History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 126

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 126

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Organization of the Village .- The preliminary steps toward the organization of this village were taken Jummary 16, 1873, when a census was taken by Robert W. Meneham and Owen A. Sweet. The territory which was to be included in the village and within which the consus was taken was the east three-fourths of See- tious 26 and 35, and the west oue-fourth of Sections 25 and 36, Township 41 north, Range 12 east, and there were found to be four hundred and five. A peti- tion was then eirenlated and signed by thirty-five of the legal voters, which petition was presented to the Hon. M. R. M. Wallace, asking that the question be submitted to the electors of organization of the above territory into a village by the name of Park Ridge, this name having been chosen at a 4th of July meeting, when the name "Brick- ton "in large letters was attachod to a large fire balloon and sent up into the air. Notice of an election in ac- eordanee with the petition, which was dated January 30, 1873, was given, the election to be held February 22, in the school-house. The certificate of the election stated that forty-nine votes had been cast for the organiza- tion of the village and fifteen against it. The certifi- cate was signed by Hon. M. R. M. Wallace, Judge, and by Noel B. Boyden and Calvin De Wolf, Justices of the Peace. On the 15th of April, 1873, occurred the election for Trustees of the village, and was certi- fied to on April 24. The 'Trustees elected were George B. Carpenter, Augustns Dickenson, Joseph T. Jones, Loring D). Tenant, Charles Kobow and W. S. Chit- tenden. Samnel E. Cummings was elected Clerk, and has been annually elected to the same position ever since. In 1874 the following Trustees were elected : Joseph T. Jones, George B. Carpenter, Loring D. Tenant, Albert J. Whitcomb, Thomas P. Robb and John Hasseman ; in 1875, J. T. Jones, Thomas P. Robb, Loring D. Tenant, Jolin Hasseman, Ira R. Mansllel and George W. Broughton ; in 1876, Thomas P. Robb, John Il. Butler, M. C. Sherwin, Hugh Rati- ghan, David A. Grubbs and Fred A. Mathews; in 1877, M. C. Sherwin, Thomas P. Robb, John H. But- ler, Fred A. Mathews, Charles Kobow and Daniel T. Wow ; in 1828, G. H. Fricke, S. W. Grannis, David A. Grubbs, J. T. Jones, Fred Schleuter and J. Il. Butler ; in 1829, J. T. Jones, J. 11. Butler, J. E. Berry, A. J. Whitcomb, J. Hfasseman and H. Ratighan; in 1880, F. Shuman, I]. Ratighan. G. H. Fricke, J. E. Berry. J. 11. Butler and F. Schlenter; in 1882, A. R. Mora, F. Shuman, HI. Ratighan and Thomas Hurlstone to fill a vacancy ; in 1883, J. H. Butler, F. Schilenter and Charles Kobow.

In the spring of 1983 the population was 605, and the territory remained as at first. Meacham's subdi- vision was approved May 27, 1823; Houge's in June ; Dale, Gustin & Wallace's, September 1G; Simman & Canfiekl's on the same day, and Union addition was made October 7, 1873. In this village there are two general stores, one drug store, started in the spring of 1882, one blacksmith shop, one shoe shop, two brick yards, two churches, one school, an assayer of photo- grapher's waste, a manufacturer of photographer's acid proof trays, an ice dealer, and the Park Ridge

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HISTORY OF GOOK COUNTY.

Poultry Yard, with three incubatorscapable of hatch- ing six hundred chickens every three weeks.

The Artexit Well .- On September 2. 1873, at a public meeting, the Trustees were requested to appoint a committee to investigate the feasibility of sinking an artesian well. James Dickinson was appointed a com- mittee to draw specifications for the artesian well, and proposals advertised for. On November 11, 18;4, the best bid so far received was by MeDougall & Joyce, of Mendota, IN. The bid which was accepted was $3 per foot for the liral one thousand feet, $3.50 jer foot for the next two hundred feet; $4 for the next one hutulred feet, and for every additional one hundred feet fifty cents per foot was to be added to the price. The depth reached was fifteen hundred and live feet, and the cost somewhat over $5,000, Bonds of the village were issued in payment for the $5,0mm, The excess being paid in cash. Euch hond was for $50u, the first to become due at the expiration of five years, the last to mature in fifteen years, interest on the bouds to be ten per cent : eu that the cost of The well was setne- thing over $10,009. Originally the water rose to a height of four feet above the ground, while at present it dues not reach the surface within about three fect.

