USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Historical review of Chicago and Cook county and selected biography, Volume I > Part 25
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In 1837 the Chicago Mechanics' Institute was organized, the forerunner of those numerous organizations in Chicago designed to conserve the interests of the mechanical classes, both through edu- cation and co-operation. As set forth in its constitution, the objects of the society were "to diffuse knowledge and information through- out the mechanical classes; to found lectures on natural, mechanical and chemical philosophy and other scientific subjects; to create a library and museum for the benefit of mechanics and others; and to establish schools for the benefit of their youth and to establish annual fairs." A good library was established, fairs were held under its auspices, evening schools were established for apprentices and sons of the members, but the panic of 1857 dissipated the resources of the institute, its library was absorbed by the Young Men's Association, and its influence waned; so that, although it still exists in name and as an organization, it is now chiefly interesting as a relic of a strong and useful institution of the early times.
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The many societies of a secret and benevolent nature in Chicago had their origin in the early forties, when Masonry and Odd Fellow-
SECRET ship were first locally represented. LaFayette was
ORDERS. the first Masonic lodge to be organized in the city,
its charter being granted by the grand lodge of the state October 2, 1843. It was represented by Lewis C. Kercheval, an eccentric public character who served the city both as inspector of customs and justice of the peace, besides being the first Chicago Mason to be admitted as representative of the grand lodge. From LaFayette Lodge came Apollo No. 32, in 1844, and Oriental Lodge No. 33, in 1845, and on October 1, 1849, Masonry had gained so strong a foothold in Chicago that the grand lodge held its session here. On May 18, 1854, the corner-stone of the old Masonic Temple, 83-5 Dearborn street, was laid with characteristic ceremonies. It was dedicated on St. John's day, June 24, 1856. The grand master at this time was William B. Herrick, who delivered the principal ad- dress, the after-banquet continuing at Dearborn park, from 5 to 8 o'clock p. m. The Chicago Council was formed in 1854 and in 1857 the Occidental Consistory was created. In 1870 the so-called West Side Masonic Temple was completed, on the southwest corner of Halsted and Randolph streets, Oriental Hall, on LaSalle street. having been erected several years before. With the expansion of the order various halls were provided for the accommodation of the lodges and the higher bodies, but it was not until the late eighties that a strong movement was under way for the erection of such a real temple as should fitly represent the power of Masonry in Chi- cago and the west. In 1890, at the northeast corner of State and Randolph streets, was laid the stone upon which is inscribed the "Masonic Fraternity Temple," and the massive and lofty structure which was erected above and beyond it, within the following three years, is such a tribute to the power of the order as has carried its name around the world.
LaFayette, Washington and Corinthian chapters, of Chicago Ma- sonry, were organized respectively in 1844, 1858 and 1864, and Apollo Commandery, established in 1845, was the first organization of Knights Templar to be established in the northwest. Its first com- mander was Rev. H. Walker, who, during his Masonic service in that office, was rector of St. James Episcopal church. In 1866 Chicago
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Commandery No. 19 was chartered to accommodate residents of the west side, and in 1870 the north division was likewise favored in the chartering of St. Bernard No. 35. Masonry has expanded so rapidly in Chicago that there are now in the city twenty-three chap- ters subordinate to the Grand Chapter of Illinois, seven councils sub- ordinate to the Grand Council of the state, and eleven commanderies subordinate to the Grand Encampment. The affiliated Order of the Eastern Star, which admits both men and women to its membership, has more than fifty subordinate chapters. The Order of the Eastern Star originated in France about 1765, and the first lodge in Chicago, known as Miriam Family No. III, was organized in 1866. It should be added that the establishment of a large colored element in Chicago has resulted in the formation of numerous bodies (whose members are of that race), including the Eastern Star and those representing the progressive degrees of Masonry to the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
For a number of years the question of establishing an asylum or home for the widows and orphans of Illinois Masons was often un- der discussion, but did not result in definite action until March, 1885, when a preliminary organization was effected in Chicago, which, on the IIth of that month, obtained a charter from the state for the es- tablishment of the Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home. By the follow- ing summer sufficient money had been collected to purchase the old Hayes mansion at the corner of Carroll avenue and Sheldon street. This building was remodeled and adapted to its new purpose and was dedicated by the Grand Lodge of Illinois October 7, 1886. As ex- pressed in the articles of the original organization, the aims of the home have since been well realized: "To provide and maintain, at or near the city of Chicago, a home for the nurture, and intellectual, moral and physical culture of indigent children of deceased Free Ma- sons of the state of Illinois, and a temporary shelter and asylum for sick and indigent widows of such deceased Free Masons."
