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NEW YORK AND NEW ORLEANS CARDE. EDWARD CORNING & CO. IMPORTERS' OF HARDWARE AND CUTLERY, No. 10, OLD SLIP,
NEW YORK.
EDWARD CORKING: D. AUSTIN.
Goods at Cash Prices.
UNITED STATES HOTEL, CORNER OF PEARL, FULTON, & WATER STS. NEW-YORK.
THIS well known extensive establishment has now gone through a thorough repair, been repainted and refurnished, with many important alterations and improvements, forthe safety, comfort, and convenience, of its guests. We feel confident in placing it before the traveling Public as not being surpassed by any other House in the country. Its Location is central for business men, its Rooms large and dry, the Waiters attentive, the Tables supplied with the best our Market affords, and we pledge ourselves to leave nothing undone, on our part. to merit a continuance of the liberal patronage already so bountifully, bestowed upon us.
BRAISTED & JOHNSON, Proprietors.
EDGELL & MULFORD, COMMISSION & FORWARDING MERCHANTS, No. 42, GRAVIER STREET, NEW ORLEANS. S. M. EnGELL. J. M. MULFORD.
4 The following very modest little Card had well nigh been oinilled in this Directory! 9
ELLIS & FERGUS, GENERAL BOOK & JOB PRINTERS, Saloon Buildings, Clark Street, Chicago.
Every variety of Book and JOB PRINTING done in the best style, and on the most moderate terms .- BLANKS printed to order, and.kept constantly on hand.
Soubenir Publication
GENERAL DIRECTORY AND BUSINESS ADVERTISER
OF THE
CITY OF CHICAGO FOR THE YEAR 1844
WITH A
Historical Sketch and Statistics extending from 1837 to 1844
By J. W. NORRIS
OF.CH
XIMOINCORP
YCH 1837
UNISOL PORTO
TE
Martin William Johnson 514 W. Menominee Belvidere, IL 61008
CHICAGO
ELLIS & FERGUS. PRINTERS, SALOON BUILDING 1844
Re-published by T F BOH.IN 1902
4
C
STATE OF ILLINOIS ( & ss. County of Cook. S
J. HARRY JONES, of the City of Chicago, County of Cook and State of Illinois, being duly sworn, doth depose and say, that he is Secretary of Geo. E. Marshall & Co., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Illinois to do a general printing. business; that each and every page ( except the title page) shown herein is an exact reproduction of the pages of the original Chicago City Directory of 1844 published by J. W. Norris and printed by Ellis & Fergus.
- And further this deponent says not.
J. HARRY JONES.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this Tenth day of June, A. D. 1903.
NEWTON LULL,
[SEAL ] NOTARY PUBLIC
...
--
COPYRIGHT 1902 HY T. F. BOHAN
.
Dir 82 2.
PREFACE.
THE DIRECTORY OF CHICAGO, now presented to the public, may be regarded as an experiment. Ir must be decided by those for whose nse and benchit it has been prepared, whether it is required, and can be sus- tained. The sudden rise, and unexampled prosperity of Chicago, have created a curiosity in regard to its early history, and the incidents connected with its risc and progess, which considerations of interest, if nothing else, iinpel us to embrace every suitable opportunity to gratify. It is believed, that heretofore the sources of information have been altogether inadequate to accomplish this purpose. Wirile the most streunous exertions have been wade, in other placos, by misrepresentation and downright falsehood, in regard to our circumstances and condition, to induce emigration to stop short or 10 pass by us, and to divert capital and enterprise into other and foreign channels: very little or nothing has been done on our part; to remedy the evil, and disabuse the public mind abroad, of the false impres- sions thus engendered. Relying upon the reality which the experience of every day presents to us, of our condition -- upon what we know ourselves, of the never failing sources of our prosperity, we have been comparatively indifferent in regard to the opinion of others, and blind to the effect of that opinion upon our own interest. The ignorance prevailing at the East, even in those cities with which we have the most intimate commercial relations, in regard to the size. business, and resonres of Chicago, has been a matter of surprise to all whose attention has been called to the fact. The present is a most important juncture in our affairs. Our prospects are brightening-our harbor is nearly completed-the work on our canal shortly to be resumed -the credit of our state daily improving-and the finances of our City in a most flourishing condition. Our citizens will, we hope, for- ever be exempt from the burdens of heavy taxation. Never were the in- dncements to einigrate and settle herc, greater than at the present time. It has been thought, that a Directory, containing. in addition to the matter usually introduced into such works, a brief historical and statistical account of the City, inny, independent of the benefit which our citizens will derive from it, in the transaction of business, be inade to suhserve the additional purpose of conveying to the public abroad a correct impression of the City, in almost every particular.
