USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Fergus' directory of the city of Chicago, 1839 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
FOR WILLIAM B. OGDEN :
Solomon Lincoln
Mich'l Fitzsimmons
Henry Rhines
M. Castigen
Samuel J. Lowe
Samuel Carpenter
Thomas Marr
P. Groover
Daniel Levinney
Russell Wheeler
John Perian
HT. Duffey
Peter Bolles Godford Stevens C. Mc Whorter II. McCarley M. Fisher
J. Beach Eli S. Prescott
S. S. Bradley
J. Walker
Daniel B. Heartt
B. Miglog
John C. Rue
Charles P'. Hogan
Hiram Hugunin
C'has. H. Chapman
P. Higgins
Samuel Wayman
Moses Dutton
J. C. Hibson
Benj. Briggs
Valentine A. Boyer
WV. Devere
Joseph Peacock
1'. J. Kimball
J. Spencer
P. McConnel
J. Sweeney
Michael Glen
D). Conley
Silas W. Sherman
I). Crawley
Richard Murphy
R. Ilalney
F. C. Bold
11. Mitchell
John Lang Alexander Loyd
John Larry
1. Coop Geo. E. Ilorehart
[. O'Rourke
M. Croushong
T. Watkins
E. Lelley
J. McCormick
J. Lane
James Carney Thomas Farlin Augustus H. Burley
John Sarlney
D. Denney
John Campton
HI. Brown .
F. A. Harding, Thomas T. Durant,
Edward Casey,
Parker M. Cole,
George W. Merrill, John W. Ilooker, Charles C. Smith, Giles Spring, 1 .. B. Goodsell William Stuart
Joseph Meeker,
George W. Snow,
David Hatchi,
Robert Truman,
James Spence,
John I. Wilson, Thomas Wright,
Edward Colvin.
J. Outhet
E. E. Hunter Michael Frarey
J. J. Kinnon Mc Kelley Wm. Alamhart
T. C. Sampson
1. Brigg S. J. Graves --. McDalald
F. C. Tupper J. Norris James A. Merrie
A. Il. Beard A: Grusgutt James O'Brien
43
LIST OF VOTERS FOR MAYOR.
John Sennet
J. M. Hammond M. Nigle
J. P. Johnston P. Donahue
John Rice
Stephen M. Edgel
Edward Dimmock
Peter Shaddle
William Wiggins John Mitchell
Isaac R. Gavin
Jacob Gramos
Dennis S. Dewey A. Tholser
A. Bailey P. T. Duncan
Peter Dolesey
T. Bailey
T. Fox
John Woodhouse
Edmund Gill
I. McCord
Jacob Milemin
Martin Stidel
J. Sullivan
C. Benedict
Samuel J. Grannis
A. Duckman
Joseph Winship
V. McIntire
J. Gluwater
John Shrigley
W. M. Hartley
O. Sheppheard
-- O. Mahan
C. Longwood
F. Goodman
Thos. Wolfinger
T. Dailey
D. Harsem
S. B. Dane
O. Brian
C. Culshaw
E. F. Brown
Peter Casey
John W. Eldridge
N. Winslow
A. Berg
Wm. B. French
John Gormonly
John Ashman
Simon Cooley
B. Peck
John Ryan
George Dolton J. Minney Michael Lantry
George Bryan
T. O. Maley
S. Hurley
P. Whitmore
Fra's G. Blanchard
John Murphey
Robert Garner
John K. Boyer
P. Kelley
Joseph Shields
John Knight
John Black
R. Jones
J. Dickson ·
Wm. B. Noble
Clemens Stose T. Funk
John Archdale
C. De Wier
A. Panakaske
M. Sanduskey
H. Bird
Edward Manierre
Robert Hart
J. C. Gauck
Wm: Hague
John Dillon
P. Rogers
John H. Butler
FOR JOHN H. KINZIE :
John M. Turner
F. D. Marshall
George Law
Star Foot
Thomas Hamilton A. S. Bates
L. T. Howard
L. Johnston
T. Jenkins
Abraham Gale Butler
O. Sprague
E. Simons
George Patterson
Tuthill King James O. Humphrey
Silas B. Cobb
J. McLabban Abram F. Clarke
S. C. George
George W. Dole R. Price
H. H. Magee
Joseph N. Balestier William Truman
James Rockwell
P. J. Monroe
J. F. T. Libb
John P. Cook
W. H. Clarke
John Jay Stuart
John Dolesey
T. C. Tucker
T. S. Hide
John P. Chapin
M. Smith
James White John Dei M. Dunning
Arthur G. Burley
E. S. Hobbie
A. D. Higgins
H. Zalle P. S. Smith
C. Murphy John Casey
Thomas Brock
John Pomeroy
P. F. W. Peck
Benj. W. Raymond
John Dunlap
Louis Malzacher
Alonzo Huntington
Wm. Jinkins
L. F. Monroe
T. J. Jones
T. Lacey
Michael Buck
James Lenon
Thomas Ghan.
