History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 103

Author: Andreas, A. T. (Alfred Theodore), 1839-1900
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : A.T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 875

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The trustees presented an address to the Bishops, asking their council in the appointment of teachers and the general organization and conduct of the In- stitute. Rev. Dr. Dempster only had been appointed to the chair of theology. The address was issued May 10, 1856, and was signed by Grant Goodrich, Jolin Evans, Orrington Lunt, P. Judson and S. P. Keyes. A few days after the above date the Bishops officially presented it to the General Conference, and it was referred, as the passage in their address had been, to the Committee on Education, composed of one meni- ber from each annual conference in the Church. By that able committee the subject was canvassed utten- tively and thoroughly, and, before the conclusion of the session, resolutions were adopted by the General Conference rejecting the idea that educational means

alone were sufficient, and obliging applicants for ad- mission to such institutes to obtain a certificate from the quarterly, or annual conference, of its belief that they are divinely called to the ministry; approving the objects of Biblical departments connected with colleges, but disapproving every attempt to multiply, greatly, such institutions ; giving the General Confer- ence power to remove any teachers not conforming to the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and requesting the superintendenta to act as an advisory committee for the Garrett Institute and all other simi- lar institutes. Under the auspices mentioned the fol- lowing faculty was appointed : Rev. John Dempster, D. D., professor of systematic theology ; Rev. Daniel P. Kidder, D. D., professor of practical theology ; Rev. Henry Bannister, D. D., professor of Greek and Hebrew and sacred literature ; Rev. John K. Johnston, A. M., Preparatory Department ; Rev. O. Huse, local agent. The Institute was opened for the first year of its permanent organization, on September 22, 1856. In connection with the services then condneted Hon. Grant Goodrich delivered an instructive and eloquent historical address. During the first year forty students were in attendance, the average attendance being twenty. Apropos to the work done by the Institute during the first year of its existence, is the following extract taken from tho report of 1856-57:

" When the institution was first opened at Evanston, there was not, in the whole distance of thirty-five miles, between Chicago and Waukegan, and the distance of twelve or more miles westward from Lake Michigan, a single Protestant Church, or a regular ministry. With the single exception of Evanston.the same remark is still true in relation to churches, and, with scarcely an ex- ception, as to preaching appointments, except so far as they have been established by the agency and co- operation of our students. The Lake shore being now traversed by a railroad, npon which a considerable population is located for purposes of residence and business, thereby causing numerous villages to spring up, there is great need of evangelical effort in the region alluded to, as a means of planting the Gospel in each town and neighborhood. At not less than nine such places, within a radins of twenty miles, the students of the Institute have, during the past year, maintained regnlar appointments, at which they have preached, exhorted, taught Sunday-schools, distributed tracts, and visited the people to converse with them concern- ing their religious welfare. At one of these appoint- ments, during the winter, a special work of grace attended their labors, resulting in the conversion of a large number of persons, and a general reformation of the community. At most, if not all of the other places, there have been more or less tokens of good, and it would have been easy to multiply promising appointments, had the number of students in atten- dance justified undertaking them. Especially in the suburbs of Chicago, fields of Christian labor open almost without limit, and it is expected that at no dis- tant day our students will be sufficiently numerous to authorize the occupation of several additional fields in that city and elsewhere. In order to conduct these important labors with system and efficiency, a com- mittee on appointments make ont a plan. for each term, by which every student is assigned an appro- priate fiekl of labor, with greater or less frequency of appointment, according to circumstances. One morn- ing of each week is devoted to inquiries and reports concerning the labors of the foregoing Sabbath, and practical remarks are made by a member of the fac-

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ulty in regard to facts and duties that may be appro- priately illustrated from the experience and observa- tion of the students. In this way, both study and practice are rendered tributary to a higher qualifica tion for the responsibilities of the future. Lest any should entertain the unjust idea that a spirit of effeni- inacy is tolerated here, it may be remarked that the faithfulness and regularity with which the appoint- ments of the Institute students have been maintained, is not often excelled under any circumstances. This result has involved long and oft-repeated walks through mud and storms that might have enused veteran itinerants to hesitate. Yet the students of the Biblical Institute have superadded to their studies this regular attendance npon small and feeble congre- gations, both voluntarily and gratuitously."

The first graduates of the Institute were Jolm E. Ayars, Southern Illinois Conference; George W. Havermale, Peoria Conference : Osman Hutchinson, Rock River Conference; E. W. Jeffries, Upper Iowa Conference; John W. Sovereign and Matthew H. Triggs, Rock River Conference.