PARK RIDGE BIOGRAPHIE AI, SKETCHES.

MRS. ANNIE BLANN was born in Yorkshire, England. in JN26, ilaughter of George and Ant leslington, who rauw to Cook County in ICE and boneated in Northdiehl, on a farm. where her father died, in 1>79, at the age of seventy-nine, ainl her mother in INSt, at the age of seventy-eight. She was mar- ried in 1850 to James Blann, and borr him five children. three now living-Henry T., Eva M. F. and Heurge W. ller hus- bami dird in INin, and she marriel William Blann. Her laughter, Eva M. E., was married in 1973 to James E. Berry. who was born in Elinirn, N. Y., son of William and Murguret Berry, They have two children-Elsie May E. mul Annie Margaret. Ilr came to Chirago In Is;2, muul'to Park Kidgrin 1×;G. where he owns a resilence aml two lots, His business av show rase manufacturing in t'hiengo,

JOILS 11. BUTLER, carpenter and builder, was born in Steuben County, N. Y., in tsIL, son of Allen aml Leah Butler, lle came to Cook County in February, 196, and engageil at his trade, carpentry, twenty-five years. He was subsequently engaged in the grocery business for five years. In 1863 he purchased an eighty avre farin in l'ark Ridge, Maine Town- ship, in 1x40 purelosing his present residence. with six neres of fand. He married. in 1932, Miss Mary Hanks, daughter of John and Lottie Hunks. They have had three children. two now living-John 11., Jr., and [wander Butler. Mr. Itutler is a member of the Congregational Church, and a member of the Board of Trustees of Park Ridge.

A. M. FILKINS, carpenter and builder, was born in Oswego County in Jx1, son of Jobn and Lucy, who eine to Cook County in 1954. anıl located in Maine Township on a farmi, llis father died in 18;3 at the age of eighty-two. his mother. iu 1826, at. the age of seventy-live. In early life Mr. Filkins learned the trado of carpenter, which he has since followerl. commeneing the contract business in INK3. Ile was marricil in 1869 to Miss Margaret Hall. daughter of Jeser and Drusilla Ball; they have had soven children, six how living -Jessr. Corn, John, Lucy, Carrie and Adell.

6. 11. FRICKE, physician and surgeon, was born In Han- over. Germany. in 1848, son of Henry and Frederickie Fricke. le came to America in 1933 with his parents, who lived in Chicago until 1870, when they located in Maine Township ou a farm one mile from Park Ridge, The subject of this sketch was educated in the ('hicago public schools, and attendeil Rush Medical College from 1866 to 1869, in which Intter year he graduated; he was one year in its dispensary, and studied in the private analytical laboratory. In 1833 he reinuvedl to Park Riilge, where, and at Chicagu, he practiced medicine, in 18x] uldling the drug business. "lle married, in 1822. Miss Mary Becker; they have five children-Einma, Amanda, Freddie. Elsa and an Infant uunatned. He is n meantwer of the Congre- gntional Church; belongs to the A. F. & 1. M. Dr. Frirke has been Town Trustee three years, Ilis interest in public improvements was instrumental in securing free gravel mails

in the village aml vicinity. Ile is president of the school board of Park Ridge.

