History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 116

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 116

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WINNETKA.

Early Events. - A short time after Mr. Patterson opened his hotel, the first one in this part of the county, an English family came from London to grow up with the new country, and, traveling along the military road, were so pleased with the appear- ance of the country at Winnetka that they became temporary sojourners at the public house. Soon after. ward Mrs. Stansberry, one of the newcomers, was taken ill and died, being buried on the hill where the church now stands. This is one of the first deaths recorded in this part of the county. Shortly after- wards Lucia, a daughter of Mr. Patterson's, died of consumption, and was buried on the same ground; while in November, 1837, Mr. Patterson himself died. Mrs. Patterson survived her husband for thirty-seven years and was finally taken to Milwaukee for burial. She and her sons continned to keep their iun for ser- eral years, selling to Lucas Miller. Mr. Miller sold to Marcus D. Gillman, and in 1847 Mr. Gillman turned over the property to John Garland, who kept public house for over ten years. The site of the old log hotel is now occupied by the residence of Henry D. Lloyd, of the Chicago Tribune.

The village of Winnetka, signifying " Beautiful

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HISTORY OF NEW TRIER.

Place," was originally laid out by Charles E. Peck and Walter S. Gurnee, in 1854. The site consisted of the northwest quarter of Section 21 and nearly all of the northeast quarter of Section 20, containing about three hundred acres. James L. Willson bonght the first lot of Mr. Peck and built his house upou his present- homestead. Meeting Mr. Peck in Chicago, one day, his friend told him that he had just platted a new town "out in the country," and suggested that they drive out together and look at the land. The spot was soon reached and Mr. Willson at once picked out a piece of land which run up over a beautiful knoll, Mr. Peck having informed him of his intention to build upon land next to this tract. The bargain was quickly concluded and Mr. Willson immediately made preparations to build. This was in June, 1855 While Mr. Willson was building his house, his family ocen- pied the barn which was first completed. As the weather was mild, however, this was a delightful taste of "summer resorting."

On the 12th of February, 1884, there occurred at that old homestead, where the quiet, peaceable old couple had spent so many years together, one of the most horrible crimes ever committed. Mr. and Mrs. Willson lived alone, und upon the morning of the thir- teenth the old man was found by a young girl who came to the honse weekly, lying upon his sitting-room floor with two bullet holes in his body, which was also ernelly crushed and battered Mrs. Willson, in the sleeping chamber above, was discovered by others, who were summoned, lying upon the bed, her head crashed to a pulp, the scalp torn from it and thrown back over the forehead, and the room spattered with blood. A pair of iron tongs, twisted, broken and bloody; an old ivory-handled sword, the gift of a dewl son, spat- tered with gore ; a broken cane, lying npon the floor near the withered arm of the poor old paralytic lady, which hung over the bed-these shocking evidences of a fiendish crime committed, were first discovered by a young butcher of the village. He was afterward arrested by Pinkerton's detectives, and the verdict of the coron- er's jury pointed the finger of suspicion at him, His trial has not yet ( March. 1884) occurred. The remains of Mr. and Mrs. Willson now repose in Graceland Ceme- tery. Mr Willson was seventy-two at the time of his death ; Mrs Willson cighty-three years of age. They were an eccentric old couple in financial matters, but were lovable and warm hearted in many respects, and left hosts of friends to mourn at their violent deaths.

The family of Charles E. Peck was the second one to move to Winnetka, and his house the second one erected upon the present village site. John C. Garland bought the " Peck Plaec," and made the first addition to the village plat. A post.office was estab- lished in 1856, with Anson H. Taylor as Postmaster.