C. Walter
R. Drummond
A. Hatch
Smith J. Sherwood W. Haskins Philo Carpenter H. L. Roberts
Francis Walker Jeremiah Price
T. Briggs
44
FIRST CITY ELECTION, 1837.
THIRD WARD.
FOR WILLIAM B. OGDEN :
Samuel Southerden Morris O. Jones
Lewis P. Dekart
Oliver Lozier
George Vardon
L. C. Hugunin
Hamilton Barnes
S. E. Downer
Mitchell Ferryark
Thomas James William Mitchell
George Chacksfield
George U. Gun
John Welch
John B. Miller
Henry Walton
George Davis John Rudiman
John B. Weir
George Brown Joseph Wilberman
John Bates, Jr.
Patrick Welch
Joseph Calef
William H. Barber
John Mahan
Peter Sawnett
Charles Taylor Solomon Taylor
FOR JOHN H. KINZIE :
J. S. P. Lord
Thomas Bishop John Gage
Ashbel Steele
David Bradley James Crawford
Thomas Cook Charles A. Lawber Henry Burke
FOURTH WARD.
FOR WILLIAM B. OGDEN :
A. M. Talley
Charles Cleaver
Francis HI, Taylor
J. W. Chadwick
George M. Davis
Asahel Pierce
Patrick Lane
Isaac Haight
Francis Peyton
E. F. Wellington
Samuel M. Brooks Joel D. Howe
George Frost
William Ford
William Saltonstall
John B. Brodain
Samuel Akin
Zemos Allen
Seth P. Warner Geo. White
James Wakeman Seth Johnson Edward Perkins' Philip Will
Homer Stratton
J. W. Titus Jas. Mathews
Lucien Peyton
John Welmaher
A. S. Sherman
N. Christia
Christian Astah
John C. Hugunin
George Hays
Thomas Oak
P. E. Cassaday
Frederick A. Howe
Stephen Harrel
Alexander Logan
James Lafrombois
James Jenkins
James M. Whitney
R. W. Hyde
William Carneyhaw Henry Taylor
George Atterbury
Robert Marshall
FOR JOHN H. KINZIE:
Edward Perkins Antoine Loupean Edward Parsons
William Forsyth
John Ludby James Kinzie
Francis Chapron
Daniel Elston David Cox
Marshall Cornair
FIFTH WARD.
FOR WILLIAM B, OGDEN :
John Dunehen John Hart J. Eddy
John Coats John Lenay J. McCue
John Wilson J. W. Donnell J. Mclaughlin
Joseph Kent A. Gartley B. Adouy
Bryan Curley
B. Cain
P. Grodavent
Alford Allen
A. Chapron
45
LIST OF VOTERS FOR MAYOR.
P. Scott
T. Farrell
T. Hughes
M. Spelman
E. Gibbins
T. Carrall
T. Midery
T. McNamara W. Bell
WVm. Fowls
P. Monaghen
D. Moore
P. Conlen
T. Riden
H. Frye
P. Finney
M. O. Midloy
J. Breadman
P. Murphy
T. Brown
J. D. Oddman
H. Galloughent
Henry Cunningham
H. Harmer
T. Weed
E. B. Talcott
J. Connolley
T. McHale
M. Baumgarten
J. King
B. Ward
G. Peyton
L. Frey
T. Gormoniley
S. Dougan
N. Thomason
A. Sullivan
J. Seymour
P. Bartlett
M. Burk
J. Mallady
T. McGee
P. Ackles
FOR JOHN H. KINZIE :
Bemsley Huntoon
SIXTH WARD.
