History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 104

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

USA > Illinois > Cook County > History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time > Part 104

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In June, 1824, a Board of Health was appointed fut the first time. The present members are Dra. O. II Mann, L. P. Hamline and John 11. Burchmore.

THE PRESENT EVANSTON .- Evanston is a lean- tiful village, situated about twelve miles from Chicago. on the Milwaukee Division of the Chicago & North-Western road. It owes its origin and has ti- tinned to be best known as the seat of ile North.

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western University, whose imposing buildings in the northeastern part of the village stand as a monument to the religious faith aud energy of the Methodist Church. The people of Evanston, which uow num- ber about five thousand, are among the most intelli- gent in the State, some of the most prominent business meu of Chicago having their homes in this beautiful suburbau village. As would be most natural the citizens of Evanston are of a progressive disposi- tion. They have a fine system of water works, a village of wide and cleanly avenues aud streets, lighted with gas, a free public library, a bank (T. C. Hoag's), a well conducted local newspaper (the Index), a first- class hotel (the Avenue House) and prosperons looking business honses, established in substantial brick buildings.

The Free Public Library of Evanston originated in a meeting of its citizens favorable to the establish- ment of such an institution, huld in the fall of 1870. As the State law did not then allow towns to be taxed for this purpose, it was determined to form a volon. tary association which should maintain a library as free as possible. Tho result was the formation of the Evaustou Library Association, which was subsequently incorporated under the general laws of the State. It started with a well selected library of about nine hun- dred volumes. All residents of Evanstou were allowed the free nse of the books in the library ; rooms and volumes could be taken on the payment of a small weekly fee, or an annual fee of five dollars These fees sufficed to pay the running expenses of the library. It was opened February 9, 1871, and remained open daily until the great fire, when it was found necessary to curtail expenses, and it was closed, except during a day or two each week. Abont $1,700 was expended upon books and furnishings of the library, which amount was derived principally from donatious of money by friends of the enterprise (the largest of which was $575 from L. L. Greenlenf) and fees of life memberships. H. G. Powers, A. Shuman, J. S. Jewell aud L. J. Gage also made valuable donations of books. During the session of the Legislature of 18:2 a bill was introduced to enable Chicago to establish a free public library. Through the efforts of citizens of Evanston, and especially of L. H. Boutell and E. S. Taylor (the latter being in Springfield at the time), the act was amended so as to give similar powers to all municipal corporations of the State. In April, 1873, at the first election after the passage of the set, the citizens of the village of Evanston, withont dissent, voted for a two-mill tax for a free public library. As soon as the Board of Directors of the public library was appointed the trustees of the Evanston Library Association transferred their property to the village Board, on condition that the library be maintained as a free public institution for the use of the inhabitants of Evanston. This trust was accepted by the Board of Directors July 3, 1873, and tho library thrown open to the public. Since that time the library has had a steady and healthy growth, and at present (1883) there are 5,330 volumes on its shelves, in the departments of fiction, juveniles, history, biography and general literature, their well-thumbed pages testifying to the appreciation in which they are held by the people. both young and old, of the village. The tables of the reading room are well supplied with periodicals, and the continually increasing circulation of the books among the people show the value of this free institution. During the existence of the Free Library, and its predecessor, many of the prominent people of

the village havo been identified with its success, con- tributing both time and money, and while many could be named who have signally lent their assistance, yet it is doing injustice to no one in naming I .. H. Boutell as pre-eminently the patron of tho library from its inception. He it was who put the voluntary associa- tion upon its feet, and to him is dne the introduction iuto the library act of the sections extending its benefits'to municipalities outside of Chicago. In each of the fourteen years of its existence his name alone successively appears as one of its officers. Mr. Boutell can justly bo called the "father" of this public edu- cational institution.

The Northwestern Gas-Light and Coke Company, which supplies the village with gas, was incoporated in 1871. The works are on Park Street, west of Ben- 8on Avonne. Edwiu L Browu is President of the * company ; II. G. Powers, Treasurer, and T. A. Cos- grove, Secretary.

The Evanston Index was established in June, 1872, by Alfred 1. Sewell, the founder of the " Little Cor- poral," so popular with the young people during the war. Mr. Sowell continued to publish the Index until November, 1875, when David Cavan and John A. Childs purchased the paper. In January, 1878, Mr. Childs purchased his partner's interest, and has contiuned since to publish the paper alone. The Index is strictly a local paper, is neatly printed in its own office and in its own neat building. It is a four- page seven-column paper, a credit to the village and its proprietor.

