USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Biographical Sketches of Some of the Early Settlers of the City Chicago Part 1 > Part 6
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3. He was, in general, a liberal and useful member of society. He gave generously to every cause that commended itself to his judgment, while at times he firmly rejected applications that seemed to him unworthy of patronage. It would be difficult to name a good enterprise begun in Chicago, during his residence in the city, for which he did not contribute. And he was an active helper in a great number of patriotic endeavors. I used to think there was scarcely another man in Chicago whose name was found high up on more subscription papers, or who was a member of more committees and boards organized for benefi- cent purposes.
4. Mr. Brown was serupulously honest and trustful in every relation of life. I never knew him to be accused of unfairness or deception in any business transaction. I never heard a sus- picion breathed against his integrity. I never met with a per- son who ventured to charge him with untruthfulness or prevari- cation. Hle always seemed to me unusually fair and candid in his statements of facts. I am sure I express the judgment of all those who knew him best when I say that he was extraordi- narily exact in his adherence to the requirements of truth and
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justice, both in speech and conduct. This would hardly have been denied by his bitterest enemy.
5. He was naturally conservative, but never seemed to re- gard public opinion, when his duty required him to assume unpopular ground. He never betrayed any cause to which he had pledged his support, however misrepresented and misun- derstood it may have become. And yet he was open to convic- tion in regard to the wisdom of any measure that he might have formerly sustained or refused to further by his money or personal influence. He was not vacillating in his judgments, for he usually considered every subject carefully before he formed his opinions respecting it. But I always expected to obtain a fair hearing when I undertook to present reasons for any view of a subject which I knew he did not favor; and in several instances he changed his grounds sooner than I had hoped for. In business matters, he was, perhaps, too conserva- tive for such a city as Chicago; but, on the whole, his slowness to fall in with the prevailing estimates of property was, it may be, a good safeguard to liis financial interests, and it tended to moderate the enthusiasm of the speculative spirit in times of dangerous inflation. Had he lived, he would, no doubt, have passed through this present trying crisis without disaster to his private fortunes.
6. Though not a man of brilliant mental powers. Mr. Brown was possessed of excellent practical judgment. He was not liberally educated, but he was not ignorant of books, and knew much more of the world than most men of more varied learn- ing. His opinion in regard to matters of Church, State, or busi- ness, was always worthy of consideration. In fact, he seldom made a great mistake. I relied on his practical judgment, es- pecially in trying situations, as on that of few other men ; for he was scarcely ever carried away by temporary excitement, and he never lost sight of the main interests involved in any ques- tion, personal or public. Hence his counsel was often sought in relation to practical difficulties, both in church and in pri- vate affairs.
7. He was a most agreeable gentleman in social intercourse, and was warmly regarded as a personal friend. Those who knew him only slightly had but little idea of his power of
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imparting interest to a social circle. His conversation was al- ways entertaining, and hence his presence was sought and valued in general society. His house was the favorite resort of many gentlemen and families, who were attracted by his gen- erous hospitality and the cordiality of his excellent lady.
As a friend, Mr. Brown could be safely trusted in all emer- gencies. He never flattered, and at times seemed cold and un- sympathetic; but in the season of need he was uniformly a ready helper, and he could be relied on to speak kindly of you behind your back, if he professed friendship to your face. He could disagree with you without any breach of friendship. For he knew how to distinguish between great and little things. I sometimes thought it my duty to dissent from his opinion and to contend with him in regard to points of differ- ence. But I could never see that it made any change in his subsequent deportment towards me. As a friend he was not demonstrative. but he was eminently true.
8. Mr. Brown was a man of positive opinions in regard to the character of others, but his judgments were, on the whole, charitable. IIe sometimes spoke severely of others, but not without apparent reason. He was, for the most part, careful in his utterances respecting his neighbors, and if he said anything unfavorable, it was usually qualified by some kinder expression. Hle was, by no means, guilty of double-dealing in his inter- course with men. If he was not always exactly tender of the reputation of others, he was usually reserved in the expression of adverse judgments, and almost uniformly he spoke kindly and commendingly of his neighbors and fellow-citizens. He was not a mischief-maker, and frequently merited the name of a peace-maker.