. The utmost difficulty has been experienced. while preparing the histo- rical and statistical parts of the work. in procuring frets and statements from anthentic sources. "Consequently, those parts are lese full and perfect than they were originally intended to be -- much lese so than ine amhor would have made them. Errors and omissions will doubtless he discovered through- out the work-no apologies, however, will be necessary to the ho are
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PREFACE.
: acquainted with the difficulties in the way of preparing the first Directory for a riew city. Such persons would probably be more surprised to find it in every respect perfect. Nothing has intentionally been left ont, that could add either to the interest or value of the work.
The greatest exertion has been made, to give the names of Germans and other Old Country people, correctly. Notwithstanding this, mistakes will doubtless be discovered in the orthography of these names, owing to the fact, that many are unable to spell their own nauics, in English. It is 'hoped, however, that instances of this kind will not be found to be nurde- rous. In subsequent editions of the work the author hopes to be able to avoid them altogether, and also to give the names of such persons as are not included in this volume.
Chicago, it is to be remembered, is yet in its infancy, and subject to fluc- tuation inits population and business, shore so than larger and older cities. So far as this is true, a Directory will be of less utility. It is believed, however, that this inconvenience is diminishing, and will be loss felt bere- after. Our citizens are becoming sensible of the importance of fixed habi- tations, and places of business-and will speedily take measures to secure to themselves the benefits aud advantages to be derived therefrom. This, to a considerable extent, has been effected the present season. Nearly three-fourths of our population will hereafter, at Icast for many years, be permanently located. Hoping that the book may be made in many ways to subserve a useful purpose, and prove the means of advancing, to some extent, the interest of our yonng but flourisbing City, it is most respectfully submitted to the public. Our citizens have always been characterised for their liberality and public -spirit. They will not, in this instance, forfeit their claims to this distinction, but will generously, and cheerfully lend their aid and en-operation, to sustain an nudertaking, designed to promote' . and advance the interests of the whole.
. To those gentlemen wbo have encouraged the work, both as subscribers qnd advertisers, and those who bave afforded information, and contributed' their advice in furtherance of the design of the publication, the author would, in conclusion, tender his most sincere thanks.
CHICAGO, December 1, 1843.