The site of Winnetka is an elevated ridge, com- manding a fine view of the lake. It consists of about twenty-four hundred acres of land, a large portion of which is owned by John T. Dale and Mrs. J. D. Web- ster. sister of the late John S. Wright, of Chicago. The northern portion comprises several hundred acres of land, including " Lake View." The village con- tains about six hundred inhabitants, is situated twelve miles north of the city nmits, and is coming into notice as a beautiful summer resort. Its imposing brick school building was erected in 1869, at a cost of $15,000, it being the intention to establish an acad- emy at Winnetka. A dormitory was built at the same time at a cost of $5.000. For several years the Chicago University leased the buildings, but the

undertaking was soon abandoned. The building is now used as a district school-house. It is a two-story structure, the large hall in the upper story being used not only for school but for public entertainments, The attendance is about 125, Mr. Dixon being princi- pal of the school. He has three assistants. The dor- mitory has been used for a private school.

The Village Corporation .- The village of Winnetka was incorporated, by Legislative euactment, March 10, 1869, the first election being held in April and result- ing in the choice of the following Board of Trustees : Artemus Carter (President), Jared Gage, Timothy Wright, David P. Wilder, Thomas Bassets and J. P. Atwood. The first officers were : Treasurer, O. W. Bel- den ; Assessor, R. M. Graves; Marshal and Collector, Nicholas Simons, Clerk, HI. W. Kenney. John T. Dale succeeded Mr. Carter as I'resident of the Vil- Inge Board, continuing in office until 1874, when James L. Willson succeeded him. In 1876 Mr. Dale was elected to the position, followed by Daniel Schaek- ford in 1877. In 1878 Mr. Willson was elected President. The present Village Board is composed of the following: R. T. Murphy, Francis Lach- ner, James O. Parker, George W. Heath and John Allis. Morris J. Moth is Treasurer and Dr. J. W.Scott, Clerk.

The Churches .- Christ Church was erected by Jolin Garland, in memory of his wife Susannah, who died July 29, 1865. The church was built in 1869. and used as a " Union Meeting Honse" until 1876, when it was deeded to the Bishop of Illinois, Rt. Rev. W. E. McLaren. It was consecrated by him on the twenty- first of September of that year, as " Christ Church, Winnetka," aud organized under that name with Rev. J. Stewart Smith, at that time rector at Evanston. Rev. J. P. Lytton, of Highland Park, has also had charge of the mission, but the first resident clergy- man was Rev. George A. Whitney, the present incum- bent, who took charge July 1, 1883. The present officers of the mission are: Charles O. F. Sedgewick and William Nethercot, wardens; F O. Lyman, treas- urer; T. O. Bell, clerk. The number of communi. cants is thirty.

The Winnetka Congregational Church was organ- ized September 29, 1874. At first the society wor- shiped in the Town Ilall, but afterwards leased the Unitarian Church building which they now occupy. Rev. S. T. Kidder was the first and ouly settled pastor, and the Church is now under his charge. It numbers, at present, abont fifty members.

GROSS POINT is the name of the village lying to the southwest of Wilmette and incorporated March 10. 1874, its first Board of Trustees being : M. Schæfer. (President) ; Frank Engles, Sr., John Bleser, Joseph Pasbach, Bernhard Braun and Adam Bauer; Rein- hard Nanzig, Clerk. " Gross Point" was first used ;to designate the point of land which stretches out into the lake opposite Wilmette; then a voting precinct of the county north of Chicago and east of the river ; next the present village of Wilmette, and lastly the body politio organized from Wilmette in 1874. The village numbers over three hundred people, and is sep. arated from Wilmette chiefly on the temperance ques- tion, the population being composed mostly of Ger- mans. The German Catholic Church, one of the old- est in the community, is located in this locality, although situated within the corporate limits of Wil- mette. The present village officers of Gross Point consist of Maternus Schæfer, (President ;) Anton Mar- tini, Peter Peyo, J. J. Rengel, Joseph Thalmann and M. Mueck ; Anton Huerter, Clerk.

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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY.

St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church was organized on the fourth Sunday after Epiphany (February), 1843, by Rev. Fisher, of St. Mary's Church, Chicago. Up to December, 1845, Fathers Fisher and Ostlangenberg, both priests in that Church, had charge of the young but growing society. Few of its most prominent early members are now living in the vicinity of Gross Point.