In addition to a literary society, an association was formed the first year having for its object the famil- iarization of the minds of the students w.th missionary history and biography. The constitution and by laws were adopted in November, 1857, and the association is still in active existence.

With the ending of the first regular school year the establishment of the Garrett Biblical Institute became an assured fact. Prior to its founding, out of the fifty-four institutions for ministerial cdneation exist- ing in the United States, only two were located west of the State of Ohio. It is to be regarded, therefore, as the pioneer institution of its kind in the Northwest.

There was no change in the faculty from 1856 to 1858 when Rev. F. D. Hemenway was added to it, as the instructor in English Literature and Greek. In 1860 A. C. Langworthy became local agent in place of Rev. O. Huse The faculty continued the same until 1963, when Rev. Miner Raymond, D. D., was elected to succeed Dr. Dempster, deceased, and Rey. F. D. Hemenway was called to the chair, as adjunct profess- or of Biblical literature

The corner-stone of the imposing structure known as Heck Hall was laid July 12. 1866. Dr. O. II. Tif- fany, O. S. Foster and J. S. Smart officiating. The address was delivered by Bishop Thompson, und the artieles deposited by Dr. Eddy. The hall was dedi- cated July 4, 1867. It received its name from Mrs. Barbara Heck, the mother of Methodism in America. It is built of Milwaukee brick, is five stories in height, and stands as a centenary memorial edifice of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Its cost was $62,000. The centenary offerings received to defray this expense amounted to 840,000.

During 1867 Dr. James S. Jewell became the lect- urer on natural theology, followed by Dr. Edward Thompson, the next year. In 1808, also, Prof. R. L. Cumnock was engaged as teacher of elocution, and Prof. Kidder became the instructor in historical the- ology. During the next year instruction in the latter branch was given by the several professors. In 1872 Rev. William X. Ninde was made professor of practi- cal theology. The faculty of the Institute remained unchanged for some years. Prof. Ninde was absent in 1877, his departineut being conducted by Profs. Hemen- way and Bannister. In 1879 he was elected president of the faculty of the Garrett Biblical Institute aud professor of practical theology and Church history.

The other members of the faculty were: Rev. fleury Bannister, S. T. D., professor of New Testament exe- gesis and biblical theology ; Rev. Minor Raymond, S. 'T. D., professor of systematic theology ; Rev. Francis D. Hemenway, S. T. D., professor of Hebrew and Bibli- cal literature; Prof. Robert L .. Cumnock, A. M., in- structor in elocution. The next two years were devoid of change The faculty for 1881-82 was as follows: Rev. William X. Ninde, S. T. D., president, and Cor- nelia Miller professor of practical theology ; Rev. Henry Bammister, S. T. D., professor of New Testament exe- gesis and biblical theology ; Rev. Minor Raymond, S. T. D., professor of systematic theology : Rev. Francis D. Hemenway, S. T. D., professor of Hebrew and Bibli- cal literature ; Rev. Henry B. Ridgaway, S. T. D., pro- fessor of historical theology ; Prof. Robert LA. Com. mock, A. M., instructor in elocution; Prof. Hemen- way, librarian. To this list for 1883-83 were added Rev. Charles F. Bradley, B. D., adjunct professor of exegetical theology and Rev. Moses S. Cross, B. D., instructor in Greek. Prof. Heury Bannister, who for so many years ably filled his chair, died April 15, 1883.

The changes in the board of trustees, up to date, include the following: In 1859 Rev. Luke Hitchcock, in place of John Evans; in 1861 Rev. Hooper Crews and Rey. Thomas N. Eddy, D. D., in place of Mesers. Judson and Hitchcock. For 1864-65 the board was composed of Grant Goodrich, president ; Orrington Lunt, secretary and treasurer ; Rev. Stephen P. Keyes, Rev. Thomas N. Eddy. D. D., and John V. Farwell: Rev. James S. Smart, financial agent ; Rev. John Cummins, local ngent. In 1865 Rev. II. Crews was chosen in place of Rev. Mr. Keyes. the board remaining the same until 1868, when Rev. E. M. Gam- mon was elected instead of Mr. Eddy. Albro E. Bishop und Mr. Charles H. Fowler succeeded Messrs. Farwell and Crews in 1871, there being uo further elrange in the board until 1878, when Rev. S. Hawley Adams became a member in place of Mr. Fowler. In 1880 William Deering was elected to fill the place of A. E. Bishop, deceased. Rev. William C. Dandy. D. D., was chosen ngent during this year. His particular duties were to raise funds to pay off the indebtedness of the Institute cansed by the rebuilding of the Garrett Building, burned in the Chicago fire. This amounted to $100.000. The Institute is now about out of debt, and its property is estimated to be worth $400,000.