JUIN HARRISON, farmer. P. O. Park Ridge, was born in Yorkshi.e. England. Ile came to America in 1842 aud locatel nt Elk Grove on a farm, where he resided for about thirty Trars. In ts;2 he soll his farm and bought a residence in Park Ridge, where In. nuw resides, lle owns one block. with his resphaie. Ile was married in 1824 to Mrs. Mary Ann Dewes, daughter of John and Aon llenly, natives of England. She had nine children by her first bus- Imsul, seven of whom are living-Elizabeth, Jolin, William. Robert, June. Amelia S. and Mary Dewes. Mrs. Harrison lived in Niles. Her father was an early settler of Northfield; he rame there in July. 1843, where he lived until his death. in 1424, at the age of about seventy-nine years.

JOHN HASEMANN, brick and tile manufacturer, was born in fionnany in 1822, son of Urury and Laura Hasemann, Hle rame to Amnerien in 1948 und loented in Chicago, engaged in trickmaking. After five years he removed to Park Bilge, where he was foreman for Penny & Meacham in their brick sund for twenty-three years, having charge of 125 men. In JAN1 he bought the business and fixtures and has since carried un the Imsiness for himself. The capacity of the yand is ahut 5.1001.000 brick and 100,000 tile per year. He married, in 1833, Miss ElIn Targer; they have had eleven children, six living-Marley, William, Sophia, Henry, Charles and Albert. Mr. Husemann is a number of the Lutheran Church of Niles, and was one of its organizers.

JOHN G. MOREY. plumber and coal dealer, was born in Maine Township in 1954. son of Samuel 14. and Elizabeth Hurry. Ilis fuilwer was among the early settlers of Maine Township : he lived in Park Ridge, a portion of the farm lying in the eurporation. His death ocemried in 1966. Ihis mother is still living. Du attaining his majority Mr. Morey engagel in farming and fruit raising until 1982, when he formed a partnership with Ingh Katighan in the lumber and coal busi- less. They are now doing an extensive business, under the firm namorof Rutighan & Morey, Hle is unmarried and resides on the oldl bumnestead

JAMES G. P'HELP'S, carpenter and builder, was born in Essex County, Mass, in IM, son of Joseph and Eunice Parles. He learned the trouble of a carpenter in early life. which he followed until 1744, when he established a sash and blind manufactory, which he carried on for six years, until. bis health failing him, he was obliged to give up the business and weut to t'alifornia, where he stail two years. Then he Trinrum to Massachusetts, umul in 1877 moved to Chicago, where he followed his trade fur fifteen years, in 1870 moving to Park Kbdlgr. He wns murriedl, in 1932. 30 Miss Sophia Andrews, daughter of David Andrews. They have had two children. mir ts now living - Joseph A. Phelps. Mr. Phelps is a mem. Ixor of the | D. D. F.

WIGH RATIGHIAN, lumber and coal denler, was born in Irelandl in 1834. son of James and Mary Ratighan, who came to America in 1×46, both dying of ship fever a few days after Prawhing Mumreal. The subject of this skrich went to Uglenstairg. N. Y., where he remained until 1853, when be came to t'hiengo and engaged in sailing the Jakes until to); then parrbased a farin in Park Ridge, Maine Township, con- taining 240 grrrs. In Is; he sold his farm and purchased the lumber business at Park Rulge. He also kept a lumber yard at Desplaines. In 1882 he formed a partnership with Jobn Momy. under the firm name of Ratighan & Morey. Ile was married. in 1867. 10 Miss Margaret Clancey, daughter of Will- iam and Mary Claires. They have two children-William V. and Alice M. He is Trustee of Park Ridge ; has held that office for nine years. Un is also Trustee of the Cemetery Asso- cintion of Park Ridge.