9. From intimate knowledge of Mr. Brown's principles, con- victions, feelings, and conduct in a great variety of relations, I can truly say that I believe him to have been a sincerely and thoroughly Christian man. His religion was not impulsive, and he made no loud professions of zeal and spirituality. But I was always impressed with his evident depth of conviction in regard to the truth and claims of the Gospel, the purity of his Christian aims, the honesty and simplicity of his devotions, and his unfeigned and practical consecration to the service of the
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Church and of his Lord. Few men have led more consistent Christian lives. His dying breath was one of prayer, and un- doubtedly " he entered heaven with prayer."
In all that has been said, it has not been designed to assert or imply that Mr. Brown was, in the ordinary sense, a popular man. He had a certain severity of manner, in his intercourse with strangers, and sometimes with friends, that caused him to be misunderstood and misjudged. He did not sufficiently study the amenities of life, and he paid the temporal penalty of this neglect. Contrary to the common rule, he was most es- teemed and loved by those who best knew his inner life. It was necessary to get through the outer shell to the real man to appreciate the nobleness of his character. Those persons who did this, will fully justify all that I have said of him.
Mr. Brown's memory will be blessed, not only by his own family, but by many friends, who felt, when he died, that a good and really great man had fallen, and who will keep his virtues embalmed in their hearts, when the blander traits of many more pliant men who were more widely applauded in life will be forgotten.
Tap , Hall & Sons 6. St.IT
BENJAMIN W. RAYMOND, ESQ.
| From the Chicago Magazine, April, 1857. ]
Late in the seventeenth century, a few Huguenots, driven from France by persecution to England, settled afterwards in New England. The subject of this sketeli is a descendant from these, on his father's side. He was born in Rome, Oneida county, New York, in 1801; and was the son of Benjamin Ray- mond, who, as early as 1796, left his birth-place, Richmond, Berkshire county, Mass. His mother was a daughter of Thomas Wright, one of the brothers of that name who, emigrating from Weathersfield, Conn., were among the first settlers of Rome, which was long known as Wrighit's Settlement, in the wilder- ness of the then West. His father was engaged for some years in connection with the late Judge Wright, (afterwards chief engineer of the Erie canal,) in surveying into townships the northern counties of New York: and which were then all a wilderness, from the Mohawk River northward to the St. Law- rence. He selected the site of the town of Potsdam. in St. Lawrence county, where he lived for several years, and where he held the office of Judge for the county. He died in 1824, in the state of Delaware; being then engaged as engineer upon the Delaware and Chesapeake Canal.
The early years of Benjamin W. were spent with an aunt in Whitestown, New York, having lost his mother at the age of five years. When he had reached the age of ten, he was taken home to pursue his education in an academy which his father had established ; having erected, at his own expense, a building to be used for the purpose of a high school and of public wor- ship. Here he spent four years, dividing his time between school and the duties of a clerk in a village store. He also spent a good part of a year at school in Montreal, boarding with a French family where no English was spoken .- After- wards he resumed his clerkship at his father's store, in Norfolk, St. Lawrence Co., and wound up his school attendance in the study of practical mathematics, particularly surveying, which he afterwards practiced to some extent.
