USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Chicago then and now : a pictorial history of the citys development and a reprint of the first city directory published in Chicago by J.W. Norris in 1844 > Part 3
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To Chicago, in an especial degree, was the stroke which was thus inflicted upon the business interests of the country injurious and calamitous. It was to her a season of mourning and desolation. Many of her most business and enterprising citizens were insolvent- all, to a greater or less extent, embarrassed in their circumstances. She had gone on hitherto in astate of uninterrupted prosperity-no- thing had thus far occurred to check the progress of improvement. Could that state of prosperity have continued, Chicago would. by this time, have ranked among the proudest cities of the land. But ca- lamity came suddenly and unexpectedly ; and, for a time, she quailed under its effects.
But she was not, and could not be entirely prostrated. Her position was too favorable, and her redeeming powers too abundant to permit her very long to be serionsly affected by any calamity, however great. She had, in common with the west, gained much by speculation. What had been accomplished could not be un- done. Iler works of improvement survived-her population was left to her, and more than all her great and inexhaustible natural re- sources remained to bear her on to the consummation of her bigh destiny. Her citizens returned to their habits of industry and eco- nomy, from which the force of evil example had seduced them. Her business men, tanght a severe lesson by the past, bent all their energies, and called into requisition all their experience to build up their injured credit, and to restore their business to a safe und per- manent foundation. The consequences began gradually to develop themselves. But little was gained during '38-0; but in '40, things assumed a more favorable aspect, and since that time the increase of business and population has been most rapid. This will be more fully illustrated by a reference to the census of different peri- ods, and to the tabular statements of the amount, value and charac- ter of the export and import trade of the place during each year, contained in another part of this volume.
It is with feelings of pride and satisfaction that the friends of Chicago can refer to the experience of the past six years, as furnish- ing an enduring monument to the industry, enterprise and persever- ance of her people, and as establishing, beyond controversy, the ex- istence and permanency of hier sources of prosperity. If, with an impoverished community, at a period of general prostration of the business interests of the country. under the pressure of heavy mu- nicipal and enormons State liabilities, with resources comparatively undeveloped, and the works of public improvement unfinished, Chicago has accomplished so much, what may not reasonably he expected when these and all obstacles are removed from her way ?
A glance at her geographical position will convince the most sceptical that Chicago is but the nucleus about which is destined to grow up, at no remote period, one of the most important commer- cial towns in the West. Situated on the waters of the only great
16
DESCRIPTION AND
Lake exclusively within the United States-being the termina- tion, on the one hand, of the navigation of the Lakes, and on the other, of the Illinois and Michigan Canal-affording great natu- ral facilities for a harbor, by means of Chicago River and its branches -the excelling site for a capacious ship basin in the very heart of the town, at the junction of said branches-having dependent upon it a region of country vast in extent, and of extraordinary fertility. it must always be the dividing point between two great sections of the Union, where the productions of each must ineet and pay tri- bute. It is susceptible of the easiest demonstration that the route by the Lakes, the Canal and the Western Rivers, when once the channels of communication are completed, will, ·for cheapness, safety and expedition, possess advantages superior to every other. Among the advantages of this route, the climate, so favorably adapted to the preservation of produce, deserves especial notice.
The commercial interests, then, of the East, and especially of the great valley of the West, will be intimately connected with Chica- go, as a place of transhipment and deposit-and the value and amount of the trade in produce, in Inmber, salt, and in every des- cription of merchandize which will centre here, is beyond our pre- sent powers of computation, and can only be measured by the future wants and capabilities of the country.
'Those important works-the harbor and canal-upon which so many interests depend, justly demand the most serious conside- ration ; and it is highly gratifying to allude to their present most flattering prospects. It is now reduced almost to a certainty, that Chicago, after the expenditure of so much solicitude, and a large amount of money, is speedily to be furnished with a safe, conunodi- ous and permanent harbor. Under the supervision of our present able superintendent, the work is prosecuted with a degree of vigor that must be crowned with success.
