History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 159

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 159

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KENSINGTON.

This settlement is essentially a railroad town ; first brought to light from a prairie chaos by the establish- ment of a railroad station in 1852, by the Illinois Central and Michigan Central railroad companies, and then known as Calumet Station. Apart from the saloon in- terest, the present factors of the town's prosperity are the Forging Company's shops and the labor attendant upon the transfer of freight. The surface of the earth in the vicinity of the town is seamed with the iron veins along which the arterial and venal circulation re- quisite to its maintenance speeds and throbs. The town extends from State Street to a line east of the Illinois Central Railroad, and from One Hundred and

Fifteenth to One Hundred and Twenty-fifth streets. Although it is a large-sized hamlet, it appears dwarfed from its contiguity to Pullman, and upon every side are perceivable results of the absorbent process of the latter place -commercial and industrial.

The name, Kensington, is not popular with its inhabitants, who prefer the name identifying the town with the lake and rivers of the same name.

The first settlers were Patrick Fitzgerald, who built a small house south of the Forging Company's shops, in 1852, or 1853, since moved to Missouri; James Ryan, who built near Fitzgerald, since deceased at Crown Point, Ind .; Patrick Shanahan who was a neigh- bor of Ryan's ; John Cooper, now of Chicago, had a small house on Front Street, between Kensington Avenue and One Hundred and Sixteenth Street, and was the first to erect one of the principal buildings that was used for a boarding house for many years and is still extant. The station agent was F. Rexford, son of Norman Rexford, of Blue Island ; the name of the station was Caluntet, and its location just south of the present Illinois Central Railroad depot of Kensington. But in the immediate vicinity of Kensington is an old set- tler who far antedates those mentioned, David Andrews, who came to Chicago in 1834, and occupied the same office with Wilson Brothers, of Chicago Journal fame ; he was a civil engineer and surveyor, and after remain- ing in Chicago some time settled upon the farm on the Indian Ridge, about half a mile northwest of Wild- wood," in t840. Mr. Andrews was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, thence moving to Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, near Harrisburg. In 1835, he was in the United States Land . Office at Chicago, under Jamies Whitlock, and subsequently was in the Recorder's office. At the time he moved to his present farm his only near neighbors were David Perriam, at Wildwood, and Norman Rexford, at Blue Island, three miles away. Then prairie wolves, deer and prairie chickens abounded, and occasionally a lynx was seen, as were large timber wolves. Mr. Andrews married Caroline Ward in Crete, Will County, since deceased, in 1840, and brought his wife to the farm and built his homestead. The farm originally comprised three hun- dred and sixty acres, but now has only two hundred. Seven children were born to Mr. Andrews, of whom five are now living: Mary E. Becker, Edwin Ruthven, Charles M., Milo J. and Warren J. Mr. Andrews is still bale and strong, despite his seventy-eight years of age. Upon the farm have been exhunted numbers of Indian antiqui- ties, arrow heads, hammer heads, etc., and not long since an Indian skull was discovered.

In the fall of 1854, Cornelius Roggeveen moved from Roseland, and erected a small frame shanty seven feet by fourteen feet, east of the railroad track, between One Hundred and Fifteenth and One Hundred and Six- teenth streets ; at that time there were but three or four shanties, with the depot, standing upon the site of Ken- sington, About 1864, John Brandt had a little house where the Michigan Central transfer house now stands ; le moved to Burnside, Hancock Co., Ill., where lie resided at last accounts. John Gohring settled at Kensington about 1865 and bought John Cooper's house and one acre of land, and fifty acres from one Buell ; these fifty-one acres Mr. Oviatt bought in :869. John Holm's family made a settlement near the Gohr- ings, and Theodore Gohring and John Ortell may be

. William and David Andrews entered lands in 1834. in Sections 28 and 27. Township 37 north, Range 14; about 1837, Ambrose Smith purchased part of the homestead,

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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY.

accredited with early settlement, also Richard Ward, telegraph operator at this place for twenty years,