His introduction to the more responsible cares of business took place at the age of nineteen, when he was sent down the Ratchett River, into the St. Lawrence, to Montreal, with a large quantity of lumber, which he was to sell and account for, and
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in which he acquitted himself to the full satisfaction of his employer. About two years after this, he purchased a small stock of goods, and commenced business on his own account : but his father dying soon after, he was left, at the age of 22, the eldest of nine orphan children, without other means of support than his small stock of goods, purchased on credit, and sold, of necessity, under all the disadvantages of a new country without currency, or other means of purchase; and dependant on a bar- ter of crude commodities for whatever trade was done. As his eldest brother was but thirteen years of age, he soon saw the impossibility of sustaining the family at Norfolk, and so closed his business at that place, in debt to his largest creditor to the amount of $600, (which was paid in instalments some years afterwards), and started for Oneida county, once more to try a new tack for his life voyage. Here, a clerkship introduced him to a partnership in business with Mr. Wmn. Wright, one of the oldest merchants at Rome, which was continued for three years. A feeling of responsibility on account of his orphan brothers and sisters induced habits of the strictest industry and econ- omy, and led him to adopt those principles of temperance to which he has ever since adhered. The circle of young men into which he had been thrown in St. Lawrence county were dissipated, and their gayety was not without a charm for young Raymond. But when returning to Oneida county he firmly resolved to leave all such associates behind, and to seek for the future only the society of the strictly virtuous. Temperance societies were not yet invented; but Mr. Raymond made a pledge for himself, and has kept it to this day.
It was here, during the great revival of religion, in which Rev. C. G. Finney figured as the chief preacher, that Mr. Ray- mond made a profession of religion, early in the year 1826.
One of the first Young Mens' Temperance Societies in the State was formed at Rome, and Mr. Raymond at once relin- quished the sale of liquors, though it was a very important source of profit to the merchant at that time. That was in 1828
In 1831, Mr. Raymond formed his first acquaintance with his future friend and partner, Hon: S. N. Dexter; and very soon after turned his steps westward, determined to seek his fortune in what was then the far west; with a promise from Mr. Dexter that if he should find a good place near the western lakes for settlement and trade, he would supply him the capital neces- sary for a commencement of business. In this journey he pushed westward through northern Ohio and Michigan, as far as White Pigeon; the last twenty-five miles of which was reached on the back of an Indian pony, guided partly by lead of an Indian trail, and partly by the course of the sun. He found plenty of persons who, like himself, were in search of places for the sale of goods, but very few who promised to be
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purchasers, and so turned backward as far as the town of East Bloomfield, in Western New York, where he once more com- menced business. Here he spent four years in a successful trade, connected with the purchase of wool. Here, also, one of the most important steps of his life was taken, in his entrance into the matrimonial relation with Miss Amelia Porter, of East Bloomfield. his present wife; a step which has probably had as much to do with his success in life, and the position he now occupies, as any other. Mrs. Raymond was the mother of two sons, one only living, and now a professor in Williams College.
Finding that his business did not allow of much expansion at East Bloomfield, he began. in 1835, to look once more west- ward, and Chicago being then somewhat talked about, he at once fixed his attention upon this place, being confirmed in the idea, from its natural position upon the map, that it would at some time be a place of importance; and also from a remark he once heard from Hon. De Witt Clinton; whose sagacity in regard to such matters was seldom at fault.
In January, 1836, he therefore set out by stage for Chicago, being provided with authority to draw upon his friend Dexter to the amount of $10.000, if he chose to do so, for purposes of joint investment in real estate. After some looking at Mil- waukee and elsewhere, and investing his $10,000, he returned. closed up his business in N. Y., and set his stake in Chicago about the 1st of June, 1836; having been preceded by a large stock of goods; which, however, having to go by sail vessels around the Lakes, did not arrive until July. The city was at that time running over with merchandise, wanting nothing but purchasers. Such a class of merchants, too, as were a portion of them, never seen elsewhere: being mere adventurers, who had. by hook or by crook, and commonly by both. got possession of their stocks; their next aim was to get rid of them at whatever price could be bad.
This disheartening and ruinous condition of things, left but a poor chance for him who thought only of a legitimate trade, which should turn his stock into cash .- Mr. R. was therefore obliged to look about him for other avenues to help off his goods. He established a branch at Milwaukee, one at Geneva. in Kane Co., and another at DesPlaines, on the Canal.