Water Works and Fire Department .- In November, 1872, the Town Board was petitioned to purchase a Babcock Fire Extinguisher or other machine, as the nucleus for some sort of a " department." A com- mittee was appointed to act in the matter. In Decem- ber a report was made to the board on the subject of supplying the village with water from the lake, by J. R. Hitt, in behalf of a citizeus' committee. After various estimates of tho cost of water works an ordinance was passed July 12, 1873, to furnish the village with a supply of water for domestic use and for fire purposes. William Blanchard, Wilson Phelps, and Charles J. Gilbert were appointed auother "esti- mating committee," and reported that 35,600 feet of iron pipe, with expense of laying, would cost $53,200; and that other expenses would probably bring the total cost of establishing the water works up to $64,900. In September the village voted bonds to the amount of $40,000 to aid in the coustruction of the works. It was announced that proposals would be received for crib work, and the board also located the engine house (on paper) on the northeast corner of Davis Street and Michigan Avenne. The stringency of the times, however, added to a certain opposition to the works which had manifested itself when the question was put to vote, caused a petition to be circu- lated and quite extensively signed, asking the board to defer the collection of taxes for another year. Out of the five hundred votes in the village about one linn- dred and forty signed the petition. The Board, believing that by acceding to this request, future opposition to the enterprise might be prevented, decided to issue more bonds in place of lovying a special assessment. Under the new assessment law the board were authorized to issue $100,000 in bonds. The entire amount of bonds issued was $86.000, from which the village realized $83,850. In the meantime another committee had estimated the cost of the works at 863,000, and the Northwestern University

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had donated a piece of land north of Lincoln Avenue ou the lake shore, as a site for the pumping works. The donation was accepted. The pumping works were named the " C. J. Gilbert," and the Holly Manu- facturing Company erected the machinery. E. P. Allis & Co., of Milwaukee, furnished the pipe. In November, 1874, the office of Superintendent of Water Works was created, and J. R. Fiteh appointed to the position. In April, 1825. the works were in full operation, over $100,000 having been expended upon them up to that time. Having been tested, they were accepted by the village from the Holly Mannfact- uring Company. In Jannary, 1878, Ira A. Holly, who had been superintendent of the works for some time, resigned his position, and John Ebbert was elected by the Board of Trustees to the position. In June, 1879, Jones Patrick, the present incumbent, was appointed. Soon afterward a determined effort " was made to organize a regular Fire Department, connected with the water works by telephone eommu- uication. A hook and ladder company was formed and accepted by the village in April, 1881. In Sep- tember the following Fire Department was created : Babcock chemical engine. with eight men; hook and ladder company, fifteen men; hose company. thirty men ; the foreman and assistant foreman to be selected by the board. The members of the Depart- ment receive no pay, but have a comfortable room furnished them. In June, 1883, Samuel Harrison was appointed Fire Marshal,

The Water Works are established upon the Holly System, being operated by direct pressure. Although they consist of four pumps, except in case of fire only two are in nso. When required, however, such a pressure can be brought to bear as will throw a stream one hundred aud fifty feet. The engine house and water works are connected by telephone, the system also extending all over the village; so that there seems to be no good reason why Evanston should feel nervous over the danger of conflagration.

The Chicago & Evanston Railroad, which has recently been completed, is looked upon as, in reality, a child of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Con- pany, Jason C. Eaton, and S. S. Merrill being directors in both corporations. The charter of the company was granted in 1861, a horse railway fine being then in contemplation. In 1864 the City Council of Chicago passed an ordinance giving the road the right of way to the city, after the directors of the company had given a guarantee that they did not contemplate a steam motor. The ordinance also required that work should be commenced within two years after the granting of the franchise, which was not done. The State C'onstitution of 1870 provided that charters of railroads upon which no work had been done, or nuless work should be done withiu ten days after its adoption, should be null and void. Thus its charter evidently become of no effect. The city, however, passed an act of incorporation in 1872. In Decem- ber, 1883, the Common Council passed an ordinance granting the Chicago & Evanston Railroad the right of way, allowing it to remove its track off Southport Avenue, north of flerudon Street, to a point a little west of that thoroughfare; then from a point near the junction of Larrabee Street and Hawthorne Avenne it was allowed to run southerly across Chicago Avenue aud Erie Street, crossing the North Branch on a bridge and running along Kinzie Street to connect with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road. This ordinance was passed, over the Mayor's veto, on