The first Odd Fellows' lodge in Chicago (Union No. 9) was in- stituted February 28, 1844, the year following the establishment of Masonry in the city. Duane Lodge No. II followed a year later, and Excelsior Lodge No. 22 in 1847. The first encampment in the city was instituted in 1845 as Illinois No. 3, but this was soon re- placed by the present Chicago Encampment No. 10, which was found-
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ed in 1848. Germania Encampment No. 40, the first Gernjan organi- zation of that grade, was formed in 1857. The first cantons, or units, of the Patriarchs Militant, the semi-military order of Odd Fellow- ship, were mustered in November 11, 1885, as Occidental No. r and Excelsior No. 7. There are now ten cantons in Chicago, forming a regiment with a commanding officer, as in other military organiza- tions. The next higher rank in this military grade is the brigade. whose headquarters are also in Chicago. Subordinate to the grand body are nineteen subordinate encampments; within the order here are also Rebekah lodges of female members and various bodies of the fraternity composed of colored citizens.
The Knights of Pythias, who constitute one of the strongest or- ders in Chicago, established Welcome Lodge No. I as their pioneer local body, its founding being effected in 1869. It has now more than forty lodges in the city, the membership of the uniform rank being very strong. This corresponds to the Knights Militant of Odd Fel- lowship and is also divided into brigades and regiments. The Uni- form Knights in Chicago are organized into twelve companies and two regiments. There are also Pythian Sisters and Colored Knights of Pythias.
The Independent Order of Foresters has also been firmly planted in the local field for many years, and in 1878 it had so increased in membership that the High Court of Illinois was organized. The present membership in Chicago now embraces about seventy-five subordinate and forty companion courts. Other fraternities, secret and benevolent, well represented in Chicago, are the, Ancient Order of United Workmen, with about sixty lodges; Royal League, with ninety-five; Modern Woodmen of America, with ninety subordinate lodges; Knights and Ladies of Honor, with about seventy; Royal Arcanum, with some sixty-five councils and the Tribe of Ben Hur. with fifty courts.
The Independent Order of B'nai B'rith is a strong Hebrew organ- ization, which was organized in New York during 1843, and not long after a lodge was formed in Chicago. District No. 6, with its headquarters in Chicago, embraces the states of Illinois, Michigan. Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Kansas. The grand lodge of this district was instituted in 1868, there being eight subordinate lodges in the city of Chicago. The object of the order is to unite Israelites
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in educational, moral and philanthropic work; "alleviating the wants of the poor and needy; visiting and attending the sick; coming to the rescue of victims of persecution; providing for, protecting and assisting the widow and orphan on the broadest principles of human- ity." Not only through the order of B'nai B'rith, but through nu- merous other associations and institutions, the representatives of this race and religion have instituted noble charities in Chicago. It is, in fact, their pride, which is jealously maintained by acts, that the Hebrew so cares for his poor brother that he is seldom thrown upon the community as a pauper. One of the strongest organizations of this character formed was the United Hebrew Relief Association, which came into existence as early as 1859. Its relief of the sick largely superseded the other work of the association, and prior to the great fire it maintained a small hospital. It was destroyed in 1871, but no attempt was made to replace it until 1880, when the late Michael Reese bequeathed $97,000 to the association by which the fine hospital, which bears his name, was founded. Although Michael Reese Hospital is controlled by what is known as the United Hebrew Charities, that institution receives patients without regard to race or religion. Another of the Hebrew fraternities which merits special mention is the Independent Order of Free Sons of Israel, which has a grand lodge, with headquarters in Chicago, and nine subordinate lodges. The Associated Jewish Charities should also be mentioned as a general organization founded for the special relief of the He -- brews of Chicago.