FOR WILLIAM B. OGDEN :
James West
Wm. V. Smith
Hiram Pearsons
William Lill
D. Drummond John Allen
P. Campbell
V. B. Keith
J. L. Campbell
John Censure
D. Bucknell
IV. Boyden
E. Flosser
A. Hoofmin
D. Ryan
J. Zoliski
H. A. Pardee
J. S. Olin
L. Barber
F. Carroll
S. Sexton
E. T. Ward
John Turner
IV. Koas
J. Kennedy
G. Pardee
T. Whorton
Robert Shepperd
F. Freeman
W. Armstrong
J. M. Baxley
J. Tornee
T. Vanderbogert
J. S. Wheeler
C. Conner
P. Kelsey
J. Godlin
William B. Egan
J. Ferisu
J. Tracey
Wm. Harman
Ralph Peck
J. Mills
N. J. Brown
T. Mannerlin
A. Hall
P. Hadley
H. O. Stone
W. Burns
E. S. Kimberly
Thomas Carroll
Thomas Cody
Gholson Kercheval
P. Baumgarten
J. Miller
S. D. Pierce
C. S. Tibbles
Pattieson Nickalls
E. Cammock
M. Vanderbogert
E. N. Churchill
E. Suil
Francis Kesler
B. F. Hall
S. Jackson
J. T. Betts
J. N. Hayes
L. Hunt
T. Sullivan
Morgan Shapley S. Gifford
W. Sabine
D. Calliun
FOR JOHN H. KINZIE:
Luke Wood
James L. Howe
L. L. Cheeney
John N. Bronson
F. Haughton J. Grant
Charles Pettit
J. Stofer M. Clinton
J. T. Callis
Abijah S. Perry B. D. Wheeler
L. G. Osborne
Isaac Legg
Alonzo C. Wood
T. Wilson
-46
FIRST CITY ELECTION, 1837.
WV. B. Plumb J. Foreht D). Creden
Robert A. Kinzie
A. Spoor
E. C. Brackett
B. Emerson George Legy 1. Sehrider
Chris. H. Berkinbile T. Barnum
J. Magger
Grant Goodrich N. R. Norton
C. Wills
Walter L. Newberry S. Akers
J. Chandler
J. T. Hinsdale W. Stern-
.A. C. Hamilton
Lewis C. Kercheval S. Smith
Josiah E. MeClure T. Shepherd
J. Brown
T. Greenwood
Charles Harding
1. Lampman
John M. Underwood Thomas Wilson
G. Frost
Gurdon S. Hubbard A. Cole
P'. Butler
J. Crawford II. Warren
W. . Ilalpin
.M. Miller
S. M. Greenwood C. F. How
S. Northrup
Henry G. Hubbard
W. Carrivan
P. Cable
1. Nesbit
E. Farr
Buekner S. Morris (. Ford
F. German
1. Overhart
1. Hubbard
Total votes in Chicago in 1837 by wards :
First . 170
Second 238
Third 38
Fourth
59 Fifth 60
Sixth
144
Total votes in Chicago in 1837 by divisions : 709
South 408
West 97
North 204
709
WARD BOUNDARIES:
FIRST-South side east of Clark street.
SECOND-South side west of Clark street to the River.
THIRD-South of West Randolph street, west of the River. FOURTH-West of the River, north of West Randolph street. FIFTH-North of the River, west of North Clark street. SIXTH-North of the River, east of North Clark street.
J. Soother W. Anderson
John B. F. Russell W. A. Thompson
LOTS SOLD IN FT. DEARBORN ADDITION
TO THE
TOWN OF CHICAGO,
From the 10th to the 24th June, 1839, inclusive. Known as the BEAUBIEN, or RESERVATION Lands.
Aggregate amount of Sales, about $100,000.
B'k. Lot. Bidders.
A'ınt. B'k. Lot,
Bidders.
Am't,
I Reserved.
15 A. Bronson,
233
2 I H. Norton,
$2657
I7 =
303
2
=
3 A. J. Underhill,
1506
19 =
433
4 "
1506
20 =
363
5 L. R. Lyon, =
I400
2I =
303
6
1500
22 11
583
7 George S. Smith,
I 509
23 P. Strachan, 630
24 C. Lyon, 350
25 L. R. Lyon, 300
3 I C. M. Reed, 2500
2 =
2000
28 L. R. Lyon,
250
3 = 2000
2000
30 I. R. Lyon,
325
5 T. Church and H. O. Stone,
1077
32 Dr. H. Humphrey, 431
400
34 11 35 P. Fitzgibbon,
265
36 L. R. Lyon,
200
37 P. Fitzgibbon,
262
38 J. Burgess,
226
3 4
Reserved.