The principal difficulty encountered during the progress of the harbor has been occasioned by the deposition of sand and the for- mation of bars at its mouth. The plans heretofore adopted to sur- mount this difficulty have failed upon trial, and are now abandoned. Two plans have been proposed the present season, which have at- tracted considerable attention. One of these, suggested by Captain McLellan, the present superintendent, recommends the construc- tion of a pier north of the present ones, at a distance from them greater than the length of the present bar, and is based upon the supposition that the sand would form a bar around its head, and not reach the entrance of the harbor. The other plan, which has been adopted, and is now being carried into effect, proposes the extension of the north pier, in the form of a circle, a distance of 990 feet. which will bring it into the line of the original direction of that pier. A good channel for vessels of every class will then exist from the head of the south pier, around the bar, that pier being extended no farther into the Lake. If this plan succeed, Chicago will be fur- nished with a harbor, not inferior to any on the Lakes.
We have the most flattering assurance that the work upon our other and not less important branch of public improvement-the Illi- pois and Michigan Canal-will be resumed the coming season. un .. der the operation of the late law of the Legislature. The history of this great work, which was contemplated from the first settle-
17
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
ment of the State, and has been the subject of legislation for more than twenty years, presents a remarkable instance of the obstacles which frequently oppose the accomplishment of the greatest under- takings. The first survey of the canal was made in 1:23. In 1825 a bill was passed to incorporate the Illinois and Michigan Canal Company ; but no stock being taken under the charter, it was re- pealed at the next special session. In 1827, act of March 2, Con- gress appropriated each alternate section of land within five miles of the prepared line. In 1829, a board of commissioners was orga- nized, with power to determine upon the route, and to discharge other duties connected with the work. Chicago. Ottawa, and other towns on the line were laid out by the board, and sales of lots effected. The work was commenced in the year 18:6, and was sus- pended in 1842. The law under which this work was contracted, provides that the canal shall be 60 feet wide at the surface. 40 feet at the base, and six feet deep; that it shall commence at Chicago. on canal land, and terminate at the mouth of the Little Vermillion River, making a distance of 955 miles. It was to be constructed upon the deep cut principle, and to be fed from the waters of Lake Michigan. By a recent survey, a method has been discovered by which it is believed that a sufficient supply of water can be pro- cured from Fox River for a canal upon the shallow out plan. The som of about $5,000,000 has thus far been expended upon the work. To complete it upon the plan contemplated by the late law. about $1,600,090 more has been estimated to be necessary. If that law goes into effect, as present appearances seem clearly to indicate. the canal will be finished in about three years. We shall then base the greatest continuity of inland water communication in the world-extending from the Atlantic Ocean by the Frie Canal. along the chain of Lakes, through our canal, the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, to the Gulf of Mexico. This will be a glorious consumma- tion for Minois, and for every interest connected with her. The vast resources connected with the canal itself. the resources which it will develope throughout the State, will enable her in a short time to discharge all her debts-to establish her credit-and to re- deem her reputation. Already has the prospect of the completion of this work effected a revolution in public sentiment, and has con-ed emigration to set strongly in this direction. The reports which have been circulated in regard to the circumstances and pros. peets of the State have been discovered, upon examination. to be founded in falsehood and misrepresentation. The public are now sa- tisfied that the climate is as healthyand salubrious as any portion of the West-that the soil is infinitely superior-that our taxes, even m. der the effect of that severe ordeal through which we have passed. unitonals have been less than any of the adjoining States and Ter- ritories-and that the prospects of the value of real estate, the high price of produce, and the facilities of a convenient market, will ren- der it the most desirable State in the Union. We may trust that the day is not far distant when Illinois will assume her proper posi- tion amon_ the State of the Union-when her friends will be gu- abled to hurt back the imputations which have been cast upon her character-when she can no longer, with a Shadow of nuthor justice. be stigmatized as the land of speculators and repudiation! Until then, she must calmly bide her time.
2.
18
DESCRIPTION AND
In conclusion of our subject, it may be proper to refer more par- ticularly to some important considerations and facts connected with the present condition of Chicago, hitherto only incidentally alluded to.