The board of trustees for 1882-83 consists of Grant Goodrich, president; Orrington Lunt, secretary_aud treasurer ; Rev. Luke Hitchcock, D. D., Rev. 'E H. Gammon, Rev. S. Hawley Adams, B. D., and William Deering.

The students of the Institute number at present over one hundred, and represent eighteen States and two foreign countries. Its influence is thus extending not only over the Northwest and this country, hut to foreign lands. Verily the single conversion of Mra. Eliza Garrett by that modest servant of the Gospel, Rev. Peter R. Borein, is bearing a mighty harvest of good.

WAR TIMES.

For several years after the building of the railroad, the settlement of Evanston and vicinity progressed in quite an encouraging manner. Then followed a long season of staguation, and business and everything else seemed to remain at a stand-still. At the opening of the war it is probable that within the present corporate limits of the village there were not mere than three hundred people. "Davis Street was then, as now, the

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principal business thoroughfare, and yet east of the railroad track, on the north side of the street, ouly these buildings appeared in 1861: A. T. Sherman's dwelling; W. S. Bailey, tailor, near the corner of Ben- son Avenue; Philo Judson, general store, kept by J. B. Colvin and John Sinclair ; the post-office, which held forth in Charles Wheeler's store; Dr. F. M. Weller's drug store ; the paint shop of Edward Russell and the butcher shop of Samuel Linscot; the " tavern," now a portion of the Avenue llonse, then kept by Mrs. Cook and owned by George Reynolds; then came what is now the preparatory building of the Northwestern University, and lastly Allen Vane's residence on the Lake shore. On the south side of Davis Street, east of the railrond, were " Widow Lansing's" boarding house, P. W. Thomas's feed store and residence, and John Clough's house. West of the railroad, on the north side of Davis Street, were Amis' blacksmith shop and two concrete dwelling houses (still standing). J. H. Kenney's and Lewis Leonhard's dwellings, the house of Meyers Ilill, now occupied by J. J. Parkhurst, and the house of n Mr. llyde, west of Asbury Avenne. Coming toward the railroad. on the south side of Davis Street, was George M. Huntoon's concrete lionse and store, now ocenpied by A. Matteson and Michael Ormond's dwelling.

Bat although at the opening of the war Evanston was little more than a hamlet, among her residents who responded to their country's call were several who made their mark as officers and men, and who ob- tained much more than a local reputation. She has furnished to the country not only three gallant Briga- dier.Generals, but a number of brave minor officers and her share of privates.

The war record of Governor John L. Beveridge, of Evanston, commences with his enlistment Angust 27, 1861. He recruited Company F, 8th Illinois Cavalry, which several of the Evanston boys joined, and in September was unanimously chosen Captain of the company. The next day he was selected by the line officers us one of the Majors of the regiment. In October the regiment was ordered to Washington, par- ticipating afterward in all the battles fought by the Army of the Potomne. Under General Stoneman he was in the advance upon Richmond. Upon the re- treat of the army from the James River, his regiment was ju the rear of the retreating forces, and his hat. talion the extreme rear guard. The 8th Regiment was the only cavalry force which crossed the river at Fredericksburg, and Major Beveridge led the force at Gettysburg, Williamsport, Boonsboro, Funkstown, Falling Waters and between the Rappahannock and Culpepper. He resigned his commission in November, 1863, for the purpose of organizing the Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry, of which he was commissioned Colonel in January, 1864. He remained in command of it until October, 1865, when he was ordered to Saint Louis to preside over a military commission for the trial of military offenders, and was finully mustered out of service February 6, 1866. Colonel Beveridge was brevetted Brigadier-General for gallant and meri- torious eondnet March 7, 1865.