The surviving carly settlers, so far as known, are John Cooper, John Ortell, Mrs. Henderson-formerly Mrs. Theodore Gohring, and Cornelius Roggeveen. Ambrose Smith, who was one of the original owners of the land upon which Kensington is locatedl. was one of the early settlers at Riverdale: but does not appear to have resuled at Calumet, now Kensington. First store- keeper was Theodore Gohring, and his store was situ- ated at the corner of Front Street and Kensington Avenue ; berein he kept a stock of general merchandise and had a saloon; in 1878 this house was the only one upon that street, and in that year there were only some eighteen or twenty houses in the settlement. The first school, situated about half a mile south of the present school-house, at the corner of Kensington and Michigan avenues, was in existence in 1853, and of which Danicl O. Robinson was the first teacher, In 1861 the principal was Miss Eliza Rexford, and the number of scholars was from twenty-five to thirty. In 1875 a schoul-house was built at the present location; in a8So it was raised and a basement put under it and an addition made; another addition was maile to it in 1883. At the present time abont three hundred scholars attend : Fred W. Nich- ok is the principal, and Mas Adelaide Sullivan, as- sistant principal. The school board are E. T. Brouk. nekl, president: Fadlwin Ruthven Andrews, secretary- which position he has hekl for thirteen sears, and .A. J. Sparks, The population of the Kensington district according to the school center of July, 1883. was 1.278. A post office existed in early days at Calumet Station; in 1864 the postoffice was established at Kensington, with John Ortell as first Pustimaster, and E. T Brook- feld is the present Postmaster. Union Gospel services are held at Sinclair Hall, and were minstered unto by Rev. O P. Bostor, who has a Baptist congregation at Pullman, who are row supplied by the Theological Sem- inary.

Calumet Lodge, No. 94. K. of P., used to meet at Kensington, but now meet at Pullman; their officers are James Tohin, P. C .: Charles C Barber, C. C .; Frank Mathews. V. C .: John Mc Lean, P'; George Asquith, M. E . N. D. Wind, M. F .; F. W. Kron, K. R. and S .; William Lang, M A .; Daval Cassells, I. G .: William Mathews, O. G.

Kensington Umon Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiner- uf America, Nu 23, bad an organization here, but no meetings ate now hekl.

Kensington Lodge, No. 60, 0. 4. O. Druids, meet at Pullman: Officers, Frank Harmon, N. A .; August Klee, V. A .: Louis Buckenan, secretary: August Kren- ger, treasurer; W. A. Niemeyer, I. G .; Angust Hlaas, O. G. About ufty members belong to this longe.

Bowen Lodge, No. 216, A. (). U. W., was instituted May 6, 1882, with fifteen members and the fol- lowing officers: C C. Briggs, P. M. W .; H. O. Rock- well, M. W .; George Gillispie, foreman: J. Smith, over- seer; D). B. Stancliffe, recorder: William Hager, finan- vier; C. A. Dole, receiver; J. 1 .. Lloyd, guide; J. Quarterman, inner watch; C. Hlibbie, outer watch. November, 1883, the lodge had twenty-nine members and the following officers: C. A. Dole, P. M. W .; George Parsons, M. W .; J. Smith, foreman, 1 .. Cole- Imrn, overseer; E. T. Brookfield, recorder; B. Blakes. lee, financier: (', Hibbie, receiver; W. L. Brown, guide: J. Keller, inner watch; S. B. Howes, outer watch. The lodge meets weekly in Sinclair's Hall,

Apollo Legian, No. 28, Select Kinghts, was insti- tuted October 6, 1883, the date of the charter with the