THOMAS P. ROBB, broker, P. O. Park Ridge, was born in Bath, Maine, in 1824, son of George and Hannah K. Robh. Ile came to Cook County in 1838. Ilis brother, George A. Rolib, and nnele, George F. Foster, came to Chicago in 18k, alul during the summer of that year they located a farm, which is now in the corporation of Park Ridge, containing 210) seres. It was the first farm located west of Chicago. Mr. Kubb now owns 1x0 acres, of that form. He established the first exclu- sivo wholesale grocery house in Chiengo. lle followed the thereantilo Imasiness until 1830, when he went to Sacramento. Cul., where he was engaged in the mercantile business for wsen years. He then returned to Chicago, and upon the bruking out of the war was placed upon the staff of Governor Yates, with rank of Major, and subsequently appointed lo- spectur-firneral of Illinois troops, with rank of Colonel. The entire charge of the State sanitary affairs in the field war eutrustel to him. At the close of the war he was ap poj ite 1 Cotton Agent for the State of fleorgu, afterward pr-blent

501

HISTORY OF WHEELING.

the board of Tax Commissioners of that Stale, and l'ostmas. ter and Collector of Customs at Savannah, tia. He was one of the publishers of the New Era, a Republican daily paper of Atlanta, Ga., and was an earnest and efficient worker in the reconstruction of that State. Ou resigning his collect- orship he was appointed president of the United States L'un- mission to investigate the Mexican outrages on the Texas Imatier. He was subsequently identified with the railroad interests of Texas, Mr. Robb was president of the Corpus l'hristi & Rio Grande Railroad. He was one of the pro- jretors and builders of the Chicago, Texas & Mexkan C'entral. He was engaged with those interest» until 1882, and Is now devoting his time to his private business. He was the third Mayur of Sacramento, and assisted in organizing the first council of that city. Mr. Robb was uurried in early life to Miss Mary S. Morse, who lived but a few months after her marriage. In 1852 he was married to Miss Mirium Goodnow. daughter of George la. and Mary Goudnow. She died in 1856, leaving two daughters-Ella A. and Miriam ti. Ile was mar- ried a third time, in 183;, to Mary C. Goodnow, who has borne him one son. Thomas P., Jr.

A. J. WIIIT'DMB, carpenter und builder, was born in lewis County, N. Y., in 1832, sou of Moses and Lucy Wint- comb. Ile c une to t'ook County in 1845 with hn parems, who located in Chicago seven years, theuve moving to Niles, where his father died in 1852. at the age of eighty-four, his mother in 1823, at the age of seventy-seven. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Whitcomb engaged in bont building, nud subsequently was employed in the ship yanl. Al the age of twenty-five le commenced as a carpenter and builder, which he has followed from that time, coming to l'ark Ridge in 1840. Ile married, in 1835, Miss Ellen D. Haskins, daughter of Aaron and Caro-

line llaskins. They have one child. Emil Whitcomb. Ile has been Trustee for Park Ridge Corporation for two terms, and member of the school board for a number of years.

CANFIELD.

This station is located on the Wisconsin Division of the Chicago & North-Westeru Railroad, eleven miles from Chicago. The tract of land which it was de- signed in build a town upon was purchased by the Illi- nois & Wisconsin Land Company, who, in 1853, paid for it $21 per acre. Three hundred acres were laid out into blocks, lots and streets, but on account of the crisis of 185: the plan was not a success, and the land was sold at from $40 to $50 per acre. Nothing more was done until 1873, when A. C. Badeau purchased sixty-five acres of the land at $600 per acre, and named his interest Ridgelawn. On account of the suburb lving on the dividing ridge between the Desplaines River and the North Branch, the nume was considered appropriate. At the time of Mr. Badean's purchase it was his intention, as well as that of George H. Pierce, to build a number of houses, and thus attract residents, but nothing was doue, am] the village has not yet been built. The railroad station and oue farmi- house, originally used as the depot, are all there is of it at this time.

HISTORY OF WHEELING.

The town of Wheeling lies in the north part of Cook County, and is bounded on the north by Lake County, on the east by Nurthtield, ou the south by Maine and Elk Grove, and on the west by Palutine. The highest land in the township is in the western portion, there being a gradual slope to the Desplaines River, which flows southward through the eastern tier of sections. The soil is a rich prairie loam. Origi- nally the timber along the Desplaines River consisted of a belt abont three-fourths of a mile in width, and was, perhaps, cynally divided between Wheeling aud Northfield.