The Germans of Chicago were among the first to organize on the basis of nationality. In 1854 the revolutions of their Fatherland sent them to America in large numbers, and Chicago became so favorite a center of settlement that some of the leading citizens of the na- tionality formed the Society for the Protection and
PATRIOTIC
Aid of German Immigrants. There has never been
SOCIETIES.
a year since when the services of such an organiza- tion could be dispensed with. The German Maennerchor, which is among the strongest of all organizations in the city, was formed in 1865, as the result of a gathering of fellow countrymen at the funeral of Abraham Lincoln, upon which occasion they rendered a chorus. St. George's Benevolent Association was organized in 1860 to assist English immigrants, and St. Patrick's Society, with rather a wider
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range of objects, was founded by the Irish-Americans of Chicago in 1865. Among other work accomplished by the latter society, besides that of promoting Irish colonization, was the founding of the Hiber- nian Bank. These were the forerunners of innumerable societies which arose with the increase of various nationalities. One of the oldest of the Italian organizations, and still the strongest, is the So- cieta C. Columbo, founded in 1879.
Closely allied to this group are the many societies founded on state lines, like the Sons of Illinois, Sons of New York, etc. Geneal- ogy is also responsible for a large class, represented by the societies of Colonial Wars, War of 1812, Mayflower Descendants, etc., while subsequent wars are responsible for such as the Grand Army of the Republic, Sons and Daughters of Veterans, Ladies of the G. A. R., Blue and Gray Legion, and Spanish-American War Veterans.
The county and city make generous provision for the care of the sick, poor and dependent, and private associations supplement their efforts with large outlay of time and means; yet the
ORGANIZED
CHARITY. means of relief is always far behind the necessities
of applicants. The Chicago Relief and Aid Society is one of the oldest private agencies to enter the field. although the Chicago Orphan Asylum is an institution of 1849. Until 1850 the city had not grown beyond the relief powers of the county and city authorities, but a marked expansion of the population was followed by the panic and depression of 1857, and the demands for relief were too many for the constituted authorities. At this crisis the Chi- cago Relief and Aid Society was incorporated, and by its charter its directors have always been required to make an annual report to the city council. At the time of the Chicago fire it had really been es- tablished as a municipal agency for the distribution of charity, ir- respective of sect, political faith or nationality, and when the gigantic fund for the relief of the victims of the fire had collected in the mu- nicipal treasury, it was naturally turned over to the Chicago Relief and Aid Society for distribution. During the following eighteen months nearly four million and a half dollars was distributed among about 160,000 people, besides quantities of clothing and food; and some $500,000 remained for future disbursements. In 1884 the en- tire fire fund was exhausted, and since then the society has relied upon voluntary contributions to carry on its charities. Its ordinary
Vol. 1-17.
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expenses are met by the income from several bequests. Rev. Charles G. Truesdell was appointed superintendent of the society in 1875 and thus served for nearly thirty years. Among the strongest features of the society which he did so much to develop, are its departments of information and visitation, designed to prevent fraud on the part of the recipients of charity and to place and keep the society in close touch with the objects of its assistance. The Bureau of Associated Charities, organized in 1894, occupies a similar but even a broader field. It is in the nature of an advisory and harmonizing board, which aims to so promote co-operation among the numerous city charities that there shall be no confusion or duplication of work. The thousands of cases which are annually brought to its notice are usually distributed to the proper relief agencies, the bureau itself giving material assistance only in emergency cases. Like the Chicago Relief and Aid Society it maintains active departments of investiga- tion and visitation.
The Illinois Humane Society of today had its origin in the Illi- nois Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, chartered by the state in 1869 and the scope of its work extended in 1882 so as to include cruelty to children. Its work and its spirit have been so broad and so beneficent as to be familiar to all intelligent people, and the name of John G. Shortall, one of its founders, its president for nearly thirty years and the organizer of the American Humane Association, is something treasured in the hearts of Chicago humanitarians.
Such institutions as the Foundlings' Home, founded by Dr. George E. Shipman in 1871; the Newsboys' and Bootblacks' Home, which was established somewhat later, and the Children's Aid So- ciety, organized in 1890, are also representative agencies which are protecting and caring for unfortunate juveniles. The old people's homes are also numerous and of long establishment, being founded by both general and religious societies.
