History of Chicago. From the earliest period to the present time, Part 172

Author: Andreas, Alfred Theodore
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 1340

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" My dear Mr. Ogden :- I hear you are in tremble. I hess placed to your credit in New York Llon, www. If you get three! ! know you will return it; if you don't. jeans and I will never miss il

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LOCAL POLITICS.

Although this princely liberality was not accepted, it will always remain a gratifying exhibition of the esteem and confidence which Mr. Ogden inspired in those who knew him. Mr. Ogden was one of the chief organizers of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company in 1859. now one of the largest, if not the largest railway corporation in the United States. In 1856 he organized a lumber company on the Peshtigo River in Wisconsin, purchased immense tracts of pine lands, erected extensive mills and factories and built up at the mouth of the river on Green Bay a thriving vil- lage. In 1860 he purchased at Brady's Bend, on the Alleghany River, in Pennsylvania, some fivethousand acres of iron and coal land, and organized the Brady's Bend Iron Company, with a capital of $2,000.000. This company employed over six hundred men in their fur -. naces and mills and turned out year after year over two hundred tons of rails daily. When the Union Pacific Railroad Company was organized, under the act of Congress in 1862, Mr. Ogden was chosen its first pres- ident, but his other enterprises induced him subsequently to retire from the presidency, though he remained a director, and gave what service was possible to the con- struction of the road. In June. 1868, he retired from the presidency of the Chicago & Northwestarn Railway Company, with some of the lines of which he had been connected for a period of twenty-one years. At a meet- ing of the stockholders on that occasion, this resolution was adopted: " Resolved, That his [W. B. Ogden's] con- nection with this company dating back for a period of twenty-one years, his disinterested labors in its behalf without fee or reward during the whole time, the benefit he has conferred upon it, and the country demand our grateful acknowledgement, and we hereby tender him our warmest thanks for his long services, and our best wishes for his long continued health and prosperity." Politically he was known as a Democrat. As such he was elected to the New York Legislature, and as Mayor of Chicago. When the slavery question arose, he iden- tified himself with the free-soil party, and in 1848 sup- ported the Van Buren and Adams ticket. In 1860 he supported Mr. Lincoln, and was elected to the Illinois Senate on the same ticket. He favored the war for the Union, but was opposed to the emancipation proclama- tion and the policy of the administration, and this led him finally to antagonize the Republican party. The later years of his life were spent largely in New York. At his villa of Boscobel, on the Harlem River, he dis- pensed a noble and generous hospitality. It was here in his retirement and repose from his chief business cares, that news suddenly came upon him-" Chicago is burning." He started at once for the West, and arrived in Chicago on Tuesday, October 10. He found only a mass of black and smoking ruins. The house of his brother, Mahlon D. Ogden, was the only house remain- ing on the North Side. The following day he received the news of the utter destruction of his immense lumber establishment at Peshtigo, and that many lives had been lost. Remaining in Chicago a few days longer, to instil hope and courage in the hearts of the despairing and stricken citizens, he started for Peshtigo, where he was much more needed. General Strong, who accompanied him, has written a thrilling account of this fire and of the labors of Mr. Ogden during these trying times. After these herculean labors Mr. Ogden again sought the retirement of his favorite villa. Mr. Ogden's social qualities were of a high, a very high order. His mind. enlarged by travel and by extensive reading, sought relaxation from his immense business cares, in art. music and poetry. He was a great lover of nature, and