In the meantime, during the summer of 1843, a log building, 24x30 feet, had been erected near the site of the present imposing edifice, so that this little band of pioneer Catholics in this part of the county were not quite homeless. In December, 1845, the society called their first settled pastor, Rev. G. IL. Plathe, and he remained in charge of the Church until January, 1847. Ilis successor, Rev. I. II. Fortmann, continued as the priest in charge, until June, 1852. During his incum- beucy, in 1848, a new and more commodious frame church was erected to meet the requirements of the growing society. Rev. I. B. Jacomet served the Church from June to September, 1852 ; Rev. I .. Kuepper uutil January 1, 1853, Rev. Nicholas Stauber until May, 1855, and Rev. A. Kopp until 1860. Until October of this year the Church was attended by the Redemptorist Fathers of St. Michael's Church, Chicago. For the succeeding four years the Church was served as fol- lows: Rev. Peter Hartlaub, from October, 1860, to February, 1861; Rev. Father Tschieder, S. J., until Jnue, 1861, and Rev. Frauz Blacsinger from July, 1861, to November 10, 1864, dying a few days there- after. From November, 1864, to October, 1865, the Redemptorist Fathers had charge of the Church, when Rev. B. Heskemaun became its pastor and continued in that position until June 1, 1872. It was in 1868 that the preseut laige brick church was com- menced, and it is quite probable that before long an addition will have to be made to it. Withont, the structure has not been completed, but within it has beeu finely frescoed and richly embellished. Rev. William Netstrater, the present priest in charge, has been pastor of the Church since June 1, 1872, having been called from Lincoln, Illinois, where he presided both over that charge and the one at Bloomington. Within the past eleven years he has seen St. Joseph's Church increasing so rapidly that two hundred fami- lies, or one thousand communicants, worship within its sanctuary. The school, which is 'connected with the society, was organized about fifteen years ago, and is attended by over two hundred children. The valne of the entire property, including the priest's house, is placed at $40,000.

GLENCOE.

This village is situated in the northern part of the town of New Trier, about eighteen miles from Chi- cago, on the Chicago & North-Western road. Glencoe was incorporated March 29, 1869, and improvements progressed under the guidance of G. II. Williams, J. W. P. Hovey, J. C. Starr, Dr. John Nutt, Joseph Dag- gett and others. The village now contains about 300 people, one good general store, a post-office, a good school, one church, and quite a collection of houses.

Congregational Church of Christ .- In November, 1870, Prof. S. C. Bartlett commenced to preach to the Union Church, at Glencoe, but it was not until Octo- ber, 1872, that it was proposed by the Methodists and Baptists to form a distinct organization. Notice was given on Sunday, October 13, 1872, that this question would form the subject of discussion at the next Wednes- day evening prayer meeting. It was well attended

and the question was fully discussed with absolute unanimity of feeling and opinion, that a Congrega- tional Church ought at once to be organized. S. C. Bartlett, S. T. Lockwood, and P. N. Sherwood were chosen a committee to arrange all the preliminaries of such an organization. On the 30th of this month the constitution and by-laws, presented by this coummittee, were udopted. A council was called to meet November 12, 1872, the following societies being invited to attend : Congregational Church of Evanston, and the First Union Park, Leavitt Street and Tabernacle Congre- gational Churches of Chicago. Profs. F. W. Fisk, J. T. Hyde, and G. N. Boardman, of the Chicago Theo- logica! Seminary, were also in attendance. The soci. ety was organized aud recognized by the council, and the following joined and formed the Congregational Church of Christ, of Glencoe:

By letter :- From the Union Park Congregational Church in Chicago, Samuel C. Barlett, Mrs. Mary L. Bartlett, Edwin J. Bartlett, Miss Alice W. Bartlett, William A. Bartlett, Charles H. Howard, Mrs. Kate F. Howard, Samuel T. Lockwood, Mrs. Juliette P. Lockwood, Mrs. Aunie E. Nutt; from the New En- gland Congregational Church in Chicago, Frederick W. Newhall, Mrs. Ellen Newhall ; from the Forty- seventh-street Congregational Church, Chicago, Ilen- ry Willson, Mrs. JJane Willson ; from the Congrega- tioual Church in Danbury. Conn., Washington A. Nichols; from the Congregational Church, Kenosha, Wis., Miss Laura A. Newberry ; from the Congrega- tional Church in Evanston, Mrs. Carrie L. Daggett; from the Methodist Episcopal Church in Evanston, Angustus H. Hovey, Mrs. Alico M. Hovey, Miss Hat- tie M. Hovey, Miss Sarah J. Hovey, Archibald W. Fletcher, Mrs. Elizabeth Fletcher ; from the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Keuosha, Wis, Porter N. Sher- wood, Mrs. Sarah V. Sherwood; from the Protestant Episcopal Church in Evanston, Mrs. Jeanette C. Starr. By profession : - Alexander Hammond, George F. Newhall.

The pulpit of the Church, before a separate Con- gregational society was formed, was at first supplied temporarily, and later by Prof. S. C. Bartlett Prof. Bartlett served the Congregational Church regu- larly from the time of its organization in the autumn of 1812 until the fall of 1876, when he resigned. being subsequently called to Dartmouth College Church, Han- over, N. HI. During a portion of his incumbency, in 1823-74, the palpit was supplied by Prof. G. N. Boardman. Prof. Bartlett was succceded by Prof. F. D. Hemenway, of Evanston, who resigned in Oc- tober, 1878, to nasnme charge of his Church in South Evanston. Morning services were conducted for a time by J. A. Owen, A. II. Hovey, H. N. Rust, S. T. Lockwood and Ernst H Lockwood, members of the church. The next regular pastor was Rev. Hiram Day, the present incumbent, who preached his first serinon October 19, 1880.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF NEW TRIER,

JOHN T. DALE was born April 25, 1841, at Sundbach, En- gland. In 1849 his parents immigrated to Salem, Kenosha Co .. Wis., where he remained until he attained his majority, except when engaged for two winter terms in teaching district school. When twenty-one years of age he came to Chicago to seek his fortune, without influence or friends, and after a few months in trying various occupations, began the study of law, and for nearly two years was a law clerk and student in an office, and in 1865 was admitted to the Bar. Since that time he has been engaged in a law practice in Chicago, principally in an office business, pertaining to real estate matters. Hle removed to Winnetka in 1870, was elected for two years President of the Board of Trustees, and four years a member of the board.

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HISTORY OF NEW TRIER.

lle is a member of the Congregational Church, and superin- tendent of Sabbath-school in Winnetka, and of the Congrega- tional Clubin the city. He is also a member of the Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Humane Society of Chicago. Mr. Dale is a man of strong literary tastes, and takes grent interest in the current events of the day. He has made judicious invest- ments in Chicago and vleinity, which have secured to him a handsome competency. He married in 1870 Miss Leila W. Graves, of Chicago, a young lady of fine musical accomplish- ments. They have one child, Ruth G., about two years of age.

JAMES IL. FURMAN, retired, P. O. Wilmette, was born in New York City September 28, 1820. He came to De Kalb County, Ill., in 1839, and engaged in farming for several years. lle was editor and proprietor of the Sandwich (iazette for nine years. Coming to Chicago in 1874, he engaged In the leather trade until 1881. when he sold out and retired from business. In February, 1875, he came to Wilmette and purchased his present home, where he has since resided. In De Kalb County he held the offices of Highway Comunissioner, Assessor and Super- visor, and was one of the members of the Board of Equalization appointed hy Governor Palmer. He married Miss Frances Sweet, of Canada, August 22. 1848, whose parents settled in Lan Salle County, Ill., in 1837. They have seven children- Janette, William, Caroline, Lucy, John, June E. and James H .. Jr.