39 C. Walker, 40
408
5
41 Geo. L. Campbell, 195
7 Thomas Webster,
206
S A. Bronson,
303
44 John Foot,
I52
9 L. R. Lyon, I 50
Io A. Bronson,
303 5 1)
II 11
303
2
I2 =
303
3
13 =
303
4
14 =
303
3I 11
325
6 A. Bronson,
233
7 E. B. Hurlburt,
2100
200
8 I. Cook, Jas. Turney, 4150
4 I) 2
6 )
42 I. C. Kercheval, I53
43 Geo. L. Campbell, 150
S
Reserved.
9
IO
26 250 11 27 D. Brainard, 230
29 P. Fitzgibbons, 276
4 M. D. Ogden,
16 =
267
1557
11
333
33 I. R. Lyon,
Reserved.
48
FORT DEARBORN ADDITION.
B'k. Lot. Bidders.
Am't, B'k. Lot. Bidders.
Am't.
6 J. H. Collins,
2II II P. Strachan, 404
451
8 11
210 13 O. H. Thompson,
503
9
209 14 11
576
IO
11
208 I5
890
II J. B. Beaubien,
225 16 Charles Phelps,
6 I D. Root,
359
18
-
460
3 F. C. Sherman,
163
20 A. G. Hobbie,
503
4
163
21 J. Wadsworth,
466
5 John C. Gibson,
165
22 P. F. W. Peck,
511
6 Forfeited.
23 E. W. Taylor,
506
7 I Walter Kimball,
600
24 N. King,
400
2
3 S. Willard, 11
290
26 Mosely & McCord,
567
4 Thos. Dyer,
225
27 J. J. Phelps,
510
5 11
225
28 Francis Walker,
776
6 I. N. Arnoldl,
238
29 John Fennerty,
475
7 Thos. Dyer,
231
30 S. N. Beers,
812
S 11
235
9 John Ordes,
303 9 I Stiles Burton,
712
IO J. H. Kinzie,
273
. 2 =
612
II
207
3
555
12 Geo. I ... Campbell, 11
215
4 T. Church, jr.,
570
13
215
5 Stiles Burton,
480
14 J. Russell,
215
6 S. N. Dexter,
429
1 5 11
220
7 R. T. Haines,
455
16 11
221
8 John Davlin,
406
17 Geo. L. Campbell,
212
9 J. Wadsworth,
503
18 E. S. Prescott,
137
IO S. Paine,
530
19 E. Davlin,
167
II S. L. Smith,
465
20 J. H. Kinzie,
151
I2 11
495
21 A. D. Stewart,
205
13 J. M. Smith,
435
22
265
14 J. Wadsworth,
481
23 J. Butterfield,
356
15 S. L. Smith, .
561
24
305
16 John King, jr.,
257
25
312
17 11
234
18 -
227
27 S. N. Dexter,
312
19 11
227
28 R. T. Haines,
303
20 11
212
29 T. King & Follansbee, 426
21
222
30 A. D. Stewart,
351
22 =
221
31 M. Ayers,
476
23 11
24
237
8 I John Bowen,
853
2 11
633
26 T. Wheeler,
215
3 Luke Coyne,
556
4 Mosely & McCord,
507
28
217
6 S. B. Collins,
477 30 E. H. Haddock,
232
7 Dan Taylor,
527 31 T. Wheeler,
263
8
11
433
9 James Carney,
450 10 I R. T. Haines,
429
Io Chas. Walker, 451
2 11
360
17 11
510
2 James Carney,
263
19
11
460
45 25 S. B. Collins,
527
26 11
315
229
25 J. W. Hooker,
276
27 Thos. Dyer, 217 = 217
5 Chas. McDonnell,
506 29 =
1
21I 12 Pat. Timony,
49
FORT DEARBORN ADDITION.
B'k. Lot. Bidders.
Am't. B'k. Lot;
Bidders.
Am't.
3 R. T. Haines,
325 315
8
11
557
305
13 I J. Wadsworth,
45I
7 J. H. Collins,
S
353
4 .