following charter members. ( Asquith, E. T. Brookfield, Roman Glen, Hodin bert, J. K. Howes, Charles Metcalf, 1 } Snad 8 ] Beach, S. B. Howes, W. 1. Brown, Ilu add re Charles Brown, R. P. Hill, J Johnson, 1 M Mullen, J. Maher, J. C. Cook. J. Lintz, and 1. 1 . The first officers were : C. V. Gross, sclett confiar George Asquith, vice-commander; E. T Iones lieutenant-commander : R. Gilbert, select remy K. Howes, select recording treasurer : J. K. Ilugn 1., Brown and E. T. Brookfiehl, trustees : 1 1 standard bearer ; D). 1 .. Beach, senior workman; 5 Howes, junior workman ; W. L. Brown, mar Charles Metcalf, chaplain, and J. C' Cook, med. examiner. The present officers were installed Ja L 1884, and are: E. T. Broukfiekl, select commande (". Gross, vice-commander ; G. 1 .. Squires, lientes commander ; S. B. Howes, select recording tiraitn F. Grabert, select treasurer; R. Gilbert, select recht C. Metcalf, C. ; 1). I .. Bauch, senior workman; Howes, junior workman ; W. 1 .. Brown, marsha Smith, standard bearer ; R. ]'. Hill, trustee , I_ Gross, grand representative ; E. T. Brookfield, akermat and T. Bruce, G. of L.

On October 3, 1881, Kensington Hose Co, No ". was organized; their apparatus comprising one | hose-cart and one hand engine; after the water [ fe. were laid to Kensington in June, 1882, the hand engir was sent to Colehour. The present members consis 1 Goodrich 11. Lane, captain; G. Curtis, John Oldacer J. N. Hastings, August Klee, R. W. Lane. John Mas- tenbruck. A. G. Lane, Seth Elflein, C. Mastenbrak, W' Mastenbroek, Thomas Harris, James Payro, 1h present engine house cost $275.00 and is in rear of : . police station on Kensington Avenne, wherein are k .? the hand hose-cart and one thonsanil feet of cotton-huy! that form the equipment of this company.

The Suburban Enterprise was inaugurated Apri. :: 1882, by 1). B. Stancliff & Co. ; in about a month Mlr Stancliff was sole proprietor, and in September, 1$5. he associated with him William Henry Mansfield, wh- bought ont Stancliff on November 10, 1882. The papr" has six editions, one for each of Pullman, Kensington Riverdale and Dolton, Hyde Park, Washington Helge and Grand Crossing, and has two reporters, M. ! Allen and C. P. Root, each of whom collate news from specific districts. On October 22, 1883. the stock wi. partially destroyed by fire, but no interruption w.s nccasioncil in the business of the paper.

Chicago Forging Company's works are located on One Hundred and Sixteenth Street, near Pullman Beale- vard, and have an area of about two hundred feet ly Seventy feet. The general manager and treasurer is F 1 .. Brown; the superintendent, Thomas Varce. Att .. works every description of iron and steel forging & dure by means of machinery, and among their manufacture .Et many intricate shapes of iron work that are as perfert n finish as those that are hand-made, but with the distr - tion that being made by machinery they are exactly &m- ilar in shape and demensions. Drop forging is to black- smithing what the great watch companies are to jesse ers. Utilization of machinery of great power thispin. with the old blacksmith and helper system ; take f .J example the making of cant hook ferules 1 oblong slit wherem a fervent fire blazes, a har uf r inserted, heated and placed under this half-o + henry the hammer hy a few blows upon the matrix, why the bar is placed, hammers it mto shape in - placed upon a hardie and the hamnic Deser it in two like a stick of camly The |

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HISTORY OF HYDE PARK.

goes to the press where the rough edges are cut off at one fell squeeze ; it is then re-heated and bent into shape. Four hundred and fifty per diem of these can be made by these three successive operations ; a black- smith and his helper can turn out about thirty. Over three hundred different pieces of iron and steel of dif- ferent shapes are manufactured by this company ; all that is required being matrices that are cut by die- sinkers. The power is communicated to the machinery by a two hundred and fifty horse-power Reynolds- Corliss engine.