The cemeteries of the city are all controlled by associations and the munificent sums lavished upon their improvement are but inade-
CEME- quate tributes to the dead. There are few more
beautiful homes for the departed than Rosehill,
TERIES. Graceland, Calvary, Waldheim and Forest Home, and nothing is more representative of a high state of society than such tender care of mortality. The first of Chicago's burial grounds
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were set aside as a tract of about sixteen acres on the lake shore, at Twenty-sixth street, and a plat of about half that area east of Clark street, near Chicago avenue. This was in 1835. Five years after- ward the south side cemetery was abandoned, as well as the ground at Chicago avenue, and a general city cemetery was established on the south sixty acres of what is now Lincoln Park. In 1854 the Jews of Chicago established the Chebra Kadisha Ubikar Cholim cemetery on North Clark street, near the present Graceland avenue, and its five acres represents the oldest burial ground in Chicago. Just south of Graceland cemetery, five miles north on Clark street, is Wunder Churchyard, consecrated by the German Lutherans in 1856, and the pioneer of their burial grounds. The Hebrews of the city have sepa- rate plats assigned them at Rosehill and Oak Woods, and eight small burial places between Forest Home and Riverside, in the southwest- ern districts, which were laid out in 1876.
Rosehill, the largest and most elaborately improved of the Chi- cago cemeteries, was dedicated in 1859, and Calvary, the leading Catholic cemetery, was consecrated in the same year, although its site had been purchased three years before. Rosehill is seven miles north of the city hall and Calvary ten, while Graceland, founded in 1865, is five miles in the same general direction. When the city coun- cil forbid further interments at the old Lincoln Park cemetery and abolished the city burying ground there, these three cemeteries re- ceived most of the bodies which were removed.
Oak Woods, on Sixty-seventh street and Cottage Grove avenue, is also one of the great and beautiful cemeteries, and was one of the first to be laid out on the south side. The cemetery association was incorporated in 1864. One of the noteworthy features of this ceme- tery is its Confederate burial ground, wherein (in a plat of ground purchased by the United States government ) are interred nearly six thousand prisoners who died at old Camp Douglas during the Civil war. A beautiful Catholic cemetery is Mount Olivet, near Morgan Park, sixteen miles south of Chicago, which was consecrated in 1886. Waldheim, a German cemetery, ten miles from the city hall, on West Harrison street, was laid out in 1873. Its beauties are largely natural and it has a historic interest as being the burial place of the Haymarket anarchists. Forest Home, still further to the south and west, is also a large and well improved cemetery. Alto-
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gether, there are about fifty cemeteries in Chicago and vicinity and among others well known may be mentioned Concordia, Montrose, Moses Montefiore, Mount Auburn, Mount Carmel and Oakland.
Chicago numbers among its societies an unusually large number of social, political, literary and athletic organizations. The Chicago Club is one of the oldest organizations of prominent CLUBS. citizens, being formed in 1869 as the outgrowth of
the old Dearborn Club. Its home is now the old Art Institute building, corner of Michigan avenue and Van Buren street. The Standard, the most influential Jewish club, was also or- ganized in that year, and owns a house at the corner of Michigan avenue and Twenty-fourth street. In 1879 the widely known Union League Club was incorporated as "The Chicago Club of the Union League of America," its present name being legally adopted on the 17th of January, 1882. Although the Union League Club has always been Republican, its tendencies have been broadly patriotic and its civic spirit of the strongest and highest. Its handsome brick building is at Jackson boulevard and Custom House place. The Iroquois Club, formed in 1881, is equally typical of firm Democracy, with headquarters at 200 Clark street. The first really strong organiza- tion of women was formed. in 1876, as the Chicago Woman's Club, and it is still one of the leading organizations in the west devoted to philanthropic and literary work. The Fortnightly Club, organized in 1873, is more purely intellectual and social in its aims, and has the distinction of being the pioneer among the women's societies. The Chicago Literary Club, whose membership is open to both sexes, is the oldest organization of the kind in the city, being established in 1874. It holds its meetings in the Art Institute and maintains its high rank among the literary societies of Chicago. The Press Club has been alive since 1880. The Illinois Club, the leading social or- ganization of the west side, was founded in 1878, and has a fine club house at the corner of Ashland avenue and Monroe street, while the Ashland Club, established eight years later, has its home on Washing- ton boulevard. Among the old social Republican clubs should be mentioned the Lincoln and Marquette, and among the organizations of a later day, the Hamilton Club, which of late years has acquired a strong influence.