5 A. G. Hobbie,
380
IO S. B. Cobb,
2683
6 S. Willard,
376
II 11
2472
7 J. Wadsworth,
40I
12 E. H. Haddock,
151
8
11
503
I3 =
15I
9 S. Willard,
415
14 Peter Merril,
150
IO
403
15 Stanton & Black, '
215
II
=
376
16 S. N. Beers,
225
12 11
362
17 J. Russell,
231
13 11
361
18 =
23I
14 R. T. Haines,
403
19 E. S. Prescott,
I27
15 A. Wright,
480
20 B. M. Wilson,
201
16 11
560
22 J. M. Underwood,
161 14 I J. Wadsworth,
427
23 J. Y. Scammon,
I53 2
403
24 =
205
3
=
327
25
215
4 F. A. Marshall,
305
26 A. D. Stewart,
230
5 John Calhoun,
319
27 J. K. Botsford,
215
6 J. Wadsworth,
257
28 J. P. Chapin,
216
7 =
307
29 S. N. Dexter,
210
8 11
32"
30 11
210
9 =
30
31 R. T. Haines,
203 IO =
257
32 "
210 II
257
33 J. P. Chapin,
227 12
276
34 A. G. Hobbie,
305
13
317
14
11
357
II I J. C. Gibson,
103
51 15 I D. P. Foot,
375
2 A. D. Stewart, 3
51
2 J. Wadsworth,
317
4 =
5 T. Church, jr., 11
51 5 H. A. Blakesly,
279
7
51
7 J. M. Morrison,
263
12 I S. Willard,
501
9 S. C. Clarke,
355
IO Thos. Dyer,
357
3 R. C. Bristol, =
465
II
317
4 =
465
I2
307
5 J. J. Phelps,
564
13 John King, jr.,
366
6 R. C. Bristol,
465
14
412
11
40I
470
9 Isaac F. Massy.
300
2 3 J. K. Botsford, 11
470
6 B. McDonald,
331 353
7 S. Willard, 40I
+ 11 5 S. N. Dexter,
5I 3 J. Morrison,
251
4 H. O. Stone,
3co
6
51 6 J. King, jr.,
306
S John Wright,
65
8 W. C. Watson, jr.,
303
2
40I
2I
193
POPULATION OF CHICAGO.
1835
3,265
1849. . 23,047
1863 .... 160,000
1836
3,820
1850. . . 28,269
1864.
.169,353
1837.
4,179
1851.
34,437
1865. 178,900
1838.
4,000
1852.
38,733
1866 200,418
1839
4,200
1853
60,652
1867 220,000
1840. . 4,479
1854
65,872
1868 252,054
1841.
5,752
1855
80,028
1869 273,043
1842. . .
6,248
1856. . 84,113
1870. 298,977
1843.
7,580
1857.
93,000
1871. 334,270
1844.
8,000
1858.
90,000
1872 364,377
1845.
12,088
1859.
95,000
1873. 465,650
1846. . .
14,169
1860
112,172
1874. . 475,000
1847. .
16,859
1861
120,000
1875 .... 500,000
1848.
20,023
1862.
.138, 835
1876.
525,000
1885, (estimated by Jno. S. Wright,) 1,000, 000.
1911, (estimated by J. N. Balestier, ) 2,000, 000.
"Chicago people may be excused for referring, on almost every occasion, to the greatness of our city, for its growth has become a marvel to all creation. Nothing proves the import- ance, absolute and relative, of the city of Chicago more than does the constant reference made to it by the rest of the world. Not a magazine paper, which has for its object the demonstra- tion of enterprise, that does not point to Chicago; there is scarcely a modern book, be it descriptive, historical, or roman- tic, that does not find one or more comparisons for Chicago : the newspapers on both sides of the Atlantic have something to say in every issue about Chicago; people in the East, who feign ignorance of everything Western, always admit that they have heard remarkable things about Chicago; foreigners, who are in fact ignorant of the geography of the country and the customs of our people, know something about Chicago.
Our peculiar institutions, our unparalleled growth, our well- rewarded energy- all command respect where they do not challenge rivalry and excite envy.'
PREFACE
AND) HISTORICAL SKETCH,
COMPILED FOR THE
CHICAGO DIRECTORY IN 1843.
ELLIS & FERGUS, PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS.