EP
DESCRIPTION
AND
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
CHICAGO, Cook County, Illinois, is situated on the South- western shore of Lake Michigan, at the head of Lake navigation, in Jat. 41 deg., 45 sec., North, and long. 10 deg., 45 sec. West. The site of the City occupies a level prairie, ou both sides of the majn stream, and the North and South Branches of Chicago River, and covers an area of about three and a half miles in length. North and South, and two and a half iu breadth, East and West, about a mile and a half square of which is already regularly built upon, and the streets opened aud graded. The streets are regularly laid out, pa- rallel and at right angles to the Lake, and are wide and spacious. There are several extensive blocks of brick buildings, principally occupied as business houses and public offices. three and a half and four stories in height. The dwellings are principally of wood, Inany of them. however, very fine specimens of correct architecture. The portion of the City extending several miles along the shore of the Lake, is sandy, and consequently at all seasons, dry. The por- tion removed from the Lake partakes of the character of all level prairie, heing in the spring and fall wet and inuddy. The site of the City being a plain, does not afford, either from the Lake or the sur. rounding country, a very interesting field of visinn. Chicago River and us branches, which run through the heart of the City, and ad- mit at all seasons. vessels of every class navigating the Lake, some distance into the interior, afford peculiar facilities for a harbor, and give to Chiengo advantages. in a commercial point of view, unsur- passed by any City in the West. The Illinois and Michigan Canal. which is shortly to be completed, will add greatly to the natural ad- vantages of Clifcago. making it a principal point. and necessarily a place of transhipment on the great Northern route connecting the Atlantic States with the valley of the Mississippi .. The City is bounded on the South and West by a prairie, varying from ten to twelve mmties in width. some portion of which is high, and of a very superior quality. It is surrounded in every direction, by a country the most productive in the world. uready brought into a state of successful culisvation. and sending so us market annually. a vast amount of produce of every descrigitan for sale. exeliange for goods, or shipment, as the ense may be. "The climate is healthy and salu- brious, as much so as any in the West. In de97. Chicago became 1
6 DESCRIPTION AND an incorporated City, the act of the legislature conferring its charter being granted and approved March 4th of that year. The City is divided into six Wards. The first and second Wards, divided by Clark Street, are bounded by the South Branch, Chicago River, and the Lake-the first Ward lying East, and the second West of Clark Street. The third and fourth Wards, divided hy Randolph Street, are situated on the West side of the North and South Branches -- the third South, and the fourth North of Randolph Street. The fifth and sixth Wards, divided by Clark Street, are houoded by the North Branch, Chicago River, and the Lake -- the fifth being West, and the sixth East of Clark Street. The government of the City is vested in a Common Council, composed of the Mayor and twelve Aldermen, two for each ward, all chosen annually. The Common Council, in addition to their other powers and duties, are constitu- ted, by virtue of their office, Commissioners of Common Schools, with power to levy and collect taxes for their support, and to exer- "cise a general supervision over matters pertaining to them, In 1832, and the beginning of 1833, Chicago had about 100 inhabitants and five or six log honses, exclusive of the Fort and its appurte- nances. In 1840, the population had increased to 4853. The pre- sent population exceeds 7580, and may be said at this time to amount to 8000. The period of the greatest prosperity of Chicago, was from 1333 to 1837. The revulsions and reverses of '36-7, greatly retarded its growth, It continued, however, though more gradually, to increase in business and resources until 1840-1, from which time business received a new impulse, and it is now enjoying a degree of , prosperity equal to any former period of its history.
What the destmy of Chicago is to be, the future can alone deter- mine. ' Judging by the past, it seems difficult to assign a limit to Its advancement, It presents, undoubtedly, one of the most remark- able instances of sudden rise to commercial importance, to be found in our age. So rapid, indeed. has been its growth-with such gigantic strides has it moved onward in its carcer, that little space 'is left to mark and calculate the successive stages of its progress. We behold it, from a distant and isolated colony, inhabited only by some five or six families clinging to a lone and solitary military post for protection, and dependent for subsistence upon the uncer- tain arrival of some chance vessel from Mackinaw, in the short space of eight or ten years, become a mighty City, terming with a busy and enterprising population, the centre of a widely extended and flourishing commerce. . To those wito have been here from the be- ginoing, and there are many amoog us. the change must be strik- ing-the contrast between what is, and what was-great indeed. History, in this instance, has assumed the air of romance. Truly has a change-come over the spirit of our dream. It seems diffi- cult to reconcile to the mind. that the spot now covered with stately blocks of buildings, and alive in every direction with a busy and cager multitude, actively and profitably employed in the numerous departments of our growing commerce. was, so recently. a low and marshy plain, of which the wild beasts of the prairies were almost the solitary tenants: that but yesterday, comparatively. the wild.Indian held here his council-fire, and roamed abroad nnmolest- ed in the enjoyment of his native freedom.