The city, for some time past, has been considerably embarrassed with debt, in consequence of the necessity which has existed of borrowing money to carry on its works of improvement. The ex- isting liabilities of the city amount to $8977.55, viz. : bonds to Strachan & Scott, $5000; bonds for Clark Street Bridge, $3000; bonds for barrier to the Lake, and interest, $977.55. The increas- ing revenues derived from taxation and other sources will soon afford the means to extinguish these liabilities entirely. The tax of the present year, at the rate of assessment of this year, amounts to $7852.45 ; the school tax, at half a mill per cent .. to $685.24. A large amount of city property, which heretofore has been unpro- ductive, will, the next year, become taxable, particularly the canal lands and the reservation. The amount of the tax for the coming year, unless a reduction should take place, may safely be estimated at $12,000. In addition to this, there is now in the treasury, unappropriated, $1854, and the current expenses paid. The management of the fiscal affairs of the city, by our present common council, is entitled to the highest praise. The finan- cial ability of the mayor has been recently tested in the ma- nagement of a negotiation at New York, by which a reduction of three per cent. has been effected upon the interest of the largest debt of the city, and may be regarded as equivalent to a new loan. The credit of the city is now established upon a permanent foundation, and cannot be easily shaken. City scrip for some time has been at par.
Our common schools are worthy of especial notice. They are sustained in part by the school fund, and in part by taxation. The fund originally amounted to about $39,000; bnt nearly one half of this amount has been lost by injudicious loans. These schools are justly the pride of the city, and the interest which is manifested in them is an evilence of the importance which the community at- taches to education. We have also a medical college chartered by the Legislature in 1937. and several schools sustained by private munificence. Independent of these, we have several other institu- tions, which are exerting a beneficial influence. Among them, the Mechanics' Institute and the Young Men's Association are prominent in importance. These institutions, while sustained as they have been hitherto, will be both useful and ornamental to the city. Both of them have libraries, containing, in the aggregate, about 2500 volumes. The Mechanics' Institute has a department in the Prairie Farmer, devoted exclusively to the interests of the mechanical arts-the Young Men's Association a reading room, where most of the publications of the day are regularly received, and accessible to the public. There is, in addition to these libraries, a circulating library, containing about 1500 vohunes. We have other societies designed to meet the intellectual wants of the com- inanity, among which may be mentioned the Chicago Lyceum- the oldest literary society in the place. Our theatre-a very pretty one-has been in operation the past season, and met with some encouragement ; but it must be confessed that, at present, the pros- pects of the drama are not flattering.
19
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
The book making and publishing business has been commenced under favorable auspices. In illustration of the condition of this department of trade, we may allude to the third volume of Mr. SCAMMON'S REPORTS OF THE SUPREME COURT, printed by Messrs. ELLIS & FERGUS, and now about ready for publication. The fact that the execution of this volume is equal, if not superior to the two former ones, which were issued from two of the best presses of the East, is highly creditable to our city, and must be gratifying to the profession generally.
In facilities for the accommodation of the travelling public, Chi- cago has made great progress. In early times our inns were mise- rable in the extreme. Now we have eighteen hotels and 'honses of public entertamment, some of them large and splendid establish- ments, not inferior to any in the West. The great amount of - travel passing through here during the season of navigation renders tavern keeping a very profitable branch of business.
An extensive staging business has grown up here, and may be re- ferred to as an instance of enterprise and public spirit on the part of those engaged in it. The several lines of stages centring herc, for speed, safety and comfort, are not excelled by any in the coun- try.
The Hydraulic Company, designed to supply the city with pure water from the Lake, was incorporated in 1836. and has already been the source of great utility to the city, both in supplying water for domestic purposes, and for the extinguishment of fires. The stock is owned principally by merchants. and in time must become the source of great profit.
Ship building has been carried on here to some extent. A steam propeller, registering 270 tons, was built the past season, and a schoo- ner of about 200 tons burthen, to be called the Maria, is now in pro- cass of construction by the same builder, and will probably be launched in the spring.
It will be seen by reference to the statistical tables of this year, that a large amount of beef has been packed here the present sea- son. We have four large packing houses and all of them have done a heavy business thus far. The pork packing is only just com- mencing, but will, it is thought, be extensive.
Much might be said in commendation of our Fire Companies- all of which are highly efficient, and bespeak the public spirit of our citizens. Our Military Companies will speak for themselves.