Bryant was his favorite poet. At his home he enter- tained with a generous hospitality, his mother and sisters assisting him. He was not married until late in life. In February, 1875, he married Miss Mariana Arnot, a daughter of Judge Arnot, of Elmira, N. Y. This most excellent and highly accomplished lady cheered and solaced the declining years of his life. In his youth he had been separated by death from the one dear heart that he loved, to whose memory he remained ever faith- ful. Years afterward he would show to his most inti- mate friends some tenderly cherished relies-a ribbon. a glove. some faded flowers - mementoes of one whom he never could forget. Such fidelity to his youthful love was strikingly characteristic of the man. His nature was sympathetic, and his smile illuminated every circle. To relieve the distressed, to aid the deserving. to encourage the despairing, for these and all good works, he always seemed to have abundant time, and many now prosperous men can look back upon the time when the timely word or aid of William B. Ogden placed them upon the road to that prosperity. The most striking feature of his character was self-reliance. As Emerson says, " He could stay at home in his own mind." He did not pretend to be powerful. he was powerful. He saw his way to the end from the begin- ning. To a lady whom he was seeking to encourage about her sons, he once said, " I was born close to a saw mill, was early left an orphan, christened in a mill- pond, graduated at a log school house, and at fourteen fancied I could do any thing I turned my hand to, and that nothing was impossible, and ever since, madam, 1 have been trying to prove it, and with some success." He believed that honest faithful work could accomplish every thing. His conversational power was very great. The artist Healy said of him that in conversation he was a worthy rival of the best three he ever met : Louis Phillippe, John Quincy Adams and Doctor Bronson. Guizot. the French historian and statesman, said of him as he looked upon his portrait, " That is the representa- tive American, who is a benefactor of his country, espe- cially the mighty West : he built Chicago." Ogden could indeed say, as he looked over the great West and the great city that he loved, "ct quorum magna pars fui." Fortunate in his life, he was also happy in his death. Cheered by the affection of his noble wife, sur- rounded by loving friends, honored and respected by all his fellow-citizens, sustained and soothed by an unwavering faith in the religion of his fathers, he entered the valley of the shadow of death. On the 3d of August, 1877, he died at his country seat. Boscobel. on the Harlem. His remains repose in Woodlawn Cem- etery, near New York. To the citizens of Chicago it should be said, " Would you behold his monument, look around you ! "

BENJAMIN W. RAYMOND, the third Mayor of Chi- cago, was born at Rome, N. Y., in 1801. His early years were passed in Oneida County and St. Lawrence County. N. Y., and he received a good common school education. At the age of nineteen he commenced his husiness career as an employé for a lumber merchant. Afterward he commenced merchandising, and con- tinued it with more or less success for several years. His mother had died when he was five years old, and his father when he was about twenty-two, so that upon Benjamin was now thrown the care of his younger brothers and sisters. The feeling of responsibility caused by these circumstances created in him habits of economy and industry, and these became to him hand- maids of fortune. In 1826. under the influence of the celebrated revivalist, Rev. C. G. Finney, Mr. Raymond

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made profession of religion, which he consistently main- tained until the end of his life. He also became strongly imbued with strict temperance principles, and gave up the sale of liquor in his store, though it was one of the largest sources of profit to the merchant of those clays. As early as 1831 he began to look to the Far West, believing that greater opportunities could be found there for the young business man than could be found in his native country. At this time he formed the acquaintance of Mr. S. N. Dexter, who encouraged him in his Western notions, and offered large financial

assistance. One or two trips into Northern Ohio and part of Michigan not proving very successful, he settled in East Bloomfield, N. Y., and for four years carried on a very successful business. Here, in the year 1835, he married Miss Amelia Porter, with whom he lived hap- pily for almost fifty years, and who still survives him. Two sons were born to this marriage, one of whom is now dead. The other is Professor George W. Raymond of Williams College. His attention was now attracted to Chicago as a point of great Future importance, and he determined to make it his future home. He arrived in Chicago in June, 1836, with a large stock of goods, and found the place running over with merchants and merchandise looking for nothing so much as for pur- chasers. The outlook for legitimate business was by no means favorable, and Mr. Raymond was obliged to look ·about for other points at which to dispose of his goods. Assisted by his friend Dexter, and io partnership with him, he also made large investments in real estate, and when the hard times of 1837 came upon the country the firm of B. W. Raymond & Co. found its liabilities largely in excess of its assets. But Mr. Dexter had both the ability and the will to assist the struggling firm, and during the years 1837, 1838 and 1839 ad- vanced fully $20,000, and thus the credit of the house was preserved and it passed safely through the terrible depression. In the year 1839 Mr. Raymond was elected Mayor of the city, on the Whig ticket. Although the Democrats were in the ascendancy, the popularity of Mr. Raymond enabled him to successfully carry the election. The main incident of Mr. Raymond's term of office was an exciting contest between the North and South divisions concerning a bridge over the Chicago River. The bridge had been swept away at Dearborn Street, and the people of the South Side were opposed to its being replaced. There were great jealousies existing at the time between the divisions, and the cootest was waged with great bitterness. The Council was evenly divided, and Raymond, who held the casting vote, was a South-sider. Finally he decided that if the North- siders would subscribe $3,000 toward the erection of the bridge they should have it, and this being agreed to he gave the casting vote in favor of the bridge. It was during his term of office that the canal scrip was largely counterfeited. Mr. Raymond was exceedingly active in putting a stop to it. Several persons were arrested, and two were convicted and punished. The hard times brought great suffering among the laboring classes, and particularly to the " canallers," as the Irish laborers and their families were called, who had been working on the canal until the work was stopped by

