Caldwell, Charles Edwin, M. D..784
Blase, Hans 770 Carr, George R 801
Blum, Meyer 805 Condee, Leander Devine 765
Boland, Patrick J 769 Conley, Dr. Thomas J 771
Bosch, Henry 759 Converse, Clarence Myron 766
Boussoulas, Sotirios 715 Cooley, Lyman E 743
Brand, Alfred 726 Cooper, Edwin 705
Brand. Armin W 701 Cooper, James 750
Brand, Philip R 700 Cooper, John T 697
1 93821
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Cooper, Albert H 779
Cooper, Edgar H 779
Cooper, George H 780
Cooper, Abijah 797
Countiss, Fred D 693
Czaja, Peter 726
Czajkowski, Rev. B 733
Damiani, Dr. Joseph 763
Davis, George Mortimer 764
Davis, Nathan S 808
Decker, Theodore F 709
De Stefano, Gaetano S 775
Dettmer, Rev. John 706
De Vries, Sietz J 693
Dierssen, Ferdinand W 798
Donat, Joseph L 731
Donlon, Stephen E., M. D 695
Donovan, Col. James 795
Dunphy, John M 749
Dyniewicz, Casimir W 751
Dyniewicz, Wladislaus 750
Earle, Johnson 713
Erkenswick, Rev. Charles A 705
Farnham, Harry J 767
Fenger, Christian 811
Folsom, Richard Sweet 785
Formusa, Vincent 776
Forward, Henry W 724
Fraser, Norman D 795
Furey, Charles La Tour 768
Geocaris, Angelos 713
Gialloreti, Dr. Vincenzo 718
Golombiewski, John 736
Gordon, Rev. Francis, C. R 787
Gormley, Charles F 742
Gottfried, Carl M 698
Grudzinski, Rev. Louis W 732
Hahn, Frank 808
Hallberg, Lawrence G 754
Harris, Mark G 806
Hart, Harry Stillson 794
Harwood, Frederick H 725
Hastings, Samuel M 767
Hess, Frederick A., M. D 695
Hollander, Albert H 710
Holmes, Dr. Edward M 772
Jaeger, George J 762
Jaeger, Philipp 782
Jarzembowski, Joseph 736
Jenson, William 807
Jerozal, Stanley J 734
Johnson, Albert Mussey 763
Kapela, Joseph W 734
Karabasz, Rev. Francis J 728
Keely, Edward S 722
Klein, Albert S 703
Koch, Edward John 786
Koester, George Frederick 760
Kott, John M 777
Kowalewski, Bruno F 727
Krause, Frederick E 771
Lagona, B. J 783
Lambros, Peter S . .714
PAGE
Laskowski, Charles 735
Lemmon, Thomas A 721
Llewellyn, Joseph C 754
Lovell, Arthur W 742
Lyford, W. H 695
Lyman, David B 783
Madsen, Jens B 741
Marriott, Abraham R 797
Marsh, Philip L 740
Mastroianni, Pasquale 716
Matz, Otto Herman 761
McBurney, Dr. Benjamin A 768
McElligott, Hon. Thomas G 796
McFell, Judson ; 707
McHugh, Dr. John A 786
McKay, Robert James 802
Melcher, Frank O 803
Mercola, Arcangelo 752
Milaszewicz, Vincent 730
Miller, Harry Irving 784
Miller, Kempster B 802
Mudge, Henry U 804
Mulvihill, William F 799
Newkirk, Chauncey F 710
Page, Samuel S 796
Paine, James S 800
Palt, Frank J 738
Pease, Fred M 789
Pickard, Wilder A 739
Piechowski, Rt. Rev. John 737
Powell, Norman 778
Randak, Frank 732
Reed, Lawrence Joseph 762
Reichmann, Frank Joseph 757
Rice, Patrick Henry 746
Roach, William F 756
Robinson, Dr. Byron 604
Rodatz, Jacob .698
Romano, Antonio 758
Romanowicz, John 735
Rouse, Harry B 704
Runge, George 748
Rybcinski, John A 727
Sackett, Robert E 723
Sayers, Benjamin F 778
Sankar, Louis Joseph 798
Scharringhausen, Lewis B 747
Schwarz, Edward 805
Schiavone, Michael 774
Scott, Elwin D 748
Senne, William 806
Sheppard, George W 786
Skrypko, Rev. Alexander 731
Slomski, John J 705
Smith, Edwin M., M. D 694
Spalding, Charles F 794
Spalding, Jesse 793
Stamm, J. Charles, M. D 774
Starzynski, Edward 729
Stearns, Dr. William M 790
Steiskal, Frank 712
Stromberg, Alfred 720
Stuchlik, William 718
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE PAGE
Stuchlik, William A 719 Walther, Frederick E 780
Stuchlik, Edward 719 Ware, Dr. Lyman 717
Szajkowski, Edmund 728 Wayman, John S 706
Thompson, George F., M. D 753 Weber, Frank C 755
Thornton, Everett Austin 753 Weiss, John H 700
Tilden, William A 747 Wengierski, Frank 791
Troch, Herman J 770 Wilder, Dr. Loren 743
Tuma, Josef 772 Wilkowski, John P 733
Van Arsdale, Robert L 726 Zamorski, Leon 737
Wachowski, Michael J 731 Zander, Henry G 723
Walker, George W 740 Zwierzchowski, Rev. John 729
Waller, Edward C 807
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ILLUSTRATIONS
NAME
Ap Madoc, W. T.
Arnold, Victor P.
PAGE
..373
..391
Carr, Robert F 247
Carr, George R 247
Chicago Extensions, north 553
Chicago Extensions, south 571
Converse, C. M 103
Day, Edward S 391
De Vries, S. J 157
Donovan, James 211
Fetzer, W. R 391
Fort Dearborn Addition, 1839.... 535
Fulton, H. D 373
Gash, Abram Dale 121
Gordon, Fr. Francis, C. R 229
Harbor of Chicago, 1834 445
Hawley, Henry S 67
Healy, Daniel D 49
Hebel, Oscar 409
Hill, John W 283
Hoffheimer, Zach 391
Hruby, J. O., Jr 373
Keeney, Albert F. . ..427
Kleeman, B. F 373
Lake Front Wearings, 1839 499
Land Accretions, Lake Shore,
1837 517
Lantz, Walter A 373
Lewis, Harry A 427
Loeffler, William 301
Longhi, Emilio 355
Lorimer, William 193
NAME PAGE
Lundgren, W. E 391
Luster, Max 175
Marshall, Thomas 391
McLaughlin, J. J 373
McMillen, C. S 337
Michels, Nicholas 391
Miller, A. W 409
Mills, Matthew 373
Moody, Walter D 319
Northrup, John E 391
Olson, O. D 391
Poorhouse, Cook County, new...
Frontispiece
Poulton, J. J 373
Rhodes, Carey W 139
Rittenhouse, W. A 391
River Mouth, Chicago, 1834 481
Roe, Clifford G 391
Schmidt, Walter E 409
Shanahan, D. E 373
Smejkal, E. J 373
Smith, Claude F 391
Sollitt, Oliver 373
Stromberg, Alfred 85
Sullivan, Jeremiah 391
Ton, C. J
Troyer, W. H.
.373
.373
Wayman, John E. W 391
Weber, W. H 409
White, George H 427
Wilkerson, J. H 427
Wolf, Adam 409
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY,
ILLINOIS
MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS
THE delegate from Michigan Territory in Congress, Mr. Lyon,
in his arguments before the Committee on Judiciary, in 1 83 1 ,
argued in favor of the line passing east and west through
the southern extremity of Lake Michigan. He stated that,
"It is reported on the best authority that at the time of the admis-
sion of Illinois, Nathaniel Pope, the delegate from that territory,
himself acknowledged that he owed the success of his experiment
in claiming north of this line, to the circumstance that no one felt
interest enough to look into the matter and oppose him." . . .
"Study and ingenuity, stimulated by interest, have within
a few years found out that this is not all the boundary it was
supposed to be; that it is merely a 'descriptive boundary' intended
to be a limit for the people on one side and a license for those on
the other ; or, in other words, that the one or two States that Con-
gress has authority to form in the Northwest Territory cannot ex-
tend south of this line, while the three States already formed may
extend north of it at pleasure."
"We are told that the State owns three hundred and forty lots
in Chicago, which upon an average are worth not less than $2,000
each, and that they would at any time command this price at public
sale. The State also owns Section 15, almost adjoining the town
of Chicago, estimated to be worth $200,000, besides many other
valuable tracts in the vicinity. Now we would ask why it was that
this property, which in Chicago and its vicinity alone would have
commanded a million of dollars, was not exposed to public sale at
the time of the government land sales last summer, when there were
millions of capital seeking investment? Had this course been
pursued there would have been no necessity to resort to foreign cap-
italists for a loan to construct the canal. A million of money, we
are warranted in saying, would have been realized immediately.
With this a large portion of the canal could have been completed ;
and the residue of the lands on each side of the canal could have
Vol. II 3. 33
34 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
then been sold for an amount greatly more than sufficient to have
completed the whole work." (Democrat, November 18, 1835.)
At a public meeting held at the Tremont house in September,
1834, Col. R. J. Hamilton presided and Edward W. Casey served
as secretary. The following resolution was adopted : "Resolved,
That the hospitality of the town of Chicago be respectfully tendered
through the president of the Board of Trustees to the Polish exiles
now in our town." (Democrat, September 10, 1834.)
"Before the arrival of Messrs. Kinzie, Hubbard. and Hamilton,
at Vandalia, with their suite, a canal bill better in all respects than
that which has now become a law had passed the House of Repre-
sentatives, which bill provided that the commissioners should be
elected by joint ballot of the two houses. Perceiving this, and
presuming that Mr. Hubbard would not be a commissioner if that
bill should become a law, these worthy gentlemen then set them-
selves about defeating the bill then before the Legislature, in order
that the Governor might have the appointment of the commission-
ers, and in this they unfortunately succeeded. It was not by any
means a secret at Vandalia that these gentlemen were exceedingly
anxious that the first bill should be defeated, and the reason assigned
was that it was indispensable that Mr. Hubbard should be a com-
missioner, and if that result could not be produced, it was better
the State should do without a canal another year. Dr. Fithian, Mr.
Hubbard's brother-in-law, a member of the House, voted against
the bill, which provided for the election of the commissioners by the
House. It was unquestionably the same powerful influence which
obtained the passage of the Chicago hydraulic bill and other ob-
noxious measures." (Correspondent in Chicago Democrat, March
16, 1836.)
In the original subdivision of a tract of land in the western part of
the southwest fractional quarter of Section 10, Township 39,
Range 14, as platted and subdivided under authority of the Secre-
tary of War in 1839, a square or tract of land in subdivision, a part
of which is known as Dearborn park, was set aside for park pur-
poses and so dedicated by the general government. As the circum-
stances under which the dedication was made ceased to exist, the
park could be used for other purposes. The growth and develop-
ment of business rendered it worthless for the original purposes.
Therefore it was enacted that the Soldiers' Home of Chicago, in-
corporated under the act of February 28, 1869, be authorized and
empowered to erect and maintain on the north quarter of a piece
of ground now known as Dearborn park in that part of Chicago
known as Fort Dearborn addition, and bounded on the north by
the south line of Randolph street, on the east by the west line of
Michigan avenue, on the south by the north line of Washington
street, and on the west by the east line of an alley known as Dear-
born place, a Soldiers' Memorial Hall building to commemorate the
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 35
virtues, sufferings and sacrifices of the soldiers and sailors of Illi-
nois in the late Civil war. It was provided that such building
when erected should be under the direction and control of the man-
agers of said Soldiers' Home in Chicago, by all non-political organ-
izations, by United States soldiers and sailors of the Civil war,
without charge; no part should be rented for pecuniary profit ex-
cept for charitable objects specified ; that the main hall should be
public for non-political meetings; that the directors of the Chicago
Public Library should occupy portions of said memorial building
for the storage of maps, charts, books, periodicals, papers, etc.,
relating to the late Civil war and the military history of the coun-
try ; that after the expiration of fifty years from the completion of
said memorial building, the directors of the Soldiers' Home, at their
option, might, by a two-thirds vote, turn over, transfer, and con-
vey to the directors of the Chicago Public Library all right, title
and interest in said building and grounds in perpetuity, provided the
building should never be deprived of its distinctive character as a
Soldiers' Memorial Hall for the use of soldiers and sailors.
In 1839 the following joint resolution was passed by the Illinois
General Assembly: "Resolved, That the passage of the act of the
General Assembly of Indiana, at their late session (of which offi-
cial information is received), authorizing a connection of the Erie
and Michigan canal of Indiana with the Illinois and Michigan
canal of Illinois, thereby forming a continuous line of canal navi-
gation from Lake Erie to the navigable waters of the Mississippi
river, is recognized by this General Assembly as another magnani-
mous manifestation, on the part of Indiana, of her settled disposi-
tion to identify the best interest of the two States and to promote
their common and national weal, and is most cheerfully recipro-
cated on the part of Illinois."
The Legislature of Illinois in January, 1842, addressed a memo-
rial to Congress praying for the establishment at Chicago of a ma-
rine hospital, and among other things said : "The growing impor-
tance of that city cannot have escaped the attention of your honora-
ble body, in addition to the natural advantages for commerce which
have increased within a few years far beyond the calculations of
the most sanguine. In addition, on the completion of the canal
connecting Lake Michigan with the Mississippi, the increase of
commerce must be such as to require the same institutions there as
at most other commercial cities of the United States."
"Chicago has been filling up with delegates of the People's
(River and Harbor) convention for the last ten or fifteen days,
but it was not until Saturday that the pressure became burdensome.
When we arrived on the 'Oregon' at sunrise yesterday morning,
there was scarcely a square inch of room in any public house, save
in a few bed rooms long since bespoken. But the citizens had al-
ready thrown open their dwellings, welcomed strangers in thou-
36 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
sands to their cordial and bounteous hospitality and the steamboats
as they came in proffered their spacious accoriimodations and gen-
erous fare to their passengers during their stay The
grand parade took place this morning, and though the route trav-
ersed was short, in deference to the heat of the weather, the spec-
tacle was truly magnificent. The citizens of Chicago, of course,
furnished the most imposing part of it the music, the military,
the ships on wheels, ornamental fire engines, etc. I never witnessed
anything so superb, as the appearance of some of the fire companies
with their engines drawn by horses tastefully caparisoned. Our New
York firemen must try again ; they have certainly been outdone. I
think New York had some three hundred delegates on the ground,
among them John C. Spencer, J. De Peyster Ogden, Thurlow Weed,
James B. Burton, Seth C. Hawley, George W. Patterson, Alain
Bronson, John E. Hinman, etc. From New England the number
present is smaller, but still considerable. I notice among them, John
A. Rockwall of Connecticut, Elisha H. Allen, now of Boston, etc.
From New Jersey there are six or eight ; from Pennsylvania I think
fifty to one hundred, among them Andrew Stewart, Senator Johnson
of Erie, etc. From Ohio the number may not be much greater, but
among them are Tom Corwin, Governor Bibb, ex-Governor Mor-
row, R. C. Schenck, John C. Wright, etc. From Georgia there are
at least two here, and one is Thomas Butler King. There is one
from South Carolina. Indiana, Missouri and Iowa are well repre
sented, Michigan and Wisconsin have a large regiment each, while
northern Illinois is here, of course, en masse. A judicious estimate
makes the number present to-day 20,000 men, of whom 10,000 are
here as members of the convention The citizens
had provided a spacious and beautiful tent, about 100 feet square,
pitched in an open tract near the center of the city, radiating from
a tall pole in the center and well provided with seats. It holds
about 4,000 persons comfortably. The rest of the gathering were
constrained to look in over the heads of those seated
A general call was made for Thomas Corwin, of Ohio, which could
not be stilled. He was conducted to the stand by John Wentworth.
Although coming to the stand reluctantly, Mr. Corwin addressed
the convention in his own inimitable manner on the relations and rela-
tive character of the Puritans on the wants and just demands of the
West the absurd folly of considering harbor improvements on salt
water constitutional and on fresh water not so ; and the mighty strides
of the West to greatness and dominion. The vast assemblage was
electrified by his admirable effort In his letter, General
Cass was content to say he could not (i. e., would not) come, and
gave not the least expression of sympathy with the objects and de-
sires of this convention. The letter excited much astonishment
and was read twice at the urgent call of manv delegates. The gen-
eral expression was not flattering to General Cass. Andrew Stew-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 37
art, of Pennsylvania, made a vigorous and animated speech in
favor of internal improvements on comprehensive grounds. It
was perhaps a little too plain and thoroughgoing for the weak
stomachs of some present, who had but recently begun to profess
friendship for internal improvements. It pleased right well a ma-
jority of the convention, but brought up in opposition David Dud-
ley Field of our city (New York) who favored us with an able
and courteous speech in favor of 'Strict construction' and of such
river and harbor improvements only as are consistent therewith.
He was sharply interrogated by different members and in reply to
their questions denied the right of the Federal government to im-
prove the navigation of the Illinois river, since that river ran
through a single State only, or of the Hudson river above a port
of entry. A portion of the members manifested considerable impa-
tience during the latter portion of this speech, which is to be re-
gretted, for Mr. Field was perfectly courteous, not at all tedious,
and fairly called out by the speech of Mr. Stewart. For my part
I rejoiced that the wrong side of the question was so clearly set
forth. In the afternoon, Abraham Lincoln, a tall specimen of an
Illinoisan, just elected to Congress from the only Whig district in
the State, was called out and spoke brightly and happily in reply
to Mr. -Field The resolutions having been
read and accepted, Mr. Field very fairly objected to the last clause
of the fifth resolution, affirming substantially that the 'common
understanding' of the Constitution, through a long series of years,
'has become as much a part of that instrument as any one of its
most explicit provisions.' This ought to have prevailed, but it did
not Thomas Butler King, of Georgia, made a
most admirable speech in favor of river and harbor improvements
and internal improvements generally. It was really a great speech,
thoroughly national in its spirit and looking to the good of all. .
On the last day the convention came together
thoroughly resolved that no topic should be considered which might
mar the harmony and unanimity with which the resolutions of the
committee had been received and adopted yesterday; so that suc-
cessive efforts to get before it the project of a railroad to the Pa-
cific, the free navigation of the St. Lawrence, etc., were promptly
and decidedly thwarted by the undebatable motion to lay on the
table Previous to putting the motion for final ad-
journment, the president of the convention, Edward Bates, of
Missouri, returned thanks for the honor done him in a speech which
took the convention completely by surprise so able, so forcible
and replete with the soul of eloquence. I will not attempt to give
an account of this wonderful speech no account that can now be
given will do it justice. In the course of it he said that when he
emigrated in 1812 to the French village of huts called St. Louis,
which has now 50,000 inhabitants, he was obliged to hire a guard
38 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
against hostile savages to accompany him across the unbroken
wilderness which is now the State of Illinois with a civilized
population of 600,000 freemen. His speech was greeted at its
close by the whole convention rising and cheering long and fer-
vently. . . . The convention, upon its adjournment, was instantly
reorganized as a committee of the whole (with Horace Greeley as
chairman), and Gov. William Bibb, of Ohio, took the stand. He
dwelt upon the diffusion of intelligence, the purification of
morals, and the amelioration of the social condition of man. He
brought sharply and eloquently out that 'vain will be all your canals
and railroads, your river and harbor improvements, if the condition
of the toiling millions be not timely or therewith sensibly amelio-
rated if they shall still be constrained to delve twelve to fourteen
hours per day for the bare necessaries of physical life. I hold,'
said he, 'that this need not and ought not to continue that society
may be so revised that ten or eight hours' faithful labor daily will
secure to every industrious man or family a full supply of the
necessaries and comforts of life, so that each may have ample
leisure to devote to the cultivation and perfection of his moral,
social and intellectual powers.' A. W. Loomis, of Pittsburg; Gen.
Lewis Hubbell, of Milwaukee; S. Lisle Smith, of Chicago; Anson
Burlingame, of Massachusetts, late of Michigan; E. H. Allen, of
Boston, and Horace Greeley, of New York, were called out in
succession and each responded briefly. The speech of Mr. Smith,
of Chicago, regarded as an oratorical effort, was the best of the
many good speeches made here within these three days. It was
beautiful, thrilling, brightly poetic enchaining and enrapturing the
audience. I will not attempt to sketch it. Mr. Allen's remarks
were very happy in a very different vein these two affording
striking illustrations of Western and Eastern popular speaking,
respectively. William M. Hall, of Buffalo, advocated a series of
resolutions offered by him concerning the proposed railroad to the
Pacific. His resolutions were adopted as the proceedings of the
mass meeting and not by the Rivers and Harbor convention. Thus
has met, deliberated, harmonized, acted and separated one of the
most important and interesting conventions ever held in this or
any country. It was truly characterized as a congress of free-
men, destitute of pay and mileage but in all else inferior to no
deliberative body which has assembled within twenty years. . Can
we doubt that its results will be most beneficent and enduring?"
(From a series of letters written on the ground by Horace Greeley
and published in the New York Tribune in July, 1847.)
Mr. Greeley showed that the Democrats generally were non-
committal on the object of the convention, while the Whigs were
interested. President Polk had just vetoed the river and harbor
bill, so the Democrats had to be cautious. Writing of the letter
of General Cass, Mr. Greeley said : "Did mortal man ever before
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 30
see such a letetr from one who is by position and was by profes-
sion friendly to the objects of the convention? It was listened to
with hardly less astonishment than indignation." Colonel Burton
had said of lake harbors that they "harbored nothing but the inter-
ests of their owners."
"Business men will not be slow to draw their conclusions in
reference to the prospects of Chicago. No one who has studied
her unrivaled commercial position and the richness, beauty and
extent of the country by which she is surrounded, can doubt for
a moment that Chicago at no distant day is destined to become
the great central city of the continent. In the center of one of the
most extensive and the most fertile agricultural regions of the
globe, surrounded by extensive mines of lead, iron, copper and
coal, having a water communication with the Atlantic and the
Gulf of Mexico, and holding the key to a coasting trade of
3,000 miles, with more than a dozen railroads branching off
for thousands of miles in all directions, every element of pros-
perity and substantial greatness is within her grasp. She fears
no rivals. She has to wait for a few short years the sure develop-
ment of her 'manifest destiny.' " (Annual Review of Chicago,
1855.)
"It is difficult to decide in what respect it is most worthy of
remark, whether in the number and extent of the additional build-
ings and internal improvements of our city, in the extended reach
of her unparalleled system of railways, or in the increase of value
of the produce and merchandise that have crowded through her
channels and fairly gorged their every capacity. We are forcibly
reminded of the figure of a young and beautiful damsel, whose
rounding form and budding proportions are fast bursting from the
limited and straining vestments which sufficed her girlhood and
demanding a costume of more flowing dimensions and costly
texture. Our city is changing her apparel by pieces and without
much regard to transition, appearances or contrasts. The refit is,
however, rapidly assuming a completeness and perfection that
promises soon to be unrivaled." (Annual Review of Chicago,
January, 1855.)
The Masonic Temple association was incorporated February
14, 1855, the directors being Hiram A. Tucker, Ezra L. Sherman,
Buckner S. Morris, Walter S. Gurnee and L. P. Hilliard.
The act of February 7. 1857, incorporated the Chicago Histori-
cal society, the incorporators named being William H. Brown.
William B. Ogden, J. Young Scammon, Mason Brayman, Mark
Skinner, George Manierre, John H. Kinzie, J. V. Z. Blaney, E. I.
Tinkham, J. D. Webster, W. A. Smalhvood, V. H. Higgins, N. S.
Davis, Charles H. Ray. S. D. Ward. M. D. Ogden, F/Scamtnon,
E. B. McCagg and William Barn'.
The Chicago Relief and Aid society was incorporated February
40 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
16, 1857, by Edwin C. Larned, Mark Skinner, Edward I. Tink-
ham, Joseph D. Webster, Joseph T. Ryerson, Isaac N. Arnold,
Norman B. Judd, John H. Dunham, A. H. Mueller, Samuel S.
Greek, B. F. Cooke, N. S. Davis, George W. Dole, George M.
Higginson, John H. Kinzie, John Woodbridge, Jr., Erastus S.
Williams, Philo Carpenter, George W. Gage, S. S. Hayes, Henry
Farnam, William H. Brown and Philip J. Wardner.
By act of February 16, 1857, the subdivision for E. K. Hubbard
of certain blocks in the school section addition to Chicago was
legalized. The subdivision included Blocks 5, 60, 63, 66, 75, 85,
104, 105, 108, 109, 111, 112, 115 of Section 16, Township 39
north, Range 14 east. This subdivision was recorded July 3,
1835.
"Year by year, since our connection with the press of this city
(since 1848), we have essayed to foretell what might reasonably
be expected both as to the growth in population and the increase
in business, and year by year have we seen our estimates dwarfed
into insignificance by the actual facts. Four years ago we entered
into an elaborate argument to the effect that within five years from
that time the annual receipts of grain at this place would reach
20,000,000 bushels. Our less hopeful friends were astounded beyond
measure at our temerity 'extravagant' and 'absurd.' 'Why,' said
they, 'the quantity could not be stored in the city, the laborers could
not be secured to handle it, the money to produce it, nor the ves-
sels to transport it to an ultimate market.' The five years have
not yet elapsed and our figures this morning show the amount re-
ceived in the fourth year after the prediction to be only a fraction
under 25,000,000 bushels, or 25 per cent, over the estimate. The
warehouses, the laborers and the money were here. So in regard
to the growth of the lumber business. The fact is the country
which is commercially tributary to Chicago and which by a decree
of nature must remain so for all time to come, is of such extent,
of such unlimited resources, and is withal being so rapidly devel-
oped under the stimulus of free government, railroads and im-
proved labor-saving machinery that the history of the world fur-
nishes no parallel to it; and hence all estimates based upon past
experience, respecting the results that are here to be worked out,
must necessarily fall far short of the actual fact. That is the
reason why the wonderful growth of Chicago has so far outstripped
all the predictions of the most sanguine of our citizens. This is
the reason why the annual commerce of these northwestern lakes
has within a quarter of a century risen from a merely nominal
value to far exceed that of the total foreign commerce of the whole
Union. It is proper to say that every department of trade has
shared in the common impulse. As regards the future, we will no
longer venture upon specific predictions and estimates we do not
care to try our hand again. However, we are warranted in say-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 41
ing that the future progress of Chicago will in no respect fall short
of its past history." (Annual Review of Chicago, January, 1857,
by William Bross, editor of the Chicago Democratic Press.)
Citizens of Chicago took every means to advertise the city in the
East and in Europe.
The act of February 16, 1857, made sweeping changes in Chi-
cago municipal affairs. The council was authorized to divide the
wards into such precincts as were deemed best; to submit all its
acts to appropriate committees, to secure thereto the signature of
the mayor before same should take effect; to make no contract nor
incur no expense unless upon an appropriation made by the council ;
to prohibit any city officer from having an interest in such a con-
tract; to create a treasury department consisting of the treasurer,
comptroller and collector, whose duties were set forth in detail ;
to return the assessment roll to the common council, and the full
proceedings of collecting the taxes were prescribed; to require the
council to designate two or more justices of the peace who should
be styled the "police court," the sessions of which were to be held
daily ; to provide for the election of a police clerk, whose duties were
fully set forth ; to provide for the appointment of a prosecuting at-
torney for the police court if deemed necessary; to require all fees
to be paid into the city treasury ; to fix the salary of the mayor at
$3,500 per year; to give the council power to levy and collect an-
nually a school tax not exceeding two mills on the dollar; to meet
the expenses of buying grounds, erecting buildings and supporting
the schools; to provide for the appointment of fifteen school
inspectors who should be styled the "board of education" of the
city, five to be appointed annually ; to authorize the city of Chicago
to purchase, hold and convey tracts of land outside of the city
limits, to be used for cemeteries ; to leave in force all laws and regu-
lations then in operation and not annulled or abridged by this act ;
to conduct all actions in the name of the corporation ; to re-create
the Fifth ward with the following limits: All that part of the
city which lies west of the South branch of the Chicago river and
south of a line running east and west along the center of Randolph
street and north of the center of Harrison street; to re-create the
Tenth ward as follows: All that part of said city which lies west
of the South branch of the Chicago river and south of a line in the
center of Harrison street; to provide for the election of officers
for the new ward ; to provide for the appointment by the judge of
the Cook County Court of Common Pleas of three freeholders
to act as commissioners to lay out a public park in the South
division of said city; to fully empower said commissioners to sur-
vey, lay out and appropriate such a park of not less than 100 nor
more than 300 acres; to locate said park south of Twelfth street,
west of Michigan avenue, east of Stewart avenue and as nearly
central as may be between Lake Michigan and the South branch
42 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
of Chicago river; to provide payment for the land thus appropri-
ated ; to provide for the payment of the Chicago park stock created
by this act ; to levy a tax on the South division to meet such ex-
pense ; and to provide for parks in the other divisions of the city.
The act of February 18, 1859, incorporated the "Board of Trade
of the City of Chicago," to be composed of the persons at the time
constituting said board. The rules, regulations and by-laws of the
said existing board of trade were to prevail until others should be
adopted. Full provision was made for the admission and expulsion
of members, for the adjustment of questions by committees of
arbitration, for the appointment of inspectors of weights, measures,
flour, grain, provisions, liquors, lumber, etc.
The act of February 19, 1859, incorporated the Chicago South
Branch Dock company, with William Green, William S. Sampson,
Richard J. Arnold, John F. Hance, Roswell B. Mason, Amos G.
Throop and Abraham J. Knisely as incorporators. They were
authorized to improve the following tracts in Chicago : The north
fractional part of Section 29, Township 39 north, Range 14 east,
except the east 16.72 acres; and also any other lands which they
should own, by laying the same out into lots, streets, squares, lanes,
alleys, etc. They were empowered to make seven or any less canals
and to connect the same with the South branch in a way not to
impede navigation ; to erect on said lands such railroads, wharves,
workshops, warehouses, stores, etc., as might be found necessary;
but in all cases to obey the ordinances of Chicago. The capital
was fixed at $650,000. To carry out the object of the corporation
the company was authorized to borrow money, but not in excess of
$50,000 at a time, and to issue bonds therefor.
The act of February 20, 1861, authorized Chicago to make an
assessment to pay the damages caused by the building of a bridge
at Van Buren street in 1858, and to pay certain claims against the
city relative thereto.
"Our low, flat position is exceedingly unfavorable to civic com-
fort or convenience. Our old residents all remember the time when
the whole country around us was a swamp scarcely better than
the Calumet of today. The work of redeeming it to a passably dry
location has only been accomplished by the tedious operations of
street filling, contemporaneous elevations of grade and sinking of
ditches. Then the large extent of territory in proportion to the
population, which our cosmopolitan avarice has secured, gives us
a world of work to do. We have over twenty-four square miles
of territory embraced within our city limits, scarcely less than a
whole section to each thousand men of proper age to earn money and
pay taxes for improvement. But we have accomplished wonders.
Our principal thoroughfares have all been lifted from the mud,
properly drained, supplied with gas and water, the old rotten planks
removed, and in their stead the substantial Nicholson laid. Our
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 43
rivers have been bridged and a tunnel has been talked of. We can
now almost walk on dry land in the most central portion of the city,
while but a few years since the shooting of water fowl from the
steps of the Tremont was a common pastime. During the past
twelve months, though burdened with the support of the war, we
have steadily labored in the improvement of the city, having done
more than in former years.
"Chicago has just claims to be considered the center of the rail-
way system of the continent. There is scarcely a respectable
railroad in the country that does not seek to effect a connection more
or less direct with some one of the great lines which make Chicago
an eastern and western terminus. There are those in the city whose
residence does not date further back than 1849, who remember
that our railroad system, concerning whose extent and magnitude
we now felicitate ourselves so grandly, consisted of a single line
extending from Chicago to Elgin, whose track was laid with strap
iron and whose rolling stock and appointments were of the most
inferior and what would now be considered the most worthless
character. Mark the change a score or so of miles then and
thousands now.
"The map of Illinois with its railway lines now looks like a
checker board. With two such powerful interests (railway sys-
tems and commercial improvement) working each to extend the
other and benefit themselves, it is impossible to place a limit to the
future greatness of Chicago. This city will increase with every
year until she shall fulfill her destiny and become the first inland city
on the continent, both in point of population and in the extent of
her commercial transactions. Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Min-
nesota, the northern half of Missouri and the yet undeveloped re-
gion lying west of the Missouri are the source upon which Chicago
must depend for her future growth and prosperity. Already Chi-
cago is the greatest primary grain market in the world and second
to none in respect to her packing interests." (Annual Reviews,
1862.)
The act of February 13, 1863, empowered Chicago to issue new
bonds to satisfy and retire old and maturing bonds. The act of
February 20, 1861, exempted from inspection at Chicago all fish
that had been duly inspected at Milwaukee and Mackinac. The act
of February 22, 1861, provided that the Secretary of State should
deliver to the Chicago Historical society fifty copies of each and
every public document, book, pamphlet, chart and other publications
by the State as the same should be issued from year to year, and so
far as practicable of such publications issued previously by the
State.
The act of Congress of June 20, 1864, directed the Secretary of
the Treasury to dispose of the marine hospital and grounds in Chi-
cago by public auction to the highest bidder, and out of the pro-
44 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
ceeds to purchase a new and more eligible site and erect a new hos-
pital thereon, but the cost of the new was not to exceed the pro-
ceeds of sale of the old. Accordingly, in September, 1864, the
property was sold for $132,000 to J. F. Joy, who paid the money
and took a deed for the same. But it was found that the
amount thus realized was not sufficient for the purpose. It was
then thought that it might be wise to dispense with such a dis-
tinctive hospital and to provide for the care of marine patients by
contract in municipal or private hospitals, thus obviating the ne-
cessity of erecting a new building. In the meantime, for several
years, Mr. Joy was denied the possession of his purchase. Upon
pressure by the House of Representatives, the supervising archi-
tect, A. B. Mullett, purchased a new site of ten acres for $10,000
a tract on the lake shore in 1866-67. Three courses were open :
1. Not to build a hospital; 2. To build one within the amount of
the appropriation, but wholly inadequate to the service; 3. To
build one adequate to the service regardless of the appropriation.
The third was the only reasonable and acceptable alternative. The
first building, under the appropriation of August 3, 1848, cost a
total of $55,687.
The act of February 13, 1865, incorporated the Union Stock
Yards and Transit company with the following men named as in-
corporators: John L. Hancock, Virginius A. Turpin, Roselle M.
Hough, Sidney A. Kent, Charles M. Culberton, Lyman Blair,
David Kreigh, Martin L. Sykes, Jr., Joseph Sherwin, George
W. Cass, James F. Jay John F. Tracy, Timothy B. Black-
stone, Joseph H. Moore, John S. Barry, Homer E. Sargent,
Burton C. Cook, John B. Drake and William D. Judson. They
were authorized to locate, construct, and maintain in convenient
proximity to the southerly limits of Chicago and west of Wallace
street extended the necessary yards, enclosures, buildings, railway
switches for the care and safe keeping of live stock, etc. ; capital
stock, $1,000,000.
The Chicago Stock Exchange was incorporated February 16,
1865, by J. M. Adsit, A. C. Barger, James Boyd, T. J. Bronson,
Lyman Blair, E. E. Braisted, Chauncey T. Bowen, Nathan Co-
rinth, A. J. Dennison, Asa Dow, A. Echald, J. K. Fisher, N. K.
Goodnow, John C. Hilton, B. P. Hutchinson, Ira Holmes, E. H.
Haddock, W. F. Coolbaugh, J. D. Jennings, S. A. Kent, Josiah
Lombard, T. G. McLawry, Solon McElroy, Hugh McLennan, Ira
T. Munn, E. R. McCormick, A. B. Meeker, L. D. Norton, L. A.
Ostrom, C. B. Pope, B. W. Phillips, J. O. Rutter, E. D. Richard-
son, C. A. Rodgers, Isaac Sherwood, T. H. Seymour, William
Spaulding, D. C. Scranton, J. J. Ullman, John Watson, E. G.
Wolcott, S. S. Williamson, C. H. Walker, C. T. Wheeler, M. S.
Yarwood and D. S. Young. The object was a stock exchange in
the city of Chicago where all kinds of stocks and bonds could be
bought, sold and exchanged.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY *5
By January, 1865, the horse railways of Chicago were operated
by three distinct corporations one for each division. The Chi-
cago City railway had been incorporated February 14, 1859. By
April 25 following cars were running to Twelfth street and by
June to the city limits. In October a branch was laid on Archer
road from State street to Stewart avenue. The company had
(January, 1865), 35 cars, 255 horses and mules, and employed 200
men. Samuel M. Nickerson was president of the company. The
West Division Railway company owned the West side lines in
January, 1865. The Madison street line was built by the City
Railway company, also the Randolph street line the former
running by June, 1859, and the latter by August, 1859. In August,
1863, the City Railway company sold these two lines to the West
Division company for $300,000. They soon laid a branch on
Blue Island avenue and by December 25, 1863, were running to
Twelfth street. In 1864 a branch was laid in Milwaukee avenue.
J. R. Jones was president and superintendent in January, 1865.
On the North side the City Limits line had been constructed in
1859, the Sedgwick and North avenue lines in 1861, the Clybourn
and Larrabee lines in 1859, Chicago avenue line in 1859, and the
Graceland line in 1864. Steam was being tried on the Graceland
line. J. B. Turner was president in 1865.
The act of March 10, 1865, authorized the city of Chicago to
borrow upon bond not to exceed $2,000,000 to be used to pay the
debt of the city for waterworks; also to borrow not to exceed
$1,000,000 to pay the sewerage debt and to increase the works;
also to borrow not to exceed $700,000 with which to buy or lease
school grounds for schoolhouses ; also to borrow $1,000,000 to
carry into effect certain other improvements authorized by pre-
vious laws; also for $300,000 for specific purposes of improve-
ment.
In 1866 deepening the canal was undertaken to relieve the river,
under act of Legislature February 16, 1865. This was a sanitary
measure. The city was authorized to issue bonds for what it had
cost to finish the work and got a lien on the canal and its works
for $2,500,000. Taking up this lien was what the State did to aid
Chicago after the fire. The improvement was to cut down the
canal to a level & l / 2 feet below the level of Lake Michigan, through
solid rock mostly for twenty-six miles. On July 16 the current of
the river was turned the other way. But the north branch was not
benefited, so $200,000 was appropriated July, 1873, to connect the
river with the lake north of the city limits.
Until Monday, March 25, 1867, Chicago had very bad water; it
had grown worse and worse. On March 17, 1864, the work on the
tunnel had been begun at Chicago avenue. On July 25, 1865, the
great crib was launched and sunk at the other end of the shaft
which was dug from both ends. The crib was forty feet high, with
46 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
five sides and was ninety-eight and one-half feet in diameter. The
inside was one cylinder nine feet in diameter, sunk sixty-one feet
below the surface of the water, and thirty-one feet below the bed
of the lake. The crib stood twelve feet above the water. From the
shore shaft the crib was distant two points north by east two miles.
The clear width of the tunnel was five feet; the clear height five
feet two inches ; it was lined with brick masonry ; sloped toward the
shore two feet per mile. Under a head of two feet it was designed
to deliver 19,000,000 gallons per day; under a head of eight
feet, 38,000,000 gallons, and under a head of eighteen feet, 57,-
000,000 gallons.
The Washington street river tunnel was begun in 1865. The
first contractors were unsuccessful. The contract was then let on
July 19, 1867, to others for $328,000 and the work was completed
January 1, 1869, at a cost of about $400,000.
The act of March 5, 1867, made eight hours a legal day's work
where there was no agreement to the contrary. The Chicago
Stage and Baggage company was incorporated March 7, 1867;
George M. Pullman being one of the incorporators.
The act of January 30, 1867, authorized the Chicago Historical
society to increase the number of its resident members to any num-
ber deemed expedient. The property of the society was exempted
from taxation, and the society was empowered to borrow as much
as $20,000 on mortgage to complete the building then in progress.
The act of February 16, 1867, provided for the establishment of
the Washingtonian Home of Chicago; it was amended June 29,
1883, so that not to exceed $20,000 annually was paid to this home
from liquor licenses.
By act of February 21, 1867, the Fine Arts College of Chicago
was incorporated by Hiram T. Merrill, Benjamin F. Downing and
their associates. The American Art association was incorporated
February 28, 1867, by M. J. Green, George P. A. Healy and
others.
The act of March 9, 1867, provided for a commissioner of taxes
for the city of Chicago ; for the division of the city into assessment
districts; for changing the dock lines of Chicago river; for the
construction of sewers by the council ; for increasing the police
force; for fixing the salaries of certain city officers; for constitut-
ing the board of health, with six persons, of whom besides the
mayor three should be physicians ; for additional powers to the
common council; for the protection of persons injured by defective
sidewalks ; for adding to Lincoln park all land owned by the city
in Section 27, Township 40 north, Range 14 east; for enabling
said park to acquire "a strip of land not exceeding three hundred
feet in width lying between said land and said park."
In 1867 the Illinois and Indiana Turnpike company were author-
ized to occupy Cottage Grove avenue in part.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 47
The act of February 24, 1869, created the "Board of South Park
Commissioners" for South Chicago, Hyde Park and Lake. They
were directed to secure the following land for park purposes :
Commencing at the southwest corner of Fifty-first street and Cot-
tage Grove avenue; running thence south along the west side of
Cottage Grove avenue to the south line of Fifty-ninth street;
thence east along the north line of Fifty-ninth street to the east
line of Hyde Park avenue; thence north on Hyde Park avenue to
Fifty-sixth street; thence east along the south line of Fifty-sixth
street to Lake Michigan; thence southerly along the shore of the
Lake to a point due east of the center of Section 24, Township 38
north, Range 14 east; thence west through the center of said Sec-
tion 24 to Hyde Park avenue ; thence north on the east line of Hyde
Park avenue to the north line of Sixtieth street so called; thence
west on the north line of Sixtieth street to Kankakee avenue;
thence north on the east line of Kankakee avenue to Fifty-first
street ; thence east to the place of beginning. Also a piece of land
commencing at the southeast corner of Kankakee avenue and Fifty-
fifth street ; running thence west a strip two hundred feet wide
adjoining the north line of Fifty-fifth street, along said Fifty-fifth
street to the line between ranges 13 and 14 east; thence north, east
of and adjoining said line, a strip two hundred feet wide to the
Illinois and Michigan canal. Also a parcel of land beginning at
the southwest corner of Douglas place and Kankakee avenue ; run-
ning thence south a strip of land one hundred and thirty-two feet
wide along the west side of said Kankakee avenue to a point one
hundred and fifty feet south of the south line of Fifty-first street.
Also a strip of land commencing at the intersection of Cottage
Grove avenue and fifty-first street, running thence east one hun-
dred feet in width on each side of the center line of Drexel avenue.
Also a strip of land extending north from the intersection of Fifty-
first street with Drexel avenue one hundred feet in width on each
side of the center line of said avenue to the north line of Forty-
third street ; thence northerly a strip of land two hundred feet in
width till it meets or intersects with Elm street in Cleaverville;
thence northerly along said Elm street two hundred feet in width
west from the east line of said street to its intersection with Oak-
wood avenue. The adjacent lands benefited were to be assessed.
The subject was to be voted on in the three towns of South Chi-
cago, Hyde Park and Lake "For Park" or "Against Park."
The act of April 16, 1869, struck out of the park act the words
"a piece of land commencing at the southeast corner of Kankakee
avenue and Fifty-fifth street, running thence west, a strip two hun-
dred feet wide, adjoining the north line of Fifty-fifth street," and
inserted instead "a piece of land commencing at the northeast cor-
ner of Kankakee avenue and Fifty-fifth street, running west, a
strip two hundred feet wide, south of and adjoining the north line
of said Fifty-fifth street."
48 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
The act of February 27, 1869, extended the territorial limits of
Chicago so as to embrace the following : That part of Section 30,
Township 40 north, Range 14 east, which lies west of the North
branch of the Chicago river; Section 25, Township 40 north, Range
13 east, except that part of said section lying east of the center of
the North branch of the Chicago river; Sections 26, 35, and 36,
Townshfp 40 north, Range 13 east; Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14,
23, 24, 25, 26, Township 39 north, Range 13 east; and that part
of Sections 35 and 36, Township 39 north, Range 13 east, lying
northwest of the center of the Illinois and Michigan canal, were
added to the city and constituted a part of the West division. By this
act the outside boundary of the West division was declared to be the
outside boundary of the several wards which at that time extended
to the present city limits. By this act also the "Board of West Chi-
cago Park commissioners," to be composed of seven persons, was
created. They were given power to buy or alienate land for boule-
vards, pleasure ways or parks ; could change the building line ; could
select three parks of not less than one hundred acres nor more
than two hundred acres, the total cost not to exceed $900,000. The
main boulevard was to extend from Fullerton avenue near the
North branch first west and then south to a point near the Illinois
and Michigan canal. Bonds and taxes were ordered.
The act of April 19, 1869, excluded from the limits of Chicago,
Sections 25, 26, 35 and 36, Township 40 north, Range 13 east, and
reattached the same to the town of Jefferson. The boulevard
provided for in the act of February 27, 1869, was directed to be
located so that it would join the one to be laid out westward from
Lincoln park. It was also provided that the most northerly of the
three parks arthorized for the West division should not be less
than two hundred acres in extent and might be located in whole or
in part south of Division street and north of Kinzie street.
In February, 1869, a large number of business men of Chicago
petitioned Congress to pass such laws that thereafter "all purchases
or sales of the loans and bonds of the United States should be
made by inviting public competition through advertising for
proposals, and that all sales of gold should be made at public auc-
tion." This was signed by nearly two hundred of the leading men
and business houses of Chicago, but by only seven banks and trust
companies.
The act of February 8, 1869, fixed the boundaries of Lincoln
park as follows : Commencing at the intersection of North avenue
with Lake Michigan and running thence west along said North
avenue to North Clark street; thence along North Clark to North
Franklin ; thence along North Franklin to Fullerton avenue ; thence
along Fullerton avenue to the west line of the southeast quarter of
Section 28, Township 40 north. Range 14 east; thence along said
west line to the northwest corner of said southeast quarter of
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 51
Section 28; thence along the north line of said southeast quarter
to Lake Michigan ; thence along the shore of Lake Michigan at
low water mark as the same now is or hereafter may be to the
place of beginning. E. B. McCagg, John B. Turner, Andrew Nel-
son, Joseph Stockton and Jacob Rehm were constituted the first
Board of Commissioners of Lincoln park.
The act of March 30, 1869, authorized the Lincoln Park board
to acquire by purchase or otherwise the following tract "All of the
southwest quarter of Section 28, Township 40 north, Range 14
east, lying east of a line commencing in the east line of said quarter
section at a point where it will be intersected by a line five hundred
feet long running from the east line of Green Bay road and a right
angle with said road, and running thence in a straight line north-
westwardly parallel at such point of starting with the east line of
said Green Bay road and continuing in a straight line to the north
line of said quarter section ; and also all that part of Block 2 in the
Canal Trustees' subdivision of Section 33 of said township lying
east of the Lake Shore ditch.
"The narrow-minded, miserly prejudice, which feared the ex-
pense of pleasure resorts and claimed no outlay sensible unless it
brings immediate practical results in dollars and cents, is fast pass-
ing away, and Chicago's young, enterprising, intellectual men have
decided to have a whole system of public parks, as well as a whole
system of schools, churches and other improvements. Until within
a few months ago the park systems of Chicago have been uninviting,
consisting of a good sized, partly improved tract on the Lake Shore
in the North division and several little patches of grass scattered
about the city. Now, however, we are to have one grand park,
which will be about one-quarter larger than the great Central park,
New York, and another one twice as large as that Eastern wonder,
three others of from one hundred to two hundred acres each, be-
sides these already reported." (Historical Review of Chicago for
1869.)
The South Side park and boulevard authorized by act of the
Legislature February, 1869, was voted on by the people on March
26, 1869, and sustained by over 3,000 majority. The same act
authorized the following parks :
PARKS. Acres.
South Side park 1,000
West Side parks 600
Riverside park 1,600
Lincoln park 230
Lake park 40
Union park 17
Ellis park 3
Washington park 2Vi
Total 3,492 V6
Vol. II 4.
58 . HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
The act of March 11, 1869, extended the north and south boun-
daries of the Ninth ward westwardly to the center of Loomis
street, which line was made the eastern boundary of the Twelfth
ward south of the center of Van Buren street.
In 1869 Illinois passed an act granting the Illinois Central Rail-
way company certain rights on the lake front, and the company
sought to take possession of the land, but was enjoined by the
United States District Court at Chicago, and this injunction was
yet in operation in 1881.
The act of March 11, 1869, authorized the Chicago City Rail-
way company to operate its lines in any of the townships of Cook
county outside of Chicago, provided consent so to do was first
obtained from the board of trustees.
The act of March 10, 1869, permitted the street railway com-
panies to operate dummy or steam engines. The act of April 19,
1869, incorporated the Chicago Stock Exchange with a capital of
$200,000. In 1869 Congress passed an act making Chicago, St.
Louis and Cincinnati ports of entry. The act of April 29, 1869,
authorized, the city to cause the Southwestern Plank road, or
Ogden avenue, within the city limits, and any one street connect-
ing said Southwestern Plank road, or Ogden avenue, with Reuben
street, to be widened not exceeding one hundred and fifty feet, and
to improve the same. The act of April 17, 1869, established a
State road along Archer road.
The act of March 10, 1869, provided that thereafter municipal
elections in Chicago should be held on the Tuesday next after the
first Monday of November of each year; that the officers then
chosen should assume the duties of their respective offices on the
first Monday of December of the same year; that the mayor, city
attorney, treasurer, collector and clerk of the police court should
be selected by the people; and that Chicago should be divided into
twenty wards as follows:
First Ward. All of the South division south of the center of
the Chicago river and north of the center of Monroe street.
Second Ward. All of the South division south of the center of
Monroe and north of the center of Harrison.
Third Ward. All of the South division south of the center of
Harrison and north of the center of Sixteenth.
Fourth Ward. All of the South division south of the center of
Sixteenth and east of the center of Clark and the same projected
to the center of Twenty-sixth and north of the center of said
Twenty-sixth and the same projected easterly to the lake.
Fifth Ward. All of the South division south of the center of
Twenty-sixth and such line projected eastwardly to Lake Michi-
gan, east of the center of Clark and such line projected southerly
to the city limits.
Sixth Ward. All of the South division south of the center of
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 53
Sixteenth and west of the center of Clark projected southerly to
the city limits.
Seventh Ward. All of the South division south of the center of
Sixteenth.
Eighth Ward. All of the West division north of the center of
Sixteenth and south of the center of Twelfth.
Ninth Ward. All of the West division north of the center of
Twelfth, east of the center of Centre avenue and south of the cen-
ter of Van Buren.
Tenth Ward. All of the West division north of the center of
Van Buren, east of the center of Aberdeen and Curtis and south
of the center of Randolph.
Eleventh Ward. All of the West division north of the center
of Randolph, east of the center of Curtis, and south of the center of
Fourth.
Twelfth Ward. All of the West division north of the center of
Twelfth, east of the center of Reuben, south of the center of
Fourth and west as follows : Commencing at the center of Fourth
street, thence south on Curtis and Aberdeen to the center of Van
Buren, thence west to the center of Centre, thence south to the
center of Twelfth.
Thirteenth Ward. All of the West division north of the center
of Twelfth, west of the center of Reuben, and south of the center
of Lake.
Fourteenth Ward. All of the West division north of the center
of Lake, and south of the center of Reuben.
Fifteenth Ward. All of the West division north of the center
of Fourth and Chicago avenue and not included in any of the fore-
going wards.
Sixteenth Ward. All of the North division north of the center
of North avenue.
Seventeenth Ward. All of the North division south of the
center of North avenue and north of the center of Division.
Eighteenth Ward. All of the North division south of the cen-
ter of Division and west of the center of Franklin.
Nineteenth Ward. All of the North division south of the cen-
ter of Division, east of the center of Franklin and north of the
center of Chicago avenue.
Tiventieth Ward. All of the North division south of the cen-
ter of Chicago avenue and east of the center of Franklin.
Each ward was to be represented by two aldermen, each holding
office for two years, one to be elected annually.
On June 19, 1869, it was enacted that, whereas the city of Chi-
cago had three natural divisions North, South, and West each
of which would in the future want a park or parks : and whereas
the city had already expended a large sum on Lincoln park in the
North division ; and whereas the city was about to spend a large
54 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
additional sum on Lincoln park, while a much less sum had been
expended on the parks of the South and West divisions ; it was
therefore enacted that the mayor and comptroller of the city of
Chicago should issue bonds bearing not over 7 per cent, to obtain
means to purchase and improve a park for each of the three divi-
sions when the people of each of said divisions should decide to
have the same; also to equalize the amount already expended or
which might thereafter be expended upon Lincoln park.
The act of April 16, 1869, provided that all right and title to
so much of fractional Section 15, Township 39 north, Range 14
east, as is situated east of Michigan avenue and north of Park row
and south of the south line of Monroe street and west of a line
running parallel with and four hundred feet east of the west line
of said Michigan avenue, were granted in fee to the city of Chi-
cago, with full powers to convey the same except ninety feet of
the avenue, provided such conveyance should be approved by a vote
of not less than three-fourths of the aldermen. The proceeds of
the sale were to constitute "the park fund." The right of the Illi-
nois Central railroad to the strip along the lake front was con-
firmed ; and the right of the State to the submerged land lying east
of the track and breakwater for the distance of one mile between
the south line of the south pier extended eastwardly and a line
extended eastward from the south line of Lot 21, south of and
near the roundhouse and machine shops of said company in the
south division of Chicago, were granted in fee to the Illinois Cen-
tral railroad to be held by them in perpetuity, but gave them no
right to obstruct the harbor. The act also provided that the land
submerged or otherwise lying north of the south line of Monroe
street and south of the south line of Randolph street and between
the east line of Michigan avenue and the track and roadway of the
Illinois Central Railroad company, and constituting parts of frac-
tional Sections 10 and 15, Township 39 north. Range 14 east,
should be granted in fee to the Illinois Central, Chicago, Burling-
ton and Quincy and Michigan Central Railroad companies to be
used for a passenger depot, etc. For this land these three com-
panies were required to pay to Chicago $800,000. It was declared
that the grants to the Illinois Central company were upon the ex-
press condition that it should pay in perpetually to the treasury of
Illinois the percentum on the gross receipts stipulated in the charter.
"The bed of Lake Michigan does not and never did belong to the
United States, and it has no authority to sell or convey it as public
land. Lake Michigan has been denominated an inland sea, a pub-
lic highway, and subject to the same rules of law which apply to the
ocean. Owners of land upon its borders own to high water mark
and no farther. The soil between high and low water mark and
the bed of the lake belongs to the State, subject only to the con-
trol of the United States in the regulation of commerce and navi-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 55
gation. The boundary of Illinois on the east extends to the middle
of Lake Michigan and when the State was admitted to the Union
in 1818 on an equal footing with the original States, its jurisdiction
over the waters of Lake Michigan and the soil beneath was coex-
tensive with the boundaries of the State for all purposes except the
power to obstruct navigation and to interfere with the regulation
of commerce." (Lyman Trumbull's brief, 1877.)
TWELVE LABORS OF HERCULES, 1858-1870
1. Raised street grades and buildings, two to six feet.
2. Paved seventy-five miles of streets with wood.
3. Built eighty-five miles of horse street railways.
4. Straightened the Chicago river channel.
5. Tapped a vast territory with railways.
6. Established sewerage and special assessment systems.
7. Established the Union Stock Yards.
8. Built and regulated a chamber of commerce.
9. Constructed the lake tunnel and secured good water.
10. Turned a canal current through the river.
11. Built tunnels under the river.
12. Raised nearly 27,000 volunteers for the Union Army.
Mr. Chesbrough (chief engineer) originated the two great engi-
neering feats lake tunnel and deeper canal. The lake tunnel was
begun early in 1864 and good water was secured March 25, 1867.
Prior to 1870 the greatest amount of water used daily was 30,000,-
000 gallons.
The act of March 2, 1872, empowered cities with over 100,000
inhabitants to levy not to exceed one-fifth of one mill annually to
establish and maintain a library and reading room. This act was
really passed to aid Chicago, which had lost its libraries and because
many books had since been donated and buildings were needed. It
was declared that an emergency existed.
The act of March 7, 1872, defined the duties and powers of the
State canal commissioners. They were prohibited from selling the
ninety-foot strip along the canal, or any of the canal real estate in
Chicago.
J. W. Newell built the first brick house erected after the fire at
205 Illinois street. This two-story brick house is yet standing.
STATEMENT PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 30, 1872.
Amount due city from State canal $2,955,340.00
Revenue deficit bonds, delivered to city. .$250,000.00
Illinois Central Railway fund paid city. . 685,265.20
Illinois and Michigan canal revenue, paid
city 258,545.79
Proceeds of V/ 2 mill tax 184,496.69 1,378,307.68
Total $1,577,032.32
56 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
An act of October 20, 1872, stated that whereas Chicago had
expended $2,500,000 to secure the completion of the Summit divi-
sion of the Illinois and Michigan canal under the act of February
16, 1865, and supplemental acts, and whereas the city had a vested
lien on the canal and its revenues, and whereas the State has been
paid its dues from the canal, and whereas the canal trustees had
'delivered the canal to the State, and whereas it was provided that
the State, by refunding to Chicago its dues, relieved the canal of
this lien, therefore it was enacted that the sum of $2,955,340, with
interest thereon until paid, be appropriated to relieve the aforesaid
lien ; that the same be paid to Chicago upon the execution of a re-
lease of the lien. A tax of l l /2 mills and bonds were provided for
to meet in part this outlay. They were to be called "revenue deficit
bonds." The appropriation was made upon the proviso "that not
less than one-fifth nor to exceed one-third of said sum so appropri-
ated shall be received by said city and be applied in reconstructing
the bridges and the public buildings and structures destroyed by
fire, upon the original sites thereof, as already provided by the com-
mon council ; and the remainder thereof to be applied to the pay-
ment of the interest on the bonded debt of said city and the main-
tenance of the fire and police departments thereof. It was declared
that, by reason of the great fire, an emergency existed and the act
should take effect upon its passage.
The several companies called into service by the Governor in
1871 to protect property after the Chicago fire, were ordered paid
by act of July 1, 1874.
In a joint resolution of 1879 the Legislature, after reciting that
the postoffice at Chicago had been destroyed by fire three times
in eight years, and that great inconvenience had been experienced,
memorialized Congress to make an appropriation without delay to
complete the postoffice and customhouse.
Act of April 13, 1881, reappropriated $4,798 to the Douglas
Monument fund ; it had lapsed to the State. The act approved
Feb. 10, 1887, appropriated $50,000 for a monument to John A.
Logan.
An act in force March 20, 1883, amended the act of March 7,
1872, to establish and maintain a public library. It authorized the
city council to establish such a library and maintain it by levying
not to exceed one half a mill on the dollar annually. The law was
declared an emergency to enable Chicago to levy the library tax in
the current levy.
The lands to be conveyed to Chicago by the bill recommended by
the House committee on February 19, 1881, were the streets and
grounds dedicated to public use in that part of Chicago known as
Fort Dearborn reservation, which originally contained fifty-seven
and a half acres. After having been occupied since 1804 as a mil-
itary site the tract was in 1824, at the request of the Secretary of
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 57
War, formally reserved from sale for military purposes. Fifteen
years later (1839) the Secretary of War found that it would no
longer be required for military purposes, and pursuant to the
statute of 1819, proceeded to subdivide the tract into town lots and
to lay out streets and alleys. Matthew Burchard, solicitor of the
general land office, was selected by the Secretary of War to subdi-
vide and sell the land. Without express authority for so doing
Mr. Burchard reserved three or four acres adjacent to the lake for
a park or public ground and marked the same on the map or plat
"Public grounds, forever to remain vacant of buildings." In notes
of the survey inscribed on the plat were the words, "The public
ground between Randolph and Madison streets and fronting upon
Lake Michigan is not to be occupied with buildings of any descrip-
tion." The Burchard plat was styled "Fort Dearborn Addition to
Chicago," and embraced the whole of the southwest fractional
quarter of Section 10, Township 39 north, Range 14 east. A tract
of an acre or two near the mouth of the river was reserved for
lighthouse purposes. The sales of lots in this addition amounted
to more than $280,000, which went to the United States treasury.
At no time did the government object to the reservation of the
three or four acres for a public park or common. The sales made
around this reservation were made with the understanding that the
tract was to remain open. The survey and disposition of the 57 l /2
acres remained acquiesced in for forty years. In 1881 it was main-
tained that neither the Secretary of War nor his agent had legal
authority to dedicate any of the land of the United States to the
public for a park or any like uses. The committee held that it would
be inequitable to change the condition of things after the lapse of
forty years and after property rights had become adjusted along the
basis established by Mr. Burchard, beyond the mere naked legal
title of the United States in the tract held in trust for the people of
Chicago. In 1881 Chicago asked for the title to this tract, with
leave to sell same for depot or other uses that portion east of
Michigan avenue and west of the Illinois Central railway. The
strip was about 800 feet long and adjoining it on the south was
another strip about 400 feet long, for all of which the city expected
to receive about $800,000. An objection to the transfer was that
the public would be cut off from the lake front to the injury of
commerce, but this was answered that the upblic was already cut
off from the lake front there by the right of way of the Illinois Cen-
tral railway, which had been there legally for nearly thirty years.
To reach the lake front viaducts must be thrown over the railway
tracks. The construction of the proposed depot could not interfere
with any of these viaducts. At this time (1881) there were nearly
twenty miles of wharf frontage in the city along the Chicago river
and branches. The bill proposed released the barren legal title
of the United States to the city of Chicago. As the whole question
58 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
was of greater interest to Chicago than to any other persons or
cities, the committee concluded that as Chicago was the equitable
owner she could be depended upon to do what was best for her-
self with the tract. The accretions to the tract were not affected
by the proposed bill. In 1852 an accretion which had formed next
to the pier at the mouth of the river was sold on October 14 of
that year by the Secretary of War to the Illinois Central Railway
company for $45,000. The conveyance covered not only the land
that had been formed, "but all the accretions made or to be made
by the lake or river in front of the same and all other rights and
privileges appertaining to the United States as owners of said
lands. This conveyance was recognized by Congress in the act
of August 1, 1854, for the relief of Jean Baptiste Beaubien. The
railway was built in 1852 upon piles driven into the bed of the lake.
"Any accretion formed in front of the water lots adjoining the
above on the south sold in 1839 would belong to their respective
owners. To all those lots the railroad company acquired title."
Accretions in front of any grounds dedicated to public use would
go with the title to same. But there were no such accretions, al-
though there were artificial tracts between the railway and the
original shore. The railway right of way was 300 feet wide and
its western line was 310 feet east of the east line of Michigan ave-
nue. In 1852 nearly all of the shore between the inner line of the
railway and the outer line of the railway and the outer line of
Michigan avenue was covered by the waters of the lake. The rail-
way filled up its right of way with earth. Afterward the city filled
the space between the railway and Michigan avenue. The land
which the city now proposed to sell was of the uniform width of
310 feet all or nearly all rescued from the lake at the expense of
the city. East of the railway was a breakwater where the water
was ten or twelve feet deep. Chicago had spent on this open tract
about $160,000. The Valentine scrip under contention could not
be located in this tract which by time and usage had been removed
from preemption or private claim. The bill proposed was merely
a release or quitclaim of the right and title of the United States to
the city of Chicago did not affect any adverse private rights.
(House Reports, Forty-sixth Congress, Third Session, Vol. 1.)
In 1881 the Illinois Central Railway company pushed in Con-
gress a bill to get possession of this land. It was proposed in the
bill to grant from the United States to Illinois the title to this land
and the latter was then to sell the same to the Illinois Central Rail-
way company for depot grounds.
The act of June 4, 1889, provided that the title of the State to
the bed of Lake Michigan on which the driveway connected with
Lincoln park was then constructed, or on which any extension
should be constructed, and a strip of such submerged land between
the east line thereof and a line fifty feet east of the breakwater
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 59
protecting said driveway and any extension of same, was granted
to the Lincoln Park commissioners for the benefit of the public.
In 1881 the Legislature passed a joint resolution to the effect
that, whereas, Chicago had deepened the Illinois and Michigan
canal for the purpose of improving the sewerage of the city; and
whereas the State had refunded to Chicago such expenditure, viz. :
$2,955,340; and whereas such improvement had proved totally
inadequate to effect the object intended ; and whereas the foulness
of the water annually caused the death of many fish in the Illinois
and Des Plaines rivers; and whereas the foulness of the canal was
transported to and beyond the city of Peoria to the detriment of
health and comfort; and whereas it was believed that an epidemic
might thus be spread over the State; and whereas great loss to
business had thus been caused along the aforesaid rivers; and
whereas prior to the deepening of said canal the water necessary
for navigating said canal and propelling machinery had been ob-
tained from the Des Plaines river and the Calumet feeder through
Lane's like; and whereas the bed of Des Plaines river at the Sum-
mit and westward was at low water eight feet above the surface
level of the canal and would supply water sufficient for canal and
power purposes ; and whereas the flooding of the canal from this
sourse would so dilute and weaken the sewerage of Chicago through
the canal as to relieve it of its foulness, stench and danger there-
fore, it was resolved that the canal commissioners be directed to
open sluiceways with proper guard-gates from the Des Plaines
river to the canal at or near the Summit and at or near Lemont,
all in Cook county, and also to construct a dam across the former
Calumet feeder so that the water of Lane's lake would flow into
the canal, such cost not to exceed $10,000. All of the above was
based upon the following provisions : That Chicago should at once
cause a flow into the canal from Chicago river sufficient to dilute
and purify the waters, the flow to be not less than 60,000 cubic feet
per minute, including the ordinary flow into the canal from the
river, the same to be accomplished by September 1, 1881, in which
case the supply of water would be deemed sufficient ; that the com-
missioners should take care of the 60,000 cubic feet of water per
minute; that this step should not commit the State to a permanent
system of drainage for Chicago sewage ; that if Chicago should
erect pumping works they could be located on canal lands at Bridge-
port ; and that Chicago should not derive any right by this step to
control or exercise any authority over any of the locks, gates or dams
of said canal.
In 1883 the Legislature passed a joint resolution to the effect
that, whereas, a suit was then pending in the Circuit court of
Cook county entitled "The People of the State of Illinois vs. The
Illinois Central railroad, the United States of America, the city of
Chicago" to determine the ownership of the "lake front"; and,
60 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
whereas, the frontage of one mile of this property was originally
canal land in which it was believed the said canal had a legal and
equitable interest; therefore, it was resolved that the Canal commis-
sioners are hereby instructed to employ competent counsel to ap-
pear in said suit in behalf of said Illinois and Michigan canal and
protect its interests involved in said suit.
The act approved June 16, 1887, authorized the commissioners
of Lincoln park to allow the erection of suitable buildings therein
for a free public library under the will of Walter L. Newberry.
The act approved May 25, 1889, provided that the city council
should establish and maintain a public library and reading
room and should have power to levy annually a tax of not over five
mills on the dollar for library purposes. The act of April 1, 1897,
appropriate $31,000 to be used in furnishing and caring for the
Memorial hall and ante-rooms in the Public Library building in
Chicago.
The act of March 29, 1901, authorized the John Crerar library
to erect and maintain a free public library in Grant park, Chicago,
on the following tract of land. "Bounded on the north by the south
line of Madison street extended east, on the east by the right of
way of the Illinois Central railroad, on the south by the north line
of Monroe street extended east, and on the west by the east line
of Michigan avenue" providing permission so to do should first
have been obtained from property owners.
The act of May 12, 1905, recited that the State has been paying
$3,500 a year for ten years for the use by the Illinois Naval reserve
of the building at 20 Michigan avenue, Chicago, and in addition
$780 for annex quarters; that said building was likely to be torn
down; that the boathouse of the Illinois Naval reserve erected on
piles in the water of the harbor basin east of and adjoining the sea
wall near the foot of Randolph street had become impaired by age
and storms therefore, it was enacted that the Governor, adjutant
general and commander of the Illinois Naval reserve, should be
empowered when the money necessary had been raised by private
subscription to plan, construct, occupy and control an enlargement
and reconstruction of the present boathouse of the Illinois Naval
reserve on piles to be driven in the water to be east and south of
the present structure within an area not to exceed 200x300 feet.
Prior to 1893 there was no suitable harbor for yachts at Chicago.
The Chicago Yacht club had been organized to build such a har-
bor, to promote naval architecture and steamship construction, and
to create a volunteer naval academy and free school. The Secre-
tary of War on September 29, 1892, licensed the Yacht club of
Chicago and authorized it to make a breakwater in front of the
East End park with the consent of the city of Chicago, and also
to use certain submerged reefs in Lake Michigan off Jackson
park and build breakwaters there. In view of this the Legislature
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 61
by joint resolution in 1893 granted the same privileges and powers
to the Yacht club so far as State property and rights were con-
cerned.
The law of May 11, 1893, provided for the location in Chicago
of three employment offices, to be designated and known as Illinois
Free Employment offices. This law had a previous existence.
The act of June 17, 1893, provided for the enlargement of Lin-
coln park; the commissioners were empowered to construct and
maintain a breakwater to protect the shore line of the park, and to
construct and maintain a boulevard or driveway.
Another act of the same date authorized the park authorities to
purchase, or erect and maintain, edifices to be used as museums of
natural history, the arts and sciences, and to charge an admission
fee, but to be open free on two days of each week and to school
children at all times, such provision being first submitted to the
voters of the park district.
On July 27, 1896, the council granted to the South Park commis-
sioners consent to take, regulate, control and govern all that part
of Lake Front park lying south of the north line of Jackson street
extended east, and dedicated all that part of said park lying east of
the easterly line of the Illinois Central Railroad company's right
of way lying north of the north line of Monroe street extended to
the east limits of said park at the outer sea wall, to the use of local
military companies of the Illinois National Guard, for the purpose
of parade grounds and site for an armory; therefore it was enacted
by the Legislature June 11, 1897, that a board of commissioners
should be appointed to plan and construct such a parade ground and
armory. The sum of $10,000 was appropriated to cover such ex-
pense. The act was conditioned upon the conveyance by Chicago to
the State of the use of said ground for the above purposes in per-
petuity.
By joint resolution of April, 1897, the Legislature gave assent to
the United States government to acquire title by purchase or con-
demnation to all lands necessary for widening the Chicago river
and its branches, and jurisdiction over such lands was ceded to the
government.
By act of June 8, 1897, the act of February 8, 1869, relating to
Lincoln park was amended so that the governor should appoint
seven commissioners for said park, to hold office for five years
without compensation.
The act of April 21, 1899, provided that the following described
land under the waters of Lake Michigan be, and hereby is given,
granted and conveyed to the city of Chicago, a municipal corpora-
tion created and subsisting under the laws of Illinois, viz. : "Be-
ginning at a point in the center line of Thirty-ninth street produced
northeasterly 250 feet distant (measured at right angles thereto)
from the west side of the wall which is the west boundary of the
62 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
right of way and station grounds of the Illinois Central Railroad
company ; thence northerly at an angle of 84 degrees and 30 minutes
with the center line of Thirty-ninth street produced northeasterly
along the line of the breakwater 185 feet; thence northeasterly
parallel with the center line of Thirty-ninth street produced 1,000
feet ; thence southerly at right angles to the last mentioned line 300
feet; thence southwesterly parallel with the center line of Thirty-
ninth street produced northeasterly 985 feet to the breakwater;
thence northerly along the breakwater to the place of beginning."
This tract was conveyed for the purpose of enabling Chicago to
build thereon and forever maintain a pumping station.
The act of April 24, 1899, provided that the land or lands located
in the city of Chicago, extending south of Randolph street, north
of Park row and east of Michigan avenue, commonly known and
designated as the "Lake Front," shall be, and are hereafter to be
called, designated and known as "Grant Park," named in honor of
"The Great Silent Soldier of Illinois, U. S. Grant."
The act of April 24, 1899, concerning Grant park, was amended
by act of May 10, 1901, which conveyed Grant park to the South
Park board. The boundaries were the north line of Monroe street
produced east to the outer sea wall or harbor line established by
the Secretary of War on September 22, 1890; east of said outer
wall or harbor line; south of the south line of Lake Park place
(formerly known as Park row) produced east to said outer wall
or harbor line, and west of the east line of Michigan avenue, includ-
ing all submerged land lying west of said outer wall or harbor line
and between said north and south boundary lines all to be called,
designated and known as "Grant Park" all conveyed to the South
Park board, except that portion north of the north line of Jackson
street extended, east from Michigan avenue to the outer sea wall
or harbor line, and also except the right of way, easements and
grounds of the Illinois Central Railroad company, extending north
and south through said Grant park.
The act of May 11, 1901, authorized the South Park board of
commissioners of the three towns of Lake, Hyde Park and South
Town to take, regulate, control and improve a street known as
Union avenue in the town of Lake, "from the south line of Forty-
second street to the north line of Garfield boulevard, from the north
line of Fifty-ninth street to the south line of Garfield boulevard,
for a boulevard and driveway leading to the public parks. They
were authorized to levy and collect taxes.
The act of May 13, 1903, provided for the conveyance to the
United States of the following lands to be used as a turning basin
for lake vessels in the Chicago river : All that part of Lot 1 shown
on the plat of the Canal commissioners' subdivision of that part of
the southwest quarter of Section 29, Township 39 north, Range 14
east, lying south of the main canal west of the Chicago river and
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 63
known as Blocks 12 and 13 of the Canal trustees' subdivision of
Blocks 10, \Q l /2, 11, 12 and 13 in the southwest quarter of said
Section 29; also Block "A" not previously surveyed or platted in
said southwest quarter section and east of the Chicago river as fol-
lows : Lying north of a line beginning at a point on the southwest-
erly line of said Lot 1, distant 129.5 feet in a westerly direction
from the northwesterly side of Levee street, said point being also
at the intersection of said southwesterly line of said Lot 1 with
the present (November, 1902) south dock of the Illinois and Michi-
gan canal, thence in an easterly by southerly direction to the inter-
section of the easterly side of said Lot 1 with the northerly side of
Levee street, containing 41,466 square feet.
The Legislature passed a joint resolution in 1903 providing for
the submission to the voters of the State the question of so amend-
ing the constitution as to permit the General Assembly to pass laws
providing a scheme or charter for local municipal government,
under certain restrictions for the city of Chicago.
The amendment thus proposed stipulated that the laws so passed
might provide for the consolidation in whole or in part in the muni-
cipal government the powers then vested in the city, in the board
of education, in the townships, parks and other local governments
and authorities having jurisdiction within such territory or any
part thereof; that the city should assume the debts and liabilities
of such local governments ; that the city could become indebted not
to exceed five percentum of the full value of taxable property within
the city, including the existing indebtedness and the city's propor-
tionate share of the county and sanitary district's indebtedness;
that provision for the levy and collection of taxes should be made;
that no such laws should be passed until assented to duly by the
voters ; that unnecessary offices might be abolished ; that territory
could be added to or taken from the city limits; that in case of the
creation of municipal courts within the city the offices of justices
of the peace, police constables and magistrates could be abolished ;
that they could limit the jurisdiction of justices of the peace within
Cook county, but outside of the city limits; that the Legislature
could pass all laws requisite to provide for a complete system of
local municipal government for Chicago ; that no law based upon
this proposed amendment affecting Chicago should take effect with-
out the consent of a majority of the voters of said city at any elec-
tion, and no local or special law based upon this amendment affect-
ing Chicago should take effect until assented to by the voters at an
election.
The laws of 1904 empowered the park boards of any three towns
to acquire additional territory to enlarge the parking, to provide for
the payment for such territory, to extend parks over public waters,
to connect parks by public driveways or boulevards, to consider
duly riparian rights and secure same ; to take the title thereto in the
64 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
name of the Board, to receive the title to the tract between the shore
line and the inner line of the lake shore driveway; to issue bonds
when parks lay in two towns and fronted on the lake ; to permit the
location of free public libraries and museums in parks; to levy an
additional two mill tax for three towns ; to respect navigation where
submerged lands were taken, etc.
It was further provided in the acts of this year that the title to
Grant park should pass to the South Park commissioners and that
the following tract should pass to said commissioners to be used as
an addition to Jackson park: All land including the submerged
and artificially made land lying within the south boundary line of
Jackson park and the south line of Twenty-ninth street as extended
one thousand feet into Lake Michigan and a line easterly of and
parallel with the shore line of said lake and the shore line of such
lake and also the land including all submerged and artificially made
land lying within the north line of Ninety-fifth street extended to
its intersection with the boundary line of Indiana and Illinois as
extended and the shore line of Lake Michigan, all such land being
situated in Chicago. The city authorities of Chicago were granted
the right to acquire, locate, establish and maintain a street or streets
through the tracts known as Groveland park and Woodland park
in Chicago, such streets to be used as boulevards only and not to
exceed sixty-six feet in width ; they were further granted the right
to establish a boulevard through the Douglas monument grounds.
The act of May 18, 1905, provided that the mayor of Chicago
should hold his office for four years ; that he should have power to
release any person imprisoned for violation of any city ordinance
and might appoint a pardon board at his option; that the compen-
sation of all officers should be fixed by salary ; that the interest on
public funds should be paid into the city treasury and not accrue
to the interest of the city treasurer nor any other officer; that the
controller should at least once a year advertise for bids for the city
deposits in national banks ; that the city council should havS power
to fix the amounts and penalties of the bonds of all city officers;
that the head of the law department of the city should be the cor-
poration counsel ; that two-thirds of all the council could override
the mayor's veto; that the city council should regulate the space
over the streets and alleys ; that the city might acquire by purchase
or otherwise, municipal beaches and bathing places and maintain
and regulate the same ; that the city might exercise the right of
eminent domain in accordance with the law of the State ; that the
city council could define and declare nuisances and abate the same
and should have power to regulate the location and conduct of hos-
pitals and infirmaries.
The act of May 18, 1905, conferred upon the city of Chicago
power and authority to sell surplus electricity and to fix the rates
and charges for the supply of gas and electricity for power, heating
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 65
and lighting furnished by any individual company or corporation
to said city of Chicago and the inhabitants thereof; but this power
was not to be exercised unless assented to by a majority of the
voters at an election.
The laws of 1905 provided that park boards might issue bonds
and levy a tax for payment thereof; that additional bonds to the
extent of $1,000,000 might be issued; that additional park tax could
be levied and collected; that an additional tax of two and one-half
mills could be levied and collected to maintain such parks ; that pa'rk
commissioners could levy and collect a direct annual tax.
The act of May 25, 1907, provided that the commissioners of
Lincoln park could issue bonds for improvement purposes to the
amount of $1,000,000, providing the voters at the polls should
assent.
The act of June 5, 1907, reenacted the Chicago charter act. The
object was to provide a charter for the city; to consolidate in the
government of said city the powers before vested in the local
authorities having jurisdiction within the territory of said city; and
to enlarge the rights and powers of said city. The act provided fifty
wards for the city.
INCIDENTS AND STATISTICS
THE Illinois and Michigan canal may be said to have had its
origin in the Ordinance of 1787, which provided that all "the
navigable waters leading into the Mississippi and St. Law-
rence and the carrying places between the same, shall be com-
mon highways and forever free" to the citizens. In 1817 Maj.
Stephen H. Long, under the direction of the War Department,
made a survey and report on the practicability and advantages of
connecting the waters of Lake Michigan and the Illinois river as
tributaries of the St. Lawrence and the Mississippi. He said, "A
canal uniting the waters of the Illinois with those of Lake Michigan
may be considered the first in importance of any in this quarter of
the country; and at the same time the construction of it would be
attended with very little expense compared with the magnitude of
the object. The water course which is already opened between the
river Des Plaines and Chicago river needs but little more excava-
tion to render it sufficiently capacious for all the purposes of a
canal. It may be supplied with water at all times of the year by
constructing a dam of moderate height across the Des Plaines,
which would give the water of that river a sufficient elevation to
supply a canal extending from one river to the other. It would be
necessary, also, to construct locks at the extremities of the canal
that communicating with the Chicago river being calculated to ele-
vate about six feet and that communicating with the Des Plaines
about four feet."
Upon the practicability of uniting by canal the waters of the
Illinois river and those of Lake Michigan, Maj. Stephen H. Long,
of the topographical department, further reported on March 4.
1817, that on the upper Des Plaines river was a large prairie, the
hills being but twelve or fourteen feet above the prairie level ; that
on this flat prairie was a lake about five miles long by from thirty
to forty to sixty yards wide, communicating both with the river
Des Plaines and the Chicago river by means of a kind of canal which
has been made partly by the current of the water and partly by the
French and Indians for the purpose of getting their boats across in
that direction in time of high waters; that the distance from the
river Des Plaines to Chicago river by this water course was about
nine miles, throughout the greater part of which there was more or
less water, so that the portage was seldom more than three miles
66
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 69
in the driest season, but in wet seasons boats passed and repassed
with facility between the two rivers.
"Chicago river is merely an arm of the lake dividing itself into
two branches at the distance of one mile inland from its commence-
ment with the lake; the north branch extends along the western
side of the lake about thirty miles and receives some few tributaries ;
the south branch has an extent of only five or six miles and received
no supplies except from the small lake of the prairie above described.
The river and each of its branches are of variable widths from fif-
teen to fifty yards, and for two or three miles inland have a suffi-
cient depth of water to admit vessels of almost any burden. The
entrance into Lake Michigan, however, which is thirty yards wide,
is obstructed by a sandbar about seventy yards broad, upon the
highest part of which the water is usually no more than two feet
deep. The difficulty of removing this obstruction would not be
great. Piers might be sunk on both sides of the entrance and the
sand removed from between them. By this means the river would
be rendered a safe and commodious harbor for shipping a con-
venience which is seldom to be met with on the shore of Lake
Michigan.
"A canal uniting the waters of the Illinois with those of Lake
Michigan may be considered the first in importance of any in this
quarter of the country ; and at the same time the construction of it
would be attended with very little expense compared with the mag-
nitude of the object. The water course which is already opened
between the river Des Plaines and Chicago river needs but little
more excavation to render it sufficiently capacious for all the pur-
poses of a canal. It may be supplied with water at all times of the
year by constructing a dam of moderate height across the Des
Plaines which would give the water of that river a sufficient eleva-
tion to supply a canal extending from one river to the other. It
would be necessary also to construct locks at the extremities of the
canal, that communicating with Chicago river being calculated to
elevate about six fe'et and that communicating with the Des Plaines
about four feet."
In addition to the above the War Department laid before Con-
gress the following additional matter: "The little river Plein (Des
Plaines) coming from the northwest, approaches within ten miles
and a quarter of Lake Michigan and then bending to the southwest
unites with the Theakiki (Kankakee) at the distance of about fifty
miles and forms the river Illinois. The country between the lake
and the Plein, at this point of approach, is a prairie (natural
meadow) without trees, covered with grass and to the eye a perfect
level. From the bank of the Plein standing on the ground the trees
are distinctly seen with the naked eye at Fort Dearborn on the shore
of the lake; from Fort Dearborn they are in like manner seen on the
banks of the Plein. Standing on any intermediate point between
Vol. II 5.
TO HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
the lake and the river the judgment is at a loss to say which side
the ground declines, and whether the level of the Plein or the lake
is the highest. It was determined, however, from certain data, that
the level of the river was two feet or thereabouts above the level of
the lake. From this view, it would seem that the cutting of a canal
in this place between the Plein and the lake, would be a work of
neither skill, difficulty nor expense. Small, however, as the labor
would be under this view, it is still diminished upon a close examina-
tion and by finding that an arm of the lake, called Chicago, puts out
in the direction of the Plein and that an arm of the Plein, also called
Chicago, puts out in the direction of the lake. They approach
within two miles of each other, so that in common water there is
only dry ground to that extent between them. The character of
these two arms is essentially different, that of the lake being about
sixty feet wide and from ten to forty feet deep; that of the river
being in high water from four to six feet deep and in places a mile
wide, and in low water either dry or reduced to a gutter. Between
the heads of these two arms is also a gutter which is dry in dry
seasons of summer and fall and full of water in the spring and
when thus filled with water the boats of six or eight tons, engaged in
the Mackinaw and Mississippi trade run through backward and
forward so as to make no portage between Mackinaw and the Mis-
sissippi. This gutter, judging from the appearance of others now
forming, was at first a path worn out by the feet of those who car-
ried things across the portage and afterward deepened by the attri-
tion of the waters until formed into a little canal. The wind alone
gives the water a current in this little canal, and its direction de-
pends upon the course of the wind. Objects have been seen to
float out of it from the same point to the river and to the lake. It
is incontestably true that an east wind will drive the water of the
lake through this gutter into the Plein and that water from Lake
Michigan has been discharged by this outlet into the Mississippi
and thence into the Gulf of Mexico. It is equally incontestable that
the waters of the Plein have been driven by the same channel into
the lake ; these phenomena may now be witnessed at any time when
the waters are high and the wind blows hard. It follows, therefore,
that to finish the canal begun by nature in this place would require,
as we have already said, but little of skill, time, or expense. On
opening the canal, however, two difficulties would be experienced :
1. The Plein would be found to be level with the canal; its water
would of course be diverted from its natural channel and pass by
the canal into the lake. 2. Supposing that evil remedied by a lock
to lift vessels into the Plein, yet the latter during half the year does
not contain water enough to float a boat and so could not become
useful as a national highway. To remedy this defect of water in the
Plein, two projects suggest themselves: 1. To sink the bed of the
Plein below the level of the canal, and thus increase the depth of the
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 71
Plein, as well by feeding it out of the lake as by collecting its water
into a narrower channel. 2. To make the canal unite with the
Plein lower down in its course. A few miles lower would be suffi-
cient to give the water of the lake a descent into the river, as the
Plein has a sensible descent in this place, insomuch that the people
of Chicago call it "The Rapids," having no other words to distin-
guish moving water from that which stands still. Of the Plein,
below its point of approach to the lake we would remark that it has
hardly the attributes of a river, being in most places without cur-
rent and without banks, lying as a sheet of water in the prairie,
sometimes a mile wide and so shallow that the tall grass appears
almost everywhere above its surface. Having said this much of the
facility of communication by the Chicago, we would now remark
that several other routes are perfectly practicable: 1. From a point
in the lake south of Chicago, to enter the Plein below Mount Juliet,
at or near what is called Lake Despage, but which is only a dilata-
tion of the waters of the Plein. This route would lie over level
prairie, through a multitude of small lakes or ponds, which have
neither name or place in any map. 2. By a canal leaving the lake
near its south end and uniting with the Theakiki just above its con-
fluence with the Plein. Both of these canals would be fed from the
lake; would require few or no locks; would go over ground of the
same sort; would be fifty or sixty miles long; and would join the
waters of the Illinois at points from which it is constantly naviga-
ble. A third route was spoken of, but not seen by us. It would lie
between the Theakiki and the St. Joseph's of the lake. To con-
clude : The route by the Chicago, as followed by the French since
the discovery of the Illinois, presents at one season of the year an
uninterrupted water communication for boats of six or eight tons
burden between the Mississippi and the Michigan lake; at another
season a portage of two miles ; at another a portage of seven miles,
from the head of the Plein to the arm of the lake (Chicago river) ;
at another a portage of fifty miles from the mouth of the Plein to
the lake, over which there is a well beaten wagon road and boats
and their loads are hauled by oxen and vehicles kept for that pur-
pose by the French settlers at the Chicago. (R. Graham and Jo-
seph Philips, Kaskaskia, April 4, 1819.)
"Taking Major Long's report to be substantially correct, the
length of the canal will not exceed seventy miles. The presumption
is it will be less. But assuming that as the whole length, consid-
ering the almost entirely level face of the country through which
it will pass, it cannot cost more than $500,000. For the purpose of
raising this sum the committee are of the opinion that no appro-
priation of money out of the treasury is necessary. If, as the com-
mittee beg leave to recommend, a strip of land of the width of two
miles on each side of the canal shall be granted to the Legislature
of Illinois, it is believed the State would be able to raise a sum suffi-
72 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
cient to complete the work. The quantity of land thus proposed to
be granted would amount to seven townships and three quarters of
a township, which if sold at the minimum price of the public lands
would yield only the sum of $224,000. But owing to the additional
value that this work would impart to it, the committee believe the
State would under a prudent management be able to raise double
that sum. The increased value not only of the immediately adja-
cent public lands, but of those throughout the major part of the
lands both in Illinois and Missouri, would not only reimburse the
treasury, but would much more than do it."
The committee also called attention to the importance of the
project its practicability, comparative cheapness, that the portage
had already for many years been navigated on a small scale; that
the water of the lake could be employed for the canal ; its importance
from a military standpoint; that the western country could much
quicker and cheaper reach the Atlantic coast via the lakes then via
New Orleans; that the canal would add immensely to commercial
intercommunication and the growth of the West, and that the lands
through which the canal would pass were already surveyed and in
the market. (Report of Committee of House of Representatives,
March 30, 1826.)
Mr. Calhoun, Secretary of War, in January, 1819, recommended
to Congress the construction of such a canal as an important ad-
junct to the military defenses of the country. He said that if a
road were built from Detroit to Ohio and a canal be built from Lake
Michigan to the Illinois river, all the facilities would be added to
carry on military operations in time of war for the defense of the
western country.
By act of February 15, 1831, the "Board of Canal Commissioners
of the Illinois and Michigan canal" was made to consist of three
members, one of whom was to be called "superintending commis-
sioner," whose duty it was to be constantly employed on the canal
route. It was also provided that the engineer should "examine the
Illinois river from the mouth of Fox river down to the head of
steamboat navigation and if in their (the commissioners') opinion
the navigation of the Illinois river can be improved by dams or locks
or otherwise so as to secure its navigation as far as the mouth of
Fox river to the Little Vermillion or foot of the rapids, they shall
have power to terminate such canal at the mouth of Fox river. The
commissioners were authorized to give away canal lands not exceed-
ing ten acres for public uses.
The lands ceded under this act amounted to 480,000 acres and
were held by the State as a trust fund for the canal. By 1845 the
greater portion of this land remained unsold. "A small portion con-
sisting mainly of lots in the City of Chicago and the towns on the
line of the projected work" had been sold and the proceeds been ap-
plied to the work. The step was taken intentionally to reserve as
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 73
much of the land as practicable and to sell the town lots, as it was
thought the lots would not increase in value as much as the outside
lands would. In fact to open the canal the State used its credit,
expecting in the end to be more than reimbursed in the enhance-
ment of the lands later. To the observance of this policy "and to
the late widespread and ruinous convulsions in the monetary affairs
of the country may Illinois attribute her present humiliated and
blasted pecuniary condition." The Government had approved of
the canal fiscal policy, and in 1845 it was urged that, as the State
had suffered so much by pursuing that course, should not the Gov-
ernment come to her assistance now (1845) with a further grant of
a limited quantity of land to enable her to complete the canal work.
The State, having used her credit instead of the grant of land, was
entitled to this consideration, it was urged. "It was laid out to be
one hundred miles in length, sixty feet wide and six feet deep; to
have fifteen locks, each one hundred and ten feet in length and eight-
een feet in width. It will be navigable for boats carrying from one
hundred to one hundred and fifty tons. Full $5,000,000 exclusive
of interest, have been expended on it, and $1,600,000 are required
to complete it. The State has tried to raise this sum by pledging all
of the canal property lands, lots, water power (of which there is
great abundance), with the canal itself and its tolls and profits
for its reimbursement, but has been unsuccessful in the effort. She
has now come to a paus~e and can go no further without help ; and it
remains for the Government to decide between resuming the lands
already granted upon the ground that the State has failed to fulfill
the trust for which they were intended, or abandoning them to the
State without an equivalent, or of contributing further means in
aid of the work. In this situation of things the Government can
hardly fail to adopt the last alternative."
It was argued that the lake trade would be amply sufficient to
justify and reimburse the enterprise; that in 1817, previous to the
navigation of the Mississippi by steam power the whole tonnage
of its valley was estimated at 6,500 tons, consisting of thirty barges,
and 150 keel boats; that the same waters were navigated in 1845 by
about 400 steamers carrying about 90,000 tons valued at $7,000.000 ;
that to this could be added $300.000 for the 4,000 flat boats that
annually descended the Mississippi and its tributaries; that in 1819
there was just one steamer on the lakes ; that the first steamboat to
navigate Lake Michigan was in 1827; that the first one to reach
Chicago was in 1832 during the Black Hawk war; that in 1845.
including ships, brigs and craft of all descriptions, it was estimated
that 400 vessels navigated the lakes above Niagara falls: that the
lake country was growing much faster than the Ohio or Mississippi
river country; that the exports of wheat and flour in 1843 from
Cleveland, Detroit, Sandusky and Chicago were: Wheat. 1,894.-
992 bushels; flour, 812.903 barrels all worth about $4,500,000:
74 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
that in 1844 Colonel Albert, chief of the corps of topographical en-
gineers, had reported that the trade of the whole range of lakes had
increased from 1835 to 1841 as follows:
Total imports in 1835 $3,269,353
Total exports in 1835 744,051
Aggregate trade $4,014,304
Total imports in 1841 $33,483,441
Total exports in 1841 32,342,581
Aggregate trade $65,826,022
He reported that the trade of Lake Michigan in 1833 "was too
inconsiderable to be noticed" and by 1841 had grown to about
$1,500,000.
"But such has been the influx of settlers within the last few years
to the lake region and so decided has become the tendency of the pro-
ductions of the upper and middle regions of the great valley to seek
a market at and through the lakes, that we can no longer withstand
the conviction that even within the short period of forty-seven years
a town will grow up on the lake border greater than Cincinnati."
(Prof. J. W. Scott, of Ohio, on the Internal Trade of the United
States. See 28th Congress, second session, Reports of Commit-
tees.) He showed that the northern half of Ohio, Indiana and
Illinois was growing about twice as fast as the southern half of
those States. He exhibited figures carrying out still further this
view, and then said: "These facts exhibit the difference in favor
of the lake country sufficiently to satisfy the candid inquirer that
there must be potent causes in operation to produce such results.
The staple exports, wheat and flour, have for years so notoriously
found their best markets at the lake towns that every cultivator who
reasons at all has cause to know the advantage of having his farm
as near as possible to lake navigation. This has, for some years
past, brought immigrants to the lake country, from the river region
of these States and from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia,
which formerly sent their emigrants mostly to the river borders.
The river region, too, not being able to compete with its northern
neighbor in the production of wheat, and being well adapted to the
growth of stock, has of late gone more into this department of hus-
bandry. These causes are obviously calculated to give a dense pop-
ulation to the lake country and a comparatively sparse settlement to
the river country.
"The superior accessibility of the lake country from the great
northern hives of emigration New England and New York are
also deserving of attention. By the Erie canal and the railways that
country is within a few hours' ride of Buffalo and the lakes. Euro-
pean emigration hither, which first was counted by its annual thou-
sands, then by its tens of thousands, has at length swelled to its
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 75
hundreds of thousands in the ports of New York and Quebec.
These are both but appropriate doors to the lake country. It is
clear that the lake portion will be more populous than the river divi-
sion of the great valley."
But it was argued that the benefits of the Illinois and Michigan
canal would not be confined to the lake country would be extended
to all the Western territory. An additional donation of lands, it
was concluded, should be made as a matter of justice and good
faith to Illinois, as a means of military defenses, as an important
facility of commerce, and as necessary to bind the States more
closely together. It was therefore, recommended that there be
granted to Illinois "the further quantity of 500,000 acres to aid in
the completion of the said work," the land to be selected within ten
miles of the canal if practicable, all to be under the direction of the
Secretary of the Treasury.
At the first session of the 19th Congress, in December, 1825, the
Legislature of Illinois memorialized Congress to the following ef-
fect : "That the construction of a canal uniting the waters of Lake
Michigan with the Illinois river would form an important addition
to the great connecting links in the chain of internal navigation ;
that commercial intercourse would be facilitated and increased;
that internal commotion, sectional jealousy and foreign invasion
and State dissolution would be avoided ; that in consideration of the
great benefits soon to follow the State asked for a grant of land to
enable it to construct a canal from Lake Michigan to the Illinois
river; that at their last session the Legislature passed an act of
incorporation upon very liberal terms, authorizing a company to
construct the projected canal, but that the remoteness of the country
from the residence of the capitalists had prevented them from en-
gaging in the work; that at the present session the Legislature had
repealed the charter of the canal company; that now the State de-
pended upon Congress to aid the project; that the cost would prob-
ably not be less than $600,000 and might amount to $700.000 ; that
they therefore prayed for a grant of the townships of land through
which the canal was projected.
"GENERAL LAND OFFICE, March 22, 1830.
"Sir : I take the liberty to enclose a diagram exhibiting the sur-
vey of the public lands lying on Lake Michigan at the mouth of
Chicago creek, and would recommend that an act be passed author-
izing the President to lay off a town at this point. Section 9 has
been allotted to the State of Illinois under the act granting to her
certain lands for the purpose of making a canal. Should the United
States establish a town at the mouth of the creek, the State would
probably derive much benefit by extending the lots into Section 9,
as Chicago creek affords a good harbor through the whole of this
section. It is understood that the waters of Lake Michigan may be
76 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
drawn into the Illinois river by a thorough cut of moderate length
and not more than seventeen feet deep at the summit; when this is
effected and the bar on the outside of the mouth of Chicago creek
is so deepened as to admit into the harbor with facility vessels of
the largest class navigating the lakes, Chicago must inevitably be-
come one of the most important depots and thoroughfares on the
lakes. The government is about bringing into market a vast extent
of country between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi river, which
as to the advantages of local position, fertility of soil, healthfulness
of climate and mineral resources, is not perhaps excelled by any
other tract of country of equal extent in the United States. The
deepening of the inlet of the harbor of Chicago would essentially
facilitate the sale of these lands and promote the settlement of the
country. GEORGE GRAHAM."
Congress, by act of March 2, 1827, granted to Illinois about
300,000 acres, being one-half of all the lands five miles wide on
each side of a canal from Lake Michigan to the head of steamboat
navigation on the Illinois river (to be taken in alternate sections).
Under the provisions of an act of Congress of March 20, 1822,
granting the State the right to construct this canal, the State caused
an accurate survey to be made and the cost of construction was
estimated at $700,000. Late in 1829 the President sent a corps of
engineers to resurvey and locate said canal and reestimate the cost.
Under these instructions Dr. Howard and his assistants commenced
operations at Chicago and progressed toward the Illinois river until
interrupted by the weather. During the survey thus far it was
ascertained that the summit level of the country dividing the waters
of Lake Michigan from those of the Mississippi river was only
twelve feet nine inches above the surface of the lake, and that it
required only a cut of ten feet on an average for three miles to
turn the waters of the lake into the Illinois river ; and that after
leaving the lake about fourteen miles the remainder of the canal
to the Illinois river would require nothing more than an excavation
of the common soil to a depth necessary for the passage of boats.
It was believed that the estimated cost of $700,000 would be ex-
ceeded, owing to a bed of limestone rock found just below the sur-
face on the summit level.
The act of March 2, 1827, gave the State full power to sell the
land granted without limitation as to time or price, upon condition
that upon failure to complete the canal in time the State would re-
pay the United States for the money received from the sale of the
land actually sold.
In 1830 the committee of Congress became satisfied that to sell
the lands then would result in a great sacrifice and defeat the pri-
mary object of the grant. They heretofore recommended that the
State relinquish to the United States all its right and title to the
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 77
lands of the grant, except the one-sixteenth part, and such parts
as may have been sold, and to receive instead scrip which should be
receivable at any of the land offices in payment for lands within
Illinois, the said scrip to be issued at the rate of $1.25 per acre, to
be delivered to the State as follows : $50,000 after the passage of
the act of relinquishment ; $50,000 more upon receipt of evidence
that the former sum had been expended as provided, and so on
until the whole sum should be issued.
The committee said : "In viewing this canal your committee are
deeply impressed with its great national interest, leaving out of view
the important fact that it passes exclusively through the lands of
the United States which for many miles on both sides have never
been offered for sale, they beg to state that it is the shortest and
most important link of connection between the great northern lakes
and the Mississippi. It is a well-known fact that during a portion
of the year, owing to low water, other communications are difficult
and often impracticable, but at this point no such obstruction is
found, for the Mississippi and Illinois rivers are at all times navi-
gable for steamboats, except when obstructed by ice, making an
entire and safe communication between the Gulf of Mexico, by way
'of the '.akes to New York and Quebec. In time of war this canal
will not only be a great convenience and afford every facility in the
defense of the country, but be a certain means of commercial inter-
course between the northern and southern States; and when your
committee are aware how easily the coastwise trade may be inter-
cepted by any maritime power with whom we may be at war, they
cannot forbear to urge the necessity of affording the most efficient
aid of the general government for making an internal communica-
tion which shall insure an uninterrupted intercourse between the
several States, who depend so much for comfort, convenience, de-
fense and subsistence on each other. Sugar, cotton, rice, tobacco
and many other commodities of the South would be exchanged for
the manufactures and products of the North ; and through this chan-
nel the States of Illinois, Missouri and other adjacent states and
territories will at all times be enabled to transmit their inexhausti-
ble stores of minerals, together with their agricultural products,
poultry, fure, stone, coal, etc., to a market. Coal is found in great
abundance en the route of the canal and on the whole extent of the
Illinois river In conclusion, if the United States could be actuated
by any such motive as gain in this exchange, the plan proposed by
the bill reported is calculated to effect that object, for every fact in
the history oi lands goes to prove the great improvement in price
of all lands tlfough which they pass."
The Illinois Legislature of 1823 appointed a Board of Canal
Commissioners to survey the route and estimate the cost and report
to the next Legislature. These commissioners employed Colonel
Post and Colorpl Paul of Missouri as engineers. They examined
78 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
five different routes for a portion of the distance and estimated the
expense of each route. These estimates varied from $640,000 to
$761,000. The estimate of the fifth route was upon the plan to
use Lake Michigan water as a feeder and was a fraction short of
$690,000. Upon the report of these surveyors the Legislature in
January, 1825, passed a bill incorporating the "Illinois and Michi-
gan Canal company." No stock was sold, and at a special session
the next winter the act was repealed. "The embarrassment of the
State growing out of the ruinous policy of the State Bank without
capital," prevented anything from being done until January, 1829,
when an act was passed to organize a Board of Canal Commis-
sioners with full power to survey, locate, employ, and do the work.
Congress had, on March 2, 1827, provided that the State should
have every alternate section within five miles of the canal. The
commissioners were authorized to see this land, lay out towns, sell
the lots and apply the funds. They laid off Chicago and Ottawa.
Upon closer examination it was found that the water was probably
not sufficient in dry seasons and that the rock would have to be taken
out part of the way, and that this rock was so near the surface that
it would prevent the water from being taken from Lake Michigan.
A subsequent legislature authorized a reexamination with a railroad
in view and to learn whether the waters of the Calumet could be
used as a feeder. The report showed in favor of a railway. Con-
gress was willing. Two estimations of canal expenses vere sub-
mitted. The first was to build the canal over the summit ten feet
above Lake Michigan and depend on the streams for feeders. The
line (9594 miles) of this route was estimated at $1,601,965.83. If
the divide was cut through the rock and Lake Michigan water used
the cost would be $4,086,086.50. The estimated cost of i railroad
for ninety-six miles was estimated at $1,052,423.19. Curing the
summer of 1832 Mr. Pugh visited New York to learn of tie relative
cost of canals and railways, and to ascertain if funds cculd be ob-
tained to finance the project. The canal lands were icported at
304,709 acres, about one-fifth timber. The State did not have the
means, so the office of canal commissioners was abolished
"During 1833 the project of opening a steamboat navigation from
the lake to the navigable part of the Illinois river has ben seriously
agitated in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. The project as a natural
enterprise is practicable, but it is questioned, even i* the general
government could be induced to take hold of it, whither the im-
mense cost would justify the undertaking and whetier a railway
would not on the whole be preferable. The latter could be used
the whole year whereas a canal could not be ised for more
than eight months. The importance of opening a communi-
cation between Chicago and the foot of the rapds of the Illi-
nois cannot be placed in. too strong a light. It mist be done, and
whatever must be done, will be done. Already (1834) commerce
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 79
in no small extent is passing along that line. Merchants from St.
Louis, from along the Illinois river, from Galena, and from the
Wisconsin territory, and especially from the Wabash river as far
south as Terre Haute, bring their goods that way." (J. W. Peck,
of Illinois, 1834.)
The estimate^ of the cost of the canal, made June, 1834, by C.
Gratiot, chief engineer at Washington, D. C., was as follows :
Cut across summit $2,622,421
Embankment below summit 589,961
Lockage 343,100
Masonry, aqueducts, etc 343,100
Contingencies 390,855
Total $4,289,437
A big meeting here, October 31, 1835, to urge the completion of
the canal. Present: E. Peck, Peter Temple, Buckner S. Morris,
James Grant, H. B. Clarke, J. H. Collins, R. J. Hamilton, W. Jones,
H. Hugunin, and Dr. Goodhue. One resolution was as follows:
"That in the opinion of this meeting the subject of the Illinois and
Michigan canal, from its importance to the State generally, is wor-
thy of the most attentive consideration of the Legislature; and
that the failure of the loan contemplated by the last session requires
the immediate adoption of more efficient measures, based on the faith
and credit of the State, and of such a character as will inspire pub-
lic confidence and insure the construction of the canal." The meet-
ing urged the importance of a canal, the advisability of an immedi-
ate system of internal improvements; the importance of prompt
action in order to secure the donations of the Government.
It was provided in the act of February 26, 1831, that the canal
commissioners might construct a branch canal diverging from the
main trunk of the Illinois and Michigan canal through the Sagan-
askee swamp and Grassy lake, to intersect the Calumet river at the
most practicable point, "whenever they shall be notified that the
State of Indiana has commenced the construction of a correspond-
ing work to connect her system of internal improvements with the
Illinois and Michigan canal," This branch was to be part of the
Illinois and Michigan canal.