Considering the age of the city, and the fact that our population has been derived from almost every nation under heaven, and speak so many different languages-the existing state of its society confers distinction upon Chicago. Among the new cities of the west, we shall be entitled, in this particular, at the present time, to an envia- ble position; the means now adopted to improve the condition of society will, at no distant day. enable us to rank with any city in the land. Our citizens have always been distinguished for intelli- gence and morality-and for the uniform observance of all the pro- prieties of life. Our common schools, as the means of educating the rising generation, have always been regarded with the deepest interest, have been abundantly provided with the means for their support. and are conducted with great ability. The most scrupu- lous care is exercised, on the part of the inspectors of public in-
20
DESCRIPTION, ETC.
struction, in the selection of teachers ; the schools are subjected to frequent examination-and their exists much emulation among the teachers.
The most becoming respect, is paid to the institutions and forms of public worship. Our numerous churches and religious societies enable every one to worship God according to the dictates of con- science. Whatever opinions may be entertained in regard to reli- gion, it will be acknowledged that a decent respect for its ordi- nances, is greatly promotive of the well-being and prosperity of any community.
The peace and good order of society is worthy of remark .- Brawls and affrays are extremely rare in our streets-and it may justly be said, that a more peaceable and quiet population can no where be found.
It will be impossible in this connection to mention particularly all the institutions which testify the public spirit and benevolence of the community. Refcreuce, however, can be had to subsequent parts of the book, where they are more particularly described.
We have now followed our subject to its conclusion. We have attempted to exhibit Chicago as it was in gone-by days-to mark the successive stages of its progress-and to delincate its condition at the present time.
We have reason to be proud of our city-not so much ou ac- . count of its relative size among the other cities of the land-of its present population-and the amount and value of its commerce- but as affording a sublime illustration of what man, under circum- stances of great difficulty and embarrassment, can accomplish in a short space of timc.
In the hope that its future history may be worthy of the past- that the expericuce of the next and each succeeding year, may justify our favorable predictions of it in regard to its high destiny- we must. for the present, bid adieu to the QUEEN CITY OF THE NORTH WEST !
NORRIS'
CHICAGO DIRECTORY.
REMARKS .- It has been the design to include in this Directory the names of all persons and all firms in the City; to arrange them alphabetically; and in every instance to give the correct spelling. There may be cases however, where names may have been accidentally inserted in the wrong connection, and cases also of incorrect orthography-particularly where persons have been unable to spell, and the name has been written from the sound. Abbreviations, which occur only in a very few words, will readily be understood; b stands for between; Rand for Randolph; Mad for Madison; Wash for Washington, & c. The word street, in some instances, is omitted. The place of business uniformly precedes the residence.
Immediate measures will be taken to procure the names of all persons who have been accidentally omitted in this volume ; a complete list, corrected from time to time. will be kept at the General Intelligence Office, where the public can at all times get correct information in regard to the names, business, and residence of every inhabitant of the City. Persons finding themselves excluded, and persons coming to the City hereafter, are re- quested to call at the above place and have their names enrolled.
Very few of our buildings are numbered, the necessity, however, of this can be avoided, if persons ocenpying buildings permanently, will put themselves to the trifling trouble and expense of putting their names on their doors.
ABBOTT-ALLEN.
Abbott, Thomas L. clerk at C. Mann's, residence same
Abbott, W. clerk at Ward Rathbone's, residence samc
Ackhoff, Nicholas, teamster, res Canal st. b Lake and N. Water Ackley, B. F. of Comstock & A. residence ('ity Refrectory Adams, Mrs. laundress, Clark street, b N. Water and Kinzie Adams, George, laborer, at J. L. Gray's
Adams, George, tailor at O. Taylor's, Chicago Temperance House Adams, R. E. W. physician, corner of Clark, and Lake streets, house Clark strect (See card)
Adams, W. H. & Co. boot and shoe dealers, 138 Lake st (See card) Adams, W. Hl. of W. H. A. & Co. residence Lasalle street, b Washington and Madison
Adsit, James M. carpenter, house Monroe st. near Dearborn st Aiken, Samuel, shoemaker at Wm. Wheeler's
Albie, C. P. clerk at Fulton market
Allen, Geo. P. ship carpenter, residence at N. C. Walton's Allen, James F. carpenter, house Illinois street, b. Pine and Sand Allen, J. P. & Co. Ininber merchants on Canal street, 3d Ward Allen, J. P. of J. P. A. & Co., house River street, 1st Ward
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ALLEN-BANDLE ..