the inability of the State to go further. These laborers thrown out of employment poured into the city, where they became only objects of charity. Mr. Raymond bestowed upon them the whole of the salary he received as Mayor. It was during his term of office that the Fort Dearborn reservation was laid out in town lots and sold. It had been expected by the people that the land would be donated by the Government to the city, but the Government was not very rich, and so the order went out for the sale of Fort Dearborn addition. Through the efforts of Mr. Raymond Dearborn Park was reserved to the city, and State Street was laid out one hundred and twenty feet wide instead of sixty. This he accomplished by his personal exertions. In 1842 he was again elected Mayor, much against his own per- sonal wishes. City orders were being hawked about at a large discount, though good times were now return- ing. Mayor Raymond by a system of rigid economy in the administration of public affairs soon brought the city's credit to par. Mr. Raymond early became in- terested in railroads, and he was one of the first director- in the Chicago & Galena Union Railroad, the pioneer of the great Northwestern system. He was one of the foremost in many of the great undertakings that have tended to build up Chicago, but he was particularly active in promoting the religious and educational in- terests of Chicago and the West. He laid out the town of Lake Forest, and was active in securing the charter for its University. He was president of the board of trustees of the University for twelve years. He was one of the trustees of Beloit College, and also of the Rock- Tord Female Seminary, and he gave largely of his time and means to their assistance. He did much for the town of Elgin; built the first woolen mill there, and in 1864 founded the celebrated watch manufactory, and was the first president of the company. For more than forty years he was a ruling elder in the Second Presby- terian Church of Chicago. His later years were passed in retirement and in the enjoyment of that ease his long life of labor had so nobiy won. He died on the 6th of April, 1883, full of years and honor.

ALEXANDER LOYD became Mayor in 1840, engag- ing in business for many years as a builder and con-

Thander dayd

tractor, owner of a lumber yard and proprietor of a dry goods and grocery store. The latter was run under the firm name of Loyd & Thomas until after 1857.

FRANCIS C. SHERMAN was one of Chicago's pio- neers, coming to this city from Connecticut in 1834. Like most of Chicago's Mayors he was, primarily, a

merchant, being also interested in a brick yard at . later day. Mr. Sherman was Aklerman of the First Ward in 1837, County Commissioner from 18;o-45.

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mayor in 1841, chairman of the Board of Supervisors in 1851, and again filled the Mayor's chair for three terms, commencing 1862.

AUGUSTUS GARRETT, one of the pioneer business men and public-spirited citizens of Chicago, came to the city in 1836. Originally from the State of New York, he had been a successful auctioneer both in Cin- cinnati and New Orleans, but bad fortune had over- taken him, and when he came to Chicago he was, virtu- ally, a bankrupt. Introducing himself to Rev. Jeremiah Porter, the Church people interested themselves in his case and he soon was upon his feet again, financially. He sent on for his wife, whom he had left with her parents, on the Hudson River being unable to support her', and the husband and wife were soon together again and settled down as permanent residents of Chi- cago-one of them, at least , Mrs. Garrett . to make her name blessed to posterity. In the winter of 1839, through the labors of Rev. Peter R. Borein, they were both converted to a belief in the Methodist faith, and became prominent Church members. Mr. Garrett's abilities as a clear-headed and successful business man were at once recognized in a public way. He served as Alderman in 1840 and in 1845 was elected to the mayoralty. His death occurred in December, 1848. Mrs. Garrett survived her husband until November, 1855, having two years previously bestowed the bulk of her husband's large fortune upon that noble institution for the propagation of Christian learning, known as the Garrett Biblical Institute. Mr. and Mrs. Garrett left no children.