B. F. HILL, lumherman, Wilmette, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., May 22, 1830. Ilis father, Arunah Ilill, studied medicine with his brother, Dr. Ell Hili, of Wyoming County, N. Y., but never practiced. He came to Chicago in 1836, and settled on a farm in Gross Point. At this time he also engaged in the coopering business, and in 1846 he removed to De Kalb County, where he died in 1856. The subject of this sketch learned the coopering trade with his father at Gross Point, and went with him to De Kalb County. In 1849 he started for California overland, with only $3,50 in his pocket with which to pay his way. He wintered at Fort Larmnie, and there car- ried the first mail between Fort Laramie and New Fort Kear- ney. The following spring he went to Yuba County, Cal., and remained for three years mining and prospecting. He returned home in 1853 and was married to Miss Louisa Austin, of Kane County, September 16, 1856. For eighteen years he was a suc- cessful farmer in both De Kulb and Kane counties, In 1873 he came to Wilmette, where he has since resided. In connection with Messrs. McDaniel and Latham he has inade large and val- uable additions to Wilmette, now known as Hillville. He is at present a Trustee of the village of Wilmette, and has been snch during the greater purt of his residence here In 1881-82 he engaged in the lumber business at Traverse City, Mich., and is at present interested in the same business at Evanston. lil. His family consists of six children -- Benjamin F., Jr., Elizabeth, Nathaniel, Imogene, Albert and Allison.

W. H. KINNEY, grocer, Wilmette, was born in Chicago November 22, 1849. Ilis parents, Joel and Permelin, came to Chicago in 1837, where they lived nntil, In 1855, they moved to Winnetka and engaged in the grocery business. The sub- ject of this sketch was station agent of the (. & N. W. R. R. at Winnetka up to 1861, when he enlisted in Company C, 89th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, railroad regiment, and was mus- terei ont at the close of the war as First Lieutenant. Ile then returned to Winnetka and was again station agent at that place up to 1978, when he went to Colorado for four months, and again returning opened his present. business at Wilmette. He Is a member of the Social Club of Wilmette. He married Miss Jane McDaniels, of New Trier Township. JJanuary 1, 1866. She died December 20, 1878, leaving one child, Millie. His second wife was Miss Maggie McDaniels, of Batavia, Ill. ; they were married February 15, 1880.

HUBBARD LATHAM, retired, Wilmette, was born in Gro- ton, New London Co., Conn., November 11, 1821. Ilis parcuts moved to Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1830. The subject of this sketch clerked in a store in Beckman Street, N. Y., for two years, and in 1838 came West to De Kalb County, Ill,, and took up a Government claim of 240 acres where Sandwich now is, en- guged in the real estate business and in farming. In 1819 he went to California, mining and prospecting. On his return to De Kalb County he engaged in clearing and improving his claim, which he still owns. In 1874 he came to Wilmette, where he now resides. He owns one-half interest in what is known as Ilill & Latham and Hill & MeDaniel additions. He is also interested in the Sandwich Mannfarturing Company and the Enterprise Manufacturing Company, of Sandwich. lle has been one of the Trustees of Wilmette for six terms, and while residing in Sandwich, Ill., was township trustee of schools and Supervisor of the town of Somonauk. . He married

Miss Anna 1., Barnes, of Oneida County, N. Y. They have six children-Lillie A. (now Mrs. J. D. Negus, of Sandwich), Hattie B., Harry H., Ellis €., Fannie L. and Cariton R.

J. P. LAUERMANN, dealer in general merchandise, Gross Point, was born in Gross Point September 14, 1872. His grand- father, John, settled in Gross Point in 1830, taking up a claim near Gross Point and Rose Hill. His son, John (the father of the subject of this sketch) went to Chicago in 1855, and was drowned at Stone Quarry July 10, 1857. The subject of this sketch at the age of twelve elerked in the grocery store of G. M. Iluntoon, at Evanston, for about one year. In 1873 he established his present business at Gross Point. He was Vil- lage Trustee for four years, and was elected Justice of the Peace, but resigned the position. lle married Miss Maggie A. Vollinan, of Gross Point, January 11, 1876. They have three children-Annie, Mary and Louiss. Her parents settled at Gross Point in 1869.