Allen, Win. shipwright, house Wolcott st. b. N. Water and Kinzie Ambrose, Ruel, dry goods and groceries, 156 Lake st. house Wells street, b. Lake and Randolph
Alverson, Win. mason, residence Washington Hall Ambrose, Robert L. clerk to Horatio Buel
Anderman, Henry, shoemaker at Wm. David's
Anderson, Mrs. G. milliner and straw hat maker, 3d door N. of P. O.
Anderson, Andrew, house N. Water street, near Franklin
Anderson, A. house 5th Ward, near Franklin and N. Water sts
Anderson, Cyrus, residence Washington Hall, N. Water st
Anderson, George, wigmaker, Clark st. 3d door N. of P. O.
Anderson, John, Washington Hall, N. Water st. n bridge Scc card
Anderson, W. H. blacksmith at J. Taylor's, residence same Anderson, Win. blacksmith, at Perkins & Fenton's
Andrews; Collins, laborer, house North Branch, 4th Ward Andrews, Loomis, of A. & Doyle, residence City Refectory
Andrus & Doyle, dry goods and groceries, S. Water st.
Apley, C. F. mason at A. S. Sherman's
Arbuckle, Abner, waiter at the Tremont House
Armstrong, Mrs. milliner and mantua maker. 153 Lake st Arnold & Ogden, attorneys and counsellors at law, 120 Lake st
Arnold, Isaac N. of A. & Ogden, house corner of Ontario and Dearborn sts
Arnold, J. carpenter, house Fort Dearborn
Arnold, John M. carpenter, house Madison st. 2d ward
Artes, Isaac, laborer, 2d ward, North of Jackson st
Ashton, William, at Manahan & Jacobus'
Atherton, John F. res Illinois Exchange
Atherton, Richard, tailor. at Burton's, 6th ward
Athy, Stephen, laborer, Washington st, b Wells and Franklin sts Atkinson, Mrs. milliner and dress maker, Clark st, opposite P. O. Atkinson, Joseph, hatter. at I. C. Stephens', house Clark street
Austin, Chamberlaine, farmer, residence Illinois st bet Clark and Lasalle
Averell, Albert, seaman, residence James Averell's
Averell, Andrew, shipwright, residence Jaines Averell's
Averell. James, shipwright, house N. Water st. b Rush and Sand Ayres, Silas, machinist, at George Chacksfield's
Bailey, Bennett, carpenter, Dearborn street, residence J. Gray's
Bailey, Harlow, laborer, Randolph street, 3d ward
Bailey, Henry, drayman, house Wabash street
Bailey, Justice, ship carpenter. N. Water st, bet Rush and Pine Baker, Franklin, elerh to A. Follanshe, residence Tremont House Baldwin, J. painter, at Dimmock & Stows, residence Westeru Ilotel Ball, Lebbus, residence Farmers' Exchange
Ball, S. R. house N. Brauch, 4th ward
Ballantine, David, of B. & Sherman, Dearborn street bet Kinzie and Michigan
Ballentine & Sherman, dry goods and groceries, 122 Lake street (Sce card)
Ballingall, Patrick, of Smith & B. res Illinois Exchange
Balts, Abram, cooper, at S. W. Tucker's, house Randolph street Bandle, Willis, b'smith, at Stow's Foundry, h .N. Branch, 4th ward
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BANNISTER-BEECHER.
Bannister, 'T. overseer of Wood & Ogden's brickyard, 5th ward Bannon, Andrew, teamster. Randolph strect, b Franklin and Market Barber, James, lumber-yard South Water street, foot of Wells Barker, P. A. Farmers' Exchange, Lake street, corner of Wabash Barnard, Frederick S. teacher and Photographer, corner Clark and Lake street
Barnes, Miss, teacher, Lasalle street, b Washington and Madison Barnes, Hamilton, carpenter, Randolph street, between Clark and
Lasalle street, house Madison street, West of Clark street Barnes. Seth, editor " Better Covenant," Randolph street, b Wells and Franklin street
Barnett, John, Kinzie street, b Wolcott and. Dearborn street
Barnett, George, mason, at Worthingham's, res Mansion House Barmım, Truman, laborer, Dearborn st. b Michigan and Illinois Barr, James, shingle manufacturer. Madison street. South Brauch Barrows, D. A. & Co. confectioners, 147 Lake street (See card) Barrows, Mrs. Phila A. 147 Lake street
Barrows, James, agent rail road line; res Tremont House
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