The Chicago Athletic Association was organized in January,
-
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1889, and is the leading organization of the kind in the city, if not in the United States. Its ten-story clubhouse on Michigan avenue is certainly as completely equipped as any establishment of a like na- ture in the world. Sociability and exercise are skillfully combined in the workings of this association, with its library and reading rooms. its bath and living rooms, its private apartments for special gatherings and its great banquet hall. The Turkish and Russian baths and nata- torium are on the ground floor. The gymnasium proper occupies the fourth and fifth floors, the running track being arranged on a bal- cony occupying the outer rim of the great hall. The ninth and tenth stories are also thrown into one grand hall, which is divided into ball, racquet and tennis courts. The association's membership of some 2,000 includes many of the leading citizens of Chicago. The New Illinois Athletic Club, occupying a fine clubhouse on Michigan avenue, is also a strong organization, both from the social and ath- letic standpoint, and the old-time German "turn vereins" still main- tain their high standing.
The Chicago societies given over to art and music are many and prosperous, one of the oldest in the latter class being the Apollo Club, organized in 1872 by Silas G. Pratt and George B. Upton and di- rected for nearly a quarter of a century by that enthusiastic genius, Professor William L. Tomlins. As a trainer of voices in chorus, es- pecially of children's voices, he has never had a superior. He finally resigned the directorship of the Apollo Club ( in 1898) to devote his entire time to the training of school teachers in voice culture, through them reaching millions of public school children.
From the very nature of the city and its population, from the fact that it is both a center of business and industry and a hotbed of economic reforms, Chicago has an imposing array of organizations representing combinations of both employes and employers, civic and professional clubs, trades unions and commercial associations. Among the youngest and strongest of the last named is the Association of Commerce. Although organized in 1905, it already has a member- ship of over a thousand, embracing some of the strongest representa- tives of the mercantile, financial, real estate and commercial interests of the city. The association has secured an option on the corner of Jackson boulevard and Plymouth court and is planning to build thereon a fourteen-story structure at a cost of $700.000.
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It is evident from the foregoing, which is little more than an enumeration of some of the leading local societies and associations, that whatever the serious business, the taste or even the fad of the Chicagoan, he need not go far to find some combination of kindred workers and spirits. The list is so long and diverse, in fact, that it defies complete classification in a reasonable space, and all that has been historically attempted is to note the beginnings of some of the most vital organizations, which have endured to the present and from which have sprung strong and useful progenies.
John G. Shortall, who was a resident of Chicago for more than half a century, was a lawyer by profession and one of the oldest and ablest real estate men of the city. He is best known
JOHN G. SHORTALL. however, and most deeply honored, for his labors of nearly four decades in connection with the pro- tection of mute animals and helpless children from the brutality of hard masters and parents. As the founder of both the Illinois Humane and the national organization, with the incessant and able work which he bestowed upon this noble cause of humanity, Mr. Shortall's name was written high among the world's philanthropists at the time of his death, July 23, 1908. He had been president of the state society from 1877 to 1906, and since the latter year his only son, John L. Shortall, has well filled the office and continued his father's great work.
John G. Shortall was born in Dublin, September 20, 1838, and when six years of age was brought to New York by his parents. His father died when the boy was very young and he passed several years in the employ of the New York Tribune before coming west, in [854. His first western employment was on the survey of the Illinois Central Railway near Galena; afterward he spent some time in the Chicago Tribune office, and then associated himself with J. Mason Parker in the compilation of real estate abstracts. Upon the comple- tion of this work, in 1856, he leased the books and records of his former employer, and entered the abstract business as an independent operator. He afterward became connected with the firm of Greene- baum and Guthmann, and in-1861 purchased their books and records. In 1864 he became a member of the firm of Shortall and Hoard, and so remained until the merging of the property with Chase Brothers and Jones and Sellers, as a result of the fire of 1871. Subsequently the interests of these concerns were absorbed by the Title Guarantee
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