December 10. The passage of the ordinance, how- ever, was not the end of the company's trouble, and ou the 19th of that mouth Attorney-General Mcl'artney petitioned, before Judge Shepard, for an injunction to restrain the road from building the bridge, on the ground that the Council had no right to grant them the privilege under the city act of incorporation, and that, as the Chicago River is a navigable stream, it is therefore the property of the State. It was also set forth in the petition that the building of the bridge would impede navigation, and actually stop the largest of the lake vessels from passing up the North Branch. Judge Shepard now (December 22) holds the matter under advisement.

Light-House and Life-Saving Station .- The Govern- meut Light-House is east of Chicago Avenue and north of Milburn Street, Joseph Harris, Jr., keeper.

The United States Life-Saving Station, established at this point, is No. 12, in the Eleventh District. The house is a neat briek building at the head of Uni- versity Place, on the Lake shore, the crew consisting of Captain L. O. Lawson and seven men.

District Schools .- The township high school, a fine brick structure, four stories in height, was greatly damaged by fire on the morning of December 20, 1883. The walls and room, however, are still intact, and although the damage will amount to about &8,000, the interior of the building will soon be repaired. The high school is situated on the corner of Benson Avenue and Dempster Street, and was completed in the spring of 1883 at a cost of $28,000. The average attendance is 125. Henry L. Boltwood is principal. William Blanchard is president of the board of trustees, and Ambrose Foster, treasurer.

Within District No. 1 are three public schools, superintended by George S. Baker-the Benson- avenne school, north of Church; the West Side school, northeast corner of Wesley Avenue and Grove Street, and the Hinman-avenue school, near Demp- ster Street. N. N. Young is president of the district board.

The schoolhonse for District No. 2 is on Lineola Avenue, opposite Benson Avenue, South Evanston, and C. B. Atwell is principal.

Miss A. E. MeClintock is principal of Union Dis- trict No. 3, the school building being sitaated on Central Avenue, near Stewart, North Evanstoa. The building was originally erected about thirteen yeurs ago.

District School No. 120 (Rogers Park) has a build- ing on Lunt Avenne, corner of Grove Street, Milo J. Andrews being the principal.

Mrs. Morris Merrill is principal of District School No. 5, which is on the north side of Noyes Street east of Ridge Avenue.

From figures taken from the last report of County Superintendent Lane it is learned that the school population of the town of Evanston comprises 1,890 males and 2,032 females. The pupils actually in attendance at the district schools number 1,603, while 19% children attend private institutions. The esti- mated value of the school property is $105,500, and the debt upon it $87,500.

THE CHURCHES.

Early Methodism and the First Methodist Episcopal Church .- The first quarterly conference for Evanston was held July 13, 1854, at the log schoolhouse, in the town of Ridgeville. There were present Rev. Joba Sinclair, presiding elder; J. G. Johnson and Philo

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TOWN OF EVANSTON.