The act of Congress of March 3, 1837, appropriated a sum of
money for a lighthouse at Chicago harbor. Work on the same was
begun soon afterward but languished. The light was completed
and lighted for the first time June 29, 1859. The light was situated
at the east end of the north pier at the mouth of Chicago river. It
served the double purpose of a general lake coast light and of a bea-
con for entering the Chicago harbor. Its location was 41 degrees,
53 minutes. 24.9 seconds north latitude. The foundation of the iron
lighthouse rested upon 146 piles of white oak hewn one foot square
and driven from 18 to 22 feet into the soil; at the time of driving
the piles, the water there was six to twelve feet deep. The report
80 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
says, "We believe that both the base and the superstructure will be
found capable of resisting any force that can ever be brought to act
upon them without any disturbance of their stability." Care was re-
quired by vessels in clearing and doubling the south extremity of
Chicago bar in entering the harbor.
The Committee on Commerce in Congress in February, 1845,
reported favorably on a memorial from the citizens of Chicago rel-
ative to the establishment of a marine hospital in that city. It was
recited that such hospital was designed to be erected on the govern-
ment reserve leaving abundant room however, for the construction
of military fortifications when necessary ; that the location was
healthful and well adapted for such use; that the reservation con-
tained valuable water lots which might be sold to defray the expense
of erecting the buildings; that the growing commerce of the lakes
was one of the most valuable interests of the nation; that the con-
struction of hospitals for the relief of sick and disabled seamen was
necessary ; that there was no such hospital nearer to Chicago than
Cleveland ; that Rush Medical college had offered free medical at-
tendance for the use of a portion of the hospital buildings, etc. It
was recommended that the whole matter be placed at the decision
of the Secretary of the Treasury. (28th Congress, 2nd session.)
Thomas J. Cram, captain Topographical Engineers, detailed to
report on the harbor at Chicago in 1839-40, set forth the following
facts : That the shore generally was of sand, but that clay could be
found twenty or more feet down 'off 1,200 to 2,000 feet from shore;
that owing to the shifting sands along shore it was desirable to build
parallel piers out to water of twenty-four feet depth ; that proper
shape and position had not been given to the piers at Chicago prior
to the transfer of the work to the topographical bureau ; that "on
commencing operations this year (1839) a sand bar was found ex-
tending not only entirely across the entrance of the channel, but to
a distance of 450 yards beyond, the total length of the bar estimated
from the north pier being 583 yards" ; "that the piers had been car-
ried out from the commencement without due regard to the direc-
tion of the prevailing winds which are from the north and north-
east" ; that the maximum of cost was required for the north pier
which must meet the dead shock of the prevailing winds; that the
position of the piers compelled vessels entering the river to do so
with wind abeam ; that the width between piers of 200 feet was too
narrow by half; that the object in limiting such width to 200 feet
had been to give the river greater current to remove deposits at its
mouth; that such calculations had been unsound, because the river
for six miles, being only an arm of the lake, had no appreciable
current except in case of freshets or winds, the total fall being too
small to produce a sensible current ; that too much extension had
been given the south pier and not enough the north pier; that the
latter should be made 1,600 feet longer than the former and should
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 81
have greater thickness ; that a number of faults of construction had
crept in ; that the cost of completing the 405 feet of the north pier
and of completing and repairing work that had been commenced
and left unfinished prior to the then present year would be $25,564 ;
that this amount would be sufficient for only one or two years at the
most ; that the harbor was not then adequate to the demands of the
general commerce which existed on Lake Michigan; that com-
merce would very naturally center more at Chicago than at any
other place of deposit and transhipment upon either side of the lake.
Among other facts set forth in his report were the following : That
in 1833 the building of the city of Chicago was begun; that it now
numbered from 5,000 to 6,000 inhabitants after the lapse of only
six years ; that it presented "the lively aspect incident to a thriving
commercial town," its position being at the west shore of the lake ;
the navigable branches of the Chicago river affording ''the site for
a capacious ship basin in the very heart of the town at the junction
of said branches, that being the terminus of the Illinois and Michi-
gan canal to connect Lake Michigan and the Illinois river and thus
complete a water way from New York via lakes and rivers to the
Gulf of Mexico; the vast extent of adjacent fertile soil were ad-
vantages which when collectively or severally considered forcibly
impress the mind that the present city of Chicago is but the nucleus
about which there will grow up at no remote period one of the most
important commercial towns upon the lakes" ; that during the year
1839 eight lake steamers averaging 600 tons each had plied regu-
larly between Buffalo and. Chicago and two of less tonnage had
handled the local shore trade, besides there being several ships,
brigs and large schooners plying out from Chicago ; that the imports
of salt, lumber, iron and goods of less weight during 1839 would be
found very large ; that the commercial interest of all the states bor-
dering upon the lakes was intimately connected with Chicago as a
place of transhipment and deposit; that the agircultural prospects of
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Missouri would depend largely upon
such a place on the lake; that the continuity of a never-failing water
communication for so many miles under a temperature favorable to
the transit of produce gave advantages peculiar to the lake route;
that the construction of a permanent harbor at some point near the
southern extremity of Lake Michigan was desirable; and that the
bottom of the lake near the mouth of Chicago river favored such
a construction. He recommended that the north pier be extended
1,200 feet in the form of a curve beyond the point where the work
was then about to stop on account of lack of funds, to water of
twenty-three feet depth ; to terminate the extremity of the pier with
a circular head so built as to serve as the foundation of a lighthouse.
He submitted estimates of cost. All his recommendations were
based upon the wants of commerce at Chicago at that time. He
suggested that the south pier might be extended southward 2,000
82 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
feet and then run westward nearly or quite to the lake shore, thus
forming a pier-locked harbor. He also noted that the level of
Lake Michigan at Chicago then was two feet above its lowest
"known stage, and one foot four inches below the highest known
stage, and that the water was then falling and was believed to have
fallen one foot four inches during the past twelve months. (Sen-
ate Documents, 1st Session, 26th Congress, Vol IV.)
The stone used in the public works at Chicago was quarried
from a limestone formation within a few miles of the place and
cost, in 1836, at the piers, $6 per cord of 128 cubic feet. (Senate
Documents, 1st Session, 24th Congress, Vol. III.)
The survey and estimate for the improvement of Chicago har-
bor, in accordance with the resolution of the House on February
11, 1830, carried out by William Howard, civil engineer, was to
the effect that the formation of a good harbor there was "so indis-
pensable to the efficiency of the proposed canal" that an examination
was made when the route of the canal was surveyed ; that the town
was "destined to become a place of considerable importance;" that
it was "now composed, exclusive of Fort Dearborn, of about a
dozen homes, scattered about on both sides of the creek or river
of the same name; that it was situated about thirty-five miles from
the southern extremity of Lake Michigan and was the point that
had been selected for the terminus of the Illinois and Michigan
canal ; that it was the only situation for a long extent of the shore
of the lake which afforded facilities for the construction of a good
harbor ; that there was no other place south of the Manitou islands,
except St. Joseph, where vessels could escape the weather; that the
navigation of the lake was already of sufficient extent to warrant
an exertion to afford protection ; that "when we consider the great
extent of fertile land lately acquired (from the Indians?) by the
government, to which Chicago must form the entrance from the
East, it is plain that its importance must in a very few years be
many times multiplied, the more especially on account of the facility
which the canal, when made, will afford to the ingress of settlers
to the government ;" that the river was about fifty yards wide and
at least twelve feet deep up for three or four miles except at the
mouth, where a sand bar prevented the entrance of craft except small
boats and canoes; that "could an entrance be formed through this
bar the river would form a most secure and convenient harbor
capacious enough for any number of vessels that could ever be
expected to use it" ; that during the dry season there was no current
in the river, and the sand bar almost wholly shut off the river from
the lake ; but that in wet seasons the water forced its way through
the bar in different places from year to year ; that "a remarkable
circumstance connected with the formation of this bar was that
these deposits of sand seem to be brought almost entirely from the
north;" that the bar had gradually extended itself to the south; that
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 83
in the spring of 1829 the fort commandant had opened a small
trench through the bar nearly at the spot where the projected moles
have been laid down; that the current in a few days enlarged the
opening considerably, but was later reduced and its situation was
changed ; that "the whole sand composing the western shore of the
lake appeared to be traveling slowly to the southward and had
already accumulated on the south shore forming those large banks
which are seen in the neighborhood of the mouths of the Great and
Little Calamic (Calumet)"; that the bar could be cut through, thus
affording easy access for large vessels to the river; that the plan
was to extend two parallel piers or moles from the mouth of the
river through the bar and out into the lake far enough to escape
any sand accumulations, the sand being confined near the shore;
that there was sufficient timber near for use in building the moles ;
that limestone could be procured in abundance a few miles up the
river, and that the channel once cleared through the bar would
doubtless remain clear.
DIMENSIONS AND EXTENT, ESTIMATED.
Each pier, length 260 yards
Each pier, breadth 24 feet
Average depth from top to bottom 21 feet
Distance apart 60 feet
MATERIALS.
2,080 logs of timber, 30 feet long, 14 inches diameter at
small end, at 80 cents $1,664.00
2,180 tie pieces, 20 feet long, 9 inches diameter at 40 cents 872.00
5,180 cubic feet square oak timber, 14x14 for sills, at
8 cents 414.40
2,590 cubic feet square oak timber for posts, at 8 cents .... 207.20
2,710 cubic feet square oak timber 12x12 cap pieces, at 8
cents 216.80
1,800 feet securing ties, 10x10, at 6 cents 108.00
26,200 feet two inch plank at 25 cents 655.00
29,120 cubic yards stone, delivered at pier, 80 cents 23,296.00
Total $27,433.40
WORKMANSHIP.
One superintendent 720 days, at $4 $ 2,880.00
One chief carpenter 720 days, at $3 2,160.00
Six carpenters, 24 months each, 164 months, $40 6,560.00
Twenty laborers and found 24 months each, 480 months,
at $24 11,520.00
Total $23,120.00
IRON WORK, TOOLS, ETC.
12,000 pounds iron work for bolts, etc., at 18 cents $2,160.00
2,800 spikes at 10 cents 280.00
Tools for carpenters and laborers 180.00
Total $2,620.00
84 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
MACHINERY.
Two crane scows, at $250 each $ 500.00
Two open scows, at $120 each 240.00
Two skiffs and oars, at $30 each 60.00
Blocks and cordage 320.00
Total $1,120.00
Grand total $54,298.40
Add 10 per cent for contingencies 5,429.84
Total cost of work $59,728.24
The time estimated for workmanship was three seasons of eight
months each. Dredging was not included in the estimate, the ex-
tent of the same not having been ascertained.
In 1821 fractional Section 10 contained 165.36 acres, and frac-
tional Section 15 contained- 159.45 acres, both of Township 39
north, Range 14 east, and they were surveyed and platted. On
September 30, 1824, the Secretary of War requested the Commis-
sioner of the General Land Office to reserve the land occupied by
Fort Dearborn. On October 1, the General Land Office notified
the Secretary of War that it had directed that a portion of fractional
Section 10, Township 39 north, Range 14 east, containing 57.50
acres and "within which Fort Dearborn is situated, be reserved
from sale for military purposes."
On June 6, 1837, the above reservation was surveyed into
streets, blocks and lots by Asa F. Bradley, city and county surveyor,
under the directions of Mathew Burchard, agent and attorney for
the Secretary of War.
"The whole of fractional Section 15, Township 39, Range 14,
was selected for the Illinois and Michigan canal under the act of
March 2, 1827. On February 4, 1837, the Surveyor General des-
ignated the sand bar as an addition to fractional Sections 10 and 15.
This sandbar contained 37.78 acres and was entered by Mark
Noble, Sr., and Mark Noble, Jr., on May 31, 1836, but the entries
were canceled and the money refunded. The land belonged to
fractional Sections 10 and 15. In front of Section 10 were 26.17
acres in front of Section 15 were 11.61 acres. The survey of the
bar was unwarranted." (House Reports, 44th Congress, 1st ses-
sion, Vol. III.)
Fort Dearborn reservation was bounded east by the lake and
south by Madison street. A small piece of ground between Madi-
son and Randolph east of blocks 12 and 15 was called public
ground. Michigan avenue ninety feet wide was extended through
Fort Dearborn addition. In 1839 the public land east of Michigan
avenue was nearly 800 feet long, fifty feet wide at Randolph and
about one hundred feet wide at Madison. In 1852 the land was
only 22 1/2 feet wide at Randolph and nil at Madison.
The Illinois Central railway was to occupy a strip 300 feet wide
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY SI
built on piles in front of Sections 10 and 15, providing they would
build a breakwater. The inner line of the right of way was located
400 feet east of the west line of Michigan avenue. The Govern-
ment had no title to the bed of the lake nor to the bed of the river.
The land about Chicago was surveyed in 1821. Between Michi-
gan avenue and the railway track was a narrow strip of water and of
lowland, both of which the city filled in largely from the fire of
1871. Under a decision of the United States Circuit court (2nd
Bissell, p. 174) it was held that the subdivision, platting and re-
cording of "Fort Dearborn Addition to Chicago," not having been
in strict conformity with the law of Illinois, made a common law
and not a statutory dedication of the public grounds therein, and
that in consequence the fee of the same still remained in the United
States, but that no beneficial interest remained in the United States.
The law of Illinois required that a subdivision should be made
by metes and bounds, that corner stones and stakes should be set,
that the width of streets and alleys and the size of all lots and
blocks should be noted on the plat and that the surveyor's certificate
to the same should be in a prescribed form. When all these re-
quirements were attended to the fee passed. These requirements
having been neglected by the Secretary of War, the fee did not pass
to the city, and in 1876 Chicago desired the title in order to exer-
cise control over the public grounds and a bill was introduced to
cure the defects and afford relief.
"Chicago having so recently sprung into existence, its commer-
cial importance, I think, is not properly appreciated even in our
own State, much less through the Union. I will give you a few
facts in relation to the business of the past season, which is well
known to have been one of great depression throughout the coun-
try. Eight of the largest class of steamboats, ranging from 500
to 800 tons each, have constantly been employed on the route be-
tween Buffalo and Chicago. The season of navigation continued
about seven months. Having had access to the books of one of
these boats, I found her gross receipts for six months to be over
$69,000 for freight and passengers. There were besides two small
steamboats which plied between Chicago and the ports on the east
side of Lake Michigan. The number of ships, brigs and schooners
trading between Chicago and the ports below, as far down as the
lower end of Lake Ontario, I have no means of ascertaining. I
can only say the number was very large, as all heavy and bulky
articles, such as salt and lumber and many kinds of heavy mer-
chandise, are brought by these vessels, and the produce of the
country is generally shipped by them. It was remarked during the
season by the forwarding merchants of Buffalo that more goods
were shipped from that port to Chicago alone than to the whole
State of Michigan ; indeed, nearly all the goods destined for west-
ern Michigan and northern Indiana were first shipped to Chicago
Vol. II 6.
88 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
by the large steamboats that ply regularly to that port and are then
transshipped by the smaller boats to the ports of those States. There
being no custom house at Chicago, I cannot give you in detail the
amount of her exports and imports; but from these general facts
you can form some idea of the amount of commercial business
which has grown up from nothing in the short space of seven
years." Mr. Newberry, writing this letter from Utica, New York,
in 1841, ended by urging the importance of keeping at least one
harbor on Lake Michigan open.
In January, 1842, the Mayor and aldermen of Chicago peti-
tioned Congress for the completion of the harbor. It seems that
work on the harbor had been suspended in 1839 and had not been
resumed by 1842 much to the "regret of all classes" ; that the city
was giving evidences of "extraordinary commercial advantages" ;
that it was an extremely important point of deposit and transship-
ment for the adjoining states and territories, and that on Decem-
ber 11, 1841, a committee to report on the business done had been
appointed.
This committee among other important acts reported on the
following facts : That the importance of Chicago harbor to the ad-
jacent States had been duly and officially reported upon in 1840
by Capt. T. J. Cram, of the topographical corps; that there was no
city of equal age in the Union and laboring under similar embar-
rassments, presenting so unexampled a rise to commercial dis-
tinction and of so much promise in opening the sources of agri-
cultural wealth ; that it was only eight years since the first pioneers
found here a wilderness; that the last census gave the county a
population of nearly eleven thousand; that the city then (Decem-
ber, 1841), contained a population of between five thousand and
six thousand; that the import trade was over $1,500,000 annually
and the export trade in 1841 was $348,362; that 150 vessels left
and entered Chicago harbor monthly during the navigable seasons ;
that owing to lack of records only about two thirds of the import
and export trade could be arrived at ; that fifty-seven commer-
cial houses, some large wholesale dealers, had discontinued busi-
ness since 1838, of whose trade no record could be obtained; that
a large quantity of the imports had no connection with any house
in Chicago, but had been taken directly into the interior from the
vessels. "For these reasons the committee allowed a deduction of
one-third from the amount known to be added for what is un-
known" ; that the subjoined figures were from the merchants then
in the city.
Making allowance for deficiencies, it was argued that the city's
imports from 1836 to 1841 inclusive aggregated $7,473,259; that
during 1841 they were nearly $2,000,000. In 1836 the exports of
the city amounted to only $1,000 while in 1841 they were $348,362.
The total exports for the six years were nearly $700,000, among
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 89
which were 282,000 bushels of wheat employing $282,000 capital ;
50,000 barrels of beef, pork and flour; 18,591 hides; 50 tons of lead;
8,750 pounds of butter, 1,300 packs of fur and a proportionate quan-
tity of flax, corn, beans, ham, etc. ; that it was due to Chicago, in the
interest of commerce throughout the West, to grant the prayer of the
petition ; that Chicago owing to its superior facilities, should have
the harbor, rather than any other point on the west coast.
It was recited that the harbor then (1841) in existence consisted
of two piers (north and south) extending on parallel lines out from
the Chicago river into Lake Michigan, with a mean distance of
200 feet between; that work thereon had been suspended since the
fall of 1839; that the unfinished state of the work could be seen
from the map exhibited ; that there still remained unfinished 700
feet in the west end and 405 feet on the east end of the north pier;
also 250 feet on the west end and 380 feet on the east end of the
south pier; that owing to the unfinished condition and the stop-
page of work, great damage had been done; that in 1839 a sand
bar had formed across the mouth of the channel so that vessels
with greater draught than seven feet could not enter the river;
that the balance of the original appropriation had been expended
to protect the work already done; that the direction of the piers
would have to be changed owing to this sand bar; that the direc-
tions of extensions had been changed and 405 feet of additional
underwork had been done and the bar dredged off to admit the
largest class of vessels; that the latter work had suffered most of
the delay in work; that relief should not be temporary, but
permanent and immediate certainly before May 1, 1842.
It was argued that while the other great lakes had numerous
harbors Lake Michigan did not have one of adequate protection;
that during 1841 nineteen vessels on Lake Michigan had suffered
shipwreck, eight proving a total loss; that as an average of 150
vessels cleared and entered Chicago harbor, the urgency and ex-
tent of the city's wants were manifest; that from a military point
of view alone the harbor should at once be completed. The peti-
tion was concluded as follows : "Situated at the head of lake
navigation on the one hand and at the proposed termination of the
Illinois and Michigan canal on the other, Chicago will one day em-
brace in her growing connections the direct trade of the great
Northwest, while to the East she will become as the threshold to
the granary where commerce will mutually exchange and dis-
charge the products of two hemispheres. The fact that she is al-
ready the center of a large and growing trade and presents at her
wharves during the navigable seasons, all the appearance of an
Atlantic city, assures us that -the clay of her commercial pride is not
far distant." This report was signed by F. C. Sherman, Mayor.
Aldermen C. Follansbe, First ward; John Doolin, First ward;
Peter Page, Second ward ; J. McCord, Second ward ; W. H. Stow,
90 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Third ward ; Wm. Otis Snell, Fourth ward ; G. W. Rogers, Fourth
ward; H. L. Rucker, Fifth ward; Samuel Grier, Fifth ward;
James L. Howe, Sixth ward; George F. Foster, Sixth ward. At-
test. Tho. Hoyne, City Clerk.
The leading houses importing were as follows: Walker &
Co. and C. Walker & Co. merchandise began with $6,000 imports
in 1836, but imported $28,000 worth in 1841 ; Lake Michigan Lum-
ber company had imported $16,310 worth in 1839; N. Rossiter
lumber had imported $12,756 in 1841 ; George W. Snow lumber
and merchandise had imported $31,300 worth in 1841, among the
items being 2,500,000 feet of lumber; N. C. Walton merchandise
$3,000 in 1839; H. Norton merchandise $15,000 in 1838 and
$29,000 in 1841; B. F. Napp & Co. merchandise salt and flour
about $13,500 in 1836, quit in 1838; Giles Williams & Co. mer-
chandise and salt began 1839 with $26,000, imported nearly $40,-
000 in 1840, but fell off to $24,000 in 1841 ; Church & Sheldon
merchandise began in 1839 with $5,100 imports; Harmon & Loomis
(and successors) merchandise $57,891 in 1836, $99,925 in
1838, $33,962 in 1841; S. Lind & Co. lumber, salt and flour
$6,964 in 1840; C. McDonnell, merchandise, $1,000 in 1837, $2,000
in 1841 ; S. Greaves stoves $1,000 in 1841 ; Goodsell & Campbell
merchandise $38,965 in 1836, $1,954 in 1840, quit; C. Follansbe
merchandise $4,371 in 1836, $8,000 in 1841; J. B. Eddy stoves
$1,000 in 1841 ; Clark & Co. drugs etc. $9,064 in 1836, $3,552 in
1841 ; A. Negus merchandise $6,000 in 1841 ; W. H. Taylor $6,000
in 1836, $5,000 in 1838, quit; Dan Taylor merchandise $5,000 in
1839, $5,000 in 1841 ; B. W. Raymond & Co. merchandise $40,441
in 1836, $39,932 in 1841 ; T. B. Carter & Co. merchandise $11,579
in 1838, $30,858 in 1841 ; S. Sanger, groceries $10,697 in 1839,
$8,655 in 1841; Canal Commissioners hardware $30,000 in 1838;
Otis & Co. hardware $28,784 in 1838, $28,183 in 1841 ; Otis &
Eddy hardware $12,462 in 1836, quit; H. Norton merchandise
$20,000 in 1838, $26,000 in 1841; Contractors' Association mer-
chandise $12,000 in 1841 ; W. H. Adams & Co. boots and shoes
$6,000 in 1837, $12,376 in 1841 ; S. B. Collins boots and shoes
$6,000 in 1838, $9,000 in 1841 ; S. J. Sherman merchandise $3,000
in 1836, $3,000 in 1841; R. R. Crosley merchandise $5,000 in
1841; Sherman & Pettingill merchandise $3,306 in 1841; S. B.
Walker merchandise $3,080; Burton clothing $5,428 in 1841;
Moseley & McCord merchandise $8,200 in 1836, $13,000 in 1841,
Clark, Harris & Co. merchandise $9,419 in 1840, $18,225 in 1841 ;
Crawford merchandise $9,550 in 1838, $28,021 in 1840, $6,051 in
1841; Mr. Hervey salt and groceries $11,000 in 1839; Dodge &
Tucker merchandise $4,600 in 1837, quit 1840; S. W. Goss mer-
chandise $17,700 in 1837, quit in 1840; John Finnerty merchan-
dise $12,000 in 1841 ; John Finnerty & Co. merchandise $4,000 in
1837, $11,000 in 1840, quit or merged; James Smith merchandise
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 91
$5,000 in 1836, quit 1839; Philo Carpenter six departments, gro-
ceries, hardware, drugs, glass, stone and leather and clothing, began
in 1836 by importing about $28,000 worth, quit in 1839; McClure
& Fuller merchandise $23,000 in 1841 ; Salisbury & Holden mer-
chandise $2,500 in 1840; E. S. & J. Wadsworth merchandise and
corn sales $18,294 in 1840; S. W. Peck & Co. earthenware and
glass $7,000 in 1841 ; A. G. Burley earthenware and glass and corn
sales $2,000 in 1839; E. S. Hopkins groceries $7,619 in 1841;
Botsford & Beers hardware $8,000 in 1837, $17,000 in 1841;
Thomas Church general merchandise $13,817, in 1839, quit or
merged; Church & Sheldon merchandise $4,254 in 1840, $13,920
in 1841; Tuthill King merchandise $15,000 in 1836; Taylor,
Bruse & Co. merchandise $50,000 in 1836. quit about 1839; Paine
& Norton merchandise $30,000 in 1839, $20,300 in 1841 ; C. Buhl
hats and caps $15,000 in 1841 ; Osborn & Strail merchandise $7,067
in 1836, $18,517 in 1839, quit; J. P. Allen & Co. lumber $5,562;
Kenzer & Underwood lumber $3,750 in 1836, $6,246 in 1839, quit;
J. P. Rind flour $5,000 in 1838; P. T. & Co. merchandise $15,000
in 1839, $14,000 in 1841 ; A. N. Eullerton lumber $1,900 in 1837,
$2,400 in 1841 ; H. O. Stone merchandise and hardware $1.900 in
1838, $66,859 in 1841 ; Gurney & Matteson leather $15,000 in 1841 ;
A. Follansbe groceries $4,000 in 1836, $6,000 in 1841 ; M. & A. mer-
chandise $10,000 in 1841 ; D. & Bon merchandise $2,000 in 1838,
$8,000 in 1840. $1,000 in 1841 ; G. A. & Co. merchandise $1,008
in 1836. $2,000 in 1841 ; M. & H. merchandise $10,000 in 1839,
$20,000 in 1841; C. merchandise $12,000 in 1839, $15,000 in
1841; H. merchandise $15,000 in 1838, $10,000 in 1841; S. & A.
merchandise $15,000 in 1839, $20,000 in 1841; Foster & Robb,
ship chandlery, $8,000 in 1839, $2,000 in 1841 ; Hugunin & Pierce
ship chandlery $10,000 in 1836, quit, 1838.
RECAPITULATION, IMPORTS.
1836 . ..$ 325,203
1837 373,667
1838 579,174
1839 630,981
1840 562,106
1841 564,348
Total $3,035,479
Names of houses not included above, whose imports are
not reduced to a money valuation, and rated together.. $4,437,780
Grand total $7,473,259
Among the latter were Newberry & Dole who had imported
9,945 tons of merchanise; W. L. Whiting 1,408 tons merchandise;
Bristol & Porter 35,803 barrels bulk and 1,833 tons merchandise
and household goods; Smith & Webster 7,900 barrels bulk and
1,750 tons merchandise; Kenzie & Underwood 6,000 tons mer-
92 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
chandise; New York and Michigan Lumber company 3,000,000
feet of lumber.
The exporting houses from 1836 to 1841, inclusive, were the fol-
lowing: W. W. Saltonstall wheat 7,326 bushels worth $6,165 in
1841 ; Walker & Co. and C. Walker & Co. hides and wheat $1,000
hides 1836, $12,000 hides 1839, quit also $185,000 wheat 1840;
W. L. Whiting wheat 94,548 bushels in 1841, worth $75,362; H.
Norton & Co. wheat and pork 24,038 bushels of wheat and 170
barrels of pork in 1841, all worth $24,432; Giles, Williams & Co.
wheat, corn, flour, pork, beef, tallow and hams $6,780 in 1839,
$33,636 in 1841 (43,695 bushels of wheat, 1,781 barrels of corn,
401 barrels beef, 553 barrels of flour, 141 barrels of pork, 2,718
hams, besides 33 bushels grass seed and 39 bushels beans ; Church
& Sheldon white beans 162 1/2 barrels; Harmon & Loomis lead 8
tons ; S. Lind & Co. flour, salt, pork 70 barrels ; C. McDonnell
merchandise $1,000 in 1839, $1,500 in 1841; B. W. Raymond
pork, wheat, beans, flour, wool $3,000 in 1840, $6,000 in 1841;
Hiram Norton butter $700 in 1841; S. B. Collins lead $150 in
1840, quit; George W. Merrill wheat 12,212 bushels worth $9,359
in 1841; John Gage flour $2,063 in 1839, $6,144 in 1841; Craw-
ford & Harvey wheat, beef and pork $1,552 wheat in 1840, 18,-
700 bushels wheat in 1841, 1,000 barrels beef and pork in 1841
worth $7,000; Dodge & Tucker pork, lard and hams $5,200 in
1840; Bristol & Porter wheat $10,120 in 1840, 69,493 bushels in
1841 worth $45,000; John Finnerty hides and furs $2,000 in 1840;
Paine & Norton pork, beef and lard $10,000 in 1839, $2,000 in
1841 ; H. Buht furs $3,000 in 1841 ; H. O. Stone wheat, flour,
pork, flax, and seed beans $2,271 in 1840, $1,044 in 1841 ; Seth T.
Otis pork, hams, lard, etc. $500 in 1841 ; Gurney & Matteson hides
and furs $9,454 in 1840, $17,500 in 1841; Absalom Funk beef
and pork $1,000 in 1837, $1,200 in 1841 ; M. &. S. & Co. beef and
pork $1,000 in 1841 ; Smith & Webster beef, pork and flour 42,000
bushels of wheat in 1841, total $72,000.
RECAPITULATION, EXPORTS.
1836 $ 1,000
1837 11,000
1838 16,000
1839 32,843
1840 228,883
1841 349,368
Total $639,094
To all this were to be added the exports which had no money
valuation computed, as follows : Newberry & Dole pork, beef,
flour and whisky 6,027 barrels ; W. S. Whiting the same 566 tons ;
Newberry & Dole wheat 50,136 bushels, hides 3,235, packs of furs
704, lead and shot 40 tons ; Smith & Webster beef, pork and flour
3.450 barrels; Bristol & Porter beef, pork, lard and flour 17,067
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 93
barrels, merchandise reshipped 244 tons, hides 6,223, packs of
furs 421. All of this was put down by the committee as worth
$321,252, which sum added to $639,094 gave $960,346 as the total
of exports, but only the former amount was set down to Congress.
In addition to this the following firms had quit business and no
account could be given of their trade and shipments: Walker &
Bros., dry goods and groceries, 1837 ; Walter Kimball, same,
1837; Kimball & Porter, same, 1837; Jones, King & Co., hard-
ware, 1837; King, Walker & Co., hardware, 1838; Peter Pruyne
& Co., drugs etc., 1838; Joel Walker, dry goods, 1837; Wild, Ma-
lony & Co., dry goods, 1837; J. W. C. Coffin, same, 1838; Beaubien
& Boyce, same, 1837; T. R. Martin, same, 1836; M. McFarlin, same,
1836; William Hatch, same, 1836; McClure & Co., crockery, 1836;
Munroe & Dunning, dry goods, 1837; Mr. Howard, same, 1846;
Mr. Bates, same, 1836; Mr. Hogan, same, 1836; Guild & Durand,
same, 1837; Jenkins & Reynolds, same, 1837; Vibband & Tripp,
same, 1838; Kinzie, Davis & Hide, hardware, same, 1837; Cham-
bers & Benedict, dry goods, 1836; Chauncey Clark, same, 1836;
Mr. Freer, same, 1836; John L. Smith same, 1837; Rufus Mas-
ten & Co., same, 1837; Mr. Luce, same, 1837; J. B. Beaubien same,
1837; Rogers & Marcoe, same, 1837; John L. Wilson, same, 1837;
Thomas Duncan, clothing, 1838; Fayke & Wright, groceries, etc.,
1837; Montgomery & Patterson, auctioneers, 1837; J. & J. Handy,
dry goods, 1837; Henry King & Co., same, 1837; Walbridge &
Jordan, groceries, 1837; J. Rayner, dry goods and groceries, 1838;
L. Hunt, hats and furs, 1837; Cheng & Johnson, groceries, 1837;
Mr. Brackett, groceries, 1837; Judge Smith, dry goods, 1838;
Wheeler & Peck, groceries, 1838; Mark Beaubien, dry goods,
1837; Noble & Rider, groceries. 1838; Hall & Monroe, same,
1837; Parker & Gray, dry goods, 1838; A. D. Higgins; Heran
Pearsons; J. L. Phillips, wholesale dry goods; M. Hatch, hard-
ware, 1839; Mr. Woodworth, dry goods; Messrs. Caruthers &
Co., same, 1837; Mr. Berry, same, 1841 : James Kinzie & Co., dry
goods; Campbell, Wallace & Plumb. Fifty-seven firms had dis-
continued business from 1836 to 1841.
Under the act approved February 14, 1855, the Board of Sew-
erage Commissioners of the City of Chicago was incorporated. The
act provided that three commissioners should be elected by the
common council to serve as such board ; that they should have the
usual powers of corporations; that the first three elected should
hold office for two. three and four years respectively : that one
should be elected annually after the second year; that this board
should have power to borrow, if deemed expedient, a sum not to
exceed $500,000 upon the credit of Chicago and to issue bonds
therefor bearing not over 7 per cent, interest ; that a complete rec-
ord of all bonds and transactions should be kept ; that one of the
duties of the board should be to examine and consider all matters
94 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
relative to the thorough, systematic and effectual drainage of
Chicago, not only of surface water and filth, but also of the soil
on which the city is situated to a depth to secure dryness in cellars
and entire freedom from stagnant water; that said board could
offer rewards for the best system of drainage and duly advertise
same; that there should be three sewerage districts in Chicago cor-
responding to the three divisions North, West and South ; that
each district should be kept distinct and separate from the others;
that the system of each- district should be uniform yet complete
in itself; that the plan when adopted should be made public;
that citizens of the common council should be heard in opposition
to the plan; that the board should duly consider all such objections
and notify the public of any change in plan ; that after the plan
had been duly adopted they should advertise for proposals to let
out the work on contracts, or do the same under their own imme-
diate supervision; that as soon as the plan has been adopted the
board should have power to issue the bonds aforesaid, the bonds to
run for not to exceced twenty-five years; that the drainage board
should report the amount for assessment in each district; that they
should likewise report to the council such amount as they should
find necessary to provide a sinking fund for the retirement of the
bonds ; that the council should levy a special tax on each district
for the amount required ; that the board should invest the amount
raised for sinking fund in United States or state government
stocks, or in bond and mortgage upon unincumbered real estate in
Cook county ; that new bonds could be issued for the old in case the
latter could not be paid ; that the board could lay out lots and put up
necessary buildings, construct reservoirs, lay sewers or drains
through alleys and streets and along highways whether within the
city limits or not ; that the cost of private drains and sewers should
be a special charge upon lots adjacent and benefited; that the board
should prescribe the form and location of private drains and sew-
ers; that all lots needing it should be drained by the board and
the cost charged to the owners; that members of the board could
be removed by the judge of the Circuit court or the Common
Pleas court of Cook county, upon petition of a majority of all the
members of the council ; that the board should regulate privies,
cesspools and employ scavengers ; that they could make such changes
in grades of streets, alleys and gutters as would best remove the
sewage; that the board could borrow for a short time necessary
funds previous to the issue of the first bonds; that the chief engi-
neer of the board should reside in Chicago and should give his en-
tire time to these duties; and that the act should take effect from
and after its passage.
In an act of February 14, 1859, additional to the act of February
14, 1855, incorporating a Board of Sewerage commissioners for
Chicago, it was provided that the board should have power to bor-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 95
row upon bonds an additional sum of $500,000, to be issued and re-
deemed as previous bonds had been.
The act of February 15, 1865, provided that the board of public
works be authorized and required to devise, adopt and execute a
plan for cleansing the Chicago river and its branches and that if in
the judgment of the board the complete drainage of the river could
best be effected by constructing a channel from Chicago river and
its branches to or near Lockport or by widening or deepening the
Illinois and Michigan canal, they were authorized to devise and
put in execution a plan for that purpose; that to carry into effect
such plan the city should be authorized to borrow an additional sum
not exceeding $2,000,000 to be paid for in bonds; that should the
work of enlarging and deepening the said canal for a ship or steam-
boat canal be prosecuted by the United States or the State of Illi-
nois or the trustees of the Illinois and Michigan canal, the common
council was authorized to contribute to such enterprise such part of
the aforesaid $2,000,000 as they should deem proper; and that the
common council should have power to authorize the construction
of one or more tunnels under the Chicago river.
The act of February 16, 1865. provided stringent rules for sani-
tary and health measures for Chicago.
The act of March 7, 1867, provided "that all the powers, privi-
leges and immunities conferred upon the Cook county drainage
commissioners, in the original act creating said commissioners a
body politic, be and are hereby revived and extended over the entire
county of Cook in the State of Illinois, with power to act in any part
of said county. Their powers were likewise extended.
The act of February 28, 1867, added Lambert Blum and Michael
Gormly to the board of drainage commissioners for Townships 41
and 42 north, Ranges 13 and 14 east, and Sections 1,2, 11 and 12,
Township 40 north, Range 13 east, and added to their drainage dis-
trict Township 42 north, Range 12 east.
The act of June 6, 1887, organized the city of Chicago as a drain-
age district and the corporate authorities were vested with the
powers conferred by the act of June 22, 1885. The corporate au-
thorities were authorized to construct and maintain a cut-off drain
or ditch for the diversion of the flood waters of the Des Plaines
river into Lake Michigan at some point north of the city of Chi-
cago to aid the drainage system of the district. It was provided
that if such cut-off should occupy a portion of the North branch of
Chicago river, such branch was to be widened and deepened as
would be required ; that such cut-off could be so constructed as to
act as a drain for the surrounding lands ; that no more of the water
of the Des Plaines should be thus diverted than the excess above
the ordinary water mark in said stream ; that suitable dams and
sluiceways should be constructed at the point of diversion ; that
during dry weather no water should be thus diverted ; that during
96 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
floods not more than 3,000 cubic feet per minute should be thus di-
verted; that if desirable a dam could be constructed across Mud
Lake valley, near the west line of Sections 6 and 7, Township 38
north, Range 13 east; that the necessary right of way should be ac-
quired, etc.
It was provided that upon petition of a majority of lot owners on
Michigan avenue between Washington street and Park row, it
should be lawful for the common council to increase the width of
Michigan avenue between Washington street and Park row, thirty-
six feet upon the east line; that the school lands and school funds
of Township 39 north, Range 14 east, should be vested in the city
of Chicago; that the act of February 23, 1847, creating the South
Chicago school district should be repealed ; that there should be
established at least one free common school in each school district;
that schools for colored children apart from white children should
be provided : that it should be unlawful for colored children to
attend the white schools ; that the board of public works should
have charge and superintendence of the water works and the sup-
ply of pure water from the lake to the inhabitants ; that the board
of public works should have power to issue all bonds authorized to
be issued by the Chicago City Hydraulic company by act of 1851 ;
that the board of public works should have charge and superintend-
ence of the sewers, and could issue all bonds authorized to be issued
under the law of 1855 creating a board of sewerage commissioners.
The act approved May 29, 1889, provided that any contiguous
territory within the limits of a county so situated that the mainten-
ance of a common outlet for drainage was conducive to the public
health, the same could be incorporated as a sanitary district. Such
district must be petitioned for by 5,000 voters, and then the ques-
tion must be submitted to the people. It was provided that the
board of commissioners of such sanitary district should consist of
the county judge and two circuit judges who were to determine the
boundaries of the district ; that there should be nine trustees elected
for each sanitary district to hold office for five years and to be a
board of trustees for such district with power to elect a clerk, treas-
urer, chief engineer and attorney for such municipality and with
full power to manage and control the affairs of the district and to
establish and construct a drainage system and acquire property and
borrow money for this purpose; that they could levy and collect
taxes, issue bonds, let contracts, etc. ; that any channel or outlet con-
structed under this act should be of sufficient size to produce a con-
tinuous flow through any river or other stream ; that any channel
thus constructed which should cause the waters of Lake Michigan
to pass into the Des Plaines or Illinois river, should be of sufficient
size and capacity to produce and maintain at all times a continuous
flow of not less than 300.000 cubic feet of water per minute with a
depth of not less than fourteen feet and a current not exceeding
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 97
three miles per hour ; that if any portion of such channel should be
cut through any rocky stratum, where such stratum is above a
grade sufficient to produce eighteen feet of water from Lake Michi-
gan such portion of the channel should have double the flowing ca-
pacity above provided for with a width of not less than 160 feet at
the bottom capable of producing a depth of not less than eighteen
feet of water; that if the government should so improve the Des
Plaines and Illinois rivers that the same should be capable of re-
ceiving a flow of 600,000 cubic feet of water per minute and
should provide for the payment of the damages to private property
by the extra flow above 300,000 cubic feet of water per minute,
then such sanitary district should have power to enlarge the chan-
nel leading into said Des Plaines and Illinois rivers so that it could
receive and discharge not less than 600,000 cubic feet -of water per
minute with a current of not more than three miles per hour; that
in such case the channel should have a depth of not less than eight-
een feet and a width of not less than 160 feet at the bottom; that
such channel when duly constructed and carrying 300,000 cubic
feet of water per minute should be a navigable stream; and that
other territory could drain through this channel by obtaining per-
mit from the drainage board.
By act of 1889 the Sanitary district of Chicago was created to
dispose of Chicago sewage through the Des Plaines and Illinois
rivers by means of a canal dug across the Chicago divide of such
capacity as to dilute the sewage beyond offense and to be of such size,
depth, etc., as to form navigable waters from Lake Michigan to
the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. The State dams at Copp creek
and Henry creek were ordered removed and work on the dams at
La Grange and Kempsville was stopped. The work was so far
advanced that water could be turned on by 1899 and the general
government had completed locks and dams at La Grange and at
Kempsville, therefore it was
Resolved, That it is the policy of Illinois to construct a great
waterway between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi river, via
Chicago, Des Plaines and Illinois rivers; that the locks and dams
at La Grange and Kempsville are detrimental to the sanitary and
agricultural welfare of Illinois and should be removed ; that the
rockbound section of the Des Plaines and Illinois rivers from the
end of the Sanitary canal and Chicago to Lockport, thence to the
head of the alluvial river at Utica should be developed to a naviga-
ble depth of not less than fourteen feet, and that the United States
be requested to enter upon this work in cooperation with this State.
All dams across the Illinois river were demanded removed.
The act of June 16, 1893, provided that the Chicago Sanitary
district should have the right and power to appoint a 'police force
with power along its right of way and for a distance of one and one-
half miles on each side of the main drainage channel, to act in aid
of the regular police force of the city.
08 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
The law of May 14, 1893, provided that the corporate limits of
the Sanitary district of Chicago might be extended by the addition
of the following territory : Beginning at the intersection of the
county line between Cook and Lake counties, with the west shore of
Lake Michigan; thence west along said county line to the northwest
corner of Section 3, Township 42 north, Range 12 east, thence
south to the southwest corner of Section 33, Township 42 north,
Range 12 east; thence east to the northwest corner of Section 12,
Township 41 north, Range 12 east; thence south to the northwest
corner of Section 25 in said town and range ; thence east to the
northeast corner of the west half of the west half of said Section
25 ; thence south to the southwest corner of the west half of the west
half of Section 26, of said town and range; thence east to the
northeast corner of the west half of Section 1, Township 40 north,
Range 12 east; thence south to the southeast corner of the west
half of Section 13, of said township and range; thence east to the
southeast corner of Section 13, thence east, north, northwest and
east along the present boundary line of said Sanitary district of
Chicago to the shore of Lake Michigan ; thence northwesterly along
the shore of the lake to the place of beginning. Also the following
tract: Commencing at the northeast corner of Section 3, Township
37 north, Range 13 east; thence south to the southwest corner of
Section 11, Township 36 north, Range 13 east; thence east and
south along the boundary lines of Section 14 in said township to the
southeast corner of said Section 14; thence east to the southeast cor-
ner of Section 17, Township 36 north, Range 15 east; thence north
along the eastern boundary of Illinois to its intersection with the
shore of Lake Michigan ; thence along the said shore to the south
boundary line of the Sanitary district of Chicago; thence west
along the south boundary line of same to the place of beginning.
This act gave the board of trustees of the Sanitary district power
to lay out additional channels and ditches for the surplus water and
sewage; to use the Calumet feeder as an assistant; to construct a
channel across the Illinois and Michigan canal ; to maintain the
same degree of sewage dilution required for the main channel of
the district ; to construct the proper outlet from Lockport to Joliet ;
to furnish for the perpetual use of the canal commissioners at some
point to be decided upon a strip of land bordering upon said sani-
tary channel 800 feet long by 130 feet wide and to fill the same
suitable to be occupied as roadways, docks, shops, barns and other
buildings under the control of the canal commissioners ; to permit
all water craft navigating the canal to also navigate any of the
sanitary channels : and to regulate the navigation of these channels
under the laws of the United States in force concerning the navi-
gation of Chicago river. It was further provided that the Sanitary
district of Chicago should have no power to lew and collect any
special assessments upon any part of said added territory, or to pay
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 99
any part of the cost of work done in said added territory ; that said
Sanitary district should have power to construct such dams, water
wheels and other works north of the upper basin of the Illinois and
Michigan canal as might be necessary to develop and render avail-
able the power arising from the water passing through its main
channel and any auxiliary channels ; that such power should be con-
verted into electrical energy to be transmitted to the various cities,
villages and towns for various uses; that said Sanitary district
should have power to levy and collect each year for three years a
tax on the taxable property of said district to be used in meeting
the expenditures arising from the construction of said dams, water
wheels and other works and from converting said water power into
electrical energy; and that all the above should take effect if duly
petitioned for and assented to at an election.
EARLY SCHOOLS OF COOK- COUNTY
WHO was the first school teacher in Chicago always has
been a matter of dispute. It has been claimed that Robert
A. Forsyth, aged 13 years, taught the children of John
Kinzie during the winter of 1810-11. His pupils, it is
claimed, were John H. Kinzie, aged 6 years, and some half dozen
other children then living here in the fort. The text book used, it is
claimed, was Webster's Elementary spelling book, which was brought
here from Detroit in a chest of tea. Probably the first real school
taught in Chicago was opened in the fall of 1816 by William L. Cox
in the log cabin owned by John Kinzie. This building had previously
been used as a bakery for the garrison, and stood at the rear of
Mr. Kinzie's garden, near the crossing of Pine and Michigan
streets. The pupils in attendance were John H. Kinzie, two of his
sisters and brother and six or eight children from the fort. The
total attendance was about one dozen. Mr. Cox was a soldier, or
had been one. No doubt other schools were taught between that
date and 1829. It is known that a sergeant from the fort taught a
term in 1820. It is stated that this school was taught within the
garrison. In 1829 Charles H. Beaubien, a son of John B. Beau-
bien, taught a small family school near the garrison, and among
the pupils were J. B. and Mark Beaubien and probably other chil-
dren from the garrison. In June, 1830, Stephen Forbes taught a
school near Randolph street and Michigan avenue. The building
stood on the west bank of the Chicago river near its mouth. At
that date the Chicago river turned south and emptied into the lake
near the foot of Madison street. This school is reported to have
been one of the best ever taught here in early years. There were in
attendance about twenty-five scholars ranging in ages from four
to twenty years. The teacher was employed by J. B. Beaubien and
Lieutenant Hunter. Mrs. Forbes assisted her husband in con-
ducting the school. The building in which this school was taught
was owned by Mr. Beaubien. It had previously been occupied by a
sutler of the fort. The building was large and gloomy and con-
tained five rooms. The walls were covered with a tapestry of white
cotton sheeting, for what purpose has never been revealed. The fol-
lowing year a Mr. Fbote taught a term in the same building. In
1833 a school was taught by John Watkins at the corner of North
Water and Wolcott streets, and later the same teacher taught a term
in a building on the river bank at North Clark street.
100
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 101
Probably the most important early school in Chicago was the
one for small children taught in the fall of 1833 by Miss Eliza
Chappel on South Water street near Fort Dearborn. The following
year she taught in the Presbyterian church ; a little later she was
succeeded by Mrs. Ruth Leavenworth. It is said that John S. Wright
at his own expense erected a building for the last named teacher.
Concerning the school taught by Miss Chappel the Chicago Press
of April 22, 1858, said : "The stipend must have been small indeed
as the whole product of the sale of the school sections in the center
of the city was but $38,865, and sold on a credit of one, two and
three years. The value of this land now (1858) may be estimated
by our readers when we state that the four blocks remaining are
at present valued at $700,000 that which was sold overreaching
the sum of $12,000,000." In the fall of 1833 G. T. Sproat opened
an English and classical school under the name of the Chicago
Academy in the First Baptist church on South Water street near the
river forks. In 1834 Henry Van Derbogart also taught a term in
the village. He was succeeded by Thomas Wright and the latter
by James McClellan. A Miss Warren was an assistant to these
male teachers from 1834 to 1836, inclusive.
By act of February 15, 1831, the sale of the sixteenth sections
throughout the State was provided for, but not until petitioned for
by three-fourths of the white male inhabitants of each township
over twenty-one years of age, and not at all unless such township
should contain at least fifty white inhabitants. It was made the
duty of the township trustee to sell the school lands; none was to
be sold for less than $1.25 per acre. The county commissioners
were directed to fix the rate of interest at which the school funds
should be sold. Five citizens of a township, by uniting and becom-
ing responsible, could borrow school money, to be used in construct-
ing a schoolhouse.
In 1834 a Miss W. Wythe taught a school for young ladies and
gave special instruction in music. In October, 1834, portions of
Section 16, Township 35, Range 10, was advertised to be sold at
auction by R. J. Hamilton, commissioner of schools. In 1834 and
1835 public meetings were held here and through the whole of
Illinois for the purpose of securing a uniform system of common
school education. This movement resulted in the State educational
convention held at Vandalia in 1834. The outcome of this move-
ment was the establishment of the present common school system in
the State. A large public meeting or convention was held in Chi-
cago during this period for the purpose of ascertaining the atti-
tude of Chicago toward the proposed common school system.
This educational convention of the citizens of Cook county was
held at the Presbyterian church, November 24, 1834, "to take into
consideration the subject of common school education and to ap-
point delegates to attend the State educational convention to be
102 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
held at Vandalia on the 5th of December. J. C. Goodhue was ap-
pointed chairman of the convention and Thomas Wright secretary.
Henry Moore delivered the principal address on "Common School
Education." R. Stewart, J. H. Collins, and Dr. J. T. Temple were
appointed to prepare resolutions expressive of the sense of the
meeting. Two of the resolutions were as follows :
"Resolved, That we deem a uniform system of common school
education as indispensable to the preservation of our nation, and
therefore earnestly recommend to our fellow citizens of the State
the adoption of such a system. Resolved, That three delegates be
appointed to attend the State convention to be held at Vandalia."
Col. R. J. Hamilton, Col. J. T. V. Owen, and Dr. J. T. Temple
were chosen as such delegates. There were present at the conven-
tion also Rev. Mr. Truman, Mr. Russell, Dr. Clark, Joseph Naper,
Mr. Freeman, Mr. Peck, and many others of the best citizens.
A big meeting on the same subject was held a little before this
date at Naperville. It was presided over by Joseph Naper, chair-
man and Nathan Allen, Jr., secretary. Henry Horn addressed the
meeting at length on educational subjects. It was resolved to send
two delegates to the Cook county educational convention.
By act of January 31. 1835, the commissioner of the school lands
of Cook county was authorized to loan to the county of Cook a sum
of money not exceeding $12,000 out of the funds of Township 39
north, Range 14 east, of the Third Principal Meridian, in said
county, at not less than 10 per cent. The money thus raised was
directed to be used in the erection of a courthouse in Chicago; and
for the repayment of this loan the said courthouse, the ground on
which it would stand, and the revenues of the county were pledged.
The method was left discretionary with the county commissioners.
The loan was authorized for ten years. The commissioners of Cook
county were directed to provide a revenue to pay the interest on
this loan and the corporation of Chicago was made liable for one-
fourth of the interest due on the debt. The commissioner of school
lands was empowered to loan the school funds on first mortgage on
real estate of double value of the sum loaned.
By act of February 6, 1835, full provision for the election of five
or seven persons to be school inspectors of Township 39 north,
Range 14 east, in Cook county, was made. The county commis-
sioners, upon recommendation of such inspectors, were directed to
divide the township into school districts. The inspectors were re-
quired to visit and inquire into the conduct of the schools. It was
provided that each school district should elect annually three trus-
tees, two of their duties being to see that such schools were free
and that the teachers were competent. Each school district was
given full corporate powers, and two districts could unite to build
a common schoolhouse.
Another early teacher in 1834 and 1835 was George Davis, who
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 105
taught over a store on Lake street, and also in the Presbyterian
church on Clark street. Mr. Davis lived in Chicago until 1858.
In 1835 John Watkins taught a successful school in one of the
churches.
Late in 1835 the number of schools public and private was in-
creased to seven with a total attendance of a few over 300. It must
be admitted, however, that the public schools did not receive proper
attention until the autumn of 1839, and they were not pronounced
wholly efficient until 1841. After that date the schools of Chicago
would compare with those of any city having the same population.
In August, 1835, Hiram Evarts opened a high school for young
gentlemen in this city. The term was for eleven weeks and the
tuition was as follows : English branches, $5 ; high English, $6 ;
Latin and Greek, $8. About the same time Charles Hunt opened
here a high school for young ladies. His term also was for eleven
weeks and the tuition was as follows : English branches, $6 ; high
English, $7; Latin, Greek and French, $8. Late in 1835 the school
inspectors of Township 39, Range 14, pursuant to law divided the
.township into the following school districts: District 1 all north
of Chicago river and east of the North branch ; District 2 all be-
tween La Salle and Wells streets and the South branch ; District
3 all east of La Salle and south of Madison streets ; District 4 all
east of La Salle and north of Madison streets. An election of three
trustees for each district was ordered, also a public examination of
teachers was announced to be held in November, 1835, at the office
of Mr. Peck.
The school taught here by Miss Frances L. Willard late in 1835
seems to have been unusually efficient and popular. The trustees
in charge of her school were J. T. Hinton, J. W. Hallam, J. T.
Mitchell, D. Wilcox, Peter Bolles, John Wright and W. H. Brown.
In July, 1836, at a public celebration Miss Willard thanked the citi-
zens of Chicago for their liberal patronage and announced that
Miss L. M. Gifford had been employed as her assistant, and further
announced that twenty more young ladies could be accommodated
at her school. This school was in the Wright building.
In November, 1835, there were four regular village schools and
two well patronized private schools. In 1836 John Brown taught
a successful private school at Dearborn and Wolcott streets. He
was succeeded in the same building by Edward Murphy, who, it
is said, awed his pupils with an oak stick ten feet long and one
inch in diameter. Murphy seems to have been a teacher of unusual
capability. This must be said notwithstanding his belief in corpo-
ral punishment. He continued to teach for several years and about
1838 was paid as high as $800 a year. In 1837 schools began to
be taught on the West Side. Among the early teachers there was
Horam Baker. About this time on the South Side schools were
taught by Samuel Bennett, Sarah Kellogg and C. S. Bailey. The
latter also taught on the West Side.
Vol. II 7.
106 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Thus far the best schools of the village were those of a private
character. The free school system was just being put into operation
and all admitted that the first schools of the system were very
crude and in need of improvement. The private schools even at this
date were the boast of the citizens and the pride of the teachers.
Of course the early citizens of Chicago did not know that the
city would grow so rapidly and in a short time become so large.
Had they been aware of this fact they would never have consented
to the sale of a large portion of the city school lands for $38,865
when in a few years the same would be worth many millions of dol-
lars. The children of that date needed education and as the parents
and the city were poor the land was sold for what it would bring,
and the proceeds were used to educate the first children of the city.
Ten years later the school land would scarcely have been sold at any
figure. As it is, that early sale has always been considered a sac-
rifice. Had such a sale not been made it is probable that the pres-
ent large taxation for school purposes would not be necessary.
The act of 1839 transferred the care of the school fund from the
County Commissioners' court to the Chicago city council. Upon
the formation of the city into school districts there had been ap-
pointed for the whole city seven inspectors and for each district
three trustees. In 1840 W. H. Brown was the school agent. The
board of inspectors appointed by the council in 1840 were as fol-
lows : William Jones, J. Y. Scammon, I. N. Arnold, N. H. Bolles,
John Gray, J. H. Scott and Hiram Hugunin. At this date the prin-
cipal teachers of the four city school districts were A. J. Rumsey,
H. B. Perkins, A. D. Sturtevant and A. C. Dunbar. These teach-
ers were paid a salary of $33.33 each per month.
In the annual distribution of school, college and seminary funds
to the counties in 1839, Cook county received $1,326.89. It was
provided in the act of March 11, 1839, that the school lands and
school funds of Township 39 north, Range 14 east, of the Third
Principal Meridian, should be vested in the city of Chicago and full
power was given the Chicago council to preserve and care for the
same; they were not permitted to impair the principal nor divert
the interest from the support of the schools. The school commis-
sioners were directed to turn over to the Chicago council all books,
notes, papers, mortgages, etc., belonging to the school fund. Power
was given the common council to raise sufficient additional fund, by
taxation, to build schoolhouses, establish, support and maintain
common and public schools, and provide for the payment of teachers.
Taxes for this purpose were to be levied and collected as other
taxes. They were also empowered to fix the pay of teachers, pre-
scribe the text books to be used and the studies to be taught, and
generally to govern and manage the schools. It was further pro-
vided that "the said common council shall annually appoint seven
persons for inspectors of common schools and three persons in
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 107
each district to be trustees of common schools in and for said
district, whose powers and duties shall be prescribed by said com-
mon council." By this act Township 39 was exempted from certain
provisions of the act of March 4, 1837, concerning the city of
Chicago.
It was provided in the act of March 2, 1839, that "the survey
and plat of the subdivision of Block 30, in the school section addi-
tion to the town of Chicago in the county of Cook, as made and
recorded at the instance of Russell E. Heacock, be vacated and
set aside; and that the subdivision of said block, as made and
recorded at the instance of Francis G. Blanchard, be and the same
is hereby declared to be the legal and proper subdivision of the
same."
In April, 1839, Rev. R. I. Hinton opened a select school for
young ladies in this city and called the same the "Chicago Female
Seminary." The school was located in the First Baptist church.
He advertised to teach English, Latin and French, ancient and
modern languages, history, physiology and moral science. About
this time Chicago became deeply interested in educational matters.
A Mr. Taylor, from the East, lectured here on educational subjects
and introduced Town's New Spelling book, which gave the mean-
ing of all words. This book was considered a valuable acquisition
to the school literature of that era.
"Mr. Taylor in his lecture last evening paid a justly merited
tribute to our worthy fellow citizen, Nathan H. Bolles, for his
zealous services and interest in the cause of common school edu-
cation. This tribute to merit was received by the audience with
approbation. To Mr. Bolles more than to any other citizen of
Chicago (and we mean not to disparage his useful co-laborers)
are our common schools indebted for the attention and improve-
ment which they have received among us." (American, June 26,
1839.)
In May, 1840, a Miss Bayne opened a school for young ladies^
in this city.
The act of January 31, 1840, made it the duty of the school
commissioners to distribute the school funds to the teachers and
township treasurers in their respective counties at the county seats
by giving four weeks' notice of such distribution. On January 18,
1840, an act provided that a majority instead of two-thirds of the
legal voters of a township could secure the incorporation of such
township. By act of February 3, 1840, unincorporated townships
sending children to school in incorporated townships were required
to pay for such attendance. Children residing in different town-
ships or in different counties from where they attended school
were required to pay for such attendance. Teachers were required
to keep schedules or abstracts of the attendance.
In November, 1840, the first really good educational facilities
108 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
were provided in Chicago. Teachers were paid $100 per quarter
of three months. There was not a good school building, however,
until 1843, at which date one opposite McVicker's theater on Madi-
son street was built. Ira Miltimore, alderman, had demanded it,
and it was called "Miltimore's Folly." It was so big that it was not
thought it could ever be filled with children, so the mayor in a
message to the council recommended that it be used as an insane
asylum. It became the famous Dearborn school. One year later
another was needed and was built at Clark street and Harmon
court. In 1845 the Kinzie school, on Ohio street, near La Salle,
was erected, and in 1846 another on West Madison street, near
Halsted, later called the Scammon school, was built.
In January, 1842, the school section in Elk Grove township was
advertised to be sold at public auction by the school commissioner.
In February, 1842, the total school fund of Chicago amounted to
$42,883.77. About this time the school section in Jefferson town-
ship was also advertised for sale by the school commissioner. In
November, 1841, the school commissioner advertised that the school
section in Barrington township would be sold at auction during
that month. It was in 1842 that the city school board determined
to try the experiment of teaching music in all of the public schools
of the city. Accordingly, Mr. N. Gilbert was employed and con-
tinued throughout the year to give instruction in music in the four
city school districts. The experiment, of course, should have been
continued. After the lapse of a year or two the teaching of music
was renewed at the earnest request of pupils and citizens. The
American of August 19, 1841, contained the following notice:
"In reference to Chicago, some at least of our citizens have
manifested a most praiseworthy and never-to-be-forgotten zeal in
this matter of common schools. The names of William H. Brown
and William Jones in particular are entitled to lasting and honora-
ble record."
"Resolved, That the school inspectors be and they are hereby
authorized to divide the schools and employ.female teachers in such
of the school districts as they shall see proper, and that they employ
a teacher of music for the schools." (American, April 4, 1842.)
In 1842 a general exhibition of all the schools of Chicago was
held at the Presbyterian church. ' At this exhibition the school
inspectors reported that music had been taught twice a week
throughout the year with excellent results. They announced that
both teachers and scholars had been benefited thereby. At this
time J. Y. Scammon was secretary of the Board of School Com-
missioners.
The legislative act of 1841 required the school commissioners
of Cook county to pay to the school commissioners of Will,
DuPage, McHenry and Lake counties their share of the interest
from the school, college and seminary fund with the population
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 109
of 1840 as a basis. The citizens of Cook county regarded this act
as unfair, owing to the fact that much of the money had been spent
in those counties prior to their formation.
In May, 1842, a Miss Dodge conducted a select school in Thomp-
son's brick building on the Fort Dearborn reservation.
By the summer of 1842 eight common schools were conducted in
Chicago. At this time there were a total of about 550 scholars. In
addition there were six or seven excellent private schools. At the
same time there were in the city, lyceums, reading rooms, musical
societies, mechanics' institutes, circulating libraries, etc.
In 1842 Congress passed an act confirming the sale of Section
16, Township 38, Range 14 (Hyde Park).
In October, 1842, J. H. Smith conducted a select and classical
school. About the same time Charles W. lilies opened a classical
school and advertised to teach French, German, Greek and Hebrew.
This school was taught at Hart's residence on Wells street, and the
tuition per term was $12.
The act of March 3, 1843, provided that the recorder of Cook
county be authorized to certify upon the map of the school section
recorded in his office in Book A, page 315, that the same was the
plat of the school section addition to the city of Chicago, and other-
wise authorized him to correct any defects in said map. The com-
mon council was authorized to resurvey said school section and
make the same correspond with the map. This law also empowered
the council to enforce all rules, ordinances and police regulations by
the imposition of fines and imprisonment. The same act provided
that "the southeast and northeast quarters of the southwest quar-
ter, southwest and northwest quarters of the southeast quarter of
Section 5, Township 39 north, Range 14 east, and the west half of
the northeast quarter of Section 8, Township 39 north. Range 14
east, be stricken out of the corporate limits of the city of Chicago."
The act of December 23, 1844, created and established "The
University of St. Mary of the Lake," with the following incorpo-
rators: George A. Hamilton, John Faughman, William Quarter,
Walter J. Quarter, Bernard McGorisk, Jeremiah Kinsella, Patrick
McMahon, John Ingoldsby and Thomas McDonnell. It was lo-
cated "in or near the city of Chicago."
In 1843 the mayor in his inaugural address stated that the
schools of the city were flourishing greatly under the efficient man-
agement of the board of inspectors and the school agent. He stated
that so large had become the number of scholars demanding in-
struction that it was imperatively necessary to create new school
districts and erect new school buildings. He also stated that a high
school had been planned during the previous year. He recom-
mended that such plans should be investigated and nlso that the
system of instruction in the city schools should be thoroughly ex-
amined with the view of effecting any needed improvements. He
110 , HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
recommended a one mill tax for school purposes and further recom-
mended that, if necessary, money should be borrowed temporarily
for the benefit of the city schools.
"By centering our eye the other day upon the financial report
of our city for the present year we were astonished to find that the
school fund was now receiving $517 yearly income from the leas-
ing of the school block. This block had been lying perfectly idle
till rented under the administration of our present mayor for the
above sum." (Chicago Democrat, February 24, 1844.)
In 1845 Mrs. and Miss Whiting conducted a day and boarding
school for young ladies and taught English branches, needlework,
French, higher mathematics, Latin, German, drawing, flower paint-
ing and music on the piano. They advertised to furnish board at
$2.50 per week. In October, 1845, George F. Wilson opened an
English and classical school.
In the spring of 1846 the school section of Palos township was
offered for sale by George Manierre, school agent.
The act of February 27, 1847, incorporated the University of
Chicago, to be located in or near the city. The incorporators were
Thomas Dyer, Walter L. Newberry, Francis C. Sherman, J. Young
Scammon, Alexander M. Stewart, Hugh T. Dickey, R. T. Swift,
Benjamin W. Raymond, Charles M. Gray, William B. Ogden,
Alonzo Huntington, Peter Page, Buckner S. Morris, the mayor of
Chicago and the judge of the Cook County court, the latter two
x-officio. The institution was given all the powers usually con-
ferred upon schools of the kind to provide courses of study, grant
degrees, etc.
By act of February 27, 1847, the St. Francis Xavier Female
Academy of Chicago was incorporated, the incorporators being
Margaret O'Brien, Catherine McGuire, Mary A. McGuire, Eliza
Corbett, Ellen Reilley, Mary Mulhallan and Eva Smith.
On February 27, 1847, the Chicago Bethel association was in-
corporated, designed to be a bethel church and a sailors' home.
The incorporators were Grant Goodrich, Orrington Lunt, Charles
Walker, Levi D. Boone, Tuthill King, Sylvester Lind, Benjamin
W. Raymond and William H. Brown.
SCHOOLS, 1847. Pupils.
Districts 1 and 2, A. W. Ingalls, principal 600
District 3, M. Ballard, principal 300
District 4, A. G. Wilder, principal 500
A sum accrued to the school fund of Illinois in consequence of
the state's having the right to tax government land for five years
after sale, but about 1846-47 this law was repealed and no more
funds were received. Thomas Dyer, receiver here, obtained $9,000
of this fund in January, 1847.
The University of St. Mary of the Lake, Rev. J. A. Kmsella,
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 111
president, was incorporated in 1847. Several school lots on the
North Side were sold at auction in November, 1847. The Chicago
Academy, with George F. Wilson principal, began its winter term
in November, 1847. Mrs. C. Wilson was his assistant.
The school inspectors in the spring of 1848 were G. W. Meeker,
D. Mcllroy, E. S. Kimberly, A. Peck, G. W. Southworth and
W. E. Jones. An important and interesting public school examina-
tion was held January 15, 1848. At this date there was one big
school building in each of the three divisions.
During the '40s the school sections of Wheeling township,
Schaumburg township and other subdivisions of the county were of-
fered at public sale. Late in the '40s George Manierre was school
commissioner of Cook county. He had the most to do with the sale
of the school sections throughout the county. In October, 1848,
there were nineteen private schools in this city in addition to the
public schools. The city at that time contained four regular school
districts, but districts Nos. 1 and 2 were united. In addition there
had been established a school at Bridgeport and one near the resi-
dence of Mr. Jackson. The average attendance in 1848 was as
follows: Districts 1 and 2, 605 ; District 3, 363 ; District 4 (N. S.),
398 ; Jackson's, 75 ; Bridgeport, 43 ; total average attendance, 1 ,484.
At this time the total enrollment was 1,949.
In 1848 the people of District 2 urgently demanded a new school-
house. The building was crowded to suffocation and even the attic
was used and was likewise crowded.
"Cook presents a better condition than any county in the State,
so far as school funds are concerned ; but as regards schoolhouses
and teachers there are other counties far ahead of her in these
respects." (Democrat, February 9, 1849.)
CITY SCHOOLS, 1849.
Scholars Teachers
SCHOOLS. Enrolled. Employed. Teachers' Pay.
1 474 6 $1,627.75
2 439 4 1,386.43
3 532 5 1,513.59
4 515 5 1,462.13
Totals 1,960 20 $5,989.90
The average attendance was only 1,273.
In May, 1849, Miss Beecher, of the National Educational society,
visited Chicago in the interest of education generally. The society
with which she was connected sent to the West large numbers of
trained teachers. Ex-Governor Slade, of Vermont, was the presi-
dent of that society. He came here in May, 1849. with eleven
trained young lady teachers, all of whom were found positions
here or elsewhere in the West. At this time it was claimed that
Chicago had more free schools according to population than any
112 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
other city in the world. This claim, however, should be taken with
some grains of allowance.
"The Public Schools. There are over 8,000 children in Chicago
of suitable age to attend school. Provision is made for only about
2,000 in the free schools." (Democrat, July 26, 1849.)
During August, 1849, a new schoolhouse was in process of erec-
tion at the corner of Clark and Harrison streets.
In February, 1849, the following was the condition of the Cook
county schools: Number of school districts, 53; number of schools,
91; schools taught by males, 37; schools taught by females, 20;
number of scholars, 4,621 ; number of children under twenty years,
10,746; amount of school fund, $48,988; fund raised by ad valorem
taxation, $7,500; number of schoolhouses, 41; average wages per
month for male teachers, $13 ; average wages per month for female
teachers, $6.
In 1849 the school agent reported that during the years 1845 to
1848, $15,048.22 had been lost on bad loans.
In the fall of 1850 Catherine Beecher came to Chicago in the
interest of trained teachers who desired positions in the West :
William H. Brown, school agent, reported as follows:
On hand February 21, 1848 $ 694.68
Received during the year 1848-49 10,752.88
Total $11,447.56
Expenses 9,464.29
Balance on hand $1,983.27
The receipts were as follows :
Principal $ 2,787.00
Interest 4,192.43
Rents 1,079.21
From city of Chicago 1,000.00
State dividends 1,694.24
Total $10,752.88
In 1850 George Manierre, county commissioner of schools, called
a convention of the teachers of Cook county to be held at Chicago
on November 27. At this convention twelve towns were repre-
sented. William Young, of Thornton, served as chairman and
Alanson St. Clair and Michael Gormley as secretaries. One of the
objects of this convention was to select a uniform series of school-
books for the whole county. After a laborious discussion of nine
hours the following schoolbooks were selected : Webster's spelling
book, Sanders' readers, Colburn's first arithmetics, Day and Thomp-
son's advanced arithmetics, Bullion's grammar, Mitchell's geogra-
phy and Willard's history of the United States. During the con-
vention every subject connected with county education was dis-
cussed in detail. The convention recommended certain changes in
the law concerning the system and the government of schools in
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
113
Cook county. Inasmuch as only twelve towns were represented at
this convention, it was not expected that its proceedings would be
binding upon the whole county, which had twenty-six towns. The
convention appointed the following permanent business committee :
George Manierre, William Bross, Alanson St. Clair, George M.
Huntoon and M. L. Dunlap.
STATISTICS OF THE SCHOOLS OF CHICAGO FROM 1841 TO NOVEMBER 1, 1851.
YEAR
School Tax
Paid by
City
Revenue of
School
Fund from
Other
Sources
Expendi-
tures Made
by School
Agent
Number of
Children
Taught in
Public
Schools
Value of School Fund
TOTAL
Cash and
Securities
Real
Estate
1841
1842
1843
1844"
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851
$1,984.89
1,530.21
1,232.71
5,722.08
:3,090.38
4,455.40
5,155.58
5,761.83^
6,676.68
7,220.24
12,844.07
420
531
808
915
1,051
1,107
1,317
1,517
1,794
1,919
2,017
$ 947.83
2,317.15
4,964.91
5,611.35
4,901.28
6,440.13
6,118.48
6,200.70
6,771.17
5,384.14
$4,284.27
4,575.91
3,621.19
5,113.89
5,635.87
4,248.76
5,790.82
4,896.17
6,037.97
5,705.93
$55,939.69
57,719.69
53,625.76
$113,000.00
124,000.00
150.000.00
$ 168,939.69
181,719.69
203,625.76
After 1847 the expenses of the school agent were confined to incidentals
and the payment of teachers. After 1847 other expenses such as construction,
fuel, janitor, etc., we,re paid by the common council.
"The crowded state of the schools during a large portion of the
year, and the large number of children in the streets, whose time
is worse than wasted for the want of schools within their reach,
would serve to admonish us of the necessity of providing more ample
means of public instruction. It is believed to be a duty, as it un-
doubtedly is the true policy, to provide for the free education of all
the children of suitable age in the city. To do this a constant in-
crease of expenditure will be requisite. At least two schoolhouses
should be erected the next season, and there can be little doubt but
one or more will need to be added every year thereafter to meet the
wants of our rapidly increasing population. To erect these houses,
furnish them, and supply them with teachers will require more
money each year than the tax of one mill on the dollar now allowed
by law will furnish. A considerable portion of the real estate be-
longing to the school fund is at present unproductive. It may be
well to inquire whether these lands should not be made to yield
a revenue by being rented at such prices as would insure their per-
manent occupancy. A heavier tax under an amended charter may
be advisable." (Democrat, December 7, 1850.)
"It is believed that if the teachers were required to occupy a
portion of their time on Saturday by holding a teachers' institute,
the result would appear in the improved condition of the schools."-
( Recommended by the Democrat as an amendment to the city school
ordinances.)
114 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
"There are in the county, twenty-six towns, each having four
school officers, making 104, or, including the seven inspectors of
schools for the city, 111." (Democrat, December 11, 1850.)
During the years 1850-51 Frank Lumbard was instructor of
music in the public schools. The following was the condition of the
city schools for the month ending January 24, 1851:
South division, District 1, attendance 480
South division, District 2, 'attendance 439
West division, District 3, attendance 600
North division, District 4, attendance 532
Total 2,051
In February, 1851, George Manierre, school commissioner, ad-
vertised for sale the school section in the township of Hyde Park.
It was located about five miles south of the city and one side fronted
on State street. About the same time he also advertised the school
section of Township 36, Range 14, Thornton township. He called
attention to the fact that a turnpike ran across the western part of
the section. In August, 1851, contracts for two new schoolhouses,
to be located on the North and West sides, were let to contractors.
At this time the school tax here was 15 cents on the $100.
The following resolutions were passed by the city council in Oc-
tober, 1851:
"WHEREAS, The Board of Inspectors of common schools, in com-
pliance with an ordinance of the common council, did in December
last adopt certain resolutions providing for and requiring the estab-
lishment of a teachers' institute and making it the duty of all the
teachers employed in the schools to attend the same for the purpose
of their improvement as teachers; and,
"WHEREAS, The improved condition of the schools and the in-
creasing degree of success with which the different branches of
study are taught sufficiently demonstrate the usefulness of the insti-
tute and the prosperity as well as necessity of its continuance ; there-
fore,
"Resolved, That it is the duty of all the teachers in the public
schools of this city to attend the meetings of the institute with
promptness and regularity; and that no reason for non-attendance
will hereafter be deemed satisfactory which would not be sufficient
excuse for the non-performance of any other portion of their duties
as teachers." (Democrat, October 29, 1851.)
"The public schools of this city have never been in better condi-
tion than at the present time. There are, we learn, nearly 1,900
children in attendance." (Democrat, December 8, 1851.)
During the month of June, 1852, the attendance at the public
schools of the city was as follows : First district. 325 ; second, 265 :
third, 390; fourth, 382; fifth, 115: sixth. 127. For the month
of September, 1852, the attendance was reported as follows: First
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 115
district, 285 ; second, 222 ; third, 357 ; fourth, 380 ; fifth, 96 ; sixth,
169. In September, 1852, Mr. Waughop, school commissioner,
sold the school section in Bremen township for $3,300. The whole
amount was immediately loaned at 10 per cent, interest. In Decem-
ber, 1852, the first Teachers' association of the county was formed.
In 1852 Rev. Byrd Parker, pastor of the African Methodist Epis-
copal church, established a school for colored children in this city.
In 1852 Cook county received as its share of the interest on the
school, college and seminary fund $2,358.46, and for 1853 $2,-
367.19.
In February, 1853, W. H. Brown, who had been school agent of
the county for thirteen years, resigned. The Democratic Press of
February 9 said : "He deserves and doubtless will receive the
thanks of every parent in the community for the faithful discharge
of those duties in which they and their children have so deep an
interest."
In December, 1853, a State convention of teachers was held at
Bloomington. Among the Chicagoans in attendance were the fol-
lowing: H. L. Lewis, W. H. Bigelow, Miss C. S. Smith, Miss
Childs, Henry H. Lee, Prof. W. Goodfellow, R. N. Porter. D. C.
Ferguson, Miss E. McClure, Miss A. M. Day, Miss J. Graves,
F. A. Benham and C. G. Hawthorn.
"The common schools of Chicago are the pride and the glory
of the city. We have now six large public school edifices, two in
each division of the city. From 300 to 700 children are daily gath-
ered in each." (Annual Review of Chicago, January, 1854.)
In addition, the city had many private schools and seminaries,
also an excellent commercial college, conducted by Judge Bell.
In January, 1854, so popular had become the Chicago Female
Seminary that they raised by subscription, for building purposes,
the sum of $30,000.
In January, 1854, at a large educational meeting held here, reso-
lutions .favorable to the establishment of a State industrial uni-
versity and normal school were passed. The meeting also favored
the establishment of a State superintendent of public instruction.
Early in 1854 the school attendance in Chicago was as follows :
First district, 601; Second, 607; Third. 565; Fourth, 606; Fifth,
336; Sixth, 516; Seventh, 52; total, 3,283.
In March, 1854, Mr. Philbrick refused to accept the appointment
of superintendent of city schools, whereupon John C. Dore was
nominated for that position. In the spring of 1854 the city school
inspectors were as follows : South division, E. C. Larned, F. Mose-
ley, J. H. Foster; North division, A. J. Brown, G. W. Mellecker;
West division, T. B. Dwyer and S. M. Wilson.
In the spring of 1854 M. W. Edwards, of Springfield, became the
first State superintendent of public instruction.
In December, 1854, the County Teachers' Institute was held in
this city. Dr. Gregory lectured to the teachers assembled.
116 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
On December 11, 1854, Alderman Evans, of the committee on
schools, presented to the city council a report in favor of the estab-
lishment of a high school in connection with the free schools of the
city. The report was concurred in and immediate steps to com-
mence such a school were taken.
In January, 1855, the Garrett Biblical Institute of Evanston was
formally opened, with Rev. Dr. Dempster as principal. His inaugu-
ral address was on the subject of "The Necessity of a . Specific and
Thorough Education to Qualify the Christian Ministry for Its
Work." Among those present- at the opening services were Rev.
Dr. Evans, Rev. Burroughs, Rev. P. Judson, Rev. J. V. Watson
and others.
The interest on the school, college and seminary fund and the
amount of school tax fund distributed to Cook county in 1855 was
$32,874.13.
In January, 1855, the city council passed an ordinance for the
establishment of a high school. It was provided that it should be
under the control of the Board of Inspectors, and it was further
provided that the principal should be paid a salary of $1,500, a
male assistant $1,000 and female assistants $600 each.
In March, 1855, the city had seven public schools, thirty-five
teachers and about 3,000 scholars in attendance. A great improve-
ment in the conduct of the schools was reported at this date. At
this time it was decided that no more school land belonging to the
city should be sold, but that all should be rented. It was estimated
that the city school land which had been previously sold was worth
$6,000,000. For this reason mainly it was resolved to part with no
more of the city school land at any price.
At a city public school exhibition held in March, 1855, under the
management of John A. Dore, city school superintendent, the
program embraced select reading, recitations, declamations, speak-
ing and singing. In March, 1855, the school agent made the fol-
lowing report of the Chicago schools:
Loaned on personal security $ 7,246.81
Loaned on personal mortgage 34.649.68
Total $ 41,896.49
Chicago school lands worth 475.000.00
Outside school lands 25,000.00
Total real estate $500,000.00
Cash 41,800.00
Wharfing privileges 150,000.00
Entire school fund $691,800.00
At this time two new schools, one at Bull's Head and one on
Union street, were opened for the first time. These new school-
houses had been ordered built near Union park and at the corner
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 117
of O'Brien and Union streets, to accommodate 150 scholars each.
"It affords your committee peculiar pleasure to be able to say that
several of our public schools are now equal if not superior to any
others to be found in the city," said the Democrat.
In about 1855 bids for the new high school building were called
for. It was located on Monroe street, west of Division, and by
August was well advanced toward completion. In November,
1855, evening schools were started in several of the districts. The
high school building was estimated to cost $33,072 and the whole
structure completed at about $40,000. Upon the opening of the
high school there resulted a vigorous contest as to who should be
admitted thereto. It was desired that the scholars in the grammar
schools having the best standing should receive the appointment.
Four times as many as could be admitted made application. In
October, 1856, the high school opened with 113 selected pupils.
Charles A. Dupee was principal and J. Moore instructor of the nor-
mal department.
In the spring of 1856 J. C. Dore, superintendent of city schools,
resigned and William H. Wells was appointed in his place.
In September, 1856, Miss Stevens conducted a high school for
young ladies and called the same the Dearborn Female Seminary.
In October, 1856, a classic school for boys, to be conducted dur-
ing evenings, was established by Mr. Bruce.
In December, 1856, the State Teachers' association met in this
city. Many teachers were in attendance and great interest was
manifested. In December, 1856, the Northwestern Female college
at Evanston was burned to the ground. In February, 1857, so
great had been the growth of the city that two new school buildings
were imperatively demanded by the West division.
In the spring of 1857 there were in Chicago 17,100 children
between the ages of five and fifteen years. However, the attend-
ance at the public schools of children between those ages was only
8,306, showing that more than half of the children of that age did
not attend the public schools. At this date there were fifty-six
private schools in Chicago, with a total attendance of 3,850, between
the ages of five and fifteen years. The whole number enrolled at
the private schools was 4,400.
In 1851 the school census showed that there were in Chicago
12,111 children of school age. In October, 1853, the school census
showed the following number of children of school age in the city :
South division, 5,838; West, 6.285; North, 4,930; total, 17,053.
Upon the opening of the high school the course was divided into
three departments: Classic, English high, and Normal. Of
the 326 pupils from the public schools who were assigned for ad-
mission into the high school, only 141 passed. Late in 1856 the city
had nine public schools, each with a grammar and a primary depart-
ment. By about 1857 the number had increased to ten, with sixty
teachers and one musical instructor.
118 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Dearborn Seminary was incorporated by act of February 16,
1857, by E. S. Wilkins and others.
By act of January 30, 1857, the University of Chicago was in-
corporated by Stephen A. Douglas, William B. Ogden, Hiram A.
Tucker, Charles A. Walker, Samuel Hoard, James W. Woodworth,
Levi D. Boone, E. D. Taylor, John H. Kinzie, Robert H. Clarkson,
John C. Burroughs, Mason Brayman, Walter S. Gurnee, James
Dunlap, Ichabod Clark, Charles H. Roe, Elijah Gore, Henry S.
Weston, Simon C. Miner and Noyes W. Miner. A board of re-
gents was also appointed.
During 1857 two first-class schoolhouses were built and fur-
nished at a cost of about $28,000 each to accommodate about
1,200 or 1,300 scholars. One similar house had been built in
1856, so that in 1858 the schoolhouse capacity was about 2,500
greater than two years before in the spring of 1856. In the spring
of 1858 it was proposed to erect one new schoolhouse to accommo-
date from 800 to 1,000 additional scholars each one in the North
division or perhaps in the South division. It was proposed also to
erect a building outside of the Scammon school to accommodate
400 children. Even with these additional facilities it was estimated
that 3,000 children had not attended, 1,000 of whom would have
attended had there been room for them.
The whole number of different scholars attending the public
institutions during 1857-58, including high school, were, in round
numbers, 10,786.
STATEMENT APRIL, 1858.
Amount of real estate belonging to the school fund, within
the limits of the city estimated at $900,000
Amount of real estate outside the city 25,000
Money loaned, principal 52,000
Total $977,000
Increase of school fund for a year ending February 1, 1858, was:
Interest of $52,000 loaned $ 6,240.00
Rents 11,648.50
State dividend 18,255.60
Total $36,144.10
Amount paid out for salaries of teachers, school agents and
superintendents $36,079.18
Balance left over was 64.92
The whole cost of supporting the schools for 1857-58 was as fol-
lows:
Salary of teachers, school agents, and superintendents. . .$36,079
Incidentals, including fuel, repairs, care of buildings, office
expenses, etc 9,622
Rent of schoolhouses, including interest on buildings and
lots belonging to the city, estimated 17,000
Total .$62,701
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 119
On February 27, 1858, the Board of Education made the follow-
ing changes in the names of the city schools: Number 1 was
changed to Dearborn; Number 2, to Jones; Number 3, to Scam-
inon ; Number 4, to Kinzie ; Number 5, to Franklin ; Number 6, to
Washington; Number 7, to Moseley; Number 8, to Brown; Num-
ber 9, to Foster; Number 10, to Ogden.
As early as 1855 a number of prominent ladies of the city organ-
ized the Ladies' Industrial School association. The object was to
seek the neglected or abandoned children of the city and place them
under proper educational instruction. In 1858 this association
made the following report : The school on Indiana street was con-
ducted by Miss McLain, who had collected about 100 ragged, pro-
fane and wicked children and had furnished them a preliminary
education. On the West side on Union street, between Owen and
Fourth streets, Miss Martha Lake had opened a similar school in
March, 1857, and by 1858 had enrolled 268 scholars. Children not
properly clothed were supplied by the Ladies' society. In the South
division similar schools had made a corresponding advance. At
this date the officers of the Ladies' Industrial School association
were : A. S. Farnum, president ; Anna R. Bentley, secretary ; and
E. C. Farnum, treasurer. The following is an extract from their
report :
"Four years have passed since the organization of this associa-
tion. During that time, notwithstanding the many discourage-
ments that have arisen in the pathway of this most cherished enter-
prise, the ladies have endeavored by patient and persistent effort
to make it what it was designed to be, a permanent instrument of
usefulness to the neglected children of our city. At our last annual
report we had under our care four schools two in the North
division, at 'The Sands' and on Indiana street near the North
branch ; one in the West division, and one on New street in the
South division. These are all now in a flourishing condition, except
the one at 'The Sands,' which ceased with the dispersion of that
abandoned population during the summer."
In October, 1858, the children of school age in this city were
as follows: South division, 14,110; North division, 13,780; West
division, 18,855; total, 46,745. At this date Luther Haven was
president of the Board of Education, and W. H. Wells superin-
tendent of city schools.
In July, 1859, at the third anniversary of the Chicago high school
twenty students were graduated from the literary department and
four from the normal department.
During the '50s an important question concerning the disposal
of the public school fund was duly considered here. The Catholics
who paid school tax demanded the right to instruct their children
in the public schools in the Catholic religion, and when denied this
privilege demanded the right to their pro rata share of the public
school fund. In the end both demands were denied.
120 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
In April, 1860, the Cook county teachers' institute assembled
at Harlem station, on the Galena railway, seven miles from Chicago.
The object of the institute was to train Cook county teachers in the
best methods of instruction, etc. The institute was duly opened
by School Commissioner Eberhart. Among those in attendance
were D. S. Wentworth, S. M. Wilson, W. H. Wells, George Sher-
wood, A. J. Anderson, Benjamin Cutter, O. W. Herrick, W. Wood-
ard and others. State Superintendent N. Bateman lectured before
the institute. Many interesting exercises were conducted by the
teachers in attendance. One very instructive exercise on "The
First Day in School" was conducted by O. W. Herrick, of Harlem
school, and Miss Turner, of Brickton.
In July, 1860, the number of pupils in attendance at the high
school was 286. In 1859 there had been 245, and in 1858 148.
Of the 286 there were in the Classical department 139, in the
English department 112, and in the Normal department 35. It
was noted at this time that the high-school building would accom-
modate 360 pupils. Many others desired to attend, but for reasons
unknown the school board did not enlarge the facilities so that
others could be added to the number in attendance. In July, 1860,
George Howland was elected principal of the high school.
In June, 1856, the number of teachers in the city public schools
was 47; in February, 1861, the number was 135, and in March,
1862, the number was 160. From 1856 to 1862 seven new school-
houses had been completed, and two others were in process of
erection. On June 1, 1856, there were in attendance at the Chicago
public schools 2,785 scholars, and in March, 1862, there were
8,569. In 1861, 172 colored children were enrolled in the city.
In March, 1862, the number of children between the ages of five
and fifteen years in the city was 27,000. Of these there were
enrolled in the public schools 15,159, in private schools 7,750, and
not in any school 4,091. At this time the city school fund was as
follows : Real estate in the city, $900,000 ; real estate out of the
city, $25,000; money loaned, principal, $52,000; wharfing lot fund,
$29,180; total, $1,006,180.
The act of February 12, 1861, declared that the tax assessed in
1859 against District 23, Township 39 north, Range 14 east, Cook
county, for the constructon of a schoolhouse, was illegal, and the
money thus collected was ordered refunded.
During the years from 1860 to 1862, inclusive, there was an
enormous increase in the number of children in the city requiring
an education. The facilities were unequal to the requirements.
From all portions of the city came demands for additional school-
houses and teachers. The school board, owing to the hard times
during the war, came to the conclusion to meet these requirements
by constructing branch schoolhouses connected with the principal
school buildings. By 1862 four of these branch houses, each costing
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 123
about $4,000, had been erected. Each had six rooms and a capacity
of about 378 scholars each. They were located adjoining the
Washington, Kinzie, Franklin and Foster schools.
In 1860 Prof. J. F. Eberhart became county commissioner of
schools. During the months of October and November he vis-
ited nearly all of the schools of the county. At this time Palatine
was constructing a graded school building.
In July, 1861, the question of admitting colored children to the
city public schools was thoroughly discussed. It was asked, "If a
colored girl should be well qualified to enter the high school and
should pass the examination, should she be admitted?" The ques-
tion was discussed through the newspapers and was taken up by
the city council for final settlement. After the subject had been
thoroughly debated six of the Board of Education voted in favor
of the admission of colored children and three voted against such
admission. This vote was taken upon the specific case of a colored
girl who desired admission to the normal department of the high
school. The members of the board who voted against her admis-
sion were: Hoard, Moseley and Sheahan.
In March, 1861, Lind University closed its second year by grad-
uating twelve scholars.
In October, 1861, the Cook county teachers' institute was held
at Blue Island and among those in attendance were : J. F. Eberhart,
county commissioner of schools, R. Welch, D. B. Fonda, G. E. Dol-
ton, Mr. Chase and others. The daily papers in November noted
that on the 20th of that month 130 female school teachers from
all parts of the county were in the city to draw their monthly pay.
In April, 1862, W. L. Newberry donated in trust to the Newberry
school, which had been named after him, a $1,000 Chicago city
bond.
In September, 1862, the Cook county teachers' institute held two
sessions, one at Thornton on the Illinois Central railway and the
other at Dunton on the Northwestern railway. Many teachers were
in attendance at both sessions.
In September, 1862, the new Haven school was opened. Scholars
living south of Polk street and Peck court and north of Old street
were admitted. The grounds upon which this building rested cost
$11,250; the building cost $18,263; complete and furnished the
building cost $22,000.
Late in 1862 the following branch schools were being conducted :
Scammon, Foster, Washington, Franklin, Kinzie, Moseley and
Ogden.
The following is the average number of children attending all
of the public schools of Chicago, including the high school, for
the years mentioned: 1850, 1,224; 1851, 1,409; 1852, 1,521; 1853,
1,795; 1854, 1,629; 1855, 2,154; 1856, 3,688; 1857, 4,464; 1858,
5,516. In February, 1859, the number of scholars in private schools,
Vol. II 8.
124 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
according to a careful census, was 4,675. The number of teachers
connected with private schools was 119. The aggregate number
of children belonging to all the schools of Chicago in February,
1859, was as follows : Public schools, 12,875 ; private schools, 4,675 ;
total, 17,548. In 1856 the number of children attending private
schools was larger by fifty-nine than those who attended the public
schools. It was noted in 1859 that Chicago had spent from 1856 to
1858 inclusive a total of $160,000 for school buildings. The loca-
tions of the city schools were as follows :
Chicago high school, on Monroe between Halsted and Des
Plaines, Charles A. Dupee, principal ; Dearborn school, Madison
street between State and Dearborn, George D. Broomell, principal ;
Jones school, corner Clark and Harrison, Willard Woodard, prin-
cipal ; Scammon school, Madison between Halsted and Union, Dan-
iel S. Wentworth, principal ; Kinzie school, corner Ohio and La
Salle, Benjamin D. Slocum, principal ; Franklin school, corner Di-
vision and Sedgwick, Albert G. Lane, principal ; Washington school,
corner Owen and Sangamon, Benj. R. Cutter, principal; Moseley
school, Michigan and Monterey, Bradford Y. Averell, principal;
Brown school, corner Warren and Page, Henry M. Keith, prin-
cipal; Foster school, Union near Twelfth, George W. Spofford, prin-
cipal ; Ogden school, Chestnut between Dearborn and Wolcott,
George W. Dow, principal ; Newberry school, corner Orchard and
Willow, Curtis C. Meserve, principal ; School No. 12, Reuben and
Cornelia, Eugene L. Aiken, principal.
Report of Luther Haven, president of the Board of Education,
March, 1860:
Value of
SCHOOLS. Buildings.
High $ 35,200
Dearborn 5,000
Jones 6,000
Jones school branch 1.200
Scammon 6,000
Kinzie 5,000
Franklin 6,000
Ogden 23,800
Newberry 23,700
Washington >. 6,000
Brown 21,500
Foster 20,200
Foster branch 1,200
Skinner 27,200
Moseley 22,200
Number 12 1,200
Total $211,400
Value of school grounds $124,300
School furniture and fixtures 18,198
In March, 1860, Professor Dupee, principal of the high school,
reported adversely to the teaching of German in that institution.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 125
The total school expense of all public schools for the year ending
February 1, 1860, was as follows:
Salary of principal $ 1,800.00
Lowest of women teachers 250.00
Salary of teachers and superintendents 49,612.48
Salary of school agents 400.00
Labor, supplies, care of buildings, offices, fuel, repairs,
etc., office expenses, printing, etc 14,203.06
Rent of school buildings, furniture and lots, etc 19,095.76
Other rents 552.34
Total $ 83,834.19
Whole school fund $977,000.00
"The undersigned teachers, residents of the southern portion of
Cook county, wishing to promote the cause of popular education,
respectfully invite the teachers, school officers and other friends of
education, to meet with them in a convention to be held in the public
schoolhouse of Blue Island, on Saturday, the 27th day of October,
1860, at 2 o'clock p. M. The following among other propositions
will be submitted to the consideration of the convention.
"The formation of an association of teachers and others interested
in our public schools for mutual improvement.
"The holding of a series of educational meetings in different towns
with a view to awakening greater interest in our public schools.
"To take measures for holding a teachers' institute at such time
and place as shall best accommodate the teachers of our vicinity."
"Rodney Welch, Julius Briesen and Albert Broome, of Worth;
E. W. Jarrett, of Lake ; O. P. Rudd, of Bremen ; G. F. Codding, of
Palos ; H. Alexander, of Orland." (Press and Tribune, October 18,
1860.)
The educational movement carried out by Rev. Robert Collyer,
minister at large, should be particularly noted. He conducted a
free night school and a Sunday school for poor children. From Feb-
ruary, 1859, to February, 1860, he found homes for 128 boys and
girls between the ages of 6 and 14 years. He found situations dur-
ing the same period for 146 boys and men and 300 girls. The insti-
tute represented by him was founded in October, 1857, and was
organized to meet the needs of the Unitarian church.
By act of February 13, 1863, the Chicago University was given
power to establish an astronomical observatory. In September,
1863, J. F. Eberhart, school commissioner, reported that he had
visited since May 1, 1863, every school in the county to the number
of about 200, except about forty. He announced that good progress
was being made throughout the county in the cause of education.
He stated that teachers and parents showed greater interest in the
cause of education than ever before. However, he admitted there
were too many schools of a low standard yet in the county. At this
date he asked the county board to appropriate $100 to help defray
126 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
the expense of the Teachers' institute to be held a little later in two
sessions at Blue Island and Palatine.
The following was the number of teachers and pupils enrolled
September 7, 1863, when the city schools were opened for the com-
ing year:
SCHOOLS. Teachers. Pupils.
High 10 320
Dearborn 12 1,166
Jones 12 1,648
Scammon 12 1,137
Kinzie .13 1,273
Franklin 13 1,011
Washington 17 1,552
Moseley 12 1,367
Brown 10 817
Foster 19 1,865
Ogden 12 1,413
Newberry 9 929
No. 12 and branch 4 459
Skinner 21 2,295
Haven , ..13 269
Total 189 17,521
The Kinzie, Washington and Franklin schools had each an addi-
tional teacher and therefore could receive more scholars. At this
date there was an important mission school at the corner of Fourth
avenue and Taylor street. Late in 1863 it was transformed into a
colored school with an enrollment of 300 pupils. Previous to this
date 123 colored children were taught in the white schools of the
city. The greatest number were seventy in the Jones school and
the next greatest twenty-five in the Dearborn school.
The proposition to establish a colored school in the city met with
considerable opposition in the common council. Mr. Wentworth
raised the question of constitutionality under the black laws of
Illinois. He argued that if colored people could not under the law
settle in the State they could not have schools. The question was
finally referred to a committee. The committee reported in favor
of the establishment of a separate colored school and late in the
fall of 1863 it was duly opened.
In 1851 there were but four public schools in Chicago: they ac-
commodated 1,700 pupils. The next schoolhouse built was in 1856
when the Moseley building was erected. In 1857 the Brown and
Foster buildings were built; in 1858 the Newberry; in 1859 the
Skinner; in 1862 the Haven; and during 1862 five branches were
built. In 1857 the high school building was erected. In 1862 the
average attendance at the public schools was 8,295.
Under the new charter of 1862 two additional school districts
were added to the city as follows: Bridgeport with a plain, two-
story frame building and three teachers, the principal above and two
assistants below ; also a school building in South Chicago near
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 127
Camp Douglas. This building had two rooms and two teachers.
In addition a small school with one teacher had been opened in
Holstein on the west side of the North branch a little above the
Forks.
In October, 1863, the Board of Education decided to try the
experiment of starting two evening schools, one for girls and one
for boys, both located in the Dearborn school building on Madison
street, opposite McVicker's theater. By November 9, 100 scholars
had been enrolled.
The experiment of conducting night schools on a somewhat elab-
orate plan was continued. The results were so excellent that the
Board of Education resolved to establish five of such schools dur-
ing the winter of 1864-5 in connection with the Dearborn, Haven,
Foster, Washington and Franklin schools.
In 1862 the colored people established a school of their own,
but the attendance was limited. During the winter of 1863-4 they
again made the attempt and succeeded beyond their expectations.
The school was located at 640 West Lake street. A term of six
months was taught by a white teacher named Theodore J. Ellmore.
In January, 1863, a session of the Teachers' institute was held
at Blue Island. The session was both interesting and instructive.
Lectures, essays, discussions and practical recitations were the or-
der of business. A portion of this session was held in the stone
schoolhouse at Bachelor's grove beginning February 7, 1863.
In August, 1863, the National Teachers' association assembled in
this city. Many prominent educators from all parts of the country
were in attendance. It was considered one of the most important
events in the educational history of the county up to that date.
In August, 1863, Rev. Roswell Park, D. D., conducted a special
school for boys at Lake View and called his institution Immanuel
Hall.
"The many educational facilities of the city during the past year
have been strained to their utmost capacity. All the public schools
have been filled almost to overflowing and in many cases it has
been found absolutely necessary to procure other buildings to ac-
commodate the children," said the board. The total expense of
maintaining the city schools for the fiscal year 1863-4 was $95,551.
The enrollment was 15,451, average attendance 12.344; per cent,
of attendance 90. The names of the schools were High, Dearborn,
Jones, Scammon. Kinzie, Franklin. Washington, Moseley, Brown,
Foster, Ogden, Newberry. No. Twelve, Skinner, Haven, South
Chicago, Bridgeport, Holstein, Colored. There were 167 colored
children enrolled.
In October, 1864. the Cook county teachers' institute met at
Lyons and later at Blue Island. It was conducted by School Com-
missioner Eberhart and E. A. Angel of the Board of Education.
A session was also held at Barrington. The session at the latter
128
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
village was acknowledged to have been the best ever conducted in
the county up to that date.
On October 5, 1864, when the Board of Education was consid-
ering the advisability of excluding the colored children from the
public schools, the colored citizens held a mass meeting at Quinn
chapel and protested against such a procedure.
In December, 1864, J. F. Eberhart, county commissioner, re-
ported as follows to the State superintendent concerning the Cook
county schools : Number of school districts in the county, 192 ;
number of schools in the county, 199; number of schools in session
six months or more, 188; number of districts in which no schools
have been reported, 5; whole number of persons under 21 years of
age, 84,953; whites between five and twenty-one, 51,462; male
scholars in schools, 16,758; female scholars in schools, 15,575; num-
ber of male teachers, 123 ; number of female teachers, 408; number
of graded schools in county, 27; number of private schools in the
county, 68 ; number of scholars in private schools, 8,958 ; number of
school houses, 202 ; school land, unsold acres, 2,890 ; total receipts
for all school purposes, $180,054; teachers' wages, $139,252. In
November, 1864, the city superintendent made the following report
concerning the Chicago schools :
Average
SCHOOLS. Enrollment. Attendance.
High 342 312
Dearborn 845 693
Jones 734 599
Scammon 973 796
Kinzie 974 791
Franklin 1,207 1,076
Washington 1,391 1,066
Moseley 841 649
Brown 747 616
Foster 1,804 1,454
Ogden 905 745
Newberry 896 701
No. 12 505 398
Skinner 1,632 1,283
Haven 937 735
South Chicago 102 74
Bridgeport 285 201
Holstein 65 48
Colored 167 107
Total 15,451 12,344
The evening schools in Chicago were as follows :
Average
SCHOOLS. Enrollment Attendance.
Dearborn 263 165
Haven 253 146
Foster 355 166
Washington 213 135
Franklin 401 191
Total 1,485
803
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 129
The age of scholars at the evening schools ranged from twelve
to forty years. The attendance was five or six times greater than
1863-4.
In December, 1864, the teachers in the public schools of Chicago
contributed at one call $282.48 to the Sanitary commission. Early
in 1865 the school board reported that in seventeen rooms in the
city schools there was an excess of 910 pupils who could not be
properly accommodated. The University of Chicago, on Cottage
Grove avenue, just south of Camp Douglas, was nearly completed
in 1865. The Astronomical observatory near there was also nearly
finished. The big telescope was nearly ready by January, 1866.
ATTENDANCE, SEPTEMBER, 1865.
Average
SCHOOLS. Enrollment. Attendance.
High 378 355
Dearborn 737 560
Jones 848 692
Scammon 839 692
Kinzie 903 711
Franklin 1,391 1,321
Washington 1,447 1,143
Moseley 905 73!)
Brown 871 736
Foster 1,785 1,473
Ogden 864 717
Newberry 1,105 873
Wells 524 443
Skinner 1,591 1,268
Haven 1,013 816
Bridgeport 356 268
South Chicago 106 73
Holstein not reported
Total 15,663 12,780
The act of April 15, 1865, authorized Rush Medical college to
issue and sell bonds to secure means to pay off certain indebtedness,
but not to exceed $100,000.
The act of February 16, 1865, provided that there should be at
least one common school in each district of the county, where free
instruction should be given all children over six years of age; that
the board of education should admit to the public schools of the city
children residing in the adjacent towns of Cook county; that the
mayor should no longer be a member of the board of police and
of the board of public works.
The United States census report for 1850 gives the number of
schools in Cook county as sixty-eight, the number of teachers as
eighty-eight, and the number of pupils as 3.910. The annual in-
come was $16.396, comprising taxes $13.676, public funds $1,360.
and revenue from other sources $1.360. There was then no college
in the county, but there were nine Rcademies, employing sixteen
teachers, and furnishing tuition to 477 pupils, their annual income
being only $4,000. The statistics of education were, in 1850: At-
130 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
tendance 2,585 white males, 2,643 white females, 11 free colored
males, 18 free colored females. Aggregate 5,257, comprising 3,702
natives and 1,552 foreigners. Adults who could not read or write
in Cook county in 1850 were 302 white males, 379 white females,
47 free colored males, 34 free colored females. Aggregate 762, con-
stituted by 110 natives and 652 foreigners.
The first report of the county school commissioners, on file in the
office of the county superintendent, is for the year ending October 1,
1860, and that furnishes the following compendium : Number of
schools, 192 ; average attendance, 22,965. The expenditures for
that year were $178,972.62, and the receipts $174,260.13. For the
year ending October 1, 1865, the report gives the attendance as
37,880; the expenditures as $252,379.84, and the receipts as $218,-
594.75. The year ending July 31, 1870, the figures were as fol-
lows: Public schools, 231; private schools, 145; total, 376; attend-
ance, 49,988; receipts from all sources, $1,056,714.29; expenditures,
$983,770.66, and the value of school property was $4,733,338.06.
In the year 1879-80, the public schoolhouses numbered 297, and the
private schools 202 ; total, 499. The number of pupils enrolled was
78,971, and the expenditures for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1880, were $1,615,173.65 ; the receipts for the same period $1,853,-
894.06, and the valuation of school property at the end of the fiscal
year $3,051,430.
EARLY BANKING OPERATIONS
ILLINOIS had two early State banks, neither one of which proved
satisfactory. A new State bank was chartered during the
winter of 1834-5. Under the law passed at this time a branch
was established in this city. In 1837, like all other banks of the
country, it suspended specie payments, but continued doing busi-
ness until 1841 and was then removed. Later it returned to
Chicago as herein described, but after -a short period was again
permanently closed.
Probably several of the early merchants bought and sold exchange
before a regular banking establishment was opened here. In June,
1835, E. D. Taylor, receiver of the land office, announced that bills
of the Bank of Michigan, Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Michi-
gan, all security banks of New York State, the banks of Cleveland,
and the banks of Cincinnati would be accepted in payment for land
in this district.
"Will the bank at Springfield inform us when the branch to be
established in this town is to go into operation? There is more
business doing in this town than in any other in the State, yet
others have their branches while we are deprived of ours." (Chi-
cago American, October 24, 1835.)
Late in 1835 a branch of the State Bank of Illinois was estab-
lished in this city. It was not opened, however, until January,
1836. W. H. Brown, the cashier, announced that the bank would
open at 9 o'clock and close at 1 o'clock on discount days, which
were Tuesdays and Fridays. Those desiring discount were re-
quired to present their notes on Mondays and Thursdays. The
directors of the bank were as follows : John H. Kinzie, G. S. Hub-
bard, Peter Pruyne, E. K. Hubbard, R. J. Hamilton, Walter Kim-
ball, H. B. Clarke, G. W. Dole and E. D. Taylor. It was an-
nounced by the directors on December 5, 1835, that operations would
be begun in about three weeks.