A country so recent as this cannot be presumed to .
very
HISTORICAL SKETCH .-
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abundant materials for history. The incidents, however, connected. with the rise and progress of the City-the causes which first gave .it an impulse- and the works of public and domestic improvement. upon which its future prosperity depend, together with such events as transpired upon the spot, at an early day, may, perhaps, furnish a narrative not altogether uninteresting, and not inconsistent with our present purpose. For a western settieinent, Chicago can claim no inconsiderable degree of antiquity. In regard to its earlier history, however, very little can be affirmed with any degree of certainty. The original proprietors and first inhabitants of the region, were, of course, the aborigines. The description of the first appearance of the vicinity, by some of its earliest explorers. leads to the belief, that they were here from a very early period; that this was, then, and from time immemorial had been, the site of an Indian village. .Major Long, among others, mentions the number and apparent an- tiquity of the trails centring here, as evidence of the truth of this iposition. It is to be regretted that so little can be ascertained with certainty, of the lives and fortunes of the various tribes which, at different times, flourished on the spot. 'The melancholy truth, that' they have passed away from their ancient dwelling-places, consti- tutes about- all we know of thein,. "l'hose wild races of primitive men have been swept away by the onward march of civilization: . Their rude wigwams and bark canoes have given place to the princely dwellings and the stately ships of another and a different class of beings. . Chieftain and warrior are goue. It is only occa- sionally that a miserable remnant find their way back from their new homes in the more distant west, to witness the transformation which is going on in this land of their forefathers. Their visits are becoming less and less frequent. Each year witnesses so many changes, that soon they will ecase to recognise. in the scene, any seniblanee to its former self. All will soon be changed- save only the beating of the waves on the shore of the lake over which man can exercise no control. The Illinois, the Shawnees, and the Pora- watamies will be no more. They inny survive for a time beyond the father of waters, or on the shores of the Pacific-but fata seems to have decreed, that ultimately the whole raee are to become ex- tinct.
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The French were the original discoverers and settlers of the West. As early as the latter part of the sixteenth century, while the Eng- lish Colonies were yet clinging to the shores of the Atlantic, alinost two hundred years ago, their voyages and expeditions to this region conuneneed. In a few years they discovered, aod to some extent, settled the whole vast region from Camada to the Gulf of Mexico, a distance of more than 3000 miles. Thicis undertaking at that early day, was one of no little difficulty and danger. If was, nevertheless, commenced with a spuit, nod carried on with a degree of persever- ance pod sagacity, unesampled in the history of adventure. The limits of the present sketeh will not permit us to give the details of these expeditions. It would be unpardonable. however, to pass over in silence the exploits of those brave and self-devoted inen, through whose exertions the resourers and capabilities of the West were first made known. It is to be Scared that they have failed to receive, at the hands of posterity, the reward to which their achieve- ments entitle them ; that, while we have been lavish of praise upon
O
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'DESCRIPTION AND .
the discoverers of other portioos of our country, we have failed to pay suitable tribute to the memory of these first pioneers in the region we iohabit-these pilgrimn fathers of the West. If, to pene- trate thousands of miles into the heart of a continent, bidding adieu for months to the comforts of home, braving hunger and thirst, and the savage, can be said to command our admiration and gratitude, then these men have distinguished claims upon us who are now reaping the fruits of all their toils and suffcriogs. The earliest of these expeditions, as well as the most distinguished, were those of Marquette and La Salle. The former occurred in the year 1673, aod resulted in the discovery of the Mississippi, the original object and design of the expedition. To this expedition, is probably to be ascribed the honor of paying the first visit to Chicago, it being the prevailiog opinion that it passed through here on its return to Canada, ascending the Illinois River aod crossing to Michigan. Perrot, by some writers, is believed to have been here a few years earlier. The story of Marquette, who voluntarily remained among the Illioois Indians, and found at last a solitary grave on the eastern shore of Michigan, at the mouth of a river bcaring his name, is familiar to all.