Probably the first settler in the town was a Mr. Sweet, whose first name cannot be ascertained. Ile arrived in March, 1833, selected a claim on Section 13, and Imilt a cabin, in which he lived nutil the fol- lowing October. As this was before the ratification of the treaty with the Pottawatomie ludians, with reference to their retirement from these lands, and as they were generally opposed to their occupancy hy white mon, Mr. Sweet must have been on especially friendly relations with them in order to remain there, and yet his desire to remain seems not to have been excessively strong, for in October he sold his claim to George Strong for $60. Mr. Strong. before finally deciding to huy this elaim, consulted Colonel Thomas J. V. Owen, Indian Agent at Chicago, as to the pro- priety of moving onto it, and as to the probable results. Colonel Owen advised him not to go, as the Indians were

hostile, und us, in addition, it woukl be necessary for him to use the l'uited States troops in defending the rights of the Indians in case Mr. Strong should attempt to occupy the land before the ralification of the treaty. Mr. Strang, however, having set his heart upon this claim, and knowing that the treaty would be ratified in a short time, decided to make the venture, and ou Monday, September 2, took possession of his claim. At this time his nearest neighbor to the northward was Captain Wright, who was said to be the only one between him and Wankegan; and to the southward his nearest neighbor was either General Peet or Captain Taleutt-probably the former, who moved onto the claim where his son, A. W. Peet, now resides, in December of the same year. Soon after moving into the Sweet shanty, it was surrounded by abont a dozen Indians, whose inten- tion was todrive off Mr. Strong. He, however, was not to be driven off easily. Going ontside, he had quite a fight with them, knocking one of them that upon the ground. He was immediately surrounded by the others, who with uplifted tomahawks and drawn knives thrent- ened him with instant death. Ilis escape is attribut- able only to his showing no signs of fear. The treaty was soon afterward ratified, and settlers came on in considerable numbers. Timothy T'itcomb almost imme- diately afterward settled just north of Mr. Strong, on Section 13, but soon sold out to Myron Dimmick, who staid, however, only three or four years. William B. Clay, and his two sons, John B. and'D. H. Clay, settled

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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY.

ou Section 12, S. M. Salisbury on Section 2, James Mackey nud his brother on Section 24, Christopher aud Daniel Stanger on Section 13, am] Christian Stryker ou Section 12. These, among others, rame in 1834, the last in December. Peter Gebhardt came in Jan- uary, 1835, remained about six years, and sold out to Henry Miller. Israel Martin also came about this time, but after a short residence moved to Palatine. Joseph Filkins, who had made his claim in 1834, built his cabin and moved his family into it in 1835. Matthew Chivel came in February, 1835, during which year eighteen log houses at least were raised. In March, 1830, William HI, Danton moved into the town and has ever since been a continuous resident. In 1837 Ephraim and Charles Morrison settled on Section 11 or 12; Russell Wheeler and Charles Daniels opened a store where the village of Wheeling is located, which they kept four or five years, and sold to Joel I MeDuffy. In 1838 a Mir. Shepard, or Shepherd, started a blacksmith shop, and Asher G. Skinner arrived and settled on Section 12. Daniel Martin enme iu 1839. By this time there were about two hundred inhabitants in the town. After the ratification of the Indian treaty the principal cause of excitement fur the first few years white men ovenpied this territory was claim-jumping, and if no one was killed for this crime, it was probably because the rightful possessors were so thoroughly united aml organized us to be fully con- scions of their strength and fully assured of success in the defense of their rights, as claim-jumpers usually had to light single-handed. A committee consisting of soven citizens, belonging to Wheeling. was appointed to decide on questions of rightful ownership in all enses of claim-jumping. This was the Inferior Court. Besides this, u Superior Court, or Court of Appeal, was appointed, consisting of three citizens, S. M Salis- bury, George Strong, and Joseph Filkins, before which any ense might be carried if the decision of the Infe- rior Court causeil dissatisfaction, but the decision of the Superior Court was final. The most serions difficulty the settlers of Wheeling were connected with was the ejecting of a claim-jumper from n clum just worth of the preseut boundary of their town in Lake County, in which case the claimant was assisted by two female members of his family feigning sickness, A physician. summoned for the purpose, examined the "sick" wamen and pronounced them in perfect health, and on the strength of his report the women were carried out of doors ou their beds by the Wheeling vigilantes, and the house pulled down. This was about the last of the difficulties of this kind.