During the fall of 1836, this community suffered greatly owing
to an influx of counterfeit money in large quantities. In May, 1837,
the newspapers here noted that all the Eastern banks were sus-
pending specie payments. On May 27 the Chicago American said :
"Confidence is all that is required to carry us through the gale ; and
nothing in times like these tends more to give that than for all to
keep cool."
In 1838 Strachan & Scott opened a stock and exchange office and
131
132 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
also began to do a limited banking business. Soon after opening
their doors they began issuing regularly a bank note list or table
giving the latest quotations of bank funds throughout the country.
In 1839 bills of the Illinois State bank and its branches, the Missouri
State bank, and the Indiana State bank and its branches were at
par. Bills of the Bank of Mineral Point, Wis., were 10 per cent,
discount; Bank of Dubuque, 10 per cent, discount; Bank of Wis-
consin, 62 l / 2 per cent, discount ; Michigan State bank and branches.
5 per cent, discount; Michigan Farmers' and Merchants' Bank and
branches, 5 per cent, discount; exchange on New York, 2 per cent,
premium. On August 8, 1839, Illinois stock was quoted at 82
cents on the New York stock exchange. On August 19, 1839, the
Branch bank here paid out $96,000 in specie on government drafts
for the Indians of Wisconsin. In May, 1839, the special issue of
scrip by the canal began to circulate here. They were like ordinary
checks and brought six per cent, interest after ninety days. Much
was expected of the canal currency. At first it was well received
but later passed at a considerable discount. To make matters worse
it was counterfeited extensively and gave business men abundant
trouble. About a dozen of the counterfeiters were, in the end, ar-
rested and duly punished. The New York Express of June. 1839,
said: "Hog Bankers. It is said that the Chicago Bank (Illinois)
lately purchased 5,800 hogs and cleared $42,000 by the speculation."
When this statement became known to Mr. Brown, cashier of the
Branch bank, he emphatically denied its truth. However, such a
speculation was probably made here, no doubt with money bor-
rowed from the Branch bank.
In October, 1839, the Branch announced that it would exchange
its larger notes at par for the bills of all solvent Eastern banks
and that persons who wished to enter land would be supplied with
bills of the proper denomination in exchange for those usually not
received at the land office. This was an accommodation designed to
save purchasers of land from the shaving operations of brokers.
On April 18, 1840, Murray & Brand had succeeded Strachan &
Scott and began doing an extensive banking business in addition
to a general brokerage business. They received deposits and sold
exchange on New York and Great Britain. In 1843 George Smith
6 Co. conducted a private bankers' and brokers' office at the corner
of La Salle and Washington streets. Their quotations at
this time were as follows : Specie, par ; treasury notes, 1 y 2 per cent,
premium; eastern drafts, \]/2 per cent, premium; Illinois bonds, 50
per cent, discount ; Bank of Illinois bills, 70 per cent, discount ;
Wisconsin Marine & Fire Insurance Co.. \]/ 2 per cent, discount;
Missouri Bank bills, 2 to 3 per cent, discount ; New York funds,
par to 1 per cent, discount: canal scrip, 80 per cent, discount;
county orders, 60 per cent, discount ; city scrip, \2]/ 2 per cent, dis-
count; Indiana bills, 2 to 3 per cent, discount. By February, 1844,
the city scrip had risen to par.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 133
The Branch was removed from Chicago to Lockport in July,
1840. This removal was caused by an act of the Legislature re-
quiring it to resume specie payments on a certain date. Later in
1840 strong efforts to secure its return to Chicago were made.
"And what good object has been effected by the destruction of
the bank? None whatever; on the contrary a very serious blow
has been struck at the prosperity of our city. During its brief
existence of four years its line of discount has been rising to half
a million dollars. Not only did the bank freely discount good busi-
ness paper, but it also extended its favors by a very heavy discount
of accommodation bills. The very men who have pulled down the
bank are many of them largely indebted to it. They have borrowed
its funds and have refused to refund them. The records of our
courts tell a melancholy story of sums of money loaned by the bank
to leading Locofoco politicians and hopelessly lost. . . . The
bank furnished our merchants with large amounts of exchange.
Before the subtreasury times exchange on the East could always
be obtained at from 1 to 2 per cent., and since these blasting days
have come on, this bank has always sold exchanges far below the
rates charged by brokers. It was a safe depository for money to
merchants and all others who had money. It afforded great facili-
ties for collections, and its certificates of deposit were always good
for remittance. Besides all this the bank gave a commercial char-
acter and standing to our city ; it was the nucleus of money matters ;
it was the proof in the eyes of strangers that we were indeed a busi-
ness community. But now what a spectacle do we present a com-
mercial city without a bank! A business community without a
single monied institution to represent it. And what will be the result
of this measure? In place of a bank we shall have a board of brokers
acting in concert and fleecing the community to the amount of thou-
sands. We do not blame the brokers. It will be a long time be-
fore merchants can borrow money again at 6 per cent. William
H. Brown, cashier of the bank, is universally respected in this com-
munity. Messrs. F. Howe, bookkeeper, and E. S. Sherman, teller,
of the bank, were without fault or blemish and enjoyed the respect
and confidence of the community in an eminent degree." (Chicago
American, July 24, 1840.)
The American of December 11, 1840, said: "Chicago Brandt
Bank. We are glad to see a petition in circulation in this city for
the relocation of this Branch which Mr. Senator Woodworth, in his
zvisdom and for which the people remember him, succeeded in re-
moving. It is rather a remarkable fact that the petition is full of
the names of the Locofoco party, including their hitherto anti-bank
leaders. It is never too late to repent."
Under the act of February 27, 1841, it was provided "That so
much of an act entitled 'An act in relation to the State Bank of
Illinois' approved January 31, 1840, as requires that the directors
134 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
of the parent bank shall within six months from the passage of
said act, remove from Chicago the branch located at that place and
establish the same at such other place as the bank may deem proper,
be and the same is hereby repealed and the said bank is hereby
authorized to relocate said branch at Chicago."
"It is high time that the business men of this city should raise
a united and indignant voice against the flood of Michigan shin-
plasters which have deluged our city for the last few years and
whelmed in almost absolute ruin the unsuspecting laborers and
farmers of the country. The bills are now for all practical purposes
little better than waste paper, the brokers offering them, we believe,
at 3 shillings on the dollar. The produce of the country earned by the
sweat of our hardy yeomanry ; the work of our laborers, the price
of their constant toil, have been exchanged for the bastard issues of
rotten institutions; and all that now remains of the fruits of their
industry is a ragged roll of nearly worthless shinplasters lumbering
their drawers and pockets. Since the batch of Michigan wildcats
were swarmed into existence by the Locofoco Legislature of 1837
the currency of Michigan has been one of constant speculation and
disorder." (Chicago American, June 21, 1841.)
In response to a general demand the Branch was reestablished
here in March, 1841. At this date the Whigs of the county in
mass meetings demanded a national bank. Brokers in the West
dealt extensively in land patents and land claims of all sorts. When
President Tyler vetoed the bank bill in 1841 a meeting of the Whigs
of Chicago denounced the act in severe terms. This bill was for
the purpose of establishing a Fiscal Bank of the United States.
On August 7, 1841, drafts on New York were quoted at 10 per
cent, premium ; Southwestern bank bills were quoted at from 7 to 9
per cent, premium; specie from 9 to 10 per cent, premium above
current funds. At this date bills of the Illinois State bank were
quoted at par ; the same of the Bank of Illinois. Bills of the Bank
of Michigan were 60 per cent, discount; checks of the Wisconsin
Marine and Fire Insurance company were at par. In November.
1841, Illinois State bonds sold on the stock exchange in New York
at less than 40 cents on the $1. At this date Cook county was lit-
erally flooded with every variety of wild-cat, red dog and State
bank rags. In the spring of 1842, canal issues were redeemed at
the Branch bank. They were at par with bills of the State Bank
of Illinois, but the latter were at 50 and 55 per cent, discount. At
this date Murray & Brand conducted an exchange and brokers'
office at 127 Lake street.
From 1842 to January, 1853, Illinois was without a banking law.
During that period all banks in Cook county were private in their
character. In January, 1853, a new State banking law was passed
and within a year thereafter nine banks in Chicago were organized
in addition to the usual banking houses. Late in the '40s Illinois
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 135
State credit had risen immensely and early in the '50s was as good
as that of the average State. The bank panic of 1853 and that of
1857 were not serious in Chicago. In 1853 there was some suf-
fering, but in 1857 little inconvenience was felt.
In April, 1842, W. H. Brown, cashier of the Branch bank, offered
all the property of the bank for sale at public auction. He found
himself unable to continue against the conditions prevailing in this
State.
"Beyond all question one of the great causes of the present
scarcity of specie is the want of a tariff of adequate protection. Let
us persist in the blind, senseless and un-American course we are
now pursuing and specie will always be scarce, our people poor,
and the nation weak." (American, February 11, 1842.)
"Sale of Scrip, etc. Stanton and Russell, auctioneers, sold this
day $2,000 of Illinois and Michigan canal scrip in parcels at from
22 to 24 cents in current funds; $5,000 of State indebtedness in
parcels at 20 to 23 cents in current funds; and $500 of certificates
of first payments on canal lots at 18 l /2 cents in current funds; and
$1,500 bills of the State Bank of Illinois at 38 l / 2 cents in specie."
(American, July 4, 1842.)
In January, 1845, the city newspapers noted that the agency of
the Mechanics' and Farmers' bank in this city redeemed its bills
in currency or in Eastern exchange at the usual rates of discount.
The money of this bank was at par with the ordinary bank bills
then in circulation in this city. In October, 1842, Alexander Brand
& Co. succeeded Murray & Brand, private brokers and bankers.
In the spring of 1846 money was very close in this city. At this
date Ohio wild-cat bills were a drug on the market. It was noted
that they had driven out the wild-cat bills of Michigan.
"Banking. If banks are proper every person ought to have the
privilege of using them to the extent of his credit and his capital.
Why should the legislatures say to one man, you may use three, or
five, or ten times as much money as your neighbor of equal credit
and capital ? If banks are improper, no person ought to be allowed
to establish them ; and herein consists the selfishness of all bankers,
viz. : they are not willing that any one should enjoy the same privi-
lege that they do. They want the profits all to themselves. They
must be allowed to bank and no one else. It is as difficult to get up
a fair system of banking as an honest one." (Chicago Democrat,
October 3, 1846.)
"The city during the past week has experienced one of those
fluctuations and panics ever attendant upon the paper system. Ow-
ing to some misunderstanding (or from some other cause unknown)
between the agency of the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance
company and the agency of the Farmers and Mechanics Bank of
Michigan in this city, the former refused to take the bills of the
latter, as also did all the other broker shops in the city. The bills
136 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
of this bank constitute the largest portion of the circulating medium
in this part of the country. The agent has paid out what current
funds he had on hand, and continues we believe, as usual, to draw
on New York at iy 2 per cent., and most of the merchants take the
money as before. We know nothing of the condition of this con-
cern, 'for the ways of banks are past finding out.' We have, how-
ever, a distrust of the whole bank genus. The history of the sys-
tem, and especially the experience of this community, proves that
they are honest only when they can't help it, and when their inter-
ests demand it. and he who reposes confidence in them leans on a
broken staff. From the manner in which the business men talk of
the matter, we are inclined to advise people not to sacrifice on the
money. But they had better push it as fast as they can advanta-
geously, and in the future take as little of this and other paper trash
as possible. We have heretofore cautioned the public against all of
these rag mills. What has been the course and fate of the banks of
this country from the National bank down to the wild-cats of Mich-
igan and the State banks of Illinois will be very likely to occur with
the irresponsible agencies of banks in other parts of the country
which issue bills here and refuse to pay specie on them. What
throws greater distrust on this Michigan concern is that several
years ago it suspended payment and lost its credit so that its bills did
not pass. We hope the people will by and by 'learn wisdom from
the things they suffer,' and that by their demanding specie in their
transactions, they may create a system of currency not subject to
the panics and fluctuations of the paper system." (Chicago Dem-
ocrat, January 15, 1845.)
"The bankers and bogus money makers are very troublesome.
It is difficult to tell which is the most criminal. Bogus are un-
doubtedly the most so in the eyes of the law. But where the bogus
makers cheat the community out of a dollar, the bankers do out of
a thousand. We can not see, therefore, why banking and counter-
feiting should not by the law be regarded as equally penal offences."
(Chicago Democrat of February 18, 1846.)
"Banks are generally managed by the most mercenary men in
the country men whose god is gold and whose worship of him
consists in getting it most unscrupulously and by the sacrifice of
conscience and humanity. This has been proved by the universal
history of banking. They are honest as long as they can make more
money by being so. But when they can make more by pocketing
their money and bursting, they do it, leaving the people with worth-
less rags in their pockets to lament their folly." (Chicago Demo-
crat of May 1, 1846.)
"The pressure is over ; the panic is over ; money, though not
plenty or cheap, is to be had. The banks have commenced discount-
ing to a fair extent. Only half a dozen small failures have been
caused by the pressure in this vast commercial emporium. A bank
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 137
officer said the other day : 'We are pressing down because to-morrow
is report day and because other banks haul in we must or we shall
be a debtor bank and lost all our specie.' The quarterly reports are
great humbugs ; the people know nothing about a bank by its report,
nothing at all." (Chicago Democrat of May 13, 1846.)
In January, 1847, Chicago city scrip was 5 per cent, discount;
Cook county orders, 10 per cent, discount; auditor's warrants, 10
to 20 per cent, discount ; canal scrip, 72 per cent, discount ; railroad
scrip, 65 per cent, discount; Michigan State scrip, 45 per cent, dis-
count; Indiana State scrip, 10 per cent, discount.
In 1847 Mr. Wentworth made a strong effort to defeat the bank
plank in the proposed new State constitution. Finding that could
not be done he next tried to kill the Constitution itself "as dead as
ever General Jackson killed the United States bank." The cry of
the Democrats at this time and had been for fifteen years was "Down
with the bankers!" Mr. Wentworth was a politician and of the
Jacksonian school. He had imbibed his financial principles from
Jackson and Van Buren and accordingly could not regard a national
bank, or in fact any bank, without indignation. At all times he
made war upon the banking systems in vogue and at the same time
denounced any attempts to inaugurate a national or a State banking
system.
In August, 1847, city scrip was 15 per cent, discount; Cook
county orders, 30 per cent, discount ; auditor's warrants, 25 per cent,
discount ; canal scrip, 70 per cent discount ; railroad scrip, 60 to 85
per cent, discount; specie at par; treasury notes, Y\ of 1 per cent,
premium.
"Bank or No Bank. The Whigs have made this the issue and we
accept it and mean to beat them upon it ; and we freely turn over to
their aid every bank Democrat in the State (if there is such a white
blackbird) at the coming election for delegates to the constitutional
convention. No man should be elected to that convention who is
even mistrusted of being in favor of paper money. And we now
say that if the new constitution does not complete!)- annihilate
beyond all suspicion of resurrection all prospects of having banks
in Illinois, we shall be compelled to oppose its adoption. 'No banks,'
are the words." (Weekly Chicago Democrat, March 30, 1847.)
The Cook county convention to select delegates to the State con-
vention to adopt a new constitution adopted the following resolu-
tion :
"Resolved, That banking in all its forms and operations has been
evil, only evil, and that continually; and that our delegates in the
convention are instructed to use their best efforts to prohibit the
establishment of such institutions in this State." (Democrat, April
9, 1847.)
"The banking system as it now exists in this country is but little
calculated to promote the general interest. However individuals
138 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
have been favored, the public has always suffered from its opera-
tion. It possesses the worst and most odious features of monopoly
and is therefore utterly inconsistent with Republican institutions.
I am, therefore, strongly solicitous to see this system prohibited in
our State." (John Bickerstaff in Chicago Democrat of March 30,
1847.)
On August 3, 1847, specie was at par.
Treasury notes 24 per cent premium
Eastern drafts 1 per cent premium
Indiana bills 1 per cent discount
Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company 1 per cent discount
Missouri bills 1 per cent discount
New York funds 1 per cent discount
Virginia and Pennsylvania funds 2 to 4 percent discount
Bank of Illinois bills (Shawneetown) 75 percent discount
State Bank of Illinois bills 50 per cent discount
New England bills 1 per cent discount
Michigan State bank bills 1 per cent discount
Michigan Insurance Company 2 per cent discount
Ohio bills Z l /2 per cent discount
Kentucky bills 3 per cent discount
Canada bills 4 per cent discount
City scrip 15 per cent discount
Cook county orders 30 per cent discount
Auditor's warrants 25 per cent discount
Canal scrip 70 per cent discount
Railroad scrip 60 to 65 per cent discount
Michigan State scrip 45 per cent discount
Indiana State scrip 10 per cent discount
Indiana land scrip 40 per cent discount
In October, 1848, the property of the old State Bank of Illinois
in Chicago was sold by Mr. Mather, the former president of the
bank. The property brought $49,575.
In December, 1848, the gold excitement in California roused the
interest of the financiers of Chicago. During 1849, the cry of "Gold !
Gold " it was said, drove slavery forever from California. The cry
was "Every man picks his own gold." During 1849 the bankers
of this city in common with those throughout the United States
were in a state of trepidation, fearing that gold in prodigious quan-
tity would take the place of their paper currency. At this date
many alleged banks were being established in this city.
In the spring of 1849 the Chicago Temperance Saving associa-
tion was organized in the old bank building at the corner of Water
and La Salle streets, with William H. Brown as president. At this
date city scrip was at 10 per cent, discount; Cook county orders at
40 per cent, discount ; auditor's warrants, 20 per cent, discount, and
canal scrip, 68 per cent, discount.
The Democrat of May 18, 1849, said: "To the banking system
may be attributed in a greater or less degree the present commer-
cial distress."
The management of city financial affairs early in 1849 was so
excellent that by June 8 city scrip was at par with current funds.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 141
In September, 1849, the savings bank of R. K. Swift paid interest
on time deposits. He advertised to pay as high as 10 per cent, for
45 days.
"We understand the new banks in this city, after giving the
directors, of course, the first hand in for discounts, will let the
various newspaper editors of the city have their turns. We hope
that Grandpapa Dutch will see 'fair play and no gouging' when
that good time comes ; it will be a last chance to many of the fra-
ternity." (Democrat, April 13, 1849.)
The act of February 12, 1849, incorporated the Chicago Savings
and Insurance company under Thomas Dyer, James H. Wood-
worth, Charles Walker, John P. Chapin, William F. DeWolf,
Thomas Richmond, R. C. Bristol, J. C. Walters and B. W. Ray-
mond. The capital was fixed at $200,000, and the directors were
limited to nine. The corporation was given power to make all
kinds of insurance against fire.
"The news of the defeat of the bank bill threw the speculators,
stock jobbers and fancy financiers into hysterics yesterday. Num-
bers who were prominent for directors to sundry bubble companies
are thrown upon the flat of their backs and as usual are cursing
the Democracy." (Democrat, February 10, 1849.)
"The persons who are engaged in getting up this bank (the
Chicago Marine and Fire Insurance company) are produce specu-
lators. Their object is to obtain the farmer's produce on trust,
charging him from 12 to 15 per cent, for the credit he has ex-
tended to them. Besides this 12 to 15 per cent, which they will
make, they expect to realize also a handsome profit on the produce
in the way of legitimate trade. And as they own and control ves-
sels on the lakes and command freights, they have every means of
regulating the market to suit themselves. Besides having the con-
trol of the money market in Chicago, they can raise or depress
the prices of all articles of farmer's produce at their will and
pleasure." (Democrat, February 19, 1849.)
"To the banking system may be attributed in a greater or less
extent the present commercial distress. Banks excite speculation
unduly. Loaning to a man engaged in a certain line of business,
they compel his neighbor in the same trade to borrow in order to
compete successfully with him ; they thus induce men to enter into
liabilities which they would otherwise avoid, while the circle of
credit running through all grades and classes at length involves
all in a chain of responsibility." (Democrat, May 8, 1849.)
"Gold for the Rich and Rags for the Poor" was the popular
slogan of all who opposed banks at this date.
"The Advertiser, it would appear, has been constituted the organ
par excellence of the new banks which are being started in this
city, and which, it is promised, will reduce the rate of interest
one-half, attract capital to the State, and perform other sundry
Vol. II 9.
142 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
miracles too numerous to mention. But who ever heard of banks
attracting capital to a country, when the fact is they drive real
money away and substitute in its stead a spurious currency for
which the people must pay an enormous percentage and which is
liable to become worthless trash in their hands at any moment?
Besides, banks place an unlimited power in the hands of a few
persons, who thus hold the purse strings of the whole community
and at their will and pleasure will raise or depress the price of
every commodity one day making one man a beggar and the
next raising some lucky gambler in stocks and merchandise to
comparative affluence. Who are the foremost in getting up these
banks of issue contrary to law in this city? For the most part
they are speculators in produce or holders of real estate the
classes deeply interested in their establishment. The produce men,
by being stockholders and directors, have the power of issuing
their own money, upon which they obtain an unlimited credit from
the producer, and thus draw profits both ways from the legitimate
traffic and from interest on their promises. The producer thus
becomes their slave. They regulate the scale of his profits."
(Democrat, April 12, 1849.)
In September, 1849, city scrip was quoted at from par to 5 per
cent, discount; Cook county orders were 30 to 35 per cent, dis-
count; auditor's warrants, 10 to 15 per cent, discount; 160-acre
land warrants were quoted at from $132 to $155. At this time
the best current funds consisted of the bills of the New England,
New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky,
Mississippi, Virginia and Missouri banks. The bills of Pennsyl-
vania banks generally were 1 per cent, discount.
"The Evils of Banking." At no time are we better able to
scrutinize the evils of the banking system, discover its defects, scan
its numberless means of fraud and piracy, than at a time when
some momentary panic has caused a doubt in the public as to its
solvency Gold and silver are money real, tangible, valua-
ble commodities. Paper promises, however, are not money. The
banker issues ad libitum, or he issues to an extent sufficient to raise
the value of every article of exchange. He is thus clothed with
the power of giving to one man the advantage of the market while
he takes it from another. There comes a culminating point. To
save itself the bank stops issue." (Democrat, December 6, 1849.)
In 1849 S. Bronson & Co. conducted an exchange office and
bank at 60 Clark street. At this time Mr. Swift offered to sell
specie at */ 2 per cent, premium to farmers, laborers, mechanics and
tradesmen for Wisconsin funds. George Smith & Co. did a large
banking business here in 1849.
At the March term of the Cook county court arrangements with
the Chicago Marine and Fire Insurance company to redeem county
orders at not less than 75 cents on the $1 were made. At this
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 143
time I. H. Burch & Co. conducted the Chicago Savings bank at
125 Lake street. R. K. Swift moved his private bank from Lake
street to Clark street in October, 1850. In December, 1850, Can-
ada money for the first time was at par in this city. The county
about this time was flooded with counterfeit bills. A thorough
investigation by detectives disclosed the fact that the counterfeits
on the bills of the Ohio, New York and Indiana banks were made
in a mechanics' saloon near the Lake hotel on the North Side.
In 1850-51 Mr. Dyer, of this city, introduced in the Legislature
a bill for the establishment of a banking system in this State.
"Notice of protest of the city's paper to the amount of upwards of
$800 by George Smith & Co. was presented to the council at their
last meeting." (Democrat, October 30, 1850.)
"We would remark that there is a kind of banking operation under
cover of the projected loan (a loan of $100,000 by the city). The
scrip is to be engraved and to be in the form and similitude of bank
bills. Now, while we have State laws against banking, our city
authorities should be slow to set an example of lawbreaking."
(Democrat, February 15, 1850).
Among the bankers doing business in the spring of 1851 were
R. K. Swift & Co., George Smith & Co., A. Brant & Co., Chicago
Savings bank, I. H. Burch & Co., Chicago Marine and Fire Insur-
ance company, Tucker, Bronson & Co., and R. C. Bristol. At this
date both city scrip and county orders were at 5 per cent, discount.
The panic of September and October, 1851, did not affect Chi-
cago. Very little trouble was experienced here and the hard times
occurred mainly in the East. The newspapers noticed a stringency
here, but aside from that no inconvenience was felt. The bankers
were slow in making loans, while all business men seemed anxious
to borrow money. Late in 1851, when it was found that the new
banking law had been adopted, the Democrat said : "The banking
law is safe; now bring on your 'two dollars a day and roast beef,'
gentlemen."
"Business paper ranges from 10 to 24 per cent, per annum, and
purchasers are particularly cautious in buying, even at the greatest
shave. These rates are ruinous, but they are freely submitted to."
-(New York Herald, September 26, 1851.)
"The stringency of the money market East has not affected the
market in this city in that degree which many were led to suppose."
(Democrat, October 10, 1851.)
"Confidence in skillful and prudent management is one of the
best bases of bank credit ; remove it and the best security appears to
be of little worth. We consequently anticipate no trouble in Chicago
as far as the legitimate business of the country is concerned. "-
(Democrat, October 10. 1851.)
"This panic, it is to be hoped, will at least have a good effect in
teaching our own traders one lesson that they will be wise not to
144 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
neglect, and that is, it is not safe to go beyond their means, even
when there is no actual danger of a momentary crisis." (Demo-
crat, November, 1851.)
"Under the influence of the improvement East the money market
in this city has been easier and discounts are more readily obtained,
although the more stable of our institutions still continue cautious
in making advances for speculative purposes either as regard oper-
ations in produce or other departments of trade. We notice the
'wild-cat' issues still continue to fill up the vacuum caused by the
withdrawal of t,he better descriptions of currency. This may yet
lead to serious consequences and we fear it will." (Democrat,
October 17, 1851.)
"Happy. Our people were very happy yesterday in view of the
adoption of the general banking law. May their happiness all be
honestly realized. May every poor man have money at 6 per cent,
without security and without endorsement, and may the note run
forever." (Democrat, November 6, 1851.)
VOTE ON THE PROPOSED BANKING LAW.
SOUTH CHICAGO. For Bank. Against Bank.
Courthouse 927 38
New York House 157 1
Southern Hotel 100 1
WEST CHICAGO.
Engine House No. 5 321 10
Engine House No. 6 126 10
NORTH CHICAGO.
8th Ward 376 14
9th Ward 115 5
TOWNS.
Northfield 33 14
Jefferson 16 11
Palatine 18 11
Wheeling 76 5
Lemont 6 10
Thornton 5 12
Maine 23 5
Proviso 2 y
Leyden 26 8
Rich 13 11
Elk Grove 11 13
Worth 16 13
Palos 33 5
Bremen 5 16
New Trier 1 32
Bloom 17
Barrington 22 3
Schaumberg 10 11
Lake 11 2
Orland 12 8
Ridgeville 7 12
Hanover 23 1
Lyons 33 1
Total . . 2,524 289
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 115
"A bank under the general banking law has been organized under
the name of the 'Merchants and Mechanics Bank of Chicago,' cap-
ital $100,000. At a meeting of the stockholders, Dr. L. D. Boone
was elected president and Stephen Bronson, Jr., cashier. The fol-
lowing are the directors : Dr. L. D. Boone, Rice Fay, John Dennis-
ton and Benjamin F. Sherman of Chicago and Aylmer Keith of
Naperville. It is the intention to commence business as soon as a
suitable building can be obtained and the stocks and plates pro-
cured." (Democrat, December 18, 1851.)
"The days of 'wild cat' and 'yellow dog' are fast coming upon
us. Brass in a man's face has become banking capital and he is
the greatest financier who can suggest the best method of staving
off his promises. All money in circulation ought to have some
place in Chicago where it is redeemable in specie at 1 per cent, or
in bills that are redeemable at 1 per cent. Now we call upon all
these recently established banks to have some place of redemption
here permanent redemption. Who redeems the bills of the Illi-
nois River bank in our city and will continue so to do? No institu-
tion was ever started that gained so extensive a circulation in so
short a time. They come to us from all quarters. We see it stated
that this institution has filed the necessary papers to have a bank.
But we see it nowhere stated that it has filed the necessary securi-
ties." (Democrat, December 20, 1851.)
"Tax the people to get money to put in the banks as banking
capital. Chicago borrowed $350,000 at 10 per cent. This money is
then deposited in the banks and loaned back to the people at 12
per cent. But the banks pay the city no interest." (Democrat,
January 8, 1852.)
"Tlie Bank Laiv. After all that was said prior to the passage of
the late bank law, not 1 per cent, of securities has yet been filed by
men intending to do a banking business and the belief is general
that not 1 per cent, will be." (Democrat, January 28, 1852.)
"The desire to get our city deposits for banking capital is over-
riding all the other questions, and we never saw the like of the
present contest, and it will grow hotter and hotter until the election
is over. Who shall have the deposits ? This is the entire question.
The two candidates for mayor already announced having refused
to make any pledge concerning the deposits, the bankers of our city
through their private stockholders, confidential attorneys, and money
borrowers are bringing out candidates both for mayor and treas-
urer, and keeping the other offices to trade upon. As high as $1
per man was paid on 'Saturday for signatures to calls for men who
want to run and will not come out unless their friends in the banks
will get them a certain number of names to start with. As high as
$5 per name can easily be got this week if people will only hold back
their names and give free competition among the candidates of
the different banks. The banks can well afford to pay high for
146 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
names if they only get the deposits at last, as some of those applying
will not have any capital unless they do get them." (Democrat,
February 2, 1852.)
"The contest for the deposits grows stronger and stronger.
There are gentlemen in our city who will agree to divide a sum
equal to the salary of both the mayor and treasurer between the
two orphan asylums in our city if they can but keep the deposits
for a single year. And they agree to give good security. There
are several embryo candidates for both mayor and treasurer. Calls
are out for them. Like candidates who think they have a chance
for election, they do not come out openly and announce themselves.
But they are waiting to see how many callers they can get first.
Yesterday a large number of persons got their street tax paid, and
we believe it is now the settled price for signing a call to come out
for office that the candidate pays the street tax. People are saying
that they can now tell when a man gets discounts by the candidates
he supports, there being no other question prevailing than who shall
get the deposits." (Democrat, February 3, 1852.)
"Candidates are abandoning the practice of paying men to go
about after signers to calls for them to come out for office. This
practice did very well for respectable humbug when new. It is
now old and is the meanest kind of humbug. Children and fools
now understand the whole game. It is to get men pledged on
paper so that they cannot back out if a man that would suit them
better should come out. ... A respectable banker yesterday
publicly stated that if the city deposits and hydraulic deposits were
put up to the one who would give the best security and pay the
most therefor, our city would realize $5,000 at least from them
next year. The mayor and treasurer are the offices that control the
deposits, and we want to know why our city as well as the banks
cannot be profited by them." (Democrat, February 4, 1852.)
"Banking on stocks is going to drive all the specie from the
country. It is all hoarded in the banks now : and when stocks are
substituted for it in banks, it will leave the country. Banking upon
State and corporate debts is but little safer than banking upon
individual debts. Take the whole United States, and the specie will
not average 10 cents to the dollar." (Democrat, April 5, 1852.)
It was reported in March, 1852, that the Michigan Southern
Railway company intended to establish a large bank here. The
Democrat of March 22 said : "We are glad of this as the few banks
we now have are exerting too much power, and it is very important
that more competition be had. This bank will settle the question,
'Who is to have the deposits of the Southern Michigan Railway
company?' which caused no little excitement at our late election.
When Chicago has about twelve banks, our bankers will be the
most polite and accommodating men in town. They will take no
part in our railroad quarrels or our elections. But they will en-
deavor to be 'all things to all men.' '
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 147
"Banks are now getting as thick as groceries and saloons in our
city and at the progress of last year, they will soon outnumber
them. And as we are to have them, the more we have the greater
will be the competition and the lower the shaves. We will here
add that we take the paper of all our city banks who advertise with
us at par and then in turn take ours at par." (Democrat of May
6, 1852.)
"Our people -have been swindled long enough by an irredeemable
currency. The Board of Trade of this city were very anxious to
have a general banking law passed and predicted that its passage
would drive all irredeemable shinplasters out of circulation. But
thus far these worthless rags have increased rather than diminished.
Yet it is in the power of the Board of Trade to correct the evil. A
few reckless speculators among them oppose this step. At the
proper time we intend to hold these men up to the scorn of the com-
munity. The most of our bankers say they will pay specie the mo-
ment Mr. Smith will that they cannot pay specie unless he does,
for it is in his power to ruin them. Mr. Smith, who is now here,
is willing to make any arrangement that will give him an equal
chance with the other bankers If our bankers have
no respect for themselves if they do not value their own notes at
par it is time that they were taught to do so. We must have a
currency which when issued at par must be taken back at par."
(Adapted from Democrat, May 24, 1852.)
"Damn the Shinplasters! Excuse us, dear reader we are in
bad humor. We cannot see deception substituted for fair dealing
so long as open honesty is the only sure road to success. The Mer-
chants and Mechanics Bank of Chicago has issued a shinplaster
exactly like their notes, which are secured as the law requires. The
Western papers call it a dangerous counterfeit. 'Tis worse 'tis a
device, a deception, a fraud, and the only way to avoid it is to refuse
all notes on the Merchants and Mechanics Bank of Chicago."-
(Thompson's Reporter, August, 1852.)
"We insert the above not so much to injure this one bank in
particular, but because others of our city banks are going into the
same operation. This thing ought to be stopped at once and we
caution people upon the subject. Under our new banking law the
bill holder is secured, but there is no security at all for the depositor.
So people who prefer security to no security will hereafter take the
legal countersigned bills instead of the illegal certificates of deposit."
-(Democrat, September 3, 1852.)
"But few understand the extent to which bank bills are now being
mutilated for fraudulent purposes in this city. The thing has within
the last few weeks been reduced to a science and is likely unless it
meets the stern opposition of business men to become a very suc-
cessful swindle." (Democrat, September 16, 1852.)
Four bills of $5 each were torn in two and then so pasted together
that an additional $5 bill was gained.
148 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
"The way some of the shinplasters read is enough to condemn
them, admitting that the foundation upon which they are issued is
as good as their grammar. Several of the genus read, 'we will pay,'
etc., while they are signed by only one person." (Democrat, De-
cember 10, 1852.)
"Looking to experience and observation as my guides, I found
that when a man had real capital to start and capacity and integrity
which commanded the confidence of the community (best where
best known), it not only aided him but greatly facilitated trade and
business among the people to issue his credit in a convenient form
for circulation all based upon his actual capital in hand and the
securities which were beyond all question, and loan it to active
business men for legitimate commercial purposes. Seeing this, I
had engraved in the very best style by the artist a certificate of
deposit of the Bank of Chicago (which had been duly organized
under the laws of Illinois). When men deemed by one firm to be
possessed of integrity, good moral habits and business talents wanted
bank facilities, we loaned them these securities on satisfactory terms
for three-fourths the amount at 6 per cent, interest and an even
exchange for the other one-fourth in current bank notes (such as
the certificates of deposit were payable in), with the agreement on
their part that as often as one-tenth of the whole was returned to
us for redemption, they would give us other current money in ex-
change therefor, so continuing during the time for which they bor-
rowed the certificates. No sooner did these certificates make their
appearance in market, than they were most scurrilously attacked
by the issuers of shinplasters which laid no claim to security, legality
or even shadow of foundation ; which were drawn by men who, for
aught we know, were men of straw, upon others just as little known,
some accepted and some not, pay at some designated place in this
city. The very men who had thus acted for years, loaning out such
trash at 10, 12, and 15 per cent., who even had got the multitude
of business men under such obligation for this spawn of theirs
at these rates as to make them submit to terms of greatest humility
and be thankful for such gracious permission, crippling the com-
merce of the country as effectually by miserable shinplasters at high
rates of interest as they would by leaky ships and high prices on
freight, joined with the press, from Thompson's Reporter (who has
shown himself and whom I am prepared to show is not entitled to
the least weight when he has a supposed interest at stake) down to
some of the most venal of those very papers who had spoken in my
praise, by a man who now attacks my credit as a banker. They
would if possible move heaven and earth, if by so doing they could
prevent us from having a credit which was reduced to circulation
form. We met these attacks from Thompson down to the various
scribblers who have showed their hand to the Chicago public and we
shall continue to meet them without any nearer approach to person-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 149
ality than self-defense demands. I showed that Thompson had
Virginia bonds to sell, which cost him 97 l / 2 cents on the dollar and
which by the power of his Reporter he had raised to 100 and 112;
and that every $50,000 bank which bought stocks of him was worth
$5,000 to $7,000 to him. I showed that this was the real founda-
tion for his attack upon the Merchants and Mechanics bank, as well
as upon our own. I showed that he had had about one circular and
had laid himself open to wicked and malicious libel. I also showed
that bankers in this city or elsewhere who raised the hue and cry
to put us down were acting upon false pretenses and that they were
only influenced by a knowledge that competition in banking like
competition in anything else would reduce rates. I told the people
that this talk about 'care for their safety' by men whose hands were
reeking with the blood of bastard 'wild cats' was a pretense a sham
and that we, organized under the law, had a legal right to make
an issue our capital backed by integrity with capacity to manage
our business well. All this we said in self-defense, and now we ask
a discerning public to decide." (Seth Paine in Democrat, Decem-
ber, 1852.)
"Specie Payments. The time has now come when all the banking
institutions of our city should keep up the appearance of honesty.
It is to the disgrace of our city that she alone of all the cities in the
Union has not a specie basis for her currency. This, however, is not
so much the fault of the bankers as of the people. It is expected
that bankers will exact always all that the people will tolerate. The
bankers will keep on grinding the noses of the people until they
learn that it is time to stop. The people are now beginning to
complain. They know of no reason why a dollar should be used up
in passing through a broker's hands one hundred times. They
know of no reason why a man who pays out a bill of $1 should not
receive it back as such. The people are becoming very much ex-
cited upon this subject and we would excite them more if we could.
The least a banker loans money for to any of our best citizens is 1
per cent, a month. Now this affords profit enough without using
an inferior currency. We have talked with our bankers upon this
subject. Each alone is ready for specie payments. But each one is
afraid of his rivals. Each is afraid that if he pays specie, some of
his rivals will make a run upon him. There is a way to obviate
all this. Let there be a common day to all. Let our board of trade
take hold of the matter. Our Legislature should take hold of the
subject. It is in its power to stop all illegal banking in our city.
The Marine bank is paying specie now and several of the other
bankers have authorized us to say that they are ready and willing
to begin whenever any day shall be generally agreed upon." (Dem-
ocrat, May 6, 1852.)'
Early in 1852, the Merchants and Mechanics bank, at the head
of which was Levi D. Boone, president, and Stephen Bronson, Jr.,
150 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
cashier, removed from 5 Clark street to 7, Tremont block.
Early in May, 1852, Forrest, Brothers & Co. established a new
bank here. At this time also Bradley Curtis & Co. began banking
operations and in a short time their one-dollar bills were counter-
feited extensively. The Southwestern Plank Road company did a
banking business in 1852 under the name of Commercial Bank of
Chicago. The capital of the Chicago Marine bank was $50,000;
Merchants & Mechanics, $100,000; Commercial Bank of Chicago,
$52,000; City Bank of Chicago, $50,000; Marine Bank of Chicago,
No. 2, $500,000; Bank of North America, $1,000,000. George
Smith had been connected with the old Wisconsin Marine and Fire
Insurance Company bank, but in 1852 began operations independ-
ently under the new banking law of the State. He began business
as the Bank of North America. Nearly all of the old private bank-
ers began operations under the new banking law as soon as it came
into effect.
In August, 1852, there was considerable complaint that the cer-
tificates of deposit of the Merchants & Mechanics bank were thought
by many people to be counterfeits and were refused in business
transactions. The bank accordingly announced publicly that the
certificates were not counterfeits, but were genuine and good. An-
drew J. Brown was president of the Marine bank ; Henry L. For-
rest and Thomas L. Forrest joint cashiers. The Forrest brothers
had a private banking business under the name of Forrest, Brothers
& Co. The bank of Seth Paine & Co. was in the old post office build-
ing on Clark street. The newspapers of that date stated that the
Chicago bankers refused to redeem their own torn bills. Thomas
Burch was president of the Chicago Bank and T. H. Burch cashier.
They had a nominal capital of $1,000,000. Mr. Burch had previ-
ously been in business with W. L. Newberry. Seth Paine was presi-
dent of the Bank of Chicago and W. T. Miner cashier.
In October, 1852, Illinois Internal Improvement 6 per cent, bonds
of 1847 were worth in New York 83 cents. Other Illinois Internal
Improvement 6 per cent, bonds were worth 55 cents. Chicago 6
per cent, bonds due in 1876, were worth 98 l / 2 cents. Galena &
Chicago railway bonds of 1856 were worth $1.18 and its bonds of
1862 were worth 94 cents.
During 1852 the subjects of credit, capital and banking were
thoroughly discussed here by the newspapers. It was an important
topic and numerous articles from the citizens were published in the
papers. At this time there came on what was called "The bank
war." It was due to the fact that irregular or illegal banks had a
better opportunity to make money than those which were organized
under the State bank law and adhered strictly to its provisions.
They could issue money, receive deposits and at the =ame time do
a shaving, brokerage business and could carry wild-cat financial mat-
ters to extremes. On the other hand the prudent regular banks
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 151
were somewhat restricted in their operations and hence lost much
of the business which went to the irregular banks. Ihe regular
banks accordingly demanded that such a change in the law should
be made as would drive the irregular bankers out of business.
"Bank of Chicago. This institution has determined upon issu-
ing certificates of deposit and issues are now out, which for artistic
skill and beauty of finish are not exceeded by any bills we have
seen. On the right of the ones is a beautifully executed portrait of
Senator Douglas; on the right of the twos is Washington crossing
the Delaware; on the threes a fine portrait of Henry Clay." (Dem-
ocrat, 1852.)
The Marine Bank of Chicago was organized January 13, 1852,
with a capital of $50,000. The Merchants & Mechanics Bank of
Chicago was organized December 7, 1851, with a capital of $100,-
000. In 1852 the Farmers' bank at 100 Randolph street was estab-
lished by Charles Brothers & Co. About the same time F. G.
Adams opened a brokerage and exchange office at 44 Clark street.
Under the banking law of 1852 money became very abundant
and accordingly people experienced better times. Mr. Wentworth
and other Jacksonians had predicted all sorts of disasters succeeding
the passage of the law. Accordingly his papers of that date contain
numerous sarcastic and critical allusions to the State banking law in
particular and to every banking law in general. He had not recov-
ered from his hostility to all banking systems. The prosperity suc-
ceeding the passage of the State banking law occasioned him great
surprise. He still continued to criticize and predicted that before
long there would be as much trouble with the new system as there
had been before without any system. The prosperity was so great
that Illinois stocks, in fact all stocks, increased greatly in value.
Money was so abundant that business men engaged in all sorts of
speculation. They had no trouble to get money from the banks
at reasonable interest and hence there succeeded an era of unusual
business prosperity and speculation.
Sheldon's Bank Note Detector stated in December, 1852, that
there were on Clark street over twenty bankers and banking houses
the most of which issued their own bills. In fact several fake banks
were started about this time. One of them was called the Fusiliers'
Bank of Chicago. Interest at this date was usually 10 per cent.
People found it so easy to get money that they speculated largely
in real estate. The people of this city believed that they could do
nothing better with their surplus than to put it into Chicago prop-
erty. The papers of this date declared that real estate speculation
was greater here than at any time since 1836. Everybody noted
the difference between the condition of financial affairs at this date
and what it had been but two or three years before. Late in the
forties money was hard to get ; was scarce and much of it was worth-
less. Under the new law everybody had money; the banks were
152 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
literally overflowing with it, so that business men found no diffi-
culty in securing all they wanted, such as it was, not only for legiti-
mate purposes but for speculation as well. People invested exten-
sively in stocks of all kinds at this date. In fact holders of stocks
which a few years before were considered absolutely worthless
brought them out, dusted them off and found a ready sale for them
at comparatively good prices. There was one complaint at this date
exchange on New York was too high. It was usually about 2
per cent, premium. Business men argued that it showld not be over
1 per cent, and that l / 2 of 1 per cent, was nearer the proper figure.
In December, 1852, several so-called banking houses were indicted
for issuing shinplasters. The banks organized under the State bank-
ing law were called security banks; all others were called irregular
banks. The latter had no right to issue money, but they managed
to do so by evading the law. It was their custom to use every arti-
fice to depreciate the value of the bills issued by banks organized
under the State law. When the price was sufficiently reduced they
would purchase all they could get, take them to the bank which had
issued them and demand specie in exchange for them.
In 1852 Seth Paine began to issue a magazine named the Chris-
tian Banker. This periodical called out sarcastic comments from
the newspapers. The Democratic Press said : "As to the system of
wild-cat bank it is established to support, please take notice we look
to the Legislature to clap a summary extinguisher upon it among its
earliest acts. The prospectus of the magazine is a curiosity and
well worth preserving as a souvenir of the times."
Upon accepting the presidency of the Bank of Chicago, Ira B.
Eddy made the following public announcement: "Its mission is a
great one no less than to assist directly in lifting up and bringing
forth to the light the now dormant energies of the mechanics and
common people, so-called, to the knowledge of their own power and
position of strength. The people have been crushed by the aristoc-
racy of the money power and with money and a union bank now
guided by the spirit of the Almighty in heaven the fiat has now
gone forth that time with the wicked shall be no longer. We begin
small, very small, but like all beginnings with the people we now
with God's blessing start the work."
The Democratic Press of January 14, 1853, said : "The Christian
Banker. The second number of this paper appeared yesterday.
We have read it with attention. It certainly is a curiosity in its
way. Such a strange mixture of assumed benevolence and ma-
lignity, sanctity and slander, we have seldom seen. Give it a clear
track for it must have its way."
Early in 1853 a change came over the financial situation in the
West ; money grew scarce. It was seen that speculation and plenty
of money was certain to bring about reaction and that moment had
arrived. Bankers began to exercise caution ; speculators were de-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 153
clined loans ; and in a short time banks refused to discount the best
paper. There was no excitement, but trouble was in the air. At
this time also a strong movement to drive out shinplasters was made.
The Legislature was petitioned to pass a law that would prevent
all illegal banking in the State. People were tired of wild-cat money.
It was a time when all illegal bankers became alarmed lest their
business should be taken from them. One of the newspapers said :
"The cats are lying low and looking wild." Among the most con-
spicuous of the illegal institutions was the "Spiritual Bank" of Paine
and Eddy. On one occasion when an officer of this bank refused
to redeem its bills when presented by its enemies, a crowd gathered
to which Mr. Paine made a speech, promising that the bills would
be duly honored. A little later Ira B. Eddy of this bank was placed
on trial and was found to be insane by a jury. Mr. Paine later
met the same fate after several trials. It was a war to the finish be-
tween the security banks and the wild-cat concerns. One of the
newspapers said, "It is the impression here that there is not a hole
for the smallest kind of an animal to crawl through and that the
days of the cats are numbered." It was charged and generally
believed that both Paine and Eddy had been made insane over spir-
itualism. That was the era when spiritualism in the United States
made its first great advancement. It seemed to pass in a convulsive
wave over the whole country. Slate writing, rapping, etc., were the
order of the hour. Seances and public exhibitions generally capped
the climax of superstition and folly. Messrs. Paine and Eddy were
so influenced by the manifestations that seances were held in the
rear room of their bank. Thus the institution was properly dubbed
"Spiritual Bank." But Paine and Eddy were not the only wild-cat
bankers. There were more than a dozen such establishments here
and all prospered in spite of the law. They made no attempt to se-
cure their issues. It was not necessary, because people accepted their
money if issued by an institution back of which there were reputable
men or men who were supposed to be reputable.
In January, 1853, the legitimate or standard stock security banks
numbered about a dozen. The bills of these banks were at
par with the best current funds. "Shinplaster banks," as they were
called, were conducted by I. H. Burch & Co., Bradley, Curtiss &
Co. and a dozen others. It was about this time that the security
banks began to throw out of circulation the bills of all banks that
were not properly secured. The old bank-war movement was one
to obtain better security for bank issues. The Democratic Press of
February 26, 1853, said, "The banks have been alarmed; the public
has been excited ; there appears to be an underlayer of spite or ill
will towards banks and banking in this city." This statement repre-
sents the actual condition in Chicago at that date. No doubt Mr.
Wentworth was in a measure responsible for this state of public
opinion. For years he had been one of the leaders of public opinion,
154 HISTORY OF OOOK COUNTY
not only as Congressman, but as the editor of his newspaper here.
Thousands of the best citizens had imbibed his financial policies
which were founded upon the Jacksonian hostility to the United
States bank. Mr. Wentworth scarcely ever had a kind word to say
concerning any banking institution. There can be no doubt that in
a large measure he was responsible for the hostility shown in this
community to all banking enterprises. Credit, the basis of modern
business transactions, was daily damaged by his philippics. But
Wentworth was not alone in the hostility shown to the banks. Many
others here had likewise accepted the banking policy, or rather the
no-bank policy, of Jackson and Van Buren.
Early in 1853 an effort to establish a bank with an immense
capital was undertaken here. It was designed to form an institu-
tion in which all of the best citizens would own stock. The capital
was fixed at $2,000,000 and the bank was to be known as the Metro-
politan. It did not materialize.
The abuse of banks was so sharp at this date that all banks and
all bank issues were regarded with suspicion. Sound institutions
suffered unjustly from this suspicion. Solvent banks which were
thus suspected had their money returned to them for redemption.
Brokers were in ecstasies. To them the times were bright and
auspicious. There were in circulation here bills worth all degrees
of discount and premium. It was the custom of brokers and had
been for years to run down the value of good bank issues in order
to buy the same at a small figure so that they could secure par from
the banks of issue. In April, 1853, the bills of the Merchants and
Mechanics bank were at 1 per cent, discount; the same of the
banks of I. H. Burch and Bradley, Curtiss & Co. The certificates
of deposit of the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance company,
which circulated as money, were thus likewise at 1 per cent, dis-
count.
"Money remains close in the city. The banks are in a safe con-
dition and are determined to incur no risks by extending the line
of their discounts beyond the smallest amount that will accommo-
date their customers." (Democratic Press, March 21, 1853.)
"There is decidedly a better feeling in Clark street. Advices from
the Eastern cities are favorable and it is confidently believed that
the crisis is past and we have better times ahead. The people have
not generally felt the pressure as yet, and we doubt whether they
will. It is the opinion that the closeness was caused in part by the
brokers of New York who wished to create a crisis in order to
secure higher rates of interest. The rates of interest at the banks
are as usual and the brokers are supplying their customers at 10
and 12 per cent. In the streets the rate is 2 per cent, a month and
we think something more has been paid during the month."
(Democratic Press, April 5, 1853.)
"We note a remarkable degree of carefulness, not only among
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 155
bankers and brokers, but also among those engaged in street opera-
tions, to guard against a speculative spirit." (Democratic Press,
April 11, 1853.)
"All our bankers are doing a good business A fact
of great importance to the development of the resources of Illinois
is the entire confidence felt by the East in our railroad securities."
(Democratic Press, June 20, 1853.)
Outside small bank bills were very bad during the summer of
1853, so banks here posted up this notice :
"On and after the first of August, 1853, no bills under $5, except
those of the banks of this State, and no circulation prohibited by
law, will be received on deposit or in payment at this office."
"Here we have the death knell of all shinplasters and the cer-
tainty of a legalized currency amply secured in its stead. The public
have abundant reason for thankfulness that they have escaped from
the reign of such a currency with so little loss. Our general bank-
ing law was universally condemned by our 'generous confidence'
financiers, and it was said that no one could or would do a banking
business under it ; but we think that experience has shown that all
such fears were groundless. In the short space of a few months
a large number of banks have come into existence and are doing
a successful business." (Democratic Press, July 23, 1853.)
"The law was wise, as it gave all persons full time to get rid of
foreign small bills and was intended to drive out all wild-cat issues,"
said the Democratic Press.
"The merchants of this city alone have been shaved by this wild-
cat currency to an extent of probably not less than $100,000 per
annum. If all persons are prohibited from paying small bills of
foreign banks, they must use specie or small bills that are convertible
into specie here." (Democratic Press, August 2, 1853.)
"The small bill law has gone into operation since our last issue.
So far as we can learn there is a general disposition to obey it, and
sometimes much vexation, inconvenience and trouble ensue. Our
banks we believe, with a single exception perhaps, vote it a nuisance,
and if we mistake not it is so regarded by the people generally. We
predict its early repeal at the next legislature. The shinplasters have
most happily made their exit, we hope never to return. We presume
the few stragglers still in the hands of the people will be redeemed.
While we rejoice at their departure, we would speak of them with
due respect, for they have served a most important purpose in the
development of the West. The Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insur-
ance company name is to appear no more on every other bill you
meet. Though it has always been a financial nondescript, there can
be no doubt as to the facilities it has afforded to the business com-
munity of Chicago and the people of the Northwest generally."
(Democratic Press, August 8, 1853.)
By the act of August 1, 1853, a supplemental law to the banking
156 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
act was passed, to the effect that no persons could become incorpor-
ated under said act until they should first have deposited with the
State auditor United States or State stocks so that its capital stock
would amount to the sum of $50,000. No persons could emit money
"other than the bills or notes of banks of this State."
"At this season for the last four years money has always been
close in this city. The canal sales are to take place next week and
will absorb all the spare means in the hands of our citizens. This
money of a very large amount is sent forward to New York to pay
the canal bondholders. We hope the canal trustees will sell all out
at once. The system heretofore pursued of their bidding against
buyers is execrable and we have good reason to believe cannot be
justified before a judicial tribunal. If they sell all the lands in their
hands, as it is thought they are legally bound to do, three years will
wipe out all these payments and we shall have no such drains as
now to cripple our energies." (Democratic Press, May 7, 1853.)
"The Christian Banker has again made its appearance. Since its
long 'nap' many of the spirits have apparently been cast out, as it is
far less extravagant than when first issued. Where is the Christian
Shoemaker? Will it not listen for one encouraging rap?" (Demo-
cratic Press, May 14, 1853.)
"Money is close as we expected. The land sales have closed and
after a few weeks we may expect easier times. The amount of the
sales is nearly $1,000,000. The first payment is $200,000. It was
a fact remarked by everyone that a majority of the purchases were
made by our citizens. However, the feeling in Clark street is buoy-
ant." (Democratic Press, May 14, 1853.)
"The small bill law has partially become a dead letter. So far
as our information extends nobody pretends to regard it. Even the
precaution at first used by the banks to receive them from depositors
'for collection' is no longer taken and the small bills of all good
banks circulate about as freely as ever. We doubt whether the very
executors of the law have not violated it repeatedly. Brokers charge
from 2 to 4 per cent, a month ; regular rates 10 per cent, per an-
num." (Democratic Press, September 12, 1853.)
"The money market continues very close. Short produce paper
is taken at the banks, but outside operators find it exceedingly diffi-
cult to obtain accommodations. All speculation paper is virtually
rejected, and no money can be had on it except at ruinous rates.
Some of the brokers are discounting at 2 per cent, a month, and 3
and 5 per cent, have been offered. The general business of the city
is, however, in a healthy condition." (Democratic Press, Septem-
ber, 1853.) ^TS
"The money market is tight, very tight. The pressure is, we be-
lieve, as for some months past, confined mainly to the banks and
monied men, as the people have more actual cash in hand than for
years previous." (Democratic Press, October 24, 1853.)
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 159
The law of 1853 discriminated against the small bills of banks
outside of Illinois. The object was to drive from the State all shin-
plasters, and time until August 1, 1853 was given, so that no hard-
ship would result. The shave on the small foreign bills had been
enormous. "The merchants of this city alone have been shaved by
this wild-cat currency to an extent probably of not less than $100,-
000 per annum. If all persons should be prohibited from paying
small bills of foreign banks, they must pay specie or small bills that
are convertible into specie here." (Democratic Press, August 2,
1853.)
In the fall of 1853 Chicago business men demanded more bank
capital. The city had grown so enormously that notwithstanding
the fact that the banks also had increased in numbers there was
still felt a serious lack in ready money. It should be noted that
at the time the new banking law took effect on August 1, 1853, every
newspaper of the city refused thereafter to insert any notices or ad-
vertisements from the shinplaster banks. In August all the security
banks of the city united and sorted out all outside shinplasters and
rated them accordingly to what they seemed worth. The Marine
bank issued $50,000 in small bills. The Union bank also issued
bills of small denomination. The Farmers' bank went into operation
in September, 1853.
The hard times began to be manifested here by October and No-
vember, 1853. The stringency became so great that a severe hard-
ship was entailed upon commercial transactions. The banks were
extremely cautious and in some instances refused to grant any dis-
counts whatever. Men that received favors considered themselves
extremely fortunate. The sound banks organized under the State
law were called "Illinois Stock Security Banks." Paul B. Ring
was president of the Farmers' bank and C. H. Chan cashier. They
issued bills of the denominations of $1, $2, and $5. A genuine
bank scare or panic was seriously threatened by the last of Septem-
ber. At this date several counterfeiters were caught in the toils in
this city. They had counterfeited bills of Chicago banks and also
of several outside institutions.
In February, 1854, money was exceedingly scarce. At this time
the Merchants and Mechanics bank added $100,000 to its capital.
The new Phcenix bank, with L. Reynolds president and N. C. Coe
cashier, began business about this date. Its capital was $50,000. It
issued $1, $2, $3 and $5 bills. The Commercial Exchange company,
at the corner of Clark and Randolph streets, began business about
this time with Henry Moore as president. The banking hours in
early times extended from 9 o'clock in the morning till 4 o'clock
in the afternoon ; but early in the '50s the time was changed to
10 o'clock in the morning till 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The bank-
ers unitedly desired to go back to the former time, but were opposed
by their clerks. In 1854 the following bankers were in operation
Vol. II 10.
160 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
here: Commercial Exchange, F. Granger Adams, J. M. Adsit, Ma-
rine Bank, George Smith & Co., Chicago Exchange Bank, Phoenix
Bank, Farmers' Bank, I. H. Burch & Co., R. K. Swift & Co., E. H.
Huntington & Co., Merchants and Mechanics bank, Union Bank,
Bradley, Curtiss & Co., and others.
Notwithstanding that money was exceedingly scarce, business in
the spring of 1854 was very brisk. The banks were cautious, but
business men managed to secure loans at reasonable rates. The $5
bills of the Phoenix bank were counterfeited quite extensively in
1854. Late in this year there was a sharp panic in financial affairs.
The trouble arose over the Indiana free bank bills. Brokers ran
them down and then bought them in large quantities for from 50
cents to 75 cents on the $1. Everybody who held them unwittingly
sacrificed and the brokers profited thereby. The excitement and
panic unjustly extended to the sound Indiana Stock bank, the bills
of which were run down by brokers as much as 25 per cent, discount.
Within a few months the bills of the Indiana free banks were wholly
driven out of this community. In different parts of the country the
same conditions prevailed. The panic resulted from the determina-
tion of security banks to drive out all shinplaster issues. The first
serious result of the panic here was the failure of the Merchants and
Mechanics bank, which did not open its doors on November 13.
The officers claimed it was in good condition and issued a statement
that they would resume business in a short time. On November
14 the City and Union banks both failed. At this date there were
large runs on both of the banks. The citizens became panic-stricken
and sacrificed their bills unreasonably and pandemonium reigned in
commercial and banking circles. In order to check the panic so far
as possible, a number of Chicago business men publicly announced
that they would receive the bills of the Chicago stock banks at par.
This announcement was signed by hundreds of the best business
men. By November 17 the panic had almost wholly subsided. At
this time N. C. Coe & Co. announced that the Phcenix bank would
continue business as N. C. Coe & Co. Of course the runs on the
banks were due to the fact that the banks themselves were unable
on short notice to redeem their bills in coin. Brokers took advantage
of this state of affairs to run down such bills to as low a figure as
possible in order to buy them and later compel the bankers to re-
deem them at par. In December, 1854, the Merchants and Me-
chanics bank resumed business. Dr. Boone, who had been its pres-
ident, resigned and Hon. James H. Woodworth succeeded him as
president. The prominence of Mr. Woodworth as Congressman
and his known high character as a man seemed to promise excellent
conduct for the new concern.
"Three years ago there was not a legitimate banking establish-
ment in the whole State of Illinois. Gold and silver were scarce
and most of our currency consisted of small notes on Eastern banks.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 101
Notes of a higher denomination than Is, 2s and 3s seldom found
their way to the inland portion of the State. We have now twenty-
nine banks, all working under the general banking law of the State,
which provides that the proprietors of each banking establishment
issuing notes shall deposit with the auditor of the State United
States stocks to the amount of their issue." (Democratic Press,
January 14, 1854.)
The new State banking law as passed was modeled after that of
New York. By January, 1854, the following banks had been organ-
ized under it :
BANKS. Bills in Circulation.
Exchange bank $ 50,000
Marine bank 215,000
Bank of America 50,000
Chicago bank 150,000
Commercial bank 55,000
Farmers' bank 50,000
Union bank 75,000
Merchants and Mechanics bank 54,700
City bank 60,000
Total $759,700
"There has been a perfect panic during the week in reference to
the Indiana free banks. The city and the surrounding country seem
to have been flooded with their bills, and as the brokers have pur-
chased them at from 50 to 75 cents on the dollar and have had all
they could do at that, large amounts must have been sacrificed. The
trouble with this money seems to be the impossibility of converting
it into coin or even into current bills or exchange. The only safe
course is to refuse them entirely. Money has been excessively close
during the past week. Indeed, it has been almost impossible to
borrow on any terms." (Democratic Press, October 23, 1854.)
"Although our merchants have done a large and profitable busi-
ness, and capital within the last five years has been rapidly accumu-
lating at this point, the increase has borne no sort of proportion to
the rapidly increasing commerce of the city. Our commercial and
manufacturing interests have doubled within the last two years.
This large increase of business is due mainly to the extension of our
railroads in all directions, and the consequent rapid filling up and
sudden development of the resources of the country through which
they pass. They have brought an amount of business to the city
for which the most sanguine were not prepared, and the demands
of which very few had the capital to meet. This scarcity of capital
is the origin of the deranged state of our currency which every
business man now feels most sensibly. For this reason the Indiana
free banks have been able to flood the city and the State with their
paper issues. It is utterly impossible for our own bankers to meet
the wants of our business men." (Democratic Press, October 25.
1854.)
162 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
NOVEMBER 30, 1854.
BANKS. Had in Circulation.
Merchants and Mechanics bank $ 58,700
Marine bank 158,901
The City bank 50,000
The Chicago bank 125,081
Commercial bank 54,998
The Bank of America 50,000
The Union bank 74,993
Exchange bank 49,995
The Phoenix bank 50,000
The Farmers' bank 50,000
The most of the securities deposited by these banks to secure their
circulation were Virginia and Missouri State stocks at par, Illinois
new Internal Improvement stock deposited at 50 per cent., Illinois
new Internal Improvement certificates, and Illinois and Michigan
canal stocks deposited at 50 per cent.
In December, 1854, Thomas H. Noble, a teller in the office of
George Smith & Co., became defaulter for about $9,000. In De-
cember, 1854, while money was close, business was prosperous and
there was general confidence in the future. The Fanners' bank had
failed and the three banks City, Farmers' and Phoenix were still
closed late in December, 1854. During the winter of 1854-5, as
might have been expected, many workmen were thrown out of
employment. The city did everything in its power to relieve them
in their distress. Extra shifts of workmen were put at various jobs,
such as cleaning the streets, etc. Late in December, 1854, the bills
of the City, Farmers', Phoenix and Union banks were quoted at 25
per cent, discount. The City bank had been conducted by Bradley,
Curtiss & Co. and the Union Bank by Forrest, Brothers & Co. Sev-
eral small private banks failed here during the fall and winter. In
January, 1855, Mark Skinner, receiver, was occupied in winding up
the affairs of the City, Union, Phoenix and Farmers' banks. It was
claimed that the bank commissioners failed in their duty by not
taking immediate posession of those banks as soon as failure was
announced. It was pointed out that these banks left to themselves
had managed to absorb and conceal what resources they had left,
to the injury of their creditors. In the month of January, 1855,
there were many business failures throughout the country. The
failure of Wadsworth & Sheldon, of New York City, for about
$2,500,000 involved the Exchange Bank of Chicago and other busi-
ness institutions here. In January, 1855, J. H. Kedzie opened a
banking house at 24 Clark street. At this time J. C. Barbour was
conducting a banking and exchange office at 42 Clark street. He
had previously been a cashier in the Marine bank. In March, 1855,
E. I. Tinkham opened a banking establishment. He had previously
been connected with George Smith & Co. and had been cashier of
the Marine bank. Early in 1855 the State auditor was authorized
to exchange the security of the suspended banks here (City, Union,
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 163
Farmers' and Phoenix) for their notes at par. About the year 1855
the custom of paying interest on deposits was introduced here gen-
erally. The Democratic Press argued against the custom, saying,
"It is borrowing money when the real function of banking is to
loan."
In April, 1855, the bills of the ten security banks here were all at
par. J. M. Adsit offered from J4 of 1 per cent, premium for the sus-
pended bank bills. He did this because the State auditor was then
redeeming those bills with gold. J. C. Barbour made the same offer.
About this time Morford Brothers began banking here. They were
located at Clark and Lake streets. One of the brothers had been
connected with the F. Granger Adams banking house for two years.
"Business in this city is brisk and the demand for money very
active. The banks are supplying their customers on short time
for strictly business purposes at the legal rates, viz. : ten per cent."
(Democratic Press, September 18, 1854.)
"Just now financial prospects look decidedly squally. The banks
of the city have shut down on their best customers and of course it
is hardly possible to borrow money on any terms. Collections come
in very slowly and some are utterly unable to pay though worth
thousands of dollars. How long is this state of things to continue ?
Are we to have a financial crisis, or will this squall blow over in a
week or two?" (Democratic Press, October 25, 1854.)
"Money is, if possible, closer than ever. We doubt whether there
has been a note discounted in Clark street during the past week.
Of course money is not to be had." (Democratic Press, October
30, 1854.)
"The banks hale again stopped discounting, and of course money
is not to be had except in small amounts by 'the people who happen
to get in'." (Democratic Press, November 13. 1854.)
Among the banking establishments here in June, 1855, were the
following: G. C. Whitney & Sons, Exchange Bank of America,
Chicago, Merchants and Mechanics, Commercial, City, Marine.
Farmers', Union, Henry and Elias Greenebanm, Gwynne, Day &
Co.. Morford Brothers. Officer & Brothers. At this time the bills
of the Phoenix, City. Farmers', Union and Marine banks were at
a slight discount. All the other stock banks were at par.
The war against shinplaster issues was continued during 1855
with unabated vigor and intensity. The security banks and the best
element among the business men made every effort to drive out the
wild-cat issue and in a large measure succeeded. Brokers acting in
their own interests aided them in the attempt to depreciate the value
of shinplaster currency. The brokers carried the matter so far
that a financial panic was threatened and was narrowly averted. At
this time the regular rate of interest was 10 per cent., but brokers
charged from 2 to 5 per cent, a month. At this time a concerted
attack upon Smith's Georgia banks was made by the security banks :
164 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
but the newspapers spoke well of the institution managed by Mr.
Smith, notwithstanding the fact that his issues were shinplasters.
It was alleged that Smith's Georgia banks had issued an immense
quantity of unsecured bills and that his bank in Chicago had under-
taken to float them in this community and had largely succeeded.
Many declared that in a short time these banks themselves would
fail and the money they had issued not being secured would prove
worthless. Late in December 109 business men and houses signed
a call "to aid in suppressing and driving out of circulation all Geor-
gia and Tennessee money." This was the culmination of the attack
upon the issues of George Smith & Co. Mr. Smith was the owner
of the Interior and Atlanta banks of Georgia. H. A. Tucker &
Co. of Chicago owned the Merchants Bank of Macon, Ga., I. H.
Burch & Co. owned the La Grange Bank of Georgia and the Mer-
chants and Mechanics Bank of Chicago owned the Cherokee Insur-
ance company of Dolton, Ga. It was believed that these banks in a
short time would fail and that their issues would become worthless,
and that as Cook county was flooded with their bills the result here
might be disastrous to business calculations.
"We have nothing new from our suspended banks. They adopt
the 'mum' policy for reasons of course best known to themselves.
Their bill holders are becoming impatient." (Democratic Press,
January 1, 1855.)
"We have to note a further improvement in most of the Illinois
suspended banks. They are now purchased at only 5 per cent, dis-
count by our principal brokers. This fact shows the excellence of
our banking system and speaks volumes in its favor." (Press,
March 26, 1855.)
"Business of all kinds is active and consequently the demands
upon our bankers are large. Currency is very scarce and probably
must continue so for a short time longer What Chica-
go most needs is capital and men to do the business that is con-
stantly pouring in upon her like a mighty avalanche." (Daily
Press, April 7, 1855.)
The Legislature in February, 1855, passed a law "to allow the
auditor to give up the bonds of the suspended banks to the bill hold-
ers. This will greatly relieve our brokers and business men."
(Daily Press, February 19, 1855.)
The business men of Chicago met in the rooms of the Board of
Trade January 6, 1855, "to consult upon ways and means to do
away with the circulation of illegitimate bank notes, and to secure
such new laws and amendments to the present banking law as will
secure for this city and State a sound (banking) currency, con-
vertible into exchange at fair cost, and at the same time afford ample
remuneration to the banker and the investment of capital in bank-
ing." Resolutions to this effect and directed to the Legislature were
adopted. Present: B. W. Raymond, J. H. Reed, J. H. Dunham.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 165
James A. Smith, M. D. Oilman, J. C. Williams, Nelson Tuttle,
Aaron Haven, E. Baker, and W. A. Baldwin. Mr. Raymond was
elected chairman of the meeting.
"With all the run on the banks of George Smith & Co. no man, so
far as we have been able to learn, doubts their solvency for a mo-
ment ; indeed the class of business done by this firm renders it almost
impossible to affect their credit in the least. It is known to every one
who has any knowledge of their mode of doing business that they
never touch any paper which is not above suspicion, hence they
make no losses. Men who are not perfectly good, who do not meet
their notes promptly, can get no accommodation of them. Hence
the bitterness and malignity manifested against them in certain
quarters." (Daily Press, October 6, 1855.)
"The tricks to which those who are endeavoring to produce finan-
cial crisis in the West are ready to resort are sufficiently mean and
contemptible. Certain wire pullers were determined to pass at the
State fair a series of resolutions which they desired to publish as
coming from the farmers of the State, condemning in strong lan-
guage the issues of George Smith & Co. and the other banks in
Georgia which are owned by parties in this city. Accordingly a few
got together, passed the resolutions in course, and harangued the
crowd on the importance of the Industrial League. As to the At-
lanta and Interior banks we have never heard any well-informed
business man express the opinion that all the enemies of George
Smith & Co. put together had power enough to break them. In-
deed they don't expect it. They hope simply to cripple them and buy
their notes at a heavy discount." (Daily Press, October 16, 1855.)
"CHICAGO, November 17, 1855.
"Sir The undersigned bankers in Chicago respectfully invite
your institution to unite with us in carrying into effect an arrange-
ment whereby all the banks in this State shall provide for the
redemption of their notes in gold at their place of issue, and in Chi-
cago or St. Louis by a responsible agent, upon the following terms :
At St. Louis in specie funds and at Chicago in sight exchange on
New York at the usual rate among bankers. The object is to dis-
criminate between banks of substantial capital and those of issue
merely having little or no means beyond the stocks deposited with
the auditor of State, and also that a prompt and reliable redemption
may be obtained when desired. Banks desiring to participate in
this arrangement may signify it to either of the undersigned and
by giving continual public notice through their agents in St. Louis
or Chicago according to the places they may select. The notes of
any bank declining to redeem as aforesaid will not be treated as cur-
rency after the 30th inst. It is understood that bankers presenting
notes for redemption shall receive in return their own notes or those
they may be interested in circulating."
This was signed by George Smith & Co. ; E. W. Willard, cashier
166 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Bank of America ; B. F. Carver, cashier Marine bank and secretary
of Chicago Marine and Fire Insurance Company; H. A. Tucker
& Co. ; I. H. Burch & Co. by I. H. Burch, cashier Chicago bank ; A.
Gilbert, cashier Commercial bank and secretary of Commercial
Exchange Company; Francis A. Hoffman; Officer & Brother; Ed-
ward I. Tinkham & Co.
At the time this circular was issued the Press bitterly denounced
it as a measure originated by the wild-cats and calculated to injure
and cripple the stock-secured banks.
"For fifteen years George Smith was the only banker in the city.
His currency was the Milwaukee Marine and Fire Insurance com-
pany's wild-cat bills. The last four or five years he has been the
principal and largest banker in the city and has furnished a circu-
lation in the main for all this city and region. No man has ever
lost a dollar by his failure or refusal to redeem the circulation he
put forth." (Daily Press, December 27, 1855.)
"We have observed with regret an effort on the part of some of
our newspapers and brokers, as well as of people at a distance, to
discredit and render useless the currency upon which this city has
mainly relied and used in the various transactions of business."
(Daily Press, January 5, 1856.)
"The money market for the past week has been quite stringent,
and bankers have been discounting to a very small extent. Our mer-
chants generally are in a very flourishing condition and quite inde-
pendent of bank assistance. We hear of South Water and Lake
street merchants buying up their own paper, and we know of some
of them taking funds to New York to buy up all their paper that can
be had on advantageous terms and may be bought in that city.
This speaks volumes for the responsibility of our Chicago men, and
should inspire great confidence in their ability, and no doubt will
rather surprise those gentlemen who have been preaching panic,
ruin and bankruptcy to the traders of this city. Speculators are
very short of funds. Bankers are discounting very sparingly.
Brokers are buying first-class business papers at 2 per cent, per
month. Currency is in fair supply, with very little Georgia in cir-
culation. Brokers are not now sorting many of the bills of country
banks to draw coin on them, as the abundant supply of gold and
exchange prevents it being so profitable as heretofore. We have
therefore a large amount of our own State money now in circula-
tion. The discrediting of Georgia and Tennessee money after the
15th inst. will not alter the money market: bankers' rates are 10 per
cent, for thirtv days: brokers' rates are 20 to 24 per cent, pavable
in sixtv to ninety davs." (J. K. Swift Johnson & Co. in Daily
Nni>s. January 3, 1856.)
The most noticeable fact connected with the banking interests
of the city during the '50s was the enormous increase in the amount
of business done. The banking business in reality increased during
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 167
that period at a greater ratio than did the growth in population.
The number of active banking institutions quadrupled. Busi-
ness men were overwhelmed with orders for goods and they in
turn so overwhelmed the banks that the latter greatly increased their
capital. In 1856 the leading banking establishments were as fol-
lows : Officer & Brothers ; Wheeler, Bunker & Co. ; Gwynne, Day
& Co.; Brewster, Hay & Co.; Hoffman & Gelpcke; R. K. Swift
Johnston & Co. ; Wadsworth & Hitz ; Greenebaum Brothers ; E.
Aiken ;' Strong & Wiley; Morford Brothers; T. C. Barbour; E. R.
Hinckley & Co. ; Cotes, Dyhrenfurth & Co. ; Davisson, McCalla &
Co.; G. C. Whitney & Son; E. I. Tinkham & Co.; I. H. Burch;
George Smith & Co., and Gurley & Farlin.
During the summer of 1856 money was extremely tight, owing
to the condition of affairs in the East as well as to the lack of suffi-
cient banking capital here to meet business requirements. In Au-
gust, 1856, the Board of Trade took action to improve the banking
law of the State. Thomas Richmond was at the head of this move-
ment. This course was rendered necessary by the fact that illegiti-
mate banking was extensively conducted by evasion of the new
banking law and business men were at the mercy of brokers.
"We notice that the banking business in this city is increasing in
an immense ratio. A great deal of capital is coming in here. We
hear of one gentleman from Scotland who has invested half a mil-
lion of dollars. To give an idea of the immense business in money
done in this city we mention that one house the Marine bank in
this city pays out from $350,000 to $400,000 on checks daily. Tak-
ing the whole of our banking houses the amount of money
turned daily must be very large." (Daily Democrat, October 14,
1856.)
In October, 1856, brokers and owners of stock effected an organ-
ization to protect their mutual interests with Buckner S. Morris as
president and George T. Pearson as secretary and treasurer. In
November, 1856, exchange on New York was quoted at 1*4 per
cent, premium. Late in the fall of 1856 and early in 1857, financiers
here predicted serious trouble in business affairs.
"Before this (banking) law was passed, we had none before
George Smith & Co., H. T. Tucker & Co.. and I. H. Burch & Co.,
men of unquestionable integrity, commanding an immense capital,
and for many years known to the public as shrewd and far-seeing
bankers, who established banks in other States, in every respect legal
and legitimate institutions, and from the entire confidence which the
people had in their financial skill and abundant wealth they secured
for their issues a wide circulation. They used the bills of banks
located in another State (Georgia), but made themselves personally
responsible. These bills were in circulation when our general bank-
ing law was passed. We regarded the Georgia system as temporary,
and one that could in a few years, when our own law was perfected,
168 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
be gradually abandoned. It was regarded by its bitterest enemies
as perfectly safe. When the bank war raged two years ago, they
were approved by our largest and wisest business men. But as soon
as the brokers had time to scan our general banking law, they in-
augurated an organized and persistent war against our Georgia
bankers. Their bills were sent home by hundreds of thousands of
dollars, but they were all promptly redeemed in exchange or coin.
Months passed on and the Georgia currency was mainly withdrawn
and the sharpers and stock jobbers were left in an open field for
their schemes of chicanery and plunder. Behold the result ! Those
in the secret have now to puff stocks as long as they can possibly
bear it, lend them to stool pigeons, have them deposited with the
auditor, and get bills issued by the million and put them in circula-
tion. The game works beautifully, the auditor takes the securities,
and the people take the bills. Soon they are quoted at 'current rates,'
and everything goes on swimmingly. Suddenly it is discovered
that the stock given as security is worthless and then the trouble be-
gins. It is moreover mysteriously found out that the banks are re-
deeming bills under $10 one by one in small new silver coin and that
each bill must be protested separately. In fact everything is out of
joint with the law, and all possible efforts are exhausted to get up a
panic. Then the people will have sensible evidence of their schemes.
The bills of the People's (stock) Bank of Carmi are now bought at
12 per cent, discount as an example, and the wishes of certain bro-
kers and quack financiers are that half of the banks of the State shall
follow the same lead. Our banking law needs radical amendment."
(Daily Press, January 29, 1857.)
The act of January 28, 1857, incorporated the Merchants Savings,
Loan and Trust company with a capital of $500,000 and with the
following incorporators : William B. Ogden, F. B. Cooley, N. R.
Wilder, Henry Farnham, Samuel R. Officer, John Hight, Jr., Eras-
tus S. Williams, Henry W. Hinsdale, John W. Stanley, John R.
Babcock, Charles Hitchcock, D. R. Holt, and R. W. Officer. They
were authorized to increase their capital to $2,000,000, to borrow
and lend money, to receive deposits and buy and sell exchange, bills,
notes, bonds, etc., to hold coin and to accept trusts whether fiduciary
or otherwise, and to hold the real estate necessary, etc.
The Chicago Savings Institution and Trust company was incor-
porated on February 14, 1857, by Peter Page, Walter S. Gurnee,
Charles Harmon, John P. Chapin, Thomas Heale, Benj. W. Ray-
mond, Edward K. Rodgers, Amos G. Throop, William H. Brown,
Edward I. Tinkham, Thomas Richmond, James Peck, Tuthill King,
E. D. Taylor, Philo Carpenter, George W. Dole, Grant Goodrich,
and Walter L. Newberry.
The new banking law provided that all bonds should be received at
10 per cent, less than their New York value; that when notes were
presented for redemption the redemption should be instanter in gold ;
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 169
that notes when payment was refused should be protested in aggre-
gate; that banks should do business in the place where they were
established and could receive 10 per cent, interest; that no bank
should be established with less than $50,000 capital paid up.
"Since the issue of our circular of March 31 we have passed
through one of the closest, if not the closest, week of the season.
For ten days past it has been next to impossible to get paper dis-
counted at the banks. Deposits were down to the lowest point of the
year." (R. K. Swift, Brother & Johnson in Daily Press, April 8,
1857.)
Early in 1857 C. M. James and Alfred Hyde endeavored to es-
tablish a fraudulent bank, but they were soon discovered and com-
pelled to quit business. Late in January, 1857, exchange on New
York was from 1 % to 3 per cent, premium. At this time Tinkham
& Co. withdrew much of their issues from circulation. The bills
of Illinois banks that had failed were quoted at 10 per cent discount.
A. F. Sherman & Co. were doing a banking business in February,
1857. About this time the Legislature considered incorporating a
savings institution here with a capital of $2,000,000. Among the
incorporators were W. B. Ogden, J. H. Dunham, W. L. Newberry
and J. H. Foster. In April, 1857, Forrest Brothers & Co., who had
previously failed, resumed banking operations with honor. In May,
1857, J. M. Adsit, Taylor & Kreigh, and Louis J. Hertz were en-
gaged in banking here. In July, 1857, the Bank of Commerce con-
ducted by E. R. Hinckley & Co. failed to open its doors. It was
claimed they had become involved in an immense corn speculation
on the Board of Trade. Several indictments were returned against
the various members of that bank. In July, 1857, $500,000 was
added to the banking capital of the Marine bank. B. F. Carver
was cashier of this institution. In July, 1857, H. A. Smith, of the
Chicago Joint Stock company, was indicted for conducting a lot-
tery and was fined heavily. The failure of E. R. Hinckley & Co.
was followed by runs upon many of the other banking establish-
ments. On August 11, Cotes & Brother, formerly Cotes, Dyhren-
furth & Co., closed their doors. Country depositors had with-
drawn their deposits and the city had done the same, which act
left the institution destitute of sufficient currency to meet the de-
mands of depositors. In August banks throughout the country
began to fail. About the first of September all banking accommo-
dations were stopped and the banks absolutely refused all discount.
Business men here could not understand why this should be so,
in view of the good crops and generally of the prosperous condi-
tion of the country. On September 29 E. I. Tinkham & Co. closed
their doors. There followed a drastic run on R. K. Swift, Brother
& Johnson, who were likewise compelled to close on September 30.
Later they announced that they would liquidate and not resume
operations. On October 12 Wadsworth & Co. closed their doors.
170 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
"The money market is still unsettled and great caution is exer-
cised by our bankers in all their movements. ... In our own
city the money market continues uncomfortably close, but every-
thing is entirely quiet and the streets are alive with business and
bustle." (Chicago Press, September 9, 1857.)
"The past week has been one of great anxiety and caution. At
no time in the history of our city has there been so complete a stop-
page of all bank accommodations. For the past week the banks,
with but few exceptions, peremptorily refused all discounts. They
have, of course, been further strengthening themselves against any
further contingency." (Chicago Press, September 14, 1857.)
"Our bankers and citizens generally take matters very coolly and
seem to be prepared for the worst. Confidence in the wealth and the
abundant resources of the Northwest does not waver for a moment.
Why should it ? We have the wheat and the corn, the pork and the
beef, and, come what will, the dependent East must purchase our
surplus of these commodities." (Chicago Press, September 29,
1857.)
"It is with pride that we record the fact that Chicago still
stands." (Chicago Press, October 15, 1857.)
"Exchange continues very scarce and the market is variable and
unsettled. Some of our leading bankers charge 5 per cent on col-
lections and some charge 10. The general trade of the city, all
things considered, is healthy and active. The question may arise,
how our wholesale dealers can stand the rates of exchange. The
high rates, the well grounded distrust of most Eastern currency, and
the fact that the bills of the Illinois and Wisconsin banks could not
be used at seaboard, and that they are taken here at par, added to
the still further fact that they were for a time discredited in St.
Louis, have given our wholesale dealers an immense trade."
(Chicago Press, October 26, 1857.)
A meeting of the merchants was called for January 20, 1858,
"For the purpose of taking into consideration the state of our cur-
rency and exchange market with the view of devising some plan
which may prove beneficial to the interests of this city and vicinity,
and give us equal facilities with our neighboring cities. The experi-
ence of the last few months in wild-cat currency and the unprece-
dented high rates of exchange will suggest the importance of such
considerations." (Signed by Nelson Tuttle, Edwin Hempstead,
George M. Wells and John V. Farwell.)
"All the banks in Illinois and Wisconsin except the Marine and
the Chicago of this city (which to their honor, be it said, have the
coin on demand for all their issues) virtually suspended specie pay-
ments, yet our bankers received at par the bills of all the country
banks and thus saved the business of the city from utter stagnation
and ruin." (Annual Review of Chicago, January. 1858.)
It was noted that nearly all business continued in 1857 about as
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 171
usual. The shipments of wheat were about 100,000 bushels per
day. "When coin and exchange became dear, our merchants took
currency from their customers, bought wheat with it, and made ex-
change for themselves. Such an example of Western energy and
shrewdness was duly appreciated by the creditors of Chicago dealers
upon the seaboard." (Review of Chicago.)
The panic of 1857 was one of money, not of poverty.
"The Northwest was entirely solvent was teeming with wealth
in her products. Her farmers had full granaries and storehouses
and were ready to sell at a fair price. Parties whose interest it was
to influence the market published and most industriously circulated
reports said to have been 'carefully made up from actual observa-
tion' that there was comparatively no grain in the country, that our
surplus was exhausted, that the mighty Northwest had neither
money nor produce. These slanders were most eagerly caught up
by the journals of the East and extensively published under the head
of 'Eastern Distrust of the West.' The effect was instantly felt.
Our bankers stood appalled by the drain on them from the East.
Large sums of money which had been sent forward for the purpose
of moving the crops were at once withdrawn."
Early in 1858 the bank note list issued by E. Keach & Co. gave
a complete valuation of all the bills in circulation in Chicago. This
and other similar lists were invaluable to business men and brokers.
No transaction was made that did not take into consideration under
compulsion the current value of a score of different bills of vital
importance to all business where cash was required.
By May, 1858, exchange on New York had fallen to about 1 per
cent, premium, with gold the same. In May the Bank Note Reporter
was issued by E. K. Willard & Young, bankers, at 74 Dearborn
street. This also supplied a want that had not been filled by any
previous bank list, because it gave a great deal of valuable informa-
tion concerning business and banking operations in addition to the
correct quotations of all current and uncurrent money. In August,
1858, a large meeting of bankers and merchants considered the
advisability of throwing out of circulation all Wisconsin bank bills
affected by the late free banking law of that State. Six of the Chi-
cago security banks resolved to discontinue the receipt of such
bills. Brokers, however, were not affected and accordingly took no
action except to make deeper shaves whenever that money passed
through their hands. One of the resolutions passed at this, meeting
was as follows :
"Resolved, That we believe Wisconsin currency to be well secured,
and if any of the banks in that State refuse to redeem, we will
nevertheless take the money at par, and place it in the hands of some
banker who will send it home for redemption."
In March, 1859, among the leading bankers and brokers were
the following: L. E. Alexander & Co., Ernst Trussing, Granger
172 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Weldon & Co., E. I. Tinkham & Co., Charles H. Ham & Co., Hoff-
man & Gelpcke, Uldrich & Geudtner, A. C. Hertel, Officer & Broth-
ers, Aiken & Norton, George Smith, G. C. Whitney & Co., T. C.
Barbour, B. W. Phillips, H. A. Tucker & Co., and Morford
Brothers.
As a matter of fact banks of issue operating strictly under the
spirit of the State law found it hard to exist at this time. The
security banks had ceased to emit bills, but the irregular banks
poured upon the community large quantities of their funds and usu-
ally adopted the method of circulating the same rapidly at some
distant point before the true nature of the institution issuing them
could be learned. The only security bank of issue in 1858 was the
Marine. At this date currency was very scarce and mostly came
from distant points. It should be noted that late in November,
1858, New York exchange sold at par with the best currency.
In June, 1859, exchange on New York and gold were both at
2*/2 per cent, premium. In August it had risen to 3 per cent, premi-
um. This was not so much due to the impending panic as it was
to the fact that business was extremely prosperous. Business men
demanded money and exchange and this requirement forced sky-
ward the requests upon bankers and brokers for short loans. By the
latter part of September, 1859, exchange had fallen to less than 1
per cent, premium. It was said at the time that the demand for
money in the fall of 1859 was the most urgent ever experienced in
this city up to that date. It was further stated that the demand was
wholly legitimate and largely sprang from the lack of sufficient
banking capital here. More than one business house in October
received in one day over $100,000 worth of produce paper besides
paying the checks of customers. Naturally during this enormous
demand for money bankers and brokers did their utmost to supply
the wants of business men. Late in October New York exchange
was quoted at J4 per cent, premium.
The Press and Tribune of November 15, 1859, had the following
notice : "The Illinois and Wisconsin bank notes are not readily con-
verted into coin or exchange. The banks of those States furnish
almost all the currency in circulation west of Indiana. They are
opposed on principle to redeeming their issues; and the brokers of
Chicago are in favor of the high rates of exchange, as it enables them
to realize two or three times the legal rates of interest. By loaning
to their customers for a short time Western currency and making
them pay back in New York funds they draw 20 to 30 per cent,
interest instead of 10 which the law allows. The banks only redeem
at the tail end of a chancery suit, but as their issues are 'stock-
secured,' they are considered ultimately good and consequently pass
freely. There will be no low rates of exchange in this city while the
brokers are herded together to keep it up, and the banks allowed to
avoid prompt redemption."
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 173
During the fall of 1860 it became apparent to thoughtful and
experienced financiers and business men that the political agitation
then convulsing the country might seriously injure business opera-
tions during the coming winter. It was realized that the bills of
the security banks of Illinois were largely based upon the stocks
of many of the Southern states. It was seen that should the South
adopt ordinances of secession, inaugurate war and withdraw from
the Union the value of the stocks held as security by the banks of
Illinois would become greatly reduced and in fact might become
worthless. Accordingly business men generally looked with misgiv-
ings upon what the future should bring forth. In October, 1860,
exchange on New York jumped to \]/ 2 per cent, premium. The
Tribune and Press about this time said, "More than twenty banks
have come into operation under our general banking law within
the last few months. The next Legislature should provide some
effectual check to this unlimited expansion of the currency." It
was the opinion of business men here that the banking law of the
State should at once be amended on the following points : To pro-
vide . for the redemption of bills of doubtful security ; to prevent
banks and brokers from charging excessive exchange rates; that
a discrimination against banks which evaded the law should be
made ; that banks which failed should be compelled to liquidate and
redeem their bills, and that all banks should be required to deposit
with the State auditor Illinois or United States stocks. At a busi-
ness meeting held here concerning the monetary situation the fol-
lowing was one of the conclusions :
"WHEREAS, In our opinion the present monetary crisis in our
State is the direct result of our banking system, which discriminates
against the interests of our own citizens in its practical workings
by giving to a few irresponsible bankers (in most cases) the inter-
est upon $15,000,000 of stocks, while the people are compelled to
pay for them and submit to the conversion of every dollar of their
surplus products into bank bills with no other basis but those stocks
till from $5,000,000 in 1857 they have increased to $12,000,000,
$3,000,000 of the increase being from this year's surplus crop, and
WHEREAS, From the nature of the evil the commercial interests
of the State are compelled to bear the burden of its depreciated
currency."
The last report of the auditor before November 1, 1860, showed
that only twenty of the eighty-four banks in the State had any de-
posits, and those banks receiving deposits were confined to one half-
dozen leading cities of the State. The total deposits of these banks
about November, 1860, was $832,354. The circulation of the
eighty-four banks was $9,610,084. This illustrates to what an ex-
traordinary degree the State had been flooded with rag money.
After the presidential election of November, 1860, exchange began
to mount upward and although currency was discounted heavily
174 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
business men continued to borrow and to widen operations. On
November 16 gold and exchange were quoted at from 3 per cent,
to 5 per cent, premium to customers and to others from 5 to 6 per
cent, premium. The next day exchange mounted from 5 per cent, to
7 per cent, premium selling. On November 19 exchange reached
10 per cent, premium selling, while gold was quoted at from 5 per
cent, to 10 per cent, premium.
Late in November, 1860, many bankers were called upon to
strengthen their security. This was due to the fact that the securi-
ties themselves had depreciated and were still depreciating in value.
The time to make good was fixed at thirty-five days. About Novem-
ber 22 many bankers of Virginia suspended, as did also several
in Washington, D. C. On November 23 exchange was quoted at
7 per cent, premium selling and gold .at 10 per cent, premium
selling. At this date stocks were recovering a little. Late in
November Mr. Tinkham offered to buy much of the discarded
Illinois issues at 80 cents on the $1. About this time other Illinois
bank bills were thrown out of circulation here. Late in November
the banks of Missouri, except those of St. Louis, suspended specie
payments. Small change in Chicago was so scarce that merchants
themselves issued small "promises to pay." About December all
discarded Illinois issues were quoted at 15 per cent, discount, Geor-
gia at 10 per cent, discount, the two Carolinas at 5 per cent, dis-
count, Virginia and Tennessee at 3 per cent, discount, Missouri
and Free Indiana at 1 per cent, discount, Iowa at 3 per cent, pre-
mium, Michigan, Canada and Louisiana at 5 per cent, premium ;
Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana also at 5 per cent, premium ; New York
and New England banks, 5 per cent, premium ; gold from 7 to 8
per cent, premium selling, and New York exchange the same.
Late in December, 1860, 120 merchants and business houses
signed a call for a business meeting to be held at Bryan hall to con-
sider the state of the money market and "to consult as to what legis-
lation is necessary in view of the financial and general condition
of our State."
Upon the passage of the ordinance of secession by South Carolina
in December, 1860, there was not such a financial panic as had been
anticipated. However, as time passed and one after another of
the Southern states followed the course marked out by South Caro-
lina, the bills of all banks with Southern security began to depreci-
ate in value. In fact the bills of banks with Northern security but
of doubtful strength also began to decline in value. By about the
first of February, 1861, exchange on New York was 6 per cent,
premium buying and 7 per cent, selling; New York and New Eng-
land solvent banks, 6 per cent, premium; Louisiana, Ohio, Kentucky,
Indiana State, Michigan, Canada, New Jersey and Iowa, 5 per cent,
premium; Tennessee, Maryland and Free Indiana, 2 per cent, premi-
um; Missouri, par; gold, 6 per cent, premium. Uncurrent money
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 177
had fallen immensely. Discredited Illinois bank bills were quoted
at 2 per cent, discount ; Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia,
old Tennessee, South Carolina and the stock bank bills of Tennessse
were quoted at 5 per cent, discount.
So great was the diversity in bank bill quotations at this time
that scavenger brokers began a systematic attempt to depreciate the
bills of good banks in order to secure the same for redemption at
par upon presentation later to the banks themselves. They also
bought up such bills and sold the same to laborers and servant girls
at 10 per cent, premium.
Early in 1861 the State Legislature duly considered the changes
asked for in the State banking law by Chicagoans. J. Y. Scammon
then represented Cook county in the House and was the leader there
in banking reforms. At this time pandemonium reigned in Chi-
cago business circles owing to the constant fluctuations in currency
rates and to the excited condition of the country. In February,
1861, Mack's bank bill became a law.
At a meeting of the bankers of Chicago held on February 27,
1861, it was resolved to receive at par the bills of all Illinois banks
put in liquidation by the State auditor. The discredited bank bills
remained at 20 per cent, discount. By March 27, 1861, New York
exchange and gold had fallen to from 3*/2 to 5 per cent, premium.
The Chicago bankers had carried inferior Illinois money issues
of rags, as they were termed until the burden became unbearable,
when all were finally thrown out of circulation. At first the issues
of thirty-two banks were thus discarded and later others were added
to the issues under the ban.
"The wholesale slaughtering of the Illinois banks on Saturday
evening produced considerable excitement to-day; but all things
considered there was much less than might have been expected.
Comparatively few were disposed to sacrifice their money. The bills
of these banks have now been, or will be, reduced to what the bonds
on which they are based make them worth according to prices
ruling in the New York market." (Tribune, April 2, 1861.)
Early in 1861 the banks of Chicago were publicly thanked by a
mass meeting of the merchants for throwing out the poor rag money
of Illinois banks. In April, 1861, the Merchants' association was
incorporated with full banking powers and with a capital of $1,000,-
000. During April all bonds and stocks, with few exceptions,
dropped sharply in value. About the middle of April brokers of-
fered 75 cents on the $1 for bills of rejected banks. Two days later
they offered only 70 cents on the $1. On that date there was strong
talk that the issues of thirteen more Illinois banks would be thrown
out of circulation. At this time exchange on New York was quoted
at from 7 to 8 per cent, premium selling and was very unsettled ;
gold was quoted at from 6 to 10 per cent, premium selling.
Immediately after the fall of Fort Sumter all stocks declined
Vol. 1111.
178 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
about 5 per cent., but nearly all immediately recovered to the figure
they were before the surrender of that fort. Gold remained high,
however; on the 17th it sold as high as 10 per cent, premium; on
April 16 exchange also jumped at 10 per cent, premium, gold re-
maining the same. On April 17 exchange remained at 10 per
cent, premium selling, but gold jumped to 12 per cent, premium
selling. At this date brokers were offering 50 cents on the $1 for
rejected bank bills. No currency was worth over 90 cents on the
$1, because gold was at 10 per cent, premium. By April 23 the
bankers of Chicago refused to sell exchange on New York except
upon such high terms as were ruinous to business men. Exchange
was officially quoted at 15 per cent, premium selling, but fluctuated
4 or 5 per cent, above and below that figure. Gold at this time
was selling as high as 20 per cent, premium.
"The money market is entirely unsettled and almost indescribable.
The banks have an abundance of currency. Most of the banks re-
fuse to sell exchange on any terms. What little was doled out to
customers was at 15 per cent, premium. Gold as near as we can
give was 15 per cent, buying and 20 per cent, selling." (Tribune,
April 23, 1861.)
"The money market for the past week has been entirely unsettled
and the most gloomy forebodings were indulged in regard to our
entire financial system. It was seriously feared that banks and
business would all go to the bottom together." (Tribune, April
29, 1861.)
On April 2 the leading bankers and merchants in mass meeting
assembled entered into an agreement to receive the bills of Illinois
banks not on the rejected list as currency during the continuance of
the war. This act it will be seen rendered it impossible for brokers
or others to arbitrarily throw out the bills of good banks. A little
later a strong effort to break this agreement was made and suc-
ceeded. The merchants of Chicago sent a committee to Springfield
to urge the passage of a law for the State to guarantee the bills of
good State banks.
By April 30, 1861, gold had risen to 10 per cent, premium selling
and exchange the same. By May 14 the bills of all banks based on
Southern stocks had fallen so low that in a few instances they
were comparatively worthless. This was due to the decline in the
State stocks held as security by those banks. On May 14 Missouri
State stocks were quoted at 35 cents on the $1, Tennessee stocks
at 45 cents on the $1, and Virginia stocks at 43 cents on the $1,
in New York. The previous act of the bankers and merchants was
modified on May 14 at a large meeting held for that purpose. It
was agreed that all bills should be received for what they were
worth in open market; that no bills should be thrown out wholly
and that 1 per cent, should be added to cover expenses of business
transactions. It was argued that what any bills would buy in ex-
change on New York was a fair basis of their actual worth.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 179
About the middle of May intense excitement followed a sudden
and rapid decline in stocks, exchange and gold. On the morning
of May 15 New York exchange sold for from 24 to 26 per cent, pre-
mium and during the afternoon of the same day the figure on the
street was placed at 30 per cent, premium selling. It was now real-
ized that in all probability all Southern securities were worthless.
This meant an immense hardship upon bankers and business men
throughout the North. As the excitement grew and money con-
tinued to fall several large meetings of merchants, bankers, railway
officials and board of trade operators were held for the purpose of
deciding upon some basis of monetary valuation. At one meeting
it was resolved as follows : "That the bills of solvent Northern banks
should be worth 95 cents on the $1 ; Tennessee, Kentucky and North
Carolina issues, 50 cents on the $1 ; bills of the North and South
mixed, 75 cents on the $1 ; Missouri and Virginia, 40 cents on the
$1." But this schedule had scarcely been adopted ere it was found
necessary to change it, owing to the continued, wide and uncertain
fluctuations. About this time merchants received good currency
at from 70 cents to 80 cents on the $1. All bills and stock ebbed
and flowed with every change in the tide of the New York stock
and money market. Attempt after attempt to grade bank issues
was made, but perhaps the next day the attempt was rendered nu-
gatory by a vast change in the quotations. It was noted during the
latter part of the month of May that the currency question in Chi-
cago was even more important than that of the war itself.
At another large meeting held on May 2 the merchants and busi-
ness men adopted what became known as the Union list ; however,
many preferred the railroad list, believing it to be a better gradua-
tion.
One important gradation of currency was attempted by the united
railway officials and was as follows: 1. Best currency at par; 2. 90
cents on the $1 ; 3. 80 cents on the $1 ; 4. 70 cents on the $1 ; 5. 60
cents on the $1 ; 6. 50 cents on the $1. Under each one of the six
grades were mentioned the issues that were embraced therein. All
depreciated currency at this date, and there was none other, was
called "stump tail."'
"The bankers begin to feel that they made a capital blunder in
not following the market and selling exchange for what it was
worth, currency being the standard." (Tribune, May 16, 1861.)
"The action of the railroads, the warehousemen, the agents of the
propeller lines, and the merchants in relation to the secession or
discredited currency yesterday, is decisive of its fate. It may now
lie considered as dead, and no efforts of the banks can galvanize it
into life. From this day it will cease to pass in any transactions at
its nominal value, here or in the country." (Tribune, May 18,
1861.)
On May 23, 1861, the Board of Trade determined upon a bold
180 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
and what was considered at the time a hazardous movement. They
determined thereafter that all transactions by their body should be
upon a specie basis that coin should be the par circulating medium
and that all stump tail currency, railway list, union list, rejected and
discredited, should be buried out of sight and placed where they be-
longed as compared with gold and silver. The board declared that
it was unfair to denominate 80 cents as a dollar. They duly con-
sidered what should be done with the $6,000,000 par value of
stump tail currency circulating throughout the State. This action
was extremely important and the only sound step properly to be
taken in the dilemma. The relief felt in Chicago was also instan-
taneous, because business men and bankers saw at once that it fur-
nished a firm, substantial and reliable basis upon which to establish
all business transactions and supplied the only solution to the chaos
existing here. At first several bodies of the citizens opposed the
measures of the board of trade ; but ere long all realized the wisdom
of the movement and began anew their business calculations with
coin as the basis. Immediately the question arose, How should
bankers settle with depositors? If a depositor had placed with the
bank $1 in currency that was actually worth but 80 cents, how much
should he receive for his $1 upon the new gold basis?
Immediately thereafter E. K. Willard promptly offered New York
exchange at par for gold and silver. He also made no distinction
between coin and the best Eastern bills and the best bills of Ohio,
Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Canada, Pittsburg, Philadelphia and New
Jersey. Other banking establishments made practically the same
offers. Thus light instantly appeared where before all had been
doubt and gloom.
The Board of Trade, May 23, 1861, resolved that all transactions
on Exchange are to be henceforth taken as having been made on a
specie basis. Stump tail, long lists, short lists, Union lists, railway
lists, preferred and discredited, were all buried out of sight. Eighty
cents has ceased to be a dollar. But there is $6,000,000 of this stuff
in the hands of the people. How to get something out of it is the
question.-" (Tribune.)
"As to Illinois currency, almost everybody is glad that the agony
is over. The people, like one dreading some long, painful operation,
feel relieved that they now know the worst and can provide for it.
They know there is energy enough in our commercial system to
rally. Already the healthy symptoms begin to appear." (Tribune,
May 23, 1861.)
Immediately upon the adoption of a railway and union list of
graduated currency a number of financial sharks prepared a list
and marked all bills 10 per cent, below the gradation furnished by
the railway and union meetings. They shrewdly called their gra-
dation the "merchants list," and endeavored to induce the poorer
class of people to part with their currency upon such a basis.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 181
Immediately after the general adoption of the policy of the board
of trade notices like the following appeared in the financial journals :
"On the board of trade exchange was sold at J / 2 per cent, premium
for Indiana currency and at 1 ^ per cent, discount for gold. . . .
On 'change and in the street, exchange sells at % per cent to 1
per cent, premium for currency and J4 P 61 " cent, to fy per cent,
discount for gold."
"Wanted in Chicago. A bank conducted on a specie basis. The
mercantile community requires a bank which shall receive and pay
100 cents every time it shall receive and pay out a dollar. They
require a bank which shall have no dealings with futures which may
be money or merchandise according to circumstances. They require
a bank which will not be conducted on the principle of giving from
1 to 10 per cent, out of each check offered at its counter in payment
of Eastern acceptances." (Chicago Tribune, July 3, 1861.)
"This has been about the dullest week financially that Chicago has
suffered for many years past. The active available capital of the
city is just now largely employed in retiring Illinois currency. The
entire business of the city is sadly depressed, more for the want of
means to operate than from any other cause. Exchange is nominal
at par or j^ per cent, discount for coin and J4 to 2 per cent, for
currency, depending upon the quality of the article offered. As to
loans and discounts, they are entirely out of fashion." {Tribune,
June 15, 1861.)
"We, the undersigned merchants and business men of Chicago,
do not believe that the resolves of a self-appointed, so-called finance
committee can make a depreciated shinplaster good. Therefore,
we hereby pledge ourselves to each other and to the interests of
Chicago not to aid, assist, or abet in the fraud of giving to a depre-
ciated currency a value that it does not possess, and that from this
date henceforth we will not receive and circulate Illinois and Wis-
consin depreciated shinplaster currency at anything more than its
real value." (Signed by over eighty merchants and business men.)
"A noticeable feature is the opening of several new banking
houses, some of them connected with the leading firms of other
cities. The old banks that have not gone absolutely into liquida-
tion are closing up old accounts as fast as possible preparatory to
beginning anew. J. Y. Scammon continues business in place of the
Marine bank and the Marine and Fire Insurance company. These
institutions, I. H. Burch, and Hoffman & Gelpcke, have gone into
liquidation. E. I. Tinkham continues his clearing house. It will
take the city a long time to accumulate the banking capital that has
been lost in the collapse of our Illinois currency." (Tribune, July
30, 1861.)