General Julins White, now a resident of Sonth Evanston was mustered into the service as Colonel of the 37th Illinois Infantry, accompanying the expedition of General Fremont to Southwestern Mis- souri In December, 1861, he was assigned to the command of the Second Brigade, Third Division of the Army of the Southwest, and participated in the pursuit of Price. At the battle of Pen Ridge his

brigade sustained the attack of Benjamin McCul- loeli's entire force for three-quarters of an hour, during which time the loss in killed and wounded was nearly one- fourth of his command. On being reinforced, the enemy wus driven, in confusion, from the field, and for his share in the victory Colonel White received merited praise front his superior officers. Having been disabled by a fracture in the leg, he obtained a short leave of absence, and upon rejoining his regimeut was placed in command of a military district in south- western Missouri. Colouel White was promoted to Brigadier-General of volunteers in June, 1862, and was assigned to the army of Virginia under Major- General John Pope. Under instructions, he retired from Winchester to Harper's Ferry, and turned over his command to Colonel Miles, proceeding to Martins- burg. Va. On September 10 Stonewall Jackson approached the place with an overwhelming force, and General White and his troops retired to Harper's Ferry. This place was invested by the enemy, aud capitulated after n fonr-diys' siege. "Upon bis arrival, although his superior in rank, General White had declined to deprive Colonel Miles of his command of the post, inasmuch as he was familiar with the conn- try, and Major-General Wool, who commanded the department, had expressed a preference for the Colonel. The surrender at Warper's Ferry was subsequently investigated by a military commission, and Brigadier General White completely exonerated from all blume in the matter. In January, 1863, the troops captured at Harper's Ferry were exchanged, ain) General White, who had received leave of absence in November, 1862, " till exchanged," was assigned to command in eastern Kentucky, waging for months a relentless warfare against the guerrillas who infested that region. General White next served in Tennessee under Major-General Burnside, commanding Fort Huntington Smith during the siege of Knoxville by General Longstreet. After u short leave of absence General White was assigned to the Ninth Army Corps. nnder Major-General Mende, being appointed Chief of Staff in June, 1864, and subsequently being assigned to the commund of the First Division, Ninth Corps, where he participated in the Weldon Railroad engagements, and drove the enemy's right from the field. Subsequently n prostrating und protreted ill- ness compelled General White to tender his resignation and return to private life.

General William Gamble, a practical engineer and at one time connected with the harbor improvements at Chicago, a veteran of the Florida war, and an old Indian fighter on the plains of the West, was com- missioned Lieutenant-Colonel 'of the 8th Illinois Cavalry, September 5, 1861. On the promotion of Colouel Farnsworth he assumed the command. Be- fore the regiment went into service he did much to make it what it was, a model of discipline and bravery, and when he assumed command he led it in minuy brilliant charges. In leading a elmirge at Malvern Hill 'Angust 5, 1862, he received a severe wound in the breast, which for some time disabled him. The 8th Regiment received commendable prominence as the protector of the National Capital, and its entire record is one of which the State was prond.

For two years Colonel Gamble was in command of a brigade, und the President designated him a Brigadier-General by brevet, in December, 1864.

Evanston also sent other men to the war. There was Major Edward Russell, Colonel Brainard, HI. A. Peursons, W. R. Bailey, George Gamble, Orrington

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Foster, W. Sherman, S. W. Russell, etc. Mesars. Foster, Sherman, and S. W. Russell were the first to enlist from the town, going into the three months' service. For particulars as to the raising of troops, etc., by townships, the reader is referred to the general county history. It is the intention here to briefly notice some of the soldiers of Evanston who wore best known.

TOWN AND VILLAGE LIMITS -By general statute the corporate limits of no town could inelude a terri- tory more than one mile square. In December, 1863, the voters of the town or village of Evanston decided to be incorporated. The corporation was bounded on the south by Dempster Street, ou the east by the lake, on the north by a line just south of the Garrett Biblical Institute and Foster Street, and on the west by Wesley Avenne. The territory east of North Evanston and north of the original town was annexed, by ordinance, July 22, 1872.

In April, 1873, under the act approved April 10, 1872, a village organization was assumed with the limits of the town, as extended. An irregular plat northwest of the original town, north of Church Street and east of the northwest quarter of Section 13, was annexed January 7, 1873; North Evanston by ordinance of February 17, 1874, and Evanston Center by ordinances of April 8 and August 6, 1874. By these annexations the village bounds now embrace a territory containing about three square miles. The 'Trustees of the village of South Evanston have petitioned to be annexed and the matter is now (De- cember, 1883) stili pending.

TOWN ORGANIZATION .- On the 29th of December, 1863, the legal voters of the town or village of Evans- ton met at the Reynolds Honse for the purpose of voting whether they should be incorporated. Harvey B. Hurd was chosen to preside over the meeting and Hugh A. White to record its doings. Mr. Hurd had explained the objects'of the gathering. A. T. Sher- man moved that the by-laws of the proposed town forbid any ofliver to receive fees for his services. This proposition did not meet the entire approval of those present, and a resolution was carried that no Trustee should receive fees, and that the Collector for the first three years should receive "ouly one-half the legal fees for performing the duties of his office."