Judson, traveling preachers ; und George W. Huntoon, class leader ; A. Danks James B. Colvin and John L. Beveridge were elected stewards, and Abraham, Wigels- worth Sunday-school superintendent. The Sunday- school was reported as having eighty four chiklren, thirteen officers and teachers and one conversion. At the second conference, held January 24, 1855, Rev. P. W. Wright, who was a teacher in the Biblical Insti- tute, was appointed by the elder the preacher in charge. At this time the ('Imrch held its meetings in a comfortable room over a store, which had been built by Rev. Philo Judson, corner of Duvis Street and Orrington Avenue. These accommodations were fur- nished by Mr. Judson gratuitously. At the fourth quarterly conference the first record of beuevo- lent collections was made. The young society subscribed $920 for missions, $320 for tracts and $474 for support of preachers. The presiding elder was also asked to appoint a settled pastor. Rev. John Sinclair, of the Rock River Conference, usamned charge of the society on the 22d of December, :855. At this time the officers were: J. W. Agard, pre- siding elder; Philo Indson, agent of the Northwest- ern University ; John Dempster, D. D., president of the Garrett Biblical Institute: P. W. Wright, local deacon : J. MeNulty, F. B. Harrison, local preachers ; Leunder Clifford. J. W. Havermale and J. W. Klapp, exhorters : John L. Beveridge, James B. Colvin, A. Danks and Henry S. Noves, stewards; S. R. Cook, local older. Before the meeting of the next con- ference in Angust, 1856, the Evanston Society had erected a church edifice. It was sitnated and was dedicated July 27, 1856. The sermon was preached by Dr. Dempster, he being assisted in the services by Professor Godman and Rev. John Sinclair, the pastor. In the fall of 185: Rev. A. L. Cooper, of the Vermont Conference and a student in the Institute, was appointed pastor. He was succeeded in 1858 by Rev. ( P. Bragdon. of the Rock River Conference: by Rev. R. K. Bibbins in 1860, Rev. J. R. Goodrich in 1861, and Dr. O. H. Tiffany in 1862. At the time the latter assumed charge of the society it had 175 men- bers. During his inenmbeney the present comfortable parsonage on Hinman Avenue was purchased, and the church building enlarged by the addition of a transept. The sittings were thereby increased to six hundred. In 1865 Dr. Miner Raymond assnmed the pastorate. The following extract taken from the Church records shows the loyal spirit which anintated the society during the progress of the war : "Thomas Morris Green, recommended from the Church Sonth, was examined by the quarterly conference on his profession of loyalty to the Government and his belief of the unti slavery doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; and also assenting to all the doctrines and usages of the Methodist Episcopal ('linrch, this con- ference voted unanimously to give him license as a local preacher." During 1866-67 Heck Hall, that magnificent structure connected with the Garrett Biblical Institute, was completed, the means to defray the cost of its construction being principally raised under the anspices of the Ladies' C'entenary Associa- tion. The contribution from Evanston amounted to $32,251. Rev. W. (. Dandy was called to the pas- torate of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in 1868, and steps were at once taken to erect a new church, more befitting the prosperons and rapidly growing society. The corner-stone was laid July 4, 1870, Dr. Dandy being then presiding elder and Rev. James Banme, pastor. In 1872 Dr. M. C. Briggs took

charge of the Church, and it was during his pastorate -in September, 1874 - that the lecture room of the now edifice was dedicated. Dr. J. B. Wentworth suc- ceeded Dr. Briggs in 1875, and Dr. Hatfield became pastor in 1877. Dr. Hatfield was followed by Rev. A. W. Patten. In December, 188%, the debt which had burdened the Church for several years wus entirely cleared. . Dr. Patton was succeeded by Rev. Lewis ('nrta, the present incumbent, in October, 1883. The Church is now in a remarkably flourish- ing condition, having a membership of over six linudred, and holding property valued at $68,000. Among the charitable and religious infinences of Evanston it is one of the foremost ; and, as has been seen, its existence antedates the founding of Evanston itself.

The Second Methodist Episcopal Church at. North Evanston was built in 1873, at a cost of about $5,000. Its pastors were : Rev. E. G. W. Hall, who served from September, 1870, to Jannary, 1871; Rev. William ('raven, from January, 1871, to October, 1873; Rev. Samuel Puine. from October, 1873, to October, 1875: Rev. J. J. Tobias, from October, 1875, to October, 1877 : supplied by students from the Northwestern Univer- sity nntil October, 1880, when Rev. W. F. Stewart was called as pastor, serving for two years, and Rev. II. C. Y. Mimean. from October, 1883, to October, 1883. Rev. JJ. Il. Alling is the present pastor in charge. The membership of the church is sixty-five.