On May 28, 1861, E. I. Tinkham & Co. and I. H. Burch &
Company made assignments for the benefit of their depositors.
About the same time Hoffman & Gelpcke liquidated and issued a
182 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
circular announcing that they intended to close up business and
settle with depositors. Nearly all of the brokers at this time bought
and sold all varieties of stump tail in circulation here.
The example of the board of trade in returning to a specie basis
was soon followed by all business interests of the city. Immediately
thereafter confidence was restored and business of all kinds boomed
regardless of the war. Currency was in immense demand. Busi-
ness men could not get half as much as they wanted, but in every
transaction as before they were compelled to take into consideration
the value of all currency in circulation.
In September, 1861, Julius White, United States depositary,
placed upon the market here for sale the first of the United States
7-30 treasury notes. Solomon Sturges & Sons subscribed for $100,-
000 worth of the 7-30 loan. The first sales were made on the 18th.
Among the first subscribers were Walter L. Newberry, $10,000;
Alexander White, $1,000; James Niccoll, $500; Jason McCord,
$1,000; William T. Barren, $200.
About the middle of October, 1861, Tennessee securities were
quoted in New York at 43 cents on $1 ; Missouri, 46 cents; North
Carolina, 60 cents; Virginia, 47 cents. At this date Eastern ex-
change was at from par to y\ per cent, premium and gold about
the same. Exchange on Detroit was also at par. Willard & Keane's
quotations were considered authority at this date.
Early in the fall of 1860 Illinois banks had issued about $12,-
500,000 of currency based on Southern security. By October, 1861
the amount had been reduced to about $3,500,000.
The Merchant's association at a business meeting adopted resolu-
tions against the proposed bank bill then before the people for con-
sideration. Prominent at this meeting were John V. Farwell,
Judge Scates, Merrill Ladd, H. A. Hurlbut, Mr. Tyrrell, J. V. Clark
and C. M. Cady, all of whom addressed the assemblage. Mr. Far-
well, as a whole, liked the proposed bill, but objected to the proposed
post notes. The resolutions against the bill were voted for almost
unanimously by the citizens present. In this county the vote on the
bank law was as follows: For the law, 121 ; against the law, 8.744.
At this date the State auditor announced that the stocks of forty-
five suspended banks had been sold. He further announced that he
was busy redeeming the bills of such banks at a published rate of
discount. In some instances the rate was as low as 50 cents on the
$1 and as high as 66 cents on the $1. The stocks of thirty -one other
banks were also being sold for what they would bring. He also
announced that those of seventeen other banks would soon be placed
on the market.
Late in 1861 the banks of New York, Philadelphia and Boston
suspended specie payments. On January 10, 1862. gold was quoted
at from 2 to 2jX per cent, premium buying and 4 per cent, selling.
"The suit of Charles Chandler of Macomb, against the Marine
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 183
Bank of Chicago settled the rights of depositors in the old banking
institutions. After four days' trial here he obtained a judgment
of $17,375.83 on a running bank account. The judgment was ren-
dered against a stump tail balance, no allowance being made for
the depreciation of the stuff ; and such have always been the decisions
of the courts in similar cases. The law allows no abatement of re-
sponsibility. When a banker receives any currency as money, the
courts hold him responsible to pay money in return." (Tribune,
November 26, 1861.)
"The monopolists cannot brook the presence of any currency
intrinsically better than their own. They have almost complete com-
mand of the field now, and will only yield it after an obstinate
and desperate resistance. The manufacturers of 'promises to pay'
have made too nice a thing out of the business to voluntarily with-
draw. Look at the state of the case : The shinplaster fraternity
have 200 millions of their notes in constant circulation as money.
On this 200 millions which they owe the community they charge
and collect $20,000,000 on their own obligations. No other class
enjoy such extraordinary special favors. Other people are obliged to
pay interest on what they owe, but the bankers receive interest
on what they owe and literally wax rich on the interest of their
debts. But this imposition is only one of a series. The second
is called 'exchange and discount.' When one of the banking
fraternity puts one of his 'promises to pay' into circulation, all the
others commence shaving the holders of them. The note which was
issued as worth 100 cents is quoted and bought at a discount. The
shave varies according to circumstances, being higher at one time
than another. Sometimes the notes are done at a moderate shave;
on other occasions they are tithed and frequently redeemed on
shares, the holder getting but half their face. This miserable state
of things breeds and sustains swarms of exchange brokers, who
reap fortunes from the evils attending our currency system. As the
whole currency (paper) passes through the hands of brokers and
banks at least a score of times per year and a shaving is planed off
the holder at every transit, varying from one-quarter per cent, in
thickness to 20 per cent., the gross amount of spoliation suffered
must be double the interest first charged, or thirty to forty millions
in the whole Union. There must be added to this at least ten mil-
lions to cover the loss by breaking of banks and the suspension of
specie payments, all making an immense sum paid as a penalty annu-
ally by the people for permitting these thousands of debt factories
to pollute the currency medium, and convulse the business of the
country by panics, contractions, and expansions. The remedy for
the cure of this appalling evil is simple and at hand. Tt consists in
substituting the Government demand notes, redeemable in gold at
par, for the issues of the thousand brinks." (Tribune. October 12,
1861.)
184 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
"With the -sinking out of sight of so many of our old and well
established banking houses, our business public for a time were at a
loss to know where to do their business. One house after another
has opened its doors until now there seems to be scarcely any lack
of banking accommodations. Among our old citizens J. Y. Scam-
mon has taken the place of the Marine bank, and Solomon Sturges
& Sons with an immense capital occupy the rooms of George Smith
& Co. on Wells street. Among the new houses are Brotherton &
Nettleton, from Cincinnati ; A. C. Badger & Co., from Louisville,
Ky. ; C. B. Blair, who represented the Branch Bank of Indiana
at Laporte; Chapin, Wheeler & Co., who represent the South Bend
branch, and Burkham & Sons, who represent the Lawrenceburg
branch, and there is an agency here of the Bank of Montreal, E.
Willard being the representative." (Tribune, October 4, 1861.)
"In a speech, October 12, 1861, Mr. Wentworth denounced the
banking system of the State, said it was charged that the Legislature
was bribed to pass the late banking law and stated that he was pre-
pared to go before any grand jury and give the names of those
contributing money to influence legislation." (Tribune, October
13, 1861.)
"For the convenience of subscribers the banking house of Solo-
mon Sturges & Sons offer to furnish them gold to pay the Govern-
ment for ordinary currency free of extra charge. This patriotic
offer on their part is really equivalent to giving the suscribers T /4
to y$ per cent., as gold is now worth that premium in this city.
So liberal and patriotic a policy on the part of Solomon Sturges &
Sons will be properly appreciated by their fellow-citizens. They
deserve a general vote of thanks." (Tribune, October 16, 1861.)
In February, 1862, New York exchange was quoted at ^ oi I
per cent, premium and an abundant supply was obtainable. Gold
at this time was 4 per cent, premium above the best paper.
The Board of Trade on February 10, 1862, passed the following
resolution : "Resolved, That the president of this board be directed
to telegraph the honorable, the Senators from this State at Wash-
ington, that in the opinion of this board the Senate should pass
immediately the House bill making treasury notes a legal tender,
believing as we do that the great Northwest will sustain the credit
of such issues by receiving them cheerfully for all our products."
(Tribune, February 11, 1862.)
The passage of the treasury note bill in February, 1862, gave
great confidence throughout the entire country and particularly at
Chicago. It meant that the Government thereafter would sustain
the money of the country. In March demand treasury notes were
quoted at y$ per cent, premium above the best bank issues, but
among bankers and business men thev passed ordinarily at par
with the best bank issues. Tn April. 1862. W. F. Coolhausrh opened
a banking house and about the same time T. W. Drexel & Co. did the
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 185
same. James Boyd and H. Doolittle were also in the banking busi-
ness here at this date. About the first of June treasury notes were
l /2 per cent, premium and gold from 3 to 4 per cent, premium.
"Bank rags" were the circulating medium and were in abundance,
though very inconvenient. The demand for treasury notes led a
little later to a wish to have them established as the par fund or
circulating medium instead of the "bank rags." At this date people
were warned against wild-cat bills of all descriptions which flooded
this community. Canada currency at this date was 2 per cent, pre-
mium. About the middle of June gold had risen to about 7 per cent,
premium.
In June, 1862, the majority for the new Constitution in this city
was 663 and for the banking articles of the new Constitution the
majority was 1,948. By June 24 gold had advanced to 9 per cent,
premium. At this date the first issue of treasury notes was quoted
at 4 per cent, premium. It was stated that the rise in gold and in
old treasury notes was due to the passage by the House of Congress
of the bill for an issue of $150,000,000 of new demand treasury
notes, of which $50,000,000 was to be in bills of denominations less
than $5. It was thought that such an immense issue would depre-
ciate the currency and consequently in this community the new
bills were from the start regarded with some misgivings. The ad-
vance in the price of gold in July greatly alarmed financiers here.
On July 8 gold was quoted at 1 1 per cent, premium and the next
day at 17 per cent, premium over currency. Old treasury notes
at this time and silver were quoted all the way from 5 per cent, to
12 per cent, premium. On July 18 gold was quoted at 18 per cent,
premium and on the 21st as high as 20 per cent. About this time
Congress passed a bill to permit the use of postage stamps as small
currency. Late in July the department was paying out daily $2,000
in postage stamps to be used as small currency. The stamps were
issued in small packages in order to keep them from becoming soiled
and in this condition they passed around in packages of 10 cents,
25 cents. 50 cents and $1. All other fractional currency was for-
bidden at this period.
"Probably at no time in our business history has there been such
a scarcity of silver. One may travel a week with a dollar note
in his pocket, indulge in cigars and other domestic follies to an un-
limited extent and at the close of the week find his dollar note still
wadded up unbroken in his pocket. At the railroad office if the
fare be a dollar note and a fraction, and you are unfortunate enough
to have nothing but a five-dollar note, you must pay the note or
forego your trip. The grocer bars you from sugar and the market
man from your matutinal steak unless you pay him in silver. The
dry goods clerk makes change with shinplasters, vulgarly supposed
to represent 25 or 50 cents, but which of course can be redeemed
only by the same institution by a second purchase. Now we have a
186 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
plan to propose. Take your demand treasury notes and buy up a
quantity of 1, 3, 5 and 10-cent postage stamps and pay them out for
all fractions of a dollar." (Tribune, July 14, 1862.)
"The brokers are paying 10 per cent, premium for silver change
and selling at 12. Many of our dealers are resorting to postage
stamps to make change. They put them up in little packages of
10, 20 and 25 cents, and, having marked them, wrap them in bits of
paper to keep them clean. This is far better than for the town to
become deluged with irresponsible shinplasters." (Tribune, July
15, 1862.)
The whole county loan of $200,000 at 7 per cent., ordered in 1862,
was taken by Chicago bankers, as follows:
Sturgis & Sons $100,000
Merchants Savings Loan and Trust company 25,000
Chapin, Wheeler & Co 25,000
J. Y. Scammon 20,000
Western Marine and Fire Insurance company 10,000
W. F. Coolbaugh & Co 10,000
Drexel & Co 10,000
A. C. Badger & Co 5,000
Total $205,000
"To give the uninitiated some idea of the beauty of shinplasters as
we 'see it' here and as a subject to laugh over in the future years,
we annex a list of the contributions made by a certain Wabash
avenue congregation on Thanksgiving day. The list was taken as
the 'collection' came from the plates." (Tribune, December 8,
1862.) :
1 two-dollar bill . $ 2.00
11 one-dollar bills 11.00
9 fifty-cent postal currency 4.50
16 25-cent postal currency 4.00
19 10-eent postal currency 1.90
16 5-cent postal currency 80
1 patent postage stamp 10
2 10-cent postage stamps 20
3 5-cent postage stamps 15
25 3-cent postage stamps 75
12 1-cent postage stamps 12
3 silver dimes 30
5 silver half-dimes 25
2 3-cent pieces 06
9 new coppers 09
4 old coppers 04
4 grain inspection tickets 40
1 Joliet bank ticket 25
4 Walker omnibus tickets 20
35 Chicago railroad tickets 8.75
1 Chicago railroad ticket 15
2 Chicago railroad tickets with four holes 20
2 Chicago railroad tickets with three holes -30
2 Chicago railroad tickets with two holes 30
1 S. T. X. Bitters ticket 00
Total . ....$36.81
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 187
Among the leading bankers in July, 1862, were the following:
Chapin, Wheeler & Co. ; Solomon Sturgis & Sons, Merchants Loan
and Trust company, Burkham & Sons, Western Marine and Fire
Insurance company, A. C. Badger & Co., F. G. Adams, Joseph W.
Drexel & Co., C. P. Blair, Rutter, Endicott & Whitehouse; Mark
& Hertel, J. G. Conrad, J. M. Adsit, Brotherton & Nettleton, Trad-
ers bank, Bank of Montreal Agency, Wiley Brothers & Co., Ruxton
& Co., H. Doolittle, James Boyd, Willard & Kean.
In August, 1862, an organized band of counterfeiters put out in
this city a large quantity of their paper products before they were
discovered and arrested. In August, 1862, treasury notes of the
denomination of $2 appeared here for the first time. Late in
August, early in September and throughout October the price of
gold rapidly advanced. On September 30 it was quoted here at 23
per cent, premium. By October 14 it had reached 32 per cent,
premium, by October 15, 37j4 per cent, premium, but on the 18th of
October the price dropped to 27 per cent, premium. Late in Oc-
tober, 1862, Collector Haven received $5,000 in small United States
fractional currency and so great was the demand he was forced to
pay it out to different individuals in lots of $5. At this time the
demand for fractional currency was enormous. Business houses,
street railways and even the Chicago Times issued a sort of shin-
plaster which circulated as fractional currency and in a measure
relieved the distress prevailing here in money matters. The Board
of Trade persistently demanded a greater quantity of postal cur-
rency. There had been received here by December about $40,000 of
such currency, but the board at a business meeting demanded of the
government $200,000 more at the earliest possible moment. Late
in 1862 the newspapers here could not or would not understand
the new proposed national banking law. At a business meeting held
in December the Board of Trade, the express companies, the tel-
egraph companies and numerous wholesale and retail merchants
agreed that after January 1, 1863, they would take no more small
currency except United States postal notes, silver, copper or nickels.
At this date the City railway had issued monthly tickets which were
in circulation to the amount of about $40,000. Upon the announce-
ment that on January 1 such tickets would be thrown out of circu-
lation a small panic arose among holders of the same and they were
sacrificed at a considerable loss to holders when they really should
have passed at par. For the week ending January 10, 1863, Col-
lector Haven paid out about $30,000 worth of postal currency, -or
as they were termed "little greenbacks.'" At this time nearly all of
the old shinplasters which had circulated here so extensively the pre-
vious summer had disappeared. The little greenbacks and the ac-
tion above mentioned of the business men had driven them from this
community. In January, 1863, gold was quoted all the way from
40 to 72 per cent premium.
188 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
During the summer of 1862, when gold began to rise, the brokers
here began to buy and sell the same like any other commodity and
as it continued to rise and fluctuate in value the expectations and
hopes of brokers arose and fell correspondingly.
The troubles of the Marine bank culminated early in 1863 and
many lost heavily thereby. It was claimed that in 1860 heavy defal-
cations had undermined the strength of that institution and later
when Mr. Scammon returned from Europe its affairs were patched
up temporarily, but as the financial troubles of that date contributed
to their distress the bank in the end was unable to recover itself and
was compelled to quit business early in 1863 with a debt of over
$200,000 hanging over it.
The new National banking law passed by Congress in February,
1863, received the favorable opinion of Chicago financiers and busi-
ness men. Chicago men declared that by reason of the fact that
the United States Government was back of the National banking
law the currency thus issued could not be otherwise than good, pro-
viding the Government itself continued to exist. Citizens here re-
garded the law with confidence and awaited its operations with
enthusiasm and hope. Early in 1863 the freaks of the gold market
were regarded with much concern here by business men. The stock
and gold brokers were in their element. It gave them an opportunity
to gamble on futures and to make money from those who could be
enticed into the web of their misrepresentations.
In May, 1863, it was rumored that the first bank under the na-
tional law was soon to be established in this city. By May 7 nearly
$300.000 in treasury notes had been exchanged for 5-20 bonds at
the United States depository by Mr. Haven, the collector. At this
time preliminary steps to establish a United States savings bank
under the national banking law with a capital of $500,000 were
taken here. The stock was offered by Horn, Miller & Lewis, at-
torneys, and by L. E. Alexander, cashier of the Mechanics Savings
bank. On July 20, 1863, a number of business men and capitalists
assembled in the rooms of the Mercantile association "to consider
the establishment of a National bank with a capital of at least
$1,000,000." In the spring of 1863 the First National bank, with
a capital of $100,000, was duly authorized to commence business.
In August, 1863, Lyman J. Gage, cashier of the Merchants' Sav-
ings Loan and Trust company, was victimized by a woman who
managed to secure $3,600 by the transaction. During the summer
and fall of 1863 people generally began to realize that the true
monetary basis was gold. In February, 1864, the Second National
bank and the Third National bank began operations. James H.
Bowen was president of the Third National bank, which had a
capital of $200,000; Ira Holmes was cashier. This bank was lo-
cated at 156 Lake street. J. A. Ellis was president of the Second
National bank and E. I. Tinkham cashier. This bank was the sue-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 189
cessor of the old private concern of J. A. Ellis & Co. E. Aiken
was president of the First National bank and E. E. Braisted cashier.
The First National bank at this date had a capitalization of $300,-
000. In May, 1861, George Smith, president, and E. W. Willard,
cashier, gave notice that the Bank of America would withdraw its
notes from circulation during the next three years. In February,
1864, they gave further notice that the time for withdrawal was
limited and for all holding the notes to take advantage of the
offer. Early in 1864, the Fourth National bank was established
with a capital of $100,000. On April 5, 1864, a large meeting of
bankers and business men, including members of the Board of
Trade, was held for the purpose of taking steps to drive completely
out of circulation the remaining wild-cat and stump tail issues yet
here. It was decided to make greenbacks and national bank notes
the basis of all commercial transactions. 1 At this time, owing to
the fact that gold fluctuated so rapidly, all wished to make treasury
notes the basis instead of gold. This was deemed so important that
the first meeting adjourned before taking action in order to give
the subject proper consideration. The Board of Trade passed a
resolution on March 10 that five days later they would shut out
from circulation on the board all wild-cat issues, but this resolution
encountered an immediate remonstrance from business men and
bankers. It would work too great a hardship on holders of such
bills to summarily throw them out of circulation without giving
due notice so that holders could have time in a measure to save
themselves from serious loss. Accordingly the Board of Trade re-
considered their action and postponed such a step until a later date.
In April, 1864, prices of all kinds, including that of gold, fluctu-
ated rapidly and occasioned much excitement in this city. Wheat
advanced in a few days about 15 cents per bushel. Stocks of all
descriptions advanced about the same ratio. Early in 1864 there
was in circulation here yet bills of the banks of New York, New
England, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michi-
gan and other States. All were to be thrown out of circulation by
the rule adopted to make treasury notes and national bank notes
the basis of business. However, all other bank notes which were
redeemable at par at the home bank were announced to be equal in
value to treasury notes. May 16 was the date fixed for throwing
out the bills of banks under the old system. It was at this time
that working men and clerks demanded to be paid in greenbacks.
"Resolved, That on and after the first day of July, 1864, we, the
bankers of Chicago, will receive and pay out as par funds, United
States notes, national bank notes, and such other notes as are re-
deemed in legal tender notes in the city of Chicago only. Thereafter
for the present solvent New England bank notes and the notes of
all other solvent banks whose notes are redeemed at par in
New York shall be taken at one-fourth per cent, discount; Ohio,
190 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Indiana, Iowa, and New York State bank notes and such Illinois
banks as are not redeemed in Chicago at par, one-half per cent, dis-
count. Nothing but United States notes, national bank notes and
such other notes as are at par in Chicago shall be paid on checks or
in settlement of balances between banks and brokers.
"Resolved, That on and after Monday, May 9, 1864, the selling
rates of exchange on New York shall be one-half per cent, premium
for miscellaneous currency,"
On May 7, 1864, at a meeting of leading bankers of the city, a
resolution to fix greenbacks as the basis of financial transactions was
at first voted down. A meeting of the merchants treated them the
same way. One week later, however, so rapid was the change in
business sentiment, influenced largely by the wise course of the
Board of Trade, the bankers and business men reversed their previ-
ous action and agreed that May 16 should be the date when green-
backs and bank notes should be considered the basis. The Board
of Trade in this emergency forced the issue. This fact should be
stated greatly to their credit. Brokers did not care for the new
order of monetary affairs. They could make more money by specu-
lation with the various currencies under the old order and there-
fore did not desire a change. The same is true of banks of that
date ; they were not concerned in ordinary business transactions and
dreaded to change their method of banking and their basis of finance
and accordingly were loath to vote for any change. The Board of
Trade was solely responsible for the change.
The old Merchants' Savings bank of L. E. Alexander, which had
failed in May, 1861, was reorganized in May, 1864, as the Mer-
chants' National bank, located at 154 Lake street.
Ifi May, 1864, Frederick Hertel, of the firm of Marc & Hertel,
bankers and brokers, absconded, leaving many creditors.
It had been anticipated that much inconvenience and perhaps seri-
ous loss would result from establishing greenbacks and national
bank notes as the basis of monetary operations. On May 16, how-
ever, when that date arrived, little inconvenience or trouble was
experienced. People anticipated the change and had become so ac-
customed to abrupt and unexpected financial upheavals that they
were prepared apparently for any emergency ; consequently the day
passed without excitement. The rapid rise in gold in 1864 was
taken advantage of by speculators who dealt extensively in that
commodity. On May 28 gold was quoted here at 90 cents premium ;
on June 27 at $1.40 per cent, premium ; on July 8 at $1.76 per cent,
premium; on July 11 at $1.83 per cent, premium; but after that it
declined again very rapidly and by October 14 was at $1.15 per cent,
premium. In July gold was at its highest figure and wheat was
worth $2 per bushel; corn, $1.34 a bushel; flour, $10 per barrel;
whisky, $1.75 per gallon.
Despite the new National banking law many of the old bankers
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 191
regarded the same with distrust if not disdain and continued oper-
ations under the old order of affairs. The result was that the most
of them in a short time were driven out of business by the prosperity
and patronage enjoyed by the new national banks.
In August and September, 1864, at the time gold declined rapidly
there were many failures throughout the country and several im-
portant ones here. Business houses and bankers were compelled
to close their doors. All prices fell with gold. The people here,
accustomed as they were to remarkable changes in business and
financial affairs, nevertheless suffered severely under the immense
decline in prices. C. C. Parks & Co., bankers, failed ; J. G. Conrad
also closed his doors ; the Western Marine and Fire Insurance com-
pany failed in September. In the latter a Town committee of
twelve had just- deposited $7,400. This money was raised to pay
to substitutes for the army and when it was known that the bank
had closed, the depositors took immediate steps to secure either their
money or revenge. A large crowd assembled around the bank
and Mr. Tuttle, one of its officers, endeavored to allay the excite-
ment by addressing the angry people outside. They gathered
around him and finally assaulted and struck him, but a squad of
soldiers under Major Williams, of the Veteran Reserve Corps, saved
him from the clubs and clutches of the crowd. All further trouble
was prevented by a body of soldiers under the command of the pro-
vost marshal.
In March, 1864, the Fifth National bank was authorized to begin
business. In December, 1864, the Producers National bank was
authorized to begin operations with a capital of $200,000, and with
C. H. Doolittle as president. In August, 1864, the Northwestern
National bank was also established here. In January, 1865, the
First National bank in four days sold $579,250 of the new 10-40
Ijonds.
In January, 1865, the Chicago stock exchange was organized
with J. C. Hilton, president; Solon McElroy, secretary; W. W.
Goodenow. treasurer. Early in 1865 the Merchants National bank,
with a capital of $450,000, opened its doors with C. B. Blair as
president and John De Koven as cashier. At this time Gushing,
Harden & Co., private bankers, began business. In January, 1865,
the Union National bank, with W. F. Coolbaugh as president, be-
gan operations. It was noted by the newspapers in January, 1865,
that the Secretary of the Treasury had drawn on the Chicago banks
for nearly $1,000.000 and that the draft was promptly honored.
This was regarded as something to brag about. In January, 1865,
the Commercial National bank was authorized to begin business.
At this date gold had fallen rapidly, being on the 21st at only 97
per cent, premium. Late in January, 1865, the Manufacturers'
National bank, with a capital of $235,000, was commissioned to
begin business and William H. Brown was president and D. J. Lake
cashier of the same.
192 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
From February 1 to February 21, 1865, Jay Cooke's agent in this
city, the Second National bank, sold for him nearly $2,000,000
worth of the 7-30 government bonds.
In October, 1864, the First National bank had a capital of $600,-
000; the Second, $100,000; the Third, $300,000 and the Fifth,
$200,000. The deposits of the First National bank on October 3,
1864, were $481,409; those of the Second were $135,417; those of
the Third, $628,872, and those of the Fifth were $50,001.
On October 3 the Illinois State Savings institution, located on
Washington near Clark, withstood a hard run. At this time the
Western Marine company issued a statement and arranged terms
of settlement with creditors.
By the evening of October 4, 1864, the runs on the various banks
had almost wholly subsided but business was at a standstill. All
banks having temporarily ceased operations, necessity forced busi-
ness of all kinds to do likewise in a large measure. Merchants
could get no currency. It was noted at the time that while gold was
quoted at 90 per cent, premium in New York it went begging here
at 80 per cent premium. People did not want gold with which to
transact business. By October 5 the panic was almost wholly over
and banks and business men were doing business about as usual.
The failure of the bank of J. G. Conrad amounted to a loss to
creditors of about $212,000. He had dealt extensively in grain
and whisky products. In November gold rose and fell with fright-
ful frequency. In two days it passed from $1.10 premium to $1.40
premium, then fell to $1.29 premium and then jumped to $1.35
premium. A few days later it was down to $1.13 premium and by
the first of the year was less than $1 premium. However, as all
business here was based upon greenbacks and national bank notes
and as gold and silver had become commodities, no serious effect
was noted.
"This morning the public was again startled by the announcement
that the Western Marine and Fire Insurance Company's bank had
failed. This caused a tremendous panic among all classes, and many
of even our ablest business men were alarmed to a degree beyond
conception. The various banking establishments were soon crowded
with depositors eagerly desirous of withdrawing their balances. A
few of the strongest institutions escaped a severe run till the after-
noon, but many of them were thoroughly taxed to meet the drain.
Some banks of good repute were forced early in the day to refuse
payment of checks for large amounts till Monday or Tuesday, while
others paid their checks in greenbacks as long as they could and then
paid in New York exchange. This method of procedure on the part
of the banks, is, to say the least, irregular, but it was deemed
the most prudent course under the circumstances." (Tribune, Oc-
tober 2, 1864.)
"The fall in gold is simply a rise in the value of greenbacks. Gold
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 195
remains stationary, but the purchasing power of the legal tender
is enhancing. National currency which five weeks ago was worth
but 38 cents in coin, is now worth 55 cents. This is due to the
splendid victories of Farragut, Sherman, Sheridan, and Grant."
(Tribune, October 3, 1864.)
"The money market to-day was again convulsed and panic-strick-
en. As soon as the banks opened a determined and persistent run
on some of them was kept up all forenoon, but toward the afternoon
it had evidently spent its force and there was increased confidence.
One of the savings banks had a very large crowd of depositors at its
door all day. There were no failures. There were no signs of
weakness exhibited by any of the banks." (Tribune, October 4,
1864.)
The Board of Trade passed resolutions to accept certified checks
of solvent banks for all transactions with the board ; this was done
to relieve the bankers.
The most important business feature of 1864 was the establish-
ment of the national banks. "The outset of the year ( 1864) found us
with one national bank organized and that coldly received by its fel-
low institutions. It found us with a miscellaneous currency which
made the sorting process laborious to our bankers and noxious to the
community, a mixed and motley mass of Eastern rag issues."
(Tribune, December, 1864.)
In former years, in the best times, exchange on New York had
cost 1 to 5 per cent, and in panics 1 5 to 20 per cent, and worse. Im-
mediately after the establishment of the National banks exchange
on New York was at par. The relief to business of all kinds was
enormous. By December, 1864, the following National banks were
in existence:
First National E. Aiken, president
Second National J. A. Ellis, president
Third National J. H. Bowen, president
Fourth National B. Lombard, president
Fifth National Josiah Lombard, president
Mechanics National J. Y. Scammon, president
Northwestern National B. Sturgis, president
Manufacturers National W. H. Brown, president
"The year 1864 has been a most prosperous one to all our banking
institutions. A brief but boisterous flurry in October, in the sudden
fall of gold, brought down three hollow institutions and that was
all. The wonder only grew, when the storm was over, that these
had lived so long. The other banks stood erect, some of them a little
pale, and warned by the lesson given, but the majority went safely
through secure in the channels of legitimate business." (Tribune,
December, 1864.)
"The banking transactions of Chicago are all for cash. It stands
as the paymaster of the great Northwest and disburses the millions
in currency required to move its great food staples, each year, by
Vol. 1112.
196 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
the opening of new channels and the development of new currents
of trade. The great Upper Mississippi region no longer follows
the flow of the Father of Waters. The new territories, the far West
with its new Eldorados, have been added to the pay roll of Chicago.
The banking capital of Chicago at the close of this year (1864) has
more than doubled in the last twelve months and is three times as
large as that of 1862 For the last sixty days the
amount handled by our bankers daily is ten millions of dollars.
Within the past fortnight one of our leading banking houses in a
single day shows transactions reaching two millions and a half of
dollars. It must be remembered that this is currency actually han-
dled counted, piled and carried away. One million dollars a day
goes into the country to the producer. Well may the bankers re-
joice that the days of rag money are over. Imagine a banking
house 'sorting' two millions and a half of 'red dog' a day.
The question of establishing a clearing house in the city has been
long discussed by our leading bankers and business men and it
meets with general favor." (Tribune, December, 1864.)
First National S. Aiken $1,000,000
Second National J. A. Ellis 100,000
Third National Jas. H. Bowen. . . . 750,000
Fourth National B. Lombard 200,000
Fifth National L. Lombard 503,000
Mechanics National J. Y. Scammon. . 250,000
Northwestern National C. G. Hammond.
Merchants National C. B. Blair
Union National W. F. Coolbaugh.
Commercial National P. R. Westf all . . .
500,000
450,000
500,000
200,000
250,000
Manufacturers National VV. H. Brown
Traders National J. A. Rutter 160,000
City National A. P. Reed 250,000
Merchants Loan and Trust Company. . ..S. A. Smith 500,000
Marine National J. Y. Scammon. . . 500,000
State Saving Trust C. A. Haines 100,000
Producers Bank N. Doolittle 200,000
Creamery Bank J. N. Wadsworth. 160,000
Branch Bank of Montreal (An agent) 250,000
$6,820,000
Estimated capital of private banks $2,000,000
Total $8,820,000
Among the private bankers were : Solomon Sturgis Sons, J. M.
Adsit, Meadowcroft Bros., L. Silverman, L,. Meyers & Co., Tyler,
Williams & Co., A. C. Badger & Co., Scripps, Preston & Kean,
Greenebaum Bros., C. L. Nichoff & Co., Hardin, Cushman & Co.
The following is a condensed statement of the seven National
banks for the quarter ending December 31, 1864 :
Discounts $3,244,181.71
Currency and specie on hand 3,095,693.87
Individual deposits 3,081,893.38
Government deposits 1,460,969.43
Circulation 1,678,800.00
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
197
The following bids of over $1,000 for the Government loan of
$75,000,000 ordered in 1864 were presented by Chicago bankers :
W. J. Egan & Co
..$ 3,600 at
3
per cent premium
Henry Thompson
. . . 4,000 at
10
percent premium
R. N. Shaw
. . . 2,000 at
6
per cent premium
Second National bank...
. 25,000 at
6^2
percent premium
S. Sturgis
. . . 10,000 at
3 to 5
per cent premium
Hiram Hance
. .. 1,800 at
V/4
per cent premium
C. B. Blair
. . . 19,000 at
3 to Q l / 2
per cent premium
D. R. Halt
. . . 5,000 at
& l /2
per cent premium
C. & B. Clark
. . . 5,000 at
o
per cent premium
W. L. Peck
. . . 10,000 at
3
per cent premium
C. H. Warner
. . . 2,000 at
e'A to iy 2
per cent premium
Fourth National bank...
. . . 12,000 at
2 to 6
per cent premium
Fifth National bank
... 20,000 at
^ l /2
per cent premium
W. H. King
. . . 20,000 at
3
per cent premium
The National banks here January 1, 1865, had a capital of $2,318,-
300. On April 1, 1865, the total was $4,837,420.
BANK.
First National...
Second National.
Third National...
Fourth National.
Fifth National..
Mechanics
Commercial
Merchants
Union ,
Northwestern . . .
Manufacturers . .
City
Capital.
$1,000,000
100,000
750,000
186,000
500,000
250,000
200,000
450,000
500,000
500,000
225,000
176,420
Discounts.
$941,308
115,395
268,124
182,755
513,910
214,344
138,682
442,998
873,509
349,420
124,332
81,125
Deposits.
$1,377,622
354,274
1,389,385
129,989
364,311
327,410
82,840
515,761
2,329,683
176,674
184,610
103,880
Cir-
culation.
$514,800
97,500
290,000
163,000
357,950
126,500
34,000
184,500
420,000
450,000
82,500
Currency Specie
on hand, on hand.
$ 260,685 $14,800
1,000,848
881,225 5,267
59,375
289,125
104,940
63,974
211,749'
1,532,266
160,234
132,041
35,604
3,632
Y,52i
Total $4,837,420 $4,245,907 $7,336,445 $2,718,750 $4,733,067 $25,221
Tribune, April 5, 1865. ,
The officers of the City National bank early in February, 1865,
were A. D. Reed, president, and J. P. Taylor, cashier. In March
the capital of the Manufacturers' National bank was increased to
$300,000; in February the capital of the Fifth National bank was
increased to $500,000 ; in March the Fourth National bank removed
to the Lumbard block near the post office. In March Cook county
scrip was worth from 86 to 87 cents on the dollar. About this
time Cook county 7 per cent, war bonds, payable in fifteen, twenty
and 25 years, sold at par. Cook county scrip could be exchanged
for Cook county war bonds at par. This fact finally raised the value
of the scrip to 97 and 98 cents on the dollar. Notwithstanding the
fall of Richmond and close of the war the price of gold con-
tinued to rise, much to the surprise of everybody. It had been
thought that the war alone kept the price up, but it was learned that
the quantity of paper currency in circulation and the possibility that
it might never be redeemed were the primary causes to keep up the
price. About April the Cook county scrip was quoted as low as 83
198 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
cents to 84 cents on the dollar, but after that it rose steadily until it
was 98 cents on the dollar. In April the Trader's bank was trans-
formed into a National bank with a capital of $200,000; J. O. Rutter
was president and T. P. Tallman cashier. In June, 1865, Preston,
Williard & Kean were the government loan agents with office at 47
Clark street. In September, 1865, the stock of the First National
bank sold at $1.25 on the dollar. At the same date stock of the
Third National bank sold for $1.03 on the dollar. In September,
1865, Chicago city 7 per cent, bonds were worth 90 cents on the dol-
lar; old Chamber of Commerce bonds sold at $1.10^ on the dollar
and new Chamber of Commerce bonds sold at par.
In January, 1865, a number of bankers assembled to discuss the
proposition of establishing a Clearing house. It was agreed that
the project should first be tried as an experiment and if successful
and satisfactory, would be continued. All of the leading banks
participated in this meeting except the Mechanics' National, Solo-
mon Sturgis & Co., Montreal Bank Agency, and the Traders'. They
agreed to join the movement if the experiment proved successful.
On March 10, 1865, the Clearing house was formally organized
with W. F. Coolbaugh as president; Joseph Lumbard as vice-presi-
dent, and A. C. Badger, E. I. Tinkham, E. E. Braisted, Ira Holmes
and John De Koven as executive committee.
On May 13, 1865, at a meeting of the bankers the subject of issu-
ing clearing house certificates was discussed. The meeting passed
a resolution authorizing bankers of the association to issue such
certificates to be used to settle balances between the banks and clear-
ing house to the extent of 3 per cent, of their capital ; and as security
for the redemption of the certificates they were required to deposit
with the clearing house committee legal tender or coupon United
States notes for like amounts.
COURTS AND LAWYERS
PROBABLY the first lawyer that ever came here to reside
was Charles Jouett, who was sent here as Indian agent in
1805. He was a native of Virginia. He studied law at
Charlottesville, Va., and was appointed by Jefferson Indian
agent at Detroit in 1802. April 2, 1805, he was appointed com-
missioner to hold a treaty with the Wyandottes, Ottawas, and other
Indians in Northwestern Ohio and what is now Southeastern Mich-
igan. The same year he was appointed as Indian agent at Chicago,
and on October 26, 1805, assumed charge, by direction of the Gov-
ernment, of the Sacs, Foxes, and Pottawatomies. He was again
appointed Indian agent for Chicago by President Madison in 1815,
and moved here with his family in that year.
The next lawyer that took up his abode here was Russell E. Hea-
cock. He arrived in Chicago July 4, 1827. Under date of August
5, 1835, he is advertised as an attorney, and his name appears in
the Chicago directories as late as 1848. He was one of the four
delegates from Cook county to the Constitutional convention of
1847, the others being Francis E. Sherman, Patrick Ballingall, and
E. F. Colby.
The next lawyer that came here was Richard J. Hamilton. On
the organization of Cook county he turned his eyes northward and
was elected by the General Assembly as the first probate judge
January 29, 1831. His friend, Judge Richard M. Young, appointed
him clerk of the Cook County Circuit court, and Governor Reynolds
commissioned him a notary public and recorder. According to all
accounts he arrived in Chicago in the very early days of April, 1831,
and was present at the organization of the county on the 8th of that
month.
The first lawyers who came here to make a living by their pro-
fession were Giles Spring and John Dean Caton, who arrived here
about June 18, 1833. If they did not try the first lawsuit, they were
engaged in the first prosecution for larceny that ever occurred here.
Soon after there came James H. Collins, Justin Butterfield,
George Manierre, Alonzo Huntington, Ebenezer Peck, James Grant,
E. W. Casey, A. N. Fullerton, Isaac N. Arnold, Henry Moore,
Grant Goodrich, Buckner S. Morris, William B. and Mahlon D.
Ogden, Mark Skinner, Lisle Smith, N. B. Judd, Thomas Hoyne,
William H. Brown, Henry Brown, and George B. Meeker. The
names of these lawyers are not in the exact order of time of
199
200 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
arrival, but Spring and Caton came here in 1833, Grant Goodrich,
Buckner S. Morris, James H. Collins in 1834, William B. Ogden,
George Manierre, Alonzo Huntington, Ebenezer Peck, Jonathan.
Young Scammon and Justin Butterfield in 1835, Isaac N. Arnold,
John Wentworth, Mark Skinner and Henry Brown in 1836, Lisle
Smith, Thomas Hoyne, N. B. Judd, George Meeker and Mahlon
D. Ogden in 1837, Edward G. Ryan in 1836, Hugh T. Dickey in
1838. Calvin De Wolf came October 31, 1837, John Wentworth
October 25, 1836. William H. Brown came here in 1835. In
1834 the number of lawyers was eleven and their names were : Rus-
sell E. Heacock, R. J. Hamilton, Giles Spring, John Dean Caton,
E. W. Casey, A. N. Fullerton, James H. Collins, James Grant,
Grant Goodrich, Henry Moore, and Buckner S. Morris. Five of
these men reached the bench, and all attained distinction.
The first meeting of the Chicago bar was held some time in July,
1835, and was called to pay respect to the memory of Chief Justice
Marshall, who died July 6, 1835. The members present were: A.
N. Fullerton, E. W. Casey, Grant Goodrich, Buckner S. Morris,
Henry Moore, and Royal Stewart.
From 1834 to 1840 many young men of education and family
distinction came to Chicago to locate and engage in the practice of
the law, but all who thus came did not remain. Among these were
Henry Moore, Joseph N. Balestier of Brattleboro, Vt, George An-
son, Oliver Beaumont, Fisher Ames Harding of Rhode Island, and
Fletcher Webster, the son of Daniel Webster. While here in 1837
Webster was at the head of the firm of Webster & Harding.
The celebrated Thomas F. Marshall came to Chicago just before
the breaking out of the war and engaged in the practice for a short
time. Joseph Blackburn also practiced here for a short time in con-
nection with his brother just before the breaking out of the rebel-
lion.
The career of Judge Caton is not only unique in local history, but
is something extraordinary. He arrived in Chicago on the 19th
of June, 1833. He was here when Chicago was nothing but a small
collection of huts. He prosecuted the first criminal who was ever
brought before a court of justice in Chicago and commenced and
tried the first civil suit in a court of record in this county and was
engaged in the very first jury case ever tried in Will and Kane
counties.
James H. Collins came to the State in 1833 and took up a claim
to some land at Holderman's Grove, in Kendall county. At the
solicitation of Judge Caton, who knew him while residing in New
York, and who had studied in his office, he abandoned farming and
entered into partnership with him in the practice of the law in
1834. This arrangement lasted but a year, when a partnership was
formed between himself and Justin Butterfield under the firm name
of Butterfield & Collins, which soon took a very high rank, not
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 201
only in the city of Chicago, but throughout the State. They were
both well grounded in their profession, and were men of great
determination and perseverance. Collins was a man of iron will.
He was one of the earliest and most violent abolitionists in the West.
He belonged to that group of men like Dr. Charles V. Dyer, Ichabod
Codding, Z. Eastman, L. C. P. Freer, Farnsworth, George Manierre,
Carlos Haven, H. B. Hard, Chancellor L. Jenks, and the Lovejoys.
He was engaged in the defense of Owen Love joy, the brother of
Elijah, who was foully murdered at Alton by a pro-slavery mob in
1837.
Grant Goodrich occupies a high rank among the pioneer lawyers
of Chicago. He became a partner here of Giles Spring in 1834.
No one who engaged in the practice here ever pursued his profes-
sion with greater diligence and success than he, and no one has a
better record for honor and fidelity than he. He was for some
time a partner of George Scoville, and in 1854 entered into partner-
ship with William W. Farwell, who was afterward elected to the
circuit bench, and in 1856 Sidney Smith entered the firm, and it
became Goodrich, Farwell & Smith. In 1857 he went to Europe and
remained there until the spring of 1859! Upon his return he was
elected one of the judges of the Superior Court of Chicago, which
he held for one term.
In 1847 the Constitution of the State of Illinois was revised and
a new judicial system adopted for the State, in and by which the
judiciary was made elective. A County Court was established in
each county with probate jurisdiction, to be held by one judge, who
was to be elected by the qualified voters of the county and hold four
years.
By an act of the General Assembly, approved November 5, 1849,
entitled "An act to establish the Tenth Judicial Circuit, and to fix
the times of holding courts in the Fifth, Sixth. Seventh, Ninth, and
Eleventh Judicial circuits, and for other purposes," it was provided
in the llth section as follows: "From and after the first Monday
in January next, the Circuit Court in and for the county of Cook
shall be holden on the first Mondays of May and December in each
year, and that there shall be added to the name and title of the 'Cook
County Court,' created by an act of the Legislature, approved on
the 21st of February, 1845, and referred to in the 21st section of
the schedule of the Constitution, the words of 'Common Pleas,' so
that the title and name of said court shall henceforward be the 'Cook
County Court of Common Pleas.' and the regular terms of said last-
named court shall hereafter be held on the first Mondays of Feb-
ruary and September in each year, instead of at the time heretofore
designated by law ; and the said Cook County Court of Common
Pleas and the said Circuit Court of Cook County shall have equal
and concurrent jurisdiction in all cases of misdemeanor arising un-
der the criminal laws of this State and in all cases of appeals from
202 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
justices of the peace arising or instituted within said county of
Cook, any law in any wise to the contrary notwithstanding, and all
appeals from justices of the peace within said county of Cook shall
be taken and carried to whichever of said courts the term of which
shall be held next after any such appeal shall have been applied for
and taken."
By an act of the General Assembly, approved February 6, 1849,
it was provided by the 1st section "that on the first Monday of
April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
forty-nine, and every fourth year thereafter, an election shall be held
in Cook county, at which election there shall be chosen one judge
of the court created by an act entitled 'An act to establish the
Cook County Court,' approved February 21, 1845, also a clerk of
said court, and a prosecuting attorney, to perform the duties pro-
vided for in said act, who shall each hold their respective offices for
the term of four years and until their successors shall be elected
and qualified."
Giles Spring was a phenomenon a natural born lawyer. His
education was quite limited, and he paid little respect to the rules of
grammar, yet he could present a point of law to the court and argue
the facts of the case to the jury with a clearness and force seldom
equaled. In argument he possessed a keenness of analysis, a force
of compact, crushing logic which bore down all opposition. He
studied law in Ashtabula, in the law office of Benjamin F. Wade
and Joshua R. Giddings, and removed to Chicago in 1833, and six-
teen years after, or in 1849, was elected judge of the Cook County
Court of Common Pleas. On the death of Spring, in May, 1851,
Mark Skinner was elected judge of the Cook County Court of Com-
mon Pleas and held the office for two years. He was succeeded
by Judge John M. Wilson, one of the most remarkable jurists, in
some respects, that ever held a judicial position in the courts of this
county. He possessed great grasp of intellect and strong reasoning
powers, and was master of the common law and the science of
pleading, and was equally at home on the chancery side. He pre-
sided with great dignity on all trials, ruled with promptness, and
disposed, in the course of a year, of an immense amount of business.
Mark Skinner spent a year at the New Haven Law School, then
entered the office of Judge Ezek Cowen at Saratoga Springs, a cele-
brated lawyer, and finished his studies under the tutelage of Nich-
olas Hill at Albany, who was a master of his profession, and who
perhaps never had his superior in this or any other country in
analyzing a case and making a brief and presenting the law points.
Mr. Skinner arrived here in July, 1836. He was soon after ad-
mitted to the bar and formed a partnership with George Anson
Oliver Beaumont, with whom he continued in business until 1844,
and in 1847 he formed a partnership with Thomas Hoyne, which
continued until he was elected to the bench. Mr. Skinner was not
HI8TORY OF COOK COUNTY 203
only a highly educated man, but one of the best trained men in
the profession. He was identified with almost every public enter-
prise and improvement which was projected during his time. He
was city attorney in 1840, school inspector in 1842, United States
district attorney in 1844, was a member of the Legislature in 1846,
was chairman of the meeting called by the citizens of Chicago in
1846 to make the necessary arrangements for the great River and
Harbor convention in 1847. He helped organize the Young Men's
association and the Chicago Lyceum, and was a member of the
United States Sanitary commission and president of the Chicago
Sanitary commission during the war. He was a trustee of the
Illinois Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary and was long connected
with the Chicago Relief and Aid society, the Home of the Friend-
less and the Reform School.
Justin Butterfield was without doubt one of the greatest lawyers
of his time and belongs to that early group who attained national
distinction. He was appointed commissioner of the General Land
Office in June, 1849, his rival being Abraham Lincoln. Daniel
Webster was a great friend of Butterfield and Butterfield recipro-
cated the friendship, dressed like him, and imitated to a great ex-
tent his methods. He took part in many noted trials and many
anecdotes are told of his powers and quaint methods. One of the
most remarkable cases that he ever engaged in was that of Joe
Smith, the great head of the Mormon Church at Nauvoo.
Thomas Hoyne was one of the most eminent lawyers that ever
practiced at the Chicago bar. He came here in 1839 to meet the
early friend and companion of his youth, George Manierre, who
had preceded him but a few years. His career is something unique
in our history, for, commencing with a clerkship in the Circuit
Court clerk's office, he afterward filled the office of city clerk, pro-
bate judge, United States district attorney, United States marshal
and acting mayor of the city of Chicago.
Among the most enterprising public-spirited and useful citizens
was Jonathan Young Scammon. He came here in 1833 and was
appointed reporter of the decisions of the Supreme Court of Illinois
in 1839 and issued four volumes, which bear the marks of great
care and industry. The first edition of Volume I of his reports
was destroyed by fire in December, 1840, while in the hands of the
binder, causing a heavy loss of time and money. That Mr. Scam-
mon labored under many difficulties in preparing his reports for
publication is evident by what he says in the preface to Volume I
of his series, from which it appears that printed abstracts and briefs
were entirely unknown and he had to prowl through the record
and briefs of the appellant and then sit by and take notes of the
points and authorities of the appellee at the time the case was
argued, as no briefs were required to be filed by the appellee.
Henry W. Blodgett was one of the early pioneers of Cook
204 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
county, and for many years occupied a seat upon the bench
of the United States District and Circuit courts. Henry Moore
came to Chicago in 1834 from Concord, Mass., and was admitted
to the bar the same year. He was a lawyer of fine abilities, a very
attractive and interesting speaker and very soon became prominent.
He was for a short time a partner of E. G. Ryan. Henry Brown
came here in 1836 and was soon after elected a justice of the peace,
and in 1842 became city attorney. He prepared a history of Illinois
in 1844.
Paul Cornell may be regarded as among the most enterprising
men ever connected with the Chicago bar. He studied law in the
office of William A. Richardson at Rushville. He first came to
Chicago in 1845, but did not remain permanently. He returned on
June 1, 1847. John M. Wilson had recently removed here and had
formed a partnership with L. C. P. Freer, and Cornell became a
clerk in their office. He was afterward employed in the office of
James H. Collins and of Skinner & Hoyne, and on Mr. Hoyne being
elected probate judge he acted as clerk.
In 1851 he formed a partnership with William T. Barren and
they did a large business. In 1856 Barron was elected probate
judge, when he became associated with the late Judge John A.
Jameison and Perkins Bass, and after that with H. N. Hibbard, the
firm being Cornell, Jameison & Hibbard.
He always had great faith in the future of Chicago and invested
largely in real estate. He purchased the town site of Hyde Park,
laid it out into lots and sold many of them and improved the rest.
He also laid out Grand Crossing, built a hotel there and established
a watch factory. He took a great interest in schools and churches
and contributed largely to their support. He was an ardent sup-
porter of the project for establishing parks in the south division
of the city and was for a number of years one of the park commis-
sioners.
Calvin De Wolf arrived in Chicago October 31, 1837, and in 1838
entered the law office of Spring & Goodrich. He was admitted to
the bar in May, 1843. He was elected a justice of the peace in 1854,
and held the office up to 1879 when he resumed the practice, but did
not continue it long. In his early days he was an abolitionist of
the most pronounced type and belonged to that well-known school
of philosophers and philanthropists of which Dr. Dyer, George
Manierre and Owen Lovejoy were types.
Harvey B. Hurd belongs to the old regime, although he did not
join the Chicago bar until 1846. In 1847 he began the study of
law in the office of Calvin De Wolf and was admitted to the bar
in 1848. He commenced practice with Carlos Haven, who after-
ward distinguished himself as State's attorney for the Cook and
Lake county circuit. He was one of the founders of the flourish-
ing city of Evanston and took up his residence there in 1855.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 205
Ezra B. McCagg is one of the links in the remote past of the
Chicago bar. He studied law in the office of Monell, Hogeboom &
Monell of Hudson, and was admitted to the bar in 1847. In the
summer of that year he came to Chicago and formed a partnership
with J. Y. Scammon, which continued many years. Samuel W.
Fuller became a member of the firm about 1859, which continued
until his death. No one at the bar had a more varied experience
than Mr. McCagg. No lawyer at the Chicago bar traveled so much
as he, and none had such opportunities to make himself well
informed and well read as he.
Col. James M. Strode was a member of the Chicago bar and
prosecuting attorney from about 1844 to 1848. He was identified
with the bar of Joe Daviess, Cook and McHenry counties. His
name is attached to a letter signed by the leading citizens of Chi-
cago addressed to Alexander McKinzie, dated October 3, 1838,
in which they express their high appreciation of Mr. McKinzie's
efforts to entertain the people by a series of theatrical performances
and trusted that before he left the city he would allow them to
testify their regard for him "by appointing an evening for a benefit
for himself." Mr. McKinzie replied to this highly complimentary
letter on the llth of October, 1838, which is addressed to H. L.
Rucker, J. M. Strode, Buckner S. Morris and others, acknowledg-
ing the receipt of the communication and naming Thursday evening,
the 18th, as the benefit night. The colonel was not only a devotee
of the law, but a patron of the drama.
William H. Brown was one of the most useful citizens that Chi-
cago ever had and the bar should be proud of his exemplary char-
acter. He was one of the most careful and trustworthy lawyers that
ever advised a client or tried a case. His business was strictly an
office business, and in his later years he did nothing but attend
to his own affairs.
Edward W. Casey of New Hampshire was the fifth lawyer to
take up his abode here, in 1833, and was for a time deputy clerk
of Richard J. Hamilton, clerk of the Circuit court. He practiced
for some time in partnership with Buckner S. Morris, the firm name
being Morris & Casey. He was a strong and vigorous lawyer and
able advocate.
James Grant, the sixth member of the Chicago bar, was admitted
to practice in this State March 26. 1836. In 1836 he represented
Arthur Bronson in making sales of some seven thousand acres of
land at the terminus of the Illinois and Michigan canal. In 1836
he formed a partnership with Francis Peyton, which continued until
about 1839, when he removed to Davenport, Iowa.
A. N. Fullerton of Vermont came here in 1833 and was for a
time a partner of Grant Goodrich. He drifted into commercial
pursuits.
The names of Royal Stewart, William Stuart and Hans Crocker
appear on the records as lawyers at a very early period.
206 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
James Curtis came here early, and was a shrewd lawyer and man
of ability. He set himself up as the champion of the people and
was more inclined to talk politics than practice law. He had many
good traits in his character and drew around him many friends
and adherents. He was elected mayor of the city in 1847 and
again in 1850. He was appointed by Judge Hugh T. Dickey the
first clerk of the old Cook County court, now the Superior Court
of Cook county.
Ebenezer Peck filled for a considerable period a large place in
the public affairs of this State. He was born in Portland, Me.,
but moved to Montreal at a very early age, where he was educated
and admitted to the bar. He rose to the position of king's counsel
and was elected a member of the Provincial Parliament of Canada
East. He came here in 1835 and soon showed his forcible man-
ner. He was elected to the State Senate in 1838 to fill the unex-
pired term of Peter Pruyne, deceased.
George W. Meeker came to Chicago in 1837, studied with Spring
& Goodrich, and was admitted to the bar in 1839, and very soon
after formed a partnership with Mr. Manierre. He was for a time
clerk of the United States court and was for many years United
States Court commissioner. He was considered a very fine office
lawyer; was well versed in the statute law of the State and especially
the statutes of the United States, and was an authority on all points
of practice arising in the Federal courts.
In 1854 a system of police magistrates was established for the
whole State. At the municipal election in 1855 police justices were
voted for under an old act relating to Chicago without any regard
to the new act, although there were very many who believed that
by the law as it then existed police magistrates alone should be
voted for. The consequence was that both police magistrates and
police justices were voted for. The police justices received an over-
whelming vote. W. H. Stickney, Calvin De Wolf, and Nathan
Allen received a few votes, having been voted for as police magis-
trates. A case was taken to the Supreme court, and it was decided
that under the circumstances either title would comply with the true
intent and meaning of the law, and Mr. Stickney was offered a
certificate of election and a commission, but he said that the citizens
having so unmistakably indicated their preferences, he would not
take advantage of any technicality, and therefore refused the com-
mission offered to him.
Among the early public prosecutors in Cook county was Alonzo
Huntington, who came to Chicago as early as 1835 from Vermont,
became State's attorney in 1837, and served in that capacity until
1841. He prosecuted John Stone for the murder of Lucretia
Thompson, which was tried at the April term of the Circuit Court
of Cook county, 1840, before Hon. John Pearson, who presided.
Stone was defended by Justin Butterfield and S. Lisle Smith, and
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 207
from beginning to end the trial was attended by many dramatic
incidents. Stone was convicted and finally executed.
In 1851-2 Daniel McElroy and Patrick Ballingall were the lead-
ing criminal lawyers, and Mr. McElroy was at that time State's
attorney and prosecuted George W. Green for poisoning his
wife with strychnine. He was succeeded by Carlos Haven, who
proved to be one of the most successful prosecutors the county ever
had. He was the very embodiment of honesty and integrity, and
never insisted upon a conviction when he became convinced that
there ought not to be one, but he was the terror of the wicked and
they fled before him.
Patrick Ballingall was a man of unusual acumen and shrewdness,
and, considering the great disadvantages that he labored under in
his youth, it is quite wonderful what success he had and what a
reputation he established. That he attained distinction is evidenced
by the fact that he was more than once elected to the office of State's
attorney, and was one of the delegates from this county to the Con-
stitutional convention in 1847.
Daniel McElroy came to Chicago in 1844, and was twice elected
State's attorney.
Carlos Haven was succeeded by Joseph Knox, Charles H. Reed,
Luther Laflin Mills, Julius H. Grinnell, and Joel Longenecker as
public prosecutors.
George Ingham, who was the assistant prosecutor under Mills,
was possessed of the most wonderful gifts, and his earnestness and
directness always attracted attention. Charles G. Neely was an as-
sistant under Longenecker, also achieved a wide reputation while
acting on behalf of the State.
Joseph Knox was a natural born lawyer and was one of the
most effective jury lawyers that ever practiced in the Rock River
Valley. He was very direct and at times very dramatic in his pres-
entation of a case, and was for years engaged in the trial of more
cases than any other lawyer of his time.
Charles W. Reed was admitted to the bar in 1859, and soon after
became a partner of Joseph Knox. He removed with Knox &
Drury from Rock Island to Chicago in 1860, and in 1864 was
elected State's attorney, and was reflected two successive terms.
In the winter of 1882 he was associated in the defense of Charles
Guiteau for the murder of Garfield.
He was a man of great natural abilities, and was considered a
great Greek scholar. He was a most efficient State's attorney.
The success of Julius H. Grinnell in modern times as State's
attorney is something phenomenal. During his term of office he
was called upon to prosecute a number of the most remarkable
criminal cases that ever had occurred in this country. He prose-
cuted with success the anarchist cases and what are known as the
boodle cases, which involved a number of the county commissioners
208 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
in Cook county in corrupt practices, and was triumphant in all of
them.
John Van Arnam, one of the most noted criminal lawyers of
the country, came to Chicago from Michigan in 1859, and practiced
with distinction. Emory A. Storrs was a great criminal lawyer,
but he did not make it a specialty. William O'Brien was another
great criminal lawyer. He was a man of great natural abilities
and brain power.
E. G. Asay, for a considerable period antedating the fire, did a
large criminal business, and was very successful. Augustus H. Van
Buren, his father, Evert Van Buren, A. S. Trude, and Charles
M. Hardy all attained celebrity in the management of criminal
cases. Leonard Swett was a man who pursued a lofty ideal and
was above trickery and chicanery. He was in appearance almost
the counterpart of Abraham Lincoln, and was his intimate friend
and practiced with him on the circuit long before his removal to
Chicago.
In addition to the above William S. Forrest, Russell M. Wing,
Daniel Donahue, William J. Hynes, Kickham Scanlan, Daniel
Munn, and William S. Elliott have all attained distinction in the
practice of the criminal law. Mr. Forrest has made criminal juris-
prudence a specialty, and has studied the subject scientifically, and
the same may be said of Mr. Wing and several others.
There is no branch of law so much neglected and so illy under-
stood as that of the criminal law. In cities like Chicago the office
of State's attorney has risen to the importance of the home depart-
ment in England and should be filled by not only a learned and
experienced lawyer, but one of the greatest integrity and well versed
in public affairs.
The administration of the criminal law during the pioneer period
was attended with far more certainty than at the present time, and
there was far less nonsense and trifling indulged in than character-
izes the trial of cases of this character in our courts at the present
time. If we are to judge of the manner in which criminal cases are
disposed of by an examination of the reports of this State, it would
appear that all criminal cases are determined by an equation of
errors instead of on their merits, and that we have made no progress
at all since Judge Lockwood made his celebrated decision in the case
of McKinney vs. People (2 Gil., 248) in 1845.
The criminal law at the present time is the least studied and the
least understood of any branch of the law, and our courts seem to
have but one idea about it, and that is to be guided solely by the
technical rules of the seventeenth century, to rule everything against
the State and to not only give the defendant the benefit of every
doubt, both reasonable and unreasonable, but also every possibility
of a doubt. In the pioneer period penitentiaries were not regarded
as summer resorts which were to be run on the European plan, but
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 209
a place of penance, and persons when convicted were sent there to
do something besides sit around and calculate their chances of
being set at liberty by those who are "in the push" or be pardoned
outright by a sympathetic Governor.
The District court of the United States for the State of Illinois
was established March 3, 1819, and Nathaniel Pope was appointed
district judge. He died in 1850, and was succeeded by Thomas
Drummond, who continued to fill that office until he was appointed
circuit judge in December, 1869. The District court of the United
States had and exercised Circuit court jurisdiction, and the district
judge held the Circuit court for a long period, although Judge
McLean of the United States Supreme court was the judge of this
circuit, which was called the Seventh, from 1837 down to the time of
his death in 1861.
Nathaniel Pope was the first judge to hold a Federal court in
Chicago, which was in 1837, over George W. Meeker's store, on
Lake street, between Clark and Dearborn. Judge Drummond also
held court for a short time in the same place, but very soon after
Judge Drummond removed from Galena to Chicago, and perhaps
before, the United States courts were held in what was known
as the Saloon building, at the southeast corner of Clark and Lake
streets. In 1857 the United States courts were removed to the
Larmon building, corner of Clark and Washington. Immediately
after the fire the courts, with the custom house, were removed to
Congress hall, at the corner of Michigan avenue and Congress street,
then they were transferred to the Republic Life building, on La
Salle street, and later to the Government building, at the corner of
Dearborn and Monroe streets.
Abraham Lincoln, prior to 1860, tried many cases in the United
States District courts. The last case he tried in any of the courts in
Cook county was what is known as the "Sand bar" case, which
involved title to a large amount of "shore" property on Lake Michi-
gan, north of the Chicago river. It had been tried three several
times previously, and came on for the fourth time before Judge
Drummond and a jury in the Larmon block, northeast corner of
Clark and Washington streets, on March 19, 1860, two months prior
to the great Chicago convention. Lincoln stopped at the Tremont
House, and he never was in Chicago but twice afterward. The title
of the case was William S. Johnson vs. William Jones and Sylves-
ter Marsh. The counsel for the plaintiff were Buckner S. Morris,
Isaac N. Arnold, and John A. Wills. The counsel for defendant
were Abraham Lincoln, Samuel W. Fuller, Van H. Higgins, and
John Van Arnam. The trial closed April 4 by a verdict for de-
fendants.
The business directory which was published by J. W. Norris in
January, 1846, contains the following list of attorneys, with their
place of business: Abell, Sidney, 37 Clark street; Arnold (Isaac
210 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
N.) & Ogden (Mahlon D.), 123 Lake street; Brown, Henry and
Andrew J., 126 Lake street; Brown, John, 90^2 Lake street; But-
terfield, Justin and J., Jr., 70 Lake street; Clarke, Henry W., south-
west corner Clark and Lake streets; Cowles (Alfred) & Brown
(William H.), State Bank building, southwest corner La Salle and
South Water streets; Curtis, James, courthouse, southwest corner
Randolph and Clark streets; De Wolf, Calvin, 71 Lake street;
Dickey, Hugh T., 102 1/2 Lake street; Freer, Lemuel Covell Paine,
53 Clark street, opposite City Hotel; Gardiner, Charles, 71 Lake
street; Gregg, David L., U. S. attorney, 65 Lake street; Hamilton
(Richard Jones) & Moore (Thomas C.), 59 Clark street; Hoyne,
Thomas, 51 Clark street, opposite jostoffice; Huntington, Alonzo,
98 Lake street; Leary, Albert Green, 53 Clark street; Lee, David,
103^ Lake street; McDougall, James A., 118 Lake street; Mcllroy,
Daniel, courthouse basement; Manierre (George) & Meeker
(George W.), 100 Lake street; Morris (Buckner S.) & Greenwood
(George W.), 59 Lake street; Phelps, Pallas, Clinton between Mad-
ison and Washington streets; Scammon (Jonathan Y.) & Judd
(Norman B.), 23 Lake street; Skinner, Mark, 92 Lake street;
Spring (Giles) & Goodrich (Grant), 124 Lake street; Stuart (Wil-
liam) & Larrabee (Charles R.), 59 Clark street; Thomas (Jesse
Burgess) & Ballingall (Patrick), 92 Lake street; Tracey, Elisha
Winslow, 123 Lake street; Wright, Walter, 94 Lake street.
Chicago became in a very short time the great objective point, and
among the "sooners" were such men as Melville W. Fuller, S. K.
Dow, Samuel W. Fuller, A. W. Arrington, B. F. Ayer, Cyrus Bent-
ley, William C. Goudy, M. F. Tuley, Lambert Tree, Robert Hervey,
Richard Merrick, Joseph P. Clarkson, E. W. Tracey, John Van
Arnam, Emory A. Storrs, Wirt Dexter, James M. Walker, Charles
Hitchcock, B. F. Gallup, John A. and George W. Thompson,
Thomas F. Withrow, John P. Wilson, E. W. Evans, H. T. Helni,
Alexander S. Prentiss, B. F. Strother, Sidney Smith, William W.
Farewell, James L. High, William K. McAllister, Corydon Beck-
with, H. G. Miller, Penoyer L. Sherman, William H. King, Ira
W. Scott, George Payson, Joseph E. Gary, Henry M. Shepard,
Van H. Higgins, John N. Jewett, John M. Douglass, James P.
Root, A. M. Pence, D. L. Shorey, John A. Jamieson, Homer N.
Hibbard, Robert S. Blackwell, Henry Frink, Henry S. Monroe, and
many others.
Richard Merrick was for a time a partner with Corydon Beck-
with. He possessed great oratorical powers and attained great dis-
tinction.
Corydon Beckwith was, without any question, one of the greatest
lawyers that ever practiced at the Chicago bar, and he had as worthy
compeers such men as William C. Goudy, Wirt Dexter, B. F. Ayer,
Henry G. Miller, John A. Jewett, Melville W. Fuller, Emory A.
Storrs, Sidney Smith, William K. McAllister, A. W. Arrington,
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 213
William H. King, Charles Hitchcock, John A. Jamieson, Robert
Hervey, Joseph E. Gary, Van H. Higgins, and many others who
would compare favorably with the members of any other bar in
the United States.
William C. Goudy was one of the great lawyers of this State
and in many respects had no superior. He was one of the best "all
around" lawyers.
Samuel Snowden Hayes came to this city in 1850 and was, very
soon after his arrival, employed as city solicitor. He was born in
Nashville, Tenn., was a Democrat of the Douglas school and a very
high-toned patriotic gentleman. He was city comptroller in 1862
and again in 1873.
Van H. Higgins became identified with our city and a member
of our bar in 1852. He began practice in St. Louis in 1844, but re-
moved to Galena in 1845, where he distinguished himself for his
great industry and wonderful knowledge of decided cases.
Henry S. Monroe studied law with Henry R. Mygat at Oxford,
Chenango county, N. Y., and was admitted to the bar in 1853, and
came directly to Chicago. He was an excellent trial lawyer, strong
and vigorous, and was engaged in many celebrated cases.
Joseph N. Barker studied law in the office of B. S. Morris and
John J. Brown, and was admitted to the bar March 4, 1848. He
took the census of Chicago in 1850 entirely alone, when the city
was found to contain 28,250 inhabitants. He established a very
large admiralty practice and from 1854 to 1860 was the leading
lawyer in that department. He was at one time associated with
George A. Meech, then with L. H. Hyatt, and then with Judge
Tuley, afterward with H. F. Wait and Ira W. Buel.
John M. Douglass, who came to Chicago in 1856, became the
general solicitor of the Illinois Central Railroad company and after-
ward its president. The Hon. Robert H. McClelland says that he
was the deepest thinker and the profoundest lawyer of his time.
Benjamin F. Ayer belongs to the old regime and is one of the
most accomplished lawyers that ever practiced at the Chicago bar.
Charles Hitchcock possessed a wonderfully comprehensive mind,
and weighed every question presented him with judicial fairness
and impartiality. His grasp of legal principles was great and he
could enforce his views in the most luminous and logical manner.
He was always calm and self-poised in his way, yet he possessed
great force. He was a model presiding officer and he displayed
great knowledge of parliamentary law. He attained a very high
place at the Chicago bar.
Kirk Hawes is another gentleman who was not only well and
favorably known as a lawyer of distinction, but as an orator of
great power. He graduated from Williams College in 1864,
studied law in the office of Bacon & Aldrich at Worcester, came
West soon after, and went into partnership with H. T. Helm, was
Vol. II 13.
214 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
elected one of the judges of the Superior court in 1880 and reflected
in 1886, but was defeated by the Democratic cyclone which swept
over the country in 1892, and then engaged in private practice.
Henry T. Helm came to Chicago in 1854, when he was admitted
to the Illinois bar. He entered into partnership with George K.
Clarke, and soon established a large business. Mr. Clarke died
some years since. After that he became in turn a partner of Kirk
Hawes, E. S. Taylor, John L. Manning, A. M. Pence and Walter
Howland.
H. M. Shepard, who was for many years on the Superior court
bench, and later a member of the Appellate court of the First dis-
trict of Illinois, was an accomplished jurist and very able lawyer.
He studied law first with General Divens at Elmira, N. Y., and
afterward with John K. Porter, of Albany. He became a very fine
chancery lawyer and his decisions were characterized by being
broad and well considered.
Judge Gary was elected to the Superior court bench in 1863.
He succeeded Judge Grant Goodrich. Judge Gary not only proved
himself a great judge, but one of the best posted men in his profes-
sion. He presided at the celebrated trial of the anarchists and in
accordance with the verdict of the jury condemned them to death.
No judge ever worked harder or performed greater services on
the bench than Judge Gary..
Henry E. Seelye removed to Chicago in 1850 and commenced
reading law in the office of Morris & Goodrich and was admitted
to the bar in 1852, and from that time to this has pursued the even
tenor of his way.
Robert Rae made insurance and admiralty law a specialty
and at one time did a larger business than any other lawyer at the
bar. In 1882 he went to London and argued a case in the English
Court of Commissions involving a large amount of money, and
was successful. He was employed by the American Board of
Underwriters and was the first American lawyer that ever appeared
in any case in that court. He settled some very interesting com-
mercial questions of admiralty, and by his researches contributed
much to settle the admiralty practice in matters pertaining to our
inland seas.
Cyrus Bentley is another lawyer of great merit and of the most
exemplary character who deserves recognition and the most kindly
remembrance. He came here in the '50s and established a fine prac-
tice, and was not only a gentleman of the highest type, but was a
jurist fit to adorn the bench or any other position. He passed away
many years ago.
Frederick Hampden Winston became very early, through his
connection, interested in railroad law and railroad business and
prospered finely.
Some of the most prominent lawyers who died from 1858 to 1867
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 215
were: Bolton F. Strother, 1862; Andrew Harvie, 1863; Lorenzo
D. Wilkinson, 1863; George W. Roberts, killed at the battle of
Murfreesboro, January, 1863; John A. Bross, July 30, 1864;
Charles M. Willard, 1866; Edward P. Towne, 1866; Henry L.
Rucker, 1867; Solomon M. Wilson, 1867.
Every bar has a number of natural -born leaders of men, great
advocates, skilled trial lawyers, successful verdict-getters and bril-
liant orators, and the Chicago bar forms no exception to this rule.
If anyone wanted to know in olden times what form of action to
adopt or what pleas to put in in any common law case he would
be told without hesitancy to go for advice to James H. Collins, to
George W. Lay, the partner of Arnold ; to Ezra B. McCagg, to
Grant Goodrich, to J. Y. Scammon, or John M. Wilson; or, if it
should be a complicated matter, coming within the chancery juris-
diction, it would be Collins, or Goodrich, Mark Skinner, George
Manierre, Hugh T. Dickey, Erastus S. Williams, John Wood-
bridge, George Meeker, or N. B. Judd ; but if a case was to be tried
and it required skill, shrewdness, adroitness, a knowledge of the
rules of evidence and eloquence, then it was Justin Butterfield,
Thomas Hoyne, E. W. Tracey, E. G. Ryan, Isaac N. Arnold, E. C.
Larned, Buckner S. Morris, or Grant Goodrich, or J. Y. Scammon.
There were others who were great in their way, but these men were
strong and tried every case with the most wonderful skill and
power. They were at the head of the bar as it existed under the old
regime and most worthily filled the positions universally awarded
them, and they could be relied upon in any emergency.
Tradition has invested the name of Samuel Lisle Smith with a
halo of glory. It is claimed that he was possessed of the most ex-
traordinary mental endowments and the highest oratorical powers.
At first he was likened to Curran or Grattan, but that claim has
been surrendered, and it is now asserted that he was the S. S.
Prentiss of the Chicago bar and was without a peer. He arose at
a time when effusive speaking, or what is known as stump oratory,
was it its height; when Tom Corwin, Tom Marshall, Ed Baker
and Henry Clay had been exalted to the very highest places in the
pantheon of fame, and a great wave of eloquence was sweeping
over the land.
In 1835 Thomas Ford, who had become prominent as a lawyer
and State's attorney in the Fifth Judicial circuit, was elected by
the Legislature a judge of the newly created Sixth circuit. He
exchanged with Judge Breese, who held the first term in Chicago
in 1835. That term extended from May 23 to June 4, and the
records show that a great deal of business was done during that
period. Judge Breese was then but thirty-nine years of age, but
was possessed of great executive ability and good attainments as
a lawyer, and he allowed no one to linger. This term marks an era
in our local history, for from that time onward the law business
216 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
increased steadily, and for the first time the legal fraternity began
to flourish and assume a prominence which had never characterized
the profession before.
The second term of the Circuit court for the year 1835 was, by
arrangement between Ford and Stephen T. Logan, held by that
great jurist in this city. It was not as long as the one held by
Judge Breese, it having begun on the first Monday of October and
closed on the llth of that month. There were, according to the
most authentic accounts, 103 civil suits on the docket, 70 of which
were disposed of. The number of people's cases was 37, but 19
of these were against persons who had been summoned to serve
on the jury, but failed to obey the summons; two were fined $5
each.
In 1837 Cook county became a part of the Seventh circuit and
John Pearson, of Danville, was elected judge. He had been ad-
mitted to the bar December 5, 1833, and his reputation as a lawyer
was such that his appointment was considered an insult to the entire
Chicago bar, and was most vigorously resented from the very first.
The docket of the courts in Cook county had, by the opening of
the May term, 1837, become greatly crowded and the Circuit court
had at that time more than 700 cases on its docket.
At the meeting of the Twelfth General Assembly, February 10,
1841, the judges of the nine circuits were legislated out of office
and five additional judges were added to the Supreme court, who
were to do all the Circuit court business and hold two terms of the
Supreme court at the capitol each year. By this arrangement
Theophilus W. Smith was assigned to the Seventh circuit, which
included Cook county, and he opened the spring term of that court
for 1841 toward the close of April.
He also held the fall term, but when the time for holding the
spring term for 1842 arrived he was too ill to hold court, and ac-'
cordingly a special term was called for July, which was held by
Stephen A. Douglas, commencing July 18, 1842. This was the
only time that Mr. Douglas ever held court in this county. Judge
Smith resigned December 26, 1842.
Prior to the year 1831 the cabins of John Kinzie, Jean Baptiste
Beaubien and Alexander Wolcott were the temples of justice in
what is now Cook county. The house in which Kinzie administered
justice was built in 1779 by Jean Baptiste Point de Sable, near the
interesection of North Water and Rush streets, became the prop-
erty of Jean Baptiste le Mai in 1796 and of John Kinzie in 1804.
Enlarged by Kinzie, the house came down intact to 1833. In
1812 Beaubien purchased the Lee cabin on the lake shore, or old
river bank, at the foot of Madison street, but it is questionable
if he ever held court therein; for, in 1817, he moved into a house,
purchased from Contractor Dean, at the foot of Randolph street,
and in 1823 into the United States factory, which he purchased
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 317
from the American Fur company for $500. There he was residing
when appointed justice of the peace in 1825 and there he made his
home until 1840. Dr. Wolcott, appointed justice in 1825, held
court at Cobweb castle, on the southwest corner of State and North
Water streets, from 1828 to 1830, when death released him from
further judicial service; and so with the other justices who suc-
ceeded them, the home, office or store formed the court room for
years.
When Cook county was attached to the Fifth Judicial circuit
in February, 1831, a term of court was ordered to be held in Cook
county in April and a fall term in September, 1831. Under this
order the court is said to have been held in a room on the first
floor of the brick building of Fort Dearborn on September 6, 1831.
In 1832 Judge Young arrived with two circuit riders of the bar,
bringing the news that the Sacs and Foxes were on the warpath.
He came to hold court, but there is no record of the spring term
being ever held. The same year the commissioners authorized the
sheriff to rent rooms from John Kinzie for court purposes, but
there is not a record to show that the September term was opened.
In May, 1833, Judge Young opened court, but no one knows more
about the location or the business transacted, while the same must
be written of the fall term, which the late Thomas Hoyne asserted
was duly held.
Meantime the new justices of the peace, such as 'Squire Harmon,
introduced a new fashion in the matter of location by selecting one
or other of the favorite taverns as a court room, the Green Tree
tavern, on the northeast corner of Canal and Lake street, being
Harmon's principal rendezvous. This fashion was so well estab-
lished by the spring of 1834 that when Judge Young arrived in
May he did not hesitate to preside in an unfinished room of Dexter
Graves' tavern, known as the Mansion house, which occupied the
sites of the building now known as 84-86 Lake street. His Honor
did not relocate in the fall, for court was held in an unfinished
store room on Dearborn street nearer Water than Lake street. In
1835 and 1836 the First Presbyterian church, on Clark street, north
of the present Sherman house, was used for court purposes. The
meeting house, though built in 1834, was moved and removed, and
this, with the rough usage to which it was subjected while given
over to the uses of the Circuit court, rendered it as unsafe and un-
comfortable as it was devoid of taste and architectural expression.
The Municipal court was inaugurated in 1837 at the New York
house, a tavern which stood on the north side of Lake street near
Fifth avenue. When the Saloon building on the southeast corner
of Lake and Clark streets was completed the city officers took
possession of a part of the building and with them came the Munici-
pal court, for the county watched its single court room, a block-
away, with jealousy.
218 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
In 1835 a one-story and basement county building was erected
on the southwest corner of Clark and Randolph streets, of which
the main floor was dedicated to court purposes and the basement to
the uses of the ordinary business of the county. In 1845 the Legis-
lature enacted a law providing that four terms of the County court
of Cook county should be held and making it mandatory on the
commissioners to provide a suitable courtroom; for the judges com-
plained of the accommodations in the Chapman building, on Ran-
dolph street and Fifth avenue, which was used from 1840 to 1842,
and of the room improvised out of the clerk and recorder's offices
in 1844. The erection of the Market building in the center of
State street, fronting on Randolph, in 1848, was to accommodate
the city courts and offices, rather than offer any hospitality to the
county judges; but more than once the original idea was set aside
and the courts of record held therein. In 1853 the city and county
erected a building on the public square, on the third story of which
was the courtroom an elegant apartment for that time and
herein the Circuit and kindred courts were held until the fire of
1871 reduced the room and building to ruins.
When the first Federal court was opened here by Judge Pope in
July, 1848, the office of George W. Meeker, or rather his vacant
storeroom, on Lake street east of Dearborn, was considered the
most available place for holding court. In July, 1849, court was
held in the office of Buckner S. Morris, and again in the Saloon
building, until 1857, when a regular courtroom was established
in the Larmon building, on the corner of Clark and Washington
streets. In 1860 the Federal building, on the site of the present
First National bank, was completed and there the sessions of the
court were held until October, 1871, when fire destroyed the house.
Temporary quarters were then obtained in Congress hall, on Michi-
gan avenue and Congress street, but the fire of 1874 destroyed that
building, and, to insure against future disappointments and losses,
the courts took shelter in the Mutual Life Insurance company's
building on La Salle street, leaving the restored Federal building
to be dedicated to theatrical purposes. In April, 1880, the judges
entered the "new Federal building." It may be added that prior
to 1853 the courtroom of the pioneer courthouse of the county was
sometimes offered to the Federal judges and the offer accepted on a
few occasions.
The old Criminal Court building on the North side was com-
pleted in 1873 and therein courts were held until the modern crimi-
nal courthouses were completed. The Circuit, Superior, County and
Probate courts occupied the County building after 1881-82. After
the destruction of the old courthouse in the great fire, courts were
held in the West Side High School building until January, 1872,
when the temporary house known as "The Rookery," on the south-
east corner of Adams and La Salle streets, was completed. For
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 219
almost ten years the judges, officers, lawyers, litigants and jurors
inhabited that dingy structure, and all were pleased when the new
building was completed. Within another decade the new building
became almost as dingy as "The Rookery," the heavy cornices
began to fall in installments and its walls to settle. Like its con-
temporary, the Federal building, it was declared unhealthy, if not
unsafe; was subjected to repairs and denounced, until it appeared
the county was ready to raze it. With all its interior and con-
structive imperfections, it continued to be used by the courts and
county officers. When this building was torn down courts and
officers found quarters about town until the present structure was
ready in 1908-09.
The Appellate court, established in 1877, made headquarters in
the Grand Pacific hotel for some time, then moved to the Chicago
Opera house, on the southwest corner of Clark and Washington,
and later found a home in the more modern Ashland block and
elsewhere.
The Supreme court, as established February 10, 1841, comprised
nine judges, who were to supplant the Circuit judges. Judge T.
W. Smith opened court here in April of the same year in the Chap-
man building, on Randolph street and Fifth avenue, and that con-
tinued to be the courthouse of the Seventh circuit some time.
The United States courts the Circuit Court of Appeals, the
Circuit court and the District court found shelter in the Monad-
nock building. When the $6,000.000 ruin on the Bigelow block
appeared to be on the point of sinking into Mother Earth, in 1895,
the Federal judiciary sought healthier quarters, leaving the post-
office and customs authorities to tenant the dilapidated concern
known as the Federal building, until they removed to the temporary
structure on the lake front in 1896, and in 1906 to the new building
on the old site.
Section 26 of Article VI of the Constitution of the State of Illi-
nois, in force August 8, 1870, provides that "the Recorder's court
of the city of Chicago shall be continued and shall be called the
Criminal court of Cook county. It shall have the jurisdiction of
a Circuit court in all cases of criminal and quasi criminal nature,
arising in the county of Cook, or that may be brought before said
court pursuant to law ; and all recognizances and appeals taken in
said county, on criminal and quasi criminal cases, shall be returna-
ble and taken to said court. It shall have no jurisdiction in civil
cases, except in those on behalf of the people, and incident to such
criminal or quasi criminal matters, and to dispose of unfinished
business. The terms of said Criminal court of Cook county shall
be held by one or more of the judges of the Circuit or Superior
court of Cook county, as nearly as may be in alternation, as may be
determined by said judges, or provided by law. Said judges shall
be ex-officio judges of said court."
220 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
By the Constitution of 1870 it was provided by Article VI, enti-
tled "Judicial Department," as follows :
"Section 23. The county of Cook shall be one judicial circuit.
The Circuit court of Cook county shall consist of five judges until
their number shall be increased, as herein provided. The present
judge of the Recorder's court of the city of Chicago and the present
judge of the Circuit court of Cook county shall be two of said
judges, and shall remain in office for the terms for which they were
respectively elected, and until their successors shall be elected and
qualified. The Superior court of Chicago shall be continued, and
called the Superior court of Cook county. The General Assembly
may increase the number of said judges by adding one to either of
said courts for every additional 50,000 inhabitants in said county
over and above a population of 400,000. The terms of office of said
courts hereafter elected shall be six years."
Prior to the adoption of the Constitution of 1870, cities, villages
and incorporated towns were formed under special acts of the
General Assembly, and these special charters varied from each
other, so that there was not a usual form of charter or uniform law
applicable to these different municipalities. The Constitution of
1870 prohibited the passage by the General Assembly of any local
or special laws incorporating cities, towns or villages, or changing
or amending the charter of any town, city or village. The passage
of local or special laws relating to divers other matters of local
concern, such as laying out, opening, altering and working on roads
or highways, vacating roads, town plats, streets, alleys and public
grounds, or granting the right to lay down railroad tracks, was
also prohibited by this Constitution.
In view of the changes in the organic law by the Constitution
of 1870, and of the necessities for reforms in the government of
cities in the respects mentioned, a conference was held of the mayors
of the cities of Illinois, or their representatives, at Jacksonville, in
the year 1871, to consider the subject of the revision of the law
governing municipalities and the preparation of a general act which
should embody the reforms which this conference should approve.
A committee was appointed by this conference to prepare an act of
this kind, and the General Incorporation Act, which was passed by
the General Assembly and approved by the Governor on April 10,
1872, entitled "An act for the incorporation of cities and villages,"
was prepared. In April, 1875, this act was adopted by the city of
Chicago, and has been adopted by a considerable number of other
cities, while other cities still retain their special charters which
were passed prior to the Constitution of 1870.
This act of 1872 marks a distinct advance in municipal govern-
ment. Taken altogether, it is perhaps the best charter of cities and
villages which, up to that time, had ever been enacted in the United
States. It is doubtless true, however, that, in view of the tremen-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 221
dous growth of the city of Chicago during the last thirty years,
and the new conditions and problems which such growth has
brought, and the larger experience with those problems, some
changes in the form of municipal government provided by this act
are now desirable. This act of 1872 differed mainly from the
previous charters of cities in Illinois in that it gave to the mayor
of the city greater powers and placed upon him more clearly and
entirely the responsibility of the municipal government during his
administration. Under this charter, if there are any evils in the
government of Chicago for which the executive officers of the city
are responsible, that responsibility rests upon the mayor, and this
responsibility he cannot deny or shirk.
This charter also gave to the city councils very great legislative
power respecting matters of local concern. The Supreme court of
Illinois has decided that the provision of the Constitution of 1870
prohibiting local and special legislation did not apply to the city
councils of cities, but only to the General Assembly. The city
councils, therefore, are not affected by this restriction ; and, indeed,
very much of their legislation must, from the necessities of the case,
be special as well as local.
As. the act of Congress of 1845 was an act passed to extend the
admiralty jurisdiction over the Great Lakes, it was found in prac-
tice that it was a limitation of the admiralty jurisdiction instead of
an extension of it over the Great Lakes, so that in the year 1851
a case came before the Supreme court of the United States, known
as the case of "The Genesee Chief" (reported in the 12th of How-
ard, at page 441), in which the Supreme court of the United States
decided that the act of Congress passed on the 20th of February,
1845,wasconsistentwith the Constitution of the United States. Itdid
not rest, however, upon the power granted to Congress to regulate
commerce among the several states, but was put upon the ground
that the lakes and navigable waters connecting them were within
the scope of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction, as known and
understood in the United States when the Constitution was adopted,
that the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction granted to the Fed-
eral government by the Constitution of the United States is not
limited to tide waters, but extends to all public navigable lakes and
rivers, where commerce is carried on between different states or
with foreign nations. The opinion was delivered by Chief Justice
Taney. This decision is a valuable state paper, construing the
Constitution of the United States in two of its most important
national provisions the power to regulate commerce among the
several states and with foreign nations ; and that clause of the Con-
stitution which gives exclusive admiralty jurisdiction to the Federal
government.
For several years the admiralty courts bordering on the lakes
confined the jurisdiction, however, as limited by the act of Con-
222 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
gress in 1845, and in the case of Allen et al. vs. Newberry (21st
Howard, 244) the Supreme court decided that admiralty courts
had not jurisdiction on the lakes of a contract of affreightment of
goods between ports of the same State.
The first case reported in which the jurisdiction of the admiralty
over the Great Lakes occurred in 1853 in the District court at
Chicago, known as the case of "The Flora" (1st Bissell, 29), and
was decided by the Hon. Thomas Drummond, who had been ap-
pointed, in 1853, district judge of the United States for the district
of Illinois. That learned judge, with a true prophetic vision,
pointed out that the act of 1845, instead of being an extension of
the admiralty jurisdiction of the United States over the Great Lakes
in its plenary sense, was but a limitation upon it, and that the Dis-
trict courts, as Admiralty courts, had an inherent jurisdiction
proprio vigore over cases of admiralty jurisdiction independent of
and without the aid of the act of Congress of 1845, and was regu-
lated by the Judiciary act of 1789.
The office of corporation attorney from 1849 down to February,
1896, was filled by the following named lawyers : O. R. W. Lull,
1849; Henry H. Clark, 1850; Arno Voss, 1852; Patrick Ballingall,
1854; J. A. Thompson, 1855; J. L. Marsh, 1856; John C. Miller,
1857; Elliott Anthony, 1858; George F. Crocker, 1859; John Lyle
King, 1860; Ira W. Buel, 1861; George A. Meech, 1862; Francis
Adams, 1863; Daniel J. Driscoll, 1865; Hasbrouck Davis, 1867;
Israel N. Stiles, December, 1869; Egbert Jamieson, 1873; Noel
B. Boyden (prosecuting attorney), 1875; Richard S. Tuthill, 1876;
Julius S. Grinnell, 1879 to 1885; Hempstead Washburne, 1886;
George F. Sugg, 1889; Jacob J. Kern, 1891, resigned November
21, 1892; George A. Trude, November, 1892, and Roy O. West,
1895.
The office of corporation counsel was created under authority
of Section 80, Article VI, of the act to provide for the incorpora-
tion of cities and villages, approved April 10, 1872, and adopted
by Chicago in 1875. This department was created and rules for its
government prescribed in Chapter VI, Article I, of the ordinances
passed and approved April 18, 1881. It is a branch of the depart-
ment of law which embraces the corporation counsel, the city at-
torney and the prosecuting attorney, with the first named as head
of the department. The duties of the counsel include the superin-
tendence of all law proceedings in which the city is interested, the
drafting of ordinances, contracts, leases, deeds, etc., etc., and the
giving of written opinions on municipal questions to the mayor,
Council, and chiefs of departments. The first corporation counsel
was Francis Adams, appointed in 1881. F. S. Winston, Jr. (act-
ing, 1883; George M. Haynes, 1886; John W. Green, 1887; Jonas
Hutchinson, 1889; John S. Miller, 1891; Adolph Kraus, 1893;
Harry Rubens, 1894; John M. Palmer, 1894, and G. W. Beale,
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 223
1895, afterward filled the office, each of them taking a very active
part in guarding the interests of the city against the encroachments
of corporations.
The office of prosecuting attorney was created at the same time
as that of corporation counsel, the mayor nominating the first in-
cumbent in May, 1881. His duties were to prosecute all actions for
violations of the ordinances before justice of the peace (and, on
appeal, before the Criminal court) when so requested by the Coun-
cil or by the chief officer of any of the departments or by a citizen,
when in his judgment the complaint of the citizen is just. The
first incumbents of this office were as follows: Charles S. Cam-
eron, 1881; M. R. M. Wallace, 1883; George M. Rodgers, 1886;
Benjamin F. Richolson, 1887; John E. May, 1889; Stephen A.
Douglas, 1891; C. A. Dibble, 1892; William C. Asay, 1893, and
W. H. Tatge, 1895.
The South, West, and North Park commissioners were practically
three great taxing powers, armed with vast authority. The act of
February 24, 1869, and subsequent acts gave the South Park com-
mission very extraordinary powers; that of February 27 of the
same year conferred equal privileges on the West Side Park com-
missioners, while the first in the series, that of February 8, 1869,
gave powers to the Lincoln Park commissioners so contrary to
public interest that it was declared invalid and the act of June 16,
1871, substituted. Special taxation and special assessment were the
main reliance of these quasi municipal corporations, but the general
park tax was not inconsiderable.
The Board of Education, working under the act of May 21, 1889,
have power to appropriate for school purposes a sum equal to 2 per
centum of the assessed value of real and personal property and 3
per centum for building purposes, plus moneys receivable from the
State school fund, rents and other sources. Expenditures exceed-
ing the total of the legal revenue are made at the risk of the board,
as the city is not responsible for a dollar over the 2 per centum al-
lowed for educational purposes, plus the rentals and other ascer-
tained revenue. In 1894 the levy for school purposes amounted
to 2.29 per centum, for general city purposes 2 per centum, and for
interest on bonded debt .47 per centum, or $4.76 on each $100 of
valuation. In 1895 the school tax amounted to $3.12 and the
city tax for general and interest purposes to $2.53, or a total
of $5.65 on every $100 of assessed value. This of course did not
include the special assessments for improvements, water rents, and
other direct revenues of the city, amounting to millions annually.
The Supreme court decided that the 2 per centum limit for gen-
eral city and the same limit for educational purposes cannot be
exceeded; but, notwithstanding this, through the several agencies
for taxation, the limit is unobserved, and, for all the practical pur-
poses of aldermen, may not be until more stringent laws are adopted
for municipalities.
224 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
To recount the names of the exponents of municipal law in
Chicago would be to give a list of 75 per centum of the attorneys
who selected this city for a home between 1833 and 1909. The in-
cumbents of the office from 1833 to the spring of 1849 were: John
Dean Caton, appointed in 1833 ; came to Chicago the same year,
established the first law office; died in 1895. Edward W. Casey,
1834; came in 1833, returned to the East in 1838, and in recent
years was a citizen of New Hampshire. N. B. Judd, 1837; came
in 1836; was minister to Berlin, member of Congress, and Federal
officeholder in later years. Samuel L. Smith, 1839; came in 1838;
died of cholera in 1854. Mark Skinner, 1840; came in 1836; was
elected judge of Common Pleas in 1851. George Manierre, 1841 ;
resigned July, 1843; came in 1835; elected circuit judge in 1855;
died in 1863. Henry Brown, 1843; came in 1836; died in 1849.
Henry W. Clarke, 1844; came early in the '40s. Charles H. Lar-
rabee, 1846; located here in 1845. Patrick Ballingall, 1847; grad- u
uated from the bar to the bench in 1843 ; and Giles Spring, in 1848 ;
came to Chicago in 1833, was elected judge of County court in
1849, and died in 1851.
The liability of the municipality for defects in the construction
of sidewalks, bridges, streets, sewers, ditches, etc., is very clearly
defined. In the celebrated case of Chicago vs. Keefe (114 111., 225)
a number of apothegms are given, from all of which it may be de-
duced that an action lies against a municipality for damages re-
sulting from its negligence in keeping the streets and sidewalks
in repair and in a reasonably safe condition.
The powers of the public under municipal law are sometimes car-
ried into the smallest affairs. The trees which Brown, Tones, and
Robinson planted a few years ago between the sidewalk and the
curbstone and on which they lavished water, fertilizers, care, and'
labor do not belong to them. These street shades and ornaments
are the property of the city as much as the street lamp, and may
not be removed by the abutting property owner without the consent
of the municipality. This little question was carried into court
some years ago by a stubborn baker and is reported in 81 111., 108.
The sidewalk and half the street, paid for directly by the im-
provers of the street, are also public property, to which they have
access and on which they must conduct themselves as modestly as
the immigrant who arrived last week.
In 1883, when the question of the relation of street railroads
to the city was discussed, the old ordinances of 1858, granting rights
for a term of twenty-five years, played an important part in the
discussion. It may be stated that the contracts of 1858 provided
that the city could become owner of the tracks, rolling stock, etc., at
an appraised price. The legislative acts and city charters were all
examined closely for an authority upon which the city could end
the street railroad monopoly, but the opinion of Attorney Adams
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 225
was not favorable to the city's claims under the contract and hence
the companies' privileges were extended for twenty years, or until
1903, a condition of the extension being the payment of an annual
license fee of $50 a car by the companies. Richard S. Tuthill, who
was city attorney in 1876 and subsequent years, was employed to
defend the city's privilege of imposing this license before the Su-
preme court.
The act of 1861 amending the city charter countenanced the
Board of Public Works, which was organized May 6, that year.
The charter of 1863 introduced other novelties, the special assess-
ment plan being given full license. The Superior court of Chicago
ruled against this feature in 1864, and little could be done in the
way of improvement until the opinion of the Supreme court would
be rendered. The opinion came in 1865, reversing the judgment
of the Superior court and making it possible for the Council to
carry out improvements which contractors or lot owners might
suggest. The Nicholson pavement and hundreds of seemingly good
things followed thick and fast, until the great fire came to hide the
mistakes of the authorities, the tricks of the contractors, and the
duplicity of the property owners.
The ordinances for the elevation of the railways are the sequel
of that issued in the spring of 1895. It is one of the results of the
entente cordiale between the city administration and the rail-
road companies, and, altogether, a most beneficial one for both par-
ties to the transaction. The companies saw the handwriting on
the wall demanding the elevation of tracks and the city saw that
it was a duty to make the expensive alternative as light a burden
as possible for the railroad companies.
The unconstitutionality of the annual city subscription to the
Washingtonian home, discovered only in 1895, after Chicago had
paid over to that concern large sums of money, is an evidence that
once in awhile the city officers learn their duty and follow it. On
October 11, 1895, the Illinois Supreme court decided that it was a
private corporation and that the sums paid toward its support by
the city should never have been paid.
Chicago had experienced the effect of municipal law for two
years before her pioneers understood what such a law implied.
In April, 1831, the commissioners of Cook county laid down rules
for conducting taverns, granted licenses, and exercised all the pow-
ers of a village council. The excesses and tyranny of the com-
missioners were tolerated by the precocious villagers until August
5, 1833, when they asked for village or town government. How
they did push the subject forward is shown in the fact that on Au-
gust 10 the twenty-eight voters assembled to elect officers. In
December following John Dean Caton was appointed corporation
counsel. He was followed by Edward W. Casey in 1834, and thus
the Board of Trustees had the advice of two pioneer attorneys in
226 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
directing village affairs. The borrowing of $60 in October, 1834,
and of $50,000 in July, 1836, form an index to the work of the first
corporation attorneys and to the rapid advance of the village. The
city charter of 1837, the appointment of N. B. Judd city attorney,
and the issue of $5,000 in scrip speak of the growing municipal idea,
but not until 1846, when George Manierre, a former city attorney,
proposed raising moneys for public improvements by special assess-
ment, did the villagers stop to think of the powers loaned to their
councilman by the State. All precedents were not yet laid down.
The railroad interests presented work for aldermanic brains in
1848, and in 1849 the gas company appeared, asking to contract
with the city for lighting the streets. In 1851 the demands of the
Michigan Southern Railroad company for right of way and of the
citizens for extending every aid to that and other companies seek-
ing terminals here, increased the work of the alderman, while the
calls of the Chicago City Hydraulic company for the privilege of
supplying the citizens with water added to the complications of the
time.
The year is a memorable one in the story of Chicago's council;
for great favors were asked of the city which the city could not
easily refuse to grant. Then the battle in the Council to increase the
liquor license from $50 to $100 annually and and the partnership
of the city in the construction of the county building occasioned
trials of patience and diplomacy foreign to all former experiences.
The issue of bonds to cover a loan of $250,000 for improving and
extending the system of water supply marked the spring of 1852,
proving beyond doubt that the aldermen understood the wants of
the city and were determined to supply them. The city became a
dealer in fuel in February, 1855, when it offered firewood at cost
to citizens, no one family being permitted to purchase more than
one cord. In April following the Knownothings filled the Council
and city offices. The liquor license, increased in March to $300 an-
nually, they surrounded with conditions which made life very un-
comfortable for the German element, Sabbath laws were revived,
and many acts of persecution sanctioned, until the fatal riot of
April 21, 1855, brought the two sets of malcontents to an under-
standing.
The laws relating to taxation in Chicago under the old Constitu-
tion were subject to so many interpretations that they were open
to abuse and in many cases abused. The Constitution of 1870
provided means for improving the old conditions, but the Chicago
Council pretended that legislation was necessary to give strength
to the article on city taxes, and went on under the old form levying
and collecting taxes. The Superior court sustained the aldermen,
but on January 22, 1872, the Supreme court, in the case Webster vs.
City of Chicago and similar cases, set aside the decision of the
Superior court, annulled tax sales exceeding $500,000, and declared
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 227
the article of the Constitution of 1870 to have full force in the
matter. In 1873 the Legislature passed a special act in opposition
to the Constitution, under which city taxes were assessed, but owing
to a defect in the details of the act an amendment was made, under
which the taxes of 1874 were levied. The law was of course uncon-
stitutional and was held by Judge Wallace of the County court.
The city appealed, but in vain, for the Supreme court held, in the
case of City of Chicago vs. Cooper, that the tax law and the special
charter of 1875 were altogether opposed to the law of Illinois.
From 1870 to 1875 Chicago expended $12,500,000 more than its
revenue for that period and was determined to follow that insane
rule, did not Edward Robey et al. oppose the plans of the council-
men in the highest courts.
In 1875 a pamphlet was signed by the comptroller, corporation
counsel, and fifteen lawyers of standing, showing the right of the
city to issue scrip. The argument was used to float $4,500,000
worth of scrip. In March, 1877, an effort was made to enjoin the
city from issuing the scrip, but before the Supreme court decided the
case the scrip had performed its mission and was redeemed.
The powers of the City Council, the validity of the ordinances,
the acts of city officials, and even the laws under which councilmen
and officers acted have nearly all been tested in the higher courts,
with the result that where the city authorities kept within the
limits laid down in the Constitution, or acted in the spirit of laws
passed in accordance with the Constitution, their transactions were
legal in every particular.
The County court of Cook county, Illinois, was established in
1848 by an act of Legislature under the new Constitution adopted
that year. Previous to that date from the organization of the county
in 1831, such legal matters as now come under the jurisdiction of
the County court, excepting probate matters, came before what was
called the Court of County Commissioners. This was simply a
body of three men having certain judicial powers which they exer-
cised in connection with their duties as county commissioners.
The year 1848 was the beginning of a new era, not only for
;he city of Chicago, but for Cook county and for the State of Illinois.
The possibilities of the city were rapidly becoming apparent, and
though, as yet, there was no evidence that she was destined to grow
into the mighty giant of to-day, it could be seen that she was fast
gaining power, and that she would surely, in the near future, reflect
her glory upon both her county and State.
Thus to the growth of Chicago was due the growth and impor-
tance of Cook county, and this growth and importance made it nec-
essary for the establishment of a court having a wider and more
extensive judicial authority than the Court of County Commis-
sioners. And thus was the County court of Cook county established
under the new Constitution of 1848.
228 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
The probate matters of Cook county were, under an act of Jan-
uary 2, 1829, in the hands of probate judges chosen by the General
Assembly, who held office during "good behavior" or until they
should resign. The first probate judge thus appointed by the Gen-
eral Assembly was Richard J. Hamilton. He served from February,
1831, to the latter part of 1835, when he was succeeded by Isaac
Harmon. In 1837 a new order of things was inaugurated and the
probate judges were elected by the people. Charles V. Dyer was
the first judge to occupy the tyench under the new conditions. He
was elected in January, 1837, and was followed by Walter Kimball,
Mahlon D. Ogden, and Thomas Hoyne, whose term expired in
1849.
With the establishment of the County court that organization was
invested with all probate authority and the judges were elected for
a term of four years. This continued until 1877, when, under the
new Constitution of 1870, it was provided that county courts should
be courts of record and have original jurisdiction in all matters of
probate. This Constitution also made provision for the establish-
ment of a Probate court, which was done, and Joshua C. Knicker-
bocker was its first judge.
It will thus be seen that the Probate court and the County court
of Cook county were practically the same until the divorcement, in
1877, under the new Constitution. But, besides these matters of es-
tates and wills, the new County court established under the Con-
stitution of 1848 had jurisdiction over all matters relating to taxes
and revenue ; the transaction of county business ; insanity and in-
solvent cases ; the appointment of conservators for lunatics, idiots,
drunkards, and spendthrifts. At different times, subsequently, some
important changes have been made in the province of this court,
which will be referred to in their proper order. As it was, however,
in the early day of its establishment, the matters over which it had
jurisdiction show it was an organization of vast importance, and
one which has played a prominent part in the judicial history of
Cook county and of the great metropolis of the West.
The first judge of the County court proper was Henry L. Rucker.
He was elected to office in 1849 and served two terms. Judge
Rucker had been before the people for a number of years. He had
held the office of justice of the peace, and he achieved no little prom-
inence from cases arising from the famous beer riots in the spring
of 1855. The saloon faction interested in this fight contended that
as the cases were criminal an indictment was necessary, and that
they were out of the jurisdiction of a Police court. Justice Rucker
claimed that he had the right to try the cases, and, while this matter
was being settled, feeling ran so high that a riot was precipitated,
with more or less serious results.
Judge Rucker's firmness during those exciting days was warmly
commended and his reputation as a sound and able judge was in-
REV. FRANCIS GORDON, C. R.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 231
creased. He was undoubtedly one of the best probate lawyers in
Cook county at that time, and this being so strong a factor in the
business of the County court is no doubt one primary reason for
his selection as county judge. There was one custom prevailing at
that time, followed by both Judge Rucker and his successor, which
has been rather severely criticised. The custom was that of making
out certain classes of papers upon which the county judge must pass
and the collection of a fee for doing it. In the light of these later
days it does certainly look absurd for a man in the capacity of a
lawyer to draw up certain instruments for which, if they are passed
upon by the county judge, he is to receive a fee, and have the county
judge and the lawyer be one and the same individual. But that
custom, as well as some others which laid this court open to severe
censure, has long ago been abolished.
The insolvent debtor law, as it stood at that time, afforded the
best opportunities for the practice of abuses. There was not, previ-
ous to 1877, any statute providing for voluntary assignments. It
was an easy matter then to have a man arrested for debt, and have
him thrown into prison. Advantage was taken of this, and it was
no uncommon thing to have a small army of debtors arrested on
Saturday afternoon, the hope of the creditor being that, in order not
to be locked up in jail over Sunday, some extra effort would be made
to settle matters. Great injustice was often done, and the fact that
the law has practically become inoperative through disuse is per-
haps the best and strongest argument against it as a just and wise
measure. At least, the liberal Constitution in favor of personal
liberty has had much to do with the dying out of the earlier form
of the insolvent debtor law.