The disasters of that period, commencing in August, 1836, were under full headway for about three years, and cume especi ally upon such as had made purchases of real estate, with notes to mature from time to time. The fall of 1837 found the firm of B. W. Raymond & Co. minus the ability to meet their en gagements by about $15,000, in addition to their loss of capital, amounting to as many more. This was a state of things with a bad look to it, and was fully made known to his partner; but Mr. Dexter was a man with a back bone in him, and nobly sus tained the house with $20,000, as it was called for, during the
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years 1837-8-9; so that, by attention to meeting and securing liabilities as they accrued, the credit of the house was unshaken and their business uninterrupted during the whole period of that terrible depression. From the year 1838 to 1843, business was good, and the firm had so far retrieved its condition that Mr. Raymond determined to make an effort to put himself square with the world again.
For this purpose he sold out his stock of goods, receiving one-half in cash and in paper running six months, and the balance in real estate. This latter consisted of sixty feet on Clark street, including the old Post Office on the alley of the Sherman House Block, which was valued at $5000. By this sale, and by collecting dues, and by turning over all his interest in the real estate owned by the firm, to his partner, who was the largest creditor-Post Office property and all, at its esti- mated value, the whole precisely paid the liabilities of B. W. Raymond & Co., with 7 per cent. interest, together with all the private debts of Mr. Raymond; and left him with about $2000 for a fresh start. Mr. Dexter rather objected to receiving all the real estate in their hands, as it had begun again to advance, and he was anxious that Mr. Raymond should share in the pro- fit, as well as to have borne the labor. But Mr. R. preferred to have his affairs in a shape to leave his family with some resources in case of his death; and, besides, he wished to have one more clear start in the world. Mr. Dexter would, however, only receive the property on condition that Mr. Raymond should manage it as he had done, and gave him full power of attorney to that effect. After all transfers were made, Mr. D. so arranged matters as that an exact account should be kept of all real estate to him, with 7 per cent. added each year, and then that all profits over the cost and interest should be equally divided between Mr. R. and himself; as his intention, he de- clared to be, that Mr. R. should not spend seven of the best years of his life exclusively for his benefit; but that if anything was to be made from real estate, he should share it.
Previous to the year 1843, Mr. R. purchased, on account of Mr. D. and himself, of the late Jas. T. Gifford, one-half of his interest in the village of Elgin, and in that year commenced the erection of a woolen factory for Mr. Dexter, which was com- pleted in 1844. He was also concerned in a store at that place till 1851, and owned considerable real estate in the town.
In the year 1839, he purchased the lot No. 122, on Lake street, Chicago, and in connection with Messrs. Strachan & Scott, erected, not the first brick, but the first fire-proof stores in the town. In about three weeks after their completion, the great fire of that year swept the whole block on Lake street. from their stores to Dearborn street, including the original Tremont House, standing diagonally across the street from its present position-and northward to the alley.
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In March, 1839, Mr. Raymond was put in nomination for Mayor of the city, without any expectation on his part of an election, since party lines were then drawn in regard to city officers, as well as those in the state or nation ; and Mr. R. acted with the whigs, while their opponents were largely in the ascendant. He was, however, elected, together with half the Council on the same side, which put upon him the duty of giving a casting vote, whenever the question of office, or ap- pointment, or of party advantage should divide that body. Mr. Raymond acknowledges that for once he was swayed by his friends, who insisted that he ought to use his power for the party to which he belonged: but that on the next day he formed the resolution to which he has since adhered, of never voting for a man whom he deemed unfit, because he was of a particular party. From that time he has been opposed to bring- ing party politics into the arena of our municipal elections.
During this year the well-known counterfeiting of the Canal checks of $100 occurred. Mr. Raymond gave such attention to the case that three fellows engaged in the business were put into the clutches of justice; of whom two went to Alton, and the other,* by changing venue, got off on straw bail, and was seen no more in these parts. He brought up in Sing Sing. however, and may be doing service to the state of New York till this day, for aught known of him.
The Mayor, at this time, was paid a nominal salary of $1000, which, by depreciation of city orders, in which it was paid, reduced it to about $750. Mr. R. made no money from his office, however; for that year being one of great suffering on the line of the canal, the occupants of the shanties naturally poured into the city for relief; and the salary, drawing after it more of the same sort, went to the aid of the Emeralders, as much more has gone since ; not only from the plethoric pockets of Mayors, but from all other pockets reachable, by lugubrious jeremiads of want.