In 1837 a survey of the lands in this town was made, and as it wax known that the boundaries of the various celuims already taken could not correspond with the section lines that would be run, the settlers, by mutual consent, selected S. M. Salisbury to purchase all the Jand they had claimed, with the nuderstanding that he shonk] re-deed each one's individual claim to him, As nearly as practicable, being at the same time governed by the section lines as run by the survey. This plan was carried out to the entiefnetion of all Concerned.

From the time elections became necessary to 1850, when the town was organized, the territory embraced within its limits, together with a part of Maine and Northfield, was known as Wheeling Precinct. The place of voting was at Wileus's tavern, situated on the Milwaukee road near where it crosses the Des- plaines River. After the organization of the town elections were held at the village of Wheeling.

This town was organized, as were the others in the county, April 2, 1850. The meeting was held "at the bouse lutely kept by James Parker in the town of Wheeling."" William H. Dunton was chosen Moder- utor, Egbert Van Vlaek, Clerk, and George Fullagar, Assistant Clerk. The election resulted in the choice of the following officers, each receiving the vote append. ed to his name: Supervisor, S. M. Salisbury, 106: ('lerk, Lewis l'ect, 96; Assessor, Ira Millard, 100; t'ollector, D B3. Briggs, 100; Commissioners of High- ways, Ira Snow, 100, W. II. Dunton, 141, Andrew Litce, 99; Constables, D. B. Briggs, 122, S. D. W. Miller, 98. A pound was provided for, to be as Dear the center of the town as practicable, and Myron Thornton was appointed Pouml-master. Three hun- dred dollars was voted to be raised for the support of the poor, for building a pound and for the incidental expenses of the township, but no tax has ever been levied for the support of the poor in Wheeling, bur was a pound provided at that time. Three hundred dollars was raised for road arul bridge purposes. Fenves were required to be built four feet high. The total number of votes cast at this election was 191, as certified to by Lewis Peet, Town Clerk, indicating : population of about 750. The Commissioners of Highways met April 19, and divided the town into six road districts. "Their second action was to vacate a road running north and south from the Rand road to the Dundee rond, between Sections 7 and 8, and 12 mnd 18. This action was taken May 4, on the petitinu of ten citizens, lated April 19. The board of appointment, consisting of S. M. Salisbury, Supervisor, Lewis Peet, Clerk, William Scoville, Justice of the Peace, and Joel F. Hawks, Justice of the Peace, met May 4 at the house of George Strong, and appointed Lysamler Miller Overseer uf . highways for District No. 1; Richard Adams for No. 2; Im Show for No. 3; George Strong for No. 4; Stephen Lamb for No. 5, nud James Dunton for No. 6. On the 13th of March, 1851, the Commissioners divided the town into nine districts each two miles square. The first highway fund, received by the Com- missimmers of Highways previously to March 25, 1851. was *200. At that time it was reported that in five of the road districts there had been performed tive hundred and ninety-seven days' work. and in one other district one hundred and one. The elections subsequent to that of 1850 have resulted in filling the offices as follows :

Supervisors .- Joseph Filkins, 1851 : John Filkins, 1852 : Joseph Filkins, 1853 ; William Scoville, 1854-35; Jesso Matteson, 1856-57 : George Strong, 1858 to 1865; William 11. Danton, 1866-67 : Frederick Tesch, 1868 to 1870 ; David Peter, 1871 : Frederick Tesch, 18:3 to 1865; C. Giles, 1876 to 1883, inclusive.

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History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 126

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