William T. Barren was the successor of Judge Rucker. He was
elected in November, 1857, and served until 1861. Judge Barren
was not only a popular member of the bar on account of his social
qualities, but he was an able lawyer, and filled the position of county
judge with the greatest credit to himself and to the entire satis-
faction of all with whom he had to deal. Nothing of any great
importance occurred during his term of office. The business of the
court increased in volume, particularly in connection with probate
matters.
Cook county is peculiar in this, that it is the only county in
the State of Illinois having adopted this election law of 1885 and
that has a separate Probate court. By reading the synopsis of the
election law in the books it will be seen that an enormous power is
given into the hands of the judge of the County court of Cook
county. He, a single individual, practically controls the elections,
as, if he chance to be a Republican, he can choose as commissioners
one Republican, one Democrat, and one other person, who may have
the strongest of Republican tendencies, though he may be called a
"mugwump." This would, of course, mean the selection of a Re-
Vol. II 14.
232 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
publican clerk of the board, and he is in himself, by reason of the
powers placed in his hands by law, a strong factor in any political
contest. In a word, the election law of 1885 is the lever of the
political engine, and the clerk of the Board of Election commission-
ers is the engineer, with his hand upon the lever.
The County court of Cook county as it is to-day is one of the
most important judicial institutions in the county. Its duties de-
mand talents of the highest order. The salary of $7,000 per year,
which is in the hands of the county commissioners to lessen or in-
crease, as they choose, is none too large. The men who are fit to
occupy this bench should be too high, both in probity and ability,
to devote their time for any small sum of money. The future of
the County court of Cook county is great.
By act, passed in 1849, the title of the county court was changed
to that of the Cook County Court of Common Pleas and the terms
of said court were changed to the first Mondays of February and
September in each year.
And it was further enacted that the Cook County Court of Com-
mon Pleas and the Circuit court of Cook county shall have equal
and concurrent jurisdiction in all cases of misdemeanor arising
under the criminal laws of this State, and in all cases of appeals
from justices of the peace arising or instituted within said county
of Cook, and that all appeals from justices may be taken to which-
ever of said courts the term of which shall be held next after such
appeal shall have been applied for and taken.
Judge Dickey resigning, Giles Spring was elected judge of said
court, and began holding court April 14, 1849; he died on the 15th
of May, 1851. Upon his death Mark Skinnet was elected judge,
and acted as such until 1853, declining to be reflected on accqunt
of ill-health.
It may be noted that on the 7th day of February, 1853, the Cook
County Court of Common Pleas occupied the new courthouse the
first term. On the 4th day of April, 1853, John M. Wilson was
elected judge of said court, Walter Kimball clerk, and Daniel Mc-
Ilroy prosecuting attorney. In 1857 Judge Wilson and Walter
Kimball were respectively reflected judge and clerk of said court.
In the year 1859 a new act was passed by the Legislature of Illi-
nois, which took effect February 21, 1859. in and by which the title
of the court known as the Cook County Court of Common Pleas
was changed to that of the Superior Court of Chicago, and it pro-
vided, among other things, that said court should be composed of
three justices and that the present judge of said court shall, during
the time for which he was elected, be one of the judges of said
court ; that on the first Tuesday of April, 1859, an election shall be
held in Cook county, at which there shall be chosen two judges of
said Superior court, who shall severally hold their offices for the
following time, to-wit : The person receiving the greatest number of
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 233
votes shall hold his office for six years, and the person having the
next highest number of votes shall hold it for four years and until
their successors shall be elected and qualified, and that on the first
Tuesday of April, 1861, and every two years thereafter there shall
be elected one judge of said court, who shall hold his office for the
term of six years.
The act further provided that at the same time there shall be elect-
ed two additional clerks of said court, who shall be styled "deputy
clerks," who shall also hold their offices for the respective terms of
six and four years, the person having the larger number of votes
to hold it for six years, and on the first Tuesday of April, 1861,
and every two years thereafter there shall be elected one clerk or
deputy clerk, who shall hold his office for the term of six years ; that
the deputy clerks are, with the present clerk, to do and perform all
the duties performed by the present clerk, and shall pay an equal
proportion of the necessary expenses, and that the fees shall be
equally divided between the clerks ; that the process and record shall
be tested in the name of the chief clerk and his successor in office.
The sixth section provided that there shall be paid to said addi-
tional judges out of the State treasury the same salary that is paid
to the present judge of said court, and that all fees to which the
judge of said court may be entitled by law and all docket fees shall
be paid into the hands of the treasurer of the county of Cook, and
that the clerk of the Circuit court shall pay over to the treasurer
of Cook county all judges' fees and docket fees received by him,
and that all these fees shall be held by said treasurer as a separate
fund for the payment of the judges, and shall be divided by the
treasurer equally between the judge of the Circuit court and the
judges of the Superior court, giving to each of said judges one-
fourth part of said fees, at the end of every quarter.
The eighth section provided that the court shall be held in the
courthouse in the city of Chicago, or some other convenient place in
said city, and the different judges of said court may hold one or
more courts at the same time at different places; provided, it shall
be the duty of at least one of said judges to attend daily at all reason-
able hours at the judges' chamber for the dispatch of chamber busi-
ness.
The ninth section provided that court shall be held on the first
Monday of every month, and the terms of said court shall be held
and continued from its commencement every day, Sundays excepted,
until and including the last Saturday of the same month, and longer
if necessary, to complete the trial of any cause then on trial.
It further provided that the judges of said court, or the majority
of them, may adjourn the same on any day previous to the expira-
tion of the term for which the same may be held, and also from any
one day in the term over to any other day in the same term.
The eleventh section provided that either of said judges may hold
234 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
court for the trial of causes at law or in chancery, and one or more
of them may hold court at the same time in different places, but
all cases and points reserved at trials, bills of exception, and demur-
rers to evidence, motions in arrest of judgment, and issues in law
may be argued or submitted in said court before a majority of said
judges, provided that demurrers to pleadings may be heard by
either of said judges in court or in chambers.
The twelfth section provided that when the judges shall sit to-
gether the oldest judge by commission shall preside and shall be
styled the "chief justice."
Under the act before cited which changed the title of the court to
the Superior Court of Chicago, an election took place in April, 1859,
and Van H. Higgins was elected judge for the term of six years and
Grant Goodrich for the period of four years.
Jurisdiction over probate matters in the territory that is now
Cook county was in the County Commissioners' court of the county
to which that territory was attached from the organization of the
County Commissioners' court under the Constitution of 1818 until
the organization of the Probate court in 1821. When Peoria county
was created in 1825 the territory within the limits of what is now
Chicago came under its jurisdiction, and the Probate court of
Peoria county then had jurisdiction in probate matters over what
is now the great city of Chicago.
The act of January 12, 1825, amending the act establishing the
Probate court, provided that there should be established in each
county a court of record, to be styled a Court of Probate, and that
the General Assembly at its then session should elect by joint ballot
some fit person in each county to be judge of probate for said county,
and that the judges, when so elected, should hold their office during
good behavior, and that they were to have the same jurisdiction as
judges before that time appointed.
By the act of February 5, 1827, the Circuit court had jurisdiction
of the sale of real estate of minors.
The act of January 2, 1829, provided that there should be estab-
lished in each county a court of record, to be styled a "Court of
Probate," the jurisdiction whereof was to be coextensive with the
limits of the county, the judges to be elected a the then session of
the General Assembly, which judges were to have jurisdiction in
probate matters and such other matters as might be or were then
vested by law. The General Assembly were at the then session to
elect by joint ballot some fit person of each county of this State
where a vacancy may be in the office of judge of probate to fill such
office, and the respective judges so appointed to hold their office dur-
ing good behavior.
On the 23d day of January, 1829, an act was approved, of 140
sections, relating to wills and testaments, executors and administra-
tors, and the settlement of estates.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 235
By act approved March 4, 1837, so much of the former act as
relates to the establishment of courts of probate in the several
counties in this State is repealed, to take effect after the first Mon-
day in August. The second section of this act provides that an
election shall be held on the first Monday in August, also the first
Monday in August in the year 1839, and on the first Monday in
August every four years thereafter, for the purpose of electing one
additional "justice of the peace for each county, to be styled by
way of eminence and distinction a probate justice of the peace" of
their respective counties. This probate justice of the peace was
given the same jurisdiction as justices of the peace and was to have
jurisdiction in all cases of debt or assumpsit where executors or
administrators shall be party plaintiff or defendant, when the amount
claimed to be due does not exceed $1,000.
Richard J. Hamilton was the first judge of probate for Cook
county. Isaac Harmon held the office of probate judge from Octo-
ber, 1835, to March, 1837. He was one of Chicago's respected pio-
neers, and performed the duties of the office with fidelity and as any
good business man would have done.
Dr. Charles V. Dyer was probate judge from March, 1837, until
December of that year. Walter Kimball had the "honor and dis-
tinction" of being the first probate justice of the peace ever elected
in Cook county.
Mahlon D. Ogden was elected probate justice of the peace, and
served from September, 1839, to September, 1847. He was a
brother of William B. Ogden, a gentleman of liberal education, and
graduated at Trinity College, Geneva, N. Y., in 1832.
During the first thirty years of the existence of the State the
courts having probate jurisdiction underwent many changes. First
this jurisdiction was exercised by the County Commissioners' courts,
then by a Probate court, which was abolished four times by legisla-
tive act and a similar court created, the principal object appearing
to be to get rid of the judges who were elected by the General As-
sembly and were to hold their office during good behavior, and con-
sequently could not be removed from office except by impeachment
or abolishing the courts over which they presided. This jurisdiction
was exercised by the probate justices of the peace from December,
1837, to December, 1849.
The Constitution of 1848 provided for the creation of a County
court in each county of the State, which should have jurisdiction of
all probate matters, and from December, 1849, until 1877, there
was no such court by name in the State as a Probate court.
By section 20, article 6, of the Constitution of 1870, the General
Assembly provided for the establishment of a Probate court in each
county having a population of over 50,000, and for the election of a
judge thereof, whose term of office should be the same as that of
the county judge, and who should be elected at the same time and
236 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
in the same manner. Said courts, when established, should have
original jurisdiction of all probate matters, settlement of estates of
deceased persons, the appointment of guardians and conservators,
and settlement of their accounts in all matters relating to apprentices
and in cases of the sales of real estate of deceased persons for the
payment of debts.
Under this section of the Constitution in 1877 the General As-
sembly passed an act establishing Probate courts in all counties of
the State having a population of 100,000 or more, providing that
the probate judges should be elected at the same time and for the
same terms as the county judges in the State. In 1881 this act was
so changed as to establish Probate courts in all counties having a
population of 70,000 or more. The first time the question of the
constitutionality of the act establishing Probate courts under the
Constitution of 1870 came before the Supreme court, it decided the
are to be unconstitutional, but upon a rehearing by a divided court
it held that the act was constitutional. (See Knickerbocker vs. The
People, ex rel, 102 111., 218; Klokke vs. Dodge, 103 111., 125.) It
was also held, upon the establishment of a Probate court in a par-
ticular county, the County court of such county "is at once, by oper-
ation of law, deprived of its jurisdiction in matters of probate and
all other matters upon which Probate courts are given jurisdiction,
and that the jurisdiction of the Probate court is exclusive."
In 1854 Calvin de Wolf was elected a justice in the South Town,
and filled the office continuously, by elections and appointments,
for more than a quarter of a century. He came to Chicago in an
early day, was admitted to the bar and was a partner at one time
of the late L. C. P. Freer.
The justices in 1857 were Isaac L. Milliken, Calvin de.Wolf,
C. L. Diehl, J. A. Hoisington, and L. H. Davis for the South Town;
Franklin Thwing, Charles H. J. Muller, S. B. Vernon, W. H. Stick-
ney, and August Brunning for the North Town; Caleb D. Fitz,
William Windoes, C. H. Barnum, Hiram H. De Mary, and Austin
D. Sturtevant for West Chicago. Of the above named. Justices
Milliken, de Wolf, Diehl, Hoisington, Muller, Stickney, Barnum,
and Sturtevant were serving in 1865, with J. Summerfiekl, Aaron
Haven, Charles McDonnell, Nicholas Berdell, and John M. Moore
for the South Town ; John G. Rommeis, John Cuthbertson, Edward
Kehoe, John Atwater and Owen Dougherty for the North Town,
and Nathan Allen, H. B. Ruger, and W. H. Hasse for the West
Town. In 1870 Justices Milliken, de Wolf, Hoisington, Stickney,
Dougherty, Sturtevant, and Moore were yet in the harness of petty
judicial life, with James Winship and Henry Arnold in the South
Town, John S. Quinn, Peter L. Hawkinson, and S. J. Dresser in
the North Town, and August Kovatts, Andrew Enzenbacker, and
George Sitts in the West Town. Many of the justices up to this
time, some of whom were then in office, were men of learning, in-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 237
tegrity, and honor, and conscientiously administered their judicial
duties in accordance with the evidence and the law. Rucker, De
Wolf, Stickney, and Brown were lawyers. Barnum became one
after the expiration of his term. Isaac L. Milliken had served one
term as mayor of the city of Chicago. Sturtevant had been a prin-
cipal for years of one of our public schools, and there were others
of equal ability and probity. Notwithstanding these, there were
the Banyons and O'Malleys.
Peoria county, including the region of Chicago, was set apart
from Fulton county January 13, 1825, and on the same day Austin
Crocker and John Kinzie were confirmed by the State Senate as jus-
tices of the peace for the new county. John Kinzie was not com-
missioned, however, until July 28, 1825. He was, therefore, not
only the first resident justice in Chicago, but one of the first con-
firmed for Peoria county. It is doubtful whether he received any
commission under his former appointment.
Alexander Wolcott and Jean Baptiste Beaubien were made jus-
tices of the peace September 10, 1825, and they and Kinzie were
judges of election in the Chicago precinct December 27, 1825. Jus-
tices were made elective by the law.
John S. C. Hogan was elected July 24, 1830, and commissioned
October 9, 1830, and Stephen Forbes was elected November 25,
1830. Chicago was still in Peoria county. After the organization
of Cook county by act of January 15, 1831, four justices of the
peace were elected for Cook county. Only one, William See, was
a resident of Chicago ; another, Archibald Clybourn, did not reside
in Chicago at that day, although what was then his farm is now
within the city limits. Russell E. Heacock was commissioned jus-
tice of the peace September 10, 1831, and was probably the first
justice before whom trials were held in Chicago. Isaac Harmon
was elected June 4, 1832, probably to succeed justice See. Justice
Heacock and Justice Harmon, so far as can be learned, served until
August, 1835, and Harmon was reflected August 9, 1835, for four
years. John Dean Caton, who subsequently served for several years
on the Supreme court bench with honor and distinction, was elected
a justice of the peace July 12, 1834 and served more than a year
in that capacity. William E. Casey was elected justice of the peace
August 9, 1835, but did not serve long.
Previous to August, 1827, justices were nominated by the House
of Representatives, confirmed by the Senate, and commissioned
by the Governor. The act of December 30, 1826. repealed the act
of February 19, 1819, and the county commissioners were ordered
to establish not less than two or more than eight justices' districts
in each county, and in each district two justices of the peace were
to be elected except in that in which the county seat was located,
which was entitled to three justices. The term of office was four
years and until the successor qualified.
238 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
In May, 1827, justices' jurisdiction was again extended to include
cases of assault and of assault and battery. In 1833 the Legisla-
ture, recognizing that some of the justices were irresponsible and
conducted their official duties not in a judicial manner, required a
bond for not only faithful performance of duty, but also for an exact
accounting of all moneys passing through his hands as justice of
the peace.
The act of January 15, 1831, establishing Cook county, led to its
organization on March 8, that year, when J. S. C. Hogan, as justice
of the peace, administered the oath of office to the three members
of the Commissioners' court. Under the new order of affairs the
election of justices was carried out according to law, and for many
years the system was quite satisfactory.
By an act approved February 27, 1845, justices of the peace were
to be elected after August, 1847, for two years only. This act was
repealed by act approved February 12, 1849.
Among the justices who held office here prior to the creation of
the three towns in 1851 and subsequent to the repealing act just
referred to were L. C. Kercheval, L. O. Doolittle, H. L. Rucker,
and H. Magee, each of whom filled the office prior to 1849 and
after 1851.
The act providing for township organization in force April 1,
1851, provided that counties might at any of their annual elections
vote for or against township organizations, and that whenever town-
ship organizations were adopted by a county the County court should
appoint three commissioners, residents of the county, to divide the
county into towns, and each town should elect two justices of the
peace. On the first election after the act went into force Cook
county voted to adopt township organizations, and Chicago was
divided into towns of South Chicago, North Chicago, and West Chi-
cago, and two justices were elected in each town.
Under this act H. L. Rucker, L. C. Kercheval, S. J. Lowe. F. A.
Howe, and V. A. Boyer meted out justice in the South Town.
Ammon Moon and Jeremiah H. Sullivan in the West Town, and
J. D. Aymar and Ache Kasson in the North Town. In 1852-3
Justices Howe, Kercheval, and Boyer were still on the South Town
bench, Peter Duffey and Owen McCarthy were on the bench of the
North Town, and Ammon Moon and J. H. Sullivan on that of the
West Town.
In compliance with the Constitution the Legislature, at its next
meeting, by act approved and in force March 30, 1871 (amended
by act of March 25, 1875), provided that on or before the first of
April and every four years thereafter that the justices of the peace.
Circuit, Superior and County courts of Cook county, a majority of
the justices concurring therein, should recommend to the Governor
seven fit and competent persons to fill the office of justice of the
peace in the town of West Chicago; also seven fit and competent
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 239
persons to fill the office of justice of the peace in the Town of South
Chicago ; also five fit and competent persons to fill the office of jus-
tice of the peace in the Town of North Chicago, and the persons
thus recommended the Governor shall nominate, and by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate (a majority of the Senators
elected concurring by "yeas" and "nays") appoint justices of the
peace in and for each of said towns respectively; and in case the
Governor rejects any person recommended, or the Senate refuses
to confirm any persons nominated, the Governor shall give notice
of such rejection. Later the Municipal courts of Chicago super-
seded the old justice court system, which had fallen into disrepute.
The office of police magistrate was abolished in the city of Chi-
cago by the Constitution of 1870. The office of police justices cre-
ated by the city ordinances are filled by the appointment of justices
of the peace.
The judges of Cook county, in obedience to the above require-
ments, recommended to the Governor as the first justices of the
peace under the new order of things for the South Town, A. H.
Banyon, N. B. Boyden, Charles B. Doggett, Calvin de Wolf, J.
Charles Haines, S. C. Hinsdale, Charles Drandorff ; for the North
Town, Thomas Cannon, Robert C. Hammill, Henry A. Kaufman,
Franz Rolle, Peter L. Hawkinson ; for the West Town, Henry S.
Austin, Max Eberhardt, Daniel Scully, John Van Woutd, A. D.
Sturtevant. While most of the above appointments met with the
approbation of the bar and the community, some were neither fit
nor competent, and it is putting it mild to say there was much disap-
pointment felt by those who had hoped for better things. During
the term of office for which the above were appointed some of the
most unfit for the position did the greatest amount of business.
They were known as "plaintiff's justices."
In 1875 the South Town justices were Calvin de Wolf, John
Summerfield, Peter Foote, Joseph Pollock, George A. Meech, Lo-
gan D. Wallace and J. Charles Haines ; the West Town were Daniel
Scully, Alvin Salisbury, Max Eberhardt, Orlin P. Ingersoll, Red-
mond Sheridan, A. L. Morrison and C. R. Matson, while the North
Town justices were H. A. Kaufman, W. H. Robinson, Martin
Paulson, W. F. de Wolf and R. C. Hammill. In 1879 there were
appointed for the South Town D. Harry Hammer, John Summer-
field, Peter Foote, Joseph Pollock, George A. Meech, Logan D.
Wallace and Hardin B. Brayton ; for the West Town, Daniel Scully,
David Walsh, Max Eberhardt, Orlin P. Ingersoll, Alex L. Morrison
and Canute R. Matson, and for the North Town, H. C. Kaufman,
Archibald H. Robinson, John M. Wilson, Henry Hudson and Peter
L. Hawkinson.
In 1883 the appointments for the South Town were Thomas D.
Brown, Hardin B. Brayton, D. Harry Hammer, George A. Meech,
David J. Lyon, Peter Foote and Randall H. White; for the West
240 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Town were Daniel Scully, Charles W. Woodman, Max Eberhardt,
Orlin P. Ingersoll, Francis C. Russell, Charles J. White, Edward
Fisher, and for the North Town were Charles Arnd, Louis Kistler,
John C. Barker and George Kersten.
In 1887 there were appointed for the South Town Hardin B.
Brayton, D. Harry Hammer, David J. Lyon, Randall H. White,
John K. Prindiville, Robert W. Smith and Thomas B. Bradwell;
for the West Town, Daniel Scully, Max Eberhardt, Charles J.
White, James Doyle, Michael A. Le Roy and Jarvis Blume, and for
the North Town, George Kersten, E. C. Hamberger, Judson F.
Young and Thomas Sweeney.
The justices in 1891 for the South Town were Hardin B. Bray-
ton, David J. Lyon, Randall H. White, John K. Prindiville, E. T.
Glennon, Thomas Bradwell, M. R. M. Wallace, William S. Everett
and George R. Foster; for the West Town, Daniel Scully, Max
Eberhardt, Charles J. White, James M. Doyle, Michael A. Le Roy,
Jarvis Blume, Charles W. Woodman, Olof F. Stevenson and James
C. Dooley ; and for the North Town, George Kersten, E. C. Ham-
berger, Daniel L. Wheeler, Walter J. Gibbons and Charles Hoglund.
In March, 1849, James H. Woodworth, elected mayor for a sec-
ond term that year, suggested to the council the expediency of es-
tablishing "The Mayor's court." The reasons set forth were sub-
stantially that Chicago, being on the high-road between the East
and West, a class of citizens found their way here who had no
regard for the rights of property or the precepts of the law, and
that such a condition called for a well regulated police force and
court for the arrest and trial of violators of the ordinances. In
accordance with this suggestion, the court was established and
opened on April 26, 1849, under authority given in the-charter.
In 1851 this court fell into disuse, during the administration of
Mayor Gurnee, but was revived in April. 1853, by Mayor Charles
M. Gray, who had a room fitted up in the southeast corner of the
courthouse. It is said that next to the old municipal court, the
mayor's court was the most useful and best administered ever known
in Chicago. The incumbent of the office made it a point to be just in
all cases, and there were very few instances recorded where his
decisions were reversed. The business of the court was carried on
in a business-like way, for the mayor, personally and officially, en-
forced a strict observance of judicial forms and would not tolerate
the indecent language or ugly customs heard or followed in the other
courts of the period.
The Recorder's court was established under the act of February
12, 1853, with the same civil and criminal jurisdiction as the Circuit
court, except treason and murder, and cases where the amount in-
volved exceeded $100. Robert S. Wilson was the first judge and,
though his qualifications were questioned, after holding the position
for almost a year, the Supreme court decided that his election and
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 241
his service were valid. The Recorder's court disappeared many
years ago, when its business was apportioned between the newer
courts. Philip A. Hoyne, famous in later years as United States
commissioner, was the first clerk. During the first two years of its
existence there were 753 indictments disposed of and 140 criminals
sentenced, while only one of its judgments was reversed. In 1855
the men indicted for participating in the beer riots of April 21 were
tried. Three days were given to finding a jury and, this accom-
plished, the so-called rioters were tried in a bunch, and on June 30
all except two were held not guilty. The act of the jury was set
aside on July 11, 1855, when Judge Wilson granted the two men
a new trial, believing, with the decent majority, that if they had any
interest in the riot at all beyond that of curiosity they were the least
guilty of all the men indicted. The second trial never took place, but
the jury farce was looked upon so lightly that no attempts were
made to abolish it, with that court in which the jurors displayed
such blind ignorance and want of sympathy for exact justice and in
which two innocent men were sentenced to short terms in the peni-
tentiary. In April, 1862, Evert Van Buren succeeded Robert S.
Wilson as judge and served until 1868, when William K. McAllister
was commissioned, and served until the court ceased to exist, under
the Constitution of 1870.
The Recorder's court was really abolished in 1870 by Section 26,
Article VI of the Constitution, which merged it into "The Criminal
court of Cook county" a court without civil jurisdiction. The
terms of the new court were to be held by one or more judges of
the Circuit or Superior courts of Cook county, and such judges were
ex-officio judges of the Criminal court.
In 1832, when General Scott arrived at Chicago, Dr. E. D. Har-
mon was acting post surgeon and was physician for the settlement.
He refused to obey the order of the general to confine his practice
to the soldiers, but of this disagreement the military law did not
take notice. This was the first attempt to regulate the practice of
medicine at Chicago.
In June, 1834, a laborer, returning drunk to his cabin here, beat
his wife so that she died from its effects. An autopsy was held by
Doctors Harmon, Temple, Egan, Boyer, Maxwell, Turner, Vander
Bogart, Clarke, Eldridge and Kimberly, the first held here under
American law and the first referred to in history. The medical
men reported that death was the direct result of the blows inflicted
by the woman's husband, but owing to the circumstances surround-
ing the case and the fact that the prisoner was indicted for murder,
rather than for manslaughter, the murderer escaped the penalty due
to his crime.
The laws of Illinois on medicine and surgery are few and simple.
The act of March 9, 1819, for the establishment of medical societies,
with power to examine applicants, was found too stringent and was
242 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
repealed January 3, 1821. In January, 1825, an act prescribing the
mode of licensing physicians was approved, but that, too, was de-
clared oppressive, and its repeal was recorded January 25, 1826.
For almost forty-five years the profession in Illinois was in the con-
dition in which the profession is found to-day in Ohio. The quali-
fications for practice were nominal, so that anyone who pretended
to understand the value of drugs or herbs could practice at will.
In 1835 Dr. W. G. Austin advertised the fact that he had vegetable
medicines for sale and practiced the botanic healing art, "which is
not connected by ties of consanguinity to the Thompsonian system."
The organization of the State Board of Health in 1871 and the act of
1872 led the way for the more thorough legislation adopted in the
act of May 29, 1877, the act of June 26, 1885, and of June 16,
1887. The only case of importance carried to the higher courts
under the act of 1877 was that of Chicago vs. Honey, reported in
10 111. App. (10 Brad.), 535. The decision simply denied to phy-
sicians who did not possess genuine diplomas and the certificates of
the State Board of Health power to recover fees for services as phy-
sicians and surgeons. It is also denied to their patients or the heirs
of their patients power to recover moneys paid as fees to such phy-
sicians or surgeons. The act of June 16, 1887, regulating the prac-
tice of medicine, gave a certain protection to legitimate physicians
against the wiles of the mountebank and quack. The case of the
People vs. Blue Mountain Joe, reported in 129 111., 370, resulted in
a declaration that the act was constitutional and that fraud, decep-
tion, charlatanry and quackery in the practice of medicine clearly
fall within its prohibition and subject the illegitimate medicine man
to punishment.
In 1891 real estate men in Chicago became interested in the
Torrens or Australian method of transferring land titles, and chiefly
at their instigation a joint resolution passed the Thirty-seventh Gen-
eral Assembly providing for the appointment of a commission "to
make investigation of the present system of transferring land titles
and to consider whether a more simple, expeditious and inexpensive
system and one that will give greater security of title cannot be
adopted, and especially to inquire into the practical workings of what
is known as the Australian or Torrens system of registration of
titles, and whether it can be adapted to the Constitution and laws of
the State." Upon that commission were appointed, by Governor
Fifer, the late ex-Attorney-General James K. Edsall, Willis G.
Jackson, George W. Prince, Frank H. Jones, and Theodore Shel-
don. The place of General Edsall on his death was filled by the ap-
pointment of Harvey B. Hurd. In December, 1893, the commis-
sion laid before the Governor a somewhat extended report, con-
cluding with a recommendation that the essential features of the
Torrens system be adopted and used in this State, and to that end a
draft of a bill for the adoption in this State of the system of regis-
tration of land titles accompanied the report.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 243
The bill so prepared received an unusually full discussion by the
Thirty-eighth General Assembly. It passed the Senate by a vote
of 28 to 4, but failed to pass the House of Representatives, receiving
seven votes less than the necessary majority.
Much interest in the subject was awakened by the meetings of
the World's Real Estate congress held in 1893 under the auspices
of the World's Fair Auxiliary, at which the Torrens system was
made the central point of deliberation.
In January, 1895, the bill prepared by the commission was again
introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives, and with
some slight amendments passed the former by a vote of 32 to 3 and
the latter by a vote of 105 to 20. It received the approval of the
Governor and took effect July 1, 1895. As enacted the law provides
for its ratification before use by the people of each county. In
Cook county such ratification was had at a general election held in
November, 1895, and the measure met with a practically unanimous
vote in favor of its adoption. The requisite steps were taken by the
recorder of Cook county to put the system into practical operation.
A fair trial of the new method soon determined all questions as to
its efficacy. This system has been used with marked success in
South Australia since 1858. Queensland adopted it in 1861, Vic-
toria and New South Wales in 1862, Tasmania in 1863, New Zea-
land and British Columbia in 1870, Western Australia in 1874, Eng-
land in 1875, Manitoba in 1883, and Ontario in 1884. The Prussian
land law of 1872 proceeds upon the same principle. Wherever it
has been tried it has proved most satisfactory.
In Chicago the law of "liability over" slumbered after 1857 when
the city instituted suit in the Court of Common Pleas of Cook county
against one Robbins, which case was transferred to the United
States Circuit court and thence to the United States Supreme court,
wherein the action of the municipality was sustained.
Prosecution of personal injury litigation became a thriving in-
dustry, and no reflection on the lawyers employed in the prosecu-
tion of this class of cases is meant, for they did their duty as lawyers
to their clients. But it is astonishing that the city did not resort
to this form of protecion all these intervening years, and put a dam-
per on the contractors, railway companies, property owners, and the
like, who enjoyed special privileges from the municipality.
The law of "liability over" affords adequate remedy. It so ap-
pealed to Edward J. Brundage upon his being inducted into the
office of corporation counsel. He immediately assigned one of his
assistants in the city attorney's office to the task of looking up the
law, which was productive of the assistant submitting a very ex-
haustive brief on the subject. A number of suits followed, the
first one to come up for hearing being the City of Chicago vs. Scully
Paving Co., a corporation, Municipal court No. 9790, tried before
Judge Arnold Heap, resulting in a judgment for the city for
244 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
$407.26, representing judgment costs and interest which the city
had to pay in the suit of Richard Farrell against the city for in-
juries sustained by reason of negligence of the said Scully Paving
company in leaving Loomis street in disrepair without barricade or
lights to guard against persons driving upon the dangerous street.
The limitation on actions "over" is five years, and the city is vig-
orously prosecuting the collection of damages against the parties at
fault. Alfred O. Erickson is the assistant city attorney who pre-
pared the brief on "Liability Over," and he is in direct charge of this
litigation for the municipality.
On the 29th day of November, 1884, eighteen gentlemen met at
room 64, Honore building, 204 Dearborn street, pursuant to the fol-
lowing notice :
"All members of the Chicago bar who practice patent law are
requested to meet at the above office on Saturday next, November
29, at 2 p. m., to consider the advisability of organizing a Patent
Bar association for Chicago and to consider another suggestion re-
quiring, if any, immediate action. All attorneys-at-law who make
patent litigation or soliciting a specialty of their practice are in-
vited, and the recipient of this circular letter is requested to extend
this invitation accordingly.
"GEORGE PAYSON, L. L. BOND, L. L. COBURN,
J. H. RAYMOND, E. A. WEST, C. K. OFFIELD."
Mr. Payson was elected chairman, and, after a lengthy confer-
ence, a committee, consisting of J. H. Raymond, W. G. Rainey, and
John W. Munday, was appointed to further consider the matter
and report at a subsequent meeting. On December 2, 1884, the
committee reported that
"Such an association, rightly conducted, would add to the dignity
and reputation of this branch of the legal profession ; would be
instrumental in promoting the interests of its individual members
and the professional and social relations which exist or should exist
between them ; in aiding reforms in the administration of the patent
office; in assisting to make more definite, uniform, and convenient
the rules of practice in the courts ; in taking associate action to pre-
vent unwise amendments to the patent law ; in discussing such other
matters hereafter to arise as may be of common interest, and in
affording an example which will be followed by the organization,
in other cities, of similar associations having like objects, the ac-
tions of which, in connection with the proposed associations, will
make national the higher standard and reputation, the amenities,
the reforms, and the rules of practice referred to."
Pursuant to the recommendation of the committee, the chairman
called a meeting to consider its report, which meeting was held on
the 6th day of December, 1884, at the office of the Western Rail-
way association. There were present at this meeting : George Pay-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 245
son, chairman ; L. L. Bond, P. C. Dyrenforth, M. E. Dayton, J. W.
Munday, C. C. Linthicum, J. H. Pierce, E. Banning, C. T. Brown,
J. G. Elliott, J. M. Thatcher, H. S. Towle, T. E. Brown, Edmond
Adcock, T. E. Banning, J. H. Raymond.
The report of the committee was considered at length, and several
amendments made in the proposed articles of association. Messrs.
Thatcher and Towle were added to the committee, and the report
was recommitted to be revised in accordance with the amendments
suggested.
At an adjourned meeting held on the 12th day of December, 1884,
the committee reported back the articles of association and they were
unanimously adopted. Those present at the meeting were : George
Payson, chairman; J. H. Raymond, secretary; J. H. Pierce, L. L.
Bond, J. W. Munday, W. H. Dyrenforth, C. C. Linthicum, H. S.
Towle, T. E. Brown, C. T. Brown, George R. Cutler, and E. Ban-
ning.
The articles of association provided that the affairs of the asso-
ciation should be directed by a board of seven managers, of which
the president and secretary should be members ex-officio. Mr. L.
L. Bond was elected president, Mr. J. H. Raymond secretary and
treasurer, who, with E. Banning, M. E. Dayton, J. M. Thacher, H.
S. Towle, and J. W. Munday, composed the first board of man-
agers. The articles of association stated the objects of the associa-
tion to be
"Such associate action and social intercourse as shall aid reform
in the administration of the patent office, to assist in making more
definite, uniform, and convenient the rules of practice in the patent
office and in the courts, to take associate action to prevent unwise
amendments to the patent law, and to aid such reforms therein and
salutary amendments thereto as may be deemed expedient, and to
hold discussions concerning and to take action about such matters
hereafter to arise as may be of common interest."
The articles of association as adopted made solicitors of patents
and experts in patent causes, as well as attorneys-at-lavv who made
patent law a specialty of their practice, eligible to membership.
During the first year of the existence of the association meetings
were held monthly at the offices of the different members; but there-
after this practice was abandoned, and the meetings were held
quarterly at the down-town clubs. A banquet was made a feature
of each meeting. The membership is $5 and the annual dues $10,
and out of these proceeds all expenses of the association, including
banquets, printing of papers read at its meetings, etc., are paid.
The Chicago Evening College of Law was organized in the fall
of 1887. During the year of 1889, at the request of the trustees
of the Lake Forest University, it became the law department at that
institution. At this time it remodeled its course and organization
and changed its name to the Chicago College of Law. Its sessions
246 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
were held each weekday evening between the hours of 7 and 9
o'clock, its object being to give a large number of young men and
women, qualified for the study of law but engaged in law offices,
an opportunity to pursue a regular course of law studies under
proper and competent instruction during the evening hours, and to
obtain a legal education equal to that to be gained from institutions
where the sessions are held during the day. The law office affords
to the law student a practical drill that is indispensable and must
sooner or later be secured. The objection to law schools that has
been strongly urged in the past was that they taught the theory of
the law, but gave little knowledge of the application of the principles
in actual practice. This institution gave the student an opportunity
to obtain a knowledge of the general routine of office and court
work while attending law school, and in this manner combined to
the fullest extent the theoretical and practical elements of a legal
education Its curriculum was divided into two courses, consisting
of an under-graduate course of two school years and the post-grad-
uate course of one school year.
The Union College of Law was opened in the fall of 1859 as the
law department of the first University of Chicago. The founda-
tion of the school was due to the efforts of the Hon. Thomas Hoyne,
who gave to the school an endowment of $5,000. At Metropolitan
hall, on September 1, 1859, the Hon. Thomas Drummond presided
at the dedicatory exercises of the law school and the late David
Dudley Field delivered an address. The future of the school was
foreshadowed by the distinguished orator of the occasion when he
said that "whatever light is here kindled will shine through town-
ship and village from the Allegheny to the Rocky mountains." But
this prophetic vision failed to perceive that the influence of the
school would, before the close of the century, be wider even than
he prophesied. There were but three law schools west of the Alle-
gheny mountains at the time this school was founded. One of these
was in Cincinnati, one at Louisville, and one at Lebanon, Tenn.
The law department of the University of Michigan was established
in the same year as this school.
In 1865 the board of trustees of the first University of Chicago
granted to St. Mary's University the privilege of a partial participa-
tion in the benefits of the law department. Of the exact nature and
duration of this connection no record has been obtained. October
6, 1873, the law department of the University of Chicago passed
under the joint patronage of the Chicago and of the Northwestern
universities and assumed for the first time the name "Union Col-
lege of Law." The law school continued under the joint manage-
ment of the two universities until 1886, when the first University
of Chicago suspended instruction and was practically dissolved.
The Union College of Law was incorporated April 4, 1888. In
1891 the Union College of Law was consolidated with North-
GKORGK R. CARR.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 249
western University by agreement between the two corporations, and
the school became known as the Northwestern University Law
school.
This law school was incorporated under the laws of the State of
Illinois by the name of the Kent Law School of Chicago, July 18,
1892, by the following named gentlemen as incorporators :
Marshall D. Ewell, LL. D., M. D. ; Russell H. Curtis, B. S. ;
William H. Dyrenforth, LL. B. ; Alfred D. Eddy, A. B., LL. B. ;
Fred A. Bangs, LL. B. ; Hon. George F. Sugg, LL. B. ; Thomas
E. D. Bradley, LL. B. ; Willard M. McEwen, LL. B. ; Milton O.
Naramore, A. M., LL. B. ; Frederick G. O'Connell, LL. B. ; Ga-
briel J. Norden, LL. B. ; John C. Everett, A. B., LL. B. ; George
N. Morgan, B. L., LL. B. ; Samuel B. King, LL. B. ; George W.
Ross, B. S., LL. B. ; Max A. Drezmal, LL. B. ; Ephraim C. West-
wood, LL. B. ; Samuel J. Lumbard, LL. B. ; Hervey Sheldon,
LL. B. ; Joseph W. Errant, LL. B. ; Hon. John Gibbons, LL. D.
On December 31, 1894, its corporate name was changed to Kent
College of Law. It opened its doors to students September 15,
1892, with 137 students in attendance, its success thereby being
assured from the very outset. At its first commencement it gradu-
ated a class of 64. During the second- year of its existence it had
in attendance 163 students and graduated a class of 39; the third
year of its existence it had 181 students and graduated a class
of 64.
The Chicago Bar association was organized in 1874 for the pur-
pose, as stated in its constitution, of maintaining the honor and dig-
nity of the profession of the law, to cultivate social intercourse
among its members, and to increase its usefulness in promoting the
due administration of justice.
The first president was William C. Goudy. The association en-
tered actively and at once upon the work of securing the ends indi-
cated above, and has successfully accomplished much in these
directions.
The Law club, organized early in the '80s, claims its constitu-
tional number of members. The secretary reported the condition of
this legal association to be first class. The club has grown with
its years, and advanced so quietly that even the city directories
make no mention of the organization under the above title. The
membership is limited to 150, each of whom must be under forty
years of age. A member who is reported absent at three consecu-
tive meetings must be dropped from the rolls but a valid excuse may
save him. Informal meetings were held at various club houses, at
6 :30 o'clock in the evening, when a short paper was read and dis-
cussed. After the discussion dinner was served, and then adjourn-
ment. The club was a mixture of mind and matter.
The Lawyers' Club of Chicago was organized June 17, 1894,
with William H. Condon president. The rooms of the club were
Vol. 1115.
250 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
well known to the members of the bench and bar, for they were open
to lawyers on the occasions of lectures or addresses on legal sub-
jects.
The charter giving legal countenance to the Chicago Law Insti-
tute is dated February 18, 1857. It was modeled on the charter
of the New York Law Institute, for at that time Chicago aimed
to follow rather than lead the town on Manhattan Island. The
amendatory acts of February 14, 1863, and February 23, 1867,
countenanced a few radical departures from the original charter
and extended the privileges of the association. The progress made
in the collection of books was phenomenal, Illinois and other States
contributing statutes and sundry law works. Chicago lawyers were
most generous, several of them robbing their home libraries to build
up a central one; so that, within thirteen years, the institute became
a storehouse of law books and a pleasant rendezvous for lawyers.
On that Saturday of October, 1871, preceding the Sunday of
the great fire, there were 7,000 volumes in the library. Before
three o'clock on the morning of October 9 the books were destroyed,
with the courthouse, and $30,000 worth of law literature, with
records and valuable documents, were lost to the institute.
COUNTRY TOWNS
PREVIOUS to 1850 Evanston and vicinity was included in
the old Gross Point district, but at that date when the town-
ship of Ridgeville was organized it was made to include the
present territory where Evanston and Lake View stand.
Thus it remained until Evanston township was organized in 1857.
At that date the Ouilmette reservation was added to Evanston town-
ship. In 1859 the territory thus added was detached from Evanston
and made a part of New Trier.
Among the first settlers in this portion of the county were
Abraham Hathaway and Philip Rogers, who located there as
early as 1836. Mr. Rogers located in Sections 31 and 32, built a
log house and began the business of burning charcoal. He lived
where Rogers Park now stands. Mr. Hathaway located near the
present park at Evanston and opened a tavern soon after his arrival.
A little later James Carroll and Edward H. Mulford settled in that
vicinity.
About 1837 Samuel Rohrer located at Rosehill, but did not re-
main long. In about 1838 James and John Carney located in Sec-
tion 18 which is now a portion of the most thickly populated part
of Evanston. In 1839 Otis Munn located there, and John Zembder
came about the same time. Paul and George Pratt were there at
an early date, and Peter Schmitt settled at Rogers Park, probably in
Section 31. Edward Murphy was an early settler in that vicinity.
He served as county supervisor for many years. O. A. Grain lo-
cated at South Evanston about the year 1840, and soon afterward
his brother, Charles A. Grain settled there. About this time George
W. Huntoon located in Section 19. He afterward became quite
prominent in the affairs of Cook county. He served at one time
as constable of Chicago. Jacob Phillips located in this vicinity
early in the '40s, as did also John O'Leary and Edward Davlin.
Other early settlers were David Hood, Joseph Clein, Peter Bletsch,
John Beck, John Tillman, Henry Fortman, Michael Britt, Henry
Reinberg, Peter Munn, Frank Schmitt, and Peter Rinn. In early
times there was a divide called the Ridge extending between Rose-
hill and Evanston. Along this Ridge many of the first settlers
located to keep clear of the water which about half the year rested
over a portion of the low lands adjacent.
The town of Ridgeville was organized in 1850 under the new
township law. The first election was held in the summer of 1850.
Ebenezer Bennett was moderator and the election was held at the
251
252 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
house of George Reeley. Edward Murphy was elected first super-
visor, L. S. Bailing, town clerk; P. Smith and E. H. Mulford, jus-
tices of the peace; Philip Rogers, assessor; Jacob Smith, collector;
Otis Munn, overseer of the poor; David Wood, Charles Miller
and Martin Young, commissioners of highway ; and Andrew Faber
and Jacob Smith, constables. Immediately after the election the
officers proceeded to divide the township into four road districts.
In order to prevent stock from running at large a committee was
appointed to formulate some method of restraining them or of pre-
venting their invasion of the fields of growing grain. This com-
mittee consisted of Edward Murphy, George W. Huntoon, Isaac
Burroughs and Silas Pratt. The committee, after investigating the
subject, reported that in their judgment all cattle and horses should
be confined during the months of December, January and Febru-
ary, and that hogs and sheep should be kept in pens during the en-
tire year, or if turned out on common should be herded. The town-
ship officials proceeded to build a pound, and later constructed an-
other in a different portion of the township.
The four road districts of the town were later overseen by John
Moore, James Hartman, W. B. Huntoon and Abraham Snyder. In
order to obtain money to carry on the first expenses of the town it
was necessary to raise about $175, but upon submitting the question
to the board the project was defeated by a vote of six to two. How-
ever as it was necessary to raise the money, the subject was recon-
sidered and later the officials proceeded to raise $200 by a general
tax upon the town. The town officials also proceeded at this date
to improve the roads in this portion of the county. In fact this was
one of the principal duties of the early town officials. The country
being flat, it was necessary to raise the roads above the level, and
this entailed a great deal of hard work and no little expense.
The law of 1849 providing for the organization of townships was
amended by the law passed in 1851. The new law greatly improved
the duties and powers of the town officials. They could now act
with greater authority, and accordingly proceeded to put town af-
fairs in better working condition. Additional road districts were
laid out and an annual tax was levied to meet the expenses of dig-
ging drainage ditches, throwing up roads and building bridges.
Under the new law Edward Murphy was elected county super-
visor, and Samuel S. Billings, township clerk, and an entirely new
set of officials was chosen. At this time one of the duties of the
town officials was to take care of the poor. In early times the peo-
ple were poor, and it was no easy task for the collector to induce
them to pay their taxes when due. In those days justices of the
peace had a comparatively easy time of it, and were officials of much
dignity and influence. Many amusing incidents are related con-
cerning early town matters. It was the custom to seize any animal
found running at large in violation of the law and to place it in
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 253
the pound until redeemed by its owners. Failure to redeem it was
followed by the public sale of the animal. Among the early offi-
cials of the town were Jacob Smith, collector; Philip Rogers, as-
sessor; Matthias Dunlap, overseer of the poor; Andrew Faber,
John Bugner and Otis Munn, commissioners of highway; Jacob
Hartman and Andrew Faber, constables, and Peter Smith and Ed-
ward H. Mulford, justices of the peace. One of the first assess-
ments of this township was made by Mr. Rogers in 1853. At that
date the taxable property was placed at about $6,000. Among
those who paid taxes were the following : O. A. Grain, Paul Pratt,
Eli Gaffield, William Foster, G. W. Huntoon, Charles Grain, Peter
Munroe, Patrick Goodwin, John O'Leary, Jacob Phillips, Peter
Smith, John George and Anton Haskamp. The head officials in
early times continued to serve for many years. Edward Murphy,
the first supervisor, was in 1855 succeeded by George Huntoon.
In 1857 Ridgeville was divided and the town of Evanston was
organized. The new town was divided into four road districts,
by Edward Murphy, W. S. Steele, J. D. Colvin and A. Haskamp.
Mr. Reynolds was the first supervisor and Mr. Colvin the first
clerk. In 1861 Edwin Haskins succeeded Mr. Reynolds and J. M.
Hill succeeded Mr. Colvin. G. E. Foster succeeded Mr. Haskins
and at the same time J. M. Hill became clerk. J. W. Clough suc-
ceeded Mr. Hill late in 1861. Mr. Haskins became supervisor in
November, 1862, but was succeeded'by E. V. Taylor, who served
for three years. George W. Reynolds was supervisor from 1866
to 1870, and Eli A. Gage from 1870 to 1874.
The settlement of the northern part of Cook county was not
rapid until after the construction of the early lines of railway. In
1854 the Chicago & Milwaukee railway reached Evanston and im-
mediately thereafter the settlement of that portion of the county was
rapid. George Curney was one of the first to locate at Evanston.
However, farmers had resided on the site of the present plat of that
suburb for many years previous.
Paul Pratt was one of the early residents there. Mrs. Elizabeth
Pratt and Eli Gaffield were early residents of the present site of
Evanston. John Carney also located there in early times. The
Grain Brothers were among the first in that locality. William Fos-
ter lived there at an early date. David Burroughs lived a short
distance south of Mr. Foster. Mrs. Jellerson lived near the Bur-
roughs residence. The Curney house was not far from that of
Mr. Pratt. Anthony Haskamp lived east of the ridge. Dr. John
II. Foster owned a tract which passed to the Northwestern uni-
versity. South of Doctor Foster were Abram Snvder and Mrs. S.
H. Densmore. S. S. Billings lived at Ridge and Central avenues
and Andrew Robinson, John Spence and D. W. Burroughs were
there at an early date. Aside from the land on the Ridge and the
present university grounds the present site of Evanston was mostly
254 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
a waste in early times. The act of 1852 appointing drainage com-
missioners and providing for the drainage of lands in this portion of
the county wrought a wondrous change within a few years. Ditches
were dug from the Ridge eastward to the lake and others leading to
a slough which flowed into the north branch of the Chicago river
were dug in the direction of Winnetka. Within a short time the
low lands were comparatively dry and began to be occupied by
human habitations. Soon the streets began to take form and
business houses were erected. Among the first business men were,
Philo Judson, Charles Wilson and W. C. Garwood. Mr. Wilson
kept a tavern and a general store, and Mr. Garwood conducted
a drug store.
Long before Evanston was founded a public school had been
maintained in a log building near the corner of Ridge avenue and
Greenley street. The schoolhouse was near the residence of Henry
Clark, a farmer, who sold to the town authorities the land for a
schoolhouse site and a burying ground. This schoolhouse stood
on what afterward became Pittner's addition to the town of Evans-
ton. In this schoolhouse the Methodists held many of their early
meetings. In July, 1854, one of the first quarterly meetings of that
denomination was held in this house.
Evanston, as a matter of fact, originated from the successful ef-
forts to establish Northwestern university, but it would not have
been laid out nor founded, nor would the university have been
established there, had it not been for the railways. The university
grounds were located upon land secured from Dr. John H. Foster
of Chicago and others. When selected the site was imposing. In
fact, it was one of the most attractive spots along the west shore
of the lake. The university grounds were laid out and planned
under the direction of Rev. Philo Judson. Later an addition was
obtained from James Carney.
The establishment of Northwestern university was due to the
desire of the Methodist Episcopal church people to form an insti-
tution devoted to Christian learning. The meeting which first pro-
jected the institution was held in May, 1850, and on that occasion
there were present the following persons interested in the new
school; Rev. Z. Hall, Rev. Richard Haney, Rev. R. H. Blanchard,
Dr. John Evans, Grant Goodrich, Orrington Lunt, Andrew J.
Brown, J. K. Botsford and Henry W. Clark. The committee to
secure the charter for the university were Evans, Goodrich and
Brown. The charter was obtained in January, 1851. Among the
incorporators of the institution were Philo Judson, Richard Haney,
S. P. Keyes, A. E. Phelps, Elihu Springer, Henry Summers. Da-
vid Brooks, H. W. Reed, D. N. Smith, Grant Goodrich, J. K. Bots-
ford, Orrington Lunt, A. J. Brown, Eli Reynolds, Absolom Funk,
E. B. Kingsley, John M. Arnold, Joseph Kettlestrings and George
F. Foster. These gentlemen and others were incorporated as trus-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 255
tees of the Northwestern university. They proceeded to organize
in June, 1851. It was due to the efforts of these trustees that a
special school in Chicago was instituted and located on the present
site of the Grand Pacific hotel. This excellent school was estab-
lished by the trustees for the purpose of furnishing a preparatory
school for the University. Immediately after becoming organized
the trustees began the task of selecting the site for the university.
At first they considered a tract of land in the town of Jefferson,
and later viewed other prospective sites. Finally, however, they de-
cided on the present grounds at Evanston. Among the first mem-
bers of the faculty were Abel Stevens, W. D. Goodman and H. S.
Noyes. During the first year classical and scientific courses were
founded and a little later the departments of law and applied sci-
ence were added. The university was duly opened in November,
1855. Dr. Hinman had much to do in starting the institution on
its successful career. Dr. R. S. Foster was also prominently con-
nected with the university. He was president of the faculty and
held the chair of moral philosophy and logic. Mr. Stevens was
professor of rhetoric and English literature. Daniel Bonbright was
professor of Latin, and Henry S. Noyes professor of mathematics.
W. D. Goodman was professor of Greek. Early in the history of
the institution, literary, scientific and eclectic courses of four years
each were provided. The Hinman Literary society was one of the
early university organizations. The first university building was
a small structure and others were added as time passed.
In 1856 the officers of the board of trustees were John Evans,
president; Grant Goodrich, vice-president; Philo Judson, secre-
tary and financial agent, and Orrington Lunt, treasurer. The mu-
seum was commenced in 1857 by Robert Kennicott. A little later
J. V. Z. Blaney became professor of natural sciences and a member
of the faculty. The first freshman class in 1855 numbered ten.
Of this number five were graduated in 1859.
Soon after the establishment of Northwestern university steps
were taken to found a library for that institution. By 1870 about
4,000 volumes had been selected. The first great addition thereto
was made about this time when the Greenleaf library of 20,000 vol-
umes was secured. This furnished the nucleus around which has
been collected the large library of the present date. Its beneficial
influence on the community need not be recited here. The collection
covers almost every department of literature and is particularly
rich in works on philosophy, philology, education and art. The uni-
versity and the library alone would serve to give a decided air of
culture to any community.
The College of Liberal Arts was founded both for young ladies
and young gentlemen. The influence of the various literary soci-
eties in conjunction with the university and its adjunct school?
should not be overlooked in a presentation of sources and methods
256 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
of education. The University museum contains a large collection
of interesting articles from all parts of the world. It is an educa-
tion alone to study the utilities and follies of man to be seen in this
department.
Another important educational institution located at Evanston
early was the Northwestern Female college. It was founded in
1855 and from the start its uplifting influence was felt upon that
community. Connected with the same was a conservatory of music
that should not be overlooked by the historian.
In 1868 the Evanston College for Ladies was established and
was designed to furnish higher education to women. It first be-
gan as the Womans' Educational association, with Mrs. Mary P.
Haskill as president. Among those first connected with this insti-
tution were Mrs. Mary F. Haskill, Mrs. Mary J. K. Huse, Mrs.
Elizabeth M. Greenleaf, Mrs. H. Noyes, Miss Cornelia Lunt, Mrs.
Melinda Hamline, Mrs. Caroline Bishop, Mrs. Harriet S. Kidder,
Mrs. Mary T. Willard, Mrs. Maria Cook, Mrs. Margaret P. Ev-
ans, Mrs. Sarah J. Hvird, Mrs. Abby L. Brown, Mrs. Annie H.
Thompson and Mrs. Virginia S. Kent.
In 1873 the Ladies' college became a department of Northwest-
ern university. Its influence was thus greatly widened, and the
university itself was ornamented and strengthened by the addition.
In 1872 the Womans' Educational Aid association of North-
western university was established as an adjunct to the Evanston
College for Ladies. Its first president was Mrs. Hannah Pear-
sons.
In 1859 what became the Chicago Medical college was founded
under the management of the trustees of Lind observatory, and be-
came a department of Lind observatory. In 1864 it adopted the
name of Chicago Medical college, and five years later became a de-
partment of Northwestern university.
In 1859 the Chicago College of Law was established, chiefly
through the influence of Thomas Hoyne, who subscribed $5.000 for
the endowment of a chair of international and constitutional law in
the University of Chicago. The institution opened at Metropolitan
hall. Afterward many prominent men were connected with the
college. In 1873, under the name of the Union College of Law.
it became a department of Northwestern university.
In the '50s the Garrett Biblical Institute at Evanston was founded
by Mrs. Augustus Garrett, who donated about $300,000 for the
establishment of the institute. In 1854 an organization was effected
to carry out the purpose of the donation. Grant Goodrich, Walter
S. Gurnee and John Link were the executors of Mrs. Garrett, and
were authorized to devote the above sum to the establishment of a
female college, to be under the same management as the Biblical
Institute. The first building was erected in 1854, and the institute
was incorporated in February, 1855, with Orrington Lunt. John
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 257
Evans, Philo Judson, Grant Goodrich and Stephen P. Keyes as its
first trustees. TKe institute was placed under the patronage and
control of the Methodist Episcopal church.
In December, 1863, the question of town incorporation was sub-
mitted to the voters of Evanston. The proposed limits of the town
were as follows : Dempster street on the south, the lake on the east,
a street near Garrett Biblical Institute on the north, and Wesley
avenue on the west. What was called North Evanston was after-
ward annexed to the town. In 1873 the town embraced its ex-
tended boundaries. In 1863 the citizens were called upon to vote
on the question of town incorporation. It was decided in favor of
the affirmative by thirty-nine to eight. In January, 1864, an elec-
tion of the first trustees of the town resulted as follows : H. B.
Hurd, C. Comstock, E. Haskins, Prof. H. S. Noyes and J. Clough.
Mr. Hurd was the first president of the trustees. In July, 1864, the
necessary rules and ordinances were adopted. They provided for
the appointment of town officers, such as clerk, treasurer, attorney,
street commissioner and constable. One of the first ordinances pro-
hibited the sale of liquor within certain boundaries. In March,
1869, the town voted on the question of a city government and de-
cided against it by a vote of 192 to 82. In 1872 a number of the
citizens petitioned for a village organization, and the following year
an election of the first village trustees was held with the following
results: C. J. Gilbert, H. G. Powers, Wilson Phelps, Lyman J.
Gage, O. A. Willard and William Blanchard. Mr. Gilbert became
the first president of the board of trustees; Charles K. Bannister,
the first clerk; Henry Oakes the first street commissioner, and
Lyman J. Gage the first treasurer.
In 1870 it was proposed at Evanston to establish a free public
library, notwithstanding the excellence of the University library.
It was noted that the latter did not meet the requirements of the
comparatively uneducated people. The university collections were
largely on subjects unfamiliar to the masses of people, who de-
manded a literature more in accordance with their social and edu-
cational status. Accordingly there was formed at that time the
Evanston Library association, which started with a collection of
about 900 volumes. All residents of the village were permitted the
free use of the books while in the library. Volumes could be taken
out upon the payment of a small fee. The library was duly opened
in February, 1871, and continued to open until the great fire of
October of that year.
In 1872 an act permitting the municipal corporations of the State
to establish at public expense free public libraries was passed by
the Legislature. In accordance with this law, the citizens of Evans-
ton, in April, 1873, decided to establish such an institution. They
accordingly voted a two-mill tax, and soon afterward the library
was opened to the public.
258 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Evanston has had a number of newspapers. One called The
Index was established in 1872 by Alfred L. Sewell, who, previous
to and during the Civil war, had conducted The Little Corporal, a
journal that became very popular with young people while it was
issued. Other newspaper enterprises have appeared from time to
time in this portion of the county.
From the start the religious influence at Evanston was the great-
est power in that community. As early as July, 1854, the Metho-
dists held their quarterly conference in the old log schoolhouse in
the town of Ridgeville. Previous to that date regular services were
held in the same building. By 1854 the Sunday school there num-
bered nearly 100 children and had thirteen officers and teachers.
The second conference was held there in January, 1855. Meetings'
were held about this time over a store owned by Rev. Philo Judson.
In 1856 the Methodists erected their first church edifice and dedi-
cated same in July. The dedication sermon was preached by Doctor
Dempster, assisted by Professor Godman and Rev. John Sinclair,
the latter being paster of the society. By 1862 the membership
was nearly 200.
The second Methodist church to be established at Evanston was
founded in 1872. Its membership at first was small and continued
to be so for a number of years. Recently it has been greatly in-
creased.
The first Baptist church in Evanston was established in 1858.
At that date a meeting of Baptists was held in the chapel of North-
western university, on which occasion a society was organized, Mr.
E. H. Mulford acting as moderator. Six persons joined at this
time. Late in April of the same year the society was formally
recognized by the council of the Baptist denomination. For a
short time the members continued to use the college chapel. A little
later the society met with several discouragements and for a time
the membrship ran down, but about 1860 it again became prosperous
and the membership was greatly increased. Later a building was
erected and the society became one of the fixed religious organiza-
tions of that community.
In December, 1859, the first Congregational church at Evanston
was organized. Among the early members were Mrs. M. F. Earle,
Isaac D. Guyer and wife. Charlotte A. Kellogg, A. T. Sherman,
Mrs. Sherman, Silas Whitney. Anna C. Winfield, Mrs. William G.
White and others. This society did not last very long. The lead-
ing members moved away, and the organization ceased to exist.
In the fall of 1865, however, a Congregational society was perma-
nently organized. Their services were held first in other churches
and in the chapel of the Northwestern university. This society was
a branch of the Presbyterian church, and was not considered inde-
pendent until a later date. It was not recognized formally by the
Ecclesiastical Council until 1870. The first Congregational church,
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 259
as such, was finally organized in 1870 and a large building was
erected.
In December, 1863, St. Mark's Episcopal church was founded.
Among the early members being A. G. Wilder, John Lighthall, H.
B. Kurd, D. J. Crocker, John Lyman, J. H. Kedzie, F. M. Weller,
S. G. Siller, H. C. Cone, J. S. Haywood, and W. C. Comstock.
Rev. J. W. Buckmaster was the first regular pastor.
In 1864 St. Mary's Roman Catholic church had its commence-
ment at Evanston. Among the first members were George Kear-
ney, William O'Connell, Michael Cunningham, Frances McLaugh-
lan, Thomas Conner, John Sharp and Patrick Furlong. The so-
ciety soon after being organized raised $800 and built a small
wooden church, which afterward was used as the schoolhouse of
the parish. Father Haskaman conducted the early services. The
society continued to grow and at the present date is a large and
influential organization.
St. Matthew's mission at North Evanston was established in
1883. Previous to that date services were held by William Nether-
cott, who did much to advance the prospects of the mission. Dur-
ing the same summer a small church was erected and Rev. George
A. Whitney officiated at the first services.
In 1868 the first Presbyterian church at Evanston was oragnized
with a membership of thirty-eight. The communicants came from
the independent organization above referred to. Rev. Jas. B. Dun-
can was one of the first pastors. Brainard Kent, L. M. Angle, A.
L. Winne and George E. Purington were the first ruling elders.
Rev. George C. Noyes was first called to the church. He began in
November, 1868.
In 1870 the Swedish people began holding services at Evanston.
At first their meetings were held in residences and in other churches,
but in a short time the membership had so increased that they con-
cluded to organize, and the First Swedish Methodist Episcopal
church was the result of their efforts. The first regular pastor was
Rev. Karl Skou, who at the time was a student at the Northwestern
university. Professor Ericson afterward became pastor. In a short
time the membership numbered about thirty.
In 1875 the German Lutheran church was organized and soon
had a membership of thirty-eight and a Sunday school of about
twenty-five. Rev. J. Adam Detzer was the first to take charge of
the church and Sunday school.
In 1883 the Swedish Theological Seminary was established,
largely through the efforts of Professor Ericson of Northwestern
university. Late in that year a building was erected and dedicated
by Mr. Ericson.
In September, 1881, the Free Methodist church was organized
by Rev. George W. Whittington, then a student of Northwestern
university. At first the communicants were only six, but later the
260 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
efforts of the few resulted in a greatly increased membership. Sev-
eral of their first meetings were held in a tent, also in other churches,
and finally their own building was erected.
During the early history of that portion of the county the Nor-
wegian Methodist church was organized, the first pastor of which
was Rev. A. Haagensen. The German Lutherans had an early
organization and school under the management of Rev. A. Detzer,
Jr. The African Methodists also had a society at an early date.
The Second Baptist church started small, but is now a strong
organization. The Episcopalians had an organization at North
Evanston, an early pastor being Rev. George A. Whitney.
A portion of South Evanston was platted in October, 1857, and
in February of the following year an additional tract was sur-
veyed. These two surveys completed the boundaries of that ham-
let. No lots were laid out until 1868. Improvements were com-
menced in 1871 by Warren Keeney & Co. Mr. Kedzie was also in-
terested in the town site at this date. In November, 1872, a petition
was presented for a village government. At the election seventy-six
votes were case for the incorporation and none against it. The
first trustees were John B. Adams, A. E. Warren, Thomas H. Wat-
son, S. Goodenough. J. S. Kirk and C. Shackelforcl. Their first
meeting was held in March and Mr. Adams was elected president of
the board.
In November, 1873, the Industrial School for Girls was opened
at South Evanston. Credit for the establishment of this institution
is given to the ladies of the Illinois Centennial association. At first
there were but six inmates. Later the school expanded and became
useful. ,
In 1872 the Methodist Episcopal church was organized at South
Evanston. The first place of worship was in a schoolhouse. Rev.
A. G. Sutton was the first pastor.
The village of Rogers Park derived its name from Philip Rogers,
an Irishman, who came to America in 1838, and six years later set-
tled on the Ridge where the place now stands. At that date, as
he was about the only settler in that vicinity, the place was called
Rogers Ridge. Mr. Rogers died in 1856 and his estate was divided
The present village of Rogers Park and Ravenswood are built on
the land formerly owned by him. The town site was platted by the
Rogers Park Building association in 1870. Immediately the vil-
lage began to grow and has become one of the prominent centers
of the county. In 1878 the inhabitants incorporated themselves
as a village under the name of Rogers Park. At the first election
of officers in April, 1878. the following trustees were chosen:
James Carter, D. W. Keene, C. H. Ceperly. J. J. Pitkin, Matthias
Mann, and Andrew Jackson. The latter was elected president of
the board. Early in the '70s the Methodist Episcopal church at
Rogers Park was organized with a membership of about twenty.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 261
At first the pulpit was supplied by professors from Northwestern
university. Rev. Andrew Yonker was the first regular pastor.
Soon a mission was established in connection with the church.
New Trier township was partly settled before the land was
thrown into market by the government. As early as 1836 squatters
began to locate on the high lands in this portion of Cook county.
One of the first was Erastus Patterson, who located on the hill
near Winnetka. In the year 1836 he built a log house on Section
16 and Alexander McDaniel assisted him to set the logs in their
places. Soon after locating there, Mr. Patterson began keeping tav-
ern on a small scale for the accommodation of travelers and new
settlers. Mr. McDaniel was not yet a resident at the time he as-
sisted Mr. Patterson to erect his house. He was there on a pros-
pecting tour, but in October of the same year, having become satis-
fied with the location, he bought a claim on what afterward was
known as Peck's place, on the present site of Winnetka. The next
spring he bought a tract, where later John Garland settled and
built a log house a short distance south of the railroad station.
At this date, Antoine Ouilmette resided at Gross Point and Mr.
McDaniel and Mr. Patterson, when they first came to this vicinity,
stopped for a short time with his family. The house occupied by the
Ouilmettes was a double hewed-log structure that had been in ex-
istence for many years previous. It was the largest and most sub-
stantial structure in this portion of the county. The family of An-
toine consisted of his wife Archange, a half-breed Indian woman,
and their eight children Joseph, Mitchell, Louis, Francis, Eliza-
beth, Archange, Sophia and Josette. There also lived with them
Lucius R. Darling, the husband of Elizabeth, and John Deraphi,
the husband of Sophia. Although the mother was a half-breed,
the children were nearly white and were unusually intelligent and
prepossessing.
Land in the vicinity of Winnetka was pccupied by Perry Baker,
and Simeon Loveland previous to 1837. Soon after Mr. McDaniel
settled at Wilmette Anson K. Taylor, Philip Martin and A. M.
Tolly located near him, the latter two at or near Glencoe in the
extreme northeastern part of the county. Mr. Tolly really lived in
Chicago and was a printer connected with the Democrat.
In 1838 Wendell Allis and his sons Jacob and John settled in
this township. About the same time Timothy Sunderland, Harrison
Lowe and Simon Doyle settled on the lake shore in this township.
A little later Charles H. Beaubien, a cousin of Mark Beaubien of
Chicago, and Joel C. Stebbins also settled here. Within the next
two years John Ellis, John Eoster, Marcus Gormley, Michael Gorm-
ley, Robert Daggert, Joseph Feltman, Lambert Duolicum, Joseph
Fountain, Auruna Hill, Edward Dalton. John Armstrong, Edward
Grain, Dennis Cliffert, Samuel Jerome, James Hartry, John Malter
and Peter Schmitt settled in this township. Still later, other settlers
262 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
were Franz Engels, John J. Schreiner, Brady Schaefer, Peter
Schaefer, Herman Passbach, Hubert Herrig, John Lauerman, John
Wagner, John Barre, John and Jacob Schmitt, John Schildgen,
Reinhard Manzig, Joseph Schneider and Andrew Reinwald.
The town of New Trier was duly organized in 1850 at the house
of John Garland as per order of the county clerk. At the first
meeting of the citizens Jesse Mattison acted as moderator and
William H. Garland as clerk. The following were the first officers
elected : James Hartry, supervisor ; John Garland, clerk ; Andrew
Hood and Anson H. Taylor, justices of the peace ; Michael Gorm-
ley, assessor ; John Lauerman, collector ; Anton Schneider, overseer
of the poor, and Michael Deidrich, Michael Gormley and James
Hartry, commissioners of highway. The officers proceeded imme-
diately to divide the town into road districts and to make pro-
vision for the care of a number of poor persons. The necessity
of good roads was realized and at the first meeting the citizens dis-
cussed the question of assessing a tax for that purpose. The
supervisor elected was instructed to solicit from the County Board
assistance to aid in completing ditches, etc. Soon after the first
settlement a school was opened in the Patterson log cabin. Later
a small schoolhouse was constructed on the present site of Win-
netka. Still later other primitive school establishments were built.
Winnetka was laid out by Charles E. Peck and Walter S. Gurnee
in 1854. James L. Wilson bought the first lot. Anson H. Taylor
in 1856 was the first postmaster. The name Winnetka signifies
"Beautiful Place." In the northern portion is a spot known as Lake
View, one of the most attractive points on the west shore of the
lake. The village of Winnetka was incorporated in 1869, the first
trustees being Artemus Carter, Jared Gage, Timothy Wright, David
Wilder, Thomas Bassett, and Mr. Atwood. The first village offi-
cers were O. W. Belden, treasurer ; R. M. Graves, assessor ; Nicho-
las Simons, marshal and collector, and H. W. Kenny, clerk. Arte-
mus Carter was the first president of the board of trustees and
John T. Dale the second.
In 1869 Christ church was erected by John Garland. It was
first used as a union meeting house, but later became Christ church
of Winnetka. The Congregationalist church was organized in
1874.
The first settler at Wilmette was Anton Ouilmette, after whom
the place was named. Other early residents of that vicinity were
J. G. Westerfield, H. A. Dingee, Alex McDaniel, Henry W. Blodg-
ett, Simon V. Kline and others. The settlement was at first called
Gross Point. In fact the north half of Cook county was called by
that name for several years after the county was organized. It was
a general term referring to the point of land extending into the
lake in this locality.
The village of Wilmette was incorporated in 1872, the first trus-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 263
tees being A. C. McDaniel, C. F. Boggs, A. T. Sherman, B. M.
Munn, Amos Schants and John A. Westerfield. Mr. Munn was the
first president of the board. Charles A. Vale was clerk.
The Methodist church at Wilmette was established in 1878,
and the First Congregational church in 1875. School was probably
taught here in the old Ouilmette homestead, no doubt as early as the
'30s.
Gross Point, a small place southwest of Wilmette, was incor-
porated in 1874, the first trustees being M. Schaefer, Frank Engels,
John Bleser, Joseph Passbach, Bernhard Braun, and Adam Braun.
The German Catholic church was established here at an early
date. St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church was organized in 1843.
This congregation became one of the strongest in this portion of
the county. Later a school was established and was largely at-
tended by Catholic children. The village of Glencoe was incor-
porated in 1869. The Congregational church of Christ at Glencoe
was founded in 1870. The Methodists and Baptists also had early
organizations in this vicinity.
The old Lake View township was an important one during the
period of its existence. It commanded a beautiful view of the
lake and was settled at a very early period. Just north of the
northern boundary was the Clybourn family and a little farther
north was the Ouilmettes. As early as 1837 Frederick Sulzer
located at what afterward became Ravenswood. His father Conrad
settled near him at the same time. Also about that time Samuel
Rohrer located at Rosehill. Between 1844 and 1847 the following
settlers also located in the old Lake View township: David Hood,
John Beck, Peter Bletsch, Henry Fortmann, Joseph Klein, John
Tillman, Henry Reinberg, Michael Breit, Peter Rinn, Frank
Schmitt and Peter Monroe, and a little later the Hansens located
near Rosehill. As early as 1854 the Lake View tavern was opened
near Graceland avenue on the lake shore. It was built by James
H. Reese and Elisha E. Hundley. This was the beginning of quite
a settlement at that point. A little later Pine Grove became a sub-
division of Lake View proper. The settlers in this portion of the
county demanded, at an early period, a better road to Chicago. This
demand, in the end, led to the construction of the Lake View pike
road along what was then known as the extension of the Green
Bay road. Another settlement in the old township of Lake View
was called Andersonville. All of these settlements have long since
become a part of the North side. One of the first schoolhouses
was built at Andersonville.
In 1857 the township of Lake View was organized. I. S. Shippy
was moderator of the meeting and John Mauritzen, clerk. Rob-
ert Edson was chosen as county supervisor; Conrad Sulzer, assessor;
Nicholas Kranz, collector ; John Mauritzen, clerk ; Isaac C. Shippy,
justice of the peace; Louis A. Brown, Jacob Wolfe and Francis
264 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Baer, commissioners of highway; John Reese, constable; John
Bugner, overseer of the poor. The township was divided at this
meeting into two districts, one from the northern boundary of
Chicago to Albert street and the other from Albert street to Grace-
land avenue. Lake View township was not organized as a town un-
til 1865. At that date the citizens determined on a town organiza-
tion and elected the following officers : James H. Reese, supervisor ;
Nicholas Kranz, assessor; Samuel B. Chase, Nicholas Mann and
Louis A. Brown, commissioners of highways; Baptiste Portmann,
collector.
The boundaries of the town were fixed as follows : "All of Sec-
tions 6, 7, 18 and 19 and that part of Section 30 east of Western
avenue and the North branch of Chicago river and all of Sections
17, 20 and 29, also fractional Sections of 5, 8, 16, 21 and 28 west
of Lake Michigan, the same being that part of Township 40 north,
Range 14 east." This boundary gave the town jurisdiction over
the bottom of Lake Michigan for a considerable distance from the
shore.
The new town was no sooner organized than the officials began
a systematic and concerted plan of improvement. Roads and bridges
were constructed and the low lands were properly drained by ditches
and sewers. In 1872 the town hall was built at a cost of $17,000.
In 1866 a police force was duly organized and a Board of Health
was established. Rosehill station was called Havelock; J. H. An-
derson was postmaster. W. H. Bryan was postmaster at Ravens-
wood and C. S. Wells at Wright's Grove. Two important improve-
ments of this township were Rosehill and Graceland cemeteries. An
account of these tracts will be found elsewhere in this work. The
settlement of Lake View was very rapid. This led early in the
'50s to the establishment of several important schools. One was
built on Evanston avenue at School street. Another on Diversey
street. The schools of Ravenswood were excellent almost from
the start. Miss A. T. Shotwell taught school early in the town-
ship.
In 1873 the citizens assembled for the purpose of considering the
question of building a high school. After debate the question was
submitted to the people and was decided in the affirmative. The
building was accordingly erected at a cost of about $15,000. The
first principal was A. P. Nightingale, the present efficient superin-
tendent of Cook County schools. Professor Nightingale had an
able corps of assistants. An important improvement in the '70s was
the Lake View water works. The first pump was set in operation
in 1876, but so great was the growth that another was started the
following year. Important manufacturing interests added greatly
to the population of this portion of the county. Among the most
important were the Deering Harvester works, North Chicago Mal-
leable Iron works and the Northwestern Terra Cotta works. An-
other valuable industry was the celery trade.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 267
Ravenswood was founded about 1868 by John M. Wilson, Jared
H. Hinckley, Leonard Hodges, Merrill Ladd, Samuel Powers, R.
S. Parker, Cyrus P. Leland, Chauncey T. Bowen, Daniel A. Jones,
Clarendon Harris, John H. Kedzie, Field, King & Co., Seth Shel-
don, Jr., Luther L. Greenleaf, M. Van Allen, Alexander T. See-
berger, John Williams, Lucius A. Willard and Israel Sunderland,
under the title of the Ravenswood Land company, but the lots were
not laid out until the following year. Later additions were made
to the original tract. In 1869 the company built a schoolhouse and
later a hotel and otherwise endeavored to make the site attractive
to residents. The Chicago fire of 1871 checked but did not prevent
the growth of this town.
The Methodists organized a class as early as 1872. Rev. Mr.
Clendening was the first pastor. The Congregationalists, under
William A. Lloyd, were organized as early as 1870 and at the same
time started a Sunday school. The first church was built in 1871.
The Episcopalians also had an early organization a this place.
The Ravenswood Historical society was another important organ-
ization. The Ravenswood Women's Christian Temperance union,
which has been in existence under various names almost to the
present time, was organized in the '70s and among its membership
were many of the most prominent ladies of the town. In 1842 the
first Catholics settled in the vicinity of Rosehill. By 1850 they were
there in sufficient numbers to have a religious society. The first
regular pastor was Rev. H. Fortmann, and the society took the
name of Saint Henry's parish. The first services were held at the
house of Peter Schmitt. In 1850 their first small church building
was erected. During the '60s the orphan asylum of the Guardian
Angel was established at Rosehill by the Catholic congregation.
The first trustees were as follows: Ferdinand Kalvelage, Peter
Fischer, Peter Zimmermann, Dennis Stolz, Clemens Venn, Lorenz
Biehl. John Herting, Anton Schager and Anton Franzen. The first
building was erected in 1867 and was destroyed by fire in 1879.
A new building was soon thereafter built at a cost of about $35,000.
The United States Marine hospital was located on Graceland
avenue and commanded an excellent view of the surrounding coun-
try and the lake. It was finished in 1873 and cost a large sum.
Another institution built in this locality early was the Martha Wash-
ington home. It was first opened in 1872. Emmanuel church of the
Evangelical association was established about 1871 ; Rev. J. B.
Kraemer was one of the first pastors. Fullerton Avenue Presby-
terian church was organized in 1864 by Rev. W. Lord and L. J.
Halsey and others. The Third German Evangelical Reform Fried-
en's church was established early in the '80s with membership of
about forty. Rev. Alexander Arronet was the pastor. The Lake
View Congregational church was organized in the winter of 1881-2
by Rev. J. C. Armstrong. In November of that year the first
Vol. 1116.
268 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
church built was erected at a cost of about $6,000. The Saint Al-
phonsius Roman Catholic church was organized in the fall of 1882
by Rev. Father P. Hahn. St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran church
was organized January, 1884; Reverend John E. Mueller was the
pastor. Deering's Methodist Episcopal congregation was an early
organization. Several newspapers have been issued in this part of
the city, among which were the Telephone, Townsman and others.
Numerous secret and other societies have flourished down to the
present.
Niles township was settled before the land was formally thrown
into market by the government. As early as 1831 Joseph Curtis
located on Section 17. He built a rude log house and a little later
kept tavern, as did nearly all the early settlers from necessity.
John DeWees, the following year, settled about one-half mile north
of Mr. Curtis. Both of these first settlers were Englishmen.
Soon afterward John Schadiger and Julius Perrin, in conjunction,
built a rude log hut on the North branch of the Chicago river,
within the limits of what is known as the village of Niles. This
was formerly called Dutchman's Point, and is referred to many
times in the early records of the county. It is uncertain how it
came to be called by that name. It is presumed, however, that it
derived its name from the fact that the first five or six families to
settle on the point of river and timber extending westward from
the North branch were Germans, or as they were generally called
then, Dutchmen, and that the point thus received its name. It was
a familiar landmark in early times.
About 1833 William Clark, who had previously lived in Chi-
cago, settled in this township. He built a log cabin on Section 30.
About the same time Thomas Jefferson and his son, Thomas, Jr., lo-
cated near Mr. Curtis. In 1834 many settlers poured in, because
the township contained tracts of the most excellent farming land.
Among the first were Christian Ebinger, John Plank, John Ebinger,
and Frederick Ebinger. Several of these early settlers worked at
Fort Dearborn, probably on the piers or the harbor, during 1834.
The most of these first settlers located on what was called the
Ridge in this township. The Ebingers kept tavern. In early
times no pioneer turned from his doors a prospective settler. Those
who had already established homes were exceedingly anxious to
have others locate near them, and hence the early settlers were
invariably very hospitable, and in many instances kept public house.
Other early settlers in the township were John O'Dell, Robert
Robinson, John Miller, and Elam Grain. John Miller built a saw
mill which for many years was known as Miller's mill. It sup-
plied the lumber for many of the early houses, fences, etc. It is
said that Mr. Miller obtained for his first thousand feet of lumber
the sum of $70. John Roland, Andrew Brown, James Wheldon,
Thomas Brown, John Brown, Benjamin Emerson, George Hes-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 269
lington, a Mr. Barletts, Lyman Butterfield, Samuel E. Ferris, Joel
O'Brien, Thomas Jowarski, John Rickard, Jacob Comstock, Ste-
phen Gage, John Marshall, Benjamin Hall, Benjamin Lupton and
others were early settlers during the '30s and '40s. It is said that
Benjamin Hall kept the first general tavern at Dutchman's Point.
It is also said that he sold liquor, and in all probability secured a
license from the County Board. John Schrigly succeeded Mr. Hall
as tavern keeper at Dutchman's Point. Nearly all of these early
settlers were good hunters, because at that time game was abundant.
Lyman Butterfield and John Schrigly are said to have been partic-
ularly skillful with the rifle. The latter kept a pack of dogs, and
with their assistance captured many wolves, for the hides of which
the County Board paid a premium. Other early settlers were
Nicholas Meyer, William Huffmeyer, William White, John Schnei-
der, John Rodgers, four Hoffman brothers, named John W., Nich-
olas, Michael and Matthias; Lucas and Peter Haupt, John Finke,
Peter Schwarz, Jacob Kercher, and many others. The open prairie
was a large marsh between the Evanston ridge and the timberland
skirting the North branch.
The township was organized in 1850 under the general law. At
an election held in April that year, Samuel E. Ferris served as mod-
erator and James Milne as clerk. Samuel E. Ferris was elected
supervisor; Pierpont Anderson, clerk and collector; Christian Eb-
inger, assessor and overseer of the poor; Samuel E. Ferris, Nathan-
iel Snell and Robert Robinson, commissioners of highway; Robert
Pink and Charles W. Buller, justices of the peace; Hamlet B. Snell
and Pierpont Anderson, constables. The town officers proceeded
to raise $150 and to set the machinery of the township in opera-
tion. A pound was soon built and several bridges were thrown
across the river. The County Board assisted in the construction
of the river bridges. There were five road districts. As early as
1838 churches were organized on the Ridge. Religious services
were held in private residences. In 1850 there were five school dis-
tricts in the township.
The village of Niles is on the North branch not far from Nor-
wood Park. The first residences on the village site were those of
John Schadiger and Julius Perrin. They stood on the right bank
of the river. These houses were built about the year 1833. Mr.
Phillips kept the first store at Niles, and is said to have been the
first postmaster in the township. He was succeeded by George
Beech. The first hotel there was called the North Branch hotel.
In 1840 Benjamin Lupton began blacksmithing at Dutchman's
Point, and this shop was operated later by John Grey and Robert
Heartt. In 1838 or 1839 a Scotchman named Ballantine taught
school in the village of Niles. He was succeeded by a Miss Phil-
lips, who charged a tuition of $2 per scholar. Another early teacher
was Cordelia Wheaton. The first schoolhouse was a rude log struc-
270 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
ture, but about 1849 a substantial building was erected. About
1857 the brick schoolhouse was built. The German Lutherans had
an early organization in this township, as did the Methodists. The
Church of the Evangelical association was located in the township
in 1867. The house was a small frame structure which was after-
ward used for a barn.
The village of Niles Center may be said to have started with the
house erected by Henry Harns about the year 1854. The second
was built three years later by Peter Bergmann, and during the year
George Kay and A. J. Snell also erected houses on the village site.
Carl Breitzmann started a blacksmith's shop at an early date. Sam-
uel E. Ferris was a blacksmith in this township a number of years
before this date. In 1858 a general store was started by Henry
Harns. Soon afterward Peter Bergmann also opened a general
store. He was succeeded by Peter Blaneufer. About this date a
schoolhouse was established about half a mile south of the village.
It was used by the early religious societies of that community, par-
ticularly by the Evangelical Lutherans. The first postmaster was
Henry Harns, and a little later George C. Klehm succeeded him.
The German Evangelical Lutheran church was duly organized in
1867. It was said that the first membership some time before this
date was about thirty-five. Rev. Emil Reucher was probably the
first pastor of this church. A little later he was succeeded by Rev.
F. Werner. The building was erected in 1868 and was a two-story
brick structure. The basement was used for a schoolroom, and the
upper story for the church purposes. St. Paul's Evangelical Lu-
theran church was organized in 1881. The school was started the
same year by Rev. Frank Detzer. St. Peter'sxCatholic church at
Niles Center was established in 1868, and at first had a membership
of about thirty-five. The frame church was built at a cost of over
$3,500. The schoolhouse there was erected in 1873 under the di-
rection of Rev. A. J. Thiele. The village of Morton Grove was
started in 1879, and soon there were stores, a postofnce, schools,
religious societies, etc.
Maine township was settled at an early date. Captain Wright
located on Section 22 as early as 1832 and soon afterward Messrs.
Brooks, Edick, Bessey and Sherman located near him. Eben Co-
nant located on Section 34. Among others who came at an early
date were Harry Phillips, Peter Guthrie, Thomas Walton, Samuel
Johnson, Mancel Talcort, Samuel Rand, John Dougherty, Daniel
Goodenough, J. W. Walton, A. H. Conant, Dr. Austin and Messrs.
Hopson, Foote, Taylor, Kincade, Allison, Bradwell, Clay, Kenni-
cott, Parsons, Salisbury, Socrates Rand, Hiram Hugunin, Judge
Hoard, Mr. Long, John Boyd, Hiram Jefferson, Curtis Clark, Phin-
eas Sherman, Jarius Warner, Thomas Stephen, George F. Foster,
Thomas P. Robb, James Granns, Evan Jones, Luther Ballert, John
Ward and many others.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
The first road was laid out by the County Commissioners and ran
from Sand Ridge to Elk Grove. A little later one was projected
from Brush Hill along the bank of the river. A third was the
Brook's road from Sand Ridge to Elk Grove. Another extended
from Sand Ridge to the mouth of Salt creek and crossed the Des
Plaines river at Rand's place. Early bridges across the river were
built by Dr. Austin and Captain Talcott. These were merely tem-
porary structures, but served the purpose until the town trustees,
assisted by the County Board, could construct better ones.
The town of Maine was organized under the law of 1849. The
first meeting was held in April, 1850, at which Socrates Rand served
as moderator and Curtis Clark as clerk. The town was divided
into nine road districts, and steps were taken to raise a tax to keep
the roads in repair, construct bridges, etc. An attempt to rename
the town "Wauksaid" did not succeed. The first town officers were
as follows : Curtis Clark, supervisor ; John Gazlaz, clerk ; Joseph
Mitchell, assessor; William Johnson, collector; Alvin Scott, J. H.
Rand and H. A. Grannis, commissioners of highways; H. Sabin,
overseer of the poor; J. C. Clark and T. Brown, justices of the
peace ; William Johnson and William Brown, constables. The first
assessment for roads and bridges amounted to $40.
It was stated that the first preacher to hold services in Maine
township was Rev. Mr. Coulson. Early meetings were held at
the residence of Mr. Walton. This was probably as early as 1836.
Among the first members were Mrs. Conner and Mrs. Walton.
Later Rev. Joseph Lours attended this congregation, which was
Methodist. An early organization of Congregationalists was es-
tablished in this township. Mormon missionaries came here during
the '50s and secured a few converts to their faith. The Universal-
ists had an early organization and the Baptists, Christians and Uni-
tarians were also represented in the township.
In 1838 Harriet Rand taught school in this township. The ses-
sion was held in a room which had previously been used as a cheese
factory. About fifteen scholars attended. A few years later a
schoolhouse was built near the residence of Mr. Rand. Dr. Asa
Clark was an early teacher, as were also Orlando Alger. Orvis Skin-
ner, Orlando Talcott and Robert Meacham. In 1841 the township
was first divided into regular school districts. By 1859 the total
number of school children under twenty-one years was 654.
The village of Des Plaines was originally known as Rand in
honor of Socrates Rand, and as such it was 4 platted on the southwest
quarter of Section 16. In 1869 the name was changed to Des
Plaines by special act of the Legislature. In 1870 the trustees
elected were Henry C. Senne, Elias A. Thomas, Franklin Whit-
comb, August Meyer and Charles Wicke. Simeon Lee was first
treasurer, John Sahin. assessor, and J. H. Ohlerking, constable and
collector. In 1873 the corporate limits of the village were reduced
272 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
upon petition of the inhabitants. The village proper was organized
in 1874. Among the first residents in this place were Mr. Ortman,
Socrates Rand, Henry C. Senne, Jacob Tymerson, Enos Stockwell,
A. Mohldenhauser, John Scuh, Mr. Slusser, Mr. Parsons, Simeon
Lee. These men established stores, blacksmith shops, etc. As early
as 1840 a Mr. Long was postmaster there. Later Silas Meacham
succeeded him.
Schools were taught in this vicinity at an early date, at first in
private residences but later small structures were erected at con-
venient points. In 1874 the fine brick schoolhouse at Des Plaines
was erected. William Munner was one of the first teachers in this
building.
The German Lutheran church of Des Plaines was organized about
1868 and began with a membership of sixteen. Within a short time
a church building was erected at a cost of $1,500. In 1876 a much
better building was erected in its place.
The Congregational church at Des Plaines was established about
1868 with fourteen members. The building was erected in 1871.
Rev. J. H. Laird was the first pastor. The Methodist church of
Des Plaines was organized about the year 1870 by Rev. Schwartz
and at first had a membership of about twenty.
The village of Park Ridge was started about the year 1840 by two
men named Warner and Stevens, who erected a small frame house
on the present site of the village. Of course there was no village at
that date, and the land had just been surveyed. The settlement of
this locality was slow. In 1854 Benjamin Meacham built a brick
yard on the present site. Mancel Tolcott, Jr., built a frame house
about the year 1840. It was not until the '50s that the growth of
the village became somewhat rapid. George W. Renny located
there in 1856. In 1859 the railway depot was constructed and after
that event the growth was rapid. The Penny & Meacham lumber
yard was started near the close of the Rebellion. The village was
first called Pennyville. after George W. Penny, and still later the
term Brickton was applied to the place. In 1856 Robert Meacham
was postmaster. He was succeeded by A. B. Sherwin.
Early schools at Park Ridge cannot be given. By 1860 several
schools had been started in that vicinity. Among the first teachers
were R. W. Gunnison, Miss Augusta Meacham. and George A.
Follansbee. Early in the '50s a First Methodist Episcopal con-
gregation assembled in residences on the present site of Park
Ridge. They were not strong enough to form an organization,
but united with other denominations and held union services. In
1856 the Methodists first started a permanent organization. Meet-
ings were held in the first schoolhouses and at the houses of the
members. The Congreeational church at Park Ridge was organ-
ized as early as 1843. The first minister was Rev. E. E. Wells, and
the first church building, a small frame structure, which was erected
about 1848.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 273
In 1873 a village organization was effected. The votes showed
that forty-nine desired the organization, while fifteen opposed it.
The first trustees were George B. Carpenter, Augustus Dickinson,
Joseph T. Jones, Loring D. Tenant, Charles Kobow and W. S.
Chittenden. The population of the place in 1883 was about 600.
The little place called Canfield was established on the railway
early in the '50s. It was first called Ridge Lawn, and several other
terms were used to designate the settlement. After the construction
of the railway, the place grew rapidly and established schools and
religious organizations.
Elk Grove was a township which was originally mostly prairie,
intercepted by a few noted groves. One was called Elk Grove by
the Indians and still retains the name. It contained about 1,300
acres and was a noted landmark in early times. In 1834 Dr. Fred-
erick T. Miner located on the school section and J. A. Barnes set-
tled near him about the same time. Leander Collins located on
Section 21 and Caleb Lamb located on the same section. Thomas
Smith, John Whiting, George A. Knowles, Aaron Miner, and F. W.
Page also settled in 1834 or 1835. The next year Mark Norse,
Ashbel Miner, Silas Wheeler and others arrived. In 1836 Joseph
Converse located on Section 18. About the same time John Allen,
Asa Davis, and the three Drapers arrived and erected log houses.
In 1837 John Bowe and Horace Rice located on Section 19. Soon
afterward others appeared and by 1845 the township contained a
large and prosperous community.
In 1850 the township was organized under the State law. The
meeting was held at Miner's tavern in April. Ira Cooper was mod-
erator ; R. F. Clough, clerk, and at the election the following officers
were chosen : R. F. Clough, supervisor ; L. T. Skinner, clerk ; Mark
Norse, assessor; B. R. B. Miner, collector; and F. T. Miner, over-
seer of the poor ; John Allen, Noyse Gay and G. H. Pratt, commis-
sioners of highways; J. W. Jones and R. F. Clough, justices of the
peace; I. M. Cooper and B. R. B. Miner, constables. Soon $150
was raised for town purposes. The town was divided into six road
districts and was also divided into school districts.
By this date (1850) the township was well settled and schools
and churches were in every community. As early as 1837 a post-
office was established at Elk Grove, with F. T. Miner postmaster.
He was succeeded by F. W. Page. Mount Prospect was a small
station on the Northwestern railway about twenty miles from Chi-
cago. As early as 1836 school was taught in the houses of the resi-
dents. Among the first teachers were Mrs. Morse, Mrs. Warner.
Mr. Pennoyer, R. F. Clough and Miss Dowe. In 1840 a school-
house was built and was attended by children living several miles
distant. In 1842 the town was divided into three school districts.
The township of Sclmnnburg was settled among the first of this
portion of the county. The soil was good and the surface originally
274 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
a beautiful prairie with clumps of timber. The name was derived
from a principality in Germany. The first settler was Orumbell
Kent, who located in Highland Grove in 1835. He settled on
Section 29, Palatine, but a few weeks later entered another tract
in the present town of Schaumburg. The Baileys were other early
settlers. In 1836 William H. Dunton settled in the township. Hor-
ace P. Williams was another early resident. He brought the first
flock of sheep to the township. He became one of the founders of
Northwestern university. William Frieze was another settler dur-
ing the '40s. Many other families came about the same time and
by 1845 the town contained from twenty to thirty permanent resi-
dents. Schools were started as early as 1840. A religious organiza-
tion appeared about the same time. The early schoolhouses served
the double purpose of church and school. In 1850 the township
was organized under the State law. Originally Schaumburg was
part of the old Salt Creek precinct. Among the first officers chosen
were Richard Cook and M. Dohle, constables; Lyman Johnston and
Henry Schirding, justices; William Schen, F. Pendleton and H.
Pfingreton, commissioners of highways.
The township of Northfield was not thrown into market until in
the '40s, and settlement was at first rather slow. Thomas Allison
located in Northfield in the spring of 1847. John K. Clark located
there about the same time. In 1835 John Striker built a home on
Section 7. In 1836 there came in John and Benjamin Tapps, Dar-
denus Bishop, William H. Davis, Edwin Clark, William and Luke
Steele, Edward Cammack, William Lester, Gage brothers, D. Ul-
linger. These men scattered throughout the township and erected
generally log houses and were soon busy clearing and building.
About 1837 Joseph Adams settled on Section 26. Mr. Tulley lo-
cated near him. Charles Anderson, Ashel Baker, Mr. Esher, Milo
Urnchel, Rich Deadlove, Levi Kennicott, John Kennicott, Joel
Sherman, John Russell, Mr. Lavelle, Abel Green, Mr. Moody,
Moses Button, Hiram and William Shepard, John Bach, Capt.
Studley, H. H. Heindrick, William Steele, Ezra Malley and others
were among the first settlers. As early as 1838 school began to be
held and churches were organized. By 1845 there were eight
public schools in the township. West Northfield postoffice and
Sherman station were established quite early. Oak Glen and North
Northfield sprang up a little later. The building of the railroad
brought many of the settlers and by 1850 the population was large
and the people were prosperous and therefore happy.
The town of Wheeling received settlers at an early day. As
early as 1833 Mr. Sweet located on Section 13, where he built a
log cabin. This was before the date when the Indians' claim to this
portion of the country was secured. He was warned to leave in a
general notice issued by Col. T. J. V. Owen, Indian agent at Chi-
cago. He refused to do so and in the end sold his claim to George
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 275
Strong for $60. Mr. Strong was the first settler in that portion of
the county. His nearest neighbor was many miles distant. The
Indians were hostile and it was only through skill that he managed
to placate them and remain upon his claim. On more than one
occasion he came within an inch of death at the hands of the en-
raged natives. Soon after Mr. Strong secured the claim another
early settler was Timothy Titcomb, but he soon sold out to Myron
Dimmick. A little later William B. Clay and several of his grown-
up sons settled on Section 12. Among other early settlers were
S. M. Salisbury, Christopher and Daniel Stranger, James Mackey,
Christian Stryker, Peter Gebhardt, Henry Miller, Israel Martin,
Joseph Filkins, who later became prominent in township and county
affairs; Matthew Chivel, William H. Dunton, Ephraim and Charles
Morrison. Charles Daniel and Russell Wheeler together opened an
early store where the village of Wheeling was afterward located.
Also among the first settlers were Joel L. McDuffy, Henry Shep-
ard, A. T. Skinner and many others. By 1840 the population of
the township numbered about 200.
The early settlers of this township formed an association to pre-
vent claim-jumping. They took this course because nearly all of
the first residents either settled upon their lands before the Indian
cession or else before they were thrown into market by the govern-
ment. In more than one case claim- jumpers were rigorously dealt
with. The land throughout the township was first surveyed in
1837. The town proper was organized in 1850 at the tavern lately
owned by James Parker. William H. Dunton was moderator, Eg-
bert Van Vlack clerk, and George Fullagar assistant clerk. The
first town officers were as follows: S. M. Salisbury, supervisor;
Louis Peet, clerk; Ira Millard, assessor; D. B. Briggs, collector;
Ira Snow, W. H. Dunton and Andrew Luce, commissioners of
highways; D. B. Briggs and S. D. W. Miller, constables. The
town officers immediately proceeded to build a pound, lay out the
town into school and road districts, raise means to support the
poor, and levy a tax for general town purposes. For roads and
bridges the citizens promptly raised $300.
By 1857 there were ten school districts in the town. At this
date W. H. Dunton, A. W. Peet and E. K. Beach were the school
trustees. In all of the ten school districts terms had been taught for
several years.
Arlington Heights was first platted in 1854 and was first called
Dunton, after W. H. Dunton, upon whose farm the lots were laid
out. The house of Mr. Dunton was the first on the town site. The
second was built by Dr. F. T. Miner in 1854. Dr. Miner kept a
store. A little later W. G. Wing opened a second store. James
McGrath built the second residence, and the first blacksmith shop
was opened by Mr. Page and another a little later by John Flem-
ing. John H. Gale and Johnson & Peters started early hardware
276 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
stores. Enoch Williams manufactured cheese at an early date.
James Shirra established a grist mill about 1865. By this time
many residences had been built and the settlement had become quite
large. The first Presbyterian society in the village was organized
in 1855. Early in the '70s the name Dunton was discarded and
the title Arlington Heights was adopted. Asa Dunton was the first
postmaster. The first Presbyterian society was organized in 1855
and the first settled pastor was Rev. David H. Kingsley. At first
the congregation numbered about fifteen members and in a short
time a frame building was erected at a cost of about $3,000. The
Methodist Episcopal society was organized at Elk Grove about the
year 1838. The first quarterly meeting was held in 1840 under
the management of Rev. John T. Mitchell. The Universalists had
a congregation here as early as 1862. Late in the '60s the Evan-
gelical Lutherans formed a congregation. St. Peter's Evangelical
Lutheran church was established about 1860 and at first had only
seven members.
The schoolhouse at Arlington Heights was built in 1849 and Miss
Sarah Thornton was the first teacher in the same. This building
was used until 1856, in which year a much better building was
built. In 1870 a large brick structure was erected at a cost of
about $10,000.
The township of Harrington is located in the extreme northwest-
ern part of the county. Its surface is somewhat rolling and orig-
inally was mostly prairie interspersed with groves. A small body
of water called Mud lake was in this township. As early as 1834
Jesse F. Miller and William Van Orsdal located in this township.
As first they located on the school section, which was heavily tim-
bered, but later settled on Section 17. At the date of their arrival
the Pottawatomie Indians were here in great numbers. They were
not removed until two or three years later. In 1835 Benjamin Irick
located on Section 20. About the same time Philip Hawley and
Henry Clawson settled near there. John McKnight arrived in 1836
and about the same time Samuel Wadlow built a cabin on Section
29. Wallace Bucklin settled in the township as- early as 1837.
Freeman Morton. G. A. Applebee, Benjamin Richardson, William
Otis, Charles D. Miller. Thomas Perkins, John Giddings and Hor-
ace Rosecrans settled throughout the township during the next
two or three years. A little later the following arrived : George S.
Browning, Henry Smith, L. O. E. Manning, Alvah Miller, William
B. Freeman, Homer Wilmarth, Lyman Dunklee, Hezekiah Kings-
ley, S. W. Kingsley, P. M. Gould, John C. Allen, George T. Wat-
tennan, Daniel and Nelson Messer, S. W. Slade, John Hendrick-
son, Charles Church and Henry Mundhenke.
The first houses were built of logs, there being in the groves an
abundance of good timber. The land was not thrown on the market
until 1840. Previous to that the settlers were squatters. In 1841
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 277
several schools were in successful operation. People demanded the
sale of the school section. It was accordingly advertised by the
county school agent and the proceeds were devoted to the school.
Schools were taught as early as 1836.
The township of Harrington was organized in 1850 under the laws
of 1849. The township derived its name from Great Harrington,
Massachusetts, from whence several of the first settlers came. The
meeting to organize the new township was held at the schoolhouse
near Miller's Grove. William Adams was moderator of the meeting
and Jerome W. Kingsley was clerk. The following officers were
elected : William Devol, supervisor ; Alvah Miller, clerk ; Edward
Hawley, assessor; Henry M. Campbell, C. I. Wilsie and Philip N.
Gould, commissioners of highways; Aaron Billings and William
Hitchcock, justices of the peace; J. Ward, collector, and Hezekiah
Kingsley, overseer of the poor. The officers proceeded to divide the
town into road and school districts. Four pounds were established
to take care of the live stock running at large. At a meeting held
in November, 1840, the citizens divided the town into school dis-
tricts. Seventeen votes were cast at this meeting. The school trus-
tees elected were Philip Hawley, Homer Wilmarth and Thomas
Perkins. In January, 1841, the town was divided into four school
districts and schools were established in each.
The village of Barrington is about fourteen miles from Chicago
courthouse. Benjamin Felter was one of the original owners of
the village site. Other owners were A. S. Downs and Robert Camp-
bell. The town was laid out in 1854, about the time the railroad was
constructed. The depot at first was at Deer Grove, but late in 1854
was established at Barrington. Eben Conant resided in the village in
1850. In 1855 John Catlow erected a house and immediately after-
ward Lewis Boombower built another. Francis Heatley constructed
several houses and rented the same. In 1857 J. O. Davis erected a
house on the Cuba side, and about the same time L. H. Bute settled
in Barrington. He also located on the Cuba side. M. B. Mclntosh
came here in 1857. Leonard Loomis and Richard Boyce also became
residents late in the '50s. On the Cuba side Nathan Squares started
a store as early as 1855. Two years later Edward Foster opened a
general store on the same side. In 1857 John Moody opened a
large store on the Barrington side.
The two sides were kept distinct until the incorporation of the
village in 1865. It required a special act of the legislature to effect
the incorporation. This act was passed February 16. 1865. A pre-
vious election of the necessary trustees was declared valid by this
enactment. The first trustees were Homer Wilson, Oscar Lawrence,
M. B. Mclntosh, A. K. Vangorner and G. Heimerdinger. In 1872
the village was incorporated. On the question of incorporating fifty-
seven votes were in favor of it, and none against. As early as 1846
a schoolhouse was built at Barrington. Prior to that school had been
278 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
held in private residences. Immediately after 1846 it was found
necessary to erect several other schoolhouses. At that date the set-
tlement of that portion of the county was very rapid. By 1855 there
were no less than ten excellent schools in this township. There were
independent schools at Barrington, Cuba and Ela prior to the union
of the villages.
The Methodist church was erected in the fall of 1858. It was a
frame structure and cost $2,000. The society was organized as early
as 1844 by Rev. Nathan Jewett. During the same year a com-
bined schoolhouse and church was built on Section 26 and contin-
ued to serve this society as church for many years. The Methodist
church at Barrington Center was organized in 1840 and at first
had only six members. The society first worshiped in a schoolhouse,
but about 1853 a frame structure was erected at a cost of about
$2,200. In time this society became the strongest in what was called
the Dundee circuit. It was a membership of over 100. Deer Grove
society of the Evangelical association was organized in 1848 at
Deer Grove. At first services were held in private residences, but
in 1854 a small church was erected there and continued to be occu-
pied by the society for many years. Zion's society of the Evangelical
association was established at Barrington in 1866. A small frame
structure was erected and continued to be used until 1880, when a
large church was erected at a cost of $8,000. The Unity Evan-
gelical Lutheran church was organized in 1864 with membership
of 20. They first met in a schoolhouse, but after a few years a
frame church building was erected at a cost of about $2,000. Among
the early ministers were Rev. John Bund and John Hunzicker. The
Baptist church at Barrington was organized in 1859. This society
had a previous existence. During the summer of 1859 a small
church was erected and was used until the second was built in the
'60s. One of the first ministers was Rev. Mr. Dennison. The
Catholic church was organized in 1870. In 1873 they secured the
old Methodist church building and used it for a number of years.
Barrington Post, G. A. R., was started in 1883 with fifteen mem-
bers. Barrington township during the Civil war furnished many
soldiers. Various secret orders and societies have flourished at Bar-
rington. The postoffice was originally kept two and a half miles
north of the present village of Barrington by John J. Bullock. In
1855 it was transferred to Barrington and John Porter was the
first postmaster. He was succeeded by John Jackson a year later.