: With the expedition of La Salle, in 1680, Chicago caonot be so clearly ideotified. 'This expedition, however, was productive of more important consequences to the West, generally, than the pre- ceding ooe. The Mississippi was oavigated to its mouth ; foris at favorable points, crected ; the shores of the great Lakes thoroughly explored ; and permaneot settlements, at several points, commenced: The expeditions which succeeded those of Marquette aod La Salle; were of mioor importance, being principally designed to sustain the colonies already 'planted, and to prosecute the traffic which nad previously been entered into with the natives. Although no posi- tive testimony exists on the subject, it is highly probable that Chi- . cago was frequently visited by the French, during their passages to and from the West. " Having once been here, they must ever after have appreciated the advantages of the situation, both in-a com- inercial and military point of view. Their sagacity io these matters seldom failed them. "In their magnificent scheme of a chain of mili- tary posts .. connecting Canada and the Gulf of Mexico, Chicago; doubtless. forined an important link, being at the head of the Lakes, and affording so many facilities to attain the interior.
The French Colonies in the West, sustained by cmigration, con- tinned from the first to prosper and flourish. Under the general name of Louisiana. which they assumed at a later period, they were made the frequent subject of grants from the crown, to iolividuals and companies. About 1717, they are fonud the property of the celebrated Mississippi Company, which, at the time, gave rise to much speculation throughout Europe. At the close of the French and Indian War, Loutsiana was transferer.1, by treaty, to the Eng- fish. During the Revolution, the Territory comprising the present State of Illinois, become, by conquest, the property of Virginia, by which State it was erected into a Couoty, under the name of the Connty of Illinois.
Virginia ceded it to the General Government at the time of the cession of Western lands, by the Eastern States. In 1800, the pre- sent State of Illinois became a part of Iodiana Territo having a
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HISTORICAL SKETCH.
population of about 3000. In 1809. it became a Territory by itself; with a population of 12,282, and in 1813, was admitted ioto the Union.
On the third day of August,. 1795, at the treaty held by General Wayne, with the Pottawatamies aod other tribes at Greenville, the title to six miles square of territory, at the mouth of Chikajo River, as it is expressed in the treaty, was obtained by the United States. From the language of this treaty, it appears that a fort had formerly. stood on the land thus ceded, which renders it pretty certain, that the French, who alone could have required anything of the sort, had made a settlement here, many years before. In 1804, Fort Chicago was built on the site of the prescut Fort. About the same time, the American Fur Company, having been organised shortly · before, established a trading station, under the protection of the. Garrison. The little colony thus planted here, some forty years ago, for military and trading purposes, may be regarded as the first at- · tempt to effect a permanent settlement of Chicago. The regular and monotonous life led by this little community, for the first eight years, afforded few incidents worthy of particular notice. In 1812, how- ever, the war broke out with England, the consequences of which were peculiarly disastrous to all the Western settlements, exposed as they were, especially those in Illinois, to the hostility of neigh .: boring tribes of Indiaos. The causes which conspired to reoder the Indians hostile at this tionc, are generally well understood, and may: be traced to the machioations of Tecumseh, and other English emis- saries, whose influence extended through all the tribes, being felt as far as the remote regions of Lake Superior. Chicago being then an extreme frontier post in this direction, and the country in every. direction around it, full of Iodians, with a force inadequate to its defeoce, was considered so much endangered as to require its evacu- . atioo. This beiog resolved upon at Detroit, Capt. Heald, the officer in command here at the time, received an order to abandoo the Fort, aod proceed with the troops to Fort Wayne. This evacuation, on