First Baptist Church .- The First Baptist Church of Evanston was formed April 24, 1858. Upon that date a meeting was held in the chapel by the North- western University, and a society organized, E. H. Mulford acting as moderator, and Moses Dandy as clerk. Six persons were received into fellowship, viz. : E. M. Mulford and wife, Mrs. Iglehart, Mrs. Burroughs, Mrs. Westerfield and Moses Dandy. On the 29th of April the young soricty was fully recog. nized in conneil. as a regular Baptist Church. The Northwestern University had dounted a lot in the northeastern part of the village for a church site, but u .til the society was ready to build they were allowed the use of the college chapel. On the 6th of May five trustees, the first ones elected by the Church, were chosen in the persons of N. P. Iglehart, E. 11. Mnl- ford, Joseph Lulam, Moses Dandy and Mr. Trumbull. In June four more members united with the Church, delegates were sent to the Fox River Association at Plaintield, and the Church received into full member- ship. In July, 1859, although no regular pastor had been settled over the society, public worship was sus- pended. At this time the Church numbered twenty- one members. Previously, however, Mr. and Mrs. Iglehart had erected a building. on their Jot, called Oakton Chapel, where the Sabbath-school was con- tinned under that lady's superintendence, which had been organized ut her honse. In the spring of 1860 the society was in a more prosperous condition, and regular services were again established. Rev. Ira E. Kenney, the first settled pastor, preached his first ser- mon March 11, 1860, in Oakton Chapel. There was un attendance of thirty-seven in the morning and forty in the evening. In Angust of this year the University Chapel was again secured, preaching service being appointed for 4 p. M. each Sunday, while the morn- ing service was continued at Oakton Chapel. Mem- hers were often received. while, now and then, the ordinance of haptism was administered by going to the lake. Under Mr. Kenney's pastorate the Church was placed upon a firm footing, but his departure for

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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY.

Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church .- Occasional services for the benefit of the Swedish residents of Evanston were held in the town as early as 1820 or 1871. Later the pastors of Chirago included the little Rock in their appointments, aml subsequently, for sev- erul years afterward. Swedish theologienl' students from the Northwestern University preached to the small congregation. Among the first of these to be looked upon as a regular pastor was Rev. Karl Skon. then a University student, now the superintemlent of Methodist Episcopal Missions in Denmark. Professor Erirson. the present pastor. then a resident of Chiengo. afterward was in the habit of coming ont to Evans- ton and preaching to the few families who gladly gath- ered to hear him. In 18;3 the Norwegian and Sure- dish residents formed a society and purchased the old Methodist Episcopal church. They disagreed, how- ever, ml each nationality organized a separate Church. The Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church was formed Ortaber 19. 1824, with thirty-five members. In 1883 it had ahont one hundred. A church edifier of brick. the one now ocenpied. was built in 1876. on the north- cast comer of Grove and Sherman Avennes. The structure was ererted on leased ground, at a rost of over $4,000. Since the date of its regular organiza- tion in 1854. the pastors of the Swedish Methomlist Episcopal Church have been : Rev. O. J. Stead. RM. Fred Ogren. Rev. James Wigren, Rev. William Hen- schen, Rev. S. B. Newmann and Professor Ericson, of the Northwestern University und principal of the Swedish Theological Seminary. Mr. Newmaun remained in charge of the Church for three years, giving place to the present inenmbent in September. 1883. The society is free of debt. aml. as the Seminary will umloubtedly draw to Evanston a large mmmmuber of Swed- ish resilents, the Church will increase even more rar idly than it has for the past few years.

The German Lutheran Church was organized August 8. 1875, its first pastor being Rev. Edward Doering, of Glenene, Ill. The present membership of the society is thirty-eight, and the attendance ut the day-school twenty-five. Rev. J. Adam Detzer is now in charge of the Church and school.

Swedish Theological Seminary .- For many years, the Swedish Methodists of the Northwest. altiningh they maintained n Seminary, had no fixed nhiding place. During the smmaer and fall of 1883, principally through the efforts of Professor Ericson. professor of Swedish languages in the Northwestern University. the Seminary was located at Evanston. The site of old Dempster Hall. north of leck Hall, was chosen for the new building, which was iledicated on the 17th of October. 1883. A large mnber of friends arrived from Chicago to witness the ceremonies, which were conducted by Bishop Simpson, of Dakota. The first service was held at the First Methodist church. the Inrge andience being composed of both Americans and Swedes. On the platform were the Bishop. Professor Ericson, Drs. Cummings, Ninde, Ridgaway and Hat- fichl, the financial agent. The following is a report of the further proceedings made by the Imlex : " After a song by the choir. Dr. Ridgaway offeredl the opening prayer, after which Dr. Ninde, president of Garrett Biblical Institute, made some very happy introdnetory remarks. A Swedish hymn was then sung. The Bishop being introduced, stepped to the desk and was greeted with applause. He spoke with his accustomed grace and elegance on the importance of the event. After his address, the financial agent mude a state- want, from which it appeared that the entire cost of the

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History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 104

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