The township of Hanover was settled at an early date. It com-
prised all of fractional Township 41, with Range 9 east. The sur-
face was originally a rolling prairie with a slight slope toward the
west. About one-third of the township was covered with timber
at the date of first settlement. Many trees were three feet in diam-
eter. Independence Grove and Hoosier Grove were famous land-
marks. As early as 1833 George and John Hammer settled on
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 279
Section 23. Asa Leatherman located on the same section about
the same time. A. D. Gifford, Guy Adams, Daniel Guptail, Sam-
uel N. Cadwell, Byrem Smith, John Guptail, William Merrifield and
Benjamin Burritt were among the first settlers. A little later came
John Hill, Joseph Oatman, Mr. Primrose, D. S. Hammond, Wood-
worth Butterfield, Edwin Bartlett, John Hubbard, David C. White,
Samuel Gould, Jarvis Smith, Lyman Williams, John T. Cook, John
Genney, Joseph Hollowell, David Longley, Andrew Spitaer, Na-
thaniel Ballard, F. Pendleton, John Bower and Mr. Rosencrans. By
1845 Hanover contained probably twenty-five permanent families.
Schools were started as early as 1836. They were first taught in
private residences.
In 1850 the town was organized under the State law. Eighty-
five votes were polled at the first election, which was held at Leather-
man's tavern on the Chicago and Elgin road. This tavern was an
important landmark during the '40s. It was a log house and was
subdivided into several rooms. In 1848 D. S. Hammond opened
a second tavern on the same thoroughfare. This was destroyed by
fire in 1851. Another early tavern was conducted by a Mr. Young.
The first schoolhouse in the township was built on Section 20 about
the year 1840. The nearest residence was that of John Hill. The
German Lutherans organized about 1840 and erected a church in
the northeastern part of the town. In 1854 the Baptists erected a
church on the Chicago & Elgin road. The milk business was an im-
portant early industry. Phineas H. Smith began shipping milk
quite extensively to Chicago as early as 1850. A little later a
cheese factory was established by C. W. Gould and I. H. Wanzer.
A little later these men divided and another factory was started.
In a short time there were six cheese factories in the township. One
of the chief occupations of the farmers was the production of milk,
butter and cheese. The following were the officers elected in 1850:
Luther Herrick, supervisor ; John Hubbard, clerk ; Abel D. Gifford,
assessor ; Woodworth Butterfield, George E. Smith and Josiah Horn,
commissioners of highways; John Hill and Samuel Gould, justices
of the peace ; Samuel S. Hammer and Lyman Williams, constables ;
Jarvis Smith, collector; and Joseph Oatman, overseer of the poor.
The officers took the necessary action to prevent animals from run-
ning at large and raised $50 for current expenses. The town was
divided into twelve road districts and into ten school districts.
The village of Bartlett was located on Section 34. The original
plat was made by Luther Bartlett and the railroad company in
1873. Mr. Bartlett owned the land there and gave one-half interest
in the same to the railway company upon condition that the station
would be located there. The first house on the village site was that
of Mr. Tammis. The second was erected by John Carr and the
third by James Cornish; all were built in the fall of 1873. Next
spring Cyrus W. Metcalf erected a residence. The Bartlett Manu-
280 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
facturing company was organized about this time. They proceeded
to erect a factory and began manufacturing patent neck-yokes, etc.
A large store was built by H. B. Sayre in 1874. It was leased to
Hayne & Gower and opened with a large general stock of merchan-
dise. In 1878 Waterman Brothers erected a store building. Dr.
E. C. Guild opened a drug store in 1874. In 1877 Mr. Hemenway
also begun selling goods in this village. In 1874 the postoffice was
established, with Luther Bartlett as postmaster. In 1873 Thornton
Russell opened a blacksmith's shop in the village. A lumber yard
was established in 1873 by Bartlett & Shields. A cheese factory
was established by Henry Waterman about the same time. A large
schoolhouse was erected in 1876 and was attended by seventy-five
scholars at the start.
The Congregationalists had an organization there in 1874 and
erected- a church in 1878. The first minister was Rev. Henry Ja-
cobs. They established a Sunday school at the same time.
Spaulding was a little station about thirty-two miles from Chi-
cago, and Hammond was another little hamlet farther on. Ontario-
ville was a small village in Hanover township.
Palatine is one of the agricultural townships of Cook county.
Originally the surface was mostly prairie. Several groves stood
out prominently on the landscape. One was called Deer Grove and
another Frye's Grove. Others were called Englishman's Grove,
Highland Grove and Plum Grove. At the latter there was originally
an Indian burying ground. As early as 1836 George Ela settled
in the township. Others to arrive about the same time were Orrin
Ford, A. H. McClure, Asa Dunford, Asahel Harris, Amos Bailey,
Ezekiel Cady, Harris Webster, Palmer Webster, M. W. Sawyer,
Loren Edgerton, B. B. Lincoln, Lyman Staples, Tfiomas F. Wilson,
Elisha Pratt, John Slade, Thomas S. Clark, Edward Castle, Luman
Clark, Elias Wood, Daniel Johnson, Thomas Bradwell, Joel Wood,
M. S. Johnson and others.
The town of Palatine was organized in 1850. At the time the
town was named, Yankton was proposed, but failed by one vote to
be adopted. The meeting to organize the town was held at the
house of John Slade. The first officers were Thomas S. Clark, super-
visor; D. B. Wood, clerk; H. Webster, assessor; M. Faskett, col-
lector; John Slade, overseer of the poor; Daniel Stanard, E. Cady
and Luman Clark, commissioners of highways; Milton Faskett and
Fleming Gaines, constables; Thomas Bradwell and H. N. House,
justices of the peace. The town was divided into nine road dis-
tricts and $25 was raised to pay current expenses. The first road
extended from Deer Grove in the direction of Chicago. The early
population of Palatine township were mostly Germans. They were
industrious and accordingly the farms soon became well improved
with substantial houses and barns. Schools were started at an early
date. Religious societies also made their appearance during the
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 281
'30s. A Lutheran organization was established as early as 1838.
The village of Palatine on the Northwestern railway is about twenty-
six miles from the courthouse, Chicago. It was established at the
time the railroad was built. On the town site were four houses
when the railroad was extended through this section. Smith Pratt
erected the first building. Others were built by Mr. Faust, Joel
Wood and Adolphus Bennett. In 1855 the depot was built. John
Guthrie, blacksmith, located there in 1855. The Rothschild brothers
started a store about 1856. The first postoffice there was called Elk
Grove, but was finally changed to Palatine. In 1866 the village was
incorporated. Only two votes were cast against incorporation. The
first trustees were Joel Wood, Myron H. Lytle, H. Schirding, Solon
M. Johnson and F. G. Robinson. A schoolhouse was built as early
as 1855 in Palatine and one of the first teachers was Lucina Spring.
The building was enlarged in 1864. The Masonic hall was used as
a schoolhouse for a while in 1869 and a much larger school building
was erected. A small newspaper called the Enterprise was conducted
here in the '70s. A Methodist Episcopal church was organized as
early as 1839 at Plum Grove. About the same time a schoolhouse
was located there. Another Methodist organization was founded in
1840 at Deer Grove. A frame church was built there after several
years. The Disciple's church at Palatine was organized in 1858
with twenty-five members. They first worshiped in a private house,
later in the schoolhouse, and finally built their church in 1865. The
Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran church was organized in 1868 with
twenty members. They bought the church which had previously
been owned by the Disciples and used the same for some time. St.
Paul's United Evangelical church was organized in 1872 with a
membership of fifteen. The first pastor was Jacob Furrer. The vil-
lage of Palatine has always been prosperous, with good stores, shops
and manufacturing enterprises.
Riverside township, as created, comprised but four sections 25,
26, 35 and 36 in the southeast corner of Proviso township. This
was one of the first portions of the county to become settled. As
early as 1828 David and Barney Laughton built and opened a trading
house near Lyons and Riverside. There they lived for many years
and their house was familiar to the residents of the county. Hunters
stopped there for refreshments and they were compelled to keep a
sort of tavern. They also kept liquor at an early date. Stephen
Forbes located in Riverside as early as 1831. He became one of
the first sheriffs of Cook county. He was in Chicago as early as
1829. He and the Laughton brothers were intimate friends.
The township of Riverside was organized in 1870. A petition
was presented to the County Board asking that the sections above
referred to be set off from Proviso and be made an independent
town. The petition was granted. At the first election of officers
thirty-nine votes were polled and the following officers were chosen :
282 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Thomas Wright, supervisor; Joseph Ditto, assessor; J. H. Best,
clerk; T. G. Kinman, collector; L. Y. Schermerhorn, M. Fox and
A. Edgerton, commissioners of highways; C. G. Case, S. R. Cole,
justices of the peace; W. P. Harris and George Nig, constables.
These men proceeded to set the machinery of the town in operation.
They made important improvements at the start and took control
of revenues and improvements. In 1869 the Riverside Improvement
company was organized and at once began to form a village. Among
the company were Emery E. Childs, Leveret W. Murray, Henry
Seelye, David A. Gage, Alpheus C. Badger, George Kimbark, and
William Allen. A tract of 1,600 acres was secured from Mr. Gage,
who owned what was called "Riverside farm," one of the finest in
the county. The company began immediately to lay out streets and
walks, put in gas and water pipes, drain the site, and in other ways
prepare for building. Among the first residents were David A.
Gage, John C. Dore, H. C. Ford, E. E. Childs, L. Y. Schermerhorn,
E. F. Nexsen, Charles Gladding, E. Wright, J. P. Merrill, W. E.
Chandler, H. F. Jemison, J. H. Hollister, David Blakely, D. F.
Chase and John A. Rice. Also among the first were L. W. Murray,
Watts De Goyler, W. L. B. Jenney, Rev. H. Trowbridge and others.
The town was prosperous from the start. Residences were built
rapidly and an excellent class of people gathered there. Within two
years there were good stores and successful schools and religious
societies. The Presbyterian church was organized in 1872. The
church was a union one built by the Riverside Improvement com-
pany. The Episcopalians were organized in 1883 and had a small
church on Parkway road near the depot. During the winter of
1874-75 the first important school was taught and the building was
a frame structure with two rooms. The first teathers were W. H.
Downing and his sister.
The township of Leyden was mostly prairie at the date of the
first settlement. A strip of timber ran along the Des Plaines river
and a few clumps of timber were found elsewhere. Trees along the
river were very large. Occasionally one three feet in diameter was
found. The soil in this township was not as good as in some other
portions of the county. In this township were the large Indian res-
ervations of Alexander Robinson and Claude La Framboise. They
occupied a large tract on both sides of the Des Plaines river. They
were granted by the treaty of 1829 before the township was sur-
veyed and accordingly the boundaries do not correspond with the
ordinary section lines. The first permanent settler was probably
David Everett, who located on the La Framboise reserve in 1833.
He was a Methodist and services were held at his house the same
year. His home was a log structure which had formerly been used
by a squatter or as a trading post probably by Frenchmen. Mrs.
Everett was the daughter of Rev. Jesse Walker, one of the first min-
isters of Chicago. In 1834 Mr. Brooks and Mr. Sherman arrived
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 285
and settled on Section 3. About the same time Mr. Higgins, Wil-
liam Rowley, Aldrich Rowley, Ezra Ellis, William Ellis, Samuel
and Abel Spencer, Mr. Hewitt and William Draper settled in the
township and became permanent residents. A little later other set-
tlers were Henry Boesenberg, J. W. Frye, Henry Rounge, M. L.
Dunlap and others. The Spencers kept hotel in a log house on the
east side of the river. Later they opened another on the west side
of the river. They came from Cazenovia, New York. The post-
office was thus named Cazenovia, but a little later the name was
changed to Leyden. The postoffice was kept in a residence for some
time. At the time the plank road was built in 1850 the company
erected a saw mill at the Des Plaines crossing and there the planks
of the road were mostly sawed. After running eighteen months
the mill was transformed into a grist mill.
The township was organized in 1850. The meeting was held in
the house of Richard Fuller. E. Alger served as moderator and
William Emerson, clerk. The following officers were chosen : M.
L. Dunlap, supervisor; Richard W. Everett, clerk; William Emer-
son, assessor ; Samuel Hummel, collector ; Richard W. Everett, over-
seer of poor; Thomas Croghan, Ezra Alger and John Frye, com-
missioners of highways; John M. Pennoyer and William Dunlap,
justices of the peace; Samuel Hummel and Edward B. Stanley, con-
stables. The town was first named Monroe, but immediately after-
ward the name was changed to Leyden. The town was divided into
ten road districts and a tax was levied to meet current expenses.
The town authorities also reorganized the school districts and im-
proved the facilities of securing an education. Regulations con-
cerning the running at large of stock were adopted and a pound was
built. One hundred dollars was raised with which to purchase plank
to be used in building drainage ditches. When the Laughtons lo-
cated on the Des Plaines Alexander Robinson was employed by them
to assist in the Indian trade.
Turner Park was a small place about eleven and a half miles from
Chicago and located on the East branch of the DesPlaines river.
The Turner Park association laid out the original lots with the
design of building up a large town. Six blocks were first laid out
and afterward additions to the same were made. The first store
was opened in 1874 and a little later the station house was erected.
About the same time a blacksmith appeared. A schoolhouse was
built in 1869. The Germans had a religious organization there
about the same time. The village of River Park or Franklin was
on the west bank of the Des Plaines on the Milwaukee railroad, and
was located on part of the La Framboise reservation. The original
plat was laid out in 1872. R. S. Rhodes erected six buildings there
in 1872 and sold the same on easy payments to purchasers. A
church was erected there by the Presbyterians about 1873. The
members numbered fifteen. Rev. J. B. McClure was the first pastor.
Vol. II 17.
286 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
A Sunday school was organized in connection with the church. The
depot was erected in 1874 and at that date a postoffice was estab-
lished. A little schoolhouse was built about the same time. The
station of Monheim was started in 1874. At that date a postoffice
was opened by Henry Boesenberg. A creamery was established
there early. A grocery and general store were commenced also.
Orison was a small station near Monheim. River Grove is a village
of a later date.
The old Jefferson township was settled at a very early date. It
occupied a central position, and as the soil was unusually good set-
tlers were attracted to that vicinity. However, the territory was
somewhat low and in early times was covered with water. To add
to this unpleasant state of affairs, the citizens were negligent in
regard to the question of drainage. They even took action against
becoming a part of the Chicago drainage system early in the '50s.
Later this injury to the town was repaired by the construction of
numerous ditches and sewers. The site was originally prairie,
crossed with Sand ridge and Union ridge, the latter extending from
Elijah Wentworth's hotel to Whiskey Point. As a whole the town-
ship was elevated about twenty to twenty-five feet above Lake Mich-
igan. The ridges were approximately from thirty to forty feet
above the lake. The drainage was effected from the North branch
of the Chicago river.
Among the first settlers was John Kinzie Clark, who located there
as early as 1830. He is conceded to have been the first resident in
this township. He was a squatter, of course, and hence had no rights
except those granted by the preemption laws. His log cabin was
located in the timber on the North branch of the, river, about eight
miles from its junction with the South branch, the Clybourns and
several residents of Chicago assisting him to erect his small resi-
dence. Here Mr. Clark resided until 1836, when he sold to Mr.
Brownell and removed to Northfield.
Mr. Clark seems to have been the only resident of the township
prior to about 1831-32. At this date or a little later the Bickerdikes
settled not far from the Clark residence. The Nobles owned land
in this township very early and may have lived within the township
limits during the early '30s. Joseph Lovett settled near Mr. Clark
in 1833 and his residence stood about one mile northwest of Whiskey
Point. It was not until 1838 that the land of this township was
thrown into the market, so that all settlers prior to that date were
squatters. Another early settler was David Everett. Elijah Went-
worth located on Sand ridge as early as 1836. He opened a tavern
and received much patronage from emigrants westward bound.
Mr. Wentworth's tavern became such a landmark that the ridge
was often called "Wentworth's Ridge." Among others who settled
in the township about 1836 were Winthrop Merrill, Wm. E. Sayre,
Gustavius V. Smith, Israel G. Smith, Major Noble, Martin Kimbell,
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 287
James Townsend, Philip Townsend, Richard Townsend, John An-
derson, S. S. Abbott, Thomas Burkel, Laomi Butterfield, John
Sweeney, Abner Ellison, and a little later came John Robinson,
Hiram Sanford, Reese Eaton, Edward Simons and others.
Milwaukee avenue at a very early date was a wagon track extend-
ing from Kinzie street, Chicago, northward through Jefferson town-
ship and then on to Niles and Northfield in the direction of Deer-
field. This was the most important highway leading northward from
Chicago in early years. Accordingly the citizens of Chicago as well
as the settlers along the road were interested in its early improve-
ment. The County Board early made appropriations for keeping it
in repair, and the towns through which it passed levied taxes for
the same purpose. It was duly surveyed upon petition of Silas W.
Sherman, and Asa F. Bradley was the surveyor to mark its final
course. Abram Gale located in the township as early as 1835. Upon
his arrival Charles Chapman had just located within the limits. Mr.
Gale selected a tract on the ridge that afterward became known as
Galewood. The house, however, was not built until 1838. Richard
Y. Spikings, Leighton Turner, Able Kay, D. L. Roberts, Chester
Dickinson and William P. Gray located in the township late in the
'30s or early in the '40s. Taverns were opened by George N. Pow-
ers, S. S. Abbott and D. L. Roberts. The latter purchased the tav-
ern owned by Elijah Wentworth in the village of Jefferson. This
building was a strong block-house, two stories high. In 1845 a
postoffice was established at Jefferson with E. B. Sutherland as post-
master. He was succeeded the following year by Chester Dickin-
son. The school section was offered for sale in 1840. At that date
its valuation was from $4 to $12 per acre.
In 1850 the township was organized as a township under the new
law. Prior to that date the citizens had voted either at Chicago
or in Monroe township. One of the voting places was at Higgins'
tavern on the west side of the.Des Plaines river. The new Jefferson
town was made to coincide with the Congressional township of the
same name. At the first meeting there were present the following
men : Martin Kimbell, William P. Gray, Edward Simons, Chester
Dickinson, David L. Roberts, Zina Byington, S. S. Abbott and
Major Noble. The first election was held in April, 1850, at the resi-
dence of Chester Dickinson. George Merrill served as moderator ;
D. L. Roberts, clerk. The first officers elected were as follows :
Martin W. Kimbell, supervisor; Robert J. Edbrook, clerk; Russell
Morton, assessor ; Alexander Clark, collector ; George Merrill, over-
seer of the poor; Daniel Booth and Major Noble, commissioner of
highways ; John H. Butterfield, constable. The officers immediately
proceeded to divide the township into road and school districts, levy
a tax on property, fix a legal height for fences and provide for dig-
ging ditches and constructing sewers. Early in the '50s the com-
missioners of highways performed the duties of a drainage board,
288 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
and seem to have been negligent because there was much complaint.
In 1859 a separate drainage board was organized. The village of
Jefferson was organized in 1870, the first officers being William P.
Gray, supervisor; S. S. Abbott, assessor; Frank D. Wulff, collector,
and D. N. Kelsey, clerk. In 1856 the town hall was erected at a
cost of about $2,500. From the start Jefferson spent immense sums
for drainage purposes, and the result was shown a little later in the
splendid farms and gardens in this portion of the county.
In 1872 the village organization was made effective. Thirty citi-
zens petitioned for the change and a total of eighty-two votes were
polled, seventy-two being in favor of village organization and ten
opposed. William P. Gray was the first president of the Board of
Trustees. As early as 1869 the first artesian well was sunk on the
farm of M. W. Kimbell, and a depth of 653 feet was reached at a
cost of about $4,000. Later several others were dug in the same
vicinity ; the water usually came a few feet above the surface but not
with great force. About ten or a dozen wells were sunk and sev-
eral are in existence at the present time.
As early as 1836 the township was divided into school districts.
Reese Eaton was one of the first teachers. He was succeeded by L.
H. Smith. Mr. Kimbell taught several terms in his own residence.
Children came to his house from as far as four miles. By 1837 there
were four schoolhouses within the township limits. The first regu-
larly organized school district was established in 1842 and Edward
Simons, Gustavius V. Smith, Philip Townsend, Nyram Sanford and
W. E. Sayre were the first trustees. Two years later, School district
No. 2 was duly organized by the citizens assembled in the tavern
of Mr. Kimbell. By 1849 Jefferson probably had, as a whole, the
best schools in the county outside of Chicago 'proper. The school
buildings by that time were numerous, well constructed and well
attended. Among the early settlements in the township were : Ma-
plewood, Cragin, Humboldt, Avondale, Mont Clare, Montrose,
Whiskey Point, Grayland, Forest Glen, Bandow, Kelvyn Grove, Jef-
ferson, Bowmanville, Summerdale and Irving Park. In 1869 the
citizens concluded to build their first high school building. At first
it was proposed to conduct high school in the town house. The first
attempts failed, and it was not until 1870 that a high school was
finished and opened under the principalship of J. B. Farnsworth.
The high school building was not erected until 1883. It cost about
$30,000 and was a credit to the township. Soon afterward it was
found necessary to erect another.
As early as 1833 religious services were held in Jefferson town-
ship. The first settlers prior to that date attended meetings at the
residence of Daniel Everett in Leyden township and in 1833 Rev.
Mr. Payne, a Congregational minister, conducted services in the first
schoolhouse built in the township. A little later Methodist quarterly
meeting was held at Whiskey Point. This meeting was the founda-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 280
tion for the rapid growth of Methodism in this section of Cook
county. Mark Noble, Sr., a strong church man, preached to Jef-
ferson township congregations at an early date. Several other or-
ganizations sprang up and by 1860 the township was well represented
with religious services. The Jefferson Congregational church was
organized with seven members in 1861. St. Johannes German Evan-
gelical Lutheran church was established in 1876 by Rev. Augustus
Reinke. The Union Congregational church at Bowmanville was
founded as early as 1878 and was known as the Union Protestant
church. Mrs. Mary A. Petersen was a leading member at the start.
This society had an early Sunday school with large membership.
The Congregational church at Cragin was established in 1873 by
Rev. J. M. Williams. In 1874 the Reform Church of Irving Park
was commenced with a membership of sixteen. In 1860 the Baptist
church of this township was organized. Its services were held in the
railroad station and in the schoolhouse. The Church Extension so-
siety of this denomination do important work to this day. Jefferson
village was laid out by D. L. Roberts in 1855. Numerous additions
were platted and within a few years the village contained several
thousand population, excellent schools, churches, business houses and
shops.
Maplewood lies in the southeast corner of Jefferson township.
The first house there was built in 1870 by Mr. Hoffman. The second
was built the following year by Mr. Daniel Reynolds. Other build-
ings were erected by Cronv & Farlin. Mr. Rhoades, L. Welch, C.
M. De Libbey, David A. Cashman, T. W. Taylor, James Lee and
Mr. Whitman. The station was built in 1870 and the postoffice
established two years later with Mr. Reynolds as postmaster. The
site of Maplewood originally embraced the southeast quarter of
Section 25.
Irving Park is distant from Chicago about six and a half miles.
It was located near the center of the township on the farm of Major
Noble. Charles T. Race. W. B. Race. John R. Wheeler, and John
S. Brown were the founders of Irving Park. The original plat em-
braced the northeast quarter of Section 15 and was laid out in 1869.
Later additions were made by John Grav, A. E. Brown, while later
Baxter's addition was annexed. In 1871 the postoffice was estab-
lished and L. B. Hill was postmaster. The Christian Union of Irving
Park was established in 1883, and this little hamlet had its earlv
schools, churches, and was soon a thriving and prosperous business
point.
Humboldt, situated a short distance north of Humboldt park,
nriginallv comprised eightv acres on Section 36. This suburb was
located on a rider, and prior to 1870 was little less than a cultivated
field. Hansbroujth & Ties'; divided the trnct into sixteen blocks.
Henry Grecnebaum became interested in this site and at the date of
its commencement, and in (he end was called the "Father of Hum-
290 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
boldt Park," owing to the sacrifices he made and the money spent
to secure its establishment. He erected several houses, and resi-
dents began to appear. He secured the organization of the Hum-
boldt Park Literary union, also an Odd Fellow lodge. In a short
time a branch of the railway was run to this point, largely through
Mr. Greenebaum's influence. A little later street car tracks were
extended to this point. Many Scandinavians and Germans settled
here and gave the hamlet the appearance of a foreign town.
Cragin, on the Milwaukee railway, is seven miles from Chicago.
It took its name from the Cragin Manufacturing company's plant.
This company had located there some time before, and their em-
ployes were the original inhabitants of the town. The town is situ-
ated on Section 33. The Cragin company came here from Chicago
in 1882. A depot was immediately built, a postoffice established and
stores were opened. Another early business concern was the North-
field Rivet company.
A short distance north of Cragin is Kelvyn Grove on Section 27
and on the Belt Line railway.
Whiskey Point is also a short distance from Cragin. It is stated
that the first quarterly meeting of the Methodists ever held in this
township was held at Whiskey Point. The origin of the name is in
considerable doubt. However, all stories agree that the selling of
whisky had something to do with it. One story is to the effect that
in early liquor merchant buried several barrels of whisky there to
keep them from falling into the hands of Indian bands.
Avondale is about five miles from Chicago. The plat was ap-
proved in 1873 and was on portions of Sections 25 and 26. A post-
office was established there a little later with L. R. Hull postmaster.
A prosperous communitv settled there and soon Schools and churches
supplied the intellectual and sniritual wants of the people.
Mont Clare is located on the Milwaukee railway nine and a hnlf
miles from Chicago. It was begun in about 1871-72. Later addi-
tions were made to the original site. The first postoffice was estab-
lished in 1873. the first postmaster being Herbert Merrill. When
first laid out the hamlet was called Sayre Station, but two years
later the term Mont Clare superseded the other. Church organiza-
tions were here as earlv as 1873. a Sunday school being established
by C. E. Lovett, superintendent, in 1876.
Grayland is on the Milwaukee railwav, about eight miles from
Chicago; it was named in honor of John Gray, whose residence joins
the station. It is located on Section 22.
Forest Glen is also on the Milwaukee about ten miles from the
city. The original plat was laid out on the old W. C. Hazelton farm,
and is on the northeast quarter of Section 9. The village derived
its name from Forest Glen avenue. Chicago. W. C. Hazelton was
the first postmaster. The station was built in 1883.
Bandow is a term applied to a postoffice that was located at 1594
Milwaukee avenue, P. W. Bandow being the first postmaster.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 291
Bowman ville was located on Section 12. Several additions were
made at an early date and the business houses began to appear. It is
located one mile west of Summerdale, and is about six and a half
miles from Chicago. It was laid out on the famous Milwaukee
ridge, where excellent water is found by digging from ten to twenty
feet. A large hill north of Bowmanville was named Roe's hill,
from Hiram Roe, who lived near it and kept whisky for sale in
early times. M. Roe's name also gave rise to the name Rosehill.
The first store in Bowmanville was established by Christian Brudy
in 1868. He also started the first saloon there. Baptiste Putman
owned the second store. The second house in the place was built by
John Fountain. However, business was conducted at what be-
came Bowmanville as early as 1856. Leonard Mehr opened up a
saloon, and a little later Thomas Freestone began a saloon business
and also kept hotel. A few years later, associated with John Rohr-
bach, Mr. Freestone began the brewery business. Vollmar began
business there at a later date. The name Bowmanville was derived
from a Mr. Bowman, who owned considerable land there in early
times. Budlong's pickle factory was established in 1869. Other
business enterprises raised the population, and with increased popu-
lation came schools, churches and societies.
Galewood is 8.7 miles from Chicago proper. The land was orig-
inally owned by Abram Gale, from whom the village took its title.
It was located on Sections 31 and 32. The station house was built
in 1872, but was only a flag station until 1883. Charles G. Whit-
comb was the first station agent. An important business enterprise
here was the Western Brick and Tile company, which began opera-
tions in 1883. Excellent brick clay was found in the vicinity of
Galewood. When burned it gave brick of a fine red color that at-
tracted the attention of builders and contractors.
Montrose is on the Northwestern railway, about eight miles from
Chicago. The original lots were laid out on Section 15. Several
additions to the original lots were soon annexed. Soon after being
platted the town began to grow. A few business establishments
brought the first residents, and finally schools and churches appeared.
Particular attention is called to the high school which was located
there at an early date. The postoffice was called Mayfair, and was
established in 1883, with W. N. Stevens postmaster.
Garfield was a small hamlet laid out on Section 34 early in the
'80s. The first house was built by Mr. Lathman in the spring of
that year. Frank Breit and Martin Keller erected buildings soon
afterward. K. S. Dryer & Co. and James F. Keeney also were in-
terested in building operations here about the same time.
The little village of Pennock was located at Diversey street and
Ballon, Fullerton and Crawford avenues. Lots were laid out. sub-
divisions added and business enterprises made their appearance.
Homer Pennock was the most prominent figure there in early days.
292 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
The reserve given to the Indian chief, Billy Caldwell, was located on
Sections 3, 4, 5, 9 and 10, this township.
Cicero was one of the early subdivisions of Cook county. When
created it was bounded north by Jefferson, east by Chicago, south by
Lake and Lyons, and west by Proviso. In 1869 a strip two miles
in width along the eastern side was attached to Chicago, but prior to
that date the township was six miles square. The principal drain-
age from the start was from the famous Ogden ditch to the south-
ward. Cicero for many years had a municipal government with its
principal offices located at Austin. The town was organized first in
1857. In that year the county clerk ordered an election to determine
upon the question of town organization. Strange as it may seem,
there were but fourteen votes polled at that election, as follows:
James W. Scoville, H. H. Palmer, Reuben Whaples, Geo. Scoville,
Joel G. Phillips, B. F. Livingstone, Peter Crawford, Joseph Kettle-
strings, William A. Scoville, H. G. Hurd, Ives Scoville, H. P.
Flower, Gilbert Crawford and John Beaver. The election resulted
as follows: William H. Scoville, supervisor; James A. Scoville, as-
sessor ; Reuben Whaples, collector ; H. P. Flower, clerk ; George Sco-
ville, Peter Crawford and Joseph Kettlestrings, commissioners of
highways; George Scoville and Peter Crawford, justices of the
peace ; John Beaver and Gilbert Crawford, constables ; Joseph Ket-
tlestrings, overseer of the poor. In 1867 Cicero was made an inde-
pendent corporation with powers vested in a board of five trustees.
In 1869 the charter of 1868 was superseded by a new and improved
one. At this date the two-mile strip on the east was added to Chi-
cago.
Originally Cicero was flat and about one-half of the year was
covered with water. The soil was made dry,by sinking numerous
ditches in all parts of the town. W. B. Ogden said, "If you want
high lands dig deep ditches," and this advice was followed by the
officials of Cicero. The result was that the town has a soil of such
fertility as to render it almost like a garden. It is black and deep
and this fact has been taken advantage of by city truck growers. By
1880 more than fifty miles of ditches costing over $100,000 had been
built in the town. Ogden avenue was the most important early
highway extending across Cicero. Riverside parkway was macad-
amized as early as 1850. Twelfth street was also improved, and at
an early date Madison street was graded and graveled. Lake street
was also improved as far as Ridgeland. Central avenue received
proper attention, as also did Hyman avenue. Ridgeland avenue was
early connected with Mud lake, and Center avenue was similarly
drained. Other streets were graded and improved until the cost ag-
gregated several hundred thousand dollars. There are several ar-
tesian wells within the limits of the town.
In 1857 the school section was offered for sale, except the portion
that was reserved for railway purposes. The section realized about
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 293
$28,000. This gave the town at its start the foundation of its pres-
ent school property.
Austin proper is situated on the extension of Lake street, where
the old six-mile house was located at a very early date. It was first
drained by sluices extending to the famous Ogden ditch. A large
sewer was built on Central avenue at an early date. The early in-
habitants, by digging about fifteen feet, secured an abundance of
pure water. Nearly all of the wells possessed artesian pressure, as
the water rose a little above the surface. Several of the early wells
were flowing. The village was started in 1866 by Henry W. Austin.
The United States Clock Manufacturing company located there and
made donations for public improvement and brought there also many
of the early residents who were connected with it. As Mr. Austin
had much to do in promoting the prosperity of the village, it was
named in his honor. Afterward he added a number of subdivisions.
C. C. Merrick, C. E. Crafts, Henry Waller and others assisted in
building up the place. The land where Austin was laid out was orig-
inally entered from the government by Henry L. DeKoven and in
1865 was sold to Mr. Austin. The Clock Manufacturing company
which had started out so propitiously, finally failed and the village
was mostly built by private enterprise. Among the first residents
were Seth P. Warner, George A. Philbrick, T. Sherwood, T. A.
Snow, W. C. Heacock, L. R. Erskine, Charles Hitchcock, George M.
Doris, C. E. Crafts, Fred L. Philips, E. A. Osgood, A. Lindsay,
Lewis Husted, E. J. Whitehead, Charles Vandercook and W. W.
McFarland ; William Meredith, M. B. Crafts, Thomas Carroll, J. J.
McCarthy and George E. Plum.
These men possessed sufficient enterprise, intelligence and force of
character to build up the village rapidly and make it desirable as a
place of residence. Through their influence largely early schools
and churches were founded. The Methodists, Presbyterians, Epis-
copalians, Baptists and others founded organizations there. Early
schools were taught in temporary structures and finally a large
building was erected at a cost of about $5,000. It is said the first
school structure built was located near the Methodist church, which
was used until 1871, when a much larger structure was erected.
The South building was erected in 1879. The Amerson school was
started in 1881 in a frame building. In 1871 the schools were duly
graded, and thereafter no suburb of Chicago afforded better educa-
tional facilities. A little later the establishment of the high school
was an important event. There were about seventy-five high school
students early in the '80s.
In 1871 a Baptist church was organized in Austin with a member-
ship of about fifteen. Services were first held in a hall on Willow
avenue, but later in the schoolhouse. In 1872 a building was erected
on Pine avenue. A Sunday school was established at the start. St.
Paul's Episcopal church was established late in 1877 and the first
294 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
services were held on Easter day, 1878. A frame church was erected
in 1880-81. The Austin Presbyterian church was erected in 1871,
and it first had a membership of only eight. Rev. E. M. Barrett
organized this society. The first services were held in the old frame
schoolhouse and later in the town hall. Their first frame church
was built in 1881 and in 1867 Rev. J. H. Bayles, a Methodist, held
services in Austin. He succeeded in forming a class of twelve
members, and a little later many others were added. The old school-
house was their first church. Later they met in the town hall. A
church was built in 1871-72. A Methodist church was built there in
1873, located near Center avenue on Chestnut street. In 1874 the
Disciples of Christ established an organization in Austin. Numerous
societies and lodges flourished from the start.
Oak Park was settled at an early date. Joseph Kettlestrings set-
tled there as early as 1833. Two years later he built a residence in
Cicero near the Proviso line and on Lake street (Chicago) extended.
For the first few years Mr. Kettlestrings was employed in a saw-mill
operated by Bickerdike & Noble. Mr. Kettlestrings was a squatter,
and as soon as the land was thrown on the market he entered the
northwest quarter of Section 7. He held same until 1848 and then
sold a portion to R. K. Swift and later the tract sold passed to S. P.
Skinner. The Kettlestring subdivision was made in 1856. This
vicinity in early times was called Kettlestring's Grove. It referred
to a clump of timber and took its name from Mr. Kettlestring. As
soon as it became a village the term Oak Park was adopted. A few
settlers located near Mr. Kettlestring at an early date. In 1853 S. P.
Skinner built the Oak Ridge hotel and a little later Mr. Waples and
Mr. Morey erected buildings on Lake street. Among them were a
tavern, a store, and a schoolhouse which served as a temperance hall.
George Scoville was there as early as 1855. J. H. Quick arrived in
1856, and at the same time John Leisen became a resident. Israel
Heller opened a store and Mr. Quick of Harlem came about this
time. In 1856 the name Oak Ridge was changed to Harlem. The
latter was retained until 1867. A grocery store was established by
Mr. Furbeck in 1856. An early dry goods and grocery store was
conducted by William Steiner. Dr. Orrin Peak established a drug
store in 1873. In 1871 the postofnce was located here and was
called Oak Park. This finally gave the name to the village. O. W.
Herrick was postmaster in 1871. In 1849 the first railway station
was built. A new building took its place in 1851. On the start the
village grew rapidly and soon schools and churches added to the
good influence of this community.
The Oak Park Methodist church was established at an early date.
At first it was connected with Thatcher and Austin. Services were
held in this neighborhood as early as 1833. The earliest religious
services in Oak Park were held in the schoolhouse. This old school-
house stood on Lake street, which was formerly known as Pennsyl-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 295
vania avenue. In 1863 a Union church was organized and later
other Methodist societies were established. This locality became one
of the strong Methodist communities of the county. In 1856 the
Union Ecclesiastical society was established here by James Viall, a
traveling Methodist preacher. George Scoville started a Sunday
school about the same time. The Oak Ridge public school was well
attended during the '60s. The Union church of Oak Park was or-
ganized 1871 at the house of E. W. Hoard. A temporary organiza-
tion was followed by a permanent one a little later. Steps to erect
a building were taken in April of that year. The Evangelical asso-
ciation of Oak Park began with eight members in 1864. Grace
Protestant Episcopal church was organized in 1879 and began with
a large membership. The first Presbyterian society there was estab-
lished in August, 1883, with about thirty members. In 1855 public
school was taught in Temperance hall, Oak Park. Sessions were
held there until 1859, when a large building was erected, which, in
the end, cost about $20,000. In this building was conducted for
many years one of the most efficient schools in the county. The Oak
Park Library association was organized in 1882 with a membership
of 109. The first collection of books were shown in the Holley
building on Lake street.
In 1883 James Scoville founded at Oak Park the Scoville insti-
tute. The object was to provide for the citizens a free library, read-
ing room, museum and art gallery. The German Benevolent society
was organized with thirty-five members 1860. The waterworks were
built in 1878. Ridgeland and Avenue are two small hamlets located
in this township at an early date.
Lemont township was settled as early as 1833. In that year
Jerome Luther located on Section 34, about three miles southeast
of Lemont. About the same time F. B. Miner came to the town-
ship, erected a log house and began farming. His son, Fred G.
Miner, lived in the township afterward for many years. William
R. Derby arrived here as early as 1834 and settled on the same sec-
tion occupied by Mr. Luther. At the same time Orange Chauncey
and Joshua Smith arrived in the township. Section 34 seems to
have been a popular one, because four of these first settlers located
thereon. It contained excellent soil and had considerable timber.
Augustus Dolan settled on Section 13 in 1837 and in 1838 William
C. Bell and Joshua W. Bell located on Section 25. Joshua W. Bell
kept a tavern at Sag Bridge at an early date. He later moved to
Chicago and was proprietor of a hotel. Richard Cleveland was an
early resident of Lemont township. The building of the canal
brought many transient persons to the township and accordingly sev-
eral taverns were opened.
The village of Central Park was established early in the '70s by
the West Chicago Land company. Previous to the building of the
village several houses had stood there, but the first building in the
296 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
village proper was erected by that company. In 1873 W. W. Wilcox
erected the first store building at the corner of West Lake and
Forty-second street. The next year a drug store was opened by
Hunt & Eldridge on Lake street. Several others started the same
year. In 1874 of the same year a schoolhouse was built. It was at
first called the Tilton school, and was named in honor of George
Tilton of the Northwestern railway. As early as 1860 school was
taught on the village site by Rolla Pearsall. In 1870 the Baptists
established a society here and first assembled in the schoolhouse
which stood at Lake and Fortieth street. Two years later they es-
tablished a well-attended Sunday school. In 1874 a Union church
was established, the membership being made up of some half-dozen
different denominations. Later the society divided. In 1878 St.
Philip's Catholic church was established in the Tilton schoolhouse.
Later a church -was erected on Park avenue. The first pastor was
Thomas Morissini. St. Barnabas' Episcopal mission was established
in 1881. One of the first business enterprises of importance was the
Chicago & Northwestern car shops, located here about 1873.
Brighton Park was originally called Brighton. It was laid out as
early as 1840. The village was incorporated in 1851 by John Mc-
Caffery, Richard K. Swift, John Evans, William F. Johnson, Nicho-
las Egglehart and Mr. McCollister. These men built the old Blue
Island Point road and bought considerable land adjoining the same.
They erected the Brighton house, added subdivisions to the site and
induced residents to locate here. Mr. McCaffery was called the
"Father of Brighton Park." He did a great deal for its prosperity
and growth. The Dupont Powder company erected an early build-
ing, as did Messrs. Croworth and Mr. Kelly. A little later Adam
Smith and S. M. Wilson erected buildings. It was an attractive
location and the residents came in rapidly. The name was derived
from the old race course. Another early building was put up by
Mr. Donnersberger. The Brighton cotton mill was built in 1871
and in 1873 the Silver Smelting and Refining works. J. C. Thayer
and John Leggate became residents at a later date. Jacob Singer
built a distillery near the canal. The Northwestern Horse Nail
company was established there as early as 1864.
In 1871 the Methodists and Baptists of Brighton Park erected a
union church and each society, in turn, assembled there for worship,
they started Sunday schools at the same time. In 1878 the Baptists
erected a building of their own and soon afterward the Methodists
did likewise. The Brighton Park Baptist society was first started
with eleven members in 1848. St. Agnes' Roman Catholic church
was established by Father Egan in 1878. In 1866 a substantial
schoolhouse was erected but school had been taught here many years
before. Another school building was erected in 1877.
Moreland was situated about five and a half miles from the court-
house, Chicago. The settlement grew up as the result of the location
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 291
at this point of the Northwestern railway shops. A depot was erected
and houses were built for the employes of the company. C. E.
Crafts laid out the subdivision and began to sell lots. He built some
half-dozen houses and made other improvements. The West Chi-
cago Land company laid out a large addition, as did also William
M. Derby. Mr. Crafts erected ten houses. In 1881 E. A. Cummings
& Co. platted a large addition and advertised extensively. Stores
and shops began to make their appearance at an early date. The
postoffice was established in 1833 with Mr. Barclay in charge. Other
organizations and schools soon appeared.
Clyde was a small village about nine and a half miles from Chi-
cago. The plat was purchased in 1866 by W. H. Clark. The first
improvements were made about 1872. Mr. Clark laid out a number
of lots and advertised to sell same. One of the first buildings was
the depot. The union church was built about 1874. James McKen-
ney was the first resident of the place. The village grew rapidly
and is now one of the substantial portions of Chicago.
Hawthorne was founded about 1873. Lots were platted and sold
and then the village began to grow. Stores and shops were opened
and soon schools and churches made their appearance. Temporary
shops were established late in the '30s and during the '40s. Isaac
and Milton W. Cleveland, sons of Richard, became permanent set-
tlers of this section of the county. Joel A. Wells arrived as early as
1845 and was connected with the Illinois Stone company. Alexan-
der Ried came in 1846. He opened a store a short time afterward
on the canal. James N. Tripp, a carpenter, arrived during the '40s
and a little later purchased a tract and began farming. Daniel C.
Skelley was here as early as 1839. He became interested in the stone
business at an early date.
The township was organized under the law in 1850 and at first
was called Palmyra, but almost immediately afterward the name was
changed to Lemont. This town was originally in the old York
precinct. At a meeting to organize the new town, William R. Derby
served as moderator and John Russell as clerk. The following- offi-
cers were elected: John Kittering, supervisor; L. Brown, clerk;
August Dolan. assessor; Thomas Brackin, collector; L. Brown and
O. Chauncey, justices of the peace. The village of Lemont had its
origin about 1844. The village first was composed of the shanties
of the laborers on the canal. There were a few boarding houses,
liquor shops and crude stores to meet the wants of the transient
people of the town. A little later a better class of business men set-
tled in the village. At a still later date it was transformed into one of
the most prosperous villages of Cook county.
It was in 1848 that the village received its first and best impulse.
In that year the canal was finished and boats began running. Nu-
merous stores were established here, schools and churches were com-
menced, and manufacturing establishments made their appearance.
298 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
It was at this time also that the great stone interests which have
made Lemont famous were projected. More than one settler who
procured his land for a song and learned that the soil was very poor
and that stone extended almost to the surface, learned later that the
quarries of Lemont made the locality famous throughout the whole
State. Lemont stone, as a matter of fact, was shipped to St. Louis
and as far down the river as New Orleans. Immense quantities were
taken to Chicago and formed the early buildings of that Western
metropolis. By 1854 numerous quarries had been opened and the
industry was at the height of its prosperity.
In 1852 A. F. Sherman, John Kittering and William Giles organ-
ized the Illinois Stone and Lime company and began taking out
stone at Lemont. The upper portion of the rock layer consists of
fine-grained and even-textured limestone and below is found a layer
of what became known as Athens marble ; as such it had an extensive
sale here in Illinois and was even shipped to Eastern cities. After
a short time the concern became known as the Illinois Stone com-
pany, which title it assumed in 1858. In 1854 the Singer & Talcott
Stone Co. was organized and continued in operation until 1872.
After that date the company continued under a reorganization.
These companies employed many hundreds of men and took out vast
quantities of stone without apparently decreasing the supply. Since
that date many other companies have organized at times for working
these valuable quarries, and the product has invariably found a ready
sale.
Sag Station was a small postoffice where Lemont, formerly Ath-
ens, now stands. It was started in 1838, when canal workmen were
there in large numbers. In fact the Sag was famous at that time not
only for the work on the canal, but because the workmen there often
changed the result of political elections in the county. There were
several stores there at an early date, one good hotel, a postoffice and
many boarding houses. However, the Sag did not amount to much
in the end; with the canal it went down and is nothing more than
a country village at the present time.
The first plat of Lemont village was made about 1848. It was
first called Keepotaw, after an Indian chief who formerly resided in
this vicinity and was known to the first settlers. Later the name
Lemont was substituted. In 1873 the citizens assembled to consider
the question of organization as a village under the law of 1872.
Every vote present was cast in favor of village organization. The
first election was held in August and the following trustees were
chosen : Joel A. Wells, president ; Dr. William B. Pierce, Daniel
B. Murphy, John H. Fedens, and Stephen Keough. George D.
Plant was clerk and S. W. Norton, treasurer. The first school taught
in the vicinity of Lemont village was held in 1836 on the old Luther
farm. It was taught in a residence and several sessions were held
there. About 1840 the public school was opened on the present
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 299
site of Lemont village. It was at this date that the township was
divided into school districts and by 1844 there were four or five
prosperous, well-attended schools. Religious organizations were es-
tablished as early as 1836. St. James' academy was established in
1883. The building, 80 by 30 feet, was erected at a cost of about
$14,000. The Lemont Methodist church was organized in 1869.
Another building was erected the same year. St. Patrick's Catholic
church in the center of the town was established in 1860. The Ger-
man Polish Catholic church was organized in 1882 by Rev. Mr.
Moczygemba. A large church was erected soon after. The German
Catholic church was erected in 1869 of the same year a church was
erected at a cost of $4,000. The German Lutheran society was
organized in 1872, but continued to meet in the schoolhouse until
1874, when they secured their first church building. Among the
early hotels in the village of Lemont was one built by Michael Kear-
ney in 1861.
The Township of Proviso originally contained thirty-six sections,
being a full Congressional township. In 1870 the township of Riv-
erside took from it four of the southwestern sections. The Des
Plaines flows north and south through the eastern part of the town-
ship. Salt creek enters the Des Plaines from the west near River-
side. This stream is in the southern part of the township. At the
time of the first settlement the town was mostly prairie with a strip
of timber along its water courses. Bennett's Grove and Cat Grove
were two well-known localities. Mr. Bennett settled at the former in
a log house at an early date. The first settler of the township was
probably Aaron Parsell, who located on Section 29, close to Salt
Creek, in 1832. In 1833 George Bickerdike and Mark Noble built
a saw-mill on the east side of the Des Plaines river, near the Chi-
cago & Northwestern crossing. A little later T. W. Smith owned
the mill and resided in a log house adjacent. Ashbell Steele settled
on Section 12 about 1836. For several years thereafter the following
settlers appeared in this township : Thomas Covell, John Bohlander,
P. H. Fippinger, J. S. Sachett, James Ostrander, Reuben Waples,
A. B. Kellogg, Nathan Dodson, John Waters, Henry Mesenbrink,
William Noyes, P. Granger, Peter Miner, E. W. Thomas, S. Y.
Bruce, Augustine Porter, C. Limberger, Peter Bohlander, George
Darmstadt, D. F. Deibert, C. G. Puscheck, H. F. Deibert, Charles
Longood, John Pfeifer, Stephen Pennoyer and Solomon Buck.
These men settled in the township late in the '30s and during the '40s.
The township was organized in 1850 at a meeting of the settlers.
Phineas Stanton served as moderator and A. S. Funston, clerk. At
the election of officers the following was the result : Stephen Pen-
noyer, supervisor ; Daniel F. Deibert, clerk ; Augustine Porter, as-
sessor; Daniel Stanton, collector; Joshua S. Sackett, overseer of
poor; Phineas Stanton, Phares Granger and E. W. Thomas, com-
missioners of highways; C. G. Pucheck and Avery M. Pitts, consta-
300 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
bles, and Nathan Dodson and A. S. Funston, justices of the peace.
At this election a total of fifty-two votes were polled. The town-
ship was immediately divided into four road districts and the name
given to the new town was Taylor, but a little later the term Pro-
viso was substituted. The name was derived from the Wilmot Pro-
viso which was discussed at that time. Resolutions regarding the
running at large of animals were passed. One of the first roads laid
out commenced near Forbes' place, thence ran northerly to Waples',
thence on to Kettlestring's. In about 1851 a tax of five mills was
levied to secure means to build a bridge across the Des Plaines river
at the Chicago Grand Detour State Road crossing. New officers
were elected in 1851 under the improved town law.
An early minister in Proviso township was John Brandstedster,
a Lutheran who preached at the house of Christian Longood. The
Methodists conducted services about the same time. A Lutheran
church was organized about 1850, and services were first held in a
schoolhouse. Later a church was erected on Section 30, at a cost of
about $8,000. Among the ministers who attended this congregation
were M. Zucker and Mr. Meyer.
The village of Maywood, distant about ten and a quarter miles
from Chicago, is on the west bank of the Des Plaines river. In 1868
W. I. Reynolds bought a tract there and organized a stock company
and proceeded to lay out a village. Associated with him in the com-
pany were W. T. Nichols, J. P. Willard, P. S. Peake, A. S. Eaton,
H. O. Gifford and A. M. Moore. In 1869 this concern organized
as the Maywood company, which began an elaborate system of im-
provement. Streets were laid out, buildings commenced, ditches dug,
trees planted and the village began to grow. A large hotel was a
notable feature soon after commencement. A general store was
established in 1870 by George R. Hall. He became first postmaster.
The Maywood company in 1870 constructed a large schoolhouse for
the purpose of attracting residents. Religious services were held in
this building. The upper part of the building was really dedicated to
religious services. Miss Ida Barney taught school here in 1871. The
same fall E. L. Hallock opened there the Maywood Military Insti-
tute. The Congregationalists and Methodists had a society there at
a very early date.
Soon afterward their first building was erected at a cost of $5,000.
About the same time a Presbyterian congregation was organized
and their building cost about $10,000. The Maywood Presbyterian
church was fully organized in 1872. The Maywood Episcopal Evan-
gelical church was commenced in 1871 and was first held in the brick
schoolhouse. A Sunday school was established, with M. V. Hotch-
kiss as superintendent. The first Methodist church at Maywood
was organized in 1873, with a membership of about twenty. A one-
story frame church was erected at a cost of about $4,500. The sites
for the various churches were donated by the Maywood company.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 303
About the same time the Baptists organized a society. Other re-
ligious societies appeared a little later.
Among the first residents were P. S. Peake, R. B. Barney, W. T.
Nichols, Allen S. Eaton and H. W. Small. So rapid was the growth
that during 1872 a total of eighty-three houses were erected. The
village was formally organized in 1871.
River Forest, on the east bank of the Des Plaines river, in the
town of Proviso, was commenced in the '50s. A total of 500 acres
was laid out. Lake street (Chicago), continued westward, runs
through the southern part of this village. In 1860 a brick school-
house was erected at a cost of $10,000. In 1873 the Methodists
erected a church at a cost of about $10,000. Solomon Thatcher
spent $25,000 upon a residence there about this time. By 1860
the place contained about fifty residents and many business estab-
lishments. The railway company first called the place Thatcher,
after the man who previously had owned the land there. The first
station also was called Thatcher. One of the first residents was
Samuel Rattle. The place was incorporated in 1880. Forty-four
voted for incorporation and seven against it. The Thatcher M. E.
church was organized in 1860 and a Sunday school was estab-
lished at the same time.
The village of Harlem originally embraced River Forest, Oak
Park and nearly all of present Harlem. When Oak Park was set
off Harlem was limited to Proviso, and when River Forest became
independent Harlem was cut down still more. By 1866 Harlem
had a total of about fifteen houses. In 1884 thirty-four of the
citizens petitioned for incorporation of the village. The election
was held at the schoolhouse and seventy-six votes were cast in
favor the incorporation and fifty-five against it. The Lutheran
church at Harlem was organized in 1862 with forty members.
They first met in the schoolhouse and later erected a church which
cost $8,000. The Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul society was estab-
lished there in 1878 and met first in the public schoolhouse. The
first minister was Rev. Ireon. Early schools were taught in tem-
porary buildings. In 1878 a large building was erected at a cost
of about $4,000. Mr. Wilcox taught the first term in this building.
The village of Melrose, a short distance west of Maywood, was
started in 1873 by the Melrose company, an organization designed
to make money by the sale of lots. The place grew quite rapidly
and in 1874 there were about fifty houses. About the same time
the Melrose depot was built. The Chicago Tire and Spring works
located here and brought many permanent residents. The village
was incorporated in 1882 upon the petition of thirty-seven resi-
dents. At the election twenty-three votes were cast in favor of in-
corporation and fifteen against it.
The village of Proviso was settled as early as 1855, but its
growth was slow. A few residences and shops were there quite
Vol. II 18.
304 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
early and a German school and church. A postoffice was estab-
lished in 1853 with Augustine Porter postmaster. Bellwood,
Grossdale and La Grange Park are thriving communities of a later
date.
Norwood Park was organized from Jefferson and Leyden towns
in 1872. A small portion from Niles was also taken to form the
original town. Probably the first settler in this township was
Mark Noble, Sr., who located there as early as 1833. The follow-
ing year Phineas Sherman settled near Mr. Noble. He had several
sons who grew up and became useful citizens. About 1835 the
three Smith brothers Marcellus B., Gustavas F. and Israel E.
located on Section 7. Henry Smith settled near them in 1836.
About that date Ephraim Paine and Ezra Alger located near them.
John Pennoyer settled on Section 1 in 1837. His son, Stephen
Pennoyer, located on a tract near him. James Pennoyer, a younger
son, established a home there later. Russell Morton became a
resident of the town about 1838. John and Jacob Kline settled on
Section 11 about the same date. Other early settlers in this por-
tion of the county were Samuel Hummel, George Coleman, Heman
Ralley and his son Heman, William Aldrich, Peter Ludby, William
Sporleder, Jacob Bumstead, William Hill, Joseph Shaw, Rees
Eaton, John R. Stockwell, John Robinson, Charles R. Ball and
others.
The first schoolhouse was built about 1838 and was attended
by the children of Smith, Noble, Sherman and others. In order to
raise means to build the schoolhouse all adult males were required
to contribute $5 each with which to purchase lumber. The first
term was opened during the winter of 1838-39 by Miss Susan
Pennoyer. The cemetery near the schoolhouse was established
about the same time the school building was erected.
In 1872 the citizens petitioned the Board of County Commis-
sioners to form a new township. Favorable action was taken and
in a short time it was formally organized. Of the thirty legal
voters residing in the township, twenty petitioned for a separate
organization. The organized territory was as follows: Sections
6, 7 and 18 and the west half of Sections 5, 8 and 17, Township 40
north, Range 13 east; also Sections 1, 12 and 13 and the east half
of Sections 2, 11 and 14, Township 40 north, Range 12 east. The
first Board of Trustees was elected in April, 1873. Cyrus J. Corse
was moderator and D. C. Dunlap clerk. Steps to raise $200 for
town purposes were immediately taken. The County Board also
made an appropriation to assist in the construction of roads and
bridges in the new town. The first annual meeting was held in the
railway station and the first election resulted as follows : Stephen
Pennoyer, supervisor; Cyrus J. Corse, clerk; Jesse Ball, assessor;
Frederick H. Kline, collector; James Winship and John B. Foot,
justices of the peace; Frederick H. Kline and John R. Stockwell,
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 305
constables; Israel G. Smith, Charles Jones and Thomas H. Sey-
mour, commissioners of highways. The sum of $65 was paid to
Jesse Ball for making the first assessment.
It should be said that when the town of Jefferson was formed
the citizens of Jefferson and Leyden townships generally opposed
the movement. Meetings in opposition to the division were held,
and resolutions asking the County Board not to grant the prayer of
the petitioners in forming the new township were adopted.
Although several settlers located on the site of Norwood Park
village at an early date, the village itself was not really started until
about 1869, at which time Lemuel P. Swift platted the first lots
and George Dunlap built the first house on one of the lots. It was
a two-story frame house at Norwood court and Circle avenue.
Other early houses were by John R. Stockwell and Thomas H.
Seymour. The village was first called Norwood and is said to have
been named after the story written by Henry Ward Beecher. Later
the word park was added. Thomas H. Seymour was the first post-
master. E. W. Morse established the first store. Other early store-
keepers were John Cammack, F. M. Fox and A. A. Fox. Nor-
wood Park hotel was built in 1872. The Northwestern station was
built about 1869. A small paper called the Voice of the West was
issued at an early date. Other publications succeeded it.
The establishment of the village was duly petitioned for in 1874
by the citizens and was granted. Of the thirty-two votes cast at
the election thirty-one were in favor of a village organization.
The Cook County Infirmary and Insane asylum is located in
the town of Norwood Park. The farm consisted of 160 acres and
was established before the formation of the town of Norwood Park.
A record of this institution will be found elsewhere in this work.
In 1861 the town of Hyde Park was formed from the town of
Lake. The incorporation was effected in February of that year.
In April the first town meeting was held at the station of the
Illinois Central railway. Erastus S. Williams was chairman of the
meeting, Warren S. Bogue moderator, and Abraham Bockee
clerk. The first supervisor was Paul Cornell; clerk, Hassan A.
Hopkins; collector, George White; commissioners of highways,
Prentice Law, John Middleton and Frederick Bosworth ; consta-
bles, Alex Brown and Niboreus Goldhart; justices of the peace,
Chauncey Stickney and Samuel Brookes; poundmaster, Frederick
Rohn. The town officers proceeded at once to establish a pound
at Woodlawn near the railway station. The town was divided into
school, road and tax districts.
Hyde Park village was organized in 1872, 262 votes being cast in
favor of the organization and 188 votes against it. The first village
officers were C. M. Cady, president ; Lucius G. Fisher, supervisor
and ex-officio member; John F. Banecy, Lester Bradner, Jr., Elam
G. Clark, Michael Doyle, William E. Hale, Hiram Vanderbelt,
Asa D. Waldron, trustees; Richard S. Thompson, clerk.
306 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Among the small villages in Hyde Park in early times were
Colehour, Irondale, Roseland, Kensington and Riverdale. Hyde
Park more than any other portion of the county became a part of
the city of Chicago at an early date. Among the important im-
provements were the Hyde Park water works and the fire depart-
ments.
As early as 1853 Charles Cleaver built a house in Hyde Park,
at a place named after him ("Cleaverville"), and later Oakland.
In a short time several other settlers located near him. Samuel
Ellis had lived there previously, and of him Mr. Cleaver bought
the land. Henry and Lorin Greaves also lived there at an early
date. Mr. Cleaver was wealthy and designed making many large
improvements. He spent as high as $60,000 in one year for build-
ing purposes. He erected many houses for his workmen.
About 1854 the residents there erected a church building. In
1857 the site was platted and was called Cleaverville. It was de-
scribed as being the north part of fractional Section 2, Township
38 north, Range 14 east, and the south part of fractional Section
35, Township 39 north, Range 14 east. Mr. Cleaver established
his rendering and soap works early in the '50s, soon after locating
there. At a later date he engaged in the real estate business. Mr.
Cleaver, at his own expense mainly, erected a building for town
purposes and this became known as Cleaver hall. Many of the
entertainments of that portion of the county were held in this hall.
Numerous religious organizations also assembled there. It was
used at times for school purposes also. Mr. Cleaver's residence,
after the fashion of Englishmen, was called Oakwood hall, and
hence Oakwood boulevard, Oakwood street, etc., were originated.
He established the first store at this point. It was a grocery and
was conducted by William Cleaver, a relative of Charles. This
portion of the county was a popular resort for wealthy men doing
business in the city. Here could be seen their sumptuous country
residences. Oakland Congregational church was built by Charles
Cleaver as early as 1854, and was first attended by Rev. Mr. Booth.
A permanent organization was effected in 1857 and on that occa-
sion Rev. W. A. Nichols presided. About twenty persons joined
the first class. It became known as the Salem church, and was
located on Lake avenue between Thirty-ninth street and Oakwood
boulevard. It served the purpose until the Oakland church proper
was built. At an early date the church divided and formed the
Ninth Presbyterian congregation, which a little later became the
Sixth Congregation. The South Congregational church started
with about thirty-five members and a school of about fifty children.
The present frame building was erected about 1884. The Baptist
church in Hyde Park was established during the '50s.
Prior to 1859 all of Hyde Park south of Twenty-second street
was open country. There were two small settlements, one near
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 307
Cottage Grove avenue and Twenty-sixth street, the other on the
lake shore at the foot of Oakwood avenue, called Cleaverville. The
Congregational churches were started about the time these settle-
ments were. The University of Chicago was opened in May, 1859,
and became an important feature of this community. The first
Baptist church was organized early in the '60s near the university.
In 1868 the Cottage Grove Baptist society was formally organ-
ized, with Dr. J. A. Smith as pastor. The members first met in the
university chapel, but finally had their own building. The Church
of the Holy Angels was founded in 1880. Previous to this date
the Catholics of this locality met at Grossman's hall on Cottage
Grove avenue, near Thirty-seventh street. They started with about
thirty members and a Sunday school of about thirty-five scholars.
Numerous other church organizations of about a dozen denomina-
tions were started in Hyde Park during the first twenty years of its
existence. The Forty-first Street Presbyterian church was among
the number.
The first school was taught in Cleaver hall, at Oakland, and the
first teacher was Miss Josie M. Mulligan, assisted by Miss Keeler.
This was situated at the southeast corner of Fortieth street and
Drexel boulevard. Later another school was started on Indiana
avenue, a little farther south. These schools were taught in the
early '60s.
Forrestville had a somewhat indefinite boundary, like many other
suburban villages. It may be said at first to have been bounded
as follows: Forty-third street, Cottage Grove avenue, Forty-
seventh street and Indiana avenue. This village seems to have had
an independent growth and development. It had its own business
houses, schools, churches and entertainments. As early as 1878 a
kindergarten was started in this hamlet. Nearly fifty children were
in attendance within less than a year. The Forrestville Hose com-
pany was an early organization. The Springer and Farren schools
supplied the inhabitants from Thirty-ninth street and Grand boule-
vard to Forty-.third street and Indiana avenue. The Springer
school, built in 1873, became an important educational institution.
The Far ran school was also important. It was located at Wabash
avenue and Fifty-first street. The Oak Ridge school was in the
vicinity of Forty-seventh street and Cottage Grove avenue, but
children attended from as far south as Sixty-third street and as far
west as Indiana avenue.
One of the first residences of what is now Hyde Park was that
of Nathan Watson, who was there as early as 1836. The origin
of the name Hyde Park probably came from a suburb of London,
England. Mr. Watson built a log cabin there, near the corner
of Park avenue and Fifty-third street. It was his design to estab-
lish an orchard. Paul Cornell became a prominent early character
of Hyde Park. He came to Chicago in 1847, but in 1852 bought a
308 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
large tract of land in Hyde Park and proceeded to improve the
same. He at first bought 300 acres along the lake shore and in-
duced the Illinois Central railway to establish the station called
Hyde Park on his land. Mr. Cornell erected the famous Hyde
Park hotel, one of the prominent landmarks in early times. He
leased this hotel to the owners of the Richmond house, Chicago.
It was a favorite resort for the sporting people of the city when
they desired a little diversion. After the assassination of President
Lincoln, Mrs. Lincoln and her family stopped there for a time.
Stephen A. Douglas also occupied the hotel before his death. In
1856 Mr. Cornell platted a tract of land lying between Fifty-first
street and Fifty-fifth street. In 1858 he erected a building for
church purposes, paying about $1,000 toward its erection. Others
assisted with whatever was necessary to complete the structure.
Later Mr. Cornell deeded to the church a tract of ground. The
First Presbyterian church of Hyde Park was organized in 1860,
Mr. Cornell being one of the members. Rev. William H. Spencer
was probably the first pastor. In 1856 the Presbyterian Theologi-
cal Seminary of the Northwest located on the lake shore between
Fifty-third and Walnut streets. They secured the land from Mr.
Cornell. Cyrus H. McCormick made a large donation to this insti-
tution. St. Paul's Episcopal church was organized in Hyde Park
as early as 1857 and about the same time a Sunday school was
connected with it. As early as 1856 Charles B. Waite established
a seminary in Hyde Park. The building was not finished until
1859. Mrs. Charles B. Waite was principal. This institution was
famous in early years. Many of the most distinguished ladies of
Chicago were educated there. In 1863 a large public school build-
ing was erected near Mr. Cornell's residence. The first teacher
was a Miss Brookes. At later dates high schools and many gram-
mar schools have sprung into existence. It is sufficient to say that
this portion of the county is supplied with splendid educational
facilities and has been ever since the Civil war.
As early as 1860 George W. Waite was postmaster at Hyde
Park and was succeeded three years later by Joseph W. Merrill.
H. A. Hopkins was one of the first storekeepers at Hyde Park
avenue and Fifty-third street. He had previously been a book-
keeper for Mr. Cornell.
Egandale was founded by Dr. W. B. Egan and was bounded
about as follows: From Forty-seventh street on the north to Fifty-
fifth street on the south, and from Cottage Grove avenue on the
west to Madison avenue on the east. It was upon this tract that
the famous race track of early times was located. It was called the
Chicago Driving Park, and all the famous horses of the country
raced there at some period. Flora Temple, Moscow and other
famous nags were exhibited there. Near this park were several
mounds which appeared as if they had been thrown up by human
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 309
hands, they were so regular, round and abrupt. Dr. Egan was an
Englishman and designed this tract after the fashion of an English
country residence. He formally opened his garden in 1863. The
rapid growth of Chicago in that direction soon terminated the
dreams of Dr. Egan for such a home. Schools began to be taught
there very early. Mrs. Ella Noble was one of the first teachers,
and two men named Hogan and McCarty also taught at an early
date.
"Kenwood was a term applied to a portion of Hyde Park. One
of the first settlers there was Dr. John Kennicott, who built a resi-
dence about 1856. It was named Kenwood by Dr. Kennicott in
honor of his old home in Scotland. The Illinois Central Railway
company established Kenwood station a short distance to the east-
ward. It stood at the foot of Forty-seventh street. William
Waters, John Remmer and P. L. Sherman were early residents of
Kenwood. The railway accident in 1862, when Judge Barron was
killed, occurred near Kenwood station. During the '50s and '60s
the locality bounded by Thirty-ninth and Fifty-seventh streets and
Grand boulevard and the lake was occupied by many of the most
prominent citizens of Chicago. Many had previously lived in the
cities of the East, had been highly educated, were cultured in art
and literature, and surrounded themselves with evidences of modern
civilization. Thus Oakland, South Park, Kenwood and Forrest-
ville contained many exclusive families. In 1871 a literary society
was organized in Hyde Park and was attended by the most promi-
nent citizens. It was afterward transformed into a lyceum and
philosophical society. Connected with the same was a free reading-
room. Early in the '70s a congregation of Methodists was organ-
ized in this locality. A branch of the Young Men's Christian asso-
ciation was established about the same time. The Forty-seventh
Street church was dedicated in December, 1871. At that date the
membership numbered eleven. The following year a Sunday school
with forty scholars was organized. St. Thomas' church was or-
ganized in 1869 with twenty persons as members. Father Bolles
was the first to have charge of this church. The first building stood
where now stands Kenwood high school. This was the commence-
ment of the present St. Thomas' church at Fifty-fifth street and
Kimbark avenue. The First Baptist church was located in 1874
on Madison avenue near the corner of Fifty-fourth street. A Scan-
dinavian Methodist congregation was organized in 1880. Other
religious organizations have from time to time opened in this por-
tion of the city. The Hyde Park Herald was started in 1882 by
Fred F. Bennett and Clarence P. Dresser. The Metropolitan Press
Bureau was later published where the Herald had previously held
forth. The South Side News was for a time conducted by I. S.
Van Sant & Co. The Hyde Park Weekly Sun was another early
weekly paper.
310 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
The locality known as South Park was at no time considered a
separate hamlet or village, nor even to have definite boundaries.
It was located in the vicinity generally of the present Jackson Park.
Charles A. Norton located there about 1863. After a few other
families had arrived the place began to be called Woodville, but
with the consent of Mr. Norton the name was finally changed to
South Park. The first station was in an old log building, and
around it was little more than a swamp. The families of Fassett,
Root, Downs and Wright located early in this locality. The South
Park hotel was built about 1874 by a Mr. Hoyt, but was burned in
1883. Gradually as time passed the lands were cleared. Other
families built houses and various business enterprises were projected.
Hyde Park is distinguished in particular for its park system,
which is one of the most important, attractive and beautiful in the
United States. An account of this system will be found elsewhere
in this work. The Washington Park club owned the Washington
Driving Park. This comprised a tract of eighty acres just south
of South Park, between Sixty-first and Sixty-third streets and Cot-
tage Grove avenue and Grand boulevard. The founder of the club
was Albert S. Gage, through whose influence it was organized with
a capital of $150,000. Buildings were erected an the tract laid out,
and in time this organization became a conspicuous feature among
the amusements of Chicago.
Oakwoods cemetery was established under the act of 1853. It
was located between Sixty-seventh and Seventy-first streets and
Cottage Grove avenue and the Illinois Central railroad.
Grand Crossing grew up at the junction of the Illinois Central
and Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroads at what is now
Seventy-fifth street. Paul Cornell in 1855 purchased a tract there,
and later lots were laid out and soon Grand Crossing was estab-
lished. In 1871 two schools were located there under the auspices
of Mr. Cornell. Among the first business establishments was the
Cornell Watch factory.
Brookline was a term applied to the locality near Cornell, and
was started about 1860. It was a subdivision by Charles A. Norton
and Paul Cornell. It was west of Cottage Grove avenue and north
of Seventy-fifth street. Families lived there at a very early date.
Among the first were John and Orville Field, Peter Cudmore, the
Nichols family, Peter, John and James Storms, etc. The name at
first was Brookline, but as this was too indefinite the term Cornell
was soon applied to the residences and business houses at this point.
At a later date the name Grand Crossing was adopted, owing to the
fact that there was another village in the state called Cornell. The
first storekeeper there was Joseph Lawton.
The first religious services at Brookline were held in the railroad
station in 1872. Rev.. W. H. Holmes conducted the services
Henry C. Northrup conducted services there a little later. Mr.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 311
Cornell assisted the small congregation of about ten or a dozen.
A Sunday school of thirteen scholars was soon organized. The
Catholic congregation at Grand Crossing was established soon after
this date and before many years was large and prosperous. The
first meetings were held at Social hall. The West Side Drainage
association was located here in the '70s.
Cheltenham Beach was first known as White Oak Ridge, and
later, after it was laid out, was called Westfall subdivision. It ex-
tended approximately from Seventy-fifth to Seventy-ninth streets.
A school was established at Seventy-fifth street and Railroad
avenue. Religious societies held services there.
South Chicago had an early origin. It is located at the mouth
of the Calumet, and in the eyes of many was a more suitable loca-
tion for a large city than was the mouth of the Chicago river. The
early French explorers were familiar with the Calumet river and
realized its value. At a very early 'date it was proposed to build
the canal along what was called the Calumet route instead of along
the Chicago route. It is not improbable that Marquette resided
on this river a short time before his death. It seems to have been
a more popular resort for the Indian tribes than was the insignifi-
cant Chicago river. The first proprietor of the land at the mouth
of the Calumet was Ashkum, the Pottawatomie Indian chief, who
was granted a reservation there. At this time the Indians ceded
their rights to the west shore of Lake Michigan. As early as 1830
the Commissioners' court of Peoria county granted to Rev. William
See the right to keep a ferry across the Callimink (Calumet), at the
head of Lake Michigan, upon the payment of a fee of $2. He was
privileged to charge for each wagon or cart drawn by two horses
or oxen 75 cents, for each four horses and wagon $1, and each foot
passenger I2y 2 cents. It is probable that Rev. Mr. See did not
conduct this ferry. At an early date Mr. Mann conducted it under
the right of Rev. William See. Mr. Mann lived on the east side of
the Calumet near Ninety-third street. In addition to the ferry busi-
ness he bartered with the Indians for peltries and kept whisky with
which to secure the possessions of the natives. Mr. Mann married
Arksah Saubli, a girl having Indian blood in her veins. She was
the adopted daughter of Antoine Ouilmette. A m;m named Hale
was also an early ferryman on the Calumet.
In 1833 a survey of the Calumet and Chicago rivers was ordered
by the government with the object of ascertaining the cheapest and
most favorable location for the canal. Jefferson Davis, afterward
president of the Southern confederacy, conducted the survey. In
his report he considered the Calumet superior to the Chicago for
the purpose intended. It should also be said that Stephen A. Doug-
las and Louis Benton considered the Calumet region the most
favorable location for the canal. Benton may have been influenced
by his property interests on the Calumet. He had built there early
312 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
a store on the west bank of the river about sixty yards from its
mouth. In addition he had built several cabins for employes and
had made preparations so that if the Calumet river should be
selected for the site of the canal he would be in a most enviable
position as regards property interests. The chances are that the
monied interest on the Chicago river outweighed those on the
Calumet river and thus secured the coveted prize. Benton in 1833
platted most of Sections 5 and 6, west of the Calumet river, and
this place became called the "City of Calumet." Others connected
with Mr. Benton in land development were George W. Dole and
Elijah K. Hubbard. John Wentworth, with property interests at
the present Chicago, steadily fought against the Calumet region.
In fact, nearly all of the prominent men at Chicago in early times
were envious of the recognized importance of the Calumet region.
The subdivision of Calumet was filed in 1836. The following
year George's addition to Calumet was platted. As early as 1835
Thomas Gaughan located in the little village. Benton's Land com-
pany owned a tract from Eighty-seventh street to Ninety-third
street and Commercial avenue to the lake. At this date the com-
pany's store was in full operation. Mr. Crandall was an early resi-
dent of Calumet and was located on the east side of the river and
a Mr. Tuttle occupied a log cabin on the west side, and Mr. Stone
was located near him. John Mann lived in one of the Benton
houses. The company was all-powerful at this early period. It
had means to put up buildings and to induce people by argument
and means to locate at this point. Stephen A. Sexton was an early
resident on the Calumet river. In 1836 a hotel was built at Calu-
met. It stood close to Mr. Benton's store and was called the Calu-
met house and was conducted by Mr. Benton himself. It is stated
that a man named Spencer managed the hotel for Mr. Benton. In
1836 Jason Gurley bought the hotel property and thereafter con-
ducted a reliable and well-patronized tavern. The stage line from
Michigan City to Chicago passed by this tavern. In 1837 Mr.
Gurley rented the hotel to Mr. Hampsher and removed to Chicago,
where he later managed the Mansion house. Tht second tavern
at Calumet was the Eagle, kept by Gideon M. Jackson. At this
date (1836-37) there was an enormous travel between Michigan
City and Chicago. The consequence was that the tavern at Calu-
met had a very large patronage. It was at this time that the first
great settlement throughout the southern part of Cook county was
made. Many had come in at an earlier date, but from 1834 to 1838
the settlement was greatest in that portion of the county. Appro-
priate mention of these will be found elsewhere in this work.
In the vicinity of Calumet is an elevation known in early times
as Indian Ridge, where deceased Indians in considerable number
had been buried for many years. This ridge was quite a promi-
nent feature in early times near Wildwood, Kensington and Rose-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 313
land. Numerous Indian trinkets and skeletons have been found
on that ridge.
The travel had become so great by 1839 that there were strong
demands for a bridge to take the place of the old ferry which had
been conducted by John Mann. Accordingly a company was
formed in that year, among whom were J. Y. Scammon and P. C.
Sherman, who secured a charter empowering them to construct a
toll bridge across the Calumet. The bridge was accordingly built
and was a floating affair constructed of planking and timbers upon
the barge principle. It was located at the foot of Ninety-second
street and the river. The first toll-keeper was Gideon M. Jackson.
Those who had constructed the bridge were well remunerated for
their outlay, as the enormous travel gave them excellent revenue
until 1842, at which date a new road was projected via Cassidy's
residence, later known as Chittenden's. The floating bridge was
damaged by a freshet in 1840, but was repaired and continued to
be used until 1843, when it was again demolished by a storm. A
new company was formed, however, and a better bridge was built
near Cassidy's place, after which the ferry was no longer used.
Cassidy was considerable of a sporting man, and his house was a
resort of hunters and fishermen. Louis Benton built a bridge on
Grand Calumet in 1836. It was on the present site of Hammond,
Indiana, which locality was early called Diggings. By 1845 there
was quite a large settlement at the mouth of the Calumet. As
early as 1834 school was taught there and soon afterward religious
services were held by the Methodists and the Catholics. Among
the early residents of the town were the Kleinmanns, Spiers, Cul-
vers, Rays, Taylors, and others.
In 1848 the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railway was
projected and surveyed through Calumet. The prospect of secur-
ing a railway immediately increased the growth of the village. The
station in 1850 was located and called Ainsworth. This was the
foundation of the present South Chicago. So low was the country
in that portion of the county that the railroad was first run on
trestle work from Calumet to Englewood. Immediately after the
construction of the railway the village became modernized and soon
had permanent schools, churches, stores and shops. It was at this
time that the citizens of Ainsworth were involved in the attempt of
the railways to cut off Chicago to the north. Naturally the citizens
residing at the mouth of the Calumet preferred to see that point the
terminus of Eastern and Western railway lines rather than Chicago.
Accordingly they loaned their influence to the movement to leave
Chicago on the north and to make Calumet the principal city on the
southern shore of Lake Michigan. More concerning this important
step will be found elsewhere in this work. The district around
South Chicago was thoroughly organized into school districts in
1851-52. As early as 1853 what was known as Ray school was
314 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
erected on the present site of the city. Among the first teachers
was Cornelia Wheaton. Irondale, Taylor, Gallistel, Bowen and
South Chicago public schools were creations of a later date.
The lighthouse at Calumet afforded a theme for extended com-
ment for many years during early times. An account of the build-
ing of this lighthouse will be found elsewhere in this book. The
first keeper of the light was A. B. Dalton, who a little later was
succeeded by Hiram Squires. The light was discontinued in 1855.
Calumet harbor was projected at a very early date. It was con-
sidered as early as the one at Chicago. In fact, many favored the
one at Calumet and insisted that point had better facilities for a
harbor than had any other point on the southern point of Lake
Michigan. In 1836 a survey of the harbor was made, but nothing
of consequence was done except some improvements until 1845.
At the latter date the surveyors found that the lake had advanced
a considerable distance eastward. It was not until about 1870 that
money began to be spent to improve Calumet harbor. Thereafter
several hundred thousand dollars were used to render the harbor
more satisfactory to mariners and vessels. Many improvements and
changes since the early times have been made in the piers and harbor
proper.
South Chicago was really started as such about the year 1856.
Several Chicagoans at that date, among whom were Elliot Anthony,
John Wentworth, O. S. Hough and others, secured a large tract of
land there. Soon afterward the Calumet Land Improvement and
Irrigation company was organized for the purpose of draining wet
lands, reclaiming the same, laying out lots, extending the limits and
population of the town, etc. At a later date, by uniting with other
interests, it became the Calumet and Chicago Canal and Dock com-
pany, which in 1869 was duly incorporated. Of the incorporators
J. H. Bowen was first president and the first Board of Directors were
T. Bowen, O. S. Hough, Elliot Anthony, Sheridan Waite, T. L.
Dobbins and C. L. Gregory. This company really founded the mod-
ern South Chicago. Mr. Bowen was the leading power of the
company. Beginning with 1874 and thereafter for many years
the sales of lots at South Chicago by the dock company and by
others were rapid. The postoffice had been established as early as
1853, C. F. Stewart becoming first postmaster. He also was justice
of the peace in 1858. As early as 1857 the term Calumet, which had
applied to the little village, was changed and thereafter the place be-
came known as Ainsworth. In 1858 Michael Doyle was appointed
postmaster and continued to serve for many years. In 1871 the name
Ainsworth station was changed to South Chicago. In 1855 one
polling place served for the towns of Calumet, Hyde Park and Lake.
It was located at Berkey's tavern, Englewood. At this date Fred-
erick Wright was supervisor, representing this portion of the county.
The settlement became so rapid at Calumet that the people soon
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 315
demanded a separate organization and accordingly Calumet was
duly separated from Lake and Worth.
Immediately after the Civil war, owing to the fact that several
large manufacturing establishments were located at South Chicago,
the growth became very rapid. Among the most prominent of these
early establishments was the Northwestern Fertilizing company,
which was chartered in 1867. In 1869 an immense lumber industry
was located here. Previously from an earlier date large quantities
of lumber had been manufactured on the upper Calumet and had
been floated down the river to the lake and thence to Chicago. In
1869 pine lumber from Michigan and other points in immense
quantities were distributed from South Chicago as a central point.
Shipbuilding was soon an important industry along the Calumet.
About 1880 the North Chicago Rolling mill was established and
soon became one of the strongest manufacturing concerns in this
portion of the county. The large number of workmen employed in
these various industries added greatest to the population of this sec-
tion. Among other works were the South Chicago Steam Boiler
works, the South Chicago Wrought Iron, Gas and Steam Pipe fac-
tory, the Robert Aitchison Perforated Metal company, Sutcliff &
Bird's foundry, Benjamin, Fischer & Mallery, South Chicago Forge
and Bolt works, and many others added vastly to population and
to the business importance of this point. In 1873 South Chicago
was made a port of entry. The tonnage in 1875 was 17,442. By
1883 it had increased to over 350,000.
Rev. William See, who secured the first license to keep a ferry
at Calumet, was probably the first minister to preach to the resi-
dents of Calumet. The Catholics also were there at a very early
date. The first church was St. Patrick's, built in 1860, and immedi-
ately afterward a school was started. By 1880 the parish con-
tained 150 families and the school numbered several hundred chil-
dren. The second church was Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran, or-
ganized about 1871. The first Congregational church was founded
the following year. One of the first important early schools was es-
tablished in 1854 by George H. Bird, who graded his school and had
several assistants. The Swedish Baptist church was started at a
later date as were also the churches of the Swedish Methodists,
the Danish Evangelical Lutherans, German Baptists, etc. The
Methodist Episcopal society was well established by 1875. A Pol-
ish society called the Church of the Immaculate Conception was
founded at a later date. Since this time numerous religious organ-
izations have supplied the spiritual wants of the inhabitants.
In 1874 the fire department became a prominent local organiza-
tion. Yachting clubs sprang into existence during the '70s. Secret
societies, lodges, etc., have contributed to the social enjoyment of
South Chicagoans. Numerous newspapers have been conducted
here. Several have been called Enterprise, Times, Bulletin, Weekly
Sun, Post, Independent, Tribune and many others.
316 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
One of the most important modern improvements in the southern
part of the county was the model town established by George W.
Pullman. Under the law it could not exist as such, and after a
time the workmen who had gathered there dispersed and the land
was sold. The southern terminus of the belt railway is at South
Chicago. This places that city in communication with all suburbs
and every part of Chicago.
The first man, so far as known, to settle at what became known
as Colehour was probably Charles W. Colehour, after whom the
suburb was named. The boundaries of the somewhat mythical
hamlet were never clearly denned. The locality was also called
Ironworkers' Addition to Chicago. Among the first people to
locate there were Michael O'Byrne, George Murley, Frank Degnan,
Rodger Murphy and Michael Doyle. It is said that Father Kelley
said the first mass at Colehour. The real growth of that place
began in 1872, after the Silicon Steel company had started up.
Taylor's Addition to South Chicago, not far from Colehour, be-
came settled at a little later date. The first school consisted of
fifteen scholars and was taught in 1874 in the Colehour German
Lutheran church. The first public school was established in 1876.
The first postmaster was Richard Lender. The first church build-
ing was erected in 1875 by the Evangelical association. The Cole-
hour German Lutheran church, also the German Baptist church,
was built in 1876, and the Swedish Baptist church, founded in 1883.
were early religious organizations.
The Colehour Loan and Building association did a great deal to
build up that suburb. In 1875 the establishment of the Joseph H.
Brown's Iron and Steel company's rolling mill may be said to have
laid the foundation of Cummings. This little hamlet was located
about a mile and a half from the mouth of the Calumet river. The
early settlers in this vicinity were Cassidy, Woodman, James Car-
ney, Samuel Roys, Joseph Rees and John Kleinman. The latter
was in South Chicago as early as 1845 and owned the toll house
at the old bridge. Cassidy lived near the Chittenden bridge; Mr.
Woodman kept a stage ranch. The first hotel was built by Abe
Kleinman in 1873. The boundaries of Cummings, like all the
other early suburbs, were indefinite. The term was simply applied
in a general way to a group of business houses and residences. It
was located east of the north end of Lake Calumet and between that
point and Lake Calumet river. George Phillips was another early
resident. Mr. Riley and A. Hartman were others. T. Connors
owned the first hall, where various entertainments were given. School
was kept in that hall at one time. The first continuous school was
located at Irondale and was opened in 1876. The Evangelical asso-
ciation as early as 1875 had several congregations and Sunday
schools at Torrence hall. The Methodist Episcopal church was
built on Torrence avenue in 1880. The congregation of Welsh
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 317
people were there about the same time. Colehour lodge No. 7,
A. F. and A. M., was established about 1878. The Cummings
company began operations about 1883. The village of Hegewisch
is on Sections 31 and 32, Township 37 north, Range 15 east; also
Section 5, Township 36 north, Range 15 east, and a part of Section
6, Township 36 north, Range 1'5 east, on the east of the Calumet
river, near the forks of the Grand and Little Calumet rivers. It
was named for Adolph Hegewisch, president of the United States
Rolling Stock company. This concern did much for the building
up of this hamlet. Among those interested in the town site early
were C. D. Roys, William B. Keep, Albert Krohn, W. H. Rand,
P. M. Mather, H. P. Kellogg, J. W. Eschenburg, Emil Petersen
and Herman Petersen. In a short time, through the exertion of
these proprietors, the hamlet received an important start and ever
since has continued to grow and extend its usefulness to the people
of this portion of the county.
Riverdale is situated about fifteen miles from down-town Chicago
and the site is located upon Little Calumet river. Almost from the
start it grew rapidly and its business industries were numerous and
large. The first settler was George Dolton, who located there in
1835. Near him was an Indian reservation. More concerning
the Doltons will be found elsewhere in this work. J. C. Matthews
settled near Mr. Dolton the next year. Levi Osterhoudt, John
Sherman, Frederick Bachmann and John Hansford were there as
early as 1840. This little settlement at first grew rapidly. In 1848
Frederick G. Reich, Frederick Rau, Frederick Schmidt, Emanuel
Goldschmidt and Frederick Nitzsche, Hollanders, located near this
spot. Among the first transactions on what is now the village site
was the platting of the place by David Andrews in 1868. The
second plat was made the following year by several of the Doltons.
As early as 1836 the County court, as will be seen elsewhere herein,
granted a ferry license to George Dolton and J. C. Matthews. This
became known as Riverdale crossing of the river. The ferry was
continued in operation until 1842, when George Dolton and Levi
Osterhoudt erected an excellent bridge, which became known to
all travelers as the Dolton bridge. A toll was charged, but in 1856
it was purchased by the county and thereafter was free. Riverdale
became a separate school district in 1867, although school had been
taught there at the date of the first settlement. Rev. Mr. Williams
preached there probably as early as 1838. It was so early and the
settlers were so few that when he appeared prepared to preach,
messengers were sent out to bring the few settlers together. At
a later date the Methodist German Evangelical Lutherans, Catholics
and others formed congregations. A postoffice was established
there in 1873. A. Reich, Jr., became the first postmaster. As a
matter of fact, Riverdale and Dolton were one settlement. They
were so close together, one being a part of the other, they could
318 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
hardly be regarded, even in early times, as two separate settlements.
Generally in early times it was called Dolton rather than Riverdale,
in honor of Mr. Dolton. The postoffice, however, was Riverdale,
and later the place became called Dolton Junction. The Riverdale
distillery was an important early enterprise. Immense lumber inter-
ests have been conducted there. It is now one of the substantial
suburbs of the city.
As early as 1837 David Perriam and a friend of his named Gil-
linger located on the site of what became known as Wildwood.
This place was established on an Indian ridge and the Little Calumet
river, and was first platted by James H. Bowen. Many houses
were located there at an early date. Near it is an old Indian bury-
ing ground. Even to this date flint arrows and spear-heads arc
found there.
The hamlet of Kensington grew up through the influence of rail-
roads. It was started in 1852 and was first known as Calumet
Station. The location there of several iron industries gave it quite
a growth. Near it is Pullman. One of the first settlers on the site
of Kensington was Patrick Fitzgerald, who located where the
Forging company's shops were established in 1852. Other early
residents were Patrick Shanahan, James Ryan and John Cooper.
A boarding house which was termed a tavern was there soon after-
wards. The first station agent was E. F. Rexford, a son of Nor-
man Rexford, of Blue Island. David Andrews was in this locality
at a very early date. In 1854 Cornelius Roggeveen built a shanty
at the railroad track and 115th street. John Brandt, John Gohring,
John Holmes, Theodore Gohring, John Ortell and Mr. Buell lo-
cated there in the '60s. Theodore Gohring opened the first store at
Front street and Kensington avenue. He conducted a general
store and saloon. The first school was started at Kensington and
Michigan avenues. Daniel O'Robinson, as teacher, was there as
early as 1853. In 1875 a schoolhouse was erected an was greatly
improved in 1880.
West of Pullman, on Thornton Ridge road, was the hamlet of
Holland, established at an early date. Later it was called Rose-
land. The boundaries were approximately as follows : Halsted
street, Indiana avenue, Ninety-ninth and One Hundred and Four-
teenth streets. The natives were almost wholly from Holland and
brought with them their foreign customs. The first plat of the
village was made in 1873-74 by John Ton and Goris Van cler Syde.
Peter Dalenberg subdivided the tract adjoining. James H. and
Arthur Van Vlissingen surveyed the neighboring tracts. All taken
together was called Roseland. Among the first settlers were Len-
dert Van der Syde, John Ambuul, Mr. Locke, Peter Dalenberg,
Jacob De Jong, John Brass and H. Eningenburg, all of whom came
from Amsterdam and Rotterdam in Holland. A man named Frink
started a butcher shop there as early as 1848. Between 1849 and
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 321
1856 other settlers were Tinnis Maat, A. Koker, Peter Prins,
Nicholas Madderom, Peter Madderom, Martin Vanderstar and
Charles Kionka. Berend Van Mynen and a little later J. Brand,
J. Snip, H. Ton and Cornelius Goggeveen settled near them,
mostly on the low land between Lake Calumet and the ridge. The
first storekeeper was Cornelius Kuyper, who began there as early as
1848. Gorris Van der Syde opened a general store the following
year. Mr. Kaperstein started a blacksmith shop there as early as
1858. Previous to the establishment of business offices it was
called Calumet Station, but later it was named Kensington, and still
later Roseland. At one time also it was called Hope.
The Reform Church in America society was established in 1848
with a membership of eighteen. They erected a building in 1849
and later one in 1853. A grocery was early established near the
church. Connected with the society almost from the start was a
flourishing Sunday school. Holland Christian Reform church, a
branch of the Reform church, was established in 1878. Zion's
church, of the German Lutherans, was a later organization. So
also was the German Methodist church, the pastor of which at an
early date was Rev. Frederick G. Wrede. The Presbyterians held
meetings early at Van der Syde's hall. Their congregation was
supplied by Rev. D. S. McCaslin. Soon after the church was
established a Sunday school was also started. The Holy Rosary
Catholic church was located at Indiana avenue and 110th street.
The parish was established as early as 1882 and Rev. John Waldron,
Jr., became its first pastor. Through his energy and capability the
congregation, school and buildings were soon the pride of the citi-
zens. It should be said that the first school started was private in
its nature and was under the auspices of the Dutch Reform church.
The preceptor in 1848 was Peter De Jong. The public school was
held in the church in 1857. A school building was erected in 1859
at Michigan avenue and 103d street. West of Pullman a hamlet
called Fernwood may be said to have started in 1883. It began with
a store, depot and a few cottages, and was slowly added to until
it became a place of considerable interest and importance.
Pullman was started in 1880-81. It was located on the west bank
of Calumet lake and its boundaries were about as follows: The
Lake, Pullman boulevard, 103d and 115th streets. It was located
on land owned by the Pullman Land association and the Palace Car
company. The first work on the town site was begun in May,
1880. Plans to construct at times many dwellings for laborers
were prepared. On January 1, 1881, Mr. Benson moved his family
to the village site. Within two months there were located at this
point eight families, and by June 1 of the same year, eighty fam-
ilies. The growth was very rapid because the company founding
the village had an abundance of money, advertised extensively,
promised many privileges and advantages, and offered other induce-
Vol. II 19.
323 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
ments, such as scliools and churches, to all who would locate there,
and in addition promised steady employment at good pay to all
reliable and steady laborers. Hotel Florence was an early landmark
there. Pullman church was erected near the hotel very early. One
of the first sermons preached there was by Rev. R. W. Blond, a
Methodist, as early as November, 1881. He organized the church
with a membership of nineteen early the following year. In April,
1882, a Sunday school was also started. The Presbyterians had an
organization there in 1882, with a membership of about thirty.
They started also a Sunday school with about sixty scholars. The
Episcopalians also had an organization when Pullman was first
started; also a Sunday school. The Baptists organized in 1882 with
ten members. Their Sunday school was large at the commence-
ment. The Swedish Baptists organized in 1882. There were many
Catholics here at an early date, but they belonged to the Catholic
church of Roseland. The Arcade building was an important struc-
ture in the early history of the village. Mr. Pullman gave the vil-
lage in 1883 a library. Upon the opening of this establishment
Professor Swing of Chicago delivered a dedicatory address. Mr.
Pullman also had a paper read explaining the reasons for contribut-
ing the library for public use. Among the early institutions at
Pullman were a Gun club and a Choral society in the Arcade build-
ing and a hall for theatrical entertainments. The Madison Square
company appeared there in "Esmeralda" on January, 1883. A fire
company was one of the early institutions.
There grew up in the vicinity of the Union Foundry and Pull-
man Car Wheel works a small hamlet which became known as
North Pullman. The works were so large that numerous employes
were engaged there permanently and necessarily. Homes were
soon a part of the hamlet, which might be considered properly a
suburb of Pullman.
The township of Lake was bounded north by Thirty-ninth street,
east by State street, south by Eighty-seventh street, and west by
Lyons. It was incorporated as a village with the above boundaries
in 1865. Two years later the charter was amended, giving the
authorities additional power. Within the town of Lake many
separate villages came into existence and gradually grew together
and became a part of Chicago. Among the first settlers were Hugh
Chittick, John L. Gerber, Samuel Beers, Joseph Oswald and Daniel
Berckie, who located near Fifty-ninth street and Ashland avenue.
A little later Ira J. Nichols, William Brooker and F. A. Howe lo-
cated on what afterward became Englewood as early as 1856. Early
in the '50s John Caffrey and S. S. Crocker settled near what are
now the Stock Yards. Other early residents of this portion of Lake
township were Milton F. Patrick, Michael Rich and George W.
Wait.
The first township of Lake included Hyde Park until 1865. An
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
early postmaster was W. F. Tucker. The office was first located
in the basement of the Transit house near which was the Town hall.
The supervisor in 1870 was Z. Colman; collector, Daniel Burckey;
assessor, A. Colvin; clerk, G. B. Thorp; trustees, A. M. Hoyle, J.
L. Gurber, Peter Rider, William Brinkler and John Tabor; consta-
bles, Patrick Grady, J. S. McElligott ; justices, R. S. Barrows and
G. T. Williams. In 1868 policemen in addition to constables were
put at service throughout the township. A large increase thereto
was made in 1873 and again in 1880. Many small newspapers have
sprung up in different parts of Lake and flourished for a few hours.
One was called the Weekly Sun, issued by H. L. Goodall, and the
Drover's Journal was another. The Lake Vindicator was founded
about 1883 by William Halley. The Daily Commercial was started
about 1887 and was first known as the Union Stock Yards Circular.
A better journal was the Courier, commenced about 1883 by Mr.
Schneider and others. Previous to 1882 there was no paid fire de-
partment for the town of Lake. At that date an organization was
effected and paid men were enrolled. The first fire commissioner
was Frank Becker, and the second John Wall.
From the start schools were located in different parts of Lake
wherever a few families assembled. In the Stock Yards district
the Fallon school was started under a different name about the date
of the first settlement. There other early schools were called Col-
man, Buckley, O'Toole, Drexel Park, Auburn, etc. Churches were
also organized at an early period. The Winter street Methodist
Episcopal structure was erected in 1887. George Chase was first
pastor. An excellent Sunday school was established soon after
the church was organized. In 1873 the Methodists held services
in the Town hall at the Stock Yards. The first Presbyterian church
was established about 1881 and the first services were held in Fallon
school building, and later at Temperance hall, at 4247 Halsted
street, and another building was erected in 1883. Later the con-
gregation became known as the First Presbyterian Church of Lake.
St. Gabriel's Catholic church was established in 1880 by Rev. M. J.
Dorney, who became the first pastor. He was full of ability and
soon had around him a strong congregation, an excellent school
and a substantial building. Before that date the Catholics had
organized at Thirty-seventh street. St. Rose of Lima Catholic
church was built in 1883 at Forty-eighth street and Ashland avenue.
Rev. Father Gallagher was the first priest of this parish, which was
set off from the parish of Father Dorney about 1882. St. Eliza-
beth's Catholic church at Dearborn, near Fortieth street, was organ-
ized in the '80s. St. Augustin German Catholic church was built
at Forty-ninth and Laflin streets in 1878. The Swedish Lutherans
had an organization at Forty-seventh street as early as 1883, and
their church was built at Butterfield street, near Fifty-fifth. A
German Evangelical organization was begun in 1883 near Dearborn
and Forty-sixth streets.
324 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
One of the first improvements made by the town of Lake were
works built to secure pure water. The engine, etc., were located at
Sixty-eighth street and the lake, in 1873. At that date Lake and
Hyde Park constructed these works as the joint improvement. In
1880 the town of Lake became the sole owner of the improvement,
and later Hyde Park constructed its own water system. As early
as 1881 the town began to spend much money in properly draining
many wet tracts. As the result hundreds of acres which previ-
ously had been under water half the year appeared permanently
above the subsiding sea. A little later great improvements were
rapidly made in the direction of good roads and streets. The most
noticeable of many industrial improvements of Lake were of course
the famous Stock Yards. They were located there at the conclusion
of the Civil war and need not be described here. The railway
roundhouse alone employed many thousands of men and furnished
a living for their families. The manufacture of brick was an early
enterprises of the town of Lake.
The Union Stock Yards and Transit company was incorporated
in February, 1865. About one million dollars was spent to put
the yards in efficient operation at the commencement. The first
hogs and cattle, however, packed near Chicago were not put up
here. Elsewhere in this work will be found a description of the
early yards, one of which was at Bull's Head on the West side,
as early as 1848. Another was at Cottage Grove on the lake in the
'50s, and another in the yards of the Michigan Southern railway.
Several other early pens were used. As time passed the yards were
steadily improved and enlarged and the facilities for handling
stock alone, dead or alive, was vastly improved. Details of this
great industrial enterprise need not be entered into here. Scores
of packing houses have come and gone since the yards were estab-
lishd at what formerly was called Brighton.
Englewood was started when the Rock Island and Michigan
Southern railways were built. It was at first called the Junction
and a few residents were living on that site early in the '50s. How-
ever, no lots were laid out until several years after. Railroad labor-
ers located at Junction in the '50s. The site of the village was
originally covered with oak trees. These were sacrificed without
any remorse and their place has been taken by elms and maples
planted by the settlers. Among the first settlers at the Junction, or,
as some called it, Junction Grove, were the Gerbers, Nicholses,
Grossmans, Wilcoxes and Daniel Burckey, who located near State
and Sixty-third streets; John Hastings, who lived at the Nichols
house; Joseph Nash, near State and Sixty-third streets; Milton S.
Patrick, at Sixty-third street and Indiana avenue; Patrick Pagan,
not far from Burck's; Nathaniel S. Clark, Samuel S. Crocker, L.
Crocker, John D. Wright, W. S. Proudfoot; Mr. Grossman, near
State and Fifty-fifth streets; Michael Riech, near Fifty-ninth and
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 325
Wentworth avenue; T. L. Gerber, at Halsted and Sixty-second
streets; Carl Dunn, Benjamin Ring, J. Darling and William Wilcox.
Later settlers were A. G. Warner, W. H. Brooks, H. B. Louis,
H. L. Kent, A. B. Condit, M. T. Wright and John Rarber. Engle-
wood formerly extended in a general way from Fifty-fifth to Sev-
enty-first streets and from Halsted to South Park avenue. The
railways were of course the means to build up this portion of the
town. Perry avenue was first called Clark street. The first post-
office at Englewood was kept in the engine house of the Chicago-
Fort Wayne railroad. Carl Dunn was postmaster and was suc-
ceeded by N. S. Clark. Beginning in 1852 and ending about 1856
eight important railway lines were projected through this part of
the town of Lake. Among the early newspapers were the Review
and The Bye.
In the '50s the Protestant denomination established a small society
at Englewood and later founded a mission. They also commenced
a Sunday school with a large membership. A brick schoolhouse
was erected in 1859 and was used by the various religious denom-
inations for their church services and Sunday schools. Even as
late as 1860 the term Junction was applied to the Sunday schools
and weekday schools. The Presbyterians established several con-
gregations here quite early. The Baptists organized early in the
'60s. They also had a large Sunday school soon afterward. The
Universalists had an organization in the '70s. The Episcopalians
were there as early as 1875. The Swedish Lutherans, the German
Evangelists, the Congregationalists, the Christians and the Catho-
lics all had organizations and all were well patronized, for this
became a religious community to such an extent that it was said
to be the "Cradle of Churches." Among others the Methodists
had a society in the hall of Englewood hotel as early as 1873. This
later became the First Methodist church of Englewood, with a mem-
bership of twenty-five. The Baptists held their first services at the
residence of Ira J. Nichols. A Sunday school was organized in
that house. Later they met at the house of E. R. Louis and there
the society was duly organized. Connected with this church was
an early ladies' society and they did much to advance the interests
of the members. As early as 1874 the Universalists held services
in the old brick Champion schoolhouse. The first Universalists'
organization, however, did not take place until November of that
year. A Sunday school was established at the same time. St.
Bartholomew mission of the Protestant Episcopal church was or-
ganized in 1872 by Rev. John Wilkinson. In 1875 the Reform
Episcopal society, with a membership of twenty, was organized by
Rev. M. F. McCormack. A building was erected in about 1882.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church was started in 1875 with
fourteen members. St. Annes' Catholic church was organized in
1869 by Rev. Thomas Kelley. However, the Catholics had held
326 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
occasional services at Englewood as early as 1860, the services being
conducted by missionaries from Chicago societies. The Catholics
in 1869 purchased the old Jewish synagogue at Harrison street and
Third avenue and moved it to the corner of Wentworth avenue and
Thirty-fifth street and dedicated it formally as a Catholic church.
This was the foundation of the present large congregation at Fifty-
fifth. Rev. P. M. Flannigan was long the pastor of this church
and did more than any other person to make it one of the strongest
in this portion of the city. The school he established was and is
largely attended. Schools were taught at Englewood as early as
1854. The large brick schoolhouse built in 1859 served the purpose
of the inhabitants for a number of years. The Englewood Female
college was founded in 1868, but owing to some misunderstanding
the project was dropped and the Englewood High school was built
in 1873. Numerous secret societies have held forth in this portion
of the county. The Union Veteran club was organized about 1880.
Soon the Soldiers' Memorial association was organized. In 1875
the town authorities empowered the Chicago City Railway company
to lay tracks on State street. Thus the line was extended to Sixty-
third street.
Among those who first located at South Englewood were Henry
M. Eisle, Merrill Oren, Asa Kyle, Mathias Schmidt, Capt. Spink,
George Schultz, Peter Draligan, Fritz Grimwade, Deercup, Dun-
ning and others. Junction Grove was the railway junction proper
near the same. About a mile or a mile and a half south was South
Englewood on the Rock Island railway. Between them was Nor-
malville, or Normal, as it was later called. In 1865 a schoolhouse
was built at South Englewood, where the pickle factory was after-
ward located. In 1882 a substantial school building was erected
at Eighty-seventh street. The Methodists, Baptists and Catholics
had an early organization in this suburb. Other religious societies
have also sprung up there in recent years. The first plat of South
Englewood applied that name to the site. Formerly it was called
Cummorn. Those who platted South Englewood were Messrs.
Newman, Hill, Cole, Cecil and Givens. The original owners of the
land there were W. B. Ogden and Dr. C. V. Dyer. In 1882 a tract
west of the Rock Island railway was platted by Mr. Schmidt. Later
other additions were laid out.
Normalville, or Normal, was applied to that portion of the town
of Lake bounded by Sixty-fifth and Seventy-first streets. It occu-
pied the higher tract of lands and accordingly was chosen as the
site of the Normal school. The first postoffice was established in
1872, with Mr. McClintock postmaster. The first business estab-
lishments there were the grocery store of Huse and Dahlgren and
the drug store by Dr. Arnold. There was little settlement there
prior to 1871. Among the first residents were William Benedict,
Dr. Arnold, L. W. Beck, F. Benton, Thomas Edwards, Luce
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 327
Hicks and others. Over on Webster avenue were the families of
Brennan, Huse and Nurse, and one on Vincennes road was the
Kimball family. East of Normal was Peter Draligan ; a few other
small houses were there at an early date. In 1865-66 County Super-
intendent John E. Eberhart found much fault with the methods of
instruction in vogue throughout Cook county. For a number of
years he had served most efficiently in his important position, and
had done everything practicable to advance the interests of schools
and to improve the methods of instruction. There was throughout
the county a singular apathy to school attendance, as shown even
in Chicago, where very often there were more children of school
age outside of the schools than in them. This condition of things
led to the demand for a normal school in this county. It was felt
that with better teachers there would be better schools, as they
would create an interest in time. In 1866 Professor Eberhart
recommended the experiment of a training school in the county.