account of the fatal consequences which followed it, and the fact," that some of our present citizens were themselves here, aod had friends here at the time, has always been regarded with interest, and may be considered a memorable event in the annals of Chicago. The transaction may, therefore, not inappropriately be given some- what in detail, in this connection. Beside the Garrison, there were' several families residing here at the time. Mr. John Kiozie, father of John H. Kinzie, Esq., present Register of the Land Office io this City, occupied a house on the North side of the River, a little East of the present site of the Lake House. The evacuation took place on the 15th of August, six days after the reception of the order from Geo. Hull. and the day before the disgraceful surrender of Detroit, by that officer, and oot after. as some writers have erroneously re- presented it. In the mean time, a larger body of Indians, mostly of the Potawatamie nation, had assembled in the vicinity of the Fort. This has generally been represented as a voluntary movement on the part of the Indians-but the most correct opinion appears to be, that Capt. Heald collected them himself, requiring of them an escort for the troops, and promising to give them the factory stores, a conside- rable quantity of which, were nn hand at the time. Whether this be the fact, or not, some understanding of the kind undoubtedly
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DESCRIPTION AND
existed on the part of the Indians, and the non-fulfilment of the agreement, by Capt. Hcald, according to their expectations, may have occasioned the line of conduct which they subsequently adopted, which proved fatal to the lives of 55 of the party, and had well nigh brought about the destruction of the whole. The stores on hand were composed iu part of a quantity of liquor, and somne arms and amunition. These it was deemed imprudent to give the Indians-and they were destroyed, a part being thrown into the River, and the residue deposited in a well within the Fort. One of the arms thus disposed of, a brass piece, was found a few years since, by some people employed in dredging the River-another, it is said. remains there to this day. The stores not destroyed were distribu- ted to the Indians. Under these circumstances, about nine o'clock, on the morning of the 15th of Angust, the party, composed of 54 . regulars, 12 militia. and several families. amounting in all to about 70 persons, left the Fort, under the escort of Capt. Wells, and about 30 Miami Indians. Their route lay along the beach of the Lake, between the water on the left, and a succession of sand hills on the right. They had procceded about a mile and a half from the Fort, * and had attained a point a short distance heyond the present resi- dence of Mr. H. B. Clarke, and were advancing, unconscious of dan- ger, when Capt. Wells, who it appears, had strayed for some pur- pose, some distance from the main body, discovered the Indians in ambush behind the sand hills. At the same time, another party was seen interposing in the rear, between them and the Fort. which they had just left. The alarm was immediately given-the dead march struck up, and the troops marched directly up the bank, upon the Indiaus. The action did not commence, as has generally been represented, by firing, on the part of the Indians. After firing one round, the troops charged, and succeeded in dispersing the Indians in front. But the disparity of numbers was too great. The most determined bravery was displayed by the troops, but it could avail little against the superior force opposed to them, protected by the sand hills behind which it had entrenched itself. In 15 minutes, nearly the whole party were killed or wounded, and all the baggage in the possession of the enemy. Capt. Heald drew off his men. into the open prairie, and took possession of a slight elevation, out of reach of the bank, and every other cover. The Indians, after some consukatiou, made signs for Capt. Heald to approach them. He was met by a Potawatamie Chief, called Blackbird, who requested him to surrender, promising to spare the lives of the whole party, in case of compliance. After some parley. the terms were agreed to, and the arms delivered up. The survivors were marched back to the Indian encamipinent. near the Fort, about the spot where State Street now opens to'the River, and where the present Market is Incated. Here, some of' the prisoners, those who had been wounded. were murdered in the most shocking manner, by the squaws, who appeared to take great delight in exercising their knives and besmearing them in the blood of their unfortunate victims. The small number surviving, were distributed, according to the cus- tom of the savages, among the different members of the tribe. Mr. Kinzie. Sen., however, whose family, from the first, had been pro- tected by some friendly chiefs, although he was himself engaged in the action, with the troops-succeeded in procuring the release of
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