ALSON S. SHERMAN was born April 21, 1811, in Barre, Vt., coming to Chicago November 1, 1836. The early portion of his residence in Chicago was spent as a builder and contractor, being engaged from 1845 to 1855 in the marble, stone and milling business, and in the sale of building material. Mr. Sherman was active as a local legislator, the public showing their confidence in him repeatedly. He served one term as Mayor, one term as chief engineer of the fire department, two terms as Alderman, about ten years on the board of water commissioners, and acted for a number of years as city school trustee. In fact, in most of the public enterprises which marked Chicago's early growth, Mr. Sherman took a leading part. He was married Feb- ruary 26, 1833, and has nine children living. Mr. Sherman's residence is Waukegan.

JOHN P. CHAPIN, Mayor of Chicago in 1846, was in business, for many years, as a forwarding and commis- sion merchant. He first established himself alone, and later became a member of the firm of Wadsworth,

Dyer & Chapin, who were also large packers, oper- ating a house on the South Branch. In 1844 Mr. Cha- pin served as Alderman from the First Ward, but was better known as a merchant than as a politician.

JAMES CURTISS, a lawyer by profession and a native

Jamenjustin

of New York, came to Chicago in 1835. He held many offices of local trust, being Clerk of the County Court,

State's Attorney, and Alderman for two terms. He was elected Mayor in 1847 and again in 1850.

JAMES H. WOODWORTH acted as Mayor in 1848 and IS49. He was a native of New York, coming to Chi- cago in 1833, and early becoming a marked public character. Mr. Woodworth engaged in the milling

Sol. It Noodlemalt

business, and was part owner of the old Hydraulic Mills for some time. He was elected Alderman in 1845 and again in 1847, and was later a commissioner of water works, while during 1855 and 1857 he was sent to Congress.

WALTER S. GURNEE was born at Haverstraw-on- the-Hudson, N. Y., in IS13. Having lost his father at the age of eight years, he left his home to find another with his uncle, Judge John D. Coe, at Romulus, Sene- ca Co., N. Y. Here he remained until old enough to take care of himself. Mr. Gurnee's first independent business venture was at Detroit in 1835, and the follow- ing year he went to Chicago, where he, at first, started

W. S. Surmer

in the saddlery business, also carrying a stock of general hardware. Until his retirement from busi- ness, was engaged in the leather trade, operating, in early days, one of the largest tanneries in the West. He was one of the original directors of the Board of Trade, and was elected Mayor of Chicago in 1851 and IS52. Mr. Gurnee was always considered one of the most substantial business men of the city, being so con- fident of its continual growth that he invested in real estate in localities which, at the time, were far beyond its limits. He, with Charles E. Peck, purchased con- siderable land along the line of the Chicago & Milwau- kee road. and founded the present beautiful village of Winnetka. Mr. Gurnee is now a resident of New York city, having removed there in 1863.

CHARLES M. GRAY, Mayor in 1853, was a native of New York, coming to Chicago in 1834. At first he manufactured grain cradles in a small way, and after- ward associated himself with Cyrus McCormick in the

manufacture of reapers. He was also engaged in busi- ness as a wholesale grocer, and had merely a local name as a public man. He is assistant general freight agent of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Rail- road.

ISAAC I .. MILLIKEN was one of Chicago's early blacksmiths, but being industrious, ambitious and popu- lar, obtained a smattering of law and served the city as

Isaac L. Milliken.

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HISTORY OF CHICAGO.

Alderman twice and both the city and county in a judie- ial capacity. He acted as assistant County Judge for a few years, commencing with 1853, and began his service as Police Magistrate in 1856. He became Mayor in 1854.

LEVI D. BOONE was born December 8, 1808, near Lexington, Ky., being a grand-nephew of the noted Daniel Boone and a son of "Squire " Boone, a Baptist minister, and .Anna Grubbs, of Virginia. He was the seventh son, and in his tenth year was left fatherless, his mother being poor and burdened with a large family. His early days were spent among Indian out- rages, and his first recollections were of the active and brave part taken by both his parents in subduing the savages. His father was killed at the battle of Horse- shoe Bend. Growing up amid such scenes, it is quite remarkable that when twenty-one years of age Dr. Boone should have been able to graduate with honors from Transylvania University. In the spring of 1829 he removed to Edwardsville, Ill., to engage in the prac- tice of his profession. Subsequently he settled in Hills- boro, Montgomery County, and upon the breaking out of the Black Hawk War in 1832 responded as the very first man in his county, and served as Captain of a cavalry company. In 1836 Dr. Boone removed to Chi- cago and at once became identified with its progress. At first he engaged in the insurance business, but the panic of 1837 forced him to return to practice. For a number of years he was western head of the Mutual Life Insurance Company. He served as city physician for a number of years, and his invaluable services dur- ing the cholera epidemic of 1848 are still remembered with gratitude by many early residents. Having served three successive terms as Alderman, he was elected Mayor in 1855, and it was during his administration that the "beer riots " were quelled. During the war