His recommendation was indorsed by the state superintendent, and
in December of that year a committee appointed to investigate the
subject reported in favor of the construction of a county normal
and training school. The next spring the Board of Supervisors
formally commenced on the plan of constructing such a building
and putting it in operation. At times there was numerous appli-
cations from villages for the location of this institution. Among
others Lyons, Harlem, Richton, Blue Island, and Englewood put in
strong bids to secure the prize. In September, 1867, Blue Island
was selected, and in September of that year the first normal session
held in the county was conducted in that suburb by Prof. D. S.
Wentworth and others. When it came to securing a permanent
location the question was submitted to the vote of the county super-
visors. Englewood won with twenty-five votes; Blue Island re-
ceived thirteen and Norwood nine. The citizens of Englewood
raised $25,000 and donated a tract of twenty acres, the latter coming
from Mr. L. W. Beck. The building cost, when erected, nearly
$100,000. Professor Wentworth was the first principal. Francis
W. Parker later headed the institution and became a strong factor
in the educational field of Cook county, owing to his advanced
ideas along educational lines. Since then the school has grown and
flourished, although in later years, owing to the superior conduct
and management of the grammar and high schools, its usefulness
has to some extent been curtailed.
The tract surrounding the Normal school became called Beck
park, from the donor, Mr. Beck. South Lynn was located at Sixty-
third and Sixty-seventh streets, near Ashland avenue, about 1870.
They had a school but no church. Auburn was established at Wal-
lace and Seventy-sixth streets, on the Rock Island railway, in 1872,
and has become one of the strongest suburbs of the city. The Ab-
bott Buggy and Carriage manufactory was a prominent industrial
328 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
feature here. The postoffice there was first known as Cummorn,
and was established in 1850, with Mr. Schafer postmaster. The
postoffice was at first in the old Ten-Mile house kept by Mr. Schafer.
The first school there was built in 1876. South Brighton was an-
other suburb at Thirty-ninth and Forty-third and Western ave-
nue. Arnoldsville was a small place near the Stock Yards.
The township of Lyons was settled at an early date. Probably
the first settlers near here were David and Barney Laughton, who
located at Bourbon Springs, Riverside, about 1828. At that date
no settlers were nearer than Chicago and the country was a wilder-
ness owned by the Indians and filled with wild animals. Another
early settler near was Stephen Forbes, who later became sheriff
of the county. Stephen White arrived about 1830, but did not settle
permanently until ten years later. Among the first settlers near
here were Russell E. Heacock, Edmund Polk, Samuel Marrs, John
Jay, Thomas Flaherty, George W. Beebe, Thomas Butcher, Mr.
Wilson, James McClintock, Elijah Wentworth, Joseph Evans,
Henry Carrington, J. Vial, Mr. Brown and others. An early tavern
was kept at Mount Pleasant by Joseph Evans. Joshua Sackett oc-
cupied a log house at the village of Lyons at an early date. Colonel
Witt was another early resident. Doubtless these men were induced
to locate in this vicinity thus early by the prospect of the early con-
struction of the canal. In 1834 there was a large addition to the
settlement. Schools were started probably as early as 1834, and no
doubt religious services were held about the same time.
In 1850 the township was organized as a town under the new
law. A total of seventy-one votes were polled. The first men voted
for and the first officers elected were as follows: Samuel Mars,
supervisor, 71 ; William Carrington, town clerk, 20; James Michie,
town clerk, 47; Ebenezer Eaton, assessor, 71 ; Alfred Ward, collec-
tor, 45; James Kerr, collector, 20; Theodorus Doty, overseer of
poor, 67 ; Theodorus Doty, commissioner of highways, 65 ; Pat
Doyle, commissioner of highways, 66; R. B. Heacock, commis-
sioner of highways, 68; W. D. Knapp, justice of the peace, 29;
James Michie, justice of the peace, 40; Alfred Ward, constable,
42; Michael Upton, constable, 66; James Kerr, constable, 18;
George Jeffry, constable, 7; George Jeffry, collector, 3.
The first schoolhouse in the township was built in 1843. and
Margaret McNaughton was the first teacher. Early in the '40s a
bridge across the Des Plaines river at Summit was built by Rus-
sell Heacock.
The village of Lyons is on the line of Thirty-ninth street (Chi-
cago) extended. It was first started about 1831-2. Probably the
first settler on the village site was Edmund Polk and his two sons,
Henry H. and Wesley. They arrived about the year 1833 and
erected a log house and were soon joined by others. Joshua Sackett
erected a house in Lyons village at an early date. Theodorus Doty
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 329
occupied the Sackett dwelling and at a little later date transformed
the same into a hotel. He was succeeded by Mr. Webster. This
hotel was on the well traveled Naperville road. The latter was first
called the Brush Hill road and later Barry Point road. It was
later a continuation of the Southwestern Plank road, which is
now Ogden avenue. The first schoolhouse in the village of Lyons
was erected by Theodorus Doty, the teacher's name being Miss
Ellen Storrs. The old frame schoolhouse did duty for many years
both as a schoolhouse and church. The Catholics were early in
this part of the county. They had an organization at Lyons and
one at Summit at a very early date. The Germans also established
a Lutheran congregation here soon afterward.
In 1850 the postoffice of Lyons was established with S. White
postmaster. The growth of the village was slow. Schools, churches
and business houses put in their appearance as settlers arrived
and demanded the same. The village of Summit is also an old
one. It flourished greatly during the early canal period from 1836
to 1839. The first building there was the stage ranch and later
a hotel was built. The canal laborers brought their families there
and the population, though perhaps transient, was considerable late
in the '30s and early in the '40s. The Democratic party in early
times could always rely upon Summit for a substantial majority.
Mr. Heacock was there as early as 1838. Dr. John T. Temple was
there as early as 1836. Among the other early residents of the
township were William Brown, John Maher, Patrick Doyle, Michael
Murphy, Daniel Sweenie, Larry Haffey, Dennis Doyle, Dennis
Coghlan, John Kirk, John Murray, John Healy and others. Thomas
Butcher for a time kept the old stage tavern. The stage line was
operated by Frink & Walker. As early as 1846 school was taught
in Summit, and about the same time religious services were held
there. In 1840 Mr. Osterhold conducted a tavern at Summit. John
Wentworth had a country seat at Summit in early times. He had
fine cattle and other stock with a pedigree. The great industry of
Summit is the stone business in all its varieties.
Mount Forest, distant seventeen miles from Chicago, is a hamlet
established at a later date. Settlers, however, were there in early
times. William Cronin was an early resident of Mount Forest.
Others were H. W. Fowler and H. S. Dietrick. A small newspaper
called New Era was there about 1881. The hamlet slowly grew
in population and improvement until it became one of the popular
resorts of the county.
La Grange is often called the garden spot of Cook county. The
soil in this vicinity is excellent. The site is well drained and after
the village first started the growth was rapid and the residents were
of the best class. West Lyons was near it. Kensington Heights was
the name applied to this vicinity in early times. Robert Leitch was
one of the first settlers in this community and located here probably
330 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
about 1840. It was the only place between Lyons and Brush Hill.
The Chicago and Dixon road was one of the first highways through
the town. The depot at West Lyons was established in 1868. The
first school at La Grange is said to have been taught in 1852-53
by Miss Gertrude Smith. Samuel Vial and family located in this
town in 1834. Afterward he was supervisor for five years. In
1879 La Grange was incorporated as a village. The vote for incor-
poration was forty-two and against incorporation thirty-four. The
high school at La Grange is one of the most successful and satis-
factory in the county. The Emanuel Episcopal church was estab-
lished about 1875. In 1882 the Congregationalists had a strong
organization there. About the same time the Baptist society was
organized and met in Masonic hall.
Western Springs is a small village in the northwestern corner of
Lyons township. It derived its name from mineral springs in that
vicinity. The Willow Springs association were probably the found-
ers of the village. Schools and churches as well as stores and shops
were built early in the '70s. Flag Creek was the name applied to a
small hamlet in that vicinity. Along this creek many settlers located
at a very early date and the term was applied to one of the first
precincts of Cook county. Elijah Wentworth's tavern was an early
feature of this township. Political meetings were held here at a
very early date instead of at Chicago. The reason for coming here
with county conventions was probably to get away from Chicago
influences. A schoolhouse was built at Flag Creek as early as
1831-32. Early meetings were held there by Rev. Isaac T. Hinton
and Elder Powell. Joseph Vial was one of the first settlers in this
portion of the county. He owned a tavern at Flag Creek as early
as 1833.
Calumet town was created in 1862 and the first election was held
at the store of Gorris Van der Syde in Washington Heights Of
this meeting Benjamin Sanders served as moderator and O. G.
Kyle as clerk. Thomas C. Morgan was first supervisor. Albert
Krueger, clerk ; T. F. McClintock, assessor ; Charles Ellfieldt, col-
lector; George Luctemeyer and A. B. Wheeler, justices. At first the
town included Worth, but later the latter was set off and given an
independent organization. In the original Calumet town were the
villages of Blue Island, Washington Heights, Morgan Park and
several others established at a later date.
The settlement at Blue Island was one of the earliest in the
county. As early as 1835 settlers located on what is at this date
the town site of Blue Island. Peter Barton platted the village and
he was soon followed by other residents. It is said that Peter
Barton kept a store on Western avenue as early as 1837. Norman
Rexford was another early resident of this locality. Jermanicus
Cally was here as early as 1839. Horus Mann, Carlton Wadhams
and others were early residents. Blue Island received its name
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 331
from the fact that it was a high strip of land mostly covered with
timber standing about five or six feet above the low prairie which
surrounded it. It thus had the appearance from a distance of an
island. Norman Rexford settled at the upper side of the island in
1835. He was really the first settler on the present site of Blue
Island. Stephen Jones was another early settler of this vicinity.
John Britton was here as early as 1837 and kept a blacksmith shop.
Henry Robinson platted a part of Blue Island at an early date,
as did also Carlton Wadhams. Mr. Rexford kept the Blue Island
house, which was well known in early years. Even as late as 1850
deer could be killed within a few miles of Blue Island. Early in the
'40s Richard Bingle settled not far from the place. Benjamin
Sanders was a resident quite early. In 1838 Norman Rexford be-
came postmaster there. He was succeeded by Henry Robinson and
others. The village of Blue Island was not organized until after
the Civil war. At that date the township of Calumet was reorgan-
ized. In 1872 the question was again revived of organizing the
village. A petition was duly presented to the County Board for that
purpose. The first election was held at the house of Gottlieb Klien.
Christian Krueger, Henry Bertrand and Hart Massey were judges
of this election. Ninety-nine voted for village organization and
thirteen against the same. The first trustees were Richard Mc-
Claughry, Ludwig Krueger, Jacob Allpe, Walter Roche and Ben-
jamin Sanders. Soon after this the trustees met and formed laws
and regulations. George Luctemeyer was first president of the trus-
tees; Charles Trap, clerk; Herman Schmidt, treasurer, and Marshall
Arnold, justice of the peace.
The first public school building was erected in Blue Island about
1848-49. It stood on Vermont street near Maple avenue. After
ward it was used as a residence. Daniel Barnard, Mr. Hamilton
and Miss Perkins were early teachers in the old building. The
first Sunday school held in Blue Island assembled in this school
building in 1849. The next school building was erected in 1855
and was a much larger and better house. The Normal school at
Blue Island was established in 1867, with Professor Wentworth
as principal. At this date Mr. Wentworth was one of the prin-
cipal instructors in the county. He took part in the old teachers'
institute held late in the '50s and early in the '60s. Many sessions
of the old institute were held at Blue Island because this was con-
sidered one of the leading educational centers of the county.
At a very early date religious societies began to hold services
at Blue Island. Several of the earliest meetings were held in
schoolhouses. The Methodist Episcopal people had an organization
as early at least as 1865, and their first structure was erected about
that date. The German Methodists of Blue Island organized a short
time before with a membership of about thirty-seven. This society
embraced the district included in what was then known as Blue
332 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Island, Sand Ridge and Oak Park. Rev. T. Koppe was the first
pastor. The first building was erected in 1865. Another Methodist
society was organized in 1873, most of the members previously
having been attendants of the Congregational church. This organ-
ization began with about twenty-four members. The German Evan-
gelical Lutherans had an organization early in the '60s. Rev. Mr.
Ranniker was the first pastor. A Congregational society organized
in 1861 with Rev. Henry Hammond as temporary supply. He was
succeeded by Lemuel Foster. The Catholics had organized as early
as 1854 and St. Bernard's church was erected by them in 1861.
Father Beda, a Benedictine from Chicago, was assigned to this
church at the start. A school was established about the time of
the organization of the church. Universalists held meetings at the
schoolhouse as early as 1849. The Rexfords were among the
members. They first held meetings in Mass hall and later in the
schoolhouse. Masonic and Odd Fellow societies were organized in
the '60s and early in the '70s. Blue Island has had several news-
papers. The Herald was established in 1873 and was succeeded by
the Daily Press. A little later a paper called the Standard was es-
tablished. The Blue Island edition of the Chicago Sun was another.
The Standard Herald was conducted here for a short time. The
water works of Blue Island was one of the important improve-
ments made during the '70s. When completed it furnished the
citizens with an abundance of pure water. Previous to this date
water was secured from wells.
Among the first settlers in the neighborhood of Morgan Park
were the Morgans, Smiths, Igleharts, Lackores, Frisbies, Colvins,
Betts, Kaylors, Wilcoxes and Barnards. Thomas Morgan was here
as early as 1844; Reuben Smith was another early resident; C. D.
Iglehart was here as early as 1856. William Morgan settled here
in 1854; Benjamin Taylor came as early as 1857 and Frederick
Frisbie and Timothy Lackore were on Ninety-fifth street as early as
1856. The first postofnce was kept by W. W. Washburne. Morgan
Park was formerly known as "Horse Thief Hollow," a place sup-
posed to have been in early times a refuge or resort for horse
thieves. It was not called Morgan Park until 1869, at which date
streets and roads were laid out by the Blue Island Land and Build-
ing company. Previous to this date it was considered a part of
Blue Island. Late in the '60s and early in the '70s many roads
were laid out, numerous residences appeared, stores and shops were
opened and within a comparatively short time the community was
flourishing and prosperous. Among the early residents of the vil-
lage proper were H. G. Merrick, F. F. Cottle, L. T. Groe, Doctor
Thayer, Capt. E. N. K. Talcott, Colonel Norton, W. W. Wash-
burne, John Ingersoll and C. P. Silva.
The Baptist seminary at Morgan Park was founded by the Bap-
tist Theological union. The first steps to establish this organization
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 333
were taken in the First Baptist church at Chicago in 1860. In
1861 others joined the movement until in 1863, thirteen persons
duly organized under the name of the Baptist Theological Union of
Chicago. The institution was formally incorporated in 1863 and in
August of that year the trustees met for the first time in the office of
the Christian Times. Active work to secure funds to endow the
seminary was continued and succeeded. In a short time $1,500 per
annum for five years was secured in pledges from responsible men.
In 1866 the officers of the new institution were chosen and arrange-
ments to open the first school in 1867 were made. In 1868 the
first seminary building was erected. In time this institution be-
came one of the most popular and efficient in this portion of the
State. In 1881 the society of the American Institute of Hebrews
was established at Morgan Park under Dr. William R. Harper.
The Chicago Female college at Morgan Park was founded in 1875.
It became one of the most popular educational institutions in this
portion of the county. The Morgan Park Military academy, an-
other noted and well patronized educational institution, came into
existence in 1873. At first the children of Morgan Park attended
the old school building at Fifty-ninth street, but in 1864 this locality
was named school district No. 5, and a house was erected at a
more certral point. The Baptist society of Morgan Park was or-
ganized in 1872 and the following year the church was erected.
Blue Island Land and Building company was an important indus-
trial organization during the early history of this portion of the
county. The present Washington Heights was commenced at a very
early date. As early as 1836 Jefferson Gardner established a hotel
or tavern, as it was then called, on the present village site. Mr.
Wilcox was one of the first to lease and conduct this tavern. Wash-
ington Heights proper comprises an elevated ridge extending from
the south line of Lake township in the direction of the village of
Blue Island. The ridge is about six miles long. It was first laid
out in 1869 by the Blue Island Land and Building company. One
of the first settlers in this vicinity was William Barnard, who had
a son William. Other settlers about the same date were John
Lynch, James Garrity, Martin Vanderstar, William Welp, Mathias
Kay and S. H. McNab. The latter was one of the early postmasters.
Sermons were preached here in the '60s by Rev. M. Foster of Blue
Island. The railway here brought many residents late in the '50s
and early in the '60s. The first survey was made in 1870. Wash-
ington Heights seems to have been a central point for the Indians
who congregated here in early times. This seems to be proved by
the large number of flint arrows, battle axes, spear heads, ancient
pottery, etc., that have been found in the soil of that locality.
In 1874 Washington Heights was organized as a village. Sev-
enty-two votes were cast for village organization and thirty-two
votes against it. The first trustees were D. S. Heffron, Isaac Green-
334 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
acre, L. Lowenthal and George Martin. In 1880 the Town Board
was reorganized under the law of 1879. In 1874 the Washington
Heights public school was established and steps toward the erection
of the new building were taken. As early as 1872 J. A. Wadhams
taught in a small building at Washington Heights. He became prin-
cipal of the new school at the time it was started.
Bethany Union church was established at Washington Heights
as early as 1872, and Rev. J. B. Dreer was the first pastor. In the
'70s the convent of Our Lady and Church of the Sacred Heart
was located at the junction near Washington Heights. The Cath-
olic church was founded in 1874 by Rev, Father Sweetberth. The
German Lutheran Zion congregation was founded in 1874 and the
Evangelical Lutheran Trinity church in 1881. Early schools taught
in the vicinity of Washington Heights were those conducted by
Lucy Gorton on Ninety-fifth street. Miss L. Myrick of Blue
Island taught in this locality.
That portion of Washington Heights where Mr. Morgan settled
was formerly called Upwood. Mr. Morgan bought the land of
Mr. Blackstone. The villages of Oak Lawn and Worth were located
in Worth township. Oak Lawn and Oak Park were indiscrimi-
nately applied to the same place in early times. Before the town-
ships were organized in 1850 York precinct included the townships
of Worth, Bremen, Palos, Orland and Lemont. Worth township
was organized in 1850 at the house of Mr. Wadhams. The first
supervisor was F. Chamberlin; clerk, C. D. Robinson; assessor,
John Wilcox; collector, S. D. Huntington; justices, H. S. Rex-
ford and Christian Duensing.
The first settler in Orland township arrived about the year 1834.
In that year Henry Taylor settled on Section 15, but did not remain
long. In 1836 Thomas Hardy settled in the township. William
and Ichabod Myrick settled on Section 6 about the year 1844.
George H. Newman arrived the following year and the same time
Fergus Dickson came and erected a residence. Among those who
came later were Alonson St. Clair, Joseph Ward, William Jack-
son, Thomas Cooper, Frederick Kimmel, and Amos Parmalee.
Still later came William Hewsin, William Sippel, George Brandon,
Alonzo Briggs, Henry Reed, and others. The first postoffice was
established at the house of Alonson St. Clair. An early schoolhouse
was built in 1849 and located about half a mile west of the village
of Orland.
In 1850 Orland township was a part of York precinct, which also
embraced Bremen, Lemont, Palos and Worth. At that date the
township was organized under the new law. The following were
the first officers: William Jackson, supervisor; Alonson St. Clair,
clerk; Sidney S. Campbell, assessor; William Myrick, collector;
B. P. Bartlett, overseer of the poor; Ichabod Myrick and Fergus
Dixon, justices of the peace. The officers proceeded to establish
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 335
a pound for stock running at large in violation of the law, and
laid out the town into road and school districts. The first road
laid out extended from Jackson's in the direction of Hickory creek.
The village of Orland is located about twenty-three miles west of
Chicago. It was founded in 1880 upon the completion of the rail-
road. The first dwelling was built by G. H. Zahn in 1880. The
next year John Humphrey erected the second. Henry Laun also
built in 1881. The village was first platted by Fawcet Plum in
1880. The name Sedgwick was first applied to the station, but
later the name was changed to Orland. Alpine was the name of
the postoffice a short distance west of Orland. It was established
about the same time the railroad was extended through this portion
of the township. East Orland is located about four miles north-
east of Orland. Louis Grosskoff kept a store there for many years
and was postmaster.
The township of Palos was settled at an early date. The Pad-
dock family located there as early as 1834. Schuyler Brown set-
tled near them the same year. John McCord arrived in 1835. Sam-
uel Mahaffy came in 1834. A little before Mr. Mahaffy arrived
Robert Lucas, Elijah Star, Benjamin Wentworth, Uriah Went-
worth, Richard McLaughry, DeWitt Paddock, John Russell, Adam
Boyce and Seeley Spaulding located in this portion of the county.
Joseph Harrington was here as early as 1834. George Pettijohn
located on Section 28 about the same time. M. A. Powell arrived
in 1837. The first postoffice was called Orange and was kept at
the residence of Mr. Powell. Afterward the name was changed
to Palos. Lewis Bush settled on Section 31. About 1840 George
J. Lintz settled on Section 21. Patrick O'Kane settled in this
township early. The township was organized as a town in 1850
and was first called Trenton. Within less than a year afterward
the name was changed to Palos. The first officers of the new
town were : M. A. Powell, supervisor ; John McCord, clerk ; Lewis
Bush, assessor; J. P. Campbell, collector; John McCord, John
Collins, justices; George Pettijohn, overseer of the poor; Matthew
McLaughry and Mark Burroughs, commissioners of highways.
The town officers proceeded to divide the township into road dis-
tricts and school districts. They also made provision for the care
of live stock. The first school taught in this township was at the
house of Mr. Powell as early as 1838. A Mrs. Chatfield is said
to have been the first teacher. A log schoolhouse was built on Sec-
tion 28 about 1840. By 1845 the schools in the town were numer-
ous and well attended.
Willow or Forest Springs is a small hamlet situated in Palos
township. It was started about 1840. The first permanent settler
there was George W. Beebe, who built a log cabin on Section 32
about 1842. He opened a tavern and boarded laborers on the
canal. The first merchant was Mr. Jarvis, who opened a store
336 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
on the bank of the canal early in the '40s. John Sherwood had a
general store about the same time Mr. Jarvis left. The first post-
office was called Willow Springs.
The township of Bremen contains some of the best agricultural
soil in the county. In early times its appearance was beautiful. It
consisted of an undulating prairie interspersed with groves, and the
prairies were covered in the summer and autumn with multitudinous
flowers. The township was not settled as early as some other por-
tions of the county. Hollanders and Germans were among the first
inhabitants. Among the first to live there were the families of
Barton, Noble, Newman and Crandall. They settled close to the
present village of Bremen. John F. Cague lived near them about
1842. In 1847 Mr. Cague was postmaster at Bremen. Other early
settlers were: John Fulton, Peter Hopkins, Doctor Ballard, Rob-
ert Aston, and Mr. Kammeck. Tinley Park, Oak Forest, Dupont,
Rexford, Posen, and Goeselville are recent villages which have
added to the population, improvement and prosperity.
An important landmark in this township in early years was the
famous Cooper's Grove. It was referred to often in the county
records and was a central point for that portion of the county. It
was named for a Mr. Cooper. He settled here in the early '30s and
was the first resident of the township. A log cabin was found by
the early settlers and may have been built by him. At the edge of
the grove was another large log cabin, which was known as the "Old
Stage house," and apparently had been a hotel in very early times
on the road from Chicago to Joliet. During the '30s large num-
bers of cattle and hogs were driven to Chicago from a distance of
more than 100 miles. This old cabin at Cooper's Grove was patron-
ized by the drovers who took their herds to Chicago. Doctor Bal-
lard was the physician and also the first storekeeper at Bremen.
The first house built in the village of Bremen was erected by a Mr.
Swan. It was built as early as 1842. Thomas Hill was an early
resident of Bremen village. He located near Cooper's Grove in
1841 and later moved to Chicago. He was one of the first to plant
an orchard and raise fruit.
As early as 1852 school was taught by Daniel O. Robinson on
the Gilson farm near Bremen. Previously terms had been taught
elsewhere in the township. The first schoolhouse built in Bremen
village was in 1863. A larger and better one was built in 1880.
The Lutherans had an early religious organization at Bremen. The
Methodists formed a society about 1843, and meetings were first
held at the house of Frank Mynard, about three miles north of
Bremen village. Originally Bremen village was included in the
old precinct known as York. In 1850 the town of Bremen was
organized. The citizens assembled and voted in favor of the change.
The meeting was held at the schoolhouse near Mr. Crandall's. Sam-
uel Everdon was moderator and Benjamin Cool clerk. The fol-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 339
lowing were the officers elected : L. H. Scott, supervisor ; Robert As-
ton, clerk; Henry Mynard, assessor; Jacob Vocht, collector; David
Wadhams, overseer of the poor ; John F. Cague, Henry Stetter and
Henry Versner, commissioners of highways; Leonard H. Scott and
William Carley, justices of peace; William Carley and Carl Kott,
constables, and Alphonso Carley and William Kott, overseers of
highways. The village of Bremen continued to grow and became
one of the substantial suburban communities of Cook county.
The township of Rich lies in the extreme southern portion of the
county. It was settled at an early day, mostly by German immi-
grants from Holland. The village of Matteson was surveyed in
1855 by N. D. Ellwood and Jacob Rich. The first residence was
built about that time by Charles Ohlender, who opened a store. The
next year John Fox erected a residence and at the same time con-
structed a small wagon shop. John Steichelman opened the first
tavern in the village. In January, 1852, the first train passed
through this village. A school was established in 1865 and two
or three years later a religious society was organized by the Ger-
mans. Among the first residents in Matteson were F. P. Weishaar,
A. Kludenning, M. Emerich, C. Stuenke, S. Lux, H. Mahler, H.
Merker, J. Blattener, C. H. Greenhager, F. Duensing and F. Kliene.
The population of the village increased slowly as the township grew
and as business and farming warranted. The hamlet of Richton
was located one mile south of Matteson. Among the first who set-
tled in that vicinity were the Miller, Merker and Reihl families.
Nearly all the early residents were Germans. George D. Lewis
was the first station agent at this point. The village was surveyed
in 1853 by J. Calhoun. As early as 1841 the German Lutheran
church was organized in this village and a building was erected.
Rev. Mr. Kuegele was the first pastor. The German Union church
was organized in 1868 and two years later a building was erected.
Revs. Nirhms and Phein were the first pastors. Peter Pfiefer set-
tled in Rich about the same year 1849. Gradually the little village
grew, but has never become large nor very influential.
In 1850 the town was organized under the new law. The first
officers were as follows : Eli Taylor, supervisor ; Jacob Rheil, clerk ;
Walter Goodenow, assessor ; L. L. Butterfield, collector ; Eli Taylor
and J. H. Batchelor, justices of the peace.
Bloom township, the southeast corner township of Cook county,
includes all of congressional township 35 north, range 14 east, and
a strip six miles long and two miles wide, constituting twelve sec-
tions of congressional township 35 north, range 15 east, its area
embracing one and one-third congressional townships. It is bounded
north by Thornton township, east by Lake county, Indiana,
south by Will county, west by Rich township. Its surface is ele-
vated and rolling and its loamy soil renders it fine for agricultural
purposes. It is watered and drained by several tributaries of the
Vol. 1120.
340 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Calumet. Originally about one-fourth of this township was well
timbered, the remaining one-fourth being rolling prairie land. The
timber has long since given place to cultivated fields and a city,
villages and fine farms have come into being within the borders
of the township. The Chicago & Grand Trunk and Pittsburg, Cin-
cinnati, Chicago & St. Louis railroads cross its northeastern cor-
ner, the Illinois Central railroad crosses its northwestern corner,
the Chicago & Eastern Illinois railroad traverses its central section
north and south, the Chicago Terminal Transfer railroad has sta-
tions at Glenwood and Chicago Heights, and the Joliet division of
the Michigan Central line stretches across the township east and
west about two miles from the southern border. The electric line
of the Chicago & Southern Traction company traverses it north and
south, via Glenwood, Chicago Heights and Steger.
Bloom was organized as a township, with the area and boun-
daries above described, April, 1850. Until that time it was long a
part of old Thornton precinct, which for a time comprised this,
Rich and Thornton townships. The first election of township
officers was held at a schoolhouse in the Samuel Sloam neighbor-
hood, April 2, and the following named citizens were elected to the
offices mentioned:
Joseph Holbrook, supervisor; John C. Wilson, clerk; Floris
B. Young, assessor; Charles Sauter and Job Campbell, justices of
the peace; Benjamin Butterfield, overseer of the poor; Samuel
Sloam, I. S. Finn and David Millar, highway commissioners.
Members of the Wells family came to what is now Bloom town-
ship in the spring of 1833 and settled on the northeast quarter of
section 20, range 14, congressional township 35, and built a small
house on the creek not far from the northwest corner of the present
town of Chicago Heights. They were doubtless the first white
men who located in what is now Bloom. They would seem to have
got on well with their Indian neighbors, for when the Indians were
removed by the United States government to the Far West the
Wellses went with them. That was about three years after their
coming to this locality. It should be noted that Chicago Heights
includes the old village of Bloom, originally named Thorn Grove.
Benjamin Butterfield, who came from New York to Lockport in
1831, removed to the Bloom neighborhood in 1834. In 1835
Samuel Sloam located about two miles and a half southeast of
Bloom. Morris Murphy came that year and was the pioneer mer-
chant there. In 1836 came John Hume, from Michigan; Timothy
Smith, from Indiana ; James Bell, from Kentucky ; and Caleb
Sweet, John Wallace, John McCoy and John Call. About that time
came John McEldowney, Jr., who took up land in sections 20 and
28, also John McEldowney, Sr., his sons James and Thomas and
his six daughters.
Not long after the original settlement by the Wellses, Adam
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 341
Brown came and erected a primitive log dwelling at the intersec-
tion of the Sac trail and Vincennes road. When he settled there,
in 1833, his nearest neighbor was a Mr. Osborn, six miles south.
There were then but three families living anywhere within a radius
of twenty-five miles from his cabin. In 1840 Mr. Brown planted an
orchard and built the first frame barn in this part of the country.
His daughter Lovina was the first white child born in the vicinity.
In 1837 settlements were made on the Brown farm by Benjamin
Ross, on Thorn brook by John Lyons, and at Thorn Grove by
John Wilson and John Caldwell; in 1838 Joseph Caldwell, C. Cul-
ver and Jacob Bowder and his family came; in 1839 Vincent Sauter-
and Frederick Richards came, and later they located at New Stras-
burg. In 1842 Christian Miller and H. Beckley came. They were,
respectively, Bloom's first blacksmith and first carpenter. James
Miller accompanied his parents to the township. He will be re-
membered as having written what was known as the Centennial
History of Bloom. Among the settlers in 1843 were Jeremiah
Maroney and William Orr. In 1844 there was a considerable
accession of settlers, among them James Pickens Farnum, Stewart
B. Aiken, James Rice, Joseph Gloss, John Little and the Dixon,
Gushing and Prestage families. John Campbell settled northwest
of Bloom in 1848. In 1855 William Caskey, from Green county,
Alabama, settled half a mile west of Bloom. In 1858 his mother,
five sisters and three brothers came on from Alabama and found
a home with him. John Holmes and Captain Finn located near
Caskey later in 1855.
As late as 1840 land around Bloom (Chicago Heights), now ad-
vanced to remarkable value, was sold by patentees at $5 to $6 an
acre. By 1860 it was worth $60 an acre.
One of the earliest land purchases in the Glenwood neighbor-
hood was that of a large tract on Hickory creek by Job and John
D. Campbell in 1838. It was not until eight years later, however,
that the former actually settled in what is now Bloom township.
Prominent among other early land owners at and near Glenwood
were Thomas Dyer, Julius Wadsworth, the Pecks Samuel, James
and Sheldon and John Finn, all of whom bought ground in the
vicinity in 1854 or earlier.
The primitive name of Glenwood was Hickory Bend. The first
white settlers in that vicinity were O. P. Axtell and Job Campbell,
who made homes on lands near the village in 1846. Floris Young,
Benjamin Baker, Jacob Dull and Lott Chapman came in 1847,
George R. James in 1848, and James and Orson Pickens, father
and son, in 1849, on a farm about three miles south of the village.
The Holbrook family settled about the same time west of the vil-
lage. In 1854 Thomas Barrows came. Joseph Kinsey came that
year also, but left in 1855. Caleb Sweet, William D. Wilkie, Claus
Jorgensen, Chris and Henry Krolin, George Nutting, Robert Bal-
342 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
ford, Robert Kaiser, John Wagner, Clark Holbrook, Fremont
Holbrook and James and Richard Hemmingway all settled around
Glenwood before the village was platted.
The once village of New Strasburg was settled in 1839, near the
old village of Bloom. There was a store there as early as 1836.
James Morrison was the merchant. There, too, was the pioneer
postoffice of Bloom township. Charles Sauter was the first post-
master. This was long the mail center for the southeast part of
the township. There is strong evidence to support a claim, many
times advanced, that the first religious services in the township
were held here by Father Fischer, of the Catholic church. The
Church of St. James was built in 1847. It was destroyed by light-
ning in 1870 and rebuilt thirteen years later. The causes that
made other towns in the vicinity destroyed New Strasburg. It
was a survival of the fittest.
Steger is a village on the southern township line, largely in Will
county. It is a station on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois railroad
and on the electric line of the Chicago & Southern Traction com-
pany. It had a population of 357 in 1900.
Hickory Bend was surveyed for Job Campbell and Floris Young
in 1871, and at the suggestion of O. P. Axtell was given the more
euphonious name of Glenwood. At that time the postoffice was
established. H. K. Axtell was postmaster; George H. Paine was
his assistant. It was in 1871, too, that Job Campbell built the Glen-
wood house. It was leased and conducted for a time by O. P.
Axtell and James Dull, then sold to Theodore Weiderhold, who
remodeled it and utilized it as a general store. "This, with the
postoffice store, of which George H. Paine, who is also the station
agent, is proprietor, a saloon and a blacksmith and wagon shop,"
wrote Andreas in 1884, "constitute the present business houses of
the place."
The Rev. Mr. Ball, a Baptist, who preached at Glenwood in
1848, was the first preacher who held forth there. In 1859 the
Rev. Mr. Gilbert, a Presbyterian, and the Rev. Mr. Bartlett, a Con-
gregationalist, held occasional services in farmers' houses round
about. The Catholics began the erection of a church early in 1884,
and the Presbyterians were then meeting in the schoolhouse, where
they were ministered to by the Rev. William Morrow, of Bloom.
The Catholics have no local pastor, but are ably ministered to by
the Rev. Father Welch, of Chicago Heights, and bv other visiting
priests. There is a local organization of Methodists, without a
regular howse of worship, who hold services in one of the two vil-
lage schoolhouses.
An infant daughter of Thomas Barrows, bom in 1855, died
before the end of that year. Her birth and demise were the first
at Glenwood.
The first schoolhouse in the Glenwood district was built a mile
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 343
and a quarter east of the site of the village in 1850 and was moved
to Glenwood in 1882. The local public school is conducted in two
small schoolhouses by Prof. F. Harms, principal, and Miss Helen
Ward, assistant. Grammar and primary grades are taught.
There is within the corporate limits of Glenwood a population
of about 380. The only noteworthy business place is the general
store of Fred Kobel. J. F. Miller is the local agent of the Chicago
& Eastern Illinois railroad. The Chicago Terminal Transfer rail-
road and the electric line of the Chicago & Southern Traction com-
pany afford additional railway facilities. The president of the vil-
lage board in March, 1909, was Andrew Mergenthaler. The Coun-
cil was constituted thus : H. Krause, William Krause, M. J. Scan-
Ian, Edward Kennedy, W. J. Wheeler.
The Illinois Manual Training school, originally known as the
Illinois Industrial Training School for Boys, was chartered Febru-
ary, 1887. In 1890 it was moved from Norwood Park to near
Glenwood, to a farm of more than 300 acres donated by Milton
George a beautiful body of land, with a rolling surface dotted
with clusters of trees, a sparkling stream cutting through its cen-
ter. The school derived some revenue from the county and was
in a measure self-supporting. Any deficiency was made up by
charitable people connected with its management or otherwise inter-
ested in it. The property has been improved by the erection of
domiciles and industrial buildings and otherwise. The scope of the
institution has been broadened and its efficiency has been increased.
The boys who have a home here at this time number about 700.
About fifty teachers, matrons and attendants are employed. Myron
E. Loller is its superintendent.
The training school law reaches and protects a class of boys
more deserving than almost any others of being rescued from the
depths of indigence and being placed in institutions equipped to
safely guide them in the path of self-reliant manliness. As a rule,
boys entitled to claim assistance under this act are guilty of no
serious breach of the law. Their greatest misfortune arises from
the fact that they are deprived of proper guardianship and left to
the charity of a world too busy and too careless to take note of their
needs. If left to their own devices, such boys must either starve or
live by their wits, and to live by their wits means for many of them
membership of that criminal class which menaces the welfare of the
State.
Mrs. Ursula L. Harrison, formerly superintendent of this school,
testified that she "found the children sent there to be like marble
in the rough, requiring only to be chiseled with patience and pol-
ished with love to fashion many pure and lovely characters that
may become bright and shining lights in the world. The hardest
task is to inspire confidence in the child and inculcate in him the
idea of self-support and independence. The boys are frequently
344 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
received in the home in a state of abject misery. If reclaimed at an
early age, there is enough physical and mental vitality remaining
to them in which morals may be planted and take root and grow.
It is hard for them to submit to discipline and to grasp the ideas of
moral training, but patience and kindness have brought many an
unruly boy to a halt before he plunged over the precipice from
which so few ever return. The boys brought here are trained for
lives of industry and usefulness and many of them nre sent to good
homes in the country."
Morris Murphy, who was merchandising a mile and a half north
of Bloom as early as 1835, bought his stock in Chicago and brought
it to his place of business on the back of a little Indian pony, which
he sometimes burdened so heavily that three or four days' time was
used up in making the journey to and fro. He was the only local
merchant before 1846, when Hunter & Aikens opened a general
store in the village. The first postoffice in the township was estab-
lished at New Strasburg, in charge of Charles Sauter. Later it
was removed to Thorn Grove (later Bloom, now Chicago Heights),
where Robert Wallace was the first postmaster. Among his earlier
successors were Stewart Aiken and L. Oswald.
The primitive school in the township was taught in a school-
house completed in 1836. It stood west of the site of Bloom, south
of where the railroad bridge now is. Miss Cooper was the teacher,
and she had but seven pupils. A cemetery, the first within the lim-
its of the present township, was platted at Bloom in 1842. The
burials there of Rosanna McEldowney and a daughter of a Mrs.
Noble were the first two of which any record is extant.
The name of the Thorn Grove settlement was changed to Bloom
in 1849, as a memorial to Robert Bluhm, a patriot who died at
Vienna, at the hands of the public executioner, the year before.
The word Bloom is Bluhm Anglicised, and the change was made
at the request of a number of prominent Germans then living in the
vicinity. Bloom was not platted until 1863, when a survey was
made embracing fifteen acres, including the crossing at Main street
of the Michigan Central railroad. Dolton's addition of forty acres
was platted in 1871. In Andreas' History of Cook County (1884)
appears the following prophetic forecast of the future of Bloom :
"When the spirit of enterprise now growing so rapidly reaches
further out, Bloom, which is now a happy rural village, contented,
peaceful and industrious, will realize its relations to the great city
and win hundreds, perhaps thousands, of busy Chicagoans to share
the bliss of country life. The advantages which the railroads offer,
and its own undoubted claims to a healthy and beautiful location,
pure water, rich soil, woodlands, hill and dale, tell that such ad-
vantages will not long be left to the sole enjoyment of its present
limited population."
Chicago Heights, as founded in 1891 by the Chicago Heights
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 345
Land association, had an area of 1,260 acres. The Hon. F. Scales,
judge of the Cook County court, ordered the holding of an election
September 2, 1892, to decide as to the advisability of incorporating
under the general law as a village. Eighty-two votes were cast for
village organization, none against that measure. The first village
election was held September 24, 1892. John C. Becker was elected
president; George M. Ewing, W. B. Ewing, A. Kasdorf, J. C.
McColly, J. H. McEldowney and Theodore Weiderhold, trustees;
Theodore H. Weiderhold, clerk.
John C. Becker, Dr. J. C. Ross, George C. Planner, A. J. J, Miller
and Frank Fellows filled the office of president, one after the other
in the order named, until the village of Chicago Heights gave place
to the city of Chicago Heights. The successive mayors have been
J. W. Thomas, J. C. Mote and Lee H. Hook. The latter was serv-
ing in his second term in March, 1909, when the board of alder-
men was thus constituted : First ward, Nels Widing, August Kas-
dorf; Second ward, Fred Riebling, W. H. Johnston- Third ward,
Mike Costabello, Sam Zone; Fourth ward, Joe Cercone, Tony
Reinwald ; Fifth ward, Thomas Fogg, Henry Badennius. John
Gravelot was city clerk; Joseph Gibson, city treasurer; Craig A.
Hood, city attorney; J. W. Hill, police magistrate; Sam Brooke,
superintendent of streets; W. W. Sterling, water and building in-
spector; C. S. Kirgis, chief of fire department; John Crowe, chief
of police. Charles A. McColly, David McKinney and George L.
Johnston are justices of the peace.
Following is a copy of an ordinance passed by the Village Board
of Chicago Heights in 1897, annexing the contiguous land of the
Chicago Heights Land association to the village named :
"WHEREAS, The petition of the Chicago Title and Trust com-
pany, trustees for the Chicago Heights Land association, Frank
Fellows, George H. Fuller, A. J. Miller, W. H. Donovan, H. C.
Meyer, E. F. Hoke, William McGrew and H. E. Skeele, to the
president and Board of Trustees of the village of Chicago Heights,
was on the 18th day of January, 1897, presented, praying that the
hereinafter described territory contiguous to said village be an-
nexed and become a part of the incorporation of the village of
Chicago Heights, under the act of the General Assembly of the
State of Illinois approved April 10, 1892, entitled 'An Act to Pro-
vide for the Annexing and Excluding of Territory 1 and the amend-
ments thereto.
"WHEREAS, It appears that the petitioners are three-fourths of
the legal voters and owners of three-fourths in value of the prop-
erty in said contiguous territory and that said territory is contigu-
ous and not within the corporate limits of said village, nor a part
of any city, village or municipal corporation.
"Therefore, Be it ordained by the president and Board of
Trustees of the village of Chicago Heights:
346 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
"\. That the prayer of the said petitioners is hereby granted. It
is hereby ordered that the territory described by the following
metes and bounds be and is hereby annexed to the village of Chi-
cago Heights, Cook county, 111., with its privileges and benefits,
subject to its ordinances and contracts, to-wit :
"Beginriing at a point on the west line of the northeast quarter
of section 29, T. 35 N., R. 14 east of the 3d prime meridian,
Cook county, Illinois, the same being the intersection of said sec-
tion line and the prolongation of the south line of blocks 219 and
218 for a distance of 1,001.9 feet, to the intersection of the south
line of the right of way of the Michigan Central railroad, thence
east along the south line of the right of way of the Michigan Cen-
tral railroad for a distance of 505 feet, thence south along the west
line of the northeast quarter of section 29-35-14 for a distance of
1,131.2 feet to the point of beginning; the territory described above
by metes and bounds being included within blocks 218 and 219
and a part of Euclid avenue and Main street, in Chicago Heights,
111.
"2. That the territory annexed shall be known and legally
described as blocks 218 and 219 in the first annexation to the vil-
lage of Chicago Heights, which is a subdivision in T. 35 N., R.
14 E. of the 3d prime meridian, Cook county, Illinois.
"3. This annexation is without restriction or reservation."
At that time George C. Flanner was president of the village;
P. F. Jirtle, clerk ; David Wallace, George H. Fuller, O. G. David,
P. T. Large, John Becker, Charles Miller, trustees. It will be
of interest to note also that O. A. Oswald was village treasurer;
George A. Brinkman, attorney; John Mackler, collector; Charles
A. McColly, constable ; Dr. H. Raby Bidgood, physician.
The "founders and owners of Chicago Heights," as the stock-
holders in the Chicago Heights Land association, most of whom
were Chicagoans, have been termed, were A. E. Hamill, president
of the Corn Exchange National bank ; Charles L. Hutchinson, vice-
president of the Corn Exchange National bank; Michael Cudahy,
meat packer; D. V. Purington, manufacturer of brick; Charles H.
Wacker, president of the Wacker & Birk Brewing company;
Joseph Theurer, president of the Schoenhofen Brewing company;
Rudolph Brand, president of the United States Brewing company ;
E. G. Uihlein, president of the Schlitz Brewing company; George
Bartholomae, brewer; Alfred Kohn, wholesale grocer; John Bueh-
ler, capitalist; Lackner & Butz, lawyers; Leo Fox, capitalist; Wil-
liam Vocke, lawyer; H. W. Austin, president of the Oak Park
State Bank; H. C. Hansen, vice-president of the Oak Park State
bank ; D. B. Lyman, president of the Chicago Title and Trust com-
pany; H. W. Leman, second vice-president of the Chicago Title
and Trust company; Juergens & Anderson, wholesale diamond
merchants; Joseph Austrian, of the Leopold & Austrian Transfer
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 347
company; Thomas B. Marston, lawyer; H. M. Kilgallen, real
estate; George Burry, lawyer.
The city now has an area of about 1,350 square acres. Hannah
& Keeney's addition, the Edgewood avenue addition, Schilling's
addition, the Sunnyside addition and Holbrook's first addition, all
yet outside the city limits, have been platted and put on the market,
and some of them may be annexed in the near future.
The Chicago Heights Land association was formed May 23,
1891, for the industrial development of approximately 4,000 acres
of land in Bloom township, about twenty-eight miles south of the
central part of Chicago. From the day of its organization Charles
H. Wacker has been its president and treasurer, and during most of
the time Rudolf Brand has been its vice-president and Francis
Lackner its secretary. These gentlemen and Leo Fox and George
Burry constitute its board of directors. Since 1892 M. H. Kil-
gallen has been its general manager. With weekly meetings of
the board of directors the work originally mapped out has been
carried on tenaciously and aggressively, yet always conservatively,
in the face of many inevitable obstacles and disappointments. As
a result, Chicago Heights is a thriving manufacturing center with
fifty-eight diversified industrial establishments, many of them man-
ufactures, supporting a population of nearly 15,000, where,
eighteen years ago, there was a quiet farming community of per-
haps 150 people. It is the fixed policy of the association not to
make the growth and prosperity of the city dependent upon any one
line of industry.
List of industries: A. B. Fireproofing company, manufacturers;
American Brake Shoe & Foundry company, manufacturers; Amer-
ican Car & Equipment company, manufacturers; American Stove
Board company, manufacturers; William H. Andrus & Co., dry
colors; Fred H. Ayer, general machine shop; Baldwin Piano com-
pany, see Hamilton Organ & Piano company ; Beebe Box company,
box factory; Bonnet, Nance Stove company, manufacturers;
Builders' Brick company, brick yard ; Caldwell Coal company, coal
yard; Otto Canedy Manufacturing company, manufacturers;
Chalmers & Williams, manufacturers; Chicago Color & Chemical
company, manufacturers ; Chicago Heights Boiler Works, manufac-
turers; Chicago Heights Coal company, retail coal yard; Chicago
Heights Iron & Metal company, scrap iron ; Chicago Heights Lum-
ber company, retail lumber company; Columbia Tool Steel com-
pany, manufacturers; Diamond Braiding Mills, manufacturers;
Planner & Fellows Lumber company, retail lumber company ; Funk
Brothers Manufacturing company, manufacturers; General Chemi-
cal company, manufacturers ; Gordon Iron company, scrap iron ;
C. H. Hall & Co., dyeing; Hamilton Organ & Piano company,
manufacturers; Hartwell Brothers, manufacturers; Hessler &
Maier, metal heating contractors; Hicks Locomotive works, manu-
348 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
facturers; Hicks Car Works, manufacturers; Inland Steel com-
pany, manufacturers; Kennicott Water Softener company, manu-
facturers ; King & Andrews company, manufacturers ; Lalor Road
Cart company, manufacturers; J. F. Leising & Co., building ma-
terial ; Ludowici-Celadon company, manufacturers tiles ; Morden
Frog & Crossing Works, manufacturers ; National Brick company,
brick yard ; North Shore Electric company, power house ; People's
Coal company, coal yard ; Phoenix Fire Extinguisher company, see
King & Andrews company ; Quaker Manufacturing company, man-
ufacturers ; Sauter Coal company, retail coal yard ; Sheldon, Foster
Glass company, manufacturers ; Standard Oil company, oil depot ;
Victor Chemical company, manufacturers; Montgomery Ward &
Co., manufacturers vehicles; Weber, Costello, Fricke & Co., manu-
facturers school supplies; Wood, Smith & Co., manufacturers;
Jos. Joseph & Brothers company, rails and railway supplies; Mon-
arch Motor Car company, automobiles; Calumet Steel company,
Humane Horse Collar company, Hauser Shade Cloth company,
Inter-Ocean Steel company, Paraffine Paint company, Standard
Varnish company, Economy Wall Paper company.
In addition to the plants already in operation, the following com-
panies have purchased land and are constructing factory buildings :
The Standard Varnish company, the Paraffine Paint company, and
the Inter-Ocean Steel company, the latter occupying a tract of
eighty acres and planning a plant costing $1,500,000. In addition
to splendid transportation facilities, close proximity to and direct
connection with the coal fields of Illinois and Indiana and low
water taxes, the most attractive feature of Chicago Heights as a
manufacturing center is a local switch line, constructed by the
association. This connects every factory, by its own switch, with
the various railroads entering the city and keeps five modern switch
engines constantly running from and to the connecting railroad
lines.
There are at Chicago Heights approximately 2,000 residence and
business buildings, about 250 of which are brick or stone structures.
The federal government has purchased a site upon which will be
erected, in the near future, a postoffice building costing $50,000.
The city has a local street railway line and two interurban roads.
The latter are the line of the Chicago & Southern Traction com-
pany, running north and south, and the line of the Joliet & South-
ern Traction company, running east and west. It iias a complete
system of sewers, and a modern sceptic plant for the disposal of
sewage is nearly completed. The principal streets are paved with
brick or macadam, and a majority of the streets are bordered by
cement sidewalks.
The policy of the land association has been to keep the factory
district segregated from the residential part of the town, and as
a result practically all the factories are located on the so-called
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 349
"East Side." The residence and business portion of the city, the
so-called "West Side," is adjacent to wooded and picturesque ra-
vines and natural beautiful scenery, affording healthful and attrac-
tive locations for fine residences. To justify the prophecy of a
continued healthy and rapid growth of this busy manufacturing
center, it is only necessary to refer to its past history and its pres-
ent undeveloped assets. The value of the ground has risen, in
eighteen years, from $100 an acre to $300 a front foot for lots
on the principal business streets. The factories already located at
Chicago Heights, judging by actual conditions in older towns,
would, in course of time, support a population of not less than
50,000, and additional factories are coming fast.
According to the published testimony of some of the early set-
tlers at Bloom, the first preaching in the vicinity was by the Rev.
J. W. Morrison, a traveling minister from South Carolina. He
held meetings in the neighborhood at stated intervals and tried,
but failed, to plant a church. The Presbyterian church at Bloom
was probably the first religious society organized in what is now
Bloom township. The Rev. John McMaster was its organizer, in
1843, and its constituent members numbered twenty-five. A church
edifice was built in 1845, which long since gave place to a more
modem successor. Following is a brief mention of the principal
churches in Chicago Heights in 1909: First Presbyterian, Chicago
road and Twenty-first street, Rev. J. Budman Fleming, minister;
First Baptist, Otto boulevard and Fifteenth street, Rev. S. P.
Mahoney, pastor; First Methodist Episcopal, Sixteenth and Oak
streets, Rev. G. F. Rassweiler, pastor (has branches on Portland
avenue and at Jackson avenue and Twenty-ninth street, South Chi-
cago Heights) ; St. Paul's German Evangelical Lutheran, Four-
teenth street near Chicago road, Rev. H. G. Sandvoss, pastor;
Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel, Fifteenth street and
Park avenue, Rev. P. O. Bersell, B. D., pastor; St. Agnes' Roman
Catholic, Chicago road and McEldowney street, Rev. J. C. Welch,
pastor; Swedish Methodist Episcopal, Fourteenth street and Vin-
cennes avenue, Rev. Oscar Sundberg, pastor; German Evangelical,
St. John's, Sixteenth street and Vincennes avenue, Rev. Hugo
Weichelt, pastor; Swedish Evangelical Missionary, Otto boulevard
and Fifteenth street, Rev. A. Swanson, pastor; Calvary Church
of the Evangelical association, Fifteenth street and Center avenue,
Rev. A. J. Byas, pastor; Christian, the Tabertiacle, Sixteenth
street and Vincennes avenue, Rev. R. E. L. Prunty, minister;
Swedish Baptist, Fifteenth street and Chicago road, Rev. Oscar
W. Johnson, pastor; English Evangelical Lutheran Church of the
Ascension, Fifteenth street near Otto boulevard, Rev. C. S. Brewer,
pastor; St. Ambrose Episcopal, Chicago road and Fifteenth street,
Rev. A. C. Cummings, priest in charge.
From September 5, 1859, to April 21, 1894, a period of thirty-
350 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
five years, public schools were conducted in district No. 1, after-
wards district No. 170, under the management of a Board of Direct-
ors consisting of three members. The first Board of Directors con-
sisted of John McEldowney, chosen for one year; John Holmes,
for two years, and Archibald Caldwell, for three years. The last
Board of Directors, which was succeeded by a Board of Education in
1894, consisted of Jacob Kirgis, A. J. J. Miller and Theodore
Weiderhold.
The Board of Directors turned over to the new Board of Educa-
tion a four-room school building on the present site of the Washing-
ton school, and the new board found itself in control of seven teach-
ers, three of which were teaching in rented rooms two in Chicago
Heights and one in Steger.
From a system of seven teachers in 1894 the district grew in
eleven years to a system of thirty-nine teachers in 1905. During
these eleven years the amount of time and labor that has been given
to the district by the members of the Board of Education may be
appreciated in a small measure when it is remembered that in addi-
tion to the usual labor incident to maintaining and operating there
has been all the extra labor of securing sites, erecting and furnish-
ing buildings.
The names of the presidents of the Boards of Education from
1894 to date are as follows: Jacob Kirgis, 1894-1901; W. G.
Stowell, 1901-1905; E. E. Beach, 1905 to the present time. The
Board of Education serving in March, 1909, was thus constituted:
E. E. Beach, president; A. V. Edman, J. W. Hobbs, J. Hansen,
P. P. Lauritzen, George F. Kreuger, James M. Whelan, Harry
W. Green, O. F. Middleton; F. M. Richardson, superintendent of
schools and clerk of the board. The Chicago Heights school dis-
trict is known as district No. 170, Cook county, Illinois, and is
thus bounded : On the north by an east and west line through the
middle of sections 16, 17 and 18, except that the southeast one-
fourth of the northwest one-fourth of section 17 is included in said
district; on the east by State court; on the south by the south
line of sections 28, 29 and 30; on the west by the west line of
Bloom township. Its area is seven and nine-sixteenths square
miles.
The schools are known as Washington, Washington annex, Lin-
coln, Garfield, Franklin and McKinley. The average annual in-
crease in school population since 1892 has been about 160. The
average annual increase in school enrollment in the same period
has been slightly larger. The greater part of the instruction in
the schools is elementary in character. The school population is
just out of its infancy. Nearly one-fourth of the entire enrollment
is in the first grade and nearly three-fourths in the first four grades,
only about 12 per cent having reached the seventh grade. This
suggests adding to the length of the average school life by admit-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 351
ting the children a year earlier to kindergartens. It also testifies
to the fact that Chicago Heights is not a city of old settlers or of
retired farmers.
The Steger district has been separated from that now known as
district No. 170. Bloom township high school is located within
the city limits of Chicago Heights.
District No. 170 has a library of goodly proportions which, with
the city's free library, affords to the pupils library facilities far in
advance of those of some older cities.
The following local organizations of secret and benevolent socie-
ties flourish at Chicago Heights : Chicago Heights lodge No. 851, A.
F. and A. M., meets evening of each Tuesday of each month except
the fifth Tuesday, at Masonic hall, Main street ; W. G. Stowell, W.
M. ; James M. Street, secretary. Chicago Heights chapter No. 218,
R. A. M., stated convocations at Masonic hall, first and third Fri-
days of each month at 8 p. M. ; F. J. Baudell, E. H. P. ; James M.
Street, secretary. Chicago Heights chapter No. 551, Order of the
Eastern Star, meets in Masonic hall on the evenings of the first
and third Wednesdays of each month; Mrs. Alice Klinger, W. M.;
Mrs. Bertha Pannenborg, secretary. Prospect lodge No. 627,
Knights of Pythias, meets every Tuesday evening at Ben Hur hall,
No. 5 Illinois street ; Edwin W. De Voe, C. C. ; Max Verne, K. of
R. and S. Bloom council No. 134, Royal League, meets in Odd
Fellows hall evenings of the second and fourth Wednesdays of
each month ; H. L. Wichman, Archon ; Ed Evans, Scribe. Chicago
Heights council No. 997, Knights of Columbus, meets in Odd Fel-
lows' hall evenings of the second and fourth Mondays of each
month ; George D. Meyers, G. K. ; F. M. Mayer, R. S. Chicago
Heights lodge No. 1066, B. P. O. E., meets in Elks' hall, 92 Seven-
teenth street, evenings of the second and fourth Wednesdays of
each month ; James M. Street, E. R. ; E. H. Kirgis, secretary. Chi-
cago Heights Aerie No. 1059, F. O. E., meets on the evenings of
the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at Mee's hall;
F. B. Wendell, W. P. ; F. C. Deist, secretary. Star court No. 10,
Tribe of Ben Hur, meets evenings of the first and third Saturdays
of each month at Ben Hur hall ; Mrs. Anna Booze, Chief ; Mrs.
S. W. Bishop, Scribe. Chicago Heights Trade and Labor Assem-
bly, American Federation of Labor, meets at Union hall, West
End avenue near Nineteenth street, on the evenings of the second
and fourth Wednesdays of each month; W. A. Behm, president;
L. W. Asher, secretary and treasurer.
Five railroads enter Chicago Heights, two great trunk lines, the
Frisco System and the Michigan Central, two belt lines, the Elgin,
Joliet & Eastern and the Chicago Terminal Transfer railroads, con-
necting with thirty-two railroads entering Chicago, and one coal
road, the Chicago Southern Railway. Chicago Heights is also a
very important station on the Illinois Traction Company's line from
Seventy-ninth street, Chicago, to Kankakee.
352 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Chicago Heights has a large and rapidly growing home trade,
supplied by seven dry goods stores, some of which are big and
modern enough to be ciassed as department stores, about sixty gro-
ceries, several large hardware stores and many clothing, book and
stationery, millinery, jewelry and drug stores, some of which com-
pare favorably with establishments of their respective classes in
Chicago. Some of these are mentioned in connection with the Chi-
cago Heights Business Men's association. The town has nearly a
dozen hotels, the best of which offer first-class accommodations to
the traveling public. Its manufactures are numerous, rapidly in-
creasing in number and growing in importance. Its railway and
express facilities are unsurpassed and it has telegraph and telephone
connections in all directions, city water, electric lights and power,
macadamized streets, parks, walks and drives, a fine opera house
and several popular theaters.
The city's banking facilities are supplied by three staunch insti-
tutions : The Bank of Chicago Heights ; W. J. McEldowney, pres-
ident; J. Howard McEldowney, vice-president; David Wallace,
cashier; Frederick Kirgis, assistant cashier. The Chicago Heights
Savings bank; J. C. McEldowney, president; W. F. McEldowney,
vice-president ; Joseph Kotilinek, cashier. The First National Bank
of Chicago Heights; J. W. Thomas, president; E. R. Davis, vice-
president; W. W. M. Davis, cashier.
The city's religious and educational advantages are of a high
order. All of its church and school buildings are of good construc-
tion and some of them are of fine architectural design. It has a
well-housed and in all respects ample free library, established
partly by the beneficence of Andrew Carnegie. The library build-
ing bears date 1902 and was erected under the supervision of a
library board constituted as follows: Sam H. Lea, president;
David Wallace, vice-president; Joseph Caldwell, secretary; W. E.
Canedy, P. P. Lauritzen, L. A. Snyder, W. H. Donovan, E. R.
Davis, C. W. Salisbury. Miss Harriet Taylor has been librarian
since the library was opened.
There are published here two ably edited and well printed local
newspapers. The Chicago Heights Signal, established in 1888, is
issued every Thursday afternoon at 92 Illinois street by the Palmer
Printing company. William H. Freeman is its editor. The Chi-
cago Heights Star, official newspaper of the city of Chicago Heights,
is published weekly at 86 Illinois street, by W. E. Williams. It is
in its eighth volume. A city directory of Chicago Heights has
been published annually since 1900.
The postoffice at Chicago Heights is ably managed by William
J. McEldowney, postmaster, with Charles F. Kargis as assistant
postmaster. The local delivery work is so extensive as to employ
seven city and two rural carriers.
Chicago Heights is said to have a larger income than any other
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 353
city of its size in the State perhaps in the country. It is also a
pretty sure statement that its business done within her limits ex-
ceeds that of any city of its size. In 1895 it was a village of 1,200
people; it now has from 12,000 to 15,000 people, and it is predicted
that in ten years more it will be a city of 40,000 people.
The Manufacturers' association of Chicago Heights was organ-
ized in 1906, to foster and promote manufacturing industries in the
city. Its members are: A. B. Fireproofing company, American
Foundry & Machinery company, American Brake Shoe & Foundry
company, Bonnet-Nance Stove company, Columbia Tool Steel com-
pany, Chicago Color & Chemical company, Canedy-Otto Manufac-
turing company, Chalmers & Williams, Chicago Heights Lumber
company, Calumet Steel company, Planner & Fellows Lumber com-
pany, General Chemical company, Hartwell Brothers, Hamilton
Piano company, Hicks' Locomotive & Car Works, Inland Steel
company, Kennicott Water Softener company, Ludowici-Celadon
company, Morden Frog & Crossing Works, Montgomery Ward
& Co., Monarch Motor Car company, National Brick company,
Quaker Manufacturing company, Quincy-Manchester-Sargent
company, Sheldon-Foster Glass company, Victor Chemical Works,
and Weber-Costello company. Its directors and officers early in
March, 1909, were: G. A. Berry, president; Cass S. Kennicott,
vice-president; C. E. Eshelman, treasurer; D. W. Boyd and Irvin
T. Hartz. B. W. Edwards is secretary. There are about fifty con-
siderable manufacturing concerns in Chicago Heights, employing
about 7,000 persons. Factories have located here so rapidly and
in such a comparatively brief period, and the older ones have so
increased their capacity that the city is short fully 1,200 houses
of enough to barely house its factory operatives, hundreds of whom
are compelled either to board or live in Harvey, Kensington, Steger,
Crete or others of the surrounding towns. In the location of indus-
tries the most important factors are ready interchange with all con-
necting railroads centering in Chicago, prompt handling of cars
and a rate situation upon the Chicago basis. All these advantages
Chicago Heights enjoys, and the ever increasing number of fac-
tories locating here is convincing eivdence, and it is believed that
Chicago Heights is destined to be within a few years one of the
great manufacturing centers of the Middle West.
The Business Men's association of Chicago Heights was organ-
ized March, 1908, and has a membership of about 120, among them
many of the leading merchants of the city in all lines. John Mich-
alek is president; A. L. Hayward, vice-president; H. A. Hood,
treasurer; J. J. Flood, secretary. The members are: Mee & Co.,
furniture and undertaking; W. H. Donovan, real estate; the Real
Estate Exchange; John Gravelot, men's furnishings; Jirtle &
Somes, plumbing; Max Seeberg, furniture; H. A. Heinsen, sport-
ing goods ; Fordtran Brothers, photographs ; W. A. Foley, jewelry ;
354 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
John Michalek, hardware; Harry A. Hood, drugs; Charles W.
Friend, men's furnishings; the Chicago Heights Star; the Palmer
Printing company; W. J. Smith, groceries; Aulwurm Brothers,
groceries; J. C. Bradley & Co., drugs; Martin Wald, clothing;
G. P. Krueger, groceries; H. F. Thoeming, groceries; G. Berts-
heimer, dry goods; G. H. Summerville; D. S. Van Natta & Co.,
drugs; W. F. Stowell, hardware; Hersler & Maier, heating, roofing
and metal work; Rahn, Johnston & Co., builders; Adair & Sons,
coal; the North Shore Electric company; Lindhout & Lindhout,
lawyers; Phillips Brothers; E. W. Clark, plumbing and gasfitting;
H. S. Blanchard, lawyer ; the Chicago Heights Gas company ; Baker
& De Bolt; S. Klamitz, tailoring; Victor Nylund, jewelry; Hay-
ward & Co., grocers; J. E. Gibson & Co., plumbing; Kappmeyer
& Cox, cigars; W. H. Stolte, drugs; McEldowney & Co., real
estate; the Bank of Chicago Heights; B. W. Edwards, secretary of
the Chicago Heights Manufacturers' association; Otto Jaeger;
Charles Hayward, laundry; Dr. W. H. McChesney; William Wad-
dington (the Stock Yards market) ; J. Bagtoglia, wholesale fruits;
E. H. Kirgis, tobacco and cigars ; L. B. Schilling, real estate ; J. W.
Cole, paints, oils, etc. ; J. Krebs, paints and oils ; Collins & Barbay,
restaurant; Mayo & Haughey; Dr. C. L. Fritts; Paxton, Baker
& Co., furniture; W. H. Doompp, fruits and confectionery; W. H.
Kilgallin, president of the Chicago Heights Land association ; A.
San Pelipi; Hood, Holbrook & Co., feed; G. Gregory, fruit and
candy; William H. Lane, grocer; Angelo Bianchi, fruit; Carpenter
& Rettman, lawyers; W. C. Madder, constable; H. J. Wilson, civil
engineer ; F. A. Palmer, merchant ; the Chicago Heights Lumber
company; Clovis A. Bonvouloir, horseshoer; the First National
bank; J. Casper, groceries; Emil Carlson, groceries; G. R. Blom-
stadt, groceries; Marcusson Brothers, groceries; P. J. Jurgensen,
groceries; Max Verne, ladies' cloaks and suits; C. E. Sage, gro-
ceries; Louis B. Krizan, meats; A. H. Rathe, groceries; M. Asher
& Sons, department store; A. V. Edman, groceries; A. Hertkoen,
groceries; J. Rosenthal & Co., furniture; A. Swanson, shoes; Jacob
Albrecht, baker; Oscar Toll, meats; F. C. Boland, shoes.
Homer Abbott and George A. Brinkman were established in law
practice at Chicago Heights in 1870. The local medical men were
Drs. H. Raby Bidgood, L. L. Goodenow, N. E. Oliver, A. M.
Pease, C. W. Salisbury, G. F. Schreiber, -R. M. Tafel and H. S.
Zimmerman. The practicing lawyers in 1909 are Herman S.
Blanchard, George A. Brinkman, Craig A. Hood and Lindhout
& Lindhout. The roster of physicians and surgeons is as follows :
Drs. Elbert M. Barns, C. E. Cord, Talbot Gorrell, Ira Hartman,
E. G. Klingler, William McChesney, W. G. Magee, Anna Medaris,
A. Pannenborg, W. D. Robbins, Claude W. Salisbury, George F.
Schreiber, F. A. P. Smith, Martin Strand, T. Stankewicz, F. A.
Walls.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 357
The first Chicago Heights Chautauqua was held July 17 to 26,
1908. under the direction of the Chicago Heights Chautauqua asso-
ciation. Officers : W. A. Foley, president ; A. Hayward, vice-
president; John J. Flood, secretary; George H. Glazier, superin-
tendent. Directors: W. A. Foley, A. Hayward, H. A. Hood,
John Michalek, M. L. Rau, A. Aulwurm, A. L. Spindler, Fred
Wilkenning, G. H. Summerville. Committee of members of the
Chicago Heights Woman's club : Mrs. J. W. Thomas, president ;
Mrs. A. G. Clayton, first vice-president; Mrs. David Wallace, sec-
ond vice-president; Mrs. James Hood, recording secretary; Mrs.
H. W. Blanchard, corresponding secretary; Mrs. W. G. Stowell,
treasurer; Mrs. Homer Abbott, chairman literature and art; Mrs.
F. M. Richardson, home and education ; Mrs. Irving Kelley, chair-
man department of civics ; Mrs. L. C. Lockhart, chairman program
committee. It was inaugurated with the cooperation, assistance and
encouragement of the clergymen and laity of every religious denom-
ination represented in the city ; with the hearty support and financial
assistance of the Business Men's association, the Manufacturers'
association, the Liquor Dealers' association, the civic authorities
and every organization active in the healthy growth and the moral
and social advancement of the community. Attractive grounds
were prepared and a fine program was arranged and carried out.
The public interest made the affair a success. It is the earnest wish
of all concerned to establish a permanent Chautauqua with a sub 1
stantial pavilion, cottages, pleasant surroundings, and all that tends
to make such an attraction profitable and enjoyable from an educa-
tional, religious and moral standpoint.
Owing to the several towns and manufacturing centers within its
limits Thornton is one of its most populous townships in Cook
county. Historically it is one of the most important. It comprises
all of Township 36 north, Range 15 east, having an area of about
fifty square miles, and is bounded north by Chicago, east by Lake
county, Indiana, south by Bloom township, and west by Bremen
township.
Early settlers in Thornton found on the present site of Thornton
village, ruins of what evidently had been Indian strongholds. They
consisted of outer trenches with inside fortifications, on which grew
trees perhaps a hundred years old. It should be recorded, however,
that Indians attributed these remains to French explorers. Ira
Gardner in 1871 exhumed some skeletons, a stone chisel, some stone
bullet molds, some flint arrow heads and specimens of pottery.
Some of these relics may have been of French, others of Indian
origin. It has been suggested that they may have been left by south-
ern Indians, once resident here, who were eventually driven away
by northern tribes.
Thornton township derived its name from Thornton village.
Thornton village was named in honor of Col. W. F. Thornton ov
Vol. 1121.
358 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Shelbyville, Indiana, a promoter of the Illinois and Michigan canal,
and for some years president of its board of commissioners. Wil-
liam Woodbridge, reputedly the first white settler in the township,
built in 1834 on the east side of Thorn creek, half way between the
sites of Thornton village and Calumet, and removed in 1835 to 160
acres of land adjoining Thornton village on the west. The latter
property he sold to John Blackstone and Blackstone sold it to Gur-
don S. Hubbard. Stephen Crary came in July, 1835. James Far-
well settled that year on the southeast quarter of Section 27. His
title was defective and Noah Warren, who bought him out, did not
clear it until long afterward. About the same time came the Cases,
John and Sanford. In 1836 came Stephen Spoor, Christian Ran-
dall, James Barton, David Crandall, John Blackstone, Don Carlos
Berry, Joseph Milsted, James Childers, Elisha Young and William
Young. John H. Kinzie, of the historic Chicago Kinzie family;
Gurdon S. Hubbard and John Blackstone came in 1835 or 1836.
All these located at or near Thornton village. Dolton was settled
by Andrew H. Dolton in 1846. His brothers, Henry B. and
Charles H., came a few years later. At Homewood early settlers
were the Butterfields, Job Campbell, James Walker, Daniel Hood,
Samuel James, Horace Briggs, J. H. Scott, C. D. Robinson, James
Hart, Cyrus Eastwood, Joseph Gallener, William Van Wyck, John
Johnson, William Hall and James Clark. In 1848-50 came many
German settlers, among them H. Brinkeman, C. Hecht, C. Hipping,
H. Hasberg, H. Rathe, C. D. Rathe, L. Hupe, H. Schonhalz and
H. and C. Zimmer. The advance of settlement in the township is
indicated by the rise and growth of villages.
Until April, 1850, Thornton township, with Rich and Bloom
townships, constituted Thornton precinct. Its first township officers
were A. H. Dolton, supervisor; Elisha Young, assessor; A. G.
Smith, collector; Stephen Crary, clerk; Stephen Spoor and John
Milsted, justices of the peace. The first postoffice in the township
was established at Thornton village about 1836, with Don Carlos
Berry as postmaster. Before that the people went for. their mail
to Chicago and to Hadley, near Mokena, Will county. Joseph Case,
the second postmaster, succeeded Berry in 1837. The first birth in
the township was probably that of Sarah Crandall, daughter of
David Crandall, September, 1835; the first death was that of Mar-
garet Hampsher in the winter of 1837-38.
The township is drained by the Grand Calumet and Little Calu-
met rivers and Thorn and Stony creeks and smaller streams. It
was early predicted that Thornton village would become the head
of navigation. Its water power was valued at $10,000. Thorn
creek had a channel forty feet wide. In 1835 Peter Barton brought
a schooner up the Calumet to the mouth of Stony creek and up
Stony creek to Thornton village. Later Young brothers built a
small steam trading barge which plied between Chicago and points
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 359
on the Calumet. The Youngs went to California and in 1851 the
boiler of the barge exploded, killing its engineer.
The Illinois Legislature granted to the Illinois Central railroad
each alternate section of land along its proposed route, including
Section 8, Township 36 north, Range 14 east. In 1865 C. C. P.
Holden bought the south one-half of Section 8. In 1871 he sold
part of it to the owners of Section 17, a syndicate including Samuel
Delamater, John K. Romley, Joshua P. Young, Josephus Collett,
Joseph E. Young and Seth Waddens, which in 1873 platted 1,700
acres as South Lawn. Large lots and gardens were offered at $100,
with free transportation for actual settlers to and from Chicago for
a year. John Gay, the first settler, received a deed for Lots 1 and 2,
Block 50, October 1, 1874, and for two or three years lived there
neighborless, while streets were laid out and trees were planted on
all sides. He was a contractor and in 1874-75 graded the Grand
Trunk railroad from Thornton Junction through South Lawn to
Corwith. In 1880 the Hopkins Mower works and the hotel near the
railroad were erected. Later the property of the syndicate was di-
vided among its members. I. Ryan acquired the interest of the
Waddens estate. He and Young bought adjacent land and August
6, 1888, Ryan sold 500 acres west of Ashland avenue to A. G.
Spaulding, who contemplated the building of a town under his own
name. William H. Pease, now postmaster at Harvey; John De
Graff, James B. Wilson and George Stiles were the only citizens of
South Lawn in 1889. In November of that year Turlington W.
Harvey, then well known as capitalist, lumber merchant and philan-
thropist, bought a part of the East Division, including the plant of
the mower works, together with some land north; also Blocks 67,
69, 79 and 88, and perhaps some others in the more northern por-
tion. Later he made other purchases. In June, 1890, he sold this
land and much of the East Division, between 151st and 159th
streets, to the Harvey Land association, which had been organized
with a capital stock of a million dollars. In April, 1891, the associa-
tion acquired the Spaulding property or West Division. In 1891-93
the association sold lots to the amount of nearly $2,000,000, busi-
ness establishments multiplied and the population increased so rap-
idly that in 1895 it was estimated at nearly 5,000. It is now con-
servatively estimated at 6,500.
Harvey was incorporated as a village in 1891. Peter B. Lamb,
the first president of the village board, was succeeded by Thomas
McFarlane, he by Peter B. Lamb, and he by H. C. Riordan It
was incorporated as a city in 1895 and is divided into five wards.
The following have filled the office of mayor in the order named :
Jonathan Mathews, Clark W. Ranger, F. A. Braley, Frank A.
Howland, E. M. Flewelling, Clark W. Ranger, A. W. Campbell,
W. E. Kerr, E. M. Flewelling, W. E. Kerr, C. F. McKie, D. H.
McGiloroy and F. W. Gage were village clerks in the order named.
360 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
A. C. Coover was the first city clerk. Richard E. Calenck has been
clerk since 1901.
Under the direction of the City Council, the Board of Local Im-
provements, city engineer and commissioner of highways, extensive
public improvements have been and are being perfected. The im-
portance of sanitation was early recognized and miles of sewerage
had been constructed before Harvey was incorporated. The work
has been carried forward and brought to effective completion under
the administration of the present mayor. The system covers all
important business and residence streets and includes adequate
surface drainage. Streets are paved and connect with an improved
country road system which makes Harvey accessible to farmers on
all sides. Cement and plank sidewalks skirt all streets, and many
trees have been planted, converting a naked prairie into a place
of beauty. The city is amply supplied with water and with electric
light. The fire-fighting equipment meets the requirements of the
Chicago Board of Underwriters and takes it in the list of first-class
cities. The fire department was organized in 1891.
The police and health departments would be creditable to a much
larger town. A large, handsome city hall was built in 1895. The
first postmaster at South Lawn was John Fay. The present post-
master of Harvey is W. H. Pease, who as pioneer merchant and
public spirited citizen has seen the city in every stage of its de-
velopment. Free delivery was introduced in 1900. The Harvey
Library association was organized to include all persons willing
to pay 25 cents a year to read one book each week. A Carnegie
library building was erected in 1906.
The first school teacher at Harvey was Miss Margaret McKee.
When the town was platted there was one little school building
within its limits that in District No. 8, now No. 152, which was
cut out of two adjoining districts in 1882. Until 1892 only one
teacher was required. Then the "Magic City" had sprung into
living, with 655 school children. Schools were opened in store-
rooms and in the basement of the Methodist church. A small high
school was started in 1892 with Prof. J. E. Cable as principal.
This was superseded in 1898 by the township high school with
Professor Cable in charge. Prof. F. L. Miller, who had been for
about a year the head of a private academy in the "academy addi-
tion," was employed in the fall of 1902 as superintendent of the
schools of the district and has ably filled the position ever since.
District No. 152 includes the greater part of the city. It employs
there twenty- four teachers in five buildings and its course of study
is based on that of the Chicago public schools and grades so high
that often pupils from Chicago are not up to the work of their
grades in Harvey. Graduates are admitted to the Thornton town-
ship high school and other high schools without examination. Dis-
trict No. 147, partly outside the city, derives four-fifths of its
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 361
patronage from Harvey. In his report for 1896-97 Professor Mil-
ler urged the erection of a township high school building to relieve
pressure on District No. 152 by pupils from neighboring villages.
The idea, until then without coherency, crystallized in the election
of a township school board: W. H. Miller, J. A. Lawson, F. C.
Rowland, F. A. Braley and J. C. Howe men commanding the
highest respect for judgment and public spirit. Thornton township
owns an entire block in the center township of Harvey and a build-
ing and equipment worth $100,000, adequate to the need of many
more students than are now accommodated, with room for addi-
tion to the building should they be required. The high school
employs half a score of teachers and its graduates are accredited
to collegiate institutions in Illinois and neighboring States. Its
courses of study, largely elective, are laid out as classical, scientific,
English and business. Stenography and typewriting are included
in the latter.
On September 1, 1906, the old Whittier building, situated on the
corner of 153d street and Turlington avenue, was completely burned
with all its contents, entailing a loss of $30,000 or more to the dis-
trict. This was a large stone building containing eight school rooms
besides a large office. The building was well equipped with furni-
ture, pianos, valuable pictures, and several hundred volumes of
books. The supplies, including supplementary readers, were in the
building at the time of the fire. All the records of the school were
destroyed, including the teachers' registers and records of all pupils
of former years. School was postponed for one week and rooms
secured at the high school, lecture rooms of three churches, and
extra rooms in the school buildings.
Plans were immediately made for the erection of a new building,
and as the site of the old school was so small, a half block of
ground was purchased on the corner of Loomis avenue and 152d
street, upon which was erected a magnificent building known as the
New Whittier, containing eight schoolrooms, office with a large
fire-proof vault, large, spacious halls, rooms for manual training
and domestic science, and a large attic used as a gymnasium by the
pupils.
District No. 152 has now five buildings. In the last four years
the Bryant building has been enlarged from a five-room school to
an eight-room school, with front and rear staircases, making it a
very commodious building.
A corps of twenty-five teachers, including the superintendent and
a supervisor of music and drawing, are needed to take care of the
pupils of District No. 152, which has at the present time (Febru-
ary, 1909,) an enrollment of 1,030, and will reach 1.100 before
the close of the year.
The Board of Education, District No. 152, has for its president
Mr. W. D. Rogers; secretary and superintendent, Prof. F. L. Mil-
362 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
ler; and the following members: William L. Voss, W. G. Morse,
Mrs. Aurilla M. Pease, W. H. Davis, Mrs. Minnie L. Hinsdale,
and Edward Anderson.
District No. 147, known as West Harvey, the Fourth ward of
the city of Harvey, has three buildings, and employs nine teach-
ers, including the superintendent, Prof. L. A. Pringle, and a super-
visor of drawing. The enrollment will probably amount to 300.
J. H. McKee is president of the Board of Education, District No.
147, and J. D. McLarty is secretary. Messrs. A. Klaczynski, J. E.
Reuss, J. E. Fischer, E. Dathan, and Andrew Fischer are the mem-
bers of the board.
In addition to these two systems of grade schools a very fine
township high school is located at Harvey, with a faculty of eleven
teachers, including the principal, Prof. L. W. Smith.
This school has an enrollment of about 260 pupils. There are fine
laboratory appliances in both chemistry and physics. This splendid-
ly equipped building is situated at the corner of 150th street and
Columbia avenue, easy of access from the trains, from which
come many pupils from different directions to attend this school.
In 1890 A. S. K. Anderson, of the Moody Bible Institute, Chi-
cago, preached to a congregation of various denominations in a
schoolhouse in Harvey. In December the Methodists withdrew ;
the Baptists withdrew in January, 1891. A Congregational so-
ciety, organized of those who remained, worshiped in a temporary
structure till 1901, when the present Congregational church was
built. The First Methodist Episcopal church was organized De-
cember 2, 1890, by the Rev. H. L. Houghton. It met in rented
halls until it bought and improved its fine property. The First
Baptist church was organized in 1891 and its house of worship was
dedicated November 18, 1892. The Christians date their society
from 1891. Its people worshiped in the Lutheran church and in a
hall until its house was built. The Rev. James B. McClure of Chi-
cago organized the Presbyterian church of Harvey March 17, 1892.
Its first regular pastor was Rev. Joseph F. Flint. Its building was
erected about seven years ago. The Free Methodist church organ-
ized about sixteen years ago, built a church house and a parsonage.
The Academy Methodist Episcopal church grew out of a class or-
ganized in the academy. May 15, 1892. Rev. Daniel McGuirk was
the first pastor. A house of worship costing more than $7,000 was
dedicated May 14, 1893, and opened November 6, 1893. A smaller
building dedicated December 1, 1895, was later enlarged. The
Honore avenue Methodist Episcopal church occupies a fine build-
ing erected in 1897. St. Clements mission (Episcopalian) was or-
ganized by the Rev. Joseph Rushton, December 7, 1898, and its
Sunday school January 11, 1899. It received its present name in
1900. The Ascension Roman Catholic church was organized by
the Rev. J. B. Feeley, July 2, 1899; it had been a mission. The
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 363
German Evangelical Church of Peace dates from March 24, 1901 ;
and the Seventh Day Adventist church from August, 1901. A
Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran society built a church in 1906.
A colored Baptist church was organized a few years ago by the
Rev. Nathan Brooks.
The city of Harvey was named by W. H. Pease in honor of
Turlington W. Harvey and Harvey L. Hopkins, founder of the
mower works at South Lawn. It is located two miles south of Chi-
cago, on the Illinois Central, Big Four and Grand Trunk railroads,
three great trunk lines, and on the line of the Chicago Terminal
Transfer company. It has electric railway connection with Chi-
cago by two lines, one of them that of the Chicago and Southern
Traction company, by which an outlet is had over remote connecting
interurban railways.
The Bank of Harvey dates from the beginning of the town. W.
H. Miller, its president, came to Harvey in February, 1891, and
opened the bank for business in July following. Dr. G. A. Steven-
son is its president and Alfred Miller its cashier. The First Na-
tional Bank of Harvey was opened May 15, 1907. Its officers are
Frederick De Young, president ; W. D. Rodgers and W. E. Powers,
vice-presidents; David Weidemann, cashier.
Thornton village, near the southern border of Thornton township,
is the oldest settlement in the township and was for some time the
center of its population. The first white settler there and probably
the first in the township was William Woodbridge, in 1834, east of
Thorn creek. In 1835 he moved to a point west of Thornton vil-
lage. Later he opened the first store at Thornton. In 1836 the
pioneer tavern was established by Don Carlos Berry, who about
that time became first postmaster. The first schoolhouse was built
in 1836. James Barton and Caub Sweet were early schoolmasters.
The first sermon heard in the settlement was preached in 1836,
probably by Marcellus McGowan, a Mormon missionary.
The village was platted in 1835 by John H. Kinzie, who had
bought land there from Indians. He soon associated with him
Gurdon S. Hubbard and John Blackstone and they put a saw mill
in operation. Stone quarries were opened at Thornton about 1850.
The first resident physician was Dr. Benjamin Baker. A lodge of
Odd Fellows was duly organized and eventually it erected a build-
ing, which in 1876 was bought by the Methodists and converted into
a church.
Dolton, in the northern part of Thornton township, near the
southern limit of Chicago, on the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago &
St. Louis and Chicago & Eastern Illinois railways, and just east
of the main line of the Illinois Central railroad, was settled by An-
drew H. Dolton, and next to Thornton village is the oldest settle-
ment in the township. Henry B. and Charles H. Dolton, brothers
of Andrew, came later and they then were the founders of the
364 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
village. The first plat of the place was made for the settlers by
Alexander Wolcott and embraced that part of the village between
Park and Lincoln avenues and Washington street. The property
south of Blocks 7 and 8 was platted for the Doltons by George E.
Dolton March 7, 1870. Conrad Zimmer was the first local mer-
chant. The first schoolhouse was built in 1868 and Miss Bishop
taught the first school. Dolton postoffice was established in 1870
with Andrew H. Dolton in charge. A Methodist organization
was effected by Rev. J. M. Lambert August, 1870. A Union Sun-
day school dated from August 12, 1877, and S. H. Harrington
was its first superintendent.
South Holland, three miles south of Dolton, was settled by Ger-
mans in 1847. Among the pioneers there were John Kallowingeo,
Henry De Young, R. Van Vuuren, the Gonevens and the Benslips.
They and A. Zevijenberg, who came in 1850, were the only resi-
dents between the villages of Dolton and Thornton. The place
was long known as "the Dutch settlement."
New Hammond, in the northeast corner of Thornton township,
on the Michigan Central railroad, and near the Chicago & Erie,
New York, Chicago & St. Louis and Western Indiana railroads, is
a suburb of Hammond, Indiana. The first settlement there was
made by E. W. Hohman in 1849. It was incorporated in 1892.
Homewood, in the extreme southern corner of Thornton town-
ship, on the Illinois Central railroad, with fine agricultural environ-
ments, was platted in 1852 by James Hart and was originally named
Hartford. Settlement began there in the early '40s. German im-
migration set in in 1840-50 and in time the settlement became char-
acteristically German. A postoffice was established in 1852.
George Churchill was postmaster. H. Brinkeman opened a hotel
in 1851. Thomas Hastings, the primitive merchant, kept a general
store in a building erected by C. D. Robinson. Conrad Zimmer
opened a store in 1855. A company organized on subscribed cap-
ital, with George W. Morris as president, built a flouring mill in
1856. Eventually it passed to other ownership.
In 1856 George Morris laid out forty acres of land adjoining
Hartford, south, in village lots, under the name of Thornton Sta-
tion. It promised well, but the panic of 1857 finished it.
Lansing, in the southern part of Thornton township, on the Pitts-
burg, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis railway, was settled by John,
George and Henry Lansing, and was platted in 1865 by John
Lansing. Located on a sandy ridge with natural meadows on all
sides, it has absorbed a settlement formerly known as Cummings
Corners. The baling and shipping of hay produced in the vicinity
early became a leading business. A Lutheran church was built in
1883. The population, largely German, had reached 830 in 1900.
Riverdale, a flourishing little village south of the Chicago limits,
on the Illinois Central and the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago & St.
Louis railroads, is forging to the front with considerable local trade.
EPIDEMICS AND THE PRACTICE
OF MEDICINE
THE early practice of medicine at Chicago is intimately con-
nected with old Fort Dearborn and its garrison. The fort
was built in 1804 and physicians were there as early as the
troops. As early as 1810 Dr. John Cooper, surgeon mate,
came to Fort Dearborn and practiced his profession upon the garri-
son. Dr. Isaac V. Van Voorhees was post surgeon at the time of the
massacre of the garrison and inhabitants in 1812. Doctor Van Voor-
hees himself was killed under peculiarly barbarous circumstances
during the massacre. His death left the remaining troops and
inhabitants without the services of a physician. In this extremity
Mr. Kinzie performed a surgical operation by extracting a bullet
from the arm of Mrs. Heald.
About 1820 Dr. Alexander W. Wolcott located here as post phy-
sician and agent. He was a graduate of Yale college and continued
here until his death in 1830. During his lifetime he served as army
surgeon and practiced for the inhabitants outside of the fort. In
1823 Thomas P. Hall became assistant surgeon at Fort Dearborn,
according to the Army Register. Even as early as 1825 there was
considerable need of the services of a physician, because throughout
this region were from twenty to thirty families besides the soldiers
in the fort. During the year 1822, according to the army records,
one death occurred out of the eighty-seven men connected with the
garrison. The following year three out of ninety-five died. Upon
the departure of the garrison late in the '20s Doctor Wolcott prob-
ably continued to administer to the wants of the few inhabitants.
In 1828 Dr. C. A. Finley was assistant surgeon at Fort Dearborn
and was still here in December, 1830.
It is well to bear in mind the surroundings here when the county
was created in 1831. Along the lake in most cases was a stretch of
sand ridges which were dry and clean. Back a little farther were
low tracts without sand, and throughout the year many portions
were wholly covered with water, or partially so, furnishing thus
natural facilities for the propagation of various fevers and other
diseases. These were the surroundings at the time of the appear-
ance here of Dr. Elijah Dewey Harmon, the first permanent resi-
dent physician of Cook county. He had studied medicine in Ver-
mont and had later served as volunteer surgeon during the War
of 1812. He had the honor of serving as a surgeon at the battle
of Plattsburg in 1814, on the flagship of Commodore McDonough.
365
366 HI8TORY OF COOK COUNTY
There his services on the bloody deck of the "Saratoga" were em-
ployed. He came west in 1829, went to Jacksonville, Illinois, and
elsewhere, and in the fall of 1831 came on horseback to Chicago.
Upon his arrival, Dr. J. B. Finley, the surgeon of the garrison,
was temporarily absent for some time, whereupon Doctor Harmon
was made garrison surgeon and at the same time began a general
practice with a few inhabitants found residing here and in this
vicinity. The appearance of cholera the next year gave him an
abundance of work to do. General Scott arrived July 10, 1832,
and brought with him on board the vessel many cholera cases.
Disease spread rapidly, one out of three of the troops being at-
tacked, and many died. The two companies composing the gar-
rison were separated and removed to different points some dis-
tance from the stockade, where they were surrounded with every
favorable condition possible at that time. Doctor Harmon was
given charge of the sick, and of the cases placed in his hands it is
declared that only two or three deaths occurred. At the time and
afterward Doctor Harmon attributed his success to his avoidance
of the use of calomel in the treatment of the disease. Doctor
Harmon and General Scott had some differences, the former insist-
ing on treating the inhabitants outside of the fort, while the latter
demanded that so long as Doctor Harmon occupied the post of gar-
rison surgeon he must confine his services to the troops. Doctor
Harmon refused, but in time their differences blew away.
During the winter of 1831-32 Doctor Harmon performed the op-
eration of amputating the frozen foot of a half-breed Canadian.
The man was tied to a chair, a tourniquet was applied to the lower
extremity and the foot was successfully removed. Doctor Harmon
with his family occupied the old Kinzie house, where his sign was
displayed. He brought his first medicine with him from Vermont,
but later secured supplies by vessel from Detroit and Buffalo. His
library consisted of about one dozen volumes of standard works
of that date. Later he increased the number until he had one of
the best early medical libraries in the city. He made his visits often
on horseback, but usually to the Chicago inhabitants and those liv-
ing near he journeyed on foot, rain or shine. Many interesting
incidents are related concerning the genial character, hopefulness
and efficiency of Doctor Harmon. He had unbounded faith in the
future development and vast growth of Chicago. He was one of
the first school commissioners and was otherwise prominent outside
of his profession. He died in 1869.
Probably as early as 1829 Dr. S. G. J. De Camp became post
surgeon at Fort Dearborn. It is from his report that the facts in
the table below are derived. He must have been post surgeon dur-
ing the cholera epidemic in 1832, because he reports that 200 cases
were admitted to the hospital in the course of six or seven days,
and that fifty-eight cases terminated fatally. All of the cases ex-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
367
cept those administered by Doctor Harmon were treated with calo-
mel and bloodletting. Doctor De Camp reported that this treat-
ment was so efficacious that the disease was "robbed of all its ter-
rors." He came to the conclusion that the disease was contagious,
owing to the fact that several citizens died of the cholera, although
previous to the arrival of the troops there was not a case of cholera
either in the fort or in the village proper. He further noted a
predisposition to the disease with persons of intemperate habits.
The following is an abstract from the report of Dr. S. G. J. De
Camp exhibiting the principal diseases at Fort Dearborn for seven
years :
Years
18ft9
1830
1831
1833
1834
1835
1836
Totals
91
90
92
104
91
96
104
668
DISEASES :
Intermittent fever
17
18
19
3?,
19
31
136
Remittent fever
15
1
1
|
5
2
26
1
1
2
Diseases of respiratory organs . .
Diseases of digestive organs ....
Diseases of brain and nervous
system
11
30
?,
8
22
3
1
9
10
69
22
84
3
14
53
23
42
1
89
309
9
Rheumatic affections
10
3
7
3
7
15
51
Venereal affections
1
3
?,
7
Ulcers and abscesses
16
1?
9
8
5
7
57
Wounds and injuries
19
15-
10
41
19
10
14
128
4
11
f,
4
8
29
n
5
2
26
10
20
15
90
Totals
118
119
30
193
185
137
160
933
The second physician who located here permanently was Dr.
Philip Maxwell, who also was educated in Vermont. He was assist-
ant post surgeon of the army in 1832. He arrived at Fort Dear-
born March 15, 1833. He later removed to Wisconsin. Other
physicians who were here during the '30s were : Dr. Edmund S.
Kimberly, Dr. John T. Temple, Dr. Henry Clarke, Dr. William B.
Egan, Dr. John W. Eldridge and Dr. Josiah C. Goodhue. These
men were here prior to 1834. Several of them came during the
great increase in population in 1833. It has been stated that sev-
eral of these early physicians located here, not with the expectation
of practicing their profession, but with the design of engaging in
some other occupation, presumably farming. This statement was
made by Doctor Goodhue in an address delivered at the Rock River
Medical society at a later date.
Dr. John T. Temple arrived in 1833 and was for a time volunteer
surgeon of the garrison. He was credited with having made the
first autopsy and with having rendered the first medico-legal testi-
mony in court. Dr. William B. Egan reached Chicago in the fall
of 1833, and thereafter for many years was a successful physician,
368 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
practicing largely among the laborers on the canal. Almost from
the start he began dealing in real estate. He took much interest in
the construction of the canal and the improvement of the city. Dr.
Josiah C. Goodhue was here early in the '30s, secured a lucrative
practice and later removed to Rockford. Two other doctors about
1836 were J. J. Stuart and Lord. Philo Carpenter arrived at Chi-
cago in July, 1832, and assisted in the care of the cholera patients.
A little later he opened a drug and general store near the present
Lake street bridge. The second drug store was opened by Dr. Ed-
mund S. Kimberly, who likewise practiced medicine. As early as
1834 Dr. Peter Temple began the practice of dentistry at Chicago.
About the same date Dr. William H. Kennicott was also engaged
in dentistry here. Both of these dentists had professional cards
in the first newspaper (The Democrat} of that date. Dr. Daniel
Brainard reached Chicago in September, 1835. He began prac-
ticing medicine, and throughout his career was probably the most
prominent figure among the many able physicians of early years.
As early as the winter of 1836-37 he announced the project of
establishing Rush Medical college. In 1838, assisted by Doctor
Goodhue, he performed a difficult double surgical operation, which
attracted the attention of physicians and citizens. This case alone
established his reputation as a surgeon. He was master of all the
collateral branches of medical science. He communicated important
articles on a great variety of subjects to medical journals. His con-
nection with Rush Medical college is well known to all Chicago.
Dr. Charles V. Dyer, who came here in 1833, was city physician
in 1835. At that date the old directory shows the presence here
of the following doctors : John Brinkerhoff, H. Clarke, Levi D.
Boone, Eldridge, E. S- Kimberly, Merrick, Post, and J. J. Stuart.
Doctor Boone was a grand-nephew of Daniel Boone, the Kentucky
pioneer. He arrived in Chicago in 1836 and was a prominent prac-
titioner. As early as October, 1836, a medical society was organ-
ized in this city. At that time it was called the Cook County Med-
ical society, and Dr. Levi D. Boone was its secretary.
Dr. Joseph W. Freer, who arrived here in 1836, became one of
the leaders in medical affairs. After finishing his professional edu-
cation at Rush Medical college he was offered and accepted the
position of instructor in the institution. He also formed a part-
nership in the practice with Dr. J. A. Kennicott of Wheeling. In
after years he became one of the most prominent and useful pro-
fessors in the college.
Dr. John H. Foster was a successful physician in early years.
Dr. John M. Smith began practicing here in the spring of 1837, but
removed to Philadelphia in 1842. He was an elder brother of the
distinguished orator S. Lisle Smith. Dr. George W. Wentworth
located here during the '40s. He was a brother of John Went-
worth.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 369
The practice of medicine in Chicago is closely identified in early
days with the medical staff of Rush Medical college. That insti-
tution was first suggested in 1836. Its first building was erected
in 1844. The first four professors connected with it were Brainard,
Blaney, McLean, and Knapp. These men practiced much outside of
their duties at the college. In 1855 the following eminent medical
men were connected with the college: Daniel Brainard, Austin
Flint, George N. Flint, J. V. Z. Blaney, John McLean and William
B. Herrick. It was in 1859 that a division occurred in the staff of
Rush Medical college, resulting in the organization of a separate
institution, later called the Chicago Medical college. To supply
the vacancies caused by this division, the following physicians be-
came connected with Rush Medical college at that date : J. Adams
Allen, De Laskie Miller, Ephraim Ingals, R. L. Rea, A. S. Hud-
son and Joseph W. Freer.
In 1850 the Chicago Medical society was inaugurated, the first
meeting being held at Randolph and Clark streets. Among those
present were: Doctors Daniel Brainard, Levi D. Boone, Brockholst
McVickar, W. B. Herrick, John Evans, Edwin G. Meek, J. Herman
Bird, S. W. Ritchell, J. V. Z. Blaney, Nathan S. Davis and Philip
Maxwell. These well known practitioners formally established the
Chicago Medical society. In September, 1857, the German Medical
society of Chicago was organized, the first officers being: William
Wagner, president ; E. Schmidt, vice-president ; George D. Schlotzer,
secretary.
As early as 1844 the first issue of the Illinois Medical and Surgical
Journal appeared here under the management of Dr. J. V. Z.
Blaney.
The business and general directory of Chicago in 1845 enrolled
twenty-eight names of physicians. In addition to those mentioned
above the following appeared : S. D. Cornell, A. W. Davidson, H.
H. Beardsley, William Allen, Charles H. Duck, Philip Maxwell,
Aaron Pitney and D. S. Smith.
In 1847 the first general hospital was established on the North
side near Kinzie and Wolcott streets, chiefly through the influence
of Doctor Brainard and his associates. The medical staff there at
the commencement were Doctors Blaney, Brainard, Herrick, etc.
Among those connected with the Chicago Medical college in
1859, the date of its commencement, were Doctors David Rutter,
Ralph N. Isham, Hosmer A. Johnston and Edmund Andrews. Later
the following were connected with it : N. S. Davis, W. H. Byford,
J. H. Hollister, Doctor Mahla, M. K. Taylor, Titus De Ville and
H. G. Spafford. Lectures were first delivered in the Lind block at
Market and Randolph streets to a class of thirty-three members, of
whom nine were finally graduated. The first building owned by
this institution was at State and Twenty-second streets, and in
1870 was removed to Prairie and Twenty-sixth streets. At that
370 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
that time Mercy hospital became connected with it. Thereafter the
medical board of that hospital was made up of professors from the
college. The Mercy hospital was chartered in the '40s, but a com-
mencement was not made until about 1850. Among the trustees
mentioned were Doctor Evans and Judges Dickey and Skinner.
In 1850 Dr. N. S. Davis delivered a course of six lectures on the
sanitary condition of Chicago, and the proceeds realized from the
admission fee secured for the hospital some of its first funds.
Twelve beds were purchased and placed in the old Lake house at
Rush and North Water streets. Its success was largely due to
the unremitting and able efforts of Doctor Davis and Doctor Brain-
ard. The Sisters of Mercy took charge in 1857 and proceeded to
enlarge the accommodations. In after years the institution became
a Godsend to the sick and helpless.
In the '50s the Woman's Medical college of Chicago was pro-
jected. At that date there was intense prejudice against the ad-
mission of women to the profession of medicine, but Emily Black-
well had attended a course of lectures at Rush Medical college,
and being denied a continuance there, mainly through the prejudice
of the Illinois State Medical society, she went to Cleveland and
there graduated in medicine. Soon after this Dr. Mary H. Thomp-
son began practicing medicine in Chicago, notwithstanding the
prejudice against her sex. These were the first women to brave the
displeasure of the male practitioners at Chicago. Others afterward
assumed the responsibility and in time it became common to see
women acting as disciples of Esculapius. In 1869 four women
entered the Chicago Medical college and took the full course. The
great fire of 1871 destroyed the Women's hospital.
The Chicago Relief and Aid society was organized in the '50s
and during the war was particularly active, and its services were
wide and invaluable. Another early institution was the hospital
for Women and Children, which at a later date was located at West
Adams and Paulina streets. The Illinois charitable Eye and Ear
Infirmary was another important institution about this date. Their
first building was on East Pierson street. In 1854-55, during the
cholera epidemic, the city established a hospital at Eighteenth and
Arnold streets, where afterward was located the County hospital.
Frame buildings were first used, and at that time Dr. Brock Mc-
Vickar was city physician. The Board of Health of the city was
active and prominent during the '50s and later. The County hos-
pital recognized the two distinct medical schools the Allopathic
and the Homeopathic boards. Still later the Eclectics were also rec-
ognized.
As early as 1858 clinical instruction was given by the faculty of
the medical colleges and by Doctors George K. Amerman and J. P.
Ross, who devoted considerable attention to that branch of the prac-
tice. During the war the clinical school was conducted with much
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 371
success and satisfaction. Dr. B. McVickar was connected with it.
It was through the efforts mainly of Doctors Ross and Amerman
that the Cook County hospital service was reorganized and expanded
about 1866. They afterward were prominently connected with the
institution.
In 1835 the trustees of Chicago established a permanent Board
of Health. Only one physician, Dr. John T. Temple, was a mem-
ber of same. In 1837 among the members of the board were Doc-
tors J. W. Eldridge and Daniel Brainard. The next year Dr. E. S.
Kimberly succeeded Dr. Brainard, and in 1841 Dr. J. W. Eldridge
occupied the position. In 1842 Dr. W. B. Egan became city physi-
cian, and Austin Smith, who was city marshal, was appointed his
assistant. The position of city physician was afterward filled by
the following physicians : Philip Maxwell, Henry S. Huber, A. B.
Boone, A. B. Palmer, Brock McVickar, I. Lynn, Gerhard Paoli,
William Wagner and Lucien P. Cheney. The latter held the posi-
tion for thirteen years, until 1874. In 1867 the Health department
was severed from the Police department and placed under the man-
agement of the Board of Health. At this date a sanitary superin-
tendent was the executive officer. The Board of Health at this
time was composed of the following doctors : H. A. Johnson, J. H.
Ranch and William Wagner, besides several citizens. Doctor Rauch
was sanitary superintendent and Dr. H. S. Hahn city physician.
The sanitary condition since that date has invariably been taken
into consideration.
The transfer of the Health department to the control and man-
agement of the mayor and police in 1860 encountered the emphatic
protest of every leading medical man in the city. The Chicago
Medical society likewise protested against the procedure. In 1876
the City Council abolished the Board of Health and created a com-
missioner of health and made provision for a corps of sanitary in-
spectors as well as a registrar of civil statistics. The act of 1881
placed under the supervision of the health commissioner the sani-
tary condition of the factories, shops, etc. A little later it was given
control and supervision of the milk supply, the control of epidemics,
management of free baths and the school of inspection, etc. Late
in the '80s the Board of Health was gradually expanded and syste-
matized. New departments were added by the city and new dis-
eases were carefully studied with a view to prevention. Probably
at the present time no city in the country has a more efficient inspec-
tion with a view to public health than has Chicago.
Upon the organization of the City Medical society in 1850 Doc-
tor Herrick was elected its first president and Dr. Edwin G. Meek
one of the first secretaries.
Homeopathy was represented in Chicago as early as 1836 by Dr.
Daniel S. Smith, who later was called the "Father of Homeopathy."
In 1842 Dr. E. E. W. Adams, of the same medical school, arrived
372 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
here. The following year Dr. Aaron Pitney, also a practitioner of
Homeopathy, located here. These three were the first of that school
to practice in Cook county. Later Doctors George E. Shipman,
Henry W. Boardman, D. A. Colton, G. D. Beebe, Nicholas F.