KENSINGTON BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

DAVID ANDREWS was born in Sussex County, N. J., Sep. tember 15, 1807, His parents immigrated with h s family to North- umberland County. Pern., when he was a small boy, where he was raised, completing aix education in surveying and eivil engi- neering at Harrisburg. In 1834 he came to Chicago and engaged at his profession. He surveyed and laid out Dixon, Ill., which he named in honor of John Dixon, then a prominent resident of that place. Mr. Andrews has been engaged in surveying for many years in Cook County, and was connected with the early Govern- ment land sales. He remained in Chicago and vicinity until 1840. and in October of that year settled on the south part of Section 28, Township 37. Calumet, where he has since lived and now owns a good farm. This farm was bought of the Government by his brother under Martin Van Buren's administration, and afterward conveyed to David Andrews. Since 1840 he has been engaged at his profession, principally in the southern part of Cook County. He was once nominated to the office of County Surveyor, but de- clined the same. In 1840 he married Miss Sophia Caroline Ward, wbo with her parents were early pioneers of Cretem, Will Co., Til. They had seven children-Mary E., now Mrs. Christian Becker, living near Blue Island; William P., deceased ; Edwin R., . who has charge of the home farm, and has served in several town- ship offices; David S., deceased ; Charles M .; Milo James, now principal of the Rogers Park school ; and Joseph Warren.

E. T. BROOK FIELD, Postmaster and real estate dealer, came to Kensington in October, 1875, where he had charge of the Michi- gan Southern transfer yards five years, after which he engaged in the real estate business. Hle took charge of the Kensington Post- office January 7. 1882, and is now serving his first term as Sper- visar of liyde Park Township. He was born in Niles, Mich., Jniy 7. 1844, lived there until 1872, and was conductor about four- teen years on the M. C. R. R. In September. 1863, he enlisted in Company F. 97th New York Volunteer Infantry, and participated in all the battles of his command ; mustered out in April, IS65. In 1870 he married Miss Carrie Edgecombe, a native of Maine. They have three children-Olive, Edith and Arthar. He is a member of Select Knights Lodge, A. O. U. W.

JAMES 11. BOWEN was born March 7, 1822, in Manheim, Herkimer Co., N. Y. He lived in Little Falls seven years, during which time he was treasurer and secretary of the Wool-Growers Manufacturing Company, and also the first American Express agent. In 1846 he removed to Jefferson County, N. Y., where he began business on his own account in general merchandise, and was appointed Postmaster at Evans' Mills, Jefferson County. He received the appointment of Colonel of the 36th Regiment of New York State troops. In 1853 he made another change, removing to Albany, N. Y., where he was interested in the crockery trade. During 1857 he vemoved to Chicago, and with two brothers con- stituting the firm of Bowen Brothers, commenced business at No. 72 Lake Street, as jobbers of dry goods and notions. The bnsi- ness grew nntil the annual sales reached the then astounding total of six million dollars. In 1867 he retired from active par- tieipation in the business and became a silent partner. He organ- Ized the Third National Bank in 1862. and was its president five years. He also made a special effort in behalf of a systematic plan of bank exchanges, which resulted in the establishment of the Chicago Clearing House. Mr. Bowen was appointed United States Commissioner to the Paris Exposition in 1867. The great- est work of his setive and useful life, was, however, yet to be under- taken, the foundation and improvement of South Chicago. The Calumet & Chicago Canal and Dock Company was organized in 1870, and as its president he threw his whole soul Into the work of opening up the Calumet River, improving the harbor and devel- oping the resources of the surrounding territory. flow well he has sneceeded can only be told by reciting the wonderful history of the place, which he has fostered with a parent's love. He was a member of the Board of Trade, of the Mercantile Association, and the Calumet Club. In November, 1674, he was appointed Colonel, on Governor Oglesby's staff. Hle voted for Henry Clay in t544, and ever afterward voted the Republican ticket. Ilis

membership of St. James' Episcopal Church dates from 1857. He was thoroughly identified with the village and town of flyde Park, and al the time of his death was a member of the Board of Trustees. In 1843 Mr. Bowen married Caroline A. Smith, by whom he had five children-Ira P., James A., Arthur P., Lottie E. and Mrs. W. H. French. May 1, 1881, as he was being taken to the depot in a buggy at South Chicago, steam escaped from an engine standing on the Fort Wayne track, the horse became un- manageable and upset the buggy, throwing Colonel Bowen six feet to one side. ffe made no cry. showed no signs of consciunsness. and although phys:eians were summoned, he was beyond medical skill. Thus amid the scenes of his untiring energy his life passed away. The execution of the plan devised by him and through his instrumentality will pass into other hands, but his works will live after bim, and posterity will recognize Colonel Bowen as being in truth and deed the founder of South Chicago, and a man who did more than any other to build a city where once was nothing but thousands of acres of dreary swamps. He resided at Wildwood, on the bank of the Calumet River, near Riverdale.