There came on, also, during the year, a great bridge contest. That over the river at Dearborn street being swept away, a strong party arose opposing the erection of another, thinking, either that those who wanted to get from that side of the stream to this, might crawl under; or, that people who would leave the "sunny south" side and banish themselves to those hyperborean regions lying to the northward of the current of mud, ought to stay there, and no more trouble those of so much better laste, and of better fortunes. So strong was this utter- ance of the ror populi that the matter was decided in that com-
. The genuine & rip was printed in the Chicago American office, and was an ex- Credingly poor job. Only a poor printer could have eve uted the counterfeit- the type, vignette a ship and the paper could be found in any ouintry printing af ce. The interfeiter tried here was the not riou. Otis Allen, of Buffals, V \
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mon council by the casting vote of the Mayor, and a bridge obtained on Clark street, on condition that the north-siders should subscribe $3000 of city bonds to put it over. And so the benighted hyperboreans were admitted once more to sun- light and the society of "the people."
The sale of Fort Dearborn addition to Chicago took place during that year. Mr. R. had the first intimation of it while in New York, in April; and as he knew from the history of like cases, that the people of Chicago expected the lands to be given to the city. as had been customary, he exerted himself for a postponement of the sale, till the matter could be brought before Congress-the sale being advertised by Mr. Van Buren. the President. to take place in June. For this purpose he visited Washington, and saw the President, who put him off with the soft ambiguities which he knew so well how to use; and as soon as he was gone, hurried on the sale, under the aver- ment that the government was "in pressing need of funds." As the next best thing, Mr. R., with a committee of the council, put in for a public square. consisting of a block, to be reserved from sale.
Their success was better than nothing, inasmuch as they got half what they asked for; and Dearborn Park testifies to-day the result. He also persuaded the Agent of the Government to add 60 feet to the width of State Street, for a market.
As a sample of celerity of travel in those days, Mr. R. started. in the month of March, 1839, for New York. He left on Tues- day morning, by stage; that is, in a lumber wagon with trunks for seats. and after riding day and night, with one night's ex- ception. brought up at Tecumseh, forty miles from Detroit. at three o'clock on the next Sunday morning, the last seven miles being on foot, as the four horses were sufficiently loaded by the aforesaid trunks and wagon. During one week more of travel. beginning on the following Monday, Buffalo was gained; and one week further still brought them to New York, making three weeks in the transit. Eight years after this voyage of three weeks. Mr. Raymond was laughed at for saying. that in ten years more. he expected to make the same journey in three days. Perhaps the laughers are cachinnating yet.
In 1842, Mr. Raymond was once more elected Mayor of Chi- cago. This was about the time of the expiration of the long depression which commenced in 183%. City orders were still hawking about at 70 to 75 cents on the dollar, for goods or truck of some sort; and the people were as poor as the city. Real estate had but little value, and everybody would have been rid of it but that nobody else would take it; and so being obliged to keep what they had, an abundance of people were made rich in time in spite of themselves.
The city government entered upon a rigid course of economy ; their whole expenditures for the year municipal. 1842. were
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about $9800, and the receipts $13,800, about $4000 more than the expenditures, and before the end of the year, city orders loomed up to par.
During the year, the late cemetery grounds were selected; the old burying grounds being among the sand hills near Lill's brewery. Some forty acres of those grounds were bought, sur- veyed, and a public sale had. To get means of paying for the forty acres, some $1200 of city script was pledged in a loan of $600 for sixty days! The sale furnished the means to redeem the script. This will, perhaps, seem small business at this day, but a great many large things begin small.
During the next year, 1843, Mr. R. endeavored to induce some of his creditors to take the lot on Clark street, north of the Sherman House, and including the old Post office, at $5- 000 in discharge of liabilities. This idea was scouted, and the property was passed over to his partner as already stated. He kept it till it brought him $19,500, and it could not be had to-day, probably, for less than $60,000.
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