THE DIRECTORY OF CHICAGO, now presented to the public, may be regarded as an experiment. It must be decided by those for whose use and benefit 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 con- nected with its rise and progress, which considerations of interest, if nothing else, impel 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. While the most strenuous exer -- tions have been made, in other places, by misrepresentation and down- right falsehood, in regard to our circumstances and condition, to induce emigration to stop short or to pass by us, and to divert capital and enter- prise 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 impressions 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 resources of Chicago, has been a matter of surprise to all whose attention has been called to the fact. The present is a most, important conjuncture 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, forever be exempt from the burdens of heavy taxation. Never were the inducements to emigrate and settle here, greater than at the present time. It has been thought, that a Directory, contain- ing, in addition to the matter usually introduced into such works, a brief historical and statistical account of the City, may, independent of the
4
52
PREFACE.
benefit which our citizens will derive from it, in the transaction of busine">, be made to subserve 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 liisto- rical and statistical parts of the work, in procuring facts and statements from authentic sources. Consequently, those parts are less full and per- fect than they were originally intended to be-much less so than the author would have made them. Errors and omissions will doubtless be discov- ered throughout the work-no apologies, however, will be necessary to those who are acquainted with the difficulties in the way of preparing the first Directory for a new city. Such persons would probably be more surprised to find it in every respect perfect. Nothing has intentionally been left out 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 names, in English. It is hoped, however, that instances of this kind will not be found to be numer- ous. 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 in its population and business, more 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 less felt here- 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 and 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 least 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 young but flourishing City, it is most respectfully submitted to the public. Our citizens have always been characterized 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 co-operation, to sustain an undertaking, designed to promote and advance the interests of the whole.
To those gentlemen who have encouraged the work, both as subscribers and advertisers, and those who have 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.
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
CHICAGO, Cook County, Illinois, is situated on the south-western shore of Lake Michigan, at the head of Lake navigation, in lat. 41 deg., 45 sec., north, and long. 10 deg., 45 sec., west. The site of the city occupies a level prairie, on both sides of the main 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 in breadth, east and west, * about a mile and a half square of which is already regularly built upon, and the streets opened and graded. The streets are regularly laid out, parallel 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, many of them, however, very fine specimens of correct architecture. The portion of the city extend- ing several miles along the shore of the Lake is sandy, and, consequently, at all seasons, dry. The portion removed from the Lake partakes of the character of all level prairie, being, in the spring and fall, wet and muddy. The site of the city, being a plain, does not afford, either from the Lake or the surrounding country, a very interesting field of vision. Chicago River and its branches, which run through the heart of the city, and admit, at all seasons, vessels of every class navigating the Lake, some distance into the interior, afford peculiar facilities for a harbor, and give to Chicago advantages, in a commercial point of view, unsurpassed by any city in the west. The Illinois and Michigan Canal, which is shortly to be completed, will add greatly to the natural advantages of Chicago, making it a principal point, and necessarily a place of transshipment 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 miles 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, already brought into a state of successful cultivation, and sending to its market, annually, a vast amount of produce of every description for sale, exchange for goods, or shipment, as the case may be. The climate is healthy and salubrious- as much so as any in the west. In 1837, Chicago became 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 by W. Randolph Street, are situated on the west side of the north and south branches-the third south and the fourth north of W. Randolph Street. The fifth and sixth wards, divided by N. Clark St., are bounded by the north branch, Chicago River, and the Lake-the fifth being west and the sixth east of N. Clark. St. The government of the city is vested in a Common Council, composed of the Mayor and twelve Aldermen,
* In 1876, it is six miles east and west, and seven miles north and south.
54
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
two for each ward, all chosen annually. The Common Council, in addi - tion to their other powers and duties, are constituted, by virtue of their office, Commissioners of Common Schools, with power to levy and collect taxes for their support, and to exercise a general supervision over matter- pertaining to them. In 1832 and the beginning of 1833, Chicago had about 100 inhabitants and five or six log houses -- exclusive of the Fort and its appurtenances. In 1840, the population had increased to 4853. The present population exceeds 75So, and may be said, at this time, to. amount to 8000. The period of the greatest prosperity of Chicago was from 1833 to 1837. The revulsions and reverses of '36 7 greatly retarded its growth. It continued, however, though more gradually, to inercase in business and resources until '40 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 destiny of Chicago is to be the future alone can determine. Judging by the past, it seems difficult to assign a limit to its advancement. It presents, undoubtedly, one of the most remarkable instances of sudden rise to commercial importance to be found in our age. So rapid, indced, has been its growth-with such gigantic strides has it moved onward in its career, 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 un- certain arrival of some chance vessel from Mackinaw, in the short space of eight or ten years, become a mighty city, teeming with a busy and enterprising population, the centre of a widely-extending and flourishing commerce. To those who have been here from the beginning -and there are many among us - the change must be striking-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 difficult to reconcile to the mind that the spot, now covered with stately blocks of buildings, and alive in every direction with a busy and eager 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 unmolested in the enjoyment of his native freedom.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.