Cooke, Reuben Ludlam and Alvin E. Small were practitioners of
the same school here. In 1851 at the office of Skinner & Hoyne,
Lake and Dearborn streets, the Western Homeopathy association
was inaugurated. This preliminary meeting was attended by Pro-
fessor L. Dodge of Cleveland, chairman, and Dr. T. G. Comstock,
St. Louis, secretary. The committee on credentials consisted of
Doctors D. S. Smith and George E. Shipman of Chicago, and Dr.
L. M. Tracy of Milwaukee. Later a convention held at Warner's
hall and largely attended by Western Homeopathists duly created
the Western Institute of Homeopathy. At first there was much
divergence between the Allopaths and the Homeopaths, but by 1857,
as before stated, the differences were largely healed by the appoint-
ment of the Board of Health to the city hospital of joint practition-
ers of the two schools.
v, The first Homeopathic pharmacy was opened in Chicago in 1844
by Dr. David B. Smith. In 1854 the Homeopaths established a hos-
pital at 20 Kinzie street. In 1853 steps were taken to secure a char-
ter for a Homeopathic college by Dr. David S. Smith. It is said
that Abraham Lincoln prepared the draft of the first charter in 1855.
No records are accessible showing the diseases of the country
during the French occupation so far as it has been possible to
ascertain. The natural topography of Chicago, is that of a flat,
sandy plain along the lake front, which rises to about eight feet,
and again descends to the north and south branches of the river.
Westward a vast prairie stretched to and beyond the Des Plaines
river. A natural forest of oaks extends to within a mile of the
river on the north, along the banks of the North branch.
The fort consisted of two block houses with a parade ground and
sally port, or subterranean passage to the river, the whole sur-
rounded by a stockade. It was garrisoned with fifty men and three
pieces of artillery.
Surgeon Forry, who, under the direction of Surgeon General
Lawson, compiled the first official volume of medical statistics of
the army, says : "As the bank of the lake is several feet higher than
the ground in the rear, the latter is sometimes covered with water."
"This position," says the writer, "is one of our most salubrious
military stations. According to the Adjutant General's returns, the
deaths from all causes amount to eight, being 1 3-10 per cent per
annum. Of these deaths, five are reported in the military returns,
viz. : one phthisis pulmonalis, two bilious remittent fever, and two
spasmodic cholera. Excluding the last two cases, which occurred in
1834, the annual ratio of mortality is no higher than 5-10 per cent."
The settlers were without doubt subject to the prevalent diseases
GROUP OF STATE REPRESENTATIVES.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 375
of the northwestern frontier, such as bilious or remittent fever, ague
and occasionally epidemic dysentery. This assertion does not rest
on recorded observations, so far as this particular locality is con-
cerned, but on the fact that nearly all the northwestern country,
and also western New York, suffered from epidemic dysentery.
One hundred and ten cases of diarrhoea and dysentery were reported
among the troops at Fort Dearborn up to 1829, when the post was
abandoned. Dr. Lovell of the army states :
"Dysentery and diarrhoea were the most general diseases through
the summer months and they continued into the autumn. These
diseases (intermittents), though severe, bore but a small propor-
tion to the usual pestilences of our army, diarrhoea and dysentery.
All of the army posts on the Great Lakes during the period named
seemed to have suffered from it. Incidentally it may be mentioned
that ipecacuanha was regarded almost as a specific."
According to Daniel Drake, in 1848, "the town of Chicago has
been more infested with autumnal fever than Fort Dearborn." This
he attributed to the upturning of the soil by the plow and the spade.
In 1829 exclusive of the garrison, there were between six and ten
families in Chicago (squatters). The extreme salubrity of the
place is mentioned by all the early writers, and Governor Reynolds
attributes it to the lake breezes. Work on the canal caused a great
deal of sickness, and after the disappearance of cholera of 1832,
the town was still unhealthy. Nearly all the workmen who lived
along the line of the canal were attacked by "autumnal" fevers and
many died with visceral congestions.
The first epidemic of any great extent in the northwestern coun-
try was the epidemic of Asiatic cholera which prevailed in 1832.
This disease was brought to Chicago by the troops who had been
ordered from Fortress Monroe, Va., to Fort Dearborn to take part
in the Black Hawk war.
"Cholera had prevailed," says Doctor Peters, "in Russia in 1829
and 1830. It reached England, Scotland and Ireland in 1831 and
was first landed at Grosse Isle, the quarantine station for Quebec,
on April 28, 1832, by the ship 'Constantia' from Limerick, Ireland,
with 170 emigrants, of whom twenty-nine had died of cholera on the
voyage. On May 14, the ship 'Robert,' from Cork, arrived, having
ten deaths from cholera ; May 28, the ship 'Elizabeth,' from Dublin,
came in with 200 passengers and twenty deaths from cholera. June
3 the brig 'Carrick,' from Dublin, followed with 145 emigrants
and forty-two deaths from cholera. Total, 375 emigrants and 159
deaths. There was no proper quarantine and all who seemed well
were forwarded at once from Grosse Isle. The soiled clothing was
not washed, and disinfection was unknown."
These immigrants were allowed to proceed to Quebec and Mont-
real, and although many died on the way, it seems that the exist-
ence of the cholera was not known or recognized by the authorities
Vol. 1122.
376 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
until the arrival of the "Carrick" in June; and it seems that for
some time that date was fixed as the landing of the first case of
cholera, although it actually occurred in April, and, so far as is now
known, that was the first importation of Asiatic cholera on the
North American continent. There were cases at Albany on July
3, and at Schenectady on the 12th, and one at Rochester. A case
from New York was reported on the same date. On July 15 there
were cases among the canal boatmen, and early in July there were
numerous cases among the immigrants at that port, where they were
congregated in great numbers awaiting transportation to Detroit
and the northwest. It was at this point, without doubt, the troops
became infected. The steamboat "Henry Clay," a boat previously
engaged in transportation of immigrants, was chartered to transfer
troops from Buffalo, and seven companies of infantry were em-
barked July 1. She was detained two days at Buffalo on account
of adverse winds, and only sailed July 3. The next day cholera
made its appearance among the troops and two died. The steamer
"Sheldon Thompson" had only a short time preceded her, having
on board General Scott and staff, six companies of artillery and
two of infantry. The garrison at Fort Niagara had also been sent
to Detroit, had arrived June 30, and were quartered in the worst
part of the town in an old brick building on the bank of the river.
The disease rapidly spread on the "Henry Clay" and on July 7 the
troops were landed one mile below Fort Gratiot on the St. Clair
river. "Two days later," says McClellan, "owing to the virulence
of the epidemic by deaths, and desertions among the panic stricken,
the seven companies which left Buffalo but five days before were
reduced to a total of but sixty-eight men. A large number of de-
serters from the camp are reported to have died from cholera in
the surrounding country, many on the roadside." On July 8 the
troops from Fort Niagara had the disease, and the city authorities
demanded their removal. The steamboat "Sheldon Thompson" be-
ing free of the disease, sailed on the 6th and arrived at Fort Mack-
inaw, but cholera having developed, four cases were sent to the post
hospital, where they died. On the 8th, all well on board, the
"Thompson" proceeded ; she had twenty-nine cases that day and
reached Chicago July 10 with a total of seventy-six cases and nine-
teen deaths.
Major General Macomb, in his annual report, speaking of this
event, says: "The cholera was just at this time making its way into
the United States from Canada, and infected our troops while on
board the steamboats in their passage up the lakes; and such was
the rapidity with which this disease spread among them, that in a
few days the whole of the force sent by the lakes was incapable of
taking the field. Some were landed at Fort Gratiot, others were
stopped at Detroit, while the principal part reached- Chicago in a
most deplorable condition. Of the six companies of artillery which
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 377
left Fort Monroe, five companies arrived at Chicago, a distance of
1,800 miles, in the short space of eighteen days a rapidity which
is believed to be unprecedented in military movements. The loss
by cholera in that detachment alone was equal to one out of every
three men."
The Black Hawk excitement had swelled the population of the
little town of Chicago, and there being no houses, the fugitives
flocked into the abandoned fort; but military necessity compelled
its reoccupation and the refugees were turned out into the prairie.
With the arrival of the troops under the command of General Scott
the aggregate strength of the garrison at Fort Dearborn reached
1,000 men. Assistant Surgeon De Camp, the medical officer at the
fort, reported : "Several of the men belonging to Major Whistler's
command took the disease and two died. Several citizens of the
village also died of cholera, although previous to the arrival of the
steamboat which brought the disease to Fort Dearborn there was
not a case of disease of any kind at the fort or in the village. When
the troops marched for the Mississippi, they appeared in perfect
health, yet on the way it broke out again and three died. It made
its appearance when the command reached the Mississippi and be-
came as fatal, I believe, as it had at Fort Dearborn
As the troops were very much crowded in the fort, and as the dis-
ease was making frightful havoc, I advised the commanding officer
to have the well men quartered in a barn outside the pickets, from
which time the number of new cases declined." (Lawson, statis-
tical report, etc., 1840). According to this report 200 cases were
admitted into the hospital in the course of six or seven days, fifty-
eight of which died. Those who died were buried quickly.
Brown's History of Illinois says: "The burial of the dead was
entrusted to a sergeant, who executed his duty with military pre-
cision as soon as life was extinct. On one occasion several were
removed from the hospital to be buried at once. The grave had
already been dug and the bodies, wrapped in blankets, were laid by
its side, and nothing more remained to complete the service but to
turn them one after another in, when one corpse appeared to move.
A brother soldier resorting thither, his old messmate opened his
eyes and asked for water. The sergeant said the man might be
taken back, as he was not quite ready for burial. The old soldier
lived many years afterward."
According to Dr. N. S. Davis jaundice has several times pre-
vailed as an epidemic in Chicago.
The fear of cholera operated to cause the town authorities to pass
certain sanitary enactments, the first of which on November 7,
1833, made it unlawful to throw any carcass into the river "under
a penalty of three dollars." (Report of the Board of Health for
1867, 1868 and 1869, and a sanitary history of Chicago from 1833
to 1870. Chicago, 1871.) In June following the trustees directed
378 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
the supervisor to abate all nuisances, and a vigilance committee was
appointed at a meeting held at Hubbard and Company's store. Ac-
cording to Governor Reynolds the first public expenditure by the
new town was for an estray pen or pound, which ground cost the
embryo city $12, and is a part of the square on which the courthouse
now stands. Early in 1849 the city council directed the street com-
missioners to notify the owners or occupants of any lots or premises
to remove nuisances and keep the property clean. This was in
anticipation of the advent of cholera.
"This action," says Dr. John H. Rauch, "was not any too soon,
as on April 29 cholera was brought here by the emigrant boat 'John
Drew.' Her captain, John Pendleton, contracted the disease from
immigrants who had come from New Orleans by way of the
Mississippi and Illinois rivers and the canal, and died a few hours
after his arrival. Others who came by the same boat also died.
There being no quarantine regulations, the disease was further
introduced and spread by immigrants arriving from Europe."
The city was fully aroused ; lime to the extent of one hundred
barrels was scattered on the streets ; nuisances were abated ; slaugh-
ter houses were forbidden to be erected within certain limits; the
construction of sewers was authorized, and on May 15 an appropri-
ation was made for the construction of a cholera hospital for the
poor who might be attacked with the disease. Notwithstanding the
vigorous action of the Council and the Board of Health, the dis-
ease continued to spread, and during the thirty-four days from July
25 to August 28 there were 1,000 cases of cholera and 314 deaths.
The cholera hospital was closed September 24, but it had to be
opened again in October on account of the reappearance of the
disease among some newly arrived immigrants. One person in
every thirty-six of the population, according to Dr. Rauch, died,
the total cholera mortality being 678. Nor did the scourge die out
with the year 1849, for it reappeared in July, 1850, and to Septem-
ber carried off 420 persons. It is learned from the official record
already quoted that during this epidemic the Board of Health met
every day. In 1851 the mortality from cholera was 216, and in
this year the Board of Water Commissioners was created. In 1852
there were 630 deaths from cholera, and a temporary cholera hos-
pital was erected on the beach in the north division. City Physician
recommended a more adequate supply of lake water and stated the
necessity for better drainage. There was but a single death from
cholera in 1853 July 30; but in 1854 July 10, twenty-six deaths
from cholera were reported, it is believed that the disease had been
in existence for several weeks previous, but had not been reported.
The disease continued to spread and lasted until December, giving
a total recorded mortality of 1,424, although the probability is that
there were many deaths which were not recorded. Chicago was
not alone in the suffering of that year, St. Louis losing the enormous
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 379
number of 3,547 cases, and the blame of the introduction into the
West of the cholera of that year is charged to the laxity of the
quarantine regulations at New York and New Orleans. In 1855
the mortality from cholera was 147, but dysentery is reported as
having caused 150 deaths, and no more is heard of cholera until
August, 1863, when there were three deaths and one in September.
In 1864 there was but one death from cholera. July 21, 1866, a
case of cholera was reported, and although concealed under the name
of cholera morbus, the disease continued to spread, until November,
when the total number of cases had reached 1,561 and the deaths
990. In July, 1867, cholera was again present, but there were only
67 cases up to the last case October 3. The utmost exertions were
made by Sanitary Superintendent John H. Rauch to prevent the
spread of the disease by isolation of the cases and disinfection of
the premises, with eminent success.
The introduction of the water of Lake Michigan, the improved
sewerage and the unceasing vigilance of the sanitary authorities
so improved the condition of the city that when cholera again made
its appearance in Chicago, May 24, 1873, it did not spread, and
when the second case occurred June 10 there were only eight re-
sulting cases. This epidemic was very widespread and came from
New Orleans. Every portion of the Mississippi valley was visited
by the scourge, and Congress ordered a special report. This report
was made very exhaustively by Jno. C. Peters, John M. Wood-
worth, Ely McClellan, Jno. S. Billings and Frank W. Reilly.
From Doctor Peters's subsequent condensation in Wendt's vol-
ume, the following is quoted :
"The cholera invasion of the State of Illinois dates from May
24, when a man who had been employed as a bridge builder on the
Memphis and Paducah railroad died of cholera in Chicago. No
other cases occurred in that city until June 10, when a cholera death
occurred in a house occupied by several Danish families, and in
which an immigrant lately arrived from New Orleans had been
sick with what was supposed to be typhoid fever. From this case
a local epidemic occurred, consisting of eight cases, all having an
epidemic connection, and from them a circumscribed epidemic oc-
curred, fed by occasional importation. That no serious epidemic
occurred in the city of Chicago was due to the activity and vigilance
of the health authorities."
The persistence with which cholera clung to Chicago in former
years was without doubt due to the lack of sewerage, bad water sup-
ply and filthy surroundings of tenements. Whenever the seed is
again sown, under like conditions, we may expect to reap even
more disastrous results, in proportion to the great increase of popu-
lation. It is true that the marshes have been reclaimed and in that
work the mighty energy of the great city was displayed. Few at
the present day would imagine that by far the largest area of the
380 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
business center of Chicago was raised from the marsh by rilling.
The streets were raised to a grade of from eight to twelve feet above
their natural level, and then whole blocks of business houses were
lifted by jackscrews to correspond to the new grade, and in this
work the ever present fear of the reappearance of cholera with its
attendant loss of life and business depression operated as the prin-
cipal cause. The raising of the city grade was necessary in order
to provide drainage and sewerage, and to prevent dampness, and
this was the view constantly urged by the sanitary authorities. From
the earliest appearance of cholera the people were thoroughly
aroused to the necessity of active effort and as early as 1834 the
town supervisor was given authority to order "every male person in
said town over the age of twenty-one years" to work at street clean-
ing or furnish a substitute, for a failure to obey the supervisor's
order, a penalty of $5 was authorized to be assessed for every
offense. When the scare was over, however, the penalty was re-
duced to $1. The whole history shows that cholera and smallpox
were the real mainsprings of sanitary action, and the Council was
active or apathetic according to the presence or absence of one or
the other of these diseases.
Vaccination has been practiced in the army as a regulation routine
of the recruiting service for many years, and in consequence there
is not found a single case of smallpox among the returns of dis-
eases among the troops at Fort Dearborn at any time during its
occupancy.
That there was a smallpox scare in 1848 and presumably cases of
that disease in the city is apparent from the action of the Board of
Health January 24 in appointing a city physician, although "with-
out salary," and the further order of the board directing the city
marshal "to call upon the other physicians of the city and ascertain
who were willing to vaccinate persons unable to pay for the opera-
tion; to publish the names of such physicians in English and Ger-
man handbills, in connection with a call upon all persons who were
not vaccinated to be vaccinated without delay." (Rauch Sanitary
History of Chicago, page 20.) Nothing more seems to have been
done until February 12 when Dr. E. Me Arthur called the attention
of the Council to the necessity of vaccination and Dr. Henry S.
Huber and Doctor Bird sent a joint letter urging the necessity of
vaccinating the poor on account of the prevalence of smallpox,
but no statement is anywhere furnished of the number of cases in
the city. Smallpox was reported in December, 1850, and was prob-
ably present each winter, for Dr. Rauch informs that in 1851 "small-
pox increasing, on February 5 the Council ordered the city physi-
cian, Dr. Boone, to vaccinate, at the expense of the city, all persons
who needed it, so as to prevent the spread of the disease." There
were "several" cases reported this year but beyond vaccination in
a desultory fashion no municipal action was taken. Two deaths
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 381
from smallpox are on the mortality list, which was the first recorded
list.
As early as 1834 Dr. WiHiam Clark and Dr. E. S. Kimberly
were authorized to establish a hospital for cholera outside the town
limits, and in an ordinance of 1837 there is a clause authorizing the
establishment of one or more hospitals, but the first mention of
smallpox hospital proper is found in 1853, where the smallpox hos-
pital was ordered to be opened for the reception of some cases of
"ship" or typhus fever, and on June 28 of the same year, when
the hospital was ordered to be altered "so as to accommodate small-
pox at one end and cholera at the other," a truly accommodating ar-
rangement, but one based on entire misconception of the necessities
of administration. The pest house was removed further from the
city in 1853, and Doctor McArthur again called the attention of the
City Council to the prevalence of smallpox and urged a general vac-
cination. In 1854 a prize of $100 was offered for the best plan of a
smallpox hospital. In 1855 the smallpox hospital was enlarged
and the infected houses ordered to be placarded. This is the first rec-
ord of a warning sign on any infected house. The Marine hospital,
then located at Rush street bridge on part of the old Fort Dearborn
reservation, had refused to receive cases of smallpox occurring
among sailors, on account of the danger of infecting the hospital,
and a claim was made against the government for the care of sailors
treated in the pest house. In 1856 a new smallpox hospital was
built on the north beach just below the cemetery (now Lincoln
Park).
In 1862 the smallpox cases materially increased although only
five deaths were recorded, and the rather long period of good health
had induced the city authorities to discontinue the employment of a
medical man as health officer, and the mayor delegated the duties
of that office to a policeman. The smallpox, however, showed no
particular respect for "the force" and the Council finally passed an
ordinance reestablishing the office of city physician and placed
under his charge the general supervision of the sanitary condition
of the city, the superintendence of the contagious disease hospitals
and attendance on the sick therein, and the attendance on the poor.
For this extended duty the city physician was allowed by the same
ordinance $600 a year in monthly payments. It was stated that
there were 800 cases of smallpox in the city from September, 1862,
to May, 1863, although the mortality returns only partially show it.
The Chicago Medical society appointed a committee of which Dr.
John Bartlett was chairman to inspect and report on the condition
of the pest house. His report was to the effect that it was badly
managed and inadequate for its purpose. In 1864 the increase of
smallpox had grown alarming, and a new pest house was built, and
additional policemen detailed to assist the health officer. There
were 1,233 cases reported this year and 283 deaths. The next year
382 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
the smallpox showed little abatement, there being 1,058 cases and
57 deaths ; this year the city physician was authorized to remove any
person suffering from smallpox in any building to the smallpox
hospital if in his judgment it was safe. The number of cases was
reduced to 155 in 1866 of which nine died.
With the appointment of the Board of Health in 1867, real effi-
ciency was for the first time shown in sanitary administration. In
July on motion of Dr. H. A. Johnson the Board took active measures
to vaccinate the people, and it may be inferred what the previous
condition of the smallpox hospital may have been when it is said
the Board recommended that the Board of Public Works "be re-
quested to make the necessary arrangements for supplying said
hospital with lake water; also when water is supplied, that the
necessary steps be taken to furnish bathing facilities, and that
the better portion of the clothing be disinfected by boiling, hot air,
and the vapors of sulphur or bromine under the direction of the
city physician."
In this year on recommendation of the Board of Health children
were forbidden to be received in the public schools without a cer-
tificate of vaccination. The schools were visited by sanitary inspec-
tors and free vaccination was performed. There were 968 cases re-
ported during the year and Dr. Ranch states that about 30,000 per-
sons were vaccinated and revaccinated. In the first four months of
1868 smallpox was very prevalent, and the large influx of immi-
grants made an inspection of them a necessity. There were 1,286
cases reported, of which forty-eight were immigrants just arrived,
and the next year the Board of Health sent a memorial to Con-
gress requesting the vaccination of immigrants before they are
received on shipboard for transportation to this country. This
wise measure was not finally carried into effect until the passage of
the Act of Congress February 15, 1893, more than twenty years
later. In 1873 smallpox continuing, an attempt was made in Decem-
ber of that year to eradicate the disease by house to house vaccina-
tion. Twelve inspectors were appointed, four for each division
of the city, and 50,134 persons and 3,000 families were inspected.
The "Chicago Relief and Aid society" also aided very materially in
the work. A new smallpox hospital was built and occupied in this
year, and located on the grounds of the House of Correction, and
the old Lake hospital was abandoned. This hospital was better
equipped than any previous one, and private rooms were provided
for the class of patients requiring them, in order that the objections
urged against leaving a well furnished home might no longer
obtain. More than 63,000 were vaccinated. The reports for the
years 1870, 1871, 1872 and 1873 are consolidated and owing to the
great fire of October, 1871, the reports are very imperfect. There
were reported 2,382 cases of smallpox in 1872, and 1,766 in 1873.
The good effects of the active work of vaccination, inspection and
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 383
isolation were apparent, for the number of cases diminished to 343
in 1874 and to 39 in 1875. In the last half of 1875 there were no
cases. The condition of the smallpox hospital was asserted by
Sanitary Superintendent Ben. C. Miller to be excellent in all re-
spects. Six months' immunity brought relaxation from vaccina-
tion and the constant inflow of immigrants brought more cases, and
from them the disease spread, the smallpox report in 1876 is made
to the sanitary superintendent by Dr. J. Suydam Knox, who says :
"The first case occurred February 14 and scattering cases in various
parts of the city. August 11 the disease appeared in a tenement
house in Milwaukee avenue and twenty cases were traced to this
source. On September 21 at 22 Hinsch street five cases were dis-
covered and twelve cases followed from this. November 6 six
cases were found on Orchard street and fourteen cases resulted
from them. November 12 the disease was reported in the sixth
and seventh wards.
The measures taken for the suppression of the disease were: 1.
Prompt removal of patient to the hospital. 2. Thorough disinfec-
tion of infected premises. 3. Extensive and compulsory vaccina-
tion."
Doctor Knox further says: "Of the 154 cases of smallpox during
the year, 116 were removed to the hospital, of whom twenty-six,
or 22.4 per cent, died. Thirty-eight were quarantined at home, of
whom seventeen, or 45 per cent, died. In other words, the chances
of a smallpox patient were improved 100 per cent by removal." It
was not the severity of the disease that prevented removal to hos-
pital, as might be inferred from these figures, for the doctor says
the following were the conditions which prevented removal: 1.
The suppurative stage of the disease. 2. The inability of mothers
to accompany young or nursing children. 3. The ability to fully
isolate the patient at home.
The Health Department this year reported 19,980 vaccinations.
In the first half of the year 1878, 102 cases of smallpox were re-
ported, and twenty-one deaths, but no cases after July 25. Eighty-
eight of the 102 cases were treated in the smallpox hospital. Health
Officer De Wolf advocated sulphur fumigation. He says : "The re-
sults of this fumigation have given me great satisfaction. Houses
are made as close as paste and paper can make them, and with the
clothing, bedding, furniture, etc., are subjected for a period of eight
hours to the action of this gas liberally supplied. With a single
exception the disease has not recurred in any house thus treated."
In 1879 there was but a single death from smallpox, an immi-
grant at the Hotel Denmark; but in 1880 there were 227 cases, of
which 216 were treated in hospital and eleven quarantined at home.
The Health Commissioner, Doctor De Wolf, attributed the new in-
fection as due to the large number of unvaccinated immigrants, of
whom 147,000 arrived at and were distributed from Chicago. In
384 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
regard to the use of the hospital he says : "The added experience of
each year teaches me more and more that, in the attempt to circum-
scribe the ravages of this contagious disease, the only safety to the
masses is in the early removal of the patient to hospital, particularly
among the tenement house population, with ignorance, willfulness
and constant intermingling of the inmates of these houses to con-
tend against. I do not Believe that isolation can ever be relied
upon. Wherever I have been led to trust the experiment of leaving
a patient in one of these homes, I have in the end invariably re-
gretted having done so."
He refers to the wonderful protection afforded by vaccination
and reverts to the fact that "in the preceding four years, in which
period smallpox has twice become prevalent in all parts of the city,
only two cases of the disease have been reported among the 57,000
children attending the public schools."
A conference of representatives of State Boards of Health was
held June 30, 1881, at which nearly every State board in the United
States was represented. Dr. De Wolf reported that there were
then sixty-two cases of smallpox in the hospital, and that in the
first twenty-three weeks of 1881 there had been 136 deaths, and
after much discussion the conference attributed the cause of the con-
tinuance of the epidemic to lack of vaccination of immigrants.
Smallpox appeared in various places throughout the State and dur-
ing the three years up to 1882 there was an aggregate of 8,856
cases and 2,978 deaths. Of these, 6,518 cases and 2,518 deaths
were in Chicago alone.
The health commissioner said in his report for 1881-82: "Our
citizens had been sufficiently protected by methodical house to house
vaccination in the districts liable to general infection. Yet the daily
arrival of immigrants- suffering from the disease, and large num-
bers unprotected by vaccination and ready to receive the infection
on exposure, filled our hospital until it became necessary in Febru-
ary, 1882, to construct a larger building within the same enclosure.
This new building was erected in ten days after contract, and in two
weeks thereafter sheltered 150 strangers, not one of whom could
speak our language."
In this year an interior immigrant inspection service was main-
tained by the National Board of Health and under the supervision
of Dr. John H. Rand. In June, 1882, the hospital was again placed
in charge of the Catholic sisters. In the year 1887 ten cases of
smallpox were brought into the city, but no epidemic resulted. The
hospital was kept fully equipped and ambulances were in readiness
even when there was no case in the city, but the precaution was
like that against fire, always necessary.
The long immunity from severe epidemic naturally increased the
number of those susceptible to the disease, by neglect of vaccina-
tion ; and the great influx of strangers in 1893 in attendance on the
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 385
world's fair, together with a large immigration, made the oppor-
tunities greater than ever for sowing the smallpox infection. There
were three centers of infection, according to the report of the chief
sanitary inspector, Dr. Garrod, to Commissioner Reynolds. In this
year there were 140 cases and twenty-three deaths. In 1894 the
disease markedly increased during the first half of the year.
Scarlet fever and diphtheria have been almost constantly present
for many years. The first case of diphtheria is reported to have
occurred in March, 1885. (Epidemic Diseases of Illinois, R. C.
Hamill, M. D., Transactions American Medical Association, Vol.
18). There were then many cases in several places throughout the
State. The cause of diphtheria being unknown until a very recent
period, and bacteriologic diagnoses wholly unknown, it is not sur-
prising that there have been many failures in diagnosis, even after
notification was ordered. It is well understood by medical statis-
ticians that many cases of diphtheria have been returned as croup,
and vice versa. This has almost made the statistics valueless, so
far as mortality is concerned. From this time forward there will
be no difficulty in securing accurate returns, as the health depart-
ment of the city for many years has had a bacteriological laboratory
wherein careful examinations are made of faucial scrapings and
pharyngeal mucous.
Although the exact date of the first case of scarlet fever cannot
be given, it is certain that it has prevailed as an epidemic of more
or less severity for many years, and up to February, 1877, no re-
ports of its presence were required, but the medical profession
themselves took the matter in hand and at a conference held with
Health Commissioner De Wolf the same system of notification was
agreed upon as already existed with regard to smallpox. There
were said to be more than 100 cases in January, 1877, and in Feb-
ruary there were actually reported 481 cases, and for the eleven
months of 1877 2,205 cases and 810 deaths, giving a percentage to
the total mortality of 36.73. There has never been a hospital for
the reception of diphtheria and scarlet fever patients, and doubtless
for that reason no attempt has been made to limit the spread of
these diseases beyond house disinfection, attempted isolation and
house placards. Diphtheria, as will be seen by the table, has caused
many more deaths than scarlet fever. There is a point bearing
on the question of relative mortality which it is well to remember,
and that is, that a relatively larger number of cases of scarlet fever
die from delayed secondary infection, and the cause of death is
put down to one of the sequelae of scarlet fever rather than the
disease itself. Taking into consideration this source of error in
the statistics in respect to deaths from scarlet fever and errors of
diagnosis in respect to diphtheria, it can readily be seen that the
figures are surely much under the truth. Nor is it to be expected
that much more accurate returns will be received until these cases
shall be cared for as smallpox is now cared for.
386 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
An epidemic of influenza was present in 1843, of which little is
of recbrd, and again in 1889 and 1890. The latter epidemic reached
its height in Chicago in January of that year, and the commissioner
of health, Dr. Swayne Wickersham, states that in his opinion there
were over 100,000 sufferers from the disease at that time. The
city mortality for the month of January, 1890, was 2,501, but the
deaths directly attributed to la grippe were 112. However, the
mortality list shows distinctly the epidemic influence, and the fact
is well known that the pulmonary complications of la grippe carried
off many who, although suffering from various respiratory and
circulatory diseases, would otherwise have recovered.
It is believed that the origin of influenza was in Asia, probably
in China. Its spread was remarkably rapid no disease has been
known to traverse such vast spaces with such speed but it is
further observed that the usual routes of human travel were fol-
lowed. The first cases of the pandemic of 1889-90 were observed
in Vjatka, one of the most easterly provinces of Russia, in October,
1889. A few days later cases were reported in the Caucasus, and
about the middle of October the disease was declared prevalent at
Lowsk, in western Siberia. Early in November it appeared in St.
Petersburg, where in six weeks it reached an almost unprecedented
diffusion; thence it spread over western Russia and eastern Ger-
many, and reached Berlin about November 1. Early in December
Paris was attacked, and the cities of southern and central Germany,
Austria and France were reached in turn. About the middle of
December cases were reported in London and other English cities,
and about the same time cases were observed in New York. The
outbreak of the epidemic in Boston, New York State, Philadelphia,
Washington and Canada soon followed. In the United States the
disease progressed steadily westward, while in Europe it invaded
the extreme north and south, and finally crossed the Mediterranean
into Africa.
The results of the disease were not materially different in Chi-
cago from other cities. The mortality from it was about 1 per cent
of the whole. The disease was still more or less active in the winter
of 1891-92, but the mortality was inappreciable.
Mention has been made of the statements of military medical
officers in regard to the prevalence of epidemic dysentery among the
troops and among the early settlers in all new countries, and the
town of Chicago was no exception. After it became a city, owing
to the bad water and lack of drainage dysentery caused a great
many deaths. In the autumn of 1856 Dr. N. S. Davis reported to
the medical society that dysentery had prevailed as an epidemic in
July, August and September and that more deaths had occurred
from this than from any other cause, viz., 305, out of a total from
all causes of 1,897. It was again epidemic in July, August and
September of 1857 and caused 465 deaths. In 1858 the disease was
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 387
attended by a great mortality, being most fatal in July and August,
224 deaths being recorded from it. It does not appear to have been
epidemic since the introduction of an abundant water supply.
During the summer of 1863 there were a great many cases of
erysipelas and the number of cases increased during the fall and
winter until it became epidemic. It was also very prevalent in the
first half of 1864. Dr. Edmund Andrews made an exhaustive report
on the causes of this epidemic.
COMMON COUNCIL OF CHICAGO
18661909
IN his annual message on May 7, 1866, Mayor J. B. Rice an-
nounced that the entire debt of the city on that date was $4,610,-
000. Of this amount the waterworks cost $1,600,000. The city's
expenses were too large. The various departments without suffi-
cient reason made urgent demands for larger revenues. Particularly
were increased funds for the inert and corrupt police department
demanded. The deepening of the canal, the construction of the
lake tunnel, new buildings for the waterworks, etc., were declared
imperatively necessary. Prior to this date a tax of 2 per cent had
been the highest rate levied in the city. It was hoped that this
limit need not be exceeded, but at this date the pressure from par-
tisans and camp followers was so great that other means of secur-
ing additional revenue were schemed and considered. The news-
papers curtly advised the administration not to deprive the citizens
of security, protection and convenience. Fair reports, accompanied
by pressing demands for more money, were made by the Board of
Public Works, superintendent of schools, police commissioners, fire
marshal and superintendent of the Reform school.
In his annual message of May 6, 1867, Mayor Rice stated that
the total debt of the city amounted to $5,392,724. If from this
sum there were deducted the amount due from the watenvorks and
the amount expended for deepening the canal, there would be left
$3,454,000, to be met by taxation. The bonded debt was over
$1,400,000, the sewerage debt over $1,500,000, and the water debt
over $1,800,000. During the years 1866-67 there was much com-
plaint concerning the high rate of taxation, which came from the
newspapers and from a large number of citizens. A high taxation
and poor administrative service were declared irreconcilable and in-
tolerable. The city was glowing and prosperous, its population and
wealth rapidly and surprisingly increasing, and there was no just
reason why a fair taxation should not meet all the proper wants
of the municipality.
The project of widening the river to a maximum of 200 feet
was prominently before the public. The Board of Education re-
ported that the schoolhouses were filled to overflowing and that
new schoolhouses would have to be built at once or 12,000 children
would be without suitable schooling. The intense importance of
vast improvement in the sewerage system was heralded and thun-
dered. Everywhere throughout the city pavements were in
388
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 389
wretched condition and a large expenditure for improvement in this
department was insistently demanded. The police department was
again vigorously criticised for inefficiency during the past year, but
responded by asserting that they lacked a sufficient number of
patrolmen to accomplish good and satisfactory results. The same
was true of the fire department. There had recently been appointed
under the charter a tax commissioner, who, with the three assessors
elected by the Council, was expected, in his presumed omnipotence,
to meet the conflicting and multiplex financial requirements of the
municipality. The city sadly needed an office for the collection
of taxes, and nothing had been done to erect a much-needed house
of correction to take the place of the antiquated and exasperating
Bridewell. The fire-alarm telegraph had given splendid service
during the year 1866-67. Although the health department was able
and active, its efficiency was enfeebled and crippled by the shameful
sanitary conditions of the city, particularly the contaminated drink-
ing water. The Board of Public Works urgently recommended
a large amount for street improvement. This meant an increased
revenue, where property owners begged for a decrease.
In his annual address on May 4, 1868, Mayor Rice, with much
concern and dismay, announced that the total bonded debt of the
city was $6,530,682. The amount raised for deepening the canal
and guaranteed by the State was $450,000. The water loan
amounted to $2,483,000. With these amounts deducted there was
left $3,597,682 to be raised by taxation. The construction of a
house of correction at this date was imperatively demanded. The
project of extending the courthouse to La Salle street was recom-
mended. It was suggested that the haymarkets should be estab-
lished away from the line of business streets. Commercial interests
of every description were prosperous beyond precedence. The
population was increasing immensely, and the municipal depart-
ments experienced great difficulty in meeting the public require-
ments of new and expanding environments. Cleanliness and secur-
ity, purity and decency, faithfulness and economy, had been neg-
lected in the storm and confusion of rapid and unwieldy growth.
Complaints of high and intolerable taxation continued to be made.
Nothwithstanding the various difficulties and despite the criticisms
of the citizens and the press, Mayor Rice contended that during
the years 1867-68 the city administration, as a whole, had been well
and economically conducted. On November 30, 1868, the mayor
called the attention of the Council to the importance, on behalf of
the city of Chicago, of securing from the United States and the
State of Illinois a settlement as to the ownership of land along the
lake front. It was intimated that a conveyance by the government
and the State of all claims to the lake front would be acceptable
to the city of Chicago.
On December 6, 1869, Mayor R. B. Mason in his inaugural
390 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
address startled the community with the statement that the total
debt of the city on December 1, 1869, amounted to $10,754,873.
The sewerage debt was $3,930,000, the water debt $3,150,000, and
the municipal bonded debt $2,960,500. After making proper de-
ductions, it was found that $6,184,873 would have to be raised by
taxation. People did not realize could not or would not under-
stand that the good water they were using in such abundance,
the excellent health they were then enjoying, and the splendid rec-
ord of Cook county in the bloody Civil War, were the direct and
inevitable causes of the existing sewerage, water and municipal
bonded debts. What they noticed was that no effort was being
made to pay this debt. It was announced that during July, 1870,
the canal registered debt of over $400,000 would have to be met by
the State. After that event the net income from the canal could
be applied to the principal and interest of the expenditures being
made by the city in deepening the canal for sanitary purposes.
It w,as estimated that the total expenditure of the Board of
Public Works for the fiscal year ending April 1, 1870, would be
$1,216,581. Of this amount there had been expended by Decem-
ber 6, 1869, over $721,000. The total disbursements made by the
Board of Public Works during the year ending April 1, 1869, for
city purposes, sewerage, river improvements and public works
amounted to over $3,000,000. This vast outlay showed how large
had grown the varied interests of the municipality. Even with
that large amount in hand to spend many improvements had neces-
sarily to be omitted or curtailed. It was realized that in the near
future immense improvements would have to be made, and the city
administration boldly and injudiciously recommended increased
indebtedness, but not to the extent of an impoverishment of credit.
The press called attention to the report of the Board of Public
Works, demanding at once, in the interests of public health, im-
proved sewerage conditions throughout the city. During 1869-70
the police and fire departments, though found fault with, were
properly and satisfactorily conducted. Greater economy in the con-
struction of school buildings was demanded, and the press persist-
ently declared that it was the duty of the city to provide for the
education of all its children. It was advised that a number of
school buildings less expensive in character should be constructed
in certain localities. As the school lands would be reappraised, no
doubt, in 1870, there would probably be a considerable increase in
school revenue.
Satisfactory progress was made by the Board of Health. Year
by year that department had steadily continued to gain in advan-
tages over disease, as shown by improved health conditions. A
new Bridewell was urgently demanded by everybody. Existing
conditions were a reproach and a disgrace. Owing to the large
number of females confined there, the appointment of a matron,
acting under orders of the Bridewell keeper, was suggested.
STATE'S ATTORNEY AND PRINCIPAL ASSISTANTS.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 393
It was recognized that at the recent elections the citizens had ex-
pressed themselves in favor of strict economy, integrity and ac-
countability in the management of city affairs. The newspapers
which were hostile to the administration depicted in glowing, iri-
descent and correct colors the undoubted extravagance of the party
in power. The debt of the city had been more than doubled since
1866. Extravagance and corruption, it was declared, had crept
into the city administration like a thief in the night and stolen
immense sums and debauched official purity and honesty. Under
this ringing slogan was Mayor Mason elected. He was pledged
to economy, retrenchment and reform. Fair compensation was clue
all officers. It was recommended that the amounts received in fees
by the several offices should be investigated and any excess over
reasonable compensation should be devoted to public use. The
great increase in the public debt and in public taxation was food
for serious reflection. It would not do to impair the good name
and credit of the city. The mayor closed his inaugural by stating
that, "I firmly hope that our joint labors may prove to be for the
best interests of our city and be crowned with the blessing of Al-
mighty God."
On December 5, 1870, Mayor Mason in his annual message
stated that the total bonded debt of the city on December 1, 1870,
amounted to $13,934,000. From this amount was to be deducted
the water debt and the expense of digging the canal, leaving $6,-
611,000 to be paid by taxation. He had not curtailed indebtedness
one iota as he had so strenuously and pompously promised. There
was in the city treasury at this time a total of $3,236,090. The
floating debt had been entirely discharged. These were the re-
deeming features of his extravagant administration. Of the
amount on hand over $393,000 was school building fund.
At this date it was reported that work on the Illinois and Michi-
gan canal, designed to aid in the drainage of Chicago, would be
completed early in 1871. It was expected that not only would
there be a great improvement in the drainage of the city and county,
but that the navigation of nearly one-third of the whole canal
would be greatly improved, much to the advantage of commerce.
It was stated at this time that should satisfactory improvements
then under consideration be made on the Illinois river, the business
of the canal would be more than doubled. The mayor said : "There
is no public work within my knowledge that can be completed with
so small an expense and the advantages of which would be so
widely diffused as the Illinois river improvement." The city was
deeply interested in the completion of the lock and dam then being
constructed at the head of Peoria lake.
The Reform school was considered one of the noblest and most
useful charities of the city. Nearly 75 per cent of the inmates had
been reformed and made useful members of society. It was real-
Vol. 1123.
394 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
ized that if more of the youthful offenders that were sent to the
Bridewell should be sent to this institution, the benefits would be
far-reaching, permanent and incalculable. There was felt a press-
ing need of a reform school for girls. The newspapers insisted that
such an institution should at once be built.
At this date the new Bridewell, which had been commenced under
severe pressure from the people, was nearly completed and the
Council proceeded to put the same under the proper officers and
conditions. From December 1, 1869, to December 1, 1870, 5,082
persons were sent to the existing Bridewell. It was noted that at
least three-fourths of that number were committed for intemper-
ance. It was recommended that certain theater licenses should be
increased above $150. At this date approximately 2,300 saloon
licenses were in existence. The population of the city was esti-
mated at 300,000. It was thus shown that there was one saloon
for about every twenty-six men in the city. The newspapers rec-
ommended either an increase in the price of licenses or a decrease
in the number of saloons. During the preceding year the city treas-
urer collected as interest on city deposits the sum of $64,929. It was
believed that this was the first time the city ever realized a revenue
from this source. The credit of the city was good notwithstanding
the high indebtedness, and the administration of public affairs, as
a whole, was satisfactory. There was no friction, as all depart-
ments worked harmoniously.
In his annual message of December 4, 1871, Mayor Joseph
Medill explained how awful had been the recent visitation of fire
upon the city. Nearly one-half of the valuation of Chicago prop-
erty was wiped out by this calamity. There were burned out of
house and home 125,000 people. The total destruction of property
was estimated at over $100,000,000, but there was no discourage-
ment. Already by December the city departments were actively
at work and the citizens were engaged in rude fashion in rebuilding
their homes and reorganizing their business. On December 1,
1871, the total bonded debt of the city was $14,103,000. In addi-
tion there was a floating debt of about $686,707. There was on
hand to the credit of the various funds a total of $1,556,333. The
debt was increasing at a frightful rate without adequate return.
Soon after the fire the Council appropriated $140,000 with which
to repair the waterworks system.
Formerly it was customary to place the city funds in banks and
to receive no interest thereon. It was often the case that immedi-
ately thereafter the city would borrow money and pay interest
thereon, presumably paying interest thus on its own funds. The
people united in condemning the immemorial practice of anticipat-
ing the revenue from nine to twelve months by borrowing and
using the sum for current expenses. The city taxes were collected
in the spring and were immediately used at a venture for current
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 395
expenses and accumulated claims; later during the year, when the
estimates were made, the city was usually compelled to borrow to
meet the requirements of the last half of the year.
The loss to the public by the great fire rendered additional taxes
imperative to meet damages and new improvements. The State
Legislature came to the rescue of the city in this emergency and
restored the money the latter had advanced for deepening the Illinois
and Michigan canal. This placed the canal in the possession of
the city, free of all incumbrances, and enabled the authorities to
rebuild its bridges, schoolhouses and other structures, maintain
its credit and support its government until the crisis was past. The
sum which the State agreed to pay for the city mortgage on the
canal was $2,955,340. This amount saved Chicago from serious
embarrassment at this critical period. Large sums to pay inter-
est on the city indebtedness were also required. In July, 1872,
there was due from the Illinois Central railway $210,000 in taxes.
In the fall of 1872 there was received in taxes $6,750,000; but it
was estimated that, notwithstanding all the revenue, there would
still be a shortage of nearly $1,000,000, which must be met by addi-
tional taxation.
It was estimated at this time that the municipality lost by fire
property to the amount of $1,085,000. The loss to the fire depart-
ment was estimated at $130,700; the police department, $86,000;
the Board of Education, $251,000; Board of Health, $615,100;
total, $1,567,800. In addition, 128 miles of sidewalk were de-
stroyed, the loss being estimated at $941,380. All of this loss
covered the city hall, bridges, street pavement, damages to side-
walks, waterworks, lamp posts, reservoirs to the sewers, water-
works, furniture, etc., but it did not include the loss of the records
perhaps the most serious, all things considered, during the fire.
Everything in the mayor's office was destroyed ; the same of the
city controller's office. A considerable portion of the records in
the city clerk's office was saved ; all books and vouchers in the city
treasurer's office were destroyed. Many of the assessment books
in the tax commissioner's office were burned. Seventeen volumes
of maps and scores of other documents in the map department were
destroyed. In the city collector's office the assessment rolls, books,
general taxing warrants, etc., were lost. Many records of the
Board of Public Works were saved. The records of the boards
of police and fire were burned ; the same of the health department,
the police courts of the three divisions and the Board of Education.
In most cases these records could be replaced by existing memo-
randa and books kept elsewhere. The greatest damage probably
was in the records, rolls and warrants of the city collector's office.
Most of these could not be replaced without great trouble and ex-
pense.
It was noted that a considerable class of property holders were
396 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
in the habit of contesting in the courts the payment of all taxes
and harassing the city with injunctions and other devices based
upon alleged informalities in assessment and judgments, whereby
the city was defrauded of a large sum of money justly due it. It
was also observed that the Supreme court under the new constitu-
tion had rendered decisions overruling wholly the previous custom
of raising money by special assessment with which to improve the
streets. It was the opinion of the corporation counsel at this time
that the decision rendered it impossible to continue operations in
accordance with previous custom.- It seemed probable that such
improvements would liave to be made thereafter by general taxa-
tion. It was realized at this date that the lavish expenditures pre-
viously indulged in by the Board of Public Works, Board of Educa-
tion and other departments would have to be terminated from sheer
force of necessity if nothing else. The mayor said : "The two
or three million dollars per year obtained from the sale of bonds
and added to the city debt, which is the present practice, is forbid-
den in the future by the new constitution, and the two or three
million dollars annually obtained from special assessments are pro-
hibited by the Supreme court. The only remaining source of rev-
enue, with the exception of rents, licenses and canal lien money,
is from direct taxation on property according to valuation. The
time has now come for a rigid system of retrenchment in all
branches of the municipal government. The 'pay-as-you-go' prin-
ciple must now be adopted and adhered to." He declared that the
best revenue at present was retrenchment, and further said : "The
fire fiend came like a thief in the night and caught our municipal
government living in excess of its income, with a loose discipline
in some departments, inefficiency in others, and extravagance in all.
It will be no easy matter to reform the luxurious tastes and ex-
pensive habits of the past or to enforce in the future close economy
upon independent powers, accountable in effect to nobody, and ac-
customed to the use of all the money they desire." The immediate
discharge of numerous officeholders and a reduction of all salaries
was recommended. The appointment of a special committee to
make a searching investigation into the details of the municipal
service, with the object of effecting a reduction of expenses, was
advised. The mayor stated that the recent election, if it meant any-
thing, demanded that such reforms should be carried into effect.
As a matter of history it must be admitted that the citizens as a
whole had been and were opposed to the policy of increasing the
indebtedness under any considerations, though likely to be success-
ful and favorable. As time passed and the debt continued to swell
to an enormous and alarming extent, and as the anticipated bene-
ficial results to sanitation and health failed to arrive in the golden
showers promised and expected, complaints forceful, inelegant,
sarcastic, bitter and menacing grew in volume until it came to pass
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 397
that elections were based upon pledges that a wholly different pol-
icy would be inaugurated and enforced. In particular Mayor
Medill was severe concerning extravagance, vice and corruption
in the administration of municipal affairs. He said that "honesty
seemed to have departed from the majority of those holding places
of trust and honor. For several years past good men have wit-
nessed with growing apprehension the alarming deterioration of
integrity in municipal administration, and a feeling of despondency
and almost despair comes over them."
Attention was called to the combustible character of the city and
recommendations for extending the fire alarms, perfecting fire ap-
paratus and otherwise preventing a reoccurrence of the late terrible
calamity were made. As one means of preventing fire in the fu-
ture, the newspapers demanded a better and more reliable supply
of water. It was shown that during the recent fire, as soon as the
pumping works were destroyed, not a gallon of water could be
secured by the department with which to check the progress of the
flames. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of houses were destroyed by
reason of this fact.
Mayor Medill in his annual message of December 2, 1872, re-
viewed the condition of city affairs for the preceding year. He
noted the trials and hardships to which the people were subjected
owing to the great fire of October, 1871. Fifteen thousand families
had lost their homes and subsisted on the charities of the world,
and were huddled in schoolhouses, churches, halls and shanties of
every description until they could better themselves. He noted that
one of the greatest hardships was in having so many employes cut
out of their usual employment and wages. This entailed enormous
hardship throughout the whole city, but all had gone to work with
confidence and cheerfulness and the result even in one year gave
the greatest encouragement. The city government had begun the
year immediately after the fire with a depleted treasury, enormous
current expenses that had to be met, and a staggering debt, the
interest on which alone amounted to a very large sum. During the
year the General Assembly, in order to relieve the losers by the fire,
ordered rebates of municipal taxes on destroyed property. This
greatly reduced the revenue usually expended by the city adminis-
tration. Money had been borrowed and special funds had been
drawn upon to meet necessary expenses. In the absence of records
which had been destroyed, city business in a large measure was in
a confused and chaotic condition. Enormous funds were necessary
to replace bridges, viaducts, schoolhouses, engine houses, police
stations, city hall, fire apparatus, sidewalks, lamp posts, furniture,
books, etc. The outlook had been staggering, but the citizens with
dauntless courage, backed by assistance from all parts of the world,
had gone heroically to work and during one year had accomplished
wonders.
398 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
The first step taken was to inaugurate a system of rigid retrench-
ment in every portion of the municipal service. All departments
appreciated the necessity of this step and all agreed to cooperate.
A greater degree of economy was never attempted, probably, in the
history of the city than during the first year after the great fire.
Men of prominence throughout the whole city made personal sacri-
fices, a record of which was not made and was not expected to be
made. It was a voluntary self-sacrifice for the public welfare.
With all resources taken into consideration, however, the greatest
assistance was that furnished by the State in the part payment of
the city's mortgage on the canal. Had it not been for that timely
act it is doubtful whether the city government would not have suf-
fered beyond endurance during that memorable year. This sum
enabled the city to support its fire and police departments, pay inter-
est on its debt and thus preserve its credit. Another fortunate
revenue was obtained from unrepealed taxes, but even with those
the city found it necessary to practice the severest economy. The
result was that employes were paid punctually, all departments were
kept in good working condition, contractors' estimates were met
when due, thousands of old claims in the shape of rebates and bal-
ances and unsettled accounts of all descriptions were adjusted, and
the credit of the city was maintained without a blemish, be it said
to the credit of the splendid men and women who faced the results
of that awful calamity. During the year the city government and
the citizens not only repaired the damages occasioned by the great
fire, but spread out and grappled with new questions of improve-
ment and reform.
But there were serious faults in the management of public affairs.
There was little open official corruption. Defaulters appeared occa-
sionally like the moon in eclipse, but the shadow soon passed away.
The real trouble was the bad habit of meeting current expenses
and public improvement by running in debt. There was no excuse
to increase the city indebtedness more than $9,000,000 in about
five years 1866-71. This fact was drummed and thundered into
the hard heads of the city fathers month after month, year after
year, by the public press. All political parties during this reign
of extravagance courted public patronage and support on platforms
in which all extravagant planks had been replaced with those
of economy and retrenchment. After election, so strong was the
force of habit upon the sacred precincts of the city hall, the identi-
cal subservient steps which had plunged the city into the slough of
debt were again blindly retraced and followed. This was why
Mayor Meclill demanded so many changes in the management of
city affairs. It was an honest attempt to throw off the bad habit of
borrowing and to inaugurate an era when revenues would not only
meet current expenses, but rapidly and steadily retire bonded and
other fixed indebtedness. But the sage city fathers were still blind
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 399
and continued to travel in a circle, often stumbling and occasionally
falling.
By the first of September, 1872, the existing bonded debt of the
city was $13,546,000. The general taxes of 1872 amounted to
$4,243,098. In addition the city expected to receive during 1873
$1,100,000 from the State as payment for the canal mortgage.
Rents, licenses, etc., yielded an additional $500,000. During 1872
the amount of general taxes received was $2,309,730. There was
received from the State during 1872, prior to December, $1,273,-
308. Licenses of all kinds yielded $225,097. Fines brought $117,-
856. Special assessments brought $176,802. These amounts con-
stituted the bulk of the revenue used in 1872. During the year
there were 10,252 applications for rebates of taxes on burnt prop-
erty. The amount of rebates granted reached the sum of $271,855.
There was paid during the year for improvements on streets, to
claimants of land damages, for patent fees on Nicolson pavement
and to contracts on water service pipe, private drains, etc., the sum
of $269,690. On December 1, 1871, there was $1,556,333 to the
credit of the various special funds. The necessities of the adminis-
tration compelled the city to borrow from this fund during 1872
to the amount of $1,144,152. This amount was replaced late in
1872. The total cash on hand on December 1, 1872, was $1,103,-
270.
The Board of Public Works reported at the close of 1872 satis-
factory progress within its jurisdiction in repairing damages done
by the fire. Prior to December 1, 1872, there was spent in rebuild-
ing burnt bridges and viaducts $382,237; for rebuilding school-
houses, including apparatus, $129,509; and for rebuilding engine
houses, $84,440.
Important improvements in progress at this time were the ex-
tensions on Dearborn street, Michigan avenue, Franklin street, the
widening of State street to Monroe, and Milwaukee avenue. Dur-
ing the year there was protracted controversy as to the location
of the new waterworks. The question was finally settled by the
purchase of a block of ground on Ashland avenue near Twenty-
second street, in all about three and one-half acres. The purchase
price was $63,000. The new tunnel being built under the city from
the old waterworks to the new was seven feet in diameter and about
four miles in length. This work was being completed in sections
as rapidly as possible. During 1872, with the awiul lesson before
them, the city adopted numerous safeguards against future fires.
Small hand extinguishers, rapid runs from engine houses, etc.,
were the means numerously adopted and put in service. Among
other means suggested were the following: The purchase and dis-
tribution of chemical fire extinguishers, the erection of a bell tower
to give alarms of fire, access to the river at the street end for the
fire engines, clearing away obstructions, more fire wardens, an
400 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
increase of the police force in order that outbreaks of fire might be
more quickly discovered and signals given. It was noted that
the average cost of insurance in the city exceeded the taxes on the
same property.
During 1872 the health department did excellent work to abate
the noxious odors arising from rendering, soap boiling and other
similar establishments in the southwestern sections of the city.
Many owners of such establishments were indicted and fined for
violation of city ordinances. Healy slough was in bad condition
until properly drained under orders of the administration. The
deepening of the canal from Bridgeport to Lockport assisted great-
ly to purify the river. During the year the Council granted the
right into the city of twelve new railroads on four separate routes,
three roads to use the tracks of each route. The companies were
required to build and maintain viaducts, approaches, connections,
sidewalks and to properly guard crossings and other points of dan-
ger. Previous councils had neglected these precautions in contract-
ing with railroad companies. At the close of 1872 there were
pending in the courts various suits commenced by the corporation
counsel for the collection of municipal taxes and special assess-
ments. Prior to 1872 the total amount of assessments uncollected
aggregated over $543,000. There was due the contractors for work
done under the assessment about $253,000. The corporation coun-
sel expressed the opinion, in accordance with a recent decision of
the Supreme court, that the city had no right to levy a special as-
sessment for street improvements against the railway companies.
The city treasurer, D. A. Gage, in the spring of 1873 reported that
during the fiscal year ending March 31, 1873, the total receipts
were $9,215,434.90, less $821,322.19, balance on hand. Of the
total receipts the city spent all except $889,559.53. This same
Mr. Gage a year or so later defaulted to the extent of about $500,-
000.
It was presumed that the administration of Mayor Medill, owing
to the extraordinary promises of economy and reform made during
the campaign, would be a model of wise and sagacious government.
The results showed the frailty if not mendacity of human promises
made for campaign purposes. The administration began by bor-
rowing all it could obtain and ended by begging for more. The
habit of borrowing, shinning, sponging anything to get money
was continued with unabated vigor, deliberation, stupidity and am-
plitude. The heads of departments knew no better. They had
caught the habit years before and had not recovered could not
recover. Not so with Mayor Medill. He had previously, during
the campaign which elected him, announced repeatedly his policy
of retrenchment by keeping within the limits of the annual revenue.
He meant well intended to do as he agreed but his other duties
prevented his close contact and cooperation with the heads of de-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 401
partments, and accordingly the old degenerate, disastrous but con-
venient habit was overwhelmingly continued. So the people con-
tinued to marvel, expostulate, investigate and finally, with groans
and curses, submit.
In December, 1873, Acting Mayor Bond delivered his annual
message to the City Council. Retiring Mayor Medill called par-
ticular attention to the serious financial condition of the city. He
stupidly said that immediately after the great fire the tax levy was
reduced to 10 mills, which left the treasury in a depleted condition,
and the city was forced to borrow by resorting to the process termed
"shinning," which was a very expensive way, he announced, of ob-
taining money, as it cost for every improvement from 10 to 20 per
cent. The constitution prohibited the city from borrowing any
money beyond the limit. This forced the city to do one of two
things: Either to let the treasury department get along the best
it could by borrowing temporarily, or to go to the people and ask
them for a sufficient sum of money to square accounts and there-
after not again be caught in the same trap. The Council assumed
the responsibility of making a levy to relieve the immense drain
of short, high-priced loans and to bring the finances into satisfac-
tory condition. There were urgent demands for more schoolhouses,
the fire department needed help, and the police force required more
strength. Accordingly the City Council boldly asked the people for
money to meet these necessary expenses.
Mayor H. D. Colvin in opening his message to the City
Council in March, 1873, first alluded to the recent elections and to
the promises which were made during that most exciting campaign.
The election was bitter, sharp and decisive, and the officials felt
bound strictly to carry out their solemn promises made during the
heat of the campaign. It is doubtful if any political canvass ever
in the city was conducted with a greater degree of vilification and
abuse. Partisans did not hesitate to slander outrageously all per-
sons opposing them. Mayor Colvin said : "The animosities and
jealousies of religion, nationality and race were seized upon with
avidity for the purpose of weaning from us popular support. This
mode of conducting a political campaign tended to prejudice the
minds of many persons both at home and abroad against the move-
ment which elected the present officials. In view of these facts
every member of the new government had motives of patriotism
and personal pride to impel him to the task set before him." Now
the immediate resources of the city were $754,707 and the immedi-
ate liabilities $1,861,704. Nearly the whole of this amount would
have to be met before the first of April, 1874. Thus the city was
compelled to raise a large amount within a few months to meet cur-
rent indebtedness. Under the new constitution the bonded debt
was limited to 5 per cent of the last assessment for State and county
purposes. According to the equalization of taxes the total valua-
102 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
tion was $229,835,938. Five per cent of this amount was $11,-
492,796, but the existing bonded debt was $13,544,000, or more
than $2,000,000 in excess of the constitutional limit and therefore
no further increase could be made. There was in the treasury
about $1,100,000, but this was there to the credit of public funds
and if borrowed would have to be replaced. The local appropria-
tions for the year ending April 1, 1874, were over $6,000,000.
One-third of this amount was required to liquidate matured indebt-
edness. Accordingly it was seen that in order to meet the necessary
expenses of the city government unusual financial steps or measures
would have to be adopted.
During 1873 the public school, police, fire, sewerage and public
grounds departments were carefully and prudently managed.
Drainage was neglected, water mains were often in bad condition
and portions of the city were left without adequate fire protection,
but the citizens were prosperous and therefore happy. The police
department was reduced to a considerable extent. The mayor in
December, 1873, recommended the appointment of a special com-
mittee on State legislation for Cook county. The tax law needed
revision. Many other matters needed attention. There were only
two viaducts crossing railway tracks in the city. The press urged
that railway companies should be compelled to build additional via-
ducts immediately.
Mayor Colvin, in his annual message of December 7, 1874, said
that the city had passed through the recent financial crisis with
great difficulty. Being unable to borrow more under the constitu-
tion, it suffered severely under the recent panic. Nothwithstanding
this crisis, the city did not fail during the year to meet its payments
and was never obliged to ask for an extension from creditors. On
December 1, 1874, the bonded debt amounted to $13,379,000. The
total amount to be paid by June 1, 1875, amounted to $3,186,000.
The appropriations of June 30, 1874, amounted to $5,572,346.87.
Of this amount $3,117,346.87 was paid by December, 1874. This
phenomenal administration was absolutely innocent of any intelli-
gent intention or design to live within the revenue and commence
the payment of the city indebtedness.
As a whole, though the city was burdened with debt and though
expenses were high and the means of acquiring revenue lacking,
the administration, aside from incapacity, stupidity and vast unnec-
essary expenditure, made outwardly a creditable showing. By this
time frame buildings of every description destroyed by the great
fire were replaced by those of brick and stone. The various de-
partments showed commendable progress in carrying on operations.
The law department was well managed under Egbert jamieson.
Several cases were pending in the Supreme court of the United
States and in the various State courts. Of over $228,000 claimed
in suits against the city, but a little over $8,000 was recovered.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 403
The Board of Public Works reported considerable progress dur-
in 1874. Its total expenditures for the year ending November
30, 1874, amounted to $3,625,617. On the new tunnel works, in-
cluding the crib, there was spent over $650,000. Expensive im-
provements of the sewers were made. The amount spent for
cleaning and repairing the streets and improving intersections was
considerably reduced but still large. Bridges and viaducts neces-
sarily cost a large sum. The new smallpox hospital required an
expenditure of nearly $13,000; the Fullerton avenue conduit cost
nearly $120,000; new police stations cost nearly $14,000 and new
engine houses $29,000. The police department during the fiscal
year 1874 cost $687,945. Of this sum over $43,000 was spent for
buildings.
The health department at the close of 1874 reported considerable
improvement in sanitary conditions. The death rate per thousand
was 20.5. From the date of the great fire up to 1873 smallpox
prevailed throughout the city. The health department inaugurated
a system of visitations, vaccinations and other remedial and pre-
ventive measures which slowly but steadily expelled that disease from
the city limits. Numerous packing houses were inspected and disin-
fected. The number of nuisances reported and abated was 21,487.
This shows how active and persistent was the health officer, Dr.
John Reid. The department gave special attention to the condition
of sewers, catch basins, back yards, alleys and to cleanliness gen-
erally. During the year 1874, 5,523 persons were received by the
House of Correction; of these 1,435 were females.
The Board of Education managed school affairs during 1874
in a highly efficient and satisfactory manner. At this date John C.
Richberg was president of the board. He reported that in some es-
sential particulars school facilities should be at once improved. It
was shown that lessees owed the school fund over $230,000. The
press demanded that this amount should be at once collected. A
number of lessees had paid no rent for four years. The board
demanded in the interests of public education that this situation
of affairs should promptly be corrected. Several lessees had each
sold their leases for a bonus approximately of $10,000. It was
stated that from school property $530,000 could be secured with
which to pay the salaries of teachers. After October, 1874, the
old postoffice site was leased. The board requested the Council to
appoint a competent attorney to enforce all measures necessary to
place the school fund in proper and satisfactory condition. The
number of children enrolled in the public schools at the close of
1874 was 38,242. The average number attending was 35,975. Of
these about 10,000 attended only one-half day at a time, owing to
the lack of room and funds. The board reported that were it not
for parochial and private schools, thousands of children in the city
would be wholly unprovided for. At this date the high school
404 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
had an enrollment of 767, the average attendance being 750. The
board published a list of delinquents who had failed to pay the
school fund amounts due on leases. About this time the Mechanics'
Institute, which had ceased to exist, left to the school fund, under
the will of Mr. Peck, about $80,000. For many years the trustees
thereof had made no accounting of rents due. As the institute
ceased to exist in 1860 or 1861, the delinquency was quite a large
amount. The claim of about $30,000 due the school fund, which
had been running since 1860, was still due from the old Marine
company. That portion of the school fund in the city of Chicago
arising from the extension of the city limits on the West side had
never been set off to the city nor had there been any claim pre-
sented therefor. Immediate attention was called to this claim of the
school board. Under the Morrison lease, if the petition to perfect
the title under the burnt record act were attended to, the city schools
would be benefited to the amount of from $300,000 to $500,000.
The public library was swept out of existence by the great fire of
1871. On May 1, 1874, the new library was duly opened. Its
success was almost unprecedented. The issuance of books to bor-
rowers rose as high as 2,500 in a single day. By December, 1874,
the number of books on the shelves approximated 30,000.
In 1874 the Council determined to rebuild the city hall at the
earliest practicable moment. It was decided to locate the new build-
ing on the old site. Generally, the people, owing to the hard times
and the depreciation in values, opposed the construction of a new
and expensive building at this date. Contractors and grafters were
clamorous for a new building. The mayor suggested that there
was considerable property along the lake front owned by the city,
which might be sold and a large sum realized therefor.
The Council in 1875 failed utterly and ingloriously either to
comprehend the financial condition of the city or to manage affairs
so as to live within the revenue and commence the payment of the
indebtedness. The task seemed beyond the mental or moral capac-
ity of this blockhead or dishonest administration. They were inca-
pable of rising higher than to spend the revenue afforded and plead
for more. This was the "anti-taxing period" when property owners
fought to a finish every attempt to increase taxation. Thus the
stupid city fathers were between the devil property owners and the
deep sea people. But they knew enough to squander the funds on
hand, borrow all they could secure by hook or crook, and pose as
the unappreciated martyrs of a cruel and dominating financial sys-
tem.
In his message of May 18, 1876, Thomas Hoyne, the reputed
mayor-elect, reviewed the singular circumstances under which he
was presumably elected. He complimented the citizens on the
quiet, manly self-possession and courage with which they had
almost unanimously elected him, conducted their proceedings and
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 405
maintained the authority invested in them by law. He doubted
not that for this they would receive the spontaneous and unanimous
commendation of the community. He complacently stated at the
outset : "You have entered upon the performance of your very
honorable and important duties at the most critical and interesting
period of our municipal government, both as to the circumstances
of your election and to the momentous issues involved. There has
been a feeling that no ordinary dangers menaced the prosperity of
the city and the happiness of our people. The improvident and
reckless expenditure of our city's means, the unnecessary heavy
burden of taxation imposed upon the citizens, the creation of new
offices and the utter indifference manifested by the late administra-
tion to all the reasonable complaints of their constituency, had filled
the minds of our people with distress and alarm. The city de-
manded a class of wiser and better men in her councils. Many of
you, I know, have reluctantly and at considerable sacrifice to your-
selves yielded to this demand. Your well-known characters afford
the assurance by which the people will follow your advent into the
administration of the city."
The new mayor demanded an immediate return to frugal ex-
penditures and administrative purity. Every consideration of value
asked for this reform. He further stated : "Your selection has
been timely and fortunate, as through you a revolution is ordered
under forms of law which the people of other countries reached
only by bloodshed, violence, carnage and crime. It has rarely ever
happened that in merely local contests the entire body or mass of
the people became so directly engaged upon the issues at stake as
in the last municipal election of the city. It is certainly true that
never before the contest last fall for county treasurer and the last
city election has our entire business community the commercial
and industrial classes all cast aside private engagements to devote
themselves to the performance of political duties. Business on
election day was suspended at all places of exchange; the Board of
Trade adjourned over; the banks and great mercantile houses
closed their doors, and the large manufacturing establishments re-
leased their employes. It seemed as if that day had been set apart
by common consent as a day consecrated to municipal devotion be-
cause of some great impending or apprehended disaster. The con-
comitant circumstances of all this and equally significant was the
monster mass meeting of 30,000 or 40,000 people called without
distinction of party and held at the exposition building a week pre-
vious. According to all rumors it was the largest number of people
convened for political deliberation in this city, and yet the utmost
decorum and unity marked the entire proceedings. The resolutions
were unanimously adopted. A candidate for mayor was put in
nomination upon a reformed platform. Never, perhaps, since the
time of the ancient Greek republics did a whole people seem to be
406 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
present at an assembly, to realize the idea of practical, democratic
government, by coming themselves to demand a change of adminis-
tration in the rulers of the city and to protest agains the evils from
which they suffered. The truth is, and the fact may be candidly
stated, that during the last decade there has been growing up and
increasing in our midst a class of social and political criminals
somewhat peculiar to the civilization of large American cities. It
doesn't matter as to names, but the class in some cities has been
distinguished as 'Plug Uglies,' 'Bowery Boys,' or in Chicago as
'Bean club' or 'Cosmos.' Their dangerous and criminal instincts
are the same. To live without industry is the habit of the greatest
number, and to fix themselves in some public office is one of their
highest ambitions. They are the loudest of partisans upon what-
ever side or in whatever party they enlist their particular services.
These men are too cunning or intelligent to rob or steal the same as
ordinary criminals, because punishment would be sure to follow
exposure; but more unscrupulous and equally depraved as the more
vulgar criminal, they rob or stuff the ballot boxes of the people in-
stead of plundering the individual. They find it safer to plunder
the body politic. The people of Chicago learned with amazement
that at an election held in this city last year, the judges appointed
to have custody of the boxes and count the ballots themselves crim-
inally outraged the ballot boxes of the voters by stuffing them with
illegal votes, and that thus 4 the legitimate law of the people on a
question so grave as the adoption of the present charter of munici-
pal government was defeated. In the recent town election of South
Chicago, again the criminals or the class referred to, encouraged
by immunity from punishment and flushed with the insolence of
success and braving public opinion, precipitated at last their own
ruin. On that occasion, it would seem from the evidence as if they
had deliberately resolved that, however the people made the nomi-
nation for candidates of their own choice, the ballot box conspira-
tors would defeat such choice by counting into office their criminal
confederates. The fraud was too transparent for investigation and
it failed. The situation of the city has been summed up by the
late grand jury in language not less graphic than truthful in rela-
tion to county rule. They say that the system of management em-
ployed by the county board is rotten. Officialism is degraded by its
low character, its depreciated moral tone, its constant association
with jobbery, extravagance, bribery and incompetence. The legiti-
mate fruits of this are the recent Gage and Von Hollen defalca-
tionsthe loss of over one-half million dollars to the public. Our
young metropolis has barely escaped the catastrophe which the
Tweed ring brought upon New York. Chicago has been drawn
to the brink of a chasm into which New York has fallen."
The officiating mayor made the following specific charges against
the former administrations : Neglect to retrench or economize in
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 407
the matter of public expenditure; an increase in the amount of
taxes levied; an increase in the number of offices made and in
the rates paid as compensation for public service; had sought by
illegal means to raise money upon the credit of the people to pay
themselves and thereby had increased the public indebtedness of the
city nearly $5,000,000 beyond the constitutional limit; had jeopard-
ized the municipal credit, which was never before impaired, by ille-
gitimate issues of time-loan certificates placed upon the market of
foreign cities against the law and against every remonstrance which
could be urged in opposition to so vital and ruinous a policy.
The action of the Municipal Reform club which had been ap-
pointed prior to the election was commended in high terms by the
press and the new mayor. Among the resolutions adopted by that
club had been the following: "That the practice of the city govern-
ment in anticipating receipts of revenue by making time loans on
certificates has a dangerous tendency ; that the illegitimate character
of this indebtedness was of itself calculated to impair the credit of
the city, while it opened the door to every species of fraud and ex-
travagance in city expenditures; and that it had produced a con-
fusion in the administration of the city finances impossible of extri-
cation or remedy in the hands of men intrusted with the manage-
ment."
As a matter of fact, a judicial tribunal called upon at this date
to pass upon the validity of issuing these certificates to place upon
the market, declared them illegal unless drawn upon a specific
fund. The wild extravagance of city expenditures had outrun the
utmost efforts of the city controller to collect money to defray them.
The people now demanded a discontinuance and utter abandonment
of the whole service system as soon as possible and of the insane
policy of anticipating and spending revenue in advance of its col-
lection. By curtailing expenditures, paying off current obligations
and contracting no new liabilities, the credit of the city could be
restored. The city was not insolvent nor in failing condition. It
had simply been improvident and must now pay for its folly.
The city of Chicago was organized in April, 1875, under the
recent general incorporation act, and consequently no election was
held in November, 1875, but the persons then in office held over
until May, 1876. Under the new law the city was divided into
eighteen wards. An order passed by the City Council provided for
an election of city officers under the act, but omitted all reference
to the office of mayor. Notwithstanding this omission and the
apparent absence of any authority, a popular vote for mayor was
taken and Thomas Hoyne received 33,064 votes against 819 scat-
tering. A canvass of the returns being made to the Council, the
vote given for Mr. Hoyne was disregarded. However, the new
Council at its first meeting was cited to canvass again the returns,
and, having done so, declared Mr. Hoyne duly elected mayor. Mr.
408 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Colvin, the incumbent, declined to yield possession of the office on
the ground that he, like other city officers, was entitled to hold over
under the law. The matter was referred to the courts and resulted
in the virtual failure of each of the contestants to sustain his posi-
tion. In consequence a special election for mayor was ordered by
the Council, and on July 12, 1876, Monroe Heath was duly chosen.
The principal fact to be considered was that during a period of
great financial depression the city had suffered from a policy of
unnecessary and excessive taxation and extravagance. The enor-
mous shrinkage of values since the war, and particularly since
the great fire, had reduced it was falsely claimed, many large
estates in this city almost to bankruptcy. This seemed to be shown
by the large number of real estate sales due to the nonpayment of
taxes. That there were many failures was true, but only because
of the depreciation of values due to a return to specie payments.
Outrageous extravagance and not burdensome taxation contributed
to the load of worry and work. "During all this time of suffering
and distress the taxpayers have been exposed to the most cruel and
violent taunts by some men in authority who never paid a dollar
for taxes into the treasury from which they have received support,"
said the mayor. A thorough investigation into the exciting situa-
tion was therefore imperatively demanded as a preliminary to re-
trenchment, economy and reform. It was thought that if a million
dollars could be saved out of the recent extravagant appropriations
by the Council, the sum would go far toward liquidating the illegal
certificates outstanding and would in addition place in the hands
of the departments money sufficient for the pressing needs of the
schools, police, fire and other departments. The mayor suggested
that it might be judicious to instruct the city treasurer to refuse
payment on all obligations until the same had been duly classified
and inspected. It was thought in May, 1876, that the new Council
was one of the strongest, ablest and presumably the most honest
that had ever taken charge of municipal affairs. The spontaneous
movement of the people in popularly selecting, nominating and
electing them precluded any idea of their inferiority or lack of hon-
esty. This was an era of mental and moral upheaval, of insight and
foresight, of civic righteousness and personal purification, of ag-
gressive virtue and assertive intelligence. But the people were yet
weak, blind and hesitating and prone to do wrong as the sparks to
fly upward.
At this date (May, 1876) the city employed, exclusive of the
school service, a total of about 1,316 persons. The aggregate an-
nual compensation due these employes was about $1,459,000. It
was justly believed that this was too high an average. The press
assumed that the average compensation should not exceed $600,
whereas the existing compensation was nearly double that amount.
There were 533 persons upon the pay rolls of the police department.
OSCAR HEBEL.
W. H. WEBER. WALTER E. SCHMIDT.
BOARD OF ASSESSORS, COOK COUNTY.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 411
It was recommended that the pay of the police, which averaged not
far from $1,000 each annually, should be reduced to about $600.
The same was true, it was declared, of the Department of Public
works. It not only had too many employes, but they were paid too
much annually. The health department contained forty-seven per-
sons with a total pay of $62,000. Twenty-eight of the employes
were called sanitary policemen and received a total compensation of
$18,000 a year. It was declared by the press that this was unneces-
sary. The mayor courageously recommended the entire abolish-
ment of the health department with the exception of one competent
and faithful superintendent, a medical expert, and a few clerks, and
further recommended that the health department be placed under
the control of the police department. It was likewise suggested
that at least $75,000 could be saved annually by similar retrench-
ment in the fire department. The mayor announced that in his
opinion a large sum could be saved from the fees allowed the police
justices. The same retrenchment was suggested for the tax com-
missioner's office. The custom of the mayor in having not only a
special clerk but also four special policemen to dance attendance
upon him was condemned by the press as a piece of willful ex-
travagance. The building inspector's office, with its clerks and
twelve deputies, was regarded as largely unnecessary. However,
it was admitted that no one could wisely recommend any reduction
in the number of persons employed by the Board of Education
698, with an aggregate annual compensation of $574,312. Educa-
tion of the children must continue at any cost. In fact, with par-
donable weakness the board yielded to demands from this depart-
ment, which would have received no consideration from any other
source.
In the opinion of the law department of the city of Chicago there
was no constitutional limitation on the power of the Legislature
to provide by law that all cities might certify to the county clerk to
the amount which they respectively required to be raised by taxa-
tion for the years 1873 and 1874, and that it thereupon became his
duty to estimate the tax due from each person by extending the
amounts thus certified against the assessed and equalized valuation
of property for the year. The taxes of the years 1873 and 1874
became by the laws of the State a lien upon realty on the first day
of May in those years, and the Supreme court had frequently decided
that after taxes had become a lien they so remained until paid.
However, they became a lien not by virtue of the assessment and
levy, but by virtue of the statute, and the assessment and levy were
the only means of ascertaining the amount, the payment of which
would discharge the lien. Under this view, if such taxes could be
collected ultimately, the city would have assets sufficient to meet the
requirements of annual expenditure and the liquidation and in-
debtedness.
Vol. 1124.
412 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Mayor Heath in his message of April 30, 1877, called particular
attention to the finances of the city. The appropriation for 1875 was
$5,123,905; for 1876, $4,045,526; and for 1877, $4,012,002. A
great portion of the appropriation for 1876, owing to a change in
the financial year, covered a period of only nine months, while that
for 1877 covered a full year and included over $300,000 for sewer-
age. The saving in 1876 over that of 1875 was declared to be
$1,111,403. Of the amount outstanding on April 1, 1876, over
$290,000 consisted of taxes for the years 1869 and 1870. The tax
warrants for those years having been destroyed in the great fire, the
balances were largely uncollectible, and during 1876 were practi-
cally stricken from the books. On the 1st of April, 1876, there
were outstanding certificates of indebtedness amounting to $3,484,-
856. By April, 1877, that amount was reduced to $956,115, but
there had been issued during the year $150,000 of the new form
of revenue warrants to retire the same amount of old certificates.
The total certificates and warrants outstanding on April 1, 1877,
were as follows:
Old certificates issued prior to April 1, 1876 $ 956,114.89
New revenue warrants on tax levy of 1875 205,392.517
New revenue warrants on tax levy of 1876 2,300,485.52
New revenue warrants on tax levy of 1877 339,900.00
Total $3,801,893.00
On April 1, 1877, the total bonded debt of the city was $13,-
454,000. Nearly the whole drew 7 per cent interest. The mayor
said : "The remarkable growth and confidence in Chicago securi-
ties during the past year is shown by the fact that the past-due 7
per cent paper issued by the previous administration has lately sold
at a premium in New York, while our own bankers and business
men have offered us several hundred thousand dollars at 7 per cent,
which has been declined for the present. Only nine months ago the
finance committee, comptroller and mayor were compelled to beg
for funds while offering interest at 8 per cent per annum. The
reason for this change is principally due to the fact that the rev-
enues of the city have been collected thoroughly and the expenses
reduced inside of the income."
At the close of the fiscal year in April, 1877, the total enrollment
of children was 40,835. During the succeeding year it increased
to 43,512, showing an increase nearly equivalent to the capacity of
four twelve-room buildings. It was estimated that there were not
less than 25,000 children of school age in the city who could not
or did not attend school.
During 1877 satisfactory progress in public improvements under-
taken previous to September, 1876, were made under the manage-
ment and control of the Board of Public Works. On that date the
board was summarily abolished and its duties and authorities were
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 413
vested in the mayor. There was inaugurated a general decrease in
the number of persons employed by the city and in the salaries paid.
The expenses of the department were reduced fully one-half under
the strenuous new management. The reductions by dismissals
from the water department alone amounted to $30,000, and the
total amount of savings by reduced salaries in the whole department
was $92,500. The total amount received from water tax collec-
tions was $833,963, being a considerable increase over that of any
previous year. The total expense of operating and maintaining
the waterworks was $281,700. It was proved that the revenue to be
derived from water tax collections would be sufficient not only to
pay all running expenses, salaries and interest on water bonds, but
would carry on all necessary water pipe extensions, pay for ma-
chinery, etc.
During the year ending March 31, 1877, the number of patrol-
men in the police department was reduced from 565 to 482. In-
efficient men were weeded out and dismissed. The amount given
to this department for the fiscal year was $504,984. A few changes
in the fire department were made, and as a whole that branch of the
city service was efficient and up to date. The health of the city
was constantly improving under advanced sanitary conditions and
under the exertions of the energetic officers in charge of the de-
partment. The House of Correction was well and economically
conducted under adverse circumstances. The sanitary conditions
of the buildings were pronounced good. The prisoners' labor real-
ized a considerable sum during the year. A separate prison for
females was demanded by the press and the mayor. The latter
further recommended that the young should be separated from the
old and that hardened criminals should not be permitted to mingle
with light offenders.
In April, 1877, the mayor closed his message by saying: "Our
financial condition is now healthy and prosperous. The credit and
good name of our city are restored. The expenses of all the de-
partments have been reduced without impairing the public service
in any particular. On the contrary it must be apparent to all who
have examined the question that the large reduction in the number
of city employes has benefited the service departments and in-
creased their efficiency." He recommended that the sewerage
under contract should be completed without unnecessary delay, and
that should the school taxes past due be collected, new buildings
to accommodate all children ought to be constructed.
The city treasurer reported for the year ending December 31,
1878, that the total receipts were $6,759,212, less $594,285 on
hand at the beginning of the year. At the close there was on hand
a total of $217,102. The school fund tax collected amounted to
$238,785.
On April 28, 1879, Mayor Heath in his annual message reviewed
414 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
the condition of the city departments during the past year. He
stated that the bonded debt was $13,043,000, and that it had been
reduced $414,000 since July 12, 1876. At the latter date the out-
standing illegal certificates of indebtedness amounted to $3,011,329.
By April 28, 1879, all such paper except $249,000 had been paid.
On July 12, 1876, the credit funds of the city had been drawn upon
to meet deficits to the amount of $1,800,000. These overdrafts to
the amount of $900,000 had been paid by April 28, 1879. On July
12, 1876, there were no funds in the treasury with which to pay the
salaries of employes and about five months' pay was then past due.
Since that date the tax levies of 1873 and 1874 were legalized and
judgments against delinquents were secured. The mayor boasted
that during his administration a total of good assets and taxes to
the amount of $1,230,388 was legalized. By deducting from this
total the amount of outstanding certificates and overdrafts on the
treasury, there was left a net balance in the treasury from these
resources of over $81,388. There was left in the treasury after
paying outstanding liabilities on illegal certificates and restoring
credit funds overdrawn total net assets of $636,321. There were
also other funds to the credit of the city not specified above. Sev-
eral hundred thousand dollars in floating obligations against the
city were paid off during this administration. Many important law
suits concerning tax levies, etc., were decided in favor of the city
by the Supreme court. In 1784 the surplus in the water depart-
ment was $91,174 and in 1878 was $359,731, showing an immense
increase in revenue from that department. In 1874 street cleaning
and repair cost $269,168, and in 1878 $136,002, showing also an
immense gain. The same gain was shown in the fire, police and
health departments. There was a saving of over $200,000 in the
management of the police department alone. The expense of con-
ducting the health department was cut down more than half. On
the first of January, 1877, about 700 city cases were pending in the
court of record, exclusive of quasi criminal and tax and special
assessment cases. On January 1, 1878, there were only 446 cases
pending and the expenses of the law department were considerably
reduced. The cost of lighting the city with gas was also greatly
reduced, notwithstanding a great increase in the number of lamps.
Though the city had appropriated large sums to liquidate outstand-
ing claims and to construct the city hall, the amounts required to
be raised by taxation in the annual appropriation bills were greatly
reduced. The amount levied in 1874 was $5,466,692. The amount
required in 1879 was $3,766,450.
The management of city affairs by Mayor Heath from 1876 to
1879 was extremely satisfactory to the citizens of Chicago. The
newspapers paid him high compliments. His administration was
heralded as the soundest, ablest and most economical the city had
ever enjoyed. At the close of his period of service in 1879 the
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 415
council unanimously passed the following resolution : "Resolved,
That the thanks of the City Council are due and are hereby tendered
to the Hon. Monroe Heath for the able and efficient manner in which
he has managed the affairs of the city during his administration."
In reply the mayor said, "This resolution is a very flattering one.
If I have been enabled in my administration to do anything for the
good of the city it has been because I have had the cooperation of the
council. If I could I would like to have a resolution passed thanking
the council for its hearty support of my administration."
On September 3, 1880, the total city indebtedness amounted to
$12,752,000. No further indebtedness could be contracted until the
valuation of city property should exceed $225,000,000. The emer-
gency policy of issuing scrip to meet current expenses in antici-
pation of future collections had cost the city annually for several
years about $200,000.
The controller reported that for 1880 the appropriations for mu-
nicipal purposes amounted to $3,063,911 and for 1881 to $3,183,-
400. To the first was added $478,000 of back taxes and savings,
and to the latter $550,000 of the same. The revenue for 1882 was
as follows: Two per cent upon the assessed valuation of $119,151,-
951; cash from licenses, rents, etc., $350,000; cash from the Gage
assets and other savings, about $150,000; total, $2,883,039, less col-
lection fees, $2,823,464. As this sum was less by $359,936 than
the appropriations for the preceding year, some step to supply the
deficiency would have to be taken. The controller suggested that
this might be met by increasing generally all the city licenses. In-
creased expenditures in any department were out of the question
unless the revenues should be increased. The tax limit might be
raised or property owners might be made to pay the cost of remov-
ing dirt and of building street intersections, thus saving annually
an immense sum. He favored taxing the telegraph, telephone and
all other companies or individuals enjoying special privileges, and
thought this could be done, though an unsuccessful attempt to levy
a tax on the capital stock of telegraph companies was made a few
years before. As saloons occasioned the infractions of law, the
control of which cost the city so much, their licenses, it was ar-
gued, should be increased to cover such cost. Why should not
railroads, saloons, lumber yards, vehicles, draft animals, manufac-
turers of certain articles, etc., pay special revenue to the city for
their special protection?
Previous to 1875 the municipal authorities were the sole arbiters
of valuations and collections under the control of the county offi-
cials. In 1872 the valuation of real and personal property aggre-
gated $284,000,000, but by 1880 had been reduced to $117,000,000,
though the city had practically doubled in population and wealth.
In addition, the Legislature in 1879 limited tax levies to 2 per cent
and enacted that the valuation of real estate for 1880 should re-
416 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
main the same for four years, though the following year a law was
passed that real estate valuation could be changed in 1882. The
controller in 1881 called attention to the inconsiderable tax paid
by large corporations compared with the property owned. All
the railroads centering in the city, except the Illinois Central, paid
into the treasury in 1880 $73,359.79; at the same time one mercan-
tile company, including two of its members, paid in $86,647.85.
The inequity of this state of affairs was apparent. The receipts
of the city for 1881 were $9,697,416.85, less $1,080,775.32 on hand
at the beginning of the year. At the end of the year there was
on hand $755,479.26. The total bonded debt of the city on De-
cember 31, 1881, was $12,752,000.
During 1881, 17.86 miles of streets were paved with cedar blocks
and 6.14 miles with macadam, out of a total of 25.73 paved. All
street lamps were either oil or gas. Electric lights had not yet
made their appearance generally for city use. Over twenty-five
miles of sewers were built. The new city hall was so far com-
pleted that the roof was put on. Over $95,000 was spent on
bridges, viaducts and repairs. The Fullerton avenue conduit works
were mainly built. The Washington and LaSalle street tunnels
were paved with wooden blocks. Thirty-four bridges spanning the
river and its branches; twenty-two were of iron and wood com-
bined, eleven wholly of iron, and one of wood. Four had been in
operation fourteen years ; three, thirteen years ; three, twelve years ;
four, eleven years; ten, ten years; one, nine years; three, eight
years ; one, seven years ; four, five years, and one, one year.
Nine of the bridges were crossed by street railways. A new viaduct
at Halsted and Sixteenth streets was built at a cost of $17,685.
Harrison street viaduct was built at a cost of $96,419 and Sanga-
mon street viaduct at a cost of $98,977. The police force in 1881
consisted of 506 men. This department cost the city $577,039
during the year.
Mayor Harrison in his message of May 9, 1881, called special
attention to the following conditions of city affairs: In 1878 his
predecessor issued city scrip to the amount of $2,238,000. This
scrip depreciated to such an extent as to entail a loss of from 5 to
10 per cent upon employes and other creditors of the city. It also
caused a loss to the city of from $150,000 to $200,000 per annum.
During 1879 the city administration was enabled to reduce the out-
standing scrip to less than $1,500,000 and during 1880 to less than
$590,000. It was expected that during 1881 the existing scrip
would be entirely retired. During the past twenty-one months every
city employe had been paid in cash. The city being unable under
the law to borrow a dollar and not having ready money to meet its
semi-annual interest, was compelled to hypothecate interest coupons
when due and to pay a heavy commission for having them carried
until taxes could be collected. These commissions amounted to
from $50,000 to $70,000.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 417
After 1879 the city promptly met such interest and paid not one
cent in commissions. This administration thus far paid the Hayes-
Colvin certificates which, though illegal, had been met in full with
interest, the whole amounting to $275,643. The city likewise paid
off large sums of water bonds and refunded at a lower rate of in-
terest a large amount of sewerage and municipal bonds. By so doing
it effected a saving in interest of $54,215. During 1879 and 1880
the administration, it was claimed, saved $1,050,000. This amount,
added to the taxes of previous years collected and to cash from
various sources, enabled the administration to contribute $550,000
to the obligations of 1881 and left on hand $1,500,000 to meet the
expenses of 1881-82. Owing to the small amount allowed for a
probable deficiency in tax collections it was realized that there would
likely be necessary a large increase in the revenues from licenses.
It was demanded that assessors should be required to discover and
reveal men of large property who habitually evaded a just taxation.
By practicing the most rigid economy the city, it was claimed,
was freed from scrip and was placed on a cash basis. Existing con-
ditions to be feared were the numerous cliques and rings deliberately
and systematically formed in the various departments for the pur-
pose of defrauding the city. Favoritism in appointments nourished
according to the newspapers, and extravagance and fraudulent prac-
tices were openly and unanswerably charged. Notwithstanding
severe ridicule and criticism, the mayor declared that the police de-
partment was well managed and that criminals were controlled and
crime reduced. But this claim was wholly untrue. He stated that
when he assumed the mayoralty two years before, the city was in-
fested with a gang of bank robbers, the most daring and successful
in the whole country. They were silent and inactive here, but used
Chicago as a base of operations throughout the West. These gangs
had been traced, arrested and punished. He stated that the tele-
phone police system proved a most valuable adjunct to the police
department. The ninety alarm stations enabled the police to outwit
and circumvent footpads and other desperate criminals. The sys-
tem would soon be connected with business houses and private resi-
dences.
The water supply was usually contaminated, but could not be
improved until the cribs should be removed to a greater distance
from the lake shore. The city showed a less mortality in 1880 than
any large city except St. Louis and San Francisco. The mayor
feebly endeavored to excuse public gambling, which showed a con-
siderable increase. He did not satisfy the public that he had made
proper efforts to suppress this evil. The press of that date declared
that the administration studiously avoided an investigation of fla-
grant gambling cases which came to its notice and winked at vice
and crime the worst in the history of the city. The fact was
clear that gambling and therefore vice were deliberately and know-
418 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
ingly permitted by Mayor Harrison. He covertly ordered immunity
to these elements, avoided investigation and failed to prosecute
cases notoriously apparent, though called repeatedly to his attention.
On February 6, 1882, Mayor Harrison stated in his annual mes-
sage, as if it was a fact about which to boast, that the city during
1881 was not obliged to issue temporary scrip. The negative avoid-
ance of unnecessary debt was paraded as a positive virtue that mer-
ited congratulation and praise. The amount received from taxes
during 1881 was $4,115,408, and there was in the treasury at the
close of the year $755,479. Attention was called by the newspapers
to the remarkable prosperity of all manufacturing enterprises of the
city during 1881 ; to the system of factory inspection that had been
established; to the value of the police telephone service; to the
falsely claimed efficiency of the police department ; to the superiority
of the fire department; to the superb management of the health
department under Doctor De Wolf; to the control of smallpox by
vaccination; to the ob'jectionable proximity of the pesthouse to the
house of correction ; to the wise management of the house of cor-
rection by Superintendent Felton; to the decrease in mortality; to
the excellence of the public schools; to the increased collection of
water rates $936,639 for 1881 ; to the mayor's unexampled, cor-
rupt and inexcusable pardons of offenders ; to the alleged excellent
management of the city departments despite the knowledge of thou-
sands to the contrary; to the adverse reports in circulation con-
cerning municipal conditions which the mayor declared were "gross-
ly exaggerated" ; to the fact that public opinion had condemned
the administration as one of reckless subserviency to the criminal
population, and to the mayor's indirect admission of the truth of the
charges by a weak and prevaricating apology. There was shown
to exist under his administration an extraordinary reign of crim-
inal license and its attendant wretchedness and wrong. The mayor
made a miserable attempt to explain and condone the disgraceful
condition caused by his own policy of granting immunity to wick-
edness in order to secure its support at the polls. At this date law-
lessness held the balance of power.
However, in matters of detail it was clear that several depart-
ments had been well conducted. The fire department was particu-
larly efficient, and the health department, despite serious obstacles
and inconveniences, made an excellent showing. The old lake tun-
nel, which had been completed fifteen years before, was examined
and found to be almost as sound as when first put in use. The old
tunnel was five feet high ; the new one, seven. The mayor earnestly
recommended that the city should at once make provision for public
improvements in anticipation of the future wants of the city. No
municipality need expect to be made magnificent out of the pro-
ceeds of immediate taxation. "It should be made grand, but com-
ing generations should help to bear the expense. We should pay
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 419
every cent needed for present municipal purposes, but should also
provide for future Chicago and should ask that future to help us
so provide. To this end the Legislature should be asked to make
a change in the State constitution to permit us to issue bonds for
such permanent improvements." The mayor noted that a great
improvement to carry off the sewage and improve the water system
of the city would soon have to be made. Every year new school-
houses and enlarged facilities in every department would have to
be provided.
In his message of May 5, 1884, Mayor Harrison again egotis-
tically complimented the city upon the excellent management of his
administration. He stated that the finances of the city, being the
first consideration, had been judiciously, wisely and economically
managed. The growth of the city had been so rapid as to outstrip all
calculations of receipts and expenditures. He naively stated that
he had experienced great difficulty in checking extravagance, owing
to the creation of many new and untried departments, and noted
that the assessments had not kept pace with the population. At-
tention was called to the fact that in 1872 city property was valued
at $284,000,000 and that ten years later when the population had
about doubled the valuations were $125,000,000.
The mayor argued that bonds of the city should be issued to
make improvements needed for public pleasure and benefit. Such
bonds could be spread over many years, their payment would scarce-
ly be felt, and the improvements could be enjoyed by the present
generation. He illustrated this point by stating that if the councils
had not anticipated the future wants of the city by building much
larger water works than were needed, a sufficient supply of good
water would be out of the question at this date, owing to the great
growth. He recommended that a law to enable the council to issue
bonds with which to make such improvements should be secured.
There was a large increase in the revenue from saloon and other
licenses. The mayor took occasion to criticise severely a partisan
press which at all times, he declared, found fault with his administra-
tion without being able to show how he could remedy matters. The
statement was untrue ; almost every newspaper repeatedly told of the
improvements that were desired and could be made. The change
from low license to high license, he expostulated, worked hardships
upon saloon keepers.
At the close of 1884 Mr. Harrison congratulate^ the City Coun-
cil on the continued prosperity, excellent credit, and high standing
of the municipality. Never before in the history of Chicago had
the municipal government been so fiercely assailed by newspapers
and politicians as during the last few months of 1884. He declared
that the shafts of malice and invective aimed at him were warded
off by his consciousness of right doing and his fidelity to the inter-
ests of the people. He stated that while the newspapers admitted
420 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
that the departments were admirably conducted, they at the same
time denounced his administration in the most abusive and untruth-
ful terms. The newspapers had truthfully published accounts of
lawlessness, mob violence, plunder and riot such as never before
transpired here. Despite the fact that the mayor declared Chicago
was injured by these malicious attacks upon his administration, truth
showed that the financial condition of business and banks was never
better. This fact and other evidence were conclusive proof that
the city was not injured by the newspaper attacks upon the mayor's
administration. The newspapers noticed the filthy condition of the
streets. The mayor admitted the condition. He boasted that the
department of tenement houses and workshop inspectors had ac-
complished great good. Although it was publicly stated to the
contrary, the mayor asserted that the police department had been
ably and satisfactorily managed. The newspapers declared that
the police department and the city administration as a unit were in
league with vice and crime. This was a fact, despite the state-
ment of the mayor to the contrary.
At the close of the year 1885 Mayor Harrison in his annual mes-
sage summed up the progress of events during the past year. He
again congratulated the council on the excellent condition of the
city's finances and on the great progress made in the character and
extent of public improvements. He stated that public requirements
had been wisely and economically extended and that therefore Chi-
cago's financial credit was not surpassed by that of any other city
in the country. He further noted that the police, fire and health
departments had been managed with consummate ability and effi-
ciency and would challenge favorable comparison with similar de-
partments in other cities. The grand jury issued a report at the
end of 1885 severely reflecting on the mayor and the police de-
partment for their failure to manage vice and crime. It was ap-
parent that the administraton, doubtless for considerations of
policy, had permitted gambling, and therefore was responsible for
all its accompanying disorders and disgraces. Strange was it that
the controller seemed to think it necessary to brag that the city had
not been compelled to issue scrip during the past year. He assumed
that it was a matter of congratulation, joy and delight that the
city had not further been plunged into debt; and stated that by
collecting the savings of previous years into a general fund to be
used in emergencies his department had secured within its jurisdic-
tion the necessary means to carry on the affairs of the city. This
step, he stated, was made necessary by the system of tax levies and
collections in vogue. The Board of Health reported considerable
decrease in deaths from zymotic diseases among children under 5
years of age. The report of the factory inspectors was not alto-
gether satisfactory. Though considerable improvement was made
there were still many faults in the system of inspection and partic-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 481
ularly in the conditions which the department designed to improve.
However, substantial progress was made in the right direction.
There was a surprisingly large number of buildings into which sewer
gas found entrance. The total number of policemen was 1 ,036.
The year 1886 was memorable, owing to the riot and massacre
which occurred at Desplaines and Randolph streets on the night of
May 4. This was the desperate and bloody culmination of the en-
croachments of communism and anarchy during the preceding
half dozen years. A dynamite bomb was thrown into the ranks of
the police and one officer was instantly killed, six fatally wounded,
and many injured for life, making in all sixty-seven members of the
force who were struck. That this result was occasioned by the
lenient and unwise method of the city administration in dealing
with the anarchists, there can be no doubt. During his entire ad-
ministration Mayor Harrison permitted the anarchists to hold their
rabid meetings, voice their murderous propaganda, and march un-
molested through the streets with red banners and redder intent.
Little attempt to check their furious designs and operations were
made. They thus became emboldened by the leniency shown them
and imagined that the slackness of the city authorities betokened a
wrong and unjust cause, and accordingly they grew bolder, stronger,
more violent and more insane as time progressed, until they openly
counseled murder at their meetings in halls and on the public streets.
Occasionally they were slightly checked, but this only served to
make them more cunning, desperate and daring. The result was
the riot on the West side. This act sounded the death knell of an-
archy in Chicago. After this event the authorities rigidly checked
all violent movements having such a tendency. There was a large
public subscription for the benefit of the families of the injured
policemen, a portion of which was assigned to the Police Benevolent
association and the balance was distributed among the victims and
their families by a special committee. The leaders of the anarchists
were punished.
In his annual message of April 9, 1888, Mayor John A. Roche
asked the people to decide whether he had fulfilled his promises to
have the affairs of the city conducted in a business like and econom-
ical manner, to suppress public gambling, and to close disreputable
saloons. They did so, but the decision was partly adverse to his
promises. The bonded debt of the city on December 31, 1887, was
$12,588,500. In addition the city was bound to pay $30,000 for
land upon which to swing the Adams street bridge. The total re-
ceipts during 1887 were $11,980,935.55. This was an increase of
more than half a million over those of 1886. The total expendi-
tures during 1887 were $11,497,988.24. This was an increase of
nearly half a million over the previous year, but was accounted for
in part, though feebly, by the addition of 113 men to the police
force. The question of health was reported satisfactory. Chicago's
422 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
death rate was low compared with other large cities of the country.
The revenue from licenses was over $174,000. Improvement in
scavenger work was effected. It was decided during the year that
the city should own the teams and employ the men to carry on this
work. A furnace for the destruction of garbage was put in opera-
tion and was regarded as fairly successful and satisfactory. The
sanitary supervision of homes and the inspection of health con-
ditions of tenement houses were performed with energy, intelli-
gence and success. Over 81,000 examinations were made. The
result was to enforce cleanliness in localities where it was never
before practiced.
During the year 1887 the contract for the four-mile tunnel was
amended that more money would be available for pressing public
let. It was expected to supply seventy-five million gallons every
twenty-four hours. An expert engineer was employed and his sug-
gestions saved the city a large sum. The previous administration
had left a debt of over $250,000 for the paving of street intersec-
tions. This was met by the Roche administration. During 1887
the street railways paved over 91,000 square yards between their
tracks. It was believed by many that the revenue law should be so
improvement. The amount of money obtained under the existing
law was inadequate to meet the wants of this rapidly growing city.
The drainage commission was forced to suspend operations on
December 1, 1887, owing to lack of funds. The newspapers ex-
pressed dissatisfaction with the management of affairs by this
commission. The recent decision of the United States Circuit court
as to the rights of the city on the lake front was encouraging to
the municipal government. The council paid special attention to the
enforcement of rapid transit by both steam and street railway com-
panies. The railways were urged to offer encouragement to all
legitimate schemes that would increase communication with the sub-
urbs. New tunnels under the South branch to meet the require-
ments of street car service for the West side were demanded. Bet-
ter management for the passage of shipping through the Chicago
river was advocated. As over 24,000 vessels arrived and departed
from this port during 1887 and as nearly all of them entered the
river, the importance of this recommendation was apparent. Nu-
merous viaducts over the railroad tracks were constructed during
the year. The mayor emphatically announced that in accordance
with his promises he had almost wholly suppressed public gambling.
He improved matters, but did not accomplish extinguishment. He
employed a force of men whose special duty it was to discover and
report all such establishments. Many were convicted and impris-
oned from the evidence thus secured. Numerous disreputable sa-
loons were likewise investigated and closed. In all cases, it was
claimed, applications for saloon licenses from improper characters
were refused. To a large extent the mayor revolutionized the po-
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 423
lice department, saloon establishments and gambling resorts. Vice
of every description was unquestionably checked under his ad-
ministration. This was such a conspicuous and admirable depart-
ure from the wicked practices and immunities under the Harrison
administration as to demand general recognition and commendation.
It was the" first time for half a dozen years that any emphatic bar
was placed before the steady and deadly encroachments of vice,
immorality and anarchy. During the year of 1887 the fire depart-
ment rendered satisfactory service.
The controller reported at the end of the year 1887 that it would
be necessary to spend as estimated about $2,884,000 to secure ex-
tensions to the water system. New tunnels, engineers, buildings,
grounds, mains, cribs and maintenance would have to be supplied.
On April 15, 1889, Mayor Roche reported that on January of that
year the bonded debt of the city was $12,561,500. There was a
small decrease during 1888. The receipts during 1888, including
the balance on hand, were $15,261,712. Of this sum $2,262,181
came from licenses, an increase from that source of over $200,000
in two years. The expenditures amounted to $15,874,387. The
excess was caused mainly by the construction of the lake and
land tunnels and the cost of new pumping stations. There was
on hand at the end of 1888, $2,294,926. Up to the close of 1888
only the building department was self-sustaining. It was evident
that, owing to constitutional restrictions, the revenue of the muni-
cipality was insufficient to commence and complete the public im-
provements demanded by the growth and requirements of the city.
As a measure of relief a law exempting the sewer construction from
the provisions of the bill fixing a 2 per cent limitation on taxation
was passed. As this law would be operative only until about
1891, a large additional revenue thereafter for sewer construction
might be possible. During 1888, notwithstanding the epidemic of
diphtheria which swept the whole country, the death rate in Chi-
cago was the lowest of all the great cities of the world. Tene-
ment inspection was rigidly enforced with surprising and excellent
results. The experiment of having the city do its own scavenger
work proved successful. The cost, though slightly greater than un-
der the contract system, was sure to be less in the end. The De-
partment of Public Works reported a considerable saving in vari-
ous branches and also reported an improved service. During 1888
several land and water tunnels were constructed. A contract for
a four-mile crib was let and provision for an intermediate shaft
was made, all to be completed within two years. Satisfactory prog-
ress by the drainage commission and in the lake front cases was
made during 1888. Two additional street car companies were
granted franchises one on the South side and one on the West
side. The experiment of operating the city telephone from a central
office was tried and found to be satisfactory. The lighting of the
424 JII8TORY OF COOK COUNTY
river by electricity was a great improvement. The new electric
light system was opened on the West side.
From 1879 to 1886 eight bridges, of which two were small ones,
over the canal, were built at a cost of nearly $427,000. Of this
amount the city paid over $320,000 and the railroads the balance.
In 1887-88 six bridges, costing nearly $441,000, were built, the
city paying over $243,000. From 1879 to 1886, inclusive, nine
viaducts were built, three old ones reconstructed and additions and
repairs made to others, at a total expense of over $1,300,000. Of 