JAMES K. BROWN, dealer in wines, liquors and cigars, was born at Cornwell, England, December to, 1834, where he was raised and served an apprenticeship to the trade of bricklaying. He immigrated in 1864, locating in Chicago, where he worked at his trade. In 1857 he married Miss Jane Ann Tamblin, a native of the same place. They have eight children-Thomas E., Elizabeth A., Sarah, Minnie, William, John F., Maude and Ann C. Mr. Brown is a member of the United Order of American Bricklayers.

A. BURCHARD, physician and surgeon, came to Chicago in 1 879 and there practiced medicine two years. In July 1881, he located at Kensington, where he has a large practice. Ile was born in Albany County, N. Y., January 12. 1823; was raised in Sehoharie County; studied medicine with J. If. Norwood and graduated at the Woodstock Medical College, VI., in 1845, since which he has practiced medicine. During the Rebellion for a short time he was Acting Assistant Surgeon on a Government transport. and for some time had charge of the Government hospital at El- mira, N. Y. In 1867 he married Miss Hannah Watkins, a native of Tioga County, l'enn. They have two children-Latimer W. and Walter 11. By a former marriage he had three children- Astley C., John M. and Mary Alice.

O. B. CLARK, dealer in boots and shoes, hats, caps, and gents' furnishing goods, embarked in business at Kensington In July. 1881. In 1963 be located in Chicago and engaged in mercantile pursuits, first as clerk, and in the spring of 1569 went into business on his own account, which he continued until the great fire, when his mercantile effects were consumed by the devouring element. Nothing dannied, he embarked again, continuing nntil 1877, when he retired from business until his location in Kensington. Ile was born in Oneida County, N. Y., .April 7. 1842, and was raised and educated there, Ile is a member of the Masonie Order, K. of P., and A. O. U. W. In 1375 he married Miss Mary Myers, of Ohio.

C. D. DOLBEER, day yard-master Michigan Central Railroad, was born at Mendon, Monroe Co., N. Y., May 10, 1850. He was raised and educated at Mattawan and Kalamazoo, Mich., where he afterward elerked for a short time. He then worked two years for the American Express Company there, and two years al Fond du Lac, Wis. Then he became brakesman on the Michigan Central Railroad freight trains, and then two and one-half years at telegraph repairing. October 15, 1875, he came to Kensington, was switch- man three years, made assistant yardmaster, and in November. t 880. accepted his present position. Mr. Dolbeer was married December 20, 1582, to Miss S. E. Link, a teacher by profession, and a graduate of the Valparaiso Normal School. He is a member nf Bowen Lodge, No. 216. A. O. U. W., of Kensington, Division No. 15; Yard Master M. B. A. Association, Chicago.

THOMAS GAINES, proprietor of Gaines flotel, was born at East Bloomfield, N. Y., November 6, t$36. He lived in his native State until 1852, when he went to Michigan. In t$57 he became agent for the American Express Company, which position he filled for twenty-four years, and in 1860, manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company, both which positions he resigned in August, 1881. Coming to Kensington, December 15, of the same year, he opened his hotel, which can accommodate eighty guests. He has also spent twelve years in mercantile and the livery business, Mr. Gaines is a member of the Masonic Order, American Express Mu- tual Life Insurance Company, and Connecticut Matnal. In 1861 he married Emaline Love, of Pontiac, Mich. Hle has one son by a former marriage, Edward II., now a clerk on the Chicago Board of Trade.