"Thereupon the voting proree led, and it was resolved, by a voto of thirty-nine to eight. to hold an election for tive Trustees of the town on the' sith of January, 1864. The election, which took place at the Reynohls House, resulted as follows: H. B. Hurd, C. Com- stock, E. Hlasking. Professor I. S. Noyes and J. Clough. In January, 1864, Mr. Hunl was chosen President, and in July the town rules and ordinances were adopted, and an ordinance passed defining the corporate boundaries, as already described. The offices created were the trustees, clerk, treasurer, attorney, street commissioner and constable. In addition to the nsnal ordinances passed was one enforcing the provision of the University chartor in regard to the sale of liquor. The sule of any intoxi- cating beverage was declared a public nuisance, and a fine of $50 was to be imposed upon any one violating the law in this regard, within the town limits. The ordinance and the provision of the University charter are still in force, and Evanston has become noted, far and wide, for the sobriety and prosperity of her citi- zens. Jobu Fussey, who was appointed Commissioner, reported the names of eighty-nine persons liable to street labor. In August he announced that he bad

expended 897.25 on improving and repairing the streets, which must be considered the first record of any sum expended upon public improvements by Evanston as a corporate body. The valuation of town property, at this time, was as follows: l'latted lots and blocks, $69,820; lands not subdivided, 811,418; personal property, 844,242-total, $125,480. The Trusteesde cided to levy a tax of twenty-five cents on every $100 of valuation for general corporation por- poses. L. L. Greenleaf was acting as Town Treasurer. The first important contract for public improvement was let to E. Haskins, in October, 1864, and was for the grading and graveling of Hinman Avenne from Davis Street to University Place. E. Haskins served as President of the Board of Trustees, Hugh & White as Clerk, and L. L. Greenleaf as Treasurer from 1865 to 1867. During the latter year J. F. Willard was elected President, A. J. Brown, Clerk and Charles Comstock, Treasurer. The officers for 1868 were: Eli A. Gage, President; Andrew J. Brown, Clerk, and E. R. Paul, Treasurer. E. R. Paul was chosen Presi- dent the next year (1869) R. S. King, Clerk, and W. N. Brainard, Treasurer.

In March, 1869, the town voted against the city charter by 197 to 82.

J. L. Beveridge was chosen President of the Board of Trustees in January, 1870, W. N. Brainard, Treas- urer, and A. C. Ducat, Clerk. The roster up to the time the town organized as a village was as follows: 1871-H.G. Powers, President ; A. Foster, Treasurer ; A. C. Dncat, Clerk.

1872-C. J. Gilbert, President; Ambrose Foster, Treasurer ; C. F. Grey, Clerk.

VILLAGE ORGANIZATION.

On the 10th of September. 1872, the Town Board of Trustees received a petition signed by sixty-fire voters asking that body to submit the question of a village organization to the citizens. On the 5th of April, 1873, the first election took place for Village Trustees, resulting in the choice of C. J. Gilbert, H. G. Powers, Lymau J. Gage, William Blanchard, Wilson Phelps, and O. A. Willard. Mr. Gilbert was chosen President ; Charles K. Banuister, Clerk ; Heury Oakes, Street Commissioner, and I .. J. Gage, Treasurer. The subject of water works was the first one which came up before the board for various discussion, and this important matter is treated in detail elsewhere. The formation of the village government is of such ut comparatively recent date that it is unnecessary to go iuto particulars as to the varions incumbents of the corporation offices. Among those who have served the village, however, may be moutioned O. J. Gilbert, Obaliah Hnse, N. S. Davis, J. M. Williams, Thumas J. Frost (died in 1881), T. A. Cosgrove and J. J. l'arkhurst ns Presidents of the Board ; J. R. Fitch, Robert Scott, W. I. McGarry and J. S. Conwell Clerks ; George O. Ide, E. G. Hook, and J. 1[. Ham- line, attorneys; Merrill Ladd, F. C. Powers and Anı- brose Foster, Treasurers; Frank Merrill und Peter Svedlund, Street Commissioners, and John Carney. Chief of Police.

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History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 103

Author: Andreas, A. T. (Alfred Theodore), 1839-1900 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : A.T. Andreas Number of Pages: 875

Author: Andreas, A. T. (Alfred Theodore), 1839-1900
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : A.T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 875