L. D.Bon

Dr. Boone was a faithful Union man, and therefore the following story told of him ever retains its " flavor:" " He was one of the physicians at Camp Douglas dur- ing the incarceration of Confederate prisoners, one of whom, a hoy named l'om Green, got the good Doctor into a peculiar scrape. Green's mother came to Chicago and immediately set about securing her son's release, aided by a Mrs. Morris. A plan was arranged by which Tom should promenade a certain stretch every day where his mother could view him through a field-glass from the roof of an adjoining building. But Mrs. Green couldn't stay and departed, leaving $50 for her boy in care of Dr. Boone, which was to be used in buying necessaries. 'The Doctor placed the amount in his safe in an envelope and labeled it 'Tom Green's money,' and was then called to Washington. Green learned of the money and its location, and secured it through the connivance of a medical student during the Doctor's absence, the student agreeing to let Tom escape for $30. The bargain was nade and Tom proceeded to escape by climbing a fence and-found himself in the Federal ranks, betrayed by the student ! The Union soldiers tried in vain to compel Tom to give up the information relating to his attempted escape by moderate means, and only succeeded after stringing him up by the thumbs. Then the youthful

Confederate confessed that the money to purchase hi- liberty had come from Dr. Boone, and that was all he knew about it. Immediately upon Dr. Boone's return to Chicago he was arrested on a charge of conspiracy to aid in the escape of prisoners of war. No explanation- would suffice at that time, and he was placed under arrest by Colonel Joseph Tucker, then in command of Camp Douglas. After a time the Doctor was released on parole, and that parole was still in force when his spirit took its flight." Dr. Boone was the first man in Chicago to advocate the award of private bounty as an inducement for men to enlist in the Federal ranks. For himself he backed the proposition to give a city lot or a farm of forty acres to the widow of the first Chicago volunteer who should fall in defense of the country's honor; and the widow of a gallant soldier under Colonel Mulligan received the Boone bounty as promised. In March, 1833. Dr. Boone was married to Miss Louise M. Smith, daughter of Judge Theophilus W. Smith, of the Illinois Supreme Court. At the time of his death six of their eleven children were left to them-two sons and four daughters. Aside from his public life. Dr. Boone is best known as a pillar of the Michigan-avenue Baptist Church, and as a trustee and valued patron of the Chicago University. His life, in short, was filled with useful works, and his marked success as a man was merited.

THOMAS DYER, an old and respected settler and merchant of Chicago, was born January 13, 1805, at

Canton, Conn. His father was an officer of the Revo- lutionary War. Young Dyer was brought up as a farmer's son, but developed sterling business traits at an early age. When he was about thirty years old he started for Chicago and the West, and soon engaged in general trade, also erecting a warehouse, and doing business under the firm name of Wadsworth. Dyer & Chapin; Newberry & Dole, and this house were among "the very earliest warehouse firms to engage in business in the then young city. Mr. Dyer at once assumed his place as a leading man of affairs in the growing com- munity with which he had cast his lot, being one of the directors of the Galena & Chicago Union road. lle also served one term in the Legislature, was president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1848, and Mayor of the city in 1856. His death occurred at Middletown, Conn., on the 6th of June, 1862. Mr. Dyer was twice married-the first time to Adaline Hopkins, the second time to the widow of Elijah K. Hubbard. Clarence HI. Dyer, his son, is still 'a respected business man of this city, being a child about two years old when his father removed to Chicago. Mrs. Dyer resides with Elijah K. Hubbard, Jr., her only surviving chill.

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History of Chicago. From the earliest period to the present time, Part 172

Author: Andreas, Alfred Theodore Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas Number of Pages: 1340

Author: Andreas, Alfred Theodore
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 1340