ALEX McDANIEL, Wilmette, was born in Bath, Steuben County, N. Y., February 13, 1815. Up to the age of twenty- one he remained with his parents, and for the last two years of his stay was on a farm. 'On May 12, 1836, he started for the West, reaching Chicago May 27 of the same year. He remained in Chicago that summer, and August 14 came to what is now Winnetka, Cook County, and in October, 1836, bought a Gov- ernment claim where that village is now located, known as the Peck Place. In the spring of 1837 he bought and cleared ground and built a small shanty where John Garland now lives, south of railroad depot. He afterward built a good house on the Peck Place, and lived there until, September, 27, 1843, he moved to Evanston, where he built a house west of the railroad depot. in which he lived until April, 1853, when he moved to New Trier Township, about one mile and a quarter east of what is now Wilmette Station. He remained there up to the spring of 1869, then moved to where he now resides in Wilnette. In connection with H1. A. Dingee, of New York, he laid out the village of Wilmette, and made many of its improvements. Mr. McDaniel is the oldest settler now living in New Trier Township. lle was school director and Trustee of the village to assist in its start, and although repeatedly solicited, has always been averse to holding public offices. Ile was married to Miss Emeline Huntoon, of Champlain, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., November 27, 1842. They have five children-Ellen (now Mrs. A. B. Balcam, of Minnesota), Charles, Henry, George and Grant. The parents of Mrs. McDaniel settled in South Evanston in 1830.

J. W. SCOTT, M. D., Winnetka, was born in Wellsburg, W. Va., on January 15, 1854. Ilc was educated at the Northwest- ern University, at Evanston, graduating in 1873. He studied medicine with Dr. Isaac Poole, of Evanston, and graduateil from Chicago Medical College in 1876. He practiced in west- ern Kansas up to 1840, and then came to Winnetka, where he has since been in practice. Dr. Scott married Miss Jennie E. Dickson, of Rock Island, May 11, 1879. They have two children, Theresa and Robert. Dr. Seott was a student at the North- western University for ten years.

B. C. STOLP, 'M. D., Wilnette, was born in Whiteside County, III., January 27, 1850. At the age of fourteen he came with his parents to St. Catharines, Mo., and worked in his father's woolen factory. In 1870 he studied medicine with Dr. A. S. Munson, of Linneus, Mo., and in the fall of 1871 at- tended Bennett Medical College, Chicago, graduating Jannary 28, 1873. lle then practiced in Putnam County, Ind., up to May, 1874, when he came to Wilmette, where he has continued his practice ever since, Dr. Stolp has been a trustee of the Meth- odist Church at Wiltnette for the last seven years. He was married to Miss Cenie L. Graves, of Wheaton, 111., February 18, 1874. They have two children-Rufus B, and Ilarold E.

J. G. WESTERFIELD, Wilmette, was born in Yonkers, State of New York, December 20, 1893. He was engaged in boat building at Yonkers up to 1857, when he came to New Trier Township and purchased the old home of the Wilmettes, containing 270 neres, and in 1861, in connection with H. A. Dingee, and others, laid out the present town of Wilmette. They built and carried on the first pickle manufactory in Cook County at Wilmette. In 1879 the copartnership between him and Mr. Dingee was dissolved, since which time Mr. Westerfield has been engaged in civil engineering. He has been largely interested in the improvement of Wilmette for years, and was the first Mayor of the town. He has been school trustee and has held all the minor offices of that town, and is now both Township and Village Clerk. He married Miss Rebecca Din- gee, of Somers, Westchester County, N. Y. They have four children-Charles P., Frank M., Harry D., Mary (now Mrs. George B. Ward, of Alexandria, Minn.).

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History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 116

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