CHARLES GARDNER wasborn in Tompkins County, N. Y .. six miles from Ithica, September 10. 1833, and lived there until 1845, when he came to Chicago. After a short stay he went to. Sandwich, Ill., where he lived six years, then he removed to the town of Thornton. Here he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1879, bat in the year 1859 he crossed the plains to California,

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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY.

where he spent two years in the gold mines. Returning to the town of Thornton in February. 186t. he married Miss Susan Webb, a native of Collin, Gloucestershire, England. They have three sons-James 11., Clarence V., and Charles Ira. February 28, 1864. Mr. Gardner enlisted In Company (, 39th Illinois Veteran Volun- teer Infantry, and during huis service participated in thirty-two battles and skirmishers and was onee wounded, llc was mustered out with his regiment December 6, 1865. Mr. Gardner removed March 28. 1879. from Thornton to Hyde l'ark Township, and located one mile south of Kensington, where he built the Gardner House. Connected with this house are four acres of fine grove. which affords a cool retreat for pleasure-seekers during the sum- mer season. Mr. Gardner deals largely in hay and straw both in Chicago and Kensington.

JOIIN GOHIRING, foreman of the east bound freight for the M. C. R. R. Co., was born in Bavaria, Germany, December 19, 1834. lle came to New York City in 1850, and served as office boy two years. Then he came to Chicago and worked for Loomis & Lewis until 1855, after which he was in the employ of F. Par- melee & Co. fifteen years, driving a bus and huggy wagon for five years, and ten years on the I. C. R. R. as cheek agent for the same company. In 1874 he took his present charge. Mr. Gohring married. in 1857, Miss Ida Bindel, a native of Germany, and they have one daughter, Nora L. He is sometimes known as the father of Kensington, and has been on its school board three years.

RICHARD P. 11ILL, dealer In general household furniture. and undertaker for Kensington and vicinity, came to Kensington in 1832 and embarked in ibe above business. He was born in Franklin County, Ohlo, April to. 1854, but was raised and edu. cated in Licking County. He is a painter by trade, and followed contracting and painting until he came West. Hle is a member of the A. O. U. W. of Kensington. In 1879 he married Miss Libble M. Moore, a native of Michigan. They have two children-Flor- ence C. and J. Farris.

JOSEPH K. HOWES, of Howes Bros., proprietors of a milk depot a Pullman, was born in Ashfield, Mass., May 28. 1858, and came with his parents and their family to Kankakee, Ill., where he was raised on a farm. There the family started the first dairy farm, and from thence sent the first milk to Chicago over the Illinois Central Railroad. 1., W. Howes, one of the firm, has a large dairy farm at Kankakee, from which he supplies the milk. They also have a cigar store at Pullman and a restaurant at Ken- sington. Juseph K. was married January 25. 1883, to Miss ffelen Sinclair, of Kensington. They are members of the Episcopal Church, and he is a Select Knight, A. O. U. W., Kensington.

WILLIAM JOHNSON. proprietor of Johnson llouse, was born in Northampton, England, September 8, 1839 He came to the United States in 1872 and settled at Edgerton, Rock Co., Wis, where he was bridge watchman for the C., M. & St. P. R. R. Co. eight years, beginning his present business in the spring of 188t. In 1857 he married Miss Mary Coe, a native of Desboro. Northamptonshire, England. They have one son-George. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters of Illinois.

AUGUST KLEE, dealer in wines, liquors, cigars and pro- prietor of billiard hall, was born In Germany March 28, 1842. lle came alone to the United States in 1857 and settled in Nashville, Tenn., where he was a florist and gardener. In 1863 he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and enlisted into the gth Ohio Cavalry, was made Corporal, and participated in four general engagements. Re-enlist- ing in the 106th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he served eight months, and was mustered out at the close of the war. After remaining in Cincinnati, Ohio, some time, he came to Chicago and engaged in gardening. He has served as Constable of the town of lake, Cook County, three years. He came to Kensington in 1880. Iu 1869 he married Tillie Geske, a native of Germany. They have one daughter-Sophia, Mr. Klee is a member of Herman Sons and Druids.

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History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 159

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